Workcamp, Fireworks & LOVE CAN!!

(Here is the gang that serenaded Drew & Allie after he popped the question!)

It has been a month since I have written. When July arrives, our family goes into the big black hole called WORKCAMP! So much has happened that catching up would be impossible unless I do it as one-liners! So here goes. I guess I should go in chronological order, but this first event is TOO IMPORTANT to list down the line!

DREW & ALLIE ARE ENGAGED! It was Thursday nite of the second week of camp. Marcela came to me about 10 minutes before evening programming started and told me that Drew was going to pop the question. He had already taken John aside and asked him for Allie's hand in marriage about two days prior.

After the evening staff meeting, Drew & Al went for a walk. Little did she know that Marcela, Daniel and Ridgeway had set up fireworks out on the basketball court. The signal Drew gave was when he dropped to one knee. It was so RIGHT! It was intimate & private for them, but as they came into the school, all of their friends had set up sparkling cider....Ridgeway was on the guitar and we were all singing UNCHAINED MELODY!!! It was so much fun! And it was so memorable. More photos are on her facebook & mine.

My British cousin, Tim was here for his birthday on the 3rd of July. We had both Old Glory and the Union Jack flying down at the pool. There was lots of hot dogs, Edyth & Cass were there.....the scudders.....we started up the firepit and roasted marshmellows for smores. So much fun having a house full of family & friends.

The next day, the staff arrived for the first wave of campers. We prepped the school and then that evening we brought the firepit to the school and watched the Colonial Heights fireworks while we ate smores and donned glow stick necklaces and bracelets. It was a good break before the gang of campers arrived the next day.

The first week....I hardly remember. It was a good week....great kids....much work done.....

During the middle week break, our dear friend from church, BERNICE ORTON passed away. John had quite a hopping month. He had to do her funeral, travel to Colonial Heights 12 times to teach & inspire, and let go of his little girl!

The second week of camp was so amazing for me. My sister Paige came and stayed until Wednesday! Jon & Jennifer, my brother & niece were campers. I was so glad they were here for the engagement happening.

We had planned to leave for England, but because of his work schedule, Tim just couldn't host us this summer. So, we are heading to Disneyworld on Sunday for a much needed family time. We haven't been since Al was little, and Drew has never been. Really can't believe we are going!

There is much more to tell and many more photos, so I will try to write consistantly for the next few days. These are very rich and wonderful days!

Getting Ready!

This is the tshirt from the last trip to Mississippi. Someone had it on when we were building the ramp the other weekend. Speaking of ramps, 5 of them are being delivered by volunteers this Friday to the houses for construction by the workcampers. The pitter patter of all these things happening confirms that our craziness is just around the corner!
Jeffrey is in Roanoke competing for the state title of school bus driver in the ROADEO. He has a really good shot at it! Another note tho, he was diagnosed with lime disease from a tick bite. He is feeling fine, but is on antibiotics. I have been pulling ticks off John left and right. The pine trees at the golf course are full of them!
Tim arrives in the states on Wednesday. He will be with friends in NY and then fly down to be with us on JUNE 30th! That's the same evening we put the walls up at the school! Edyth and Cass are coming in a day early too, so we will have a house full! I LOVE IT!
Ben is home from VMI.....Allie & Drew and the gang were all here the other night. I love sitting by the pool....by the firepit....watching the dragonflies!
Took Will to the vet for his checkup and he is great for 12 years old!
Hoping to head down the Yorktown this Saturday evening . A bunch of old cronnies from the Gloucester High School Class of 1970 are having dinner together. Hope I can make it!
John had a good father's day. He heard from all the kids and is really enjoying a book that Al gave him and some new swim trunks.

Things Are Moving FAST!

The photos are from our fun day yesterday. Jeffrey brought Rebecca up for all of us to meet. Allie & Drew came down from Richmond. Alicia and kids came by. We roasted hot dogs by the pool and then had a WII tournament.

Tim will be arriving in the states in ten days! I absolutely cannot wait to see him! I know it will be during our busiest time of the year, but having him here is wonderful! And he will be here for his birthday!

Tomorrow I am taking the Sisters of Charity out for a goodbye lunch. Al is coming down to go with us.

I've just about finished the tshirts. There is SO much to do and this ^%$# sinus infection is kicking my butt. I am on the mother of all antibiotics now, so this should take care of it!

Neat story: A recent graduating workcamper went for an interview in Washington DC to teach second grade at a charter school. As she was wrapping up the interview with the head of the schools, he said he notice she had been a workcamper in Petersburg. She told him yep, all during her teen years. He told her to tell Connie hello and that he was one of the original workcampers from the 80s! Small world! By the way, she got the job!

Wheelchair Ramp, Dance Revue & A Virus

(Somebody's rump as we neared the end of building the ramp today)
(Ellen Rose in her dance revue last weekend)

Now is the time when the Romaine household kicks into gear! I haven't been able to write, because I have some sort of virus. Headaches, bad body aches and a fever that peaked at 103.5!

On the evening of May 29th, we went to Ellen's dance revue. I must admit it was a little unsettling going into Moore Middle School. I am so glad those years are OVER! After the show, Alicia & Ellen came by and swam with Al and we fired up the pit. So much fun and relaxing!

It wasn't long after that I started to just not feel well. I was having serious headaches & body aches so I thot I was having a fibromyalgia flare. John felt of me one evening and said to take my temperature. It was 102.1! I have been walking around with it for days. By the time I got to Patient First, my temp was 103.5. I am MUCH better today, but Alicia drove me out to the site where they built a wheelchair ramp today, and I am glad she did. She is such a good friend.

There were about 15 people there today. We built a ramp for a young man in his late 20s who used to the running back of his high school football team. His mother has had an intense time getting him diagnosed and he is slowing deteriorating day by day. He is in a motorized chair now, but they had no way to get him in and out of the house. His brothers literally carried him up and down the steps. The weather was perfect and the ramp was finished in a day by the volunteer staff for workcamp. Now we have a number of staffers that are familiar with how to construct a ramp in case the kids run into any questions. You can see all of the photos at my FACEBOOK page.

It's really wonderful to see Allie feeling good and back to her old self! My mission now is still to look for cheap airfares for Al, Drew and I to London. I have enough air miles saved, so I am searching for the two of them still. Gotta purchase them really soon tho!

I shaved about a pound of hair off Will. The pool water is finally balance and clear. Jerry is starting on our deck rejuvination on Monday. I've been to see ANGELS & DEMONS twice and loved it! Allie and Drew went to see Willie Nelson at Innsbrook where the crowd was just as interesting as what was happening on stage.

I am of course just skimming the surface of all that has been going on. JUNE is the happening month around here getting ready for the JULY surge of people that "love like crazy!!!!!!"

Feet Keep Movin!

Here's another photo of Allie and her dad at the wedding last week. Just to take our brains another place, Allie and I went to see the moving "OBSESSED" late last nite. We were the only ones in the theater. And yes, the Beyonce' fight scene at the end was worth the $$$.
Today I made my way to Pocohontas Island to visit a resident. Yep, Pete...another wheelchair ramp! Then Al and I made our way to Richmond to take care of various things and to eat lunch at STICKY RICE.
The pool water is clearing up. I miss Tim. He is usually here this time of year.
Today is Al's two week check up with Dr. Cane after surgery. It is SO good to see her feeling better! She went salsa dancing last night! Then tonight, I am going to Ellen Rose's dance recital. Pictures to follow.
Catching up today on LOTS of paperwork for camp! Building the ramp with about 12 others tomorrow!!
Woo Hoo!

Yikes, It's Almost June!

(Little Pierson Kirk - only 4 days old!)
I can't believe that JUNE is almost here! YIKES!
This Saturday we are building a ramp for a young man that has CP. It's a chance for the workcamp staff to get together and learn the process so we can assist the kids if they need help during the weeks of camp.
All is well at the golf course with John. The days are getting hotter, yet we continue to build a little fire in the pit by the pool about every other night. JUST LOVE IT!
Hoping to see the movie ANGELS & DEMONS this week sometime.
Al meeting with her advisor tomorrow about her summer internship. So glad she is feeling better physically. She's dealing with some tough stuff right now, but she is a really strong young woman! I am so proud of her!
Looking at three more houses tomorrow. Will need only two more after that! YAY!
Edyth is choreographing two songs in a musical at their local theater in NC. It's TITANIC (the musical). I can't imagine what it is like and would LOVE to head down there, but it's just not in the cards for right now. They actually have the boat sinking onstage at the end!
Gotta get the rest of these tshirts mailed and OUTTA HERE!

Wedding & A Baby

I guess the Sisters of Charity have officially moved. It was sad. I called their number at the convent to see if they wanted to go out to lunch before they moved, and I got a disconnected recording. They have been at St Joseph's for 150 years. Now they are being dispersed because of finances and sent to help other places.
JR did a kick %$#@ job on the wedding this weekend. It was definitely not an easy task for him, but he MADE the wedding.
Al is feeling SO much better physically after the surgery. It's a slow recovery, but positive! Paul Bagley came over and spent the nite with her last Thursday. He is such a hoot and it was good to see him!
Leigh Barksdale (Al's childhood friend from across the street) had her baby last Thursday. Little Pierson came home yesterday. Will try to get photos up. I am really getting slow !
I'm planning a day of getting groceries and then cleaning up around the pool. Hoping to have a few friends over tomorrow for Memorial day for food and drink. Then a fire by the pool in the evening.
This will be a busy week. I am looking at houses and coming down to the wire on the selections. Ellen's dance review is this week. I want to go to Toano to take Glenn's robe back and visit with them. And yes, Sheila, I am bringing a rice maker!
We got word in NY from Uncle Mike that John's great Uncle Art passed away. He was 99 and getting ready to celebrate his 100th bday in September. He was John's mother's brother. A short, cute little Frenchman. Hmmmm, sounds like somebody I know!
Gotta run thru the carwash....LOTS of little birdies "doo-dood" on it when we were visiting the baby yesterday.
Gonna try to beat the church people to Walmart!