Things Are A Little Slower

(I love this photo of Allie at THE SEA in EPCOT)

Things have slowed down just a little around here. It's good to be home and taking care of the "nest". You know the old saying "the cobbler's children have no shoes". Well, the workcamp director's house needs painting! JR and I are planning on starting the interior painting today or tomorrow.

Allie and Drew will be in Nags Head until Saturday. I miss them after spending so much time with them in Florida.

Alicia is directing a small children's camp out at CAMP KEHUKEE this week. I went out there to help out last nite. We did some music and energizers. Then Jason the Juggler/Magician was there. I was checking him out for workcamp, but I believe the teens would eat him alive! He is funny....so corny that it's funny!

Shopping for a gift for Lindsay & Matt's baby. Allie and I are going to a shower on Sunday afternoon. Can't wait to see Lindsay pregnant. She has been studying at Notre Dame all summer, so this will be the first time we get to see her! Erica Balmer Hanchey is going to be induced on Sunday if her little one doesn't start making his way into the world in Texas.

I am avoiding working on the final financial balancing for workcamp and also procrastinating going into the warehouse to search for a couple of missing tools. Ugh!

JR's son in law, John Crowder is recovering from a surprise quadruple bypass surgery. We are very thankful!'

I drove to Newport News last Friday for Mrs. Lilley's funeral service. Then I swung by the Plott's in Toano to return Glenn's robe that JR had borrowed for the wedding he did in June. Hope they have fun with the rice cooker we got them !

We're making plans to go down to the Hickory Community Theater in October. Edyth is directing the SOUND OF MUSIC & it also looks like Cassidy will be playing the part of Marta. Gotta see it!

Debbie D (across the street) and her grandaughter Bri came over to swim yesterday. Can't believe how much that little girl has grown....

We may head down to Donk's next Saturday also....last show before the school year begins.

Already have typed out a timeline for the wedding planning....SO MUCH FUN AHEAD for me and my girl!

A Magical Time!

(Our first day in the Magic Kingdom....Belle & The Beast in the parade!)

OK...so much for writing and sharing photos. After taking care of some loose ends for workcamp, time went by and we were on the plane to Orlando this past Sunday! We took the Magic Express from the airport to stay at the Disney Caribbean Beach Resort. Sounds exotic, but was actually a basic room. How fun was it? We crammed as much as we could in to four days and four different parks.

After we arrived on Sunday we were off to the Magic Kingdom. There were Pirates of the Caribbean, Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, It's a Small World, Cinderella's MerryGoRound, the teacups, Snow White's Adventure, the Carosel of Progress, and then the evening fireworks while we rode the shuttle back to the hotel.

Monday was the Animal Kingdom. It was hot, crowded and a reminder not to come to Florida in August. We endured tho and even loved the afternoon thunderstorm. We saw a Bug's Life in the Tree of Life, Dinosaurs, Elmo's broadway show, the gorilla's exhibit, and lots of FOOD! We bought special bride & groom mouse ears for our special couple too! The Himalaya roller coaster was the best I have EVER ridden in my 56 years!

Tuesday was EPCOT. Again, hot and tough to do in one day, but we did! As we watched the production of lights on the lagoon that evening, a tree frog jumped and attached itself to the side of the cup Allie was drinking out of. We saw everything that day from O Canada to the Chinese acrobats. And of course, SOARIN'! Another thunderstorm and we were soaked....but happy and exhausted.

Our final day, Wednesday, was Disney Hollywood Studios with everything from Star Wars to the Tower of Terror. It was Drew's birthday, so Goofy called him to wake him up that morning. At 3:30pm we headed out of the park and to the Magic Express to the airport.

Alicia and Ellen met us at the airport in Richmond. The magic subsided and we were back to normal life. Allie and Drew are packing for Nags Head with the Murphys. I headed to Newport News to represent the family at Mrs. Lilley's funeral...Grover's mother.

It was a whirlwind visit. I can't believe we saw as much as we did in four days. It was such an American, polyester, decadent four days, but boy did we have fun!

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!