What A Month!!

This month has been a whirlwind. I can't even remember what I have written. Alie & I hit the road Sunday before last headed for Georgia. It is a trip I will long remember and long want not to remember! We were in a 16' Penske truck and behind us we were pulling her Honda on a car trailer! I can't believe we didn't take out any stop signs or people along the way.

We spent the night Sunday nite in Morganton and ate with the Potter/Pruitt clan at a Mexican restaurant. It was so good to see Edyth....and of course, Joseph (& Leah) will be living just across the parking lot from Al at Columbia. By the time we landed in Decatur, Joseph had rounded up a few folks to help unload the truck. People just started coming out of the woodwork and the truck was unloaded in about 1 hr!!! We headed into Atlanta to return the truck/trailer and the headed to the Decatur Diner for some food. We were both white knuckled and trembling when we walked in out of the heavy fog! We met Beryl, the waitress and she was a welcoming delight!

Tuesday was spent unpacking....I took a cab to the airport Wednesday and flew home on AIR TRAN (no more Delta for this family!). Al loves it there.....

I have been a slug for a few days. Alicia has started her radiation treatments. She & Ellen came over one evening and we watched THE HELP (again). John had a memorial service to conduct Saturday and was thrilled to bring home a big plate of homemade Tabernacle food!

It's strange having Al so far away....good though....so proud of her!

Now the push to get back into WORKCAMP prep!

Baby Goats....

There's nothing that an armful of baby goats can't cure!

The Blue Talon & The Lilleys

Al & I made our way to Williamsburg Thursday. We had a late lunch at The Blue Talon and then headed over to the Williamsburg Lodge to meet Paige & family. Christy and her family were all here from Tennessee, so we were able to see everyone!

It was a brief gathering, but loud, fun and filled with laughter. The girls are growing so quickly! Ellie is into horseback riding and Caroline is into being Caroline.

Al & I had intended to go over to Busch Christmas Town since we didn't get to go last week, but we both were ready to head home.

Curled up in bed and watched the update on the computer of the basketball game VCU vs Akron! It was quite a game....one second left...one basket made...they one by one point! Go RAMS!

Allie received her living assignment for Columbia and is thrilled she will be on the first floor of the older building and she'll have a KITCHENETTE!!!

It's New Year's Eve and quite at the Romaine's.....

Bevell's Hardware

Just before Christmas Allie & I traveled to Blackstone, VA to Bevell's Hardware Store. I had been told about an incredible Christmas model train village that they set up for the season. It was more than we ever expected! SO MUCH FUN and so much to see.....and it's just set up in the local hardware store. Apparently they have been doing this for 30 years. We ran into two old friends.....Debra Bailey from Workcamp and SANTA....so Al joined them for a photo. I wish I could put all of the photos up.....here are a few. One of the girls....one of a locomotive....one of the actual drive in theatre that was playing....Maybe I can find a way to link all of the pics to the blog....Hmmmmmmm.

Family Time

I am so ready to crash for the night, but just had to post the new pictures. They are of Christmas Day and then the day after Christmas when we all get together. It was a wonderful time! I cannot stay up another minute! Enjoy the pics and I'll write more soon!

Too Warm For December

It's way too warm to be December! It should make being at Busch Garden's Christmas Town fun tonight though. Usually we are freezing with gloves and scarves! Allie, Ben & I are heading down there this evening for a few hours of fun.

The photo is of Al's dear friend Jonathan who has been in Mozambique since September with the Peace Corps. He and 17 others were just sworn in and sent to their individual villages. They had planned to meet up for Christmas this weekend. Tragedy......5 of his Peace Corps friends were in an auto accident....two of the girls were killed. It's very hard since he is so far away.......

I went to the grocery store REALLY early and bought the turkey and fixins for our big meal with family the day after Christmas. Most of the presents are wrapped.....it's nice to have most of the holiday time to have down time!

I visited more residents for camp on Tuesday, and met some WONDERFUL people for the kids to be with this summer. And it's official, there will be a Palestinian youth group from the GAZA STRIP......I am SO excited!

Heading to Williamsburg! ;)

Christmas & Close Friends

What a wonderful evening last night! It was cold. We had a fire in the wood stove and lots of goodies to eat. On the deck we had the fire pit going with giant marshmallows to roast for smores! It was a perfect time with close friends and old friends.

I think we may head to Blackstone to the hardware store this week to see the BIG train display. Everybody at church was talking about it....so, I think we'll make the journey!

Well, I must get the graham crackers & leftover marshmallows off the deck before the racoons roast them tonight!!