Hurricane Sandy

The top photo is of some of the workcamp staffers that came to a wrap-up session yesterday.  Everyone came dressed goofy in the Halloween spirit .  They also came bearing a big brownie cake for my 60th birthday.  We almost chose not to have the meeting because Hurricane Sandy is looming in the ocean.  We did postpone the board meeting because Katrina is at a wedding and Debra has grandkids throwing up.  We have the generator ready and water in buckets on the screen porch in case we lose power.   It's really supposed to hit NJ & NY hard!
The horse pics are from our neighbors house.  She adopted two horses that someone didn't want.  Wonderful animals that we are welcome to come visit or ride anytime!  LOVE IT!
I keep procrastinating about closing the pool.  Guess we'll turn the pump off finally this coming week.
Allie was here for 4 days during mid-term.  It was so good to see her.  We're counting the days before she comes back for Thanksgiving.  I've already started picking up grocery items.  Jeffrey is coming to eat with us too.
The John Deere is terrific for corraling all the leaves.  Bottom line, it's so fun to ride it and see all the leaves gone!
Well, tonight we should start rocking and rolling with the storm.  Hopefully we are passed by!  All flights on the east coast are shut down. 

Here's What's Happening.....

I just love this time of year!  Much to do but also lots of time to just ENJOY!  I am treating the pool for the final time before turning it off.  Allie flies home for a brief visit on Saturday, so Sunday night we are going to have a fire pit by the pool.  We'll cook hot dogs and smores by the pool...so looking forward to it.
The smoke alarms in the house are going off today...looked it up on the internet and it says that "hard wired" alarms do this when they get dust in them or the back up batteries are bad.  Going to get some "canned air" to blow in them and change the batteries.  :(
I love riding the lawn mower over the yard just to get the leaves!
John's robe looks fabulous!  Now he is dressed he just needs a place to go!  We should have gotten him his own robe years ago.  I still need to upload pics from the Spain's get together the other night.  Will probably take lots of pics this weekend with Al home. 
Wishing this election was OVER!  Great presidential debate the other night.  Got in a little trouble mentioning "Mormon magic underwear" on my facebook page the other day.  Immediately took it off because I hate it when people debate on facebook!  I value other religions, but this Mormon thing has me baffled because it's so secretive....sacred garments, the planet Kolub, baptizing the dead...and the list goes on.  It's OK if this is what people want to believe, but I think if you are running for the highest office in the land, you should be more open about all of this.  Once you declare yourself a public figure, your life is open to all questioning! It's pretty deceptive how they appear "christian" on the outside, but don't want it to be common knowledge about all the secret practices and ceremonies.  I don't think the fundamental right wing has caught on to this.  I'll be SO glad when the election is over. 
Went out to Southlawn day before yesterday and put new ivy on mom's mauseleum stone.  Having a ton of fun looking up OLD workcampers and referring them to our facebook page for the reunion.  Looking forward to seeing all my workcamp buddies soon at the wrap-up meeting.  That's when the big push for the reunion will actually begin.  The brochures for next summer were mailed out the other day also.  I start looking at houses in November. 
Heading out on errands....think Alicia is going to be my sidekick again today. 

Fall Is Here....I Think??

It keeps going from hot to cold and then back again so our sinuses are going nuts.  Louis even is having problems with one of his ears :) 
Yesterday I changed out flight plans.  Instead of me traveling to Atlanta for a couple days, Allie is flying home for 4 days!  She found out that she has only a Greek exam for midterm, thus days with nothing!  YAY! 
John after YEARS of sucking on a pipe, is now trying out an electronic cigarette.  It's quite fascinating....he keeps it in his pocket and has been without a pipe for a couple of days. It's pretty amazing!  He has a wedding this coming Saturday in Dinwiddie and then we are going to Ruby & Keith Spain's for a barbecue.  I ordered a clerical robe for John.  He has never had one and has always borrowed Glenn Plott's. It should be in today and I'm waiting for the call.  Ordered one that looks similiar to Edyth's. 
I have been making keychains with the colors of the Palestinian flag.  Just a little project to keep my hands busy when we watch TV.  We finished the HOMELAND series #1 and are totally addicted!  And then of course there was the VP Debate last night.  We were both stuffing popcorn into our faces as fast as we could while we watched.
Lots of folks we know are coming down with pneumonia and the "up chuck" stuff but fortunately we are tiptoeing through all of it.  I started Christmas shopping and the MeeMaw room is getting a little cluttered.  Alicia & I went to a matinee of "Pitch Perfect" and had a good laugh.
I am getting ready to send out the WORKCAMP 2013  brochure, have the wrap-up and board meeting, contacting new churches that have requested info, and trying to update the website.  I never do anything to the website during the year so each fall I sort of have to reteach myself what to do!  And of course, pulling things together for the big 25th REUNION.  We have already reserved Richard Bland College...the pecan grove with the gym as a back up in the evening if it rains.  Once we have our wrap-up session, it will be all systems delegated and ready to go!

Nothing really exciting happening....just everyday nuts and bolts :)  Ran across this old photo & LOVE IT!

I KEEP WAITING TOO LONG

Ben P. took this photo of Al during one of his visits to Columbia.  I am excited that I booked my flight to Atlanta today and am going to down spend a couple days with my girl!  It will be nice to be down there when it isn't HOT! 
Since my last writing, I have turn 60 years old!  I went to a Gloucester High School Mega Reunion a week ago.  It was a reunion of classes from 1963 - 1971 and it was held at a huge farm in the county.  The hosts had a little helicopter that they were taking people up in....and all the tables and chairs/food were set up in an airplane hanger.  I met my Afghan friend, Mohammed Ihsan in the courthouse and we traveled to the gathering together.  It was SO good to see him along with many other old friends I hadn't seen in probably 40 years!  I can't believe I am even writing these numbers! 
I made a trip down to visit Glenn & Sheila Plott just before her birthday.  I took them WORKCAMP 2012 tshirts, hats and we shared pictures and videos.  I'm sending them one of John's sermon CDs each week so they can listen at home. 
I planted some mums down by the mailbox.  Someone took our trash can and then our little solar lights at the end of the driveway..Jon David suggested setting up a deer camera to catch the culprits.  That sounds like a fun idea to me! 
Alicia & Ellen came over for a little time around the firepit down by the pool.  Ellen was accepted into college this past week ...Gardner-Webb University in N.C.  It has been a difficult week.  One of the seniors at PGHS died in a car accident on the way to school.  He was pulling off the road for a police car with siren & flashing lights.  His car went into a culvert, flipped and into water...no one could get him out.  Ellen is the band drum major...the young man that drowned played the tuba in the band.  Friday night's football game was difficult.  His funeral was held in the gym at the high school.
I went to Richard Bland College this past week and reserved the Pecan Grove for our workcamp 25th reunion!  Lots of new faces there so when I connected with a couple of the old ones I was thankful!  Now I am digging into the details and delegating!  It's going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!
Also found the theme song to be used next summer for WORKCAMP 2013.  It is by the group MERCY ME and is called "CRAZY ENOUGH".  We are doing a 60s theme next summer!  We have our board meeting and also the WrapUp meeting coming up the end of this month.  It will be so good to see the people I love!
John drove to upstate NY and spent a few days with family up there.  He also conducted a small graveside service for Grandma Harriet and they commited her ashes for burial.  It was pouring down rain!  The pic at the end of the blog is from that rainy day. 
I have started making little bracelets with the colors of the Palestinian flag....just a little reminder of our friends!

Enjoying A Slower Pace

                                                     With U.S.Senate candidate Tim Kaine

                                            Ellen directs PGHS band at the first football game

                                                             Paul & Alicia at the game

The weather this morning is in the 60s!  I hope to get John to carry the firepit back down to the pool so we can get in a few evenings before we close it down.  The weather change is happening SO QUICKLY!
We went to the Prince George High School first football game Friday night & were sweating the whole time!  IT WAS HOT!!!  Fun tho...and to top it off, PGHS beat Clover Hill!  Miracle!
I've started "stripping" the laminate floors in the house and treating them.  They look terrific with the new combo of cleaners I've found.
The pic above is also from Sunday afternoon at the Mediterranean Bakery & Deli in Richmond,  Saba & Jameel Abed own the business (Saba was our Arabic translator this summer).  Their family has been  friends of former Gov. Tim Kaine for many, many years.  They hosted a couple of hours of food & questions so Alicia, Ellen & I went.  Glad we did!
Al begins her full week of classes this week. Praying for a good week for her.
Well, going to begin my paperwork....a little each day so it doesn't pile up!  Also searching for a new theme song for 2013.  Think I may have found it, but not sure! :)

Still Not There Yet.....

I'm still not there yet.  I wanted to write a long script about the magical things that happened at Workcamp this summer, but I just haven't been able to put it in to words yet.  So, I am still recounting daily happenings and other special events. 
Tomorrow is John's 75th birthday.  This is monumental! He's not so happy talking about it so we will not be having a big celebration.  More to follow.
Yes, I am turning 60 years old this month so needless to say that in combination with my birthdate being 9/11 it will be a fun time.  Allie and Paul DID made sure that I celebrated though before she left for Atlanta.  She invited a group of close girlfriends and we went to the GODFREY'S brunch in Richmond a week ago.  It was a riot!  It's a gay bar with "lady" dancers and entertainers!  A couple pics at the bottom of this post.
The pool is finally back to blue.  Giving myself until after Labor Day to get back on track with work.  I'll be processing receipts, balancing the books, looking at preparations for a 25th Workcamp Celebration on April 20th, browsing for a theme for next summer, and getting info ready to print and send out in October.  Here we go!
I drove to Toano and spent several hours with the Plotts.  Best thing I have done in a long time.  I love them so much and wish I had taken some pictures.  Sheila will be celebrating her 90th birthday on Sept 14th!
John is considering driving to upstate New York this month to visit his hometown and brothers /sisters this month.  I have a high school reunion in Gloucester this month.  Allie begins her second semester of grad school this month.  I really am pulled toward the plight of our dear friends in Palestine now.  Another hurricane slammed into the gulf coast of Mississippi this month.  I will definitely keep everyone posted about all of these happenings. 
Gotta scurry.....

                                  Alicia, Paul, myself, Debra, Ellen Debbie & Allie having fun at Godfreys

                                                       Godfrey's Cher impersonator

                                                          My girl is back in Atlanta.....

Still Trying to Catch Up

I've been on a mission to find some lost tools.  Alicia & I made a trip to the "boathouse" warehouse the other day.  Really creepy.  It's right on Willcox Lake and is crammed full of workcamp stuff and mice!  Found what we were looking for tho! I'm busy balancing our workcamp receipts, payments, etc.....not my favorite thing to be doing...
The pool is green & I am still fighting with it.  It's a daily thing.
Al & I went shopping a little yesterday.  A candle fell at her feet, cut her toe and she started bleeding like crazy from this tiny cut!  We were outta there in no time.
Ben's shop was broken into through the back door.  This has been the most violent, intrusive summer I can ever remember!
I called the Plotts and am taking a little road trip down there next week to visit & show them all the things that happened at Workcamp this summer. 
John now gets up at 4am on Tuesdays and cuts greens out at Fort Lee.  In return, he gets a free cart all week.  I'm not sure if it's an even tradeoff.  He likes doing it tho.
I am on and offline with the Palestinian group at times which is thrilling.  I must figure out how to share the videos on here, especially of the dancing!
Again, I am filling this space with everyday happenings and am saving the Workcamp happenings for later.....it's still just too much to process.
Louie has made two escapes out the front door when we weren't looking.  I end up cussing and we all go looking for him and he turns up wagging his tail.  Will just lays there with his nose pointed to the front door, telling us that Louie's made a run for it!  It's really funny!
Al is already signed up for classes this semester and ordering her books today. She's taking Greek this fall which John is so excited about it he can hardly stand it!
Gotta scurry.....

                                                   Allie, Ranim & Meirna try hat on in Luray

                                                                Khalil  I dance to a local musician outdoors in Luray