THE GOLDEN YEARS & SNOWFLAKES ALREADY!

Hi Readers:
I had so much trouble with last Sunday's Blog that I was ready to quit the whole thing!   What ever key I hit wouldn't correct the problems and I was all stirred up and probably I hit too many keys!  Here it is Thursday and I'm still annoyed about it.  The photos went in clear up to the top; way above my paragraphs and then I couldn't make the caption feature work.  It was frustrating.  So let's see how this week goes.
MONDAY:
Over the weekend, I had talked to one of my close friends from work and promised to call her Monday with directions to Roswell parking garage.  She was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.  So I called her and relayed the info.  She is meeting with a surgeon to find out the surgery procedure facing her.  Also last week, another gal from work was diagnosed with breast cancer.  This girl had worked in my accounting unit. 
She is deaf and now this tragedy. Very sad news for the week.  I wrote a note to her.
I had an appointment with the podiatrist; thinking I had an ingrown toenail.  It was fine and she trimmed all my toenails.  That sure helps with this right knee that doesn't lift or bend.  I was mucho grateful.   The Golden Years-it takes all our gold to stay healthy.  
TUESDAY:
Up early as Bob had an appointment with the eye doctor at 9:30am.  He has been mentioning that his right eye was fuzzy.  (Now he tells me that he was worried about perception while driving the bus)  He asked me to drive to University Eye in case they put drops in his eye.   He didn't have to wait long and they called his name.  I read my book.  I finished my book.  I fell asleep.   I went out to the car and got my bottle of water.  I was just about to ask if they sent him to the hospital and didn't know that I was with him, and they didn't tell me.  Then I heard him laugh.  Ahe, he is still in the building.  When he came out we had to stay another 15 minutes until they checked him once more.  12:15 now!   His eye was replacing it's lens over top of the implanted lens put in in 2003.  They did laser surgery right there.  (The Golden Years)  I would have died from the fear. 
After supper, still avoiding the Blog; I decided to wrap up the camping newsletter.  I hadn't received any other new news so I finished that up and e-mailed it to the web master.  I finished printing the snail mail about 11:00 and went to bed. 
I had a short story on my e-reader that I enjoyed, maybe others would too.  The name is "Heaven is Real".   It's written by a pastor (Todd Burpo) and the story is about his son's near death experience going to heaven.    
WEDNESDAY:
Why not today?  Get a couple things off the "to do list" that have been waiting.  I spent the morning cleaning the bathroom shower walls and floor, etc.  I almost had to call Bob to get me out of shower; my rump is so big I got stuck between the toilet and shower door while doing the floor part.  True story!
After all that I needed to rest so I worked on paperwork. Why do the doctor's receptionist always say don't pay until we bill the insurance.  Or they only charge 1/2 of the co pay.  Now I have to compare insurance printouts with their bills and write a check for the other 1/2 of the co pay ...they can't read the back of my insurance card?  A needless job from back in April. 
Then the dog threw up.  After cleaning up the mess, I 
covered her up with a blanket and rubbed her back.  She didn't move so it must have comforted her.  Love her like a baby. 
Bob had put all the windows in the screen doors.  When he came in we went on line to read the car features again.   Time just flies on computer.
THURSDAY:
At last, our agenda today was to go look at a couple of cars.  Bob had a folder full of on line printouts so I was soooooo encouraged.  We headed off for Rochester and our car was a bit sluggish shifting but it ran.   What ever we get has to be tow able.  The first car that we looked at was a 2009 Buick Enclave, it was beautiful!  The whole shameal, bells and whistles.  But it seemed huge and we don't need 3 seats now.  So that was eliminated.  After lunch at 5 Guys. we went to see a Honda CRV.  Hay, they had it in the brown color that I like. That's a plus.  We went for a test drive and almost got lost!  My first thought was what a down grade!  It's so little, would it work as our permanent car?  But if we change our thinking a little here, once we can't handle the motor home anymore, we could go back to two cars.  The CRV for "gad abouts" town and another car for trips.  So we are still thinking about what to do.  We drove home in snowflakes.  We were home about 4:30, had our coffee, and took a nap.  Exhausting work, shopping. 

CREATIVE MEMORIES PICFOILO ALBUM

My order from Creative Memories came today while we were out.  I opened and checked it out.  I wanted another Picfolio album where you just slide the photos in; no scraping.  I have years of camping in the albums which are not safe and some photos are turning yellow.  It will be good to change them over for safe keeping. 
Before you know it, the evening is gone.  Good night.
FRIDAY:
Heavy frost this morning.  The shed roof was all white.  I didn't get up until 9:30.  Half the morning is gone!
I did some work on the computer as Bob had sent photos of the football game for me to send out to all that were present.  He is learning more of the features in the Picasso program for photos.  He even has titles! 
Then he switched to studying  the car brochures some more.  "Look at this!  Can you look at this?"  So I joined in.  Before you know it, it's lunch time. 
After lunch, we both went outside to work since it was so nice.  He finished up winterizing the motor home and I cut off the tops of the Hosta plants around the pool.  Boy, those are messy.  Betsy started digging them out a couple weeks ago.  Maybe next spring we will get the rest out.

CUTTING OFF THE HOSTAS

BIRDSEED GROWING.

CUTTING BACK THE PEONIES

SATURDAY:
Bob had a call from a car salesman in Medina that he had previously contacted.  He wanted to go there to shop.  (I can't believe it, he has hated Fords since the last motor home that was a lemon)  I wanted to go to a wedding shop there so the destination worked for both of us.  The trip was a bust for me; nothing in dresses very exciting.  The car (Ford-Escape) has possibilities.  But we ran out of time; had to be home for a couple reasons. 

Bob went to the Utica football game @ John Fisher with our son and wife while I finished another book.  I waited for a text about the score but nothing came in so I assume Utica lost.  No news is good news. 
I made eggs for my supper and then finished another James Patterson book.  That finished I worked on an article to send to the Ramblings magazine. 
The family back home told the score-Utica lost 63-36.  The opponents were big and fast! 
 SUNDAY:
Three more days (Nov. 1st) until the video comes out called, "Water For Elephants".  We both have read the book but missed seeing the movie when it was around.  It's probably a "chic flick" because of the love story but it has a circus background  which was interesting. 
More heavy frost on the shed roof and 38o on the porch!  At least it doesn't have to be shoveled. 
No commitments today, no place to run.   I suppose they will want me to cook...ugh! 

Until next week, have a good one.

Golden Gram

A GREAT WEEKEND!

MONDAY:
Sarah left about 10:00am.  The house feels empty.  I sorted my washing and began that procedure.  Betsy called, she is getting her car serviced tomorrow, could she use our's to go to work.  If I  don't have a car tomorrow, I had better go today to get the birthday gifts and cards that I need for Wednesday.  (Lunch for a friends B-day)
We happened to go to BJ's to look at TVs to replace the set in the bedroom.  After what seemed like 45 minutes, (I'm shifting my knees waiting because they hurt)    What's all this LCD, HDD, LE, just get one!  Who cares if the speakers are in the front or back.  The clerk finally puts one in the cart.  Then we picked up groceries.  Then Bob wanted to go back and look at TVs again.  I told him, "you have 5 minutes!"  If you can't decide by then, I'm going over to that cute scarecrow with the Fiber Optic LED lights changing and put one in my cart!  $49.95  He was back in 5!
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THIS IS IT.

TUESDAY:
I don't know what's on Martha Stewart's scheduled for this week but I'm changing the bed to flannel sheets.  Those dark, grey, angry skies yesterday was enough warning for me.  Snow is just around the corner.  Snow was predicted for the southern tier yesterday.  
Now I'm crawling around the old TV which is on the floor of the bedroom, as it's too heavy for Bob and I to carry to the garage.  But I can't wait; have to change those sheets today.  Hooa, Hooa!  The TV is really old with the big back and weighs a ton.  The new one is very light weight and it is all plugged in.  Yeah!

Another business closing in Batavia.  Lowe's announced yesterday that our store will close in 2 months.  It's under performing!  Batavia doesn't support two big home improvement stores.  Home Depot is right across the street.
Apparently, people aren't drinking as much either as a wine & liquor store closed down town too.  Sign of the times.
WEDNESDAY:
I putzed around this morning; little sewing, made out some cards,and  fixed my birthday gifts.  I put a pork roast in the crock pot for bar b q sandwiches for supper.  In no time, it was time to shower and dress for lunch.  My friend picked me up at 12:30pm and we headed downtown for "South Beach."   It's a cute restaurant with an island decor.  The booths have thatched roofs over them and there are several tribal Pygmies statues standing around with swords and shields.  The food was very good.  We had a great visit. Only 3 of us as our older friend had fallen during last week and still couldn't walk well.   I was home by 2:30pm as my friends were going on to see the movie "The Help", which I saw in August.
The crock pot must have a broken thermostat as the roast was done and falling apart.  I took it out to cool for cutting. 
Then I read a book for a while.  After supper, Bob and I spent some time looking thru web sites reading "car" descriptions until bed time.
THURSDAY:
Today we went for groceries to take camping and to the tailgate party at Utica College. 
Betsy helped me make the cookie sheet apple pie that Eric likes so much. 
FRIDAY:   

We finished loading the coach, had lunch and left home about 1:00.  I directed Bob out of the driveway and then we run thru the "check lights" series.  Brakes were good, turners were good but the top running lights weren't working.   We use our cell phones to talk back and forth.  I told Bob 2-3 times, "turn the running lights on" and no response.  It was freezing cold standing out there in the middle of the road.  Finally he comes out of coach and yells at me-"they are on!"  RV having fun yet?   He decide that a fuse must be blown.  He said, "get in" I'll fix them later.  Ride em and Fix em!  So we took off.   We had one construction (one lane) hold up for about 25 minutes this side of Rochester but that was all.  Arriving safely at Turning Stone Villages; I sent a text to Betsy.  The campground was full as it's the last weekend they are open.  Good thing we made reservations as soon as the football schedule came out.  We weren't ready for supper yet so Bob went out to hook up and I wanted to make a pineapple upside down cake in the convection oven. 

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PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

It turned out high on one side and low and caramelized on the other.  It still looks good.  After supper Bob watched TV and I read a book.  We went to bed early so we could get up early.
SATURDAY:




Up at six, had breakfast and ready to roll by 8:00am.  It's a 25 minute drive to the college and we were first to arrive so we had our pick of the parking spaces.  We weren't set up to long and Eric and his buddy, Alex came over for a quick visit.   They had just had the team breakfast and had to get back to be taped.  Each of them had bruises!  Bob and I walked around as other tailgaters arrived. 
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THEY BRING MOST ANYTHING ALONG WITH THEM.

We met several nice people.  Once our crew was there Alex cooked hot dogs before going in to the game.  Oops, the hot dogs are gone, Alex is cooking two huge sausages that another couple bought downtown Utica.  While cooking a cable TV crew came by; they were filming for live TV.

The caption isn't working correctly now.  Above photo: Alex-back corner, Alexis, Nicki, and Donna.  Alexi's had made the signs so they held them up for the camera crew.  Wow, live TV.

We all ham-ed it up for TV.  Bob called security and they came down with a golf cart to give me a ride to the stadium.  Nice ahe? 

The team is out and ready to play on the brand new turf covered field.  (Eric is number 4) 

The Moose mascot-"00".    Utica won 20-15.  Back at the coach for food.  Eric has more friends this year so we had a crew come for food.   We had seven ladies bringing crock pots, dishes and deserts.  The boys had a feast. 

We all ate too much.  We didn't start tear down until after dark.  We headed back to camp and David & Donna followed us to be sure we got there.  On the way, it seemed so dark on the road.  I always quote the speed postings for
Bob in the little burgs.  Bob looked down at the dash to see his speed and there wasn't any lights on the dash. 
That's why it seemed so dark out.  He couldn't read our traveling speed!  Oh my, he says, "must be the fuse that I pulled to put in the top running lights were from the dash lights, he thought it was for the horn.  RV having fun yet?
SUNDAY:
 I made bacon and eggs and then we started packing for the return trip.  Our last camp out for this year.  We bought diesel gas at the Indian Reservation so the coach doesn't set empty for the winter.  No fuse at the gas station.  Once home everything has to be emptied out of the coach. 

After supper, I turned on the computer to see what I missed on Face book.  The North Carolina mountain climb was beautiful.  Thanks Brian. 

As we began another week, hope everyone has a good one.
Thanks for clicking in.

Golden Gram


   

THE COMFORT OF A BUSY FAMILY-Which Brings Blessings!

MONDAY; always rolls around.  This one we spent most of our time cleaning up the camper from our camp outs at Benezetta, Pa., and Ives Run.  It's always fun to go out but clean up is not! 
TUESDAY:

OUR SON, DAVID, ON AN EMPLOYER SPONSORED FISHING TRIP.

 This photo was on our computer early Tuesday morning.  David and one of his clients, and his boss  were fishing for steel heads (trout) on Silver Creek.
He caught 3.  Several jumped off the hook.  They had a guide who prepared the lines and instructed them.  The guide was also their cook!    David had a great time. 
Our day was spent at the Buffalo General Hospital.  Bob was scheduled for an angiogram.  Betsy drove us and Debbie met us there.  The appointment was for 11:00am but until one does check in, waits on a room, go over meds one more time and all the tests, it was 1:05pm before they took him to surgery.   When the normal time for an angiogram passed the one hour, we guessed he had to have another stent, we were right.  (that's his fourth one)    He was back in his room by 4:30pm.  Everything accomplished.  He had to stay overnight.  A long day, Betsy and I came home and had cereal for supper.
WEDNESDAY:
Betsy made another trip to Buf Gen to pick Bob up.  They were home by 12:00pm.  I made lunch and Bob went to bed for the rest of the afternoon. 
I started with the sniffles which became a full blown head cold.
THURSDAY:
We shared movie choices all day; cuddled on the couches, covered with fleece blankets trying to keep warm.  The chills had appeared for me and Bob was so happy that I actually sat with him to help him pass the time.  He couldn't drive for 3 days and it was annoying him.  It was a bad day.  I had calls telling of two people who I used to work with that had been diagnosed with cancer.  It's everywhere.    Another call received was about Bob's nephew in MS, who had succumbed to cancer after a long battle.  He was so young. cancer sucks!  
FRIDAY:
More movies and couch potatoes!

BOB DID WALK OUT TO THE BACK FIELD TO GET A BETTER PIC OF GEESE.

Sarah arrived about 5pm for the weekend.   She had to check her GPA out.
The girls went shopping and we threw together an easy supper-nothing fancy-swanky.  I finished another Amish book.
SATURDAY:

NICKI, DONNA, DAVID, BETSY & SARAH - READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!

We were all up early as the kids had plans to go to the Utica College football game.  David & Donna were here about 8:45am.  We scouted around for umbrellas, boots, raincoats, gloves etc., due to our lovely weather.  Miscka it's nasty outside.   I had made Halloween cupcakes for them to bring to Eric so I made sure they packed them.   More movies for us and we called for a pizza for dinner.
And, by now Bob is fighting me, he would go get the pizza as it's past 3 days of no driving.  "But they have delivery."  So?  Mr. Macho took off, picked up the pizza and when he tried to start the car to come home, no go.  It's a wonder the stress didn't send him for a loop,  he finally figured it out and got it to start.  (We just dumped $500 smackers into that car last week-plugs, cables, oil change etc)  I want a new car!  

Eric played the whole game.  Utica won! He had 12 tackles!  Womp, womp, womp! Yeah! 

COUSINS:   ERIC & SARAH-BEST BUDDIES 

BETSY & ERIC  

SUNDAY:

2:30am  Cinderella  had a bad night.  She was making all kinds of noise at the end of our bed; then she hopped up and plopped right on my back.   She was burning up!  Then she left our room.  I went all over the house looking for her, she had barked at Betsy to get up on her bed.  I checked her and she was cool, how could that be in a matter of minutes?  

Well, maybe she has the flu, it's now afternoon and she just threw up.  If it tain't one thing it's another!   

THE GIRLS HAVE A BRIDAL CRAFT PROJECT TODAY. BETSY, SARAH, CHRISTIANNA & DEBBIE

I sent Sarah out to buy some donuts for a snack and then Christianna brought some with them.  Oh, boy lots of cholesterol sitting around.   The girls worked thru lunch.  Bob went to the stores; he just had to get some anti-freeze to make sure Sarah's car is safe.  (Liget excuse to get out of the house full of girls)  My friend, Mo stopped and brought Bob some Get Well peanut butter cookies. 

The end of another full week.  We are thankful to our attentive family and to have had the opportunity to prevent further health problems.  If Bob feels up to it, I hope it's nice next week for some serious car shopping.  I hope you have a interesting, healthy week.  Thanks for clicking in.

Golden Gram

Long CampingTrip!

SUNDAY:
We just returned home from a  camping trip.  We had wonderful weather and a great time.  We went to see the Elks at Benezette, Pa., and from there we went to Ives Run camp ground in Tioga, Pa. to join our camping friends.



THE TREES WERE STILL QUITE GREEN.



GOING DOWN 2 MILE HILL



LUNCH BREAK







SINNEMAHONING STATE PARK



ELK COUNTRY VISITOR CENTER



ELK FAMILY



I COUNTED 24 IN THE MEADOW



GRAZING

HE'S CHECKING HER OUT!





IVES RUN CAMPSITE



IVES RUN BOAT DOCK,  THE PAVILION ROOF WAS THE ONLY THING SHOWING DURING THE RECENT FLOOD!

That's it for this week.  Hope you enjoy the photos.  Thanks for clicking in.

Golden Gram 

THE GEESE ARE IN TRANSIT.

MONDAY:
After the two past weekends of fun; I guess waiting for the mail will be our big excitement for this week.  My  goal for the day was to get all our thank you notes out to the donors for the rally.  Bob and I created a list of them all  and who he thought we should address the letters too.  At one point he's telling me a name and it looks like two different people from his notes.  When I commented he remembered it was.  He makes messy notes!  The job is done and in the mail.
TUESDAY:
I got up early (6:35) and had coffee.  Then decided I would go back to bed and then I slept until 9:30.  Now that put me in a groggy mode.  I was slow moving the rest of the morning.  I finally was ready to go get groceries as the cupboards are bare.  We drove by some very pretty trees but we didn't have a camera so we could share the golden hues.  That task done; I started working on the camping newsletter.  I'd like to get that done by the end of this week.  After chick on a stick for supper, we had our coffee on the porch and spotted the geese and deer out in the field.  Bob did take some photos using his telescoping lens but they are so far out they still look little.  


THE DIFFERENT FLOCKS SIT IN PODS. 

 

THEY HAVE BEEN EATING IN THE BEAN FIELD WHICH IS STRANGE BECAUSE THE BEANS ARE HARVESTED AND FIELD TURNED UNDER.

 I just finished watching Biggest Looser.  They have two new trainers and now they have 3 teams.  They were only allowed to use the gym two hours a day to be more realistic as if they were home trying to exercise.  I volunteer to watch it in our bedroom as everyone else likes NCI, ICS, what ever is on at the same time. Our TV in the bedroom is going on the fritz too.  There isn't any sound on several channels.  Another one to replace.  Hooa, Hooa! 
I need some new reading material so guess I'll switch now and go to the library site for books. 
WEDNESDAY:
I've had some strange, tiny, red blisters on my hands and feet.  My first thought was "bed bugs" so I tore the bed apart and put every thing thru the washer and dryer. I get rashes and hives from so many things but this looks different.  I didn't see any bugs.  Be darned if I know what's happening.
I finished the camping newsletter today and sent it off to the web master to post.  She did that in a hurry.  I read it on the site and found 2 errors very quickly.  I go over and over it, and still miss some things.  Then I printed it for our members without computer and put it in snail mail.  Done!  
THURSDAY:
My friend, MO, stopped by today for a visit.  I made lunch. She bought a new Nissan Altima.  So Bob and I  had to look at that; then she took us for a ride.  Very nice.
After supper, I spent some time looking over the camping book as Bob has some campgrounds marked-if we go to look at the Elks in PA., along with our trip to Ives Run on PA border.
FRIDAY:
Did a little work on the computer today.  Ha, I'm always finding stuff to do on here.
Tonight we have plans to pick up our widow friend and meet other friends for Fish Fry at the Batavia Downs Casino.  I have the $5.00 free play coupons that was donated for the rally to use before the date expires as they are dated 9/30/2011. 
Everyone reported that the fish dinners was very good. Of course the gaming didn't last long as their in the business to make money.  We all went to Sport of Kings after for desert and to visit. 
SATURDAY:
We set our phone alarms.  Mine went off at 7:00am and I promptly shut it off.  Bob's went off just after mine, but he got up.  He was hitching a ride with David & Donna to the Utica College football game.  I kinda had chills yesterday so I backed out of the trip.  I offered to babysit Coco; the big dog!   Good decision as it poured the whole game.



ERIC #4 

 Bob says, "Utica put out a good game, but they lost."  The opponents were huge!  The score was 70-48.  How many touchdowns makes a score of 70?  Grandson Eric came off the field with ice packs on his shoulder and his ankle.  I always worry about them getting hurt-either team. 
SUNDAY;


FRIDAY NIGHT PHOTO

  It's dark and gloomy again today.  My blogger lady is in N. C. on her way to Fl. and she says they have snow.  Wow, before us. 
I finally cornered Betsy to say she would make spaghetti sauce.  Of course, the ingredients that I bought 6 weeks ago have been used so it's a trip to the store.    Downtown all the flower pots that were on the poles are all down and replaced with corn stalks, bales of hay and pumpkins against the poles.  It looks very nice. 
We now have a big pot full of sauce on the stove simmering.   It smells so good!  My favorite meal. 


What are these?

 There must be a thousand Geese out in the field now.  They sit in the mud puddles from the rain.  I'd think they would be freezing.  There is also 6 white geese.  Funny, would they be snow geese? 



LITTLE OWEN 


My nephew sent an e-mail note today with several photos attached of their little one.  Owen is 10 months now, pulling himself up and crawling all over.  And, he has his two front teeth!  We both agree; they grow up to fast.

SUPPER IS READY!  MEATBALLS, EGGS & SAUSAGE

I have some stuff to get ready for tomorrow so best I post this now.  Bob has another stress test in Lockport at 7:45am, so we have to paddle fast in the morning! 


Photo by my nephew, who was just there.

 Take care and have a good week.   Keep clicking in; next week should be more interesting.  We hope to go camping to see the Elk @ Benezette, PA. 

By for now.

Golden Gram