CANNING & CAMPING, MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC



MONDAY:
Oh, I forgot to tell everyone, Cinder chased a skunk in our yard and she now has a different perfume.  Stinky! 
As I unpacked the camper yesterday, I changed over my bedroom dresser and put away all the sleeveless shirts!  I didn't wear any of them with temps so cool!  Might as well get it done, I thought.  Plus I had 6 sweatshirts in the wash and I absolutely hate washing them-"Milkman doesn't like his  shrunk!"  So I heated them up in dryer to remove wrinkles and then hung them outside on the pool fence.  Too bad if a bird poops on them.
While doing the rest of the washing, I started typing up the Rally article for the Ramblings magazine.  I killed this keyboard-change this, change that, check the name spelling, etc. etc.  I worked until lunch time.  After lunch I went at it again, around 3pm, I was just too sleepy to see straight so I took a good long nappie!  I worked on it again after supper until I was sick of it!  I sent it off to my editors to see if my thoughts were accurate.
TUESDAY:
My e-mail from the editors with suggestions arrived.  Back at the project.  I made the changes,checked spelling again, added photos and captions and Bob helped me send it off to headquarters.  Yeah!  I've already received a return receipt.  While working on the typing," Bob yells come here, quick!"  He's in the garage.  I go as fast as I can up the back steps, thinking what to heck did he do now.  .  He showed me a small deer crossing our street by the next neighbor's house.  It was so cute. 
Bob is out doing errands today.  The new TV that Bob & Betsy installed in the motor home in April is doing strange things.  It increases the volume (terrible loud) and changes the channel all on it's own.  Did you ever hear of such a thing?   Bob is going to BJ's to complain.  He was on the phone last night (after 9-free) with someone in India, guess we have to send it in for repair to California.
WEDNESDAY:
Shortly after breakfast I started getting everything out to can tomatoes!  Bob had picked up a bushel for me yesterday morning at the Farmer's Market.  $20.00 a bushel.  It's cheaper to go pick them but not with my knees.  I wouldn't even can but we can never find tomatoes prepared with basil and the spaghetti sauce just doesn't taste right without basil.  I finished up about 4:00pm.  Bob was a great helper, he pealed tomatoes, tightened the lids and he removed all the hot jars for me.  It yielded 17 quarts and 1 pint jar. 



THE TOMATO MESS!  PUTTING IN THE BASIL LEAVES.



I DON'T THINK THIS IS ENOUGH FOR THE YEAR.   BETSY USES 8 QUARTS EACH BATCH OF SAUCE. 

The doorbell was ringing while I was resting my legs.  Bob was in the motor home so he didn't answer.  It was a cute Chickie from YNN TV station who was interviewing neighbors about the back field development.  I called Bob.  He was all excited but wanted to change his shirt.  He took her out in the back field for filming.  It will be on TV on Friday night at 8:00pm.  Oh my a TV Star!
When Bob went to BJ's, they very nicely said that they would give him his money back or he could pick out another set.  So he picked out another TV set.  No problem!  It's been over 90 days so we didn't know they would do that.  He and Betsy have it all installed already.
I started packing clothes to put in the motor home.  We need to be ready to leave tomorrow morning about 11:00am.  We are camping with some "musical" friends; Bob & Carole B.and their friends.   Bob B. and 4 buddies jam every Tuesday night.  During camp outs they practice.  On Saturday night there is a performance by Marty Stuart, who ever he is.  They tell us Marty is on TV.  Should be interesting.  Well, I've been on computer since after supper, time to head to bed.
THURSDAY:
I made a coffee cake to take camping.  Left about 11:00am.   Long time checking in...site dumpy, but w,e,s, so not too bad.  The campground is called Frost Ridge.  Years ago we brought our kids here to learn how to ski, it has been converted to a campground.  It's a half hour from home.



OUR SITE.  SKI TRAILS IN BACKGROUND.

  After set up we headed to town for groceries.  Bob and Carole B. were here when we got back.  Their friends took our chairs to the concert site.  After supper we went to the friends site.  They had a tent up with flex lights and was playing music.  Several other campers were watching too.  We enjoyed their music for about two hours.  (they call it practice) 



DEAN ON BASE FIDDLE

Ernie, Roger and Bob on guitars.  Milkman was checking out their sheet music.  They didn't have any!  They had the words to the songs in their notebooks and played without printed music. 

BOB B. KNOWS THE WORDS BY MEMORY.



ROGER AND ERNIE-AL SLEEPING-FRANK HANGING IN THERE.

 Mr. B didn't even have the words to read. Their ladies played cards.   Another camper of their party started a nice warm campfire.  About 11:00 pm we returned to the camper, took our pills, and headed to bed.  Carole B. had brought me seven Amish books so I picked out one of them to read as the chili I had for supper was just a rolling in my stomach. 
FRIDAY:
A rooster was a crowing!  Several times.  Maybe there is more than one rooster.  I wondered if it was a machine to wake the campers all up.  Maybe something special was going to happen.  I made bacon & eggs.  Seems so good to not have to run at 8:00am to a building for coffee.  Just relax!  Eat, do dishes, shower, nice an easy, enjoying our camper.   Bob putzed around trying to balance the coach better as we were sinking, boards and all from the rain.    I continued to read my book.   A lady came around selling 50/50 tickets.  At 4:00pm we went over to the band stand to watch the first band called the "Bush Hogs" (they played for 2 hours.) 



BAND STAND-CHAIRS GOING UP THE SKI TRAIL



THE BUSH HOGS/Mr. Pitcher  in
black cowboy hat.

The lady had a beautiful voice.  She had her 15 year old daughter come up and sing and the crowd went hiper!  Whoop, whoop!  David & Betsy had Mr. Pitcher as  their English teacher, and he played at David and Donna's wedding.   During the wedding, David played a song with them. David played in a band called "Southbound" for several years.  Mr. Pitcher's band was called "Ghost Riders."  When the Ghost Riders took a break; David's Wild ARGYS Band appeared.  Yes, a wild bunch of campers.  David & Donna couldn't figure out what was going on.  The ARGYS had washboards, kazoos, you name it, if it made noise, we had it.   Ah, for our younger days.

HAPPY 29th ANNIVERSARY!

I went off the subject a little there.  We came back to camper to make dinner.  Another band was playing, they sounded pretty good.  

MARTY HAS ARRIVED IN THIS PROVOST!

Then at 8:30pm we donned rain gear and went back over to hear Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives.   It was a very good show,  1.5 hours.   He is some picker!  Beautiful fire works followed.  We hung our rain gear to dry before going to bed.



MARTY STUART, THE BEST PHOTO BOB COULD GET IN THE RAIN.



BOB B HAD MARTY AUTOGRAPH HIS GUITAR!

SATURDAY:
The rooster crowed again.  As we got up for coffee, it was cool inside so Bob put the furnace on to see if it worked.  Mr. utility had me sweating before I got up and shut it off.  He was still cold.  Another nice calm breakfast, showers, and I ran the sweeper, we brought alot of grass in when it was wet.  Bob went to visit with the guys, they were asked to play on stage today by the campground owner.  But they said, "no" to the invitation as the lead guitar man is not here due an accident.  I finished my book.  We lunched and went back to the band stand for the band Rebel's Posse performance.

REBEL'S POSSE 

 We were dressed to warm and the sun came out so hot.  Bob went to sit under a shade tree.  I was afraid he would get sick so I got up and asked him to come back to camper and we could still hear it.  IT SURE WAS LOUD ENOUGH! 
We topped the evening off visiting another group of campers.  They had stopped by and invited us for soup!  Years ago when the ARGYS were camping we all pitched in to purchase a huge pot to cook over the open fire.  One of the guys made a tripod and hanging fixings.  Now that the ARGYS are no more, the only camper of the second generation ARGYS is Lori Yasses, who has the pot. 


LORI YASSES, OFFERING BEEF BARLEY SOUP! 

 It was just as good as we used to make.  The only thing missing was Freida's dumplings.  Don't worry folks, if you soap the outside of the pan with IVORY liquid before cooking, the black wipes right off.  Before we left we had to see her friend's carved pumpkin.


KENNY'S IDEA OF A PUKN' PUMPKIN.

SUNDAY:
The rooster was up before us again!  Time to pack and go home, unload and clean the coach.
Betsy welcomed us home with a pumpkin cheesecake with real whipped cream.  Yum! 
David & Donna just came by with birthday deserts and pictures of the events we missed over the weekend. 


NO GAME THIS WEEKEND, SO ERIC CAME HOME TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY.  HAPPY 19TH!



ANNALYNN-AMBASSADOR FOR LIGHT THE NIGHT (LLS)

So that's our week-lots of happenings.  It was very enjoyable.   Bill's had a great game.  Now to watch the Steelers!  Thanks for clicking in.  Until the next Sunday. 

Golden Gram 




HRRVC RALLY WEEK

MONDAY:
I went to the grocery store for fixings to make stuffed peppers.  I found some beautiful peppers at the Farmers Market on Friday.  At home, while working on them, I thought, why do I have to make these?  It's a big job!  Well, one  remembers the great taste and gets all excited to have them.  Besides Bob's grandmother taught me how to make a delicious gravy from the tomato juice.  We probably won't have peppers again as they are so expensive in grocery stores.  I  have enough to freeze and to take camping with us.
I was so afraid that I'd loose the two donated store gift cards that I decided to make a basket and put them in to it.  I went out in the garage and dug in all the donations to find some small items to use for fillers.  I just used the ribbons that I had on hand, I wasn't going shopping again.  So one basket is trimmed with purple and one is red & pink. 

TUESDAY:
A beautiful morning.  Today we pack to  go camping.  Well, I thought I had all day for packing and leave tomorrow but the Milkman surprised me by telling me that our reservations start today-"Early Parking!"   We did fine.  All packed and on the road by 2:00.  Even made lunch for Alex who stopped by.  We decided to  bring Cinder as she loves to camp with us.  So here we are on our site.  One other couple is here. We  have taken Cinder for 4 walks.  She pulls so hard that she chokes herself. 

CINDER UP ON DASH BOARD OF MOTOR HOME.  READY TO BARK!

ANOTHER WALK CINDER?

Camp is about 10 miles from home. A little rain just blew thru.  High winds are expected  so Bob didn't put out the awnings.  So we are enjoying our coach again.


WEDNESDAY:
A nice morning.  Sunshine already.  Bob took Cinder for a long stroll.  She sniffed every post and tree.  We drove the car home to leave the dog with Betsy and to pick up the donations for the rally.

WE HAD A CAR FULL!

Cinder wasn't too happy with us leaving her behind.  Back at camp we visited with the campers who had arrived.  After dinner, we went to the pavilion to see if the chairmen wanted to fix the goodie bags.  They did and we had about 15 people offer to help.  So we spread out the stuff, and everyone took a bag and walked around the table picking up each item.  Some counted the bags and put them in boxes.  We were done in no time. 

MEMBERS HELPING TO FILL THE GOODIE BAGS.

Then the confusion of what items went into the brown bag auction, which were door prizes, and what was silent auction items.  They hassled!  Things were moved around and around.  Once satisfied we picked up the trash and came back to the camper to watch TV.
THURSDAY;
Rain all night!  Very cold!  We had breakfast in the camper then showered to go Greg'reys Bakery, in Bergen.  They had 6 girls working making goodies.  Bob took lots of photos. We bought turnovers and cinnamon rolls.  

AT GREG'REYS BAKERY IN BERGEN

Back at camp, Bob took more photos as the motor vehicles were streaming in- several at a time.  What a site to see.  By 7:00pm there was at least 40 units that had arrived.  I helped with the registration so the others could have lunch.  We have five couples who are in the First Timers group. 

REGION 1 BANNER

We have 8 states in Region 1: ONT, NY, MA, ME, NH, CT, RI, and VT.  We had members from all states but CT, RI, & VT.   Chapter 1 and Chapter 12 (NY) prepared the evening meal of hot dogs, beans, chips, pickles and cupcakes.  I helped serve the potato chips.  The presentation of flags was done.  Then games; Nickel-Nickel, and a new game to me called PEGS & JOKERS.    There is a campfire but not many members sitting around it.  (Too cold)



PEGS & JOKERS GAME

FRIDAY:
Rain during the night; cold!  Up and moving for 8:00am coffee and donuts.  Chit chat with all the Ramblers.  Many people went to Batavia and Le Roy: casino, Jell-o Museum, Camping World, hardware stores, and garage sales.  Cocktails were at 3:00pm.  I made the Taco Dip which everyone loved.  At 5:00pm those who were going for Fish Fry left.  
Later the Brown Bag auction was held.  Every unit was to bring one item.  Our Assistant NY State Mgr. was the auctioneer. 



NY ST. ASST. MGR.  BROWN BAG AUCTIONEER

 He was terrific!  All items were concealed in brown bags; you bid without knowing what's in the bag.  It was hilarious as he had bidding wars going on.  He raised $360.00 for the HRRVC Scholarship fund.  We still have the Silent Auction and the 50/50 to do tomorrow night.  There is a campfire but again it's to cold. 
SATURDAY:
We shut the alarm off at 6:30 and then slept in.  Man!  We awoke about 8:00am and had to scramble to get up to the pavilion for a full cook meal: juice, pancakes, eggs and sausage.  The Officers for Region 1 did all the cooking.  It was very good.  The officers have council meetings this morning. 
At 1:00 pm the Bean Bag Baseball games started.  There was four teams signed up.  You have four bean bags which are thrown at a board with holes in it.  Under each hole there is printing; 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, home run, out, foul, etc.  When the bags go thru the hole, you follow the printed instructions.   The bases were folding chairs; the members could sit until the next person was lucky and moved him to the next base or home!  Most of the time there was outs!  It was fun to watch.



BEAN BAG BASEBALL

BOB ON FIRST BASE.

At 3:00 pm the campground owners hosted a Wine Tasting party with cheese and crackers.  Many of the members enjoyed that and made some purchases.  Back at the pavilion, we had a catered dinner of bar b que pork, beef on weck, and bar b que chicken with side dishes.   We had entertainment by a magician who related all tricks to camping or the big RV's etc.  He had members participate and they were funny.  The closing flag ceremony was followed by the drawings for the Silent Auction, 50/50 and door prizes.   Once the monies were tallied up for all fund raisers; they reported $868.00 total.  Yeah!  I was hoping we would make $500.00 so I was thrilled.  That amount will look nice printed in the Ramblings magazine as a donation from Region 1 for the HRRVC Scholarship.  Well, this was a long day, and I'm making a b-line for the motor home. 
SUNDAY:
Yep!  Back up to the pavilion at 8 for coffee and donuts before members leave for home.  It's over! What a great fun time!  Safe travels to all.  We helped clean the hall as the campground was offering church services at 9:30 am.  We were back home by 11:45am.   We have had a wonderful week and grateful to have seen so many friends and having had such a fun time.  Bob has a couple hundred photos to go thru. 

This next week, I suppose that I should be thinking of planting bulbs.  Many of ours have been eaten by gerbils-no,no, I mean moles!   Ti's fall! Have you noticed that it's dark by 8:00 now?  The farmers are out in the back field with 3 units harvesting the beans with lights on.  We had a couple nights down in the 40s.  Wonder if I can still get tomatoes to can?  Some of our family will be walking in the "Light The Night" event for Leukemia.  There's a birthday party for our grandson Eric too.  We will miss these as we are camping at a music event. 

Thanks for clicking in. 
Golden Gram

LABOR DAY: September 5, 2011

MONDAY:


Today flew by!  Our goal was going to a cookout at our daughter's to celebrate 3 birthdays.  Several years ago when we were planning get togethers and couldn't find a day that was open for all; I suggested that we start birthday celebrations for more than one birthday at a time.  Like a day every quarter of the year!  Well, that suggestions just blew over every one's heads!  And today, it just fit right in like peanut butter and jelly.  We celebrated Rocco's, Rocky's and Christianna's.  

ROCKY, CHRISTIANNA & MARIO

The weather was disappointing but the cooks persevered and made clams, hot dogs, hamburgers and 2 beef roasts: one rare and one well done.  We had lots of side dishes and desserts.  It was a nice day visiting and hearing all the news.  One retirement, one pregnancy, and a birth expected any day. 

Back at home, we get our pj's on and sit down at the computer.  Over the weekend, I saw a TV program about winning all kinds of sweepstakes.  I was all gun hoe to check that out.  There's alot of them; for cars, candy, Cutco knives, peanut butter and on and on.  Wonder what the chances are in winning one of them? 

TUESDAY: 

What a dark, damp, cool, gloomy morning.  We really had a soaker last night.  I didn't want to get up anyway as I read my book to late.  I finished Growing up Amish.  It reminded me of my Grandmother.  Gram was Old World religion.  (I don't mean Amish)  She always had a German bible on her dinning room table.  A German prayer was said before all meals; I think all the grandchildren know how to say it. You didn't swear, play cards, or go to a fortune teller as Gram said that was work of the devil.  But here's a funny thing: she knew a soldier was killed in the war before an announcement.  She saw him standing in the doorway and he told her.  Her faith was that strong to receive a message.   Unlike, the person in the book who was struggling to find his faith.  I just ruined that book for you, ahe.

I prepared a crock pot meal and then worked on the computer all day.  I could hardly stand up when I was done. 

WEDNESDAY:

Another dark, damp, cool, gloomy day.

Our crock pot meal was horrible last night.  I had a new recipe for Sweet & Sour Pork to be served over noodles from Family Circle magazine.  The pork was dry and stringy.  We took a vote and it defiantly was not a keeper.  I threw the recipe in the trash basket.

I had some errands to run downtown so after lunch I went out to do that.  I can't find Vitamin C with D.  Dr. Sue will have to give me another option.

Bob made some call backs for donations for the HRRVC rally. 

HE RECEIVED TWO NICE SOCCER BALLS FROM SLOAT'S  TIRE PLACE.



BETSY AND I MADE UP THIS BASKET WITH ALL STUFF FROM STAN'S HARLEY DAVIDSON

  I guess I'll finish the evening reading Blogs.  I'm really enjoying them.  One Blog that I read today is by a couple who are work campers at Ives Run Campground. (near a dam down by the Tioga, PA) The Blogger said, they had terrible storms, trees were down and the place flooded.  They had to close several camping areas and call the people with reservations to cancel.  The Rangers say it will be closed until 9/30.  Our camping group is going there in October so I hope they kill all the rattlesnakes that washed out of the mountains. 

THURSDAY:

This morning we started the dreadful task of closing the pool.  (I'm sad) The first thing Bob wanted to do was to cut up the solar liner and get it in the garbage pick up for tomorrow morning. 

 The liner was ripping on the edges and all the little buttons were popping off and floating in the pool the last couple weeks.  They only seem to last about 2 years.  Then we started hauling the furniture over to put inside the deck bottom.  There was so much miscellaneous stuff in there that we couldn't figure out how to put them in.  We organized and threw out some more garbage.  We put all my pool side figurines on a high shelf.  A neighbor stopped for an update on the back field development.  While he and Bob visited, I sat down to rest my legs.  Then it was lunch time.  That's all we got done today. 



POINSETTIA

Would you look at that poinsettia?  It's the same one that Annalynn gave me last November after her speech for LLS.  Before I brought it outside this spring, I had sticks and about 4 leaves left.  It's so healthy looking; hope I can move it back in the house without too much of a shock.  Wonder if it will blossom? We had a call back appointment at Camping World so we showered and dressed to go there.  We now have their latest catalog and flyer with the sales for the welcome bags at the rally.   Coming home we stopped at Gregory's Bakery in Bergen for a few treats for breakfast.  Then we stopped at Lickity Splits for ice cream. 

Bob is doing a quick lawn cutting before more rain comes.  I sat down at the computer.  It's now supper time and no one is hungry!  Yeah!  I have cooked 5 meals in a row, so it's cereal tonight and everyone eats when they feel like it.  I continued my typing: I'm now writing a brief story of our last camp out to send to the Ramblings editor for publishing. 

FRIDAY:

Well, I put shorts on as I saw the sun briefly, what's it going to do outside?  I should complain when half the east coast is having floods.  The photos available are horrible.  Vermont villages destroyed, Binghamton, Scranton, and on it goes. Campgrounds are not excluded; I saw some videos of their disaster.  God help them all.

This rain is driving the ants back in our house so Bob sprayed the whole inside.  It was to hot for him outside so that has to be done yet.  I cleaned the upstairs and when I came down Bob had everything off shelves and under counters moved to get those little buggers.

We went over town after lunch.  Bob needed gas for the lawn mowers and we had .40 off a gal. at Tops so he filled the car and the containers.  Then this little old lady behind us asked if he would be kind enough to pump her gas. The teacher in him came out and he gave her complete instructions while he used her credit card and made all the selections.  It was funny to watch.  Their both talking a mile a minute.  It was her last new car (she said ride) and she was picking up some of her friends and going to Fish Fry.  Our next stop was the Farmers Market for tomatoes to can.  The plum tomatoes are not ripe yet.  Maybe next week.  I bought some peaches and veggies.  Then to Office Max for our last call back for the Rally donations.  Bob came out smiling; they gave him a $20.00 gift card and workbooks for kids.  Hay, grand kids travel with our campers.  That pooped us out, so we headed home and the car is whinnying!  Sounds like the transmission won't shift.  Brother!  Stay on the outside lane!  After a few minutes it quit and we got home okay.  I see Bob has the hood up now. 

Another new recipe, I cooked up some broccoli  with jalapeno pepper, and garlic as a side dish for supper and we all liked it.  It's a keeper.

Back outside storing more of the pool furniture. 



THE MESS!

We look like we are moving, it's so messy every where.

Saturday:

We worked thru the morning; after lunch we started getting ready for a wedding @ 4:pm.  A friend's granddaughter was getting married in Depew, outside.  The weather was nice; a big jumbo jet went over while the ceremony was going on.  The colors was all for fall; burnt red dresses and sunflowers.  Even sunflower cookies.  It was a very nice evening with our friends.

SUNDAY:

Well, here's another Sunday!  We finished closing the pool. 



BETSY'S IS PUTTING IN THE CLOSING CHEMICALS.



ATTACHING THE ELEPHANT COVER

 



IT'S A FOUR MAN JOB.  BOB SAYS, "I HAVE TWO GIRLS AND A DOG!"



Ready for some football!  We had good news this morning.  Grandson Eric, made the Utica College write up with a photo.  They played under the lights last night. Eric is a Sophomore and he is a starting Safety on the Varsity team.  He made 11 stops! (tackles I'm guessing)  Utica was behind but fought to win the game.  Yeah!   Proud Grandpa is listening to last night's game on his computer. Wow, we just finished the pool in time; I hear thunder!

We will be wrapping up the day with the printing of the Rally brochures.  This is the week we have the Rally so hope we have good weather.

 

Everyone have a good week as we adjust to the fall season. 

 

Golden Gram

 

 

August 29th, 2011

MONDAY:
I have a doctor's appointment today.  Why on earth did I schedule it on a Monday?  Oh yeah, doc says see ya in about a month to go over all the physical reports. I sorted my washing and started a load.  Then I dressed and went for the appointment; expecting her to throw the book at me!   Yep! She did. My blood work shows B12 is low so there's pills for that.  I had the flu shot.  I have to pick up Red Yeast Rice (in sub for fish oil) pills for cholesterol.  I have to call my insurance about coverage of the shingles shot. I have a few other things to follow up again.  Isn't there always?
At home I started getting lunch out.  Bob & Sarah came in from shopping with a huge Subway sandwich.  Figures!  Since a daily pill is new to me, I bought a pill box to train myself.  After the sandwich I started to fill the box.  Sarah brought her's out to the table.  We had our own little pill party as each shared the pill purpose & count.  It should make Bob very happy as he is always calling me to come and take "his" pills, even if I'm in bed. Now he will have company; that man needs lots of attention!
 Then a call from the doctor's; we have a script for you, it's available at the window, please pick it up.  What?  Drive way over town again!   I changed washing loads.  Then I went for it and asked what it was for; it's for blood work before I go in December.  Hoooa, Hoooa!  I was tired by then so I took a nap, I earned it! 
Plans for supper fell through.  Betsy & Sarah was going  shopping, so why should I cook?  Bob and I went to LB Grand in Le Roy for spaghetti.  The best around.  I'm sure I lost 2 pounds! 
I finished the evening on the computer looking for the dress that Christianna and I saw earlier this summer.  I couldn't find it.  Debbie and Annalynn are coming tomorrow to go dress shopping and I wanted the picture to bring.  
TUESDAY:
Bob headed for the pool supply store as parts that were missing are in for the colored light.  He will also pick up a closing kit.  Unfortunately,that's just around the corner. 
I folded clothes as I waited for the girls to come.  We were going to a wedding shop in Geneseo.  Bob had printed a map quest for us.  On our way, the road was busy with lots of trucks.  Christianna came too!  Annalynn spotted the place. I must have tried on 15 dresses; including the ones that I put on twice so I could remember them.  Let me tell you when you haven't worn a dress in 8 years; it's a shock to see the dilapidated figure!  The attendants were busy with brides so Debbie assisted me.  Most of the gowns were in very small sizes and Debbie tugged and pulled.  A devastating endeavor!    It's hard to tell what a dress will look like without your size so Debbie tried them on to show me.  We had a good time but I couldn't make a decision so we headed back to Batavia.  We had lunch at Wendy's and drove home to visit with Bob.  We made plans to go shopping again to another location. 
WEDNESDAY: 
We went to the grocery store bright and early.  I wanted to make  breaded, stuffed chicken breast for dinner and I needed the ham slices, onion & chive cream cheese and spinach.
I spent a good part of the day working on the HRRVC newsletter.  I finished it up after supper and sent it to the web master for posting on our site.  Then all of a sudden, I remembered that I hadn't changed the footer.  Mercy!  I always get stuck in that procedure so I call Milkman to assist.  That's how I forgot doing it.  So we fixed it and sent it out again.  Our Webbie must think that I'm a dope.  Duh!  Then I printed the snail mail copies and have them ready for the morning mail. Phew, that's a big load off my mind. 
The rolled chicken breasts was a big hit.  Sarah said, "that's my second favorite meal."   What a relief after all that work, I hate to cook!  If I'm ever reincarnated I'll probably come back as a cook for penance.
Friends called to make some suggestions on the HRRVC rally brochure.  So I have that to work on.  But it's time to go to bed.
THURSDAY:
Gees, another day to get up early as we have haircut appointments.  The shop was busy with lots of school kids, some actually still get their hair cut.
We came right home, (no shopping) had left over chicken breasts for lunch.  Sarah had asked me to mend a dress and a shawl, so I worked on that.  The girls were on my computer anyway. 
Sarah didn't have a very good week; her phone quit and she had several conversations with Verizon and finally got a replacement.  Her Apple computer crashed which made a trip to the Apple store and a new hard drive was installed.  And, her car was rear ended downtown!  She wasn't hurt and the car only has scratches.Three strikes and your out!  Right.
I made another big dinner.  Ya, 2 big ones this week. Oh, and while I'm preparing supper the Milkman wants me in the pool to help put the part in the colored light.  Sorry, you have to wait until I get this in the oven.   Get Betsy.  Now I'm in the pool and adjusting to the temp and there's Bob and Betsy fixing the light.  What?  He just wanted me to enjoy the pool since closing time is getting closer.  (Sweet, but I could kill him)
Anyway after supper, the atmosphere became very solemn, it was packing time for Sarah.  I grabbed a book to stay out of the way.  Little tension here.



SARAH ORGANIZING BEFORE PACKING. 

 On the brighter side of things, an e-mail about Alex.

OUR FLY BOY.



Alex visited Wright-Patterson Air Force base this week for required pilot select medical testing.  Height and weight, audio, optical (5 hour tests), reflexes...etc, very intense!   All systems go!  One more hurdle cleared!

YES, THUMBS UP ALEX!



BETSY'S NEW PROJECT.  IT'S AN ARBOR.




IT'S GOING TO BE A BED HEADBOARD-MODERN AHE!

 FRIDAY:
Hugs & kisses at 7:00am., and safe travels to Sarah.  She is off to RI for the last year of college.  Rocky, Alex and Eric  have gone back too!  Next year we will have three graduations, plus a wedding.  And, the HRRVC International Rally is in Gillette, WY.  I'd love to go and keep on going-NORTH!  Alaska has been on the "Bucket List" for some time.  I hold back because of the mountains, I"m afraid of them.
After working on the computer (details) I realize how  hot and humid it is; guess I'll shut down and go swim.  
SATURDAY: 6:00am.  I'm up early as Cocoa is coming for a visit.  (the big dog)  Our son and wife are going to the first Utica football game so we are baby sitting Cocoa.  The game is at St. Lawrence Univ., in Canton, NY: which is 5 hours away. 
Betsy helped me put some changes into the brochure for the Rally, then made a pdf file and we sent it to the people who will edit it.
The dogs were inside most of the day as it was so hot & humid.  We enjoyed the pool all afternoon.  We had hot fudge sundaes, read books, and just lazed around.  How sweet it is!  Donna sent a text that Eric had played the whole game, he made 4 great tackles, and Utica won.  They returned about 10:30pm., to pick up Cocoa.
SUNDAY:
7:30am.  My feet feel wet!  Oh my gosh, we are having a storm; wind & rain.  The floor is wet, the bed is wet!  Shut the window dummy.  I look out and the pine trees are still standing, the gazebo canvass is okay, chairs are blown over on the deck.  Could the storm that hit Notre Dame football game yesterday be here already?  I let the dog out and made coffee.  I turn on the computer-no internet!  I thought that since yesterday was a created "holiday," I should get back to basics.   Betsy rebooted the little internet box. 

Aren't the weeks flying by?  I suppose someone can tell us how many weeks until Christmas.   The stores will have Halloween decos right beside the Christmas decos soon.  Let us enjoy the change of seasons, please?  Labor Day is tomorrow, I have to go start cooking potato salad fixings.  

Have a good week everyone. 

Thanks for clicking in. 

Golden Gram