LOTS TO BLOG

Okay, let's do this. So much has occurred over the last three weeks that I'm finding it difficult to begin.  Most places during our locations did not have WIFI or if they did it was lousy.  We had texts coming into  phone at 3:00AM some times; probably when all other users had signed off for the evening.   It took forever to send a picture.   There was just so much going on that I didn't even type into Word for my postings.

August 19th -20th: Monday, Tuesday:

All efforts were to pack and get ready for departure on Wednesday, heading for Ogdensburg, NY. To attend Annalynn’s and Mark’s wedding.

August 21th: WEDNESDAY:

Take off day!  Other than glitzy clothes and food, I have Thank You gifts,  decorations for the golf cart that we are renting and extra lawn chairs.  The motor home is stuffed!  It will be puffing all the way there with this load.

The car checked out with hook up and away we go.  We had stopped for lunch and had driven another two hours when I said to Bob-you've been driving for two hours, it's time to get out and stretch again.  I head for the bathroom.  Bob opens the outside door and here come three DOT MEN WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS IN HAND!  Bob says, what's going on?
They replied; "your car is smoking!"  We had no idea, no one had flagged us down or called on the CB.  Bob couldn't turn the key, or the wheels.  They finally got the hood open.  Bob immediately unhooked the car and moved the bus way over!!!   The truck transmission overheated and ruined.

AAA TO THE RESCUE.

We continued on to the wedding location with the motor home.  Mark's father had a designated spot for us to park right on his property.  What a grand, beautiful wedding; both parents were so generous.  Three days of fabooooulous food.  So many special effects with family entertainment as well as a supper band. 

Our surprise!  Bob had asked Mark's father to rent a golf cart for our use which we would pay for as long as he was renting others for the event.  We knew the wedding tent was down over the hill by the river and I envisioned a tough time getting down there.  Plus our friends from Batavia have walking problems too and we wanted to transport them. 

MARK'S FATHER, LOU AND HIS SON NICK.
THE LICENSE PLATES SAY "MILKMAN"
THIS WAS OUR SURPRISE! 
 

Being in the milk business most of his working career; Bob is widely known as the "MILKMAN".  This golf cart was a surprise for him.  It was perfect!  Bob's CB handle is "MILKMAN" which we use when traveling up and down the highway.  Many times driver's have alerted us to problems by the CB.  What's that make me?  The "MILKMAID".  No way, My handle is Marigold.   It's also nice to hear where the "brown paper wrapper" (police) sits waiting for our arrival.

The reception was held on the property of Mark's parents.  They had a football size tent with two smaller tents adjoining for the chefs.  The tent was divided with one end for horses over, bars on each end.  A lovely wooden sofa sitting area for guests.  Guests could also sit on the stone wall right beside the St. Lawrence River.  Beautiful venue, we all watched the setting sun on the water. 



THE RECEPTION TENT - HUGE!



 

Moving on: we helped where ever needed to prepare some of the special effects.
    

ONE HUNDRED CIRCLES OF BURLAP WAS CUT;
SHRUBS OR PLANTS WERE WRAPPED IN BURLAP
AND TIED WITH A WIDE NAVY RIBBON.  THESE WERE PLACED AS PROTECTION AT EACH TENT STAKE.

KATHERINE, (ROCKY'S FRIEND) DEBBIE AND I
AS MORE FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARRIVED THEY ALL PITCHED IN.

ROCCO FOUND THESE SPECIAL LANTERNS FOR THE TENT. 
ROCKY, BOB AND ROCCO WORKED ON THESE.



So many other things were done, to hard to mention all.   Saturday morning one of the dinning halls was set up for the beauty shop.  




TAMMY DE VOE AND SARAH
TAMMY OWNS HAIR CHATEAU OF LOCKPORT
7 STYLISTS TO DO HAIR.
 Lots of "do's" with all the women.  Of course there was food.  Everywhere we went there was food!

Many hours of planning went into this wedding, it was so special, just like SOME ENCHANTED EVENING!    The ceremony was held at St. Mary's Cathedral in Ogdensburg.  Many relatives took part in the readings and songs.  Annalynn even invited her transplant donor (Jessie) to attend and she and the God parents presented the Communion gifts at mass.  

This story started many moons ago.  I don't know exactly when Annalynn met Mark but sometime she decided that he was a keeper.  We all admired how he stayed by her side thru her illness.  And now they can have some happiness. 

 

MY VERY FAVORITE MOMENT ABOUT THE WHOLE WEDDING:

ANNALYNN SINGING - "A LITTLE PARTY NEVER KILLED NO BODY!"
Annalynn has always been theatrical-  when she got to the part about - if I ain't your girl, she pointed right at Mark.  To see a good video go to YOUTUBE type in Bridesmaid Dance and pick the one by Elizabeth Greene.

 AUGUST 25-26th MONDAY:

We are at Back Bay on Black Lake in a fishing campground.  Narrow one lane road entrance with rock cliffs either side.  Bob said he wasn't backing up if we met someone.  Once on site it was very nice; cement pad, BBQ, sewer, water and 50 amps.  It was our destination following the wedding; for sewer hook up and a brief rest before heading home.  The only problem is we are still waiting for the repair of our truck.  Bob has been out fishing already and I am doing the true to Monday things; the Splendie washing machine is going and I have done some hand wash of delicate items worn.
AUGUST 27TH; TUESDAY
We moved.  Fishing was to hard going down the 5 set of stairs.  Now in a municipal park.  Bob is out of medicine.  50 phone calls and a trip to town and he had another days supply.  4;30pm. The truck is ready!  We can head home tomorrow.

Once back home; we unpacked all the party clothes and decorations.  Then  repacked the motor home for the trip to Ohio for a 40th anniversary  party for Bob's youngest sister and her husband.  (Marj & Rick) 

MARJ, RICK, and their children;
MICHELLE AND CHRIS

RICK SHOWING A LITTLE CAUTION ABOUT SHARING CAKE!

We had a great weekend as Bob's sister, Jane and hubby, Al were also here from Florida.   Lots of visiting and they prepared some mighty good meals.  Many more years kids!  

HOME MONDAY: DUCK PARTY
Joe had invited us all to the birthday party for Christianna.  So we beat it home to attend.  If I had received the text from Debbie in Ohio, we could have gone to the Ashtabula Wal*Mart which was 6 miles from our camp for T-Shirts.  But I didn't so at home we hurried to shower and dress and go in what ever.   Christianna told me that she likes the Duck program but she didn't think she liked it this much!  Ha!  I guess the gang just didn't want to give up on parties.   Everyone likes to party. 

CHRISTIANNA
THEY EVEN GAVE HER A SHIRT!

We hit the sack as soon as we got home. 


TUESDAY:
Unload motor home, do wash, take a nappie. 
WEDNESDAY:
Do necessary things..go for food as the refrig is empty!!!  Bob cleaned the motor home; inside and out....take a nappie.  We changed the sheets to flannel for our next camp out!   Just keep the feet moving even if they are dragging!   Time out to make some Jamaica Me Crazy Iced Coffee.  Yeah!
THURSDAY:
A little rain, dark skies, a few errands and prepare for the next event.   I need to see what I'm wearing to the Di Salvo wedding tomorrow night.

Our neighbor is having the line of pine trees cut down...grinding and sawing going on for two days.  A total of 18 trees came down; I asked my neighbor if he had received a Federal Grant...think of the costs.

BUCKET MAN GETTING READY TO CUT THE TREE TOP OFF.

FRIDAY:

 

I need to do a few things for our date tonight.  I painted my nails and they turned out cruddy.  I almost called Betsy to come home for lunch and do them for me.  Then Bob needed some help; our pool patio was covered with saw dust pieces!  It was down in the pool heater and everywhere else.  So I ran the shop vac to help while he used the air gun to get the pieces out of heater.   What a mess.

 

The wedding was outside at Hidden Valley Lodge in Varysburg.  What a beautiful venue.  They have spared no expense on the grounds, lakes and lodge, just stunning.  But it's out in the boonies!  However, they are booked a year in advance for weddings.  They also have an animal refuge and give tours; kangaroos were right near the lodge but Bison and Elk and what ever are on the acreage.  





HIDDEN VALLEY LODGE

The DJ had an elimination dance for married couples that we joined in; there was four couples still standing after 55 years was called.  The grooms grandparents-Ron and Rose, another couple unknown and our friends, Billy and Freida and us.  Billy and Freida won with 59 years!  Still kids right?  

SATURDAY:
I didn't get up until 10:30.  I had a "Charlie horse" in my leg during the night and was walking around to get it out.  Would two dances cause that?  Oh boy old age. 
I had my coffee on the porch and could see Bob and Betsy working on closing the pool.  They had it half done already.  After I helped some.  It's done but we haven't moved the pool furniture under the deck yet because Bob needs to look at the floor boards-we noticed boards separating like the deck is sinking!  More maintenance! 

JUST IN TIME BEFORE THE RAIN.

SUNDAY:
Today was a very nice day, lots of sun.  Wouldn't ya know after closing the pool.  We continued to work on putting the patio items away.  But first Bob had to see about fixing the floors boards of the deck. 

THINKING ABOUT WHAT TO DO. 




ADJUSTABLE METAL POLE TO RAISE DECK



I cleaned out the flower bed and cut some parsley back.  I want to freeze some of it.   

I HAVE 3 MORE BUNCHES,
 ANYONE NEED SOME?

We did take a break an watched some of the Bills game since Pittsburgh wasn't televised.  Lots of action, many penalties.   The stadium was full which is a good thing. 

So now we are up to date and looking forward to another week.  Everyone have a good one and thanks for clicking in. 

GOLDEN GRAM