Friday, May 29, 2009

Where did the time go?????

Bob, working hard...or hardly working?
OK...it's Friday night and Escapade is over.....whew!! Man, time sure flies when you're having fun!! Despite the rain and more rain, which started Monday morning (at least all of the rigs got parked before it rained:) ), it was a great week spent with good friends.

On Tuesday, I slipped out and found there were two places in Sedalia to purchase a laptop....Wal-mart and Staples. Neither had my first choice, but I really did not want to wait to have something shipped back home, so, I have now replaced the old faithful Dell and life goes one. My FarmTown farm won't die, Bob doesn't have to share (he really was very good about it!) and I might make a few blogs posts! LOL

I haven't loaded many photos to the new laptop, and it seems I left the camera behind many days, while we were so busy running the golf carts and handling Customer Service issues, which was our volunteer Staff duty here at Escapade. So, photos later.... there are some doozies! On second thought, I think perhaps I'll borrow Kathy's idea and copy the photos from Netter's and Kieth's......those guys got "adopted" at Escapade.....now they are legally obligated to join us at future events! LOL

We will head East tomorrow to Hannibal, MO, .....SPAM look out...we're coming your way!!
Hugs to everyone!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Sedalia, Missouri...getting ready for Escapade

Another week has almost passed here in sunny Missouri....the mornings are crisp and the days are bright and sunny! We arrived in Sedalia on Sunday evening, meeting the Gass's and several others at the Moose Lodge. We all enjoyed watching the season finale of Survivor on their big screen in the Lodge on Sunday night!

Sedalia is another inviting Mid-West town, with welcoming people, charming old homes and a nice Main Street. It's the home town of Scott Joplin, and considered the birthplace of Ragtime music. The annual Ragtime Festival begins shortly after the rally ends. Hopefully, there will be more time to explore the lovely town soon!

Tuesday morning was check-in day for us, around 7:30 (yes, that would be AM) we managed to get the coach washed then head on to the Missouri State Fairgrounds. It was great to see Paul and Connie Anderson upon arrival...they've been missed since our Florida days! We shared some good Mexican dining with them Tuesday night! On Wednesday Joe and Marcia arrived, and on Thursday, Keith and Donna got here, followed by Jay and Fay and Greg and Jean....it's good to see these buddies!! It was also nice to see Beth and Red (our own Too Crazy Ladies!) Thursday night! So it's getting busy and FUN around Sedalia!

And...sadly my laptop screen has shined it's last light....so Bob is forced to share with me until we can get a new one delivered. Since he doesn't share too well, my crops are suffering (FarmTown) and the blogging is limited also! Maybe I can get him to do a blog update for me! :)
Hugs to everyone!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Mother's Day.....and on to Sedalia

Well, once again the week flies by.....Sunday was Mother's Day....our first without two moms...my Mom and Kristy. We decided to drive back from the beach on Friday, so I could go to Catonsville and spend Saturday with Tiffany. The weather was lovely and we rowed and planted her garden. The azaleas, iris and dogwoods were blooming beautifully with her roses just starting to bud. Once again, we dined at the Catonsville Inn and had a wonderful evening. It was a great Mother's Day for me, just spending time with Tiff. I am so grateful for the kids we are blessed with!




Photos of Tiff's Gardens




On Sunday, we got Kenneth, Kristen and Trey (Kristy's oldest children) and went to KK's house for a cookout. Kristen, Trey and Eric went to the Farm in Montpelier with me, to see the new filly and the chickens, then took some flowers to their Mom at the cemetery. It was a beautiful, sunny day and a reminder that life is good and we are blessed, even when God does not play things out the way we might think He should. Gratitude is an attitude, and it's good to be mindful of that.

Kristen and Trey at KK's Flower garden

There were many errands to be done early in the week, and on Wednesday, Bob and I had promised to help J.D. (the kids' dad) out at the house he bought and is renovating. So we headed out early Wednesday to King William and toiled the day away! It felt good to dig in and work on a project!! You know that I like to be busy and engaged, so it was fun to participate in J.D.'s renovation! The house is a large, old "four square" house with a huge wraparound porch and eleven foot ceilings. Now, it does need a lot of work, but it will be a nice home soon, for he and the children. It is a big project and the kids are helping work on it also. He let them each choose the color and theme to decorate their rooms.....Kenneth chose "Hot Rod" or car guy, Trey chose Washington Redkins, and Kristen selected shades of grey. The electrical, sheet rock, and HVAC were all underway on Wednesday. This weekend the porch gets updated. He wanted each of the children to have their own bedroom, and plenty of space for them to spread out.....he is working very hard to accomplish this, and seems to be enjoying the journey. Anything worth having is worth working for!

Thursday was the day to get ready to head out again....on to Sedalia, Missouri and the Escapade!
Also on the agenda was plowing the garden at the Farm for Paul and Katie. The blackberries are blooming now, so it's time to plant! While Bob plowed, I planted herbs for Katie in pots on the back deck. With that little chore accomplished, we showered and drove up to Amelia for his Aunt Carrie's funeral. Those things done, we finished our cleaning and packing up, and were ready for a Friday morning departure!

Now, I must fess up to a new addiction, and it is robbing my blog time......FarmTown on Facebook.....I admit it...I am hooked! And it's all Shirley's fault! :) She introduced me to this farming pastime when we were in Myrtle Beach; it is just too fun! Of course, I had to share it with Paul and Katie and Bob, who are also hooked. I love gardening and working in the yard....so now we have to choose between farming "virtually" or in reality.....that real stuff keeps you plenty busy! And I love my "farm tan".....so think I'll just keep on hoe'in along!

We're enroute to Sedalia now....looking forward to seeing many of you guys at Escapade!

Hugs to everyone!



Friday, May 8, 2009

90 years young....and still dancing!

George and Charlotte arrived on Sunday to enjoy the beach with us....we always enjoy their company, so we were glad to see them!

Tuesday night the plan was to meet C. M. and Shirley at Billy the Kids for the Tuesday night Special...Prime Rib, with all the fixings and one free toddy, with music and dancing for the evening!
Ready to roll!
Of course, the company was wonderful and the food was great too, but there were some new acquaintances also......meet Gene and Evelyn....

Gene is 86 and Evelyn is 90, years young!!
They met 12 years ago here in MB and have been "sweethearts" ever since. Both have their homes here near the beach and go dancing several times a week, play golf, and just returned from a Mediterranean Cruise! These guys are truly inspiring...and one would never guess their ages, if they didn't reveal them!


George took the opportunity to dance with Evelyn while Gene was otherwise engaged!
Everyone enjoyed chatting with these two interesting folks!!


We all did a little dancing......

C.M. and Shirley are great dancers!
The time always flies with good friends...and especially so when the food is great and the music is good!

George and Charlotte and Bob and Molly

Thanks for the memories guys.....more good times to remember at the Beach!


Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Myrtle Beach Days

Myrtle Beach days are fine days....most days Bob cooks breakfast and we eat on the porch....

....we catch a few rays of sun by the beach and a stroll up the strand. Later, I will take my "serious" walk in the evening, up Ocean Boulevard and back down Hillside Dr, about 2 1/2 miles or so.

Shirley initiated the "evening" walking back at Florida Grand, and I've been walking in the evenings since then. Shirley and C.M. live at Myrtle Beach.......

.....and they invited us down for steaks on the grill, to their lovely home near the beach.


Shirley and Bob supervise dinner!

Molly, C.M., and Shirley

What a delight to spend time with these fine folks again....they served a great dinner and we had lots of time to chat and catch up on things. Meeting Shirley and C.M. was a highlight of our stay at Florida Grande and we always look forward to seeing them.

We plan to meet them again on Tuesday evening for dinner and some shaggin' up at Billy the Kids, with George and Charlotte. Myrtle Beach days.....always good!



Saturday, May 2, 2009

It's a Filly!


And her name is Eve...born on the eve of the Kentucky Derby...and on Filly Day!

We all watched her birth last night on Mare Stare and cheered Paul on as he delivered her.....Katie was AWOL.....so WOW! was he the Man of the Hour delivering the gal! We were pretty proud of him and so is Katie!


I sure wish we were there to see the little filly in person...she's the only "grand" we have and I am in love already! It was amazing to see Heaven deliver the delicate foal!!


We are truly excited about the new addition!

Hugs!