Yikes

Life has gotten a little more interesting since I last updated you. I know I left you hanging on the progress of our initial trip, but we did visit for a week and a half in FLORIDA. Where it is always perfectly lovely. We did a short visit to Panama City Beach to check out our accommodations for next November's IRONMAN. Then we made it home just a few days before Christmas to spend the day with our family minus 4.

Now we are preparing for the ' BIG MOVE'. Bill had some business to attend to, so while he has been away my friends and family and I have been going through all of my stuff. I say my stuff because Bill has already disposed of his unnecessary baggage. We have spent the last 4 weeks sorting, wrapping, and packing lots of treasures I just don't want to give up just yet.
I have given gifts to children (our children), and friends. And I have even sent a little tiny visitor on a long trip back where she came from.
The second weekend in March we had a huge two day sale, almost all of my furniture went then. I actually could have sold several pieces several times. Then last weekend after sorting, bagging and tagging lots of my jewelry, most of which I haven't worn in years, and sorting and hanging, folding and tagging clothes, purses, shoes we had another sale. Both sales were very successful and most of the stuff is gone.
The rest has been bagged and boxed for the Disabled American Veterans to pick up in a few days.
It's a little startling to see your entire life time reduced to a few hundred dollars. Some times, several times actually I found it difficult, once or twice, to see through the tears in my eyes as some treasured thing went out the door with a stranger.
It's good to remember that these are just things and while the things provoke a memory they do not posses the memories that are locked safely away in my heart.
And soon it will be time to move on to the next phase in our life and make some new and different memories. We will have lots of new experiences and visit great wonders and places. I hope to see many of my long time friends as we travel this wonderful country.
I can't wait to go exploring.

Country Oaks

This was such a nice spot. We only stayed overnight, but what a restful place, and somewhere we would like to return and spend a few days while exploring the beaches and perhaps an outer island or two.
This campground is at the last (or first depending on your direction) exit on I 95 in GA.

The world seems to slow down here in south GA.

Next stop the Florida welcome center. Yahoo, we're home again.

December 10, 2011

She lives

Even though I didn't think I would make it, at times. I am still alive and well, getting better. Bronchitis is something I have dealt with on a somewhat regular basis for years, and this one seemed to really drag me down. I suppose I will have the cough for a while, and my voice is still very hoarse, but I am pretty sure I'll live.

Sorry

Sorry for the slow postings this past couple of weeks. I am sick, coughing, choking, headachey, fever, sinus, ache all over, drooling in my sleep sick.
I did go to the doctor and they can't help me with more than the standard plenty of fluids, netty pott, rest, lots of Nyquil and use an inhaler kind of stuff no one wants to hear.
I'm gonna say it, 'we can put a man on the moon, why can't we cure ... blah, blah, blah, never mind.
I'll be back on it when I'm better. Hopefully soon.

On the Road in Dec

To round out our stay in Greenville, we attended church with our kids and we were treated to hearing our grandson Michael sing a solo. I was very pleased as he sang O Come Emanuel, this is also a favorite of mine.

We stayed around and celebrated Bill's 65th birthday with them and enjoyed pie and cake and ice cream. wonder why I need to lose weight?  Then we exchanged Christmas presents with them and on Friday morning we took off again. I tried to get some good pictures of the family, but this is the best I could get. Sometimes people aren't very cooperative.

Sharon



Dan

  

                                                         Nathanael                                                    



Michael

                                   

    



Coby, the dog, was the only one to get a really good picture.


Heading south to Orlando, Altamonte Springs to be specific. Of course before we left the campground we tore off the antenna, which I guess everyone does, once.

We decided to make this an early night so we started looking for a park around 3 pm. and finally settled on Country Oaks Campground & RV Park. Located in Kingsland, GA right off the last Georgia exit on I 95.
Now this is the nicest little park, they have a small pond, and a horse corral, the sites are mostly all pull through. We arrived at an early time, just before dusk and were able to get all set up, and have our dinner before it got dark outside.

The live oaks with their long strands of hanging moss gave such a sense of serenity and southern charm. We really loved this place, and are eager to go back for a longer stay next time.

                            





Farkel party

A few weeks ago Dawn and I invited some of our friends over to my house for a Farkel Pajama party.
We played farkel and had some snacks and just enjoyed the evening. I want to do this again, these girls are so much fun.

We each got a Farkel name, they are very silly names and we were being very silly.


This is Allene (Flossy Farkel) and Dawn (Fiona Farkel)



This is me, ( Flora Farkel) and Kathy P. (Frieda Farkel)



Dawn ( Fergie Farkel) and Molly (Fiona Farkel)




This is Kathy W ( Fanni Farkel)




Flossy Farkel says goodnight.



 We had a lot of fun.

Ah ha the lost photo

My dear daughter after reading that I did not have a good picture of our grandson sent me this one. Count on the mama to get the shot.
Thank you, Sharon. 

Dec 3,

On Saturday morning, our daughter had a small tea for the ladies of her church as they were decorating the sanctuary for Christmas. It was quite nice and interesting to meet these women. It was just nice to spend time with this daughter, whom we don't get to see nearly enough.

Then late in the afternoon it was time to go downtown and get all situated for the big Greenville Christmas parade. I love a parade and this was a big one. We staked out our spot, which I thought seemed a little premature since it was so early. But we got all situated, and it was a little chilly....

Ok, it was actually pretty cold. Bill wanted hot chocolate or coffee, but there was none to be found close by, so Sharon and I walked down the block a ways and there was a place where they were handing it out, for FREE.  I really thought that was nice. Turns out it was so premature to set up when we did. This place was packed and I was sure they would make us move, since people were out in the street, but we were ok and we had a really great spot.



Here comes the Academy float



It turned out to be a really nice parade, but it seemed like a long time that we waited for the school's float. It was exciting to see our oldest grandson walking along in the parade, singing about the true reason for Christmas with some other young folks. I wasn't able to get a very good picture of Michael, but I enjoyed seeing him.

 

 

Right to left: Sharon, proud momma, Dan, and Nathanael with the ball cap on. It's a Steeler's cap. oh yeah.

Now that we're all frozen and hungry, we'll go get Michael and find some food in a warm place. 

2011

Dec 2, 2011

Right back on track. We were really needing to be in Greenville, SC on Dec 2, by about 4:30 pm to meet our daughter and family for dinner. This is the evening of the campus lighting ceremony, which we did not attend, and the High School Chorale and Ladies' Choir concert Come to the Light. Our grandson Michael is participating in the Academy Chorale this season and we were very anxious and excited to attend this event.

Our grandsons have, and still do live pretty far away from us, and until this last couple of years, they have been enjoying home schooling. Now that they are in a school setting, there are programs and opportunities to see them perform and we are really eager to see them do that. This is actually the first time we have ever had the chance to see one of them in a performance. It was really nicely done, so elegant, the young men were in tuxedos and the girls in lovely gowns. They sang one of my favorite songs "I Wonder as I Wander" I just love the melody of this somewhat somber tune.
Dr. Bob Jones III spoke for a moment at the end of the concert, it was very enjoyable to hear him. I have always enjoyed hearing the Jones' speak. They have a pleasant sounding voice and the message is usually very gently pointed and direct.

Isn't he a handsome young man?!! We enjoyed a nice meal in the Family room at the dining common and then rushed over to the auditorium for the concert, although I don't know why we hurried, we were way early. I really wish we had stopped to see the lighting ceremony, but it was a bit chilly. I should have taken pictures later
 the campus with all the holiday lights, was so beautiful.
I am not even going to say the name of the park we stayed in while in Greenville. It is a very old and really run down dump of a place. That said it has a lot of potential and could be returned to what I am sure is it's former better days. The spots are not paved, it's very muddy. There are a couple of 'pull throughs' but they are narrow. They have a lot of permanent people, which I think contributes to it's trashy looks. There are a lot of men who must be working construction or something, they have junk trailers, campers, a boat, cars on blocks and on, and on. The only redemption for this park is it's well hidden from public view, and it's about a stone's throw from our kids' house. So it was a no brainer, but I kind of hope they move before we return.

Today is scrapbooking day, and I have lots to organize and pack up before I head up to the church. I have a few photos on my tablet, I don't know how to get them out, I sure hope that I can add them to this blog before I'm through.

On the road, day two

Our original plan was to be in Cartersville, GA on Thursday evening for the "Big Christmas Parade". But since we had such a delay we had called our friends Terry and Debra to tell them we would not have time to stop. We had to be in Greenville, SC. on Friday.
Anyway, I called my friend Debra and said, "hey guess where I am, right here about an hour away from you". She was pretty surprised and directed us to the Cartersville KOA right off  I 75. This is a lovely campground with many nice amenities. It's just too bad that one of them isn't true southern hospitality. The spaces are pretty small, narrow, really tightly packed in. The park was pretty empty, there were fewer than a dozen people camping, but wouldn't you know, the next people to check in were given the spot right next to us. I mean, it's empty, spread out people. I don't think this place is going on our list of 'Places we love'.

Debra had decided to go to work this day, since her company (us) had decided not to come. ha ha, surprise. She works in the law office of Christian Coomer, Representative in the Georgia State House of Representatives, in Cartersville, GA. He has a lovely wife and two nice young sons. We also met his mother, just all really sweet people. So if you're in GA, and a registered voter, I suggest you vote for Rep. Coomer in the up coming election.

Terry came to pick us up for the trip to Cartersville, and the PARADE.  I am a huge fan of parades, love them. I was pretty disturbed when as Terry arrived to pick us up, he had to park at the front of the campground and WALK to where we were parked. I just think it's a rude way to treat your guests.
We enjoyed showing off our camper home to our friend and chatting for a few minutes and then we left to go and meet up with Debra.

We walked around the town a little after seeing Debra and meeting  the Coomers. Now see these are really nice people, they know the meaning of hospitality. A lot of the stores and businesses handed out hot chocolate and even hot dogs, for free. It's a lovely little town, can't wait to go back and explore.

The County Courthouse

We didn't have a lot of time to spend with our dear friends, Debra was busy helping to serve hot chocolate to the entire county and this little community put on a huge parade, it was almost 2 hours long. I think we were all about ready to drop.
We met up for b'fast in the morning and had some time to catch up and visit inside where it was warm, then we headed out for Greenville, SC. It is 174 miles and as Debra said traveling I 85N it can take from 2 1/2 to 7 hours. This depends on traffic. Wish me luck we have to be there by 4:30pm.

OnThe Road

OK, well this is not going as I had planned, but I am going to post anyway.
My intention was to use my new Samsung 3G fancy shmancy tablet to post as we traveled. I thought it would be fun to report on the trip, roads, routes, stops and campgrounds. The good, the bad, and the ugly, uh, not so good.
Well you know how it goes with the best intentions. I composed several blog entries and to my complete frustration could not get it to post, it simply disappeared into cyber space.
So, here goes.

Our intention for our first trip of some length and distance was planned to leave our home on Nov 28, the Monday after Thanksgiving. Again, good intentions. However, we had been discussing the Ford F250 which we have had for several years and it's ability to tow our camper fully loaded into the mountains and somewhat questionable terrain. My hubby has been looking for something with a little more muscle, but not in any real rush, this trip would not really require an extreme amount of towing capacity.
On the Saturday before we left on our trip, my hubby and son were working on the truck, shining it up, painting the bumpers, general maintenance and then someone, the shop owner's uncle, actually called and said I am looking for this exact truck, find me one. FOUND. SOLD the F250. Now, no truck.

The boys started looking and found a newer model Ford F350 on Craig's list only this truck is several hours away, but this never stops us, no way.  So Monday morning, departure day, they go on the road to find the truck and it is nice. Huge Super duty, turbo diesel, dually, crew cab. It has a factory installed towing fifth wheel hitch. It is a beauty, charcoal grey and goes beautifully with the camper graphics. BOUGHT it.
So our first travel day was busted, and of course we needed to have it gone over and oil change, junk like that, so, second travel day was busted too.

Wednesday morning 6:30 AM on the dot we pulled off down the street with Max and camper on the way to how ever far we felt comfortable for one days drive.

I love it, it rides so nicely and there is so much room inside. It's really pretty too. We all know it's really all about how you look. We looked great.

So day one: We headed east never really expecting to get further than Paducah, KY. But we made excellent time and we were able to keep up with traffic beautifully. So we kept on going, and going, and going. We never intended to stay on the road so long, but since we had lost a couple of days we decided to go until we felt like stopping.
At around 5:30 pm we were in the Nashville, TN area. We stopped for dinner and played with the idea of just pulling into a truck stop for the night, since we wanted to make it to Cartersville, GA the next day. But the truck stops were a little yucky so I got out my notebook and found a KOA campground at the next exit in Manchester, TN.
We pulled into the Manchester KOA around 8pm, found a lovely pull-through site close to the front and we were situated and comfortable in a flash. I wished we could stay here for a little longer.
The place was so clean and they even had a doggy play yard. Max didn't get to spend too much time there.
This was the nicest place, and the owners were wonderful hosts, and their dog Honey was so sweet. If you're in or near Nashville, I highly recommend this campground. manschesterkoa.com, check it out.
We were back on the road by about 9am.
We found ourselves about an hour from our next destination, the Cartersville  KOA.
I'll fill you in on day two tomorrow.

Max and me.