Stinger B is Getting Ready to Travel & First Day of School

Praying for those experiencing the devastation in Texas from Hurricane Harvey.

Praying for the safety of those in the path of Hurricane Irma.

Praying for those who have lost everything in the fires out west and those still in danger.

You are all on our minds and we pray you stay safe.

September 5th, 6th, & 7th, 2017

On Tuesday, the 5th, after going through our travel check list Tom started to back the Stinger B back towards the highway. I stood watching the traffic and when I said back out now Tom backed the Stinger B out onto the highway in front of our house.  Though he had backed our 5th wheel, the Crusader, out several times this was the first time with the Stinger B. I would just like to note that from where I stood it looked like it was a lot smoother back out and when I asked him later he said it was. 

Today's trip was just a few miles down the road to A&E Truck and Auto Repair for an appointment to have the oil changed etc...

The Stinger B waiting to be pulled into the bay.
Tom talking to the owner about what he wanted done.

The clouds over head. In the top one the sun is trying to peek out. It was one of those days rain on minute sun the next.

When we pulled back into the driveway I noticed someone, not mentioning who, had forgotten to move the Welcome carpet. What that someone said, to me, was he wanted to see how close he parked it back in the same place. Quick thinking on his part I will have to admit.

While waiting for the call to come back and get the Stinger B I went on Facebook and enjoyed seeing all the first day back to school pictures.

Charlotte and Noah

Ukiah, Nolan, and Aden

Top Row: Landon, Spencer, and Ben
Middle Row: Jack, Gabreille, and Claudia
Bottom Row: Trent and Eli 

Caleb on the left
Top right, Chase and Bottom right, Bentley

As we walked out the back door to go move the Stinger B
to its next destination we could see the faintest of rainbows.
In the picture it is about and inch above the roof line.

Parked for the night at Hilltop RV. Tomorrow they will
install a new water pump.

A small nostalgic side note: This is where we purchased
the Crusader.
The bottom picture is our first time boondocking
on Plomosa Road in 2015.

Back home and the contrast between the dark clouds and
the blue sky was beautiful.

Wednesday, the 6th, the clouds were big, fluffy, white and grey 

as we ran errands today. 

It feels and looks so much like fall.

Today, Thursday the 7th, in the grey and rain we picked the Stinger B up to bring it back home. It now has its oil changed, it has been lubed, it has all new filters, a new water pump, and the propane has been topped off. The basement and inside has been re-organized and purged. It is ready to go when we are. All we have to do is put our personal stuff in and back out. (We did not top off the gas tank we are rolling the dice and hoping prices will go down by the time we leave. Though Tom says we have about 7/8ths of a tank. So we are good.)

Parked back in the driveway. Almost right on...:) (I was in
front and tell him to pull forward a little more so that may be
why...LOL) Even though the blue was trying to make its way
through the clouds it was not meant to be today. It is raining.

On a bright note when I was standing there Tuesday waiting
for a break in the traffic I looked down and spotted these two
dandelions in between the leaves. I know many think weed
but I thought pretty yellow flowers enjoying the fall.

As I added the pictures of our grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews to this post I remembered this quote I had saved. It is so true. It feels like the time between these children going to school and their parents' first day of kindergarten went by in a blink of the eye.  (In case you have not guessed, yes, I am a collector of quotes.) 

We are glad you took the time to read our blog today. 

Comments are always enjoyed and welcomed.

A Quick Visit and Fall is Starting to Show its Colors

August 30, 2017

Thirty-three years ago today we were at the O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois waiting for a little bundle of joy. Tom and I left Escanaba as a couple and returned as parents. Our son, Thomas Yong arrived via Seoul, South Korea, Tokyo, Japan, and landed in Chicago, Illinois where two extremely excited parents waited along with four grandparents. It was a moment of pure joy when the lady who carried him off the plane handed him to me. For the life of me I cannot remember giving him to Tom to hold but I must have at some point. It is hard to believe how quickly 33 years went by and now he has a lovely wife and three beautiful children of his own.

Speaking of Thomas, this past weekend he and our daughter-in-law, Nadine, along with their three children left home on Friday around 5:00PM and arrived here at 12:30AM. There was a dinner Saturday evening out at the casino celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Boy Scout Camp, Camp Hiawatha, that he wanted to attend. He not only attended this camp as a Scout but was also on the staff. It was a packed 41 hours but we did enjoy having them here. (Not to mention they left with a van full of  "stuff" from this house that belonged to him.)

What follows is pictures from the weekend.

Left to right: Noah, Charlotte, and Jonah
Looks like they are watching something on one of the phones.

Left to right: Noah, Charlotte, Nathaniel, and Jonah
Hiding under their great-uncle's truck.

Nadine and Thomas dressed and ready to head out,
without kids, for a fun evening.

There is a school playground a couple of blocks from us.
Rachel thought if she took them over there after dinner
we would have an easier time getting them to go to bed.
It was a good plan it just did not work...:)

The top picture is Noah (1) and Charlotte (about 5 weeks)
Bottom picture they are now 7 and 6. 

The top picture is Marcella 3 and Nathaniel is 2. She is 5
months older. the bottom picture was taken the
summer of 2015.

Papa and Marcella

Nate was picking a flower for Marci but was not fast enough
so she picked her own. These two are cute together but, as of
right now, she is definitely in charge.

All six of them sitting, smiling, and looking pretty much the
same way!
Left to right: Nathaniel (2), Noah (7), Charlotte (6) holding
Adelaide (1), Marcella (3), and Jonah (5)
Charlotte, Nathaniel, and Adelaide are our daughter, Rachel's
Noah, Jonah, and Marcella are our son, Thomas's

Yesterday we took a ride up to Marquette for an appointment. When we turned North on US-41 we started to see that some of the leaves are starting to turn red and gold. (The pictures from yesterday were taken through the front window of the Jeep and that window does need to be cleaned.)

The day started out grey and cloudy.

About half way the cloud cover departed
and the sky was a beautiful blue.

Once we left the clouds behind the color was more vivid.

In my opinion this is one of the best views on US-41
between Rapid River and Marquette, MI.

Unfortunately, Lake Superior was shrouded
in fog this morning. 

The fog was hiding the tree tops as we rode along the lake.

We took a different way home. This is M-553 which at
one time brought us by the K.I Sawyer Air Force Base.
What struck Tom and I was not that many years ago both
sides of the highway in this area had been clear cut.

Lots of beautiful fluffy clouds to be seen on the way home.

Color on M-35

Purging

August 19, 2017

So the fun begins. Actually it started this past Monday inside of the Stinger B. Even though my knee is not ready to go up and down the stairs here in the house it is able to handle the stairs into the motor home so we are getting rid of stuff in the Stinger B. We started by emptying out all the cupboards, wiping them out, and putting back only the stuff we actually have used. Then we went through everything under the bed and the booths. I had already gone through the cupboards in the bedroom when we first arrived at the house. It is amazing how much stuff we really do not feel the need to haul around anymore. Every year we leave more and more behind. We do have one storage unit where we are putting the stuff from the house and motor home we want to keep. Looking at the excel sheet we can already see things that will be coming out of there probably next year. Our plan from the beginning has always been one storage unit and what does not fit we do not need. I am finding the more we live in the motor home the less we need to live happily. This year it was particularly hard to move back into the house. To much stuff and more space then we need.

Anyway, we had planned on starting the "basement" purge tomorrow. The prediction was for rain today then sun on Sunday and Monday but this morning that changed to sun today and Sunday rain on Monday. So we decide today was the day. When we bought the Stinger B back in December we took one day just to move everything out of the Crusader into it. Nothing really organized just getting it in and then out of the way for the service people to get the work done while we headed north for Christmas and New Years with our children and grandchildren. When we got back we did take another couple of days to organize and put things away inside. We also took everything out of the "basement" and tried to organize it but it really was still a mess. We knew where the things we really needed where but otherwise, like I said, a mess.

As of the end of today we have eliminated two containers and have seven containers packed and inventoried. Once we finish going through the rest of the stuff, we have under there, we will make a final decision as to what stays. I am thinking we may eliminate at least one of those seven.

Tom pulling out one of the many containers. 

One bay vacuumed and wiped out.

More boxes and that last bay on the passenger side will be
tackled tomorrow.

Looking up, the sky was a wonderful blue with lovely white fluffy clouds floating by this afternoon.

One more summer birthday. Aden turned 13 on Thursday, August 17th. I guess some could say that technically he is not our grandson but he is our grandchildren, Nathaniel and Adelaide's, big brother so in our book he is our grandson.

This was taken last October and he has
grown several inches since then. In fact,
I am pretty sure he is taller than I am.

Not that we are counting but 53 days, give or take a day, until we back our of the driveway and head out for winter. Having said that I realize the days will fly and we still have lots of things we want to accomplish before then. Hope everyone is taking the time to enjoy the summer.

Slow but Sure

Wednesday, August, 9, 2017

The knee is getting better day by day...slow but sure. This past Sunday was a big day went on my first outing, besides physical therapy and doctor appointments...lol. We went to Mass, out to breakfast, and a short ride. It was just wonderful to get out and do something.

Then Tuesday went and had my hair done...added silver and lavender highlights.

Now some catching up: (Warning...grandchildren pictures.)

I had decided to start mentioning family birthdays in the blog and of course I missed three since the surgery.

On July 21st our grandson, Jonah, turned five. He is our son and daughter-in law's middle child and has been running and climbing since he learned to walk.  He has the cutest little face. (We, of course, are not bias at all...LOL)

This was the cutest thing to watch we were at
Cracker Barrel, a couple of years ago, and we
were getting ready to leave. When it is time for
a nap it is time for a nap.

At the Detroit Zoo.
For his birthday this year all he wanted was
a turtle birthday. He looks so darn happy.
Wish we could have been there to see it.

On July 30th our granddaughter, Charlotte, turned six. She is our daughter's oldest. She never ceases to amaze us with what comes out of her mouth. Sometimes I wonder if she is really only six. She is definitely her mother's "mini-me".

Mother and Daughter.

Oh No!
From the time she was about one she would
do this. It was the cutest thing.
I do not remember the last time she did it.

On August 1st our granddaughter, Adelaide, turned one. She is our daughter's youngest and our youngest grandchild. We can already see her personality starting to shine through. Even though she cannot really talk yet she gets her point across especially when she is unhappy with the way things are going.

She is about 5 weeks here and talking up a storm.

Her mother saw this on the internet and thought
it was a cute idea, and it is.
Unfortunately, Adelaide did not agree.
The problem is she does not like sitting in the grass.

Sisters.

Happiness is Having

Grandchildren to Love!

Hello!

Thursday, July 27, 2017

We are still here and did not leave "blog land" I have just not been up to doing my part.
Basically we put our blog together by deciding on content together, I write it, then Tom proof reads, then I re-read, and push the publish button and hope for the best...:) So without my part there is no blog.

Anyone who follows our blog knows we do not mention our health very often but now that it is over and done here is the reason there has not been a blog or comments on any blogs the last month. On June 27th I had my right knee replaced and today is the first day I have really felt like being on the computer. Seriously, I do not do well on pain medications and cannot concentrate for very long. This is my second knee replacement, I had the left one done in 2014, and I will say this one has been a lot easier then the first time around. (Probably because I now have one good knee to rely on during Physical Therapy.) I would also give credit to the two weeks I spent at Rennes Health and Rehab in DePere, WI. (Side note: if you have to do rehab and you live near Rennes go and check it out. I cannot say enough good things about the place. I had two sessions of PT and one of OT Monday through Friday and one session of PT on the weekend. Plus, everyone I came in contact with was caring and helpful which made what could have been an unpleasant experience very bearable.)

As of tomorrow I will have two weeks of out patient therapy behind me with two more to go. Again, I can not say enough good things about the place I am doing this at, Northwoods Rehabilitation, which is the same place I went last time. The staff there is very caring and knowledgeable and I am very thankful for this.

I am not going to pretend it has been a walk in the park but with Tom taking great care of me at home and all the help I had from others it has been a lot easier then I thought it would be.

It has been hard missing out on summer and knowing we will probably not get the house emptied before we leave this fall has been hard to make peace with. Though in the end being able to walk with no pain will be well worth it.

Tom is still working on things around here and the Stinger B so it will be ready to go when we are. Then, of course, cutting grass because of all the rain. Though with the wildfires out west and in Canada it is hard to complain about to much rain.

Our son, Thomas and daughter-in-law Nadine took there three kids on their first camping trip as a family over the 4th of July weekend. Tom did get a chance to meet them and spend one night. From what they have said they had a blast and are looking forward to more family camping trips. Next summer, hopefully, we will be able to go out at least one time with them plus our daughter and her family.

They were happy to see Papa and actually asked,
where is Nana. A first usually it is all about Papa.

So that is what is going on, in a nutshell, around here. Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. I am looking forward to reading blogs the next couple of days and sharing the information with Tom as we catch up with everyone.