Thanksgiving in the ER.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Mom Hatch came for a visit Thanksgiving Day but ended up in the emergency room.  We had just finished with dinner when she suddenly doubled over and grimaced in pain grabbing her back. After lifting her shirt we found a red spot about the size of a fifty cent piece.  Lucky for us the ER wasn't very busy at the time and she didn't have to wait long to be seen.   The doctor diagnosed her with shingles.  Ouch!

Here is Mom Hatch smiling while she wasn't hurting. 

On Saturday our grandbabies spent the day with us.  Pepaw cooked them a big breakfast. 

Ava and Shelby enjoying their breakfast. 

Ava and Shelby sharing a seat to watch cartoons. 

I think they enjoyed their day with us.  They sure are full of energy.   They sure are getting big. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Ava's Birthday, a visit with John Schweitzer and volunteering at the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Hello out there.  It has been quite a while since I last posted.  We are alive and doing well.  John has been busy working part-time at the Renaissance Mall again.  Since we have been home Ava has celebrated her fourth birthday.  It is hard to believe she is four already.

Ava letting everyone know how old she is. 

Ice Cream cake.  It was yummy. 

She blew out all the candles on the first try. 

John and Ava.

John, Ava and me. 

Me and Shelby.  She is always laughing. 

Ava excited over a birthday gift.  

Ava and Shelby.

Kelsey and Shelby.

Ava with her new bicycle.  I think she had a great birthday. 

The first week of November our boss John Schweitzer from Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge and his mother, Marylu were on a two week trip and stopped off in Mississippi for a visit.  Eventhough he was only here for a couple of days, we were able to join him for some sightseeing.  We had a great time and it was so nice to meet his mom. 

John Schweitzer, John, Marylu Schweitzer and me. 

Of course we visited Mississippi Wildlife Refuges with him.  That was very interesting.  I never knew we had that many refuges so close by. 

Of course all that sightseeing makes you hungry so we had to find a good place to eat. We ended up at a place called Crystal Cafe Grill in Greenwood, Mississippi. The locals recommend this place.  The food was tasty and the service was very good.

We couldn't let John leave without stopping by Bop's. He had never had a concrete before so that was a definite stop. 

John Schweitzer with this Snappy Turtle Concete.  I think he was happy.

Before we arrived in Mississippi John had inquired about volunteer positions at the Natchez Trace Parkway in Ridgeland, Mississippi.  After arriving back in Mississippi we met with the volunteer coordinator and this week we began our volunteer jobs.  The location of our site is ideal for us.  We will be volunteering 24 hours each a week.  John will be working with the maintenance crew and I will be working in the office and visitor center. The visitor center has been closed for a couple of years due to foundation and plumbing problems.  It will be great to have the center up and running again. 

Our site.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Back home in Mississippi.

We arrived back home in Mississippi on October 13th.  I had a cousin who was getting married on the 17th and really wanted to attend so we left Branson early.

Luis and Hannah.

Hannah and her brother Dustin.

Cousin Hannah with my dad.

Luis, Hannah, Bob and Marcy.

This past weekend we attended our son's friend Daniel's wedding.  

Robert was the best man. 

Robert.

Kim and Daniel.

Cutting the cake.

Kelsey and Robert.

Ava and her little friend dancing with the bride.

Ava. Can't believe she will be four years old November 10th.

Ava and Robert.

Shelby and Kelsey.

Shelby.  She has gotten so big and is into everything.

Shelby and Ava before the wedding.

After the wedding Ava and Shelby spent the night with us. The next morining Ava wanted to help John with breakfast. 

Mixing the pancake batter.

Shelby.

Shelby and Ava enjoying their pancakes, bacon and applesauce.

John has been busy working at the Renaissance Mall since we arrived back home. I have had an interview with a law firm through the temp agency but have not heard back from that.

We have had rain for the last couple of days.  Rain that has greatly needed.   Now I am ready for it to stop. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Dinner with Tony and Carol & Celebrating our 35th Wedding Anniversary.

The weather here as been really nice.  Most days the high is mid to high 70's.   Last week John and I visited the outlet mall and finally found some new walking shoes. Sometimes that can be an ordeal. John found a pair of New Balance walking shoes and is happy with them.   I was having difficulty finding a wide width shoe in sizes 5 1/2 or 6.   Last December I was diagnosed with MTP Snyovitis in my right foot and I have to have just the right shoes or my right foot kills me.  MTP Synovitis (Metatarsophalangeal Synotivis) is a common disorder caused by excessive stress where the metatarsal and phalanx bones meet.  The condition is aggravated by activity such as walking or any excessive stress on the joint.  Anyway, the doctor explained to me that the ligaments loosen and the joint may develop instability.  Oh happy day. In my case, the third toe and ball of the foot are affected. It can be very painful at times and and just darn inconvenient.  I purchased a pair of Skechers Sport walking shoes with memory foam.  I have walked in them everyday and so far I am very happy with them.  Usually before 30 minutes are up I have the beginnings of stinging pain in my foot but these seem to work.  Ok, enough of the medical stuff. 

Friday, October 9th, John and I had dinner with fellow fulltime RVers Tony and Carol at the Rib Crib. The food and service at the Rib Crib are great.  If you are in the area check them out.  We met Tony and Carol last month in Halstead, Kansas while staying at Spring Lake RV Resort.  We all just happen to be in Branson at the same time.  It was Carol's birthday so we were glad to celebrate with them.  

Tony and Carol.

John and I. 

Yesterday John and I celebrated our 35th Wedding Anniversary.  Wow, how time flies.  It seems like yesterday when we were two kids just starting out.  I am so lucky to be married to my best friend and sharing my life with him.  Thank you John for putting up with me all these years.  Love you. 

We decided to eat at Florentina's Ristorante Italiano.  We had eaten there a couple years back and enjoyed it so we were looking forward to it.  Unfortunately, the food wasn't as good.  Part of John's entree was cold.  The food was served so quickly it was apparent it was pre made and reheated.  On the other hand the service was great. 

John with his dark beer.  

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

A visit with George and Mike.

After a couple days in Linn Valley, KS we were on our way to Branson, MO.  John decided to stop off in Joplin, MO and get the motorhome serviced and I drove on ahead to Treasure Lake Resort to get us a site.   Our favorite spot (where everything works) was already taken....bummer...but there was one across the street from it on the opposite corner.  I placed our site tag on the post, got my lawn chair out and waited for John to arrive.   You know that drew lots of attention.  Several people stopped by to talk.  Finally John pulled in and we were all set.  Except...the satellite would not work from the site.  John moved our Wingard around all over the site but no luck.  We drove though the campground and looked at other sites but they weren't any better.   John called the office the next morning to see when our favorite site was supposed to be vacant.  Lucky for us they were scheduled to leave that day.   When they started to unhook I went to the office and obtained new site tag so we could move.  Now we are on our favorite site and everything works fine.  We will be here 21 days so having everything working is great.

Our site.

Our friends George and Mike from Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge arrived in town for a visit.  Friday morning we met them for breakfast at Starvin Marvin's.  They have a breakfast buffet and the price is right.  We all attended the show SIX that night.  They were awesome as usual.  

George and Mike.

Saturday we spent the day with George and Mike touring Branson and enjoyed a nice lunch at Danna's BBQ & Burgers.  It was yummy.

Mike

George

John was in heaven. 

So glad we got to see Geoge and Mike again.  We wish them safe travels and hope to see them again soon. 

Laugh everyday.   Happy trails.  Stay safe.