All settled in at Indian Springs State Park.

On Monday we were up very early and on the road to Indian Springs State Park in Flovilla, Georgia.  The trip was uneventful and we arrived around 4:00 p.m.   Our friend Dick was waiting at the campground to greet us.  We will be volunteering as the group camp hosts.  It is always fun to work with Dick.

Tuesday I celebrated my birthday with John and Dick at Jimmy's Restaurant.  Good food and lively conversation.

Dick, me and John.

The weather here as been cold at night....in the mid 30's.  I am not liking that. Next week we are supposed to have temperatures in the 70's and I can't wait for that. 

Today my parents are celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.  Love you.

Laugh everyday.   Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Time is winding down.

 I am finally posting a blog after a long pause.   We have been very busy since we arrived in Mississippi.  Our work and volunteer schedules have been a little trying at times.   There have had some sad and happy times during our stay.  As I posted in the last blog, my cousin Ray passed way from cancer.  His widow is having a very difficult time with her grief.  I sure hope things get better for her.

John's sister, Mary Lee, fell last week and broke her ankle in two places.  Luckily she won't have to have surgery as the doctor first thought.  Mom Hatch had cataract surgery last week and is doing very well.

Last month we sold the 2002 Suzuki Vitara and purchased a 2006 Acura MDX.   The Vitara served us well over the past few years.   We sold it to a couple who are also RVers and plan to go full time soon.  

Our "new to us" 2006 Acura MDX.

I finally got around to taking a few photos of the Ridgeland Parkway Information Cabin on the Natchez Trace where I have been volunteering.  The cabin had been closed for two years due to plumbing problems brought on by a shifting foundation.  The Parkway installed portable restrooms and we opened on January 9, 2016.  The cabin is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 to 4.  Additional days may be added if the visitor count keeps increasing.  

On February 5th we gathered at my mom and dad's place for Mom (Marcy) and Shelby's birthday party.  Mom celebrated her 78th birthday on February 5th and Shelby turned a big two years old on February 10th.

Dad and Mom (Bob and Marcy)

Shelby

Big sister Ava.

Shelby enjoying ice cream cake.

Shelby and our daughter-in-law Kelsey.

Our son Robert and Shelby.

Our time here is winding down.  We we will be heading out to Flovilla, Georgia on February 29th to volunteer at Indian Springs State Park.  It will be fun seeing the crew and friends there again. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.

Rest in peace cousin Ray.

Yesterday I attended the funeral of my cousin Ray Leake.  He had been diagnosed with bladder cancer  and underwent surgery December 11th to have his bladder removed.  Unfortunately the cancer had spread to the lymphnodes and chemo wouldn't help much.  Ray decided to go home and enjoy what little time he had left with his family.  Sadly, the amount of time he had left wasn't very long.  He passed away Sunday, January 17th and was laid to rest yesterday in Oxford, Mississippi.  It was a very sad day.  He was a very kind and gentle soul who loved his family very much.  We take comfort in the fact that he is no longer in pain.  Rest in peace cousin Ray we love you.

Cancer is such a mean and ugly disease.  I wish there were a cure for every kind of cancer so no one would have to suffer from it or lose loved ones. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Retirement party for Allan McCluer.

Saturday night we attended a retirement party for Assistant Chief Allan McCluer.  The party was held at the Jackson Yacht Club.  The place was packed.  It was so good to see the fire family again.

Marc, Steve, Allan and John. 

Sidney and John.

Steven and Troy.

Marc, Steve and Allan.

Matt and Allan.

Members from the C-Shift past and present.

Another C-Shift picture.

We had lots of fun and great food. Lots of new faces this year. 

Last Friday we had a soft opening at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center.  We had seven visitors on Friday and 21 visitors on Saturday.  

My boss took a picture of me behind the desk.  I am not fond of the uniform.....it is a tuck in shirt and it wrinkles easily. Ugh!

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Hello 2016

Happy New Year to all of family and friends out there.  Hope everyone had a safe New Year's holiday.   John worked at the mall New Year's Eve and then 10 hours New Year's Day.   He finally had a day off on Saturday.

On New Year's Eve I drove mom and dad to Oxford, MS to visit my cousin Ray who has been diagnosed with stage four bladder cancer.  Last month he underwent surgery to remove the bladder but unfortunately the cancer had already spread.  He has decided not to proceed with chemo or any type of further treatment.  After being released from the hospital hospice home services is seeing to his care.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Ray and his family during this difficult time. 

Yesterday John and I visited with his niece Amanda who is visiting from Florida.  It has been almost four years since we have seen her.   

John with his nieces Mary Beth and Amanda. 

Mary Beth, me and Amanda.

John's great-niece Brooke with Amanda.

Brooke with her mom, Mary Beth.

The warm weather we had at Christmas time has gone and has been replaced with much cooler temperatures.  The high for tomorrow is forecasted to be 49 degrees.  

Our granddaughter Shelby got a drum set for Christmas.  She is enjoying that noise maker. 

Shelby banging on the drums.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends.  I realized yesterday that I haven't posted a blog since Thanksgiving. John has been busy working at the Renaissance Mall and volunteering at the Natchez Trace Parkway.  I have been volunteering at the Natchez Trace Parkway helping to get the visitor center back up and running.  It has been closed for over two years so there has been lots to do.  Hopefully it will be ready to open right after the New Year's holiday.

We have had unseasonably warm weather here this week.  Lots of bad storms throughout the state.  There were some deaths reported in North Mississippi.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who were victims of the storms.  Yesterday it was 80 degrees and stormy.  Last night we gathered at Mom and Dad's (Bob and Marcy) for their annual Christmas Eve party.  

Granddaughters Ava and Shelby and our daughter-in-law Kelsey.

Ava and Shelby.

Mom and Dad.

Ava

Shelby is almost two years old so this year she knows about opening presents.

Robert

Shelby playing with her new trike.

Ava surrounded by lots of wrapping paper.

Annie, Terry and John.

Today we had temperatures in the upper 70s and thunder, lightening and some rain.  We enjoyed Christmas dinner with Mom and Dad and Annie and Terry.   After dinner we played a game of Rummikub.  

Mom and Annie.

John.

Annie and Terry.

Mom and Dad.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

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.