Long time no write

I seem to have lost my momentum for keeping up with this blog.  Perhaps because we have fallen once again into a mundane type of lifestyle.  Most probably it is because I am once again bitten by the procrastination bug!  I have a lifelong feud with this disease and I think I am losing the battle.  However, I did clean out the cabinet holding the pots and pans.  The cabinet where my books are stashed is in utter chaos and here I sit on the computer instead of making some headway in the cleaning of it.  Perhaps I have the Scarlett O'Hara syndrome...... "I'll think about it tomorrow."  Perhaps I am just plumb LAZY!?!  

This weekend is very busy here at the KOA campground.  All the sites plus the overflow area are filled with families enjoying the four day holiday together.  Unfortunately for us we must work those holidays rather than spend it with family.  But the rest of the summer weekdays we are able to get together with them.  This weekend Chris and Acacia took the children to Toronto, Canada for the holiday.  We are anxious to hear all about their mini vacation when they return to Rochester.  

Springtime in NY

Yesterday I wrote a short blog entry and the wifi did something and kicked me off and it was not saved.  So today I will try to get this written and saved and published.  

Mother's Day was a very nice day beginning with a call from Curtis who was in the campground cafe cooking breakfast for the campers.  He invited me to come down for my breakfast.... he makes very good cinnamon pancakes and bacon!  Melanie called me later to wish me a good day and Keenan texted me to wish me the same.  Chris, Acacia, Connor and McKenzie came down to Canandaigua to take us out for dinner.  We went to an authentic German restaurant in town and it was delicious.  I had Schweinebraten (pork roast with white wine mushroom sauce), spaetzel (German potato noodles) and red cabbage.  For dessert I had a slice of sacher torte (dark chocolate torte with apricot filling and dark chocolate icing.

Yesterday we went into Rochester to the Lilac Festival in Highland Park.  It was full of beautiful lilac trees and bushes as well as tulips and many other flowering trees and shrubs.  We walked and walked and enjoyed not only the sight of the flowers but the aromas emitting from all of them.  It was a lovely way to spend a nice afternoon off work.

New York, New York

For those not aware we are now in New York at the KOA campground for the summer again.  We arrived last Wednesday in Rochester staying in Chris' and Acacia's driveway until Sunday.  On Sunday afternoon we made our short trek down to the KOA at Canandaigua.  It has been fun not only to see and spend time with Chris and family  but to see our co-workers and the seasonals who stay all summer at the KOA.  Initially, I didn't think that I'd enjoy the work camping experience at the campground but was willing to do it just to be able to see the kids all summer.  However, I found that I really enjoyed the time here not only with the family but with the other folks we worked with and the folks who return every summer to stay here.  We have had fun times, not so fun times and challenges but the time was well spent and we couldn't wait to get back.  When we drove into the campground on Sunday we were greeted royally with hugs and smiles and then to coffee and donuts at the local Tim Horton's coffee shop.  The trip to Tim Horton's has become a tradition for us and one of the other work camper couples.  It is not so much about the coffee (Curtis and Ruth don't drink it, but Shelby and I do) but is rather about the fellowship and friendship we have developed.  Ruth and Shelby are a couple originally from Louisiana who have been work camping for many years.  They are what my Mamaw Wilkes would have called "salt of the earth" folks.  They are about 4-5 years older than we are but are balls of fire working in their respective jobs.  And they are lots of fun!!!

Our grandchildren are growing like weeds and so much fun.  Acacia is popping out with the new baby boy.  Chris is busy with work and traveling but seems to be enjoying it more.  We saw both grandchildren move up to the next level in Awana last week.  Connor is now a TNT and McKenzie is now a Spark.  McKenzie had a hard time at soccer last Saturday and didn't play.  She got all shy and rather than making it too hard for her they just let her kick the ball with her dad and brother.   Next Saturday we will not be there and maybe her "stage fright" will dissipate and she'll get in the game.  Yesterday I came back to their house as Chris is out of town this week and they needed someone to be here in the morning after Acacia and McKenzie leave to make sure Connor gets on the school bus and then gets off in the afternoon.  My work week doesn't start until Thursday so I could help them out.  So last night I took Connor to the YMCA for his swim class.  He is a little fish even diving to the bottom of the deep end.  Of course, one of the highlights this summer will be the birth of baby boy Chance due the end of August.  Everyone is excited and looking forward to his arrival.  McKenzie has decided that being the ONLY girl is not such a bad thing, either.  

Zeke was greeted with lots of reactions from the apprehension of McKenzie to the over zealous playing of Connor and his allergic reaction.  He takes after his dad with the allergy but we just make sure he has his meds and eye drops and washes his hands frequently.  We are very pleased how well Zeke himself is adapting to his everchanging environments.  

All in all, we are settled in for the summer and already feeling blessed by so much.  Plus we are so thankful to the Lord for the travel mercies He gave us.  We saw lots of accidents some with fatalities on the trip up here this time.  So we are very grateful for our safe travels.

Oh to have had a camera

I just wanted to share that last night's show in Branson of the #1 Hits of the 60's was the best!  And the biggest star was the one and only, Curtis Chance!  You are reading correctly, it was Curtis - my better half!  One of the female cast members came out into the audience and picked Curtis out to "help" do a number with her and the other two girls in the show.  They "dressed" him up in long hippy braids complete with headband, round John Lennon colored glasses, hippie beads and a long fringed vest.  The band began to play "These Boots are Made For Walking" and the girls tried their best to get him to walk in step with them.  Those of you who know him know that "Rhythm" is not his forte' so all it got was great guffaws from the audience.  He was a real trooper, however, and took it all in stride.  He was a good sport and even responded with humor upon receiving the remarks from fellow audience members about his part of the show.  All in all, it was a delightful time listening to the "oldies" and laughing, with not at, Curtis!

Ozark beauty

Last night was spent in Eureka Springs, AR in the beautiful Ozarks.  My paternal grandparents moved from Arkansas in the early 1920's to the flatlands of Texas and looking at the beautiful greenery I think it might have been our loss.  Each time I have been in Arkansas I have been mesmerized by its beauty.  Tonight we are in Branson, MO and it is every bit as lovely.  The rolling hills and crooked roads made for interesting travel in a motorhome this morning.  The dogwoods and redbuds are coming out right now and filling the horizons with color and aroma.  We are ahead of the crowds here in Branson so the traffic is minimal at the moment.  According to the KOA owner in Eureka Springs the economy has had a profound effect on their tourist business.  I suspect the same could be said about Branson as there are many closed and for sale businesses including theaters and restaurants.  

Tomorrow night we have tickets to a show at one of the theaters.  It is the #1 Hits of the 60's.  Since that is "our" music we will really enjoy it, at least I hope we do.

Yesterday we got word that Grandpa Chance had his second cataract surgery yesterday morning.  He did very well and should be able to see much better now that the last eye has been done.

We look forward to continuing our journey north into the Northeast on Friday.  

New York, here we come!

We have left the state of TX today and headed northeast.  The weekend was spent in Colleyville, TX with Curtis' youngest brother and his wife, Richard and Stephanie.  We had a good time with them.  While in Austin we had a great time visiting with my dad, my sister, Kelli, niece, Natalie and Kelli's husband, Gary and the ALL the assorted four legged critters!  Also enjoyed visiting with Susan Speck Fenner and her mom, Ethel.  And of course, we got a refill on Tex-Mex food and Texas BBQ!  

Our plan for now is to go to Branson, MO and perhaps catch a show at one of the theaters there then make our way to NY to work again for the summer.  We are looking forward to seeing our friends at the KOA in Canandaigua, NY yet the biggest excitement will be playing with the grandchildren.  Can't wait to see how tall they have gotten and hear their tales of the past few months.  

Texas Two Stepping Out of Arizona

We are leaving the State of Cactus and Boredom!  Today is our last day in Arizona.  This bus will be departing in the morning, passing through New Mexico on the way to TEXAS.  Our stay there will be much too brief this go around but what can you do?  Our commitment in New York begins the first of May and we don't want to have to push too hard on the way up since the throes of winter are still clinging in the midwest and east.  Curtis doesn't like to drive in high winds and inclement weather and I don't like to "passenger" in the same.  

Just in the last few days one of the guys from the Lamesa High School class of 1966 (Kim's classmate) passed away.  Johnny never came to Lamesa for one of the infamous Jubilees (big school reunion held every 5 years) but several of us were able to reconnect with him through Facebook just in the last couple of months.  What a shock for all of us!  Johnny was the consummate Texas gentleman.  I had known him since elementary days and we were in many classes together throughout our school days in West Texas.  I never heard him say a bad thing about anyone or any situation and he always had a smile on his face for everyone.  I know his family will miss him greatly and those of us who knew him in Lamesa will miss not being able to see him again.  This sure did give us a moment of pause.  We take our lives for granted and don't enjoy the little things enough.  

I'll post again from Texas in a few days.  Until then hug your families and enjoy this wonderful life that God has given us - warts and all!