Friday , August 8

We are so sad. Today is Aunt Debbie's last day. Tomorrow we have to take her to the airport. We went to our favorite, Taco Bell for lunch. It's one of Aunt Debbie's favorites also. Then we drove around. We went by the prison to see all the horses they have. We also went to the dam. We found a place on Lake Livingston where grandpa could launch his boat for free. There were a lot of birds there. It was very pretty. We came home to swim but it's raining. Grandma plans to clean out the refrigerator for dinner tonight. Photos are on the photo blog, You can get there by keying in this: http://community.webshots.com/user/Ginrich1

Thursday, August 7

What a day. We drove 1.5 hours to Fry's Electronics. In the car Aunt Debbie taught us how to crochet some more. Nathan is doing multiple rows already. We both think it is a lot of fun. At Fry's Aunt Debbie found the camera she wanted. From there we went to Panera's to eat and then to Barns and Noble. We looked at some magazines and then left Grandpa there looking at magazines while we went into this really big mall and went to the children's museum. We had such a good time. Highlights were the "critter room" and the obstacle course. Pictures are on the picture blog. When we got home we went swimming, then supper and more crocheting. We sure are enjoying Aunt Debbie.

Wednesday, Aug 6

Today we played with Aunt Debbie, went to "My Place" for lunch, saw the stock yards with baby calves, and went to Texas Pepper to have TexMex food. Early this morning Aunt Debbie helped Grandma and Grandpa put up a really big antenna for when the satellite has rain fade like during tropical storms like we had yesterday. With all that rain they are still 3 inches behind in rain fall for the year. We had another thunder storm today so we couldn't go swimming. Aunt Debbie tried to teach us to knit but we had trouble with 2 needles. Now she is teaching us to crochet. Grandma bought each of us our own crochet hook and yarn. Don't know what we'll make but it will be fun. Tomorrow we are going to Fry's Electronics so Aunt Debbie can buy a camera. We should be home in time to go swimming if it doesn't rain. Photos are on the photo blog.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Today we "worked" on our computers while the Tropical Storm passed over us. We had a lot of rain but because of the drought, it soked into the ground very quickly. We ate lunch at our favorite, Taco Bell then went back home because Debbie called and said she was delayed in Memphis for an extra hour because of weather. We parked in the passsenger pick up lot until her plane came in. We counted taxi cabs and watched planes fly in while we waited.

We ate supper at Lubby's Cafeteria. It is so nice to see Aunt Debbie. She is staying in our grandparents RV so she has her own space to rest. We have a lot to do while she is here.

Miranda celebrated her birthday after we got home. The grandparents gave her a baby doll that drinks and wets and a diary. Aunt Debbie brought us some souvenere pens from Atlanta.

We have a lot to do while Aunt Debbie is here. We are really excited about it.

Friday, August 1 and Saturday August 2

Friday and Saturday are "bum around" days. Friday we ate luch at Tacco Bell, our favorite place, and then shopped at Wall-mart, another favorite place. Grandma and Grandpa forgot it was the first of the month and Wall-mart was jammed with people who have just been paid. Grandma bought us some balls for the swimming pool. Someone was camping in the park with a boy and girl our age so we had fun playing in the pool with them. We played wii and watched videos that night.

Tonight we go to church for a country gospel concert. Afterward they will have finger food. We look forward to seeing what "finger food" is. We get to go swimming earlier today since we have to be at church by 6 PM. Nathan pulled up dead weeds in the yard Saturday morning. He has some chores to do to work off the payment for the wii remote he broke. It is supposed to be the hottest weekend this summer so we won't get to go to the zoo today. The animals won't do anything but sleep in the heat. Tomorrow is church day.

We are getting excited becaues Aunt Debbie is flying in for a visit on Tuesday. Grandma has been getting the RV ready for her "guest room." We haven't seen Aunt Debbie for a long time.

Johnson Space Center

Thursday we went to Johnsons Space center. It was a long ride because of construction detours without road signs. When we finally got there it looked like everybody from Texas was there. We saw a trampolene bungy jump and got in the long line for that. It was well wort the wait. It was so much fun jumping high. After that we went to a movie about space on a really big screen. It was a bit long but we enjoyed it. Then we played in the ball tower while Grandpa watched some more movies. Grandma let us play on all the stuff all over the center. There was so much we could do it was hard to choose what was next. Later we went to anouther movie with Grandpa. That screen was 8 stories high. After the movie we had a snack and played some more. We got to walk on bungie cords and work on a chair they use for astronaut training. We also took a tram ride and saw where they train the astronauts. We got to see some real astronauts. They sure have to train hard before they go into space. We also got to see a ranch with Texas Longhorn steers. It as a really long and fund day. We got to TGI Friday's for Grandma and Grandpas 44 anniversary dinner at 9PM. We got home at 10:30. Even though everyone (except Grandma, who was driving) slept in the car on the way home, we went right to bed. What a fund day. Photos are on the phot blog.

Tuesday, July 29

Today the guys slept late and we just bummed around resting up from the heat from yesterday. We went to Tacco Bell's for lunch the Wallmart for more groceries. We had our daily swim, did some sidewalk art and "worked" on our computers. There are no photos from today. Tomorrow we will do more of the same around here because Thursday, Grandma and Grandpa's 44 anniversary, we will probably go to Johnson Space center. They have a lot of special things for children during the summer. It will take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get there so it will be a long day. We won't update this tomorrow but be sure to check it out Thursday night - and the photo page.

The Forestry Museum

July 28, 2008

What a fun day. We went to the doctor office for Grandpa to have a check up then off for fun. We drove for about 40 minutes to the first part of the Forestry Museum. This area of Texas is know as Piney Woods because of all the pine trees. Forestry is a major industry here.

Outside they have a Steam Engine Train also known as the Iron Horse. We got to play around on it. We rang the bell and we blew the whistle. It was really loud. Grandma’s ears rang the rest of the day.

After playing around in the engine and caboose we went to a nursing home to visit a friend of Grandma and Grandpa. They have an aviary. That’s a place that has birds. Some birds were nesting on eggs. They also have a big aquarium. Mrs. Dib was very happy to see some children. She enjoyed our hugs and conversation.

When we left we went to the second section of the Forestry Museum. First we looked around inside.

Outside they had a lot of forestry equipment. They sure need a lot of stuff to cut down trees for wood and paper.

They also have another Steam Engine train with a log car and caboose. We sure like to climb around on it. We rang the bell. Grandma was glad the whistle didn’t work.

After we climbed around on the train we walked the nature trail. They sure have a lot of different trees. It was really hot.

We went to the mall to “kill” 30 minutes before the senior rates went in at Golden Coral. The mall was fun. They had a play section and “crabby sand.”

We enjoyed our late lunch. We were all hot and tired and fell asleep in the car going home - all except Grandma who drove us home. What a great day.

Photos are at http://community.webshots.com/user/Ginrich1

Day 4, Sunday

Today we went to church. We hugged everybody who came into the sanctuary. We went up front for the Children's Moment. The Pastor asked some questions and Nathan answered every one of the as soon as they were asked - correctly. Everyone was very impressed.

After church lots of us went to a restaurant called "My Place." Grandpa left with a group from the church going to meet the new District Superintendant. Grandma took us home. At home we worked on our computer house designs until it was time for Grandma to set up for Vespers. We put all the hymn books on the chairs while Grandma fixed the communion trays.

After Vespers we went to the ice cream social. We think adults are louder than children. It was so loud you could hardly hear yourself talk. We are making a lot of friends. We seem to be the most popular people in the park.

When we came home, Grandpa was back but we went into the shed to work on our computers some more.

There are two new photos on the photo blog.

Check out photos

This blog is having trouble with photos. They say they are working on it. In the meantime you can link to
http://community.webshots.com/user/Ginrich1
Hopefully blog spot will get their problem fixed shortly and I can post phots on the blog.

Saturday, July 26.2008

We had another fun day. We “bummed” around the house playing and working on the computer.


At 4:30 we went to the pool. Wow. It’s really fun. Grandpa makes a good diving board.

After a spaghetti dinner we watched Peter Pan on TV. We could hardly stay awake. Then showers and bed. We go to church in the morning. Photos are posted on Grandma's photo web page.

Nathan and Miranda's Visit

Currently this blog service is unable to support photos. For photos go to http://community.webshots.com/user/Ginrich1

Thursday, July 24, 2008

We left Pace around 8AM. We stopped at Wendy’s for lunch then went to a new Pro Bass Store. It was a lot of fun. We saw fish, a big turtle, and a lot of “stuffed” wild animals. We ate breakfast in Florida, lunch in Louisiana and were hoping to eat supper in Texas. However, Interstate 10 in Louisiana was closed because a car ran into the back of a gas truck and they exploded. The flames caused damage to bridges in both directions over the swamplands of Louisiana.
We had a three-hour detour in a lot of traffic. We didn’t get into Livingston until 10:30 that night. Grandma and Grandpa said we were incredibly good.

When we got to their house we looked around. Nathan thinks it is a “cute, little house” and wants one just like it. We were excited to see we get to sleep in the loft. We can see everything in the living room from up there. We have our own DVD player and can watch movies.

We went to bed up there very tired.

Friday, July 25, 2008

We did some sidewalk art on the driveway today. Grandma wants all the concrete covered with pictures.

We went to Wall-mart to buy groceries. When we got home Grandma said this “cute, little house” is built for groceries of only 2 people. The freezer is jammed, the refrigerator is jammed and the counter is full because there is no room in the pantry. We think we’ll eat really well. We went to the videotape library in the park and each got a DVD and a videotape to watch. We went swimming and had a really great time. Then we went to Taco Bell for dinner. We were both so very hungry after all that swimming. After we ate we drove by a lot of ranches to see the big lake, Lake Livingston, and the dam that makes the lake. There were a lot of birds in the river and a lot of fishermen. When we got home we played on “our computers” and had desert. It’s been a really full and fun day. We’re tired.

It's been a long time

It's been a long time since I updated this blog. I have been batteling computers. One is DOA, one has been in and out of Best Buy's Geek squad, mostly in, and is there yet again. I've used various substitutes but, of course, my favorites don't all get moved over every time. I have a love hate relationship with computers. Love because I get to instant message with our son who is in Bagdad and also our other children scattered around the country. One day we had a daughter in Florida, a daughter-in-law in Texas, our son in Iraq and myself on a four-way internet conversation. That is well worth all the hassels computers bring our way.

Richard and I have been certified as lay speakers for the United Methodist Church. We were advised we would probably not be asked to speak as most pastors don't want to give up their podium.. However, we have both been quite busy. We have had the opportunity, each of us, substituting for our pastor in our home church and we each alternat every other month speaking one Sunday at the vesper service in our ever growing park. It is such a joy to speak God's word.

Ginger has created another blog for public access for devotions she's written. You can reach it at http://ginrich.wordpress.com/. She will be adding one each day (Hopefully).

We are not traveling in the RV this summer. We promised our church we would stay here since Richard is the treasurer and Ginger is the Lay Leader. We are going to Florida via car to pick up 2 of Tammy's children and bring them back for a few weeks of a Texas Adventure. Daughter, Debbie, will fly in for a quick 3 day visit in early August.

We bought a wii and have been playing Tiger Woods golf every day. Good exercise. We also do water aerobics which Ginger leads from time to time. The wii also has an exercize DVD which will cause us to "work up a sweat".

Besides church, helping out friends and neighbors, wii games and exercise, and general day to day chores there is no other news. Richard will be having a knee replacement Setp 8. We opted to wait until summer activites are over for that.

I will try to update this more often regardless of which computer I must use. I hope not to loose where it is again. Thank you, daughter Tammy, for puting a link from your log to mine so I could find it.

Florida

We are in Pensacola, Florida, enjoyin daughter, Tammy, and family. As always, the pace is very fast with six children in the house. Tammy has a boot on the broken foot she got for Christmas in the early hours of that beautiful day. The biggest problem is the baby keeps getting on the boot causing a lot of pain. The children all enjoyed the Christmas gifts we brought but, we are glad to say, they seem to enjoy us even more. We will be here a few days then go to Melbourne to be with daughter, Debbie, and horses, then back to Pensacola for a couple days before returning home. We had a wonderful Christmas as home enjoying our church family, friends and neighbors.

In Melbourne, we look forward to visiting with our friend, Maurene, who will be 107 on Dec. 30. She said when she was little she asked the Lord to let her be here until He comes back. She just might do it.

Merry Christmas

We have been incredibly busy since our return from New England. We went to an RV rally a few days after returning home. We went to visit our son and his family who have returned from Germany. We went to make plans for an RV rally we are hosting in March. That was a hard trip because we had to go to a lot of restaurants and sample their wares so we'd know what to recommend. (A tough job but someone had to do it.) Then there are church commitments, Christmas to prepare for and normal every day activities. In the interest of putting more money where it is needed (charities) we have cut our snail mail Christmas Cards down considerable and will include it with our blog each year. Hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful celebration with friends and family of the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Praise God! He is alive and still King.

Home and Running

We are home and running. Between unloading the rig, cleaning it out and preparing to leave on Tuesday for a rally, visiting with neighbors and church activities we find ourselves incredibly busy. Thanks to very good neighbors our gravel was not green, our car was not DOA and all in the house were fine. What a wonderful place to live.

Pensacola, Florida

We drove through rain all day, Thursday, and arrived in Pace (outside Pensacola) the same time the tornadoes passed through. Tonight (Friday) we go to the football game to watch our oldest grandson, Joshua. He was quite a shock to see as he is now taller than his grandmother. Makes me feel much older all of a sudden. We will travel on Monday and Tuesday for Livingston.

Shanadoah National Park and Skyline Drive

After two nights in parking lots we arrived on Skyline Drive in Virginia Friday afternoon. We were able to get one of the last campsites in Shenandoah National Park. No hook ups but lovely site. Saturday morning we headed for Big Meadow. We took the family here 30 years ago and said we would come back sometime. We didn’t say who the “we” included or when we would make it back. There have been changes in the last 30 years. We enjoyed walking in the big meadow, watching deer graze and a ranger talk on snakes.

After checking the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the speed limit and the amount of traffic we opted to exit onto the interstate system. We are due in Pensacola by Friday to watch the oldest grandson play in the marching band and also to celebrate a daughter’s birthday. We would not make it in time on the parkway. Several nights will be spent in various Wall-mart parking lots. We are now eating lunch in Tennessee at a Panera’s. Next update will be from Florida.

Mt. Washington in the fall

Since we had another free pass and it was a pretty day we took another van tour up to Mt Washington. The trees below the tree line were beautiful. Up on the mountain it was quite cold and windy and in the clouds. I did get a few photos between cloud movements. It is suppose to have 14 inches of snow on Tuesday. We still have a free gondola ride across from Mt Washington and will cash it in if there is snow to see. Below are a few more photos of fall time. Hope you enjoy them.

We were so surprised to see monarchs still in the area. That show how unseasonably warm it has been here. Hope they make their migration in time. We plan to make our migration in time.

More Waterfalls

Today was a beautiful day. We drove to Loon Mountain and rode their gondola to the top of the mountain to enjoy the view of the early fall leaves. They are at about 25%.

On the way "home" we discovered another water fall. Ginger can never get enough photos of waterfalls and took 74 of them today.

The waterfall is next to an old Indian trail. It was a pleasant hike, mostly next to the rapidly running river cascading over the rocks. For awhile we sat on a bench just listening to the music of the cascading water.

Tomorrow night (Thursday) we host a campfire circle party for the work campers and the senior staff at the park. We work Saturday through Monday. On Sunday night the church we've been attending is giving us a good-bye party. On Monday night we have a dinner at a near-by restaurant for the work campers and senior staff of the park. Tuesday we pack up things and head out on Wednesday.

We are very glad we came. The season was long but the perks were fantastic. We saw and did so many things we would have not spent the money to see and/or do. We've made many new friends and also had two new "daughters" from Slovakia. They were so sad to leave us but so ready to be back home.

Our next update will be dependant on connections on the road. Stay healthy and tuned in to Jesus.