Twelve Days in Charlottesville

The time, it's flying. . . I tell ya'. We spent time in Charlottesville and I was pretty worn out each day and didn't take time to post.

Our daughter had breast reduction surgery. I had it about 32 years ago. Like mother, like daughter, I guess. Let me tell you. . . carrying around the weight of a newborn on your chest for 30 years takes it toll. I was so glad when I had my surgery and so glad now that Jocelyn was able to have hers. In the time since, she has not had a recurrence of the C-spine migraines she had been experiencing for years. Hopefully she will have other problems that disappear as a result of getting rid of that extra weight.

We arrived two days after her surgery. Tommy's parents had been there for a couple days. Our job was to take care of the kids. Tommy needed a break and Jocelyn couldn't drive or lift anything and was spending a great deal of her time resting and recuperating. I was glad that we were able to be there and help with that process.

Since Aenea's birthday was last month and I had sent some gifts, I brought the remaining ones so we could see her unwrap them and get some hugs. Toward the end of our visit, we also gave Ronan his birthday presents since his birthday is the 21st and we obviously won't be there for that. I hope the kids don't mind that we miss these times. By giving them our gifts when we see them it gives them something to look forward to and we get to experience some special moments with them.

I usually tried to get in to their house by 10 a.m. and stayed until around six. Some days I stayed later, if Tom had something on his schedule, and sometimes I snuck out earlier. I took Aenea to gymnastics and Ronan to his friend's house as well as to the park, etc. I took Jocelyn shopping one day, but she overdid that and spent the next day sleeping mostly. One day later the next week, Terry and I took Jocelyn and both kids and went over to Stewart's Draft to the Amish cheese shop on Tinkling Springs Road. We never say we are going to Stewart's Draft, we always say Tinkling Springs. Something about that name, I guess, but we both know exactly what we are talking about. There are a few things we buy there that we can't seem to find anywhere else and it is an enjoyable trip over the mountain. While we were in the area, Jocelyn directed us on a drive back to Sherando Lake which has a campground, the likes of which Phaeton Place will never see. LOL  But MinnieMee would like to camp there sometime.

Their standard poodle, Pepper, was quite the clown while we were there. She still is wary around Terry, but she is great with the kids and enjoys watching out the window for anyone/anything that might go by.

 We took Aenea and Jocelyn out to the coffee shop one day. The one guy there just loves Aenea and talks with her and gives her high fives.

We had a most enjoyable visit and the kids even came out to the motorhome once. I think we helped give the kids a respite by taking care of mainly Aenea. She is not hard to watch, but if left alone to her own devices, she will choose to aggravate her brother all day long. There are like normal siblings, though. Ronan is old enough to entertain himself and also has friends he enjoys being with.












Till next time. . .

Dale

Life in the Slooooooow Lane. . . .

We have not been on the receiving end of very good weather down here in the Rio Grande Valley. It has been downright cold and wet. Still not as cold as our friends and relatives up north, though, so we try not to complain. But it is not comfortable for either one of us. We still get out several times a day to walk the girls, but after that, we stay inside. This week has finally warmed up and is getting much nicer outside. It was 56 out this morning and we walked, but came back early because it seemed to be too cold for Terry. He cannot handle cold weather at all.

We are doing well and I have started the work on our taxes. I like to get it out of the way early so I can enjoy the rest of the nice weather. It will probably take me about a week to get it all done. It wouldn't take near as long if I worked on it occasionally during the year. LOL

The Texas Room is really nice. It gives us some extra space and is very comfortable. We did get a storm door hung there. It is a security door and has glass all the way to the floor, so the dogs can lay on the floor and look out. We can also swap out the glass for a screen, but for the present, we are leaving the glass in. It had a regular knob and also a deadbolt, so if I am over there by myself working at night, I can be nice and secure and still be able to look outside.

The girls seem to be adjusting to retirement. They sleep a lot, but now that the weather is nice, we let them sit outside under the canopy. They have shade when it is hot and can move back in to the air conditioning if they like. They certainly have made a lot of friends. They let everyone pet them, but they still don't care for other dogs. I have talked with a couple dog owners and we are going to start walking them all together. That should help with that socialization. They love going in the golf cart. We usually have it parked out front during the day and they will go sit in it. LOL Always ready for a ride.

Our daughter and her family recently traveled to Florida to visit relatives. They stopped by Brandon and Megan's and took some pictures of our family. Megan took the first picture, so the second one includes her!

 Aenea, Tom, Ronan, Jocelyn, Brandon and Brynlee

Brandon, Megan, Brynlee

As the weather gets nicer, we will get out more and I may have more to report.

Till next time. . .

Dale