The Work Begins

Our journey now took us a little north and west to the small town of Marble, PA. George had worked here in 2004.

We found an RV Park not far from the mill and George went to work at the mill and I went to work at the computer, 

getting caught up on the business paperwork that had accumulated from before we left home :/

Paulee walks gave me the excuse to take breaks now and then and explore the park a little. On one of those walks we passed the shower house and something caught my eye.

 I went back for a closer look and liked what I saw!

I kept going back, sat in them, and decided I would like to take them home with me!

I had visited with a lady in the office a bit and she had mentioned that the owner was in his 80's and wanting to sell the park. I finally worked up the nerve one evening to ask him if he might be willing to sell the glider; he said he would think about it; come back in the morning.

That was the day we were leaving, so I went to the office at the posted time to open and there was no one there :/ We were almost ready to leave when he drove up and asked if I was still interested in the glider. "Yes, I am!" He then asked what I wanted to pay for it.... not a good question for me as I HATE to make offers. I countered with, "Well, how much would you be willing to sell it for?" To which he replied, "Oh, how about $25?" This was much less than I had expected! "Sold". 

I went to get the money and decided to go for the chairs, also. When I asked if he would sell the chairs for another $25 he asked many there were. 

"Two", I replied. "Sure, they're yours".

So, I was the owner of a 1950's metal glider and two chairs.

 Now, where are we going to put them?!!! My sweet hubby said he would find a way to get them home....

For the trip to North Carolina (next job location) he put one chair in the truck passenger seat, one rode in the motor home kitchen area, and the glider nestled on top of a tool box in the back of the truck!

I'm so pleased : )

Away we went, east and south, through Washington DC. 

Bad idea. 

By the time we got there it was commute time. All went fairly well going in but when we got to the southern side it got crazier and crazier. George had his blinker on for two miles, trying to get into the lane he needed. Instead of letting him in they bunched closer together. Anyway, it forced us into an Express Lane from which we could not escape, we missed our exit and had to find a way back to the correct route (glad for the GPS). A week or so later Joy received our traffic ticket in the mail for being in the Express Lane without a pass. 

News flash...Big Brother IS watching!

South of DC, going into Virginia was bumper to bumper, creeping along at a snail's pace for MILES!

We were so relieved to get off the freeway! Walmart never looked so good.

And my glider survived.

Back to St. Paul & Moving East

And now, it is time to move on.... 

 After being delivered to the Sacramento Airport by JJ, Janine and the boys, I enjoyed an uneventful flight back to St. Paul. The only glitch was a four hour instead of a 30 minute layover in Phoenix, AZ. But I had a good book and was treated to this lovely sunset. I enjoyed a cup of Starbuck's coffee while I waited, knowing I would need something to keep me awake, as my scheduled arrival in St. Paul was 4:30 am and sleep was probably not going to be an option.

George was there to meet me. I was able to get a short nap before 

we returned to the St. Paul Airport later that afternoon and surprised Dietrich as he arrived home from Indianapolis. So good to get to see him, if only for a short time!

These photos were taken the night before I left for California but I forgot to include them earlier. 

Fun Time!
Missed you Jen and Dietrich.

We finished the evening with some yummy ice cream. 

Decisions, decisions. 

I like how Jon has them work in pairs, deciding which flavor they will share.

Moving on... we spent a short but sweet evening with Mike, Kay and the "Newlyweds", Jensen and Sarah. 

Paulee had a good run in the field with Moose and Malone.

Thanks, Flora's.

Our first official business stop, Lewistown, PA.

 I enjoyed the naturally landscaped hillside at the Walmart parking lot where we parked the RV and spent the night. 

The next morning, we saw these beauties 

as we were driving through some wooded areas on our way

to find a mill that is interested in having some work done.

Getting close to the mill, watching for buggies around the corners, 

we realized we needed to watch for porch roofs also... I cannot believe how close to the road some of the houses are in PA!

While George checked the rails and talked things over with the owner, a young Amish man named Gideon, I stretched my legs a bit and took a few pictures.

Strawberry picking finished, headed for the house. 

Those crates look just like the ones I have! 

I would love to spend some time here.

We shall see....

A Temporary Goodbye

Mom's death was no surprise. In fact, it was a prayed for blessing. Knowing that she no longer lives in pain and confusion and is actually in the presence of the living Jesus is something that gives much hope and peace to my soul. The time spent as we gathered to say an earthly goodbye to Mom was precious beyond words. I have been blessed with a God loved and God loving family and I thank that God for the time we were able to spend together, remembering and looking forward to the time when there are no more goodbyes.

Mom is gone.

But life goes on.
There are memory boards to be assembled....

...songs to be chosen and practiced
(and new views to be explored)...

...meals to be put together,

prayed over,

and enjoyed.

There are moments to be cherished...

...sprinklers to be run through...

...trees to be climbed....

...musical fun to be sung,

including personalized compose-as-you-go songs by this guy
 for several of the children, to their dismay when they were the subject
 and their amusement when it was someone else in the spotlight!

There was lunch at MOAB (Meal On A Bun) in Modesto,
one of two dining out establishments I remember eating at as a child...

..... learning about grave digging

and burial.

The little ones watched and learned as sons and a grandson,
 nephews, a brother and friends filled the grave.

And then those little great-grandsons
followed the example set and helped.

There is life to be lived.
Lessons to be taught and learned.
Examples to be set.
May we be children who redeem the time and live to the fullest,
to the glory of the God who gives life and takes life away. 

                              

The Tomb is Empty.
There is a Hope!

St. Paul, MN

We surprised the girls with our arrival as Jen did not tell them we were coming. We received a very excited welcome! Dietrich was gone, on a missions trip in Indianapolis. Missed him, but sure enjoyed being with Jon, Jen and the four girls!

Emily and Anna

                                 

Paulee was happy to have kids to play with again.

Nora

                                           

Charis
Can you believe that hair?!

                                           

Waiting for Trinity Graduation to start...
It was a special treat to be there for the commencement ceremony.

Jon, getting his papers in order.

Special honors students.
That young lady gave an outstanding valedictorian address.

And then came the call from Danny that Mom had moved into the
Presence of her Savior.
My brothers asked if I would write her obituary.
After getting travel arrangements made I sat down to write. Getting the important dates and family names entered was no problem, but how does one sum up the life of one' s Mother? Now that is a sobering assignment.

Prayer needed. God answered.