FALL INTO WINTER IN OHIO. UGH!!

Going to Salem First Friends church, driving from Youngstown - - what an awesome sight!!  But the rain was not in our area yet.

 



I was so glad to at least have my phone to snap these pictures!!  I often forget to carry the good camera with me, though trying to mend my ways.
Our life has been quite tranquil, just dining out with friends and family occasionally.  Went to dinner after church at Salem Skyline Restaurant with Bill and Karen McElwee.  Great dinner and even better fellowship!!
Gary has been spending much of his daytime hours patching and painting Victor's living room.  It is coming along pretty well and he is now waiting for the paint.  But must decide on colors first.  Anything except orange (what they covered) or the army green camo that was in the hall.  The priming is done except for the inside of closet.  Victor and Gary spent a very productive Saturday on it.  And I even got in on the priming to cover RED woodwork that was there when he bought the house.  Just had to get it covered even though he is not ready to do the dining and kitchen area.  That kept me busy for a day.  Just trying to make the time go faster, - - moving toward Florida time!!

My surgery is scheduled for November 6th and we are hoping to leave here just four weeks after that, if the doctor is in agreement.  Until then I need to get some baking done.  I am sure that the boys will be happy if I leave cookies behind!!

Big boys and little toys!!

 

Today was the last doctor appointment in Cleveland before the surgery.  It started out with beautiful colors.  But as the sky darkened, so did the weather!!

Br-r-r-r!!  It was quite chilly when we got out of the car.  What a change in an hour and fifty miles!!

And heavier snow and larger snow flakes, the farther north we drove!!  Scenery on Chagrin Blvd - -

 

Driving along I-90 after leaving the doctor was a treat!!  Gary had a bad headache, so the driving fell to me.  We stopped at my brothers to take care of some business, but we quickly headed back home going back to I-271 rather than south through Chardon (the snow belt).  We don't know if they got any, but we were not taking chances.  There was quite a bit of ice on I-90 when I first crossed it.  But the Liquid Ice Melt trucks were out taking care of it.

We sure will be glad to move on out of this territory soon.  Hopefully, this was just a teaser!!
Today was our 49th anniversary, but just took it easy after returning home.  We spent two days away, Tuesday and Wednesday.  That was good!!  We also try to help our son and daughter-in-law by transporting our grandson here and there.  Not enough quality time there, but they have so little free time.  We are looking forward to Thanksgiving together!!

We also have dinners and visits planned over the next two weeks that will keep us busy, as well.  We will keep you up on that.  Take care and God Bless.

FIRST WEEK BACK IN OHIO

Off to a running start!!  We started by eating, can you imagine that?  We intended to mend our ways!

Audrey met up with friend, Louise, and went to the Red Lobster, Audrey's favorite.  We had a great visit and I took a tiny ride around the restaurant in her new Buick.  Nice car!!  But not a long enough visit so we look forward to doing it again.  I vowed again to cut down on the eating!!
Our visit came to an end when Gary finished up on his evening out at Tiffany Square for Bliss' First Tuesday.  He tries to get to that every month while home to visit with all of his cronies.  He had more than enough to eat, as well.

Gary had made reservations for a bus trip to Mountaineer for Wednesday.  We felt it a good idea not to have to spend our time and money driving, and they gave each of us $25 to play with.  Not bad for a little fun.  The Buffet was on us though, and needless to say we overdid again!!

Thursday was a trip to Richmond Heights to the doctor with a good report.  Last surgery for Audrey is to be scheduled end of October or first of November.  Will be glad when it is over.  The doctor said that the recovery and healing should be four weeks or less.  I sure am going to hold him to it!!  My problem with healing from the first surgery was supposedly caused by the radiation following my surgery in 2009.  Of course, hindsight says I should have had the full mastectomy in 2009 and saved us all of this hassle.
We stopped in for a short visit and quick lunch with my sister in Mentor.  Promised to stay longer the next time and I will stay there for a few days after my surgery.
We then hurried home to transport our grandson to his Bible study in Salem.  He missed the last two sessions while we were in SC.  So we hung around town, stopped in Walmart, had dinner at Bob Evans and stopped to visit with Gary's sister, Janet, before returning Richie to his home for homework.  Another day ends when time to go to bed!!

On Friday Gary dropped me at friend, Eugenia's house so that I could go into Alliance to scrap book for the day at Lisa's in the Mall.  It was a productive day and great visiting. Maybe I can keep on a roll and get more of Richie's album finished!!  Gary picked me up there and we went to Allegheny Wesleyan College for their fall Concert.  The college choir sang first,

followed by the combined choirs from their area schools.  They were awesome!!  Practicing separately and putting it all together at the last minute did not hurt it a bit.

Another late evening and Victor was already in bed when we got home.  Gary says we are just getting even for all of our boys late nights when they did not want us to know where they were going!!

Our plans for Saturday began with laundry while Gary and Vic went for breakfast with Gary's friend Rick.  Then Gary and Audrey went to BB Rooners in Salem to meet up with classmates from the class of '63.  There were twenty of us there and Danny Engle stopped to say "Hello".  He is a good host.  The class does this lunch time once a month.  Those attending vary from month to month depending on who is in town.

Victor and Audrey then spent some time in the afternoon at Sherwin Williams buying paint, brushes and rollers so that Gary can get busy on Vic's living room.  We figure that is the least we can do for the free rent!!

At 6:30 we all met up with Richard, Lynn and Richie for dinner and music at the new BBQ Smokehouse in the old Greenford High School building.  God's Quad were the featured musicians.  Their singers change from time to time, but they are always enjoyable. 

When leaving I just had to take a picture of the proud new driver!!  He is lucky enough to have an uncle passing off a used vehicle.  Looks new, but has ten years of miles on it.

I hate to see him driving so young, but he does have a need to get places when Mom and Dad are working.  Uncle Vic helps take him some, and we do also when we are in the area.  But we are not here often enough, it seems.  He seems to be very sensible though.

Now to see what we can get accomplished this upcoming week.  I brought Christmas Cards to do and also need to do Christmas shopping before surgery.  Oh yes, cookie baking also!!  Take care, I'll be back soon.

TRIP BACK TO OHIO THROUGH BECKLEY WV

Leaving Lexington SC after having coffee with friends, Sandy and Mike, we hit the road.  It was our goal to make Beckley WV before becoming too tired, so we traded off driving about every two hours. 
We checked in early and had a good rest before meeting up with a high school classmate, another Sandy!!  She knew that we were coming but had many things to get done at home.  So our timing was good.

Sandy then met us at the motel to go get a bite to eat.  However, when in her car she decided to give us a tour of Beckley and all of it's attributes.  She also drove us out of town to the Lookout in a WV State Park.

Clouds one minute and sunshine the next!

There are many hiking trails, but we focused on the Lookout over the Grand River.  The river is the only river in the United States that flows north!!  Sorry Sandy, but that is the best I can remember of what you told us.  Correct me on this, if I'm wrong.

Grand River with Railroad running along side.




 
















We had a great time talking and joking.  Sandy has had so many serious problems in her life that it is great to see that she maintains her sense of humor.  She sure keeps herself busy working a full time job and running a dance studio, so guess that is some of the balance. 

Always laughing and joking, must be that Class of '63!!

We left the Lookout and went into a Mexican restaurant for dinner and her friend, Gabby, met us there also.  Had a good meal and great visit.  We certainly hope to do it again!!  We have decided that there is enough to see there in the area to spend a month some time in the future.  But since our agenda for the next two years is the west plains states, it could be a while before we do it.

Just had to show you that as we drove on north, the colors are beginning to change!!  But we have seen a bigger change in just the last two days in Ohio.  Must take more pictures.

After we got into Ohio, Gary decided that we should take a different route (22) and leave the freeway.  I think that we found a match for Rt. 33 in WV!! Only two lanes and boy what curves, and many trucks.
When I realized that we were going to end up near Stuebenville and E Liverpool, I suggested we stop in to say "Hello" to his niece, Andrea.  She was home and it was good to see her.  I only got a picture when we were about ready to leave.  But at least I did not forget totally.

Take care, Andrea, and hope that we can see you again soon.  We got into Victor's and were glad to call it home for a while.  Have lots of things we want to do and many people to see.  But know that the weather change will make us dream of places south real soon.

VISIT FRIENDS IN LEXINGTON SC, AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Did I say that Bo and Edna are now hooked on the 5-Crowns card game??  Yes sir-ee!!  We even went to the Senior Center for lunch three days and played the game while there.  Then went back to Sandy's to play some more and eat some more. 

Audrey with Edna and Gene and our gracious hostess, Sandy.

Gary with Gene and Edna, and Sandy our hostess.

Seemed that is about all we did.  We will have to go back and see what we missed in the area!!

 

Mary, Gene and Edna, Sandy (our host)

Never thought that we would be frequenting a Senior Center everyday!!  They had a yard sale while we were there and so did the church youth where we attended.  Not much for us to buy, but it is fun looking. 

Independent Fellowship of the Living Word at Swansea SC

We are amazed at the growth of this new church in just a year.  They have many young people and that is great!!  We first met our friends, Sandy and Mike, pastor Jack and Vicki at a Church of God in Lexington back in 2008.  Actually we met Sandy at the Jeep dealership when we were both getting service there and she invited us to her church.  Knocked her socks off when we showed up on Sunday and we have been firm e-mail buddies ever since. 

 

Didn't I way that we were eating way too ,much??  So you see what makes Gary happy!!  The shame is that we always leave miserable.  - - - - But we had worked hard all day cleaning out the fridge and freezer to get it ready to leave empty and open for two months!!  We also packed up clothes and miscellaneous stuff that we needed to take back to Victor's with us.  So we thought we owed us dinner out??

We spent the rest of the week with Sandy, and then Mike and their grandsons on the weekend.  Mike is a truck driver and was so in need of a rest that weekend, but he managed to keep so busy with his trucks and a pontoon boat.  Repairs needed, but still not finished.  Did not get to the lake with the boat.  And the traffic in and out of their house, including us, was more than he needed, I am sure.  But we did move the motorhome to their back yard where the horses used to pasture to leave it in good care for the next two months.  Thank you Sandy and Mike for your kind offer and our peace of mind!!

But Sandy was most insistent on playing cards most of the time.  I know that she must be having withdrawal this week!!!  And Justin found his niche with us also.  I don't think that he realized that old people could have so much fun and laugh so much!!  Gary told him that we were preparing him to get a job in a nursing home in a few years.  Jordan kept busy playing basketball and on his I-phone.  I hope that they got their homework done.

Justin with Molly, Gene and Host, Mike

Jessica, Justin and Gene

Jessica with grandpa, Bo, and Justin with Molly.

Sandy and Mike's poodle, Molly, is such a precious dog.  If I ever considered having one it would be a poodle.  Not likely to happen though!!

Molly

Check out the manicure with two colors of polish!!

We finally had all four of us couples together for dinner on Saturday evening!!  Great visit and great dinner!!  I told you that we have been eating too much and too often!!  And it has not stopped even after getting back to Ohio.  Oh my!!

One last picture of the jolly triplets!!

Sandy, Edna and Brenda in Sandy's kitchen.

Brenda, I hope that you got your moving finished.  I am sure that Edna's assistance was invaluable!!  Time to rest up.

SANDY IT IS TIME FOR YOUR REST ALSO!!  THANK YOU SANDY AND MIKE SO MUCH FOR A WONDERFUL TIME AND FOR LETTING US STORE THE MOTORHOME THERE!!  Hope to see you the first part of December.