CATCHING UP WITH OHIO

From Pearl's birthday surprises, we went into overdrive for the rest of November!!  So much to do and so little time.  I was still staying at Pearl's after surgery, for a week until after the first check-up.  Tina was also still visiting from Florida for a few more weeks.



 

On Monday we went out to see the thrift store, Unique, and to stop and check in with my brother, Wayne.  He is really slowing down, but is not willing to see his doctor so that things can improve for a while.  I guess that must be his choice since he will not listen to us.

We also stopped at Kohl's and then went on to my nephew, Charles and Cheryl's for dinner.  Wonderful dinner and visit.  On the way home the snow began, so were glad that we would soon be back to Pearl's.  Beautiful pictures from her windows the next morning though.

The next day Ragan came to her grandma's for an overnight visit and we spent the evening playing the 5 Crowns card game. 

Pearl and her daughter, Tina.

Ragan and her grandma.

 Ragan is so sweet and much fun. It was wonderful to have the nice visit with Tina as well.  We need more time with her and hope to get that when we get to Florida.  She is not sure how long she wants to stay in Ohio. 

Three generations here!!

Charles' daughter, Ragan; Grandma Pearl and her daughter, Tina.

On Wednesday, Ragan went on to school and we checked in with Wayne again since it was our last day in Mentor.  Gary surprised Pearl with a birthday cake since this was her actual Day, when we went to dinner at Longhorn with cousins.  Fun visit and good food.


Gary, Audrey, Pearl, Tina, Judy, Tom, William and Barb.

Thursday I had my follow-up with the surgeon, who said he would see me in four to six weeks!!  I told him, "Not!"  Oh, that's right he says, "when are you leaving?"  So he agreed to one more visit right before Thanksgiving.  We then drove back to our son's in Youngstown and I started my cookie baking again.  I stopped long enough to get our grandson from school and take him in to Salem again Bible Study.  Glad that we can do this for him, even though it is a four hour wait until he finishes, since he gets dinner as well as study.  I spent some of that time with Gary's sister, Janet, and doing some more Christmas shopping.
I continued baking cookies and did laundry on Friday.  Gary got up early on Saturday and went to Columbiana for Men of the Valley breakfast and meeting.  After he got back, I went in to Salem to First Friends Church to scrap book with friends.  Had a good visit, although I did not get much scrap booking done.

The next week was more visiting and eating out;  Gary with Dave and Dick at McDonald's,

Joyce, Brenda, Debbie, Norma, Audrey and Janet.

Gary and I at the Dutch Haus with the girls who have left and/or retired from Home Savings;  Gary and I for lunch at Salem Hills with the Class of 62 people and buying groceries while our grandson is at Bible Study again. 

We had slowed down on the paint job at Victor's, but it is down to the wire now to get things back in order for Thanksgiving dinner at Vic's.  Then I went with Vic to IKEA on Saturday to get his new window treatment and new book shelves.  Mission accomplished along with a little Christmas shopping of my own. 

 

 

 Almost finished!!
The last week was more running around, the last doctor appointment and a couple more visits.  I had to squeeze that last haircut in also!!  And pick up an Avon order.  And more SNOW in time for Thanksgiving!!  Gary shoveled a couple times after it began so that Victor could get in after he got back from running our grandson to Salem again. 



 

But there was still plenty for Victor to do again the next morning. 

 

We had a wonderful visit with family and Gary's friend, Rick, around the Thanksgiving Dinner table!!  And now two days to pack up and get the car ready for the road.  Gary broke the key off in the lock on the car top carrier, so no storing there!!  Of course, that caused the back to be filled to the ceiling!!  Only outside mirrors to use for this trip.  I finished the Christmas shopping and wrapping and baking, and left most of it for Victor to deliver at Christmas.  Richard thinks that we should drive back for Christmas Day!!  But think that will wait for another year.
We hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  We are now on our way to Virginia to meet up with Oregon friends and then on to SC friends to visit and pick up the motor home where it has set for two months.  We are looking forward to home and the warmer weather.  Take care and we will share our trip south in the next Blog.

POST SURGERY AT SISTER'S and HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!!

Surgery was at noon and I was at my sister's by 4 pm.  However, we did not start the cookies until the next day.  In three days we had four kinds finished, as well as Buckeyes.


Pearl doing the work, but Audrey unwrapped the Reese's Cups!

No, no!  The work is not finished!!

I think that these will do!!

I stayed in my robe so that I would not be tempted to do more than I should!!  How is that for an excuse?

Cookies are finished for today, so now for some fun!!  Sis loves to play 5-Crowns with me, even when I am not there? ? ?  



Wild Woman!!

Pearl and friend,
Evelyn at PF Chang's.

Pearl knew that she was going for dinner for her 75th birthday at PF Chang's, but she did not realize that there were going to be more family and extended family than Gary and Audrey, sons, Charles and Scott, and their families.  Surprise!!  She realized it when we sat in the parking lot a couple minutes.  So I told her that she had to act surprised.

Jackie and Roger



Ragan, granddaughter and her friend, Chelsey

Evelyn, Pearl, and granddaughter, Emily



Grandchildren, Audrey, Damon and Conner

 



Pearl with cousin, Tom and his wife, Judy.

The next surprise was when her daughter, Debbie, and her family arrived from Indiana!!  That one did not surprise her too much as they are just four hours away.

Charles, Tracy, and Scott

Linda, Debbie, and Cheryl

The rest of us were waiting for the last big surprise, but decided to go ahead and eat because of airline delays.

Pearl kept wondering where Gary was, so I finally had to act perturbed.  However, I knew that they were going to be very late.  He had a four hour wait at the Youngstown airport!! We were about finished eating when he walked in with Pearl's daughter, Tina, from Florida!!



Think she was surprised??

No Gary, a pretty smile!!        Tina

Pearl and Audrey and I am the younger!  Right!!

 "Right!!"  is the response we get when we are checking out at a store or when joking with waiters and waitresses in restaurants.  We get many miles out of that one!!  You are only as old as you feel.

 

Money??!!

Tina, Scott, Pearl, Charles, Debbie

 Not too often that the whole family get together.  Must capture the moment!!  Thus the evening was a huge success and there were seven of us at Pearl's for the night.  Hope that you enjoyed our good time.