The ladies

Mom brought mamaw and it was so good to see her. Mom has been talking about how good she has been doing lately, and I have to agree. She looked really well, actually better than she did 2 years ago when we last visited. That trip really shook me. I worked in a nursing home out of high school with patients who had Alzheimer's. I could see it in my mamaw's eyes - she really didn't know me. It was like she knew my name, but she greeted me, and treated me, like a casual acquaintance rather than a grandchild. I have been hesitant since to call as often and connect like I should. After a phone call in which I seemed to upset her because she didn't know who I was, I stopped calling altogether. It was so good to see her, hug her, and have her really know who I was.

We took some really nice family photos. I am sure these will be ones I will remember for a very long time. I am certain I won't be back there before granny passes, and maybe not before mamaw passes either. It was nice to take these photos and I will cherish them.

Family, friends, and the international contingent

We arrived at dad's about 10:30 and mom arrived with mamaw about noon. We didn't have any actual visitors show up until almost 1:00. We had relatives I literally haven't seen in decades. Ed Phillips showed up because he was having a party across the street and we were coordinating parking.

Some of the first to show were Cassie's international students, the ones she has been helping with English. They were cute kids, very friendly. I was glad Cassie had some folks there that were her age because the senior set was definitely represented well.

Still hot outside. That tent we put up - it never got used. Everyone stayed inside because it was too hot. Again, why do you people live there and call me crazy????

Staying cool in a hot place

We went to the Heartstone Inn last night after leaving dad's. We had decided to stay at a hotel because I was concerend the activity might be too much for granny, as she was still at home when we made our reservations. Dad doesn't really have the room, and we didn't want anyone to have to sleep on the couch, so it seemed like a good option. Mom had offered her guest room, but because of distance and time we opted to stay closer. Besides, mom ended up havng a flood in her basement, so it worked out.

When we arrived last night, we checked in and went to our room. I think Tony and I both were secretly hoping the air conditioner had a max setting on it. We were on the second floor and the hallway was very warm, so I was worried. But when we opened the door to the room, it was like an icebox. Tony and I looked at each other, gave a happy collective sigh, and plopped on the bed. It was nice.

We had a nice continental breakfast, then off to dad's.

On to Ohio

We left PA this morning on our way to Ohio for the next leg of the trip. We were able to sleep a little later, which was good, because it's about a 5 hour drive and even though Tony doesn't admit it, I know the travel gets to him. He's not crazy about all the driving either. He drives, at the very least, 2 hours every day back and forth to work. It just gets old. We were at the airport and considered putting me on as an additional driver for the rental car, but they wanted $11 extra a day for that, so we opted to let Tony be the sole driver. This trip is already costing a fortune, so we're trying to keep expenses down.

We stopped at a Cracker Barrel to eat about half way, then made it to dad's house after noon. Cassie had just finished babysitting and was there, and dad arrived shortly after that. We decided to go to Wal-Mart in Xenia to get the supplies for the cookout.

Because granny has been sick, we had no idea how many people would show. In the end, we estimated pretty closely and got most of the things we needed. We did realize after we got back, though, that we needed to make signs for Cassie's classmates that didn't know where we lived, so another trip to Dollar General in Jamestown was needed. Before that, though, we helped dad set up a tent/canopy and clean some coolers. All seems to be set for the big day.

By the way, I LOVE my dad's new car. There is a pic of it here. Isn't it sweet?

Yes, it's really hot now. Like 91+ hot. This is nuts.

A day in PA

Today we spent mostly with Tony's dad. He took us first to breakfast at his favorite spot, the Kountry Kitchen in Zelienople. Talk about hometown. This place is it. Ok food. Nice people. Everyone knows Tony's dad by name and were very excited to see us. Our waitress introduced herself and knew my name and Tony's. Evidently, a lot of photos of the "Alaska Crew" (as Tony's dad called us) have circulated the restaurant. There were lots of questions about what it's like, but I always love the "why" question. Why do you want to live there? Let's see, you guys complain about how hot it is, you stay inside and can't enjoy the outdoors a large chunk of the summer because of the heat, you have to pay for air conditioning because you are miserable, and yet I'm the nutty one? Hmm.......

For dinner, Tony Sr. took us to Dominico's. We've been there before so I knew what I wanted - a steak dinner. It's just tough to get a good steak dinner in Alaska. It just tastes different somehow, so I was really enjoying this. Later, we again retired early.

By the way, it's still hot. Yuk.

First leg of the trip

Well, we're in PA after the first leg of our trip. What an ordeal. I hate flying, really. It takes too long, it's too cramped, and it smells weird! There were 2 legs to our trip, the first being a flight from Alaska to Minnesota which took about 5 hours. I offered to let Tony sit next to the window because he would be driving once we reached our destination and I wanted him to be rested for that. I got maybe an hour of sleep. Our flight left at 11:40 pm on Tuesday and arrived in Minneapolis at about 8:00 am local time. We got something to eat and waited for our next flight, which was a 2 hour trip to Pittsburgh and we arrived at about 1:30 pm local time.

After renting a car we headed out for something to eat. We found a Bob Evans restaurant and had a good lunch, then headed to Tony Sr's house. He was very happy to see us. We spent the rest of the day and evening with him and went to bed fairly early after a long day of travel.

By the way, it's hot. I really don't miss the heat.

I hate gravity

Gravity - I guess it has a purpose, but as I get older I am really beginning to loathe it. I had to have 4 teeth pulled yesterday. No, they were not wisdom teeth. Those were pulled long ago. My teeth are deteriorating and I have been having some issues with all 4 back molers, so out they came. Well, it hurts, especially when I have to bend over and pick something up. Why is it that as you get older, you drop things more often, and as you get older, it gets harder to bend over and pick those same things up? Gravity.

As stated above, I'm getting older. I can remember reading the jokes about old ladies and gravity making EVERYTHING sag (no description necessary). I am finding this to be very true. Now I know why they call it a face-lift. I'm developing one of those under-the-chin things old ladies have. I'm not ready to be old, and I certainly don't want to look it.

There has got to be a better way. Maybe one of those things that hangs you upside down? Maybe that would reverse the effects? I don't know, but I'm really not liking gravity right now.