BACK TO WORK - or should I say, the BACK doesn't work

Boy, that is right. Bill is stiff & sore from getting on & off the tractor yesterday & my back is telling me it was a long day of scrubbing today. As I said yesterday, I wanted to get everything spic & span before the inspectors came (whenever they get here). Was hoping since it was all done today they might come tomorrow. Well..............a motor home from Michigan pulled in today and guess what???? They have EIGHT kids...........and off to the showers they all went - 2 or 3 at a time. I didn't go check it out. Too bad.

Bill & I needed haircuts, so we went to visit my friend on the other side of the creek & she cut our hair tonight. What a God Send...otherwise I was on the verge of getting the scissors out myself again.

Yesterday I got this neat email from my daughter with pictures. Of course, Grandma cried! It was Nicholas's Birthday Party at Pre-K. Renee must have changed her mind about the cupcakes & bought cookies instead. But I noticed they had pink frosting. Oh well, at 5 years old, who cares, they are cookies! They sure looked like they were having fun.

LOOKS LIKE NICK HAS A COUPE OF FUN FRIENDS

SMILE FOR THE CAMERA

HE SAID HE WAS EMBARRASSED, HE IS PRETTY SHY, BUT LOOKS LIKE HE'S HAVING FUN

Well, now that Grandma is done bragging for the night, I guess I'll hit the hay. Bill is already sleeping in his bed, oh I mean chair!

Until next time.....The Traveling Cardinal's

RECUPERATING DAY

Well, we had a busy weekend. Bill recuperated from his stomach flu so he could enjoy Memorial Day on Monday, now I'm laying low with the intestinal flu. What a pair we make! Tomorrow should be better...feeling better with the promise of some sunshine!

I'm sitting here typing & watching Little House on the Prairie. Every once in awhile I like to watch those old shows. Do you EVER get to the point you can watch an episode without crying????

Guess I'll catch up with a few pictures from yesterday. We went to my old little village where I grew up to celebrate Memorial Day. It starts out with musical entertainment, the Fentonville Cemetery Honor Roll being read, a speaker, the singing of patriotic hymns with my brother accompanying on the drums, & then we all receive a flag & follow the Samuel Derby Post of the American Legion & a fire truck (only in recent years, not when I was a kid), & walk approx. 1/2 mile up to the Fentonville Cemetery where most all of us in attendance have parents, grandparents, brothers/sisters, etc. buried there. I think back to all the years that I attended this service with friends & relatives & you know, some things never change. It is just as impressive today as it was then. It truly is a Memorial Day, not only to our veterans but to our memories. Here is a sampling of some of the day:

FENTONVILLE, NY METHODIST CHURCH WHERE I GREW UP - STILL ONE ROOM

INSIDE FRONT OF CHURCH

CLEORA READING THE FENTONVILLE CEMETERY HONOR ROLL

ASPIRE GROUP SINGING

MY BROTHER, RAY, PLAYING DRUMS

GATHERING OUTSIDE READY TO WALK TO CEMETERY

SISTER, ROMAYNE, WITH HER FLAG READY TO WALK

SAMUEL DERBY POST OF AMERICAN LEGION COLOR GUARD GETTING READY

THE TREK UP THE HILL - The horses came galloping up, awesome sight

HORSES WATCHING PARADE TOO

COLOR GUARD AT TOMB OF UNKNOWN SOLDIER BOY SCOUT PLAYING TAPS

MY MOM & DAD'S GRAVE SITE

MY BROTHER CLARENCE'S GRAVE SITE

After walking back down to pick up our vehicles, my brother Ray & his wife Barb & my sister-in-law Bev came to the campground for a quickly put-together picnic. We built a fire & roasted hot dogs & had a great time. We were afraid it was going to rain but it never did. The one bad thing was my sister-in-law, Barb, got a piece of broccoli stuck in her esophagus/windpipe or something & couldn't get it out. We didn't do the H. maneuver because she could talk. After about 1/2 hr. of struggling, we decided my brother should take her to the hospital. Unfortunately they couldn't remove it the easy way & had to do surgery. All turned out well, but she does have to see a specialist this week to see what the problem seems to be & why it happened. Hopefully to prevent it from happening again!


Today, as I sit around recouping, Bill is out doing his first day of "Honey Dipping"! He stopped in a couple of times (since the dump station is right by our trailer!) and said things were going well. He at least hasn't gotten fired yet! Of course, I don't think there is a waiting list for the job either!

LEON & BILL HONEY DIPPING & YES, I took the picture out the window of our trailer!!!

As I was sitting here earlier, I looked out the window & apparently a semi-trailer was making a delivery to the campground store, or was lost, & he must have got hung up somehow. He looked like he was jack knifed. Next thing I saw he was unhooking the trailer from the truck & Bill was using the tractor to pull him. Then he lined up the truck & trailer, re hooked & took off. I'm waiting for the jest of the story when Bill returns.......The rest of the story -- he was deliverying new washers for the laundry in H.V. 2.

BILL ON TRACTOR, RANDY Q INSTRUCTING

Bill was going to go do a quick look at the Latrine Queen's job to see what he could do when he finishes. (He just got in at 5pm. Helped with the washers so didn't have time to check on my undone job. Oh well, it will be there tomorrow!) I have been worried about not being able to get my job done today as Trailer Life is due to come for inspection this week & I was so afraid they would show up today! I hope I have my strength back tomorrow! I tried to keep them somewhat done up during the weekend, so they might not be too bad. Since they are pretty fussy, I know I need to spiff it up good before they get here! Have you ever tried to clean Stainless Steel showers????? Becky Q did find something called WOW that seems to work really well. But they are a challenge!

Well, I guess I'd better wrap this day up. At least being under the weather I don't have to cook! Well, actually I haven't done much of that all weekend thanks to Dottie Z!!! What a gal! As I said before....she's a great cook! We have even had left overs too. Nothing better than roasted turkey sandwiches!

Happy & safe travels to all.........until next time......The Traveling Cardinal's

Forgot What I Was Doing

Wanted to add this to my last post, but forgot about it. Got this from an old Red Cross Volunteer friend. Thought it was very thought provoking.

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born:
A Death Certificate shows that we died;
Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.
I Believe... That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe...That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe... That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe... That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe...That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe....Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything

Lots of things to think about right? Happy I remembered to add this post. Hope you enjoyed it!......The Traveling Cardinal's

Memorial Day Weekend

Well we finally have something to write about! The weather has changed & we have been having a beautiful, busy weekend so far.

Wednesday afternoon we were getting planter boxes ready to put out around the campground. You know I never pass up an offer to volunteer to get my hands dirty! My husband even helped plant flowers on the bridge going into the campground!

Dottie Z & Sue

10 Flower Boxes Plus 2 Square Planters

Late Thursday afternoon saw the first of the campers coming in to set up. Dave A. & his wife Stacey with their cute little guys camped by us last year. These little guys each have their jobs to do & they are workers.

Cute little Lauren & David were really cranking it up!

Friday afternoon Carolyn & Neil, Bill's sister, came to visit & bring us our mail. Friday evening we attended the Wine & Cheese Mixer for the campground at the pavilion. Everyone had a great time & a big turnout! Dottie Z. does a terrific job of organizing & decorating for all these events. And what a cook she is!!!!!!

BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED TABLE

DOTTIE & LAREE READY TO GO
LEON THE OFFICIAL WINE POURER

EVERYONE ENJOYING THEMSELVES

JERRY & DEE

Saturday morning at 10:00AM was the Flag Raising Ceremony at the flag pole in the campground. Samuel Derby Post of the Am. Legion came to do the honors and the pastor from Kiantone Congregational Church was the speaker. A beautiful blue sky was also in attendance!

BECKY Q ANNOUNCING AT THE FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

ONE HALF OF THE CROWD ON THIS BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY MORNING

05-24-08THE BEAUTIFUL RED, WHITE, & BLUE BEING RAISED BY AM. LEGION

PASTOR MEL GIVING MESSAGE AT FLAG RAISING 05-24-08 AT

HIDDEN VALLEY

After the ceremony, all were invited to come to the pavilion for coffee & donuts. (Now you know why we gain weight here!) Then Bill and I participated in the Cribbage Tournament. We did pretty good. Stayed in longer than we thought. It was fun though...lots of teasing with fellow campers. Dottie Z. prepared homemade spaghetti for about 18 of us on Saturday night. Smelling that cooking while we were playing cards was mouthwatering! To end the evening Sat. night, I went to play Bingo while Bill stayed back at the trailer. I didn't have any luck there either! But it was nice to get out after spending so many rainy, cold days in the trailer.

Sunday morning started out with the annual Memorial Day Weekend Pancake Breakfast for $1.00 per person! It was yummy, as usual. Randy Q. was the pancake maker. He asked if I wanted 2 & I said yes if I was allowed. He gave me 2 the size of a quarter! What a tease! We had pancakes, eggs, juice & coffee. I had to go by myself as Bill was under the weather. Starting around 1:30AM he came down with the stomach flu.


This afternoon the campground had a horseshoe tournament. Gosh, what a gang across the road from us at the horseshoe pits! It was pretty noisy when they first started, but as the day went on, the losers started to drift away. I heard a rumor that Dick L. had played 30 some games. Not sure, but I think he was the winner!


Tonight I got together with some of the gang for turkey & all the trimmings. There was about 13 with every one bringing something for the trimmings. Poor Bill was sick still & couldn't come to eat with us. This evening he had a bowl of cereal & so far, so good.

Went around to do my "Latrine Queen" duties this afternoon. Wasn't too bad (except for the grass everywhere) with only one overflow in one of the ladies rooms. Got initiated with that one. As long as that's as bad as it gets! Ya Right, like that's going to happen! They tell me the best is yet to come!


Well, since the campground is full, there will be quite a parade of campers leaving tomorrow. Hopefully they won't have to break camp in the rain. Sounds like that is the forecast, but maybe it will hold off.


Well, I guess that is about the news of the past few days. Bill starts his honey dipping job on Tuesday, so hope his stomach has settled down by then!!

We will let you know when any more exciting news happens or if we do anything besides "hang out" here at Hidden Valley, Jamestown, NY........until later.........The Traveling Cardinal's

COLD, DAMP & CLOUDY DAYS STILL!!!

Well, not much is happening in the life of The Traveling Cardinal's now that we aren't traveling!

Weather in Western NY is still cold, damp & cloudy. A little sun peeking through this morning. Temperature was 37 deg. when we got up. There was a call for frost in some areas last night & there was snow in Jamestown, NY & Corry, PA yesterday morning. YUCK! My toes are never going to get warm & I have on heavy socks & 2 long sleeve shirts!!! I don't even have any pictures to send as it's not what you would call "pretty" with all the rain. Hopefully this weekend I can send some. Memorial Day services here at the campground with flag raising ceremony on Sat. morning & local services nearby. Let's hope all of you take a few moments to remember those who have gone before us & how much we have to thank them for!

Tuesday mornings are coffee & donut days at Hidden Valley Campground. Everyone gets together in the pavilion to hear about up coming events, activities, a chance to volunteer to help out where needed, keep track of those campers who need a touch of sympathy or are sick, etc. This morning we were told about a local gentleman who had passed away at age 95. He was one of the original NASCAR drivers & lived in Frewsburg, NY. You can go to www.nascar.com & read the story about him. His name was Lloyd Moore. A wonderful father & friend to many. He will be sadly missed by all those whose lives he touched.

Another friends Mom passed away yesterday that was a member of our church congregation in N. Warren, PA. I was asked to play the piano for the hymns & accompany the soloist at the funeral service. What an honor. I just hope these stiff, rusty fingers can still do the justice needed to accompany the praise to our Lord. Erla will be sadly missed by her family & friends as well.

On a happier note, I received word from my dear friend, Toni, yesterday that her son has safely returned to US soil after serving the Air Force in Iraq!!!! Praise God for that! This was the third time he has served overseas! Let's hope he doesn't have to go back again!!!!!

We had visitors yesterday. Friends here at the campground returned from Florida last week & stopped in. Without sounding rude, she is an "old" friend. Not so much in age, but she grew up in my neighborhood in Fentonville, NY. Her sister, brother & I spent a lot of time together growing up. Our favorite pastime was playing in the creek & eating peanut butter & jelly sandwiches! To this day, I love those sandwiches. It's amazing how many times while we are traveling & we stop for lunch, that is my choice for a sandwich. Makes me feel young again! Wish that was all it took to make the body young again!

We are back to playing cards with my sister Romayne & her husband Bob on Thursday nights. This week it will be on Wednesday as they have to make a trip to Buffalo this week so we can't keep them up so late! We still play the same card games as we always did. Waiting for the right opportunity to teach them Hand & Foot that we learned from our dear friends from Iowa. We know how much Bob loves the sound of those card shufflers, so we have been waiting for him to get used to the idea that we need it to shuffle 4 decks of cards!!!

I keep looking out my window & looking at the great big pool out there & wonder.....will it ever get warm enough to get in it????? It's not heated either, so it might be August before getting in! I just hope we don't see ice floating on it. Oh Gosh!!!!! My husband just said the thermometer reads 64! The outside reader must be in the sun peeking through between the tires! I'm not getting the shorts out yet!

Going to help plant flower boxes tomorrow, so that will give me something to do with my hands. Of course, the mind will still be on retirement mode, but at least I won't have to fiddle my thumbs.

The Latrine Queen's job is going pretty good. Of course, the crowds aren't here yet. A quick check on them yesterday & I didn't have to spend the whole day working. If I keep it up on a regular basis, maybe it will be easier. I just need to get organized more. It's been awhile (over 26 years) since I did that janitor type work. The back tells me it's been that long too!

Well, I guess I'm just rambling today, so until next time.......The Traveling Cardinal's

WE ARE STILL ALIVE----- INTERNET, WE HAVE YOU BACK!!!!

Finally, we can get caught up! As of 9PM tonight (May 18th) we have WiFi & I can get on the computer & get caught up with a lot of things! 44 emails were waiting! Did I read them all???? You answer that one!

Gosh, I had to go back & read what I wrote last. I need to share some pictures of our fun times at Otter Creek with the kids!

PaPa & Grandma got to take the youngest, Noah, to the camper to stay for a week. He did great! First time away from Mom. Oh ya, his Daddy was saying Mommy was crying before he even left. It was a good first break, but Mom didn't get much of a break as Nicholas was sick & home from school for the whole week! We tried, Mom!!!

NOAH & PAPA DOING THE ABC'S WITH THE BLOCKSThe weekend with the boys & Renee out at the campground:

NOAH LOVES TO SWING! NICK LOVES TO SLIDE! MOMMY, NOAH & NICK BY THE FIRE
PAPA, NOAH & NICK BY THE FIRE NICK & NOAH LOVED TO GO FOR A WALK TO SEE THE MONKEY IN THE TREE AT OTTER CREEK CAMPGROUND
THE BOYS & GRANDMA WENT FOR A NATURE WALK & GOT VERY CLOSE TO THIS ROBIN GETTING WORMS

Grandma got to walk with Renee to take Nick to the bus stop the day before we left Maryland/PA. Gosh, he was such a big boy, but to Grandma he still was such a little guy getting on that big bus!

NICK IS THE LITTLE BLONDE WITH THE RED & BLACK BACKPACK - Nice Haircut Grandma!!!!NICK GETTING ON BUS #888

The last weekend at Renee's I wanted a picture of the boys together. Ya, Right, Grandma. One doesn't care, one is almost a teenager & doesn't want his picture taken, & the other one is always making faces! This is as good as it gets for a portrait photo!!!! Better luck next time Grandma!

Noah (watching TV), Hunter, the almost teen, & Nick the tongue face-maker!

Now I'll catch up on where we are. Thanks to my daughter's comment as of today, she let you know we were back home. We left southern PA on May 7th & arrived that afternoon to get our trailer inspected in PA & into the campground in western NY by 4:30PM. The campground owner, Randy, said Gee your early aren't you? Yup, & here to spend the summer.

May's travels will be pretty local with diesel prices at $4.69 a gallon! Whose idea was it anyway, to spend our retirement years traveling full-time?????? Oh well, the government always has told us how to live our lives, why should it be any different now!!

The weather has been lousy ever since we arrived in Northwestern PA & Western NY!!! Haven't even been able to sit outside or visit with neighbors! (except at the laundry mat!!!) I'm ready to go back to Arizona!!!! I'm already sick of gray, cloudy skies! Those cloudless blue skies of sunny AZ are calling already! And since we really want to go back at the end of the year we decided we needed to find some kind of jobs while we were home. So......Thanks to our campground owners, Randy & Becky, I am now the Latrine Queen and Bill is a Honey Dipper helper! You could say our jobs are kind of _ _ _ _ _ _, (HA! HA! That's S M E L L Y) but it's a job & for that I'm very thankful. We won't get rich, but I'm only trying to fill up the gas tank! You know what they say, if there's a will there's a way!

It has been pretty quiet here at Hidden Valley Campground. The seasonal people are slowly coming back these past few weeks & with Memorial Day this next weekend, (and I've heard a rumor of sunshine & warmer weather), it will pick up with more campers.

We made it to our old Thursday night hangout, Johnny's Lunch for those great hot dogs with sauce last week, & ran into a couple with two cute kids that camped by us last year (The Allen's). They will be here for Memorial Day again.

We've had a few friends & family stop in to visit & we've gotten to visit family members too.

Girlfriends (& former neighbors), Judy & Sarah

Last weekend my friend's wedding reception gave us a chance to see many of our friends from N. Warren too. Lots of hugs & things to catch up on.

DENISE & DICK, May 10, 2008 - Beautiful Cake with seashell theme, I should have guessed! AND with a lighthouse as the cake top!

FIRST DANCE - OF COURSE I'M GIGGLING - SO VERY HAPPY!!! A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE,

A BEAUTIFUL PERSON!

The pictures previously on my blog of the beautiful carvings done by our nephew, Randy,.......he got 2 blue ribbons at the carving show!!!! One for the turkey & one for one of the other birds! NICE JOB RANDY! Proud of you!

That about catches us up. So now I can honestly say, until next time.......The Traveling Cardinal's

Weekend in Otter Creek Campground

What a great weekend we had! Saturday was a little cloudy & cool, but at least it didn't rain. Sunday was beautiful, not real warm, but could get along with a light jacket.
We brought Renee, Nick & Noah out to stay at PaPa & Grandma's camper for Sat. & Sun. Poor little guys have been trying to get over their coughs & colds. Grandma has been suffering from terrible allergies! I can't wait until the pollen is gone!!!
Anyone in Northwestern PA.............are the leaves out on the trees yet????????????
We roasted hot dogs & Renee & I made mountain pies & ate them after everyone else had retired for the night. Gosh, the campground was dead!!!! Apparently no one stays up past 9:30 & sits around the camp fire anymore! Are we out of date or has TV & Computers taken over our lives???? Well, Renee & I enjoyed it anyway. Even though I couldn't breathe or see! Then her & I went inside & played the old kids card games of mine when I was little & had played with my kids & now with the grand kids! You know.....Old Maid, Snap, Authors & Animal Rummy. Yes, I still have those cards from 1951!!! That little Noah can remember those names from Old Maid like nobodies business. Nick caught on really quick, too, when he came out on the weekend.
I'll have to catch up with pictures when we get back to PA/NY where we have Internet.
Bill is doing fine. I guess taking his allergy pills every day all year long helped him. I'm beginning to think I might have to do the same!
Today will be our last day with the kids. Tomorrow we will rest & get stuff ready to travel again.
Getting anxious to be back home with friends & relatives we haven't seen since last Sept.
After Renee went to the Dr. today for her check up, we took a ride to the campground that is only 6 miles from her. According to info we had, we didn't think we could get in there, but there were 3 sites that were available for the week in Aug. that we will be back down here. We checked them out & decided to take the one right on the river. The money we will spend for the week will probably be made up in time & fuel from traveling over an hour away each time. We needed to check it out now as summer is really filled up because of everyone fishing & crabbing (oh you know what I mean....we are in Maryland!!!!)
Okay, I'm getting punchy. Time to say so long until next time.
Getting anxious to go home & see one of my best friends celebrate her marriage this coming Saturday! A day that will be joyously celebrated as she has waited a long, long time to find that special someone! Hey, Denise, God Bless You on Saturday and your future life together with Dick!
So long...........The Traveling Cardinal's

Friday, Still in Maryland

Well, things are still about the same here. Nothing much new to report.

Weather has been cold & rainy (just like PA)! I've almost already forgotten the beautiful clear blue skies of AZ!!!

Nicholas has been fighting a really bad cold & missed Pre-K all week. PaPa & Grandma has had little Noah staying at the campground. Couldn't do much outside, weather was pretty crappy. We took the truck to the doctor on Thursday for inspection, tire rotation, oil change & new brake seal. Do I need a job!!!! Maybe I could work for a trailer or truck place!!!!!

Today Renee & I went shopping for her supplies to make supper for her once a month girls group. We then came home to make supper to take with us. It's fun to play, but the month you have to supply the supper, dessert, snacks & gifts, get pretty expensive. Especially in this day & age. We all are having problems making ends meet. Young families are the worse.

We will stay here at Renee's tonight & then take her & the boys out to stay overnight at the camp on Saturday. Sunday when we come back we will stay overnight & take her to the doctor on Mon., then head back to camp & get ready to leave on Wed. That will give Grandma & Papa a day to rest on Tuesday! Hope the weather is better!

Sorry we don't have any pictures to share right now. Will have to get caught up when we end up back at home base.

By the way, Bill talked with Mark on Wed. afternoon & yes, the tornado did go through the Naval Base at Norfolk. The siren blew twice. The first time they were on the 2nd floor then moved down to the ground level. Several items were thrown against the front of the building next to his, but his building seemed to be ok. He said it was about a block & a half wide. Most of the damage was done in Suffolk, VA. That is south & west of him. So we were glad to hear he was safe & out of harms way!

Have seen some of the most beautiful plowed fields in southeastern PA!!! Those Amish with the 6 horses out plowing & many, many other farmers were out this morning in groves. Finally quit raining long enough to get some work done!

Take care until next time.......The Traveling Cardinal's