How wonderful it feels to be back to a normal world that doesn’t involve traveling from point A to point B for a while. Our morning and afternoon was spent just cleaning, sorting, and getting cabinets reorganized! We’re not always good on the road at putting things in their proper place, but then we didn’t always do that when we lived in a real house either!
Some of the day was used to reconnect with some friends and family on the internet, something we don’t have much time for when we’re on the road. The results of this brought about the desire in us to use this week before our mile mark of retirement to look once again at different family members and friends.
While we were in Richmond, Jerry, Nancy, and Becky went to Amarillo to celebrate Father’s
Day as well
as Amanda’s birthday, with Amanda and her family (left). The photo on the right is Jerry with his two daughters, Amanda and Becky. What a great shot!
(Now obviously we didn’t take these, nor were we there when they were taken, but Jerry gave me permission to use them…if I gave the photographers credit...J…only problem…I don’t know who actually took the shots…just know it wasn’t me or Jim!)
Was it you, Nancy?This was an especially important visit since it was their last time to go to Amarillo. Zeke has finished his residency and will open up his own medical practice in Knox City, TX. Congratulations, Dr. Zeke Duke! (And, just for
the record, our travel to Lubbock from Carrollton took us right through Benjamin, which is close to Knox City and where Zeke’s parents live!)Big Dad (aka Jerry) looks pretty pleased with his grandsons, Daniel (sitting) and Jonah (in his arms) don’t you think?
Thanks for sharing your photos and your family with Jim and me, Nancy and Jerry! What a wonderful part you have played in our first year of retirement.
The next email I opened was a photo album from Andy showing us their new home, and with his permission, we are sharing them in our journal. Since they were still handling business at the time Jim and I got to see the home, we left the
camera in the car…I know, it’s hard to believe I showed such restraint, isn’t it? Actually, that’s a really good thing because Andy knows how to take a panoramic view and I don’t…this is what he used to show the back yard and the home.
While Heather and Andy were signing papers and looking around with the realtor, Jim and I sat
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in their airy living room area checking out the magazines. Andy must have taken this photo while he was in the upstairs area.The photo of Heather and Abby is taken
downstairs by the fireplace.Alexander was really excited about his new “blue” bedroom. However, Andy said that the room he was declaring as his probably wouldn’t be that one. When we said that Alexander didn’t like the brown room, Andy quipped that it can turn blue with a little paint.
As Heather walks around the living room upstairs, Alexander seems to be examining the walls.
Jim admits that he doesn’t really want a
house that large, but he does covet the kitchen area and the deck covered with a grape arbor that you can see in the background of this photo.We really hit the mother lode; because shortly after Andy’s album arrived, we received a note from Whitney and new photos of Little
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Jimmy, who has already perfected the movie star look at an early age.He was 2 months old June 22 and has developed quite nicely. In fact, when he had his two month medical check-up, he weighed 13 lbs. 5 oz. and was 22.75 inches long!
There we so many good ones of Jimmy that it was hard to choose which ones to share. Most of all, it was hard not to jump right in the car and head that direction…they grow so fast, but though the heart was willing, our bodies just weren’t up to another long trip so soon.
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So, for now, we just have to be content with photos to help us keep up with the changes in him.He is definitely a keeper! Thanks to Whitney and Jim for allowing us to share these photos with everyone.
This was certainly a red letter day with all the photos and messages we received. It made us realize just how blessed we are to live in an age where one does not have to depend on the mail to keep in touch with loved ones. In fact, we’ve decided that one major link to a successful retirement is the ability to communicate with family and friends via the internet.Keeping the journal has added a certain quality to our life that we have come to depend upon immensely. It’s also kind of awesome to think that when we have left this earth, we will have left a little piece of ourselves for future generations to learn about us. Pretty deep thinking…enough!
Finally, we made it over to Edith’s for a short visit. When we jokingly told her we were thinking of heading to the mountains where it would be cool for the rest of the summer, she offered, and we accepted, the use of an oscillating fan to use in Big V. It’s hard for the air conditioner in any building around here to keep up with the 100+ degree temperature!
After supper when it had cooled down, we grabbed our walking sticks and took the long way over to Nancy’s and Jerry’s. The four of us sat out on their lovely patio and enjoyed the night air talking and catching up on each other’s lives…after all we had been gone over a month!
Suddenly, the wind exploded into some kind of heathen monster…since we had left the awning out, Jim and I rushed home. What a nightmare trying to get the awning to retract while you’re fighting 55-60 mile an hour gusts! Jim and I both could visualize total destruction, but finally by starting up Big V’s engine, we were able to get enough power to get the awning put away.
Once inside, we realized that we’d better put the slide-outs in or the wind could/would damage them. It’s an interesting life we live! Can you imagine folding up your home to protect it from the wind?
Jean called and warned Jim that Artesia was under a severe thunderstorm alert so he might want to move the Vibe next to her car under the carport. Jim thought that sounded like a winner…so he did…maybe that’s why we wound up getting absolutely no rain out of that silly storm! I mean, if it’s going to bluster and blow like that, the least it could do is rain!
Happy, well, and blessed in Artesia,
Jim and Barbara
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Marcel Proust, French author (1871-1922)
