On Sunday the 11th we started packing for our trip to Chattanooga for Austin's (grandson) graduation from high school. Lee worked outside doing some "cosmetic" stuff around the house. More packing and loading the car on Monday the 12th. Anxious to get on the road. On Tuesday the 13th we left at 7:30 am (CST) --- and it was only 56 degrees (COLD). Not suppose to be like that --- it's the middle of May!!! Got to Palestine for lunch around noon. Warmed up to 59 (LOL). When we reached the Louisiana line at 2:35 pm it was 62. Stopped in Vicksburg, MS at 5:56 pm having completed 539 miles. Back on the road on Wednesday at 7:30 am. At I20/59 there were "Rough Road Ahead" signs. OMG appreciate the warning -- but they should use much bigger font and all bold letters. It was awful!!! Reached Tuscaloosa at 11:10. Stopped for a late breakfast/early lunch. Contending with lots and lots of rain today. Arrive at our first destination (Columbia, TN) at 3:20 pm. Lee's daughter and family lives here. Spent the night with them. Had a great visit. Our total mileage so far is 969.
Chris, Stephanie, Jeremiah, and Danielle Grissom
Left there on Thursday the 15th at 7:43 am......and it's 48 degrees. MY GOSH - what gives?!?!? We checked the weather before we left and knew it would be cool, but nothing like this. Today we're heading
for Lebanon to the James Ward Fairgrounds. This was the week of the Tennessee Samboree. As most of you know we were the Assistant State Directors before moving to Texas and participated in these every year. We wanted to surprise most of the folks so only 4 people knew we were coming. Arrived at 9:50 am. What a wonderful day visiting with everyone!!!! And - our secret was kept. Lots and lots of hugs -- even a few tears of joy!! We love ya'll so much!!! Left there at 3:20 pm heading to Chattanooga. Didn't want to leave, but we had family waiting. After travelling 1,202 miles we arrived at my step-dad's (Elmer) house at 6:55 pm (EST).....but not before stopping for a sackful of Krystals!!! Michael, Austin, Kristy (Michael's friend) and her son Corbin came by to see us. GOSH - it was GREAT seeing them.
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On Friday the 15th my cousin Trina, her husband Mack and her mom (Aunt Ed) came by to see us. GREAT seeing them also and had a wonderful visit! Friday evening we went to Kristy's house in Birchwood for a graduation dinner her and Michael planned for Austin. WONDERFUL food and visitation. Included Debi, Chad, Chelsea and Ryder who flew in on Wednesday, plus Kristy's family. Saturday the 17th we headed to the UTC Arena for Austin's graduation from Central High School. As for Centrals graduates --- I graduated in 1964, Michael in 1989 and Austin 2014.....mom, son & grandson.....how cool is that!!! Everyone came back to Elmer's and had a fantastic bbq lunch with all the trimmings. Dinner --- Krystals, chili pups and corn dogs. On Sunday the 18th Lee and I went to visit an aunt of his who is 97 years old, along with his cousin and her husband. At dinner time we met a nephew, wife and daughter Patrick, Kassie & Mariah), plus Michael and Kristy at Red Lobster. This trip of ours is going by too fast!!!! Once we got back to Elmer's we starting to pack up for our return trip to Texas.
Brainerd High Class of 64
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After 1,344 miles we're heading home on Monday the 19th. Going to miss everyone!!! Had a WONDERFUL time. Love and miss everyone bunches!!!
Arrived in Tuscaloosa at 2:25 pm CST. Lots and lots of sunshine -- and was warm 85!!!! OH HAPPY DAY!! We have now traveled 1,631 miles when we arrive at the Alabama/Mississippi line at 3:25. Outside Meridian there were lots of people on the side of the road and overpasses. Finally -- blue lights and hundreds of motorcycles. This was part of the Rolling Thunder Ride to the Wall in Washington, DC. What a beautiful sight!!! We arrived in Vicksburg at 6:00 and decided to call it a day. After a good night's rest, we were back at it at 6:30 am on Tuesday morning. At the Louisiana line we had completed 1,785 miles. We took highway 79 outside of Shreveport at 9:52 - mileage now at 1,969. Stopped in Palestine for lunch at noon (2,087 miles). Same Place we stopped for lunch when we went to Chattanooga, Love Denny's. Arrived at home at 5:22. Our total trip was 2,317 miles. Without all the side trips -- from our house to Chattanooga is only about 987 miles (one way). We had a wonderful trip, but it was sure nice waking up in our own bed on Wednesday the 21st. Also enjoyed being able to sit outside with our morning coffee. Couldn't do that in Tennessee due to a COLD front that arrive and wouldn't leave.
We have several peach trees. Upon our return home every single tree has peaches on them. Should be ripe in another week or so. Definitely will freeze some --- and make some peach cobblers!!!
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Lee went to the post office to get our mail and stopped to pick up bird seed. All the feeders were empty and the birds were not happy. Also got me some deer corn!! Later he went to pick up a bookcase we ordered and talked to an "expert" about painting our trouble rooms. Long story short - SHE knew what she was talking about. Got this paint called Gripper. That is what I'll use to cover up that awful hot pink and black in one of our extra rooms. I'll have to do this before we even pick out the final color. I love to paint so I'm anxious to get started. Don't know it you noticed the awful ceiling light in that room, but it's now gone and Lee installed a ceiling fan.
Thursday the 22nd was a very productive day. Started off the day going to the grocery store. I should have taken a coat and my leg sweater. There shouldn't be a chill factor in a grocery store!!!!! After getting all that put up I got started on the first coat of primer. Looks better already (LOL). The inside of the closet is hot pink, but I'll work on that later. We'll just keep the closet door shut. Lee worked in the yard and put the bookshelf together. Big surprise when I went to the front porch for coffee on Friday the 23rd. One of the gardenia plants I've tried so hard to bring back to life (after the freeze in Rockport) had a bloom on it -- and had about 5 more buds. Had 3 of those, We took the time to get them out of the pots and into the ground. Also noticed that one of our cactus plants is blooming a beautiful yellow flower. I headed back to the room I'm painting and Lee head to the "barn". That needed a clean up and reorganization. Busy day for both of us, but we enjoyed it so much.
Headed to Home Depot on Saturday the 24th for paint. We decided to have the bottom part while and the top blue. (See The Pictures above) We also got paint for the faded shutters. Lee started on them. Sunday the 25th was very productive and fun. As soon as we finish breakfast of homemade waffles we started working. Me - painting in the fly tying room and Lee putting a second coat of paint on the shutters. He says he's not a painter --- well --- he did a great job and they look great. Mom (a butterfly) came by to see what he was doing. Another butterfly was with her. Lee says mom brought dad to check him out to make sure he was doing it right. Shutters are back on the house and what a difference -- for the better of course. Finished up the fly tying room on Monday the 26th. Will start on the purple room tomorrow. More deer showed up today.....two bucks. Beautiful animals.
On Tuesday the 27th we had to take the truck in to the shop -- brake issues. We've had a lot of rain since last Friday so Lee hasn't been able to "piddle" outside, so he has been a HUGE help with the painting chores. I cut in at ceiling and floor - he rolls the paint on in between. We're doing it a light green. Doesn't show up good in the picture....but it's beautiful!! As of Wednesday the 28th the purple room is finished.(Also see the pictures above) While I did the finishing touches on the room, Lee worked outside cutting grass and weed eating. Great day for wild life. A bird building a nest in one of our bird houses. Several hummingbirds that come early morning and evening. And of course my favorite -- the deer. On Friday the 30th both rooms were finished, furniture back in place and all the floors cleaned. Lee got a new door put up in the fly tying room. Remember --- the door to that room was painted black and hot pink??? We're discussing the next project. There's several --- but the worse ones have been taken care of.
Before
After
On Saturday the 31st Debi called and wanted to come down. HECK YES --- then we won't find something else to work on. She and I went shopping for swim suits. When we got back Chad had driven over from San Marcos. Enjoyed their visit. Chad went home and Debi spent the night. On Sunday morning June 1st we all had a very relaxing morning on the porch with coffee. Lazy Lazy Lazy. Lee started painting on the back porch and I did laundry. I had gotten Debi and I a dolphin mold kit. She played with that most of the morning then packed up and left around noon. I headed to the couch with the newspaper. Lee got a lot of painting done before he called it a day. Now he's in his recliner checkout out the back of his eyelids.Update on my leg -- better. Haven't needed the wheelchair in over a month (sent it home with Debi today). I put the crutches up 2 weeks ago. I'm using a cane only now. Have another checkup next week. Anxious to see what the doctor says.
Well folks - this ones a bit long, but it's been a busy busy month.
Until next time......Take care!!
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