Chili cook off

Today we went to a chili cook off over in Vineland. We had Charlotte with us. Steve's band played for a while so we met Terri there. Charlotte was a hoot dancing and twirling. We are all exhausted.

Only one chili was worth its peppers. Some participants also had ribs. The one with the best chili also had the best and largest sample of ribs. Surely they will win.

Tomorrow we take Charlotte home and will get to see Amy and Scott's new house. We will be loading a trailer with items from here that we are giving them. I feel lighter every time something leaves. We had really better sell this house or one day we will have nothing to sit on, lay on or eat off.

Back from the UK

We got home from Scotland yesterday afternoon. Gosh - that place is D A M P. Rained up until two days before we left. While there we managed to C&C. I would call it a castle and catheral tour.

We stayed in Avielmore which is about 30 miles south of Inverness in the Highlands area. The roads were as we expected, narrow and winding. Driving on the left made for a challenging trip.

With the exchange rate as it is, it made for an expensive 9 days. As we stayed in a self-catering lodge, we prepared breakfast and dinners there. However lunch for the four of us would average 4o pounds - translated to almost $80.00.

We were surprised to see so many RV's on the road. They are quite small and usually trailers towed by cars. There were some small Class C's. We only saw one large Classs A. I would not want to be driving that except on the main roadways. Many, many campgrounds; what the Scotish call Caravan parks. We noticed most only had electrical hookups.

Altogether an interesting trip but good to be back in the States.

A great day was had but also sadness with it

What a yard party. We estimate about 175 people attended. Future son-in-law coordinated two separate bands composed of members of several bands. WOW were they good.

The weather was perfect. Remants of hurricane Hanna blew through on Saturday giving us a windy wet day but Sunday opened clear, breezy and warm.

And the food - most people contributed their efforts and it was much appreciated. Daughter Amy and her Scott took over on the grill. Daughter Terri kept things moving. The real steal of the day was Charlotte in the party dress. She had a blast dancing, running, playing and even talking out over the mic saying "thank you people, thank you people". I laughed til I cried.

So now that's over - time to think about Scotland. I 've started going through my warerobe. Weather there will be in 50's and 60's. Perfect!

Tonight and tomorrow will be sad days. A dear, fine, lady from church at only 50 had a brain aneurysm and died on Friday. There is not a person I know who ever said a bad word about Karen Johnson. Tonight is the viewing, tomorrow her funeral. Oh, this is going to be difficult. Our church family is in shock. She will be missed.

Lots to do!

Last weekend we camped at Old Cedar with our Good Sam camping group Tag-a-Longs. This might well have been our last trip with them unless they have something planned when we are back in the area.

On Sunday we will be having our huge Yard Party. Could be close to 200 people here. Probably more like 150 as some people say yes but then don't show. We have lots to do but not the ambition to do it.

Then our next big thing is getting ready to head to Scotland next Friday.

Once back from Scotland we will again get serious about scaling down some more. My brother, Norm, did take our sofa bed, a chair and a mattress and box spring to our cabin last weekend. Family room looks empty as does one bedroom. Little by little.