We are still here!!!

We are really still here. If you ask me where the last two ½ months have gone I would have to say it just buzzed by. 

We arrived in MN on April 18^th. We had some appointments we needed to keep, otherwise we would not have returned until mid May. We left our coach in AR because of bad winter storms in Iowa and MN. Pete went to AR the end of April to bring the coach back but ran into more storms and left it there.  We both went back to AR on May 8^th and finally brought the coach to MN.

I joined the program “Silver Sneakers” at the local YMCA which is covered by our insurance plan and what a deal.  It is free! I should be able to go to any YMCA in the US and participate.  I can go any time and participate in any of the programs, not just Silver Sneaker programs.  I also met with a trainer and have a few machines that I work on.  Now if I could only get my get-up-and-go to get-up-and-go I would be fine. 

Our 6^th and newest granddaughter, Bricelyn, was baptized on May 19^th.  She is a great baby and we are again blessed with a healthy, happy granddaughter.

The weather has been especially bad.  We have had rain and clouds and cool temperatures.  I think part of my lack of get-up-and go is because of that. Pete always said he would not be in MN in March and now he has added April and he may add May soon.  We are trying to play pickleball but have not had cooperation from the weather.  I have only played once since we returned.

We did fly to Las Vegas the end of May.  The weather was sunny every day and in the high 90’s to 105 degrees.  It was great for a change. Our friends, Dean and Patsy, were bowling in a fun tournament.  Patsy did not feel well so Pete subbed for her in the tournament.  Dean and Pete did not win but we all had lots of fun.  We also did not win in the casinos but had fun.  If any of you watch “Pawn Stars” you will recognize this picture of the store.  We went there and Pete actually bought some coins. I can’t tell you anymore because “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”.

 

We have been enjoying our granddaughters that we have in MN.  We had a nice brunch on Father’s Day with them all.  It never seems complete though without Helena and Julia.

       Corri  22                          Helena 15                                                 


       Julia  10                                                                             Sophia 4

                                                                                   

   Aubrey  2                                                                                                              Bricelyn  5 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of Helena and Julia – we found out that Dan and Helena arrive July 30^th (my birthday). Ana and Julia arrive on the 14^th of August.  They all will leave together on August 26^th.  We are soooooooo looking forward to their coming.  So far we have a Molin/Linder picnic planned and a 5 day stay on Lake Superior near Grand Marais, MN.    I am sure there are a lot of things they will want to do and they will have time to do it all.  Dan & Helena will stay with us for 2 weeks and then their whole family will stay at Tim and Laura’s for 2 weeks.  What a great month that will be for all of us.

 






The last week and a half we have been in Indiana.  We had some painting done last week on the coach where we had some small sun damage on the side of the roof.  Then we drove six miles and arrived at the Newmar factory where we have had our slides looked at today and a new seal put on one of them.  We have been in this area before and we love it.  It is an Amish and Mennonite area and we love to drive around and watch the buggies go by with their beautiful horses and listen to the clip clop of the horses. We have time in between appointments so went to several Amish garage sales.  We marvel at the properties, the homes size and conditions and the whole way of life of the Amish. Saw an Amish parking lot.  We also have gone to three movies (Man of Steel, Monsters University and the internship), gone bowling, golfed and have read, read, read. We toured the Studebaker museum and saw a lot of beautiful wagons, buggies and cars. 

 

 

 One thing we thought was very special was Lincoln’s personal Presidential carriage that was used to drive Lincoln to the Ford Theatre the night he was shot is there, having been built by Studebaker.  During its restoration they removed several coats of paint and found his personal monogram on the carriage.  During the making of the film “Lincoln”, in an effort to provide pure authenticity, the director went to the museum and recorded the sounds of the doors opening and closing. So in the film the door sounds of Lincoln getting in and out of his carriage are from his real carriage. This was an amazing piece of information that just blew us away while standing there looking at his carriage. 

We have seen a lot of rain here in IN and I guess the rain and the heat make a big difference.  Look at their corn!! It’s not even the 4^th and it’s higher than knee high.

Our next appointment for the motorhome is in Moscow, Iowa to have our jacks looked at.  Our motorhome is just like a house.  You do have to keep up the maintenance on it.  So we combine that with a little time to visit the areas we are in.

I hope to write on this blog before two and ½ months go by again so stay tuned.