Grandchildren, hard work, pop-up camper

As I said at the end of my sibling weekend post, I left our gathering Sunday evening and spent Sunday night at Sam and Jenn's.  The flowers at the front of their house were so beautiful.  I have no idea why I did not take more pictures.

Maybe because Sammy wanted my camera.  So I posed!

The kids had just had their showers and it was ice cream time right after I got there.

Then it was show time.  These kids are hilarious!  They were born for the stage!  The other week Jenn posted a video of a "Broadway Musical" that Sammy had created!

In the morning when I woke up Ray was sitting in the living room!  I don't think I ever mentioned that in May he started a new job at ES3 LLC near York, PA, a HUMONGOUS warehouse/logistics service through which all the groceries on the east coast go.  It is his dream job after having studied robotics engineering in college.  Thyda is leaving the US Navy in August and they will be moving to PA.  Meanwhile Ray has been staying at Sam and Jenn's and going to VA when he can to see Thyda and help pack.  It's a HUGE transition time for them, one they have looked forward to, but difficult nonetheless.  Moving is never easy, but even harder when needing to downsize, leave a familiar lifestyle and friends and military family, and many miles between.  Pray for them when they come to mind.

I chatted with Ray for a bit, then had to be on my way.  I realized after I left that my camera was still on their table, so I've been back to iPhone photography this week.  

I went straight to the State College YMCA to help Lori set up and serve the outdoor free lunch that her department offers to that community.  Her regular people had off that day.  It was actually fun meeting the families that came. 

From there I went right to Anthony and Lori's place to make their dinner, and from there I went to my piano students' home for their lessons, and then I finally went home!  One of my sisters commented that my day sounded like some of those in our mother's letters we had been reading Sunday afternoon.  I said no, there are two differences.  I get paid for most of the things I do, and I have no children at home.  A lot different from all that our mom was doing as a pastor's wife and working mother in the 70's.  

On Wednesday evening after our worship service at Mt. Nittany we met up with Anthony and Lori at Meyers dairy for ice cream.  They had had a boy through the Fresh Air program the past week and this was his last evening with them.  He had been with them two years ago and is Austin's age.  Aren't they cute together?  Austin got his summer haircut last week!

I snapped a succession of pictures here just so I would be sure to get a good one.  I did not realize till after I saw them later that apparently Hunter had drooled onto Anthony's face!

The boys were having fun catching lightning bugs.  Remember doing that?

The sunset on the drive home was spectacular.  How I wished I had my camera!  I could not capture the deep orange with my phone, so I edited the picture.  But in the process the blue got much darker than it really was. 

Dick got mulch delivered last week and has been hard at work mulching all around the house.  That is hot and exhausting after a day's work of physical labor like he does.  But wow, it is looking so nice around here.  And with all the rain we've had, everything is growing like crazy.

Our impatiens are finally starting to take off after a slow start in June. 

Now I have to tell you a story.  When we arrived home from our Portland trip on June 21st our neighbor across the street had a pop-up camper for sale.  We would be leaving for Stauffer camping in two days.  I said to Dick, "Look at that!  Maybe we could take that to Camp Hebron.  Go over and ask him how much he's asking.  I'd give $500 for it."  Well, of course, Dick found out that the neighbor was asking much more than that.  And he had many interested potential buyers.  Occasionally the thought crossed my mind that maybe Anthony and Lori would be interested, but I really was too busy to think much about it.  That Friday i saw the neighbor making a deal with someone and he put the camper down afterward.  

At camp that Saturday I mentioned it and Lori said,  "Why didn't you call us??  We would have gone together with you to buy it!"  So for whatever reason the camper continued to sit in our neighbor's driveway waiting for the new buyer to pick it up.  I am almost embarrassed to tell you that many, many times I would look at it and flippantly say, "God, I really want that camper.  I claim it in the name of Jesus."  

WELL.  Last Friday as I was hurrying to get ready to leave for my sibling weekend, my doorbell rang.  It was the neighbor man.  He said, "JEAN!  I just had a phone call and my buyer backed out of the deal!  I can't believe it!  So I know Dick said you and your son might be interested in it.  I won't advertise it till you let me know if you want it or not."  Wow, I felt almost responsible for his buyer backing out, but of course, I didn't tell him that, LOL!  

So last evening the transfer was made at AAA, Dick brought it across the street with his pickup truck, pulled it into our side yard, and set it up.  We invited Austin to join us for our trial run.  Anthony is in Nashville for the NAMM convention, so Lori and the boys came to check it out. 

Going up.

Our poor man's retirement home, hahahahaha!!

We celebrated with mini whoopie pies. 

Austin stayed for the night and had to take all his fidget spinners and emoticon cuddle toys along to bed.  And a flashlight.  I finally had to threaten to take his fidget spinners away from him because he was shaking the whole camper!

We slept pretty well.  The foam mattresses aren't very thick, so we might have to do something about that.  Probably get some memory foam toppers.  Austin was wide awake at 6:15 AM, typical for him. And Dick had to go to work.  Besides the sun was bright by that time.  And believe it or not, we were actually a bit chilly.  I'm sure we'll have many more fun times in it in the years to come. 

This morning Austin and I are hanging out here at home.  He saw my contact case and said, "Is this a two-sided spinner?"  

Earlier this summer I bought a wooden Labyrinth game at a yard sale thinking he would enjoy the challenge.  I made the mistake of showing him a YouTube video of the world record.  So now he thinks it should be all about speed and doesn't have much patience to work at accuracy.  

This is the weekend of Arts Fest in State College and People's Choice festival in Boalsburg.  We'll probably be going to People's Choice later today.  We have always enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere of music, craft vendors, and great food. 

And now, one more thing that's been going on.  Remember that when we were in Portland, Mike's mom Martha was there with them?  She is a 5-year cancer survivor, but in the past week or two her health has taken a severe downturn.  She has been in the hospital for the past week.  Today she'll be moved to a skilled care facility.  Because of upcoming work travel schedules for both Jeremy and Mike and the fact that Martha is not allowed or able to fly to her daughter Linda's home in southern California as was planned, this has been a very hard time for all of them.  Please pray for them too when they come to mind.  

I don't want to end on such a sad note, so I'll show you this picture I found in one of my sister Janet's albums last Saturday.  I made this maxi dress with the pattern of my bridesmaids' dresses.  After we were married we found a matching flowery shirt for Dick and PURPLE corduroy button-fly pants, hahaha!!  We were the coolest hippy Mennonite couple ever!!

Have a great weekend!