Oh, Rita...what a wonderful lady you were!

We lost a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, nana and friend yesterday. Rita left this world peacefully on the morning of September 21, 2023 just the way she wanted to - in her apartment, under her terms. She has endured so many years of health problems, pain and loathed her hospital stays. She vowed when she came out of her last stay that she would never go back and although the doctors tried to admit her twice more, she refused and continued to live her life her way. Godspeed, Rita...smile with Jesus, run with your brothers, talk and laugh with your Mama and fish with Billy! We love you dearly and you will always, always be in our hearts...

August, 2023

This is it!! I have officially been on the planet for SIXTY years which called for an epic birthday road trip! What a wonderful two weeks it was visiting family and friends and celebrating: Alan's retirement from military service, Mike's retirement and he and Jenny selling their house while we were there and my 60th. After the trip, we celebrated Bob's 90th birthday, Madison, school starting which means volleyball with Kaylie Jayne and just living and loving life! SO very much to be thankful for in my sixty years...thanking the Lord today and every day for all He has done for me and all He has blessed me with!

My big brother and me! First stop on the road trip was Georgia to visit with John and Karen.

Pretty sure Kenneth is talking smack because Emily and Karen are looking like they don't believe a word coming out of his mouth!! 🤣🤣

Emily's cat figuring out the house

They have gotten their back yard all fixed up and it's beautiful! The last time we were here, they had just moved in.

I was up before everyone else so I logged into work and got a few things done. My work view was fantastic!!

Emily just graduated college, moved back home until she gets on her feet and is headed out for her first day teaching music at four different high schools. She was so excited and maybe just a little nervous!

Stephen and Aviva came over for dinner while we were there!

Got up and left Georgia early for Tennessee so I had to do my work on the road. Thank goodness for aircards...I can work from anywhere!

LOOK at this awesome garage Rich built!! Not too many men have a garage that's bigger than their house, but when you're a legit car guy it's what you do.

View of the shop from the upstairs loft office. They have it fixed up so nice, it's all heated and cooled, has two lifts and so many neat little touches. He has refused to send Kenneth any pictures and I'm glad he did...it just made walking into it for the first time WAY cooler!!

Michele's dad worked for Sinclair and this is her tribute corner.

Even the bathroom is decorated!

And we even made the welcome sign along with some Star Trek references!! They are some fun friends...😃 

We left Tennessee for Washington, DC and picked Daniel and Katie up at the airport there. We rented an AirBnB for three days and attended all of Alan's retirement festivities as well as getting in some touristy things. Katie had never been to DC so we walked for two solid hours getting in as much as we could! She saw everything she wanted to see, including the Washington Monument above and a few things I wanted to see.

World War II memorial

Reflecting Pond looking at the Lincoln Monument

Then we walked over to the Lincoln Monument

Vietnam Wall

Nurses Monument...this is one of those "Mom" pictures that I had to have!

An ambulance from way back on display in the Smithsonian Museum of American History

Went upstairs in this establishment to CXIII Rex for one of Alan's parties...

Even though I've been in Louisiana for 44 years, I'll always claim Pennsylvania!

Pictures from both sides!!

Of COURSE we did this!!

White House!

Sunrise over DC

Dropped them off at the airport after a fun weekend and headed to Pennsylvania

On our way to Ligonier, we saw a sign for this on Rt. 30 and took a side trip. Well worth it, but it made me cry. Very well done and brought back so many memories of that day.

Flight Path Walkway

On Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, the U.S. came under attack when four commercial airliners were hijacked and used to strike targets on the ground. Nearly 3,000 people tragically lost their lives. Because of the actions of the 40 passengers and crew aboard one of the planes, Flight 93, the attack on the U.S. Capitol was thwarted.

Wall at the Crash Site/Debris Field. Above it, you can see the Flight Path wall.

Ceremonial Gate. The rock seen between the middle slats is where Flight 93 came to rest.

Tower of Voices

After we toured the memorial, we ended up in Ligonier for a surprise to visit my childhood friend, Jo! I don't remember NOT knowing Jo; we grew up in Penns Woods across the street from each other. What a wonderful visit we had after not seeing each other since 1982!

Her husband, Michael, owns a great gun shop with a really cool training simulator that we did!

After our day in Ligonier, we headed to Pittsburgh for a visit with Aunt Karen!

We spent the evening with her and took her to dinner.

The next morning, we picked her up and took her to breakfast. It was so good to see her!

After leaving Pittsburgh, we were on our way to Columbus, OH to Brewdog Brewery and the Doghouse Hotel for my birthday! Such a cool place for someone who loves her craft beer! The room, beer, food and atmosphere were awesome! Ernie and his family lived really close and we were able to get in a visit with them at their house, too.

So many little things in the room to look at

The birthday package came with two beer tokens and when I checked in, the girl noticed it was actually ON my birthday and gave me four more tokens so we got to drink free on the trip. There was also a Beer Tasting/Pairing that night and we each got another free beer.

View from our window 

Hotel lobby waiting for the elevator

View of the storage barrels/brewery from our second floor walkway

My fav was the cauliflower "wings"...so good!!

Model of a Brewdog somewhere in the world!

There was even a museum on site!

Noah, Courtney, Grant and Ernie...wish I got to see them more!

Working turntable in the room stocked with vinyl from only Ohio musicians so we listened to some eclectic music for a while.

Nice, free breakfast buffett with Beermosas!

Left Columbus for Cleveland and a visit with Aunt Barbara! Spent a lovely afternoon with her in her assisted living facility.

Checked into our hotel and then over to Sarah's house to visit with her family. So wish I could see my nieces and nephews more, but I sure enjoyed getting to see them on this trip! We only missed Jake, Ansley and Colleen.

Henry and Audrey played so nice together!

Henry patiently waiting while Grady fixed his truck, all the while talking away probably explaining to Dad why the truck wasn't working properly...such a cute kid!

Speaking of cute kids...Audrey was the sweetest, busiest little girl!! Just look at that smile!

Henry doing tricks for us.

He loves riding his bike on Grady's skateboard ramp

Catching lightning bugs

Loved spending the evening with this awesome little family!!

Then...on to Indiana to visit with Jenny and Mike for the last time in their beautiful home there. Jenny had it all decorated for my birthday!! She is the BEST sister ever!!

And Mike had all the ingredients for Painkillers waiting! They always take such good care of us when we visit!

She even had me a sash, cards and my favorite flowers!

There were decorations and balloons in every room of the house! I felt so special!

Their realtor called right after we got there so off to dinner we went in downtown Elkhart (hence, the elk!) so she could do a showing.

And the next day...HOUSE SOLD...WOOHOO!!! 

Day out on the Michigan Wine Trail

Kenneth and Mike loading furniture into a lady's car. They had to sell a LOT of stuff since they're downsizing. Their house in Ohio is about half the size of this one.

August in Louisiana - in the hundreds. August in Indiana - in the sixties. We are sitting in blankets on the porch one evening!!

Our bartender hard at work!!

What a great guy!! And what a great end to a wonderful two week trip!! Thanks, y'all!!!

Back home to celebrate Bob's 90th with a great party that Peggy put together for family and friends.

Bob and Peggy

With Shauna

Madison's watermelon pic!!

So good to be back home to see this little smiling face!!

Happy she didn't forget us!!

She loves it when her Daddy takes her flying on her pillow!

There was a super blue moon this month, too but these pictures don't do it justice...it was way more beautiful in real life!

Kaylie Jayne is a senior this year and on the varsity volleyball team again. She is the libero so she wears the orange jersey this game. She switches out with other girl sometimes at that position. We love getting to watch her play and she has gotten to be such a good player over the years!

Natalee, Katie and me...what a fun month we had!!