The Happiest Place on Earth

Somehow I missed the fact that we were going on a trip to Crescent City until about 16 hours before we got in the trailer and headed up the highway. ::snort::  Michael's unexpected preaching last week - resulted in the possibility of a CTO on Friday - a 3 day weekend.  We don't often miss chapel - even when not preaching - but it was time to have a bit of family time to regroup.  And so here we are ensconced in what we know to be, "The Happiest Place on Earth." ::wink::  (Whole lot cheaper than that other counterfeit too. )

Grandma Mary's Backyard

We spent the a.m. walking around the campground where we plan to spend a bit of time after retirement. We decided to move from where we were to a new spot to give it a good try for a few days. We have a duck pond behind us, a fire pit, wifi and we're enjoying meeting others who live here year round. In fact, I met a young gal and her two boys and I think I am going to have great fun getting to know her more when we move up here.

We packed a picnic lunch and headed over to spend the day with Grandma Mary. The weather was beautiful - perfect for sitting on the patio and catching up.

Yuukie proved her loyalty to the kids, when Nina raced up on Alex - growling.  She jumped in between Nina and Alex - complete with her raised fur and  beagle growls.  Within a few sniffs Nina seemed to remember Alex and was encouraging trips to the river.

 

We brought the kayak up and the kids were eager to give it a try. I was eager to grab some photos. Michael was eager to have them carry the row boat down the bank.....they had let Stacia sit in the kayak grounded in the sand. I figured she could learn how to zip around in it while they brought the row boat down......but first a photo of her river hairdo for the day. We're going to miss Arielle.

I showed her how to use the paddle and how to balance - not that I've EVER used a kayak before. ::snort:: She did great. I pushed her out and she came back to me several times.  She was doing great. We were both fairly proud of our accomplishment when we heard the kids coming back down the bank. Then she got a bit unbalanced. I was laughing so hard I couldn't yell any possibly helpful hints - but I did take photos.

 

There she Goes! 

 

 While Stacia happily paddled around the river, I threw sticks, driftwood and logs for Nina and Arrow - our river dogs. ::snort::  We weren't able to see their owners today - but these two are always welcoming.

Eventually, Michael came down and played with the dogs a bit too.

He and I went out in the row boat - its always fun to see how various swim holes, beaches and such are changing each season.  Arielle hitched a ride with Stacia - doesn't she look thrilled about it? I took this as a sign the kids were comfortable with Stacia's ability.

Michael instigated a ginormous water fight

 

Went after the kids on shore too

 

 

Alex switched out with Nolan...

 

Um - preparing to send their brother as a live missile into the battle.

 

Stacia paddled out to Michael to talk....

 

She requested, and received,  lessons on how to splash with the paddles.

 

She informs me that Arielle is heavy! LOL

We took the kids back to the campground to clean up and change out of their suits. We picked up Mom G and headed to Crescent City for dinner and a movie.  We all enjoyed dinner at The Good Harvest café. Mom G and I were a bit confused with the movie plot, but it certainly kept our attention even from 8:00 - 10:20 p.m. Yes, we did take the kids to see Avengers  - no lines at all in Crescent City.

 

It was a practically perfect day. 

Dejavu of the Critter kind

This has happened before.

 

Photos from the chapel.....Michael seems to have a ministry of chasing serpents and vultures from the chapel....and that will preach. ::snort:: 

Fellowship Sunday - May

It's pretty ironic that I check the preaching schedule when I sign up to help in the children's program or with potlucks and yet I continue to be "out" on the Sunday's Michael is preaching.  I'm not sure how else to avoid this other than never volunteering. ::snort::

Today was Fellowship Sunday - the consistent feedback we receive is  people really enjoy these weeks. Relaxed connections make these days beneficial for me. Today I enjoyed working together with Stephanie, Thea and Jerry.  It was a special gift to be able to sit and visit with Desiree at lunch time. I've missed connecting with her.  Cynthia, Thea, B, the Gherkins and Michael all worked together to clean up the aftermath.....I missed Maria. Two, maybe three, more fellowships and we'll be leaving Beale....things are "happening."

I didn't take many photos but here are a few:

Clara Beth likes her chips



Elise chilling

Kids of all ages enjoying some sort of noisy card game!

Geocache Success

Four  more finds and we hit 100! To think I thought we would reach 100 finds our first year...silliness.

We headed out late this afternoon as we'd accomplished much this a.m. and had our main meal at noon. We FOUND three today......this is what it looks like when everyone else has found it and you are still looking......We'll go back in a few months and pick blackberries  for a cobbler or smoothie when we're living in the trailer.

 

"Someone" has a short attention span - note I did not drop the camera when the bee flew into the shot

 

We failed to find this one again - but at least it wasn't raining.  I enjoyed the wildflowers.

 

 

Another find....this one resulted in many thorns in various clothes and many drops of blood.....and someone ended up with lots of thorns inside her pants - inner thighs......it wasn't quite as dramatic as the bee incident....but when I turned to unzip and release some thorns someone #2 made a comment about "Now, it's a complete geocaching trip."

 

Doesn't this just SCREAM geocache?

But there wasn't......

 

 

After all that and a 20 min walk I STILL need 1400 steps....hitting the elliptical. 



Great Week

A busy - but a good week. All in all a balanced week full of both work and play.

We finished table and couch school. We participated in four Bible studies (2 PWOCs, 1 PMOC, 1 Family study). M&Ms (moms and mentors) met this week; we all enjoy this small group opportunity. The kids play with little ones and I play with Mommies.  PWOC Page Turners met to discuss A.D. 30 - definitely a play session for moi.  I said goodbye to a mentor and enjoyed two opportunities to connect over lunch with dear friends. Michael and I attended four hours of retirement related meetings - one with a VA rep and one with a financial planner.  Michael worked a full week - one highlight being a conversation with his soon arriving replacement. We look forward to meeting them and passing the baton.   We had numerous texts from Gherkins and even a phone call or two.  I hit at least 10K steps daily - often prompted to a second evening workout - meetings and school take a lot of time but don't take a lot of steps.


There were plenty of moments for play. We  explored new "healthier" recipes...the kids like the no-bake chocolate/peanut butter/coconut oil cookies. I like them too much - enough said. These were billed as "sugar free" but with honey included in the mix  - it's false billing. They are still a better option for the kids than the traditional ones.

We visited briefly with a friend who has been off work and out of chapel due to surgery.

We all made minor progress on our various "fun reading."

Saturday is usually our family rest/play day. Michael wasn't scheduled to preach - but is. That

Hangars and sticks beat wifi and play station around here

changes the format of Saturday. ::wink::  It does mean he should get a CTO (day off) sometime next week which means we may be able to make a quick trip to see his Mom - we've been trying to find a weekend to do that since March.  We also need to prepare for tomorrow's potluck.  I PROMISED Stacia I would take her out on our Saturday morning breakfast date. We've not made it for several weeks. This insures there will be PLAY in this day. LOL

Wise Moms realize even big boys need time to play - and boy's play will not, on the norm,  resemble girl's play whatsoever. Proof, once again, that anything can become  a game  and my boys are truly happiest when burning off some energy....and the house functions much better if they do so regularly. ::snort::

New "Toy"

My anniversary gift (14 Feb) finally arrived last week.

I had begun to worry I wouldn't like it after hearing some comment on it being a gimmick and inaccurate etc.

I LOVE it.  It may drop or add a few steps here and there.....BUT I find the info fascinating and motivating.

I have discovered most my work outs were cardio vs fat burning....not sure what to do with this info or if it matters. ::snort::

I've discovered how much I actually sleep at night.

I enjoy the heart rate feature.

I really LIKE walking and being able to see how far I've gone, my heart rate and my calories burned.

I've discovered - as active as I am - I'm not as physically active as I imagined. In other words a 2 hour long meeting really doesn't use many steps....and so it motivates me to get a second work out in if I've not hit my 10,000 steps soon after dinner.

A gift well worth the wait. Thanks, hon.

PWOC Retreat 2015

This past weekend was Beale PWOC's Spring Retreat.  As I enjoyed the weekend I realized that this is the first PWOC retreat I have attended where I have not either planned the retreat, spoke at the retreat or done both. It was good - very good.  My only "job description" was to be available to advise and help Cynthia in any way she needed. She built a great team and they pulled together a really wonderful retreat.  I also had the fun of being on a panel and "mcing".... OH I WAS the cargo van on the way up into the mountains. 

Diamond Arrow Christian Conference center was TOPS. The facility was nice, the food was good and the staff was INCREDIBLY helpful.  Q and Faterrah met us up there early to decorate.

 

We were happy Rebecca Shirey could be our speaker. I was thrilled to share Rebecca, a mentor, with "my gals." Aren't these lunch coolers the cutest thing yet?

Everything was lovely..... the decorations, worship, messages, fellowship, games..... 

 

Janete did a wonderful job leading us in games.....

 

Speed Friending - Jen (L) is responsible for our bags and all that was in them

 

Speed Friending

 

Cyndi and Karina rocked worship

 

The panel discussion was a lot of fun for those of us on the panel.

Me, Becky, Mary (Cynthia's MIL)

 Our Group

F - Me, Becky, Cynthia, Thea, Katie, Mindee
B - Rachel, Cyndi, Hope, Karina, Mary, Allison, Steph, Jen, Brittney, Faterrah, Janete

 

Rachel did all the graphics for our folder, banners and bag

 

The evening ladies which attended

Cyndi, Karina, Cynthia, me, Allison

 

The M&M (Moms and Mentors) moms who attended

Brittney, me and Hope

 

Our 2014/15 Board (Desiree couldn't join us - blech on chemo)

F- Jen and Katie (registration guru)
B - Steph, Rachel, Me, Cynthia, Mindee

 Cynthia  pulled off an amazing retreat! I'm proud of her and the team.

 

Becky's sessions were FULL of heart changing insight. I plan to sit and review notes in the upcoming week.

 

The "best" table group yet - contrary to rumors we were NOT the loud group - we were the enthusiastic group.

Karina, Brittney, Hope, Mindee

 Impromptu sharing around the fire on Saturday night - the best times are often the unplanned times

What a trooper Faterrah is. I can't wait to meet her little one.  

 

Ahhhhhh......

We got back to base as the Protestant service was letting out. It was fun to have a bit of family time with Becky.  We  joined with the D family for lunch and a quick picture with the Gherkins.....then we parted ways. The Gherkins to D's to home....and Michael and I to give Becky a tour of Beale.

 

 WW2 POW cell block

We missed those who couldn't join us and wanted to be with us: Desiree due to chemo and Maria due to surgery. The weekend was a sweet time of bonding for the group. I saw God move and I saw relationships flourish. I believe it was a God thing...a fitting way to begin the final chapter of our Air Force ministry....I'm refreshed and excited entering the home stretch.

April - Retreat
May - Graduation in TX and CA, pass off the PWOC baton
June - Open Bible Conference, Pittsburgh
July - Japan/ VBS
14 August - Retirement Ceremony

BTW I'm still trying to decide if I'm a true extrovert. I love people, but I do love my pj days as well.