The last day of June!

The Grotto Meditation Chapel, Portland, OR

The Cave at the Grotto

I can't believe it's already the end of June. It doesn't seem possible that we've been here two and a half months and it's almost July! Our time flies faster each day. Beth and Julia left on Monday and we were sad to see them go. We enjoy them so much and Julia brings something new into our lives every day. As always, we would love to live closer to them but are just grateful they are living on the mainland where we can see them more often.
Tom and I have both been down with summer colds, but although it slows me down a lot, Tom seems to keep on trucking along. He's a tough one for sure. He still loves his job as do I and we find a lot of pleasure in meeting and helping the people in the park. It's surprising how many people have a hard time finding the trash bins! It gives us lots of entertainment.
We haven't been doing much sight seeing since we've been here this year, but I did manage a visit to one of my favorite spots - The Grotto. Beth, Julia and I went last week and wandered around the grounds enjoying the beauty of it all. Julia especially loved the meditation chapel where she could see the city and all the planes flying by. It's a spectacular sight and one that everyone should try and see when in Portland.
Hope everyone has a great 4th of July and we'll catch you all later.

Summer is almost here!

Grandma Donna and Julia in the kitchen! Julia loves to help!

Where is the time going? We've been in Portland now for almost two months!! Soon, we'll be over halfway through our commitment here to work. We are both enjoying it very much. The park is getting busier as the summer approaches so both of us are busier. We like it that way.

Our granddaughter should be up to see us this week. We're waiting with baited breath! She is always so much fun. She will be starting school in August so these impromptu trips will be more difficult. It's hard to believe she'll be five in September.

Big news - Donna applied for Social Security last week! It's just not possible that I'm old enough to apply for Social Security! I always thought I'd get older, but just didn't think it would happen so soon. I guess that little check will help make up for the getting older part!

We met another Excel couple last week - Ken and Lee. We had them come over for a visit, then the next week, they had us over for some wild card game. It was fun and great to meet such nice people. That's still one of the nicest parts of our life style. It seems we make new friends every where we go. Some of them will be life long friends too.

Hope where ever you are, the weather is great and you're enjoying it.

Home again!

One of my many girlfriends at Smith Center, KS

rockintom sporting a hat made with dyed chicken feathers

Tom just returned from a five day trip to Kansas via Denver, CO, to attend the Excel family reunion. Excel is the brand name of our 5th wheel and every three years, Excel owners are invited to travel to Smith Center, KS, to a "family reunion". This year there were fewer rigs than three years ago - about 150 less, but it didn't deter all the fun loving people who attended - Tom being one of them. They ate a lot of food, had seminars, dances and saw so many friends new and old to visit and catch up on all the activities since they were last together. Time passed way too quickly and before he knew it, Sunday morning came and he was back on the road again. Tom was fortunate to be invited to stay with some of our Excel friends, Tim and Roseanne. Thank you guys for showing him such a good time. I hope he was a good guest!

Donna chose to stay in Portland to keep the home fires burning and to start leading the water aerobics class starting this morning. There were a total of five people in the class today and we expect the crowd to grow as word gets around. The time Tom was away was a great opportunity for Donna to spend some enjoyable time with her daughter, Sarah. With the part time job here in the RV park and the volunteer job at the hospital, Donna is keeping busy. It's a change from the full retirement life.

Our granddaughter will be coming back to Portland in the next few weeks to visit us again and we're looking forward to it. She always adds joy to our days.

We celebrated completing four years full timing today. June 1, 2005, we began our journey in our brand new 5th wheel. It's gone so fast and we still love what we're doing. We can't even imagine a life more full and fun than we're having.

Hope you are all well and happy.