Friday.

When I got to my sister in laws , I fell right on to that mattress.  I had nothing to change into so decided that I better sleep in my clothes.  Our luggage had been tagged in Philadelphia, PA because there was no room on the plane to put our carry on bag.  So they sent it all the way to Tucson.  Since we missed the last two flights out of Phoenix our luggage ended up at the Tucson airport. 

I never slept so good that night.  I slept until I heard my brother in law moving around in the kitchen making breakfast.  So I got up and talked with him for awhile.  And then we were joined by my sister in law as well. 

At about 9 am I called my brother Ron to come and pick me up.  And he was already on his way.  After I got to his house, and it was around 10 am I decided I better call my friend.  So I called him.  He told me that the person that picked us up would let us use his car to go to the airport to pick up luggage. He picked me up at 11:00 or so.  And we got to the airport, parked the car and decided it would be a good idea to get our luggage first.  Good thing!!  The lady that was working in there was looking at our luggage and trying to fiqure our and getting ready to send them out.  Since we didn’t get a flight on Friday morning to Tucson, they were trying to fiqure out what they were going to do with our luggage.  We walked in, and I said you are looking at my luggage.  And my friend told her the same thing.  She said they were getting ready to send it out.  It was a good thing that I got there when I did, because the name on the tag was Vlietsma.  So a new last name for me.  We laughed so hard.  Because my last name to AZ was Veldtamp and now the last name on my luggage was Vlietsma.   But I was thankful that my suitcase was still there, and we got their in time to pick them up. 

After we were finish with getting our luggage, we decided to go upstairs and go to the ticket counter and get our trip mapped out for going home on Monday.  The lady that helped us said that we would have trouble getting out on Monday and it looked like all the planes were full.  Since my friend planned an extra day off to relax and recoop, we decided to fly back home on Tuesday instead, for we would have a better chance of getting on the plane.  So that was good news, to spend an extra day in Tucson, visiting mom, Judy and Ron one more time.  So that is what we did. 

After we were finished with that, my friend and I had lunch at a local restaurant.  Then I went on back to my brother’s house.  We talked for a while, and then headed to the nursing home to go see mom.  I had tears when I saw her, for she was laying in bed.  Ron asked mom if she knew who I was.  She said Loretta, which is one of mom’s sister’s.  He asked her again, and again she said Loretta.  We told her no.  Then she said “Thelma”, And I said yes that is me.  She was so happy to see me.  She had a grin from ear to ear.  She also carried a conversation as well.  It was pretty mixed up, but she was just so happy that I had come for a visit.  We took her outside for a little while.  And we bought soda/pop for her to drink and a couple of candy bars.  She really liked that. 

AFter we were finished at the nursing home we put mom in the lunch room where she would eat dinner.  We stayed and she really wanted us to share her dinner with her. We told her it was for her.  But I fed her some of it.  She did eat a little bit but not a whole lot.  The nurse said that she did eat her food for lunch.  That is their main meal is at lunch time.  She ate everything on her tray. 

After we were finished, we stopped at the day Care and picked up my brother’s Grandson.  He is such a sweet little boy.  We stopped at a couple of places and then we stopped at mom’s trailer.  Not knowing what Ron was up to, he was working on mom’s car when he was finished  with what he was doing and then he gave me the keys to mom’s car and told me that I could use it.  We drove back to Ron’s house, and we jumped out of the truck and the car and got into Ron’s car and headed out to a pizza place.

We met Rosie’s sister and husband and nephew and wife their at the restaurant.  We had dinner together there.  We went back to Ron’s for a little while.  Ron’s grandson, was showing me his toy cars and books.  he wanted me to read him a story.   I went back to Mr Carpenter’s sister’s house and talked to my sister in law and husband for a little bit and then went to bed.   More of this story to come……

Our Adventurous Trip to Tucson

On Wednesday evening I was packed and ready to go..  I had decided to to go to bed early because we had to get up at 3:30 in the morning to head to Dulles airport.  At about 11 pm I was in a good sleep.  I got a call from my friend that was going with me to Tucson.  He said “good news “  I got a direct flight out at 7 am from National Airport!”  I said oh good, and we wouldn’t have to get up so early either.  So I got up and wrote myself a note thinking that I was so still asleep when he called me that I wouldn’t remember to go to National airport.  So I wrote the note and went back to bed and back to sleep.  At 3:30 am I told Mr carpenter that we didn’t have to get up yet because we were going to National airport.  That was a good think, because Mr Carpenter had a trade show tear down in Washington, DC  and he could just drop me off at the airport on his way to work. 

I got there around 5:30 am.  And sat and waited for my friend to get there.  I called him several times and found out the Metro didn’t start running until 5:30 am.  So I didn’t mind sitting and watching the people hurring to get their boarding passes for their plane trips.  All kinds of people of nationalities were their all doing the same thing. 

At about 6:15 my friend made it to the airport.  We had to connect some how and some way.  I was upstairs by the ticket counter and he was down stairs by another ticket check in place.  We finally got together.  He told me my last name was misspelled.  It was Veldtamp which is totally mispelled and the wrong last name.  We alaughed about it and tried to get it changed.  But they couldn’t changed it because it was already in the system.  The concern was will I get through security with the wrong last name.  Well we decided to try it.  We got through ok and they were just checking the picture to make sure I was the person on the ID. 

By this time we already knew that we were not going to make the 7 am flight.  But we just got there and waited by the counter just in case they called our names.  But the plane was packed full.  So decided to go get breakfast and wait for the next plane to come in. 

We checked in and they said they didn’t think we would get on because the plane was packed full too.  But we stood and waited just in case it was a good chance of getting on.  After the door closed and the plane left we went over to customer service and had them look at the next possiblity of getting a flight out.  The customer service person looked and said we could go to Philadelphia and we would have a good chance of getting on up there.  So that was what we did.  So waited until 12:10 when the plane was boarding.  We went to the desk and they said your boarding passes are waiting for you downstairs.  Cool!!

While we were on the plane to Philadelphia, we decided we would get a Philey cheese steak lunch while we were waiting for our next plane.  So it was so expensive so and the sandwich was good. 

We got on our plane.  IT had 183 passengers on this plane and it was packed.  We had to give our carry on bags over and the airport people put it all the way to Tucson airport.  We were the last ones to get on the planes.  We had to sit way in the back.  They apologized to us for we had seperate seats and we had to sit between people.  I just said that’s ok, we don’t mind because we will take what we get. 

On one side of me next to the window, there was a man reading a manuel.  Not right away but later in the flight.  This man was studying to be a doctor.  He works in the emgerency department in Allentown, PA.  We talked for a while.  I told him about all the medical stuff in 2006 that happened in our family.  And then told him about Baby Girls rare form of cancer she has.  He was very nice.  HE bought a small container of Oreo cookies for us to share. 

This doctor was flying to Pheonix to visit his girlfriend of five years.  He was actually surprising her.  He was a very nice and friendly person to talk to. 

The man on the other side of me had terics disease.  He could not sit still.  And he was twitching all the time.  He had to get up, sit down, shake his legs, take his fingers and strum the tray table.  HE was always moving for some reason or another.  I tried not to let it bother me. 

my friend sat in the same row in the middle seat too.  There was a lady there that was not to friendly.  And he talked with an elderly man next to him.  HE was an WWII veteran, and was flying to phx to visit family.

We were happy when we touched down into phx.  There were two last planes going out of PHX to TUS.  So we tried to get a seat on them.  But it didn’t look good.  But tried anyway.  When you fly standby you never know what will happen and need to do last minute decisions. 

So my friend called his friend in Tucson.  His friend told him he would drive down and pick us up.  He didn’t want us to spend the night at the airport.  So we waited about an hour in half

Lots to do and Think about!!!!

Well this week was a pretty busy week.  But it looks like it will be even busier as time gets closer to my sons wedding.

On wednesday I went to a women’s bible study that started that very day.  On my way up to Toby’s house, I got a call from  Iveysstory and she had talked to her doctor about going to the wedding. ( She is due three weeks after the wedding).  The doctor told her no way, she could go to the wedding.  So that changes a few things for the wedding.  Our Grandson and Granddaughter were going to be the Ring Bearer and Flower girl, and my son in law was going to be one of the groomsmen.  Iveysstory cannot be far from home just in case she goes into labor.  And my son in law does not want to leave  her home alone either just in case she goes into labor.   

Then I got to Manassas to remind my daughter in law, Lori about the Alpha Class we are going to on Thursday nights.    When I got home  I found out that Mr Carpenter had a temporary job doing a trade show in Washington.  So he would be gone all day Thursday as well. 

On Thursday morning Mr Carpenter was up early and off to work.  I decided not to walk the mall this morning for I felt like I am getting over whelmed by a lot of things going on right now.  So decided to stay home until it was time to go to work.  At work we had all the kids there.  We had a couple of cryers so decided to take the kids out to the playground and let them play for a little bit, then after awhile  we went and picked up pine cones outside with them, and went back inside.  We ate lunch and  changed their Diapers .  Then we were going to have chapel but the health department came for the inspection so chapel was counseled, and went back outside with them until mom or dad come to pick them up.  All in all the little ones are now getting adjusted to the routine.  By the time school was out I was tired out and went straight home and rested.

Then at about 4:30 I got a call from Lori and said she couldn’t make it to Alpha class.  She had to babysit her nephew.  So I said well if she couldn’t make it maybe Toby could go with me.  So Toby went instead.  And it was  nice to have a mom and son time and and talk with him about things..  on the way to the class.

On Friday I was looking forward to being home by myself and getting somethings done.  A friend of mine he is in his 80’s now wanted me to copy some home movies and put them on DVD’s for him.  I had already done that for him in the past and so I just had to copy those DVD’s for him for he wanted more copies made.  I thought it would take me a few minutes but it took me longer then I thought. 

I also went to the Library for an hour and got my hair cut.  Levi’s wedding is coming up at the end of October and I wanted to get my hair trimmed and see how it would look for the wedding.  I think the lady that cut my hair, (Karen) did a good job.  She kept it the same length as it was and put it in layers and trimmed it up.  I know it will look nice.  

Mr Carpenter came home around 6 that evening and we had dinner out at our favorite mexican restaurant.  When we got home and sat down, I remembered watching something on TV and fell asleep before it was over.  I must of been so very tired from all the things I did.

Mr Carpenter told me last night that someone called him  while he was at work and wants him to go to Louisana for two weeks on October 10th to help with the hurricane/flood victims down there. (Since it’s a volunteer job he can decided whether he can go or not).  I don’t think he will be able to go at this time. Because of all the things that are coming up.  And that is one more thing to think about in the future.

Today I will be packing for my trip to Arizona to see my mom.  And I am doing laundry and grocery shopping.  And also return those DVD’s to my friend.

Tomorrow is church, and we have a Bible Study afterwards,  and probably go to the library for an hour or two, that will take up most of our day. 

So that is why I  haven’t been blogging these days.  It’s just that a lot of stuff is going on right now.

Keep’n Busy these Days!!!!

I haven’t been avoiding writing, I have just been very busy recently. 

I started back to work on September 8th and it’s been non stop since I have gone to work.

Here is a list of things that I have been doing and also what is coming up for the month of October and November as well.

Sept 8th-started back to work.

Sept 17th-going to Alpha class (third time around but is bringing a friend this time.) this class is every thursday night.

Sept 19 & 26- went to grandsons football games.  Which I enjoy very much spending time with my daughter, husband and family.

Sept 26th went to a funeral.  A dear neighbor and friend passed away. 

Sept 30th, Women’s Bible study starts.

Sometime in October Extended day program for the four year olds starts.   Where the kids stay an extra hour. this will be on Wednesdays from 1-2 pm. I am suppose to be doing that as well. I have not heard anything if it is going to happen or not.

 October 5th Doctors appointment

October 8-12 I will be in Arizona for to visit my mom, we got word last week that she has gone into hospice care. 

October 17th-is a bridal shower for Jennifer, my future daughter in law. In southern VA.

October 24th-is a baby shower for my daughter who is expecting in November. In NC

October 31st-Levi & jennifer’s wedding.in Danville

 November 7th there will be one full Saturday of Alpha Class

 also plans are being made to go to NC to help our daughter out with the two children and the new baby. 

So that is the reason why I haven’t been on for awhile.  And I hope when things get a little calmer that I will be back to writing again.

Happy Birthday Iveysstory!!!!

Happy Birthday to Iveysstory!!!! thirty two years ago today, I had a beautiful baby girl. 

I remember the day she was born.  It was like yesterday. 

First of all I got up the morning of the 29th and felt some pains and was thinking, it would be great to have the baby today, because it was my mother & father in law’s Anniversary.  Since my oldest daughter was born close to my parents anniversary, it would be nice to have a baby on their Anniversary.  As the day went on, the pains were getting stronger.  I didn’t say much to Mr Carpenter until I was sure that it was for real. 

Mr Carpenter’s parents had taken their youngest daughter, Martha to phoenix to meet up with her college roomate and then they would fly to Michigan together.  I called them before they left  and told them that today might be the day to have the baby. 

In the evening I finally told Mr Carpenter that I thought I was in labor and should head to the hospital.  Since we lived on the south east side of town and the hospital was on the north side of town, we thought it would be good to get going.  So we got to the hospital.  And the nurse in charge checked me out.  She said not yet, it might be a while.  And asked if there was a place to go.  I said sure we can go to my mom’s house and wait there.  They were close by not to far away. 

So we went there, and Mom & Dad had just put new carpenting down, and bought new furniture.  So she was really worried about me being there.  If my water broke or something happened she didn’t want that on her new furniture.  And I don’t blame her one bit.  About 5 minutes after we got there, something did happen and Larry and I went right back to the hospital.  They told us to wait out in the waiting room because I was just in the beginning stages of labor. 

About an hour later, a nurse that delivered Tallchick and lived in our neighborhood came in.  She said lets go into a room and watch the news and then we will check you out.  This was like at 10 o’clock at night.  So we went to the room, and after the news she checked me out.  I had started to dialate.  So about 11:30, I said I just have to have this baby by midnight because it’s my in-law’s Anniversary.  Well she was born about 11:50 that night.  That made us so happy that I could give a new granddaughter to my in laws for an Anniversary present.

Later on I found out that not only was she born on my in-law’s Anniversary, but she was born on my Aunt Bernice’s birthday as well. 

Now she is grown up, married and has two children of her own.  And is expecting one more in November. 

So Happy Birthday Iveysstory, and God bless you, and enjoy your day!!!!!  I praise God and feel that I am blessed to have a special daughter like you!!!!

Been Busy for a while Continued

 

 

About a month a go, Larry got a ticket.  The ticket was not for speeding but for no obeying a traffic sign which said 25 miles an hour.  The police men said he was going 41.  Anyway we were on our way taking Toby & Lori home from our house and a picnic.  The policemen came out of a school parking lot, and Larry had to swerve over into another lane in order not to hit him.  We had four adults and one child in the car when this happened. And it was a good thing no one was in the other lane or there would of been an accident.  Larry went to court over that this past Monday.  He pleaded not quilty.  And after everyone had their turn in court with this same policeman, it was his turn.  He discovered that there were four other people that had the same ticket he had, and was going 41 miles in a 25 mph zone.  And they all got tickets for not obeying a traffic sign.  Hmmmm something is wrong here with this.  That policeman’s radar must of been stuck, or he wasn’t just stopping people and giving out the tickets.  And this cop was getting away with it.  Larry only paid the 25 dollar fine, and if he had something to complain about this policeman to go to his supervisor.  I don’t know if he will or not. 

Here are some pictures I promised of our trip to the beach!!!!!  Enjoy them. 

Toby, Lori, And Ben This was Ben’s first time at the beach.  I would say they enjoyed it very much.

Our Son Toby, enjoying the day at the beach.

 

Larry and I enjoying just sitting on the beach, and putting our feet in the sand.  We had shade so we didn’t have to worry about getting sun burnt. 

A turtle that Lori and Ben worked on. 

On Friday, Hurricane Bill was getting closer to the cost, and were sending big waves to the coast.  Here is a picture of one of them

The next morning, Larry, Toby and I went to the beach to watch the sunrise.  My husband was glowing with the sun coming up over the beach. 

Another picture of the sunrise.  I put my nighttime setting on this one and I believe this one really turned out nice. After visiting the beach we took Toby out for breakfast at one of the mom & pop places.

Here is Toby & Larry in the ocean on Friday before we left to go home.  The water and the waves were getting pretty rough so decided to call it a day and went home.

We enjoyed our time there. Would of liked to stay a little longer but we had to get home.

Been Busy of Late!!!

A couple of weeks ago, probably around the 1st of August, I made an appointment to go to the doctor for a physical to go back to work.  Since our preschool is not state licensed and now church exempt we are required to get a yearly physical. 

So made a doctor’s appointment.  I went in, the first time to this doctor.  he didn’t know me at all.  I know that I have had a blood pressure problem.  And it was running a little high the day I went in.  To my surprise he signed my paper work without even checking anything out.  But he wanted me to get a blood test to check for diabetes, and cholestrol.  And also gave me blood pressure pills to help with the blood pressure.  I also had injured my knee swimming and he told me to put heat on it and also take advil.  Which it is been better since I’ve done what he had told me.  Since we walk at the mall 5 days a week, I have been walking 2 miles a day, the first few days after I went to the doctor, I walked around the food court a couple of times, so if my knee started to bother me, I could go sit down.  Which now I’m back to walking a mile in a half each day again.  But if my knee starts to hurt I will go back to our place and sit down. 

I went to the doctor on Monday, and my blood pressure was a bit high yet.  So he put me on a water pill, because he thinks I’m retaining water, and that will help pull my blood pressure down, plus help loose some weight.  And also I have to take my blood pressure twice a day.  Which so far I’ve checked it and it seems the pills are working.  I will be going back to the doctor in three weeks and then we will see what will be next on the agenda.  I am happy to say that I have no diabetes, which I was concerned about it for a while.  My cholestrol was a bit high but not bad.  So the doctor put me on a diet, which I’ve been on for the last three years along with Larry.  So that is not a problem. 

Last week Toby called us and wanted to go to the beach.  He had a week off and wanted to take his family to the beach for a day.  Toby has no license to drive, and neither does his wife.  So wherever they go they have to walk to where they want to go or depend on people to drive them.  So we decided that we would like to go to the beach as well and enjoy and relax by the water and the waves. 

We had them over at our house on Wednesday night so that we could leave early in the morning.  I was pretty excited so couldn’t sleep, and stayed up and talked.  When it was about 3:30 I made coffee and got things ready to go.  Toby made some egg sandwiches for us to eat on the way.  They were yummy!!!  We left about 4:30 am and headed to the beach.  The sun was just comming up when we crossed the bay bridge.  We continued on our way, but realized that Toby & Lori forgot their back pack full of clothes and bathing suit at our house.  So we had to stop, so they could buy something for them to wear in the water.  That took about an hour.  Then we headed out again.  We made it to the beach about 9:30 or so.  We could not find a place to park, for their were parking meters everywhere or no parking signs.  So we decided to get a room together.  Each pay half for it.  So we got a room with a two double beds in it.  After we unloaded our stuff and got our suits on, we realized that we had to walk a mile to get to the beach.  Larry and I started out before Lori and Toby.  Larry carried the chairs and I carried the drinks the suntan lotion and other stuff that we needed for the beach.  We set off on foot.  WE got to the beach and set up.  Soon after Toby & Lori arrived.  Ben loved the water, and Toby helped Ben learn to body surf and we found an old boogie board, that was cracked on the inside. and we used that to play with.  The waves were great that day. 

I made the mistake of going in the water with my sun glasses.  I got hit with a big wave, and it knocked me down and knocked my sun glasses off my face, and then realized they were gone forever.  I’m just thankful I didn’t have my regular perscription glasses on. 

After being at the beach for a while we went back to the motel and got the sand washed off, wow I had a lot when I got hit by that wave.  It was in my ears, hair and all over the place on me that I won’t mention.  That sand kept dropping off of us as it dried. 

We went out to eat, and then decided to go back again to the beach.  Lori stayed back and rested while, Toby, Larry, Ben and I went back.  We discovered we could park our car at one of the motel chains there with our parking  pass.  So we parked a little closer in.  We watched the sunset on the beach, and Toby & Ben did more swimming in the ocean. 

It was getting dark so we went back to the motel.  Ben went in the little pool and swam for a while.  I took a shower and got ready for bed. 

Toby, Lori and Ben met a man with three little girls, so they went out to eat with them.  Larry and I stayed back and went to sleep.  Since Larry did all the driving and I was up all night.  I can say I slept pretty good except I woke up at 4 am ready to go again. 

At 6 am Larry and I decided to go back to the beach and watch the sunrise.  Toby was going to stay and sleep in our bed since he got the floor to sleep on while his wife and son slept in the bed.  He went with us and we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise.  People were out on the beach doing their yoga, excercises or just plain running on the beach.  The nice cool breezes of the morning were wonderful too.

After we left the beach we treated Toby to breakfast.  And we had some coffee and then went back to the motel, to get our things and pack up.  We got everything loaded in the car and went back to the beach for a while.  Since Hurricane Bill was coming up the coast, the waves got pretty wild.  

I had asked Lori if I should take care of her perscription glasses for her while she went in the water.  She said NO everything will be ok.  Not more then 5 minutes later, a big wave came and knocked her down and the ocean took her glasses away.  I’m glad she still had her sun glasses to see with. 

The waves and the water were getting pretty wild due to the hurricane in the ocean.  they were actually getting bigger as the day went on.  So we decided about noon, it was time to leave the beach and head home.  We left and on the way home we ran into a storm with heavy rain.  We were thankful we were not on the bay Bridge when that storm hit.  And all decided that noon was a good time to leave. 

We got home, and Toby got their clothes in the car.  Larry took them home while I stayed home and got dinner ready.  Larry discovered when he dropped them off that the back pack and their cell phone was left in the car. 

The story will continue.  And maybe have some pictures up of our trip.

BFF (Best Friends Forever)

 

Celebrating 50 years of Friendship!!!!

I have a friend named Judy.  Her and I have been best friends for 50 years.  We met at the age of seven and 10 years of age.  We had moved out from Illiniois to Arizona, in  July of 1957, and her family moved out in August of 1959. 

She had two brothers, and I had three brothers.  We had no sisters so we decided to become best friends and be like a sister that we didn’t have. 

We both went to Christian School the first couple of years we lived there.  I can still remember riding our bikes together to and from school.  There were five of us.  Judy’s two brothers, Jerry and Ron, and my brother Ed and I.  We went from our house to church which was a 2 1/2 mile ride one way.  I remember that when there was a car coming down a two lane road, the person in the back would say “Get in single file!!!!”  So we did.  then when there was no cars coming we would try and ride in two’s and threes.  While riding our bikes we would take little breaks.  So we would stop at a brand new strip mall (one of the first indoor shopping malls) and go to one of the dimestores and just look around.  And then stop at a gas station, go to the bathroom fill up on water at a drinking fountain and be on our way. 

There was also a road we love to go down.  It had a big dip in the road.  And everyday we had to go down into that dip with our bikes.  Back then that was a pretty cool thing to do. 

Judy and I were good best friends.  We would go to each other’s house and play with dolls.  We would pretend to play house, and had baby clothes to change our babies in, (they were new born baby clothes) and used to pretend to be their mothers and take them to the park and play, to the pretend store, and also to church.

As we got older we drew apart for a while.  Judy had her own set of friends (since she was three years older then me) and I had mine.  There was a time that our parents had gotten into some arguments about church and religion and our parents would not talk to each other and we were not allowed at each other’s house.  So we all parted our ways. 

After Judy got married and a month later I was married, we decided to look each other up.  We started having our families.  Judy was pragnant with her first baby and she was born in January, and I was pragnant with my daughter and she was born in May.  We had a lot in common.  And would get together and let our daughters play together.  We also compared notes as well on how they were growin.  Judy had another baby two years later, and I had another baby four years later.  But we were both there for each other. We would come over to each other’s house and spend the day  so our daughters could play together.

In 1988 or 1989 we both left AZ, and moved to other places.  We moved to Virginia and they moved to Washington State.  We still kept in touch by writting letters back and forth to each other every week.  Talking about our teen age daughters which we called “All My Soaps” 

Then when our daughters got married and started to have their own families both our granddaughters were born two months of each other.  And there was two grandsons that were born within a month of each other. 

When there was such a thing as email we started to email each other.  Two or three or even four times a day, talking about what we were doing and keeping posted of what we were doing.  So for the last 10 years we wrote back to each other by email, and stayed in touch that way.  About two years ago, both our husbands had lost their jobs.  and had retired.  And now we can’t afford to pay for internet, so now we stay in touch by cell phone on the weekends.  Keeping each other informed of what is happening in our lives. Or just being their for each other when we have a problem. 

In the last 50 years who would have a friend like that?  So I salute you Judy and thank you for being there when I needed your support, your shoulder and Just someone to talk too.

I thank God for giving me a friend like you.  And to become like a sister even though we are not related. 

Thank You Dear Friend!!!!!

Look Who Got Most Frequent Walker for the Month of July!!!!

 

On Monday morning, we were walking at the Mall.  Mr Carpenter had to call me on his cell phone to let me know that he got The Most Frequent Walker for the month of July!!!!

Mr Carpenter walks Five Miles a day for Five days a week.  This is a one time award.

We started back walking the last full week of June and did not expect that he would get this award!!!!  I am very proud of him and I wanted to share this with all of you. 

Congradulations Mr Carpenter, I am so very proud of you!!!!!

Walking at the Mall.

Every week day we walk at the mall.  We started back in 2002 when mr Carpenter fell and tore his rotator cuff at the pentegon after 911.  He had major surgery and after that we decided to walk.  We made new friends there. 

This is the mall we walk at.  You go one way it’s a mile and if you go the other way it’s a mile, so if you walk the whole mall it’s two miles.  Now if you want to walk it twice it would be four miles. 

Mr Carpenter is walking here.  He walks about 5 miles  inside and outside.  He also finds special shopping carts that are left outside and brings them and gets some change for a cup of coffee in the mornings.

 

This is me walking in the mall.  I only walk two miles a day for now. 

There are people of all ages walking the mall, some walk very fast and some walk very slow and some just stroll along taking there time and enjoying the walk.  There are a people that are young, children walking with parents or day care providers and their are some that are very old.  Their is one couple there the man is 99 years old and his wife is 95 years old. 

After we walk, we enjoy a cup of coffe with our friends. And sitting and talking with them.  Sometimes they bring in their work.  Today there was a lady that works on quilts and we were looking at them.

And here are some of Mr Carpenter’s walking buddies.  Which get into great discussions about religion, politics or whatever they feel like talking about.

It’s fun walking at the mall and great excercise as well.