WANDERING WITH THE WRIGHTS

July 26, 2018

 We are still in Illinois visiting family and friends and enjoying being back.  I spend at least one day a week with my mom.  The last few weeks we have been going to visit some of her friends in our hometown of Lake Forest.  Mom will be 95 on August 6th!  Her friends from Lake Forest are all younger than her but in not as good of health so she has enjoyed visiting.  They are all people I knew growing up so I have also enjoyed catching up with them.

July 15th was our 3rd Anniversary of living full-time on the road.   We agreed when we started this adventure that we would reconsider every year and decide if we were in for another year - we didn't have much to discuss this July 15th as we already have plans into early 2020!!  Guess it is still a go.

Jerry's oldest son Robert and his wife Amy had us over for a wonderful Father's Day dinner.  

Rob & Amy are into Bonsai and their yard is beautifully decorated.

 I had a dear friend Cindy Deming who passed away a few years ago.  She had quadruplet's!!!  We were so pleased that we got to visit with three of the four a few weeks ago.  Only one still lives in town so was excited we got to visit with them.

Scott, Kevin and Amy Deming (sorry we missed Shawn)

 One of Amy's grade school teachers is a friend of ours so we had Marcia & Dennis over to enjoy our time with the Deming's.

Marcia & Dennis
Marcia and Amy had a wonderful time reminiscing

We also spent time with our dear friends Gary & Steph Vogel who went full-time about a year before we did.

We had our neighbors over for dinner.  They are all so nice and it was great getting acquainted.

Most of you know that Jerry and I did mission work in Kenya.  Even though we couldn't attend our dear friend Paul Manyara has recently become a Bishop.  Paul & Leah are two wonderful people who do so much to help the people of Kenya.

This is a friend of ours Mike Hendee.  Mike has had a band for years.  For a variety of reasons they decided it was time to end the group called Hookset (they are all into fishing).  Jerry and I were excited to get to go to their last concert (although it was really really hot and humid out)

Mike's wife Audrey - we used to work together.

The end of Hookset - on to bigger and better things Mike.

Lauri & Shaun Zenner, our neighbors for 21 years before going full-time.  Lauri is very special in Teddy's life and he just snuggled right in.

I retired from a company called EMCO Chemicals and was invited to attend their annual picnic this year.  My former supervisor used to put these on, before we each retired, so I was also very involved in making them happen.  The picnic has grown as the company has and is now very large.  It was nice to attend and just enjoy - no work involved.

They were expecting over 700 people

Live band

Pony rides for the kids

Petting Zoo

Bouncy houses

Not many companies spend the time or the money any longer to do this type of thing for their employees.  

Each person who attends also gets a gift (I have a new EMCO "T" shirt)

I am so glad that Edward Polen still sees the value in treating his employees well

A few weeks ago Jerry and I went to visit my son and his family.  They currently live about an hour and 15 minutes from us.  They have put an offer in on a house that will bring them about an hour closer!!!  Can't wait til it easier to visit.

We went to McDonald's for ice cream - Vincent had some in each hand - LOL

Bella & Lily also enjoyed theirs :-)  They are such sweet girls

Jerry snapped this picture of Vincent and I.  Love that he can walk now - he was an armful for his old Nana

We celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary this month at the Wildfire Restaurant

We only have one car so we do a lot of things together that we probably wouldn't if we had two.  Some of those involve medical

Jerry and I at the dermatologist for our yearly body checks 

They found some minor skin cancer so this is a few weeks later after the removal.  This was yesterday when we still had the compression bandages on  -  not near as noticeable today with them off

If you know Jerry at all you know he loves airplanes and rarely misses the EAA Airshow in Oshkosh, WI
He and our oldest grandson Calvin spent the day there earlier this week.

Calvin 6 years ago also at the EAA Airshow
Time flies

Teddy and I hung at the motorhome all day while the guys did the airshow.  I enjoyed myself being alone for the day and did a lot of different things including just chilling.  Teddy however missed his Dad and spent a good part of the day either watching out the window for him

Or sleeping right by the door awaiting Jerry's return

The plan is to depart here on September 10th and head west in the motorhome.  We will be attending the Albuquerque Balloon Festival and actually will be crewing with a pilot and his balloon!!

That pretty well brings you up to date.  One bit of news that just happened is that I will be traveling with our home church here to Israel in November.  There is a group of over 20 going, most of whom we know, and I am really excited about it.  I will be rooming with a friend I have known for years.  Jerry has opted out of going because of his concern of eating and being sick there with his Celiac Disease.  I know that I will miss him being along and sharing some of the very special moments with him. :-(      On the other hand how blessed am I to have his support in my going without him :-).  Don't feel to sorry for him as he and Teddy will be in warm sunny AZ!

Until next blog - take care, appreciate all you have, don't worry about what you don't have you probably don't really need it anyway.  Stay safe and healthy -

Love, Carol & Jerry.............. and Teddy too