July News

Hi, we are home from our cruise and have finally caught up on our sleep. That 10 hour flight home and being up for 22 hours was a killer. We had a great time, spent 3 days in Rome, then onto Sicily. We really liked Sicily. It was not crowded and much less tourist orientated. It was beautiful and we spent time in a small city up in the mountains. The next day we were at sea, then onto Athens. We thought at one point that we would be going to Malta instead because of the rioting in Athens. But that settled down. The taxis were on strike the day we were there but we had hired a van for the 8 of us and he picked up right up at the port and took us everywhere in Athens. We were with him for 9 hours! Ephesus in Turkey was another favorite place. It is the cradle of civilization and the ruins were unbelieveable. We went to a place where they sold Turkish rugs and saw how they are made from the silk worm to completion. Most in our group of 8 bought a rug, but not us. They were still high and I didn't see one I couldn't live without. Crete was our next spot, very nice, olive trees everywhere. We went to an olive oil factory and toured the country side. Overall, a real nice trip, but glad to be home.

Kyla is enjoying summer camp. Ashley and Darin are fine. We found a nice leather sofa yesterday at an estate sale off Mandarin Rd yesterday for only $90 so we bought it and will try to deliver it up to their 3rd floor apt. tonight. Ryan and Tracy are coming down because she has a 4 p.m. cleaning appointment so Ryan can help move the sofa too. Yesterday it was raining and we really couldn't take it. Tracy just got a new job at the hospital. I don't know the details yet, but it is full-time with benefits. She was working 20 hours a week there and picking up hours at Outback on Friday and Saturday night. I'll hear more about it tonight when we see them. She gets to wear scrubs for this new job too which will help on the clothing side of things. Okay, now I'll try to load up a few pictures.

Graduation and MI visit 2011

Hi All,We arrived back in St. John safely and happy to be back. However, the weather in MI could not have been more beautiful. Evan and Bob even got in a round of golf. They had a great time together and I was happy to let that happen without being a part of that. Bob pulled up most of the carpeting in the condo and we are looking at putting down some cheap fake wood flooring when we go back, whenever that will be.

Drove to Bowling Green, OH where we met Herb and Kathy. Kathy was just behind us coming from MI and her "girls' getaway" weekend. We had a nice visit over lunch. It was too short. I love going to their place and seeing everyone there. Hopefully, next visit.

Graduation for Nathan was great. They graduated 10 of 25 students. We were totally overdressed for the occasion, but we can't help how we were brought up, now can we. We went to Amelia Island for lunch and a nice drive back in the rain. Nathan was so happy, as he told Laura, his girlfriend, that his family was there to share it. This is a rough crowd, the guys who work in this business. Marilynn and Rick had all the family over for a "low country boil" on Saturday and Marilynn told Nathan he could invite a couple of his dive buddies from school. We were 16 altogether. It was great!! Laura stayed until July 4 at Marilynn and Rick's and Nathan drove to LA for interviews a few days later. He is still waiting to hear as to employment. Should know something tomorrow.

Evan continues to thrive in his new job. He really likes having some money and loves working with the autistic adults. We are ecstatic as to his turnaround and especially the fact that he seems to be moving further and further away from the depression. Doesn't he look better???

Well, that's all the news for now. Have to go to work.

Let's get "bloggin' "

Love to all,

Betsy

Visiting Family - soon come

Hi Guys,
Just wanted pass on some good news. Evan got a job. He is working, just started yesterday, in Lansing for a home health care company. He says he's very excite. d as this will look good on his resume and it is in his field. I think it also fed his ego that he could really land a job when he hasn't worked in so long and people wonder what he has been doing besides being in school. He's really into biking and is exercising quite a bit. We are happy for him.
We are having a storm here the last two days - lots of wind and rain. We are supposed to have the Jolly Dog party here on Friday - about 25 people, but if things don't dry out, I don't know if we can pull it off. Jeff, owner, is supplying steaks, shrimp, beer and champagne. the idea started out as a small gathering to see his CD of his trip to Patagonia because we have the big screen TV and now everyone is bringing their 20 something kids and it's kind of mushroomed!!
We are excited about leaving island and going to Nathan's graduation and seeing you guys in FL and then on to MI to see the rest of you. Nathan was VERY sick this past weekend. He said he couldn't even get out of bed on Sat. He sounded terrible last night. luckily yesterday was spent in class. This is the 3rd time he has had this "cold stuff", but it has never been this bad.
Bob has little projects that he is working on here at the house which keeps him busy. the yard now looks like a jungle because of all the rain we have had.
Really looking forward to seeing you all.
luv,
Bob and Betsy

May News

Hi you guys,
Not much news here, but just wanted to touch base. The only real news is that there was a BIG drug bust here last Sunday. they arrested at least 7 people. The FBI, Customs, border patrol, etc, etc. were all in on it complete with two helicopters here in Coral Bay. They were distributing here and had stashes for the States. One of the guys was the dive instructor at Low Key where the boys took dive lessons. We have known him for years. He was caught selling to an undercover officer. He's on a tether now and probably "toast".
Worked on the day of the running of the Kentucky Derby. the ladies wear hats that they have made and/or decorated with whatever they can find. really some interesting concoctions. Moe, owner of Skinny's, takes everyone's bets at the window at our little post office. Everyone gets mint julips. A good time.
Some new friends came for lunch today and invited us out to Cruz Bay tomorrow night for dinner and a movie. should be fun.
Finally we have rain. We have been so dry!! The birds have been attacking my tomato plants just to get water.
The picture of the tortoise is just because I thought he was so cute. I have been taking care of a friend's plants while she is off island and she asked me to feed "Monsieur Tortoise".

Happy Easter

Here are a few of the pictures I took on Easter. The ducks are the carvings we bought at the Mandarin Art Festival on Saturday. We were going to take them to Dover Bluff, but they look pretty good hanging in the kitchen. Everyone came and we ate ham and the fixings around 3 p.m. Nathan hide the eggs in the front yard for Kyla. He hide them much better than I did last year as there were quite a few she needed help with and one no one ever found until after the guests were gone and Rick went looking. Of course, he found it. I took Baxter up to Brunswick today and had lunch with Tracy and Ryan. They will keep him until Sunday when Ryan will come back down with him. Rick and Ryan are in a golf tournament on Monday. That will work out well. We leave tomorrow for Orlando for a few days. Thanks Bert for the cool video in the rain. The flowers looks so pretty and everything is greening up. Looking forward to seeing Bob and Betsy in a couple of months when they come to J-ville for Nathan's graduation. He can hardly wait to start working, and he is doing so well.

Take care, love, Marilynn

Happy Birthday, Don!!!

Anyone know how old he would have been? I think he was born in 1913. Man, that's almost 100!!
Speaking of old, Bob and I "celebrated" out 38th this year on the 14th. We both actually forgot what date is was, but I remembered just before lunch. He was working at the other house and came home around 2 p.m. as I was having my fiber. We toasted our anniversary with the fiber. We both laughed.
Nathan continues to do well in dive school - 95 on the midterms. Very proud of his success and happy for him. Laura went to visit this last weekend, but haven't talked to him since.
Work is going well. I really like it. sometimes it can be tiring on your feet all day, but the customers, generally, are fun and interesting.
O.k., my day off. Lots of laundry, etc. Pump still not working at the other house, after $800 in pump and labor, so Bob is over there to see what he can do.
luv,
b

Spring Break in St. John

Nathan came with his buddy, Eddie on Sunday. His other buddy, Mark and Mark's Dad, Lorne arrived on Tues. We cooked almost all dinners here at the house. They helped set up and cleaned up. Lots of drinking and laughing. these guys have been friends since 6th grade. The four of them stayed just down the hill from us at a friend's house. she rents it out short term and gave the guys a great deal. They went to the beach several times and went diving on the Friday before they left.
Nathan will soon be looking for a job as a tender on some 900 ft. boat that goes "who knows where". The tenders work on deck and help the divers. He will probably will do this for about a year before they will hire him as a diver. He is looking in the gulf. his girlfriend, Laura, will be coming for graduation, as we will, in JAX the end of June. i'm really excited for Nathan as this is the first success he has had in his life in any kind of school setting.
Work is going well. Just saw the boss today and he wants me to help keep inventory and do the calendar for everyone's work schedule. He doesn't have time and the manager is hand writing it and has no computer on board her 54' vessel. The manager, patty, sweet, is 62 and looking to retire and get off the boat and onto their house in ST. Croix this year. May need help out here with my "techie" skills.
We are going to DTW on June 26 and coming back her on July 5. Herb and Kathy, what are you doing during that period?
Dinner dishes call.
luv,
b

It's Spring

Okay, I can see these photos are all over the place, but let me explain. I have sent 2 more of the quilt I made Rick because I was hoping that with the sun shining, it would be a better picture, plus I am sending a close up. To answer Betsy's question, no this is not an original pattern. I paid $50 for the software to run on my machine and then chose my own batiks. If I were to do it again, I would choose blues. The other is the quilt I made for Caitlin Scott's wedding on April 9th. We have known her since she was 18 months old as they used to live next door to us on Watson. She and her finance are really outdoor people and this fabric looks just like her. I know she will love it and I hope Bob does too. If you click on these you can get a better view, I think.

Kyla is on Spring Break next week, but will be going to day care. She loves to go there because there are other children to play with. Rick is going to Dentist Day on the Hill at our state capitol on Wednesday. I went to yoga on the river this morning. It was really nice to be outside looking at the river and when we were on our backs, a canopy of trees. Quite relaxing. I am starting a new class tomorrow morning. I really liked my evening teacher but she doesn't teach in the day and it wasn't a good time for me, 6-7:30 p.m. just when I should have been home making dinner and eating with Rick.

Rick's brother Mike was here for a few days after he had spent a week or so with Bob. He isn't doing real good (liver) so he went back to the snow in Michigan and to see his doctor on Monday.

Betsy, your boys should be there by now. Enjoy, I know you guys will have a good time. Nathan sure was looking forward to it. love, Marilynn

Tressel Event a Huge Success In Morrow County!

What a great event! Coach Jim arrived at about 4:30 and met in the Cardington High School Library with about 50 contributors during a "meet and greet" and photo opportunity.

Afterward, Coach Jim and Mindy Drayer enjoyed a catered dinner with about 350-400 of their closest fans!

Then on into the gymnasium for the big event of the night, to hear Coach Jim Tressel speak about Faith, Family, Fitness, and Country. The coach's talk was enlightening and inspirational for all and the enthusiasm was contagious.

Click on the post title above to be taken to a Mount Vernon News article about the evening.

Watch for the YouTube video of the evening called "Jim Tressel Visits Morrow County"