Late Monday afternoon (July 30)--two days late--Peter and I finally made it to New Cumberland. We had missed being with Katya on Monday morning when she had her four wisdom teeth pulled by her Uncle Rick in New Philadelphia, but her cousin Livvie took good care of her. Peter and I spent the next few days spending time with Mom and Dad at Fox's, where they are well taken care of. I stayed late every evening, watching the NBC Olympic coverage with Dad.
On Thursday afternoon, we rendezvoused with Beth, Livvie, Matthew and Katya in at Walmart in Weirton. Having to get the car repaired in Hagerstown worked out well for Matthew and Katya, who got to spend extra time with their cousins in Ohio.
It was really nice to have a few quiet days with Mom and Dad. Dad is looking and moving around much better than he was in February. Mom is about the same. She has a small cancerous lesion on her face which must be removed, and she has had some dental problems, but she continues to get by day by day and is always delighted with visitors. She talked just a bit and one day participated in a sing-a-long. It is sad that Mom has to be in a skilled nursing facility, but we could not wish for a better place for her, or for Dad, who is in the building next door in assisted living. The staff, the facilities, and the activities are excellent. Everyone there is so caring and helpful--the owners, the nurses, the aides, the administrative staff, the maintenance men, the activities directors, the cooks, the social workers and everyone else.
Beth Ann picked us up on Saturday morning, Aug. 4, and drove us to the airport in Pittsburgh. Our travel home was, fortunately, uneventful, although the flight into Sacramento was a bit bumpy as thunderstorms in August (What is that about???) were approaching the area. Teddy Burchett, who kept an eye on our house while we were gone, picked us up. I was exhausted for some reason by the time we reached our house, so I was in bed quickly.
So that was it. The around-the-world trip was over. Everything at home was fine, and we have spent the last week catching up, cleaning up and getting organized as well as playing a bit of tennis and badminton. It has been really hot, in the high 90s or low 100s every day this past week. The pool in our resort-like back yard has been wonderful!
Matthew was at Boy Scout Leadership Training Camp all week at Camp Lassen and Katya has started tennis practice for the high school team. Matthew's first day of school is this coming Monday, and Katya starts on Thursday. It's her senior year, so it's time to start college applications! It will be a busy year, I think.
THE END!
On Thursday afternoon, we rendezvoused with Beth, Livvie, Matthew and Katya in at Walmart in Weirton. Having to get the car repaired in Hagerstown worked out well for Matthew and Katya, who got to spend extra time with their cousins in Ohio.
It was really nice to have a few quiet days with Mom and Dad. Dad is looking and moving around much better than he was in February. Mom is about the same. She has a small cancerous lesion on her face which must be removed, and she has had some dental problems, but she continues to get by day by day and is always delighted with visitors. She talked just a bit and one day participated in a sing-a-long. It is sad that Mom has to be in a skilled nursing facility, but we could not wish for a better place for her, or for Dad, who is in the building next door in assisted living. The staff, the facilities, and the activities are excellent. Everyone there is so caring and helpful--the owners, the nurses, the aides, the administrative staff, the maintenance men, the activities directors, the cooks, the social workers and everyone else.
Beth Ann picked us up on Saturday morning, Aug. 4, and drove us to the airport in Pittsburgh. Our travel home was, fortunately, uneventful, although the flight into Sacramento was a bit bumpy as thunderstorms in August (What is that about???) were approaching the area. Teddy Burchett, who kept an eye on our house while we were gone, picked us up. I was exhausted for some reason by the time we reached our house, so I was in bed quickly.
So that was it. The around-the-world trip was over. Everything at home was fine, and we have spent the last week catching up, cleaning up and getting organized as well as playing a bit of tennis and badminton. It has been really hot, in the high 90s or low 100s every day this past week. The pool in our resort-like back yard has been wonderful!
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| pool area in our back yard in Gold River |
THE END!
