August 24-31, 2021 - We Made It Home and We've Been Busy!

Tuesday August 24 to Saturday, September 11, 2021 - We Made It Home and We've Been Busy!

We made it to Oswego around 3:30pm after what seemed like a very long driving day.  The fact that it was so hot may have contributed to that feeling.  Soon after arriving at Hillside RV Park, we immediately began setting up, so we could get the air conditioner on.  It was in the upper 90's inside, so once everything was set up we headed to the garage to get the car.  We left the truck there and took a ride just to keep cool for awhile.  After checking out everything in town - the progress of the new medical clinic in downtown Oswego, a drive through Riverside Park, and by the Golf Course, plus a few other places, Dean mentioned we still had not stopped to see my cousin Peggy and her husband Mike.  I suggested we drive by and see what they are up to, so off we went.  

When we knocked on the door they were sure surprised to see us standing there.  We sure enjoyed catching up with each other.  We haven't had the chance to visit with them much due to their life changes of moving and construction of their new home, and us with our travels.  We left with tomatoes, cucumbers and some onions from their gardens.  Along with the cucumbers Peggy gave me a recipe to make pickles.  I've never canned or anything like that in my life but this recipe was refrigerator pickles and it looked pretty easy.

It was still pretty warm in the RV when we returned around 6:30pm at 83 degrees.  We immediately noticed the refrigerator was not cooling - 52 degrees, so we took everything out and took it to the garage refrigerator.  The freezer was a little high but everything was solid, so we left them in Bentley.

When we got up the next morning the temperatures had returned to normal, and we moved the food back to the refrigerator later in the day.

Within a couple of days (I needed some containers) I made the pickles from the recipe Peggy gave me, and they were delicious!  This is the entire batch before we froze them.  We have enjoyed one container, and I still have two more containers in the freezer.  They will be great on hamburgers, or just to enjoy with our meals.

Today Dean received the part he needed to fix his chair.  He took the motor out of his chair, then took mine out and put it in his to get the feet to come up, and leave the back sitting upright.  While he almost had to climb into the chair at least he could enjoy watching TV with his feet up.  

He did it!  It works!  One very happy man!

Wednesday, I attended the funeral of a cousin (my mother's first cousin) Lorene Brannin.  After we started attending the Baptist Church in Oswego several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit with her more and build a relationship.  While we were gone Lorene became ill.  I was fortunate to be able to visit with her on the phone several days before she passed and I'm so thankful for that time.  I'm thankful we made it home in time to attend her service, and the opportunity to visit with her three girls and her husband Chester.  Daughter Debbie read a wonderful tribute to her mother. I know Lorene would have been so proud.  

Thursday I took Cindy to Parsons for an eye appointment.  While she was waiting to order some glasses I made a quick trip to Walmart to pick up an online order I made yesterday.  It was good to catch up with Cindy after being gone for over a month.  

Friday I was busy doing laundry until I left to pick up grandson Jaxson at school.  He knew I was coming and we were super excited to see each other again.  He said I really missed you Nana, and I told him I sure missed him too.  Kamron happened to be home when I dropped him off, so I was thrilled to see her too.  That evening we rode with Elmer and Cindy to Bluejacket, OK for all you can eat fried catfish.  It was very good and we had a great visit, while waiting for our food to arrive, and then enjoying the great meal we had.  I'm sure I waddled out!!

One morning I drove to Vinita to pick up some prescriptions at the Indian Clinic and enjoyed this beautiful sunrise as I passed through Chetopa, KS.

Sunday, Sept 5th was my day to host Sisterfest.  We made plans to visit our stepdad and his wife Verna.  I made a four layer butterscotch dessert.  We had a great visit with them while enjoying the dessert and cookies Verna made.  Unfortunately, at the last moment Cindy had to cancel.  Her daughter was coming over to pick up some things so she wanted to be there.

Several days have passed since I wrote the above portion.  We have been very busy.  I've had a list everyday of things we needed to take care of and they have kept me busy. Dean has been at the new lot we purchased just before we left, going through stuff inside.  I've been there some as well, boxing things up for Dean to carry them out to the 3 cubic yard dumpster(s) we rented from the city.  We hope this will be the final load - our fifth!

Friday, September 10 we went to Galena with Elmer and Cindy to eat Mexican food.  We had never been to this restaurant but we would definitely return.  It was quite good.  Dean and I ordered a double order (for two) chicken fajitas.  Big mistake....we would have had plenty with a single order, but we will enjoy the leftovers at home.  I made an Instapot cheesecake earlier in the day, so we shared it with them at their house after we returned, where we visited for awhile before heading home. 

My cheesecake.  It sure was good and so easy to make in the InstaPot.  We added cherry pie filling to each piece later in the evening.  Yum!

Yesterday we remembered September 11, a day that will always stand out in our minds.  It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since the horrible scenes in New York City, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon played out in front of us, as many of us were glued to a TV a good part of the day, and the days to come.  It still brings many emotions to mind of all that occurred on that somber day.

Dean and I worked at the lot most of the day.  We have almost everything gathered up into what we hope is the final dumpster load.  We were both worn out, as it was very hot today.  We were blessed to have shade most of the morning.  After lunch we went back and worked another hour or so, but it was just too hot with the sun right on us.  It won't take much to finish up the last portion.  We are waiting for a quote to have it torn down and hope to get that within the next few weeks.  

That's been about the sum of our time since we returned from our trip west.  We are anxious to get the buildings down and have that out of the way.  We'll need to do some landscaping to the new lot, mostly getting a good stand of grass and planting a few trees. Once the buildings are gone, the trees on the new lot will require some major trimming.  In addition, there is an area south of the garage that has a number of smaller trees with debris from fallen trees in it.  That will need to be taken out, so it will be another busy winter working on that project.  We plan to plant some trees on the original lot as well this fall.  We will be glad to have the cleanup completed.  It's been a lot of work, especially for Dean who has been working there almost every day.