Another heat wave

 It's been in the 90's again. And the days are starting to shorten already.

We had a lovely visit with Manda and the kids. They got here on Friday night, and I made chicken nuggets and fries in the air fryer. Always a popular meal with the tween set. After dinner they went to Rita's Water Ice, of course. Then we gave them their birthday gifts, which they were happy with.

Saturday we went to Heather's for a family gathering/birthday party for both kids. Frank and Charlotte, Mike and Donna, Mike and Sam, and of course Boone. The kids had fun in the pool and hot tub. Boone is a water baby!

I made turkey sausage and peppers, and turkey kielbasi and sauerkraut. I was surprised, the turkey kielbasi tasted just like regular. So good! We also had mac and cheese and cupcakes. A smaller group than usual, so we were able to have conversations. A wonderful day. 

Sunday morning we went to First Watch for brunch, then they packed up and were picked up at 2:30 for their long flight home. After seeing them for 3 weekends in a row, it will probably be a year til we see them again.

 Yesterday Ralph got his hair cut to donate, for the third time. He says this is it for him.

 And back to Christmas Shoppes! I finally hit 11%! Not working on it for weeks slowed things down a lot.

And of course, FDT! 

Visitors coming!

 Coming back, actually. Manda, Amary and Garrett arrived last Saturday, spent the night, and headed to Delaware. The kids are in Italian day camp (John said that sounds like a spy novel) and Manda is working from the hotel room. 

They will head back here tomorrow when camp is over. Saturday we're having a birthday pool party for Amary and Garrett.

 I have turkey sausage, kielbasi and hot dogs arriving this morning for the party. 

Yesterday Ralph and I went to IHOP and I got the pancake flight breakfast. I ate one set of pancakes and a slice of bacon there and brought the rest home. 

 

Christmas shoppes yesterday. 10.6 % done. I haven't gotten a lot done this month with the funeral and company, but that's okay. 

July is a big birthday month for us. Dan, John, Steph, Connor, Kenzie, Amary and her other grandmother Polly. And Steph and Dan's anniversary. 

And as always, FDT and his band of grifters. 

Florida part two

 We all stayed at Star Island, a resort in Kissimmee that we've been to before. Heather rented a 3 bedroom unit that sleeps 8, and Mike and Michael rented the smaller units. 

 Being in the same place was great! They have a pool with a bar, which those who drink took advantage of. 

Amary brought this card game with her, and we loved it so much that I ordered Jules one. We ranged in age from 10 to 78, and the game is hilarious.

Then, the long rides and flights back home. I'd forgotten how busy and long 95 is.

 

I'm back to working on Christmas Shoppes. I'm a little over 10% done.

 This was hanging in the Hampton House we stayed in. It was behind acrylic, and I couldn't tell if it was fabric or paper. I'm picturing fabric, of course!

And, as always, FDT! And his minions. 

Sad trip

 I rode to Florida with Heather and Ed. I'd forgotten how long the ride is. He drove 12 hours Thursday, and 5 on Friday. Ralph rode with Michael and Jake, and Mike, Donna and Joey went in her car. We all met up at Star Island. Steph and Manda and the kids got in by about 7 pm.

Saturday morning was the funeral.

Michael and Jake got John there, and set him up in the Gator, which is like a souped up golf cart. 

 

It was Morgan's wish to be buried on the farm. Years ago they had Florida designate as area as a cemetery. Her sister Lisa gave an eloquent eulogy, talking about how Morgan went from being Lisa's baby sister to being her best friend and partner in crime. Nick spoke, a pastor spoke, and John sang You are my Sunshine to Morgan, and had us all sobbing. 

The funeral people released a white homing pigeon, which flew around the farm then took off for home. We adjourned to the pole barn for refreshments.

When the floor of the pole barn/workshop was set, John wrote in the cement.

 

John let Garrett drive the Gator, and Garrett had such a good time with that! John talked to everyone, then he was sore and exhausted, so he had the guys drive him back to the nursing home, and we all headed back to Star Island.

Gatherig and packing

 We leave tomorrow morning for Florida, for Morgan's funeral. I have "Do not forget" lists, and today I'll pack. Neighbor Dave came over and got a key, and will feed the cats and get the mail for us. He's the best neighbor ever! 

I did the first few rows on a ripple baby afghan so I'll have a project to take with me to work on in the truck. The cross stitch is not a travel project, as it's the project in the qsnap, five boxes of floss, and a laptop with pattern keeper on it. 

I'm taking the kindle, the iPad, my apple watch and of course my phone. And chargers for all. And meds. 

I'm 9.97 % done on the cross stitch. 

I hope to finish this today. 

I won't post while I'm away. But I will think F*ck the stinky pedophile every day.
 

Florida bound

 I was not originally planning to go to Florida for Morgan's funeral. I don't travel well with my balance issues, and Ralph won't fly. He was considering going down on the train, a 24 hour ride. 

Then Heather asked if I wanted to fly down with her and Ed. I immediately said yes. 

Then we found out Jacob and Michael already had a trip planned there to rent a new pickup, drive down, and trailer back a truck of John's. Ralph could ride down and back with them. 

Then Steph decided she was coming in from Oregon for the funeral, as she'd visited John and Morgan several times, on work trips.

Then Manda decided that if we were all going, she and the kids were also flying in from Seattle. 

Heather and Steph were exploring hotel options.

Then Heather was totally stressed about flying. No direct flights from AC to Orlando, so the plan was to fly from Philly, which stressed Ed.

 Then Heather asked if I was up for driving with them. Yes. 

Then she booked Star Island thru her time share. Hotels for Michael and Jake were booked, first in Lakeland, then near the time share. 

Big Mike positively was not going. Then he might go, but wasn't flying. But probably not. Then as of last night, he and Donna are driving. 

That's the plan, the latest version. It's exhausting. 

 Pix from last week, at Jake and Molly's housewarming. They are surrounded by fields, and the barely visible house in the distance is the farmer. That's Michael, Samantha and Boone in the shade. And of course, Boone in shades! 

And the F*cker's reflecting pool is full of algae, just like his soul. 

A new week

 Morgan's long battle ended yesterday.

 Rest in Peace, Morgan. She fought the good fight with grace and dignity. We are heartbroken for John.