Change of Pace

School is out and we are enjoying a much needed change of pace. Here's what we've been up to since I last wrote.

TIME AWAY
We got on the road for Gatlinburg immediately after Mr. Jimmie's funeral back on the 28th. Vicki had found a condo way up above Gatlinburg near the ski resort so when we got there we were climbing a lot of steep roads in the dark wondering if we were going to find the place. We did and it proved to be a wonderful place to stay. While there we enjoyed eating , hiking, and shopping. On one hiking trip a mother bear with her two cubs crossed the trail about 30 feet behind me. She looked at me, back at her cubs, and ambled on. I got a great video. It was a very restful and memorable time for all of us.

We checked out of our condo on the 31st and headed north to Staunton where we spent a few days with the Jones family. Zachary was the only one missing as he is in school at Full Sail University in Orlando and had class. As always, we enjoyed family time with the cousins.

A NEW APARTMENT
We got back home on the 3rd, and as soon as we got here we started moving Mom's things. While we were away Mom was discharged from therapy at the nursing home. Sadly, it was determined that she would not be able to return to the assisted living facility where she had been living before her fall. While we were driving to Virginia we were scrambling to find another apartment for her. Fortunately, another assisted living facility in Springfield was willing to take Mom so we spent the next few days taking care of all the details to get her furniture moved and then get her settled in on the 5th.

Mom has a bit more room in her new place, which is nice. She is also finding that she can't do as much now as she could before her fall.

ORIENTATION
Last Monday and Tuesday (the 10th and 11th) Vicki, Ben, and I went to orientation at Tennessee Tech. I must say, they are very thorough with all the information they give out. It was a full day and a half. Ben looks like a natural walking on campus and I know he is looking forward to moving in on August 22.

MORE FAMILY TIME
Last weekend we enjoyed family time with the Cotters. They drove up from Florida on Friday and left early Sunday morning. A quick turn around to be sure. We had a great time visiting with them. The kids played a lot of board games as well as video games. They also went swimming. And the weather was an extra blessing. Our highs were in the 70s the whole time and the humidity was low. And since there were no mosquitos we wound up eating outside on the picnic table for almost every meal. Sadly, the heat and humidity returned as soon as they left.

Joe