August 7-14

I'm writing about Jim's birthday a week or two late...but I have had to much on my mind to sit and write. Sometimes writing the blog just makes me cry and cry, and that it is not conducive to an end product so I just find other things to do. I bake, I sew, I knit or if really desperate...I clean.  Yikes!

Vivian and Emma made biscuits and gravy for breakfast on Jim's birthday. To be fair, I believe Jim helped make the gravy. He enjoyed being with his favorite girls.

After breakfast we all got in the car to head for the Dulles airport to send the girls off to the Philipines for  a 3 week grant project. They are both excited that they both got the scholarship to go and could do one more trip together.

Up the escalator behind Jim with the finger pointed in the direction we need to go.

These two girls are expert travelers. They dread 19 hours of flight, and I dread the goodbyes.

But off they go!

Have a fun time! Bye! Next, we hurry back to the car and drive another hour or so to Harpers Ferry.

It is a gorgeous day, but we are bloated from the feasting we did the previous day. We turn around and stop at the AT Conservancy to check it out. The staff noticed my casino patch and we had a great conservation and picked up information about how and where and so forth, to walk the AT. We walked it in 3 states today...Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.

It was a great place to check it out.

We weren't really hungry, we just wanted a drink, but when we saw baked Brie with honey and almonds...how do you resist that? Right, so that was our lunch.

Sat by my flag...and after the Sangria and beer ventured back onto the trail.

John Brown's  Fort (original site)

This building is the original John Brown's Fort relocated

We walked up the point to see where the Shenandoah and Potomac merge.

Potomac

You could go a long ways...luckily we are just checking it out. 3 states is enough for today.

Shenandoah

We walked the bridge from West Virginia to Maryland.

So many trails...

Which way should we go?

How about to the bathroom? Easy choice, it is right by the bookstore!

At the bookstore we purchased the deluxe National Parks Book. I have been wanting it for so long, it seemed the perfect gift for Jim on his birthday. 

It is so cool...and now I have room for more stamps.

Great day! On Saturday the 8th of August we went to Nicky and Aaron's pool party. Nicky works with Jim and is from Wisconsin, and just had a baby boy named Henry.

Here is Chris holding Elizabeth and Mom Julie nearby, and Nicky with Henry. It was a great party...drinks, pulled pork sandwiches and lots of little ones. Jim and I were the Old Folks. Great babysitting potential. I think we may get to watch Henry soon. We were sad to hear the news that my brother Kurt's mother in law passed away. We have great memories of Grandma Helen. She was a great lady! She came to CC with Minda and Erin one summer and we froze corn. What a day!

On Sunday, Jim and I got serious in our search for Sticky rice...and Asian peppers. We finally found it! The gentleman at the store was very gracious and kind and helpful. I was so happy to have finally found it. We were going to make this for nephew John, when he comes Monday. Now we would have enough rice!

I was nervous about making it without Vivian here to help, but it was okay.

You make a little nest with the sticky rice, put some meat mix on the nest and top with cucumber stuff and stuff your mouth. Total comfort food!

It was really good with the kick of peppers. I had to go to church council when John came and the boys, Jim, Alex and John went to DC to see it at night. John had never seen them before.

John's shadow is right below Lincoln.

These two have Alex and John looking at the memorial.

It was great to have John here if only for one night. The next day, Tuesday is when my week was not busy but I needed to be.

My mom had hip surgery in July and then fell and broke her femur and had a different surgery done to the same hip. Now she has an infection, so they went in again. That one turned out ok, but the anesthesia really leaves her confused. I get so restless worrying about her and not being able to do anything. Finally decided I wasn't going to get a call for a job and we bought a ticket to fly back to Iowa on Wednesday the 19th. The next day I get called for an interview on the 17th. OMG! Meanwhile my oldest brother Kurt and wife Mary have visitation and funeral arrangements for mother in law going on.

Here is Helen, Mary(from Prairie), Kurt, Mom and Dad. Photo found getting ready for funeral and was shared on FB, so I swiped it. My mom made her dress! We will all miss Helen.

Well, mom ended up having her fourth surgery in a month. They thought she might have a perforated ulcer but, it was a ruptured diverticulum and she had to have a section of her bowel removed. I am amazed at how much she has gone through. I'm thankful for all of the prayers and I am anxious to see her and Dad. Please keep praying for the healing to begin and for nasty infections to stay away!

So when I found out she was having this fourth surgery...I baked...kneading the rye bread, my mom's mom's recipe was especially therapeutic. Most of it fit into the freezer, but it is yummy today.

Tired from all the baking, Jim took me out for pizza Friday nightto a place we had never been to before.

It was edible, but we won't need to go back...still in search of the Brown Bottle Pizza.

These people are in my thoughts more than others. Dad, Lucas, Ellie, Mary, Mom and Evie.

The photo from Johannsen reunion, now that was a good weekend! This morning(Aug.15) Jim and I went to the dr. Appt at 9:15 on the metro. Jim needed appt in order to get prescriptions refilled. I needed to figure out when to do next MRI and Mammogram. You know, fun stuff.

GW Masonic Tower looking good from the station.

So, that's my week. Tomorrow we do church and take Alex to Mount Vernon. On Monday I have an interview for a TAG position. Yes, I am nervous! This could mess up my travel plans...everything gets so complicated. But, I will go, I will smile and attempt to kick some butt in the interview? Jim's words, not mine. The following pic was a poster on the metro today...a great way to end. Be a PAL.

Peace!