Chance Family Reunion

Rainbow Lake from our cabin.

Janet & Nick
Elevation 9,300 ft

The first Chance Family reunion was held the last week in June at Rainbow Lake Resort in Buena Vista, CO.  We had all spent summer vacations at Rainbow Lake for years but not all of us at the same time.   Maynard ended up having to be in D.C. for a meeting and Sarah was already back in Alaska but most of us made it.  We had a great time!    Each family unit had their own cabin so we were all still speaking at the end of the week.

It's a boy?  Maybe not!

Janet and Nick did a baby "reveal" the first night we were there.  They had been told there was a 90% chance it was a boy but not to buy anything yet.  Guess what?  Next doctor visit the 10% won and it is a girl!!  We are all exited for them.

Happy Birthday, Amy!!!

We also celebrated Amy's birthday.  She is the youngest of that generation but she is getting quite a few candles on her cake.

Lily, Holly, and Caden (the next generation) had a great time playing with each other.  Nana (Ardell) and I (GaGa) did some babysitting so the cousins could all go out four-wheeling, fishing, shopping, etc.  It was a tough job but we loved it.  One day we were talking about what Lily and Holly were going to call me.  Since Caden calls me GaGa and the girls are into princesses, I am officially "Lady Gaga" or "Lady G".  So cute coming from those little girls!

Holly, Christie, Lily and Ardell (Nana)

Ben, my brother-in-law, decided to go home in the middle of the week as the altitude (9000 ft) was really bothering him.  Ardell stayed and drove home with me.  I had driven up with all my family's stuff.  On the way back to Houston, we detoured to Pagosa Springs, CO to have lunch with a former neighbor and his wife, Larry and Terrie Kolvoord.  Larry, Terrie and I had all gone to high school together and hadn't seen each other in years.  Larry's mom was instrumental in teaching me how to swim.   It was nice seeing them and their retirement home.

Doug and Caden

Leigh Anne and Caden feeding
chipmunks

Doug and Caden trying to convince Leigh Anne that
they need a 4-wheeler

Our cousin, Terri Lamond, came to visit

Another shot from the "reveal party".

We all decided we should have another family reunion - next time we are headed to the beach!!!

Sarah's Visit-June in Houston!

Sarah, Janet and Doug 

In June, Alaskan Brewing Company, sent Sarah to Houston to work the Houston Beer Fest and a couple other events.  I picked her up Thursday, hugged her neck, and then dropped her at her hotel in the Woodlands.  She had a beer event that evening.  Friday night, friends joined me and we went to see her at the "Suds and Sliders" event.  Great fun.  After Doug picked up Janet at the airport they came out, too.  Love it when all my kids are together!! As Amy said, I was in full mother mode.

Bill, Amy, Terry, Sarah, Me at
"Suds and Sliders"

Back row:  Caden, Doug, Sarah
Front row:  Janet, Me, Leigh Anne

Janet and Sarah

Sunday we had a family event at Doug and Leigh Anne's.  The family all gathered for fajitas (from Lupe Tortillas)  and we had a great time.  Of course, I forgot all about taking pictures until everyone had gone home.


 The rest of her time here Sarah spent time playing with Caden, visiting her Houston friends, spending a day in Galveston, etc., etc.

We also met a group of friends at the Papacito's in Sugar Land for dinner one evening.  Great fun!

Sarah and Ted talking beer.

Caden and Auntie Sarah

Aunt Joyce/Cousin Sue

To update on my lovely Aunt Joyce and Cousin Sue's status:

After almost a month my aunt was released from UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, VA and sent to Augusta Health Center in Fishersville, VA.   Augusta Health is much closer to her home in Staunton.  After a couple of weeks of therapy,  Aunt Joyce was sent home on hospice care.  She has since bloomed!!!  Her doctor's response when he saw her - "we should have sent her home months ago!"  She still needs round the clock care but was able to attend a high school graduation party for one of her granddaughters.  Aunt Joyce also rides her stationery bicycle every day and plays the piano!!  My mother and aunt took piano lessons together when they were little girls - even played a duet in a piano recital.  The video my cousin sent brought a tear to my eye.  I remember how much my mother loved her piano.

Sue and Aunt Joyce (Sue's 60th Birthday Party at hospital.)

My cousin, Sue Lamond, was admitted to UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, VA about the time my aunt was released.  Her health has been deteriorating for years.  Sue was sent home on hospice care the week after my aunt (they lived together).  Sue died peacefully on June 6th surrounded by family members.

The two months I spent in Virginia with my Lamond family were truly a blessing.  My older cousins and I had spent time together as children so know each other.  The two youngest - Cheryl and Joyce Lee - I did not know as well.  It was great to be with them and they are truly amazing women.  I also got to spend lots of time with their children.  It was a privilege to be able to help them.

I left Virginia on May 9th.

Suzanne Lamond

To update:  My lovely aunt, Joyce Garvin Lamond, passed away in July.   A very special lady who was loved by all.

Winding up my time in Virginia

Signs that mark the bike way.

Before I left Virginia, there were a couple more places I had read about and wanted to visit.  Bike riding and hiking are two of my hobbies.   Crazy Guy On a Bike is a site that hosts journals of people making extended bike trips.  The Trans-Atlantic route goes through Afton, Virginia and was the home of the famous "Cookie Lady",  June Curry.  This route started in 1976 during the Bicentennial and goes across the U.S.  June Curry made cookies and provided a place for the cyclists to rest and shower along the way.  Lots of wonderful stories on Crazy Guy about June Curry.  She died several years ago at the age of 91 but I drove over to see the area where she had lived and the trail markings.

View from the Blue Ridge Parkway

Next, I drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway to one of the places it intersects the Appalachian Trail  The trail is 2181 miles long and goes from Georgia to Maine.  It has fascinated me for years and I have read many journals and books about adventures along the trail.   I hiked on it for a couple of miles.   Great fun!!!  Backpacking used to be on my "bucket list" but reality has struck.  After injuring my lower back a few years ago, it is off the list.  Somehow, when I thought of backpacking the weather was always nice and my pack was light!!

The white marking on the tree marks the trail.

This makes me want to hike!!!

Weekend Adventure - Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown

Another historic site in Virginia that I've always wanted to visit is Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown so I made that happen on weekend in April.   It's just a couple of hours drive from Staunton so I packed up and drove over.   Saturday I spent all day touring Colonial Williamsburg.  It was much larger than I expected but I went on a perfect weekend.  The tourist season was not in full force and it was a little late in the year for school field trips.  Apparently all school children on the East Coast take a field trip to  Colonial Williamsburg.

Iron Works

My favorite shop was the Millinery -
clothing was a major expense back in
this era.  Dressmakers/Tailors were
in high demand.

Some of the exhibits weren't open but I had plenty to see.  I enjoyed the various buildings, videos, and exhibits and even tried some of the apple cider.

  

Beasts of Burden

Sunday I spent the day touring Jamestown and enjoying all the United States history in the area.  Its amazing - that's where it all started!  Two days is not nearly enough time to visit but it was fun to see the highlights.    

Inside Indian dwelling.

Original Dig

Along the James River

Life in La Casita - Update

An update on life in la Casita:

Hooked up and ready to leave Tennessee -this is
in Cathy and Ted's backyard.

The pros:  I love my little Casita!!!  Hooking up, dumping tanks, and that sort of stuff has become second nature.  It seems sometimes I can back my car up (I have a rear-view camera) to hook up the first time - and sometimes it takes me ten (or more).  But, I take a break and get hooked up.  Towing the Casita doesn't make me nervous anymore but when I need gas (way too often) I make sure I can get in and out with no problems before I pull over.  Backing up is still not my favorite thing but I am learning.  I've gotten great tips from so many people - everyone seems to think I need extended mirrors so I'll start looking for some of those.

The cons:  The Casita is approximately 100 sq. ft.  I have had bathrooms bigger than this so it does take a lot of organization.  I am still learning what I need and what I can do without so there's been a lot of stuff coming and going.  As far as traveling, I much prefer to know where I'll be stopping for the night. Since I'm used to driving until I get tired and then finding a hotel, this takes a little more advance planning.   Trying to find a place after dark, etc. is not anything I want to do.   However, a hotel is still my "emergency plan".  No staying at Walmart's or Flying Js for me.   There are a couple apps on my iPad that I use to find places.  So far, state parks are my first choice.  Also, I like meeting up with a buddy along the way rather than wandering around alone.  So - if anyone wants to meet up with me anywhere for a few days  I would love it!!!

I really am that tiny!!!  Those Blue Bell trucks followed
me in.  Back in Texas!!!!

Parked next to Doug and
Leigh Anne's - nice and
shady.

Finances:  Several people have asked - no, living in the Casita is really not that much less than an apartment.  When you are towing, your MPG go way down so gas is a major expense.  Places I have stayed have ranged from free to $515 for two weeks at Rock Crusher Canyon in Florida.  The most expensive was a KOA in Baton Rouge,  LA on my way back to Houston - $50!!  But, it was right off the interstate and had pull through sites.  Now I know why my RV'ing friends don't usually stop there.   Most places seem to be in the $25 range.

I am back in Houston parked behind Doug and Leigh Anne's until after the Chance Family Reunion the last week in June.  Sarah is here this week working the Houston Beer Fest for Alaska Brewing Company.  Janet is flying in for the weekend.  Not too often I get all my kids in one spot!!!  I'm a happy camper:)

(I still have a couple of posts to do on my time in VA - but was reminded by a friend I needed to update.  Hope to catch up on my posts soon).

A Visit to Monticello

Monticello

Another one of the attractions I wanted to see while I was in the area was Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, which is in Charlottesville, VA.  I went on a beautiful spring day in mid-April and the trees and flowers were in bloom.  My cousins warned me to get there early or there would be a line so I followed their advice.  I went on a tour of the gardens and the house and also went to the film in the museum.  No pictures are allowed in the house.  It was interesting to see the design of the house and how innovative Thomas Jefferson was in that time period.  So many of the daily "workings" were hidden in the wings on the side.  I always love to see how people lived on a day to day basis.  They had to provide for a lot of people that lived on the property as well as many guests.   Monticello had huge gardens to feed everyone and all kinds of little workshops, etc. to take care of their needs.

I wasn't too far from the hospital so I stopped in for a quick visit with my aunt and cousins before heading back to Staunton.

When the light is right, you can see
the house reflected in the pool.

This is referred to as the "nickel" view - its the image on
the back of the U.S. nickel 

Loved the blooming trees!

Ditto for the tulips and other flowers.  Some are descendants
from when Thomas Jefferson lived here.  He kept
detailed records.

Back to Virginia

I have been back in Virginia since March 19th to help care for my sweet Aunt Joyce.  She was diagnosed with meningitis and moved to UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, VA the day after Ardell and I left.  My cousins and I have rotated shifts so one of us can be with her while she is treated for meningitis.  Charlottesville is about 40 miles over the mountain from Staunton so I have driven that route in all kinds of weather - including snow and sleet.


While I have been to Staunton many times, I had never visited Woodrow Wilson's Birthplace or Presidential Library so I spent a day visiting those sites.   Woodrow Wilson was president at the end of WWI.  It seems I have been exposed to a lot of WWI history lately via Downton Abbey and the book "Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett.  Also, my grandfather, B. Bruce Lamond, was a chaplain during that war.  The 19th Amendment was passed during Wilson's presidency.  I like that one!!!

Gypsy Hill Park is a short drive from my aunt's house so that is where I have been doing my walking.  It's a great park with a  1.3 mile loop and it is hilly!  My calves are getting pretty muscular!  Weird when your pants get too tight in the calves!!

My original walking buddy, Donna Foster, and I met for lunch one day in Lexington, VA.  She now lives in Roanoke, VA.  We used to live down the street from each other in Sugar Land and Janet, Sarah and her daughter, Amanda, were in kindergarten together.  Donna found me on FB several years ago and we met for coffee when I was in VA several years ago.  This time we had time for a much longer visit.  Great fun!

Virginia Visit

My aunt's house was built in the late 1700's.

Our cousin, Bruce, made major points
by plowing the drive and shoveling
the walks!  

Ardell and I went to Staunton, VA to visit one of our favorites - our Aunt Joyce Lamond last week.  We arrived in Staunton the day after they had a foot of snow!  We are the Texas connection - we don't normally do snow.




My aunt has been ill and we spent time visiting her at the rehab center - we even joined her in "group therapy" one day.  She had been doing great but has had a relapse of sorts and is back in the hospital with meningitis.  We are all hoping she does well in her recovery.  She is such a sweetheart and is loved by all.  I will be going back to lend a hand to my cousins.

Group Therapy!

Aunt Joyce - biking!!!

Sue and Aunt Joyce

Speaking of cousins - we don't get to see each other nearly enough and had a great time catching up.  Between my Mother's six and her brother's six - there are 12 cousins!  Ardell and I entertained them with our tales of getting lost, etc.  Suzanne celebrated her 60th birthday on March 12th.   We had a birthday party at the hospital on Sunday, March 10th for her so Aunt Joyce could be there.  We enjoyed lots of eating, talking and laughing in between visits to see Aunt Joyce.

My cousin, Brian, and his two girls
Lily and Ella with me.

Bruce, Sue, Cheryl, Joyce with Ardell & I at the piano.
Totally staged - this family is not known for their singing:)

We spent an extra day in Staunton with my aunt since she had a bad night Sunday.  Tuesday morning we went to Charlotte, NC to visit cousin Brian and his two daughters.  We arrived back in TN Wednesday night after lunching with a friend of Ardell's in Asheville, NC.