DOGWOOD ACRES, 08/03/09

Rick & Neal got our bags packed in the rental van for trip from Grandma's to Portland Airport.

The Twins, Roger Dee & Ricky Lee


DOGWOOD ACRES, 08/03/09, ELANE CRUM

Hello friends. Vacations are wonderful but home is also a good place to be. We could not have asked for a better trip, thankful to have traveled safely and for precious days with Rick’s mom, his three brothers and their families. Those days spent with our son and his family were also special, as the time we spend with them at home has to be squeezed in between the activity of our busy lives.

I had rented two motel rooms and when we got there, Rick decided to stay with his mom where he slept on the couch. My nights were not lonely though as the granddaughters shared a room with me. We had lots of fun, juggling for space in front of the bathroom mirror and sharing the computer late at night. During the daytime, we were always out and about, over at Grandma Betty’s apartment, or sightseeing with the cousins.

Early in the mornings, I enjoyed coffee at the poolside table just outside our door. Later in the day, we were all seeking air-conditioning as temperatures soared to record highs of 106 and 107! The cool damp air in Taney County was very refreshing when we got home early Thursday morning.

When we arrived at the airport, Sean and Makaylee were there to pick us up and LeaAnn’s folks were there to get Neal, LeaAnn and the girls. We told each other goodbye and it was Saturday afternoon before I called Neal and asked him if they got home all right, he asked if we got home all right and then we laughed about it.

Our lives quickly jumped into high gear the first day home as Neal and LeaAnn had a set of cabinets to get out, Rick took a friend to the VA hospital in Fayetteville, and I had houses under contract that needed attention.

Sunday was a good day, life was almost normal again with church services at Sandy and a big country Sunday dinner with Bill and Mary Lou. We were in Douglas County all day, staying until after evening church service was over. I have a home listed out Bradleyville way that needed a supply of flyers on the sign, so we did that, and then stopped to get a cold soda pop at the machine in front of Get-Away Gift Shop. I fished around in my purse for some quarters, but Rick said he had money and I watched as he pulled a couple of bills from his wallet and laid it on top of the machine while he fed the bills in. We enjoyed our cold pop and took the scenic route home via Essary Road.

Monday morning Rick called me at the office to tell me he could not find his wallet! My mind began processing that memory of watching him put it on top of the pop machine. At the time, I thought I surely would remind him not to leave it there, but I forgot. So, with two forgetful minds, we had driven off on our merry way, leaving the wallet behind.

Before calling the bank to cancel our cards, I called The Fillin’ Station and Steve was kind enough to walk out to the pop machine. What a relief when he picked it up and told me it contained cash and credit cards! Rick was sure a happy man and so thankful to get everything back intact. Thank you Steve!

I visited at the Biggs house Saturday evening and caught up on the activities of their week. Sean had been picking blackberries and going to Farmer’s Market in Forsyth. He had also taken Makaylee, Dakota and Andrew fishing a few times. Dakota wanted to night fish, so they had gotten up at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday to take the boat out. Dakota caught some nice big fish and was happy with the night fishing experience.

Sean and Christie informed me they are planning a yard sale this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7 & 8, 8:00 a.m. Rick has complained about all the “stuff” I have stored in the garage so I guess we will have a yard sale at our house too. It will be good to see all of our old “Dogwood Acres Yard Sale Buddies”, as it has been a couple of years since there was a sale here. We are up H Hwy, 7.5 miles from Hwy 160, just watch for signs.

Jim and Dawn celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary Saturday by doing a little “Creek Fishing” in the icy cold waters of Bull Creek. Dawn caught a big Goggle-eye; Jim caught a Bass and some Goggle-eye. Those two sure know how to have a good time! Bye for now.