This weekend my cousin JoAnn and I took a 3 day bus trip to Ocean City, Md.

My day Friday started out HORRIBLE!!!!  First of all I over slept - not hearing my alarm.  Was awakened by JoAnn ringing my door bell non-stop and then pounding on another door.  (Never take a sleeping pill the night before a early morning trip) Didn't hear my alarm.....  She was practically panicing - said her heart was beating furiously......It was 4:30 and we were to meet the bus at 5:30 about 20 minutes from here.  I soothed her and said - don't worry we have plenty time - I will skip my shower and hair, suitcase was already packed so I threw on my clothes and a bit of makeup (can't go out of the house without a little makeup).  She put my suitcase in her car and I only missed a couple of things I was going to add.  We made it in plenty time - actually the first one there.  Only 5 going out of Parkersburg and we picked up more at a couple of other stops - on our way.  

We had a little time to freshen up before going out to a seafood place for dinner.  Our rooms were very nice, ocean front on the boardwalk and have a full kitchen and sitting area - which we didnt use.  Dinner was unreal.  Everyone had the same.  Chicken, fish, shrimp and scallops scampi, buttered new potatos, salad, veggies and fruity cheesecake.  Such a waste.  There was enough food for 3 people - served to each of us.  JoAnn didn't like shrimp so I ate her shrimp along with mine.  Some didn't want their chicken so we swapped.  Saturday was a free day so several of us opted to go to a neighboring town for some browsing.  That was where we were in the picture I sent of us sitting on the resturant porch with tea and lemonade.  We had the bus driver drop us at "Spring Fest" at the other end of the Boardwalk and we browsed the Arts and Crafts set up in hugh tents, before taking the trolly back to our hotel.  We were about froze.  Had it not been so cold, we would have stayed for a couple more hours. 

  We thought it was going to be warm all weekend and did not count on 60 degree and high winds.   JoAnn said we will probably get sick from it.  After warming up we had hamburgers in the hotel resturant and took strawberry dakari's to our room.  This morning we had free until 11 and then drove to the island with the horses.  Even with the cold, we had a great time.  Met new friends on the bus and laughed a lot.

Another beautiful day here today with the sun shinning and the temperature in the mid 60's. We have had a very mild winter but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't have some snow before April.

My daffidol's are blooming and I brought 3 blooms in the house to enjoy.

Today was errand day for me and I should have just stayed home. I think we all have days like this but it is so frustrating. Forgot my phone, Sam's card, Craft 2000 card for starters. I now have everything ready to try again tomorrow.

Wednesday I am having surgery on my eye for scar tissue from a 2 year ago Cataract surgery. Should be a simple procedure and painless. I have lost most of my vision in that eye - thinking I just needed my glasses changed. Hard to adjust to using 1 good eye and 1 you can barely see out of but much better than losing sight in both eyes.

This is an attempt to get started back to blogging when a friend recently started a blog of her own.

Branson Bus Trip - Nov. 2010

Branson Bus Trip – November 2010

Headed out early (in the dark) for the Branson Trip via Park Tours Bus. Nancy was the Tour Director and Terry our driver. 29 on the bus so we were not full by any means so we had plenty room to spread out if we wanted. While boarding I noticed a familiar face from Mineral Wells, Bill Taylor and his wife Chris. Have known Bill for over 40 years. Later in the trip I discovered another couple I have known for many years but not kept in touch. Joan and Roger Kaufman. It was great talking with them and reminiscing about old times. Joan's father owned the property where the local Dupont Plant is located. Also, traveling with us was Baker and Betty Neal from Parkersburg. I have known of Baker and Betty for many years through our mutual friends, Darrell and Helen. When on a Tour Bus you meet new people and are soon friends and so it was with this trip.

We traveled all day and our first night was at a Best Western in St Louis. Jo and I ate dinner with Baker and Betty at Chilli's, which was attached to the Hotel and very convenient. During the day we stopped ever 2 hours or so for rest room break and to stretch our legs. Ate at Piccadilly's buffet for lunch.

Wednesday morning, following our hot breakfast buffet at the hotel, we headed south for Branson. I noticed in Branson, all the restaurants we visited had a roll of paper towels on the tables instead of napkins, except for the Showboat. Pretty neat idea when you think of it.

Stopped for lunch at Lambert’s Café in Springfield. Lambert’s are known for their ‘throwing hot rolls”. The waiter “throws hot rolls to you”. Hugh ones 5” in diameter. Another waiter caries around molasses and offer’s it to you. I tasted the molasses and they were milder than the ones we buy locally. More like flavorful honey. Another waiter came by with fried potatoes in a skillet. You would call dinning at Lambert’s an “experience”. I ordered fried catfish and there were 6 filets on my plate. One of the men ordered ham and it covered his plate. When you first were seated we were instructed to put a paper towel out and a waiter came by with a spoonful of fried okra for you free. Another freeby offered was black-eyed peas which I tasted and enjoyed. Friendly, happy atmosphere and a fun place to go.

Arrived at Branson early in the afternoon and checked in at the Hampton Inn for the next 2 nights. In the evening we were driven to board the Showboat, the Queen of the Ozarks, Showboat Branson Belle. We were whisked away on the authentic 1880-style paddle-wheeler to the days when showboats reigned over the water with style and grace. We enjoyed a savory meal followed by country and holiday music spiked with good ole “down-home fun. The headliner entertainer was ventriloquist Todd Oliver and his dogs. Very funny, I laughed so much my face hurt.

Thursday morning, following a hearty hot breakfast at our Hotel we were delayed by our bus being broke down and in the shop. A loaner bus arrived to deliver us to “Ride the Ducks”. The Ducks are WWII DUKW, refitted for tourism and traveled both by land and into a lake for some local fun. Lunch was a Peppercorn’s Ranch House for a buffet lunch followed by the Highlight of the Trip for me – the afternoon show at the Shaji Tabauchi Theatre. His show was a favorite for me from several years ago and still a favorite for me. If you go to Branson, be sure to stop for his show. The bathrooms are “to die for”, with real flower boquets and a live orchid by every lavatory and according to Paul when we were there, several years ago, crushed ice in the urinals. On that visit we went back a second time just to visit the bathrooms (grin). They still have the ice, according to one of the men on the trip and in the ladies room a uniformed lady passing out towels and hand lotion and another lady directing “traffic” in the toilet area. They have – no doubt about it – the nicest and most beautiful bathrooms you will ever see. Our director said the men’s room even had a pool table in it. Dinner was another buffet at The Plantation Resturant followed by a live show by The Oak Ridge Boys at their theatre.

Friday morning we traveled to the Branson Scenic Railway for a train ride through the Ozark foothills and lunch on the train. After that we headed north to our Hotel again in St Louis. On the way we stopped at a interesting Outlet for some shopping.

Leaving St Louis Saturday, we headed for home and arrived back in Parkersburg WV at 8:30. Very nice and enjoyable trip with friendly travelers.

JoAnn and I are leaving early in the morning for a Tour Bus trip to Branson. 14 hour drive so we will stop for the night in St Louis.

I have been there several years ago and I am sure it will be quite different this time. Full schedule pre-planned so I will keep a log as we go.

Weather here and there is cool and brisk. Should be a fun trip.

Busy Saturday

My son, Greg and his daughter Noelle came down yesterday evening for a visit.  Greg told me to line up some chores I would like for him to do, so I am good at doing a chore list.  

Had strawberries and biscuits for a late evening supper.  Noelle went on to visit a friend for the night.  

Today I put Greg to work.  He did several things for us and visited all day.  This afternoon we went to a few garage sales in Mineral Wells.  We each bought a few nic-nacs.  I did find a new

ice bucket so I can retire my old lime green one from about 40 years ago.  Paul got a rain gauge and now has two.  One for the front yard and one for the back yard.  It was only .5 so we splurged.

Yesterday I purchased my 4th Danielle Steele Book "The Promise" which is my favorite story.  I also have a DVD and a Video.  They are rather rare to find and I didn't need more but for new condition at .50 I couldn't resist.

Adrienne somehow found my blog yesterday.  I hadn't told anyone about it.  Noelle said I had

a counter on it and 13 viewers.  Must be accidental.  She put a background on for me so it looks

better now.

Noelle fixed a garden fresh salad for supper this evening and we had corn on the cob from one of the road-side markets.  (sorry, Adrienne).  Every time I eat corn I am reminded of Adrienne's corn allergies.  She has to be really vigilant and dedicated.  I don't have her will-power.

We had lots of rain and wind today and it blew over some of our corn.  Also noticed it split

our last big old rotten tree down in the field. 

This is something new for me.  I have never blogged before.  My granddaughter, Adrienne, has been wanting me to it.

My husband Paul have lived in WV all our life, presently in the country on 18 acres.  He is 72, has Parkenism with dementia and I don't know what stage, but would estimate middle.  He still

walks, but with difficulty and is grossly bent from the shoulders.  Speech is getting softer and more detached with difficulty finding the right words and sequence.

Currently we are doing PT and it seems to be helping with his movements.  He is unable to walk more than 100' without sitting, or stand more than a couple minutes before sitting.