After a ride through Springboro and Miamisburg on Saturday morning, Mom and I headed to the Centerville Panera's to knit with the girls. Lynn and her mother, Dot, regularly knit with the group on Saturday
mornings. This morning, they were joined by Lynn's daughter and grand-daughter making it four generations. Mary Anne was starting on a new child's sweater. Dee was working on a child's cardigan out of sock yarn. Pat, Gail, and Debbie also joined us. On the way back home, Mom and I stopped and got groceries at Kroger. She loved the store! It is very nice - much nicer than anything in the area of Virginia where we lived.
That afternoon, we just took it easy - relaxing at home. I think we walked miles in Waynesville on Friday - wore Momma smack out! It seems like we did a lot of eating and washing dishes during the visit. That's OK because the eating made the washing
worth it.
Sunday, we headed to the Beavercreek area of Dayton to visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (Other links - here and here.) WOW! It was HUGE! We saw about half of the museum plus rode the shuttle over and toured the Air Force One planes on display on the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Next time we go, we'll see the rest of the museum. There were so many displays. One of the volunteers said they have enough planes that have been donated to fill another hangar so are planning an addition. The Korean War area was under construction preparing for the anniversary celebration.
Flight still amazes me. Some of the planes we saw were just gigantic! It's so hard for me to imagine them getting off the ground. Then, some of them were capable of traveling 3-5 times the speed of sound. Just amazing!
(Photos include: the entrance to the museum taken on an angle, a beautiful statue of Icarus in the lobby, planes on exhibit, gorgeous quilt made up of 16-inch squares made and donated by each air force base around the world. It was really something to see.)
Monday, Andy had to work so Mom, Daddy, and I rode into Waynesville but most all the shops were closed. We enjoyed bowls of soup and chili at Der Dutchman and then headed to Centerville to Radio Shack and Hallmark. Last night, we went back to Der Dutchman and enjoyed their buffet for Andy's (on the 29th) and my birthday (coming up on the 6th) dinner. Daddy was able to get a piece of butterscotch pie - his favorite.
Yesterday was made complete when I discovered the furnace wasn't working. The repairman is coming today at 11:00 AM. Please cross your fingers that it won't cost an arm and a leg. I'm hoping for a minor tweek to get it going again.
We all got up early this morning. The temp outside was 26 degrees this morning. Inside, was kept a toasty 61 by the gas logs in the fireplace. Andy left for work and Mom, Daddy, and I ate breakfast and loaded the last items into their van. Timing was right - as was able to capture the sunrise through the library window.
Mom, Daddy, and Lily drove down our driveway and headed for Virginia just before 7:00 AM. I'm sure they cranked their heat WAY up in the car. I took this picture of them before they left. The red dot you see behind them is the moon.
I so enjoyed Mom and Daddy's visit. It was fun showing them around the area and just spending time with them in one place. In Virginia, we'd visit one another but then always have to go home. It was nice to go to bed at night and then wake up in the morning and still have them here. I hope they come back again VERY soon!
I'm on vacation today and tomorrow. I think I'll drive into town to Michael's. Lois, a friend back in Virginia, sent a bag full of boxwood to me so I can use it to decorate for the holidays. MAN! I really miss my trees and boxwoods. I've always had plenty of fresh greens at my fingertips in the yard to use for decorating - magnolias, cedars, boxwoods, pines, etc. I bet Michael's will have a wreath form and florist pins so I can make a wreath for the front door.
I also plan to finish the baby blanket I've been knitting. I'm going to look for pretty ribbon at Michael's - want to roll it up or fold it and then tie it with a ribbon to gift it. Then, I'm going to start on a shawl - hopefully, I'll be able to finish it by Christmas. Hopefully.
And, there are all those boxes still waiting for me in the basement.......................

