"LEAVING, ON A JET PLANE....."

     It has been a wonderful visit back home in Ohio for six whole weeks. I was able to greet Spring, the Easter bunny, and many construction and repair workers during my stay here at home.

     Orlando with my son, his wife and the three kids, was everything I'd hoped it would be. My sister who lives in Ft. Myers was able to spend the Easter holiday with us in Orlando and then brought her 7 year old granddaughter to spend a weekend with us there and go to Disney with the gang. It was one of those "Once in a Lifetime" events for all of us and we were delighted that everything went so smoothly without any problems.

     Two weeks ago, my sister flew up to Ohio from Florida and we drove to Lexington, KY to see her daughter for her 29th birthday. We had a lovely day at the races in Lexington and then shared dinner at Merrick's Inn, a restaurant that used to be on a horse farm. Again, a special visit we girls will remember. Next year are milestone birthdays for my niece and I so we are meeting my sis again in Las Vegas then. With a lot of luck, it might be a very, very special week!

     I spent a very special weekend with my 9 year old granddaughter and we went to see Wicked.  She was so excited and it was fun listening to her sing the words to the songs and hearing her reaction to the play.

    Visiting back home from Germany means taking an objective view of the homestead and determining what repairs or updates need to be done. With the help of both of my sons and four of my grandsons, we made light work of the 7 and a half square feet of mulch that had to be laid over the flower beds.The photo above is my grandson, exhausted, sleeping in his fathers' arms. 

 I spent another couple of weeks hosting window replacement companies, garage door companies, and a cement guy to lay cement in our shed built under our screened in second story back porch. Good estimates will get a return visit and the work will be supervised by my son and his wife who live here in our home. It is so nice to have them here to supervise and keep the place up while we're in Germany.

    Having a home to return to is wonderful. The benefits are that three of our grandchildren live here and I have daily access.  The twins, a boy and a girl, are 5 and the oldest son is 6. They are well behaved and I looked forward to babysitting whenever their parents needed me. I enjoy my time with each and every one of them.

    I saw my great-granddaughter who is only 6 mos., but seems to be growing by leaps and bounds. My aunt, in her late 70's, my uncle approaching 90, my three cousins, Bonnie, Debbie, and DeLynn (I won't mention their ages!) and my very closest friends (all of you) made time to see me while I was here. Best friends, Linda, Cheryl, Lori, Renee, and Vicki also saw that they made time for me before I have to return home.  Thanks girls! 

   Last night I met some  my co-workers where I last taught and it was so good to get together again and reminisce. The previous day my friend Linda and I golfed for the first time this season and believe it or not, we did darn well! My husband assures me that there is a golf course in Munich near us that we can begin golfing at as soon as I return.  I am holding him to that promise.

   The only problem is that we are already fully booked for May  and June with travel. I'm not complaining, I love to travel with my husband in Europe, but golf will just have to wait until we are BOTH retired, I fear. Now is the time to experience all Europe has to offer and explore our environs.

    If only there were a way to bring our loved ones closer to us. For now, Skype will have to do. But one day, who knows??