Sunday, July 19, 2015

The Start of Our Cross Country Road Trip...Here We Go...

Our first stop in May along our way was a surprise 60th birthday party for Sam's sister Mary-Alice in Arizona given by her husband Dennis.  


Our niece Gina took Mary away for the day so that we could surprise her on her special day.  All her siblings were able to attend.  It had been many years in between.




Sam and I.


Sam's oldest brother Michael and his wife Debera all the way from Kentucky.


My favorite sister in law Dorothy, favorite brother in law Gary, Gary's Mom Bette and his Dad Ike.



A photo of Anthony,  Sam's youngest brother.  
We had a wonderful visit.  Beautiful day!
On to Texas...

Saturday, July 18, 2015

A Few Days with My Dad and the Oompa Loompas

We have had a lot going on this summer, so I thought I would try to break it all down every couple of days.  
Back in May (May 11-13th to be exact), my Dad decided to make a drive out from Arizona to stay with Sam and I for a couple of days.  First time EVER did I have my Dad stay the night alone in our house.  It was a nice surprise.  My parents would have been married 58 years on May 12th and he didn't want to spend it alone at his house.


He and I had lunch at The M just down the hill from me.   I had shown him how to play the Willy Wonka slot machine (he's a Blackjack kinda guy).  I told him it was one of my sister's favorites when she comes to visit. 


He said it was kinda "boring"...until he hit the Oompa Loompas and his chair began to shake, sugar sacks began to fall and he won about $200.00.

Then it was off to the Blackjack tables.

He has never been an easy man or one of those "Leave it to Beaver's" Ward kinda Dad to grow up with.  In fact, most of my life he and I butted heads.
He's trying to become a better Dad since my Mom passed away back in 2012.  It's been a long journey for him, but he's trying and I appreciate it.