Happy Holidays

We hope that you had a gingerbread free Christmas.

Happy New Year.

Santa's New High Tech Sleigh

See the bottom of this page to check out Santa's new sleigh from GE's labs.

Snow! Blizzard Warnings!

Looks like about a foot of snow fell yesterday and last night.  Rita spent some time cleaning the snow off her car this afternoon and moving it so the snow plow could clean the parking lot.  Tonight it's clearing and getting colder, supposed to get down to 1degree with a wind chill of -15.  Brrrrrrr.  Leaving tomorrow to go back to Illinois and then back to Michigan on Sunday.

Fond Du Lac, WI

We've been here since last Thursday night.  Very nice town from what we saw on the first day.  We have a very nice suite at the hotel and lots of cable channels to watch.

We've had a little snow off and on since we arrived but we're waiting for the "big" storm this afternoon.  We may get as much as 14 inches before it's over!  Hope we can go back to Illinois on Thursday as planned or maybe Rita will get a snow day!  We'll post some snowy pictures and keep you updated.

Hope Everyone Had a Happy Thanksgiving!

We stuffed ourselves!  Rita cooked a turkey with stuffing, applesauce, acorn squash casserole, ambosia fruit salad, green beans with red peppers, pumpkin bisquits and pumpkin cheesecake. 

Snowing in Driggs ID

It snowed during the night and on and off today.  It's windy and there's more snow on the way.

Here's a picture from 7am this morning of Rita's rental car just outside our window.

Driggs ID

Well, it's been a nice week. Rita hasn't had to work every minute, so we got to see a little of the area and the town. We had lunch today in Tetonia about 7 miles from here. Great lunch at the North End Cafe. Later we got hot chocolate and brownies at the Cocoa Grove in Driggs. Yesterday we went to the Dark Horse bookstore in Driggs. It's supposed to get colder tonight and snow this weekend. Here are some pictures of our stay so far.

Driggs, Idaho

We spent last night in Chicago and caught the 8:03am flight to Denver this morning. We left from Denver a little late because of the snow (had to wait to be de-iced) but after being in the air about 10 minutes we had to turn back and land in Denver because of a potential mechanical issue. They were able to make the repair, refuel us and we landed in Idaho Falls only about 3.5 hours late! The drive to Driggs was scenic but it was getting darker and there is not alot along the route but a couple of very small towns and lots of ranches. We got here after dark so we don't know what the town or the surrounding area looks like - hopefully tomorrow.

Rural Kempton

We're back at Rita's brother's new place. The new laminate floors are in, the bath and kitchen just need the finishing touches. And we didn't have to do any of the moving! Now we have to "help" unpack the boxes and find new places for all the stuff. The house is nice and cozy. We do get more channels out here, at least at night.

It's been sunny the last few days so the fields are drying out and the farmers will be able to finally start harvesting their crops.

Vandalia, IL Oct 25 to Nov 1, 2009

Wow, we were so busy enjoying our stay that we forgot to tell you about it. All the staff has been here at least 5 years, some a lot more, and they were terrific. They gave Rita a business room so we had plenty of room to spread out and lots of cable channels. That was good because it rained a lot while we were here. We didn't even get to see the town until the day before we left because it was so miserable out. They had a lighted Halloween parade on Thursday night that got rained on a bit -it would have been nice to go but Rita had to work. The manager even gave her a mug for her hard work.

As soon as we can we'll post some pictures.

This was on the way from Quincy to Vandalia

Quincy, IL

We arrived in Quincy this afternoon. It was a beautiful sunny but cool day. The hotel is about 2 blocks from the Mississippi. We took some pictures and will post them soon. We have a very nice room and a nice flat screen tv to watch while Rita works.


Here is a nice picture of us dangling over the Mississippi River. Just because we thought Rita should take us out partying! So, she suggested we could take a nice river trip down to New Orleans and do our partying there because "someone" has to work to pay for our upkeep. We decided we didn't really need to go partying.

Working on new house

The fridge arrived yesterday - now we can have ice cream instead of those fiber bars. It's exhausting helping to paint, and clean and all that other stuff Rita does all day. Well, at least it looks exhausting when she does it, we've been "supervising", at least until Rita tells us to shut up and let her get some work done. Hopefully there will be tv soon so we can watch our shows and not annoy Rita so much.

Restaurant Kempton, IL

A pleasant surprise in this town of 234. Two ladies have taken over Sgt Pepper's Restaurant and it's a great place for dinner (haven't checked out breakfast and lunch). They're closed on Sundays.

The first time we tried the restaurant after the new owners, we walked in about 6pm on a Friday night and the place was almost full. We had a good dinner in a pleasant atmosphere with great service.

Dry Ridge, KY

We're here in Kentucky - our first trip to this state. Today it's sunny but windy. Haven't had a chance to see the town but the people at the hotel are very nice.


There's a nice window seat for us to enjoy.

It rained on the day we traveled back to Illinois.

Kempton, Il

So, Rita says we're going on a vacation. We were hoping for San Francisco or New York City but no we get the cornfields of Illinois. We're really here to help her brother with his new house. So Rita has been stripping wallpaper, buying paint supplies, spending money. Soon there will be lovely pictures of us in a cornfield - like this one.

Wheeling, WV & German Village Columbus, OH

So, were very behind on our blogging, but in our defense we have very little fingers and it's really hard to type!

After finishing in Weirton, Rita took us to Wheeling and the Oglebay Resort which is a beautiful city park, with a zoo, resort, golf course, restaurants, glass museum and gift shop. We spent several hours there. Then we went to Athens, Oh and stayed overnight at the very nice Hampton Inn. Rita had dinner with friends while we stayed at the hotel and watched tv. The next day we spent several hours in Columbus, OH walking around German Village and having lunch at a German Restuarant.

Weirton, WV

Well, we've been here eight days and haven't had a chance to even leave the hotel room except when Rita had to move rooms. At least the last four days have been spent with a view of the indoor pool from the large jacuzzi suite! They needed her 2 double bed room and Rita made the sacrifice!! We have some pictures of us enjoying the suite.

Tomorrow Rita has a few days off and has promised us a couple days of vacation!!

Columbus, OH

Rita recieved a phone call about 11:08 on Friday the 10th of July. Her boss was sending her to replace another trainer who had to leave in the middle of an installation because of a family emergency. By 1:30 she was packed and driving to Ohio. She just remember us at the last minute!!! The hotel is very nice with a beautiful pool area and green areas around the hotel. Rita's been working long hours and is kind of cranky because she hasn't had much sleep. At least she's cranky at us. Tomorrow we're leaving to go to the next hotel in West Virginia. Pics to come.

Kempton, Sinsinawa & Amana Colonies

In June we took a trip with Rita and her Mom to visit her brother in Kempton, IL, her aunt in Sinsinawa, WI and a visit to the Amana Colonies in Iowa. Had a great trip. Visited a great park in Dubuque, IA - over looking the Mississippi River and a lock. Will add some pictures soon.

Waukegan, IL

We arrived here on Saturday, driving from Michigan - we're leaving again on Friday.
The hotel is nice and the staff is great. Rita took some pictures of us on Friday down by Lake Michigan.

Marine City

Except for some rain the weather has been great. There wasn't much spring this year - just seemed like it was winter, winter, snow, winter and then a couple days of spring and now it summery. The grass needs to be cut, the trees and flowers are blooming and its great to go for a walk. Well, it would be nice if someone actually took us out for a walk instead of leaving us in our carry case! Tomorrow Rita's driving to Waukegan, IL.

Fairmont, MN

We forgot to let you know we were in Fairmont, MN from April 3 to 11, 2009. It snowed while we were there! The town has a number of lakes within the city limits with some nice parks and bicycle paths. Try the Mexican restaurant downtown - it was very good.

We also stopped at Blue Earth (isn't that a great name!). The sign into town said the earth was so rich it made the city grow. We got our picture taking with the Jolly Green Giant.

We got to fly on a commuter plane from Minneapolis to Mason City, IA. Mason City has a nice little airport, very friendly.

Wapakoneta, OH

We're here in Wapakoneta, OH. Rita drove down in a rental car. It was nice not being stuffed in her baggage for hours waiting at the airport or in the overhead compartment.

The city is the birthplace of Neil Alden Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon. The Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum is located in Wapakoneta. The downtown has lots of old building with lots of character.

The first day we were here it was a beautiful, sunny and warm day. You could smell the lilacs in the breeze. The last couple of days it's been raining.

Forsyth, GA

The flight going to Atlanta was four and a half hours late! We've been home a couple of days from Foryth, GA. Rita was so busy we only got out once and she won't even let us use the computer to post to the blog until now!. It was warm in Georgia with lots of green grass and trees and flowers blooming.

The Days Inn had a nice setting with lots of grassy areas and a nice pool area. Rita took pictures and we'll post them soon.

Check out Grits restaurant if you're nearby - great food, service and atmosphere - right on the town square.

From April 16th to April 22, 2009.

Branford, CT

This is our first trip ever to Conneticut. The ocean is supposed to be about a mile away - but we haven't seen it yet. We flew into Hartford and drove here (about an hour drive). Very pleasant drive. We'd like to see it in the spring or summer instead of that end of winter brown. It's been sunny but cold. We have a nice suite in the hotel with plenty of cable channels but not much else to do while Rita works. She did take us to a nice Thai restuarant last night, the Siam Orchid. She said she might take us swimming in the pool, but you know how she is, work, work, work. We haven't taken any pictures yet.

More later.

Later:

Got to take a drive to Stoney Creek on the water. Beautiful day. Here are some pictures.

Back in Marine City

Wow! We just had two beautiful, warm, sunny days!

Athens, OH

So, we're back in Athens again. We were here last week and nothing went right and the manager had to leave for the weekend so they sent us home and now we're back. Things are going better this week but not much time for sightseeing. The weather was very nice today, sunny and warm. Athens is in the southeast corner of Ohio, with lots of hills and trees. Wish we had time to see some of the countryside. This is the home of Ohio University. Just had a quick drive through downtown. Looked like there were a lot of interesting shops and restaurants. We are in a hotel just outside of town. We took a few pictures that are still in the camera with the pictures from Kansas. Rita's next job in Arkansas was canceled, so we're driving back to Michigan Saturday. We'll be home for a couple of weeks and then we get to go to Connecticut (our first trip to that state).

One the first trip we had a little time to stop in the town of Nelsonville just north of Athens. Nice downtown.

Independence, KS

Well, Rita has been very bad about letting us out to post, so we apologize that we're behind. We spent Feb 1 to the 7th in Kansas. This was our first trip to Kansas, no tornadoes, thank goodness. Very nice hotel and very nice people. Rita lost her voice for the last couple of days, something going around. Soon as we can get her to download pictures we'll post some for you.

Houghton Lake, MI

Hey, we forgot to tell you about our trip to Houghton Lake, MI. We spend a weekend at a lake house just before we left for Missouri. They had lots of snow and Saturday morning it was -6 degrees when we went out to breakfast. We have pictures!

Fortunately Rita did not let the dog did not eat us!

Bowling Green, MO

Sorry we haven't posted sooner but Rita has been working long hours and didn't even let us out of our cosy little case until today. All the ice and snow missed us here in Bowling Green, Mo about an hour from St. Louis.

Rita has a huge room with fridge, microwave and even a dvd player.

We'll post some pictures soon.

Stay warm!

Bakery has new owners

Paul's Bakery in downtown Marine City has new owners. Stop by and welcome them to town. Check out all the great goodies and their extended hours of operation. Also please thank them for not serving gingerbread!

Cold in Michigan

We got back to Michigan Monday night after spending all day in airports or on planes. We arrived in Kansas City airport in plenty of time for our 9:50 (central time) flight to Chicago with a 1pm flight on to Detroit. We finally got on the plane about noon (mechanical troubles). We sat at the gate for an hour until they decided they didn't know or could not fix the plane - even after taking parts off the disabled plane next to us!!). Finally we got a flight to Dallas! at 3:10 and then a connecting flight to Detroit at 7:15 (that one was late leaving!). After finding that our luggage was somewhere else they promised that it would be delivered the next day to Rita's house. We got picked up by Seaway Shuttle and arrived home just after 1am (eastern time).

It's been snowing here and more snow today. The record low for last night was -8!!! It's about 1 degree now.

Happy New Year from Missouri

We got back from Wisconsin on the 2nd of January and then left for Missouri on the 4th. Rita didn't even take us out of our traveling case!!

We're in Richmond, MO near Kansas City and not far from Kearney, MO were we where about 2 weeks ago.

It's cold but sunny here.