Lost in the shuffle

Hey Gang,
Fiiiiinally getting back to the weekend trip with Dov and Lisa we took a few weeks ago. What you didn't know I escaped? Well you should be checking on the message board and you would of.
I can and will be writing about where we went and what we did but I want to start with something more important first, some of the fine people we met while on our excursion. After all, life is all about people, ain't it?
Their names were Bob & Linda, our heaven sent angels, Ron, who dropped in on our Sunday supper, and Jason Keeler I met outside of Covered Bridge Pizza in Kingsville, Ohio. There was other friendly people on the trip, the gas station attendant, who actually still pumps gas, the greeters at the camp ground, and the toll both lady.

But I'm running late to pick up tickets for McCains visit so guess what? You still have to wait, sorry I'll try to hurry back.
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Fall Scenery

Hey Gang,
Thought I should send these out before the change of the season so you can enjoy them. Where were these taken at? Won't tell you this post but see if you can guess. One clue, they aren't from Wickliffe. Enjoy!

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Hey Gang Update Sept. 2008

Hey Gang,
Here's update part two though its been kind of quiet, haven't been hearing much from some of you. But here's some of the things I do know that I can pass on.
This ain't recent news but it was the first time I saw Mark's new bike, so to me it is. The bike's a beauty, a Yamaha 1100. They have come a long way. Heres the link if you want to see what one looks like.
http://www.starmotorcycles.com/star/products/modelspecs/19/0/specs.aspx
The color of Marks is raven with flames. Congrats again Mark.

Shirl has a full house. Shirl has allowed her granddaughter and husband and their two babies to live with her until the granddaughters apartment becomes available. Shirl only lives in a one bedroom so I applaud her for opening her house to her family. All to often today families shuffle off other members or close doors just because of the inconvenience.

My brother in law who has numerous health issues came through the gall bladder surgery with no complications. Thanks for the prayers.

Jeff B. and his mother went on vacation recently to Cancun and saw amongst many other things the Mayan Ruins. His Mother is 90 and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact Jeff was worried that his Mom may of planned to much and wouldn't be able to keep up.

Jeff M. resumed truck driving once again. He is somewhere out on the road as you read this. Last night he was in Illinois heading to Dallas.

Ter's son Terry won the 2008 Super Stock/Late Model championship at Auto City Speedway here in Michigan last weekend. Ter's one proud papa.

Moms & Dads new pooch. Since our poor Bo went to the pearly gates about 3 years ago and our cat Gracy went more recently Dad has been wanting a furry friend. My niece spotted a two year old Italian Greyhound/Fox Terrier mix. So my sister went out and bought it for the folks. Her name is Sophia. Having a grey hound mix and a fox terrier before, this lil dog has both traits. What a blessing this dog is. Wonderful disposition and has taken to all of us instantly. And now Dad is happy.

Emily from California contacted me. I met her during the primaries back in Dece. in a political chat room. She got married this past winter and is doing fine. Emily said between classes, debating with muslims etc she's been super busy. She has started a blog and asked if I would be the co-author. And to that I said YES. Emily I believe is even more Conservative than I am. Look out liberals on the west coast! I will include her blog next writing, stay tuned its worth a read especially if you are a woman.

And finally I will include Rowe's comments to Ter'.
I liked Ter's letter. I didn't know he was such a good writer. All of us who have lived through the good and bad times of this country feel the same, deep love and pride for being American. Through out history there has been seasons of good and seasons of bad. From global warming to the ice age back towards global warming, from peace to war and back to peace, from prosperity to ruin, from health to sickness. I don't think we should panic, but I know we should pray. Just my opinion.
Rowe
And that is a terrifc way to end this email.


If you care to add what you have been up to just send me an email and will include it.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Hey Gang part one

Hey Gang,
Its been awhile, well I mean its been awhile since I wrote a Hey Gang update of sorts. Things since late July have been on a whirl wind. All kinds of good and all kinds of ughhhh! Just as Dov said, he made that observation during our phone conversation last night. He said you know what I notice about you is that something fun is always happening to you which is good but then you have to add in something bad. BUT thats just my life. I don't make this stuff up, it just happens to me. Sometimes I feel like I am a ping pong in a hurricane. Its always up and down and a lot of times both happen at once......thats just my life.
Lately I have been spending a lot of time with Lisa, as if you didn't know, helping her through a rough spot in her life. BUT, have to say, I am enjoying the friendship, its been fun even through her trying times. There I go again, a good with a bad.

Some of the stuff that has been happening in her life has been a real Hummina hummina. Two weeks ago Lisa came to visit and stayed with my sister Cynthia. She just adored my sisters house and felt right at home. In the cupboard Lisa found the same coffee she used, the same pot and when she went to use the shower it was her brand of shampoo. I would say that would make one feel at home. Later on in the day we went out to the Miscellany Barn in Painesville. It has three houses and one barn filled with antiques, junk and furniture. Who does Lisa run into way out here? Her cousin. Maybe at a busy mall or something like that, but at an antique place. Ya just can't make this stuff up. Afterwards we went to the Perch Fest which is another whole story in itself. What a lame festival. It hardly had anything to do with perch other than one tent serving perch and the line was a three hour wait for the dinner.
Sunday Lisa was a bit disappointed that she didn't make church. Waking up a little late we weren't sure what we were going to do. But Rich left a message saying Punderson State Park 1 o'clock so I decide to drive out there to see what was going on. What a surprise, his church was a having a lake side baptism, I forget the exact term his Messianic Church uses but it is similar to a baptism. We got there near the middle but still enough time to here a few testimonies and baptisms. It may not of been the type of church Lisa is use to but it was a church service. it was just a fun weekend.
OH one more thing about Lisa. She is looking to move and find a new house. The house right next to her parents place is for sale and it's in her price range. She is very excited about that. Hopefully it will work out for her.
I wrote all that about Lisa not only because I write about what is going on in my life and she has been a big part the last few months but also because of all those, for lack of better words - coincidences. Though I am sure quite a few were definitely God directed, maybe not the coffee unless it was Chock Full of Nuts because Chock Full of Nuts is that heavenly coffee.
Next installment I will give updates on the rest of the Gang.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Where there is smoke there is fire......

Hey Gang,
I finally stopped at the Texas Steakhouse in Mentor which was formerly Road House and before that it was the Original Girves Brown Derby to take photos. Mom and my sister Cindi tipped me off that I needed to. Why? Just look at the last photo with their slogan, you will understand. It was late at night with very little lights but I think you can still see that from the fire it was a total lose. But their slogan is kind of prophetic, huh.

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Weekend of the 16th and Lisa's message

Hey Gang,
I'm slowly getting caught up to date, this is about the weekend of the 16th.
Have you ever planned something and have everything just click and go smoothly? Have you ever wanted to share something with a friend or loved one knowing how wonderful or good it would be for them? I experienced both the weekend of August 16th.
I sent out an email asking who wanted to go camping or possibly a beach outing. The beach plans fell apart but Mark called asking if I wanted to go to Salt Fork and camp with his family. I agreed but was reluctant and just not really into it. In fact it wasn't until late Friday I finally told him I was going.
But before then, about mid week, I was talking to Lisa trying to help her through a rough time, a lot of changes going on in her life. I can't write all what we discussed but this is a very shortened version, and yes Lisa I need to put the part where I was stern with you. I told her what your problem is you don't want things to change, you are going back to your problems. So what was my finally advice to her? You need to go camping this weekend with us! Most people would of said lets meet at the bar so we can talk, or lets go to church, not me - lets go camping. It sort of reminded me of when I met Shirl and took her camping but thats another story.
Maybe some of you don't understand but to me camping is thee best place to clear your head and do some serious thinking. Especially late at night going for a walk, the air, the stars, the night sounds of the insects and animals, its so serene and beautiful. I just knew this would do Lisa wonders to be away from everything for a few days and wanted so badly for her to experience this. Plus the clincher was Lisa has children close in age to Mark & Becky's, it would be perfect for everyone. I love Mark & Becky's kids, had to throw that in. And it did turn out as I envisioned. Even though we never went on a hayless hay ride everyone had a blast and Lisa was able to have some quiet time to put things into perspective. I want to thank Mark & Becky again not only for the invite but also for the hospitality, allowing us to be part of their family and extending a helping hand to a friend in need. Thats how Mark & Becky are, though they never met Lisa
they accepted her and her children as one immediately.
NOW the really good part. Lisa had a miracle if you would call it that. You know what, instead of rewriting her words she said I could forward on what happened when she got home. So here's Lisa's story.

"I drove home full of all sorts of things to go over in my head. Thinking and worring and laughing and crying. I was sort of worried about the money I spent and thought I'd figure out something later. I had to go on this trip. I'm praying on it all the way home along with tons of other things thanking GOD for you and for the way my kids enjoyed themselves and such. I come home to my darling Emily she runs out to greet us I pour the coffee she made me and start to tell her all about our adventure. As I am talking to her, I check the mailbox. I received two very very important pieces of mail the first one I recognized immediately! The second letter was from St Luke's School. I figured it was a bill...tuition payments start soon. It was a check! A check, not a bill. Do you believe in miracles Carey? I do. The check was enough to cover what I spent this weekend with $20.00 left to get a few things we are out of here. I called my mom
immediately. Hi mom...I'm home safe....wanna hear a story. Proceeded to tell her about the wonderful weekend I had and why I HAD TO GO and then broke down sobbing when I got to the part about the check! It was like a sign from GOD that going this weekend was the right thing, the only thing,(the predestined thing??) to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He had my back all along. The check was mailed before I decided to go. He just had you help my decide to go. I still cry now thinking about it."

You just can't plans things like that, you just have to follow the inner voice in you and all will go well.



Now I am caught up, I guess I could write about last weekend in Presque Isle which was a blast but the holiday weekend is upon us and I need to take off to kentucky to drive Millard back home. Hope everyone has a terrific holiday.

Your Friend Always,
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey


Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Weekends of August 9Th & the 16Th

Hey Gang,
I best get started with my telling of the weekends of the 9Th and 16Th because another weekend is here and I am off to Presque Isle in the morning and probably will come back with more tales, besides there is an important message from Lisa that needs to be passed along.
Soooooooooo lets begin with the weekend of the 9Th because I want you to meet someone, Dennis's grandfather, Dan. But first let me set it up. Life is strange, I haven't seen Dennis since about late 2005 when he disappeared, people do that who live in the Cleveland area. Then in a span of a week I spent a couple of week days with him and then the weekend. He invited me out to Cory, Pa. for a car show. Dov and I stayed in the Bus, Millard slept in the spare bed room. Immediately I knew I would like Dennis's grandpa judging by color of the rooms, turquoise, just like the interior of the Bus, how go-goish is that!
The car show was held at Meade Park. A wonderful park with a museum on the grounds, a small petting zoo and different pavilions and shelter houses. Very nicely laid out for a day of picnicking and relaxing. We got there on time to register and as with most places I take the GoGo Bus it got all kinds of Oooos & Ahhhs and WHAT THE HECK IS IT? The registration table was excited that someone as far away as Cleveland would attend their little town car show.
I thought for sure I would be a lock for a trophy as I thought Dennis's Grandpa Dan's '56 VW would be a for sure. Nope to both. Almost all car shows you always know who is going to win. Its always some kind of muscle car. As much as I like them, its boring seeing the same cars take home trophies. In the best Mopar a '64 Plymouth GTX won it. And in the best import that had us all stunned was a mid 90's Mitsubishi! How does a rare '56 VW that was ordered direct from Germany lose to that? Not being conceited but judging by the amount of people by the Bus it had to win. I spoke with one of the members of the association who helped put on the car show and even he said, I didn't do the judging, I would of voted for your Dodge. In no particular order I thought for sure these cars would walk away with something. Well in a way I did win something, I won the raffle, a free bottle of tire shine and when I was out getting a burger they called me to the stage. I went up there and the guy said its not for a trophy and a lady added here's an event t-shirt, thanks so much for driving out. A consolation prize, I guess.
Here's the cars I thought should of won: a beautiful four door '64 Buick Electra, the GoGo Bus, Grandpa's '56 VW, early '50's Packard and a '77 Mercury Bobcat wagon that was in excellent condition. All those are unique and you just don't see a lot of them.
After the show we went back to Dennis's house and I got to spend some time with Grandpa Dan. A very talented guy. I don't think there is much he can't do. He showed me a photo album of different charity house projects he was sent on through his church. He helped rebuild houses after Katrina, on Indian reservations and others. All charity work, wish I could remember the organization and the church he attends. But even more impressive is his carvings. He has cases of things he carved. My favorites, which I have enclosed photos of, is the pirate and the birds. His also has a sense of humor. See if you can guess what the photo titled "what is it" is. He gave me his card, it reads: WOODCARVINGS BY DAN MORGAN. We had a nice long conversation about politics, his charity work and other topics, a friendly person with a lot of hospitality. Thanks Dennis again for the invite, we all enjoyed ourselves, even during the cheesy movie at the drive in in the rain.
I best get to bed, Erie, Pa is calling me. Next email is the camp out with Mark & Becky and the Melissa's and maybe I can squeeze in Lisa's message.
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey