It's Grant Writing Season

Well, I'm in grant writing mode! I've been working on a grant to better serve adults and dislocated workers since 7 AM and it's now almost 11 PM. I have much more work to do over the next week or so. This grant is due 8/4 and I have another one due 8/3 so if I look a little tired the next few weeks have no fear it will be over soon!!!! I'm headed to BED!

Mid July Update

I've been so busy I have not gotten back on to update my blog. We had a great time on the boat on July 3rd. The fireworks at Bayside were great. Pictures will be forthcoming. This weekend has been gorgeous. Spent the day on the boat yesterday (Sat 7/18) and working in the yard today (Sun 7/19).

This past week has been very stressful. My good friend Chuck Whicker passed away on 7/11 after a short battle with pancreas cancer. Chuck was a good man and so helpful to me when Bob was sick and after he passed away. Please keep his wife Evelyn, son Trent, family and close friends in your prayers. Then long time Moose member Arthur "Rusty" Russell passed away on Wednesday. Bob and Rusty got to be good friends when they were going through radiation for cancer together. Bob's prostate cancer was cured but Rusty's was not. Two good men went to heaven this week.

A few pics to let you know I'm continuing to do well. One with "LINUS" at the Project Linus conference and another on the boat.

I'm Home

I got home from the PL national conference about 12:30 PM. I had a fabulous time. Honestly, the best time I've had in a long time. The Project Linus coordinators and headquarters staff are a great group of people. The conference was informative and lots of fun. We had LOTS of chocolate and lots of fun in our classes and demos. I learned many new ideas for making blankets and in running and growing the chapter. Ellen Knoefel (Asheville NC) coordinator had emailed me last year not long after Bob died and offered to pick me up and take me to this year's conference. She is a wonderful lady. Her assistant Sharon drove her car and we had a great "road trip" both coming and going. It's a ways to Bloomington, IL but it felt like the old "homeland" in Ohio with all the FLAT cornfields. However, there were a "few more" windmills than what we have on Windrock - there were fields and fields of them. I was told the one field we saw had over 200 windmills. They were beautiful. Of course, we all ate too much, but we had sooooooo much fun and learned soooo much. A special thanks to those of you that helped make my time away from home less stressful by bringing in the mail, watering plants, checking on the house, being "on call" for the dogs and the house, helping me make my "ride connection" and much more. I appreciate you all.

Dog Park at Fairfield Glade

Mom and Don have been working with friends to develop a dog park at Fairfield Glade. That way "Sammie" will have a place to run and play and not just be walked on the leash. After a great group effort including Mom's super fundraising efforts, the park is finally ready with fencing, gates, benches, picnic table with umbrella and more. Enjoy the pics.

Tasha and Pebbles

Missing my babies while I'm at the Project Linus Conference. They are "partying" at the kennel. They love it there - didn't even look back at me when I dropped them off.

Laverne

My friend Laverne (Joe McCamish's girlfriend before he died) lost her aunt today. Laverne has been at her aunt's side over the last few years as her health has declined. Please keep Laverne in your thoughts and prayers.

Project Linus National Conference

I'm at the PL National Conference. I'm having a great time, making many new friends and learning a lot. Getting great ideas for our chapter. The people I've met are super. I couldn't wait to meet Nancy from Illinois. She lost her husband 10 days after Bob died. We developed a wonderful internet relationship and have been our own support group to each other over the last year. To meet her in person was absolutely wonderful. We hugged and cried!