2017 in the Rear View Mirror

Cullman,  AL

As I look at the year about to close it has been one of change.   Most good.  A few sad.

We started the year officially no longer full timer RVers.   We began moving into the house on New Years eve 2016 while still staying in the RV.   We had to retrieve two storage trailers..... one in Louisiana and the other in Maryland.   Also, had to purchase mattresses.   Through the coming months lots more purchases.  Glad we kept most of the furniture we would need.

Once we were settled for a few weeks, we needed to find a church home.  We visited a few.  Then we found there was a church about 5 miles away that started at 9:00 am.  (We prefer an early service).  One visit and we found our home.  Sharon Grove United Methodist has a very small congregation.  We felt so welcome.   So welcome in fact that Leonard starts a 3 year term as a Trustee starting next week.

In March we took off for Georgia for a week of relaxation at a COE park before leading a 3 week NOMADS project in Vienna, GA

Come May we hitched up the rig and headed north to NJ/PA/MD.   After visiting daughter Terri and family in Pa and camping nearby we were at the Jersey Shore camping next to my sister Debbie and family.  Then it was some time on the road with Granddaughters Charlotte and Abby.   After camping a bit in PA it was westward.   Springfield, IL on to Iowa then South Dakota and then Missouri.  Then a month back to Alabama.    We got them home to Maryland in time to get prepared for school.

We love having visitors.   In February Ali and Ron Workentin (Rving couple) and their friend Wendy who lives in Birmingham came for the day. 

Then in April NOMADS who were volunteering in the area met us at Ava Maria Grotto in Cullman and came to the house for a visit..... Harriett, Patrick O'Leary and Bill and Marti Koch.   Also in April were another NOMADS and RV couple Carol and Jerry Wright were the first to overnight in one of our RV sites.  A few days later friends from NJ who now live in Texas were on the way to Texas and stopped by.  We were glad to have Glenn and Janie Doyle be our first overnight guests in our guestroom.

September brought hurricanes throughout the country.    RV friends Jessica and Harry Riker and their two cats evacuated their new home in Florida and stayed in our guest room for a week.  A few days later Diane and Russ Kilmaier friends from NJ who moved to Florida took temporary residence in our RV for a week with their 3 cats.    What a great time this was.  And even better neither couple had any major damage to their homes.


Another RVing couple George and Laura Owens were the second couple to use an RV site in October for two days.   I short time later Howard and Linda Payne from the web site RV-Dreams were camped nearby and we invited them to visit for the day.

Continuing in October NJ friends were on a RV trip and found time to park here for a two day visit.... Dan and Carole Baxter.   One their 2nd day here, another RVing friends couple Adam and Helena Cerquoni pulled in next to Dan and Carole.   The next day Dan and Carole left and Rvers Jerry and Carol Pearson took their place for the night.    Then all too soon all sites were empty.  We loved this coming and going. Almost felt like RV park owners.

We moved to this area because son Lennie, daughter-in-law Lois and grandchildren Maddie and Jordan live but 20 miles away.   We manage to all get together about once a month.  Sweet.

Yes, there has been heartache and problems too.  Len has had some medical problems that we hope are being resolved.

Our less than two year old Fifthwheel has given us lots of problems.  It is currently in Indiana at the manufacturer where repairs have been completed.  Once the weather permits we have to go there to inspect it and bring it back to Alabama.  We plan on selling it and getting a much smaller rig.  No longer fulltiming we don't need a 43' rig with 4 slides.

The heart ache is the sudden death in early October of my dear brother Norman.  The family is still grieving and processing losing this sweet man.  I miss him every moment.

Now on to 2018.  And wishing each of you have a year of happiness, contentment and peace.

Until next time.