Sad times

 Valentines' day we didn't do much except we picked Rory up from school as the kids had to run some errands and couldn't make it back in time.  We took him to his house, and they showed up not long afterwards.  We talked for a bit then headed home and had dinner.  

On Wednesday, Feb 15, we had our dentist appointment.  Both our mouths are fine, so we have six more months before we go back.  In the morning we went to our exercise class.  When we left the YMCA and got to our car the lift gate on my Toyota would not close.  I had to call the service department to see what to do.  They had me pushing buttons, turning the car on and off and other things.  They finally decided to tell me I could just push on the gate, and it would close.  When we got home it worked fine but I had already moved my service appointment to this Friday to get the gate looked at.  We ran to the store to pick up some last-minute things to pack.  We are leaving on Sunday to head to Pennsylvania to attend the graveside service of Bill's cousin.  We also head today that Bill's great-nephew was missing.  He is 17 and a senior in high school.  By the end of the day, we found out he was found but had committed suicide.  Nobody know why as he was very smart and well liked in school.  He didn't exhibit the usual signs that teenagers do.  Bill's sister, his grandmother, is beside herself.  We won't be able to make his services, as they are not in the same area, but will go see Nancy while we are there.  

Saturday we had Rory's basketball game.  He also came over later in the day and spent the night with us.  Nick and Aimee went into Cincinnati for Valentines' Day and spent the night.  They adulted for the evening.  The returned to our house on Sunday morning to pick up Rory and we headed to Pennsylvania.  The drive is about 515 miles so we knew it would be between 8-9 hours depending on stops.  We decided to break the trip into 2 hour drives and alternate the driving.  I started. The kids got here earlier than we thought they would but since we had the car packed we left around 10:00. I stopped at a rest area a little before my 2 hours were up, I had to visit the ladies room.  Bill took over and drove a little over his 2 hours. We stopped at a Flying J to fuel up and had lunch at the Denny’s. We were not real hungry so we split a sandwich. My turn to drive. Since Bill went so long I finished the trip. We did stop at a little diner about 20 minutes from the hotel and had pie and ice cream instead of dinner.  Then we headed to the hotel.  We stayed at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Pottsville/Frackville.   It was a fine hotel, much better than the one downtown.  It was close to 7:30 when we got there.  We unpacked and settled in.  Monday morning we got up and went downstairs to breakfast.  They had omelettes and bacon.  Nothing fabulous but filling. After a few cups of coffee/tea we finished getting dressed and headed to the cemetery.  We went a bit early so we could visit Bill’s parents and other family members buried there.  Wayne is his cousin and he served in the Navy so it was a military service.  One of his grandsons is in training to be a priest and he conducted the service.  The local American Legion performed the 21 gun salute and the playing of taps.  Representatives from the Navy, we thing a local reserve unit, folded the flag and presented it to the family.  It was a very nice service.  We were able to talk to some family and friends we had not seen in a long time.  After the service we were invited by the family to a local restaurant for lunch.  We spent our time there talking to family.  

After the service we headed over to Bill’s sisters house.  She did not feel up to coming to the funeral.  Bill’s grandnephew’s service will be on Friday but we are not able to stay for that and wanted to spend time with Sue before heading home.  When we left on Sunday we were not sure exactly when services were.  I had made hotel reservations for a few days, knowing I could change them. After talking to Sue we decided to head home on Tuesday.  She has other family members coming and then she is headed to her daughters house.  We expressed our sympathy to her before leaving.  Bill’s brother and sister-in-law also came over so we hung around there for a few hours visiting.  Afterward we made a quick stop at Coney Island for burgers and shakes for dinner.  I know, we aren’t exactly eating healthy.  Back at the hotel I made arrangements to checkout in the morning and we packed up. We decided not to drive the entire way back but to stop about half way and spend the night.  We also decided to take a new route for us.  Normally we take I70 to the PA turnpike, and that is the way we went.  For our return trip we decided to go a bit north to I80 and come that way.  Something new to see.  I picked a Choice Hotel in Youngstown, OH, about 275 miles away. We decided not to do the hotel breakfast but did grab some tea/coffee and took off.  About a hour or so away we stopped at a restaurant for breakfast and fuel.  Yes, it was another Flying J.  I decided to go ahead and drive the entire day.  I like my car, it drives nicely and comfortably.  Anyway, we got to our hotel for the evening.  Now the fun began.  They informed us that the water was off when we checked in. It was only suppose to be an hour until it was back.  We sat around and checked email and stuff. They called and said it was back on, good thing, I had to use the toilet.  But the toilet would not flush no pressure.  I called the desk and they said it would take time to build pressure so we walked across the parking lot to have dinner.  We weren’t really hungry so we had soup and salad and dessert.  When we got back to the hotel the toilet still wouldn’t flush.  Also I had a reaction in my eye so there must have been cats in the room and on the couch, where I sat.  We decided not to stay at the hotel and we went up front and checked out and got a refund.  There was a Hampton Inn next door so we went there.  Much nicer hotel. 

Tuesday morning we had breakfast at the hotel and Bill drove.  It was raining and icy with a possibility of snow so we left as soon as we ate.  There is weather across I80 today and we wanted to get through it before it became a problem.  Bill drove until just north of Columbus where we stopped at a rest area and changed drivers.  I drove the rest of the way home. We had rain most of the way until around Wright-Patterson AFB.  A quick stop at Burger King for lunch and we got home at just about 1:00. Whew!  Hopefully no long trips for awhile.  Now back to normal life.