Making Progress

After two days of unpacking, sorting, and storing, it's beginning to look like a classroom and TV studio!

What a Mess!!!

Today was the first chance I have had to work in my classroom to get ready for the start of the school year. My room was renovated this summer - they took down a wall and tore out a wall of cabinets. Since my classroom is in the TV studio, I had a lot of equipment as well as stuff for debate, S.A.D.D. Club, and the puppet troupe to unpack. This is what I saw when I opened the door this morning...
It looked a little more manageable this afternoon but I still have a lot to do. Needless to say, I'm quite tired. That's okay. School doesn't start for the students until tomorrow morning.

Last Adventure Before School Begins

Rich and Susan took a long weekend to visit with Sharon, Mark and Carmella. We drove our 2000 Acura TL so Mark and Sharon could buy it from us, with the idea of taking the train home. On Friday Rich and Sharon transferred the title and we walked to the nearby park. Ella loves to swing and play the fun instruments that are built into the play area.

On Saturday we rode the train into Chicago, took the bus to the Museum Loop, and visited the Shedd Aquarium. The admission was pricey, but when Susan showed them her teacher identification, she was admitted for free! Ella was fascinated by the fish…


Taking a break from the aquarium, we enjoyed the Chicago skyline and were treated to an airshow.

We took the bus back to Union Station and got a water taxi to Michigan Avenue. We walked a few blocks and met Mark after school to have dinner at the Coco Pazzo Café.

On Sunday we were blessed to share as Mark and Sharon dedicated themselves to raising Carmella Rose to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Ella wore an adorable outfit given to her by Michelle Lockwood who has been a Christian mentor for Sharon.

Later that afternoon we took the train into Union Station and caught the Amtrak train to Pittsburgh – the Capitol Limited. We had a small sleeping compartment and Rich reminisced about James Bond movies when Bond rode the train in a private compartment. Of course people could actually turn around in the room on the train Bond took… We didn’t sleep well, but we did sleep. We arrived in Pittsburgh at 5:15 a.m., walked a few blocks to find a place to get breakfast, and took the Pennsylvanian into Harrisburg.

A few years ago we visited Altoona and the famous Horseshoe Curve. This time we were on the train as it went around the curve.

The trip home was an adventure we were glad we had, but we’re not too sure we would do it again!

When we got home the garden was bursting with tomatoes and limas, as well as a huge zucchini. We miss being with family, but it’s nice to be home.

Mother's Sister

Every summer I (Susan) try to get in a trip to Brookville, PA, to visit my Aunt Vaughn. She is the only remaining sibling of either of my parents. Vaughn is my mother's youngest sister. On Monday, August 3, I drove along the Juniata River, through State College, and on to Brookville. We had a nice visit, ate lunch together, and then I drove to my cousin Cal's house for a respite before returning home. Altogether I put 360 miles on the car (not the new one, though).

Vaughn will be 83 in October.

For nostalgia's sake I stopped at my grandparents grave site and drove past the old farm house. The house is in total disrepair, the yard full of weeds. Only one out building is still standing. It was sad to see, but brought back lots of great memories of when the house was alive with activity. I loved going there and spending time with my grandparents. Hopefully we can produce memories like that for our grandchildren!

Cal and Dorothy are remodeling their kitchen and still managed to invite me to partake of a wonderful dinner of chicken salad on a croissant and an oriental side salad. I provided the zucchini bread from our garden. (Have to get rid of it somehow!!) Their kitchen will be fabulous. We will have to visit again when it is finished.

The latest addition

We have been discussing getting an SUV for the past year, at least. This week we actually bought one!



In other news, Qualcomm and Verizon announced a joint venture that will affect son-in-law Mark. Here's the announcement. What it doesn't say is that Mark will be working with the marketing department! Congratulations, Son!


JULY 29, 2009
Qualcomm Sets Mobile Venture With Verizon
By ROGER CHENG

Verizon Wireless and Qualcomm Inc. said they are forming a joint venture to create mobile-communications services that tap into a broad range of industries.

The new venture will provide so-called machine-to-machine communication, which adds a cellular connection to equipment beyond cellphones, such as circuit breakers, ATM machines or hospital equipment, allowing them to be continually monitored or updated.

It "is a rapidly growing market, projected by some analysts to reach more than 85 million connections globally by 2012," said Steve Pazol, the vice president of the global smart services unit at Qualcomm who was tapped to head the venture.

The venture, which doesn't yet have a name, will be owned equally by Verizon and Qualcomm and based in San Diego.

Qualcomm, also based in San Diego, will provide the manpower, technology platform and a software-development kit already used to create connected devices. Verizon Wireless, which is jointly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, will provide access to its business customers.

Wall Street Journal