Every tear wiped away....Pain and sickness gone. Wide awake with HIM....Peace goes on and on. I'm just going home.

Today, our friend Kraig White will be laid to rest in Colchester, VT. Kraig worked with Bill at IBM in VT. His wife Sherry was one of my closest friends during our time in VT. She, Patsy Jed and myself were known as "Colchester's Angels" as we always bummed around together. All three of us had girls the same age and met when the kids were in pre-school.

Kraig turned 62 on June 19 and just a week later suffered a stroke...here he is healthy and happy celebrating with his 4 beautiful grandchildren. Salt and I have been planning this trip to New England for a year and had planned to visit with Kraig and Sherry and the kids....and now 2 weeks before we leave, Kraig is gone. Life is SO fleeting!!! We look forward to having some quality time with Sherry and the girls.

Our one conciliation in saying goodbye to Kraig is knowing how strong his faith was and that God obviously has a plan for him and know that he has gone "home" to fulfill that plan.


What I thought was my last "social" event on the island was a dinner party at Elaine and Bruce Brooks home in Aunt Jane's Bay. Elaine who is always the "perfect" hostess was decorated for Autumn and had a spectacular meal prepared for several of our close friends.

The gang grabs their plates and digs in......

Phylis Schwartz (who has convinced me I need to go back to the island for ONE more party on Labor Day) visits with Ellen....who finally has a new smaller cast on her wrist and the 4 pins have been removed.

Ken Deedy....wherever there is a party, you know Ken will be there!!

And our friend Joan Flint....(Joan's mother lives about 5 minutes from us in FL so we will be seeing Joan during the winter).

And of course, every time I turn my back Janice is snuggling up next to Salt!!!

Dave Smith.....

Our host, Bruce Brooks with Susie Smith.....

The following day, I moved to the mainland and started to get the motor home cleaned, packed and organized for the trip.....here is my cozy little home for the next 2 months.

Kitchen.....

Living room, the two seats in front swivel around and make into recliners!

bath.....

bedroom.......

dining area.......

My little office. I have a new wireless printer beneath the desk and a big storage area over the top of the desk.....LOVE it! I am on the Verizon wireless network so have fast Internet wherever we go!

Salt is spending most of his time on the island.....his business has taken off so he is trying to get everything finished and the house closed up. I know many of you have been concerned about what is going on with his ear....We still do not know. He has been to 3 different doctors, had all kinds of tests and still waiting for some answers. He had 5 vials of blood taken on Thursday and an MRI yesterday. We will not have any results from those tests until the 16th when we go back to the ENT specialist in Syracuse. I will keep everyone posted. Thank all of you for your concern.

Betty, Emma and I are headed to Owego on Friday. We will attend Janna's volleyball tournament at UE on Saturday and then Saturday night I am taking all the nieces and nephews (in the area) out for dinner. I will not be seeing any of them for 7 months...:(

Well, since I opened with such sad news, I thought I should close with some good news. Greyson, Jada and Garrett Fields beautiful new son is now ready to come to the river and advertisingthe fact. I am sure Grandma Karen would like to put him right in her suitcase and bring him with her when she returns on the 10th!!!

I am off to Watertown for a little more shopping. ALL of my doctor appointments and tests are completed (all just maintenance) and it appears I am healthy as a horse!!! After I return, I will finish lemon oiling all the woodwork and then I am on VACATION!!!