Why is this dryer apart?

 

 

 

 

 Ron again does another “Project.” The dryer in the  3BD condo wasn’t working so Ron took it all apart and “fixed” it:  it really was just dirty!

Ron's Mother Is Moved to Chicago

Ron’s mother has been moved to a home in Chicago where her brother (Ron’s Uncle Bob) is living – it’s real nice, called The Vines, in Elgin.  She got to requiring too much personal care:  she was moved there this week from Little Rock where she has been for ten years with Ron’s brother Daryl.  She is doing really well, has already become active in the activities and they said she’s off her blood pressure medicine even.  We’ll be able to see her when we go up to Telemark.

We're Excited about our Son's Marching Band Achievements

Our small high school in Ohio had no marching band, nor did the college our sons attended.  Therefore, when Eastside Catholic School here in Seattle area wanted Andy (Philip) to develop a marching band this year....well, of course, he said YES! and started learning. And with great succsses!  we did not get to see the band march yet, but will next Friday night at the football game.


Clayton on tuba, Natalie on trumpet (left)

Read the newspaper article that tells how they won first place at the parade last Saturday (against other very large experienced bands).
http://www.issaquahreporter.com/news/227402771.htmland
 
Football Half-Time Show

With only 25 students, it's pretty brave to put on half-time shows -- their very first year (and Andy's too!)  we went tothe football game the next week.  They also play for the tail-gate parties in the parking lot.

Clayton and Natalie are both in the band and Faith should  be there next year.

We Joined Planet Fitness

The doctor assigned PT to Joan for her back and also told her to do more exercise and watch her diet more carefully since her bad cholesterol was so high and would be tested again in four months. (And, if the new “lifestyle” did not change it, she would have to consider medication ---  Oh no!  Don’t want that!)  That, coupled with Ron’s new commitment to exercise too, we joined Planet Fitness, just a few blocks from the condo in Renton, WA. (The weather in Seattle in the winter is not conducive to walking outside!)  Cost is minimal, $10/month ($250/year total for both of us)  and has a free trainer and classes available.  The machines are very nice and have earphone plugs for 10 TV channels.  Very well set up.

Seattle Color in the Fall

The road to the park

Who knew how pretty Seattle is in the fall with the tree colors!  We rave so much about the Smoky Mountains, the Northeast and the upper Midwest (you’ve seen our photos of Cable, WI) but it’s beautiful here too.  Walking along Lake Washington in Colon Park in Renton, which is just a few blocks from the condo, is a joy.

Boeing's new planes are shining across the lake





Good News about Joan’s Back

    We arrived back in Seattle Saturday, October 5^th and Joan went to the doctor yesterday and found that her back injury was only muscles!  Not any bone issue. Yay!  The doctor said exercise is the key to getting better (not bedrest like we used to hear) !!!!   So she needs to get busy with what she can do without hurting.   
     Swimming is available at local high school pools but need to check out their hours for public swims, only about $3/visit.

Fairfield Bay Is Great!

We stayed here five days prior to driving to San Antonio, and returned for another 11 days (Sept 21-Oct 2) until we would drive to Jackson to see Ron’s brother and fly to Seattle for the fall months.  It is a very large residential complex, with several different timeshare areas as well.  In August when we were here, we stayed in the Hamilton Cove area in a 2 BD which had a small view of the lake and a nice “neighborhood pool” to walk to.  If you recall, we had invited Ron’s brother Daryl to bring Ron’s mother up for 2-3 days then, but he elected not to.  So we invited him again for 2-3 days.
         And for this visit, we were in the 2 BD Plus units (Mountain Meadows) which are fabulous: free-standing units (same configurations the “Garden” units at Fairfield Plantation near Atlanta which we like so well) with three window walls in the living room, surrounded by trees and the golf course and a loft with two twin beds (and another TV) and three balconies.
     Ron had to do most of the work that week since Daryl came and dropped off his mother on Sunday and said he would be back on Saturday to pick her up so she was with us for a week.  We used to keep her for a week at a time, but then she got where she needed too much physical care so we had said just 2-3 days.  Joan was on the floor for the week, so Ron had to do most of the work.   Daryl came back Saturday to pick her up and asked how our week's "vacation" was.  It was tough since Mom had fallen and Joan was laid up.

Mountain Measows units are free-standing

Stairs to loft

Windows everywhere

    










      The neighborhood pools had closed by then but the fitness center’s indoor pool was open and Joan usually had it to herself!  She knew the swimming would help her back as this had happened before in 1980 – a back injury -- but that time it was from bending over too much in a classroom.  Ron drove her over to the pool every day.  Otherwise, she was laying on the floor most of the time.  

 








We were able to go to the library which is quite extensive an you can get a free card.  There are many pretty places to walk, and the Monay morning get-together is very good, and with lots of door prizes.  We had gone before so did not go this time.  Golf courses, a marina for boating and fishing, boat tours: it's all there.
     Fairfield Bay is a wonderful place to “hang out”…everyone we met that lives here full time loves it.  But be aware when you come: it’s a little tricky getting here the first time as it is out in the country on curvy roads.
  We hope to come back.