http://www.blogger.com/html?blogID=4316350785635987648 Cave Dwellings: YAY CHRISTIE!!…and…Things could be looking UP!!
Cave Dwellings

Buckhorn Creek, Lake O' The Pines, Jefferson, TX

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

YAY CHRISTIE!!…and…Things could be looking UP!!

  Well, Christie did her first Triathlon and did great…

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…Left shows her transitioning from her 500 meter swim to her 10 mile bicycle ride…and right, she is on her 3 mile run, giving her sons a high five   The kids, Aiden and Maddox are ages almost 5 and 2 1/2, and their Dad (who is a Marathon runner) took them to see Chris run…Chris finished 66th overall out of 372 …She was 188th in the swim, 77th in the bicycle and 41st in the run.  Her rank in the category of ages 39 and under (Chris IS 39) was 14th…and her finish time was 1 hour 18 minutes and 46.9 seconds….YAY CHRIS!!!!

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Happy family after the race..Notice Aiden has his mom’s medal around his neck…Thumbs up

Yesterday was Uncle Clarence’s 90th birthday…We had a pizza and cupcakes at the Rehab .  He is doing really well and looks soooo much better than he did when he came there in June.  He has gained 16 lbs in 10 weeks…from 126 to 142….

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Left is Uncle Clarence on June 30th….and on the right he and Jeanette yesterday on his 90th birthday…Just look how much healthier he looks…amazing!  He will be released very soon and we are hoping to get them both into a great assisted living apartment…We shall seeFingers crossed..

Our son, Kelly, is a Lieutenant on Oswego, IL Fire Department, at Station 2…and the station he works at is very close to the Rehab we frequent to visit Uncle Clarence…We stopped the other day to see Kelly at his work…

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He was the “officer” on duty that day…They usually work one on and two off, but that can flex a lot..Above is the duty board..His department just got a new engine and it’s just like a new toy to a firefighter…or an old retired firefighter…We have 3 generations of fire fighter Caves…Den’s Dad, (Cam Cave)..Dennis, and now Kelly. WOOT!WOOT!

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Last week I began the washing of our Hiker…I started at the top, which means climbing up on the roof and hauling the hose a bucket of bleach/soapy water and a long handled scrub brush.  I have discovered one thing about washing our fiver…Because the whole thing is white, you can go “snowblind” if you wash it in the bright sun ….I have to pace myself as the cloudy days roll in…It took me about 2-3 days to get the whole thing done..and that included the awning, which was mildewed and gross….Now the front and back need a coat of wax…That is MacGyver’s job…Nyah-Nyah

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…Here she is…all dressed up and no place to go…Crying face YET!   Open-mouthed smile….We are making some progress getting our elders to assisted living…We are supposedly moving them in this Friday…But, as MacGyver says, “ They aren’t in yet..”  Keep your fingers, eyes and legs crossed for us.  This could be the beginning of a couple carefully timed camping trips…Fingers crossedFingers crossedFingers crossedFingers crossedAuto..

21 comments:

  1. Congrats to Christie, hey, can you folks recommend any spots near Chicago (withing 40 miles) to stay that might have opening for Labor Day weekend? We seem to be without a spot to camp this coming weekend as we head south...

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  2. bOY....THERE ISN'T MUCH...ESPECIALLY ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!! YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WALLY DOCK IT OVERNIGHT. WE SERIOUSLY DON'T HAVE CAMPGROUNDS WITHIN 40 MILES OF CHICAGO...TRY THE NAPERVILLE AREA..WE NEVER GET THAT CLOSE TO THE CITY...WE ARE ABOUT 70 MILES FROM THERE AND TRY TO STAY CLEAR....SORRY.

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    1. well it sure didn't hurt to ask, we may be looking further out as well... I too avoid Chicago but she has never been there so I promised to get her there this time around... thanks, anyways!

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  3. Way to go, Christie! That's quite an accomplishment. Love family photos! Sure hope you get the folks settled so you two can get on the road... winter's comin' on!

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  4. Great job Christie! Wow, Uncle Clarence looks great! Three generations firefighters...super. Praying that you get your elders into the assisted living facility and you get some camping trips in! Also hope that you are making winter plans----away for Illinois.

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    1. Yup..3 generations of fire eaters...Keep your fingers crossed for us!

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  5. Your 5ver looks brand spanking new now. Pretty darn nice feeling inside when things finally begin coming together. Finger's crossed over here in Canada as well for this coming Friday. Start loading that Hiker......:))

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    1. Thanks, Al...You and I share the same love for our "road homes"...Send us some good Karma!

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  6. Christie did a great job. I think my daughter has done something similar in the past. Don't have the slightest clue where she got those genes from. ;)

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    1. Yes, I'm not sure where my 2 daughters got their love of running...I do know that they are both in very good shape, tho.

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  7. I'm always so impressed with anyone who does any kind of a "thon". Mara, Triathlon, whatever. It's tough sledding.
    Our firefighter here in Burlington (Ontario, not Vermont) tend to work four on, and four off, but like you say, they do switch out a lot. I never know when the heck my nephew is working.

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    1. Only kind of "thon" I could do is an eat-a-thon....

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  8. Congrats to Christie on both finishing the Triathlon and in doing so well time wise - quite an accomplishment.

    Uncle Clarence looks like a young 90 in that photo and is well on his way to 100 - here's hoping he agrees to the assisted living facility.

    Now that your all washed up and ready to go, just 'get 'er done'.

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    1. I do agree that I'm all washed up...more because of the elders than the Hiker...Dennis says we ARE going away this Winter, no if's and's or buts!

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  9. We're pulling for you. Not fun having to hang around the house for too long.

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    1. Agreed...very depressing here lately..We will get outta Dodge soon!

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  10. congrats to Christie..loved to run as a kid, now I dont even want to walk fast :-)
    what a difference in Uncle Clarence on the before and after...looks so much better, hope
    we continues to get better and better

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    1. Yes, both our daughters are runners..I need Depends to even trot.

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  11. Congrats to Christie on completing the race in record time!!
    Hope the move goes well for the 'elders' and the two of you can get a move on!
    the Hiker is a-waiting!!!

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  12. Thanks...She is amazing, that Chris... We may not get away this Fall.. Not many places around here to camp at a reasonable price..

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