Going Home

Monday Dec 22 the Webster clan headed to the airport - Butch flying to LA, Richard, Arlene, Mary & myself flying to Seattle. At least we thought we were. Butches flight was delayed but not cancelled. Our flight was definitely cancelled. They searched for other flights on other days and the best they could do for us was to fly out of Monroe on December 26th.

As much as we enjoyed our visit with the Folks we just couldn't fathom spending that much more time in Louisiana especially since Betsy May was flying from Portland and Madeline was flying from Montreal on the 23rd to be with their Moms (Me & Mary, respectively) and Butch had booked a flight from LA for Xmas in Wenatchee. Richard did some inquires about renting a car - we were in luck, there was one car available for out of state travel - we could have it for $125/day - Richard asks us what we wanted to do and we all responded loudly

"ROAD TRIP!"

Which was our mantra thru out the whole drive.

The first thing Richard did was to get a charger for his cell phone, and a map.

We headed West toward Dallas.

Which is a Mess, by the way.

Outside of Texas we called Ed & Martha to pick their brains about the best route home, since they have done the trip many times.

I think it is the first time Arlene & I loved the cell phone.

The whole trip we got weather, road condition updates and route advice from Martha, Ed & Jehd. Butch called to let us know he made it safely home, and kept tabs on us. Keith called to keep us updated about the Girls arrival. Best of all was Richards ring-tone which was a Latin based tune. When we would hear that tone all the girls in the car would start to do a dance and smile so big!

On our second pit-stop we got groceries - breakfasts & lunch foods plus a bait bucket and frozen peas to keep the cold foods kinda cool. Our plan was to only stop for gas & pee breaks and motels at the end of the day. We could eat on the road.

Three of us took turns with the driving and Mary read to us from the New Yorker Magazine (fiction edition) that I happened to have bought in Houston.

Another plus was that the car came with XM radio with a Jimmy Buffet station and Xmas music station.

We were set!

"Road Trip!"

The drive was about 2400 miles -

Day one we drove 544 miles in 10 hours

We were still in Texas by 7:30pm when we stopped for supper & motel rooms.

It was a little disappointing when people called asking where we were when we had to say

"Still in Texas" - but it was our first day and we got off to a late start and all...

Richard & Arlene took photos - from the car as we were driving!

My camera was packed away.

All of these photos are Arlene's, as I wasn't able to download Richards.

Day two we traveled 990 miles - 16 hours on the road

10pm Buffalo Wyoming (I think that's the name of the town)

We had warnings from our Life-Lines that we were heading towards bad weather and to keep driving for as long as we could. So we skipped getting supper and just kept truckin'

And our sources were right about the bad weather.

Arlene was driving when the wind gusts Martha had alerted us about hit.

She did such a great job of driving!

The next day we drove the rest of the way home!

Another 900 plus (maybe 1000)mile drive - 16 hours

Arlene had icy roads, snow & wind, Richard drove in the dark with freezing rain (thank goodness he bought the ice scaper when he bought chains - the last pair for miles!)

They both did an excellent job. I chose to only drive in the good weather.

I did the final leg home -

Which was Dec. 24 around 10pm.

We kept saying that we made it home because of the Potent Prayers from our Family!

We kept a log of who drove when & where and when we stopped etc. so later we could make a scrape book of sorts. And here is what we made.

Madeline made it to Wenatchee on Dec 22 - she had lots of delays but she made it!

Betsy May was not so fortunate; it took her 2 1/2 hours just to get to the Portland airport, her flight had left and she couldn't get on another.

But it was good that we could talk on the cell phone while she was in the airport.

Richard & Arlene left the farm Christmas Day after Stockings so they could return the rental car and pick up their sick kitty.

Butch flew into Wenatchee Christmas Day afternoon and stayed with us until Jan 2

Madeline left Jan 1.

Arlene came back the first week of Jan and when she left Jan 7 Mary went with her for she flew to San Salvador Jan 8th.

It was a memorable trip and Holiday!

Next post will be photos of the Family Holiday.

Playing Catch - Up

Yikes! The last time I was here was Thanksgiving!!

Well I'm determined to catch you all up - there are several stories to be told and it's going to take awhile.

I think I will start with the sad news then work backwards in time on all the good stuff.

Our best goat Porkchop died this new year.

By the look of her face, it seems that she didn't suffer - very serene.

I failed Animal Husbandry 101 this past fall by not getting the girls away from the boys soon enough. It looks like all the females are pregnant. I hadn't planned on getting Porkchop pregnant and it looks like it was the pregnancy that done her in. She did not give birth, only a partial birth to one when Keith found her. I had a migraine that morning so it took over my duties. He seems to always get the rough turn of events.

The ground is frozen, so no burial. Instead we put her in a far corner of the farm for the wild life to make use of her body. The circle concept.

It took about a week for the coyotes to find the body - today I saw that the Ravens and Eagles are having their turn. I haven't gone up close for these discoveries - Keith did for the coyotes, I took him on his word and this morning I saw the Ravens and Eagles flying, fighting in the air above Porkchops area.

She was such a good goat and we will miss her.

Louisiana

On December 16th leaving Keith and the snow behind I flew to Louisiana to join my siblings to celebrate our Mom's 80th Birthday!

Well I tried. My connecting flight in Houston was delayed due to mechanical troubles. An hour or so later a lady with a thick southern accent announced that the problem had been fixed but that they had lost the Crew. Time passed, the passengers were getting antsy, I made friends with an elderly gentleman. He had great stories about growing up in Minnesota and being part of a Boys Band just like in "The Music Man". The Southern gal made a new announcement "Good news, we found a Crew, they are just getting off a flight from New Jersey, as soon as they are able they will get on our flight and we will be good to go!" The passengers including me were very happy. Until the next announcement came - "Due to fog the flight is cancelled, please make your way to the counter to see if you can get on a flight tomorrow, to find out how to retrieve your luggage and to receive a voucher for a hotel." My new friend was not physically able to stand in line so I stood for him. As I got a wheelchair for my pal and booked us flights for the next day another gentleman joined us - he didn't know where to go to get the luggage or hotel and wanted to follow us. So off we went - a bit like Dorothy the Tinman and Scarecrow. With the help from the wheelchair attendee we made it to the luggage area and the hotel - turns out this hotel does not accept the vouchers from the airlines and a room would cost $259 a night! That's where I left the Tinman & Scarecrow - after borrowing one of their cell phones to call Mom & Dad to let them know that I would be in Monroe the next morning - hopefully. I found the perfect spot in the terminal to spend the night - four comfy chairs by Starbucks. To pass the time, I road the train that went to the different areas of the airport - met a girl on the train who was stranded as well, from her I learned that none of the hotels in the area accepted the vouchers and they were all too expensive- I told her where the comfy chairs were and told her that was where I would be. I had my luggage so I had my toothpaste and other toiletries to feel fresh after riding the train. My comfy chairs were still unoccupied when I returned - soon the young lady arrived and claimed one for herself, before long the other two were occupied with women - all had great stories. It wasn't such a bad night of no sleep and the price was right. My flight did leave the next morning - only 2 hours delay but we did land in Monroe and I was so happy to see my Mom waiting for me with a big smile on her face and a huge hug for my body. Mom and I were due in St. Joe for an overnight visit with our dear friends Mrs. Mac and her sister "Aunt" Dot. Mom did the driving while I did the look out for signs, stopped vehicles in the road, and speed limits. An hour and a half later we arrived. Soon after greetings and coffee and lunch I laid down for a much needed nap!

Aunt Dot, Mom, Mrs. Mac sitting on a bench dedicated to Mr. Mac in front of the "Shepherd's Center" a thrift store Mrs. Mac founded to help people in need.
Aunt Dot is always cheery!

I hope I age as well as these two ladies - Mom is 80 and Mrs. Mac is 86.

We had a great visit, then back on the road to Eros, to see Dad, my brother Ed and his wife Martha who live next door to the folks. Richard, Arlene, & Butch were due to arrive that night - but they were flying the same flight I was thru Houston and the weather hadn't changed much over night. I was hoping they would be spared the hectic trip I had had.

PARTY!

Richard, Arlene and Butch all arrived safely and basically on time - Richard and Arlene almost missed the connecting flight but because it was delayed they made it - making their entrance after everyone else was on board! Now four of the seven siblings had arrived...so far.

The first Party for Mom was at the place she volunteers at once a week. Christian Community Services - which is a type of thrift store but no money is exchanged for the goods. We were given the full tour when we arrived for their annual Christmas Party which doubled as a celebration to Mom. We were all impressed - it's a very well run and organized working machine!

Lots of delicious food and great people - they handed out gifts to the volunteers - gifts you can't take back because they come from second-hand stores- how surprised we were when we heard our names called out!

We had a great time sharing the day with Mom, meeting her friends and being "shone off"

Our next trick was distracting Mom while a few of us went off to the airport to pick up Mom's Big Surprise - our sister Mary flying in from San Salvador!

The trick worked and Mom was surprised - she was brought to tears.

Well that's all for today - I will continue the saga tomorrow

(It may not show up as a new post because I want it laid out in chronological order so tomorrows post will be below this one....)

Family

By Friday the rest of the gang had arrived.

Jehd & Cheryl drove from Missouri,

Ed & Martha's oldest son, Terry ,the best nephew ever :-), drove from Dallas

The only one who couldn't make it was our brother Jim and his wife Vicki,

but they were there in Spirit and in our Hearts, (and on the phone)

The Bros got Mom & Dad digital TV ready under the guidance of Richard.

There was lots of pool playing,

Ed was Pool King Champ!

Cake, presents, laughter, and of course being Websters, lots of Talking!

and surprisingly lots of dancing!!

and a little slumber party silliness.



We had a great time Mom!

Church

Our father still preaches every Sunday at a small church in Farmerville.

We decided to all go to church with him.

Mom & Dad havn't had so many of their children in church at one time since the Sixties!

When I say small I mean very small. The church is a trailer and at the most there are 5 in the congregation. This Sunday there was only one who wasn't part of our family!

Ed & Martha are always there, because they drive Dad the 30 miles to the church.Since we were the majority we took over, Butch was the acolyte,

and we all chose songs to sing. This congregation normally doesn't have singing because there is no one to play the small organ, but Websters do not need accompanment to sing the songs we know by heart!



After Mom got us all settled down, Dad got to the business of Church.

After the service, we took advantage of having the one non-family in the congregation to take family photos - it seemed appropriate that the Family Photos be in the Church.




The tradition in Farmerville is for the congregation to gather at a local diner for lunch
and so we did.

It was a Great Sunday!