One last post for 2021

 I haven't been keeping up with the blog.., our lives have not been very "blog worthy".  But here is a final post for the year.  We had a visit from someone I've known since elementary school, Mike, and his wife Donna, who still live in Clifton.  Their daughter and family live in Simpsonville, so like Plish and John, they arranged to swing by to see us while they were visiting family for Thanksgiving. The last time  I had seen Mike was probably 14 years ago at a mini reunion for us School #13ers.  I had never met Donna, and Bob never met her or Mike before, but the guys have a lot in common, and with Mike's and my link to Athenia and School 13, the conversation never lagged.  Donna was fairly quiet, but later said she felt it was Mike's time in the spotlight. Next time is yours, Donna, when we see you in NJ.

Here's to a very healthy and  happy 2022 to all, and hopefully more blog worthy times!!! 

Thanksgiving Celebration 2021

 Bobby and Valerie had an extended stay in Maine due to health issues and didn't return to Georgia until late November.  We invited them to have Thanksgiving dinner with us, but we celebrated it the Wednesday before because they already had plans for Thanksgiving Day.

They knew Bob was going to renovate the garage, but I hadn't told them it was finished.  I wanted to see the look on their faces when they saw it for the first time.

Judging by their expressions, I'd say they were impressed.

The guys shot a couple of games...

and had some snacks before we played pinochle, and later had a very delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings and pumpkin and apple pie!  

Fields of the Woods Nov 2021

 On our last day, we drove into Murphy, NC, which was less than 40 miles from the campground.  We stopped at some thrift stores and then at an unusual place called Fields of the Woods.

On 200 acres in the Great Smoky foothills, a man named AJ Tomlinson designed this tribute to the "true church", The Church of God of Prophecy.

On a hillside stretched across 300 feet are the Ten Commandments laid out in stone letters 5 by 4 feet.

It is impressive whether viewing from the base or the top.

And the view at the top is also impressive, especially on a fall day.

On the grounds is a replica of Christ's tomb.

And Prayer Mountain...a pathway with 29 monuments containing biblical quotes.

But a front was moving in, so it was time to head back to camp and get ready for the trip back home.

TVA Dams Nov 2021

 We thought we'd enjoy the scenery by driving to two of the dams in the area.

The first one is on the Nottley River.  It was built in 1941 primarily for flood storage.

There doesn't appear to be a risk of flooding today. 

The other on the Hiawassee River looks deep...

but its huge spillway was dry.

Playing Tourist Nov 2021

 We didn't have any special destination in mind for this trip.  We thought we would just drive around Blue Ridge, Morganton, and Blairsville.

We happened upon The Pickers Barn in Blairsville.

I always seem to find the bears.

And Bob the deer.

There was really a huge variety of art and antiques.

And things to make you chuckle.

Morganton Point Georgia Nov 15 - 19 2021

 Time for a change of scenery.  We've been staying hunkered down because of continued covid concerns.  We decided a four night camping trip at Morganton Point would be a boost to our morale.

We were able to reserve a nice, secluded spot on the lake.  We liked it even better than the others we had before.

There was a clear path to the lake from our site.

But, because the lake is part of the TVA, winter water levels were extremely low.

But, thankfully, that didn't ruin the gorgeous sunset.

Overnight Guests September 2021

 Our long time friends, Plish and John, spent a week near the end of September at their seasonal condo in Calabash, and then visited with their niece and grand niece who recently moved from NC to Simpsonville, SC, about 50 miles from us.  Since we were just a stone's throw away, they made plans to see us, too, before heading home to New Jersey.  It was a short visit, but it was wonderful to see them.

We hope they will stay longer next visit.

Garage Conversion Late Summer 2021

 Bob had bought the second shed hoping to use that as his workshop cum garage, and convert our single car garage into a rec room as he did in Bonita, primarily for a pool table.

The demolition begins.  Bob tore down the existing sheetrock so that he could insulate the walls.  He's always has been a staunch believer in "insulation".

After the insulation and new sheetrock, Bob paneled the walls.

Time for a breather because there's a lot more to get done. Bob has found a pool table that he wants and it will be here by the end of August, just a couple of weeks away. 

 

The pool table arrives.  The seller is a local guy who refurbishes tables.  Here, he and his brother-in-law are setting the slate before installing a new felt top.

It's a beauty!

And Bob doesn't waste much time trying it out.

It also came with a ping pong able top, which will be fun to have!  But for now, Bob has to finish remodeling, including installing an air handler, painting the floor, and baseboards.

 

Water Woes Summer 2021

 As a precaution to prevent the pool pump from burning up while we were away for David and Amanda's wedding, Bob cut off the pool pump.  That turned out to be a bad idea.  When we got back, algae had run rampant.  Bob spent around $500 in chemicals trying to get rid of the algae.  He ultimately ended up removing the old sand in the filter, filling it with new sand, emptying the pool, and refilling it.  Next time we're away, he will ask a neighbor to check on the pool.

Bob wonders if he will ever get rid of the dead algae.

He rarely gets in the pool, but he is determined to get the water crystal clear again.

He literally suction vacuumed the entire bottom before refilling the pool.  By then, it was late August, and the temperatures weren't warm enough to reheat the water.  I think I used the pool only a handful of times this summer.  : - (   But Bob's efforts will be greatly appreciated next year. 

The Big Day - Sunday June 27, 2021

 Two years in the making...the wedding day finally arrives.  Today's events are quite unconventional, but reflect David and Amanda's love of all things aquatic!  The agenda is as follows:  a cruise on a catamaran, The Blue, out to Lighthouse Reef, where the wedding ceremony would take place, followed by snorkeling or just enjoying the water or being on the boat, back to dockside, photos on the beach, followed by the wedding dinner at The Whale Harbor.

We are scheduled to walk down the dock to the boat on the right around 1 pm

Bob and I will follow Chelsea and Emily who will be escorting Brooklyn and Bella, the dogs of honor.

The family begins to gather...Cheryl's dad, Bob, her cousin, Cinda, and her sister, Robin.

David sees Amanda for the first time in her wedding gown after she boards The Blue.

Heading out to oceanside, we'll go under the bridge on the Overseas Highway.  It does bring back fond memories seeing the beautiful waters of the Keys.

Although David and Amanda have made many visits down here,  today will be one of the most memorable for them.

Lighthouse Reef comes into view.  We hope the storm clouds will drift away.

Bob and I move from inside the boat to the benches near the bow before the ceremony begins. 

Andrew reads the vows.  At one point, he forgot to pause when reading what David was to say, and David had to ask him to repeat parts of it, much to everyone's chuckles.

Brisk winds cause too much feedback noise, so Andrew cuts off the mike.  Amanda uses her "teacher's voice" to be heard.  Andrew says her vows are more convincing when she is yelling them, causing even more laughter from the guests.

They then literally tie the knot.

and seal it with a kiss.

And we all join in a champagne toast to the new Mr and Mrs Kicklighter.

The captain announces that he will move to a different coral reef for snorkeling.  David and Amanda have changed into bathing suits, and having figuratively taken the plunge now literally do it by holding hands and jumping off the bow into the ocean.

Then other guests don snorkeling gear and enjoy the coral reef scenery...

...others enjoy  bobbing on floats...

...and others enjoy a cold one aboard deck.

After an hour or so, the captain announces we need to head back in.

Cheryl and friends entertain with a lively rendition of Sweet Caroline

Back on land, we gather on the beach at The Islander Resort for more photos.  The weather stayed windy, but no rain to ruin the day.

After the photo shoot, everyone went to Whale Harbor for the wedding dinner.  Here is the head table, but all in all, there were about 60 guests in attendance.

So, now it is official....and there truly are...