Out of towners that came for the walk and the cookout

I totally forgot to even mention the friends and family that came in for the walk. Between Friday and Sunday, we had fifteen people stashed in every room of the house. Most of them swapped rooms or made sleeping adjustments after the first night...giggle. My mother and Lewis came in Wed night and were a huge help in getting everything set up and organized for the other guests and the cookout. Which, by the way, had approximately 30 guests and generated over $300 for ALS, as well as creating massive left overs. They plan to stay until Saturday a.m. and then head back to Austin. I tease her that the only reason she stayed this long was because Darrin went out of town and she could have us all to herself. We've had a truly fantastic visit.

My brother Mickey, sister-in-law Val and nephew Rudy flew in from San Fransisco Friday evening. Just after most of the cookout crew had left, but still in time for the grill to be fired back up. They stayed until Tuesday. Rudy had fun running about, playing in the street (not a regular occurrence in the hills of Berkeley) and taking a bath with Deke. We had a surprise birthday celebration for both Mickey and Rudy. Mom made Mickey's favorite cake....coconut (not my favorite by a long shot!) and they (everyone but Darrin, Chase and myself) ate it until they felt it. Mickey even packed the rest to take home to Berkeley. Mom and Lewis had given Rudy a big red Mack dump (aka TUMP. It's a word. Look it up.) truck, which was a big hit.

My friend, "my Marcia" (aka brown recluse bite victim) flew in from Chicago, Friday night at the same time as my brother and his clan. She was able to see many of her friends from the Navy world, as well as keep me company at the minor medical. Seriously, the latest on the bite is that it's doing well and appears as though it will only leave a scar the size of a chicken pox.

Darrin's cousin Matt, Amie, their three children Marie France, Barret and Woodley, as well as a 1/2 cow and hog (butchered and frozen by Yoder Meats) made the 10 hour drive from Kansas. They arrived around 2:00 a.m. Saturday a.m. and still woke up bright and shiny for the walk. They had to get back to the working world and left Sunday a.m., after the first Amie Yoder was kind enough to make me look fabulous by cutting my hair. I'm all set to let my locks grow. Although, I'm sure we'll have to find our way to Kansas for a trim in the near future.

Over the weekend we broke out the Acquire board game. Which is one of Darrin's favorite games. I have to mention that my brother beat him TWICE. Matter of fact Darrin came in dead last in the first game. Darrin had to confirm the score after tallying the totals, i.e. the game "went to paper", by then going "to the calculator". Even Mom and Marcia, who were first time players beat him. The second game he came in 3rd (I was second) only because Mickey and Darrin suckered Val into playing. Her placement was understandable since she was the newbie. I have total faith that she'll rally in the rematch.