Sunday, September 17, 2006

Biking Weekends

The last two weekends Jerry and I have been riding the trails with our bikes again. Last weekend our brother-in-law Mike and my nephew Nicholas came with us to the Lehigh Gorge Trail which we had traveled at least 4 times this summer. Nicholas rode in a child seat on the back of Mike's bicycle . We traveled about 12 miles. Nicholas enjoyed throwing stones in the creek more than the bike ride. We later went to Katina's and Mike's for dinner and when we were leaving Nicholas brought his shoes to me and kept saying, "bike, bike, ..." Now I know we need to take him more often.
This weekend we went to Jerry's sister's house in Palmyra and spent the night on Fri. We got up to a soggy, misty, Sat. morning. I told Jerry it would be better if we waited to go on the Lebonan Trail at noon when the rain was suppose to stop. Of course this was also a great opportunity for me to shop at the Hershey Outlets with my 40% off coupon. Jerry is getting more patient in our married years. He waited in the car a very long time while I had a great time picking out clothes and shoes from Bass, Geoffrey Beene, and Izod. I could have stayed another couple hours but for Jerry's sake, I quit after about 1 1/2. When we finished around 1:00 we went to Cabela's for Jerry to try on some Columbia coats. He wants to get one with a zip-out liner for our trip out to Canada in Dec.
The Lebanon Rails to Trails is about 10 minutes from Celia's house. Celia went to the Penn State game so we took our bikes and rode 8 miles one way and 8 miles back. It rained hard for a few minutes so we stopped under a bridge until it slowed down. This trail is OK. Rails to Trails are supposedly not more than 2% grade but this one seemed to be much more. The Lehigh Gorge Trail and the PA Grand Canyon Trail were the best we have been on so far. If you need information on a PA Rails to Trails, email me. We have been on most of them in PA. Our next trip is planned to Jersey Shore, PA. We hope to do this before the cold weather sets in.
Our sons are doing Ok in Pitts. We don't hear from them too often but we figure "no news is good news". I'm sure they enjoy the football season right now.
Maria is doing well. She's gaining weight, after losing quite a bit at first. Katina is home with both children and adjusting to her new lifestyle.
Nathan Scrabis ( 3 1/2), our neice Kathy's son in Pittsburgh, had a complication from a hernia operation and is doing better. He was one sick little boy. Kathy and Dan heard many prayers and spent many long hours worrying while still keeping up with their 2 daughters, Maura 8, and Olivia 6. Jerry's sister Marjorie and brother-in-law Tom are always there for them. That's when you appreciate family the most!
It's so nice to hear your replies after reading my post. Let us know how you are.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Meet Maria



Most of you who read this blog may know that Maria Eleni was born on Wed., Sept. 6, 2006 at 11:50 AM. The Dr. was suppose to induce her at noon but she called me around 6 AM and said she was in labor and going to the hospital. She asked for Jerry to go to the house to watch Nicholas. Jerry took off for her house and I was out the door to work. The whole way to work I thought about how I wish I could be with her. I decided to TRY to find a substitute and take 1/2 day. Even if I wasn't there for the birth, then I could be with Katina and the baby. Well, I left work right at 11:00 AM and got to room 342 to hear the nurses say "8, 9, 10, PUSH!" I thought, "I hope that desk person gave me the right room number because I'm going in!" Thank God, it was Katina otherwise I would have some explaining to do. I walked in just as Maria's head was crowning. How's that for timing? One more traffic light and I would have missed it. She is a healthy 8 pound 10 oz., pink, baby girl. Now I know why they say birth is a miracle.
I started my first graduate class on Tues. evening and I start the second one this Mon. After getting up at 4:30 AM, exercising for an hour, preparing lesson plans and working with 18 -8 yr. olds all day, I'm in bed by 9:00. Our big vacation to Vancouver at Christmas time will be such a welcome rest from the busy routine.