Thursday, April 24 - We have our home back!! I can't tell you how nice that is. The cabin was nice/rustic but with all our stuff in there it was cramped. No real place to sit. So after a call this morning and about 90 minutes at the Lifestyle plant, we got it back.

All but two small things were done and we can live with that. We got a nice backsplash behind the sink, a drawer installed under the fridge (more storage) and the two awful swivel recliners were replaced with a stadium loveseat with cupholders and storage and they MATCH the couch. This is what should have been in here to begin with. These things were in addition to what needed to be fixed. All in all, we are very happy. Of course we had to clean the place up again and move back in. That was no small task and we are bushed. But the upside is we are now FREE!!

We had a place to be at a certain time and we accomplished that. Now however we are on our own. It's quite exhilarating. I can't tell you how happy we are to have our place back and to now be free to go where we please. We are grateful too that Sis weathered the whole ordeal and is resting comfortably in her bed. She knows this place as home as she is comfortable once again.

Yesterday we took her to the vet for a nail trim and vaccination. The vaccination was for bordatella so we could board her later if necessary. We wanted to do that one day this week but she had to have the shot at least one week before boarding. We have it now in case we decide to do that further down the line. She also got one extra vaccination for a condition specific to this area. We did not want her getting sick. She is too fragile to go through anything like that. It was a traumatic day coupled with being in an unfamiliar place but she is well. Thank you God!

Yesterday we took a driving tour through several Amish towns. It was nice. There were horse and buggy drivers on the road and that was interesting. There is covered buggy parking at the Wal-Mart and hitching posts at other places. We stopped at a bakery/store and picked up two delicious treats, one of which was gluten-free! The place was immaculate including the restrooms and the staff very pleasant. We did not have time to stop anywhere other than one more place as we had the vet appt at 3:30 and had to get back on this side of town.

It's funny how quick you learn your way around and we even have the tolls memorized. We were threatened with "toll road jail" or "losing our truck" by one of the toll takers when we asked her what would happen if we did not have money enough for the toll. She was very pleasant as they all have been. W e have had the privilege of meeting some very nice people including our camp hosts and workers. They are exceptional.

We are staying put at least until Monday morning. That will give us time to recoup and for Sis to also. Our plan is to then head for Erie, PA which is 330 miles. We made reservations today for two days there. After that we are headed to Niagara Falls. That will be a short 120 mile trip. After that we'll head through Canada, if all Sis's paperwork is in order. If not, we'll just turn around and head back the way we came. We are not going to let it cause us any grief. If it works fine, if not, fine. We plan only on crossing Canada into MI. We will not be staying in Canada.

We are facing rain here tomorrow but it shouldn't be too cold - 60's. I think the weekend is going to be ok with temps in the 50's with some rain coming late Sunday and then all next week. A good time to leave.

We were going to splurge today and have breakfast out down the road at a recommended pancake house but decided to get all our laundry done and consolidate our things in the cabin in anticipation of getting our home back. We decided to go there for lunch instead however, about 10:30 we heard sirens and could see and smell smoke when we went outside. It was concerning as it was obvious it was close and we are surrounded by trees. It turns out it was the pancake restaurant on fire. That's too bad, they opened about 2 years ago and I think the damage was extensive.

I think that's about it for now. Archie Bunker is on. We watched him last night and it was fun.

Good night everyone. We love you all! Thanks for all your help  in watching our home when we're gone. We appreciate it very much!!