2009/08/02 Through 2009.08/08 Twins' Visit

Don decided to get the 14 year old twins for a week's visit starting on 8/2/09. He rode down to Raleigh to pick them up after church on Sunday. He had dinner with Julie, Christopher, Jessie, Katie, and Kitty Cat (the unnameable cat that wound up being named Kitty Cat). Their nanny took some time off for a trip and Julie could use the help with watching after the kids for a few days. Don tells me he took a walk with Christopher (16 years old) and the two of them had interesting conversation. For such a young man, Christopher is a very thinking person and can converse on a many many topics. Everyone is very proud of his abilities.

On Monday, 8/3/09, the twins and Don started out for the ride back to Charlotte. Christopher has a job and likes his paychecks so he stayed in Raleigh so he could get in some work time. The three of them started out at 10:30 a.m. and went to Asheboro where they tried to eat at a Chinese restaurant that Don and I like there. It was closed and they went to the Golden Corral where everyone enjoyed a great lunch. At 2 p.m., they went to the zoo in Asheboro where they got to see the elephants in an area where they were close up to the people. They also saw babboons. Everyone enjoyed this little excursion as they did not do so much that everyone got worn out with the trip. I think they just went to the Africa exhibit.

Later, at 7 p.m., our church had a speaker from Duke Divinity School, Dr. Efird, who is an expert on the book of Daniel. The twins went with Don while Linda went to a class discussion on Parker Palmer's book, "Let Your Life Speak." The twins got to meet my facilitator, Marissa. Some of our friends, in particular Bob and Anne, Jim and Nancy also visited with them. Everyone was entirely charmed by these lovely young ladies and they were amazing to sit through a talk about the book of Daniel. Dr. Efird was very personable and interesting in his presentation so this helped with keeping everyone's interest piqued. Don and the girls met me after class and I got to introduce them to one of my classmates, Randy, who has become a great friend over the last while since we are in lots of groups together. We went on home after and maybe the girls and Don went to Wendy's for a frosty. The twins like soft ice cream/yogurt and smoothies.

I believe we went to Jason's Deli after this and we had wrap sandwiches (mainly turkey) and soup. I got ginger ale in a bottle and they were surprised I poured it over ice to drink. They thought it would be way more cool to drink it straight out of the bottle. I offered them some of it that was still in the bottle and they loved that. (We did offer to buy them a whole one but they said no.)

Tuesday, August 4, Don picked me up with the twins and we went to the White Water Park for lunch. They wanted to ride the Zip Line. At first, we discouraged this as we didn't know how parents would feel about it but they convinced us that (A) They are in shape (they really really are), (B) They have done Zip Lines before (we didn't now if the ones they had done were quite as long as this one), (C) They are daredevils (yes, indeed they are), and (D) Just call their mom and she would say yes. And so they rode and they rode again. They did just great and loved all but the long walk back to get to ride again. The Water Park really needs a 3 or 4 golf carts to help people make this journey especially on a hot hot day like it was on Tuesday. To get them permission to ride, they had to go weigh to be sure they met the weight limit. They did easily. Then,they had to rent some shoes and a helmet as they were wearing flip flops and of course the helmit is essential. They found the shoes "yucky" but had no choice as they are weighed again at the top of the tower where the zip line takes off and are inspected for safety clothing and harness. They are also given an individual talk on what to do and this takes some time but they listened with attention and came through quite well. Don and I stayed on the ground and tried to get pictures/video of them in the air. We did well too. Don has video of both of them riding down the line and walking back to the tower for their second ride.

That evening, Tuesday, they wanted to rent a movie and have pizza at Linda's so they could see the movie on a larger screen tv. Don took them to Blockbuster and they rented a movie and I set up the table for serving pizza on plates. They came and we ate the pizza and then hit the freezer for "Italian Ice" treats that Marlene had recommended the last time she was here. Cherry was the flavor of the night and they seemed to enjoy it all. And, oh yes, we had to get them cokes in the little glass bottles so they could drink the coke straight from the bottle. This is an indulgence to them as they and their mother don't really think it wise to drink cokes. But this was a treat night. Don and I bore with the movie and the girls seemed to really enjoy it although I don't think anyone sat at rapt attention through the whole thing as we were all busy getting bits of food throughout. This turned out to be a great night for us all though as we enjoyed each other's company.

Wednesday, August 5: The girls wanted to go back to Jason's I do believe. So we went. They wanted extra fruit and one a salad so we did get a lot of food for everyone.

The girls wanted to see a play while they were here. We had done this with them in the past when they visited and I guess they enjoyed it more than we knew. It was "Abba" before and we thought they found it a little "hokey." But since they requested to see another play, Don and I were on the lookout for one that was playing. We found a local production of something called GRITS (stands for Girls Raised in the South) that was given a good review and big article in the paper. They agreed that sounded fun so tickets were bought. They picked me up and we arrived at the theatre (a small one with a small stage but intimate). There were tables set up to sell this that and the other and the girls explored all those possibilities while we waited for the doors to open. We found seats in the theatre which was general admission. Still we had not trouble getting exactly where the girls wanted to be - center, a few rows back from the stage. The play was a series of little stories with a song during or after each one. Some were cute and some were a little melancholy. It started out that Southerners don't understand why Yankees always lock their doors. In the South in the 1940s and 1950s and beyond, no one ever locked anything, nor did people feel it completely necessary to knock. Just go on in and if food was being served, welcome that visitor to your table. Well, Don and I remember it well but it is outside Jessie and Katie's experience. Then there were cute songs and funny songs, like "Lipstick Sisters," "I Hope Dolly Parton Lives Forever," "Sweet Tea," and some song about a girdle. And there was a song about "Mama" and "I Remember" about a dog one of the characters owned for 15+ years that passed away. I sat there and thought of Bandit through that one and it was about to be a tearful moment but the song got happier about the memories so I managed to make it through. I got the girls a CD with the songs on it and they were happy as could be. They wanted Frosties after and Don went by and got them one.

Thursday, August 6: The girls swam in the pool at Don's complex while he went to his men's group and I went to see a video of Dr. Efird's talk from Monday night. We were told that they had to get special permission to show the video(DVD). I am glad I did see it as he gave a great presentation and it made the book of Daniel much more reader friendly. I took notes too. Hope I can find them someday.

At 1:30, Don picked up the girls to go visit Sally and her family in Crozet, VA. She just closed on a new house August 1 so Don told Jessie and Katie there would probably be lots of unpacked boxes around and everyone might want to help a little with anything Sally needed done. Don also picked up Subway sandwiches ($5 footlongs) for everyone to eat in the car when they were hungry.

They got to Sally's about 7 p.m. and saw the new house, Sally, Jim, Kara, and Ben. Jim, Kara, and Ben went swimming. Don took pictures. Jack and Logan were at camp. Jack was spending the night at his camp and Logan was at a camp also.

On Friday, August 7, Don helped Sally build out a desk for Jack. Then, around 12:30 p.m., Jack came home a day early from camp. The grown-ups went to pick him up after a call asking someone to come get him. Turns out, there had been a fire at the camp and tragedy had occurred with one death involved. I saw a picture of the burned building and there was little left except a wall and a half. Jack was not told of the death right away. I don't know how you tell a kid something like that when he has just been at the place that had a fire and had had a good time there.

At 4 p.m., the whole family went to swim at Mountain Lake. The girls liked this as they wanted to go to a beach and the lake has sand around it as if it were a beach. But there was such great views of the mountains from the lake. Everyone agreed it was a lovely place. Logan arrived and took part in this activity.

Since they had been able to see Jack from Noon Friday on (instead of from 1 to 3 Saturday had there not been a fire) they felt it was worth the effort to get back to Raleigh early for a dance rehearsal for Jessie .After sleeping fast Friday night, Don, Katie, and Jessie started out at 7:34 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, for Raleigh. The dance rehearsal was at 1:30. Don got lost somewhere around Lynchburg and they lost 45 minutes trying to get back on track. At 11:45 a.m., they arrived in Raleigh after 245 miles, would have been 200 without getting lost.. They took the children's bags to their father's house and he had three dogs (I think 3) that were all very sweet and everyone liked them. Jessie made her rehearsal. Don left around 1:00 and was back in Charlotte by 4 p.m.

Really fun children and really nice that Don and the girls got to visit with Sally and her family. With all so scattered out, it is difficult to arrange visits around everyone's schedule.

Good job, Don.