What a long strange trip it's been....

No, I am not a "deadhead" however I thought this quote was perfect to describe my adventures during my 9 day (more like 15 days) of travelling for The University of Scranton. I can now appreciate and understand Dorothy's quote from the Wizard of Oz...there's no place like home....

A REALLY long story short: my first day out (July 7th) I started to experience car trouble. I was in denial and attributed my car's tempermental behavior to heat. In the end, it was my transmission. Apparently Honda had a Class Action Suit against Honday Odyssey's 1999-2002 models for transmission failure. Ours, of course, is a 2000. And naturally, we were out of the warranty period and mileage. I left my car at a dealership on Long Island and borrowed my parents' car to complete my visits to my students (which by the way, the car decided to test my patience my first day in NJ, as the air bag light illuminated on the dashboard and the handy dandy owner's manual states: bring to dealership immediately). I was in touch with Honda America and they ended up covering half the cost. Not too bad, but still not the best. But then again, they technically didn't have to cover any of the cost so I am thankful! The kids (who left home July 3) and myself headed home July 22. Tom was very excited to have us home and even brought home a dozen roses for me. The neighbors the next day said my husband was making them look bad since he brought home roses. I informed them to tell their wives to go away for 2 weeks and they too would get roses! For those of you with Honda Odyssey's, I share my research with you:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f0fa11e (car space automotive)

http://www.hondatransmissionsettlement.com/php/login.php# (settlement)

Moving along....
The kids headed to Lebanon on July 13 to spend the week with their Nana and Papa. They started their week with a party for Papa's birthday. Monday was a calm day at the house. Tuesday, Nana and Papa took Gabriella and Thomas to Hershey Gardens where there is a children's garden and a butterfly house. Putting Thomas in a butterfly house is a death sentence for the butterflies! However, I heard that Thomas listened and did touch nor stomp on any butterflies! Wednesday they spent their day at Uncle Kevin and Aunt Karen's house playing with Alex and Jocelyn. Thursday was a trip to Hershey Park. I was done with my visits at this point and was able to join Nana and the kids for the fun. It was hot day but it didn't stop the kids from hitting all the rides they wished to go on...again and again and again. Friday we picked up Alex and head to the Hands on House in Lancaster. All three of the kids had lots of fun playing. After about 4 hours we headed back to Nana and Papa's house where Uncle Kevin and Aunt Karen joined us...with Jocelyn of course. We then headed over to the church festival for dinner, some games and of course, a pony ride. Around 8:00 we headed home, took showers and headed to bed. Alex spent the night too! Saturday morning we headed back to Long Island to wait for our car to be fixed.

While we were away, my uncle and cousins headed up this way to help Tom with the deck. They were able to get the ledger board up and the holes dug for the footings. Since my return, Tom and I have spent 2 hours every night outside pouring concrete for the footers. Hopefully by this upcoming weekend (August 2) we'll be ready to frame the deck!




The kids have kept busy since returning home with birthday parties, speech therapy for Tommy, High School Musical 2 dance workshop for Gabriella, swimming, bowling, trips to the park, seeing Seussical Jr. (a play), playdates, shopping for clothes & backpacks for school, and a day with friends at the Splash Pad in Clarks Summit. Think Disney fountains that you are allowed to run through. Enjoy the videos of the kids at the Splash Pad.




This upcoming weekend we will be heading to New Jersey for the annual Haskell family get together. The kids will be heading to Long Island to attend Vacation Bible School with Grandma and Grandpa. That's about it for now...keep checking back...and only 25 more days till school starts!!!!