It finally feels like fall!

A front came in last night and we finally got out of the 80s and 90s! Today's high was 66 degreesF! Fall is my favorite time of year!

On that note, we're taking a little family trip to our personal bed and breakfast. We're leaving tomorrow to head to Pennsylvania. We'll be staying with my second cousin who lives in her husband's ancestor's farmhouse. It was Jim's grandparent's dairy farm; then his parent's, then their's. My dad grew up just down the road. There are stories of Jim dunking my dad headfirst into vats of milk/curdle/cheese, and doing other torturous things to him. They get along fondly now though. :)

Nancy and Jim are so welcoming and they spoil us rotten when we go there! I find myself so excited to get there. Their grandchildren live in Florida (except one in Akron) so they love it when they get company. It's crazy, they thank us when it really should be the other way around. We are so blessed. They are like another set of grandparents for our little ones. My grandparents lived there (in western Pa.) but have all died now. I find myself not really feeling the pull to need to go back there. But now that we have this connection with Nan and Jim, I really enjoy making trips up there to see them. Newfound family that's been there all along....Nancy's mom (my Great Aunt Ruth) and my paternal grandfather (my Dad's Dad)were brother and sister.

Although we are going away for a nice weekend, I do have a heavy heart. As many of you know, Grace Oughton and her family are near to my heart and and in my prayers. I am ever mindful of their daily struggles as I go about my normal daily duties. I know how they would love to have normalcy and I remind myself to cherish it and not take it for granted. Crystal and Alec are remarkable people; so strong in the face of this horrible disease Neuroblastoma. I pray for them and Grace and Landon. Precious people who deserve better than to deal with the yuckies and owies- how about to enjoy the beauty of a crisp fall day here in Virginia rather than up there in New York? Do me a favor, check out http://www.loneliestroad.org/ About Us and read the CarePages or CaringBridge pages of the children whose fathers rode their bicycles across the country to raise awareness of pediatric cancer. Also click Press, Video and watch the news clips and You Tubes of the families who are involved in the Loneliest Road Campaign. This is an ongoing endeavor to raise money for a new treatment for Neuroblastoma. You can help. I already have. I still am.