THEY CARDED ME!! OH YEAH!!!!

In JFK  What do you do for HOURS until the plane leaves go to the Medalist Bar of course!!!!  We wine drinkers are really worried about the Palm Wine soooooo needed our last glass with dinner.  Had a good chicken salad with my last merlot - oh wait does the plane have wine?   Ha!!!  Germany good beer what about wine??? Will have to look into that NOT at 11:00 am.  Ha!!!

So names start on left ran Dawn Susanna Me Slade Janet  Megan Rachel  Cara

Last Night In USA

Tomorrow we leave for Ghana Can't believe this long wait is here.  We went through orientation today even did a skit which is not my thing but I was the brat that did not want to do without water, electricity, or a real potty.  Here I have been thinking I would not have anything like that so if I got something I would be happy and I was the brat complaining in our skit. 

Our group is so diverse, another woman whose Husband is not going, a gentlemen about my age, another grandma from Houston, a lady that is in her 50's for a second tour with PC, a young man with Master Degree, and a number of just Graduated adventurers.  The best of America as far as I can tell.

Slade made reservations for us (about 24 people) so we could eat together and toast to our adventure.

We had a wonderful dinner but the conversation and toasting was the best.  This group was together all afternoon learning about each other, our reasons for PC, and safety issues.  So we deserved our drinks and good food.

Got to see the edge of the liberty bell to many people in line for us.  Maybe tomorrow.  Still need to pack up for tomorrow so we can go out and see Philly's history again tomorrow.  Ben Franklin's grave is near so we will need to find it.  

Probably won't write until we get to Germany on Thursday so keep good thought for us on our flight tomorrow night.  Going to MISS everyone sooooo much. 

Thanks for all the sweet texts from everyone today.  As soon as I find out cost will let you know my Ghanaian phone number.  ATT wanted me to keep them and I agreed but they had to admit they don't do Ghana and it might be expensive to keep them so they would just charge me for cancelling my account.  Thank  you ATT for not recognizing PC like the military.  Oh Well.

Hopefully, next time will be from Frankfurt, Germany. 

  

Posting from Philly

Got in late yesterday but so did everyone else.  Slade was only one waiting in lobby so we took off for an hours walk to see the bldg in Historic Philidelphia.  Nice night but by 6:00 we were ready to eat.

Came back to Hotel and found Linda so we went out for a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich. Linda has been in Peace Corp in So American about 14 yrs ago so she had lots of stories.  Got back and around 8:30 the next group came in.  My roommate Kendra was part of it but like the others she was hungry.  They all went off led by Slade again.  Kendra and I had lights out by 10:30.

This morning we met again and went to look for breakfast and the tourist spots.  Ended up in a Market that Jack would have loved.

My roommate Kendra on left, Dan, Dawn and Slade.  Terri, Mary Elizabeth and LInda joined us in a few mintues.  Will add pics so you will know who I am talking about

Getting ready for our business attire to start our meetings. More updates later.

Is the Day Before My Life Will Change

Here it is the day before I leave.  Can't believe it was over a year ago I started on this trip.  The Journey starts tomorrow with a flight to Philidelphia. We have our staging on Tuesday and leave for Ghana on Wednesday. 

Finished week out having a belated birthday with my travel partner, friend and my daughters Mother-in-Law.  We had a great talk for two hours on Friday and got everything straight for the next two years. Ha!! Thanks Linda for a good time and watching over my kids and grandkids for me.

Friday went to the last football game for my girls - cheerleader Haley and dancer Sarah.  I will miss watching them during they years in High School.  Hopefully Grandpa Ron will keep the camera running for me.

Last night Bob and Erika had us all over to say goodbye.  They went all out on the food as usual and as much as I loved the steaks and fish Bob BBQ I will miss the wonderful things Erika can do to vegetables.  It is so wonderful how they both love to cook together and the meals they can put on.
Thank you so much for the evening, for this is something I am going to miss.  Love having my family all together.  Thanks Bob and Erika.

All the hugs I got last night are going to have to last a very long time.  I could not pass anyone without hugging them one more time, except of course my Justin who just could not get into it. Ha!!

I am packed - even got Jack to work my bags out so I could pull everything - hopefully even in Africa my wheels will work!!  Got Jack to run the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher one more time - he is diffently on his own now.  Got my last Jack fixed lunch so I guess I am set.

One PVT has tried to get those of us in Philly by 5 pm to go be tourist which will be fun.  Maybe even for awhile Tues. am while we are waiting for the meetings to start.  I will have my phone on me until I get on the plane on Tues. night for last minute calls and then off I go on an experience of a life time.
Please write at my email bblank0728@gmail or leave me a comment - will be needing info from home.

Ghana here I come.

Great UTUBE that will show you Ghana

I am so excited about a UTube that a PCV posted on their blog.  Please
go look at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo_hYdFvCc0

I am packed and two boxes to be mailed.... maybe I'll go through things again HA!!!  We have met so many people through our facebook Ghana Oct 4, 2011.  Everyone is trying to make our new experience easier.  THANK YOU!!

Still visiting friends having lunch so much fun.... Went to one of my favorite yoga teachers class on Tuesday so much fun.  She gave me some DVD's to keep me in line or meditate my worries away.  Thank you so much Diana.

Went to San Antonio yesterday to visit with my dear Mother in law and my Nephew and his wife.  It was a very pleasant lunch with lots of talking!!! Thank you Lance and Alisa for my present ya'll are so thoughtful!!!  Happy Birthday Pauline!!!

Had a wonderful Lunch with my Son at the Longhorn Club.  Very nice surroundings but it was great to have my boy to myself and we could talk.
Thank you Bob, love you bunches.

After a wonderful meditation class (Thank you Catherine) did some legal stuff - wills etc yuk!! Meet a very good friend for lunch at a new Argentina Cafe in the Galleria.  We had empanada's and lots of talking and catching up. Great 2 hrs (these 2 hr lunches are so much fun).  Thank you Donna - can't wait to see you on the computer. Ha!!!

Tonight is last pizza at Home Slice with some friends.  Hoping they have some book ideas to put on my Kindle. 

Monday is D day getting close and so excited to meet my new family for the next two+ years!!!

Thanks for reading just don't forget you can talk to me too!!! I need to keep up with happenings in Austin.

TWO MORE WEEKENDS OH MY!!!

Had lunch today with a wonderful  friend from my kids High School Days.  It took us 3 hrs and our husband's kept calling so we had to leave.  She has just moved back to town and I regret we will have to wait 2 years to get our friendship rolling again.  Thank you Darlyn for a wonderful afternoon.

Last night had dinner with some great friends.  They have hiked with me in New Mexico including at least twice that we have been lost thank goodness for water and snacks Ha!!, yet they still come back for more hikes.  True friends.  She has been to see some great and not so great foreign movies with me and some good talks over lots of dinners.  Thank you Barbara and Harry for lots of good times.

Had lunch with a friend that I do yoga with.  Got to know each other better in our love of travel - had to leave after the 5th glass of ice tea got to us!!! Ha.  Thank you Lynn for a nice lunch.

Went to the lake with Lisa and Ron for a birthday dinner for Cole.  The Mcguires, Seaches, and lots of Grandkids were there. Ron fixed my favorite ribs and he was so sweet to make sure I had plenty before the "group" arrived to the table.  Great Times.  Thanks to all of you for a good Sunday.

Bunco Monday was great with EVERYONE there.  Not only was I the biggest losser but I got to visit one on one with everyone.  Could not have been better.  They gave me an album with a group picture to start it and an Amazon gift certificate for my kindle.  What a thoughtful gift.  Thank you all for a wonderful evening.

The weight is coming on with all the good meals but the talks, memories and laughs have been the best.


I have shown a couple of friends my vest.  Thought I would show ya'll.

Here is the vest like I will wear everyday. zipped like a regular vest

Here is the insides.  EVERYTHING that is in my purse - ipod, telephone, id,travel papers, magazines, ipod or kindle (will fit an ipad), camera, glasses, wires in the jacket for any ear plug needs, It is so cool plus not hot.  Its called a scottivest.

 Here I am with the backpack in place (with all stuff for Pa. and 1st night in Ghana) including my pillow dangling from the side.  Not heavy yet. What about my yoga mat - guess that will have to added.  Balanced on my back-that I used hiking in France for the 3 weeks I went with the girls.

Okay now I have a vest, backpack and all the paper work and my computer PC says I need to bring including my mamogram film.  Beginning to look like a pack mule.

This is all good but tomorrow I add the weight of the duffel bags - pulling as much as possible but what if I have to carry them?  What about my water filteration system PC gives me, what other papers will I carry?  Oh the questions without real answers.  Of course this is all while I am wearing a skirt and shirt with sleeves so there is HEAT to consider. 

 Yes this adventure is met with an open mind and a giggle in my heart.  Only 9 more days until I will know some of the answers.   

13 More Days

I am stressing out about my packing.  When I roll it is good, but what if I can't roll?  So I pick them up and try to carry one - can go from one side of my bedroom to the other side but THAT IS IT!!!  My scales say it is less than 40 lbs but my shoulder says get a new scale. Ha!!

Having fun meeting friends for lunch or yoga or a glass of tea with lots of talking.  Have had two people hear about me from friends and they are calling asking about PC and wanting information.  Both are a little younger than me.  Lots of people looking for something full filling in retirement.

Have made a couple of professional contacts (through friends) in Ghana.  They are emailing to try and get us together while I am still in Acura.  It's exciting that I have someone to contact to get local information - one is at the Univ another is at the Bank.

Making lists of things that have to get done each day then checking them off.  Hoping nothing is left undone like something legal for Jack.  Don't think he will come get it from me.  Ha!!!

Our staging event is taking place in downtown Philadelphia.  Hopefully I can fit in a walk to see a little something while I am there.  I am glad we are downtown since I have never been to PA.

Got my new computer today and trying to get it all straight for what I need.  I took my old one down to almost nothing except internet so I can teach Jack how to get my blog, or emails.  13 days may not be long enough but maybe enough to get him started. then he can ask friends to help from there.  He retired before computers were in all offices and he wasn't interested in what we had in our office so he is really behind.

Need all the good thoughts you have that the next 13 days will go smoothly and I am able to get everything done.