This blog creator is going mad trying to download pictures!

Oops . . .technical problem . . I can't seem to upload pictures to the post. Hope to get this corrected!

Catching up! A lot has transpired in a short amount of time! After packing, moving, unpacking, setting up new accounts, their seems to be some semblance of order again. Four weeks ago today United Van Lines pulled up to 101 Meadowview. Three days later we arrived at our temporary home in Candlewood Suites, on Polaris Parkway in Columbus, OH. Twenty days ago Rosie and I closed on our new home at 2818 Big Sur Drive in Lewis Center. Two days later we took possession of our home and celebrated by running a 5K in Delaware OH. 15 days ago four great guys from Andrews Moving & Storage brought us our worldly possessions. During the past two weeks we have opened numerous boxes, met most of our neighbors, purchased some new furniture, decorated for Halloween, had visitors, taken a trip to Alum Creek State Park (briefly), attended our churches, familiarized ourselves with our new home and surroundings and have visited a new state . . . of exhaustion! Seriously, we can thank God for a smooth transition with very few bumps in the road.

Race to possession . . . . After a busy conclusion to the week, Rose Anne and I elected to "kick it up a notch" by participating in the 5K Pumpkin Run at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware at 8:30 AM. We both had great races in good weather conditions; Rosie finishing at 36:40 and I completed the 3.1 miler in 29:07. Following the race we went by our new home, met our neighbors on both sides, and began bringing a few items in the house. It was another busy day which kept us away from watching the Irish . . who evidently had a "barn-burner", winning in overtime. Tomorrow will begin with church for both of us with Rose Anne attending Beautiful Savior Lutheran in Powell and I will attend St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Westerville. After church, breakfast out, then take Maddie to the new home for a while. Movers arrive on Monday along with the cable company, and Sears!

Happy Birthday, Rosie! . . . . . I couldn't locate a box big enough for her Birthday present . . . because . . . IT'S OFFICIAL! We are new home owners as of 4:15PM this afternoon! (Refer to September 11 posting for pictures of the new home)

Getting closer . . . . to being in our new home! It appears we will definitely close on Wednesday; take possession on Friday; and movers will bring our possessions next Monday . . . provided everything keeps falling in place! After a hectic weekend I had a calming revelation at Mass today . . . . "Be still and listen to My voice"!

Sunday AM, 9-27-09 . . . . We have settled in @ Candlewood Suites in the Polaris Center to the sound of continuous rain! Rose Anne has headed back to Tipton to return the Van; get her temporary company vehicle, pick up her monitors at the office and return. Saturday was a day of shopping and exploring. We checked out the "Great Indoors", purchased new washer, dryer, and grill @ Sears, and went to Mass at St. Mary's in Delaware, OH. St. Mary's is similar to St. John's, Tipton. Father announced a coffee on September 29th for non-Catholics wanted to know more about the Catholic faith. Rosie and I looked at each other and smiled!

Maddie is not sure what to think; plus there appears to be a German Shepherd convention at the residence! We're still planning to close on our new home Wednesday and take possession on Friday! The Irish pulled another one out last night!

Ah . . . the Sun is shining! . . . . Today is a Gift!

Final Daze in Tipton!

Wrapping it up . . . Jason and Ethan must have used half the trees in Tipton County to individually pack all our possessions on Tuesday . . . excluding Maddie, who managed to elude them! Wednesday was a very moving day with our guys pulling out at 4:30PM... Best friend Joe and I sat on boxes poolside and discussed the eminent move and how to stay out of the psychiatric ward! Lou and Shelly, Wes, Mike and Amber all assisted in final preparations over the course of the week ! We had our final Tipton meal at Jim Dandy Wednesday evening as Jim and Ann Dane reminisced with Rose Anne about days gone by and working at the JD for Harry Reasner ! "Oh, Christmas Tree" . . . . . needless to say, after final inspection and the van had embarked for Ohio, we remembered one forgotten object in the attic! Louie and Shelly will now enjoy our cherished Christmas tree! Maddie was great in her grate, Rosie and Bob drove through a driving rain and we arrived @ the Candlewood Suites in Columbus at 8:30PM. This part of the "Bob and Rosie's Big Adventure" is complete . . . but the journey continues . . . . .

Tipton Senior Golf Association . . . . The guys assured me "I would find a group of old codgers join for a golf game . . . . every place has them!" However, Harold reminded me that my Tipton group is "one of a kind" . . . . yes they are, and I will miss them!

Let us give thanks and praise! Sunday evening was a celebration with wonderful friends from our Music Ministry at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church! Doug Hawkins, Neil Reishus, and our families have celebrated the Liturgy of the Mass together for many years as the "Guitar Group". I played String Bass with them and turned "Miss Bass" over to the talented hands of Doug's daughter, Cassandra! God Bless them as they continue to "Sing Unto the Lord!" "Praise Him with strings and pipe . . . sing joyfully to the Lord . . . Let everything that breathes praise Him" . . . Psalm 150

Day 1 . . moving to Ohio! Jason and Ethan arrived w/ the United/Lint Van Lines trailer from Iowa at 8:10AM today, Tuesday. Their first challenge was to negotiate pulling into Meadowview Drive. Ted, Rose Anne and Maddie welcomed their arrival. I think the reality of the move has set in with Rose Anne as she watched the trailer successfilly position for the pack and load process!

"Go in Peace with God's Blessing" . . . The mutual messages of Sunday's Scripture readings and both Pastor Gremel and Father Kinnaman's homilies were to continue to be busy, but not hurry! Take five minutes each day to let the Holy Spirit talk to you and follow God's path. Obviously, the messages hit home with both of us as we shared our faith with both congregations Sunday! On behalf of the Emanuel Lutheran congregation, Dennis Cook presented Rose Anne with a beautiful plaque in gratitude for her 25 years of service and dedication to the church. Father Kinnaman provided a Catholic Blessing for departing parishioners and noted that departing referred to "moving away" from the parish! "Guide their steps with Your mighty arm and with the power of Your Grace strengthen them in spirit, so they will not falter through weariness!" . . . . . . "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace!"

Countdown . . to our move! Tuesday & Wednesday Lint Van Lines pack our belongings while we supervise! Thursday & Friday they load the moving van; we leave for Ohio upon completion of packing & loading! We're both making an attempt to express our "goodbyes"; however neither of us are very good with that process!

Happy Birthday to you . . . Alexis! Following the race in Indy, Rose Anne and I ventured to Franklin to join Cara, Riley, Jim and his family in celebration of Alexis' 8th Birthday. Obviously the kids enjoyed the "Bounce House" and Riley loved his bubbles!

The pace picks up . . . as we head into our last week in Tipton! Saturday, we relieved some tension by participating in the Lugar Fitness 5K held on the campus of Butler University, with registration inside "Dad's Fieldhouse!" Notice the picture with the "Dawg" and a portrait of Paul D. "Tony" Hinkle. Rosie and I were both fortunate enough to finish 1st in our respective Age Group and had our picture taken with Senator Lugar! This will be our last race in Indy for the present; however we are registered for next year's 500 mini-marathon and may return for some of our "favorites" like the "Jingle Bell Run". It was good to run with our friend Tony Smith! At the finish of the race I could hear the familiar sound of the Butler Bulldog Marching Band playing the Butler War Song . . . sweet memories of years gone by!

Harlan worked hard to get Rosie off the phone . . she was almost late to her own surprise party!

Farewell! The Tipton Pioneer Sales Office surprised Rose Anne with a going away party Tuesday afternoon. She has worked with many of the staff for the past 25 years. It was a special time for her . . but did not find Rosie speechless as she expressed her gratitude to all and offered words of encouragement as they move on without her! Oh, and the Sales Staff Chorus offered an excellent musical tribute to Rose Anne for her accomplishments and future endeavors! Congratulations Rosie, You will be missed!

Colleen cheering on the Trojans!

Day at "the Dome" . . . . uhhh, oops, Lucas Oil Stadium! Last Saturday we joined the Treesh and White clan for a clash of two perennial football powerhouses, Cathedral & Bishop Chatard at Lucas Oil Stadium. It was great to get together with Carolyn and Walker, and their family to watch #20 Jack Treesh on the field in Chatard Blue/White and Colleen cheering on the sidelines! Anne was here from Florida, Wes came down from Saginaw, John and Luana, and close family friends Ted & Austin Harpe joined in cheering the Blue & White! Chatard came up short of a "W" but Jack played well. We're proud of all of them, Jack Ellen, Colleen Treesh, and MacKenzie White at BCHS and Peter Treesh and Maddie White at St. Simon. Looking forward to following them them through the school year.

"And the winner is !!!!!!!" We viewed 10 home listings on Tuesday afternoon, looked at 5 different properties Wednesday evening, prioritized the 3 favorites for second showings on Thursday, and decided on one that feels very comfortable to us . . . on Big Sur Drive in The Shores of Lewis Center! After the long drive home yesterday and 24 hours to consider the choice we put an offer on, God willing, our new home!

"On the Job!" . . . . . Wednesday morning was Rose Anne's first day in the new Pioneer Hi-Bred Northeast Business Office! The facility is brand new and is shared with Ohio Corn Growers Bio-Fuel Division with finishing touches to the interior still being completed! The employees are relocating from Johnston and northern Iowa; Mankato, Minnesota; and Tipton, Indiana. Rose Anne compared the atmosphere to that of the opening of a new school, with new students, at the beginning of a new year! She will return for meetings on Sept. 17 & 18; her first "official" day is September 28. "There is excitement in the air!"

"Baptism by Fire!" . . . . . I must share this story from last Saturday's return trip from the Columbus airport. After safely dropping Cecilia and her family at the Columbus Airport, we said our goodbyes and I ventured west back to Tipton with my new GPS "Greta" Garmin programmed for Indiana. Unfortunately, I erred during a "keep right" command, and found myself on a downtown Columbus exit ramp. With "Greta" repeating her "recalculating" command, I noticed thousands of fans dressed in scarlet and gray filling the entertainment district of the city. Yes, I was in the midst of OSU's celebration of a home football victory versus Navy at the "Shoe"! I was told earlier that you don't want to be downtown during a home football game! Well . . . , Here I am! Streets are barricaded and the party is going on! "Greta" is telling me to "turn right, turn left, etc . . . " but the local police were not sympathetic to my wishes. Plus . . . a full scale Greek Festival was taking place in the same area. Everyone was having a blast . . . except Ted & "Greta"! Luckily, I observed a street sign indicating HIGH STREET! I knew from a previous trip that High Street was the main drag, similar to our Meridian Street in Indy! After following High Street north for one hour of bumper to bumper traffic, I finally came to the 270 loop exit, "Greta" came to her senses, and we departed for Indy unscathed except for the remnants of elevated blood pressure and high anxiety! Oh, and OSU won the game . . . . . . barely! Welcome to Buckeye Country!

On the move . . . . Rosie took advantage of the Labor Day holiday to pack up things in her office in Tipton. The search continues . . . . We travel to Columbus Tuesday morning and "house hunt" during the afternoon and evening. On the job . . . . Wednesday AM we'll move some things to Rose Anne's new office in Delaware, OH. Rose Anne will be in meetings Wednesday afternoon giving me an opportunity to become more familiar with the area. Choices, choices . . . During the evening Wednesday we will tour some more possibilities and narrow the search! Decisions . . . Thursday afternoon is set aside for second showings and hopefully make an offer on our new home!