Rainey Day in Fredericksburg, VA,

Miles Today 0.0; This Section 69.0 (4 days); Trans-Am Miles 911.1 (27 days)

We arrived at Jody’s and were greeted magnificently by the grandchildren ages 7, 4, and 5 weeks. Jordan had a tooth hanging by a thread, but just like her cousin, Gary, III, wouldn’t allow me to pull it; but we had great fun teasing about it. I don’t recall seeing a tooth hang so loose and even spin in its socket but not fall out!

We went to a big sale in the rain at Gander Outdoors and bought a bunch of clothing stuff we didn’t need. We had a great meal of pizza. We slept well while it poured rain all night. In the morning we went to see Daniel, age 4, at hockey practice on the ice. They learned a snowplow stop, took dives onto the ice and practiced getting up quickly, and then skated up to and jumped over hockey sticks on the ice. It was fun to watch, and the kids liked it. There were several very expert teen skaters doing figures and spins—all girls. Jordan takes figure lessons on Wednesdays so we didn’t get to see her skate this time; however, they were selling skating skirts so we grandparents bought her one for Christmas. Millie says she has to wait until Christmas to wear it, but I cut Jordan a deal. She can wear it every Wednesday and then put it back into the Christmas box. Jordan liked the deal, and Grandma just shrugged!

We got Cimarron the Trail Boss’s car parked safely in the driveway, and in the morning Jody’s family and Grandma Millie left for California while the TB and I stayed one more night.

For some reason Jody’s family could not go to California without Grandma’s help. So Millie flew from Pensacola to Richmond and stayed three days. Then they all flew from Baltimore to Monterrey for 6 days then back to Baltimore. Then Grandma Millie will stay a few more days to baby-sit for the Marine Ball that will take place in Washington on the weekend. Dan being a Marine Officer, they will stay at his Alma Mater the Naval Academy officer housing after the big shindig. Then three days later Grandma will fly back to Pensacola. Boy, what we do for our children/grandchildren! I said to Millie, “so this babysitting job is going to cost me $1000,” and she replied, “No, I think more!”