Sue and Rob

Whew, the wedding done and all the people have flown home. We left MI and drove to IN for a stopping place. Did laundry and relaxing before driving back to our home parked in AL.

I was able to download pics from Buddy’s camera and he got a few of the ceremony as well as a few other candid moments. This 1st one was during the ceremony when the parents and brothers each tied a ribbon around their hands clasped together. So they are now bound together.

Next we have the photo of the the deal being sealed with a kiss.

 

A few more candid shots that were good.

 

 

 

Rob, Robert & I in the kitchen helping cook up the taco dinner.

 

We also had a mini celebration for Robert’s birthday while we were all together. He won’t actually turn 28 until March 16th, at which time the grandparents in CA hope to take him out to dinner then.  We put one candle into his desert and sang. I was a little slow with the camera so he had to “pose” and be his silly self.

This past week and weekend has been about our daughter Jennifer getting married. We drove to central MI, arriving Tuesday evening. We were served a wonderful fish chowder she made for dinner. Now I am not much of a fish person, but I have to admit, I enjoyed it until I found the small bone, which seems to be my lot in life. I am always a little more cautious and leery when eating after that occurs. But I was lucky as no more surfaced.

Wednesday we took our first drive of many to Bay City Saginaw airport to pick up the Rob’s folks from CA. We stopped off at the hospital in Midland on our way back to Mt Pleasant to see Jen at work! She looked the professional and happy. A little visiting and some dinner and the day was done. Thursday morning we dropped Sadie off at the Pet Bed & Biscuit center. I was nervous about leaving her of course, but was assured she would be loved! Then it was the next trip to the BCS airport to pickup G’ma Rose from NJ. Again we stopped to see Jen in action. Took her to the B&B as well. Robert was the next for our family to arrive. He and Cher (the future MIL) were on the same flight from Chicago to BCS, so we set them up to share the ride together. However, as it would happen with flights, Robert’s plane sat on the tarmac for nearly an hour waiting for a gate so that they can unload. You guessed it, Robert did not make his next flight. He did not get to meet Cher and enjoy her company of a ride. He was placed on the next flight, so we ate dinner quickly and had Rob & Bud take the additional trip to the airport. Once they returned, we were all under one happy roof.

Friday the preparations began. Flowers were delivered and placed above all the windows to make the room festive. Note the before and after.

 

Next was some shopping and then the beloved Taco dinner that all enjoyed immensely. Cher cooked with her assistants of Robert and Rob.

There was some normal, or not so normal, fun by father & son – which was good for the soul to see…

Breakfast was again outstanding by our hosts – more food than you could eat in several settings and it was all sooo good.

The ceremony itself was small and beautiful. There were mementos on an “alter” type of table to symbolize those grandparents that have passed on and were not with us today. Steven explained his 3 and Jen her one. There was also a “dharuma” that was a symbolic thing for Steven in that you make a wish and color in one eye. When the wish comes true, you color in the other. He was extremely happy to share with us that his wish for someone to love and cherish the rest of his life had come true. They happy couple are not as equally excited, but very supportive of each other on this one.

From the ceremony, we went to the photographer’s studio and took many many posed, grouped pictures. Then back to the B&B for a catered dinner galore. While we awaited more food, which smelled wonderful, the happy newlyweds opened some cards and a few gifts.

Some jokes were had – hence the dinner salad covered in croutons for Steve. Steven making the most unusual faces as normal. Of course the wine flowed abundantly, food coma’s ensued, and then some games were played.

I will leave you with a few other random shots I enjoyed of the people and then also of the scenery.

 

We had a pleasant drive from AL to IN. Stopped off at the Makers Mark distillery in KY. Spent the weekend with the brothers here in Ft Wayne. Today is the day to drive to MI. The weather out there is suppose to be bad all the way around today with freezing rain, ice and snow. So we will be tip toeing our way around the roads. A side trip over to Niles MI to pick up some special fruit wine that Jen has requested.

Things have been a little off schedule here as they had real snow storm that gave us about 6 inches wednesday eve. There was an offical “snow day” for Thursday. I am told they get ice here regularly, but snow is only every couple years.

This was the start of it (left)

Same view the next morning (right)

This shows some of the bay doors with the numbers above them so that you get an idea of what I was talking about going into the bays.

The runway showing the snow and rigs just parked. On a normal day half these rigs would be inside the bays.

 

We are in the paint & body shop getting some work done on the rear…

Today was to be the last day, but even thought it should all get painted today, don’t know if the buffing and clear coat will get done. With this all being a possibility on this past Monday we did some brainstorming. We need to be in MI for the wedding on the 7th, pick up people from the local airport on Wed the 4th, etc. The decision was to take the car only to MI and leave the RV / trailer here. That way should something delay things being completed (like they are), Tiffin could still do the work and we could still go. We do have to move where everything is parked so we have scoped it out and are moving down the street to a self parking area. Although all of this makes different issues not having everything with us, it gives us some options. Like the fact that we weren’t sure what to do or where to go between MI  in March and then NJ in June. Rob is really tired of the cold right now and with leaving the RV in AL we are a little south still and can stay this direction. Plus there was a stop we wanted to make in Bowling Green KY for a “chip” in the RV, which we will have time to do now.

One last clip – sadie really enjoyed running around the field in the snow. Here is just a short clip.

We keep moving on from one department to another getting items repaired. Sorry no new pictures, but lots of visiting. Boring for you, but a good couple days for us.

I think it will helpful if I clarify a little. Our “home” is a 2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus. We bought it from another individual April 2014. They had purchased this RV new. They had some repairs completed here in Red Bay and then as they used it to travel around. The items we are having repaired or adjusted, are things that have worn out or are items that the Tiffin company wants repaired. They have found some things that they used for manufacturing that hasn’t worked and want to take care of their customers. That gave us repairs on the “big 3” as they call them – the wetbay floor, the slide floor, and the side rails on the top. Those are some of the things you saw pictures of. Then there were smaller items that we saw some wear and tear on, as well as some items of concern.

If you were to imagine that damage that occurs in your house of bricks and sticks when there is a earthquake of about 3 to 4, that is what our home goes through going down the road, in and out of driveways, and around camp grounds.

To continue the work, we were in another bay yesterday getting the windshield reset and glued. During the last 2 days, one of the slides was “creeping” back in once we had it pushed out. So we asked and went back into chassis bay today for a hydraulic solenoid leak. Glad it happened now and not once we left. Our last area is the paint & body shop. There is a repair on the body and then paint that repair and the side rail that was replaced.

On Friday, we had the 2nd item of the “big 3” that Tiffin is repairing on their own dime. First they did the top rails, and Friday they did the floor in the wet bay. So that is the cabinet that houses the outside connections etc for the sewer and water connections. In order to do that floor, they remove the water tank and leave the other 2 tanks suspended, cut out the floor and insert a new complete floor. The one they are taking out was from some kind of plywood and replaced it with a 1/2 inch PVC sheet. We saw these sheets when we did the factory tour. I don’t have a pic of that but some others from the tour to add.

The chassis and engine going in.   A naked RV looks funny, below.

 

 

While it was such a nice day, although a little windy at times, we were outside a bunch. Here is Sadie with one of the other dogs, Tucker. He is a sweetie, just doesn’t like being confined and would get out of his collar too often, hence the harness.

Today was much colder, we walked in the heat of the day, 37 degrees at 330 pm. Our faces were frozen by the time we got back for 20 mins. Yikes. And now we are getting Freezing rain tonight and tomorrow. I really feel for the people all north of us cuz I know they have it worse.  Tomorrow we have to have the driver side front slide empty for a floor replacement. I hope to have pics for that!

So we spent 2 days in the Bay 5 area having all kinds of little repairs done. Then Thursday we were in Bay 41 to have some engine / chassis stuff checked. Here’s what that looks like….

 

They were able to get the gear box for the radiator fan covered by our extended warranty – YAY Corey. They also found out why the front passenger side would drop when parked overnight without the jacks down and were able to fix it – ride height adjustment cylinder.

 

Good COLD morning Red Bay AL – it’s a chilly 29 here. We were in a repair bay yesterday and will be returning today. Rob was told to make himself at home so he did. In the RV he got our pot roast ready in the crock pot, filled it with onions so we can have onion soup later. Then he threw a batch of brownies into the oven so the workers could have warm brownies at break. Not only were the workers smelling brownies, but throughout the day different ones were heard commenting on the smell of onions and something smelling good.

He also makes himself at home chatting and visiting with the workers and other Tiffin owners in the repair bays. He got a few new slides for some inside drawers, grabbed his drill and put them in. I sure am glad he is handy to have around!

Me, I just worked away in the trailer with QB’s entries, emails, payroll, etc. Same fun again today.