A VISIT TO THE OLD HOME STATE

In which Camille (later joined by Bob A.) spends two weeks in Pennsylvania, putting good energy into Mom's recuperation effort

February 10 - 24, 2007

BOB (Illo) AND DEB IN LANCASTER

They live in a woodsy neighborhood with the windows (thanks to Bob, who is an architectural engineer) to best appreciate the surrounding trees.  Bob Illo is the second oldest of Camille's five younger brothers.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT

There is always something going on at Bob and Deb's.  Deb holds their dog, Phibi, who has impressive ears.  Bob drives the family to one of Teresa's soccer games.

A GIANT ON THE COURT

She may look small in the back seat of Bob's car, but Teresa is such a force on the soccer court, that all you can see is a blur!

IT'S NOT FUNNY!

We were raised to take our food seriously but it isn't easy to do when you are on a pureed diet as Mom was here.  Johnny and I made her laugh so hard, I was afraid she was going to pass soup through her nose!  A few days after this picture was taken, Mom graduated to what they called "Mechanical Soft" a not very appetizing way to say Easy to Eat Food.

MOM'S BUSY DAY

Mom's busy day involves physical therapy, meals, nursing and family visits.  After lunch, she opens her mail and reads cards and letters from all over the country, wishing her a speedy recovery.  When I left, February 24. Mom had already received close to 100 cards.

THE SHIPPENSBURG FAMILY

    John and Darla hosted a large group of family for dinner a couple of times during my stay at their home.  From left to right, Top: Alana, Charity, Jason, Levi, Brandon, Micah, Johanna, John and Darla.  Bottom: Aphia, Camille and Michael.

LEVI AND THE BLACK OLIVES

Levi, Charity and Jason's son, does what all kids do when they see a plate of black olives - He put them on his fingers and then ate them!

A MAN AND HIS DOG

Jason relaxes at home with the family golden retriever.  He and Charity invited Camille to a tasty Italian dinner at their home.

BABYSITTING

On Valentine's Day, Camille and Darla babysat Brandon and Johanna's children, Ben, above and Micah, below.

Granmotherhood looks good on Darla, don't you think?

WATCHING SCOTT PLOW THE DRIVEWAY

Micah, in his Elmo slippers, perched on the back of the couch to watch out the window as one of the family friends plowed out the driveway.    

NEWVILLE

This is the neighborhood where Mom and Dad live.

Mom and Dad's house sits on three acres of farmland at the end of a long lane.

AMISH AND MENNONITE COUNTRY

COMMON SIGHTS

Horse drawn buggies.   Camille snapped this photo from a moving car as James drove her out to Newville.

Corn stubble and snow are common winter sights  but the tidy little family farms can be seen all year long.

SONNY AND STAR BLAZE

Sonny Mitten is Darla's father and at 83, has decided to let his hair grow.  He told me his sons wanted to know how Sonny could grow his hair past his shoulders after so many years of making sure they didn't.  His answer?  "Because I'm the Dad!"

Star Blaze, part Appaloosa and part Arabian, is the son of Sonny Boy, a horse Camille rode many times when she was in her early 20's.

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