Pre fair time

Since we took both campers down early for the Society Horse Show, everything was set up and ready to go for Mama and Daddy to come at their leisure.  We had discovered a leak in Mama and Daddy's camper just as we were leaving to come home after the Society Horse Show, and although we had worked quite awhile to clean it up and stop the leak through a window, the flooding rains had continued a few more hours.  Mama and Daddy went on down to Sedalia on Monday to check things out and reported back that all was well.  They were able to take a shopvac down and that, combined with our attempts Saturday evening, did the trick.

Sadly, we awoke on Monday to the news that Uncle Charles had passed away... on Daddy's 82nd birthday.  His funeral would be on Thursday, opening day of the fair.  That seemed fitting in many ways.  Uncle Charles loved his Iowa State Fair as much as we love our Missouri State Fair - and the two fairs share their opening day.

On Tuesday the rest of us headed down to the fairgrounds to settle in for a few weeks.  Happily, Zack was with us but this year would be different.  Immediately following the end of the fair, Zack would be driving south to Arkansas to join the rest of his family who have already moved down there.  Thankful we still get 'fair time' with Zack.  He is a great kid.

Daddy took everyone out for a golf cart ride through the grounds.  It was fun to see the carnival in the process of setting up.  Then we spent time under the awning, relaxing.  My happy place, indeed.

On Wednesday, Mama and Daddy headed back home to meet Mitch and Janice who were coming up for Charles' burial.  We would meet them all the following day in Milan.  Those of us left at the fairgrounds lazed around all day.  Wow, that was wonderful!  The weather was beautiful.

I made a run to Aldi and had to smile when I discovered their store was also undergoing a major renovation.  For supper we had take out from Panera.

Lots of job activity took place pre-fair time.  Jackson applied to the new Hobby Lobby store coming to town and got the job!  Initially he was hired for set up of the store, but after that was finished he was hired to work in the framing department.  It has been a really good fit for him and he enjoys his work and co-workers.  Hannah sat under the awning at the fair putting in job applications for various positions, including one at the local school system as a para professional.  She quickly received an interview request and had one by phone that very evening sitting in Mama and Daddy's camper.  She was offered the job so knew she would be returning home quickly since school started the next week.

Thursday we all headed to Milan for Charles' burial.  It was a lovely service and it was good to be with family.  We spent the night at home and drove back down to the fair Friday morning.