Should We Stay? or Should We Go?

That's the question that presented itself when we learned of Pam's Mom's knee replacement surgery which had just been rescheduled for November 27th. Originally the operation was to take place on the 11th of November which if all went well would have allowed us to head back to Tourist sometime around Thanksgiving. But plans don't always work out like you think they should. They work out like they're supposed to.
The weather is getting colder up here in NW Illinois and has even given us our first snowfall of the year. The patio furniture is stored and the mower put away. Leaves are off the trees and it's time to make sure the snowblower is working. Yuck! Pam & I are even turning a pasty white color from being underexposed to sunlight! Surely we should prepare to get out of Dodge ASAP after the surgery. Only one hurdle. Pam is going to be what they term the "caretaker" for her Mom once she is home following the surgery. Not a complaint. It's how it should be. Who better than family to take care of you? What that means though is that our return is in Limbo, dependent upon how well and how quickly her Mom recovers.

Certainly I could head back to Tourist by myself, and believe me that is a consideration. There are plenty of things that need to be tended to on the boat and I could use a little color in my cheeks!. Only problem with that scenario is that it wouldn't be the same without my "Princess" along side of me. Also the limited time I would have before I had to come back home for Christmas and the travel expenses incurred pleads to the tightwad side of me to just remain at home. So there it is. I've just made the decision. I'm staying home with my girl. While Pam's being the caretaker I'll be stripping wallpaper, painting, and other small jobs around the house getting it in shape for a possible sale sometime down the road. If all goes well with her Mom we'll return to Tourist after the Christmas Holiday's ready to enjoy the warmer weather and our Southern friends.
Meanwhile I'll leave you with some pictures from our summer at home.

Vada (Pam's Mom), Barb(sister), & Pam

Biker Chick.

Changing a flat.

3rd of July.

Four generations.

Golf? Really?

Ellie digging out the pumpkin.

Sunset on the river.

Warrior Dash survival.

Pulling the Grandkids.

A Cincinnati visit.

Only guides needed for the Upper Mississippi.

Sign posted on the toilets at Lock & Dam 11 during the Govt. shutdown. The Lock however remained open. Go figure!

New siding being installed on the house.

Trip to the apple orchards.

American Queen visits Dubuque.

Said goodbye to Nubbs. R.I.P. She was a sweetheart.

Pam & Ellie playing "Ring around the Rosie".

Women's luncheon.

Franklin as the Golfer for Halloween.

First Snow!