Time for fun

Peggy has been working part-time in the campground office.  Thanks to her recommendation, Ron also was able to get a job in the office, working two days a week in exchange for our campsite.

We had a good time during the first two weeks we were here.  It was good to get back to work at the Sweet Shoppe and see everyone again.  I work with a nice group of people!

Peggy and Gary invited us and their friends, Brenda and Larry, over for dinner one night so we could meet each other.  We liked Brenda and Larry immediately and we had a nice evening together.

We also introduced Gary and Peggy to some of our friends from the Sweet Shoppe, Clair, Dave and another friend, Harry.  Gary was hesitant at first, because he was very self conscious about meeting new people because of the scarring on his face.  We convinced him that everyone would be supportive and that it would be good for him to get out and have some fun.  We all went to the Country Tonite show and then met again for breakfast the next morning.  Clair and Dave had been here all summer and were leaving to go back to their home in Indiana within the next few days.

I’m happy to say that Gary’s doctor started him on a new chemo drug and we soon started seeing results!!  The lesions began to heal and his face is looking better every day.  Thank you, God!  Our prayers have been answered!  As I write this, all that remains is a little redness, which is quickly fading.  

Gary, Peggy, and I went to Maryville while Ron was training in the office one day.  Gary took a shortcut and we went quite a distance before he realized he had missed the road where we needed to turn.  We may have been on the wrong road, but we were on the right one for scenic vistas.  On our way back to Pigeon Forge, we stopped to look in several shops along the way.  Later, Ron grilled hamburgers for all of us and we drove to Gatlinburg to see the show at Sweet Fanny Adams Theater.  We should have called beforehand, because we found the box office closed and there was no show scheduled for Wednesday.   We quickly overcame our disappointment when Ron suggested going to Mel’s Diner for a banana split! 

Hay bale 'sculpture' we saw on our drive to Maryville

Another hay bale 'sculpture'

Gary, Ron, and I at Mel's Diner

Mmmm!  Our HUGE banana splits!  Definitely made for two!

Brenda and Larry invited us all to join them for dinner at a local BBQ restaurant one evening.  As we went into the restaurant, Ron mentioned that his stomach was hurting a little.  He didn’t seem too concerned, so we planned to all meet again for dinner the next night to celebrate Ron’s birthday.