October 31, 2026: The Month of Camping Trip 4

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Last night when we went to bed, I decided not to take a shower. I had only laid in the bed for a few minutes when I started itching. By the time that I got into the shower, I could see tiny bumps all around my underwear lines. I took me shower while pretty much having a panic attack about having chiggers again. (I had them twice this summer and was miserable.)

However, after chugging some benedryl and laying back in bed, I realized that it was not chiggers but hives. I am probably the only person ever to be relieved to just have hives! I was so thankful that it was not chiggers. I have had this happen before with hives, itchy ears, but this time I had a bit of a wheeze too. It wasn't bad, and in a bit the medicine had kicked in and all was well.

After all of that drama I did sleep incredibly well. We woke up to breakfast being cooked by Tony. Then Robby and I made our white bean chicken tortilla soup for supper tonight. It was really good which is a good thing because we have quite a few leftovers. 

Once the soup was made, Robby and I took the dogs on a walk. We didn't walk all of the loops today, but let me tell you, this campground was pretty festive. It was fun even though most of the day it we battled a little bit of the rain. It was mostly misty this afternoon and then cleared beautifully for the first 30 minutes of trick or treating....and then it rained and rained and rained.

We walked with Whitman to some of the campsites, but once it started raining, we hurried on back to the camper. He still managed to get some candy and has been enjoying it all night. The rest of the evening was spent under the tents-passing out candy, watching football, playing mahjong, or eating. It was a fun evening-though the rain does make quite a bit more work tomorrow. 

October 30, 2026: The Month of Camping Trip 4

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Robby and I slept pretty good last night even with Marley on our bed. We were able to sleep in some which was nice. (Hopefully, we will sleep in some tomorrow because I have already declined an early morning Pinnacle Mountain hike.)

Robby and I did walk the dogs about 2 miles this morning. Marley still walked really well with her new leash, but she can be a bit wild occasionally. If she gets scared of something, which happens constantly, she gets crazy darting around. Robby did talk about how she used to be terrified of the car, but now she does great, so maybe there is hope still for her.

After our walk, we came back tot he camper, and since then we have pretty much played Mahjong all day long. Yesterday, we had just one table happening, but today we had two tables pretty much most of the day. Kids played, men played, new players, old players. We gave lessons; we have snacks; we did everything but give out prizes-and that we will do next time. 

Robby ran to Tacos for Life and brought back Whitman and me some lunch. I ate while we played, and seriously, other than a few walks all we did today was play Mahjong. Shannon made supper tonight which we ate before taking a walk with 4 dogs and quite a few people. Then it was back to sitting outside playing Mahjong.

Keaton had two parties tonight to go to which Campbell helped get her to. Campbell went to a party herself plus they are house sitting. Graham didn't have any classes today so he came down and hung out with Brooklyn. Reagan and Anderson had the Eta formal so they both got all dressed up tonight. And Whitman is living his best life in the camper!

October 29, 2026: The Month of Camping Trip 4

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Whitman and I started on our school reading this morning, but I had to stop twice-once to make sure that Campbell and Keaton took a casserole with them to work to hand off to someone and once to turn my mixer off because it was mixing up some bread. Usually, it is Marley causing me to stop reading, but today it was everything else. He doesn't mind when I leave though because that gives him the chance to play on his phone. 

Whitman then started on his school work while I made corn muffins and finished my bread. I wanted to make scones, but gracious I didn't have time to cook all day. I just feel extremely scattered cooking in the kitchen so I feel like everything takes me longer lately. I think that I have always been a bit distracted, and I'm just now realizing it. 

As soon as I finished with everything I did take a walk. I'm listening to a super long audio book so I walked longer so I could listen more. I have been listening for two days and have listened to around 7 hours, but I have 20 plus to go! This weekend it is my goal to finish the book that I'm reading and focus on the audio book next week at home when I can walk more. (I walk a good bit while camping, but I'm usually with Robby or someone else so we talk.)

I wanted to leave at 2, but it was closer to 3 when we finally left for the campground. Whitman and I stopped at Pinnacle Mountain to take a picture. Then we went the back way towards the campground-except the road said "road closed to thru traffic." Robby had talked about a road closure, so I turned around and went forever back the other way to go in the main entrance.

Of course, when I got close there, there was another sign that said road closed. This time I went around it, and goodness that road was really closed. There were working on the railroad tracks, and I could see it was indeed closed. So I turned around and went back to where I turned around the first time to started over. Whitman didn't care that we were driving all over creation nor did I so we just enjoyed our extra car time!

We finally made it to the campground, and I joined Robby outside. We sat outside as everyone started showing up. Soon the Powells, Stattons, and Kamps were all here. Shannon arrived to the camper just as we had all headed back to our camper to play mahjong. We didn't start that until after 9, and it was around midnight when we came in tonight!

October 28, 2026: The Month of Camping Trip 4

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• I woke up early this morning, but I stayed in the bed as long as I could. I was actually even awake before the sun came up, and honestly, I did not like it! I always think that I would like to be a morning person, but really, I don't want to be a morning person-I want to be a napper!
• As I was coming in the kitchen this morning, Campbell scared me because she was already standing in the kitchen. I knew that she was going to go and babysit, but I had forgotten. She was up and getting ready to go. She was gone all morning and came in just for about 10 minutes before leaving for work this afternoon. Then she was home for a bit after work before leaving to go to church. All of that is great; however, she has school to do from today plus a test to take tonight. 
• Keaton and Whitman worked on their school work this morning. It was pretty quiet this morning while they were working so I was able to load a few things in the camper. We are ready to go for Halloween (Robby is actually there now), but it is kind of sad since it looks like it is going to be pretty rainy!
• At lunch, I helped Robby make cookies, and then I worked with Whitman. Next, I walked a little bit, and when I came in Robby and the dogs left to head to Maumelle. Whitman and I will join him tomorrow. 
• I didn't have long at home though because I soon left with Whitman and Keaton. We went to Dollar Tree-there were a few Christmas stocking things I wanted from there which were not there. Plus we wanted to go something for Campbell's Mother's Day Out class for their fall party tomorrow. There was no Halloween at Dollar Tree. Thankfully, we did find some playdoh at Walmart nearby.
• Then it was on to Harvest Fest at Raymar. Whitman and I worked a plink booth for the first hour, and then I walked around and was able to help a bit. Then I just started visiting some until the they shut the party down. I think that there were a lot of people there, and things seemed to go really smoothly. Plus after it cooled off, the weather was perfect.
• I had a decent list of things to do when I got home tonight, but I have marked most of those off already.....all except for my hot chocolate and my book. 

October 27, 2026

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• I was awake for a good long time last night-long enough that I just debated getting out of bed for a bit. However, I was then worried that by the time I went to bed it would be too late to sleep at all. I finally was able to go to sleep after I completely changed Whitman's curriculum for high school...I know, I have plenty of time to figure all of that out. 
• Even though I was awake late last night, I still did jump out of bed when my alarm clock went off because Graham had asked me to help with his schedule. I was able to do my part and send it to him before starting my chores. (Later today, he did call, and we worked through making his schedule, but he didn't have time to turn it all in because he was headed to a football game.)
• Whitman and I did our morning reading this morning. Then I started working with Keaton and Campbell. Some days I don't feel like I do a whole lot of school, and other days I feel like I'm doing just as much school as when everyone was little. Today was one of those days-it all just took a bit of time.
• Campbell's ACT scores came back in today. Now, she isn't done taking the test by any means, but she has made enough to take Freshman Comp so she will take 3 college classes next semester. That will be a lot, but I think that will make her senior year a bit easier.
• Keaton and Campbell left around 1:30 to go and pick up their babysitting girls from their school. I believe that they took them to the park, to Menchies, and to Target. They are still babysitting now and probably will for another hour or so-the babysitting business is good right now.
• Whitman and I made a candle today and played marbles-we are doing all the pilgrim crafts from our history box. It is kind of fun! (though I'm not too sure he thinks so-I'm enjoying it though.)
• Tonight I went to Mahjong at church. They even had some twists  to the games so that was neat. Our table played 5 games, and yep, I never won once! I was able to play Mahjong and had snacks so it couldn't be any better in my book!

October 26, 2026

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• This was a pretty pleasant Monday school morning. Whitman and I read this morning, and we were able to get a lot done. I'm trying to finish a few books this week so we can start on our Christmas reading. 
• Campbell and Keaton knocked out their school work this morning. Whitman took a wee bit longer, but he had a few breaks on his ipad. 
• For lunch, we finished up all of the leftovers in the house. I had made way too much chicken pasta and way too much potato soup this weekend, but for some reason we have already eaten them all. I really enjoy soup for lunch, so maybe I need to make another pot over the next few days. 
• After lunch, I went on my walk while Whitman finished his school work. The weather was perfect today, and I could have walked and listened to my book a bit longer. I needed to come in and straighten a few things though.
• Whitman and I are continuing to enjoy his history boxes-today we made marbles like they did in Jasmestown. They probably didn't use clay that was shipped to you and then baked it in the oven. I think later this week, a recorder type instrument is in his box...maybe I will just skip that one. Last week we made a corn husk doll, and after making some yarn today with a drip spindle he has now hung the doll up as a voodoo doll. (Hopefully, I'm not the one he is thinking of.)
• Robby and I ran a few errands tonight and brought home some leftovers for the kids. Tony and Shannon brought over some leftovers for Whitman so everyone was happy tonight. 
• It is fairly quite here with half the people back at school, so that makes me sad. However, I'm planning on having some hot chocolate later so that makes me happy though!

October 25, 2026

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• I was up a bit late last night watching my phone to make sure that Graham and Campbell both got to where they were going to spend the night. Of course, I did sleep some while waiting to make sure they arrived to their final destinations because I sure couldn't stay up until 2 last night. 
• This morning I did wake up and make monkey bread. Reagan had people eating last night so I thought briefly that they might spend the night so I was prepared. They didn't, but we still had monkey bread.
• Campbell and Graham both made it to church this morning, and we all filled up a row. Everyone sat with us, and I really wanted to pull out my phone and take a picture of everyone during church, but I know that the kids would frown upon that.
• After church we celebrated Pops' 80th birthday with pizza and cake. I think he liked the Buccee's socks that we gave him, We stayed for a while and visited, but then it was time to go back home.
• At home, the kids started slowly leaving. Graham left first with Brooklyn to eat supper with their family, and then he was riding back to school with Brodie. Reagan was the next one to leave followed by Anderson. They carried so much stuff back to school-snacks, Christmas tree, lights, so, so many things. 
• Anderson pulled out of the driveway, and we left too with Keaton and Whitman for their lifegroups. We picked up Charlotte and Sophia on the way and then dropped everyone off at two different locations. While they were at their groups, Robby and I made a little bit of money before hurrying back for their pickups. 
• Now, we are gobbling up some potato soup for our supper. I tried to save room for hot chocolate too!