Goin’ South – Part 1 – B-I-N-G-O and Birthday Celebrations

We’re back home now. We returned home yesterday afternoon. Now, as it is whenever we return home from our travels, I have the daunting tasks of editing all the pictures, going through all my bazillion emails, doing the laundry, going shopping and putting the house back in order once again. We drove just shy of 3000 miles, going from Colorado to Kansas to Missouri, where we stopped our first night on the road to visit with our friend nNncy and her new husband Denny, then through Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, where we stopped for a couple of nights, then to Alabama, again for a couple of nights visiting with Bruce and Julia, and back through Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, back to Kansas again before arriving at home sweet home.

The main reason for the trip was to celebrate Larry’s mom Ollie’s 97th birthday. But we turned it into a road trip and visited with friends along the way, including Julia and Bruce.

Ollie loves her BINGO, so as soon as we pulled into Hays, KS, we went to the Bingo hall to join most of Larry’s family. There were 14 of us Billingers at the Bingo Hall. Ollie is a regular and goes to BINGO all the time, so the hall set up a special table for all of us and gave her the birthday sash and tiara. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Ollie too.

The Birthday Girl/BINGO Queen

BINGO Billingers

Our niece Paige and her husband Jake

Larry’s brother Ron

Ron’s wife Sue

Larry’s sister Linda

Larry and I

Larry’s brother Randy and his husband Roger with Sue on the side.

Our sister-in-law Sheri

Quite a few of us won and we all put our earnings in the pot to share with everyone. That’s Ollie’s rule. Everyone shares the pot equally. Our total earnings were about $300, meaning we each got about $21. I was one of the lucky winners too.

After BINGO, we all called it a day, especially since we had Ollie’s big party the next day.

We all brought and/or made things to share. Larry is the youngest of 9. His oldest brother passed away a few years ago, but the rest of his siblings and their partners were all in attendance at Ollie’s party, with some of the grandkids and great kids too.

Ollie in the center and all of Larry’s siblings. Larry is in the darker blue in the back row.

This is everyone who was there.

Ollie loved all her celebrations and having as many of the family together as were able to come. Happy 97th Birthday Ollie. We love you lots.

Larry and I left early the next morning to start our southern journey. Trust me, there is plenty more to come your way. So sit back and enjoy the adventures. 🙂

Life is short. Make the most out of everyday and enjoy the ride. Live life to the fullest. Have a great day and make everyday great. ‘Til next time.