MAY 1st - A DAY OF CELEBRATION & REMEMBRANCE

Good day, Friend, and may God bless you today and every day!

Time for an update from the Pennsylvania Richeys, since it's
been quite a while since the last one.

Today would have been Jayne's 57th birthday!!  We lost her
to her "graduation to glory" 13 years ago!  Can you believe it's
been that long?  Chartel just told me that she thinks of her
mother still.  That's good, I believe.

Charles (formerly known as C.J.) just got some VERY GOOD
NEWS - he's been accepted into Temple University's "Masters"
program!  Just got his letter yesterday.  His plans are to
pursue courses in social work, so he can implement his
Spanish knowledge together when he works with those in
the "new subculture" of our country.  His employer will pay
for his classes, and his college loan payments, he thinks,
will be put on hold until after he finishes his courses.  That,
plus sharing a new apartment with another guy from church
will help to cut down on expenses for a while.

He still plays soccer regularly, 2 or 3 times weekly, and he
just joined a league for more consistent competition.  His
lady friend, Kristen, has participated on occasion with him
and his buddies, and she often goes running with Charles,
too.  Both are "beanpoles" kinda, at least compared to me!

Chartel and Charles are starting plans for her to visit by
bus, hopefully sometime in June.  She'll spend the weekend
with Kristen and Ceej, getting to know each other a bit,
and hopefully "cementing" the sister-brother kinship.

Chartel has finished her phlebotomy classes and is now
working at the West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh.  She
still has other courses to finish before she's done, so
her plans are to take some during the summer, and hope-
fully finish sometime next year.  She's a "go-getter", and
I'm very proud of her determination and goal-seeking.

Cindy and I are fine.  I seem to be over the scoliosis and
whatever else I had.  Still get a twinge of ache or pain in
the right leg, but have no limitations for normal activities.
Am able to mow and trim the lawn, work 2 5-hour days
at the Rite-Aid cash register, and get around for other
Cody (grandson) football, lacrosse games, etc.

Cindy continues to get honored for her volunteerism.
Another event last week feted the "Top 50" from the
Pittsburgh area, and one of the men, a fellow church-
goer and friend, will represent us in a Washington, D.C.
event in June.  Cindy has been interviewed by a local
news source for an online publication, and the shop
is being recognized for assisting a "Wounded Warrior"
and his family. 

The shop, "Treasure House Fashions", has a website,
and continues to grow.  They're praying for a larger
facility to enable them to minister to even more
needy women in the area. 

Talked to Bill a few days ago, and he's doing fine.  We
do communicate somewhat on FB, but of course we're
limited as to what we can talk about.  He has posted
pictures of "over there", and it's a pretty place, even
with the snow.  He's working with a group of teens to
teach them English, and he loves it.  Things are fine
back home, he reports, though my attempts to reach
them have been futile 'til now.  I'll try again this week.

If I get to Wisconsin this year, it won't be until mid-
October after Bill gets back.  Just saying.  Don't know
if I'll have a passenger or two, but it would be nice
if we can arrange it.  Otherwise, I'll let you all know
what dates I'll be in the "area".

TAKE CARE, GOD BLESS, AND PLEASE KEEP
IN TOUCH.  WHETHER BY EMAIL, FACEBOOK,
PHONE CALLS, OR PRAYERS - WE LOVE YOU!!  

WELCOME WINTER - SPRING'S NOT FAR BEHIND!

Hello, friend (and relative/friend), and "Good day to you!".
I trust that "the holidays", whichever you celebrated, were
enjoyable and safe.  Ours were - quite!

Just a short note to check in and let you know we're still here.
It's very cold and white outside, but it's January in Pittsburgh,
so we can't expect anything different. 

Cindy got me a new computer for Christmas, which you may
have noticed, especially if you "follow" me on Facebook.
Been very busy enjoying my new "toy/tool", blogging,
posting, commenting, etc., in the effort to make a difference
in America and the world.  Prayerfully it's working.

My two younger ones made it in/over for Christmas, which
was GREAT!  Charles, formerly known as C.J., drove in
on Saturday and went back on Sunday, as
he had soccer, work, Kristen to go back to Harrisburg for.
Chartel managed to spend an hour or two on Christmas day,
having a late dinner and exchanging a few gifts.

Both are still doing well, PTL, though Charles needs to get
out of his mold-laden apartment in the Spring, when his
lease expires.  It's also cold, being on the third floor, and
has no TV hookup.  He's happy for his laptop computer
to keep in touch with family and friends.

Chartel is soon to transfer to another college, possibly a
Pittsburgh campus, to get her healthcare classes that she
can't get in Weirton.  That may mean that we'll get to see
her more often, hopefully.

Cindy is busy, busy, busy at the shop.  She (and Colleen)
had birthdays on New Year's Day.  Cindy joined me now
in the 70's range.  Colleen - can't remember her age, but
she's still young.

Now that my IBS is gone I'm fighting sciatica.  Physical
therapy is helping, but I still have moments of PAIN, so
I have to be careful not to "overdo" it, whatever that
means.  Will see a urologist on Friday to check on my
somewhat high PSAT analysis.  Nothing to worry about,
I don't think.

We went to a Pitt women's basketball game Saturday,
which they won in overtime.  FUN!  Then Greg got us
tickets to the Pitt men's game on Sunday, complete with
parking pass/shuttle bus!  They lost, but it was great to
be there supporting our Panthers.

I'm still working - 6 hours each Tuesdays and Thursdays
for now.  That's really enough, though may change at
any point, depending on truck schedule and everybody
else's schedules.  Oh well, at least it keeps me somewhat
busy.

Bill is "over there", and though I've tried numerous times
to call Colleen and the boys, failed.  I'm sure they're
plenty busy, what with Bryce wrestling, and Garrett and
Nolan involved in various school and other activities.
Keep check with things as best I can on Bill's Facebook.

Be blessed.  Be happy.  Be safe.  Be saved. 
We love you and are always happy to hear from you. 

HAVE A GREAT 2012, CINDY, CHARLES, CHARTEL, BILL.

HELLO FROM PITTSBURGH!

I trust that your summer is going well.  Did you say "Hot!"?

Yeh, we all know that feeling.  Not only weatherwise, but
politically, too, if you've been keeping up with the news
and reading my blogs.

Cindy is pretty well over her foot surgery.  Walking unaided,

driving, back to her 3-day a week shop schedule, cooking,
etc.  WHEW!  I'm still doing laundry and emptying the
dehumidifier (downstairs), but she's "feeling her oats"
otherwise.

My condition is improved, though not totally cleared up
yet.  Still on that $80 a month prescription, along with
others, but eating regularly.  One more month until I see
the Doc again for a checkup.

C.J. likes his new job a lot, especially the part of working
Monday thru Friday with regular office hours.  He's taken
on a part-time clothing store cashiers job, but still has
time for soccer and Emily.  Hasn't made it home yet, but
he's still hoping to. 

Chartel has scheduled her Fall classes at school, though

her FAFSA application didn't result in any assistance.

Since she has to use her 'parents' info and we did the

deal on the houses, our income was inflated (falsely) to

the point where they won't give her the help she needs.

Please pray that they'll reconsider and come through.

Otherwise she seems to be healthy and doing fine.  Her

Doc is concerned about her "sleep-walking", suggesting

that it may be hereditary, but none of the rest of us do it.

I think that she's just so busy that her mind keeps going

when she tries to stop her body to rest. 

Leaving for Kimberly Saturday AM, about 7.  Bill will

be deploying soon, and the boys are getting too big

too soon, so I'll make a quick and short 3-day visit

there.  Won't have time to visit around, as last year,

sadly, as I need to get back to work and schedule a

test or two, including a colonoscopy.  Ouch!

Hope all is well with you.  Please keep in touch.

Keep reading my blogs while I'm able to write them,

as they might "put me away" one of these days.  Ha-Ha.

Love you all, Chartel, C.J., Cindy, and Bill.

P.S.  I'm on Facebook daily as C W Bill Richey.

July Tidings and Greetings!

Greetings, friends and family members.  I trust that all
is well with you and yours.

It's America's Birthday today, with mine shortly to
follow, so it's a time of celebration.

All here are fine.  Chartel is on her way over for a
visit, about a once-a-month thing.  Better than none.
C.J. plans to be here sometime in the next couple
of weeks, so that's cool.  My plans are to head to
Wisconsin mid-August, visiting the grandsons and
family just before Bill is deployed.

Cindy has been honored with another recognition
for her many hours of volunteer work.  The local
newspaper, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, along with
the American Red Cross, the RSVP program, the
Heinz Endowment Foundation, and Highmark are
feting her a others from the region in a special
newspaper picture and article, another dinner, and
the possibility of going to Washington, D.C. next
year for another event.  WOW!

C.J. is settled into his new apartment near downtown
Harrisburg.  He love his job, and his new "digs", as
they're one short block from the Susquehenna River.
He and his lady friend, Emily, seem to spend a lot of
time together when they are working - he's daylight,
she mostly afternoons and evenings.  Oh well.

My health is better, though I'm being pressed to get
a colonoscopy, which I'll probably have to agree to
soon.  All other tests have been good, so onward
and forward, I guess.  Hasn't kept me from work or
church lately, so that's good.  New script costs
$82 a month!  Wow.  Never spend that much before.
Oh well, we only die once.  Huh?

Writing my blogs when I get a chance.  Did a sports
column and a patriotic column today.  Will do a
humor and an inspirational blog tomorrow, hopefully.

Love to all.  Have a great summer.  Hope to hear from
you or see you soon.  Cindy, Bill, Chartel, C.J.

It's April - Whatever Happened To March?

Good day, Friend. I guess you can say that my brain took a month off, not having posted a family update since Feb. 1. Sorry. Been too busy cowering from the cold, rain, and snow. What a loooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggg winter we have had. Not as long as people in Maine (that's for you, Mike, Joseph & Nathaniel), but too long for Pittsburgh. I thought we were having "global warming"? Where is that Al Gore fella, anyway? Anybody seen or heard from him? We are all healthy and well. C.J. is settling into his new job at Ames True Temper Tools, Intl., in Harrisburg, and getting to use his Spanish some. It's a job he has to "grow into". He likes it, especially since he has evenings and weekends to himself (and Emily, too). He's in the process of looking for a place of his own, as his housesitting gig ends at the end of May. He thinks he's found one, and may need Dad's help to get moved when that time comes. He hopes to come home for a weekend soon, hopefully to catch a Pirates game, among other things. Chartel is busy, busy, busy. With her 2 part-time jobs, taking her college courses, etc., we don't get to see or hear from her much. Not enough, anyway. She got a "newer" car, a white Pontiac G6, I think it is, and it seems to fill the bill for now. Hope it lasts longer than her last one did. I cautioned her about checking fluids, etc. and keeping the maintenance up on it. Hope she can. Some of you got pictures of both kids from Christmas. Sorry to be so long getting them to you. Hope you like them. If you didn't get any and want a copy of each, let me know. Cindy is fine. She and her cohorts are anxiously awaiting the May issue of "Woman's Day", when their shop will be featured in the "Making A Difference" section. Be sure to look for the article. There's been a continuous flow of publicity for their venture, ever since she won the Pittsburgh Volunteer of the Year award. I'm okay. Cutting my work load(?) down to 2 days a week starting this coming week. Will work Wednesdays and Fridays, having Mondays and Tuesdays to go to a Pirates game or more with Gregg and Cody, Cindy's son and grandson (mine, too). I'm still "on call" whenever one of the other manager-gals gets ill or needs to miss work, and will fill in as-needed, though not excited about doing so. Glad to help out when I'm "able". Ha-Ha. Plan to get to Wisconsin sometime in the summer, fitting in between the grandsons' camping plans and Bill's training schedule. He goes to Kosovo in September for an 8 to 9 month "peacekeeping" stint with his Guard unit. He and Colleen spent a week in Hawaii recently, and plan to do as many things with the boys as possible before he is deployed. Something else to PRAY about!! We trust all is well with you and yours. Thanks for reading, and thanks for keeping in touch when you can. Look back for our phone numbers to our previous letter. God bless you all, and come visit us in Pittsburgh!! P.S. - The "new" house is quite comfortable and livable, now that the painter and the electricians are done. Cindy did a fine job hanging the pictures and wall hangings, etc. Getting settled in, waiting to do some yard work......someday......weather permitting(?)!

WELCOME, "LOVE MONTH"!

Hello, Friend, doesn't February 1st bring a warm,
fuzzy feeling to you? It sure does to me, what with
the portent of Spring and warmer weather soon!!

We are moved, settled pretty much in our new
place at 327 Faber St., Pittsburgh, 15214. We also
have a house phone, 412-322-1748. Feel free to
call the house number anytime, but especially on
weekdays between 6 AM and 9 PM when our cell
phones are deducted for minutes used. We have a
Verizon "bundle" which gives us unlimited day and
night calls, local and long distance in the contiguous
U.S., at no additional charge.

Cindy loves the new location, particularly since it
is only 10 to 15 minutes from her shop. I have a
similar drive to my new Rite Aid, just a couple of
minutes longer.

C.J. and Chartel are doing fine. She is in the process
of replacing her "dead" car, still working 2 jobs and
attending classes. I don't know how she does it, but
she insists that it's all manageable. It was great to
have her and her brother both here at the same
time for Christmas dinner and gift exchanges.
C.J. turned down a manager position with Hollister
in Charleston, W.Va., as he's got too much going on
right now, and really wants to stay in the Harrisburg
area for now. He'll be getting paid to house-sit for 3
months starting March, and will save paying rent to
David while he's doing that. Cool gig, hey? He still
wants to find a position using his Spanish, and has
and is applying for a few such, so please PRAY.

Cindy's daughter, Joy, and her husband, Doug, who
live in Winchester, Virginia, were up for a weekend
recently, and joined Greg, Christy, and Cody, her
son and family, here for eats, treats, games, and
gift exchanges while the Steelers romped over the
dreaded Ravens. HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE
GO! Though I did pick the Pack on my sports blog.
Huh? (http://www.homecourtorfield.blogspot.com/)


Cindy got a call at 4:15 AM today informing her that
her stepmom passed away. Elaine had been in
hospice for a while, failing steadily, and her demise
was anticipated soon. We'll have visitation Thursday
and the service Friday AM.

I'm working 2 or 3 days a week now, daylight usually,
with evenings and weekends off. Perfect schedule.
There will be times when I'll be called upon to help
open or close, but they'll be seldom, so for now I'll
just keep cashiering and entertaining customers. Huh?

Our new place is just about 10 minutes north of the
stadiums, so when the season starts I'll be able to
walk to the end of our street, hop a bus, and go into
town to see the Pirates lose!
Joy and Doug gifted us with Pitt Panthers basketball
tickets for March 5th, against Villanova or Syracuse,
(I forget which), so that should be a blast!

For now, we are driving back to Burgettstown on
Sundays, as I'm still team-teaching the teen class,
and Cindy is an elder along with serving on the
church board. She also heads up the "Servants' Heart"
committee (hospitality), and will be teaching a
series on Esther (from the Bible) to the younger
children soon.

About it for now. Have a good month, pray for Spring
to start soon, and keep in touch. Love, Cindy & Bill.

IT'S ABOUT TIME

GOOD DAY, FRIENDS AND FAMILY. IT'S A GREAT DAY TO
PRAISE GOD AND COUNT OUR BLESSINGS, HEY?
I KNOW, IT'S BEEN ALMOST 5 MONTHS SINCE MY LAST
POSTING, BUT I'LL TRY TO DO BETTER NOW THAT LIFE IS
"SETTLING DOWN" A BIT.
WE ARE MOVING! SIGNED THE PAPERS TUESDAY, AND HAVE
"HAND MONEY" ON THE SLOVAN PLACE. MOVING DATE IS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13TH. OUR NEW ADDRESS IS:

327 FABER STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15214

PHONE NUMBERS WILL BE OUR CELL PHONES, MINE IS
STILL 724-263-0505, AND CINDY'S IS 412-480-7981.

CHARTEL AND C.J. (HE PREFERS TO BE CALLED "CHARLES')
WERE BOTH HERE FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER, P.T.L.
WE HAD A SWEET TIME VISITING, HOWEVER SHORT.
C.J. (CHARLES) WENT BACK TO HARRISBURG LATE THAT
EVENING, AND CHARTEL (FORMERLY KNOWN AS 'LELLY')
LEFT EARLIER, NEEDING TO MOVE SOME THINGS FROM
HER FORMER RESIDENCE AND HAVING TO WORK THE
NEXT DAY.

BOTH ARE WELL, AS ARE WE, THANK YOU AND THANK
GOD! CHARLES HAS PUT ON POUNDS, UP TO 165! HE'S
BEEN WORKING OUT, ESPECIALLY LIFTING, THOUGH HE
RUNS SOME OF IT OFF PLAYING SOCCER TWO OR THREE
TIMES A WEEK. HE LOOKS GOOD.

CHARTEL GETS PRETTIER BY THE DAY, I THINK, THOUGH
THAT JUST MIGHT BE A DAD'S TAKE. SHE WORKS FOR
'AMERICAN EXPRESS' IN THEIR CUSTOMER CALL CENTER,
AND PART-TIME FOR AN ESTABLISHED LOCAL EATERY,
DAMONE'S BY NAME.

TO REGRESS SLIGHTLY, MY TRIP TO WISCONSIN AND
UPPER MICHIGAN IN AUGUST WAS A BLESSING, INDEED!
I GOT TO SPEND A COUPLE OF DAYS WITH THE GRANDSONS,
(AND THEIR PARENTS, TOO, OF COURSE), AND ENJOYED
EVERY MINUTE OF IT. BRYCE IS A HIGHSCHOOL FRESHMAN,
PLAYING ON THE VARSITY SOCCER TEAM. GARRETT
AND NOLAN ARE GROWING RAPIDLY, THOUGH I'VE ONLY
SEEN THEM EVERY OTHER YEAR OR SO. IT WAS A BLAST
WATCHING THEM PLAY. BRYCE IS ALSO TAKING GUITAR
LESSONS.
BILL IS STILL FLYING MEDEVAC CHOPPER, AND RUNS
REGULARLY, AS DOES COLLEEN AND BRYCE. GARRETT
GOES ALONG ON HIS BIKE SOMETIME. HA-HA.

MY ABBREVIATED VISITS WITH TOM & KATE AND
"GRANDMA MARY" AND SOME OF THE CREW WERE VERY
SPECIAL! CAUGHT DAN AT HIS PLACE OF BUSINESS,
THEN MARYLOU, SUE, MIKE, JOHN, BRENDA AND "MOM"
AT HER RESIDENCE. STILL SMILE ABOUT THE TIME WE
HAD TOGETHER.

SPED FROM THERE TO UPPER MICHIGAN TO SPEND
BREAKFAST WITH JOHN & CAROL MEYER, MY LONG-
TIME FRIENDS. JOHN AND I HAD PLAYED A LOT OF
TENNIS AND RAQUETBALL DURING MY TENURE AT THE
CHURCH THERE IN IRON MOUNTAIN AND KINGSFORD.

BACK TO PA. CINDY RECEIVED THE "VOLUNTEER-OF-THE-
YEAR AWARD" FOR PITTSBURGH FROM THE R.S.V.P GROUP
AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS. ALL 3 MAJOR LOCAL
TV STATIONS WERE THERE TO COVER THE 500-PERSON
AFFAIR WHICH WAS HELD AT A DOWNTOWN SHERATON.
SHE HAS BEEN FEATURED IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, AND A
SPOT IS PLANNED FOR THE CBS LOCAL NEWS CARRIER.
SHE GOT A BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN MANTLE CLOCK WITH
THE AWARD INSCRIBED ON A NAMEPLATE, AS WELL AS
A CITATION FROM OUR LOCAL STATE LEGISLATOR IN
A STURDILY-BOUND FOLDER NOTING HER ACHIEVEMENT
AND AWARD. BIG DEAL!! SHE'S NOW MORE OF A
CELEBRITY THAN I AM! HUMPH.

SERIOUSLY, OUR MOVE IS INTENDED TO CUT DOWN ON
HER LONG TRAVEL TIMES TO THE SHOP AND BACK. WE
WILL BE ONLY A FEW MINUTES FROM HER PLACE, AND
THERE ARE OPENINGS AT 3 AREA RITE AIDS FOR ME
TO FIT INTO. HOW CONVENIENT, HEY?

THE NEW PLACE IS RED BRICK, ABOUT THE SAME SIZE
OF WHAT WILL SOON BE "THE OLD PLACE', EXCEPT THAT
WE'LL NOW HAVE A COMPLETELY FINISHED BASEMENT
WITH A FAMILY ROOM/GUEST ROOM COMBINATION,
AND 2 (COUNT 'EM, TWO!) COMPLETE BATHROOMS. WHAT
A LUXURY THAT WILL BE. THE YARD IS SMALLER, SO
I WON'T GET TO EXERCISE AS MUCH WHEN I MOW, BUT
IT WON'T TAKE LONG TO GET USED TO THAT. HA.

WE TRUST THAT ALL IS WELL WITH YOU AND YOURS.
WE PRAY ALSO THAT YOU HAVE BLESSED HOLIDAYS,
WHICHEVER YOU ARE CELEBRATING!! (THAT'S FOR
YOU, RON.) YOU'RE WELCOME.

PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH. I PLAN TO RESUME WRITING
AS SOON AS WE GET SETTLED, MAYBE EVEN BEFORE.
I'M BURSTING AT THE SEAMS WITH TOPICS TO ADDRESS,
SO HOPEFULLY I'LL GET 'ER DONE BEFORE I EXPLODE.

HAVE A GREAT 2011! HOPE TO CHATATYA SOON,
LOVE, CHARTEL, CHARLES, CINDY, AND CHARLES, TOO.