New York

Marilyn again...
Kim just called (10:15p.m.) and said they were still on the road and had an hour to go to get to Syracuse, N.Y. where they are spending the night.
It was rainy and cool most of the day...all the way through Canada, so they did not see much.
They had to eat their picnic lunch in the car. When they got to Niagara Falls ( I spelled it right this time), it was rainy off and on, but not cold. There were traffic backups. They had fun at the falls----they rode the "Maid of the Mist" boat, which took them very close to the falls and they got soaked......Kim said "worse than any water park ride". Their hair was dripping and her mascara too. Kim said it is a real commercial area ---all the big attractions~~Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, etc. also casinos. It has been many years since I have been there and it was not like that, so I would not know the area any more. Just like Poland for me...when I was there in 1984 it was so different and then when I was there in 1986 in just two years it had changed a lot~~~~now I would not know it. But I do hope to return once again. Back to the travels....after the falls they went to Buffalo, N.Y. to visit some good friends and ended up eating dinner with them---buffalo wings in Buffalo, N.Y. Neat, hu?! I think they will be on their way to Bar Harbor, Maine....but I don't know what there plans are for other stops on the way. Some of it will depend on the weather. They would like a beach day. They had no trouble with customs with Nora in or out of the country. Nora does have a notarized letter with her with permission from her parents to be with Kim and Darren and travel with them. We will see what tomorrow brings.
Til next time.......

THEY ARE OFF!!!

NORA-BREE-BEN

BREAKFAST IS FINISHED AND THEY ARE

READY TO GO!!!

NORA-KIM-BEN-BLAKE-BREE-DARREN

READY TO LEAVE
"THE SNACK BASKET"
KIM AND DARREN--PACKING FOOD AND DRINKS

FOR LUNCHES
BEN...TAKING NORA'S SUITCASE TO THE CAR.
KIM.......I'LL GET IT IN!!!
GET IT ALL IN, DAD!!!!
BLAKE-BREE-BEN
BEN AND NORA
WILL IT FIT????!!!!
WHEW.....IT'S ALL IN!!!
BYE!!
BYE!!
THEY ARE OFF!!!!!!

I got to Kim and Darren's shortly before 8:00a.m. to say good-bye and take some pictures. They were finishing up breakfast and starting to load the car. Blake and Darren were mowing the yard and Kim was getting food together. Nora, Ben and Bree were helping to carry things to the car. All were very excited----me too, for them!!! The car got packed---VERY PACKED---and they left home at 9:00a.m.

Last night they were looking on the computer at Krzysztof's family tree when there was a knock on the door at 11:30p.m.---and "lo and behold"---their front yard had been T.P.'D (toilet papered)

Toilet paper all over---NORA HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING!!!! Of course, being the teenager in the house they knew it was Blake's friends--and Blake spent some time cleaning it up!! They blamed it on Nora being here!!!!

Just as they were leaving the person that is taking care of the house arrived for some last minute instructions.

They are now off for some exciting adventures----starting with Canada - Niagra Falls - Syracuse, N.Y. - New York City - Boston - Philadelphia---and many more interesting places.

Blake will be taking over the blog for the next two weeks---so I will be just as anxious to read it each evening after their daily ADVENTURES!!

Til next time.....

Another Full Day

Ben and Bree---Marilyn's dog, Lucky

Nora, Blake, Darren and Kim

Today Nora said she had a very good and long sleep. I told her I wouldn't tell how long she slept. Ben slept late too.

Kim had to work all day, so Darren took the kids shopping. They went to some clothing stores and to the mall in Saginaw. They also did some grocery shopping (snacks, water, etc.) for their trip out east starting tomorrow. This took most of the afternoon.

When Kim got home from work the family went to a "early" 4th of July party at the home of good friends. They had lots of fun---Nora was telling me some of the games they played---football, soccer, ladder ball and more. After they left the party they stopped at my house for a little while--just a short distance from where the party was. They only stayed a short time as they have packing to do---they want to leave early tomorrow morning.

They will be going through Canada heading for Niagra Falls and continue to the east coast from there. Blake will take over the blog starting tomorrow and continue throughout their trip--unless he has problems with hookups. They will be gone about 2 weeks.

Til next time......

First full day in America

Kim, Nora and Bree-----of course, "fast food" in America!

Nora said she slept good last night. Today Kim took the kids to Bay City to look around.....a local town in the area. It is a town where many Polish people immigrated. The Saginaw river runs through it. Our area is called the "tri-city" area...which includes the towns of Midland, Bay City and Saginaw...on the east side of Michigan on Lake Huron. Bay City is a neat town with many local festivals....this weekend is the Polish festival at St. Stanislaus Parish. They also have the "River Roar".......which is boat racing---BIG RACING BOATS!!! Another festival is the "Pig Gig"------this is bar-b-que competition. Good food!!!!

They also have the biggest fireworks display for the 4th of July...known all around the area. The fireworks go on for three evenings leading up to the 4th----and the biggest fireworks are on the holiday!!! The kids bought Vernors Ginger Ale to drink...which is made in Michigan.

This afternoon it was very warm so the kids all went swimming. After swimming the family went to the horse barn where they board Bree's horse. Her horse's name is Cocoa. Nora got to ride Cocoa for about a half hour.

After dinner the family went to the home of one of Blake's friends...they were invited to swim, but the weather got nasty and they could not use the pool. We had thunderstorms most of the evening.......so the kids ended up playing board games.

Nora received a phone call today from a cousin who lives in Chicago....her grandma's brother's wife....wow, I hope I got that right.

Kim will take over the writing after Sunday as they will be leaving for vacation to the eastern part of the U.S. We hope it works out .... if not, I will get phone calls from her.

Til tomorrow..

Nora is here

NORA IS HERE!!!!~ NORA HAS ARRIVED IN AMERICA!!!!

Nora's words...."I am content and happy to be here".

Nora arrived in Detroit at 1:00 p.m. She had no trouble with customs and it did not take her long to get her luggage and meet us. We were all very excited to see her for the first time and she was too. Kim was the first one to give her a BIG POLISH HUG....and then we all got to give her a wecome hug.

It takes about 2 hours from our house to get to the airport in Detroit.....we arrived very early, as Kim did not want Nora to be alone at the airport even for a short time. As we waited, we became more excited and kept checking to see if her plane had landed....when it said her plane was at the gate......we could hardly wait. Nora said her flight was very good and she had no trouble changing planes in Frankfurt. She even slept for 3 hours.

Tonight we had a pool party at Kim and Darren's to welcome Nora. It was just our immediate family...Kim, Darren and family... and my sons...Joe and Paul and their families. It was a nice evening and very warm. All the kids swam.

All of us are now very tired and ready for bed.

Til next time.......

Tomorrow

NORA WILL BE HERE TOMORROW !!!!!

"9"

Now, it's only 9 days to go!!!!

June 26 is coming fast.

ONLY 10 MORE DAYS TO GO!!!!

Getting Close

Only 12 days til Nora arrives!!!

Nora

Yesterday Kim and Nora got to visit on the phone.......first time they have talked. It was a nice
LONG phone call. They learned a lot about each other and families....questions her parents had and many things of what to expect. Kim advised her on things she did not need to bring. Nora's mother was concerned about her English and Kim reassured her that she understood everything that Nora was saying. Kim asked about her favorite things to eat.......salads. Only 13 days to go!!

Meeting Nora

On November 28, 2007, I and some other cousins received an email from David Piekarczyk telling us that we had a young cousin that would like to visit the U.S. and asking if we would offer her a place to stay. Her name ....... Nora Bekalarek. Nora is from Poland, but now lives in Germany. The family still has a home in Poland and go there for the summer and on holidays. She is 16 yrs. old and speaks English, Polish and German. Nora is the great, great, great granddaughter of Ludwika Rajewski. Ludwika and Kazimierz Rajewski were siblings. Their father was Stanislaw Rajewski. Kazimierz was the father of Josef Rajewski (Dziadzia).
David and his wife, Joan, had another young cousin, Oliwia Kupinski, come from Poland to stay with them for the summer 3 yrs. ago and enjoyed the experience. David and Joan lived in Chicago, but when they retired moved to Poland...August, 2007....so they could not offer Nora a place to stay.
When I received the email, I really thought about having her come, but being on a fixed income, I thought it would be hard to be able to take her places and thought, ok, maybe we could do this together with my whole family. So, on Nov. 30, 2007, I sent David's email to my daughter, Kim Dittenber ........her response......I WANT TO. So, began NORA'S ADVENTURE. Kim first talked to her husband, Darren, and then her 3 kids, Blake, Ben and Bree....they all decided it would be great for all of them.
We will make sure she meets as many cousins as possible. Kim has many plans for Nora with her family. I am happy Kim, Darren, Blake, Ben and Bree (and me) will be sharing the experiences with Nora in the U.S.
David Piekarczyk and Krzysztof Kupinski (Oliwia's Dad) have done a lot of research on the genealogy of our family. I did not realize how big my Rajewski family is. I thank them.
Only 14 days and we meet Nora ...... in person!!!!!!

I goofed!

Oops!!!! I goofed. Nora's date for arrival in the U.S. is Thurs., June 26. Kim is busy getting ready to have her as a new addition to their family. The family is making plans on what to do while she is here. I know they will be busy, busy, busy!!!! I am excited that she will be here for our family reunion, which takes place Sunday, Aug. 2. It is held here in Michigan on the west side of the state---"up north". It is the Mitchell and Genevieve Rajewski family reunion. Nora will be staying 6 weeks---until Aug. 8. (Gee, I hope I have THAT date correct!!) Tomorrow I will try to get together the information about how we met Nora (even though we haven't really met her yet-------aren't computers great!!).

Nora is coming soon

Nora will soon be coming to visit in America. She has been planning for months and is to arrive on June 24, 2008.