Long time cyber-friends, Sid and Rain, spent the month of December here in Rockport parked in the spot next to me. Sid was right there to get me backed in and set up in a flash. Then he was here with his handy tool box to fix a few things around the RV for me. He told me the guarantee on his work runs out when I see the tail lights of the RV pulling out on the highway!
Rain has been a long time cyber-friend since the days of the on-line chat on Up At Six, a parrot/bird related chat room. Prior to this month, we had a 2 day visit when they came thru Gatesville a couple of years ago and pulled into the small park where I stay while I'm there. Rain was, and still is, always there for me (on the computer)when I have a question about going full-time.
This month wasn't the nicest when it came to the weather - but it was a great month for good friends and good visits and good food -- and we did eat at some really good places with some really good food!
I wish them safe travels, fair weather and happy days. A piece of my heart has left with them.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
December Is Winding Down
Friday December 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christmas dinner was a pot luck. My donation was a strawberry trifle. Plenty of food! The park provided brisket, potatoes, gravy and ham. Then came the casseroles. I didn’t know there were so many ways to make green beans, scalloped corn or broccoli! And someone brought scalloped oysters! YIPPEE – just like Mom's Christmas table!
Deryl & Elke asked me to stop by for dessert and coffee. I was way too full for dessert, but did enjoy the visit and the pictures of the new greatest-grandest-baby!
The rest of the day was quiet, peaceful and quiet! I fixed a pot of fish/seafood chowder from the left over oyster stew. Had a few salad shrimp and some bay scallops in the freezer. Add some potatoes and a leek. Was really good by Saturday AM!
Saturday December 26 Happy Boxing Day!
The tradition of boxing up your Christmas left overs and sharing them with others is a way of live for the RVer. There isn't enough room nor, do most have the weight allowance, to hang onto everything. Something new comes in, something old has to go out! It's quite easy to box up extras and left overs and share with RVing friends.
Tinga and I love our fish/seafood chowders! What a breakfast!
Started taking down my Christmas Decorations. My sister gave me some beautiful Dutch Lace Window hangings when I was in Iowa last summer. Now I can’t find them. I know they are around here somewhere -- but she gave them to me as I was packing up to leave Iowa and so I have never had them up. I must have just put them somewhere (so I would remember where they where) and now I don't remember! How can you loose things in an RV!
The rest of the decorations came down on Sunday and packed away in the undercompartment.
Sid and Rain are leaving on Monday so a Saturday evening meal together was essential.
It has been wonderful having them as neighbors. Too bad the weather was so 'icky' the first 3 weeks of December. I"m going to miss them being next door.
Christmas dinner was a pot luck. My donation was a strawberry trifle. Plenty of food! The park provided brisket, potatoes, gravy and ham. Then came the casseroles. I didn’t know there were so many ways to make green beans, scalloped corn or broccoli! And someone brought scalloped oysters! YIPPEE – just like Mom's Christmas table!
Deryl & Elke asked me to stop by for dessert and coffee. I was way too full for dessert, but did enjoy the visit and the pictures of the new greatest-grandest-baby!
The rest of the day was quiet, peaceful and quiet! I fixed a pot of fish/seafood chowder from the left over oyster stew. Had a few salad shrimp and some bay scallops in the freezer. Add some potatoes and a leek. Was really good by Saturday AM!
Saturday December 26 Happy Boxing Day!
The tradition of boxing up your Christmas left overs and sharing them with others is a way of live for the RVer. There isn't enough room nor, do most have the weight allowance, to hang onto everything. Something new comes in, something old has to go out! It's quite easy to box up extras and left overs and share with RVing friends.
Tinga and I love our fish/seafood chowders! What a breakfast!
Started taking down my Christmas Decorations. My sister gave me some beautiful Dutch Lace Window hangings when I was in Iowa last summer. Now I can’t find them. I know they are around here somewhere -- but she gave them to me as I was packing up to leave Iowa and so I have never had them up. I must have just put them somewhere (so I would remember where they where) and now I don't remember! How can you loose things in an RV!
The rest of the decorations came down on Sunday and packed away in the undercompartment.
Sid and Rain are leaving on Monday so a Saturday evening meal together was essential.
It has been wonderful having them as neighbors. Too bad the weather was so 'icky' the first 3 weeks of December. I"m going to miss them being next door.
Saturday Dec 19 was spent playing with computers. The laptop was up and running for awhile, then belly up again! One of these days we will figure out what is causing the thing to go belly-up every Windows updates load.
Ran (well, I drove!)to the feed store get feed for Tinga and a couple of treats for Li’lBit and Holly. Then stopped by to visit with Deryl and Elke for awhile. This was the first chance I’ve had to get to their place for a visit since I've been back in Rockport.
Tuesday I got the ‘blue screen of death’ on the laptop. Definitely need to stop trying to ‘fix’ it myself and get it back to Robert! Went back to the computer repair, dropped off the laptop and picked up the rebuilt desk top. Taking some rearranging on my desk. With a tower and monitor, trying to figure out where to put the printer/scanner, mouse, and keyboard is a challenge. Of course, if I wasn’t such a pack rat, it would probably be much easier!
Spent most of the afternoon and evening setting things up and getting the programs loaded. The WiFi works good. This is running Windows XP and MS Office 2000 so all of my little old programs are compatible. Going to take some getting used to this keyboard, too! It's just a little different than the laptop! And to think, for years, this is just the kind of computer I used! It is much faster and less temperamental than the ACER and I’m ever so happy!
Sun has been out for 4 days in a row! YIPPEE -- but cold coming back -- hopefully not AS cold as the last round. Weatherman says only down to low 40s.
RV parks around here seem to be loosing out due to this cold snap. I know several RVers have moved on further south to the Valley. Not me...too many OLD people down there! AND too close to Mexico. Don't want to be wandering near Mexico with all of the gang and drug trouble they are having at the border.
On Wednesday I picked up tamales. NO, I do not make my own! There is a wonderful lady that sells out of a trailer down the road! YUMMY! And, keeping with my family tradition, I picked up the oysters for oyster stew. How's that for a Christmas eve meal -- Oyster stew and tamales!
Rain, Sid and I went to Charlotte Plummers for some good seafood. Just can’t seem to get enough of that place…good food, good service, good atmosphere and view – and good company and conversation! Just can’t get much better than THAT! http://charlotteplummers.com/
Christmas Eve morning, I woke about 3 AM when the wind came thru! WOW! With the rockin’ and rollin’ going on with the wind, I thought I was back in Iowa waiting for the tornadoes! When I took Li'lBit out this AM, my walker had blown out into the drive and up to the neighbor on the other side of me! Had to pick up my poinsettias but at least they hadn't broken.
Christmas Eve day was a quiet day. Just enjoyed being with the critters...being warm and being safe! Life Is Good!!!
Ran (well, I drove!)to the feed store get feed for Tinga and a couple of treats for Li’lBit and Holly. Then stopped by to visit with Deryl and Elke for awhile. This was the first chance I’ve had to get to their place for a visit since I've been back in Rockport.
Tuesday I got the ‘blue screen of death’ on the laptop. Definitely need to stop trying to ‘fix’ it myself and get it back to Robert! Went back to the computer repair, dropped off the laptop and picked up the rebuilt desk top. Taking some rearranging on my desk. With a tower and monitor, trying to figure out where to put the printer/scanner, mouse, and keyboard is a challenge. Of course, if I wasn’t such a pack rat, it would probably be much easier!
Spent most of the afternoon and evening setting things up and getting the programs loaded. The WiFi works good. This is running Windows XP and MS Office 2000 so all of my little old programs are compatible. Going to take some getting used to this keyboard, too! It's just a little different than the laptop! And to think, for years, this is just the kind of computer I used! It is much faster and less temperamental than the ACER and I’m ever so happy!
Sun has been out for 4 days in a row! YIPPEE -- but cold coming back -- hopefully not AS cold as the last round. Weatherman says only down to low 40s.
RV parks around here seem to be loosing out due to this cold snap. I know several RVers have moved on further south to the Valley. Not me...too many OLD people down there! AND too close to Mexico. Don't want to be wandering near Mexico with all of the gang and drug trouble they are having at the border.
On Wednesday I picked up tamales. NO, I do not make my own! There is a wonderful lady that sells out of a trailer down the road! YUMMY! And, keeping with my family tradition, I picked up the oysters for oyster stew. How's that for a Christmas eve meal -- Oyster stew and tamales!
Rain, Sid and I went to Charlotte Plummers for some good seafood. Just can’t seem to get enough of that place…good food, good service, good atmosphere and view – and good company and conversation! Just can’t get much better than THAT! http://charlotteplummers.com/
Christmas Eve morning, I woke about 3 AM when the wind came thru! WOW! With the rockin’ and rollin’ going on with the wind, I thought I was back in Iowa waiting for the tornadoes! When I took Li'lBit out this AM, my walker had blown out into the drive and up to the neighbor on the other side of me! Had to pick up my poinsettias but at least they hadn't broken.
Christmas Eve day was a quiet day. Just enjoyed being with the critters...being warm and being safe! Life Is Good!!!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Week Three - Things Are Warmer!
Sunday didn’t get that promised 70 degrees only made 51 and cloudy! At least the fog lifted! From the looks of things the only part of the country that isn't wet and cold is south Florida and I don't much care to go to Miami!
Went to the store to get a few things I needed for making candy and forgot to get my Sunday Paper. Now how can it be Sunday without my Sunday paper. Oh, well, I'll just read it on line and pretend I'm holding it!
Ruth stopped by for a visit and Li'lBit fell asleep in her lap. Li’l Bi has never met a stranger.
Monday was more of the same, 54 degrees FOGGY. I could hardly see the RV next door!
Still have some more candy to make although I didn't realize it was going to take so long for the candy to set up. Should have known with the humidity.
Li'lBit and I sat at the picnic table for awhile in the afternoon. She loves to set up there and get brushed. The bench wasn't dry so with a wet, cold butt, I walked to the office for mail. One thing I noticed about this place, no one walks alone. If you don't have a human companion, you have a 4-legged one! While there I signed up to take dessert to Christmas dinner.
Water line break in the park and the water was off until mid-afternoon. Advantage of living in an RV, there is always a holding tank!
Awake at 6AM on Tuesday. That must have been when the 'cold front' blew through. The humidity was killing me. According to the news, it was 65 degrees at that time. Apparently we reached our high by 7AM and it was steadily downhill after that.
You should have seen me trying to get my hips and knees moving in the cold and damp. Sure glad I have those new wooden steps.
Ladies Coffee at 9AM on Tuesday -- such a whirlwind of activity!
Robert called to say my computer was ready and he didn't have to erase a thing. He mentioned "all the stuff you have in there is still there." Maybe that was some kind of code language telling me to clean up the junk I keep on the computer.
The humidifier has really been working over time! I’ve been emptying it every day. I prefer leaving my windows open (when the weather is nice) so dehumidifier won’t be of much use then. But until then, it goes just about 24/7.
Stopped by to visit with Rain and Sid at their place. Certainly didn’t mean to spend the entire afternoon, but good friends and good conversation is hard to give up.
Wednesday was lunch at Los Comales with Roberta, Dan, Jim, Sid and Rain. Jerry and his wife, currently at Ancient Oaks RV park were there. The weather was getting colder and wetter as the day went on. The parking lot at Los Comales looked like a swamp! But time with good friends and good food is hard to beat.
Thursday was laundry day. Always a social event at an RV park. The overused crock pot was filled with the makings for cabbage soup before I headed over to the laundry room. When I came back in, I could really smell the cabbage cooking! Wonder how long it will take to get THAT smell outta here with all this humid weather and the windows closed!!!
Ever dependable Brenda sent me a huge envelope of mail. That means sorting, saving, shredding. But it’s always good to get the stuff and go through it.
Weatherman promised me 65 degrees and sunny for Friday and then 70 for Saturday. I'll probably go blind with the sun out! I think that is what that big orange ball is in the sky!
I opened the day/nite shades to let some light in and now I can see I need to wash windows but it will have to warm up some more for me to do THAT!
Lady’s Lunch was on Key Allegro http://www.paradisekeyislandgrill.com/ I had fried oysters and home-made potato fries. Rain had the same with French fried sweet potatoes. No room for dessert!
53 degrees and the sun is still out! I have some of my windows open and the furnace OFF! YIPPEE!!!
On Saturday I finally made it over to visit Deryl & Elke. What delightful friends they are and I’m so glad they are down here.
Also time to visit one of my favorite places – the feed store. Tinga really needed feeg. Most of the year she has to be satisfied with what I fix for her and what we can find at WalMart, but when we are down here, the feed store has a special mix and some good pellets.
Things finally appear to be getting closer to 'routine.' The packages have been mailed for Christmas. Once Christmas week is over, I will kick back and act lazy and retired!
Went to the store to get a few things I needed for making candy and forgot to get my Sunday Paper. Now how can it be Sunday without my Sunday paper. Oh, well, I'll just read it on line and pretend I'm holding it!
Ruth stopped by for a visit and Li'lBit fell asleep in her lap. Li’l Bi has never met a stranger.
Monday was more of the same, 54 degrees FOGGY. I could hardly see the RV next door!
Still have some more candy to make although I didn't realize it was going to take so long for the candy to set up. Should have known with the humidity.
Li'lBit and I sat at the picnic table for awhile in the afternoon. She loves to set up there and get brushed. The bench wasn't dry so with a wet, cold butt, I walked to the office for mail. One thing I noticed about this place, no one walks alone. If you don't have a human companion, you have a 4-legged one! While there I signed up to take dessert to Christmas dinner.
Water line break in the park and the water was off until mid-afternoon. Advantage of living in an RV, there is always a holding tank!
Awake at 6AM on Tuesday. That must have been when the 'cold front' blew through. The humidity was killing me. According to the news, it was 65 degrees at that time. Apparently we reached our high by 7AM and it was steadily downhill after that.
You should have seen me trying to get my hips and knees moving in the cold and damp. Sure glad I have those new wooden steps.
Ladies Coffee at 9AM on Tuesday -- such a whirlwind of activity!
Robert called to say my computer was ready and he didn't have to erase a thing. He mentioned "all the stuff you have in there is still there." Maybe that was some kind of code language telling me to clean up the junk I keep on the computer.
The humidifier has really been working over time! I’ve been emptying it every day. I prefer leaving my windows open (when the weather is nice) so dehumidifier won’t be of much use then. But until then, it goes just about 24/7.
Stopped by to visit with Rain and Sid at their place. Certainly didn’t mean to spend the entire afternoon, but good friends and good conversation is hard to give up.
Wednesday was lunch at Los Comales with Roberta, Dan, Jim, Sid and Rain. Jerry and his wife, currently at Ancient Oaks RV park were there. The weather was getting colder and wetter as the day went on. The parking lot at Los Comales looked like a swamp! But time with good friends and good food is hard to beat.
Thursday was laundry day. Always a social event at an RV park. The overused crock pot was filled with the makings for cabbage soup before I headed over to the laundry room. When I came back in, I could really smell the cabbage cooking! Wonder how long it will take to get THAT smell outta here with all this humid weather and the windows closed!!!
Ever dependable Brenda sent me a huge envelope of mail. That means sorting, saving, shredding. But it’s always good to get the stuff and go through it.
Weatherman promised me 65 degrees and sunny for Friday and then 70 for Saturday. I'll probably go blind with the sun out! I think that is what that big orange ball is in the sky!
I opened the day/nite shades to let some light in and now I can see I need to wash windows but it will have to warm up some more for me to do THAT!
Lady’s Lunch was on Key Allegro http://www.paradisekeyislandgrill.com/ I had fried oysters and home-made potato fries. Rain had the same with French fried sweet potatoes. No room for dessert!
53 degrees and the sun is still out! I have some of my windows open and the furnace OFF! YIPPEE!!!
On Saturday I finally made it over to visit Deryl & Elke. What delightful friends they are and I’m so glad they are down here.
Also time to visit one of my favorite places – the feed store. Tinga really needed feeg. Most of the year she has to be satisfied with what I fix for her and what we can find at WalMart, but when we are down here, the feed store has a special mix and some good pellets.
Things finally appear to be getting closer to 'routine.' The packages have been mailed for Christmas. Once Christmas week is over, I will kick back and act lazy and retired!
Week Two - Oh, the Weather!
My second week, Monday in Texas, 54 degrees and dreary, rain showers on and off all day. This is NOT why I come to Rockport! This is more crappy weather so far this year (and I"ve been here a week!!) than other years for the whole time I've been here! Hope the entire winter isn't going to be like this!! I have a hard time breathing in this heavy wet air. I'm sure Sid & Rain are wondering why I come here!!!
AND -- I notice more and more problems with the arthritis - but maybe because of the steps and getting up and down on the ladder. The cupboards and pantry are so high, I have a two-step ladder I have to use all of the time! In fact, I need a step stool to see in my microwave. This RV is certainly higher than my other one!
Soaked some split peas overnite and in morning I put them in the crock pot with a smoked ham shank some baby carrots and potatoes. So it's split pea soup for a couple of days for me. When I make soup in the crock pot, I have enough to eat on for a few days! I think, I'm not sure, but I THINK I have figured out the cabinet space. Now to figure out how to work with such a small bit of counter space.
Deryl & Elke came by for a visit, picked up my laptop and took it to their son, Robert, for repair. That new laptop has been a lot of trouble! Congratulations to them on the birth of their First Greatest Grandest Baby! What a Christmas this will be for them.
Started putting up the Christmas decorations. Of course, all of my hooks for the garland are in the old RV! And of course, the windows are different here and I don't have enough garland so I’m still having to rethink what I’m going to do with it. Put the tree on the dining table. I only eat in one space and I was afraid if I put it on the table by Tinga's cage she might eat it and there isn't enough space for it between the two recliners.
Picked up a couple $3.00 poinsettias for the front of the RV. It was a little too nippy to leave them out so they are hiding under the RV with the rest of my plants. I've finished the wreath for the hitch....just an “everlasting" green wreath that I glued some Christmas bows to an added some red baubles. YUP, it looks like something I made! But it is 'festive!'
Wednesday the sun was out and temp ran up to 65 degrees! Sid came by and ran through my “Honey Do” list in no time at all. We went to the Boiling Pot that evening and had boiled shrimp, sausage, crab, etc – just generally good boiled seafood. Butcher paper is spread on the table and when they bring your food, the just dump it on the paper. And Rain and I finished the meal off with a Key Lime Tart. http://the-boiling-pot.com/
Didn't get organized in time to do the baking for the cookie exchange they have here.
The weather really got me down. Didn’t seem to "adjust" to the pollens and get in the swing of things. Usually takes me a couple of days to acclimate every time I move (and catch up on sleep, etc). But the weather slowed that down some! Just now starting to feel human again! Started getting some really good sleep and that even makes the weather easier to handle!
Ran my errands on Thursday. Stopped at WalMart for some odds & ends of stuff I needed, (there is always something I need every time I move!) Then to ACE Hardware for the sandy 'traction' strips for my steps. Oh, do I like my steps!
Switched to my other propane tank, will refill when they deliver on Friday, That will give me two full tanks so bring on the winter, Let it Snow, Let Snow, Let it Snow! I can handle it! Went on line to pay bills for the month before I get carried away with holidays and forget. It sure is easy to do them on line but I sure hate just the idea/thought of paying bills. Emptied the black water tank.....so now I think my odds and ends of jobs are done for today! Sure is an exciting life in the RV, huh?
Friday brought 49 degrees with 22 mph winds gusting to 40 -- under a 'coastal flood warning' -- I might as well have stayed up north! Weatherman says the 'pineapple express' is pulling all the moisture in from the Pacific across Mexico and up thru TX. Might as well be a "blue Norther' coming in from the pan handle -- they are both miserable weather! Blame it on El Nino! Another great day for switching propane tanks! Life is Good!
AND -- I notice more and more problems with the arthritis - but maybe because of the steps and getting up and down on the ladder. The cupboards and pantry are so high, I have a two-step ladder I have to use all of the time! In fact, I need a step stool to see in my microwave. This RV is certainly higher than my other one!
Soaked some split peas overnite and in morning I put them in the crock pot with a smoked ham shank some baby carrots and potatoes. So it's split pea soup for a couple of days for me. When I make soup in the crock pot, I have enough to eat on for a few days! I think, I'm not sure, but I THINK I have figured out the cabinet space. Now to figure out how to work with such a small bit of counter space.
Deryl & Elke came by for a visit, picked up my laptop and took it to their son, Robert, for repair. That new laptop has been a lot of trouble! Congratulations to them on the birth of their First Greatest Grandest Baby! What a Christmas this will be for them.
Started putting up the Christmas decorations. Of course, all of my hooks for the garland are in the old RV! And of course, the windows are different here and I don't have enough garland so I’m still having to rethink what I’m going to do with it. Put the tree on the dining table. I only eat in one space and I was afraid if I put it on the table by Tinga's cage she might eat it and there isn't enough space for it between the two recliners.
Picked up a couple $3.00 poinsettias for the front of the RV. It was a little too nippy to leave them out so they are hiding under the RV with the rest of my plants. I've finished the wreath for the hitch....just an “everlasting" green wreath that I glued some Christmas bows to an added some red baubles. YUP, it looks like something I made! But it is 'festive!'
Wednesday the sun was out and temp ran up to 65 degrees! Sid came by and ran through my “Honey Do” list in no time at all. We went to the Boiling Pot that evening and had boiled shrimp, sausage, crab, etc – just generally good boiled seafood. Butcher paper is spread on the table and when they bring your food, the just dump it on the paper. And Rain and I finished the meal off with a Key Lime Tart. http://the-boiling-pot.com/
Didn't get organized in time to do the baking for the cookie exchange they have here.
The weather really got me down. Didn’t seem to "adjust" to the pollens and get in the swing of things. Usually takes me a couple of days to acclimate every time I move (and catch up on sleep, etc). But the weather slowed that down some! Just now starting to feel human again! Started getting some really good sleep and that even makes the weather easier to handle!
Ran my errands on Thursday. Stopped at WalMart for some odds & ends of stuff I needed, (there is always something I need every time I move!) Then to ACE Hardware for the sandy 'traction' strips for my steps. Oh, do I like my steps!
Switched to my other propane tank, will refill when they deliver on Friday, That will give me two full tanks so bring on the winter, Let it Snow, Let Snow, Let it Snow! I can handle it! Went on line to pay bills for the month before I get carried away with holidays and forget. It sure is easy to do them on line but I sure hate just the idea/thought of paying bills. Emptied the black water tank.....so now I think my odds and ends of jobs are done for today! Sure is an exciting life in the RV, huh?
Friday brought 49 degrees with 22 mph winds gusting to 40 -- under a 'coastal flood warning' -- I might as well have stayed up north! Weatherman says the 'pineapple express' is pulling all the moisture in from the Pacific across Mexico and up thru TX. Might as well be a "blue Norther' coming in from the pan handle -- they are both miserable weather! Blame it on El Nino! Another great day for switching propane tanks! Life is Good!
Rockport TX - Week ONE
DAMN! This weather SUCKS! This is NOT the weather I come to Rockport for! Even Li'lBit doesn't want to do anything but go out, do her duty and run right back in! In fact, she would rather do her duty on her pee papers inside. She occasionally needs a boot in the butt to get her out the door.
I’m ever glad Rain called me and told me to come on in to the park on Monday rather than waiting until Tuesday. I would have been trying to get things done (or Sid would have been!) in all that chilly rain.
Definitely needed a small dehumidifier....toooooo much moisture on my windows. Found one larger than I had wanted at WalMart, but if this weather keeps up, I'll really be in moisture trouble. I don't think we had this much rain the previous years. Evidentially I create too much humidity. People always told me I was full of hot air, I guess they are right!
Spent the first week sorting and trying to get stuff put away. I need a bigger trashcan so I can get rid of some of this! It’s hard to believe I still toss out every time I pack up and unpack. You would think everything would be gone by now.
Do crock pots ever wear out? That was one of the first things I unpacked and plugged in. Started right off with a pot of chili.
Wednesday, December 2nd, BRRRRR.....42 degrees but the sun finally came out! Deryl & Elke called to say it was too cold to come for a visit AND.....THEY BLAMED ME FOR BRINGING THE COLD WEATHER! I just can't WIN!
I can complain all I want about the weather, but I’m NOT in Iowa with my sister! She under snow drifts! Thanks to her, I’m warm. A couple of years ago she sent me some ‘hoodies’ and I am putting them to good use this year! However, I’m definitely NOT used to seeing folks down here walking around outside with hooded parkas, mittens and scarves!
And I finally figured out how to program the TV with the cable! I’m technically dense.
Ruth came by to let me know there are a couple of guys around here that will work on RVs at really good prices. So, if something comes up after Sid and Rain leave, I’ll have someone to call without being taken to the cleaners. In the meantime, I put the final touches on my “Honey Do List” for Sid.
Holly has been puking since we got here, good thing I didn't get rid of the carpet cleaner! I actually think it is a change in the water. I'm going to start carrying bottled water and mixing 1/2 and 1/2 with the park water until she gets used to it and see if that makes any difference. Or, it could be that she is like me -- old and fat and the travel wears us down!
On thing about this crazy weather, by Thursday I had the bottom part of the pantry orgtanized...too damn wet and cold to do anything else. I'm sure that all of the cupboards and closets will be changed several time. Just can’t figure the most efficient way to store things. especially the pantry with it being so narrow and so deep.
There was still a musty odor under the sink and finally found a puddle of water on the shelf under there. Sid came over to take a look at it and found the drain fixture loose and leaking. Problem solved, but I kept the cabinet doors open for a few days and the space heater directed under the sink.
Plans were put into gear to get some sort of lunch/get-together going with Roberta and Dan, RVers I met here last year, and anyone else we can find. Will seem strange not to have Bobbie with us but imagine she is basking in the warmth of the southwest.
Walter came by with Ron to measure for my wooden steps. I can’t wait to get something more ‘sturdy’ and with less incline. What a treat that is going to be.
Thursday, 38 degrees and falling -- wind chill 28. Just had a weather alert for winter storm warning. What a bunch of crap! Guess I won't put my plants out on the picnic table right away.
Friday brought 44 degrees with a wind chill below 40 degrees -- 30% CHANCE OF SNOW FLURRIES -- DO YOU WANT ME TO REPEAT THAT!
I put on a pot of pizza soup and planned on staying inside.
I didn't know the propane people were coming until Tuesday. Missed them last Tuesday and had one empty tank. I still had 1/2 tank so figured I could make it until next Tuesday, but hadn't planned on freezing weather! I kicked the thermostate to 55 degrees and used the space heater I had under the sink to dry out the cabinet space as supplemental heat.
Then, I saw the propane truck next door, I ran outside in my hoodie - just about froze my @$$ off getting my empty cylindar unhooked and out to the drive! The propane guy was nice enough to load the tank back up on the rack while I went in and got the money and a warmer jacket.
While switching propane tanks the freezing rain/drizzle slowed and the snow started -- to those of us that have seen REAL snow -- 'Texas Snow" is sleet pellets in rain/drizzle! Kinda hard to believe I was raised in 'snow country" and I’m so whimpy about this weather. Sure glad I have the easy-on-easy-off hook-ups! $21 and my tank is full. Back in the house and cranked the thermostat up to 70 degrees!
By Saturday, I had most stuff put away and it was starting to look like home again. With the full tank of propane and the thermostate up to 70 degrees, I was starting to think about getting out my Christmas decorations and putting the big plastic tote boxes back in storage and starting to get back to normal -- whatever NORMAL is! At least I'll have stuff done and can get busy being 'social'!
I’m ever glad Rain called me and told me to come on in to the park on Monday rather than waiting until Tuesday. I would have been trying to get things done (or Sid would have been!) in all that chilly rain.
Definitely needed a small dehumidifier....toooooo much moisture on my windows. Found one larger than I had wanted at WalMart, but if this weather keeps up, I'll really be in moisture trouble. I don't think we had this much rain the previous years. Evidentially I create too much humidity. People always told me I was full of hot air, I guess they are right!
Spent the first week sorting and trying to get stuff put away. I need a bigger trashcan so I can get rid of some of this! It’s hard to believe I still toss out every time I pack up and unpack. You would think everything would be gone by now.
Do crock pots ever wear out? That was one of the first things I unpacked and plugged in. Started right off with a pot of chili.
Wednesday, December 2nd, BRRRRR.....42 degrees but the sun finally came out! Deryl & Elke called to say it was too cold to come for a visit AND.....THEY BLAMED ME FOR BRINGING THE COLD WEATHER! I just can't WIN!
I can complain all I want about the weather, but I’m NOT in Iowa with my sister! She under snow drifts! Thanks to her, I’m warm. A couple of years ago she sent me some ‘hoodies’ and I am putting them to good use this year! However, I’m definitely NOT used to seeing folks down here walking around outside with hooded parkas, mittens and scarves!
And I finally figured out how to program the TV with the cable! I’m technically dense.
Ruth came by to let me know there are a couple of guys around here that will work on RVs at really good prices. So, if something comes up after Sid and Rain leave, I’ll have someone to call without being taken to the cleaners. In the meantime, I put the final touches on my “Honey Do List” for Sid.
Holly has been puking since we got here, good thing I didn't get rid of the carpet cleaner! I actually think it is a change in the water. I'm going to start carrying bottled water and mixing 1/2 and 1/2 with the park water until she gets used to it and see if that makes any difference. Or, it could be that she is like me -- old and fat and the travel wears us down!
On thing about this crazy weather, by Thursday I had the bottom part of the pantry orgtanized...too damn wet and cold to do anything else. I'm sure that all of the cupboards and closets will be changed several time. Just can’t figure the most efficient way to store things. especially the pantry with it being so narrow and so deep.
There was still a musty odor under the sink and finally found a puddle of water on the shelf under there. Sid came over to take a look at it and found the drain fixture loose and leaking. Problem solved, but I kept the cabinet doors open for a few days and the space heater directed under the sink.
Plans were put into gear to get some sort of lunch/get-together going with Roberta and Dan, RVers I met here last year, and anyone else we can find. Will seem strange not to have Bobbie with us but imagine she is basking in the warmth of the southwest.
Walter came by with Ron to measure for my wooden steps. I can’t wait to get something more ‘sturdy’ and with less incline. What a treat that is going to be.
Thursday, 38 degrees and falling -- wind chill 28. Just had a weather alert for winter storm warning. What a bunch of crap! Guess I won't put my plants out on the picnic table right away.
Friday brought 44 degrees with a wind chill below 40 degrees -- 30% CHANCE OF SNOW FLURRIES -- DO YOU WANT ME TO REPEAT THAT!
I put on a pot of pizza soup and planned on staying inside.
I didn't know the propane people were coming until Tuesday. Missed them last Tuesday and had one empty tank. I still had 1/2 tank so figured I could make it until next Tuesday, but hadn't planned on freezing weather! I kicked the thermostate to 55 degrees and used the space heater I had under the sink to dry out the cabinet space as supplemental heat.
Then, I saw the propane truck next door, I ran outside in my hoodie - just about froze my @$$ off getting my empty cylindar unhooked and out to the drive! The propane guy was nice enough to load the tank back up on the rack while I went in and got the money and a warmer jacket.
While switching propane tanks the freezing rain/drizzle slowed and the snow started -- to those of us that have seen REAL snow -- 'Texas Snow" is sleet pellets in rain/drizzle! Kinda hard to believe I was raised in 'snow country" and I’m so whimpy about this weather. Sure glad I have the easy-on-easy-off hook-ups! $21 and my tank is full. Back in the house and cranked the thermostat up to 70 degrees!
By Saturday, I had most stuff put away and it was starting to look like home again. With the full tank of propane and the thermostate up to 70 degrees, I was starting to think about getting out my Christmas decorations and putting the big plastic tote boxes back in storage and starting to get back to normal -- whatever NORMAL is! At least I'll have stuff done and can get busy being 'social'!
Friday, December 11, 2009
November 30 - Rockport - Home Sweet Home
The trip from Gatesville to Rockport was uneventful except for the rain – in and out of rain all the way done – and I think the cold front followed me. Arrive in Rockport about 3PM to drizzle and 52 degrees.
As I got out of the truck to go into the office to register, Sid was coming down the steps – he offered to back me in, waited until I got my lot number and took the RV over to my spot. By the time I got signed in, the paperwork filled out, the rabies certificates copied, paid the bill, etc etc etc, Sid had my RV backed in, unhitched and leveled. Just needed my key for the under-compartment to get the equipment to hook up the utilities, etc. I was in and set up in a flash!
Took me awhile to get the slides out since I couldn't find Holly and that crazy cat runs and hides under the bed -- and that is where the hydraulic mechanism is for the slide -- hhhmmm.....one smushed cat if I don't corral her and lock her in the shower!!
My get up and go got up and went when I arrived - that is the way it is when I travel -- seems to really drain me -- and of course, the sitting so long stiffens me up like a board! That is why it usually takes me so long to get unhitched and set up -- so it was sure a treat having Sid do that!
I'm usually 'under the weather' for a couple of days -- takes me about that long to bounce back -- and to adjust to new pollens in the air! So I just take my time doing things. Like my sister told me -- take your time -- you have all winter!
Ruth and Walter came by to bring Molly, their dog, to see Li'lBit! Actually I think Molley was looking for the Cat From Hell! Several folks from last winter stopped by for a quick welcome chat.
Turned on the space heater and a pot of chili on the stove. Spent the rest of the day/evening resting and finished unpacking the next day. Life is Good and I’m blessed to have friends that are so willing to help me keep this RV life going!
As I got out of the truck to go into the office to register, Sid was coming down the steps – he offered to back me in, waited until I got my lot number and took the RV over to my spot. By the time I got signed in, the paperwork filled out, the rabies certificates copied, paid the bill, etc etc etc, Sid had my RV backed in, unhitched and leveled. Just needed my key for the under-compartment to get the equipment to hook up the utilities, etc. I was in and set up in a flash!
Took me awhile to get the slides out since I couldn't find Holly and that crazy cat runs and hides under the bed -- and that is where the hydraulic mechanism is for the slide -- hhhmmm.....one smushed cat if I don't corral her and lock her in the shower!!
My get up and go got up and went when I arrived - that is the way it is when I travel -- seems to really drain me -- and of course, the sitting so long stiffens me up like a board! That is why it usually takes me so long to get unhitched and set up -- so it was sure a treat having Sid do that!
I'm usually 'under the weather' for a couple of days -- takes me about that long to bounce back -- and to adjust to new pollens in the air! So I just take my time doing things. Like my sister told me -- take your time -- you have all winter!
Ruth and Walter came by to bring Molly, their dog, to see Li'lBit! Actually I think Molley was looking for the Cat From Hell! Several folks from last winter stopped by for a quick welcome chat.
Turned on the space heater and a pot of chili on the stove. Spent the rest of the day/evening resting and finished unpacking the next day. Life is Good and I’m blessed to have friends that are so willing to help me keep this RV life going!
Hitch Itch
I heard from Walter and Ruth, my neighbors last winter. They are already there and said that Marv and his wife are also there. Marv is my “A-number-one backer-inner” – he can back in my RV and have it unhitched and leveled in the blink of an eye. It’s because of folks like Marv that I can continue to live this lifestyle.
My "cyber-friends" from Maine, Rain and Sid, should be pulling in on Dec 1 also. They were coming from summer in northern California and were in Del Rio, heading back east after the first of the year. Rain and I met many years ago on an on-line chat room about parrots. We have emailed regularly since. They have been full-time RVing for nearly 10 years, I think. We met once. They came thru Gatesville and we were in the same RV park for a day or two. I’m really anxious to see them again.
I have on my list “wooden steps.” Marv used to make them and I am hoping someone else does, if he is no longer doing it. I really need some better steps. The ones on the RV are a little high and steep for me and Li’lBit.
Sunday I finished putting away the last of the things. Lee and Mary Jane came by to hitch me up. I stayed in the park at Gatesville with the electric hooked up. Headed out to the tire shop on Monday AM. Orville and the guys always take good care of me before I hit the road. Again, another great group of folks that work to keep me on the road.
The guys got me outta there early and I was headed south to Rockport by about 9AM. My plan was to go to WalMart for Monday night and pull into the RV park on Tuesday. BUT, with my early start, I would be arriving at Rockport before the office closed at 5PM. AND, I heard from Rain, that they had arrived on Monday and were set up. So, head ‘em up, move ‘em out and get to Rockport as soon as I can!
My "cyber-friends" from Maine, Rain and Sid, should be pulling in on Dec 1 also. They were coming from summer in northern California and were in Del Rio, heading back east after the first of the year. Rain and I met many years ago on an on-line chat room about parrots. We have emailed regularly since. They have been full-time RVing for nearly 10 years, I think. We met once. They came thru Gatesville and we were in the same RV park for a day or two. I’m really anxious to see them again.
I have on my list “wooden steps.” Marv used to make them and I am hoping someone else does, if he is no longer doing it. I really need some better steps. The ones on the RV are a little high and steep for me and Li’lBit.
Sunday I finished putting away the last of the things. Lee and Mary Jane came by to hitch me up. I stayed in the park at Gatesville with the electric hooked up. Headed out to the tire shop on Monday AM. Orville and the guys always take good care of me before I hit the road. Again, another great group of folks that work to keep me on the road.
The guys got me outta there early and I was headed south to Rockport by about 9AM. My plan was to go to WalMart for Monday night and pull into the RV park on Tuesday. BUT, with my early start, I would be arriving at Rockport before the office closed at 5PM. AND, I heard from Rain, that they had arrived on Monday and were set up. So, head ‘em up, move ‘em out and get to Rockport as soon as I can!
November Comes to an End
The week of Thanksgiving, we were getting down to the wire. Thanksgiving on Thursday, hitching up on Sunday Nov 29th, tires being checked on Monday. Still no word from VA about the oxygen and still no word about the part for the truck.
Monday the PA in the VA respiratory clinic called questioning my need to change oxygen providers (I think he thought I wanted them to pay for it!) After I explained several times that I had insurance, he told me to have Lincare "call Peggy and give her the information and send the forms." After several phone calls back and forth between Lincare, VA and yours truly, the paperwork was faxed.
I wasn’t expecting it to happen overnight, but certainly they could get it squared away before I leave for Rockport, but that was asking way too much! Maybe it will all be set up by spring! Say a prayer and light a candle! I’ll have to continue seeing VA respiratory clinic, but that’s OK, it will keep my foot in the door at VA.
Monday Brenda called to say she was going to Swindall's for lunch -- did I want to meet her -- I told her I was having lunch with Cindy (It's hell being in such demand!) but would join her for ice tea. She ordered onion straws with her sandwich and Swindall's serves them in a large basket! I just had to help Brenda eat them! Then Cindy called and I met her for lunch at Rancher's! Ordered a baked potato (stuffed with everything and sausage) -- brought the potato home for supper. Oh, and while I was at Swindall's I got some blackberry cobbler to go -- they make the best cobblers! So supper Monday was baked potato and black berry cobbler! And I wonder why I have a weight problem!
Tuesday, finally, the truck went in. It took a couple of tries to get the electrical problem repaired – first they shipped the wrong part. Then the new part got delayed. WHEW, electrical relay boards don’t come cheap! Bill was just over $900. GEEZ!!! This roving life-style is costly! Still cheaper than property taxes!
Had lunch at the pasta place with Brenda, then to Hamilton County Court House to fill out a request for absentee ballot for the March primaries. There are a few politicians around here that need to be sent to the unemployment line next fall, so don't want to miss my chance of starting that process!!
Wednesday it was too damn chilly to even thaw a turkey! That was OK – I had to stay in and bake the gingerbread for the pumpkin-gingerbread trifle I was taking to Johnnie's for dessert. There isn’t enough room in my fridge to make the desert and keep it refrigerated overnight, so I just get everything ready and assemble it in the AM.
Thanksgiving was great. As I have for many years, I spent it with Johnnie and her family. By the time all her kids and grandkids show up and her brother and his family, she had 24 people there! Two big turkeys and a ham! I ate so much I'm miserable. Johnnie sent home a big 'doggie bag' with leftovers so I'll eat some more tomorrow and be miserable all over again!
Friday was pack up day. Time to stow everything that can be stowed and tie down that which can't. I had Friday and Saturday to get my act together and get ready to go. What a case of Hitch Itch I have!
Monday the PA in the VA respiratory clinic called questioning my need to change oxygen providers (I think he thought I wanted them to pay for it!) After I explained several times that I had insurance, he told me to have Lincare "call Peggy and give her the information and send the forms." After several phone calls back and forth between Lincare, VA and yours truly, the paperwork was faxed.
I wasn’t expecting it to happen overnight, but certainly they could get it squared away before I leave for Rockport, but that was asking way too much! Maybe it will all be set up by spring! Say a prayer and light a candle! I’ll have to continue seeing VA respiratory clinic, but that’s OK, it will keep my foot in the door at VA.
Monday Brenda called to say she was going to Swindall's for lunch -- did I want to meet her -- I told her I was having lunch with Cindy (It's hell being in such demand!) but would join her for ice tea. She ordered onion straws with her sandwich and Swindall's serves them in a large basket! I just had to help Brenda eat them! Then Cindy called and I met her for lunch at Rancher's! Ordered a baked potato (stuffed with everything and sausage) -- brought the potato home for supper. Oh, and while I was at Swindall's I got some blackberry cobbler to go -- they make the best cobblers! So supper Monday was baked potato and black berry cobbler! And I wonder why I have a weight problem!
Tuesday, finally, the truck went in. It took a couple of tries to get the electrical problem repaired – first they shipped the wrong part. Then the new part got delayed. WHEW, electrical relay boards don’t come cheap! Bill was just over $900. GEEZ!!! This roving life-style is costly! Still cheaper than property taxes!
Had lunch at the pasta place with Brenda, then to Hamilton County Court House to fill out a request for absentee ballot for the March primaries. There are a few politicians around here that need to be sent to the unemployment line next fall, so don't want to miss my chance of starting that process!!
Wednesday it was too damn chilly to even thaw a turkey! That was OK – I had to stay in and bake the gingerbread for the pumpkin-gingerbread trifle I was taking to Johnnie's for dessert. There isn’t enough room in my fridge to make the desert and keep it refrigerated overnight, so I just get everything ready and assemble it in the AM.
Thanksgiving was great. As I have for many years, I spent it with Johnnie and her family. By the time all her kids and grandkids show up and her brother and his family, she had 24 people there! Two big turkeys and a ham! I ate so much I'm miserable. Johnnie sent home a big 'doggie bag' with leftovers so I'll eat some more tomorrow and be miserable all over again!
Friday was pack up day. Time to stow everything that can be stowed and tie down that which can't. I had Friday and Saturday to get my act together and get ready to go. What a case of Hitch Itch I have!
I Didn't Forget -- I'm Just Lazy!
So, as usual, I have to play "catch-up." Just some random thoughts about the first half of November.
November continued with me catching up with friends and getting back into the Gatesville life. Saturday I went to the Temple Bird Mart to meet up with the ‘bird folks.’ Had a great time visiting with old friends and just being back in the bird world. I also had a great visit and lunch with Andrea and her husband, David, at the Chinese Buffet in Temple. Seems strange to meet with Andrea and not have her son, William, there – but he has grown from the ‘lunch with Mom and her friends' and is now active in the world of college students.
I found a cage for Tinga so she can finally get out of the pet crate! It has it’s own stand on wheels, easily moved about. I can easily lift the cage off the stand so will be easy to strap and secure to the table when we move. When I got the cage into the RV it is some larger than I thought. It didn’t look that big in the vendor hall while it was standing next to a large macaw cage! Oh, well – we will make room and Tinga will have a nice home. While in Iowa, I bought a roll of plastic carpet protector, cuts easily and will come in handy with the cage.
The news of the massacre at Fort Hood still seems to be the topic of conversation. Fort Hood is just a few miles from here – can hear the tanks firing when they are on maneuvers on the range. Many families here have family and friends at Fort Hood – and many people in town work on post. So this truly brings a tragedy like this home to all of us.
Sunday after the bird mart I woke up ‘plugged and congested.’ Had a hard time catching a good breath of air. Sunday lunch with Johnnie and her family and back home to bed. It was a downhill skid with the lungs from that point. I do believe that I have attended my last bird function.
So, with congested lungs, I decided to go to the Laundromat – get the washer going and lean against it to get some good vibrations going to the lungs, then on to the dryer with my back to the dryer to get the heat to the lungs. OK – don’t laugh, this works!
The foggy dreary weather is not helping with the lungs. It is a great excuse to keep the crock pot going with soup. Made the mistake of making some bread pudding in the crockpot. Started it one evening to cook overnite. About 3AM the aroma of bread and cinnamon came drifting into bedroom. hhhhmmm…time for a midnite snack? I pulled the same stunt later in the month when I put some apples, cranberries, oranges, cinnamon and brown sugar in the crockpot to cook overnite. I gotta stop doing that!
November in Gatesville, my social calendar is full. Lunch with Brenda, Mary Jane, Cindy, coffee and Sunday dinner with Johnnie and the get-togethers and coffees and visits keep my days full.
It is definitely an expensive stay in Gatesville. Oil change on a diesel truck isn’t cheap! Eating out with friends! Central TX is also where I tend to the business of insurance, safety inspections, license plates, voting, getting the truck serviced, the RV maintained, the tires on the RV and truck maintained. It is also the time to squeeze in all of my medical appointments and the medical care for the critters.
On the list of ‘essentials’ was figuring out why the tail lights of the RV only worked on one side. It definitely wasn’t an RV problem but a truck electrical problem. It was also essential that I get the wheels turning to get my oxygen moved from VA suppliers to Lincare or some other nationwide provider. It has been harder and harder to get my oxygen tanks refilled along the road since the VA provider is located in Waco, TX!
Over the month of November, VA and I were about to come to parting ways. Initially I had been scheduled a doc appointment and lab work. I was still in Iowa when the appointment came due. When I called about rescheduling, they informed me to ‘call when you get back to Temple.' That is exactly what I did; they refused to reschedule my lab. They did make a doc appointment for November 17. That was a totally useless appointment since I had no lab work for the doc to review. Doc scheduled lab for the following week. This did not allow enough time for a return doc appointment to get my meds reordered. By then I was down to my last week of meds. My prescriptions had expired and the doc would not renew them until the lab. Fortunately I had some essential meds ordered while I was delayed a month in Iowa. The VA doc didn't know this and it would have left me without these meds. Not a good situation.
After this experience, I will try to maintain the doctor in Iowa as my primary and find a doc in Rockport to be my “Winter Texan” doc. Eventually, VA can be avoided. I've already stopped using them for my eye since they do not have the meds ordered by Wolf Clinic. Until I get my oxygen squared away, I’ll keep only my respiratory doc at VA.
The middle of November brought 40 mph wind gusts 33 degrees -- Must be back in Iowa!!
November continued with me catching up with friends and getting back into the Gatesville life. Saturday I went to the Temple Bird Mart to meet up with the ‘bird folks.’ Had a great time visiting with old friends and just being back in the bird world. I also had a great visit and lunch with Andrea and her husband, David, at the Chinese Buffet in Temple. Seems strange to meet with Andrea and not have her son, William, there – but he has grown from the ‘lunch with Mom and her friends' and is now active in the world of college students.
I found a cage for Tinga so she can finally get out of the pet crate! It has it’s own stand on wheels, easily moved about. I can easily lift the cage off the stand so will be easy to strap and secure to the table when we move. When I got the cage into the RV it is some larger than I thought. It didn’t look that big in the vendor hall while it was standing next to a large macaw cage! Oh, well – we will make room and Tinga will have a nice home. While in Iowa, I bought a roll of plastic carpet protector, cuts easily and will come in handy with the cage.
The news of the massacre at Fort Hood still seems to be the topic of conversation. Fort Hood is just a few miles from here – can hear the tanks firing when they are on maneuvers on the range. Many families here have family and friends at Fort Hood – and many people in town work on post. So this truly brings a tragedy like this home to all of us.
Sunday after the bird mart I woke up ‘plugged and congested.’ Had a hard time catching a good breath of air. Sunday lunch with Johnnie and her family and back home to bed. It was a downhill skid with the lungs from that point. I do believe that I have attended my last bird function.
So, with congested lungs, I decided to go to the Laundromat – get the washer going and lean against it to get some good vibrations going to the lungs, then on to the dryer with my back to the dryer to get the heat to the lungs. OK – don’t laugh, this works!
The foggy dreary weather is not helping with the lungs. It is a great excuse to keep the crock pot going with soup. Made the mistake of making some bread pudding in the crockpot. Started it one evening to cook overnite. About 3AM the aroma of bread and cinnamon came drifting into bedroom. hhhhmmm…time for a midnite snack? I pulled the same stunt later in the month when I put some apples, cranberries, oranges, cinnamon and brown sugar in the crockpot to cook overnite. I gotta stop doing that!
November in Gatesville, my social calendar is full. Lunch with Brenda, Mary Jane, Cindy, coffee and Sunday dinner with Johnnie and the get-togethers and coffees and visits keep my days full.
It is definitely an expensive stay in Gatesville. Oil change on a diesel truck isn’t cheap! Eating out with friends! Central TX is also where I tend to the business of insurance, safety inspections, license plates, voting, getting the truck serviced, the RV maintained, the tires on the RV and truck maintained. It is also the time to squeeze in all of my medical appointments and the medical care for the critters.
On the list of ‘essentials’ was figuring out why the tail lights of the RV only worked on one side. It definitely wasn’t an RV problem but a truck electrical problem. It was also essential that I get the wheels turning to get my oxygen moved from VA suppliers to Lincare or some other nationwide provider. It has been harder and harder to get my oxygen tanks refilled along the road since the VA provider is located in Waco, TX!
Over the month of November, VA and I were about to come to parting ways. Initially I had been scheduled a doc appointment and lab work. I was still in Iowa when the appointment came due. When I called about rescheduling, they informed me to ‘call when you get back to Temple.' That is exactly what I did; they refused to reschedule my lab. They did make a doc appointment for November 17. That was a totally useless appointment since I had no lab work for the doc to review. Doc scheduled lab for the following week. This did not allow enough time for a return doc appointment to get my meds reordered. By then I was down to my last week of meds. My prescriptions had expired and the doc would not renew them until the lab. Fortunately I had some essential meds ordered while I was delayed a month in Iowa. The VA doc didn't know this and it would have left me without these meds. Not a good situation.
After this experience, I will try to maintain the doctor in Iowa as my primary and find a doc in Rockport to be my “Winter Texan” doc. Eventually, VA can be avoided. I've already stopped using them for my eye since they do not have the meds ordered by Wolf Clinic. Until I get my oxygen squared away, I’ll keep only my respiratory doc at VA.
The middle of November brought 40 mph wind gusts 33 degrees -- Must be back in Iowa!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
October 27 - 31
Woke up Tuesday Oct 27 to 48 degrees. At least the sun was out! Sarah and Bill were leaving for Midland, so spent some time outside talking with them. Sure hope our paths cross in Rockport.
Always like to stop by the bank and talk to Joy, the personal banker that set me up on the banking program I have. Just like to say thanks and keep my face in her brain!
Brenda bought lunch at the Italian place. They are just starting to sell pizzas and had a pizza buffet set up with ‘samples.’ While I was waiting for Brenda, I pigged out on pizza samples, so just ordered their lunch special pasta sampler and a box to go! Pasta and sauces are always much better after they set awhile and it was just perfect at supper time!
Picked up enough veggies and stuff to make several different soups while I'm here - then I don't have to do much cooking!
Going out to have coffee with Johnnie about 5PM. Still working on that Johnnie and Caffeine fix I need while I’m in town! Bobbie's dad isn't doing well. He is 98 years old and in the nursing home here at the hospital. Bobbie, Sammie or Johnny (Bobbie's brother Johnny) have been staying with him, taking turns around the clock. .
On Wednesday, I went to Taylor to meet Andrea for lunch at Whataburger – you haven’t tasted a really good fast-food hamburger until you get a real Whataburger in Texas! Picked up some seafood at the fish market in HEB while I was there.
Coming back to town, I stopped at Sunbelt RV in Belton to pick up some supplies.
Got the screen door protectors and some register covers that can be closed.
The ones in here now cannot be closed. Don't need the one in the bedroom and bathroom open all of the time. Spent some time chatting with Wayne and Vickie about the new RV. Couldn't find any hand rails.
THURSDAY OCT 29 started with a horrible storm. Wind and Rain. I sure do notice the winds more with this RV setting taller and with the three slides! Under flash flood warnings for the day and the storms continued on and off.
I put some chicken in the crockpot with vegetables. I love that crockpot! A pot of chicken vegetable soup will last for a couple of days. When I get down to the broth and a little chicken left, I toss in the noodles and stretch it for another day! By the time the chicken cooks for a day or so, the bones are soft enough that Holly and Li'lBit think they have a special treat!
I've come to the conclusion that central TX is not the place for me. If it wasn't for Johnnie, Mary Jane, Brenda, Cindy and a few other folks, I wouldn't come back. Already have problems breathing and my right eye is bothering me. I'm using the drops more often. The 'bother' is probably from the same allergies that cause the lungs to crap up. I'm not having the pain, just the irritation and keep trying to keep it closed like I did before. Been working on that pantry and the more I try to clean it up, the more crowded it gets!!!
Friday Oct 30 was 55 degrees -- don't know where the sun is! Not supposed to rain until tonite and tomorrow - then flood warnings! YIPPEE! Back in TX!
Bea is starting to get more of my mail since I used her address when I bought the RV. Most of the stuff coming will probably be junk mail since I also used her address for a 'shipping' address and insurance/retirement stuff. stuff. I don't have room for "stuff" but I like to look!
FRIDAY OCT 30 Didn't crawl out of bed until 8 AM. The cold front came thru last nite brought lots of winds so it was a good morning to crawl back under the comforter with Holly and Li’lBit!
I fell earlier I the week; the falls are becoming more frequent. Knee held up to the laundry and Johnnie's. Of course there isn’t much pressure on the knee drinking coffee with Johnnie!
Saturday, Oct 31 -- Happy Halloween!
Always like to stop by the bank and talk to Joy, the personal banker that set me up on the banking program I have. Just like to say thanks and keep my face in her brain!
Brenda bought lunch at the Italian place. They are just starting to sell pizzas and had a pizza buffet set up with ‘samples.’ While I was waiting for Brenda, I pigged out on pizza samples, so just ordered their lunch special pasta sampler and a box to go! Pasta and sauces are always much better after they set awhile and it was just perfect at supper time!
Picked up enough veggies and stuff to make several different soups while I'm here - then I don't have to do much cooking!
Going out to have coffee with Johnnie about 5PM. Still working on that Johnnie and Caffeine fix I need while I’m in town! Bobbie's dad isn't doing well. He is 98 years old and in the nursing home here at the hospital. Bobbie, Sammie or Johnny (Bobbie's brother Johnny) have been staying with him, taking turns around the clock. .
On Wednesday, I went to Taylor to meet Andrea for lunch at Whataburger – you haven’t tasted a really good fast-food hamburger until you get a real Whataburger in Texas! Picked up some seafood at the fish market in HEB while I was there.
Coming back to town, I stopped at Sunbelt RV in Belton to pick up some supplies.
Got the screen door protectors and some register covers that can be closed.
The ones in here now cannot be closed. Don't need the one in the bedroom and bathroom open all of the time. Spent some time chatting with Wayne and Vickie about the new RV. Couldn't find any hand rails.
THURSDAY OCT 29 started with a horrible storm. Wind and Rain. I sure do notice the winds more with this RV setting taller and with the three slides! Under flash flood warnings for the day and the storms continued on and off.
I put some chicken in the crockpot with vegetables. I love that crockpot! A pot of chicken vegetable soup will last for a couple of days. When I get down to the broth and a little chicken left, I toss in the noodles and stretch it for another day! By the time the chicken cooks for a day or so, the bones are soft enough that Holly and Li'lBit think they have a special treat!
I've come to the conclusion that central TX is not the place for me. If it wasn't for Johnnie, Mary Jane, Brenda, Cindy and a few other folks, I wouldn't come back. Already have problems breathing and my right eye is bothering me. I'm using the drops more often. The 'bother' is probably from the same allergies that cause the lungs to crap up. I'm not having the pain, just the irritation and keep trying to keep it closed like I did before. Been working on that pantry and the more I try to clean it up, the more crowded it gets!!!
Friday Oct 30 was 55 degrees -- don't know where the sun is! Not supposed to rain until tonite and tomorrow - then flood warnings! YIPPEE! Back in TX!
Bea is starting to get more of my mail since I used her address when I bought the RV. Most of the stuff coming will probably be junk mail since I also used her address for a 'shipping' address and insurance/retirement stuff. stuff. I don't have room for "stuff" but I like to look!
FRIDAY OCT 30 Didn't crawl out of bed until 8 AM. The cold front came thru last nite brought lots of winds so it was a good morning to crawl back under the comforter with Holly and Li’lBit!
I fell earlier I the week; the falls are becoming more frequent. Knee held up to the laundry and Johnnie's. Of course there isn’t much pressure on the knee drinking coffee with Johnnie!
Saturday, Oct 31 -- Happy Halloween!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Oct 21 - 26 - Getting Organized and Catching Up!
October 21st I arrived at my ‘home base” in Gatesville TX about 5PM; entirely too wet, too windy and too cold to unhitch and hook up. That was accomplished the next day in the sunshine.
One thing I’m going to have to figure out is what to do with Holly when putting the slides out. Every time I hit the button and the slide started going out, Holly jumped off the bed and crawled in the under part where the slide mechanism is! Had to lock her in the bathroom! Will have to figure something to put in that 'hole' when I move.
Woke up to 45 degrees this AM -- furnace is going -- DAMN! Now they will blame me for bring this weather back from Iowa! Need to run to WalMart and pick up some tennis balls for the corners of the bedroom slide. I almost ran into it setting up. The bottom corner of that slide is 'forehead' height!
DON'T NEVER BUY NOTHING OUT OF STATE! That's my new motto. Went to apply for title, etc. In Texas I need a safety inspection 'cuz I bought it out of state! That means I have to pack it up, unhook it, hitch it up to take it to the inspection place. Went by to see Orville at the tire place. He does inspections and wanted to see what all I needed. Bummer! He doesn't do trailers or motorcycles, just pick ups and cars! He suggested Sam Snoddy at Sam's Garage. So up to Sam's garage to talk to Sam and tell him "Orville sent me.” I now have the sticker and the safety inspection but it took me all damn day and the title office was closed! Vet appt Monday AM for Holly & Li'lBit to get their shots so will do the RV title thing after I bring the critters home.
Welcome to the wonderful world of socialized medicine! I couldn’t get a VA appointment until the middle of November which means it will be too late for me to get back to get lab. They wouldn't put in for a lab appointment until the doc saw me.....CRAP! I tried to explain that the last lab appointment was to be rescheduled since I was in Iowa when they sent me the notice. That didn’t seem to fit into the ‘cubby hole’ anywhere so they scheduled an appointment with the doc which means they will do nothing until the doc orders lab.
I really need to find docs other than VA. It’s harder and harder for me to get my oxygen tanks refilled or replaced. So this will be one of my projects while I’m here.
Went to Curves to see what plans they had and if I could use them at any Curves.
They were closed. Try again next week. Went to the DISH TV place to see about pre-paid. They don't have it anymore unless you get it directly from DISH. Radio Shack and the local DISH distributors can’t get it, but if you currently have it you can keep it. They have a Flex Program which is similar. However, they suggested I wait until I get back from Rockport since I wouldn't need it down there.
Brenda is off work but had lunch with her yesterday! Still going thru the sack of junk mail (mostly catalogs) she brought. Had lunch with Mary Jane and Cindy.I’m already falling into my “Coffee With Johnnie” routine – too much coffee too late in the afternoon – too little sleep at nite! .
Sunday dinner with Johnnie -- she is fixing Chicken Fried Steak! Helen's home!!
Johnnie’s granddaughter Mickie probably hates to see me show up – she looses her place at the Sunday dinner table and gets moved to the ‘kids table.’ A few more Sundays and I’ll be outta here and she can have her place back!
Monday arrives with Rain, Rain, Rain and 53 degrees with a high to be 58! I think I’m in Iowa!! Pouring rains and winds came during the nite about 2AM. At least the winds have died down but it's a COLD rain and I had to take Li'lBit and Holly to the vet in the AM. Put off all of my 'run-around' errands that I had planned on doing until Tuesday. This weather sucks! I think I handle cold/chilly much better when I don't have to add wet & damp with it! Right to the bone, it goes! Furnace has been running most of the time I’ve been home. Gonna put on that pot of chili I still haven't fixed! Had the stuff to fix chili ever since I was in Iowa!
Sarah and Bill showed up here next to me at this park in Gatesville! I met them last year while they were here in Gatesville and then they headed to Rockport and we ended up in the same RV park. They will head out to Midland (home for them) in a day or two depending on the weather. Then plan on going to McAllen for a month or so, then they may be coming to Rockport after the first of the year.
After dragging critters to the vet, they don't need their shots until APRIL! This my entire stay in Gatesville going to be this confusing?
Brenda was in town with her daughter Samantha and we met for supper at the Chinese buffet.
One thing I’m going to have to figure out is what to do with Holly when putting the slides out. Every time I hit the button and the slide started going out, Holly jumped off the bed and crawled in the under part where the slide mechanism is! Had to lock her in the bathroom! Will have to figure something to put in that 'hole' when I move.
Woke up to 45 degrees this AM -- furnace is going -- DAMN! Now they will blame me for bring this weather back from Iowa! Need to run to WalMart and pick up some tennis balls for the corners of the bedroom slide. I almost ran into it setting up. The bottom corner of that slide is 'forehead' height!
DON'T NEVER BUY NOTHING OUT OF STATE! That's my new motto. Went to apply for title, etc. In Texas I need a safety inspection 'cuz I bought it out of state! That means I have to pack it up, unhook it, hitch it up to take it to the inspection place. Went by to see Orville at the tire place. He does inspections and wanted to see what all I needed. Bummer! He doesn't do trailers or motorcycles, just pick ups and cars! He suggested Sam Snoddy at Sam's Garage. So up to Sam's garage to talk to Sam and tell him "Orville sent me.” I now have the sticker and the safety inspection but it took me all damn day and the title office was closed! Vet appt Monday AM for Holly & Li'lBit to get their shots so will do the RV title thing after I bring the critters home.
Welcome to the wonderful world of socialized medicine! I couldn’t get a VA appointment until the middle of November which means it will be too late for me to get back to get lab. They wouldn't put in for a lab appointment until the doc saw me.....CRAP! I tried to explain that the last lab appointment was to be rescheduled since I was in Iowa when they sent me the notice. That didn’t seem to fit into the ‘cubby hole’ anywhere so they scheduled an appointment with the doc which means they will do nothing until the doc orders lab.
I really need to find docs other than VA. It’s harder and harder for me to get my oxygen tanks refilled or replaced. So this will be one of my projects while I’m here.
Went to Curves to see what plans they had and if I could use them at any Curves.
They were closed. Try again next week. Went to the DISH TV place to see about pre-paid. They don't have it anymore unless you get it directly from DISH. Radio Shack and the local DISH distributors can’t get it, but if you currently have it you can keep it. They have a Flex Program which is similar. However, they suggested I wait until I get back from Rockport since I wouldn't need it down there.
Brenda is off work but had lunch with her yesterday! Still going thru the sack of junk mail (mostly catalogs) she brought. Had lunch with Mary Jane and Cindy.I’m already falling into my “Coffee With Johnnie” routine – too much coffee too late in the afternoon – too little sleep at nite! .
Sunday dinner with Johnnie -- she is fixing Chicken Fried Steak! Helen's home!!
Johnnie’s granddaughter Mickie probably hates to see me show up – she looses her place at the Sunday dinner table and gets moved to the ‘kids table.’ A few more Sundays and I’ll be outta here and she can have her place back!
Monday arrives with Rain, Rain, Rain and 53 degrees with a high to be 58! I think I’m in Iowa!! Pouring rains and winds came during the nite about 2AM. At least the winds have died down but it's a COLD rain and I had to take Li'lBit and Holly to the vet in the AM. Put off all of my 'run-around' errands that I had planned on doing until Tuesday. This weather sucks! I think I handle cold/chilly much better when I don't have to add wet & damp with it! Right to the bone, it goes! Furnace has been running most of the time I’ve been home. Gonna put on that pot of chili I still haven't fixed! Had the stuff to fix chili ever since I was in Iowa!
Sarah and Bill showed up here next to me at this park in Gatesville! I met them last year while they were here in Gatesville and then they headed to Rockport and we ended up in the same RV park. They will head out to Midland (home for them) in a day or two depending on the weather. Then plan on going to McAllen for a month or so, then they may be coming to Rockport after the first of the year.
After dragging critters to the vet, they don't need their shots until APRIL! This my entire stay in Gatesville going to be this confusing?
Brenda was in town with her daughter Samantha and we met for supper at the Chinese buffet.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
WEDNESDAY, OCT 21 - Day #3 - Texas Just Ahead!
Horrible driving day. I left Guthrie OK about 8:15AM and 20 minutes down the road hit OK City and rain. It was rain, rain, rain all the way down I-35. When it wasn't raining it was foggy; what a crazy day. Actually, I was beginning to think I was the crazy one for being on the road! Numerous accidents along the way and I'll bet my bottom dollar they were all from speeding. I just can't blieve people won't slow down! Took me about 2 hours longer to make the trip than I had planned. I stopped a lot more often and took my time.
Went into the shell station to use the facilities and get some coffee. Never can quite explain why I stop to use the bathroom, then buy a couple cups of coffee. I guess so I can check out the facilities down the road. After I pulled in to the station lot, I realized I couldn't drive AROUND back to come out the other way. Canopy over the pumps said 14 ft..no problem. So I casually mentioned to the lady at the counter I was just going to swing thru the pumps and go out the other way. WRONG -- NEW LIGHT FIXTURES -- SO why does it still say 14 feet! They say confession is good for the soul...well, I've NEVER backed up THIS RV! I did then! Just like clockwork, right out on the highway like I had good sense! Of course, I was headed the wrong way down the road so 13 miles down to some little burg in Oklahoma, turn around in the school parking lot and 13 miles back to the Interstate and I'm back headed south.
Just as I crossed to Red River into Texas, I had planned on stopping at the rest stop. Took one exit too soon and ended up dead-end in a parking lot at an XXX Adult Video business. Would someone tell me why they have to have such a big parking lot in front when all of the customers hide their vehicles around back! So, potty stop at the XXX Adult Video parking lot...back on I-35 Southbound.
I called the RV park in Gatesville to let them know I was a couple hours out and would just be coming in to hook up the electric. Would wait until sunny weather to unhitch and set up!
Finally made it to my little 'home base' RV park in Gatesville TX about 5PM. Gatesville was my home for over 20 years. Now it's time to catch up on the gossip and the coffee-drinking with old friends!
New rig handles OK -- just seem to tow 'heavier' and 'looser' than the old one.
TUESDAY, OCT 20 - Day #2 On The Road
Woke up at 4AM to a horrible thunderstorms rumbling through. The pounding rains and winds had stopped by morning but it was still cloudy and dreary. According to the dopplar radar out of Wichita KS, my next major town, most of the cruddy weather is past. So now I'll just wait for the roads to dry up a little. I don't have a very long day. It's under 300 miles and with it all being interstate and the Kansas Turnpike, it will take 4-5 hours, depending on how many times I stop...and I do stop more often in wind and rain.
Arrived at the RV park in Guthrie OK about 3PM. Fought the wind all of the way; at least it is a WARM wind. Got the electric plugged in and kicked back for some computer time. Tomorrow is a long day, probably close to 7 hours. It could be more if I have to fight the wind like today. Driving against the wind just tires me out and I stop more often so don't make good time. And I'm still not thinking good fuel mileage either!!
Arrived at the RV park in Guthrie OK about 3PM. Fought the wind all of the way; at least it is a WARM wind. Got the electric plugged in and kicked back for some computer time. Tomorrow is a long day, probably close to 7 hours. It could be more if I have to fight the wind like today. Driving against the wind just tires me out and I stop more often so don't make good time. And I'm still not thinking good fuel mileage either!!
Mon, OCT 19 - On The Road Again -- As soon as I get around that tree!
Bea came by to make sure I was disconnected from the utilities and ready to go. Then she 'leads' me out of the park, down the highway over to the 'diagonal' highway that takes me to the Interstate. I think she just wants to make sure I get outta town!!!
Shortly after leaving Des Moines, southbound on I-35, the road construction began. On and off, frequently down to 2 lanes nearly all the way to Kansas City.
Gotta get the swing of turning with the extended king pin hitch -- the RV travels longer behind the truck. But managed to stop for fuel without wiping out the fuel pump!! I'll check mpg when I'm a little braver. The way the construction and traffic patterns were, I'm not sure I'm going to like what I'll see.
It felt really good to get to a point where I could get rid of the wind-breaker and the long-sleeved flannel shirt! Only did about 6 hours -- just over 300 miles. At first I thought the RV was towing really 'loose' and 'heavy' -- but after I got out of the construction and could get some speed (other than 45 mph!), it was much better. Handles really good between 55-60mph.
Arrived at my little privately owned RV park in Homewood KS, about an hour south of KC late afternoon. It is definitely not a 'destination' type park, not a dog-gone thing to do unless you have family there. But the owners are nice and pop a fresh bag of popcorn for ya! The price is right; great for a nite's stay. I take a pull-thru so I don't have to unhitch and only hook up to electric.
Day One complete. Feed the critters and get some rest. Two more to go!
Sunday Oct 18 -- I'm Ready to Roll
Bea and I had one last Sunday Breakfast this morning. Then back to the RV to finish last minute packing and stowing. She brought her super-dooper high-power vacuum out and went over all of the carpeting. Her friend came late afternoon and hitched up me up. I'll unplug utilities in the AM and be Southbound.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
SATURDAY OCT 17 - Hitch Itch
I am starting to feel like I’m about to hit the road! Went out this AM and got some 'on the road' cash, filled up the truck with diesel, dropped off the last bag of stuff to Salvation Army and got a couple of gallons of bottled drinking water. I don't like to make my ice tea or coffee from the holding tank!! And, I have my power pals charging just in case I don't get to a place where I can plug in to shore power. At least I can run the breathing machine!
Supposed to be in the 50s today, but it didn’t make it! And the mid-60s tomorrow – let’s hope it makes it so it will be a good day to finish up the outside work and get the stuff stowed underneath and hitch up the truck. Do you see the pattern here – I freeze my @$$ for for nearly a week – so Indian Summer and the warm temps come back the day I leave!
I wish I could remember how far in these slides come. I saw them in once when they moved it but guess I didn't pay enough attention! I can't remember if I can get past the kitchen counter when they are in. Gotta figure what I’m going to do with Tinga for travel so I can get to her. She will probably end up bungi strapped to the dining table.
Supposed to be in the 50s today, but it didn’t make it! And the mid-60s tomorrow – let’s hope it makes it so it will be a good day to finish up the outside work and get the stuff stowed underneath and hitch up the truck. Do you see the pattern here – I freeze my @$$ for for nearly a week – so Indian Summer and the warm temps come back the day I leave!
I wish I could remember how far in these slides come. I saw them in once when they moved it but guess I didn't pay enough attention! I can't remember if I can get past the kitchen counter when they are in. Gotta figure what I’m going to do with Tinga for travel so I can get to her. She will probably end up bungi strapped to the dining table.
FRIDAY, OCT 16 -- HALLELUJA!!! YIPPEE!!!
I’m set to travel. Picked up the paperwork for the license/title/registration from the dealer this afternoon. I have the check for the tax and title fees I paid here since I didn't get the plates, the paperwork and an "in transit' paper license plate. Bea and I stopped for a late lunch at the little café there by the RV place. Really good food in there!
So that meant we had to have a late supper! Soup and Sandwich special at The Junction. No wonder I put on so much weight in Iowa!! Eat-eat-eat!!!
Hitching up Sunday PM -- On the road Monday AM -- should be in Gatesville Wednesday late afternoon Good Lord Willin' and the creek don't rise.
Stopped and filled a propane tank so I can keep the furnace going a couple more days. Been using the furnace alot and it kinda 'guzzles' propane -- no one ever said RV furnaces were efficient! Now I'll have one tank so the refrig can work on the way back.
You should have seen me changing out my LP tanks. My old RV had the tanks in the front,under the hitch. I had to practically get down on my knees to switch them out. Then it took a channel lock wrench to get them disconnected. I dreaded the thought of going out in the cold to do that but knew I needed one tank, at least, to get me back to TX. So, I gathered up my stuff - work gloves, wrenches, camping stool I sat on so I didn't have to kneel on the ground. Well, damn! The tanks are on the side, I can stand up to see them, and they have these fancy plastic turn knobs.. no wrenches needed! What a piece of cake! My sister thought I was nutz as I was doing a 'happy dance!'
My list of things to do while in Gatesville is growing. I'm going to run over to the Temple Bird Mart and get a cage for Tinga. I want to look into that prepaid DISH TV. I get cable in Rockport, but that is the only place. With pre-paid I can just pay for it on the months I need it. I also want to go to CURVES and see if they have a 'mobile' plan -- something I could use in Gatesville, Rockport and here in Marshalltown.
So that meant we had to have a late supper! Soup and Sandwich special at The Junction. No wonder I put on so much weight in Iowa!! Eat-eat-eat!!!
Hitching up Sunday PM -- On the road Monday AM -- should be in Gatesville Wednesday late afternoon Good Lord Willin' and the creek don't rise.
Stopped and filled a propane tank so I can keep the furnace going a couple more days. Been using the furnace alot and it kinda 'guzzles' propane -- no one ever said RV furnaces were efficient! Now I'll have one tank so the refrig can work on the way back.
You should have seen me changing out my LP tanks. My old RV had the tanks in the front,under the hitch. I had to practically get down on my knees to switch them out. Then it took a channel lock wrench to get them disconnected. I dreaded the thought of going out in the cold to do that but knew I needed one tank, at least, to get me back to TX. So, I gathered up my stuff - work gloves, wrenches, camping stool I sat on so I didn't have to kneel on the ground. Well, damn! The tanks are on the side, I can stand up to see them, and they have these fancy plastic turn knobs.. no wrenches needed! What a piece of cake! My sister thought I was nutz as I was doing a 'happy dance!'
My list of things to do while in Gatesville is growing. I'm going to run over to the Temple Bird Mart and get a cage for Tinga. I want to look into that prepaid DISH TV. I get cable in Rockport, but that is the only place. With pre-paid I can just pay for it on the months I need it. I also want to go to CURVES and see if they have a 'mobile' plan -- something I could use in Gatesville, Rockport and here in Marshalltown.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 15 -- The Virus!
I've been kissed with some kind of virus -- my computer has -- naturally -- I'm about to hit the road! Anyway, the computer place here in town can't fix it 'til next week. There are 14 ahead of me and the fact that I'm leaving town and the fact that I bought it there seem to have no bearing on the quickness of service! So, I can get email, but I cannot get to any web pages to get web-mail. And yes, I had virus protection – that went belly up on me night before last and I have the disc to reinstall it packed away SOMEWHERE!
The computer guru at Staples thinks it's a virus that is blocking the internet -- Damn! I could have told him that1! So much for Norton! So - back out with the old Acer. GEEZ! What a bunch of crap! Are we having fun yet?
Went to WalMart to get some stuff to make a crock pot of chili for the trip. I can make the chili Sunday nite, keep it warm, pack it in the sink with towels around it while I travel and eat chili all the way back! I found some heavy flannel material with cats on it in browns and grays to put over the chair where Holly sleeps! Tried a towel, but she got her nails caught. This will work fine...easy to wash.
Walking out of WalMart the lady was opening the beauty shop and cleaning razors. I asked if she did razor cuts -- she does. I got her to take the length off so that job is done. I just love a good razor cut!
Went to the tire place to have my tires checked before the trip. If every in Marshalltown IA and need tires, go to McAtee Goodyear Tire store...nice people!
The computer guru at Staples thinks it's a virus that is blocking the internet -- Damn! I could have told him that1! So much for Norton! So - back out with the old Acer. GEEZ! What a bunch of crap! Are we having fun yet?
Went to WalMart to get some stuff to make a crock pot of chili for the trip. I can make the chili Sunday nite, keep it warm, pack it in the sink with towels around it while I travel and eat chili all the way back! I found some heavy flannel material with cats on it in browns and grays to put over the chair where Holly sleeps! Tried a towel, but she got her nails caught. This will work fine...easy to wash.
Walking out of WalMart the lady was opening the beauty shop and cleaning razors. I asked if she did razor cuts -- she does. I got her to take the length off so that job is done. I just love a good razor cut!
Went to the tire place to have my tires checked before the trip. If every in Marshalltown IA and need tires, go to McAtee Goodyear Tire store...nice people!
WED OCT 14 -- The Saga Contiues!
44 degrees! I'm still COLD! My lungs got really cruddy Monday -- I'm doing an extra breathing treatment every day. Temp hasn't made it to 50 digress for nearly a week. At least it isn't going below freezing at nite anymore. But I'm really running thru the propane! Been setting the furnace at 50 degrees during the nite -- then up to about 60-65 during the day. Even Holly & Li'lBit are staying huddled up under all of the covers on the bed.
It’s Salvation Army and laundry day. Each bag of stuff going to the Salvation Army is one less that I have to find a place for!
A crock pot of soup has been a staple in this place for several days! I made plenty of chicken soup - in fact, while I was out, I bought a can of biscuits and a bag of green peas and put the soup in a casserole dish with the peas and biscuits on top (the soup got kinda thick from too many noodles!!!) and made a reasonable facsimile of a chicken pot pie.
Mary, the park owner, sent a bunch of pics of the arrival of the RV -- I should have known she was somewhere with her camera!
Brenda, my fried in Texas, called to say that Ellen, her younger sister, is in the hospital with blood clots in the lungs....that's not good! Will have to check again tomorrow and see how things are going.
Still planning on hitching up on Sunday and leaving Monday if the weather cooperates.
You would not believe this comedy of errors trying to get this RV back to Texas!
After setting on the paperwork for the title/license for nearly 2 weeks, my sister called a friend of hers that works at the court house (not in the title/license department) and asked her to walk down the hall and see what she could find out. I don't have an Iowa Drivers License and I wasn't getting one! Wonder how long it would have set there if she hadn't walked down the hall!
So -- yesterday, all of the paperwork was sent back to the dealer -- when they get it, they will call - I'll pick up the paperwork, take it to TX, file for title/license there -- then have the title sent back to the credit union holding the lien.
It’s Salvation Army and laundry day. Each bag of stuff going to the Salvation Army is one less that I have to find a place for!
A crock pot of soup has been a staple in this place for several days! I made plenty of chicken soup - in fact, while I was out, I bought a can of biscuits and a bag of green peas and put the soup in a casserole dish with the peas and biscuits on top (the soup got kinda thick from too many noodles!!!) and made a reasonable facsimile of a chicken pot pie.
Mary, the park owner, sent a bunch of pics of the arrival of the RV -- I should have known she was somewhere with her camera!
Brenda, my fried in Texas, called to say that Ellen, her younger sister, is in the hospital with blood clots in the lungs....that's not good! Will have to check again tomorrow and see how things are going.
Still planning on hitching up on Sunday and leaving Monday if the weather cooperates.
You would not believe this comedy of errors trying to get this RV back to Texas!
After setting on the paperwork for the title/license for nearly 2 weeks, my sister called a friend of hers that works at the court house (not in the title/license department) and asked her to walk down the hall and see what she could find out. I don't have an Iowa Drivers License and I wasn't getting one! Wonder how long it would have set there if she hadn't walked down the hall!
So -- yesterday, all of the paperwork was sent back to the dealer -- when they get it, they will call - I'll pick up the paperwork, take it to TX, file for title/license there -- then have the title sent back to the credit union holding the lien.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
TUE, Oct 13 -- Another Stumbling Block
I had to go to Newton(about 30 miles away)to the credit union that gave me the loan. Need to get some insurance on the loan in case I croak. My sister doesn't want to have to pay for an RV! And, I really should join the Credit Union!
Need to stop at WalMart. I'm running out of cat & dog food, pee pads for Li'lBit and kitty litter. I had planned on being back in TX by now!
Got a call from Twin Anchors -- can't get Iowa plates. I don't have an Iowa Driver's License. Now, I'm all for state's rights and all that other political state stuff -- but what the hell! If my Texas license is good enough to drive on - if my Texas ID is good enough to cash a check and spend money here - what's the crap about license plates. I can come to Iowa from Texas -- find a man (or in Iowa, I can find a woman) get married and drag them back to Texas with less trouble than I can an RV! GEEZ! The paper work on the title/plates is being sent back to Twin Anchors. I can pick it up from them and take it to TX! Are we happy campers, yet??
Hopefully the paperworks will arrive before the end of the week. They are to give me some sort of In-Transit Tag/paper license to get it back to TX -- get plates/title and have the title sent to the credit union in Newton. Sure hope it all flies!
Bea's friend is coming to hitch me up Sunday afternoon and I'll leave Monday AM. So....keep your fingers crossed that the paperwork doesn't get "lost in the mail!" I just wanna head south and get warm again!
Need to stop at WalMart. I'm running out of cat & dog food, pee pads for Li'lBit and kitty litter. I had planned on being back in TX by now!
Got a call from Twin Anchors -- can't get Iowa plates. I don't have an Iowa Driver's License. Now, I'm all for state's rights and all that other political state stuff -- but what the hell! If my Texas license is good enough to drive on - if my Texas ID is good enough to cash a check and spend money here - what's the crap about license plates. I can come to Iowa from Texas -- find a man (or in Iowa, I can find a woman) get married and drag them back to Texas with less trouble than I can an RV! GEEZ! The paper work on the title/plates is being sent back to Twin Anchors. I can pick it up from them and take it to TX! Are we happy campers, yet??
Hopefully the paperworks will arrive before the end of the week. They are to give me some sort of In-Transit Tag/paper license to get it back to TX -- get plates/title and have the title sent to the credit union in Newton. Sure hope it all flies!
Bea's friend is coming to hitch me up Sunday afternoon and I'll leave Monday AM. So....keep your fingers crossed that the paperwork doesn't get "lost in the mail!" I just wanna head south and get warm again!
MON, Oct 12 -- The Warm Up Starts - I Hope!
Have no idea why Holly ran out this AM when I took Li’lBit out -- at least she didn't wander from the RV -- mostly stayed UNDER it. I actually think she was 'lost' -- she kept looking UP like 'where do I go back in!' I sat on the steps with her food bowl and she finally figured out that I was at the steps -- she ran right in past the food bowl, over top of me! She's such a good girl!! I don’t think she has ever been out in anything that cold – except for the Christmas she spent in the refrigerator!! Maybe this trip outside brought back some horrible kitty memories of her hours in the fridge!
My lungs are starting to crud up. I'm doing breathing treatments and have my "emergency' meds, but I gotta get out of here! I was holding my own until yesterday outside in the damp and cloudy. I was chilled to the bone when I came in. I haven't warmed up since! But watch...Once I get out of here they will have Indian Summer with nice warm balmy temps!
Just got home from a place called Legends. It is a sports bar (and restaurant) -- I think they are pricey but Bea likes them. They do have some really good "Legend Fries" -- just a different type of french fry. I had a Reuben -- Bea had a prime rib sandwich. I ate my fries and drank my coke and brought the sandwich home. Been having trouble breathing and it is hard to eat and breathe. You'd think I would loose some weight!
Bea thinks I can be on the road by the first of next week. I hope so. Even my nebulizer treatments don't seem to be doing too much good -- and I'm really wheezing. I can't get warm. I don't want to have to fill propane tanks so I keep the furnace at 50 degrees at nite and 60 during the day -- then try to use the electric space heater for the room I'm working in -- but I am not sure I will ever get WARM!
My lungs are starting to crud up. I'm doing breathing treatments and have my "emergency' meds, but I gotta get out of here! I was holding my own until yesterday outside in the damp and cloudy. I was chilled to the bone when I came in. I haven't warmed up since! But watch...Once I get out of here they will have Indian Summer with nice warm balmy temps!
Just got home from a place called Legends. It is a sports bar (and restaurant) -- I think they are pricey but Bea likes them. They do have some really good "Legend Fries" -- just a different type of french fry. I had a Reuben -- Bea had a prime rib sandwich. I ate my fries and drank my coke and brought the sandwich home. Been having trouble breathing and it is hard to eat and breathe. You'd think I would loose some weight!
Bea thinks I can be on the road by the first of next week. I hope so. Even my nebulizer treatments don't seem to be doing too much good -- and I'm really wheezing. I can't get warm. I don't want to have to fill propane tanks so I keep the furnace at 50 degrees at nite and 60 during the day -- then try to use the electric space heater for the room I'm working in -- but I am not sure I will ever get WARM!
SUN, Oct 11 -- DO I REALLY HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE!
26 degrees at 8 AM and the water is still running! No frozen pipes! The
low was 24 degrees last nite so I guess I made it thru this cold snap.
Supposed to get into the 50s for most of the week. One more nite of
"possible frost or freeze" so I'm not worried about that.
My sister was here all afternoon -- we unloaded some of the stuff I've been carrying around in the truck since I didn't have much under compartment storage in the old RV. Got most of that stuff and the stuff I've boxed for the undercompartment -- my books, holiday decorations, etc etc etc repacked and organized -- even got the boxes labeled!
So that job is done -- and I actually have a back seat now.
I just about froze my @$$ off -- never got above 40 degrees -- cloudy and damp but not raining -- Every joint in my body is frozen! It's been a long time since I've been in this kind of weather! I'm walking like an old lday -- every joint in my body is frozen!
I made two trips to the Salvation Army last week -- and have another bag of stuff to take this week -- will probably have more when I get to these last few boxes.
My crock pot has been a soup pot for nearly a week -- first it was cream of wild rice and mushroom -- then it was a cabbage/vegetable with chicken broth and V8 juice (I love that soup!) -- then yesterday it was sausage chili -- quite good. Think tomorrow will be chicken noodle! I mix it all up - turn it on low and let it go -- takes about 2 days for me to go thru it -- that includes eating it for breakfast!!! Wonder if I’ll ever get food poisoning from letting that stuff cook on low! I’m sure somewhere in the directions it says I’m not supposed to do that!
I'm still waiting on the license plates -- they should be here one of these days.
Bea and I went out to Long John Silvers for supper -- she had a coupon for "two can dine for $9.99" so we pigged out on greasy fish and fries!! Bea doesn't eat the hush puppies so I brought them home for Tinga - but she was already in her sleeping hut when I got back -- she can have one for breakfast!
Critters are adjusting fine -- I've finally got my old recliner (Li'l Bit thinks it's hers!) cleaned off enough that she can get to it. Found the foot stool to put at the end of the bed so she can get up on the bed! She is having a hard time with the steps to go outside -- they are steeper and further apart than the old RV. She has tumbled off the top step a couple of times so takes it really slow. But she is getting used to them. Of course, it doesn't help that she has a cataract over one eye and can't see out of it. I tell her we are just two ol' fat ladies each with one bad eye!
Holly has found her hiding places - I leave the closet door cracked just enough that she can get in the back corner of the closet. I think the shower will be the permanent kitty litter place. I don't need the shower for brooms and mops in this RV so I can put the kitty litter in there and it is much easier to move out to shower than all the other things I had stored in the old RV tub area!
I do need to find a place for food and water dishes -- right now I have them in front of the stove -- but I'm not using the stove much anyway -- been eating out crock potting and microwaving.
36 degrees 7:30 PM -- I'm glad I have extra blankets! When I was in WalMart the other day I almost bought me an electric blanket -- then figured I'd never use it again once I left here!
Weather man says "gradual warming" this week! I just want my license plates for the new rig to get here so I can get on the road! I need to head SOUTH so I can Thaw Out!
low was 24 degrees last nite so I guess I made it thru this cold snap.
Supposed to get into the 50s for most of the week. One more nite of
"possible frost or freeze" so I'm not worried about that.
My sister was here all afternoon -- we unloaded some of the stuff I've been carrying around in the truck since I didn't have much under compartment storage in the old RV. Got most of that stuff and the stuff I've boxed for the undercompartment -- my books, holiday decorations, etc etc etc repacked and organized -- even got the boxes labeled!
So that job is done -- and I actually have a back seat now.
I just about froze my @$$ off -- never got above 40 degrees -- cloudy and damp but not raining -- Every joint in my body is frozen! It's been a long time since I've been in this kind of weather! I'm walking like an old lday -- every joint in my body is frozen!
I made two trips to the Salvation Army last week -- and have another bag of stuff to take this week -- will probably have more when I get to these last few boxes.
My crock pot has been a soup pot for nearly a week -- first it was cream of wild rice and mushroom -- then it was a cabbage/vegetable with chicken broth and V8 juice (I love that soup!) -- then yesterday it was sausage chili -- quite good. Think tomorrow will be chicken noodle! I mix it all up - turn it on low and let it go -- takes about 2 days for me to go thru it -- that includes eating it for breakfast!!! Wonder if I’ll ever get food poisoning from letting that stuff cook on low! I’m sure somewhere in the directions it says I’m not supposed to do that!
I'm still waiting on the license plates -- they should be here one of these days.
Bea and I went out to Long John Silvers for supper -- she had a coupon for "two can dine for $9.99" so we pigged out on greasy fish and fries!! Bea doesn't eat the hush puppies so I brought them home for Tinga - but she was already in her sleeping hut when I got back -- she can have one for breakfast!
Critters are adjusting fine -- I've finally got my old recliner (Li'l Bit thinks it's hers!) cleaned off enough that she can get to it. Found the foot stool to put at the end of the bed so she can get up on the bed! She is having a hard time with the steps to go outside -- they are steeper and further apart than the old RV. She has tumbled off the top step a couple of times so takes it really slow. But she is getting used to them. Of course, it doesn't help that she has a cataract over one eye and can't see out of it. I tell her we are just two ol' fat ladies each with one bad eye!
Holly has found her hiding places - I leave the closet door cracked just enough that she can get in the back corner of the closet. I think the shower will be the permanent kitty litter place. I don't need the shower for brooms and mops in this RV so I can put the kitty litter in there and it is much easier to move out to shower than all the other things I had stored in the old RV tub area!
I do need to find a place for food and water dishes -- right now I have them in front of the stove -- but I'm not using the stove much anyway -- been eating out crock potting and microwaving.
36 degrees 7:30 PM -- I'm glad I have extra blankets! When I was in WalMart the other day I almost bought me an electric blanket -- then figured I'd never use it again once I left here!
Weather man says "gradual warming" this week! I just want my license plates for the new rig to get here so I can get on the road! I need to head SOUTH so I can Thaw Out!
SAT, Oct 10 - THE COLD CONTINUES
High today was 41 degrees -- predicting 17 degrees tonite. I didn't go
outside much today --even tho the sun was out. The cold air and my lungs just don’t get along! It may be cold air, but when I inhale it feels like someone is shooting a flame thrower down into my lungs!
30 degrees outside when I got up -- water still running so I guess the 'cold weather precautions' I took worked. Let's hope they work again tonite and then we are supposed to warm up.
Oh, things are rough here -- I can't find my coffee grinder and I'm
having to drink decaffeinated coffee -- the only ground coffe I have in the house! I should have bought a small bag of ground coffee when I was in town the other day but I just knew I’d find that coffee grinder! I do like my coffee in the morning! I buy coffee beans and grind a few at a time -- my coffee grinder is small and I've packed it away somewhere! I thought I had gone thru all of my kitchen boxes - but it must be hiding somewhere.
How can I stay warm when I can't even get the caffeinated coffee jitters!!
outside much today --even tho the sun was out. The cold air and my lungs just don’t get along! It may be cold air, but when I inhale it feels like someone is shooting a flame thrower down into my lungs!
30 degrees outside when I got up -- water still running so I guess the 'cold weather precautions' I took worked. Let's hope they work again tonite and then we are supposed to warm up.
Oh, things are rough here -- I can't find my coffee grinder and I'm
having to drink decaffeinated coffee -- the only ground coffe I have in the house! I should have bought a small bag of ground coffee when I was in town the other day but I just knew I’d find that coffee grinder! I do like my coffee in the morning! I buy coffee beans and grind a few at a time -- my coffee grinder is small and I've packed it away somewhere! I thought I had gone thru all of my kitchen boxes - but it must be hiding somewhere.
How can I stay warm when I can't even get the caffeinated coffee jitters!!
FRI, Oct 9 – THE COLD WEATHER IS ONE IT’S WAY!
Freeze warnings for tonite and tomorrow nite -- then the sun is to be back on Sunday afternoon -- then rain! Just can't get ahead of the weather!
Went into town and dropped a bunch of stuff off at Salvation Army. Couldn't find the sewer hose -- it's probably in there somewhere but I couldn't see it or get to the boxes to move things around -- so stopped at WalMart and got a new one with connections -- you can never have too many sewer hoses -- not the way they spring leaks!
Put a pot of chili on the stove. YIPPEE - WARMTH. The damn temp went down 3 degrees in just the time I was outside emptying tanks! Didn't have any hamburger for the chili -- had a pound of pork sausage -- so sausage chili it is! Actually it is going to be sausage chili soup 'cuz I added some extra water so it wasn't so 'spicy.'
Mary or Judy or someone came around and put a rose cone over the water pipe --- I think I'll just leave the water hose hooked up. I put some insulation foam on it and covered that on the ground with some old rugs.
Bea called to say that we would be going out to eat with her secretary and her husband -- went to That Place -- I had their special -- fried cat fish -- it was really good -- came with soup or salad (I had the pasta salad), hash browns, a whole catfish, Texas toast, and a bowl of fried mushrooms, cheese sticks, onion rings, cauliflower. It was really good.....way too much food to eat! I brought home the hash brown, the Texas toast, the pasta salad!! Will have that tomorrow.
10PM and the temp is 36 degrees and going DOWN!
Went into town and dropped a bunch of stuff off at Salvation Army. Couldn't find the sewer hose -- it's probably in there somewhere but I couldn't see it or get to the boxes to move things around -- so stopped at WalMart and got a new one with connections -- you can never have too many sewer hoses -- not the way they spring leaks!
Put a pot of chili on the stove. YIPPEE - WARMTH. The damn temp went down 3 degrees in just the time I was outside emptying tanks! Didn't have any hamburger for the chili -- had a pound of pork sausage -- so sausage chili it is! Actually it is going to be sausage chili soup 'cuz I added some extra water so it wasn't so 'spicy.'
Mary or Judy or someone came around and put a rose cone over the water pipe --- I think I'll just leave the water hose hooked up. I put some insulation foam on it and covered that on the ground with some old rugs.
Bea called to say that we would be going out to eat with her secretary and her husband -- went to That Place -- I had their special -- fried cat fish -- it was really good -- came with soup or salad (I had the pasta salad), hash browns, a whole catfish, Texas toast, and a bowl of fried mushrooms, cheese sticks, onion rings, cauliflower. It was really good.....way too much food to eat! I brought home the hash brown, the Texas toast, the pasta salad!! Will have that tomorrow.
10PM and the temp is 36 degrees and going DOWN!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Stimulate the Economy
My sister and I have done our share to stimulate the central Iowa economy – I came up from Texas in the spring in a 1994 RV and will be heading back to Texas sometime this month in a 2008 RV.
Bea called the other nite to say she would pick me up and we could go get a sandwich – and there it was -- a metallic steel blue Ford Escape Hybrid! She had mentioned that she had ordered one but wasn’t sure when it would be in – well – IT’S IN! What a looker! Nice car with all the bells and whistles – I’d have to carry the manual with me to figure out what all that stuff was! Back up camera – routing map on screen – satellite radio, ambient lighting – etc etc etc! WHEW!!
So Folks! Helen Niblock’s Daughters have done their share to stimulate the economy – what are you doing?????
Bea called the other nite to say she would pick me up and we could go get a sandwich – and there it was -- a metallic steel blue Ford Escape Hybrid! She had mentioned that she had ordered one but wasn’t sure when it would be in – well – IT’S IN! What a looker! Nice car with all the bells and whistles – I’d have to carry the manual with me to figure out what all that stuff was! Back up camera – routing map on screen – satellite radio, ambient lighting – etc etc etc! WHEW!!
So Folks! Helen Niblock’s Daughters have done their share to stimulate the economy – what are you doing?????
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
47 Degrees and I'm Still in Iowa!
Heard the weather prediction for this weekend -- possible snow flurries – at least they didn’t say BLIZZARD! Seems like I'm staying a little too late! Actually, went over to the RV place today -- they had to take the electric scooter lift off of the old RV since it was wired in electrically -- and I had to deliver them the title to the old one -- my Iowa plates for the new RV should be here in a couple of weeks -- they don't apply for the new plates until they get the old title -- guess that is their way of making sure they get the title!!!
This park closes the end of October -- so I gotta be outta here by Halloween! Hopefully before THAT - but at least I'm not going to get in a rush -- I'm gonna slow down a little and do a better job of sorting and tossing out -- my furnace works good -- have two full 30 pound propane tanks and two good electric space heaters -- so I'm good to go for SOME cold weather -- just don't want a full-blown Iowa/Midwestern Winter!!!
It's days like this I'm glad my friend Ingrid turned me onto Adagio Teas -- WHEW! I'm going thru those really fast! Right now I'm slurping some green jasmine tea....wish my outside body felt as warm as my inside body!!!
Tinga is a little upset that I haven't let her out to free-fly, but with the boxes all over, if she decided she was going to play ‘keep away' when I tried to put her up, I'd probably kill myself falling over everything piled in the middle of the floor -- so she is stuck in the cage for awhile.
I need to find a food/water place for all of the cat/dog dishes -- this RV has a center kitchen and doesn't have the counter space -- I can't have it setting in front of the sink and stove -- I had it in front of the stove in the old RV -- but I have to have Li'lBit's scratching basket in front of the stove.....can't put it in front of the fridge like in the old one -- the intake for the furnace is there! Just have to figure out where to put the stuff -- right now it is in front of the stove/sink and I'm constantly tripping over it -- fortunately, I'm not doing a lot of cooking (other than microwave or toaster oven) so I'm dealing with it -- using lots of paper plates and bowls so what few dishes I have are just piling up in the sink! Good thing I have a deep double sink!
The kitty litter has found a home in the shower - and I think that is where it will stay-- I put the small shower mat across the door frame so the door won't completely close -- and with all the shampoo, bath gels and bath salts in there it seem to 'mask' any temporary odors – actually, I’ve never really had a problem with Holly’s litter unless she was sick. Now that is probably more than you really wanted to know, right???
Li'lBit and Holly spend most of the day up on the bed under the comforter. They don't like this weather either! It's like pulling teeth to get Li'lBit to go out in the AM! Good thing she is trained to pee-pads!
Went out this AM and did 3 garbage sacks full of laundry - cost me $10 to get out of the laundry-mat! And I know I'll have that much more in a few days. Most of it was stuff I've moved from the old RV - rugs, bedding, linens, curtains, etc. As I was folding it, I figured most of it would go to Salvation Army.
I'm hoping to stay here until the plates come - they will be sent to my sister's address here in town. The park here closes then end of October and I sure hope to be out of here before THAT!!!
This cold, damp, windy air just sucks the air from my lungs! I've used more oxygen this past week or so than I've used all summer!
Dinner tonite, Bea and I met her friend Lisa at The Junction Bar and Grill – had a great bowl of chicken tortilla soup and a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich – can’t get a good tenderloin sandwich anywhere but Iowa! Oh, little ol’ coupon-clipper that I am – I had a coupon for $2.00 off an appetizer – yummy onion ring!
I’ve come to the conclusion I have way too much stuff – as Susan pointed out, I started calling it “stuff”, then it was “junk”, then it went to “crap.” She told me when it got to that point, it was time to get rid of it! And THAT I am trying to do!
This park closes the end of October -- so I gotta be outta here by Halloween! Hopefully before THAT - but at least I'm not going to get in a rush -- I'm gonna slow down a little and do a better job of sorting and tossing out -- my furnace works good -- have two full 30 pound propane tanks and two good electric space heaters -- so I'm good to go for SOME cold weather -- just don't want a full-blown Iowa/Midwestern Winter!!!
It's days like this I'm glad my friend Ingrid turned me onto Adagio Teas -- WHEW! I'm going thru those really fast! Right now I'm slurping some green jasmine tea....wish my outside body felt as warm as my inside body!!!
Tinga is a little upset that I haven't let her out to free-fly, but with the boxes all over, if she decided she was going to play ‘keep away' when I tried to put her up, I'd probably kill myself falling over everything piled in the middle of the floor -- so she is stuck in the cage for awhile.
I need to find a food/water place for all of the cat/dog dishes -- this RV has a center kitchen and doesn't have the counter space -- I can't have it setting in front of the sink and stove -- I had it in front of the stove in the old RV -- but I have to have Li'lBit's scratching basket in front of the stove.....can't put it in front of the fridge like in the old one -- the intake for the furnace is there! Just have to figure out where to put the stuff -- right now it is in front of the stove/sink and I'm constantly tripping over it -- fortunately, I'm not doing a lot of cooking (other than microwave or toaster oven) so I'm dealing with it -- using lots of paper plates and bowls so what few dishes I have are just piling up in the sink! Good thing I have a deep double sink!
The kitty litter has found a home in the shower - and I think that is where it will stay-- I put the small shower mat across the door frame so the door won't completely close -- and with all the shampoo, bath gels and bath salts in there it seem to 'mask' any temporary odors – actually, I’ve never really had a problem with Holly’s litter unless she was sick. Now that is probably more than you really wanted to know, right???
Li'lBit and Holly spend most of the day up on the bed under the comforter. They don't like this weather either! It's like pulling teeth to get Li'lBit to go out in the AM! Good thing she is trained to pee-pads!
Went out this AM and did 3 garbage sacks full of laundry - cost me $10 to get out of the laundry-mat! And I know I'll have that much more in a few days. Most of it was stuff I've moved from the old RV - rugs, bedding, linens, curtains, etc. As I was folding it, I figured most of it would go to Salvation Army.
I'm hoping to stay here until the plates come - they will be sent to my sister's address here in town. The park here closes then end of October and I sure hope to be out of here before THAT!!!
This cold, damp, windy air just sucks the air from my lungs! I've used more oxygen this past week or so than I've used all summer!
Dinner tonite, Bea and I met her friend Lisa at The Junction Bar and Grill – had a great bowl of chicken tortilla soup and a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich – can’t get a good tenderloin sandwich anywhere but Iowa! Oh, little ol’ coupon-clipper that I am – I had a coupon for $2.00 off an appetizer – yummy onion ring!
I’ve come to the conclusion I have way too much stuff – as Susan pointed out, I started calling it “stuff”, then it was “junk”, then it went to “crap.” She told me when it got to that point, it was time to get rid of it! And THAT I am trying to do!
And the Move Goes On!
Thanks to Mary Gift for the picture of the 'move.'
September 24th I mentioned that I’d update the blog when the new computer desk was set up --- well, that hasn’t happened yet – can’t even see the desk for the boxes stacked on the floor!
Where to start about the move – what a comedy of errors!
The RV was delivered September 24 and it was trip after trip carting boxes from the old to the new. The weather refused to cooperate – chilly, windy, damp, dreary – sometimes rain, sometimes drizzle – but enough to chill me to the bone!
September 30th I had my last doctor’s appointment – everything is as “OK” as it can be – I did ask for something for some back muscle spasms I’ve been having – got some Flexiril – have taken that before and know I can’t handle more than ½ tablet so find that pill cutter and get them split in half!
Don’t you just love looking thru boxes for something you know you have somewhere!!
Confession time – been having some problems getting the nerves, muscles and joints all going in the same direction at the same time and have taken a few nasty falls in the process of sorting, packing, tossing and toting. Good thing I have enough padding on me so that I bounce and the bones don’t break!
On Fri, Oct 2, Randy came by and hitched up the old one ready to go to the sales place in the AM -- still have to disconnect utilities and get a few more things out -- but it was getting tooooooo damn cold to be running back and forth in the rain. Never got much above 50 degrees and the wind was horrible with that terrible drizzle -- you know those midwest fall rainy, dreary, cold windy days. Hell of a day to try to move. But the 'kids' and I are all snug as a bug in the new one -- of course, will have to move the boxes off of the bed before we can get in it!!!
I won't be hitchin' up the new one and headed south until I get this stuff put away -- we have boxes stacked all over! Couldn't bring the slides in if I wanted to!!
On Sat, my sister and I got the RV over to Twin Anchors RV by noon -- then stopped at the café for lunch - Bea had a tenderloin sandwich -- I had a hot roast beef sandwich -- nothing like canned beef and gravy and instant potatoes to warm you from the inside out! I have no idea why I ordered that -- guess I was remembering the days Mom used to treat us to hot roast beef sandwiches at the Woolworth's lunch counter (or maybe it was Kresge's) in Dubuque when we went up to get shoes! I haven’t cooked or eaten anything other than fast food for several days! Can’t get to the stove and the toaster oven and crockpot are in a box somewhere! I do have a microwave, however!
Came back to the RV and collapsed. It felt like one hurdle was over – now I’m down to one lot rental instead of two! Mary, Judy and the family (owners of the park) have been tremendous during this moving upheaval!!
Took my muscle relaxer and hit the bed for a couple of hours! WHEW! Every bit of my get up and go got up and went. I just couldn't lift or move another box! So Li'lBit and I went to bed for a couple hours nap!
Now it's unpacking, sorting, tossing time. Need to get rid of some of this JUNK! Just packing clothes -- I found night gowns, blouses, sweaters and jackets I haven't worn since I moved into the RV! I'm trying to put things in piles -- bedroom, kitchen, desk, etc. Actually - I'm really looking for my coffee pot!
I’m not sure how Bea is doing all of the work she is – she has to mow her lawn, probably for the last time this year -- with the rain we have had, the grass has really grown and she doesn't want it to winter over that high. She has been doing most of the heavy lifting and toting involved in this move. I don’t know where she gets the energy – but I’ll take full advantage of her inability to be here Sunday by taking it easy!!!
Finally found my coffee pot, coffee and coffee filters Saturday evening-- so I can have coffee in the AM! I've been drinking tea -- I like tea -- but prefer coffee in the AM and tea later in the day.
On Sun, Oct 4, I woke up to 37 degrees!!!! DAMN!!! At least it isn't raining and the sun is out! Bea called to say we will go to breakfast this morning -- haven't done that for a week or so and that has been our ‘Sunday Tradition!” Maybe that's a sign things are getting back to 'normal' -- except for the stack of boxes! I did make SOME headway Friday and Saturday nite - very little -- now it's just a box at a time.
I think I'm going to like it - of course, I'm going to like it!!! It's NEW! Anyway -- just have to organize and sort -- not sure where the feed and water bowl for the critters will go -- need to work out things like that!
Also, since I have so much more undercompartment storage, I need to get some good sturdy plastic bins that I can pack things in some sort of order and not just tossed in! I know things like my holiday decorations can go under there -- extra books, etc. Due to the slide mechanism to extend the bedroom being under the bed, I don’t have the under-bed storage I had in the old one. I I just have to figure out where to put stuff. So much of my storage is so high, I have to use a step stool for just about everything! My sister found a nice 2-step folding ladder for me to use. I almost have to stepp on the lower step to reach the microwave! It’s quite a stretch for me!
Sunday was breakfast at Perkins -- I think I’m too old, stiff, sore to eat! It takes too much energy to pick up a fork!. The rest of the day was spent searching for the RV Title (old RV) -- I took it out of my strong box -- and then evidentially PACKED IT IN A BOX! Unbelievable -- why didn't I leave it in the strong box -- or put it in my truck or somewhere SAFE!
The weather turned bad again Monday -- 38 degrees! DAMN! I want a few dry days so I can sort and organize the undercompartment and see how much room I have under there -- I know it is a lot bigger than in the old RV. Right now all that is in there is the stuff from my old RV undercompartment -- and I think I will have plenty of room for most of the stuff I had under my bed in the old RV.
Monday evening Bea and I met Gene and Vicki at Applebees -- Bea and I had one of the 2 for $20 meals -- we both had huge plates of shrimp, french fries cole slaw and french fried onion rings as an appetizer - that lot's of food for $20. I know there was over a dozen nice sized shrimp!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
It's here and I'm moving!
Just to let you know the new RV arrived about 5 PM Tuesday....it was a lump in the throat teary eyed moment for me when I saw the truck turn the corner on the lane in the RV Park! WHEW! It sure looks bigger than the one I have!
I promise I'll do a 'catch up' entry to the blog when this move is over -- weather has not been cooperating -- so the move is taking longer than I thought. I want to get the old RV emptied out and over to the dealer -- right now I'm paying for two RV lots and the insurance has been transferred from the old RV to the new one. Just wanna get the move finished -- will up date the blog when I get settled at the new computer desk in the new RV! YIPPEE!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Raining!
Wonder which will arrive first -- the first winter snow fall or my RV! Oh, well -- hurry up and wait!
Monday, September 21, 2009
No Go on Delivery
Rain, Rain Go Away! Haven't had rain for weeks and guess what arrived this AM -- RAIN! Not only rain -- some thunderstorms.
Twin anchors called -- they will not deliver today -- shooting for tomorrow afternoon -- then Randy will spend some time with me to show me all of the set ups....and he doesn't like to do that in the RAIN! I don't want to stand in the rain and listen to him, either!
So let's plan on Tomorrow afternoon.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Packing......
...the major happenings around here for the next few days will be packing, packing, boxing, boxing, toting, carting, carrying, unpacking, etc, etc, etc!
The new (to me) RV will be delivered here to Shady Oaks sometime late Monday or Tuesday. I hope the weatherman is wrong and we don't get the rain that is predicted...it would be nice to move with some nice dry, cool weather but that may be asking a little too much.
Hopefully this transfer will be done within the week and I can get the old RV over to Twin Anchors RV in Colo by the end of the week or the first part of next week. That will still give me a week or so to settle into the new one before I have to pack up and head south to TX.
Life is Good!
The new (to me) RV will be delivered here to Shady Oaks sometime late Monday or Tuesday. I hope the weatherman is wrong and we don't get the rain that is predicted...it would be nice to move with some nice dry, cool weather but that may be asking a little too much.
Hopefully this transfer will be done within the week and I can get the old RV over to Twin Anchors RV in Colo by the end of the week or the first part of next week. That will still give me a week or so to settle into the new one before I have to pack up and head south to TX.
Life is Good!
Friday, September 18, 2009
I'm Too Old For This!
Yesterday was a SCREAMING, YELLING, STOMPING MY FEET kinda day --- buying/financing long distance SUCKS! Local lending facilities want a state-issued photo-ID - can't get an Iowa photo ID without relinquishing my TX driver’s license -- NO WAY! That is the dumbest friggin' rule I have ever seen -- they need to get their shit together - lots of people live in two or more places! I know people that have a driver’s license in one state and a photo ID in a state with a secondary address especially when a photo ID is needed for something like a gun permit, etc. I guess Iowa Department of Transportation is 'too proud' to admit that some folks just might want to live some place warmer during the winter. They need to come into the modern world and make provisions for a mobile society.
This photo ID thing all came about when I decided to take the plunge to a new (to me) RV -- had some problems pop up with the RV I have and it was going to be a matter of putting some major money into this one -- or get something new or ‘gently used.’ Seems that most lenders want a state-issued photo-ID to apply for a loan – and they don’t want it from another state – they want proof of a local address – WHEW! Money must be tight! All the lending institutions wanted to do was remain rigid and follow the straight and narrow…..All I wanted to do was Stimulate The Economy!
I was running into too many ignorant bureaucrats – After my first encounter with the “bitch of the week” at the local office, I called DOT to try to get some simple questions answered and a programmed non-thinking voice on the other end of the phone told me I can't live in an RV – I told her I'm here 5-6 months a year, have a fixed address here for receiving mail, and travel the rest of the time -- after she started yelling at me (!!!) she told me I had to pay Iowa taxes and produce proof. I do not want anything to do with Iowa state taxes so maybe I need to go back to TX with what I have a buy down there…..I should have just gone to bed and forgotten he whole mess! I’m just too set in my ways to put up with non-thinking ignorant government employees!
Next option – call my bank -- My bank in TX won't finance long-distance either! I could get a loan if I’d come down there and get it! I'm definitely going to be a bitch until this gets settled.
When I went over to the dealer to discuss these financing ‘stumbling blocks,’ I took my camera to take pics - the camera didn't work -- got home and it worked fine! Now I just wanted to crawl in a hole! I needed to get this done and over with -- I'm too old and senile for confusion!
But, now that I’m thoroughly pissed, I'm determined to go back to TX with THAT RV if I have to whore myself out in some sleazy bar in Des Moines and pay cash for the thing!
My sister even got into the financial circus – she had found a place that would make the loan for 6 years – she came to get me to go fill out the application when Randy, the salesman from Twin Anchor, called.
Randy worked his butt off finding a place to get a loan with an out of state driver’s license and a local address. He called mid-afternoon – Finally Advantage Credit Union in Newton IA felt sorry for me and loaned me the full amount so I didn’t have to wipe out a chunk of savings…or whore myself out at some sleazy bar in Des Moines!
So back over to Twin Anchors in Colo to sign the papers and try again to get some pictures of the RV – got some from the outside but the ones from inside came out bleached out due to the glare from the sun at that time of day. I guess I can wait a few days to get some pics.
Have you ever had a day that just got on your nerves – nothing flowed smoothly – just a pain in the butt kinda day? – Well that was the roller coaster I was on yesterday. It’s really hard work going into debt!
I'm now the proud owner of a payment book and a new home. ....well, the home will be delivered next week and then I'll transfer my stuff out of the 'old' RV and put it in the new one -- 2008 35 ft Heartland Big Country 5th wheel with 3 slide out units! WHEW! Lots of space to clean and clutter!!
Blame it on old age -- senility -- dementia -- whatever you want......as I was signing the papers, I noticed they made a mistake and listed what I had remembered as a 2004 Heartland Big Country as a 2008 Heartland -- NO MISTAKE -- My 2004 Heartland Big country is now at 2008 Heartland Big Country. I had confused a couple of the units I looked at and so now I realize I REALLY got a good deal!!!
Should have a new (to me) RV here to start moving sometime next week....as soon as the insurance comes through, the dealer gets it serviced and ready and there is an opening here in the park.
I just love it -- and it will work so well when I get the sofa out. The whole thing is in tans, brown-tones, earth-tones so it is very conservative and neutral....not like the one I have now.
Oh, and the storage compartment underneath is huge and goes straight thru to the other side and not broken up with drain pipes and conduit! My under-storage in this one is so low, it doesn't take anything much deeper than a tool box.
And I love it that the sewer connection is really easy access -- I won't have to get on my hands and knees to do it -- could probably do it just by bending over. The drain levers and hook ups for water, cable TV, etc are in the little compartment outside at eye-level!! They sure are designing RVs for ol’ fat ladies!
This photo ID thing all came about when I decided to take the plunge to a new (to me) RV -- had some problems pop up with the RV I have and it was going to be a matter of putting some major money into this one -- or get something new or ‘gently used.’ Seems that most lenders want a state-issued photo-ID to apply for a loan – and they don’t want it from another state – they want proof of a local address – WHEW! Money must be tight! All the lending institutions wanted to do was remain rigid and follow the straight and narrow…..All I wanted to do was Stimulate The Economy!
I was running into too many ignorant bureaucrats – After my first encounter with the “bitch of the week” at the local office, I called DOT to try to get some simple questions answered and a programmed non-thinking voice on the other end of the phone told me I can't live in an RV – I told her I'm here 5-6 months a year, have a fixed address here for receiving mail, and travel the rest of the time -- after she started yelling at me (!!!) she told me I had to pay Iowa taxes and produce proof. I do not want anything to do with Iowa state taxes so maybe I need to go back to TX with what I have a buy down there…..I should have just gone to bed and forgotten he whole mess! I’m just too set in my ways to put up with non-thinking ignorant government employees!
Next option – call my bank -- My bank in TX won't finance long-distance either! I could get a loan if I’d come down there and get it! I'm definitely going to be a bitch until this gets settled.
When I went over to the dealer to discuss these financing ‘stumbling blocks,’ I took my camera to take pics - the camera didn't work -- got home and it worked fine! Now I just wanted to crawl in a hole! I needed to get this done and over with -- I'm too old and senile for confusion!
But, now that I’m thoroughly pissed, I'm determined to go back to TX with THAT RV if I have to whore myself out in some sleazy bar in Des Moines and pay cash for the thing!
My sister even got into the financial circus – she had found a place that would make the loan for 6 years – she came to get me to go fill out the application when Randy, the salesman from Twin Anchor, called.
Randy worked his butt off finding a place to get a loan with an out of state driver’s license and a local address. He called mid-afternoon – Finally Advantage Credit Union in Newton IA felt sorry for me and loaned me the full amount so I didn’t have to wipe out a chunk of savings…or whore myself out at some sleazy bar in Des Moines!
So back over to Twin Anchors in Colo to sign the papers and try again to get some pictures of the RV – got some from the outside but the ones from inside came out bleached out due to the glare from the sun at that time of day. I guess I can wait a few days to get some pics.
Have you ever had a day that just got on your nerves – nothing flowed smoothly – just a pain in the butt kinda day? – Well that was the roller coaster I was on yesterday. It’s really hard work going into debt!
I'm now the proud owner of a payment book and a new home. ....well, the home will be delivered next week and then I'll transfer my stuff out of the 'old' RV and put it in the new one -- 2008 35 ft Heartland Big Country 5th wheel with 3 slide out units! WHEW! Lots of space to clean and clutter!!
Blame it on old age -- senility -- dementia -- whatever you want......as I was signing the papers, I noticed they made a mistake and listed what I had remembered as a 2004 Heartland Big Country as a 2008 Heartland -- NO MISTAKE -- My 2004 Heartland Big country is now at 2008 Heartland Big Country. I had confused a couple of the units I looked at and so now I realize I REALLY got a good deal!!!
Should have a new (to me) RV here to start moving sometime next week....as soon as the insurance comes through, the dealer gets it serviced and ready and there is an opening here in the park.
I just love it -- and it will work so well when I get the sofa out. The whole thing is in tans, brown-tones, earth-tones so it is very conservative and neutral....not like the one I have now.
Oh, and the storage compartment underneath is huge and goes straight thru to the other side and not broken up with drain pipes and conduit! My under-storage in this one is so low, it doesn't take anything much deeper than a tool box.
And I love it that the sewer connection is really easy access -- I won't have to get on my hands and knees to do it -- could probably do it just by bending over. The drain levers and hook ups for water, cable TV, etc are in the little compartment outside at eye-level!! They sure are designing RVs for ol’ fat ladies!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Stumbling Blocks
The more I thought about it -- getting my RV back to TX and putting it in for repair since the kitchen drain system popped a major leak -- fortunately NOT inside the RV but out the back on the ground. After talking to several RV service places, I decided to see if I just couldn't get a new (or new to me) RV while here in Iowa. I'm not getting any younger and applying for a loan on a small state retirement and social security may not have a high percentage of approval!
Monday Bea and I went over to Colo to Twin Anchors RV to look at what they had on the lot -- see what was available, what monies they wanted for what they had -- typical search for a new vehicle!
My sister told me that you usually take the first one you see or the last one -- in this case, I think it will be the first one -- have found myself comparing anything else I see to that first 2004 Heartland Big Country 5th wheel.
I need to get an Iowa Photo-ID since I have to have one to apply for a loan in Iowa! Isn't that amazing! AND the RV will have to be licensed in Iowa. So tomorrow, after I go check out the RV for the second time to see if I really do like it -- and see where everything, I'll find the place to get the photo-ID...I've read the requirements on the state website on line -- not sure if I will be expected to relinquish my Texas Driver's License -- but I'm not applying for a driver's license.
Randy, from sales came by today and looked at my RV regarding trade-in value -- didn't give me any dollar amount for mine for a trade in - has to go back and "talk to Don" -- there is always a "DON" somewhere when you are buying vehicles. He said their reference books only go back to 1997 and mine is a '94. But geez, if I can get anything out of this -- I only paid $9,000 for it nearly 4 years ago. I think that would be just fine. I'd put some from savings with it and call it a deal!
I hope he gets together with "DON" and they sharpen their pencils and get out a big eraser and give me some facts. I'm going out tomorrow to set in the one I like and check it out! We arrived late on Monday and I didn't have time to go over everthing....I was just looking to see what the had and get some cost ideas. Now I need to check out everything (and I'll take a camera!)...where are the hook ups, ease of access, stuff like that. What's hiding in closets and cupboards to take up storage space (like hot water heaters, etc) -- I have the hot water heater under my kitchen sink in this RV and it takes up a big chuck of cupboard space. Who knows - it might not look as good the second time!
Also - he said that they could bring the RV out here so I could take my time moving once I decided if I wanted it and we got together on a deal. That would be nice -- I could have Bea gather up some of her friends and their kids and come help me in the evenings. It would also give me time to get used to the new one and where stuff is. And give me a week or so to 'shake down' the RV for problems.
I've told my sister to save boxes! They get their paper supply in those nice cardboard boxes with lids -- good size for storage and moving. I'll just live out of boxes 'til I get settled.
Bea wants to go to some of the big RV places in DesMoines - you know - acres of RVs.....I'm not sure I want to buy from a big dealer like that - I think, being alone, I'll get better response from this small local dealer. And, to me, knowing that when I come up here in the spring, I can get them to service it -- and there is an RV park right there -- I just think I'd rather stay with the little local guy even if it costs me a little more. We looked at a couple new ones -- but they were considerably more than the others we saw.
I think, if I got something like this, I would give them back the sofa (they can put it in my old RV since I got rid of that one!) -- I'd move the two recliners to the sofa space and put MY recliner and the bird cage at the back window. That would give me 3 recliners and that is plenty for what little company I have. Plus I'd have the chairs at the dining table and the one at the computer desk. WHEW! A computer desk and an entertainment center! what will I do with all that space - clutter it up like I do everything else!!
Amazing how the mind wanders around all things RV when in the market for something new! - OK - I've rambled enough!!
Monday Bea and I went over to Colo to Twin Anchors RV to look at what they had on the lot -- see what was available, what monies they wanted for what they had -- typical search for a new vehicle!
My sister told me that you usually take the first one you see or the last one -- in this case, I think it will be the first one -- have found myself comparing anything else I see to that first 2004 Heartland Big Country 5th wheel.
I need to get an Iowa Photo-ID since I have to have one to apply for a loan in Iowa! Isn't that amazing! AND the RV will have to be licensed in Iowa. So tomorrow, after I go check out the RV for the second time to see if I really do like it -- and see where everything, I'll find the place to get the photo-ID...I've read the requirements on the state website on line -- not sure if I will be expected to relinquish my Texas Driver's License -- but I'm not applying for a driver's license.
Randy, from sales came by today and looked at my RV regarding trade-in value -- didn't give me any dollar amount for mine for a trade in - has to go back and "talk to Don" -- there is always a "DON" somewhere when you are buying vehicles. He said their reference books only go back to 1997 and mine is a '94. But geez, if I can get anything out of this -- I only paid $9,000 for it nearly 4 years ago. I think that would be just fine. I'd put some from savings with it and call it a deal!
I hope he gets together with "DON" and they sharpen their pencils and get out a big eraser and give me some facts. I'm going out tomorrow to set in the one I like and check it out! We arrived late on Monday and I didn't have time to go over everthing....I was just looking to see what the had and get some cost ideas. Now I need to check out everything (and I'll take a camera!)...where are the hook ups, ease of access, stuff like that. What's hiding in closets and cupboards to take up storage space (like hot water heaters, etc) -- I have the hot water heater under my kitchen sink in this RV and it takes up a big chuck of cupboard space. Who knows - it might not look as good the second time!
Also - he said that they could bring the RV out here so I could take my time moving once I decided if I wanted it and we got together on a deal. That would be nice -- I could have Bea gather up some of her friends and their kids and come help me in the evenings. It would also give me time to get used to the new one and where stuff is. And give me a week or so to 'shake down' the RV for problems.
I've told my sister to save boxes! They get their paper supply in those nice cardboard boxes with lids -- good size for storage and moving. I'll just live out of boxes 'til I get settled.
Bea wants to go to some of the big RV places in DesMoines - you know - acres of RVs.....I'm not sure I want to buy from a big dealer like that - I think, being alone, I'll get better response from this small local dealer. And, to me, knowing that when I come up here in the spring, I can get them to service it -- and there is an RV park right there -- I just think I'd rather stay with the little local guy even if it costs me a little more. We looked at a couple new ones -- but they were considerably more than the others we saw.
I think, if I got something like this, I would give them back the sofa (they can put it in my old RV since I got rid of that one!) -- I'd move the two recliners to the sofa space and put MY recliner and the bird cage at the back window. That would give me 3 recliners and that is plenty for what little company I have. Plus I'd have the chairs at the dining table and the one at the computer desk. WHEW! A computer desk and an entertainment center! what will I do with all that space - clutter it up like I do everything else!!
Amazing how the mind wanders around all things RV when in the market for something new! - OK - I've rambled enough!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
I Had a Really Good Time!
Saturday morning, my sister picked me up and we back to Maquoketa IA (our home town) for my high-school class get-together -- not really a class reunion - just a birthday dinner for ourselves celebrating our 65th Medicare birthday! Any excuse for a get-together! Bea wanted to spend some time with a couple of friends that have been having some horrible medical experiences lately. I know it had to be a real emotional roller-coaster for her, seeing friends from her childhood going thru these ordeals.
I really had a nice time. I’m not sure exactly how many showed up but I thought it was a good turnout considering it wasn't a REAL class reunion...it was just the dinner, no other planned events, so it could have been quite costly for anyone needing to travel any great distance. The dinner was at the Eagles Club in town – with the ladies of the Eagles providing a nice buffet of chicken and/or beef, peas, corn, potatoes, gravy, rolls and 2 salads….and a yummy chocolate birthday cake!
The building juggled more than a few memories for me since it started out as Jean's Drive-In many years ago and I was a car-hop there. Then it became a restaurant, then a supper club, now the Eagles Club.
There were a few from the other classes just before or just after us that
came by to visit. It was really nice catching up with friends. I guess it was about 11 PM when I called it quits for the evening and called Bea to come pick me up.
Before we left town on Sunday morning, we met with a friend of mine from school and a friend of Bea's from school for breakfast buffet at the pancake place. Also got to see a few more‘school chums’from my youth.
Returned home to the RV about 2:30PM Sunday --- with a big welcome from Li’lBit, Holly and Tinga!
2012 will be our 50th Class Reunion -- hope we are all around to make that one!
I really had a nice time. I’m not sure exactly how many showed up but I thought it was a good turnout considering it wasn't a REAL class reunion...it was just the dinner, no other planned events, so it could have been quite costly for anyone needing to travel any great distance. The dinner was at the Eagles Club in town – with the ladies of the Eagles providing a nice buffet of chicken and/or beef, peas, corn, potatoes, gravy, rolls and 2 salads….and a yummy chocolate birthday cake!
The building juggled more than a few memories for me since it started out as Jean's Drive-In many years ago and I was a car-hop there. Then it became a restaurant, then a supper club, now the Eagles Club.
There were a few from the other classes just before or just after us that
came by to visit. It was really nice catching up with friends. I guess it was about 11 PM when I called it quits for the evening and called Bea to come pick me up.
Before we left town on Sunday morning, we met with a friend of mine from school and a friend of Bea's from school for breakfast buffet at the pancake place. Also got to see a few more‘school chums’from my youth.
Returned home to the RV about 2:30PM Sunday --- with a big welcome from Li’lBit, Holly and Tinga!
2012 will be our 50th Class Reunion -- hope we are all around to make that one!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Life is Good!
Eye clinic on Monday was a real ‘upper’ for me – no, there is no major change for the better – but there is definitely NO major change in the other direction, either. The doc took some photos of my eye and you can see that the opaque area covering the eye is thinning out and it seems to be ‘shrinking’ in from the far right corner of the eye. However, the scar tissue is still there. But the best part of the exam was the fact that when fingers were held up in front of my eye, I could count the fingers! Now before we all get really excited about this – the fingers had to be right up nearly IN my eye – but what an improvement that is for me – and oh, how wonderful it makes me feel!
Because of the thinning of the opacity, the light entering my eye does not fracture or flash and scatter like it did. I can actually go out into sunlight without my sunglasses for short periods of time. Life is good!
In celebration of the ‘good news,’ my sister treated me to a terrific meal at JAX Restaurant here in Marshalltown.
The weather has been perfect for the past week. Cool enough for good sleeping at nite and warm enough to set out at the picnic table with Li’lBit and a good book during the day.
Because we are retired (!!), Li’l Bit and I will occasionally take a nap about 2:30 in the afternoon – I often find myself staying up and reading late at nite – so I need my nap! Today, Li’lBit and I were at the picnic table and about 2:30 she walked over to the RV and climbed up on the steps, staring at me. Then, when I opened the door, she ran up to the bed --didn’t I know it was time for our nap! I can’t believe she has made this a routine! Well, you have to do what your dog tells you – so nap time it is!
Heading to Maquoketa (my home town) Saturday AM– my high school graduating class is having a birthday party/dinner for ourselves – we all have or will turn 65 this year – So Happy Medicare Birthday to Us! Bea is going with me – it will just be a Saturday in and Sunday out trip – but will give her a chance to catch up with some of her friends.
I do have to admit, I’m really getting a good case of Hitch Itch and anxious to get back on the road. One more medical appointment September 30 and then will pick a day and hitch up and head out.
Because of the thinning of the opacity, the light entering my eye does not fracture or flash and scatter like it did. I can actually go out into sunlight without my sunglasses for short periods of time. Life is good!
In celebration of the ‘good news,’ my sister treated me to a terrific meal at JAX Restaurant here in Marshalltown.
The weather has been perfect for the past week. Cool enough for good sleeping at nite and warm enough to set out at the picnic table with Li’lBit and a good book during the day.
Because we are retired (!!), Li’l Bit and I will occasionally take a nap about 2:30 in the afternoon – I often find myself staying up and reading late at nite – so I need my nap! Today, Li’lBit and I were at the picnic table and about 2:30 she walked over to the RV and climbed up on the steps, staring at me. Then, when I opened the door, she ran up to the bed --didn’t I know it was time for our nap! I can’t believe she has made this a routine! Well, you have to do what your dog tells you – so nap time it is!
Heading to Maquoketa (my home town) Saturday AM– my high school graduating class is having a birthday party/dinner for ourselves – we all have or will turn 65 this year – So Happy Medicare Birthday to Us! Bea is going with me – it will just be a Saturday in and Sunday out trip – but will give her a chance to catch up with some of her friends.
I do have to admit, I’m really getting a good case of Hitch Itch and anxious to get back on the road. One more medical appointment September 30 and then will pick a day and hitch up and head out.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Just Takin' It Easy
Sometimes, on a long holiday weekend, you just have to take it easy outside in the lawn chair!
This is a follow-up to the blog entry Attitude – You Gotta Have Heart! Saturday, August 16, 2008
Jun 11, 2008 ... Little Sioux Scout Ranch in western Iowa found itself in a direct path of an EF-3 tornado with 143 mph winds barreling down for a direct hit. Four teenagers were killed; 48 people were injured. The 93 Scouts at the camp were attending a weeklong leadership training. They had taken part in a mock emergency drill with 25 staff members just a day before the twister hit. Folks came from miles around to assist the scouts in cleaning up and rebuilding their camp. The new buildings will withstand winds up to 250 mph.
The giving continues.
Nearly 20 members of Groesbeck Rebuild America came to participate in the 9/11 anniversary rebuild project. Groesbeck is a central Texas community, aproximately 4100 folks, in Limestone County.
They will be joined by New York City Firefighters in building a new Chapel at the camp on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Life is good with people like this in your life.
Friday, August 28, 2009
It's Friday Nite.....
....and I can hear the stock car races! I'm glad the weather is nice so I can have all my windows open to hear them. I'd really like to go to the races, but by the time I got there, parked, hauled my walker and oxygen -- the fun is gone! That damn walker and oxygen can take the fun out of a lot of stuff!
Pigged out at Rube's Steak house on Wednesday evening and then at the Junction Thursday evening. Probably won't need to eat for a few days! Good food -- Good friends -- doesn't get much better than that.
Weather has really been quite 'agreeable'! Not too hot, not too wet -- a little too chilly, but Life Is Good!
Pigged out at Rube's Steak house on Wednesday evening and then at the Junction Thursday evening. Probably won't need to eat for a few days! Good food -- Good friends -- doesn't get much better than that.
Weather has really been quite 'agreeable'! Not too hot, not too wet -- a little too chilly, but Life Is Good!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Chilly, Windy, Brrrr...and It's August in Iowa!
It’s Friday night in Marshalltown, the wind is blowing from the northwest -- the stock car races are going full bore – there is no sense in even trying to sleep until the races are over - but I just love the sound of the races coming in the window. Guess it is a good time to catch up with the news!
Last Saturday I faced a project I just hate to tackle – cleaning out the storage area under the bed! I carry my cell phone in my pocked in case the damn thing slams down on me! Actually I do worry that the cat will crawl up in there and I'll not realize it until I don't see her for awhile and then I'll have to go through the whole mess again!
I guess it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to try to lift the weight of a queen size plywood platform and queensize mattress while on my knees! But you can't stand up to do it – no room to get any leverage ...you have to kneel at the foot of the bed. A hydraulic lift would be nice -- just not sure how they would work it into the frame. Oh, well – another little problem you have to deal with to live full time in a vehicle labeled RECREATIONAL vehicle!!!
I found the sack of t-shirts and the quilt batting I've been looking for -- amazing how much crap you can put in that area under the bed! Now, if I'd get busy sewing, I'd have my window quilts done! But sewing is something I leave for the chillier days in Rockport. I also found some videos I had recorded from the old VCR days -- thought I had transferred all of them to disk but see that I have a few more to do -- another Rockport project -- setting up the VCR and the VCR to disk recorder thing is more than my electronics brain can handle -- so when I set it up -- it stays up until I'm finished!
AND - I found enough books under there that I will NEVER have to buy another book -- even if I live to be 100. I knew I brought a lot of books from the house that I wanted to read (couldn't pass up a sale at Barnes & Noble so probably had more than the local library!) Most of them are hard covers so I pulled out a bunch of them -- I'll read those first -- just to get rid of the weight. Never again will I buy a hard covered book -- well, maybe one or two now and then! Nothing beats the feel of a good hard-bound book in my hands!
By late Saturday afternoon I was pooped, my knees were sore, my gut ached from stretching over the wooden frame. That job is now done until it is time to get out the Christmas decorations (I think!)
It was a good week – plenty of sunny days to set out at the picnic table with Li’lBit and get some reading done. Made a couple of trips into the mall to walk – problem is I always manage to find something I really didn’t need and really don’t have room for in the RV! Had lunch at the food court – love their Indian Tacos – made with fry bread rather than tortillas.
Stopped in at Radio Shack to get some info on pre-paid Dish satellite TV – but they no longer carry it – will check with the Dish office when I get back to Gatesville. I have access to cable TV when I’m in Rockport – but local channels only in Gatesville and in Iowa. A pre-paid program would be great for me.
Well, it was a good week until I noticed some water under the back of the RV. I have a leak in my kitchen drain line -- water running out the back (underneath the back of the RV). Calling around, I found that no one comes out to do repairs, but did have the opportunity to talk to a service guy over in Colo. He said the leak is most likely between the floor of the RV and the underbelly -- could be the tank or could be the line, he can't tell without taking it in and having them pull the underbelly. He told me if I'm careful about draining from the sink, I could get it back to TX and have the people that know this rig take care of it -- there is nothing under there to rot -- just metal and plastic. So, I'm using a dishpan in the sink and dumping the water out in the bathroom sink or toilet. I guess I'm 'roughing it'! I'm now using paper plates.
Laundry at my favorite laundromat is actually a nice treat for me. OK, so it doesn’t take much to make me happy! I get lots of reading done. I hauled in the comforter and quilt from the bed – planned on putting them away – but no such luck – woke up this AM to 50 degrees, damp, chilly rainy day. It is August in Iowa and I REFUSE to pull out my space heater AGAIN! Supposed to be in the lower 50s tonite – in the 40s predicted for a bit further north east of me. Sure wish I could send some of this chill down to Texas to ease that heat wave they are having.
Last Saturday I faced a project I just hate to tackle – cleaning out the storage area under the bed! I carry my cell phone in my pocked in case the damn thing slams down on me! Actually I do worry that the cat will crawl up in there and I'll not realize it until I don't see her for awhile and then I'll have to go through the whole mess again!
I guess it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have to try to lift the weight of a queen size plywood platform and queensize mattress while on my knees! But you can't stand up to do it – no room to get any leverage ...you have to kneel at the foot of the bed. A hydraulic lift would be nice -- just not sure how they would work it into the frame. Oh, well – another little problem you have to deal with to live full time in a vehicle labeled RECREATIONAL vehicle!!!
I found the sack of t-shirts and the quilt batting I've been looking for -- amazing how much crap you can put in that area under the bed! Now, if I'd get busy sewing, I'd have my window quilts done! But sewing is something I leave for the chillier days in Rockport. I also found some videos I had recorded from the old VCR days -- thought I had transferred all of them to disk but see that I have a few more to do -- another Rockport project -- setting up the VCR and the VCR to disk recorder thing is more than my electronics brain can handle -- so when I set it up -- it stays up until I'm finished!
AND - I found enough books under there that I will NEVER have to buy another book -- even if I live to be 100. I knew I brought a lot of books from the house that I wanted to read (couldn't pass up a sale at Barnes & Noble so probably had more than the local library!) Most of them are hard covers so I pulled out a bunch of them -- I'll read those first -- just to get rid of the weight. Never again will I buy a hard covered book -- well, maybe one or two now and then! Nothing beats the feel of a good hard-bound book in my hands!
By late Saturday afternoon I was pooped, my knees were sore, my gut ached from stretching over the wooden frame. That job is now done until it is time to get out the Christmas decorations (I think!)
It was a good week – plenty of sunny days to set out at the picnic table with Li’lBit and get some reading done. Made a couple of trips into the mall to walk – problem is I always manage to find something I really didn’t need and really don’t have room for in the RV! Had lunch at the food court – love their Indian Tacos – made with fry bread rather than tortillas.
Stopped in at Radio Shack to get some info on pre-paid Dish satellite TV – but they no longer carry it – will check with the Dish office when I get back to Gatesville. I have access to cable TV when I’m in Rockport – but local channels only in Gatesville and in Iowa. A pre-paid program would be great for me.
Well, it was a good week until I noticed some water under the back of the RV. I have a leak in my kitchen drain line -- water running out the back (underneath the back of the RV). Calling around, I found that no one comes out to do repairs, but did have the opportunity to talk to a service guy over in Colo. He said the leak is most likely between the floor of the RV and the underbelly -- could be the tank or could be the line, he can't tell without taking it in and having them pull the underbelly. He told me if I'm careful about draining from the sink, I could get it back to TX and have the people that know this rig take care of it -- there is nothing under there to rot -- just metal and plastic. So, I'm using a dishpan in the sink and dumping the water out in the bathroom sink or toilet. I guess I'm 'roughing it'! I'm now using paper plates.
Laundry at my favorite laundromat is actually a nice treat for me. OK, so it doesn’t take much to make me happy! I get lots of reading done. I hauled in the comforter and quilt from the bed – planned on putting them away – but no such luck – woke up this AM to 50 degrees, damp, chilly rainy day. It is August in Iowa and I REFUSE to pull out my space heater AGAIN! Supposed to be in the lower 50s tonite – in the 40s predicted for a bit further north east of me. Sure wish I could send some of this chill down to Texas to ease that heat wave they are having.
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