Is This Heaven - No It's Iowa!

My Summer Home, Shady Oaks Campground, Marshalltown, Iowa


My Garden - plants and bird feeders make it feel like home


Rear bed slide out - I think I know why the previous owners got rid of it -- I need a 2-step stepstool and my cane to get up into the bed and back out. Definitely not convenient for ol' folks!


I could spend all day (when not under some kind of spring in Iowa weather alert!) right there at the picnic table with a good book and a glass of ice tea!

June 13-19 I Love My Weather Radio!

My weather radio hasn't 'shut up' since I've been here! Wish I could send some of this rain to the wild fires in AZ! Seemed to have dodged the bullet again! One of these nites I'll get a full-nite's sleep! Mary & Judy gave me a key to the bathhouse in case I want to go in there when it gets windy/stormy.

Finally had some time outside to try to clean up my plants from their trip and no care since they left Rockport! Some are in really shabby shape!

Still trying to figure out where I'm going to put stuff in this trailer! It is a good thing the weather hasn't been the best for setting outside - at least I don't feel so bad about having to get the work done inside!

Ron and Connie Perkins, friends from Rockport 35 RV, pulled in this week - nice to see familiar faces! They would be leaving Friday - headed to Montana and then on to Oregon. With the Missouri River and some of the other rivers in the Dakotas out of their banks, I wish them safe crossing.

Wednesday, at least the weather radio didn't go off last nite -- well, yes, it did once. Holly walked across it and hit the "WEATHER" button! Imagine – the one nite since I’ve been here that the radio didn’t go off with a warning and my cat sets it off!

Well, I got the pilot lite lit and the oven going. It makes a little noise, maybe needs an adjustment? I'll check it out sometime when I want to cook something. I hate messing with gas. Now I have to figure why my sewer won't drain! SHIT! Yup, that's the part that won't drain. Grey water drains fine. Oh, how I love getting used to the 'quirks' of a new RV !

When all else fails - read the manual. When I read the owners manual earlier, it said "possible 3rd valve on some models." I didn't think anything of it, figured that had to be for the bigger rigs.

On my way into town to get an additional hose and plumber snake (have both in the 5the 5th wheel but that isn’t doing me much good up here!)I decided to look for that third pull-gate. Li'lBit was already waiting in the truck, ready to go for a ride. And there it was. There are two pull-gates on the black water drain that have to be opened. One is 1/2 way under the darn trailer - I was soooo glad no one was there to see me get down on the ground, crawl under and get back up! I've left that one OPEN and only closed the one closest to the drain! I'll have to make a note for myself to remember to close it before I leave. In Gatesville, I thought everything had emptied just fine – being lazy and in a hurry, opened both drains at once and just ‘assumed!” they both emptied. I know now I can get twice the time I thought on my holding tank! So grateful I don’t have to ask my sister to be my “plumber’s helper”

Li'lBit wouldn't come out of the truck when I told her we didn’t need to go to town. She was going somewhere even if we didn't have anywhere to go! So, in to town we go for a ride. Anything to keep the puppy happy!

I've been sucking on my nebulizer since I've been here -- happens every year -- new pollens, humidity, etc. Normally only do nebulizer treatment 2 times a day -- but here I have to do it 4 -- at least until things dry out a little.

Been enjoying eating out (and not cooking!) with Bea – we’ve done Antigua’s, Perkins McDonald’s, Legend’s. If there is one thing Marshalltown has, it’s plenty of places to eat! Friday nite we went with Jim and Kathy to Montana Mike’s in Newton. Really good clam chowder and plenty of food on the plate. Loved the cinnamon honey butter for the rolls. And I love places that serve enough I can ask for a "box." That means at least two meals for the price of one!

Started working out my first road trip. I think it will be to Adele to see the brick streets - down to White Post Road - Adair, Casey, Menlo, Stuart, Dexter, and then back home. Should take most of a day so will have to pack a picnic lunch for me and Li'lBit!

Saturday I headed over to Knoxville KOA to meet with some campers for the Escapees Iowa group. I wasn't thinking about not being allowed to take a non-registered vehicle onto the camping area. The ladies at the office told me I would have to leave my truck at the office and walk in. I didn't bring scooter, walker or portable oxygen so walking in wasn't a possibility in this Iowa humidity! The ladies tried tobe accommodating. They offered me the use of the golf cart. Having never driven one, I didn't want to practice with theirs! They thought, if I could get my truck off the drive-lanes, it would be OK to go in this one time -- but after looking at the width of the lanes, wasn't sure I could get my 1 ton dually off the drive path far enough so I just came on home. But it was a lovely drive and I did enjoy a nice lunch in Newton before I headed back.

First Week In Iowa

June 9th, I wake up in Iowa - I'm Here! Can't believe after eating nuthin' but chips and cookies and donuts - drinking sodas - going to Wendy's last nite - my blood sugar this AM was 122! What's with this eatin' healthy stuff!

Cool enough here that I won’t need the A/C for awhile. Worked and struggled trying to open windows. I don't think these windows have been opened! Took a bunch of prying to get them open. Can't say they don't seal good!

Needed to get the plants outside and empty the kitty litter. I love having that little bunk house door when it comes to emptying kitty littr! Found my weather radio!

Poor Tinga has been cooped up since Sunday so I finally let her out for awhile. Can't accomplish much if I have to open any doors with her out!

This 23 ft trailer could probably get really small if it rains all summer! Can't get the oven pilot lite to work, stove part works so it's getting gas, just can't get the pilot to work and I'm to old and fat to be laying on the floor messing with gas!

Found a few "ripples" in the ceiling that I didn't see before (but you always see things when you just set and look around!) Not sure if it was a water leak at one time; no signs of it leaking now and there was enough wind and rain, if it was going to leak, I'd be swiing!

Probably should have taken this thing on a 'shake down' cruise before I headed to Iowa! I can live without my oven (as soon as I get to Goodwill and get me a crock pot!)

I've started a 'repair' list for Deryl to check when I get back to Rockport! He doesn't know it yet!

Having computer problems. Can download gmail email (right now anyway!) but unable to get to websites, therefore no Yahoo mail and no Face Book! What a bummer -- definitly need a repair guy.

Haven't done any laundry since I first arrived in Gatesville. Laundry went up. $2 to wash and 25 cents only gets you 6 min drying time! OK I'm done bitching now -- I'm still a happy camper!

Stopped at GoodWill, Couldn't find a toaster or crock pot, did find some small items I needed and they had a plastic set of 3 drawers for $5 so I got that for storage. Goodwill sure went up in their prices. Couldn't remember how to get to Salvation Army, tried to find it but went in circles so went back to Wally World and bought a small crock pot.

The creek behind the park is out of its banks and up to the back road. That must mean Mary's basement is flooded! Lots of limbs and branches down in the park.

I arrived Wednesday about 2:30 -- by 8PM the rains had started -- by 10PM with winds rolled in and it is still going! Last nite my weather radio went off several times between 7PM and 1AM with alerts for winds, hail, etc. One said to prepare for winds in excess of 70 mph coming in behind the front that was passing thru with the rain and hail. Fortunately, the winds weren't too bad - but I sure notice them more in this trailer than in that big 5th wheel!

OOPS! I have a leak -- not a bad one and didn't start dripping until this afternoon and we have had winds, rain and hail last evening, rain and wind all nite and rain most of the AM. It is around the vent in the bathroom. It is the one with the fan in it -- it's not one I had them put the maxi-air covers on but I think there is a cover of some sort over it. Not sure if it is that the vent cover doesn't seal tightly or if I need to get up there and caulk around it -- but I'm sure not going to get up there while it is wet! Not a bad leak -- I just noticed a couple of drips on my head while I was setting on the pot yesterday! Put a towel down to see how bad it was and it wasn't much. Might just be coming thru the vent rather than leaking around it. The winds are strong enough they could lift the vent cover a little. Putting an RV thru an Iowa spring is definitely one way to find leaks!

Something is wrong with the computer. I turned it on and no matter what I tried to do, it tried to send an email to some strange address and then kept prompting me to make a payment for virus protection. In the meantime, I got a couple of emails from people saying they got blank emails from me.

Dropped the computer off at Staples Saturday AM to have it checked, then headed to Des Moines with Bea for some shoppping. While in Des Moines, Staples called to say the computer was ready – picked it up Sunday! The tech said it had been ‘hijacked’ and removed several virus programs. He suggested I change all of my passwords. Bea and I ate at Hickory Parks BBQ in Ames on the way home.

The credit card company called me Sunday AM asking me if I had made a purchase at some on line place - I didn't recognize it and told them I hadn't made any on-line purchases - I was on the road traveling. So they recommended I cancel the credit card and they would issue me a new number. I can’t believe it – credit card and computer both taken over by gremlins! Fortunately both have been found and repaird without any major financial damage.

Since I've had no further leaks at the bathroom vent, I'm hoping it was just the high winds that blew up the vent and let the water in.

And that is my first week in Iowa!

June 6-7-8 On The Road

Left Gatesville after a visit to Orville’s tire shop. No problems hauling the trailer – in fact, several times I looked back to make sure it was still there. I have a list of fuel stops where I knew I could get the 5th wheel in and out – but didn’t need them. The little trailer pulls in just about anywhere it wants to!

Arrived at Guthrie OK Pioneer RV park mid-afternoon. Hooked up water and electric, cranked the A/C up full blast. It was 99 degrees with a hot dusty wind blowing at 25mph! 16.25 mpg from Gatesville to Guthrie -- not bad!

Tuesday nite - Homewood RV Park, Homewood KS - actually Williamsburg near Ottawa. I guess it pays to stay at the same places each time. When I called for reservations, she told me to ‘just pull in and pick a spot, I’ll settle with you later.” She fell and cracked her foot so probably wouldn’t be at the office.

My sister said they were predicting temps in the 60-70 degree range for the end of the week. Definitely looking forward to that. Been in the 90s for a long time now and nite temps don't get out of the 70s....too warm for this time of year.

I have my morning 'on the road' check list and added stabilizers to it!
Decided to put the stabilizer jacks down; windy up here on this hill in Kansas! 310 miles to Marshalltown! Fortunately Bea told me about the change in the exit from I-80 to the “diagonal’ to Marshalltown. It had been a left exit and I would not have been a happy camper to find myself in the wrong lane to make the new exit!

Pulled into Shady Oaks, Marshalltown, about 2:30 on Wednesday. Randy came by after work to back me in and help set up with utilities. Messed with the antenna and have TV (so I can get the weather!)and just in time. Severe thunderstorm and hail warnings! I had no idea where my weather radio was! Can't survive in an RV in Iowa without a weather radio but I do have my “ruby red slippers’ that Bea gave me after my first tornado season in Iowa!

I'm here -- settling into my summer home! Li'lBit knew where she was -- bounded out of the RV, tail going a mile a minute and running about greeting everyone. We're Home!

June 1 - 6 On My Way to Iowa

June 1st I took Li'lBit over to her old vet to have him look at that place on her throat. He checked her over really good and aspirating that swelling on her neck to make sure it wasn't anything 'serious!' Said he didn't see any "unusual or abnormal" cells when he looked at it. He feels it's best to keep an eye on it and leave it alone. I'll have him check it when I'm thru town again in September. But while I was there, had him give her the rabies and other shots she gets every year. Spending time in GV really hits the wallet by the time I get all the 'well-baby check ups' on critters and the truck!

Stayed dusty and hot hot hot; didn't even cool down much at nite. The humidity was low, but the dust! WHEW! Dusty hot air really zaps my lungs. It just blew all of the time and swirls in little "dust devils.” I wasn't in town for more than 24 hours before I started having trouble breathing. Good thing I didn't have any plans that included outside activities!

Finally got my oxygen concentrator dug out from the pile of junk, hooked up and started using it at nite. AND, it fits under the table so I don’t have to trip over oxygen tubing running from one end of the trailer to the other! It will have to be moved back into the bunk house area for travel; I can't put the table down while it is under there.

Still can't figure out where I'm going to put all of the stuff I packed and tossed into this place. I’m not going to have to do much grocery shopping other than meat and fresh fruit/vegetables -
=this summer!

Li’lBit is totally blind now from the cataracts in both eyes. She is having a hard time adjusting to the trailer -- but can find her bed, her food & water. And, there is only one step to get outside. But my bed is so high she can't get into it.(I can barely crawl up into it!) She fell off the sofa - scared the crap out of me -- she just stayed there, not moving - she was breathing, but not moving. Must have just knocked her dizzy, she eventually came around, but I made a mad dash to Waco PetSmart to get some doggy steps. Will be interesting to get to Iowa and see if she can recognize the park and the smells up there!

Holly just lays around on the bed at the back window all day - lazy cat! Tinga is not a happy camper -- but is surviving! I think she will be happier when I get her little corner all fixed up for her so she can be out of the cage for longer periods of time.

Seems like I just got to Gatesville and it was time to get ready to get back on the road! Finally got the trailer set up – and then it is time to pack the stuff up again and head to Iowa -- leave out June 6 AM.

Running errands, then to Johnnie's for coffee, lunches with Brenda, or lunch or ice tea in the afternoon with others. That's it! Such a social whirl!

Have started noticing some problems with the trailer – the things you only notice after you live in it for awhile. Do have to figure out something with the toilet holding tank. Trailer is so small, you can smell it, not bad, but I know it is there. It’s really bad when I put on the vent fan in the bathroom. Maybe something blocking the vent pipe? Will check when I get to Iowa.

Kept a close eye on the weather up through Oklahoma and Kansas – seems they have had more than their share of winds and tornadoes this spring. The Missouri River was still within its banks at my crossing in KS City. Reservations were made for Guthrie OK the first nite and Homewood KS the second.

Doesn't take anytime at all to hitch up the trailer so I waited unto Monday AM to do it. With Fred there to help, it was done in a flash!

June 6th off to see Orville and have all tires checked and aired and head north!

A Visit in Gatesville, May 26 - 31

MAY 26 – moving north day! 6:30 AM and already 78 degrees! Packed up the last bit in the truck and headed to Deryl & Elke’s. Took no time at all to hitch up and move out. Terrific trip – easy trip – Just about 6 hours up Highway 77 and over to Gatesville on Highway 36. Gatesville a little after suppertime. Fred was there to help me unhitch. Sure is easier for me than that 5th wheel. Trailer pulls like a dream -- had to look back to make sure it was there! Coming up with the 5er, I would fill up just south of Temple -- if not, I'd run out of fuel or go in an the fumes! Took just about 3/4 tank towing the trailer -- and I was clipping right along about 65-70 most of the way with the A/C blasting on full/high! As soon as I ran out to Johnnie’s for coffee, I could start trying to figure where to put all my stuff in such a little space!

Friday the truck went into Orville’s for oil change and a check-over. Haven’t had anymore trouble with the oil gauge since I hit the guy on the trike! Guess the impact knocked whatever was stuck ‘unstuck!’

It’s great seeing Brenda again. Brenda and Samantha came into town and we met for supper – and she was loaded down with a big box of mail, catalogues, magazines, etc. Took me most of my time in Gatesville to go through all of the stuff!

Sunday dinner at Johnnie’s – she fixed chicken fried steak, frog eye salad – my ‘coming home’ Sunday dinner! Yummy meal-- not only did she have my favorites - she made one of her 'world famous' chocolate cakes for my birthday. Of course, it didn't seem like Sunday at Johnnies since all of Dori's bunch was gone!

Hadn’t done any laundry for about 2 weeks before I hit the road – brought it all with me and hit the laundromat Sunday afternoon. Nice and quiet(and cool) when I got there; I was the only one there! By the time I left, it was filling up and really getting hot and humid. Speaking of HOT - 97 degrees. Only 30% humidity but that means every little breeze stirs up clouds of dust! Sure glad I moved away from here! I'm already 'feeling' it!

Gonna take me awhile to figure out what goes where, there is so little storage and next to nothing for under-compartments! I know I brought too much stuff, but I was cleaning out the 5th wheel and tossed all of my "extra stuff" into the trailer!

L'ilBit and Holly don't seem too happy with their new home and Tinga is down-right pissed that she is in a smaller cage. Oh, well, it's just for the summer and summer homes are never as big as winter homes! Oh, and I have to get used to my laptop again with this tiny keyboard and this screwy mouse pad thing! I think, when I get to Iowa, I'll probably invest in a mouse and keyboard -- or it could be a long summer for me, too!

Definitely didn't get far enough NORTH soon enough! Still in the upper 90s every day. Doesn't get below 75 degrees at nite! Good thing I have an A/C!
Mary Jane had to come to Gatesville so we spent 1/2 the afternoon gossiping at Swindalls! Brenda came in to visit for awhile. Then went to Ace Hardware to pick up the water filter and electric 'dog bone' I needed. Johnnie’s son Toby is manager and I was talking to him Sunday - can't find a 50 amp to 30 amp dog-bone electric adapter -- my trailer is 30 amp and all the boxes here in the RV park are 50 amp -- Fred had one so I'm borrowing his but need to get one for the trailer. Of course, I have one in the 5th wheel! Have a water regulator there, too. Now I have one of each in each place! Are we talking 'duplicates' here?

RECIPES

SQUASH CASSEROLE
6 medium summer squash (about 2 c. mashed or sliced thin)
1 small onion, chopped or sliced thin
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup Ritz cracker crumbs
1 can cream of chicken soup (or cream of anything soup)
1 1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
2 eggs, beaten
Dash of salt and pepper
optional - - pimentos, green pepper, diced left over meat, or pecans

Cook squash until tender. (Can be nuked in the microwave) Drain well, then mash (or leave sliced). Stir in the butter, then add remaining ingredients. Pour into greased casserole dish. Top with Ritz cracker crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees about 40 minutes

CHICKEN NACHO CASSEROLE
5 cups crushed tortilla chips
4 cups cooked, chopped chicken
2-16 oz salsa
1/4 cup fine green onions
1 can of Mexicorn, drained
1/2 cup sour cream
2 BSP flour
1-1/2 cup Monterey Jack

Preheat oven to 350* and spray a 13x9 casserole dish.
Put 3 cups of the chips in a bowl. Mix all but cheese and chips.
Bake 25 minutes. Top with chips, then cheese. Cook 10-12 minutes.

PINAPPLE CREAM PIE DIABETIC
1-1/2 cup cold milk
1 pkg. vanilla sugar free instant pudding
1 pkg. light cream cheese
1 (8 oz.) can sugar free pineapple, drained

Let cream cheese set out overnight at room temperature. Set milk out to bring to room temperature. In medium bowl, gradually add milk to cream cheese. Mix until smooth. Add pudding and mix; beat until smooth. Add pineapple; mix well. Pour into your favorite ready-made 9 inch pie crust. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Serve with whipped topping.

Last Minute Details May 23-25

When I realized that I was not going to be transported up during the Rapture predicted for May 21, I figured I’d better continue with my plans for my summer in Iowa! Routine ‘getting ready for vacation” chores were being accomplished and checked off the To-Do list. Cupboards clean, freezer defrosted, sweep, vacuum, dust, wipe down, wash up, ice maker put into full swing to get enough ice to chill down the coolers. I really forgot just how heavy that ‘portable’ icemaker is. All refrig/freezedr foods needed to b e packed in the cooler and taken to the trailer. Not having electricity to cool down the fridge in the trailer, I wanted to make sure I had enough ice to keep things cool until I get settled in Gatesville and plugged into shore power.

Out running errands, my oil gauge was going crazy – naturally, I’m scheduled to leave in a week! Stopped to have it checked – seems it is just ‘stuck’ – oil pressuare, etc is fine. Will have it checked when I get to Gateville and have the "Well-Baby" check up on the truck.

Tuesday had my last nail appointment before the trip and it was definitely a case of poor planning. After the appointment, I went to the trailer to move some stuff around to make room for critters and plants. What a mess I made of the nails! Fortunately I had a similar color somewhere but had to wait until I got to Gatesville to find it.

Tuesday nite the RV35 Trailerhood “left-overs” went to the BBQ place to eat. Love going out with the ‘gang.’ Always a great time. Wednesday evening I met with Deryl & Elke at HuDats.

Thursday noon I planned on meeting Donna for lunch at Apple Dumplin’. On the way into town there was a minor set-back. When I got home I sent an Email to Deryl to tell him the blue trike with the bent wheel setting by his boat was the prize I won for hitting the guy riding it! Long story -- everybody is OK - I'm out $250 to buy the guy a new (used) trike -- cop recorded the transaction and included it in his report so there shouldn't be any further problems. The guy kept saying he wanted a new bike over and over again.....looks to me like one wheel and rim needs to be replaced -- but what do I know -- so went to the bank -- counted out $250 smackers in front of the officefr, on tape, and written -- then the guy wanted to know how he was to get his bike home (the damaged one.) He was informed, "Sir, Ms Fahlsing just bought that bike for $250!" Was a little late for lunch with Donna, but soup, sandwich and apple dumplin’ at the Apple Dumplin’ with a good friend is good anytime! Leaving out in the AM.