Friday the 16th was 56 windy degrees in the AM. Time to dig out the box of oatmeal!
Blood sugar 134 - not bad for the morning after potluck! BUT, I took plain steamed veggies and a couple of the guys brought baked fish. Must have been some good fishin' that week! Of course Tony brought his wonderful chicken & dumplin' soup and Carole brought her wild rice and mushroom soup. Even avoiding the standard pasta and noodle casseroles, I still had plenty of carbs! AND, Pat brought her 'to die for' bread pudding with lemon sauce for dessert. So much for my diet last nite! But I did enjoy the fish and the soups.
Lady's lunch was at the I-HOP down in Portland. I bummed a ride with Connie, just didn’t feel like driving the truck to Portland – was supposed to rain and didn’t want to drive home in the rain! I'm getting to be a real Whimp when it comes to driving unless I have to - especially now with all the road construction!
What an experience. We waited until they could get tables together - like they didn't know we were coming! Took forever to get our food - people being seated long after we were there were fed and gone before our food came. I had the Senior Sampler breakfast platter. It was good - can't complain about the food or the price - but the service sucked. Would recommend it for groups of 4 or less! I'll go to IHOP again IF I'm down that way shopping - just won't go with a group - they don't handle groups well!
Propane guy didn't have his truck so couldn't fill bottles, only motor homes.
Al delivered the Christmas box from my sister. I had checked my mail before we went to lunch - guess UPS didn't get here until late. I didn't even have my tree up and I had presents! I opened the “kids” gifts. Li'lBit loved the treats and Caleb loved the balls. He took one over to Li'lBit and dropped it in her bed. She picked it up and dropped it back out! Guess she didn't want to play!
Tinga was asleep so she didn’t know she had presents until later! Holly just wanted the treats!
Why the hell does everyone take the skin off of chicken breasts? I want chicken breasts WITH THE SKIN! That's why I like Fareway in Marshalltown IA! Here I usually end up getting a whole chicken and cutting it up myself! Hate that - all I want is the breasts. I’ll peel the skins of myself AFTER I’ve cooked them! Oh, Well!
59 sunny degrees on Sunday. Hard to get in the Christmas spirit! Just can’t seem to catch enough “good air’ to walk up the hill to church and for the ice cream social.
I stayed close to bed all day Sunday and didn't finish the cookies so Monday was cookie baking time! I promised 2-3 dozen cookies for the cocoa and cookies after caroling Monday nite. No, I don't go caroling!
Made some really good cheddar salmon chowder for lunch.
I was so proud of Caleb; he didn’t even carry on like a barking mad dog when the carolers came by Monday nite!
Tuesday I finally decided to crawl out of bed and go to lady’s coffee even though something blew thru during the night when the rains came. Allison brought the best nut rolls and poppy seed rolls to the coffee. They are absolutely to die for!
Definitely NOT a good air day! 68 dreary damp humid degrees. At least it wasn't the 50 mph winds and foot of snow they had predicted for the panhandle. Propane truck is back and I got propane! Bring on the cold! I’m ready!
Cold front came roaring in with wind chill in the lower 50s - gettin' kinda windy out - still dreary and damp. I stayed in with a cup of tea and a piece of saffron cake (Thanks to my brother! Sure glad he keeps that tradition!) My place smells like Christmas and all is well with the world! I certainly didn't expect THREE loaves! I feel like Aunt Louise (my mother’s aunt) - wrap it tight in aluminum foil, put it in the refrigerator, and take a little piece out at a time! She could make one loaf last all year long! I don't think I have the will power to stretch it out over a year!
Wednesday Dec 21 Happy Solstice to all and to all a Long Night! 58 degrees but we did have sun and not too much wind. Weatherman says it is to continue getting colder until after Christmas. Glad I have propane, sweaters and plenty of blankets!
I'm going to have to find some heavier flower pots so my poinsettias don't all blow over every day!
That crazy Caleb likes to eat the acorns that fall on the ground. He will even dig up the ones the squirrels bury! Guess he has been a scavenger for so long, he still thinks he has to eat that way! I'm surprised he is as good as he is when I'm feeding in the AM. He doesn't get too piggy. He'll let Holly & Li'lBit eat, but he sometimes is a little short on patience and must think they eat too slow!
Thursday the 22nd, 52 degrees, wind chill 47. At least we didn’t get the snow that fell in the pan handle! Gonna be a damp, humid, dreary kinda day today. Good day for me to stay in. My lungs just aren’t ‘rebounding’ like they usually do. Put some lentil/barley soup in the crock pot for Hanukkah. Ready in time for supper, I fixed some potato pancakes and apple sauce.
Friday I took the left over steamed veggies and added them to a creamed soup base. I found a small pack of shrimp, cooked them up and put them in my cream of veg soup. I'm set for the cold weather now!
Dec 24th my friend in town ended up in the hospital awaiting surgery to ream out his carotid arteries. To make matters worse, his wife was limping around on an infected foot. Definitely not a Merry Christmas at their place!
My oyster stew was in the crock pot and ready for when I got home from the gift exchange and candle light service at the activity building.
Amy's little girl, Maddie, 8 yrs old, is home from the hospital for Christmas but had to return to have her spleen removed on Tuesday. Not a cheery What I Did On My Christmas Vacation!
Christmas Day, still dreary and chilly. Headed up to the activity building for Christmas Dinner, didn’t go up for church. Really took a chill being out in the dampness/rain Christmas Eve so stayed in bed Christmas morning. Probably should have stayed home Christmas Day, too. By Christmas nite I was really ‘down and out!” Came home, went to bed, slept until 6PM, got up, drank some tea, and went back to bed! It sure is rough getting OLD!
Monday 26th, definitely should NOT have gone to dinner Christmas day since it was still damp and chilly, but you know me - never pass up a meal!
I didn't go up to coffee on the 27th. In the 40s and I just didn’t want to go OUT. A week of 40-50 degree weather and rain/drizzle/fog burns up the propane! I just switched tanks Christmas afternoon.
Tuesday was propane day - left my tank with a check on it at the front of my RV. I just didn't feel like staying outside and waiting for him so crawled back in my bed planning on checking it later and putting the tank away. All of a sudden I heard clunking sounds and my storage door opening and closing! Cleo had come down to make sure I got my tank in. I had trouble connecting my last tank and he had helped me, cap just wouldn't screw on straight! So when he saw my tank setting out, he just came by and put it in, connected it - I'm ready to go...just how spoiled is THAT!
Wednesday was a nice 60 degrees and sunny day. Needed to get out and get some fresh air – as my mother used to say – get out and get the stink blown off! Went to lunch with Kathy, Dan, Bobbie and her friend, Bobbie's daughter, Jim, Ed, Donna, and Vickie. Quite the bunch - but we certainly increase the cash intake for lunch! We met at the Lunch Box. I love their Reuben sandwich. I had a cup of their tomato basil soup (excellent!)
Stopped at WallyWorld and picked up dog & cat food (and kitty litter!) - Essentials! Went by Castaways and found a $3 blender, a nice Cabin Creek grey/tan tweed looking linen jacket and two pan lids to go with 2 pans I don't have lids for, but I do now! Got out of there for less money than lunch.
Stopped by the office and picked up my mail. I keep forgetting I've sent change of address in on some things and now I need to remember to check my mail box at least a couple times a week.
YIPPEE! Keith and Pat got in just before Christmas. Marv & Bev showed up about 6:30! They are down the end of my street and Marv has to back all the way down there. Most folks that have to back down the street do it ever so slowly and have a person walking down ahead of them. Not Marv, he backs it up in one swift shot! So good to see them.
Thursday I was back to staying close to the oxygen and my bed. I'm beginning to wonder if all the road construction in front of the park has something to do with it. Just had to head off to the laundry – it was either that or go naked! Then back home to suck up on oxygen and hit the bed. I even drove to the laundry room, just hard to catch a decent breath when I’m walking. Didn’t even wander up to Friendship Supper.
Friday 60 degrees and dense fog. Feeling better today but the cough is back! The fog makes it a little rougher trying to suck in heavy air!
December 31st 64 foggy, foggy, foggy degrees! Feeling better - even with the fog - except I just can't keep going too long! I've really gotta talk to the doc about getting my portable oxygen back. I’ve tried it without, but it is just too much effort, and too painful for the lungs, to exert myself to do anything on ‘bad air days.’
It’s New Years Eve but no celebrating here at my place! They are having a pizza party and game night at the activity building, but I'm still fighting the lung crud. I'm feeling lots better, but it is humid and foggy (and not supposed to get any better tonite!) so I'm staying in and WARM!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Here Comes Christmas; Dec 1-15, 2011
Dec 1st I was in no hurry to get going. Off to the northwest, it looked like a 'blue Norther' was comin' in..of course it was 69 humid degrees so I didn’t think it would bring much snow! We reached our high for the day at about 7 AM – it was all down hill from there! December was off to a ‘nippy’ start and I was still fighting a horrible head cold or sinus/allergy thing, but I do each time I move so I guess I just need to stock up on meds ahead of time!
I did scalloped taters and ham for the Thursday nite Friendship supper. Over half were gone so I turned the left-overs into ham, potato, cheese soup. Aren’t crock pots wonderful!
The flock continues to flock. The tables at the pot luck suppers are getting full. The coconut cream pie lady is back and the Caesar salad lady is back! AND the carrot cake lady is back. I had to decide between coconut cream pie and carrot cake; settled on carrot cake!
Friday the park served breakfast for the Good Samaritan volunteers (a group in Rockport that does things for the needy.) Allison treats them to a breakfast just as a "thank you" for what they do. I volunteered for the fruit bowl bunch, so I took kiwi and bananas. The men do the biscuits, gravy, pancakes, scrambled egg part.
Rainy Friday but we are still about 12 inches behind in rainfall for the year and the prospect for next year doesn't look much better. The weatherman said, "if it ain't dead by now it will be by next summer." Thought that was a cheery thought for the holiday season! Know anyone that wants horses? They are practically giving them away at the livestock auctions; people just can't afford to feed them.
Blood sugar 135 in the AM after the pot luck; a little too much potato casserole, rice casserole, pasta casseroles! And Carrot cake!!
By Saturday, I still hadn’t decided if I was going to do decorations inside or outside. Bob and Gelene got here a couple of days ago. They always have a wonderful outside Christmas display. Many in the park do. It is really pretty in the evening when the lights come on.
Saturday breakfast in the club house is always a fun thing. Just nice to be served, not have to cook and do dishes! And there is always time for another cup of coffee and some good time with friends. I was still coughing and sneezing but this, too, shall pass (I hope!)
Caleb is doing is own thing! I just can't seem to get him house broken, but he is doing better and occasionally remembers to use Li'lBit's pee papers. He is doing better in the crate. Still whimpers and whines a little, but settles down. I was gone for over 2 hours the other day and my neighbor said she didn't hear him! And, about the only time he barks is when he sees Holly, the crazy cat! They still don't get along! Of course, Holly isn't willing to be friends, either! Oh, and he still carries on like I’m skinning him alive when we are outside and he sees another dog. There has got to be more puppy in this character than the vet thought!
Monday the winds picked up about 4 AM, cold front was a comin! Didn’t get out of the 50s all day. A couple warm dry days would definitely help this coughin’ & sneezin’!
Hadn’t seen a lot of Deryl & Elke. They were busy making ‘trailer runs’ back and forth from Louisiana. They do a really nice job renovating those FEMA trailers. But they were back in town for a day or so before heading out again so we met at Moon Dogs down on the beach. Had a good hamburger and sweet tator fries. Brought my fries home; I had pigged out on chips and dip before they brought the food!
My High School class is having our 50th reunion in June. I will be in Iowa for the summer so I’m thinking I might take the trailer over since it is a 3 day thing. Haven’t found any local pull-thru's and Horseshoe Pond only has electric hook ups. Still mulling it about in my brain! They have a shower house so they must have a water faucet somewhere! I can carry enough water for showers and flushing and just take a jug or two for coffee, etc. I'll decide when they get the plans more finalized for the reunion. I just don't want to drop $80+ a nite to stay in a motel! And, what to do with all the critters for 3 days.
42 degrees at wake up on Tuesday; didn’t get into the 30's (as predicted) over night. One more 'cold front' nite to go. Furnace is working and I still have propane.
Guess who was outside at 5AM Wednesday switching propane tanks! YUP! Woke up at 4:30 and it was COLD! Got up, kicked up the furnace. The blower come on; no heat! Tossed on some clothes and hit an outside windchill of 27 degrees! Came in and started the furnace, the coffee and put some crock pot candy (peanuts and almond bark.) Talk about a dumb move - I had to be at doc's office for fasting lab at 7:30…dumb! Dumb! dumb! Making candy before fasting lab! How Stupid!
3 dozen gingerbread and 2 dozen sugar cookies frosted and ready to go for the cookie tasting. We all make a cookies and instead of exchanging them (like most Christmas Cookie get-togethers) we set around and drink coffee and visit and taste a few. Then they are put in the refrig to have a selection for other events going on at the club house. Then, we resupply/supplement whatever is left and finish them off with cocoa the evening of caroling in the park. Rough life!
It made it all the way up to 43 degrees with a wind chill of 39! Guess I'm not far enough south! By the time it made it up to 49 sunny degrees, the wind had died down and I opened my front door. My house still smells like chocolate candy and cookies! I'll be on a sugar and caffeine high until sometime tomorrow, I'm sure.
Chilly nites – tea weather! Found a new fun tea at the grocery – Eggnog Tea by Biglow. It is spiced like egg nog but doesn't taste like egg or milk. It's whiskey! Takes me back to my drinkin' days, the warm feeling you could get in your nose/sinus from straight whiskey! Well, that 'warmth' in the nose/sinus - that's what it is with this tea!
Up and moving at 7 AM Thursday morning. Coffee's made, kids all fed and watered! But Tinga can’t come out until AFTER I've taken my meds. I set them in a little dish on my desk and she thinks they are hers! WRONG!
Only went down to 46, again the predicted freeze didn't come, but I was ready! I had filled a couple of jugs with water - just in case!
Got a call of Bobbie; she is in town from NM, going to spend a couple months here.
Lunch with Bobbie and Dan at Panjos. Had a great lunch - love to visit and eat! Didn't bring any of the pizza home, either - we sat there for so long drinking ice tea and visiting, all the time munching, the pizza just disappeared!
Stopped at WalMart and picked up some $5 poinsettias to decorate the front of the 5th wheel; it was time to take down the pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn!
Pot luck at 6PM. Plenty of desserts; just what I didn't need, but Jeanetta brought her home made cheese cake and I had to have some of that! YUMMY!
Nice morning Friday 56 degrees! Amazing how chilly 56 degrees can feel after a stretch of 70 degree weather and how 'balmy' it feels after 40 degree weather!
Yesterday’s pizza for lunch and potluck (with 2 desserts) left me with a 154 blood sugar. I can see it is time to make a trip to the fish market!
Need to catch the propane guy today. Hope he has his truck with the nozzle for filling the smaller tanks. His truck has been down for repairs and the one he has been driving only has the nozzle for the motor homes. Not a problem for me YET – still have a relatively full tank and I can haul my empty down to the station if I really get desperate!
Sunday and I miss the Sunday table at Johnnies! There are some things in my life that just cannot be replaced and her Sunday table is one of them!
Caleb and Holly are still feuding! But he is doing better about house breaking and I walked to the office building without putting him in his crate; still had a house to come home to, that is definitely an improvement. He wants to play with Li'lBit but she just doesn't play anymore. So now I have squeeky toys all over the place -- anything to keep him occupied! Li’lBit had her toys hidden all over the place and I think he has found everyone of them and piled them in the middle of the floor.
This is a strange December here in the park. I used to come down the Monday after Thanksgiving and the park was nearly full. There are still empty spaces; it seems so strange. I guess people aren't traveling with the price of fuel....of course, several aren't coming due to health problems (happens at this age, you know!) and some will be down after Christmas.
All summer long I copied casserole recipes so I'll have something different to make to take to the suppers. Everything is always potatoes, rice, noodles, pasta -- and my blood sugar is sky high the next day. So...thought I'd find something different. I've been taking steamed mixed vegetables (using different seasonings or a light sauce or just plain olive oil on them) and they are really going over. So, I'll just continue taking that.
Didn't crawl out of bed until nearly 8AM on the 12th! By the time I had the critters taken care of, it was time for meds and coffee - I still hadn’t gotten out of my jammies! Didn’t have anywhere to go so stayed in them most of the day! Felt GOOD! Finally got started on Christmas cards and a few decorations up.
Met Deryl & Elke at Jaliscos Monday evening. I love the combo plate! Can make about 3 meals out of it!
Time to get the Christmas grocery list ready – definitely have to get oysters (for stew) and fresh and dried mushrooms for cream of mushroom soup.
67 humid degrees Tuesday. Not a good air day. I did a quick breathing treatment and then went up to the coffee. Good thing I went - forgot I had told them I'd bake cookies for the caroling and hot chocolate nite! I'd better start gettin' it together and make a list – even forgot to sign up for Lady’s lunch on Friday!
Caleb is really a nuisance! He wants out all of the time. When I'm home it is in and out and in and out - of course, Li'lBit thinks that is wonderful. Li'lBit brought him the rest of her squeaky toys (the ones he hadn’t already found!) He’s not happy about it but he lets her eat first in the AM - it's just Holly that still has her feline nose in the air
8AM the 14th had my appointment with the doc about my labs. I was ready for my butt-chewin’! After a summer in Iowa and Thanksgiving at Johnnies – and I haven’t been hangin’ out at the fish market like usual, I was sure I’d be getting one! Lab was good, cholesterol was good, didn't loose any weight but didn't gain any either. That's it, see her again in 3 months! There is a big sign outside her clinic "accepting new patients." Wonder if that means her patients are dying off, I don’t consider that a good sign!
After the doc appointment, went into town to the UPS store and it wasn’t there. The space in the mall was EMPTY! Drove on down to The Mail Box to see who they used – ahhhh…UPS!
Back home by 9:45, 68 degrees, sunny. Worked some more on Christmas cards -- kinda hard to get in the mood with 70 degree sunny weather!
Pan fried chicken - didn't bread it, just browned and steamed in the fry pan. Put the meat and juices in the crock pot – added noodles later – good soup! Then it was nap time! Still fighting the stuffy nose/sinus – definitely allergies and the allergy meds zonk me! Caleb isn't much into this "nap" thing. Thinks he has to bring all of Li'lBit's squeeky toys up on the bed and then play with them…WRONG!
68 degrees, humid and dreary on Thursday the 15th. They keep predicting rain and all we get is dreary drizzle. Friendship supper night. Still taking steamed vegetables. As long as they go over, that’s what I’ll be taking.
I did scalloped taters and ham for the Thursday nite Friendship supper. Over half were gone so I turned the left-overs into ham, potato, cheese soup. Aren’t crock pots wonderful!
The flock continues to flock. The tables at the pot luck suppers are getting full. The coconut cream pie lady is back and the Caesar salad lady is back! AND the carrot cake lady is back. I had to decide between coconut cream pie and carrot cake; settled on carrot cake!
Friday the park served breakfast for the Good Samaritan volunteers (a group in Rockport that does things for the needy.) Allison treats them to a breakfast just as a "thank you" for what they do. I volunteered for the fruit bowl bunch, so I took kiwi and bananas. The men do the biscuits, gravy, pancakes, scrambled egg part.
Rainy Friday but we are still about 12 inches behind in rainfall for the year and the prospect for next year doesn't look much better. The weatherman said, "if it ain't dead by now it will be by next summer." Thought that was a cheery thought for the holiday season! Know anyone that wants horses? They are practically giving them away at the livestock auctions; people just can't afford to feed them.
Blood sugar 135 in the AM after the pot luck; a little too much potato casserole, rice casserole, pasta casseroles! And Carrot cake!!
By Saturday, I still hadn’t decided if I was going to do decorations inside or outside. Bob and Gelene got here a couple of days ago. They always have a wonderful outside Christmas display. Many in the park do. It is really pretty in the evening when the lights come on.
Saturday breakfast in the club house is always a fun thing. Just nice to be served, not have to cook and do dishes! And there is always time for another cup of coffee and some good time with friends. I was still coughing and sneezing but this, too, shall pass (I hope!)
Caleb is doing is own thing! I just can't seem to get him house broken, but he is doing better and occasionally remembers to use Li'lBit's pee papers. He is doing better in the crate. Still whimpers and whines a little, but settles down. I was gone for over 2 hours the other day and my neighbor said she didn't hear him! And, about the only time he barks is when he sees Holly, the crazy cat! They still don't get along! Of course, Holly isn't willing to be friends, either! Oh, and he still carries on like I’m skinning him alive when we are outside and he sees another dog. There has got to be more puppy in this character than the vet thought!
Monday the winds picked up about 4 AM, cold front was a comin! Didn’t get out of the 50s all day. A couple warm dry days would definitely help this coughin’ & sneezin’!
Hadn’t seen a lot of Deryl & Elke. They were busy making ‘trailer runs’ back and forth from Louisiana. They do a really nice job renovating those FEMA trailers. But they were back in town for a day or so before heading out again so we met at Moon Dogs down on the beach. Had a good hamburger and sweet tator fries. Brought my fries home; I had pigged out on chips and dip before they brought the food!
My High School class is having our 50th reunion in June. I will be in Iowa for the summer so I’m thinking I might take the trailer over since it is a 3 day thing. Haven’t found any local pull-thru's and Horseshoe Pond only has electric hook ups. Still mulling it about in my brain! They have a shower house so they must have a water faucet somewhere! I can carry enough water for showers and flushing and just take a jug or two for coffee, etc. I'll decide when they get the plans more finalized for the reunion. I just don't want to drop $80+ a nite to stay in a motel! And, what to do with all the critters for 3 days.
42 degrees at wake up on Tuesday; didn’t get into the 30's (as predicted) over night. One more 'cold front' nite to go. Furnace is working and I still have propane.
Guess who was outside at 5AM Wednesday switching propane tanks! YUP! Woke up at 4:30 and it was COLD! Got up, kicked up the furnace. The blower come on; no heat! Tossed on some clothes and hit an outside windchill of 27 degrees! Came in and started the furnace, the coffee and put some crock pot candy (peanuts and almond bark.) Talk about a dumb move - I had to be at doc's office for fasting lab at 7:30…dumb! Dumb! dumb! Making candy before fasting lab! How Stupid!
3 dozen gingerbread and 2 dozen sugar cookies frosted and ready to go for the cookie tasting. We all make a cookies and instead of exchanging them (like most Christmas Cookie get-togethers) we set around and drink coffee and visit and taste a few. Then they are put in the refrig to have a selection for other events going on at the club house. Then, we resupply/supplement whatever is left and finish them off with cocoa the evening of caroling in the park. Rough life!
It made it all the way up to 43 degrees with a wind chill of 39! Guess I'm not far enough south! By the time it made it up to 49 sunny degrees, the wind had died down and I opened my front door. My house still smells like chocolate candy and cookies! I'll be on a sugar and caffeine high until sometime tomorrow, I'm sure.
Chilly nites – tea weather! Found a new fun tea at the grocery – Eggnog Tea by Biglow. It is spiced like egg nog but doesn't taste like egg or milk. It's whiskey! Takes me back to my drinkin' days, the warm feeling you could get in your nose/sinus from straight whiskey! Well, that 'warmth' in the nose/sinus - that's what it is with this tea!
Up and moving at 7 AM Thursday morning. Coffee's made, kids all fed and watered! But Tinga can’t come out until AFTER I've taken my meds. I set them in a little dish on my desk and she thinks they are hers! WRONG!
Only went down to 46, again the predicted freeze didn't come, but I was ready! I had filled a couple of jugs with water - just in case!
Got a call of Bobbie; she is in town from NM, going to spend a couple months here.
Lunch with Bobbie and Dan at Panjos. Had a great lunch - love to visit and eat! Didn't bring any of the pizza home, either - we sat there for so long drinking ice tea and visiting, all the time munching, the pizza just disappeared!
Stopped at WalMart and picked up some $5 poinsettias to decorate the front of the 5th wheel; it was time to take down the pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn!
Pot luck at 6PM. Plenty of desserts; just what I didn't need, but Jeanetta brought her home made cheese cake and I had to have some of that! YUMMY!
Nice morning Friday 56 degrees! Amazing how chilly 56 degrees can feel after a stretch of 70 degree weather and how 'balmy' it feels after 40 degree weather!
Yesterday’s pizza for lunch and potluck (with 2 desserts) left me with a 154 blood sugar. I can see it is time to make a trip to the fish market!
Need to catch the propane guy today. Hope he has his truck with the nozzle for filling the smaller tanks. His truck has been down for repairs and the one he has been driving only has the nozzle for the motor homes. Not a problem for me YET – still have a relatively full tank and I can haul my empty down to the station if I really get desperate!
Sunday and I miss the Sunday table at Johnnies! There are some things in my life that just cannot be replaced and her Sunday table is one of them!
Caleb and Holly are still feuding! But he is doing better about house breaking and I walked to the office building without putting him in his crate; still had a house to come home to, that is definitely an improvement. He wants to play with Li'lBit but she just doesn't play anymore. So now I have squeeky toys all over the place -- anything to keep him occupied! Li’lBit had her toys hidden all over the place and I think he has found everyone of them and piled them in the middle of the floor.
This is a strange December here in the park. I used to come down the Monday after Thanksgiving and the park was nearly full. There are still empty spaces; it seems so strange. I guess people aren't traveling with the price of fuel....of course, several aren't coming due to health problems (happens at this age, you know!) and some will be down after Christmas.
All summer long I copied casserole recipes so I'll have something different to make to take to the suppers. Everything is always potatoes, rice, noodles, pasta -- and my blood sugar is sky high the next day. So...thought I'd find something different. I've been taking steamed mixed vegetables (using different seasonings or a light sauce or just plain olive oil on them) and they are really going over. So, I'll just continue taking that.
Didn't crawl out of bed until nearly 8AM on the 12th! By the time I had the critters taken care of, it was time for meds and coffee - I still hadn’t gotten out of my jammies! Didn’t have anywhere to go so stayed in them most of the day! Felt GOOD! Finally got started on Christmas cards and a few decorations up.
Met Deryl & Elke at Jaliscos Monday evening. I love the combo plate! Can make about 3 meals out of it!
Time to get the Christmas grocery list ready – definitely have to get oysters (for stew) and fresh and dried mushrooms for cream of mushroom soup.
67 humid degrees Tuesday. Not a good air day. I did a quick breathing treatment and then went up to the coffee. Good thing I went - forgot I had told them I'd bake cookies for the caroling and hot chocolate nite! I'd better start gettin' it together and make a list – even forgot to sign up for Lady’s lunch on Friday!
Caleb is really a nuisance! He wants out all of the time. When I'm home it is in and out and in and out - of course, Li'lBit thinks that is wonderful. Li'lBit brought him the rest of her squeaky toys (the ones he hadn’t already found!) He’s not happy about it but he lets her eat first in the AM - it's just Holly that still has her feline nose in the air
8AM the 14th had my appointment with the doc about my labs. I was ready for my butt-chewin’! After a summer in Iowa and Thanksgiving at Johnnies – and I haven’t been hangin’ out at the fish market like usual, I was sure I’d be getting one! Lab was good, cholesterol was good, didn't loose any weight but didn't gain any either. That's it, see her again in 3 months! There is a big sign outside her clinic "accepting new patients." Wonder if that means her patients are dying off, I don’t consider that a good sign!
After the doc appointment, went into town to the UPS store and it wasn’t there. The space in the mall was EMPTY! Drove on down to The Mail Box to see who they used – ahhhh…UPS!
Back home by 9:45, 68 degrees, sunny. Worked some more on Christmas cards -- kinda hard to get in the mood with 70 degree sunny weather!
Pan fried chicken - didn't bread it, just browned and steamed in the fry pan. Put the meat and juices in the crock pot – added noodles later – good soup! Then it was nap time! Still fighting the stuffy nose/sinus – definitely allergies and the allergy meds zonk me! Caleb isn't much into this "nap" thing. Thinks he has to bring all of Li'lBit's squeeky toys up on the bed and then play with them…WRONG!
68 degrees, humid and dreary on Thursday the 15th. They keep predicting rain and all we get is dreary drizzle. Friendship supper night. Still taking steamed vegetables. As long as they go over, that’s what I’ll be taking.
December Recipes
Tomato Soup
32 oz canned diced tomatoes (different flavored/seasoned tomatoes create interesting flavors)
9 oz chicken broth
1 oz butter
2 TBSP sugar
1 TBSP chopped onion
1 pinch baking soda
2 cups cream or half/half – I use ½ half & half and ½ milk
Mix together every thing but cream, and simmer 1 hour. Warm the cream before adding to the hot tomato mix.
Lentil Soup
1 lb. lentils
6 TBSP olive oil
28 oz can tomatoes, crushed or puree
1 large onion chopped fine
3 cloves garlic
1 stalk celery
2 carrots
1 lb sausage (can use left over diced ham)
1 can broth - beef, chicken or vegetable (about 14 oz)
2 bay leaves
1/2 TSP rosemary
2 Quarts water
1 can broth - beef, chicken or vegetable (to be added later in the recipe)
salt and pepper to taste
Barely cover lentils with water and boil gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain in colander. Put olive oil in pot and saute onion and garlic until onions are firm but cooked. Add meat and brown. Add vegetables and saute another 5 minutes. Do not cover.
Add tomatoes, water, broth, bay leaves, and rosemary. Heat to a gentle steady simmer for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add lentils. Stir to coat well. Add second can of broth and pepper to taste. Cover pot. Adjust heat to cook at gentle, steady simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. If necessary, add more water. When lentils are done, add salt and oregano.
Salmon Cheese Chowder
3 tablespoons butter- I use olive oil
1/2 C diced celery
1/2 C diced carrot
1/4 C finely chopped onion
2 TBSP flour
1 2/3 C chicken or vegetable stock
2 C diced potatoes
12 to 16 ounces diced fresh salmon or canned flaked salmon*
1 C peas – I use frozen
2 C half & half - I use 2% milk
2 C shredded Cheddar cheese – or any kind of cheese you prefer.
1 TBSP fresh chopped parsley
salt and pepper, to taste
Heat butter over medium-low heat. Add celery, carrot, and onion and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until celery is tender. Stir in flour until well blended. Stir in chicken broth. Add potatoes. Cover and simmer, stirring frequently until potatoes and carrots are tender. (about 15 minutes. Takes me a little longer since I prefer my vegetables in chunks a little bigger than ‘diced’.)
Add the salmon and peas, cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add half-and-half (or milk,) along with cheese and parsley. Cook, stirring, until cheese melts and the soup just begins to bubble.
Salt and pepper to takes.
*If using canned salmon, drain off some of the packing water.
I have also made this using left over fried or baked fish and tuna! When using tuna, I leave out the potatoes and serve it over toast, biscuits or rice.
32 oz canned diced tomatoes (different flavored/seasoned tomatoes create interesting flavors)
9 oz chicken broth
1 oz butter
2 TBSP sugar
1 TBSP chopped onion
1 pinch baking soda
2 cups cream or half/half – I use ½ half & half and ½ milk
Mix together every thing but cream, and simmer 1 hour. Warm the cream before adding to the hot tomato mix.
Lentil Soup
1 lb. lentils
6 TBSP olive oil
28 oz can tomatoes, crushed or puree
1 large onion chopped fine
3 cloves garlic
1 stalk celery
2 carrots
1 lb sausage (can use left over diced ham)
1 can broth - beef, chicken or vegetable (about 14 oz)
2 bay leaves
1/2 TSP rosemary
2 Quarts water
1 can broth - beef, chicken or vegetable (to be added later in the recipe)
salt and pepper to taste
Barely cover lentils with water and boil gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and drain in colander. Put olive oil in pot and saute onion and garlic until onions are firm but cooked. Add meat and brown. Add vegetables and saute another 5 minutes. Do not cover.
Add tomatoes, water, broth, bay leaves, and rosemary. Heat to a gentle steady simmer for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add lentils. Stir to coat well. Add second can of broth and pepper to taste. Cover pot. Adjust heat to cook at gentle, steady simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. If necessary, add more water. When lentils are done, add salt and oregano.
Salmon Cheese Chowder
3 tablespoons butter- I use olive oil
1/2 C diced celery
1/2 C diced carrot
1/4 C finely chopped onion
2 TBSP flour
1 2/3 C chicken or vegetable stock
2 C diced potatoes
12 to 16 ounces diced fresh salmon or canned flaked salmon*
1 C peas – I use frozen
2 C half & half - I use 2% milk
2 C shredded Cheddar cheese – or any kind of cheese you prefer.
1 TBSP fresh chopped parsley
salt and pepper, to taste
Heat butter over medium-low heat. Add celery, carrot, and onion and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until celery is tender. Stir in flour until well blended. Stir in chicken broth. Add potatoes. Cover and simmer, stirring frequently until potatoes and carrots are tender. (about 15 minutes. Takes me a little longer since I prefer my vegetables in chunks a little bigger than ‘diced’.)
Add the salmon and peas, cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add half-and-half (or milk,) along with cheese and parsley. Cook, stirring, until cheese melts and the soup just begins to bubble.
Salt and pepper to takes.
*If using canned salmon, drain off some of the packing water.
I have also made this using left over fried or baked fish and tuna! When using tuna, I leave out the potatoes and serve it over toast, biscuits or rice.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thanksgiving in Gatesville; November Comes to an End
Went to bed the 16th with the temp 88 degrees - woke up on Thursday 17th to 54 degrees and WINDS. Decided to take my time with the last minute loading to see if the winds would die down some before I hit the road. Definitely needed my hoodie!
Plans were to have the trailer hitched up and on the road by noon and to be into Gatesville before dark. Deryl and Elke came by the storage place to help me hitch up and I was on the road well a head of time. Made it to Gatesville about 5PM - some problems with the same wheel. Paranoia took hold and I slowed down to about 30 mph for the last 60 miles or so. Would stop in every little town and pull over and check the wheel hub to make sure it wasn’t getting to hot. Pulled into the RV park in Gatesville with plenty of day light – Fred was right there to help me level and unhitch. Can’t believe how easy the travel trailer is compared to that 5th wheel.
Trying to get the critters settled in the trailer was a chore; Caleb did not like the trailer! Poor thing had been running free for months; then held in a kennel here in the park; then moved my my 5th wheel, now to the travel trailer - all in the matter of a couple of weeks.
I had moved Li’lBit and Holly into the trailer after we got on the road. Had left a leash on Caleb while in his crate - just to make it easier to get him out for potty stops. He traveled in his crate on the front seat really well...except he chewed his leash in half - TWICE! Little trouble maker.
Holly and Li’lBit soon re-established their trailer territories and then in came new baby brother, Caleb to upset the apple cart. We survived!
Temps were down in the 40s the nite I pulled in. Flipped on the furnace. It put out massive amount of heat and noise! With the furnace in the area where the bed is, I knew I was not going to let it run all night! There were more important things to do. Had to get out to Johnnie’s for coffee! I'm so thankful for Johnnie's coffee pot. And I'm thankful for her and her family, too! They 'adopted' a total stranger (and one from the NORTH!) and made me part of the family!
Woke up the 18th freezing my rear end off! Trip to WalMart for a small electric space heater, some sweat pants and a heavy hoodie. Now I’m ready.
Caleb went to the vet - probably 1-2 yrs old, definitely has some rat terrier or Jack Russell Terrier along with a 'healthy dose" of Chihuahua genes. Had his shots, heart worm tests, ‘well-baby' check-up and he passed!
After spending $$ on him at the vet and making an appointment to get him sliced and spliced, guess who ran off as soon as we got home! Fred, the manager here at the RV park, tossed his coat over him and brought him back! WHEW! That is one runnin' pup!
What a difference a day makes. Woke up on the 19th to 71 degrees! Sure glad I ran right out and got that space heater, my hoodie and a pair of sweat pants!
My Verizon modem (hot spot) died and if I couldn’t find a 'free wifi" I’d be without a computer (internet) until I get back to Rockport! There were several WiFi connections available in the area, but they needed a password. I finally got in on the Court House Annex. It didn’t ask for a password so I guess it was OK to use it. It was driving me crazy, dropping off every time you turned around. So, off to WalMart to pick up a Virgin Mobile Pay-as-you-go USB modem thingy. Not the speediest connection, could get pricey if I download videos, play games, etc....but for email and facebook, it will be OK until I can get my Verizon hotspot thing squared away.
Oh, and I must say, I am thankful that Bush's Chicken has tight-fitting lids on their large ice tea cups. Absolutely nothing spilled when I tipped it over on my laptop. Good lids or I’m really quick – not sure, but tragedy was averted!
Ol' Caleb is like a double-edged sword! He is just the sweetest, most affectionate dog -- and THEN....he definitely has a temper when he can’t run out the door! Whole bunch of spitting, snarling, gnashing of the teeth! And this, too, shall pass. (I hope!)
Didn’t want to leave Caleb in the trailer while I was gone visiting and coffee-drinking, the spaces are too close for his whimpering and whining! So, he went with me everywhere and lived in his crate in the truck while I was running errands and visiting. Certainly glad the weather was cooperative to carry a critter in the truck. He does well in the crate; I finally learned to take his leash off while he is in there! And, I'm very proud to announce that Tinga has learned to whine and whimper like Caleb!
Guard Cat Holly, with one eye open, controls the coming and going on Li'lBit's dog steps leading up to the bed. Caleb waits patiently for Holly to fall asleep! Crazy Critters. I think it is nice that my critters are color coordinated with the furniture in the trailer!
On November 21, I was thankful for some really nice folks in this world. Went in to have the lights checked on the truck - kept getting the 'lamp out' light. Just as they went to print up my bill, the computer went down and froze up. The service manager said, "it's only a bulb, have a nice Thanksgiving!" WOW! Then headed to the Verizon Store to pitch a fit about my WiFi I just bought last summer. No problem! After checking it, my 3G Wifi replaced with a 4G MiFi - no cost to me! Double-WOW!
The 23rd Caleb went in for his "mind altering surgery." He's had a rough day! This is the quietest I've seen him since he's been with me! But oh, is he a cry baby! Whine, Whine, Whimper, Whimper. (Not sure how much was him and how much was Tinga!)
As usual, with my stays in Gatesville, I thoroughly enjoyed lunching and visiting with everyone. There are so many folks I want to see and usually not enough time to see everyone. Brenda and I had a hard time getting together with her schedule, but we did manage! Oh, and bummer! Swindall’s is CLOSED! One of my favorite places to meet folks!
Just before Thanksgiving we got wind gusts over 30 mph. I was in my LITTTLE travel trailer - NOT my 5th wheel! Give a gal a break!
It was terrific seeing all of Johnnie’s family at Thanksgiving. She always has a houseful and way too much food! So, guess where I went for lunch the next couple of days!
Hitched up and headed back to Rockport on the 28th. Stopped by the tire place in Gatesville (I did business with them for years so I'm comfortable with their assessment!) No problem with tires or wheels – must have just been excess lubrication that I noticed on the trip up from Rockport.
I will admit, I stopped a little more frequently just to check wheels! This time I came in with all wheels intact! Makes a big difference in the trip when you can drive on all the tires! Unloaded critters, food, and the essentials and called it a day. Ron was here to help me back it into the space. I’m storing it in the back lot here at the RV park. Already miss Johnnie's coffee!
It is nice having the trailer so convenient. I can unload, load, clean, fix up, etc at my convenience! Getting back into the Rockport routine, I headed up to Ladies Coffee Tuesday AM. 55 degrees but sure felt colder. Guess that north wind doesn't help! Holly was sick so I spent time cleaning up kitty puke! She does this each time we move. Just upsets her delicate condition, I guess!
Came home from coffee so plugged up my head hurt! That's what happens when you have to scrape windows to hitch up on Monday and 1/2 way thru the day have to turn on the A/C in the truck! Or maybe it is just the feeling of finally being home.
Made a bunch of split pea/ham soup before I left to go to Gatesville and froze 1/2 of it. Guess what went into the crock pot! Made it up to 65 degrees, winds died down, sunny.
Wed 30th 57 degrees. Lucky me, with the plugged up head, the 'cold front' got stalled somewhere along the way! Met with Donna and her friend Vickie at Panjo’s for pizza. Vickie is from Oklahoma and travels alone with her dog and work-camps. Her and Donna are both out at the Wild Life Refuge north of town.
Pot luck on Thursday. Love pot lucks! Friday AM we served breakfast for the Good Samaritans, a local non-profit group that does stuff for needy here in the county. I was on the fruit bowl list and in charge of kiwi and bananas! Doesn't THAT sound exciting.
More RVs coming in. Gayle and Jeanetta were here when I got back from Gatesville, Gelene and Bob, from Ankeny, made it in and Cleo and Bonnie are here - the flock is flocking! Good seeing them.
Plans were to have the trailer hitched up and on the road by noon and to be into Gatesville before dark. Deryl and Elke came by the storage place to help me hitch up and I was on the road well a head of time. Made it to Gatesville about 5PM - some problems with the same wheel. Paranoia took hold and I slowed down to about 30 mph for the last 60 miles or so. Would stop in every little town and pull over and check the wheel hub to make sure it wasn’t getting to hot. Pulled into the RV park in Gatesville with plenty of day light – Fred was right there to help me level and unhitch. Can’t believe how easy the travel trailer is compared to that 5th wheel.
Trying to get the critters settled in the trailer was a chore; Caleb did not like the trailer! Poor thing had been running free for months; then held in a kennel here in the park; then moved my my 5th wheel, now to the travel trailer - all in the matter of a couple of weeks.
I had moved Li’lBit and Holly into the trailer after we got on the road. Had left a leash on Caleb while in his crate - just to make it easier to get him out for potty stops. He traveled in his crate on the front seat really well...except he chewed his leash in half - TWICE! Little trouble maker.
Holly and Li’lBit soon re-established their trailer territories and then in came new baby brother, Caleb to upset the apple cart. We survived!
Temps were down in the 40s the nite I pulled in. Flipped on the furnace. It put out massive amount of heat and noise! With the furnace in the area where the bed is, I knew I was not going to let it run all night! There were more important things to do. Had to get out to Johnnie’s for coffee! I'm so thankful for Johnnie's coffee pot. And I'm thankful for her and her family, too! They 'adopted' a total stranger (and one from the NORTH!) and made me part of the family!
Woke up the 18th freezing my rear end off! Trip to WalMart for a small electric space heater, some sweat pants and a heavy hoodie. Now I’m ready.
Caleb went to the vet - probably 1-2 yrs old, definitely has some rat terrier or Jack Russell Terrier along with a 'healthy dose" of Chihuahua genes. Had his shots, heart worm tests, ‘well-baby' check-up and he passed!
After spending $$ on him at the vet and making an appointment to get him sliced and spliced, guess who ran off as soon as we got home! Fred, the manager here at the RV park, tossed his coat over him and brought him back! WHEW! That is one runnin' pup!
What a difference a day makes. Woke up on the 19th to 71 degrees! Sure glad I ran right out and got that space heater, my hoodie and a pair of sweat pants!
My Verizon modem (hot spot) died and if I couldn’t find a 'free wifi" I’d be without a computer (internet) until I get back to Rockport! There were several WiFi connections available in the area, but they needed a password. I finally got in on the Court House Annex. It didn’t ask for a password so I guess it was OK to use it. It was driving me crazy, dropping off every time you turned around. So, off to WalMart to pick up a Virgin Mobile Pay-as-you-go USB modem thingy. Not the speediest connection, could get pricey if I download videos, play games, etc....but for email and facebook, it will be OK until I can get my Verizon hotspot thing squared away.
Oh, and I must say, I am thankful that Bush's Chicken has tight-fitting lids on their large ice tea cups. Absolutely nothing spilled when I tipped it over on my laptop. Good lids or I’m really quick – not sure, but tragedy was averted!
Ol' Caleb is like a double-edged sword! He is just the sweetest, most affectionate dog -- and THEN....he definitely has a temper when he can’t run out the door! Whole bunch of spitting, snarling, gnashing of the teeth! And this, too, shall pass. (I hope!)
Didn’t want to leave Caleb in the trailer while I was gone visiting and coffee-drinking, the spaces are too close for his whimpering and whining! So, he went with me everywhere and lived in his crate in the truck while I was running errands and visiting. Certainly glad the weather was cooperative to carry a critter in the truck. He does well in the crate; I finally learned to take his leash off while he is in there! And, I'm very proud to announce that Tinga has learned to whine and whimper like Caleb!
Guard Cat Holly, with one eye open, controls the coming and going on Li'lBit's dog steps leading up to the bed. Caleb waits patiently for Holly to fall asleep! Crazy Critters. I think it is nice that my critters are color coordinated with the furniture in the trailer!
On November 21, I was thankful for some really nice folks in this world. Went in to have the lights checked on the truck - kept getting the 'lamp out' light. Just as they went to print up my bill, the computer went down and froze up. The service manager said, "it's only a bulb, have a nice Thanksgiving!" WOW! Then headed to the Verizon Store to pitch a fit about my WiFi I just bought last summer. No problem! After checking it, my 3G Wifi replaced with a 4G MiFi - no cost to me! Double-WOW!
The 23rd Caleb went in for his "mind altering surgery." He's had a rough day! This is the quietest I've seen him since he's been with me! But oh, is he a cry baby! Whine, Whine, Whimper, Whimper. (Not sure how much was him and how much was Tinga!)
As usual, with my stays in Gatesville, I thoroughly enjoyed lunching and visiting with everyone. There are so many folks I want to see and usually not enough time to see everyone. Brenda and I had a hard time getting together with her schedule, but we did manage! Oh, and bummer! Swindall’s is CLOSED! One of my favorite places to meet folks!
Just before Thanksgiving we got wind gusts over 30 mph. I was in my LITTTLE travel trailer - NOT my 5th wheel! Give a gal a break!
It was terrific seeing all of Johnnie’s family at Thanksgiving. She always has a houseful and way too much food! So, guess where I went for lunch the next couple of days!
Hitched up and headed back to Rockport on the 28th. Stopped by the tire place in Gatesville (I did business with them for years so I'm comfortable with their assessment!) No problem with tires or wheels – must have just been excess lubrication that I noticed on the trip up from Rockport.
I will admit, I stopped a little more frequently just to check wheels! This time I came in with all wheels intact! Makes a big difference in the trip when you can drive on all the tires! Unloaded critters, food, and the essentials and called it a day. Ron was here to help me back it into the space. I’m storing it in the back lot here at the RV park. Already miss Johnnie's coffee!
It is nice having the trailer so convenient. I can unload, load, clean, fix up, etc at my convenience! Getting back into the Rockport routine, I headed up to Ladies Coffee Tuesday AM. 55 degrees but sure felt colder. Guess that north wind doesn't help! Holly was sick so I spent time cleaning up kitty puke! She does this each time we move. Just upsets her delicate condition, I guess!
Came home from coffee so plugged up my head hurt! That's what happens when you have to scrape windows to hitch up on Monday and 1/2 way thru the day have to turn on the A/C in the truck! Or maybe it is just the feeling of finally being home.
Made a bunch of split pea/ham soup before I left to go to Gatesville and froze 1/2 of it. Guess what went into the crock pot! Made it up to 65 degrees, winds died down, sunny.
Wed 30th 57 degrees. Lucky me, with the plugged up head, the 'cold front' got stalled somewhere along the way! Met with Donna and her friend Vickie at Panjo’s for pizza. Vickie is from Oklahoma and travels alone with her dog and work-camps. Her and Donna are both out at the Wild Life Refuge north of town.
Pot luck on Thursday. Love pot lucks! Friday AM we served breakfast for the Good Samaritans, a local non-profit group that does stuff for needy here in the county. I was on the fruit bowl list and in charge of kiwi and bananas! Doesn't THAT sound exciting.
More RVs coming in. Gayle and Jeanetta were here when I got back from Gatesville, Gelene and Bob, from Ankeny, made it in and Cleo and Bonnie are here - the flock is flocking! Good seeing them.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Nov 14 - 16 Meet the New Man in My Life -- or - Don't Tell My Sister!
Meet the New Man In My Life! Trial run....he has to get along with Li'lBit (wagging her tail and excited!), Holly (has already introduced him to her claws and hissing!) and Tinga (she hasn't said anything yet!) Little guy was found wandering out in the highway by the RV park. You can see he HAD a collar on at one time. Don't tell MY SISTER!
I'm not really a terrier person. They tend to be hyper and yippy and most aren't fond of parrots! So we will see. I'm used to my little laid-back LilBit so don't know how we will do.
The owner of the park caught me walking into church to tell me she had a dog for me....then after lunch, she is knocking on my door with "my dog!" Allison does have a persuasive way about her! And I have been selected!
He found the food and water bowl immediately and in the process he found Holly's claws and got a healthy swat, as only Holly can give! Gotta get used to the 'energy' of a Terrier and the yipping. I'm used to OLD dogs! If he survives the next few days (or maybe that should be – if I survive the next few days), I'll bring him to Gatesville and have Dr Clay take a look at him. He's still 'in tact!'
He was evidentially a man's dog. When Tony, the owner of the park, came by to see him, Caleb just went crazy and wanted to go with him. Every time he hears a man’s voice outside, he scratches at the door and whimpers and whines. Things are gonna have to change if he stays here. At least he blends into the color scheme of the RV! A Decorator Dog!
He is actually smaller than Li'lBit. Stands about the same height, but a much smaller frame.
I feel so sorry for him - he is trying (or wanting) to get somewhere - he lays by the door whining/crying. Then he will get up and scratch at the floor by the door. He hasn't been roaming free too long - he is clean. Will be interesting to see how "crowded" it gets when we move into the 23 ft trailer in Gatesville!
I watched the papers for a week for ‘missing’ ads, called the paper and the human society – even called the dog catcher to see if anyone is missing him. Guaranteed he won’t be a “HE” for much longer if he stays here! He is also a 'climber" - wants to be on your lap and then to your shoulder. This one is definitely a climber - he has been on every surface in the RV -- I've gotten to the point where I just carry a rolled up newspaper with me!
According to the local paper, this dog has been reported 'Found" several times starting Nov 5. He is either an escape artist or after awhile, whoever finds him lets him go. Shelter is full, not taking any more dogs. We went around to the local vets to see if they recognized him or if he had a microchip. No Luck. While we were out, drove around town, up and down the streets to see if he alerted to any neighborhoods. Nope! He rides well in the crate in truck. Does well in a crate in the truck. BUT…when we came back, he peed on the carpet (right after we came in from a short walk!) Right now it is a meeting of the minds - I'm not sure which "will" is stronger - HIS or MINE!
There is a 'separation anxiety' problem; he shreds papers when left alone! Not sure if it is a constant problem or just 'new home' problem. He also scratches at windows, screens and doors and tries to ‘escape’ when I leave. Crate Training in the house is definitely in order!
Named him Caleb....figured he came here on a Sunday, he needed a good Old Testament name so went on line to a list of Hebrew names and came up with Caleb (faithful -- and a little further down, 'faithful dog! Wishful thinking on my part!)
Every day I find more of his bad habits -- starting to understand why someone may have dumped him. But I have my hands full with his "problems!" I'm getting too old for this!
Monday 14th went to Pepitos with Deryl & Elke; love their veggie quesadilla!
More rigs coming in every day - taking longer and longer to get back inside when I take the dog(s) out! Just have to talk to everyone! Out of nowhere the sky got black, winds whipped around from the south and is gusting 25-30 mph! I thought I was back to spring in Iowa!
Wed was pack-it-up day. Didn’t have to take much…clothes, any food that would spoil, the critters and the laptop! I had asked Jeannie if she would water my plants so I don't have to take them.
Panic time – couldn’t find the keys to the travel trailer and I was due to ‘move out’ in less than 24 hours! Drove myself crazy looking for them....then remembered I had left them when they were repairing the RV and maybe just never picked them up.
I finally let Tinga out to free-fly, first time since Caleb moved in....he alerted immediately to her when she took off flying around. I cracked the rolled up newspaper that has become an extension of my right arm on the kitchen counter once - he went to 'his corner' under a dining chair (next to his crate) – Good Boy!
On the road in the AM!
November 7 - 13 Just another week in paradise!
Monday Nov 7 75 degrees - didn't crawl out of bed until nearly 8AM. Had some problems with coughing and sneezing the nite before so decided to take an allergy pill before I went to bed! Maybe I need to do that more often! I don't even remember waking up during the nite! Of course, I woke up so 'groggy' I needed an extra pot of coffee just to get going! Went into WalMart to get my RX and they didn't have them all-- so I got to go back to WallyWorld! Lucky Me!
I called the RV park in Gatesville and made reservations from Nov 17 until the Monday after Thanksgiving so I can have Thanksgiving with Johnnie and her family. And I do miss her coffee and our visits!
Monday nite was the Reprise from the ‘welcome back’ dinner - left over potato salad, puddings, brisket sandwiches and beans. Stuff is always better the second time around! I managed to WALK up to the activity bldg without walker or oxygen. As long as there are some empty spaces, I stop 1/2 way and take a breather at the picnic table. It's not quite so bad coming back since it is down hill! It isn't much of a hill, but I notice it!
Several rigs a day are coming in - the flock is flocking!
Went into town Tuesday to pick up meds...the saga continued! Stopped to pick up some veggies for soup in the crock pot, went to see Deryl & Elke and arrange for them to help me hitch up on the 17th for my trip to Gatesville. Meds weren't ready at WalMart, told me after 1PM! Went to HuDat's for one of their combo lunch specials; brought home enough for a couple more meals! Went back to Walmart, their med courier had not gotten in yet! So I got to make another trip to WalMart on Wednesday! This is really getting old! I decided to call before I made another trip!
Wed 9th 63 degrees sunny, WINDY! Winds 20 mph gusting to 40! High went into the upper 60s, then all down hill for a couple of days. Got a pot of veg-beef soup in the crock pot so I'm ready for the cold!
Definitely considering changing pharmacies – too much of a hassle at WalMart. Wednesday they only had 1 of the three ordered! Next time I'll ask HOW many Rx are ready instead of just saying are my prescriptions ready.
This past summer they wouldn't fill my finger stick strips - something about the RX being out of state - but it sure didn't make any difference on the others. They only filled my RX by the month so when I got back down here, I had 2 months remaining on the prescription - but the WalMart down here couldn't fill it down here 'cuz it was last filled in Iowa and "Iowa owed me the rest of them!" This is the first time I've had so many 'goof ups' in a row - Iowa and here.
Out of bed at 6AM Thursday to get my beans going for the pot luck tonite! REAL baked beans! I gotta make my baked beans before Dick and Lucille get here from Michigan – Lucille makes beans ‘to die for’ and I definitely don’t want mine setting on the table next to hers!
Didn't get down to the 40s - woke up to 54 degrees, sunny but windy. Had some rain during the nite. Not a good soaking rain like we need but after last summer we will take whatever drops we get.
So far no real cold snaps - have only kicked on the furnace for about 30 minutes one morning. That's the way I like it - save that propane!
Can't wait to see my blood sugar in the AM - everything at potluck was pasta, rice or beans! Oh, and I had caramel apple bar for dessert - but I passed on the whip cream!
A pleasant surprise on wake-up Friday. The weather man had predicted lower 40s or upper 30's and 'possibly' some frost on the punkin in the outlying areas. Aahhhhh....53 sunny degrees seemed so pleasant! Even Li'lBit was eager to go out and she doesn't like the cold!
Friday was Veterans Day and I didn’t accomplish a darn thing except set on my butt and watch TV. The movie Patton was on followed by The Longest Day and then my favorite war movie Tora Tora Tora! Just a real couch potato! Did manage to get some cabbage/beef soup made. AND, got my black water tank emptied without any problems. Whatever had it 'plugged' is evidently gone or at least out of the way! Started with the heat going in the AM to warm the place up and by noon I had the door open! Welcome to the TX gulf coast!
The park hosted the Aransas County Tea Party rally at the activity bldg Saturday. A local radio preacher and the local congressman were the speakers. Nice, polite, attentive bunch until three Cain supporters came in intent on raising a "little cain." Don’t know why they had such heartache with what was going on, afterall, Cain is conservative. But some folks just need their 15 minutes of fame!
Saturday and WalMart STILL didn’t have all of my meds. I bet next time I order everything a month early!
Sunday 13th – Church, laundry, clean out the truck so I can get it loaded Wednesday afternoon.
I called the RV park in Gatesville and made reservations from Nov 17 until the Monday after Thanksgiving so I can have Thanksgiving with Johnnie and her family. And I do miss her coffee and our visits!
Monday nite was the Reprise from the ‘welcome back’ dinner - left over potato salad, puddings, brisket sandwiches and beans. Stuff is always better the second time around! I managed to WALK up to the activity bldg without walker or oxygen. As long as there are some empty spaces, I stop 1/2 way and take a breather at the picnic table. It's not quite so bad coming back since it is down hill! It isn't much of a hill, but I notice it!
Several rigs a day are coming in - the flock is flocking!
Went into town Tuesday to pick up meds...the saga continued! Stopped to pick up some veggies for soup in the crock pot, went to see Deryl & Elke and arrange for them to help me hitch up on the 17th for my trip to Gatesville. Meds weren't ready at WalMart, told me after 1PM! Went to HuDat's for one of their combo lunch specials; brought home enough for a couple more meals! Went back to Walmart, their med courier had not gotten in yet! So I got to make another trip to WalMart on Wednesday! This is really getting old! I decided to call before I made another trip!
Wed 9th 63 degrees sunny, WINDY! Winds 20 mph gusting to 40! High went into the upper 60s, then all down hill for a couple of days. Got a pot of veg-beef soup in the crock pot so I'm ready for the cold!
Definitely considering changing pharmacies – too much of a hassle at WalMart. Wednesday they only had 1 of the three ordered! Next time I'll ask HOW many Rx are ready instead of just saying are my prescriptions ready.
This past summer they wouldn't fill my finger stick strips - something about the RX being out of state - but it sure didn't make any difference on the others. They only filled my RX by the month so when I got back down here, I had 2 months remaining on the prescription - but the WalMart down here couldn't fill it down here 'cuz it was last filled in Iowa and "Iowa owed me the rest of them!" This is the first time I've had so many 'goof ups' in a row - Iowa and here.
Out of bed at 6AM Thursday to get my beans going for the pot luck tonite! REAL baked beans! I gotta make my baked beans before Dick and Lucille get here from Michigan – Lucille makes beans ‘to die for’ and I definitely don’t want mine setting on the table next to hers!
Didn't get down to the 40s - woke up to 54 degrees, sunny but windy. Had some rain during the nite. Not a good soaking rain like we need but after last summer we will take whatever drops we get.
So far no real cold snaps - have only kicked on the furnace for about 30 minutes one morning. That's the way I like it - save that propane!
Can't wait to see my blood sugar in the AM - everything at potluck was pasta, rice or beans! Oh, and I had caramel apple bar for dessert - but I passed on the whip cream!
A pleasant surprise on wake-up Friday. The weather man had predicted lower 40s or upper 30's and 'possibly' some frost on the punkin in the outlying areas. Aahhhhh....53 sunny degrees seemed so pleasant! Even Li'lBit was eager to go out and she doesn't like the cold!
Friday was Veterans Day and I didn’t accomplish a darn thing except set on my butt and watch TV. The movie Patton was on followed by The Longest Day and then my favorite war movie Tora Tora Tora! Just a real couch potato! Did manage to get some cabbage/beef soup made. AND, got my black water tank emptied without any problems. Whatever had it 'plugged' is evidently gone or at least out of the way! Started with the heat going in the AM to warm the place up and by noon I had the door open! Welcome to the TX gulf coast!
The park hosted the Aransas County Tea Party rally at the activity bldg Saturday. A local radio preacher and the local congressman were the speakers. Nice, polite, attentive bunch until three Cain supporters came in intent on raising a "little cain." Don’t know why they had such heartache with what was going on, afterall, Cain is conservative. But some folks just need their 15 minutes of fame!
Saturday and WalMart STILL didn’t have all of my meds. I bet next time I order everything a month early!
Sunday 13th – Church, laundry, clean out the truck so I can get it loaded Wednesday afternoon.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Recipes
Corn Chowder Crockpot
6 slices bacon cut into small pieces
2 Cups potatoes, diced (you can peel them if you want)
2 10-oz. pkgs. Frozen corn kernels (or 2 cans)
1 Can cream-style corn
1 Medium onion, chopped
1 Rib celery, chopped
1 Small red or green pepper, diced
NOTE: I add 1 can of chicken broth. If I want to thicken it a little, I will add a few instant mashed potato flakes.
In a skillet, fry the bacon until it is crisp. Remove the bacon, save the drippings.
Add the onion and potatoes to the drippings and saute to soften. Drain.
Put everything in the crock pot; stir well. Cover. Cook on Low setting for 4 to 7 hours. If it looks to thick - add water or chicken boullion/broth. If it looks to think, stir in a few instant potato flakes.
Carrots with Herbs and Apricots 6 Servings
Note: Goes great with baked or grilled fish
8 Carrots, sliced
9 dried Apricots, sliced or chopped
1 TBSP Butter or Margarine
1 TBSP Brown Sugar
1 TSP Dill or Dill Weed
1/2 TSP crushed Fennel seed
1/8 TSP Ground Mustard
Cover carrots and apricots with water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook until carrots are tender but still crisp (about 5-8 minutes depending on thickness). Drain. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until butter is melted.
6 slices bacon cut into small pieces
2 Cups potatoes, diced (you can peel them if you want)
2 10-oz. pkgs. Frozen corn kernels (or 2 cans)
1 Can cream-style corn
1 Medium onion, chopped
1 Rib celery, chopped
1 Small red or green pepper, diced
NOTE: I add 1 can of chicken broth. If I want to thicken it a little, I will add a few instant mashed potato flakes.
In a skillet, fry the bacon until it is crisp. Remove the bacon, save the drippings.
Add the onion and potatoes to the drippings and saute to soften. Drain.
Put everything in the crock pot; stir well. Cover. Cook on Low setting for 4 to 7 hours. If it looks to thick - add water or chicken boullion/broth. If it looks to think, stir in a few instant potato flakes.
Carrots with Herbs and Apricots 6 Servings
Note: Goes great with baked or grilled fish
8 Carrots, sliced
9 dried Apricots, sliced or chopped
1 TBSP Butter or Margarine
1 TBSP Brown Sugar
1 TSP Dill or Dill Weed
1/2 TSP crushed Fennel seed
1/8 TSP Ground Mustard
Cover carrots and apricots with water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook until carrots are tender but still crisp (about 5-8 minutes depending on thickness). Drain. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until butter is melted.
First Week in November - The Flock Is Flocking!
First of November I woke to 71 degrees – leg and hip moving pretty good – managed to get the laundry done before they started giving me trouble. Turkey leg in the crock pot had the RV smelling like Thanksgiving! Put it in the crock pot with a wild rice/brown rice mix, added some walnuts and cranberries - I'm such a gourmet!
Kathy sent me some tourist magazines and info from Iowa – guess it is time to start planning my day trips for next summer! I know Bea will be sooo happy when I tell here where WE are going!!
76 degrees, sunny and muggy on the 2nd of November! Been sleeping lots better. Wake up about 1 AM - take some advil or aspirin and end up sleeping til nearly 7:30! YIPPEE!! Rest is good!
Met Donna for lunch at Apple Dumplin'. 1/2 of an egg salad sandwich and cup of baked potato soup! OK, so most folks don’t go out for lunch to order egg salad – but I love egg salad! Brought an apple dumplin' home for supper. Price is still $2.75 but they seem to be getting smaller every time!
Stopped at the veggie stand and pick up stuff for soup - cold front's comin'! Corn chowder in the crock pot. Still warm enough for Li’lBit and me to spend the afternoon outside.
Thursday 57 degrees - wind started blowing about 2 AM and really blew! Had to get up and close my vents and windows and find a blanket! It is NOT January and I refuse to turn on the furnace, so I baked a pie, put a chicken casserole in the oven, baked a batch of cookies and put a pot of soup on the stove! Good thing I have a bigger freezer in this new refrig so I can freeze some of this stuff! If it's still chilly tomorrow, I'm going to run out of freezer space!
Got a little rain but just enough to streak the windshields! Looking to the north, if I was further north, I'd think we were in for a hellofa snow storm - huge dark 'blue-norther' coming in - doubt there will be any snow when it gets here! Winds are still going 20-30mph. Have my hoodie on. Heard on the news there was a horrible apartment fire in Rockport – buildings totaled and 2 deaths. The winds just took control of the blaze. How very sad!
Went out to get the space heater from the under-compartment and take off the empty propane tank (the one I thought I had filled before I went to Iowa in the spring!) SURPRISE…when I disconnected the propane tank, it felt too heavy to be empty. Put it back in place, hooked it up again – hhhmmmm… it’s nearly full! Guess there was something wrong with the connection.
Got a little drafty around the new fridge. There is about 1” top and bottom that has direct flow to the outside thru the refrigerator vent. I cut a piece of gray foam pipe wrap to fit there - will put it in at nite or when it is really windy from the north.
Typical Texas gulf coast day - cooked all morning to warm the place up. Then, by afternoon I had the door and a window open!
Friday Li'lBit and I didn't get out of bed until 8AM and probably not then except Holly was scratching in the kitty litter! Tinga was a good girl and keeping quiet until she heard me ask Li'lBit if it was time to get up and then she starting wanting to 'come out' and mimicing my morning cough. She has that cough down pat. Tested out the furnace to make sure it works. It does.
What a difference an hour makes – went into town with a jacket - came home and opened the door and a couple of windows! What a difference a month makes – my electric bill was over $50 less this month than last month!
Saturday was the welcome back supper at the park. Tony and Allison provide some really yummy brisket, potato salad, pinto beans and dessert.
Sunday church, laundry, and ice cream social. Rough life here in the RV park! Before I went to bed I turned my clocks back (!) and put a turkey leg in the crock pot on low with some left over broth I had in the freezer. Diced up a little onion and grated a carrot or two and added that. When I woke up Sunday AM, the place smelled wonderful. Dumped a box of stove-top style stuffing mix in the broth before I went to church. Came home, opened the door and it smelled like a holiday! Immediately went to the fridge, took out some cranberries and mixed them with a little orange and sugar and put them on the stove. Oh, how wonderful it smells in here today!
Daily more and more are coming in – ‘the flock is flocking’ – nice to see the familiar faces. Praying for safe travels to all the others enroute!
Kathy sent me some tourist magazines and info from Iowa – guess it is time to start planning my day trips for next summer! I know Bea will be sooo happy when I tell here where WE are going!!
76 degrees, sunny and muggy on the 2nd of November! Been sleeping lots better. Wake up about 1 AM - take some advil or aspirin and end up sleeping til nearly 7:30! YIPPEE!! Rest is good!
Met Donna for lunch at Apple Dumplin'. 1/2 of an egg salad sandwich and cup of baked potato soup! OK, so most folks don’t go out for lunch to order egg salad – but I love egg salad! Brought an apple dumplin' home for supper. Price is still $2.75 but they seem to be getting smaller every time!
Stopped at the veggie stand and pick up stuff for soup - cold front's comin'! Corn chowder in the crock pot. Still warm enough for Li’lBit and me to spend the afternoon outside.
Thursday 57 degrees - wind started blowing about 2 AM and really blew! Had to get up and close my vents and windows and find a blanket! It is NOT January and I refuse to turn on the furnace, so I baked a pie, put a chicken casserole in the oven, baked a batch of cookies and put a pot of soup on the stove! Good thing I have a bigger freezer in this new refrig so I can freeze some of this stuff! If it's still chilly tomorrow, I'm going to run out of freezer space!
Got a little rain but just enough to streak the windshields! Looking to the north, if I was further north, I'd think we were in for a hellofa snow storm - huge dark 'blue-norther' coming in - doubt there will be any snow when it gets here! Winds are still going 20-30mph. Have my hoodie on. Heard on the news there was a horrible apartment fire in Rockport – buildings totaled and 2 deaths. The winds just took control of the blaze. How very sad!
Went out to get the space heater from the under-compartment and take off the empty propane tank (the one I thought I had filled before I went to Iowa in the spring!) SURPRISE…when I disconnected the propane tank, it felt too heavy to be empty. Put it back in place, hooked it up again – hhhmmmm… it’s nearly full! Guess there was something wrong with the connection.
Got a little drafty around the new fridge. There is about 1” top and bottom that has direct flow to the outside thru the refrigerator vent. I cut a piece of gray foam pipe wrap to fit there - will put it in at nite or when it is really windy from the north.
Typical Texas gulf coast day - cooked all morning to warm the place up. Then, by afternoon I had the door and a window open!
Friday Li'lBit and I didn't get out of bed until 8AM and probably not then except Holly was scratching in the kitty litter! Tinga was a good girl and keeping quiet until she heard me ask Li'lBit if it was time to get up and then she starting wanting to 'come out' and mimicing my morning cough. She has that cough down pat. Tested out the furnace to make sure it works. It does.
What a difference an hour makes – went into town with a jacket - came home and opened the door and a couple of windows! What a difference a month makes – my electric bill was over $50 less this month than last month!
Saturday was the welcome back supper at the park. Tony and Allison provide some really yummy brisket, potato salad, pinto beans and dessert.
Sunday church, laundry, and ice cream social. Rough life here in the RV park! Before I went to bed I turned my clocks back (!) and put a turkey leg in the crock pot on low with some left over broth I had in the freezer. Diced up a little onion and grated a carrot or two and added that. When I woke up Sunday AM, the place smelled wonderful. Dumped a box of stove-top style stuffing mix in the broth before I went to church. Came home, opened the door and it smelled like a holiday! Immediately went to the fridge, took out some cranberries and mixed them with a little orange and sugar and put them on the stove. Oh, how wonderful it smells in here today!
Daily more and more are coming in – ‘the flock is flocking’ – nice to see the familiar faces. Praying for safe travels to all the others enroute!
Monday, October 31, 2011
It's Soup Time
Scallop Dill Chowder (6 servings)
1 slice bacon, diced
1/2 cup each diced onion and diced celery
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups clam juice or fish stock
6 small red potatoes
2 cups reduced fat (2%) milk
2 cups fresh bay scallops
1 tsp. dillweed
Heat bacon in stew/soup pot over low heat. Add onion, celery, thyme and bay leaf; cook until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Dice potatoes and add to pot with clam juice. Simmer until potatoes are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add milk, scallops and dill; heat thoroughly. Remove thyme and bay leaf. Adjust salt and pepper to taste
Butternut Squash Soup
3 cups butternut squash, cubed
3 potatoes, cubed
1 bell pepper, diced
1 cup corn
1 can black beans, drained
1 can white beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion, diced
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 tsp cilantro
cayenne pepper to taste
½ tsp ginger
¾ tsp cumin
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 jalapeño, diced (optional)
Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Optional: sprinkle with a small amount of fresh cilantro and a fresh shaved parmesan before serving.
NOTE: I use any kind of beans I have on hand -- especially like garbanza beans in this.
1 slice bacon, diced
1/2 cup each diced onion and diced celery
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups clam juice or fish stock
6 small red potatoes
2 cups reduced fat (2%) milk
2 cups fresh bay scallops
1 tsp. dillweed
Heat bacon in stew/soup pot over low heat. Add onion, celery, thyme and bay leaf; cook until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Dice potatoes and add to pot with clam juice. Simmer until potatoes are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add milk, scallops and dill; heat thoroughly. Remove thyme and bay leaf. Adjust salt and pepper to taste
Butternut Squash Soup
3 cups butternut squash, cubed
3 potatoes, cubed
1 bell pepper, diced
1 cup corn
1 can black beans, drained
1 can white beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion, diced
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 tsp cilantro
cayenne pepper to taste
½ tsp ginger
¾ tsp cumin
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 jalapeño, diced (optional)
Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Optional: sprinkle with a small amount of fresh cilantro and a fresh shaved parmesan before serving.
NOTE: I use any kind of beans I have on hand -- especially like garbanza beans in this.
October Comes to an End
Sunday, Oct 23 I'll be glad when SUMMER heat finally leaves Texas! We had a couple of days in the 70s and then back up in the upper 80s and 90s! I’m ready for cooler weather.
Lowe's delivered the 9.6 cubic foot fridge/freezer that fits into the space. Can’t believe they delivered on a Sunday morning. Monday would be the day I get a working refrigerator back!
The printer is still working so I guess I got it downloaded OK. Only expense left before I head to Gatesville for Thanksgiving is the truck wheels and brakes. WHEW!
Saturday it was either fall on my butt or step on Li'lBit while going down the steps! After I fell, I went over and did laundry and walked to the office building for my mail, thought I could 'walk it off' – guess it didn't work! I'm OK -- just another one of my fat lady stumbles!
Monday 24th Off to a late start - had one of those nites - wide awake at 2 AM and couldn't get back to sleep – can you say back pain and stiff!
Refrigerator installation day! Stuff out of the refrig and picked up from the floor so they can get one out and the other one in! It's in - it's cooling and I didn't have to loose my shelf above the refrig! Now to get the stuff put away.
Everything in the freezer was thawed - still cold but thawed. None of it smelled sour or spoiled but it is all thawed. I cooked up all of the meat and put it back in the freezer cooked. At least I wouldn't loose it that way and since it's been thawed (for who knows how long!) I don't want to re-freeze it. All I lost was 1/2 pound in shell fresh shrimp; pint of oysters and 2 pork chops (but they weren't Iowa chops so no big loss there!) Not bad, huh!!
Definitely NOT going to like the black fridge!! Already have fingerprints all over it!
Tuesday the frig was still working and the thermometer said it's 40 degrees! The manual said it would take about 24 hours to reach 38-40 degrees so I guess it is doing its job! So glad to have one more 'stumbling block' and bill out of the way! Wonder what I’ll do with my time now that I'm not making and bagging ice all day!
Hair and nail appointment with Sharon, stopped by post office and Wal-Mart.
Feels so good to have a GOOD hair cut and my nails done - still no acrylics -- Sharon is just 'babying' my real nails. I think I like the hand and arm massage most of all - sure does work out the arthritis in the knuckles!
Must have spilled some meat juice somewhere. I can smell a 'rotten meat' smell. Have no idea where it is; isn't in the fridge. Maybe it leaked down from the old fridge and is back under the refrigerator space. Guess I might have to live with it and a can of Lysol spray until it stops smelling. Sure is giving me the sneezes!
Wednesday hip and leg started acting up again and I just decided to stay close to home, bed, and the heating pad. I couldn’t move; too much activity on Tuesday, I guess. Missed lunch with Donna, didn’t get the truck in for the wheels/tires. Oh, well, There’s Always Tomorrow!
I think my freezer freezes cold enough that I can keep a small container of ice cream in there! YIPPEE! The ammonia freezer doesn't freeze solid enough for ice cream.
Managed to get out of bed Thursday, take Li'lBit out and I could still move so took the truck in. Stopped at the gas station and picked up a breakfast taco and coffee to go. I was prepared for a lengthy stay at the tire place – breakfast, coffee and my book! 9:20AM and I was home -- already 80 degrees! WHEW! Thank heavens the cold front is coming thru sometime that evening!
Nothing wrong with my brakes or tires. They rotated the tires and told me to have the brakes checked again in the spring before I head north. There is some sign of wear, but not enough to change them now. $25 and I was outta there! My savings account liked THAT bill!
Stopped at the grocery and got some stuff for salads - hadn't been keeping that kind of stuff without the refrig…and picked up some ice cream. So much for my blood sugar!
Put on a pot of my "let it cook forever in the crock pot" soup -- weather man said a cold front's a-comin'! The soup is just one of those can of tomatoes, can of green beans, can of beef broth, chopped onions, carrots, celery, green peppers - whatever veggies I have in the fridge. Seasoned with a pack of Liptons dry vegetable soup mix (or onion soup mix!) Can cook forever in the crock pot and taste better each time! Sometimes I make it with V-8 juice instead of the beef broth -- or sometimes 1/2 and 1/2 or sometimes chicken broth -- whatever I have handy. And now that my freezer is working, I can freeze some of it in baggies and I won't have to be eating it for a whole week! And, since there isn't any meat in it - I can add a few frozen meat balls or left over chicken or whatever -- good soup!
Halloween came early here! My sister always remembers a card and a gift! You know the kids and I enjoy it!
Friday 28th Brrrr...what a difference a day makes. 90+ degrees by yesterday afternoon and wake up to 57 degrees and 25 mph winds from the north! Heard the winds pick up last nite - closed the windows in the bedroom, but didn't get up to close those down stairs. They are closed now! Li'lBit went down the stairs to go outside, sniffed the air and turned around, came back in and peed and pooped on her papers! DAMN! Have no idea who spoiled that dog! Must have been her Aunt Bea!
I did go out to see if any of my plants had tipped over or blown away, but they are fine and I’m sure my mums will be much happier in this weather than what we have been having!
Saturday was another chilly morning! 52 degrees but not as windy at Friday. Immediately put a pot of squash stew on in the crock pot. Enjoyed the cooler weather AND the soup! I love soup and I love crock pots and the two just go so well together!
Sunday and Church are special here at the RV park. Still fighting the leg/hip pain so didn’t run over and do the laundry. A little hand washing will carry me through. And, besides, that's what showers are for, right - a place to hang your laundry!
Monday the 31st Happy Halloween. Found some good buys on ham hocks, fresh chicken breasts and turkey legs at the grocery – It’s Soup Time!
Lowe's delivered the 9.6 cubic foot fridge/freezer that fits into the space. Can’t believe they delivered on a Sunday morning. Monday would be the day I get a working refrigerator back!
The printer is still working so I guess I got it downloaded OK. Only expense left before I head to Gatesville for Thanksgiving is the truck wheels and brakes. WHEW!
Saturday it was either fall on my butt or step on Li'lBit while going down the steps! After I fell, I went over and did laundry and walked to the office building for my mail, thought I could 'walk it off' – guess it didn't work! I'm OK -- just another one of my fat lady stumbles!
Monday 24th Off to a late start - had one of those nites - wide awake at 2 AM and couldn't get back to sleep – can you say back pain and stiff!
Refrigerator installation day! Stuff out of the refrig and picked up from the floor so they can get one out and the other one in! It's in - it's cooling and I didn't have to loose my shelf above the refrig! Now to get the stuff put away.
Everything in the freezer was thawed - still cold but thawed. None of it smelled sour or spoiled but it is all thawed. I cooked up all of the meat and put it back in the freezer cooked. At least I wouldn't loose it that way and since it's been thawed (for who knows how long!) I don't want to re-freeze it. All I lost was 1/2 pound in shell fresh shrimp; pint of oysters and 2 pork chops (but they weren't Iowa chops so no big loss there!) Not bad, huh!!
Definitely NOT going to like the black fridge!! Already have fingerprints all over it!
Tuesday the frig was still working and the thermometer said it's 40 degrees! The manual said it would take about 24 hours to reach 38-40 degrees so I guess it is doing its job! So glad to have one more 'stumbling block' and bill out of the way! Wonder what I’ll do with my time now that I'm not making and bagging ice all day!
Hair and nail appointment with Sharon, stopped by post office and Wal-Mart.
Feels so good to have a GOOD hair cut and my nails done - still no acrylics -- Sharon is just 'babying' my real nails. I think I like the hand and arm massage most of all - sure does work out the arthritis in the knuckles!
Must have spilled some meat juice somewhere. I can smell a 'rotten meat' smell. Have no idea where it is; isn't in the fridge. Maybe it leaked down from the old fridge and is back under the refrigerator space. Guess I might have to live with it and a can of Lysol spray until it stops smelling. Sure is giving me the sneezes!
Wednesday hip and leg started acting up again and I just decided to stay close to home, bed, and the heating pad. I couldn’t move; too much activity on Tuesday, I guess. Missed lunch with Donna, didn’t get the truck in for the wheels/tires. Oh, well, There’s Always Tomorrow!
I think my freezer freezes cold enough that I can keep a small container of ice cream in there! YIPPEE! The ammonia freezer doesn't freeze solid enough for ice cream.
Managed to get out of bed Thursday, take Li'lBit out and I could still move so took the truck in. Stopped at the gas station and picked up a breakfast taco and coffee to go. I was prepared for a lengthy stay at the tire place – breakfast, coffee and my book! 9:20AM and I was home -- already 80 degrees! WHEW! Thank heavens the cold front is coming thru sometime that evening!
Nothing wrong with my brakes or tires. They rotated the tires and told me to have the brakes checked again in the spring before I head north. There is some sign of wear, but not enough to change them now. $25 and I was outta there! My savings account liked THAT bill!
Stopped at the grocery and got some stuff for salads - hadn't been keeping that kind of stuff without the refrig…and picked up some ice cream. So much for my blood sugar!
Put on a pot of my "let it cook forever in the crock pot" soup -- weather man said a cold front's a-comin'! The soup is just one of those can of tomatoes, can of green beans, can of beef broth, chopped onions, carrots, celery, green peppers - whatever veggies I have in the fridge. Seasoned with a pack of Liptons dry vegetable soup mix (or onion soup mix!) Can cook forever in the crock pot and taste better each time! Sometimes I make it with V-8 juice instead of the beef broth -- or sometimes 1/2 and 1/2 or sometimes chicken broth -- whatever I have handy. And now that my freezer is working, I can freeze some of it in baggies and I won't have to be eating it for a whole week! And, since there isn't any meat in it - I can add a few frozen meat balls or left over chicken or whatever -- good soup!
Halloween came early here! My sister always remembers a card and a gift! You know the kids and I enjoy it!
Friday 28th Brrrr...what a difference a day makes. 90+ degrees by yesterday afternoon and wake up to 57 degrees and 25 mph winds from the north! Heard the winds pick up last nite - closed the windows in the bedroom, but didn't get up to close those down stairs. They are closed now! Li'lBit went down the stairs to go outside, sniffed the air and turned around, came back in and peed and pooped on her papers! DAMN! Have no idea who spoiled that dog! Must have been her Aunt Bea!
I did go out to see if any of my plants had tipped over or blown away, but they are fine and I’m sure my mums will be much happier in this weather than what we have been having!
Saturday was another chilly morning! 52 degrees but not as windy at Friday. Immediately put a pot of squash stew on in the crock pot. Enjoyed the cooler weather AND the soup! I love soup and I love crock pots and the two just go so well together!
Sunday and Church are special here at the RV park. Still fighting the leg/hip pain so didn’t run over and do the laundry. A little hand washing will carry me through. And, besides, that's what showers are for, right - a place to hang your laundry!
Monday the 31st Happy Halloween. Found some good buys on ham hocks, fresh chicken breasts and turkey legs at the grocery – It’s Soup Time!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Oct 16-22: The Black Cloud Continues – or – The Case of the Disappearing Savings Account
Sunday Oct 16 started with 79 degrees and kinda sticky. Li'lBit is driving me nutz with her in and out! I guess she is feeling better. Church and WallyWorld on the typical Sunday schedule. As usual, the social event Sunday evening is the Ice Cream Social even if the crowds are kinda skimpy. I think there were 8 folks there! More “Winter Texans” are arriving nearly every day.
So glad to have Li'lBit's emergency surgery and the repairs on the trailer behind me, Monday I rode into Corpus Christi with Donna in case she needed a “designated driver” after her eye appointment. The trip was fine – but I sure don't like driving her little car! I can’t remember the last time I drove a CAR! Give me my TRUCK! We stopped at Whataburger for lunch!
Came home to find out I was out of propane - totally out. I filled a tank before I left for Iowa. Maybe I didn't get one connected just right and it leaked out or something! No one was here to use propane while I was gone. Normally I don't leave both tanks open, but I did before I left for Iowa in case of power failure since I did leave my refrig on low; didn’t want to come home to a moldy/smelly fridge! So Monday night was microwave nite! No problem!
Went to empty my sewer tank - wouldn't empty - not sure why - hopefully it isn't plugged - it emptied fine about 2 weeks ago. But then, I noticed that my sewer hose had rotted and cracked (probably from the sun) so it was a good thing it didn't empty! Took the hose from the trailer to replace it. I'm going to have to watch my black tank and see if I just didn't get the gate completely closed and it ran free (which often leads to a real mess as the solids pile up into the black pyramid of death!) If it hasn't been draining all along, it won't be a week before I’ll know it; it will start backing up! Oh, the joys of RVing!
Tuesday AM I found my refrig wasn’t cooling! DAMN! I put a couple of plastic cups I use to make ice for my tea in to freeze -- they were still water in the AM! Maybe this will be my last disaster for awhile!
Cold front came in 72 degrees with 27 mph winds from the north. Didn’t get too much warmer through out the day.
I went to sign for 1 month rent for the trailer. That will keep it stored until I head to central TX for Thanksgiving. Then went out to fill the propane tank! Isn’t this just too much excitement!?
Wednesday greeted me with 60 degrees, 15 mph winds gusting to 25 - all coming from the north – didn’t need my A/C! I did open some of the windows, however, the door was left CLOSED! And I did a closet check for my ‘hoodies’ to make sure they were clean and ready to go for the winter....winter? Anything under 60 degrees usually brings out my 'hoodies!'
Met with Dan, Roberta, Jim and whoever else shows up for lunch at the Lunch Box. People that own it used to own Jama's (some GREAT cheese cake!) Basically, a soup, salad, sandwich, chip kinda place. Had a great lunch – good friends and good food – just doesn’t get better than that!
Refrig was working on propane. But that didn’t last long! At least I didn’t loose any food before the repair guy got here. They replaced the 'heating element' -- sounds strange to have a heating element in a refrig! He really wasn’t sure that was going to solve the problem completely, didn’t charge me for the part until he verified it was going to be working.
Well, damn! Can anything more go wrong? My computer installed the latest updates -and now my printer won't work! And, according to the HP website, my printer is not compatible with the new upgrade! What the hell else is going to have to come out of my savings account! I really don’t want to put out money for another copy/scanner/printer – but if I don’t, I know I’ll miss the one I have. Decided I’d pull a Scarlett O’Hara and “think about it tomorrow.’ Annie says, “The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow!”
Thursday - 68 degrees! BRRRRRR....might need my hoodie!! Went into the 80s by afternoon. I guess summer isn’t finished with us yet. MY REFRIG IS STILL WORKING!!
Off to the vet – Li’lBit’s stitches are out - no charge (FINALLY -- something with No Charge!) of course, I think it was covered in the bill for surgery!
MY PRINTER IS WORKING –YIPPEE! Saved some $$ there! My mind set was NOT to put out any $$$ for a new printer so I just kept plugging away with the downloads available on line. Deleted all of my printer program stuff that was downloaded when I first got this computer, then went to one of the "free" websites and downloaded a HP printer program, again, and again, and again until it finally worked! I think I tried every HP free on line download before I finally got one to take.
AND, while I was waiting for the program to download, I fixed the light over my computer (under that cabinet.) It keeps falling loose. Finally stopped trying to put it back with the same screws - got some 'fatter' screws and greased them up with glue! Aren't you glad I'm not doing repairs on YOUR house!
Thursday morning a rare and record-breaking South Texas earthquake struck northwest of Beeville, about 60 miles northwest of Rockport. The 4.8 magnitude quake struck at 7:24 AM. The U.S. Geological Survey said it was the largest earthquake on record for the area. From 1990 to 2006, at least a dozen small quakes have hit this region. (And I was worried about hurricanes!)
Friday October 21. 77 degrees - kinda cloudy. This was the day that 90 yr old preacher Harold Camping said the world was coming to an end - of course he has been wrong a few times.
I think my black tank is OK. I went out this AM to see if anything emptied when I opened the gate - YUP! Not much - only three days worth of stuff, but it flowed OK. WHEW! Now I can't wait to empty it in another week or so! Doesn't take much to keep me happy! Evidentially I just hadn't closed the gate tight enough and it popped open enough to free-drain. Not good in the black tank! Just had to share my joyous news!
Guess what refrigerator wasn’t working again! I thought that heating element might be the deal. RV place opens at 9AM - I was on the phone! They were here shortly after lunch.
Well, since the world didn't come to an end, I'm going to have to suck it up for a new fridge. Ordered the small 9.6 cubic foot size they have at Lowes in Aransas Pass – within an hour, Lowe’s called to say the fridge would be delivered on Sunday. Hopefully the RV repair guy can get out Monday or Tuesday and pull out the old one and put in the new one. In the meantime, I'm eating out of a cooler! That is just about what my refrig is now, a cooler. Keep making ice (in my portable icemaker) to keep stuff as cold as I can.
I'm going to loose my cabinet above the fridge since the RV size electric is actually 1" taller than the space available after they take out the old one! Storage in an RV is at a premium and loosing some will call for some 'creative' rearranging.
Saturday, I woke up to a cloudy 77 degrees - kinda humid…and in pain! I had fallen down the steps of the RV taking Li’lBit out the evening before. Didn’t want to step on her so I took the plunge, head first into my truck (parked at the foot of the steps) and bounced back to land on my butt on the step! Oh, Agony!!! Thank heavens for Tiger Balm! Did manage to get to the laundry room and over to the office to pick up mail before I really got stiff. Continued making ice for the fridge to keep the food cold (or at least cool!) I’ll really be glad when this whole refrigerator mess is over!
So glad to have Li'lBit's emergency surgery and the repairs on the trailer behind me, Monday I rode into Corpus Christi with Donna in case she needed a “designated driver” after her eye appointment. The trip was fine – but I sure don't like driving her little car! I can’t remember the last time I drove a CAR! Give me my TRUCK! We stopped at Whataburger for lunch!
Came home to find out I was out of propane - totally out. I filled a tank before I left for Iowa. Maybe I didn't get one connected just right and it leaked out or something! No one was here to use propane while I was gone. Normally I don't leave both tanks open, but I did before I left for Iowa in case of power failure since I did leave my refrig on low; didn’t want to come home to a moldy/smelly fridge! So Monday night was microwave nite! No problem!
Went to empty my sewer tank - wouldn't empty - not sure why - hopefully it isn't plugged - it emptied fine about 2 weeks ago. But then, I noticed that my sewer hose had rotted and cracked (probably from the sun) so it was a good thing it didn't empty! Took the hose from the trailer to replace it. I'm going to have to watch my black tank and see if I just didn't get the gate completely closed and it ran free (which often leads to a real mess as the solids pile up into the black pyramid of death!) If it hasn't been draining all along, it won't be a week before I’ll know it; it will start backing up! Oh, the joys of RVing!
Tuesday AM I found my refrig wasn’t cooling! DAMN! I put a couple of plastic cups I use to make ice for my tea in to freeze -- they were still water in the AM! Maybe this will be my last disaster for awhile!
Cold front came in 72 degrees with 27 mph winds from the north. Didn’t get too much warmer through out the day.
I went to sign for 1 month rent for the trailer. That will keep it stored until I head to central TX for Thanksgiving. Then went out to fill the propane tank! Isn’t this just too much excitement!?
Wednesday greeted me with 60 degrees, 15 mph winds gusting to 25 - all coming from the north – didn’t need my A/C! I did open some of the windows, however, the door was left CLOSED! And I did a closet check for my ‘hoodies’ to make sure they were clean and ready to go for the winter....winter? Anything under 60 degrees usually brings out my 'hoodies!'
Met with Dan, Roberta, Jim and whoever else shows up for lunch at the Lunch Box. People that own it used to own Jama's (some GREAT cheese cake!) Basically, a soup, salad, sandwich, chip kinda place. Had a great lunch – good friends and good food – just doesn’t get better than that!
Refrig was working on propane. But that didn’t last long! At least I didn’t loose any food before the repair guy got here. They replaced the 'heating element' -- sounds strange to have a heating element in a refrig! He really wasn’t sure that was going to solve the problem completely, didn’t charge me for the part until he verified it was going to be working.
Well, damn! Can anything more go wrong? My computer installed the latest updates -and now my printer won't work! And, according to the HP website, my printer is not compatible with the new upgrade! What the hell else is going to have to come out of my savings account! I really don’t want to put out money for another copy/scanner/printer – but if I don’t, I know I’ll miss the one I have. Decided I’d pull a Scarlett O’Hara and “think about it tomorrow.’ Annie says, “The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow!”
Thursday - 68 degrees! BRRRRRR....might need my hoodie!! Went into the 80s by afternoon. I guess summer isn’t finished with us yet. MY REFRIG IS STILL WORKING!!
Off to the vet – Li’lBit’s stitches are out - no charge (FINALLY -- something with No Charge!) of course, I think it was covered in the bill for surgery!
MY PRINTER IS WORKING –YIPPEE! Saved some $$ there! My mind set was NOT to put out any $$$ for a new printer so I just kept plugging away with the downloads available on line. Deleted all of my printer program stuff that was downloaded when I first got this computer, then went to one of the "free" websites and downloaded a HP printer program, again, and again, and again until it finally worked! I think I tried every HP free on line download before I finally got one to take.
AND, while I was waiting for the program to download, I fixed the light over my computer (under that cabinet.) It keeps falling loose. Finally stopped trying to put it back with the same screws - got some 'fatter' screws and greased them up with glue! Aren't you glad I'm not doing repairs on YOUR house!
Thursday morning a rare and record-breaking South Texas earthquake struck northwest of Beeville, about 60 miles northwest of Rockport. The 4.8 magnitude quake struck at 7:24 AM. The U.S. Geological Survey said it was the largest earthquake on record for the area. From 1990 to 2006, at least a dozen small quakes have hit this region. (And I was worried about hurricanes!)
Friday October 21. 77 degrees - kinda cloudy. This was the day that 90 yr old preacher Harold Camping said the world was coming to an end - of course he has been wrong a few times.
I think my black tank is OK. I went out this AM to see if anything emptied when I opened the gate - YUP! Not much - only three days worth of stuff, but it flowed OK. WHEW! Now I can't wait to empty it in another week or so! Doesn't take much to keep me happy! Evidentially I just hadn't closed the gate tight enough and it popped open enough to free-drain. Not good in the black tank! Just had to share my joyous news!
Guess what refrigerator wasn’t working again! I thought that heating element might be the deal. RV place opens at 9AM - I was on the phone! They were here shortly after lunch.
Well, since the world didn't come to an end, I'm going to have to suck it up for a new fridge. Ordered the small 9.6 cubic foot size they have at Lowes in Aransas Pass – within an hour, Lowe’s called to say the fridge would be delivered on Sunday. Hopefully the RV repair guy can get out Monday or Tuesday and pull out the old one and put in the new one. In the meantime, I'm eating out of a cooler! That is just about what my refrig is now, a cooler. Keep making ice (in my portable icemaker) to keep stuff as cold as I can.
I'm going to loose my cabinet above the fridge since the RV size electric is actually 1" taller than the space available after they take out the old one! Storage in an RV is at a premium and loosing some will call for some 'creative' rearranging.
Saturday, I woke up to a cloudy 77 degrees - kinda humid…and in pain! I had fallen down the steps of the RV taking Li’lBit out the evening before. Didn’t want to step on her so I took the plunge, head first into my truck (parked at the foot of the steps) and bounced back to land on my butt on the step! Oh, Agony!!! Thank heavens for Tiger Balm! Did manage to get to the laundry room and over to the office to pick up mail before I really got stiff. Continued making ice for the fridge to keep the food cold (or at least cool!) I’ll really be glad when this whole refrigerator mess is over!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Just a Couple Recipes
MEATBALLS GRAVY AND NOODLES
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of celery soup
2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed French onion soup
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
6 pounds frozen Italian-style meatballs
2 (16 ounce) packages uncooked egg noodles 1/2 cup butter
Mix together the cream of celery soup, French onion soup, and sour cream in a crock pot. Stir in the meatballs. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. In a large bowl, toss the pasta with butter. Serve meatballs and sauce over the cooked pasta.
APPLE CIDER SMOOTHIE
2 cups apple cider
2 cups vanilla ice cream
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
food coloring
Combine all ingredients in blender; process until smooth.
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of celery soup
2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed French onion soup
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
6 pounds frozen Italian-style meatballs
2 (16 ounce) packages uncooked egg noodles 1/2 cup butter
Mix together the cream of celery soup, French onion soup, and sour cream in a crock pot. Stir in the meatballs. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. In a large bowl, toss the pasta with butter. Serve meatballs and sauce over the cooked pasta.
APPLE CIDER SMOOTHIE
2 cups apple cider
2 cups vanilla ice cream
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
food coloring
Combine all ingredients in blender; process until smooth.
Li'lBit Takes Up My Week! Oct 9-15
OCT 9 SUNDAY Li'lBit had been acting sick for a couple of days; really listless, didn't want to go outside. Drinking lots of water, not peeing much considering the amount of water she was taking in, very little poop and then bordering on diarrhea. She was some better on Sunday - at least I got a tail wag! But a trip to the vet was in order for Monday.
7:30 AM 80 degrees with 80% humidity. We had some rain (not much)thru the nite - thunder and lightning - still thundering off over the gulf. Typical Sunday morning – first to church, then to the laundry!
Temp dropped into the 70s when the 15-20 mph winds blew in later in the afternoon. Have the windows and door open and the vent fan going! Pouring rain, thunder, lightning – ended up shutting down the computer!
9 of us showed up for ice cream Sunday evening.
Monday -Li'l Bit went outside, peed, pooped (and it looked normal) -- wagged her tail, moves a little 'quicker' but we headed off to the vet. (Can you tell I’m a nurse – these body functions are really important!)
A little humid, 71 degrees but a nice breeze. Red tide warning -- for you that don't live on the coast -- that can cause respiratory problems!! Cancelled any plans I had to go wading in the gulf!
Off to the vet in the AM, lab tests – Li'lBit had surgery that afternoon -- massive uterine infection with tumors. At least, best they can tell, it is all contained in the uterus. The vet said she was hoping, if all went OK, to send her home. She felt, since she is blind, it would be less stressful for her 'in her own bed!" Then she added, 'and since you are a nurse....." It was the hardest thing I've done in a long time - leave my Li'lBit at the vet, a strange vet, not Dr Clay in Gatesville!
Do I need to say, waiting for that call from the vet was all I could accomplish Monday! At 4PM, the clinic called - they had a 'sweet little girl ready to go home!" Vet said appears everything was within the uterus....no exterior tumors or infection!!!
When she got home she was a little wobbly and disoriented, couldn’t find the water bowl or food dish, but she was HOME! 5 days of antibiotics and stitches out in 10 days.
Tuesday I had a morning appointment with Sharon to get my nails done – not having the acrylics this time – my nails definitely need a rest! She is just going to try to 'toughen' up what I have - they are cracking, peeling - just icky - so I don't want to go back to glue and plastic for awhile!
Donna called and wanted to meet for lunch at the Chinese buffet.....off I went. I had already made plants to have a late lunch with Kathy and the gang! WHEW! Food, Food, Food. They have a really great “all you can eat” senior special on Tuesday at The Big Fisherman so a box to go was in order! $2.50 - all you can eat chicken fried steak, fried chicken livers or gizzards. Add a $1.00 ice tea and it makes a cheap meal! Ate the cole slaw and drank the ice tea while I was there. The rest came home in a box for supper. When the Winter Texans get back there will be a line around the building every Tuesday just to get the special. I do not go then!
Raining Thursday AM - started last nite. 76 degrees. Fixed meatballs in sauce and some noodles for the pot luck (Friendship) supper. I'm just a social butterfly with these ol'folks activities.
Li'lBit is improving each day; she finally pooped! Actually, I was starting to worry that she hadn't and had planned on calling the vet if she didn't go today!
Got a call from the RV Service place - trailer is done. I can store it at the RV place for $40/month....I'll do that until Thanksgiving, then bring it back to here after my trip to Gatesville. Total bill is less than $900. I know that's a lot but with the wheel and all, I was expecting more than that.
Between the trailer and Li’lBit’s surgery, the poor savings account took a hit this week!
Li'lBit was a little better every day. She was even setting at her bowl waiting to be fed when I got up Friday AM! 78 degrees, nice breeze....outside with Li'lBit, my book and ice tea most of the day!
Saturday I went to pay for my trailer and arrange to store it there until I head to Gatesville for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait for the trip back to Gatesville – see if I can get there and get BACK without blowing a wheel or some other significant detail this time!
7:30 AM 80 degrees with 80% humidity. We had some rain (not much)thru the nite - thunder and lightning - still thundering off over the gulf. Typical Sunday morning – first to church, then to the laundry!
Temp dropped into the 70s when the 15-20 mph winds blew in later in the afternoon. Have the windows and door open and the vent fan going! Pouring rain, thunder, lightning – ended up shutting down the computer!
9 of us showed up for ice cream Sunday evening.
Monday -Li'l Bit went outside, peed, pooped (and it looked normal) -- wagged her tail, moves a little 'quicker' but we headed off to the vet. (Can you tell I’m a nurse – these body functions are really important!)
A little humid, 71 degrees but a nice breeze. Red tide warning -- for you that don't live on the coast -- that can cause respiratory problems!! Cancelled any plans I had to go wading in the gulf!
Off to the vet in the AM, lab tests – Li'lBit had surgery that afternoon -- massive uterine infection with tumors. At least, best they can tell, it is all contained in the uterus. The vet said she was hoping, if all went OK, to send her home. She felt, since she is blind, it would be less stressful for her 'in her own bed!" Then she added, 'and since you are a nurse....." It was the hardest thing I've done in a long time - leave my Li'lBit at the vet, a strange vet, not Dr Clay in Gatesville!
Do I need to say, waiting for that call from the vet was all I could accomplish Monday! At 4PM, the clinic called - they had a 'sweet little girl ready to go home!" Vet said appears everything was within the uterus....no exterior tumors or infection!!!
When she got home she was a little wobbly and disoriented, couldn’t find the water bowl or food dish, but she was HOME! 5 days of antibiotics and stitches out in 10 days.
Tuesday I had a morning appointment with Sharon to get my nails done – not having the acrylics this time – my nails definitely need a rest! She is just going to try to 'toughen' up what I have - they are cracking, peeling - just icky - so I don't want to go back to glue and plastic for awhile!
Donna called and wanted to meet for lunch at the Chinese buffet.....off I went. I had already made plants to have a late lunch with Kathy and the gang! WHEW! Food, Food, Food. They have a really great “all you can eat” senior special on Tuesday at The Big Fisherman so a box to go was in order! $2.50 - all you can eat chicken fried steak, fried chicken livers or gizzards. Add a $1.00 ice tea and it makes a cheap meal! Ate the cole slaw and drank the ice tea while I was there. The rest came home in a box for supper. When the Winter Texans get back there will be a line around the building every Tuesday just to get the special. I do not go then!
Raining Thursday AM - started last nite. 76 degrees. Fixed meatballs in sauce and some noodles for the pot luck (Friendship) supper. I'm just a social butterfly with these ol'folks activities.
Li'lBit is improving each day; she finally pooped! Actually, I was starting to worry that she hadn't and had planned on calling the vet if she didn't go today!
Got a call from the RV Service place - trailer is done. I can store it at the RV place for $40/month....I'll do that until Thanksgiving, then bring it back to here after my trip to Gatesville. Total bill is less than $900. I know that's a lot but with the wheel and all, I was expecting more than that.
Between the trailer and Li’lBit’s surgery, the poor savings account took a hit this week!
Li'lBit was a little better every day. She was even setting at her bowl waiting to be fed when I got up Friday AM! 78 degrees, nice breeze....outside with Li'lBit, my book and ice tea most of the day!
Saturday I went to pay for my trailer and arrange to store it there until I head to Gatesville for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait for the trip back to Gatesville – see if I can get there and get BACK without blowing a wheel or some other significant detail this time!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
October is Here - Will Summer Ever End!
October starts with 77 degrees at 7 AM; a really nice breeze without too much humidity. Door and windows open and the A/C OFF (At least for awhile!)
Sunday evening, hitched up the trailer – ready to deliver on Monday. What a gathering we had down at the trailer. After ice cream social, everyone migrated to the trailer. Quite a gathering considering there are so few of us here. Ron and Mackie did most of the work. I managed to back it up all by myself with Ron and Mackie in charge of giving orders and directions. Connie, Jeannie and Chet supervised! With that much help, it sure didn't take long. Chet came over on the golf cart and gave me a ride back to my 5th wheel! No wonder I love this place so!
Had the trailer at the shop Monday AM before they were there to open the gates. John helped me unhitch, gave him the keys and the list of repairs needed and just hope I don't have to file bankruptcy to pay the bill!
Then stopped to pick up important things: milk, eggs, newspaper, garbage bags and dropped of my prescriptions! Spent the rest of the morning outside with Li'l Bit reading the paper and drinking coffee. Sure do lead a rough life!
LinCare came by to drop off a CPAP mask so I'll be getting my CPAP stuff from them now – Medicare Provides! In fact, they put me on an email list to remind me when I'm eligible for new equipment! How's that for being and "entitled senior!"
I broiled my last Iowa rib-eye. Had my last Iowa pork steak the night before. I have one more package of 2 small steaks and then I'm back to eating "Texan!" Of course, I have already stocked up on shrimp and fish!
It only got up to 78 on Tuesday. It’s nice to have the A/C off and fresh air coming in the windows.
Deryl & Elke left Wednesday for a cruise out of Florida so we went to HuDat’s Tuesday evening. Love HuDat’s! After we ate, went back to their place and Deryl loaded my “Vietnamese Chariot” into the back of my truck. He had straightened out the wheel and got it back into riding condition! Now I can learn to maneuver my trike! (The blue trike is what I ‘won” when I hit – fortunately no injuries – a young Vietnamese man headed to the gulf to do some fishing! To avoid a ticket and court appearance, I ‘bought’ the guy a new trike – so I got to keep the damaged one!)
Spent Wednesday outside with Li’lBit messing with my flowers. I babied them all summer in Iowa and had them looking so fresh and full. Then took them to Gatesville where the ‘hot and dry’ nearly sucked the life out of them. Now hoping I can 'baby' them back. I dumped about half of them, cleaned up and repotted the rest hoping for the best. I think the geraniums will recover, some of my herbs and my mint are in the trash! My shamrock plant and the aloe vera survived along with the chives....and those cute little pink flowers that I don't know what they are.
Stopped at the vegetable stand and picked up a small pumpkin, some gourds and Indian corn to set outside in front of the 5th wheel...that's the extent of decorations I do here. Oh, and I picked up a few potted mums.
Been going out after the sun goes down and it cools off a little to ride my chariot. Not too far, just down to the end of the street and back. That’s enough to start! I’m surprised it is so much easier to peddle than my exercycle. I was really surprised my knees weren’t killing me in the AM – did have some leg cramps the first couple of nites, though.
Not much setting outside with the temps still in the upper 80s and 90s, humidity hitting 80% and the sun beating down. As the week ends, I’m wondering if summer ever will! My calendar says it is fall, but that fall weather hasn’t gotten here yet!
Sunday evening, hitched up the trailer – ready to deliver on Monday. What a gathering we had down at the trailer. After ice cream social, everyone migrated to the trailer. Quite a gathering considering there are so few of us here. Ron and Mackie did most of the work. I managed to back it up all by myself with Ron and Mackie in charge of giving orders and directions. Connie, Jeannie and Chet supervised! With that much help, it sure didn't take long. Chet came over on the golf cart and gave me a ride back to my 5th wheel! No wonder I love this place so!
Had the trailer at the shop Monday AM before they were there to open the gates. John helped me unhitch, gave him the keys and the list of repairs needed and just hope I don't have to file bankruptcy to pay the bill!
Then stopped to pick up important things: milk, eggs, newspaper, garbage bags and dropped of my prescriptions! Spent the rest of the morning outside with Li'l Bit reading the paper and drinking coffee. Sure do lead a rough life!
LinCare came by to drop off a CPAP mask so I'll be getting my CPAP stuff from them now – Medicare Provides! In fact, they put me on an email list to remind me when I'm eligible for new equipment! How's that for being and "entitled senior!"
I broiled my last Iowa rib-eye. Had my last Iowa pork steak the night before. I have one more package of 2 small steaks and then I'm back to eating "Texan!" Of course, I have already stocked up on shrimp and fish!
It only got up to 78 on Tuesday. It’s nice to have the A/C off and fresh air coming in the windows.
Deryl & Elke left Wednesday for a cruise out of Florida so we went to HuDat’s Tuesday evening. Love HuDat’s! After we ate, went back to their place and Deryl loaded my “Vietnamese Chariot” into the back of my truck. He had straightened out the wheel and got it back into riding condition! Now I can learn to maneuver my trike! (The blue trike is what I ‘won” when I hit – fortunately no injuries – a young Vietnamese man headed to the gulf to do some fishing! To avoid a ticket and court appearance, I ‘bought’ the guy a new trike – so I got to keep the damaged one!)
Spent Wednesday outside with Li’lBit messing with my flowers. I babied them all summer in Iowa and had them looking so fresh and full. Then took them to Gatesville where the ‘hot and dry’ nearly sucked the life out of them. Now hoping I can 'baby' them back. I dumped about half of them, cleaned up and repotted the rest hoping for the best. I think the geraniums will recover, some of my herbs and my mint are in the trash! My shamrock plant and the aloe vera survived along with the chives....and those cute little pink flowers that I don't know what they are.
Stopped at the vegetable stand and picked up a small pumpkin, some gourds and Indian corn to set outside in front of the 5th wheel...that's the extent of decorations I do here. Oh, and I picked up a few potted mums.
Been going out after the sun goes down and it cools off a little to ride my chariot. Not too far, just down to the end of the street and back. That’s enough to start! I’m surprised it is so much easier to peddle than my exercycle. I was really surprised my knees weren’t killing me in the AM – did have some leg cramps the first couple of nites, though.
Not much setting outside with the temps still in the upper 80s and 90s, humidity hitting 80% and the sun beating down. As the week ends, I’m wondering if summer ever will! My calendar says it is fall, but that fall weather hasn’t gotten here yet!
Friday, October 7, 2011
September Recipes
RICE SALAD
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
4 TBS sugar
1 pkg strawberry Jello
1 TBS mayonnaise
2 cup cooked rice
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup pineapple, drained
12 maraschino cherries (halved) and patted dry
2 cups miniature marshmallows
8 oz. Cool Whip
1 cup chopped pecans
Combine cream cheese, dry Jello powder, 4 tablespoons sugar and mayonnaise and blend until smooth. Add rice, cherries, oranges, pineapple and marshmallows to cream cheese mixture, mixing well. Fold Cool Whip and pecans into mixture. Chill well.
SAUERKRAUT SALAD
2 cans drained sauerkraut
1 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 med. onion, sliced
1 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
Pimento - optional
Mix sauerkraut, celery, green pepper and onion together. Stir sugar, salad oil, vinegar, water to dissolve sugar then add to vegetables.
Marinate 24 hours. Drain thoroughly before serving. Keeps well in refrigerate.
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
4 TBS sugar
1 pkg strawberry Jello
1 TBS mayonnaise
2 cup cooked rice
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup pineapple, drained
12 maraschino cherries (halved) and patted dry
2 cups miniature marshmallows
8 oz. Cool Whip
1 cup chopped pecans
Combine cream cheese, dry Jello powder, 4 tablespoons sugar and mayonnaise and blend until smooth. Add rice, cherries, oranges, pineapple and marshmallows to cream cheese mixture, mixing well. Fold Cool Whip and pecans into mixture. Chill well.
SAUERKRAUT SALAD
2 cans drained sauerkraut
1 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 med. onion, sliced
1 3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
Pimento - optional
Mix sauerkraut, celery, green pepper and onion together. Stir sugar, salad oil, vinegar, water to dissolve sugar then add to vegetables.
Marinate 24 hours. Drain thoroughly before serving. Keeps well in refrigerate.
September Comes To An End
Sunday, September 25th, after church I went to the laundry room - I was the only one there - sure is different here in the "off season!" Sunday evening was ice cream social. Kathy always finds some interesting new flavor! Just 6 or so of us there – crowds will be picking up soon. The Winter Texans will be coming back before long.
I've just about eaten all of the beef and pork I brought from Iowa! Then I'll be back to seafood/fish and chicken! Oh, Dr Maroney will be sooooo happy!
The trailer is unpacked, but now I'm living with bags of 'stuff' all over the 5th wheel, trying to find places for it! Still waiting for parts for the trailer so it still sets down front in the pull thru space.
Monday I woke to 81 degrees. Li'lBit doesn't spend a lot of time outside in those temps. Too warm! Ended up in triple digits. Summer just doesn’t want to let go!
Holly's back to puking after she eats. I think there are some foods she just likes better than others and really eats too fast.
Spent all of Tuesday morning worried about my afternoon doc appointment. I was sure she would read me the riot act - lab values out of whack and I know I've put on the pounds - good ol' Iowa beef, pork and sweet corn! And probably a few too many meals out with Bea!
Well, it wasn't such a bad summer after all! All lab values that are supposed to be UP are UP; those that are supposed to be DOWN are DOWN! Didn’t gain any pounds but didn’t loose any either. She said once it gets cooler I can start walking again!! But the blood pressure was elevated (not too much.)of course I’d worried about my appointment all morning! And after she heard about my last two weeks, she said "work on getting it down!" See her again in three months!
On my way home, I picked up groceries and stopped at the vegetable stand and of course I had to stop at Castaways. I’m looking for some kind of kitchen stand/cart on wheels. Was hoping there was something at Castaway – will have to keep looking.
The 28th of September and at 6AM the temp was 83 degrees - 89% humidity -- WHEW! Li'lBit and I didn't stay out long! Met Donna for lunch at Whataburger. Found a pack of ground ham from Iowa in the freezer. Made it up like a meatloaf with egg and bread crumbs, some seasonings, and let it cook in the crock pot. About the time it was finished, I poured a can of sweet potatoes on top. It turned out quite yummy. But after pigging out at Whataburger with a sandwich and onion rings, I really wasn’t too hungry!
Thursday night Friendship Supper at the activities building doesn’t have much of a crowd! I fixed a sauerkraut salad and a rice salad – thought the rice salad could be used as a desert if there weren’t any – there are so few of us!
Wind, rain, thunder, lightning! I even shut down the computer for awhile! More thunder, lightning and wind than rain, but will take every drop! Thunderstorms down here are a piece of cake! Can't hold a candle to Iowa storms! Of course the folks in the park tease me about worrying about hurricanes and then I go to Iowa to live through their spring and summer storms!
Still waiting on parts for the wheel! Every day I'm "gladder and gladder" I didn't make the decision to have my trailer towed into Victoria!
Connie and Ron got in today. I had a chance to visit with them while they stayed at Shady Oaks in Marshalltown for about a week this summer.
The last day of September and it is 80 degrees at 7AM and 80% humidity - and tomorrow it's OCTOBER! WHEW!
The wheel is fixed 'good enough' for me to get the trailer to the repair place. It’s scheduled to go into the shop on Monday. Will be glad to have that task finished! September comes to an end!
I've just about eaten all of the beef and pork I brought from Iowa! Then I'll be back to seafood/fish and chicken! Oh, Dr Maroney will be sooooo happy!
The trailer is unpacked, but now I'm living with bags of 'stuff' all over the 5th wheel, trying to find places for it! Still waiting for parts for the trailer so it still sets down front in the pull thru space.
Monday I woke to 81 degrees. Li'lBit doesn't spend a lot of time outside in those temps. Too warm! Ended up in triple digits. Summer just doesn’t want to let go!
Holly's back to puking after she eats. I think there are some foods she just likes better than others and really eats too fast.
Spent all of Tuesday morning worried about my afternoon doc appointment. I was sure she would read me the riot act - lab values out of whack and I know I've put on the pounds - good ol' Iowa beef, pork and sweet corn! And probably a few too many meals out with Bea!
Well, it wasn't such a bad summer after all! All lab values that are supposed to be UP are UP; those that are supposed to be DOWN are DOWN! Didn’t gain any pounds but didn’t loose any either. She said once it gets cooler I can start walking again!! But the blood pressure was elevated (not too much.)of course I’d worried about my appointment all morning! And after she heard about my last two weeks, she said "work on getting it down!" See her again in three months!
On my way home, I picked up groceries and stopped at the vegetable stand and of course I had to stop at Castaways. I’m looking for some kind of kitchen stand/cart on wheels. Was hoping there was something at Castaway – will have to keep looking.
The 28th of September and at 6AM the temp was 83 degrees - 89% humidity -- WHEW! Li'lBit and I didn't stay out long! Met Donna for lunch at Whataburger. Found a pack of ground ham from Iowa in the freezer. Made it up like a meatloaf with egg and bread crumbs, some seasonings, and let it cook in the crock pot. About the time it was finished, I poured a can of sweet potatoes on top. It turned out quite yummy. But after pigging out at Whataburger with a sandwich and onion rings, I really wasn’t too hungry!
Thursday night Friendship Supper at the activities building doesn’t have much of a crowd! I fixed a sauerkraut salad and a rice salad – thought the rice salad could be used as a desert if there weren’t any – there are so few of us!
Wind, rain, thunder, lightning! I even shut down the computer for awhile! More thunder, lightning and wind than rain, but will take every drop! Thunderstorms down here are a piece of cake! Can't hold a candle to Iowa storms! Of course the folks in the park tease me about worrying about hurricanes and then I go to Iowa to live through their spring and summer storms!
Still waiting on parts for the wheel! Every day I'm "gladder and gladder" I didn't make the decision to have my trailer towed into Victoria!
Connie and Ron got in today. I had a chance to visit with them while they stayed at Shady Oaks in Marshalltown for about a week this summer.
The last day of September and it is 80 degrees at 7AM and 80% humidity - and tomorrow it's OCTOBER! WHEW!
The wheel is fixed 'good enough' for me to get the trailer to the repair place. It’s scheduled to go into the shop on Monday. Will be glad to have that task finished! September comes to an end!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
September 19 - 25 - My First Full Week in Rockport
Monday the 19th 68 degrees, humid, rained some more. Guess I brought the rain with me! Went into town to run some errands. Still living on sandwiches and needed bread, milk, staple kinda things! While down that end of town, stopped in to see Deryl & Elke. Didn't plan on staying and I ended up there about an hour or more drinking coffee.
Picked up a couple more bags and boxes of stuff from the trailer. This would become a routine – a couple bags and boxes, off to the 5th wheel put them away – then back for another trip when it cools down later in the day.
With the sun and the heat during the day, I usually limited my loads to two a day – one in the early AM and one in the evening. Gave me a chance to put stuff away as I moved it. Remember, the idea was to leave stuff in the trailer and not have to move it all of the time! But, since it is going into the shop, want to get out all I can.
Most of my plants are dead or dying! I put them UNDER my trailer while in Gatesville and kept them watered and out of the direct sun.....but I guess the heat and wind just got to them. Maybe I need to stop trying to be a traveling gardener and just buy plants when I get where I’m going!
Wish you could see the migration of hummingbirds here. I had two dead in front of my trailer on Monday. They must be starved by the time they get here. The feeders in the park are constantly full with birds, you can almost see the liquid going down in the feeder. You never see a feeding hole empty.
Thank heavens the park has Wifi – my Verizon wifi thingy is not really dependable! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t get a signal. Of course, my Verizon cell phone is just about the same; that’s why I keep minutes on an old TracFone.
The air just about has me down; maybe it's just trying to get the dust and smoke from central TX out of my lungs! Everyone here has been really nice about offering to help. But I just can't work fast enough (get enough air to keep up with them!) so I just do a little bit myself.
I love my little trailer, but it sure is nice having a real bed so I don't have to hi-hurdle in and out! Oh, it's nice to be back on a REAL computer, too!
At 5AM Tuesday, the temp was 57 degrees, humidity 69% but that usually goes down as the day goes on. Up early for an appointment for fasting lab. After a summer of Iowa beef, pork and sweet corn, I’m sure all of my lab values will be just terrific!
Li'lBit, Holly & Tinga are back to their old selves. Li'lBit has the hardest time not being able to see. She still acts confused about where she is and runs into things. But I knew she realized where she was when I put her out on her leash while I was unloading stuff from the truck, and she immediately went under the truck -- that's her 'cool' spot here. Tinga made her first 'fly around' and seems to have her bearings back. And Holly? Well, Holly is just Holly. She can always find food, water, kitty litter and a hiding place. Damn I love that ol' cat!
Wednesday, phone service and Verizon Wifi is still ‘iffy.’ Have no idea what is going on. But my day was screwed up the minute I turned on my computer. Yahoo mail and Face Book changed their formats and layouts and that has totally messed with my mind!
Had lunch at HuDats with Donna on Wednesday. Great seeing her! Ate the rice and other veggies while I was there, brought my shrimp and broccoli home. It ended up in a ‘pseudo-siamin’ soup the following nite with Ramen noodles, carrots and peas!
Went to Action RV to see if they knew someone that would come tow my trailer in since it is really ‘listing’ to the right! I’m just not at all comfortable with the idea of towing it thru town and the road construction in the area. They came out Thursday to look at it, will get the necessary parts and repair it here so I can tow it in. Then they will work on it and tend to the storm damage. What a deal!
Checked my email after coming back from lunch with Donna and there was a note from Elke – they were going to the Butter Churn that nite, meet them at their place at 5:10! Just what I needed – another meal out. But I do love The Butter Churn about as much as I love the food at HuDat’s!
When I came in from The Butter Churn, my gut is too full and it was too dark to work at the trailer. That meant a double loads Thursday AM!
By Thursday mid-morning I had hauled all out of the trailer that I going to do! Swept the floor (did not mop - will do that after the repair guys wander in and out), trash out. I'm finished hauling - for awhile, anyway!
Thursday afternoon John from Action RV came by and decided he needed to get some parts. Told me it might be a few days but when I saw a tire on the wheel, I could hitch it up and bring it in. Needs some part they don't carry....NATURALLY! Definitely made me glad I decided to tow it back to Rockport rather than set somewhere in Victoria!
Friday September 23rd was “I Ain't Doin' SHIT” day! I’m tired of lugging, tired of toting, tired of lifting, tired of packing and unpacking! AND, I haven't had my "collapse" day that I usually have after a trip. I took it Friday! Li'lBit and I sat at the picnic table and enjoyed the morning breeze 'til the sun got in our way! And I finally got around to starting a new book.
62 degrees, nice breeze outside -- maybe it's a COLD front! I can only hope!
I did shut off the A/C and opened some windows! I needed to get some fresh air in here - boy, did this smell like an RV when I first opened the door -- cheap wood and paneling kinda smell!
All the critters seem to be back to normal. Tinga is flying all over getting into things -- Li'lBit is going out side, acting like she is peeing, then coming in and using her paper! YUP, we're almost back to normal!
This brings me to completion of my first full week in Rockport. I miss being in Iowa and spending time with my sister and finding the 'garden fairy' has left me more tomatoes and cucumbers and squash -- but it is nice to be home!
Picked up a couple more bags and boxes of stuff from the trailer. This would become a routine – a couple bags and boxes, off to the 5th wheel put them away – then back for another trip when it cools down later in the day.
With the sun and the heat during the day, I usually limited my loads to two a day – one in the early AM and one in the evening. Gave me a chance to put stuff away as I moved it. Remember, the idea was to leave stuff in the trailer and not have to move it all of the time! But, since it is going into the shop, want to get out all I can.
Most of my plants are dead or dying! I put them UNDER my trailer while in Gatesville and kept them watered and out of the direct sun.....but I guess the heat and wind just got to them. Maybe I need to stop trying to be a traveling gardener and just buy plants when I get where I’m going!
Wish you could see the migration of hummingbirds here. I had two dead in front of my trailer on Monday. They must be starved by the time they get here. The feeders in the park are constantly full with birds, you can almost see the liquid going down in the feeder. You never see a feeding hole empty.
Thank heavens the park has Wifi – my Verizon wifi thingy is not really dependable! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t get a signal. Of course, my Verizon cell phone is just about the same; that’s why I keep minutes on an old TracFone.
The air just about has me down; maybe it's just trying to get the dust and smoke from central TX out of my lungs! Everyone here has been really nice about offering to help. But I just can't work fast enough (get enough air to keep up with them!) so I just do a little bit myself.
I love my little trailer, but it sure is nice having a real bed so I don't have to hi-hurdle in and out! Oh, it's nice to be back on a REAL computer, too!
At 5AM Tuesday, the temp was 57 degrees, humidity 69% but that usually goes down as the day goes on. Up early for an appointment for fasting lab. After a summer of Iowa beef, pork and sweet corn, I’m sure all of my lab values will be just terrific!
Li'lBit, Holly & Tinga are back to their old selves. Li'lBit has the hardest time not being able to see. She still acts confused about where she is and runs into things. But I knew she realized where she was when I put her out on her leash while I was unloading stuff from the truck, and she immediately went under the truck -- that's her 'cool' spot here. Tinga made her first 'fly around' and seems to have her bearings back. And Holly? Well, Holly is just Holly. She can always find food, water, kitty litter and a hiding place. Damn I love that ol' cat!
Wednesday, phone service and Verizon Wifi is still ‘iffy.’ Have no idea what is going on. But my day was screwed up the minute I turned on my computer. Yahoo mail and Face Book changed their formats and layouts and that has totally messed with my mind!
Had lunch at HuDats with Donna on Wednesday. Great seeing her! Ate the rice and other veggies while I was there, brought my shrimp and broccoli home. It ended up in a ‘pseudo-siamin’ soup the following nite with Ramen noodles, carrots and peas!
Went to Action RV to see if they knew someone that would come tow my trailer in since it is really ‘listing’ to the right! I’m just not at all comfortable with the idea of towing it thru town and the road construction in the area. They came out Thursday to look at it, will get the necessary parts and repair it here so I can tow it in. Then they will work on it and tend to the storm damage. What a deal!
Checked my email after coming back from lunch with Donna and there was a note from Elke – they were going to the Butter Churn that nite, meet them at their place at 5:10! Just what I needed – another meal out. But I do love The Butter Churn about as much as I love the food at HuDat’s!
When I came in from The Butter Churn, my gut is too full and it was too dark to work at the trailer. That meant a double loads Thursday AM!
By Thursday mid-morning I had hauled all out of the trailer that I going to do! Swept the floor (did not mop - will do that after the repair guys wander in and out), trash out. I'm finished hauling - for awhile, anyway!
Thursday afternoon John from Action RV came by and decided he needed to get some parts. Told me it might be a few days but when I saw a tire on the wheel, I could hitch it up and bring it in. Needs some part they don't carry....NATURALLY! Definitely made me glad I decided to tow it back to Rockport rather than set somewhere in Victoria!
Friday September 23rd was “I Ain't Doin' SHIT” day! I’m tired of lugging, tired of toting, tired of lifting, tired of packing and unpacking! AND, I haven't had my "collapse" day that I usually have after a trip. I took it Friday! Li'lBit and I sat at the picnic table and enjoyed the morning breeze 'til the sun got in our way! And I finally got around to starting a new book.
62 degrees, nice breeze outside -- maybe it's a COLD front! I can only hope!
I did shut off the A/C and opened some windows! I needed to get some fresh air in here - boy, did this smell like an RV when I first opened the door -- cheap wood and paneling kinda smell!
All the critters seem to be back to normal. Tinga is flying all over getting into things -- Li'lBit is going out side, acting like she is peeing, then coming in and using her paper! YUP, we're almost back to normal!
This brings me to completion of my first full week in Rockport. I miss being in Iowa and spending time with my sister and finding the 'garden fairy' has left me more tomatoes and cucumbers and squash -- but it is nice to be home!
Friday, September 23, 2011
An Interesting Trip: Intestinal fortitude versus lack of cerebral gray matter
Made it back to Rockport about 7PM. Had some problems just south of Victoria. It’s about 300 miles from Gatesville TX to Rockport TX and the last 65 took me about as long as the first 235!
Pulled in for fuel just south of Victoria, pleased that I was making such great time. Trucker next to me hollered that my wheel had lost all its grease. That's not all it lost, the guts of the rear wheel on the passenger side of the trailer were totally exposed! Tire was fine, that wasn't the problem!
Sat there in the truck stop parking lot for nearly 3 hours waiting for a service truck. The repair guy pulled up, got out of his truck and I wanted to give him a hug! By then too late to get any repair work done on a Friday nite in the middle of no-where TX so he took off the tire, we moved all the weight in the trailer to the front to get it on the hitch and off the rear axle. After putting the fear of God in me about making the trip, he sent me on my way. He said he wasn't happy with my decision to go on down the road, it could be done, but....!!!
My alternative was to set there probably over the weekend. Hopefully able to get someone to tow the trailer in and I could go on to a motel with the critters. I don't think so! I came in on 3 wheels (on the trailer) at about 10-20 mph, stopping every 20 miles or so to pull over and feel the lone tire on that side to make sure it didn't overheat and blow out. I seldom got up to 20 mph! I was too scared! It was a white-knuckle ride!
I was about at the half-way point when an official vehicle from the Wildlife Preserve whipped about and got in front of me, hazard lites on. I pulled in behind not know just what was happening. It was my friend, Donna. She work-camps at the preserve just north of Rockport. She saw me and wanted to make sure I was OK. Angels come in all shapes and sizes because I had plenty of them keeping that wheel up so I could get home.
65 miles from Victoria to Rockport at 10-20 mph. Made it a hellofa long day. I pulled into the first available pull-thru slot I found at the RV park. Definitely proof of angels and God taking care of fools.
I put my head on the steering wheel and burst into tears. Then had to make a quick escape to the bathroom to PUKE! Was a wonderful experience. I plugged in the electricity and called it a day. Figured I could "think about it tomorrow," made a big glass of ice tea, threw up again, cried some more and crashed!
Spent the next day fighting diarrhea! Guess that's what happens when all of a sudden the adrenalin stops! I just know that is much more than you really wanted to know about my trip from Gatesville to Rockport!
This was the first time I've ever had to use my Good Sam's RV Road Service plan. Believe me, it was nice to have it! Bless his heart - about 9 PM my phone rang - it was Mr Truck Service Guy Angel! wanting to know if I made it! And, even tho I hate being on the cell phone when I'm driving -- the Good Sam Rep called me every hour until I got in. Now THAT is SERVICE!
Since arriving at Rockport, I’ve spent most of the time sorting and moving stuff from the trailer to the 5th wheel. Contacted Action RV and they will come out and fix the wheel – now waiting for parts. Then I can take it in to them for the rest of the repair work/storm damage from Iowa’s Great Winds!
Saturday Li'lBit and Tinga and I moved back into the 5th wheel and slept in our OLD RV! Holly decided to pull one of her "you aren't gonna put me in that carrier,' tricks so she slept by herself in the trailer! Sunday morning Holly was ready to move!
It is good to be home. Li'lBit is having some problems adjusting to the steps in the 5th wheel. I sometimes think her memory is going with her eyesight. Tinga has made her first 'fly around,' and seems to have her bearings. And then there is Holly, that darn cat, nothing seems to phase Holly -- show me the food, water and kitty litter, I'll find my own place to hide and just leave me alone - love that ol' cat!
Had I not been so tired Sat AM, I could have gone to breakfast at the activity bldg, but I just didn't have the energy! I did make it to Saturday nite ice cream social at the activity building. Friendship supper next Thursday. YUP! I'm home.
Sunday morning church at the activity building, a definite necessity! I needed to send in my praise report for getting here safely! But, it's not Sunday without Brunch with Bea! I miss that!
I think it took Li'lBit until Monday to realize where she was! She kept walking into things and wouldn't come up the steps to the bedroom until I stood on the steps and pointed them out to her by tapping on them. Good thing we have those better doggy stairs. She needs those to get up on the bed. It's a lot of work and she has to struggle to jump to the bed from her little stool.
First couple of days here there was some much needed rain. And, for me, another adjustment to pollens! It's nice to be back with my 'winter family!'
Pulled in for fuel just south of Victoria, pleased that I was making such great time. Trucker next to me hollered that my wheel had lost all its grease. That's not all it lost, the guts of the rear wheel on the passenger side of the trailer were totally exposed! Tire was fine, that wasn't the problem!
Sat there in the truck stop parking lot for nearly 3 hours waiting for a service truck. The repair guy pulled up, got out of his truck and I wanted to give him a hug! By then too late to get any repair work done on a Friday nite in the middle of no-where TX so he took off the tire, we moved all the weight in the trailer to the front to get it on the hitch and off the rear axle. After putting the fear of God in me about making the trip, he sent me on my way. He said he wasn't happy with my decision to go on down the road, it could be done, but....!!!
My alternative was to set there probably over the weekend. Hopefully able to get someone to tow the trailer in and I could go on to a motel with the critters. I don't think so! I came in on 3 wheels (on the trailer) at about 10-20 mph, stopping every 20 miles or so to pull over and feel the lone tire on that side to make sure it didn't overheat and blow out. I seldom got up to 20 mph! I was too scared! It was a white-knuckle ride!
I was about at the half-way point when an official vehicle from the Wildlife Preserve whipped about and got in front of me, hazard lites on. I pulled in behind not know just what was happening. It was my friend, Donna. She work-camps at the preserve just north of Rockport. She saw me and wanted to make sure I was OK. Angels come in all shapes and sizes because I had plenty of them keeping that wheel up so I could get home.
65 miles from Victoria to Rockport at 10-20 mph. Made it a hellofa long day. I pulled into the first available pull-thru slot I found at the RV park. Definitely proof of angels and God taking care of fools.
I put my head on the steering wheel and burst into tears. Then had to make a quick escape to the bathroom to PUKE! Was a wonderful experience. I plugged in the electricity and called it a day. Figured I could "think about it tomorrow," made a big glass of ice tea, threw up again, cried some more and crashed!
Spent the next day fighting diarrhea! Guess that's what happens when all of a sudden the adrenalin stops! I just know that is much more than you really wanted to know about my trip from Gatesville to Rockport!
This was the first time I've ever had to use my Good Sam's RV Road Service plan. Believe me, it was nice to have it! Bless his heart - about 9 PM my phone rang - it was Mr Truck Service Guy Angel! wanting to know if I made it! And, even tho I hate being on the cell phone when I'm driving -- the Good Sam Rep called me every hour until I got in. Now THAT is SERVICE!
Since arriving at Rockport, I’ve spent most of the time sorting and moving stuff from the trailer to the 5th wheel. Contacted Action RV and they will come out and fix the wheel – now waiting for parts. Then I can take it in to them for the rest of the repair work/storm damage from Iowa’s Great Winds!
Saturday Li'lBit and Tinga and I moved back into the 5th wheel and slept in our OLD RV! Holly decided to pull one of her "you aren't gonna put me in that carrier,' tricks so she slept by herself in the trailer! Sunday morning Holly was ready to move!
It is good to be home. Li'lBit is having some problems adjusting to the steps in the 5th wheel. I sometimes think her memory is going with her eyesight. Tinga has made her first 'fly around,' and seems to have her bearings. And then there is Holly, that darn cat, nothing seems to phase Holly -- show me the food, water and kitty litter, I'll find my own place to hide and just leave me alone - love that ol' cat!
Had I not been so tired Sat AM, I could have gone to breakfast at the activity bldg, but I just didn't have the energy! I did make it to Saturday nite ice cream social at the activity building. Friendship supper next Thursday. YUP! I'm home.
Sunday morning church at the activity building, a definite necessity! I needed to send in my praise report for getting here safely! But, it's not Sunday without Brunch with Bea! I miss that!
I think it took Li'lBit until Monday to realize where she was! She kept walking into things and wouldn't come up the steps to the bedroom until I stood on the steps and pointed them out to her by tapping on them. Good thing we have those better doggy stairs. She needs those to get up on the bed. It's a lot of work and she has to struggle to jump to the bed from her little stool.
First couple of days here there was some much needed rain. And, for me, another adjustment to pollens! It's nice to be back with my 'winter family!'
September 10-17 Howdy From Hot Dusty Dry Central Texas!
Spent a week in Gatesville and never did get used to hot, dry, dusty. Everything is horribly brown and dry, even Li'lBit didn't want to walk on the dead grass for potty stops. She didn't like the crunching under her feet. Every time she would step and it would 'crunch,' she'd pick up her foot and shake it!
All the way from the TX state line, I could see charred and burned areas from the interstate. In fact, two new wild fires started near I-35 in Tarrant County (Fort Worth) as I was coming thru that area and there was a traffic jam of fire trucks and emergency vehicles.
On and off day and nite, sirens headed out of town. There is no second-guessing a grass fire. Instead of sending one truck and have that truck assess the situation and call for additional help if needed, they seem to send ALL trucks, assess the situation and then send back to the stations those they don't need. Another fire roared up just south of Gatesville.
As long as I stayed inside the trailer with the A/C going, I didn't smell the smoke, and I had 'filtered' air with my respirator and oxygen concentrator. But the minute I opened the door and went outside, the smoky dust would cling to skin, clothes, hair – Kinda like spending too many hours in a smoky bar and wondering why your clothes smelled like cigarette smoke and beer!
Sunday 102 degrees - hot, dusty, I want to go back to Iowa! I took Li’lBit out but didn’t walk her. I stood in one spot and turned in a circle and she walked at the end of the leash -- kinda like walking a horse on one of those merry-go-round things!
Went to Johnnie’s for Sunday dinner with her family and she always has my favorite chicken fried steak, taters, gravy, frog eye salad, black eyed pea salad and on and on and on. That lady can certainly set a feast on a table.
4PM still 102 degrees, water from my cold water faucet was hotter than my hot water! I came south too soon!
Monday I woke up to 67 degrees at 6:45 –again went up to 104! At least I can sleep at nite with my vents open and a fan going. Leave the window open a little in the kitchen area -- brings in some of the cooler nite air. I don't have to worry about humidity! Humidity 39% and dew point 41.
Stopped by the County Offices for my tags for the 5th wheel - $121! Gatesville is always my 'pricey' stay! Stopped by the bank to let them know I was still alive and using the on-line banking. I'm sure they know that but like to check in with one of the 'personal bankers' each time I come thru -- just in case I have to call them for some reason.
As I was pulling out to run errands, here's Brenda! So we did breakfast. Morning coffee with Johnnie! Met Tina and her little boy Jacob at DQ for supper and ice cream, then back home.
As soon as the swelling and itching left my eyes, my nose stopped running, my throat stopped itching and I stopped sneezing and coughing it was a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
I think it is a good thing I decided to move from central TX! I definitely am allergic to Gatesville. Of course the heat and smoky dust doesn't help. I'm leaving this Friday to head back to Rockport -- going to get some of that good salty, fishy gulf. I called them to 'warn them' I'm coming back! Can't wait to get to the gulf coast and smell that fishy, moist gulf air!!
Tuesday 104+ degrees - guess whose truck no longer had a working air conditioner! WHEW!! Guess who was setting at the Dodge Service Entrance at the crack of dawn the next morning!
In Iowa my weather warnings are storms, tornadoes, winds – here in central TX my daily weather warnings are Red Flag Warnings: Gusty Winds And Low Humidity For All Of Central Texas. Winds near 15 mph with gusts to 25+ mph; humidity as low as 10-15%; triple digit temps. Impact: Any Fires That Develop Will Likely Spread Rapidly.
My poor plants were suffering. They get so nice and full while in Iowa. Now they have been outside (and I had them partially under the trailer to keep them out of direct sun) and they are just about dead! I watered them twice a day and it still isn't enough! Of course with the humidity about 15%, there isn't much moisture in the air and triple digit temps most of the time.
Wednesday, $339 later the A/C in the truck was working! Of course $225 of that was labor! I should be in the A/C business. $25 was for "recycle fee' It's still over 100here today - I gladly wrote out the check! Stopped by Johnnie's for some coffee.
Met Brenda for breakfast twice during the week and had lunch with her and Ellen at the Italian place on Thursday. Missed seeing quite a few folks this trip – SGT Broam wasn’t feeling well, just never got around to catching up with Janis and Cindy. Mary Jane and I seem to have a devil of a time coordinating our schedules. And I never made it to Hamilton to see friends up there - and chow down at Storms! Maybe next trip!
About 2 AM Thursday a 'cold front' came thru. Temps dropped about 20 degrees with a little breeze. 67 degrees and a breeze when I woke up -- A/C off, windows open! A much nicer day to pack up and get ready to roll with the cooler temps! Thank You God! He sure does know how to take care of ol' fat ladies!!
Friday, Sept 16, I posted to facebook: Packing up and heading south today - about 5-6 hrs and I'll be back in Rockport. At least it is some cooler - 74 degrees this AM.
Little did I know the adventure in store for me as I pulled out of the RV park in Gatesville that morning!
All the way from the TX state line, I could see charred and burned areas from the interstate. In fact, two new wild fires started near I-35 in Tarrant County (Fort Worth) as I was coming thru that area and there was a traffic jam of fire trucks and emergency vehicles.
On and off day and nite, sirens headed out of town. There is no second-guessing a grass fire. Instead of sending one truck and have that truck assess the situation and call for additional help if needed, they seem to send ALL trucks, assess the situation and then send back to the stations those they don't need. Another fire roared up just south of Gatesville.
As long as I stayed inside the trailer with the A/C going, I didn't smell the smoke, and I had 'filtered' air with my respirator and oxygen concentrator. But the minute I opened the door and went outside, the smoky dust would cling to skin, clothes, hair – Kinda like spending too many hours in a smoky bar and wondering why your clothes smelled like cigarette smoke and beer!
Sunday 102 degrees - hot, dusty, I want to go back to Iowa! I took Li’lBit out but didn’t walk her. I stood in one spot and turned in a circle and she walked at the end of the leash -- kinda like walking a horse on one of those merry-go-round things!
Went to Johnnie’s for Sunday dinner with her family and she always has my favorite chicken fried steak, taters, gravy, frog eye salad, black eyed pea salad and on and on and on. That lady can certainly set a feast on a table.
4PM still 102 degrees, water from my cold water faucet was hotter than my hot water! I came south too soon!
Monday I woke up to 67 degrees at 6:45 –again went up to 104! At least I can sleep at nite with my vents open and a fan going. Leave the window open a little in the kitchen area -- brings in some of the cooler nite air. I don't have to worry about humidity! Humidity 39% and dew point 41.
Stopped by the County Offices for my tags for the 5th wheel - $121! Gatesville is always my 'pricey' stay! Stopped by the bank to let them know I was still alive and using the on-line banking. I'm sure they know that but like to check in with one of the 'personal bankers' each time I come thru -- just in case I have to call them for some reason.
As I was pulling out to run errands, here's Brenda! So we did breakfast. Morning coffee with Johnnie! Met Tina and her little boy Jacob at DQ for supper and ice cream, then back home.
As soon as the swelling and itching left my eyes, my nose stopped running, my throat stopped itching and I stopped sneezing and coughing it was a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
I think it is a good thing I decided to move from central TX! I definitely am allergic to Gatesville. Of course the heat and smoky dust doesn't help. I'm leaving this Friday to head back to Rockport -- going to get some of that good salty, fishy gulf. I called them to 'warn them' I'm coming back! Can't wait to get to the gulf coast and smell that fishy, moist gulf air!!
Tuesday 104+ degrees - guess whose truck no longer had a working air conditioner! WHEW!! Guess who was setting at the Dodge Service Entrance at the crack of dawn the next morning!
In Iowa my weather warnings are storms, tornadoes, winds – here in central TX my daily weather warnings are Red Flag Warnings: Gusty Winds And Low Humidity For All Of Central Texas. Winds near 15 mph with gusts to 25+ mph; humidity as low as 10-15%; triple digit temps. Impact: Any Fires That Develop Will Likely Spread Rapidly.
My poor plants were suffering. They get so nice and full while in Iowa. Now they have been outside (and I had them partially under the trailer to keep them out of direct sun) and they are just about dead! I watered them twice a day and it still isn't enough! Of course with the humidity about 15%, there isn't much moisture in the air and triple digit temps most of the time.
Wednesday, $339 later the A/C in the truck was working! Of course $225 of that was labor! I should be in the A/C business. $25 was for "recycle fee' It's still over 100here today - I gladly wrote out the check! Stopped by Johnnie's for some coffee.
Met Brenda for breakfast twice during the week and had lunch with her and Ellen at the Italian place on Thursday. Missed seeing quite a few folks this trip – SGT Broam wasn’t feeling well, just never got around to catching up with Janis and Cindy. Mary Jane and I seem to have a devil of a time coordinating our schedules. And I never made it to Hamilton to see friends up there - and chow down at Storms! Maybe next trip!
About 2 AM Thursday a 'cold front' came thru. Temps dropped about 20 degrees with a little breeze. 67 degrees and a breeze when I woke up -- A/C off, windows open! A much nicer day to pack up and get ready to roll with the cooler temps! Thank You God! He sure does know how to take care of ol' fat ladies!!
Friday, Sept 16, I posted to facebook: Packing up and heading south today - about 5-6 hrs and I'll be back in Rockport. At least it is some cooler - 74 degrees this AM.
Little did I know the adventure in store for me as I pulled out of the RV park in Gatesville that morning!
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