Ron came by to help me hitch up the trailer and I headed out of Rockport before noon on Wednesday May 23. Arrived in Gatesville TX just in time for supper. Fred was there to help me get ‘level’ and unhitch. It’s a great feeling to be “home.” And it didn’t take me long to get out to Johnnie’s for coffee. Oh, how I miss our chats when I’m not in Gatesville!
After a night of tossing and turning, waking up with back pain and leg cramps, I realized it might take me some time to get back into that On The Road mode! Woke up Thursday AM knowing I hadn’t gone for enough north! 76 degrees at 7 AM! Headed out to Johnnie’s to do my laundry, visit and drink coffee!
In less than 24 hours I was coughing, spitting, sputtering, nose plugged, short of breath!! Hmmmm…must be back in Gatesville!
Had the truck out to Orville’s at 7:30 Thursday AM -- Planned on it taking awhile so had my book -- but he got me in right away -- oil changed -- brakes checked and OK - tires checked and OK -- got out of there for less than $100! Dog-gone diesel oil change isn’t cheap!
More coffee with Johnnie and lunch with Brenda. Brenda brought my mail – a huge sack of junk mail and advertising. Most of my “real” mail is now coming to Rockport. Stopped at the license plate place and got the trailer tags -- then went to WalMart to see if they can put my old glasses back together -- I sat on them! They are my spare pair!
Saturday 10:30 AM Li'lBit’s appointment at the vet. Saturday at 6PM Michael fixed me deer meat stew and corn bread last – good food – good friends! Even brought a bowl home!
Met his cousin while there – she was having a yard sale on Saturday so you know where I went Saturday! And – I found an indoor grill – I have regretted selling mine at the yard sale when I was moving into the RV – but just didn’t think I’d need it in the RV. WRONG!! I now have a new one!
Sunday lunch at Johnnie's -- chicken fried steak, "Toby tators" and all the trimmings! Ate way too much – and she even had one of her ‘famous’ chocolate birthday cakes for me! A really nice surprise.
Got some rain Monday nite - At least it cooled it off a little -- all the way down to 72 degrees!
Went to vote Tuesday AM - what a disaster -- no wonder folks don't go out and vote -- no one seemed to know what was going on and it was all in one place -- the county court house! All but one of the precincts voted there and the right hand still didn’t know what the left hand was doing!
Met Mary Jane for lunch at Andy's -- had a really good salad -- made the mistake of trying to bring what I couldn't eat home -- didn't last too long in the truck while I was drinking coffee with Johnnie!
The truck went into Dodge for its well baby check up – having some A/C problems and it needed some routine checks. Then lunch with Brenda -- then coffee with Johnnie -- then back home to rest! Do you see a pattern here?
Picked up the truck -- gave 'em $600!!! But I'm up to date with all service and it shouldn't give me any trouble -- and shouldn't have much of a bill in the fall! My A/C is OK -- but there is something with the computer board and when it idles, etc etc etc -- damned if I understand it. I really can't complain -- the last couple of times I've gotten out kinda cheap -- just minor stuff -- but I'm at that mileage point where everything needs to be done and since I'm "passing thru" we do it all at once.
Major part of the storms passed us by Wednesday nite -- didn't get much rain so I had to water my plants – one of these days I’m gonna stop carting all of this greenery back and forth! At least it was down to 68 degrees and only into the 80s for a couple of days.
Met Brenda and Samantha for lunch at Ranchers - like their onion straws and hamburgers on sour dough buns. Glad I got to see Samantha, never did get the time to get “Brenda and the girls” together at Dairy Queen this trip. Then to Johnnie's for coffee and to do a load of laundry.
Ran into Laurie and Cindy (used to work with them at home health) when I was at Ranchers. Stopped by home health one day before I left town to visit for awhile.
Johnnie’s grandson, Colton, graduated June 1 – didn’t go to graduation since it was outside at the football stadium in 90+ sticky, hot, humid degrees. But I did go to his party/dinner at The Feed Mill. I can’t believe he is graduating! Seems like just yesterday…
Gotta start packing up - hit the road Monday, June 4!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
On The Road Again.....
Today is hitch-it-up-and-move-it-out day! Hope to be on the road before noon -- but it does take a bunch of last minute loading when you have critters!
First stop: Gatesville TX to catch up on gossip and coffee-drinkin' (and lunches)!
Then on to Iowa the first part of June.
First stop: Gatesville TX to catch up on gossip and coffee-drinkin' (and lunches)!
Then on to Iowa the first part of June.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Packin' Up, Tossin' Out, Closin' Up, Loadin' Up
Yee-Haw! Now that's Texan for YIPPEE! Had an appointment at cardiology today for follow-up of stent placement and I'm good to go! "Have a good summer and I'll see you when you get back." Those were the magic words! My new Super-Heros are Dr Toth and Dr Szalai of Cardiology Associates of Corpus Christi!
Now, to finish cleaning up the 5th wheel and packing up the things I will be taking with me -- then loading the travel trailer and I"ll be ready. Fortunately, I have accumulated duplicates of quite a bit of "stuff" and it is permanently in the trailer so I don't have to move it each time.
Hopefully on the road not later than NEXT Thursday! Can't wait to make it to Gatesville (TX) and get some of Johnnie Williams' coffee...oh, how I miss our visits!
Now, to finish cleaning up the 5th wheel and packing up the things I will be taking with me -- then loading the travel trailer and I"ll be ready. Fortunately, I have accumulated duplicates of quite a bit of "stuff" and it is permanently in the trailer so I don't have to move it each time.
Hopefully on the road not later than NEXT Thursday! Can't wait to make it to Gatesville (TX) and get some of Johnnie Williams' coffee...oh, how I miss our visits!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Life is Good and Gonna Get Better!
Things I learned on Saturday: (1) When it is going to be 90 humid degrees, best to leave the A/C going if you are gone -- otherwise fleas invade your carpet; (2) All the food purchased to follow the pulmonary doc's diet is not applicable to a cardio-diet; (3) A crock pot must be plugged in to work; (4) It is nearly impossible to catch up on 5 days of email and Face book; (5) A cat, even an OLD one, can clear everything off of a desk, table or counter if left alone for any length of time!
Got home from the hospital on Friday – after going in for a procedure on Wednesday, ended up being sent directly to the hospital for placement of stent in coronary artery that was 95% blocked. Not the way I had planned on spending the end of the week! Fortunately, habit and previous experience has trained me to put out the auto-waterer and extra food for the critters. I left the bags of dog and cat food on the floor and open so they could get into them if needed! I’m such a thoughtful critter-mom! AND, put down several pee pads for Li’lBit and a fresh supply of kitty litter for Holly.
When I left Wednesday morning, I had full intentions of being home Wednesday evening, but after the cardiac catheterization, it was decided I needed immediate treatment so at 7AM the next morning I was having the groin poked and prodded again to get the angioplasty and stent placement completed. I think the worse part of that was the 8 hrs flat on my back after the procedure – that just plain sucks!
Thanks to Deryl and Elke, my friends here in Rockport, I had transportation when I needed it and they came by the RV and checked on the critters. Holly, 17 yrs old, had been quite lethargic; loosing weight, not eating, drinking…I was really worried about her. And, Li’lBit is up there in years, too, and being blind….I just hated being away from them.
But…I got ‘sprung’ on Friday; Deryl and Elke carted my lazy rear end back home – after we stopped for lunch at Sirloin Stockade! They even dropped off my RX and picked them up and delivered later that day.
This winter has not been a “good air” winter for me. Breathing had become increasingly more and more painful and more and more labored. I had just about given up going to any of the activities and functions offered…..just took too much air to move. The last couple of months have been a series of medical appointments – pulmonary specialist in Victoria TX, 50 miles north of Rockport, and cardio specialist in Corpus Christi, about 35 miles south. I’ve had just about all they offer – stress test, failed that twice, echocardiograms, sonograms, CAT scans, blood work until I’m not sure there is much left – I definitely cannot complain about the caliber of care offered – Thank you Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas and Medicare!
Now, as soon as I can get past this lack of activity period, no driving, etc etc etc (I do like the no vacuuming part, however!) I’m sure I’ll be rarin’ to go. Gotta get that trailer loaded to head north. 50th class reunion in Maquoketa (Iowa) this summer and you don’t think I’m gonna miss seeing all those old folks I went to school with, do you?
Got home from the hospital on Friday – after going in for a procedure on Wednesday, ended up being sent directly to the hospital for placement of stent in coronary artery that was 95% blocked. Not the way I had planned on spending the end of the week! Fortunately, habit and previous experience has trained me to put out the auto-waterer and extra food for the critters. I left the bags of dog and cat food on the floor and open so they could get into them if needed! I’m such a thoughtful critter-mom! AND, put down several pee pads for Li’lBit and a fresh supply of kitty litter for Holly.
When I left Wednesday morning, I had full intentions of being home Wednesday evening, but after the cardiac catheterization, it was decided I needed immediate treatment so at 7AM the next morning I was having the groin poked and prodded again to get the angioplasty and stent placement completed. I think the worse part of that was the 8 hrs flat on my back after the procedure – that just plain sucks!
Thanks to Deryl and Elke, my friends here in Rockport, I had transportation when I needed it and they came by the RV and checked on the critters. Holly, 17 yrs old, had been quite lethargic; loosing weight, not eating, drinking…I was really worried about her. And, Li’lBit is up there in years, too, and being blind….I just hated being away from them.
But…I got ‘sprung’ on Friday; Deryl and Elke carted my lazy rear end back home – after we stopped for lunch at Sirloin Stockade! They even dropped off my RX and picked them up and delivered later that day.
This winter has not been a “good air” winter for me. Breathing had become increasingly more and more painful and more and more labored. I had just about given up going to any of the activities and functions offered…..just took too much air to move. The last couple of months have been a series of medical appointments – pulmonary specialist in Victoria TX, 50 miles north of Rockport, and cardio specialist in Corpus Christi, about 35 miles south. I’ve had just about all they offer – stress test, failed that twice, echocardiograms, sonograms, CAT scans, blood work until I’m not sure there is much left – I definitely cannot complain about the caliber of care offered – Thank you Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas and Medicare!
Now, as soon as I can get past this lack of activity period, no driving, etc etc etc (I do like the no vacuuming part, however!) I’m sure I’ll be rarin’ to go. Gotta get that trailer loaded to head north. 50th class reunion in Maquoketa (Iowa) this summer and you don’t think I’m gonna miss seeing all those old folks I went to school with, do you?
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
OOPS - I've Been a Bad Girl; Neglecting the Blog!
Due to the milder winter weather in the midwest, folks started packing up and moving north earlier than usual, some in early April. By the end of March, the park had taken on it's "summer empty" appearance; all of the "see you next winter" good-byes had been said.
It's almost time for me to head north - better update y'all on my exciting activities for the last couple of months. How many doctor's waiting rooms can you set in within a couple of months -- the answer: LOTS! I'm rapidly getting used to my Kindle e-Reader!
My local doc sent me for some cardiology and respiratory work-ups; we weren't getting anywhere with simple (and not so simple) medication changes. So...it has been off to the specialists. I have a great cardio guy in Corpus Christi (about 40 miles to the south) and a great respiratory guy in Victoria (about 50 miles to the north.) Believe me, I've been burning up the highway and the diesel fuel. But, I'm just about finished (I think.) One more cardio appointment and one more GP appointment before I can set a definite date to head north.
Hopefully by the end of May, before Memorial Day weekend, I'll be setting in Gatesville, drinking coffee with Johnnie and having lunch with Brenda. By the way, Brenda and Samantha came down and spend several days with me. We set up my little trailer for them here in the park and it was really great having them here.
I have to be in Iowa for eye doc appointment June 11. Want to get there about June 6 so I don't have to rush getting settled in. Can't wait to get to Iowa to ride out a few tornadoes and wind storms.
Got a little practice with that here in Rockport yesterday. Previous evening winds picked up, rain was blowing sideways! I had to be in Corpus Christi for a cardio appointment by 11AM that same morning, so off I went like I had good sense! Couldn't see the road, but followed the tail lights of the truck ahead of me. If he had gone over the edge, I'd have been right behind him...he obviously knew where he was going 'cuz I arrived at the clinic safe and sound. On the way back, I realized just what the weatherman means when he says 'coastal flooding." The bay had blown in and with all the rain we had (up to 16") the water was kissing the edges of the roadway. Reportedly 4 tornadoes touched down in the area. No damage from hail or winds at my place...except the WiFi and Cable TV are OUT!
High and dry today!
It's almost time for me to head north - better update y'all on my exciting activities for the last couple of months. How many doctor's waiting rooms can you set in within a couple of months -- the answer: LOTS! I'm rapidly getting used to my Kindle e-Reader!
My local doc sent me for some cardiology and respiratory work-ups; we weren't getting anywhere with simple (and not so simple) medication changes. So...it has been off to the specialists. I have a great cardio guy in Corpus Christi (about 40 miles to the south) and a great respiratory guy in Victoria (about 50 miles to the north.) Believe me, I've been burning up the highway and the diesel fuel. But, I'm just about finished (I think.) One more cardio appointment and one more GP appointment before I can set a definite date to head north.
Hopefully by the end of May, before Memorial Day weekend, I'll be setting in Gatesville, drinking coffee with Johnnie and having lunch with Brenda. By the way, Brenda and Samantha came down and spend several days with me. We set up my little trailer for them here in the park and it was really great having them here.
I have to be in Iowa for eye doc appointment June 11. Want to get there about June 6 so I don't have to rush getting settled in. Can't wait to get to Iowa to ride out a few tornadoes and wind storms.
Got a little practice with that here in Rockport yesterday. Previous evening winds picked up, rain was blowing sideways! I had to be in Corpus Christi for a cardio appointment by 11AM that same morning, so off I went like I had good sense! Couldn't see the road, but followed the tail lights of the truck ahead of me. If he had gone over the edge, I'd have been right behind him...he obviously knew where he was going 'cuz I arrived at the clinic safe and sound. On the way back, I realized just what the weatherman means when he says 'coastal flooding." The bay had blown in and with all the rain we had (up to 16") the water was kissing the edges of the roadway. Reportedly 4 tornadoes touched down in the area. No damage from hail or winds at my place...except the WiFi and Cable TV are OUT!
High and dry today!
RECIPES
Corn and Crab Chowder
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning blend,
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock or broth
1 quart whole milk
3 cups corn kernels, scraped fresh from the cob or frozen kernels
8 ounces cooked lump crab meat – fresh is available in plastic tubs at many fish
counters
4 small 6-inch bread boules (round loaves), hollowed out, preferably sourdough
(optional)
Toppings:
Oyster crackers
Hot cayenne pepper sauce
Sliced scallions
Heat a deep pot over moderate heat. Add vegetable oil or EVOO, about one turn of the
pan, and butter.
As you chop your veggies, add them to the pot: potatoes, celery, onion and red bell pepper. Then add the bay leaf. Season vegetables with salt and pepper and Old Bay
seasoning.
Sauté veggies five minutes, then sprinkle in flour. Cook with flour for two minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and combine. Stir in milk and combine. Bring soup up to a bubble. Add corn and crab meat and simmer soup, about five minutes.
Adjust the soup seasonings and remove the bay leaf. Ladle soup into bread bowls or soup bowls and top with oyster crackers, hot sauce and sliced scallions.
Nutella Cookies
1 Cup Nutella
½ Cup sugar
1 Cup All-purpose Flour
1 whole egg
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Blend all ingedients together well. (it’s kinda crumbly) Form into 1″ balls and plan on cookie sheet. Press down firmly with the bottom of a glass. Bake 7-8 minutes or until set. Cool. Makes about 24 cookies.
Chicken Cheese Casserole
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
8 oz sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups salsa or 1 can Rotel
1 can of corn, drained
2 cups Mexican cheese, shredded
1 bag of nacho cheese Doritos
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Crush the entire bag of Doritos and cover the bottom of the dish. Reserve one cup of cheese. Mix together remaining ingredients in a large bow. Pour chicken mixture over the Doritos. Bake for 20 min. Top casserole with the remaining cheese and bake 5 additional minutes or until melted.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning blend,
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock or broth
1 quart whole milk
3 cups corn kernels, scraped fresh from the cob or frozen kernels
8 ounces cooked lump crab meat – fresh is available in plastic tubs at many fish
counters
4 small 6-inch bread boules (round loaves), hollowed out, preferably sourdough
(optional)
Toppings:
Oyster crackers
Hot cayenne pepper sauce
Sliced scallions
Heat a deep pot over moderate heat. Add vegetable oil or EVOO, about one turn of the
pan, and butter.
As you chop your veggies, add them to the pot: potatoes, celery, onion and red bell pepper. Then add the bay leaf. Season vegetables with salt and pepper and Old Bay
seasoning.
Sauté veggies five minutes, then sprinkle in flour. Cook with flour for two minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and combine. Stir in milk and combine. Bring soup up to a bubble. Add corn and crab meat and simmer soup, about five minutes.
Adjust the soup seasonings and remove the bay leaf. Ladle soup into bread bowls or soup bowls and top with oyster crackers, hot sauce and sliced scallions.
Nutella Cookies
1 Cup Nutella
½ Cup sugar
1 Cup All-purpose Flour
1 whole egg
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Blend all ingedients together well. (it’s kinda crumbly) Form into 1″ balls and plan on cookie sheet. Press down firmly with the bottom of a glass. Bake 7-8 minutes or until set. Cool. Makes about 24 cookies.
Chicken Cheese Casserole
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
8 oz sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups salsa or 1 can Rotel
1 can of corn, drained
2 cups Mexican cheese, shredded
1 bag of nacho cheese Doritos
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Crush the entire bag of Doritos and cover the bottom of the dish. Reserve one cup of cheese. Mix together remaining ingredients in a large bow. Pour chicken mixture over the Doritos. Bake for 20 min. Top casserole with the remaining cheese and bake 5 additional minutes or until melted.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Jan 28 - Feb 11, 2012 My Mind Says It's Right; My Heart Aches!
Saturday I took corn chowder to soup and baked potato supper (one of my favorite events!) When I came home, opened my refrig and there was no light - didn't know if the fridge wasn't working or if the light was just burned out. There wasn't anything I could do at 8:30 at nite. Of course, I wasn't even sure where the refrig plugged in since it is in so tight, can't be moved out since I replaced the RV fridge with a household fridge. I'd have to get a repair guy (that put it in) to come get at it thru the back -what a mess - needless to say, I was a tad bit PO’d!
By the time I was ready to go to bed, went to turn on the oxygen and it didn't work. Felt the crock pot with the left over soup - it was cold. Problems with an electrical circuit? Breakers OK - fuses OK. Then I remembered, the 'trip' plug (GFC - or whatever they call it) is by the bathroom sink. Sure enough, it had tripped. Pressed the reset and all was working and I was a happy camper! Not sure how it got tripped but has been fine since.
Pam and Geoff (from Canada) got in Friday. Pam came down with a migraine and the first I had a chance to visit with them was at the soup supper. So nice to see them.
Stayed in Sunday. Going to the soup supper Saturday night did me in; that and waking to a 45 degree morning! I brought less than ½ of the corn chowder home so I added some left over fried chicken to it – Yummy!
I've been looking for a home for Tinga for quite some time; just not in enough of a hurry to let her go to just anyone. When Deryl & Elke mentioned Lindsey and Daniel, it just kinda clicked; that would be the place. She does create lots of dust. I'm going to miss my 'breakfast buddy' when she leaves. We do breakfast together each morning!
After talking to Deryl and Elke, I decided to offer her to their grand-daughter Lindsey and her fiancé, Daniel. Not sure when they will be down from San Antonio; he is a full time student at University of TX in San Antonio and she has a full time job. At least I know she is going to a good home that can deal with birds (they already have a couple.)
Caleb is quieting some, but I know he stirs up the dust, too. He's a typical bouncy terrier! I’ve even hired a cleaning lady. It will be a big help, I think.
According to doc, my lungs are clearing; I'm just in the allergy mess now. Deryl & Elke suggested I take the trailer and go somewhere for a month or so. Not sure where I'd go, central TX would be worse! I know I'm getting some better every day. I'm just to the point where I get so paranoid it will settle back in my lungs, I don't do much. Spend a lot of time reading and on the computer! And, when I don't do much, I get weaker and weaker so now, I have to get some strength back.
Monday I got off to a late start. The sun forgot to come up and shine in my bedroom window and I didn't crawl out of bed until almost 8:30! Even the critters didn't wake me up! Didn't plan on buying much at the grocery but came home with a big slab of beef ribs - the big ones with not too much meat left on them - but they make good soup stock! Got a bunch of info from Iowa Dept of Tourism in the mail so I can start planning my day trips!
Tuesday started with 64 foggy humid degrees. No ladies coffee for me. By the time I took the dogs out and got my propane tank out to the street that was my morning energy quota! Propane truck came in the AM and right behind the truck was Cleo to put it in for me and hook it up! I'm really getting spoiled!
Definitely needed more bedding - now that I share the bed with 2 days and a cat! I went to Castaways and found 3 king size flat sheets in good shape (not even faded!) and got'em all for $10! One is a heavy flannel one that I will use as a blanket. How lucky is THAT!
But here is the best part of my day...stopped to get fuel ($3.79.9/gal!) and bought a cup of coffee while I was in there. I didn't even get pulled out of the gas station and onto the highway before I spilled about 1/2 of it in my lap! Can't believe it didn't drip all the way down my shirt. Just hit the seat; of course, I was setting in the seat so I ended up with WET BRITCHES! Been a long time since I had wet pants! GEEZ! Not only can't I walk and breathe in this foggy air, I can't drink coffee and breathe without spilling it! And they have really good coffee at that gas station!
And here comes February! Time flies when we are having fun! Four more months and I'll be gettin' ready to head north! Off to a really late start this first day of Feb; I sure do sleep in when it's foggy. And now, even Caleb has learned it isn't nice to wake up Helen until she is ready! He just lays there at the foot of the bed waiting for Li'lBit to do that job!
We are finally getting our morning schedule down. Li'lBit likes to go out when she first gets up. Caleb would stay out all the time if he had a chance but he doesn't pee until after he eats - and then he pees gallons! So we go out on Caleb's schedule. Li'l Bit will come in and go out a dozen times a day with her little dribbles, but Caleb won't go again until after supper and then he will pee a few more gallons. He must have a "bladder from hell!"
65 degrees and foggy. When the fog lifts, plan on going into town to see Kathy’s new-to-her 5th wheel out at Shady Oaks RV park south of town and then meet up with Donna for lunch at Shempy’s.
Groundhog Day – foggy – no shadows being seen here! Guess I haven't left my closet doors open enough! Sure does smell musty in there. Pulled stuff out and check all over, nothing is wet, doesn't even feel damp. Just smells musty so back to leaving the closet doors open!
Went to Deryl & Elke’s for fish fry Saturday. Deryl can fry up some tasty fish! My belly is always miserably FULL and happy when I leave their place! Loved the meal.
Sunday was pick up day for Tinga. I made the mistake of trying to corral her to clip her wings. Not smart! The price of flapping feathers and dust was cough, cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze, sneeze, gasp, gasp, gasp, wheeze, wheeze, wheeze! And I never did get her clipped. She hasn't been clipped for years and she wasn’t one bit happy!
I was really excited for Tinga and Lindsey (and Daniel, too!) Tinga needs a place where she can get more attention than I can give her since I can’t have her out flying about with the dust like she used to. But now Tinga’s gone! My head say's it is right; my heart aches! Took most of the rest of Sunday to pick up that corner and vacuum up the seeds and dust so the cleaning lady can hit it good on Monday.
February 6th 47 degrees, cloudy, breezy. My first day with one less mouth to feed and no one holler at me "I'll come out now!" I guess it'll take a few days for me to get used to the quiet!
Tuesday brought more heavy humid air, foggy and 54 degrees. Kinda nice waking up to clean floors – all of them clean at the same time. Not just one section today and another tomorrow! Should have gotten a cleaning lady long ago. Sure glad she changed my bedding - Li'lBit got sick last nite - so guess who had to change bedding! Fortunately, she didn't mess up much other than a light flannel blanket and one sheet! Bless her heart, she just can't see to get down off the bed in the dark (even with the night light on) and I just didn't wake up to set her down. I knew she was nudging me, but I just rolled over and went back to sleep; I'll not do THAT again!
Not even gonna try walking up to coffee. Met Donna at Panjo's Pizza for lunch, ran some errands, got my hair cut, came home exhausted. Enough activity for one day!
Need to figure out something to do for Terry. He came by the other day and washed my windows on the outside and wouldn’t take anything for it…..I’ll think of something! Have I mentioned I love this park and the folk here – always willing to help (even before you ask!)
Wednesday brought more 57 damp dreary degrees winds picked up about noon, then when the front blew thru - some sun! Gotta get busy and get this box of paperwork sorted! Odds and ends of mail I've kept and probably all needs to be tossed, but gotta go thru it just to be sure. It is tax time!
Pizza soup in the crock pot. I have some left over pizza sauce from when I made snack pizzas out of tortillas, some left over Italian sausage, plenty of peppers, onions, etc. Tossed it all in the crock pot with some broth and let'er cook. It was very good – will have to remember that recipe!
Thursday headed into WallyWorld to pick up critter food and pee papers! Story of my life – critter food and pee papers! I don’t like going into town on Friday, Sat or Sun – Winter Texans are here and they really “muck” things up, you know! Hehehe!!
Seems I just can't 'get it together' before 10 AM and by 4 PM I'm already pooped. My breathing treatments aren't working like they should. Not getting the "uumpf" from them that I used to and just when I think this crap is getting outta here, it comes back to remind of it hasn’t totally left! At least I'm feeling some better than I did last month!
It was too chilly and damp for me to even think of potluck! The winds picked up by the end of the day and it just kinda chills to the bone! I know, when it is 50 degrees, it is hard for you suffering with sub-freezing wind chills, to understand 'chill to the bone at 50 degrees!'
Nice gentle rain Thursday night made for good sleepin' weather! 55 sunny degrees - 15 mph 'breeze' - but that's OK. Had my crock pot going with hamburger soup! Time to clean out the veggie bin in the fridge so hamburger soup takes care of that! Another one of those ‘no recipe’ soups – beef broth, hamburger, whatever else is in the fridge that needs to be eaten!
By the time I was ready to go to bed, went to turn on the oxygen and it didn't work. Felt the crock pot with the left over soup - it was cold. Problems with an electrical circuit? Breakers OK - fuses OK. Then I remembered, the 'trip' plug (GFC - or whatever they call it) is by the bathroom sink. Sure enough, it had tripped. Pressed the reset and all was working and I was a happy camper! Not sure how it got tripped but has been fine since.
Pam and Geoff (from Canada) got in Friday. Pam came down with a migraine and the first I had a chance to visit with them was at the soup supper. So nice to see them.
Stayed in Sunday. Going to the soup supper Saturday night did me in; that and waking to a 45 degree morning! I brought less than ½ of the corn chowder home so I added some left over fried chicken to it – Yummy!
I've been looking for a home for Tinga for quite some time; just not in enough of a hurry to let her go to just anyone. When Deryl & Elke mentioned Lindsey and Daniel, it just kinda clicked; that would be the place. She does create lots of dust. I'm going to miss my 'breakfast buddy' when she leaves. We do breakfast together each morning!
After talking to Deryl and Elke, I decided to offer her to their grand-daughter Lindsey and her fiancé, Daniel. Not sure when they will be down from San Antonio; he is a full time student at University of TX in San Antonio and she has a full time job. At least I know she is going to a good home that can deal with birds (they already have a couple.)
Caleb is quieting some, but I know he stirs up the dust, too. He's a typical bouncy terrier! I’ve even hired a cleaning lady. It will be a big help, I think.
According to doc, my lungs are clearing; I'm just in the allergy mess now. Deryl & Elke suggested I take the trailer and go somewhere for a month or so. Not sure where I'd go, central TX would be worse! I know I'm getting some better every day. I'm just to the point where I get so paranoid it will settle back in my lungs, I don't do much. Spend a lot of time reading and on the computer! And, when I don't do much, I get weaker and weaker so now, I have to get some strength back.
Monday I got off to a late start. The sun forgot to come up and shine in my bedroom window and I didn't crawl out of bed until almost 8:30! Even the critters didn't wake me up! Didn't plan on buying much at the grocery but came home with a big slab of beef ribs - the big ones with not too much meat left on them - but they make good soup stock! Got a bunch of info from Iowa Dept of Tourism in the mail so I can start planning my day trips!
Tuesday started with 64 foggy humid degrees. No ladies coffee for me. By the time I took the dogs out and got my propane tank out to the street that was my morning energy quota! Propane truck came in the AM and right behind the truck was Cleo to put it in for me and hook it up! I'm really getting spoiled!
Definitely needed more bedding - now that I share the bed with 2 days and a cat! I went to Castaways and found 3 king size flat sheets in good shape (not even faded!) and got'em all for $10! One is a heavy flannel one that I will use as a blanket. How lucky is THAT!
But here is the best part of my day...stopped to get fuel ($3.79.9/gal!) and bought a cup of coffee while I was in there. I didn't even get pulled out of the gas station and onto the highway before I spilled about 1/2 of it in my lap! Can't believe it didn't drip all the way down my shirt. Just hit the seat; of course, I was setting in the seat so I ended up with WET BRITCHES! Been a long time since I had wet pants! GEEZ! Not only can't I walk and breathe in this foggy air, I can't drink coffee and breathe without spilling it! And they have really good coffee at that gas station!
And here comes February! Time flies when we are having fun! Four more months and I'll be gettin' ready to head north! Off to a really late start this first day of Feb; I sure do sleep in when it's foggy. And now, even Caleb has learned it isn't nice to wake up Helen until she is ready! He just lays there at the foot of the bed waiting for Li'lBit to do that job!
We are finally getting our morning schedule down. Li'lBit likes to go out when she first gets up. Caleb would stay out all the time if he had a chance but he doesn't pee until after he eats - and then he pees gallons! So we go out on Caleb's schedule. Li'l Bit will come in and go out a dozen times a day with her little dribbles, but Caleb won't go again until after supper and then he will pee a few more gallons. He must have a "bladder from hell!"
65 degrees and foggy. When the fog lifts, plan on going into town to see Kathy’s new-to-her 5th wheel out at Shady Oaks RV park south of town and then meet up with Donna for lunch at Shempy’s.
Groundhog Day – foggy – no shadows being seen here! Guess I haven't left my closet doors open enough! Sure does smell musty in there. Pulled stuff out and check all over, nothing is wet, doesn't even feel damp. Just smells musty so back to leaving the closet doors open!
Went to Deryl & Elke’s for fish fry Saturday. Deryl can fry up some tasty fish! My belly is always miserably FULL and happy when I leave their place! Loved the meal.
Sunday was pick up day for Tinga. I made the mistake of trying to corral her to clip her wings. Not smart! The price of flapping feathers and dust was cough, cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze, sneeze, gasp, gasp, gasp, wheeze, wheeze, wheeze! And I never did get her clipped. She hasn't been clipped for years and she wasn’t one bit happy!
I was really excited for Tinga and Lindsey (and Daniel, too!) Tinga needs a place where she can get more attention than I can give her since I can’t have her out flying about with the dust like she used to. But now Tinga’s gone! My head say's it is right; my heart aches! Took most of the rest of Sunday to pick up that corner and vacuum up the seeds and dust so the cleaning lady can hit it good on Monday.
February 6th 47 degrees, cloudy, breezy. My first day with one less mouth to feed and no one holler at me "I'll come out now!" I guess it'll take a few days for me to get used to the quiet!
Tuesday brought more heavy humid air, foggy and 54 degrees. Kinda nice waking up to clean floors – all of them clean at the same time. Not just one section today and another tomorrow! Should have gotten a cleaning lady long ago. Sure glad she changed my bedding - Li'lBit got sick last nite - so guess who had to change bedding! Fortunately, she didn't mess up much other than a light flannel blanket and one sheet! Bless her heart, she just can't see to get down off the bed in the dark (even with the night light on) and I just didn't wake up to set her down. I knew she was nudging me, but I just rolled over and went back to sleep; I'll not do THAT again!
Not even gonna try walking up to coffee. Met Donna at Panjo's Pizza for lunch, ran some errands, got my hair cut, came home exhausted. Enough activity for one day!
Need to figure out something to do for Terry. He came by the other day and washed my windows on the outside and wouldn’t take anything for it…..I’ll think of something! Have I mentioned I love this park and the folk here – always willing to help (even before you ask!)
Wednesday brought more 57 damp dreary degrees winds picked up about noon, then when the front blew thru - some sun! Gotta get busy and get this box of paperwork sorted! Odds and ends of mail I've kept and probably all needs to be tossed, but gotta go thru it just to be sure. It is tax time!
Pizza soup in the crock pot. I have some left over pizza sauce from when I made snack pizzas out of tortillas, some left over Italian sausage, plenty of peppers, onions, etc. Tossed it all in the crock pot with some broth and let'er cook. It was very good – will have to remember that recipe!
Thursday headed into WallyWorld to pick up critter food and pee papers! Story of my life – critter food and pee papers! I don’t like going into town on Friday, Sat or Sun – Winter Texans are here and they really “muck” things up, you know! Hehehe!!
Seems I just can't 'get it together' before 10 AM and by 4 PM I'm already pooped. My breathing treatments aren't working like they should. Not getting the "uumpf" from them that I used to and just when I think this crap is getting outta here, it comes back to remind of it hasn’t totally left! At least I'm feeling some better than I did last month!
It was too chilly and damp for me to even think of potluck! The winds picked up by the end of the day and it just kinda chills to the bone! I know, when it is 50 degrees, it is hard for you suffering with sub-freezing wind chills, to understand 'chill to the bone at 50 degrees!'
Nice gentle rain Thursday night made for good sleepin' weather! 55 sunny degrees - 15 mph 'breeze' - but that's OK. Had my crock pot going with hamburger soup! Time to clean out the veggie bin in the fridge so hamburger soup takes care of that! Another one of those ‘no recipe’ soups – beef broth, hamburger, whatever else is in the fridge that needs to be eaten!
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