The Best Half of Our Life

29 January – 4 February 2011

2011-02-11T13:45:00.001-06:00

OK, other than lots of cold weather and the usual trips to the library, Wal Mart, Corpus Christi (shopping), lunch at Big Fisherman and the Mexican restaurant at Port Aransas; this was a slow week. So, I knitted a lot and thought I would share some pictures of my hats…..

This one was not finished yet…..but, it turned out really good!

And here are a couple that didn’t turn out so good…….

This one is supposed to be a beret but it doesn’t lay down right……I might try to fix it or not!!!!

This one came out way too small…..guess I’ll save it for the new baby?????? It wouldn’t even fit over my hat holder!!!!

Then I tried to make some gloves……what a mess…..fingers too short for adults and palm too big for kids!!!!!

I am excited to try out the new patterns I bought for Carla….she wants sock monkeys for the new baby so this will be a project I start soon.

22-28 January 2011

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22 Jan, Saturday: I have been wanting biscuits and gravy for so long and that’s what I did today!!!

23 Jan, Sunday: Today was Nolan’s 68th birthday so we went out to lunch at Charlotte Plummers and I had those great crab cakes…..mmmmm good! I ordered Nolan a demin jacket from NRA web store for his birthday. I managed to keep it hidden and a secret til today…..he was surprised! Another surprise for his birthday was that the toilet stopped working right. It wouldn’t put water in bowl. Was a pretty good day though except for the rain!!!!

24 Jan, Monday: Jacket was way too big….first time I’ve every bought him an XL and it was too big. So, we made a trip to post office to return jacket. We stopped by the library and Camper Clinic needed to see if we could just get the valve for the toilet that Nolan thinks needs to be replaced.

25 Jan, Tuesday: Today we spent driving to Victoria to eat lunch with Sylvia and George. Sylvia is a distant relative of mine that lives in Port Lavaca. Before we ate lunch I had time to do a little shopping at Penneys…….and, I bought 2 new pair of shoes!!! Had a great lunch and was good to meet George and talk to Sylvia.

26 Jan, Wednesday: Today was “fix it” day. I’m so thankful that Nolan can fix about anything……I just have to remember that he needs to do it at his own speed……the toilet hasn’t been working for 3 days so far. However, today Nolan fixed the toilet for $33 and the vent cover from the hail storm for $16. Yeah!!!!!!

27 Jan, Thursday: Walked a mile today……it was so warm and sunny!

28 Jan, Friday: The park planned a Karoke and Music night but they changed and added in a Potluck and everyone knows how much I like to cook, so didn’t go!

15-21 January 2011

2011-02-11T13:22:00.001-06:00

OK, this week not so much happened……

I decided that if we were not going to keep the 5th Wheel when we get back to Missouri, why was I spending so much money on new flooring. So, I cancelled the carpet order and bought trim at Lowes. Here is what it looks like now…..I don’t have a before picture…..

Made our bi-weekly trip to Library and Nolan washed the truck. We were gonna go to movie but nothing on we wanted to see. Rod and Deb and Jim and Ellie left this week so their last night here we had happy hour at Rod and Debs then made a trip to Port Aransas for dinner at Fin’s.

During the Hail storm lots of leaves fell from the trees everywhere and almost everyone but us had racked and cleaned up a little…..Nolan finally racked leaves!

I’ve been knitting a lot so I mailed off a package to my sister with hats and a scarf this week.

We also decided it was time to by a dehumidifier so that was also accomplished this week.

Not too exciting but there it is!

Oh, did I tell you how much I love my soda machine!

8- 14 January 2011

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8 Jan, Saturday: Great lunch at Butter Churn, it’s a restaurant that only has a buffett and they have the best fried chicken. Happy Hour at Rod and Deb’s with Jim and Ellie. Kind of nice to have friends around!!!

9 Jan, Sunday: OMG, we woke up around 4:30 am to the worst thunderstorm with hail. It sounded terrible and we were so worried that something was getting broke by the hail. Well, it did….the vent cover in the bathroom got holes in it and the air conditioners were damaged some. The truck also received some damage. Rod and Deb’s car had one of the side windows busted out and lots of the RV’s in the park were damaged. As soon as I got up and around I called the insurance company and left a voice message. After all the excitment, Ellie stopped by to invite us over for happy hour but I didn’t feel the best so we didn’t go over.

10 Jan, Monday: Started to cool off a lot. The insurance company called back with claim number, then claim adjuster called and will send out someone to give us an estimate. Dinner at Rod and Deb’s……meatloaf, my favorite. I had bought some of those frozen cinnamin rolls so I got those out to take over for dessert. Boy are they good! Started to knit another hat.

11 Jan, Tuesday: Cold day so we had beans and ham for dinner.

12 Jan, Wednesday: Insurance adjuster came today and Nolan took care of showing him everything. Now to wait and see what they pay for. We were tired of staying in because of the col so Nolan took me to Michaels and Joann’s in Corpus Christi for more yarn and patterns. We almost always drive back across Mustang Island and then eat somewhere in Port Aransas. Today we had lunch at DQ.

13 Jan, Thursday: COLD AGAIN….but Nolan walked for an hour.

14 Jan, Friday: Deb sent me a text and asked if we wanted to meet them for lunch at Landry’s in Corpus Christi.

This was looking our the window at our table. It was a rainy day and cold.

I got my new soda making machine today and I love it…..

1 – 7 January 2011

2011-01-08T10:26:00.001-06:00

1 Jan, Saturday: One of my favorite things to do in Rockport is to have breakfast at Alice Faye’s. It’s not a great meal just OK, but the restaurant sits right on the water and there’s just something I like about the place. Today everyone else was liking the place too…..there was only one empty table. Decided we would attend the 2:50 movie True Grit. It was really good! Just a reminder for all……you need to check your bank card’s expiration date every once in a while….On the way home Nolan decided he needed more money but the ATM wouldn’t cooperate….his bank card had expired! When we got back to the RV I called my sister cause she gets our mail for us and sure enough a new card had come in the mail….she will mail it to us but he will be without for a while.

2 Jan, Sunday: Road bike 1 1/2 mile…..Nolan’s gonna buy be this really cute bike with flowers on it when I ride 100 miles so I’m getting started. Riding this bike just kills my hands, isn’t that weird!!!

3 Jan, Monday: First of the month (that’s when I get paid) so today was shopping at Wal Mart. Was gonna go to the Library but they were still closed for the holiday.

4 Jan, Tuesday: Trip to Library for new books and I took my eReader (wifi signal at RV park is not strong enough at our site). So, while Nolan looked for books, I played on my eReader. We saw on the bulletin board that the park was having a pot luck tomorrow so we made a stop at Wal Mart for pork roast and bananas. Lunch/dinner at Big Fisherman cause it’s the Tuesday special. Went later in the day and the line wasn’t so bad but I think we’re gonna skip it for a couple of weeks!

5 Jan, Wednesday: Banana pudding and Nolan BBQ’s pork roast was our contribution. For a while I didn’t think we were going, Nolan was too busy walking and talking today and didn’t get the roast started soon enough. We were about 10 minutes late and there was lots of people there. Roast only lasted about 5 minutes and I only had a small bowl of pudding left.

6 Jan, Thursday: Road bike 2 miles today…..still 96.5 left. Cleaned most of the day and finished another hat. Nolan let Oscar out of the pen to chase the sheep and he got tons of sand burrs……I’ll get a picture of this sheep (that’s what these guys are calling it but it sure looks like a goat to me). It doesn’t have a home and stays around here all the time…..dogs go crazy when they see it.

7 Jan, Friday: Betty and Joe, another couple from Missouri, are having trouble with their air conditioner leaking water on their bed so Nolan was looking at it to see if he could see what was causing it. So, the dogs and I went to visit with Betty. While there Rod and Deb and Jim and Ellie arrived. Then around 4:00 it was Happy Hour at Rod and Deb’s. So glad to have friends around!

25 – 31 December 2010

2011-01-06T18:30:00.001-06:00

25 Dec, Saturday: Made 7 layer salad, blueberry cheese cake, corn casserole for Christmas dinner at the Club house at 2:00. We again didn’t stay very long, there were about 25-30 there…not a big group.

26 Dec, Sunday: Kind of cold……33 during the night. Kind of boring day so we went to see the movie Little Fockers at 2:30……it was pretty good!

27 Dec, Monday: Decided to try another place for breakfast. Went to Ken’s on the corner……yuck, neither one of us liked our meal. Then we stopped by Wal Mart for dog food and then Camper Clinic so Nolan could ask about a new tank for the water heater. They were way too expensive compared to what we found on line…..Nolan will check some other places. It seems the tank is leaking and the faucet at the kitchen sink leaks also…..when it rains, it poors! Nolan says with an RV there’s always something to fix…..another reason he’s not enjoying our adventure so much!

28 Dec, Tuesday: Lunch special at Big Fisherman……first time there has been a long line but we stood in line anyway. Decided to go to the movie True Grit because it was free popcorn night…..another line!!! Nolan doesn’t do lines but again he stood in line…..about half way to the ticket window, they announced that True Grit was sold out. So, we stopped at DQ for ice cream instead.

29 Dec, Wednesday: Finished another hat like the one last week, I really like that pattern!

30 Dec, Thursday: Finally decided that we would buy new carpet for the living room instead of putting down vinyl so we went to Lowes and ordered new carpet for living room…..I think I’ll like it. Stopped at the grocery store and on the way back I got a text message with this picture attached…….my new grandbaby although I sure can’t tell what’s what but Carla assured me it’s there somewhere!

31 Dec, Friday: Nolan wanted to eat lunch at Butter Churn for the catfish. I enjoyed the meatloaf, shrimp, and gumbo. Last night we decided that we didn’t order the right size for the carpet. So, another trip to Lowes to reorder carpet and cancel the first order.

18 – 24 December 2010

2011-01-06T18:11:00.001-06:00

18 Dec, Saturday: Went to Farmers Market down by the beach area…..lots of booths! I bought a new kind of candle, http://www.lusciouscandles.scent-team.com/products/candles.php, they all smelled really good and the representative said they didn’t smoke very much and they burned really even. After that we went down the road from the RV resort to another flea market. Not very many booths open but we did find this bike! It had two flat tires and the gears don’t change but the price was right……it was marked $10 but Nolan offered him $5 and he took it…..I have a new bike for Christmas!!!! After loading it in the truck we stopped at O’Rielly for that stuff you squirt into tires to keep them from leaking and the Butter Churn for lunch.

Here’s Nolan squirting that stuff in the tires.

Here’s Nolan trying it out….tires stayed up but we need a different seat!

Here’s Lucy and Oscar checking out the new bike also!!!!

19 Dec, Sunday: Today we were off to K Mart to buy a basket and bigger seat for my new Christmas present! We didn’t find exactly the kind of seat we wanted but it’s better than what’s on it! Nice warm, sunny day!

20 Dec, Monday: Had to return books to the Library so we stopped by Wal Mart for another seat, the one we bought yesterday is kind of hard. Pizza Hut for lunch while we were out!

21 Dec, Tuesday: Lunch special at Big Fisherman today.

22 Dec, Wednesday: I’m gonna be a grandma in August!!!! Pretty good Christmas present especially since we can’t go to Missouri this year for Christmas.

23 Dec, Thursday: Shopped for Christmas pot luck dinner at the club house. Made cheese ball for Christmas Eve finger food get together.

24 Dec, Friday: Went to Christmas Eve finger food gathering in club house……we didn’t stay very long. I finished another hat this week, it’s one of my favorites!

11 – 17 December 2010

2011-01-05T15:50:00.001-06:00

11 Dec, Saturday: Stayed in again today…..this was a very depressing week for me.

12 Dec, Sunday: I decided to get up and do something. So today I pulled up the carpet in the kitchen area….much better. They put such cheap carpet in RVs. I don’t understand why they don’t just put in good vinyl or wood…..would be so much easier to keep clean and maintain. After pulling up the carpet in the kitchen (it had the same vinyl that’s at the door and sink, under the carpet I pulled up), I decided I wanted to do something in the living room area, it doesn’t have the vinyl under it or I would have just pulled it up also. We were off to Lowes for a couple of new throw rugs and check out the vinyl tiles or another flooring option for the living room. Don’t know what I want yet…..will decide soon.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter Carla!!!!!

13 Dec, Monday: Today was another trip to library.

14 Dec, Tuesday: It’s TUESDAY so we were off to lunch at Big Fisherman for the special…..better today! Later we went to the movie theater to see Faster. They give free popcorn to anyone attending movies after 6:00…..we both at too much popcorn…..it was a pretty good, warm, and sunny day.

December 15th 2000 was the worse day of my life……I lost my youngest daughter 10 years ago in a car accident on this day……I miss you Amanda and wish you were here.

16 Dec, Thursday: Nolan washed the trailer and I decided to get out and walk the dogs today. Oscar made it a 1/2 mile and Lucy and I walked 1 1/2 miles. We decided not to go home for Christmas today. I sure wish we could but it will only be 3 more months and we’ll be back in Missouri. A warm and sunny day, lots more of those this year than there was here last year.

17 Dec, Friday: I stayed in and colored my hair while Nolan went to grocery store. That was about it.

4 – 10 December 2010

2011-01-05T15:35:00.001-06:00

4 Dec, Saturday: Today was my new step grandson, Dominique’s, birthday. Sure hope he is patient with me cause I don’t think I got his card mailed in time!!! I’ll try harder next year!

5 Dec, Sunday: Windy and cold……stayed inside all day

6 Dec, Monday: Nolan loves to read but doesn’t like to buy books so we decided since we were gonna be here all winter that we would go to the library and check books out……they have a great facility here! We really enjoyed looking around and getting something to read.

7 Dec, Tuesday: It’s Tuesday again and time for the Big Fisherman special…..$2.25 for all you can eat chicken fried steak or chicken livers. We went this time around 2:30…..food was cold and we got bad service……we may not try it again!

8 Dec, Wednesday: Nolan made a trip to Wal Mart but I didn’t leave my recliner except to take the dogs out.

9 Dec, Thursday: I managed to talk Nolan into taking me to Michaels so I could buy more yarn. I sure had a good time shopping. We drove back through Mustang Island so we could eat at the Mexican restaurant in Port Aransas for lunch. It was a very nice, warm and sunny day. These pictures are of the ferry ride back from Port Aransas.

When we got back I was so excited I got my Pandigital 9"TouchScreen Color Multimedia WiFi eReader from QVC……I love it. It’s not just a good eReader but it will connect to the internet with wifi. I LOVE IT!!!! It was my Christmas present to myself.

10 Dec, Friday: Deb caught me on Facebook and said they would be coming to Rockport to buy some shrimp today so we met them for lunch at Big Fisherman. Jim and Ellie came with them and we had a great visit! They followed us back to The Last Resort and Deb and Rod made reservations to come back and stay a week the first of January…..that sure will be fun!

27 November – 3 December 2010

2011-01-05T15:22:00.001-06:00

Very slow week…..just the usual stuff for us: I knitted a lot, we sat out in the sun, made a trip to the used book warehouse, stopped by DQ for ice cream, made a trip to both Wal Mart and K Mart, Nolan waxed the truck, another trip to Lowe’s, lunch on Tuesday at Big Fisherman for the $2.25 special, and breakfast at Alice Faye’s on Thursday. Probably the biggest thing we did this week was move the furniture around in the living room……yes, you can move the furniture in an RV!!!!

20 – 26 November 2010

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20 Nov, Saturday: It was the weekend so all the families started coming in…..park filled up. We decided to stay two more days so Nolan went to the office and paid.

21 Nov, Sunday: Nothing too exciting…..cleaned and gave dogs a bath. Weather was beautiful!

22 Nov, Monday: Earlier we kept going by a sign for the Historical Bond Cemetery, so today we drove around for a while trying to find it. The one sign was all we ever saw and we were not sure we actually found it…..oh well, took up a couple of hours out of very unexciting day!

23 Nov, Tuesday: Travel day……heading to Rockport for the rest of the winter but tonight we stayed in Gulf Coast RV Resort, Beaumont, TX.

24 Nov, Wednesday: Drove through Houston this morning on the remainder of our trip to Rockport. Sure glad Nolan does such a good job driving!!!

Lucy hates these overpasses and bridges!!!!

25 Nov, Thursday: Thanksgiving and they of course were having a dinner at the community room but we decided to cook ourselves. Went to HEB and they had turkey breast roasted we could buy…..boy was that the easiest and best turkey we’ve ever had for Thanksgiving!!!!

We have to separate Oscar and Lucy’s food so they don’t fight……Oscar is too old to jump up on the couch any more so that’s where Lucy eats…..lately, Lucy has decided this is the most comfortable way to eat…..she’s such a funny dog!!!

26 Nov, Friday: Very cold today but we made trip to Lowes just to find a rug for the dog pen. We have enough room at The Last Resort to put in on the concrete so I wanted a rug for them to lay on when they are in the pen…..found a couple of small ones for them and a new one for the front door. Pizza Hut was next door to Lowe’s so that’s what we had for lunch. Called Cain for his birthday! Sure do hate we missed it again!

13 – 19 November 2010

2010-11-26T10:56:00.001-06:00

13 Nov, Saturday: We were only about 20 miles from where Chuck and Kathy, Sandy and John, and Jim and Ellie were camped at Rainbow Plantation in Summderdale. So today was the day to go visit before we left tomorrow. We had a good visit and got to actually play with KoKo, John and Sandy’s dog, a little….she doesn’t like strangers very much; she liked Nolan better than me…..go figure, kids and animals always pick him! Sure not like Lucy, she will play with anyone. The park they are in is very nice and I think Chuck and Kathy are going to buy a lot. That will be nice for them (forgot to take pictures).

14 Nov, Sunday: Today was moving day. We decided to try Flint Creek Water Park, in Wiggins, MS. The rain held off until we got all set up…..we’re scheduled to stay here a week.

Here’s the front gate

This is the road into the campground

Our site in the woods!!!!!

This is the view out our back window…..we just left the blinds open all the time…..we were about 40 or 50 feet away from the water. That was very nice!

Our deck

Campsites down the road from us…..they are hard to see!

Everything was paved and nice BUT…..it felt like we were in a jungle and it was very dark all the time! Not one of our favorite places but would be fun in the summer with a boat or jet ski. Although, I think you would have to make reservations way ahead of time in the summer. We were in the first come, first serve section and I think they stay full all the time. There are a few permanent looking places with swings and all kinds of stuff around. It was cheap…$90 for a week and included the electric, using Passport America.

15 Nov, Monday: Still raining so we decided to go to the grocery and drive around town. It’s always fun to drive around a new place to see what there is to see.

16 Nov, Tuesday: Today was a “do nothing” day and Nolan grilled pork chops for dinner.

17 Nov, Wednesday: Nolan always remembers the strangest things, well, he really just remembers everything he ever reads and he remembered reading that “Dizzy” Dean, a famous baseball player lived around Wiggins. So today we were off to find what we could find. They have a rest stop named after him and he is buried in the Bond Cemetery, which we visited.

18 Nov, Thursday: Went to the post office and I was hungry for goulash(not that the two things really have anything to do with each other). I found a recipe on line and I had all the ingredients; so I just made it…..it was good! However, I think next time I will leave out the potatoes and put more macaroni in instead.

19 Nov, Friday: Drove to Gulfport today. We visited the area in 2008 when we were this way and I wanted to see if they had rebuilt it yet…..they had some but there are still way more empty sites than ones that have new stuff in them. I was hungry for Mexican so we stopped at a restaurant that we saw was busy on our way in. Just so so…..not the best.

6 – 12 November 2010

2010-11-26T10:06:00.001-06:00

6 Nov, Saturday: Still cold so I stayed inside all day. Started laundry and the stupid machine overflowed again…..been having trouble for a while and I never know when it’s gonna do it; so, Nolan worked on the washing machine today. Put a new water level control thing on it and of course we then had to clean up the mess and all the dirt behind the machine…..it always gets so nasty behind washing machines!!!!

7 Nov, Sunday: Travel day…..moved to Azalea Acres in Robertsdale, AL. Not a great park but it has full hookups and great WiFi and close to the Gulf.

It’s really just a big field with RV hookups on it.

Nothing was paved.

Here’s where we were parked…..sites were wide enough but we had some ants under the table.

Not bad but not the greatest either. Lots of grass for the dogs.

8 Nov, Monday: We’re only 30 miles from Gulf Shores; so, today we went for a drive to see what we could see. Bridge to get to the beaches.

Very pretty place!

Lots and lots of place to rent along the shore road.

Was so surprised to see how white the sand was….it’s not that way in Rockport, TX, where we’ve been staying on the gulf.

And, then……we ate seafood…..very, very good. Been a long time since we’ve done that!

Nolan looking over the menu before we went in!

What a fun day!!!

9 Nov, Tuesday: Seems to be a lot of places to see around here…..I could stay here all winter but Nolan seems to think it may get too cold. Today we drove to Foley and on the way we stopped at a very good farmers market, bought bananas and pecans and tomatoes. They had lots of stuff!

Of course every night Lucy has to lay with me in my chair but it seems she likes to lay with her head hanging upside down…..every night she keeps hanging a little more off the chair…..strange dog!!!!!

10 Nov, Wednesday: Oh……today is going to be a good day! First we had made plans to meet Kevin and Arlene for lunch in Pensacola. The place Arlene wanted to go didn’t open until 4 so we ate across the street instead….very good!!!! AND, it was so good to see them and catch up…..

Then we were off to check out Fort Pickens because I wanted to stay a couple of days there…..no sewer hookups but it is close to the water.

We drove down the island to the Fort and checked out the campgrounds. This is along the road to the campground.

Doesn’t it look like snow piled up along the road.

Didn’t take pictures of the campground, I was too busy looking to see if we might like it…..we finally decided not to stay this time but maybe some other time….it wasn’t very full and would have been easy to find a nice spot but Nolan’s not much of a beach person!

We went on down the road to the old Fort. Here’s a few pictures…..Fort has been here a long time…..very interesting!

We missed the tour times mainly because we were watching the Blue Angels practice. They were home and this coming weekend they were gonna have a 3 day show but I think we saw most of how they would be flying without fighting the crowds.

It was pretty cool!!!! Another fun day….it was beautiful weather!

11 Nov, Thursday: Rest and stay at home day.

12 Nov, Friday: We saw a Book Exchange store in Foley and Nolan doesn’t have anything to read…..he won’t buy new books. Got there and it was pretty unorganized and I don’t think he was in the mood to look so we left without a book! Oh well, we got out and drove around!

30 October – 5 November 2010

2010-11-21T11:09:00.001-06:00

30 Oct, Saturday: Nolan is always finding these great steak deals at the store and sometimes they are not so tender, well not as tender as Nolan likes them. So, we went to the store to find something to marinate them in or put on them that might make them a little better. My answer to everything is to look it up on the internet….so I decided to marinate mine in Italian dressing or something close that I had in the frig. He put something else on his….some kind of dry stuff…..He didn’t care for his any better than he did the first ones…..mine was pretty good….don’t know that they were any more tender but that had a good taste.

31 Oct, Sunday: Today was a do nothing day….Nolan grilled hamburgers for dinner and that was it.

1 Nov, Monday: Today we decided to walk Bigbee Bottom Trail that we found when trying to get to the lock and dam to watch the barges for a while…..it’s all locked up and you can’t get near the water.

Here’s what the trail looked like on the sign, we walked the red trail. Nolan forgot his GPS so we don’t really know how far it was and the sign didn’t say….

We walked for quit a while……nothing to brag about. It was pretty much just like walking in the woods at home. We actually thought maybe it would go down by the river but it never got close enough for us to see water. Oh well, good exercise!

Back to the trailer and took a shower cause we needed to make a trip to the good ole Wal Mart store and then Nolan grilled hot dogs for dinner. Weather is very nice!!!!

2 Nov, Tuesday: Today is my new son-in-law’s birthday……Happy Birthday Chago. Nolan spent most of the morning washing the trailer it was pretty dirty!

3 Nov, Wednesday: Rainy day so I decided it was time for a good internet fix. Off to town in search of a free WiFi……found McDonald’s and it was not busy so I sat there for 2 hours playing on the computer while Nolan read the paper. So good to be able to look up stuff and not have to wait a couple of minutes to get to the web site!!!!! Another stop at Wal Mart to get the stuff I forgot on Monday…..we really like that store…..NOT!!!!

4 Nov, Thursday: This park has a very nice walking trail so I decided to take Lucy…….it’s way too long for Oscar to make it and I would have been carrying him….then I wasn’t sure I could make it carrying him, so just Lucy went! It’s been a little cool at night so Nolan decided to find a place to fill the propane tank up. I sent Chago a hat and scarf that I knitted for his birthday….hat was a little to small so I quickly made another…..finished it today. Nolan went to Wal Mart to pick up my prescription and when he got back I saw that they had charged him full price….OMG, another trip to Wal Mart to get that straightened out!!!!

5 Nov, Friday: Early afternoon we went to Wal Mart to get money back. What a hassle that was. They said, after waiting in line forever, that the insurance company was messed up and they were trying to get it straight and I would have to come back. While going through the checkout paying for some yarn I bought, I heard them calling me back to the pharmacy. Got back over there and they wanted my insurance card…..it’s in the truck and they are getting ready to close for lunch…..had to go back after going to McDonald’s for my WiFi fix again. Finally got my $8 dollars back. I know it’s not a lot but it was the idea of it that got me…..I get the same prescription there every month for the past 4 or 5 years and they should have everything in the computers!!!!!

23 – 29 October 2010

2010-11-05T14:18:00.001-05:00

23 Oct, Saturday: One of the reasons we decided to stay at Devil’s Step was that it was close to Lynchburg, TN,

where the Jack Daniels Distillery is located and we wanted to go check it out.

However, we didn’t pick a very good weekend to do this……it turns out it was the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue context “Smoke in the Hollow”…….

Lots and lots of people…..and you know how Nolan loves lots and lots of people…..NOT!!!!!

This is where all the BBQing was going on…..too many people for Nolan so we didn’t even go down there……

He tried to talk me out of going on the free tour of the distillery but I kept saying we should go since we were already there and so he agreed. This is where you wait for the tour to start…..we only had to wait about 15 or 20 minutes for the tour.

Our tour guide

An old car that was there….

Nolan looking in the cave where they get the spring water from and of course he was wishing he had a cup so he could taste the spring water.

This would of course be Jack Daniels.

This was his office.

And this would be the safe he kicked that gave him an infection that killed him.

Some of the builidngs on the grounds. And a picture of some holly that has all that black mold stuff on it that seems to cover everything around.

Another picture of Jack in the inside of the visitor’s center.

All in all, even with the crowds, we had a good time. Returned back to the RV for leftover stew for dinner.

24 Oct, Sunday: Travel day……I had made reservations at Foscue Creek Park, a Corps of Engineer park in Demopolis, AL. Another great place to stay for very little money…..full hookups for $10 a night with Nolan’s Senior Golden Age pass.

Our site

Our patio

As site with a lake view

Our loop…..there are two loops, we are staying on the shorter loop.

We arrived around 2:00 and we had not stopped to eat so I quickly started something to eat while I was putting stuff up and opening the slides. The weather here is so nice….I think we’ll be sitting outside some.

25 Oct, Monday: Uh Oh, we may have to move to another site…..while Nolan was sitting up he discovered that the sewer didn’t look like it was draining. So today they are supposed to send someone over to look at it and if they don’t fix it, we’ll move to a different site. Started laundry and we decided to drive around the park and look at the other sites and then into town to see what’s there. No pictures, I forgot but it’s a nice little town with our favorite store……Wal Mart. Got back and in a little while the maintenance guys came and really couldn’t find anything wrong with it except they think one of the lift station pumps might not be coming on when it needs to all the time. So, we’re staying put.

26 Oct, Tuesday: Rain off and on with wind all day, seemed like a good day to find a laundry and wash the bedspread, too big for my washing machine in the trailer. Nothing too exciting except there seems to be an ant problem here……Nolan is on the prowl for ants…..every hour or so, he’s outside spraying or looking around the trailer killing them…..

27 Oct, Wednesday: Rain off and on, Nolan went to Wal Mart and I didn’t leave RV except to walk the dogs….I think Nolan is getting bored.

28 Oct, Thursday: We decided today we would go Montgomery to visit the Hank Williams Museum.

Couldn’t take pictures inside but they sure have a lot of his stuff and a very interesting little museum.

29 Oct, Friday: They have a very nice walking trail, about 2 miles or so and today we decided to go check the picnic area out and walk the trail.

Road to the picnic area…..

View of lake from trail…..

End of trail…..nice walk!

As we were walking around our loop back to the trailer we saw a group of people with 3 labs over at the boat launch area……the dogs were having a great time jumping in the water to retrieve sticks!

Later in the day we made a trip to the post office to mail post cards (I’m still finding post cards of areas and things we’re doing to mail to my great nieces and nephew) and Chago’s birthday present.

16 – 22 October 2010

2010-10-27T19:09:00.001-05:00

16 Oct, Saturday: OK, I wasn’t so good at keeping track of days and what we were doing while here……so, I can’t remember what we did on this day!!!! I’m sure it was fun and it could have been something I put on a different day….oh well, I’ll try to do better! I would like to say that our next door neighbors are having the best time…..they have 3 kids under 10 or so and the Grandma is with them. Two of the kids had training wheels on their bikes and by the second day or so they were riding everywhere without the training wheels…..about day 4 they talked Grandma into going to Wal Mart and buying herself a bike. The kids sure were excited and looked liked Grandma was having a good time also…..wish we had started camping when our kids were small. Lots of good memories would have been made I think!

17 Oct, Sunday: Today the group decided to go to Lebanon, TN, to where the first Cracker Barrel Restaurant was built. We had already gone there when we met Nolan’s cousin; so, he didn’t want to go but I went anyway. This restaurant is actually the second as the first is no longer. Great meal and very good company! I love looking around in their gift shops, there’s so many cool things.

18 Oct, Monday: Nolan walked the trail. The sign said 10 km about six miles. No one really new if that was round trip or one way. It ended at the scenic overlook. Nolan called after about 3 hours and said he was not going to make it back to the park and could I pick him up at the overlook.

After getting to the overlook, I called him again (I’m sure glad he had his cell phone and it had good service). He wasn’t close yet so I had about an hour wait. View from the overlook.

I got kind of bored and took a few random pictures that turned out kind of cool or not…..

After Nolan got to the truck we had to go back to the place where he started so he could walk back in and get his coffee cup…..he left it along the trail so he wouldn’t have to carry it? I waited for him cause he sure looked tired!

That afternoon some of us started playing Hand and Foot

before Gregg started grilling hamburgers. Another great day at this great place!

19 Oct, Tuesday: Rained off and on. Paul and Mary left. This was the day that we had planned to go into Nashville to Country Music Hall of Fame; but, decided not to go. Nolan cooked pork tenderloin for dinner and later I went up to sit by the campfire.

20 Oct, Wednesday: Some more of our friends left today…..Ken and Cindy back to IL; Lynette and Gregg, on their way back to KS; and Kevin and Arlene, on their way to Panama City for doctor’s appointment. After saying goodbye and walking the dogs, I stayed in the RV all day and played on the computer and knitted. At 4:00 it was time to get ready to go out to eat with the guys that were left at a very, very good Mexican place. It was mentioned to the waiter that it was John’s birthday tomorrow and they of course came and sang Happy Birthday in Spanish, gave him this cute hate to wear and gave him this very large margarita.

21 Oct, Thursday: Made stew and didn’t leave the RV very much…..Nolan wanders around a lot so he’s always in and out. John and Sandy stopped by to say goodbye as they were leaving tomorrow for southern Alabama also.

22 Oct, Friday: Lucy and Oscar ready to go.

Plans were to stay at the Tim’s Ford State Campground, full hookups and when I called they said they would take Nolan’s Golden Age Pass which would have made it $10 a night. Got there and they wouldn’t take the pass for a discount so we paid the full price and went in to find a spot. Not good!!!! Nice enough campground but the spots were pretty short and lots of trees. We’re pretty tall and Nolan didn’t think we could get into most of them and the ones that he did think we could get into had low limbs. Returned to the office and he refunded our money and we had every intention to just go out to the highway and stay at a park I found for $25 a night. However, he was nice enough and gave me a map to a branch of their park called Fairview Devil’s Step Campground, Winchester, TN. Got there and no one was at the office. We drove into the park even though the sign said not to and looked around….this park would work. Went back to the office

and paid $25 a night and then got set up.

That’s us…..Not bad!

View out our back window this time……nice!

A look down the road beside us.

Leftover stew for dinner and relaxing in a beautiful place!

9 – 15 October 2010

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9 Oct, Saturday: Left Roby with the RV around 10:30. Headed for Sikeston, MO, and arrived around 2:30. Stayed at the Hinton RV Campground. Ok place to stop for an overnight. Gregg and Lynette said the park would take you to Lamberts in their van to the back door and you don’t have to wait in line but we didn’t try it…..had too much laundry to get done before we spent a few days without sewer.

Did laundry all afternoon, we will not have full hookups for the first 5 days when we get to TN. Didn’t leave the trailer except to take the dogs out!!!

10 Oct, Sunday: We didn’t unhook yesterday so we got an earlier start that normal. Left Sikeston around 8:30 and arrived at Defeated Creek COE Campground, Defeated, TN,

around 2:30. Wow! What a beautiful place!

Our site (picture is without us in it) is really nice except for the fact that we don’t have sewer hookup but we’ll be OK for the 5 nights we’re in this site. View out our back window…..

Others grilled hot dogs and brats for dinner so those that arrived today wouldn’t have to worry about cooking. Great to meet up with friends again….

Jenny and Kathy in the middle, and to meet new friends, Ken on the left and Joann on the right. Nolan even seemed to enjoy meeting up with the guys again.

Other new friends John and Sandy in the middle and others Gregg and Paul and Mary.

Jim and Ellie

Lynette and Arlene and new friend, Lisa on the left who was the individual responsible for us all getting together in TN.

And, it was great getting to meet Jenny’s new husband, Don. A very good start to our 12 days here!

11 Oct, Monday: Today we needed to go to Wal Mart to stock up on stuff to make to take to all the potlucks/dinners we would be going to while here. We drove around Carthage a little and filled the truck up. Back home to get stuff ready for happy hour and dinner with the gang…..brought our own meat and a side dish to share.

12 Oct, Tuesday: All the girls loaded up for a day out while the guys were back at the park BBQing ribs. We stopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond and I think everyone managed to find something they couldn’t live without. Then we were off to lunch at Olive Garden……

Miss Lisa, our host, and our driver for the day pointed out that she was really talking about us when she wrote “I love my seniors” on her vehicle windows…..not sure we appreciated it!

Ellie needed to stop in at the Verizon store because her Droid was not working right so that load of gals went in to Verizon and the load of girls I was in hurried over to the grocery to pick up more food…..we’re always planning what’s for the next meal and that means more trips to the store! We decided we didn’t have enough time for more shopping so we headed back to the park. Just as we started to gather to eat the rain started….some of us ate a little but some didn’t make it out. Looks like there will be lots of leftovers!

13 Oct, Wednesday: Nolan has a cousin that lives in Nashville so today was the day we planned to meet Joe and his wife at Cracker Barrell in Lebanon, TN. I didn’t get pictures taken but we had a great time while the others ate the leftover ribs and baked potatoes.

14 Oct, Thursday: Others made a trip to Sam’s and a Chinese Buffett. Nolan and I stayed around the park all day and went over for happy hour and a campfire. Most others have been staying out til very late sitting around the fire…..I stay as long as I can stay awake and then I leave them still telling jokes or swapping RV stories.

15 Oct, Friday: There’s a great road

that circles around the park and I’ve been walking the dogs around it every morning. When we walked by the site we are moving to it looked like they were packing up so I sent Nolan around again to see if they had left yet…..they had so we moved to a full hook up site

This would be out the back window of this site…..can’t ask for better views!

Gregg and Lynette picked up the stuff to make fajitas today and everyone brought the toppings…..boy were they good!!!!

19 September – 8 October 2010

2010-10-25T15:44:00.001-05:00

Wow, I lost track of what we did the last part of September. One of the major things was purchase a new TV. The living room TV went out and our TV repair friend said it couldn’t be fixed. We bought a 32” Samsung that fits in the hole where the other one was just fine. There’s now a lot of wasted space behind it. Sure would be nice to close that in some how and make shelves for stuff and mount the TV on the door……not sure Nolan is that handy. He’s pretty good about fixing most stuff but don’t think I can talk him into that project!

Most things we did were to get ready to leave MO for an extended amount of time, probably 6 months at least. We voted absentee, renewed the truck license that are up in December, replaced the windshield in the car we had borrowed from Nolan’s brother, replaced the brakes on the truck, checked all the tires out, unloaded stuff from the trailer that was someone else’s or that we didn’t need any more, saw my Mom and Dad before we left, and let’s don’t forget…….I worked up until the day we left!!!!! Sure hope the next time we come home I don’t work so much……I want to play more!

1 – 18 September 2010

2010-09-20T11:53:00.001-05:00

1 – 10 Sep: Same ole routine—work, sleep, and eat! Lucy even looks a little bored……

I did manage to finish Carla’s surprise which wasn’t really a surprise cause she read this blog…..here are a few pictures of the finished scrapbook.

I really didn’t want to give it to her after I finished it….I wanted to keep it for myself!

11 Sep, Saturday: My Mom’s birthday (and mine)! We decided to all meet in Lebanon and Dowd’s Catfish Restaurant to celebrate our birthdays. Food was excellent and we sure enjoyed seeing everyone. Here are a few pictures of the group…..

Carla and one of her stepson’s, Dominique…..I’m thinking he didn’t want his picture taken!

My niece, Brandi, deciding what to order.

One end of the table…..

The other end……

My mom and her husband, Jim……I think my Mom was enjoying herself!

I’m not so sure Nolan was though….he kind of looks like he might go to sleep.

No pictures of my beautiful great nieces because they were taking most of the pictures…..sorry girls! We had a great birthday!

13 Sep, Monday: Nolan had a follow-up appointment to see if the thing they put in his heart was doing what it was supposed to do. Appointment was at 9:30 so we were up early to make the 2 hour drive to Springfield. He didn’t get to see the doctor just had a test done to see if blood was still getting through from one side of his heart to the other…..the tech that did the test said it was leaking….so I guess we’ll wait and see what the doctor says…..He feels fine but he did before he had the stroke also. Who know about these doctors! It’s hard to find one you think is doing a good job….it was a little disappointing to not get to see the doctor. They said they would send a letter telling him if he needed to do anything else.

15 Sep, Wednesday: Went out to eat with some TOPS friends and had a great time catching up so we decided we would get together every week until Nolan and I left in October. Should be fun!!!

18 Sep, Saturday: Worked but this was the day for the annual Roby Fire Department Fair. Lots of activity around the small town. My niece, Brandi; my nephew, Kelley; and their Dad, Kevin sang for the crowd that night…..they are really good (I’m don’t have a bias opinion or anything). However, I didn’t go because I was so tired. Here’s a picture of them from my other nephew’s, Jeremy, wife, Corey….thanks Corey for sharing.

20 – 31 August 2010

2010-08-31T10:53:00.001-05:00

Wow, what a slow down!!! Wedding is over and there’s nothing to worry about getting done and no shopping to do. Nothing going on around here except work on weekends at the local convenience store and hanging out at the RV. Kids have all started school again and everyone else is busy with working and doing what they normally do. Nolan graduated high school in 1960 and this past weekend on the 28th, we attended his 50th High School Reunion. He didn’t want me to take the camera but I really wish I had anyway. We had a great time! I finished my wedding gift to Carla and will post pictures after I give it to her, it’s a surprise and she doesn’t know what it is. So, other than the above, we’re just waiting around doing noting until the 1st of October when we leave for TN for our next trip.

11-19 August 2010

2010-08-20T11:03:00.001-05:00

11 Aug, Wednesday: Went to Brandi’s to get my scrapbook stuff. Decided that I needed all my stuff to work on Carla’s wedding scrapbook.

12 Aug, Thursday: Went to town to wash our bedspread in one of those big washers and of course we did a little shopping at Wal Mart. Worked on Carla’s scrapbook some more. I’ll take pictures when I get done.

13 Aug, Friday: Fixed spaghetti for lunch/dinner and worked on the scrapbook some more. Brandi and her family spent the night at my sister’s/Brandi’s mom’s cause their air conditioning went out….I sure don’t know how people lived without it years ago.

14 Aug, Saturday: Still working at Walts so I opened at 7:00 and worked until 2:00. Visited with my sister and her grandkids for a while then it was nap time.

15 Aug, Sunday: Worked until 2:00.

16 Aug, Monday: Laundry and cleaning then I went to work at 3:00 and worked until 9:00.

17 Aug, Tuesday: Brandi’s kids spent the day with us. We got around and drove to the Waynesville City Park. Forgot my camera but they have the best park. They have a water fountain play area and a really good playground. The kids kept going from one to the other until they were hungry then Nolan went to Wendy’s and brought back our lunch. They played a little while longer then we were on our way home so the youngest could take her nap. Sure is fun to have them spend the day….they start school Thursday so that will probably be the last time for the summer.

18 Aug, Wednesday: Today we washed the truck, ate a wonderful lunch in Raymondville, got the papers for Nolan’s concealed carry weapon permit, stopped by Wal Mart, went to the license bureau to get the CCW permit and then to the grocery store….nothing the rest of what was left of the day.

19 Aug, Thursday: Pretty boring around here especially when the rest of our RV friends are getting together in IN and we aren’t…….yes, I’m feeling sorry for myself! I don’t think I even went outside today….Nolan walked the dogs and I just watched TV and played on the computer.

31 Jul - 10 Aug 2010

2010-08-11T11:20:00.002-05:00

31 Jul, Saturday: Worked the night shift at Walts instead of the morning so that the other girl could attend the annual “Drive In/Car Show” that Walts sponsors…..forgot my camera to take pictures but there was over 40 cars that showed up…..a very busy night!!!

1 Aug, Sunday: Worked the morning at Walts, pretty uneventful.

2 Aug, Monday: One last day to work at the convenience store before we leave for Springfield for the wedding. Nolan and I had Brandi’s kids again today so they helped out for a couple of hours until their mom got home from work to pick them up……not so sure they were so much help, especially since right during the busiest time someone decided to bring back/turn in a U-Haul…..I think I might have yelled at them a little….sorry kids!!!

3 Aug, Tuesday: We managed to get the RV on the road by 10:30 and headed for Springfield. We had found an RV park in Strafford for $20 a night that seemed would fit the bill…..cheap, all my money was being spent on the wedding, and close to Carla, only 16 miles from her house. Arrived around noon and got set up…..park was just what we needed….lots of grass for the dogs and full hook ups. I met Carla and we finished buying gifts for the bridesmaid and parents…..yeah, I picked my own gift out…..I’ll share a picture later. We finally got everything done and it was a good thing….Carla was worn out!

4 Aug, Wednesday: Today Carla had to work in the morning and then we were off to get pedicures and manicures.

Then we finished a little bit of shopping and made it to the Men’s Warehouse store to try on the tux’s.

Anthony was so cute…he loved his tux!!!

We were all tired so back to the RV for a restful night.

5 Aug, Thursday: Today was set up and rehearsal day. We got to 425 Downtown, wedding location, by 1:00. I started printing the programs and supervised the rest of the decorating process. Here are some pictures of the final results.

Table decorations

Programs, guest book, and party favors.

Ceiling decorations

Candles where the ceremony will be with the chandeliers we had brought in.

No cake, just cupcakes and candy.

The we had the rehearsal and Chago’s dad picked up the BBQ, which was wonderful.

Carla and her dad.

Me supervising.

I think we’re ready!

6 Aug, Friday: Today is the big day, we were up and ready to leave the RV by 10:00 to pick up the rental van. After a few delays in that process, we dropped the van off at Carla’s house for the guys to drive over to the wedding location. Nolan dropped me off at the University Plaza where Carla was staying. Jessica was there to start on everyone’s hair so I was first cause I needed to get over to the event location to let the DJ in and the flower lady. Here’s a picture after Carla go her hair done.

My niece Brandi helping with her shoes and she was ready!

Carla with her step daughters…..everyone’s ready to go!

So down to the front of the hotel where Nolan was waiting in the rental van to take them to the wedding location.

I met them at the door and went to sit down so the wedding could start.

The guys were ready also!

Here comes the bride…..

Ceremony….

My dad performed the wedding ceremony…..

The happy couple…..

Carla’s new family…..

One last picture and then there was lots of food and dancing. I think everything turned out like she wanted…..I sure hope so!!!!

7 Aug, Saturday: We were going to move back to Roby today but Chago had lots of out of town family guests who were coming over for a BBQ at their house. So I decided to stay around for another day and help a little. We got all the wedding stuff put away and then went to do the shopping for the BBQ. Carla decided the best way I could help was by taking her dog, Maddie, to the RV for the night since some of Chago’s family doesn’t care for dogs. So, I helped her put stuff away and then I grabbed Maddie and took off to spend a quiet evening at the RV.

8 Aug, Sunday: We took Maddie home and were on our way back to Roby by 9:30. Nolan decided to jack the RV up to put the boards under the wheels instead of driving up on them which usually takes several trys to get it right. I’m not sure that was the best choice….it took him a long time with the jack he has now…..we’re buying a heavier jack soon!!!!

9 Aug, Monday: Went to pay the photography bill and order a few pictures around 11:00. Stopped by the store and Doc was ready for me to come to work since Linda had gone to Springfield. So, I worked the rest of the day.

10 Aug, Tuesday: Just worked on the scrapbook that I’m making for Carla all day.

13 - 30 July 2010

2010-07-30T17:24:00.002-05:00

13 Jul, Tuesday: Very slow and uneventful day. Was gonna go work at Walts at 1:30 but Linda changed her mind so I called Jeanie a little later and offered to come up and help her with the U-Haul training. Spent an hour or so there and then home to chicken that Nolan had grilled for dinner. Watched TV and played on the computer the rest of the afternoon.

14 Jul, Wednesday: Nolan took Junior Wade,one of his hunting buddies, to West Plains to the doctor and Nolan got his boots fixed. I just stayed at home all day.

15 Jul, Thursday: Worked until close at Walts….very uneventful day!

16 Jul, Friday: Around 4:00 decided to go to the bank at Fort Leonard Wood and then to Lowes. Met Patti at Lowes and then we went to Catos looking for something to wear to the wedding.

17 Jul, Saturday: Opened at Walts and worked until 2:00. Patti and I decided to drive to Lebanon to the Dress Barn to look for something to wear to the wedding since she had a 20% off card. We both found something and had a great day shopping.

18 Jul, Sunday: Opened at Walts and worked until 2:00. Nolan and I were gonna go to the pay fish lake to eat but decided to eat fresh corn on the cob and tomatoes at the RV instead…..very good!!!

19 Jul, Monday: Slow morning, worked at Walts until close.

20 Jul, Tuesday: Met Brandi at Walts to help her with the kids at their dentist and eye doctor appointments. I went with Brenna into her appointment and had to sit in the chair with her but she didn’t cry. We pasted some time by going to Lowes, eating lunch at Wendy’s and some shopping at Wal Mart before the eye appointments. A fun day spent with the kids!!!

21 Jul, Wednesday: Cleaning day!

22 Jul, Thursday: Picked up Theresa Irwin and went to Springfield to try to help Carla with some of the things she was worried about for the wedding. We found shoes for the girls and a few necklaces for the bridesmaids that we may take back. We went to the book store and found a few gifts for the wedding. We basically had a good day but I don’t know that we calmed any of her stressing.

23 Jul, Friday: Went to Houston so Nolan could get his concealed carry permit started.

24 Jul, Saturday: Opened and worked until 2:00. Theresa and Kevin were playing in a coed softball tournament that was a benefit for Sherrell’s little girl so I went to watch a little bit of a game around 3:00. At 6:00 we went down to the benefit for her at the Lions club. We got the best carrot cake. There was a pretty good turn out and I think they raised around $4000 counting the softball tournament. This community sure does good things when someone is in need.

25 Jul, Sunday: Opened and worked until 4:00.

26 Jul, Monday: Slow morning and went to work around 1:30. Not a very busy night but time went by fast enough.

27 Jul, Tuesday: Another slow do nothing morning. Around 4:00 or so went up to Walts to give Jeanie her key and stayed to help her with the pumps that weren’t working very well. Bought drinks and snacks for the kids this week.

28 Jul, Wednesday: Hair appointment today for color and cut. Met Carla at Jessica’s and she worked on us both at the same time. My hair looks much better. Jessica joined us for lunch while we tried to come up with a schedule of things to do before the wedding…..Carla is feeling very overwhelmed. After lunch we went to the fabric store and bought fabric for the table squares then to her house to finish our list. Nolan met us there and we took off for home. We got Cara back home around 7:30…..a long day for her but she is such a good girl!

29 Jul,Thursday: Today was grooming appointment day for Lucy. We had to have her in St Roberts by 8:00. Cara and Brenna went with us…..Cain doesn’t like to go to town. We dropped the dogs off then went to McDonald’s for breakfast and played in the playroom for a while. Girls wanted to go to the play ground so we played there for a while then we needed to go to Wal Mart to shop for our picnic tomorrow. Lucy and Oscar was ready around 11:00 so we picked them up. Back at the RV, we ate a snack and I took a nap with the girls. Carla got her to do list done and sounded much better when I talked to her after she was coming home from her meeting. I told her she needed to just let a few things go and have fun and enjoy her special day now!!! We’ll see if that happens.

30 Jul, Friday: Cain, Cara, and Brenna arrived around 7:00. We ate pop tarts for breakfast and played around for a couple of hours then it was time to get ready to go to the creek for a picnic and some swimming. No one was at the bridge at Boiling Springs so we had the water all to ourselves for about an hour. We decided to cook our hot dogs and marsh mellows. Then it was back to the water for a while. Cara wasn’t feeling very well so we left for home around 1:30. Got back and got our dry clothes on then it was nap time for everyone! A fun day for me, hope the kids had fun too.

8 – 12 July 2010

2010-07-13T09:36:00.001-05:00

8 Jul, Thursday: Hopefully last day of opening at 5:00 am. Helped Linda with the order and ate lunch there. Spent a couple of hours resting at the RV then off to Houston to meet Carla to discuss wedding stuff.

9 Jul, Friday: Whoops, Doc got in late and I had to open at 5:00 am again. Worked until Doc got there around 9:30 because we were supposed to meet Gregg and Lynette, some of our RV friends, in Mountain Grove. Picked them up at 12:30

and went to the Rockbridge Trout Ranch for lunch and just look around…..a very pretty and peaceful kind of vacation place for those who like to fish.

Waiting for a table by the windows.

Still has an operating post office.

in the General Store/Restaurant.

Our table was about in the middle of those row of windows. If you like trout, they fix it really well in several different ways……a little pricey but a neat thing to experience.

They have the Grist Mill Club for drinks and food also, it overlooks the river.

From inside the mill building.

Bank and other buildings around the area.

Back home in time for Cain’s BB game but was way too tired to go. Great day with good friends!!!!

10 Jul, Saturday: Opened at 7:00 not so bad compared to 5:00. Still tired but knowing I didn’t have to open at 5:00 am any more gave me some energy and we took off for the Licking Car Show

11 Jul, Sunday: Opened again and worked until 2:00. Lots of stormy weather so Nolan didn’t get to grill the chicken we picked up yesterday for dinner…..just sandwiches for lunch. Started catching up on laundry and cleaning.

12 Jul, Monday: Got up and around to be at the store for UHaul training at 9:00. Rest of the day was spent on the computer and cleaning. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and onions for lunch and dinner…….nothing beats fresh vegetables. Storms again but nothing serious.

6 – 7 July 2010

2010-07-08T13:01:00.001-05:00

6 Jul, Tuesday: Opening this week at Walts means getting up at 4:00 am…..not my kind of work!!!! But, it’s only for a little while so I guess I’ll make it a couple of more days. Decided to make a trip to Waynesville for some shopping and get my nails redone. Once we got back to the RV it was nape time so I would be able to make it to the kids ballgames…..one at 6:00, one at 7:00 and one at 8:30. First was Cara’s game….she was a little bored!!!

So bored she decided to pick up hands full of dirt and rub on her pants to make it look like she played hard…..

I missed her hit but here’s proof that she did hit the ball…..she’s ready to run all the way home….

Next was Miss Brenna’s game……the coach was trying to help her by drawing a batter’s box in the dirt and she decided to draw her own…..

It took a couple of tries but she finally made contact…..

She was also pretty bored with playing the field!!!

Next was Cain’s game but these storm clouds called the game off.

Back at the RV it was bed time so I could get up early again.

7 Jul, Wednesday: Up and at it by 4:00 am again!!! Uneventful day of catching up on computer and doing some UHaul online classes so the store can start renting UHauls. Nolan cooked dinner and off to bed early.

3 April - 5 July 2010

2010-07-05T19:20:00.002-05:00

3 April, Saturday: Walked the dogs and the yard was very, very wet, glad we got the RV in place, around 1:30 we went over to Brandi’s for Brenna’s birthday, good to see Carla again and of course Brenna was the center of attention

Carla and Cara acting silly!

Brenna finally got to open presents

And blow out the candles after we sang Happy Birthday.

She had to try on the outfit Nolan and I bought her…..she was really cute!

The the birthday girl took some pictures with my camera…..she took one of me

One of Carla and Cara

Glad to be home in time for her birthday!

4 April, Sunday: Easter, went to Walts for biscuits and gravy with Herb and Linda, talked to Linda about working again….doesn’t look so good for this year, back to RV around 10:00 to make banana pudding for Lunch and the big Easter egg hunt with the kids, Mom and Jim came and the kids had a great time hunting the eggs, around 3:00 we went down to the Tan Trough for Easter dinner with Nolan’s family….road was really muddy

5 April, Monday: Up and around with nothing to do……waited all day for phone and internet to be reconnected, cooked sausage, potatoes, onions, corn, and green beans for dinner, phone not connected at 8:00 p.m. the phone company finally told me it would be tomorrow

6 April, Tuesday: My Grandma Gay’s 90th birthday! Waited until 1:30 then called about the phone, the lady on the phone turned it on and said it would be ready in a couple of minutes, waited 30 minutes and it still didn’t work, called back and they said I should check the box outside and see if it worked, it did so I started looking for the problem, replaced the cord from the box to the RV and everything worked, Nolan mowed Patti’s grass, talked to Brenda, my Canadian RV friend, on the phone around 4:00, went to Mountain Grove for Grandma’s birthday, Patti, Nolan, and I met Daddy, Lester, and Vinita at the nursing center, Grandma was really happy to see us

7 April, Wednesday: Dropped Lucy off at the groomer’s at 12:00, went to Lowe’s, O’Riley’s, Wal Mart and lunch at Wendy’s, coffee at Starbuck’s waiting until she was done, picked her up at 3:00

8 April, Thursday: Cold and cloudy until afternoon and it was sunny, Went to Walts to visit with Linda around 10:30, bought some strawberries from Linda, Nolan got a pizza from Walts for dinner

9 April, Friday: Sunny, worked on my taxes all day, they are ready to be sent, finally took a shower and put on something besides my PJs, went to Cain’s BB game around 7:30

10 April, Saturday: Warm and Sunny, met at Brandi’s around 10:00 for a trip to Springfield with Brandi, Patti, and Brenna to see if we could find Brandi a dress for the wedding, first stop was Cheddars for lunch, then we met Carla at JC Penney’s found a dress right off and then started looking for shoes, found the best red shoes at Dillards, went to see the location where they will get married and discussed details for a while, Carla tried on her dress for everyone and we looked at her shoes, made it back home around 9:30, very tired

11 April, Sunday: Lazy, warm, sunny day, didn’t leave the RV, dreading the interview tomorrow.

12 April, Monday: Warm, sunny day, got up way too early to get ready for the interview for the General Clerk at Fort Leonard Wood, left trailer around 7:45, interview at 8:30, guess it went well, back home by 9:30, decided to go to Licking to check on mulch for Patti and get some bread, ate lunch at drive in, can get mulch at Success for nothing if we load ourselves, back to the RV by 1:30, watched Nolan pull out Patti’s rose bushes at the end of her house

13 April, Tuesday: Warm, sunny day, sent email to FLW CPAC for opinion on job, watched TV and played on the computer all morning, spent most of day emailing back and forth trying to decide if it would be OK to work for WESTECH, rode to Plato with Patti and Kelley to watch Cara play basketball, she made 4 points, played very good for only being in Kindergarten

14 April, Wednesday, Warm, sunny day, woke up at 4:30 to be at work at Walts by 5:00 a.m., way too early!, worked until around 9:00, drove to Houston to pick up my prescription, took a nap, ice cream at Walts then to bed early so I could get up early again

15 April, Thursday, Warm, mostly sunny day, up again at 4:30 to be at Walts at 5:00, left Walts around 7:15 to go to the new employee briefing/pick up packet for employment with WESTECH, start to work on Monday, 19 April, found a nail place in St Roberts to get my nails redone…..just so so, may find another place, lunch at Walts, finished my taxes and mailed them with the checks, Cain played basketball at 6:00 and won, bed early

16 April, Friday: Warm, sunny day, up again at 4:30 for work at Walts, helped out a little longer today in order for Linda to get all the groceries put up, went to Houston to spend a little time with Carla talking about the wedding, back by 5:00 p.m. for a rest before going to Cara’s basketball game at 8:00 p.m., Cara missed the ball and it hit her in the face and she got a bloody nose so she didn’t finish the game

17 April, Saturday: Lazed around until around 10:00, started getting ready to go to the musical Wizard of Oz in Springfield at the Juanita K. Hammons Performing Arts Center, great play and Cara had a great time, we picked up Carla and the beauty salon and were almost late, went to eat at McAlisters and then tried to get to Camping World before it closed, didn’t make it, stopped in Lebanon to buy shoes for Cara and a Wal Mart stop, got home around 9:30….great day

18 April, Sunday: Lazy day, Nolan got a truck load of mulch for Patti, got stuff ready to work at Walts at 5:00 a.m. then on down to FLW to start my new job

19 April, Monday: Up and to Walts by 5:00 am to work until 6:45, off to Truman Ed for training with my new Employer, WESTECH, as a data collector, got settled in class and Karen M (my new boss) came in and asked me to go with her…..the only one out of 25, she took me to the office where I will be working as a data entry clerk instead of a data collector, really more to my liking but I was excited and nervous to learn something new…..what they have me doing is not new…..I can work with Access and enter data all day without much supervision, didn’t do anything but meet everyone until around 2:00 p.m. then I finally entered some data (soldier demographics), home by 5:00, I was tired from getting up so early but I needed to wash my new shirts….yes, this will be the first job I’ve ever had that had a uniform, in bed by 8:30

20 April, Tuesday: Didn’t get up so early, made it to work and everyone else was already there….will have to arrive a little bit earlier tomorrow, entered data and corrected other clerks errors all morning, then ate lunch in the office, nothing to do all afternoon, Karen let me leave at 3:30, great people to work with, nothing but relaxing after I got home, talked to Carla and her eye surgery went OK, she was really tired and sore

21 April, Wednesday: Up early and on my way to work….entered data for a little while, then just watched everyone else, nothing happened after I got home

22 April, Thursday: Work again, same as yesterday mainly except the main guy (Paul) who gives me work got really upset cause I found an error in the numbering system and was trying to fix it and I guess he didn’t think I could……one of the other clerks does the numbering and handing out PIN numbers…..she got some confused, we were working through it, she was confirming and getting it straightened out and he found out and went ballistic….wasn’t that big of a deal, went straight from work to Walts to work and closed, straight home to bed….I was tired, I missed Cain’s basketball game

23 April, Friday: Guess Paul stayed late and fixed the mix-up with the help of some of the others……I really don’t know what happened, when I came in the records who didn’t have PINs had them and no one explained what happened, I think I should have kept my mouth shut, not much going on in the morning, we had a lunch for everyone, then I went to a class with Paul to hand out questionnaires with two other clerks, then I entered them all, went home early and got to Cara’s basketball game in time, she played at 5 and 8 and Cain played at 7, Mom game down for the games, the kids really played good

24 April, Saturday: Got up around 9:00 and went to Patti’s to talk to Mom for a while, Patti cooked hamburgers and potatoes for lunch, Mom left around 1:30, I went to the RV and started washing clothes, not much happened the rest of the day

25 April, Sunday: Nolan borrowed a car from Leon for me to drive to work and it needed to be cleaned out and I needed to go to Wal Mart so a trip to Houston Wal Mart was in order, ate lunch at Hardees and back home to wash more clothes

26 April, Monday: Another day of doing very little at work, did get another Data Entry Clerk in the group today, Judy Harmon; I worked with her in DAC, just spent most of the day explaining what little I knew about what was going on

27 April, Tuesday: Another day of nothing, went to Cara’s basketball game and then home to bed

28 April, Wednesday: Another day of nothing, office plans to have lunch as a group on Friday again so I made brownies to take cause I will be working at Walts tomorrow night and won’t have time, bed early

29 April, Thursday: Another day of nothing at work, hurried home to work at Walt’s, home around 9:30, went straight to bed

30 April, Friday: Another day of nothing at work, hurried home to go to Cain’s basketball game, dinner at Roby cafe

1 May, Saturday: Nolan went to Springfield with me, first on the agenda was new nails and a pedicure with Carla and Chago, lunch at Old Chicago, Nolan joined us, then to the mall for a little shopping, found flip flops I was looking for and a new purse, next was our 3:00 pm appointment with the florists/rental place for the wedding, Chago and Angela were with us and I think we’ve found the right place, under budget and Carla liked working with Shannon, Nolan and I left and stopped at Marshfield Wal Mart for a few things, then on home, wow what a long day

2 May, Sunday: Today was all about getting the laundry caught up, Nolan BBQ’d pork tenderloin and baked some potatoes, finished the laundry around 8:30, caught up on all the computer reading and off to bed

3 May, Monday: Another day of nothing at work, created the space layout diagram for Carla’s wedding

4 May, Tuesday: Worked on a few projects today at work but still nothing much, called Mom to see if she felt like coming to Bennet Springs Park for Mother’s Day and it looks like we’ll be going to Stover for the day Sunday, Nolan went to baseball game at Plato and I did nothing but relax in the RV

5 May, Wednesday: Stayed a little busy today at work, worked on Wedding spreadsheet and sent Carla my revision, she was in panic mode again, left early to attend Chris’ Longaberger Branch meeting then stopped at Wal Mart for a few things, found out that I will be working all night Thursday and in the afternoon on Friday, called Walts to let them know I won’t be able to work there tomorrow night

6 May, Thursday: Rested all day for my night of work, left for work around 6:15 p.m., stayed until 9:00 a.m., long night, not much happened

7 May, Friday: Didn’t have to go to work in the afternoon, tried to sleep most of the day, went to Cain’s basketball game

8 May, Saturday: Nolan went to tractor pull in Cabool and I stayed home by myself all day, washed clothes and cleaned a little

9 May, Sunday: Up and on our way to Stover by 8:30 a.m., lunch at Mom’s then left for home around 3:00

10 May, Monday: Rainy all day, needed to get some propane and groceries so we made a quick trip to Houston and ate lunch at the Mexican restaurant there….not really very good this time, back to the RV to put everything away and get ready for work….yes, I will be working nights during the test phase of this job 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., boy was it a long night, still not much to do.

11 May, Tuesday: Got home around 9:00 a.m. and went directly to bed, slept until 4:30 only waking up once….I was surprised to be able to sleep so well during the day, back to work at 7:00 p.m. and actually worked some, more than any other day so far since starting the job.

12 May, Wednesday: Got home around 8:00 a.m. and again went directly to bed again, woke up a couple of times but was able to go back to sleep and finally out of bed around 4:30, do not work nights today so I played on the computer and watched TV while Nolan went to a high school baseball game

13 May, Thursday: Worked days today, then from 5 until 9:30 at Walts, nothing else today

14 May, Friday: Worked until 12:30 today, stopped at Walts on the way home, Nolan was there so we went to the cafe for lunch, back to the RV for the rest of the afternoon.

15 May, Saturday: Stopped in Raymondville to order flowers for memorial day on our way to Springfield to help Carla some more with the wedding, paid a deposit to the floral place, bought hair piece and piece for dress, bought brads for programs, ate at Steak and Shake and then home….long day

16 May, Sunday: Slept until the dogs got me up, made brownies to take to Leon and Paula’s for Jacklyn’s nursing school graduation celebration, home to the RV for the rest of the afternoon

17 May, Monday: Worked during the day today, nothing else much today

18 May, Tuesday: Dinner at cafe (hamburger steak) worked from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

19 May, Wednesday: Slept, all morning, worked from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

20 May, Thursday: Cara’s kindergarten graduation at 8:30 a.m.

Went to sleep for the rest of the morning, worked from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m

21 May, Friday: Slept, all morning, dinner at Cafe (catfish), worked from 7:00 p.m to 6:30 a.m. Sat

22 May, Saturday: Slept till 2 or so, went to Beaver Creek for dinner with Patti and Kelley, went to Patti’s to see the kids, they were staying all night with her

23 May, Sunday: Woke up with a very sore shoulder, laid around most of the day, went to Patti’s to see the kids who were staying all day with her because Brandi left TDY to VA and Chris was working, dinner was Spanish rice and chicken, very warm day

24 May, Monday: Day off, cleaned and washed clothes, ate dinner at Walts

25 May, Tuesday: 12 hour day at work today, just a little work and the rest was spent trying to look busy….I don’t do that well.

26 May, Wednesday: Another long day, not much to do

27 May, Thursday: Long day at work, conducted the final questionnaire and had to input the data before going home, went home around 6:00

28 May, Friday: Last day of work, didn’t have to wear those awful shirts, no work to do, got to leave around noon, went to get a pedicure and my nails redone, Nolan grilled steaks

29 May, Saturday: Went to Wal Mart around 1:30, ate a salad at Miller’s Grill, went to Brandi’s to take her a birthday card

30 May, Sunday: Got around and went to all the cemeteries, visited with Patti for a while and Nolan grilled pork chops

31 May, Monday:

1 Jun, Tuesday: Worked at Walts from 3 until 9, did some internet shopping for the wedding

2 Jun, Wednesday: Worked at Walts from 3 until 9

3 Jun, Thursday: Worked at Walts from 3 until 9

4 Jun, Friday: Worked at Walts from 3 until 10

5 Jun, Saturday: Picked up Cain, Cara, and Brenna at 5:00 and took them to the fish lake for dinner

6 Jun, Sunday: Cooked steak in mushroom soup in crock pot for dinner, Felicia and Jeff stopped by to see our trailer, Nolan mowed grass and put in new heating element in hot water heater….didn’t fix the problem

7 Jun, Monday: Trip to Lebanon to order new air conditioner, stopped at grocery store and lunch at Steak and Shake, got the mobile printer I ordered for the wedding and tried it out….pictures have streaks in them so I guess I’ll send it back, watched Cain play baseball at 7:00

8 Jun, Tuesday: Lazed around all day, ate salad for lunch at Walts, more internet shopping for the wedding

9 Jun, Wednesday:

10 Jun, Thursday: Went to work at Walts at 3:00

11 Jun, Friday: Went to work at Walts at 3:00

12 Jun, Saturday: Opened at Walts, went to Lebanon to pick up air conditioner, ate Mexican

13 Jun, Sunday: Opened at Walts, went to auction at Anna Marie’s with Mom and Patti, bought $110 worth of stuff and nothing for myself….it was really hot, Patti fixed dinner for everyone

14 Jun, Monday: Went to cemetery with Mom and ate lunch at Roby cafe, Watched Cain play baseball at 7:00

15 Jun, Tuesday: Went to see Grandma in Mountain Grove and went to Wal Mart, stopped by Doc and Linda’s to see Ginny and had to take Ginny to the emergency room to get her toe nail pulled off, she got it caught on a filing cabinet when she was trying to move it.

16 Jun, Wednesday: Worked at Walts from 9:00 til 12:00, Nolan fixed the electric hot water heater but the thermostat still needs to be replaced

17 Jun, Thursday: Went to work at Walts at 2:00 and closed, Nolan put in the new air conditioner

18 Jun, Friday: Mailed invitations to Carla’s wedding with wrong time on them…..guess we’ll have the wedding at 6 instead of 7:30 as we planned, went to St Roberts to have lunch with secretaries I used to work with but I was late leaving Walts so I just visited with them for a while, got my nails filled and came home.

19 Jun Saturday: Started storming at 3:45 in the morning, Nolan had to get up and put the awning in, never fails if he leaves it out the wind blows too strong in the middle of the night, Opened at Walts and worked until 2:00, Patti made home made ice cream for Father’s Day

20 Jun, Sunday: Worked at Walts until 3:00

21 Jun, Monday:

22 Jun, Tuesday:

23 Jun, Wednesday: Trip to Lebanon for thermostat for hot water heater, lunch at BBQ place at Bennet Springs, cancelled with Linda to go get a pedicure

24 Jun, Thursday: Work at 3:00 and closed

25 Jun, Friday: Went to work at 11:30 so Linda and Doc could fly to Utah, worked until 3:00, was too lazy to go to Cain’s game

26 Jun, Saturday: Opened and worked until 2:00, Patti had the kids so Brandi and Chris could have a party for Grant, we all loaded in the truck and went to the pay lake for dinner and then stopped at Walts for ice cream

27 Jun, Sunday: Opened and worked until 2:00, quick trip home and then to Patty Creek for a get together with Nolan’s family, sat in the creek to cool off, it was so hot.

28 Jun, Monday: Work at 10:00, red beans and rice for dinner, Brenna’s game at 6:00 and Cain’s at 7:00

29 Jun, Tuesday: Work at 10:00, was gonna go to Cara’s game but Patti thought it was at 7:00 and then at 6:30 she said she looked at the schedule wrong and in was really at 6:00 we missed it, Nolan grilled hamburgers for dinner

30 Jun, Wednesday: Work at 9:30 so I could be there when the food order needs to go in, worked until 3 and Nolan cooked ribs

1 Jul, Thursday: Work at 3:00 til close

2 Jul, Friday: Worked at 10:00, Mom was visiting at Patti’s and we all went to Cain’s ballgame at 7:00

3 Jul, Saturday: Opened at Walts, Patti had cook out for her kids birthday, kids played in the water, and kids shot off some fireworks

Oscar and Lucy had a lot of fun outside also!!!

Karen and Brenna sitting in the truck eating.

Brenna got in trouble and had to sit for a while….not fun!

Sparklers stuck in the tree….

Can’t decide what to do next!

4 Jul, Sunday: Opened at Walts, went to Travelling Vietnam Memorial Wall at Cabool, then to Wal Mart

5 Jul, Monday: Worked at Walts from 10:00 til 3:00, I sure do need some rest!

25 March – 2 April 2010

2010-04-09T16:56:00.001-05:00

25 March, Thursday: Nolan and I got up and went to breakfast by 9:00, when we returned everyone was planning a return trip to the Butter Churn but we decided not to go, good time for me to go get my nails redone so Nolan dropped me off and picked me up about an hour later, got back and went to sit outside at Gregg and Lynette’s trailer talking to the gang.

26 March, Friday: Jim called at 7:00 saying he had taken Mom to the hospital at 1:00 and they were waiting to hear from the doctor, talked to Mom a little bit later and then decided to leave for home instead of waiting until Monday, farewells to everyone and we were gone by 10:00, stopped in Victoria for gas and one other time for a snack, after making a wrong turn down into housing development….very skinny road and backing out part of the way we stopped for the night at Twin Oaks RV Park…..not much of an RV Park but it will do for the night, Mom had a pace maker put in this afternoon and seems to be doing OK, Patti will spend the night with her.

27 March, Saturday: After talking to Patti and finding out that Mom was doing OK and would go home today, we decided to maybe stay a couple of nights at Beavers Bend State Park in OK, after we got to Broken Bow and seeing a few of the rivers up and muddy, Nolan decided he didn’t really want to stay after all and the park doesn’t have 50 amp service yet and I really needed to wash a few loads of clothes, so on down the road we traveled to Hot Springs, AR, to the National Park campground Gulpha Gorge Campground, what a great place, 50 amp service, full hook ups, paved sites and roads at the foot of the mountains on a creek, really pretty, we got set up and then it rained a little, in for the night and I made pizzas while doing the laundry.

Proof that Oscar has really, really adjusted to this travelling……a large improvement from the constant panting he used to do for the whole trip….didn’t matter if it was a mile or 1000, he panted the whole time. NOT NOW!

Gulpha Gorge Campground, Hot Springs National Park, AR…..out RV and truck

28 March, Sunday: Cloudy and cold, around 10:00 we went for a drive to see what the town of Hot Springs looked like, ate lunch at Arby’s, went to the Visitor’s Center and picked up Hot Springs lodging and tourist information for Carla, too cold to walk around so we went back to the RV, played on the computer and did laundry, Nolan fried chicken and potatoes for dinner.

29 March, Monday: Sunshine and warm, decided to stay another day, went to Perkins for breakfast then downtown to walk around, toured the Hot Springs National Park visitor center and walked down Bathhouse Row and down the other side back to the truck, drove the Hot Springs Mountain Drive then went to lunch at McAlisters, back to the RV and walked the dogs down to the creek, I drove by myself (haven’t driven anywhere since we left in October) to the Post Office.

Hot spring fountain, downtown Hot Springs, AR

Arlington Hotel, Hot Springs, AR

Nolan walking in front of one of the bathhouses

Another bathhouse

Where the Army Navy Hospital was….some kind of rehabilitation center now, I think.

Downtown Hot Springs, AR

Tour through the Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center

Nolan resting in the lobby

Drive on Mountain Drive

Those green boxes are hot springs that they have covered to keep this from being contaminated

30 March, Tuesday: Left Hot Springs, AR, around 9:30, stopped in Mammoth Springs for catfish at Fred’s, arrived at Windy Curve around 4:30, just parked in the driveway waiting for the yard to get a little more solid.

31 March, Wednesday: Around 10:00 went to Licking to fill the propane bottle, back to the trailer for the rest of the day, Nolan went to the cafe for burgers and I went to visit Patti for a while and see what we needed for Sunday’s lunch

1 April, Thursday: Again around 10:00 went to Houston to wash the truck and pay a visit to Wal Mart, back to the RV and put everything away, visit to Walts to see Linda but she was already gone so I sat and talked to Jeanie for a while, Cain’s BB game at 5:00 in the old gym, good to see the kids again, Cain lost by a few points, went to Roby Cafe for dinner but didn’t get waited on so we left and went to Walts for pizza.

2 April, Friday: Rain today so we were up and at it to get the trailer situated in the back yard before the rain, got all settled before 1:00 and then I cleaned carpet and washed clothes the rest of the day, Nolan was back and forth from Roby and had to work on his truck a little, rain started around 6:00 and seemed like it rained all night.

14 - 24 March 2010

2010-03-24T17:57:00.002-05:00

14 Mar, Sunday: Gave up and colored my hair, laundry, Nolan and I ate lunch at Big Fisherman, not so good this time….it’s hit and miss at that place, later in the day it was a game of Hand and Foot…Karen and I won!

15 Mar, Monday: Plan was to meet for breakfast at Jamas; got there and it was closed so we went to Alice Faye’s. I put on a pot of beans and ham then we sat by the campfire for a little while.

16 Mar, Tuesday: Rain and cold, lunch at Butter Churn Restaurant……great buffet, later in the day it was another game of Hand and Foot…lost both games…..Karen and I against Bob and Keith and Donnie and I against Mark and Keith

17 Mar, Wednesday: Free BBQ at the resort clubhouse, then the gang decided to have a St Patrick’s Day green food and games get together at the clubhouse at 5:00; Molly, Arlene and I won against Rod, Lynette, and Gregg

This is Donna and her green hair in observance of St Patrick’s Day

Molly in her St Patrick’s Day attire.

Gregg in his green attire.

Donna and Molly

Lynette and Gregg

Bob wasn’t as colorful as the others!

The three winners!

Dortha with a green bow!

THE FOOD!!!!

18 Mar, Thursday: Breakfast at Alice Faye’s on the Bay with Arlene and Kevin, Bob and Mollly, Donna and Keith, and Donnie and Karen; headache took nap; Nolan tried to change the heating element but couldn’t get it loose; gathered at Gregg and Lynette’s for short time before dark, bed early

19 Mar, Friday: Everyone waited on me to get ready then we went to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, rode with Kevin and Arlene, dinner at Ken’s, Mexican Train at clubhouse

Visitor’s Center at Aransas Wildlife Refuge

This lake was empty in December when we were here…..what a difference!

The main reason for visiting here is to see the Whooping Cranes.

Here we are trying to spot them….

We did find alligators!!!!

and deer

20 Mar, Saturday: Nolan went to gun show in Aransas Pass, rain, everyone else went to clubhouse around 2:00 to play cards, we went out to get some things to drink and a Dominos Pizza

21 Mar, Sunday: COLD but sun was shining……gathered outside to make a plan for the day, went to the clubhouse for a game of Hand and Foot….Dortha and I won against Lynette and Arlene, went to dinner at Pepitos, great Mexican food, then another game of Hand and Foot at the clubhouse….Dortha and I lost against Bob and Donnie

22 Mar, Monday: Lazy morning cleaning a little, Late lunch was sausage and potatoes cooked by Nolan, around 2 or 3 went outside to sit and talk, others went to Panjo’s for pizza.

23 Mar,Tuesday: Met outside for a 10:00 trip to Mustang Island beach with the gang, Tom, Nolan’s friend met us there and we sat in the sun and talked for a while, ate lunch at Port A Brewing Company, home in time for salad potluck at the clubhouse, tired so we went back to the RV

Here’s the gang walking along the beach

There were lots and lots of dead jelly fish

Kevin decided to see if he was good enough to enter the sand castle festival that starts in a few weeks…..

I don’t think he’ll make it!!!!

Girls showing off their pedicures!

All the guys looking a little bored!

Hard to see but these were some hand gliders we saw coming in for a landing

24 Mar, Wednesday: Lazy day of doing nothing but cleaning out the refrigerator!!! Cloudy and cool day!

23 February - 13 March 2010

2010-03-17T15:03:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, 23 Feb: Very cold and windy, didn’t go outside

Wednesday, 24 Feb: Grocery run and Nolan cooked pork tenderloin for Jerry and Leona. Warmed up but still a little windy.

Thursday, 25 Feb: Around 10:00 we met Mark and Dortha for a bike ride through the Bentsen State Bird Park.

More pictures of those pig looking animals.

Squirrels

Birds

Picture of the bikes we road just to prove we really did ride.

The park boundary is on the Mexico border.

View from the Hawk Tower

I managed to ride the whole way around the park with no major problems until we were getting ready to stop in at the visitor center. I was riding on the sidewalk around a corner and didn’t quit make it. I fell over in slow motion in the bushes. I laughed so hard I couldn’t get out of the bushes. Dortha was right in front of me and couldn’t help me either!

That afternoon Kathy and Chuck hosted a BBQ because most of the group would be leaving for Rockport on 1 March.

After the sun went down it got cold so we went inside to visit for a while and Nolan amused himself by checking to see if the scales were accurate. Gregg was sure they were weighing heavy!

Friday, 26 Feb: Girls Day Out that started at the Vintage Team Room.

Part of the fun was that we all had to play dress up!

Kathy and Arlene

Anna, Kathy, Dortha

Arlene

Kathy had a couple of good looks!

Dortha

Mary

Sue

Lynette

Mary and I had a hard time getting started…..

My first choice…..

My final choice….

The whole group!

Then we were off to see what all the talk about Ropa’s was about. This one was where everything was new….not so bad and the others did find a few things to buy.

This was the used one….not so good and we didn’t even touch anything

There are lots of people who do buy at these places and here is a picture of some people trying to stuff the clothes in their trunk.

Monday, 1 Mar: Moved to Last Resort in Rockport. Pictures of Lucy and Oscar while we were travelling. They are so much better with it than when we first started.

Everyone arrived safe and sound then it was Happy Hour at Rod and Debbie’s site.

Tuesday, 2 Mar: Everyone just settled in then we had Happy Hour at Gregg and Lynette’s site.

Wednesday, 3 Mar: Weather is wonderful, I sat outside and knitted most of the day. At dinner time we had hot dogs and marshmellows at camp fire.

Thursday, 4 Mar: Sunny but a little cool, Lunch at China A with Escapees and RV Dreamers, Mark and Dortha returned from Fort Worth where they attended a friend’s funeral….Dortha with a broken collar bone….she fell against a brick wall. Visited Debbie Goode’s trailer to see her decorating talents….she paints and had painted bricks behind her kitchen counter….they looked so real.

Friday, 5 Mar: Cloudy and cold, sick, Nolan and I went to Port Aransas to Mexican restaurant for lunch and then DQ for ice cream

Saturday, 6 Mar: Breakfast at Alice Faye’s, Wal Mart for Claritin D…..I think my being sick is allergies, sightseeing with Gregg, Lynette and Kevin, Arlene, Saw whooping cranes on Goose Island

Charlie and Peggy arrived, Campfire at Rod and Deb’s

Sunday, 7 Mar: Cloudy but warm, Lynette flew home to be with her brother, Laundry Day, Au Gratin Potatoes for Pot Luck at resort activity building

Monday, 8 Mar: Rain, mosquitoes are out and eating me up, Molly taught us how to play Hand and Foot at the clubhouse

Tuesday, 9 Mar: Warm and sunshine, lots of mosquitoes, lunch at Big Fisherman with the whole gang, happy hour at Mark and Dortha’s, then Hand and Foot at the clubhouse…Debbie nicknamed Donnie PeeTee, she said it just came out.

Wednesday, 10 Mar, Wednesday: Nolan walked 5 miles, Nolan and I went to see Crazy Heart at the movie theater in Rockport……great movie, hand and foot….partners with Peggy against Charlie and Mark with Molly teaching Peggy and Charlie how to play

Thursday, 11 Mar: Donna and Keith arrived, Karen, Dortha, Molly and I went in to Rockport for pedicures and manicures, dinner was grilling hamburgers in vacant site, hand and foot partners with Karen and Deb….we lost

Friday, 12 Mar: Cleaned, sat outside in sunshine, campfire in empty site telling jokes…..those guys could go on forever

Saturday, 13 Mar: Sat outside in sunshine, Mark and Dortha’s kids arrived, Taco supper at Arlene and Kevin’s site

21 - 23 February 2010

2010-03-17T14:50:00.002-05:00

Sunday, 21 Feb: Went to Bentsen State Bird Park with Jerry and Leona followed by stop at DQ for ice cream, very nice, warm day

At the first bird feeding area Leona and I saw this beautiful red bird…..we just walked over to the area and watched. Later Nolan told us all the bird watchers were really upset with us for disturbing the birds…..guess we shouldn’t have gotten so close.

Lots of these pig looking animals in the park….I forgot what they were called!

One of the birds we really wanted to see was the Chachalaca

Then there were lots of Green Jays…very pretty bird

And this very pretty orange bird….I’m not a bird watcher so I don’t know their names

There was a tram that drove you all around the park to the different bird watching areas. This was one of the tram stops.

I don’t know what they were looking at but this was the end of the walk on the way back to the car.

Monday, 22 Feb: In January we all bought tickets for the Osprey Dolphin Boat Ride on South Padre Island. We waited until we thought the weather would cooperate and scheduled our tour.

Lady in blue shirt was the tour guide.

I wonder if this fish was really caught?????

We arrived really early so we just hung around until time to get on the boat.

This was our boat

There were lots of pelicans

We finally got to get on the boat

South Padre Island from the tour boat.

A shrimping boat we saw from the tour boat.

Then the reason for the tour…..dolphins. My best dolphin pictures.

Some of the others got much better pictures than I did.

After the boat tour we had lunch at their restaurant….very good!

New Concept

2010-02-28T13:48:00.002-06:00

It’s been a month since I’ve posted to the blog. First I need to explain this entry’s title. I won’t be writing the blog trying to entertain everyone (not that I really did any way). I will be using the blog to keep track of our travels more in the format of a journal…..short one line entries of our activities…..mainly so I can keep track of where we’ve been and what we did. So, it may not be as interesting for you but you are more than welcome to keep reading if you want.

Monday, 1 Feb:

Made taco soup and put more mustard in the pretzel dip for dinner with the gang at Lynette and Gregg’s RV

Arlene and Kevin Sullivan arrived at Seven Oaks and will be staying for the month of February

Oscar’s new sleeping place

Tuesday, 2 Feb:

Found a leak under the trailer where the toilet is located

Nolan took down the bottom of the RV to see if he could find the leak and didn’t really find one but decided to use some fiberglass stuff along the seams to see if that would stop the leak. He went to find the repair stuff.

I went to lunch at Gonzales the hugh hamberger place with the gang

We then went to Hobby Lobby and Sally’s Beauty Supply

Last stop was a bakery that the gang had found a couple of days ago…..really good donuts and very reasonable prices

While I was gone, Nolan worked on the leak filling the tank up and draining it and couldn’t get it to leak again. Decided we probably had let the tank get to full so he didn’t use the repair stuff.

Went down to the Activity Hall and listened to the The Young Family Band music show…..very good, parents and four kids, bluegrass and gospel

Wednesday, 3 Feb:

Lunch at McAllisters, Took back repair stuff, rained all day

Thursday, 4 Feb:

The other guys picked up Taste of the Valley tickets for us ($10 each)….several restaurants in the area would be giving samples of their food. Way too many people for the size of the place. Left and went to eat at Rudy’s BBQ.

Friday, 5 Feb:

Our turn to host a gathering. Nolan grilled Hamburgers and then we played ladder golf

Chuck and Kevin

Lynette, Kathy, Arlene watching

Nolan watching

Kevin and Chuck still playing……Chuck was the big winnter

Saturday, 6 Feb:

Went with the gang to the Riverside Club for river boat cruise

Kevin and Arlene waiting to get on the boat

Mark and Rod waiting to get on the boat

Guy with his back to me is the captain of the boat

Mark, Dortha, Debbie and Rod at other end of boat

Border patrol

In the trees is the border patrol helicopter

Mexican recreation areas along the Rio Grande River

Not such a good looking one

Much better ones

Border patrol in their boats

Old cars along bank of river

We were supposed to have lunch at the Riverside Club but they was so much noise Nolan couldn’t take it so we left and had lunch at DQ.

That afternoon we celebrated Arlene’s 60th birthday with cake at their RV.

At 7:00 we went to the Activity Hall for music by Sarah Getto

Sunday, 7 Feb:

Went to Flea Market to pick up girls CDs and a coin (state quarters) collecting book for cain

Super bowl party at Mark and Dortha’s RV took cheese dip and chips

Monday, 8 Feb:

Trip to South Padre Island for market days bought more Tervis Glasses and a food chopper

Causeway bridge

Lunch at Dirty Al’s

Visited the beach

Dortha walking in the water

Gregg and Lynette

Border fence on the drive home after stopping for ice cream at DQ

Tuesday, 9 Feb:

Sick with cold or allergies, didn’t do anything

Wednesday, 10 Feb:

Still sick, picked up prescription at Walmart, Nolan grilled steak

Thursday, 11 Feb: Still sick, dinner (pork roast and cabbage) at Leona and Jerry’s

Friday, 12 Feb: Trip to Mexico with the gang. I bought vanilla and pet flea and heart worm medicine. Lunch at Arturo’s, mexican, very good.

This is what the streets look like in Pregresso, Mexico.

Nolan bought me this foam flower from a little girl on the street and gave it to me for Valentine’s Day.

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Saturday, 13 Feb:

Nolan went to gun show and picked up steak for grilling at Mac and Lynette’s, we grilled chicken instead.

I made salad to take and Lynette made baked potatoes. Dortha and Arlene brought food also. Tried to sit outside but it was too cold.

Gregg’s fire to grill our meat on

Sunday, 14 Feb:

Laundry, vacuumed, bright and sunny, Nolan worked on trailer putting the bottom of trailer back up, sat outside with dogs

Monday, 15 Feb:

Sick didn’t go with girls for pedicures and lunch, Nolan grilled steak for dinner

Tuesday, 16 Feb:

Met Buck (Nolan’s friend from Iowa) and family at Kingsville for lunch at Gem’s Pancake Restaurant. When we got home we sat outside in sun.

Wednesday, 17 Feb:

Walked around the park with dogs 1/2 mile

Went to Flea Market with the gang, rode with Arlene and Kevin, didn’t buy anything but honey, ate at Jason’s Deli

Thursday, 18 Feb: Chuck and Kathy’s anniversary,

Went with the gang to RV Show at Ron Hoover’s

Girls went shopping at Michaels and then for cheesecake at Olive Garden….rainy

Friday, 19 Feb:

Rio Grande Valley Music Festival….rain

Saturday, 20 Feb: Walked, Happy Hour at Kevin and Arlene’s

Eating, Eating, and More Eating

2010-01-31T21:00:00.001-06:00

Tuesday, 26 Jan, Made a quick run to HEB, grocery store, then back to the RV to make a carmel cheese cake and baked beans for dinner at Mark and Dortha’s. They were grilling brats and everyone was bringing stuff to go with them. The place where they are staying all the sites are owned by people that then rent them out when they are not using them. The sites have small buildings that you can finish however you want. The one Mark and Dortha rented doesn’t have the building finished but it sure was nice to sit in while we ate….it kept the cold wind off us.

Wednesday, 27 Jan: For Christmas we received a gift card for Red Lobster. So we called Jerry and Leona and they met us for a late lunch. While we were sitting inside waiting for them, they were sitting outside waiting for us. Guess we got there before they did and it was about 30 minutes before I finally got Nolan to call…..we all had a good laugh and then enjoyed a great meal!

Thursday, 28 Jan, Debbie sent me a note that Happy Hour was at their RV around 5:00. Gang got together for another good time of eating, laughing and talking.

Friday, 29 Jan, we took out to find a boot repair shop, Nolan needs new soles on a couple of pair and he wasn’t going back to the one he used last year since the guy and Nolan had a really hard time communicating…….Nolan doesn’t speak Spanish. He talked to a couple of salesmen at a western store so I think he’s found a place to take them. I’ve mentioned before that the Wal Mart and HEB are always extremely crowded and most times does not create a very nice shopping experience. We had passed this K Mart that was close to our RV park so we decided to try shopping there this time. What a difference! It was almost empty and I had a great time looking at everything…..Nolan finally gave up on me and went to sit it out in the truck….I still had a good time!

Saturday, 30 Jan, Another get together but this time Gregg and Lynette were gonna bake potatoes. I really have a hard time thinking of stuff to take so I looked on line for something. I had some pretzels so I thought I would make a dip from scratch. It was just OK….next time I think I’ll put more mustard in or maybe some hot spicy mustard. Oh well, something different! Everything else that we ate was wonderful…..potatoes were cooked just right, Debbie’s Olive Garden salad was yummy, and Dortha’s german chocolate cake was moist and very good!

Sunday, 31 Jan, When I got back to the RV last night, Leona and Jerry had called and invited us to breakfast for lunch. We met them at Denny’s and wow what a crowd….waited about 20 minutes for a table; however, the food was really good and I love having breakfast! Next was a trip to the flea market again. Rest of the gang was leaving around 12:00 so we thought we might run into them and we did. Dortha showed us the CDs for kids that have songs on them with whatever name you choose sung in the songs. How cute! I ordered two for my favorite little girls! Can’t wait for them to get them…..will send them in the Valentine packages. Nolan was on the lookout for more books to read and he needed some more of the orange blossom honey that they sell there. I started feeling kind of bad so we made our way back to the RV and did nothing the rest of the afternoon. Sure will be glad when it warms up again…..although I shouldn’t complain cause I know everyone at home is a whole lot colder!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-01-26T11:02:00.002-06:00

Wednesday, 20 Jan, we decided to all go out for a late lunch at the Riverside Club. It was kind of slow but it was a non boat trip day and it was late. The food was really good and the location was right on the Rio Grande River. Nice afternoon for sitting out on their patio which we did for about an hour after we ate.

The next day we were off to eat AGAIN but this time we had to go early in order to get in line. Rumor has it that at this place when the hamburger is gone they close the doors and there is always a line, so, we left the RV at 10:30 for lunch. We met Kathy and Chuck there and I borrowed Kathy’s pictures of the outside and Chuck’s lunch cause of course I didn’t have my camera again! One of the best hamburgers I’ve ever eaten and huge! Nolan and I shared a hamburger and onion rings. Very good!

This is Chuck and his lunch.

This is the outside of the place. No name on the building and no advertisement….but the word gets out cause there sure was a line!

Friday, we didn’t have plans but around noon, Lynette called to see if we wanted to go to the Flea Market. We said sure so we were off. Got there and they aren’t open on Fridays but the Farmer’s Market across the street was so we went in. Bought some oranges and a fresh pineapple, boy was it good! Of course we were all hungry again so we had been wanting to try the Crazy International Buffett. Oh my gosh….way too much food and it was good food. Too many choices!

Gregg and Nolan making their way back to the truck!

Then it was Saturday, 23 Jan, Nolan’s birthday. We had plans to go to the Chicken House Opry for a 2:00p.m. show. First we ate BBQ pulled pork sandwiches outside and then we went inside for the show. Pretty good show if you like country music and corny comedy!

Outside eating.

Building the show was in.

These pictures I borrowed from Dortha and Lynette....thanks! After the show we decided it was time for a DQ stop for ice cream and we were gonna drive through a couple of other parks to see if we thought they would be OK for some other friends to stay in. There are hundreds of parks around here and a lot that aren’t advertised anywhere. We found a couple of possibilities and Lynette will share them with Arlene and Kevin.

Sunday, 24 Jan, we woke to very, very strong wind! We had plans to meet at Gregg and Lynette’s for dinner so off we went around 4:00p.m. When I walked in their trailer, there was Debbie and Rod who we had not seen since last March in Kerrville. We all had been bugging them to come to the valley before they went to San Antonio to visit her son. They kept saying they couldn’t but all along they were planning to come to the valley and surprise all of us. What a great surprise….got us all, we had no idea!

Deb and Rod.

Monday, 25 Jan, was another Mexico trip day. Kathy and I really wanted to get a pedicure. The whole group had planned to go but this and that came up so only Kathy and Chuck and Nolan and I went across the border. We picked up Chuck and Kathy around our 11:30 at the park where we stayed last year. Didn’t look like much had changed and our site was empty. Kind of wished we had stayed there….I really liked the people there. We will have to get over there for Happy Hour before we leave the valley. First thing on the agenda in Mexico was to eat. Kathy said the Red Snapper was a great place to eat and it was just down the street. We walked, and walked, and walked. Finally, up some stairs and into a crowded room on the second floor of a building we made it. The food was wonderful. I had garlic shrimp and Nolan had the fried shrimp. Both were excellent! Then we were off to find a place to get our pedicures; however, before we found one, Nolan stopped off in a barber shop for a hair cut. Next, we, Kathy, Chuck and I, all sat down for our pedicures. Only $9 and I saw them clean all their stuff before and after they used them! Fun! We dropped Chuck and Kathy off at their RV and hurried back to let the dogs out and then Lynette sent me a text saying to meet them at Mark and Dortha’s for a late Happy Hour. We sat in Mark and Dortha’s motorhome for a couple of hours and laughed and talked…..wow what a busy day. I’m ready to relax and do nothing!

Out and About With Friends

2010-01-18T20:08:00.001-06:00

Wednesday, 13 Jan, Jerry and Leona, Nolan’s sister and brother-in-law, asked us over for dinner. She made salmon cakes with cornbread…..excellent. They have rented a mobile home in the same park in McAllen that they were in last year and plan to stay here in the valley until the first of April. Great time for us to spend some quality time with them!

Thursday, 14 Jan, was a down day with only an outing to HEB on the agenda. Don’t know if I’ve explained what HEB is or not….it’s a Texas grocery store chain that always has excellent sales and a very good variety of product. However, you should always be prepared to fight the crowds….always crowded!

Friday, 15 Jan, we rode over to RV Show with Gregg and Lynette and Mark and Dortha.

Nolan spent some time sitting outside waiting for us in the warm weather.

Walked around the show for a couple of hours and decided that we would purchase tickets to go for a boat ride to see the dolphins. We got the tickets for $16 cheaper for buying them at the RV show. Should be fun! We were off to Arturo’s for lunch to meet up with other RV Dreamers. I had the best stuffed peppers but the service was a little lacking.

Lynette, Me, Kathy, Nolan, Chuck, Ed, and Marilyn.

Barb, Roger, Jesse, and part of Ginger.

Barb, Roger, Jesse, Ginger, Dortha, and Mark.

After lunch we were in search of an indoor flea market that Lynette had saw in a magazine. We finally found it after asking for directions at another flea market. It didn’t show up on her GPS or on my iPhone. We got there a little late as some of the booths were already closed. Was a great fun day and the weather finally was what we were down here for--sunny and warm.

Saturday, 16 Jan, I had been complaining about the medicine cabinet door squeaking Nolan wanted to find the right kind of tool to take the back off our heater. So, we were off to find a Lowes. While Nolan was looking for oil and the tool, I found a new spice rack for the kitchen. I am so pleased with the new rack and the door doesn’t squeak anymore….I’m a happy camper!!!

Here’s the new rack extended. It lifts up and pulls down so you can better see the contents.

Here is the rack back in the cabinet. I love it!

Sunday, 17 Jan, weather was too beautiful to stay inside so we left for the Don Wes Flea Market. Nolan found his Orange Blossom Honey and one of those wooden back scratcher that I’ve been trying to get him to buy forever instead of scratching his back on the door facings. Yeah!!!! We walked around until our backs and feet were hurting. Left to go find our favorite treat…..a stop at DQ for ice cream! What better way to end a good day.

Monday, 18 Jan, we were off with the group again for a trip to Mexico! We had a great day with friends and managed to get my medicine for over 2 years for $33. Streets were really crowded and there of course was lots of things to look at. We ate at Arturo’s, the Mexican one, and got much, much better service than we did from the one in the US. Great food and fun day! We made it home by 3:00 and we both took a short nap…..oh, the life of retirees….sure is tough!!!

Sad and Happy

2010-01-13T12:37:00.001-06:00

Wow, I haven’t posted for a very long time. I guess I’ve just been trying to postpone talking about this day of the year, December 15. I never know whether to say something or just remember it silently but somehow I always feel like she’s being cheated in some way if I don’t say anything. So, this year I will just post some of the things that were said on Facebook about her:

Carla Stenger: 9 years ago today my sister was killed in a car accident. If you knew her, would you help me remember her by sharing your favorite story of her? I love you and miss you Amanda.

Natalin Fletcher: i can remember going to your house in the mornings waiting on the bus and playing the piano

Tera Steinbrink: Hanging out at Paula's house doing GA stuff. Good times!

Debi Dieman: I remember her getting into my Home Interior stuff when I'd come to do Shows for your Mom. She thought your Mom should 'have it all'. She is such a pretty little thing; a tad bit hard-headed, but, with a precious heart. And she loves you very much. I speak in the present tense 'cause she's alive in our hearts. Love you, Carla. Love you three girls so!

Patti Bates Niebruegge: One of my first memories of Amanda is babysitting you and her when Amanda and Brandi were just a few weeks old (there's only a month between them) They were both hungry at the same time. So there I was sitting on the couch holding a baby in each arm (cause they both wanted to be held) and holding a bottle for each baby. I knew right then I was glad they weren't twins!!!

Cortney Lahmann: Man, I only went to Plato for three years in high school, but it seemed me, you and Amanda really hit it off when I got there. Lots of fun stories, but I remember on the way home from selling ads for Publications we stopped at Wood's to get a snack and we ran across the road to take a pic of her like she was Vanna White with the burnt up riding lawn mower (wonder how it got that way haha). She didn't think I would put it in the year book, but, I did =) Was too funny ;-)....My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family today. LOVE YOU!

Patti Bates Niebruegge: One of my last memories is Amanda coming to a basketball game in Conway, Cain was less than a month old and he was slobbering, like babies do, and she reached over and wiped the slobber off and then wiped it on her jeans!!! and she called him Candy Cain.

Jessica Prock Waddell: I remember all of the softball, volleyball and basketball trips. When we were younger and my mom was our softball coach and the entire team would go to the came in the back of our truck (not safe now looking back at it, but so much fun) :) I was so sad to here of the her passing and I really do miss her. She was such a great person and great friend!

Tisha Hildebrand Abell: How about the time she got bit by that mouse at Webers. She was too soft hearted to let anyone kill it and when she tried to pet it it bit her!

Elizabeth Dawn Dye: Although Amanda was younger than me, I know what its like to have a younger sister you adore. I remember she always has a smile on her face. This is an awesome way to remember her!!!

Joni Garrett: well i didnt know amanda well cause she was younger but i do remember when i would see her she was always happy and smiling.She has a great laugh and was always very nice to me.i just remember that she was a great person and Carla she will be missed dearly and i will always have a place in my heart and prayers for her.

Kate York: Hey Carla. I remember when I was working at the store in eveningshade you and Amanda would come over to buy something to eat. I remember thinking how cute the two of you were and what good sisters you were.

Shelly McClure Shuler: I think about Amanda every time I put on a pair of tube socks...... When we were all in junior high and playing basketball, Amanda would always make sure that her tube socks were pulled down perfectly around her ankles. I don't know why I think about that... but I always remember thinking how adorable she was and always wanted to look her best even on the court.

Marjorie Fulks Gracy: Carla I remember so much I couldn't write it all. My heart aches for her every day. I remember how she wanted everything to be perfect. I remember how she wanted to sit up and talk after every one was asleep. She would always ask me about Tony, now she knows more about him than I do

Chuck Willis: I can remember playing basketball with Amanda after school, and how competitive she was. She would not back down from anyone including me. She was an animal. She was also one of the most kind hearted people I ever knew. She would stay up and talk to me in the middle of the night when I felt like I was heart broken about some girl that had broken up with me. She could always make me laugh about anything. I think about her all the time. I can't wait to see her again.

Kelley Niebruegge: I remember lots of stuff. Here's a few things...riding baby calves at rock creek. Hysterically laughing in grandma's kitchen it was late(for us at the time)we had just got there, all five of us rode up with mom. We at the table eating all kinds of junk food and caring on like we did. Tired and delirious we got the giggles. Amanda had banana ... See Morestuck to the top of her mouth, it was hillarious, the sounds that she was making while trying to talk and laughing at the same time. And of course rolling backwards down Grandpa Leroy's drive-way in a jeep. At a 6th grade or JrHigh basket ball game she sprained her ankle. I'm sure it did hurt to walk but she did sweet talk my dad into carring her back to the bus. Those are some that I remeber most often.

Dalan Marie Stuart: I remember when we went to Wyoming for GA camp there, on the way home we stopped at Cheyenne Fronteir days and of course Amanda and I got lost after the rodeo, everyone thought we did it on purpose, but we actually didn't, we finally made it back to the car about an hour late.....so many great memories!!!!

Brandi Niebruegge Couch: Better late than never -- Manda was ornery! Always saying things that everyone else was thinking and didn't have enough nerve to say. Always so witty! There are so many things I remember: carving her name on my mom's headboard, trying to get the cat to eat by trying the cat food herself, waiting forever for her to get her hair/makeup/clothes just right in the locker room, watching movies like West Side Story or Dirty Dancing and then singing the songs, all 3 of us singing on the school bus as little girls and in high school, and so much more! I miss her terribly... Okay I have to stop now! :)

Teresa Irwin: I just now saw the post, but hey Carla you know me I am always late, but I never forget her and I thought of you guys on Tuesday, Where would I start I guess to say softball, softball, motel rooms, you two were like little nieces to us and we love you guys very much Amanda will always be in my heart. I will never forget the phone calls from her telling me she missed the bus and I would go take her to school, and the time Amanda, You, Anita and I were going to Anita and Bobs house from a game in Branson and we were singing savage gardens truely madly deeply at the top of our lungs, But I could go on, and on. Love you all very much

Grant Williams: Hey Carla, sorry its a little late but I've been on the road for the past few days. Good stuff, I don't have a certain memory. but I will say I was driving through Iraq on the 15th and was telling the guy I ride with all about her..I think he was sick of the stories...LOL!!! It's crazy...9 years later, driving in the middle of Iraq and she's on my mind..She had quite an impact on my life..she still does. Love ya Carla!! Oh, I guess my memory would be when you and Amanda going fishing with me and Taco down at the river...Or when you and Taco caught us..well...that's probably enough, your mom will probably read this!!! LOL!!! Those were good times and I wouldn't trade them for nothin!!

Beth Barnes Wells: I remember way back when we were in band together. We both played trumpet and if I remember correctly Amanda had braces and when she played it cut her lip so she had to put wax on her braces. I just remember her picking wax out of her braces forever. I can't believe we were both band geeks. We had fun though. She always had a smile. She'll always be remembered like that. It was good to see you this summer Carla. Take care.

Erin Clark: I remember driving with you to visit her at Baker. She was so sweet! I am so sorry for your loss:(

Jessica Hickman Nelson: i loved amanda so much. thank you for putting her pic on here so i can see her and smile.

Steve Morrison: I remember driving to Woods market and there was Amanda and her Dad standing around a lawn mower that she caught on fire. I guess she put gas in it and it spilled out and the starter switch was out and when she ared it over it caught on fire. LOL

She was so special and I miss her so much!

15 December was also Tuesday and you know what that means at Big Fisherman Restaurant in Rockport…..Lunch for $2.25…..chicken fried steak was really good. Nolan saved the tails off his shrimp to feed all the cats that hang around outside the door….it was a gloomy, cloudy and windy day…..appropriate I guess….it’s been 9 long years.

Wednesday, 16 Dec: Very windy, cold and rainy day. I made some chili that was not so good and we just hung out at the RV.

Now for the Happy part of this post. Nolan and I were really wanting to see family for Christmas. So Friday, 18 Dec, we took off for Missouri!!!! Sun peaking out as we left Rockport (the first day all month that the sun was gonna shine) and made it to Carla’s by 9:00 p.m.

The next couple of days were spent shopping and helping Carla get ready for Christmas….we had a great time!!! Monday, 21 Dec, I had an appoint for a hair cut and as soon as I was done we left for my sister’s in Roby. Brandi and the kids came over as soon as we got there. Brandi did not tell them who they were going to Grandma’s to see and of course they kept asking questions on the way there. Finally, Cara said “Well, it better be Santa or Aunt Donna and Nolan!”

This is Miss Cara and Miss Brenna trying on hats that I was knitting.

The next couple of days were spend with more shopping and wrapping presents. Mom and Jim came to Patti’s on Thursday, 24 Dec, and it was time for the fun to start. Nolan and I went to his niece’s for Christmas with his bunch and then later at Patti’s her kids were all still there and we got to see and play with all the kids!

Patti’s Christmas Tree before the presents were unwrapped!

Getting ready to eat!

Unwrapping presents!

Brenna….

Great Grandma and all the great grandkids!

Christmas day was just spent quietly at my sisters with her and my Mom. Another Christmas Dinner was planned for Saturday and Carla and Chago was there

The next two days were just spent hanging out in Roby.

Tuesday, 29 Dec, was Christmas with my Dad and Grandma. Nolan and I went to pick Grandma up from the nursing home where she stays and got to Daddy’s before everyone else. Brandi and Chris had to work so they were a little late…..we still had a great meal and managed to play one game of Uno before we left to take Grandma back to Mountain Grove.

Wednesday, 30 Dec, was the day to return to warmer weather. We left at 7:30 a.m. and didn’t get back to Rockport until 1:30 a.m. 31 Dec. What a long day!!!! The last couple of hours was spent driving in very thick fog! Dogs and I were very glad to be back home!

Next couple of days were spent just relaxing and getting caught up on the laundry. Weather still not like what we had last year! Saturday, 2 Jan, we decided to move to Seven Oaks RV Resort in Mission, TX. Gregg and Lynette McHenry, RV Dreamer Friends, were at this park and said they were enjoying it. It was one of the parks that we drove through last year trying to find one that wouldn’t be so crowed and had a little more grass for the dogs. Sunny, warm day for travel. I didn’t make reservations and when we arrived the office was closed but the Camp Hosts parked us in a site that they knew was empty for the weekend and hopefully Monday when we went to the office to register, they would let us stay and not have to move. The office staff was very nice and said we could stay put….so, we’re here for the month of January.

Nolan’s sister and brother in law are here again this year and called Sunday to see if we wanted to meet somewhere for lunch. So, after shopping at….you know where…..we called and had them meet us at MacAllisters Deli. Great to see them again and I’m sure we will be doing other fun things with them while we’re here.

Tuesday, 5 Jan, was the day that Mark and Dortha Hall, RV Dreamer Friends, were to arrive in the valley. Lynette call and invited us over for Taco Soup. I made a blueberry cheese cake and we went over around 5:00. It’s so much fun to get together with others who live the same life we do and share stories!

Wednesday, 6 Jan, Lynette called and invited us to go to the flea market but I was sick, just a cold and sore throat. I didn’t go anywhere but Nolan went to Academy Sports while I just slept in the recliner all day.

Thursday, 7 Jan, still sick and I slept until noon. Early afternoon, we went to Cracker Barrel for coffee. I ordered an Apple Dumplin……wow, wish I had taken a picture….it was hugh and very, very good! Made me feel much better!

Saturday, 9 Jan, we all, us, Jerry and Leona, Gregg and Lynette, and Mark and Dortha all headed out for South Padre Island Market Days. First we agreed to meet up Pirates Landing Restaurant, Port Isabel, for lunch. Wonderful seafood! Pictures borrowed from Lynette and Dortha….thanks!

Then we were off for some shopping at the Craft Show. It was a great show…..lots of stuff to buy. Leona and I finally made one purchase…..we neither one had ever tried the Tervis Tumberlers so we bought a package of 4 and split them. I’m excited to try them to see if they are as wonderful as everyone around the booth said! We managed to spend an hour or more there then we were off to find Leona a sweatshirt for golfing….the weather here is not much better than in Rockport…..cloudy, windy, and rainy! After our sweatshirt purchases we headed back to our winter homes…..a fun and great day in the valley!

Rest of the time since Sunday has just been spent in the RV…..it actually is not that cold but it’s cloudy and rainy. Guess we’re just spoiled by last year’s weather!

Depressing Weather

2009-12-14T18:33:00.001-06:00

Not much happening around here the last four days…..mailed off my Christmas cards, looked for a Flea Market to go to and didn’t find one, usual trip to Wal Mart, baked some oatmeal cookies, finished a book, and knitted. The most exciting thing that has happened in the last four days is we went to lunch at Alice Faye’s on the Bay and had the best hamburgers…..they were hugh and very, very good! Weather has been very cloudy and dark. Today was the first time in a long while that you didn’t need a jacket outside but it rained off and on all day! Makes for the most depressing days when there’s not a lot to do……I’m getting really excited though cause Friday we’re driving back to Missouri for Christmas….we’ll just leave the trailer here and spend a week or so then be back in time to make another move, probably down to the valley since it’s warmer down there and Nolan’s sister will be there by then.

Time With Good Friends, Move, Weather

2009-12-10T17:53:00.002-06:00

Saturday, 21 Nov, the town of Victoria had their Market Days at the Riverside Park. Lots of local venders with lots of crafts and things to buy. Kathy bought a Christmas ornament and we all ate the best Tacos from one of the booths. Then we were off to see the movie, The Blind Side. We thought we were gonna miss it or maybe it would get sold out cause we had to stand in line outside for so long. However, guess everyone was there to see New Moon. What a great movie! Nolan was wishing for his ear plugs cause the previews were so very, very loud. I wasn’t sure I was gonna be able to keep him in the theater long enough for the movie to start. However, once the movie started, it wasn’t so loud and he even enjoyed it. Everyone was hungry after the movie cause we didn’t want to wait in line for anything at the theater so we stopped at a BBQ place. Nothing to write home about but we sure did enjoy the company!

Monday, 23 Nov, Nolan had read that the whooping cranes were coming back to the Aransas Pass Refuge. Chuck and Kathy had not been there before so we decided to make another trip to the refuge. Did not get to see the whooping cranes up close but we think we saw a couple from the tower in the distance. We drove around the loop this time and we saw an alligator and wild hogs along the road. I didn’t have my camera but Kathy did and after I quit screaming to stop Chuck took these pictures.

It was a gorgeous day! I was starving and there is absolutely nothing close to the refuge so we drove to Port Lavaca and found this Mexican Restaurant. Excellent!!!!

Tuesday, 24 Nov, was the parks “Ladies Lunch Out” day. Lunch was at Mumford’s BBQ, a place, if you were not with someone who had been there before, you would not think to stop at. However, the food was really good and I had a good time talking to some of the other ladies in the park. I was supposed to get the name of the restaurant, which is on the sign behind Kathy, in this picture…..sorry Kathy, I’m not the best photographer!

When I got back to the trailer, I thought I saw blood on Oscar’s face so I looked in his mouth……not a pretty sight! I thought it looked like he had some kind of infection or something….his gums were very red and swollen. Nolan asked the lady next door, who is a permanent resident, for a recommendation for a veterinary. I called and the receptionist told me we could take him right then, so off we went. Vet seemed to think he just needed his teeth cleaned and maybe a few teeth would have to be pulled. He gave him an antibiotic and scheduled us to bring him back the next day. When we got home we decided we would see how much it would cost before we took him back in the morning.

Wednesday, 25 Nov, I called early to see how much in would be……with yesterday’s visit and the cleaning today, it would be $247. Kind of expensive but I really wanted to get it done. We dropped him off and Nolan dropped me off at JC Penneys while he went to Lowes and Academy Sports. We managed to mess around and eat lunch at Wendys long enough that it was time to go pick Oscar up. He acted fine and I was relieved! They did have to pull a few teeth but I have never seen his teeth this clean……and he doesn’t have bad breath. That in itself is almost worth $247!

Thursday, 26 Nov, Thanksgiving Day and I’ve really been missing Roby, MO, Today the park was furnishing the turkey and ham and everyone attending was to bring a dish. Good dinner but way too crowded and we missed our friends, Chuck and Kathy. They were not feeling so good and thought it better to stay in their trailer and not give whatever it was they had to someone else.

Friday, 27 Nov, Lucy started getting sick…..she was throwing up everything she ate. She was still full of energy, drinking, and trying to eat. I hate it when my dogs are sick!!! One bright moment of the day though was Kathy dropping off this flower for us…..THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Saturday, 28 Nov, I told Nolan I felt like washing the trailer. It was nice outside so we started getting things ready. I was ready and willing to assist however I could but every time I tried to help, Nolan told me to get out of the way…..well, only so much of that and I get the message. I went back in the trailer!

Next mission for the day was to find a laundry with the large washers for out bedspread. Lucy had gotten sick on the bed…..YUCK!!!! First one we stopped at Nolan said was the worst he had ever been in so down the road we went! Finally found a decent one and were through with that chore and back to the trailer before O’Rielly came on. Busy but productive day.

I really don’t know what had gotten into me but Sunday, 29 Nov, I woke up with the need to shampoo the carpet. Sure looked a lot better after I got that done. Called Kathy to see what they were doing and we decided to go to eat and then another movie. We decided to leave early in case there was a line again. Ate lunch at the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant then went to the theater…….no line and we waited in the truck for about 30 minutes…..just can’t get it right. The movie “Old Dogs” was hilarious…..Nolan was totally embarrassed with my laughing. I think he enjoyed it too! Lucy was still sick!

Monday, 30 Nov, we called the office to stay an extra day because it was supposed to rain tomorrow when we were scheduled to leave. We also changed our plans and decided to move to Rockport not Choke Canyon…..weather was gonna be to nasty. I stayed in all day but Nolan took the truck to get the oil changed. Lucy still stick!

Wednesday, 2 Dec, was moving day. I called early to see if we could get into Big D RV Resort in Rockport……he said they were pretty full but found us a site. Got there and set up before 1:00 and I fixed Cowboy Goulash, a new recipe for me. I enjoyed it but not so sure Nolan was impressed.

We woke up to snow and wind on Friday, 4 Dec, and Nolan was hungry for chili so we went to lunch at Chili’s Restaurant…..chili was terrible. Very cold the rest of the day so I only went out to walk the dogs and that was it! It’s supposed to be warm and sunny here! Did not feed Lucy the regular dog food but feed her cottage cheese.....she did not throw it up.

OK, that’s enough, it’s not supposed to freeze down here but on Saturday, 5 Dec, it did! We didn’t do much except Nolan decided to replace the water regulator so I would quit complaining about the water pressure…..there was none! Around 5:30 we decided we would try to find where we should be to watch the Lighted Boat Parade. We didn’t find the right spot and could barely see the few, about 8 boats, that were lighted up. Decided to go home instead of waiting until 8:00 for the Christmas parade and fireworks. Not very exciting! Feed Lucy more cottage and some of a can of organic canned dog food, chicken and rice....she still did not throw up. I think she's better!

Today, Tuesday, 8 Dec, we decided to try the $2.25 lunch special at Big Fisherman. Nolan had the chicken livers and I had the chicken fried steak…..really good for $10 including drinks and tip! Fed Lucy regular dog food and she is fine now!

Wednesday, 9 Dec, after reading about Linda Payne’s Christmas tree I was determined I was gonna find one also. We drove to Aransas Pass Lowe’s and here’s what I found…….isn’t it cute!

Other than our normal laying around and doing nothing days as you see Lucy and Oscar in the pictures below, I think you’re caught up now!

Catch Up Again!

2009-11-24T19:32:00.002-06:00

Sunday, 15 Nov: Not much happened today except we ate the leftovers from dinner last night….they were still very good!

Monday, 16 Nov: Not much planned for the day but around 10:00 Kathy stopped by on her way to the office to sign up for the pot luck so I went with. She also asked about staying for 2 more weeks and they were so accommodating at the office. They even let them have the monthly rate which was cheaper. This is a nice place to stay! We then decided to go out to lunch. When we drove by Ramsey’s Restaurant (small home town kind of restaurant), the parking lot was full so I had the best meat loaf! Good food and not so expensive! Back at the park Kathy and I decided to go to the club house and put together a puzzle. We picked out a 500 piece hoping we could get it together in one day…..we kept at it and got it together around 5:00. Boy did we have stiff backs!

Tuesday, 17 Nov: Nolan wanted to make a trip to Academy Sports just because we had never been in one of their stores before. They sure have a lot of sporting goods! On the way back to the trailer we stopped for pizza. Nothing outstanding but OK. Rest of the day was uneventful!

Wednesday, 18 Nov: Kathy and Chuck called wanting us to go to the gulf with them to find some shrimp but we had already talked about going back to Riverside Park. So, we declined and took off for the park. We decided to check out the Zoo.

A couple of animal pictures…..

Great little zoo! Got back to the park in time to go to the craft time with some of the other ladies and Nolan grilled Pork Chops for dinner…..I just love it cause he cooks!!!

Thursday, 19 Nov: Very lazy morning and other than putting the stew in the crock pot and a quick visit to HEB with Kathy, not much happened until we went to the Park Pot Luck. Of course there was lots of good food and I ate way too much!

Good Friends and Good Times

2009-11-15T12:01:00.002-06:00

Thursday, 12 Nov: Early this morning Chuck, on his way to the golf course, was knocking on the door with a note from Kathy to come over this afternoon for chicken wings. Waited until around noon and called to say we would be down and asking what I could bring. That of course was a good excuse to head to the grocery store for some wine and vegetables. Needed to stop at the post office so we decided to go to the HEB Plus down the road a little bit farther. What a big store….kind of like a super Wal Mart. Getting the wine was not such an easy job…..hundreds of different kinds at the HEB and I’m not a wine expert!!!!! Oh well, finally picked out a couple of bottles and made it back to the RV. Got to Chuck and Kathy’s and Chuck was grilling the wings then Kathy put the sauce on them. Then it was time to get messy…..if anyone knows how to eat wings without getting it all over yourself, I could sure use some pointers. Wings were great but the company was ever better! Thanks Kathy and Chuck.

Friday, 13 Nov: Nolan and I had planned to make a trip to Rockport to go to the RV Open House at Camper Clinic and see if I could pick up some Revolution (flea and heartworm medicine) that I use on the dogs. Last night we asked Kathy and Chuck if they wanted to ride along. We left around 9:30 and talked non stop all the way there. It’s so much fun to do stuff with another couple….not that Nolan and I don’t have a good time by ourselves, it’s just fun to do things with other some times. Stopped at the veterinary that we had taken the dogs to last year where I thought I got the first doses of Revolution…..well, I was wrong (I don’t say that too often) and they didn’t even sell Revolution for dogs. Guess I’ll have to find some place in Victoria that will give it to me. The Open House advertised free food but the line was soooooooo long we didn’t even think about standing in it. They did have a few vendors set up and Kathy and I found an Avon lady…..bought some Skin So Soft to see if that may keep the mosquitoes away!!!!! Looked at a few new Montana 5th Wheels….they sure are nice but I’m still happy with our Alumascape! Lunch…..we drove through the Last Resort where we will be staying in March so we decided we would just try out the Big Fisherman again since Kathy and Chuck had never been there. All of us but Nolan and the Mini Seafood Platter…..was pretty good!

I kind of wanted to drive on over to Aransas Pass but we were running out of time so we just drove back by the gulf in Rockport and started home! Nolan likes to drive back different ways than the way you first got there so we took another route home…..a long route home. So, we had to stop and take a break at our favorite place in Texas…..Diary Queen! What a fun day!

Saturday, 14 Nov: Really started out slow today……but I knew I needed to go find some Revolution for the dogs especially since there are so many mosquitoes here. Made a call to one place and he said sure they would sell it to me so off we went. As we were pulling out of the park, a funeral was driving by….we decided we would try to take a side road and go around……every time we came to an intersection where we thought we would get in front of them…..there they were. Ended up they were going to the same area we were…..veterinary was across the road from the cemetery. We wanted to go out to this Italian Grill that we had driven by several times and the parking lot was always full so I called Kathy and Chuck to see if they wanted to go with. A couple of hours before we were going out, Kathy called wanting us to come play a game and have something to drink. Played a few games of Mexican Train and drank a couple of margaritas. Chuck drove us to the restaurant and what a great meal…..I had a 5 cheese Tuscan pasta that was to die for…..another great day!!!

Weather, Mosquitoes, RV Park, and Stuff

2009-11-12T16:07:00.001-06:00

Wednesday, 28 Oct: Today I wanted to find some travel/tourist information on Texas so we took off for the Visitor’s Center in Fredericksburg, TX. Here is a picture of the main street in Fredericksburg….it’s such a great little town with so much to see and do.

Found the information I wanted and then we went to one of the many coffee shops and had a cup of coffee! This is really a good life!

Thursday, 29 Oct: Today we drove over to Kerrville just to look around and see where we had enjoyed staying so much last March. Everything still looked about the same……great place to visit and stay. Nolan agreed to let me go to JC Penneys to shop a little after we ate some chicken for lunch. Of course I found a few things….some day I’m gonna have to find a few things to take out of the trailer!!!!!

The forecast was for rain tomorrow so we decided we would stay an extra day.

Friday, 30 Oct: Well, sure don’t know what happened to the rain but didn’t look rainy at all so out the door we went to Luckenbach, TX, again. Hopefully, not so crowded today. What a beautiful day to visit Luckenbach. We kind of just roamed around, ate a sandwich, and talked to a few people. And, Nolan carved our initials in a table again. Last year when we were here he carved his initials in a table but we couldn’t find the table so now there are two tables with his mark on them at Luckenbach, TX.

There is almost always somebody playing music there and today was not exception. He was really pretty good. He’s sitting among these trees…..kind of hard to see.

Also made a stop at the Circle E Candle store…..what a great store….I picked up a couple of great smelling candles and I can’t wait to burn them!

A couple of days ago one of the best, so far, RV’s pulled into the park…..I just had to get a picture.

If I had left it up to Nolan to pick out our RV, I’m sure we would have ended up with something similar!!!!

Saturday, 31 Oct: Travel day so up we got and started down the road by 9:30. Nice drive and we arrived at the Lazy Longhorn RV Park early afternoon. Got back into our site and set up in the bright sun shine. Sure is nice weather! Needed to stock up on stuff from Wal Mart so off we went…..what a mistake! Besides being very busy because it was the weekend….Nolan was in one of those hurry up and get out of there kind of shopping trips….I think I forgot half of what I wanted but still managed to spend over $100 and I’ll have to go back!

Sunday, 1 Nov: Mosquitoes are everywhere! Can’t sit outside without getting eaten up. Been lots of rain here and our site is shady and on the other side of the fence is an old junk car lot. Can’t see it but I’m sure there’s lot of nasty water around that those little pests love! Talked Nolan into going to Lowe’s to find some kind of defense against them. Brought home a bug zapper with mosquito attractant, mosquito fogger, and citronella candles. All the while Nolan was laughing at me and telling me nothing would work!

Monday, 2 Nov: We’re close to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge that we visited last year. We took off on another beautiful sunny Texas day for the refuge. Hopefully since it’s rained there will be more wildlife out than there was last year. Well, looks like the refuge didn’t get enough rain…..even the pond that held a small amount of water in it last year that had hogs and alligators was completely dry….nothing but mosquitoes around!!!! Drove on down to the tower and spent several minutes there looking out at the marshes for Whooping Cranes…..don’t think we saw any but we did see stuff….I could have spent hours up there looking around. Decided since it was so dry there was no sense in driving around the loop but we did stop to see if we could see the alligators up across from the visitor’s center. Saw one with all kinds of green slim on his head….looked nasty! Back at the RV, we decided to try shopping at HEB again, looked like they might have some pretty good sales from the add in the paper. Well, it was a much better shopping experience and we actually got out of there with spending around $50 and lots of good stuff for Nolan to cook!!!! Made my day!

Tuesday, 3 Nov: Today we decided to take a drive to the Goliad, TX, area….several historical sites and memorials there.

This was our first stop….The Fannin Battleground State Park….a very nice park with lots of history.

The we were off to Goliad to find something to eat and whatever else was there. First we drove down to the square and back around to the main road. Great town square, you know one of those old time ones….lots of older buildings with lots more history. Decided to eat a hamburger before driving on out to the Goliad State Park and Historic Site. On to the park….

What a beautiful park….they have an RV park with full hookups also! We paid the admission fee, all the Texas State Parks have an entrance fee. Went through the Mission.

They have done a really good job restoring this mission and maintaining it!

We drove around the park for a while and again, I can’t say enough about how pretty it was…..if it was for the daily entrance fee that you have to pay on top of the RV site fee, we would have stayed there!

We still were looking for the memorial where they had buried all the soldiers from the Fannin Battle that were captured and then executed. So on down the road a little bit and there we found it.

Nice memorial for those who lost their lives in this terrible way. But the most interesting this was that we found my brother’s name on the memorial….of course it wasn’t him but kind of neat that someone else shared his name.

Well, it was time to head back to Victoria after a fun day of exploring!

Wednesday, 4 Nov: While we were in Fredericksburg, we had ordered parts for the washing machine, another reason for waiting until after Friday to leave. The parts were supposed to arrive by Friday….they didn’t but the repairman said he would mail them to us here in Victoria. We got them today so Nolan started working on it and had it all fixed by mid afternoon….he such a great handyman!!! For those of you would followed last year you will remember that we couldn’t stand going into the HEB stores….they were always so crowded and we could never find anything….just wanted everyone to know that we had another good experience at HEB today….maybe it is a good store after all!

Thursday, 5 Nov: I wanted to find a beach that we could take the dogs to so we left around 10:00 on another exploration trip. We first went to Seadrift…..small coastal town but no beach. Then to Magnolia Beach…..you might think there would be a beach here but no, just another small coastal town. We did stop at a local restaurant and had some great Mexican food. Then it was on to Port Lavaca. What a nice town….a little bigger than I had thought it would be but again, no sandy beach. We did see lots of pretty water and lots of interesting scenery.

Friday, 6 Nov: Today I decided we needed to move to another site on the other side of the park or maybe in the middle section so I went to ask if it would be OK at the office. I explained that I was interested in moving to a site that might not have so many mosquitoes and they kind of laughed at me which is what Nolan had been doing. They told me to try spraying mouth wash on everything…..they said that would work! So off we went to find mouth wash and a spray bottle. As soon as I got back I started spraying everything…..the grass in the dog pen, our chairs and all around….before I got through, I got bite 5 times!!!!

Saturday, 7 Nov: I had been planning for a year to wax my shower. I had read and been told that it would help keep it cleaner and be easier to clean. Well first that means you have to clean it really good…..this whole process took me all day! Of course I didn’t work at it constantly but I did work at it pretty hard! Turned out pretty good and I think it will help.

Sunday, 8 Nov: Not much happened today but I sure can tell that I used my arms a lot yesterday….as Nolan says I don’t do enough physical exercise!

Monday, 9 Nov: I forgot to refill my prescription at Wal Mart the other day and I took the last one this morning so our excitement today was to get that done and then back by 1:00 so I could go to the Craft Time at the Clubhouse. NOT!!!!! When I dropped it off at 11:45 the lady said it would be an hour. When I went back at something after 1:00 it was still not ready….OMG, we waited for over an hour and a half for them to refill my prescription….good thing Nolan was not having one of his bad shopping days! Needless to say I missed the Crafts but got home and Nolan grilled something for dinner and we just relaxed the rest of the day.

Tuesday,10 Nov: During one of our outings to shop we drove by the Riverside City Park here in Victoria. WOW! What a huge, beautiful park. I talked Nolan into going back today with the dogs. I thought they could run loose because there was so much room. First, we stopped at Lowes to buy a pole for our flag so we could put it out tomorrow, then we bought some lunch, and then we spent a couple of hours at the park with the dogs running loose……we’ll be doing this again!

Wednesday, 11 Nov: What a great surprise today around 11:00 or so we had a knock on the door…..that doesn’t happen in a park where you don’t know anyone. Nolan went to the door and then went out. He didn’t come back in so I got up to look and see what he was doing and he was talking to Chuck, one of our RV friends from the RV Dreams rally in Branson and who spent the month with us last winter in Kerrville. I went out and gave him a hug and then asked about Kathy…..she was getting their trailer set up after travelling….they had just arrived here in Victoria….I rushed over to get another hug and to say hello! Great to see friends again. I decided to join the park ladies for craft time today for the first time and I sure was glad I did….it’s always fun meeting new people and talking about how they got started, besides learning about what crafts they’re are doing. Nolan grilled steaks for dinner and we took it easy the rest of the day!

Texas is Much Warmer

2009-10-27T20:25:00.002-05:00

Saturday, 24 Oct: Today was a big Wine Festival at the Marketplaz in Fredericksburg and also a big Motorcycle Rally at Luckenbach which is real close to our RV park. We drove downtown and there were so many people you couldn't hardly drive down the highway let alone fine a parking place. We just made a circle and came back to the RV and I made tacos for lunch. Later in the day we decided to go check out the motorcycle rally and that was also very crowded. The whole field they use for parking was full. They also were charging $10 a person to enter so we just made a circle there also and headed back to the RV. We'll wait til things calm down a little before we venture out again.

Sunday, 25 Oct: Wine Festival was only on Saturday so we decided to go downtown and walk around for a while. Went into a couple of stores and then Nolan took me out to eat a Mamacitas. What great mexican food! It was such a nice day that I set up the dog pen and I sat outside with them and read for a while until the sun started going down and it got cold. Love this warm weather!

Monday, 26 Oct: Rained all day.....early afternoon Nolan decided he wanted to go get a cup of coffee somewhere and I wanted a slice of pie. We started out on Main Street but when we saw the menu outside of one place and the pie was $5 a slice, we went to another store on a back street that we had seen that was a pie store. Pie was still $4.95 a slice so Nolan only got coffee and I ate the pie. I had German Chocolate Cream Pie. Sure was good but I don't know if it was $5 good or not. It was cold and rainy so we just spent the rest of the day in the RV.

Tuesday, 27 Oct: Today was hair cut day. Nolan decided he was gonna find a barber and I was going to the post office. Post office was first and then we found the barber. We then decided to try the Catfish Haven that we had eaten at last year. We both had their catfish dinner.....not wonderful but not bad. Nolan was going to ask the barber about a washer repairman and forgot so we stopped back by and then we were off to find the repairman's shop. Nolan just needed to ask him some questions about the machine making so much noise when it stops spinning. The repairman seemed to know what he was talking about and when we got back to the RV, Nolan pulled the machine out and took a look. Couldn't really find anything wrong so I printed out the parts diagrams from online and Nolan went back to talk to him again. While Nolan was doing all this, I again took the dogs outside in their pen and read my book some more! Nolan decided to order some parts from the repairman tomorrow and hopefully that will fix the washer problem!

2009-10-23T17:12:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, 20 Oct: More wind and cold. Went out for breakfast at Johnnie's Grill in El Reno and made a stop at Wal Mart. Decided we would go out for pizza for dinner and that was about it for our day except for playing on the computer and rocking in the wind.

Wednesday, 21 Oct: More wind, cold, and now rain.....we didn't leave the RV all day!

Thursday, 22 Oct: Up and around, no rain and very little wind! Made in to Stephenville, TX, at the Lost Creek RV Resort. Very nice park but a little expensive for our tastes. It was $26 a night and we like to stay under $20. Dogs were exhausted and I was hungry! Passed a BBQ place on the way in that we went back to and I had a great ham sandwich. I managed to talk Nolan into finding a DQ so I could have some ice cream.....great ending to a much warmer and calm day!

Friday, 23 Oct: Yesterday I had called the Lady Bird Johnson RV Park to see about staying a week. They were booked because of a Wine Festival in Fredericksburg so we looked around online for another option because we were sure all the other parks would be full also. Decided we would go to Sowell Creek RV Park in Comanche, TX; or Brownwood; or Brady. When I got up this morning I decided to call the Hill Country RV Park in Fredericksburg to see if they were full also. They had 3 sites left so I reserved one for a week. It's only $100 a week just like Lady Bird Johnson RV Park. Sure glad I did, when we got here the sign at the office said full! We stopped for a sandwich on the way today so we're planning to eat leftovers for dinner. Dogs have been sleeping since we got settled. Not too bad a place for the price, we'll see if we stay a little bit longer....lots to see and do around here!

Moving.....Not Yet

2009-10-19T19:47:00.002-05:00

Friday, 16 Oct: Sat around all day and then about 3:30 we left for Charlcie and Kenneth's for dinner. Great stew and cornbread!

Saturday, 17 Oct: Nolan again met Curtis and they ran around all morning while I had a day to myself.

Sunday, 18 Oct: Met at Charlcie and Kenneth's to got to a couple of estate sales. I had never been to one of these before.....I think it's a cross between a hugh yard sale and an auction. You go into the person's house and everything in there is priced for sale. We enjoyed ourselves but didn't buy anything. They again took us out to dinner at Luby's this time.....ate way too much but it was good! Said our goodbyes as we planned to leave for Amarillo tomorrow.

Monday, 19 Oct: Wind blew all night and we were slow to get around.....wind was still blowing so we decided to stay put. Went out to eat breakfast and then for a drive around El Reno. Found a Wal Mart and stopped for milk and water. Sat in the RV and listened to the wind until about 3:30 then we went out for Pizza. Wind is still blowing but not as much; hopefully, it will quit soon and we will pull out tomorrow.

Scenic Drive

2009-10-15T11:51:00.001-05:00

We had decided today we would take a drive to Red Rock Canyon and Meers, OK. We started off the trip by stopping at Cherokee Trading Post......lots and lots of western stuff to buy. Charlcie, Nolan's sister, bought me a very nice small hand woven blanket that I put under a basket on our dining room table.

This was a mural painted on the side of one of the buildings at Cherokee Trading Post. Very pretty!

Then we were on to Red Rock Canyon. Nolan and I had thought about staying here and I really wished we had......no sewer hookup but they had electric and water. It was so pretty in the canyon. Charlcie wanted some walnuts so they all got out and tried to pick up some good ones.....we'll see!

Then we headed toward Meers, OK, for lunch. The only restaurant there was definitely a great tourist attraction! It was an old store that they had kept building on to turned into a great hamburger place. We had to wait around 45 minutes to get seated. Had a regular cheeseburger and fries and homemade ice cream for desert. Really good. The Meers Burger that most were ordering was huge!

Nolan standing in the entranceway to the restaurant.

After lunch Charlcie wanted to drive to the top of Scott Mountain. This was taken from the top.....what a beautiful day for a drive!

All along the road to the top of the mountain were these very pretty purple flowers!

Got back to the trailer around 5:00 p.m.......just in time to take the dogs out and Nolan went up to the Casino to make an appearance.....and won a little, very little!

Catch Up

2009-10-14T20:05:00.002-05:00

Friday, 9 Oct: Rain and more rain! Did finally decide that we would spend the next night in Guthrie, OK, at the Cedar Vally RV Park and then start out early for the Lucky Star Casino in Concho, OK, to see if there would be a free parking spot available.

Saturday, 10 Oct: Nice day for moving.....NO RAIN! Got to the Cedar Vally RV Park and checked in at the Passport America (PA) rate for $11. Very level sites with grass in between the sites. Seemed like a park that people just stopped for a one night stay. It's right next to a nice looking golf course but sits on top of a hill.....Nolan said there would be lots of wind. PA rate is only available for one night or we might have stayed another night. We saw that the oldest saloon was in Guthrie so we decided to go find it.....we found it CLOSED and FOR SALE. Shucks! That was about it for the day!

Sunday, 11 Oct: We got around and took off for Concho, OK. It's very close to where Nolan's sister lives in Yukon, OK, so if there is a site available it will be perfect for our visit. Got here and there were severall sites available and after being here for a few days, we made a good decision to get here in the morning.....by 5 or 6 each evening, it fills up with "one nighters". There are only 10 sites but they have full hookups and don't really care how long you stay if you come play in the casino. Nolan has been up there several times but so far I haven't made it there. It's defintely no place you would want to stay for very long but nice that is free. There's a lot of grass behind the trailer to walk the dogs and if it wasn't raining every day, not so bad. Nolan's sister called about an hour after we got set up and wanted to know where we were. Told here we were here and within a few minutes she called back and wanted her family and us to go out to dinner. We met at her house and then went to eat.....great to see them all again!

Monday, 12 Oct: Decided we needed to go to Camping World to see what they could tell us about the gas line and look for some washers for the water hose. Found the washers but they couldn't tell Nolan anything more about where he might find a gas line. Nice drive through town and to some of the places Nolan used to remember. The rest of the day we just laid around and did nothing.

Tuesday, 13 Oct: Nolan got up and met an old friend for breakfast. Needed groceries so off to our favorite store, Wal Mart. We decided to check out the Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher, OK. Nice museum with lots of stuff. When we got back I talked him into cooking dinner.....fried potateos with sausage, onions, corn, and green beans mixed in. Very good! That was about it for the day.

Wednesday, 14 Oct: Today the plan was to meet Nolan's sister at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum where she volunteers as a tour guide. She got us in free and then had a tour so we went off on our own. Great museum but it is really big....takes a long time to go through. Nolan and I enjoyed our visit there. We then decided to go out to Pops for a hamburger. What a neat place.....over 500 flavors of pop and really good sandwiches! I had a blackberry soda and Grilled Onion Burger.....Great and a fun place! Made it back to the trailer around 3 pm and I think Nolan and I are both getting sick.....really tired and stomachs don't feel so good....we'll see what tomorrow brings?