Sunday, January 14, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Warmer, windier....and one more day of this BEFORE.....
WOW ......this day was the warmest and windiest yet!!! It was up to the mid
80's today....and the winds were really strong from the south. BAD NEWS: By Monday, this warm weather will have gone south.....as the cold front arrives with lows near freezing and the highs only in the 40's.....brrrrr!!! I won't say anything more....as I know most of you are in the ice and freezing temps.
After a lazy breakfast on the patio.......and more Fr. Roast on the patio, the 1st Lady decided that it was time to do the laundry......I AGREE!!!! Essentials in my daily wardrobe have about run out......so for the next 1.5 hours she was at the laundry here in the park. As I do not like my t-shirts put into the dryer.....when she returned, TheHowserHouse looked like a ghost house.....with all of my white t-shirts hanging from every hook and corner that I could find. We opened up the windows and that 30 mph southern wind soon had the shirts fluttering and drying!
After lunch, we headed to the Fruit/veggie market west of here about 8 miles. AND....once again, I was blown away by the beautiful fresh fruits and veggies that were being sold for little to nothing!!!! We bought some more fresh broccoli, orange peppers, sweet onions, and a few other items.
Returning to our winter home, the 1st Lady headed over to the Exercise Building for an hour of working out. I puttered around TheHowserHouse and then relaxed with an early dose of my dark red medicine while I sat on the patio enjoying the warmth of this wonderful "valley". I have yet to see anything that resembled a valley.....but that is what it is known as.
This evening the 1st Lady cooked and we enjoyed some of those fresh veggies, including those wonderful fresh white potatoes that we purchased earlier in the week. Ymmm, Yummm!!!
And so......another relaxing day here .....deep, deep in southern Texas. And soooo, as always,
Life is Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!
80's today....and the winds were really strong from the south. BAD NEWS: By Monday, this warm weather will have gone south.....as the cold front arrives with lows near freezing and the highs only in the 40's.....brrrrr!!! I won't say anything more....as I know most of you are in the ice and freezing temps.
After a lazy breakfast on the patio.......and more Fr. Roast on the patio, the 1st Lady decided that it was time to do the laundry......I AGREE!!!! Essentials in my daily wardrobe have about run out......so for the next 1.5 hours she was at the laundry here in the park. As I do not like my t-shirts put into the dryer.....when she returned, TheHowserHouse looked like a ghost house.....with all of my white t-shirts hanging from every hook and corner that I could find. We opened up the windows and that 30 mph southern wind soon had the shirts fluttering and drying!
After lunch, we headed to the Fruit/veggie market west of here about 8 miles. AND....once again, I was blown away by the beautiful fresh fruits and veggies that were being sold for little to nothing!!!! We bought some more fresh broccoli, orange peppers, sweet onions, and a few other items.
Returning to our winter home, the 1st Lady headed over to the Exercise Building for an hour of working out. I puttered around TheHowserHouse and then relaxed with an early dose of my dark red medicine while I sat on the patio enjoying the warmth of this wonderful "valley". I have yet to see anything that resembled a valley.....but that is what it is known as.
This evening the 1st Lady cooked and we enjoyed some of those fresh veggies, including those wonderful fresh white potatoes that we purchased earlier in the week. Ymmm, Yummm!!!
And so......another relaxing day here .....deep, deep in southern Texas. And soooo, as always,
Life is Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!
Friday, January 12, 2007
Day 10: Warm and windy.....even in Colorful Mexico!!!
Yep.....it was really, really warm when I pulled my aging hulk out of the king bed upstairs in TheHowserHouse.....and went downstairs to get the Fr. Roast coffee dripping. The temp was 67 degrees and soon the daily winds began to pick up and blow in that warm weather from Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. We had fresh grapefruit......like yesterday.....picked right off of our tree beside TheHowserHouse......ahhhh, but it is soooooo juicy, soooo tasty, and almost sweet!!!! WOW.....these are wonderful!!!
After the 1st Lady and I readied ourselves for the day trip across the border, we almost "ran to the border".....as it is only a few short miles from here. We parked the truck on the home soil/parking lot, paid the $1.50 for the day, and began the walk across the "Bridge Over the River Rio Grande"(Rio=river.....a double word, but.....). Very soon we were in the land of friendly people, wonderful food, and colorful arts/crafts......and cheaper liquor! Oh yes.....it costs one quarter to walk across the Rio Grande!
As soon as we stepped off the bridge the culture of Mexico hits you smack in the face with the poverty stricken people AND, most of all, children who very obviously have not nearly enough to live any existance except one of begging/scratching for anything to help them be able to buy the necessities of Life. How it really does hurt to not be able to give them a few coins, but if you do that.......then you will be surrounded by large groups of this "class" of Mexican citizens and they will not leave you alone! Still.......it bothers me to not be able to do something........???
Soooo, we walked on into Nuevo Progresso....and down the "main drag". The sidewalks are completely filled on the street side with stalls, booths, tables, etc., etc. of trinkets, jewelry, handbags, clothing,.....you name it and it is for sale. Oh yeah.....it is fun to look, but the custom is to entice you to purchase some of their wares/goods.....and they can become very persistent....so we would look and then keep moving.
The stores are varied in size and quality, but they all have the same items......just different quantities. AND.....AND....there are more dentista offices and more pharmacias than I ever thought there could be in one town!!!!!!! Almost every other shop along the sidewalk is one or both of these types of places!!!! SOOOOOO many Americanos cross the RioGrande to take advantage of both of these types of professional businesses: dentists and pharmacies. And.....from all info gathered by myself after talking with many other NorteAmericanos....the dentists are quite competent and mucho less expensivo than those on the north side of the rio.
The entire late morning and early afternoon were spent walking, shaking off the little children, working at getting down the very, very crowded streets, and going into the shops and stores to look around and gather up ideas on prices of various items. And sooooon, the deep rumblings of our underfed hulks were being heard/felt.
So, as we had walked down several blocks of the "main drag", we began to ask a few other Americanos for suggestions on reasonable, but good, places to eat. All suggestions in that area of town were to turn left, walk one block past the elementary school and go into a building that said: Progresso Market. And....so we did!
Ahhhhh, the aromas of hot food and the sounds of musica Mexicano led us around a corner in the plaza and there was a corner restaurant with sidewalk tables sat under the trees and the overhanging canopy of the establishment.....JUST the place for our weary and food-driven bodies. Soon, we were seated and downing a very cool Corona w/lime.....and selecting from an English menu.
Looking around, there were very few Mexicanos dining there........believe it is a very popular spot for the pale skin folks from north of the border......US!!! We ordered two different items so we could share........and the meal was quite good, but not certain I would order enchiladas there again. Just a bit weak on flavor, but not bad. The beef tacos were great!!!! And.....those Coronas just kept going down easier and easier!!!!!!!
The service was slightly slow.....but what the hell......we have no schedule and it was fun just listening to the live music and enjoying the ambiance of this little corner of Mexico. We began talking to the couple seated next to us......and OMG....where were they from???? Valles Mines....just a few miles up the road from F'town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sooooo, you drive 1200 miles plus....and wind up seated beside people from the same area of the country! HA!
After this late lunch.....we went back to the "main drag" and headed back north.....ambling and rambling along the sidewalk amidst the children and stalls and other Americanos......and again, stopping in at some of the shops to look and admire some of the silver jewelry and colorful clothing. All GREAT FUN!!!!!
We arrived back at the bridge......and decided to call it a day as it was after 4pm.... This wasn't an evening that we had planned to stay and party.....just an initial "learn the ropes" day in Nuevo Progresso. Soooo, we deposited the quarter AND a nickel this time to cross the bridge. Arriving on the other side, we stood in line for at least 20 minutes awaiting our time with the border agents who had to see our ID's, question if we were citizens(they had just looked at our ID!!!), and then asked if we purchased anything while in Mexico. During that time the computer "cleared" us to return to Los Estados Unidos(correct gender???) and so we were again on our way....and very quickly at the parking lot. Within 15 minutes we were back at TheHowserHouse.......kicking off our shoes and relaxing on the wind-swept patio outside.
A bit later, our new-found friends, Don and Mary Beth Kennedy, came over from their home-on-wheels to visit for awhile. They are from Oklahoma.....and we had a pleasant hour showing them TheHowserHouse and digging deeper into each other's "stories" and lives. They are great people and we will be getting together more often......
And soooooo, Day 10 ends after a trip out of the country and back......and some very interesting times while away. What can I say after this other than.......
Life is GREAT......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
After the 1st Lady and I readied ourselves for the day trip across the border, we almost "ran to the border".....as it is only a few short miles from here. We parked the truck on the home soil/parking lot, paid the $1.50 for the day, and began the walk across the "Bridge Over the River Rio Grande"(Rio=river.....a double word, but.....). Very soon we were in the land of friendly people, wonderful food, and colorful arts/crafts......and cheaper liquor! Oh yes.....it costs one quarter to walk across the Rio Grande!
As soon as we stepped off the bridge the culture of Mexico hits you smack in the face with the poverty stricken people AND, most of all, children who very obviously have not nearly enough to live any existance except one of begging/scratching for anything to help them be able to buy the necessities of Life. How it really does hurt to not be able to give them a few coins, but if you do that.......then you will be surrounded by large groups of this "class" of Mexican citizens and they will not leave you alone! Still.......it bothers me to not be able to do something........???
Soooo, we walked on into Nuevo Progresso....and down the "main drag". The sidewalks are completely filled on the street side with stalls, booths, tables, etc., etc. of trinkets, jewelry, handbags, clothing,.....you name it and it is for sale. Oh yeah.....it is fun to look, but the custom is to entice you to purchase some of their wares/goods.....and they can become very persistent....so we would look and then keep moving.
The stores are varied in size and quality, but they all have the same items......just different quantities. AND.....AND....there are more dentista offices and more pharmacias than I ever thought there could be in one town!!!!!!! Almost every other shop along the sidewalk is one or both of these types of places!!!! SOOOOOO many Americanos cross the RioGrande to take advantage of both of these types of professional businesses: dentists and pharmacies. And.....from all info gathered by myself after talking with many other NorteAmericanos....the dentists are quite competent and mucho less expensivo than those on the north side of the rio.
The entire late morning and early afternoon were spent walking, shaking off the little children, working at getting down the very, very crowded streets, and going into the shops and stores to look around and gather up ideas on prices of various items. And sooooon, the deep rumblings of our underfed hulks were being heard/felt.
So, as we had walked down several blocks of the "main drag", we began to ask a few other Americanos for suggestions on reasonable, but good, places to eat. All suggestions in that area of town were to turn left, walk one block past the elementary school and go into a building that said: Progresso Market. And....so we did!
Ahhhhh, the aromas of hot food and the sounds of musica Mexicano led us around a corner in the plaza and there was a corner restaurant with sidewalk tables sat under the trees and the overhanging canopy of the establishment.....JUST the place for our weary and food-driven bodies. Soon, we were seated and downing a very cool Corona w/lime.....and selecting from an English menu.
Looking around, there were very few Mexicanos dining there........believe it is a very popular spot for the pale skin folks from north of the border......US!!! We ordered two different items so we could share........and the meal was quite good, but not certain I would order enchiladas there again. Just a bit weak on flavor, but not bad. The beef tacos were great!!!! And.....those Coronas just kept going down easier and easier!!!!!!!
The service was slightly slow.....but what the hell......we have no schedule and it was fun just listening to the live music and enjoying the ambiance of this little corner of Mexico. We began talking to the couple seated next to us......and OMG....where were they from???? Valles Mines....just a few miles up the road from F'town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sooooo, you drive 1200 miles plus....and wind up seated beside people from the same area of the country! HA!
After this late lunch.....we went back to the "main drag" and headed back north.....ambling and rambling along the sidewalk amidst the children and stalls and other Americanos......and again, stopping in at some of the shops to look and admire some of the silver jewelry and colorful clothing. All GREAT FUN!!!!!
We arrived back at the bridge......and decided to call it a day as it was after 4pm.... This wasn't an evening that we had planned to stay and party.....just an initial "learn the ropes" day in Nuevo Progresso. Soooo, we deposited the quarter AND a nickel this time to cross the bridge. Arriving on the other side, we stood in line for at least 20 minutes awaiting our time with the border agents who had to see our ID's, question if we were citizens(they had just looked at our ID!!!), and then asked if we purchased anything while in Mexico. During that time the computer "cleared" us to return to Los Estados Unidos(correct gender???) and so we were again on our way....and very quickly at the parking lot. Within 15 minutes we were back at TheHowserHouse.......kicking off our shoes and relaxing on the wind-swept patio outside.
A bit later, our new-found friends, Don and Mary Beth Kennedy, came over from their home-on-wheels to visit for awhile. They are from Oklahoma.....and we had a pleasant hour showing them TheHowserHouse and digging deeper into each other's "stories" and lives. They are great people and we will be getting together more often......
And soooooo, Day 10 ends after a trip out of the country and back......and some very interesting times while away. What can I say after this other than.......
Life is GREAT......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Day 9: Is this retirement??? Hmmmm........
Ahhhh, fresh French Roast coffee on the patio outside TheHowserHouse in the bright sun with warm winds from the south raising the temps quickly this morning. A couple of grapefruit fell from the tree next to TheHowserHouse as the winds became a bit more intense..........upon examining them, they were a bit on the soft side so I just tossed them aside.
After eating a couple of these very red and juicy AND almost sweet fruit from the trees, the 1st Lady and I got ready to go over to the RGV RV SHOW which is being held in the Mercedes Livestock Center Buildings. Upon finding the place it was bustling and full of senior Winter Texans who were all looking and comparing these new and sparkling rvs to the ones they are currently spending the winter in. AND.....we did the same thing. Actually, I didn't really see anything that was tooooo much better than ours......there were some MotorHomes that were had price tags of $330,000 plus and had a lot more fancy detailing and more "toys", but since they are out of our price range......it was just fun to look.
It took until the middle of the afternoon to wander thru many of these beautiful units.......and then we returned to our Winter home in Llano Grande Lake Park Resort. We lounged around for a while.....the 1st Lady went over the Exercise Building and worked out for a while.....and then we got ready for another event here in the Park..........Casino Night.
A chili supper was held at the Club followed by about 3 hours of Casino Night......all casino games which was great fun. At the end of the evening you could take the amount of chips accumulated and bid on items that had been donated.
You know.........this place has sooooooooo many activities for the "residents" that it is impossible to get to all of them. NO ONE can be bored around here.....unless they just personally choose to be so!!!!! Now.....stop and realize that there are over 700 rv parks of all sizes and they are filled with Winter Texans.....and EACH of the hundreds of parks all have various events and activities.....many of which can be enjoyed by the residents of the other parks.
We have been here one week and have yet had time to play tennis, to enjoy the offerings of the Library, take advantage of various instructional classes such as Beginning/Intermediate Spanish, Genealogy Club, various lunches and dinners and buffets, many different types of dances......and on and on and on and on!!! It is all-consuming!!!
We have not yet been the three miles to the border, so tomorrow we plan to go over to Mexico for the day....and dinner. They have some great restaurants on the other side of the border.......as well as anything you can want in the way of dentists, pharmacies with mucho lower prices on scripts......everything. The town of Nuevo Progresso is well known for the friendly people and their welcome mat to the Winter Texans is always out!!!
And so........I keep wondering when I can relax down here!!!!! We already have a calendar that is getting full with events that we want to attend or participate in........whew.....will have to return to the stick and brick to get some rest!!!!!
Update on my mother: she is scheduled to be released from the hospital tomorrow. Let's hope this all occurs!
Without any qualifications........
Life IS Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
After eating a couple of these very red and juicy AND almost sweet fruit from the trees, the 1st Lady and I got ready to go over to the RGV RV SHOW which is being held in the Mercedes Livestock Center Buildings. Upon finding the place it was bustling and full of senior Winter Texans who were all looking and comparing these new and sparkling rvs to the ones they are currently spending the winter in. AND.....we did the same thing. Actually, I didn't really see anything that was tooooo much better than ours......there were some MotorHomes that were had price tags of $330,000 plus and had a lot more fancy detailing and more "toys", but since they are out of our price range......it was just fun to look.
It took until the middle of the afternoon to wander thru many of these beautiful units.......and then we returned to our Winter home in Llano Grande Lake Park Resort. We lounged around for a while.....the 1st Lady went over the Exercise Building and worked out for a while.....and then we got ready for another event here in the Park..........Casino Night.
A chili supper was held at the Club followed by about 3 hours of Casino Night......all casino games which was great fun. At the end of the evening you could take the amount of chips accumulated and bid on items that had been donated.
You know.........this place has sooooooooo many activities for the "residents" that it is impossible to get to all of them. NO ONE can be bored around here.....unless they just personally choose to be so!!!!! Now.....stop and realize that there are over 700 rv parks of all sizes and they are filled with Winter Texans.....and EACH of the hundreds of parks all have various events and activities.....many of which can be enjoyed by the residents of the other parks.
We have been here one week and have yet had time to play tennis, to enjoy the offerings of the Library, take advantage of various instructional classes such as Beginning/Intermediate Spanish, Genealogy Club, various lunches and dinners and buffets, many different types of dances......and on and on and on and on!!! It is all-consuming!!!
We have not yet been the three miles to the border, so tomorrow we plan to go over to Mexico for the day....and dinner. They have some great restaurants on the other side of the border.......as well as anything you can want in the way of dentists, pharmacies with mucho lower prices on scripts......everything. The town of Nuevo Progresso is well known for the friendly people and their welcome mat to the Winter Texans is always out!!!
And so........I keep wondering when I can relax down here!!!!! We already have a calendar that is getting full with events that we want to attend or participate in........whew.....will have to return to the stick and brick to get some rest!!!!!
Update on my mother: she is scheduled to be released from the hospital tomorrow. Let's hope this all occurs!
Without any qualifications........
Life IS Great......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Day 8: BEAUTIFUL....A great way to spend January!!
WOW.............WOW!!!!! What a grand day it has been down here!!!! The morning was gorgeous....clear, blue skies, and warm. I sat in the sun and had my morning French Roast......from freshly ground coffee beans. Then I ate an entire LARGE red grapefruit that I picked off of our tree last night.........just the best grapefruit I believe I have ever eaten!! Now....all I need is some fresh seafood.......and that will be a bit later in the week when we run over to the Gulf for a seafood dinner......we are only about 30 miles(at the most) to the west of the Gulf of Mexico.
The 1st Lady went to a Line Dance Class this morning....and came back exhausted. Said she used some muscles that she hadn't used for a LONG time. I had puttered around TheHowserHouse doing some cleaning, re-arranging the basement storage area, and taking a fast bike ride around our neighborhood blocks.
Had a call from my sister and we discussed the possible outcomes of the "testing" that the dr. mentioned yesterday. We both are on the same page.......we think it is not the best thing for a 93 year old lady to be subjected to a round of tests with possible outcomes that might not be beneficial for her. Sooo.....we decided that we would not go through with any suggested testing....should he push for that.
The 1st Lady returned.....panting....both from dancing for an hour and from the bike ride over to the Clubhouse. During the time she was gone, I had talked with our neighbors across the street from Oklahoma.....and then met a couple from Jefferson City who knew my aunt who lives there. Then another couple came by who were from Sikeston.......and another lady who was from Nevada, MO. LOTs.....MUCHO Missourians are here at Llano Grande.....and who knows just how many are here in the Valley!!!!!???
We had a quick lunch and then headed to the Library where we met some others (one was from Moberly, MO) to spend a couple of hours playing Canasta. I had forgotten soooo much, but after about 20 minutes it began to return from the shadows of my memories and, I really enjoyed playing once again... a game I learned as a child.
Returning to our home on wheels, we spent some time visiting with the Okie neighbors....and enjoyed their hospitality in their house on wheels for a nice visit. We are all going to the Club tomorrow evening for a Casino Night.
Dinner was some items that were left over and taking a bit of room in our fridge, along with my dark red medicine. NOT TO WORRY.......I have NOT missed taking any of my doses of this medicinal elixir........I don't want to upset my sensitive 63 year old body!!!!
After dinner.....we took a sunset walk around the neighborhood. Stopping at the grapefruit and orange groves......we picked some more red grapefruit, put them in my backpack, and continued on around the neighborhood. We are thinking more and more seriously about making our reservations for 2-3 months at this beautiful rv resort for next winter. EVERYONE is soooo damn friendly........no matter whether I am walking, riding my bike, or in the truck......anyone that you meet doing the same waves and speaks!! Sure friendlier than our own stick and brick neighborhood where only the people we know speak or wave......
It is 9:30pm....and still 63 degrees.....sure can't beat that for January 10th!
And so.......how can I say anything BUT.....
Life IS GREAT......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (check morning pic below)
The 1st Lady went to a Line Dance Class this morning....and came back exhausted. Said she used some muscles that she hadn't used for a LONG time. I had puttered around TheHowserHouse doing some cleaning, re-arranging the basement storage area, and taking a fast bike ride around our neighborhood blocks.
Had a call from my sister and we discussed the possible outcomes of the "testing" that the dr. mentioned yesterday. We both are on the same page.......we think it is not the best thing for a 93 year old lady to be subjected to a round of tests with possible outcomes that might not be beneficial for her. Sooo.....we decided that we would not go through with any suggested testing....should he push for that.
The 1st Lady returned.....panting....both from dancing for an hour and from the bike ride over to the Clubhouse. During the time she was gone, I had talked with our neighbors across the street from Oklahoma.....and then met a couple from Jefferson City who knew my aunt who lives there. Then another couple came by who were from Sikeston.......and another lady who was from Nevada, MO. LOTs.....MUCHO Missourians are here at Llano Grande.....and who knows just how many are here in the Valley!!!!!???
We had a quick lunch and then headed to the Library where we met some others (one was from Moberly, MO) to spend a couple of hours playing Canasta. I had forgotten soooo much, but after about 20 minutes it began to return from the shadows of my memories and, I really enjoyed playing once again... a game I learned as a child.
Returning to our home on wheels, we spent some time visiting with the Okie neighbors....and enjoyed their hospitality in their house on wheels for a nice visit. We are all going to the Club tomorrow evening for a Casino Night.
Dinner was some items that were left over and taking a bit of room in our fridge, along with my dark red medicine. NOT TO WORRY.......I have NOT missed taking any of my doses of this medicinal elixir........I don't want to upset my sensitive 63 year old body!!!!
After dinner.....we took a sunset walk around the neighborhood. Stopping at the grapefruit and orange groves......we picked some more red grapefruit, put them in my backpack, and continued on around the neighborhood. We are thinking more and more seriously about making our reservations for 2-3 months at this beautiful rv resort for next winter. EVERYONE is soooo damn friendly........no matter whether I am walking, riding my bike, or in the truck......anyone that you meet doing the same waves and speaks!! Sure friendlier than our own stick and brick neighborhood where only the people we know speak or wave......
It is 9:30pm....and still 63 degrees.....sure can't beat that for January 10th!
And so.......how can I say anything BUT.....
Life IS GREAT......and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (check morning pic below)
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Day 7: A day of concern....and of waiting for phone calls.....
A beautiful day...weather wise....today!! Temps rose to 70 degrees with very little wind......something different for a change.
However,.....my sister called this morning around 10 to tell me that she was in the ER with my mother, whom she had brought by ambulance to the hospital a bit earlier. She woke this morning with pressure/pain in her chest, and after a BP check, my sister called an ambulance for her.
When she called me they were admitting her to ICU. The staff at the hospital had inquired about a living will......and to our knowledge, after going through her papers 10 days ago when I was last at the Lake to see her......none was found. However, we found whereby I had been made her power of attorney.....and so my sister went back to her house to get that paperwork.
The hospital staff told her that was all that was needed......the way it was worded allowed me, and her as the alternate, to make decisions in case she can't. Sooooooo........her BP remained at 78 over 40.....very low....and her heart rate was elevated. Some the heart problems came from the meds they were using to bring up her BP. By the afternoon, tho, she was "with it" much better ....at least from time to time.
When she called me this evening, she had met with the Dr. and he wants to run some tests......depending on how, or what, we will allow him to do after the results are back. THAT is the problem........
Soooo, tomorrow we will try to set up a call when he comes into the room so I can talk with the Dr., also. We will just have to make some decisions as to what, or even IF, we run any tests.
Otherwise, the day went by quickly......as they all do down here. Marsha went to line dancing class this morning.....and then she had personal orientation to the Exercise Room where the entire hour was devoted to her and the machines........the lady giving her personal assistance on the machines and setting up a plan for her. Then we drove west to Mission, TX......looking around and finally stopping at Camping World to look at some RV items. On the return trip, we stopped at Starbucks so I could get a Grande Cappuccino........very good.
This evening we went over to the Clubhouse to play Bingo. Usually I enjoy it, but....hmmmmm, it was horribly slow this evening......the lady running the show just called the numbers wayyyyyy to slow!!! Almost to the point of being boring.........oh well, us older guys can't do things as quickly as we used to....????!!!!!
We are already discussing spending the entire winter down here next year. We really do enjoy this park.....the people are soooo friendly....and there is, as I have stated already.....soooo much to do! Tomorrow I need to run to the Market to get some more fruits and veggies. I did pick some grapefruit and oranges this morning here in the park......!!!
And so.....after a day of some degree of tension and worry and concern......
Life remains GREAT.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
However,.....my sister called this morning around 10 to tell me that she was in the ER with my mother, whom she had brought by ambulance to the hospital a bit earlier. She woke this morning with pressure/pain in her chest, and after a BP check, my sister called an ambulance for her.
When she called me they were admitting her to ICU. The staff at the hospital had inquired about a living will......and to our knowledge, after going through her papers 10 days ago when I was last at the Lake to see her......none was found. However, we found whereby I had been made her power of attorney.....and so my sister went back to her house to get that paperwork.
The hospital staff told her that was all that was needed......the way it was worded allowed me, and her as the alternate, to make decisions in case she can't. Sooooooo........her BP remained at 78 over 40.....very low....and her heart rate was elevated. Some the heart problems came from the meds they were using to bring up her BP. By the afternoon, tho, she was "with it" much better ....at least from time to time.
When she called me this evening, she had met with the Dr. and he wants to run some tests......depending on how, or what, we will allow him to do after the results are back. THAT is the problem........
Soooo, tomorrow we will try to set up a call when he comes into the room so I can talk with the Dr., also. We will just have to make some decisions as to what, or even IF, we run any tests.
Otherwise, the day went by quickly......as they all do down here. Marsha went to line dancing class this morning.....and then she had personal orientation to the Exercise Room where the entire hour was devoted to her and the machines........the lady giving her personal assistance on the machines and setting up a plan for her. Then we drove west to Mission, TX......looking around and finally stopping at Camping World to look at some RV items. On the return trip, we stopped at Starbucks so I could get a Grande Cappuccino........very good.
This evening we went over to the Clubhouse to play Bingo. Usually I enjoy it, but....hmmmmm, it was horribly slow this evening......the lady running the show just called the numbers wayyyyyy to slow!!! Almost to the point of being boring.........oh well, us older guys can't do things as quickly as we used to....????!!!!!
We are already discussing spending the entire winter down here next year. We really do enjoy this park.....the people are soooo friendly....and there is, as I have stated already.....soooo much to do! Tomorrow I need to run to the Market to get some more fruits and veggies. I did pick some grapefruit and oranges this morning here in the park......!!!
And so.....after a day of some degree of tension and worry and concern......
Life remains GREAT.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Monday, January 08, 2007
Day 6: An ACTIVE day!!!
WOW……this has been an active day. Is this what retired seniors are expected to do while being a “Winter Texan”????? We were up at the regular time…..peeked outside and the sky was deep blue and clear as a mountain stream. Coffee was enjoyed out on the patio in the warm sun…..and soon the 1st Lady was off to the Exercise Room.
I got busy and after getting the ladder out of the basement, I made quick work of washing the windows on the outside of the 5er…..and they are really sparkling!! It wasn’t too much longer before the 1st Lady returned……and then I went for a bike ride while she showered. Rode around the park for about 30 minutes and upon returning the guy across the street and I introduced ourselves and soon were chatting like old friends. Then the 1st Lady and decided to go to the Clubhouse and play some shuffleboard…….hahaha….it has been years and years and years since I have done that. We played for about an hour…..and I really enjoyed playing!
Don, the fellow across the street, mentioned that he was going to the 1:30pm “Social Dance” class…..and suggested we go also. After lunch, we headed off on our bikes to the Clubhouse to try out the Social Dance class. It lasted almost two hours…..and it was quite a bit of fun. Only about 8 couples, but we all enjoyed it!!!
Biking back to TheHowserHouse, I stopped off at the office and made a deposit on a modem to use for the rest of January. Came home……and, well……I hooked it up per instructions, but it does not work!!!! Now what to do????? Guess I will go back to the office tomorrow…..and get their recommendations……or talk to some others about how they hooked theirs up.
Oh…..did I mention that after the dance class…..we played some Table Tennis??? Yep……spent some time doing that upstairs at the Clubhouse. This Clubhouse is LARGE…….much bigger than our H.S. gym……… There are several buildings for activities here….plus a Library. This is QUITE a place!!!!
And soooooooo,…..
Life IS Great…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
I got busy and after getting the ladder out of the basement, I made quick work of washing the windows on the outside of the 5er…..and they are really sparkling!! It wasn’t too much longer before the 1st Lady returned……and then I went for a bike ride while she showered. Rode around the park for about 30 minutes and upon returning the guy across the street and I introduced ourselves and soon were chatting like old friends. Then the 1st Lady and decided to go to the Clubhouse and play some shuffleboard…….hahaha….it has been years and years and years since I have done that. We played for about an hour…..and I really enjoyed playing!
Don, the fellow across the street, mentioned that he was going to the 1:30pm “Social Dance” class…..and suggested we go also. After lunch, we headed off on our bikes to the Clubhouse to try out the Social Dance class. It lasted almost two hours…..and it was quite a bit of fun. Only about 8 couples, but we all enjoyed it!!!
Biking back to TheHowserHouse, I stopped off at the office and made a deposit on a modem to use for the rest of January. Came home……and, well……I hooked it up per instructions, but it does not work!!!! Now what to do????? Guess I will go back to the office tomorrow…..and get their recommendations……or talk to some others about how they hooked theirs up.
Oh…..did I mention that after the dance class…..we played some Table Tennis??? Yep……spent some time doing that upstairs at the Clubhouse. This Clubhouse is LARGE…….much bigger than our H.S. gym……… There are several buildings for activities here….plus a Library. This is QUITE a place!!!!
And soooooooo,…..
Life IS Great…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Having trouble posting......and Sunday evening post
Can't seem to post.........hang on and keep trying to read.!!!!!
Some damn thing is wrong either with my pc.....or with the wifi.....or with this website, and I don't think the website is the problem.
I will keep posting sentence by sentence as each time I try to publish.....from last night through this morning........it is soooo damn sporadic that I can't get it done.
Will post now.....
45 minutes later:
Yesterday......we went to the fruit and veggie market a few miles west of here.......WOW. Sooooooo many kinds of fresh fruits and veggies.........it was incredible. We purchased grapefruit, oranges, radishes, cauliflower, potatoes , and red peppers. OMG.....the cost of the large red peppers was 2 for ONE DOLLAR!!!!!!! We are soooooo excited about all of these healthy goodie!!!! AND THE CHEAP PRICES!!!!
Then we went across the street to the Flea Market. Well.......we are not big time flea market junkies....but we enjoy looking at the STUFF. Do we need more STUFF????? Hell NO!!!! And, we couldn't really find anything that we thought we just had to have in order to live our LIVES.
Soooo, we went and enjoyed.......and left without buying one item.......YEAH!!! YEAH!!!!
Came home and continued to have troubles with my lappie!! Soooo, I called a guy in the park whose name was given to me by the lady in the clubhouse office.....and within an hour he was knocking on the door. He worked on it......deleted a bunch of items/files.....and it then worked flawlessly. It had been freezing/locking up...etc., etc. until I would have to completely shut it down ....and the only way to close it was by pressing the blue start up button.
After fixing dinner.......it began to do the same thing again....and I just closed the damned sick lappie down and gave up. This morning it seems to be working other than the fact that I have GREAT difficulty posting on here......have written this post twice and it refused to publish it both times!!!!!
SUNDAY…….
I have written several times today…..using the blog site…which for some reason has decided it doesn’t like me and my writings any more!!! It is soooooo damn difficult to get a post published these last couple of days…..perhaps it is a weak wifi…..beginning to think that the wifi is the culprit. I HOPE that is the case. I could put down $100 deposit for a modem, but then only one of us could be online at a time…..and oftentimes that is going to create a problem!!!! Soooo……I’ll just stay with the wifi….and the wife.
After my terrible times of trying to post this morning…….I ran to Wally World for a few things for TheHowserHouse….it is only about 7 minutes to get there….probably less time more than it is in F’town.
Then upon returning, the sun was out!!! And….I decided to get the dirt, mud, and grime off TheHowserHouse…..and for the next two hours I was up and down on the ladder with cleansing materials in my hands. Now……NOW, my right arm is sooooo damn sore that it won’t even go above my head!!! I WORKED tooooo hard today. Tomorrow…well, tomorrow the windows must all be done as they are covered in water spots now.
The weather is going to get warmer as the week goes on. By the end of the week, it will be in the upper 80’s…..at least for a day or so. We want to run across the border one day this week…..look around….price a few items…..and also check on eye exams and the prices of glasses there. Will also check for the price of the 1st Lady’s Zomig (migraine medicine)……things are cheaper there for meds and need to check it out.
We have settled in to the routine of living in our house on wheels……and are beginning to arrange things so they are readily accessible, rather than stuffed in the cabinets.
I will ATTEMPT to post some pics tonight…..again, I am at the mercy of the lappie and its own personal relationship with Wifi. We’ll see……we’ll see…..
My body is already screaming from the wash job I gave today to TheHowserHouse…..so, I’ll close early this evening.
Life is GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Some damn thing is wrong either with my pc.....or with the wifi.....or with this website, and I don't think the website is the problem.
I will keep posting sentence by sentence as each time I try to publish.....from last night through this morning........it is soooo damn sporadic that I can't get it done.
Will post now.....
45 minutes later:
Yesterday......we went to the fruit and veggie market a few miles west of here.......WOW. Sooooooo many kinds of fresh fruits and veggies.........it was incredible. We purchased grapefruit, oranges, radishes, cauliflower, potatoes , and red peppers. OMG.....the cost of the large red peppers was 2 for ONE DOLLAR!!!!!!! We are soooooo excited about all of these healthy goodie!!!! AND THE CHEAP PRICES!!!!
Then we went across the street to the Flea Market. Well.......we are not big time flea market junkies....but we enjoy looking at the STUFF. Do we need more STUFF????? Hell NO!!!! And, we couldn't really find anything that we thought we just had to have in order to live our LIVES.
Soooo, we went and enjoyed.......and left without buying one item.......YEAH!!! YEAH!!!!
Came home and continued to have troubles with my lappie!! Soooo, I called a guy in the park whose name was given to me by the lady in the clubhouse office.....and within an hour he was knocking on the door. He worked on it......deleted a bunch of items/files.....and it then worked flawlessly. It had been freezing/locking up...etc., etc. until I would have to completely shut it down ....and the only way to close it was by pressing the blue start up button.
After fixing dinner.......it began to do the same thing again....and I just closed the damned sick lappie down and gave up. This morning it seems to be working other than the fact that I have GREAT difficulty posting on here......have written this post twice and it refused to publish it both times!!!!!
SUNDAY…….
I have written several times today…..using the blog site…which for some reason has decided it doesn’t like me and my writings any more!!! It is soooooo damn difficult to get a post published these last couple of days…..perhaps it is a weak wifi…..beginning to think that the wifi is the culprit. I HOPE that is the case. I could put down $100 deposit for a modem, but then only one of us could be online at a time…..and oftentimes that is going to create a problem!!!! Soooo……I’ll just stay with the wifi….and the wife.
After my terrible times of trying to post this morning…….I ran to Wally World for a few things for TheHowserHouse….it is only about 7 minutes to get there….probably less time more than it is in F’town.
Then upon returning, the sun was out!!! And….I decided to get the dirt, mud, and grime off TheHowserHouse…..and for the next two hours I was up and down on the ladder with cleansing materials in my hands. Now……NOW, my right arm is sooooo damn sore that it won’t even go above my head!!! I WORKED tooooo hard today. Tomorrow…well, tomorrow the windows must all be done as they are covered in water spots now.
The weather is going to get warmer as the week goes on. By the end of the week, it will be in the upper 80’s…..at least for a day or so. We want to run across the border one day this week…..look around….price a few items…..and also check on eye exams and the prices of glasses there. Will also check for the price of the 1st Lady’s Zomig (migraine medicine)……things are cheaper there for meds and need to check it out.
We have settled in to the routine of living in our house on wheels……and are beginning to arrange things so they are readily accessible, rather than stuffed in the cabinets.
I will ATTEMPT to post some pics tonight…..again, I am at the mercy of the lappie and its own personal relationship with Wifi. We’ll see……we’ll see…..
My body is already screaming from the wash job I gave today to TheHowserHouse…..so, I’ll close early this evening.
Life is GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Day 3: San Marcos to Mercedes/RGValley
Left San Marcos around 9:45 this morning and had a great trip on down here to Mercedes in the Valley!! We are staying for the month at the Llano Grande Lake Park Resort and Country Club just a couple of miles from the border.
There are tons and tons of things to do here........may have to stay here longer next year. The Park is just beautiful.....and we have such large sites in the section that we are in. The sites are 40 wide by 70-80 feet long, total concrete pads for both TheHowserHouse and the truck. There is also a good sized grapefruit tree on our site that is loaded with grapefruit!! We have free Wifi with excellent coverage, cable tv with 100 channels, etc., etc., etc. Oh yeah....three pools, golf course, huge clubhouse, exercise building, and sooooo many activities in the park!!
The weather today was in the mid 80's.........cooler tomorrow, though. We sat outside and enjoyed the warm breezes......after getting out of the hot jeans and into some shorts and sandals.....what a change!!!
And soooooo, how could it be anything but:
Life is GREAT....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
There are tons and tons of things to do here........may have to stay here longer next year. The Park is just beautiful.....and we have such large sites in the section that we are in. The sites are 40 wide by 70-80 feet long, total concrete pads for both TheHowserHouse and the truck. There is also a good sized grapefruit tree on our site that is loaded with grapefruit!! We have free Wifi with excellent coverage, cable tv with 100 channels, etc., etc., etc. Oh yeah....three pools, golf course, huge clubhouse, exercise building, and sooooo many activities in the park!!
The weather today was in the mid 80's.........cooler tomorrow, though. We sat outside and enjoyed the warm breezes......after getting out of the hot jeans and into some shorts and sandals.....what a change!!!
And soooooo, how could it be anything but:
Life is GREAT....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Day 2: Texarkana to San Marcos, TX
WOW......heavy, heavy rain attempted to drown TheHowserHouse during the night and early morning.........it didn't succeed in the drowning, but it sure as hell succeeded in awakening both the 1st Lady and I from deep sleep!!! And so, we laid there in the "twilight zone" between sleeping and grogginess until my alarm went off a little after 7am.
We had some coffee and tea(her choice, always), some cereal to brace us for the upcoming day with wonderful whole grains, and then as the rains began to subside, I began to unhook the umbilical cords and prepare for another day of driving down the interstates. We left the rv park and drove all of 1/4 of a mile before we took the exit to go to the Texas Welcome Center as we were RIGHT on the state line.....not sure whether the 1st Lady was in Arkansas or I was in Arkansas.....as it appeared that the boundary ran through TheHowserHouse......haahaha!!
After gathering up way toooooo much Texas materials, we again hit the interstate and off we went through the rains....and some not tooooo bad traffic. Drove around on the eastern side of Dallas on I-645 until we reached the south side and then took I-35 south towards San Antonio.
The weather cleared....and then became cloudy again.....and then the cycle repeated itself. The traffic became heavier as we went south and we just kept rolling down the highway without any stops, other than for fuel......UGH!!!! My second tank of diesel, purchase back in Arkansas only netted me 10.9 miles to the gallon......UGH,UGH!!!!! ( My thoughts are in words I won't type on here).
The farther south we drove the more the towns and cities seemed to merge together. AND....then.....we hit Austin shortly after 4pm.....and OMG.....what a mess we found ourselves in!!!!! AND.....I was desperately in need of more fuel.....the needle bouncing just under the quarter of a tank and empty!!!!! Well......I drove on because there was NO truck stops where I could get TheHowserHouse and the truck in for fuel. We called ahead and made reservations at this roadside RV Park in San Marcos.......and as I pulled in the "low fuel" light blinded me.....and I began to feel the muscles in my rear tightening more and more.
We were assigned our campsite......a WONDERFUL rv park with HUGE, HUGE sites!!!!! Just perfect for a Large Rig like ours. Well, after hooking up the umbilical cords, I turned on the engine....it DID start.....and dashed back along the frontage road two miles and made it to the pump!!!! Well......after filling it as far as it would go, I guess I still had 3 gallons left because it only held 35 new gallons of fuel!! I was sweating and worrying all for nothing.......that's alright because I will make certain this doesn't occur again!
Came back to our site.....the 1st Lady had taken a shower.....and off we went to these incredible Outlet Malls across the interstate!!!! WOW.......there was a Pottery Barn Outlet that was larger than our Wal-mart at home.........what a store!!! Also.....another large one was Crate and Barrel.....the great store that is in Chicago AND in Brentwood across from the Galleria in STL.
Returned back to TheHowserHouse and we are now just kicked back and watching a bit of tellie......only about 8 stations available on their cable hookups here.......that's ok....I need to catch up on some reading.
Tomorrow......we are off to the Rio Grande Valley......will not stop in San Antonio on the way down......as we want to go ahead and get an rv site amongst all of the 700 campgrounds that exist in the 50 mile stretch along the Rio Grande. We are constantly passing or being passed by other RV's headed south..........all of us "snowbirds" are flying down the highway to warmer weather, we hope.
And so........a good day......and
Life is Great....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
We had some coffee and tea(her choice, always), some cereal to brace us for the upcoming day with wonderful whole grains, and then as the rains began to subside, I began to unhook the umbilical cords and prepare for another day of driving down the interstates. We left the rv park and drove all of 1/4 of a mile before we took the exit to go to the Texas Welcome Center as we were RIGHT on the state line.....not sure whether the 1st Lady was in Arkansas or I was in Arkansas.....as it appeared that the boundary ran through TheHowserHouse......haahaha!!
After gathering up way toooooo much Texas materials, we again hit the interstate and off we went through the rains....and some not tooooo bad traffic. Drove around on the eastern side of Dallas on I-645 until we reached the south side and then took I-35 south towards San Antonio.
The weather cleared....and then became cloudy again.....and then the cycle repeated itself. The traffic became heavier as we went south and we just kept rolling down the highway without any stops, other than for fuel......UGH!!!! My second tank of diesel, purchase back in Arkansas only netted me 10.9 miles to the gallon......UGH,UGH!!!!! ( My thoughts are in words I won't type on here).
The farther south we drove the more the towns and cities seemed to merge together. AND....then.....we hit Austin shortly after 4pm.....and OMG.....what a mess we found ourselves in!!!!! AND.....I was desperately in need of more fuel.....the needle bouncing just under the quarter of a tank and empty!!!!! Well......I drove on because there was NO truck stops where I could get TheHowserHouse and the truck in for fuel. We called ahead and made reservations at this roadside RV Park in San Marcos.......and as I pulled in the "low fuel" light blinded me.....and I began to feel the muscles in my rear tightening more and more.
We were assigned our campsite......a WONDERFUL rv park with HUGE, HUGE sites!!!!! Just perfect for a Large Rig like ours. Well, after hooking up the umbilical cords, I turned on the engine....it DID start.....and dashed back along the frontage road two miles and made it to the pump!!!! Well......after filling it as far as it would go, I guess I still had 3 gallons left because it only held 35 new gallons of fuel!! I was sweating and worrying all for nothing.......that's alright because I will make certain this doesn't occur again!
Came back to our site.....the 1st Lady had taken a shower.....and off we went to these incredible Outlet Malls across the interstate!!!! WOW.......there was a Pottery Barn Outlet that was larger than our Wal-mart at home.........what a store!!! Also.....another large one was Crate and Barrel.....the great store that is in Chicago AND in Brentwood across from the Galleria in STL.
Returned back to TheHowserHouse and we are now just kicked back and watching a bit of tellie......only about 8 stations available on their cable hookups here.......that's ok....I need to catch up on some reading.
Tomorrow......we are off to the Rio Grande Valley......will not stop in San Antonio on the way down......as we want to go ahead and get an rv site amongst all of the 700 campgrounds that exist in the 50 mile stretch along the Rio Grande. We are constantly passing or being passed by other RV's headed south..........all of us "snowbirds" are flying down the highway to warmer weather, we hope.
And so........a good day......and
Life is Great....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Day 1: F'town to Texarkana, TX
OH YEAH……we are on our way!!! Leaving home at 10:30am this morning was later than I had hoped, but……the 1st Lady sent me to the Post Office THREE times, as well as the bank, the school office, and to the funeral home(don’t think morbidly) to take a donation to an organization. We waited for our mail to be delivered….and finally just gave up and left without getting any mail for three days. What the hell difference does it make anyway…….it will either be bills or junk mail….or BOTH!!!!
Anyway…..the first 65 miles to Poplar Bluff down US Hwy 67 was just fine….lots of beautiful hills, but the road is good. However…….HOWEVER…..the last 20 miles of Missouri and the first god-awful bunch of miles in Arkansas was…..well, GOD-AWFUL!!!! We must have looked like a damn porpoise as the truck and TheHowserHouse bucked and jumped with all of the horrific road surface repairs…..I could NOT find a speed that would solve the problem…..tried faster and then slower and then hitting the brakes when it REALLY got bad. It was just the length between the axles of the truck and those of the trailer……UGH!!! STAY OFF of that road if you are towing!!!
We had a quick lunch on the go, after getting gas at a truck stop. Flew right around Little Rock about 3:30.…and then decided to make the rest of the miles to Texarkana, TX where we are hooked up with our umbilical cords to electricity, water, and sewage for the night. We decided on this KOA, which we normally do NOT camp at, because it has WIFI……HA!!! What a joke!!! It is sooooo slow that I can barely upload or download anything….horrible.
I had to de-winterize TheHowserHouse when I arrived here this evening……..doesn’t take long, but did do as much checking of connections, etc. on the plumbing to make certain there are no leaks. Then we headed across the frontage roads to an IHOP for a quick bite to eat. It wasn’t tooooo bad……….
Still having trouble with the tv reception……and even after I had it in Kansas City this fall to have repairs made….including the tv reception. I really believe it is in the wiring in the wall, but can’t seem to convince any repair service men that that might be the trouble spot.
The people at Nationwide there in KC said they fixed it…..BUT….it is NOT fixed. Guess I will have to call them and complain…..hate to do that, but they didn’t get the job done!
Think we will stop in either Austin or San Antonio tomorrow evening……depends on the roads, traffic around Dallas, and the weather. It is supposed to rain tomorrow……that will slow us down for sure!
There are LOTS of us “snowbirds” on the road with our rv’s!!!!! Everyone headed south or west to escape the winter…….which doesn’t seem to be happening with all of the global warming ( oh yeah, Goldie).
Soooo, will close this first chapter of the journey…….And as usual,
Life is GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Anyway…..the first 65 miles to Poplar Bluff down US Hwy 67 was just fine….lots of beautiful hills, but the road is good. However…….HOWEVER…..the last 20 miles of Missouri and the first god-awful bunch of miles in Arkansas was…..well, GOD-AWFUL!!!! We must have looked like a damn porpoise as the truck and TheHowserHouse bucked and jumped with all of the horrific road surface repairs…..I could NOT find a speed that would solve the problem…..tried faster and then slower and then hitting the brakes when it REALLY got bad. It was just the length between the axles of the truck and those of the trailer……UGH!!! STAY OFF of that road if you are towing!!!
We had a quick lunch on the go, after getting gas at a truck stop. Flew right around Little Rock about 3:30.…and then decided to make the rest of the miles to Texarkana, TX where we are hooked up with our umbilical cords to electricity, water, and sewage for the night. We decided on this KOA, which we normally do NOT camp at, because it has WIFI……HA!!! What a joke!!! It is sooooo slow that I can barely upload or download anything….horrible.
I had to de-winterize TheHowserHouse when I arrived here this evening……..doesn’t take long, but did do as much checking of connections, etc. on the plumbing to make certain there are no leaks. Then we headed across the frontage roads to an IHOP for a quick bite to eat. It wasn’t tooooo bad……….
Still having trouble with the tv reception……and even after I had it in Kansas City this fall to have repairs made….including the tv reception. I really believe it is in the wiring in the wall, but can’t seem to convince any repair service men that that might be the trouble spot.
The people at Nationwide there in KC said they fixed it…..BUT….it is NOT fixed. Guess I will have to call them and complain…..hate to do that, but they didn’t get the job done!
Think we will stop in either Austin or San Antonio tomorrow evening……depends on the roads, traffic around Dallas, and the weather. It is supposed to rain tomorrow……that will slow us down for sure!
There are LOTS of us “snowbirds” on the road with our rv’s!!!!! Everyone headed south or west to escape the winter…….which doesn’t seem to be happening with all of the global warming ( oh yeah, Goldie).
Soooo, will close this first chapter of the journey…….And as usual,
Life is GREAT…..and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
WHEW!!!!!!!!!! RUSH...RUSH....RUSH!!!!!
The day before the long, long 5er begins the long, long winter journey!!! And.......there was soooooooo much to do today.....we seem to not have had the time to prepare for this extended journey properly. Soooo, it was as I said above.......RUSH,RUSH,RUSH!!!
We still have a couple of things to take care of in the morning before we hook up and pull out and down off of Buford Heights, but these things are just more or less administrative/paperwork things that need to be done at the Post Office, etc., etc. We HOPE to pull out by 9:30.....and I would like to get to Texarkana by tomorrow evening......however, the 1st Lady is not one for riding long distances......and I am not one for pulling TheHowserHouse over 60 mph......and THAT is a MAX!!! Traveling through NE Arkansas south is not a good road until we reach the 4 lane ne of Little Rock....and from there it is four lane all the way to the Mexican border......our destination for the next month or so.
Think we have everything loaded......if we take any more, we will not be able to pull the damn thing.....hahaha!! BUT....what can you do???? We need pots and pans, clothes of various types and for various weather conditions, books to read, food to eat, tools, air compressor, fishing and tennis equipment, lawn chairs, BBQ grill, sun tan lotion....(heeehee, jealous yet?), and various and sundry other items we can't live without.......i.e....the two lappies, the printer, etc., etc.
Soooo, TheHowserHouse on wheels is sitting in the driveway.....looking longingly at the bottom of the hill and waiting patiently to be led down and onto the highway heading south......just a few hours from now.
And soooo, until tomorrow somewhere down the road.........
Life is Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
We still have a couple of things to take care of in the morning before we hook up and pull out and down off of Buford Heights, but these things are just more or less administrative/paperwork things that need to be done at the Post Office, etc., etc. We HOPE to pull out by 9:30.....and I would like to get to Texarkana by tomorrow evening......however, the 1st Lady is not one for riding long distances......and I am not one for pulling TheHowserHouse over 60 mph......and THAT is a MAX!!! Traveling through NE Arkansas south is not a good road until we reach the 4 lane ne of Little Rock....and from there it is four lane all the way to the Mexican border......our destination for the next month or so.
Think we have everything loaded......if we take any more, we will not be able to pull the damn thing.....hahaha!! BUT....what can you do???? We need pots and pans, clothes of various types and for various weather conditions, books to read, food to eat, tools, air compressor, fishing and tennis equipment, lawn chairs, BBQ grill, sun tan lotion....(heeehee, jealous yet?), and various and sundry other items we can't live without.......i.e....the two lappies, the printer, etc., etc.
Soooo, TheHowserHouse on wheels is sitting in the driveway.....looking longingly at the bottom of the hill and waiting patiently to be led down and onto the highway heading south......just a few hours from now.
And soooo, until tomorrow somewhere down the road.........
Life is Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also!!!!
Monday, January 01, 2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Where did this year go???? Well, hell.....the year flew by as the 1st Lady and lived in frustration along with a horrific mess in our house during the remodeling process(es). Has it been worth it???? Hmmmmm......almost an entire year of our lives screwed up during this process.....you know, even though it is beautiful and such a wonderful change, I still look back over this past year and realize how torn up our lives were. Is it worth it? You know.....just not sure! Give me more time.....ok????
Left yesterday morning and drove up to the Lake of the Ozarks/Eldon to check on my aging mother. My sister moved my mother in with her this week after she fell and couldn't get up. I KNOW that Mom is soooo much better off now.......she doesn't have to cook for herself any more and she does have lots of hours of social time with my sister and her husband's families there at their house, rather than living alone at age 93+.
It was a good visit!! I believe she is more alert than she was 10 days ago when I was last there. Again....I believe it is because she is with other people....AND....eating much better!! I spent the night at her home in Eldon.....much work to be done there, but.....well, we will have to decide how to move on with this project.
I returned back to TheHowserHouse shortly after lunch......and began to make lists of what needs to be done prior to leaving this week for our winter "break". We have been away for several weeks prior to this trip, but I believe this may turn out to be the longest time we have been away from our stick and brick. Therefore......we do have much to think about and to either load or store in safe places. I do have a house alarm which, of course, will be turned on as we leave. And.....we have a good friend, my former student and, later, my assistant band director, who lives here in town and will be overseeing any problems that might develop.
I feel like I/we have been pushed and rushed to get things completed in the house, and for this trip, for the last few weeks......and it will be with a great sense of relief when we finally do lock the stick and brick and get on the road, once again. There are still several small details, and one large one, that need to be finished on the house......but it is time we took this break and drove TheHowserHouse down the road to sites unknown!!!!
I am finishing this this morning, Tuesday, as I watch the events of Pres. Ford's funeral. Oh how well I remember the day he took office and Nixon got into the helicopter and flew off to California as a private citizen. He was flying right over Jefferson City and our area as Ford became President.......a moment to remeber....and I have done so.
Soooo, I will get this posted now. Much to do......but,
Life is Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also.
Left yesterday morning and drove up to the Lake of the Ozarks/Eldon to check on my aging mother. My sister moved my mother in with her this week after she fell and couldn't get up. I KNOW that Mom is soooo much better off now.......she doesn't have to cook for herself any more and she does have lots of hours of social time with my sister and her husband's families there at their house, rather than living alone at age 93+.
It was a good visit!! I believe she is more alert than she was 10 days ago when I was last there. Again....I believe it is because she is with other people....AND....eating much better!! I spent the night at her home in Eldon.....much work to be done there, but.....well, we will have to decide how to move on with this project.
I returned back to TheHowserHouse shortly after lunch......and began to make lists of what needs to be done prior to leaving this week for our winter "break". We have been away for several weeks prior to this trip, but I believe this may turn out to be the longest time we have been away from our stick and brick. Therefore......we do have much to think about and to either load or store in safe places. I do have a house alarm which, of course, will be turned on as we leave. And.....we have a good friend, my former student and, later, my assistant band director, who lives here in town and will be overseeing any problems that might develop.
I feel like I/we have been pushed and rushed to get things completed in the house, and for this trip, for the last few weeks......and it will be with a great sense of relief when we finally do lock the stick and brick and get on the road, once again. There are still several small details, and one large one, that need to be finished on the house......but it is time we took this break and drove TheHowserHouse down the road to sites unknown!!!!
I am finishing this this morning, Tuesday, as I watch the events of Pres. Ford's funeral. Oh how well I remember the day he took office and Nixon got into the helicopter and flew off to California as a private citizen. He was flying right over Jefferson City and our area as Ford became President.......a moment to remeber....and I have done so.
Soooo, I will get this posted now. Much to do......but,
Life is Great.....and I hope it is for all of you, also.
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