We had dinner then took her advise and drove into town. Here are some of the Biggests that we found.
Pitchfork
Tee
Birdcage
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Casey, IL
Wednesday morning we left Shipshewana headed to Casey, IL. It was a new campground for us. Our trip was uneventful, thank God, We were delighted with the park. It had long, pull thru spots, nice grass and huge shade trees. The grounds and pool were impeccable. I decided to do laundry in their laundry and the owner invited us to sit out front in the rockers and enjoy the delightful weather. She gave us a map of Casey and told us it was the Little Town with the most Biggests.
We had dinner then took her advise and drove into town. Here are some of the Biggests that we found.
Pitchfork
Tee
Birdcage
Mailbox
We had dinner then took her advise and drove into town. Here are some of the Biggests that we found.
Pitchfork
Tee
Birdcage
Catching Up
I have no recollection of what we did Thursday but we took Sam and Morgan to Red Robin for dinner when their parents went to a class reunion dinner. They were also picking up Kristin at the airport. I was spending the night so Ted could go shooting while we girls attended the baby shower. It was a nice affair. Here is the mother to be, a grandma and two great grandmas!
The gift that touched Ally most was a smaller version of her Bun-Bun! She received the bunny when she was 10 months old and it was bigger than she was. It was her constant companion and she rubbed its one cheek until she created a hole. It has been in the cedar closet at her mother’s. The new Bun-Bun Jr. has his name embroidered in his ear. It made Ally cry!
We went to church at our old parish and saw a few ladies that remembered us. We have been gone since 1996 so it is amazing anyone remembers us. We all went to Kelly’s and some of the young folks that were at the shower came over. We threw a bunch of stuff together to feed everyone and it was a fun time!
Sunday we hit the road again. We were not in a big hurry because the Amish town of Shipshewana is closed up tighter than a drum on Sunday. We were anxious to see Tom and Eileen, our old FL neighbors, though. We set up the RV next to the repair facility and then went to the park where they were. We decided to drive to Nappanee to determine how long it would take Monday morning and also to find a place to eat. We found the RV tours gathering spot and ate
at an Italian restaurant,
The next morning we closed up the RV so they could pull it inside. The routine maintenance and repairs were going to take two days because two panels would need painting because our blown tire damaged them.
We went back to the Newmar plant to take the tour. It was so thorough and well done, and lasted 3.5 hours. Their motorhomes are well built and beautiful. On the way home we stopped in Middlebury to eat at Das Dutchmen Essenhaus. We had a great lunch. The Amish are outstanding cooks!
Tuesday we all went to the flea market until we needed to pick up the trailer. We then took it to Lambright where we bought our new furniture to have the couch “stops” increased in height because it had repeatedly hopped out and jammed itself against the wall. We them checked into the same park as Eileen and Tom.
Dinner was back at the Essenhaus for their dinner buffet. The food is that good. We all walked around the campground in the pleasant weather until 8:00 when I went in to watch the Bachelorette finale. Dumb ending!
I am ending here because I have some photos and don’t want this to get too big.
The gift that touched Ally most was a smaller version of her Bun-Bun! She received the bunny when she was 10 months old and it was bigger than she was. It was her constant companion and she rubbed its one cheek until she created a hole. It has been in the cedar closet at her mother’s. The new Bun-Bun Jr. has his name embroidered in his ear. It made Ally cry!
We went to church at our old parish and saw a few ladies that remembered us. We have been gone since 1996 so it is amazing anyone remembers us. We all went to Kelly’s and some of the young folks that were at the shower came over. We threw a bunch of stuff together to feed everyone and it was a fun time!
Sunday we hit the road again. We were not in a big hurry because the Amish town of Shipshewana is closed up tighter than a drum on Sunday. We were anxious to see Tom and Eileen, our old FL neighbors, though. We set up the RV next to the repair facility and then went to the park where they were. We decided to drive to Nappanee to determine how long it would take Monday morning and also to find a place to eat. We found the RV tours gathering spot and ate
at an Italian restaurant,
The next morning we closed up the RV so they could pull it inside. The routine maintenance and repairs were going to take two days because two panels would need painting because our blown tire damaged them.
We went back to the Newmar plant to take the tour. It was so thorough and well done, and lasted 3.5 hours. Their motorhomes are well built and beautiful. On the way home we stopped in Middlebury to eat at Das Dutchmen Essenhaus. We had a great lunch. The Amish are outstanding cooks!
Tuesday we all went to the flea market until we needed to pick up the trailer. We then took it to Lambright where we bought our new furniture to have the couch “stops” increased in height because it had repeatedly hopped out and jammed itself against the wall. We them checked into the same park as Eileen and Tom.
Dinner was back at the Essenhaus for their dinner buffet. The food is that good. We all walked around the campground in the pleasant weather until 8:00 when I went in to watch the Bachelorette finale. Dumb ending!
I am ending here because I have some photos and don’t want this to get too big.
Monday, July 22, 2019
Trying to Stay Current
Wednesday through Friday is sort of a blur. We did laundry at Kara’s, ate at a Mexican restaurant with them on Friday night and after church on Saturday, our granddaughter Ally and her husband came over to Kara’s for pizza. Kelly and Pat were in Cincinnati attending a Marriage Encounter Conference. They are the Detroit Diocese leaders. On Sunday, Ted went shooting, Kara and I went shopping for baby gifts and Bill had to work. We all met back at the RV for dinner. We are enjoying what we consider nice weather though the locals are still complaining about the heat. Everything is relative!
Monday I was under the weather and we just stayed here in the park. I felt fine Tuesday morning though, so we set out to redo the baby shower gifts. The bed and dresser I planned to buy isn’t needed until Ally and Bidkar move to a 2 bedroom apartment so right now the car seat is of utmost importance. You can’t take your baby home in a car without one, Hmmm ... at $300 a crack I wonder how that plays out!
Anyway, Ted, Kara and I all signed up for the Buy, Buy (isn’t that the truth!) Baby 20% off coupon. We found the car seat ($300), the second base for the second car ($129) and the stroller ($300) at the store in Utica. I only mention the price because 20% becomes significant! Since I signed up for both of us using two different emails, but from the same computer, only one worked! Kara’s was obtained earlier and had expired! Plan B, stand at the checkout and find more coupons. I used my Retail Me Not app and snagged one that worked. I took Ted’s phone and just went directly to the site and hit another one that worked! Savings $146!
While they loaded the three huge boxes into the truck I asked the lady who wheeled them out what happened to the $5 umbrella strollers we used for our kids. She laughed and said "I know, crazy isn’t it?" Anyway, we will address the bed later but I had to come home and rearrange my gift bag. I had also purchased a book and an outfit so I took the tissue off the dollhouse furniture, put the registry paper with the three items circled and the receipt into the book and used the tissue to wrap that and the outfit. I think I am good to go now!
We took the boxes to Kara’s and used the code to open the garage and put the boxes inside. We had no room in the RV. I found a WW studio with open hours so we decided to stop and get my July weigh-in over with. I thought I was okay but I wasn’t quite sure like I am at home. Woohoo! I was 2.6# under goal. Now I am good until August 31. I think I will weigh in BEFORE Hilton Head though.
We came home but eventually went back into town to have dinner with a cousin of Bill’s who we know and had lost her husband not too long ago. We had a great meal and a long visit. I ordered a low points meal and celebrated my 2.6# cushion with a small dish of Ray’s chocolate malt crunch ice cream! Ray’s is a Detroit institution located in Royal Oak. It sure tasted good.
Wednesday we had Kara’s family back out for dinner. The weather had cooled down to the 70s so we had a fire and s’mores for dessert. Morgan just received her learner’s permit so she and Bill drove for 22 minutes around the park. There is an app on his phone that tracks her drive time! They stayed until the whole bundle of wood had been consumed. It was getting dark when they left for home.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Grand Lake St. Mary State Park
Sunday morning we left for Celina, OH. We were going to arrive before Dan and Sue arrived back from a shooting weekend so we were in no hurry. Imagine our surprise when we pulled in to see a huge beautiful pool added last year to the campground. We put on our suits and went for a swim. Later we drove to Dan’s and rode together to a restaurant for dinner. Ted and Dan were shooting on Monday.
Sue and I were going to Winner’s butcher shop in Versailles and then back to the park to swim. I bought some chicken wings that comes with “fixins” that we had at the graduation party. You sprinkle, then grill them. Turn them over and sprinkle again! We must have gone through hundreds at the party. I also bought some pot roast, all cooked and in containers. Oh so good! Open faced roast beef sandwiches were on the menu for dinner that night.
Sue and I were in the pool until there was thunder and a flash of lightning and they blew the whistle for everyone to get out of the pool. That was it! No rain, no more thunder or lightning, the sun stayed out! We changed clothes, got some sides together to go with our sandwiches and ate outside when the fellows returned. We said our goodbyes about 9:30 and they left for home.
Tuesday was travel day again. I-75 is under construction from Florida to Michigan so we took state highways instead. Boy could we tell we crossed into Michigan! We thought Arkansas was bad. All the roads have been bad but those first few miles up Michigan 23 was like an honest to goodness washboard.
We have been fortunate that things have stayed put inside despite the bucking and bouncing! I am real careful that I remember to secure the closet door, medicine cabinet, shower doors, put the TV and antenna down, bungee cord the dish cabinet doors and Velcro the refrigerator handles. Now we have to take down the clock too! Even Velcro didn’t hold it up. Sounds like a lot but takes less than 5 minutes.
Bill and Kara were going to come out for dinner but the weather looked iffy. It had sprinkled all day so we met in Rochester for dinner. The kids were with their Dad. They both had long work days so we didn’t linger long.
Wednesday was finally a day for us to relax. We went to check on a campground in Lapeer, MI but it was a horrendous place. Not much more than a gravel parking lot with coaches cheek to jowl in a line. No thank you. We stopped at Kroger for a few things and then came home where I was able to stream The Bachelor on my IPad. This gal was “loose” throughout the whole show and I don’t hold out hope for anything to last no matter who she chooses.
Today Bill and the kids came out for a quick visit. Kelly, Pat and Cassie are coming for dinner but not until 7:00. I made beans, fruit salad, cucumbers, and sliced tomatoes to go with the burgers and brats plus strawberry shortcake for dessert. Kara is off tomorrow and asked us to come in. Yeah! I can strip the bed and take the laundry in to her house.
No photos but more things will be happening! Stay tuned.
Sue and I were going to Winner’s butcher shop in Versailles and then back to the park to swim. I bought some chicken wings that comes with “fixins” that we had at the graduation party. You sprinkle, then grill them. Turn them over and sprinkle again! We must have gone through hundreds at the party. I also bought some pot roast, all cooked and in containers. Oh so good! Open faced roast beef sandwiches were on the menu for dinner that night.
Sue and I were in the pool until there was thunder and a flash of lightning and they blew the whistle for everyone to get out of the pool. That was it! No rain, no more thunder or lightning, the sun stayed out! We changed clothes, got some sides together to go with our sandwiches and ate outside when the fellows returned. We said our goodbyes about 9:30 and they left for home.
Tuesday was travel day again. I-75 is under construction from Florida to Michigan so we took state highways instead. Boy could we tell we crossed into Michigan! We thought Arkansas was bad. All the roads have been bad but those first few miles up Michigan 23 was like an honest to goodness washboard.
We have been fortunate that things have stayed put inside despite the bucking and bouncing! I am real careful that I remember to secure the closet door, medicine cabinet, shower doors, put the TV and antenna down, bungee cord the dish cabinet doors and Velcro the refrigerator handles. Now we have to take down the clock too! Even Velcro didn’t hold it up. Sounds like a lot but takes less than 5 minutes.
Bill and Kara were going to come out for dinner but the weather looked iffy. It had sprinkled all day so we met in Rochester for dinner. The kids were with their Dad. They both had long work days so we didn’t linger long.
Wednesday was finally a day for us to relax. We went to check on a campground in Lapeer, MI but it was a horrendous place. Not much more than a gravel parking lot with coaches cheek to jowl in a line. No thank you. We stopped at Kroger for a few things and then came home where I was able to stream The Bachelor on my IPad. This gal was “loose” throughout the whole show and I don’t hold out hope for anything to last no matter who she chooses.
Today Bill and the kids came out for a quick visit. Kelly, Pat and Cassie are coming for dinner but not until 7:00. I made beans, fruit salad, cucumbers, and sliced tomatoes to go with the burgers and brats plus strawberry shortcake for dessert. Kara is off tomorrow and asked us to come in. Yeah! I can strip the bed and take the laundry in to her house.
No photos but more things will be happening! Stay tuned.
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Let’s Give This Another Shot
We returned to the RV on Sunday and left Monday to attend Lynn’s funeral in Cleveland. It was so, so sad to bid someone so young farewell.
It did give us a chance to see several relatives but we prefer better circumstances. We left immediately following the Mass, burial was private.
That evening we had dinner with a group of friends who were classmates of mine in grade school. That is always a fun time. I didn’t take a picture though.
Wednesday we visited, overlooking the city, from my brother’s recently purchased condo. Then we had dinner in the restaurant in the building, scoring a window seat to continue the view as the city lights came on. Spectacular! We spent over six hours just visiting and enjoyed the evening so much.
Thursday we finally got our new microwave glass plate that I had shipped to my friend Judy. Everyone on both sides of the family had been away from home so I asked if Judy and Joe were going to be around. They gladly agreed to the UPS drop drop off and brought the plate for the turntable over. We had a lots of laughs during a great visit and dinner in west Harrison.
Somewhere along the line we shopped at Sam’s to stock up on our Cincinnati favorite foods, I did some laundry, we shopped at Gabe’s and had dinner at Skyline chili!
I am afraid to go to my weigh-in with all this eating out, but Saturday was another Cincinnati must, LaRosa‘s Pizza, but with a group of Mercy high school class of ‘63 friends. So much fun catching up after 56 years!
After attending Mass in the afternoon, we drove to Bellevue, KY, across the River to see a group, The Belaires, perform.
The Belle of Cincinnati quietly slipped past, her paddle turning, as we listened to the concert. Afterwards there was a fireworks display and it was rather late when we returned home.
It did give us a chance to see several relatives but we prefer better circumstances. We left immediately following the Mass, burial was private.
That evening we had dinner with a group of friends who were classmates of mine in grade school. That is always a fun time. I didn’t take a picture though.
Wednesday we visited, overlooking the city, from my brother’s recently purchased condo. Then we had dinner in the restaurant in the building, scoring a window seat to continue the view as the city lights came on. Spectacular! We spent over six hours just visiting and enjoyed the evening so much.
Thursday we finally got our new microwave glass plate that I had shipped to my friend Judy. Everyone on both sides of the family had been away from home so I asked if Judy and Joe were going to be around. They gladly agreed to the UPS drop drop off and brought the plate for the turntable over. We had a lots of laughs during a great visit and dinner in west Harrison.
Somewhere along the line we shopped at Sam’s to stock up on our Cincinnati favorite foods, I did some laundry, we shopped at Gabe’s and had dinner at Skyline chili!
I am afraid to go to my weigh-in with all this eating out, but Saturday was another Cincinnati must, LaRosa‘s Pizza, but with a group of Mercy high school class of ‘63 friends. So much fun catching up after 56 years!
After attending Mass in the afternoon, we drove to Bellevue, KY, across the River to see a group, The Belaires, perform.
The Belle of Cincinnati quietly slipped past, her paddle turning, as we listened to the concert. Afterwards there was a fireworks display and it was rather late when we returned home.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
At Wits End with This Blog
I will keep this short and sweet because this “no longer supported” site is driving me crazy!
Our week in photos
The 4th of July weekend at Elk Lake
Ted holding Graham who climbed up in his lap and gave him a kiss.
Swimming around the boats.
The water park Tim built for the little ones. Dumping bucket, spouting dolphin, elephant and bears.
The rest were taken on Saturday at Ed’s house where we celebrated our godson Dustin’s college graduation.
Our week in photos
The 4th of July weekend at Elk Lake
Ted holding Graham who climbed up in his lap and gave him a kiss.
Swimming around the boats.
The water park Tim built for the little ones. Dumping bucket, spouting dolphin, elephant and bears.
The rest were taken on Saturday at Ed’s house where we celebrated our godson Dustin’s college graduation.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Oops! Photos Didn’t Load
The weekend weather was hot but no rain after a big storm on Thursday night took down some large trees! Everyone had a terrific time and Saturday’s dinner in our red and white private tent was delicious!
Everyone had to be out by 10 am on Sunday. Ted and I took Karen to Mass at 8:30 while Ronnie got their things together. She got out of our car and into Dan’s and off they went. We were staying until Monday so we went to Bowling Green KY with Kelly, Pat, Kara, Bill, Morgan and Sam. We hiked down to a blue hole at the lost cave and then to the Butterfly Building before heading to the Mellow Mushroom to eat.
While there, Ted received a phone call from Terry. I knew it wasn’t going to be good. Either something had happened at home and Nancy requested he call us or something else. It was that their great niece had died suddenly a few hours before. I have still not received a cause of death but I am suspecting PE, blood clot, or aneurism. I did learn when they tried to intubate her, the lungs were filled with blood. She was 37 and leaves her husband and two daughters ages 11 and 14.
This just threw us for a loop. Her family lived near us in Michigan and we were each other’s only Family in the area. Lynn was like us having a grandchild. Our kids were so excited when she was born. Kristin remarked this is the first person she remembers her birth and death. So, so sad.
Monday we headed to Georgetown KY and got set up. Kelly and Pat stopped at the Corvette Museum and then at our campground for a bite to eat before going to their motel and the James family toured some of Nashville before catching a flight home.
Today the four of us went to The Ark in Williamstown. We spent about six hours there including lunch and a short gospel concert. It is HUGE! The building itself is so interestingly built and how the animals were fed, watered and cleaned up after was enlightening. You could visit frequently and probably find something else each time that you had missed.
We have made arrangements to drive to Avon, OH on Monday for the funeral to arrive in time for the viewing and we will stay over night to attend the Funeral Mass on Tuesday. Kelly and Kara will drive over from Michigan. Ted’s brother, sister and sister-in-law are also driving from Cincinnati. Lynn’s parents died 10 years ago, 9 months apart. Her grandparents and aunts and uncles all live in Arizona and I have not heard of their plans.
Tomorrow we head to Cincinnati where the RV will stay for 11 days with us not being there 4 of those days! Nothing like paying camping fees and motel fees for the same night!
I am having problems with photos again! The last I promised from the reunion didn’t post and I am trying to post The Ark. I will try to post them separately.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
In A Nutshell
We left on Monday as planned. Since it wasn’t a weekend and there are several campgrounds in the area between Texarkana and Little Rock, we didn’t make a reservation. Out first choice was full, second was closed permanently, third closed due to flooding, fourth gave the last spot to the guy in front of us, fifth was also flooded and finally we found a place 6 miles off the interstate just outside of Little Rock.
When we went in, our place was a mess from all the potholes and bad roads. Arkansas did warn us "Potholes Ahead."
The crockpot was on the floor but ok. The cabinet doors had opened and Corelleware was broken into a zillion white shards all over the place, the microwave had opened and the glass plate was across the RV in pieces, the pendant light was hanging 6 inches down on wires with the shade broken and the clock was off the wall!
We cleaned up the mess and assessed the damage. I have lots of Corelleware so no big deal, the pendant lights are due to be changed out anyway so that will be taken care of, the clock did not break and could be rehung but I need to order a new glass plate for inside the microwave.
We had to take the narrow country road six miles back to I-40 and relaxed a bit. But that didn’t last but two hours and kapow!, the pothole that disrupted the inside had ruined a tire. We were on the side of the road for almost three hours. I spent a half hour trying to explain to Coachnet road service they cannot tow a 5th wheel, if she sends a flatbed it had to accommodate 50 feet because the truck would need to pull the trailer on to it and I just needed a tire changed. In all the discussion she never asked if we had a spare!
We waited an hour for a young man to arrive, with a small jack. This didn’t bode well. Eventually agreeing he was ill equipped to do the job at hand, he used a stack of our leveling blocks to lift the jack up to the frame and Ted’s long handled screwdriver as a replacement for the 6 inch handle his jack had. We did have a spare and finally we were ready to roll.
Through all of this I had been on the phone with my nephew who dispatches at my brother’s trucking company trying to find a replacement for the spare. He couldn’t find a Goodyear but did find a Firestone not far up the road in Brownsville. We stopped and had it put on the rim, they tucked it back up underneath and we continued on to Yuma, TN where we spent the night.
We were only about 100 miles from Nashville and contacted the same tire company there and made an appointment to buy 3 new Firestone tires and have them put on, placing the Goodyear back as the spare. $1400 later we were on the last leg of our trip which was just minutes from Nashville Shores.
Things got better after that. We got checked in, parked and set up, and spent the evening watching TV,
Thursday was a leisurely day and a few people arrived. My sister rented a pontoon and we went for a 2 hour boat ride on the lake. We had the entire Marina Restaurant filled at dinner. The younger group went into Nashville bar hopping, Friday the entire group made it in. We had all 24 lakeside cabins, two hillside cabins and two RV spots rented for 98 people.
That evening we had the pulled pork Ted had smoked for a group dinner in the common grassy area between the lake and the cabins. Having no one outside our group in any cabin gave us full rein of the area. There was even a small play area for the little ones. A poker game ensued, a lot of visiting went on, and a bunch of little kids were running around.
Saturday was a group effort breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes and sausage. I scrambled the eggs while niece Cindy and husband Tim cooked the rest. We had two tables on their porch set up buffet style. You went up one set of steps, got your food, crossed the duplex porch and down the opposite steps! We had gathered all the picnic tables into one area for eating,
At 10 o’clock the water park opened and everyone headed that way. We had a huge tented area reserved for our group. Dinner was served there at 5 pm but people drifted in and out throughout the day. The food was delicious at dinner and by 7 we had all returned to our accommodations for a final evening together.
The rest are photos taken throughout the weekend.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
A Lost Week
This will be short and sweet since you all know if I don’t write it down right away, I will never remember all the details.
Monday I stopped by the doctor for my urine specimen. I haven’t heard otherwise so I guess that means the medicine worked and my infection is indeed gone. I have no idea what I did the rest of the day.
Tuesday I took Nancy for her second cataract surgery. This one was a bit quicker than the other one so I arrived home before dinner time.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were spent getting everything together to load the trailer on Sunday. It takes awhile to get all the paperwork things together so I can handle bills, social things, volunteer responsibilities, etc. while we are gone.
Then I have to plan ahead for clothes for engagements we have to attend. And enough of our bang around clothes so I don’t have to visit the laundromat frequently.
Ted went to the trailer and checked the tires, turned on the refrigerator, and did his overall checklist before leaving. I took the pantry items out and put them away. It is the only cabinet we can reach when the trailer’s slides are all in.
Earlier in the week he had the truck’s fluids and filters all changed. I did pick him up and take him back a time or two. I just don’t remember which days!
Saturday we went to Mass, grabbed a bite and then went to our neighbors for a visit while we were both in town. We are like ships passing in the night. We can’t decide who is gone the most. My money is on them!
Sunday Ted moved the RV to the campground. I had been at home loading my car and when he said he was set up and on his way home, I put the refrigerator and freezer things in bags for him. I emptied the refrigerator, cleaned it and loaded up my car with those things.
It takes awhile to get everything in its proper place but we got it done, I have three baby gifts, two Christmas gifts and my scale that I had to find spots for but I did it! We had a pizza for dinner and watched TV. Rain is predicted for Monday. Ugh!
Monday I stopped by the doctor for my urine specimen. I haven’t heard otherwise so I guess that means the medicine worked and my infection is indeed gone. I have no idea what I did the rest of the day.
Tuesday I took Nancy for her second cataract surgery. This one was a bit quicker than the other one so I arrived home before dinner time.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were spent getting everything together to load the trailer on Sunday. It takes awhile to get all the paperwork things together so I can handle bills, social things, volunteer responsibilities, etc. while we are gone.
Then I have to plan ahead for clothes for engagements we have to attend. And enough of our bang around clothes so I don’t have to visit the laundromat frequently.
Ted went to the trailer and checked the tires, turned on the refrigerator, and did his overall checklist before leaving. I took the pantry items out and put them away. It is the only cabinet we can reach when the trailer’s slides are all in.
Earlier in the week he had the truck’s fluids and filters all changed. I did pick him up and take him back a time or two. I just don’t remember which days!
Saturday we went to Mass, grabbed a bite and then went to our neighbors for a visit while we were both in town. We are like ships passing in the night. We can’t decide who is gone the most. My money is on them!
Sunday Ted moved the RV to the campground. I had been at home loading my car and when he said he was set up and on his way home, I put the refrigerator and freezer things in bags for him. I emptied the refrigerator, cleaned it and loaded up my car with those things.
It takes awhile to get everything in its proper place but we got it done, I have three baby gifts, two Christmas gifts and my scale that I had to find spots for but I did it! We had a pizza for dinner and watched TV. Rain is predicted for Monday. Ugh!
Monday, June 17, 2019
Dr. Uber Week #3
Wednesday was Ted’s annual endoscopy. Dr. W said he took a few biopsies but didn’t see anything that looked too suspicious. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he is correct. If any Barrett’s reappears it will be back downtown to Dr. E for an ablation. I had to drive him of course.
Thursday was our ladies luncheon but only three of us were there! We normally stop for the summer but we were encouraged to keep having it. Maybe we should have stuck to the original calendar.
Friday was my mammogram so I drove myself over and back with a stop at Hobby Lobby for the dollhouse nursery set I will wrap as a gift for Ally’s shower. When they have moved into a 2 bedroom apartment in the fall I will order and pay for whichever bed, mattress and dresser they choose. Kara is buying the high chair and will use the third piece of the nursery set in the same manner. No dragging huge boxes around doing it this way.
Ted was gone all day so I started right in on cleaning because Sherida and John are coming Sunday for dinner. They have had us twice in their new home and I am falling behind. We are leaving next week so I wanted to be sure to have them before we leave.
Saturday was our normal routine. I finished up getting ready for company by cleaning our bedroom and bath last, going to the store and setting the table. After Mass we ate at home.
Ted shot early on Sunday, Father’s Day, and received gifts, cards and calls from all the girls. I bought him a lovely card and as soon as I find it I will give it to him! He has his two new tubes for his Kolar gun so he was fine.
Sherida and John came and we watched some baseball until the Astros were way behind then switched to the Open. Being at Pebble Beach made it fairly late here. We stopped for dinner, played some cards (I lost again!) and then had dessert. It was a fun day and it was nice having them over on Father’s Day.
This week is my last two Dr. Uber duties. I have to go for a UTI check up to be sure all is clear. Nancy has her second cataract surgery Tuesday and I will be taking her. Wednesday is haircut day for both of us. I will then have a few days to prepare for departure!
It is late in the season for us to still be here but the weather has been pleasant so far and the storms throughout the Midwest made us glad we aren’t in the road. I hope Mother Nature is done for awhile!
Thursday was our ladies luncheon but only three of us were there! We normally stop for the summer but we were encouraged to keep having it. Maybe we should have stuck to the original calendar.
Friday was my mammogram so I drove myself over and back with a stop at Hobby Lobby for the dollhouse nursery set I will wrap as a gift for Ally’s shower. When they have moved into a 2 bedroom apartment in the fall I will order and pay for whichever bed, mattress and dresser they choose. Kara is buying the high chair and will use the third piece of the nursery set in the same manner. No dragging huge boxes around doing it this way.
Ted was gone all day so I started right in on cleaning because Sherida and John are coming Sunday for dinner. They have had us twice in their new home and I am falling behind. We are leaving next week so I wanted to be sure to have them before we leave.
Saturday was our normal routine. I finished up getting ready for company by cleaning our bedroom and bath last, going to the store and setting the table. After Mass we ate at home.
Ted shot early on Sunday, Father’s Day, and received gifts, cards and calls from all the girls. I bought him a lovely card and as soon as I find it I will give it to him! He has his two new tubes for his Kolar gun so he was fine.
Sherida and John came and we watched some baseball until the Astros were way behind then switched to the Open. Being at Pebble Beach made it fairly late here. We stopped for dinner, played some cards (I lost again!) and then had dessert. It was a fun day and it was nice having them over on Father’s Day.
This week is my last two Dr. Uber duties. I have to go for a UTI check up to be sure all is clear. Nancy has her second cataract surgery Tuesday and I will be taking her. Wednesday is haircut day for both of us. I will then have a few days to prepare for departure!
It is late in the season for us to still be here but the weather has been pleasant so far and the storms throughout the Midwest made us glad we aren’t in the road. I hope Mother Nature is done for awhile!
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Start of Doctor Week #2
We watched golf and baseball over the weekend, went to Mass, out afterwards to eat with Terry and Carol and pretty much stayed close to home. Ted did finish smoking all the pork so that is done. Seven shoulders and butts made 25#.
Monday was our joint cardiologist appointment. Dr. D said my vein still has some remnants of the DVT but agrees with Dr. P that it has probably just become attached to the vein wall, hardened and will cause no harm. My vein valves still leak somewhat in the left leg but since I am not experiencing any symptoms we will leave well enough alone.
They took Ted’s history, gave him an EKG, were amazed at his BP and also the fact he takes one 20 mg antacid a day and no other meds. They gave us a paper saying he was low risk for his upcoming annual endoscopy. Ted asked me if he needed that and I said no, I think they did to have a reason for the visit. She said to come back in one year for both of us!
Gerre stopped by to bring the beautiful blanket she crocheted for our great grandbaby. What a tremendous gift that can be passed down to the next generation when the Acosta babies are grown.
Monday was our joint cardiologist appointment. Dr. D said my vein still has some remnants of the DVT but agrees with Dr. P that it has probably just become attached to the vein wall, hardened and will cause no harm. My vein valves still leak somewhat in the left leg but since I am not experiencing any symptoms we will leave well enough alone.
They took Ted’s history, gave him an EKG, were amazed at his BP and also the fact he takes one 20 mg antacid a day and no other meds. They gave us a paper saying he was low risk for his upcoming annual endoscopy. Ted asked me if he needed that and I said no, I think they did to have a reason for the visit. She said to come back in one year for both of us!
Gerre stopped by to bring the beautiful blanket she crocheted for our great grandbaby. What a tremendous gift that can be passed down to the next generation when the Acosta babies are grown.
We had dropped the truck off to have the transmission fluid changed so when it was ready I dropped Ted off and went on to the nail salon. Now to get a haircut before we leave!
The stupid NBA finals were on Monday night so we watched some stuff on A&E which we never have on. Most everything else is reruns now.
Tuesday was a shooting day for Ted and 3-13 card game for me. (I lost!). When I finished, I stopped at Hobby Lobby to see if they had dollhouse nursery furniture. I am buying the crib and dressing table or dresser for our great grandbaby due in October. By the way - It's a GIRL! Until they move to a bigger apartment they don't have room so will use the bassinet and Pak N Play initially. To avoid being emptyhanded at the shower I want to wrap up a tiny crib and dresser. They were out of nursery pieces but the lady ordered some that should be on the truck arriving Thursday.
So I went to the Dollar Store and stocked up on greeting cards. I lost my Birthday Alarm account when I had to change my email address and have missed most everyone's birthday and/or anniversary so far this year. They allowed me to change my email but no notices have come through. Whatever! Good news though regarding the gas company. They sent me a bill! It took 6 months to achieve that but I was never able to get them to just email the amount I owed even though my account has my new address. Again - whatever!
Friday, June 7, 2019
Week One of Doctor Weeks
I had a 10 am appointment Monday for my ultrasound and she did both legs spending a lot more time on my left leg. I am not sure if that is good or bad. That gave me a late start with getting daily chores done. I also had put an 8# pork butt in the crockpot before I left.
Ted had to buy a box and pay $88 to send his gun back, they would not send him the trigger mechanism. He took it out, he said he could put a new one in. But they said no. He has been unhappy with this gun because of constant problems. So apparently I am buying another set of tubes for Father's Day for his Kolar so he can shoot Sporting Clays with it. Usually he only shoots Skeet with it. Whatever!
The pork was done before he got home so I took it out, readied the crockpot and started a second one. I had pulled most of it by the time he got home so we packed and froze 2 gallon bags, our first Reunion cooking! We had a silly combination for dinner to help clean out the freezer in preparation for eventually freezing bags of pork. The second butt was done right before bedtime. We worked together to get it packaged and the kitchen cleaned.
Next up on Tuesday was my neighbor's first cataract surgery. I picked her up at 1:30, waited and brought her back home a little after 5:00. I suggested some more freezer things for dinner but Ted voted for going out and chose House of Pies. You have no idea how hard it is to eat there and not order Coconut Cream pie, but I did it! Grilled chicken sandwich, fruit and water.
Wednesday was an early day. I had to leave the house by 6:15 am to drive a friend to the hospital for some foot surgery. As fate would have it, I woke up about 3:00 am and never went back to sleep. It was just starting to get light and raining something fierce when I left on my “corporal work of mercy.” I used that term on my grandson but I think it went over his head! We arrived in time, valet parked and made our way to surgery. Everything went well and we were on our way home by lunchtime. I helped her into the house and she wanted to take a shower and wash her hair. Once that was accomplished I fixed lunch for us both and stayed until her husband returned home.
The next day I went over to fix her lunch and stayed for a few hours. Friday was back to the doctor for a bandage change and brunch out before returning home once again. She has been doing so well and has had virtually no pain. What a blessing!
Week One of Dr. Uber is in the books. Next week is cardiologist, endoscopy and mammogram. Two for me, two for Ted. So far everything that has been done to everyone has been good with no problems developed and healing coming along nicely.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, Ted put his smoker on the deck and chose to smoke the rest of the pork butts and shoulders. He finished two more along with a brisket and is it ever good. There are 98 people coming to the reunion so we have to continue on until we have at least 25# of meat prepared. I am not sure how many guests are children but we will have PB&J for those not interested in our pulled pork. People arrive all day long so we will start serving by 3:00 and keep the crockpots going until all have eaten which may be late into the night. There is a big shopping day at Costco in our future when we arrive in Nashville.
Ted is working an NSA registered shoot on Saturday and I will clean house and start assessing what clothes I am going to take with me on our trip. Besides 5 days in Nashville, we will spend two days visiting The Ark, 4 days at Elk Lake for the 4th holiday and our godson’s college graduation party, a dinner with my brother who will be in Cincinnati when we are, a grade school group dinner and a group high school lunch. That leaves about three days yet to plan! Then we will move on north to Celina OH for two nights so Ted can shoot with my other brother before heading to where the kids live. We will be there just short of two weeks and Ally’s baby shower will be the day before we leave for Indiana. Except for a summer dress or two for the dinners, shorts and capris should be fine for the rest of the time.
The next day I went over to fix her lunch and stayed for a few hours. Friday was back to the doctor for a bandage change and brunch out before returning home once again. She has been doing so well and has had virtually no pain. What a blessing!
Week One of Dr. Uber is in the books. Next week is cardiologist, endoscopy and mammogram. Two for me, two for Ted. So far everything that has been done to everyone has been good with no problems developed and healing coming along nicely.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, Ted put his smoker on the deck and chose to smoke the rest of the pork butts and shoulders. He finished two more along with a brisket and is it ever good. There are 98 people coming to the reunion so we have to continue on until we have at least 25# of meat prepared. I am not sure how many guests are children but we will have PB&J for those not interested in our pulled pork. People arrive all day long so we will start serving by 3:00 and keep the crockpots going until all have eaten which may be late into the night. There is a big shopping day at Costco in our future when we arrive in Nashville.
Ted is working an NSA registered shoot on Saturday and I will clean house and start assessing what clothes I am going to take with me on our trip. Besides 5 days in Nashville, we will spend two days visiting The Ark, 4 days at Elk Lake for the 4th holiday and our godson’s college graduation party, a dinner with my brother who will be in Cincinnati when we are, a grade school group dinner and a group high school lunch. That leaves about three days yet to plan! Then we will move on north to Celina OH for two nights so Ted can shoot with my other brother before heading to where the kids live. We will be there just short of two weeks and Ally’s baby shower will be the day before we leave for Indiana. Except for a summer dress or two for the dinners, shorts and capris should be fine for the rest of the time.
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Staring Down The Last of Three Gatherings Here
Because I schedule everything in May since it is the one month I know we are home, things get a bit hectic. Thursday would be the Five and Dime gathering of a dozen women but I had things to do before then.
Tuesday was a work day at the Thrift Store. I arrived to the two paid workers fighting with one of those pop up tents, trying to close it. They finally dropped it and walked off mumbling about the condition of the store. Whichever group works on Monday of course wasn't there because of the holiday. The manager, head cashier and Housewares lady were off all week. Donations were piled everywhere and we had nowhere to work sorting clothes!
Kim and I tackled the tent, opening the zippers which were keeping air inside, considered all the tabs and buckles, gave it a twist and voila, it closed! We got hugs from Mark for that. He proceeded to just put box after box out back in storage until we had a minimum amount of space to work. Summer clothes were needed in the store so instead of opening bags of donations we brought down bins of pre-sorted clothing from upstairs to tag and put out. I was to leave at noon but stayed an extra hour. My suggestion would be to stop taking donations for a few days but until the Housewares lady returns, the space robbing items were going nowhere! But no one asked me!
Wednesday I cleaned, sent Ted to the grocery and got my tables and food ready for card playing. The ladies arrived around noon on Thursday, ready to take my money again! Shanghai consists of six different hands. They each get more difficult. "Getting down" with the called for hand and then playing the remaining cards is the focus and the lowest score wins. We had two tables and ours was a doozy! Everyone had triple digit scores, almost unheard of, and though I went out (0 scores) four of the six times, the other two hands put me in 4th place. Now you know why I don't play poker!
Friday I put away the dishes and things I used on Thursday and did laundry. Ted was scheduled to shoot in a competition in Huntsville but his trigger mechanism broke just as they started. Since he didn’t take his other gun, he couldn’t continue. He took the gun apart and could see a broken piece. He will call the manufacturer for a whole new trigger mechanism and install it. I encouraged him to order the proper tubes for his Kolar gun so it would be equally good to use for Sporting Clays. I hope he can get that piece quickly, or the tubes. Both would be best.
The weekend was quiet. Other than going to church and out to grab a burger, we stayed close to home. I had to buy a shower gift for Ally’s baby from my sister so we stopped and did that. I didn’t want to start traveling with that still on my plate. Groceries to feed two meals to 100 people will be enough for the time being.
The next three weeks I am designating Uber Doctor week. In order, I have to get an ultrasound, take Nancy for cataract surgery, take another friend for foot surgery and back again later for a bandage change. That's the first week. The next is cardiologist appointments for both of us. Mine for ultrasound results, Ted's because our PCP said someone going on 75 should have a cardiologist! Ted's annual endoscopy is next followed by my mammogram. The third week is lab tests for me and a second cataract surgery for Nancy. Everyone should be in good shape by the end of June! Good thing because the next week we will be On the Road Again! 🎶🎶
Friday I put away the dishes and things I used on Thursday and did laundry. Ted was scheduled to shoot in a competition in Huntsville but his trigger mechanism broke just as they started. Since he didn’t take his other gun, he couldn’t continue. He took the gun apart and could see a broken piece. He will call the manufacturer for a whole new trigger mechanism and install it. I encouraged him to order the proper tubes for his Kolar gun so it would be equally good to use for Sporting Clays. I hope he can get that piece quickly, or the tubes. Both would be best.
The weekend was quiet. Other than going to church and out to grab a burger, we stayed close to home. I had to buy a shower gift for Ally’s baby from my sister so we stopped and did that. I didn’t want to start traveling with that still on my plate. Groceries to feed two meals to 100 people will be enough for the time being.
The next three weeks I am designating Uber Doctor week. In order, I have to get an ultrasound, take Nancy for cataract surgery, take another friend for foot surgery and back again later for a bandage change. That's the first week. The next is cardiologist appointments for both of us. Mine for ultrasound results, Ted's because our PCP said someone going on 75 should have a cardiologist! Ted's annual endoscopy is next followed by my mammogram. The third week is lab tests for me and a second cataract surgery for Nancy. Everyone should be in good shape by the end of June! Good thing because the next week we will be On the Road Again! 🎶🎶
It is hurricane season now until November. Be prepared.🌪 ⛈
Monday, May 27, 2019
A Second Anniversary
Memorial Day will never roll around without me being reminded of my DVT/PE incident in 2017. Though it has been two years I am just now wrapping up with all the "ologists" I gained on that day. I saw the GYN this week and have scheduled a mammogram, both routine annual things.
In June I will have another ultrasound on my leg to see what is what with my historically long DVT. I have no pain or swelling. I have successfully flown to Rome and Hawaii over the last year. So I am expecting to get discharged from the cardiologist who said my heart was not damaged at all. There was talk of collapsing a vein with leaky valves but that could cause a clot so I am leaving well enough alone on the advice of my hematologist and PCP. They all agree I will need to stay on Eliquis for life since no reason was determined for causing the DVT. I tolerate it well with no unusual bruising, and small cuts and needle sticks do not bleed more than normal
So in the words of Dr. C, I am doing great!
Friday night we had dinner in a restaurant with four other couples and then went to one of the couple's home to play cards. Another loss! I can't beg, steal or borrow a card when I need it. I had ONE Joker all night. Maybe I am just not good at cards, but it is fun to play.
After Mass on Saturday, though Terry and Carol were there, we had all decided we wouldn't go out to eat. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. We came home to a simple dinner and stayed in.
We are starting to plan for our end of June departure to Nashville/KY/OH/MI/IN and where we are going in August. We have three people in MT who want us to come out there and two in Nebraska. But before that I have to think about serving dinner and breakfast to about 100 people at the family reunion. It also is likely we will join the DOGs (DRV Owners Group) in Hot Springs in September and then travel with Tommy and Susan to Foley, AL in October. Leaving there we will continue on to San Antonio for the Sporting Clay Nationals the next week. The RV will get a rest as we travel to Ireland in early November with all Ted's siblings only to return and fly to Michigan for Thanksgiving. By then we will be looking forward to Mission, TX where we will stay put until mid-March! Whew!
The rest of the week was quiet and Memorial Day weekend looked as if it would be the same. I considered having folks over but many were out of town. After Mass on Saturday we went to dinner with Terry and Carol and they invited us for dinner on Sunday. While Ted and Pete went to the Houston Gun Club I made some peanut butter cookies and a fruit salad to take to dinner. I sent Pete home with some cookies, set a few aside for Ted and packaged up the rest so I wouldn't be tempted!
We had a delicious steak dinner and then played cards. I was in first place until the last hand. There was a card I needed but Carol drew a card without asking if anyone wanted to buy the discard. I thought she had just picked up the discard. When I saw it still sitting there I started to say something but she can't hear well and trying to undo what had transpired wasn't worth it so I said let it go and lost!
In the meantime we were invited to Barry and Gerre's pool party on Memorial Day. Their grandson was not playing ball as expected so they put together an impromptu party. Again a fruit salad was requested so I just made another one!
Friday, May 17, 2019
Behind Again
The trouble with falling behind is it is so hard to remember what I did! The end of last week was busy. That is my excuse and I am sticking to it.
I saw Dr. C on Thursday. He ordered the thyroid panel requested by Dr. W, called in a script for my Eliquis at the request of Dr. P, ordered my refill of cholesterol meds, looked over my two week table of BPs I compiled and proclaimed them beautiful and no need for meds. I left there and went directly to the lab. Bottom line, no problem with thyroid, cholesterol was 163, so I have 6 months of my two pills and an appointment for the last day in October. Also, the Cologuard was negative. I am good, for awhile anyway.
From there I attended our neighborhood ladies luncheon. Eight ladies attended but we had no birthdays!
While driving home from Florida, my car windshield received a third ding and we developed a six inch crack that made a turn south and kept on for another two inches. So Friday morning Ted made a trip to Safelight for a replacement. There certainly is a lot involved in the windshield technology not to mention the several stickers needing to be removed and replaced. But it went well.
That evening we met Jennifer, Gene, Gerre and Barry at the theater to see “Happy Days.” The singing by the younger folks was a bit weak but Mrs. Cunningham and the Fonz stole the show.
We were scheduled to have our Couples Shanghai group on Saturday but only three other couples could make it. So we played four men in the dining room and four women in the kitchen. I lost! We had prepared the snacks and managed to go to church at 5:00 and were ready by 7:00.
It was a Cards week for me. The Canasta group, 12 in all, came to our house for three tables of four each to play. I had really good cards, scored well but still came in third! Another $1 gambled away.
Still not done, I went to the 3-13 card game at a local restaurant. There were about 30 Newcomer members playing. I was at a table of 5 knowing only one of the other four ladies. I was in the lead until after lunch when I couldn’t do diddly squat. So I went three for three in cards!
I colored my hair Thursday and then had it cut. I wish I had pretty all gray or white hair but I only get salt and pepper mousey brown! Here’s to Lady Clairol.
Our Installation lunch for Forum was on Thursday at the Conference Center. It is a time when all the members come together, everyone dresses up and a lot is accomplished. We recognize the outgoing president, Executive Board, Board of Directors, Volunteer of the The Year and a tip of the hat to everyone that was nominated as Volunteer of the Month throughout the year. The Provisionals are elevated to Active members and 31 new Provisionals were introduced for this year. Then we have lunch!
The program was a salute to all the hats our new president will wear.
I saw Dr. C on Thursday. He ordered the thyroid panel requested by Dr. W, called in a script for my Eliquis at the request of Dr. P, ordered my refill of cholesterol meds, looked over my two week table of BPs I compiled and proclaimed them beautiful and no need for meds. I left there and went directly to the lab. Bottom line, no problem with thyroid, cholesterol was 163, so I have 6 months of my two pills and an appointment for the last day in October. Also, the Cologuard was negative. I am good, for awhile anyway.
From there I attended our neighborhood ladies luncheon. Eight ladies attended but we had no birthdays!
While driving home from Florida, my car windshield received a third ding and we developed a six inch crack that made a turn south and kept on for another two inches. So Friday morning Ted made a trip to Safelight for a replacement. There certainly is a lot involved in the windshield technology not to mention the several stickers needing to be removed and replaced. But it went well.
That evening we met Jennifer, Gene, Gerre and Barry at the theater to see “Happy Days.” The singing by the younger folks was a bit weak but Mrs. Cunningham and the Fonz stole the show.
We were scheduled to have our Couples Shanghai group on Saturday but only three other couples could make it. So we played four men in the dining room and four women in the kitchen. I lost! We had prepared the snacks and managed to go to church at 5:00 and were ready by 7:00.
It was a Cards week for me. The Canasta group, 12 in all, came to our house for three tables of four each to play. I had really good cards, scored well but still came in third! Another $1 gambled away.
Still not done, I went to the 3-13 card game at a local restaurant. There were about 30 Newcomer members playing. I was at a table of 5 knowing only one of the other four ladies. I was in the lead until after lunch when I couldn’t do diddly squat. So I went three for three in cards!
I colored my hair Thursday and then had it cut. I wish I had pretty all gray or white hair but I only get salt and pepper mousey brown! Here’s to Lady Clairol.
Our Installation lunch for Forum was on Thursday at the Conference Center. It is a time when all the members come together, everyone dresses up and a lot is accomplished. We recognize the outgoing president, Executive Board, Board of Directors, Volunteer of the The Year and a tip of the hat to everyone that was nominated as Volunteer of the Month throughout the year. The Provisionals are elevated to Active members and 31 new Provisionals were introduced for this year. Then we have lunch!
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
My Happy Place
Finally I was able to join my Forum Friends at one of our Senior Luncheons. It has been a long time since I have been home long enough to do any volunteer work. The theme was Summer at the Beach. I didn’t purchase any bingo prizes recently so I used a small pink and white tin bucket, rolled up two solid colored dish towels and stood them on end and added a tube of skin cream. I never thought about it but folks remarked it was such a great “theme” gift! I also took a pound bag of coffee. My tin bucket was taken right off the bat and there were several packages of coffee and I didn’t pay close attention to it.
Our entertainer had a great voice and sang terrific songs about sun, beaches, travels, etc. He had an aloha shirt on and kept changing his hat or wig and was most enjoyable. The Seniors enjoyed him for sure. Carol introduced him wearing her beach wear. A couple Forum friends and a Senior had the same thought on beachwear!
Lunch was chicken salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, roll and a cupcake. Our kitchen crew did a great job feeding the 200 Seniors.
Our entertainer had a great voice and sang terrific songs about sun, beaches, travels, etc. He had an aloha shirt on and kept changing his hat or wig and was most enjoyable. The Seniors enjoyed him for sure. Carol introduced him wearing her beach wear. A couple Forum friends and a Senior had the same thought on beachwear!
Lunch was chicken salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, roll and a cupcake. Our kitchen crew did a great job feeding the 200 Seniors.
So Close Yet So Far
We were up and out by 8 am Saturday morning and drove all the way to Lafayette before stopping for the night. We stopped for lunch at a cute train themed restaurant and took a few photos. The first is a true dining car. The second is a table attached to a specially painted wall that is the back of a pick up. The rear window is actually a movie screen. We sat at a regular table that was a shallow case covered by glass with lots of interesting train things inside. The food was surpringly good!
We stopped in Baton Rouge and attended Mass at a mostly black church. We were greeted and given rosaries as we entered and there was no hiding the fact that we were visitors when asked to stand. It was such a warm and welcoming congregation and the music was terrific. So many came up to thank us for coming to worship with them and we were given a prayer book for the Easter season though it is ending shortly. What a bit of serendipity to our trip.
Much to our chagrin the Crawfish Festival was being held in Lafayette and motels were full! We finally drove to the western edge before finding a room. It was fine and we found four beers in the refrigerator so brought those orphans home with us
We were up early, way ahead of the crawfish revelers, but the coffee decanters were already empty. So were the syrup pitchers for the waffles. I ate some Raisin Bran and Ted had waffles with jelly on them. By the time we were done more coffee finally came out. The late sleeping crowd may have been in for a rude awakening to go with their hangovers.
We made it home by early afternoon and put things away, and then our feet up.
We had talked to Scott the salesman in Winter Garden and made an offer on the light colored motorhome. You can see they are the same but with different coloring. It is a used 2016 versus a new 2018 that is about to turn two years old anyway, the price difference was $35,000 and I would rather someone else deal with that depreciation because there is more to come.
We got to $9,000 apart and didn’t commit, but once we got home I sent photos of other Mobile Suites for sale and included mention of the $4,000 of new furniture and the new Temperpedic mattress we put in last year and they came around until we were $5,000 and we said yes.
In the meantime we went to a dealer here and Ted drove one to be sure he was comfortable. He said it is amazingly easy with the tag axle and articulating back wheels. Ted asked Scott for the name and number of the previous owner and talked to him. He gave it a big thumbs up, a lot of tips on use and driving but said it needed its yearly maintenance he had not done when he traded it 2.5 weeks ago. This is about a $1,000 service and should be done and the fuel tank filled when a unit is sold or at least that is what we have encountered. Scott said no, we would have to pay the $1,000. Ted asked about their cost to do it and he said $1,000. That would mean those services owners use each year are doing it for nothing! It was downhill from there. They were pressing us for a deposit while I was waiting for them to tell me how to transmit it. They weren’t happy about us not being able to drive our truck and trailer over for 10 days, etc. We were feeling rushed.
We have a very busy two weeks and I agreed to skip one thing so we could leave next Tuesday instead of next Friday, I told them I could easily charge a deposit over the phone but with the stipulation it was refundable based on a test drive. We even checked into Ted flying over this week to test drive it and do the PDI on it but our things could not get there any sooner. Finally we agreed we didn’t want to buy in haste and repent at leisure and called the deal off. They immediately changed the price on the website to $5,000 less!! And they lost a sale over $1,000 service that wouldn’t cost them that much and a week’s time.
We stopped in Baton Rouge and attended Mass at a mostly black church. We were greeted and given rosaries as we entered and there was no hiding the fact that we were visitors when asked to stand. It was such a warm and welcoming congregation and the music was terrific. So many came up to thank us for coming to worship with them and we were given a prayer book for the Easter season though it is ending shortly. What a bit of serendipity to our trip.
Much to our chagrin the Crawfish Festival was being held in Lafayette and motels were full! We finally drove to the western edge before finding a room. It was fine and we found four beers in the refrigerator so brought those orphans home with us
We were up early, way ahead of the crawfish revelers, but the coffee decanters were already empty. So were the syrup pitchers for the waffles. I ate some Raisin Bran and Ted had waffles with jelly on them. By the time we were done more coffee finally came out. The late sleeping crowd may have been in for a rude awakening to go with their hangovers.
We made it home by early afternoon and put things away, and then our feet up.
We had talked to Scott the salesman in Winter Garden and made an offer on the light colored motorhome. You can see they are the same but with different coloring. It is a used 2016 versus a new 2018 that is about to turn two years old anyway, the price difference was $35,000 and I would rather someone else deal with that depreciation because there is more to come.
We got to $9,000 apart and didn’t commit, but once we got home I sent photos of other Mobile Suites for sale and included mention of the $4,000 of new furniture and the new Temperpedic mattress we put in last year and they came around until we were $5,000 and we said yes.
In the meantime we went to a dealer here and Ted drove one to be sure he was comfortable. He said it is amazingly easy with the tag axle and articulating back wheels. Ted asked Scott for the name and number of the previous owner and talked to him. He gave it a big thumbs up, a lot of tips on use and driving but said it needed its yearly maintenance he had not done when he traded it 2.5 weeks ago. This is about a $1,000 service and should be done and the fuel tank filled when a unit is sold or at least that is what we have encountered. Scott said no, we would have to pay the $1,000. Ted asked about their cost to do it and he said $1,000. That would mean those services owners use each year are doing it for nothing! It was downhill from there. They were pressing us for a deposit while I was waiting for them to tell me how to transmit it. They weren’t happy about us not being able to drive our truck and trailer over for 10 days, etc. We were feeling rushed.
We have a very busy two weeks and I agreed to skip one thing so we could leave next Tuesday instead of next Friday, I told them I could easily charge a deposit over the phone but with the stipulation it was refundable based on a test drive. We even checked into Ted flying over this week to test drive it and do the PDI on it but our things could not get there any sooner. Finally we agreed we didn’t want to buy in haste and repent at leisure and called the deal off. They immediately changed the price on the website to $5,000 less!! And they lost a sale over $1,000 service that wouldn’t cost them that much and a week’s time.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Just Sunnin’
We spent time in the pool Sunday before heading to DeBary where we lived from 1996-2001. My cousin and his wife have recently moved to the area and we took this opportunity to have dinner and a visit with them. They are really enjoying this cute St. John’s River town more than their “middle of the state” home and I am glad for them.
We had located an RV dealership in Leesburg, near The Villages where we owned rental property from 1994-2006. We actually lived there for six months building our DeBary home in addition to spending many vacations over those years while we still lived in Michigan. The two RVs we looked at didn’t float our boat. My biggest hang up is the furniture placement in most, one of the reasons I like the Meridian best so far. However, this one was blah and the Entegra had two recliners facing the couch necessitating you having to look right to the front or left to the back to watch TV, a common problem. When you spend months in one, that would get old for me quickly. So we ate an early dinner and came back to Winter Springs.
A trip to New Smyrna Beach on Tuesday allowed us to meet up with Tom and Eileen. We all lived in DeBary together and shortly after we left they moved to Palm Coast. NSB was a good half way point for all of us and gave us a glimpse of the ocean. Parking at the beach is $20! Tom and Eileen will spend January in Mission with us once again next year.
Still scouring the internet we found a dealer in Winter Gardens and headed that way on Wednesday. The Meridian was okay but the wall covering was sort of green/gold and rather dark. There really isn’t much of it exposed except in the bedroom where a full length mirror and a large picture would make it less noticeable. Then we looked at Newmar Ventanas. I found one that had two recliners facing a couch BUT the TV comes up from behind the couch so you can sit in the recliners to watch. In the event I wanted to lay on the couch I could watch the TV in the front above the cab.
Today we head to Gainesville and settle into the AirBnB Larry rented for our stay while he has surgery. Ted is “pondering” the motorhome thing so we may or may not stop to revisit this particular decision.
We stopped again at the RV dealer to give them info on our truck and trailer. They were having an appreciation luncheon for winning some awards and invited us to join them. We were going to stop for lunch so why not?
We found a brand new RV that is the same layout but with darker wood that we liked better.
We had located an RV dealership in Leesburg, near The Villages where we owned rental property from 1994-2006. We actually lived there for six months building our DeBary home in addition to spending many vacations over those years while we still lived in Michigan. The two RVs we looked at didn’t float our boat. My biggest hang up is the furniture placement in most, one of the reasons I like the Meridian best so far. However, this one was blah and the Entegra had two recliners facing the couch necessitating you having to look right to the front or left to the back to watch TV, a common problem. When you spend months in one, that would get old for me quickly. So we ate an early dinner and came back to Winter Springs.
A trip to New Smyrna Beach on Tuesday allowed us to meet up with Tom and Eileen. We all lived in DeBary together and shortly after we left they moved to Palm Coast. NSB was a good half way point for all of us and gave us a glimpse of the ocean. Parking at the beach is $20! Tom and Eileen will spend January in Mission with us once again next year.
Still scouring the internet we found a dealer in Winter Gardens and headed that way on Wednesday. The Meridian was okay but the wall covering was sort of green/gold and rather dark. There really isn’t much of it exposed except in the bedroom where a full length mirror and a large picture would make it less noticeable. Then we looked at Newmar Ventanas. I found one that had two recliners facing a couch BUT the TV comes up from behind the couch so you can sit in the recliners to watch. In the event I wanted to lay on the couch I could watch the TV in the front above the cab.
Today we head to Gainesville and settle into the AirBnB Larry rented for our stay while he has surgery. Ted is “pondering” the motorhome thing so we may or may not stop to revisit this particular decision.
We stopped again at the RV dealer to give them info on our truck and trailer. They were having an appreciation luncheon for winning some awards and invited us to join them. We were going to stop for lunch so why not?
We found a brand new RV that is the same layout but with darker wood that we liked better.
We gave them our info, we looked at several others but indicated we liked this one best. I explained we were dealing with this surgery in Gainesville for Larry, needed to return to Texas for doctors, social engagements, volunteer things, etc. but also needed to leave on a 6 week trip the third week in June either in our existing set up or a new motorhome. He didn’t give us any figures beyond the coach price. Ted said he could drive the truck and trailer over in two days once we get things settled at home. So we continued on our way. Today when I looked on the website it said Sale Pending. Not sure if it really is or they are trying to force our hand!
We went to Four Rivers BBQ for dinner and came home ready for bed,
Up at 5:30 am we headed to Shands hospital and Larry had his “folded over, filled with sludge gall bladder” removed Friday morning and came home shortly thereafter. He is doing okay so we will be heading for home tomorrow spending one night on the road.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)