Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family.

We just got back from having Christmas dinner at the hall. If I remember there where about 437 people. Everyone takes a dish and there is plenty to eat.........boy am I full. Now I am thinking of a nap. I have had a cold, started feeling bad around Sunday so have been doing fluids and popping pills. Starting to feel somewhat better.

On Monday I went with the Bentsen Grove Auxiliary to deliver Christmas goodies to the 11 needy families. My family had four kids, boy 13, girls 10 - 7 - 4. I have posted pictures in Web
Album so be sure to click on the picture to view all the photos.



Their isn't much more news, we had a nice Christmas here. Roger and I still do stockings for each other and we got things that we needed for our new place here. I called it our practical Christmas. Our street did take first place in decorations, so I guess maybe my going the extra mile helped. Last night we took a bike ride around park to check out all the lights. Every street had luminaries lining street. Looked really nice. Here is a photo of Keota waiting for his bike ride.
Don't forget to click on photo to view the rest of them.





Hope everyone had a joyful Christmas, stay warm, drive safe and Happy Trails.

Keeping busy

Gosh, where does the time go...........seems like it was just Thanksgiving and we had just moved into our new place. Here it is a 6 days till Christmas. We are both keeping busy, me more then Roger. The weather here is up and down or hot and cold........which ever way you want to look at it. When it does get cool, we just keep reminding ourselves it is nicer then it is in Iowa.

I have been going to computer club here at the park on Mondays. The first part of class is directed towards beginners..............I find myself helping some of those new people who need the help. I have learned a few things in that class, but the advance class has helped alot and I am getting quite a bit out of it. They are having problems getting everyone on line during class. I guess the server here at the park is bogged down (too many people using it). There are about 16 laptops trying to get on during class. I have been taking my Verizon USB and connecting with it. It is slow.............not a very good signal around this park. I had a great signal at Sleepy Valley and it isn't that far away.................not sure what the problem is. I hang it in the window to get a better signal as I have a 10 foot USB extension for it.

As I wrote about before, I have been going to the park Auxiliary on Monday afternoons. They make quilts for the needy and are under a huge project of helping 11 needy families. It includes quilts, heater for each family..........they go shopping for each of the kids in each family and buy them each, PJ's, undies, socks, shoes, one toy, and a complete outfit. They also furnish them with a donated coat, hat and gloves. I went to hall on Wednesday and wrapped all the bought items for the 4 kids in my family and got it all sacked along with Christmas stockings for all of them. On Sunday I go with everyone else to pick up a large box of food for family. Then Monday morning we will car caravan to their homes and deliver everything. I am planning on taking my camera so maybe I can get some pictures posted.

One of our neighbors complained about Keota last week, so we have been working on his no barking. We got out the no bark collar. Had it on him for about 5 days strait and he seems to get the idea. Haven't had it on him for 2 days and he still is not barking. I do keep it close buy in case I need to remind him. The sad part was the neighbor told Roger " it was a good neighborhood before we moved in." I thought that was quite mean...............but maybe he was just having a bad day. I just felt he could of been a little nicer on how he told us. We have been careful on leaving Keota home alone. Don't want him barking and after taking him to vet and talking about the problem, it was brought up if we did leave him and he had on no bark collar..........and someone came to door..............he could have a heart attack.............do to his heart condition. Guess we will just have to keep the training up and hope for the best.

I ventured out yesterday and did my Christmas shopping for Roger and Keota. Boy was I tired when I got back. Today Roger went shopping and I wrapped all his gifts. The tree now has some gifts under it. Guess Roger is going to work on wrapping on Monday while I am gone. He sure misses my daughter, Sandy as she always did the wrapping for him.

We are still walking in the mornings and biking in afternoon. Keota wouldn't let us forget the bike ride...............he loves it. Roger and I also like to go to the pool, but once again, hard to get way both of us at once.........and it is not always fun to go by yourself.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays............try to stay warm.............drive safe and Happy Trails.

Wow, December is here!!!!

I can't believe it is December 7th already. If my brother were to read this..............Happy Birthday Keith.

This past Friday was the Craft Sale at Sleepy Valley (were our RV still is) so I had a table. I guess with the economy the way it is, people just don't seem to be buying. Last year at the December Craft Sale I made about $30 more then I did this year. I did have two different ladies ask me if I could make them something different, so will be working on that. This next Saturday, I will be having a table at Bensten Grove Resort where we are now living. Hope I do a little better here.

We finally got our deck cleaned off. It had stacked on it things we did not want. The two recliners went to our friends, Dick and Darlene. They came by last night and picked them up. They were glad to get them, as they just bought a place to and are going to put them in their Texas room (sun porch). The rest of the stuff was in sacks and stuff we took out of this place and didn't sell at the yard sales at Sleepy Valley. We donated that to the Bentsen Grove group and it will be used to give to needy families here in the valley. It is so good to set the deck up the way we want and be able to use it now...............we need visitors now. LOL

I finally got around to giving Keota a hair cut, he hadn't had one since before we left Iowa. I must say he looks pretty good, we have had to put his sweater on him a few times when I got down into the 50's here.

Last Monday, I went to the computer club here at the park and boy what a large group. It was pretty basic stuff for me, but I am sure I will get something out of it, even if it is to help someone else. I also made it to the Bentsen Grove Auxiliary to help with making of quilts for the needy. I was surprised when I arrived and told to pick a family then go and pick out coats that would fit kids. This was all new to me.................so wasn't sure what it was all about. They then told me I would be buying each child a complete clothing outfit for Christmas. I said Wooooo........I can't afford to buy outfits for four kids. No...........the club pays for it, they all go shopping together to pick it out, then each member takes their stuff home and wraps it up for each kid and everyone goes the week before Christmas and meets the family and delivers their gifts.

Roger went to the Rock Club here in park on Tuesday. He seemed to like that, they have their own saws and polishers here and make all kinds of things. On Friday's they go to a ranch and hunt for rocks. Sounds great.

That's about all the news.............stay warm........drive safe........and................Happy Trails

Decorated for Christmas

On Friday I decided to get out the Christmas decorations and set up the tree. When in the motor home, one is limited to what you can store for decorations, so after getting tree up and what I had for decorations, I made a trip to the dollar store to get a few more items. We were told, the street we are on competes for best street at Christmas, no pressure there. We have a car port out front so I got 3 stands of the icicle lights to hang there. The hooks were already there, so it was quite easy. Next I wrapped colored lights around the poles on each side along with a large red bow. I had some snowflake lights and a string to go on front of mobile home as well as a Christmas Tree I had crocheted years ago. I must say it does look pretty good. With the storage I have...........who knows, I may be able to add more next year. I put the tree under the big mirror in living room and outlined the mirror with lighted green garland. Then got two nice holders for the stockings and set them on shelf and presto, done.

The park where our motor home is still sitting had their yard sales yesterday..............so we took over everything we had from this place that we didn't want. The sale is only in morning, but we got rid of some things and made $40, not too bad, considering it wasn't even our stuff. We wanted to sell it cheep to get rid and not have to move it back here.

I decided it was time to give Keota a hair cut...............he hasn't had one since leaving Iowa. Come to think of it, neither have I. When I cut his hair I do it in at least two different settings and we both get tired and grumpy. I have to finish up today. I got his back, belly and face done, but his legs, feet and back end are still long. He looks kind of funny right now.

Tomorrow is the day I am going to try a few park activities. In the morning I am going to check out and see what the computer club is all about. They have a beginners and regular meeting. I think I am past the beginners, so will try the regular one. Who knows, I may get there and decided they are all way beyond me and end up at the beginners club. The afternoon, I am going to the Bentsen Grove Auxiliary, there I will work with the quilts for the needy. I did that last year at Sleepy Valley, and really enjoyed it alot. It will be a full day for me, guess Roger is on his own.

Thats about all for now................hope all our friends and family are staying warm and.........................Happy Trails to all.

Sorry..........I goofed

I should post more often. I forgot a step when I made my Web Album and that was to share with everyone. So I had to go back and delete albums and do them over again. The links to those albums on my last post are no good now. Hope this works better......the say practice makes perfect. LOL

Mexico Photos:

From Trip to Mexico

Our Texas Home:

From Our Texas Home

Remember, you can either click on link at bottom of picture or click on picture. Do and and see what the inside of our home looks like.

Hope this works this time....................Happy Trails

Our Texas Home

Wow, moving is a lot of work when you get old. We started moving in on Thursday and I think.....I have most things sorted and put away. I had to make a list of what I borrowed from the motor home, so I can return it in the Spring. I am hoping to get new things for here...........so I can replace motor home items before that, but we will have to see how that goes. This place has a lot of storage so that is no problem. It is just finding where I put everything now........and poor Roger, he is always asking me where something is. I didn't like the recliner that was in here.....so we went to another park for their in park garage sales and I found a different one. It seems to be much better. We had picked up one before and brought it over here before we moved in. That one was suppose to go into bedroom so one could watch the TV in there in comfort. Surprise..............It wouldn't go thru the door. Now we have one of our folding lawn chairs in there..........at least it fit thru the door. There was no TV in bedroom, and there was plenty of room in cabinet over closet so that is where it is going. Got it put up there yesterday and now it is ready for the Direct TV guy when he shows up tomorrow. We took the 26" HD TV out of the motor home and have it in new home now. We will be getting another TV for motor home after the first of the year. Think it will be a 22" this time.

I got a phone call from my daughter, Kim in California yesterday. She wanted to know how the move was going and she was wondering about the pictures I had promised in my last post. Well, I finally got them all taken..............edited on Picasa..........and put in my web albums. I am posting them here, but if you click on any photo it will take you to My Web Albums.

The first ones are from our short trip to Mexico a few weeks ago.

From Mexico

Now for the Texas home photo's. Remember to view all of the photo's and take a look inside.......click on photo and it will take you to rest of Album. Enjoy

Happy Trails

Moved in

Today was the big day............we have been waiting for it for some time. I am soooooo tired tonight.........this old body just is not use to all this hard labor. We are slowly getting things sorted out and our things in place. When one buys a furnished place down here, that means, dishes, pots and pans, linens, and much much more. Needles to say, we are filling up the trash cans and sorting and making a list for things needed. Brought my sheets from the RV and washed them and the bedspread today. Got the bed made and a lot of unpacking and sorting done. Tomorrow, Roger is heading to Wal-mart in the morning for groceries and I will stay here with Keota. Will be making another trip to old park to get more from RV. Sure wonder were we had it all, seems like we have moved an awful lot over here. Hope to have some time to take some photos tomorrow and get them posted. Tired so will close now and look for another post real soon.

Happy Trails

Mexico

We got a phone call from Dick and Darlene on Sunday and they were headed for Mexico and wanted to know if we wanted to go with them. Seeing as we have never been, thought this would be a good time to go, they could show us around. We both want to go there and get some dental work done and pick up some of Keota's pills. For those of you that don't know, we park on the US side ($2) then walk across the Rio Grande River. We made a potty stop before crossing, then there is a turn stile which you have to deposit 25 cents in. When we got to the Mexico side, there were little arms sticking thru the cracks in bride railing wanting hand outs. Then we came to the Mexico Army standing at end of bridge, holding guns. I stopped to take a picture of one of them and another one came over and told me I couldn't. I thought he was going to take my camera, but he didn't and I did get a picture. The sidewalk is lined with vender's and it is hard to walk thru there, they are all asking you to buy something. We just kept on walking and shaking our head NO. Darlene and Dick wanted to show us where they go to dentist, so did that. Then went into one shop and looked around. Roger got some cinnamon and Dick got some cookies. Wow we are big spenders. We walked around looking for the guy that paints the satellite dishes, but he wasn't there (Sunday). We did stop in a store and picked up some Heartguard for Keota. It is about half price from what we paid before. Plan on going back for more and the Frontline, also check into getting his heart meds there before we leave. It was interesting going over there, but can't say we see any real need to hang out there.

Took Keota to vet yesterday as the vet in CR wanted him to be seen when we got down here. I brought a CD with his Xrays and report from Vet for them. They took blood work and sold us more pills and bill came to $200. This is going to be expensive every month. Vet wanted to see him in a month for another blood test. Seems like this last one showed there may be a problem with his kidneys. The meds are probably causing that.

Don't laugh but I bought my Christmas cards today, going to get started on them, so everyone can have our new address. We love to get mail, and not bills. I went to my settings and set it up so some of you will be getting an email each time I post. If you don't want it, be sure to let my know and I will take your name off the list. Hope you enjoy hearing from us.

Monday we met with the people we are buying new place from. Did all the paper work, and called the electric company. I spent close to an hour trying to get that worked out. They kept transferring me to someone else. What a pain. We are getting excited about moving. We had already paid for our spot at this park, so we are going to leave our RV here and pick up our mail here that is being forwarded. Too much of a pain to get it changed, would take forever to get to us.

Everyone stay warm.........drive safe.........and...............Happy Trails

Another day closer to our move.

We have been a little busy the last few days. Met up with Dick and Darlene and took them to Gonzella Burger. They have been coming down here for 7 years and have never been there. They liked it an plan on returning. We got to see their place they just bought. It is nice, 2 bedrooms, 1 and 1/2 bath, Texas room, and two sheds. Dick is working on a place to put washer and dryer in trailer. Right now it is in one of the sheds. The place has some wild wall paper and so needles to say, they have some painting to do. They have furniture in storage in Colorado so plan on making a trip there to pick it up. It just makes me anxious to get into our place.

Today we went to one park for yard sales, not much there. I did buy a few books and Roger got 2 movies. After that went onto Bentsen Grove to a craft sale. That is the park we are moving to. Got to look around and stayed and had lunch. The people we are buying from sat with us for lunch so had a nice visit with them. They introduced us to some of the people at the park. Seems like they have a few activities that will be a nice addition for us. They have a computer club, which I plan on going to and they told us about a bike club. I am hoping Roger might try that out. Seems they take outside bike rides, have even gone into Mexico on one. They put all the bikes in a trailer and transport them to site of bike ride. I know I can't do it with my 3 wheeler bike, but Roger could do it. The guy we are buying from volenteers in the kitchen and it sounds like Roger might do that. I am really happy about that, I think it will help him to get involved with more going on in park. This park also has an outside and inside pool plus an exercise room. We are hoping to visit them and start getting a little more exercise.

Till later.................Happy Trails

Bought a place

Well, we did it..........went looking today and found a place down here in Mission. It is not at this park, but we are excited about it. It is a two bedroom (trailer) with front kitchen and a nice deck. The park rent is a little more there, but they have more activities. The couple who where selling are giving up and heading back to Ohio on the 20th so we can have it after that. Everything is included, dishes, furniture, sheets, towels, everything one needs. There is even a computer desk in living room for me. There is also a washer/dryer so no more trips to the laundromat. It is an older trailer, but well worth the price and looking forward to getting settled in at the end of the month. I will be sure to post pictures soon as I take some. The name of the park is Bentsen Grove Resort.

I signed up for Thanksgiving diner here, but Roger said to cancel them and we will sign up for that park, good way to meet our new neighbors. Think we will like it there, but going to miss some of the great people we met here. And the good news is we will have room for company now if anyone should want to come see us.

I will keep you posted...............till then.......................Happy Trails

Made it to the RGV

Well, after 3 days on the road and some cold nights, we made it here and are soaking up the warm days. Left Iowa on Sunday morning and drove to Kansas City and spent the night at a Wal Mart. It was a nice one also, had a parking lot off to the side of the rest of parking and when Roger went in to check, they said that was were the RV's parked. We were only ones there till a small travel trailer pulled in right before bed. Boy was it COLD that next morning. It got down to 31 and we weren't running any heat.

The next day (Monday) we drove from Kansas City to Fort Worth and were going to stay in a campground, but when we got there, it was full. We pushed on down the road thinking we could find another campground, but didn't and ended up staying in back parking lot of a Cracker Barrel. Once again it was cold that night as well. We dove on all the way to Mission on Tuesday and when we got ready to park in our place, the tree needed trimed..........too low, so we stayed in site across from it. This morning we got up and went to office to see if they could trim the tree before we parked and get 50 AMP installed, the tree was a go, but they can't put the 50 AMP in. She gave us some site numbers to check out that had 50 Amp but we decided to go back to same site we had last year. We had picked the other site out as it had more afternoon shade, but I guess you can 't have everything.

Well there is one thing to say about buying an older RV, we are always fixing something. On way down here, found out there was a leak under bathroom sink. Every time we would turn pump on, it would leak. Called a guy to come fix it and right before he got here, the refer started making a clicking sound and the little lights on front were blinking (elec, gas). Had him look at it. He spent alot of time working on it and decided he will have to get a new circuit board, so will be back. Then this afternoon, I sat down at table with lap top, plugged into outlet and lap top kept blinking from battery then elec. I moved to a different outlet and let Roger know, he checked it out and outlet will not reset, so another thing to check out.

I am posting pictures from the Surprise Birthday Party for son Matt. We went to it on Saturday night before we left Iowa. Remember you can just click on photo and it will take you to web site to view all in he album. You can also view all my other albums by going to My Web Albums.

From Matt's Surprize 40th Birthday Party

Till later....................Happy Trails

Update

Hi, just wanted to update on what has been happening. I finally got my new lap top and getting it all set up. Had to install all my programs and had a guy (Mike) transfer info from old lap top to this one. Guess he was able to hook up to hard drive in old one and do a transfer. I want to thank Mike for that. I still haven't figured out how to get some of the files into my programs yet, but I did get my Quickens to work, and that was the most important one. The rest I can play with later. Just hope I can figure them out, as I am going to hate to retype all that information back into My Family Tree and Cook'n programs.

I also have some photos to share with you. I have edited them using my new Picasa program and posted them in "My Web Albums" You can go there if you would like to view all my photos, but for now I will add a few here. You can go to the link at bottom of photo's and it will take you to the rest of the Web Album. Or you can click on photo to take you there.

We went to Emily (granddaughter) band performance on Oct. 4th in Cedar Rapids. She is in color guard. Sure enjoyed watching her, however the benches got hard. These old bodies just to take it like the young ones do. Emily did a great job, we only wish we could see her do her cheer leading. She does basketball and that is during winter when we are gone. Hope mom can send us some photos of that.

From 2008010-October

This next photo is from our day outing to Jenny and Doug's Cabin (daughter). They live in Muscatine and have a cabin on the Mississippi River. Doug loves to fish and they have us down every year for a fish fry. He also does the cooking, and fixes extra all coated and ready for us to freeze and take with us South. We sure are going to enjoy them this winter. It is always good to see the grand kids and enjoyed our time with all of them.

From Stolley Cabin

We are leaving on Sunday morning so are very busy getting everything done. As of this morning, looks like we are pretty well set. I keep list going all the time, one for TO DO'S , TO BUY, and many list for different rooms TO PACK. Roger has the yard all cut, and all the lawn ornament put way, as well as the deck furniture in garage. We have a guy coming to winterize the house (mobile home) on Saturday, so will be staying in RV Saturday night. Most of the things on list are last day things to get done and pack, today is go to Wal Mart day. We are really looking forward to getting to Texas again, it is getting COLD here. Just hope we don't hit any of that white stuff before we get out of here. I checked the weather on Internet yesterday, and it is 83 in Mission. The nights are warmer then our days here........................here we come.

To everyone else out there heading for the highways..............Happy Trails

Counting the days till time to leave.

Hi, yes we are getting ready to leave. I told you in last post that my lap top died, and I still don't have official word on that. Sent it to a guy to get checked out and see if he could retrieve data from my hard drive. I am sure it is the mother board that is the problem. It was really poor timing for me as getting ready to leave and not much time to see about getting it fixed and the warranty was up in September. Oh well, I broke down and ordered a new lap top from Best Buy. They didn't have any in their store that I wanted so did my shopping on line. Really seem to like that better anyway, you can compare prices as well as read reviews on all of them. Just checked on line and UPS site says it will be here today. I can hardly wait to get it. Will have some computer work to do to get it all back and running with my programs and everything.

This past weekend we went to see daughter Jenny and her family at their cabin on the Mississippi River at Muscatine. It was Jenny and Doug's 17th Anniversary so we baked a cake to take and they had a fish fry. Doug does alot of fishing and they sent quite a bit of fish home with us to freeze and take with us. Wish I had a larger freezer in motor home, but we will make room for it. Sure taste good during the winter, better then you can buy in store. Took some pictures, but going to wait to post them till I get them on new lap top. Don't have my photo program on this computer.

Now that the lap top is coming today, I will be able to go to Cedar Rapids with Roger tomorrow. He has an eye appointment and our dog Keota is to see the vet. I want to get a hair cut, see a few friends and do some shopping. Have to time all our trips together, have to keep the fuel cost down. LOL

I will try to get another post done before we leave, if everything goes smooth. Till later....................Happy Trails

Help

Ouch, my lap top died. Not sure what happened, turned it off last night and when I turned it on this morning, nothing but a black screen. I am lost without it. I am using my desk computer, and had to load my Verizon card on it so I could get on Internet. I will be trying to get it fixed before we leave on the 26th for Texas. Calling son-in-law tonight to see if he has any ideas, and if he can fix it. If not, sorry to say, I am have to break down and get a new one. This one was only 13 months old, so a real shame if it can't get fixed. Would hate to think of taking the desk computer with me. I feel like I am using a real old one.

We went to Cedar Rapids last Saturday to watch the granddaughter, Emily do her Color Guard for the Jefferson Band. It was good to be able to watch her. She is also a cheerleader, but never get to see that as she does basketball and that is over winter while we are gone. Went out to eat with them afterwards, then did the Wal-Mart stop before coming home.

There isn't much more happening around here. I have my list going for what to pack and what needs to get done before we go. Most of it is stuff you can't pack till almost time to leave. The list help tho. Wish I had some new photo's for you, but I guess that will just have to wait till next time. Drive safe, don't forget to vote on Nov. 4th and Happy Trails to all.

Catch Up Time

I am not very good at keeping this updated, talked to brother-in-law the other day and he said he checks it once in a while, so guess I better work on writing more here.

We are keeping busy, Roger worked on the siding for some time and has it finished for now. Will have to get more siding next summer to finish the job, but he has back, both ends and 2/3 of the front done. I looks pretty good. We closed off the door to my office that went outside. We didn't have any steps out there and never use it. We also had put in a new back door when we moved in so no use for this one. We are now working on getting the RV ready for our departure next month. Plan on leaving here around the 26th of Oct. Hope the weather holds out till after we leave.


Here is my dog, Keota, looking out the doorway before it was closed off.



We had a visit from my good friends I use to drive bus with, Sandra and her hubby Lloyd come out for a day. Was sure good to have them. We don't get too many visitors all the way out here in Stanwoood. Anyway, we went to Chinese in Tipton then back here and watched some Grand ole opry vidios they brought with them. Sandra and I worked on crocheting. She wanted me to teach her how to Cro-hook. We will be getting back together with them again before we leave.

As you will see buy the photos, we had some visitors in our front yard. First time we have seen them here, but the neighbor lady said they use to come all the time. They flocked to the trees in front yard, on their way South.

We had Direct TV installed in house on 3 TV's and will be taking them all 3 boxes with us. We have 3 TV's in our RV (front room, bedroom and belly) The guy that came to connect them was a real jerk and know it all, couldn't wait to have him leave. He even said he couldn't program the remote to work with our one tv as it was not listed, I checked after he as gone, and it was there so programed it myself. Anyway, it is done and now it is getting everything ready to hook up in RV, I also got some digital boxes to use when we are using attenna only, got them hooked up ok, and working good.

We are somewhat Hawkeye fans, and my daughter and her hubby (Sandra and Brian) are Iowa State (Cyclone) fans. My hubby made a bet with Brian for looser to take the winners out to the Texas Road House for dinner. Guess what, the HAWKEYE's won so we get dinner. Maybe next year Sandra and Brian.

I will try harder to post here more often for any of you that are reading this. Till then, safe travels........and.............Happy Trails.

Not much news to write about as Stanwood, Iowa is not a jumping community. We did go into Lisbon Saturday night and listened to son-in-law sing in the band he is in. He really does a great job and even tho it was not are kind of music, we really enjoyed it. Oh, and it was so nice to be in a smoke free bar. Didn't have that stale smoke smell when you got home and didn't have to breath all that smoke all night.

Roger is finishing up the siding job. He has made it all the way around the mobile home and is front side now. He has enough of his free siding to go to front door. Next summer he will have to order enough to finish from the door to other end, only one window there, so it should go smooth. He took out the outside door that was in my office, we didn't use it and no steps in front of it. Don't worry we had put a door in back side of home when we moved in here, so we are still up to code and have two outside doors.

I am keeping up on all the blogs I read and visiting all the places with the blogs that we don't get to go see. Sure wish it was us out there visiting some of those places. But for now, will have to read about it. The walking is going good, still getting out there every morning and doing about 40 minutes. I am still waiting for the feeling that I am feeling better and I "want " to get out there. Sure hope it comes soon, it is so hard to get up and get ready without talking myself out of it. Now instead of telling myself "I am walking to loose weight" I am saying, "I am walking to keep myself healthy and from getting stiff", hope that helps and the weight thing just doesn't work and I never get there. LOL.

I don't think anyone is reading this blog, so guess it is for my benefit to keep account of what I am doing. I you are reading this..............Happy Trails

Happy Anniversary

It is hard to believe, Roger and I have now been married for 22 years. Gosh, how the time flies, it sure doesn't feel like that long. Got phone calls from all three of my daughters and Roger's daughter told him a "Happy" but nothing from Matt and Heather. Right now we are at daughter Sandra's house for an Anniversary dinner. Good to get away from home for the day, and visit with them.

I don't have much other news, the toe is healing and I am back to walking every morning. I am now doing a longer walk. I also got all my sun cathers done and packed for going to Texas. Sure have a lot of them made up, hope I can get some of them sold. Now I am going to start working on getting my list going of things to do and things to pack. Time just seems to slip up on one, even tho you are retired and have all the time, it still slips by.

Till later...............Happy Trails

Ouch, In grown toe nail

I have had an ingrown toe nail for over a year, decided to get something done about it. Went to foot Dr. on Wednesday. He took care of it, so now I am doctoring a sore toe. Haven't gotten back to my morning walks yet, seems every time I put on a shoe, the toe starts to bleed again. Thought I would give it a few days to heal before doing the walking again. I would post a photo of toe, but don't really think you want to see it.

Not much of anything else happening around here. Roger is still waiting for his corners to come into Menards so he can get back to working on the siding. I have been taking it easy (because of toe) so have been working on computer and stringing beads to make my beaded sun catchers. I do attact some of the house work, but other then that it is slow around here. Till later................

Drive safe, save gas and Happy Trails

Family Reuion

We made a one day trip to Clear Lake for a family reuion with Roger's family. Note: I don't have any family around for get togethers like this. It is a 3 hour drive up there and 3 hours back, so it was a very long drive, but we did not want to take the motor home that far.........price of gas you know. I took a few pictures and I am going to try to put these in here ...........remember I am still learning.

We took Keota in and had him groomed, doesn't he look nice. She didn't cut it as short as we like, I guess that is there way of getting you to come back sooner. But he did get all the other nessisary things done, nails, ears, etc. (don't ask what the etc. is......you don't want to know).

Roger is still working on the siding, it is really hot out today, so he has been staying inside. Me, I am still working on my lap top, learning all the new cool things. I did decide I need more RAM so am going to work on getting that done. I also have not started with the Google Earth I want to download and play around with that. I really need to get a few suncatchers made today, decided to make them all up while home this summer and take them with me to Texas. I have a table at our park when they have their craft sales every month. I sell (or try to) my suncatchers and some of the small crocheted items I make. Not much, just a little extra spending cash.

Drive Safe...........Happy Trails

Still learning

I'm sending this again, as my link did not work, I hope I have it fixed now.


Ok, I am going to play with this to see what happens when I load a photo. This one is the siding job that my hubby and his brother are working on. I had to tease them that it looked like they got the siding from one of those houses in Cedar Rapids that had gone thru the flood. Truth is Roger got it from some guy in Iowa City last summer and it has been sitting in a pile outside all winter...........guess what it is a little dirty.

Here is hubby Roger on swing and his brother Larry resting on our deck. They have been putting siding on house. Notice our dog, Keota is resting too. LOL

This is going to take some getting use to. One has to put the last photo on first is telling a story as they are always posted to the top of the page. I did cut and copy my information i typed and put it above the photo.

I have spent many hours watching vidios from a web site I learned about while at the Safari and FMCA rallies. The couple travel in their RV and give siminars on different subjects. You can check them out here and see for yourself what I have been doing. I am so excited about all this knowledge............hehehe. I have downloaded Picasa to edit my photos (free from google) and downloaded Photo Story 3 (free from Micosoft) I still want to learn Google Earth but think I should learn some of this stuff first. This blog will give me a place to try some of this new stuff I am learning. Let me know what you think????

Till later..............Happy Trails

Home Again

We left St.Paul (rally) yesterday morning about 8:30, took us over a half hour to make it to I-94 as it was bumper to bumper motor homes all the way and that was two lanes. Wow was I glad to hit the interstate. We made a few stops on way home, stopped in Clear Lake to get fuel, but it was really high so didn't fill it up. Didn't stop to see brother in law, Larry as they are in OK. Then we had to stop in Janesville to get banana. That sounds wird, but they have good ones and they are cheeper than at the store. Next stop was Flying J in Evensdale for fuel, topped it off. We stopped at Walmart in Marion for food and then at Sqaw Creek Park to empty holding tank. Got home at 6pm. It was a light rain while we were unloading the RV, but most of everything we needed unloaded.

I spent today getting caught up on laundry and putting things away and of course on the internet. It isn't really a very interesting blog, but such is life. One has to do what one has to do. LOL. Keota seems happy to be home, now to find time to give him a bath and hair cut....or maybe I will try to find a groomer that can take him.

Till later.........drive safe.........and...............Happy Trails

Last day at rally

Not alot happening today, to tell you the truth, it was a wind down day for us. Rog did go over to vendors and bought a few more things. Went to the Safari happy hour and watched them sell the remaining pop and booz they had in truck. Fun to watch everyone gobble up the bargins.

Dawn called me today, she didn't know we were gone. Talked to her about them getting back into their house in Palo. The whole town had water, she said only about 20 families living in town right now........almost like a gost town. For those of you that don't know..........Palo is just outside Cedar Rapids and got hit hard like CR did. I drove bus with Dawn as well as trained school bus drivers with her. She said one of the CR schools will not be opening this year and it is a mess trying to find out where all the families are that were affected by the flood. Transportation has to know this so they can get those kids on bus routes for this coming school year that starts in about a month. Makes me glad I am retired...........as it sounds like it is going to be a mess.

We are leaving tomorrow for home........there are some 3000 of us leaving so the it should be fun getting out of here. I haven't figured out a route yet, but don't think that a problem. Will be making a stop at Wally World to pick up supplies for home as well as stopping to dump holding tanks. Keota is going to be happy to get home, think he is tired of being left in motor home during the day. He needs a bath and another hair cut..........so guess that is at the top of my 'to do's.'

Speaking of 'to do's', I was showed how to modify T shirts so I am really looking forward to trying it when I get home. Can't believe how fast this summer has gone. It won't be long before we will be making plans for our trip to Texas.

Once again, safe travels and Happy Trails to all of you.

Shopping day at rally

It is Wed. and only one day left of rally. Spent the day going thru the displays and yes even buying a few things. Roger got a new sewer hose...........doesn't that sound thrilling????? I got a vacume system to put in RV, comes with 40 foot hose and wow the suction. Can't wait to get it mounted and use it..........Rog says when we get home. I also bought some new sheets for the RV, 400 count and deep poctets......only $20, can't get them for that at Wally world.

We had to put Keota in the bedroom with air on and block the bathroom door as the service men were coming today. He sure didn't like it. But by afternoon, while we were home, they came. First the Care Free man to fix an awning, then Monaco came to fix the drivers seat. They couldn't fix it, have to order a part...........the front/back motor. Then the honey wagon came.........for those of you that don't know what a honey wagon is, they empty your holding tanks for you...........so you can feel them again. LOL.

We had just gotten home from our morning of rally shopping and got a phone call from our new friends Lee and Pat whom we met at the Safari rally in Amana and parked next to them at the next Safari rally at Prior Lake. After walking Keota and getting him ready for another couple hours locked in the bedroom, we were off to meet them and did some more walking thru the displays. Then stopped for a bite of lunch. Lee and Pat were going on a bus tour so had to leave, we headed over towards the Information area and what did we find, some resort display was giving away FREE food. Wow..............what a find. Had punch..........pie, cookies and fruit. Pretty good topping for the lunch we had. Boy were my feet tired after all the walking today, so we headed back to RV and I spent the evening relaxing with my feet up. Rog went to evening program then we went to get milk and 3 jugs of water. Doesn't that sound exciting. Wish we were more interesting, but that is our life. Till later.............Drive safe,,,,,,,Happy Trails

Hot here today

We are still at the FMCA rally and wow is it hot. Roger had signed up for tecks to come fix the drivers seat on RV. It stopped moving forward and backwards when we left the Amana's. It is hard to drive as seat is forward and hard to get your feet on peddles. We worked our semainars today so one of us would be here when they came. The problem is our dear spoiled dog, Keota. They say they will come it to fix things as long as dog is in kennel or locked in other room. We could of put him in bedroom and shut the door, but was affraid he would scratch the bathroom door up trying to get out when he heard someone. Roger checked around 2pm and tecks said it would be tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning. After all day messing up our day today. Anyway, I think if we leave air condition on in bedroom, put a small chest in front of inside of bathroom door, then shut door, it may work. Hate to spoil another day. As it is, we went and got new batteries for his bark collar so he wouldn't bother others. Sometimes, he is worse then having a kid, but we LOVE HIM.

I had offered to help out with the Safari International table this afternoon. Just answer questions and talk about the club. Not much traffic there so Roger and I didn't have much to do, it was only for 2 hours so not that bad. I also went to a craft this morning, made a "grandmother's bracelet", it went pretty well and I will wear it, but all 13 grandkids stones and Roger's and mine on it with small butterflies between each one. Guess the day wasn't a total waste.

Drive safe, save gas and Happy Trails to all.

Getting Started

Hi, I am in St. Paul at an FMCA rally. I went to a seminar today on how to create a blog and here I am. Not sure what I will be writing about, but a good start.

We have been gone from home since July 1st when we took off to go to Safari rally at the Amana's. Had a great time there, met some great people and had some great food and fun. We left there on the 5th and drove to Clear Lake and spent two nights and visit with Roger's brother Larry and his wife Sharon. Couldn't get into the State Park due to July 4th holiday so went to private campground. We got the last site, wasn't great.......but for short notice, not too bad. Besides we spent most of our time at Larry's house.

On Monday the 7th we headed North to Prior Lake, MN for another Safari rally. Yes you guessed it, more great food, new friends and lots of fun. On Sat, there were 44 RV's headed in a caravan to the fair grounds here at St. Paul. Now it is seminars, get a few things fixed on RV, I am going to do a craft tomorrow and more seminars, entertainment and shopping. I am riding my 3 wheeler around and getting a lot of comments on it. Seems everyone I meet wants to know where to get one. Trailmate should give me a commission for selling them. LOL.

Drive safe, save fuel and Happy Trails to all.