Upgrades and Fish fry

I had to go back on read my last blog to know what I wrote about last time, guess that means it has been too long.

This Family Tree Maker is keeping me on the computer and busy. I haven't even done any crafts since we got back from California. I had put all the family info in the program in one tree and then decided to split it up with my family in one tree, Seaton (x-husbands) family in another and Shook (Roger's) in another tree. I find it so interesting to be finding old pictures, census records, draft cards, etc. from Ancestry.com. I also have been saving all the prof I find and loading it to tree and making copies to save and print up. Found some information on my x's (Mike Seaton) 4th great grandfather. He was taken prisoner in 1776 by the British and on Jan. 20th, 1777 he died on a British Prisoner ship in New York harbor. It is these kinds of things that makes history so exciting. Also found one of my greats (can't remember how many) helped with the underground railroad. Another one was in the civil war. I am still having problems tracing some of them to their mother countries. What with all the name changes and spellings, it gets confusing.

The middle of Jan we moved our motor home (RV) into storage as our friends Dick and Darlene were expecting company and they were using their RV spot for one cousin and needed our RV spot for another cousin. We had Ron and Sharon Faught from Mason City in our driveway for about 6 weeks. While here, Tom helped Roger put in a new sidewalk connecting the driveway with the shed in back. Sure glad Tom offered to help........thanks Tom.

From Fish Fry

We also had a fish fry on our deck in February and had 12 people here eating fish, fries, coleslaw, fruit salad, potato salad, popcorn, pies, cake...............lots and lots of food. Speaking of lots of food, we also had a Super Bowl party at our place.............we were the only ones with a big screen TV. We had so much food left over from that, had to give some of it away.

After Sharon and Tom left to head to Florida, we called the painter and got some paint to paint outside of our mobile home. It was a "John Deer" green and I just hated it. It is now a nice grey to match the grey trim we had on shed. It sure looks a lot nicer. Along with the improvements we have been making, we decided it was time to finish off the kitchen and get the new microwave/convention oven for over the range. It finally got here and we picked it up this past Thursday and Dick and Roger installed it yesterday. I JUST LOVE IT. Now the kitchen is finished and the only thing left is I plan on doing some painting next summer or fall when we get back down here. Roger is planning on tearing the Texas room (sun room) apart and taking down all the old brittle paneling and popcorn ceiling. Will then insulate and put up dry wall. It should be cooler in there, don't think it has any insulation right now.

From RV.net party and New place

From Fish Fry

That pretty well brings us up to date, I do want to add a touch of Spring, Roger brought 2 rose bushes home from Kim's in California and our friend MaryAnn gave him. See...............Spring is coming.

From Fish Fry

Forgot the other news.........................Roger is now learning the computer. He hasn't been getting on it each day, but he is trying and that means a lot to me. One step at a time. Won't be long and he will have his own email address on maybe even on face book. :)

Christmas in California and 2011

I don't know why I have such a hard time coming up with things to write about on this blog. Some of it is just that I don't get around to it.
I am in California for Christmas. You notice, I didn't say SUNNY California. That is because it has been raining for days and will continue to rain for more and more days. Can't wait to get back to SUNNY TEXAS. We drove out here last week and are staying with my daughter Kim and her son, Zeppelin. She got a new house last spring and has been fixing it up. It really looks nice and she is doing a great job. She has three bedrooms, 2 baths, living room, office, family room and kitchen. The kitchen was already redone so she didn't have to worry about that expense. The living room is still in the dry wall stage. She scraped off all the popcorn ceiling and painted everything. Also put in all new floors. She went after her Christmas tree yesterday and due to the rain, it had to sit in garage to dry off before bringing it inside. It isn't decorated yet, I was going to do it for her, but she told her son if he did it, she would redo it after he went to bed. Guess that means, she wants to do it her own way.
We have been using our GPS a lot out here. This is the most we have used it since we got it 5 years ago. Sure is nice to set it and let it do all the work. The traffic is terrible, sure glad we don't have to drive in it all the time.
I have two cousins that live around this area and plan on going to see them. Sally, from my mom's side of family lives in Lake Elsinore and Patti from my dad's side lives the next town to the south. I got a hold of Patti and plan on going to see her on Wednesday afternoon. Tried the phone number I had for Sally and it was disconnected. Don't know if I copied it down right. Anyway, thought I would stop by and see if she is home, if not, leave a note. I got to see Sally in 2002 when we came out here. Patti, I haven't seen since sometime in the 50's. Boy, that is a long time. Going to take the camera and get some pictures for sure. Patti has been working on family tree so we will have a lot to talk about.
We did make it to the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage over the weekend. We were going to go to a flea market, but due to all the rain, it was canceled, so the museum was close by and dry. It was nice, but not like we expected. Think we were expecting more on Gene Aurty.
Last night we went to a Christmas show, the All American Boy's Choir. They were very good and it did help to take ones mine off the rain and get you in the Christmas spirit. It was a long drive there and back, but using Kim as our chauffeur and she does a great job.

Okay, we are now back from our California trip. Came home between Christmas and New Years. It is good to get back home. We did get down to visit with my two cousins and so glad we did. Had a great visit with Patti and she told me things about my father's family and my father that I didn't know. Hope to stay in touch with her and learn more. Took Kim and Zeppelin with us to go see Sally and her hubby Winston. Had a nice visit, they do a lot of traveling so we had a lot to talk about. Fun listening to others adventures.

Had a very nice Christmas with Kim and Zeppelin. Got a Family Tree Maker program for my computer with a 3 month membership to Ancestry.com so I have been busy with that. I have found some interesting things and hope to find more. Patti was telling me about my dad's side of family and I didn't have any information on them. Didn't get any from Patti, but with Ancestry.com I traced them back to Jamestown, Va in 1650.

Now for a few pictures to share with you. Remember they are all on my "web albums" and you can click on link under picture or on picture itself to take you to the whole album. I don't post them all........too many of them.

From Christmas 2010

This is your place in Mission, yes we did get up a tree and decorated before we left.

From Christmas 2010

This is daughter, Kim's house in California

From Christmas 2010

Cousin Patti and myself with her grandson, Peter.

From Christmas 2010

My cousin Sally her hubby Winston with Roger and myself.

From Christmas 2010

Daughter, Kim and her son Zeppelin.

Hope every had a great Christmas and got a good start to 2011. We are making our plans for this next year and working around the place to get it the way we want. Busy with park activities and running around with our friends.

Roger got a book for Christmas called "Don't Whiz on a 'Lectric Fence" I am going to use one of the passages from that book for my closing. hehehehe

"Don't name a pig you plan to eat"

And Life Goes On

I read a number of blogs each day, and after coming across most of them with no updates, I got to thinking I need to update my blog. I am not sure what I am going to write about. We are still in Mission and taking one day at a time. Still having hot and humid weather, but we stay inside during the day, so not to bad. We do make it to the pool on some days. Try to go in the late afternoons as there is a canape over one end of the pool and it provides some good shade. I don't like being in the sun, so found this the best time to go.
The park has pot lucks twice a month and they go out to pizza one time a month. The pizza is not a great place, but good to get out and visit with others. Pizza place is called "Peter Piper" and it is cheep pizza and one of those places with games for the kids.
As many of you know, my grand daughter, Emily wanted a zebra afghan for her graduation next May. I did get it finished and I am really pleased the way it turned out. Just hope Emily will like it. Here is a finished picture of it.

From Life in the RGV

I did get a few days off from working on afghan, I was asked to make four cross stitch bookmarks. They were name ones and I had to do them before our neighbors left to go back to Iowa. Got all four done in 3 1/2 days. Soon as afghan is done, I am going to have to find a new project to work on. Been thinking about starting to make baby afghans and hats for the babies in hospital. I just need something to keep me busy while watching TV.

Before we left Mission last spring, I was walking every morning for an hour and was hoping to get back to it again. Due to a heal spear, I haven't been able to do that. I finally went to the Foot DR and was told to stay off it, wear a special boot at night that would stretch the cord in foot, take Aleve twice a day, get new inserts for shoes from sports store, and finally get new shoes. I have done all that and I am still having problems. Dr. told me I could start walking short 10 minutes walk, but every time I try it, I am back to heal pain. He had told me if it hurts stay off it, so I have been spending a lot of time doing just that. That only means one thing...........more craft projects.

I did go to a garage sale here in park and bought three x stitch kits and I am now working on one of those. I thought I would buy it so I would have something to take in the RV during the summer. Anyway.......having fun working on it right now.

Roger seems to keep busy finding small projects to work on around our place here. I keep thinking there isn't anything else he could find to do.......but he seems to find something. We did have a car port put up to park our car under and it sure is nice to have it out of the HOT sun. Should help keep it looking nice too. Being as Roger's dad was a farmer, I think he has some farmer blood in him, he always wants to have a garden. Once again he has fixed a small area in yard to have one here. It is not very big, but he wants a few tomato plants and pepper plants. I guess the yard is his..............so go for it Roger.

Our friends from PA wanted to buy a place down here, they looked around when they were here last winter and we told them about a place here in the park that was for sale. They asked us to go over and take pictures and I did that then emailed them to them. Next, we were asked to go look at it and take more pictures. Did that too, and emailed them. They ended up buying the place. I am excited that they are going to be close to us and looking forward to them arriving any day now. It is about 3 blocks from us. This park is one that you own the land as well as your home and like us, they will have a place to park there RV.

The park activities will be start in full winter mode starting in November. That means lots of jam sessions, craft sales, dances and entertainment. All the parks list their activities in a paper called the "Winter Texan" and it goes out to all the parks for everyone to pick up a copy free. Then you can go to what ever activity you want, you are not limited to just your parks activities.

We are planning a trip to California over Thanksgiving. Daughter Kimberly has bought a new house and wants us to come see it. We haven't been out there since 2005 when grandson Danny graduated. We are not taking the RV, just our Saturn Vue and staying in motels. Will be a little different for us.

Till later, life is good here in the Texas.

Improvements

As many of you know, I have started making afghans for the grand kids when they graduate, so while in Iowa I asked Emily what color she wanted. I had intended on making her one with same pattern I had made the rest. That was doing it with co-hooking..........a new technique I had learned a few years ago while here in Texas. Emily decided she wanted a Zebra afghan, not having a pattern for this, I went on the Internet and found a site what had pictures of one, I copied that picture then printed it on graph paper. To make it large enough for afghan size, I had to print 4 sheets and reverse two of them to match up the stripes. After doing this, I decided I couldn't see the graph squares where the black part was, so now I outlined all of the design on one sheet and then very carefully square by square drew it out on another piece of graph paper. Now I have the pattern on something I can read. I highlighted the part that was to be black and proceeded to count all the squares so I would know how many stitches of each color. Graphs are hard to read when working on them, so my next step was to write out the directions, one row at a time. The Internet site said I could carry my yarn across my work, I tried this for a couple rows and didn't like the looks of it. I was seeing white thread, behind the black stitches and black yarn behind the white. I ripped that all out and started over, this time I rolled the yarn in balls and I am now changing colors every time the pattern calls for it. Needless to say, at this point (I am about 1/4 of the way done) I am carrying 29 balls of yarn for each row. It is a challenge and as many of you know, I am up to a challenge. Besides, what do I have besides time. I have worked out a system, with two baskets to put the balls in. I put the ones I will be crocheting with in basket between my legs while sitting in recliner, I crochet across and as I finish with a color, that ball goes into a basket off to my right. When I finish the row, I switch the baskets around, putting the full one on chair in front of me and empty one to my right. Now I have to flip my work (afghan) over with out tangling the yarn. Here are a few pictures.

From 08 August

From 08 August

Roger has been busy too. We had talked about getting a carport for some time. He ordered one and it came the other night and was put up in about 45 minutes. It is 12 x 21 and sites on our driveway off alley. Now the car will sit under it and be much cooler when we need to use it. Things get pretty hot down here. He also paid extra to get the height he wanted. Standard was 5 foot on sides and he got 7 foot. That makes the peek 9 foot.

From 08 August

From 08 August

From 08 August

The next night we had two more workers here, Roger decided we needed some sun screens installed on windows in Texas room (sun porch) so ordered them and the 2 guys came to install them. He got a special deal to do the whole mobile home, so we now have new sun screens on mobile home. Check out the before and after pictures.

From 08 August

From 08 August

So what do you think ? We can see out, but you can't see in from the outside. Now we will see if it improves our electric bill. It is suppose to.

Our good friends that we met from RV.net that come down here in winter, just called me tonight and told me they bought a place in our park. I am so excited, we sure will enjoy having them so close and hanging out with them. Way to go Mary Ann and Larry, congratulations on your new place.

Roger and I will be celebrating our anniversary on Monday and since the park is going to Peter Piper Pizza, guess that is what we are going to do. I don't really consider that a anniversary dinner, but at least we will be with others. Till later, stay cool.

To view the rest of this album and my others click on the blue leak under pictures.

Back in Mission now.

Boy it has been awhile since I posted on here. What can I say, I have been mega busy. After looking over my last blog to see where I left off, I guess the best place to start is our camp out with family at West Overlook. We had reserved spots and a good thing we did as the lower area were we usually park was flooded. Met Roger's brother Larry and wife Sharon along with son Matt and wife Heather there. On Tuesday the night we arrived, grandson Marcus came over and told us his mom (Heather) had been bitten by their dog. To make a long story short, she had been trying to separate her two dogs and one of them bit her on knee cap when going after the other dog. I took her to hospital, and after xrays, they decided she needed surgery to clean out as he had bit her on knee cap and it had caused air to get under it, thus infection. Heather ended up staying in hospital till Sunday afternoon. She was going to help us drive to Texas and Doctors said she couldn't. She is still undergoing treatment and having some problems, but hope she mend soon and can return to the things she loves to do.

From 07 July

While camping at West Overlook, we had a RV service guy come out and look at our TV antenna and our toilet. After the full week of waiting we got a new TV antenna and a new toilet. We also got a nice hefty bill, think the guy got over paid for his service. But you learn, he was recommended to us by a guy that was camped across from us, we won't be calling him again.

We left West Overlook on the 13th of July and headed back to Morgan Creek campground in Cedar Rapids. The rest of the week went very fast, as before going to Morgan Creek, we went to Battery Plus to get new batteries in RV. Roger wanted to replace our 4 batteries for 3 and so they took out the old batteries, then after awhile told us they couldn't do it, so were going to put 4 batteries in like the 4 we had. Low and behold, they didn't have any, so they had to put the old ones back in. Roger new we were in trouble when the guy said, he should of made a diagram of how they were hooked up. He hooked them up and then it was my turn to drive to campground. Well, the step would not go in, so Roger called them back outside and they checked the connections and said it was right. Okay, I drove to campground with step out. After getting to campground we hooked up to the 50amp and turned on the air. All of a sudden the overload light came on so unplugged the electric and unhooked the batteries. Now what to do, we ran and extension cord from back of RV ref. to electric on pole, packed some things and went to daughter Sandra's house to spend the night. Next morning, Roger went over to RV and found the ref not working at all, so he pulled out what he could and brought it back to Sandy's to stash in her ref and freezer. The guy from Batteries Plus called a little later and we took RV over to get it fixed. He said he looked it up on line and found out he could hook up the 3 batteries so that is what they did. Everything working fine now, but all could of been avoided if they had done it right to begin with.

On Saturday the 17th we picked up the truck and went to Stanwood to load all our things we had in storage. Granddaughter Emily went with us and with her and Matt and Marcus' help we got it loaded in about an hour and a half. I must say, glad we ended up getting a 16 foot truck as we needed the extra space. We didn't load it to the top, but all the floor space was used up. We left on Sunday morning for Texas with Sandra going with us to help with the driving. We were planning on her being a relief driver, but she ended up driving the truck all the way by herself and Roger and I driving the RV. It took us 3 days on the road with 2 overnight stays. It sure was good to have all the help we had, both in loading and the driving.

We are now in Mission and still organizing things. It would of been so easy if we were just moving our things into an empty place, but we bought this place furnished so it is what to keep and what to get rid of. We now have a pile on our deck of stuff for a deck sale and still sorting things. I do have the the house pretty well done, a few boxes left in my craft (extra bedroom) room, but it is looking good. Now what to do with all the stuff on the deck, hoping to make room in small shed for it till sale.

While Sandra was here for a week, we got to take her to some of the things she wanted to see. Made a day trip to South Padre Island. It was up in air if we were going to make it to Mexico. They have some flooding here and the road going there was closed. She was to leave on Tuesday the 27th so on Monday after checking on the Internet for road closings, we took off for Mexico. The DOT didn't have it that road listed as being closed, but it was. We then decided to go the the outlet mall. While at the mall we talked to a clerk who gave us information on another route to take to get to Mexico. Off we went after stopping for lunch and spent the afternoon shopping in Mexico. She had a good time and we got back to the car just as a big rain storm was about to hit. We sure enjoyed having Sandy here, it means so much to me to have her come and see where we are living and share with her some of our life here. I am not sure if she enjoyed going to the park potluck and eating with all the seniors. LOL We miss her already, but life must go on.

Roger got me a gift card for my birthday in June for a new dishwasher and while Sandy was here we went and picked it out. It came in and Roger and Dick went to get it, so thanks to Sandy's suggestion, we decided to move the lower cabinets to other side of kitchen and put the dishwasher by sink. Roger and Dick worked on it one day and tore my kitchen apart, but it was all for a good cause, and I love the new dishwasher. Here are some pictures to help explain it all. Be sure to go to my web album to view all the pictures. Click on picture.

From 07 July

We have built ins in the bedroom and the one on the end has no door so it was hard to put anything in it and I wanted it shortened so I could put our hall tree in corner. Once again, Dick to the rescue and he cut it and I now have a place for hall tree. Thank you Dick for all your help.

Guess that pretty well brings us up to date. We will be working around here to get things settled. We only work in early mornings and evenings due to heat. We are planning a trip to California to visit with daughter Kim, but no date as of yet. Everyone keep cool and have a good summer.

Surprise

Not sure how to title this entry, will have to think about it as I am posting this.

The 1st was Sandy (daughter) and Brian's 10th anniversary so we went out to eat with them. They wanted to go to Granite City, so off we went. I can't say we were over impressed with the food and it was high priced. Don't think we will plan on returning there very often. Sandy saved leftovers in a take out container to take home for Brian's lunch the next day.........and wouldn't you know, we walked out and forgot it. Poor Brain had to buy his lunch the next day. Anyway, Happy 10th Anniversary Sandy and Brian.

We hadn't had a visit with two of our grandkids yet, Aj and Mariah (Matt's two children), so on the 3rd we invited them to our campground to have a cookout. Joining us were Sandy, Brian with daughter Emily as well as Roger's daughter Jenny and her 2 daughters, Maggie and Heidi. We sure had a good time, had some yard games going and Emily brought a new card game along so some of them played that. We were very lucky as the rain stayed away that day and didn't make an appearance till the 4th............wouldn't you know it.

From Morgan Creek Camping

The 4th found Roger and I spending the day alone in the RV. Nothing exciting mind you, a little tv and then watched the fireworks in NYC on the blube tube.

Monday I took off and went to do some laundry, we were headed to West Overlook so wanted to get it done before we left. By afternoon, we were once again just passing time...............retired folks do a lot of that. About 3:30 I received a phone call and low and behold it was Dale and Terry Pace. They winter in Mission and we met them with some other people at an eat out with the RV.net group. That was 3 years ago and we have been friends since. I had just been reading Dale's blog earlier in the day and she stated they were headed to SD from Indiana, so I told her I would wave to her as they passed thru Iowa. It happened that they were spending the night at West Overlook, outside Iowa City. We were going to be headed down there the next day to do some camping with family. We decided to drive down and have a quick visit with them. After picking them up at campground we drove into Iowa City and took them to Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack. They seemed to enjoy the meal and we sure had a great time visiting with them. Upon returning them to there RV, we found son Matt and wife Heather setting up their pop up, so stopped and chatted with them.

While heading to West Overlook last night to pick up Dale and Terry, I was stopped in North Liberty by the town cop. At first I thought maybe he thought I was speeding, I might of been just a tab over, but no, he said my windows were tinted to dark. He got out his little meter and checked, it showed 70% and he said state of Iowa only lets you have 30%. He said I would have to have my front windows scraped, gave me a warning. I asked how much a ticket was if he were to give me one, $90. Not sure I want a ticket, but sure don't want to scrape the tinting off my windows either. We need that extra protection in the south. Have to give it some thought. I was thinking maybe I could just roll down the front windows every time I see a cop, or at least when I go thru North Liberty. He did say as long as we have Iowa plates it would be that way, if we had TX plates it wouldn't be a problem, he wouldn't stop us then. Oh well, you can't win them all.

We will be camping with family for this week and then back to Cedar Rapids and Morgan Creek campground. On the 17th we are picking up a 16 foot truck and taking it to Stanwood and loading our things in storage. We will leave the truck there and back to campground for one last night. Leaving on the 18th for Mission. My daughter Sandy and our daughter-in-law Heather are going to help us drive the truck and RV to Texas. Sandy said no way will she drive the RV but Heather has no problem with it as she drives school bus. Roger and I could of done it by ourselves, but neither one of us really like driving long distances and besides it will be more fun with the girls along. We have been teasing Roger about traveling with 3 women, he said he would just get in truck, lock the doors and be by himself.

Till next time, happy trails.

June ......... Birthdays and Weddings

June is the month for weddings, we all know this, but for me it has always been a month of birthdays also. At least, my birthday. This one was one of those milestone ones. This is the year I start on Medicare. Boy...........that makes me feel old. Some say you get that feeling when you become a grandparent or hit the magic over the hill age. Not me, Medicare did it for me. Maybe it is all the ace and pains that I am getting along with it. LOL. Hopefully, I won't have to use the Medicare very much.

I knew my DH (Dear Husband) was up to something along with my DD (Dear Daughter) as she kept calling him on his cell phone and he would take off around corner to talk in private. What it was, I was not sure, but I knew they were planning something and who am I to spoil their surprise. Yes, they were planning a surprise party and it was fun to have everyone gather to help me celebrate my birthday. To start things off, I had a surprise visit at campground from my friend Dawn on the 10th. I didn't know it then, but she was invited to the party but was leaving on a vacation the next day, so couldn't make it. We had a nice visit and she brought me a plant and some balloons. Thanks Dawn.

From Alicia's Birthday

My birthdays use to always start with a phone call from my mother, very early in the morning. I was born at 8am sharp, and mom always reminded me of it with a phone call on that day. Now I get calls from my three daughters. All three live in different time zones, so first it was Sandy(central zone), then Janis (mountain zone) and then Kim (pacific zone). It was so good to get their calls, means alot to me. Next Roger took me out to lunch, he had called Sandy to join us, but she called and said she was too busy and had too much to do. Another reason to believe something was up. She had called he a few days before asking me to supper at her place, so she was busy cooking (sure). Anyway, Roger felt guilty for her doing all the work, so he took me back to campground and said he was going to stop to see if he can help Sandy with potato salad. Ended up she was done, so he went to get hair cut. That was ok, as I had a nice quite afternoon alone at RV. At 5:30 we went over to Sandy and Brian's, and surprise Jerry and Theresa were there waiting outside. I guess the real surprise to me was who they invited and getting to see everyone. Thanks Sandy and Brian and dear hubby Roger, it was a great birthday.

From Alicia's Birthday

Yesterday was the grand-daughters wedding. This is the first grandchild to get married. It started off as a very stormy day. Park ranger came by to tell us of bad storm coming. It came and was letting up when it was time to leave. We drove to Muscatine for the wedding and it was at the rose garden at Weed Park. (Sure hope that park was named after a person, and not because of weeds) LOL We were first to arrive as Sandy and grand-daughter Emily rode with us and Sandy was doing pictures for the wedding. Since it had just stormed, the roses were covered with rain drops and they were really pretty. We had 2 hours of picture taking then the wedding, so nice the storms stopped and the sun came out for the outdoor wedding. The only problem was the humidity and the sun. After have heat exhaustion a long time ago, I don't seem to do very good in heat or sun. Anyway, it was a very nice wedding and everyone looked so nice. After wedding everyone took off for the reception, which was a little drive out of town, but we found it. Fun was had buy all and the food was great.

From Elizabeth's Wedding

Here we are with the bride, Roger's grand-daughter Elizabeth. Be sure to click on the pictures to take you to the rest of them in my web albums.

We are camping at Squaw Creek Park, which is outskirts of Marion, IA and camping with Roger's brother Larry and wife Sharon and Roger's son and family will be joining us today. They already have their camper set up, just never made it back here after wedding. LOL It is Father's Day weekend, so will have a cookout and enjoy the family.

Till later, happy trails and enjoy your summer.