Woops

I never seem to have anything newsy to write about. We left Mission yesterday morning and drove to Georgetown, TX following our friends Dick and Darlene. We were headed for Canton for the first Monday flea market. We spent the night at a corp of eng. campground at Georgetown and due to the fact they did not have pull through, Dick and Darlene went to Walmart to camp. Ours was a nice quite night of camping for $9 and theirs was free but bright lights and noisy.

From Leaving Mission

We met up at Walmart in the morning and proceeded up I-35 with us flowing them again. Before we made it to our turn off at Waco, Roger found himself trying to change lanes as the lane he was in was ending. He checked his side mirror but didn't see the van next to him. Yes...........he hit it. Not a whole lot of damage, some scratches on the van and a few on our motor home, but Rog wiped them off the motor home. The front fender was a little loose, but nothing major and he fixed it till we get back to Iowa. Here is the damage to the van.

From Leaving Mission

We will be doing flea market for the next 2 days, they are talking of rain..........sure hope it doesn't. Leaving Canton on Saturday morning and will try to make it to Witchita that night. Then on Sunday hope to make it to Des Moines and spend the night camping with Roger's brother at Sailorville Lake.

Happy Birthday, Roger

Where has the winter gone. Here it is middle of April and we are getting things ready for our trip north. So much has happened and time just seemed to fly by. True, we didn't have the best weather here this winter, but it was better then being in the cold up North. There is so much to do around here, if one wants to be busy. I can't say we are over active as we are not gulf players or shuffle board players, but we have kept busy. Buying a new place and moving again has seemed to have occupied most of our winter, but we had some fun also. With the great friends we have made here in the valley, we are blessed with fun and friendship.

Tomorrow is Roger's birthday....................guess I am making a trip to Home Depot to buy him an 8 foot step ladder. He keeps telling me that is what he wants, so guess that is what it will be. He kept telling me, he was going to wait and use his birthday money. Guess what.............no birthday money. We will be going to the parks club house for potluck supper tomorrow night. I am making a tater tot casserole and a watergate cake for him. It should be a nice birthday.

Well, the medical bills are rolling in from my stay in the hospital. So far they aren't as bad as I thought they would be. I am sure there will be more bills to come.

I have my list going of things I need to get done before we can leave, as well as a list of what needs to go back into the RV. We are trying to keep the load small this trip, in case we need the room when we bring our things from storage unit back here. I have gone through RV and taken out a bunch of stuff and I am not taking much for crafts with me. Will be packing it next week. We will be leaving here on Tuesday the 27th along with Dick and Darlene and will be headed for the First Monday Flea Market in Canton, TX. Not sure why it is called first Monday. It runs Thursday - Sunday before the first Monday of each month. We are only planning on staying till Sat. morning and then start towards Iowa. Have a city wide garage sale in Stanwood and we want to get rid of more of our things we have in storage, so will be partaking in it.

For now, hope to see many of you in a few weeks and for all our friends from RGV, counting the time till we will be back here. Happy Trails

Rio Grande Hospital

On the 20th, I was overcome in the afternoon with chest pain and it went all the way around into my back. About an hour after the pain started, I started vomiting and continued all afternoon. It was not a pretty site. About 5PM I called some friends here in the valley to find out where there was a 24hr. clinic I could go to. Those good friends, dropped everything they were doing and came over and drove Roger and I to the Rio Grande Hospital. It is so comforting to know that when it comes to it your friends are there for you. Thank-you Larry and MaryAnn.

I was taken into the emergency room right away and given an EKG, then before I knew it was having needles poked into both my arms. Now I am not an easy one to find the veins, and the guy on the left hand was trying to get an IV inserted (just in case it was needed) and the guy on the right was trying to draw blood. I told him, they usually go in at the back of my hand instead of arm, but he kept trying and I must say, digging around to find something. By this time, I was squealing at both of them. I am not saying screaming as I wasn't really screaming the way I define screaming. After the guy on the right decided he couldn't get anything, he sent in another gal to try. She told me he told her I was a screamer. I explained I had one on each side of me digging for a find and it was very painful.

After a number of EKG's and blood test, they decided my heart was okay and were trying to get me a room to spend the night. I had one ice chip while in Emergency room and did another vomit. I was very dehydrated by this time, as I had been hanging over bathroom bowl all afternoon. They did give me some morphine to easy the pain, after they decided it was not my heart. When the Dr came it to tell us the test on heart came in negative, Roger asked if it could be my gal bladder. He said "What makes you say that" After taking me to a room and getting me settled it, I once again was using the little bag they gave me in case I got sick again. When is this going to stop?

That night I was not hooked up to an IV for fluids and I couldn't keep anything down. I was given medication for pain, thru the IV needle, but that was all. In the middle of the night, I woke up and called the nurse because of pain, and she thought maybe I should try some soda crackers and 7up. I nibbled at the cracker and took about 5 sips of the 7 up and up it came. I called the nurse back to my room and she said then that it could be my gal bladder.

The next morning, I was taken to get alta sound on gal bladder and the teck told me he found stones and inflammation. This was on Sunday and guess what, I guess the surgeons do not work on weekends. I had to wait till Monday and then the gal bladder was removed. Dr. said the gal bladder was dead. Now for the recovery. I was released from hospital on Wednesday night and have been home taking it easy but still trying to keep moving now and then. The first night full day home, I walked to end of block and back and I am now walking around the block once a day. I still have pain in my rib area on right side, but at least I am able to now sleep on both sides at night and that is a big help.

My kids were great, all three of my daughters got together and sent me a lovely bouquet of flowers and they called me everyday and sometimes twice a day. My step daughter sent a card and called and step son called as well. Then there were my friends from the valley, Dick and Darlene came to see me a couple of time, Larry and MaryAnn, and Shirley and Bob who brought a lovely bouquet of yellow tulips. The computer club from Bentsen Grove sent me a nice card. There was even a phone call from one grandson and a close friend from Iowa. Wow, was that ever a pick up to know how much everyone cared. Thank-you all for helping me thru all this.

I must add something here about my experience in this hospital, I was treated well and most of the people were very nice. As a matter of fact, my nurse the first night was from Iowa and she said she was really happy to have me and be able to talk about Iowa. Then there were the two male nurses I had the night after my surgery, they were great, helped me out of bed, into bathroom and off the toilet. I told them they looked more like body guards then nurses and I have never had two big guy like that help me to potty before. LOL The food was nothing to brag about, but I was only on liquid diet for one day after surgery and solid food the day I went home, but I was not impressed. The thing that bothered me the most was the noise. If I didn't keep my room door closed I could hear all kind of loud talking outside the door. I mark this up to the fact that all the nurses have these computers they wheel around on tall carts and they would plug them into outlets in hall outside my door and stand there and chat between themselves. I was amazed they had these computers in hall working on things and not at a nurses station. The other odd thing we are not use to is all visitors are greeted in lobby and must have a pass to go to someones room for a visit and only 2 people at a time.

That brings you up to date on my gal bladder, I will be slowly getting stronger and be able to do more, but I don't want to over do it. I will also be seeing my family DR. in Cedar Rapids when I get back and bringing her up to date on my experience. Till later, everyone stay healthy and thanks again for all your support.

Brownsville - Zoo

On Tuesday, March 3rd, we met up with our good friends, Larry and MaryAnn and took off for a day trip to Brownsville and the Gladys Porter Zoo. This is really the first zoo that both Roger and I have visited. We had been to the small Bever Park Zoo in Cedar Rapids, but this was a first for both of us. This zoo is not a large one, but much larger then Bever Park. We made a day of it, following the zoo map and trying to see it all. We took many pictures and got to see everything we wanted except for the gorillas and the butterflies. I guess that will give us an excuse to make another trip in future years. It is not something I would want to visit every year.

From Trip to the Zoo

The zoo was packed with school kids and I must say..............after a while.........they were getting to me. I guess I just have a hard time dealing with noisy, rude kids. I thinks we counted some 12 school buses parked in lots at the zoo. That's a lot of kids.

After the zoo we set the GPS and headed for a place to eat. We were looking for a Chinese, but the GPS never did find it, took us to a Golden Corral, so that is where we ate. What a fun day to spend with good friends.

On our way down here last fall, we had some problems with a tire, never did get if fixed, so it was time to get new tires before heading north in a couple of months. We took the RV to Pharr and after spending the entire morning at tire shop...............we now have six new tires. Oh ya, that was also after some $1,581 and them telling us we need new rotor (sp) on each side. Now we have to find the parts and get that done before we leave. Boy, if it isn't one thing it is another. We will do it as SAFETY is the most important thing and when one has an older rig, you have to expect to spend money on upkeep.

Next Saturday I will be having my craft table again. I am hoping to do good, but one evers knows. It seems that people just are holding on to there money and don't want to spend it. Not sure if I will be doing a craft table next year. Time will tell.

I have been getting things ready for a yard sale here. After moving in to this new place, there are things that were left here, that we are going to sale. We were going to wait till we came back in the fall, but because we will be bring more things down (that is in storage), we need the room for it when it gets here. Plan on having the yard sale the 19th and 20th. We did sell one of the single beds we had, one more to go. We really want to get rid of the upright freezer that is sitting in the shed. Wish us luck.

Busy......Busy.......Busy

After returning from Corpus Cristy, the guy we bought our new place from, informed us they would be leaving and returning to Canada on the next Saturday. At least a week before we were expecting. We were so excited. On Saturday the (20th) we got up early and saw them off and then proceeded to go into house and look things over. We hadn't told our friends, Larry and MaryAnn that we were getting in early, and had invited them over for the afternoon. I think they were a little surprised to see us standing on the deck when they got here.

From RV.net party and New place

After moving some furniture around and checking on many different things, we got busy moving stuff over from the motor home and then the things we had packed and were in the shed. It was hard to decided where to put some things, but I think we are getting settled in now. Moving the furniture helped it to feel more like our place. We still don't have our pictures and other things set out as they are still in storage in Iowa, but we will get there. Please check out all the pictures on the web album to get a full tour of our new place.

Tuesday we went with Larry and MaryAnn to the RV.net party that is held here in the Rio Grande Valley. It was somewhat smaller this year as the organizer had an emergency and were out of town and the party had to be postponed till Feb. It was suppose to been in Jan. We had a great time, it is so good to see friends we have made in past years and meet new ones that are on the RV.net forums. We all had grilled hot dogs, chips, soda and Klondike bar. They then passed the microphone around and each couple got a chance to tell a little something about themselves along with there RV.net user name. Door prizes were given away and a group picture taken, it was then time for some more chit-chat and making more new friends.

From RV.net party and New place

On Thursday of last week, I called DirectTV to arrange for our move into house and have them come out and put up new dish. Roger decided he wanted to go the extra and get high definition. When calling I made all the arrangements and set up an appointment for Saturday afternoon. The installer came out, but..............he informed us he could not put the high definition dish on our metal roof. OH, we could pay an extra $100 to get a pole, dig a hole, pore cement and make sure it was completely plum then they would put it there. We told them "No Thank-you" I called DirectTV back that afternoon and arranged to have them come back and install a standard dish for our use. At least that is what I tried to do. After talking to the first lady, she insisted on having a tech guy call us back and see what the problem was. I think Roger must of talked to him for at least a half hour, at the end of that time, he connected me back up to costumer service to make an appointment for installation of the standard dish.

Now this gal got all my information, and then informed me they would call me back within 72 hours to make an appointment. Now wait a minute, I asked her why she didn't make the appointment as that is what they have done ever other time I have called. She said they would call me. This was Saturday, now what? Roger took the cables we had ran for satellite in the RV and ran them into house, we are using that now. Monday, I called costumer service back again, had to go through the whole thing again and set an appointment for Wednesday morning. A different guy showed up this morning and guess what, he like the first guy, had a work order for the High Def and didn't have a standard dish with him. He called someone with his phone, and talked to them, put me on the phone to talk to him and he set up another appointment for tomorrow afternoon. We are keeping our fingers crossed. When the guy calls before he comes, I am going to ask him about the order and if he doesn't have a standard dish, I am going to tell him to save the trip and boy is the #$%& going to hit the fan.

Till later, all our northern friends and family, stay warm and we will see you in the spring.

Corpus Cristy

Wow, where do I start........we were getting ready for a pot luck at our park on Thursday and received a phone call from Roger's brother, Larry. They were headed for Corpus Cristy and wanted to know if we wanted to meet them there the next day. I was suppose to have a table at craft sale in Bentsen Grove, but decided to call and cancel my table and we would head out to meet up with Larry and Sharon.

We took off Friday morning and them at a Denny's, ate lunch and decided which motel we would stay at. We spent sometime chatting and catching up, then went for a walk on beach. Got checked in later on (they didn't have our rooms clean, first time we stopped at motel). Went to a small shop by motel for supper and decided what we wanted to do the next day.

Friday night, Roger and I watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, or should I say, we tried to watch. We were both having a hard time trying to stay awake. Good thing I set the DVR to tape them while we were gone.

After breakfast this morning, we took off for the USS Lexington for a self guided tour. There are 5 different tour routes to take and we made two of them in a little over 3 hours. Wow....so much to see. One really gets a workout climbing up and down all the steps on board that air craft carrier. Roger took many pictures.............till while we were up on the flight deck, his battered died and guess what, he left the extra (charged) battery at the motel. After the tour we returned to motel for battery and continued on with our days journey. Be sure to check out all the photo's in "My Web Albums"...........Roger had camera and was having fun taking pictures.

From Corpus Cristy

From Corpus Cristy

Larry drove to Port Aransas and take the ferry ride. We spent the day exploring the area and eating out again. It was fun to spend the day with them and get a chance to do something different. We have been living in RV waiting to get into our new place and the change of scenery is nice.

We will be leaving tomorrow to return to Mission and get back in the swing of things there.

Moved into RV

Selling our place at Bentsen Grove was a hard thing for me. I got to know so many nice people there and between the Computer Club and Line Dancing, I am going to miss everyone. We must move on and that is what we have been doing the past few weeks.

Our new place in Valley View Estates, is still occupied by the couple we bought it from. We were nice and let them stay there (even tho we now own it). So we have now moved into the RV which is sitting on an RV pad next to house (mobile home). This move was confusing as there were things to move back into RV and some things to go to house. Since we can not get in house yet, they needed to be packed and put in shed till such time we get house. That was hard part as it ended up much was just packed, moved to RV then if I didn't have room, it was repacked and put in shed. I think we are finally to the point that the RV is live able for now.

I have not been able to get the satellite dish set up here, I don't understand why I have so much trouble with it. Seems like every time we move the RV I have this problem. I called DirectTV and they are sending someone out on Monday to help me get it set up. I am sure I have all the settings right. Roger is also expecting the guy to come fix our steps on RV. They would not come out and it was very hard to move in with no steps. Roger met the guy here last week and it seems the motor is shot, so had to order a new motor for steps. If it's not one thing it's another.

While trying to get the satellite stuff out from under belly of RV, the neighbor came over and informed Roger, he didn't want him walking on his grass, he is trying to grow grass there. Take my word for it, the grass is a mess on both sides of his place and there is no way he is going to get grass to grow there. He wanted us to move RV over so Roger would walk on driveway. We moved it and Roger can walk on driveway, but he will still have to step off when he gets into bays or has to dump holding tanks. I don't know what it is, but somehow we always manage to get a neighbor that has some kind of complaint for us. When we lived in Cedar Rapids (17 years) the lady next door was upset because we were parked in alley buy her trash cans and they were sitting way far back off alley and the garbage men would not walk the extra feet to get it. I was all our fault. Then we moved to Stanwood, there the town held a meeting to get us to install special skirting on mobile home so it would look like foundation, then one guy complained about our mail box. Then we get to Bentsen Grove and the neighbor there complained about our dog. Now it is the grass. Guess we just can't win. We will be nice about it and maybe kill them with kindness. LOL

Went to a program at hall last night. It was a family from Alaska that have a show in Branson. They have 7 kids and travel with all of them in a motor home. They call themselves "Redhead Express" The girls are the main entertainment. Ages 20 - 18 - 16- 14. The 20 year old writes many of their songs and plays lead guitar, the 18 year old is the banjo player and has a smile that you can not forget. The 16 year old is a fiddle player and Madelin player and boy can she yodel. The youngest girl (14) is a base player and she is good. Mom and Dad both sing and then there are three younger brothers (11 - 9 - 7) and they play banjo, Madelin and base also. Really cute to see the 7 year old try to play that big base.

Till next time. Stay warm and remember............spring will come, just don't know when.