This little cutie looks very pregnant.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
12:22 pm Tuesday March 13, 2007
Not much that is exciting happening in our contented little world in Yuma. It is getting hotter every day—over 90 degrees every day this week. They tell us this is unusual this early in the year so we are hoping it backs off into the 80s soon. Now that would be perfect!
We all know what a “Honey do” list is. Even though Phil and I do not own a stick-built house anymore, we have not escaped the inevitable “to do’s”. There continues to be a running list for both of us posted in our Penny’s kitchen. However, here in Yuma, there are two wonderful women we love very much and both of them live alone. Phil has volunteered to take on any “Honey dos” they might have and has been making great progress and they are very happy ladies.
Last spring Phil worked with our cousin Nada laying beautiful ceramic floor tile in her house. They completed the living room, dining room, entry (all one big great room), kitchen and pantry that Nada had started herself but hard as she tried, just had not managed to get finished. When that was done, they moved the bulk of the furniture out of the large master bedroom, bath and walk-in closet (Nada is sleeping in the living room now) and started the preparations to continue the job in there.
That is when we headed north for the summer in Washington. Nada took advantage of the pause in the work to fatten up the kitty as she is trying to pay cash as she goes along.
When we returned in the fall of 2006, Phil went back to work and installed a new garbage disposal in Nada’s kitchen sink, painted and installed the rest of the molding that was still missing and hauled off a truckload of donations. to the Salvation Army. Nada has started laying the tile in the bedroom and Phil recently replaced her 16 year old dishwasher (that had given up the ghost) with a bright shiny new one. He also cut, painted and attached one inch vinyl lattice screen on her back yard gate to improve privacy in her side yard. She recently bought all new light fixtures and Phil will begin changing those out for her this coming weekend.
Aunt Elaine’s list is a lot shorter than Nada’s but Phil has taken down her old window treatments and curtain rods for her and she is trying out the clean look of vinyl blinds in her living room for now. Just yesterday he replaced the light fixture in her storage closet. He also installed a fire extinguisher in her bedroom and made sure her smoke alarm is working. He still has two projects to be done for her: #1 is to make sure the iron security guard is removable from the inside on her bedroom window so she could escape if there was a fire and #2 is pruning the dead wood off her citrus trees. Her two daughters, (my cousins) are coming for a week later in the month and we are looking forward to spending some fun time with them.
We all know what a “Honey do” list is. Even though Phil and I do not own a stick-built house anymore, we have not escaped the inevitable “to do’s”. There continues to be a running list for both of us posted in our Penny’s kitchen. However, here in Yuma, there are two wonderful women we love very much and both of them live alone. Phil has volunteered to take on any “Honey dos” they might have and has been making great progress and they are very happy ladies.
Last spring Phil worked with our cousin Nada laying beautiful ceramic floor tile in her house. They completed the living room, dining room, entry (all one big great room), kitchen and pantry that Nada had started herself but hard as she tried, just had not managed to get finished. When that was done, they moved the bulk of the furniture out of the large master bedroom, bath and walk-in closet (Nada is sleeping in the living room now) and started the preparations to continue the job in there.
That is when we headed north for the summer in Washington. Nada took advantage of the pause in the work to fatten up the kitty as she is trying to pay cash as she goes along.
When we returned in the fall of 2006, Phil went back to work and installed a new garbage disposal in Nada’s kitchen sink, painted and installed the rest of the molding that was still missing and hauled off a truckload of donations. to the Salvation Army. Nada has started laying the tile in the bedroom and Phil recently replaced her 16 year old dishwasher (that had given up the ghost) with a bright shiny new one. He also cut, painted and attached one inch vinyl lattice screen on her back yard gate to improve privacy in her side yard. She recently bought all new light fixtures and Phil will begin changing those out for her this coming weekend.
Aunt Elaine’s list is a lot shorter than Nada’s but Phil has taken down her old window treatments and curtain rods for her and she is trying out the clean look of vinyl blinds in her living room for now. Just yesterday he replaced the light fixture in her storage closet. He also installed a fire extinguisher in her bedroom and made sure her smoke alarm is working. He still has two projects to be done for her: #1 is to make sure the iron security guard is removable from the inside on her bedroom window so she could escape if there was a fire and #2 is pruning the dead wood off her citrus trees. Her two daughters, (my cousins) are coming for a week later in the month and we are looking forward to spending some fun time with them.
Friday, March 09, 2007
12:15 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2007
If you have checked out my comment section lately, you know a reader named Larry relayed a suggestion that rather than marking off items from my “Life List of Things To Do” fearing I would run out of things and then life would be over -- I should create a list of experiences I have had. That is a good suggestion but clearly, Larry has never seen my list!
If we had 100 years to travel around the United States in our wonderful Penny the Pace, we would still never run out of things to see and do. Fellow Rvers understand this completely but those of you who might take only one or two vacations a year have to be very choosey about what to see and where to go because of time restraints. We rarely travel more than 200 miles in one trip when we roll down the road and then we park for a minimum of a week, and in some cases a month or more at a time. After we are set up, we get in The Lone Ranger and travel out from our “home base” in a 100 mile (plus or minus a few) circle. In this way, we can visit special places, and do our sightseeing in a very leisurely fashion. In our opinion, it is the ONLY way to see this beautiful country.
Of course, sometimes we just hang out in our comfortable motorhome and rest. Every so often, we spend some time catching up on housekeeping and other chores but our favorite activity is visiting with friends and family. Below are a couple pictures of our friends, Joan and Charlie who have a home base in Shelton but travel all winter looking for sunshine. We met for a late lunch/early dinner at the Golden Corral Buffet (yummy!) then went to their motorhome to play with Joan’s computer and help her with questions she had about some maneuvers. Phil helped her while I watched … HA!
If we had 100 years to travel around the United States in our wonderful Penny the Pace, we would still never run out of things to see and do. Fellow Rvers understand this completely but those of you who might take only one or two vacations a year have to be very choosey about what to see and where to go because of time restraints. We rarely travel more than 200 miles in one trip when we roll down the road and then we park for a minimum of a week, and in some cases a month or more at a time. After we are set up, we get in The Lone Ranger and travel out from our “home base” in a 100 mile (plus or minus a few) circle. In this way, we can visit special places, and do our sightseeing in a very leisurely fashion. In our opinion, it is the ONLY way to see this beautiful country.
Of course, sometimes we just hang out in our comfortable motorhome and rest. Every so often, we spend some time catching up on housekeeping and other chores but our favorite activity is visiting with friends and family. Below are a couple pictures of our friends, Joan and Charlie who have a home base in Shelton but travel all winter looking for sunshine. We met for a late lunch/early dinner at the Golden Corral Buffet (yummy!) then went to their motorhome to play with Joan’s computer and help her with questions she had about some maneuvers. Phil helped her while I watched … HA!
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Happy Birthday week to my youngest, Bobbie in Shelton. Her birthday was Tuesday and she has a whirlwind of lunches and visiting with friends planned. Oh yes, Happy Belated birthday to Virgil ... we love you too!
Monday, March 05, 2007
12:17 pm Monday, March 5, 2007
I can mark off another item from my “life list of things to do.” Yesterday, we attended the “Strong Hearts Native Society 27th Annual Pow Wow. My aunt Elaine drove her big Lincoln sedan so we could all go in the same car and Phil, Nada and I piled in for the short ride to the Quechan Reservation by Winterhaven, California. We were only able to stay a few hours and it was the last day of the Pow Wow but as our first adventure (only Nada has been many times before) it was quite an experience. The costumes (oops!)—the “regalia” were spectacular; every age was represented and everybody danced. They even invited the spectators into the arena. We declined … but enjoyed watching everyone else dance to the beat of the drumming and singing. I added a silver turtle pendant and a silver turtle ring to my collection; the vendors were authentic, plentiful and very artistic. Not a “made in Taiwan” among the bunch.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
10:49 am Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Busy, busy, weekend! We had planned a “work party” at cousin Nada’s house when the phone rang then rang again. The first call came from my sister, Robin and her husband Walt. We knew they were coming (just not exactly when until the day before) and they had arrived in Yuma for the weekend. They had settled into a motel just a short distance from Aunt Elaine’s house.
The next morning we all met at Elaine’s place for a wonderful gab-session and Nada joined us. Phil and Walt went off to preview a tractor auction at the Dome Valley Tractor Museum for his nephew who is an apple farmer in eastern Washington. One of his hobbies is collecting antique farm equipment. Walt went to check out a certain model he was curious about. When Walt and Phil returned, we went out to dinner.
The next day we all got together again and had a “potluck” dinner at Elaine’s house and later that day, the phone rang again. Our good friend, Les was visiting his sister in southern California and had an appointment in Mexico for some dental work. He was on the road to Yuma and hoped we could put him up on our couch (which of course we were happy to do). When he got into town, Les came to Elaine’s and got a chance to visit with Robin and Walt and Elaine.
The next day Phil kept him company on the drive down to Los Algodones. When they got home the three of us went to Golden Corral for a wonderful lunch and Les headed back to California.
We came home and realized after three wonderful family and friend filled days, we had not taken one picture the whole weekend! Unbelievable . . .
The next morning we all met at Elaine’s place for a wonderful gab-session and Nada joined us. Phil and Walt went off to preview a tractor auction at the Dome Valley Tractor Museum for his nephew who is an apple farmer in eastern Washington. One of his hobbies is collecting antique farm equipment. Walt went to check out a certain model he was curious about. When Walt and Phil returned, we went out to dinner.
The next day we all got together again and had a “potluck” dinner at Elaine’s house and later that day, the phone rang again. Our good friend, Les was visiting his sister in southern California and had an appointment in Mexico for some dental work. He was on the road to Yuma and hoped we could put him up on our couch (which of course we were happy to do). When he got into town, Les came to Elaine’s and got a chance to visit with Robin and Walt and Elaine.
The next day Phil kept him company on the drive down to Los Algodones. When they got home the three of us went to Golden Corral for a wonderful lunch and Les headed back to California.
We came home and realized after three wonderful family and friend filled days, we had not taken one picture the whole weekend! Unbelievable . . .
Thursday, February 22, 2007
12:07 pm Thursday February 22, 2007
First, let me apologize for a couple problems with my blog that I have no way of knowing how to correct. #1. Our profile has dropped to the bottom of the page again. This is a chronic problem and so far, I do not know what triggers it. #2. When you click on our pictures now, they come up four times bigger than the screen! Again, I do not know why! Someday, Blogger will answer my e-mail and tell me how to fix it … until then, I ask for your patience.
I am an older woman living with a younger man—not a lot younger but young enough that people are surprised when they hear he retired 2 ½ years before he was eligible for social security.
Well, his “penalty” time is up, he has paid his dues and in January of 2007, his ship came in. Everyone says social security is going away and that it is not enough to live on anyway. I do not know about the first part and I will probably not live long enough to worry about it anyway but we know the second part is true. We certainly could not live on Phil’s check but boy oh boy, is it wonderful to see it magically appear in the bank statement and it will be a welcome addition to our other retirement income
We have managed just fine for the past 2 ½ years but suddenly, the mercury, instead of falling steadily is rising again! After such a long time, we can actually start fattening up the kitty each month. There is something about being able to save money that just makes life more pleasant, don’t you think?
We have been lucky and able to cover our unexpected expenses these past couple of years (and, as you all know, there has been a couple big hits to the budget) and knowing that our worm has turned is a happy thought; in a tiny little way, we feel like we have hit the lottery!
PS: The weather in Yuma is wonderful! Warm, sunny with a little breeze. Wish you were here!
I am an older woman living with a younger man—not a lot younger but young enough that people are surprised when they hear he retired 2 ½ years before he was eligible for social security.
Well, his “penalty” time is up, he has paid his dues and in January of 2007, his ship came in. Everyone says social security is going away and that it is not enough to live on anyway. I do not know about the first part and I will probably not live long enough to worry about it anyway but we know the second part is true. We certainly could not live on Phil’s check but boy oh boy, is it wonderful to see it magically appear in the bank statement and it will be a welcome addition to our other retirement income
We have managed just fine for the past 2 ½ years but suddenly, the mercury, instead of falling steadily is rising again! After such a long time, we can actually start fattening up the kitty each month. There is something about being able to save money that just makes life more pleasant, don’t you think?
We have been lucky and able to cover our unexpected expenses these past couple of years (and, as you all know, there has been a couple big hits to the budget) and knowing that our worm has turned is a happy thought; in a tiny little way, we feel like we have hit the lottery!
PS: The weather in Yuma is wonderful! Warm, sunny with a little breeze. Wish you were here!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
10:03 am Sunday, February 18, 2007
Hello Yuma! Hello warm weather! It was 60 degrees this morning when I got up at 6:30 am … now that is more like it! I swear the night before we left Casa Grande it got down to near freezing. Phil and I were snuggled under a blanket, our quilt and a big afghan tucked under our chins to stay warm ‘cause we’re too cheap to run the furnace. Actually, the thermostat is set at 60 degrees and it did not come on but it sure felt colder than that!
I thought I was hearing things when I got up this morning. The sound of the coffee pot perking, naw … could the sound be coming from the neighbors? Phil knows I usually get up very early on Sunday morning (unless I forget what day it is~~~) so I will not miss my favorite show “Sunday Morning” on CBS and guess what? He set the timer on the coffee pot for me! What a nice surprise from my sweetie!
We attended a Fire Safety seminar at the rally. Phil came back to Penny and immediately checked our one and only fire extinguisher inside the coach beside the door. Can you believe it was dead! I am almost certain it was most likely the original extinguisher that came with this coach. Had we not gone to the seminar we probably would not have checked it. We bought three foam extinguishers from Mac (the “fire guy”) and learned he recommended FIVE extinguishers for a motorhome and toad. One in the toad (we have that), one in with the propane tank (we put in one of our new foam extinguishers); one in the bedroom (new foam one back there); and one in the kitchen (new foam one there) and a new powder extinguisher we bought yesterday for just inside the door.
We went shopping at Wal*Mart yesterday and bought each of us a pair of leather gloves in case we decide to fight any fire that might break out. Mac told us that we had three choices if a fire happens. 1. Fight the fire. 2. Get out of the coach (statistics say we will have about 20 seconds). 3. If we have to get out, we must prepare to fight our way out. He also told us it was imperative that we practice … practice … practice. So far, we have not done that part.
I thought I was hearing things when I got up this morning. The sound of the coffee pot perking, naw … could the sound be coming from the neighbors? Phil knows I usually get up very early on Sunday morning (unless I forget what day it is~~~) so I will not miss my favorite show “Sunday Morning” on CBS and guess what? He set the timer on the coffee pot for me! What a nice surprise from my sweetie!
We attended a Fire Safety seminar at the rally. Phil came back to Penny and immediately checked our one and only fire extinguisher inside the coach beside the door. Can you believe it was dead! I am almost certain it was most likely the original extinguisher that came with this coach. Had we not gone to the seminar we probably would not have checked it. We bought three foam extinguishers from Mac (the “fire guy”) and learned he recommended FIVE extinguishers for a motorhome and toad. One in the toad (we have that), one in with the propane tank (we put in one of our new foam extinguishers); one in the bedroom (new foam one back there); and one in the kitchen (new foam one there) and a new powder extinguisher we bought yesterday for just inside the door.
We went shopping at Wal*Mart yesterday and bought each of us a pair of leather gloves in case we decide to fight any fire that might break out. Mac told us that we had three choices if a fire happens. 1. Fight the fire. 2. Get out of the coach (statistics say we will have about 20 seconds). 3. If we have to get out, we must prepare to fight our way out. He also told us it was imperative that we practice … practice … practice. So far, we have not done that part.
Friday, February 16, 2007
7:55 pm Friday February 16, 2007
The Gypsy Gathering Rally at the Pinal County Fairgrounds in Casa Grande is over. It was a lot of fun and Nick, our host has penciled in another rally in February of 2008. He will let us all know about it through his bi-monthly newspaper for RVers, called The Gypsy Journal. I'm sure we will attend if it actually happens.
We attended several seminars including: All about Awnings by Russ Maxwell; Fire Safety by Mac McCoy (excellent!); Highway History & Back Road Mystery (Nick wrote this great book and put excerpts in the Gypsy Journal) by Nick Russell; RVing the Heartland of America (I LOVED this one) by Dave Baleria and The Frugal RVer ( I read this book by Nick as well) by Nick Russell. We also joined in the pizza party and watched the Cactus Queen beauty contest. We went to one early morning coffee and donuts gathering. Finally after three nights of door prizes it paid off when last night we won a free night at Picacho Peak RV Park (between Casa Grande and Yuma) and one free year of The Gypsy Journal! There were hundreds of wonderful door prizes and lots of happy winners. There was also a White Elephant Auction where many people, for very little money got some great bargains.
One of our regular readers Bill introduced himself and his wife, Diane. That was fun to put a face to the name after he contacted us over a year ago when we were both in Florida and has followed our blog ever since. Bill is also a datastorm user and you can check out his website at: www.sacnoth.com/
We attended several seminars including: All about Awnings by Russ Maxwell; Fire Safety by Mac McCoy (excellent!); Highway History & Back Road Mystery (Nick wrote this great book and put excerpts in the Gypsy Journal) by Nick Russell; RVing the Heartland of America (I LOVED this one) by Dave Baleria and The Frugal RVer ( I read this book by Nick as well) by Nick Russell. We also joined in the pizza party and watched the Cactus Queen beauty contest. We went to one early morning coffee and donuts gathering. Finally after three nights of door prizes it paid off when last night we won a free night at Picacho Peak RV Park (between Casa Grande and Yuma) and one free year of The Gypsy Journal! There were hundreds of wonderful door prizes and lots of happy winners. There was also a White Elephant Auction where many people, for very little money got some great bargains.
One of our regular readers Bill introduced himself and his wife, Diane. That was fun to put a face to the name after he contacted us over a year ago when we were both in Florida and has followed our blog ever since. Bill is also a datastorm user and you can check out his website at: www.sacnoth.com/
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
10:39 am Wednesday February 14, 2007
Phil climbed up on the roof to try and capture some of the 185 rigs that are here for the rally.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
10:33 am Tuesday Feb 13, 2007
A really poor quality picture taken the first day. This is just the left side of a huge building full of the Gypsy Gathering Rally participants. The middle and right side were equally as full. We met all the vendors and Nick handed out dozens of door prizes. As usual, we didn't win anything ~~
For more info on the rally check out Nick's blog:
Monday, February 12, 2007
10:22 am February 12, 2007
We are checked in, set up and ready and willing to participate.
Phil is out walking around trying to find out the plan.
So far, we have not received an agenda … maybe they will not have one.
This is our first rally so everything is new and my ”control” issue is rearing it’s ugly head.
I am going to try to relax and just take each moment as it comes.
No work (which for me is writing), no pressure, no time tables … I’ll let you know what happens
Phil is out walking around trying to find out the plan.
So far, we have not received an agenda … maybe they will not have one.
This is our first rally so everything is new and my ”control” issue is rearing it’s ugly head.
I am going to try to relax and just take each moment as it comes.
No work (which for me is writing), no pressure, no time tables … I’ll let you know what happens
There is the "Internet Anywhere" van. It belongs to our friends, Bill and Janet who installed our datastorm (satellite internet) system. Check them out at: www.internetanywhere.us
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
11:31 am Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Here is Phil polishing the last section of our Penny the Pace's skin. He waxed her by hand all the way around, she feels s-o-o-o good and looks beautiful. Our pretty lady will certainly hold her own among the newer big rigs when we arrive at the rally this weekend!
Notice that "cold-blooded" Phil is wearing shorts and sandals ... yes, that means our southern Arizona weather is warm again!
Monday, February 05, 2007
9:16 am Monday February 5, 2007
I am still having difficulty loading pictures on the blog. My picture program has stopped working for me so I uninstalled it. Now, I am using the “add image” feature on my Blogger website. It is V-E-R-Y slow and consequently I hesitate to upload more than a couple pictures at a time. Does anyone know of a FREE program online that will replace my old favorite, “HELLO”? I have done a Google search without much luck.
On Saturday, we drove the “Apache Trail.” At the west end, it begins at Apache Junction, AZ and travels east ending at Roosevelt Lake. This is the lake where we camped for a week last spring with our friends, Don and Ardella and Phil enjoyed some excellent fishing time. It is a beautiful drive that crosses the Tonto National Forest. Only 46 miles long but there were some white-knuckle spots for me as it dropped 1,000 feet in elevation over a 15-17 percent grade at Fish Creek Hill.
The restaurant, general store and museum at Tortilla Flat were crowded which was a surprise mid-way in the drive. We had to slow way down and creep through the block long tourist trap jammed with people and cars. This part of the road is unpaved and primarily one lane but the view of Fish Creek Gorge is spectacular from this area. Since there are warnings about the dangers and it is not recommended for big RVs, we were surprised and puzzled by how many 5th wheels and motorhomes we saw in the campgrounds along the way. So many brave people—we would never take Penny the Pace up (or down) that road!
On Saturday, we drove the “Apache Trail.” At the west end, it begins at Apache Junction, AZ and travels east ending at Roosevelt Lake. This is the lake where we camped for a week last spring with our friends, Don and Ardella and Phil enjoyed some excellent fishing time. It is a beautiful drive that crosses the Tonto National Forest. Only 46 miles long but there were some white-knuckle spots for me as it dropped 1,000 feet in elevation over a 15-17 percent grade at Fish Creek Hill.
The restaurant, general store and museum at Tortilla Flat were crowded which was a surprise mid-way in the drive. We had to slow way down and creep through the block long tourist trap jammed with people and cars. This part of the road is unpaved and primarily one lane but the view of Fish Creek Gorge is spectacular from this area. Since there are warnings about the dangers and it is not recommended for big RVs, we were surprised and puzzled by how many 5th wheels and motorhomes we saw in the campgrounds along the way. So many brave people—we would never take Penny the Pace up (or down) that road!
Monday, January 29, 2007
1:06 pm Monday January 29, 2007
You can file this post under “It doesn’t take much to keep some people entertained.”
When Phil and I went full time in our Penny, we needed to buy a new toaster. We went shopping and I fell in love with a bright red model made by Kitchen Aid. Of course, that brand was twice the price of any toaster I had ever bought in my life but it was RED! I had never seen a red toaster and fell in love with it so we bit the bullet and paid the price.
Since then, we have been on the lookout for a red coffee pot to match the toaster. It has taken two and a half years but we finally found one. Although the price was also double (red paint must be very expensive~~) the cost of the others on the shelf, we love this new appliance and are especially pleased because not only does it look beautiful, it brews really good coffee!
When Phil and I went full time in our Penny, we needed to buy a new toaster. We went shopping and I fell in love with a bright red model made by Kitchen Aid. Of course, that brand was twice the price of any toaster I had ever bought in my life but it was RED! I had never seen a red toaster and fell in love with it so we bit the bullet and paid the price.
Since then, we have been on the lookout for a red coffee pot to match the toaster. It has taken two and a half years but we finally found one. Although the price was also double (red paint must be very expensive~~) the cost of the others on the shelf, we love this new appliance and are especially pleased because not only does it look beautiful, it brews really good coffee!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
10:04 am Sunday January 28, 2007
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For the most part I am 100 % content with where I am and what I am doing. I try to live as completely in the “now” as I can without regrets about the past or yearnings about the future. Today is different!
With all my heart I wish I had been in Shelton, WA yesterday! My beautiful granddaughter, Megan married the love of her life, Joshua yesterday afternoon. Most of my family and our friends, Gloria and Les were there and they were on my mind all day. Knowing how much I was going to miss being there, I received two phone calls, one from my daughter, (and mother of the bride), Violet and a second from my niece, Tammy who had Megan by her side so I was able to talk to the bride for a minute. The connections were terrible but it was the thought that counted and they transported me to the celebration for a minute or two. Phil and I were missed and thought of … and that was a wonderful feeling!
Then, this morning, I received pictures! Tammy sent me pictures and my daughter, Bobbie (who is at last connected to the Internet after a two year absence) e-mailed me a detailed description of the celebration so after reading it, I felt like I was there after all.
Congratulations to Megan and Joshua!
With all my heart I wish I had been in Shelton, WA yesterday! My beautiful granddaughter, Megan married the love of her life, Joshua yesterday afternoon. Most of my family and our friends, Gloria and Les were there and they were on my mind all day. Knowing how much I was going to miss being there, I received two phone calls, one from my daughter, (and mother of the bride), Violet and a second from my niece, Tammy who had Megan by her side so I was able to talk to the bride for a minute. The connections were terrible but it was the thought that counted and they transported me to the celebration for a minute or two. Phil and I were missed and thought of … and that was a wonderful feeling!
Then, this morning, I received pictures! Tammy sent me pictures and my daughter, Bobbie (who is at last connected to the Internet after a two year absence) e-mailed me a detailed description of the celebration so after reading it, I felt like I was there after all.
Congratulations to Megan and Joshua!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
9:10 am Thursday January 25, 2007
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We have a mail forwarding service in Olympia, Washington. About every two weeks we give them a call and they send our accumulated mail via “priority mail” to the address we give them over the telephone. We always have them repeat the address back to us before we hang up to make sure they wrote it down correctly.
The service was working perfectly then, six months into our going fulltime, they lost a package of mail. All because the zip code was one digit off. The package was eventually returned to our service and was resent to us, arriving without incident. However, not only did it cost us travel time, it cost us money as we sat in a pricey RV park (we had planned to stay one week) in Sacramento California for an extra two weeks while we waited—expecting it “any day now” and that day didn’t come.
Our service has been flawless now for two years but nobodies perfect and we have another package of mail floating around out in United State Postal Service land … somewhere … looking for Joy and Phil. If you see it, tell it to go home, okay?
The service was working perfectly then, six months into our going fulltime, they lost a package of mail. All because the zip code was one digit off. The package was eventually returned to our service and was resent to us, arriving without incident. However, not only did it cost us travel time, it cost us money as we sat in a pricey RV park (we had planned to stay one week) in Sacramento California for an extra two weeks while we waited—expecting it “any day now” and that day didn’t come.
Our service has been flawless now for two years but nobodies perfect and we have another package of mail floating around out in United State Postal Service land … somewhere … looking for Joy and Phil. If you see it, tell it to go home, okay?
Monday, January 22, 2007
12:18 pm Monday January 22, 2006
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Would you believe we have lived in our coach for two and a half years and not until a week ago used the built-in catalytic heater? I remember the “sales pitch” of how well it worked given by the former owner, Tim. He said, “It keeps the coach so toasty, it’s like having a fireplace.” We didn’t give it much thought because WE were not going to be taking the coach anywhere that wasn’t warm! HA!
Rather than take the “trouble’ to learn how to use it we bought a small electric heater to take the chill off when we ran into cooler weather and of course, we used our big furnace once in awhile. All this time our backup has been curling up in afghans when the mercury dipped below comfort level (which thankfully wasn’t too often … until now).
When we arrived in Stanfield Arizona we went to visit our snowbird friends, J.D. and Taralea. Of course, the center of our conversation was the “unusual” cold we are experiencing in the desert. Everyone is complaining except the residents who live here year round. “It feels good for a change” is their usual response to our whining.
During our visit, J.D. told us a story about receiving his new portable catalytic heaters (one for the house and one for their toy-hauler trailer). We admitted we had never used ours and he said, “Try it, you will love it.” We came home and the next day Phil spent 30 seconds (duh!) figuring out how to use it and I am almost embarrassed to admit we’ve been singing it’s praises ever since. Tim and J. D.—you were right, we love it!
However, we would still much rather be worrying about how to stay cool!
Here are a couple pictures. I wanted to download a few more but I am experiencing some problems with my picture program, “Hello”. I used Blogger to insert these two and it took so long, I gave up in frustration. When I get this all figured out, I will share more pictures with you …
Rather than take the “trouble’ to learn how to use it we bought a small electric heater to take the chill off when we ran into cooler weather and of course, we used our big furnace once in awhile. All this time our backup has been curling up in afghans when the mercury dipped below comfort level (which thankfully wasn’t too often … until now).
When we arrived in Stanfield Arizona we went to visit our snowbird friends, J.D. and Taralea. Of course, the center of our conversation was the “unusual” cold we are experiencing in the desert. Everyone is complaining except the residents who live here year round. “It feels good for a change” is their usual response to our whining.
During our visit, J.D. told us a story about receiving his new portable catalytic heaters (one for the house and one for their toy-hauler trailer). We admitted we had never used ours and he said, “Try it, you will love it.” We came home and the next day Phil spent 30 seconds (duh!) figuring out how to use it and I am almost embarrassed to admit we’ve been singing it’s praises ever since. Tim and J. D.—you were right, we love it!
However, we would still much rather be worrying about how to stay cool!
Here are a couple pictures. I wanted to download a few more but I am experiencing some problems with my picture program, “Hello”. I used Blogger to insert these two and it took so long, I gave up in frustration. When I get this all figured out, I will share more pictures with you …
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
10:40 am Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Brrrrrrrrr!
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We continue to “live and learn” in this, our fulltime RVing lifestyle. In 2 ½ years of being “fulltimers” we have never run out of propane. Always seeking the sunshine, minimal boondocking (which means we are plugged into electricity almost always) eating out often and rarely running the furnace has kept our usage to a minimum.
This “cold snap” we are experiencing in Arizona is shaking up my cozy little habits! Our small electric heater is failing miserably in an attempt to keep us warm and we are using the big furnace every day. Always, in the past the heater has been more than adequate (except the time we were snowbound in Payson, AZ in March of 2006). One morning, a couple days ago our water was froze up but fortunately it thawed out within an hour of the sun coming up, so no damage was done (our hookups are facing east). Phil insulated the pipe that day to avoid a reoccurrence.
This “cold snap” we are experiencing in Arizona is shaking up my cozy little habits! Our small electric heater is failing miserably in an attempt to keep us warm and we are using the big furnace every day. Always, in the past the heater has been more than adequate (except the time we were snowbound in Payson, AZ in March of 2006). One morning, a couple days ago our water was froze up but fortunately it thawed out within an hour of the sun coming up, so no damage was done (our hookups are facing east). Phil insulated the pipe that day to avoid a reoccurrence.
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Another change we have made is in our food preparation routine. We are on a “cooking kick” and that means using the kitchen range a lot more often—upping our propane usage in that department as well. Of course, we use the crock pot or the electric skillet at times and Phil uses the outdoor grill. We even learned to use the convection oven (duh!) and of course, the microwave is our right hand—still the usage has increased.
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Fortunately, our hot water tank is electric or gas so that is one usage that has remained the same. However, Phil told me this morning our propane tank is nearly empty! We have only been set up here in this park for a week and never dreamed we would need propane this soon or we would have filled it on the way in. The only saving grace is that this park has a fill-station so we don’t have to leave the property to get a refill.
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Fortunately, our hot water tank is electric or gas so that is one usage that has remained the same. However, Phil told me this morning our propane tank is nearly empty! We have only been set up here in this park for a week and never dreamed we would need propane this soon or we would have filled it on the way in. The only saving grace is that this park has a fill-station so we don’t have to leave the property to get a refill.
Monday, January 15, 2007
12:58 pm Monday January 15, 2007
Enjoy your Martin Luther King Day holiday! Hopefully, you have the day off!
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When you live in a stick-built house no one ever says to you … “What do you do all day?” But, just sell that house and move fulltime into a motorhome and all of a sudden, everyone thinks you have nothing but empty hours in long boring days! Maybe that is true for some people who make the change and most likely those are the same RVers who will not last long in this lifestyle.
I remember when I quit working outside the home. Every day I wondered how I ever had “time” to work. Phil still had a few years to go before he retired so I got out of bed at 4:45 am each morning to make the coffee and put his lunch together (he didn’t want his sandwich made the night before). I always kissed him goodbye when he left for work (you never know when it will be the last time you see someone ... you know?). He had a long commute on a very dangerous WA State Rt 3 (beautiful but 2-lanes of very curvy road) to Bremerton from Shelton so his day started early. I had major surgery a couple years before he retired and Phil granted me an exemption from my early morning tasks and started buying his lunch at work. Even so, once I healed I was "up and at-um" early every day. Old habits are hard to break (however I have at last been successful and can sleep late if given the opportunity.)
I remember when I quit working outside the home. Every day I wondered how I ever had “time” to work. Phil still had a few years to go before he retired so I got out of bed at 4:45 am each morning to make the coffee and put his lunch together (he didn’t want his sandwich made the night before). I always kissed him goodbye when he left for work (you never know when it will be the last time you see someone ... you know?). He had a long commute on a very dangerous WA State Rt 3 (beautiful but 2-lanes of very curvy road) to Bremerton from Shelton so his day started early. I had major surgery a couple years before he retired and Phil granted me an exemption from my early morning tasks and started buying his lunch at work. Even so, once I healed I was "up and at-um" early every day. Old habits are hard to break (however I have at last been successful and can sleep late if given the opportunity.)
From the time he went out the door I was off and running. I had a TV in every room of my 2000 sq. ft. house (and even one in the garage where the washer and dryer were located). I would turn them all on so I could move around the house and not miss a word of my favorite shows (my TV addiction began when I quit my 9 to 5 job). Then after the housework and projects in the garage were done for the day I went to my computer and spent hours working on genealogy and one or more of my writing tasks. Some time during the day I would take time to shower and dress and think about dinner--but my point is that it seemed I would blink my eyes and Phil would be walking in the door after work.
Living in an RV has changed nothing for me except I get to sleep as late as I want in the morning. My days are even fuller as I continue to work on my genealogy in addition to researching and writing the story of my mother’s life. Add to the mix some sightseeing, some visiting with family and friends, doing the laundry, some cooking (Phil and I share the task and we often go out to eat), writing my blog and maybe a movie once in awhile and I often feel like I am strapped on the luge, heading down the track at 100 mph! Not once has there been a moment when I did not have something to do and if there ever is, I can always READ … what a concept!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
1:08 pm Saturday, January 13, 2007
Those of you that keep track of Rvers doing their "thing" around the country and read a forum or two along the way may be aware of the dance we satellite TV viewers have been doing in an attempt to get local channels or network broadcasting. One version for Dish was called “distant networks” but that option is in the middle of a radical shake-up and so Phil chose the alternative until all the kinks are worked out.
Without networks, our TV watching is varied but lacks the local news and weather, up to date movie critiques and the “gossip” I get by watching the Today Show, The View, Martha and my favorite of all, Sunday Morning on CBS. So, in order to satisfy my television addiction, more often than not, we have had to limit our park choices to ones that have cable TV available.
Well … all that is behind us … finally! After two and a half years of living fulltime in our wonderful Penny the Pace, we now have networks available on our satellite TV. Of course, we must pay an additional $5.00 a month—I am almost embarrassed to admit that part, LOL! However, the one drawback will be making a call to Dish when changing our location as we travel around the country. This is a small inconvenience in order to widen our choices of places to hunker down for a month or two.
Without networks, our TV watching is varied but lacks the local news and weather, up to date movie critiques and the “gossip” I get by watching the Today Show, The View, Martha and my favorite of all, Sunday Morning on CBS. So, in order to satisfy my television addiction, more often than not, we have had to limit our park choices to ones that have cable TV available.
Well … all that is behind us … finally! After two and a half years of living fulltime in our wonderful Penny the Pace, we now have networks available on our satellite TV. Of course, we must pay an additional $5.00 a month—I am almost embarrassed to admit that part, LOL! However, the one drawback will be making a call to Dish when changing our location as we travel around the country. This is a small inconvenience in order to widen our choices of places to hunker down for a month or two.
Friday, January 12, 2007
We have moved east of Yuma about 160 miles to a small RV park in tiny Stanfield, AZ. It is about 15 minutes from the city of Casa Grande which we have found has continued to grow like wildfire since we were here last. An aggressive wind storm followed us but blew itself out last night. For some reason our Datastorm dish couldn’t find the satellite so we were “internet-less” last night. We had decided to move to another sight this morning thinking it was because of where we were parked but with one last try, we connected without a problem. Go figure?
In am very happy we didn’t have to move because we are in a space on the end of a row with a beautiful cactus garden and no other RVs outside our slide windows. We have hung the hummingbird feeder and have seen two of the little rascals already today. I’m enjoying the view after being in our former park for a couple months where the only thing we could see out our windows was blacktop, the clubhouse and RVs in every direction. Not much to look at … that is for sure but it is so handy to our Aunt Elaine, cousin Nada and downtown Yuma, it is a trade off we are willing to make.
One happy discovery we made today was the new Golden Corral Restaurant is up and running! We had a lovely dinner there this afternoon before heading to Wal*Mart to do our shopping. We'll be eating at home tomorrow as Phil has volunteered to make his famous spaghetti. Yummm!
In am very happy we didn’t have to move because we are in a space on the end of a row with a beautiful cactus garden and no other RVs outside our slide windows. We have hung the hummingbird feeder and have seen two of the little rascals already today. I’m enjoying the view after being in our former park for a couple months where the only thing we could see out our windows was blacktop, the clubhouse and RVs in every direction. Not much to look at … that is for sure but it is so handy to our Aunt Elaine, cousin Nada and downtown Yuma, it is a trade off we are willing to make.
One happy discovery we made today was the new Golden Corral Restaurant is up and running! We had a lovely dinner there this afternoon before heading to Wal*Mart to do our shopping. We'll be eating at home tomorrow as Phil has volunteered to make his famous spaghetti. Yummm!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Saturday, January 06, 2007
11:52 am Saturday January 6, 2007
Lots of great suggestions about what to name our purrrfect pet. The votes are counted and the winner is: (drum roll please) "Precious"! She is that ... for sure!
I wanted to share a picture of Precious doing something really cute but she crawled back in her bed and went to sleep before I could get the camera out of the case! Maybe next time ...
I wanted to share a picture of Precious doing something really cute but she crawled back in her bed and went to sleep before I could get the camera out of the case! Maybe next time ...
Thursday, January 04, 2007
11:08 am Thursday January 4, 2007
We received an inquiry about where one might purchase the Purrrfect Pet. I still haven't decided on a name for mine ... but we all agree it is definately female (spayed of course). Anyway, I digress ...
My kitty was purchased at the Crackerbarrel Restaurant here in Yuma. I can't say if they are available at all Crackerbarrel's around the country but that would be the place to start looking.
Here are some pictures that Phil took on a recent fishing expedition northwest of Yuma.
My kitty was purchased at the Crackerbarrel Restaurant here in Yuma. I can't say if they are available at all Crackerbarrel's around the country but that would be the place to start looking.
Here are some pictures that Phil took on a recent fishing expedition northwest of Yuma.
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