December 19,2012
It is now December 19, 2012 and we are getting closer to the big day. The Holiday I enjoy the most the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I can't help but feel, as I have off and on for years, that the birth of our Lord and Savior is lost in the commercialism of Christmas. We forget and then our children and grandchildren do also that Christmas is more than Santa Claus and gifts under the tree. Don't take me wrong I enjoy the look on their faces as they open all those presents I really do.
I pray our Good Lord will bless each and everyone of us. Most especially our Mother who is suffering from congestive heart failure off and on. I was with our Dad on September 3rd of this year when he finally went to our Lord and watched him suffer as he drowned in his own fluids. Dad you looked so frightened and sufferred so much. I wish I could have done more for you when you needed me most but I could not. I know you are with God and happier. I only pray it is God's will to allow Mom to stay with us for a long while yet. I know she misses you Dad; I pray she will not suffer as you did those last few days.
As we prepare for this holy day I am glad we can be with our children and grandchildren. They bring such joy to us! Christmas day will be exciting and God I pray you will not be far from my every thought.
Barb has been looking at property and found quite a few good deals. We are both excited about moving out here from Minnesota but don't look forward to preparing for the move. The thought of all that work does not excite me even a little bit. I hope we can afford to hire someone to pack the boxes and load the truck. The driving of a U-haul and pulling a utility trailer behind the RV will be the easy part. Finding a place to buy will be even easier. It is the right decision to get out from under the huge house payment and buy property out here. There is so much for great prices. It is exciting this opening of a new chapter in our lives. The buying a Class-A diesel pusher will be just as exciting so we can keep traveling to warm weather in the winter. In fact I'm getting itchy to travel on right now but we need to save some fuel money before we can do that. This time spent with our youngest son's family is a real blessing. In the spring I hope we will be able to see Mike and his family; Chris, Alex and Sammy. I miss them very much.
December 21, 2012
Just sitting at the table looking thru a very good personal travel site called; Life on the Open Road. This site is written by a single woman who has been traveling for more than 13 years on her own. I'm somewhat jealous as Barb wants to have a permanent residence while I want to full time for a few years. Oh well marriage is all about compromise! I guess that is why we have been together for 40 years. At least she agrees to head South for the Winters anyway. There is so much to see in this wonderful country of ours and I want to see as much as I can before I get too old and can't travel. My Mom and Dad instilled the travel bug in me in a very good way!
My thoughts ramble so bear with me. (Is that the right "bear with me?" Or should it be ("bare with me?" ) Oh well I really don't care.
Sitting in the Motorhome looking out the window at the greay skies. At least there is no snow. Back home it has been snowing with a vengence. I guess they are paying for the last two years of hardly any snow and last year's early Spring. We were riding the bikes in March. How cool is that.
December 22, 2012
It rain again today; still better than snow.
I watched Barb and Ces wrap Christmas presents at the same time watching a Chinese movie with english subtitles tell me I can't multi-task.
I'm getting itchy to travel but we must save gas money and besides Christmas will be here soon and the morning of watching everyone open their presents will pass all too quickly. It will be a plesant day with the extended family of our daughter-in-law. They are a great family! It is nice they can all be together. I only wish Mike and his family, our Ohio grandkids, could also be here.
I hung up some things today, a paper plate holder, paper towel holder and a clothes hook. Heck I don't want to do all the fun stuff in one day. Besides this morning, while Barb tried to sleep, I changed the batteries from a daisy chain to a negative to negative, positive to positive. (I can't think of the term right now) I watched how to do it on College of U-Tube. What a great resource. If you haven't tried it you should. I've never been disapointed.
Ces is re-finishing a chair that has been in her family for quite some time. It will be a Christmas present for her brother Sam. What a great gift, an heir loom.
December 23, 2012
Jake slept in the RV with me last night. We stayed up and watched Indiana Jones on the lap top via the TV screen. Unfortunately we could not hear it very well as only the lap top speakers put out the sound. However, I accessed subtittles so we could read what was being said. It was nice having my little buddy stay with me.
It's snowing right now. Big flakes little storm; that's what Mom always told me. I can't believe I'm saying this but it's kind of nice. Snow for Christmas would be okay just so it goes away after that. We left home in part to get away from the cold and snow. At least the cold part isn't too bad.
Barb, Ces, Cindy, Jake and Jimmy are at Grandma Cindy's baking Christmas cookies. I hope Barb is enjoying herself. I know I like the quiet time.
Well today I sure screwed up big time. I unhooked drove over to get Propane and dump my holding tanks at the County Fair Grounds. So far all is good. Upon returning to Tannen's I drove under the over hang to park where we have been parking. Now the extension overhang from his shop is held up by 4X4 posts. I managed to rip, and I mean rip, off the electric awning on the right side of the RV. Man was I mad. Poor Jake he took off like a shot and went inside. Smart kid. I apologized to him later for being angry and using poor language. I didn't want him to feel he was part to blame because he sure wasn't. I know he felt bad though. He's good now. So I called Bob Kemp our insurance man, took pictures and emailed them to him. An adjuster from Idaho is supposed to get in touch with me next week but with Christmas and New Year I imagine it will take some time. Then I hope I can get a quick appointment with Camping World in Boise. The awning, and of course the frying of the TV, 55 amp charger goes along with the claim of bad luck since arriving at our son's place. As I have said before, if something doesn't go wrong it wouldn't be an RV trip for me. I can always expect some damage; just my luck. Hopefully I'm done now for this trip. I'm anxious to see Tombstone and do a little "boondocking" in the desert outside Tombstone.
Jake is excited about Christmas as all little boys should be at this time of year. It's fun watching him. I told him sleep makes the time go faster but he is so excited he has trouble getting to sleep. I remember those days. Staying up late playing Monopoly and other games to make the time pass on Christmas Eve. One time, on Cherokee, we snuck down and fell asleep under the tree. Of course Mom found us and scooted us upstairs to bed. I have many fond memories of living on Cherokee Ave. as a little boy. It is the same house my Dad grew up in. Great Grandpa built in 1909. I loved that house. It was nice until Dad re-modeled it and then sold it. We had a bedrooms upstairs until the re-model. In the summer we would sleep out on the porch over the back yard. Our Aunt Grace lived upstairs until she died. She was a neat lady. I remember so little of her because I was so little. Aunt Grace was my Paternal Grandpa's sister. She owned the house but sold it to Dad with the caveat she be allowed to live there until she passed. I've been back to see the house several times but it's just not the same. The lady who owns it now turned it into a rental. Our old bedrooms upstairs are an apt. and even the attic is a seperate apt. They ruined the house. Of course it is not being taken care of like it should so it looks a little run down.
(It's odd the things that go through my mind while typing. It's theraputic.)
Back from another nice dinner at Cindy's. Watched some good clasic 1947s TV. Christmas stuff is best for me at any rate. Some stuff I haven't seen in years, 1950s and older. Love it. Otherwise I don't care for tv much.
December 24, 2012
It is another beautiful day. Woke up to the sun shinning Love It!
It is Christmas Eve day and Jakob is getting more excited by the minute. It is so cool to see him this way. I can remember those days as a child. Poor little Jimmy is sick with the croupy cough. I hate to see him this way.
The weather man is talking snow for the area on Christmas Day. That would be nice as long as the next day it is Gone!!!
Pay day, Pay day where are you?
We shared Christmas Eve dinner with Cesily's brother Sam, Valerie and their 4 kids. Boy what an excited bunch of kids knowing Santa is on his way. Valerie, Sam's wife, made home made Tacos with a rice dish that included jalapenos. Man was that ever good. Ces' Mom Cindy and Step Dad Gene along with Ces and Sam's Grandmother Mickey were all there. It was a good time. They live in Wizer a little town just across the border in Idaho. Wizer (sp) is where they hold a Violin contest every year someitme in June. Hope to see it some time after we move here. At any rate it is a Good Christmas Eve. I was just in the house and of course Jake and Jimmy are still awake though for different reasons I suspect. Jimmy is too young to appreciate it being Christmas Eve while Jake is too excited to sleep. Barb just went inside to help Ces work on Sam's gift, the heirloom chair. Barb wrapped Ces' presents from Tannen as he is still at work. He won't be home until, well now as I look at the clock. Man I can't believe it is after 2300 hours already. Tomorrow will come fast so I guess I better get to sleep. Merry Christmas everyone.
December 25, 2012
Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas.
I woke up today at 0530 after going to bed at 0230. I'm doing surprisingly good for only 3 hours sleep. Barb woke me at 0730 to tell me Jake and the kids where up. When I went inside I saw Jimmy playing with a gift of a football and sliding down his new gym slide. Pretty Cool! So we all began to open presents; what an awesome morning. I think everyone is asleep now as I write this. I guess no breakfast. We are spending the rest of the day at Cindy's where we will eat Lasagna and watch the kids open more presents. Very Cool! Some of the kids get a little wild for me but I guess not everyone can have perfect kids like my Grandsons. LOL. I'm looking forward to the visit despite my getting nervous around loud kids. I guess I'll follow Gene and see where he hides out when they get to loud.
I pray my Mom is doing good today. Congestive Heart Failure can be a stubborn thing but her doctor is good and caring man. She is at my brother's Dave's place until Wednesday, clebrating Christmas with him and his wife.
Back from the afternoon and early evening at Cindy's. Had a grand time watching everyone open presents. Even the "Pirate gift giving" was fun. I ended up with a slow cooker/crockpot which will be great for the RV. Valerie, Sam's wife gave me a very cool pocket watch for the gift exchange. Valerie said she asked and Tannen told her she can't go wrong with anything Harley and pocket watch. He was right, what a great gift. It came with a belt holster so I immediately placed it on my belt but only after setting the correct time. I'm very happy with the whole day. Usually I'm quiet and set back but I refused to be that way anymore because I miss out on so much with my self imposed hesitancy to join in. I'm glad I see things differently now. Barb is so easy going and sociable. I learn a lot watching her being happy and taking an active part.
I've been reading a lot of blogs on full time RVing. I know Barb doesn't want to go full time but part time is okay with me. We both get what we want in compromise and that is what being married is all about. There is so much to see in this country and I want to travel and see it all. When we leave here we will travel the back roads as much as we can and stop often. We are leaving here hopefully in January but we have to wait for a couple of pieces of mail to arrive. One is a refund check and the other is our two credit cards for Chevron and Texaco. I also applied for a Flying J but I doubt we will get that. The slow part is waiting for the cards to be mailed to Minnesota and then forwared to here. I should have used Tannen's address for the fuel credit cards but Ik didn't think of that until afterwards and of course by then it was too late.
To close; Christmas was great!
Happy New Year everyone.
December 21, 2012
Just sitting at the table looking thru a very good personal travel site called; Life on the Open Road. This site is written by a single woman who has been traveling for more than 13 years on her own. I'm somewhat jealous as Barb wants to have a permanent residence while I want to full time for a few years. Oh well marriage is all about compromise! I guess that is why we have been together for 40 years. At least she agrees to head South for the Winters anyway. There is so much to see in this wonderful country of ours and I want to see as much as I can before I get too old and can't travel. My Mom and Dad instilled the travel bug in me in a very good way!
My thoughts ramble so bear with me. (Is that the right "bear with me?" Or should it be ("bare with me?" ) Oh well I really don't care.
Sitting in the Motorhome looking out the window at the greay skies. At least there is no snow. Back home it has been snowing with a vengence. I guess they are paying for the last two years of hardly any snow and last year's early Spring. We were riding the bikes in March. How cool is that.
December 22, 2012
It rain again today; still better than snow.
I watched Barb and Ces wrap Christmas presents at the same time watching a Chinese movie with english subtitles tell me I can't multi-task.
I'm getting itchy to travel but we must save gas money and besides Christmas will be here soon and the morning of watching everyone open their presents will pass all too quickly. It will be a plesant day with the extended family of our daughter-in-law. They are a great family! It is nice they can all be together. I only wish Mike and his family, our Ohio grandkids, could also be here.
I hung up some things today, a paper plate holder, paper towel holder and a clothes hook. Heck I don't want to do all the fun stuff in one day. Besides this morning, while Barb tried to sleep, I changed the batteries from a daisy chain to a negative to negative, positive to positive. (I can't think of the term right now) I watched how to do it on College of U-Tube. What a great resource. If you haven't tried it you should. I've never been disapointed.
Ces is re-finishing a chair that has been in her family for quite some time. It will be a Christmas present for her brother Sam. What a great gift, an heir loom.
December 23, 2012
Jake slept in the RV with me last night. We stayed up and watched Indiana Jones on the lap top via the TV screen. Unfortunately we could not hear it very well as only the lap top speakers put out the sound. However, I accessed subtittles so we could read what was being said. It was nice having my little buddy stay with me.
It's snowing right now. Big flakes little storm; that's what Mom always told me. I can't believe I'm saying this but it's kind of nice. Snow for Christmas would be okay just so it goes away after that. We left home in part to get away from the cold and snow. At least the cold part isn't too bad.
Barb, Ces, Cindy, Jake and Jimmy are at Grandma Cindy's baking Christmas cookies. I hope Barb is enjoying herself. I know I like the quiet time.
Well today I sure screwed up big time. I unhooked drove over to get Propane and dump my holding tanks at the County Fair Grounds. So far all is good. Upon returning to Tannen's I drove under the over hang to park where we have been parking. Now the extension overhang from his shop is held up by 4X4 posts. I managed to rip, and I mean rip, off the electric awning on the right side of the RV. Man was I mad. Poor Jake he took off like a shot and went inside. Smart kid. I apologized to him later for being angry and using poor language. I didn't want him to feel he was part to blame because he sure wasn't. I know he felt bad though. He's good now. So I called Bob Kemp our insurance man, took pictures and emailed them to him. An adjuster from Idaho is supposed to get in touch with me next week but with Christmas and New Year I imagine it will take some time. Then I hope I can get a quick appointment with Camping World in Boise. The awning, and of course the frying of the TV, 55 amp charger goes along with the claim of bad luck since arriving at our son's place. As I have said before, if something doesn't go wrong it wouldn't be an RV trip for me. I can always expect some damage; just my luck. Hopefully I'm done now for this trip. I'm anxious to see Tombstone and do a little "boondocking" in the desert outside Tombstone.
Jake is excited about Christmas as all little boys should be at this time of year. It's fun watching him. I told him sleep makes the time go faster but he is so excited he has trouble getting to sleep. I remember those days. Staying up late playing Monopoly and other games to make the time pass on Christmas Eve. One time, on Cherokee, we snuck down and fell asleep under the tree. Of course Mom found us and scooted us upstairs to bed. I have many fond memories of living on Cherokee Ave. as a little boy. It is the same house my Dad grew up in. Great Grandpa built in 1909. I loved that house. It was nice until Dad re-modeled it and then sold it. We had a bedrooms upstairs until the re-model. In the summer we would sleep out on the porch over the back yard. Our Aunt Grace lived upstairs until she died. She was a neat lady. I remember so little of her because I was so little. Aunt Grace was my Paternal Grandpa's sister. She owned the house but sold it to Dad with the caveat she be allowed to live there until she passed. I've been back to see the house several times but it's just not the same. The lady who owns it now turned it into a rental. Our old bedrooms upstairs are an apt. and even the attic is a seperate apt. They ruined the house. Of course it is not being taken care of like it should so it looks a little run down.
(It's odd the things that go through my mind while typing. It's theraputic.)
Back from another nice dinner at Cindy's. Watched some good clasic 1947s TV. Christmas stuff is best for me at any rate. Some stuff I haven't seen in years, 1950s and older. Love it. Otherwise I don't care for tv much.
December 24, 2012
It is another beautiful day. Woke up to the sun shinning Love It!
It is Christmas Eve day and Jakob is getting more excited by the minute. It is so cool to see him this way. I can remember those days as a child. Poor little Jimmy is sick with the croupy cough. I hate to see him this way.
The weather man is talking snow for the area on Christmas Day. That would be nice as long as the next day it is Gone!!!
Pay day, Pay day where are you?
We shared Christmas Eve dinner with Cesily's brother Sam, Valerie and their 4 kids. Boy what an excited bunch of kids knowing Santa is on his way. Valerie, Sam's wife, made home made Tacos with a rice dish that included jalapenos. Man was that ever good. Ces' Mom Cindy and Step Dad Gene along with Ces and Sam's Grandmother Mickey were all there. It was a good time. They live in Wizer a little town just across the border in Idaho. Wizer (sp) is where they hold a Violin contest every year someitme in June. Hope to see it some time after we move here. At any rate it is a Good Christmas Eve. I was just in the house and of course Jake and Jimmy are still awake though for different reasons I suspect. Jimmy is too young to appreciate it being Christmas Eve while Jake is too excited to sleep. Barb just went inside to help Ces work on Sam's gift, the heirloom chair. Barb wrapped Ces' presents from Tannen as he is still at work. He won't be home until, well now as I look at the clock. Man I can't believe it is after 2300 hours already. Tomorrow will come fast so I guess I better get to sleep. Merry Christmas everyone.
December 25, 2012
Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas.
I woke up today at 0530 after going to bed at 0230. I'm doing surprisingly good for only 3 hours sleep. Barb woke me at 0730 to tell me Jake and the kids where up. When I went inside I saw Jimmy playing with a gift of a football and sliding down his new gym slide. Pretty Cool! So we all began to open presents; what an awesome morning. I think everyone is asleep now as I write this. I guess no breakfast. We are spending the rest of the day at Cindy's where we will eat Lasagna and watch the kids open more presents. Very Cool! Some of the kids get a little wild for me but I guess not everyone can have perfect kids like my Grandsons. LOL. I'm looking forward to the visit despite my getting nervous around loud kids. I guess I'll follow Gene and see where he hides out when they get to loud.
I pray my Mom is doing good today. Congestive Heart Failure can be a stubborn thing but her doctor is good and caring man. She is at my brother's Dave's place until Wednesday, clebrating Christmas with him and his wife.
Back from the afternoon and early evening at Cindy's. Had a grand time watching everyone open presents. Even the "Pirate gift giving" was fun. I ended up with a slow cooker/crockpot which will be great for the RV. Valerie, Sam's wife gave me a very cool pocket watch for the gift exchange. Valerie said she asked and Tannen told her she can't go wrong with anything Harley and pocket watch. He was right, what a great gift. It came with a belt holster so I immediately placed it on my belt but only after setting the correct time. I'm very happy with the whole day. Usually I'm quiet and set back but I refused to be that way anymore because I miss out on so much with my self imposed hesitancy to join in. I'm glad I see things differently now. Barb is so easy going and sociable. I learn a lot watching her being happy and taking an active part.
I've been reading a lot of blogs on full time RVing. I know Barb doesn't want to go full time but part time is okay with me. We both get what we want in compromise and that is what being married is all about. There is so much to see in this country and I want to travel and see it all. When we leave here we will travel the back roads as much as we can and stop often. We are leaving here hopefully in January but we have to wait for a couple of pieces of mail to arrive. One is a refund check and the other is our two credit cards for Chevron and Texaco. I also applied for a Flying J but I doubt we will get that. The slow part is waiting for the cards to be mailed to Minnesota and then forwared to here. I should have used Tannen's address for the fuel credit cards but Ik didn't think of that until afterwards and of course by then it was too late.
To close; Christmas was great!
Happy New Year everyone.
