Shawn Johnson

Jason and Laura were privileged to attend the induction of Shawn Johnson to Iowa's Hall of Pride. Laura is employed by Iowa Boys Athletic Association and thereby received an invitation to attend. Pictured is her coach, Chow. Another with Jason and Shawn's mother. Laura is pictured with Shawn. It certainly adds interest to watching the Olympics in August.

Now the news

We work on Friday, Saturday and Sunday- off the other 4 days. That is by choice. The busiest days are the weekends and the time flies.
Tonight we are going on a staff excursion to Boulder for a dinner theatre. There are 18 of us going. Should be fun. You will most likely see photos of it on www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com tomorrow or so.
My job of taking care of the blog has been a bit of a challenge lately because of an ailing Internet connection but I called Verizon yesterday and we determined my aircard was not functioning properly and a new one is on the way. Friends Terry and Lisa pulled in a couple of days ago and they have Verizon also which was working great for them. That helped in the diagnosis.
So I hope ya'all are keeping up with the posts...till next time...

Long Dry Spell

We have just been busier than hmmm..scat!!! We work the weekends and right now the supervisor is in Oklahoma so we ...ahem...are in charge!!! The campground has been full on weekends. With fuel prices such as they are we are getting primarily Colorado people.
The weather has been in a word perfect!!! Highs in the 70's -lows in the 40's!
By the way...Did any of you know you can volunteer here for as little as two weeks? And you do not need an RV to do so. They would house you in a room. Wow! A working vacation!! You put in 3-8 hour days and the other 4 you can play with the YMCA footing the bill for many things including food.
I do not understand why we are not swamped with volunteers.
Butch is playing golf today with Mike Bryce. They are using Grand Golf passes whereby they golf on very expensive courses($89) for free!! That is a new feature this year and one that will most likely bring Butch back again next year.
Things a running smoothly this year-enjoying the people and the work and all is well.

More Flood Info

From friend Phyllis Thompson in Atlantic IA:
SW IA got hit hard in places with winds, tornadoes, very heavy rain, etc although we were very fortunate here in Atlantic. A couple of our low lying areas flooded, but those aren't unusual. Some farming fields still have ponds and some replanting will need to be done. We did have 5 out of 6 straight nights of watches and warnings for severe thunder storms, tornadoes and flooding. All the updates, and constant weather broadcasts out of Omaha stations over rode the TV programs those evenings and nights. Mason City, in north east IA had the worst flooding ever in it's history, but daughter Deb and Kevin were lucky - not even water in the basement from ground water. They live in northeast Mason City. They are about a block from the river, but it didn't come up that far where they are. It was a couple of days before they could get out of their immediate area though. A lot of MC was at a standstill because the water overflowed the levy at the water treatment plant which pretty well shut down the City because so many places couldn't function without tap water - just think of the hospital, for instance. Emergency medical tankers came there, but only emergencies & in patients already there were treated. Inmates at the jail had to be taken to other counties, restaurants couldn't be open, day cares couldn't function, etc. Curfews were issued and enforced with heavy fines because of traffic congestion and looting, etc. You couldn't get into MC unless you could prove you lived there or had to be there. This flooding continues to play out as the water has progressed on south into areas that got plenty of rain also before the flooding rivers come to their towns and areas. 2008 has NOT been kind to Iowa this winter and spring!!

More Flood Pics from Iowa

Thanks to Richard Jorgensen & Jean Hall:

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Iowa Flood -Boone Area 2008

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Benefits

Some of you have wondered what we get out of volunteering at Snow Mountain Ranch. Trust me, the reasons are abundant but here are a few things we like about it.

For quite some time winter senior volunteers have enjoyed the benefit of Grand passes for skiing but now summer volunteers have the benefit for golf. This is a big deal for golfers who can now play free golf at the courses in the area on their days off. Come on golfers, volunteer at Snow Mountain Ranch and enjoy a Grand golf benefit!!

Summer Grand Pass Use Benefits/Rules
Summer 2008 Season

I.Grand Passes - For a complete list of Grand Pass benefits, please come to the HR office. A Grand Pass Benefits book is posted on the bulletin board immediately to the left of the HR entrance for your perusal. Examples of some of the Grand Pass benefits include:

Free Golf at Pole Creek, Headwaters, Grand Lake and Grand Elk Golf Courses
Free entrance to base activities at WP Resort (mini golf, alpine slide, lift ticket for downhill mountain biking and more!)
Free entrance to High Country Stampede Rodeo in Fraser and Flying Heels Rodeo Series in Granby
Free skiing at Winter Park/Mary Jane Resort, Copper Mountain Resort, Sol Vista and Steamboat
Cross Country Skiing at Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Discounts at local restaurants and retailers

Snow Mountain Ranch Volunteers

We have been here long enough to get in the groove. We work mainly weekends and that is okay with us. Next week finds us in charge as our supervisor is going back to Oklahoma for doctor appts. Not crazy about being in charge but we will manage.
Today was Butch's birthday. He had a good time...played golf for free!...had birthday cake and a song.
We had snow yesterday morning. Yes, snow in June...about 2 inches. Last night we didn't get snow but it was 27 degrees this morning. It has been interesting and a challenge to figure out which coat to wear.
I have been working on the SMR blog and you can find it at www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com.
I haven't heard from hardly anyone lately but I can understand that. Especially in Iowa where they are dodging tornadoes and bailing water.

From Laura & Jason

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First Day of work

Butch and I finished our first day of work today. We are both tired tonight. Not used to putting in 8 hours of honest work. We will get used to it soon. Some things have changed and it is all about getting the routine down again. Once we do that it will be smooth sailing.
Yesterday we walked up to the waterfall...at least we intended to. It was muddy, snowy and slick in spots. We had been told you couldn't go all the way up because of a snow melt filled stream and beaver ponds. We did plan to go as far as we could but gave up short of that goal. We did walk far enough to give both of us sore calf muscles. We saw moose, deer and "large kitty" prints in the mud. None were fresh.
I am doing much better with the altitude this year.
I will be doing more posting on the www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com so may want to check in on that one too.

Leo and Keri's Big Rain

Leo sent me these flood pictures. He said they have never had this kind of flooding, even in 1993!

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Our Trip to Snow Mountain Ranch

I took photos through the windshield as we made our way to SMR taking the northern route through Laramie WY and Walden CO. Below is a slide show of my windshield shots. The trip was smooth with great weather. Windy in Wyoming but then it always is. The first hour or two after arrival is spent greeting all the friends we made last year as first time volunteers. So good to see everyone again. Once we get acclimated to the altitude we will begin our duties as campground attendants. The acclimation process seems to be easier this year. I didn't huff and puff nearly so hard walking up the hill to the Commons for meals.
Be sure to check out the www.smrvolunteers.blogspot.com site as well as this one because if I get short of time that will most likely be the one that gets attention since it will be part of my volunteer duties.
This one will always get the straight skinny though so if I need to vent it will show up here. Nahhh...Ain't gonna happen...right?

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Memorial Day 2008

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Hometown Tree

We have driven by this tree hundreds of times and never took note of it. Today we did! It's a doozy!! Located on hwy 4 south side of Jefferson IA on the west side of the highway. White rail fence helps in locating it.

Cat Themed

The black one is Kiki owned by Nicole Morlan and the other is on the Brooker Complex where are currently residing.

News...maybe not!

We are still in Jefferson and will be until early next week. Butch and I were able to get one bike ride in on the Raccoon River Valley Trail. We only rode about six miles total. Roger Conant, a cousin by marriage, lives close to the trail so we stopped for a visit.
Yesterday, we had our annual girls day out. This started a few years ago where we would all meet, usually in Jefferson for a family gathering...just the girls. So yesterday we met here. My sisters Teri and Myrla, Cousin Phyllis and her niece Joanna, and our niece
Karla and her son Devon. We had a fine visit and we always find out a few things we didn't know or perhaps had forgotten.
I am on the final lap of the Swedish weaving afghan I am doing for a wedding in August. It turned out great and I did it in record time. I started it May 1st and will be putting the finishing touches on it today or tomorrow.

Oh and yes, Butch has been golfing.

Gratitude

The Gratitude Sign

Ever wonder how to say thank you when you see a military person in uniform?

See a simple way to do it from across a room or as you are passing by.
Please click on the 'The Gratitude Sign'
Let's do it!

The Morning Bath

Springtime on Lake Anita

I apologize to those with slow connections...

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Up to date

Butch and I are at his brother Leo's place in Jefferson Iowa the old hometown. Yesterday we drove to Boone IA and spent the day with son Jason and family. Laura prepared a scrumptious BBQ rib dinner for all of us. Super Tasty!
I went for my walk this morning while Butch mows. It is a never ending chore here but Butch does love it. It seems he can hardly wait to get on the machine when we get here. This isn't new. I teased him years ago about his unnatural relationship with his lawnmower.
I am still working away on the wedding afghan and it is coming along nicely. I am off to Pamida this morning to purchase exactly the right color yarn to continue. Jefferson may only have one grocery store but they have two places to buy yarn so if I cannot find what I am looking for at Pamida I can go on in to Ben Franklin as they have a humongous yarn selection.
Leo rebooted his Wifi system so now I have a speedier connection to get some blogging done. How easily we get spoiled!
Till next time...

Above Average

Every now and then I get a photo I consider above average and this is one of them. The bird is an Baltimore Oriole.

What we do

We are at Lake Anita for another week. Doctor appt. on Monday- Haircut on Tuesday. Angel loves it here. Spends all her time looking out the windshield. The Pelicans are still here. The DNR guys say they have been here for 3 weeks and it is time for them to move on. They are getting all the fish!!
Today Butch went to Jefferson to do some electrical for his brother Leo. We will be up there next week.
I haven't posted much for a couple of reasons. I have had a cranky Internet connection. Sometimes it works great and sometimes not. Also I am working on a Swedish weaving project that will be a wedding present. I started it concerned for the amount of time it may take to finish it. That is no longer the concern as it is going along quite well and I am having fun with it. I will be more content to have it done and ready for giving however.

Pelicans

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April Photos

For those with high speed connections:

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Tuna Cakes

Tuna Cakes 4/28/2008

Author: Sherri Clark

2 Cans (6oz. ea.) light tuna in water, drained, flaked.
1 pkg. (6oz.) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 C. shredded carrots
1/3 C. mayonnaise
2 Tbl. Sweet pickle relish
3/4 C. water
(I added 6 green onions)


Mix tuna, stuffing mix, cheese, carrots, dressing, relish and water in a bowl.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 10 min.
Heat a large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Scoop tuna
mixture, using about 1/3 C. for each cake, into the skillet in batches. An ice cream
scoop works well. Gently flatten cakes using a spatula. Cook 3-5 minutes on each
side or until golden brown on both sides, turning carefully.

I Love It!!

e
I have been looking all over several states for a chair to replace the one we bought at Bubba's that I didn't like. After arriving at the "kid's" house Susan said she would take me to the furniture store closest to them to look but she warned me they were a bit pricey. I walked in and found MY chair! I love this chair. It fits me perfectly in every way. I told Butch I could live in this chair. There is back support in the right spot- the headrest fits my neck and head exactly right- my feet touch the floor- it reclines fully and stays that way. It is in a word PERFECT! The brand name is Best and friend Shirley Franey purchased one in Texas this past winter and I had so liked hers but was unable to find one like it...And now I have!! I am singing a happy tune!

Watchin' and waitin'

If you are watching and waiting for news of us, today is your lucky day! We are in Peculiar Place RV Park near Peculiar MO. We have been visiting with Gary and Susan and Susan's mother Eloise nightly. Last weekend we enjoyed the company of Brad and Amanda Teeter as well. Next Saturday morning we will be headed north to Anita IA with hopes there is an open spot for us at Lake Anita where we will connect with more friends and get up to date with doctor visits.
From there, depending on test results and such we will be headed to Jefferson IA where will make more connections with friends and family before heading west to Colorado for 6 weeks. So now you know as much as we do about our plans and I hope they can mesh with yours somewhere along the way.

Behind...

I was amused by this "setter" in Carthage

We met Sam and Marilynn at the Cracker Barrel in Joplin one day for lunch.
Marilynn was our first level supervisor at Snow Mountain Ranch.

Our son, Gary umpires in the KC area and we went to see him work last Saturday.

Spring Cleaning

Butch has the outside washed and today we have worked on windows- inside and out including screens. Those screens get very dusty. I have found Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner does a great job cleaning screens.
I have been seeking out and eradicating dust and dirt from every crease and crevice on the inside while Butch has been laboring away on the exterior. We should both be able to take a break soon.

Carthage MO-April Brrr

We arrived in Carthage MO this morning. The trip up was downright pleasant with perhaps the exception of buying fuel in Checotah OK for $3.82. Good price if you can get your mind around it.
Our plans are to wash, wax, and detail our lovely rolling home while we are here. Butch wants to get a couple rounds of golf in as well. We are excited about touching base with friends and family. Now that we have friends spread out all over the country we can pretty well say that wherever we travel.
Till next time...

On the road again...

We left Magnolia Park this morning and we are now in Lexington TX at Sonny's RV park. We have pretty much decided to stay here tomorrow to wait out the major weather system north of us. So Friday we will be "On the Road Again"!

Buttery Onion Soup: revised

Neighbor Kay S. said she made this recipe last night and it was excellent so I decided to post it again.
I think I will be making this tonight after I go to the store for some mozzarella cheese.

Buttery Onion Soup 4/5/2008

2 Cups thinly sliced onions
1/2 Cup butter or margarine
1/4 Cup flour
2 Cups chicken broth
2 Cups milk
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Saute' onion in butter 20-30 minutes in 3 qt. sauce pan till nicely carmelized. Blend in
flour, add milk and broth, heat until boiling, boil one minute, reduce it
to low; remove from heat and let it cool down; the cool down process is important. Kay and I added the cheese on top of the bowl just before serving and this seemed to work well. Otherwise the cheese is stringy.

Motorhome Racing

Very funny ...and we will not be doing any racing on the way home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gourYCpaJLU

RX List site

Do you want to know more about the meds your doctor has prescribed? I went to this site and found out oodles I did not know about the meds I take including what substances they are made from. Saffron is in one of my medications. I was impressed with this site.
RXList.com

Another Guy

Another fellow, name of Don, went to Progreso for diesel fuel in the 5 gallon containers. He did this right after Butch had gone down, in fact he went with Butch and then turned around to go back again to refill the tanks for the guy who owned them. They stopped him and chewed him out at the border. Told him that they could fine him as much as $250...but wouldn't this time. He assured them he would never be back for diesel fuel in a container again. I think the guys have been sufficiently educated on this issue.
I do not believe they would have even looked at him except their computer told them this was his second trip down for the day.
It is definitely tighter at the border. Don't mess with them.

Butch's Big Adventure:

Butch's Big Adventure:
As I am sure many of you know, Butch has been grumbling about fuel prices. A fellow in the park has been driving to Progreso for diesel fuel and he has an extra tank on the back of his truck but the pump didn't work. So he thought he would get it fixed and Butch had plans to go with him and then put the fuel they would purchase for about $2 a gallon in the MoHo. But the guy never got around to it!
Butch mentioned it often...then he had a conversation with another fellow in the park who had several tanks that he was taking down. So Butch borrowed the tanks and down we went for diesel fuel. We went with Dale C. in his truck. The guys filled up the tanks while Norma and I shopped. At the border on the way back Butch declared the diesel fuel and the border guy asked if it was for our personal use. "Yes" we said. Then he said,
"Are the lines hooked up direct to the truck?" and Dale said "Yes". Butch didn't hear that part.

Now Butch had to return today in our car to get the tanks filled up to replace the fuel that had belonged to the fellow he borrowed them from. So down he went. He didn't declare it and he didn't get checked. You are supposedly allowed to bring back 100 gallons as long as it is for personal use. But there was a fellow at the pumps who had been turned back at the border, sitting there with 100 gallons he could not get back across.
Butch didn't sleep too well over all this. I told him from the gitgo I didn't think all this hoopla was worth the hassle but of course he begged to differ with me.
I slept quite well last night. Oh by the way, he purchased 40 gallons at $2.15 a gallon. And we are done with that for now.

Angel Aware

Spoonbread

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Still Winter in Iowa

Sister Myrla sent this picture. It looks like Hewy is saying, "What alien life form is this?"

Overheard

Every now and then I overhear a snippet of conversation that tickles my funny bone. This is one that I heard a couple of days ago.
" Put your hearing aids in and get out here and listen to these birds!"

The Big Switch

We plan to sit tight for a week or two. Fuel prices for one and experience tells us it isn't all that warm up north. In years past I have said we wouldn't be going that way till the leaves were on the trees but that doesn't work either. The few prescriptions we take run out in April so we are obliged to get them renewed. And the leaves are not in full evidence until May. So we plan to leave here around April 11th and slowly travel north to Carthage MO. The Coachlight RV Park has exceedingly soft water so we plan to wash and wax our home there. Then from there up the road to see our Missouri kids. Iowa after that and I am assuming it will be at Lake Anita again till the doctor stuff is done. As of right now that should not amount to much.
My blogging emphasis has been on the Magnolia Park one but that will change once we are out the front gate. We will be in a different spot here next year. For a few years we have been on a spot designed for two small units and they would like us to take a different spot next year so we will be on #57 facing east. It will be nearly across the street from Bill & Jo, closer to the pool and all the other event places. I am sure we will like it fine.
The beauty of the full time lifestyle is that it can be defined in whatever manner suits us. And right now we are suited to doing just as we are. We hope you are too!

Homer & Bodie

Butch's cousin Willie sent this picture of her Dad, Butch's only surviving uncle and his Great Grandson Bodie.

So what...

So what have I been doing? Staying indoors as much as possible the past couple of days. Why you might ask? First off we are "enjoying" triple digit temperatures. Secondly I am suffering with high tree pollen allergies. So I am wearing a mask when I do go out. We need an air-clearing rain. It hasn't rained at all for what seems like a very long time.
Enough grumbling...
I enjoyed a visit via computer with Marvin Ludwig today. Marv was our square dance caller for many years. We discussed many subjects as we have always done every time we are together.

And then I started in on a long unfinished Swedish Weaving project that has been on the back burner for over a year. I am making progress on it and I am enjoying getting back to it.
Also I did three loads of laundry today.
Butch got a new tip put on his pool cue so had to try that out. Then he had a couple of electrical calls to attend to.
Fuel prices are affecting our Spring plans somewhat. We plan to stay here a bit longer than usual and then pretty much head straight North stopping in Carthage to do a spring cleaning of our movable home before venturing to Iowa for our doctor visits. I turned 65 this month so I may get a more thorough going over and that can take longer what with tests etc.

Straight from the Headlines

The following quote is copied straight from the Des Moines Register Headline...It sure tickled my funnybone!
Former councilman Brad Olson pleaded guilty today of second-degree theft and acknowledged "that there is strong evidence of my actual guilt."

Somebody should send this to Jay Leno...

Sunshine Getaway

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Laid Back in Texas

Busy Being Sick

Friends Donn and Peggy surprised and pleased us with a visit. Unfortunately I had another episode with illness. Don't ask me what it was I do not even know but I was treating it with DayQuil as it resembled a cold. I have a heart murmer...been there all my life. And after a particularly bad Monday morning with Butch taking me to the Doctor in somewhat of an emergency...felt like one to me! DayQuil and NyQuil is bad, bad, bad for Barb!!
So now I will be more properly medicated with a chest cold expectorant cough syrup and should be back up to snuff very soon.
I hope Donn and Peggy come back again so I can enjoy their visit as much as I wanted to. More pics later...

Surpised!

Long time friends Donn and Peggy Gordon from Carson City NV emailed us from San Antonio and said they were headed our way. What a surprise! They are staying on South Padre Island the lucky ducks! They arrived yesterday so Butch and I headed on down to see them. We ate at Pirate's Landing in Port Isabel and most of you know by now that is one of my favorite places to eat...that and Dirty Al's. Butch, not being fond of seafood, we chose Pirate's Landing this time. More non-seafood choices there. He is especially partial to their Chicken Fajita. It is great to see Donn and Peggy and we will be doing as many tourist things as we can cram in a few days. Tomorrow we will go to Mexico...the next day is a birthday party for the many friends we have with March birthdays...me included and Sunday is free as yet but I am sure we will do something.
I think they got sick of winter. Anybody else up there thinking that way?

Not much

Not much going on...taking it easy and fully recovering. The tree pollen count is very high as the leaves are budding out. The parrots sure like those buds and stop for a snack usually morning and evening.
I had fun yesterday working on a couple of computers. One was a simple problem. It was a new Dell completely underpowered. Doubled the memory and made a world of difference. Vista takes 1 GB to even start up in a timely manner so don't buy a new one with Vista containing less than that amount of RAM. The other problem proved to be a bit trickier. Another new Dell laptop and the windows updates would not install. There were seven to install and I managed to get 4 but the other 3 would not go. Investigating on the net said to start into regedit and I am not confident enough to do that so I had to advise they call Dell Tech support. First time I have had to tell someone that this season.
Here is a little cartoon for your added enjoyment.