Different kind of busy

Caught up with most of the laundry here in Carthage Mo at the Coachlight RV Park. Yesterday we went to Joplin mainly to shop for house batteries. Our coach batteries decided to go belly up in south Texas as we were preparing to leave. Donn Gordon was kind enough to take Butch to WalMart for replacements. We did not want to take off with iffy coach batteries. We would not have been able to anyway. Our batteries are all 7 years old so we knew it was time. So coach batteries have been replaced and we know the house batteries need replaced as well. So yesterday we went battery shopping in Joplin. Butch was hoping to find a place to replace them for him because of his rotator cuff issues. We did but they want a hefty price to do so, so he will struggle through. Pray that it goes well.
We also stopped at Michaels Arts and Craft store for bracelet clasps. They did not have any! Very disappointing as I planned to stock up at every Michaels store between here and Iowa. These are a particular kind of clasp and they have only been found at Michaels stores. Cannot buy them online. Bummer! But I will continue to look.
View from my window...

Farther North

We are farther north than we have been in April for quite some time and wouldn't you know we had to unhook the water hose last night because of predicted freezing temperatures. April in the northern climes can contain any kind of weather. We are in southern Missouri right now and will venture a little farther north on Thursday to our parking spot near our Missouri kids. Will be there a few days before getting into Iowa. I used to kid that we wouldn't come to Iowa till there were leaves on the trees but at the time I didn't have a good memory of how long that really takes. There are buds on the trees and a few leaf starts in southern Missouri but the trees here are not leafed out and we are a couple hundred miles south of our little house on the prairie in central Iowa. The season changes are always fun to watch no matter where we are. In south Texas they are subtle and take about two weeks. In Iowa they are in your face and take about two months. I plan to hit the bike trail as soon as I possibly can and that is where you can get a close up view of spring in all its magnificence. Stay tuned for pictures.
Butch is sleeping in this morning. He hasn't been able to do that to his satisfaction all winter what with golf dates and shuffleboard playing.
Angel adapted well to traveling as usual. She had a few minutes of fussing when we first started but quickly settled into her routine. She travels under my seat and comes out to eat and take potty breaks the same as we do when we stop.
The temperatures are supposed to moderate today and the remainder of the week until the next system comes through. Oh yes, we do remember Spring in the Midwest.

Latest photos on camera

Neighbors Bud and Jo were gifted these cute little frogs with their names on them last week.

Green Jay stopped by the Donn & Peggy Gordon residence for lunch last Thursday.

Very Large Hail

This from daughter-in-law Susan in Lees Summit MO:
When I talked with you this morning, I can't remember if I told you we had really large hail last night.  It broke out the two windows in the spare bedroom and cracked the windshield on Gary's truck.  We are working with insurance to try to get things fixed.  Those are the things we know are damaged.  I'm pretty sure that we probably have roof damage as well.  I kept a piece of hail in the freezer, so you'll have to see how large it was.  It was about 2 inches in diameter.  It sure was one heck of a storm!


From Barb:
Luckily we were south of the worst of it. After a 12+ hour drive we arrived in Carthage MO about 7:30 PM Sunday evening. We had planned to make a 3 day trip of it but when it was time to stop Butch was feeling like it would not be too taxing to continue on to Carthage. He promised we would get here before dark and indeed we did although quite tired and hungry. After a quick supper and a speedy shower we crashed for a long 10 hour nap. There was a thunderstorm during the night but it was not exciting enough to keep us awake. Today I got on my chore of catching up on the laundry; always a pleasure while we are here because of their soft water. The Internet connection did not work for me most of the day but at least it is working now. Today was a good reminder of why it is not always a good idea for an RV Park to offer park-wide Internet. They rarely work as well as the people want, resulting in a deluge of complaints. Also the people in the office need to be at least a little knowledgeable about how to maintain it. In other words they usually need very frequent rebooting and that can be a pain for all concerned. And then the owner/managers have to pay big bucks for this added headache. I fully understand why they drag their feet on this issue. Our next stop is at Peculiar MO and I already know their WiFi sucks. 

Preparations

Tomorrow I call to have our Internet disconnected. So we will be without unless we can hook onto WiFi somewhere along the line. We will be leaving for the first leg of our journey about 7:30 AM Saturday morning. Tomorrow we plan to move to a site where we can hook the car up and be ready to move out at first light. May not hear from me for a few days. I know I have Internet at Carthage Mo and we plan to be there by Monday afternoon. May all our roads be smooth ones. We are already aware we have loads of help from a higher power. We have been reminded of that many times over and we always take a moment to be properly grateful.

Hummerita

Peggy mixed up some hummingbird food then put it in the freezer to cool down. Then I interrupted her to go to the Dickies Factory Outlet and she forgot about it. So the hummers were treated to a frozen hummerita on a hot day. 

Oh by the way, do not bother to go to the Dickies Factory outlet. There are no bargains there and all the clothing seems to be miss sized. I held up an XL shirt and a 10 year old would have had trouble with it. And the missed sizing was rampant throughout the store. They do have lots of medical garb (scrubs).  I didn't check the prices because I wasn't interested. I have some YMCA shirts that say "Staff" and if I wear them in public people start asking me questions. It doesn't take much anymore to look like you know something!!

We will be leaving in a couple of days- heading north. So we are slowly getting the odds and ends of moving ready. Most of our yard art is put away. The plants are a last minute thing as are the bicycles, tire covers, new satellite dish and  hitches. We went to get grapefruit but the season is over so sorry, we will not be having any on board.

Few Pics from Mexico trip

Bridge approach into Mexico

Rio Grande

Tortilla Factory

We had Panchos with chicken. $8.00 but it is enough for both of us for lunch

Border crossing back into the USA

Ocean Sight and Sound

Sunday on the Island

We wished for the sun but alas....it didn't happen.

Mind Meanderings

The park has such a different feel at seasons end. There is an echo in the streets much like a deserted town. A very different feel indeed. The hustle and bustle of all the activities is suddenly quiet. You may have to look a bit before finding someone to engage in conversation. This season like others passed in a heartbeat. When I was in my 50's a woman of more years told me the older you get the faster it goes. I knew even then the ring of truth in what she said.
I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that those "Converted" Texans we leave behind are not all that unhappy about the sudden quiet. I know in their shoes I wouldn't be. We are all getting older and I am sure I could not keep up the frantic pace of the three busiest months here. So we all get on with the next phase of our year. The converted Texans have a summer of peace and look forward to the next busy season and we winter Texans leave sunny South Texas and go on to different adventures knowing that fall will soon be here and we will start all over again...if we are lucky

And we all think of each other as we go on about our lives. We want to keep our ties to our Magnolia family and know what is happening with each and every one. And we look forward to reconnecting with those friends and family we left last fall. It is always a bittersweet kind of thing.
Butch and I usually feel like we are on 'Vacation' when we pull out in our happy little home.
New adventures here we come!!! BUT we will be thinking about all of our friends too that we will not see now till November. Looking forward...looking back...but living in the now.

Great week

I have had time to breathe a bit and visit and look through my pictures. I have relied on my friends for many things this season. When I am busy, busy I do not like to take time to cook, particularly bake. And I have a couple of friends, Kay S. and Peggy, who have bailed me out time and time again. It seems it is written somewhere that wives have to make cakes so when one was requested of me I "delegated". I sure appreciate it that they help me in this way, no joke. SO on my birthday these two presented me with an Easy Bake Cake Mix. I understand that if they could have found an Easy Bake Oven I would have had one of those too. So when I unwrapped my gift they told me when I baked it I must share it. This week I found 30 seconds to bake my easy bake cake and frost it. And here is the picture. For perspective it is on a cottage cheese container lid. And yes, I did share it.

Next story: Peggy was sitting out front reading. Out of the corner of her eye she would see a leaf in a hole on the railing and then 'Whoosh' it would disappear. She watched this for quite some time and discovered that bee's were taking the leaves in the hole. And then this cigar looking thing fell out of the hole.

She brought it over and I took a picture of it and then did some research. This is what I found.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05576.html
This website explains all about them. We learned something new because we didn't even know they existed!

I have had time to bead a bracelet or two, read a book (World Without End by Ken Follett) that is very hard to put down. It really felt good to get to do some of what I call fun for a change.
We have plans to go to South Padre tomorrow.

Inspired

Butch was going to wait till we got to Carthage Mo to wash and wax the MoHo but he must have been inspired because he is doing it now. We did think that the weather may not cooperate to do it in Missouri in April so this may be a good idea. We are getting anxious to head out of here. That happens every year but perhaps a bit more so with our tiny house on the prairie waiting for us to do our magic.
We will be pulling out a week from Saturday.
Let's see...we need to pick up some grapefruit, get the propane tank filled,load up on all the things I like from H.E.B., my favorite grocery store. And remember all the little details
before we leave here. When we move frequently it is habit but after you sit in one place for 5 months it is easy to overlook things. It can keep you awake at night!
Oh well, it will all fall into place as it is supposed to.
So to all you friends and family in the northern climes we hope to see you soon!!

Sloppy Elise

Rata-tat-tat

Woodpeckers, there must be more than one, have been drumming away for weeks now looking for a mate. We keep telling him she has another fella and he must get on with his life but he keeps doing the rata-tat-tat hoping she will change her mind. He is pictured here on our satellite dish.

Ski trip pics from Gary

I must say the pics are not overly flattering but Gary sent them. Their trip is now over and they are headed home. Jason called last night. He was in Nebraska.
Barb

From Gary:
Waiting in Copper parking lot the first day there. 5 inches of powder the second day. The tightness of the private bathroom.

Jason picked on me today due to the falling comment in my previous email. I went on my first double black diamond run. Laid down on purpose to turn! Ran moguls all afternoon. Whew am I tired.

Spring Cleaning

And here is a website to help.


How to Clean Anything
http://www.howtocleananything.com/

"Welcome to HowToCleanAnything.com. The idea for the site started with a
group of cleaning professionals getting together to exchange tips and
techniques. The idea developed in what you see today. There are more
than 1300 free cleaning tips on this site, and growing every day."

Our Boys on the Slopes

From Gary:
Went to the little Ski Cooper today. Cost us $33.50 for the lift ticket. Found some tough enough parts to help Jason fall on his butt.

At the hostel

From Grandpa Gary

Grandpa has slowed down on getting good baby video. I need to get one of her giggle fests on camera!
Elise Hungry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YZjgAthXjA
Elise on Stairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2cfBUWssGU

Blessed Relief

I had time for a nap today!! Whoo Hoo And I was able to get some beading done. A group of us have been getting together on Saturday afternoons and doing some beading when we can. It has been great. And then to top it off Peggy and Donn invited us over for supper. It has been a very long time since I have had such a wonderful homecooked meal. Salisbury Steak, Mashed potatoes, Crockpot corn, Fresh baked buns followed by ice cream for dessert. It was scrumptious.

Devon

Don and Karla Hiller's son Devon made the front page of the Ogden paper. Karla is my sister Jayne's girl. We will be back in their neighborhood next month. That Devon is still a cutie.

Slow Down

Things are beginning to slow down around here. People are starting to leave. The election is over and I am president of the association for one more year. I have a couple of new board members to work with and that is okay. We will do fine. It was a bit of a surprise although I knew change was in the wind.
I only had one thing on my agenda today and that was to get a haircut. That slow a day has not happened for a good long time. It felt good. Soon our sights will be looking northward. We are already taking baby steps in that direction. Starting to look at my cupboards in a new way to get things secured for the trip. Starting to find secure places to put things and make room to put outdoor things away. We have to get in a trip to Mexico to make sure we have enough of the meds we need to last till we get back. Yes, Jason, I do remember your stuff too. We plan to bring back grapefruit. We haven't done that for many years. BUT in the meantime we will continue to enjoy the warmth as we know it isn't the same where we are headed.
Don't forget to Spring Forward on your clock this weekend. I wish they would just forget it and leave it alone but I will be amazed if that ever happens.

Here we have Yin and Yang. A couple of puppy girls Butch has to stop and pet.

Jason with his best buddy, Ethan.

I snipped this from Facebook. Thanks Laura!!

Cleaning Day

Waiting for Butch to finish his breakfast, then we will get our walk in followed by some more than cursory cleaning. I can only let it go so long. I think everyone has their own intolerance level and I have reached mine. So just a brief note this morning...
Till next time...

Lately

I did get a picture of this ankle bracelet before it went to its rightful owner. I liked the way this one turned out.

March 2011 Birthday Bash- For the past 6 years the Stilsons have hosted a birthday party for March birthdays. From l. to R. Peggy Gordon ( Feb 23,close enough), Dale Cooklin (March 1st), Bill Stilson (March 3rd), Jo Levin (March 4th) and Barb Brooker ( March 6th)

We had a great time!

Soooo Behind

I am so behind with computer work I may never get caught up. I am talking my own here. It is one of those times when I may 'select all' in my email and hit delete. I say that in jest. Although I do scan through and look for familiar names and at least read those.

It is the busiest time here in the park. The last business meeting of the season and the election are next Monday. It will really slow down after that. A certain amount of politics is inevitable in this situation. Some years more than others and this one seems to be very active. What will be,will be.

Butch has been busy with golf and pool as usual. I am still finding time to make bracelets and sell them. I have two to deliver today. Butch says he is a "kept man" this year as the income from bracelet sales has kept us from needing to go to the ATM. In other words, it has kept us in pocket money.

This morning I am assisting some new computer users in getting their computer set up. Butch has to dump the black tank. I would rather have my job even though his only takes a minute.

Hmmm...Maybe I can find time to vacuum...tomorrow!! 

Link of the Day

Quick, which country has the most Internet users? What about the number
of cars on the road? Which countries use nuclear power? These types of
questions don't often pop up in real life. But there are situations
where this information is important. School projects and political
discussions are two good examples. Unfortunately, wading through
statistical information is boring. After a while, the numbers all run
together but not with mapping the wrold.

It starts with a standard map of the world. Selecting a topic modifies
the map. Countries grow and shrink to match the statistical data.
Hovering your mouse over a country gives you more information. It's an
easy way to visualize information. And you can even submit information
to be added on a topic.

http://show.mappingworlds.com/world/?lang=EN

Bald Eagles on Web Cam -Decorah Iowa

Stream videos at Ustream

Good Morning

This is how my day starts...

She lost her man...

Forgot two items

Friday afternoon is free entertainment provided by the park manager Dottie as a Thanks to all of us. Also open to outside people. Hmmm. Will Butch give up Bridge? He might have to if the other bridge players do.
And then on Sunday afternoon there is a Mardi Gras parade that I have offered to lead. It is my usual walk route so the thought process is easy. And that takes us into Monday where we finish up the cluster bracelet in crafts at 1:00 and then I have a board meeting at 3:00.
Now you may have some inkling why this blog lacks the attention it deserves at times.
So I must now get on with my day...

Our friends

We heard from our friends Brian and Mary:
"We are still in Tropic Winds but must have just missed you.  We did move from 262  a week or so ago.   262 was a north facing door which gave us some shade but we wanted more sun soooo we moved to a south facing door lot a week ago.  Guess the gate folks didn't get the word. "


Brian and Mary are sun seekers so their reason for the lot change was not surprising at all. We plan to seek them out the next time we venture east in the valley.


We are in the midst of a very busy week. Butch plays pool this afternoon outside the park while I at the same time teach a beading class. Then late afternoon there are funeral services for a park resident.


Thursday is the steak fry followed by the in-park mixed pool league that both of us play in.


Friday morning is computer class. Butch plays Bridge in the afternoon.


Saturday morning is breakfast in Allen Hall if we choose to go.


Early Saturday or Sunday morning is the only reasonable time to go to Wal Mart so if we have any Wal Mart shopping that needs done that is the time we try to do it. If it is at all reasonable to avoid the place we do.


Mid-March things will slow down here as people start leaving. I am usually very ready for the slower pace. But we are having fun in the meantime...

Surprises everywhere

Yesterday Butch and I made a trip to Harlingen. We so rarely get out of the park and we thought it was time. We planned to stop at Tropic Winds to see our friends Mary and Brian Carlson but their assigned spot was empty! That was a surprise. We are curious to find out what is going on with them.
Then we stopped at Marlene and Bernards at Sunshine Park. They had prepared a homemade pan fried chicken dinner and it was out of this world. I cannot remember the last time I have enjoyed such a meal. Homemade pan-fried chicken, real mashed potatoes, chicken gravy made from the pan drippings, green beans from Marlene's garden and coleslaw. What a pleasant surprise! It was like a step back in time. Comfort food. Then we played more than a few games of cribbage and it was nip and tuck the whole way. I reluctantly would say the fellas may have won the most.
We stopped at Wal Mart in Harlingen before returning to Magnolia park and we were surprised there too!! The store was busy but they had enough check out lines open to accommodate the business. Whoa Nelly!! That nearly bowled us over. We were checked out in record time.
So I guess all around it was a day of surprises.

SidewinderClass - Powered by Google Docs

In case you are confused- this was an experiment to see if a pdf file could be placed on the blog for others to read. I wanted a pdf that had been created by me so I didn't get into any copyright issues and this is the only one I could locate quickly. Most of my pdf's are recipes I have saved from websites. Let me know how it worked for you. I am hoping you do not have to be a gmail user or have a google account to read it. That is the next obstacle. Thanks in advance for your help

SidewinderClass - Powered by Google Docs

A test with a pdf created by me

South Padre Trip

Finally made it to Dirty Al's for shrimp and it was super good!!

And Butch enjoyed his cheeseburger

The beach

Butch and Donn

Peg and Donn soaking up the rays

Great surf

Sand sculpting school

Shiny yellow shorts

We had a great time walking the beach. Walking on sand is a different kind of exercise and you can feel the pull in different places the next day.

Padre is great!

Walking on the beach...Great exercise for our lily white legs!

Old-time photo of the day: What did a 27-foot trailer cost in 1945? | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com

Old-time photo of the day: What did a 27-foot trailer cost in 1945? | The Des Moines Register | DesMoinesRegister.com

Sunshiny Day and this and that

Every morning I get up with the intention of getting the blogs done and the first thing I know it is 8:00 AM and Butch is up and my day begins. Happened again this AM. The weather is absolutely perfect and the 10 day forecast is full of cookie cutter days. When you take the weather out of the mix we can get on with more fun stuff. The plan tomorrow is to finally go to South Padre Island. It will be the first time down there for us this year. What the hey!! It is usually the first thing we do.
My duties as President of the park association does take up some time but no more than teaching beading, trying to get my walks in and the other usual life stuff like cleaning and laundry etc. To be more precise, I find myself busy. And it is not particularly interesting stuff to other people. So it can be a challenge to come up with something I think will knock your socks off. We have been coming down here for over 20 years. That is hard to believe, even for me. At first it was for a weeks vacation and we stayed in Harlingen which is east of here. Then we stayed in a motel with kitchen for a couple of years. Finally buying an RV and staying in Magnolia Park for 4 weeks until we retired in 2003. So we have pretty well seen and done it all or nearly all. The last few years we have become more involved in the park activities and administration. When this happens to you, weeks can go by where you never leave the park! I know! Heaven forbid! We may reverse the process in the future. I am giving that some serious meditation. But it is very hard to back off. Time changes all things however. It always looms on the horizon and for me it has always been a good thing even if I did not think so at the time. So till the next time I can find some minutes for blogging....

BEE-YOO-TEE-FULL Day

Winter is over and I am sure all of you up north are so glad to hear that. Our 10 day outlook is near perfect with highs in the 70's and 80's and lows in the 50's. The sun is shining and the birds are all atwitter. It will take about a week to ten days for the new buds to show up on the trees. What usually happens after a couple of weeks of this gorgeous stuff is the farmers who come down to escape the cold forget that it is still pretty chilly back home and start to get antsy to head that way. Making that mistake two years in a row usually cures it. When it turns this nice down here it is hard to imagine it isn't that nice everywhere. So we will enjoy the Spring here and then slowly make our way north and enjoy it there too.
Last night we were invited to Donn and Peggy's for turkey, dressing and all the rest. I was really hungry and it sure hit the spot. I was oh so thankful. Turkey will do that for you!!
Made a new bracelet...see below.

Butch is outdoors giving Angel a brushing. I am seeing balls of her fur rolling up the street. Could make nice nesting material for those birds that are all atwitter.
Life is made up of little things....

Swedish Weaving Get-together

I met these ladies online through a Yahoo group about Swedish weaving. It is much fun meeting people in person that you have come to know through their posts and their projects and their trials and tribulations of the learning process. We met at Trish's place in McAllen. Next month we will meet at Magnolia Park.

Barbara W. explaining a pattern.

Pat S.

Trish H. our hostess.

Which hand should I hold the baton in?

No relation to this youngster but he sure gets into his work.

Which hand should I hold the baton in?

It is way past time

Things can get away from me in a hurry down here. So this is an attempt to get a bit caught up. On Butch's last doctor trip she told him the cough part of his respiratory ordeal would be a long time going away...and it has been. I was glad she told us that or I would be getting concerned as he is still coughing a fair amount. I keep dodging the bullet on this cold/allergy business but in the last two days it has been much closer to settling in to something than I like. Still using the neti pot but I am out of Zicam swabs and so are the stores. I ordered some online but they are enroute. I am feeling a bit better tonight but my head still feels like a throbbing watermelon.
Enough of that.
Anyway, after getting my duties as prez taken care of at morning coffee hour I vegged out the remainder of the day. I think we all deserve one of those now and then.
Butch is scheduled to play in the Senior Winter Olympics on Thursday and Friday... I think. I know definitely about Thursday as that is golf AND it is one of our colder days this week with highs in the low 50's. I played a couple of years in this event and the weather was crappy both times. I think it is traditionally crappy for the golf event so I have since declined. I am a fair weather golfer and a weather wimp. I am sure Butch will do fine with it.

Elise home on a snow day

Elise home on a snow day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEPodsIQN6k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyMV1VbvA10

From Bill Brooker

Bill sent me these photos of fellows fishing the river in front of their home in Arkansas. I really cannot tell if the people in the boat are men or women. But really, what do you think?

A woodpecker eating his lunch.