Ethan hunting Easter eggs.
This is fun?
This is fun?
"Nana" getting closeups.
Found that one!
And that one!Monday, April 25
Easter Sunday
Butch and Keri loading Keri's brothers dogs in her car. I was laughing so hard on the second one that I only caught one picture. Hemi didn't think Butch's "bridge" was a good idea.
Saturday, April 23
House pics (Before photos)
We have been gathering materials for the first project which is getting us settled into our back yard RV site but in the meantime we have been doing what we could inside too. The rain and cold has held us back. It looks as though we have the right people and materials lined up and things should come together in the next couple of weeks if we can catch a break on the weather.
The green carpet has now been removed from the steps. Some sanding, painting and new posts and railing are in the future.
The green carpet has now been removed from the steps. Some sanding, painting and new posts and railing are in the future.
This is what we will call for now Bedroom 2. There will not be 2 bedrooms when finished so once the wall comes down between it will become part of Bedroom 1. 
Bedroom 1.
Bathroom
Where the water heater used to be.
Backyard looking northwest from far southeast corner of the backyard. There are orange flags marking spots for sewer/water/electric line and RV site 1 but they are hard to see. Gary and Susan's travel trailer is in the background on our other lot.
Old kitchen. New kitchen will be essentially in the same area but none of what is there now will be there later. Wall on the right will be gone.
Living room. Windows will change and wall on left will be gone.
Back yard view with house in it. Front of RV would be just out of view on the lower left if it were parked there.Butch's brother Bill the plumber came yesterday with supplies and advice. We needed both and he was very helpful. Brother Leo was off at a Tax meeting so missed out on lunch with his brothers.
Today we are off to gather more supplies and do some shopping. Later...
Friday, April 22
From Simply Tim
Ga$ and Other Worldly Observations
Simply Tim | 04/21/2011 at 2:56 PM | Categories: Commentary | URL: http://wp.me/p11uGF-D0
Many Americans are begrudgingly becoming a part of a World with which they are unfamiliar. When I was living in Greece in the early 60s, I recall Europeans were paying over $3 a gallon for gasoline (due partly to heavy taxes), and even more in larger cities, which remains true worldwide today. Back then, military families like mine -- at the expense of U.S. taxpayers -- were given gas stamps such that we only paid about 75 cents per gallon after reimbursement, while Stateside prices at the pump were locked in around 30 cents a gallon. From my family's perspective at the time -- having been indoctrinated into our American mindset -- the 75 cent per gallon amount was still extraordinarily exorbitant.
I suspect many Americans nowadays have no idea what the rest of the world has been paying for gasoline and other fuel for the past half century. Even today, as we complain about rising fuel prices, the rest of the world has been dealing with it for decades.
Most homes in Europe are kept in the low 60s during the winter. They've learned it's much cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and just makes more sense to put on a sweater rather than paying extra for fuel and higher household temperatures. They've been doing this for centuries. When I visited Ireland in the early 70s, my bride and I stored 90% of our luggage in a Shannon Airport locker, and hitchhiked the country staying in bed and breakfast types of places and farm houses suggested in the then-popular travel guide series, "Ireland on $5 a Day*". At one such establishment the proprietor actually apologized for the temperature of our bedroom. As the woman stooped to turn up the heat on the tiny room's space heater, I stopped her. "That's okay," I said. "We're fine." I was beyond embarrassment. The next morning we discovered the old woman had baked a loaf of white bread during the night because she had been told that's the only type of bread Americans ate. That afternoon, my wife -- who had been a whole grain food co-op enthusiast and home baker for years -- baked a loaf of coarse brown bread in the woman's wood stove. That night we ate a traditional dinner with the proprietor's family. In their eyes, we were no longer American tourists.
Frankly, I think it's about time the American lifestyle reinvents itself, but I know that type of change doesn't happen easily or -- overnight. For now, I'd be happy if we Americans spent more time educating ourselves as to how the rest of the world lives and works, and how well-off we really are.
Simply Tim | 04/21/2011 at 2:56 PM | Categories: Commentary | URL: http://wp.me/p11uGF-D0
Many Americans are begrudgingly becoming a part of a World with which they are unfamiliar. When I was living in Greece in the early 60s, I recall Europeans were paying over $3 a gallon for gasoline (due partly to heavy taxes), and even more in larger cities, which remains true worldwide today. Back then, military families like mine -- at the expense of U.S. taxpayers -- were given gas stamps such that we only paid about 75 cents per gallon after reimbursement, while Stateside prices at the pump were locked in around 30 cents a gallon. From my family's perspective at the time -- having been indoctrinated into our American mindset -- the 75 cent per gallon amount was still extraordinarily exorbitant.
I suspect many Americans nowadays have no idea what the rest of the world has been paying for gasoline and other fuel for the past half century. Even today, as we complain about rising fuel prices, the rest of the world has been dealing with it for decades.
Most homes in Europe are kept in the low 60s during the winter. They've learned it's much cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and just makes more sense to put on a sweater rather than paying extra for fuel and higher household temperatures. They've been doing this for centuries. When I visited Ireland in the early 70s, my bride and I stored 90% of our luggage in a Shannon Airport locker, and hitchhiked the country staying in bed and breakfast types of places and farm houses suggested in the then-popular travel guide series, "Ireland on $5 a Day*". At one such establishment the proprietor actually apologized for the temperature of our bedroom. As the woman stooped to turn up the heat on the tiny room's space heater, I stopped her. "That's okay," I said. "We're fine." I was beyond embarrassment. The next morning we discovered the old woman had baked a loaf of white bread during the night because she had been told that's the only type of bread Americans ate. That afternoon, my wife -- who had been a whole grain food co-op enthusiast and home baker for years -- baked a loaf of coarse brown bread in the woman's wood stove. That night we ate a traditional dinner with the proprietor's family. In their eyes, we were no longer American tourists.
Frankly, I think it's about time the American lifestyle reinvents itself, but I know that type of change doesn't happen easily or -- overnight. For now, I'd be happy if we Americans spent more time educating ourselves as to how the rest of the world lives and works, and how well-off we really are.
Wednesday, April 20
Went to Atlantic plus
We went to Atlantic yesterday. Butch had an eye appointment. All is well. His pressure in both eyes was excellent so no more of those expensive eye drops. I shopped a bit at Schwesers and purchased a couple of new tops. Then got my haircut followed by lunch at The Farmers Kitchen with old friend and former co-worker Connie Jones and her mother Sharon Rieber. We visited for a good long time and it was fun and long overdue.
In between I tried to do some of Bob's business but what I found out is that once he was having his bills paid by the state, the state does not want my help. I was trying to get his last bill at the funeral home paid for with the pittance he had in his checking account but the state says it is theirs and they will decide if the funeral home gets it. At least that is the story at the bank. They would not let the funds loose to pay the funeral home. Bottom line? I am out of it. All the way out of it. The funeral home is on its own to see if they can get paid.
So all of our friends we did not have time to see can blame Bob. Why not? I would! Heehee.
On the way home we stopped at Marv and Judi Smith's place in Yale Iowa. We visited for a good long time and it was long overdue.
When we left there we stopped in Jamaica IA for one of their famous tenderloins at ToJo's. I must say it was worth the detour. Butch and I shared a tenderloin and it was plenty for both of us. It was the kind of tenderloin I like. I am not much for the thin and crispy ones. I like the ones that have some meat in them. This was one I would look forward to enjoying again.
Twas a very busy and full day.
I forgot to mention that when we left Jefferson in the morning headed for Atlantic it was snowing, slushy and slick on the highway. Slow going for awhile. We did drive out of it about 10 miles south of town, thank God.
A touch of color in an Iowa Spring- Trust me- They need it!!
In between I tried to do some of Bob's business but what I found out is that once he was having his bills paid by the state, the state does not want my help. I was trying to get his last bill at the funeral home paid for with the pittance he had in his checking account but the state says it is theirs and they will decide if the funeral home gets it. At least that is the story at the bank. They would not let the funds loose to pay the funeral home. Bottom line? I am out of it. All the way out of it. The funeral home is on its own to see if they can get paid.
So all of our friends we did not have time to see can blame Bob. Why not? I would! Heehee.
On the way home we stopped at Marv and Judi Smith's place in Yale Iowa. We visited for a good long time and it was long overdue.
When we left there we stopped in Jamaica IA for one of their famous tenderloins at ToJo's. I must say it was worth the detour. Butch and I shared a tenderloin and it was plenty for both of us. It was the kind of tenderloin I like. I am not much for the thin and crispy ones. I like the ones that have some meat in them. This was one I would look forward to enjoying again.
Twas a very busy and full day.
I forgot to mention that when we left Jefferson in the morning headed for Atlantic it was snowing, slushy and slick on the highway. Slow going for awhile. We did drive out of it about 10 miles south of town, thank God.
A touch of color in an Iowa Spring- Trust me- They need it!!
Tuesday, April 19
Raccoon River Valley Trail
If it ever stops raining I plan to get on this trail. It has been a favorite trail of mine for years. This video is almost like riding it. Well not really but since it is raining cats and dogs it works for me!
Monday, April 18
Details
I have been taking care of details. As executor of Bob's estate I have crap...excuse me...stuff... to take care of such as an AARP magazine subscription that does not expire until August of 2015. I attempted to do that online. We shall see if that works. I also know he has a Playboy subscription but since they come under cover I do not have the mailing label that would give me the info. Have to wait on that one and pay to have it forwarded before I will have access to it. And that most likely is just the beginning. It is all small stuff, extremely small stuff. It is just a matter of remembering it all. I found about 4 Christmas cards with return addresses on them so I plan to compose a letter informing them of Bob's passing and send it out. But now that I do not have my friend Kay handy to help me I will have to get a printer bought. It might be easier to just write it out by hand since it is only four of them. Kay is grinning when she reads this.
We worked at the house yesterday. Butch worked underneath getting the plumbing straightened out and pulling lines that will not be working. I worked in the garage going through Bob's stuff to see if there was anything that needed my attention and throwing out the rest. Jefferson is having a free junk pickup day and people are hauling all their accumulated junk to the curb. Other people in pickups are scanning all the neighborhoods and seeing if there is anything worth "picking". We have seen quite a bit of stuff disappear from yards. Redistribution of the wealth. Gotta love it!
So the plan now in week two is to see if we can locate some people to assist us in what we have to do getting set up for the motorhome in the backyard. The weather has been a bit of a factor too as we did have a bucket load of rain. You would think these fellas would get in touch with us since it was raining so hard they could not do their other work. I am sure they would tell me they too had indoor stuff to catch up with. Hmmm... We must be a low priority.
Oh nearly forgot. I went to the local telephone and internet people to see if setting up Internet through them would be more profitable than Verizon. Seems not. It would be nearly $200 to get set up and then I would pay $10 more a month than I pay now plus to put it on vacation they only charge you half! So all winter while in Texas I would pay $35 dollars even though I would not be using it at all whereby I pay $5.00 a month now to do that with Verizon. So we are staying with Verizon and by dropping it down to a 5GB account from an unlimited account I can save $10 a month.We were grandfathered in on the unlimited because they no longer offer that one. My past usage said I only exceeded 5GB one time in the last 2 years. That would have cost me an extra $10 is all if I had been on this plan at that time. And we will now have MyWiFi so Butch and I can both be on at the same time. So now that we have to be home to receive our FedEx from Verizon Butch is off taking care of details.
One of the things he plans to do is see if we can change our residency to Iowa advantageously. I sent him off with a list of current costs for license renewal, insurance and taxes. If we stay with South Dakota we are not eligible for homestead exemption in Iowa. Personally I do not think it will pencil out but I have been fooled before. Our vehicle license renewal is less than $500 for both motorhome and car in South Dakota. Insurance on both is less than $1500 a year. Butch thinks that by changing the Motorhome to a recreational vehicle instead of a home it will change the amount of insurance. Not sure on that one. We do have a choice so it will be interesting to see which way that goes. A few years ago we moved from Montana to South Dakota while sitting in Colorado. This would be moving from South Dakota to Iowa while sitting in Iowa..maybe.
So now I must get back to laundry. Butch hooked up to Leo's water for now. We can go a week comfortably on a full water tank but past that is very iffy. Still hoping to move into town soon.
We worked at the house yesterday. Butch worked underneath getting the plumbing straightened out and pulling lines that will not be working. I worked in the garage going through Bob's stuff to see if there was anything that needed my attention and throwing out the rest. Jefferson is having a free junk pickup day and people are hauling all their accumulated junk to the curb. Other people in pickups are scanning all the neighborhoods and seeing if there is anything worth "picking". We have seen quite a bit of stuff disappear from yards. Redistribution of the wealth. Gotta love it!
So the plan now in week two is to see if we can locate some people to assist us in what we have to do getting set up for the motorhome in the backyard. The weather has been a bit of a factor too as we did have a bucket load of rain. You would think these fellas would get in touch with us since it was raining so hard they could not do their other work. I am sure they would tell me they too had indoor stuff to catch up with. Hmmm... We must be a low priority.
Oh nearly forgot. I went to the local telephone and internet people to see if setting up Internet through them would be more profitable than Verizon. Seems not. It would be nearly $200 to get set up and then I would pay $10 more a month than I pay now plus to put it on vacation they only charge you half! So all winter while in Texas I would pay $35 dollars even though I would not be using it at all whereby I pay $5.00 a month now to do that with Verizon. So we are staying with Verizon and by dropping it down to a 5GB account from an unlimited account I can save $10 a month.We were grandfathered in on the unlimited because they no longer offer that one. My past usage said I only exceeded 5GB one time in the last 2 years. That would have cost me an extra $10 is all if I had been on this plan at that time. And we will now have MyWiFi so Butch and I can both be on at the same time. So now that we have to be home to receive our FedEx from Verizon Butch is off taking care of details.
One of the things he plans to do is see if we can change our residency to Iowa advantageously. I sent him off with a list of current costs for license renewal, insurance and taxes. If we stay with South Dakota we are not eligible for homestead exemption in Iowa. Personally I do not think it will pencil out but I have been fooled before. Our vehicle license renewal is less than $500 for both motorhome and car in South Dakota. Insurance on both is less than $1500 a year. Butch thinks that by changing the Motorhome to a recreational vehicle instead of a home it will change the amount of insurance. Not sure on that one. We do have a choice so it will be interesting to see which way that goes. A few years ago we moved from Montana to South Dakota while sitting in Colorado. This would be moving from South Dakota to Iowa while sitting in Iowa..maybe.
So now I must get back to laundry. Butch hooked up to Leo's water for now. We can go a week comfortably on a full water tank but past that is very iffy. Still hoping to move into town soon.
Sunday, April 17
More on House
Jason came over yesterday and helped us. Butch and Jason put a new whole house shut-off valve on the water. That way we can have water and still be able to shut it off when we need to work on the plumbing. It is a dirty job in the crawl space. I was the go-fer up top and while I waited for them to need something I pulled up staples left in the floor from pulling up carpeting. It was cold but we ran a space heater and that made it tolerable. So we made a fair amount of progress on the inside.
Butch has left messages with people we need to talk to and none of them have gotten back to us. See? It doesn't just happen in South Texas. We will wait another week and then make the decision to park at the mobile home park in town for a month if we have to. It will all come together in short order if we can get people to move for us.
Butch has left messages with people we need to talk to and none of them have gotten back to us. See? It doesn't just happen in South Texas. We will wait another week and then make the decision to park at the mobile home park in town for a month if we have to. It will all come together in short order if we can get people to move for us.
Friday, April 15
Rainy,Rainy Day
Well, It was a raw and rainy day in Iowa today. So we hunkered down and enjoyed a winter like day. Too wet and cold to do much of anything. Butch did go into town and located a few supplies needed for the house. I stayed home and made a delicious Broccoli casserole that Butch will not even taste but I love. Thanks for the recipe Kay. I also worked on my last batch of super hot chili and toned it down to tolerable. I made a fresh batch without any seasoning at all and added the fiery stuff to it. It is now quite tasty. But then we were invited for Pizza so we went to Breadeaux with Keri and her daughter Emily and her friend Joe. I put the never ending chili back in the fridge and we will have it tomorrow. Leo is still knee deep in taxes and could not join us. He may rejoin the living sometime next week after some serious catching up on sleep.
I caught up on lots of computer stuff today but I may as well resign myself that it will never be exactly as I want it.
I caught up on lots of computer stuff today but I may as well resign myself that it will never be exactly as I want it.
Tearful Elise
Of course the tears are long gone because this was last week when we were in Missouri but it is heartbreaking none the less.
http://youtu.be/qWYJkszPUIU
http://youtu.be/qWYJkszPUIU
Thursday, April 14
Bob Passed
Bob passed away yesterday and they had trouble getting a hold of me. Apparently it went straight to voicemail so I didn't get the message until this morning when I turned on the phone. So we went to Atlantic today. Bob told me he had his funeral all paid for. Wrong! All he had paid for was his cremation. He is $650 short just to get the bare essentials done like paying the medical examiner and paying the $13 for his death certificate. So I went to his bank to find out how much he had left in his account. $500. A memorial service is not planned at this time. I thought he had it all planned and paid for right down to the music. He sort of did but it wasn't all paid for. He had two options when he set it up and he went for the cheaper one. We are not legally libel for any of it but we will pay the difference so the funeral home isn't out that money It is very typical of Bob and his life and how he lived it.
In the last 3 months he purchased a lift chair for a thousand. The lift chair was donated to the nursing home due to our lifestyle and logistics, we thought that was best.
This message makes me look like a hard hearted witch and perhaps I am. I guess I will have to live with that.
I am sitting here with my finger on the button to post this message...or not. Oh well, I am pretty much an open book and now isn't any different. It is what it is and I feel exactly this way so I am owning up to it.
In the last 3 months he purchased a lift chair for a thousand. The lift chair was donated to the nursing home due to our lifestyle and logistics, we thought that was best.
This message makes me look like a hard hearted witch and perhaps I am. I guess I will have to live with that.
I am sitting here with my finger on the button to post this message...or not. Oh well, I am pretty much an open book and now isn't any different. It is what it is and I feel exactly this way so I am owning up to it.
Wednesday, April 13
Some work photos
These were taken Tuesday as we were working on taking up carpet. As you can see the hardwood floors look pretty decent. They look even better in the bedroom area. Of course there are more pictures to come as days go by...
Tuesday, April 12
We've started
We took a stab at seeing what we have and thinking about how we are going to approach our remodeling job. Right now it looks like a mountain, of course. Butch took up some carpeting in the living room and we have hardwood floors underneath which may be salvageable. I cleaned up the little fridge. It was full of mold and mildew. After several hours it is clean and moved to the garage, plugged in and working. I have immediately doubled my refrigerator space. They ( Butch and Jason) also moved the apartment sized stove to the garage. Butch will have to wire it for 220 before I can use that but since we haven't got the MoHo in the back yard yet it really doesn't matter. The order of things is always perplexing.
Keri made Butch a pecan pie from the pecans we brought back from Texas. Pecan Bill stops in Oklahoma every year and buys 300 pounds of pecans so technically they are Oklahoma pecans. Kay and Pecan Bill are not going to be happy when they see this picture. They weren't the last time either. Just awful to see a beautiful pecan pie and know it is so far away.
Keri made Butch a pecan pie from the pecans we brought back from Texas. Pecan Bill stops in Oklahoma every year and buys 300 pounds of pecans so technically they are Oklahoma pecans. Kay and Pecan Bill are not going to be happy when they see this picture. They weren't the last time either. Just awful to see a beautiful pecan pie and know it is so far away.
Monday, April 11
Potty Training 101
I was getting caught up on computer/Internet stuff after a long dry spell when I ran across this facebook post by Laura. It really cracked me up!!
From Laura:
Ethan is such a little man. This was last weekend at Nana and Papa's. He was watching a potty training video on the world wide web!
Ethan is such a little man. This was last weekend at Nana and Papa's. He was watching a potty training video on the world wide web!
In Jefferson Iowa
We are in Jefferson at Leo and Keri's place until we get our lot ready for the MoHo. We went to the house yesterday and putzed around. Butch trimmed some trees-always an issue with RV's- he also blew some leaves out of the garage and next to the house. I took down curtains and mini-blinds and we both worked on getting the windows open to air the place out. It is one of those deals where you do not quite know where to begin. I am sure it will all come together soon...one step at a time.
Sunday, April 10
Visited Bob on Saturday
I went to see Bob. He made the decision to let nature take its course but he forgets now and then and wonders where his pureed food is and why they aren't bringing it. In other words the medical help he is getting(morphine) does not make for clear thinking. At this point clear thinking isn't necessary. It is a terrible thing to watch. Even 5 drops of morphine that he gets given by mouth is enough to make him choke if they are not careful in giving it. They were still able to get him up in a chair for a bit on Saturday. I doubt if that will be true for more than another day. Communicating is difficult. For one thing you do not know how much he understands and for another it is hard to understand what he says. He said I didn't have to come and there is nothing you can do. At least that is what I thought he said. I told him I came to hold his hand. He said,"okay".
It is just a matter of a few days. I hope I never see anyone else have their final days be like the ones he is having.
They will call me when the time is imminent. Please pray for his going to be less of a struggle.
It is just a matter of a few days. I hope I never see anyone else have their final days be like the ones he is having.
They will call me when the time is imminent. Please pray for his going to be less of a struggle.
While in Missouri
Baby Elise will soon be walking. She still has a walking aid here but you can certainly tell it will not be long. She is almost 11 months old now.
Friday, April 8
Quandary
The nursing home called about my stepfather about a week ago and then again today. My stepfather Bob will be 89 in October if he makes it that far. My mother was married to him the last 10 years of her life. She was bedfast the last three of those years and Bob took care of her the best he could during that time. Their relationship was stormy but that didn't seem to bother either of them very much. It seemed to be a game they played. I did not have much patience with their game. After Mom passed Bob lived on his own in Senior housing in Cumberland and Atlantic Iowa until the fall of 2009 when he entered Colonial Manor in Anita Iowa.
Bob has no children of his own and very few relatives. If he has any I do not know who they are or where they live. My sisters and I are the only "Go-To" people he has, thus the call from the nursing home. They have called me in the past to inform me of his falls and illnesses. This time, a week ago, they said he was not doing well. His eyes were sunken and he was dehydrated so they were sending him to ER for evaluation. Today they called with the evaluation. A year ago Bob had surgery on a shoulder and afterwards had difficulty swallowing. I was told this was not unusual for seniors after surgery. I did not know that. They inserted a feeding tube and he had the feeding tube until 3 months ago when he pulled it out. They did not call me to tell me he had pulled it out, not that it would have made a difference. But todays decision...for him...is to have the feeding tube surgically reinserted or let nature take its course. Hospice was coming in to talk to him about it and help him with the decision. He asked the nursing home to call me. I told them I understood his quandary but did not know what to tell him. I told them if I were in his position I would not want the feeding tube only to prolong a life not worth living BUT I was not telling him what he should do. I also told him I would be there as soon as I could so it looks as though we will be leaving here tomorrow headed for Jefferson and then I will drive to Anita to see him.
If I didn't have anyone to turn to in my last days I would at least want someone to hold my hand. I plan to go hold Bob's hand.
Bob has no children of his own and very few relatives. If he has any I do not know who they are or where they live. My sisters and I are the only "Go-To" people he has, thus the call from the nursing home. They have called me in the past to inform me of his falls and illnesses. This time, a week ago, they said he was not doing well. His eyes were sunken and he was dehydrated so they were sending him to ER for evaluation. Today they called with the evaluation. A year ago Bob had surgery on a shoulder and afterwards had difficulty swallowing. I was told this was not unusual for seniors after surgery. I did not know that. They inserted a feeding tube and he had the feeding tube until 3 months ago when he pulled it out. They did not call me to tell me he had pulled it out, not that it would have made a difference. But todays decision...for him...is to have the feeding tube surgically reinserted or let nature take its course. Hospice was coming in to talk to him about it and help him with the decision. He asked the nursing home to call me. I told them I understood his quandary but did not know what to tell him. I told them if I were in his position I would not want the feeding tube only to prolong a life not worth living BUT I was not telling him what he should do. I also told him I would be there as soon as I could so it looks as though we will be leaving here tomorrow headed for Jefferson and then I will drive to Anita to see him.
If I didn't have anyone to turn to in my last days I would at least want someone to hold my hand. I plan to go hold Bob's hand.
The things you will find!
Butch and I went for a walk while we were parked at Carthage. A rather long walk for us (2.5 miles) and while we were looking over the ditches in hopes of finding a big bag of money we saw this instead. I must say it seems like an extreme measure for not liking your bathroom scale but I have felt that way about my scale on occasion. We realize it probably fell from a truck most likely moving furniture. But my version is funnier.
Elise Videos
Grandpa Gary now has a high speed Internet connection so we have new to us videos of Elise. Of course it helps if you have a high speed Internet connection to view them as well. For those of you with slow connections it helps to have them fully loaded and then view them so start the download ...go do something else and then watch them again. OR if you are not into absolutely adorable baby videos you can skip over this post. Just don't tell me. 
Elise Walker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Elise on Stairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Elise Walker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Elise on Stairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Wednesday, April 6
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...
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...
Tuesday, April 5
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.
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.Monday, April 4
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.
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.
Thursday, March 31
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.
Wednesday, March 30
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 MexicoRio Grande 
Tortilla FactoryWe had Panchos with chicken. $8.00 but it is enough for both of us for lunch
Border crossing back into the USATuesday, March 29
Sunday, March 27
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.
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.
Saturday, March 26
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.
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.
Thursday, March 24
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!!
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!!
Tuesday, March 22
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.
Sunday, March 20
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.
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.
Friday, March 18
Spring Cleaning
And here is a website to help.
How to Clean Anything
http://www.howtocleananything.
"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."
How to Clean Anything
http://www.howtocleananything.
"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."
Thursday, March 17
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
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
Monday, March 14
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?
Elise on Stairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Elise Hungry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Elise on Stairs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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