And we continue...

We came back to the motorhome about 6:30 after supper with Gary and Susan. Of course we are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby Leo. His room is ready with the theme of The Lion King.

 I think his mama is being optimistic on the Lion sleeping. Cute however.

People look at Amanda and their eyes get as big as her belly. And below Papa Butch can feel Leo's hiccups.
She was due today-April 7th but it looks like Leo has other ideas.


His sister Elise is ready for him to get here too.

But in the meantime she is being entertained and entertaining.

With her favorite Papa Gary at the "beach"

Tomorrow we are heading even further north. We will not leave early letting the morning traffic slow a bit before heading out. We should be getting to Jefferson in mid afternoon.

Busy

Been super busy with the kids...no time to post or too tired. Take your pick. Yesterday Butch and Gary spent the day together. And a phone call just happened that let me know I gotta go. later

Sitting in a Peculiar Place

When we checked in yesterday they told of us about a new restaurant in Peculiar called Lucille's. Located in the building just west of Sonic next to the Pizza Hut. Their Wednesday night special is a big tenderloin but we already had plans so we went there for breakfast this morning. Butch had biscuits and gravy and I had an omelet both of which were very good and reasonably priced. Butch was very pleased to discover it is also a bakery with all the sugary stuff you would ever see in one.

Last night Elise told her dad she wanted 5 cookies. He said, "If you want 5 cookies you have to finish everything on your plate." Elise said, "Actually, I want 3 cookies." "Brad said, "For 3 cookies you must eat 5 pieces of your pork chop." This conversation went back and forth for a while and then she bargained for one cookie. Elise will celebrate her 3rd birthday next month but her grandpa wants her along when he buys his next car. She has definitely got the first rule down pat. Always ask up front for more than you will accept in the end.
The bargaining girl in her Easter dress.

Smooth Sailing

We left Arkansas this morning and arrived in Peculiar just a few minutes ago. Smooth sailing. We have paid up till Monday morning so Monday we will be venturing further north...to Jefferson Iowa.
This evening we will be at Amanda and Brad's place and I understand Brad is grilling Iowa Chops for us. Amanda's due date for Baby Leo is Sunday so we could have a new great grand any day now. If not we will have to come back on Elise's 3rd birthday in Mid May to meet her new baby brother.
Till next time...

Won't be still

Tufted Titmouse

Greer's Ferry Dam

Red-headed woodpecker

Pilleated woodpecker

Red-headed woodpecker

Pilleated woodpecker

Pilleated woodpecker

Pilleated woodpecker

Pilleated woodpecker

It is all the same bird but would not be still for a photo.

Monday in Arkansas

The feeding station

If you look closely in the tree branches you can see the waiting line for the buffet. 

A pileated woodpecker was camera shy

Easter Sunday

We enjoyed a pleasant Easter Sunday at Bill and Jo's here in Arkansas. Jo is feeding us well. One of the great features of being here is watching the wildlife. Many wonderful photo opportunities. Towards evening we went for a 2 mile walk and that helped make me feel like I was back on track.

This is a windmill Bill made from copper a few years ago.

Maggie is nearly 12 but still enthusiastic about a frisbee chase.

Bill ran across this weather vane many years ago for a bargain price.

And his creativity was quite evident many years ago when he fashioned this plane.

Bill and Jo's house

When Marion Brooker passed Bill and Jo used the memorial money they received to plant this Allee Elm tree

A view down river at a neighbors place

Arrived in Arkansas

We are at Bill and Jo's getting here late this afternoon. Ran through some rain and it was quite a bit considering we have almost forgot what it looks like. Bill and Jo treated us to supper at a catfish buffet. It was super and even Mr. PickyPants found plenty to eat.
So for all of you waiting to hear, we are safe and sound and, no, we have no idea how long we are staying. I will let you know when I do but right now hitting the sack seems like a very good idea.

Shrimp Fest

The night before we left we ventured over to the H.E.B. on Texas Street in Weslaco because they will cook fresh gulf shrimp for you while you wait. It took about 20 minutes for the Lemon pepper shrimp to be cooked and then we returned to share with a few of our friends. Delicious!!

                                              Kay, Barb, Peg and Norma

                                           Butch, Bill and Donn visible in background

Naughty Parrots

The naughty parrots nearly always show up when it is cloudy, making pictures of them not all that spectacular.

Marquez TX population 220

We left this morning at 6:30AM and we have had a good trip to Marquez. I have to agree with Dale Cooklin though that I am not all that crazy about 77 and then 79. Yes, it is mostly 4 lanes but it is 4 lanes without shoulders. Grumble, grumble
Marquez's Country Comfort RV park is mainly a workers park but the price is right-$20 and it is easy to find. On the west side of Hwy 79.  Since it is so dry we were able to pull in in such a way as to make it a pull through.
Internet was not apparent until I hooked the Alpha antenna up and now I have a very adequate 84%. We arrived at 3:00 PM making the trip in good time.
As we were headed east on the expressway early this morning near Mercedes a car was stopped with 5 police cars surrounding it. Even a bad guy would have to be somewhat intimidated by that much police attention.
So to all who pay attention we are safe and sound and looking forward to continuing our trip tomorrow morning.

Bird of Paradise in Magnolia

At Carmen's on Aspen street

3 days from take off

When we have been sitting in one place for 5-6 months it takes a bit for all the details needing attention before we leave to come to mind. But I am a list maker and it is all beginning to take shape with many items already marked off the list.
Both of us stepped on the scale this morning and we were both pleased. I am 2 pounds from goal with clothing on and Butch is one pound under goal. Happy, happy. I have no plans to change my eating habits even once goal is reached. The way I am eating is easy to do and I have not suffered one iota. Cake and cookies are not part of my life but they really do not need to be. Haven't missed them.

My dear friend Peggy gives me access to Costco so we are making a Costco run today for things to last me through the summer. We will do this after coffee hour today.

Tomorrow is haircut and then a shrimp party on Stilson's patio hosted by the Brooker's.

Thursday we actually get the RV ready to move and locate to a site where we can hook up the car and be ready to leave early Friday morning.
Till next time...

Little red wagon

The Little red wagon

Down to the last detail.    Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/-1w48qPF5hc

South Padre Run

Dale Cooklin

Dale, Norma, Barb and Butch in Dirty Al's

Playing with the Parrots

Ethan hunts for eggs in Pella Iowa

Park wide garage sale

My walk took longer this morning. Just had to stop for a quick look at each place having a sale.

Weather Watching...

As we progress into next week we will be storm watching for sure but so far the 10 day outlook is improving for central Iowa with temps in the 40's and 50's for first part of April. This year that looks about as good as it is going to get for awhile.
Today we went to South Padre with Dale and Norma after computer class. Our goal was to enjoy shrimp at Dirty Al's and indeed we did. The weather was warm but kind of cloudy and gray. We stopped at Davey Jones Ice Cream  Locker after touring the island for a bit. We asked Dave how long Spring break lasted and he said the entire month of March is considered Spring break but he said the week from hell is Easter week when the "elite" of Mexico come north for their vacation. He said, "They unfortunately leave their servants at home but they expect all the population of South Padre to act as servants while they are here". He said they are rude and messy. They eat later than US people descending on a restaurant at 9:00 or 10:00 PM, 20 at a time and then they will order but move around between when they order and when they receive their meal and it drives the waiters and waitresses nuts. In addition they treat staff rudely and are messy. During Spring break the maintenance people clean the beaches once a day but the only time of the year they need to clean them twice a day is when the upper crust of Mexico come to South Padre to visit. Now this is not kids we are talking about. For the most part it is families. Does not make a good impression. When people hate to see you coming it is never good.
We had a fun day on South Padre and I think we would be welcome to return.

A Run to Mexico and other stuff

Butch and I went to Mexico to pick up the last of the things we had planned to get before we head north. We loaded up on all the meds that cost a pittance there and a fortune here. One of the things we purchased was Jason's gout medicine- alopurinol- a years supply from Mexico cost what a months supply does here. Since we had 18 boxes of it we decided to double it up for ease of transport giving us only 9 boxes to carry. I too have gout on occasion  so I carried that bag. Butch carried some meds for Leo but the boxes were full enough we couldn't double them up...good thing too...more about that later.
After our shopping excursion we went to the Canada Store and Garcia's above it for Panchos and cokes for lunch. We are never disappointed. They were Sooo good.
Scrutiny at the border is still very tight and they mix it up for good measure. Butch and I were in separate lines. Ahead of me in line were two Latino young people in their teens or early twenties. The girl was first and she had a drivers license and was questioned closely and the final words were, " I am giving you a warning. Do not come through here again unless you have a passport." And then the young man tries and all he has is a Social Security card. She asks, "Where were you born?" "Harlingen" and then he said something I could not hear and she said, "I would certainly hope so being born in Harlingen." She then said,  "You have nothing on you proving where you were born, so you will have to go through those doors and talk to the authorities." He did not get through. I have no idea how long the girl waited for him before she gave up.
I step up and she asks what I am bringing back and I say medicine. She says move on and I do. I look over where Butch is standing and the woman checking him through was opening the boxes of meds and counting the packets! Fortunately we had not doubled them up and fortunately she did not run across the one box we had opened to see if we could double them up. I am telling you they are really mixing it up and no one is immune to questioning. If they had checked my gout medicine they would have seen they were doubled up and they would have confiscated them most likely.
Every trip to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico has been an adventure this year, albeit small adventures but adventures none the less.
We keep checking the weather in Iowa to see what the high's and low's are doing and then we pray for a miracle. If we do not see a favorable or at least tolerable forecast before we plan to leave we will delay leaving as it makes more sense to stay here than to venture into the frigidity. Do not worry those of you expecting us, we will let you know if there is a change in plans.

Summer Temps in South Texas

We have had the AC running for 2 days now as the temps have been in the 90's. And yet in little more than a week we will be heading north where winter still has a tight grip. I am hoping for a miracle in the next week and a half where Spring will take hold in Iowa with a warm and gentle hand.
We have made a few moves to get ready to head out but still have more to get done. I plan to get a haircut from Yolanda but want to wait till next week-the last minute so to speak. I really have not settled on a hairdresser in Jefferson other than Butch as yet. He does a good job but now and then I like to have a pro do it.
We plan to make one more trip to South Padre for shrimp at Dirty Al's. We haven't settled on a day yet but will perhaps today. Friday after the last computer class could work maybe.
Change of address form filled out...
Call to have Internet put on vacation....
It will all get done and then as we pull out of the gate it really does feel like a vacation.

You don't say...

Google Calendar
I recently started using my Google Calendar in a more interactive way. I have added all the birthdays I can think of and I have added all the events, one time events or recurring events. And I get email reminders of all of this. So when I get a message that says you have no events scheduled today Sun Mar 17, 2013. I think '"Good, a free day."

My yesterday
Friday night I became suddenly congested and thought I was having an allergic event. I take Zyrtec for allergies on a regular basis but sometimes it isn't enough and I thought this to be the case. Before I went to bed I asked Butch for one of his high powered Allegra-D. His allergies are more severe than mine. I slept well from 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM and then my eyes popped open as if it were noon! Sometimes I do not do well if it says non-drowsy on the package and I had not thought of that. I was wide awake and wired. I stayed in bed thinking surely sleep would come at some point but no such luck. I finally gave up on it happening at about 5:00 AM, getting up and on with my day, sure that I would crash at some point. I cleaned house and took care of various other chores and all the time remaining wide-eyed and bushy tailed. After supper Butch headed off to the pool hall and I told him it may be all quiet when he got home but if so he would know why. After supper I faded fast and retired about 7:00 PM and slept well till about 5:00 this morning. I have a cold but as colds go it isn't a bad one. The minute I decided that, I started on zinc cold therapy. I hate the taste of the stuff but it sure knocks it for me in short order. That and my click here: neti-pot.

High Compliment
One of my computer students paid me a compliment that meant the world to me. She said she had taken a 6 week computer course, 4 hours a day and paid  money for it and learned more from me this season than she ever did from that class. It made me very happy to hear that.
I try to stay with practical things. The classes are not structured. They seem to take on a life of their own. I ask what they want to know about and someone will ask a question and we are off and running. If they come up dry I will land on something to tell them about and it rolls from there. It is always fun and the time flies. They keep coming back week after week and they are not obliged to, so it must be working. One of my larger classes this winter was 25 people. I didn't count them but someone else did and told me. I would love to start something like this in our hometown but not sure how to get the ball rolling.

Till next time...

Black Forest Shortcut Strudel

Black Forest Shortcut Strudel  
8-ounce can of refrigerated crescent rolls
2 single-size Hershey chocolate bars (1.55 ounce size)
About 2 to 3 tablespoons cherry preserves

    Unroll the crescent dough on a greased baking sheet. Press seams gently  to seal. You now have a single rectangle of dough. Break Hershey bars into individual squares and arrange them on the middle third of the dough. Using 2 spoons, dot evenly with cherry preserves. Slash sides of dough every few inches and fold sides over filling. Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes or until golden brown and flaky. If you like, drizzle with a glaze:

½ cup confectioners sugar
About 2 teaspoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla flavoring

    Mix until sugar dissolves, adding a few drops more milk if needed. Put the glaze in a sandwich bag and cut off a tiny corner. Squeeze glaze back and forth across the strudel. Serves 6 to 8  for dessert. 

Sounds good and easy but not for me.

Winding Down

Two weeks from today we will be on the road. It does not seem possible! From here we plan to go to Arkansas for a bit and then to Missouri for a bit. It concerns us some that there is still snow on the ground in Iowa and quite a bit of it in some places. We are hoping that two to three more weeks will change that scenario.
We are getting anxious to get back to work on the house and continue where we left off last fall. We need to get some cupboards ordered and they told us that can take up to six weeks. The plumbing needs to get all its connections hooked up. All of the trim work throughout the house is yet to be. The stool and vanity in the bathroom installed. We have purchased the stool but the vanity is yet to be purchased but we do know where and what we will be getting. When we saw it last fall we both liked it right away and that is an unusual thing. I have asked Butch to build our bed like an RV bed and we have the bed struts on order. This will afford us much underbed storage. The engine takes up a fair amount of space in our current motorhome but in our first one the space was all open and plastic tubs fit under there perfectly. I had a  paper listing the contents on top of each tub and that made retrieving  items fairly simple. The bed struts will allow us to lift the mattress and hold it up while we gather items from beneath the bed.

So our thoughts are turning northward...

Paper is not dead

Check this out!! Language is not important for this one.

http://vimeo.com/61275290