The following is from an RV newsletter we subscribe to...
Bill's Hints
From Motorhomes Made Easy
"Carry a 'polarity tester,' available in RV stores. Use it before plugging in at an unfamiliar campground. It's small, inexpensive, and displays two green or amber lights when plugged into a properly wired outlet. Using one of your adapters, you can test the campground outlet before you plug in."
And Butch says you would be amazed how often he finds reversed polarity in peoples homes.
Saturday, January 12
Trivia
Trivia. . .
When you look at the full moon, what you see is only one-fifth the size of Africa. And speaking of the moon, the last time a human walked on its surface was in 1979.
When you look at the full moon, what you see is only one-fifth the size of Africa. And speaking of the moon, the last time a human walked on its surface was in 1979.
Friday, January 11
Wednesday, January 9
Last Blooms of Summer
After Labor Day when we were getting ready to close the campground for the season, Marilyn offered to let me have one of the hanging baskets that had decorated the place all summer. After all, cold weather was approaching and they would not last long in cold temperatures. Butch grumbled a bit about ALL my flowers but I just let him grumble. Well here it is a whole new year in January and my basket is still looking good! I must admit that it is like a needy pet and needs fed and watered daily. And a haircut once in a while but I don't have to take it for a walk.
Sunday, January 6
Gentle nudge
I received a gentle nudge from friend Peggy that I hadn't posted for 5 days. I was shocked but not surprised. If you do not see anything on this one for a while go check the other one. It is listed under "Links" on this page. We are in the park now and that one tends to get more of my attention. Also I am now needing to start on the park directory and I seem to have trouble finding time to get started. It is no wonder we feel like we go on vacation when we leave the valley. There is so much that we do here. Not that we are complaining...it IS one of the things we like about being here. And then little life things come into play as well. Like my printer went belly up. Hated that too because I really liked it. The one I have now is considerably larger though cheaper. But the choosing and purchasing of a new one is time consuming...and then we have installing it and getting used to it etc.
I had it all in my mind how doing the directory this year would be a much easier procedure and it might have been had I remembered how I had it all nailed down. I spent quite a bit of time yesterday getting reacquainted with how I was successful last year. Still not quite there but in the meantime my email had piled up so needed to do lots of deleting and a little answering.
So give me a nudge when I need it or go check the other one...Oh! and Butch is either doing golf, pool or helping someone with an electrical problem but you are not likely to hear from him anyway!
I had it all in my mind how doing the directory this year would be a much easier procedure and it might have been had I remembered how I had it all nailed down. I spent quite a bit of time yesterday getting reacquainted with how I was successful last year. Still not quite there but in the meantime my email had piled up so needed to do lots of deleting and a little answering.
So give me a nudge when I need it or go check the other one...Oh! and Butch is either doing golf, pool or helping someone with an electrical problem but you are not likely to hear from him anyway!
Monday, December 31
An old tired dog...
An old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from
his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home.
He followed me into the house, down the hall, and fell asleep in a corner.
An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, resumed his position in the hall, and slept
for an hour. This continued for several weeks.
Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog
comes to my house for a nap."
The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar:
"He lives in a home with ten children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?"
Saturday, December 29
Friday, December 28
Computers Plus
When I get down here and start computer class it is like going to school. I have to get myself updated on a myriad of issues. Very good exercise for the brain cells. Today we had the dreaded BLUE SCREEN on two different computers. On one it was brand new and there was no apparent reason for it. So we took the battery out then reinserted it and it seemed to take care of the problem as it was back to normal. BUT isn't that a scary happening after buying a new one? Do they take it back to the store before the time period has elapsed whereby they would have to deal with the computer manufacturer ( in this case Toshiba)? Or was it a one time incident never to occur again? Dilemma!
The other one was an older computer and she needs her recovery disc. But her recovery disc is in South Dakota. Do you have someone go into your house and get it and mail it to you? Think about that one for a moment...hmmm, where exactly did I put that thing?.... or do you take it to an unknown fix it person down here that would be able to use an unknown recovery disc and may charge you an unknown amount and perhaps not fix it right even then. Dilemma!!
On a brighter note, at least for me, brother in law Bill's children bought him a new laptop computer for Christmas. Toshiba- Windows Vista-very nice computer but it had 512MB of RAM. In the olden days that was plenty but remember this is the new and not improved VISTA!! It takes 1 GB of RAM just to get up in the morning and 2GB makes it purr like a kitten. So he was having more than a few memory issues. I went online in search of more RAM memory to add to his computer. I googled the specs for his particular model and found a 2 day online sale at Best Buy that was expiring that night. I went ahead and ordered 2- 1GB chips at $29.95 each (Regular $93 each) for in-store pick-up in McAllen. Best Buy has this deal whereby you order online and go to the store to pick it up...I think you have to give them an hour first...and if they do not have it ready and give it to you in one minute you get $10 off! You guessed it!! They did have it but it wasn't ready so I got $10 off of EACH item-making my purchase total $43!! I was impressed!!
Step two- Had to get this installed and working. I haven't done that in awhile and not on a laptop. Best Buy would have done it but it would have cost $126. For that much I figured I would try. It went smooth as silk and he is now buzzing along with 2GB of Ram memory. I was so proud!!!
So my time has been used up getting computer issues resolved or partly resolved. I like that for a change of pace. The only time I do not like it is when I have to pronounce the patient dead or in a vegetative state. For so many of us anymore the computer and email is our lifeline to back home and who better than I understands that. So when you do not see a post on here for a few days you can bet that I am working on computer issues...or maybe I am in Mexico sipping on a Margarita!!
The other one was an older computer and she needs her recovery disc. But her recovery disc is in South Dakota. Do you have someone go into your house and get it and mail it to you? Think about that one for a moment...hmmm, where exactly did I put that thing?.... or do you take it to an unknown fix it person down here that would be able to use an unknown recovery disc and may charge you an unknown amount and perhaps not fix it right even then. Dilemma!!
On a brighter note, at least for me, brother in law Bill's children bought him a new laptop computer for Christmas. Toshiba- Windows Vista-very nice computer but it had 512MB of RAM. In the olden days that was plenty but remember this is the new and not improved VISTA!! It takes 1 GB of RAM just to get up in the morning and 2GB makes it purr like a kitten. So he was having more than a few memory issues. I went online in search of more RAM memory to add to his computer. I googled the specs for his particular model and found a 2 day online sale at Best Buy that was expiring that night. I went ahead and ordered 2- 1GB chips at $29.95 each (Regular $93 each) for in-store pick-up in McAllen. Best Buy has this deal whereby you order online and go to the store to pick it up...I think you have to give them an hour first...and if they do not have it ready and give it to you in one minute you get $10 off! You guessed it!! They did have it but it wasn't ready so I got $10 off of EACH item-making my purchase total $43!! I was impressed!!
Step two- Had to get this installed and working. I haven't done that in awhile and not on a laptop. Best Buy would have done it but it would have cost $126. For that much I figured I would try. It went smooth as silk and he is now buzzing along with 2GB of Ram memory. I was so proud!!!
So my time has been used up getting computer issues resolved or partly resolved. I like that for a change of pace. The only time I do not like it is when I have to pronounce the patient dead or in a vegetative state. For so many of us anymore the computer and email is our lifeline to back home and who better than I understands that. So when you do not see a post on here for a few days you can bet that I am working on computer issues...or maybe I am in Mexico sipping on a Margarita!!
Monday, December 24
Myrla and Scott
Many of you have seen Myrla and Scott's dog pictures...remember Hewy?...But she sent me this great picture of them and so I thought I would show you what the dog masters look like.
Saturday, December 22
Howdy
Howdy Keep Movin' On Blog readers!
Christmas and the new year are fast approaching. It always seems a little strange in 80 degree weather and you would think after several years that we would get used to it. I never seem to though. When I get a hankerin' to see the white stuff I click on the link to the right and view the Snow Mountain Ranch webcam. That has been a nice addition and I look in frequently in hopes of seeing some wildlife. Today I saw what I think are deer tracks. Not sure though.
We have had a good year with many adventures and if you are a frequent reader you are all caught up. I like doing the annual letter as we go along and in the blog. Sure saves me much extra work. Unfortunately those who are not connected get left behind although there are very few anymore not part of the tech set.
There have been some folks with new computers in the park and some I know who are getting new ones and I have been busy setting them up for streamlined use. I take off all the "free" stuff they load on as most of the freebies are for 30 days only. They want to get you hooked on their programs so you will pay for the full version. The truth is most of it you do not want anyway. Microsoft Office is one of the big offenders. Check out www.openoffice.org and you can have all the features of MS Office for free. Some folks are suspicious of things that are free but I do not recommend anything that hasn't been checked out upside down and sideways.
Still learning about Windows Vista and without the operating system on my computer it is slow going. Right now I am not overly impressed but the jury is still out.
Butch has been busy keeping electrical issues to a minimum and his brother Bill takes care of plumbing. They make a good team. They play golf in between times.
We haven't done much out of the ordinary but I imagine things will liven up after the first of the year.
We wish all of you
Monday, December 17
Iowa!!
This young fella did a youtube video doing a jig in front of many Iowa landmarks. It is 7 minutes and 9 seconds long but it is worth it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsWBD3UPfg4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsWBD3UPfg4
Sunday, December 16
Snow Mountain Ranch Web Cam
They now have a web cam at Snow mountain Ranch. Hope it works for you.
http://ymcarockiesmuseum.org/images/ftpimages/smr.jpg
http://ymcarockiesmuseum.org/images/ftpimages/smr.jpg
Bernie's Fruitcake Recipe
Recipe: Bernie's Fruitcake 12/16/2007
Category: Holiday
Author: Bernie Craig
2 C Flour
1 1/2 C Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
4 eggs
3 T butter-room temp.
4 Jars Whole Maraschino Cherries (Drain 3 jars)
2 C Pecan halves or pieces
2 C Walnut halves or pieces
1 LB. Raisins
Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Add
remaining ingredients one at a time in the order listed, mix gently.
Pour in ungreased tube pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Increase heat to 325 degrees and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let cool in pan
then remove. Wrap in foil or plastic and store in refrigerator. Allow 1 to 2 days for
flavors to mingle before serving.
I never liked fruitcake until I tasted Bernies. :-)
Category: Holiday
Author: Bernie Craig
2 C Flour
1 1/2 C Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
4 eggs
3 T butter-room temp.
4 Jars Whole Maraschino Cherries (Drain 3 jars)
2 C Pecan halves or pieces
2 C Walnut halves or pieces
1 LB. Raisins
Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Add
remaining ingredients one at a time in the order listed, mix gently.
Pour in ungreased tube pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Increase heat to 325 degrees and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let cool in pan
then remove. Wrap in foil or plastic and store in refrigerator. Allow 1 to 2 days for
flavors to mingle before serving.
I never liked fruitcake until I tasted Bernies. :-)
Art online
Art online: Iowa institutions go high-tech to display, discuss works in new ways
Art on YouTube;
Try to imagine life before television, before we looked at images and expected them to move. Imagine what it was like to spend hours looking deep into one image, instead of 24 images per second. . . .
The voice on YouTube's online video continues:
Today our brains are instructed by the code of cinema. And because that code requires us to watch passively in a sort of trance, we've gotten into this habit of relying more on the images and maybe a little bit less on ourselves. This is why when we go to museums, we end up disappointed, alienated - because something is missing. We know how to watch, but it's like we've forgotten how to see.
Advertisement
To help us out, staffers at the University of Iowa Museum of Art challenged students last year to create short videos about various works in the collection. In the YouTube series quoted above, Eula Biss and John Bresland riff on an ivory figurine from the Congo, a blurry red Mark Rothko, a pudgy statue swiped from a Big Boy burger joint, and more. With a few simple tricks from "the code of cinema," the videos bring the artwork to life more than a standard printed explanation ever could.
Art on YouTube;
Try to imagine life before television, before we looked at images and expected them to move. Imagine what it was like to spend hours looking deep into one image, instead of 24 images per second. . . .
The voice on YouTube's online video continues:
Today our brains are instructed by the code of cinema. And because that code requires us to watch passively in a sort of trance, we've gotten into this habit of relying more on the images and maybe a little bit less on ourselves. This is why when we go to museums, we end up disappointed, alienated - because something is missing. We know how to watch, but it's like we've forgotten how to see.
Advertisement
To help us out, staffers at the University of Iowa Museum of Art challenged students last year to create short videos about various works in the collection. In the YouTube series quoted above, Eula Biss and John Bresland riff on an ivory figurine from the Congo, a blurry red Mark Rothko, a pudgy statue swiped from a Big Boy burger joint, and more. With a few simple tricks from "the code of cinema," the videos bring the artwork to life more than a standard printed explanation ever could.
Saturday, December 15
Meeting Up
Yesterday, was computer class day. There were several of us who met in the library and we had a lively discussion about several computing issues. I always hope they go home with at least one new piece of info. The truth of the matter is I probably learn as much as they do. It keeps me on my toes and challenges me to learn new things...like Windows Vista (Grrr)and sometimes my memory is challenged as well when someone asks me something I know very well but I just have to bring it to the fore. Anyway, I had a good time and hope they did too.
After that I went to Llano Grande RV Park in Mercedes TX to meet up with Cathy Gleason who shares my love of Swedish Weaving. I met Cathy online through a Yahoo group of Swedish weavers. We ask questions,get ideas and inspired by the works of others. Cathy and I had a great time talking over our projects and also our lifestyle as Cathy and her husband John have been doing the same thing we have only longer. They have been full timing for 8 years and we are going on 4. I am amazed the difference the Internet has made in our lives. It numbers in the hundreds the people I never would have met otherwise. While I was visiting Cathy, Butch and his foursome were playing golf and when they finished Butch and I went to Harlingen to help his sister Marlene and her husband Bernard with some electrical issues. And then they treated us at Chili's. We had a full but fun day.
After that I went to Llano Grande RV Park in Mercedes TX to meet up with Cathy Gleason who shares my love of Swedish Weaving. I met Cathy online through a Yahoo group of Swedish weavers. We ask questions,get ideas and inspired by the works of others. Cathy and I had a great time talking over our projects and also our lifestyle as Cathy and her husband John have been doing the same thing we have only longer. They have been full timing for 8 years and we are going on 4. I am amazed the difference the Internet has made in our lives. It numbers in the hundreds the people I never would have met otherwise. While I was visiting Cathy, Butch and his foursome were playing golf and when they finished Butch and I went to Harlingen to help his sister Marlene and her husband Bernard with some electrical issues. And then they treated us at Chili's. We had a full but fun day.
Thursday, December 13
Old Fella
A couple in the park asked me if I could do some adjusting with this old picture they had been given. That is right up my alley so I had some fun doing that. Great picture too. Don't ya think?
His name is Mr. Aubrey
Other things we did yesterday.
1. Paid the electric bill
2 Went to McAllen to upgrade our Verizon phone. Shopped at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club and we will not be doing that again until after Christmas. It was a mess! Why do people shop with their entire families? There are clusters of 10-12 people in every aisle clogging up the works. And despite their commercial saying otherwise Wal-mart had about 10 checkouts out of 24 in operation.
3. Went to Gonzales Burgers for lunch. We cut our cheeseburgers in half and had half for lunch and the other half for supper. They cost $3.50 each. Taste great and a bargain to boot.
I am sure we did other things too like talk our walks an Butch played pool..always does at 6:00pm. It was a busy day.
Saturday, December 8
Elf Yourself
I had more darn fun with this program. Using different pictures etc. The close up picture of Butch makes me giggle every time I see it. Click on the link below to see what I am talking about.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1228938054
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id
Friday, December 7
Chair
Okay, I have a new chair. It is very comfortable...probably the most comfortable one I tried. Lots of lumbar support. It was very cheap...bought it at the flea market from Bubba's Furniture. It is new and the color (taupe) is okay. But it is too big!!! I think it might be my 'in the meantime' chair.
I will still be looking for a smaller one that also fits all the criteria but I will not be in a hurry to do so. If I stumble across the right deal I will have a chair for sale. One thing about it we didn't pay so much that it will hurt. It sure looks very different in here without the sofa but I am getting used to it.
I will still be looking for a smaller one that also fits all the criteria but I will not be in a hurry to do so. If I stumble across the right deal I will have a chair for sale. One thing about it we didn't pay so much that it will hurt. It sure looks very different in here without the sofa but I am getting used to it.
Tuesday, December 4
Golf Day
Played golf today and shot a 40 (9 holes) and I do not consider that too bad considering I play only on Tuesdays and only in Texas. Butch shot 35. It was okay for him but not cause for celebration.
Our sofa left the motorhome yesterday. I was concerned about how difficult it would be to get it out of here but it turned out to be not difficult at all. It seems the tougher part will be finding a chair that suits me. We shopped yesterday and I found a couple I could have lived with but let's just say I didn't fall in love. So we are still looking.
Our sofa left the motorhome yesterday. I was concerned about how difficult it would be to get it out of here but it turned out to be not difficult at all. It seems the tougher part will be finding a chair that suits me. We shopped yesterday and I found a couple I could have lived with but let's just say I didn't fall in love. So we are still looking.
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