Still Winter in Iowa

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

Overheard

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

The Big Switch

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

Homer & Bodie

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

So what...

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

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

Straight from the Headlines

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

Somebody should send this to Jay Leno...

Sunshine Getaway

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Laid Back in Texas

Busy Being Sick

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

Surpised!

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

Not much

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

All Better Now

Okay, enough of the sick talk. I would say I probably had the flu and no, I did not get a flu shot this year. Next year I will. I am much better now in fact very close to normal. Glad it is all behind me. Tonight I am playing in the park pool event and tomorrow is computer class as usual. I am up for it!!

Butch is home...

He came home early after driving all night. And he came home to a sick wife. I became sick Saturday night and I am now beginning to feel somewhat normal...this is Wednesday. I have hopes of being back up to speed very soon but there haven't been any additions to the blog primarily due to illness. In fact a nap is sounding very good right now....

Butch will be...

Butch will be on the road bright and early Saturday morning. Friends Terry and Lisa have sold their house in Canyon Lake TX and will be heading home to take care of that so they are consequently leaving a day earlier than planned. I think the three of them are ready to head south although I am sure they enjoyed their stay thoroughly. I am ready for the old guy to get back home so we can resume our life together. It feels a bit like my right arm has been missing. I will be glad to get it back!! The cat misses him as well.
I have many friends in the park and they have all made sure I haven't wanted for anything while he was gone and I sure appreciate everything that has been done for me.
Be sure to check the Magnolia blog too for things of interest. The link is on this page too.

Digital Converter Box for TV

Will you be needing one?

This is the link to apply for the coupon for the digital converter box. You are allowed two coupons.

www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html.

To the Casino!!

Hontas, Yunita, Butch, Terry and Lisa went to Central City CO to gamble a bit. There isn't any TV at Snow Mountain Ranch which pushes you to find other pursuits of happiness!

The Weather Channel Desktop

The Weather Channel desktop is what I use to stay on top of the weather no matter where we are. I change the location settings as we move from place to place. Right now we are set for Donna Texas of course. A foghorn or thunder sound is what I hear when an alert is sounded. This morning we have a fog alert.
It is a free download and you can find it here.

The Weather Channel Desktop download

Skier Butch

Butch called a few days ago and told me he had been told it was wise to either buy or rent a helmet. He has skied many other years without one but recently we had read of a snowboarder at Breckinridge who had died and he was wearing a helmet! Snowboarding is dangerous at best!! So Butch bought a helmet. Last night he called and told me he had a bad fall and credited the helmet with saving him from far more serious injury. He is fine but he said it was indeed a bad incident.


Gary and Jason are there with Butch now and for the next couple of days. I am sure they are having a good time.

I am not lonely. I simply have not had time to even think about being lonely. Sundays and Thursdays are my light duty days the rest are as full as I care to have them. Make no mistake, I am having fun doing what I want to do.

Traveler IQ

Have fun with the Traveler IQ

http://www.travelpod.com/traveler-iq

Fuel Woes

Fuel Price Woes – some helpful hints!

Our RVs might not move down the road as often as we’d like, but we feel your pain. Here are some hints about maximizing your fuel efficiency and fuel-related web links.

The experts we consulted all agree that getting back to the basics of good vehicle maintenance is key to controlling the gas mileage your RV or tow vehicle achieves.

Tires: Good tread, along with inflation pressure that is appropriate to the vehicle and road conditions, is very important.

Filters: Be vigilant about the cleanliness of your air and fuel filters.

Speed: Slow and steady wins the gas mileage race. Don’t rush to get up to speed. Make your cruising speed slower than you might have in the past because 55-60 mph can save you some money. The fueleconomy.gov website says, “… you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.”

Reduce idling time; idling gets 0 mpg.

Use your cruise control when you can; it’s more reliable at maintaining a steady speed than your foot!

Use a cash-back rewards credit card or gas card to purchase fuel. Every little bit helps.

This website, http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/states/, is really handy. Just click on the state you’re wondering about and information about fuel prices and trends in that state is readily available.

The gas buddy website, http://www.gasbuddy.com/, includes the Canadian provinces.