It rained all day yesterday and all night last night. There is standing water everywhere. Our home is on somewhat of a gravel pedestal so we didn't have any immediate worries. I know it was in excess of 3 inches of rain perhaps closer to 5 inches.
But today the sun has finally made a reappearance. Yippee!! We need to get ourselves outside for some exercise. And perhaps we can do some touristy things without getting wet.
Thursday, October 22
Wednesday, October 21
Tuesday, October 20
Situation
Here is the situation as we have it right now. We are located at the Pecan Plantation Campground near Granbury Texas visiting friends Mike and Sharon Bryce. Our Internet connection exists but it is weak, slow and intermittent. I am able to check mail and do basics. Our Verizon phone connection is always or nearly always searching for signal which draws our battery down very quickly. So to reach us it is probably best by email while we are here. And we are not sure how long that will be. I can make phone calls however. The whole situation is a little weird.
They tell us it is really hot yet in the valley and the weather is nearly perfect where we are so we find ourselves in the midst of a balancing act. So while we are in limbo bear with us. I hope you blog checkers still check in and I will continue to try for daily posts but if I do not, you will know I ran into a technosnag(my word).
We arrived here about 10:30 this morning and Butch and Mike headed for the golf course shortly thereafter while Sharon and I visited the afternoon away.
Sharon made Runza Casserole and pecan pie bars for supper so you know Butch was in heaven. Golf and his favorite casserole and dessert to boot.
Tomorrow it is supposed to rain so not sure what we may be doing...but it will be fun for sure.
They tell us it is really hot yet in the valley and the weather is nearly perfect where we are so we find ourselves in the midst of a balancing act. So while we are in limbo bear with us. I hope you blog checkers still check in and I will continue to try for daily posts but if I do not, you will know I ran into a technosnag(my word).
We arrived here about 10:30 this morning and Butch and Mike headed for the golf course shortly thereafter while Sharon and I visited the afternoon away.
Sharon made Runza Casserole and pecan pie bars for supper so you know Butch was in heaven. Golf and his favorite casserole and dessert to boot.
Tomorrow it is supposed to rain so not sure what we may be doing...but it will be fun for sure.
Sunday, October 18
Parade Chickens
It was way too cold for us to go to the parade yesterday so we watched on tv and I took photos just like I was really there. No, the quality is not as good but we were much warmer. When the parade was about 2/3rds done it really poured! That made our decision even more sane!
Here is the slideshow!
Here is the slideshow!
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Saturday, October 17
Oops!
Butch just checked our "repair" on the fridge. We will be sticking around in Carthage until it is really fixed.
Maple Leaf Festival & Parade?
Maple Leaf Festival & Parade take place this morning in Carthage Mo and we seem to find ourselves in this area every year. Creatures of habit, aren't we all. Last year was chilly and damp but we went anyway because it is such a nice parade. One of the best we have ever seen. This year it is dark, dank and just plain COLD. We will most likely pass on it this year. Butch is still in bed for one thing and it takes us longer and longer to get ready to go anywhere. But more so the cold. It does not take much of it for me to go into hibernation. I received an email from an online Swedish weaver acquaintance who winters in La Feria TX every winter and she is in her Texas spot and says it is HOT. I am ready for some hot.
Yesterday we kept our appointment to have our refrigerator looked at. I was getting condensation around the door to the point where I needed a rug there to catch the drips. It was a simple fix. Something was not making a connection. Now it is and no more drips. Simple if you know what the problem is!
Tomorrow our Missouri kids are coming to see us before we leave the show me state for warmer climes. Monday AM will find us on the road aimed at Texas. Earlier than usual rather than later actually.
Till next time...
Thursday, October 15
My Cousins Slideshow
My Cousins Slideshow of the Pacific Northwest-Photographer Howard Zimmerle
Way to go, Cuz. I am impressed.
Way to go, Cuz. I am impressed.
Wednesday, October 14
Helpful Steps to Prevent the Swine Flu
In addition to the article below I want to mention a neti-pot. Butch has had trouble with allergies for several years and has taken medication for it. I have had a problem in the last few years and particularly in South Texas. We have started using a neti-pot. It is simple and easy to do although it can seem a bit daunting to begin with but after the first time or two it is easy...very easy. Butch has stopped taking the allergy meds entirely. Wal-mart carries the neti-pot we purchased. It is made by Neil Med. I used to use saline nasal spray with limited success. This is much much easier and more pleasant. Your sinus and nasal passages feel so clean and refreshed after using the Neti-pot.
www.NeilMed.com
Helpful Steps to Prevent the Swine Flu
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1, in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits).. *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6.* Drink as much of warm liquids (Tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the rever
www.NeilMed.com
Helpful Steps to Prevent the Swine Flu
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1, in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits).. *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6.* Drink as much of warm liquids (Tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the rever
Chili Weather
Rained most of yesterday, still dark, dank and dreary today. They are promising sun tomorrow afternoon. But highs are not expected to be above 55 whether we have sun or not. I do not mind a few days like this but a few is all I like.
I need to get back to walking and hope to do that today rain or no rain.
The park is full so there is plenty to watch. It is like being at the zoo. People are funny and do the funniest things.
We had chili last night for supper. Every cook I know has their own special chili recipe. Here is mine:
Barb's Chili
1 lb hamburger,browned and drained
1/2 large onion chopped
1 can Mrs. Grimes or Bush's Chili beans
2 cans Ro-Tel diced tomatoes with green chillies (one hot and one mild)
8 oz. can of V-8 or tomato juice
1 T. brown sugar
Combine ingredients in a crockpot and let simmer 6-8 hours
Sometimes I add green pepper,grated carrots or different kinds of beans. Butch prefers I use 2 cans of Ro-tel hot diced tomatoes. I also double this recipe if we are having company or I want leftovers.
I need to get back to walking and hope to do that today rain or no rain.
The park is full so there is plenty to watch. It is like being at the zoo. People are funny and do the funniest things.
We had chili last night for supper. Every cook I know has their own special chili recipe. Here is mine:
Barb's Chili
1 lb hamburger,browned and drained
1/2 large onion chopped
1 can Mrs. Grimes or Bush's Chili beans
2 cans Ro-Tel diced tomatoes with green chillies (one hot and one mild)
8 oz. can of V-8 or tomato juice
1 T. brown sugar
Combine ingredients in a crockpot and let simmer 6-8 hours
Sometimes I add green pepper,grated carrots or different kinds of beans. Butch prefers I use 2 cans of Ro-tel hot diced tomatoes. I also double this recipe if we are having company or I want leftovers.
Tuesday, October 13
Carthage MO
Arrived in Carthage yesterday around noon. Butch started washing the MoHo almost immediately! Been talking about it for months but yesterday was thee day. The water is exceptionally soft here. It always amazes me.
We are paid up for a week and then we do not know for sure. May decide to stay a bit longer or move a bit further south. We may make that decision on Friday when we have our appointment for the MoHo. In the mountains I was getting what we assumed were grease stains on my clothes when I washed them. They always had the same pattern and Butch was sure it was the washer. After we called for this appointment Friday it hasn't done it since. And then we were also having condensation around the refrigerator door, enough to make a puddle. That has let up also I assume due to less humid weather. So these two tenuous things are what our appointment is all about. So the outcome is also tenuous.
The Maple Leaf Festival is this Saturday in Carthage. It seems we are always in the area when that happens. Last year the weather was 'see your breath cool' and the forecast is for the same this year. It is always a good photo op though and they always have an excellent parade.
We are paid up for a week and then we do not know for sure. May decide to stay a bit longer or move a bit further south. We may make that decision on Friday when we have our appointment for the MoHo. In the mountains I was getting what we assumed were grease stains on my clothes when I washed them. They always had the same pattern and Butch was sure it was the washer. After we called for this appointment Friday it hasn't done it since. And then we were also having condensation around the refrigerator door, enough to make a puddle. That has let up also I assume due to less humid weather. So these two tenuous things are what our appointment is all about. So the outcome is also tenuous.
The Maple Leaf Festival is this Saturday in Carthage. It seems we are always in the area when that happens. Last year the weather was 'see your breath cool' and the forecast is for the same this year. It is always a good photo op though and they always have an excellent parade.
Monday, October 12
Long winded update
Jason & Laura,bride & groom with Michael,Laura's son and Nicole,Laura's daughter holding grandson Ethan.
It has been a busy week. Jason and Laura were married at the Willow Creek Glass Chapel near Minden IA last Thursday evening. It was a beautiful wedding. During the ceremony a little mouse was watching from above. The owners were mortified but it was cute. The glass chapel is a very beautiful place for a wedding set in amongst Iowa cornfields. It is worth a look even if a wedding is not in your plans.
Butch and I stayed at the Bluffs Run RV Park near the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs. It reopened in June of this year. It had been an RV park back when the dog track was the only business in that area but closed when the casino came in. We could never figure out why they closed it because it was always busy. Security makes frequent drives through the park and surrounding area. $30 a night with taxes included so considering location, security etc. it is not a bad deal. The wedding party stayed in the nearby Springhill Marriott. The wedding supper was at Tish's an excellent restaurant not too far away. It is a restaurant I would gladly go to again. Excellent food and reasonable prices.
Friday we all went shopping and to a movie (Couples Retreat)etc. It is always a treat to hang out with the kids.
Saturday morning we awoke to the record breaking snow and cold that hit the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. We had read the forecast so we had unhooked our water hose from the motorhome. The lowest reading we had on our indoor/outdoor thermometer was 27 degrees. But it was slick and slushy with 5 to 8 inches of snow so we waited until near 11:00 AM to hook up the car and head south.
We had an uneventful trip south to Peculiar. Saturday evening I was in bed and Butch was about to be when we heard a crash. He couldn't tell where it was so we assumed it was on the highway. It wasn't! A truck from an upper level came over the side and crashed into a car and motorhome on our level two slots to our right. The recipients of the crash will not be getting to Arizona as soon as they planned.
They were in bed asleep when this occurred.
Below we have Wiley, Angels 20+ pound son who lives at the Gary and Susan Brooker home.
Today we are headed for Carthage MO. Minor motorhome business before wending our way slowly southward.
It has been a busy week. Jason and Laura were married at the Willow Creek Glass Chapel near Minden IA last Thursday evening. It was a beautiful wedding. During the ceremony a little mouse was watching from above. The owners were mortified but it was cute. The glass chapel is a very beautiful place for a wedding set in amongst Iowa cornfields. It is worth a look even if a wedding is not in your plans.
Butch and I stayed at the Bluffs Run RV Park near the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs. It reopened in June of this year. It had been an RV park back when the dog track was the only business in that area but closed when the casino came in. We could never figure out why they closed it because it was always busy. Security makes frequent drives through the park and surrounding area. $30 a night with taxes included so considering location, security etc. it is not a bad deal. The wedding party stayed in the nearby Springhill Marriott. The wedding supper was at Tish's an excellent restaurant not too far away. It is a restaurant I would gladly go to again. Excellent food and reasonable prices.
Friday we all went shopping and to a movie (Couples Retreat)etc. It is always a treat to hang out with the kids.
Saturday morning we awoke to the record breaking snow and cold that hit the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. We had read the forecast so we had unhooked our water hose from the motorhome. The lowest reading we had on our indoor/outdoor thermometer was 27 degrees. But it was slick and slushy with 5 to 8 inches of snow so we waited until near 11:00 AM to hook up the car and head south.
We had an uneventful trip south to Peculiar. Saturday evening I was in bed and Butch was about to be when we heard a crash. He couldn't tell where it was so we assumed it was on the highway. It wasn't! A truck from an upper level came over the side and crashed into a car and motorhome on our level two slots to our right. The recipients of the crash will not be getting to Arizona as soon as they planned.
They were in bed asleep when this occurred.
Below we have Wiley, Angels 20+ pound son who lives at the Gary and Susan Brooker home.
Today we are headed for Carthage MO. Minor motorhome business before wending our way slowly southward.
Saturday, October 10
Jason & Laura Brooker
We attended a very special wedding this past Thursday. Our youngest son Jason married his best friend Laura. She has been a loved part of our family for a long time and "At Last" it is official.
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Wednesday, October 7
Sun Kissed
Every now and then Iowa offers up a special treat. The sun was low on the western horizon and kissing the tree tops offering us this special view.
Monday, October 5
Sunday, October 4
Frost on the Pumpkin
Woke up to frost this morning! 32 degrees! I looked at the 10 day forecast and the prediction for frost on the pumpkin is steady through the next 10 days. That is about how long we will remain in Iowa before we go to Missouri and see if it is better there.
There was a new post on the Magnolia Park blog about their first garage sale. Two things I noticed-people were wearing shorts and someone had a tee shirt that said "Keep Austin Weird". Texans thinks Austin is weird! How interesting.
There was a new post on the Magnolia Park blog about their first garage sale. Two things I noticed-people were wearing shorts and someone had a tee shirt that said "Keep Austin Weird". Texans thinks Austin is weird! How interesting.
Saturday, October 3
Auction Results
It didn't go so well. There were no buyers there. The car brought a reasonable price but the rest of it brought next to nothing. Slightly better than giving it away which we nearly did. Butch and I have had two auctions neither of them very successful. The one conclusion we have come to is that when and if we furnish another home we will do it through auctions. A perfectly good bedroom suite- 3 pieces-brought $12.50! If a person is patient and persistent an entire home could be furnished for next to nothing.
We had not been to an auction for a long time so from an unattached perspective it was interesting. And I could have been tempted a time or two but the old question of where do I put it in the motorhome stops me every time.
As the year goes by we do put things aside for sale when we get back to Magnolia Park in south Texas. I have never seen sales do as well as they do there anywhere else in the country!
Friday, October 2
Cold & Rainy!
We are all cuddled in our cozy little home. Todays weather is like the worst weather day we could get in the middle of January in south Texas. The high for today in Anita Iowa is 45 degrees!!! It is a TV and popcorn day.
Movie in Lenox
My sister Teri is a teacher in Lenox IA where they made a movie. She sent me a link to the trailer for the movie.
"There is a trailer on youtube for “The Crazies”. My room is in the very last scene in it, where the room is full of gurneys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNwEtEnf0M4"
Teri
"There is a trailer on youtube for “The Crazies”. My room is in the very last scene in it, where the room is full of gurneys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNwEtEnf0M4"
Teri
Thursday, October 1
Jason & Laura
A week from today Jason and Laura are getting married at the Willow Creek Glass Chapel in Minden IA. I will take pictures of course and post them.
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