It's been 2 weeks and I haven't made a post and for that I apologize. We have been very busy seeing people, having dinner with others and just general business. This week I have been a little under the weather but all is well now--I think. I want to post a couple of Recipes that I think all of you will enjoy.
Cilantro-Lime Tilapia
Light & luscious, just right for your appetite.
INGREDIENTS
Tilapia fillet (4 oz)
1 tsp olive oil
juice from half a lime
1/2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup cooked spinach
1/4 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
1 tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese
Garlic/garlic powder (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Brush fillet with 1 tsp olive oil.
Squeeze juice from half a lime over fillet.
Sprinkle garlic powder over fish. (I also sprinkle a little sea salt)
Sprinkle fillet with cilantro .
Broil in oven 6 inches from heat, about 5-7 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork (I found it just as easy to cook on the grill-3-4 minutes, spray grill.)
While tilapia is broiling, place spinach in microwave safe dish. (I prefer fresh spinach which will need to steam in microwave 5-10 minutes depending on how soft you prefer yours.
Toss with minced garlic and sea salt (optional).
Cook according to package directions if using frozen spinach.
Keep covered & warm until fillets are done.
Spoon cooked spinach on a plate, place fish over spinach, top with chopped tomatoes and shredded cheese.
Serve with herb bread if desired.
Recipe is for an individual serving; multiply recipe by the number of desired servings (works as a dinner for 2 or 12!).
Number of Servings: 1
Howard and I love this. It is quick and easy.
Mini Vegetable Frittatas
Make this ahead of time and then refrigerate for a quick, protein-packed breakfast that's also portion-controlled. Top with salsa (optional) and serve with toast for a complete breakfast.
INGREDIENTS
5 eggs I like to use 2 eggs and the egg substitute equiv.to 3 eggs
2 Tbsp low-fat milk
1 cup diced tomato
2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled
I use different crumbled cheeses according to my taste or what I have on hand
2 cups chopped broccoli, fresh (or frozen and thawed)asparagus tips and mushrooms are also good.
salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Mix eggs and milk in a bowl. Add crumbled goat cheese and chopped vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.
Spoon mixture into muffin tins coated with cooking spray.
Baked at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until "set" and golden on top.
You can refrigerate and reheat these in the microwave for a quick breakfast or snack. Microwave on high for approximately 30 seconds. Serve warm.
Makes 9 "mini" frittatas.
These are only 71 calories each
Have a great week.
For you RV'ers these recipes are simple to make in the coach or on the grill. For those of you in a stick house they are ultra easy. Yes if you haven't hear a brick or wood house is referred to as a stick house.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Leaving Alabama heading to Texas
Wahoo, the sun is shinning so there will be no problem getting loaded up to leave the RV park. Well except that Howard hasn't felt well for about 3 weeks and has no energy. It took us a few hours longer than normal but the park was very nice about it and didn't charge any extra. 2 pm and we are heading down the road to Houston. Do you know how few RV Parks list in Good Sams and on the internet? I spend half my time going down the road trying to find someplace to stay as we travel. I think that is why I much prefer to spend the night at a truck stop or Wal-mart, that and they are free. We made it to Dunse, LA. then on to Baytown, TX. then on to Schulenburg, TX. We would have spent a few days in Schulenburg but they were having a rally come in the next day. It was a cute little park with a good view across the pond. We watched the ducks play and chase each other. It has only rained once since we left Alabama so that made me happy. It was right next door to a Dairy queen so we didn't have to unload the car. We just walked across the parking lot and had a very unhealthy meal. Now I remember why I was glad they closed down the Dairy Queens in Granbury. Not good for me.
We thought we would go to Fredericksburg, TX. and spend a couple of weeks there so we could travel around on day trips and see all the sights around there but again I was fooled. It was spring break, they were having Trade days, a biker rally and there were no sites to be found within 60 miles. I finally talked to a very nice Lady at the Top of the Hill RV park in Boerne, TX. and after a little whining We got a pull through site there. It was on top of the hill and we had a beautiful view. We enjoyed the view so much. We saw beautiful sunsets every night. From this park we toured Boerne, Fredericksburg, and Lukenbauch, and yes 2 days it rained. On Saturday when we were going to go into Fredericksburg for the Trade days it poured all day so we stayed home. Sunday it was cold and windy and Howard was coughing and sneezing a lot so I insisted we stay in. We stayed here a week and I highly recommend this park to everyone. Clean, Beautiful views, great clean laundry, and activity center. It has a swimming pool and hot tub but it had not opened yet. We did make it to Fredericksburg and toured the town, Ate lunch at a very good German restaurant and then on to Lukenbauch. You know, "We're in Lukenbauch, TX with Waylon, Willie and the boys". Cute little place, not a town, not a city, just a place with a name. We did have fun though as we stopped at Uptown Lukenbauch which is a mill with a little store selling painted and etched stones. The Gentleman who owned the place was so nice. We had a great time visiting with him and then we went on to the Lukenbauch store on the Bypass-that's what they called it ;-). There was a store, a stage, picnic tables, and a dance hall. Cute, quite a few people and a man playing and singing, so we had a beer and listened for a while and then on down the road. It was a fun day all in all. We went into Boerne a couple of days and walked up and down the main street. Now, with no disrespect to the neat towns and their history, none of them were as good as doing the square in Granbury, TX. I cannot help it I guess I have just lived in Granbury too long. I will however go back and recommend the Hill country to everyone but come on to Granbury in the spring.
Off to Marble Falls, well no I couldn't find an RV park with ratings above terrible. As we drove through town there were a couple on the highway that looked really nice but we had already called ahead and made reservations in Lampasas. We stayed at the Boone RV Park on 281 in Lampasas. It was a nice clean little park and the owners and everyone we met were so nice. The first evening they were having a community pot luck and invited us to come and just bring our drinks, Thank goodness, it was 5:00, the dinner started at 5:30 and We needed to go to the store. They had enough food for 5 x's the people that were there. It was a great evening. The next day the owners gave us print outs of sights to see and places to eat. We went to the goat farm. They had a lot of babies they were bottle feeding so they didn't have any of their famous goat milk and goat cheese to sell. It was fun anyway as the baby goats were so cute and came up to us and let us pet them. We went to a very small winery and tasted a few wines and bought one bottle. We never found the other winery but we didn't need to drink anymore anyway. We ate at the famous Storms drive in for hamburgers, man have they gone down hill, or maybe we have just learned to appreciate healthy good food, either way it was not good. We did have breakfast at a quaint little German restaurant downtown and it was very good.
Well it's time to go home to Granbury for a while. I didn't realize how much I missed our home town. It gave us both a fuzzy feeling as we drove into town. We are staying at Bennets RV Park for about 6 weeks. We have Dr. appointments and some business to take care of in addition to seeing our friends and family. I will make weekly posts to let all of our RV friends and bloggers know what is going on. I also have to learn how to get the pictures off my camera onto the computer onto the blogg. I CAN DO IT. Have a great week.
We thought we would go to Fredericksburg, TX. and spend a couple of weeks there so we could travel around on day trips and see all the sights around there but again I was fooled. It was spring break, they were having Trade days, a biker rally and there were no sites to be found within 60 miles. I finally talked to a very nice Lady at the Top of the Hill RV park in Boerne, TX. and after a little whining We got a pull through site there. It was on top of the hill and we had a beautiful view. We enjoyed the view so much. We saw beautiful sunsets every night. From this park we toured Boerne, Fredericksburg, and Lukenbauch, and yes 2 days it rained. On Saturday when we were going to go into Fredericksburg for the Trade days it poured all day so we stayed home. Sunday it was cold and windy and Howard was coughing and sneezing a lot so I insisted we stay in. We stayed here a week and I highly recommend this park to everyone. Clean, Beautiful views, great clean laundry, and activity center. It has a swimming pool and hot tub but it had not opened yet. We did make it to Fredericksburg and toured the town, Ate lunch at a very good German restaurant and then on to Lukenbauch. You know, "We're in Lukenbauch, TX with Waylon, Willie and the boys". Cute little place, not a town, not a city, just a place with a name. We did have fun though as we stopped at Uptown Lukenbauch which is a mill with a little store selling painted and etched stones. The Gentleman who owned the place was so nice. We had a great time visiting with him and then we went on to the Lukenbauch store on the Bypass-that's what they called it ;-). There was a store, a stage, picnic tables, and a dance hall. Cute, quite a few people and a man playing and singing, so we had a beer and listened for a while and then on down the road. It was a fun day all in all. We went into Boerne a couple of days and walked up and down the main street. Now, with no disrespect to the neat towns and their history, none of them were as good as doing the square in Granbury, TX. I cannot help it I guess I have just lived in Granbury too long. I will however go back and recommend the Hill country to everyone but come on to Granbury in the spring.
Off to Marble Falls, well no I couldn't find an RV park with ratings above terrible. As we drove through town there were a couple on the highway that looked really nice but we had already called ahead and made reservations in Lampasas. We stayed at the Boone RV Park on 281 in Lampasas. It was a nice clean little park and the owners and everyone we met were so nice. The first evening they were having a community pot luck and invited us to come and just bring our drinks, Thank goodness, it was 5:00, the dinner started at 5:30 and We needed to go to the store. They had enough food for 5 x's the people that were there. It was a great evening. The next day the owners gave us print outs of sights to see and places to eat. We went to the goat farm. They had a lot of babies they were bottle feeding so they didn't have any of their famous goat milk and goat cheese to sell. It was fun anyway as the baby goats were so cute and came up to us and let us pet them. We went to a very small winery and tasted a few wines and bought one bottle. We never found the other winery but we didn't need to drink anymore anyway. We ate at the famous Storms drive in for hamburgers, man have they gone down hill, or maybe we have just learned to appreciate healthy good food, either way it was not good. We did have breakfast at a quaint little German restaurant downtown and it was very good.
Well it's time to go home to Granbury for a while. I didn't realize how much I missed our home town. It gave us both a fuzzy feeling as we drove into town. We are staying at Bennets RV Park for about 6 weeks. We have Dr. appointments and some business to take care of in addition to seeing our friends and family. I will make weekly posts to let all of our RV friends and bloggers know what is going on. I also have to learn how to get the pictures off my camera onto the computer onto the blogg. I CAN DO IT. Have a great week.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Have You Checked Your Tires Today?
Your tires are one of the most important items on your daily list to check when traveling or for that matter just driving around town. Your life depends on those black round things that go around and around and keeps you off the ground. Tire pressure has to be maintained, always to the specs, from the manufacture. All tire are marked on the side walls, of course it's always in small print, but is always there.
With proper inflation, the life of the tire is always improved. The ride of the vehicle can also be affected by improper inflation. Too much air, the tire bounces, wears in the center, and could cause traction problems in adverse weather conditions.
Running the tires under-inflated could cause the vehicle to sway from side to side more than normal. The excess sway could cause undue side wall fatigue and can cause the outside edges of the tread to wear more, thus this shortens the life of your tires.
I started my trucking career in the 1960's and bought my 1st truck and became an owner operator in 1976. Thus I have learned about tires and how to take care of them to achieve a safe ride and get the best tire life possible.
Early in my trucking career a tire repairman told me one of the most important thing I could know about tires is "just keep 'em pumped-up and they'll live", the man really knew his stuff, I have always followed his advise.
With proper inflation, the life of the tire is always improved. The ride of the vehicle can also be affected by improper inflation. Too much air, the tire bounces, wears in the center, and could cause traction problems in adverse weather conditions.
Running the tires under-inflated could cause the vehicle to sway from side to side more than normal. The excess sway could cause undue side wall fatigue and can cause the outside edges of the tread to wear more, thus this shortens the life of your tires.
I started my trucking career in the 1960's and bought my 1st truck and became an owner operator in 1976. Thus I have learned about tires and how to take care of them to achieve a safe ride and get the best tire life possible.
Early in my trucking career a tire repairman told me one of the most important thing I could know about tires is "just keep 'em pumped-up and they'll live", the man really knew his stuff, I have always followed his advise.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
From Then Until Now Chapter 3 of 3
Chapter 3 and then on to weekly posts. Finally made it back to Mobile Alabama to have Christmas with our friends and get our slide that is leaking fixed. Arrived on the 10th of December. Weather not bad, well unless you consider a lot of rain as not bad. As I said, we had a slide that was leaking when it rained so RAIN is not good until we get that fixed. The RV repair place did not have the rubbers in to fix the slide so they had to order them. Guess what, they did not come in by the 21st of December. Have you ever noticed that repairmen are never in any hurry? Especially when you have a real problem.
We had a nice visit and early Christmas with our friends. One day we drove down to Gulf Shores to see the beach and have lunch at LULU'S. . It RAINED and was misty all day. One day we drove to Daulphin Island to have lunch at this cute little seaside hole in the wall Barnaby Bills. The food is very good and worth the drive if you are in the area. Yes indeedy, we drove for an hour and it was closed till the first of the year. It was vacation time on the Island. We drove around and finally found another place that had been recommended as the best on the Island--NOT--,possibly next to the worst. AHH the ups and downs of our life on the road.
Now during all this time we were in Mobile Howard knew we were next going back to Oklahoma. At least once, more like 20 times, a day he let me know how much he hated Oklahoma in the winter time and it is cold and has blizzards and is horrible. Every day at least once I reminded him there was a very special reason we would be spending Christmas in Oklahoma--my sisters 60th Wedding Anniversary. I also reminded him that I had spent 10 years in a row in Oklahoma for Christmas and never one time did even one snowflake drop to the ground much less a blizzard.
Now you will learn why what you put out to the universe is what you get. We left for Oklahoma on the 21st of December. All along the way friends and family would call us and tell us to be careful and ask when we would be there. Reason--there was supposed to be a big snow storm on Christmas but we didn't know that. Yes we got there safely on the 23rd of December with no problem and then we heard--"A bad snowstorm on it's way" and yes it came--on December 24th, 2009 for the 1st time since 1914 it snowed in Stillwater Oklahoma on Christmas. No it didn't---YES it did and to top that off for the first time in 30, count them 30 years it came a BLIZZARD. This blizzard closed down Interstate Hwy's. across the state and the airports in OK. City and Tulsa. Oh my, do you know what that meant? Howard was a very, very unhappy camper as they say. I wasn't delighted but here we were and I was going to make the best of it. On Christmas eve my sister tried to get us to spend the night at her house but NO we needed to get back to the coach to make sure it didn't freeze up. We slowly made it through the treacherous streets to our campground, Whew we made it. Howard turned into the park and into an invisible snow drift. We were, he says 500 ft. from the Coach, well when you are carrying a dog, walking into the north wind that is blowing snow into your face at 55 miles per hour it was an eternity. I was walking into drifts up to my knees and then I walked out of my shoes, dropped the dog, fell down, found my shoes but could not get the weenie dog. There he was in snow way over his head looking so pitiful at me but I had to tell him Howard would come back and get him. I truly didn't think I could go much further but I did. When I finally got to the Coach Howard was trying to get his breath so he could go back and get the other dog. He almost didn't make it back the 2nd time but the Lord was with us both and we made it safely. Can't say he was happy about any of it. We got up the next morning Picture of the car far away from the Coach in the snow will be posted if I can figure it out lol. And yes the water was frozen, no potty water, no water to wash the face or brush the teeth, YUK. We now keep 2 gallons of water in the coach. The campground owner had a bob cat and said he would get our car out. Well he grated off the road and all around our Coach but left the car in a big drift. Howard got the car out and took me over to my sisters to clean up and get ready for Christams, bless her heart she had everything cooked by the time I made it over there. I got a nice hot shower and was ready in no time, Howard got the water thawed out, cleaned up and made it back YEAH!
We made it through Christmas day and the Anniversay party on the 26th which was absolutely wonderful and my brother-in-laws birthday on the 27th. On the 28th We left for Texas. Yeah out of the cold, out of the snow, We are on our way to Texas. On The Road Again, well almost. We made it to just north of Oklahoma city when we were flagged down because smoke was blowing out of the tow dolly wheel. Fortunately we were just at the Flying J Truck Stop and we could get off. We had blown a wheel gasket. The parking lot was covered in ice, snow and slush but at least the sun was shinning and the wind wasn't blowing. I paid a young man to help Howard get the wheel off and found a place near by on the internet for Howard to talk to and yes they could fix it that afternoon. Off he went to get it fixed and when he got back he noticed that the other wheel didn't look good. Yep it had to be replaced also but the repair shop was closed so we decided to stay all night at the truck stop. We asked the manager if it was okay for us to stay where we were and he said yes. My goodness, in an hour we were surrounded and closed in. We couldn't have left if we wanted to. I mean we could spit on all the other RV's from out our window. I was really claustrophobic at this point and the fumes from all the rigs were about to choke us. Oh well next morning we found out the only place open before 2 pm-it was the holidays-was clear across town but they said sure come on over they could fix it. Now this was a big Motorhome sales and service place and Howard told them the part # that would be needed and they said no problem. We drove over 30 minutes to get there and had to fight the ice in their parking lot. They didn't have the part but they would call the parts house up the street and have it sent right over. 4 hours later they got the part and fixed the wheel--it is now snowing and we are stuck in Oklahoma City at least for the night. Fortunately there was an RV park just up the street. It wasn't easy to get into because they had snow and ice everywhere but we made it. Yep we made it and it only lightly snowed. The next morning we were up and out of there and yes we made it back to Texas. We were going to stay till the 15th of January but they were having threats of snow so we took off on the 5th and headed back to Mobile where we thought it would be pretty and warm. We had to go back to get the Slide out fixed since the warranty had already approved it and they had the rubbers in. Again we-I-did not check that out. It was in the 30's and 40's and RAINED almost every day. Well guess what the average rain fall for Mobile AL. is? 5 ft. That's right 5' and I think they got most of it while we were there. The last week-end it did not rain. We left on Monday March 15th so I will end this post and catch up in a few days. It does get better I promise and I have learned to use my camera so I will have Pictures to. Have a blessed day. Howard and Diana
We had a nice visit and early Christmas with our friends. One day we drove down to Gulf Shores to see the beach and have lunch at LULU'S. . It RAINED and was misty all day. One day we drove to Daulphin Island to have lunch at this cute little seaside hole in the wall Barnaby Bills. The food is very good and worth the drive if you are in the area. Yes indeedy, we drove for an hour and it was closed till the first of the year. It was vacation time on the Island. We drove around and finally found another place that had been recommended as the best on the Island--NOT--,possibly next to the worst. AHH the ups and downs of our life on the road.
Now during all this time we were in Mobile Howard knew we were next going back to Oklahoma. At least once, more like 20 times, a day he let me know how much he hated Oklahoma in the winter time and it is cold and has blizzards and is horrible. Every day at least once I reminded him there was a very special reason we would be spending Christmas in Oklahoma--my sisters 60th Wedding Anniversary. I also reminded him that I had spent 10 years in a row in Oklahoma for Christmas and never one time did even one snowflake drop to the ground much less a blizzard.
Now you will learn why what you put out to the universe is what you get. We left for Oklahoma on the 21st of December. All along the way friends and family would call us and tell us to be careful and ask when we would be there. Reason--there was supposed to be a big snow storm on Christmas but we didn't know that. Yes we got there safely on the 23rd of December with no problem and then we heard--"A bad snowstorm on it's way" and yes it came--on December 24th, 2009 for the 1st time since 1914 it snowed in Stillwater Oklahoma on Christmas. No it didn't---YES it did and to top that off for the first time in 30, count them 30 years it came a BLIZZARD. This blizzard closed down Interstate Hwy's. across the state and the airports in OK. City and Tulsa. Oh my, do you know what that meant? Howard was a very, very unhappy camper as they say. I wasn't delighted but here we were and I was going to make the best of it. On Christmas eve my sister tried to get us to spend the night at her house but NO we needed to get back to the coach to make sure it didn't freeze up. We slowly made it through the treacherous streets to our campground, Whew we made it. Howard turned into the park and into an invisible snow drift. We were, he says 500 ft. from the Coach, well when you are carrying a dog, walking into the north wind that is blowing snow into your face at 55 miles per hour it was an eternity. I was walking into drifts up to my knees and then I walked out of my shoes, dropped the dog, fell down, found my shoes but could not get the weenie dog. There he was in snow way over his head looking so pitiful at me but I had to tell him Howard would come back and get him. I truly didn't think I could go much further but I did. When I finally got to the Coach Howard was trying to get his breath so he could go back and get the other dog. He almost didn't make it back the 2nd time but the Lord was with us both and we made it safely. Can't say he was happy about any of it. We got up the next morning Picture of the car far away from the Coach in the snow will be posted if I can figure it out lol. And yes the water was frozen, no potty water, no water to wash the face or brush the teeth, YUK. We now keep 2 gallons of water in the coach. The campground owner had a bob cat and said he would get our car out. Well he grated off the road and all around our Coach but left the car in a big drift. Howard got the car out and took me over to my sisters to clean up and get ready for Christams, bless her heart she had everything cooked by the time I made it over there. I got a nice hot shower and was ready in no time, Howard got the water thawed out, cleaned up and made it back YEAH!
We made it through Christmas day and the Anniversay party on the 26th which was absolutely wonderful and my brother-in-laws birthday on the 27th. On the 28th We left for Texas. Yeah out of the cold, out of the snow, We are on our way to Texas. On The Road Again, well almost. We made it to just north of Oklahoma city when we were flagged down because smoke was blowing out of the tow dolly wheel. Fortunately we were just at the Flying J Truck Stop and we could get off. We had blown a wheel gasket. The parking lot was covered in ice, snow and slush but at least the sun was shinning and the wind wasn't blowing. I paid a young man to help Howard get the wheel off and found a place near by on the internet for Howard to talk to and yes they could fix it that afternoon. Off he went to get it fixed and when he got back he noticed that the other wheel didn't look good. Yep it had to be replaced also but the repair shop was closed so we decided to stay all night at the truck stop. We asked the manager if it was okay for us to stay where we were and he said yes. My goodness, in an hour we were surrounded and closed in. We couldn't have left if we wanted to. I mean we could spit on all the other RV's from out our window. I was really claustrophobic at this point and the fumes from all the rigs were about to choke us. Oh well next morning we found out the only place open before 2 pm-it was the holidays-was clear across town but they said sure come on over they could fix it. Now this was a big Motorhome sales and service place and Howard told them the part # that would be needed and they said no problem. We drove over 30 minutes to get there and had to fight the ice in their parking lot. They didn't have the part but they would call the parts house up the street and have it sent right over. 4 hours later they got the part and fixed the wheel--it is now snowing and we are stuck in Oklahoma City at least for the night. Fortunately there was an RV park just up the street. It wasn't easy to get into because they had snow and ice everywhere but we made it. Yep we made it and it only lightly snowed. The next morning we were up and out of there and yes we made it back to Texas. We were going to stay till the 15th of January but they were having threats of snow so we took off on the 5th and headed back to Mobile where we thought it would be pretty and warm. We had to go back to get the Slide out fixed since the warranty had already approved it and they had the rubbers in. Again we-I-did not check that out. It was in the 30's and 40's and RAINED almost every day. Well guess what the average rain fall for Mobile AL. is? 5 ft. That's right 5' and I think they got most of it while we were there. The last week-end it did not rain. We left on Monday March 15th so I will end this post and catch up in a few days. It does get better I promise and I have learned to use my camera so I will have Pictures to. Have a blessed day. Howard and Diana
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
From Then Until Now Chapter 2 of 3
Friday November 20th and we are off again on our journey. Seems like we have already been to Oklahoma but we have lots of STUFF leftover to deliver to friends and family. Will have Thanksgiving with sister Jackie and family. We rented a Budget rental truck and filled it to the brim. Howard drove the Coach, towing the car and I drove the truck. Yes I did. It was like driving a tanker. We bought walkie talkies so we could be sure and keep in touch with each other.
We made it to Kris and Nancy's (daughter #1) and unloaded a lot of the stuff as Howard is leaving all his tools (a lot) at her house in the garage. We had dinner with them and then went off to Norman to park in the Casino parking lot. FREE and handy. Besides that, for some reason Norman has not one, nada, nill, no RV parks so it's off to the Casino. They are really very nice there. Slept good, up and off to Oklahoma City. Went to see my nephew Greg in the Hospital, and spent a little time with Karen Sue. Gave her some stuff too. Went to Brandi (daughter #2) and Tim's for dinner (Yum good) and to leave them some stuff. Was nice visiting with everyone.
Spent the night and then on Sunday off to Stillwater. Parked the Coach and took stuff to Jackie's and had dinner. Monday was off to Tulsa to Jessica (daughter #3) and Todd's to deliver the last of the stuff and turn in the truck. Yep we drove the car and the truck both to Tulsa. Howard almost got me killed driving through terrible traffic in a construction zone but I lived. After we took the truck back we had lunch with Heather (our little granddaughter) and then took her to school. Spent some time with Jessica and the kids and saw Todd for a little bit before we were off to Stillwater. Had a nice Thanksgiving with them. My nephews Ron and Lynn and their families were there for dinner.
Up early on Friday after Thanksgiving and off to Florida. West Palm Beach Florida. Do you have any idea how far it is from Stillwater, OK. to West Palm Beach Florida? Neither did I. Yes I looked it up and it is 1391 miles but do you know how far that is when you only drive 300 miles a day at best. I know, you people who drive their cars and take turns driving would do that in a day and a half but we don't have 2 people driving. Besides that we have found that in the World of Rv'ing you check out before 11 and check in by 4 in the winter and 6 in the summer. You would be surprised how long that day seems. We made it and it was beautiful in Florida, nice warm weather and it RAINS almost every day in Florida for at least an hour. We found the freeway system to be very good around West Palm but do not get on the Tollway, you cannot get off. Really, half of the places to get off you have to have a pass to get off. You just hope that when you eventually are able to get off you will know where you are. Thank goodness for the GPS I insisted on buying. However let me just say the GPS couldn't find the beach any better than we could. Little did we know we were staying about 4 miles west of a beach. We did stay at a really nice park. It was a city park with a beautiful golf course and lake and it had reasonable rates. We stayed 5 days and then we are off to Alabama. Howard and I both were having allergies pretty bad so we took a week to get back to Alabama.
This is getting us closer to now. Come back there's more
We made it to Kris and Nancy's (daughter #1) and unloaded a lot of the stuff as Howard is leaving all his tools (a lot) at her house in the garage. We had dinner with them and then went off to Norman to park in the Casino parking lot. FREE and handy. Besides that, for some reason Norman has not one, nada, nill, no RV parks so it's off to the Casino. They are really very nice there. Slept good, up and off to Oklahoma City. Went to see my nephew Greg in the Hospital, and spent a little time with Karen Sue. Gave her some stuff too. Went to Brandi (daughter #2) and Tim's for dinner (Yum good) and to leave them some stuff. Was nice visiting with everyone.
Spent the night and then on Sunday off to Stillwater. Parked the Coach and took stuff to Jackie's and had dinner. Monday was off to Tulsa to Jessica (daughter #3) and Todd's to deliver the last of the stuff and turn in the truck. Yep we drove the car and the truck both to Tulsa. Howard almost got me killed driving through terrible traffic in a construction zone but I lived. After we took the truck back we had lunch with Heather (our little granddaughter) and then took her to school. Spent some time with Jessica and the kids and saw Todd for a little bit before we were off to Stillwater. Had a nice Thanksgiving with them. My nephews Ron and Lynn and their families were there for dinner.
Up early on Friday after Thanksgiving and off to Florida. West Palm Beach Florida. Do you have any idea how far it is from Stillwater, OK. to West Palm Beach Florida? Neither did I. Yes I looked it up and it is 1391 miles but do you know how far that is when you only drive 300 miles a day at best. I know, you people who drive their cars and take turns driving would do that in a day and a half but we don't have 2 people driving. Besides that we have found that in the World of Rv'ing you check out before 11 and check in by 4 in the winter and 6 in the summer. You would be surprised how long that day seems. We made it and it was beautiful in Florida, nice warm weather and it RAINS almost every day in Florida for at least an hour. We found the freeway system to be very good around West Palm but do not get on the Tollway, you cannot get off. Really, half of the places to get off you have to have a pass to get off. You just hope that when you eventually are able to get off you will know where you are. Thank goodness for the GPS I insisted on buying. However let me just say the GPS couldn't find the beach any better than we could. Little did we know we were staying about 4 miles west of a beach. We did stay at a really nice park. It was a city park with a beautiful golf course and lake and it had reasonable rates. We stayed 5 days and then we are off to Alabama. Howard and I both were having allergies pretty bad so we took a week to get back to Alabama.
This is getting us closer to now. Come back there's more
Monday, March 1, 2010
From Then Until Now Chapter 1 of 3
I gave it a lot of thought and decided that I need to do a post for 2 months at a time from when we moved into our Motor Home (Coach) till now so we can ejoy the weekly musings of our life. I'll try to not make it to confusing and sorry for the length but it will be better in the long run.
We are finally in the Coach. Whew that was a task. Hello, here comes several of our friends 6 to be exact. The tour of our home was fun-here's the living room, dining room, kitchen and guestroom, next we have the bathroom, laundry room, shower, coat closet, and now for the master bedroom--oops only 2 people at a time can take this tour. Now to figure out when and how to have others over. We did it mostly 2 at a time. When the weather was good we had wine and snacks outside, when not we were inside. There are a few of you, I know, I know who have not been over. We will get around to that when we come back through I promise.
It's a rude shock when you get up and step in ice cold water when you get to the kitchen. Yep the ice maker is leaking--Howard finally found the problem and got it fixed so all is well. OH NO RAIN, I know we had been in a 2 year drought and I know we need the rain but PLEASE I don't have a garage to park in so I can stay dry. What am I talking about I never got to park in the garage- that was Howard's work shop. :-) We drove home from the hospital in Arlington in the pouring and I mean pouring down rain to finally arrive home safely and find the bedroom flooding, well okay not flooding but it was really, really wet and took a lot of sopping up and then the wet/dry vac to suck it all out. We had a leak around the bedroom slide. Howard figured out how to divert the water into a plastic tub and over the next several weeks we had to frequently (set the alarm clock every 2 hours during the night) empty the tub. You cannot fix it if it's raining so we wanted the rain to stop. HAHAHA It is March and it is still raining but We did get the leak fixed in Alabama in January so that problem has been fixed and it is really nice. Well mostly we have found it to be true that if it is raining hard and the wind is blowing our home might lean around any little crevice but that is not often. It is raining as I am typing this on March 1. Actually it has rained or snowed more than not since we started this venture. We are for hire if any of you are living in a drought, for money, we will go anywhere and bring our rain with us.
We took our first short voyage to Oklahoma for 3 days and it was fun, scary, exciting and a learning experience. I found that it is not the same riding in a Motor Home as it is riding in a car or a truck. Now for those who don't know, Howard if the safest driver I have ever ridden with. So it was quite a shock to be riding along and be hanging on to the side bar going "Howard slow down your going to hit the car---ohohoh no your fixing to hit the 18 wheeler beside us, CAR!CAR!CAR! your ugugug wait " Well probably if he could have reached me he would have slapped me. He got a little upset and told me if I didn't stop it I was going to have to drive so needless to say---I shut up--but it wasn't easy. Well that problem has been fixed because I learned that if I put my reclining seat all the way back and turn it a little where I am not looking straight out and I can't see out my side window then things look better and I don't scream and neither does Howard. Whew that was a nerve racking experience. I also learned that you MUST make sure the pantry lock is locked or it comes flying out and makes quite a noise. Let's just say I have made several jump outa the seat and scurry to catch something as we are going down the road since then. Don't ask me why something can ride along in the same spot for thousands of miles and all of a sudden it starts sliding and bamb its on the floor. Do you know what a mess it is to have a glass piggy bank with $12 of pennies in to hit the floor? Neither did I, but shattered glass and pennies flew from one end of the Coach to the other. I was not in the Coach when it went flying by the way, I was driving the car and that is another story in the next chapter, and that is why I didn't catch it but I got to clean it up. We almost lost Howard's mantle clock (no we don't have a mantle-anymore) but I got out of the seat and scrambled to catch it before it hit the floor. Now you have to understand that clock (and piggy bank for that matter) had ridden in the same spot from the day we moved in to Alabama, to Oklahoma, to Texas to Oklahoma to Florida and almost back to Alabama. when this happened. Now it rides on the bedroom floor when we are on the road.
We drove out of the RV park in Granbury, TX. on September 21, went to Alabama to our friends Kathy and Russ' daughter, Dawn's Wedding reception. IT RAINED! We stayed there for 10 days at a lovely little park that had a lovely little lake with a lot of ducks. They weren't a problem but the smell was, so we decided we would have to find another park when we come back. From Alabama to Tulsa, OK. to the youngest daughters for her wedding on October 9. IT RAINED! It was a sweet little wedding and we got to keep the grand babies 2 nights and one day. That was a good time even if stressful at times. They really were very good and we all enjoyed the Aquarium as well as I-hop and Pizza. While in Tulsa we got to visit with my brother Wendell and sister-in-law Pat several times and my nephew Ron and his wife Linda. So our week in Tulsa was very good. Well except for that wonderful driver who backed into a brick mailbox and knocked it over in the POURING RAIN. Just had to throw that in there-sorry Howard. Now it's off to Stillwater, OK. to my sister and brother-in-laws, Jackie and Bobby. We stayed at Lake Carl Blackwell park and yes it RAINED! while we were there. Howard and Bobby went fishing everyday and Jackie and I went shopping and out to eat every day and every evening we played Train (Dominoes) so we all had a good time. We had such a good time and I really hated to leave but we had to get back to Granbury for Dr.'s appointments. We stayed in Granbury until the 22 of November and worked in our storage shed and visited with family and friends, and it RAINED!
Well I will end this section of the saga and will return in a couple of days to continue so we can all get caught up. Your Friends Howard and Diana
We are finally in the Coach. Whew that was a task. Hello, here comes several of our friends 6 to be exact. The tour of our home was fun-here's the living room, dining room, kitchen and guestroom, next we have the bathroom, laundry room, shower, coat closet, and now for the master bedroom--oops only 2 people at a time can take this tour. Now to figure out when and how to have others over. We did it mostly 2 at a time. When the weather was good we had wine and snacks outside, when not we were inside. There are a few of you, I know, I know who have not been over. We will get around to that when we come back through I promise.
It's a rude shock when you get up and step in ice cold water when you get to the kitchen. Yep the ice maker is leaking--Howard finally found the problem and got it fixed so all is well. OH NO RAIN, I know we had been in a 2 year drought and I know we need the rain but PLEASE I don't have a garage to park in so I can stay dry. What am I talking about I never got to park in the garage- that was Howard's work shop. :-) We drove home from the hospital in Arlington in the pouring and I mean pouring down rain to finally arrive home safely and find the bedroom flooding, well okay not flooding but it was really, really wet and took a lot of sopping up and then the wet/dry vac to suck it all out. We had a leak around the bedroom slide. Howard figured out how to divert the water into a plastic tub and over the next several weeks we had to frequently (set the alarm clock every 2 hours during the night) empty the tub. You cannot fix it if it's raining so we wanted the rain to stop. HAHAHA It is March and it is still raining but We did get the leak fixed in Alabama in January so that problem has been fixed and it is really nice. Well mostly we have found it to be true that if it is raining hard and the wind is blowing our home might lean around any little crevice but that is not often. It is raining as I am typing this on March 1. Actually it has rained or snowed more than not since we started this venture. We are for hire if any of you are living in a drought, for money, we will go anywhere and bring our rain with us.
We took our first short voyage to Oklahoma for 3 days and it was fun, scary, exciting and a learning experience. I found that it is not the same riding in a Motor Home as it is riding in a car or a truck. Now for those who don't know, Howard if the safest driver I have ever ridden with. So it was quite a shock to be riding along and be hanging on to the side bar going "Howard slow down your going to hit the car---ohohoh no your fixing to hit the 18 wheeler beside us, CAR!CAR!CAR! your ugugug wait " Well probably if he could have reached me he would have slapped me. He got a little upset and told me if I didn't stop it I was going to have to drive so needless to say---I shut up--but it wasn't easy. Well that problem has been fixed because I learned that if I put my reclining seat all the way back and turn it a little where I am not looking straight out and I can't see out my side window then things look better and I don't scream and neither does Howard. Whew that was a nerve racking experience. I also learned that you MUST make sure the pantry lock is locked or it comes flying out and makes quite a noise. Let's just say I have made several jump outa the seat and scurry to catch something as we are going down the road since then. Don't ask me why something can ride along in the same spot for thousands of miles and all of a sudden it starts sliding and bamb its on the floor. Do you know what a mess it is to have a glass piggy bank with $12 of pennies in to hit the floor? Neither did I, but shattered glass and pennies flew from one end of the Coach to the other. I was not in the Coach when it went flying by the way, I was driving the car and that is another story in the next chapter, and that is why I didn't catch it but I got to clean it up. We almost lost Howard's mantle clock (no we don't have a mantle-anymore) but I got out of the seat and scrambled to catch it before it hit the floor. Now you have to understand that clock (and piggy bank for that matter) had ridden in the same spot from the day we moved in to Alabama, to Oklahoma, to Texas to Oklahoma to Florida and almost back to Alabama. when this happened. Now it rides on the bedroom floor when we are on the road.
We drove out of the RV park in Granbury, TX. on September 21, went to Alabama to our friends Kathy and Russ' daughter, Dawn's Wedding reception. IT RAINED! We stayed there for 10 days at a lovely little park that had a lovely little lake with a lot of ducks. They weren't a problem but the smell was, so we decided we would have to find another park when we come back. From Alabama to Tulsa, OK. to the youngest daughters for her wedding on October 9. IT RAINED! It was a sweet little wedding and we got to keep the grand babies 2 nights and one day. That was a good time even if stressful at times. They really were very good and we all enjoyed the Aquarium as well as I-hop and Pizza. While in Tulsa we got to visit with my brother Wendell and sister-in-law Pat several times and my nephew Ron and his wife Linda. So our week in Tulsa was very good. Well except for that wonderful driver who backed into a brick mailbox and knocked it over in the POURING RAIN. Just had to throw that in there-sorry Howard. Now it's off to Stillwater, OK. to my sister and brother-in-laws, Jackie and Bobby. We stayed at Lake Carl Blackwell park and yes it RAINED! while we were there. Howard and Bobby went fishing everyday and Jackie and I went shopping and out to eat every day and every evening we played Train (Dominoes) so we all had a good time. We had such a good time and I really hated to leave but we had to get back to Granbury for Dr.'s appointments. We stayed in Granbury until the 22 of November and worked in our storage shed and visited with family and friends, and it RAINED!
Well I will end this section of the saga and will return in a couple of days to continue so we can all get caught up. Your Friends Howard and Diana
Friday, February 26, 2010
From a House to a Fifth Wheeler to a Motorhome
We are out of the house and officially now live in our fifth wheel. Not how I had planned for all of this to go. In my mind we were going to have a year to sort all of our stuff into give away, sell and keep piles and disperse in a sane manner. That didn't happen and so now I am in a fifth wheel instead of my dreamed of motor home wondering where oh where did everything go. To this dayI have no idea where some of it went but that is okay. We have started our new life and whoever got our stuff is certainly enjoying it.
Ah I have everything put away here in the fiver(RV lingo I learned) and am ready to rest for a few days. We have been looking at motor homes but haven't found the right one, found one that is almost right but not yet. NOT! H0ward sold our fifth wheel and we had to be out in 10 days so off to find the motorhome. He convinced me that the almost right one was the one. It is pretty and we will have a great life in it until the bug bites us and we move up into another one. Oh yes, it is a 41 ft. Gulfstream Friendship Diesel pusher with 4 slides. And yes it is beautiful and I am very proud of it. So again the rush was on, ten days to buy the motorhome and move outta the fiver. I may cry, not may, Idid cry. Well when you buy a used motorhome we found you don't just walk in say I'll take this one and pay them for it. You have to wait for them to get it ready, get the sales papers ready, then close on the deal. Did I say I had 10 days to move? Again I was wrong by the time we got our new home to the RV Park we had 2 days to move and clean the fiver. Now that doesn't sound bad, I moved from a 2200 sq. ft. hoe in 10 days this should be a cinch. NOT a cinch, we had to ask for an extra 1/2 day and then we got it done. Whew I am tired.
Now it is time to get everything put away. Wait a minute, these are pretty cabinets but they don't function very good. I will have to figure that out in a few days. What do you mean all of our clothes that came out of the fiver won't fit in the closets-there are 3 of them, oh they just look big. Well I already gave away 3/4 of my clothes. Hum--have to get rid of more and wait where am I supposed to put my shoes. This ladies is what you better seriously look at when buying your first motorhome if you plan to live in it full time. The kitchen, closets, and storage I found are very very important and can be very very deceiving when you are just looking. But after weeks Of arranging and rearranging I have gotten everything put away and yes I do know where it is.
I will be back so thanks for coming along with us.
Ah I have everything put away here in the fiver(RV lingo I learned) and am ready to rest for a few days. We have been looking at motor homes but haven't found the right one, found one that is almost right but not yet. NOT! H0ward sold our fifth wheel and we had to be out in 10 days so off to find the motorhome. He convinced me that the almost right one was the one. It is pretty and we will have a great life in it until the bug bites us and we move up into another one. Oh yes, it is a 41 ft. Gulfstream Friendship Diesel pusher with 4 slides. And yes it is beautiful and I am very proud of it. So again the rush was on, ten days to buy the motorhome and move outta the fiver. I may cry, not may, Idid cry. Well when you buy a used motorhome we found you don't just walk in say I'll take this one and pay them for it. You have to wait for them to get it ready, get the sales papers ready, then close on the deal. Did I say I had 10 days to move? Again I was wrong by the time we got our new home to the RV Park we had 2 days to move and clean the fiver. Now that doesn't sound bad, I moved from a 2200 sq. ft. hoe in 10 days this should be a cinch. NOT a cinch, we had to ask for an extra 1/2 day and then we got it done. Whew I am tired.
Now it is time to get everything put away. Wait a minute, these are pretty cabinets but they don't function very good. I will have to figure that out in a few days. What do you mean all of our clothes that came out of the fiver won't fit in the closets-there are 3 of them, oh they just look big. Well I already gave away 3/4 of my clothes. Hum--have to get rid of more and wait where am I supposed to put my shoes. This ladies is what you better seriously look at when buying your first motorhome if you plan to live in it full time. The kitchen, closets, and storage I found are very very important and can be very very deceiving when you are just looking. But after weeks Of arranging and rearranging I have gotten everything put away and yes I do know where it is.
I will be back so thanks for coming along with us.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Beginning of Our New Life
I know most of you are aware of how all this got started but for those new to our world I'm going to start at the beginning. The beginning being June 2009.
In a life far away from here we lived in a beautiful home with lots of "stuff" and a big yard. When we traveled we had to continue with the bills and hire someone to take care of the house and yard only to return to find that most of it hadn't been done. So I told Howard that we either sell all the "stuff " and the house and go full time RV'ing or forget the travels as it was just too hard. No, No, No he said. He couldn't get rid of his stuff, so---you got it, we didn't. Then one hot sunny day in June 2009 -June 25th to be exact- Howard told me he had made an appointment with the realtor to put the house on the market. Well what a shock, I had a lot to do to get the house ready to be shown. The Realtor told me I had till the 6th of July to get things in order. Now that included having some painting done, packing some things away and getting the garage in order. So for the next 10 days I worked and made calls and worked and hired painters and worked. You wouldn't believe what I got done in 10 days. We were however under the assumption from the state of the economy and the report of the Realtor that it would take at least 9 months if not a year to sell our house. Well that was all wrong. Said Realtor brought us a contract on July 21 and we countered a couple of times and there we were. We sold our house and we had to be out by August 4th. We had not even told our family we were selling the house--we had plenty of time for that or so we thought. We were calling family members and friends as we were frantically packing. We did it with the help of a lot of friends. We want to thank all of you who worked you fingers to the bone for all you did for us. It certainly was a time that we found out who our real friends were.
Now this is just the beginning so come back every few days and read a little more about our move from stationary to mobile. It's been fun.
In a life far away from here we lived in a beautiful home with lots of "stuff" and a big yard. When we traveled we had to continue with the bills and hire someone to take care of the house and yard only to return to find that most of it hadn't been done. So I told Howard that we either sell all the "stuff " and the house and go full time RV'ing or forget the travels as it was just too hard. No, No, No he said. He couldn't get rid of his stuff, so---you got it, we didn't. Then one hot sunny day in June 2009 -June 25th to be exact- Howard told me he had made an appointment with the realtor to put the house on the market. Well what a shock, I had a lot to do to get the house ready to be shown. The Realtor told me I had till the 6th of July to get things in order. Now that included having some painting done, packing some things away and getting the garage in order. So for the next 10 days I worked and made calls and worked and hired painters and worked. You wouldn't believe what I got done in 10 days. We were however under the assumption from the state of the economy and the report of the Realtor that it would take at least 9 months if not a year to sell our house. Well that was all wrong. Said Realtor brought us a contract on July 21 and we countered a couple of times and there we were. We sold our house and we had to be out by August 4th. We had not even told our family we were selling the house--we had plenty of time for that or so we thought. We were calling family members and friends as we were frantically packing. We did it with the help of a lot of friends. We want to thank all of you who worked you fingers to the bone for all you did for us. It certainly was a time that we found out who our real friends were.
Now this is just the beginning so come back every few days and read a little more about our move from stationary to mobile. It's been fun.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
Posts
