No Good at Keeping Secrets!

Ok.... here is the surprise. I give up.   I  , er, Tex-Cyn just can't wait till I spill the beans! (j/k)

And this is partly why my painting challenge won't be done on time.

We, Brother and s-i-l and I, have been looking and looking for an RV for them to be able to make trips to Pennsylvania to visit their kids and grands, as well as enjoying getting out and spending some time for much-needed enjoyment and relaxation. So after looking locally and coming up empty, we took a trip to Camp Verde, AZ to see this.....

'94 Minnie Winnie 28 1/2' Ford 460

Ain't she pretty???

Its alot like mine and I think they will be very happy with it.

They are getting their license and insurance taken care of, and all that happy stuff done, as well as purchasing needed supplies.

I have left them to do what they need without my interference (I've already given them plenty of that, ha!) and left there yesterday to go to Ajo...... which is another story.

I am so happy for them!  We will be RV'ing together a couple times before I head back to PA in the springtime ..... in time to plant my garden!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

 



Weather Forecasts....

....... are not always right. Say what? You already knew that??

Old man wind tried to trick me today. The rain came in ...which was expected. However the wind that came with it was not. My brother and I had been working with my awning a few days ago and I had decided to leave it up as the forecasted wind mph was low enough for several days. Fortunately I was "home" all tucked in my little rig, working on a painting,when the winds started whipping up big time!!

I  hollered at  called my brother out of his house to help and it was all we could do to hang onto the awning and get it rolled back in without the wind taking it out of our hands. But we managed to get the job done. Whew! That would have been an expensive fix! We were both soaked through, so went in to dry off. After about an hour of torrential downpour, the" R and C River" ran pretty deep right outside my door.

 Lesson #9 learned.... Always set up on higher ground.

 

We had a great day inspite of the weather. A package was brought to their door "Special Delivery" later in the afternoon. I can't wait to show you all..... but I have to (sigh)

Excitement runs high here at the "R and C Ranch" !

 

I will leave you with this picture of my current painting for now.

'Saguaro at Sunset"

4" x 5"

Oil on stretched canvas

 

Have a blessed weekend and enjoy your travels!



Feeling Better.....

I haven't done much except lay around and sleep alot the last couple days. I set up to get Netflix on my 'puter and watched a couple movies. One I really liked was  a story about Michael Angelo painting the Sistine Chapel, starring Charlton Heston. I also watched Penn of Pennsylvania, an old black and white movie.

        Other than that I knitted some on my latest pair of socks although sometimes I barely had the energy to hold the needles.This yarn is Chroma fingering yarn by Knit Picks and the color is "Mesa".

 It was a Christmas present from Daughter #1.



I got up this am feeling like myself again, so I stumbled in to brother's house and got a shower. Washed away all those yucky flu germs! So thankful to be feeling better!
This afternoon we went to a farm/feed store to get seed for the birds and I got a dog brush for Curley Joe, who insists on rolling and scratching in the dirt, and brings half of it in the rv with him. Up until now, the comb I had for Izzy also worked for him, but not in this sandy soil.We also stopped at a Michaels store so I could get more 4" x 5' canvases to finish my "painting challenge" paintings on.

Other than that, there was a nice sunset out last night I was able to get a couple decent photos of it from my doorway.

 

Hope you all are having a nice weekend! The weather should be great here in southern Arizona!

Is there a "Right" Time to Boondock in Arizona?

I have been researching boondocking sites in Az and from what I see, the ones that sound inviting are north of Tucson, with good chances of bad weathe. I thought I could b/d in the Saquero National Forest but not very acceptable for camping with 2 very curious fur buddies. Not really wanting to go to Quartzsite with so many ppl there. I like being where I am basically alone for the most part. I am not a social butterfly. A few ppl at a time is great!

 

I thought we were taking a trip to Nogales MX, to my brother's dentist, but the office is closed till the 25th. CCW class that we intended to go to, well, the guy had a mishap, so that is not happening.... I know there are other classe but the cost is relatively more.

 

Maybe, also the fact that my stomach has been queasy the last few days may be contributing to my feeling a little bummed. In fact I am probably going back to bed after I finish this post.

 

Need to find a place to get an oil change in my rig, get some groceries, and get moving. After my stomach settles down....

Cold? ....naw.

Cold  to me is milking 6 goats morning and night in a 2 week long spell of  -17* weather, breaking up the ice in their water buckets, refilling, and hoping they drank enough before it froze again.

Cold   is waking up to find out your fuel oil furnace ran out during the night, and your 6 month old baby girl had soaked through her diaper, nightgown, AND blankets. Temp in the old cold house?  0*

 

Cold   is a house catching on fire at 1:00 am on Jan 4th 1978 in the  dead of winter in PA; and handing your 5 kids a coat to throw over themselves as they ran out the door to safety.

 

Cold ..... is also the unexpected death of a spouse, who had always been there to lean on; after 32+ years of marriage.

 

Some wonder why I smile alot (and I do). Its because, through the hard times you learn to smile so you don't cry. Its also because I know who holds tomorrow....... and that warms my heart!

However, I write this as I sit in my rig tonight at 65* indoors temp..... shivering. :-)
 Funny what age does.....

 Brother, Deaf Ranger, and I after a 4-whlr ride in the desert.

Ranger just told me it is supposed to be in the teens tonight... oh my!
Have a blessed day tomorrow! and of course, stay warm!!!



Cold Weather Comforts

I finished these the other day, just in time for this cold snap that is hitting Tucson now. I am wearing them this morning! Comfy warm!

My s-i-l, Desert Shade (Carol), makes these insulated hot-pads. she happened to have one in my favorite design, sunflowers! 

This pretty hot-pad comes in handy, along with the tea-pot cozy made by my daughter #1,

 to keep my pot of tea hot longer.

I also used it this cold morning to keep hot my warm dish of oatmeal w/ apricots!

Yesterday, Deaf Ranger and I took my rig to dump the tanks, fill up on propane and diesel fuel.Other than that not much happpening except walking the dogs, and painting. I did a couple western scenes which you can view here if you like. You also may like the one I did of the Rv / auto light bulb.

Still doing a painting a day!

 

Can anyone tell me what the weather is like in Quartszite or Yuma desert? I'd rather hear it from someone who is there than the weatherman.... just sayin  ;-)

 

Stay warm wherever you are, and count your blessings for they are many!



Correction and News...

I had mentioned goting to sales over the weekend with my brother and s-i-l, but called it by the wrong name.  It's the Girls Estate Sales. Website is www.thegirlsestatesales.com also have a store at 3728 E Grant Rd in Tucson.

I have posted a few more paintings on my painting blog "Sunny's Studio" if you care to look. Trying my best to keep up with one painting a day but when brother wants to take me somewhere to show me a place, I usually cave and go. Not his fault, mine. Plus he says I am always rearranging or organizing and I guess he's right. But I think I am finally pretty well done with that now.

Today we took a drive to West Saguaro National Park. Trying to decide where I want to go next week as I am still in his back yard this week......

Plus, I am not very happy with me right now as I seem to be getting my days and nights mixed up. I slept in til 10 am this morning! Thats 12 noon eastern time. I am always up by 6:30 or 7 am back there in PA. What is WRONG with this picture?? I don't even LIKE sleeping in. Its a waste of time far as I am concerned. My dogs will let me sleep the day away... they aren't supposed to do that!

I got the new lens and some bulbs for my porch light today. I was about to walk out the store when I spied these outdoor RV mats, 9 x 12, on sale. I had wanted to buy one before but always more money than i wanted to pay, so I got one today.

Tomorrow I need to patch a small hole in my awning. That means getting up on the ladder as the tear is next to the RV side. That and fill up with propane by the end of the week and I'm about set to roll, ....somewhere....

Later.....



How many Hours in a Day? How about minutes in an Hour??

If anyone could tell me the  real answer I'd like to talk to you.

I am sure I have been missing some hours or minutes lately. Time can't possibly go by that fast, can it?? Either that or someone decided to borrow some from me. and forgot to bring them back.... just sayin'.

So here is what I p ainted for day 2 of my challenge 

/>

"Breaking the Time Habit"

The idea being to s-l-o-w down and enjoy enjoy the moments.

 

 

Anyway, I had a wonderful time getting together with Jo of "Momma's Little Runaway and the Tin Can Cabin". and "The Good Luck Ducks" girls, Anne and Roxanne; as well as Lucy and Terri, a couple other RV'ers and Jojo's friends. The food was excellent as well as the conversation.  I had some of my boon-docking questions answered by Anne and Roxanne. We also talked about what Jo was looking for in an RV, vegan food, Lucy's interest and talent in mechanics, and Terri's upcoming trip. That was on Friday. Thanks so much, Jo, for opening up your home for all of us to get together. You were the perfect hostess!!

Saturday was to be spent on more painting and "organizing" the outside RV compartments. I had the compartment emptied out and stuff sitting all over the ground when Deaf Ranger came out of the house to announce he and Carol were going to some estate sales, run by a "Three Sisters" company, and invited me to go. I hesitated..... but not for long. Off we went. Now, I can't post all I got here cuz some might be for gifts, but I also found 4 classical music cd's ( I listen to them while I paint), a few more storage baskets I needed, a novel by Debbie MaComber, and a chee se knife. Ohhhh, I so want to tell you about the other finds, but can't. I may just burst from the suspense! Hard for me to keep secrets :-/

We stopped at a "Baggin's" for lunch. I had never been to one before. The sandwiches are fab! I would go again. Then we went to look for the new Hobby Lobby store, as I needed more small canvases, but it is still under construction. So we found the Michael's store. They had all sizes of canvas, and some on sale. I usually order mine online, but needed them now.  We arrived back at the ranch in time to get my things put back into the outside compartments and let the dogs out for some time on their cables. No time for a walk today. Then I tore apart the inside and re-re-organized stuff in there so I could get all my canvases in one place, rid out food items in cold storage under the bed, and make room for my "finds". No painting tonight. I'll just have to catch up later.

Day #3

"Treat them Special"

Need to have treats for the fur-babies .... especially to bribe one that easily slips their collar!

Here is Deaf Ranger enjoying his morning coffee and the sunshine in my rig.

Even though I am parked right now at my brother's, I still stay in my RV. I like routine and I think it's important for my pups. I tried staying in their beautiful and comfy guest bedroom, but really like the coziness and at-home feeling of my rv.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Today we went to church, then headed out to Walmart for sandpaper and to return the second heater I had purchased that didn't work for my situation. I did manage to find some flannel sheets I had been wanting at a reasonable price. Also bought some new rechargable batteries. What I got back on the heater paid for my purchases today.

Enjoying the time together

After that we went to La Parrilla Suiza, an authentic Mexican restaurant, for our dinner. The food was delicious and the atmosphere quite friendly, in a beautifully structured setting.



Our attentive waiter



Woman making tortillas








After arriving home I tended to Miss Izzy and Curley Joe, taking them for a long-awaited walk.

I then got out some of the canvases and prepped them for painting, 15 smaller ones and 2  8 x10's.

Looks like I may be painting all day tomorrow it looks like the weather is not going to be so nice.

 

Till next time!

New Challenge (s)

Today I got my RV into All RV Service Center in Tucson.

I needed to get this roof vent

replaced!

 

....as well as a shorted-out turn signal in the rear driver's side that I had previously *fixed*, and needed to get the batteries checked because when I went to start up to leave this morning the engine complained.... alot!... and would not start. This was the 3rd time in 3000+ miles. We arrived about 10 am, brother and s-i-l enjoying the ride.

The guys at the service center did a good job. They had the roof vent and the arm and it was installed quickly. Good thing I had them check the batteries, as one was dead and 2 were "compromised". So, new roof vent and 3 new batteries.

They checked the turn signal and it was badly corroded, which I knew, and they had to replace the whole thing as the turn-signal/tail-light comes as a sealed unit. No biggy, as I was sure it was as old as the rv itself. And I had them check the other side as well. I didn't want trouble down the road. Yep, it was corroded also.

So, new roof vent and arm, 3 new batteries, 2 new turn-signal/tail-light units, and 4 hrs later we got back to the *ranch*.

Carol started on linner (lunch/dinner) while I got Miss Izzy and Curley Joe out for a walk. We had hamburgers and Texas fries! Oh they were so good! We had not eaten much that morning and were hungry!

After that, true to my committment, I got my painting stuff set out. Barely dipped the brush in the turp when the phone rang. I almost didn't answer it .. but decided to. It was daughter #3 telling me about the awesome advancment in her job. Whoo-hoo! A company car and a gas card!!! She does alot of traveling working for Visiting*Angels. I was so happy for her, and glad I had taken the call.

Back to painting, determined..... pressing on.

I decided my theme would be about my experiences while RV'ing this winter.

So here it is  And I accomplished Day 1 !!

"In the Beginning ... Winnebago Winnie"

3.75 x 4.75 Oil on stretched canvas

and now I am finishing the other half of my other daily committment. Thanks for stopping by!

Stay safe out there!



It can be a really good thing ........... or not

.... those rare times when I wake up in the middle of the night and get on the internet.

 

Tonight (today) was one of those times.

 

I checked my facebook notices and saw a post from one of my painter friends about a painting challenge. The idea is to paint thirty paintings in thirty days........ You can decide your theme (or the paintings could be random) and they can be small paintings. I had wanted to do this before and wasn't sure I could commit to it. So now is a good time to do so, right????

Hmmmmm.......... lets think about this...........

I am in the RV.... traveling some days... planning a couple long day trips with brother and wife...... hopefully CC classes here in AZ with brother..... walking the fur-babies 3 times a day...... trying to keep up with blogging my adventures.... AND just started another challenge of reading the Bible through in one year (I am a s-l-o-w reader), as well as all the other day to day routines I do at a much slower pace than 30 years ago..... hmmmmm.

 

Oh yes, I need another challenge......not! That would mean committment. I really like to run from that word. COMMITTMENT! So what do I do ?? I run headlong into it and sign up!! That means making a public announcement of my intentions..... whoa!!

 

Am I in my right mind? Do I have a mind left? Some days I wonder......

A partial quote from "Fiddler on the Roof" I like is when the Papa says, "On the other hand...."

So.... on the other hand, this painting challenge can push me to help me accomplish something that would be benefitial, and is one of my main goals and purposes of being out here RVing anyway. 

So I guess it might be a good thing ......this time.

Time will tell...