Playing Quicky Catch-Up, Chapter 1

 

I will never, ever totally unpack my RV again.... EVER.

So long to get packed back up, I ended up throwing things in the back seat and rear of the toad just so I could get moving. I finally left PA about 1 pm on Oct 27th. I drove to Hubbard Ohio and stopped for the night at a truck stop between 2 trucks. They did not keep me awake. I slept like a log!

When I got up in the morning the gas for the fridge was not working. I had to get plugged into electric for the night so paid the price and spent the night at Elizabethtown Crossroads Campground. The owner there worked a bit with my fridge and got it working on gas again. He said it might be air in the lines from non-use. Hmmmm.... o-k I guess.

The next day I traveled to Bowling Green, thoroughly enjoying the exquisite colors nature had lavishly bestowed on this area of Kentucky this year! I decided to take an unplanned  detour and drove by the old home place and snapped a few photos. It was good to go there, as I was finally able to put closure to that part of my old life. I really had enjoyed the farm, but that is past, and I cannot go forward by looking back and second-guessing my decision to sell the place. 

 

At the end of Williams RD

 

The soybean fields of the farm

 

Leaving it behind and closing the door....

 

I met my friend Debbie, that day and we had lunch together. It was good to see each other again. We do keep in touch and she will always be a part of my life. Then I drove on over to Energy Lake where I got set up, took Izzy for a short walk, went to bed early, and crashed!

 

Look for the next chapter in my adventures!

 

Delays ..... But Not all Bad

One week later....
Waiting on the right rheostat for the fuel feed to come in to be put in my RV. After two new rheostats that neither one fit, I decided to go ahead and have the used one put in as my son had assured me that they ever rarely go bad. Trying my best to be patient  <smile>. 

Then, on the other side of this, I am also looking at the possibility of full-timing for a while. I am feeling such urgency to get away. I guess with all the activity here at this home, making it a home, isn't very satisfying for me. I "re-created" here what mimicked the happiest times of my life, a home with animals and garden, just like Hubby and I had, and like we did when kids were growing up. A councilor once told me that sometimes we seek to go back to the happiest times of our life so that we can start from there and heal. But having no one to share the work and rewards with has left me feeling quite empty.
Tonight I took a ride in my truck just to get out of the house (area). As I drove around, I wondered what was keeping me from feeling peaceful, what was nagging at me. Finally it occurred to me that
I am not the same person that I was then.... why am I trying to be?

Isaiah 26:3

Switching Blogs For a Time

As I won't be traveling til sometime next year, I decided to switch back to my former blog,

"Just Plain Country Living"

Just click on the name to go there.

I hope to record my adventures of making a go of it on 1 and 1/3 acres. I have some catching up to do, but it has been an exciting summer so far for me.

Thank you all for following along as I went through my adjustment to widowhood and learning about RV'ing.

Hope you all have happy travels and sunny days ahead!

May the Lord bless your journeys!

Keeping busy while waiting.....

I have been delayed on getting my vitamins that I usually take and have felt like I was dragging for the last several days. I had intended on picking them up in OK when I went to visit Susan but now that that trip has been canceled because of the bank card issue, I won't be going after my year's supply of vitamins as well. I have taken these same liquid vitamins since going on the truck with my husband in Jan of 2002. I was one of their first hundred or so customers.

Anyway I called the company and was told the TA at x 68 on I-30 east of Dallas carried them. They would cost more but at least I could get a bottle to get me through. So Friday I pulled together enough cash to get my Lady Blue fueled up and get my vitamins. I got there, fueled,  and went to look for the stand with the attendant who sells the vitamins at this particular TA. I found the stand, but the attendant was nowhere to be found.... just a small sign with a phone numner to call if you wanted to make a purchase. Sooooo, I called and got a viocemail saying to leave a msg. I ...left ....a .... msg. This is Monday evening. My call was never returned. No vitamins. Nada. There is a slim chance I can pick some up at another TA when I leave here. Don't cha just love it when life hands you all these little irritating little monkey-wrenches one right after another?? Just got to plow through and weather the storm, find something good to keep yourself occupied till the storm passes.....

 

Sunday afternoon Daughter's family and I met with cousin Connie and husband Bud over near Fort Worth and had a nice visit and dinner at golden Corral. Connie and I both like GC pretty well and it was not too far from their home. After that we stopped back at the ATT store and they finally conceded that my wi-fi unit was not working properly, and replaced it with a new one. I tried it out this morning and all the issues I had with the other one were gone. This one is working perfectly! So now that problem is solved.  I have been knitting in the evenings. I have about 4" to go and this pair of socks for D-I-Lwill be done. The Grand sometimes comes out to the RV and will watch a movie with me. Last night we watched "The Willows in Winter", a grand old classic.

This morning after walking the dogs, having breakfast and putting in a load of laundry, I got out my paint and went to work again on the painting of my grandson's piano lesson. I spent a good 4 - 5 hrs on it, working mainly on the checked shirt the piano teacher was wearing. This painting is quite different for me than my usual landscapes  but so far I am pleased with the results. This evening daughter and I went to another thrift store and I found another "working" string of Christmas lights, some clips to hold it to the awning, and a garland for over my doorway. Also found a few more VCR tapes; some oldies, but goodies.

 

Yay! I got my new bank card in the mail this afternoon, so now I can be on my way moseyin' over to Tucson, AZ. Want to make a couple stops along the way. Thinking about the Alamo, maybe...

I will be leaving here Wed morning. Bet my S-I-L will be glad to have my RV out of his driveway, LOL.

 Oh yes.... now I can call and have my vitamins shipped to my brother's home in Tucson!

 

Well, I'm tired so goodnight to all.

Pleasant dreams and safe travels!



Energy Lake Campground, Kentucky

Part of the Land Between the Lakes in southwestern Kentucky, it is one of the Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds. This is the very first campground I visited last year with my first RV. I made friends with the camp hosts and just could not pass by without stopping in for a few days on my way south.

I was glad to see Betty and Jerry and show them my new-to-me rig. As I entered the gatehouse, Betty pointed out the painting I had left with them last fall, and true to her word she had had it nicely framed. She will leave it in the gatehouse for others to see while she works here, but when she retires it goes with her.

We sat and chatted about 45 mins on the happenings of the last year. Then I went out to choose my campsite with recommendations from her.

 

As I was backing in a spot, my friend Terry came up and remarked that my rig had "grown" since last year! He helped direct me into last years parking spot, C 12.  However, it was not going to be level enough so we chose another one, C 8, which was bigger, a straighter shot to back in, and almost perfectly level.

He and Jerry left to get me some firewood and bring my tag for the campsite. The firewood is free this time of year. (You can see the lake through the trees beyond my campsite)

With my senior pass the site costs only $12 /night. Electric hook-up, place to fill your water system, and drain your holding tanks. Nice heated showers and bathrooms in the block building. There is another building where you can do your laundry, and a dining/gathering hall. This campgound is closed Dec - Feb.

 

 The campfire was still smoldering from the campers who had just pulled out, so I threw some wood on it to get it going while I brought Izzy outside to do her business, and hook up the electric. The fire got going good enough so I pulled out a couple hotdogs and roasted them for supper along with a vegetable. I don't often eat hotdogs but.... there's nothing like hotdogs over a campfire. and I was planning on that! 

On Monday the sun was out bright and cheerful, but the winds were high, and even formed whitecaps on the little lake. These are effects from Hurricane Sandy and we were told we may get 30 mph winds on Tuesday. It did calm down in the evening  and just remained cold. Forecast says it should warm up to the 60's in a few days, so maybe I can get some painting done.

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Tuesday was a little warmer but still very windy. I woke to my alarm and went to the shower house by 7:30 am, after letting Izzy out for a short romp. I made oatmeal with dried cranberries in it and drank the last of my orange juice. The wind rocked my RV off and on throughout the day, but I was able to get Izzy out for a long walk in the late morning. We walked to the gatehouse and picked up a couple maps and some literature. Betty had to run some errands so I did not see her. We stopped back at Terry and Cheri's new Winnebago Class A motorhome and watched a little on their tv of the news on Hurricane Sandy. Their home is B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l! It is 33' long and has 3 slides which suits them well as they are work-camping most of their time. You could not meet nicer people.
I will try up-loading more pictures later but the wi-fi here is very intermittent.

Have a great day ya'll

Stop in Elkton, KY......

(I WISH I would think to take more pictures of friends instead of just scenery and animals....sigh.)

 

I ended up boon-docking at my old farm for 4 days, as I had forgotten that the electric plug-in in the carport no longer worked and the garage was locked up. Oh, well, good learning experience, right??

I had never tried out the furnace (by myself) and as it was I was having trouble keeping the fridge going on 'Gas'. I had even forgotten how (easily) the furnace worked in Baby Blue.

My mind was just still too busy from getting ready to leave on my trip.

 

Anyhoo, my friend Debbie, came to visit and between us we got the furnace going. It was windy and cold that day and I was glad to have that problem solved....... until I woke up at 3:15 am freezin' cold! A couple of nights of those 2 delemas and I finally figured out it was because the rv was not sitting level. So I moved it around to where at least the fridge would stay on, and the furnace worked till 4 am. Oh, yes, I am learning.

I had gone to town the first day and bought an 'air-card' so I could get onto the internet. But with all the other things I wanted to do I didn't get a chance to really try it out til yesterday. Its about half the speed of dial-up where I am right now, lol. The second day Debbie and I ran around W*M so I could get some velcro for my phone holder and several other things. Then she took me to her house to cook supper, and she did cook! Such a wonderful southern meal it was! I got to see her family of pups that were born last year as well as the 3 older dogs they have. Now there are 7 all together, and so cute!!I soooo wanted to bring "Curly Joe" home with me!

Thats him on the right. I bet him and Izzy could find more mischief to get into then I could keep them out of. But he is such a sweetheart of a pup!On Saturday I got to visit with a gal I had worked with at T-GASK. Emily and her husband insisted on taking me out to dinner that evening. Sunday afternoon I visited with my teamleader from the same place. Now SHE is doing something interesting...

Making a little mini-house. It is so cute, includes a little electric fireplace, room for a chair on her front porch. She is in the process of insulating the inside. I hope I can stopon the way back from AZ to see what she has done!

So good to see and laugh with old friends!

 

And now.... a final good-bye to the farm where my husband and I shared

 many good times and experiences.

I am more than ready to get on with my traveling/painting life.

 

Next post will be from Energy Lake at Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky.



Up until now it seems I have been running for days, trying to get stocked up on several items, getting ready for the *BIG* trip to the south and west. Picking up extra bottles of vitamins, making sure I bought enough reinforcement yarn for toes and heels of socks I'll be knitting this winter. A new journal, a couple new movies, one a documentary, "The Trail of Tears", and a book called "Follow the River", recommended by a friend; as well as another RV'ing book, "Camping With the Corps of Engineers". Just things I want with me for my down time in my RV. I also went to the eyeglass store where my #3 daughter works and ordered 2 new pair of glasses, one being sunglasses. My daughter picked out new frames for me that are *just a little more modern*. I actually got them for half price because of a sale they were having. Besides that we got to have lunch together!That was a week ago.


I knew I had one tire on the rv I would have to replace.

It was on the front, so I decided I needed 2 tires actually.
I looked on the internet (again) about how to tell the age of a tire, as I had been told by a tire repairman that if the tires are 5 yrs or older they need to be replaced. I found that you are supposed to look for the DOT and several numbers/letters after that. The last 4 should be numbers, the first 2 of which are the week of the year of manufacture and the last 2 is the year. They started doing this about 2000. However some before that and even since that, only have the numbers on one side.  The *bad* tire was 11 yrs old and the rest were 6 yrs old. I had them all replaced. My numbers are now all 0612 meaning the 6th week of 2012.

I also decided to go ahead and have the outside detailed. It has been raining quite a bit so just lately got to take pictures.

Here we are with the spiffy new tires and all! (I do have a couple lagbolt covers missing that I will want to replace.) Oh...... and did I tell you, I just LOVE how it drives! LOVE that diesel engine!!
now for some inside photos.

Dinette, and Izzy's *cave* and feed dishes

 Across the isle, 2 swivel chairs and a table that tips up then slides down next to the wall. I figure I can set my sewing machine up there when wanted. Look at those nice large windows. I'll be making curtains later. Right now the rv has ancient mini blinds all around which will suffice for now.

 Overhead entertainment center and a bunk which pulls forward in front of it over the cab.

Kitchenette area on one side across from entry door, cupboards and microwave upper K area (as well as cupboards above the dinette and chairs)

Nice size shower behind kitchette

and powderroom, commode on other side of isle

 Very nice queenbed in back with isle on both sides.

 Lots of overhead space for bedding and such and a small closet on each side of the bed. I also like the swivel headlamps above the bed. Good for reading or knitting till I get tired enough to sleep.

Oh...... and did I mention how nicely it handles and I love driving it????

 

On another note, we had a frost last night and temp of 26* this am on my deck thermometer.

Leaves are falling and cluttering the ground. Time to be moving on....

 

Here is a late afternoon scene across the road from me . Last rays of sun for the day.

I'll be checkin' on all my blogging friends to see who's going where and doing what.

 Happy Autumn day to you!

Stuff from my Garden ......... and Memories

I had fun pulling produce from my garden today. Besides what is pictured here I also pulled a dozen onions and a few shallots which are laid out to dry. I had planned on having these last 2 handfuls of green beans for supper tonight but ended up going to my daughter's home to knit with her group for a while, and ate there instead.

I have 4 trays of tomatoes, 1 tray of mixed peppers, 2 trays of shredded zuchini, and a tray of mixed veggies in the dehydrator. The mixed veggies were in the freezer, but I like to fill ALL the trays so as not to waste any space or energy when running it. Besides I can take them with me and use in a soup pot.

Since my Marigolds were spilling out of their spaces in the garden beds, I decided I may as well bring some inside for some pretty fall color. That Butternut squash is the same one as pictured above. There are several more out there, beets and carrots coming on, and my celery is soon to be picked as well.

Last box (and they were BIG boxes) of sewing stuff is emptied out so now I have my dining area back. One of my daughters will be coming over and we will go through some quilting material so she can make baby Maddie a little quilt. I am still trying to cut back to minimum or a little over.

Re-homing stuff right and left.

Two days left..... just 2 more days and my son will be back at his home just a few short miles from me. I am so glad for his whole family. It has been a long hard struggle, and will still be, but at least they will be together. The rest of us will be going over and pitching in to get the rest of his firewood cut, split, and stacked on their porch for winter.
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I can still stack wood, yes I can

 and if I do say so myself, I am pretty good at it.

and this is the stove that burned the wood that I used to stack

and now.... I am missing 'him', but in a good sort of way. Remembering with fondness all the good times we had and how blessed I was to have him for as long as I did.

"Gathering Firewood"

Kentucky Home 2010

My strong oak, my Love .......still.

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Well, back to the present.  Lets see, tomorrow I might be doing up some corn, if it's ready. Or I may be painting... or loading up my RV. Izzy goes to the groomer next Wed and I plan on heading out within 2 weeks max!

Baby Blue.....

.... has a new home!!!!!!

Goodbye, Baby Blue

I am going to miss you!

But your new owners will give you lots of attention,

and take you lots of places.

It's time to move on.

Thanks so much for the fun times we've had together.

and the times when I could hide in your smallness

feeling like I was wrapped in a cacoon

Sheltered from the hurt I had endured.

Just me, Baby Blue, and Izzy, too.

Resting....

I need to stop and smell the flowers.

These daylilies are so sweet-smelling it takes my breath away.

They remind me of 32+ beautiful years.

Early  6 am photo of one of my weeping cedars. Looks like all 4 trees I  planted this year are going to make it.  The trees were in shock after first being planted, but with tender nurturing they will grow into a thing of beauty. So it is with our lives....

I love my tall massive oak trees.

I like looking up at the spreading branches....

and at the Lily-of-the-Valley sheltered at their feet.

The trunks of the mighty oaks are so strong... they remind me of my husband in his younger years, before sickness and pain took that strength....

There are two oak trees here, side by side, growing strong together through the years. That is how I learned to be strong .... from my husband. He taught me persistance, allowed me to lean on him when I needed, he sheltered me, loved me, encouraged me and gifted me in many ways not visible to the naked eye.

I am glad to have these 2 trees as a symbol of our life together. No, this is not our anniversary, not a birthday, no special occassion..... just reflecting.

Change of Plans

I was going to post pictures of my garden today, but a slight change of plans has me

in New York

Which, I was planning to go to NY, but not for a few days yet,

because I am still dealing with "hogs"

anyway,

my sister, made a sudden trip from her home near Niagara Falls, about 150 miles, to my home because we got a phone call that we had cousins who came into my area from Colorado over the weekend. It was great to see "the cousins"!

Sunday afternoon I followed my sister back to her home in NY....

I decided to do some shopping... I guess you could say "window-shopping".

I am shopping.... you know ..... important..... intense.......shopping.

I will post if I decide to buy anything.....

Otherwise, I'll be back home in a few days and then post my garden pictures....

Temperatures are supposed to be cooler this week; at least in PA-NY area.

Enjoy each new day... it is a gift from God.... thats why it is called the "present"!

Settling In ..... an Update.

Just got my own internet service up and running again. Hope you have all been doing well.

The girls have been over several times helping me unpack boxes. The other day, daughter #2 and GD came and helped get wind-blown branches and sticks picked up out of the yard so I could get it mowed. I have a zero-turn mower so I really like doing the mowing myself. My son came to put up my new flat-screen tv. I have some of the curtains up and hope to finish that soon. Still have alot to unpack, but can go at it slower now.

I start back to painting April 2nd, using my new easel-on-wheels and a microwave cart that I adapted to be my painting cart. I use the drawer to put my pallet in when not in use and can store supplies in the bottom. I will post pictures later.

I will be around to visit your blogs in the next couple days, till then enjoy the Spring!