Last blog for October

One last post for the month and the trip.  It was another day.  We left Santa Rosa around 8 am MDT.  Only stops we made were for gas and a car fire.  We're in Lordsburg, NM for the night.  We usually spend our last ni itght here.  Just gives us an early start and plenty of time to get set up in CCRV before its late in the day.  Got lots of friends to greet and catch up.

Day 3

Sorry I didn't post yesterday but I was just plain pooped last night.  Long day.  We went from Stanton, MO 450 miles to just west of Oklahoma City.  Today was a little shorter as we got the advantage of a change of time zones to give us more time to relax after we arrived here in Santa Rosa, NM.  We saw some interesting things along the way but everytime I got my camera out to take a picture Ron put a semi he was passing between me and the scene I wanted to capture.
The beautiful Texas welcome center was one and the other was cotton fields that they were harvesting with their modern cotton gin.  Tomorrow should bring us by more on the road between Hatch and Deming.  The intended destination tomorrow is Lordsburg, NM early to relax and rest up some more so that when we pull into CCRV we'll be ready to meet and greet our friends.

On the road, day 2.

We made it to Stanton, MO last night.  It was a little chilly but we used our elect heater.  Today is beautiful and sunny and we're heading for OK.  Just stopped at a rest area with Route 66 motif.  They have picnic tables with covers showing the Rt 66 memorbilia.  I'll try and post a couple pictures I took with my cell phone.

D Day + 2

Another day in beautiful Lockport, IL.  Made the decision last night that we just were not going to take the chance today.  As Bob said, we've got plenty of time.
The one downside to all this is we're going to have to repack the RV.  We keep bringing things out to use.  Last night was the "drugs" and milk for the cereal this morning and cream cheese for the bagel.
Definitely have to change my traveling clothes and maybe add a winter jacket to the haul.  We'll get there when we get there.  No need to rush.  The beautiful sunsets will still be there waiting for us with a new show every night.

D Day + 1

We were up at 5 am this morning ready to beat the storms but it just didn't happen.  While we were still packing the few last minute things the wind picked up and the rain came down.  Decided we'd better check the weather channel and are we glad we did.  They were saying this front is covering IL down to St Louis with tornado warnings.  Didn't take any more forecasting to convince us to wait another day.  I let the kids know right away so they wouldn't worry.  We dug out an old coffee pot and some kona coffee we hadn't packed to make coffee.  Ron ran to the RV for juice and his laptop and then to the truck for my little one so I could get the air card out in order to go online in the house.  Got to do something to keep busy till this front goes thru.  The rain stopped a good hour or so ago but the predicted wind is right behind it and the temperature is doing just what they said, dropping.  I guess my shorts and tee shirt will give way to sweats and a sweatshirt.    Good thing I hadn't suspended the DirecTV.  Now Ron has something to keep him busy.  No Tribune news paper and no mail but we can live without that.

Sunday

Not a typical Sunday but an interesting one.  Got to talk to grandson via skype.  Don't know where he is but he's not there yet.  Since grandma was the only member of his family to have skype we had a nice long chat.  We talked about a Lionel Richie song I used to hold him in my arms and dance to.  He didn't remember me doing that but the song is one of his favorites.  His mom and Alan were over for awhile this afternoon with a picture of Alan's new first grandchild, it's a girl, and Ron finished washing the 5th wheel but it's not loaded by any means.  Still have some essential articles of clothing to be added after laundry tomorrow.
Raining so bad the Packer/Viking game wasn't on the TV due to satellite interference from the storm.  Now we're watching the weather for Tuesday, they were predicting high winds coming out of the southwest/headwinds and if they do come we're probably not leaving.  

Another Day

Well, we started loading the trailer today, rather I started loading and Ron did whatever Ron does that has to be done.  One time he was on the floor underneath the table scrubbing something and another time he was on top of the trailer attaching covers to the air vents.
I also made a run to the post office and city hall.  The post office could have been done online but someone didn't want to pay the dollar so I went there and filled out the same form for free to forward our mail.  The city hall has always been done by phone but this year I had to go in and fill out a form and sign it to not get billed for the garbage pickup and sewer.  BTW, when I talked to someone on the phone they took the same information then as I put on the blank piece of paper.  The newspaper web site wouldn't let me put a vacation stop so I did that by phone pushing buttons.  All in all it's getting easier to take care of the things that need to be done before we leave.  Can't do the satellite till we're on the road since they have to get the monthly payment first.  Don't even ask.
Grandson left for Afghanistan this afternoon.  God Bless him and God Speed him home safely.  Love you Michael Philip.

Closer and closer

Today was the day to do the things that had to be done outside the house.  First we took off for St Vincent dePaul resale shop on N Chicago St. in Joliet to drop off four (4) large garbage bags of clothes and some shoes and a dozen dresses and sweaters still on the dry cleaners hangers.  We always try to take out outgrown clothes there so they can resell them to people who need them.  I tried on every piece of clothing in the storage bags hanging in the closet and Ron contributed his fair share.
Then to Lieberman's Jewelry to have my baguette ring resized and check the engagement ring we found in a mall parking lot years ago.  Since no one had claimed it I decided I'd have it checked and wear it.  It wasn't diamonds but it's still beautiful and I'll wear it.  They're a very responsible jewelry store that has been in the family for years and we trust them.
Then to the eye doctor to have my new glasses adjusted one more time.  We always enjoy going there, the staff are nice and fun to be around.
Then to the Galimores to drop off a big bag of acorn squash, the one veggie that was abundant in our garden this year. We've already shared with Betsy and Bob and still have a milk crate full to share again at Thanksgiving.
The next stop was Pot Bellys for lunch.  We have only been to one once before but we both loved the sandwiches so decided to go one more time before we head southwest.  It seems they only have stores from Illinois east and Texas.  I had a ham and swiss with ground mustard and thin dill pickle slices and Ron had Tuna and cheese.  They are served hot and taste so good.
Target was the next stop to buy a new ice maker but they don't carry them anymore so we bought a gallon of milk, 3 bananas at 19 cents a piece and a bag of candy corn.
The bank was the last stop but today wasn't the day they were giving out free samples so we got our safety deposit box and make some additions.
Being tomorrow is garbage day we decided it was time to get rid of things that don't work, not counting the human residents.  The broken ice maker and space heater went to the curb first and then Ron went to work disassembling the upstairs frig when who should come along but a truck of junk men.  I told them in my best Mexican than if the wanted a frig they could have it if they helped my husband get it down stairs.  So up they went and the three of them and Ron managed to get it down the stairs and outside.  They took it from there and now the curb is empty awaiting our garbage cans in the morning.  Love those guys that drive thru on garbage day.

D Day

Well, a confirmed estimate has been reached in regard to the day we will leave for AZ.  A week from today, if all goes well, we plan to be on the road.
Looking forward to getting there and getting set up but not all the things that need to be done before we leave.
Before you say, OMG, got to see them before they leave, we are planning on coming back for Thanksgiving and taking the van back.  Of course, all is not set in stone and subject to change without notice.

Michael Philip

Well, the good news is Michael will not be leaving for Afghanistan today.  The bad news is he's still going, they just don't know when.  It's a new unit so they're not really sure of what all they need to know so they're trying to cram as much as they can.  At least that's my take on it but then I'm only the grandma and he's a SSgt in the United States Marines Corps.  (Mr President, if you're reading this the "ps" is silent.)
Please keep him and all the men and women in harms way in your prayers.

One Step Closer

Well today was a day of running around.  Picked up some adult beverages to get us to AZ, renewed the license plates for the van and voted.  You know us Chicagoland people, "vote early and vote often".  LOL.  While we were at the county building we went up to the accessors office and filed for a senior citizens tax break for our property tax.  Every few dollars help even thought the taxes will still keep going up, just not as much.
We dropped our last library book off on the way home so we don't have to worry about that now.  Wouldn't want the "library police" coming after us.
I'm sure other chores will pop up before we leave but we're trying to keep them caught up as we think of them.

Weekend

What a weekend we've had.  It flew by but we also accomplished a lot.  Saturday, as usual, Ron cleaned house for our company, which came while we were eating lunch.  We shared lunch and nice conversation after which Betsy and Alan arrived on the Harley.
The three women went upstairs to see some of my stuff.  Pat hadn't seen my sewing center and I wanted to show Betsy the knitted dish clothes I'd just finished.
The three men went out on the back porch to discuss and solve all the problems of the world that two conservatives and one liberal are capable of.
The women descended to the main level and to the dining room to relax and talk.  Before you know it it was time to think about supper.  Syl's in Rockdale was selected and Betsy and Alan were persuaded to come along. The six of us ate and talked and laughed.....pretty much enjoying the meal.  Even got the waitress to not believe everything people said.......like someone who ordered by the price at the right of the meal he wanted.
We got home about 8 PM and Betsy and Alan left for home.  Ron and John went back to the bar to converse or what ever it is that two brothers do when they get together.  Pat and I got into our night clothes and relaxed.  We did some surfing but decided not to start anything on Sunday's project till Sunday.
Sunday morning I fixed breakfast of bacon and sausage, biscuits, cheese omelet and hash browns for the guys.  Ate some myself but put in a pan of sweet rolls in the oven for Pat.  Sure hope everyone had enough to eat.
In the afternoon between Ron and Pat watching football games we managed to get together long enough to make reservations for a fall cruise next year.  Royal Caribbean's Northeast Maine/Canada for 7 days and 7 nights.  We have our room assignments, made our deposits to hold the cabins.  We're next to each other and the balance isn't due till July 4th, 2011.  All painlessly done.

Pillowcase

Sometime last year I bought material with a cat pattern to make a pillowcase for Oliver O Oliver, Betsy and Alan's cat.  One of the ladies at the park gave me a pattern for a "simple pillowcase".  I offered it to Betsy to make herself but she turned me down so I ran out of other things to finish and decided to tackle the pillowcase.

The English language is not to precise.  I read and reread the instructions, laid out the material just like I thought the pattern meant and it laid on top of my sewing center for two days.  It just didn't make sense.  Well along comes hubby with "I was thinking about that pillow case and wondered if ........."  That was enough to put me to work taking the pins out and starting over.  It really was easy to make once I followed the directions.
But now Gracie will be the recipient of the easy pillow case.  She's the new addition to the family and likes to sleep on pillows where Oliver doesn't.  

Airing Dirty Laundry

Sometimes I wonder if I'm really to old for my body. My mother would always interrupt me if I started to say anything about the family to anyone with the phrase "Don't air your dirty laundry in public". I always thought that was some kind of rule, maybe in the constitution. After all, I always thought my mother knew everything that was important.
It seems now days,because of the Internet, people just say whatever comes into their head not contemplating twenty or thirty years down the road what someone important in their lives might react to what they said for the world to see and read. Can you imagine being nominated for the US Supreme Court and someone bringing up what you wrote on Facebook when you were a teen or young adult?