One Problem Solved and Many More to Work on

Told you yesterday that Sherri had called me about the Hot Water Heater not getting hot. OK I think my element is out...not sure but it appears that it is... so old Speedy has to check that out Friday morning. It is too hot when I get off work to start any project outside. I will wait and take care of it in the morning.

Last night after a great meal created by my loving life partner...see how I am showing my sensitivity to all life styles...Yes me Speedy can be sensitive! Moving on I ate and then went to chat. I was surprised how many new people we have coming into chat...great! I met two last night and one more the night before. It is cool to see where these new people are from. We have chatters from all over the country. I chatted until about 10:30 and it was time for me to turn in. You know that alarm goes off no matter how tired you are the next day.

Well this morning started off with the rooster crowing on the cell phone alarm. I really need to change the alarm sound on that phone. This rooster is really getting to me.I will have to shop for something new. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I rolled out of bed and I mean that literally...rolled out. I remember when I use to jump up out of bed and could hardly wait to get the day started. Now I wait to get started before I roll out of bed...what is it with age.

Coffee fixed and lunch packed I was off with no fan fare from my house guest or Sherri, who by the way is starting to get up early in anticipation of starting her new job in the next week or so.

She is going to go to work for her brother re-setting displays at grocery stores. She will have to travel a lot so I will be home all alone....with house work and all that good stuff. I hope I am up to the challenge. I really am happy for her and support her 100%. She is going to pay off some bills so when I retire we will be debt free...you know that is a must.

Speaking of helping out I have some photos to share with all of you. These photos tell the story of how couples help each other out in good times and hard times. It will be a good lesson to all of you out there so pay attention to these. I hope that I am able to post them here...we will see.

This is Ellie helping Jim unwind on the lake Jim where is your guitar?

Sherri has always been a sport helping me with the groceries.

Other than that I have to finish this day out here at the office and then I will be off for a week to work on getting the house ready to sell. We have S T U F F to get rid of. By the way I did post our plan on the forum. You can see from it that we are well into getting everything taken care of Somewhere in Time.

Wednesday and I Still Don't Like Work

This morning came in with a rooster crowing ....please take this job and ....you know. It took all I could muster to get out of bed this morning. I left the house three times before I got it right. I had to take my papers on the house that they faxed me and fax them back to the realtor. We had made new copies and I managed to spill water on them....I hope this is not an indication of how this deal is going.

I made it to work and Sherri called me and said that Chrysler is still dunning me for the Old Truck Payment??? Please I can't pay for two. I had to call them and get that straightened out. You know the usual Indian person not native but India Indian is the one I got hooked up with and that was a trip trying to get them to understand what has gone down on this truck deal. Why me all the time?? Anywho I got them to understand that they had bought the truck back and instead of me owing a payment they did. That went over big.

OK Problem 345 solved and behind me now I need to fax these papers to the realtor. After 4 tries I had to call the IT folks to come help me. I tell you, since my secretary went off on medical leave I am not worth two cents! Finally try number 6 got me connected and away they went. I hope they can read them. I called the realtor later to be sure they got them and they could read them. They got them and they could read them so I was good to go. Problem 346 down and out.

Sherri called and the kids had the trailer in a mess. She said that she was contemplating suicide but I told her she would have to stay around long enough to sign the closing papers on the house and then she was on her own.

Later she called me back to let me know that we did not have any hot water! Oh good what next?? Why go home it sounds real bad there...maybe I'll just stay here and let things cool down there....no hot water things should cool...right?? OK I'll go home

We ran out of paper here in the press room. Warehouse closed down for inventory and I have Pressmen coming in and out letting me know that they are out of work. Oh I do not need this today. I thought when I got a deal on my house life would be good...what happen to good? I was happy last night and somehow everything has gone south. Maybe there is some good coming Somewhere in Time.

Back At Work And Still Not Liking It

OK you win I came back to work. I knew that I would be talked into it. I guess the worse thing about having to come back today is the fact that my secretary is going to be off until the end of July for knee replacement surgery. So as things would have it non of my work has been done for the last two weeks and I would be called on to catch everything back up this week. Someone found out that I had fun at the rally and they were ready to make my life a living hell for the next few days.

They were being very successful at doing so...I am getting a headach just looking at all the work stacked on my desk. Not much I can do but set here and muddle through it all until I have it beat back down. Now that I am back on days I cannot chat so I have to actually work for 10 hours. What kind of a deal is this. I will tough it out this week... next week the company shuts down for the week and I will have time to recoup...I hope.

Sherri took the truck today so I am stranded here at work until she returns to get me. She and the girls went shopping...does that tell you how long I might be here? This could turn into an all nighter...LOL

She did arrive about 15 till 6:00 so I got home about 6:30...that is another thing about working days...you have to put up with all this traffic. It was nice to be home and I could eat and then get to the computer to chat with everyone. Sherri reminded me that we needed to take the movies back to the store and that I should pick up some more for the girls. We only pay $1.00 per movie which makes it nice for the kids...they have plenty to watch for the evening.

Dinner was ready when I returned. Sherri had made taco salad and it was out of this world good. After eating I jumped on the chat room and said my hellos...Sherri took over rather quickly so she could tell all her new friends about the possible house selling. I sure hope this deal goes through. We have been real patient and we really deserve to have this...don't you all agree??

My eyes started to close against my will so I new it was time for me to head to the bedroom. I hope my head does not bounce up real quick in the morning...I need some good long sleep Somewhere in Time

One More Trip Down the Road

Sunday June 22nd

Sunday morning came way to fast! I think I laid my head down and it bounced once and I was back up? GEE come on retirement...my mother use to say... you should not wish your life away...maybe just a small portion.

Sherri and I made coffee and sat outside to enjoy the park for the last time before she took Sarah to church. I would stay behind today and mow the lawn at the lake house. I could hardly wait...you know the sweat in your eye...the dust and grass cuttings down the back of your shirt kind of anticipation...I hope it is in the one hundreds by noon so I can really get the full affect of this self inflicted pain of home ownership. P L E A S E someone stop me.

The yard got mowed and Sherri showed up around noon to check and see if I had fell out on the back 4o...I had not but I was ready for a break. With the yard tended to I still had to poison around all the outside electrical equipment...for those of you who do not know about fire ants they are attracted by the hum of alternating current in power lines. Oh yes they will short out electrical equipment in short order if not seen to. Phone boxes out by the street are another object of their interest. Here at the lake we fight this battle all the time.

Orkin has nothing on Speedy...in short order I had them on the run. Now it is time to drop off all the extras I had picked up to take to the lake and Sherri got all her stuff from the house and we packed up...said our good-byes to the lake house and we were off to the RV.

We got everything packed up and stowed by 1:30...check out is 2:00 and we were off to the dump. I think next to mowing dumping would have to be my second favorite duty as a man. I have to keep Sherri at bay when it comes to this chore because she always offers to help, but this is a manly thing that I and only I can handle...GAG! Man I did not know those tanks could hold that much liquid! I bet I dumped for 20 min. I could have sworn someone had the water hose hooked up to the RV...I kept looking for that hidden camera but at last I got the last trickle out and put everything away...dumped the trash and we were off.

The trip back to the home park went off without a hitch...now parking back in my spot was a little time consuming. I could not get the trailer straight to save my soul. I worked at it for about 15 min and finally got it were I wanted it. I think the fact that I had mowed the lawn loaded up the trailer drove to Coppell and had to back in was the straw that broke me. I was so tired I could hardly hook up the power cord. But it all got done and we decided to go out to eat.

We chose Steak and Shake and headed in that direction as fast as I could drive. we all ordered salads...I could not eat anything hot after my day of sweating in the heat...I must have drank a gallon of water before my salad arrived! We consumed a great amount of food and beverage before leaving. It was time for the grocery store from there. It is good to go to the grocery store on a full stomach. We just could not think of what we wanted for the next couple of days. We bought some staples and then headed home.

The girls headed off the the swimming pool until close to dark. Sherri and I unloaded everything and got on line...it had been a week since we were on line. I posted some journal entries and then about 10:15 I got on chat thinking no one would be there. I was surprised to find Penny, Howard and two new folks on there chatting away. It was nice to say hello to my friends after such a dry spell.

About 10:45 I was bushed to say the least and said my good-byes to all. The kids had rented them a movie to watch and Sherri and I headed off to bed for some well deserved sleep Somewhere in Time.

Saturday Birthday Party More Swimming

Saturday 21st June

Saturday found us with only one guest curled up on the couch. Sarah wanted to stay the night when all the other kids had opted to go home with their Mom. Well I can’t say they all opted…my little buddy want to sleep in Poppa’s bed but he was told that would not be an option for him.
I had plenty to do this morning to get the RV and the truck ready for Sundays departure. Yes it was getting close to that time that I would have to return to work. I am not pleased with this but I have to live with it for a few more months or years…who knows. We just play each day by ear until the house sales and my retirement date comes around.

Speaking of the house selling…Kevin my realtor called me and said he had an interested party from up north. Their children lived in the Wills Point area and they were about to retire and would like to move down closer to the kids. Hey everyone say a prayer for us. I would like to get out of mowing the grass the rest of this summer. I will keep you up to date on the latest news.
We had to head over to Myrtle Springs Texas for my nephews birthday party. The G-Kids were invited so we went with them to watch them have fun. I am glad someone is having fun this last week of MY vacation. Boat still had not hit the water…OH WELL….maybe later.

Party went off real nice for the kids…they had a water slide and they enjoyed every minute of it. Presents opened cake eaten and we were out of there. This is Becky and Rodney’s G-Kids and they were there. Becky is doing better…she managed to wheel around and see Kevin have a good birthday.

We returned to the park and the kids got to swim some more in the lake…I got to cook out again but this time my SIL brought over some beer so it was better…Cocktail Time! I fixed some chicken and sausage…an exceptional meal if I do say so myself. We had a real nice visit and then it was time for the kids to leave. Before long I was once again dreaming Somewhere in Time.

Friday At The Dodge Dealership

Friday June 20th

We got up Friday morning…again no noise…no alarms…now this is nice. I got the coffee started and set out to the patio to post my journal for the day. I really slept sound last night. I felt rested for the first time since I left Coppell last week. We have been going 100 mph for the past two weeks and I need to take some time off to rest up from having fun.

Sherri showed up shortly and we started planning the rest of our lives as we usually do most mornings. We like to discuss what ifs and wonder ifs it keeps us sharp minded. We are still toying with what kind of RV we will end up with when we get too old to travel. I guess I will be one of those old timers that the kids have to take the keys away from. I had to do that to my Mom and Dad. They would go off places and get into all kinds of trouble. I would have to go get them on several occasions.

The coffee ran out so we decided that we should get ready to head to Terrell where we have to sign for the new truck. Sherri was ready in short order…I think a record might have been set here. We got on the road about 5 min. after 9:00 am and arrived at 9:30. This put us there a little before 10:00 am so we sat and waited…this is not good because Sherri started looking at the new Jeep Liberty. They had several to choose from but none were 4 wheel drive. We wanted a 4 wheel drive just in case we decided to ever go back to a motor home. You never know…we are just that way. Richard our salesman will be looking for a good deal on one for us so we could have a new Jeep here before long??

Then it was out to the Outlet Mall!!*&%^$…Then over to Wally World ^&*%$. This day is taking a toll on my wallet! New Truck…New Car…New Clothes…More Toys. Maybe I better not retire???

One more stop before going home…groceries…more money GEEE I hope everyone is having fun. I still have not launched my boat. OH WELL they’ll be other days Somewhere in Time.

Thursday Morning and Ready For the Lake

Thursday June 19th

I woke up with no sounds at all…no alarm…no noise out side…nothing. Just opened my eyes and viola I was ready for this day to begin. We had planned to take the kids down to the lake to let them swim and picnic. I made me some coffee and took the computer out on the patio so I could get caught up on my post. This is where I have been composing for the last 4 days. I will up load this to my Journal as soon as I get back to my home base in Coppell. Texas. It was so quite here when I set down to start my post it was hard to concentrate on my typing with all the birds and wild animals passing through.

I have to call the truck dealership about signing for our new truck. We got it two weeks ago but they did not have all the paperwork ready for us to sign so we just took it anyway and said we would be back. They had my other truck so I guess they felt safe enough? I set the appointment for Friday and 10:00. I also needed to call my realtor about my house. When I went over to the house yesterday I realized I could take a lot less for the house so I am having him drop the price a little. After I figured out what it was costing me to go back and forth to mow and clean and the minimum utility bills and the taxes…I would not miss the difference.

Jennifer and little buddy are ready for the lake

Poppa is a little puzzeled on what to do next...Frankie what did you eat???

That being done I was ready to get everyone gathered up and head to the swimming hole.
We found us a table under some trees down by the lake and believe it or not we had a cool breeze blowing. Not a bad day for picnics. The kids had fun and Sherri and I sat with the two little ones up at the tables. Man did we get a work out. We are getting our fix real fast. It is like filling up at the truck diesel pump…you know the one with the big fat nozzle for the big rigs…it fills her up real fast. LOL


After the swim and the fun we headed back to the trailer for some more cooking out. I was fixing chicken on the grill for the weary swimmers. I have a hungry bunch to feed too. The chicken turned out exceptionally good, if I do say so myself. Everyone got full and some of the younger crowd crashed before the second showing of Cars. I had seen the movie the night before so I was ready for bed in short order. I picked up my little buddy off the floor where he had passed out and he and I headed for bed. It was not too long before I was asleep Somewhere in Time.

We Are At The State Park

Wednesday June 18th

It was about a two and one half hour drive from Shreveport to Lake Towakoni no mountains here to climb. We decided to stop in Wills Point and the truck wash before going to the Park. The trailer was a mess…due to some construction we encountered along highway 65 in Arkansas. We washed on our house for over an hour and finally got it looking pretty good. We had a little trouble getting out of the stall but we made it OK and headed to the grocery store to re-stock our food stuff. We wanted to get something that we could cook out. Sherri does not like cooking big meals in the trailer when it is hot outside. We loaded up the supplies and we were off.
We arrived after the office had closed for the day so we had to go and find a spot and check in the next day. We found a pull through site with 50 amp service and water hook-ups. We have a real nice area out front for us to entertain the kids. The lake and swimming is just down the road and the boat dock is close for me to put my boat in the water…life is good. I will post pictures when I get on line again.

Nice pull through with 50 amp hook up water no sewer...sweet!

After getting set up we took a trip over to our house at the lake. Our house is about 5 min. from the park. We have not been there in about 3 weeks… the yard really needed mowing Oh what a downer…been having fun all this time and then I pull up at my house and I see all the work that needs to be done! We stocked up on some ice from the fridge and I picked up some other things that I thought we might need to make the children comfortable. Jennifer and the kids met us at the house and followed us to the park.


I set up the grill and went to work cooking hamburgers for the kids. We had a great time visiting and eating. We had to watch Cars the CD….and you know what…it was a real good movie. Best I have seen in a while. I must be on that road down hill. You know they say you go full circle in this life.


We turned in about 11:00 pm and was I ready…well my little buddy he was still 100 mph. Mom finally got him calmed down and we were all soon dreaming Somewhere in Time.

Headed South to Texas

Tuesday June 17th

Tuesday morning found me on the way to the motel to meet Rodney. He had left earlier to pick up Becky for the trip home. I arrived there around 6:30 and believe it or not the girls were ready to go to the breakfast. We had a real good breakfast of eggs biscuits with gravy OHHH Speedy is in heaven. The girls checked out at the front desk and Rodney and I pulled the trucks around to position them for the loading. It was a little easier this time being that we have had some experience.

Becky enjoys the rally from a hospital bed...bummer!

Becky got her rally shirt in the hospital.

Rodney grieves over Becky being in the hospital...well maybe after this picture???

We got that done and then it was a stop to top off the tanks and on to the park to pick up the rigs. In short order we were hooked up…with a little problem on Rodney side with his breaks but I think they were OK he was just a little paranoid about this whole ordeal…go figure.
We went over to Linda and Howard’s for a good-bye hug….Sorry Howard I know the golf game was on. We said our good-bye at the office…and by the way those folks at ABC were the best. We were treated so well. I will be emailing them with more thanks as soon as I am back in WIFI.
We pulled out and started on what would be a long drive through the Ozarks. Highway 65 south out of Branson is a 45 mph nightmare. This is the route Rodney and Becky had taken to Branson and this is the route they wanted to take home. I think it is 120 plus miles at an average speed of 45 mph plus all the towns you go through…well it made for a very long trip.



About the time we came to Little Rock I was about to go batty and my bum leg was crying for a rest. Sherri and I decided that we would have to part company from our companions and head a little more south to the healing waters of the casinos in Shreveport. We had planned on such a stop on the return trip through Oklahoma. It was about 70 miles down 71 out of Texarkana. Not a bad trip and a well needed rest stop for two weary travelers.



Sherri has some coupons for one free night at the RV Park…come to find out it did not work for the RV Park. Well that is the way it goes. OK so we went to the casino and hit the slots… Penny slots to be exact. We are the last of the big time gamblers here and we were ready to win the big one. Sherri didn’t do too well Tuesday night and I was down $2.00. We decided that it was time to pack it in for the night and get some sleep. The next day we went down and had our breakfast and headed out one last time for the slots to see if we could get some of our money back. Well Sherri got all hers back and I stayed $2.00 down so it was time to check out of this place and head West.



Being that we were not going to get the second night free we thought it best to head to Towakoni State Park near our old home town of Wills Point. This would give us the chance for a G-Children fix. We have 5 grand kids in Wills Point and 1 in Carrollton Texas and 1 in Denton Texas…going to University of North Texas. We have 1 in Kansas City Kansas and one on the way there. I can’t add that high so don’t ask. We love to spend time with them and we plan on doing just that for the next couple of days.



Better get started so we can get to our next destination. I hate to have to leave so early but it will be cheaper at the State Park and I might get to put my boat in the water. I’ll be back to visit with you Somewhere in Time.

On The Road Again

Monday June 16th

OK I know by now everyone is tired of hearing about the rally…but I just got the chance to post and tell everyone my story! Give me a break…I am way down the road from Branson now and just getting some time to write about all that has gone on since then.

Number one…let me get this out of the way…I had fun beyond my wildest dreams at the rally. I could not have dreamed anything quite that grand no matter how long I slept. You know how you put things together in your mind and you imagine how things will be when you plan something. I did this for the better part of a year and still did not get close to the actual rally itself.

Sherri and here new found friends Dee, Karon and Ellie... Hi new friends!

We met so many wonderful people and the faces and the names still boil through my mind all the time. Sherri and I have not set down once that we don’t go to the rally subject. Sherri was even surprised at the fun that we had and said now when she can get back on chat she will feel like that she is setting with all her new friends.

Sherri working on her typing skills and how to make sounds in chat....You go Girl.

Speedy and his chat buddies from the start. Jenny did not cry and Dee did not faint! I did get some new chatting teeth.

A special thanks for the host...thanks Howard and Linda for everything.

Hillbilly crew...Bubba, Josephine, Gina and Rollie...hey where is Linda???

OK nuff of that… Sherri and I loaded up Monday night in preparation of picking up Becky at the hospital. We were trying to figure out how we could get her in the truck, being that it is so high off the ground. Everything got packed away and then we took off for the hospital. Becky was checked out and waiting for her wheelchair and walker when we got there. We were having to rent a motel room Monday night for the girls to stay in because there was no way to get Becky in the RV for the night. Sherri and Rodney got her all settled in while I went back at the RV Park to finalize the tear down of the site.


The girls got in on chat for the last time…and then off to bed for some well needed sleep. I did pop in on chat to say good-bye to my friends. We will be on the road for a while and I know that WIFI will not be available. I will be posting on M/S Word until then and will post all this at one setting Until then my good friends…I will be back Somewhere in Time

I Made The Front Page! IsThat Good?

Yesterday I realized something...I would not make a good looking woman...much less a woman. I am sure that most of my friends that read my post here will agree that I should stick to being Speedy the guy and leave the other half of my personality at home...locked away in the closet where it was cooked up...thanks to Sherri and her good ideas.

This Picture should say it all

Hey I will have to say that it did win me the Hillbilly prize. I have received some threatening emails from the hills about my portrayal of the Mountain people....but then on the other side of the coin I have been asked out by some coal miners in West Virgina?? Go figure.



All in all I have had more fun than I ever imagined I would have. The year wait for this event was well worth it. I hope that if we have another the good Lord will allow me to attend...Sherri said next year she has another good idea?? Oh that could be bad. Now I think you all see I am not the one behind all this. Sherri has a big part in making me what I am. She is the master mind of all that you see in my life. I am just the tool that she uses to express her inner feelings. I would not trade her for anything...she is fun to be with...even if she does have some weird ideas that put me into these positions. We have so many stories that I could tell but time is not what I have a lot of. I have enough people out there telling the Speedy stories. Maybe when I retire I will write a book...NOT...I will be too busy creating more stories for people to tell.



A picture says a thousand words...Some of the pictures I have seen say more than that thousand. If you have seen any of the rally pictures I am sure you will agree. You can see the fun in all the faces in every picture in every frame....and we have movies!!! Oh my goodness sound with pictures...no way to get out of that when it is posted. Many of us caught on "Film" as it use to be. How will we maintain our respectability now that the family knows us from this rally. I was thinking about RV Dude last night....He has such good information that he puts out in the forum to help people understand all the whats its and dos its...in RVing but now all I can picture is him setting at a computer with a chicken hat on??? Sorry Dude just can't get past that.



I have to appoligize now for the next few post that I will have here...they will be about the rally and all the fun I had. I just can't stop talking about it. I know that when I meet up with any one of you on the road that we will have all that fun again. It makes me want to hunt you out and be with you so I can taste that closeness we all shared her in Branson.



I believe once the pictures and the journals hit the Web we will have so many people out there wish that they had saved some money up for the fuel to get here. I know that the next one that comes around...no matter what the price of fuel is or how far it is from me I will be there! We all need to set aside a rally slush fund for travel to the rally next year.



OK OK I know I have babbled long enough... I will let the pictures from the journals tell the rest of the story....Somewhere in Time.

I Made

OK She Has Gone Too Far

What a man wont do to make his woman happy.....Oh Joe you will look sooooo funny when I get through fixing you up....Yea right! Maybe more fool than funny. You will have to tune into the pictures later to know what I am talking about.

We had more seminars today and they were real informative. I think everyone got something out of them. Before the classes started this morning I had to say good bye to Dee and Jim. It was hard to see them go. I can't wait to chat again now and let them know where we are and what we are doing. This rally has brought many folks closer together and will be the stepping stone to more. I am already excited about the next one and I know we will start planning it as soon as we are back in the chat room....right chatters???

Ok I have to go to the Hillbilly Party and believe me I am not too excited ....as you will see
Somewhere in Time.

Siminars And Idle Chatter

Being that Sherri and I did not get much sleep we missed the first seminar on preparing for fulltiming. I figured if I was not ready for it then I must not be doing a good job of it now. Sherri and I have been living full time in an RV for two years. We have enjoyed it but not near as much as we will when we start traveling.

Back to getting up late. We did make the next class on Insurance and the next on Managing Money. We had a hard time associating ourselves with investing money when we have none?? We have already invested the little bit that we had in helping our children... grand children's college...cute clothes and toys for them and general grandparent responsibilities. That leaves us with the small amount of money...not to invest but to buy our groceries and fuel. What is left after that goes into the "Entertain Maw and Poppa Account".

After a day of classes and Sherri running up to the hospital to see about Becky...by the way she had her surgery and she did OK. The doctor said that she would in the hospital 3 to 7 days. She shattered the bone just below the left knee. They had to graft pin and plate the bone...Ouch!

Sherri and I would like to thank all of you for thinking of Becky. She is new to our group and just started chatting two weeks ago. Hurry up and get well Beck we all miss you.

After a good dinner last night and one of the best fashion shows I've been to in a long time...and I go to soooo many LOL!...we headed over to the chat tent. We had one wild chat to say the least. I hope that we have picked up some new chatters this rally. I think now that everyone sees how much fun we have they will join in.

The animal sounds and laughter got a little loud the closer we got to quite time and we woke up a few chatters. They joined in and complained about the noise...Doncat...so it got louder...go figure
What a bunch of nuts...Sherri and I are one of them?? Howard and Linda just shook their heads and wondered how they had spawned such a crazy bunch of Dreamers.

Plans were being made for the next rally...some suggested that we do one next month. Maybe we could just travel in a convoy and have one every place that they had room for 50+ rigs. There again Howard and Linda just shook their heads. You know gang it is going to be hard for all of us to part company come Sunday....BOOOHOOO. Dash that thought from my mind for now and enjoy the fun and excitement this day has to offer Somewhere in Time.

Some Trips Are Not Fun

Wednesday here at the rally was more of the same fun that we had the two days previous. We gathered around 9:00 under the big tent and visited with all the new folks coming in. There are so many people to meet and talk to that it would take more than this week we have to accomplish it. But it was fun seeing all the Dreamers come into the tent and when we started the registration we really got excited. Name tags started going on and different ones recognized who was who the hand shakes and the hugs were passed out frequently.

Sherri and I still were selling the raffle tickets and this gave us the opportunity to shake hands with all the new folks coming in...and hit them up to buy a ticket...LOL. Hey it is a good cause. So far we have done quite well with the sale and I believe that the Web Site and a lucky individual will reap a good sum of cash.

We spent the rest of the day getting to know folks and placing them in our memory banks. Soon Dee and Jim Walter arrived and the hugs started all over again. Dee and I go back to the beginning of the chat room. We have conversed for close to a year now and finally got to meet face to face. Jim stays pretty much in the background on the chat room but I knew him through Dee's journal and felt like I knew him for every.

So around 6:00 PM we had the Pizza and Ice Cream get together and it was fun. Everyone walked over to the pavilion and sat down to some good eats and socializing. We had a short message from Howard and Linda and then Linda entertained us with some dancing joined by Howard and RV Dude. Now that was a site to behold!!

After the eats all the chatters got together for the live chat in the big tent. That was fun we were joined by Donna_162 Dee_NC Jenny J Retired Sailor Jim01 Speedsgirl Beck Conroe Penny Ellie Celtic Pride and this list goes on. And again it was sooo cool that we were all there chatting right across from each other. This will make chatting in the future more meaningful than ever before.

While chatting I was informed that Beck had gone home and when she got there her and Rodney tripped and fell on the patio by their trailer. Beck was in pain and said that her leg was broken! We were all a little skeptical but 911 was called and the emergency vehicles were sent to the scene. The EMTS put Beck on the board and she was put in the ambulance and away to the emergency room. Bob_Guy and RV Dude were there for support....thanks guys...and Mark and Dortha drove to the hospital with us to do whatever they could to help...Thanks to you both.

We were there for about 2 hours and found out that Beck's leg is broken. She has decided to have surgery here in Branson. There really is no other way to do it. Her leg is shattered right below her left knee and it will have to be repaired surgically. What a vacation....and thus the Title to this entry...Some Trips Are Not Fun.

Sherri and I did not get back until 3:00, for me and 4:00 for her. We will miss the first seminar here at the rally due to a late start off the blocks this AM. Well maybe next year we can host a class on being prepared for the worst?

Guess I better get this closed out and try to make the next seminar Somewhere in Time.

Some Trips Are Not

Having Fun At The Rally

Tuesday was a fun day!!! We met under the tent and visited with more family members. My head was reeling with names and faces trying to keep them all in order...but then that is not easy for me. I will do my best.

About mid day Linda gave Sherri and I the Raffle Ticket Selling job. We fell right in to this and immediately started selling tickets. We had a real good turn out for the first day and I think that we sold a good number.

Later we had a chat rally under the tent. We had some of the folks that were unable to attend the rally come on line and we updated them on what was going on. They cheered us on. One of the family members that was unable to attend was Conroe Penny. She did make it on line before we shut down for the night. Sandra_On popped in to say Hi...it was so nice to here from her and Roz and all the other chatters...we felt at home with all of us together.

It was really strange chatting with JJ setting right next to me... We had a ball and I think this will be a memory for a life time. Now all I need is my friend Dee to round it off...she will be here today...can't wait. Hurry up Dee!

I have tried to upload some pictures to the Journal but the connection will not allow it at this time. I will try it again on tomorrows entry.

We spent the rest of the night visiting and chatting across the table...across the tent...and across the nation....who would believe this?

Well better go and get my roll of tickets Sherri and I have a mission Somewhere in Time

Houston We Have Landed

Monday Rally Time

One small step for Speedy...Not Quite! We had some road to cover before we got to the landing zone. I want to thank the state of Oklahoma for almost destroying my 5th wheel! I know that the Indians there are getting back at the white men for all our bad deeds over the course of time. They built Casinos to take all our money and the roads to wreak our covered wagons. Took them over 100 years but they figured out how to get us back.

We left Salisaw about 9:00 am Monday morning and headed out Interstate 40 to I 540 north to 412 east. Now 540 is a beautiful highway...pretty good grades to climb but scenic for sure. Now 412 that is another story. Not a bad road base but winding does not describe this road well enough. You can never get over 45 miles an hour and my exhaust break was on constantly! We did not think that we would ever see the end of this road. But at last we did and the rest of the trip to Branson and the ABC campground was uneventful.

Upon arriving we headed into the office to check in. We were two days early for the rally so we had to pay for the two additional nights and got our camp site...I really don't know how this happened but we got camp site number 69.....OK maybe an act of fate??? ORRRRR did someone have a hand in this??? Not that I am suggesting anything and to some the numbere 69 might not mean much.... but it could be that I was set up here. OK I know I am making something from nothing...OR....

We have a nice site... not to far from the tent. They have a large tent set up here for all the Dreamers to gather under. I will say that Howard and Linda have done an outstanding job in making this a great rally for all us Dreamers....Thanks Howard and Linda

After getting set up we proceeded over to the tent to meet all those great folks we have been so fortunate to have met on the Dreamers Web Site. Howard and Linda met us as soon as we got there and made us feel soo welcome...Howard did say that I was not as good looking as my picture on the Forum...but then I really felt at home!! Thanks Howard

We had a ball the first day. It did rain all day but it did not dampen the spirits of all the folks that showed up at the tent. We met so many new friends and I can't describe the feeling you get when you meet these people that you have been conversing with and the ones that you have been reading for a year! I think the ones of you that were there at that time know what I mean.

That just about does it for Monday. I am looking forward to Tuesday...I get to meet more people Somewhere in Time.

Houston We Have Seperation

Sunday

Sunday did not come fast enough for Sherri or I. We have been biting at the bit for one year to go to this rally and the day of debarkation has arrived and we are not even ready??? What?? you say. I know we should be but we still have things to do. For heaven sakes Sherri does not have that perfect pare of shoes yet and I need shorts.

Off to the store we go...Yes on Sunday of all days when we should be in church or we should be on the road to Branson. Oh no we are headed to Macy's to buy S T U F F. We arrived in the shoe department and I could see the excitement written all over Sherri's face...you know the look fellows you've all seen it a thousand times in Wally World and all the stores in between.

That perfect pare of shoes did not jump up off the shelf however but she did manage to find the
"This Will Do Shoe" and we proceeded to check out. When they turned our Macy's card down I thought I was going to have to call 911...Sherri freaked out...she had paid our bill on line but it had not shown up on the system so it looked like the shoes were going to stay in the store....but OH NO Sherri got on the phone and in a short she was back in business...Seems as though they were having trouble with their pay site...you know the old story any way the "This Will Do Shoe"
are now in the closet and my new shorts are hanging proudly on my side ready for the rally. I guess you could call these rally shorts??

We returned home after picking up Chinese to go at Panda. Then we starting packing down the 5th wheel and getting ready to head north. The excitement was so intense at this time we almost forgot to roll down the antenna! We slowed the pace down some and got everything done in good order and pulled out about 2:30 Sunday morning.

We took Hwy 69 north through Oklahoma. The plan had been to stop at Lake Eufala at the Arrowhead State Park. I had calculated the we would be out of diesel about this mile marker so this would be a good spot to unhook and refuel. Well as it turned out the tail wind we had on the way up there was so great that we got 15 miles to the gallon and I had only burned 1/2 tank of diesel! Not bad for a new truck pulling a 38ft trailer loaded down with Sherri's shoes and my new shorts! So we decided to head on until we got to Salisaw and stop there at a KOA...costly...for the night.

Not a bad place to stay overnight and guess what....right down the street was the CASINO!!! Man we could not ask for anything more!!! Needless to say we did unhitch and head over for a while to get the FIX. Sherri did well she ended up breaking even after 3 hours of play and I lost $1.00 out of the $3.00 I started with...Last of the big time gamblers here.

That just about wraps up the Sunday...except for the McDonald experience in Salisaw. Do not got to the Salisaw McDonald!! Fly city I will not bore you with this just take my word for it
NASTY!

OK nuff said...next stop RALLY Somewhere in Time

A Weekend of Catch Up And Honey Doos

I am at work again...UGH! Soon I will be pulling out of here and heading towards Wills Point. I have some stops along the way...one at Waly-Mart for a water hose and one at Lowes for a 2x12 to build my daughter some steps on the back porch of her house.

After that stop I will be picking up dear Sherri at Jennifer's house and heading toward our lake house to drop off some items we did not want to haul to Branson and also to pick up some things that we need to build the steps and do some yard work. I am soooo busy...isn't it nice to be needed.

Well I hope to get out of here by 12:00 noon so I can get a jump on the traffic. I guess I better sign off for now but I will catch you Somewhere in Time.

Another Day Another Dollar

Yesterday, as usual started off much the same as all other work days on this shift. The rooster started crowing at 5:00 and I was not ready for this to happen...I must have more sleep! Why is it the closer you get to the retirement age the "I don't care about this job" feeling becomes more prevalent. I do believe the middle shift I was on works better for me at this time in my life than a day shift work schedule.

OK nuff said on that...I spent most the day trying to get all my reports up to date...everything that I would normally do in the next two weeks I need to get done this week so I can take off for the rally. I hate this too...you kill yourself getting everything ready to take off and by the time you do your worn out. I hope that when I do retire I will learn how to plan in slow motion. I hope that nothing is soooo important that I have to kill myself getting ready to go from one place to the next. If you have a comment on that I would love to hear it. I am sure I will learn.

When I got home I did the laundry and cleaned the RV the best I could. I knew the whole time I was cleaning that I was not doing it correctly. Sherri has taught me that if nothing else...I don't do anything right when it comes to what she does. So I just do the best I can and then let her point out all my short comings...this is life as a husband...I love it.

After my chores were done I sat down and planned out my first stop over on the way to Branson. I found a State Park about half way there on Lake Eufala...Arrowhead State Park. It has full hook ups and seems to be big rig friendly. We are only staying one night so it should be fine for that. We will leave from there Monday morning for Branson which should be another 41/2 hours. I hope to pull in up there about 1:00 or so.

When we get there I have some things to get straightened up and I am sure that Sherri will want to clean the RV inside and out. I have no idea where we will be located there but no matter I will be scanning the area for all the Dreamers...I can't wait to meet everyone Somewhere in Time.

House Work Is Tuff Stuff

This morning was a hard go with the rooster going off at 5:30 and me not really into getting up. This pretty well seals the deal on me retiring. All I need is another 6 months of having to get up this early and having to get dressed and out the door into the traffic...Oh I don't know if I can last that long...Pull yourself together man your starting to whimper.

OK I did it I got to work and I put in my 8 hours. I did get to read the RV Dreams Forum some and I saw where Linda posted the name badges and mine as usual was misspelled. Pitman has one t in it and everyone wants to put two in there. OK I got past that and everything else checked out OK and now I feel better knowing that everyone will know the true spelling of my last name.

Not much shaking at work other than the Grand Canyon book we are doing for the National Park Service. Real nice book as far as I could see. Just made me want to leave and head out in the 5ver but that was not going to be today.

Got home and I had to pull the dryer out and reconnect the vent hose. It comes loose when the washing machine shakes the trailer...so every month or so I have to pull the stacked units out and hook er up. Doesn't take that long but cleaning up the lint is a bit of a task. Vacuum cleaner has to be hooked up and then the hose has to be cleaned out and on and on... Got that done and then since the vacuum was out why not the whole 5ver??? She got a real good going over and then it was time for me to put everything away and relax for a short time. I have to go on chat tonight for a while to talk to my friends and then shower and get some sleep...OH wait I have to do the dishes first....OH GEEE this house work is tuff stuff!!!

Tomorrow is wash day so I have to get some quarters for the machines and I have to clean my bay out while the clothes are washing ....mans work is never done. I guess with the plans to do some work at my daughters house I will be driving straight through to Branson come Monday morning?? I don't think we will have time to get ready Sunday and leave early...maybe...we will see. I know it will all come together Somewhere in Time.

Got the Truck and Working on the Miles

I think I told you that I have to have 500 miles on the truck before I can pull my trailer so I am working on it slowly but surely.

We went to the lake this past weekend to mow and clean and on the way we picked up the truck. They had everything changed out and it was ready for us to load up our weekend junk that we have to haul back and forth to Wills Point. I hate having to go back to the house to mow and clean and work every weekend. I will be glad when it sales and I can do other things. I would like to have some weekends that I could take my boat out and do some fishing.

Today is Monday and my first day back on the day shift. I think I like the Middle shift better. I don't have to get up at the dawns early light and I can get so much more done on that shift because I don't have all the interruptions. People are constantly coming in and out asking questions needing stuff....UGH I want out of here.

Sherri stayed in Wills Point to help Jennifer out with all the kids. Jennifer is my youngest daughter and her husband is the Deputy Constable for Van Zandt County TX. She is going to be attending the police academy starting in August of this year. She is wanting to be in law enforcement and after graduation will be looking for employment in and around the Wills Point area. She needed some help with the kids while she went to parents day. Jeniffer has 5 children and she stays real busy as you can well imagine. No wonder she wants to get into law enforcement...she can arrest all of them and through them in jail. LOL

Sherri will be gone until next weekend which means I will be here making do for myself. I have to clean and get the trailer ready for the trip next Sunday. There is so much to do and I need to have all of it done before Friday because I have to go back to Wills Point to pick Sherri up and mow one more time before I head north.

Well I have some pictures of the truck but I left the camera at the lake house...DUH! I will get them together Somewhere in Time.