Wii Wii Wii All Day Long

Pitter Patter Pitter Patter....coming from the roof this morning...rain...birds...a squirrel? Rain it is...they said it would rain all week long and it has just about done that. We sure need it so you will not hear one thing bad from me this morning about waking up to the wet stuff. I just laid there for some time thinking about what I could not do because it was raining. Those were the things I would plan for this morning....AHHH yes let us plan on doing those things so we will have a good excuse not to do them. Now do you think Speedy would do that....plan on doing nothing because of the inclement weather. Not this...getter done guy...no sir...I always have things that will fill my slack moments and keep me going no matter what Mother Nature puts in my way.HE HE that even makes me laugh...the truth as it turned out was I got up and went down stairs and put the coffee on and then went over to the windows and raised the blinds. The sun was out....I know....I just heard it raining...and it was...but Mother Nature must have heard me procrastinating and decided to put an end to that thinking. Well you know this means I can do my walk and then come back and Wii for 30 minutes. Hey that is fine with me...I really want to lose that 25 lbs.

I am not sure but I will check with Wii today and see if I have lost any at all. If I can just see some progress I will feel like I am getting somewhere. I just hate to give up my eating and not see some benefits from it. One other thing I am trying to do...besides lose weight is...write my journal entry in Text and save it for when I have a good signal to down load it on. Yes I have a good signal here but I know in the future we will be places that don't have a strong Air Card signal or a WIFI signal. If I can write each day and save it to a Text Doc. then I wont lose these great thoughts over time...GAG...I know what you are thinking.

So I have been writing my journal entry in Text and then saving it and down loading it to blogspot. So far everything is working OK. I do have a problem with adding pictures and getting them to fit in...I am trying word wrap in Text maybe that will work.

One thing I am not is a genius when it comes to computers.Speaking of which...when I went to college the industry...(Graphic Arts)...was just getting type setters perfected. You know for years all type was "Hot Type"...type that was cast out of hot lead and molded into fonts of type... and then "Cold Type" came into being...this is like type writers that set type and print it out on paper slicks that you could paste down and photograph...OK I don't want to bore you with all that...I just want you to know that we did not have all this computer technology when I was being educated. So over time I had to learn all about computers and keep up with the technology as it grew in this industry. The older you get the harder it is to grasp a lot of this new stuff so you have to know how to hire people that do understand this and put them to doing what you have no idea how to do. But in doing so you have to have them think that you do know so they don't get arrogant...if you know what I mean.

OK...now I said all that to say this....I ain't got a foggy idea what is with these computers...So I just have to make the computer think I know....so it wont get arrogant with me. I do all this stuff and then try to figure out how to get it to work. I get in trouble a lot as you may well know...but so far so good. I hope this all gets in the journal later...I have no idea if I could explain this one more time...HE HE :)

Sherri comes home today and I better get started with my walk and my Wii...cause I have to clean the house and have everything looking like I keep things neat all week. I know she knows better but I like for her to smile when she walks in after a long week on the road...my life is soooo much better when she is happy. What is it with that...eh? Until the next time you tune into my dribble...have a safe day....

Somewhere in Time

Late Nights at Wally World

This morning one eye peeked out from the covers and told me that the sun was out. The other eye eventually peeked out and saw that it was almost 8:00 am! GEEE that is when both eyes watched me roll out of bed and guided me down to the kitchen to make some coffee! OH me I just have to retire so I can get in bed at descent hour of the night. Getting off an 11:00 pm is way too late and then I don't get to bed early and I sleep way to late in the day.

Last night when I got off work I drove to Wally World. I was in need of some supplies for the kitchen. You know I am on this salad diet and I needed more fixens for my salad makings. I also needed milk and some other things....so when I left work I just headed to the all night WW and proceeded to shop like I knew what I was doing.

I had forgotten who shops that late at night. You know once in my life I use to work late nights...for those of you that don't get out much that is 11:00pm to 7:00am. Yes I worked those hours....and I forgot that there is a whole different breed of people that work that shift and they shop during the day...You see those are the people that you find in the Wally World at 7:30 in the morning....well you say I have seen those folks....yes but I am talking about the people that work days....they are the weird ones! They were all at Wally World last night...I know...they are like zombies walking around getting that last minuet shopping done before they go to bed at 12:00 midnight. I was really kind of scared but I managed not to look into any ones eyes and just got what I needed and headed on home.

I told you all that to tell you this....I am beat! I did get all my stuff and put it away and then I had to have my bowel of cereal...Raisin Bran...keeps me regular...probably more information than you wanted but the older you get those things become the topic of many conversations.

If you're planning on being a full timer and you like to visit with your neighbors more than likely the conversations will get around to regularity and what kind of medicines do you take. One of the most therapeutic things you can do is find someone that takes more meds than you do and has more wrong with them...you will feel so much better about yourself. Then some guy comes along and he takes nothing but fresh air and looks like a god...and you fall into a funk that last until you find someone on deaths doorsteps.

That just about winds this one up today. I have to get my workout shorts on and get in front of the Wii screen....perch myself up on my Wii board and strike a pose for the trainer so he can tell me I am not steady on either leg. He must wonder what I am doing in his class. I think I am improving until I get the readout on the screen and then I get all funky fide....I'll stick with it and I will never give up until I lose that 25 lbs!.....

Somewhere in Time

Up Dates On Wii and Me

My Chicken is looking real good and it will soon be a part of a wonderful salad...Let the diet begin.

Next I will be on the Wii board and working on the waste line. I did not put my age and weight on this yet....I need to get it down where I am below OBESE!

Do I look like a Ninja or what.....Look at the form...I am getting this exercising thing down to a science

Wont be long now women will be OOOO ing over this Body...Eat your heart out Brad....

This morning I got up and I just had to get in here to the computer and recap yesterdays journal I had planned on cooking Chicken outside for my salad fixens. I have decided to start my diet this month and the plan is to eat lots of salads with chicken and vegetables and cut out the red meats and potatoes to some extent. You noticed I said to some extent. This leaves it open for me to fudge somewhat on steaks and potatoes. Hey a guy has to leave a little room for weak moments.No one ever said that I was that strong. I believe with the salad diet I will be able to lose some weight. About 90% of my weight is in my mid section. I have slim legs and arms but when it comes to my waste line I have this large problem. I have cut back on everything that I thought was causing the old mid section to grow...only to find out that those things were not the problem. I guess I need to exercise as well as change my eating habits. OK so it started raining and that squashed my idea about cooking out yesterday. I also have to postpone my walk and come up with some other way to exercise. OK...I have the Wii exercise game that we bought.

That will do it...I can exercise with my Wii and I don't have to go outside. Now I have to buildup my courage to stand on that scale and have it tell me how obese I am. I will sign off here while I go and crank up the Wii...I will update you on the outcome as soon as I am through.Well actually this is the next day...I had to set down for 24 hours before I could update the journal. GEEE Wii says I am still obese...what is guy to do? Well it did say that I had improved on my exercises. I am now only 59 years old compared to the 72 that I was on the first time I used the board. Talk about feeling bad about ones self! I could hardly go out in public for some time after getting that news. OK I feel better today I am getting younger according to Wii so I think I can stop wearing the mask when I go outside.Today the sun is trying real hard to come out...even though they say there is more rain in the forecast. I am cooking my chicken outside on the grill as I post here. I will have to break every once in a while and run out to check my little chicks progress. I will also be back on the Wii board again today. I feel better about myself after yesterdays work out and I think if I keep it up I will start to lose weight. I really do need to get in shape before I head out on the road. I need to be able to set up at the campgrounds without groaning and caring on. Sherri says I sound like someone in labor....Well it is labor to bend over when you are shaped like a frog. Not much room to bend in the mid section...Wii says I have to dump about 25 lbs so I am going to be real busy on that Wii board.Well we sure are coming close to that 30 day mark on the old count down meter. Don't know if you have noticed or not but it is still clicking and I am getting excited a little more each day. In June I will have to have a special post of my first day of retirement. I am trying to think of where and what I should be doing for that post. I will have to give that some thought between now and then. OK I have gone on long enough. I need to spend more time with the chick outside...HE HE....she is HOT. I will catch you all tomorrow and update you on the Wii experience and tell you how the chicken came out....

Somewhere in Time

STUFF

Well I was up this morning at 4:30 and could not go back to sleep. I guess it was because I went to bed last night a 10:00 pm. I usually don't go to bed until about 12:00 am but then that is on the nights that I work. Oh well I feel rested and I guess that is what sleeping is all about.

Yesterday Sherri and I traveled to Wills Point to locate our culvert on the new property. This would have to be done before we could put the driveway in. Once we got out there Sherri could not make her mind up on where she wanted the RV to park so we had to try and get that worked out. I think she finally decided to run it long ways on the property and put the barn at the back. This way we will not have to have that long of a culvert to get into the lot and we will save some money. Now I like that...saving money is a good thing.

OK so we got past that and now we have to get a survey so we can be sure where we can place our shrubs and trees. We don't want them on the next door neighbors land. We have also decided to place the barn on the corner of the property and that would mean we have to know exactly where the corner is. The power pole will have to be set and that will be close to the barn for the electrical hooks ups. It is all coming together on paper and soon it will materialize on the lot itself.

Sherri has left for Waco Texas to work for the week and I am here by myself. I have to do some phone calling today and run to the store to pick up some grocery items and I need to take some canisters back that Sherri bought and decided she did not want. I will be cooking chicken today for my diet salads...yes I am dieting...I know you are saying...Why Speedy you are so slim and trim now....why diet....HE HE :) I like to imagine that I am but then we all know...

Let me see at the end of this week I move into the one month left column. Yes just 4 weeks to go...it is hard to believe that the time is getting closer. I will have time then to get all the projects done that I have left so I am not going to worry about it right now.

Until that time comes I will follow all my Dreamer friends out there and enjoy their journeys. Just keep posting and send plenty of pictures for me to look at and I will be content. Well I guess I better go now and start this day. I will return ...

Somewhere in Time

Just Working and Waiting

This morning I rolled out of bed thinking how nice it would be not having to work on a Saturday. This will be my 4th Saturday to work and it is getting a little old! Coffee had to be made and life has to go on no matter if I have to go to work or not. Sherri was already up and had beat me to the coffee pot so the brew was already going.

We poured us a cup when it was ready and sat down to discuss the days plan. This is our grand daughter's birthday today. Meagan is 20 today and we are going by to see her and wish her a

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

We first had to take our walk this morning and we headed out on that about 9:00 am. In about 40 min we had covered our two miles and were ready to rest before showering. Sherri jumped on the Internet to pay a few bills and I showered so we could take off. First stop would be Wally World and then to Meagan's house. We don't have very much time this morning to get this all done so I guess I better sign off here.

Somewhere in Time

Getting Close To That Thirty Day Mark

Yes another morning of coffee and planning at the RV. We are still trying to put together the layout for the RV home at the lake. Sherri is a very good planner and she leaves no stones unturned when it comes to moving things around to look just right.

I have never been one for all that...but I have come to appreciate her thinking when it comes to making things look good. It sure looks nice when we plan our work and then work our plan. Then I step back and say...."Gosh that looks good"...HE HE :)...

I was thinking ....well this is just going to be a place to refuel...but then why shouldn't it look good too. No need in staying here for a month or so and not enjoy the layout...right?? She even thinks about me too. She designed the culvert and driveway so I wont have to make so many turns getting parked...and then all I have to do is pull straight out when it comes time to leave.

We have to get our culvert staked out and OK by the county and then set the culverts and they come out and cover them with rock. Then we have to stake out the driveway and have the rock man come in with the gravel ...pour it and spread it out nice and smooth. Next is the power company comes out spots our pole and runs the power to the temporary meter loop. Then last but not least we have to have the barn moved from it's present location to this one.

Now you have to understand I have about one month to get this all together.

We also have our doctor appointments to finish up and yard sale to finalize...OH my gosh all this has come down to the last month and we still haven't got it all together. Where did all the time go?

Well I can tell you where some of it went. This time of year is our busiest time of the year. I have been working 6 days a week for the last month and we probably have 3 more to go. When you only have on day a week to get things done and that is a Sunday...well you can see why we are so far behind.

I am hoping all the plans that we are making will come together so that we can make some plans for the latter part of the summer. I know we will both be sorry if we can't...after all we have been planning this for 35 years!

Well as the time ticks by I am getting a little done each day and soon I will have it all done...when?? Well that is the unknown right now but we will not stop until all is accomplished and we are ready to head out of here...

Somewhere in Time

The Family Reunion

This is Tuesday morning and Sherri was up bright and early...well it was not bright outside and whether she was bright or not I could not tell I still had my eyes closed...it was 4:00am just a tad before I normally raise my head up. Randy was going to be by early to pick her up so they could get to the job early and then return early this day.

One thing I can say about these last few weeks of working is that not having to go in early has been nice. Getting up when I wake up and not with an alarm clock has been nice. There is just something about getting up in the "Natural" way that makes the whole day so much more pleasant.

Moving right along...I have some pictures of the get together Sherri's family had in Louisiana last week. I am just now getting around to posting it. I have been doing other things so this post had been put on the back burner. I was unable to go to this reunion because of work but Sherri road with her brothers over there last Saturday morning. By the way I guess I should clarify this....Sherri has five brothers and one sister. I know you hear of me say Sherri's brother all the time but when you have five of them it gets confusing. Her brothers in order of birth are Billy Rodney Danny Richard Randy and her sister Molly. I did not have brothers so when I married Sherri I had five brothers right out of the shoot.

Her Mother's side of the family were all Thomas and her Dad's were Turners. Her Mother's grandfather was a Bamburg...yes of Bamburg Germany fame...and Bamburg S. C. Jenny this is where I am beginning the family thing....HE HE. I have a ways to go but it is a start. Jenny is my friend from Washington State that is putting together her family tree and she is going to help me get started as soon as I meet up with her this summer...I hope.

Anyway that is another post for later. The pictures below are of the reunion that the Thomas family had. They have this every year in April down in the country at the old home place and the family cemetery. This is where Sherri and I will have our headstone....whether we will be laid to rest here or not is still up in the air.

The one thing that I think about the most is the distance my kids have put between their history and the present. It worries me that they don't attend the family reunions the way our parents and our parents parents did. This is all we have in life is our families and we need to keep everyone in our family together so that future generations will have a record of who they came from and where they came from. It is sad to think that if they don't carry on the family reunion that one day it will all be grown over and no one will remember from whence they came. I care about that so much but the now generation is so full of themselves that they have lost that since of purpose that once was a part of all families. I guess in general that is what has happened to our country....we have lost a part of our past that made us what we are today. I can't say it enough...we should stop at least once a year and look back and remember our family and teach each generation coming up where they came from and what the folks were like back in those days and let them know what happened in the past that brought them to the present.

This is one of the things that I hope this journal does. I hope that somehow my children and my grandchildren will pass this down so that they will all know who I was and what I was all about. Not that it will be a life changing force for them to know this but it will be an understanding of what happened in my life that directly effected their lives generations later. If I could do anything with the life that I have left it would be to get my children to take part in this process and keep the past alive so that our future will know about it.

When I retire and start my travels much of my journal entries will be about this. I hope it does not turn people away from reading me...but it makes them think of their own past and how important it is to let your future generations know about it.

This is the family cemetery located on the Thomas land in Louisiana where Sherri and I will retire from this life.

This is Sherri's Mother and Father's grave site. The family reunion was very important to them all their years here on earth. Sherri and I intend on keeping up that remembrance in their honor.

This is just a small portion of the family. As I said so many younger members of the family...for what ever the reason no longer attend. It is sad that they are missing out on visiting with their family.

I must tell you about the picture that leads off this post. This is the old home place down in the country. Sherri's Mom and Dad lived here long ago and Sherri and her brothers lived her also. Well you can see that it is rather old and run down but once it was what so many called home. This my dear family and friends is history that one day will be lost if we do not keep it alive....

Somewhere in Time

New Home Site

Well this is to let you know that Sherri and I traveled to East Texas yesterday and staked out our new parking place. Yes we have a new residence for our RV to rest at while we refuel our budget $$$. We will be located at Lake Tawakoni north of Wills Point Texas in a nice little lake community. I have posted some pictures to show you what the new lot looks like. Not much now but when Sherri puts her talents to work she will turn this into a "Garden of Eden".
This is a picture looking North down the East property line. To the left is the county road that services the addition.

This is looking North down the West property line also looking North.

This is looking from our proposed entrance to the property off of the county road. As you can see not much to it but then it is a parking space and not a vacation spot. I will post pictures as we improve on the site. We have to install culverts...driveways...barns...electric service and finally the RV. We will start on getting that done in the next month.

This is Rodney and Becky's set up which is located 2 lots down from us in the same addition. I would like to fix ours up much the same as theirs....

Somewhere in Time

OK Weekend Is Here…So What

Yes today is Saturday and I got up just like every morning…but it is Saturday you say. Yes but I am working today so this is just like any other day. There is only one day off for me and that is Sunday and I have to head out to Wills Point to see about some things out there.
Sherri got up before me this morning and made the coffee. She is headed to Louisiana to the family reunion out there. Her family has a reunion every year at this time in April. She is riding out there with her brother Danny. I…on the other hand…have to work today so I cannot go. This time of year, for as long as I can remember, has been our busy time at the office. We are finalizing the Yearbooks for the Spring graduating class in May. This has always been crunch time for us so going to family reunions is kind of out of the question. Oh well this will be the last one I miss because of work… that is.
Sherri should be back home tonight before I return so that wont be too bad. She is gone so much here of late that I am getting use to being by myself. I don’t like being alone but after so many months of doing this I have become complacent with the fact that I have to do for myself. I know once I retire Sherri will probably work until we head out in late June and then from that time forward we will be together most all the time. It will be good to have some separation from each other over our retired life. We still like our own space.
OK so this is Saturday and I should be doing something. I really could be outside cleaning but then I think we will have some rain here shortly. I don’t want to get something going and have to stop when the rain comes. Well that is as good an excuse as I can come up with…J I really could cook up that big bag of chicken I have in the fridge. That would be a good thing but then again the rain. OK I think I will kick back in the recliner and read about traveling somewhere exciting.
Well you can see I am stumbling around looking for something to talk about so instead of boring you with this dribble I will head off and find something to occupy me until time to go to work. For those of you traveling today…drive safely…and for those of you unhitched and kicked back have fun….
Somewhere in Time

Friday Rain and Work

This morning I was awakened by the pitter patter of rain on the roof of the RV.
Sherri made it home yesterday and she was sleeping soundly next to me. I laid there for just a moment and then decided to go ahead and get up make coffee and ready myself for the days events...whatever they may be.

Sherri had a dentist appointment to get her teeth cleaned...this would be the last one on our dental plan. That all will be going away with my retirement but she only has to go twice a year and we will be able to work that into our budget without too much of a hit. Yes no medical for Sherri until we find one that will fit into our budget. I have seen two or three that look good for what she will need and I will probably go with one of those. Until that time we are getting all her medical done between now and the end of June when hers is terminated.

So we I made the coffee and by that time my love was up and she and I had a quick cup together. At my age I can only drink one cup before I head out on a long journey. Seems like my tank gets full faster and I have to be careful not to overload it. HE HE.

We got ourselves ready and headed out to Mesquite Texas where her doctor is located and with the traffic the way it is at 8:00 am we had to hurry to get there. We did get to use the HOV lane on LBJ ....635 and we made our way there in time to get parked and get inside. Upon entering the mall we found out that the escalators do not start running until 9:00 am so we had to find the elevator. We still made it for her appointment on time and all was well.

After the teeth cleaning we headed out to Marshall's to check on some things Sherri needed. I don't normally shop in those stores but I did find a after shave that I like and at a very affordable price too. I bought that and Sherri got her a pair of shoes. After checking out we headed back to the RV. The rain began to come down real hard about the time we hit the expressway. That is when the traffic started backing up. It was getting late about this time and we decided to go by the bank and then stop at Cristina's for some Mexican food. I ate way too much but then I tend to do that at the Mexican food restaurant.

When we got through eating and paid our check I noticed it was time for me to leave for work. Well no nap today...I will have to go straight into work and take Sherri's doggy box for my dinner tonight. I could have done worse she had puff tacos and they sure looked good...Thanks Sherri for not eating all your meal....LOL

OK I am here at the office now and getting ready to do my rounds. I will see you all on chat tonight...until then stay safe...

Somewhere in Time

I Would Like To Introduce My Kansas Kids

OK this is my Son Brice and his wife my daughter in law Jodie. They live in Kansas City or I guess I should say Shawnee right north west of Kansas City. These are my two grandsons....Evan and Brant. The picture show you that they are never still long enough to photograph...but then they are boys and they take after their Dad....well come to think about it I never stood still long either.
I have not featured them in any of my journal entries in some time so I wanted to reacquaint all of you with them. They have grown so much since I last had them on and I can see that I need to get up there and pay them a visit before they get too big to hold. They, of course do not know Poppa as well as their other grandparents...who by the way all live in Kansas ...so we are at a disadvantage right off... but I know that one day they will know that we are around and they will also know that Mawmaw and Poppa love them very much and wish they could be with them more often.

I guess this is another reason I have this journal so I will leave all these messages for all the kids to read later in life. They will have some idea what the two of us were all about. I wish I had had the opportunity to know my grandparents...but that was not to be. My mothers mother died before I was born...she just knew I was going to be a boy and she could not wait for me to come into this world but the Lord took her before I got here so I missed a wonderful lady in my life. My Mother's dad died when I was young and so did my Dad's parents so I never had any grandparents to really remember.



Anyway I want to be sure no matter what the Lord has in store for me...that my kids know all about me and will always remember me as the old guy who loved them soooo much and wanted to hold them all the time and spoil them every day. Even if I don't get to, my son sends me pictures so I can show them off to all my friends. Hey guys you even made the Web!!!

Your Mawmaw and your Poppa are planning to be retired here soon and we are going to come and see you in August as close to your birthday as possible. If I have not told you Evan and Brant were both born on the same day two years apart only minutes difference in time and just oz. difference in weight. I think Jodie and Brice planned it this way to make it easy on themselves and us grandparents as far as birthdays go. Thanks kids we appreciate it.



Evan is the big brother and he is all that. Mom and Dad dress him in his college clothes all the time so he will be use to them when he gets there.
GEEE now days a kid has to go to college so he can get a job like mine where you go to work and post pictures of your grand kids and your kids and chat with all your friends all day long....and get paid to do it....LOL Go to college boys that is an order from your Poppa and Mawmaw!!!
I know they will be successful no matter what they do. They are all good looking like me so they can't go wrong??? I know I am full of myself but then if I wasn't no one would know me.



OK guys I need to wrap up this brag session here and get back to work... or whatever you call what I do. Well let me just tell you so you will be able to tell your friends later in life just what I do. This is as good a time as any to let you know. I am a Statistic Analysis.....
Statistic....a branch of mathematics that deals with the analysis and interpretation of numerical data in terms of samples and populations
Analysis....the examination of something in detail in order to understand it better or draw conclusions from it
Now that and a $1.00 will buy you a cup of coffee...maybe not by the time you read this you may have to add $2.00.
OK now that you know what I do I will tell you what your Mawmaw does..She is a Marketing Set Specialist
Marketing....To sell products.
Set Specialist....Merchandising products in an appealing way to increase sales volume.



OK guys now you know what we use to do....If we are still living when you read this later in life you will know that we don't do anything now except come to see you and spoil you and fuss at your Mom and Dad for not staying in touch and the usual things grumpy old grandparents do.

OK guys we will revisit you later in life and put you back on the journal so everyone can keep track of your progress in growing up and see how much smarter you are getting. Tell Mom and Dad to keep making these pictures so Mawmaw and Poppa can post them on here..
Somewhere in Time

It Is That Time Of Year Again

Yes I am back...just sitting here looking out my window. Got my coffee...walked my mile and I am ready to get this day started. It is a grand day today. The sun is out and there is no wind the temps are just right the birds are singing and I am at peace with the earth. I have my Native American music playing in the CD player and I am ready to get this post underway.
OK now that I have set the scene here....Yesterday I told you that everyone was leaving the park. As I sat here yesterday posting one after another big rigs were pulling out to parts unknown. That is when I got to thinking about when we pull out and where we will be heading. I know that we will not have our place ready for occupation at that time so I am sure that we will have to head to East Texas and get the home base completed so we will have a nest to return to when the travels are over.
I mentioned yesterday that we have many items to get done before we can really say that the camp is ready for us. We first of all have to locate a place for our culvert. It has to be in a position that will allow easy access and exit to the property. Remember now all we have is 1/4 of an acre so we have to place everything just right so it will work. I am leaving the positioning of the barn and RV up to Sherri...I on the other hand will see where the culvert has to go in reference to her positioning. We will need to get a driveway of sorts and have it too, where we can get on and off of it without any problem. I know Sherri will want to do some landscaping also and that will have to be thought out before too much work is done.
Well you can see we have so much to do and so little time to do it in. This is why I believe that our first month will be taken up at the lake getting those things done. Sherri has mentioned that she may continue to work until we are ready to hit the road. That is her call and if she should decide to do that I will just work out there while she is gone. I will have plenty to keep me busy.
Now I know some may say....I thought you were leaving June first??? Your right we did but we did not foresee moving our home base this late in the game. It will not be that much of a set back....after all look how many years I waited to get this far! It will be nice to get a place that we can call our own...that we don't have to worry about the kids relocating while we are in Montana. That has been on our minds for some time....what would we do if they decided to sell their place and head out? We would have to do something then...why not go ahead and get free from that worry now. So this will be the place... however humble...it will be our RV's home


OK nuff on that topic. We have been having discussions on where and what we will do this coming winter. I know better than to make plans of any sort and that is why we are striving to make up things as we go. I have read so many Journals for the last three years and everyone says don't make plans for travel let them happen. We will have plenty of time to figure out where we wont to go when the time comes. Other opportunities will present themselves and if you have set plans you will have to change all that and start over so just wait until the time comes and do what you feel is right.
OK so that is our plan. NO PLAN...HE HE :) I am learning about this stuff slowly but surely. Besides that I can't get Sherri our of Yoville long enough to make a plan....LOL. She is too busy shopping for furniture for her apartment there. John...http://johnbrendasincredibleadventure.blogspot.com/ told me that was a good thing. If Sherri and Brenda were shopping in Yoville we were really getting off cheap....you have a point there John. Keep on shopping Sherri we will make a plan later...LOL


Until the time that I leave I have to be thankful for one thing and that is all my yard maintenance is done by the park here. I do not have to mow the lawn or clean up around the RV. Just sit here and look out the window and watch the guys blow off all the leaves and trash. They even clean under the RV and keep all the mess picked up. A guy can't ask for much more than that.
I really would like to be looking out my window at a mountain range with a stream just outside my door and miles of hiking trails. This will happen soon and then I wont bore you with all the prep work that I cover every day here. I might not be as prompt on posting as I am now...after all I will be busy hiking and taking pictures by the dozen...HE HE. No I really think that I will post as often cause I like to. This journal has become a big part of my life. It is the only way I have to
keep track of my life day to day. Maybe someday someone will be interested enough to see what ol Speedy was up to. This could be a best seller some day...NOT

I have rambled long enough...so I will just close out here and lean back...enjoy my Native American music...finish my coffee...get ready for work and head on down the road. I will catch back up with you....
Somewhere in Time

Boondocking Fever

What a night of chatting we had. Dee and I started off early with no one in the room but her and I and then it was like the bottom dropped out and we had tons of folks chatting. Great chat...we went from Yoville to actually chatting about RVing. I know there had to be some surprised people that came on....We were talking about where we were and where we were going!!!

As I sit here posting and looking out the windows in my Arizona room...people are leaving out. Yes they are going places...and I am just sitting here watching them go. I always wonder where they are headed...South .....North...East....West. It is so cool to think that not too long from now I too will be leaving out to go somewhere.

Sherri and I have still not figured out where we are headed when we get ready to go. We still have to ready our camp so we will have a place to return to when we do leave and come back. It will take us the rest of this month to do that so we are not looking too much past that plan yet.

We have a culvert to put in...driveway...electric to get hooked up...fence to build ....deck....yes there are many items on the list that have to be completed before we head out to parts unknown.

Well to the topic of this Journal today....Boondocking. I know many of you get the shakes and start to sweat when anyone mentions that word. You have to understand I cannot stay in these $30.00 a night campgrounds all the time and I will have to cool my wheels in a free campsite or a fairly cheap one every once in a while so that when I do have to stay in a full hook up site that is costly I can. I just want to be prepared for such a stay so I wont be without the necessities of life...namely electricity. Sherri and have practiced this here at the RV Park we are stationed at during the punishment phase of my life. We see how long the black tank will last before dumping it. We go on the fresh water tank as long as we can and see how long the grey water will last before dumping. All this to get an idea of how long we can dry camp at any one time. It is important to know in case for some reason you should have to do this.

We use to stay in the parking lots of casinos for days. Once we stayed in Bay St. Louis Miss. for a week without dumping and used our fresh water. We had room to spare when we did leave. We paid a campground near by to dump our tanks and then we were off again. This was a cheap place to stay to say the least and we had fun doing it. We only ran the generator for a short time just to cook in the microwave oven and to make coffee.

Anyway to get back to Boondocking we want to try it out and get the feeling of being off the grid for a while. I want to go to Quartzsite for a couple of weeks and try it out. I really want to experience the wide open feeling you get not being crammed into a small RV site with no room to move around in. I want to walk out my door and have the whole desert scene to hike in without worrying about getting hit by another camper going to work. I have seen the pictures Doug and Joan http://www.mytripjournal.com/ourdream&i=1 have posted on their journal and it is so beautiful. I can't wait to see some of the sunsets out in the deserts...unlike the ones here where you see it over the freeway.

Well we are planning to head out to Arizona sometime in the winter of 2010 For right now we are staying this January in Rockport at the Last Resort with John and Brenda and then we might head out to Q in February...this is all in jello as we all know but this is just my plan for now.

Some have mentioned also that the cost of the Last Resort is higher than other CG's around Rockport. Does anyone have any ideas on the cost of others and if they are as nice. You know I like the most bang for the buck so I am not apposed to changing my reservations to put money in my pocket. I will be looking around to see what is out there and if anyone has a better plan let me know so I can make a change if I have to. The idea is to be with all of you and Sherri and I don't care where that is as long as we can afford it.

OK nuff said there. If anyone else has the urge to head out to Q in February or if you will be there in February let us know. We are really interested in trying that out.....

Somewhere in Time

Easter 2009

Well our Easter was not spent on the road as many of yours was. We follow all of you around the country and see all the places you are on this 2009 Easter and we wish you all the best ever. Our Easter was spent at my oldest daughters house with the grand kids having a wonderful time. We went over about 12 noon to eat and visit with all and see the grand kids Easter presents and the eggs that they had colored the night before. What a great time they had coloring eggs and did a good job too. It does not seem that long ago that we colored eggs for our children...my how time flies the older you get.

OK enough about the past....We had a great meal of BBQ chicken and beans with a great salad that Sherri whipped up. Sherri is the worlds greatest cook as far as I am concerned....maybe too good if you have seen me I am living proof of too much good food over time. We did have a great time and a great visit with the kids. Ellie had her boyfriend there and he seemed to enjoy the days festivities. Ellie is the second grand child in order of birth...she is 18 years old now and that must make me somewhere in the forties....HE HE ...No word of a lie eh.

We left about 3:30 and headed to Sherri's brothers house so she could catch a ride with him to Longview Texas for the work week. She was not at all happy about leaving but I can understand I have to return to work also. This will soon pass.

While at Randy's house Sherri received a call from our youngest son, Brice, wishing us a Happy Easter...thanks son for being so kind to call your Mom and I...it means a lot to us when our kids call and just say Hi. Someday you all will enjoy hearing from your children and will know the feeling that we have.

After talking with Brice Sherri handed me the phone so I could say HI to him and send kisses to my other two grandsons and when finished I stuck the phone in my pocket...not thinking that this was Sherri's phone....that's right I did not think about it until I left and got down the road about 5 miles...Had to call Randy and tell him what I did and turn around and meet them at the QT where they were getting gas. Oh well I do things like that all the time...Sherri usually catches me but not this time. All was exchanged and taken care of. Sherri and Randy were off on their trip East and I headed West to Carrollton.

I got home about 5:30 and fixed me something to eat. Sherri called me about 8:00 when she arrived and checked into her motel room. She was not too happy with her accommodations but said she could put up with it for a few days. I know she does not like being in motel rooms while on the road...she likes being at home. Anyway we talked for while and then she had to head out to eat and I had to jump on chat. She did not join us last night but maybe tonight she might.

That brings us to the end of our Easter here in 2009. Hope everyone out there had a great Easter and I want all of you to stay safe....

Somewhere in Time

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL MY FRIENDS

Well today is Easter Day and the Bunny did not come to see Sherri and I. We are just distraught! I guess we will get past it but I was looking forward to some chocolate eggs! I guess we have been bad this year so we have to wait until next year.

Well I went and did it ....I am a Yoville citizen now. I earned 955 credits my first time on. I feel so wealthy! I went to every ones apartment and left a message to earn coins. I told everyone as soon as I get my pad decorated I was going to have a party and invite everyone there to celebrate. I have a ways to go to get enough money to buy anything. Yoville must be in California...the prices there are out of site.

I will have to wait for everyone to wake up this morning before I know that they see me in town. Am I really talking about this place like it exist??? What has happened to me? I think I have crossed over to the other side now. When a grown man starts believing that he is in another town and these people are really there....it is time to question ones self.

OK being that this is Easter I have to get ready to go to the kids house for the Easter Bunny now I am talking about the Easter Bunny....OH my I think I am losing it. Better go and take a hot shower and get my mind back...See ya in Yoville...

Somewhere in Time

Not Enough Information

Yesterday started out much the same as the day before and the day before that...well you get the idea. I guess it wont be much different when I retire...the days will start out much the same only difference will be I will be in different places. That all being said I have my coffee and I am setting here posting enjoying the free time I have before the long walk to the truck...which will carry me to that place I don't like anymore. Wow that was a mouth full...HE HE.

Well it seems that I did not convey enough information about me trying to find some land to park on. You know we had planned to park on my daughters property but after some deep thought and having been out there several times with the RV Sherri and I could see that we could not afford to stay there for any period of time. Much the same as parking at Wally World...this could prove to be much too expensive on my fixed income. For some unknown reason grand children think that Mawma and Poppa are extremely rich? When staying there they let us know that they need all this stuff that Mom and Dad wont buy for them because they are mean and unreasonable. So....we head down to the store and get them what they want...are you starting to get the picture here? Now if I was still working and had the money to do this I would without a second thought...but that is not the case.

OK now that I have set the stage for you...Sherri and I pondered this situation for some time and decided that distance was the best solution to this foreseen problem. So distance is what we were after. We have been looking for some property to park our home on that will not be so costly. I don't know if any of you have tried to find such a place but it is hard to find anything under 5 acres anywhere. An acre of land in North Texas is averaging about $4,500 dollars a pop. That would put us in the range of $22,500 for a parking spot. Well this is more than I wanted to spend seeing as how I will have to add a water tap and electric boosting that up around $27,000!! Well that is out of the question for this po boy and so we decided to look for lake lots instead.

Now Lake lots run you about the same per acre as farm land, however, you don't have to buy an acre you can cut that down in quarters...making it around $1125 a lot. Now that I can work with...even with the addition of water tap and electric and driveway. So this was the objective to find such a place that we could refuel the budget and enjoy the area at the same time. We looked high and low on line and out at the lake to see what was out there....scary does not describe the horror we found out there. I did not know people lived in these conditions. Sherri was so frightened that she begged me to drive fast out of there and she closed her eyes so she could not see the surroundings! Yes she was more frightened of this than a mountain pass! I could not drive fast enough to get out of the subdivisions from Hell!

Every place we looked that was decent was over priced to the point of absurdity! We were about at our wits end when Sherri's brother Rodney called and said that there was some land available next to him...one lot...and low and behold Sherri's other brother owned it. Yes...all this time looking and right under our noses was one lot that we could buy that filled the bill. They wanted $1500.00 for the one lot...on a paved road...actually located between two pieces of property that Sherri and I once owned! Not a bad location at all and this would be just right for us to park at for periods of time during the year.

Now 1/4 acre is not a lot of land but all we need for our barn...driveway...RV pad and room to stretch our legs. The taxes on this much land would only be about $30.00 a year and we could split the water with Rodney and have our power pole moved from Jennifer's to here for not that much. Life is good and when all is said and done we will have all we need.

OK I hope this clears it up on what we are doing. No I am not going to be a big land owner but I will have a plot of land to squat on when I need to refuel for the next trip.

Speaking of the next trip...Sherri and I are not planning on setting at this location any longer than we have to. We want to stay on the road most of the time but when things get slim we will head back here to regroup....HE HE. Our intentions are to camp cheap and stretch the $'s out as much as possible. This will allow us to be away and not paying money out for a home base that we only use a few times a year.

That is about it for today my dear friends and family. I have about 49 days till lift off and I have so much to get done. I know that we will get it all done but time is slipping away so I best get to cracking....

Somewhere in Time

Where Did Everyone Go

Last night Sherri and I fixed us some good ol New York Strips and they were gooood! We had been putting off cooking outside because the weather has been so so here of late and we didn't want to set outside with 50 mph winds trying to cook. The weather cooperated real well with me while I cooked and we sat down to eat about 7:30....which is a little too late for us but we ate anyway.

After eating I decided to jump on line and chat with all my good friends. It was about 8:00 when I got on line and low and behold there was no one on line??? What is the deal here I asked. Sherri was on Yoville and I asked her if everyone was on there. She told me that Brenda was on there but no one else that she could tell. Well after about 30 minutes of surfing around the net I just decided to sign in and then check back now and again to see if anyone was on. About the second time I slipped over to chat everyone was on there chatting away....HE HE ...come to find out Dee was at the Hockey game and if she is not on then no one is on. Well Dee that makes you the queen of the chat room. I will know from now on if Dee is gone the room will be empty.

Sherri is sending all the information to the title company today to get the paperwork going on the transfer of deed. We will soon be land owners again and masters of our own destiny. I think Sherri will be more at ease knowing that no one will be moving and causing her to leave. She can stay as long as she wants to....that is more than I can say for me....LOL.

Not just a whole lot going on in our lives right now. Sherri and I are going back to Wii and lose some weight. I have been remiss in using it because of the shift change. But next week I go back on the middle shift and should be able to Wii all the time.

I am at work and need to sign off here so I can go get some projects started. I will be back in touch ....

Somewhere in Time

Missing in Action

Yes you are correct I have been missing the last few days...not only from posting but from chatting. I have been busy at work and after work I have had so many projects to get done! Time is growing shorter and shorter here and I just have to get this all done.
Sherri and I took off to East Texas yesterday in search of a plot of land to set the RV on when we are on RR from traveling. Actually this will be the place where we refuel our budget and spend less on diesel and rents. Sherri looked up several possible properties to look at and we put them in the GPS and then yesterday after work we headed out to explore all the possibilities.
We have live out at Lake Towakoni for 30 some odd years and we liked this area so we decided to take a look out there. Well I cannot begin to tell you what we found. After living out there for all these years I never could have imagined that there was areas as B A D as some of the areas we looked at. Now I wont mention any names but believe me these places that we looked at brought back memories of West Virgina coal mining areas. These folks live....well I can't even begin to describe the conditions some of these areas were in. I lived a very sheltered life in that area of the country and never knew it.
We will be rethinking the area we will look in next. I know that many of you are saying...you had a place out there at your daughters land...and you are correct....however with her out of school and now that she and her family may be thinking about relocating Sherri and I better be ahead of that plan if it should come about. This way we would have a place that we could call our own and not have to worry about it being sold tomorrow. Plus the fact that staying next door to the grand kids can defeat the reason we are there to save back money....I think you know where I am going with that.
We will be working on alternative plans today and will surely keep you all abreast of what we find out. Until that time I have to get ready for the punishment phase of my life. I have to finish my coffee and get dressed so that I can head out....
Somewhere in Time

She Made It

I woke up and stumbled around the bedroom trying to find my clothes and headed down to the kitchen to start the coffee. Back upstairs to take my shower shave and get ready for my punishment. Yes work...for those of you that have been away for a while I am still working...now 6 days a week if 4 was not enough...nor 5....they have us working 6 days. I guess 7 will be next and if the government has anything to say about it they would add yet another day so we could

make more money to give them. No No I am not going there this morning.

I have better things to talk about today. Jennifer graduated last night from the Police academy. She was one of 40 some odd cadets that started and one of 15 that graduated. We are very proud to say the least. Her first duty as a police officer was to tell me that I could not park where I pulled up to pick up the family. Oh well I knew I would be the first one to get in trouble.

We are proud of you Jennifer and we pray you will stay safe. What you will be doing is a good thing. Mom and Dad just want you to be careful and come home safe every night...that's what Moms and Dads do

This Jennifer's oldest daughter and she is proud of Mom too.

Well that is it for another busy day in the life of us "Almost Retired" people

Somewhere in Time

House Guest

Well I goter done with the installations and everything is up and running for now. Many have said that what I wrote was funny and I appreciate all the comments but you have to keep in mind it is all true. These things are what make up my life. I guess if it was not for all my problems of getting things done I would be a very boring person. What most people do with very little problem I have a hard time getting done.

I have a house guest this morning and he takes up a lot of my time so I will not be posting much this morning. I hear him now so I must go but I will see ya later....

Somewhere in Time

Cradlepoint Is Now Cradled And Pointing

Yesterday was interesting to say the least. Sherri took me to work and headed out to Wills Point to look at some land out there to park our barn on and RV. We need a place that is ours and is not in the kids back yard. I found out that that is not a good idea. Well I love my kids and want them to love me...but seems like it might be too much on my budget to be so close. Without going into all the details of this...I think you get the idea.

OK so she dropped me off at the office and she headed out to do her thing. We had to get another P. O. B. set up for the mail and do some banking there also....so she had her day planned out pretty well. I on the other hand have this J O B to take care of and being on days means that I have so much more to tend to and watch that I have been cramped on time. I don't get to surf the web like I want to...but then I will have to live with that for a while. Time does go faster at work now that I do have so much going on...maybe this is a good thing.

Sherri got all her stuff done and then called me on her way back to let me know she was back in town and just minutes away from the office. This gave me time to clean my desk off and shut down the computer so I could get ready to meet her out front.

We left from the office and went straight to our favorite Mexican food restaurant to get something to eat. She was tired and so was I and who wants to go home and fix a meal when your tired. We had a great meal and then headed home to relax for the rest of the evening...I use that term loosely for I had to get the Cradlepoint set up so she and I could chat. Beads of sweat starting coming out all over just thinking about setting up the Cradlepoint. Wanting to appear strong at this point I just mentioned to Sherri that it seemed hot in the RV...don't you think so dear?? This would cover up for the sweat pouring off of me worrying about having to read the old instruction book and look like a non-geek. You know us guys like to look like we know what we are doing at all times to impress the ones we love. Like when you're driving you never want to stop and ask for directions because it makes you look weak.

I came up with an idea this time while sweating and shaking with the unopened Cradlepoint box in my hand. Why not start backwards and work forward....Yes that would be different and then I could run into the problems before I get to that step....

So I jumped right in and called the India guy first. I let him go through his spiel of how to fix the problem....which by the way I made up just to hear him mumble...I told him that I could not get it to load up and he said that I needed to luke at the droop dun windew and tell him what I sue. K good buddy...I went through the whole procedure with him....not understanding a word he was saying but just going along and looking at the windows that popped up. Thanks my dear Indian friend you have really got me to thinking now I can go and do it forward this time and see how it does...

Well the proof is in the pudding...last night Sherri and I both were chatting on the Cradlepoint and all is well! I have it now....get all the confusing stuff out of the way before you start so when you do start it is not so confusing. I think I will set up a class on how to install software on computers. That could be a job I do while traveling...just set up my computer to help people get their software...hardware loaded and installed and do it for a small fee. I will need to pick up the Indian accent, however and get that down so they will not be able to understand what I am saying. Actually it will be a money making deal without really knowing what I am talking about. What is the difference....you call the guy from India...he tells you what to do...you don't know what he is saying and you pay him....so why not me...I don't know what I am talking about but it wont matter no one will be able to understand what I am saying anyway!

Have you got this all down. Now I don't want anyone taking my idea and running with it so please this is between you and I and the India guy who probably already had the idea. Actually this could work for all kinds of instructions...you know the swing set you buy for the kids that gives you a list of the tools that you will need...the list is actually pictures of tools that a Kindergarten child drew. The swing set is also drawn by the same child and the India guy types up the instructions to go along with it. I am setting on a gold mine here...keep an eye on the stock market folks there is going to be a jump when I go public.....

Somewhere in Time

Hello Chatters

Well yesterday was a work day of course and I could not wait to go home. Sherri and I were going to head to the Verizon Store to see about an Air Card. I have been talking about this for some time now and finally made my mind up to get the Verizon AC. Everyone has said that they have one and how good it is. So Sherri and I headed out as soon as I got home to see about what this was going to cost and what they had to offer.

I had been reading about a new AC that just came out that had an antenna attachment and a port for a memory card. It was $75.00 with a $50.00 rebate...not bad I guess??? Well when I got to the store and started shopping around I talked the salesman into giving me a much better deal...like a $75.00 rebate and I would buy it right then and there. When I left I had an AC and no idea what to do with it. You know the old story...installing it....its as easy and falling off a log.

Well after getting home and reading the instructions it all became as clear as mud. I must have been glued to that log cause I never fell off of it? What is the deal...you follow each and every step down the line and then it says the program should load up by itself when you press "next"....NOT. Here is and example of the instructions with this device...

Place the CD in the computer and it will step you through the application. When the DFRT comes up on the GHJT you will see the RTWZ start to Jibulate on the Augustome Torque Butalator. Put the pass code in that you will find in the Battery case enclosure under MIDO unit stabilizer. Put your left index finger in your right ear and twirl around and make monkey sounds while you grab your butt with the other hand. This will upload all the needed software to your Download Gitzerbaldin and then just click on the ICON that is now on your Desktop. If you don't see the ICON on your desktop call this number #$^&*^#%^& and speak to the guy with the Indian accent that you will never be able to understand and get him to walk you through the process once again which is sure to end in total failure. Somewhere along this line of instruction you will fall off that log crying for help from anyone who will listen.

OK now that you have that picture embedded in your mind you can see where I was last night as I worked feverishly to get this loaded up. Yes a call to Dortha was made and she sympathized with me but went to Wally World anyway...Bob and John said it is as easy as falling off a log....there they go with that log bit...I guess they have never seen me sit a log before. As things would have it... through the tears and anguished looks I guess I must have made the computer feel sorry for me and it loaded the software by itself without my help. I am not sure if I am operating this system legally or not but it is up and running. Tonight I get to set up the Cradlepoint....now that should be another journal entry ....

Somewhere in Time.

A Day At Camping World

This morning we were up at 4:30 to get ready for the trip to Camping World. We had to roll up the carpet...literally and hook up the wagon. After coffee showers and Sherri getting her make-up on we were off. The traffic was not too bad that early so the trip was uneventful. We made it about thirty minutes early and had to kick back in the truck until they opened.

While setting in the truck Sherri and I got to talking about what we were going to do while we are waiting for our home to get completed. How about spending the day at the casino? Now that was a good idea...so good we were off as soon as the RV was unhitched and the keys left with our tech.

We arrived at the Windstar about 9:00....on the way in Sherri stopped to read the specials that were offered Wednesday at the casino. What a deal...they were offering free breakfast for seniors. It was good from 7:00 till 9:30 and we had to hurry to get in line before they closed down. Wow...free breakfast and the day at the casino....GEE this is great. We had a great breakfast and I mean they had everything you could hope for.

We ate our breakfast and then we were off to the machines. We did real well...Sherri held her own all day...which lasted until 4:00 and I spent about $6.00 so we had a real enjoyable day. On top of the fun at the casino we stopped on the way to pick up that cheap Oklahoma diesel. We paid $1.98 which is about $.30 less than the stations around us.

So we had a great day and got our house back about 6:00. Loaded it up and headed back to Carrollton. The traffic was a little heavy that time of day but we made it without any incidents. We got set up and back online about 7:30....in time for Idol and some snackes.

Well that about winds it up here....

Somewhere in Time