Not much going on

Got up a little late this morning. For some reason I just could not wake up. When I did roll over to look at the clock it was 6:30. WOW I need to get up and get with it. Sherri was already up and drinking her coffee. The sun was not far from rising and here I was still rolled up in the covers like a burrito. 
My whole day will be off because I slept in. I will have to catch up now to get back in sync with the time.
We went out Sunday to look at some land around Lake Palestine. They have lots for sale that are not restricted to homes and you can put an RV on them. We picked out several lots that looked real nice but not sure that is where we would like to have a home base.
The lot we have out at the lake now is not a RV community. We would like to have other RVs in the same vicinity.
We have time to decide what we wont to do so we are just going to take our time in making a plan...

Somewhere in Time 

Kris has a Birthday

Today is Kris's Birthday! He is 9 years old. WOW...nine years has gone by so fast! This will be his last year of single digit numbers in his age. 
We are having his party Saturday. He is having his cousins and some of his school friends over for a party.
Sherri and I have planned some games with prizes and we have a cake with Power Ranger theme. 
Sure wish we were celebrating this Birthday in Arizona this year but maybe next year...

Somewhere in Time 

Close to finishing

The project at the lake is coming to a end. We don't lack much but sometimes finishing up takes more time.
Sherri will do some staining today and I will complete some wiring for the lights in the laundry room. One more plug needs to be installed in one of the walls and then the major part of the job will be done.
This will be the end of our long history of building together. 
Sherri has always been the designer and I the contractor. Let me see we have built 6 houses just in the subdivision we have our RV parked now. This mini build will be the last for this building duo. We are hanging up our T square and hammer so we can travel.
Sherri takes her visions from her minds eye to paper. Then the two of us build from foundation up to complete the job. Yes we have done foundations, framing, electric, plumbing, sheet rock, tape and bed...texture and paint. We would contract out our roofing but all the other work was done by the two of us. 
We did have friends come over to help raise walls and frame. Mark Hall being one of the volunteers to come by and help out. Mark is a retired Ft. Worth fireman. Now he is working with the Escapees RV group. Thanks Mark for all you have done.
OK so now we are about to have us a nice place at the lake to kick back when we come in off the road. We will be able to chill out here and not spend money on diesel and rent, thereby put that money away for the next trip...

Somewhere in Time 

Day Light Savings Time

I don't like "Day light saving time". It has never saved me any time and I don't see where it ever will. 
They say that the Germans came up with this. Why I am not sure anyone knows. Now jet propulsion I think we all know was their greatest achievement so maybe thinking they were so smart we went along with this idea of saving time?
I do believe it will be abolished when we all get our guts full of it and vote it out.
For me I save time going to Lowe's and Walmart. The two stores I can find everything I need in life. Sherri and I spent some time there yesterday rounding up all the items we need to finish our project at the lake. Our little casita has a TV room a laundry room/sewing room and studio for my painting. This will be where we spend some of our time chilling and saving money for the road trips.
We pay no rent here and the electric and water are cheap. The money we don't spend on diesel and rent goes back into the bank for times when we are on the road. 
The accommodations will be much nicer and the RV is housed in a barn so I can do all kinds of maintenance come rain or shine. 
On the door side of the RV we have a patio and screened in porch so we can cook out and eat outdoors. It will be just like staying in a park with out the view. 
When we want to spend some time out of the RV we have the Casita to retreat to and relax in with the feel of a house. What more could you ask for.
I will send pictures out as soon as I get things fixed up. I spend so much time working on it I don't have time to take pictures. 
With all this time I am saving I should be able to finish this...

Somewhere in Time 

Almost done

Hello darkness. 

I was looking at the clock on the bedside table. It was 4:30 and I was wide awake. The coffee pot was calling my name. I slid out of bed and made my way down the hall to the kitchen. Started the coffee and then returned to the bathroom to start my shower.
It sure feels good to take a hot shower in the morning. Waking up those sleepy brain cells took a little while but soon I was operating at full speed. At full speed I could see that it was foggy outside. I could tell that it was about to rain and we were off to a usual rainy cold day. 
Sherri and I have to return to the lake to do some more work on our little house out there. We are just about through with the front room and the laundry room. My studio in the back has some work to be done which I will tackle as soon as all the other rooms are done.
Nothing on the house so far. We still have our fingers crossed...hoping something will happen...

Somewhere in Time

Another morning shows up

The brain alarm went off at 4:30...then the bedside table alarm went off at 5:00. OK OK I am getting up. I make it sound like I'd rather lay in bed but that is not true. For the most part of my life I have been an early riser. Even on the weekends when I did not need to get up early I was up and ready to meet the day head on.
This morning was no different. I have to get the trash out and get everything loaded into the truck that we need to take with us to the lake. We have a days work out there which means we will be eating lunch so food has to be thrown into the equation. 
Today we put in the flooring. Sherri finished the painting yesterday and I am still putting STUFF away. I need to go through my STUFF and get rid of some...but I just keep putting it up with the plan of going through it later. Well you can see how that has worked out for me over the last 40 years!
No word on the house. We have had several folks come by to see it but no offers as of yet. I am really getting antsy about this. I want so much to go some place other than the lake! OH please someone come and fall in love with this house and take it away from me!!!
Patients has never been my long suit when it comes to traveling. Back when we would vacation I counted the days until we pulled out of the drive and went out on the highway. Now I find myself doing the same thing. All good things will come...

Somewhere in Time 

The house keeps showing

We were up this morning way before the sun peeped over the tree line. This time change we have to go through twice a year always messes my brain up. Then it does not take a lot to mess up my brain. My internal clock stays the same no matter what the clock on the wall says. 
To let you know Sherri washed our phone and we have to get a new one. I left it in my pocket and she does not check pockets so the phone took the deep 6. There was no reviving it so we have to take some time out of this day to check out a new one.
Sherri wanted to go back to the Smart Phone. We had down graded to a Dumb Phone to try and save some money. Well when we got the Dumb Phone guess who got the phone. That's right I was assigned the Dumb Phone to carry around and be responsible for it. I never was responsible for the Smart Phone...DUH!
Now I understand why I was not responsible for the Smart Phone.
While getting ready to head to the AT&T store the House Phone rang...not sure if it is Dumb or Smart??? It was our Realtor letting me know that a couple wanted to come back and look at the house for the third time!!! Crossing my fingers and toes! 
We got the phone and now Sherri is in charge of it. I sure am glad that I don't have to carry that thing around with me. No one calls me anyway and texting...well that is something I don't do at all. If you can't call and talk to me then don't bother. We had teletype for years and when the phone came out and you could talk to the person on the other end of the line we were ecstatic! Now everyone wants to type everything in? Go figure!
While I was out I picked up a Hot Spot to take on our travels with us. This will keep my computer on line so I can continue to keep in touch with everyone. 
We are all ready to go...now if we could just sell this house and move on out...

Somewhere in Time 

Planning all the time

We spent the night at the lake after working all day on the new project. Everything seems to be coming together and looks good. We still have a bit to do on the inside and out.
When we sit down to have a break the subject centers around where we are going to head out to. Will it be the warm time of the year or will it be the cool time? That all will determine which way we head and how far we will go. So we make several plans for all kinds of times we might leave. By the time this all comes about we will have a plan down pat...Then it will change as all plans do. Oh well that is part of the fun.
Kris is so ready to leave out. He is looking forward to the ultimate field trip. He has laid out a plan for some of the places he wants to go and see. Washington DC...New York City...Philadelphia...Mount Rushmore...to name just a few. We have history lessons planned out for each of these stops so he will be learning a lot about our nation.
Kris can read a map better than Sherri and I. We depend so much on the GPS we don't look at maps. He can tell us what road we need to take up the highway and which way to go...South or North! He just sits in the back seat with the map in his lap and plans our route out as we go.
We are learning all the States and their capitals. Next will be the state birds and flowers. Now that he has been to so many of them he can see for himself what each state has to offer in the way of recreation. Oh yes and he is learning his multiplication tables and is now moving into division. That is so he can be an astronaut...

Somewhere in Time 

Working at the lake

Sherri and I left for the lake yesterday with plans of getting some work done. We have added a laundry room and a studio for me. We framed it all up before we left for Galveston. Now The tape and bed will be next. We have about one more week and we should be completed.
They showed the house today and we have another showing tomorrow. Have my fingers crossed maybe we can sell the house and get out of here.
OH well it will all come together...

Somewhere in Time 

Weather was great

Sherri and I had our coffee early this morning. We enjoy that time of the day when we can turn on our computers and sip coffee and read about what is going on with our RVing friends. 
We got a phone call from our granddaughter saying she wanted to come by and visit. Come on... was the reply. She brought the kids with her. We had a real good time. Love those little ones. 
The man showed up to buy the shop tools from me. I helped him load the last of my shop tools in his PU and he was on his way. Kinda sad to see them go but then I have no use for them anymore. 
I have my hand tools to do what I need to do and then I always have my canvas and paints. There is plenty to keep me busy...

Somewhere in Time

First day back

Up this morning at 5:00 made coffee and sat down at the computer to see what was going on in the world. Everyone appears to be safe and sound out there. I am safe and sound too but not very happy. I don't want to be here. I really want to be out on the road seeing new sights and meeting new folks. 
I have my Radial Arm Saw and my Wood Turning Lathe on Craig's list. I've had calls all week while I was on the road and had to tell them to call back Wednesday. Now I have to wait here until they show up. I will  be glad to get rid of these last two large tools I have. I don't want to move them to the lake.
I will still have my hand tools so I can do some building. That will keep me busy when I am not painting pictures.
As soon as all my appointments show up I will have to pack up and get back to the lake to clean up. We left the RV last night and ran the slides out but did not clean up. I will have plenty to do the rest of this week.
We have some people coming to look at the house Friday. We will be at the lake so we have to get this place cleaned up before we take off.
I sue hope they love the house and buy it...

Somewhere in Time 

We made it home

Sherri shot this picture on the way by old Sam

We were up a 5:00 Tuesday morning. I made the coffee and sat down to enjoy my last few hours in Galveston. Sherri Kris and I love it down there and will continue to come back every chance we get.
The weather was a little disappointing with the rain and all. I had hoped for clear skies but that was not in the cards. Just about time for us to leave the rain did stop and it had warmed up considerably. There was no wind to speak of...and you RVers out there know that wind is not good when traveling. 
Overall we had a great time and regret having to go back. We just hope and pray that the house sells before the summer and we can head out...

Somewhere in Time 

Making the best of the weather

Woke up this morning and once again the rain is patting at the roof. Hard sometimes and sometimes softly. Just can't get over the fact that both times we have headed to the coast to see my Sister and BIL there has been something to keep us off the beach.
Oh well we are making the best of it. Today we are going to the Texas Air Museum. I will have some pictures to post later. I can't load pictures to this computer...or should I say I don't know how. I will figure it all out sooner of later. I am just getting the GPS where I can program it. One thing at the time I always say.
Today is the day we head out for our lake property up north. I sure hope the cold weather is about over. I don't mind staying out at the barn there but I like to be able to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Better get some breakfast and get ready to pack up. I'll sum up our trip as soon as I get back to the house and I can set down at the office computer and load all my pictures up. Until then we will be on the road...

Somewhere in Time 

Repair Day

This morning I was up at 5:00. I could hear the rain tapping on the roof. The weather man was correct on the forecast of rain all day. There would be no beach combing today.
I had told Jim that I would come over to his house and repair his threshold on the front door. Over time it had rotted away and the door no longer seals. 
We will be heading to Lowe's to get a new threshold and hopefully we will get a break in the rain to install it.
Once that is done Sherri Kris and I will be headed to the Plane Museum to see the vintage aircraft they have on display there. Kris is really into flying and wants to be an Astronaut one day...You go fellow!!! Who knows I could be around to talk to him when he gets to Mars...

Somewhere in Time 

I did not spring forward

When I was working for a living I always sprang forward and fell back. I had to so I would not be early or late. Now that I don't have to get up...nor do I have to know what day it is...I don't. And by the way I don't care! 
I hope to live a long time.
 That being said I don't worry about a lot of things I use to. I guess I do worry about my health but then I take care to get enough exercise to stay in good shape. That is the only thing I WORRY about. As long as I do all I can to stay in shape I let the Lord take care of my health and long life. 
I run into so many people that worry about everything. They worry if they are going to have enough money for retirement. They worry about what is around the next bend. Why if you really wont to worry about things there are a million things you can spend the best part of your life worrying about and miss all the great things that are all around you. I guess that is why I love to sketch and paint pictures. I don't miss a thing around me. Everything I look at is a picture waiting to be sketched out and painted! 
Today being that I did not spring forward will be just like any other day in my life. Everyday is Saturday to me. Someone will ask me what day is this and I really have no idea until it is trash day...see I have to worry about getting the trash to the street. I will eliminate that worry as soon as I get rid of the house. Then I will take the trash to the can out side in the park when ever it gets full...no matter what day it is.
Bills...well they come out of our account automatically so don't have to worry about those dates. Money in the account...don't have to worry about that Obamy puts my money in the account...what a guy. So life goes on. I did not spring forward today but my clock did. It is automatic thanks to science. What more can a guy ask for? 
Wait I just thought of something to worry about. Does the RV park have good Internet? Now that is something to worry about. I have to have my computer so I can see what every one is doing every day. I can keep up with my kids and the grand kids. Well this conversation can go on forever. I will cut it short here.
If it decides not to rain today I am going to take a long walk down the beach to see what I can find. I might even take my sketch pad with me and find an interesting subject to sketch out and paint later. Who knows what treasure I might find along the way...

Somewhere in Time 

Places to go

The morning coffee was a welcome sight. I was up...as usual around 4:00. I noticed that the water had not frozen when I went and turned on the faucet. They had said that we would have a chance of a frost but I guess it did not happen.
It was, however, mighty cold with the wind blowing at a steady pace. The cold would cut right through you if you did not find shelter. 
I had several chores outdoors that I wanted to get done so I was really hoping that the sun would warm us up before I had to get out.
We had decided to go and check out some other RV parks in the area. I spent time this morning putting their location in the GPS. In doing so I learned a lot more about programming things in and categorizing them so you can find them later.
We finished our coffee and had our breakfast got dressed and loaded up the truck. I turned on the GPS and punched in the first RV park and we were off. We made it to all the assigned locations and found one out of four that met our standards for monthly stays. Our standards get higher the longer we plan on staying in any location.
One of the parks we stopped in had speed bumps every 50 feet or so! What is the deal with that? I told Sherri I could not stay in a place that you had to climb over speed bumps just to get 500 feet down the road to your spot. I guess they have trouble with people speeding through the park. Well it wont be us.
The park we liked was located at Ron Howard's RV Sales. They have a park behind the dealership that is really nice. They also will service your RV at your sight if you should need it. The sights are well manicured and very spacious. If we need to come back and stay for a month I believe this will be the place to be.
We had planned on going up to Holiday World on I-45 but we saw that it was much further than we wanted to travel so we dropped that plan.
We did head over to the store and picked up some needed items. Then it was time to go home for a while. Sherri made some rice for the gumbo Jim was preparing for dinner. We planned on going to his place around 5:00 but missed that time by 30 minutes. We had some good gumbo. Thanks Jim and June for having us. John and Glenda Ramsey were there. They are old friends of Jim and June's. We have known them as long as we have known Jim...and that is a lot of years. And by the way John and Glenda I should have said long time friends...not OLD friends...LOL. 
We got back home around 10:00 and got ready for bed. What a great and wonderful day...

Somewhere in Time
 

Wonderful day

Sherri's first try landed here...see the mark

She did better on the next try

Kris was the winner

I was up a little late this morning. It was 5:00 when my eyes finally popped open and I gazed off into the darkness. I could hear the waves outside folding out onto the beach and the wind rattling the vents on the roof. Oh please let me stay here....don't make me go back to that snow and ice in the north country!
I'm not going to speak of leaving this morning. I will only think of what can I do today to make me happy. Maybe I will take a walk down the beach and find me a treasure. I could just sit outside and listen to the sounds of the Gulf and the seagulls. I love to watch the pelicans soar overhead never making one wing beat...just coasting along on the wind in formation like a squadron of B-24's on a bombing run. AAAAHHH yes this is where I want to be in the winter.
Many of the folks here are complaining about the weather but I tell them to head up north and spend a day or two...then come back and tell me how bad this weather is. I don't care if the clouds roll in or the wind blows or even if we have some rain...just close your eyes and listen...it is heaven all around us!
This afternoon we will be heading over to my Sister and BIL house to have gumbo. Jim makes an outstanding gumbo and I cannot wait to eat some and drink some beverages. I will try and get some pictures to post on my next entry. I am having a hard time with this computer and downloading pictures. We will see. 
 The park here is starting to fill up. Spring break starts next week and many folks have brought their RV's down and parked them here. I guess they will show back up next Monday. 
Have not heard a word about our house. I was really hoping that our Realtor would call and tell us they had an offer on our house. Then I think about the weather they are having up there and I know no one would be out looking at houses. 
We are going to spend some time today looking at some other RV parks in this area to stay at...long term. We are planning on coming down this summer and helping Jim out around the house. There are several things that need to be looked after and we want to help him get them fixed. The park we are in here is rather spensive in the summer months. We want to find one that we can stay at on a monthly bases that is not so steep in price. We know we will have to look on the mainland...the coastal RV parks are too rich for monthly stays...especially during the season here.
Got to pour me another cup of coffee and watch the waves come in. See ya later...

Somewhere in Time

Windy today

What a change. Yesterday it was nice and sunny...but today the wind has picked up and it has started to rain.
No matter...have you seen North Texas!! I know...snow and ice again! The weather down here is delightful. I would not change it for the world.
It is 4:00 in the morning and I am wide awake. I can hear the surf outside and the rain on the roof. The wind pitches the RV around every once in a while. If I did not know better I would think I was on a ship in the ocean. 
Yesterday was a fun day. We took Kris to play miniature golf. We played 18 holes. On the first hole Sherri's ball went out of the park...down the road and into a clump of grass. I could not stop laughing! Well you know she got mad at me. We had a great time and believe it or not I lost!
Today we plan on staying close to the RV. If the weather permits we will take a walk down the the beach. 
It sure will be hard to return home after time away. I sure hope the house sells soon! With snow and ice up north we wont have too many lookers. The weather will get better...

Somewhere in Time 

We made it

Today is Wednesday the 4th. We left out on Sunday the 1st to arrive at Cagle Recreation Area on Lake Conroe that afternoon. Being that this is a National Park with no WIFI this is the first chance I have had to post on my journal.
We only had one close call in Palestine Texas were we were going around the loop when a traffic light turned yellow and then red with me going about 50 mph. Do I have to say more? Yes we slid right through that puppy...Sherri screaming and me gritting my teeth so hard they almost shattered!
As things would have it the crossing traffic saw what was happening and waited for the us to slid on through...Thank you Lord for our deliverance!
Why do they put those traffic lights on the loops when you are going 50 mph and they are always placed at the bottom of a hill!
The rest of the trip was uneventful and we arrived at the park in one piece.
Cagle is a beautiful park with full hookups. Big tall pines are everywhere and most all the sites are placed where you have a great view of the lake. 
We were in site number 34 not more that 25 yards from the water. Had it been warmer I could have put my boat in the water right behind the trailer.
We stayed two days there. We had planned on meeting Conroe Penny there but due to our late arrival and the fact she had to wait on someone to pick up a trailer at her place we missed that visit. Sherri and Penny did have a good conversation over the phone so not all was lost.
Today we are in Galveston. Internet was good when I started this but it is getting weak now. Better send this on before it is gone...

Somewhere in Time