Another Day With Friends

This morning we woke up to much warmer temperatures here. We did not need the fireplace nor the heat in the bathroom and certainly not the furnace. Hey what more could you ask for? I heard that more of the Al Gore Warming was coming and we would be using all the heat at our disposal to stay warm....but until then I am going to enjoy this.

Sherri had some more shopping to do today and I had my TV project so we got on up and got the coffee started...in our new Cuisinart coffee maker...which by the way is working just fine. We sat in front of the fireplace for just a short while and discussed our move to Wills Point. We will be staying there for two weeks so we had to be sure we had a list of groceries and all the fixens for Christmas dinner.

With that taken care of it was time to get our showers and ready ourselves for the day. Part of the days plan was to meet some of the Dreamers up in Oklahoma at the Windstar Casino for some lunch and gambling. Well maybe not gambling...but some serious game playing. It sounds so wasteful to say I gamble...when in fact I play video games that cost money and in some cases pay me to play them. Now doesn't that sound less devilish?? LOL Anyway back on subject...we are to meet Dortha and Mark and Ellie and Jim at 2:00 for late lunch and then spend the rest of the day just having fun.

Sherri finished getting ready and headed out to the mall and I started my TV project. Man getting that thing changed out is no easy task. All the wires that have to go to those things is mind boggling! In here...out there...audio...vidio GEEEE OK stay calm and do it right. Viola about 1 1/2 hours later I had here done and working...yes...working. I am absolutely amazed at myself for getting it back on the wall and W O R K I N G...lets hear it for Speedy.

Sherri returned around 12:30 and we got our selves together and headed to Oklahoma. I had to stop along the way and pick me up an extension cord for the RV. That did not take long and we were back on the road when the phone rang. It was Dortha and she reported to Sherri that the guys...Jim and Mark were starving to death. They were about at the casino and were going to go ahead and eat. We were about 30 minutes away so she told them not to wait that we would be there shortly and then we would eat and visit.

As things turned out we did have a wonderful visit while Sherri and I stuffed our faces and Jim and Mark ate deserts. Dortha and Ellie are on WW and they are looking soooo good. They have lost a lot of weight. Jim and Mark well they are doing just fine...LOL Like me they are healthy looking. Sherri and I really need to lose some pounds but we are going to wait until we both retire and get a routine down that will allow us to stay on a good eating plan. It is hard when you both work and you are trying to eat right. Sherri eats out a lot when she is out of town working and I have to do for myself here so dieting is not something we can do and do right at this time. But stand back we will be looking good when we hit the road!

Jenny told me if I did not get any pictures that she was going to fire me so I did get some as we were all leaving the casino. When we got outside the temps had dropped 20 degrees and you talk about cold!!! My gosh it was C O L D and the wind....OHHH. Anyway I did get some hurried shots off before my hand froze to the camera.

Ellie is screaming... "Speedy hurry up I need to get in the car"!!!

Dortha is in the back seat of our truck shopping for doll clothes. I know it is a long story and I will

let her tell it.

Mark waits patiently in his Jeep while Dortha shops. It was just too cold to get out and pose for pictures...sorry everyone. We did have a fun time and Sherri and I can't wait until we get to do this on a regular basis without having to go back to work at the end of the day.

At lunch Ellie presented Sherri and I with a Christmas gift she had purchased while on Mackinac

Island. Ellie thank you so much...you remembered that I wanted some. Sherri and I will enjoy this for some time to come....

Somewhere in Time

A Perfectly Goode Day

This morning the light coming in the window was just enough to make me open an eye. Being that the sun light was coming in the window was all it took for me to realize that it was late. Could I have slept this late?? Oh yes and it sure felt good. I am feeling better because I slept the whole night through without waking up coughing.

Yesterday Sherri and I went out and bought us a new coffee maker. Ours would brew but it would not keep the coffee hot. We found a Cuisinart on sale at Macy's and it was just what we wanted. While we were there Sherri found her some new dishes that she could not live without. GEE what is she going to do when we get on a fixed income which believe me is not going to be anywhere near what I make now? It will be a tough first year for her...any suggestions on withdrawal programs?

Yesterday morning was a real great adventure for the both of us. We got to meet Debbie and Bill Goode at Cracker Barrel in Garland Texas. We arrived a little ahead of them but did not have to wait long. We started off with handshakes and hugs and were taken to our table promptly. We immediately started our visit ordered coffee and forgot all about ordering food. Finally our waitress asked if we would be eating and we said yes but we had not even looked at the menu! What a great time it was getting to know each other again after such a long absence. I guess that is one of the many wonderful things about this life style is getting to acquire so many friends that like the same things that you do. Another thing is knowing that the good Lord willing we will all meet again down the road with new stories to tell. Thanks Bill and Debbie for sharing your time with us...we enjoyed it so much. Oh I can't forget thanks for buying our breakfast...we owe you one so... don't forget.

Sherri is heading out this morning to go and do her last minute shopping for some of the G-Kids. I think she has one or two left and then she will be done. While she is gone I will be installing the new TV in the living room and trying to get the satellite hooked up and running. Please wish me luck...you all know my luck with electronics. I wont have my kids here to get everything hooked up so this will be a real adventure. I will let you know how it all went in my next entry.

Also today we are meeting Dortha and Mark Jim and Ellie in Oklahoma at the Windstar Casino for some button pushing excitement. Ellie said she is not going to gamble but just set and watch me play my penny machines. You would be surprised at the people that have stopped and looked over my shoulder to see me playing one line one penny at a time. "Sir, did you know that you are only playing one line"? "Yes", I will tell them and about that time I win $2.00 and the hands go in the air and I am filled with excitement!! More people come over to see what I have won and then walk away shaking their heads in disbelief...LOL Hey it does not take much to make Speedy happy.

OK I have to get ready to start my project. I need to drink one more cup of coffee from my new coffee maker and then get dressed and get this day started.

Thanks again to Bill and Debbie for such a wonderful morning. I can't wait for our next meeting...

Somewhere in Time

The Start of a Fun Weekend with Friends

Good morning to all my readers. This is suppose to be a real nice day with warm temperatures and clear sky. Sherri and I are going to Mesquite Texas to meet the Goodes for breakfast and swap stories. Well we are going to get caught up on all that has gone on in our lives since our last meeting in Branson at the RV-Dreams Rally. It seems just like yesterday but it has been almost seven months. I think we will wait for the morning NASCAR crowd to get to work and then we will head out that way. We live on the North side of Dallas in Carrollton/Coppell area and they are located on the East side in the Mesquite/Forney area. It takes about 30 minutes to get over there if the traffic is not too bad. We are excited about meeting up with them and find out where they have been and where they are going. Then we can keep up with them on their Journal and travel right along with them. It will be a while for us to have any stories of travels to write about...but the good Lord willing we will have some good ones. Saturday we will meet Dortha and Mark...Jim and Ellie in Oklahoma at the Windstar Casino for some real fun. I invited the Goodes to come along with us if they can...so we should have some real good adventures to write about this weekend. Sherri and I play the slots and really don't spend that much money when we do. We don't have much to spend there but we make it stretch for many hours of exciting button pushing. I take $5.00 to $10.00 with me and that last me all day long. I usually play on the penny machines and betting one penny at a time takes awhile to go through that much money. OK today's plan is to meet the Goodes for breakfast and then head to Wills Point to finish getting our place ready to take the home on wheels up there. We are planning on staying for two weeks during the Christmas Holidays and then we will return here so we can both go back to you know what. Let me see when we get back I will have 6 months left before I retire. Gosh if it goes as fast as this last 6 months it wont be anytime! I guess I better get my coffee and get ready to head out of hear. Sherri is still in bed so I need to get her up so she will have plenty of time to get ready. We will miss you until the next time we visit... Somewhere in Time

Last Day Before Christmas Vacation

Hello to all my friends and family out there in cyberspace. It is getting closer to Christmas and Santa will be here soon. Not only is it our Lords birthday but it would be my wonderful wife's as well. She will be 29 years this coming Christmas day...yes I stole her right out of the cradle. I guess that makes me retiring rather young...but when you are fantasizing why not go all the way??

I hope that this Christmas season finds everyone where they want to be and spending time with the ones that they love. Christmas to me is having the family together and having fun and looking back over the last year and laughing about all the good times and forgetting about all the bad times. For the little ones it is Santa coming and leaving gifts under the tree. I remember as a small child not wanting to go to sleep Christmas eve because of the anticipation of Santa coming and hoping that he got my list of things that I wanted. Now that Sherri and I have all the G-Kids we look forward to seeing them come down the hallway wide eyed and trying to hold back the excitement in their hearts. Yes this is the season to be jolly.

I remember a Christmas that was not too jolly many years ago when I was overseas and far away from my family. That was a hard time for me and I guess those loved ones back in the World had a hard time missing me. I think about all our soldiers away from home and the hardships that they have to put up with and I pray to God that he watches over them and protects them from harm.

Well this morning I return to work and Sherri heads off to Longview to her luncheon. I hope the day passes quickly and that we both can return home safe and sound. If you are on the road this day and heading to a Christmas destination...Sherri and I both wish you a safe journey. I guess I best get ready for that NASCAR drive to work. This being the last day of work for many people I know that the roads will be busy and I will have to watch out for those drivers with a death wish.

Until the next meeting I wish you all a wonderful day....

Somewhere in Time

Disconnected and Sick

Thanks Dortha...you got the word out that Speedy was still among the living....how much....well the jury is still out. Sherri and I had made plans to meet up with the Goodes in Mesquite Texas this week. Well the weather got bad I got sick and my DSL went South. What more could a guy ask for. But alas all is coming back together. The weather...still iffy...but the DSL is back on track and I am feeling better tonight. I just got off the phone with Debbie Goode and told her my plight...we are planning on getting together this Friday...good Lord willing...LOL Debbie.

Sherri and I have been doing little of nothing these past days I have been off line and feeling like I was beat with a well rope. I hate getting sick and especially during cold and wet weather. It seems like it intensifies the ill feeling when the sky's are grey and the North wind is blowing down the back of your jacket. I will have to say that my doctoring has made headway to wellness these past days. I hope to return to work tomorrow. What did I just say??? I hope to return to work! I must have had a moment there. I can not imagine that I would hope for such a thing...but I did. Please forgive me for that I will have to start thinking before I type such balderdash!

Sherri is off this week...except for a luncheon in Longview Texas. Her group is meeting there for lunch at the Olive Garden. She is looking forward to that. I guess I will return to work tomorrow and then Sherri and I plan on leaving for Wills Point Friday to do some work on our place up there. On the way we plan on stopping by and visiting with the Goodes. They are located just off Interstate 20 outside of Mesquite. We are looking forward to catching up on all the news and travels they have....us...well we have no travels so our news is not that great.

It is so good to be back on line and able to post. I was so lost without my computer. What is really sad is with me being sick the whole time I don't have that much to tell you. I had promised my sister that I would email her my Web Page and that same day my DSL went out so Jimmie I will email you tonight. Sorry for the delay but when you get it I expect you to read all the post past and present from now on. LOL.

OK my dear friends and family. I must head out at this time so I can get on chat and tell eveyone hello. I will return...

Somewhere in Time

Saturday Morning Projects

Sherri had a hard time sleeping last night...I guess it was all the shopping she did yesterday. She is the only person I know that can shop for a set of sheets...look for just the right set for an hour and get up to the register and change her mind about getting them.

OK I have people tell me...including Sherri that they don't like my picture that I have been using on the Journal sooooo Here is a new one that I will be using for a while until my bride can come up with a better one. This is the home place that we have squatted on for the past two years and will probably call home for another 6 or 7 months. I hope that this is OK...like I said Sherri is looking for a better lead picture.

This morning we are drinking our coffee....I am posting and Sherri is shopping on the computer for a desk top computer. We have a nice desk area in our home and we need a good desk computer for it. They are soooo cheap now!!! Good grief you can get a desk top with all the works for $400 and that is everything! Anyway we are going to go out this morning and look around before the crowds get out. If you are looking to get some good buys on electronics now is the time to head out there.

We talked to Debbie Goode and we are planning on meeting up with them this week. We thought that we might get together this weekend but I have to get some projects done before the bad weather sets in here on Monday morning. They are calling for colder and wetter weather come Monday. I have so much outside things to get done and so little time to get it done in. Debbie if you happen to read my post today...I will be calling you as soon as we find out what Sherri's work schedule is like next week. I hope that you will be able to hang around until then???

Debbie said that she will be heading to New Mexico and Arizona soon. They will not be here for the "Gathering" in Kerrville so we really want to meet up with them and visit before they head out. It is so great to meet up with all our Dreamer Friends that pass through here.

OK I have rambled enough this morning and I know that you are begging for more but I really do have to get ready to go out with Sherri and get some needed supplies for our projects. I will join back up with you soon...

Somewhere in Time

Friday Morning and No Work Today

YEEE HAAAA....I am off today!! I woke up this morning and realized that it was Friday and I did not have to work today. I did get up make coffee and turn the heat on in the house on wheels so that it would be warm when I did have to get up. It is 38 degrees this morning but it is sooo cozy here inside. I went back to bed and caught me about 30 more minutes of sleep and then one eye opened and then the other and then Sherri got up and she got her coffee and I followed suit.

Now this is the way you should live every day. just get up when you want to and not have to worry about a schedule. I could do this without any problem. I think I will real soon.

I have to run some errands this morning and then we have to go to the store. When we get that done it will be a day of projects here at the 5th wheel as soon as the weather warms up. I have to rearrange the bay and clean it out. We have so much stuff inside the RV that we have not used in two years that really needs to go to he barn in Wills Point. We will stack it in the back of the truck and that will be another trip that we will have to make.

It takes time to get all the stuff whittled down to just the needed things. You start out thinking that you need all this stuff and the longer you live in the RV the more you see that you don't need it after all. Then you weed that out and it goes away and you start over and do it again. We should end up with about 500 lbs of stuff when we get all done in 10 years.

Well I'm setting here in my Captain America sleeping shorts drinking coffee and posting this on my journal. Probably should go take my shower and get some working clothes on so I can start these projects....maybe I will wait until it gets warmer??? or....well I'll get back with you...

Somewhere in Time

A Night In Wills Point

I made it back to work this morning with out a hitch. I had to go to Wills Point after work yesterday and drop off some things and pick up some things...one of them being Sherri. Yes she is home again and I am at work and life is good.

We had our Christmas lunch here at work yesterday and it turned out real nice. We went off sight to a place that host big parties and company functions. At one time we had a large cafeteria here in the plant but over time we faded it out and turned the space into production area. So now when we have a big get together we have to go outside.

It really got cold last night. When I got up this morning it was 27 in the country. Driving back into Dallas the temps got warmer but they still were in the low 30's. I was afraid that our water might have frozen at the RV but Lucky it did not. Sherri called me and said that the 5th wheel was like a tomb inside. I had only left one of the heaters going and did not have the furnace on. Oh well it is suppose to warm up today into the 60's so we should be OK. It will be nice when we can leave these cold temps and go where the weather is warmer.

I have a real busy weekend coming up. I have to get some things done around the RV and this might be the last warm weekend we have for some time. Many outside projects that need to be completed and with the warmer weather I can get them done.

That is about all that I have to report this morning. I guess I better get to work and do something...even if it is wrong. I will see you later...

Somewhere in Time

One of my readers commented that she (Dee) never thought of getting on the road to work was like a NASCAR driver leaving the pits and heading back on the track in a race. All you have to do is leave here with me in the morning and enter I35 south and see how it is. At least on the track you have the approach that cars can enter and exit for the pits.....not on the interstate....it is like trying to pass the lead car in a tight race. They see you about to get on the highway and they speed up so they can hold their position in the pack and not let you take it. If by chance you get on before they can block you they work and work to get around you and regain their place at all cost. I have had them race around me and slide in front of me at break neck speeds only to slam their brakes on so as not to hit the car in front of them. Go figure. All the way in is the same thing racing to see who can be first. Funniest thing is we all have a different finish line so no one really wins?

OK thanks Dee for pointing that out. If any of my readers don't have to use the Interstate to get to work...they are missing a real thrill in life...which brings me to another close here. I know this was not much of an adventure today but if you feel a let down just take the Interstate to work today and you should be OK.

I am sure we will meet again here ...

Somewhere in Time

Here it is Tuesday morning and I am up dressed coffee in hand and posting to my journal...like I have a lot to tell you from yesterday. With Sherri gone and me all alone...working...driving home...chatting...well that about winds it up for today's post friends and family. I know it really does not do it justice to have such a boring life and then write everyone and tell them about it...but I do not have much more to offer today. For the most part two years from now on this date I can look back and see what I did. Wow...I hope two years from now I have more to do than just see what I was doing now?? OK you will just have to bear with me on my boring life because I am going to write about it, if for no other reason just to give me something to do when I am all alone.

Sherri is in Canton this week and they are setting up a new store there. This is a brand new store and she says it is a lot harder to do than a re-set? I would not know the difference. She is ready to come home though and I am ready for her to be here. She is making good money and I really think she enjoys getting away every once in a while but then after she is away she really likes coming home. I use to stay on the road when I worked for Jim Walter Homes in NC. I spent 6 days on the road and maybe a full Sunday at home. That was not a life. The money was good but believe me my home life sucked. All I had time to do was mow the lawn and pack a bag to leave again. No I could not take that any longer and had to check it to them after two years.

Then we moved back to Wills Point and finished raising our kids in a small town with values and good school system that still spanked and had prayer in the mornings. My kids got good educations and went on in life to be productive adults without any hangups and one of the greatest things is they did not do drugs!! Now days if you can get through school without being exposed to drugs you have really been lucky. I guess everything always works out for the best. I always tell Sherri that if I had it all to do over again I would not change one thing. The one little thing in your life that you change would change soooo many other things that you might miss out on one of the best times of your life....No wouldn't change a thing.

Look here I have finished another post to the journal and found something to say. I guess Sherri is right I always have something to say. HEE HEE Well I guess I better get my lunch together and find my keys so I can join in the parade to the work place. I have to jump out there like coming out of the Pits at Indy and get into the pack... NASCAR mentality on the road to work...surely not all those people are in that big of a hurry to get to their jobs!? GEEE that does not make any sense at all.

My dear friends and family until the next time I bid you farewell...and I will join you again...

Somewhere in Time

Moanday Moaning

OHHHHHH I could not get up on the first call from the alarm this moaning. I just had to lay there just a little while longer. After all these years I get down to the last few months of working and it gets harder and harder to get going in the moaning...Moaning is the better word for this.

I dropped Sherri off last night at Randy's house. For those of you new to this journal, Sherri works for her brother, Randy and he takes her to all the towns they have to work in. She is doing merchandising resets for stores. Any...who I dropped her off there and we ate dinner with Randy and Nina and then I headed back to the RV for some chat time.

I had not been on chat for some time so I have gotten behind in new members to the chat room. Dee always fusses at me when I get behind and ends up sending me the updated list of new chatters. Now I would have loved to have Dee for my secretary but now it is too late. She is getting ready to hit the road and so am I. Now that I think about it we would have never got anything done with all the RV planning going on all the time.

Today I have to take off at lunch and go to the bank and do some business and then I have to call about my converter and see about getting money back on the second one they have had to replace. I will keep you updated on that. You know I think sometimes this RV'ing has a lot of work to it and then I think back about all the things that I had to do to keep my home going and I am content once more with the little bit that I have to do to.

Well I better sew this one up and head on into work. I hear the traffic getting heavy out there and I better edge into those lanes with all the other work zombies. I will join you later....

Somewhere in Time