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