A day to relax and do nothing

 

We planned on doing nothing today and sure nuff we did just that.

Sherri put the coffee on this morning while I took my shower. I got dressed and made the bed. Then I went down stairs to have coffee with her and we just sat there and talked for a while.

We decided to watch our last rented movie and then caught up on our soap opera…The Young and the Restless. Then we ate some lunch and Sherri started a load of laundry. When it was done I took it over to the laundry mat and dried them. While that was going on I took the movies back to Wally World…Red Box.

Returned home and helped Sherri get the laundry back to the house. We then settled in to our recliners and took a nap. Yes Sherri took a nap…I think she is getting into the nap thing.

One thing I must mention before I go is that Kris’s birthday is tomorrow. We will be headed there to celebrate. He will be 4 years old. We will stay the night with him and then leave for Paris Sunday around noon time. I will have some pictures of the party on tomorrows entry…which will not be posted until we get to Paris.

Until then we will be thinking about all of you and look forward to reading about all you have done…

Somewhere in Time

Met Another Friend

This is the last day of work this week and Sherri and I are very happy that it is here. We had to load the truck with all our baggage and check out. Then it was time to head to Clarksville.

Once we arrived in town we stopped at the McDonalds to get some breakfast. We had breakfast there and then headed across the street to the store. We put in a good day and before it was over I met another friend.

Bobby Cornelius…Bobby if I got that last name wrong please let me know. I am terrible at names. Bobby came along just in the nick of time. We were about to go to lunch and Bobby knew all the good places in town. He gave us a list of places to eat. Bobby how can I thank you. It is so nice to meet my readers when we are traveling. Everyone is so nice and I look forward to meeting more of our readers out there.

We chose the Mexican food restaurant over the Italian and Bobby I will have to tell you that if the Italian is as good as the Mexican food then I can’t wait to eat there.

Well we had a two hour drive back to our RV Park. It sure was good to get back. We stopped and had a bite to eat and picked up some movies. We spent the rest of the evening watching our movies. We have one left over for tomorrow.

That is a wrap for this day. Sherri and I are really tired tonight and are ready to turn in…

Somewhere in Time

No Foul No Penalty

 

I want everyone to know that I was the one that asked the question of what was said by our VP. Cyndi plain and simple told me! WOW…Cyndi that is OK and I am sure you had no intention of offending any of my readers. We are family and I hope that we all can be open minded enough to see that Cyndi had good intentions.

OK now I want everyone to know that this old man is tired tonight. Sherri and I were up at 5:00 and we have been going strong since that time. We put in a hard day today re-setting many sections of the store in Clarksville. When 5:00 rolled around this afternoon we were both ready to head to the motel.

Sherri wanted to explore some other parts of Paris when we pulled back into town. She was looking for a new place to eat and this took us to the West side of town which did not reveal any new places. We circled the loop and ended up back in our neighborhood. Got some chicken from Chicken Express and went back to the motel room.

Tonight is Idol so we will be watching it to see who stays and who goes…

Somewhere in Time

Work Day

 

We were up early this morning and headed to work in Clarksville. We stopped by the local McDonald to get some breakfast…and then on to work.

Heard something about our Vice President tonight on TV but never heard what was said? Anyone hear what he said.

I think I will just have some short comments this week until I find something that you would be interested in reading. This will be a four day work week so I should be ready to head home when this is all over…

Somewhere in Time

Headed to Work

 

Now some of you may not know this but I went back to work to help get us some insurance premiums put back for Sherri. This way she would be covered until her retirement income starts coming in and then she would be able to handle those premiums without working. OK that being said this is Monday morning and we are up getting ready to go to the job to make some of that money today.

If you have insurance through a program that is set up in your retirement please drop to your knees and bless the company that kept that as a benefit. So many folks today retire with no coverage at all. I know why would they retire early then. The answer to that is…If you don’t go ahead and claim what has been promised to you from the time you punched the first time clock then you will lose it to those that have never punched a time clock.

Now I am not going to jump up on a soap box here and start something but if you are a baby boomer you know what I am talking about. Social Security money has been squandered over the past 50 years to the point we are running out. It has been mismanaged for so long by our government that we will run out of funds soon. Now they are going to manage health care. Please folks everything the government has had a hand on is bankrupt and we just set back and let it happen. After all our policy makers are not good with investing money.

Now that brings me full circle to the fact that Sherri is retiring early so she has to be able to cover here health insurance once she stops working. The policy she will have will not be what we are use to having but it will get her past the doors of the admittance office and into a room without too much delay. From there we are all at the mercy of the medical system as we know it. I will not profess to know all the reasons our system is broken but I do know this it has to do with greed. Money makes the world go round and the glut for it puts many of us in a situation where we cannot afford good coverage.

I do plan on reading this new health care program and I will try to understand it. I will also pray that we can reach down deep inside our very souls and find the intestinal  fortitude to keep a weary eye on these people running this system and hold them to task. This is our chance to get on an even playing field…and I hope that our representatives in Washington do what is right for the people and not what is right for the lobbyist.

Having said all that I leave my computer now  and get ready to make some more money to put in the kitty for insurance premiums. We are nearing our goal and that makes me feel good here…

Somewhere in Time     

Did I Mention Snow

 

 

I snapped this early this morning about 6:00 am…those are some large flakes

This morning Sherri’s alarm was going off before 5:00 am. We have to get back in the habit of getting up early so we can get to work on time next week. We will be in the Red River Valley working next week…staying in a hotel so we have to get ready for that life style again.

I got up and went down stairs to make the coffee. Got it going and then went back up to take my shower and get ready for the day. Sherri got to the coffee first and hollered at me to look outside. I was drying off in the bathroom and took a peak out the window. I could not believe my eyes! I know I had mentioned that it might snow but in this part of the country you never know for sure what is going to happen.

The ground is starting to get covered and the road too.

Yes it was snowing and I mean rather hard. The ground was covered and it was coming down at a good clip. If this keeps this up the rest of the morning we could have a measurable amount of snow come the evening.

You’ll have to excuse the fuzzy window…but I was not going out to take pictures

I went back down stairs after getting dressed and poured me some coffee. Sherri and I sat there reading about SKP parks and all the options. Looked out the window at the falling snow and drank our coffee. What a peaceful morning…and my mind drifted off to a warmer climate…

Our poor truck has not been washed for some time!

We will be packing up today and moving to our next work station. We will be there for the week and maybe longer depending upon the size of the job. Sherri is looking at the possibilities to stay at. She is very good at sorting through all the hotels and picking the one out that suites our needs. We like to be close to the job and have some amenities at the hotel…such as free breakfast WIFI connections indoor pool workout room. The company pays for our stay so why not get all you can!

This Blue Bird was making himself at home on the antenna

The snow is still coming down and here it is 9:00 am. I need to take the movies back to the Red Box but I think I will pay the extra $1.00 and take them later when we head out.

We left out about 1:30 and went to Canton to get diesel and turn our movies back in. Then it was on to Paris Texas. On the way we planned to stop and eat. Chili’s in Sulphur Springs was the selected restaurant. We stop ate and then back on the road.

All along the route the snow was coming down…sometimes so hard it was difficult to see the road. The wind was blowing at 30 to 35 miles per hour making the snow appear to be passing horizontally in front of the truck. Every now and then the truck would jump to the right due to the wind gust. Needless to say I was a little tense all the way to Paris. 

  

We arrive in Paris at the Best Western about 4:00 and got checked in. I was exhausted by the time we got to our room. When we pulled up in front of the room we found that the maid had not cleaned our room yet. She was in fact just starting. Sherri had to go to the bathroom so we drove back up to the front desk to let them know what was going on and give Sherri a chance to use the restroom.

Finally the room got cleaned and we got to unload the truck. We were so glad to get in our room and relax for a while. Later on we did go out to Subway and get us a $5.00 foot long. Now it is time to turn in and rest up for tomorrow.

I will try and keep you informed as we do our best to make this an adventurous week…

Somewhere in Time  

 

Snow Coming?

 

Woke up this morning I could hear the wind and could feel it pushing on the side of our home. The rain was coming down and making a pattering sound on the roof. I could hear the sound of the traffic on the Interstate as it passed headed East and West. For a short time I lay there wondering where they were all going and then wondering how many of them where RV travelers.

Sherri and I had planned a day outside…cleaning and cooking out on the grill. I think I would be safe to say that that wont happen today. I know that the two of us will find an alternate plan to follow.

I got up and made coffee and then sat down at the computer to see what was going on. Use to turn the TV on but we don’t do that much anymore. We have such a closeness with our friends that we just like to see what is going on in their sitcom lives. Yes everyone has their own sitcom going on and we like to read about that better than watching Big Brother Amazing Race Dancing with the Stars and Survival. All those things are going on in all our lives everyday and it is real.

Sherri noticed that it was the 20th and that meant that New Moon was at the Red Box. I jumped on and rented it and two other movies…I mean with the rain and impending snow we need to have something to do. After renting I got ready to venture out in the nasty weather and pick up our movies. The roads were flooded and the traffic was heavy. I made it there and back without incident.

We fixed omelets for breakfast with our new omelet maker we had bought a year ago. This omelet maker is microwavable and does a real good job making omelets. Spent some more time on the computers. Sherri put her time in so she could get paid and I read a few journals.

Movie time…

We watched three good movies. Sherri and I have been hooked on the Twilight series! I know we must be goofy…maybe too much time in the house and not enough sunshine. I don’t know but we really like the two we have seen and will watch the third when it comes out.

It is late now and time for us to turn in. We watched the weather and yes it is still suppose to snow tonight…we will see what comes of that prediction…

Somewhere in Time  

   

Day 5 of the Black Mojo

 

 

Doesn’t take much to make me happy. 

Yes day 5 and we have an assignment. We have been told to report for duty. Today will tell the tell of whether we are on the road to a full recovery. Our boss assigned us to to some local stores in our area to do some checking on “Out of date products”. No assignment too big no assignment too small. We coffee’d up and and got ourselves ready for the day.

Not the rivers in Colorado…No mountains behind the trailer…but we are content to be well again here in our new site.

We had 4 stores in 4 different towns to call on and so we had to get going rather early to make the rounds and return to our nest. We did not know how long we could stay out so we were a little anxious about how we would do. Being the adventurers that we are we forged ahead without fear. Made it down the steps and into the truck once more for a memorable launch out to the highway and points beyond.

Has the Black Mojo left us for good? Will we conquer this day and finish our assignment with unsoiled clothing? The pressure was on and we would soon know if we had been totally cured or not.

Let me ease everyone’s mind…we did survive and made it on our tour. We moved like jungle cats through the stores getting all the items on our list done. Before we knew it we were headed to our barn to do laundry. We were not too for from the lake property and soon arrived…unloaded our laundry and started the wash.

While the laundry was going I worked on the deck some. With all the rain we have had here the ground had swollen up so that it had lifted the porch up and the door to the barn would not close. I did some adjusting on the footings and soon we were back in business. This gave me something to do while Sherri folded clothes.

We have not eaten all day so we left the barn and went into Wills Point to the bank post office and finally to the Brookshire’s for groceries. We found some good food for our late lunch. Then back to the house to eat and settle in for the evening.

Not a bad day…and all worked out well…working and traveling. We have next weeks schedule on our calendar so it will be time to start planning that trip…

Somewhere in Time  

   

Pushing the Envelope

 

Here it is day 4 with the Black Mojo. Sherri and I seem to be healing well and feel so much better. We got up and actually drank coffee this morning. We have been shying away from it all week due to the possibility that it might make us sick.

We finished our coffee and then got on the computers to see what everyone was up to. We get to missing our friends and their adventures and need to get a fix before we do anything else in the mornings.

We have to get some supplies today. Our fridge is running low of goodies and now that we are healing somewhat we need food to help promote our cure. We must think about the implications of this task…going outside the park in a moving vehicle. No toilet or diapers…no safety net what so ever! Can this be done this early in the healing process? How far is the store…what would be the point of no return…any bathrooms between here and there and the location of these facilities. All this has to be examined. Sherri pondered these questions one at a time and turned them over and over to see what she felt would be the best route in and out of town.

About this time I felt like I was planning a bank robbery. All I want to do is go to Wally World and get some supplies to last us a few days while recovering from the Mojo. We must have spent an hour looking at the route and testing our mobility to see if the trip could be made. I don’t think that Amelia Earhart planned this much for her flight around the world….but then look what happened to her.

We finally came up with a plan that we thought would work…which included enough time to get a few movies to watch. To cut down on the time away from the security of our home I rented the movies on line from the Red Box so all I had to do was swipe my card when I got there and it would dispense the movies and I could dash to the truck….well maybe not dash…I have to stroll a little slow here lately.

OK the plan had been made and we readied ourselves for the trip. Sherri got dressed and I put on my brown fighting shorts…that is a joke I will have to tell you some day…and we gingerly made our way to the truck. In the truck and all was well…cranked the engine…that is started the truck for those of you up north and backed out of the drive.

We made it to the parking lot of Wally World without any problem so we were getting a little cocky. Once inside we picked up the pace and got all our supplies. We then started re-conning the check out lines for the fastest one. Do you do that??? Do you walk up and down the isle and look for the checker that seems to have it all together. My luck has always been to get up to the training register and have to stand there while the supervisor shows them how to push the keys and tear off the receipt. Not saying that all checkers are morons just saying I always get the one that is not operating with a full bucket of water.

Found the register that seemed to hold the idea gal and pushed the buggy up next in line. All seems to be well with the stomach so far…no gurgling at this time and Sherri was holding up OK. No gas bubbles no dizziness all is well in paradise.

We unloaded our goods on the conveyor belt and began the wait for the folks in front of us to check out. Then it happen…WIC cards Food Stamps everything but money came out of this persons wallet and I knew then that we were doomed to excessive time in this line. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with these cards…my family has had to use them…but you understand we are armed and dangerous and we need to move on as soon as possible.

Of course the manager had to OK this and then Homeland Security was notified and they sent in a team of folks to check out the ID’s. OK I am exaggerating somewhat. We did get checked out…got to the Red Box…got our movies and returned to the truck. Trip home was uneventful and we were once more safe in our home…

Somewhere in Time

Thanks to all our well wishers

 

As many of you know Sherri and I were struck down with the Black Mojo. For no better word to describe this illness. We were traveling to Arkansas when it hit and we were really lucky that I did not fall to the Mojo until after we were set up at our mid destination.

Not to sicken any of you with the raw details but we were going both ends in our little home. Now that can be tricky if you know what I mean. Lucky for the two of us it all timed out just right and there was no conflict in the toilet room! I will have to say this…thank God we have sewer here. We had been staying at COE parks which are cheap but your holding capacities have to be monitored rather closely. In our case the capacity had to be monitored hourly! What is even worse is when the tanks get full “I” would have to go and dump the trailer…now that would be hard… me dumping the trailer and me dumping too. The timing on that would be crucial.

As it turned out we had sewer and our comfort zone was not breached. Sherri and I both are doing better and with all the well wishes from all of you out there we will continue to recover.

Our daughter Jennifer and SIL road their Harley’s over here to see about us yesterday. They parked the bikes out front and came walking up with their headbands and leathers on. To me it looked like a drug buy but then what do I know about that?? What is really funny is the next day my daughter came by to look in on us again and she came in her squad car. Now I am saying to myself what do all these people think is going on here. :)

This has been a learning experience…this sickness and all…to know that when it happens on the road like we are all the time you have to be ready to regroup and find refuge in a comfortable place. We have found it and now are just waiting out the recovery period.

Once more I would like to thank all of you for thinking of us. Knowing that you do read my babbling makes me feel good. I hope that one day my children and grandchildren will find time to read about Sherri and I and see what we are all about. You all have become a big part of our lives and we look forward to meeting up with you…

Somewhere in Time   

Sickness

Sunday morning we were up and getting ready to take the kids home. No coffee this morning too much to do. Had to gather up all the clothes toys diaper bags. Memories of when we use to travel with our kids came back. It was at least a day of preparation just to go to the parents house for an afternoon visit. Now here we are much later in life and much older trying to get ready to take them home!

We did manage to get all together and get them packed away in the truck. I had to clean Kris’s car seat before we could put him in it. He had been sick the night before and threw up on it while coming home from Steak and Shake. WEEE my truck will never be the same….but the worst is yet to come.

Dropped the kids off and said our tearful good-byes. Kris would not even look at me. He was mad that Poppa was leaving him and going away. Got back to the park…loaded all up and we were away to our new home site.

We were not down the road too far when Sherri said that she was not feeling well. The deeper I got into traffic the sicker she became. Here I am driving down the crowded highway and Sherri is really getting sick and I have to find somewhere to pull off and let her go in the trailer. I pulled off the other side of Mesquite Texas at a Wally World and let her rest for a while.

Back on the road after about 30 minutes with only a 30 minute drive to the park. We arrived there before she got any worse and she went inside to bed while I set up. I got pink and blue things done and then went in to see about her. I went to the store and picked us up some sickness supplies and then returned home to give her some medicine and make me some dinner.

I saw to her made some phone calls to work and hotel to let them know we would not be coming tomorrow and really were not sure when we would be coming. With that done and me pretty much worn out I kicked back in the recliner to take a nap.

About 9:00 my daughter called and I told her Sherri was not feeling well and that if I did decide to head to work that she would need to look in on her from time to time. Jennifer said she would and told me to call her tomorrow and let her know if she was needed.

OK I laid back down and about 12:00 midnight I woke up sick! I was so sick I could hardly move. I guess we must have caught this from the kids. Here I am out of commission and Sherri down for the count! This is not good. Does not look like either one of us will be headed to Arkansas anytime soon.

The house is a wreck we both look like hell and we neither one really care. Death come get me I’m ready. It is taking all I have now just to type out this…epitaph. I will have to break for now and return later when my strength returns…

Somewhere in Time