What a busy week in Tampa

Her she is waiting to be loaded up. We had to say good-bye to our old home and truck

Monday

We woke up Monday morning to golf carts buzzing around the RV and Diesel RV passing by along with gasoline motors roaring...I thought for a moment I had fallen asleep in the middle of a busy intersection downtown New York City!! As my eyes fluttered open to catch the first ray of light coming in through the window I could hear people talking as they walked past my bedroom window. Where am I...and then it all came back I am at Lazy Days RV to pick up my new house. Sherri was making some sounds next to me and she too was confused on where we were at.

Never been to an RV dealership this nice 

When it all became clear where we were and what was going on we both got out of bed to get ready for the days events. We had a whole list of things that we had to do before we could pick up our new house. Lazy Days is a city in itself! We could not believe all the people there working in the Prep area...repair...Sales...customer service and the list goes on and on. We met the friendliest people who when they past you in the halls and on the street would say "Welcome to Lazy Days". I cannot say enough good things about this organization. I can tell you this...it was well worth the drive here.

Did I just buy this?

We have tossed the idea around for years...ever since we sold out MH in 2003. We fell in love with our Carriage and I will have to say this...Sherri and I both hated to leave our beautiful home there and we will miss the truck but our new ride is so pretty and we love it so much that we moved in without too much sorrow.

We spent most of the day laying around the house waiting for our salesman to contact us. We had arrived a day early so we knew that we would be at the back of the line until Tuesday. Soon our salesman did call and lined us up with all the worker bees. Shortly after noon they all converged on our space and we were shuttled off to the office to start the paperwork.

They sent a blimp over to see if we were ready to sign the papers.

We signed all our paperwork and soon the house was delivered to our site and parked next door so we could move into it. We had a gentleman come by to do the walkthrough about 2:30 and he did an excellent job of showing us all the things we had bought and how they worked. Here again we can't say enough about the great job these folks are doing.

About 4:00 we were left alone to start our move. Sherri was very proficient in planning this move so in no time we had most all the inside belongings moved over and all that was left was the outside (My STUFF) to move. I planned on doing it tomorrow between all the other things that we have to do.

We are excited to have Jim and Dee coming along with Anna and Gale. We can't wait for them to arrive. We are all planning on eating out and then visiting at our new home. I think I will put them all to work moving the rest of our stuff over.

We were wore out about this time so we decided to hit the hay early so we would be rested for tomorrow.

Tuesday

I can't tell if I am alive or dead...my legs hurt so maybe I am alive. I went ahead an opened my eyes fearing that I might be laying in the morgue...but the first thing I saw was the ceiling in the new house. I think I can get out of bed but I am not real sure.  Sherri was trying to get out of her side and together we made it out and to the kitchen. This was our first night in the new home and we were a little lost wondering around trying to find the light switches.

We finally got our act together and I made it into the kitchen to make the coffee. Sherri got her shower and when she was through the coffee was ready and we sat down to plan the day. Our friends would be here about 11:30 or 12:00 so we planned on having all our things done by then...NOT!

We did not get over to the Sales office when we planned on getting there and when we did the people we were to talk to were not there. Today was insurance day and this would be next to the last piece of business that we would have to attend to today.

We all met here and spent some money

Well sure nuff everyone but us was on time and when Jim called I told them to go ahead and have lunch without us. I was so upset that our plans were not coming together....but then we got our stuff done called Jim back and they were just getting to Camping World. What timing we walked out of the Sales Office and met them on the front porch of Camping World. Gale and Anna were there too and we all exchanged hugs.

Dee shows Sherri her computer phone...It does everything

We had a great time in our new home

Jim relaxes on the sofa while the girls visit

Thanks so much Anna and Gale fore sharing this day with us

Next order of business was lunch which we had at Cracker Barrel just down the street from Camping World. All these places of business are on the grounds at Lazy Days. How great is that. We had a great lunch and overstayed our welcome there visiting and having a good time. We left there and went over to our new home and showed everyone around the half organized place. Sherri was so embarrassed that she did not have all her stuff arranged... Me...well it did not embarrass me that my stuff was still in the bay of the old house. Jim and Gale helped me get my stuff moved over and the ladies supervised the entire operation.

It was so great seeing Gale and Anna again...we enjoyed our visit

Before we knew it everything was in the new coach. Gale and Anna said their good-byes...they had things to do. Jim and Dee stayed over and we visited some more. Mater-a-fact we visited so long that it was dinner time and we had to go and eat again! We had such a nice visit with all our friends and we sure hated for them to go. We all know that we will meet again...

Somewhere in Time

We made it barely!

 

Lazy Days RV Sales and RV Park

We were up at the crack and polished off a pot of coffee before we hitched up the wagon. The sun was up and the temps were great here in northern Florida. I could feel the humidity climbing while I was dumping and stowing my gear. We had stopped along I10 at a camp site for the night which worked out perfectly. Our campsite was located next to the interstate but the noise was not too bad. It was an easy off and easy on place to stay and the price was not bad.

Sherri said it looked like an old KOA

Just rolled into Florida and found a great over nighter just off the Hwy.

We had a lot of these turn offs as we crossed  5 states

We were on the road about 8:00 am and were looking at a 7 hour drive to our final destination. I found a Pilot station just down the road and topped off my tank. I like to keep plenty of fuel in the tank so I don't have to worry about running out. One thing about traveling is you need not run out of diesel nor should you drive at night. One other thing you don't want to do is peel a tread off your tires while driving 65 mph in bumper to bumper traffic....We did...just before we arrived at the RV dealership. This is my trade in and if I destroy this...there goes my down payment. All I can say is, thank you Lord for sparing us any harm on our trip here...please watch over us on our return.

My back tire peeled off like an orange! No damage to the RV??

OK we made it and we are parked waiting for our new house to pull up beside us so we can walk all our belongings from one to the other. This should happen tomorrow and I will get some pictures of the big move.

Bye old buddy                                                       So long sweet lady

In the mean time we got hooked up in our temporary sight and decided to take a walk around the park. It is a beautiful RV dealership with over 1300 RVs on the grounds. They have gardens with pedestrian walkways going all through the park so you can walk and see all the RVs. They have 170 golf carts too that can ferry you anywhere in the park you want to go. The RV park is just across the road and you can stay there for two nights and try out your new house before you haul it off.

 

Sherri is dwarfed by these trees! 

Can you believe this park!!

After our walk we both decided that we were hungry and got in our truck and went to  Cracker Barrel which is located on the grounds of the park. After our meal we drove around the park and discovered the Flying J...Camping World and the sales office all located on the 126 acre park! WOW what a complex this is. There are 100 bays for prep and repair.  They have security gates at all the entrances and security people roaming all over the park in golf carts.We will feel safe here tonight...

Somewhere in Time

 

Goodbye Louisiana Hello Florida

It was so quite when my ears turned on this morning...after being shut down for the nights sleep I so desperately needed. Yes I tried to hear something but nothing is all I heard. No...Wait Sherri is that you? I would have thought being in a crowded RV park like the one we are in there would be way too much noise...but it was quite and I just laid there enjoying the peace and tranquility.

Soon I was forced to get up and make the coffee. We both have to have that every morning to get started. Our whole system will not function without our coffee in the morning.

The plan was to head to the casino and drop some money in the slots. Last night was not the time to go gambling with the crowd they had in there we would have been forced to play machines we don't want to. But this morning it was clear and we got the pick of the machines. We only planed on staying for one hour so we had to strike fast and then run. Sherri was the first to hit it big and then later I pulled up the rear with my land slide win. I started off with $1.00 and walked away with $11.80...Last of the Big Time Winners.

We loaded up our winnings in the casino armored van and headed back to the RV Park. I had to stash all that cash and then dump and hook up. Sherri sucked the sides in and got everything loaded into the truck and before we knew it we were on the road. We headed down I49 all the way to I10 and then East on I12 across Louisiana Mississippi Alabama and finally crossed the line into Florida. I have been praying all the way down that no one would try to damage my trade-in. I am especially careful with driving and parking now that we are in all this big city traffic.

We stopped at two Fly J's and one Pilot for fuel on the way down and found out that now you have to pay for your fuel before they will turn on the pump? Now how much fuel do you need when you come in to a station. What happen to "Filler-up"? They said if you guess and you don't need as much as you paid for they credit it back on your account. Well We will see.

We had planned on staying at an RV park just outside of Holt Florida but Sherri found one right off the Hwy that was closer so we ventured in to check it out. Now mind you their Web Site said they were an exclusive resort. OK if this is a resort of any kind I am an Arab Aviator. On to the next park and it turned out to be OK for a one nighter. They have grassy pads and shade but not too many 50 amp sites. We had to get a 30 amp but for one night we could manage.

Sherri and I sat outside while our dinner was cooking inside. We met our next door neighbors from Michigan. We visited with them for some time and then we went in to eat and read some emails.

Over all we had a great day and saw many sites along the way that made us want to come back to this part of the world...

Somewhere in Time

Our last journey

 

Well actually the last journey in our 5ver began yesterday...

We drove about 6 hours and made it to Marksville Louisiana. We stayed at the Paragon RV park...which by the way was packed. Johnny Rivers was there and so was everyone living in Southern Louisiana! We lucked out and got a spot for the night. No we did not go to the casino when we got there because it was after 8:00 pm and like I said it was busy.

We unhitched the truck and headed to Wally World to pick up some food. We don't buy many groceries anymore. Just picked up some things to microwave on the road and that was it. We did buy a tote to store some things in for the big move.

We plan on getting up in the morning and heading over to the casino to do some playing. I hope we win enough to pay for our new house. Just in case we don't we will have to go back to work...

Somewhere in Time

A change is in the air

 

Here it is the 18th of March...the time has jumped forward leaving me an hour behind time. Sherri and I rolled out of bed slowly this morning. The clock on the radio across the room was not showing the time...instead it said there was no disk loaded? Oh well I knew it was time to get up so we did.

Coffee was next on the list of things to get done and I started that. Sherri slipped into the recliner. "We have a busy day ahead of us", Sherri said. She has to drive to Mesquite today to the dentist and I have to deliver some mattresses to my daughter in Wills Point. Also on my list of things to do is get the license plates for the house and pay our POB at the post office. Sherri leaves the dentist office and heads to buy groceries and a lottery ticket.

Yes we have a lot to get done before we leave for Florida today. F L O R I D A! Oh yes I forgot to mention we are leaving for Florida to day to pick up our new MH...Motorhome!! Oh did I mention that we bought a new motorhome? I guess I have been a little hush hush about our new plan. We have not said much about it because we were not real sure we were going to do this. We have been thinking about it for some time but making the final decision has taken a while.

Our new home

We wanted to be sure we would not add to our debt load to income and wanted the right offer on our trade in. When that all came together we decided to go for it. Wow we did it! Now we can worry if we did the right thing. We always have done that after every big purchase and more so as we get closer to a fixed income.

We bought an Allegro a... Tiffin product which seems to be a well built unit. We talked to Bob Tiffin at the Dallas RV show. He took time to go over the coach with us and pretty well sold us on the Tiffin quality and service after the sale. So Today we are on the way to Florida to pick up our new home...and you ask why Florida?? Well that in itself is a long story but to shorten it...they gave us the best deal of all the states and locations we talked to. Lazy Days RV just outside of Tampa is our destination. We should arrive there on Monday and pick up the new home on Tuesday. We have to switch over our belongings...the ones we are leaving in the Carriage.

I am not sure but I believe that we will stay there until Wednesday and then leave Thursday morning early. That will give us three days to get back to the lake. We do have to go back to work Monday morning so this trip will be short and sweet.

One thing good about this trade is that Sherri can help me with the driving. My legs just don't hold up under long driving distances anymore and this will be a great asset to me. Besides that if anything was to happen to me she could handle the MH better than the trailer and I would fell more comfortable with her doing that.

We will miss all the room we have in the trailer but there are good sides to the motorhome too. In the long run this will be our best option when we hit the road...

Somewhere in Time

Time Traveling

 

No we did not go back in time but we did spend a lot of time traveling. Sherri and I were both up early this morning...mater-a-fact we were a little later than early. Our alarm did not go off so we slept in some. When Sherri did come to she hollered at me that I needed to get my shower and get ready so she could do the same. What a whirl wind of clothes flying and shoes getting tossed about but we did get ready and even had time to eat some breakfast before we took off to the store.

We arrived here yesterday much earlier than we normally do so we had time to settle in and get some rest. Sherri, however did not get to rest much for she packed up with some of her co-workers and headed out to Kohl's to do some shopping. I on the other hand spent my time taking a nap. Yes I curled up in the bed and got some good shut eye while the wife burned up all her energy and cash.

She returned early enough to go out to eat with those of us that put sleeping and eating ahead of shopping for bargains. Let me see... she came home with two candles...well that Kohl's cash was just eating a hole in her pocket book so the two candles relieved all that pressure off of her. She would sleep better knowing that no cash was left behind.

Morning would be here before you know it and we do have to drive to Rayville Louisiana in the morning to work. We got ready for bed as soon as we got back from eating.  Just as I was about to turn the TV off our next door neighbors moved in. Sounded like a herd of longhorns coming down the shoot. People banging into the walls...some baby crying at the top of his or her lungs and the parents of said noise makers hollering out orders that were not being followed. Sherri and I looked at each other thinking the same thing...how long will this go on?

Well I left the TV going to drown out the commotion next door in hopes that they would settle down. They did settle down and I turned the TV off. It did not take long for Sherri and I to float into dream town...

Somewhere in Time

Here we go again

Roy and Dale Evans ready for the trip to Maw's and Poppa's

The weekend was filled with grandkids having a sleepover here at the RV. We got home on Thursday afternoon and got everything tucked away knowing that Saturday would not be a good time to get anything done with them here. We had just one full day to get our reports done laundry cleaned and a grocery store run for juices and snacks for the young'uns.

So as usual Friday morning found us sipping our coffee while humped over the lap tops scanning receipts. Before we knew it the clock on the wall said it was noon and and no laundry had been started. The grocery store had been put off until Saturday before we pick up the kids...you know you can't take them to the store with you unless you have a lot of money to fill up the shopping cart.

Sherri found some food stuffs that we had put away for a day like this and we had our lunch. After lunch we were back on the computers to finish up our reports and then read a few journals to catch up with our friends.

Speaking of our friends I see where most of them are staying put in warm places and just chilling out for the remainder of the winter. Most all of them are finding a lot to do in one place which saves a lot of gas money and RV rent. Sherri and I on the other hand are moving most every day to a new town and hotel room. At least we have nice hotel rooms and good food to eat but it would be nice to stay in one place for a while and enjoy some of the sites.

This week we will be here in Eastern Louisiana for two whole days and then we head out west on the other side of Ft Worth. This means that we will have to share the driving. I have trouble driving long distances with my bad leg and Sherri will have to take of the slack so I can stretch out for a hour or two.

We don't plan on driving great distances when we go out on the road because of my condition. Sherri can not drive the truck and trailer so that puts it all on me. When we had the motorhome she was able to drive some and give me a chance to rest up. She did pretty good in the Motorhome except when it came time to pass and then I would have to cheer her along so she could get around what ever she had to pass. Stopping and pulling over was not an option...but she would tell me that she was going to have to pull over because she was afraid to pass. She over came that and then she did a good job of driving. I could even go to the restroom while she was going down the road.

Here I am with my Best Buddy Kriss

 

                                                                                       This is my Sweet Girl Franki

Well Saturday came and the kids did too. We really enjoyed them both and had a lot of fun playing and reading books and of course watching cartoons. We got our fix but I think the kids want more spoiling...but then who can blame them. I am sure they will return for more...

Somewhere in time

Close to work

Sunday was a busy day...John and Bridget came by for breakfast and some of the kids dropped by to say HI. We tried to visit...finish our laundry and clean the house. With the kids there it was not easy to clean up anything. We managed to get it all done loaded the Jeep up and we were on our way around 3:30.

It was a 3 hour drive through Dallas...which we never care for. Being Sunday was the only good thing about it. The traffic was not as bad as a week days but there were a lot of cars out there weaving in and out at break neck speeds.

We managed to reach our destination about 6:30 and met Rick and Becky for dinner. If I have not mentioned this in the past Rick and Becky are married and work on the team with us. We like to hang out together...being the only married couples on the team we have a lot in common. Becky is our lead person so she tries to schedule us to go where they go to work.

We don't have to go to work in the morning until 8:00 am which is nice too. We will have time to eat in the breakfast bar in the lobby with out having to rush. The Store is located right across a vacant lot from the hotel so we can stretch our time out before we head to work. We can be there in 2 or 3 minutes.

I have babbled long enough...with this meaningless post so I will leave it to you until we meet again...

Somewhere in Time

 

Thanks John for all the help

 

Seems like every time we meet up John pulls me out of a dilemma.

It was Sunday morning when I woke and strained to look at the clock on the wall. We had an overnight guest...Grand girl and she and Sherri were sleeping on the pull out sofa bed. I was in the bedroom by my lonesome with the air blowing and had not noticed that Sherri had been up for some while...made coffee and tipped the first cup down before I had come to.

It was warm outside but no sun was shinning that I could tell. I showered off and headed down stairs to the living room to find my bride. She was already up and making breakfast muffins for our guest that we had invited over. John and Bridget were leaving today for Arkansas. We really did not want them to go but then we were leaving and heading West so I guess we must let them go.

We had so much fun visiting and playing cards with them and then yesterday we had all pilled in the Jeep and headed to Dallas to the RV show. We enjoyed walking around looking at all the new models that were out for this year and comparing what they had to what we had. John managed to latch on to a guy from Mobil Suites and got some names of folks to contact when he got to the factory later this year. They are having some warranty work done and John wanted to know who to talk to when he got there for the appointment.

Well as I said earlier John and Bridget were coming over this morning to eat breakfast with us and Sherri was in a dead heat to get everything done before their arrival. I slipped on my clothes and went out to get some laundry going. Sherri lines all the loads up and I wash and dry them. I am still in training for this position and hope to be hired full time later on this year.

What a great looking bed!

John and Bridget arrived on time and we had omelets...and Sherri did a great job fixing them. She is the queen omelet maker in these parts. The muffins...well they were good too. After breakfast we kicked back and did some serious visiting. While talking I asked John if he would help me pull my dryer out of the RV and set it in my shop. The dryer had been out for some time and I wanted to get it fixed. The only thing about getting it fixed is the repair guy wont work on them in your RV. John I have to thank you one more time for helping me. I hope I can return the favor down the road.

While that was going on Sherri's brother Rodney came by to say hello to John and Bridget. Rodney had met John and Bridget at the first RV Dreams Rally three years ago. Becky...Rodney's wife did not come down because she was not feeling well.

As Rodney was leaving my oldest daughter Janet pulled up. She brought her grandkids and some of our grandkids over to say hello. Janet lives in Dallas and was up for the weekend visiting her bunch and decided to come by to see us for a while. Before we knew it we had a house full of folks.

John and Bridget had to leave but we kept visiting right up until time for them to climb in their truck and pull off. We hated to say good bye to them but all good things must come to an end. One thing about it we know that we will meet again...

Somewhere in Time

Ten Penny has been good to me

 

This morning we were up with the chickens and before long we were at work doing what we do. Our intentions were to finish work as soon as possible so we could hook up with John and Bridget at their place. We had a date with Ten Penny and I was determined to regain my dignity...which by the way I had lost at the last encounter with the Hatch's.

Well I will have to say that I did regain some of that dignity by winning not one game of Ten Penny but two games! Yes you heard me correctly TWO games in a row! The proof is in the pictures below.

Two games in a row...Yes I was happy...

We had so much fun...well I did...I got the feeling that the others were a little irritated...but then I can understand...having been on the other end of the score board I was not always giddy when the game was over.

We not only played Ten Penny but discussed the fact that John's sink came loose from his counter top? John said this added to the list of repair items that he was working up for the factory visit later this year. Sherri and I know all about those kind of problems because we have had them with every RV we have ever owned. Just part of full timing with the big boys...things break and you have to have them fixed.

It was well after 10:00 pm when the game ended and we had to get the gate code from John so we could exit the park. We drove to the gate and unlocked it and then drove the mile to our lot. It was late and we both decided to take our showers and turn in. We had a wonderful day with wonderful friends...

Somewhere in Time

Parked the house...Did the laundry...pulled out for Tyler

 

That just about sums up our Sunday and Monday.

Sherri and I did not get up early...being our last day before we headed back to work. We made coffee and sat around the house reading journals and discussing what all we needed to do today to get ready to head out to our next job assignment. Before we knew it the time had shot forward to noon and we had to fix us a bite to eat.

I played phone tag with John Hatch most of the morning...trying to set up a time to meet him and Bridget. We don't have good cell service at the lake nor do we have good internet. Sometimes it is good and sometimes it really sucks. today was one of those days.

We finally made contact and the plan was laid out. Sherri and I did not get off as fast as we had planned but then we never do. If you ever make plans with us keep that in mind. If you need us to meet you at 12:00 you need to run the time back to...lets say 10:30. We will shoot for the 10:30 but will fall short of the target to somewhere close to 12:00. OK now you know the secrete.

We did meet up with John and Bridget but it was close to 3:30. We found their site with little problem...you can see John's truck a mile before you get to their site...LOL. Hugs were given all around and we stepped inside to visit for a while. Sherri and I had not checked in to our hotel yet but we wanted to visit before we did.

And a wonderful visit we did have indeed! We laughed and discussed some serious topics and then back to laughing again. It is hard for us to stay serious for too long.

We did get to discuss our eating plans and John and Bridget said they would just ride with us to the hotel and wait while we checked in and then we would go out to eat. We all loaded up in the Jeep and off we went to the hotel. On the way to the hotel we spotted a Casa Ole and decided to eat there on our way back from the hotel. We did get checked in but instead of going straight out to eat we took them by the new store that we will be working at tomorrow. It is quite a fancy place. From there we headed to the restaurant and had a wonderful meal with lots of laughs.

I enjoyed the visiting but I suggested that we get our check and leave. I was ready to get down to some serious 10 penny...and that we did. I am the only guy on record that went from last place to 2nd place and then back to last in 3 hands!! OK so John won...he keeps score you know...Not that I am suggesting anything...but he does keep score.

From last place to 2nd

Sherri and Sock Monkey console me after my loss.

That is OK we have a rematch coming up here next Friday night. I will have my wits fine tuned by then and they better watch out cause I will be ready for them and maybe I will come out the winner...

Somewhere in Time