Today we are going over to Rayford Crossing for a week. We will commute back and forth for the time we are there. It will be good to spend some time with our boomer friends over New Year.
Christmas was spent at my sisters house. My niece from Taiwan and her four daughters spent their last Christmas, for a while, here. They are returning to Taiwan in January. They have been here most of two years. Mag is learning how to home school. They are not Taiwanese citizens, so they are not allowed to go to school over there. They must go to the American school or home school. The American school is very expensive and no discount for multiple students. All 4 girls are in school.
They are lovely children, very loving and well disciplined. My sister and her husband will miss them dearly.
My sisters youngest daughter, her husband and their 2 daughters spent Christmas with us also.
They are doing a major kitchen remodel, so they are temporarily staying with my sister.
We decided that there would be no gift exchange between the adults, but the kids had a great visit from Santa and a fun filled gift exchange between each other. Since the Taiwanese girls are leaving, their gifts were small, so they could be taken with them.
Dinner was superb as always. My sweet sister made one of my favorite pies. I especially like mincemeat pie and I haven't had it for several years. Since my dad passed away, I am the only one who really likes it. I only eat it at Christmas, so this was a special treat.
The park is running smoothly. We are full and will remain so until after the first of Jan.
The owners ordered more picnic tables, so I have been busy putting them together. Brenda has been pretty slow, with few inquiries, so her days have been long.
Thanks to everyone who have been following our blog. It will get more interesting as we continue our travels throughout this wonderful and beautiful country.
Ta ta for now
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Happy Winter
It is December 21st and the first day of winter. It is cold here again, but nothing compared to what our daughters in the Seattle area are experiencing.
They have had snow for the last week or more with lots of accumulation. Seattle is not accustomed to this much snow so things there are not very pleasant. They are expecting snow all week so a white Christmas for them.
Our Canadian friends who left here on Tuesday, have made it as far as Salem, OR. They said that it is snowing there with a lot more to come. They are trying to get to British Columbia for work, but find themselves stranded in Or. at least for one day.
We are off today, and we are just hanging out. We are washing clothes and cleaning the house.
It is too cold to do much of anything else.
Last night we went to a 50th wedding anniversary party for some people from church. It was held at Strach Farms. They have some good barbecue. They had a band and cake. He and I used to usher together @ 0730 mass on Sundays. He still does and we are comfortable with St. Edwards, so we make the drive over there for mass. We also get to spend Sunday mornings with Val & Tony and sometimes Chris & Linda for breakfast. It is enjoyable.
The kids are sending Christmas presents tomorrow, via Fed Ex or UPS, so will will be here at least until the packages arrive.
Ta ta for now
They have had snow for the last week or more with lots of accumulation. Seattle is not accustomed to this much snow so things there are not very pleasant. They are expecting snow all week so a white Christmas for them.
Our Canadian friends who left here on Tuesday, have made it as far as Salem, OR. They said that it is snowing there with a lot more to come. They are trying to get to British Columbia for work, but find themselves stranded in Or. at least for one day.
We are off today, and we are just hanging out. We are washing clothes and cleaning the house.
It is too cold to do much of anything else.
Last night we went to a 50th wedding anniversary party for some people from church. It was held at Strach Farms. They have some good barbecue. They had a band and cake. He and I used to usher together @ 0730 mass on Sundays. He still does and we are comfortable with St. Edwards, so we make the drive over there for mass. We also get to spend Sunday mornings with Val & Tony and sometimes Chris & Linda for breakfast. It is enjoyable.
The kids are sending Christmas presents tomorrow, via Fed Ex or UPS, so will will be here at least until the packages arrive.
Ta ta for now
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Boring
I sure will be glad when the 21 picnic tables arrive. I haven't had a lot to do around the park since I finished putting the first 7 tables together. Brenda works in the office all day so she is busy. So I have been doing some maintenance on the coach.
I inherited a Bose radio from mother, and have been carrying it around for the last 2 years. I decided to make it where it can play our XM radio. Now, our satellite radio is now portable.
We finished Christmas shopping and we are ready for Christmas. Brenda won't put the packages out because she is worried that Cleo (the wonder cat) will get into the packages. So, they won't be put out until Christmas morning.
We got our mail from Escapees today and we got a card from Fred's parents and included was a picture of Lindsay and Binga. Lindsay has changed so much since we have seen her. She now wears glasses. She is so cute, no prejudice just fact. She and Binga are fast friends. They play together and enjoy each others company. We really miss her.
There was also a picture of Alex, Heather & Becky. Alex was up to Becky's house for Thanksgiving. It was so thoughtful of them to send the pictures.
Ta ta for now
I inherited a Bose radio from mother, and have been carrying it around for the last 2 years. I decided to make it where it can play our XM radio. Now, our satellite radio is now portable.
We finished Christmas shopping and we are ready for Christmas. Brenda won't put the packages out because she is worried that Cleo (the wonder cat) will get into the packages. So, they won't be put out until Christmas morning.
We got our mail from Escapees today and we got a card from Fred's parents and included was a picture of Lindsay and Binga. Lindsay has changed so much since we have seen her. She now wears glasses. She is so cute, no prejudice just fact. She and Binga are fast friends. They play together and enjoy each others company. We really miss her.
There was also a picture of Alex, Heather & Becky. Alex was up to Becky's house for Thanksgiving. It was so thoughtful of them to send the pictures.
Ta ta for now
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
More thoughts
It is a wonder everyone in the Houston area is not sick. The weather is so fickle. One day it is in the 30's, the next day it is the 70's, the next day it is the 30's again. It is cold here again this morning.
When I got up yesterday morning it was in the low 60's. Within 30 minutes the temperature had dropped 12 degrees. The wind out of the north. What a change.
Saturday was warm and windy, so I changed the ABS sensor on the rig. It went well after I went down to the auto parts store to buy a 12 point 8mm socket. I have 4 or 5 8mm sockets, but none were 12 point. Brenda was in the office all day.
Sunday we went to church then onto breakfast with Val & Tony. We had to go to Rayford to drop off our time cards, and we decided to visit with Jay & Stella. While we were there Tommy & Susan came in, so we went over to their rig and visited with them. It was good to see them again.
We left there to go to St Anthony's for a choir recital in the church. There were the bell players, a childrens choir, as well as several of the regular church musicians. Bishop Rissoto presided over the whole program with the pastor at his side. All in all a good afternoon. One of our nieces, Pui Yee, is in the choir.
Yesterday, we cleaned the house. Boy, it is hard to figure how this place can get so dirty with just two people and a cat, but it does. We then decorated for Christmas, put up the tree and the Nativity set that my son had sent us from Nicaragua. Not too much decorations as we are going to take the coach over to Rayford in less than 2 weeks for New Years, and we have to take everything down to move the coach.
Brenda needed to go to Kohl's for some Christmas shopping, so after we went there we were close to Rayford and decided to go see if our checks were there and to visit Jay & Stella. Jay was gone getting his brakes on the truck fixed. We visited with Stella until his return. We decide that we were hungry so we all went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. It was good as always. I personnally love salads.
Greg and Dawn, our friends from Canada, left yesterday, and we will miss them. They are going to the Vancouver, BC area where both have jobs. We hope to see them again while we are in the Seattle area in the fall.
Ta ta for now
When I got up yesterday morning it was in the low 60's. Within 30 minutes the temperature had dropped 12 degrees. The wind out of the north. What a change.
Saturday was warm and windy, so I changed the ABS sensor on the rig. It went well after I went down to the auto parts store to buy a 12 point 8mm socket. I have 4 or 5 8mm sockets, but none were 12 point. Brenda was in the office all day.
Sunday we went to church then onto breakfast with Val & Tony. We had to go to Rayford to drop off our time cards, and we decided to visit with Jay & Stella. While we were there Tommy & Susan came in, so we went over to their rig and visited with them. It was good to see them again.
We left there to go to St Anthony's for a choir recital in the church. There were the bell players, a childrens choir, as well as several of the regular church musicians. Bishop Rissoto presided over the whole program with the pastor at his side. All in all a good afternoon. One of our nieces, Pui Yee, is in the choir.
Yesterday, we cleaned the house. Boy, it is hard to figure how this place can get so dirty with just two people and a cat, but it does. We then decorated for Christmas, put up the tree and the Nativity set that my son had sent us from Nicaragua. Not too much decorations as we are going to take the coach over to Rayford in less than 2 weeks for New Years, and we have to take everything down to move the coach.
Brenda needed to go to Kohl's for some Christmas shopping, so after we went there we were close to Rayford and decided to go see if our checks were there and to visit Jay & Stella. Jay was gone getting his brakes on the truck fixed. We visited with Stella until his return. We decide that we were hungry so we all went to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. It was good as always. I personnally love salads.
Greg and Dawn, our friends from Canada, left yesterday, and we will miss them. They are going to the Vancouver, BC area where both have jobs. We hope to see them again while we are in the Seattle area in the fall.
Ta ta for now
Friday, December 12, 2008
It is still cold here
This morning when I got up, it was 26 degrees outside and it was 61 in here. I tried the furnace and nothing happened. I knew the auxiliary propane tank was getting low and sure enough it ran out last night. Fortunately, the main tank is full, so I got dressed, went outside and turned on the tank. With the weather we have been having, the small 20# tank lasts about 10-11 days.
The weather warmed some yesterday, but, with the wind blowing like it was, it was still cold in the shade. I was going to try to change the ABS sensor on the (r) rear wheel, but it was cold lying on the ground.
Monday, during Ted's and my guy trips, we went to my favorite RV place, Demontrond, (the only workhorse chassis parts place north of Houston) to get the ABS sensor. It is supposed to warm up here today, into the 60's, so I will try to put that ABS sensor on today. I need to get the rig inspected before we leave Texas, but I need to fix the ABS sensor first.
While getting Christmas decorations down from the attic a couple of weeks ago, Donna slipped and put her foot and leg through the ceiling in the garage. They found someone to repair it. He took the garage fluorescent light fixture down, but refused to rehang it. Donna asked me if I could rehang the light with Ted's help. I did but we needed some new bolts to attach it to the ceiling.
.
It was while we were out getting these parts that we went to Demontrond and other places. Ted was kind enough to drive. It wasn't my intentions that Ted drive on my errands.
Brenda again washed our cloths there, and since we have several loads of cloths it takes awhile.
It was getting late in the afternoon, so Ted and I went down to Randalls and got one of their signature pizzas. Ted doctored it with some more Mozzarella cheese and some peperoni they had at home. It was really good and filling.
Ta ta for now
The weather warmed some yesterday, but, with the wind blowing like it was, it was still cold in the shade. I was going to try to change the ABS sensor on the (r) rear wheel, but it was cold lying on the ground.
Monday, during Ted's and my guy trips, we went to my favorite RV place, Demontrond, (the only workhorse chassis parts place north of Houston) to get the ABS sensor. It is supposed to warm up here today, into the 60's, so I will try to put that ABS sensor on today. I need to get the rig inspected before we leave Texas, but I need to fix the ABS sensor first.
While getting Christmas decorations down from the attic a couple of weeks ago, Donna slipped and put her foot and leg through the ceiling in the garage. They found someone to repair it. He took the garage fluorescent light fixture down, but refused to rehang it. Donna asked me if I could rehang the light with Ted's help. I did but we needed some new bolts to attach it to the ceiling.
.
It was while we were out getting these parts that we went to Demontrond and other places. Ted was kind enough to drive. It wasn't my intentions that Ted drive on my errands.
Brenda again washed our cloths there, and since we have several loads of cloths it takes awhile.
It was getting late in the afternoon, so Ted and I went down to Randalls and got one of their signature pizzas. Ted doctored it with some more Mozzarella cheese and some peperoni they had at home. It was really good and filling.
Ta ta for now
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Just thoughts
Remember when you were a small child, Christmas seemed like it would never come. But, as we get older, time speeds up so fast that we are saying "it is Christmas time , again already".
Wow, time moves really quickly. It is hard to believe we have been here for 2 1/2 months.
It is cold here this morning. According to the weather report it is 34 degrees and windy. Yesterday it was in the high 70's and humid. The weather people are predicting snow showers this am. Is this really Houston???????????
We have been busy here around the campground. With the first of the month, Brenda has been busy collecting the rents from our monthly guests.
The owners bought some picnic tables for the park. Only 7, as they were not sure what they would be like. They are pressure treated wood with galvanized supports. I have been putting them together for the last several days. They are very nice for this park with its rustic setting.
We haven't even begun our Christmas shopping yet. I have been looking online, but just can't decide what to get the people on our list. This is so unlike me, as I don't like to wait until the last moment to do anything. Maybe, retirement is beginning to set in.
Ta ta for now.
Wow, time moves really quickly. It is hard to believe we have been here for 2 1/2 months.
It is cold here this morning. According to the weather report it is 34 degrees and windy. Yesterday it was in the high 70's and humid. The weather people are predicting snow showers this am. Is this really Houston???????????
We have been busy here around the campground. With the first of the month, Brenda has been busy collecting the rents from our monthly guests.
The owners bought some picnic tables for the park. Only 7, as they were not sure what they would be like. They are pressure treated wood with galvanized supports. I have been putting them together for the last several days. They are very nice for this park with its rustic setting.
We haven't even begun our Christmas shopping yet. I have been looking online, but just can't decide what to get the people on our list. This is so unlike me, as I don't like to wait until the last moment to do anything. Maybe, retirement is beginning to set in.
Ta ta for now.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Support Group
As many of you know, Brenda is a 4+ year survivor of breast cancer.
When she was diagnosed, it was a scary time for the both of us. I was fortunate to be working at Houston Northwest Medical Center in the Imaging Department at that time. The Breast Center is part of that department, and therefore I was made aware of the different services that they offer.
One of them being the support group Care, Share & Be Aware. They were there for us, as they are for all breast cancer patients who choose to accept their support.
Every year they have a Christmas party for the survivors and their closest supporters, be it spouses, sisters or friends.
There is always a good time had by all. Food and non alcoholic drinks are supplied by the hospital and there is a gift exchange done during the festivities. The spouses always have a good time as most of the gifts are for the ladies.
Tosha is the manager of the Breast Center and also a 9 year survivor. She is the facilitator for all of the activities that go on for the women who use the Breast Center. She manages a department that has a staff who are gentle and very caring.
Esther is the driving force for all of the activities. She is so energetic and enthusiastic and such a strong supporter of the ladies that are or have made the journey through diagnosis and treatment. She is also a strong supporter of the families of the patients.
It has been my privilege to have known and benefited from these wonderful ladies. When Brenda was diagnosed, we knew little or nothing about breast cancer. Through the educational series, facilitated by Tosha and staff, we learned a lot about the diagnosis and treatment.
Ta ta for now
When she was diagnosed, it was a scary time for the both of us. I was fortunate to be working at Houston Northwest Medical Center in the Imaging Department at that time. The Breast Center is part of that department, and therefore I was made aware of the different services that they offer.
One of them being the support group Care, Share & Be Aware. They were there for us, as they are for all breast cancer patients who choose to accept their support.
Every year they have a Christmas party for the survivors and their closest supporters, be it spouses, sisters or friends.
There is always a good time had by all. Food and non alcoholic drinks are supplied by the hospital and there is a gift exchange done during the festivities. The spouses always have a good time as most of the gifts are for the ladies.
Tosha is the manager of the Breast Center and also a 9 year survivor. She is the facilitator for all of the activities that go on for the women who use the Breast Center. She manages a department that has a staff who are gentle and very caring.
Esther is the driving force for all of the activities. She is so energetic and enthusiastic and such a strong supporter of the ladies that are or have made the journey through diagnosis and treatment. She is also a strong supporter of the families of the patients.
It has been my privilege to have known and benefited from these wonderful ladies. When Brenda was diagnosed, we knew little or nothing about breast cancer. Through the educational series, facilitated by Tosha and staff, we learned a lot about the diagnosis and treatment.
Ta ta for now
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