October 31, 2011

October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!  Our costumes are all ready for a fun day.  I am going dressed as a grandmother and Bill can’t decide if he wants to be an old codger, a geezer, or a grouch.  I don’t know which one to vote for, but he’ll have no trouble with the role of any of the three. 

This morning I went for some lab work.  That was a hoot and a half!  Afterwards, I went to one of my favorite stores, The Container Store.  I didn’t have long to wander around, so I will just have to go back another day, eh?

We had one trick-or-treater at our motorhome.  Usually we have no one, but this year we were lucky!  Our friend, Jennifer and her six year old son, Rowan, aka Superman, stayed for a short visit.

Our caching adventure today took us to Concord.  We had some challenging hunts.  One was hidden in the bark of a huge cork tree.  There were many places that a little tube could be hidden.  It took us quite a bit of searching, but finally we were successful.  The last geocache of the night was at a Haunted House.  It was a lot of fun.  We found a total of four caches.

October 30, 2011

October 30, 2011

It was another beautiful day in California.  

JP and Rosie went back home today, but we’ll see them next weekend.  They are great “kids.”

After shopping at Sam’s Club for the Garmin Nuvi that we are wanting (No luck!) we did some caches in the same area.  In fact, one of our finds was in the Sam’s parking lot.  We log five other finds.

We watch the NASCAR race from Martinsville, Virginia.  There are only three races left for this season.  Sniff, sniff!  It will be a lo-o-ong winter.

October 29, 2011

October 29, 2011

California greeted us with really great weather...cool in the mornings warming up to the mid-70s by late afternoon.

We left Petaluma at 10:30, heading for Lori’s in Walnut Creek.  J.P. was with us, riding “shotgun” with Grandpa.  It brought back happy  memories of traveling with J.P. and Natalia.  That was back in the good old days.  We have missed them bunches and bunches.

After arriving at Lori’s at lunchtime and getting the “house” parked and organized, I went to watch Lori and Natalia bowl in a tournament.  They both did a great job.  Most of the bowlers were in costume.

Bill and I watched the Oregon Ducks football game against Eastern Washington State.  He had recorded it.  The Ducks won!  Yea!

Today’s Travel Totals: Today’s mileage, 50---Geocaches, 4 

October 28, 2011

October 28, 2011

This was a really busy day for us.  J.P. came for an early morning visit.  Its so nice to sit and visit with him.  He’s a really great kid...er, young man.

We drove to Guerneville, about 25 miles east of Petaluma.  It is a quaint little town on the Russian River.  J.P. and Rosie took us to Korbel Winery for lunch.  After a relaxing meal in a beautiful setting, we went in search of a geocache on the grounds of the winery.  After logging the find we walked around the area, passing the champagne cellars and the old railroad station.  Korbel’s has been making champagne since I882.  It is a very interesting place to visit and certainly worth the drive.

We traveled back through the village, found another cache, and then returned to Petaluma. Waiting for us at the motorhome were Lori and Natalia.  It was great to see them after so long.

Shopping was in order, of course.  We went to the rejuvenated downtown region of old Petaluma.  The town has done a really good job of preserving the area.  It was a great place to walk around and enjoy the nice weather.

J.P. called Grandpa to meet us at In-N-Out.  Yum, yum!  That was a perfect ending to wonderful day with members of our family.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Geocaches, 2 

October 27, 2011

October 27, 2011

We drove to Petaluma and checked into the Elks Lodge.  We called JP to find out about his class schedule for today.  He has a lab that ends at 2:30.  He’ll come to the MH when the professor turns him loose.

He arrived at 3:00 and we had a good visit with him.  His girlfriend, Rosie, came after a doctor appointment.  We decided to go caching before the sun went down.  Three caches later we headed for dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  The food was really good.

With happy tummies, we went back to the MH.  JP and Rosie stayed for a showing of the movie, RV.  Where?  In our RV, of course!  

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage, 80---Geocaches, 3  

October 26, 2011

October 26, 2011

On our way to Ukiah this morning we went past the turnoff to the Avenue of the Giants.  In that area there are huge redwoods.  Another sign announced a tree that spans the road and has been tunneled out so tourists and the likes of us can drive through it.  We contemplated going there on our way south.  We weren’t worried about the Honda fitting, but we had major concerns about the motorhome!  At this point in time Bill doesn’t think he wants to make it a convertible.

Today’s drive was mostly through redwood forests.  It was beautiful though many curves and twists were a challenge for Bill.  About 15 miles north of Ukiah the terrain changed to a drier, more arid area.  There was still a lot of vegetation, but not as tall and thick as we were seeing earlier in the day.  This is also vineyard country.

At one area on Hwy. 101 there was a sign that read “Elk Refuge.”  I looked out into a large field as we passed by.  There were lots of big brown “lumps” scattered over the area.  What I saw weren’t big rocks, but resting elk, as I later learned.

Speaking of elk, we parked at the Elks Lodge in Ukiah, and went geocaching.  Our total of five finds were all in a huge vineyard region.  There were also pear orchards.  It was an interesting place to drive through.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage, 155---Geocaches, 5 ... Critter sightings, 50 or 60 brown “lumps” that were quite possibly elk. 

October 25, 2011

October 25, 2011

It was midmorning before we got on the road.  Within just a few minutes we crossed into California with much fanfare (Honk, honk! Yahoo!)  Yesterday’s practice really helped.  We did a jim dandy job of all the hoopla for California

Soon after leaving Crescent City we got into a redwoods forest.  If you were of a mind to be a tree hugger, it would take you and a bunch of friends to reach around one of those big, ole’ trees.  

After parking at the Elks Lodge in Eureka we headed for Costco with plans to cache on the way.  We were able to log two finds before going to our favorite hotdog place.  We were hoping to buy a Garmin Nuvi, but they didn’t have the model we wanted.  We drowned our sorrow and disappointment in Polish dogs and lemonade.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage, 121---Geocaches, 2---Critter Sightings, 3 quail (They can really scurry across a road.) 

October 24, 2011

October 24, 2011

Winchester Bay was beautiful this morning, but leave we must.  (Insert a sigh here, please.)  Our journey continued south this morning.  Highway 101 down the coast is such a beautiful drive.  

Soon after going through the small coastal town of Bandon, we went past several large cranberry bogs.  Some had been harvested and some had not.  The “nots” are really pretty because of the red berries.  The time of the year when the berries are harvested is when “turkey day” is getting close.  JP and I are particularly fond of the jellied cranberry sauce.  We make sure there is plenty on hand when Lori cooks a Thanksgiving dinner style meal.

For our dining pleasure today we chose a pulloff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  It offered a fantastic view for us while eating our lunch and resting.  Although we know about the beauty of the Orecon coast, having lived on it for more than 20 years, we are always amazed at its beauty.

We parked at the Elks Lodge in Brookings, just a few miles north of the California border.  Bill has been practicing his air horn routine for the last half hour.  He’s ready for a border crossing tomorrow!  I don’t have to practice.  I have perfect pitch...aka B. S.

Our caching adventures today were rather pathetic.  We only had two finds and a whole bunch of DNFs.  Ugh!  Hope California’s better for us.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage, 130---Geocaches, 2 

October 23, 2011

October 23, 2011

This morning we were sure we heard Willie Nelson singing our traveling song (On the Road Again) so we got the coach in “go mode” and left Eugene.

The drive to the coast was as gorgeous as we remember it being.  It was pleasant to drive through the forest again.  For 15 miles before getting to Florence, we followed the Siuslaw River.  There were lots of fishing boats out for some Sunday fun...or maybe Sunday dinner...or maybe they were just out there drowning worms.

We parked the MH at the marina at Winchester Bay, and ate lunch while watching the NASCAR race from Talladega.  It was nice to be able to put the race on record so we could go caching.

It was cold and windy at this little bay, but that’s the norm, I think.  In spite of that, we like visiting this beautiful spot on the Oregon Coast.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage, 85---Geocaches, 6 

October 22, 2011

October 22, 2011

This morning a guy from Dish Network came to the motorhome to install our new receiver.  He was here for over an hour.  We are excited to be able to record and keep a number of shows.  When we were in Madison, Wisconsin for the FMCA Convention we bought a new satellite dish, but hadn’t taken care of the rest of the equation.  

We went to Springfield for lunch at Izzy’s which was one of our favorite places to eat in the Portland area.  We were especially fond of their cinnamon rolls and their fried potato rounds.  Those two things were still very good, but the other food wasn’t anything to “write home about.”

Between a trip to Walmart and a stop at Ben Franklin Crafts we found a cache...the only one for today.

When we got back home we were able to watch the Ducks play football in Colorado.  It was a very lopsided game, which was fine with us.  The new recording gadget did a great job.  We were able to see the entire game.  

Today’s Travel Totals:  Geocaches, 1

October 21, 2011

October 21, 2011

Today was filled with more errands...run, run, run!  Filters for the Cummins engine, a light switch replacement in the bathroom, and University of Oregon t-shirts and other memorability for Brent and Connor.  They are our main Duck fans!

Bill really needed a nap when we got home.  In order to give him some P & Q, I did the thoughtful thing that most loving wives would do.  I went shopping!  Did anyone notice that my halo got a little bit lopsided with that one?

Geocaching was on the schedule when I got home.  We found three caches before darkness put a stop to our fun and games!

Today’s Travel Totals:  Geocaches, 3 

October 20, 2011

October 20, 2011

Our morning started off with pancakes for breakfast at McDonalds.  Yum, yum!  

We had several errands to do before we moved the “house” to Eugene.  Every place we went took longer than expected, especially when one of the stops was at a craft store.  While I was there, Bill went back to the motorhome, hooked the Honda onto the back, and came back to fetch me.  

Once we got settled in our spot at the Eugene Elks Lodge, we made a quick trip to REI and Costco.  On the way home we found one cache.  

Bill hadn’t had a nap all day long, but as soon as we got back to the MH he correct that oversight.  For about 45 minutes, he “inspected the insides of his eyelids.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage, 15---Geocaches, 1  

October 19, 2011

October 19, 2011

Our departure from Bend was later than we had planned and it only got worse.  The map showed two ways to get to the Eugene area.  One was shorter by 12 miles so you can guess which one we took.  Hwy. 242 turned out to be not so economical.  After traveling on it for at least 10 miles, a sign warned us that vehicles over 35 feet in length were prohibited.  It took us three or four miles to find a place where we could turn this behemoth around.  

Bill fumed all the way back to the turn off to Hwy. 20/126.  A pretty drive over a mountain pass cheered him up.

After checking in at the Elks Lodge in Springfield and resting a bit, we went for an early dinner with our friend, Sally Ross.  She had a meeting to go to so after we ate she went one way and we went another...to geocache.  We found six caches before it got too dark to see what we were doing.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage, 137---Geocaches, 6 

October 18, 2011

October 18, 2011

We left Ontario this morning at 5:00...five 'til 8:00, that is.  There was some ice on the windshield.  By the time we got on the highway there was dense fog, which lasted for about 15 minutes.  When the fog lifted it wasn’t gradually, but like someone had drawn a line across the road.  Kind of like, “now you see it, now you don’t.”

We drove toward Burns and Bend on Hwy. 20.  Part of the way we were driving through a canyon and by a river.  Hwy. 20 is a pretty drive across south central Oregon.  An hour after leaving Ontario we entered the Pacific Time Zone.  

Not long after going through Hines, we turned into the BLM Wild Horse Corral.  It is a large operation in charge of the wild horses in Oregon.  This year they gathered 800 horses to put up for adoption.  The number they round up each year depends on the health of the animals and condition of the grazing land on the range.  We spent over an hour driving around the 30 or more corrals.  When I got out of the car to take pictures the horses they would run to the far side of the corral.  So much for getting pictures of wild horses.

As we continued down the road we were able to stop for two caches.  Upon arriving in Bend we went to the Elks Lodge to park in one of their RV spaces.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage, 266---Geocaches, 2 ... critter sightings, 1 deer and 800 wild horses.

October 17, 2011

October 17, 2011

We are getting back into cold country.  The temperature was 44° this morning and not a cloud in the sky.

The Oregon Trail followed the Snake River on the south side.  Our journey this morning took us past Glenns Ferry, ID, where the wagons crossed the river.  Crossing the Snake River at Three Island Crossing involved lowering the wagons down a bluff on ropes to be able to cross over to the first island.  From there it was “island hopping” to make it to the north side.

The last time we were in this area JP and Natalia were traveling with us.  Natalia and I drove over to the bluff area.  The trail is still well defined and we were able to see the islands and the places the wagons crossed.  Natalia stood by a sign marking the trail.  She said, “Just think.  150 years ago another little girl stood right here.”

We stopped at a Rest Area for lunch.  Just across the fence was a badger digging a hole.  He was a big fellow!

We crossed into Oregon with extra fanfare (Honk, honk! Yahoo!) and parked at Walmart in Ontario.  After resting for awhile, we went out to cache.  We found seven in the area close to Walmart.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage,  170---Geocaches, 7 ...critter sightings,  badger

October 16, 2011

October 16, 2011

Bill hooked the Honda on and left the Wallmart parking lot at 7:20.  He let me sleep because I was so tired.  Gee, I wonder why!

After fueling at Sam’s Club in South Jordan and dumping the holding tanks at Camping World in Kayesville, we continued north on I-15.  We crossed into Idaho (Honk, honk!  Yahoo) at 12:15 and stopped at the Welcome Center to rest and eat lunch.

As we drove west across southern Idaho I think of how people on the Oregon trail must have felt at the vastness of this land.  Perhaps a mixture of anxiety, excitement, fear, adventure, distress, and hope for the future.  No matter what, they were brave souls.

We parked at Walmart in Jerome and drove north of town for some geocaching.  By the time we got to the first cache it was raining and the wind was fierce.  We grabbed the cache, signed the log, replaced the cache container and headed for home.  The rain continued for most of the evening.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Today’s mileage,  287---Geocaches, 1

October 15, 2011

October 15, 2011

8:00 and we were on the caching trail.  The first cache titled “Walk a mile in my right shoe” was in an old right shoe hidden in a bush.  It got us off to a good start.  

135 caches later we were finished for the day.  Most of the caches were hidden in a pretty part of this area.  We were at the base of the mountains for the first half of the caches.  The colors of the trees were a beautiful sight.  Much of the second half was through a canyon.

When we got home I took a long nap.  Bonnie made spaghetti for our dinner and we had lots of time to visit before giving farewell hugs to old friends (Todd and Bonnie) and new ones (Eric and Lou).  We plan to continue our westward journey tomorrow.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Geocaches, 136...critter sightings, besides lots of cows and horses, we saw a llama, a donkey, a snake in the rocks where the cache was hidden, a coyote, and a hawk.

It was an interesting day!

October 14, 2011

October 14, 2011

Again this morning we moved further south, to the Walmart in Payson.  It was a short driving day...16 miles.  That’s Bill’s idea of a really good day.  I told him not to get use to it.  Sunday we plan to head for Oregon!  

We parked at Walmart and then went caching.  The third cache out found Bill in a difficulty.  He was crossing a grassy area to get to a pole where he thought the cache was hidden, when he suddenly sank up to his ankles in water and mud.  He let out a yelp.  My first thought was “bees,”  but we quickly found out his true problem.  For the rest of the morning he was sloshing around in wet socks and even wetter tennis shoes.  Of course, I saw the hilarity of the situation.  Bill took it all in good, though wet stride.

After finding five caches, Todd decided a stop at McDonald’s for an early lunch was in order.  While there, two more cachers from the Portland area, Eric and Lou, arrived.  

With lunch completed, Bill and Bonnie decided to return to the motorhomes...Bill to get dry footwear and take a nap and Bonnie to check on their two little dogs.  The rest of the group continued the hunt, finding a total of 33 caches for the day.

The paper work, etc. that it takes to geocache at this rate is keeping me very busy, and out of trouble (maybe!).

Today’s Travel Totals:  Miles, 16---Geocaches, 33

October 13, 2011

October 13, 2011

We moved from Sam’s Club in the Salt Lake City area to a Sam’s in Provo, 41 miles south.  After parking, eating lunch, and getting settled we hit the caching trail.  

The caches we found today were all different kinds and certainly not all in a row.  By the end of our hunting time we had logged 14 finds.  That’s not too bad considering we weren’t in familiar territory.  We made lots of U-turns!

We went to dinner at Cracker Barrel.  Normally, their food is really good.  Not tonight!  The portions were very small and the food wasn’t all that good.  Such a disappointment!

Today’s Travel Totals: Mileage, 41---Geocaches, 14

October 12, 2011

October 12, 2011

We left both motorhomes at Sam’s Club and drove south to do some serious geocaching.  After five hours we had found 88 caches.  Yes, I said 88!!  

We did what is called a Power Run.  All of the caches were on one road, spaced about .15 miles apart.  Sometimes they can be very interesting, like in the Yuma, AZ area where the scenery is so different.  Usually, we are on the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range (with permission, of course) with very little traffic on the miles and miles of road.  Brent always says he hopes we don’t start World War Three!  

The Power Run today was on a very busy road mostly through cornfields.  None of us seemed particularly impressed with the situation today, but it was fun being with Todd and Bonnie and their two little dogs.

Just about all we did for the remainder of the day was rest.

Today’s Travel Totals: Geocaches, 88---Critter sightings, antelope and a little dog running down the middle of the road

October 11, 2011

October 11, 2011

After spending the night at the Walmart parking lot in Rock Springs, WY, we got off to an earlier start today, by 35 minutes.  

As we drove west on I-80 we saw more antelope and even wild horses.  Yee-haw!

We stopped at Walmart in Evanston, WY.  While Bill rested I went in to shop.  I think that’s a good trade, don’t you?  We ate lunch before continuing west.  In just a few miles we crossed into Utah.  This time we did our state line routine...Honk, honk!  Yahoo!

Traveling into Utah from the east is mostly downhill, through a canyon.  The fall colors were beautiful.  As we came out of the canyon we were treated to a range of snow capped mountains.

Our destination for today was Sam’s Club in Murray, UT.  Our friends, Todd and Bonnie McAllister, met us there.  They traveled from Montana.  We knew them when we all lived in Oregon.  They went fulltime in their motorhome about the same time that we did.  They still live on wheels, but spend most of their in the Portland area and in Yuma, Arizona.  They don’t wander around nearly as much as we do.  

We went to In-N-Out tonight.  Yea!  It tasted so good.  There was a geocache there also, but we weren’t able to find it.  It was last found in the spring.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Miles, 181---Critter sightings, antelope and wild horses

October 10, 2011

October 10, 2011

Frost on the roof and ice on the windshield.  Yup!  its time to “get out of Dodge”...er, uh,...Loveland.

We left Michelle’s at 9:40, which is too late to qualify as a “Dane Start.”  We’ll have to work on that now that we have returned to travel mode.  As we passed through the tiny town of Tie Siding we knew that we were in Wyoming.  We didn’t see a sign for the state line, so we didn’t do our Honk, honk!  Yahoo! routine.  That’s another thing we will have to work on.

We saw a lot of antelope on the ranch land before we got to Laramie.  The temperature dropped and we got into snow covered hills and mountains on I-80.  The roads were clear and the sun was out.  And the wind was blowing a gale.  Yes, we are in Wyoming!

We stopped at a Flying J Station to rest and discovered that 56 feet from where we parked was a geocache.  The temp was in the low 50s and the wind was high 50s, at least.  We made a quick find, signed the log, and dashed back to the motorhome.  The cold wind was enough to wake Bill, so we continued on our way.  This was our first cache to hunt and find in over a month.

Soon after getting back onto I-80 we crossed the Continental Divide.  Now we are really “out west.”  And to prove my point, we saw a covered wagon pulled by two horses, traveling east on I-80, no less.  There was a second wagon hooked to the first, and behind that was a smaller wagon, which displayed flashing warning lights.  This goes in the “now we’ve seen everything” category.

Today’s Travel Totals:  Miles, 288---Geocaches, 1---Critter sightings, antelope (too many to count)---Covered wagon menagerie, 1.

October 9, 2011

October 9, 2011

It was a bit warmer today with scattered clouds, but no moisture falling.

Bill and I both had several chores to compete before we depart tomorrow.  We also watched the NASCAR race from Kansas.  Since I am still able to multitask (not as well as I once could do, but OK) I was able to work on chores and watch the race at the same time.

I went into the house to help with dinner, but as soon as I walked in I heard piano music.  I veered past the kitchen and changed my course to the computer room.  Dwaine was playing the piano and singing so I joined in for the singing part.  It has been a long time since I have sung harmony so I wasn’t too great.  Be that as it may, I had a good time.  By the time we called it quits dinner was ready.  How’s that for timing?

October 8, 2011

October 8, 2011

I had hoped to be able to report Loveland’s first snow today, but no such luck!  The temperature was 43° when we got up, but it didn’t go lower as predicted.  We had rain and wind, but none of the frozen white stuff.  Drats!

We stayed in most of the day.  I finished several jobs so I made good use of the time...hemming Matthew's curtains, repairing a dress for Meredith, wrapping presents!  Yes, that’s what I said.  Wrapping presents.  Let me explain...

Christmas presents are usually opened on December 24th or 25th.  Because we travel hither, thither, and yon,  we are often not with family on those two designated days.  So we designate our own “opening” dates.  Today was the day while we were still with Michelle and Meredith and families.  We had a fun time, especially Matthew.  There were even presents for Joey and Hapa, who actually slept through most of the festivities.

It was still cold, windy, and wet by bedtime, but no snow!

October 7, 2011

October 7, 2011

There was a strong wind blowing most of the night.  The highest mountains were covered with snow, but we got very little moisture here in Loveland.

The thermometer was at 49° this morning.  Br-r-r-r-r!

The highlight of the day was going to Joshua’s football game.  The Booster Club had a tailgate party to raise funds.  We had hamburgers, chips, potato salad, cookies, and sodas.  I can’t ever remember that kind of fund raising event at a high school game.  It was well attended.

The weather was clear and crisp.  That means it was between cold and down right frigid!  Actually, the temperature was just about right for a fall evening, but as the time got later it got colder.  50° with dampness in the air was just a bit cold.

Joshua played a very good game.  He plays defense and was in on lots of tackles.  He likes the rough stuff.  The final score was 26  to 6.

October 6, 2011

October 6, 2011

We are definitely in the Wild West.  As we parked at Walmart this morning a young lady pulled up in a pickup, took her saddle out of the back, put it in front and locked the door.  She was in complete western garb including boots and spurs! 

We went into the store and both got shot...as in flu shots.  I wanted a Snoopy Band-Aid, but didn’t get one.  Bill didn’t faint, so that’s good.  I guess all in all, it was an OK morning.

Connor had a football game this afternoon.  He played offense today.  They won by several touchdowns.

Tonight, Oregon beat Cal, also by several touchdowns.  Yippy, Skippy!

A good day all around, don’t you think?

October 5, 2011

October 5, 2011

The weather here has been great...lots of sunshine, warm (but not hot) days and cool nights.  We are still doing tasks that will help get Meredith and Dwaine settled into Michelle and Ron’s digs.

Michelle worked in her home office all day and Meredith drove to Broomfield to her new Oracle office.  It was the first day that we have had what might be considered a normal day, whatever that might be.

I keep plugging away at my list and so does Bill.  Willie Nelson may have to come and help us get “on the road again.”

October 4, 2011

October 4, 2011

This morning I finished three wreaths that I started last week.  They are made of leaves cut from old sheet music.  Michelle and I had planned to use different color ribbon, but liked the effect of one color...black.  

One of Meredith’s wreaths that I had made several years ago needed some first aid.  After that mending project I took all the wreaths in to the house.  Maybe tomorrow we will hang them on the walls.

Gradually, I am clearing projects, etc. out of the motorhome, in preparation of our departure, which should be in the next few days. 

Bill and I are both feeling the need to head west!

October 3, 2011

October 3, 2011

“Same song, third verse.  Could get better, but it might get worse.”  Yikes!  Not worse!  We all worked very hard over the weekend, and those of us who didn’t go to school or to work today were at it again.

At first look, things seem topsy-turvy, but so much has been accomplished.  Bill built storage shelves for the basement and the rest of us spent a lot of time placing boxes.

The fun just never ends!

October 2, 2011

October 2, 2011

Today was an extremely busy day for the family members in Colorado.  The major part of the truck unloading was accomplished and taken to the basement of Michelle and Ron’s house.  It took all nine of us working hard for most of the day.

Not only were there boxes and boxes and boxes to unload, but there were two storage units to be assembled in the backyard.  They will be used for bicycles, I think.

The most difficult things to take into house were the sofa, the piano, and the china cabinet. 

Before taking the piano out of the U-Haul truck, Dwaine “held a concert.”  He is exceptionally talented.  Once the piano was out on the driveway, he played again.  The move into the house was tricky, but successfully accomplished.  It is now in place in the computor room.  Whee!  That was a big job

My main efforts for the good of the cause were supervising Matthew’s preparation of breakfast and dishes after everyone had finished.  I was also in charge of dinner.

In between all of this, I had time to get some things done in the motorhome.  I finished the ornaments!  Hooray!  Yippy, Skippy!  Yea!  Hallelijah!, etc., ect., ect.!

October 1, 2011

October 1, 2011

Welcome to October.  Many of the trees in the neighborhood are changing colors.  It is such a beautiful time of year.

This has been a “rough and rowdy” day.  We had so many things to do to get ready for the arrival of the California kin.  Cleaning and all those good things like that.  There was also a lot of rearranging of furniture, boxes, etc. to make room for another family to move in.

The dogs sensed that something was going on so I spent some extra time with them.  The weather was great so we sat in the sunshine and enjoyed the fresh air.

I continued to work on the ornaments.  I still have two to finish.  They are taking longer than I had anticipated, but isn’t that often the case?

Meredith and Dwaine got here in the late afternoon.  It was exciting for everyone, especially the pups.  The guys unloaded about half of the contents of the U-Haul.  They had that truck stuffed to the max.

We had a later than usual dinner and sat around and visited after that.  Connor fixed banana caramel milkshakes for dessert.  They were very, very good.  I think he inherited his talent for cooking from Brent.