December 31, 2013---Trinidad, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Thank goodness, the wind had stopped blowing by the time we left Trinidad at 8:00.  The climb over Raton Pass didn’t need any more challenge.

We celebrated crossing into New Mexico with honking and yahooing.  It had been a long time since we had found it necessary to perform, but we hadn’t lost our touch.

I sent a text to our family.  I meant to say we were in New Mexico heading for Santa Fe, but I left the word “New” out.  Lori, always the proof reader, replied, “Taking the long way around?”  Meredith caught my mistake, also.  Her response was, “I was just going to insert ‘New’.  I’m the nice child to a geezer mamma.”  Lori sent a bunch of smiley faces and this comment,  “I got excited when I saw Mexico. Thought that maybe they had hooked up with Dwight and Sheila and were making a run for it.”  Have you noticed that our kids don’t cut their geezer mamma much slack?

We stopped at a Rest Area to eat breakfast.  Bill turned on the TV and we watched Gunsmoke while we ate.  Old Tex really knows how to entertain, doesn’t he?

Our lunch break spot was a parking area on I-25 about 50 miles from Santa Fe.  We took time for quick naps.  Super Driver was getting tired.  He is out of practice for these travel mileage days.

We got to Jim and Peggy’s at 2:30 and had the coach parked and hooked up in just a few minutes.  Peggy’s son, Terry and his girlfriend arrived about that time, so we had a nice visit with them.  It has probably been 15 years since we have seen Terry.

Our evening meal was “drag outs.”  Jim and Peggy had a party at their house Sunday and had lots of food left over.  We had lots of good things to sample.  And plenty of time to talk.

Mileage for today was 208.

December 30, 2013---Loveland to Trinidad, Colorado

We were “on the road again” at 9:10 this morning, singing along with Willie Nelson.  We stopped at Costco and Cabela’s on our way south.

When we were hooking the Honda on to the coach this morning, Canadian Geese were flying over.  There were hundreds and hundreds of them, honking as loudly as they could.  My goodness, they were noisy.

Traffic through Denver was not heavy.  There have been improvements made on I-25 in the last few years and it really relieved the stress.

We stopped in Castle Rock to eat lunch, before heading on down the road.  When our kids were little and we were still living southwest of Pueblo in the tiny mountain town of Rye, there was a side road they loved to take.  It had lots of dips and was kind of like a roller coaster.  It was between Colorado Springs and Pueblo.  We saw it today, didn’t try to take the MH on it, but had fond memories of four little kids laughing every time we came to a dip.  There were about 20 dips so there was a lot of laughter.

We parked at the Walmart in Trinidad in time to see the Oregon Ducks whip up on the University of Texas.  They were playing in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.  We did bunches of cheering!  I wore my “duck” sweatshirt for the occasion.  It was Connor’s until he grew too big and it was just the size I needed.  I love hand-me-downs from our grandkids.

The wind started blowing very hard about when the game was over.  It really rocked the coach.  That will make for rough driving tomorrow.  Hope it quits!

Travel totals:  Today’s mileage, 255---Critter sightings, hundreds of Canadian Geese

December 29, 2013---Michelle's in Loveland, Colorado

We were glad we put off our planned departure.  We had snow most of the night and it was really cold today.

At 10:00, Bill and I went to Meredith and Dwaine’s to help them reupholster the seats on their dining room chairs.  Bill and I did the first chair, showing them each step along the way.

After finishing that one, Bill “jumped ship.”  He had a project to work on for Michelle.  The three of us started working on the second chair.  It was as successful as the first one.  

I decided I needed some rest time so Meredith and Dwaine upholstered the third seat.  They did a great job of it.

While we took a break, Dwaine took Joey and Hapa for a walk.  Meredith and I had several things we needed from Walmart.  Bill had told us he needed a comb and the kind he wanted.  Wisely, Meredith kept quiet.  She was wandering what he needed a comb for.  Poor old fellow is losing more and more hair!

He has had the problem for a long time, though.  When Brent was about four, I cut his hair after I cut Bill’s.  I said to Brent, ”Now you look just like your daddy.”  Brent said, “No I don’t.  I don’t have a hole in my hair.”  Oh, my!  Brent told it like it was.  That’s who Coleson got it from.  He and Grandpa were talking about when Bill was in the Army.  Coleson said, “Did you have hair when you were in the Army?”

When we got back to Meredith’s, she and Dwaine worked on the other three seats.  I was close by, working on a puzzle we had started on Christmas Eve.  They didn’t need my help.  The chairs all looked great.  The fabric Meredith chose looked wonderful and the job the two of them did was excellent.  They learned a new craft today that may come in handy again someday.

We watched the Bronco game from Oakland.  To say the Raiders are our least favorite team would be a gross understatement, so we were very glad Denver beat them soundly.

While we watched the game, we ate Meredith’s homemade chili and Michelle’s cornbread.  Yum, yum!  Great food for a cold, snowy day!

December 28, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

Bill and I had planned to make a Walmart run this morning, but it was all I could do to drag my weary body out of bed.  I decided that what I needed was a “day off” and it was a good idea.  

I took several naps and otherwise just rested.  I felt much better by the time night arrived. And Michelle brought dinner out to us...pasta and cheese bread.  It was really good.  We are so lucky to have thoughtful children like her.

I have stayed indoors all day, but I just stuck my head out the door and got snowflakes in my face.  Earlier today, the temperature dropped suddenly and the wind started to blow.  The storm that was predicted has arrived!

Bill had been studying the weather for a day or two.  He decided Sunday might not be a good day to start traveling.  That’s fine with me.  Meredith and Dwaine are having a Bronco party tomorrow, complete with chili and cornbread!  Yum, yum!

December 27, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

This morning, Bill and I were able to finish a clothes rack for Matthew’s room.  It is for him to hang his JROTC uniform, etc. on.  Bill made the board, stained it, and placed the hooks on.  I attached insignias for Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines, and Coast Guard, as well as two for JROTC.  We installed it on his wall and Michelle hung his uniform and things on the hooks.

Then we called Matthew to come in.  I was waiting in the hallway and said, “Who goes there?  Identify yourself.”  Matthew gave his name and rank and I lead him into his room.  He was so surprised.  He really liked what we had made for him.  Michelle took pictures and sent them with a text to Lori, Meredith, Brent, and JP.  

Brent had helped me find the insignias when I was in Mississippi.  He and Michelle were the only ones who knew about the surprise.  It was great fun to make.

We went to Meredith and Dwaine’s for Mexican soup, leftovers from Christmas Eve.  Dwaine had saved me a piece of pumpkin pie.  Wasn’t that nice!?  Bill had pecan pie.

We were watching TV in the motorhome when the electricity went off.  The whole neighborhood was dark.  We don’t know how wide spread the outage was.  Bill got the coach into “dry camping” mode and we finished watching the recorded show as if nothing was wrong.  You talk about spoiled!

December 26, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

Meredith, Michelle, and I set off this morning to check out some of the after-Christmas sales.  

Hobby Lobby had some good deals, as usual.  We all made purchases.  We went to JoAnn Fabrics next.  Their sale was good, also.  I bought two small rugs and some fleece.  The fleece is for a project I have in mind.  I’ll keep you posted as I make progress.

We went to Noodles for lunch.  I had never eaten there.  It was really good.  I’ll have to introduce Bill to it sometime soon.

On our way back into Loveland we stopped at the day old bakery store before going to look at some of the flooded areas of Loveland. In September, a large part of a lower section was completely under water.  It mostly affected businesses and the Fairgrounds.  There is still a lot of clean up to do.

We went to a Bronco store.  It had a very good inventory.  Michelle bought a Bronco helmet cake pan.  Maybe she will become the official baker for Bronco Sundays.

Before taking me to a 1:00 appointment, we stopped at a thrift store that none of us had ever been to.  It was unusual because they don’t take donations of items.  We can’t figure out where all of their stock comes from.

My appointment was to get a “temporary.”  Oops, I mean a permanent.  I like the lady who does my hair and I didn’t want to leave Loveland without a new perm.

One of my jobs at Michelle’s was to do some sewing machine work on a quilt that she made for Matthew.  She and I both thought it might take a day or two to complete.  It dawned on me that we only have two more days here, so I went in the house, Michelle set her sewing machine on the dining room table, and I got started.  In just a little over two hours, I had finished.  Wow!  I was sewing so fast that I’m sure her machine was smoking!  We were both very surprised that it went so fast!  And Matthew was happy about it, also.

December 25, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

Marry Christmas!

Bill and I went to Meredith and Dwaine’s for breakfast this morning.  Meredith had made biscuits, potatoes, bacon, and sausage.  It was all very good, but the best part was the four of us sitting around the table talking after we had finished eating.  That’s always the  part I like the most.

Bill and I went back home.  We both felt the need of a nap.  I don’t know how long Bill inspected the insides of his eyelids, but I slept for about two hours.  I don’t know why I can’t get enough sleep lately.  I always seem to need more!

Michelle and Ron fixed a really nice Christmas dinner.  She made twice baked potatoes.  That’s one of Joshua’s favorites and mine, too.  And she made really good hot rolls.  Ron started making deviled eggs and I finished them.  He grilled shrimp, salmon, and steak.  Meredith made a salad.  It was quite a feast.

All the adults stayed around the table and talked.  Joshua has joined the ranks of the adults.  As long as any of us are still there, he’s there, also, adding a youthful slant to the conversation.  He has a lot of Brent’s dry wit.  There’s always a plentiful amount of laughter.

Although we missed our west coast family and the Mississippi group, we had a very Merry Christmas!  Hope all of you had the same.

December 24, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

Christmas Eve turned into a very busy day for us!

Bill has been working on a new fixture to provide more lighting over our new desk.  It is twice as long as the original one.  Bill had put LED lighting in it, with six strips, nine inches long each.  The new one has five strips, 26 inches long each.  The old one had 70 little lights in it.  The new one has 215 lights.  

Bill had to go to Ace Hardware for some screws, and things like that.  I needed to make an appointment for a permanent before we leave the area.  With both of these errands out of the way, we went back home to work on projects.

At 11:30, Meredith came to get me.  We went to Fort Collins to get a few more things for our Christmas dinner.  I went back home with her and had some time to relax before the rest of the family came at 3:00.

We had meant to take the dogs for a walk around the lake, but a strong wind had began to blow and the temperature was dropping.  We decided to stay inside.  Some  watched a movie while others worked on a jigsaw puzzle.

Meredith made a really good Mexican soup for dinner.  It was perfect weather for hot soup.  With happy tummies, I introduced the group to a new “game.”  It was in honor of Joshua, who has loved dill pickles since he was a very little boy.

The “game” follows the German tradition of hiding a dill pickle ornament, usually made of glass, on the tree after all of the rest of the ornaments have been hung.  The one to find the pickle gets a prize.  It took the three boys about 15 minutes to locate the pickle.  Joshua was the one to find it and received a $2.00 bill as a prize.

We opened presents, had dessert, and watched some holiday skits on TV before wishing everyone a Merry Christmas Eve and heading back home.

December 23, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

There was fresh snow on the ground when we got up this morning.  It wasn’t a lot, but what there was on the ground was very sparkly in the morning sun.

Bill and I went to Best Buy looking for a dash cam.  We weren’t successful.  We will just keep looking as we venture toward Arizona, probably next week.

Meredith, Dwaine, and I drove to Estes Park this afternoon.  The dogs went along, also.  We wanted to see the condition of the road and the damage to property along the Big Thompson River after it flooded in September.

The highway was passable, but will need more work, probably in the spring.  The raging water tore out from under many of the houses sitting right on the edge of the river.  There was so much damage all along the road.  Two dams were washed out and will need to be rebuilt.  Several parks were completely washed away.  At one point, an entire small community was gone.

We spent a couple of hours going in and out of the shops in Estes Park.  There were a lot of people shopping.  I bought a hat and a fleece jacket.  Dwaine bought two mugs.  Meredith just went along to make sure we didn’t get into trouble.  She is very good at that job.  

The pups were lucky.  They stayed in the car and didn’t have to endure the cold and wind the rest of us faced!

Since I was in Mississippi at the time of Matthew’s birthday, we celebrated it tonight, with lasagna for dinner and root beer floats for dessert.  It was fun and he didn’t seem to mind a second party.

December 22, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

Michelle made biscuits and gravy for breakfast.  That’s a great treat for us.  It is one of our favorites.  Once in a while we order it in a restaurant, but not very often.  We usually don’t eat breakfast out!

We all gathered at Meredith and Dwaine’s to watch the Broncos play Houston.  It was a fairly even game until the fourth quarter.  Then Denver came alive.  There was football history made during the game.  Payton Manning threw his 51st touchdown pass for this season.  That set a new record.  Yippy, Skippy!

At half-time, Meredith and Michelle grilled hamburgers.  They were delicious.  We ate in their family room, all nine of us, plus three dogs!  It was crowded, but fun as we watched the last half of the football game.  I guess we were more interested in the food than the game, because I don’t remember much cheering going on.

Some of us stayed to watch the last of the Seattle/Arizona game.  I am sorry to report that the Seahawks lost in the last few minutes of the game.

Back home, I worked on some of the book work that I seem to always be behind on.  I’m looking forward to do some beading when I finish these other mundane jobs. 

December 21, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

It was cold when we got up this morning, and overcast, too.

Meredith and I went to Fort Collins for some shopping.  After making several stops, we went to Arby’s for lunch.  While we were there it started to snow.  The flakes were big, but it didn’t last for long.  Darn!

Before going back to Meredith’s, we went to Michelle’s to get Max.  Meredith wanted him to spend some time with Hapa and Joey.  She took them all for a walk while Dwaine and I watched a news program.  After the walk, all three pups took short naps.  Joey also played catch with Dwaine.

We watched the TV presentation of Sound of Music.  I really enjoyed it.  I can’t remember seeing the movie starring Julie Andrews, but hope to before we leave here in a week or so.

Back at Michelle’s house, Connor was making Pilly Cheese Steak sandwiches for supper.  They were really good.  Bill and I were very impressed with his cooking skills.

Today was the first day of Winter.  It was cold like winter, but not many other signs of the new season were present.

December 20, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

First off, this morning, I found out how mean, how absolutely awful my husband really is.  I have suspected it for many, many years, but now I have proof positive.  Old Tex is bad to the bone!

Last night, the weather station predicted snow.  So what did Bad Bill do when he woke me up this morning.  He said, “The ground is covered with snow...of course, its three weeks old.”  He knows how much I want snow!  That was a dastardly thing for him to do, wasn’t it?  He’s rotten, just rotten!

Actually, about a dozen very tiny flakes fell today, but not nearly enough to redeem him.  And remember, I don’t get mad.  I get even!  And I intend to let him suffer for awhile, not knowing when I am going to strike!

Meredith came this morning and helped move all the packages I had wrapped over to her house.  Now their tree is all ready for Christmas Eve!  Joey inspected every package as it went under the tree.  He was such a help! 

Dwaine took us out for lunch, at a Vietnamese place that makes a great soup.  The place was called Pho Lan.  The soup was made with beef fixed two different ways, rice noodles, bean sprouts, onions, and a bunch of other stuff.  Not only was the “pho” good, but the restaurant was next-door to a Mexican bakery with a nice selection of items.

We went to Kohl's, Jax, and Hobby Lobby before going home for naps.  We were tuckered out from all that shopping!

December 19, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

My morning started off with a 9:00 appointment for a mammogram.  While I was having a smashing good time with that event, Bill went to Lowe’s for some lumber, etc.

We went back home to rest before my 12:00 visit to Dr. Cuevos, our general doctor.  Usually, those appointments go quite smoothly.  Not today!  I had to wait nearly two hours to see her.  I don’t know what caused the delay, but she was slightly frazzled when she came into the examination room.  She didn’t, however, rush me through.

My thyroid needed to be checked again, so I went to the lab after seeing the doctor.  Hopefully, I’ll get the results of some of the medical data before Christmas.

It was nearly 3:00 when we left the medical complex.  We hadn’t eaten anything since 8:30, so we headed for McDonald’s, just a few blocks away.

When Michelle was finished with work for the day, we went for pizza, took it home, baked it, and enjoyed a quick and easy dinner.

It was such a crazy day I didn’t care if I accomplished much by the end of the day.  We watched Gunsmoke before it was bedtime.  Yee haw! 

December 18, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

I won’t even try to describe what my night was like or how the test was except to say all the results were good and I shouldn’t need another colonoscopy in the future.  Now that’s good news on both accounts!

I was really tired after the ordeal and spent most of the remainder  of the day resting.  Meredith and the pups came tonight.  She and Michelle were getting Christmas cookies ready to mail.

Joey and I were in the motorhome with Grandpa.  Joey stuck his nose into a box and came out with a squeaky tennis ball I had for him for Christmas.  Willie did the same thing with a box I took to Mississippi.  They both knew exactly what was for them.  They are way too smart!

I think I have finished wrapping all the presents (and the big day is still a week away), and am ready to take things to Meredith and Dwaine’s house.  We will open things on Christmas Eve in the Dane tradition, and Michelle and Ron will open their family things on Christmas morning, which is the Ouimet way of doing it.  It all seems to work out well.

I don’t care how things are done.  I am just glad to be here with some of our family!

December 17, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

This morning, I finished getting a box ready to mail to the California clan.  When I went to the Post Office to mail it, I was seventh in line.  I got to the counter fairly quickly.  When I left the PO, there were at least 20-25 people in line...three times as many as when I went in.  I felt really fortunate.

I have been on a liquid diet since about 9:30.  It wasn’t too bad, and I got quite a lot of desk work caught up.

After 4:00, it was a different matter...no pun intended...and It was down hill from there on.  At 9:45, I quit drinking the awful liquid required, but things didn’t let up for awhile.

About all I can tell you about most of today is that it was generally crappy, with a capital C.

December 16, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

At 10:30 this morning, I had the stitches stitches removed from just below my right eye.  I hope it is the last of it.

Walmart has a great place for pedicures and a manicures, so important for my fast growing fingernails.  They are so tough I have trouble cutting them.  It is always nice to have them done.  And it usuallly lasts about three weeks.

After lunch, we stopped at Pier 1.  By then, Bill was getting tired so we went home for naps.  That little rest was just what Bill needed to make another foray into the world of shopping at Christmastime.  I looked in the dictionary for the word “foray.”  One of the definitations was “a sudden attack into enemy territory.”  If that doesn’t describe Bill and shopping I don’t know what does.

We also went to US Bank, Hobby Lobby, and Dollar Tree before going home.  By then, you know who needed another nap.  The weather was nice enough for me to stay outside and go through the “many treasures” in the back of the Honda.  Several of the things I unearthed I had forgotten I had statched back there.

I think I need to make a list of the locations where I put things.  But then I probably coutdn’t find the list so it would be one more thing I would need to search for.  Things are never dull around here!

December 15, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

This morning, the Great Hunter was back at work again.  He caught a mouse in Michelle’s office.  This one was the third to add to his tally.  Max is doing his part, also.  He hound a frozen mouse in the backyard and brought it to the back door.  He’s a “hunter in training” and seems to be getting the hang of it.  Bill and Max are quite a team!

I spent an hour or so getting some of my paperwork organized and filed.  I have really gotten behind.  My beading projects have been the cause.  

Until I am caught up with bookwork and have all the presents wrapped and mailed, I will put any beading on the back burner.  Maybe that will make me work faster on things I really don’t like to do so I can get back to beading, which I really do enjoy.

Meredith came for me at 11:30.  After we ate lunch at Wendy’s, we made stops at PetSmart, JoAnn Fabrics, Under Armour, and Cracker Barrel gift shop, before crossing I-25 to the mall.  Our stops there were at Eddie Bauer and Dick’s Sporting Goods.  There were lots of shoppers out everywhere we went!

Before going back to Michelle’s, we stopped to pick up Hapa and Joey.  They like going to the motorhome because they know where the treats are kept.

Bill and I watched the final show of Survivor for this season.  I didn’t much care for the outcome, but it is what it is!  

December 14, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

We had planned to leave for Boulder at 9:30, but Meredith had to take Hapa to the vet.  She was bitten by another dog while walking on the trail around the lake.  She didn’t need stitches, but was put on an antibiotic.

We were on the road by 11:00 with Meredith, Dwaine, Michelle, Joey, Hapa, and myself ready for some adventures.  As we got off I-25 and headed west toward Boulder, we spotted a new thrift store.  Meredith had seen it about three weeks ago, but hadn’t shopped there.  Well, today was the day!

We stayed there for about 45 minutes.  It wasn’t a very big store, but there was really a lot crammed into their space.

After all of that shopping, we decided it was time for lunch.  We continued to Boulder.  After parking in the Pearl Street shopping area, we walked to a shop where Meredith and Michelle wanted to buy a gift.  I was amazed at how expensive the area was.  Most of the things I looked at were way beyond my budget, even the sale items.

We went into a restaurant to eat, discovered that hamburgers were $15, and decided it wasn’t the place for us.  I am sure of one thing...any of the University of Colorado students who were shopping and eating there had a lot more money than I did when I was in college.  I went “on a shoestring” and the only shoestrings they had to deal with were in their shoes.

We found a Mexican restaurant several miles away and had a nice lunch...Tex-Mex as usual, but good.

We stopped at REI and Cabela’s before returning to Loveland.  Meredith invited us to dinner.  We didn’t get home until 8:30, but our tummies certainly were happy.  I really like pork chops!  Yum, yum!

December 13, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

40° was the high temperature today.  How’s that for warming up!

Michelle and I went to Windsor at noon.  She had business to take care of for the company she works for.  Before returning home, we went to a new Mexican restaurant.  The food was good, but nothing out of the ordinary.

I wrapped a few presents, but then decided a nap might be a better use of my time.  I don’t know how long I had been asleep when my brother, Jim, called from Santa Fe.  We talked for about 30 minutes.  They have a motorhome and had planned to go to Quartzite, AZ with us in January.  They have changed their plans.  Shucks!  That would have been a fun adventure.

Michelle and I were watching TV with Max on the sofa between us.  He was having a good snooze.  Max is five months old now and he is settling down some, but he still has a ways to go.  He’s really growing.

I forgot to report something about my shopping trip with Joshua yesterday.  He has a sense of humor just like Brent’s.  Joshua and I were looking for a parking place in a very busy parking lot.  About the only available places were marked for handicapped.  Joshua said, “If I broke your leg, we could park in one of those.”  Yep, he sounds just like Brent.

All things considered, this wasn’t a bad Friday, the 13th.

December 12, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

Warmer today.  Yippy Skippy!

At 9:00 this morning, I went to get a haircut. It still isn’t super short, but just trimmed a bit.

We went to breakfast at McDonald”s before taking a prescription request by my doctor’s office.  Afterwards, I stood in line at the Post Office to mail a package to Brent. 

Back home, I coerced Joshua to take me shopping.  I soon learned that shopping is way down on his list of fun things to do.  After about five stops, we ate lunch and went back home.

I was working on Christmas projects and discovered that there was something I needed from Dollar Tree before I could continue.  So off we went, with Bill at the wheel and me riding “shot gun.”

The Bronco game against San Diego was played in Denver.  Sadly, our team lost by one touchdown.  It was one of those situations where the Broncos beat themselves.  It was their third loss this season, and I think they are still ahead in their division, but right now, that is of little consolation.

December 11, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

High today, 29°.

Once again Bill and I sat out on a quest.  Our major objective was a prescription at Walmart.  Next week, I have a colonoscopy, also called a “rotor rooter.”  

I haven’t had one for several years, but the main thing I remember is I have to drink a huge bottle of disgusting liquid.  I am not looking forward to that, but it is necessary.  I guess I will just have to be extra tough!

Michelle was really on overload at work today, so Bill and Connor went to Panda Express to get dinner.  The only thing we had to do was open a bunch of cartons and serve ourselves.  That’s a good kink of meal on a busy, busy day.

At 7:00, Connor and I went to the High School for a football awards ceremony.  Connor “lettered” for playing on the varsity team.  They got to the second level of the state championship.  Meredith joined us at the school.  She and I did a very good job of not embarrassing him.  He just doesn’t know how lucky he was!

We watched Survivor, which Bill had recorded.  Sunday is the finale.  Yea!  (Take that any way you like!)

December 10, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

Our morning started cold, but as the day progressed, things got warmer.  That was nice.  Tomorrow is predicted to be even better.

Bill and I had some errands to go on today.  It took me longer to put a new bandage over my stitches, so we didn’t get out and about until after 11:00.  Before coming back home, we stopped at Arby’s for sandwiches to bring home.  By then it was 1:30.

After eating, we both took naps.  All that chasing around on icy, snow packed roads can be hard on a couple of old people.  We needed to rest.

After eating dinner with Matthew and Conner, we came back home in time to have company...Meredith, Dwaine, and the pups.  It was nice having them come for a visit!  Dwaine has been taking classes at the community college in Ft. Collins.  He had his last two tests yesterday, so he was relaxed on his first day off.  

It is hard to believe Christmas is just two weeks away.  Oh, I have a lot to do!  I’d better get to feeling better!

December 9, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

At 8:00 this morning, Bill drove me to Lake Loveland Dermatology  and their Surgery Center.  I had another basal cell carcinoma remove.  It was at the edge of my right lower eyelid.  Now I have a black eye.  It has been quite sometime since I’ve had a “shiner.”

The doctor also did a laser treatment on my nose.  Tomorrow I can remove both bandages and see the “damage.”  The place by my eye will need to be cleaned and a fresh bandage applied every day for a week.  Just lots of fun and games, eh?

My instructions were to rest for the remainder of the day.  I did a really good job of that.  I worked on a present later this afternoon, but it didn’t take long.

The high temperature today was 12°.  Weather reporters predicted a high of 20°, but it didn’t happen.  We are all ready for a warm-up!

December 8, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

I had a headache and an upset stomach this morning.  That’s the way my migraines usually start.  I took Tylenol and went back to bed.  I didn’t wake up until 12:00.  By then, my headache was just about gone.  I haven’t had a migraine for several years and I was dreading going on that route again.  It looks like I avoided it for now.  Yea!

We went to Meredith and Dwaine’s for lunch and to watch the Bronco game.  Both were great.  Meredith makes a really good chicken/cheese/bacon sandwich.  Add to that slaw and baked beans, and you’ll know what a feast we had.

Michelle spent more time at Meredith’s today than the rest of us.  The two of them started baking Christmas cookies today.  We got to sample them for our dessert.  Yum, yum!  They are off to a great start.

The Broncos won.  They were playing in Denver and it was really cold there, just like here in Loveland.  It was a good game, especially since they won.  Unfortunately, the Seahawks didn’t do so well against the 49ers.  Brent and I are sad about that.

We watched another movie tonight...Support Your Local Sheriff...starring James Garner.  He is one of our favorite actors, and no matter how many times we have seen any of his movies, we enjoy them.

December 7, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

It was still very cold this morning.  It was one of my lazy mornings...I stayed in my warm snugly pajamas until about 11:00.  At 11:30, I ate two pieces of toast.  I’ve told you before, toast is not only a hot meal, but it is also a square meal!

At 2:00, we watched the Auburn/Missouri game.  It was really exciting.  Touchdowns were back and forth, keeping the score very close.  Until the mid part of the 4th quarter, that is, when Auburn increased their lead.  It was a good game.

I spent quite a bit of time working on a beading project.  I like to bead when I watch something...a game, a race, an old western, or a movie.  Tonight, we watched The In-laws.  We enjoy it every time we watch it.

Seven years ago, Meredith and I were in Washington, D.C. with Brent.  It all seems so long ago.  Lots of good things have happened to this family since then.

We keep hoping the weather here in Loveland will get warmer.  Bill keeps listening to weather reports, and assures a warming trend is on the way.  We’ll see if the Dane Family Weatherman is any better than the ones on TV!

December 6, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

We had snow during the night.  Not much, but any is nice in my books.  Bill has another view of the white stuff, especially when it is accompanied by subzero temperatures.

We took two bags of donations to the Habitat thrift store.  I thought, because of the very cold weather, they might not have volunteers taking things in.  But they did.  The ones not helping people like me were chipping ice or shoveling show.

From there we went to Ace Hardware.  I needed two more PVC frames for beading.  Bill made them for me, and I started putting the warp threads on one of them before it was time for us to get on the road again.

Michelle was flying from Boston today and we were picking her up at the airport.  Her plane was late because they had to de-ice it before it could take to the air.  I went in to wait for her to arrive.  In case she didn’t remember what I looked like, I held up a sign with her childhood nickname on it...Scooter.

When we had her luggage, Bill came to collect us.  We stopped at Costco to eat and to order pizzas to take home for the boys. 

Matthew had an awards ceremony for JrROTC.  Michelle and I got to the high school with about three minutes to spare.  Matthew was very proud of his advancement to Private 2nd Class.  At least I think that is his rank now.  He also got a ribbon for marching in the Veterans Day parade.

I spent the evening beading and watching the NASCAR awards ceremony from Las Vegas.  Bill kept going to sleep so he went to bed early.

December 5, 2013---Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

In spite of the -1° temperature, we decided to venture out to do some errands.  

Our first stop was at Burger King.  Well, we needed sustenance for the tasks ahead of us, didn’t we?!

We went to Sam’s Club.  I went in to buy a pair of pajamas while Bill was getting gasoline for the CRV.  A month or so ago I got a pair of winter PJ’s.  They were very comfortable.  While in Mississippi, we went to Sam’s Club for another pair.  They didn’t have the same style.  Maybe winter pajamas aren’t a big item in warmer regions of the country.  They should feel good here, though, when the temperature gets down to -7° tonight.

After a very quick trip into Walmart, we went on to Lowe’s.  Before going in, Bill remember he hadn’t brought a PVC cutter he needed, so we went home.

I spent a lot of time trying to “shovel out” the motorhome.  My luggage and a box of stuff I brought home with me were really crowding the MH.  When it is as cold as it is now, we don’t put the slide out, so we needed all the walking around room that we could muster.  

After getting that taken care of, I got some clothes ready to take to the Habitat thrift store.  At least we have a bit more room to roam!

I felt good about my progress!

December 4, 2013---Brandon to Michelle’s in Loveland, Colorado

When we left Brent’s house this morning, the temperature was 76°.  

I had a box packed and ready to tape with Brent’s tape.  I tried to get a piece started, but ran into a hole and the tape tore.  I turned the task over to Brent.  He didn’t have any more luck than I had.  It seems the problem was due to the fact that the kids had used the roll of tape as a hockey puck, thus the holes and dents!

We went to Dollar General, bought more tape, and tried to get the job done.  That roll of tape was completely annoying, so we went to Plan C, which was to go to the airport and see if Southwest Airlines would tape it for us.  On the way, Brent remembered where a UPS store was located.  He went in to buy tape, the clerk said to bring the box in and she would tape it for us.  He did and she did and we were soon on our way to the airport.

The plane left on time.  When we got to Chicago, the plane on to Denver was delayed for two hours.  It was nearly 8:00 before we landed.  The Denver Airport is so huge and so busy that it took a long time to get the taped box.  It was nearly 10:00 before we got back to the motorhome.

I made friends with a Denver resident, Rosy.  We talked and laughed the whole flight from Chicago to Denver.  It was a fun trip!

The temperature in Loveland was -3°.  Br-r-r-r-r!

December 3, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

We decided that for my last day in Mississippi, we would go to Cool Al’s for lunch.  Their food is great, but you might stick to the floor.  We haven’t inspected the kitchen, but we’ve eaten at Cool Al’s several times over the years and have never had any adverse reactions.  Their chili cheese fries are great!

On our way back to Brent’s,  we went “cane” shopping...CVS didn’t have a folding cane like I wanted.  When we left, Brent noticed a medical supply store across the street.  We were able to get what I had been looking for.  Now, if you are asking “why the cane?”  

Well, when I went to the doctor three weeks ago, she was concerned because my balance is sometimes “iffy.”  Plus, Lori told her about my falling incidences.  She sold me out! So we’ll see!

After a quick stop at Hobby Lobby, we went home.  I started packing for my trip to Denver tomorrow.  When I was about half completed with the project, I decided it was time to make a peach cobbler for tonight’s party.  After that, I didn’t get back to my packing chores.

Our liver and onions party was a great success.  Brent cooked a really tender batch of liver with lots and lots of onions.  We also had mashed potatoes and a few other yummy things.  And the peach cobbler was a good finale to the party.

December 2, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

The weather this morning was mild, but as we headed out at noon dark clouds were gathering on the horizon.  We went to Ed’s for lunch.  

While we were at the Water Department where Brent went to pay his bill, we had a few sprinkles.  After making a stop for groceries, we went home so I could finish wrapping presents.

Brent fixed Korean barbecue for dinner.  He also cooked a pot of rice and had kimchi to put on top of it.  There were also sautéed vegetables.  It was all really good.  

We bought the kimchi at the Chinese grocery store yesterday.  It had just been made.  Traditionally, according to Brent, it would be made, put in a clay pot, and buried for a year to ferment before it is eaten.  I doubt that I would be brave enough to try that!

Three other families, including kids and one dog, came for the feast.  Tomorrow night, we are having a liver and onions party.  Stay tuned for more on that event.

We watched the Seattle Seahawks beat up on the New Orleans Saints.  Seattle played a really good game.  The Saints were lackluster.

December 1, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

Brent and I went to “Awful Waffle” for breakfast.  The last time we ate there, our waitress was unbelievable.  They are usually very efficient at the Waffle House.  Not this one...she knocked a glass of water across the table, had trouble taking our order, got several things wrong, and ended up locking herself in the bathroom.

Guess who waited on us this morning.  Yup!  And she still had trouble taking our order.  We couldn’t believe she was still working there and hadn’t improved.  I think we were her only table.  The good side was she was very pleasant.

Before going back home we went to Sam’s Club and the Chinese grocery store.  We really know how to have a good time!

The Broncos played the Kansas City Chiefs today.  It was kind of an up and down game, but in the end, Denver won!  Yippy, Skippy!

Brent rented a movie, The Interns.  It was about two older guys who go to Google to be interns in hopes of getting jobs.  The only thing more ridiculous would be Bill and me in the roles of the interns.  Now that would be a hoot!

Today was a good start to the month of December.  Lori commented that Bill and I have children in all Time Zones across the country...Lori in Pacific, Meredith in Mountain, and Brent in Central.  Michelle flew to Boston this morning for a Trade Show so she is in the Eastern Time Zone.  Does this surprise any of you considering who raised these kids?

November 30, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

This last day of November was filled with a variety of activities.  At 11:30 we went to Paul and Debbie’s house.  They had a surprise to show us.  They had a Yorkie puppy, 12 weeks old.  It weighs 1 1/2 pounds.  When it came running to meet us, it looked more like a wind up toy than a real dog.

Paul and Debbie have a 10 year old poodle named Kissy.  She can’t understand why they brought a dog into their peaceful home.  Kissy doesn’t know she’s a dog and is not sure she can tolerate this new “wild beast.”  The new addition to the family is absolutely adorable.

We left both critters at home and went to lunch.  There is a buffet in Madison that specializes in Southern cooking.  It is a huge place.  Several days a man told us about it.  He said the food is so good it will make you want to slap your mama!  That was an expression I had never heard before and don’t really care to hear again.  He was right about one thing...the food was good, with a wide variety of items.  We did not leave hungry.

When we got back to Brent’s house, we had an afternoon and evening of college football to watch.  The most exciting game was between Alabama and Auburn.  Several of Brent’s neighborhood friends are Auburn fans and were at a tail gate party at the game.  Auburn won in the last second of the game in a most unusual manner.  An Auburn player caught a missed field goal of Alabama’s and ran over 100 yards to win the game.  It was very exciting! 

November 29, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

This morning, I went to see Mr. Bill.  He and his wife, Claudia, live next door to Brent.  They are nice neighbors.  It has been so cold and wet since I got here I hadn’t seen either of them.  

Brent, Sara, and I went to Madison to eat at a buffet with “down home cooking.”  I will have to report on it at another time.  They were closed!

We drove back into Jackson to a Chinese restaurant.  The food was OK.  Some of their dishes were familiar, but “spicy intestines in hot pot” was a new one to me.  Sometimes I am adventuresome with food, but not today.  I ordered cashew chicken!

Afterwards, we spent quite a bit of time walking around their grocery store.  Some of the things we couldn’t identify,  but some we could.  In their fish market, they had several kinds of fish, as well as lobster, octopus, turtles, and frogs.  Yum, yum!

They also had roasted ducks for $15.99 each.  And fresh quail eggs and duck eggs.  It was an experience, to say the least!

And then it was back to Brent’s to watch a football game.  Later, we all loaded into the car, including Willie.  We took him to PetSmart to see how much weight he has lost.  Six pounds, so he still has a ways to go.  

Tonight, Oregon played Oregon State.  It is called the Civil War and has been played for 117 years.  The Ducks won by one point.  Wow, what a game!  It is one of the oldest rivalries in the country.

November 28, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and Happy Birthday to Matthew!

Coleson and Sara were at the lake with Dee and Jojo, their other grandparents, for Thanksgiving dinner and to celebrate Coleson’s birthday.  Brent fixed a good breakfast...biscuits, gravy, eggs, and sausage.  It was a very leisurely morning.

He made his famous (in this neighborhood) cauliflower and cheese casserole to take to Pito and Polly’s.  At 3:00, we went to their house for dinner.  Not only did they have a turkey with all the trimmings, but also on the menu was Brussel sprouts, deviled eggs, and dolmas.

I had never eaten dolmas before, but liked them very much.  They are a Greek dish made from a mixture of ground beef, rice, and spices, wrapped in grape leaves, covered with water, and baked for two hours.  Hm-m-m!  Very interesting.

There were several desserts, but we were so full that neither Brent nor I partook.  We left to get Sara and Coleson at Keltie’s apartment.

I was really tired and cold when we got back to Brent’s house, so I wrapped in my “mink” blanket and took a long nap.  When I got up, the Mississippi State/Old Miss game was just starting the second half.  State won in overtime!  That’s the team everyone in this household seemed to favor.

There were several other games we watched parts of, but nothing of special interest.

November 27, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

I can’t give a weather report for today because I didn’t go out of the house at all.  But it looked cold!

Brent and I watched a Red Box movie this afternoon...Red 2.  He and I had seen Red a year or so ago.  Red 2 just came out not long ago.  I didn’t particularly like the plot of either one, but I really liked the actors.

I worked with beads off and on today, but really didn’t accomplish much.  Brent asked if my the beads weren’t cooperating.  He was absolutely right.

I spent part of the day wrapped in a blanket...the one Danna (Bill’s sister) left to me when she died.  I wrapped in it at her house, which was always cold.  It is brown and furry and she and I called it my mink.  Its permanent home is here at Brent’s.

I miss Danna and think of her often.  I’m thankful I was able to spend many hours sitting by her bed.  We never ran out of things to talk about.  And we laughed a lot, too.  I remember the time Bill came in and ask her where his woman was.  I thought she was going to get up out of her sick bed and throttle him.  We all had a good laugh when we told her the story behind it.

Tomorrow is Matthew's 15th birthday!

November 26, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

It was colder this morning than yesterday.  

Brent and I went toward Jackson this morning.  Our destination was JoAnn Fabric.  I was looking for some special beads, but didn’t find anything I was looking for.  A lady told me there was a bead store not far away, so off we went.

The store was well stocked and had what I had been looking for.  They were a little pricey, compared to Santa Fe, but I’m not there.  Beads are at a good price in Quartzsite so I will try to stock up when we are there in January.  Hopefully, Lori will be there, too, and we can shop together.

We went to the Trace Cafe for lunch.  There food is really good, but definitely Southern.  Brent had sausage with red beans and rice.  I had ribs with rice and gravy.  While we were eating, a guy told us of another place on north just a little bit.  We will try it out another day.  We are always on the hunt for new and different places to eat.

We were invited to Mike and Amy’s house for pulled pork sandwiches.  They were really good.  The party broke up fairly early because some of those in attendance are leaving town tomorrow for the Thanksgiving holidays.

I got back to Brent’s in time to watch the finals on Dancing with the Stars.  It was a good finish to a good season.  I agreed with who won, even though I didn’t vote.  I usually cast votes via the Internet, but I didn’t this year.

November 25, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

The temperature was 43° this morning.  And it was sprinkling.  By the time we left at 1:00 the rain was really coming down.  It was a frog strangler that was still going on at bedtime.  What a shame the temp isn’t low enough to snow!  We would have three feet by now.  

We went to Sam’s Club.  Our first purpose was to eat lunch.  We were all very hungry.  Dessert was eating all the samples as we could find around the store.  At check out time not a thing in our basket was on our list.  But we all had a really good time roaming around looking at things.

I watched Dancing with the Stars on the living room TV while Brent watched Monday Night Football in his room.  When DWTS was over, we watched football in the living room.

And the rain just kept falling and falling!

November 24, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

Today marks Coleson”s fifteenth birthday.  These years have gone by way to quickly.  All too soon all of our grandkids will be driving.  Yikes!  The three that Bill has had a major hand in teaching them to drive are excellent drivers.  Let’s hope Grandpa will keep up the good work.

Coleson chose the Cock-of-the-Walk as the place for his birthday lunch.  It is a really good place to eat catfish and fried chicken.  Their “sides” are fries, collard greens, fried pickles, cole slaw, pickled onions, onion rings, hush puppies, and cornbread.  I can tell you right now that no one went away hungry.

With very “happy tummies,” we went bowling.  Actually, I went along to cheer.  The other three bowled.  To say that none of the three have much chance of ever being inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame would be an given.  I won’t tell the ins and outs of the two games they bowled, but I will give you a clue.  One of Sara’s comments to Brent was, “If you can get a few more points it will be the same as your age!”  I laughed way to hard!  She is showing a lot of Brent’s quick wit.

Even though the sun was out all day, it was very cold.  No moisture fell, so there was no snow for Brent to shovel!

November 23, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

More rain today.  And it was colder than yesterday.

It was a good day to stay inside and watch football games.  I also worked on a beading project.  That is not always a good thing to do when Willie is around.  This afternoon, company came and he was so excited.  One wag of his tail sent little seed beads sailing across the room.  Oh, my!

Robyn, two doors from Brent, made chili and cornbread.  Brent made white bean chicken chili.  Amy brought German chocolate cake.  We all met at Robyn’s to eat and watched the Ducks game.

The Ducks were whipped up on by Arizona.  It was a sad day for the Oregon fans in this family.  That’s two losses in the last three games.  Ugh!

I came back to Brent’s house to watch a movie, and then more football tonight.

Tomorrow is Coleson’s 15th birthday.  That hardly seems possible. 

November 22, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

It was raining when we got up this morning.  The temperature was mild, and even with the rain, there wasn’t even a hint of a chill in the air.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...Loveland...the great concern centered around Bill having cold knees.  His sister, Harolene, in Houston, hoped he was wearing his big boy pants.  Michelle assured her that he was.

Bill was also keeping warm in the motorhome.  Here is Lori’s text to the family members...”I can just see the evening news: “The current temperature in Loveland is 14 degrees, except for 432 square feet located on Tupelo Drive where the current temperature appears to be 80 degrees.  We have a reporter en route to investigate.”

At noon, Brent and I went to eat Mexican food.  The temp outside was 64°.

When we got back to Brent’s house, I spent the rest of the afternoon working on a beading project.  

Willie and I did find time for a late afternoon nap.  He was curled up next to me, keeping me warm.  However, at some point he got off the bed, I got cold and had to get up for a blanket.  I would really have rather had my best furry friend Golden Retriever snuggled next to me.

November 21, 2013---Brent’s in Brandon, Mississippi

I woke up this morning at 8:00.  Brent was still asleep so I got back in bed to stay warm.  I woke up at 10:00.  I had slept soundly for those two hours.  I was really tired from yesterday’s activities.

Brent and I went to the BX at the National Guard facility.  I was looking for a couple of things for Matthew’s JrROTC decorations in his room.  We went to Ed’s for lunch.  Ed wasn’t at work today so we’ll just have to go back.  Oh, darn!

We ran around the Pearl area looking for a bead shop, but decided it must of moved or gone out of business.  Before going back home we went to Kroger’s for a few groceries.

We watched New Orleans play the Atlanta Falcons tonight.  It wasn’t a really great game for either team, but the Saints managed to win.

Well, wouldn’t you know it!  Loveland had snow today.  And I missed it.  Bill reported a temperature of 11°.  Here in Brandon it was mild.  Not many of the trees have lost their leaves.  Some of the trees have bright red leaves.  Fall is a beautiful time of year here.

November 20, 2013---Loveland to Brent's in Brandon, Mississippi

We were up at 3:30 this morning and pulling out of the driveway at 3:59, one minute ahead of schedule.  The only thing I forgot was a snack I had put together to eat on the plane.  We were way down the road before Bill reminded me of it, so, of course, we didn’t go back after it.

My plane left at 7:00, right on time.  I flew to Orlando, had three hours to wait, and then flew back to Jackson.  It wasn’t a very long flight.  Brent and Coleson were there to meet me.  It really was good to see them.  Sara came to the house after her church group let out.

On the way to Brent’s we stopped to see Polly and Petto, friends of Brent’s who live about a block from him.  She and I have become friends.  Her husband works on an off shore oil rig.  Today, he came home for two weeks and will go back out to the rig in two weeks.  That is his basic schedule.

We watched Survivor.  Brent watches it about the way Bill and I do...we watch the challenges and the voting.  Brent only watches the challenges.

I have been up for a bunch of hours so I am going to try to get to sleep early tonight.

November 19, 2013---Michelle’s, Loveland, Colorado

Today was a very busy day for both of us.  After Bill finished the laundry, I packed for my trip to Mississippi.  My plane leaves from Denver at 7:00 tomorrow morning.  I am getting very excited about seeing Brent and his group.

We had to go to Walmart to get one of my prescriptions that needed to be changed.  After doing that I was able to get all of my meds and vitamins ready to be packed.

I also had to clean out the closet to pack my summer close away and get the winter things out.  I got a whole bunch of things ready to donate to the thrift store.  It was good to get that chore marked off my list where it had been on for way too long.

Some of my containers of shells are going to go on display at Meredith’s.  She and her dad have plans for a way to display them.  They will to work on that project while I am gone.

Bill had a doctor’s appointment at 4:00.  By then I was really tired.  I was sitting at my desk and went to sleep.  I moved to the sofa where Bill usually naps.  When he got home, I didn’t give up the spot.  I was too tired to move.

After dinner, Meredith and her two pups came for a visit.  Ron came out to the MN, also.  We chatted for quite a while.  Hapa was sitting on my feet.  She is very warm and I was glad to be her BFF.

November 18, 2013---Michelle’s, Loveland, Colorado

Bill and I went to Walgreen’s this morning for our flu shots.  I got mine first, while Bill hid his eyes.  And then it was his turn.  Of course, he didn’t watch what she was doing.  In fact, he didn’t even feel when the needle went it.  They were very fine needles.  Brave Bill didn’t faint.

He took me to meet Meredith at her house.  She was to have an MRI on her heart today and I was going along for moral support.  The test took two hours.  I stayed in the waiting room.  I had a new jigsaw puzzle on my iPad and worked on it while I waited.  After about an hour and a half I closed the iPad and entertained myself people watching.  There were some very interesting people waiting for appointments.

For lunch, we drove west to eat at Chili’s.  Afterwards, we went on into Boulder to a bead shop.  When we got back to Loveland, Meredith left me at Walmart for a manicure.  Bill came just as I was finishing.

When we got home, Ron had grilled chicken and Michelle had made mash potatoes and a salad.  After such a good dinner, I spent the evening doing book work and watching Dancing with the Stars.