February 28, 2013

February 28, 2013

I actually ate a small bowl of cereal and 1/2 of a banana this morning.  Yippy, Skippy!  Yup, I think I can see In-N-Out on the horizon!

I continued to feel better as the day went on.  I have been up most of the day, with only a nap this afternoon.  That certainly was different than the past few days.

I was able to eat supper and keep it down.  I told you things were looking up, not coming up, didn’t I?

February 27, 2013

February 27, 2013

I have been able to stay up for longer periods of time today.  I am weak and very shaky, probably because I have eaten very little these last few days.  

It especially shows up when I am pecking on the computer.  If I miss any corrections please forgive me.  Just blame it on JP’s name for me...LOL...Little Old Lady!

Todd and Bill went out caching today.  Bonnie was working at the bead shop downtown,  and I was in bed.  We were all somehow involved in worthwhile activities!!

February 26, 2013

February 26, 2013

Today was a day with lots and lots of rest.  This morning I didn’t feel any better, but as the day progressed I felt more normal, whatever that might be!

I was able to eat some regular food.  Who knows, maybe soon I will be able to go back to In-N-Out.  That’s my benchmark, my current goal in life!

February 25, 2013

February 25, 2013

Thank you, Lori for taking over the “journal duties” for me.  I do so much appreciate you keeping me in line.

I am feeling a bit better today and have been able to keep some small amounts of food down.  I have been in bed most of the last two days.  Bill said my pajamas have become the uniform of the day.

He is taking excellent care of me, as he always does.  And Todd and Bonnie sent a can of Sprite over for my tender tummy.

Thanks again for coming to my aid, Lori.

February 24, 2013

February 24, 2013  This is Lorri, Bill and Raymonda's daughter, blogging on Mom's behalf.   She called me tonight to let me know that she is down with the flu and wanted me to post that on her blog.  Reading Mom's blog is the last thing I do every night before bed.  Being a child of "gypsies", sometimes this blog is the only way I know where they are.  I am so proud of her for starting this blog and being so dedicated to it.  Her funny, heartwarming entries always bring a smile to my face.  Both of my parents are strong, loving people and my sisters, brother and I are so lucky that we get to call them Mom and Dad.  Thanks for always being there for us.  We love you.

February 23, 2013

February 23, 2013

At 11:30, we met a couple, Ken and Bea, with a motorhome like ours.  Ken had solved their slide out delamination problem.  Bill wanted to see how he had done it.  It was interesting, but wasn’t suitable for our problem.  Bill will have to search further.

Afterwards, we went to lunch at Arby’s.  It had been a long time since we dined there.  It won’t replace In-N-Out in our hearts and tummies, but it tasted good today.

I had to go back to the dentist to have a tooth extracted.  The good side is that I won’t have pain in that spot.  The down side is that we will have to stay in the area for four more weeks.  When my mouth heals, I can get a bridge made.  Then we can leave.

I am on a soft diet for three days.  That I don’t mind...milk shakes, yogurt, apple sauce, soup...all those yummy things.  I need my “rootbeer float buddy,” Matthew, to bring me a rootbeer float!

February 22, 2013

February 22, 2013

This morning I had another dental appointment.  I think we'll be on a first name basis with the Border Patrol before this is all said and done.

We completely missed lunch today and it was nearly 5:00 as we approached the turnoff to In-N-Out.  Yes, we just whipped right in and made our tummies very happy.

Bonnie came for a visit after supper.  We had lots of laughs talking about RV experiences.  She said she was going home to make another bracelet.  She is such a good beader...very talented!

The rest of our evening was spent watching Gunsmoke and working on our computers.

February 21, 2013

February 21, 2013

Happy Birthday, JP.  You can’t already be 23.  You just can’t be!

We went to an indoor flea market today.  It has been open for several years, but we had never been to it.  Todd and Bonnie took us.  I think it was a step above the outdoor flea market.  We walked around for about half an hour.

Taco Bell was where we went for lunch.  Afterwards, we found two geocaches in the area of the original Walmart in Yuma.  Both of the caches were in a very nice dog park.  

There were quite a few dogs there.  One of them especially caught my eye.  He looked just like Tucker.  I was scratching his back and his owner said he wouldn’t move as long as I was scratching.  Sure enough, as soon as I stopped, he trotted off.  I enjoyed my “Tucker fix.”

We parted company with Todd and Bonnie and went on our own to do some shopping at Walmart.  We were in serious need of some groceries.

I spent the evening working on a beading project and watching TV.  “Himself” just watched TV.  He only has a one track mind!

February 20, 2013

February 20, 2013

Before going to the dentist this morning we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  One of my favorites is biscuits and gravy, so that's what I got.  JP likes the pancakes at CB.  I should've followed his lead.  I will next time, JP!

We had rain early this morning, but the clouds had cleared by the time we left the MH.  However, a cold wind was blowing.  Br-r-r-r!

On our way home we went by NAPA to get information on a dirt track race on March 2.  They are advertising that Tony Stewart will be here to race.  Twee!  Todd and Bonnie plan to go with us.  That should be fun.  Bill and I haven’t been to anything like that since Bridger, Wyoming, where we went to a mud bog race with Lori and JP.  That was a long time ago, but I still remember how much fun we had.

Todd is trying to do a cache on all 365 days of the year.  While Bonnie worked on a beading project and Bill inspected the insides of his eyelids, Todd and I found one just a few blocks away.  While signing the log we met two geocachers.  That’s always fun.

I had meant to do some beading tonight, but it didn’t work out.  Maybe tomorrow...

February 19, 2013

February 19, 2013

At 12:00 today, Bill, Todd, Marvin, and I went south onto the Bombing Range.  The road was rough with lots of rocks.  When we go out onto the Range we have to call to the Marine Base to make sure there is to be no official activity that day.  So when F-16s (I think) began flying over it was a bit disconcerting.

The guys got out and headed off the road in search of a geocache.  I stayed in the car to take care of some paperwork.  They came back, crossed the road, and continued the hunt on the east side of the road.  

Soon they were walking further onto the range.  They went from one cache to another.  I called Bill to see if they wanted me to drive Todd’s car on south and keep even with them.

At this time, I became the designated driver.  The desert was too rough for me to walk on so driving was a good job for me.  At one point they disappeared over a hill.  I parked where I had a good view of the area.  After about 30 minutes, they came back into view and hiked on south in pursuit of more finds.

By the time they got back to the car they had found 12 caches and had walked about four miles.  

February 18, 2013

February 18, 2013

Our day was filled with tasks around the house, naps, watching Westerns, and all those good kinds of things.

After lunch, Bill and Todd went geocaching.  Bill said the terrain was very rough and they had to walk a long way to each cache.  I was really glad I didn’t go.  I don’t guess it would have made much difference, because I would probably take refuge in the car.

I spent some time with Bonnie while the guys were out on the desert.  She didn’t feel well yesterday so she was staying close to home.  We looked at some beading projects.

After making a trip to the Post Office and Verizon, we went to Taco Bell for dinner.  

Our entertainment for the evening was spent watching a movie starring James Arness and Bruce Boxleitner, two of my favorites in Westerns.

February 17, 2013

February 17, 2013

I spent the morning sorting mail that Michelle forwarded to us.  I can’t seem to get caught up on all the “office work.”  Would anyone out there like to volunteer to be my secretary?  The pay would be in the minus column and the hours are 24/7, but you would be appreciated and loved beyond belief!

I took some time today to work on a bracelet that I started beading last week.  It is coming together nicely.  I want to finish before we leave Yuma, in case I need some help from Bonnie, my expert beader friend across the street.

Bill and Todd went caching this afternoon, but were gone a very short time.  They found two before calling it quits.  I’m not sure what the short session was all about.

We went to KFC for dinner.  It was much better than toast!

February 16, 2013

February 16, 2013

This was a lazy Saturday.  I slept late.  It really did feel good to be that kind of lazy.  

After lunch, Bill and Todd went to find a few caches.  The wind was blowing rather hard, so I chose to stay home.  My eyes were bothered by the wind yesterday and I didn’t want to deal with that again today.

The Great Cache Hunters weren't gone very long.  After finding three caches, Todd had a mishap and cut his finger on a rock.  So home they came, wisely.  Todd likes to cache, but won’t go out alone.  I think today proved the wisdom of that.

We were headed to In-N-Out for dinner when we saw a couple of emergency vehicles going somewhere in a hurry.  Just after we got out on I-8 we noticed flames leaping through black smoke.

After having dinner and a good visit with Dwight and Sheila, we went back home.  We tried, in vain, to find the site of the fire.  We just didn’t know the neighborhood well enough to locate it on the way home.

This evening, we watched the first NASCAR event of the season.   The Daytona 500 will be run next weekend, but this week will be filled with a variety of activities for all three levels of NASCAR.

February 15, 2013

February 15, 2013

Just before noon, we went out to find some caches.  We were looking in the northeast part of Yuma, between I-8 and Hwy. 95.  It was very rough, rocky terrain.  

In spite of the rugged area, we were able to find 16 caches.  Most of them were fairly easy to locate, but some were more of a challenge.  Todd, another friend named Bill, and Lexie (Todd’s dog) were with us.

We had an interesting thing happen, one that we’ve never had before.  We were down in a gully looking for the cache container when we heard shooting.  Someone was on the ridge above us doing a little target practice.  They were close enough that we could hear rocks being shattered.

Lexie was so scared, and I wasn’t far behind her.  For several of the next caches, she and I stayed in the Honda.  After awhile, she calmed down some.  I’m not sure I did.  When we were nearly back to civilization, she started to hyperventilate really badly.  I wasn’t sure if she was going to survive or not.  I know we were all glad to get home.

Febeuary 14, 2013

February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!  My special people on this day come in all shapes, sizes, and ages, from kids to grand kids to in-laws to siblings to good friends to family pets.

I've saved the best for last...Bill.  He's known by other names...Dad, Grandpa, Pa, Llib, Tex, Bozo the Clown, Himself, Cowboy, and Super Driver are just a few...but I can tell you something about my "main squeeze" you might not know.   

On this date 53 years ago, Bill took me on our first date.  We went to see a movie, Lil' Abner.  Don't bother asking Pappy Yokum for verification.  He hasn't a clue!

Rain, even a small amount, can do wonders!  Much of the desert around here is covered with a blanket of purple flowers. It looks as if the desert is all decked out for Valentine's Day.

Today, being a day for sweethearts, was a great day to go out to lunch.  Right?  How does sharing a piece of pizza at Sam’s Club sound?  Yup, that’s about as romantic as it gets!

February 13, 2013

February 13, 2013

At 8:30, we collected Todd and Eric for some geocaching adventures.  Most of them were on the desert south of Yuma, but a few were in town.

Our only break was for lunch at Subway.  And then we were back out on the desert for more fun.  By 3:00 we had found 30 caches and had completely worn Bill out.  We went home for naps and Todd and Eric continued the hunt on their own.

Tonight we watched the season premier of Survivor.  For a first show of the season, I think it was better than some in the past.  The challenges were more evenly matched, or at least more interesting.

Bill had taped the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show for me, so I watched it tonight.  As always, there were some beautiful dogs shown.  But I would take any of our family dogs...Willie, Joey, Hapa, Tucker, and Maddie...over all the rest.

Februrary 12, 2013

February 12, 2013

On our way to the dentist this morning we stopped at McDonald’s for breakfast.  I spent about two hours in the dentist chair and an hour getting back to the car.  By the time we were in In-N-Out country again it was time for lunch.  How’s that for timing?

After getting gasoline and making a run to Home Depot, we went home for long naps.  We were both in need of some “shut eye” time.  

Bonnie came for a short visit.  The only problem was, she didn’t bring the dogs.  Lexie is probably still tired from her full day of caching yesterday.

Todd called to check on tomorrow’s adventure schedule.  We plan to start caching at 8:30 in the morning.  Maybe she will go with us!

February 11, 2013

February 11, 2013

This morning was a fitting end to the Yuma Mega Event.  We met in a parking lot and waved “goodbye” to Yuma residents and visitors.  It was a Flash Mob...the last event of a great week of geocaching.

Bonnie, Ardene, and I went to a beading class this morning.  The bracelet I was working on was rather difficult.  I finished about 1/3 of it so I will have some “homework” to do this week.

Bill, Todd, Eric, and Marvin (a neighbor) left at 8:30 to go caching.  They put in a full day, making 47 finds that we hadn’t found before.  Eric and Marvin logged a few more.  It was nearly 5:00 when they got home.  That was a really long day for those old guys.  Grandpa was tuckered out!

We watched a Western tonight.  That’s a good way to end a very busy day.  And Old Tex was a happy guy!

February 10, 2013

February 10, 2013

We left the motorhome at 7:30 this morning.  The Mega Event started at 9:00, but because of the large number of geocachers registered, we knew parking would be critical.  And we were right.  When we arrived at 7:50, the main parking lot was nearly full.

Our first order of business after parking was to claim a “sitting spot” with our chairs.  Bill and the rest of the gang parked our chairs at a great spot.  We had a great view of everything important going on.  There were lots of activities to partake in, and in between, we sat and watched everyone.

We went on a poker run.  Last year I won $50.00.  This year I wasn’t so lucky.  Rats!

I bought $5.00 worth of raffle tickets and won two tiny geocaching containers with a retail value of about $8.00.  So I guess I made out OK.  The funny thing was...Bill was taking a nap sitting in the chair beside me.  I didn’t realize he was asleep and when the announcer called my number, I jabbed him in the side and told him to go get my prize.  He came out of a dead sleep with a very surprised look on his face.  But true to form, he did exactly as I had requested!  That’s why he calls me “she who must be obeyed.”  What a guy!

We had a really good lunch of tri-tip, slaw, baked beans, tortillas, and a cookie for dessert.

Our last official event of the day was to spread out over the park and pick up any trash left around.  This kind of event is called CITO...Cache In Trash Out.  As we discovered last year, there was very little litter, but it was important to leave the park better than we found it.

February 9, 2013

February 9, 2013

This morning at 9:30, Bill and I went caching with Todd and Eric, also from Oregon like the rest of the gang.  The only break we took from the desert excitement was for lunch at Subway.

And then it was right back out onto the desert for more geo finds.    By the time we quit at 2:45, we had logged 44 caches.  None of them were particularly outstanding, but it is always fun to be out on the desert trailing up and down.  

There are so many people here for the Mega Event tomorrow, that we met a lot of them out hunting, too.  We like talking to cachers from other parts of the country.

At 3:00, we had a Warn Up Event in preparation for tomorrow’s events.  It was at an outdoor seating area at a theme park.  There were a lot of people in attendance.  All went well until a cold wind started blowing.  Our group of eight decided it was time to “get out of Dodge.”

We were all invited to a birthday/pizza party at 4:30.  The guest of honor was Ardene, another of the Portland area Winter Arizonians.

I spent an hour or so logging our geo finds on the computer.  It has been a long, but fun day.

February 8, 2013

February 8, 2013

I was too tired from my ordeal yesterday to go geocaching.  I stayed in bed, warm and snugly, while Bill went caching with the gang.

I got several beading projects finished after eating a late breakfast.  It was good to have some time to try to get my busy life organized.

Bill returned at 3:00, in time to inspect the inside of his eyelids before we went to a Mega event in the area of Old Downtown Yuma.  We stayed for about an hour.  The place was really crowded.   Everyone was having a great time.  

We had planned to go out to dinner, but weren’t very enthused about it, so we all went home.  I had cheese, crackers, and grapes.  Bill had a gourmet sandwich...peanutbutter and jelly.

By bedtime, it was raining, but not very serious about it!

February 7, 2013

February 7, 2013

I had a lazy start to the day...the first for me in a while.

We had dental appointments soon after lunch.  Bill’s went rather quickly,  but mine lasted for several hours.  It was way past sunset when we started back home.

Todd called while I was still in the dental chair.  I called him after we got back to Yuma and wanted to know where in the world we had been.  Either he is a very snoopy person or our kids are paying him to keep an eye on us.  Hm-m-m-m?

He and Eric, a visitor from the Portland area here for the Yuma Mega Event, were going night caching and wanted us to go, but they were already nearly to the cache area, known as Ground Zero.  Maybe we’ll catch it the next time around.  

On the way home we stopped at Dairy Queen for a chocolate shake.  Soon after getting back to the RV, Bonnie and the pups came for a short visit.  They make themselves right at home.  It is always fun having those two little Yorkies around.  One is a wild child and one is very much a lady!

February 6, 2013

February 6, 2013

We didn’t head out on the geocaching trail until about 11:30.  After finding six caches, we went to Taco Bell for a late lunch.  Before picking up Bonnie from her job at a bead shop we had found 13 caches in all.

I went into the bead shop to tell Bonnie where we were parked.  Of course, I just had to purchase some supplies, right?  

At 5:00 we went to a meeting of the Yuma City Council who proclaimed February 10, 2013, the date of the Mega Event, as Geocache Day in Yuma.

As we came out of the Courthouse, Sheila and I had a “run in” with the sheriff.  He said he couldn’t reduce charges or anything like that, but he could give us an upgrade on a room.  In the picture taken with him, Sheila and I weren’t cuffed!  Our children worry that someday this might all come true!!!!!

Before going home, we went to a buffet for dinner.

February 5, 2013

February 5, 2013

Happy Birthday, Meredith and Michelle!  I remember the day of their births very well.  I’m sure Brave Bill does, too.  I do know for a fact that he was in a state of shock.

On that day, Bill and Lori (age 2) took me to the doctor, who sent me to the hospital immediately.  Bill took me to the Emergency Room, leaving Lori in the car...with my purse.  Lori locked the doors, took things out of my purse and lined everything neatly on the seat.  When Bill got back out to the car and told her to unlock the door, she smiled sweetly, put everything back in the purse, and then unlocked the door.  I’m not sure, but I think he didn’t leave the keys in the ignition again for a long, long time.  I did mention that he was in shock, didn’t I? 

This morning we went geocaching with Todd.  Bonnie wasn’t with us because she works two days a week at a bead shop and this was one of her days.  

By the time we called it quits and went to In-N-Out for lunch, Todd had logged 13 finds and we had logged eight.  I called Meredith to say that we were having her birthday lunch at In-N-Out.  That wasn’t a very nice thing for a mother to do, was it?  I had talked to Michelle earlier so she was spared the agony.  Himself has always said I had a mean streak and now he knows it for sure!

February 4, 2013

February 4, 2013

Bill and Todd went caching this morning.  With them were Marvin, a neighbor, and Lexie, Todd and Bonnie’s little Yorkie.  Bill said she had the most fun of all.  She chased a lizard and checked out all the bushes.  I feel sure she was keeping the guys safe.  She may be little, but she is mighty!

Bonnie and I went to a beading class.  There were about 12 people in attendance.  It was fun.  I hadn’t made anything using small beads in quite awhile.  I was glad it didn’t make me nervous.  We both made bracelets.  Bonnie is an expert beader and did a better job than I did, but I was satisfied with my effort.

After the class we went to the home of a geocacher who is selling t-shirts for the Mega event.  I wanted to wear one on Wednesday when we go to a ceremony proclaiming February 10 as Geocaching Day in Yuma.  And there are several more events during the week when I will wear it. 

We stayed home the rest of the day and I attempted to get the table cleaned off from my beading project yesterday.  I wasn’t very successful!  Drats!

February 3, 2013

February 3, 2013

Believe it or not, we were in Todd and Bonnie's car at 6:15 (a.m.) on our way to a geo breakfast, the first event of the Mega Extravaganza.  So, mark this day in history.  It may not happen again for a long, long time.

After breakfast, we went with the group to the Yuma Territorial Prison.  Don’t worry, we hadn’t been arrested.  The Geocaching group was presenting a plaque to the Museum.  Bill and I spent a little time in the old prison area, but decided to come back another day when we had more time.

It wasn’t time for lunch so we went back home.  Bill and I both took long naps.  We must of been more tired that we thought.

Bonnie and I went grocery shopping at Walmart.  Every time I have been in that store here in Yuma, it has been extremely busy.  Today was no exception.

While Bill and I watched the Super Bowl,  I worked on a beading project.  It had been several weeks since I had made any crosses.  I enjoyed it. 

February 2, 2013

February 2, 2013

Happy Birthday, Joshua.  I can't believe you are already 18.  Wow! And it's Groundhog Day, too.

At 9:30, we got off on the geocaching trail in search of large caches.  We headed out to the Barry Goldwater Bombing Range after calling to see if it was clear today.

The desert has certainly benefited from the recent rain.  There are little orange flowers blooming on the weeds and yellow flowers with dark centers that look like tiny sunflowers.  Some of the ocotillo have started to show their red blooms at the tips of their tall skinny branches.

The last cache we looked for was about 500 feet off the road.  It was a large wooden cabinet with a combination lock.  When Bill opened the lock, with Dwight’s help, the cabinet contained about 50 Altoid tins secured to the walls of the cabinet.  To find the cache, each tin had to be opened until the correct one was found to be holding the log-in paper for the cache.  It was certainly one of the most clever caches we have come across.

When we got back to Yuma, everyone was hungry.  Imagine that!  We went to Subway.  Bill and I shared a meatball sub.  That’s our favorite.

Most of the rest of the day was spent resting.  Bill was tired from lots of walking.  I only walked to the last cache and back, but I was still very tired from my dental appointment yesterday.  I could barely drag myself out of bed this morning.

I need to get extra rest tonight because tomorrow begins the Mega Geocaching Event here in Yuma.  It covers nine days with a total of eight caches.  It should be a very exciting event for all of us “crazy people” out there.

February 1, 2013

February 1, 2013

Another month has rolled by.  Do I sound like a broken record? Life is ripping by!

Bill's morning jobs were laundry and to wash the poor, dirty Honda.  It had so much Quartzsite dirt on it, the color of the vehicle was questionable.

Just as he got back, Dwight and Sheila came to help me put animal names on a bookmark list so I could meet the requirements for yesterday's challenge cache.  While Sheila and I finished our project, the two guys were hunting on the Geocaching site for caches with a large-sized rating.  We need five more for that part of the challenge.  They located seven with large sized containers in the area.  Guess what we will be doing tomorrow?

Bill and I needed to be back at the dental office in Algodones for 2:00 appointments.  But first I had to get a prescription for Keflex to be taken one hour before my appointment.  We made both deadlines with no problem.

It was 5:30 by the time we headed for home.  Our only stop on the way was at Dairy Queen for a chocolate shake for me and a vanilla shake for himself!  Yum, yum!