Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, totally worn out, shouting "Wow...What a Ride!"

Thursday, June 19, 2014

This and That

Yes it's been awhile since I last posted, since we are stationary for 5 months and working as much as possible there's nothing too exciting for the blog, customers are not adding any fodder either.  Dave's friends on Facebook are missing his story telling, guess this is the semi part of semi retired. We've talked of doing a few things but haven't, we did go to one farmers market and got a few goat cheeses, it was more about going for a ride instead. Since Dave is putting in as many hours as possible, unlimited overtime for him, we usually keep him off his foot as much as possible on his days off. So we are living a regular type of life right now, another 3.5 months and we'll have the wheels moving again.


Dad

The blood clots he had in both his lungs and legs have been aggressively treated which has resulted in my father feeling much better, I knew he was doing better when he started reading. He was transported to a nursing home near my folks home, thanks to my cousin Richard for bringing my mom home, dad will stay in the nursing home while he regains strength and starts PT. They were told by dad's doctor that most folks don't make it through what dad had gone through, how grateful I was to be able to call him on Father's Day. Again thank you to all who have kept us in their thoughts and prayers your support is much appreciated.



Father's Day Weekend

The week prior to Father's Day was one of getting ready for our Father's Day BBQ that was on Saturday. A huge shopping trip to Costco for the campground, two grocery carts filled to overflowing, sure glad it wasn't my bill :)  A morning spent getting huge quantities of potato and macaroni salads made and as much prep work done as possible.

It was  my weekend to work at the camp store, we had a full campground, the Champlain Valley Roadrunners who are a Good Sam club  had 19 sites, there were a few small family groups-some regulars and we were full up. An ice cream social for the club Friday evening-after the ones who still had to work made it in, 40 people served in 20 minutes by Robin and I, a quick shift.

Saturday was the BBQ, the morning was spent getting the final things taken care of, my shift started at 3pm, dinner was served to 80 people starting at 5:30, by 7pm most folks were done. Dave got home around then from work and came down to have dinner while we cleaned up. Another quick shift. 

29 Years

Sunday, Father's Day was our 29th anniversary, I've known Dave 32 years, it's hard to remember a time when he hasn't been part of my life. We've gone through much but have come out stronger for it, no matter what we've made it through as best friends.We both had to work so a quiet small dinner was in order when Dave got home from work.
What a good husband :)

Dave's Birthday & Dr's appointment

Tuesday the 17th was Dave's birthday, it was an OT day so he headed into work, since he had a 3pm dr's apt he didn't work too late. After his doctors apt we picked up a couple of pizzas and a cake, we had a small celebration at the camp store with a few of our good friends from here at the campground.
 
Dave has been in the boot for 6 weeks, he usually has it on unless he's sleeping, driving or sitting around when he takes it off. He's worn out one sole so we ordered him a few extra, we are waiting for a piece that will attach to his regular shoe to lift his other leg up. He's been getting some back aches and his sciatica has been acting up, since he's going to be in the boot for awhile longer we decided to invest in the lift up attachment. His dr's apt went well, they have added some flex to his ankle as he will slowly try to transition back to shoes over the next 6 weeks. We talked with his doctor about taking all summer to try and fix Dave up, if surgery is going to be needed we discussed having it done while in TX this winter. The doctor is originally from San Antonio, he worked in VT until the mid 90's went back to TX, then 2 years ago came back to VT, he has lots of contacts in Corpus Christie so finding a doctor there will not be a problem. So we will be in a holding pattern for awhile,

This & That


Our friend Lesman - saying hi to our blog friends


We've visited with friends here and there, Les & Deb came out one Sunday for some serious (not) spade playing, our friends Mike & Carol surprised me with a short visit after I got off work on Father's Day. They were out on their motorcycle and stopped in to say hi.
 
All of our vehicles are legal, finally, now I'm not "stuck" here when Dave goes to work, it will be nice not to have to do all the errands on his days off.

Reading blogs and books, visiting around the campground and yes some tv time are my activities right now. It's our weekend off so hoping we can catch up with friends, got some ribs to smoke on Saturday, weather looks good for a fire.


Until next time...

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Updates

June 1

Faye's FB post:

Chipmunk 1+ (he got into my trail mix )
Dave 0

Just saw him scampering across the lawn from the neighbors rig, traps reset with peanut butter instead of cheese.


Dave's FB post:

I quietly got out of bed at 4:30am being careful not to wake up the queen from her slumber. Slowly I walk into the kitchen area to see what treasurers I may have caught in my traps, in my mind picturing the bulging eye balls and a broken neck of this creature that has been menacing the queen. The little bastard CHICK monk was able to get by my defenses and traps, entering the queens palace. It ate the cheese I had in the traps without setting them off and also ate the queens trail mix just to piss her off. Chipmunk 1 Dave 0, time to rethink my plan of attack. Made a couple strategic adjustments to my traps, reloaded with a secret bate mixture I been working on the last few years and reset the traps. Time to go to work and hopefully I be having CHICK monk for dinner, females ones are more tender.


Faye's FB post:

Chipmunk 2+

Dave .5

Came home to find one trap untouched, the other was moved across the floor and is nestled in between my shoes, don't know where the little devil is. Dave will have to work on his traps, the queen wants some peace in her palace.



Dave's FB post: 


The queen just got home from work and was reporting in on the CHICK monk status. She said one of my traps with the secret bate mixture that I've been developing over the last few years specially gear toured chipmunks was tripped and dragged around the RV. It got lodged in between a pair of the queens shoes and the critter got away. I asked her to take any hair, blood or semen samples she could find for examination when I get home, but she refused. It looks like I'm in this battle by myself, the queen wants nothing to do with the capture and or demise of the beast that I'm after. Chipmunk 3 Dave 0.5, I got some of it's hair and possible semen samples but Faye won't taste it to be sure. Time to rebate the traps with the secret special bate mixture that I have been formulating for the last couple of decades. I think the little bastard is laughing at me, this is WAR

June 2

Dave's FB post: 


The Chick monk is nowhere to be found. Got up this morning hoping this time to get more than just hair samples in my trap with my special secret bate mixture that I've been developing for the past 25 years or so, but nothing. Went to work today, overtime, gotta keep the queen is the life stile her has become accustom to and when I got home still nothing. After discussing the situation with myself, we come to the conclusion that the chipmunk realized the he was dealing with a superior intellect and was in a battle that he couldn't win. We believe the chipmunk was a male that was attracted to Faye because of the semen stain that was found on her sneaker. We also believe the chipmunk is ok, he was seen outside with a hairless bent tail and rejected look on his face. Time for him to find himself a chick monk so he can forget about Faye. I will keep the traps set for a couple more days just in case.


June 3 

Faye's FB post:

This morning Dave got up before I did, OT day for him, I got up just before he left. I asked him if he'd checked the traps, of course he hadn't so I peaked around the corner to one of the traps. All clear, time to move on into the living room and check the other one, oh my it's been moved, that looks like a body caught in it. Turned around and headed to the bedroom, time for my hero to handle this, soon I hear from Dave "are you sure it was a chipmunk you saw" and while I could swear I saw a stripe on the creature I saw this one didn't have one. Seems we've caught a mouse, still alive-nose had gotten caught, and Dave had been sitting in the living room while this thing probably flopped around a bit. Just goes to show you how aware men really are of things around them, at least some of the time. We still have the traps baited and set, just in case the word had been spread about access to Malouf's rv. Hope this is the end of this story. 

Dave's FB post:

Got up this morning before my queen awake to make sure the RV was clear of any dead bodies that may be in one of my traps bated with my special secret bate mixture I've been working on for the last 30 years or so. With my eagle like vision, I spotted a large rodent in the far trap way on the other side of the room and it was still alive. Knowing my queen would be waking soon, I ran across the room, diving on the massive critter, risking life and limb, killing it with one mighty blow. I dragged the creature to the garbage, with a thud it landed in the can. When the queen awake and enter the room, I greeted her, taking her hand, guiding her to her favorite chair. I told her that the beast the tormented her was dead and never to return again. I'll keep the traps set for a couple days just in case.

1 Mouse gone.....

On another note, my father continues to be hospitalized, blood clots were found in his legs and lungs. IV's were started to clear the clots in the legs, a tube was inserted into the lungs to dissolve the clots, he has pneumonia and has coughed up a small amount of blood. Dave and I are hanging tight here, Mom sounds good on the phone. She is staying in a hotel that has a direct shuttle to and from the hospital, if it's after hours the hotel security will drive her back and forth. The hotel is within walking distance but guests are strongly advised not to. Thank you everyone for the thoughts and prayers, your support is greatly appreciated.

Dave has been working some OT, trying to get as many dollars in the account while we're here. My hours are picking up, this is our weekend off so visits with long time friends are planned. Next weekend the campground is booked solid, we have a large group in, they've taken 19 sites, there is a BBQ on Saturday for Fathers Day and an ice cream social for the group on Friday evening. 




Until next time...