Getting By With A Little Help From Some Friends

On Friday we learned that Dave's leave of absence was approved, we will be once again coming back to VT next summer. Robin, the owner here at Maplewoods, was relieved to hear the news, it took a lot of stress off of her, one of her sisters is not coming back and she didn't want to have to think about us not coming back too. We'll leave on 9/28 probably, we have a week or so to get to IL where we are meeting our friends whom we reconnected with last fall. 

My best friend from high school came up last weekend amid all the chaos our life was in, it was a good distraction and time spent with a treasured friend. Rene and I met in the spring of '75, we've been the best of friends ever since, in 10th grade we had identical schedules, where one was the other was too. Our friendship has survived the test of time, we get together when we can usually once a year and these days it's usually in VT. Since 2001 Rene and her husband Ed have come up many August weekends and we've attended concerts at the local fairgrounds, some of the shows we've seen Rene and I saw together back in the 70's. 

They arrived Friday after rainy 6 hour ride, told her how to go but she listened to the GPS, oh well she got to see Burlington. A late evening of catching up led to sleeping in late, they were our first inside overnight guest and the new mattress worked well they said. After a slow morning we headed into town mid afternoon, spent time wandering the vendors booths just looking slowly working our way back the rv area. What a bust that was, the rv area had only one dealer who had predominately used rigs, the only new 5th wheels were some Bay Hills, didn't do a thing for us except make us appreciate our Solitude more. Our entertainment for the evening was provided by the Goo Goo Dolls and Daughtry, great shows and a great evening with my "sister". They headed home early Sunday as we had commitments that had to be kept. Thanks girlfriend for the visit, just what was needed right then.

So for the moment the blog is caught up, now I can go read blogs and see what everyone has been up to for the last few weeks. Labor Day is almost upon us, folks start rolling in tomorrow, it's our weekend off but we'll be around here if needed. 31 days to go!!!

Until next time...

We'll Miss You Kevin

Last week we lost a family friend, Kevin, tragically to suicide, our lives are a little less brighter with out him in it. Through the years in Huntington Kevin was a fixture, coach of our son's soccer team, his oldest girls are our boys age. He and I chaperoned many a field trip together, if possible we'd reject the school bus for one of our cars, great times yakking away. I was exactly 2 days older than him, a fact he always reminded me of on my birthday. In the early years he would refer to our son Tom as the kid who ran with his hands in his pockets, later years he confided in me his daughter was in love with Tom and just waiting for him to grow up. I met Colleens fiance last weekend, they both enjoyed hearing of our lifestyle and thought full timing was a great idea. As the kids grew we didn't see Kevin as much, running into him at the local store or coming into the bank when I worked there. The last time we saw him was last year at our last garage sale, we spent some great time talking about the our new lifestyle changes, another friend who so understand our desire to live this lifestyle. Kevin and I were FB friends and would comment once in awhile on each other posts. Less than a week beforehand I sent him a message asking if he was going to an usher at an upcoming concert I was attending. He messaged back he was working as little as possible and thanks for thinking of him, less than a week later he was no longer with us. I know he had to be thinking of taking his life even then, he wrote his obituary, sent letters to his wife and each of his daughters, emailed a friend soon beforehand, paid the next months bills and set up a family trust. He headed to a ski slope nearby where he and his family had spent many wonderful years, he was found a few hours later. He wanted no funeral but instead a celebration of his life, we along with our good friends from Huntington attended, he had touched all our lives. On Sunday we attended the celebration held at the family home, we spoke with his bewildered wife, gave our love to her and the girls, spoke with a few of the hundreds of folks that were there. People we hadn't seen in years all expressing the same disbelief that of all folks Kevin would be the last we would expect this to happen to. The words his wife spoke to me as we hugged of the special bond Kevin and I had still bring tears to my eyes when I think of them and of him so gone, not to see again. Our hearts,thoughts and prayers go out to his girls whom we know he loved dearly. RIP Kevin until we see you again.

Catching Up

I started this post over a week ago, wanted to get it done before my best friend from high school visited. On Wednesday the 20th we received word a friend of ours had committed suicide, my next post will have more about that. Needless to say I am way behind now, thanks for continuing to follow, we'll be on the move 9/28 or 9/29 taking a slow 7 week trip west and south.

It's been just over a month since our last post, yes we're still alive and while we don't seem to be doing much a month has gone by in another flash. We have been enjoying lots of our rv friends summer travels, some have been traveling through areas we've been to years ago, our appetites are wetted and we look forward to exploring them again someday. We have another 6 weeks and we'll be out of here, route planning to the Texas Gulf Coast has taken a bit of time. I usually plan out a loose route then we sit down with Google Earth and look at COE and State parks nearby, finding ones that have decent reviews and look to at least have some roads to walk or ride the bikes. For our trip south this year hiking isn't a priority, fishing, walking, biking and local attractions will be what we are looking for.

 Our free weekends have been spent with friends we hold dear, time is quickly running out, only one more gathering of the 3 couples who for 10+ spent most every other Saturday night in each others company. Treasured times spent with good friends, laughing till our sides hurt, recalling times gone by as kids grew up, always there for each other when ever needed. Dreams of visits to see us on our beach in Texas, hopes they come to fruition.

We have taken next weekend off, my best friend since high school will be here for a visit. For many years we've been getting together for a weekend in August, usually involving a concert we are attending at the local county fair. Rene and Ed will be here on Friday, still don't know if they will bring a tent or use our new air mattress in the living room. Saturday late afternoon we will head to the fairgrounds for dinner then for 3 band concert. Plain White T's, Goo Goo Dolls and Daughtry entertaining us from the first row of the grandstands. We learned many years ago at the Styx & REO concert we want to be under cover, VT August weather can be unpredictable and the show usually goes on.
                                                                                                                                  

no other lighting on

 The UPS driver has been making frequent trips to the campground on our and Amazon's behalf, among other things we've been prettying up the inside of the rig. We have installed some under cabinet lights to add some ambiance, thinking of adding some similar white lights to a few places to help brighten some dark areas. 

We've also been working in the bathroom, as is typical in rv's the palette is a beige with dark brown cabinetry. After years of white and light cabinets I like the dark woodwork in the rig, in the bathroom there are no doors on closet which is fine, I've worked around that and am glad for no doors it might make the bathroom feel real dark. I've been looking at curtian panels but haven't found the right one yet. What we have done now is install the Smart Tiles as a back splash, thought it came out not to shabby. The tiles were easy to install, peel and stick, add a negligible amount of weigh, not bad for under a $100.

Dave has been working on improving our internet signal also, we now have a Wilson Sleek Cellular Signal Booster along with a trucker antenna to help pull in a stronger signal. So far so good, we've had much better internet since it's been hooked up.

We used to have a map hanging in our office in the S&B, it wasn't practical to bring it and we've found we miss having a larger US reference map. Our new dining table came with a glass top that place things under. Recently ordered a laminated US map and placed it under the glass top, we find ourselves using it when we are doing route planning :) 





FOOD

pork loin stuffed with pork sausage wrapped in bacon

We've enjoyed lots of great meals....

peach pie :)

Shrimp po'boy, from Cajun's a little hole in the wall just up the road a piece 

this pic appeared on the I Love TX Recipes FB Page

The campground hosted a pig roast one weekend

Our garden is producing lots of tomatoes which Dave is enjoying immensely, along the recipients of his abundance of tomatoes. I've been enjoying the flowers blooming, one of my favorites is the fuchsia plant I have.

I had planned to end the post here last week when I started it, so for now that's what we've been up to. Haven't read any blogs in the last week so need to catch up on what everyone else has been up to for the last week too.

Until next time...

We're still here :)

Wow it's been a month since I last posted, there has been a lot of nothing going on still. While Dave has been busy working as much overtime as he can I've been keeping myself occupied with a very relaxed life. Most days I've been staying around home, if I work it is for 5 hours or less a day, so far this season I've put in about 165 hours, I expect to put that many more in again before we leave. Looks like it'll average out to a little less than 20 hours a week for the site.

The campground has been busy since the end of June, the holiday weekend went off with out a hitch. Lots of young shoppers, gallons of ice cream scooped, ice and firewood flying off the porch all kept the store was kept hopping. Last weekend was another full weekend with a local baseball tournament going on, lots of tent campers some came prepared with 700 Jello shots. Our fears of trashed bath houses and torn up sites were unfounded, by 11am Sunday all the weekenders were gone. The past 4-5 days we have had the Hudson Valley Allegro group here before heading the FMCA rally in Essex Jct VT.

I worked on the 3rd & 4th of 4th of July but over the weekend we had company. Saturday we had friends out, Les & Deb provided most of the fixings for a shrimp boil, thanks guys.

We even had overnight guests, friends Mike & Carol pitched their tent in our yard and stayed a few nights.This worked out great since the next morning we headed out for a canoe trip on the Lamoille River. Unfortunately I forgot to put the card back in the camera so had to use the Iphone instead, most of the pics didn't turn out well :(

And then we came home and had pulled pork for dinner.









Dave's foot continues to improve slowly, the addition of the lift to his other shoe has made walking in the cast much easier on his back. At work he keeps the cast on but while home he is going with out it more and more.
My father has been released from the nursing home and is back resting at home, he reads the blog so I'm sure he'd second me saying again,  thank you all for your concern and support over the past few months.

So aside a lunch date with my girlfriends, some reading of thousands of pages in numerous books over the past few weeks, the usual running around that life requires and working a few hours ere and there not much else is going on. We are making notes of some of the places folks are traveling this summer, a file we hope to take out and use in a few years. 

Until next time...  whenever that might be :)

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...

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...

Update & An Intruder

What a difference a day makes, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, it amazes me how in a year our sphere of friends has grown over the last year, there is of course the friend we have known for years-most of our lives but in the last year we have added a few new circles to our lives there is the friends we have made through this blog, some of whom we've had the pleasure of meeting the rest we hope to someday somewhere. Then there is our Gulf Waters RV Resort (GWRVR) family that we have become friends with, many of them we keep in touch through Facebook and many of them live in the IL area, some of them have offered up places in their S&B's or some have offered hookups at their homes for our rigs. We got more than just a lot when we bought our lot this year, we have  All of the outpouring of care and concern has been greatly appreciated, thank you one and all. 

part of our new GWRVR family

Friday early evening Mom called, Dad is doing better and the immediate danger has passed, water is being drained off the heart. Test are to run to figure out why an infection is lingering and what damage has been done to the heart, I did talk with both of them and both said for me to stay put, we shall see what the happens over the next few days. I was working the evening shift when Mom called today so she left a message, it seems Dad has an enlarged heart and of course awaiting still more test results. So for now I'll stay home and wait to see what is needed.

Today didn't go quite the way it was planned, Dave left as usual for work bright and early, I settled in for some computer time. All was going well until I caught a movement in my peripheral vision, earlier I thought I had seen a movement but had chalked it up to a reflection or such,  I looked and saw a little furry body with big eyes looking at me then turning scurring back under the slide. I let out a surprised sound (read scream) that I'm surprised no one heard, thankfully the little body had a stripe so I was pretty sure it was the chipmunk hanging around here, but I don't like furry little things in my home. Time for a back story here, in February 2012 to escape the winter depression of VT we headed to the FL Keys for a few weeks, upon returning we found our bedroom had had mice taking advantage of our absence. For days and weeks we were finding birdseed piles throughout our closet and dressers, but by far the worst part that evening after a long day of driving as we were going to bed we found abundant evidence that the mice had been in our bed while we were gone. Needless to say I have no love for small furry rodents who find their way into my house, but mice trap setting doesn't fall into any of my job categories. Dave was called and told to get some thing to take care of this problem, we're still with out a second legal vehicle right now.

My Facebook post;
  Dave has come to rescue me from the chipmunk that found it's way inside the RV

Dave's Facebook post;
 Had to come home from work early today after getting a frantic phone call from my Queen saying she was being attack by a HUGE chick muck in the RV. So I drove the 50 minute home, on the way I picked up beer and mouse traps. I pulled up to the RV to find the Queen sitting on the deck with the door wide open hoping the critter would come out on it's own. The first thing I did was to comfort my Queen who shaking and in partial shock from her dramatic experience with the creature that was still in the RV, possible in her bed. After calming her and telling what the cost was gonna be for saving her, I started in on the dirty deed. I peaked in the door, scanning the terrain for any kind of unwanted intruders that my be lurking in the shadows. I check the whole RV and found nothing. So I set two traps and put a repelling shield around the RV that only lets in the desirables. I gave the Queen the high sign that her palace has been purged of the beast that was trying to harm her and of the protective measures I took to keep her safe. Now I want payment!!!!!!

Since it was such nice day Dave decided to not go back to work and enjoy some of the beers he picked up. While I went to work Dave took a slow stroll around the park and let the seasonal folks know about my traumatic morning, tonight was pot luck dinner night. Guess who took a lot of ribbing at dinner. 

The only place Dave saw that the chipmunk could have come in is through the seals, looks like some one got more that they expected.

So for now we will wait to hear what my folks need and hopefully we'll have no little new friends.

Until next time...