Say Whaat???

Howdy Cow Girl

My Twin Great Grand Daughters!

Studying

It has really been raining here today. The coast of Texas is already getting dangerous, with high winds, and rising tides. Hurricanes tend to span tornadoes too. The South Padre Island causeway has been closed and if you are there, you can't get out now!

I have been studying the Kindle Reader! I think it is the neatest thing since sliced bread. I must have one! I think it is a great thing for RV rs , you can take it anywhere, load up to 1500 books on it. Download the book to your computer. I can't say enough about it. At my age my vision is not very good, and you can enlarge the print! So, I went to Amazon to do some studying, and guess what! If you have a smart phone, you can download the reader for free, I thought I really wouldn't like "reading" a book on my phone, but, with further research, I found you can download it on your PC, and it is free!! You don't have to buy a Kindle, you can buy your e-books from Amazon. They will be sent to your computer. They cost about $9.99 and up. Some of them are free, they also have magazines, newspapers, and out of print books. I have not downloaded a book to my PC yet. I am using dial up, and it is very slow. So, that will be another story.

I did make it to get my LP today, and one of the rangers was nice enough to put it up in my rig. Then the rain started! Made it just in time!

Pic's from the park March 2010

Blue Bonnets and Indian paint brush flowers at Thousand Trails RV Resort, March 2010, taken with my Droid phone.

???What's that I hear???

Rain! So nice. Some time in the middle of the night I heard it. It was really coming down. I had such a horrible night before the rain. I couldn't breathe, my sinus was so stopped up, I turned the fan on and it seemed to make it worse. When the rain started it seemed to help me, and so to sleep I went. Slept too late. I had in mind getting LP today. Although there are no maintenance workers here on Tuesday. I need help getting the tanks back up in the 5 er. I can get them off OK and take and get filled but I cannot lift them back on when they are full. Then it began to rain again, so I had a good excuse for not getting them filled. My BAD!

It looks like the hurricane is moving closer to South Padre Island and people are beginning to leave. I would too, there is a long causeway, and it is jammed packed when the weather turns bad. I love south Texas, but I wouldn't want to live there! I had thought of leasing a spot in San Benito,Texas, that is in the Valley, but still close enough to go to the beach. But last time there was a hurricane, that park was under about a foot of water. It really doesn't have to rain very hard there for the streets to flood. I can just see me trying to get this big rig ready to roll. Once when I was staying there the water came up to the steps on my RV. My poor dog's bladder was about to burst! She wouldn't go out in the rain and neither would I!

So it's been a lazy day for me, studying Geeks on Tour tutorials about using my Droid phone to Geotag my photos! I am slow to learn, but I love my Droid phone more and more. I am sure there are other smart phones that will do that, but I have a Droid by HTC, it is a little hard to learn, no instruction book came with it. To Geotag a picture, there's an app for that. It's great, that way when you transfer your photos to Picasa, it will show a map, with red balloons, then when you click on the balloon, your picture opens. So you could, in effect mark your route to certain RV parks, or other points, then view the actual place. I have not been able to master the voice recorder. I can work it, but play back is so low I can't hear it. Well, guess that will give me something to do!

Blue Monday

Isn't there a song, Monday, Blue Monday? Well it was hot here again today. With the heat index, it was 100 degrees! I managed to get outside before it got too hot. I wanted to finish cleaning my truck bed, and put a coat of wax on the top. The tree sap had already gotten on the top of my truck, so I didn't even try to clean it again. I guess I will have to go some where, not under that tree and work on it. Don't know where that will be. I did get up in the bed and lube my hitch, and re-painted my "racing stripe" down the middle. I just have a line on the back of the hitch, to help me line up with the kingpin, I have a Good Sam sticker on it, and it makes it easier to hitch up. I guess you could use tape, or glow in the dark paint or tape. But I don't go any where at night, so just plain white paint does the job. I had the "jaws" painted white too, so I could see them better, make sure they are locked before pulling out. It looked like it might rain, so I brought in my ladder. I wanted to put my glass jar, to my new blender up in the cabinet. I did figure out how to use my old plastic one. It is not as pretty, but a lot easier to handle.

The rain did come! So nice and cool. I could use a little more of that! Looks like the hurricane will clip south Texas around Brownsville. We need the rain, but hope it doesn't do any damage. I am pretty far from south Texas, but hopefully will get a little rain!

No Air Conditioner

On one of the hottest days, my air conditioner stopped. I couldn't imagine why. I looked at the breakers, all was well. I finally opened the windows and vents. Called the Ranger and asked if anyone was there to come look at it for me. He said yes the maintenance man was in the park and he would send him around. After one hour of waiting and no one showed up, I called again. I had been in panic mode. What in the world would I do? Here it was on a Sat. afternoon, 99 outside, no where to go. I would have to drive 20 miles to get to a motel, and then what about my dog? I sure couldn't leave her here in this heat! They do have some cabins here to rent, at $85.00 per night. I don't know if they would accept my dog. I don't think so. I called the mobile repairman that I usually get to come out. Got their voice mail, they weren't going to be around until Monday. Great! I called the Ranger office again, and he said the electric company was on the way out. I told him I had electric, just no air. Then he tells me, it is NOT my air conditioner, but the electric, one leg was out, giving me 120 amps, not enough to run my air. I couldn't believe it, all that time I worried about what to do! Then the Ranger did come by and tell me the electric company was here and would have it fixed shortly. Meanwhile, I lost all electric , went outside to sit, it was pretty cool by then. About 9 pm it was fixed! I was so relieved. Came in and cancelled my repair order, closed all the windows and enjoyed the cool air. I don't know how we ever survived with air. I know I did, I can remember in school how hot it was, the teacher had a big fan blowing. I always sat next to the open windows, dreaming of "going somewhere". I was so stressed out, I slept late this morning. I don't know if I should start making plans to move to an apartment and give up travelling, it is not something I want to do. I know even if I lived in a house, or apartment you could still lose the air, but it wouldn't be my responsibility to repair it. Maybe I should start planning now.

Wally World

I made it to Wal Mart fairly early. I had to stop by the Post Office and mail some letters, which didn't take me long.

Last night I decided I was going to make a milkshake. Drug out my old, and I do mean OLD blender. Well the thing smoked like a camp fire! So I thought I would replace it while at Wal Mart. I know I bought that blender in the 1970 s when I was at my first Computer job. It's been a good one. The one I bought is only 450 watts but after all I am not looking to live another 30 years. All I wanted to do was make some smoothies anyway. It has a glass jar, I would really prefer a plastic one because of the weight, and I find it is heavy to try to pick up and pour out of. I guess I can order a plastic one from Oster. I am disappointed that no recipe book came with it. Also have to go online to Oster I had forgotten that Sunbeam makes Oster! I thought my old plastic jar would fit the new one, but no such luck. I was tired, and still haven't put all my "goodies" away. Again, I missed lunch. I am not good at timing my lunch.

I have so much trouble with this Dell computer, every time I set it to hibernate, I loose something! This time it was my blue tooth mouse. I am so used to using it, I don't know how I ever managed without one. I have a mouse on my other computer, but it is connected by wire. This is so nice, not to have all those wires. I finally had to remove the device, and re-install it. I did figure out how to use my web cam. I took a picture of me, turned out pretty good. I am in my nightie, so I won't publish that one. Hate to make everyone sick! I will take another one, hopefully with clothes on.

My cook top wouldn't light, and after making several trips outside, I discovered I am completely out of LP. I thought I had one full tank, guess I had them both turned on. I know I haven't bought LP since last winter. Another chore to take care of.

Clean Truck Bed

Four days in a row of 100 degree heat. But, I did manage to get my truck bed cleaned out. It was full of tree limbs and leaves. Parking under this tree is not good. The sap is really flowing this year for some reason. I had to get my ladder out to get in the back of my truck, no easy task for an old lady. I got my hose, broom and wash bucket together before I climbed in. I keep some wooden boards in the back, just in case I need them for leveling or someone else needs them. I brought my work gloves too, I promptly dropped them! Finally got all the tree limbs and leaves swept out. Got my wash bucket and hose and washed the top. It is so black with dirt,sap and tree "gunk" I really had to scrub. I think I should wash it again. I sat on the edge of the bed, to catch my breath and thought about my hitch. I had brought the black spray paint, and the hitch looked dry so I spray painted it. I am trying to keep it from rusting. I had thought about buying a cover, or maybe just a tarp to cover it with, but that would mean climbing in the back every time I wanted to use it! I really intended to lube the hitch before I got out of the bed, but I had left the lube in the RV. I will save that for another day.

If I can get out of bed tomorrow I am going to Hillsboro to the Wal Mart. It is a 40 mile round trip, so I usually try to get every thing I need in one trip. With diesel at $3.00 a gal I can't just jump in the truck and run some where everyday. My truck gets pretty good gas mileage, for a one ton dully. Driving solo on the highway I average 17 mpg. Yes, I doubled checked and that is correct. When towing it drops to about 10 mpg, depending on the terrain. I friend of mine had one of those "chips" installed on her truck and she says it really helps her on gas mileage. She has a one ton, four wheel drive, not a dully.

I have had my shower, washed and dried a load of clothes, fixed supper, so I am tired and about ready for bed. I tried to download Open Office last night, it took so long I just went to bed! I may try again tonight. I am using dial up tonight, and it is very slow,but then so am I!

I Did IT!!

I am using my Droid phone to send this Blog. I am using pdaNET to connect to my computer. Of course the connection depends on your phone's signal. I had to do some reading, but I think I will be able to get on line when WiFi is not available. As far as I can determine there is no other charge. I downloaded the pdaNET free! The thing I can't see is the Font size. I don't know why that doesn't show up. Anyway I don't feel so dumb!

First Day of Summer

Today is the first day of summer. Really not a change here in Texas. I see Arizona is already having forest fires. A careless camper dumped his campfire coals, and started it all.

I keep complaining about blogger and having to sign in. Today I discovered on the new blogger, upper right hand corner, a chance to save your password. Maybe this will work. But seems like I still have to set the font every time, and when my post is published, it is different than when I wrote it, go figure.

My truck washing yesterday really got to me. Every bone and muscle in my body hurts today. I didn't do much, just rest. Looked over some jewelry, pricing it and sorting. I used to have a booth in a craft mall with an assortment of jewelry and other items. Some I made, Hematite bracelets, and necklace, plus a glass bead bracelet. I thought if I found a flea market I might try to sell them. I also have a nice assortment of incense. It is too hot for an outdoor market, but I hope I can find one indoors. I may just end up listing them on e-bay.

I have been studying how to get online with my Droid phone. I had to download Verizon's VZmanager. Now which plan to try? All plans are less money than their air cards at $59.99 per month. BUT, will I be able to get online with my phone, when in locations where there is no WiFi? Don't know, still researching. I think I found another way to do it without paying anything, but again I think you would have to be in a cell phone range, just maybe not have WiFi. There are some RV parks in NM where I like to stay, but they don't have WiFi, but good cell service. Must do more studying.

What's Up????

What is up with Blogger? Every time I try to post I have to reset my font size! Is it me?

Seems I have to sign in to blogger more often that I used to, to get their New Blogger?

Maybe I am just tired tonight. I worked on my truck all day. Washed it again to get that nasty tree sap off. Then I tired to wax just half of the hood in the shade. I admit it does look better. The stuff I used is 2001 liquid wax. I did the front fender on the passenger side. Looks good. It is hard to tell on a white truck, but after lightly buffing it does shine. I will put two coats on, directions say it should last a year, even through car washes! After that I was pretty tired, so I spent the rest of Sunday just watching TV and talking to a friend on the phone. Tried to call my Step Dad to wish him a Happy Fathers Day,but got no answer. Had a nice meal of my leftover veggies and a blueberry muffin I had made a day or two ago. Tired and ready for bed. Maybe ,just maybe I can get the rest of the truck washed tomorrow.

Doing Chores

Not much going on here. I went to pick up my mail. I use Escapees Mail Forwarding and I have been just getting it every two weeks. So I always look forward to getting mail. I did get

my newsletter from Escapee's SOLO's chapter. Escapees are having their 50th year celebration in Goshen Indiana this year. I really would like to go. I feel like this would be my last chance to attend a Escapade. The SOLO'S BOF is having a pre rally at Bear Cave Resort , Buchanan, Michigan. Bear Cave was a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. The Potawatomie Indians named the cave after the Brown Bears that were once common in the area. The Indians used the orange gel like high iron deposits in the water from the cave to paint their faces and clothes. We should be there during the annual sand hill crane migration. Lots of birds and wildlife. We will caravan to the Escapade (about 35 miles). I have been to Goshen before. I really enjoyed that Escapade, I was really "green" and learned a lot at the seminars. I drove up to Shipshewana (sp) to see how the Amish lived. Really enjoyable, would like to do again as I lost all my pictures from that trip. Then there is Ft.Wayne. One of the best Genealogical Library's around. So much to do. I have never been to Michigan, so that would be a treat too! I just don't know if I can swing it or not. A lot of miles, and diesel is about $3.00 a gal here. Have to really do some thinking. It would mean I couldn't make my trip "west" this year.

I stopped by the Family Center here at the park to see what was going on this week end. Fathers lucked out with a free pancake breakfast!

I stopped by the local grocery store and got some coffee, and some fresh squash, and tomatoes. I had a nice veggie meal tonight!

That's Done!

Yesterday was another stressful day. My appointment to have my back glass in my truck tinted was at 1:00, I arrived at 12:40. This place is on the main street going thought Cleburne,Tx and just barely enough parking space in front to park my big truck. They took my keys right away. I asked if I was supposed to wait here, pointing to a bench with wooden slats. I was told, sure. I thought oh great, no cushions. I thought I might miss lunch, so before I left home I stuck a breakfast bar in my purse. I was hoping it wouldn't take long, and I could get a late lunch, and do some shopping while I was in town. Well, that wasn't to be. All the fellows that worked there did get a "lunch" break but I didn't. After about an hour, I had to go to the bathroom. This meant meandering though the shop, to get there. My truck sat with all the doors open, looked like the window was done, no one was around. Back to waiting, I began to feel weak, so I ate my breakfast bar, I had brought my water with me too. I have learned through the years, always have water, and a snack with me. Being a diabetic is not easy and other people really don't understand how important eating on time is. They might if I pass out! I don't want that to happen. At about 2:30 my truck was finished. Glory be! I was really getting mad. I paid them and went to get in my truck, well don't you know they had moved my seats, resulting in my CB falling on the floor, why do people do that? I realize the guys probably have longer legs than I do, but why can't they return the seats, and what has the radio station to do with window tinting? As I pulled forward on to the busy street, I realized they had also moved my steering wheel. In the process of trying to adjust it so I could drive, I turned the wrong way on a one way street. Thank God there were no cars coming and I was able to turn right quick, and make the block, getting on the right street. I was so shaken I could barley drive. I just couldn't get over that bad mistake I made. Kept me up most of the night.

Today was spent vacuuming the glass out of the truck, and just general cleaning. I keep a little box with a few tools, gloves, bungee cords, etc. in the back floor board which I replaced, I also carry a step stool, so I can reach the hitch to lock it when I am hooking up. Cleaned up my vacuum cleaner and brought it back in the rig. I was so tired I just left my extension cord out, I hope it is OK for the night.

Catching Up

It's been hot here the last few days, I have been very lazy! Trying to rearrange my RV so when I am able to move it I will be ready. When you sit still for a long time, you get very lax in not putting things away. Seems I get overwhelmed with Paper Work! How do I ever collect so much. Looking at my calendar trying to decide if I want to make it to one of my single RV groups camp out. There is one on the first of July, this will be their 4th of July celebration, good food, cook out, watermelon seed spitten contest, and great costumes. But, I am not sure I want to travel on the holiday. I know I can come back to this park, but getting in might not be so easy. My friend that lives about 100 miles from here says she might come down. I would hate to miss her visit. Just have to wait and see, I guess.

Tomorrow I have an appointment to get my back glass in my truck tinted. I will soon be back to where I was on April, 21. I still have a lot of glass in the floor of the truck. After I get it tinted tomorrow, I will start cleaning it again. My wash job needs to be done again. Parked under trees that seem to "leak" sap everywhere! I use tire foam, and I am out, so here we go again.

Just slow days and Hot, Hot

Very hot and humid here for the last two days. Not much going on. The park looks to be about half way full. The pool is open, and looks inviting. Paid my electric bill yesterday, $ 143.00 and it's not even really hot yet! I have been trying to turn off all lights when I am not in the room, and turn off electric hot water heater. It doesn't take but 10 mins to heat up. Still didn't help. I am thinking of moving to another Thousand Trails Park. I can stay two weeks at a time, without paying anything, but then I would have to move to another park. Just don't know if I am up to moving every two weeks. I need to work out my internet connection before that happens. I have dial up here, and WiFi when I can get it, which is not very often. I did learn from Geeks on Tour I can get online with my Droid Cell phone. Must find out more about that.

Trip to Hillsboro

Yesteryday was another drive day. I went to the Wal Mart in Hillsboro. Hillsboro is about 20 miles from my park, just off I 35. It is the closest Wally World to me. So it is a 40 mile round trip to go to the store. We do have some grocery stores here, two, but I had my RX at Wal Mart in Hillsboro, so I had to go anyway. It seems the store wasn't very busy, and I was able to get electric cart. I still can't believe how much fresh veggies have gone up. The lettuce was great at 88 cents, but the bean sprouts looked like they should have been pulled several days ago. I had a sleepless night the night before and watched a PBS program on Diabetes. Seems to reverse Diabetes, you must go vegetarian, so that is why I was looking for fresh veggies. My sugar has been running way to high, then it drops too low. I thought I would try to handle my diet better, adding veggies and getting away from animal products. I already know I won't be able to give up my bologna, I would starve without that! Anyway I am trying to research some recipes with veggies that I like. Being from Texas, I am a beef person.

I also saw on PBS a program on our National Forest, called Discover The Forest I checked out the site, looking for something in Colorado a bit cooler than Texas. My husband and I used to camp there every other year. The kids really had a good time, and it was always the cheapest trip we made. Then we did Texas the next year. Love Big Bend National Park, but that is another story.

Fixed It!!

I worked on my Dell Laptop yesterday, I was determined to fix it without paying the $129.00 the Dell repairman wanted! He was somewhere in India or some other foreign country. I couldn't understand him anyway. I just had to take it back to another day, and restore it to that day! Don't know why I didn't try it before. However, it is running really slow, and seems all my settings have changed. I had a hard time getting into my blog.

Saturday I spent most of the day in and out of bed. I was so worn out from my trip to Ft.Worth. Sunday was a down day. In reading my previous blogs, I had said I was going to try to read the Bible though, lose weight. Well, six months have gone by and I haven't dropped one pound, and I haven't even began reading the Bible. I get lost just trying to keep up with the Passages with Dr.Charles Stanley I really enjoy his program. I know I should get up and go to church here in Whitney. I think I would enjoy going, I am just so lazy.

Travel Day

I got a late start for my trip to Ft.Worth. I needed to stop by the Post Office to pick up my mail. I use Escapee's Mail Service, I knew If I didn't get it today, then it would be Monday. So I had to double back to pick up hwy 174 though Cleburne,TX to go to Ft.Worth. I did my business and decided to go to Camping World. I, once again, missed my lunch. I am Diabetic, and I REALLY need to take care of my diet better. I carry a "snack" in my truck, and in my purse, but it sure doesn't replace lunch! I ate my snack on the way to CW, still didn't feel good. But I did look at the new RV's parked inside. Mc Clains's RV has a lot there, and a few RV's parked inside, in the cool A/C. There was a interesting looking class C. looked like it was built on a Medium Duty Truck. The hood was up, and all I could see was the word Sterling. I peeked inside, looked like the entertainment center was in the overhead part, and also a bed. I caught the sale price on the door, $109.000.00! Way too much for me. Then there was a class A on sale for over $200,000.00

Nice to dream! I looked for the fan I was interested in, but couldn't make up my mind. Also looked at Satellite dish, just day dreaming. I think I had eating on my mind, just didn't want to shop! I remembered there was a Red Lobster on the way home, so I wheeled it there. I was starving! I usually make it in time for the lunch, but that ended at 3:00 and it was 3:45. I ordered my favorite, fried flounder, baked potato and cole slaw. They serve those little biscuits, if I don't watch it, I fill up on them. When the waiter brought my plate I couldn't believe how much fish was on it! It was sooo good. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat it all, so I got a to go box. I will have enough for my supper tomorrow night. I went down I35 toward Waco,TX, hoping to angel off and go back though Cleburne again. No luck, it was 5:00 and the traffic was awful. I had to use I35 all the way to the Cleburne exit and then though the town to get back on hwy 174. Then from 174, I turn on hwy 933 though Blum, and finally to my park, Thousand Trails. Traffic was bad at that time of day, the sun was in my eyes the whole way. My vision is not good, and when my sugar is off it is really bad. But, Thank the Lord, I made it back to my little spot. Kandi was really glad to see me.

Nice and Cool today!

We had a nice rain and it cooled off very nicely. I decided it would be a great day to do laundry. I have a Sear's stak pak washer and dryer. It is small and I have to do my queen size sheets one at a time. RV beds are sooo hard to make up. There should be an easier way, but in all my years of rving I haven't found one. I usually wash one at a time, then when wash is done, dry one at a time. Of course I don't have to do all my laundry that way. Took my blanket off and stored it under my bed. It is the first of June, time to break out my white shoes and bag. So, while the dryer was going I changed handbags. That is worse than making the bed! I don't know why I feel the need to carry so much "stuff", I am sure I don't really need that many pkgs. of sweet n low, or that extra flashlight. After my shower and washing my hair, I did another load of laundry. It is so nice to have a washer and dryer. I can wash when ever I want to, even at night, which I do in the summer. Haven't cleaned up my kitchen yet from cooking, but I am already tired and ready for bed. Tomorrow I am going to Ft.Worth, a 70 mile drive, one way. It always tires me out so. I can pull this RV all day and not be that tired. Maybe it is a mental block, in any case I need to go and I want to go to Camping World while I am there.

IT'S JUNE AND SUMMER IS HERE!

June is here and it is HOT. we are expected to reach triple digits this week end. Of course this is TEXAS! We skipped spring, went straight to summer.

I made a short trip into town yesterday, stopping by the office here at the park. Found out we have a new park manager. Was really surprised. I guess everything changes.

Did some shopping at Dollar store. I find a lot of things are cheaper. Dog food and dog treats for a couple. Also bought some tea towels and bleach.

Then on to the grocery store. Lightened my billfold there! I can't believe the price of lettuce. Really hard to buy fresh veggies right now. I bought a TV dinner, I knew I wouldn't want to cook when I got home. I don't know if that was what made me sick, but I was up most of the night. I still didn't feel too good today, so once again I put off finishing my wash job on my truck. Good thing because it has been raining here all evening. Seems like Central Texas is prone to thunderstorms. No tornadoes just a lot of lightning and hail in some areas the size of golf balls. I was lucky I only got rain, which we needed. I am just a mile from Lake Whitney, I know the lake level is low. There is a nice place to fish, and a public boat dock. I can, if I was able, walk down to the lake. To get to the boat dock, and covered fishing pier, you must drive a couple miles. When my friends come down we go fishing. Never caught anything, but chiggers! If I can ever get my computer and camera to sync, I will post some pictures of the lake.