Saturday, November 1
Bridget and I awake to the excited voices of children playing. (Yesterday a young couple with two children, a boy and a girl, pulled into the site next to us. ) The murmur of adult voices tells me the parents are outside with them. I appreciate these good neighbors!
Rick stops for a brief hello.
(Rick is the guy who asked about my Wilson antenna and who wished me good luck finding a quiet campsite.)
Here are Rick, standing next to his Ural motorcycle with sidecar, and Beans, his happy co-pilot.
Rick tells me the motorcycle comes from Russia and has a BMW frame and engine. Not many are sold, about a thousand a year.
Bridget and I didn’t sleep well last night.
Bridget had an upset stomach (vomiting) and wanted to be let outside several times. While out of bed she drank large quantities of water causing more vomiting, thus flushing out her stomach. At the first sign of upset, I immediately emptied and cleaned her water dish thoroughly and filled it with store bought, bottled water. (Bridget recovered by morning and has been fine since. Remember, this was last Friday night.) I never figured out the cause.
The two of us are sleepy all day. Mostly I read my Paperwhite while Bridget naps.
Sunday, November 2
The weekend campers pack up and leave.
It isn’t long before all the sites around ours are vacant.
Jack comes over for a chat.
Our new campsite is on the same loop as Jack’s. He’s a couple of sites away from us. (For those new to my blog, I met Jack at Lone Rock recently when we camped at Lake Powell near Page, Arizona.)
Jack is a great teller of stories. His manner of telling — his gestures and phrasing — has me frequently bursting into laughter. The morning flies by.
Later I meet a blogorino!
“RVSue? Is that you? . . . . I’m one of your blogorinos.”
“Which one?” I ask expectantly.
“Krystina,” she replies, smiling.
“Krystina? Oh my gosh!” I exclaim. We hug and laugh and I invite her to come sit with me and Bridget by the Best Little Trailer.
(Those of you who read the comments section of this blog might remember that Krystina sold her house in Vermont last spring, I think it was, after the grueling process of ridding herself of its contents.)
I remember how happy I was for her when she announced the house had finally sold.
She now has a Class C motor home and in the course of conversation I learn that she’s put some miles on her rig . . . from Vermont to North Carolina and Louisiana and Wisconsin and South Dakota and now she’s here in Arizona, camping in Cholla Campground.
We visit for a couple of hours!
It’s quite remarkable how this blog has me feeling like I’ve known Krystina for years and I think Krystina feels the same way about me. Bridget lies in her doggie bed between our chairs. At one point Bridget interrupts Krystina with a bit of affection.
“Oh my gosh, she’s licking my ankle!” Krystina exclaims with delight.
Monday, November 3
Bridget and I wander around our campsite, greeting the morning. Gee, it’s so quiet. There are only a few campers in the loop.
“Hey, Bridge. It looks like YOU have a visitor this time.”
This dog belongs to someone camping here and frequently roams the campground.
She’s a sweet dog. Bridget, however, is glad when she leaves.
After breakfast I’m inside at the laptop when Bridget commences barking.
I run outside to see what’s the matter and meet Dean and Dyan at the water spigot next to our campsite. They full-time in an “mpg” trailer, made by Heartland in Indiana. It’s 19 feet (16.5 feet interior length) and wider than the Best Little Trailer.
They graciously invite me to peek inside.
I’m surprised how spacious it seems in comparison to what I’m used to with my 17-foot BLT (including tongue length). I notice the bathroom is on one side in the middle of the trailer.
Dean and Dyan travel far and wide through North America, kayaking, surfing, hiking, and biking. Unfortunately, they’ve had problems with the trailer, most notably a broken torsion axle, which broke, they explain, due to poor engineering.
They ask several questions about Casitas, how I access internet (Verizon jetpack and Wilson antenna), my solar set-up, and so forth.
Morning glints of light on the Perfect Tow Vehicle
Whew! Lots of chatting the past few days! I’m going to grab a drink and my Paperwhite and read.
rvsue
THANKS, RVSUE SHOPPERS!
I appreciate you entering Amazon from my blog in order to do your regular and holiday shopping.
Hi Sue, You and Bridge have had a busy few days!! Seems like they were all nice people. Very cool that you met Krystina!! Loved the motorcycle!! I continue to just marvel at what a gem of a campground this is for the little bit you are having to pay for it as well as the fact that you can stay so long. Great find!!
Oh wow, I was first. I didn’t even look. lol
Sorry to hear Bridget had an upset stomach but glad she’s recouped. Makes you feel so helpless when they’re not doing well, doesn’t it?
I finally got thru to Verizon about changing from Millenicom. Will still have my 20G/mo. but at $100 instead of $90 but ya gotta pay to play.
Hugs to Bridget. Take care, Sue.
Cat Lady
Why did you switch from Millenicom?
Hi Connie,
Verizon took back all Millenicom accounts and we have till Nov. 8th to switch over to Verizon for 100.00. Ten more than we are paying now.
Yep (sigh). Millenicom was so great!
Because I had an ancient, tempermental pre-paid flip phone on a carrier with fairly poor coverage, I elected to go to one of Verizon’s combination phone/data plans (but only because I was forced to do *something* when they ended their partnership with Millenicom). I ended up with almost as much data (and I don’t think I was using the full 20GB anyway), plus a better phone and better phone coverage for less than $20 more per month. That said, I had to buy the phone (I went BYOD so I could have no contract).
I would have kept the status quo with Millenicom and my pre-paid flip phone (hey, it’s a charming antique!) if I could have.
Dang… that is horrible news for RVers…
We are with AT&T, with a flip phone and Netgear WiFi Hot spot W/ 5 GBs for $98. I don’t watch movies or stream and about each month I only use 3 to 4.8 GBs of my plan, the phone has rollover minutes, lots, cause ever one is now on the web, to me, talking on the phone doesn’t waist time, like using the net dose ,,,,,,,,,,,me
Just wanted to helloooo!!!!!
I’m glad you are having fun, and even more glad you knew what to do for Bridget’s upset stomach.
I am glad i can cross another possibility off the potential rigs list. There are too many.
Sue,
It looks like your social life is quite active these days. Glad you are enjoying the trip south. Roosevelt Lake is now on my list next time we are in Arizona. Thanks for all of the wonderful photos.
Don
You’re welcome,Don,
It is very nice here at this time of year. Keep in mind that it can be crowded, especially when the water level is higher and in the spring.
Hi, Sue. I may be first or at least close to first. Love the blog as usual. Great weather here in Memphis. The black and white dog is a lot like a dog we are keeping for one of our sons right now. Happy travels.
Are you in Memphis, Jean? Which area? We’re in Frayser, but only because we live where we work. Don’t let my name deceive you, lol.
Careful, Sue, you might lose your hermit status.
WOO-HOO! Single digits! (I’ve given up on first)
WoW! Now, that was some kind of post and an awful lot of activity for RV Sue and Bridget too. Not to mention the noisy neighbors from previous posts, moving campsites, and Bridget’s tummy troubles. I love it when you get to take photos of other full-timers and their rigs and mutts. Rick has quite a set up and too bad Dean and Dylan have had troubles with their rig. I feel Krystina’s “grueling” pain ridding myself of all the crap (treasures, ahem) that I have accumulated over my 58 years. I am still working on it. It gets easier and easier to rid myself of all these layers of both stuff and emotion I have been hiding under. But, my goodness… What a long process. I don’t feel so bad when I drive into town and drive past house after house with their double car garages wide open, the cars sitting in the driveways and both bays of the garages are filled to the brims with stuff, stuff, stuff… So glad I don’t have a garage. Now, when I hop in my Jeep to head to town I don’t want to come home. I see the landscape and the sky and the road and think “What more do I need?” I think of you and the freedom you have allowed yourself and know that is what I want. I don’t know if I told you about getting a new to me smaller RV. I drove from Nevada to Minnesota to bring it home. On the return trip, I stayed the night in Wendover and it hit me that I didn’t want to come home to this fortress of stuff. I had nearly everything I needed for the 11 days I was gone and believe me, I didn’t take much with me. And, the views… OMG… The views… I started a little blog and put some of the photos and a little story to them. I am thinking about posting about the de-clutter process (painful as it is). So glad you are doing well and are keeping we “blogerinos” in the know. Hope you finally get some peace and some sleep for the next few days. My new blog is motorhomesnmuttskeys.blogspot.com. Much l♥ve to you and Bridget too! Stay safe and warm and someday I hope it will be me saying “RV Sue, is that you? I’m one of your blogorinos!” ♥
The new site looks great. I especially like the bathroom art.
Thanks for checking it out! The blog will definitely be a learning process…
Idaho Gurl I so hope you continue your blog…loved it!
Thanks Lee! I will!
Congratulations on the new rig andyour new blog, Idaho Gurl! I wish you happy times with both. 🙂
Thanks Sue… I can’t wait to get on the road…
What a lovely post…except for Bridget’s tummy upset. The pictures show such a pleasant and pretty camp site. The weather looks great and sounds like you have enjoyed some wonderful conversations.
Saw that you mentioned the blue velvet maid of honor dress. I loved those dresses!! The date was Oct. 26th. Jerold and I need Rick and Bean’s motorcycle and side car…LOL
Love you
I don’t know where I got the idea it was the 31st. Oh well, as long as you two have been married, what’s a few days! Ha!
You driving the Ural with Jerold in the sidecar… Hilarious!
Hi, Sue,
What a full to the brim post…full of news about the campground, Miss Bridge, old friend Jack and meeting blogorino Krystina (you lucky girl!)! Wow! You have had a busy few days! Glad that Bridget is feeling better! I think Gracie must have had a sympathetic upset tummy this weekend, as she christened the carpet in my living room Saturday morning. I have no clue what bothered her, either. But…I suspect that she ate a bug or spider.
Enjoy the evening and next couple days, just relax! Hugs to you both from me and Gracie pup!
Really?!!!Four visits(well five if you include the one for Bridget that she was glad to see end,too) to your home site within three days and you need to read a book?So would I!
It pleases me that you have the whole place back to yourself now ,your pictures of it (in the third photo and in the final one ) show beautifully what a wonderful place it is.I’m still completely taken with it ,what a find!
Your skill at bringing audience into story is keener than ever,Sue.I grimaced at the vomiting and lack of sleep,felt the delightful comradery with Krystina,all the while feeling the tension of needing to be alone build.When I finally saw the area’s and solitude’s beauty return,I relaxed with you,so content.Great job again,woman,you’re a master at this!
P.S. In case you scroll through again ,I’m putting this note where it might be easier to find.I’ve pictured you trying to get rid of a migraine’s effect during the time since I read about it earlier.Wondering if you sipped ginger ale,nibbled crackers,had pain medication at hand.Prayed that you’d already received healing and were relaxing.The whole time it’s been on my mind that pushing that stroller is probably not as easy as you make it sound.The awkward wheels,handles and weight may cause knots in your neck and back muscles.That’s what used to bring migraines on when I had them.Anyways,I hope you feel better,and that if it’s still better for Bridget not to walk much for a while,you soon get something much easier to push her in.Best case scenario would be that it’s only needed to bring a picnic basket and blanket to spread out and sit on while you enjoy splitting a chicken sandwich with her,taking pictures near your beautiful home ,where ever it happens to be.May God speed and shower blessings upon you
Hi, weather,
Thank you for the “great job!” 🙂 Also for the wish blessings…
I’m pretty sure my migraines are food related. They are triggered by chocolate, quality cheese, too much dairy, or caffeine withdrawal.
I think this one was brought on by cheese I ate at a restaurant.
I used to have migraines due to what you describe, brought on by neck strain due to a job involving long periods of desk and phone work. I often had muscle spasms, too. Glad that’s in the past!
Thank you for replying,I know that you are trying to get a new post done,and so appreciate that you took the time to leave me a note.I’m glad,too, that many maladies and the conditions that brought them on are in our pasts 🙂
Looking forward to the new post,particularly because you’re readiness to do that means you must be feeling so much better.
Well I’m getting closer, #12 this time, Looks like you’ve been getting a lot of company and there cool folks, Timber says hi. I’ve been painting the camper to match the top haf of the truck and moveing things around to get ready for the heater and placing the tank, ( a 20 Lbs. LPG ). Well have a great day ,,,,,Timber n’ me
Hi Sue, I am in 73 in Christmas Cholla loop. Walked over to see if you were still here but your van was gone. Maybe later today or tomorrow I will wander over to see if you are there. Would love to meet you and Bridgit. HUGS Cheri and Tony
Or I would love it if you came over to see us. We are in the white high top van.
Hi, Cheri,
I woke up with a migraine with nausea this morning. I’ll see about coming over later today if I feel up to it.
Well, Sue, how nice to hear of your fun and pleasant days!! Hope that trend will continue for you!! SO sorry poor Bridget had such a time. SO worrisome…a vet I used to baby sit for told me: “OUR patients cannot talk to us.” He also told me some of our human docs are dropouts from vet school….I always wondered if maybe going to a vet might be more helpful….heehee!!!
After your not-so-polite neighbors, I’m sure it was a relief to have some friendly folks show up to visit. How great you and Krystina were able to meet and visit for awhile! I love Rick’s motorcycle and sidecar. And the campground and surrounding area are peaceful again, and very easy on the eyes!
I’ve been working nonstop for the past 9 days, and I am so thankful that I’ve decided to retire. Lots of little things are starting to get on my nerves, things that don’t usually bother me, and I think it’s mainly because I’m tired – physically and mentally. The end is definitely in sight!
Sue, I have a question about your Verizon wifi device and service plan. Does what you have allow you (speed and data per month) allow you to watch a few movies, or is it just enough to run the blog, email, shop etc? I’ve studied your blog specs and their site but never knew anyone else who actually used one for an extended period.
Good for you both that buddy Jack turned up. Blogorinos are cool but IRL buddies to hang with are a real luxury.
Pam in Wisconsin
(Born, raised and worked most of my adult life “on the road” and miss it achingly, but that was life in a small town that moved every week, nothing as courageous as your life on the road.)
Hi, Pam,
To answer your question . . . . I’m at 8GB and I’m going into overage charges and that’s without watching any movies. Most of my data is used in support of this blog. I don’t open up other sites very often in an effort to conserve, and television and movies would be a large drain. Good thing I’m not interested in either.
Sue, you may have missed it, if so Verizon was/is offering twice the data for the same price. In fact a variety of options for quite a bit more data seem to be available now. you may want to check into it.
WS
If you get a chance drive the Apache Trail down to Apache Lake.You pick it up at the Roosevelt Lake Dam.It is a scenic drive but don’t take the trailer,too tight.We kept going once to Tortilla Flats and camped at Canyon Lake which is the next one down.
We usually spend February down that way.
I just drove the Apache Trail from Apache Junction on Saturday as far as Burnt Corral campground. Spent one night there right by the water. It was great camp site and is part of the Tonto National forest so was $3 with my senior discount. Drove the rest of the way to Cholla Campground on Sunday. The road was in better shape than last time I drove it, no big washed out areas, but it was really washboarded (is that a word?) grin. I have a high top E350 extended ford van and the springs are pretty stiff so I don’t think I will use that road again in this van. Tortilla flat campground is closed and I think Canyon Lake campground is also. Cheri and Tony
hi Sue,
Looks like you have had a few busy days and good ones too. I think Jack looks very interesting and kinda cute 🙂 It’s nice to meet up with like minds. You have such a successful blog here it’s no wonder we all want to eventually meet you and Bridget. I know I do. I talk about full timing to everyone I know and give them your blog to read. Can’t help it you make it so comfortable and fun and it gives me joy when I see a email from you. I had a yard sale this past weekend and I’m getting rid of a lot of stuff. Most of my “stuff” has memories and it is hard to part with them but I’m doing it. Everyday I look for the perfect small trailer for me. I’d love to get a Casita and if I find one which is not easy I’d get it. They are kind of expensive but I know you usually get what you pay for.
The weather in Florida is finally beautiful but I swear I won’t spend another summer here!
I so look forward to seeing new places and feeling the freedom and the new friends I’ll meet on my journey.
Your photo’s are so wonderful they are a beautiful part of your blog.
sending cyber hugs(((())))
Oh just wanted to add that Friday was my birthday and also lily’s birthday. Halloween babies. Anyway after the yard sale I came into my florida room and on the big table where I had all my sellable items there was a white envelope and I didn’t put it there. I opened it up and to my delight it was a absolutely beautiful birthday card from my beloved husband Mark. I was really taken back and like I said I never saw it there before. Magic happened and a angel made it happen. I think Mark is my guardian angel now. What a special thing to happen right on my birthday. He gave me the best loving cards ever…. enough to last a lifetime.
wow …. deep breath…
I’ll second that wow …happy for you.
thank you Jane 🙂 My life is so full of change and I’m really trying to let all of these changes happen. I’ll be on the road soon. that will be a mind blowing change!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Deb! I posted on Halloween that one of our little family had a Birthday and that I thought you were the Birthday girl! 🙂
I know finding that card from your husband made your day – wow! Hope you enjoyed your day!
why thank you for thinking of me.
Amazing you found that card…and so nice it was there to encourage you!! Life holds many surprises doesn’t it?
Hi, Deb,
What a tender moment, finding a card from Mark. His love and care for you continues …
We were thinking of you on your special day!
Deb…
“I talk about full timing to everyone I know and give them your blog to read.”
Thank you!
4 years ago my husband & I took his homebuilt Caravan across the country & one of our side trips was the Apache Trail. It was early spring & everywhere there were beautiful wildflowers-we were headed for the ancient site near Roosevelt Dam-definitely a climb well worth doing. I wanted to tell you we saw a small rattlesnake minding his/her own business alongside the road, so keep an eye out! I still want to go west & actually see a lot of the things that he flew past-that’s why I bought a 19′ trailer. But my brother is quite ill & may need to stay with him as respite care for my sister-in-law. I took care of my husband who had the same illness before he died so am “trained”. I do enjoy your blog so much-you give me hope I can get out there sooner or later with my Border Collie Jack.
Hi,, Maryanne,
It’s nice to see you here! I drove up to Tonto National Monument where the cliff dwellings are… The hike is too far for us. A pretty ride to it though.
One can meet up with a rattlesnake anywhere in Arizona. I saw some boondocks on the way to the campground. They would make lovely, private camps. However, with the temperatures in the 80s and this being Arizona, I’d rather be in the campground. (Not that rattlers can’t get into a campground!)
I’m sorry your brother is seriously ill. He is fortunate to have you.
Thanks for letting me know you enjoy my blog!
Hi Sue!
Loved seeing the way your newest site laid out. Nice, private and pretty. It certainly is a nice camping area there. With your inflatable kayak, will you do any kayaking while there? I guess you still have it. Looks like a nice boat ramp area for putting in! I used to have a Pelican peddle-boat and took that thing everywhere on Lake Allatoona, here in Georgia. I even braved taking it into the main channel and loved every minute of it! The big house boats thought I was cute, Ha! I guess I was, lol. Of course, I just thought I was silly 😉
Poor Bridge, never good when the stomach acts up. She is lucky to have such a good Mom, one who knew just what to do to make it better. And once she was better, she has a visitor of her own! Too cute! ~ even if she was less than amused. I rather think that she would like a guy-pal, a strong leader type maybe.
Then there is Rick and his fine, very fine, Ural! Oh that IS a rare and fine motorcycle! Ask him if he is a member of the Ural motorcycle owners of America. Steve Williams of the blog scooterinthesticks.com often rides a Ural and has done some reviews of them. While he do not own one, he gets to have a loaner one for his reviews. He loves them and says ~someday~ he will mostly own one. I have looked at them, just looked. People say that they ride and handle like no other bike made and once you get the hang of it then you are hooked on ’em. They sure are beautiful machines! Loved the Desert Camo paint job, perfect!
Jack, tell Jack Hi! Let him know we are glad he is there making you laugh! Smiles are always a good, and healing thing. Enjoy your time at your new loop.
What a cool ride!
Glad Bridget is feeling better!
Lucky Krystina! It seems like Ive known other Blogorinos for years! Nice to put a name to a face.
Enjoy!!!!,
There is a guy here in town that has a Ural. I saw him and two others on it one day heading into the WalMart parking lot. Was kind of a strange site for sure. Great to see you are finally getting some “good” company coming by… Be safe.
Hi Sue,
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog and all your blogorinos. Thank you so much for allowing us to vicariously experience your journey. As an added bonus, your blog has allowed me to “stalk” my sister, Krystina. LOL! Just kidding…I know where she is all the time…ok, most of the time…ummm, some of the time? Glad you two were able to have a chat.
Michele
Love you Shell!
Hi, Michele!
I enjoyed meeting your sister and the nice visit we had. Thanks for dropping in!
Sounds like a great day all around! Keep this up and we might start thinking of you as a celebrity!
“I kan haz autograf?”
*ahem* Sorry, dog’s reading over my shoulder again…
A great day! Nice to have folks around that make you feel like laughing out loud! Still don’t know how I missed that campground! Glad you are having a good time! Hope Miz Bridget is feeling all better! Tail wags to ya’ll from DoogieBowser and Radar!
What a relief after the yellers leave to have time for good conversation & meeting new people AND Blogorinos! So glad Miss Bridget is feeling better–dogs seem to do just what they need to take care of themselves. I have 30 days of work left & am busy getting the trailer organized. I have the deepest respect for those of you who go through their entire home, condensing & recycling. It must be hard at times.
Safe travels & quiet campsites, Sue!
Countdown to freedom!!!!
Boy, you and Bridget are quite the social butterflies! Sounds like you are having a great time. I love Bridget’s new friend:)
Ahh, such a lovely site. I do remember that place all too well. I used to ESCAPE Mesa in the middle of the week just for a couple of dark quiet nights. Stayed there for four days and nights studying for my finals too. I was the only one there… talk about QUIET TIME.
Bridget, and hubby both suffered through a night at the same time… UGH….
Hi sue,
I think Bridget wanted a ride in the BIG GIRL stroller like Beans has. I think that was the look ” hey mom, let’s get one of those and I will ride shotgun too ”
Love love love your blog. Peace, love, good health and safe travels to you and baby girl ( soon to be sidecar baby) 😉
Mert and Asia
I am so glad you had interesting folks to chat with Sue. I am a loner also but sometimes it’s so good to laugh with others. They sound so nice. And I still love that campground. You and Bridge Take Care
I think it’s great that you’ve had some socializing time, but I bet you can’t wait to find a boondock spot, all to yourself, in the very near future. It’s probably been nice, though, meeting and enjoying such friendly people. Have a great day!
That does sound like a busy and quite social weel. Just too cool to meet up with someone like Krystina. We had some interaction with a couple two weeks ago and they expressed an interest in learning more about FTing, they are planning to be FT in April. Now we have a get together scheduled for Dec 7&8 here at the CG to do some campfire story telling. Always fun.
Sure hope Bridget is OK and no recurrences, that sounded scary!
Wondering what wildlife is waiting so quietly for ,I join them and watch,sit still, study scenery,stare at the sky.Finally geese fly right over my head,land on the water and resume feasting on a large school of minnows.As familiar with each other as family members ,they don’t need to talk much, just float around having a meal.Now and again one forgets his manners and reaches in front of another one for something.They all begin squawking,fly around,relocate the food ,settle down.
After they finish and vacate the area slight movements show where everyone is.What looked like tree bark is now a squirrel twitching his tail,a leaf is a yellow feathered bird.They’d cleverly each postponed their own breakfast ,now safely start singing and chirping,a loon calls that he is here,too.Everyone’s present and accounted for again.The sigh of relief I take is so deep that the scent of pine hits me as though I’d never smelled it before.Good morning,Sue,can you see saguaro through your window or have to go outside to do that?That and the playground would be part of each day were I there.Actually I’m not sure you are still at the same place,never am.Where ever you are I hope sunrise was glorious today.
Good Morning Weather my friend, nice to read you again. I have missed your ribboned words and mindful pictures you create. I see that your day has already started with wonder and beauty. I wishd that for you for the rest of the day and into the cold night. I am about to have a cup of coffee and drink to you and Sue and friendship from afar.
Ah-h,reading that felt so good. I was thinking about you last evening,Shirlene,of how, though not hearing from you in a while,I still feel our connection,enjoy it.The rv that you mentioned below will be yours if it will bring you happiness,if not the one that will is still somewhere waiting for you.Sweet searching ’til next time…
Thank you Weather, I will remember that…there might be a struggle getting the financing for this one so soon, as I was not completely ready, but I think I will just relax and go with the flow and remember your words that this may not be the one that will bring me happiness…you made my day. I feel the pressure off already…
Wonderful!Dream chasing SHOULD be carefree!
🙂 Yep
When I’m buying something – especially something “big,” and I am unsure whether it is right, but on the other hand worried that if it is the right one and I miss is….
I remind myself that, “I’d rather not have it and wish I did, than have it and wish I didn’t.”
On balance, a few have fallen into the first category, but so many more have fit the second. Whew.
It can be fun shopping, but also a bit of an emotional roller coaster.
Thanks Pen…it is a roller coaster ride..at least I have time to wait.
Always nice to see what you are up to Weather and how you are going to describe it!! Hope today is a good one for you, as well as all our other friends here. Am baking today…one VERY good success, and one edible…but work to do yet…work continues on my gluten free recipes which daughters say they will help publish eventually…one of them knows how to do that, having worked at such for other people in other years. Plus she is an excellent artist and photographer….so we shall see one day what she comes up with. Hubby is just happy to have any version of his favorite cookies, which is a rare event these days. When his mom was alive, most of the time I let her bake them when we visited or they came to see us. But she is not here to do that now…well back to the “drawing board” as they say…
How wonderful of you to bake his favorite cookies,and leave a note for me and our friends to enjoy!Elizabeth,I swear everytime I read something from you ,I become more convinced that I’d love you as a neighbor.Right now I’m imagining the smell from your baking being nearby. 🙂
Heehee…you might be able to smell them cooking if you were nearby…we are upstairs in a teeny apt above a business as are many of our neighbors around us…and when I walked down to get the mail…yep smelled cookies!! It would be my joy to share them with you too, Weather….or love drop in visitors too. One never knows when their life will intersect with another. We may find ourselves surprised one day you think? You know we used to live in a little place and most everyone who came very often always came to the back door (and the dogs had to know ya, if ya did cause they had a pet door and fenced yard that was around that back door…heehee)…but I often pondered getting a sign that said, “backdoor friends are best”…cause that speaks of the intensity of the friendship for a person to use the back door….well with one exception….sigh….the people who came to work on the house, etc…any business person often came to the back door in NC….ARGH…had the hardest time convincing them to use the front door!! Sure one place the cultural differences showed up there. Remainder from the days of the plantations I suppose. And I do think some differently than do southerners and northerners…being a Western girl.
I am struggling with the stove…it is probably the worst one I have ever had. I am not a fussy person…but I resent stoves that ruin perfectly good food. And gluten free takes twice as long to make up prior to baking anyway as you use a lot more products. But I think I have got it figured out after today, when it comes to baking cookies. For some reason the bottom is cooked more than the top. Maddening. I imagine it might be 30 or more years old. Which does not mean it would not cook well…but this one…we have not been able to find correct fitting pans for under the burners either. We found some that are much better than the ones the landlord left. I could write a book about that dingy stingy man. I guess he thinks he is taking it all with him. Got news for him…ya go out the same way ya come in…naked and with nothing….other than the relationships you formed, with GOD and man tis my opinion. Oh well…it has some charm in the location when it is quiet…and it is still raining some every day…oh how thankful I am for that rain. Amazing how one can learn to appreciate things even more huh?
“had the hardest time convincing them to use the front door!! Sure one place the cultural differences showed up there. Remainder from the days of the plantations I suppose. And I do think some differently than do southerners and northerners…being a Western girl.”…Really? Contrary to what you may believe, most houses in the South are not plantation homes and we generally had to pick our own cotton. I’d say quite a few people use the back door exclusively. If someone goes to the front door, it’s usually a sales person or someone trying to save me. I don’t have time to be bothered with them and don’t choose to open the door. It’s got nothing to do with race.
Cat Lady
I’ve got the solution to anyone’s front door or back door dilemmas… Have only one door! 🙂
I did not think it had to do with race either….just that workmen, people like that in the town we lived in preferred, for some reason, to go to the back…but it seemed to be how they usually did things in that area anyway.
Yes,Elizabeth ,I do think one day we may find ourselves surprised! 🙂 That would be a joy!!! I have a little sign above the door inside the porch that says ” Once upon a time there was time…” .
Your sign is cute too, Weather…Thanks too for understanding what I meant, even if not stated perfectly. Sigh…a reason I may never have a blog…too hard to always phrase things to please all readers.
🙂
Hi Sue,
I just found your blog and can’t stop reading it. I live in Mississippi, as I see a few of your followers do. We just started our rv adventure last month. Sadly, we are unable to go for more than a few days, we have a family business. Hopefully, some day in the future, we will be able to live a life life yours. I love all of your information of finances, I am a number person, and love to track expenses and try to lower them. Am really looking forward to more of your posts.
Susan
Welcome, madnurse1! I’m happy to see you here. My sister Pauline lives in Rienzi in northeast Mississippi.
Congratulations on the start of your “RV adventure.” I wish you many wonderful and safe excursions. Maybe someday you will be a full-timer, too, if you find that appeals to you.
Oh gosh, I need to get those numbers posted!
Hi, Sue!
Just stopping by to let you know we are keeping up with your adventures & making notes on the neat places you find. We are now nesting in our favorite winter digs in Laughlin, though we know you wouldn’t be caught anywhere like this.
Hi kgdan,
Just returned yesterday from Laughlin. Had a Big ol time! Really like it there. Would or could you recommend an RV park. I only have a pop up so I need hookups. Have fun, WTXCal
Fun to have some visitors but as with all company always relaxing when they go. Sounds like you and Bridget have found a great spot and I am so glad she is feeling better.
Hi Sue,
Beautiful campsite again. I am just catching up, been very busy lately and have not had much time to just be here with you and our fellow blogorinos. I think I have found my motorhome, on its way here from Atlanta at the CAT factory…getting checked out…if it is in tip top condition, I think I have myself a future home. Wish me luck, now all I have to do is find a way to pay for it? Lol..well you know how that goes. Glad Bridget is feeling better…she is a trooper just like you…Happy travels and I am waiting with baited breath to see our next camp ground, choices so far have been delightful. Hugs to you and Bridget from SoCal.
Nice to have neighbors who can communicate without volume (and that they’re raising little ones to be the same). The ebb and flow of socializing is a wonderful thing – even lots of it is good at the right time 🙂 I agree that Bridget is definitely checking out that sidecar as an option…….if she wanders off you’ll know who’s site she’s at 🙂
OHHH Sue, get better soon….
I sure hope your migraine has gone and you are feeling much better.
Sue,
I hope while you’re in the area you will go down to the Safeway Pharmacy at 240 S Hill St., in Globe, AZ and get your Shingles Vaccine. You naughty lady!! 🙂 I always LOVE reading your blog! Best wishes always, and Happy Trails to you!
Nothin’ much to add other than I hope your feeling better.
HI, EVERYONE!
I’m dropping in to let you know I’m feeling much better. Thank you for commenting on my blog and also for the get well wishes.
I’m typing this in the afternoon. I’m taking it easy for the rest of the day. I do plan to write some replies later. I’m happy to see we have a few, new blogorinos. Welcome!
Bye for now.
Love y’all,
Sue
Thanks for letting us know that you’re feeling better,love ya,too
🙂 ’til later
Love you more….lol
Hi Sue,
I am sorry to hear you have a migraine, I used to have them too and know how bad that can be, the pre migraine, migraine, and post migraine and there goes the day – be well. At least you have some quiet now and some space to yourself with the exodus of the weekenders, can you imagine having a migraine with the AWFULLY LOUD people nearby?
I read your monthly Money section, really so helpful, you and I have almost identical resources (except the Amazon $ – that must come in handy for emergencies) so it reassured me that I wouldn’t get into any deep ca ca if I become a nomad. When I tell people what I am planning you would think I said “I am leaving to join the circus” Their eyes get wide and they get a goofy grin on their face. Really all living things want to be free, in their hearts if not in their life style.
I am looking at the Escape 17′, similar to the Casita. I was looking at all the little dinette areas and thought, well, it’s nice to see people but this is a little space and I like my alone time a lot so do I really need dinette areas (plural)? I decided on turning the dinette area into a desk and project work space.
We had about 8 inches of snow on November 2nd, early even for Maine. I look at where you are, the sky, the water, friends (furred and otherwise) and blogorinos for company and life looks good there.
Best to Bridgette
I like the circus…I do not think you are crazy…get on out there.
Hi, Nancy,
I could live on my income without Amazon. Do plan on saving a portion for expenditures such as tire replacement, possible transmission to be replaced, and other big expenses that aren’t in my monthly reports… so far.
Yes, there are always the expenses to save for! I am excellent at making budgets, not always so excellent at following them!
I didn’t know you weren’t feeling well; glad you are feeling better. I wish I was. My resting heart rate is 107….and my doctor isn’t doing much. It’s exhausting to have your heart racing all the time. I’m going to a new doc next week to check him out. Still not happy with the one I have.
I’m way behind on my homework for school, so I need to spend today and tomorrow getting caught up. It’s kind oh hard because bending my neck to read gets painful.
Would be super happy to just start feeling good! Gaaaahhhhhh!
So, enough whining! Weather here is fabulous. Wish I knew what was happening with elections!
Wishing you the best in finding a better doc, Ginger….a racing pulse is a misery!! So sorry!! Rest what you can. Sounds like you could use some kind of a slanted board to help with your reading materials so you did not need to bend your neck…hope something shows up to help with that as well!! Rest up all you can…hope you are drinking a great lot of water…need a lot more after illnesses to flush out the toxins gathered while ill.
Sorry you were ill. 🙁
Glad you are feeling better. 🙂
I used to get migraines. When I got rid of an ex husband the migraines disappeared…
You have been under a lot of stress. All of the human interaction alone would stress me out.. Not sure what will help you heal but hope you find that magic potion.
It was sooo fantastic meeting you…I can cross that off my bucket list now LOL. You are exactly the person I thought you would be…and Miss Bridget too (haven’t washed my ankle yet where she kissed me 🙂 It was such a pleasure. I had the best time talking with you RVSue. xxoo
Sorry to hear you were under the weather today. I wanted to bring you over one of my egg salad sandwiches but I didn’t want to bother you AGAIN or get you out of bed. Of course I am right here on the other side of the loop if you need anything. Hope you continue to feel better.
Krystina
Hi, Krystina,
It was fun meeting you the other day. It’s good you didn’t come over yesterday morning because I was looking and feeling like a gargoyle in a bad mood. Ha!
I’m going to try to put together a blog post this morning. If you’re still around, I’ll come by later in the afternoon.
Here for two more days.
Good to know!
I have been getting caught up on your blog and the comments, so glad your poor head is better. Makes me wonder if Bridget had a similar ailment and it made her vomit? Hmm…poor doggie can’t say ‘ my poor head hurts..’
Maybe some sort of shared malady ?
I used to get migraines, oh my, I feel,for you…but no more do they creep up on me. I remember once I felt the pain approaching and I cried, just the thought of what I was in for totally demoralized me…
Love the photos and the story.
I have been reading other blogs around you and many have been experiencing unexpected cold, hope for balmy weather for you!
You might be right Lee, on a dog having what the owner does. Our vet said so often she had dogs that had the exact same diseases as their owners. She felt GOD matched them up that way so they would have sympathy for each other. I know our last dog was the most loving creature ever…she was right there if you were ill.
The incoming election results are making me very sad.
I miss the country I grew up in. And it, in many ways, is no longer here. You are not alone in feeling sad about such things. I wish it was such that us ordinary people truly had some say. Years ago, in this state, when we were much younger, we were elected as delegates to the state convention. Were we ever waked up. It was nothing more than a cheer leader party. What a total waste of our time and efforts. EVERYTHING was already decided long before the delegates got there. Our daughter about 20 years later decided to do the same, but for the opposite party. She just knew mom was wrong…well, she had to admit, it was exactly the same in that party. ALL was decided and done….the state convention was nothing more than a cheer leading party. I had enough of that silliness in high school frankly. That was the end of that sort of thing for hubby and I.
Good Morning Sue, I hope this day has you feeling better. I just had my first cup of coffee and probably my only cup of coffee for the day and a bowl of Cherrios with Almond Milk. Have not had cereal for breakfast for about a year, but today just felt right while I am waiting for you and the blogorinos to come out and play…I hope that you were able to let your neighbors take good care of you while you were feeling under the weather…I believe you are going to have help where ever you go and for whatever you need as your repayment for the good Karma that you spread in the world. I personally would travel miles to bring you what you need if I had to…no problem, so becareful what you say or there will be faithful blogorinos at your doorstep at your beckon call…You are going to be safe where ever you are. Have a good day and if you travel, travel safe. Kiss the Bridget for me.
P.S. Waiting for my “Weather” report for the day…yooohoo.
Today’s report is late Shirlene,Hi ! Just before sunrise I took a small trash can to the end of the driveway as it’s “pick up day” and discovered a huge part of a treetop had fallen into the yard.An overnight storm had snapped it off ,dropping it in the only place that would cause no damage.Though still in my jamies I dragged it to beneath some pines along the unpaved driveway before I came back inside,so it would be out of the way.I noticed another one in a neighbor’s yard had broken without falling ,now that one’s toppled part is cradled by the lower branches so it won’t fall on anything either.
My immediate reaction was noticing divine intervention.The slightest difference in timing or direction may well have caused caused injury and expensive destruction because of both trees’ proximity to structures and paths humans and critters inhabit or traverse often.I’m in awe of how often I see disaster in life averted by Providence’s hand or leading,gifts given in place of it…
That part of the tree was a bit weak and unhealthy, my “tree guy” and I had it discussed during spring.He “gets” my policy of letting nature not landscape design dictate what grows here.We’d agreed to a “wait and see” option in case the tree regained it’s health and balance naturally.He’d removed some huge lower branches from a different pine that were touching the roof of the house and a small outbuilding I store firewood in,and left.
That storm not only caused no damage,it saved me a few hundred dollars .And gave me a physical work out better than I intended to have at that hour 🙂 Amazing,wouldn’t you say?Sue may post soon,what fun-hope I “see” you there-either way,Have a great day
Good morning, Shirlene…
“I personally would travel miles to bring you what you need.” That is one of the sweetest messages I’ve ever received. I hope you’re right about good Karma… I have my share of bad Karma, too, like everyone . . . . 🙂
Have a wonderful day, dear one. I need to get my fanny in gear and write a blog post!
NOTE: I did reply to some of the comments above, choosing randomly, but not all, simply for the sake of time. Please know that I appreciate every single comment!
If you asked a question or if you are new here and I didn’t respond, please write again under the next post. Although I think I read all the comments, I may have missed a few that came in later.
Mind made up…. 11.5 months to go….
For what?
Sue, I have moved down the hill to #86 this morning. Hope you are feeling much better today. HUGS Cheri and Tony
Thanks, Cheri. I’ll find you. . . probably later this afternoon. Don’t stay put on my account. If you aren’t home, I’ll try again.