Week of December 9th through 15th, 2009 noticed that the Midwest section of the country received the blizzard the metrologists predicted. My family in Iowa was snowed in and there was no school for the grandkids, but not sure for how long. My family in Indy didn’t receive as bad a storm surge as they did in Iowa. The weather even dipped a little down here in Texas too.

Rhonda and I made another trip to Livingston to pick-up our mail. While there we stopped to see John and Judy Long a couple that was at Adventureland earlier this summer. It’s nice to see friends that we meet along the way. The life of a full-timer traveling the country affords us the opportunity to see friends almost everywhere we travel.

Rhonda has been enjoying her time seeing her old boss Danny at the tanning salon and picking up a few extra dollars to help out. I took the test to be a enumerator in 2010 for the Census Bureau. So I will be counting on you (sorry I just couldn’t help myself). As you can see by my picture I have been hard at work on my computer. Until the next update which will be after the Christmas season, I hope all enjoy the holidays. I certainly plan on enjoying mine with my 9 grandkids.

Week of December 1st - 8th, 2009

Week of December 1st through 8th, 2009 first part of the week found Rhonda checking on her job at the tanning salon; I worked around motor home putting the water-filter on and doing odds & ends that needed attending too. The owner of the RV park, Guy and I went to play golf. We don’t keep score when we go out, we just go out to have fun and practice. On Friday, December 4, 2009 we had snow at the park. That makes two years in a row, if that keeps up we may have to come back here later in the year or go further south.

We talked about going on a nature walk Saturday, but the cold weather and snow on the ground killed that idea. So staying inside where it was nice and toasty, we enjoyed watching our big screen TV all day. Monday, Rhonda went into work and I raked leaves around our yard, while up north in Iowa they were getting ready for the blizzard coming in their area. The week was a run of the mill kind of week for us; it was just uneventful with the exception of the snowfall.

Date and Movie Day

Monday, November 30, 2009 we took this day for enjoyment. Driving down to the big city of Beaumont, Texas taking in a nice restaurant for a late lunch, we then went to see the movie Blind Side. It was a really good movie. I have read the book by Michael Lewis and the movie stays pretty close to the storyline. Sandra Bullock is really good in this movie and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her nominated for an Oscar. It is based on a true story. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes to go out and watch a movie in the theatre.

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009 this might seem redundant but its SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!!! What else has to be said other than I went into my Man-cave mode and watched NFL all day and night?

The Big City of Houston

Saturday, November 28, 2009 dropping Sadie our little dog off for Bobby and Annette to babysit for the day, we took off for the big city of Houston to visit Rhonda’s sister, Barbara and her husband Nolan. We dropped off a Christmas tree their mom sent all the way from Indiana, with all the trimmings to boot. We had a nice visit and returned home late in the evening. We picked Sadie up and went home after a short visit with Bobby and Annette.

Busy work day

Friday, November 27, 2009 this was a very busy day for me working outside on the motor home cleaning the awning side so I could put the awning out later in the day. The wheel covers were put on all four tires that are exposed to the elements, cleaned our table & chairs for the patio, put out our solar lights, and cleaned the front basement. Rhonda had most of her chores done from the other day which allowed her to take it easy today.

Turkey Day my day

Thursday Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009 this is what I call my day – Tom Turkey Day. Guy and Linda were so gracious to invite us, along with another couple, into their home for the Thanksgiving Day meal. Linda, Rhonda and the other lady went to the grocery store to pick up our meals. We had a nice meal with Linda adding a few items from her pantry to complete our meal. It was a nice visit and good conversation by everyone. There was one missing ingredient for the day; at least in my humble opinion and that was family. But all-in-all it was a good day.

Getting things ready

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 just started doing things that needed to be accomplished around the motor home. Rhonda cleaning and putting things in their proper place, I on the other hand did my blue things outside. I put up the satellite dish, hooking up the water, sewer and electric lines to their proper places.

Ummm Crispy-cremes

Monday, November 23, 2009 went into Wal-Mart picking up a dozen Crispy-crème donuts. Arriving back at the motor home I stepped inside, sitting down at our new table to have a few mouth-watering donuts. I turned on the TV watching a little Good Morning America and waiting on Rhonda to get up. I heard her stirring around in the back and I was beaming with pride for my accomplishment of getting us the donuts. Out walks Rhonda, she looks at the four donuts missing from the box of twelve and just smiles at me. I couldn’t tell if it was a smile of satisfaction for my getting our breakfast or a smile saying, “I see you’re at it again.” After breakfast we headed toward Livingston, Texas to pick up our mail and settle in at our homestead in little Woodville, Texas. We traveled 226.8 miles today and arrived at 2 pm. Pulling into our spot, Bobby Adkins one of our dear friends came over to welcome us back, his wife Annette was still working. The owners were just getting back from town, Guy and Linda LaFoy. They too are very good friends of ours.

Sunday a Travel Day

Sunday, November 22, 2009 we didn’t get the early start I had hoped for. This will keep us out another night. We did travel 326 miles today arriving in Atlanta, Texas around 4:10 pm. Trying to keep in good grace with the RV rule of 2X4 as I explained earlier. Because of this being a travel day, I didn't get a chance to watch the NFL games on TV.

Branson, MO

Saturday, November 21, 2009 leaving Lambert’s parking lot early this morning, we traveled along highway 60 setting our sights on Turkey Creek RV Campgrounds which is associated with the Escapee’s RV Club. The campground is close to Branson, MO home of a lot of country and western shows. We didn’t have time to see any this time but it will be a good stop over for us. The first 88 miles was pretty smooth sailing for us, but the next 157 miles was like a never ending roller-coaster ride. We traveled a total of 244.8 miles today.

Lambert's Throwing Rolls Cafe

Friday, November 20, 2009 this was a travel day for us. The first part of the day went rather slow because we had fog most of the morning and the road we traveled on was very curvy. Our philosophy of travel is why take an interstate, when you can travel the back roads and enjoy the scenery. Besides we very seldom travel faster than double-nickel (55 mph) on any road we roll on. We traveled 319.8 miles until we arrived at Sikeston, MO pulling into the Lambert’s Café parking lot, the home of the thrown rolls. Anywhere in the restaurant if you want a roll a roving roll thrower will yell out, not to anyone in particular if they want a roll. If you raise your hand he will throw you one. If you miss it and it goes on the floor, no problem he will just throw you another one until you catch it.

South to New Whiteland, Indiana

Thursday Evening, November 19, 2009 leaving just a little after the noon hour, we pointed the motorhome down 465 loop southbound for the town of Greenwood. We were going to Camping World to see about a couple of items and see more friends. Dallas and Betty, a couple we hadn’t seen in almost three years. Betty and Rhonda worked together at the Brownsburg bank before Rhonda went to the town hall. We truly enjoy their company and they are such sweet people. We went out for dinner and then they took us back to their lovely new house. Afterward we came back to the motorhome at Camping World showed them our new layout, had coffee and cake. We said our goodbyes to them as well and retired for the night.

Craig my Motor Home Veterinarian

Thursday Morning, November 19, 2009 we were up early getting things ready to go back to see Craig and Debbie for our oil change. I pulled into the parking area around 8:15 just behind Craig in his pick-up truck. Debbie was already there getting things ready in the office. Rhonda took the car to McDonald’s to get us a couple of breakfast sandwiches and she soon pulled up too. Craig went right to work changing the oil and doing a few other things that needed to keep the moving home floating down the highway like it was on a cloud. Craig is one guy who takes pride in what he does, and he is the only one so far that has ever touched our home on wheels – mechanically. If you are ever on the Westside of Indianapolis in the Avon area, he is the man for all your truck service needs, or motorhome needs as well. I trust him exclusively with our motorhome, I hope I never have to take it to anyone else. We said our goodbyes again and hoped that the next time we see them, we will be able to spend a little more time socially with them.

C&D Trucking Service in Indy

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 pulled into C&D Truck Services to get the oil changed in the motorhome. Craig and Debbie the owners were already there and Debbie let us in the back parking lot of their establishment. Craig was busy taking care of an Avon Fire Truck. It was decided Thursday would be a better day for us to take care of the oil change. We visited for a few minutes before we headed towards Jamestown to a RV park that we stayed at two years ago. Paying for a couple of nights, we just took it easy the next couple of days. We did go out for dinner with some good friends, Darryl and Susan Kaytar. Susan and Rhonda worked together at Brownsburg Town Hall. We went for a pizza in the city of Pittsboro where they live. It was a nice evening of reminiscing.

Leaving Day

Monday, November 16, 2009 up and at’em this Monday morning getting things ready for our travel day, but it won't happen until the afternoon. Last minute things are being stuffed back into every crevice that shines a light. After putting the car on the dolly and parking the motor home out front of Jane and Al’s home, our departure time was 2pm. We waved our good-byes as we turned onto the main street and headed south on highway 3 toward Greenfield, Indiana. We traveled 113 miles and arrived at the Wal-Mart parking lot around 5pm. Calling my beautiful daughter Katie, we made arrangements for her to come and pick us up. This was one of a handful Wal-Mart’s which wouldn’t allow semis or RV’s to stay in their parking lot overnight. Actually, it was a city ordinance by the city of Greenfield, you are only allowed to park for two hours, then you have to move on. So I talked to the security guard and smoozed him into allowing us another hour or so. Rhonda and I went back to Katie’s apartment picking up my new son-in-law (Kevin) and my granddaughter Ally so we all could go out to dinner. We went right next door to where the motor home was parked, to an O’Charlies Restaurant. It was a really good dinner and we had a nice visit with them. I want to thank Kevin again for buying dinner. (Just a quick note to my new son-in-law; it’s all over now, you don’t have to butter me up) 
It was rather late when we took off from the Greenfield area requiring our lights to be turned on for the motor home. I rarely travel at night since I try to follow the RV’ers 2X4 rule of travel: which means – 200 miles or 4 o’clock in the afternoon whichever comes first; then you should be stopped for the night. I found out my running lights and dashboard lights were not working, giving me another reason not to travel at night. It was still raining and had been all day and night at least our windshield wipers were still working; but we were tired of this weather. We finally settled in at the Avon, Wal-Mart on the Westside of town and ready ourselves for a good night’s sleep.