Friday, April 29, 2011

Easter Traditions

My brother does not often write about our growing years. But he did so this week. Please read his post at

http://oldschoolak.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-tradition.html

To be honest. I really don't recall it the way he does. But then, as he said, I was around 9 years old and most likely was still wiping the sleep from my eyes when he came in through the door. Not being very quick, I was more likely trying to figure out what was being said..

I do recall a few egg hunts he had planned out, down to and including drawing a map of where he was going to hid the treasures (boiled eggs) and that there was one egg that no one ever found... We still think it was the dog had found one.

Mom would let us kids dye eggs each year. And we had fun doing so, and making the mess.. The eggs were always used for dinner that day. Some deviled and most added to the potato salad.


As you can see in this picture, last years oil spill is almost a memory and the beaches are clean. At least the beaches that people see and use and swim at each day


another picture of the beach


I have been watching the tv... and it just breaks my heart to see all the devistation in Tuscaloosa. So many lifes lost. so many land marks now gone.

I havn't heard if Pete and June are ok. No news is good news.

I heard from all three kids yesterday. All are well.
Our son said that the gas stating about 1/2 a mile down the road from his is gone, though. I didn't hear if he was home or at work at the time they cam thorugh.

Heather sent me a picture on the phone that showed a tree down in the backyard of Dotties home. Dotty is the grand kids Great Grand mother.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

For Today... April 28, 2011

For Today... April 28, 2011
 
Good Morning... We didn't have much weather last night but further up north got hit hard by it. I havn't heard how our friends in tuscaloosa faired. The town was hit hard by the tornados.  We got wind and a little rain. Today is much cooler and dryer.
Jerry got a call from McCoy and he's going to make a phone call this morning, to see if he can find a different job to go to.  This one sounds promising, though. In an area we've been through and much more money and for 3 years. If we get on that, we will try to rent a small house and fix up or trade up the camper. We have seen a couple of campers with pull outs that we like and just need to save up enough money.  Jerry is not happy with this job at all.  It's not that this is the supervisor's job (It is) but that he won't "Man up" and take responsibility for any mistakes he makes. He really does not know how to tell someone what he expects and how he would like it done. When a mistake is made, he says he was not understood.
 
Still watching the news and hoping that the national news will be able to show more of Tuscaloosa so I can tell if areas friends lived in are not the areas hit by the tornadoes. I'm worried about June and Pete. Where they are is just off the interstate and altough a bit lower doesn't make it any safer. When we were last in Tuscaloosa, we went to the rv park and it was all but empty. Only one still there that we knew was a young man who was just starting out on his own. Jerry had helped him with a couple of things on his very old camper.
I talked to both girls.  No news is good news from David. So, far as I know all is well with everyone. Bailey has no school today. Not sure why it was canceled, though. Could just be because some back roads are undrivable. Seems the worst of the weather was all on the tops of the mountains surrounding Heather yesterday.   I am so glade I got to talk to both of them today.
Beth is feeling a bit better. And Heather is still working nights. 
I was able to down load a few emails this morning. I will try to get on and down load the rest later on today. I saw a couple of questions directed to me, but wasn't able to answer them right off.
 

Outside my door ... Cooler, dryer and some high white clouds. Compaired to yesterday, Nice.  Can hope that the rest of this week and the weekend can stay as nice.
 
The dogs ... Rocky is in Doggy jail. He just will not stay out of my way. I tried to vacum the floors and had to run the vacum right up to him to get him to move. I tried to get him to stay on my bed and he refused, instead he would come right back and get under my feet.
 
The Kittens ... Two kitties are in kitty jail. I turned around and they were laying on both laptops. Now, I understand that they love to lay on something that is warm, but that was just too much. Luckly Jerry's was turning off and I had only one document open. Yes it had some strange writtings going on, but nothing that control z couldn't take care of.
 
From the kitchen... It's pay day so we will eat out. Jerry said most likely at the Mexican place we ate at over the weekend.  I'll check the hot bar a bit closer before we order anything. Last time, I didn't realise they had Crab legs on it. And shrimp.
 
I am hearing... Aritha Franklin singing on "The View".  She looks great. Said she didn't have the bariatic surgury but having some sort of surgury made her lose a lot of weight. That and eating whole foods and getting away from the high fat foods.
 
I am wearing... Dark Grey shorts and a white tshirt. I'll change into sweat pants and a different shirt whenn we go out to eat this evening.
 
I am reading... "Letters from a Woman Homesteader".
 

Stuffed Manicotti

Stuffed Manicotti

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene
2004
 
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Onion, chopped
1 pound Ground Beef
Water to boil Noodles in
1 container of Ricotta Cheese
1 box Frozen Spinach, thaw and squeeze out all the water
1 cup Parmesan Cheese
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 package Mozzarella Cheese
2 Egg Yolks
1 can Spaghetti Sauce
1 box Manicotti Noodles
Salt and Pepper, to taste
 
In a large pot, bring water to a boil, add in salt and butter. Add manicotti noodles and cook until they ar softened but not cooked, about 5 minutes. Drain and place in bowl of cool water.
Over medium heat, cook onion in Olive Oil for 1 minute. Add ground meat to the onion and cook until done. Drain and cool.
In a bowl, combine the ricotta, 1 /12 cupd of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and egg yolks. Add the garlic, spinch slat and pepper to taste and mix. Stir in meat mixture.
Fill the manicotti with the meat cheese spinach mixture. Arrrange in a single layer in a greast casserole dish. Spoon spaghetti sauce over top of noodles and top with reamining cheese. Bake at 350F uncovered until heated and sauce is bubbly. about 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes then serve.
 

For Today...April 26, 2011

 
Good Morning... I keep trying to get a connection. I get a few seconds sometimes. Some times when I get on "David" there is no connection to the internet. I do hope that Jerry gets a call to a different job soon. He's not apt to move the camper once we get it set, just for internet or cable tv. Too much hassle to do it for some conviences.
We have been put on "hold" for the job in Clarksville.  Jerry is at the top of the list for hiring Electrictions, but no idea when that will be.  Things have been going a little better on this job, but not by much. It was a quiet, long day for him yesterday.
 
 
 
 Morning clouds and afternoon dark clouds.. Now that it's evening, blue skies.  We had a few drizzly showers this morning. They were more mist than rain drops, really. I took the dogs for their morning walk, after I had my shower this morning and Macon wanted to roll and roll in the damp grass. Rocky was more content to smell and try to follow some trail. We stopped and spoke to Marty a minute. His back has been bothering him a bit. He had a stroke about two years ago and although he's doing better it doesn't look like he'll ever be able to work again. He's my age. He was born in Feburary while I was born in October in 1957.  The Kittens are really pushing the buttons this day.  yesterday was bad enough when they spent more than 1/2 the day in the kennels.  Today wasn't like that but the troubles they got in to are much worse.  I'll have to speak to Jerry about where he keeps the camcorder.  They mananged to pull the strap off the shelf, then they tried swinging on the strap, until it fell to the floor. I just hope they didn't damange it any. All four are in the kennal until he gets home tonight.
Dinner tonight is the left over Ham from Easter, Alfredo noodles and a salad. It will be the last of the greens for the salad. I'll still have part of a green pepper and a cucumber to fix for tomorrow night's dinner, I think. I fixed up some Lime Jell-o with pineapple but we may have watermelon instead.. or we could have both.. just depends on what Jerry wants.
We are still waiting for a phone call. Jerry was told that he's at the top of the list but who knows when they will start to do the Electrical on this job they want him on.
I have lost my MP3 player. I think it may be under the couch where I can't see or reach it without laying on the floor. It has FM radio abiliy and after 2 pm until 5 pm there isn't anything worth watching on the tv for me.  I know there are a couple of soaps on ABC but why should I start watching them since they will be off the air this fall and winter... just not worth the time to get into them.  I was disappointed when they took of "As the World Turns" and "Guiding Light" and so I know how those who watch the shows going off this year feel. I still refuse to watch the game show that was put on in place of one of the soaps, I do watch "The Talk".. well I woundn't call it watching as much as it's one and I hear it. I'm still not all that sure I'll stick to it much longer.  I'm still waiting for them to really gell as a group. I still hear a lot of talking over each other and that riles me. At least on "The View" Elizabeth has stopped trying to be louder then everyone else and give the other ladies time to state their view before she gives her thought on what ever they are talking about.
I've been wearing shorts for two weeks now.  I bought a pack of white tshirts (3x) just before we left Tupelo and I'm sure glade I have them. They are much cooler than the other tops I have on hand. I had to take over 1/2 of my shirts and put them into a rag bag. It was getting to the point that I just didnt' want to wear anything I had because everything has stains on them. I picked up 4 nice tops as well as the tshirts.  While we were at the beach the Satureday before Easter, we each got a pair of swimming shoes. I think they are finally dry. I loved the last pair I had and wore them all the time. It was almost like going bare foot.
I finished up reading "The Greatest Knight" and then read "The Choice" in two days.  I started another book today, but now I've forgotten the title.
 
While I was walking the dogs I have noticed some Blackberries are about to become ripe enough to pick and eat. That is, if I can beat the birds to them. The honeysuckle is in full bloom and I love the scent of that and will walk the dogs by the ditch just so I can get a good wiff of them each morning. I am too far south for the wild Wisteria I think. I sure miss it.  There is a tall brush with clusters of white flowers on it. They are about done as well. I have seen a couple of thistle in bloom here and will kill it when I see it. As nice as it is to look at, it's not a nice weed to keep. It got lots of spikes on it and can over run a field in no time.
I really do need to find "something" to work on while I'm not as able to get on line as I would like. I'm still waiting to find out if Beth is going to have a girl or a boy.  In a way, I hope for a boy, but as long as it's healthy it don't really matter in the long run. She's going to have a baby shower the end of July and Jerry told her we will try to be there so I'll have to work fast on anything I want to give her at the shower.
 

Spicy Vegetable Soup

Spicy Vegetable Soup

Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
 Women First Breast Cancer Support Group
 

1 lb Ground Beef
1 cup Onions, chopped
2 cloves Garlic, pressed
1 (30oz) jar Chunky Garden style Spaghetti Sauce with Mushrooms and peppers
1 (10 oz) can Beef Broth, undiluted
2 cups Water
1 cup Celery, sliced 
1 teaspoon Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoonb Pepper
1 (10oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green Chilies
1 (16oz) package frozen Mixed Vegetables
 
Cook first 3 ingredients in large Dutch oven over medium heat until meat is browned, stirring to crumble, drain and return meat to Dutch oven. Add Spaghetti Sauce and next 6 ingredients and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and begetables; return to  boil. Cover and simmer 10 to 20 minutes.
Makes 12 cups.
 
In Memory of Rosalie Baker
 

Spaghetti Bake

 Spaghetti Bake
 
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
 
 

1 pound Ground Beef
1 jar Spaghetti Sauce
butter to grease baking dish with
1 package shredded Cheese
Garlic Salt
1 pound Spaghetti Noodles
 
Boil noodles until tender. Brown the ground beef;drain. Add the sauce to the ground beef. Drain noodles when done. Grease a 11 x 13 baking dish with butter. Layer Noodles, meat sauce, cheese and garlic salt; to with Cheese and garlic salt. Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes, until cheese is melted.
 

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

8 Can Soup

 
8 Can Soup
 
Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
 Women First Breast Cancer Support Group
 
1 pound Ground Chuck
1 can whole Kernel Corn
1 can Rotel Tomatoes
1 can diced Tomatoes
1 can Veg-All
1 can Vegetable Soup
1 can Tomato Soup
1 can Hot Chili Beans
1 can Green Beans
Brown and drain ground Chuck, In a Crockpot, mix beef with all 8 cans (do not drain vegetables) Siimmer about 3 hours or over night in Crockpot.
Note: Add chili powder, salt, pepper and Worceshershire Sauce to taste. This recipe make a crockpot full and is wonderful left overs.
 
In Honor of Judy Counce.
 

Southwest Cornbread Skillet Dinner

Southwest Cornbread Skillet Dinner

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
 
Filling
1/2 pound Smoked Sausage
1 (16 oz) Jar Thick and Chunky Salsa
1 can whole kernel Corn
1 can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
 
Topping
1 Package Buttermilk Cornbread Mix (Jiffy)
2/3 cup Milk
2 oz Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
 
Heat oven to 450F. In an Oven proof  skillet, combine Sausage, Salsa, Black Beans and Corn. Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally for 3 to 5 minutes or until bubbly and thoroughly heated.
In a small bowl, combine all the topping ingredients, stir until well blended. Spoon cornbread topping over sausage mixture, spreading evenly to cover.
Bake at 450F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
 

Friday, April 22, 2011

ALL I NEED TO LEARN ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM THE EAST...

ALL I NEED TO LEARN ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY!

* Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
* Walk softly and carry a big carrot.
* Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
* There's no such thing as too much candy.
* All work and no play can make you a basket case.
* A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention.
* Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
* Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
* Some body parts should be floppy.
* Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans.
* Good things come in small-sugarcoated packages.
* The grass is greener in someone else's basket.
* An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare.
* To show your true colors you have to come out of the shell.
* The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

 

Thursday, April 21, 2011

from April 20, 2011

Good Morning...  Don't know when you will get to read this..  Not only have I gone over my internet card data allowance, but it seems I've done the same thing on my phone as well. ugh. If we were in the Sprint towers area I'd not be having this problem. But since we are roaming, it's turned into a total pain in the backside. Ugh. We are going to see if we can find a free wifi spot soon.
 
But.. well... in the mean time I can still use my computer, I just can't chat with all my friends for a couple of weeks. Maybe I do need a break from the computer anyway. It will give me some time to go through a few folders and files and clean things up a bit.  If I had all this on paper I'd be buried in a pile a mile High I think. All the pictures, jokes, recieps and just information in general.  We will need to find a free wifi spot to look up a campground when and if we move "up north".  Seems that we are on hold again. Not sure just what is going on and Jerry isn't saying much. He's also checking on jobs with other company's.  I'm not handling this stress well.  When I was in Jr high, we were going to have to move.. and Mom was looking and looking for a place to move to. Each week, I was telling people who needed to know, that we would be moving.. and it dragged on and on for over 8 weeks. I didn't want to start any long term projects if I wasn't going to be able to finish them.. by the time we did move, my grades had dropped because I didn't do two long term projects that I could have done if I had known it was going to take so long to find a place.  This feels so much like that.
 
Our high today is to be around 82 with a 30 percent chance of rain this afternoon.  The clouds will help keep the camer cool. I'll be opening windows here in a bit. We had the air on low all night, but I turned it off when I started Jerry's breakfast and I started opening the vents and windows in the back when I had to be back there.
 
Outside my door ... (6am) Still gray and dreary out. The sun isn't up yet. so there is little color to be seen. Soo enough there will be enough light to start to see color and that will help my mood, I hope.
 
The dogs ... Are good dogs. Not barking at every noise they hear, getting me up walking like they should and still alert enough to let me know when someone else comes down toward this side of the rv park. They also know to not poop in the grasses around the camper but in the rougher area's at the edges of the rv park.. which is all well and good, until they got mowed yesterday evening. Now they are a bit confussed as to where they are suppose to potty at.
 
The Kittens ... Ugh. I need to wash out the kennel. They were in a bit long and one (or two) pottied in there.  It's outside, waiting for the sun to come up so I can see what I'm doing. I'll have to put it over the fence behind the camper to clean it and the dish, and dog toys. I'll let the sun do it's job and dry and strilize every thing.
 
From the kitchen... Ground Pork om tmoato sauce. in other words, speghettie.
 
I am hearing... Morning news, the fan, traffice . . .
 
I am wearing... (6am) need a shower so I'm still in my night clothes. Later I'll put on shorts and a white tshirt.
 
I am reading... Still Reading "The Greatest Knight" Almost done with it, I think. the one bad thing about reading it on the computer is I can't tell how much more of the book to go.
 

O'Hanlons Duck Soup

O'Hanlons Duck Soup

Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
 Women First Breast Cancer Support Group
 
3 or 4 pork chops, trim off fat and slice into strips
1 cup Cabbage, shredded
6 mushrooms, sliced
3 carrots, shredded
6 cups Chicken Broth
1/2 teaspoon Fresh Ginger root, grated, or 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
12 oz bag large egg noodles
Soy Sauce to taste.
 
Brown chops in a small amount of either peanut or live oil. Place chops in large boiling pan with chicken broth and bring to a slow boil. Add cabbage, mushrooms, ginger, and carrots. Slow cook until tender. Add noodles and cook for 15 minutes. Add soy sauce before serving
 
In honor of Margaret Castro
 

Southwest Chicken Wraps

Southwest Chicken Wraps

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

3 Cups Cooked Chicken, chopped
8 oz Picante Sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1 Medium Tomato Chopped
1 can Black Beans, drained
8 Flour Tortillas
1 cup shredded Lettuce
2 Tablespoons Green Onion, chopped
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Bell Pepper, thinly sliced
 
Combine chicken, picante sauce, chili powder and garlic powder in a large skillet and mix well. Cook over medium heat until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add 3/4 cup cheese and beans to the chicken mixture and mix well.
Wrap Flour Tortillas in a towel, Microwave for 1 minute
Spoon equal portions of the chicken mixture onto each warm Tortilla.
Top Chicken mixture with remaining cheese, lettuce, tomato, green onion, sour cream and bell pepper. Roll to enclose filling. Serve immediately.
 
makes 4 servings.
 

Monday, April 18, 2011

Brown Bean Soup

Brown Bean Soup

Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
Women First Breast Cancer Support Group

1 pound Dry Pinto Beans
Salt Pork
1 cup Carrots, chopped
1 can Hot Rotel diced Tomatoes with Green chili's
1/2 teaspoon Cumin
1 Onion, chopped
1 Green Pepper, chopped
1 clove Fresh Garlic, mashed
1/2 cup Celery, chopped.
 
Soak bean for 2 to 3 hours in warm water or over night. Drain water off beans. In a large heavy pot, cook beans in fresh water with salt pork for 2 hours, adding water as needed. Add carrots, Rotel, onion, bell pepper, garlic, celery and Cumin. Cover and simmer for at least 1 hour. Soup should be thick.
 
In Memory of Hilaro Castro
 

Smoked Sausage Jambolaya

Smoked Sausage Jambolaya

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

1 pound Smoked Sausage, cut in 1/2 inch pieces
1 pound Ground Beef
2 yellow Onions, chopped
1 28oz can Tomatoes
1 teaspoon Pepper
1/2 cup uncooked Rice
2 1/2 cups Water
6 cloves Garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoon Salt
 
Brown Sausage in skillet. Remove sausage and drain off grease. Combine ground beef, onions, and garlic in skillet and cook until meat is browned. Drain off grease. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and sausage. covere and simmer for 20 minutes. Add rice and water. Cover and cook for 40 minutes.
 

April 18, 2011 (am)

Good Morning... It's 6 am and I'm up. Why is it, we can be gone one day and come back and the whole camper needs a througho cleaning? I have one bag of trash already and will have at least two more (grocer sized bags that is)  Rocky is sleeping on the couch beside me. He rarely does this. but I'm warm and he maybe feeling a bit of a chill due to shedding a bit early.
 
I found only one whole shell while we were in the Gulf waters.  The sand is so cleaned that even shell shards are hard to find. I want to make a shadow box for it, and will include the pictures of Jerry and I in the waters.  I should have thought to pick up a jar of sand. It just never crossed my mind to do so.
 
I have a cola problem. It's not that I drink a whole lot of it.. well, compaired to some other people I know that is. I drink less than a 2 liter bottel a day. 3 two liters will usually last me a week where as Jerry drinks at least one a day and more since I know he's buying cola on his way in to work as well. The problem is... around here, it's hard to find Diet Dr Pepper.  Walmart didnt have it, Dollar General didn't have, both being sold out. We found 3 bottles of it at Pic and Sav. W bought those last three. When we stopped for drinks on the way to the beaches, I ended up with Diet A&W Root Beer.  I'll drink diet Mt Dew but that's about it. I'll take Diet Coke if I have to but will pass by Diet Pepsi.
 
 
 
Outside my door ... The sun hasn't come up just yet. I hear the morning songs of  birds so I Know it will be up soon. The windows are a bit foggy so I cant' see the color of the sky to well. Looks like that light gray, almost blue that forcasts a clear, bright day. Our high is suppose to be in the middle 70's today.
 
The dogs ... Like I said, Rocky is sleeping cuddled up beside me. Macon is on the blankets on Jerry's bed. I'll have to make him move when I make the beds this morning.
 
The Kittens ... Had their time out of the kennel this morning but are back in. I figured out that if I let them out to drink and potty, then put them back in to eat a bowl of kitten food, and leave them in for a couple of hours they are much better behaved than if I don't. I am trying hard to break a couple of bad habits.. and they have figured out if they are bad they are put in the kennel. I no longer toss in food to get them into the kennel but will chase each and every one down to put them in.
 
From the kitchen... Pork chops, rice, salad, green beans, jello with Pineapple in it.
We also have some donuts that I may have with our meal as well
 
I am hearing... Birds morning songs, News on the tv, when we get a signel, Rocky snoring.
 
I am wearing... Still in my blue house dress this morning. Will change into sweat pants here in a bit. Most likely will wear a white t shirt as well.
 
I am reading... Still working on "The Greatest Knight" I need to finish it up.
 
I am creating...
 
One of my favorite things...
 
A few plans for the rest of the week...  Plan on keeping the laundry caught up this week. So far the plan is to leave here Saturday and move up to Clarksville TN. It's on the Tennesse Kentucky state lines. About 400 miles from here. It will be a long drive. we will also try to make a stop in Tuscaloosa and pick up a few things. I need to make a list.  I'll put my sewing machine in the van (it's small) and if I can't find the power cord for it, will leave it in storage. Need to pick up the table, see if we have any camp chairs left, pick up the window air unit. (can always sell if it we have to) and our table top propane grill so we can cook outside in the heat of summer, if the "front" is on the shady side of the camper. Even if its' not, I can still cook with it. I want to pick up either a huge umbrella and stand or another canape this year. I miss sitting in the shade in the early mornings.
 

Sunday, April 17, 2011

April 17, 2011


We left home about 8:30 am and headed to Jackson for breakfast. We had Hardies. nothing to brag about, I'll tell you.


Then we headed on out down to the Gulf Coast. We got there about 11 am. We had to go through Mobile and go under the bay via a tunnel. The Gulf Shores are still about 45 minutes away from Mobile. We drove past the Battleship USS Alabama. I wish we had taken the time to stop but we didn't know how long a tour would take. I do know that this Ship is the only Park that is self substained by donations. No Federal money is sent to it. (It was on the news this week) My understanding is that the tour costs about $12 apiece which isn't bad when you see how large it is.. I know I wouldn't be able to walk the whole thing.

We had to take the dogs with us, but we couldn't take them onto the beach. No Pets. It was cool enough for them to stay in the van while we got our feet wet. We spent about 30 minutes or so in or near the water. I found only one shell. I'm guessing the cleaning up the oil from the beaches has also getting rid of a lot of shells. The sand is a totally different texture than those of the Outer Banks. It's more fine in grit. It doesn't stick to your feet and legs as much, either. I got my pant lets wet while we were there but they quickly dried on our way home and were complety dried when we stopped at Arby's Where I 65 and 43 come together. I'm not sure of the town name there. There's a Pilot truck stop there.


Knowing that we will be moving the camper North next weekend we knew that this would be our one good chance for me to get into the Gulf waters. The water wasn't as cold as I expected it to be. but I doubt that it's the 75 that the weather station says it is either. I think the water was a bit warmer than the sand but not by much. I was careful while walking in the sand because I don't need any cuts on my feet. I saw a few holes that people had dug in the sand. A couple I would really worry about if there had been a kid in them. and one did have a kid in there. sitting down and we didn't see him in there until we walked up on it. That's not good.. Those walls can fall in at any time.. and I know along the Outer Banks the life guards would ask that the hole be filled in. We saw a few trees damanged by winds on our drive but not a whole lot of them. One sign was twisted about a bit.


On the way back home, we stopped and did our food shopping for the next few days. We didn't get a lot but it sure cost us. I thought it would be around $50 and it ended up being over $70. I asked Jerry if he saw any other Pic and Sav signs beside the one by the road.. No.. good. There's a geo cache somewhere on that sigh.. and he spotted it right off when we stopped by the sign. Signed the log and we were on our way home.


Got home, turned on the air as the camper was warm, took in the groceries and walked the dogs. now we are watching the news and feel so bad for all those in North Carolina who faced the same stormes we had here Friday.




This is me, In the waters of the Gulf of Mexico





This is Jerry in the waters as well. It's not his first time to be in the Gulf though.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Wild Weather

First off. Jerry and I are ok. No damanges to any of our things either. If you've read the Aol report of the weather, (Not had the tv on to know if it's made national news or not)
 
We had some very rough weather last evening and night.  Washington Country is just west of us by about  20 miles or so.  We had lots of wind and the camper shook a lot. But no roaring and nothing out of place outside except one of the trash bins at the entrance to the rv park lost a lid and I put it back in place when I walked the dogs this morning.
 
I read reports about damanges in Tuscaloosa and will have Jerry call to make sure the carlot and our storage are ok. The Bama mini storage mentioned in the Aol story is just a couple of blocks away from both.
 
 
 

Friday, April 15, 2011

Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup

Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
Women First Breast Cancer Support Group
 
saute one small onion, Chopped, in one Tablespoon Butter. Add the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil, then simmer until done.
2 pounds Chicken
1 can Nacho Cheese Soup (Campbell's)
3 cans Chicken Broth (Swanson's)
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup (Campbell's)
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup (Campbell's)
3 cans Rotel diced Tomato and Green Chili, 1 mild and 2 hot
1 one pound box Velveeta Cheese
2 1/2 cups Milk
1/2 stick Butter
2 Tablespoons Cilantro.
 
Add 5 flour tortillas, cut into strips during the last 5 mintues of cooking. Serve with crushed Trotilla chips, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese green onions, Guacamoke, ecetera.
 
In Memory of Dick Bartholomew
 

Skillet Sausage

Skillet Sausage

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
 
Cabbage, about 6 pieces
new Potatoes, whole or halved if large, do not peel
Carrots, cut into chunks
Onioin, halved or quartered if large
smoked sausage, cut into large pieces
 
Cook all together for about 15 to 20 minutes.
 

Thursday, April 14, 2011

For Today... April 14, 2011

Let my rambling thoughts loose, Let me ramble on and on, never knowing where my thoughts may take me, and never knowing where they will remain.
 
Today is payday.  I will have to make a list of things to pick up for this next week from the stores.  Burger, I know.. potatoes I think. Eggs for sure, and milk, and bread, as well. Those are always a given.  Jerry's cola, and some for me as well. Maybe a sweet or two, but we don't really need those, to be sure.  Of course fresh vegetables for salad. Can't forget that. And fruit if I see any that apeals to me, since I'm more apt to eat it than Jerry is. I had just picked up pet foods so don't need any of that. Don't need litter for the catbox either. Got plenty of laundry soap, and softner as well. Dish soap I do need, though.
 
I thought I'd be leaving the dogs out this morning but they want to bark at the neighbors so they are back inside after only a few minutes. The kittens were put back in the kennel not long after Jerry left for work this morning, already in trouble for jumping up to the stovetop. Now that they are out again, they are playing with the dogs' food. have some scattered on the floor and playing hockey with a few pieces of it.  Once they tire of the game, they will eat the piece of food. but it takes them a while at time to get that tired.. on the other hand, if they irratate Rocky enough with it, he'll go over and eat that piece and make them go find another.
 
Making me a pot of coffee this morning.  I'm about 1/2 way through my bottle of water already.
 
 
 

Outside my door ... cloudy but warm. A good day, really since the camper isn't heating up much. 
 
The dogs ... Are resting from their outing this morning. Not that we went far of that they played that hard.. they just like to sleep alot during the day.
 
The Kittens ... smokey is in Kitty Jail for doing high jumps.. not up, but across.. He climbed up the hanging clothes on Jerry's side closet and then, after making sure I was watching, jumped into the top shelf in the closet on My side. I have books up there and I dont want kitties sleeping on them. the rest are now asleep on Jerry's bed, but not before they had a gay ol time, jumping bed to bed and picking on both dogs. Rocky was sleeping on Jerry's bed and two of them started playing with his ears. He got up and jumped to my bed and both jumped over with him. He then jumped back to Jerry's bed and again they followed him.. and he came in and laid down in one of the kennels.. they walked away from him cause they didn't want to be in with him. (He farts some awful smelling ones sometimes, when he's sleeping)
 
From the kitchen... Pay Day.. eating out night.  We have to make a stop at Walmart to cash the check so we will eat out. Not sure just where as there isn't much choice, yet.
 
I am hearing... the tv. the trash being picked up, traffic on 43 and the fan blowing across me.
 
I am wearing... blue jean shorts and a light gray tshirt
 
I am reading... I read 4 chapters of The Greatest Knight this morning.
 
I am thinking... I would really like to go to the Gulf. I've never been, that I know of and would like to say I have at least stuck my toes in the waters.
 

Sesame Chicken

Sesame Chicken

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene
2004

3 cups Chicken, boiled and cut up
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
almost a while carton of Sour Cream
1 roll Ritz Crackers, crushed
1/2 stick Butter, melted
1/4 cup Sesame Seeds
 
Layer chicken in a casserole dish. Mix soup and sour cream, pour over chicken. Combine butter and Ritz crackers in a bowl. You may need to add a little more butter to coat the crackers. top with soup with the crackers and sprinkle sesame seeds over the crackers. Bake at 350F until top is browned.
 

Potato Pottage

Potato Pottage

Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
 Women First Breast Cancer Support Group
 
Peel and dice 4 potatoes, cover with chicken stock, boil until Soft.
Add to potatoes, 1 medium onion and 2 stalks celery chopped fine.
cook 15 to 20 minutes
add 1/2 a stick of butter, 1 Tablespoon ham base and pepper to taste. Add milk. Mash mixture. The amount of milk added determines the consistency of potatoes.
 
 

In Honor of Marian Scott
 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

April 13, 2011


A peek through the tree's.

I know, you can't see too well

but there's rolling hills around here.



Jerry came home so tired yesterday that He stayed up a while longer than I did. I know he was hurting as well. We had steak, salad and baked potatoes for dinner last night as well as the watermelon we bought from Pik-n-sav. It was good.


The weather is just delightful again this morning and I have opened up all the windows and vents and the door. Suppose to be around 80, so we will see if I end up turning on the air this afternoon or not.


(10am)


I've gotten the back of the camper daily cleaning done already.. all but vacuming the floors that is. I'll need to vacum the front and will do them all at the same time. I have one load of jeans in the dryer and another in the washer. Only doing two loads today, and will do blankest tomorrow. I may need to also wash Jerry's pillos as well. they could use it. Hard to believe that it's been almost a year since I bought all new pillows and these are really still in great shape. A good washing and drying will do them some good.


The kittens are doing their usual. Trying to get the dogs in trouble. Jumping from bed to bed, almost jumping on Macon. He's given them "The Look" a couple of times already. I will not get on him if he scotches at them this time. While I was taking the dogs for their morning outing, I took the trash out with me as well. then we walked down the right a way a bit. They did what they needed and I checked the wash room door on our way back to see if I would need the key or not. I have got to remember to take something for my back BEFORE I carry the tub to the wash room, not after. We saw Hunter out but I didn't let the dogs visit this time.


 I charged my camera battery so I'll take it out next time I go out and take a few pictures.


 I'll fix chicken for dinner tonight. We found some Chicken breast for a great price over the weekend. not sure how I'll fix it yet. but was thinking of maranating in some dressing, then using the Forman to grill them. I need to make rice tonight and that may be too much and trip a breaker. We'll see. Of course I could cook the rice off a different breaker, one in the back. I have an extention cord so I could stretch it to the front. Most likely that is what I'll do. I won't start the chicken to cook until Jerry calls me. I'll make the salad ahead and keep it in the fridge. think I'll make banana pudding for dessert. I'll used crushed graham crackers for the crust. that will be good.


 Just texted with Beth a bit. She's still feelling a b bit weak. She goes to see her OB this afternoon. i know she's hoping for a release for work.


 


Outside my door ... Another great looking day. Temp's not too high, yet. Over night wasn't too cool. Only some high clouds in the sky. Nothing that looks like rain. We may have more clouds this afternoon and evening but thats good because there isnt much shade on the camper. (tin can on wheels)


 


 


The dogs ... Are resting on my bed after spending about an hour outside on their lines and then, after comeing in, having the kitties try to get them both in troubles.


 


The Kittens ... When I came back from switching the laundry out.. one of the kittens was at the box of dog treats that "one" of them had knocked off the bookcase. since I'm not sure it was the one who knocked it off, I couldn't rightly punish it. But as I turned around, one of the others was in the kitchen Sink.. I grabbed it and tossed it into the kennel (Kitty Jail) and now it's meowing because it's all by it's self in there.


 


From the kitchen... chicken grilled in the Forman. Salad, Rice and banana pudding for dessert


 


I am hearing... Danial Boone on the tv. Retro T.V.


 


I am wearing... Black sweatpants cut into shorts, a white tshirt.


 


I am reading... emails


 


I am thinking... I need to make a list of things to pick up this week, and next. We are getting by. but until Jerry gets a full pay check things will be a bit tight, again.


I am hoping... that Jerry has Sunday off. He's so tired already. He's applying for other jobs. He said this job is all messed up.

A

Pets

It's a sleeping kind of day. Macon loves to prop up on the pillows. Strips, belly up.. loves my pillows to lay against. Rocky and Strips, both "Belly" up. Fuzzybutt, she loves sleeping in a tub. I'm guessing it's nice and cool in there. another of Rocky and Strips, both were belly up right before I took this picture.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Seafood Chowder

Seafood Chowder

Pink Ribbon Cookbook,
Women First Breast Cancer Support Group
 
1 pound Halibut Fillets, cut into cubes
2 Slices Bacon
1/2 cup Onion, chopped
2 cups Water
1 cup Potatoes diced
2 Cups milk
1 teaspoon Salt
dash of pepper (smidgen)
 
Fry Bacon crisp add onion and cook until tender. Add water and potatoes, cook over low heat for 10 minutes until potatoes are semi tender. Add halibut and simmer until tender. Add milk and seasonings. Heat and enjoy
 
In Honor of Joe Scott
 

For Today... April 12, 2011


Hello. Ignore the date on the photo.. I can't find where to change it on my camera. That's Spanish Moss hanging from the tree. I've seen a lot of that around here. Last time I saw Spanish Moss was a long time ago and it was deliberately set on that one tree in the town of Fort Mill South Carolina. I don't even know if that tree is still there or not. Last night we had a quick storm come through. It was here, then gone and I think we got about a quarter inch of rain or so. Just enough to really make everything damp. The dogs had to wait a bit befor going out for the last time of the night, but once the storm was done, It felt great outside. A great cool night for sleeping. today the sun is up and it's a new bright day, Perfect for making things with.


Today's high is to be in the upper 70's today with lots of Sun shine. The dogs will like that since I'll let them be outside on their lines for a bit. I heard from Beth. She went to the ER last night. She was having trouble breathing. After some blood work was done found out her Eletrolites were low. Expecally in Potassiem and Sodium. As she said, she eats enought "junk" food that it's hard to believe that she's low Sodium.. As well as the Potassium. but when she was in the hospital a couple of years ago, she was low potassium then, as well. She's going to have a scan done today to be sure it's not a imbolisem in her lungs. She had to wait until morning for that to be done. So far though, Every thing else is just fine and the baby is still doing very well.


Beth was dehydrated according to the ER doctor. She needs to eat a banana and a potato each day as well as drink more water. Potatoes are not a problem at all for her, since she works in a plant that makes hash brown potatoes and may take any that are not the right size for the machine. She sees her OB tomorrow.



 


Well, It's almost 9 am and I have a lot done. took the dogs out befor Jerry left and took them out again and walked a little so they could go poop. tied them outside away from each other so there's less noise from them. They can see each outher, just can't reach each other. Macon so wants to jump on Rocky. I have one load of laundry done with two more to get finished one is in the washer and the other waiting for the washer.cleand the bathroom and made the beds. Put two kitties in "Jail" for jumping on the kitchen counter. Now it's time to walk over to the wash house and change loads, back in a few minutes.


 


Back, I... changed laundry loads, taking out the bedspread from the dryer, (not dry yet) and put in the dryer a load of darks, and started the rest of the tub of darks in the washer. Then I brought back to the camper the bedspread I washed.. hung it up to finish dring over the shower rod in the hallway,Brought Rocky in, removed his lead, Picked up the trash bag, And unwound Macon from the pole he's on, Then walked to the trash cans. Tossing away a bag of trash. A few "sits" for Macon to remind him. He's got to do that when I say it. Back in the camper, and let Macon out of his collar and lead. Waiting for the timer to go off so I can go take the load out of the dryer and switch the washer load into the dryer. I will still have at least two to three loads tomorrow. Jeans, for Jerry and more blankest. It's shedding time for the dogs and I swept up a huge pile of fur this morning and there was a canister full of fur even after i swept the floors this morning. It is really a good morning this morning. Not too hot yet. A slight breeze blowing through the camper, and Plenty of fresh scents on the air.


 I got three loads of laundry done this morning. A bedspread and two loads of darks. Still plan on doing Jeans tomorrow. The camper looks lots better this evening. I finally felt like doing more than just the bare bones today. it's been a great day weather wise. Not to humid and not too hot. (5pm) I just started a loaf of bread in the bread maker. I mixed some sour cream in some milk but then I had to add some more milk to the machine to get a slighly sitcky ball of dough. Hum. Of course I read about using sour cream long ago and didn't look to see if I have that recipe on the laptop or if it's on the desktop I have put away for a while. I still have a ways to go to get everything cleaned up in here, but it's really looking much better in here.


Jerry will most likely work 11 hours today and He may not be home before 7 pm. I can hope he'll be earlier but there is no way to know until he calls me. Looks like he'll have to work the weekend as well.


Saturday is my younger brother's birthday. I have put a card in the mail to him and I'm hoping he'll get it on time. There was mail in the box this morning so it should be picked up tomorrow. He's turning 50 this year. If he or his wife read this, I wish him many more years, and wanted to tell him. 50 isn't so bad.


(8:30)


Outside my door ... I got the door open to let in the fresh, rains washed air and spring scents. I'll need to charge my camera battery soon and take more pictures. Every day I see some new flower or leaf that has popped up.


 


The dogs ... had a nice morning outside. Once Macon realized that he was not going to get to wrestle with Rocky, decided that the yard needed a hole in it. I scolded him for that. I know, it's a dogs' nature to dig. I also know how much they both need some "outside" time. A bit of sunshine goes a long way in a dogs health. Goes a long way in mine as well.


 


The Kittens ... Two are in Kitty jail, again. they just will not stay off the kitchen counter and they know they are going to get into trouble jumping up there. It's bad enough that they want to jump bed to bed, to the bathroom,, back to the bathroom, back on the beds,, run toward me, but you can see their little minds going "Um, No". and into a kennel with an open door, back out, tumbling over each other, back on the bed, across to the other bed. back to the bathroom, up on the counter to stop and look outside.. then race back to the kennel and then back to the beds for more jumping. no wonder they sleep so well in the afternoons.


 


From the kitchen... Last night was hamburgers at a local burger stand. We got there just in time as since as soon as we got ours, someone else walked up and were told they were closing. I got corn nuggets and they were great. Perfectly done. Jerry got the fries.. I think I know where we will be going more often, now. Tonights dinner, hum... let me go look in the fridge and see... Steak. baked potatoes and salad. I'll put a fold up table outside and bake the potatoes in the roaster oven out there, May bake the steak at the same time. Of course we will have salad. I think our dessert will be watermelon.


 ( Change of plans, Baking the potatoes in my rice cooker, to see if that will work, still having steak, but will cook it in a skillet, Salad is made already, and still plan on watermelon)


I am hearing... The timer ticking, Rachel Ray on the tv. a disel truck next door. Some birds chirping and traffic on 43.


 (5:30) Evening News


I am wearing... Gray Sweat pants, (may chaange to shorts later) and a blue flowered top ( didn't change didn't get too hot today)


I am reading... emails

There are three drive ways into the R.V. Park. Close to the north one is a dirt road. I was told that a Hunt Club ownes the land. It's not posted, but I stay on the road with the dogs and don't go very far. I took thses pictures yesterday while I was taking the dogs out for the afternoon. Mr Robert was doing some weedeating around the campers and I didnt want the dogs to go nuts over the noise so I took them for a short walk. By the time we got back Rober was done with the weed eater, but he was still in the park. There are some white flowers in this one but they look gray in the picture. I "think" it's flowers for some Raspberries or Black Berries.. I hope so. I know that some clubs will lure in wildlife by encouraging wild berries and if these are, I'll gather me a couple of cups worth. As we were walking, I would stop and snap a picture. Not just sure what I "caught" in most of them. So this is a mystery picture. As you can see. the road has a few area's with a bank on the side of the road. I need to take a closer picture of the leaves, I think it's an Oak. This is the other side for the picture above. A difference from side to side to be sure. Lots of pine trees here. There is a paper mill on the other side of Jackson than were we are, but yes, if the wind is right we can smell it. As Jerry said.. it smells like "Money" since he's worked in a few of them. This is a "funny" looking pine tree. It's straight up. No branches starting on it yet. Again, I need to take a closer picture. The dogs were so excited to be out walking that I had little chance to get really close to most of the plants I wanted to take a close up of. Along the main track, are several short tracks. more like parking area's than any thing else. already being over-grown with brush and scruff. Here is where I turned around with the dogs. I held my camera above my head and took a picture of the down-hill side of the road. Maybe in a few days I'll walk down this part, then again, maybe not.

Savory Pork Chops

Savory Pork Chops

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

1 Tablespoon Oil
4 Pork Chops
1 can Cream of Onion Soup
1/4 cup Water
 
In a skillet, heat oil. Cook pork chops on medium heat for 8 minutes. Set aside and pour off fat. Add soup and water to pan, heat to low boil. return Pork chops to soup mixture. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 5 minutes
Makes 4 servings.
 

Monday, April 11, 2011

For Today... April 11, 2011

  
 A bit of a late start this morning. Just dealing with wayward kitties mostly. They are all pushing to see how much trouble I will let them get into before putting them in kitty jail. Two in and one more pushing for it. I just started 5 eggs to boil. I'll use them for my lunches the next few days. I bagged up the trash in the kitchen area and took it out while I walked the dogs. We stopped and I let my dogs smell around Hunter's kennel for a few minutes. I really feel bad for Hunter. He cowered when I came close but he perked up a bit when Macon tried to touch his nose. Hunter got into so much trouble when he got loose the other day.
I seperated the laundry, again as I really do need to take a load over to the wash house and start a load. I don't know about how you were taught to do laundry but I still do it in the same order even though I "know" it's not necessary any more. Way back when.. (over 40 years ago) We had a wringer washer with two rinse tubs. I was in charge of laundry in summer time and sometimes after school as well. Anyway... I was taught to seperate the "whites" from the lights, then the middling colors, next was darks and last was jeans. to this day,I still start the whites first. I guess old habits really are hard to break. Today I'll do lights, and if I have time, the lights as well. Tomorrrow I'll do the color loads. I'm not sure if the dryer will get jeans dry or not, yet.  Let me get these out of here and started, I'll be back in a few minutes.
 

more like 45 minutes.  I got the whites in the dryer now, and a second load started in the washer. Set my timer for a bit over 35 minutes. I just finised up the bathroom. Scrubbed the tub, sink and toilet, put away stuff that was still out from spraying for ants last week, and cleared the counter. I wiped the counter off as well. Only thing left is sweeping the floor. Since I ended up with water on the floor, that will wait for a little while.
 
I had the dogs out while I was taking the whites to the wash house, but Had to put Macon back in because he just wouldn't leave Rocky alone and he has a bad habit of getting Rocky's chain collar off when they rough house. I left Rocky outside for a bit so he could just be away from Macon for a few minutes.
I have to remember to put both ice chests in the van this evening when Jerry comes home. It's that time of year that in order to keep food safe, it's in an ice chest.
We will eat out tonight. Jerry's check from the last full week in Tupelo should be here.  I need to make a list of things I have to pick up from the store. Cat litter is on the top of the list. have to check how much cat food we have left and dog food as well. I'm sure we are low on both.
 

Outside my door ... High clouds. some very dark but most are white, fluffy things. Just enough to help keep the sun off the camper. I did break down Friday and turned on the air. I try not to do that too much and I still think April is too early to have the air on.  I know I'll have to have it on later today as the humidy is just going to go sky high. We have a chance of storms this evening.
 
The dogs ... Like it here, I think. They get to be outside on their lines more.  Oh, Saturday day, the people next door were outside and having a fight. I'm not sure if they were playing or serious. I let the dogs bark so they would get the message to stop the fighting. When I opened the door and took the dogs out, they were leaving. Something like this happend Thursday morning when a fellow was picked up from next door by someone I think he's related to from the way she was taking and chewing him out. I'm not sure if it was the same fellow or not, though.
 
Well. I got the two loads of laundry done that I wanted to get done today.. I have two to three for tomorrow, at least.. including a couple of blankets and the sheets from the beds.  finished up the bathroom and then got the bedrooms out of the way before my show came one. (Y&R)  Ate my lunch while it was on. Tuna egg salad on crackers.  Posted a few things, downloaded my emails to read off line, and now I've got the air on and have the curtain up to contain the cool to the front of the camper. I'm working on the Kitchen area now. First spraying for ants (again !!) Ran the dish water and washed off the dish strainer. Made tea and put two of the kitties in kitty jail. They were just getting up and into what every because I was in the back. knocked my camera off the table, knocked the remote off the table and walked across my laptop. Ugh.. I have also had to yell at all four of them to leave the trash bag alone.. (forgot it's got the tuna can in it. I'll have to take it to the trash can when I walk the dogs this afternoon.
 
Back from the afternoon walk. Took the bag of trash out. Walked down the front of the rv park to the other end, and then some.. the dogs finally did what we were out for. Then we meandered back to the camper, with a quick stop to say "hi" to the other dog, Hunter.
 
I got the dishes all done. Not all put away, yet but they are washed up.  Been picking at cleaning up the counter tops in the kitchen. Stopped for a small bowl of cereal for a snack.
Still need to work on the living room area. I'm getting there, slow but sure.
 

Salsa Chicken Saute

Salsa Chicken Saute
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004
3 Bonless, skinless Chicken breast halves, cut into strips
1 Tablespoon Oil
1 onion, cut into thin wedges
1 medium Bell Pepper, cut into strips
1 1/2 cups Chunky Salsa
 
In a skillet, saute chicken in oil over medium-high heat, 3 minutes. Add onions and peppers, cook 3 to 4 minutes, until tender and crisp. Reduce heat, add salsas and simmer 2 minutes.
Tip: serve over rice and garnish wit cilantro if desired,
4 servings.
 

Sunday, April 10, 2011

April 10.



It's a beautiful Day in Lower Alabama otherwise knows as LA.. At least when my older kids were still in high school would refer to this area as LA.


A few pictures I've taken today.



Our Camper. Notice the fence behind it.. nice isn't it? Just missed seeing two of the kittens looking out to see what we were doing..



I don't know why I wanted the railroad tracks. I just did. I really wanted to be in the center to take the picture but my timing was off a bit.



A church at the end of a road. Didn't even find out which church. it's in Jackson Alabama.



See that stuff hanging off the tree? I was always told it's Spanish Moss. Not very moss like, now is it? It's all over the place here. Some trees have small clumps of it. some have larger clumps of it. I would like to have some. but I understand that I would have to bake it first, because of bugs.






Here is more of the hanging moss. Way back when... when we lived in Fort Mill South Carolina there was a tree in town that had this on it.. I loved walking past that tree. It had a peaceful feel to it.






And another tree with the hanging moss on it.. In a park close to a lock (or so the signs tell us) We went down the road but we didn't find the lock. We may look again for it.



At the bottom of my page is a picture of the kittens sleeping between Jerry and I,. here is an updated picture of them. They don't fit so well any more.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

April 9

It's another hot and humid day today. I'm in shorts and a white tshirt. I'm so glade I picked up a pack of tshirts before we left Tupelo.
 
 

Ants !!!  Ugh,, ants every where !!!  So many and they want to make their home in My home.  Back in the bathroom. is a cubby hole over the John.. Not a large hole and it's got a black curtain in front of it.  And I guess this colony thought it was perfect.. i wanted in there and every thing on one side was cover in ants so deep it was black in there. I grapped a can of spray and sprayed, took some things out and sprayed again.. that's when I found the white.... livestock? either that or unhatched ant's .not sure which and, to tell the truth, don't care which. They don't belong in my house, in my bathroom.
 
 
When Jerry called that he was on his way home, I asked him to pick up another can of bug spray. and it's about 1/2 gone already as I spray every time where I see more ants.  Took the trash out, after spraying it for ants as well. Ugh.. hate the crawly things.  At least these are not Fire Ants.
 
 

I spoke to Beth for about an hour this morning, Just chit chat.
She wanted to know if Dad was home.. her car was making sloshing sounds.  They had three heavy rain storms last night. And I think rain got into the area her convertible top goes in to.
she had Called L as well and he said the same thing. Her floor boards were damp as well but she knew she had a bad window seal and wants to get that fixed soon.
 
 
Don't know how long Jerry is working today.. could be anywhere from 6, 8, 10 to 12 hours. Depends on if any equiipment comes in. Yesterday, he said he was removing the sides off of forms. That's normally Carpenter's work but as he said.. as long as he's getting paid, he'll do what ever job he's told to do that he's able to do.
 
I went over to the "convience" store next door.. it's a repair shop - gas station - and store.. more repair shop that any thing else really. I picked up a  Diet Raspberry Mountain Dew. It wasn't too bad but it's not what I expceted either. I didn't see any Diet Dr Pepper. I really wanted to just check out what all may be there. Looked like stale corn dogs that were over cooked. and not much else. I'll have to be sure to pick up just about all our snack foods at the store as well as our drinks. 
I've cleaned up the Ant mess in the cubby hole. was getting ready to go wash some rags when I recalled that the laundry soap is still in the van. I'll have to pull it out after Jerry gets home.
I have a dumb kitten.  I got me a drink of water, full glass of water, ya know.. and since it didn't get out from under my feet, dribbled water on him... and he didn't move. so I dribbled some more and he just looked up at me while I'm dribbling more water on him.. took a bit before he got up. then moved to the rug, by my feet. and I'm still dribbling water on him.. I guess he was hot enough that the water felt good on him.
 
I have been avoiding turning on the air conditioner but it looks like I'm going to have to give in and turn it on anyway. it's just not going to be comfortable much longer without some shade over head.
 

Friday, April 8, 2011

Good Morning April 8, 2011

For Today... April 8, 2011
We  are now in Jackson Alabama.

Good Morning... On Tuesday, We left Tupelo aruond 2 and got to Thomasville around 6 and found an rv park and started setting up around 8.. it was a long day. yesterday was spent on putthings things back in place and sleeping. I think I took two naps as well as going back to bed once Jerry left for work and I also spent about an hour talking to the owner of the R.V. park when he came by for his money.  I had 5 boxes of stuff to put away. I got all but one and that one Jerry had to do as it was his stuff. I have three tubs of stuff that I have to put away today, two of food and one of dishes. I'll also have to re-arrange under the sink as well. 
today is a cloudy, humid day. It was a bit foggy when we got up and it looks to still be foggy as i write this.  There is a drive around behind the camper that I may walk the dogs and I noticed a road off of it. I asked if I could walk the road, and it's a "maybe". seems that some people who were here before would toss their beer cans while they were back there. I won't do that. Carry water with me, yes... toss trash just cause I'm there, no. I don't plan on going too far. and I want to wait for Jerry to walk with me as well. So walking that direction is on hold for a couple of days.
 
Outside my door ...  Cloudy and Humid.  High to be in the mid 80's (I'm in shorts)with the clouds lifting by mid-day
 
The dogs ... like it here. there is a lot marker that I can slip the handles of the leads over and they can stay outside for a while. Some good walking area's and there is another dog here. Hunter is his name. He got loose and came for a visit yesterday.
 
The Kittens ...  Are in the back window looking for birds. They all have been in Kittie jail this morning. I've let them back out and now two more are back in again. Once I get breakfast and walk the dogs, they will be allowed out again.
 
From the kitchen... yesterday, we ate at an all you can eat, catfish place. Jerry thought he would like it, but didn't and ended up with a hambuger as well as his fish. I liked it, myself. funny how two people can have such a different opinion on a place. We may try there again in a couple of weeks.
 
I am hearing... No Cable and no wifi.. I have CBS from off the "air" on and it's a great picture.
 
I am wearing... SHORTS.. blue shorts and a white tshirt.  I'll most likely live out of white tshirts for the rest of this week. I may go buy another pack of them even. I have a couple of ideas to make with tshirts as well.
 
I am reading... emails.. I have over 600 to catch up on.
 

Jackson Alabama

April  6
(Text in blue are questions asked that I asnwered with the text in black below it)
Billie, if Jerry has been laid off, does that mean that you are not going to where you thought you were going in Alabama?
 

A far as we know.. we are "on" for Thomasville,, the question is, when.
We really "need" to get there this week to keep our heads above water.
Part of the reason Jerry was not let go last Friday was because the man he was working with was trying to keep him working and thought they would have heard over the weekend about that job in Thomasville. Someone else called and was told that they don't need any one there. When Jerry called Robert, the recruiter, He said that, last he heard, That job needed Electricians badly. He was suppose to call Jerry late last night, but didn't do that. So we will end up spending today, waiting on a phone call. Jerry will work on the wiring for the brake booster since the ground will be dryer and warmer than it was yesterday.
I ended up waking up at 4 am and I tried going back to sleep.. it evaded me.. I tried taking a blanket and a pillow to the love seat sized couch and tried sleeping propped up a bit.. that didn't work. So I'm sure that something today, I'm going to crash and sleep.
 
(to my newsletter friends)
Good Morning. I'm up way too early this morning. Since I have this newsletter ready to go except for a couple of things, I thought I'd finish it up and send it on it's way. Woke up at 4 am and just can't seem to get back to sleep. Macon has taken over my bed and although he will move, I hate to make him just cause I'm restless. Rocky, on the other hand. He gets grouchy and will growl a little if I make him move off. He really don't mean anything about it, just his way of showing me he's not pleased that I want him to move. I am always telling him. I'm the person and he's the dog. ( ha ha) The one good thing about being awake this early is I get the see the sun rise and hear the birds sing the new day in. My plans for the rest of the day are ... clean up the camper, help Hubby with the ligts on the van, and wait for a phone call.
 
 
( to my chat groups I'm in)
 
Jerry's been waiting on a phone call all
afternoon, evening and this morning.. So. he makes a call to the Job in
Thomasville... We were suppose to be there THIS morning !!! Sure would help if
"Someone" would have told US that !!
 
So, packing it all up. Will chat when we get there. God Bless you and I'm
so very thankful that Jerry has a job to go to.. Yes. We need to scoot and
be there tonight. I sure hope that don't mean he's on nights..
 

The camper took me two hours to pack inside. Took Jerry over four hours to wire the brake booster and place the hitch on. We left Tupelo at 2:30 and found T-ville by 6:30. Found a R.V. Park around 8. Had to move boxes out of our way in order to go to bed. No cable. I know it's going to take me much longer to put every thing back to rights. I want to do that before I turn on my computer. If you want or need to call me, go ahead 816 885 7229. Thinking of you all. Billie C.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
 

April 7, 2011
 
( To my Chat Group Friends)
 
I'm Back.. did ya miss me?
 
 I know it was only a couple of days, but I sure missed my computer friends.
 

We are in Thomasville Alabama.
The long story is.. Jerry got laid of Monday (ya'll knew that) Made a phone call Tuesday.. was told he'd be called back. Never was called back. So Jerry made two phone calls Wednesday We were "Suppse" to be at the job already. We were not ready to move the camper just yet. Yikes.
 
 Jerry spent over 4 hours getting the brake wired up. Something he wanted to do last time we moved the camper but we didn't have the parts then. (we took a chance) So, while Jerry's working on the wiring (and doing a lot of cussing) I'm inside, taking everything and I do mean EVERYTHING out of the over head storages, closets, and cupboards.. The one bad thing about airstreams is if you leave things "UP" they tend to beat the bottom out of things.. They are not made to move with stuff over head. It took me just over 2 hours to box it all up.
 
Thank you Jerry, for buying me 8 huge packing boxes. I used 5 of them and have 3 spares. I've got all but one unpacked and it's full of Jerry's stuff so I'll let him unpack it so he knows where "His" stuff is. The other 2 hours I spent helping him, walking dogs and consoling kittens who have been in the kennels a while. After 4 trips to the parts store Jerry finally got it all done, hitched up and we were ready to roll.
 
 We left Tupelo about 2:30 and arrived in Thomasville about 5 1/2 hours later.
 
 Too late to go to the job site. So, Jerry calls the boss, who say's "See you in the morning" Not what time of the morning, mind you.. Just "In the Morning".
 
We go south of Thomasville, to Grove Hill, find a Texico station and stop for directions to a camp ground.. down the road and on the right about 1/3 of a mile..
 It's on the left.
 So, we turn the van and camper around in an empty store driveway.. and Jerry walks over to see if they have any lots open..No, but... I know a man who does.. and they talked about 15 to 20 minutes (I napped) Jerry comes back, gets in the van and tells me about 4 miles down the road is a campground, or so the man said. but if that one is full... call this guy, and hands Jerry a card.
 
 OK..
 
That's all well and good but it's dark and we can't find the place so I suggested we either turn around and head back or call the man on the card..
We ended up doing both. When Jerry called, he didn't leave a message. While Jerry was inside paying for the gas I got the card and made the call, Got connected just as Jerry got back to the van and handed him my phone. I don't know the details that Jerry knows.. I do know we need 30 amp and not 50..
 
Come to find out there is only one lot left with 30 amp. By now it's 8 pm. very dark and we are told to drive toward Jackson, it's about 12 miles.. A fireworks and gas station on the left side of the road... it's 10 miles and we blew past it.. and I got a call from the man, he had seen us past and was letting me know.. he's waiting for us when we get turned around (Van and Camper, need lots of room)
 
We get there. He helps Jerry get it backed into place and talk and talk. and we finally get things hooked up outside,
 
 
 
Remember, everything from over head is in boxes on the floor. and there isn't much floor in here. So we shift a couple of boxes to the couch, ( Only space left to set anything) stack a box on another box, Jerry gets his shower and we are sound asleep.
 
 Because Jerry didn't know "What time". we were up at 4 am so Jerry can be at the jobsite by 6am.
 
 I went back to bed.
 
(5pm)
 I've gotten all but one box unpacked.. still have the tubs in the kitchen to go. but that won't take me too long.
I just tried to call Jerry to find out how much longer he's going to be working to.. and he left his phone here. So I'm going to suggest we eat out tonight !!!
I have decided that we are going to eat out tonight. I'm tired of unpacking and havn't gotten to all the kitchen stuff yet.
 
 
 
 
 
The campground is more of an RV park. water, power, sewer and trash pick up.
No wifi, no on site manager, next door to a gas station, but when we drove past on the way home, it was closed already and it wasn't even 8pm yet.

It's small. May hold about 8 to 10 campers, and one spot is already taken with the owners own camper (next to us so we can use their parking spot as well as our if needed)
 
 No cable tv (yet) But we are able to pick up some local stations and although we can't watch ax men or ice road truckers (when it starts up again) we do get CBS, FOX and ABC.. all stations we do watch.
 

I've a bit of a sunburn, but I had planned on spending more time outside this year anyway. Unless someone moves in into the spot next to us, we have plenty of space Otherwise it will feel a bit clastrophobic as the parking places are a bit close.
 
 
 Plenty of area to walk the dogs and a bit of a wild road I can walk down as well, once we are more comfortable in our settings.
I have yet to meet any of the neighbors yet.
 
.
Jerry's work day starts at 7 so we can get up a bit later than we did this morning. He's already gone off to bed and I need to clean off my bed..