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Bill had told me that he went to the donut shop in the morning to drink coffee and visit with his friends. I told him that I had heard of a donut shop but had never been in one.....LOL. I did intend to get up and go with him and woke up in time but came in the living room and went back to sleep in my chair and didn't get up to go with him.
Bill and I went to the Petro so that I could buy a CB radio for our trip. When we got there, they had a nice Cobra radio on sale but had sold out of them. They had the Wilson antenna that I wanted but not the radio. We went to the Flying J on I-10 in Orange to get the items I needed. TxDOT has I-10 under construction between Bridge City and Orange, so we were delayed about 45 minutes. The bad thing was, they have the road barricaded off but no one was working on the highway. the only workers out there were off the road on the new section of road and nowhere near the actual road. Before we got to the store, Bill got hungry and took me to a barbecue restaurant that has some of the best barbecue I have ever eaten.
We went over to the Flying J store and found the radio I wanted, a Cobra 29LTD. This is the standard radio used by truckers and should be everything I need for traveling. Flying J didn't have the antenna I want, so we will have to go back to Petro tomorrow to get it.
As a demonstration of how a CB radio can come in handy, Bill had turned his on when we got held up on the freeway to find out what the problem was and which lane was blocked.
We came back to Bill's house and both of us took a nap this afternoon. Stella had made some beef soup and a loaf of bread for supper but no one was hungry yet. Ornell had decided to work graveyard shift tonight for a little extra money for out trip, so we all decided to wait a little while to eat. After we ate, we sat outside on the back porch until Ornell needed to go in and try to sleep before she had to go to work.
I watched television and played on the computer until almost midnight before I went to bed. I guess I'm getting used to being retired and can stay up later and later, and of course sleep later too. It is nice and quiet out here at Bill's house, so I slept very well. I am planning to go to the donut shop with him in the morning, so we'll see if I can wake up in time to go.
So long for now.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday May 28, 2009
We got up early this morning because Stella has to go to one of the doctor's offices to meet with her. We also had to close everything up for the service technician to work on the trailer this morning.
We got everything done and were away from the store a little after 8. We went to Dr. Longmire's office in Hitchcock for Stella's meeting with Dr. Gulde. I sat in the truck with Cassie and read a book while she was inside.
At least the weather wasn't too bad and I was able to remain fairly comfortable while waiting. Cassie slept through the whole thing.
When she got through, we went by Dr. Gulde's office so she could give some papers to Jackie there. We then went by the house and picked up our mail and to visually check on it. We get an amazing amount of junk mail addressed to occupant or resident.
When she got through, we started to go by Dr. Merritt's clinic in Webster but found out that the work wasn't ready so we started to go back to CW to get the trailer. Along the way, we got a call that the rig was ready, so we hurried back to get the trailer.
When we got to the store, we went in and signed the papers for the repairs. They had not been able to correct the problem with the landing jack because they had to order a part, but we were assured that it should work during our trip without a failure.
I went in and bought a part for my new sewer hose, so we are good to go now. We went out and hooked up the trailer and left. We had called Bill to tell him that we are on our way to his house.
He fixed us some shrimp etoufee for our supper. When we got to his house, he helped to guide me into the parking space where we will be this week. After taking a break to cool off, we ate our supper and sat around on his back porch until we went in for the night.
We got everything done and were away from the store a little after 8. We went to Dr. Longmire's office in Hitchcock for Stella's meeting with Dr. Gulde. I sat in the truck with Cassie and read a book while she was inside.
At least the weather wasn't too bad and I was able to remain fairly comfortable while waiting. Cassie slept through the whole thing.
When she got through, we went by Dr. Gulde's office so she could give some papers to Jackie there. We then went by the house and picked up our mail and to visually check on it. We get an amazing amount of junk mail addressed to occupant or resident.
When she got through, we started to go by Dr. Merritt's clinic in Webster but found out that the work wasn't ready so we started to go back to CW to get the trailer. Along the way, we got a call that the rig was ready, so we hurried back to get the trailer.
When we got to the store, we went in and signed the papers for the repairs. They had not been able to correct the problem with the landing jack because they had to order a part, but we were assured that it should work during our trip without a failure.
I went in and bought a part for my new sewer hose, so we are good to go now. We went out and hooked up the trailer and left. We had called Bill to tell him that we are on our way to his house.
He fixed us some shrimp etoufee for our supper. When we got to his house, he helped to guide me into the parking space where we will be this week. After taking a break to cool off, we ate our supper and sat around on his back porch until we went in for the night.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday May 27, 2009 Moving Day
Stella woke me up this morning putting things away in preparation for leaving this morning. I went outside and got most of the outside things done early. We had a few more boxes to take to storage, so I took them over after the gates opened at 7. I stopped off at the Valero and picked us up a couple of breakfast croissants and brought them back. What a guy I am, to fix breakfast for my wife!
Ricky and Tommy came over and helped me get the porch down. Three pairs of hands made quick work of taking it down. We got it stacked up in the back of the truck and I continued to work outside.
Somehow the power cord for my computer had broken. It looks like it was cut, but I think I may have accidentally put the chair leg down on it, cutting it. Ricky and I repaired it and checked it out. It's working! Yippee.....
We got away a little before 10 to go to Camping World to have some minor issues taken care of. We made good time through Houston and got there right about 11 o'clock, which was right on time. I found out that they had overbooked on service work but since we had an appointment, they will get our work done. We set up the electricity and water, so we will be comfortable when we come back to the trailer this afternoon and will spend the night in the back lot. That way, we'll be right there for tomorrow's repairs to be made.
We stopped off at a Best Buy store to check on the power cord. I learned that they have an after-market power cord that only powers the computer but doesn't charge the battery. I really want one that does both but will have to go back to the manufacturer for that. We went to the HEB grocery store and bought several items that the boys had used up, including milk and cereal. Those boys can sure put the food away!
We returned to the trailer in the CW parking lot and hung out for the afternoon. It sucks not to have our Dish TV antenna set up, but that's a little too much trouble and besides that, its just one more thing to put away in the morning. Stella had some more work to do anyway, so we just stayed home.
I later went out and took everything out of our storage compartment and rearranged it. It was a lot of work but it's much more accessible now and looks a lot better.
I turned out to be a pretty good night, but noisy! I didn't realize the freeway noises would be so loud here, but it was bad. I had a hard time sleeping all night, but it could have been worse, we could have had to get a motel room. I'm afraid that may happen some day but at least it wasn't today...
See ya
Ricky and Tommy came over and helped me get the porch down. Three pairs of hands made quick work of taking it down. We got it stacked up in the back of the truck and I continued to work outside.
Somehow the power cord for my computer had broken. It looks like it was cut, but I think I may have accidentally put the chair leg down on it, cutting it. Ricky and I repaired it and checked it out. It's working! Yippee.....
We got away a little before 10 to go to Camping World to have some minor issues taken care of. We made good time through Houston and got there right about 11 o'clock, which was right on time. I found out that they had overbooked on service work but since we had an appointment, they will get our work done. We set up the electricity and water, so we will be comfortable when we come back to the trailer this afternoon and will spend the night in the back lot. That way, we'll be right there for tomorrow's repairs to be made.
We stopped off at a Best Buy store to check on the power cord. I learned that they have an after-market power cord that only powers the computer but doesn't charge the battery. I really want one that does both but will have to go back to the manufacturer for that. We went to the HEB grocery store and bought several items that the boys had used up, including milk and cereal. Those boys can sure put the food away!
We returned to the trailer in the CW parking lot and hung out for the afternoon. It sucks not to have our Dish TV antenna set up, but that's a little too much trouble and besides that, its just one more thing to put away in the morning. Stella had some more work to do anyway, so we just stayed home.
I later went out and took everything out of our storage compartment and rearranged it. It was a lot of work but it's much more accessible now and looks a lot better.
I turned out to be a pretty good night, but noisy! I didn't realize the freeway noises would be so loud here, but it was bad. I had a hard time sleeping all night, but it could have been worse, we could have had to get a motel room. I'm afraid that may happen some day but at least it wasn't today...
See ya
Tuesday May 26, 2009
I woke up pretty early and went outside to see Ted and Donna off. They were supposed to leave at 7:30 and were right on time. I helped Ted check his tire inflation. He had a problem with his tire gauge and I brought mine over to finish up. We will see them again in Ohio or Indiana next month and go on our multi-state trip with them.
Ricky needed to go to Camperland to look for a part for his oven vent. His vent had broken off and he was looking for a screen to cover it so no bugs or bees will get in. They didn't have anything but I did buy some replacement bulbs for the light under the counter over the sink. When we got back to the trailer, I got real energetic and feeling very mechanical, changed out the burned out bulb.
The boys had spent the night again, even though today was a school day. This is the last two full days of school and both had missed school before now, so they weren't getting any perfect attendance awards, so they stayed here. Jeremy has a meeting this morning in the Woodlands and will pick them up when he's through.
I went swimming with Cameron again and we had fun playing horses with the basketball and throwing the football across the pool. We also went into the hot tub which made my back feel much better. We went back into the pool and I got tired of all the bugs in the pool. Cam found a small net and I swept up a pound or so of dead bugs out of the pool.
Jeremy was coming to pick the boys up about 11, so we got out of the pool and they gathered up all their stuff. This may be the last time we get to spend time with the boys before we leave and we won't be back in Houston until October. This is all assuming that the house sale goes through. If it doesn't, we'll be back to try to sell it again.
This afternoon, Stella wanted to get her hair cut (I offered to do it for her but she declined) and to get a pedicure (another offer). I took her to the new Kroger shopping center and found two shops right beside each other to take care of her. I dropped her off and went back when she was done.
We just hung out in the trailer the rest of the afternoon. I did get all my yard art and chairs picked up and put away. We will be leaving Rayford tomorrow.
A new Cheddar's restaurant had opened at I-45 @ Louetta, and Ricky has been watching it come along, so we all went there for supper. Bob also met us there. The place was packed and the service was very slow but the food was good and the prices not too bad. Stella and I shared a sampler platter of appetizers and there was plenty of food for both of us.
We came back to the park and sat out at Ricky's trailer. Billy and Gwen stopped by and visited with us for a little while. They were telling us about their new website myrayfordcrossing.com It will be more interactive and they were asking about features we wanted to see in it. It sounds like a good site. It will be fun to see it when it comes online.
The skeeters started biting again and we all went in about 9:30 or so.
Ricky needed to go to Camperland to look for a part for his oven vent. His vent had broken off and he was looking for a screen to cover it so no bugs or bees will get in. They didn't have anything but I did buy some replacement bulbs for the light under the counter over the sink. When we got back to the trailer, I got real energetic and feeling very mechanical, changed out the burned out bulb.
The boys had spent the night again, even though today was a school day. This is the last two full days of school and both had missed school before now, so they weren't getting any perfect attendance awards, so they stayed here. Jeremy has a meeting this morning in the Woodlands and will pick them up when he's through.
I went swimming with Cameron again and we had fun playing horses with the basketball and throwing the football across the pool. We also went into the hot tub which made my back feel much better. We went back into the pool and I got tired of all the bugs in the pool. Cam found a small net and I swept up a pound or so of dead bugs out of the pool.
Jeremy was coming to pick the boys up about 11, so we got out of the pool and they gathered up all their stuff. This may be the last time we get to spend time with the boys before we leave and we won't be back in Houston until October. This is all assuming that the house sale goes through. If it doesn't, we'll be back to try to sell it again.
This afternoon, Stella wanted to get her hair cut (I offered to do it for her but she declined) and to get a pedicure (another offer). I took her to the new Kroger shopping center and found two shops right beside each other to take care of her. I dropped her off and went back when she was done.
We just hung out in the trailer the rest of the afternoon. I did get all my yard art and chairs picked up and put away. We will be leaving Rayford tomorrow.
A new Cheddar's restaurant had opened at I-45 @ Louetta, and Ricky has been watching it come along, so we all went there for supper. Bob also met us there. The place was packed and the service was very slow but the food was good and the prices not too bad. Stella and I shared a sampler platter of appetizers and there was plenty of food for both of us.
We came back to the park and sat out at Ricky's trailer. Billy and Gwen stopped by and visited with us for a little while. They were telling us about their new website myrayfordcrossing.com It will be more interactive and they were asking about features we wanted to see in it. It sounds like a good site. It will be fun to see it when it comes online.
The skeeters started biting again and we all went in about 9:30 or so.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday May 25, 2009 (Memorial Day)
I got up this morning and went outside about 7, which is my usual activity when we are in a large group. I like to watch the early morning activities of all those that must leave today. Not many were out this early but the buzz of activity soon started. The kids were still out on their skates, skate boards, bikes or other wheeled vehicles, so I still had to be careful walking across the road without looking first.
Cameron and I played a game of ping pong and he beat me 21-19! I guess I have to give up my crown to him now. We had a nice time together. Cam, Tyler and I soon went for a swim in the pool for the first time this weekend. The water was surprisingly cold but we soon got used to it and enjoyed ourselves. We all got blistered in the hot sun, mine mostly on my bald head, but it was still fun.
We came back to the trailer and hung out for the afternoon and went to Tommy and Susan's for a cookout. Ted and Donna had some steaks, Stella made up some hamburger patties and some corn on the cob, but we also had sausage, chicken breasts, and Ricky and Dee brought out some sausage with jalapenos and bacon wrapped around them that were very good. We had plenty of food and everyone was full at the end of the meal. We sat around talking until about 10. Dee and Susan had to go to work the next day and Ted and Donna are leaving for Lufkin where they will have some work done on their trailer and then on to Texarkana for the night.
Cameron and I played a game of ping pong and he beat me 21-19! I guess I have to give up my crown to him now. We had a nice time together. Cam, Tyler and I soon went for a swim in the pool for the first time this weekend. The water was surprisingly cold but we soon got used to it and enjoyed ourselves. We all got blistered in the hot sun, mine mostly on my bald head, but it was still fun.
We came back to the trailer and hung out for the afternoon and went to Tommy and Susan's for a cookout. Ted and Donna had some steaks, Stella made up some hamburger patties and some corn on the cob, but we also had sausage, chicken breasts, and Ricky and Dee brought out some sausage with jalapenos and bacon wrapped around them that were very good. We had plenty of food and everyone was full at the end of the meal. We sat around talking until about 10. Dee and Susan had to go to work the next day and Ted and Donna are leaving for Lufkin where they will have some work done on their trailer and then on to Texarkana for the night.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday May 24, 2009
Today is the big Memorial Day celebration here at Rayford. I got up a little early and when the boys got up, I fixed them some cereal for their breakfast. There were a lot of activities for the kids in the park, and believe me, there are a million of them. Every kid has a bike, a skateboard-either motor powered or leg powered-skates or some sort of wheeled mode of transportation. Nobody loves kids more than I do, but it sure is hard to love them when they run you off into the grass to avoid a collision.
Surprisingly, neither of the boys wanted to go fishing this morning. Of course, Tyler immediately went to the computer. Cameron didn't want to go outside either, so they stayed in for the first part of the morning. I finally got them to go out and ride their ripsticks. One of our Boomer friends, Mike Ellerbrock, came by and tried to ride with the boys, but he gave up before he fell and broke something. We had a nice visit with Mike and Barb before the threatened rain chased them away.
I got the boys to go for a walk around the park with me. Tyler rode his ripstick and Cam walked with me. When we got to the back part of the park, Tyler took a bad spill and of course, it was Cameron's fault-Tyler's version. Tyler did have to avoid Cam when he passed him going downhill, but he lost it when he hit a wet spot on the concrete, and made him fall.
Stella went down and played Candy Bar Bingo and surprised all by winning most of the candy. She threatened all of us over trying to get her Kit Kat, but said the boys could have the Hershey's candies.
We went over to the Rayford room where they served a coney island/frito pie dinner. All the guests had to bring was a dessert and a drink. We got there early and had our dogs, and then invaded the desserts. We should have waited because other desserts that came in later looked very good. It had rained pretty hard for fifteen minutes or so, which made a lot of folks late to come down, so we may have missed out on something delicious but we still had plenty to eat.
Cameron and I played a couple of games of ping pong while the rest of the adults sat in the soft chairs in the breezeway. When I finished beating Cam, I joined them there. We ended up staying there until about 9:30 when the skeeters made us leave. I did take a short break to play some pool with Ted and Cameron. Someone had taken the cue ball and Billy had gone into the office to find another one. He put Cameron "in charge" of the cue ball, so we had to play a game or two of pool with him. He is supposed to return the ball to Billy in the morning.
Tomorrow will be fun to watch most everyone leaving the park. It is the end of the long weekend, and always interesting to watch the others leaving. Ted and Donna will leave Tuesday morning and we will go to Camping World on Wednesday.
So long for now.
Surprisingly, neither of the boys wanted to go fishing this morning. Of course, Tyler immediately went to the computer. Cameron didn't want to go outside either, so they stayed in for the first part of the morning. I finally got them to go out and ride their ripsticks. One of our Boomer friends, Mike Ellerbrock, came by and tried to ride with the boys, but he gave up before he fell and broke something. We had a nice visit with Mike and Barb before the threatened rain chased them away.
I got the boys to go for a walk around the park with me. Tyler rode his ripstick and Cam walked with me. When we got to the back part of the park, Tyler took a bad spill and of course, it was Cameron's fault-Tyler's version. Tyler did have to avoid Cam when he passed him going downhill, but he lost it when he hit a wet spot on the concrete, and made him fall.
Stella went down and played Candy Bar Bingo and surprised all by winning most of the candy. She threatened all of us over trying to get her Kit Kat, but said the boys could have the Hershey's candies.
We went over to the Rayford room where they served a coney island/frito pie dinner. All the guests had to bring was a dessert and a drink. We got there early and had our dogs, and then invaded the desserts. We should have waited because other desserts that came in later looked very good. It had rained pretty hard for fifteen minutes or so, which made a lot of folks late to come down, so we may have missed out on something delicious but we still had plenty to eat.
Cameron and I played a couple of games of ping pong while the rest of the adults sat in the soft chairs in the breezeway. When I finished beating Cam, I joined them there. We ended up staying there until about 9:30 when the skeeters made us leave. I did take a short break to play some pool with Ted and Cameron. Someone had taken the cue ball and Billy had gone into the office to find another one. He put Cameron "in charge" of the cue ball, so we had to play a game or two of pool with him. He is supposed to return the ball to Billy in the morning.
Tomorrow will be fun to watch most everyone leaving the park. It is the end of the long weekend, and always interesting to watch the others leaving. Ted and Donna will leave Tuesday morning and we will go to Camping World on Wednesday.
So long for now.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday May 23, 2009
I slept a little later again this morning. We met Ted and Donna and Tommy and Susan for the park-furnished breakfast of pancakes and sausage. As usual it was very good. We sat around chatting until about 9:30 and came back home. Those straight back chairs make my back tighten up, so I went in and turned on the vibrating heating pad and that fixed me right up.
Bob had come back over this morning, and we all went over to check out a vendor that had come to the park this morning with some pulled pork sandwiches. Bob was hungry and bought one. He said it was okay but not anything special. Soon after, Stella went to the grocery store with Ted and Donna to pick up things for hamburgers that we were making this afternoon. I stayed in the trailer and took a very short nap while they were gone. Hey, someone could have been watching to see when we left so they could break in and steal something. I had to stay and take care of things around here.
Tommy & Susan and Stella & I went over to the Country Place RV Park in Cut N Shoot to see the small group of Boomers that had gone there for the holiday weekend. Eddie and Kelly Rogers had set it up and Ricky and Dee & Bernest and Pauleen had all gotten together this weekend for the fishing and fellowship. While we were there, I saw Steve and Evelyn Simmons, some old friends from the Boomers. Also there with them were Ed and Sharon Bowen, also from the Boomers. Steve said he has a couple more years to go before he can retire, but Ed and Sharon are retiring next week! Sharon is a schoolteacher and will retire at the end of this school year (7 days) and Ed has been a forklift mechanic and will semi-retire in 15 days. Ed and I have stayed in touch by email and occasionally ran into each other in an RV park where we were for a weekend. He had heard about my retirement from Gwen at Rayford. It was good to see old friends, and hopefully we'll continue to see them on the road. They plan to sell their house and full time as we are doing.
Ted and Donna had stayed in the park because they were expecting Donna's niece to come by for a visit. They had not shown up by the time we got back to the park, so we all got together and made hamburgers at Tommy's site in the nice new gas grill in his premium site. We were almost through with our meal when they finally showed up.
Stella got a call from Kim that they were not going to Louisiana with her Dad after all, so I made arrangements to go pick up Tyler and Cameron. I had a couple of beers at Ricky's and Stella and I had finished off a bottle of pina colada mix with our hamburgers, so I asked Bob if he would drive me down to pick up the boys. This being a holiday weekend, the Police were having a zero-tolerance weekend for DWI, so I decided not to risk driving after having a few drinks. Bob has been inquiring about some of the parks in and around Dickinson, so I took him by the Bay Colony RV Park and the Via Bayou RV Resort where we had just left. I think he realized that there are advantages to both parks but will have some time before he has to make his decision.
We made it to Kim's house and picked up the boys and came back here without incident. We did see a bad accident on I-45 where a car had turned over. I hope no one was badly injured. The boys were glad to get here and we all had some ice cream (no sugar added for me) and went to bed soon.
So long,
Bob had come back over this morning, and we all went over to check out a vendor that had come to the park this morning with some pulled pork sandwiches. Bob was hungry and bought one. He said it was okay but not anything special. Soon after, Stella went to the grocery store with Ted and Donna to pick up things for hamburgers that we were making this afternoon. I stayed in the trailer and took a very short nap while they were gone. Hey, someone could have been watching to see when we left so they could break in and steal something. I had to stay and take care of things around here.
Tommy & Susan and Stella & I went over to the Country Place RV Park in Cut N Shoot to see the small group of Boomers that had gone there for the holiday weekend. Eddie and Kelly Rogers had set it up and Ricky and Dee & Bernest and Pauleen had all gotten together this weekend for the fishing and fellowship. While we were there, I saw Steve and Evelyn Simmons, some old friends from the Boomers. Also there with them were Ed and Sharon Bowen, also from the Boomers. Steve said he has a couple more years to go before he can retire, but Ed and Sharon are retiring next week! Sharon is a schoolteacher and will retire at the end of this school year (7 days) and Ed has been a forklift mechanic and will semi-retire in 15 days. Ed and I have stayed in touch by email and occasionally ran into each other in an RV park where we were for a weekend. He had heard about my retirement from Gwen at Rayford. It was good to see old friends, and hopefully we'll continue to see them on the road. They plan to sell their house and full time as we are doing.
Ted and Donna had stayed in the park because they were expecting Donna's niece to come by for a visit. They had not shown up by the time we got back to the park, so we all got together and made hamburgers at Tommy's site in the nice new gas grill in his premium site. We were almost through with our meal when they finally showed up.
Stella got a call from Kim that they were not going to Louisiana with her Dad after all, so I made arrangements to go pick up Tyler and Cameron. I had a couple of beers at Ricky's and Stella and I had finished off a bottle of pina colada mix with our hamburgers, so I asked Bob if he would drive me down to pick up the boys. This being a holiday weekend, the Police were having a zero-tolerance weekend for DWI, so I decided not to risk driving after having a few drinks. Bob has been inquiring about some of the parks in and around Dickinson, so I took him by the Bay Colony RV Park and the Via Bayou RV Resort where we had just left. I think he realized that there are advantages to both parks but will have some time before he has to make his decision.
We made it to Kim's house and picked up the boys and came back here without incident. We did see a bad accident on I-45 where a car had turned over. I hope no one was badly injured. The boys were glad to get here and we all had some ice cream (no sugar added for me) and went to bed soon.
So long,
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