Where Did The Week Go????

Since we couldn't reach our friend Tom M. on the phone today................HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY to a very special guy! Can't wait to see you guys back in AZ!!!!!!

Yesterday was our daughter, Renee's birthday. A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY TO A VERY SPECIAL GAL! Hope the men in your life made it special too! We miss you & will see you very soon!

Gosh, where did the week go???? I swear retirement & this life style of full-time RVing is like going down a mountain road without brakes!!! It seems like just yesterday I was looking at Monday with the hum-drum attitude of another week with just cleaning & resting.

Well, the hum-drum attitude stayed with me through the week on Mon., Wed. & Fri.-Sat. for cleaning, but whenever I think I'm going to sit down & relax, the day is gone!

Thursday was a fun day though. I spent most of Wed. evening getting ready for Thursday's lunch with my girlfriends! That was special! Then at the last minute, Marilyn decided she could come! That made it all the more fun. All four of us got to spend time relaxing, telling tales & reminiscing. Since we all worked together, there is always something to talk about. Especially since now we don't know hardly anyone who works at the State where we did!!!

While the girls were here, the doctors office called to see if I could come in on a last minute opening. Since it was for 3:30, the girls said fine, that would work. And since Bill wasn't here (you know, leaving the girls to do their girl thing), they gave me a ride to Warren. Bill caught up with me while I was still in for my exam after coming all the way back to the trailer, reading the note, & then coming back to Warren. Anyway, I got to go to the doctor 2 weeks early so he can start me on a series of shots. That made me feel a lot better. I was getting nervous that it would be too late in the month & the beginning of Aug., that we would be leaving before he could accomplish anything. Sounds like he will be doing the same exact procedure that I had done prior to March of 2001 (which was the last time I've had anything done). That makes me feel a lot more confident in a new doctor. So this Thurs. I go for my first shots. The only problem was I had to quit taking my arthritis meds & wow, I guess they were working! Oh well, soon to be over.

Yesterday the campground had a flea market going on. Didn't see anything I wanted. I have enough to haul around without adding someone elses stuff. I probably had some I could get rid of, but when I go to my daughter Renee's, she could use it more than it's worth to sit out there & not sell anything. I had enough of that sale stuff last year when we had our household sale!!

Today, Sunday, we took my sister Romayne & brother-in-law Bob out to a chicken BBQ in Ellington, NY at the fire hall. Boy was it delicious. First time I've ever gone to one that after they put the chicken on your plate you got to help yourself to the side dishes along with dessert! Made it nice because I could get as little as I wanted. I was good & even took Angel Food cake with pineapple for dessert. Of course, yesterday, at Nicole & Travis' wedding, I ate 2 pieces of wedding cake!!!!! That's what happens when they have chocolate & white, have to try them both!

It has been a beautiful weekend. A little rain off & on today, but not enough to spoil any plans. A little cooler tonight....not so sticky.

Tomorrow night our friends, Cindy & Denny, are coming down for a fire & supper. Depending on the weather, whether we have hot dogs or grill something better. 60% chance of rain, so it probably means we will grill.

Next Monday night a couple from our old hometown are coming to talk to us & ask questions about full-timing. I'm sure we won't have all the answers as a lot comes from experience, but it will be fun to talk with them. They sound like they have been doing a lot of planning, so I hope they don't give up before they start.

Well, bloggers, I took my camera with me today & when I went to take my first pictures......ya dummy me......dead batteries & I didn't bring the spares with me! Oh well. We did see 2 fawns right at the beginning of our ride through the country on our way to eat! Might know! You can bet they are in the charger right now! I guess I don't think about how often I need to charge them. As I said, the weeks go fast!

Okay, don't think I have anything else to write about. So until next time......The Traveling Cardinal's

Beautiful Week

Gosh, we have had a beautiful week! That's different coming from me huh? Really, the weather has been very pleasant. A few hot & humid days, but most days we've had a nice breeze. It rained today, but I guess after a week we needed it. No storm, just a nice rain until about 4pm then it got sunny & nice again. Suppose to be a beautiful week ahead.

This past week I made an angel tree. Going to give it away as a gift. Deanna F. taught the class on Thurs. at craft time. The biggest challenge was getting the little nails in all around the bottom (can't see them in the picture). It is really pretty neat when you are all done. I didn't like the looks of mine so on Sat. I kind of did a little re-do. Now I like it better. It was a real challenge then though, as the fishing line was already strung around it & you couldn't put a hot glue gun inside for any redo's. Took a little innovative thinking, but it worked.

The rest of the week was pretty normal, nothing exciting. Went out to eat a couple nights as on Fri. night we had to go to our hometown church to have our pictures taken for the new directory, so we went out for supper after.

Today we were invited to Bill's brother's house for dinner this afternoon. Delicious. First pretty good size meal she has made since coming home from Pittsburgh hospital. She is gaining everyday & even drove the car yesterday. After the last set back, she was beginning to wonder if she could make it through or not. Just will take time for healing & strength.

I'm looking forward to Thursday this week as my girlfriends, Toni & MaryAnn, are coming for lunch. Can't wait to have that good ol' fashion gab session. Hopefully it will be a nice day & we can be outside.

Well, that's about it for the past few days & the days ahead. Until next time......The Traveling Cardinal's

We Are Still Alive & Kicking

Time to play catchup! Sorry I'm not Johnny-on-the-blogspot! It has been rather hot & humid here & I don't feel like sitting inside on the computer when I can be outside.


We had a pretty busy 4th weekend. Spent quite a bit of time working keeping the restrooms picked up. Gosh, are all campers that careless & have no respect for the property of the campground?????? Just wondering!

On Fri., the 4th, coffee & donuts were served in the pavilion with a chance to visit with all those camping. Then the Cribbage Tournament was held. Bill played pretty much all afternoon. He came in 5th & got a cooler bag. Needless to say, I played 2 games & was out the door. Oh well, there was no magician there & as they say, it's all in the cards or NOT!

Evalyn, Phil, Brad & Bill in the Cribbage Tournament

I came back to the trailer, picked up my MP3 & CAMERA & headed out for a walk. It was a beautiful day, breezy & not too hot. Since it wasn't hot & humid, the scenery was a lot clearer. Here are a some pictures from my walk:

Entrance to Campground

I love the sign: "Too costly to travel, No fun on a bus, So pack up the Family and come stay with us"You can just see a little white dot (a house) past the pine tree on the right way up the road, I walk past this house (several hills in between!)A farmer never gets to celebrate a holiday - his work is never done!
The farm in the background is my 2nd cousin, Brad's, in Fentonville. That is the road I grew up on. The field you can see across from it was my Dad's. This farm was my uncle's (Brad's grandfather)
Looking in the same direction the hills in the far back were part of my dad's property - all trees! My cousins used to make a yearly trek up to the top of one that was called Farley Hill. I never got to go. They all grew up before me & when I was big enough to go, they quit!
Black Eyed Susan's along Riverside Rd.Back at the campground Leon takes the kids for a wagon ride
This is the creek that you saw in the last post. Now you can see the rocks in the bottom!
The creek on the other side of the bridge

On Saturday, Bill played in the Horseshoe Tournament. He ended up being partners with an old friend from my teenage days. Lenny T. is a summer resident here. I went to talk with him & he didn't remember me at first until we started talking. Spent time with the Bennett girls in Fentonville & the Carlstrom boys & Walt V. We used to have hayrides, game nights & a lot of good old fun. He remembered playing Pit at the Bennett's house. His uncle was married to one of the older Bennett gals. We had a lot of fun times. The world really is a small place. Never dreamed I would be spending my summers at a campground this close to my old stomping grounds either. As from the pictures above, my childhood home isn't that far away.

Saturday afternoon while Bill was playing horseshoes, I went on an angel hunt! If anyone of you reading this was familiar with my home in N. Warren you will think I'm nuts! I had a huge collection of angels of all shapes & sizes. Now when I needed some, I had to go looking for some to buy! Well, I got to visit the flea markets, antique stores, all the dollar stores, etc. Didn't buy anything until I found what I wanted. Did pretty good. Needed them for a craft project we will be doing here at the campground. Of course, each person decides on their own theme, but I had this in mind as I'm using mine as a gift. So I knew this would work. Glad I could find a few here & there. I guess it wasn't the right time of year to be looking for angels! Not close enough to Christmas.





Saturday night was Bingo night. Bill doesn't play, but I usually go just to have something to do. Another night of "no wins". Although, a couple weeks before, I did win a game. I only play one sheet of 6 cards. That's enough for me to keep track of. I do it more for fun than anything else. After Bingo, everyone rushed home to light their luminaries. That is the campground's way of celebrating the 4th. It was really pretty neat! Several people had patriotic music playing as well. It was hard to take pictures though. They didn't show up too well.

This picture is looking towards Q's house & our trailerThis is a watermelon that was carved by Mel H. What talent!!! It was beautiful!See, it really is a watermelon!

Sunday afternoon/night we went to my sister's for a wiener roast. She was burning up scrap pieces & bark from wood that they had been splitting for winter. We asked them to come here, but since she already had a fire going & Bob wasn't feeling up to par, we went there. I even ate 2 REAL smores! Really good! Of course, we played cards before we ate & after.



So that was our weekend. Nothing earth shattering, but a chance to relax & spend time with friends and family.

Tuesday I went to the post office to mail another of my Lifetime pots & pans (really called Lustre Craft) back for repair. I had sent one back earlier & I got it back all fixed with a new handle all for the price of shipping! Not bad for 42 year old pans! So I sent in another one that needed repair & a new handle. Was so glad to see they are still in business! Then I went to visit my brother Ray & sister-in-law Barb. She had just finished baking bread to send to the produce/fruit market in Stillwater, NY. (My other sister-in-law, Bev, makes pies for their. Yummy!!!!) My brother met me at the door with a cast on his wrist. Nothing serious, he just had carpel tunnel surgery on Monday morning. I hope it works out for him. I know, I have the beginnings of it in my hands. Right now I just wear braces to bed at night. Still sometimes I wake up & they are tingling & asleep. Just trying to keep it from getting worse too quick. Never had surgery on anything, so I'll try anything to prolong it. If I can wait as long as he did, I've got another 17 years!!!! Gosh, I can't believe my brothers & sisters are getting that far up in years! How did that happen?????? I thought when I got older, time stood still. Ha! Ha!

Today was weigh-in day! I lost 1 lb. Not bad for over a holiday weekend! I was pleased. I just have to keep remembering, I didn't gain it 2-3 lbs. per week either! Just have to persevere!


Well, I'm getting way off here. Guess I'd better call it a night. Until next time.....The Traveling Cardinal's

A Great Tuesday!

Tuesdays start out with coffee and donuts in the pavilion at 8:30 AM. Needless to say, I don't eat the donuts. I take a W.W. cookie with me, but today I was too full from breakfast to even eat that! After our chat session, I went for my 3-1/2 mile walk. It was a beautiful day! And about 1/4 of a mile up the road I remembered, I didn't take my camera AGAIN! Gosh, will I never learn! Oh well, I know I'll be walking that same road again before the summer is over!

Yesterday before it started to rain AGAIN, I ran & got my camera to take a couple pictures here at the campground. Here is the FULL & I mean FULL swimming pool (which, by the way, is right outside my window where the computer is so I can see it whenever I'm on in the daylight). The creek is not far from us, but far enough not to bother. You have to drive over a wooden bridge to get into & out of the campground. It's pretty new & sturdy (lots of big boys come over it). It was really raging the last 3-4 days. The tornado never hit anywhere near us, so that was a relief!

THE FULL POOL

GRAY DAY AT HIDDEN VALLEY

LOOKING DOWN UNDER THE BRIDGE WHERE THE KIDS USUALLY PLAY

DOWN STREAM WHERE THE KIDS PLAY WHEN IT IS VERY, VERY LOW & YOU CAN SEE THE ROCKS

LOOKING UPSTREAM, AGAIN WHERE THE KIDS PLAY WHEN THE WATER IS LOW

These pictures remind me of the creek in front of my parents house that I used to spend hours in when I was a kid. I remember quite a few floods then too. Sometimes it would take out the bridge at our house & we had to walk across planks to get to the road from our house.

When I went to clean the restrooms across the other little creek, it poured buckets. I needed a boat & oars to get into the one restroom. Outside the water was right up to the door on the woman's side! Needless to say, it didn't much matter that I mopped, as whenever you walked back in, it tracked up again. Oh well. I did the job, that's all that matters! I just keep thinking......I earned another 1/2 tank of diesel each week!

Today was chiropractor day again. I think this was my last treatment. I can turn my neck again & the back is as good as it will ever get I think. At least while I'm cleaning & mopping floors! I'll have the winter to recuperate again. Not sure I'll do the job again next year. If we stay in AZ longer next Spring, then it will be too late anyway when we get back. They will need someone before we get here.

As I was reading my emails tonight, old camper friends from the late 1970's, Tom & Carol S., sent me this picture! It's amazing. It is of the Kinzua Dam, Warren, PA. The circle of water on the top is the reservoir. Bill worked way up on the top of that hill when they were building it. He worked for a Security Service there before we were married. I used to go up alone to pick him up after work on Sunday nights. Believe me, it was a long, lonely, dark road. No houses or anything. About wide enough for 1-1/2 vehicles. One night my mom rode along with me. She about had a heart attack thinking I was going up there alone!!!! One night Bill got stuck in the little shed that was his "guard house" when a bear was wandering around outside. That was a real treat! Another great place for fisherman just down from the dam. The picture was apparently taken in the fall as the trees look like they have turned those reddish colors. Anyway, here is the picture:

After they built the dam, my mom & dad square danced on the dam & got a badge that said "Dam Dancers". I got to drive my old '62 Chevy across it!

Tonight was a potluck supper. I tried really hard to be good. But tomorrow is the tell-tale day! We will see! I've had 2 days that I'm over my points & I've used all my extras plus I've eaten the protein she said I wasn't getting. If I don't lose this week, I'll be looking for other pointers!

Since today was "honey dipping" day for Bill, he is "out like a log" snoring in his chair. I don't think he would hear a bomb go off! I even turned off the TV & he didn't even stir. I guess that must mean he is truly sleeping!

Tomorrow is suppose to be a super day, so I hope I can get my cleaning done early & enjoy the sunshine! Time to start a new book. I'm reading a series of 3 & I finished the first one this evening. It is the Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts. One of my favorite authors. My favorite pastime......sitting in the sun & reading!

Well, until next time...........The Traveling Cardinal's