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

Rainy Weekend - With Some Sun

Well, it didn't turn out to be a total wash out, but the weekend did bring us some real downpours.

Needless to say, when we went to Lake Erie on Friday, the weather was rather cloudy so I didn't get any pictures of the lake there. It was so hazy you couldn't tell the lake from the sky. We didn't go down to the lake & when we were coming in, I was driving & Bill only had one chance to take a picture & well....he missed it! On the way out of Erie, I did try to get a picture of something you might not have seen. If you are familiar with PA, you know that we used to have a product called Quaker State Oil. Erie, PA has a restaurant called Quaker, Steak & Lube. As you can see by the sign, they say they have the best wings in the USA! Kind of a diner type restaurant only bigger. Pretty neat place. It isn't just in PA. I looked on their web sight & they are in several states. I only have ever seen the one in PA. We ate there once, but chose to eat at other places while in Erie. It's on busy, busy Peach St., so it was hard to get pictures. It is right off Interstate 90, so traffic is always pretty heavy.

As you can see, it's a popular place to eat!

On the way home, we go by Chautauqua Lake in New York State. It is a really pretty lake too. We saw a lot of sail boats out. When we got close enough to take some pictures, we realized they must have been having a regalia. I think I spelled that right! They were really sailing along. The sails had a lot of wind to send them on their way. We went near where our friends used to have a cottage & got out & walked down & took a couple pictures. I always feel like I'm walking on someone else's property when I do that. There was a right-of-way to put your boat in so I walked down that. A really great fishing lake too....Bob! Hint! Hint!

These gentlemen were enjoying the sight too!

When I walk my 3-1/2 miles on the Riverside Rd., this is the sight I see on my way back to the campground. I still plan on taking my camera one of these days so I can take a couple better pictures. It's hard out of the window of the truck. Especially when you are going up & down hills.

OK Snookie, this is a dead tree I see on my walk you can share with your friend! Come to NY & look for it! LOL Of course, it is one of many!!!

Saturday we did get our family picnic in. We timed it exactly right. We gathered at 4pm, ate by 6pm and we had rain at 6:45 pm! How is that for answered prayers?? Just didn't get to sit around the fire except to cook the hot dogs. We had a nice fire too, before the rain put it out.

Helen, Wayne & Bill

Carolyn, Shirley, Sandy, Bobbie, Bucky & Neil

After our company left, we sat inside, as the rain kept blowing in & we had to put the awning down. It still holds all that water up there & doesn't dump it all. I don't want it to break, so down it comes. Better sitting inside anyway as it was thundering & lightning. By 8:15pm it had let up so we drove up to the pavilion (just in case we needed the truck to come home in too). There was a pretty good turn out for the Dessert Potluck. We just didn't get to sit around the bon fire & enjoy the entertainment there. The entertainment was inside the pavilion. They did a great job. All types of music - something for everyone. Andy's 14 year old daughter was great! Ready for American Idol any day!

Kaitlyn & Andy C.

Line up for the Good Desserts!

Then there are us who have to watch what we eat!! Darn! But there was some pretty neat stuff on that table too!

The line never ends & you should have seen the left overs!!!!!

Brenda, another camper, joins in with the entertainment! Nice job Brenda!

So this concludes our weekend! Now comes the 4th weekend. Should be lots going on. We understand from the weather forecast tonight that it's "suppose" to be nice! Of course, they change that every 2 days! But let's hope it's a nice one.

Wish me luck........I'm going out for breakfast in the morning. We go to Perkin's the last Monday of the month to meet with a gang of former W.S.H. employees. One is our old neighbor, so we can catch up on the North Warren news! Breakfast is at 8am! That means we have to leave here by 7:30am! Yuck! Means I have to get up EARLY! Not my favorite thing to do!!!!

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

Another Week & Discouraged!

Well, today was weigh-in for Weight Watchers! Needless to say, it wasn't good! The .2 I lost last week I gained back this week! So I'm back to 1st base again! Boy, if I would have realized how hard it is to lose the 2nd time, I would never have let myself gain those 10 lbs.! Oh well, tomorrow is another day, the beginning of another week! I just have to keep a positive attitude & not give up.

Tomorrow will be a busy day of doing errands in Warren & going to the chiropractor again. Then Fri. we will be going to Erie for my MRI. Going to check my head to see if there is anything still in there! LOL Just kidding. I have a cyst on the stem of my brain & they want to make sure it isn't growing. I'd forgotten about it until I went for my check up a couple weeks ago. I guess these MRI's will be an annual thing.

This time I will remember to take my camera with me! Maybe, just maybe, we can get to Lake Erie for a couple of pictures. Hopefully it won't be raining!

We have a cook-out planned for Bill's family & another friend on Sat. & it calls for rain. We are hoping it will move away from the valley, but the forecast doesn't look promising. If it rains, we are cancelling. We don't have room to all take cover & since we are planning on having a fire to cook our hot dogs, that won't work in the rain either. So maybe we will have pictures in the future & maybe not.

Well, that's it for today. Until next time....The Traveling Cardinal's

We Are Still Alive & Well!

Sorry, I guess I think I've been on vacation! Not really, but there have been some busy days & then I sit with a book in my hand & my feet up. Sounds like I'm retired doesn't it! Well, since we aren't doing any traveling, then I might as well enjoy some of the rare sunshine that we have had in the past few days in between those dark clouds!



I don't even know what we've been doing, but I know we have been busy. Bill has been helping Randy, the campground owner, cut up some trees that were cut down by a company that came in to do the big job. He spent 3 days doing that on Thurs., Fri. & half day Sat. I was looking for action pictures, but instead I caught them loafing! Not really, but there wasn't much action. The chain was off the saw blade. I wanted to say...."Guys, I think the saw is too little for the size trees you are trying to cut up", but you know, being a woman, I didn't dare say anything. I just walked away & took my pictures.

Bill, Leon & Randy working on fixing the saw blade

Lots of trees to clean up & cut up

Took this picture of this pretty little goldfinch at one of the neighbors feeders. Stopped to talk with her while she was doing some weeding & the little finch came to eat. Then I decided to take a picture of our rig showing all the shrubs trimmed on our spot. Finished with the rest of it after the rhododendron's blossoms all fell off.

I took the time on Sat. to go into the little town where I went to school & mail a package, have a cup of coffee with my nephew, Denny, and then explore the antique store across from the post office that is owned & operated by a gal I went to school with. Susie & I had quite a chat & I even found a couple of things to buy.

One of the things I bought made my day!! When we were selling our house & the contents, one of the things I had a hard time parting with was a beautiful pressed glass punch bowl that belonged to my mother. It was on a pedestal that she sometimes used to put flowers in. I always loved it & I had it setting on top of my china closet, but on occasions of showers, Christmas parties, etc., I would use it. Well, a girl I worked with at the State, bought it. I saw her a couple of weeks ago & she said she had used it & that made me feel good to know it was still being used. Then I visited the little antique store & I found this cute little bowl that looked almost exactly like my punch bowl in miniature! So now I can say I downsized my house & also my punch bowl! It looks enough like it to satisfy me & that is all that counts! I know it's one more thing to pack every time we move, but oh well!

My Prize Purchase!

We had a call from our friends, Phyllis & Tom, from Iowa tonight at supper time. Was so glad to hear from them & know that they are no where near the floods in Des Moines! I know they actually don't live far from there, but not close to any of the water. With no basement they say they are in no danger! We were just glad to hear they were doing well! She said the mosquitoes are having a hay day with all the rain though. Guess there will be a run on Listerine, if what they say is tr ue. Bill is using it when he honey dips, but so far the mosquitoes here haven't been too bad.

Tonight was the Strawberry Social at the pavilion. Yum, Yum! I love strawberries. They are pretty pricey this year. Some places are $4.75 a quart! I think I'll buy my jam or......wait for my son to offer me a jar of his homemade freezer jam! He does a great job & it is really good. Kind of sweet for us weight watchers, but a little now & then doesn't hurt! Good on PB & J sandwiches & ice cream! Of course, I had strawberry shortcake tonight! One of my very favorites!

Tomorrow is weight in, so we will see what the scales say this week! Not very encouraged from last week, so I'm hoping I did better this week. Wish me luck!

So, my friend, Snookie, I guess I don't really have any excuse for not blogging, except being a little busy & just plain lazy! I didn't take my camera on my walk again this morning, but one of these days I am going to take it as the farm lands are beautiful from the top of the hill. It's fun to look over yonder & see where I grew up, never believing I'd be back in the same neck-of-the-woods spending my summers!

Oh & Snookie, every time I see a dead tree, I think of all you take for you friend! I'll have to email you a couple pictures you can "borrow" from the state of NY!! Then someday you can travel this way & see if you can find them! Ha! Ha!

In my many emails that I had to catch up on I got a note from my dear friend, Toni. She let me know that the gentleman I talked about who played the piano a week ago on Father's Day at the Chapel where we went had passed away this past Sunday. I was so glad we picked that day to attend! He will be sorely missed by family, friends & co-workers!

Take care all you good people & until next time........The Traveling Cardinal's