On The Road Again ... After Way Too Long

So we're headed out west at a very leisurely pace, or so I thought. We planned on leaving Michigan on Christmas morning but then there was snow on the roads and lots of SALT!! So we checked the weather and saw that Friday was our best bet for a 'dry' getaway. Best of intentions - it was still wet and a dusting of snow, but too bad we weren't waiting any longer. We had been packing for the last week or so and only had the motorcycle to do that morning plus the last of the incidentals that had to wait til the day of departure. We were on our way by 10:30 and cringing when we thought of the salt getting on our 'clean' underbody. Oh well, better than sitting in the snow and cold all winter. We traveled US23 to M14 then I94 to I69. Interestingly enough there was a lot less snow already. We set our sites on Effingham IL for our first night thinking that wouldn't be too far. At Indianapolis we had our rude awakening with construction. It was an hour of stop and go before we picked up I70 and over to Effingham IL. We arrived at our first campground, Camp Lakeland about 7:30 p.m. our time or 6:30 IL time. Nice park and very quiet. We were exhausted after 457 miles and ready for a quick dinner and bed... so much for leisurely lol.

Woke up Saturday to another beautiful sunny day. Figuring we might be driving a lot again, we got in a walk before heading out at 10 a.m. At this point we just want to get to a warmer climate. On the way down yesterday it was so sunny that the temp on the dash was 91!! I think the outside temp got up to about 57 and it was beautifully sunny, but it's still questionable when it gets down to the high 30's at night. We picked up I57 south right out of Effingham all the way into Missouri. Just a short time in Missouri picking up I55 to go even deeper into the south lol. Tonight we are in West Memphis Arkansas at the Tom Sawyer's RV Park after driving 324 miles. The drive in was a little scary with steel gates on the front doors, come to find out there was another way in, but we didn't have those directions. We are parked right on the Mississippi River and watching lots of barges moving quickly down the river. We took a few pictures, but of course, I can't get Picasa to work lol. Still couldn't get Picasa to work, but somehow after about an hour of playing around I was able to upload these pictures. They were all taken at the Tom Sawyer Campground in West Memphis Arkansas on the Mississippi River.

Updating Motorhome

Can't believe I haven't blogged since March 2013!! Anyway, we were at an RV Rally this summer in Elkhart IN and, as usual, we went through all of the new coaches seeing things that we'd like in our coach without buying a new one. We really liked that so many of the big spacious coaches have an office area and they are just cleaner looking. Ours is 10 years old now and starting to look a little worn. We are also talking about traveling more now that I too am retired and would like to have a few things that I will be using more often on the road. While talking with a salesman he said they had a 'used' couch in their repair showroom that was similar to the one in the coach we were sitting in. So, the next Monday we traveled over to the showroom to have a look. What they had there was an 'L' shaped sofa arrangement and we could only use the one twin size section to make our little 'office' area. First step was to call the owner to see if he would seperate the two pieces... yes. Next measure, measure, measure to see that it would fit. Yes, so now the trade out.

New sofa:

Old sofa:

 

Above is the new seating area. MM built the cabinet that houses the laptop, printer and sewing machine. I took pictures of the old couch with my phone and I've just spent an hour trying to get it uploaded... unsuccessful :(. Anyway, you can see how clean this area is now. The loveseat sized sofa folds out and has an air mattress for a comfortable sleeping area. The old sofa picture isn't the one I wanted to use, but was somehow able to upload it... (shaking head). Trust me, the new lighter sofa is so much brighter and cleaner looking and to have a space for my sewing machine and printer is wonderful. By the way, the new sofa is from a 2012 Thor, which is a high end coach. In the second picture you can see the back of the dinette seat and that is the fabric that was on the original couch.

Fertilize Friday 3/8/13

Our wonderful host Tootsie who I haven't checked out yet today. She always has gorgeous pictures and wonderful hints for gardners. There are a lot of other gardeners linking up so check them all out.



It's not Spring here yet so there's nothing going on in any outside gardens. Last Fall I brought in a few plants from the front porch and they've all survived. Okay so I use the word "survived" loosely. When I put them outside again they will bounce right back.

We're lucky enough to have a spare bathroom that we don't use the tub in very often so that's where the plants hang out. Convenient huh? This lime plant is going into it's third year that I've had it. I got it as a small sprig from a catalog store.




It doubled in size last summer so I'm looking forward to seeing the growth this year. I gave one to my Daughter when I got them and her's actually got a lime on it the first year. I wasn't that lucky, but maybe this year. Hope I don't have the one that won't produce.

Below are the three plants that have taken up residence in the bathtub. There's a philodendron, spider and ivy. As you can see photography isn't my strong suite, but I'm working on that. The philodendron does the best, the spider tips start browning and the ivy just plain old thins out and looks sickly. The good thing is that they all bounce right back when they go outside.




While traveling last summer we went to an art fair and I bought this interesting African Violet planter. The pot that the dirt and plant go into fits into another pot that will hold water and continue to feed the African Violet. Very interesting pot. I fell in love immediately. Now if I can only get the plant to bloom beautifully.



The lady I bought the planter from gave me a leave from her plant and I bought a plant from a local big box store. See the new growth? Yes, that's coming from the leave that I got from the potter.



Here's a picture of the planter.



And finally the seperation of the two pots. I'm really hoping for a plant like I had several years ago. I had one on my desk at the office and it bloomed profusely all year round. I can do this lol Yeah, right.



Anyway, that's my offering for this week. Really looking forward to Spring and Summer this year. With retirement in my future I'll have lots of time that I never had before. No more squeezing in an hour here and a half hour there.... I can garden to my little hearts content. How about you? What kind of greenery is in your life right now?

Knitting, Knitting, Knitting

Are there any other knitters out there? Don't know what it is, maybe I just find it relaxing. I'll be sitting, watching television and can't just watch tv, I need to pick up the needles and knit. And I'm not running out of projects. At Christmas time I knitted hats, scarves, and mittens for all of the grandchildren (there are 5 now and I LOVE them to pieces). I also made scarves for several friends - ruffle scarves, infinity scarves and button scarves. I picked up the needles last night and started another infinity scarf. I love that you can find any pattern you might want on the internet - that's where I found the pattern for the infinity scarf.

I made up a pattern for an outfit for the American Girl doll. It's a full kind of pheasant skirt, a poncho and then I thought it needed a purse with fringe. Kind of hippy-like. I've made three of each so far for the three oldest granddaughters.



I've also made tons of Barbie cloths.  There are a few projects I want to do for next Christmas and I'm in need of a few fresh dish cloths.  So I'll just keep knitting away and hope I don't become a knitwit lol. 

So what are you doing to keep from going stir crazy as winter comes to a close?  Spring is on it's way.... hold on.  Looking forward to warmer weather so I can get a little dirt under my fingernails.

Taking Care Of Plants Indoors

 

Quality grow lights are crucial towards the hydroponics process, in addition to making sure these are right type of led grow lights for the planting needs. If you are unsure as to where the best are situated, http://www.thelashop.com has some quality products. There are lots of different nutrient additives that one could add to your hydroponics set-up to make your plants successful. Happy vegetation is healthy plants and you may be sure that with the right nutrients, you may be growing a fantastic indoor garden. While using right supplies and the right amount of info, anyone can turned into a super hydroponics grower! If you'd like plants which will be grown in stable environment as opposed to outdoors where weather may harm them, try hydroponics! You don’t have to wait for a certain season, you can start growing tonight if you wanted. There is lots of information on the websites for people to learn about indoor plant growing, which is continuing to be an evergrowing trend in several communities. This really is helpful to those cities that dwell in colder areas since crops are not as easy to grow outdoors. Hydroponics will be the answer to nearly all of outside gardenings problems! Using a hydroponics garden is incredibly smart in order to start growing food for your family throughout every season to save on groceries, as well as hobby growing! Regardless of what the plant, using the right grow lights and nutrients you will have wonderful garden and collection. Hydroponics must not be difficult, so don't ensure it is that way!

The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans

Can a person love two people at the same time, and how does one choose just one? Julia meets Ed first and is in relationship with him when she meets his best friend Connor and has a "love at first sight" experience. Connor reciprocates this feeling, but both he and Julia manage not to pursue a love that would hurt Ed. The summer of life-altering events finds the three in Montana where Ed and Connor are smoke jumpers, something that they've been doing for several years together. Julia is working with troubled teens in a outdoors outreach program. A devastating fire forces choices that seem to doom any satisfaction of feelings for Julia and Connor. Connor finds a life for himself courting danger on a daily basis. Connections, however, of people who love each other as these three do find ways to hang on. Once again, Evans has taken the vast scenery of places, in this case Montana and Africa, and enfolded those places into the heart of the story.

It's been a while since I've posted a book I've read, but maybe I'm back on track. The Smoke Jumper was floating around the office and I nabbed it when Carol finished it. It was a good read that brought very visual pictures to mind. Love can be so strong and painful as well and strong and sweet and you see it all in this book. Nicholas Evans also wrote the Horse Whisperer.

Little Bit of Everything

Just downloaded my camera and wanted to share a few pictures.


This first picture is our newest addition at Christmas time. She was about 2 weeks old here. Just want to squeeze those sweet cheeks.

 

 

This was supposed to be a picture of the 5 grandchildren. Four out of five isn't bad. The baby is 2 weeks, being held by the 5 year old, seated next to the 2 year old and bringing up the right hand side is the 3 year old.

 

 

This is a family photo of our son's family. Beautiful wife and 3 beautiful daughters.

 

Our daughter and her family. Including the only grandson that eluded the grandchildren photo.

 

 

A friend at work was getting ready to move and brought in lots of yarn that she didn't want anymore. A few of us divided it up and there were four skeins left that really didn't go with anything. I looked at them and saw a beautiful, colorful baby blanket. I lightened it up in Picasa, but guess it didn't carry over.  It is very bright.

 

 

There was some colorful yarn left over and I pictured an outfit for the oldest granddaughter's American Girl doll. Kind of impressed myself since I didn't have a pattern for anything except the white blouse. Again, I love the colors. A poncho reminded me of the '60's and a purse with fringe is a must. Gotta thank my friend from work for bringing in a model for me - gotta get me one of these dolls.

 

 

This photo shows the individual pieces of the outfit.

 

 

I made a scarf like this for myself and then got a request from my friend for this one. Love the colors she picked out.

 

 

This was a really hard week this week. My baby brother, Bill, died on January 27, 2013. He was only 54 and lost his battle with lung cancer. I'm really going to miss him. The loss really hit hard when I realized that there are only 4 of 9 of us left. I've lost 3 brothers in just over 3 years. I can definitely say it doesn't get any easier. Until we meet again Bill, I love you.

So there you have it. Going forward I hope to do a lot more blogging since I only have 54 days left before I acquire 40 extra hours in every week. My mind is swimming with all the possibilities.

YEA ME!!!

Hey, Check out my new widget at the bottom of the page.  I'm so excited and have so many things I want to do and trips to take.  Just wanted to share the good news.

Another Grandbaby

On December 8, 2012 my son and his wife had another baby girl, their third.  Her name is Lillyanna and she is adorable.

Lilly weighed in at 8# 13oz and is positively aborable. We get to share Christmas Eve with the family and the kids worked real hard on getting a picture of the five grandkids.

In this priceless picture we have Little Lilly at 2 weeks old, being held by her cousin Maggie (5), next is Alexis (2) and her sister Olivia (3) followed by Maggie's brother Jack (1). They are all absolutely adorable and I wish I had more time to spend with them. They all live about an hour away and sometimes it's difficult to get that much time together. This past weekend my Son had to get the kids out of the house so his wife could do some work and he brought the 3 girls over for the day. We had lots of fun making cookies and playing. It's fun to see the two older ones (2 and 3) go 'watch' their sister when I needed them to. This weekend we're celebrating my Hubby's birthday so I'm hoping I'll have the whole gang over. Time to create memories.