Wednesday Nov.
14
On
Tuesday we went and retrieved our stored camping stuff from friends who
have a place in Rainbow Acres. They aren't here yet and after talking to
them on the phone they said go get the stuff form their lot. So off we
went.
It's
so much fun getting all the poles to fit and lined up. We had to
go back to K & B Tools (the vendor) for more poles since we expanded
the size this year and added new white tarp for the top. It is a must that
we argue over how to do it just so.
We
do not work well together as each wants to lead and no followers, as in
gofers.
At
last after another trip for rope to tie it all down with it was ready.
Doesn't the picnic table look nice under it. So here we are with the overall
layout of our campsite. I wanted the canopy close to the trailer so it
would shade more. We are quite pleased. Now we need (grass) I mean
green carpet to cover the desert dirt and we will be all set. Bob stopped
by and we had happy hour around the campfire until it got dark. Today went
went for a ride to Parker, AZ up HW 95 for groceries and to get cash from
B of A. They had great sales for Thanksgiving. Got out of the Safeway store
for $90 bucks. 5 cases of Coke products for $11 at Bahsa's, I have
fallen for the new Coke Zero. tastes just like the orig. Coke and no calories.
Home
sweet home for the next few months.
Terry
has run into town for gas for the gen and drinking water while I finish
up the blog. Then outside for fun around the fire and sunset.
Friday Nov. 16
Friday
already... I had to return the old defective DirecTV DVR unit that was
FedExed to us. I went to Pilot Truck stop and stood next to the drop
box waiting for the driver. It said last pick up was at 12:30 PM on the
box and a noticie that the contents and NOT been picked up yet. So
I stood right next to it for 1/2 hr. and kept looking at the box .
Then all of a sudden when I looked it had changed to say the pickup had
been completed. HOW could that be as I was standing right next to
it all this time. Am I nuts that the FedEx person came and empeted the
contents and changed the sign on it with me standing right next to it and
I didn't notice. I did see a small FedEx van pull into the truck stop and
go out of view during this but not came to the drop box. I had my shipping
box sitting on top of the drop box. I will be back on Monday to ask a few
questions of the route driver when that person shows again.
We
just had another nice sunset while I'm typing this. Terry is taking a nap,
had a hard day playing in the rock shop. About 85 today and
now cloudy. Could it rain? Naw...
May
go looking for grass for the campsite (green carpet) on Saturday. We know
where to buy it for $3 a yard.
If
you need to view campfire (when the snow blows up north) we'll share ours.
I now have it as background on my computer screen.
Monday Nov. 19
by
your roving reporter Terry
The laying of the sod! Or
should I say, green carpet.
Saturday we bought "grass" for the Pavilion. The little variety store
across for McDonald's has a warehouse full of it, and only $3.00 a square
yard, a bargain. Now we can step out the front door and see a lush
green in the patio area instead of the sand, gravel and dust gray that
has been the norm. The grass will also help with tracking in dust
and rocks into the trailer. If nothing else it adds the finishing
touch needed to make the patio a cool place to hang out. We also
added sun screens which we already had, just needed to put in place.
Sunday
a SUV pulled into the drive and we were asked if this was Ron and Terry
of Hitchitch fame, we proceeded to meet with Rosemary and "The Old Fart
in the Blue Sunglasses" (their words, not ours). Seems that they
had been searching for us for some time, they knew we were in the
area, but did not know exactly where. Rosemary was quite happy to
find us and had to get a copy of the Shepherds Bread recipe for a friend
of hers. While I wrote the recipe down we had a fun visit with them,
and exchanged photos. We had a nice discussion of how to boondock
in style in the BLM.
Started
today off with USA Today and the Arizona Republic. Ron enjoys reading
the paper, and keeping up on current events. I will quickly scan
the Arizona Republic and breakfast, and then do a quick read of USA Today
at noon. We have been recycling the paper on to friends, and I think
there are others after them, the papers are getting a good use. Arn't
we being Green.
Went
to the Gem and Mineral Club this morning. We are trying to get a
intermediate lost wax casting class going and today was the organizing
meeting. We got all the materials together, and were shown some techniques
on how to create the models for casting into jewelry. We had most
everything we needed, and the morning went well, I learned some new
things.
Now
off to get our little 1 gallon bottle of propane filled. The one for the
lamp on the picnic table. Bet it's the smallest one they fill today. Then
happy hour with the sunset.
Wednesday Nov. 21
After our 1 gallon bottle
was filled we lit the one burner mantle and later it turned into a flame
bundle. We got it shut down and tried our other one and it did the same
thing. Looks like the seal from the silver colored mantel connector that
connects to the propane extension pipe is old and dry, not making a good
seal. When you turn on the extra pressure from the tank and turn down the
mantel light control the pressure causes gas to to escape at the connection.
Not pretty. Kind of scary. SO a new mantel lantern is in order. Don't think
it is worth ordering a new seals, even if I can find them.
Sandy and Bob of Colored
Outside the Lines blog stopped by for happy hour. Sandy showed
us her latest napping project results. Just checked and she has great pics
of it on the above blog link. It was cool today and cloudy, kind of gloomy.
A nice change from the heat we have been having. I bet better than the
snow up north for people trying to rush home for the big turkey day.
We are not cooking tomorrow
(or I should say Terry does not have to cook) as we are going out for dinner.
We have reservations at
La Casa Del Rancho (70 N Central in Quartzsite). We lucked out last year
and went there and it was a real turkey feast with all the fixings. WOW.
They are doing it again this year and we will be there to enjoy. We hope
you all have a great day with friends and family. I have looked at the
Black Friday ads online and have not found any reason to get up and rush
out for the buys. As if there were any stores in Quartzsite with
sales. Yes Blythe, CA is 20 miles to the west and have a Radio Shack
(the one in Q burned down last summer) a K-Mart, ACE hardware, but I did
that last year, by rushing over for Radio Shack deals, and it seems like
they are offering the same (let's us get rid of this junk) again
this year sale. So a late breakfast and paper to read may be the event
that trips my trigger this year.
Thursday Nov. 22
A meal
to remember was had today at the La Casa Del Rancho restaurant in Q that
we went to for dinner. We brought enough turkey home for a couple more
meals. Turkey slices 1/2 inch thick, green beans, dressing, yams, mashed
potatoes, cranberry sauce and roll. Huge servings, piled high on an ovel
plate that was so hat they had to handle it with a pot holder. All made
from scratch. All for $9.95 including drink and pie. WOW The dressing was
to kill for. We did eat there last year for Thanksgiving and it was the
same or better than last time. And the best part they said they would be
open for Christmas dinner. Longtime readers will remember our disaster
Christmas meal at the Palo Verde cafe across the street last year. Never
will we ever go to that place again.
It
was cool but sunny with no wind. 65 outside and 75 indside. A great day
to relax and read a good book which I got several of at the Q libarary
since they are closed Thurs., Fri., and Sat.
On
Friday afternoon might wonder over to Blythe, CA and look for a
propane lantern for the patio room. No we are not getting up early for
Black Friday. Not this year. Been there done that. But if you must go for
it...
Saturday Nov. 24
On
Friday afternoon we went over to Blythe, CA Who said Black Friday
didn't real us in, just not at the crack of dawn. At K mart I found the
last propane lantern they had. And it wasn't becasue they were on sale,
as much as they just don't have crap in that store anymore. I also go the
last package of mantels. We needed a new lantern since we didn't want to
burn down our sun room. See above post. After that I just had to stop next
door at the Radio Shack store. I have been wanting and new small AM/FM
receiver for a couple of years now and they had one on sale. $69 on BF
sale for a high rated small unit with all the features I need.
The
FM mode on the one in the 5er had stopped working long ago. I mainly use
it to play the DirecTV audio to the overhead speakers for a sound around
around type effect. I use the low power XM radio (boombox) in the bedroom
for music at night. Looks like I need to dust under the receiver. But then
I knew that. In a huury to get it connected, will clean later, when
I feel like it. I like the remote, it even will adjust the balance and
tone controls. And do a scan of all stations with the remote, not just
perset stations. OK so if you look at the picture, how many FRS radios
do we need? Notice the NEW DirecTV R15 DVR box. See the small inverter
power unit on the right I power it off of, so it is always on.
Rosemary
and "The Old Fart in the Blue Sunglasses" stopped by and gave us a picture
she had shot of all of us.
Now
you know I hate my picture on the web blog. So I cropped it a bit!!
Here it is.
The
Geranium plant looks good doesn't it.
Found
a card on the picnic table from Bob and Linda from www.because-we-can.net
who stopped by as they stopped in Q on their way to Texas. Bob takes pride
in his blog posts. Check them out.
It
has been a bit windy from the northwest (Santa Ana in CA) and so far the
sun porch has stood its ground. And after 15 above, now ere are 10 below
normal for temps. Went to Q to get one of our propane bottles filled
and of course they raised the price another 10 cents just before I got
there. It is now $2.39 with a $21 cent tax on each gallon. So now $2.60
Ouch. At least we are not heating a 2,500 sq foot house with the stuff.
This is a lifestyle not for the faint of heart. You just go with the flow.
We are happy living a simpler life (as in greener) and do not miss the
bricks and sticks home at all. Sure there are days, but we come back to
our senses, as we are so gald we got it sold a few years ago. Even then
it took forever to sell in even Des Moines, Iowa. (We went south and left
an empty house to heat for the realtor to sell. I did happen in January
when we were in south TX staying warm.) NOW we look at the news and feel
sorry for people how are trying to trying to sell a home, to go fulltime.
Sunday Nov. 25
Terry
has not been feeling well for several days, we are going to try to get
into a doctor on Monday in Blythe, CA that I have been to before. Let us
just say that Preparation H has not helped much. No pictures... this
time around. Sandy and Bob of Colored
Outside The Lines brought over supper of Homemade Chicken Pot Pie with
salad and garlic bread. WOW we needed that, as my back has been hurting
also. I dug out my old velcro wrap around back support which helps. We
have both been a sad sack of sh_t the last few days. So nice to have friends
that look after after each other. THANKS! Will try to find a doctor to
see Terry on Monday.
I
did get the gray and black water dumped today. See how we do that> We did
away with the Blue Boy How
we deal with gray and black water. Later I went to the store
for milk, eggs, etc. and gas for the generator. So we are set for a few
more days of taking it easy, trying get well.
Tuesday Nov. 27
I had
to rush Terry up to Parker at 1:30 AM after heavy bleeding started. So
we have been through the ER, hospital admittance routine all night and
day worried about his condition. They scared us big time, about his condition,
as they spelled out a couple possible serious outcomes they had contemplated
that did not relate to a Prep H condition. But late in the day after
a CAT scan things started to look better. His doctor has a great bed side
mannor and went above our expectations to explain things and answer all
our questions. This same doctor was in the hospital when we got to Parker
in the early AM doing an operation. We had an appointment to see him at
1:30 PM on Tuesday but we didn't make it as we were already in the ER.
So he got to see us early. Terry will have an operation sometime on Wednesday
when they can work it in. We are very thankful for all our friends in Q
that have helped to look out for us. We have found the La Paz Hospital
in Parker, AZ to be a good resource to land in time of need. Full of very
capable, caring people.
I
even locked my keys in the truck while at the Q medical clinic (who got
us in on the Monday after the long weekend) they are right next to the
fire station and the Fire Chief drove me back to La Posa North to our campsite
so I could get another set of keys. What a lifesaver. THANK YOU Q
FIRE DEPT. Yes I am yelling that....
Wednesday Nov. 28
Another day at the hospital
waiting for the OR to open up for Terry's surgery. The fact of life is
they only have one OR
and it is busy all the time. He didn't get in till 3:30 PM today.
So about 6:30PM (he was on nothing by mouth for over 24 hours now)
he was out and we were talking to the surgeon and the news was not what
we wanted to hear. I could tell as soon as he walked into the room, this
was not good. This was not even close to a Preperation H like problem,
we we were hoping for. He will need personal daily care for many weeks
to try to help contain and heal a problem that is not in a good location.
It was Shock and Awe, (don't know whay I picked that term) the things you
never read about the human body, and what can go wrong. Now we need to
understand what has to be done, so it will possibly, take care of things,
or if not, there are only more serious options ahead. Now I need
to go to the internet and look up what the surgeon told me to Goggle as
he is going to teach me what needs to be done on how to take care of Terry
in a session tomorrow. He was unsure how to tell Terry what will be needed
until he found out I would be doing whatever is necessary to take care
of him. Now that we are on the same page with the surgeon, he will work
with us, and be there for quick feedback when we run into problems with
procedures.
One thing about this fulltime
RVing thing if we need to pick up and go to another city for follow up
specialist care we will just do that, because we can.
A personal blog? RV
Travel blog?, What to share as personal and what to keep as just a RV travel
thing. I guess after doing it for a long time, more in depth thoughts and
feelings come through. Do you blog that, or hide everything except
the adventure of RVing. We shall see...
Thanks for the emails, I will tell Terry!
Thursday Nov. 29
Terry was released from the
Hospital about noon. The Doctor arrived shortly after 10:30 with
instructions and a demonstration for (me) Ron on how to clean and pack
the Pilonidal Cyst, and after a few additional questions announced that
Terry would be released as soon as the paper work could be run through
the hospital system. After release we went to the Pharmacy and Safeway
for supplies. Plan on staying low for the weekend as it is scheduled to
RAIN 1/2 inch on Friday. We shall see, but it would be wonderful it it
happens. We are now home and Terry has very little pain. That was
a suprise, not that we are complaining. Got busy and worked on the
bedroom and bath so it is nice and clean so he can rest and feel good about
his surroundings and when I have to do the nurse thing on his cyst.
Must keep things clean like a hospital room. Two guys in a 5er, that's
a reach... Anyway all is well and we are happy to be home. Much thanks
to Bob and Sandy for looking after us. Oh and the EMAILS were so nice to
receive. Sometimes we need to get knocked down, so when we get up, we have
a better understanding of life around us.
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