Washington DC or Bust!!!

This particular trip had been planned for several years. Dave was to have been my travel partner. Our first trip...to go to Washington DC to see the Cherry Blossoms that I had seen in a painting on my neighbors wall when I was ten.  When he passed away last year it just happened to be Christie's birthday.  I wanted to do something special for her this year, so I went ahead with my plans to go to Washington DC with her.  Her birthday this year fell on Easter Sunday.  What a special day to celebrate a birthday on!

On Wednesday, March 25th I rolled out of the driveway with three dogs in tow and headed North to Kansas City, MO. in Izzy with Libby in tow.  The day was grey and thankfully not too much wind. It cost me a little over $24.00 for the Kansas turnpike. Having to stop about every 100 miles or so slowed my progress, but the dogs were thankful for the stops.  Those of you who have a TOAD that is an automatic, know you have to stop to oil the gears and to charge the battery, otherwise you will arrive with a dead battery. Lesson learned the hard way. 

Truck stop on I-35. Time to walk dogs and put
car through its gears and charge the battery. 

The night before leaving Ben noticed that one of the lugs on my right rear tire was missing. I was assured that my tire would not fall off on the way.  

After a long day of travel I crashed at Christie's place feeling proud of myself that I had made it to KC with no problems.

Awesome place to eat!

Christie and I headed out the next morning to Liberty, MO to a little breakfast/lunch counter called Ginger Sue's.  We had the best service, the food was wonderful and our waitress awesome.  This place rocked!  I forgot to get pictures of what we had but it was really, really good!  Ginger Sue's is located one block west of the town square. 

Two of the girls that made our breakfast special!

I wanted to move the motor home up about 20 feet and dummy me forgot about the tow behind me with the brakes on. Oops! Thankfully no damage was done.  

It's amazing how fast you can get yourself into trouble...yep I did it...went to a place to get a new lug nut put on the coach, started the car and put it in neutral and away I went trusting my trusty new GPS.
I found the location with no hiccups, however when I got out of the coach and walked back towards the building I discovered I had left the car running and being one of these newer cars when moving it locks itself.  I ran back to the coach an hunted all over for the spare key...no luck! I had to call my tow service to have them come unlock the car to turn it off. They came out after about 30 minutes and was into the car in less than 1 minute. I felt like such a fool, however it made me have to think through all of the steps of getting on the road.  The people that I had come to see took pity on me, put the lug nut on and didn't charge me for it.  

Christie and I went and did some shopping for healthy snacks and I found a replacement for Cheetos's at KC's new Sprouts store. Boy are they GOOD! Trying to get them here in the Norman Sprouts store. 

These are so goooood!!!!

Later Christie introduced me to all the wonderful people she works out with at Crossfit Northland. They were having a special workout that was timed.  I liked the fact that it was very family friendly, besides I got to see what she does in her spare time. That girl works hard!

The next day, Friday was launch day and we had a lot to get ready still in order for us to leave for Washington DC. Christie made a wonderful Paleo Chicken salad with Chicken, celery, onion, cilantro and lime juice.  When getting ready to serve you add mashed avocado for for the dressing. It was so good!
She also made dates stuffed with cashews, wrapped in bacon and then baked until the bacon was crisp. Equally as good.  Great travel snack! 

The day came to and end and off to bed we went with a sense of anticipation. Our first mother/daughter trip was about to take place. 

By the way, I found the keys to the car. One set in my purse, even though I looked in there and dumped everything out and the other set in a pair of jeans that I had thrown in the coach.  They both have a certain resting spot now, thanks in part to the brain fart I had. 

Happy trails...

Home Again, Home Again, Jigity Jig...And Doctor's Appointments

I made it back home again, none worse for the wear. On Thursday before I left I had to make a run to Mineola, TX to get 100% gas. The problem was it started raining again and I don't like driving in the rain. I made it over and back safe and sound and started breaking down Izzy for travels the next day. The weather was suppose to be overcast and cloudy and it looked like it was going to hold.  

Saturday I got up and went to Denny's for breakfast and had a Grand Slam Breakfast.  I love Denny's but haven't eaten there in years as our Denny's went away in Norman. I got the boy's chocolate milk and Pancake Puppies. It's like a hush puppy but made out of pancake flour and fried.  They were really good!

J had to help me get my antenna down as it had gotten stuck. He also helped me with hitching up the car to the Blue Ox on Izzy. As I do more and more of this I will be able to do it without any dust ups. However I will need help to hook up the car until my back is healed. 

We said our goodbyes and I was off down the road with the three dogs and Honda(Libby) in tow. I finally figured out how to keep the dogs in one place by running their leash loops through the seat belt at the dinette and it kept them all in one place. Other than doing that when stationary and I have to be gone, I put them in the bathroom and close the door.

Don't open that door!

Interesting enough I ran into rain and drizzle just past Mineola, TX all the way to the Oklahoma border and then the north wind began bucking Izzy. So much for not driving in rain! I got off the highway at the exit for Winstar Casino, went into the Phillips station and got some food, ate and back on the road. Bear my Schiperkee, started yipping and I knew he could not hold it much longer. 

After navigating the Honey Creek Pass in the Arbuckle Mountains I found a rest stop for the dogs to take a break. Not like they haven't been taking breaks all day. I have to stop about every hour and a half to put the Honda(Libby) through it's gears.  This keeps the gears oiled and the battery charged.  I found out that if I didn't do it or let it go too long I had a dead battery. 

The wind finally died down and I got Izzy up to about 68 mph. She drives really well there and we made it home safe and sound. 

Ben came over the next day, unhooked Libby and we went paint shopping for exterior paint for the house. I picked out a pretty cream with deep red and deep blue accents.  I didn't realize that paint was so expensive! It will be worth it to not have the house looking like it was ready to fall down.  She will have a new coat of paint and will be all spiffed up again. I think I feel her already shuddering with joy!

I had one glitch while I was at the trailer park.  I couldn't get my black tank to dump.  I had to take it to an RV dealer this morning, they couldn't get it to dump either. I left it with Floyd's RV in Goldsby,OK, they put in a chemical that dissolves crud, having to leave it overnight for it to work, they will dump it tomorrow and clean the black tank out.  Hopefully it wasn't the dreaded Pyramid of Death! That is why I don't put toilet paper down my stool. This problem was from the previous owner. 

Tuesday was my birthday. The day started out not well as I was missing my birthday routine that Dave always did. Then I had a Dr's appointment where I had electrodes shocking my nerves in my legs and needles inserted and muscles measured for nerve damage. Fun eh! Thankfully it didn't take long and I was out the door and buying myself a Keurig Coffee maker for my birthday. After getting home and starting vacuum the carpet my sweeper went on the fritz so back to Wally World I went and got myself a Bissell sweeper.  It is nice and does the job. 

Wednesday I had another medical test, this time it was a spinal tap with contrast dye inserted in my spine and a CT scan to map my nerves. I'm a weenie when it comes to pain. On my Dr's visit on Monday I had my physician give me more pain killers and I made sure I took them for the test on Wednesday. If your lucky you won't have the dreaded cerebral headache, I wouldn't know if I did, because I kept myself medicated all day.  Nothing like be a cross between a hazy daze and a floating opportunity! Thanks goes out to my buddy Ed, who drove me up to and back from the city.  

Friday is almost here and I have another Dr's appointment tomorrow. Sheesh enough already! I guess this is how it is when you are out on the road. Use your down time wisely!  

I miss my family already, so here are some parting shots!

Mother and Daughter

Daddy and his little girl

Sleeping Princess!

All right where's MOM!

Big Brother and Lil Sis!

Happy trails....

Andy man and Lennox

Learning The Ropes...

Its been rather quiet here due to the weather.  Lots of snow and clouds.  I've been staying at my daughter's house to help with early morning appointments since she is not yet able to drive.  

We had a big snow storm in which I made my way out to the RV park where Izzy is parked before it hit, checked my propane levels and set up heaters inside the rig. All of them on low of course but able to keep things warm.  I need to make a propane run but everything is so wet and yucky that the electric heaters will have to suffice until I can see dryer ground. As for cooking, the microwave does just fine. I found out that propane trucks will not come to fill motor homes, however propane is cheaper here than in Oklahoma, $3.00 a pound. 

The doggies seem to have adjusted to confined living. When the first snow hit with a layer of sleet underneath, I tethered them to the 12 foot lead and sent them out the door and then shut the lead in the door. They did their business and made a hasty retreat back into Izzy. 

Andy getting his coat put on by Dad...Wiggle Worm!

Noah holding still for Dad...

All the boys ready to build a snowman and
have snowball fights!

Great Snowman!

Sad demise!

J and the boys built a wonderful snowman. He looked like the Cat in the Hat, but he met a terrible demise the next day due to warmer temperatures. Getting the coats on two wiggly excited boy was a chore for dad. Maggie got to "see" her first snow!

Maggie's first snow at 1 week old.

I managed to get two of my three slides in, but made the mistake of leaving my big slide out and now there is a snow and ice wedged on top and the slide will not come in at the top. I will have to wait until it melts to bring in the slide before the next ice storm.  All of this is a learning process.  

I have lost 7 lbs and my blood sugar is coming down due to it.  Lots of up and down here at the house running after the boys and holding little Miss Maggie.

My back and hips were hurting so bad I could barely move. J literately made an appointment for me without my knowledge with the Chiropractor and took me.  My back from my waist to my tailbone was out of place as well as my hips.  After 4 appointments I feel better, but will still have to have surgery to relieve the spinal stenosis problem. 

At the moment I am doing some laundry and getting ready for a one day trip to Dallas tomorrow for a Tastefully Simple training. I will be getting to taste our new Spring and Summer line that is now ready for online orders. I'm making rustic beer bread this afternoon to go with dinner.  It is so good and so simple. My grandson Noah will help me.  He loves to cook. 

Time to fold laundry and get some things done around here.

As for me, life is in the simple lane!

Happy Trails...

The Long Wait is Over...In More Ways Than One...

Meet our little Miss Maggie!

Last Friday morning I was up and loading the last of what I thought I needed into Libby my Honda. I did a once through the house, unplugged the coffee maker and such, loaded the dogs into Izzy, did a quick walk around the whole set up, locked the house up and fired up Izzy and pulled out of the drive-way at 11:30 a.m. heading southbound on I-35 to Texas. The drive was tiring as I was bucking a good head wind of about 15 to 20 mph winds. Not fun at all, but we made it to the RV park in White Oak, Texas at about 6:45 p.m. All in all it was not a bad drive.  The only mishap was somehow I ran my battery down and could not start my car. J my "son" came and rescued me after my daughter was unable to get the car jumped. 

Saturday was spent trying to get things stowed away inside and meeting the new neighbors, Sandy and Thomas.  They are very nice and Thomas was a huge help in getting me set up with showing me how to flush the RV anti-freeze from my lines and get  fresh water into my system.  He also help solve a water problem with a water line running to a non-working refrigerator.  He also showed me how to set up my sewer system.  Then he helped me with my furnace. Now I am all good and in the process of figuring things out. 

Managing the dogs has been interesting.  Fitz is learning that he is not the big dog, I am. I have had to make a couple of shopping runs to pick supplies up like a 30 ft. covered steel wire to let the big dogs out to do their business and a pooper scooper, as we are required to keep the poop picked up around our site.

Monday afternoon J picked me up from the house where I had been watching the boys while he and Heather were at Dr. appointments and took me to a Chiropractor to try and help me get some relief for the pain in my back.  Afterwards we went to Jucy's Hamburger Joint and had dinner.  I went back to the RV and was getting ready for bed when the phone rang at 11:00 p.m. and I was informed that Heather's water had broken and they were headed to the hospital and could I go and watch the boys. I got redressed, let the dogs out one more time and penned them in my bedroom.  Off I went to watch the boys. We curled up on the couch and watched 101 Dalmatian's. J's parents walked in the door and said that I need to go to the hospital that Heather had asked for me.  Off I went, heading for Good Shepherd Hospital.  

All ready to meet the family

Auntie Christie snuggling with
her new niece

Welcome to the world Margaret Sophia "Maggie"

Getting into the hospital after hours is like getting into a Federal Court House. Once inside I made my way up to Labor and Delivery. Heather was in the same room she had for Andy and the same nurse. Since she had eaten just a few hours previous we had to wait until 2:00 a.m. for

Big Brothers waiting for little sis Maggie

    

Noah holding Maggie for the first time

Andy holding Maggie for the
first time

Daddy and his little princess!

little Miss Maggie to make her appearance.  She was due to come Ash Wednesday but had other plans.  A girl with her own mind.  

Miss Maggie and Mamma

Mother and daughter are doing well and came home yesterday.  Big brother is lavishing lots of kisses on Miss Maggie. Andy is not quite sure what to do with her. I know one thing...she is going to have to hold her own with her brothers. Somehow I think she will. 

Happy trails...

Maggie and her brothers at home

Packing Izzy...

I got Izzy out of the RV shop Friday only to take her back to Chad's Car Care to have the generator oil changed and a new filter put in.  While waiting for Izzy to be serviced, my friend Ed and I grabbed a quick bite and went over to McClain's RV and picked up a new sewer hose, clear sewer elbow

No leaks with this get up!

To see the yucky stuff with

and a Trip Journal. On the way back to Chad's I saw the UPS truck at Kjelshus and wondered if they had delivered my surge protector,

So I don't loose my appliances

they did so I got that and then Ed dropped me off at Chad's as he had another appointment with OU and Wyoming wrestling. After Chad was done with her, I headed her down to Johnson Road exit on I-35 to Klassic Cars located in the old red roofed Stuckey's building and Darrel Lester. Darrel has been doing our cars body work for over 30 years and there is no one else I trust to do work on my vehicles. Since T & W Tire is going to pay for it, so much the better.  The other part of the fender

A zippy way to hold
something together.

started to come off so Darrel drilled 4 holes and zip tied it so it would stay together for now.

The wind was atrocious and I had never driven in those kinds of conditions with anything that big. Let me just say it was not fun by any measure, a lot of movement in the steering wheel. I did get home safe and sound though, non worse for wear so to speak.

Izzy and her new flag sitting pretty in the driveway

I have a single lane drive-way that widens to hold at least six small cars.  Yesterday I needed to back Izzy in so I could have the coach door facing the house. I have experience backing trailers and such but this was my first attempt to back a 36 ft. motor home. Several people suggested that I pull up facing east and back her in that way to avoid the tree by the drive. As one would say, I made the attempt...FAILURE!  I pulled down the street and turned her around, pulled her back around the corner in front of my house facing west. I started the backing process, got part way into the drive. put her

Right on the edge!

into forward, straightened out the wheels, pulled into our neighbors driveway, straightened the wheels some more, slipped the ole girl into reverse and eased my way into place.

Can you say...HIGH FIVE!!!!!!! At the top of your lungs! It was a thing of beauty.

Saturday morning I went back into Izzy and started cleaning some more and then the shopping bug hit me.  I only needed 2 items but ended leaving with over 47 items.  Let's just say things are more color

Love Bath Sheets!

New Colors!

coordinated now.

The Monster Hand Vac

The kids gave me a Monster hand vacuum that is a hand held tool with attachments.  My big house vacuum is too heavy to be lugging around. While shopping, I saw a nice little Bissell vacuum with

My new Vacuum 

a beater bar and attachments for $39.00. It's only eleven pounds and space saving. It has a lot of power and pulled a ton of dirt out of the carpet.  It just may do the trick. I still use the hand vacuum the kids got me for quick pick-ups. Other than oiling down all the wood, it only takes about 20 minutes to clean the inside of Izzy. NICE! 


I put a CD into the CD player and listened to the soundtrack from Love Actually.  I discovered I could do some great slow dancing in my rig, tons of room, just wish I had my dancing partner to dance with.

I got my front TV working, huge accomplishment for me since electronics and I don't seem to get along.

I like all my new fixtures in Izzy, they look great and somehow they all match! How that happened I don't know.  My new shower hose is really stiff and I guess I am going to have to run some hot water through it to get it to loosen up. 

Sunday, Ben and I went to Sam's to get a new mattress for me. Luckily I don't have to cut the end off.  Since it is foam, it compresses when the slide

New Mattress Queen Size

comes in.  The up-side is the mattress was on sale and I got $100.00 off!  YES!!!

Ben put in the dorm refrigerator in were the washer dryer combo was to

My dorm fridge

go. It fits there as snug as a bug in a rug! I also found out my air conditioner works rather well as it started getting rather warm inside. Ben also showed me how to let down the table in the dining area to make a bed.

Great place for the boys to sleep!

Washing new sheets, towels, mattress pad,etc. to go in Izzy. So much to do.   

Well my back has had it for today, time to feed the dogs, have a bite of dinner and watch a bit of Downton Abbey. 

Happy Trails...

Baby Shower...Live and Learn...

Lots of food for everyone

Shabby Chic Diaper Cake

I just got back from a quick trip down south for Miss Maggie's Baby Shower.  We had a wonderful time and little Miss got some beautiful items for her wardrobe. Little girls are a whole lot different to shop for than little boys.  Lots has changed since my two were little, that's for sure. 

Heather's Wrist-let

I love this onesy!

The theme of the shower was Shabby Chic. Baby colors are yellow and grey. Jade Lewis out-did herself as did the other hostesses. It was just lovely.  Jade is a very talented woman and a blessing to her friends. The other Grandma, Irene,  provided a lot of the food and I provided the corsage for Heather and some of my Tastefully Simple dips and beer bread. The other hostesses added their own special touches to the festivities. 

I now know why I don't like to drive at night...I fall asleep! Had to fight to stay awake coming back home Monday night.  

This morning my friend Ed, picked me up and we made the trek to Oklahoma City to pick up Izzy from Chad's Car Care and take her to Kjelshus RV Repair. After I got to Kjelshus, I learned that he doesn't do oil changes for the generator.  Hmm! When I pick up Izzy on Friday, I will be taking her back to Chad's for him to change out her generator oil. 

She loved getting out on the road this morning and didn't even protest although I'm sure she would have liked to have hit the open road and "let loose" so to speak, instead of having to go around the corner to the next appointment.  She reveled in getting new brakes, a lube job, oil change, windshield wipers, new fluid in her wheel bearings and drive train lubed. She was just shuddering with happiness as I fired her up.  

I can already tell she is going to be a fun vehicle to drive and explore the USA and Canada in. 

My bathroom sink faucet

Commode

At Kjelshus, she is getting a new commode, lights fixed, new receptor for the pigtail that goes to the toad, new bathroom sink faucet (Ed and I made a quick trip to Home Depot and picked one up), sun visor repaired and her height determined.  I don't want to take her top off when going under some of these low train trestles and bridges. Kjelshus is even ordering me a Progressive

Surge Protector

50 amp surge protector for less than Amazon's price. I also placed an amazon order for a new Oxygenics Shower fixture

Oxygenics Shower Fixture

which will be installed once it arrives in the next day or two.

Later on in the year I will get the refrigerator fixed and the blower motor for the rear air-conditioner fixed.  It takes time to get everything done, but when done Izzy will be quite happy to be back in tip top condition!

I was worried about finding pure gas for Izzy. I really don't have to worry about it as there are tons of stations that have it available, who knew, now if I can just get her under their awnings. I did come to find out there are fewer pure gas stations in the north than what I imagined, so I will have to be mindful of that when I travel.  

All in all Izzy is coming together nicely.  Once I get her back I will start packing her for my trip to Texas and the birth of my newest Grandchild, Miss Maggie.

Until then...Happy Trails!

Second Day Drive...Back To The Tire Store We Go...

T & W Tire on North Council Road off of I-40

Once again I headed the 'Izzy" north to Oklahoma City this morning. Back to the tire dealership to get the correct tires on and to get the alignment done.  I will say this about T & W Tire...they are very fair and honorable people.  They waived the price of the alignment and they are going to replace the quarter panel at no charge to me. Mistakes happen and when they do you make lemonade from them.  

Again the drive was nice and I had one little instance where the truck next to me would not let me over to exit the freeway and wanted to race...Really? I actually got the "Izzy" up to 70 mph and she drives real nice at that speed but I would rather keep her at 60-65 mph, feel more in control.  

After the tire appointment was over I headed up to Chad's Car Care at North Council Road and 10th, to get "Izzy" serviced. She is getting new brakes,

Chad's Car Care on North Council Road

possibly shocks, windshield wipers, 19 point inspection and an oil change. She should be just shuddering with joy when done. 




It felt strange to leave her there, but there she stays until the work is done. 

Can't wait to introduce the dogs to hers.  I wonder how they will react. 

Happy trails...