Christmas

Had to put the truck in the hospital in Aransas Pass at the ford dealer, Thank goodness it was a small thing.  I thought that the warranty had run out but I found out that it was still in force, Yeah Yippee.    They called and said that Ford would send me a check for the car rental since it was also covered.  Oh happy day.  We left Rockport on Thursday morning to have Christmas with Linda's sister in Austin, Had Friday to relax, well the main reason we came to Texas was for the warm weather in the winter, Well just what happened to it, we have had rain and 30 to 50 degree weather the time we are here.
ON Saturday we all congregated at Debi;s for Christmas.  Opened presents and both Linda and I got what we wanted, especially Linda.  (I did Good)  I got her a necklace from Kay's that is in the Jane Seymour line of open heart's.  This one is yellow gold encased with diamonds around it,  She loved it.  I got a new pair of cowboy boots from Cavendar's.  They are great black and plain for everyday wear.  Made by Tony Llama.  We went with Debi to Gidding Texas,(don't ask me where it is ) somewhere east of Austin to meet her boyfriend's family hmmmm sounds serious,  We like Blair he is good for her.  Then Linda and I found our way back to Austin to relax.  All in all it has been a great visit.  I will post pictures when we get back to the camper on Tuesday, also after we go to Cabelas and Camping world on the way back to Rockport.  I hope that all of you had a Blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year.  I Love this retirement life.  Until next time take care.

Busy Week

The last week has been rather busy, We finished up on our shopping, went out to eat with our heartland group, got a tooth pulled, got a new tooth, got Linda a present that I think that she will love, ate with our friends again for breakfast, Linda got her hair done, played card bingo, put the truck in the shop for some problems, (I hope that it isn't to bad).  Linda and I lazed around here today and did nothing but watch football and I cooked pork chops on the grill, Linda did scalloped potato's and cornbread stuffing.  We also went to Rockport Days downtown and it was great.  Sorry that this is so short and to the point but I promise it will be better next week.  Take care and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Please pray for our service members and most important the "Reason for the Season"

Sunshine

We saw the first sight of sun today as it has been raining for 3 days.  We stayed inside and cleaned and got things back in order.  Rain when you are retired is a good thing.  Here in Texas they need as much as they can get.  I have caught a cold as the changes in weather has been to the extreme.  Today I feel much better.  Tomorrow I have to have a tooth pulled and we need to start getting things together to go to Austin to spend the Christmas Holiday with Linda's sister and family.  We will miss not being together with our own family.  This will be the first without them.  Went to the dance last friday night and the band was great.  They had breakfast this morning but I was still under the weather.  it is 77 outside now and the sun is still out.    until next time.

Christmas Shopping is DONE!!!!!!

Linda and I spent the day Monday shopping in Corpus Christi, What a great town.  It is about the same size at Chattanooga but they have so much more.  We upgraded to smart phones which we are still trying to learn everything about them.  Linda at first just wanted a simple phone but after seeing what I wanted she got one also.    We got the i phone 4 which will do anything.  I am still looking for the toilet paper holder for it.  We finished up shopping and ate dinner at the Ihop.  I went to the Dentist on Tuesday and will have a tooth pulled next Wednesday, it has been giving mw problems for a while and I have ignored it until it woke me up last week.  We rode over to Port Aransas for lunch on Wednesday and spent a litle time just looking around.  We finished up shopping on Thursday with the weekly run to Wally World where we found our new nephew a great gift.  Can't say what it is because his /Dad might tell him.  We ate pot luck with the rest of the Winter Texans and then played Card Bingo.  Food was great and bingo was a new experience.  Tonight we are going to the dance being held by the Resort.  Linda fixed Waffles this morning and they were great.  Sun is out and the temp is going up fast to 67 already.  See you soon.

Pictures from 12/1/11

Great Day

We woke up to a light rain which quit after 15 minutes.  Morning was great Sun and 64 degrees, I went to men's coffee and listened to the stories from others, then Linda and I had Breakfast, then off we went to tour the Uss Lexington CV 16.  I was stationed on the USS Saratoga CVA 60 and Linda has wanted to go on a Aircraft Carrier and here was her chance.  What a trip, she climbed the stairs, went to every part of the ship and had a ball.  We then came back to the RV and ate a light lunch.  We met our group of Heartland RVers for Dinner at the Boiling Pot, I had oysters on the half shell, and Cajun Boiled Shrimp, Linda had a Hot Dog as she doesn't like seafood.  I didn't realize that they didn't have other things on the menu.  There was 8 of us and they bring the meal out and pour it on the table.  They put white table paper on it and when they clean it up they just roll it up and throw it away.  The food was great.  We then came back to the RV and turned on the Christmas Lights outside.  Haven't put up a tree yet as we haven't found that perfect one.  Take care and more to come.

Home Again

We flew back into Corpus Christi today and it looked great.  Never knew that I would be glad to be back just like it was our permanent home.  Warmer here but the wind is up again.  Linda is tired and I think that everything  finally came to a head.   She is doing much better I think that her Mom passing has helped her in that Mom is not suffering any more.  A special thank you to our friends Ron and Loretta Masterson who let us stay with them through this.  They put up with us and even cooked Thanksgiving Dinner for us and made us feel like family.  I will post more later as I am tired also.

A New Day Begins

We buried Linda's and Debi's Mother today.  It was a celebration of life and Love.  Mom (Bette) was instrumential in my life.  When growing up she taught all of the kids in the neighborhood what life, kindness, and truthfulness was.  She transported us along with shorty everywhere we needed to be.  My family had no car and they would come get me and take Linda skating, to the movies and in general anywhere we wanted to go.  I always talked to her every year when I was away and kept up with Linda.  She and My cousin got Linda and I together in 81 and we got married in 82.  It has been 30 years now and they knew that this would last.  I owe a lot to her and shorty, and will now spend all my time making their daughter happy.  Mom helped us take care of my own Mom when she got sick and she was more than a mother-in-law to me.  As Debi said Mom's last breathe on earth was her first breathe in Heaven.  RIP Mom we Love you.

Sadness

It is a great deal of sadness that I post this.  Linda's Mother who has been suffering from Alzhimers passed away on Thursday morning.  Mom is at peace finally and in no pain.  This lady was special to me not only as my mother in law but as someone whom always smiled.  She is the one that brought Linda and I together as adults and also her and Linda's Dad who drove us to dances when we were young.  As long as I live I will never forget what they did for me.  We are back in Chattanooga for the funeral services and to help straighten out the house.
We will be back in Rockport sometime next week.  We must say a special Thank You to Hospice of Chattanooga, and the caregivers that took care of Mom, but we also want to thank Linda's step father Elmer as he was a rock during this time.  Ron and Loretta Masterson for picking us up in Nashville and letting us stay with them during this time.  Jim and Theresa for just being our friends.  When we have friends like these 4 people you don't need anything else.  God has watched over us through this and will guide us now.  Until then

Sunday

It has been a great week, we have gone to Aransas Pass to look around, Port Aransas to the beach, to Fulton and Rockport to get familiar with the town.  I found the Ace hardware and Loews.  We (Linda) slept in today as she is getting used to being retired also, went to H.E.B. and got groceries.  Came back to the campground and attended the Ice Cream Social to meet and greet then came back to the rig and had Sushi.  I had spicy shrimp rolls.  Watching the race now.  On Friday we attended a open house at Campers Clinic RV where we had lunch (free) and met some of the Heartland group that are down here for the winter.  We are getting together next Thursday at Pizza Hut for dinner.
There has been no change in Linda's Mom and we are still waiting on that phone call.  She is a great lady and we will miss her so much but she will be in a much better place.  On a side note I am so proud of Linda as she is in her second week of not smoking.  She is doing so well, I just know that she will get it done this time.  until Next Time.

Today

Not really sure what happened to the pictures from yesterday.  Oh well we learn even at this age.  Notice the trees as they are bent from winds over the years.

Rockport, Texas

We arrived here on Sunday, had no problems coming down.  It was raining in Austin and was the first since April.  We got here around 1:30 and took our time setting up.  Went to be early last night as we were tired, can't go like we used to.  Got up this morning and rode to Aransas Pass to get our beach permit, then took the ferry over to Port Aransas, of course Linda had to get her feet wet in the Gulf.  Then back to Rockport to get groceries and then it was red cup time.  It has been a wonderful day especially getting to spend it with my wife and now it is time to fix dinner.  Take care.

Great Weekend, Even Better Monday

Went to Canyon Lake this past weekend, visited Gruene, Texas and shopped some, great little town.   Did what every RV'er does and stopped at the Camping World Store in New Braunfels, Tx.  Picked up a few supplies.  Ate at the Grist Mill and drove the river road to Canyon Lake.  We stayed at some friends apt. that they built over their garage next to the main house.  On Sunday I got up and went fishing with my Nephew Chad.  Didn't catch anything but it was expected as they Guadalupe river is way down due to no rain since April.   This was a time to share and talk not necessarily catch fish.  Left there and traveled to Wimberely, Tx.  then on back to Austin.
Got up this morning and went with the wife, her sister Debi, and 2 female friends.  They talked me into getting a "works Pedicure"  Wow is all I can say, my feet and legs have never been so pampered.  Even got the Hot Stone Treatment.  We then had lunch and I wanted to see if my nails had grown so I could go again.  Take care until next time.

P.S. we leave for our winter home in Rockport Texas this coming Sunday.
Lee & Linda

wednesday

We spent most of the day getting the RV cleaned up and sorting through some of the extra stuff stored on board.  We try to get rid of it if we haven't used it or don't really need it.  Linda's sister flew back today as she was in Chattanooga visiting with her mother.  Their Mother is not doing any better and we are just waiting on the Telephone call.  Beautiful day today sun is out but they still need rain.  Take care we will check in later on this week, hopefully I can go fishing on the Guadalupe River this weekend in Sattler Tx.  Yeah Trout here I come.

We found it.

We found a RV Site in Rockport, Texas.  It is at the Drifters RV Resort.  Wow is all that I can say to it.  It is clean, sites are big, planned activities,  on site laundry, free cable, and WiFi.  We will leave Austin on 11/6 and travel 208  miles to Rockport.  They said that they had 3 days last year where you had to wear long sleeves.  Here is a picture of our site.

Winds are a Blowing.

We had to get up at 4:30AM in order to bring in the Awning as the winds were blowing at between 30 & 40 MPH.  They say that they will die down tonight or tomorrow.  Sun is out and supposed to get up to 78.  Linda and I went to Sportsman Finest a fly fishing shop and looked around.  Great place.  Tomorrow we go to Fredricksburg and Luckenbach for the day.  I love the salsa shop and also the brewery with the German food.  We will go to Rockport on Friday and spend the night coming back on Sunday.  We will stay in a motel.  When we find the right place we will take the RV down and spend the winter there.  Plans are to stay until February then possibly travel to Daytona for the Nascar Race as Good Sam's is sponsoring it.  Life is good and Linda and I are enjoying each others company.  We played Murbles yesterday,(murbles is a giant marble game)  had a ball.  We are presently learning to play domino's.  Take care I have to cook now.  Steak, Baked Potatoe & Salad.  Not bad for retirees.

Monday

This is the first Monday that Linda has not had to get up to either work, or travel.  I think that today is the first day that she has realized she is retired.  We got up early around 6:45 and sat outside in 58 degree weather and watched the sun come up.  It was a great sight.  Helping Debi put the pool cover on and doing research on the RV parks in Rockport.  We are going to Luckenbach and Fredicksburg on Wednesday and then leaving for Rockport early Friday to visit some Parks.  We are well and enjoying life together.

Lee & Linda

We Have ARRIVED!

We are in Austin Texas, arrived Tuesday at 12:15.  The roads in Arkansas are the pits, when we crossed into Arkansas it was fine until about 25 miles from Little Rock on I-40, then on the bypass it was okay, but on the other side of LR, on I-30 it was a pain, and the truck and RV were bouncing like a basketball.  Lost the shade on the lamp in the Rv but Wally World has plenty.  Dallas traffic was a nightmare, I would have to leave about 4 hours early if I worked there.  I-35E was great as was I-35.  Google La Hacienda RV Park in Austin and it has some pics on it.  I can say that this is the best park I have ever been in.  We went to Linda's sister's house Wednesday night where they had a surprise BD party for her.  Filled up the tanks today and cleaned up the RV. Resting tonight by ourselves, tomorrow we are going to Deb's boyfriend's house for me to check out the bike that I will be riding saturday on the shiner ride.  Grilling burgers tonight and then relaxing.

On the Road and Tired

WE left Lebanon, Tn this morning at 6:11am after getting bed at midnight.  We surprised ourselves by getting in 525 miles today.  Our goal was 300 with a max of 400, but we were traveling on adrenalin and made it to Hope Arkansas on I-30.  We are 27 miles from Texas so we will get into Austin a day earlier than expected, the RV park in Austin told us to come on down.  We arrived here at 3:50 and after unwinding for a while it is now 5pm and I am going to bed.  Take care I am getting a shower then to bed and continue the saga in the morning.

The Rally's Over

Well it is over for this year.  The rally was great we all had a ball.  No pictures yet but soon.  We are beat from running about 18 hours a day but we enjoyed it. It was a crazy week with skits, and even on Thursday 2 friends of ours got married here.  Our best friends who are the Directors for the State married our other best friends who had been together for a number of years.  The 6 of us have been friends for 5 years and they finally pulled the plug. About 10 couples went out to eat tonight after getting everything picked up and cleaned up.  When we got back I had ordered a cake for Linda, Ron and Jim who all have birthday's this month.  Linda's is this coming Wednesday.  We are leaving early in the morning and traveling to Texas, we hope to get to south of Little Rock and spend the night, then on to south of Dallas then to Austin on Wednesday.  It's late and we are really tired so off to bed and up early in order to get around Nashville before the traffic gets bad.  Take care and we will see you soon.

Rally Starts n the Morning

The rally starts in the morning and everything is set up.  We rode the bikes about 3 miles today, legs are tired and we must have walked around 5 miles.  Pictures will be available in the next day or so.  More to come in the next day or so when we have some down time.

On the Road Again, (Sound Familar)

Left Chattanooga at around 6:30 am this morning, No traffic to speak of and very few Big Trucks.  Ran at 60-65 mph most of the way stopped at the rest stop on Monteagle for a walk.  We like to stop every hour or so just to stretch and use the restroom, since we can't go as long as we used to.  Besides we have it with us.  Also drinking coffee as we go.  Made it to the James Ward Agriculture Center at around 8:30 CST.  Got set up and the weather is great a little nip in the air 62 degrees.  Made the trip to wally world and picked up a few things for the week.  We will be here for 8 days then on to Texas.  Hard to believe that we left Chattanooga and will not be back for 6 months.  See you then.
Lee & Linda

The Countdown

Well the final countdown is on, Linda has 2 more working day after today.  We have friends coming into the RV park today and will visit with them until we leave on Saturday morning.  We will be in Lebanon Tennessee for a Good Sam Samboree then on to Texas for the winter.  Let the adventure begin.

I am so happy for my wife and proud of her for the accomplishments that she has done after all of these years.  More to come as we get on the road.  Take care.

Back in East Ridge

Well we got back to the home base Sunday at around 2pm.  The trip down and back was great.  Coming home through Atlanta was not bad at all.  We came straight through town and not much traffic.  Stopped on the north side for lunch then to the campground in East Ridge.  Had to wash clothes as Linda went back to work this morning.  She only has 9 more days left.  Then we are leaving for the Tennessee Rally and on to Texas.  I wish that they could get some rain, they are suffering.

Linda with Good Sam

Until next time.

Georgia Samboree, Perry Georgia

Arrived in Perry Georgia on Thursday Afternoon for the Rally.  The Sam's Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard posted the colors to open the rally, Friday we went out for lunch at a Mennonite restaurant and it was great.  Tonight we had a great show from Nashville, tomorrow is Military appreciation day.  We will be home on Sunday getting ready to leave again on the 1st.

Great Day in the Hood

Well here it is Monday and all is right with the world.  Went to my checkup this morning (Doctor) and she said that I had lost another 7 lbs.  Yeah.  Everything looks great and I don't have to go back until next April when we return from Texas.  Leaving this Thursday for the Georgia Samboree in Perry, Ga.  looking forward to it, when we return Linda will be getting really close to retirement.  She goes today to sign up with Humana for her medicare insurance.  Her mother is still not good, Hospice is with her at home.

Rain, Rain, and more Rain

I would give anything to wrap up this rain and send it to Texas.  Sorry about double posting yesterday I caught the misspelled word just as I hit the post key.  Well it seems as we got over 10" .  I had to go outside and take down the lights, roll up the screens and then roll up the awning as the wind came in with a vengeance.  Today I had to clean up the mess.  Wow what a day and night, I hope that it gets better this week so that things can dry out.

Poodle Skirt

Linda is working on her Poodle skirt for the Fall Good Sam Samboree, the theme this year is the Fabulous Fifties.  Really looking forward to it since Linda and I shared those time together.  As some of you know we used to dance together on TV and around Chattanooga, well we will see if these old bones will stand up to it once more.  Rain is continuing and we have already gotten 3.5".  More to come as it is supposed to go on until Wed.  Linda just talked to Debi in Austin Tx. and there is real problems in that area with fires.  No rain since April.
Happy Camping

Poodle Shirt

Linda is working on her Poodle skirt for the Fall Good Sam Samboree, the theme this year is the Fabulous Fifties.  Really looking forward to it since Linda and I shared those time together.  As some of you know we used to dance together on TV and around Chattanooga, well we will see if these old bones will stand up to it once more.  Rain is continuing and we have already gotten 3.5".  More to come as it is supposed to go on until Wed.  Linda just talked to Debi in Austin Tx. and there is real problems in that area with fires.  No rain since April.
Happy Camping

Weekend

We have been cleaning out the RV this weekend to get everything in it that hasn't moved in a while out to reduce the weight.  Linda went to see her Mom this morning and she is not any better.  Waiting on the rain to hit this afternoon and the rest of the week.  Chattanooga needs it but Texas needs it more than us.  I really do hope and pray that they get some soon.  Happy Labor Day to all of our friends and we will post more this week.

Starting the final countdown

Linda starts the final countdown until her retirement tomorrow.  Being in the banking arena she has a way of counting that only a banker could have, Tomorrow is the last "First of the Month" and since Monday is Labor Day she only has 3 more Monday's to work.  We go to the Georgia Good Sam's Samboree on the 15th of Sept, then on the 1st of Oct. we leave for the Tennessee Good Sam Samboree.  Sam's Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard will be pesenting the colors at the Samborees.
Lee

Getting Ready

We are in the preparation stages of leaving Chattanooga on our adventure.  Waiting on Linda to retire on Sept. 30.  Camper is ready and house is sold.  Side trip to the Georgia Samboree then to the Tennessee Samboree and then we are on our way.