Can't believe another month has passed.  This blog starts on May 4th.  I spent most of the day cleaning out a file cabinet --- rearranging and shredding.  What a mess!!  Lee put up our Rock City birdhouse, a new mailbox and set out our yard arts.  Of course some of the flamingos found a spot --- but with the cactus?!?!? So so funny!!!  I started on last months blog while Lee loaded the pictures.  A good day had by all.  On Monday the 5th Lee pressure washed the house and porch.  What a difference - looks great!!  Now I've got to figure out a way to get paint off the siding.  The folks that painted last time were NOT careful at all!!  I worked on the inside, but nothing heavy duty though.  Our annual physical was on Tuesday the 6th. Hopefully we're both a-ok.  Will know after the blood work report comes back.  Lee finished pressure washing the house.  It's so nice and clean!!!  Finally on Wednesday as we set on the porch with our morning coffee --- 2 deer showed up across the street.  Beautiful -- love 'em!!!  On Thursday the 8th, I finally made a trip to the beauty shop for a trim and perm.  Lee painted on some outside tables and a shelf we'll use as a plant stand.  We went to check out a flea market on Saturday the 10th.  Lots of home grown veggies.  We'll definitely go back for more.  Lee cleaned out the gutters while I cooked dinner.  After dinner it was time to kick back and relax and watch the race.  I finally got back to my knitting project.  Haven't worked on it for several weeks because of things we needed to do around the house.

                                           Flamingoes in the Cactus

                               Some ran around to the front yard
On Sunday the 11th we started packing for our trip to Chattanooga for Austin's (grandson) graduation from high school.  Lee worked outside doing some "cosmetic" stuff around the house.  More packing and loading the car on Monday the 12th. Anxious to get on the road.  On Tuesday the 13th we left at 7:30 am (CST) --- and it was only 56 degrees (COLD).  Not suppose to be like that --- it's the middle of May!!!  Got to Palestine for lunch around noon.  Warmed up to 59 (LOL).  When we reached the Louisiana line at 2:35 pm it was 62.  Stopped in Vicksburg, MS at 5:56 pm having completed 539 miles.  Back on the road on Wednesday at 7:30 am.  At I20/59 there were "Rough Road Ahead" signs.  OMG  appreciate the warning -- but they should use much bigger font and all bold letters.  It was awful!!!  Reached Tuscaloosa at 11:10. Stopped for a late breakfast/early lunch. Contending with lots and lots of rain today.  Arrive at our first destination (Columbia, TN) at 3:20 pm. Lee's daughter and family lives here.  Spent the night with them.  Had a great visit.  Our total mileage so far is 969.

Chris, Stephanie, Jeremiah, and Danielle Grissom

                                       Jeremiah

                               Danielle
Left there on Thursday the 15th at 7:43 am......and it's 48 degrees.  MY GOSH - what gives?!?!?  We checked the weather before we left and knew it would be cool, but nothing like this.  Today we're heading
for Lebanon to the James Ward Fairgrounds.  This was the week of the Tennessee Samboree.  As most of you know we were the Assistant State Directors before moving to Texas and participated in these every year.  We wanted to surprise most of the folks so only 4 people knew we were coming.  Arrived at 9:50 am. What a wonderful day visiting with everyone!!!!  And - our secret was kept.  Lots and lots of hugs -- even a few tears of joy!!  We love ya'll so much!!!  Left there at 3:20 pm heading to Chattanooga.  Didn't want to leave, but we had family waiting.  After travelling 1,202 miles we arrived at my step-dad's (Elmer) house at 6:55 pm (EST).....but not before stopping for a sackful of Krystals!!!  Michael, Austin, Kristy (Michael's friend) and her son Corbin came by to see us.  GOSH - it was GREAT seeing them.

On Friday the 15th my cousin Trina, her husband Mack and her mom (Aunt Ed) came by to see us. GREAT seeing them also and had a wonderful visit!  Friday evening we went to Kristy's house in Birchwood for a graduation dinner her and Michael planned for Austin.  WONDERFUL food and visitation.  Included Debi, Chad, Chelsea and Ryder who flew in on Wednesday, plus Kristy's family.  Saturday the 17th we headed to the UTC Arena for Austin's graduation from Central High School.  As for Centrals graduates --- I graduated in 1964, Michael in 1989 and Austin 2014.....mom, son & grandson.....how cool is that!!!  Everyone came back to Elmer's and had a fantastic bbq lunch with all the trimmings.  Dinner --- Krystals, chili pups and corn dogs. On Sunday the 18th Lee and I went to visit an aunt of his who is 97 years old, along with his cousin and her husband. At dinner time we met a nephew, wife and daughter Patrick, Kassie & Mariah), plus Michael and Kristy at Red Lobster.  This trip of ours is going by too fast!!!!  Once we got back to Elmer's we starting to pack up for our return trip to Texas.

                                             Linda, Austin, and you know who

                                     Michael Class of 89, Linda Class of 64, Austin class of 14 at Central and Lee
                                     Brainerd High Class of 64

                                     Gail, Aunt Ernestine and Lee

                                          Gail, Ernestine Lee and Fred

                                      The View from Kristy's

                                           Baskin Robbins Cake  yum yum

                                                   Ryder loves Krystal Corn Pups

                            Red Lobster
After 1,344 miles we're heading home on Monday the 19th.  Going to miss everyone!!!  Had a WONDERFUL time.  Love and miss everyone bunches!!!

Arrived in Tuscaloosa at 2:25 pm CST.  Lots and lots of sunshine -- and was warm 85!!!!  OH HAPPY DAY!!  We have now traveled 1,631 miles when we arrive at the Alabama/Mississippi line at 3:25.  Outside Meridian there were lots of people on the side of the road and overpasses.  Finally -- blue lights and hundreds of motorcycles.  This was part of the Rolling Thunder Ride to the Wall in Washington, DC.  What a beautiful sight!!!  We arrived in Vicksburg at 6:00 and decided to call it a day.  After a good night's rest, we were back at it at 6:30 am on Tuesday morning.  At the Louisiana line we had completed 1,785 miles.  We took highway 79 outside of Shreveport at 9:52 - mileage now at 1,969.  Stopped in Palestine for lunch at noon (2,087 miles).  Same Place we stopped for lunch when we went to Chattanooga, Love Denny's.  Arrived at home at 5:22.  Our total trip was 2,317 miles.  Without all the side trips -- from our house to Chattanooga is only about 987 miles (one way).  We had a wonderful trip, but it was sure nice waking up in our own bed on Wednesday the 21st.  Also enjoyed being able to sit outside with our morning coffee.  Couldn't do that in Tennessee due to a COLD front that arrive and wouldn't leave.

We have several peach trees.  Upon our return home every single tree has peaches on them.  Should be ripe in another week or so.  Definitely will freeze some --- and make some peach cobblers!!!

                                        Big Peaches

                           Lots of Peaches  We have 5 trees
 Lee went to the post office to get our mail and stopped to pick up bird seed.  All the feeders were empty and the birds were not happy.  Also got me some deer corn!!  Later he went to pick up a bookcase we ordered and talked to an "expert" about painting our trouble rooms.  Long story short - SHE knew what she was talking about.  Got this paint called Gripper.  That is what I'll use to cover up that awful hot pink and black in one of our extra rooms.  I'll have to do this before we even pick out the final color.  I love to paint so I'm anxious to get started.  Don't know it you noticed the awful ceiling light in that room, but it's now gone and Lee installed a ceiling fan.

                                           Purple Room

                                            Black and Pink for a Hobby Room NOT!!!!!!!

                                         Thank you Linda

                                           New Fan

                                         Bookcase

                                       Purple Room is gone yeah!

                                   Lee's Cow

Thursday the 22nd was a very productive day.  Started off the day going to the grocery store.  I should have taken a coat and my leg sweater.  There shouldn't be a chill factor in a grocery store!!!!!  After getting all that put up I got started on the first coat of primer.  Looks better already (LOL).  The inside of the closet is hot pink, but I'll work on that later.  We'll just keep the closet door shut.  Lee worked in the yard and put the bookshelf together.  Big surprise when I went to the front porch for coffee on Friday the 23rd.  One of the gardenia plants I've tried so hard to bring back to life (after the freeze in Rockport) had a bloom on it -- and had about 5 more buds.  Had 3 of those,  We took the time to get them out of the pots and into the ground. Also noticed that one of our cactus plants is blooming a beautiful yellow flower.  I headed back to the room I'm painting and Lee head to the "barn".  That needed a clean up and reorganization.  Busy day for both of us, but we enjoyed it so much.

                            Cactus Flowers
Headed to Home Depot on Saturday the 24th for paint.  We decided to have the bottom part while and the top blue. (See The Pictures above) We also got paint for the faded shutters.  Lee started on them.  Sunday the 25th was very productive and fun.  As soon as we finish breakfast of homemade waffles we started working.  Me - painting in the fly tying room and Lee putting a second coat of paint on the shutters.  He says he's not a painter --- well --- he did a great job and they look great.  Mom (a butterfly) came by to see what he was doing. Another butterfly was with her.  Lee says mom brought dad to check him out to make sure he was doing it right.  Shutters are back on the house and what a difference -- for the better of course.  Finished up the fly tying room on Monday the 26th.  Will start on the purple room tomorrow.  More deer showed up today.....two bucks.  Beautiful animals.

                                         Deer Feeding

                                         Young Buck

On Tuesday the 27th we had to take the truck in to the shop -- brake issues.  We've had a lot of rain since last Friday so Lee hasn't been able to "piddle" outside, so he has been a HUGE help with the painting chores.  I cut in at ceiling and floor - he rolls the paint on in between.  We're doing it a light green.  Doesn't show up good in the picture....but it's beautiful!!  As of Wednesday the 28th the purple room is finished.(Also see the pictures above) While I did the finishing touches on the room, Lee worked outside cutting grass and weed eating.  Great day for wild life.  A bird building a nest in one of our bird houses.  Several hummingbirds that come early morning and evening.  And of course my favorite -- the deer. On Friday the 30th both rooms were finished, furniture back in place and all the floors cleaned.  Lee got a new door put up in the fly tying room.  Remember --- the door to that room was painted black and hot pink???  We're discussing the next project.  There's several --- but the worse ones have been taken care of.
                                                           

 Before

After

On Saturday the 31st Debi called and wanted to come down.  HECK YES --- then we won't find something else to work on.  She and I went shopping for swim suits.  When we got back Chad had driven over from San Marcos.  Enjoyed their visit.  Chad went home and Debi spent the night.  On Sunday morning June 1st we all had a very relaxing morning on the porch with coffee.  Lazy Lazy Lazy.  Lee started painting on the back porch and I did laundry.  I had gotten Debi and I a dolphin mold kit.  She played with that most of the morning then packed up and left around noon.  I headed to the couch with the newspaper.  Lee got a lot of painting done before he called it a day.  Now he's in his recliner checkout out the back of his eyelids.

Update on my leg -- better.  Haven't needed the wheelchair in over a month (sent it home with Debi today).  I put the crutches up 2 weeks ago.  I'm using a cane only now.  Have another checkup next week.  Anxious to see what the doctor says.

Well folks - this ones a bit long, but it's been a busy busy month.

Until next time......Take care!!

Hello everyone!!  We begin this blog on Friday April 4th.  Lee headed out to the house to meet the termite guy.  HOPEFULLY this is it.  My leg was not doing too good, so I stayed in to relax the leg and read.  We watched the race --- good finish, but we don't like the long tracks.  An interesting day on Sunday the 6th. We have a new tenant in the RV --- a mouse (which we named Mickey).  Traps have been set.  Not scared of him, but I DO NOT like him.  On Monday we had a lot of rain, hail and more rain.  Rain was good, but just not enough of it.  Mickey is still hanging around so more traps were set.  I think he's in hiding for the moment.  He came running by me and I tried to attack him with my crutch.  OMG - I didn't know they could run that fast.  Tuesday the 8th was beautiful -- warm and 82.  We set outside and put our cargo cart together that we had purchased.  I worked on clipping the dead stuff off our 3 gardenia plants.  We thought we had lost them because of the horrible freeze we had before we left Rockport.  I think they've been saved.  They'll do a lot better once we can put them in the ground at the house.  Our day ended with Lee putting a steak on the grill.

Thursday the 10th was a wonderful day!!!  Had an appointment with my surgeon.  One break has healed, but the other one has a ways to go.  But - the GOOD news - I can start walking on it normally....which ain't easy at all.  Since I haven't used it much at all for 3 months, I still have a balance issue.  So I'm to keep a crutch or cane with me at all times.  Next checkup is in 2 months.  We celebrated by having lunch at Cracker Barrel on the way home.  On Friday the 11th I started working with the cane, but Lee had to cut some off. Yep - even though it was adjustable it wasn't short enough.  Don't they make these things for short people?!?!?!?

We had some really weird weather on Monday the 14th.  It was 68 when we got up at 7:30, and went down to 46 by 10:30 with a thunder storm and winds gusting at 40 mph.  Enough already --- it's the middle of April!!!!  On Tuesday the 15th - we had to run some errands and took a different route.  Parts of the Hill County are beautiful, especially a farm that we passed that raises buffalo (beautiful and huge).  Wednesday the 16th we went to the mattress store to make arrangements for our bed to be delivered since we officially received the closing date for our house, then on to Target for some cleaning supplies.  I was able to maneuver the store with my crutches -- a big accomplishment!!! An added note -- Mickey was caught!!!! Can't remember when -- but that doesn't matter, he doesn't exist any more.  On Sunday the 20th we went to Gruene for Gurene Market Days.  That's where we can purchase the best BBQ sauce in Texas!!  Back to the RV to pack up a few items in the truck and car.  On Tuesday the 22nd we packed up some more things. We're been assured that closing is tomorrow, but as of 1:00 today we have no idea what time.  This has become a joke -- and we're NOT laughing.

Wednesday the 23rd  -- what a day!!!  We closed on the house.  The truck and car were loaded with a lot of stuff from the RV so we headed to house to unload both.  Went back to the RV and loaded up the car only.  Lee got everything unloaded and changed the locks on the doors, while I started unpacking and cleaning.  We wanted to do more -- but we both "ran out of gas".  Headed back to the RV for a good restful night.  Will start again early tomorrow.  On Thursday the 24th we were up and loading the car again before sunrise.  Guess you could say we were a bit excited.  The bedroom furniture and beds were delivered today. WOW - beautiful!!  Headed back to the RV for one more load -- then HOME to rest.  Gosh - this has been so tiring for both of us - but then we both have all these aches and pains -- and of course I'm having issues with this leg I broke.  It's taking time because we're cleaning everything before we unpack (cabinets, bathrooms, etc. etc. etc.).  Would you believe that we're having fun though?

After a leisurely morning on Friday the 25th sitting on the front porch having coffee we were "up and at it".  I worked on cleaning cabinets and putting down shelf paper.  Lee left to meet the movers.  We had 3 very nice young men help us clean out our storage shed.  Now we really have some unpacking to do!!! Organized a few items then took the afternoon off.  Went to this really cool place (Monterrey Rustic Furniture) to purchase some night stands and also ended up with a couple lamps.  Debi came down on Saturday morning the 26th to help out and spend the night.  Lee headed to his favorite place - Home Depot with a list.  With all the totes stacked all over the kitchen, I figured we'd be all day.  Our goal was to get the kitchen, living room and "her" bedroom completed.  Well - all of this was completed in record breaking time.  She was such a BIG HELP!!!  THANK  YOU SO MUCH SISSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  A friend of hers stopped by mid-afternoon and we all went to have dinner at the Gristmill in Gruene.  Our 3rd bedroom which will be the fly tying room and office is a disaster, but that okay.  The main living quarters are all done.

Had a lazy morning on Sunday the 27th.  We all set out on the porch with our morning coffee.  Debi offered to stay and help some more, but we told her that we were going to take the day off so she headed back home.  Yea - right.....that didn't happen.  We unpacked more stuff, went to Home Depot, went to the RV and got the kitchen table and chairs, recliner and some miscellaneous items.  Once we got home and emptied the truck we were going to take off the rest of the day.  DIDN'T HAPPEN!  We did not quit for the day until 7:45 pm.  Neither one of us could be still, but we sure got a lot accomplished.  Guess what we're doing on Monday the 28th?  If you guessed unpacking - you're correct.  Took time to go to the grocery store and stop by the storage facility to sweep out our unit.  Once we got back home we both took a much needed nap.  Took more time off to go back to Monterrey Rustic to check out their coffee tables and end tables. Got one of each. Stopped at another shop where Lee purchased a roadrunner (yard art).  Very fitting since we live on Roadrunner Lane.  Stopped by to pick up our mail and I had received a Rock City bird house. Lee planned with Debi, Michael and Austin.  Love it love it!!!

On Tuesday the 29th, we made our last trip to the RV to get it hooked up and take to storage.  She's been good to us these past few years, but it's time to give her a rest.  Even though its taken a lot out of us moving, we've tried to make it fun and keep a sense of humor.  Our new home is starting to look great!!!!  Another very productive day on Wednesday the 30th.  We're really enjoying the electric stove.  We have cooked with propane the last 4 years.  Lighting the burners in the RV was no problem, but you almost had to stand on your head to light the oven.  You folks with RV knows what I'm talking about. I'm REALLY REALLY enjoying the washer and dryer!!!! Lee is almost finished hanging items on the walls.  DANG - it all looks so good.  We're so proud.  Thursday May 1st was another productive day, but sure do wish we had Debi back down here!!  Took a break on the back porch just in time to see a (real) roadrunner.  Again - so fitting.  A bird is making her nest in one of the bird houses on the front porch.  She has been very entertaining, especially if the twig she brought back was too big.  We also have a hummingbird feeder.  It took a few days, but they are now showing up.  Love all the creatures.  Now I'm waiting on a deer to appear.  We ended the day with a bowl of homemade vegetable soup and homemade cornbread with a glass a tea.  Life is good - uh?

Lee finished getting the fly tying room/office set up on Saturday the 3rd.  It's been a busy week and a half -- but the major stuff is finished.  We're happy (tired) home owners again.  Lee is posting some more pictures of the house inside and out.  I can't believe we are finally getting everything up and done.  We gave away 18 Totes today and had a painter come and is going to give us a price on painting the Purple room, and the fly tying room.

Those are Flamingoes in the Catcus plants and front yard, also we have 6 peach trees that have peaches everywhere.

Take care!  Until next time......