06/29/19 - On 4/27, Alice's husband David had a routine heart stress test for a follow up regarding his heart condition. He failed the test, was admitted to the heart hospital. He was in Wichita which is about 2 hours from here. Alice, did come home and we spent the evening with her daughter Elizabeth and boyfriend Chase. Elizabeth cooked a delicious dinner and it was a nice evening.
4/28 - Alice and I left at 6:30 am for Wichita since David had a heart catherization and stent insertion scheduled at 9:30 am. He was back in his room soon after 10:30 am and was doing well. Alice and I went to the cafe for lunch and spent the afternoon with him. The nurse got him up and into the chair by 2:00 pm. Alice and I left around 5:00 pm for home. We stopped at a wonderful ice cream place (not sure how to spell it) and had some great tasting ice cream. We stopped for gas and got home around 7:30 pm. Because of the long day, I went to the RV and crashed. I did write a little of a birthday card but not much. Warm evening, so I have the fan going. Off to bed.
Today, David was discharged and Alice went to get him. She left around 8:30 am. I took a shower, finished the birthday card, walked it to the mail box, closed up the RV since they are combining wheat right next to me and the wheat dust is awful, made some lunch and now Alice and David are home so I will go over and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with them.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Monday, June 24, 2019
06/24/19 - On 6/22, Alice took me into Abilene and we went toured the Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum. It was very interesting. There was a rather large greyhound in the building but very friendly. I did not realize that the greyhound dog racing was still active but soon learned that it is still very active. We then walked through Abilene Old Town where there were some small log buildings. One was a church that was very interesting. They actually have a gun fight show but we did not stay that long to see the show. We drove through Brown Park just outside of Abilene. The park is the home for the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. There was some flood damage evident but we did see alot of the park.
6/23 - We took a trip into the town of Chapman. She showed me the middle school where she works and some of the damage that is still evident from a tornado that went through the town several years ago. There has been a lot of new building projects and the town is recovering. She took me to an area that has a lot of flooding and there was a road closed where the creek was running rapidly over the road so we had to turn around. Her daughter Elizabeth and boyfriend Chase joined us for a lasagna dinner.
Today, we went to Milford Lake that is huge. We were able to drive on top of the dam. There is alot of recreation on this lake. It has a lot of flooding and I saw pavillions under water. You could see the roof tops. It was really sad. They had moved a couple of cabins to higher ground as well. There was a large part of a parking lot that was totally flooded. We then decided to drive to a dairy farm that has a store attached that sells meats, cheeses and homemade ice cream. When we got there it was closed and we were so disappointed. We then stopped off at the David's home farm which is a crop and cattle farm. They are getting ready to harvest wheat in the next couple of days. A very interesting afternoon.
6/23 - We took a trip into the town of Chapman. She showed me the middle school where she works and some of the damage that is still evident from a tornado that went through the town several years ago. There has been a lot of new building projects and the town is recovering. She took me to an area that has a lot of flooding and there was a road closed where the creek was running rapidly over the road so we had to turn around. Her daughter Elizabeth and boyfriend Chase joined us for a lasagna dinner.
Today, we went to Milford Lake that is huge. We were able to drive on top of the dam. There is alot of recreation on this lake. It has a lot of flooding and I saw pavillions under water. You could see the roof tops. It was really sad. They had moved a couple of cabins to higher ground as well. There was a large part of a parking lot that was totally flooded. We then decided to drive to a dairy farm that has a store attached that sells meats, cheeses and homemade ice cream. When we got there it was closed and we were so disappointed. We then stopped off at the David's home farm which is a crop and cattle farm. They are getting ready to harvest wheat in the next couple of days. A very interesting afternoon.
Friday, June 21, 2019
06/21/19 - On 6/20, The last couple of days have been quiet and we have had some rain but Alice stills thinks that I will be able to move on Friday. Had dinner with the family including daughter Elizabeth and boyfriend, Chase. Nice evening.
Today, a storm came through and it did rain alittle more so quite concerned as whether I could actually move but we decided to give it a try. I called Alice around 11:20 am since she wanted to come over and help with finally disconnection of things. We left the car at the store at the campground and got to her house. Her husband David was home and we decided where to park and how to get there but there was a low place that was very soft and I could not get up the little incline. We then changed directions and soon I was in the yard and on the side of the house. We then hooked up electric and water. I told Alice, we needed to take a break and then she got a call from a sister-in-law, Julie and there was a garage sale up the road so Alice and I went for a little bit, then went to pick up the car and home. Julie came over and we visited for a while. Julie needed to leave and I told Alice that her and I needed to rest so I went out to the RV and left her on a recliner. I then put the slide outs out and set up the TV. I took it easy for a couple of hours and then Alice and had I had dinner since David was mowing a cemetery. We had a nice evening and conversation and now I am off to bed soon.
Today, a storm came through and it did rain alittle more so quite concerned as whether I could actually move but we decided to give it a try. I called Alice around 11:20 am since she wanted to come over and help with finally disconnection of things. We left the car at the store at the campground and got to her house. Her husband David was home and we decided where to park and how to get there but there was a low place that was very soft and I could not get up the little incline. We then changed directions and soon I was in the yard and on the side of the house. We then hooked up electric and water. I told Alice, we needed to take a break and then she got a call from a sister-in-law, Julie and there was a garage sale up the road so Alice and I went for a little bit, then went to pick up the car and home. Julie came over and we visited for a while. Julie needed to leave and I told Alice that her and I needed to rest so I went out to the RV and left her on a recliner. I then put the slide outs out and set up the TV. I took it easy for a couple of hours and then Alice and had I had dinner since David was mowing a cemetery. We had a nice evening and conversation and now I am off to bed soon.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
06/18/19 - Well, well, what a day. I will begin from the beginning. I got up at 7:50 am and was hoping to leave by 10:00 am. I got the inside of the RV all done and then went into the house to finish closing up since the family is still gone. I watered her plants, turned off the water and put the water heater on vacation mode. Then filled up the fresh water tank, emptied out the gray water tank and did the usual disconnects. My step stool that I keep outside was quite muddy, so washed it off. I finally pulled out at 10:45 am.
Because of I-70 west was closed in Kansas City and we had to detour, it took longer to get through that city. I finally got to the truck service area around Lawrence, Kansas so I could have lunch. It was 2:20 pm already. I had an urgent message from Alice (the gal I am spending time with the next two weeks), telling me that they were under tornado watch and now warning and it was raining really hard and because of that the ground is too soft for me to park there. She informed me that there was a campgound about 6 miles from her and gave me the number. I called and sure enough she had a spot for me. We decided to pay for 3 days to see if things will dry up so I can move to their house. I was on the other side of Topeka so decided to start driving and hopefully won't be a lot of rain. About 65 miles from my destination, I got into pouring rain and I just pulled off on the next exit and waited for the storm to pass. It took about 20 minutes and then I started out again. At times it did rain but not enough for me to pull over. I got to the campground at 5:35 pm. I called Alice and she came over to send time with me while I set up. It is very wet here but I am on gravel so that is helping alot. She had made dinner and so I drove over to her house, had dinner, chatted a little and now I need to take a shower and get to bed.
Because of I-70 west was closed in Kansas City and we had to detour, it took longer to get through that city. I finally got to the truck service area around Lawrence, Kansas so I could have lunch. It was 2:20 pm already. I had an urgent message from Alice (the gal I am spending time with the next two weeks), telling me that they were under tornado watch and now warning and it was raining really hard and because of that the ground is too soft for me to park there. She informed me that there was a campgound about 6 miles from her and gave me the number. I called and sure enough she had a spot for me. We decided to pay for 3 days to see if things will dry up so I can move to their house. I was on the other side of Topeka so decided to start driving and hopefully won't be a lot of rain. About 65 miles from my destination, I got into pouring rain and I just pulled off on the next exit and waited for the storm to pass. It took about 20 minutes and then I started out again. At times it did rain but not enough for me to pull over. I got to the campground at 5:35 pm. I called Alice and she came over to send time with me while I set up. It is very wet here but I am on gravel so that is helping alot. She had made dinner and so I drove over to her house, had dinner, chatted a little and now I need to take a shower and get to bed.
06/18/19 - On 6/14, I finally got the RV back and slowly started to move back in and out of the basement.
6/15 - Did two loads of laundry since I needed to do two sets of bed sheets and my other clothes.
6/16 - Went to church, got an invitation to have lunch with one of the families and then we played a game with the kids and I did not get home until 4:00 pm. I then put more things away and soon someone drove in and I learned that they were bringing the mini van back that was left at their house and then we had conversation until 8:45 pm so turned out to be a long day.
6/17 - It started to raining really hard early in the morning but I needed to run errands. Finally, let up a little so I ran errands and worked on putting more things away so I had less to do before leaving.
6/15 - Did two loads of laundry since I needed to do two sets of bed sheets and my other clothes.
6/16 - Went to church, got an invitation to have lunch with one of the families and then we played a game with the kids and I did not get home until 4:00 pm. I then put more things away and soon someone drove in and I learned that they were bringing the mini van back that was left at their house and then we had conversation until 8:45 pm so turned out to be a long day.
6/17 - It started to raining really hard early in the morning but I needed to run errands. Finally, let up a little so I ran errands and worked on putting more things away so I had less to do before leaving.
Friday, June 14, 2019
06/14/19 - Wow, my post on 6/10 has dates wrong. It should be June and not May.
On 6/11, I learned the the shocks were delayed and that I would not get the RV back until Thursday.
6/13, I informed him that if he had it done by late afternoon, I would still have a ride since Antony and Beth had planned to leave at 4:00 pm. I told him that I would wait in the lobby until it was ready and he would not commit to that so Antony and Beth left at 5:00 pm. He had told me that they would give me a ride since there has been so much of a delay.
Today, I decided to start getting some things ready to move back into the RV. Since I was in the basement, I did not have phone services so I missed 4 voice mails and several text messages. I had just put lunch in the microwave, when I thought I heard a strange noise upstairs. I listened for a minute and just felt uneasy as if someone was in the house. I went to the bottom of the stairs and yelled "Hello, Hello" and sure enough someone responded. I immediately went up the stairs because I could not figure out how he got into the house. Sure enough there was a gentleman at the door with keys in his hands!! Needless to stay I was flabbergasted. I soon learned that Antony and family had car trouble and were unable to continue. They only got to St. Louis which is about 2 1/2 hours from home. They tried road side service but nothing worked. They were able to walk to a motel for the night. The motel only had one room left so the whole family ended up in one room. What a mess. This morning, Antony talked to a mechanic but just could not figure out what was wrong. So he called Garber Diesel because they have a towing service as well. My RV has been at the same place. The towing truck driver came out to the house and tried to let me know he was here but I was in the basement Poor Antony was so frustrated because I would not answer the phone and then did not answer the door so he informed the driver where they had a key hidden for the front door so he could open it and yell for me. So that is why that all happened without my knowledge.
Antony has bought a Ford Transport vehicle that is much bigger than a mini van and has captain seats which is much more comfortable for the family to travel. So he was going to sell the mini van but has not sold yet. Anyway, the tow truck put the mini van on the truck and I tagged along since the RV was finally finished since he was going back to the repair shop to get some items before heading for St. Louis to pick up Antony and family. He then dropped the mini van off at the motel so the family could return home and the Ford Transport was then towed back to a repair shop in the vicinity.
The family got home at 6:00 pm and the Ford Transport got to the repair shop about 6:30 pm. Antony had asked for a HUGE favor. Could someone looked at it after hours and if by chance it was a simple repair could they check it out so maybe the family could still start their trip. Antony went to bed to sleep for a while and the rest of the family got some dinner together so I joined them for dinner. During dinner, the puppy (golden retriever) decided to play with my extension cord that gives me electricity for the RV, and was able to pull the cord from the house receptacle and even from the RV, decided to do a little chewing and pulled it all the way out on the grass!! I could not believe it. We electric taped the little area she chewed and plugged me back in.
Everyone was kinda in limbo but Beth got the little one ready for bed and before that got accomplished, Antony got a phone call from the repair shop. They did talk for a little while but he learned that there was mole that grew on the side of the air filter and broke off and went into something else which caused the computer to respond and shut things down. The mechanic informed him that it was repaired and what did Antony want to do. The family was so excited and just wanted to get on the road. So at 9:00 pm, they piled into the mini van, drove to pick up the Ford Transport and one again are on their way. I got a text and things are going well so far. They have been delayed for 25 hours but are once again traveling to New York.
On 6/11, I learned the the shocks were delayed and that I would not get the RV back until Thursday.
6/13, I informed him that if he had it done by late afternoon, I would still have a ride since Antony and Beth had planned to leave at 4:00 pm. I told him that I would wait in the lobby until it was ready and he would not commit to that so Antony and Beth left at 5:00 pm. He had told me that they would give me a ride since there has been so much of a delay.
Today, I decided to start getting some things ready to move back into the RV. Since I was in the basement, I did not have phone services so I missed 4 voice mails and several text messages. I had just put lunch in the microwave, when I thought I heard a strange noise upstairs. I listened for a minute and just felt uneasy as if someone was in the house. I went to the bottom of the stairs and yelled "Hello, Hello" and sure enough someone responded. I immediately went up the stairs because I could not figure out how he got into the house. Sure enough there was a gentleman at the door with keys in his hands!! Needless to stay I was flabbergasted. I soon learned that Antony and family had car trouble and were unable to continue. They only got to St. Louis which is about 2 1/2 hours from home. They tried road side service but nothing worked. They were able to walk to a motel for the night. The motel only had one room left so the whole family ended up in one room. What a mess. This morning, Antony talked to a mechanic but just could not figure out what was wrong. So he called Garber Diesel because they have a towing service as well. My RV has been at the same place. The towing truck driver came out to the house and tried to let me know he was here but I was in the basement Poor Antony was so frustrated because I would not answer the phone and then did not answer the door so he informed the driver where they had a key hidden for the front door so he could open it and yell for me. So that is why that all happened without my knowledge.
Antony has bought a Ford Transport vehicle that is much bigger than a mini van and has captain seats which is much more comfortable for the family to travel. So he was going to sell the mini van but has not sold yet. Anyway, the tow truck put the mini van on the truck and I tagged along since the RV was finally finished since he was going back to the repair shop to get some items before heading for St. Louis to pick up Antony and family. He then dropped the mini van off at the motel so the family could return home and the Ford Transport was then towed back to a repair shop in the vicinity.
The family got home at 6:00 pm and the Ford Transport got to the repair shop about 6:30 pm. Antony had asked for a HUGE favor. Could someone looked at it after hours and if by chance it was a simple repair could they check it out so maybe the family could still start their trip. Antony went to bed to sleep for a while and the rest of the family got some dinner together so I joined them for dinner. During dinner, the puppy (golden retriever) decided to play with my extension cord that gives me electricity for the RV, and was able to pull the cord from the house receptacle and even from the RV, decided to do a little chewing and pulled it all the way out on the grass!! I could not believe it. We electric taped the little area she chewed and plugged me back in.
Everyone was kinda in limbo but Beth got the little one ready for bed and before that got accomplished, Antony got a phone call from the repair shop. They did talk for a little while but he learned that there was mole that grew on the side of the air filter and broke off and went into something else which caused the computer to respond and shut things down. The mechanic informed him that it was repaired and what did Antony want to do. The family was so excited and just wanted to get on the road. So at 9:00 pm, they piled into the mini van, drove to pick up the Ford Transport and one again are on their way. I got a text and things are going well so far. They have been delayed for 25 hours but are once again traveling to New York.
Monday, June 10, 2019
06/10/19 - As usual, it is taking alot longer to get the RV all repaired. I stopped in last week to get an update and was told that things should be done by today. I did not hear and Beth, Gwyneth and I were in the area so we stopped to check on things. They did some extra repairs including some type of little motor that will help with movement from left to right and then the shocks (not sure if spelled right) were next on the list but I told him to keep the repairs at $1500 or under. Today, I was told it would be Wednesday before I would get the RV back since he decided that they could keep the price down and replace the shocks. I informed him that it had to be not later than Wednesday because Antony and Beth were leaving for their vacation back east on Thursday. I plan to stay a little longer since they needed someone here until Monday (5/17) which I want to do since I have not been paying any rent. So plans are now to leave for my friend's house in Kansas on 5/18. So I am still in their basement which is quite comfortable but just not home!
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
06/04/19 - On 5/31, it finally was dry enough that Antony felt that I could move out of the mud. I got the RV ready to move and we successfully moved down to the lower level that evening. I now have electric and water but no sewage which is fine.
6/3, I got the RV moved to the diesel shop so I can have the engine serviced before I leave on my next journey. They had some staffing issues on Monday so it might take 5 days to get things done but I am quite comfortable in the basement of my niece's house. They completed the basement with small sitting area, dining area, kitchette, handicapped equipped bathroom and two bedrooms.
Today, I have several letters to write and get in the mail but nothing else is planned.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
06/01/19 - Not much was happening but every day living so now I will date the next event.
5/30 - I drove over to Windsor, Missouri where I have some Amish relatives and it was a good day to go since they were celebrating a holiday. My Aunt Lena has passed away, and some items were left for some of her nieces and nephews so I went over to visit and to pick up those items. I got some directions from Antony and the GPS and drove right to the house. It took me an hour and 15 minutes. Not sure of the mileage. I had lunch with Cousin Lizzie and her family. We then walked over to my Aunt Lena's house to pick up the items and to talk about memories. It was a strange feeling since of course the house looked totally different. I then requested to get directions to the graveyard since I wanted to see where they were buried. Four of her girls got in the back of my little car and Cousin Lizzie in the front. The graveyard was not very far. It was quite a surreal. We then went back to the house and Lizzie sister Emma and her family came up for the afternoon. We had a great visit. I then went to Cousin Ada Mae's house for dinner. There were only 4 of us for dinner. Her son Ruben (a down's)and her daughter Betty. After dinner, she invited her other married children that lived in the community to come over for the evening. I stayed until almost dark but knew I only had an hour and half home. I started out and got into to Windsor and was overly confident that I knew the way home since it was quite simple without the GPS. I texted niece Beth and told her I should be home a 10:30 pm. In the center of the town of Windsor, I got myself pre-occupied (I guess, who knows) and made the wrong turn. I was thinking about my day and the visit and absolutely not paying attention to direction when I started to get into some towns that just were not familiar and not the towns I remembered when going to Windsor. I didn't really think about it until I was not getting to the interstate 65. After 35 minutes of driving since my text to Beth, I made a mental note of the Missouri map and soon decided that I have been going west instead of east!! I then got the GPS out and sure enough. I drove back to the little town I just left, then the GPS got confused and soon I was on the phone with Antony. He got me out of the mess but I drove 30 miles the wrong way!!! So instead of an hour and 15 minutes, I was 2 hours and 15 minutes!! I finally got home at 11:30pm. I had started with a sore throat and just not having any energy so with all of this, I was so tired, I came home and went to bed.
5/31, I did not get up until 9:30 am and still did not feel very well so spent the next couple of hours on the couch. After getting some lunch it seems it was a little better. So I started to put things away since it APPEARED it might be dry enough for me to get out of the mud and off the hill so I can take the RV in for engine servicing. When Antony came home and after dinner, he told me he was going to do some weed eating and to let him know when I was disconnected and he would help me off the blocks and down the hill because it was finally dry enough. I was so glad. I got disconnnected and we got moved down the hill. Since it was getting late, we decided to pick up all the wood the next morning. We hooked up electric and water so I was getting settled back in.
This morning, when I finally got things together, I noticed that Marcel (Beth's son) had already got the boards back in the barn and my boards by the RV. He helped me stow them. Now, I need to run to Walmart to pick up some prescriptions and wash the car since I was driving on gravel roads in Windsor. The rest of the day, should be quiet.
5/30 - I drove over to Windsor, Missouri where I have some Amish relatives and it was a good day to go since they were celebrating a holiday. My Aunt Lena has passed away, and some items were left for some of her nieces and nephews so I went over to visit and to pick up those items. I got some directions from Antony and the GPS and drove right to the house. It took me an hour and 15 minutes. Not sure of the mileage. I had lunch with Cousin Lizzie and her family. We then walked over to my Aunt Lena's house to pick up the items and to talk about memories. It was a strange feeling since of course the house looked totally different. I then requested to get directions to the graveyard since I wanted to see where they were buried. Four of her girls got in the back of my little car and Cousin Lizzie in the front. The graveyard was not very far. It was quite a surreal. We then went back to the house and Lizzie sister Emma and her family came up for the afternoon. We had a great visit. I then went to Cousin Ada Mae's house for dinner. There were only 4 of us for dinner. Her son Ruben (a down's)and her daughter Betty. After dinner, she invited her other married children that lived in the community to come over for the evening. I stayed until almost dark but knew I only had an hour and half home. I started out and got into to Windsor and was overly confident that I knew the way home since it was quite simple without the GPS. I texted niece Beth and told her I should be home a 10:30 pm. In the center of the town of Windsor, I got myself pre-occupied (I guess, who knows) and made the wrong turn. I was thinking about my day and the visit and absolutely not paying attention to direction when I started to get into some towns that just were not familiar and not the towns I remembered when going to Windsor. I didn't really think about it until I was not getting to the interstate 65. After 35 minutes of driving since my text to Beth, I made a mental note of the Missouri map and soon decided that I have been going west instead of east!! I then got the GPS out and sure enough. I drove back to the little town I just left, then the GPS got confused and soon I was on the phone with Antony. He got me out of the mess but I drove 30 miles the wrong way!!! So instead of an hour and 15 minutes, I was 2 hours and 15 minutes!! I finally got home at 11:30pm. I had started with a sore throat and just not having any energy so with all of this, I was so tired, I came home and went to bed.
5/31, I did not get up until 9:30 am and still did not feel very well so spent the next couple of hours on the couch. After getting some lunch it seems it was a little better. So I started to put things away since it APPEARED it might be dry enough for me to get out of the mud and off the hill so I can take the RV in for engine servicing. When Antony came home and after dinner, he told me he was going to do some weed eating and to let him know when I was disconnected and he would help me off the blocks and down the hill because it was finally dry enough. I was so glad. I got disconnnected and we got moved down the hill. Since it was getting late, we decided to pick up all the wood the next morning. We hooked up electric and water so I was getting settled back in.
This morning, when I finally got things together, I noticed that Marcel (Beth's son) had already got the boards back in the barn and my boards by the RV. He helped me stow them. Now, I need to run to Walmart to pick up some prescriptions and wash the car since I was driving on gravel roads in Windsor. The rest of the day, should be quiet.
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