Time Marches On

It is hard to believe that March is almost here, as we begin to get ready to start 'rollin', rollin', rollin'. The weather continues to yo-yo from cold to warm. I keep waiting for it to 'stay warm' so we can hook up water & un-winterize the rig. Need to do a 'spring cleaning' and start packing.

Last Saturday we made a day of it, traveling to Warner for the engagement party of our great-niece. (I still maintain it should be 'grand-niece', as my sister is her grandmother.) Sara & Larame will be wed on September 12. As always it was a nice visit and an opportunity to meet Larame's family.

After the party we went over to Darrel & Nita's (Sara's parents), to let the younger kids ride Darrel's four-wheeler. Although it was a nice day, it was still chilly. The boys hadn't come dressed to be riding, but ride they did - until they were good & frozen.

Weddings are in the air, as our nephew, Ray, popped the question to his girl, Hannah, on Valentine's Day. They just set their date as December 12th. Oh, to be young & in love!


Old & in love is good too . . . anyway it's a lot more comfortable! Funny thing how 1969 seems like just yesterday! One can't deny the passage of time, though, when our 'babies' are 38 & 34! I keep telling them they are catching up with me . . . for I can't be THAT old . . . to have children almost 40!

Had to chuckle at Randy & Shelly the other day. With his birthday coming up quickly (tomorrow, actually), he told Shelly that he would be 'half way to 40 on my birthday'. Like all good wives, she corrected him, reminding him "No, you will be half way to 70!" Nothing like our mates to keep us grounded in reality.

Speaking of 'comfortable' and 'grounded', my Valentine's Day 'gift' this year was a yard sprayer. Russ & Roger had been talking of buying one to help in our battle against our acres of stickers. I went on line and found one in a nearby town. It was used & had definitely seen better days, but Roger still felt it was a 'bargain' at $500 (new ones like this go for $2500 or better). Of course, he shared that he would have to put another $200 in to it to get it where he wanted it. (Last time I checked we were much closer to $300. . .) But it has kept Roger & his Dad completely occupied for the past week. I haven't had this much 'alone time' since winters during our campground days! The last part came in yesterday and Roger was out & about early this morning to finish it up. Thursday is supposed to be a great day for spraying, so I may finally get to see 'my' sprayer in action.

With DeAnna & Hunter off to Texas last weekend for Pom competition, we got to see a lot of Russ & Hayden. I swear our little guy just keeps getting sweeter! He's a little parrot these days, repeating every word you say, and he has discovered books. He loves to sit on your lap and read. That, of course, gives Grandma Twylah lots of chances to steal neck sugar!

Leaving next month is not going to be easy!

But then there are 'moments' like Sunday afternoon . . . with most everyone here for our traditional Sunday lunch. I missed Hayden and Russ found him in the bathroom where he had plopped a roll of toilet paper in the toilet, along with a half dozen wash rags, and was plunging away with the toilet brush . . . soaked up to his neck! We had wet toilet paper on the walls, floor and shower curtain. He was having a blast! For some reason, Russ wasn't the least bit amused . . . but I thought it was hilarious!

I get such total satisfaction out of watching my boys 'earn their stripes' when their kids pull some of the same stunts as my boys did!

Hunter & mom returned very late Sunday night and we were tickled for Hunter as her pom squad won their division and were Grand Champions of the competition, top winners over all groups. Hunter also competed in solo dance, and got some great comments from the judges, but fell just short of ranking in the top 5 (she came in 6th). A bit of a disappointment for her, but a good experience. This year in pom will end with a banquet on March 5th, then tryouts for the next season will be held just before we head to the West Coast.

Never Satisfied!

Arrived home from our week in Myrtle Beach - thankful to be warm once again. Was so glad to settle into my recliner with my favorite 'blankie'! Not sure if I miss my chair or my bed most when we are gone.

But, as always, we really enjoying reconnecting with the other Field Services teams. Wish we could do that more than once a year.

Managed to get unpacked and everything put away before I gave in to the urge to collapse in my recliner. I was obviously enjoying my chair to the fullest, for when I roused from my napping, Roger told me to go to bed. I assured him I was just fine where I was - and loving it. When he woke me up again and said it was time for bed, I replied "I thought you were going to let me nap in my chair!" His reply: "I did, that was an hour and a half ago!"

Anyway, it sure is good to be home!


Saturday dawned - another beautiful day - and we had early visitors when Russ & Hayden came down the hill to say welcome home & join us for breakfast. Big sis was gone for the weekend on a church youth retreat. Seems Russ had 2 tickets to the OU vs. Colorado men's basketball game, so off he & Roger went, while Hayden kept Grandma company.

The two of us had a lazy day . . . or as lazy as it can be with an active 2-year-old. I was trying to catch up on laundry from our trip, and Hayden found Grandma's laundry basket to be a great activity while he watched his favorite cartoons.

So now it's time to get serious about getting ready to hit the road for our 2009 season. Uniform shirts to alter, computer work to do, and then it will be time to start packing the trailer. Mid-March will be here before we know it!

And It's Still Cold Outside . . . Even in Myrtle Beach!

I think I'm going to mutiny! Here we are in "beautiful" Myrtle Beach . . . and it SNOWED! I told our boss that next year we were going to insist on training somewhere warm - if there is such a place!

Personally, I'm thinking the Florida Keys, South Padre Island, Santa Cruz . . . how about Mexico!

Speaking of Mexico . . . I never thought I would want to go there - but the KOA Alumni Reunion is going to be a cruise this fall - to none other than Mexico. Roger and I are seriously thinking of signing up. I've always said I didn't want to go there, but the price is right, and what better way to travel than with friends. We'll delve into the details when we get home next week and make our decision. I think Roger is thinking this is a great way to celebrate our 40th anniversary. That actually happens this June, but we'll be knee-deep in work at that point.

Have to cut it short this morning. Time to hit the shower & get ready for our last day here in 'beautiful' Myrtle Beach (NOT! - this year anyway!).

Baby, It Was Cold Outside!

Last week the winter 'yuck' came to visit. We THOUGHT it wasn't supposed to show up until Monday evening, but as we headed out to my physical therapy at 10:30, it was already "slicker than owl snot!" (That's a Rogerism) If I had been driving, I would have turned around before I had gone a mile and gone back home. But Roger was driving and some male gene he carries thinks it's 'fun'! In fact, he went running errands after dropping me off. When he returned about noon to pick me up, I insisted he pull right up to the side walk, so I wouldn't have to attempt to walk on the parking lot. All I don't need is another fall!

On the way home, traveling I-40, (because everyone knows the interstate is the safest place to be in bad weather. . . . NOT), we had almost reached our exit when, all of a sudden, we did a 360 spin. Thankfully, the cars behind us were not traveling fast - or too close - for we managed to come to a stop without hitting anyone. Roger started chuckling (that darn male gene!), and I snapped at him to "Quit laughing, this isn't funny!" Thankfully, we made it on home safely and I did not step foot out until Thursday!

But by Monday evening the 'joyous' news of school closings were hitting the airways. Everyone stayed home on Tuesday, with the 'yuck' still coming down. Thankfully, no power outages for any of us. But Wednesday morning the 'adults' had to head back to work, and Hunter & Hayden came to spend the day with us next door. Big sis went over and rounded up all the winter clothes, and by 10:00 a.m. she & Hayden were out 'sledding' down the hill in our back yard. The sun was shining - very brightly - and the temps were warming up so that it was almost pleasant! That is, if you discounted the couple of inches of frozen sleet & snow!

Hayden, all suited up, reminds me of the little boy in "The Christmas Story". It was so cute to watch him 'waddle'. At times, he would just lay down and 'roll' down the hill. He was in 'hog heaven'. Later that day, Shelly brought the big boys over and they all went out and played some more. By Thursday though, the melt was happening and it was pretty much all slush.

Although the ground hog saw his shadow yesterday, I hope that this 'snow' was the only mess we'll get for this year.

From cold & yucky to cool & sunshine sunshine for us, as we flew out to Myrtle Beach Saturday evening for the week. We met up with old friends in Atlanta, for we were on the same flight from there to Myrtle Beach. Another year of training, as we begin year #8 for us as KOA Field Reps.

Sunday we spent the day 'catching up' & meeting new friends, as the other teams arrived for the week. That evening we gathered at Damon's for eats and an evening of the Super Bowl. It almost turned out like we wanted, as most of us were pulling for the Cardinals.

Monday was our first full day of training, and although necessary, the content was not exactly 'riveting'. Our evening ended at the highly recommended Chestnut Hill Restaurant, where most of us dined on fresh seafood. After all, we are on the coast! I delved into a serving of 'seafood casserole' which featured fresh Atlantic shrimp & scallops on a bed of crab stuffing, topped with cheddar cheese! Delicious! Roger chose the fresh flounder - broiled - which I'm sure was far less calories than mine . . . but whose counting this week!


Today is a 'yellow' day, as we don our signature yellow shirts and head to the Myrtle Beach KOA for the day doing a mock 'walk-about'. We just might get a bit damp from the bit of liquid sunshine forecast for the day, but we brought our yellow umbrella along, just in case!