Good Tuesday

It is such a beautiful night!  The skies are clear and there looks to be a million stars in the night sky.  It's dark out here and when you look up it is just breathtaking.

Today was spent at the church for a senior lunch of pinto beans and the fixins.  There were about 47 people there and the meal was very good.  Sister Shirley was in charge of the decorating and we (sister Wanda and I) went over to help out.  I got up early and cooked some cornbread to take.  I was able to go to Deborah's to use her electric oven.  Still getting used to a gas oven.

There was also a show and tell.  The idea was to take a sample of your hobby.  There were quilts, jewelry, wooden toys, canned foods and I took my mosaic table and fire starters.  It was good to see everything made by the people in the church and it was good to see people I had known since I was a child and meet new people.

My sisters and I are having a yard sale this Wed, Thurs and Friday so we spent the afternoon setting up to start early in the morning.  Hope I make a enough to purchase my surge guard when I go to Nashville next week.

My evening was spent meeting with the reunion committee.  We met from 5:30-9:00.  Whew, lots of posters and chatting.  I believe we are ready for Saturday night.  We originally thought we would be happy with 40 people showing up and that included spouses.  Our count tonight is 67 not including spouses.  Wow, out of 153 students that is a good showing with about six weeks notice.  It should be fun.  I'm getting excited.

Later...

Settled in Etowah

As I pulled into Mark and Deborah's driveway, Mark was standing there waiting on me.  I got out of Somewhere and we discussed where he wanted me to park so I would be out of his way for a few months.  After that was settled, I unhooked Grey Goose and proceeded to back into the chosen area.  As it turned out I needed to move a little closer in order for the plug to reach.  He will still be able to get the mower out if he has to mow one more time this season.

When Sedona was allowed out, she ran, ran and ran.  Oh she was like a free bird.  She remembered being here for a part of her early life and she was taking full advantage of her freedom.  She is still not crazy with sharing her space, as big as it is, with Chigger (Deborah's yorkie) and Cat (Deborah's cat). 

Last night we went to Roy's house and he has a new little dog, Willie, and Sedona was just as snippy with him as he was with Chigger.  I believe w/all the exposure to other animals she may get out of being a little snippy girl dog that she is.  It's funny to see all of them playing with each other.

I haven't hooked up my water yet.  It's cold and this morning there was a heavy frost on the ground.  I have my heat set to come on around 62 and it has come on a couple of times at night.  My quilts feel so good.  I just snuggle under the covers w/Sedona and sleep.  I think my bed is terrific!  I have slept the last few weeks better than I've slept in a while.  Of course, maybe it's because I'm alone, it's cold and I'm home.

I'll tell you one thing.  I have put off buying a surge guard for Somewhere.  Mixed advice of you don't need on to you need one.  Well, I needed one.  While plugging into the 30 amp service at Mark's house, I lost my big TV in the Living Room.  Almost lost the Microwave.  Lost the clock radio plugged into one of the plugs in the Bedroom.  When I return to Nashville and Camping World, I shall invest in a surge guard.  That will put my mind at ease and hopefully protect the coach like it needs protecting.  I called my insurance company today to see what would be covered.

One good thing, the TV was a very heavy one and very big.  I got a flat screen to replace it that weighs only 17 lbs.  It has a great picture and picked up well on the antenna.  Hey, what do they say about lemons??  Lately I've been having a lot of lemonade!  LOL

That's about all that's going on w/me lately so stay tuned...
...Later...

Wednesday on the Craft Loop

Even though it was raining yesterday we had a nice drive going around the craft loop in Gatlinburg.  We stopped at an area that contained many little shops of different artiseans.  At the stained glass shop they were working on 4 panels for a church in Pigeon Forge.  The scenes depicted local traditions and terrific views of the mountains.  The color choices in glass were tremendous.  That church is lucky to have such talented people giving their love in the work they were doing.

The smells from the cherry shop and the busyiness of the copper corner were insipiring.  It makes one think how fortunate this area has such talented people.

We also went to the lady who sells apples to the Apple Barn to get some apples but she said her crop wasn't good this year and they didn't have any.  Her house was out in the boonies and I don't know how sisters founds this place but they did.  On the way was where Dolly Parton grew up.  Back in the hills.  It pays to get off the propular beaten path.

We went by the Smoky Mountain Winery to pick up some wine that Theda really loves, Scuppernongg.  They didn't have any because scuppernongg is a wild grape and there are not enough grown to make gallons of wine.  Once they domesticated the grape it has become muscadine.  So there are plenty of muscadine wines but none tasted like the Scuppernongg that was made before.  Oh well, it will have to be red or white muscadine.

We came back from Gatlinburg, ate at the Red Lobster and then shopped.  Yes, I went with my sisters to shop a little to Five Oaks.  OMG, there were a million people there.  We didn't buy anything, where would I put it if I did?  It was good just being with them.

Today was better.  It rained but in the early afternoon, it quit.  But it's raining again.  I've begun getting ready to head out tomorrow.  I'll hook up and head toward Etowah.

BTW, if you wonder why no photos with this post of the craft loop.  I went to the Cracker Barrel this morning for breakfast and now I seem to have misplaced my camera.  I went back three times to see if it had shown up and nothing.  It was in my pocket and when I returned I went to add a picture of Shirley and Doug to yesterdays post and no camera.  I have looked everywhere.  It's gone, I just know it.  I will be amazed if it shows up.  I did leave my telephone number and a description of the camera and case in case they find it, they can call me. 

I'll have to charge the batteries of my old digital and see if it still works.  Glad I didn't sell it or worse yet, find my film camera and use it.  Think I'll remember how?  LOL
Later...

Cades Cove-2 hour trip

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the Smoky Mountains National Park.  It is the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains.  If you click on the link you will find out more detailed information about the park and the activities here. 

There were 15 of us and we took hamburgers, hotdogs and the fixins.  We found two tables in a terrific location next to a stream.  We felt lucky to find two tables together so we could all be together.  Finally a day w/out rain!

Here are the guys getting the grills ready for us to use to cook the hamburgers and hotdogs.

Here are Sandy, Judy (standing) and Willa (sitting) posing for the picture and chatting about the food getting ready to be prepared.

Another of our couples from Etowah are Mary and James enjoying the day without rain.

Ann's got the right idea.  Read and block it all out.  That only lasted for a few minutes.  She had to get in the action.

Jim joined her to pose for the picture.  Jimmy is my nephew.

Here is DS and BIL, Wanda & Don.  They are the reason we are here.  They will celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary on Friday, October 16, 2009 but their group has been coming up to the Pigeon Forge for the last several years to celebrate with them.  My sister is such a sweet and kind person.  Everyone loves Wanda.

Bobby and Bobby carry on a very intense conversation.

DS, Shirley is getting the chili ready for the hotdogs and Willa looks on.  Sister Shirley is the planner and she gets us all headed in the right direction.

Wanda and I pose for a picture but where was Shirley?  It's not complete w/out the other one of us.

While we were eating we saw three deer run through our picnic site.  Cutiest little doe w/mama and another female.

Once we finished eating and cleaning up our area it was time to take a trip around the Cades Cove Scenic Loop.  By this time it's a little before dusk and it should be a good time to see wildlife.  So we all head to the bathroom and then load up in our vehicles.

The colors were just beginning to change and since it wasn't sunny, the mountains didn't show their beautiful fall colors the way sunlight dances on the leaves to give us the show they can.  It was still a beautiful drive.Here is the view of the road from the back of the van.

Just about the only wildlife we were viewing was deer.  Big, small, medium, you name it we saw many herds.  Willa estimates we saw about 75 head of deer.  Hope that's the correct terminology or my readers from TWRA will post and correct me, especially if they figure out they can post annomously.  LOL

Here is the church in the dell where last year, Wanda and Don renewed their vows.  Of course all the gang had a part in the ceremony.  BIL Doug performed the ceremony.  Bobby played the piano, Paul gave Wanda away and it just sounded like they had a ball reenacting their wedding.  Notice the church is standing on rocks as their foundation.

If you will look closely at the third car in front of us, you will see Ann as our spotter.  She was like a jack-in-the-box through her sunroof.  We were looking for black bear but alas, not to be.  I heard on the news tonight that there are an abundance of black bear in the area but we didn't see one.

Oh, by the way, did I tell you it took us 2 hours to go 11 miles on the Cades Cove Loop.  Lots and lots of cars inching along looking for that alusive black bear.

It was a good trip and a great cookout.  I am so glad that I got to come along and be part of a great group of Etowahans.

Rain Again

It's raining.  What's new as far as me and Somewhere are concerned.  I had a beautiful drive from Middle Tennessee to Pigeon Forge.  The colors along the interstate are beginning to change.  Tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful so we will head to Cades Cove and have a picnic.

I arrived a day early and had to take an overflow site.  It has WES & Cable so I decided to stay put and not move today in the site I had reserved.  I learned to just go with the flow (no pun intended.)  My site is not private at all but it works 'cause I don't intend to be here except to sleep.  No campfires here unless you have brought your own fireplace.  What's up with that?  I'll tell you what's up.  The sites are so tight in here that the RVs are on top of each other.  Hope no one will come in beside me the rest of the week 'cause it makes it feel more open.  Gee, guess I could build a fire in the driveway next door!  hum...

Anyway it's going to be good to be with sisters.  Wanda and Don are celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary and they come up here every year.  This is my first year to join in the festivities and I'm looking forward to it even though the weather is crappy.  I'm making lemonade out of this juice.  It is fun being a full timer.  I don't have to do anything I don't want to do!  Yippee.

Here are a couple of shots of my site in Pigeon Forge. 

For those of you readers who are waiting for my cruise post, I'm still working on it, don't give up.
Later...

The TN Get Together has ended

Oh my, was a great gtg we have had. We have laughed, eaten, and laughed some more. Great women. I changed sites in order to get everything organized in Somewhere. I have taken another load to Goodwill and another load to the dumpster. I'm looking at things a lot differently now that I'm in my home. I don't think I need as much as I thought when I was still in a stick & brick home.

Last night I took 3 of the women at the gtg to downtown Nashville for a flavor of the city. I sure was proud of how Nashville looked at night. We went by the Capitol bldg, BiCentennial Capital Mall State Park, Country Music Hall of Fame, Schemmerhorn Symphony Center and Centennial Park so they could see the Parthenon all lit up. We also went honky tonkin' at Tootsie's, Wildhorse Saloon and Coyote Ugly. We didn't stay out too late but had a great time. I think I gave a pretty good 25 cent tour.

Carol from NC

Sharon from CA

Carol, Carolyn, Elvis, Tina (OH)

The four of us closing the night.

Here are some shots from the gtg at Seven Points but if you want to see a lot more photographs go to Margie's Blog and see pictures of the food, rigs and surroundings.

Ronnie & Vickie from LA

Tina, Mitch (NWTN), Carolyn enjoying Carolyn's Coolers concocted by Mitch for my retirement party.

Margie (fulltimer) showing off her flamingo shirt.  Flamingo's are he mascot of the RV Women Forum.

Not a flamingo but a Blue Heron fishing for her lunch.

Later...

It's official! I am a fulltimer!

Yesterday was the official date. It was rainy and stormy and I couldn't get my toad hooked up but by golly, I'm at Seven Points CG with about 9 other RVing women having a TN gtg. I piled everything left in Cindy's house into Somewhere and while a few posts back I had bragged about that extra space I had. Ha Ha Ha Ha, I have NO extra space and I have too many clothes. While I had thought I had everything figured out, well, there are some things I'll still go through.

My friend and fellow full-timer, Margie, came by yesterday when I arrived at the cg and she laughed about my clutter and disorganization. Ah, but alas, this too shall pass and I'll get it together.

I'm still excited. I know this is the right decision for me. I know there will be some challenges and opportunities. I'm just down right pumped.

No pictures right now. My battery in my camera is down and for some reason I can't seem to put my hand on my charger! LOL Go Figure! It's gonna show and and I'll post some of my site and of the gtg.

And Buffett has been bugging me like crazy to let him post about the cruise we took last week. But no way, right now anyway. I'm just a little busy for him to be able to log on and have at it. Never fear, the pix are downloaded and there will be a cruise post before long.

Later...

Where is Roy when I need him??

Oh what a day! I decided I couldn't wait any longer for the rain to stop so I gave Somewhere a bath today. What a job! There is an automatic truck wash a couple of exits down from where I am and it might be worth the $55 they charge for me to have them do it.

Roy is my nephew who lived with me for a while. He would have been able to get on top of Somewhere and wash the top and the caps. No way I was going to get up there by myself, what if I had slipped and fell? Oh well, I'll be over in his neck of the woods in a month so maybe I can do it again with his help. hint>hint!

I am feeling so very, very good about the room I have in Somewhere. I have just about everything inside her. I have cleaned and organized the bays and have some unclaimed space. I'm not going to be concerned about filling that space until I go have Somewhere weighed. Weighing is important to ensure I'm not carrying more weight than the chassis was built to handle and to make sure I have the proper tire pressure. Too bad I don't work for the Department of Safety anymore. They could have done my weighing for me. Guess I'll have to stop by the CAT scales at a truck stop and at least get a good guage of how much she weighs. That will work until I get to a Rally where they have weighing at one of the vendors. I know Margie will be getting her rig weighed next week at the Gypsy Journal Rally in Ohio. I would be going to that one if only it were not for my CRUISE! Yep, had to rub it in.

I talked to Cindy today and had to ask her what day this was. Didn't think it would hit me that quickly. Everyone had told me it would happen, guess it's one more sign of retirement. It's okay, I like it.

Later...

Time is Flying!

I have four days to complete my packing of Somewhere with all the items from the room in the house at Cindy's.  It sure makes it nice to have Somewhere in the driveway.  Makes it a lot easier to pack, rearrange and get rid of things with it being right here.  Why four days you may be asking?

I take Somewhere back to Carl Black for the converters that came in two days after I had picked her up.  These were on recall and they had said that it was going to be another six months before Workhorse sent the parts so I decided I needed to get her and pack her up.  I take her on Friday and they will keep her until after my cruise.  So here is the rub, I leave on 9/26 for my Western Caribbean cruise on Carnival Liberty and return on Oct 3.  I pick up Somewhere on October 4 and will be at Seven Points in Nashville for the Women's TN GTG until the weekend at which time I head to Pigeon Forge at River's Edge and more or less outta here so I've got to make sure I'm packed, weighed and in good shape.

In the past, I just put items in Somewhere willie nilly without being concerned about the amount of space I was using.  Now I'm  going back through sorting and folding and being a little more organized.  It it would EVER stop raining, I could get to the outside storage bins emptied and organized the same as I'm doing in the inside.  Hopefully by Tuesday the sun will come out and dry things out.

I'm feeling really good that I'm going to have enough space for everything.  I worked on my closet this evening and it's agood feeling that I have gauged the clothing situation pretty well.  I feel certain when I get out "there" I'll find that I don't need as many clothes as I am taking w/me.  It's just hard to let go.  I have probably mentioned this before but I sure do have a lot of T-shirts.  Yep, it's like they multiply and when I begin the sorting process it's like, "oh no, I have to keep that one" or "Oh I remember when I got this," or "that will look cool when I'm in FL."   I have a feeling I'll live in T-shirts, what do you thing?  At least that is what I think right now.  I may change my mind.

Our trip to Paris Landing via TN River was cancelled because of the amount of rain we have had.  Our intent was to leave Johnsonville Historic Park and go up river via a pontoon to Paris Landing.  Theda was to take her boat and Randy & Debbie Smith and Cindy Walker and I were going to tag along.  We were all looking so forward to it but we wanted to be safe especially since all the passengers couldn't swim.  There will be another opportunity to do it, just might not include me.

Somewhere is Official!

It's Official!  Somewhere has her name emblazoned on the front and back.  Everyone will know her when I'm comin' and goin', thanks to my best friends, Randy and Debbie.   This was their gift to me for retirement and bon voyage.  It was a simple process.  Since Somewhere is a 2003 you can imagine that her colors have faded and you can really tell the difference with the original colors being used
compared to the decals on her from the beginning.  Oh, but she is just beautiful.

Thanks so much, Debbie and Randy.  Debbie you had a great idea!  I LOVE IT!  I am Tickled to death.

Randy works down the road from Ken Binkley Signs in Nashville.  We went in and Amanda worked with us and measured and got the proportions just right.  Not too big, not too small; just right.

David put it on and then Ken (the owner) drove by in his car and told David to take the Itasca off as it was peeling badly.  That alone made Somewhere look better but because of the years of fading, Itasca can still be seen on the front, back and sides.  David let me know that the company paints RVs.  Not in too big of a hurry for that to happy.

Let me tell you if you need Workhorse Chassis work done, take it to Carl Black Chevrolet and as for Pam as your service writer.  She is so professional, knowledgable and will do everything she can to work with you on price and work with the warranty companies.  I finally got Somewhere back today and brought her over to Cindy's house.  She fits perfectly in the driveway so now I can load her up at my leisure and Somewhere will have a place to stay while I'm on my cruise.

I got everything done to Somewhere that could possibly be done.  Most was regular maintenance that probably had not been done on a regular basis since when I bought her in 2007 she only had 14,000 mi on her.  She now has about 17900 and has all her maintenance taken care of for a few years.  Some things I have to have redone as the oil changes, etc but for the most part, I'm ready to hit the road.  New tires with the DOT date of 05/09 which wasn't too bad.  For those of you thinking that is the 5th month, nope, it's the 5th week of 2009.

Oh, I almost forgot, one important item (can't remember the official name of it) that was fixed and covered under the extended warranty was the computer that runs the odometer, calculates the mileage, calculates how far one can go on the tank of gas, anyway you get the idea.  It is brand new.  It is legible.  It is just so cool except now I'll have to learn to operate it to get the best benefit.  It will never be as complicated as that dang Edison that came around right before I retired.  Shudder!!

I'm ready to hit the road and I bet you, as the reader, are ready for me to be out there writing about more interesting things than the maintenance of Somewhere. LOL

Later...