“It’s About Time”, Update!!!

Wow, time just goes flying by.  We’ve kept ourselves busy with lots of busy work, but not a whole lot newsworthy.  As you know, we moved onto our lot on the 1st and on the 2nd I trimmed all the trees along the driveway side in preparation for arrival of our company. 

Mike and Peggy arrived on the 3rd of the month so the first item of business was to upgrade the hookups here at the Patterson Lower Alabama Rainbow Plantation RV Annex Resort.  With a couple of trips to Home Depot and some “Emmanuel” labor we had the 50 amp power upgrades and the satellite sewer dump installed.  Then we focused on leveling the shed and installing the hurricane anchors.  The big upgrade is to remodel Judy’s Studio, however, our budget is groaning so we’ll have to hold off on that for awhile .

Here’s a photo of our rigs parked at the Patterson Lower Alabama Rainbow Plantation RV Annex Resort located just around the corner from Norm and Linda Payne’s Lower Alabama Rainbow Plantation RV Annex Resort. 

Not everyone has been busy with the upgrades; someone has to supervise and make sure that the katt nap schedule is strictly adhered to.

Mardi Gras came early this year leading to merriment, mayhem, and misbehavior.  Each year a King and Queen are chosen to oversee all of the festivities.  On Friday, the 8th, we have a kickoff dinner at the Rainbow Plantation Clubhouse.  Dessert is the King Cake, in our case cupcakes, and whoever finds the baby in their cupcake becomes the King and Queen.  Well, guess what I found in my cupcake?  You guessed it, yours truly became King and Linda Payne became Queen.  Here are a couple of pictures of the royalty along with their Pages.  This year’s theme was the Roaring 20’s so our Pages did well to play the part.

 

The King and Queen were chauffeured around in nice chariots – the King had a Mustang convertible while the Queen had to suffer in a Thunderbird convertible.  We would arrive in our chariots for each day’s event/s and make our entrance with much revelry, rambunctiousness, and bead throwing.

 

There were plenty of skits presented for the pleasure of the King and Queen, not to mention that the King and Queen performed plenty of antics themselves.  Here the Royal Teddy Bears were paraded onto the stage.  These Teddy Bears were born right on the premises of the the Plantation.  One of the ladies has a “Teddy Bear” class where both men and women make their very own bear.  Note Judy and Bear all decked out for Mardi Gras in the second picture.

 

Here’s a couple more pictures of the fun and costuming.  Who says we “Keenagers” don’t know how to have fun!!  It was five days frolicking, fun, and fanaticism.  Finally the King and Queen are dethroned and next year’s theme is announced; Flower Power – remember the late sixties and early seventies?  It ought to be a lot of fun.  Can anyone say “Tie Dye?”

 

Many moons ago I promised to show some of Judy’s crafts (once Christmas was over).  Well, Christmas is long gone and I’ve still not done what I said I would, so here are some samples of her crafts.  You saw the Teddy Bear above, but her major “craft” is quilting.  Here are some of her past and present quilts.  The first two are grandchildren quilts.

 

The number quilt was for baby Josiah’s birth and the second is a decorative table mat.  There’s lots and lots of different types of quilting that can be done for decorating around the house.

 

Then, of course, there’s the quilts for us.  Here I am, with thumb in mouth, napping with my “man quilt” and Judy with her “scrappy quilt of many colors”.  The top of her quilt has been finished, it just needs the batting and backing applied and the quilting completed.

Other craft projects include crocheting (here is a blanket for Rocco with Alex inspecting the quality) and knitting (a ruffle scraf),

 

some pillow cases for the grandkids,

 

and beaded jewelry of different types and styles.

  

Then there are other sewing projects such as various types of tote bags, purses, baby mats, etc..  As you can see, Judy can stay quite busy with her crafts; it keeps her “off the streets and out of trouble”.

  

We have been enjoying Mike and Peggy’s company.  My brother, Mike, and his wife, Shauna, will be stopping by for a visit next week.  Then Randy and Terry will be heading our way for a short visit in early March.  We love visitors.

One last thing, I had to do It.  I had to breakdown and buy a lawn mower.  Yep, being a land owner does have some draw backs, however, I really don’t mind a little yard work here and there (put an emphasis on the word little).  It will give me something to do which will keep me “off the streets and out of trouble”.

Well, thar ya have it, as you can see, we are still well and alive in Lower Alabama.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (I Thessalonians 5:28)

A Tour Of Our Home Sweet Home

Today is the day that we finally took possession of our “new to us” lot in Rainbow Plantation.  Judy and I rode our bikes over first to look everything over before we brought the RV over.  When we arrived at our site, this is what we found. 

We are now living just around the corner from Norm and Linda Payne.  Don and Gloria Martin (Norm’s sister) are parked on their lot so the pranksters were busy awaiting our arrival.

This is what our lot looks like with no one parked on it.  As you can see, there is plenty of room for us to build a nice little cottage style home in the future (probably sooner rather than later).  It’s a half acre lot.

Here we are, all set up and starting our daily living routine.

And here are some photos taken from the patio around the neighborhood; looking to the left, looking oblique left, looking straight ahead, and looking oblique right.

   

And now for a few shots of the backyard taken from our dining room window.  The shed with the extended roof will become Judy’s craft room.  We’ll have another patio off that shed where our barbeque grill will set (just as soon as we buy one).  The little shed will be for yard equipment.

 

Dick and Pat stopped by delivering some balloons to celebrate the occasion – thanks guys.  Here’s a shot of our patio with the balloons flying high.

As you can see, we’ll be right nice and comfy in our new site “down home”.  So, if you ever get down by the bay, drop in!!!  In the meantime, we’ll try to be a little more faithful in updating our blog, but don’t hold your breath waiting for the next blog entry!

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (I Thessalonians 5:28)

Twenty-Twelve Wrap Up

Well, this is it.  Hard to believe that 2012 blew by as fast as it did.  The only thing that seemed to drag on and last forever was the Presidential campaign – thought it would never end.  Twenty-Twelve began with us right here at Rainbow Plantation.  We enjoyed the functions at the clubhouse and worshipping at our church.  In February the Maineiacs showed up to help us celebrate Mardi Gras.

March found us on the road with Mike and Peggy.  We visited New Orleans for a little sightseeing and to sample a muffaletta sandwich.  We made a stop by our home (Rainbow’s End in Livingston, Texas), before spending a couple of weeks in the Hill Country of Texas.  The main attraction was San Antonio where we toured the Alamo, walked the River Walk, and partook in a tasty Mexican dinner.  Trips were made to Fredericksburg to visit the Pacific War Museum and to sample some German dishes at Der Lindenbaum, the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, and Bill’s Barbeque in Kerrville.  Let us not forget that HUGE hamburger and a HUGE serving of onion rings at Alamo Springs; that meal lasted two days.

From the Hill Country we returned to Rainbow’s End for a couple of days and then it was off to Vidalia, Louisiana where we stayed at Riverview RV Park and dined at Nikki’s Restaurant (ooooo, that crawfish etouffee was some ol’ scrumptous).  Vidalia is just across the river from Natchez, Mississippi.  We took the carriage tour of Natchez, visited the Barber of Natchez Museum, and, of course, ate at the Pig Out Inn.  Upon leaving Natchez Mike and Peggy headed north on the Natchez Trace and we headed south to return to Rainbow Plantation but, first, we made a stop by Bonifay, Florida to visit Randy and Terry.

We stayed at the Plantation for three weeks before heading out once again for our summer travels.  First stop was Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Tennessee for a grand kid fix.  Then we spent a couple of days at the Escapee’s Raccoon Valley before heading for Mt. Airy, North Carolina for a walk down Main Street Mayberry to visit Andy, Barney, and friends.  I got a haircut at Floyd’s Barber Shop from the same barber who cut Andy’s hair when he lived there.  Don and Jenny drove over from Mountain City, Tennessee to visit us for a day.  After doing a little sightseeing, we stopped by Snappy Lunch for one of their famous Pork Chop Sandwiches.

Next stop was Bull Run Regional Park so we could visit with Joel and Mary in Alexandria, Virginia.  From there we made tracks to Maine to spend time with my brother, Mike, and his wife Shauna as well as Mike and Peggy.  Then we headed west with a stop in Litchfield, Connecticut for a visit with my aunt Marge who lives with my cousin Cheryl and her husband John.  My other three cousins, Tim, Robbie, and Glenn showed up as well.

From Connecticut we continued heading toward Michigan.  As we entered the Ohio turnpike we noticed smoke rolling out of the RV; it turned out to be a seized wheel bearing.  Fortunately there was a truck / trailer repair facility within seven miles of our location so we were able to limp along slowly to get there.  We ended up spending the night in their parking lot and they got us in the first thing in the morning.  We were on the road again by 11 o’clock and made it to Shirley and Warren’s about seven hours later.

Our friends, Ray and Pat, have a nice RV site in Mecosta, Michigan where we spent a week before heading off to Petoskey to workamp at Hearthside Grove Luxury Motorcoach Resort.  While in Petoskey, Matt, Jackie and kids came up for a vacation.  While they were there, Mike and Peggy stopped by for a visit as well.  We had a great week with all our visitors from a far.  Of course, as you can guess, we did a little dining out as well.  Out to Lunch for breakfast, the Pier for lunch (both in Harbor Springs), and the Pizza Palace in Mackinaw City.

The “job” wasn’t bad and the people were very nice, however, we ended up leaving early to return to Tennessee for babysitting duties while our daughter-in-law attended school in Chattanooga for her new job.  The highlight of the year was a trip back to Virginia to be on hand for the birth of grand child number seven; Josiah Everette Fortner.

Then we turned our faces homeward with a couple of stops along the way.  First to Raccoon Valley just north of Knoxville, Tennessee so we could visit Gene and Judi in their new home and then to La Grange, Georgia to visit with Mike and Gerri.  We stayed at a COE park on West Point Lake which is right on the border of Alabama and Georgia and had a fantastic site.  Mike and Gerri visited us at the campsite for a Honey Grill Chicken dinner and some good old fashioned Bocci Ball. 

After a six hour travel day from there we were back in our stall here at Rainbow Plantation.  Jim and Ellie hosted us for a travel day meal and Norm and Linda hosted us for a day after travel day meal.  It was good to be home after almost six months on the road and to be with our RVing family once again.  We arrived “home” at the end of September and have stayed put since catching up on a lot of “Ta Do” items.

Now it’s onto 2013.  We’ve outlined most of our travel plans for the New Year.  We’ll be making the TN, VA, ME, CT, MI, TN loop again only this year we’ll only be gone for less than three months.  Tentatively, we may take a short trip with Mike and Peggy to Savannah, Georgia for our fortieth wedding anniversary and we would like to spend Christmas with Joel and Mary in Virginia.  It all depends on the good old budget; right now it looks very tight and we’ll have to make a judgment call after our illustrious elected officials get done arm wrestling each other.

So, for now, we bid you a Happy New Year and May God Bless - - - - - - - - 

It’s All About Jesus

“Happy birthday, Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
And the presents are nice
But the real gift is You

Happy birthday, Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the carols and bells
Make the holiday swell
And it's all about You”

 

“Jesus Is The Reason For The Season!”

Hope you will be enjoying the day with friends and family which is God’s second gift to us.

Judy and I are wishing a very . . . .

 

Merry Christmas To Everyone!

 

Deck The Halls . . . .

“‘Tis the season!”  The time of family, friends, festivities, and fun are upon us.  Also, and most importantly, is the reminder that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to earth, in the form of a baby, as a sacrifice that would redeem us back to Himself.  Yep, it’s paramount that we keep our focus and be thankful for all that our Heavenly Father has done on our behalf; after all, Jesus is the reason for the season.

So, we deck the halls with boughs of holly and rejoice in all our blessings.  Here are a couple of pictures of our house “all decked out”.

 

And, of course, here are some pictures of our greatest blessings in this life time.    And, yes, we can still share Santa Claus with our grand children as a symbol of love and giving.  God gave his Son and He asked us to give our love – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

 

 

And, we can’t forget our fur kids who also bring us lots of joy throughout the year.  Katie is sitting next to the tree while Alex is staring at her.  I see trouble on the horizon.   Meow Christmas Y’all!!!

 

One last thing, our old Wandering America website will disappear come January as we are not going to renew the host service or maintain the domain name.  We haven’t updated the website since January of 2010 since we are now using the Wandering America Blog instead.  Just letting you know in case you are interested in taking a last look at the web site before it goes away.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (I Thessalonians 5:28)