Ah, football season. T-bone (formerly known as Corndog) started football. Gave him the whole deliver or recieve concept the other day. He started hitting like he means it. Sometimes...
We have had trouble at times with the night time shuffle of the kids. I had an idea to make an extension of the L-shaped couch to have space for all three kids in a row instead of putting someone on the floor or on a cot. I took the plans over to my dad because he is the woodworking guru. He took the plans and tweeked them to construct a foldable extension for the couch. It works like a charm. Now I need to cover the thing.
School is putting a little structure back into our schedules.
Got our garage doors and front door today. I haven't seen them yet, but the wife says she was moved to tears.--I hope they aren't THAT ugly...
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
8/17/2010
Alright, already...The last night of summer. Tonight we start the whole "stall forever until the parents get loud" routine. When summer starts you always feel like "Wow! Thank God for summer!" After about a month, it's "When the heck does school start?". Tomorrow!
Football has started for Corndog. Peanut is still in gymnastics. Punkin's swim team is on a little break.
The kids spent a lot of time at Grandma Jackie's house over summer. A little time at Grandma Pat's. Just about every lunch was spent at the house or talking to contractors. We have the roof on, windows in, added a door and a couple windows, and the patio poured. The mechanicals are being laid out right now. A couple of the fireplaces are in. The wife got her tub today. Halle-friggin-lujah! Her sannity's saving grace is on it's way to being installed. The kid's tubs are installed already. Security boy and stereo dude are going to get started in the next few days.
We didn't go to the beach as much as we would have liked this summer, but we got a ton done. I suppose the last summer at this resort will have to be chalked up to heavy lifting at the house. We would like to be in the thing by Christmas, but it isn't looking good for that date.
Football has started for Corndog. Peanut is still in gymnastics. Punkin's swim team is on a little break.
The kids spent a lot of time at Grandma Jackie's house over summer. A little time at Grandma Pat's. Just about every lunch was spent at the house or talking to contractors. We have the roof on, windows in, added a door and a couple windows, and the patio poured. The mechanicals are being laid out right now. A couple of the fireplaces are in. The wife got her tub today. Halle-friggin-lujah! Her sannity's saving grace is on it's way to being installed. The kid's tubs are installed already. Security boy and stereo dude are going to get started in the next few days.
We didn't go to the beach as much as we would have liked this summer, but we got a ton done. I suppose the last summer at this resort will have to be chalked up to heavy lifting at the house. We would like to be in the thing by Christmas, but it isn't looking good for that date.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
7/19/2010
Baseball season has come to a close. Thank God! I was assistant coach of the "Rebels" (Corndog's team). We tried hard, but we were O-fers. Peanut's softball team was awesome! They played in a tournament in Bennington when the temp was 105!! Several girls on the team were crying when they went up to bat or in the field out of the shelter of the dugout. It was miserable...I was shooting a water gun at them in the dugout and dumping water on their heads.--"Maddy, elbow up!"---"MY ELBOW IS UP!!" (wimper) "Down and ready!" "I AM DOWN AND READY!!" (sob). If child services was there that day, all the parents would be in jail. It was a scorcher.
Punkin is at another volleyball camp. This one is in town. She should be ready for season after this!--For the love of Pete! How many camps can kids go to these days? Corndog is a Starbase. They learn all about robotics. He thinks that's cool.
The roof is done, shingles are on, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical are getting installed. We are waiting to spray foam insulation on the roof. Windows are supposed to be here this friday!!!
Punkin is at another volleyball camp. This one is in town. She should be ready for season after this!--For the love of Pete! How many camps can kids go to these days? Corndog is a Starbase. They learn all about robotics. He thinks that's cool.
The roof is done, shingles are on, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical are getting installed. We are waiting to spray foam insulation on the roof. Windows are supposed to be here this friday!!!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
6/24/2010
Every man for himself. Corndog was at home, while Punkin was at volleyball camp in Manhattan, KS and Peanut was at gymnastics camp in Norman, OK. I packed up Corndog, and went to pick up Punkin. We stopped by Fort Riley to hike up the hill to see the cannons. I knew we would never see them with the wife, so this was our chance. We picked up Punkin and shot down to OK to see the wife and Peanut.
The first night, we saw "A-Team" in OK City while Peanut was still at camp. On thursday, we watched Peanut at camp and packed her up to go to OK City. That night we went to see a Redhawks game. Corndog is a lucky kid-the kind that comes home with five cakes from the cake-walk. They were throwing out shirts, so naturally he got one of those. Then he got a spongy ball that they threw out. At the end of the 5th inning, the center fielder was running in with the ball that he had cought for the third out. Yep, threw it to Corndog. The guys behind us were in the Air Force, but we didn't know in what capacity. This guy leans forward and said, "You are the luckiest kid I have ever met! I want to give you something that is very important to me.--It's not the most important thing, but it is very important to me." He pulls out a leather pouch from his pocket and gets the medallion out that was residing there. Gives it to Corndog and explained what it is. He is one of the pilots of the Air Force Thunderbirds. This was his personal medallion from his battallion! This guy then gets Roudy, the Redhawk's mascot to get a picture taken with Corndog. After the game the Thunderbird pilots gave us tickets to the air show they were performing at during the weekend. Wow!
The next day, we went to the Cowboy Hall of Fame...Sounds lame, right? Corndog said, "Mom, I thought this would be boring, but I find it to be quite fascinating".--He's a Goof. It was really cool. That night we saw "Karate Kid".
On saturday, we went to the air show and it was AWESOME!! We got tickets to the Thunderbird's VIP tent right next to the runway! After the show, we got the autograph of the pilot that gave us tickets.
Our house had shingles installed while we were gone. Now the electrician, plumber and HVAC guys are starting.
The first night, we saw "A-Team" in OK City while Peanut was still at camp. On thursday, we watched Peanut at camp and packed her up to go to OK City. That night we went to see a Redhawks game. Corndog is a lucky kid-the kind that comes home with five cakes from the cake-walk. They were throwing out shirts, so naturally he got one of those. Then he got a spongy ball that they threw out. At the end of the 5th inning, the center fielder was running in with the ball that he had cought for the third out. Yep, threw it to Corndog. The guys behind us were in the Air Force, but we didn't know in what capacity. This guy leans forward and said, "You are the luckiest kid I have ever met! I want to give you something that is very important to me.--It's not the most important thing, but it is very important to me." He pulls out a leather pouch from his pocket and gets the medallion out that was residing there. Gives it to Corndog and explained what it is. He is one of the pilots of the Air Force Thunderbirds. This was his personal medallion from his battallion! This guy then gets Roudy, the Redhawk's mascot to get a picture taken with Corndog. After the game the Thunderbird pilots gave us tickets to the air show they were performing at during the weekend. Wow!
The next day, we went to the Cowboy Hall of Fame...Sounds lame, right? Corndog said, "Mom, I thought this would be boring, but I find it to be quite fascinating".--He's a Goof. It was really cool. That night we saw "Karate Kid".
On saturday, we went to the air show and it was AWESOME!! We got tickets to the Thunderbird's VIP tent right next to the runway! After the show, we got the autograph of the pilot that gave us tickets.
Our house had shingles installed while we were gone. Now the electrician, plumber and HVAC guys are starting.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
6/14/2010
Wow! A flurry of activity lately at the Resort. There was a movie that was being filmed in town, and one of the people on the film crew is a patient of mine. She asked to use the clinic and presented a contract that I signed.
Remember the movie "Hook"? The leader of the "Lost boys" name was Rufio (Dante Basco is his real name).-He is the lead in the movie. It's a Sundance film festival movie, like "Little Miss Sunshine". The name of the movie is going to be "White Picket Fence". Anyway, they filmed at the clinic and told our kids that they could be extras. Peanut has one line--"Yeah, he's dead".
Sooo, a cousin and a friend of the kids stayed in the camper for a couple days. They drove around on the workhorse and played on the beach after shooting their scenes. It's always interesting finding places for them to hit the rack at night. We had Corndog in bed with us, while two girls were in the pull-out bed. Peanut was in the makeshift bed at the corner of the couch. Then, we set up a cot at the end of the bed. It worked out fine, but we had to MAKE them hit the rack or they would be up all night.
During this time, the Smokey Hill River Festival was on, so we had my sister and brother-in-law in town. We made time for that after the kids went to the new water park that just opened. The wife, meanwhile, was packing for our various goings-on this week. No scheduling conflicts anywhere...
Punkin is in Manhattan, KS at a volleyball camp. Peanutbutter is in Norman, OK for a gymnastics camp. Corndog is here going to bible school, baseball games and Taikwondo. On wednesday, I will kennel the dogs, take Corndog to pick up Punkin, and head to OK to meet up with the wife and Peanut...
Today, I had a full schedule at work, 50 phone calls regarding the house, one ragarding Punkin's severed achiles that is looking more and more like a jury trial, several meetings with contractors, and a baseball game...I need a beer.
The wife couldn't make up her mind on the fascia, soffit and drip-edge colors on the house. I don't even know why she asks my opinion. We (she) have finally nailed it down.
It's monsoon season here in KS, so naturally the roof of the house isn't done. They are supposed to start all the shingling stuff tomorrow. I meet again with the roofer tomorrow at 8:30am. Patients will be at the clinic at 9:00.
Side note: That leak in the water heater--the thing is toast. What's another $grand in the grand scheme of things?
Remember the movie "Hook"? The leader of the "Lost boys" name was Rufio (Dante Basco is his real name).-He is the lead in the movie. It's a Sundance film festival movie, like "Little Miss Sunshine". The name of the movie is going to be "White Picket Fence". Anyway, they filmed at the clinic and told our kids that they could be extras. Peanut has one line--"Yeah, he's dead".
Sooo, a cousin and a friend of the kids stayed in the camper for a couple days. They drove around on the workhorse and played on the beach after shooting their scenes. It's always interesting finding places for them to hit the rack at night. We had Corndog in bed with us, while two girls were in the pull-out bed. Peanut was in the makeshift bed at the corner of the couch. Then, we set up a cot at the end of the bed. It worked out fine, but we had to MAKE them hit the rack or they would be up all night.
During this time, the Smokey Hill River Festival was on, so we had my sister and brother-in-law in town. We made time for that after the kids went to the new water park that just opened. The wife, meanwhile, was packing for our various goings-on this week. No scheduling conflicts anywhere...
Punkin is in Manhattan, KS at a volleyball camp. Peanutbutter is in Norman, OK for a gymnastics camp. Corndog is here going to bible school, baseball games and Taikwondo. On wednesday, I will kennel the dogs, take Corndog to pick up Punkin, and head to OK to meet up with the wife and Peanut...
Today, I had a full schedule at work, 50 phone calls regarding the house, one ragarding Punkin's severed achiles that is looking more and more like a jury trial, several meetings with contractors, and a baseball game...I need a beer.
The wife couldn't make up her mind on the fascia, soffit and drip-edge colors on the house. I don't even know why she asks my opinion. We (she) have finally nailed it down.
It's monsoon season here in KS, so naturally the roof of the house isn't done. They are supposed to start all the shingling stuff tomorrow. I meet again with the roofer tomorrow at 8:30am. Patients will be at the clinic at 9:00.
Side note: That leak in the water heater--the thing is toast. What's another $grand in the grand scheme of things?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
6/1/2010
Alrighty...Summer. The other day, I started investigating a drip outside the camper. It was actually inside the camper where the fresh water filling valve connects the thingy to the doohicky...I got a bendy straw to catch the water coming out of the metal pipe connection and diverted it outside to a funnel going through the water valve pannel.--Then I called the RV repair guys. Now the water heater seems to have sprung a leak...
One of my sisters is moving to Phoenix (or there-abouts). We day tripped to KC to see her off. The kids felt the need to fight about anything and everything during the trip up and back.---GOT to get the TV fixed in the van!--Or get rid of it. She followed us back home for a rest stop. The next day we went golfing for one last time before she lift for AZ. It was my first day on the course this year, so I got whooped.
On Memorial Day, we went to the beach here at the resort.--Resort...The kids went down the water slide several times and we just hung out all day. Finally--just hanging out for a day.
The summer schedule of games and what-not will commence tomorrow.
They are still putting a lid on the house. The sheeting is to be done at the end of this week.---Holding my breath...
One of my sisters is moving to Phoenix (or there-abouts). We day tripped to KC to see her off. The kids felt the need to fight about anything and everything during the trip up and back.---GOT to get the TV fixed in the van!--Or get rid of it. She followed us back home for a rest stop. The next day we went golfing for one last time before she lift for AZ. It was my first day on the course this year, so I got whooped.
On Memorial Day, we went to the beach here at the resort.--Resort...The kids went down the water slide several times and we just hung out all day. Finally--just hanging out for a day.
The summer schedule of games and what-not will commence tomorrow.
They are still putting a lid on the house. The sheeting is to be done at the end of this week.---Holding my breath...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
5/23/2010
Corndog had a solo in the class vocal performance. He did great. We practiced singing loudly in the camper. He's the type that doesn't need to project much because his voice naturally just carries. The kid stepped up to the mic and did his thing! He sounded awesome!
Punkin had a band concert and vocal performance. We have been to a thousand graduations and performances lately. Come on summer!!
Peanut had a friend over for the weekend. It was windy as heck, but they had a bunch of fun outside.
There is a dude here with a pit bulldog. He is to be evicted "soon"--whatever that means. I guess he has a bunch of "friends" that show up on friday nights. They aren't there for long and they're gone. One car after another. Doesn't take a rocket scientist...
Still putting on the roof. The rain has been on and off.--Mainly ON. Took the Hog for a ride the other day. I will start riding on Sundays soon. I have a couple friends from highschool that finally got bikes and we started riding together last summer.
Punkin had a band concert and vocal performance. We have been to a thousand graduations and performances lately. Come on summer!!
Peanut had a friend over for the weekend. It was windy as heck, but they had a bunch of fun outside.
There is a dude here with a pit bulldog. He is to be evicted "soon"--whatever that means. I guess he has a bunch of "friends" that show up on friday nights. They aren't there for long and they're gone. One car after another. Doesn't take a rocket scientist...
Still putting on the roof. The rain has been on and off.--Mainly ON. Took the Hog for a ride the other day. I will start riding on Sundays soon. I have a couple friends from highschool that finally got bikes and we started riding together last summer.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
5/10/2010
All systems go tonight. We had all the regular sports to attend. Baseball is now in the mix and it likes to put a cramp on the normal schedule.
We've had some storms lately, so the computer is on high alert with weather info. It's supposed to storm again tonight. I unplug the alert radio so Punkin can go to sleep in our room before we move her to the living room when we go to bed. We will put together a bed for her on the floor using cusions from the couch and the gymnastics mat on top of that. We put blankets on top of that and call it a rack. I need to put together something for the side of the couch to extend into the room to make the bed. Later.
We've had some storms lately, so the computer is on high alert with weather info. It's supposed to storm again tonight. I unplug the alert radio so Punkin can go to sleep in our room before we move her to the living room when we go to bed. We will put together a bed for her on the floor using cusions from the couch and the gymnastics mat on top of that. We put blankets on top of that and call it a rack. I need to put together something for the side of the couch to extend into the room to make the bed. Later.
Monday, May 10, 2010
5/10/2010
The other day, we went out to the beach at the campground. The water slide was open for the first time of the season and the weather couldn't have been any better.
Got the workhorse fixed. Apparently there is a difference in oils--who knew?--Dad. The moped is running like a champ also, so we ran both of them to the beach. My brother-in-law gave us a tractor tube to take to the lake. I filled it up and one of the residents took it to the top of the beach and "rode" it to the water. The kid got in the middle of it and someone pushed him down the hill!--Just about puked when he got to the water.
We went to KC over the weekend. One of my sisters is moving to Scottsdale, AZ. Talk about being close to the "belly of the beast". Phoenix is on fire these days with illegal immigration and crime. It wasn't mentioned. I wish her luck! They don't believe in guns...They might soon.
Got the workhorse fixed. Apparently there is a difference in oils--who knew?--Dad. The moped is running like a champ also, so we ran both of them to the beach. My brother-in-law gave us a tractor tube to take to the lake. I filled it up and one of the residents took it to the top of the beach and "rode" it to the water. The kid got in the middle of it and someone pushed him down the hill!--Just about puked when he got to the water.
We went to KC over the weekend. One of my sisters is moving to Scottsdale, AZ. Talk about being close to the "belly of the beast". Phoenix is on fire these days with illegal immigration and crime. It wasn't mentioned. I wish her luck! They don't believe in guns...They might soon.
Friday, May 7, 2010
5/7/2010
Peanut played "Little Bo Peep" in the school play the other day. After such an awesome performance, it just wouldn't be right to have the play performed again. Show stopper! We met the grandmas and grandpas for ice cream afterwards.
Punkin had her band performance last night. All I could see of her was her music stand, but she apparently did great, because I didn't hear any errant squeals from the flute section. After the performance, things kind of fell apart. We exited the theatre one-by-one, and Grandma P was the last one to get up, but she didn't.--And nobody noticed for a few minutes. You know the routine, everyone files out into the throng of parents and kids. Everyone talking about how great the squealing notes of the junior high band were.(It was actually great)--And there you are.--Wondering where Grandma is. We went back in to find her sweating bullets from low blood sugar.--Long story short, she's fine. THEN--Everyone had unstarted homework, much to the dismay of Punkin. She wanted to meet for ice cream like Peanut did. Nope. Homework first. Plus there was another storm directly after the concert. Wind. Rain. Hail. Kids wiggin'.
The trusses are up on the house!
Punkin had her band performance last night. All I could see of her was her music stand, but she apparently did great, because I didn't hear any errant squeals from the flute section. After the performance, things kind of fell apart. We exited the theatre one-by-one, and Grandma P was the last one to get up, but she didn't.--And nobody noticed for a few minutes. You know the routine, everyone files out into the throng of parents and kids. Everyone talking about how great the squealing notes of the junior high band were.(It was actually great)--And there you are.--Wondering where Grandma is. We went back in to find her sweating bullets from low blood sugar.--Long story short, she's fine. THEN--Everyone had unstarted homework, much to the dismay of Punkin. She wanted to meet for ice cream like Peanut did. Nope. Homework first. Plus there was another storm directly after the concert. Wind. Rain. Hail. Kids wiggin'.
The trusses are up on the house!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
4/29/2010
Storms are fun in a camper! It is really windy tonight. The wind is out of the southwest. Our camper is facing north-northwest, so it will rock a little while the storm rages. There is a thunderstorm warning on us right now. Tornado watch. We have a storm radio with a warning alarm. We also have eight hand-held 2-way radios with weather on them. For a last resort, we have a weather radio with a magneto crank. We know when it is stormy!
There are several places here that we can get to in case of a tornado, but we usually go into town to the folks house when there is a tornado warning.
There are several places here that we can get to in case of a tornado, but we usually go into town to the folks house when there is a tornado warning.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
4/24/2010
We are officially sick of "camping". OK, the hoses on this thing seem to last about two weeks before there is a leak started where the metal meets the rubber part of the hose and needs to be replaced. The park's new "management" is less than stellar...The kids are starting to get jiggy about being under our thumbs constantly.
We have been storing our box springs for our bed at the old "clubhouse". I found that they had been moved and used by guys that were staying in the clubhouse. The workhorse is starting to smoke. There are no less than 4 "managers" here, with the buck stopping somewhere in Michigan. The cops have been coming out here for good reasons. The washing machines don't, um, wash.
The biggest reason for staying is the bus picks the kids up and drops them off right here. If it wasn't for that, we would be long gone from here. We are sticking to our guns for now with the whole "camping" thing. We started this for a good reason, and want to play the game out, but it's starting to take more fortitude than we planned on.
We started this with the intention of staying about two years. It's two and a half and the house that we are building is going to take until at least the start of winter. That will take us to well over three years. I guess if the park would have stayed under the original management, it wouldn't be so bad.
One of the "managers" got lippy with me tonight. After I told him that I should hand him his ass, he said he was "sorry". The dude is sixty years old, and it's the last thing I need. Arrggh!!
I got the pitching machine out of the box today and had a little BP with Corndog and Peanut. I wanted to flip some fly balls to Corndog, but he protested. He said "10, Dad!". He counts every catch and throw we do...
Peanut had the state gymnastics meet tonight. She had a great meet, but has had better tournaments.
Punkin has been swimming three nights a week. I can't remember the date of her next swim tournament, but it should be soon.
The framer is way over budget, but is about to put a cap on the house. I am done with worrying about what it costs, I just want the thing done.--Yesterday.
We have been storing our box springs for our bed at the old "clubhouse". I found that they had been moved and used by guys that were staying in the clubhouse. The workhorse is starting to smoke. There are no less than 4 "managers" here, with the buck stopping somewhere in Michigan. The cops have been coming out here for good reasons. The washing machines don't, um, wash.
The biggest reason for staying is the bus picks the kids up and drops them off right here. If it wasn't for that, we would be long gone from here. We are sticking to our guns for now with the whole "camping" thing. We started this for a good reason, and want to play the game out, but it's starting to take more fortitude than we planned on.
We started this with the intention of staying about two years. It's two and a half and the house that we are building is going to take until at least the start of winter. That will take us to well over three years. I guess if the park would have stayed under the original management, it wouldn't be so bad.
One of the "managers" got lippy with me tonight. After I told him that I should hand him his ass, he said he was "sorry". The dude is sixty years old, and it's the last thing I need. Arrggh!!
I got the pitching machine out of the box today and had a little BP with Corndog and Peanut. I wanted to flip some fly balls to Corndog, but he protested. He said "10, Dad!". He counts every catch and throw we do...
Peanut had the state gymnastics meet tonight. She had a great meet, but has had better tournaments.
Punkin has been swimming three nights a week. I can't remember the date of her next swim tournament, but it should be soon.
The framer is way over budget, but is about to put a cap on the house. I am done with worrying about what it costs, I just want the thing done.--Yesterday.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
4/19/2010
After we got back from TKD and swimming, Punkin said that Corndog has a girlfriend! He didn't protest at all. He said "Yeah, and she's hot!". So...Corndog!...Alright. Man, I remember 4th grade.--Paula. Awyeah!
Threw for batting practice the other day. My butt is killing me! I thought my arm would hurt the next day. Nope. The pitching machine is on its way, from parts unknown.
Peanut turned 8 on the 14th. She's getting all her growd-up teeth. She had a party at the Y in the Gymnastics room.--Natch. The kids tumbled and swung from the rope into the foam pit. I showd them how to run the opposite direction, jump on the rope, and pinch a gonad in the process...Yeah.
Punkin is getting faster in the pool. She still doesn't have the kick down in the breast stroke. Her achilles tear has changed the way she kicks. She would still be DQ'd if she kicks the way she does in competition. I don't see the diff, but the coach knows what she's talking about.
The roof trusses are about to be set this week if the weather holds out. Can't be wet or windy. We live in Kansas...
Threw for batting practice the other day. My butt is killing me! I thought my arm would hurt the next day. Nope. The pitching machine is on its way, from parts unknown.
Peanut turned 8 on the 14th. She's getting all her growd-up teeth. She had a party at the Y in the Gymnastics room.--Natch. The kids tumbled and swung from the rope into the foam pit. I showd them how to run the opposite direction, jump on the rope, and pinch a gonad in the process...Yeah.
Punkin is getting faster in the pool. She still doesn't have the kick down in the breast stroke. Her achilles tear has changed the way she kicks. She would still be DQ'd if she kicks the way she does in competition. I don't see the diff, but the coach knows what she's talking about.
The roof trusses are about to be set this week if the weather holds out. Can't be wet or windy. We live in Kansas...
Sunday, April 11, 2010
4/11/2010
I think spring has finally sprung. I am a baseball coach--again. Peanut and Corndog are playing ball. We have been fishing and playng outside every day. The basketball court outside is alive again.
We keep a bunch of things here to play with. If I'm not busy playing catch or something with the kids, I tiker with stuff around here. I have a motorcycle that needs a little TLC. The battery that I put in last summer has gone bad. I wedged that thing out carefully. I don't think they could pack things any tighter in that bike. The wife also has a moped that she had in junior high and high school. It's--tempormental. We have an EasyGo Workhorse that gets us around to the beach and stuff. The kids are learning to drive. Scary.
So with the warmer weather, everyone is coming out of their caves. There are more people here. With their dogs...Ours get put out on the leashes now instead of roaming free. When it's cold, they aren't out for long. As the temperature rises, their time outside does too, so they need to be controlled a little better.
I got some extra baseball skill tools for the kids this weekend. Peanut is all over it. She likes nothing better than working on anything athletic. Corndog, on ther other hand, has to be dragged into practicing anything with a ball. "Ya wanna play catch?"--He goes "Uggh!---How many?" He counts the catches and throws...Finally getting better at saying "Yes", but it's still a chore if it's not a game. Playing is good, practicing is NOT!
Punkin goes fishing at any chance of good weather. Today, she went to the dock here and fished for a couple hours. We went to the house later on in the day and she went fishing there again for a while. I need to get a boat...
The second story is framed and the roof trusses have been ordered.
We keep a bunch of things here to play with. If I'm not busy playing catch or something with the kids, I tiker with stuff around here. I have a motorcycle that needs a little TLC. The battery that I put in last summer has gone bad. I wedged that thing out carefully. I don't think they could pack things any tighter in that bike. The wife also has a moped that she had in junior high and high school. It's--tempormental. We have an EasyGo Workhorse that gets us around to the beach and stuff. The kids are learning to drive. Scary.
So with the warmer weather, everyone is coming out of their caves. There are more people here. With their dogs...Ours get put out on the leashes now instead of roaming free. When it's cold, they aren't out for long. As the temperature rises, their time outside does too, so they need to be controlled a little better.
I got some extra baseball skill tools for the kids this weekend. Peanut is all over it. She likes nothing better than working on anything athletic. Corndog, on ther other hand, has to be dragged into practicing anything with a ball. "Ya wanna play catch?"--He goes "Uggh!---How many?" He counts the catches and throws...Finally getting better at saying "Yes", but it's still a chore if it's not a game. Playing is good, practicing is NOT!
Punkin goes fishing at any chance of good weather. Today, she went to the dock here and fished for a couple hours. We went to the house later on in the day and she went fishing there again for a while. I need to get a boat...
The second story is framed and the roof trusses have been ordered.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
4/42010
Challenges are many at times here at camp. The campground is under new ownership/management. That means changes. Not necessarily for the good. Last week, the guys wanted to put an electrical meter on our site. (We are the only ones here not metered, henceforth not paying electrical!) So...
We were leaving for the weekend, and I got a call from the wife. "The electrical isn't working and there is a wierd electrical smell, like something burned up in here.---And there is a guy working on the electrical box outside." My spider senses were tingling.
These guys thought they would save a few bucks by doing the work themselves. They got the ground and the positive mixed up...Fried the microwave, one of the TVs, a two-way radio charger, a clock radio, and my bio-vault (scan your fingerprint and it opens.--I know!!--Cool, right?) Anyway, after a few electricians and camper techs showed up over the weekend with their bills, and replacing the crispy appliances, I think they will think twice before doing electrical work themselves to save a few greenbacks.
**The second story is being framed**
We were leaving for the weekend, and I got a call from the wife. "The electrical isn't working and there is a wierd electrical smell, like something burned up in here.---And there is a guy working on the electrical box outside." My spider senses were tingling.
These guys thought they would save a few bucks by doing the work themselves. They got the ground and the positive mixed up...Fried the microwave, one of the TVs, a two-way radio charger, a clock radio, and my bio-vault (scan your fingerprint and it opens.--I know!!--Cool, right?) Anyway, after a few electricians and camper techs showed up over the weekend with their bills, and replacing the crispy appliances, I think they will think twice before doing electrical work themselves to save a few greenbacks.
**The second story is being framed**
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
3/24/2010
We are finally coming out of hibernation. The kids have been outside playing basketball and stuff. Peanut can go on the pogo stick like nobody's business! Rain tends to go with the warming trend, so we now get to deal with mud around the camper. The dogs seem to find the best spots for mud, so when they come in, they go directly to the kennel.
Birds like to get into the cavity above the tongue of the 5th wheel. Flying rats! So I have put some leftover insulation from the hoses in the cracks. Take that, feathered beasts!
The framer is now on the 2nd floor. I sat down and made an estimate as to when we might be in the house. 35 weeks. It seems like forever, but I'm sure it will be a flash when we look back at it.
Birds like to get into the cavity above the tongue of the 5th wheel. Flying rats! So I have put some leftover insulation from the hoses in the cracks. Take that, feathered beasts!
The framer is now on the 2nd floor. I sat down and made an estimate as to when we might be in the house. 35 weeks. It seems like forever, but I'm sure it will be a flash when we look back at it.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
3/15/2010
The wife has been sick the last few days, so I have been sleeping on the pull-out couch. The new bed is quite an improvement, but, um, yeah. I heard something last night at 4:30am and I shot out of bed because of the recent developments around here. I heard a clunk outside and thought someone was outside. I was right. It was a raccoon. I had put the trash outside and didn't take it to the dumpster. I thought it would be fine taking it to the dumpster in the morning. Well, he had a good meal.
The kids spent the night at Grandma J's last night. Two of the cousins came over and raised a ruckus all night. Thank God for the patience of grandmas! They will go to Grandma P's tonight.
The garage floor was laid down today!
The kids spent the night at Grandma J's last night. Two of the cousins came over and raised a ruckus all night. Thank God for the patience of grandmas! They will go to Grandma P's tonight.
The garage floor was laid down today!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
3/14/2010
This weekend we went to Great Bend for another tournament for Peanut. Wow! She put a whoopin' on those girls! She got a first and three seconds and won the all-around! The other two kids stayed with Grandma P for the day. They hung out all day without having to gripe about staying in the stands, so a good day was had by all.
Got back to the camper and this morning the sherriff's patrol was knocking on doors. I guess someone has moved into a cabin the other day and got robbed Friday night. They are thinking that it was one of his "friends" that helped him move in helping himself to his belongings. The other day the sherriff's patrol was here about someone being drunk and disorderly. This place has been quiet for 2 1/2 years and now this...It's a good deal we will be out of here this year. The kids always have a two-way radio with them when they are out, and are never out after dark, but it still makes you wonder. I didn't see anything the night of the robbery...
The main floor of the house is framed and they will be working on the second floor this week!
Got back to the camper and this morning the sherriff's patrol was knocking on doors. I guess someone has moved into a cabin the other day and got robbed Friday night. They are thinking that it was one of his "friends" that helped him move in helping himself to his belongings. The other day the sherriff's patrol was here about someone being drunk and disorderly. This place has been quiet for 2 1/2 years and now this...It's a good deal we will be out of here this year. The kids always have a two-way radio with them when they are out, and are never out after dark, but it still makes you wonder. I didn't see anything the night of the robbery...
The main floor of the house is framed and they will be working on the second floor this week!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
3/7/2010
We went to Hutch for a gymnastics tournament on Saturday. Peanut had a great day. She got 2nd in the all-around! The kid has skills. Grandma and Grandpa P got to see the show. Corndog and Punkin begrudgingly go with. They bring books and games, but seem to be bored the whole time. (Their respective tournaments are COMPLETELY different...)
We went over to the house with Lady and Nick. The kids trudged around the pond with the dogs as we walked through the open timbers of the new homestead. The place has a playground and a walking trail around the whole community. It looks like we can see the playground from our screened porch, so the wife (not me) will be able to watch the yardbirds from there.
I've been trying to find the time to get the battery out of my bike, but the days seem to be either too cold or short. It's supposed to rain the next few days. Framing and rain don't mix. Sissies.
We went over to the house with Lady and Nick. The kids trudged around the pond with the dogs as we walked through the open timbers of the new homestead. The place has a playground and a walking trail around the whole community. It looks like we can see the playground from our screened porch, so the wife (not me) will be able to watch the yardbirds from there.
I've been trying to find the time to get the battery out of my bike, but the days seem to be either too cold or short. It's supposed to rain the next few days. Framing and rain don't mix. Sissies.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
3/5/2010
The wife made salmon chowder last night. Sounds gross, right? You would think the kids would hate it, but they were diggin' it. My kids have educated pallates. The other day they wanted brussell sprouts and were chanting "BRUSSEL SPROUTS, BRUSSEL SPROUTS!" I'm not sure they are related...
Thursday should be a day of rest at camp, but that would just be wrong. My motorcycle is tucked under the front part of the 5th wheel. It sits there with a cover over it. It looks sad. The battery that I put in it last summer has gone bad and I wanted to get it out. The battery hard to get to on this model, so I knew it would take a bit to get out. I had to put that off longer because of all the things going on today.
Corndog loves TKD. When you do certain strikes either with a foot or a fist, you do a yell called a "Kia" (sp). He digs this. The kid has a booming voice and usually we have to pull the reins in on the volume. Here, he can stretch the vocal cords and it's actually a good thing. Nothing is better for him.--He digs army stuff and he thinks this is like "army stuff"---and he gets to yell! What's not to love?
Thursday should be a day of rest at camp, but that would just be wrong. My motorcycle is tucked under the front part of the 5th wheel. It sits there with a cover over it. It looks sad. The battery that I put in it last summer has gone bad and I wanted to get it out. The battery hard to get to on this model, so I knew it would take a bit to get out. I had to put that off longer because of all the things going on today.
Corndog loves TKD. When you do certain strikes either with a foot or a fist, you do a yell called a "Kia" (sp). He digs this. The kid has a booming voice and usually we have to pull the reins in on the volume. Here, he can stretch the vocal cords and it's actually a good thing. Nothing is better for him.--He digs army stuff and he thinks this is like "army stuff"---and he gets to yell! What's not to love?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
3/3/2010
Every once in a while, I stay up too late. OK, maybe not every once in a while...About every night I stay up a little too late. Last night it was 1:00am before I had had enough. Obviously, everyone was rackin' but me. I ended up on the floor...
There are 2 beds and 5 people in the camper. If you do the math, it's a problem when the kids grow. When we first started "camping", I could put Corndog and Punkin in the pull-out bed with Peanut beside them on the corner of the L shaped couch. Doesn't work anymore. Punkin and Corndog just shouldn't be in the same rack. So, they trade off going to the floor on top of couch cushions with a gymnastics map on top of that with covers on the mix.--At the foot of the pull-out bed. It works...Peanut will often end up in our bed somehow during the night.--With the dogs. 5 warm bodies in one bed.
There are 2 beds and 5 people in the camper. If you do the math, it's a problem when the kids grow. When we first started "camping", I could put Corndog and Punkin in the pull-out bed with Peanut beside them on the corner of the L shaped couch. Doesn't work anymore. Punkin and Corndog just shouldn't be in the same rack. So, they trade off going to the floor on top of couch cushions with a gymnastics map on top of that with covers on the mix.--At the foot of the pull-out bed. It works...Peanut will often end up in our bed somehow during the night.--With the dogs. 5 warm bodies in one bed.
Friday, February 26, 2010
2/26/2010
Punkin has a junior high cheerleader lock-in at the school tonight. If they would have had those when I was back in school and the wrestling team knew about it...DETENTION!!
The crane operator put down some pre-stressed cement on the property the other day and we took the kids out of school to watch. It took about an hour to set the lengths of cement down, but the crane guy billed us for three hours. "We have a three hour minimum". He won't be getting any more work from us.
The crane operator put down some pre-stressed cement on the property the other day and we took the kids out of school to watch. It took about an hour to set the lengths of cement down, but the crane guy billed us for three hours. "We have a three hour minimum". He won't be getting any more work from us.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
2/25/2010
One last (hopefully) sick day for the kids. Tomorrow should bring business as usual back into focus.
The camper has a "laundry closet" right by the bathroom. At this time it has the "Mother Load" packed into it. We opted to not have a washer and dryer put in there, because the machines that are in campers typically suck. We have laundry services here anyway. The dogs' kennel is in the laundry closet and at this point packed under the "Mother Load".
We went to the house the other day before anyone was sick. Mommy and Peanut went over to where the master bathtub is going to be and "sat in the tub". That's one of the things that keeps the wife sane is a nice soaky-bath. After living in the camper for 2 1/2 years, she is having some serious withdrawl symptoms!
If you follow that cord to the large header and enter the bathroom, the tub will be right in front of you. Hop on in!
The camper has a "laundry closet" right by the bathroom. At this time it has the "Mother Load" packed into it. We opted to not have a washer and dryer put in there, because the machines that are in campers typically suck. We have laundry services here anyway. The dogs' kennel is in the laundry closet and at this point packed under the "Mother Load".
We went to the house the other day before anyone was sick. Mommy and Peanut went over to where the master bathtub is going to be and "sat in the tub". That's one of the things that keeps the wife sane is a nice soaky-bath. After living in the camper for 2 1/2 years, she is having some serious withdrawl symptoms!
If you follow that cord to the large header and enter the bathroom, the tub will be right in front of you. Hop on in!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
2/24/2010
We had salmon and lentils tonight...Doesn't sound like much, but Man!!--The wife has many tallents.
Corndog is a gamer. Seriously. Nothing is funner to him. Nothing. The problem is, when it's time to turn it off, that's what time it is. . It never seems to register. "If you wig-out about turning it off, not only will you go to bed quickly, but you won't play tomorrow". You would think a statement like that would matter...We give him about one hour on school nights, give or take. (He likes to take more than we are willing to give). Give him all day and he will take it. I guess that's not unlike most kids, but we just don't play that.---Especially on SCHOOL nights!
Punkin might be back with the living tomorrow. No fever today and she can talk. Wow...
The main floor walls are being set up at the house!
Corndog is a gamer. Seriously. Nothing is funner to him. Nothing. The problem is, when it's time to turn it off, that's what time it is. . It never seems to register. "If you wig-out about turning it off, not only will you go to bed quickly, but you won't play tomorrow". You would think a statement like that would matter...We give him about one hour on school nights, give or take. (He likes to take more than we are willing to give). Give him all day and he will take it. I guess that's not unlike most kids, but we just don't play that.---Especially on SCHOOL nights!
Punkin might be back with the living tomorrow. No fever today and she can talk. Wow...
The main floor walls are being set up at the house!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
2/23/2010
Punkin hasn't left the bed for more than a couple minutes at a time today. We forget how good "feeling good" feels until we feel like worm squat. Mommy stayed home today and delivered Sprite and chicky-noodles. She clears her throat like an old goat when she is sick. I guess you could say she doesn't get that from her mom. My mother-in-law would be proud!
The puppies got to have a couple rib bones from our BBQ leftovers. They tear around outside and get into the neighbor's kitty food all the time. Their diet is quite regimented...
Corndog had TKD and Peanut had her gymnastics. They get over at the same time, so it's kind of a mad dash across town to pick her up after he's done.
The puppies got to have a couple rib bones from our BBQ leftovers. They tear around outside and get into the neighbor's kitty food all the time. Their diet is quite regimented...
Corndog had TKD and Peanut had her gymnastics. They get over at the same time, so it's kind of a mad dash across town to pick her up after he's done.
Monday, February 22, 2010
2/22/2010
Corndog turns 10 today!!! He digs ribs, so we went to a BBQ place tonight. Man, the kid can put away the ribs! We met the Grandmas and the Grandpas there, but Punkin was absent.---The latest to get sick. The wife is holding on tight to her immune system while taking care of her.
Corndog likes leggos. He can whip one of those things together in nothing flat. We got him a huge one today, went out to eat, got back home (20 miles away). He started it when we got home and had it done at bed time. The dude needs to be an engineer or something.
Oh, they are framing the main floor of the house now!--Still snowy.
Corndog likes leggos. He can whip one of those things together in nothing flat. We got him a huge one today, went out to eat, got back home (20 miles away). He started it when we got home and had it done at bed time. The dude needs to be an engineer or something.
Oh, they are framing the main floor of the house now!--Still snowy.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
2/21/2010
Alright, I've been REALLY sick for about a week. The camper doesn't have a quarantine area...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
2/16/2010
Got a call from the school nurse today. Corndog is sick. My throat has been killing me for a couple days, too. I went to TKD anyway. ---
Monday, February 15, 2010
2/15/2010
A cold wind hit the camper all night long last night, but we didn't feel it. Our camper is set up with the leading edge facing north. So if the wind is mostly out of the north or south, we can't feel it. If it is an east or west wind, the game changes. We have automatic stabilizers, but the wind will just buck the camper if it is strong enough.
Not to be outranked, I joined Sun Yi's the other day. If and when Corndog gets his black belt, I don't want to have to call him "Sir" if I end up joining later. No better time than the present. Working out is another issue in a camper. When it takes about 10 steps to get from one end to the other, you need to find a way to "stretch your legs". I thought TKD would help with this. In the winter, I don't feel like getting up at 5:30am and going over to the "Clubhouse" to work out on my equipment. So, I can now be active an extra 3-4 hours/wk.
Not to be outranked, I joined Sun Yi's the other day. If and when Corndog gets his black belt, I don't want to have to call him "Sir" if I end up joining later. No better time than the present. Working out is another issue in a camper. When it takes about 10 steps to get from one end to the other, you need to find a way to "stretch your legs". I thought TKD would help with this. In the winter, I don't feel like getting up at 5:30am and going over to the "Clubhouse" to work out on my equipment. So, I can now be active an extra 3-4 hours/wk.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
2/14/2010
Ah, Valentine's Day. I ran to town and picked up some V-day donuts that the kids fought over. I went to my office to try to do some programing on my new system.---I can say sincerely that I SUCK at that stuff.
It is bone-chilling cold with the wind today, but we went over to the house to check out the progress. That's when I found out that the kids had carried the bickering too far and one was grounded (well, it was an extension of an existing grounding). ***Yeah, you know who you are!*** Togetherness has its boundaries. And the boundaries are tested in winter.
Peanut threw-up on our bed, so it's off to laundry. In the cold. growl...
She's doing better. Corndog has a new wii game. Man, that thing is a life saver. He also has a scratch across his face. (See above) ...Must--hold--tongue...
It is bone-chilling cold with the wind today, but we went over to the house to check out the progress. That's when I found out that the kids had carried the bickering too far and one was grounded (well, it was an extension of an existing grounding). ***Yeah, you know who you are!*** Togetherness has its boundaries. And the boundaries are tested in winter.
Peanut threw-up on our bed, so it's off to laundry. In the cold. growl...
She's doing better. Corndog has a new wii game. Man, that thing is a life saver. He also has a scratch across his face. (See above) ...Must--hold--tongue...
2/13/2010
Corndog had a friend over last night. It was the last night for the "old" pull-out bed. The wife and I carted it into the camper today after unbolting the ragged out bed from the couch.
It was semi-warm (40 degrees) today, so the kids were able to get outside and rep around for a while. Peanut and Corndog's tires on the bikes were needing a breather, so the compressor was fired up. I brought out the Workhorse (golf cart on steroids) and moved the crate that the bed came on. The kids like going around on it, so I let Punkin drive them around for a while.
It was semi-warm (40 degrees) today, so the kids were able to get outside and rep around for a while. Peanut and Corndog's tires on the bikes were needing a breather, so the compressor was fired up. I brought out the Workhorse (golf cart on steroids) and moved the crate that the bed came on. The kids like going around on it, so I let Punkin drive them around for a while.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
2/11/2010
Water. The juice of life. You can't live without it. You certainly can't camp without it...
I've got a million things going on in life/business right now. Nothing different than anyone else, I guess we are all accustomed to "the grind" in our own lives. We've been house sitting for the folks for a spell. It takes the pressure away from living so close together. The trade-off is that the schedule gets chopped up further--carting the kids to and from school and then to the practices. This is really no different than the "normal" schedule of anyone else in our position in life with kids in school. We had just "moved back out" of the folks place back to the camper. It was getting late at work and I had the truck loaded with all the laundry that was done there over the time we were there. The pull-out bed that I had ordered is sitting in the back of the truck and covered because we were supposed to get freezing drizzle. Then I get a call...
"The water is not working.--Anywhere in the camper". OK, it's winter. I can put together 2 and 2. "By the way, can you bring home dinner?"...---...Speachless. I need to get all this stuff for the water---hoses, splitters, heat tape, insulation, teflon tape, duct tape---YEAH, yeah... I'll pick up dinner...
So, I get home and check out the hose that supplies the camper. Turns out, the line wasn't frozen. The water had been turned off by the neighbor because a couple of days ago, water was gushing out of the hole that my hose comes out of. Where the metal meets the rubber part of the hose, the metal had failed and water was spewing out of the crack.--Easy fix in the summer. A lot tougher in the winter. I decided to go with a one dedicated line and heat and insulate it instead of using splitters. Twenty minutes after I got home, we had water again and life resumed.
I brought home chilli. Like it lump it.
I've got a million things going on in life/business right now. Nothing different than anyone else, I guess we are all accustomed to "the grind" in our own lives. We've been house sitting for the folks for a spell. It takes the pressure away from living so close together. The trade-off is that the schedule gets chopped up further--carting the kids to and from school and then to the practices. This is really no different than the "normal" schedule of anyone else in our position in life with kids in school. We had just "moved back out" of the folks place back to the camper. It was getting late at work and I had the truck loaded with all the laundry that was done there over the time we were there. The pull-out bed that I had ordered is sitting in the back of the truck and covered because we were supposed to get freezing drizzle. Then I get a call...
"The water is not working.--Anywhere in the camper". OK, it's winter. I can put together 2 and 2. "By the way, can you bring home dinner?"...---...Speachless. I need to get all this stuff for the water---hoses, splitters, heat tape, insulation, teflon tape, duct tape---YEAH, yeah... I'll pick up dinner...
So, I get home and check out the hose that supplies the camper. Turns out, the line wasn't frozen. The water had been turned off by the neighbor because a couple of days ago, water was gushing out of the hole that my hose comes out of. Where the metal meets the rubber part of the hose, the metal had failed and water was spewing out of the crack.--Easy fix in the summer. A lot tougher in the winter. I decided to go with a one dedicated line and heat and insulate it instead of using splitters. Twenty minutes after I got home, we had water again and life resumed.
I brought home chilli. Like it lump it.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
2/4/2010
OK, so I've been a slacker lately...We've been staying in town and house-sitting since last week. The framers have started on the house and it's going up fast.
The wife likes to whole house-sitting thing because she gets to have her soaky-bath time. The camper has a little shower and a fitting water heater, so you get in, get clean, and get out. The wife requires a bath for her sanity (and mine) here and there. She puts on the mask and reads and soaks for about a day or so, then the world is fine again.
We bring in all our laundry and get it done in the folks' machines. Laundry is a huge issue in the camper when no matter what there is to wash, you are carting it somewhere else to do it.
The wife likes to whole house-sitting thing because she gets to have her soaky-bath time. The camper has a little shower and a fitting water heater, so you get in, get clean, and get out. The wife requires a bath for her sanity (and mine) here and there. She puts on the mask and reads and soaks for about a day or so, then the world is fine again.
We bring in all our laundry and get it done in the folks' machines. Laundry is a huge issue in the camper when no matter what there is to wash, you are carting it somewhere else to do it.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
1/28/2010
The wife and I tore around all day doing stuff for the house today while the kids were at school. The framer is starting finally!
Corndog and I stayed home while the girls had practice. The dishes were done with care by the Chief. It's snowing tonight and we're supposed to get 5 inches. Hopefully school will be on tomorrow, because Grandma and Grandpa are going out of the country.--That means that Punkin will be in charge. She has taken babysitting classes and is great with other kids.--Her brother and sister are not "other kids". The get on her last nerve quite quickly. It could be a cold day for them if it is a snow day...
Corndog and I stayed home while the girls had practice. The dishes were done with care by the Chief. It's snowing tonight and we're supposed to get 5 inches. Hopefully school will be on tomorrow, because Grandma and Grandpa are going out of the country.--That means that Punkin will be in charge. She has taken babysitting classes and is great with other kids.--Her brother and sister are not "other kids". The get on her last nerve quite quickly. It could be a cold day for them if it is a snow day...
1/27/2010
Swim and TKD practice tonight.
When we get home, it is time to settle up the homework that wasn't done prior to practice. Punkin will go the the "bedroom" and Corndog will be at the "kitchen" table. They scratch away at their respective papers for a while and hit the shower. Corndog gets done faster and washes up, then Punkin waits until the water warms up. This takes about 20 minutes.
When we get home, it is time to settle up the homework that wasn't done prior to practice. Punkin will go the the "bedroom" and Corndog will be at the "kitchen" table. They scratch away at their respective papers for a while and hit the shower. Corndog gets done faster and washes up, then Punkin waits until the water warms up. This takes about 20 minutes.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
1/26/2010
The wife carts the kids around to their respective practices each night. Tonight, Corndog went to a friend's house while soccer mom was hauling the rest of the herd. He was supposed to be at the friend's house until 6:30. They said "Sure, he can stay until you get back". Famous last words. They had to leave, so he went to the neighbor's camper until the wife got back. He's not supposed to go there for very long, if at all.--Not because they are bad people, but because they have cats. A LOT of cats. The Dogman is EXTREMELY allergic to cats. So, tonight he goes to bed wheezing.
We usually keep an air purifier in the camper, but my brother had to use it in his house for a while. I will be getting that back tomorrow!
We usually keep an air purifier in the camper, but my brother had to use it in his house for a while. I will be getting that back tomorrow!
Monday, January 25, 2010
1/25/2010
Hiiiyah! Koosplash! Corndog the Ninja and Punkin the Fish had their practices tonight. They are strategicly placed in the schedule at this time. That might change soon.
Wood was delivered to the property today for the framer to start!
It's cold again. Fine with me. I'm not the one swinging a hammer in the polar season.
Wood was delivered to the property today for the framer to start!
It's cold again. Fine with me. I'm not the one swinging a hammer in the polar season.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
1/24/2010
Peanut had a gymnastics tournament today. She got 2nd all around, so a better tournament this week. We went to Grandma's house afterward to have some snacks and hang out.
This "Resort" has one set of washing machines in the winter, so doing laundry takes all day. The wife and I had decided to go to a little town to our South to do laundry next time. My neighbor says he does it all the time and he is done in an hour and a half. So on the way home, after listening to the kids bicker for quite a while, I told the better half that I would do the laundry. She says "Oh really...So you thought you would help out by leaving me in the camper with the kids while you do laundry somewhere else..."---YEP! Just doin' my part...
So, I get to this laundry place and this scroungy dude is in there doing his laundry. Just to be friendly, I say "'Sup?"--He stares. "Getting cold again."--Still staring. Silence.
This "Resort" has one set of washing machines in the winter, so doing laundry takes all day. The wife and I had decided to go to a little town to our South to do laundry next time. My neighbor says he does it all the time and he is done in an hour and a half. So on the way home, after listening to the kids bicker for quite a while, I told the better half that I would do the laundry. She says "Oh really...So you thought you would help out by leaving me in the camper with the kids while you do laundry somewhere else..."---YEP! Just doin' my part...
So, I get to this laundry place and this scroungy dude is in there doing his laundry. Just to be friendly, I say "'Sup?"--He stares. "Getting cold again."--Still staring. Silence.
1/23/2010
It was nice today. I saw the first bee of the season. Finally got the Christmas tree thawed from the big flower pot that it was in and took it to the campsite's "burn pile".
I keep my motorcycle under the nose of the 5th wheel. I had put a new battery in it several months ago, but even with a battery tender, no juice. The bike has to stay outside for a lack of a garage, so I guess I should just chalk it up to weather.
Corndog spent the night at a friend's house last night. He asked for him to spend the night here, but during the winter, you are just kind of stuck in the camper no matter what. If it was a house, it would be OK, but, you know...In the spring, all the kids want to stay here for the activities.---Waterslide, beach, pool, paintball, basketball, just plain rippin' around.
We went to Avatar tonight. The wife has seen it 3 times now. Once with me, then the older two, then with all of us.
Temperature is supposed to drop again.
I keep my motorcycle under the nose of the 5th wheel. I had put a new battery in it several months ago, but even with a battery tender, no juice. The bike has to stay outside for a lack of a garage, so I guess I should just chalk it up to weather.
Corndog spent the night at a friend's house last night. He asked for him to spend the night here, but during the winter, you are just kind of stuck in the camper no matter what. If it was a house, it would be OK, but, you know...In the spring, all the kids want to stay here for the activities.---Waterslide, beach, pool, paintball, basketball, just plain rippin' around.
We went to Avatar tonight. The wife has seen it 3 times now. Once with me, then the older two, then with all of us.
Temperature is supposed to drop again.
1/22/2010
A new milestone...The Sock Hop. Punkin had her first Jr. High dance tonight. I asked her if she had danced with any boys. She kind of hid her face in her jacket. She danced with a few boys,--"but not every one that asked!" Ah, Jr. High..."I've been waitin'....for a girl like you..." I remember. Brings a zit to the chin...
Friday, January 22, 2010
1/21/2010
Swimming and gymnastics tonight. One 5-7, the other 6-8. Soccer dad, right? Punkin has her first competition in 2 weeks...Wow. The spring schedule is about to develop scars.
Punkin and I stopped at Grandma and Grandpa's house for her to get dressed and to get homework done. It actually worked as I planned. Who knew?
Punkin and I stopped at Grandma and Grandpa's house for her to get dressed and to get homework done. It actually worked as I planned. Who knew?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
1/20/2010
Peanutbutter is finally getting some teeth poking through her gums. She has looked like a jack-o-lantern since I don't know when. The Tooth Ferry was really busy there for a while. She's been having to crank her head sideways to take a bite from a burger.
Corndog's been practicing his Tae Kwon Do forms in the "living room/home gym". That's also where Peanut practices her gymnastics. If only we could fit a balance beam in here...
Pizza, homework, KU basketball. Hit the rack.
Corndog's been practicing his Tae Kwon Do forms in the "living room/home gym". That's also where Peanut practices her gymnastics. If only we could fit a balance beam in here...
Pizza, homework, KU basketball. Hit the rack.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
1/19/2010
It's been foggy forever (5 days straight), and cloudy before that. I've heard-tell of a bright orb in the sky that warms the earth, but I need concrete evidence. The truck and the minivan are making some pretty good ruts in the parking spaces. The owner of the campground put down some asphault last summer, but it has sunken deep into the crust of the earth.
I trudged through the mud past the Christmas tree (laying on the ground, still in the pot) on the way to the camper door tonight. Living in a camper, there is no room for a tree inside. We put the tree in a pot and decorated it and the camper. The tree is still in the pot...It was frozen in there, so I couldn't get it out and would have had to throw away the pot with the tree. Now, the temperature has finally lifted enough to get the tree out, I think. It will get done Thursday if it doesn't freeze again.
Punkin will start swim team soon. Man, does she have some flippers! She and Corndog did the whole competition swimming thing last year.
I trudged through the mud past the Christmas tree (laying on the ground, still in the pot) on the way to the camper door tonight. Living in a camper, there is no room for a tree inside. We put the tree in a pot and decorated it and the camper. The tree is still in the pot...It was frozen in there, so I couldn't get it out and would have had to throw away the pot with the tree. Now, the temperature has finally lifted enough to get the tree out, I think. It will get done Thursday if it doesn't freeze again.
Punkin will start swim team soon. Man, does she have some flippers! She and Corndog did the whole competition swimming thing last year.
Monday, January 18, 2010
1/18/2010
Corndog started Tae Kwon Do tonight! Goin' all Ninja. He thought it was cool, because Marines do martial arts. If a Marine does it, it's cool. He digs everything military. He was upset that we couldn't go to the military surplus store over the weekend. We went there before Halloween to get him stuff for the costume last year. He wanted to get a grenade...
Sunday, January 17, 2010
1/17/2010
OK, the reason for the trip. We went to the gymnastics tournament today. A bunch of girls whipping around a gym for a few hours. Peanut made us really proud, but was disappointed with her own performance...She is used to being on the top of the podium. Some days you got it, and others you just don't.
Aunt Kelly went to the tournament and watched. She was a great gymnast as a kid, and Peanut was really happy that whe was there.
Back to the camper.
Aunt Kelly went to the tournament and watched. She was a great gymnast as a kid, and Peanut was really happy that whe was there.
Back to the camper.
1/16/2010
Early breakfast and the kids went tearing around town with Aunts Lisa and Kelly. They had a bunch of fun shopping and going to Union Station.--Corndog still digs trains.
The wife and I went shopping for cars. ALL DAY. We met up with them at a restaurant and caught up with the times with Aunt Lisa, Uncle Jim and Tyler the cuz. Everyone was doing great.***We asked the kids what they did after we left and the first thing on Corndog's mind was that Uncle Jim had an incident on the road. "Uncle Jim said 'There's some stupid (spelling now) eff yoo see see kay eye enn jee guy on our (spelling again) ay ess ess.'" Peanut chimed in "Yeah, and he showed him his middle finger!" I looked at the wife and she said "Well, at least he didn't know how to spell it yet."***Ah, the things that are most memorable to kids...
We got back to the hotel and went directly to the pool. They all begged me to get into the pool. "It's no fun without you!" You know those guys that plunge into the water in the winter time? The Polar Bears....Yeah...Wow. Instant chattering. Dad wasn't "fun in the pool" for very long.
The wife and I went shopping for cars. ALL DAY. We met up with them at a restaurant and caught up with the times with Aunt Lisa, Uncle Jim and Tyler the cuz. Everyone was doing great.***We asked the kids what they did after we left and the first thing on Corndog's mind was that Uncle Jim had an incident on the road. "Uncle Jim said 'There's some stupid (spelling now) eff yoo see see kay eye enn jee guy on our (spelling again) ay ess ess.'" Peanut chimed in "Yeah, and he showed him his middle finger!" I looked at the wife and she said "Well, at least he didn't know how to spell it yet."***Ah, the things that are most memorable to kids...
We got back to the hotel and went directly to the pool. They all begged me to get into the pool. "It's no fun without you!" You know those guys that plunge into the water in the winter time? The Polar Bears....Yeah...Wow. Instant chattering. Dad wasn't "fun in the pool" for very long.
1/15/2010
Hit the road tonight. We took the truck.--Not the most comfortable thing for a family of 5. It's a big truck, but one bench seat in the back. (A lot of elbows in that back seat) Got to the hotel late, so no swimming. Just whining. Popcorn and such cooled the temp.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
1/14/2010
Man...It's muddy. The dogs have to go straight to the kennel when they come into the camper on days like this. There are dirt roads in and around the campground. The nearest asphalt road is a mile and a half away from here, so the vehicles are constantly one or another shade of brown no matter what color they were when they left the factory.
The wife has a minivan that was a nice (still a minivan) vehicle when we moved here two and a half years ago. Now she calls it "The Jaloppy". One of the tasks we need to complete in KC this weekend is to get an idea as to what our next herd hauler will be.---Check will not be cut until we move from the dirt road.
The wife has a minivan that was a nice (still a minivan) vehicle when we moved here two and a half years ago. Now she calls it "The Jaloppy". One of the tasks we need to complete in KC this weekend is to get an idea as to what our next herd hauler will be.---Check will not be cut until we move from the dirt road.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
1/13/2010
KC calls us this weekend. Peanut's tournament put a wrinkle in our schedule. She had an extra practice tonight and Punkin had cheering practice...So, Corndog couldn't start karate just yet. He didn't protest at all, since we had a fantastic Mexican meal. (Food trumps all for him)
50 degrees today! Nice to have a break in the action.
50 degrees today! Nice to have a break in the action.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
1/12/2010
I was giddy with anticipation of the gymnastics booster club meeting tonight...Surprisingly though, it was kind of a let down. Peanut has a tournament this weekend. She practices in our living room of the camper. A cartwheel, turn around, a round-off, turn around, back walk-over, turn around, etc. She doesn't mind a bit that there isn't much room to tumble in the camper, and she is fun to watch.
Corndog is about to start karate tomorrow night. He is also to start swim team again soon. Tonight he said he wants to go to scouts. He says, they get to shoot BB guns and camp out. The wife said "You camp out every night, Dude!"---He was unimpressed. I also told him about my favorite part.--The all-powerful PINEWOOD DERBY! Awyeah. I wasn't much help to our schedule. We got on youtube and checked out derby cars. He thought it was cool. Here we go...
Punkin had cheer practice tonight...? I thought it was over. Aparrently, they are making up a snow game soon.--She said when, but I can't remember. The wife knows to have their schedule. (It's what she's paid for) She tells me when to show up and it happens. My role is well-defined when it comes to the kids' schedule.
Corndog is about to start karate tomorrow night. He is also to start swim team again soon. Tonight he said he wants to go to scouts. He says, they get to shoot BB guns and camp out. The wife said "You camp out every night, Dude!"---He was unimpressed. I also told him about my favorite part.--The all-powerful PINEWOOD DERBY! Awyeah. I wasn't much help to our schedule. We got on youtube and checked out derby cars. He thought it was cool. Here we go...
Punkin had cheer practice tonight...? I thought it was over. Aparrently, they are making up a snow game soon.--She said when, but I can't remember. The wife knows to have their schedule. (It's what she's paid for) She tells me when to show up and it happens. My role is well-defined when it comes to the kids' schedule.
Icy Flashback
The first fall we had here was great.--Again, what's not to love with all the activities that the kid's can do here? But winter kicked off with a huge bang. We had the worst ice storm in decades. Lines were down for about a week and a half. I didn't know I wanted a generator for Christmas!
When the electricity went out, there was a rush on generators in this region. Not one to be had for a few days. So I remembered that my dad had a little one that he was using in a shed. I hooked it up to the camper and it would work for a bit and just give out. It gave out quicker and quicker until it just looked at me and said "What?" This is a 50 amp camper (big). So...your run of the mill generator won't carry the load. We need a big one and NOW. I called all the Sam's clubs from here to KC. Luckily, I have a couple sisters that live in KC, where one of my sisters picked one up and met me half way with the package. I promptly hooked the thing up and magicly had juice flowing into our homestead again.
Piping outside is another fun winter issue. I learned early how to make sure the hoses that carry water to the camper don't freeze.--Heat tape and insulating liner over the lines (2) leading into the camper. One line into the direct water line and one to the black tank cleanout valve. The thing I didn't anticipat having trouble with was the down tube into the sewer tank. Oddly enough, if there is a pinhole in the top of the down tube, it will freeze.--Slowly, but surely. The contents froze in layers until it was frozen shut. I'll save you the details...THIS YEAR, I have 4" PVC with heat tape. Take that, Mother Nature! 30 below last week and everything works great!--One of the neighbors didn't winterize too well...
When the electricity went out, there was a rush on generators in this region. Not one to be had for a few days. So I remembered that my dad had a little one that he was using in a shed. I hooked it up to the camper and it would work for a bit and just give out. It gave out quicker and quicker until it just looked at me and said "What?" This is a 50 amp camper (big). So...your run of the mill generator won't carry the load. We need a big one and NOW. I called all the Sam's clubs from here to KC. Luckily, I have a couple sisters that live in KC, where one of my sisters picked one up and met me half way with the package. I promptly hooked the thing up and magicly had juice flowing into our homestead again.
Piping outside is another fun winter issue. I learned early how to make sure the hoses that carry water to the camper don't freeze.--Heat tape and insulating liner over the lines (2) leading into the camper. One line into the direct water line and one to the black tank cleanout valve. The thing I didn't anticipat having trouble with was the down tube into the sewer tank. Oddly enough, if there is a pinhole in the top of the down tube, it will freeze.--Slowly, but surely. The contents froze in layers until it was frozen shut. I'll save you the details...THIS YEAR, I have 4" PVC with heat tape. Take that, Mother Nature! 30 below last week and everything works great!--One of the neighbors didn't winterize too well...
1/11/2010
I bolted from work to Punkin's last cheering gig tonight. She did a great job in her first year of being a cheerleader! Corndog and Peanut begrudgingly attended. "Can we go home yet?"
Tomorrow, we will be getting together to figure out our spring schedule for the kid's activities. Punkin and Corndog will be swimming, while Peanut is in gymnastics. Corndog will also be starting Karate. Hiiiiiya!
The crazy schedule won't end until they graduate highschool, I suppose. It's great to have a heavy schedule during the winter, though, because if we're not somewhere else, we're stuck here in the camper.--Don't get me wrong.- The camper is a great one, but at the end of the day, it's not a house. So saying "go to your room" to do homework or something doesn't work. They are ALREADY THERE!
It was nice today.--About 40. Out without a coat this afternoon! Supposed to be even warmer tomorrow.
Tomorrow, we will be getting together to figure out our spring schedule for the kid's activities. Punkin and Corndog will be swimming, while Peanut is in gymnastics. Corndog will also be starting Karate. Hiiiiiya!
The crazy schedule won't end until they graduate highschool, I suppose. It's great to have a heavy schedule during the winter, though, because if we're not somewhere else, we're stuck here in the camper.--Don't get me wrong.- The camper is a great one, but at the end of the day, it's not a house. So saying "go to your room" to do homework or something doesn't work. They are ALREADY THERE!
It was nice today.--About 40. Out without a coat this afternoon! Supposed to be even warmer tomorrow.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
1/10/2010
A south wind showed up today! Finally melted a little snow.
The wife wanted me to keep names out of this, but describing the child doing a certain thing has gotted tedious. So, I will call them by the nicknames we have given them over the years.
Punkin--oldest daughter
Corndog-son (he can't stand that, but It's what I call him)
Peanut--youngest daughter
Punkin went on a walk outside today while the temperature was up. We have 2-way radios that we make them take along when out of the camper.--The lock wasn't on and her channel changed, so we couldn't get ahold of her at one time.--It's winter, ice on the lake, etc--so the wife got into her minivan to find her. 2 minutes later communication was on again.
Corndog went to a friend's house during the afternoon. 15 miles to town and back.--And again in another 3 hours. Anytime you live in the country it is an act of congress to get a "play date" together.
Peanut hung around the camper today. She and Punkin decorated cookies with their new cookie stuff that they got for Christmas...Girly stuff.
We have had steak for dinner for the last couple nights. Steak Au Poivre. (Oh povwah--or something like that) The wife rocks at cooking!--Not so much at the whole "sharing" with the laundry duties lately. She said earlier this morning "I need to get some laundry done today". She was cooking breakfast (B&G--home-made and fantastic), so I offered to start the first load. (a buck a load) Conveniently, she has been "BUSY" all day long. ***She's sitting next to me right now (nowhere else to go), and I know she will see this soon, but, hey, it is what it is*** Our laundry room is in the "clubhouse" which is a remodeled garage. It's quite nice now, considering, but you drive over there, get the wash done, and hope you don't have more than two pairs of jeans or towells in with other clothes, because it will not be dry if there is. Not too efficient, but at least there is something here. We deal with it.
When the wife sees a commercial for washers and driers, she sighs...
Supposed to be around 50 on Wednesday. 80 degree change in a week considering wind chill!!
The wife wanted me to keep names out of this, but describing the child doing a certain thing has gotted tedious. So, I will call them by the nicknames we have given them over the years.
Punkin--oldest daughter
Corndog-son (he can't stand that, but It's what I call him)
Peanut--youngest daughter
Punkin went on a walk outside today while the temperature was up. We have 2-way radios that we make them take along when out of the camper.--The lock wasn't on and her channel changed, so we couldn't get ahold of her at one time.--It's winter, ice on the lake, etc--so the wife got into her minivan to find her. 2 minutes later communication was on again.
Corndog went to a friend's house during the afternoon. 15 miles to town and back.--And again in another 3 hours. Anytime you live in the country it is an act of congress to get a "play date" together.
Peanut hung around the camper today. She and Punkin decorated cookies with their new cookie stuff that they got for Christmas...Girly stuff.
We have had steak for dinner for the last couple nights. Steak Au Poivre. (Oh povwah--or something like that) The wife rocks at cooking!--Not so much at the whole "sharing" with the laundry duties lately. She said earlier this morning "I need to get some laundry done today". She was cooking breakfast (B&G--home-made and fantastic), so I offered to start the first load. (a buck a load) Conveniently, she has been "BUSY" all day long. ***She's sitting next to me right now (nowhere else to go), and I know she will see this soon, but, hey, it is what it is*** Our laundry room is in the "clubhouse" which is a remodeled garage. It's quite nice now, considering, but you drive over there, get the wash done, and hope you don't have more than two pairs of jeans or towells in with other clothes, because it will not be dry if there is. Not too efficient, but at least there is something here. We deal with it.
When the wife sees a commercial for washers and driers, she sighs...
Supposed to be around 50 on Wednesday. 80 degree change in a week considering wind chill!!
1/9/2010
Our little girl is spending the night at a friend's house tonight. She spent the day there, so the other two and I hung around the camper just dinkin' around. Cheer girl had a tournament this morning.--One more game.
Did a complete physical on the pull-out bed frame today. Taps will be played soon.
The camper has a surround sound system in it that kicks behind (for a camper), but the DVD player is starting to give me some sass. I plugged in a portable DVD player into the TV and it works, but it's just not the "theatre experience" one would expect to find in a camper.
Cold enough to wish you were the Undie-bomber today. It's supposed to warm up to around 50 sometime next week.
Did a complete physical on the pull-out bed frame today. Taps will be played soon.
The camper has a surround sound system in it that kicks behind (for a camper), but the DVD player is starting to give me some sass. I plugged in a portable DVD player into the TV and it works, but it's just not the "theatre experience" one would expect to find in a camper.
Cold enough to wish you were the Undie-bomber today. It's supposed to warm up to around 50 sometime next week.
Friday, January 8, 2010
1/8/10
You've never set the clock alarm incorrectly, have you?...Uhhhyep.- Rushed around the camper. Everyone jockying for position at the sink to brush teeth and hair. I normally just go to the kitchen sink when the toothpaste is flying in the "bathroom".
Ohhh. Another surprise this morning. The pull-out bed that we use EVERY NIGHT,...two broken metal bars. When we put the thing away, we put the pillows on the bed and fold it up with the pillows inside. The rivets had broken before because of this, so I "fixed" it by cutting away the rest of the rivets inside and replaced them with bolts. Worked like magic until today...
Popcorn and movies tonight.
Ohhh. Another surprise this morning. The pull-out bed that we use EVERY NIGHT,...two broken metal bars. When we put the thing away, we put the pillows on the bed and fold it up with the pillows inside. The rivets had broken before because of this, so I "fixed" it by cutting away the rest of the rivets inside and replaced them with bolts. Worked like magic until today...
Popcorn and movies tonight.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
1/7/2010
Last night, Lady, our female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, ate something she found outside that didn't particularly agree with her stomach. (It was green...?) Corner of the bed, got the carpet. We put her in the kennel that is in the closet in the bathroom.--Well within earshot of the bed about 5 ft away. That dog whined about every 30 seconds or so all night long. Lightly enough as to not get into trouble, but loud enough to get my attention all night long.
It was shrivel-your-giblets cold today, so no school. Good thing it was my day off. We found things to do to get us out of the camper for a bit.
Took my son to get his hair cut (all three of my hairs were looking fine). We stopped to get the oil changed in my truck and one of the guys took him to the basement for a second to see where they drain the oil underneath. Certainly a highlight for him. About a week or so ago, It had snowed quite a bit. Enough to tell the little lady "Just let me lead you down the road in my truck so I can plow the road for your minivan". I was fishtailing and plowing down this dirt road, struggling to find the sweetspot on the covered gravel. Looked back and she was straight as an arrow. Minivan 1--F250 4x4 superduty 0.
Our youngest had gymnastics tonight, and the wife took control of that schedule.
Our oldest daughter had homework that was due today and last night was jubilated when she heard that there was going to be no school today. Wehehell, she started at 8:00pm tonight. It's 11:23. The door is closed between the living room and the bedroom where she is hard at work...I think.
Looking for 25 below zero tonight...Balmy.
It was shrivel-your-giblets cold today, so no school. Good thing it was my day off. We found things to do to get us out of the camper for a bit.
Took my son to get his hair cut (all three of my hairs were looking fine). We stopped to get the oil changed in my truck and one of the guys took him to the basement for a second to see where they drain the oil underneath. Certainly a highlight for him. About a week or so ago, It had snowed quite a bit. Enough to tell the little lady "Just let me lead you down the road in my truck so I can plow the road for your minivan". I was fishtailing and plowing down this dirt road, struggling to find the sweetspot on the covered gravel. Looked back and she was straight as an arrow. Minivan 1--F250 4x4 superduty 0.
Our youngest had gymnastics tonight, and the wife took control of that schedule.
Our oldest daughter had homework that was due today and last night was jubilated when she heard that there was going to be no school today. Wehehell, she started at 8:00pm tonight. It's 11:23. The door is closed between the living room and the bedroom where she is hard at work...I think.
Looking for 25 below zero tonight...Balmy.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
1/6/2010
Sooo. Mother Nature...Little miss cheer had to come home early tonight because there is a snow storm with an "Arctic Blast", as the weatherman calls it, on the way. The activity bus needed to leave early from school. My better half called and ordered chilli and fries for all, so that's what I picked up.---Unbeknownst to me, the kids had chilli and cinnamon rolls at school today...(Man, don't you miss chilli and cinnamon roll day at school?) Chilli twice today...I might leave...
Snowing and blowing. Supposed to get to something like 30 below tonight.
Snowing and blowing. Supposed to get to something like 30 below tonight.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
1/5/2010
Tuesday. The wife gets to the camper around 4:00pm and takes our youngest daughter and my son to her gymnastics practice while the oldest daughter is at cheer practice. I pick up the youngest while the wife carts our son back to the camper and waits for our oldest to get off the activity bus. We will have dinner and O'Reilly while the kids do homework and take showers.---With one little shower and little hot water heater, there is more artful scheduling than one might think. Guess who gets dish-washing duty tonight? We share the duty since there isn't a dishwasher in the camper. Laundry...That gets carted to the "clubhouse". (Another shared duty)
Side note--why is trash not a shared duty? I'm just sayin'...
Here is it 11:20pm. I thought the two daughters were sawing logs in the bedroom, but just heard laughter...Our youngest was just moved to the pull-out bed with her brother who we KNOW is sawing logs.--He is just beyond my reclined feet. Silence while the wife reads and I click away. This blogging thing is foreign to me.
It's supposed to snow tonight and get to 20 or 30 below zero tomorrow with wind chill...The dogs didn't take too long tonight when they were outside "taking care of business".
Side note--why is trash not a shared duty? I'm just sayin'...
Here is it 11:20pm. I thought the two daughters were sawing logs in the bedroom, but just heard laughter...Our youngest was just moved to the pull-out bed with her brother who we KNOW is sawing logs.--He is just beyond my reclined feet. Silence while the wife reads and I click away. This blogging thing is foreign to me.
It's supposed to snow tonight and get to 20 or 30 below zero tomorrow with wind chill...The dogs didn't take too long tonight when they were outside "taking care of business".
1/4/2010
Ahh...School is a great thing in the winter time! The bus magically just shows up at 7:35am and picks them up about 50 yards from our door. Our oldest daughter was cheering tonight. I got there about 6:30. Right about the time the game was over. Dagnabbit! After dinner we did some exercising in the camper. Our youngest is the gymnast, so doing a wheelbarrow and wheelbarrow push-ups are nothing to her. The other two need a little work, but they exercise and have fun doing it. They're all getting stronger. Did I mention they are GROWING?
26 degrees...
26 degrees...
Sunday, January 3, 2010
1/3/2010
Woke up to eggs, pancakes and bacon today. Oh yeah! We were invited to my parents place for chilli and dogs this afternoon. We spent the last few days at their house while they were gone, so I didn't feel like going back over. When my folks take off for a long weekend, we sometimes house-sit for them. It's a welcome break when it's cold. The kids played the wii while I started this project. The wife is in town.--So I'm here with the kids. They all have their own things that they like to do.--Read, play the wii or Nintendo DS...They get along great when there is a lot of things to do outside, but being cooped up during the winter seems to bring out the beast once in a while.
Cabin fever is easily set in with 300 sq ft.
Something below zero today...Dude....
Cabin fever is easily set in with 300 sq ft.
Something below zero today...Dude....
Life paused. A self imposed holding pattern.
Have you ever come home night after night, day after day to 300 sq ft? Okay, sure all you city apartment dwellers have and I definitely feel for you. Okay, but now add to your 300 sq ft your stressed but "I'm coping" (sometimes wigging) wife, your three once smallish but growing (I forgot they grow) kids that take up more room, eat more, cost more, more opinionated...more, more, more and your two dogs of which thankfully I didn't underestimate their physical and gastronomical properties.---And put it on wheels! Try that, Bubba!
I' ve got two years down under my ever-expanding beltline (I have no idea how the wife stays so skinny--wench!).-- Two years...and the only reaction I have is laughter, because stomping and cursing aren't productive and my wife and kids might have me committed--We have approximately one year left in our 300 sq ft.--My lovely wife and I got it in our heads that we needed to move from our 6 acres of American suburbia, but didn't calculate the wait to get the house started. We had some unforeseen circumstances and extended family near-tragedies that put us on hold for longer than anticipated.
We were ready to move. So...What to do?
Well, we do love camping. We go out at least once each month from spring to fall to have fun with the kids and just generally tear around for a bit. We knew we wanted a newer, better camper, so what better time than now to get a great one and live in it while building the house? So there you have it. The decision was made.
The kids were 5,7, and 10. I was not calculating the whole "growing-up" thing when purchasing a camper. Now we have puberty happening and seperation issues that need tending to. So, we have to creatively arrange our sleeping positions.
The spring and fall are great here. The kids have a million things to do. There is a huge beach, playground, a basketball court right in front of the camper, paintball and baseball fields. What's not to love? Winter is different. It's cold...Real cold. The camper is nice and cozy, and that's where you're staying unless you have something to do "in town"---15 miles away. It's winter now...Still...Christmas and New Year's are gone...(synchronized cycles in the camper)... GRENADE!!...Keeping sane in 300 square feet with 7 warm bodies inside is let's just say "tricky".
What STOOGE cooked up this brilliant plan?
We have foundation in the ground.
Its January 3rd 2010, and it's winter...still.
This will be our story for our last year living in a camper.
Camp Councelor
I' ve got two years down under my ever-expanding beltline (I have no idea how the wife stays so skinny--wench!).-- Two years...and the only reaction I have is laughter, because stomping and cursing aren't productive and my wife and kids might have me committed--We have approximately one year left in our 300 sq ft.--My lovely wife and I got it in our heads that we needed to move from our 6 acres of American suburbia, but didn't calculate the wait to get the house started. We had some unforeseen circumstances and extended family near-tragedies that put us on hold for longer than anticipated.
We were ready to move. So...What to do?
Well, we do love camping. We go out at least once each month from spring to fall to have fun with the kids and just generally tear around for a bit. We knew we wanted a newer, better camper, so what better time than now to get a great one and live in it while building the house? So there you have it. The decision was made.
The kids were 5,7, and 10. I was not calculating the whole "growing-up" thing when purchasing a camper. Now we have puberty happening and seperation issues that need tending to. So, we have to creatively arrange our sleeping positions.
The spring and fall are great here. The kids have a million things to do. There is a huge beach, playground, a basketball court right in front of the camper, paintball and baseball fields. What's not to love? Winter is different. It's cold...Real cold. The camper is nice and cozy, and that's where you're staying unless you have something to do "in town"---15 miles away. It's winter now...Still...Christmas and New Year's are gone...(synchronized cycles in the camper)... GRENADE!!...Keeping sane in 300 square feet with 7 warm bodies inside is let's just say "tricky".
What STOOGE cooked up this brilliant plan?
We have foundation in the ground.
Its January 3rd 2010, and it's winter...still.
This will be our story for our last year living in a camper.
Camp Councelor
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