April 6, -12, 2020 More Staying at Home (mostly)

Mon April 6
After breakfast, I worked on sewing 5 masks and we did 2 loads of laundry. I called about several of our medical appointments. Some are cancelled and some are still going to happen. We will see, some a few weeks away. I mailed Kristi and the kids 3 masks to wear. We also mailed off our RV insurance off. Glad that is done. We had a little walk today and a nap. I checked our temperatures and we are below normal!
Flowering Bushes we saw on our walk.

Tue April 7
I was up and got around about 8:00. I showered and fixed my hair. Then  I attended a WW virtual meeting on Zoom. The two trees in our front yard are Sycamores, When I looked at this house back in 1999, the trees and the 6 foot chain link fence were some of the major features I liked. But now I have gotten a little tired of the Sycamore trees because they shed branches and also they make Steve have an allergy attack during certain times of the year.  So anyway, this morning we picked up branches in the front yard. Later we went to Homeland for some groceries. After lunch we took the dogs to CCC Lake for a nice walk.




Wed April 8
I was up about 8:00 again. After taking it easy for awhile I went out and trimmed my Rose of Sharon bush while Steve worked on replacing his ramp into the shed. He also helped me finish trimming the bush. It had just gotten too big. The guy from OKC at Kjelshus RV Repair called us and said we could pick up the RV. We decided to do that tomorrow. So we watched a movie and had supper and more TV.

Thur April 9

Price of gas in El Reno 4-9-20

We were up and around at 8:00. We left about 9:00 AM to get the RV. We talked to Kristi on our way and found out Logan might want to come to our house. So we went to El Reno and visited with Austyn & Kristi and picked up Logan. Next we picked up the RV and went home. Gary Kjelshus did a little something to the jacks and said they were holding. He also explained he didn't have the equipment to fix the slide. We got back home a little after 1:00 PM and had lunch. After a little putzing around, I helped Logan with Oklahoma History for an hour and a half. We had to pick up more groceries from the store and then I fixed supper for us.

Fri April 10
We got up and around. Sometimes we take it easy for a bit in the morning before we get into any mischief. I mowed the front yard. Steve was working on the small tiller we have. When he got it running he and Logan tilled the two flower beds in the front. We made a trip to Tractor Supply for some things to tune up the tiller. We had a little fun shopping, it beats staying home. We were good and wore our masks. Another thing we did was check the mail. That is one of the highlights of our days every now and then. We took a walk (the dogs love this!) and had supper.

Sat Apr 11
After everyone was up and around we went outside. The project today was installing the Shade Pro covers on the front and side windows of the RV. These are to help keep the temperature down in the front of the RV. The fit on the outside of the window and block some sun, but you can see out of them from inside.  Neat! This took most of our work day. Our work day usually starts about 10:00 AM with a break for lunch, then back to work about 1:00 or 1:15 until 2:30 or 3:00. Retirement schedule is pretty nice! Steve & Logan rode our 3-wheel bikes around the neighborhood and  I didn't. We did take a walk later also.

Shade Pro Driver Side Window

Logan & Steve with their tools

Logan on the Ladder

Logan & Steve

Passenger side window

Front Window

Sun April 12 (Easter Sunday)
We watched TV awhile after breakfast. Then we got dressed and went to Homeland. Boy am I tired of buying groceries, but it is a constant chore, since you can't find what you need in one trip. After lunch we played Life and Uno with Logan. We didn't do much else today!

March 30 - April 5, 2020 Behind the Mask!

Monday Mar 30
We were up early and got around. We went to Homeland for supples. I updated our medication lists on the computer and printed them to put in the RV and billfolds. I also paid some bills. Not much else.

Tuesday Mar 31
After we got up and around we took the RV to OKC. I drove the pickup and Steve drove the RV. We took it to Kjelshus RV to check out the jacks and the slide. There wasn't much traffic.  I zoomed into a WW meeting on the way home while Steve drove. I did some catchup on the blog and Steve swept out the garage. Later we picked up supper from La Macarena and returned home to eat it. The fajitas were wonderful. It is always nice to eat someone else's cooking.

Wednesday April 1
April Fool's Day! We were up and around about 8:00. Steve went on a cleaning spree - he did the bathroom and then vacuumed. I ran the carpet shampooer. He also mopped the kitchen floor. So that is spring cleaning. After lunch we relaxed and I made some phone calls.

Thursday April 2
Today would have been my Dad's 97th birthday if he were still alive. He died at 64 of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (burst). He was in surgery by 8:00 AM and came out of surgery but died later in the afternoon about 4:30 PM. His kidneys would not function properly. I will never forget that day in 1988, I was 32. So he has been gone half my life. I still miss my parents. My Mom died in 2002.
We talked to Tony Powell today about the summer volunteer job. He is thinking they will be operating normally this summer, so we can go to Echo Lake. So far they have not closed the fishing access sites. We are keeping our fingers crossed, that this Corona virus settles down and we can travel.

Mary with Mask

Steve with Mask

Flowers on our walk (Phlox)

Flowers on our walk (Variegated Vinca)

I found out the names of these flowers because I asked on Facebook. The names were not something I knew.


Friday April 3
I worked on face masks for us to wear. It went better than the last time I tried. In fact I finished two and Steve and I wore them to Homeland to buy groceries. I fixed us eggs, and turkey bacon along with some yogurt and bagel thins. Later I completed 2 more masks and mailed them to my sister in South Carolina. Then we watched TV for a while.

Saturday April 4
It was gray and chilly today, so I worked on masks again. We had lunch and then a short grocery run. Later we met Pam & JC in the parking lot at Braum's and gave them the masks I made.  I fixed chili for supper and it  hit the spot.

Pam & JC with the masks I made them

Sunday April 5
Today the weather was much nicer. I worked on masks today and completed 5 of them. We sat outside and soaked up the sun for awhile. Later we took the dogs on a nice walk around the neighborhood. Supper was chicken enchiladas and then we watched a couple of movies on Amazon Prime that weren't too good.
That about wraps up this week.

March 23 - 29, 2020 Busy Week

Mar 23 Monday
We  had breakfast and watched some TV.  I checked our temperatures and we do NOT have any fever. We ordered Shade Pro for the RV front Window. It will attach to the outside of the front and side windows to help keep the sun from making it so hot inside.  I also made an appointment with Kjelshus RV Repair in OKC to check our big slide and jacks. I has sent a message to Steve's VA health provider and she called us back. I just wanted to check with her and see if any of Steve's medications needed adjustment or change due to the Corona virus. She said they would be fine and said if we get sick to Hydrate, take Tylenol, rest and use cough medicine if needed.  I also worked on the blog.

Mar 24, Tuesday
I was up at 9:00 AM today. I attended Weight Watchers Virtual Meeting.  All WW meetings are on Zoom now. No in person WW meetings since COVID-19.  We also checked our mail and took our house insurance to the agency and dropped it through the slot. We washed the Pickup (drive thru) and Steve & Logan also took the RV down and washed it at the car wash. Steve also took my car's lien release down to the tag agency and got in just before she closed down (for the Corona). According to the governor, it seems Oklahoma is closed.

Mar 25, Wednesday
We got up early this morning and drove to Vance Air Force Base as Enid to get my military ID renewed.  We toured around a bit then went to the Exchange and Commissary. Next we drove over to Pam and JC's to check them out. They were doing good. We also stopped at Walgreen's for some items  I needed and got new passport photos made. We did all that then got home in time for lunch. In the afternoon, Steve & Logan worked in the back yard to try to re-route the water that is washing out the grass in front of the RV port.  They did a good job!

Steve & Logan checking out planes

Mar 26, Thursday
When the morning routines were complete, I worked online to complete our passport renewal documents. That was an interesting process. Our passports don't expire until August, but if we are in Montana, it would be hard for us to complete them there. Since we were renewing and not getting our original passports, we could do it online. So you complete the information online, then print it, sign it, add your photo and a check, then mail it in.  DONE!  I also did a little laundry and Steve & Logan worked on the ditch behind our house - water drainage trouble. . I had some phone conversations also.

Bears in my window for kids Bear Hunt (Facebook) Hard to see because I have screens and dirty windows!

Our neighbor's sign (across the street). The WELCOME is crossed out!  Social Distancing

Mar 27, Friday
We did our morning routine and reviewed the passport documents prior to mailing them. Later we had lunch and then took Logan to OKC to meet with Kristi. He is returning home for awhile. We met at Target and not one of us got out to shop. We are being careful! After we arrived home, we took a nap and picked up supper - because I didn't want to cook.


Mar 28, Saturday
We were up early, then I went back to bed. Later I tried to make face masks after lunch. The instructions were confusing, so I stopped. I helped Steve clean up leaves in the back yard. Later we fired up the grill and cooked hamburgers and potatoes outside! They tasted really good.

Mar 29, Sunday
We did our usual morning routing and watched some TV. After lunch we sat outside for a bit. Then we picked up our mail and took the dogs for a walk around the square. Later it was more routine stuff and TV.  I fixed us a nice supper of pork roast, baked potatoes and carrots.

Steve & I outside, enjoying the sunlight.

Life at Home March 18 - 22, 2020

Mar 18 - Wednesday
Steve & I went to Homeland for groceries and picked up the mail. Then we unloaded more stuff from the RV. Later Kristi and Austyn joined us. I made stew for supper and we watched TV after that.

Mar 19 - Thursday
We did a few loads of laundry. Then I made some ham and eggs for lunch. Then we started a project on the RV while we had help available.  Back some time last year when we went to Missouri to get new steps for our RV -we also bought an awning for the driver's side windows. This is not the big awning- just one that pops out to provide shade over the big dining room and living room windows. Steve had watched You Tube videos about how to attach it to the RV. So we all helped, especially Logan and Kristi. Steve directed and figured out what to do. It was windy, but the temperature outside was nice. It went pretty good and we were happy to get that done. Later we picked up pizzas for supper and had a campfire with S'mores in the back yard.

Mar 20 - Friday
Today we piddled with more laundry. Steve & Logan went to the hardware store to get something for the awning. There is one or two more steps to finish it up. Kristi picked up lunch from Braum's and everybody ate. Steve and I also worked on our bank statements.  Later Kristi & Austyn went home so Austyn could work. I talked to both my sisters. I made chicken soup for supper.
I completed the 2020 census online - it only took about 5 minutes. Very easy

Mar 21 - Saturday
It was a cold morning and we got up early to take advantage of the senior hour at Homeland. Grocery shopping is not my favorite thing - and especially not early in the morning. Why did they set the senior hours for grocery shopping so early? I like to sleep in. After lunch we drove to Stillwater Walmart so I could pick up my medications and a few more grocery items. Steve stayed in the vehicle, because we don't want him to get exposed to the COVID-19. When we got home, I made chicken enchiladas for supper and we played a few card games with Logan.

Mar 22 - Sunday
We stayed home today and didn't do anything exciting. We did take a walk in our neighborhood. Later I fixed meatloat, potatoes and salad for supper

Monday, March 16, & 17, 2020 Moving on to Oklahoma and then home

Monday
We got up and around, had breakfast and walked the dogs. Last night we stayed at the Big Texan RV Park. It was nice.  We will stay here on any future trips to Amarillo. We were ready to roll out about 10:30 after we got gas. We were able to get it at a convenience store - but the credit card slot didn't work - so I had to go inside. We had easy access to I-40 and headed east to El Reno. We arrived there about 3:00 PM and set up.  Later Kristi and the kids came out to visit. We went to the Mexican food place for supper and Steve & I shared Fajitas. They were good.  The we went back to the RV, visited and slept.

The new welcome sign for Oklahoma - I almost didn't recognize it!  

Tuesday
After getting around slowly we went by Kristi's house and picked up the window awning for the driver's side. We had left it there thinking we would put it on when we got back from our trip with help from Kristi and the kids. But it was cold, wet and rainy today - so we will do it later. Logan joined us on our trip home, which didn't take long. We arrive at Perry about 1:00 PM and stopped at Braum's for lunch and grocery items. After we ate, we disconnected the pickup and took off the tow bar. after arriving home we unloaded the necessary items and rested a bit. Hazel dropped off our mail, but when I looked at it, another person's name was on every piece. So Steve & I hopped in the pickup and went to the post office right quick, before they closed and exchanged the wrong mail for the correct mail.

Back home!

Sunday, March 15, 2020 Headed to Amarillo

We left Carlsbad about 10:30 or so. It was a cool drizzly morning. We had an uneventful drive to Amarillo, and arrived there about 6:00 PM (we lost an hour coming into central time).
Pictures from the drive:

Artesia, NM

Outside Roswell

Roswell, NM (lots of these guys in town)

Near Clovis NM

Train near Clovis NM

Entering Texas

A sign of the times:  Wash your hand to prevent COVID-19

 After we got set up I fixed us Ham & Eggs for Supper. Steve called his sister Irene, who was asleep. Later we drove out to her house and visited about an hour or so and then returned to the RV to sleep. Tomorrow we are headed to Oklahoma

Saturday, March 14, 2020 Nice drive to Carlsbad, NM

We go up and around and made preparations to leave. We left the RV park about 10:30 AM. It was a lovely day to ride around in the RV. The temperature was great and the sun was shining most of the day. We planned to go to Carlsbad and wait for the kids to arrive so we could do some touring.

Leaving Fort Davis

Spring Green Trees

More trees showing signs of Spring

And the road goes on

Pastel Colors

My favorite   - a Windmill at Balmorhea, TX

Near Van Horn, TX (the dark blue at the top is from the tint on the RV Windshield)



Near Van Horn, TX

We stopped at Van Horn, Texas for gas, then drove on to Carlsbad.

We passed Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The highest mountain in Texas resides in its boundaries. We didn't stop, because we have been there many years ago.

This looks like a great hideout!

New Mexico Welcome sign!

We were one day early for our reservations, so I picked out another place to stay. It was a Good Sam Park- Carlsbad RV Park and Campground. It was the most expensive place we have stayed. Of course it was a gravel lot (not a bit of grass to be found) and the lady who checked us in, wasn't the greatest. They issued us a keycard for the gate, because at 7:00 PM they lock the entrance gate.....Uh Oh. So I wondered if there was a crime problem here. Anyway we got set up and walked a bit. Then we drove the pickup over to the park where we had reservations. It was a gravel parking lot with a high fence and also did not look appealing. We checked another park - (Buds Place RV Park), but their office was closed for the week-end, that's a new one on me. I thought most RV Places were definitely open on week-ends. I checked on the KOA - but it was 15miles north of town. A little too far. Then we decided to find a place to eat. That didn't go well either, and finally we ate a salad at Wendy's.

We returned to the RV and contemplated the situation. We called Kristi and finally decided it might be best if we just headed home due to all the mess arising from COVID-19. I had even read that Carlsbad Caverns might stop giving tours - if that happened, the kids wouldn't enjoy coming out and Kristi was still a little under the weather from a UTI. It would be a long drive and very disappointing 
if the Cavern tour was discontinued.