May 11-May 17, 2020 Shopping, Getting Packed Up and Leaving

Mon-May 11

We got up and around pretty good this morning. It was 46 degrees when we got up. We went to Best Buy, where you could go inside to shop by appointment. No computers in stock that would work for Austyn’s graduation present.  then we went to Lowe’s and were there almost an hour or more. Steve wanted to buy an electric chainsaw to take to Montana. He also wanted a replacement chain. The guy who works in this department couldn't find any.  We left. Finally, Steve said, I wish it had a number. And it dawned on me to see if there was a chart that would give suggestions. Sure enough there was. So I looked up the saw we picked out and found a replacement chain. Can you believe the guy who works there didn’t know to look at the chart? We also got some paint for the small shed and some carpet glue. Next we went to Staples and got the laptop computer for Austyn. They had received a shipment. Yea! We also went to Walmart and bought some groceries. Then we went home and put our stuff away and rested. I made a WW Chicken pot pie for supper and it turned out great! The three of us ate it all up! Yum!

Tue-May 12

Again it was chilly this morning, 49 degrees and dreary! Mary, Steve, and Logan all went to Linda’s for hair trims for the guys and a color for me. We got cash to give to the young man who does our yard and some for Hazel to use for mailing stuff to us. We received some packages in the mail (air fryer for me and propane hookup for Steve). We went out to eat at La Mac with Hazel, Linda, Nikki, Steve, Logan and me.  A good time was had by all. The guys packed the back of the pickup with tools. 

Me after my hairdo!

Logan after his haircut

Wed-May 13

This morning we went to the Dollar Store. I was looking for a small clear container and found one. Then we took the RV to the parking lot at the school to glue the carpet down under the slide. This may or may not have worked very well. After lunch we talked to Kristi and did our bank statements. Kristi came up this afternoon and we ordered and ate Pizza. Later we played Skipbo and I won a game!

Thu-May 14

I got up and showered and got around. Then I went to Enid to see Pam & JC. Pam and I ate at Chili’s for lunch, then returned to her house and visited. I got back home before 2 PM and Steve & Logan had worked on painting some more. After we visited a bit, Logan returned home with his mom. He is going to help her put up an above ground swimming pool. We started gathering up stuff to pack for our trip north.

Fri-May 15

Today we did laundry and packed our clothes and other things. It is a process. We can pack a lot of stuff, but not the things we use the last minute. I have more than one detailed list of things we pack and have to do before leaving. We are still not done. We went for the mail and also stopped at Homeland. Our car insurance refunded us $50! How about that? When we got back home, we packed some more stuff! Then we went to OKC, Texas Roadhouse and ate supper with Kristi and Logan. Logan came home with us and will go to Montana with us for much of the summer. 

Sat-May 16

I was up at 7:15, Steve was up at 6:00 AM. We loaded more stuff. Steve and Logan manhandled the satellite dish and got it mounted on the roof of the RV. Steve said this is definitely the last time he is doing that. (We’ll see) He wants to get a dish that mounts to the ladder on the back of the RV. Next we installed the tow bar and hooked the pickup up to the RV. Then we were ready to take off about 11:00 AM. Our first stop was at Belle Plain, KS. First off, we got the dogs out and walked them. We went into McDonald’s at the rest stop and got lunch which we took to the RV and ate. Our next stop was at McPherson, KS where we walked the dogs and took a 2 hour nap. Steve was tired. The final stop for the day was at Russell, KS and we stayed at Triple J Campground. We stayed at the same place last year. Supper was at McDonald's again. We gassed up the RV, checked the oil and Steve cleaned the windshield. We also got the Satellite dish started. I had to call Dish to turn our receiver on. it was a small ordeal but finally completed. Now we have TV! Yea!

Kansas Welcome Center on I-35 Turnpike

Road Sign (COVID-19)

I love Windmills!

Sun-May 17

We left Russell, KS after walking the dogs, having some breakfast, and disconnecting from the utilities. We were on the road by 10:50. We headed west on I-70, same route as last year. I drove about an hour and 15 minutes. Then we at lunch at Arby’s. That was a nice change. Steve drove from Burlington, CO to Strasburg, CO KOA. There we ordered pizza from the KOA. We finished off the day with TV and rest. 

I took these pictures before we left the RV Park at Russell, KS, it is the Oil Patch Museum!

Barn at Wakeeney, Kansas - Looks like a smiley face!

Homestead & Barn at Agate, KS

Crossing into Colorado!

May 4 -May 10, 2020 Making Preparations for Our Summer Trip

Mon-May 4

I was up at 7:30. We did laundry today. Steve worked in his big shed today. Later we went to the grocery store, the pharmacy in town and then back home. I paid some bills and played games on the computer. Steve researched the problem with our slide. There are these plastic wedges he is thinking of replacing. Later we watched TV and called it a day. Supper was Taco Salad and berries.

Peony in full bloom!

Tue-May 5

After getting up and around, I tuned in the WW Zoom Meeting. Later the kids arrived and we had lunch. We took the RV up to the old Walmart parking lot and checked the slide.  Today we also hauled off 2 loads of junk to the dump. We gave a ceiling fan to Linda and some 24” green T-post. She really liked those short posts. I’m sure she will use them in her garden. We had supper at La Mac and got to sit in the dining room instead of doing carry-out! Yea! I almost forgot until I looked at my pictures. Perry had a car parade through town. They came by our house and we stood outside and waved. I took a video, but I don't have enough internet to upload it.

Car parade through town

Wed-May 6

I slept poorly last night. But anyway, got up and around. Steve, Kristi and I went to Stillwater to look for a graduation present for Austyn. We want to buy her a laptop computer to use for college. We went to Staples, both Walmarts and none of them had any computers in stock that would work. We also went to Brown’s shoes to get Steve some shoes - they didn’t have them, but will order him a pair. We picked up pizza for lunch. Then I took Logan to Thorn’s so he could get a Mother’s Day present for Kristi. Back home. We also took the dogs to the vet. Both of them got their shots and a clean bill of health. Later I took a nap and the guys scraped old paint off the little shed. 

Supper was grilled chicken, salad, cauliflower and berries. 

Thu-May 7

This morning I had my appointment with the eye doctor. Then I was back home and we had lunch. Later Steve and I went ot Stillwater to AT & T to get my new iPhone. Logan stayed in the car and we were in there about 30 minutes. I would finish setting it up at home. I got the iPhone  11 - not the pro edition. This one is fancy enough for me. When we got home the internet was down -so I couldn’t finish setting up the phone. Finally it came back on and I finished setting up the phone. New phones also take some adjusting!

I took two pictures in the backyard using the night mode on my new phone.  They turned out pretty good!

Hopefully I can get some good moon shots or stars or fireworks this summer.

Fri-May 8

I was up last night until 1:30 AM with Zoey - She found a toad in the back yard and was giving it fits. I finally got her to leave it alone and come in. Then  I gave her a bath and dried her off before I could put her in bed with us. Wow! Dogs, I love them, but they can be a mess. I messed with my phone this morning and helped Logan set up my old phone for him to use. That was a little bit of a challenge, but we got it done. Steve is keeping the old phone because he just doesn’t use a phone much. We washed the bedspread and blankets. I talked to both my sisters and the guys scraped paint off the small shed again. What a process!

Sat-May 9

Steve’s shoes arrived, so we went to Stillwater and picked them up. I made a to do list by day for this coming week. We took the RV out to the Perry Lake and Steve & Logan worked on putting in one of the 8 wedges that need replaced. It took awhile. So the rest of them will be installed when we get to Montana. Later we picked up supper at Braum’s. 

Plane flying overhead - one landed on the water!

Sun-May 10

Today is Mother’s Day - so I sent texts to family and friends.Then Steve and I picked up branches in the front yard and mowed it. Steve & Logan Scraped and painted the small shed. I paid some bills and did a little bookkeeping. Today was also Tony’s (My brother-in-law) birthday - so we called and wished him a Happy Birthday! Not much else for today.

April 27 - May 3, 2020 Chores around the House

Apr 27 - Mon

I was got up late, because there was nothing pressing to get up earlier. After getting around we did some laundry and took out the trash. Steve cleaned out from under the kitchen sink. We have too many cleaning products! I renewed our membership in FMCA and signed up for Good Sam Roadside Assistance. Even though we have not needed roadside assistance, it makes you feel much better to have it. I went to Linda’s for a perm this afternoon. We have been watering our flowers and grass seed, hoping for the best. Later we drove out to Perry Lake and walked the dogs. We drove around the country road and took some sunset pictures also!  I also printed out our travel preparation list to get ready for our trip to Montana. 

Apr 28 -Tue

I was up a little earlier today. I got ready for the WW Zoom meeting. Then Steve did some online bill paying. This is difficult for him, but I want him to have an idea how it works. We messed around the house and then took a walk after lunch. It was a little warm, it got up to 82 degrees today. We watched the weather - because it was supposed to hail, but it didn’t develop for us. Thank Goodness. Since it was Tuesday, we picked up supper from La Macarena. 

Peony in back yard

Iris near the back corner 

Apr 29 - Wed

The weather was windy and coolish today 62 - 68 degrees. 

We got up and around. Then we went to Lowe’s and arrived at 10:30 and were out by 11:45. We had to pick up paint and some other stuff. Try to find good help at that store….not easy. Next we picked up lunch at Schlotzky's and ate in the parking lot. Our last stop was Walmart, then gas and home. After all that shopping and putting away stuff we took a little rest. I fixed supper at home.

We took this picture hon the way home from Stillwater. These are orange flowers on both sides of the road. They are really pretty in person and didn't come out great in the picture. When we stopped to get a picture, there was a Highway Patrolman in front of us and so we hurried to get the shot and keep moving. 

Apr 30 - Thu

Today it was a cool morning and I mowed the front yard and part of the back yard. Steve can’t mow in front because the Sycamore trees, absolutely set off his allergies. We went to Tractor Supply for an air filter for the lawnmower and a pair of overalls for Steve. Next we picked up some board to replace boards on the shed that have rotted. Steve cut the boards to fit and got them painted. He hopes to get the shed painted before we leave. I  fixed cube steak ,baked potatoes, salad and berries for supper.

Austyn- Our 2020 High School Graduate from El Reno 

May 1 - Fri

Today we just putzed around. Steve scraped the old paint off the shed tile he got pooped out. Not much to report. 

May 2 - Sat

It got up to 88 degrees today! Today we worked together on cleaning out the small shed . We made two trips to the dump. It always feels good to get old stuff  hauled off. We rested in the afternoon. I fixed pizza for supper.

May 3 - Sun

Today was humid. We worked on the shed more. Part of the time we were sorting screws, nuts, and bolts in the big shed. What excitement! We do some stuff and when we get tired or bored with what we are doing, we quit and take it easy. The retired life is good!

April 20 - 26, 2020 Planting Flowers and Grass

Monday Apr 20
I got up and around pretty good this morning. I thought I had an appointment with the eye doctor. So I went there and called. Nope, no appointment. My bad. It had been rescheduled in May. So I was wrong. Somehow I didn't get the change in any of my calendars. Since I was out and about I picked up the mail. After lunch we went to Walmart for groceries and to pick up my medications. We got home and put everything away and rested. Then we finished the day with supper and TV.

Tuesday Apr 21
Same deal, up and around. Got tuned in to the WW Zoom meeting just fine. We had our lunch and putzed with something the rest of the day. We did pick up our supper at La Macarena, since it was Tuesday.

Wednesday Apr 22
Today it rained all day and so we did bill paying and caught up Quicken. Basically didn't do much.

Thursday Apr 23
This morning I got dressed for a virtual visit with my doctor. That went fine - no problems. About all they can do is just ask questions at this point. If something is serious- you may have to have an in person visit.  He will see me in person this fall. Great with me, I really don't like going to the doctor that much anyway.

Friday Apr 24
This morning we picked up branches in the front yard. Before we could do that we had to go to Tractor Supply for some large lawn bags. Then I mowed the front yard. I made some phone calls and got the dogs an appointment at the vet. By the way, they only go once a year to the doctor and don't like those  visits much more than I do. Doctor and Vet visits are a necessary evil we put up with to try to stay out of hospitals or serious problems.

Saturday Apr 25
It was a very pretty day today. After lunch Steve and I went to Stillwater  to Lowes. We were going to look at flowers to buy and a few other things. But it was too busy. There was a huge line waiting to get inside. So we went to Atwoods and picked up some flowers to plant and some grass seed for the bare spot in the front yard. Then we made a short stop at Walmart Market for a few more food  supplies.  Steve and Logan had tilled the flower beds a while back, so all we had to do was plant the flowers and water them. We will see how they grow.

Sunday Apr 26
Another nice day! We got up a little late (makes the day seem shorter). Steve and I tilled the bare spot where the grass seed would be planted. Of course before we got finished, the pull start handle broke on the tiller. So it was back to Tractor Supply to get a replacement, plus some fertilizer for the grass seed.  We got home and finished that little job and watered the grass and flowers. Now to see if it will grow.  We can only hope that we have a green thumb!

Bare spot in front yard

April 13 - 19, 2020 Celebrating Logan's Birthday and Other Fun Stuff

I never know what to do on the blog when we are staying at home. I don't know whether to do weekly updates or just highlights of what we have actually done.

April 13, Monday
As we all know the beauty salons are closed so many of us have been left up to our own devices on keeping our hair colored or whatever else happens there. So today I dyed my hair. Steve & I did laundry. I helped Logan with his schoolwork and those are the highlights.

April 14, Tuesday
I called the VA to find out about Steve's appointment with urology on Friday. I found out they will be happy to call us and do a phone appointment. That is fine with us.  Saves us a trip and we don't get exposed to any germs lurking in the hallways! I had a WW zoom meeting. These are good and help me stay on track with weight loss (slow process). I checked in with ChampVA and I don't need to purchase Part D (drug benefit) for Medicare because my prescriptions will be covered by them. I received my Medicare card today and it goes into effect August 1, 2020. I will be officially old I guess. I also picked up a candy gift basket for Logan's birthday and supper at La Macarena.

I always look weird in pics! But I was ready for the Zoom WW meeting.

Flowers from our walk

Turkeys near golf course on our walk

Flowers from walk

Turkeys

April 15, Wednesday
Today was Logan's birthday. I baked him a giant muffin for his birthday and we gave him one of his presents. He was pretty happy. Then we putzed around. We took a bike ride before lunch and Logan gave me a push on the uphill parts. Steve worked on the RV Driver side mirror again. I napped and then put away some stuff we had delivered to the house. A compartment latch for the RV was one of the deliveries and Steve fixed that.

Logan opening his birthday present (a BB gun pistol) and some money

April 16, Thursday
After breakfast and a shower I mowed the front yard and Steve did the weed eating. Then we had to fix a piece on our white fence in the back yard. We went to the hardware store pharmacy and post office. Not too exciting.

April 17, Friday
It was cold and windy this morning. The temperature was in the 40's with a wind chill in the 30's-way too cold for April. Steve had his phone appointment with Urology - drink lots of water! Call if you need anything. That was the main discussion. He decided to go ahead and order a new (used) mirror for the RV driver side. The repair he made wasn't cutting it. About 4:30 or so Kristi and Austyn arrived. We celebrated Logan's birthday again with pizza, cake and ice cream. A great time was had by all.  We even walked after supper.

Logan with the awesome cake his mom made!

April 18, Saturday
We got up and messed around. Steve worked on an idea for putting on and removing the ShadePro screens. He is concerned that as we get older, it may be difficult for us to reach the top of the shades to put them on. Mainly everyone just hung out and took it easy. I fixed roast, carrots and potatoes for supper. Later we had a fire in the back yard. Nice!

Campfire!

April 19, Sunday
This morning we listened to music on You Tube. Later I helped Steve with his device for the shades. The afternoon was slow.  Then we went to Stillwater to pick up  food from the Texas Roadhouse. My idea was to pick up the food and go to Boomer Lake to eat. We did that. Ummm our steaks were for the most part- too rare (even for me). The rolls were fine. The sides (which they said were family size) were only one serving. The salad was great. They didn't give us any plasticware - I had brought knives - but nothing else because they said utensils included. It was an experiment and we went home and heated our stuff and ate it there. Their take-out needs work. This was also to celebrate Logan's birthday - because we always eat at Texas Roadhouse for birthdays - mostly. Oh well. Later the kids and Kristi returned home and we were left to our own devices.