January 16 - 31, 2022 A Birthday, Snow, Branches and Car Battery

 Sunday (16th) Today we did the laundry and started packing for a trip to Amarillo. Steve's sister has a birthday on the 18th - so we thought we would drive out there and help her celebrate her birthday. 

Monday (17th) We got up and around. After breakfast we finalized the packing and loading. We are taking the pickup and not the RV. We will stay in a hotel since it is a short stay. Before we left town we picked up the mail and got cash and gas. We were on the road about 9:30 or so. We drove straight through to Amarillo with one stop for gas and a restroom break. We checked into the Country Inn and Suites. They gave us a key, but the outside door where we wanted to bring the dogs in, didn't open with the key card. So back to the desk I went. The girl wasn't too nice and said the maintenance guy will look into it. Well that didn't sound like it was going to happen too soon. So I went and let Steve in with the dogs and we went up the back stairwell. We made it to the room and got the dogs settled in and brought in the remainder of our stuff. We were on the second floor -which I didn't like - but oh well. We rested and relaxed a bit then went and picked up supper at McDonald's. Then it was back to the room to hang out. 

Poopsie sticking her nose out

Poopsie Driving

Poopsie Driving some more

Buster happily sitting in the co-pilot seat soaking up the sun.

Crossed into Texas at 1:10 PM

Big   Ole Moon

Tuesday (18th) we got up and dressed. First things first: We took the dogs outside. Then we got breakfast in the hotel Lobby. We just hung out in the room and called Irene to see what time she wanted to go out to eat. We can't leave the dogs in the room unattended (according to the hotel policy I signed). Therefore when we go to Irene's, we put the dogs in the back of the pickup with a blanket and the wire crate. They don't particularly like this because they are extremely spoiled. We stopped and got cake & ice cream for Irene. When we arrive we sat and visited with Irene and Vernon. Then we all went to Texas Roadhouse to eat supper. The crowd was lively and a little noisy but our food was great!. Then we went back to Irene's and ate cake & ice cream. Later we returned to the hotel. 

Birthday Lady

Wednesday (19th) We go up and packed our stuff as we got ready. The first thing was to get dressed. Then we went to the lobby and got breakfast separately (so one of us could stay with the dogs). We ate breakfast in our room and of course I got a little something for the pups. Next we were ready to take the dogs outside. We were going to leave them in the pickup but Steve forgot the keys, so I went and got them. I carried down some baggage as I returned with the keys.  Of course it is VERY  WINDY and COLD! We are in Amarillo - what would you expect? We loaded up the remainder of our stuff and got the dogs situated in front with us. We got gas in Amarillo and then headed back home. We made another stop in Oklahoma to get gas and drinks and go to the bathroom. Steve also bought a car wash - and it was pretty nifty. You park and the car wash moves your vehicle through washing tunnel. Later we stopped at the Oklahoma visitors' center and let the dogs out for a walk. It's still cold and Windy! We were about 20 miles west of El Reno and all traffic came to a complete halt. There was a truck that wrecked - he jackknifed and then the trailer caught on fire. It seemed like the truck was ok. Hopefully the driver didn't get hurt. Anyway we were delayed about 20 minutes before traffic started moving. We arrived back to Perry by 3:30 or so and just relaxed. We were going to try to see the kids at El Reno - but they were all busy with school etc. So we went on home. 

We crossed into Oklahoma  at 11:15 AM

Truck wreck that caused the delay

Thursday (20th) We got up and around and went to Stillwater about 10:30. We returned the trail camera back to Spypoint in the proper box. All we had to do was put the label on it and drop it off at UPS. Then we were back home in time for lunch. It was cold again today so  I made chicken soup for supper.  Friday - we just putzed around the house doing odds and ends. We are checking out the change that we've saved for awhile. Steve saves pennies and quarters. The quarters are National Park quarters and the pennies - are just pennies by the year. We had chili for supper.  Saturday (22nd) We did all our routine things. Later we did a few errands around town, including getting the mail and going to Homeland for a few items. Next we watched OSU men's basketball and they got beat by Texas. Later we watched the Bengals beat Tennessee and the 49ers beat Green Bay. Tonight's supper was Pizza. Again it was cold today. I'm not gonna lie, I am a little tired of the cold weather - but it is January - so what can you expect?

Sunday (23rd) Today we took it pretty easy. We had leftovers for lunch and then we watched Football. The Los Angeles Rams beat Tampa Bay and then the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills. When supper rolled around I made chicken enchiladas. Boy were they good! Yum! The most interesting thing was some guys were behind our fence in the back cutting down branches most of the day. They are installing something for broadband - the company is Bluepeak.  I went and looked, and they left a big mess! Including the fact that one of the branches was laying on top of our fence. We (mostly Steve, but I help) work hard to keep the ditch behind our house cleared of weeds and debris so water can run through. But they have screwed that up. 

Monday (24th) After breakfast I called the city to let them know about the branches, but they didn't seem too interested. So when we went to Stillwater, I had Steve stop at the city office and I went inside to talk to them and show them the pictures. Then we were on our way to get groceries. After we got home, Steve worked on his backup camera, which is on the fritz. Tuesday (25th) Again, we putzed around  and watched some TV after breakfast, then took showers and checked pennies. I call City Hall again about the branches. They said they will send the Code Enforcement guy out to see it after lunch. He was here to check out the problem and sometime after 3 PM - some of the branches were moved. At least the one on our fence was moved. They need to be hauled off. Brian (code enforcement) said they probably will hire a contractor to haul the branches away. I hope that happens sooner rather than later. Wednesday (26th) Today we caught up our bookkeeping. We got some snow and it was only 29 degrees at 5:45 PM. 

Thursday (26th) Today I had a doctor appointment here in town for my shoulder. I got a shot in it. When I was done, I went to the car and it wouldn't start. I couldn't call Steve because he was with me. So we called Hazel and she picked us up and took us to the pickup so we could take care of business. We returned to the car in the pickup and hooked up the jumper cables and started the car. Then we went to O'Reilly's to have them check the battery. It was dead. So we bought a new battery for the car. Then we drove both vehicles home so Steve could install the battery. The battery in my car is crammed into a corner under the hood, under a bar and was very hard to remove. Steve had to watch a YouTube video to figure out how to remove it. Then the battery we bought had the posts on the wrong side - and the cables would not reach. So back to O'Reilly's to get a different battery that will fit. He finally got it installed and everything works! Yea! Next we went to the tag office and got his pickup tag and drove by Linda's beauty shop to visit with her for a bit. Friday (28th) Well I didn't sleep good last night and so I got up late today. We watched some TV and napped. Later I helped Steve with his pennies. He also checked the GPS in the RV to make sure it was working. I worked on my blog. Tonight I just didn't want to cook - so we picked up salads at Braum's and took them home to eat. Of course we had to get the dogs a burger! That made them happy. Saturday (29th) Today was another putzing day. We worked on the coin collection. I also worked on my blog and did some other stuff on the computer. Later we watched the OSU men's basketball team get beat by Florida. Sunday (30th) Today we worked on the laundry and computer in the morning. Later we watched the Bengals beat the Chiefs and the Rams beat the 49ers. So now the Superbowl is set: It will be the Bengals against the Rams! Monday (31st) We got up and around pretty good. I called about a car in our neighborhood that may be for sale. We are trying to find a car that Logan can afford. The guy said the front end wasn't right and he wanted to get it checked out before pricing it. OK - scratch that idea. We went to Walmart at Stillwater. Then when we got home my should was really hurting. I think it is because a snow storm is supposed to arrive this week on Wednesday. So  I rested and put the heat pad on it. I also took some extra ibuprofen. We did walk today. Tonight we had Chicken Parm, couscous, salad and berries. That's it for this update.