January 9, 2018

Ah, a change in the weather. It won't last but while it's here, I'm going to enjoy it. It's cloudy and foggy outside right now but a high of the ay near 50 will be most welcomed. We might have some Snow on Saturday. but as long as it's not really, really cold, I'll enjoy it. But before that we might even be in the mid to 60's on Thursday. The dogs didn't want to hurry this morning. I let them have the few extra minutes while I did some cleaning up of the yard. Trying to keep ahead of that while I can because when it gets cold again, it will be harder to get off the ground. It was pleasant enough to not feel a chill while walking around in the grass "hunting' it all.

 It's nice to not have to leave the water dripping or have the heaters going full blast today. I'll be gone most of the morning and the dogs don't need it as warm as I do in here.

 Yesterday's dinner was more of a breakfast. I made buttermilk pancakes and then fried an egg to go on top. I had a cup of mandarin oranges for dessert.

 

Today I went to the Center and the menu called for roasted pork with gravy,Pinto beans, Okra and tomatoes, along with some cornbread. The Center was closed due to weather so instead of the roasted pork with a  dessert of diet Cherry Jell-o.  we had what was on the menu for yesterday.  we had beef teriyaki, Oriental Blend Vegetables that was mostly broccoli, pineapple orange juice, and a chocolate Marshmallow pie (snack cake)

 I wondered what Evelyn was going to make for those who don't much care for the offered meal. Evelyn made a large pot of white beans and a pan of corn bread. She had some cut up onion to go in the beans.  I crumbled up a small piece of the cornbread into a small bowl then put the beans on top then added a few onion pieces to it. Very good. 

My breakfast this morning was a banana, cut up into a bowl along with a serving of oatmeal with cinnamon and ginger added to the bowl. I've not added anything else because I figure I can get a bite or two at the center. Evelyn had made a fruit cobbler that I had a small serving of that was just the perfect. Half a spoon full was more than enough.
 I sat with Doris this morning. We chatted a bit, mostly about our dogs. Someone brought in a hand full of books and I picked up "The Amish Groom". I will read it then take it in for someone else to read, when I'm done with it. I really do need to start reading again.  I'm taking in a rock I finally finished, to put on Evelyn's desk. It says "I'd Rather Be At The Beach". and has a painted shell of a beach with two more much smaller shells glued to it.

 The worst thing about weather like this, is I don't get out and see people. I did talk with Hubby on the phone, after he got off work after 8 hours. and Don called to let me know he would be here to get me around 8:30 this morning. 

 I watched the local news this morning and the national news on CBS but really, there isn't a whole lot of "News" on the news any more. They were talking about how this is the 6th anniversary of the makeover of the news show. but they didn't mention that Charlie Rose is no longer on the show. Most of the rest was either about North and South Korea or what Oprah said at an awards show on Sunday.

 

 I'm wearing "warm" clothes today. Gray Jogging pants and a purple sweater .Heather doesn't like it when I call my pants "sweat pants". I did get my hair brushed and sprayed to keep it from going all wild on me this morning. I found a blue button up sweater at Serenity Thrift store and decided I want to take it with me today. I did get my blue parka mended. It took me much longer than I expected. 

 I need to change my nail polish soon and I noticed a few chips after I got dressed. 

 

 

 

I need to find something to either finish or add more to. I might get out the Cricut and cut some paper or paint some rocks when I get home, after I do the dishes and paint my nails that is.
 I do need to get a few things done around here, before I do any crafting. Dishes and sweep the floors. maybe even mop the floors if it's not still muddy outside.  I should go through and print out old "Crafts Newsletters'. First thing I do, after I put my things down inside, is let the dogs go out for a quick Potty break. The neighbor across the drive was out, on his phone so I had to cut the dogs being out a bit short since they wanted to stare and bark at him rather than taking care of business.

 My plans for today are still to get the dishes done and then I want to work on a craft or two. I'm not sure what I'll fix for dinner yet. Maybe a Bateman meal, or I'll open a can of pork and warm it up and put it on a roll.  I'll sweep the floors but not mop until tomorrow since it's still very muddy outside. I am thinking of moving a couple of rocks from the other side of the house to put under the steps so I'm not sliding around in mud when I'm trying to come into the camper.
 

 

 

Jan 7, 2018

Hello again.

It's been a busy first week of the year. We had a quiet New Years Eve. We even went to bed early and only woke up when we heard the fireworks going off. The dogs barked, once. We had frozen water pipes all day New Years day, and couldn't do anything about that until January 2. We left early on the 2nd to go to Chattanooga to get parts to fix the inlet to the camper. The first place we went to, Camping World, showed on their web site that they had several in stock. When we got there they didn't have any on the shelf.  I suggested we stop in Hixson at a RV place that we have gotten parts from before, and they had the parts we needed. So back home and Hubby got the parts replaced even though it was very cold outside. He was able to get water to the tub before he had to leave to return to a job he is on. He worked a few hours on Wednesday and a few more on Thursday, but it was still way to cold for anyone to be working outside. The job shut down for the weekend and he came home of Friday. Hubby left here around 10:30 to go back to the job, again. The weather forecast looks like it's going to be much warmer for working outside, but wet and maybe icy as well.  He's got the clothes for this kind of weather but not so sure anyone else he's working with are prepared for this kind of weather.

    We went to the Auction last night and enjoyed ourselves.  We didn't pick up a lot of things. some charge sticks for his phone, one for me for when I take my non served phone to the Senior Center. I can catch up on facebook through the Wi-Fi on it, but can't get any calls on it.

    We ran out of Propane in the tanks this morning. Hubby was able to change out both tanks before we left for our usual Sunday Buffet Breakfast. He had put fresh propane tanks on the camper on December 31 so they only lasted a week. But this past week was very cold and I tried to be very conservative with the heat. Next week looks to be much warmer so maybe the tanks will last longer. Hubby's pay day is Thursday so I can ask our daughter to take me and the tanks to a local refill station once his money drops into the bank account.  I'm not sure I have enough "Umph" to get the tanks into their holes on the camper. I will try but I might have to ask Daughter to help with that if I can't get them up high enough

   I took the dogs outside, once Hubby left to return to work. The dogs did not like it when it was so cold. It's feeling much warmer today and Barney wanted Macon to play with him.  He kept pulling on Macon's lead trying to get Macon to chase him.  I cleaned the yard while I could and then took both that bag and the trash from inside the house to the roll around bin out front. I expect I'll have to repeat that on either Tuesday or Wednesday. 

    It was Sunny when I had the dogs outside a second time, about an hour ago and now, it's looking yucky again. It's not getting cold inside yet, and I'm wearing layers anyway. I will have to run the heat for a bit this evening because I need a to clean up to go to the Center tomorrow. That is if it's not canceled due to bad weather. We are on the edge of where the ice and snow and rain are to come in late tonight then change over to rain. If it changes early enough, no problem. If it's icy I doubt the Center will be open. I had brought out my long dark blue (purpleish) Parka from storage a few weeks ago, and saw that one of the inside seams had come apart. I kept putting off sewing it back together but today, figured I better get it done. Well, it wasn't just one seam but both seams that go up under the arms. I had to get out my magnifying glass for crafting in order to thread the needle. I didn't use it for the first seam but needed it for the second one just to be sure I was catching the material each time I did a stitch.  I wore the coat outside when I just took the dogs out, just to be sure it is still going to be warm enough over the next few days. This parka is more water repellent that any other coat I have and I don't want to wear a rain coat. When I broght the dogs inside, I brought the ends of the leads in, so they will be warm and dry when I take the dogs out after dark this evening for their "last Call". making sure the door will still close well and not gap around the leads too much. I have a small rug I can toss over in that area to help keep the cold out.

    I'm not sure what I'm going to fix for my dinner right now. I have a bit of browned ground beef, enough for me for one meal. I also have some Beef Rib meat that I really should get out of the fridge before it goes bad. Thinking I'll do that. I'm not sure what I'll do for a vegetable though. I found that all my salad had gone bad in the fridge. I don't like canned vegetables, but I'll eat it if I have to.  I do have some Tuna and canned Chicken I can make meals with along with some Chicken noodle soup, some tomato soup, some beef stew and some other canned meals that are easy to make. I have thought of making a small pot of white beans for dinner for tomorrow. I have a small slice of ham I can add to it. 

    

 

Billie C.

Jan 5, 2018

Jan 5, 2018
Hello.
I know that the nation is facing some really bad weather and here in the Sequatchie valley we are not fairing much better. We wer at 9F this morning , before the sun came up. and now at 8:30 we are at 13F. We might get up to the Freezing point before it starts to go back down into the teens again tonight. It's so cold that the job Hubby is working on has been called off for the weekend and he'll be back on site by Monday morning. I am thinking that he's going to end up changing out the propane tanks before he has to leave, because it's been so cold over the last few days.  Even with a heat tape under pipe insulation and running the water at more than a drip I expected for the water to freeze up. But, the great news is, we still have running water to the camper. It may even get warm enough I can turn off the hot taps long enough that I can heat water in the hot water tank to do up the dishes..or I just might use a large pan and heat water on the stove and keep more of the heat inside the camper. (thinking thats what I"m going to do)
The dogs were taken out, after the sun had come up. It wasn't very warm but they had to go out. Macon was first to finish and Barney was not far behind him. Then the nieghbor came down his steps and those two decieded to bark, so into the camper I sent them. Rocky wasn't finished just yet, so I let him stay out a bit longer. He didn't bark but sure looked like he was ready to go meet them. Not today, dog, it's too cold to stand around meeting people.
I'm not sure, yet, what to fix for dinner tonight. I might just go with chili and corn chips.  Of course, Hubby might not want that so plans could change.
I painted my fingernails yesterday. I am not sure how long that will last, but I want to get back to painting them at least once a week. more often if the paint gets chipped or messed up somehow.

Billie C.

January 4, 2018

Hello.
 It got Cold again last night, but we didn't lose our water this time. I woke up a few times in the night, just to listen to hear if it was still dripping in the bathtub. Each time I was happy to hear it was still going. The camper is on the cool side but warm enough if I wear layers, and a cap.   
 When I took the dogs out, this morning, i saw snow flakes in the air. Plenty of them but not many clouds. Every time I look out the windows I see more of them, but none of them sttm to be sticking to the ground.  I don't mind seeing it in the air but I sure don't want to have to be walking around on or in the stuff.
 I'm catching up on the cleaning in the camper. I have the bedroom caught up, again. but still need to get to the rest of the camper. I need to find a better place for the things by where I sit. I went through the drawers the other day, and removed a lot of things into a wash basin to take to the bunk room, but even in there needs cleaned up and organized again. I just don't know where to start, my seating area or the bunkroom.
 I had Cereal and a banana for breakfast. If I was going to the Senior Center I would be having Chicken Noodle soup for lunch. I just might still have that, since I picked upa few cans the other day when we went shopping. I'm not sure what will be for my dinner just yet. I have plenty to work with. I do have some browned ground beef that needs to be used up soon. I might look to see if I have everything else I need for a Taco soup.

 

Billie C.

January 3, 2018

Hello
I had to cancel going to the Senior Center for the week. Today I have to wait for the water to thaw and there's a good chance that will happen today since the high is suppose to be in the upper 30's to mid 40's.  Tomorrow and Friday is going to be cold, so I'm not wanting to get up early to take the dogs out, then have to go out again to get on the bus. And I need to keep the eye on the water to make sure it stays dripping. 
I am cleaning the camper and working on organizing my crafts stuff, again. 
Hum. it's afternoon, I have the heat turned up, the doors opened to under the sinks and still the water is not flowing through the faucets. I'm about at my wit's end. (One hour later) wooHoo. we have water to all faucets again!! Now I can get the dishes done and eat off of nothing other that foam or paper. I have the water heating up now.

 

Billie C.

Jan 2, 2018

Hello, again.
Our day was spent in trying to get water back into the camper. I know, it's seems to be a yearly problem. We were doing great, Had water up until dinner time. In less that about 5 minutes, the water froze solid. The ice broke the inlet valve into the camper and, of  course, it has to happen after all the RV Supply Stores had closed, or were closed because it was a Holiday. So, we were up extra early this morning. a Quick breakfast of eggs and toast then out the door on our way to Chattanooga to try to find the parts. Hubby had looked on line and Camping World said that the parts were in stock at their Store in Ringgold Ga. it's about an hours drive away, but on the other side of the time lie from us. when it's 5 here, it's 6 there. We get there, they are open but after Hubby is inside about 7 minutes comes out shaking his head. Their inventory may have said they had it, but in reality they do not. (argh) There is another RV SParts store that we passed on our way to Ringgold. I have even suggested we try there first but since he could check on line with them (they were closed New Years Day) ... well we get there and they have the parts we need. Back home. I help hold things while he loosens things then tighten things and that part is fixed. but now we have to thaw the water hose. Okay. I bring it into the camper, put it in the bath tub and plug in the heat tape. It took about an hour to get somewhat thawed.. and Hubby "blew" into one end and thought it was empty... nope. the end was broken. So off to find a water hose that is potable water safe, and more pipe insulation. Walmart is out of the pipe insulation but I suggested ACE Hardware. They have some but it's not 1 inch, it's 1 1/4 inch, which we figure should be okay since the 1 inch is a bit tight over the heat tape. Back home. remove the old pipe insulation and heat tape from the old water hose and then put the heat tape and new pipe insulation onto the new hose. and things are still frozen up.. after a bit of working though, we got water running to the bathtub.  I can live with that. It's enough to keep the dogs from being thirsty. I hav a large cup of water by my side and the water is still running in the tub.  I refilled the empty water jugs but will need more ater to heat it up so I can wash off, and do up a few dishes the old fashioned way of wash in one water, rinse in another water and then place in the strainer.
The sun is going down, so I better get the dogs outside for a few minutes. There were out while the sun was up and shiining but not for very long and I'm sure they will want to go out again after dark before I go to bed. Back in a few minutes...

 

There, the dogs have been out side for a few minutes. They didn't want to linger too much as it's cold out there.
I've moved the heater, again, trying to warm up the areas where the water might be frozen at.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it don't. The heat came on and I'' have to turn it down here in a bit or I'll run out of propane before the end of the week. I'm wearing layers and a hat inside. That will help me be comfortable without having to run the heat up too high.  I'll turn it down even more when I leave for the Senior Center during the day. I can turn it back up when I get back in and the dogs can handle cooler better than I can. I am in hopes that we will have tempertaures above freezing tomorrow.
Driving into Chattanooga wwent well. We were able to watch the sun come up and see the different colors emerge as we went up one hill or down into another and up anther one.  The sun brightend up the edges of some clouds and that was so very bright and nice to see.

 

Billie C.

Happy New Year

Hello, and Happy New Year.

2018 has begun and we are in a cold snap, The Low tonight is going to be very close to 0f with wind chills going as low as -10F. This area is NOT use to this kind of cold.

Our water froze up, this evening. I had just run it about 10 minutes before, but when Hubby went to flush, no water. Oh boy. We do have a broken part but should be able to replace it tomorrow, once things get warm enough we can thaw the water out. The only bad thing is Hubby had hoped to get out of here early enough to arrive back at his current job before it gets dark. I'm afraid that isn't going to happen.  Even the dogs do not want to go outside when it's this cold and I can't blame them for that at all. At least we don't also have to deal with any snow with all of this, right now.  Up North. they are dealing with both cold and snow.

 

I've had the croup for over two weeks now. Dry, hacking cough, fever off and on. Chills from time to time. but I'm feeling much better and I didn't have high fever at all. When I would check my temp, it would be in the normal range, so I would think I'm getting over this "what ever", and after getting back home from the Senior Center would end up with another bout of hacking cough then end up sleeping most of the afternoon. Wake up long enough to take care of me and the dogs and a few very basics, then go sleep some more. Not much of Christmas can get done if your sleeping so much.

I made a batch of Cinnamon Popcorn but couldn't take it to the Senior center because I ended up scortching it a bit. Hubby loved it and gave only the really dark pieced to the dogs.

I made a second batch to share with the Senior's after he left to go work in Mountain City TN.

 I did make "Jell-o Cookies" for the cookie exchange and put together a medium bag of things for the gift exchange that included a cup with a sip lid that didn't have threads for it to be screwed into the cup. I ended up with 10 pounds of Chocolates. I regifted one of the boxes to our land lord to take to his church

 

Christmas was very simple this year.

We slept in late and I was still first awake. Took care of the dogs, Went to Daughter's for gift exchanges and a Chili Dinner, then home again where I slept even more.

We had stocking this year. I did my own since Hubby can't find a thing for me even at Dollar Tree and he was surprised at what all I put into mine. His had even more things and all small thins he could use.

 

Hubby got me an Electric Blanket. He put a power scooter in lay a way for me, to be picked up before Spring. Daughter and the Grands got me some very cute Owl Succulent planters. Now to get the soil and plants to fill them with.

 

 

I gave Heather a few odds and ends I knew she would like. A knee brace that she can wear under her pants that might help give her knee some support. A Scarf. She was the only one who didn't get a scarf last year. A rock I painted, thinking she might like the thought of a "Man" for Christmas. I don't think she got it that I was trying to be a bit funny.

It's not yet dry from the sealer when I took this picture.

 

Bailey got some make up brushes and sponges since she's trying to be more creative with her make up.

 

Corbin got a solar powered tech kit from us.

 

Hubby had to go back to Mountain City the day after Christmas and I took down all of Christmas after he left. There wasn't a lot to take down. A few items I had in the windows. a couple of flower pokes on the top edge of the slide out. Our two socks and that's about all I had out. hubby got back in town in time for New Year's Eve. We didn't watch the year in, but wished each other a Great year, when we woke up this morning. We were doing really good until after the sun went down and our water froze. The heat tape had lost power and once that happened it didn't take long for it to freeze solid and it broke the inlet to the camper so instead of leaving early to go back to work, we are going to have to leave early to go get replacement parts and get it fixed before he leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

Billie C.