GOING OFF LINE

WE WILL BE GOING "OFF-LINE" IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS WE MOVE OUR CAMPER UP INTO THE BLACK MOUNTAINS ABOVE OATMAN. IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON STOPPING IN TO HAVE A BEER WITH US OR SURPRISING US WITH A VISIT YOU CAN SCRATCH THOSE PLANS NOW.

I'M NOT SURE WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIND OUR TRAILER AFTER WORK AND DRIVING HOME IN THE DARK!!!

WE WILL BE WRITING A FEW BLOGS OFF LINE WHEN WE HAVE SOMETHING TO REPORT, AND THEN WE WILL POST THEM WHEN WE DO OUR LAUNDRY ONCE A WEEK AT BLACKSTONE RV PARK. THE BLOGGER SOFTWARE ALLOWS US TO SCHEDULE POSTING BLOGS INTO THE FUTURE, A HANDY FEATURE THAT WE LOVE.

AT THE SAME TIME WE WILL BE CATCHING UP ON OUR E-MAIL, SO GIVE US TIME TO ANSWER THOSE E-MAILS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE AWHILE TO DEVELOP THE HABIT OF GRABBING THE CELL PHONE WHEN WE GO TO WORK OR DOWN INTO THE VALLEY FOR ERRANDS, BUT GIVE US TIME AND WE CAN BE REACHED AND WILL CHECK OUR VOICE MAIL ALMOST DAILY. THE BEST SOLUTION WOULD SEEM TO LEAVE THE CELL PHONE IN THE CAR, BUT THE EXTREME DESERT TEMPERATURES WILL FRY AND DAMAGE THE PHONE IN SHORT ORDER.

IF YOU NEED TO GET A HOLD OF US, KEEP TRYING AND WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU.

Heather's Family

On my recent visit to Wisconsin I stayed at my daughter Heather's house when I was in La Crosse.

This is my son-in-law Randy, the guy that loves rhubarb pie.

My grandson Randy J. Luckily, that big smile is on his face most of the time. He will be 2 in July.

My poor photo technique is really evident here, poor Ali is blurry. Her name is actually Alisha Marie, but we all call her either Ali or Ali Mae. Ali is 6 and just finishing up kindergarten.

My ten year old grand daughter Mackenzie. She spent a lot of time this past winter taking modeling classes in Eau Claire. Can't you just see her on the runway?

Marissa who is 13 and this lucky girl lives right across the street from Logan Middle School where she is finishing up 7th grade.

All of these girls are spending the summer playing softball.

Here is Heather with her never ending pile of laundry. With her large family that is no surprise. Heather is one of the hardest working people I know. In addition to working fulltime as a nursing assistant in a nursing home, she is going to school 4 days a week to become a nurse. How she gets it all done is beyond me. Luckily, her husband Randy is VERY supportive and helpful.

I really am amazed at how most young families do it...in this day and age with all the stuff going on. My hat's off to them. Glad it's not me!!

HEAT UPDATE

ACTUALLY LAST WEEK IT COOLED DOWN TO THE HIGH 90'S FOR A FEW DAYS. MAN, I NEVER THOUGHT 97 WOULD BE CONSIDERED "COOL".

THE ROOF TOP A/C CONTINUES TO BLOW THE BREAKER AFTER RUNNING FOR AN HOUR OR SO. I DECIDED IT MUST BE A WEAK BREAKER THAT'S GETTING TOO HOT DUE TO THE WEATHER. I OPENED THE BREAKER BOX DOOR AND SET A FAN TO BLOW AIR IN THE BOX WHILE THE A/C RAN AND IT RAN WELL ALL AFTERNOON, NO PROBLEM.

SINCE WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING THE TRAILER WE WILL SWING BY MOHAVE RV AND HAVE THEM REPLACE THE 20 AMP BREAKER FOR THE A/C.

OF COURSE YOU'RE READING TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT HEAT RELATED CHALLENGE IS GOING TO BE? LOOKS LIKE THE NEXT PROBLEM IS GOING TO BE THE REFRIGERATOR. IT WORKS OK AS LONG AS YOU DON'T OPEN THE DOOR.

DURING THE AFTERNOON HOWEVER IT GETS ABOUT 10 DEGREES TOO HOT. SO FAR WE'VE BEEN ADDING OUR BLUE ICE PACKS FROM THE FREEZER TO THE FRIDGE IN THE AFTERNOON TO HELP. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING TO BUY A FRIDGE FAN TO PUT INSIDE THE FRIDGE TO BETTER CIRCULATE THE AIR OVER THE FINS HOPEFULLY KEEPING IT COOLER DURING THE DAY.

THE REST OF OUR HOT WEATHER EQUIPMENT IS WORKING PERFECTLY AND ACCORDING TO OUR PLAN. THE NEW A/C UNIT IN THE BEDROOM IS SET ON 82 AND PROVIDES US WITH PERFECT CONDITIONS TO SLEEP. WE ONLY RUN THE UNIT WHEN SLEEPING.

THE SWAMPER FAN RUNS A LOT, AND ALLOWS US TO GET BY WITHOUT THE A/C DURING THE DAY. UNTIL A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE WE GO TO WORK, AND THE HOTTEST PART OF THE LATE AFTERNOON. THEN WE TURN ON THE A/C AND GET COOLED DOWN AND DRESSED FOR WORK.

THE NEW INDUCTION HOT PLATE ALLOWS US TO DO OUR COOKING OUTSIDE VERY EASILY, SO THAT WE ARE NOT HEATING UP THE CAMPER WITH COOKING.

THE OUTDOOR MISTER IS USED MOST ON OUR DAYS OFF. THE CAMPER FACES NORTH SO THAT WE HAVE SHADE AT ABOUT 3 PM. WE SIT UNDER THE MISTER AND WATCH TV OUTSIDE, ENJOY A COLD "64", FIRE UP THE GRILL, AND SET OUTSIDE INTO THE EVENING.

YOU RECALL WE HAVE BEEN MONITORING OUR ELECTRIC USAGE BY THE WEEK, WITH 80 CLICKS BEING THE BASE. WITH THE HOTTER WEATHER LAST WEEK OUR USAGE WAS 140 CLICKS, OR $19.60.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING UP INTO THE BLACK MOUNTAINS WHERE THE DAILY TEMPERATURE SHOULD RUN ABOUT 10 DEGREES COOLER, AND OF COURSE THE ELECTRIC IS FREE !!!

JUST FOR THE RECORD, WE DO NOT RECOMMEND CAMPING ON THE LOWER MOHAVE DESERT IN THE SUMMER!!!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

TIME TO DIG OUT YOUR CAMPING AND PICNIC GEAR AND HEAD OUTSIDE !!!

THE PUNCH LINE
"California experienced another earthquake yesterday. California is the only state where you don't know what's going to bounce first -- the ground from the earthquake or the check you get from the government." - Jay Leno

MOVE'N ON UP !!!

THEY SAY ALL THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON.

THE LANDLORD OF THE RV PARK, TONY, STOPPED BY LAST WEEK AND ASKED US TO MOVE OUR CAMPER UP INTO THE BLACK MOUNTAINS TO A HOME CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR THE SUMMER. A COUPLE FROM ILLINOIS ARE BUILDING A WINTER HOME IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN THE DESERT MOUNTAINS, AND WOULD LIKE US TO STAY THERE IN OUR CAMPER FOR SECURITY AND A FEW CHORES. THE PLACE IS RENT FREE, AND INCLUDES WATER, SEWER, AND POWER.

IT'S A DREAM SITE FOR US, AND AT 2,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL, TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE 10 TO 12 DEGREES COOLER THAN ON THE VALLEY FLOOR. THAT FACT ALONE MAKES THE MOVE DESIRABLE.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF VIEWS WE WILL HAVE FROM OUR NEW SITE.

HERE IS WHERE WE WILL BE SETTING UP CAMP NEXT TO THE GARAGE. ALL OUR HOOK UPS ARE ALONG THE BUILDING. CONSTRUCTION ON THE BUILDING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL IT'S CLOSED IN, AND THE STUCCO EXTERIOR IS APPLIED. THEN THE BUILDING PROCESS WILL STOP UNTIL NEXT SEPTEMBER WHEN THE OWNERS RETURN TO USE THE RV SITE WITH THEIR MOTORHOME AND FINISH THE INTERIOR OF THE HOME.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SITE, AND ALMOST COMPLETELY HIDDEN FROM THE ROAD. CHECKOUT THE HOME THAT'S BEING BUILT, AND I'M SURE WE WILL HAVE MORE PICTURES AFTER WE MOVE UP THERE.

DOWNSIDE? OF COURSE THERE ARE SOME. SO FAR WE KNOW THAT THERE ISN'T CELL PHONE SERVICE AND WE WILL HAVE TO SPEND THE SUMMER WITHOUT INTERNET. CAN WE DO THAT?

TIME WILL TELL. IT'S A GOOD THING WE DECIDED TO TAKE A BLOGGING BREAK FOR AWHILE.

The Crazy Lady

I was leaving Wal-Mart the other day with my purchases (all in reusable bags), pushing my cart toward my car. In the parking lot I noticed a pickup truck with a load of hay bales in the bed. Being a Wisconsin farm girl, I notice things like that. Boy it has been a long time since I have seen hay bales that size, just like the ones I spent a great deal of my summers as a kid loading into an elevator that took them to the hay mow.

So totally on impulse, I stopped my cart, stuck my nose in a bale and took a big whiff. Then I heard a woman's voice saying "EXCUSE ME, CAN I HELP YOU"? So I told her about growing up on a Wisconsin farm, etc, etc. She just shook her head.....I am sure she thought she had just had a run in with a real crazy lady. Oh well, the hay did smell really good and I enjoyed it!

Rhubarb Pie

My son-in-law Randy likes seeing me when I come to visit. That is saying a lot, he likes to have his mother-in-law come to town. Now what is the reason for that?? It's simple, he loves rhubarb pie and I always manage to find time to make him one.



The pie shell ready to fill. I confess, I use Pillsbury's refrigerated pie crust. It is so simple and I never did have the knack for "from scratch" pie crust that my Mother has. Of course where would I find home rendered lard these days?

I actually made two rhubarb pies while I was home, this is the top crust I was preparing when I made one at Mother's. See that cut little tool at the top?? That is a pastry wheel and makes a nice scalloped edge on the crust when you use it on a lattice top. I found that pastry wheel in Mother's utensil drawer and since I have never done a lattice crust top before I decided to try it. Oh and that cute little tool....now resides in MY utensil drawer. Mother graciously gave it to me. Thanks Mother!!

The filling is in and lattice top is in progress.

My first lattice top pie and it was really fun to do-AND-doesn't it look pretty?? It also tasted great!! Randy sure liked it!!

I love spring in Wisconsin for more than fresh rhubarb (which is selling in the store here for 2.49/lb) but also for morel mushrooms.

I did get to have some mushrooms, they were great but really expensive. Sorry don't have any pictures of them...I forgot because Rex is actually the camera guy and he was sweating his b***s off in Arizona.

NO SMOKING !!!

WISCONSIN BECOMES THE 26TH STATE TO PASS "NO SMOKING" LAWS. AS A SMOKER I FEEL MY PERSONAL FREEDOMS HAVE BEEN ATTACKED. I DIDN'T REALLY THINK WISCONSIN WOULD ENACT SUCH A LAW THIS YEAR, IN A DOWN ECONOMY THAT'S LOSING JOBS ANYWAY. THEY DID ADDRESS THIS, AND THE NEW "NO SMOKING" LAWS DO NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL NEXT SUMMER.

WHAT PUT WISCONSIN OVER THE EDGE WAS THE MANY LOCAL COMMUNITY ORDINANCES AGAINST SMOKING. THERE WAS A HODGEPODGE OF NO SMOKING AREAS CHECKERBOADING THE STATE AND MAKING FOR AN UNEVEN, AND UNFAIR BUSINESS CLIMATE.

SMOKERS ARE GOING TO SMOKE, AND DRINKERS ARE GOING TO DRINK. SO NOW WHAT?

* NO SMOKING LAWS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE ENFORCEMENT. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY BARS I'VE BEEN IN, WHERE AN ASHTRAY SUDDENLY COMES OUT FROM UNDER THE BAR AND CUSTOMERS SMOKE ANYWAY, EVEN IN CRESCENT CITY CALIFORNIA ONE AFTERNOON. THIS IS VERY PREVALENT IN NEVADA WHERE THE "NO SMOKING" LAWS ARE ENFORCED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THE SMOKER IS FINED $100, NOT THE BUSINESS.

* SMOKERS LIKE ME TEND TO DRINK AND SMOKE AT HOME. I PICK UP MY BEER AND SIT HOME AND DRINK AND SMOKE. IF I STOP AT A BAR WITH NO SMOKING, I USUALLY HAVE JUST ONE DRINK, AND LEAVE. I VOTE WITH MY CHECKBOOK !!!

* THE "NO SMOKING" LAWS DO NOT PERTAIN TO INDIAN RESERVATIONS. GOOD NEWS WISCONSIN, NOW YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO YOUR FAVORITE BAR OR INDIAN CASINO TO LIVE LIFE NORMALLY.

* WISCONSIN IS GOING TO LOSE 100'S OF IT'S MOM AND POP TAVERNS. THE DAYS OF A BAR ON EVERY OTHER CORNER, WILL BE GONE FOREVER, AND SO WILL THE MANY JOBS, AND IN MY OPINION, THE CHARACTER OF RURAL WISCONSIN.

* MY ADVICE TO THE TAVERN OWNERS, IS TO USE THIS LAST YEAR TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR SMOKERS. BUILD A PORCH, OR PATIO FOR YOUR SMOKERS.

I'VE SEEN SOME IN CALIFORNIA WITH EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE ROOF SHEETING, INCLUDING POOL TABLES, FULL BAR, TV'S, AND EVEN DINING TABLES. THERE IS ONE BAR DOWNTOWN WAUKON, IOWA WHERE THE INSIDE BAR IS VERY SMALL AND THE OUTSIDE AREA IS HUGH, COMPLETE WITH HALF COURT BASKET BALL, STAGE FOR THE BANDS, ETC. ONE BAR IN PANAMA CITY FLORIDA, HAD A WALK UP WINDOW ON THEIR PATIO TO ORDER DRINKS.

SO COME ON WISCONSIN, DON'T TAKE THIS LYING DOWN, LOOK INTO THOSE LP GAS PATIO HEATERS, UMBRELLA TABLES, AND WAYS TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR SMOKING CLIENTELE. YOUR NON-SMOKING CLIENTELE WILL ENJOY YOUR NEW PORCH, SAND VOLLEY BALL COURTS, OR OUTSIDE STAGE JUST AS MUCH.

OH YA, AND IF I WALK INTO YOUR BAR AS A STRANGER, DON'T HESITATE TO PULL THAT ONE LAST ASHTRAY OUT FROM UNDER THE BAR AND INVITE ME TO SMOKE ANYWAY AND ENJOY SEVERAL OF YOUR ICE COLD BEERS!!!

The Square Dancers

On my Mother's Day blog I mentioned the fact that my parents used to square dance. This is a picture of them that I found while I was at Mother's house last trip.

I actually remember this outfit. Mother's dress was a yellow and white gingham and one of her favorites. She also made Dad's shirt.

One of the most amazing things about the fact they square danced, is that my Mother, is and has always been, extremely hard of hearing. Being able to follow the callers instructions must have been really difficult for her. It actually amazes me that she was able to do it. Even though their names are Wilma and Loyd they both went by their nicknames of Bill and Buzz...Bill being my mother.

Seeing this picture sure makes me wish we would have saved some of the dresses and shirts that she sewed....they were really nice!!

BACK DOOR WINDOW SLIPS

THE BACK DOOR WINDOW GLASS HAS SLIPPED DOWN AND COCKEYED, LEAVING GAPS BETWEEN THE WINDOW FRAME AND THE GLASS. ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE UNRELENTING DESERT SUN.

THE SUN RAISES HELL WITH ANYTHING PLASTIC OR RUBBER. THE CAULKING ON THE WINDOW GAVE WAY, AND THE LITTLE PLASTIC HOLDERS INSIDE THE FRAME SNAPPED CAUSING THE WIDOW GLASS TO SLIDE OUT OF PLACE.

MOHAVE RV HAS THE FRAME IN STOCK? THIS MUST BE A COMMON PROBLEM.

TO REMOVE THE WINDOW AND FRAME YOU REMOVE THESE SCREWS FROM THE INSIDE WINDOW FRAME. BE SURE TO HAVE A MARY ON THE OTHER SIDE TO CATCH WHAT IS GOING TO BE THREE PIECES, TWO FRAMES AND THE WINDOW GLASS.

THE RESULT IS A HOLE IN THE DOOR. NOTICE HOW LITTLE INSULATION IS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CAMPER?

THE NEXT STEP IS USE A SILICONE SEALANT TO ATTACH THE GLASS TO THE BLACK OUT SIDE FRAME.

THEN WE NEEDED TO WEIGHT DOWN THE GLASS AND LET THE SEALANT SEAL AND SET UP OVERNIGHT.

THE PROJECT WAS A SUCCESS, AND THIS WOULD BE THE SAME PROCEDURE YOU WOULD USE TO ADD A PAINTED OR LEADED WINDOW TO THE DOOR OF YOUR RV. HERE IS MARY CLEANING UP THE STICKY PART LEFT BY ALL THAT DUCT TAPE.




"SUNNY & TOO DAM HOT !!!"

A/C BRAKEDOWN

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU:

I KNEW WHEN WE DECIDED TO TRY AND STAY ON THE LOWER DESERT IN THE SUMMER WITH THE EXTREME HEAT THERE WOULD BE SOME HEAT RELATED CHALLENGES.

THE MAIN ROOFTOP A/C FOR THE TRAILER SUDDENLY STOPPED ONE SUNNY AND VERY HOT AFTERNOON. NO WARNING, NO GRUMBLING, NO MASHING OF GEARS, IT SIMPLY STOPPED.

THE FIRST THING I CHECKED WERE THE ELECTRICAL BREAKERS.

IN THIS BREAKER BOX ALL THE BREAKERS FOR 110 ARE ON THE LEFT, AND ALL THE FUSES FOR THE 12 VOLT SYSTEMS ARE ON THE RIGHT. THE TOP BREAKER MARKED A/C WAS TRIPPED. I RESET THE BREAKER AND STILL NO A/C. I WAS BUSY AND DECIDED TO THINK IT OVER A COUPLE OF HOT DAYS. MAYBE THE UNIT GOT HOT? OR EVEN FROZE UP, AND JUST NEED 24 HOURS TO COOL OR THAW.

FINALLY AFTER SUFFERING THROUGH A FEW HOT DAYS I CALLED OUR OLE RELIABLE MOHAVE REPAIR TO SEND SOMEONE OUT. I WAS FEELING BAD FOR THE REPAIR GUY, CRAWLING UP ON THE HOT WHITE ROOF TO DISASSEMBLE AN A/C UNIT LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM.

THE FIRST THING THE REPAIR GUY DID, AFTER LISTENING TO MY STORY WAS TO CHECK A HIDDEN FUSE IN THE CONTROL PANEL OF THE UNIT. NOPE IT WAS OK. NEXT TO MY BREAKER BOX.

I SHOWED HIM THE TOP BREAKER THAT WAS TRIPPED AND RESET. "AH... REX" HE SAYS, "THAT'S THE MAIN BREAKER FOR THE WHOLE TRAILER, THE A/C BREAKER IS THE NEXT ONE DOWN."

I DIDN'T RESET THE NEXT BREAKER DOWN, WHICH WAS FOR THE A/C. I THOUGHT I DID, IT DIDN'T LOOK TRIPPED, AWW...... SHIT, JUST PAY THE $85 BUCKS, FEEL REALLY REALLY STUPID, AND BE GLAD IT WASN'T $685 FOR A NEW COMPRESSOR.




DON'T LET THIS STUPID MISTAKE HAPPEN TO YOU.



ON THE SUBJECT OF HEAT, ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ME WELL, KNOWS THAT I JUST DON'T GET ALONG VERY WELL IN THE EXTREME HEAT. THERE'S AN OLD FAMILY STORY OF YEARS AGO WHEN I WENT CRAZY IN THE HEAT AND WAS TRYING TO INSTALL A WINDOW A/C IN THE OLD HOUSE WE WERE LIVING IN. I SIMPLY COULDN'T RAISE THE OLD WINDOW!!

IN MY RAGE I SCARED OFF THE YOUNG KIDS AND MY WIFE, AND FINALLY KICKED OUT THE GLASS WINDOW PAIN. OF COURSE, I WAS SERIOUSLY CUT ON MY LEG, AND REQUIRED STITCHES, HOWEVER JUDY DIDN'T FEEL MY PAIN AFTER THE MADNESS OF KICKING OUT A GLASS WINDOW AND REFUSED TO DRIVE ME TO THE HOSPITAL.

I ENDED UP WRAPPING A BATH TOWEL AROUND MY LEG AND DRIVING MYSELF. OF COURSE NOW, I STILL HAD TO DEAL WITH THE PAINTED SHUT WINDOW, REPLACE THE GLASS, AND INSTALL THE WINDOW A/C UNIT. NOT VERY SMART.

IN MY OLD AGE I'VE MELLOWED SOME, BUT STILL FIND THE HEAT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. MARY WAS LUCKY IN THAT SHE RETURNED TO WISCONSIN FOR THE FIRST HOT WEEK OF TRIPLE DIGIT WEATHER, AND THE FAILURE OF THE ROOFTOP A/C UNIT.

I HAVE ADJUSTED SOMEWHAT TO THE HEAT, AND AM READY FOR THE NEXT HEAT RELATED CHALLENGE. THE WINDOW IN THE BACK DOOR HAS SLIPPED OUT OF IT'S FRAME LEAVING GAPS.


HEY MARY........ (DON'T BE SCARED)

DIRECT TV

As Rv'ers we are still using our direct tv system daily. We have one receiver and use it with our three TVs. Our third TV is the old Sony which we use outside.

The programming offered by direct tv is diverse enough to appeal to every one's watching preferences. I am amazed at the facts of nature I have learned from watching The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and The Science Channel.

Fit TV is another favorite channel....new workouts daily!! WOW who can't get into that? No gym fees!!

Direct TV also has Soapnet, not to mention networks such as USA, TNT, WGN, Spike, and Lifetime. Some of these networks have original programing that have been taking the honors at The Emmy's.

For all those "foodies" out there is is hard to find a more perfect network than The Food Network.

And all of you news junkies have CNN, Fox News Channel, and Headline News. The sports nuts are also not forgotten....Direct tv has it all!!

As I said, direct tv has enough diversity for everyones TV interest and it's affordable too!!

I KNEW IT !!!

I KNEW YOU WOULD BE TUNING INTO THE BLOG TODAY, JUST TO SEE IF I WAS SERIOUS ABOUT TAKING A BREAK FROM BLOGGING. I GOT TO ADMIT IT'S GOING TO BE TUFF TO SURRENDER TO MY ALMOST DAILY OBSESSION WITH BLOGGING.

WE , MARY, UNCLE HANS, AND I WILL BE POSTING WHENEVER WE WRITE. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE STRUCTURED LIKE BEFORE, MARY ON THURSDAY, UNCLE HANS ON FRIDAYS, NO BLOG ON SATURDAY. AND GONE IS THE 1 AM DAILY PUBLISHING TIME.

I GOING BACK TO PAY PER POST TO WRITE SOME BLOGS ON WEBSITES AND PRODUCTS WITH LINKS IN THE BLOG TO EARN SOME MONEY FOR OUR BELIZE FUND.

WE MAY ALSO BE OPENING UP THE SUBJECTS WE BLOG ABOUT SOME. TUFF TO STAY WITH OUR THEMES OF RV'ING WHEN YOU'RE SITTING STILL AND THE WEEKS ARE THE SAME.

ONCE AGAIN I'D LIKE TO SAY, NOT TO WORRY ABOUT US IF WE HAVEN'T BLOGGED FOR AWHILE. WE WILL GET BACK TO THE BLOG AND BRING YOU UP TO SPEED ON THE "HAPPY CAMPERS".

3RD ANNIVERSARY

TODAY IS THE 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE HAPPY CAMPERS BLOG. THAT'S 1,004 POSTS, 2,553 PICTURES, AND 61,000+ HITS ON THE BLOG. AMAZING !!!

FOR THREE YEARS WE'VE MADE ALMOST DAILY POSTS ON THIS BLOG ABOUT OUR RV LIFE IN A 34 FOOT CAMPER WHILE DEALING BLACKJACK IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN NEVADA.

WHERE IS THE LINE BETWEEN FULLTIME RV LIFE AND TRAILER TRASH? I'M THINKING WITH THE "GLOOM & DOOM" OF THE NEVADA ECONOMY WE SLIPPED ACROSS THAT LINE SOMETIME LAST WINTER.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT CHANGING THE TITLE OF THE BLOG TO "DOC & THE DEALERS", BUT MAYBE UNCLE HANS' COLLEAGUES AND CUSTOMERS WOULD TAKE IT WE WERE DRUG DEALERS. UNCLE HANS PROBABLY DOESN'T NEED THAT ADDED TO HIS RESUME.

WRITING AN RV BLOG HAS BEEN INTERESTING, AND THERE ARE MANY EXCELLENT RV BLOGS OUT THERE IN CYBER SPACE. ONE OF THE BEST WRITTEN IS NICK'S BLOG, WRITTEN BY A FULLTIME RV'ER THAT MAKES HIS LIVING ON THE ROAD WRITING. HE HAS A FULL JOURNALISM BACKGROUND AND MAKES FOR GREAT READING.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE STYLE OF WRITING CHECKOUT THE COWBOY STYLE OF RV BOONDOCKING. THIS BLOGGER READS LIKE A COWBOY SOUNDS, AND IT'S ENTERTAINING AND FULL OF GREAT INFORMATION.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO LEARN ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SIDE OF THIS LIFE STYLE CHECKOUT RV-DREAMS. THIS FULLTIMER IS AN ATTORNEY, AND HAS ALL THE FACTS YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW IF YOU'RE DAY DREAMING ABOUT IF FULL TIMING WILL WORK FOR YOU.

THE RV PROFESSOR WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE RV INDUSTRY, LIFE STYLE, AND WONDERFUL PRODUCT REVIEWS.

THE FOLKS AT HITCHITCH.COM PROVIDE A GREAT LIST OF RV BLOGS TO CHECK-IN ON. THEIR PERSONAL BLOG IS FILLED WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO LEARN ABOUT BOONDOCKING AND SPENDING THE WINTER AT QUARTZITE, AZ.

SO WHAT'S THE NITCH OF THE HAPPY CAMPERS BLOG? WELL, THERE ISN'T ONE. FROM THE BEGINNING WE'VE USED THIS BLOG TO KEEP OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPDATED ON OUR RV LIFE WITH A HODGEPODGE APPROACH INCLUDING, CASINO STORIES, HOLIDAY STORIES, WEATHER STORIES, COOKING STORIES, ENTRIES BY UNCLE HANS, ROADTRIP REPORTS, AND THE RV LIFE STYLE.

SO HOW DO WE MAINTAIN OUR REGULAR READER BASE OF OVER 100 READERS A DAY? SIMPLE, WE POST REGULARLY, THE BLOOGER SOFTWARE POSTS OUR ARTICLES ALMOST EVERYDAY BY 1:30 AM PACIFIC TIME. YUP, YOU TUNE IN EVERYDAY JUST TO SEE WHAT'S NEW. YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO COUNT ON US. WE DON'T HAVE THE JOURNALISTIC SKILLS, THE STYLE, OR A NITCH, BUT GOOD OR BAD WE'RE REGULAR AND ON TIME ALMOST EVERYDAY.

SLIPPING FROM RV'ER TO TRAILER TRASH JUST DOESN'T HAVE .......

I'LL QUIT "RUNNING AROUND THE BUSH", WE WILL CONTINUE TO BLOG WHEN WE HAVE SOMETHING TO REPORT, BUT ARE GIVING UP ON THE ALMOST DAILY GOAL. I'M ALSO LEAVING MY BLOG PARTNERS, MARY & UNCLE HANS, OFF THE HOOK AS WELL.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO WORRY ABOUT US IF WE DON'T BLOG REGULARLY. WE'RE FINE AND COMFORTABLE.

THANKS FOR THE BREAK.

"SUNNY & 106"

The First Wisconsin Blog

Rex wants me to write a blog about my trip to Wisconsin. That is a problem because I actually have enough material for 2 or 3 blogs, so rather than doing a general "home to Wisconsin" summary, I am going to pick parts and do blogs for each. My first part pick is about school programs. I was fortunate to be able to attend two "end of the year" school choral programs.




This is my grand daughter Delilah, her name is above her, in the choral program for her freshman class.



My grand daughter Alisha (better known as Ali or Ali Mae) is the one in the blue dress in front of the microphone. She did an excellent job of delivering her "lines".









This shot of her is in the group and shows that she is the tallest kid in her kindergarten class. Since her birthday is Sept. 26th, she is also probably the oldest.



I really enjoyed seeing these two grand daughters perform in their choral programs. They did great!! Living so far away from my grandchildren means I miss a lot of their activities, but it was a big bonus to be able to see them this spring!! Something I am truly grateful for.



In the next few days, I will be posting other aspects of my trip to Wisconsin..stay tuned!!

NAME THAT BABY (ROUND 2)

HEY, YOU DID PRETTY WELL, IN "NAME THAT BABY" CONTEST YESTERDAY!! SO I THOUGHT I'D MAKE TODAY'S CONTEST TWICE AS HARD WITH TWO BABIES.

CAN YOU NAME THESE KIDS? EXTRA POINTS IF YOU CAN GIVE THE LOCATION OF WHERE THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN.

SO WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH ALL THESE ANCIENT PICTURES? WE DIDN'T HAVE DIGITAL CAMERAS BACK IN THE 1970'S.

AMY HAS GOTTEN A HOLD OF ALL JUDY'S PHOTO ALBUMS AND IS WORKING ON A FAMILY PROJECT OF CONVERTING THEM TO DIGITAL AND POSTING THEM ON THE WEB TO SHARE WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY. WHEN THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE LATER IN THE SUMMER THE WEB ADDRESS AND CD'S WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE.


OK, ONE MORE CONTEST AND THEN I'LL LEAVE AMY'S PROJECT ALONE, AND NOT SPOIL ANY MORE SURPRISES.

"NAME THAT NURSE"




"SUNNY & 105"

NAME THAT TUNE

IT'S NOT REALLY "NAME THAT TUNE", WHICH WAS AN OLD 1950'S TV GAME SHOW. THE SHOW RAN FROM 1953 - 1959, DO YOU REMEMBER IT?

MORE LIKE, A "NAME THAT BABY" QUIZ. SO IF YOU KNOW THE BABY IN THE PICTURE BELOW, COMMENT, SHOUT, OR SEND US AN E-MAIL.