Selling stuff and more visitors

 Cullman,  AL

As with everyone else, we had accumulated stuff over the years that we will never use.   Some of the stuff we kept even when we started RVing on a fulltime basis back in 2010.   Among those were saddles and tack and two axles.   

Time to sell off some items.

We had placed 7,000 pound axles with 8,000 when we had our Cedar Creek fifth wheel.   Leonard kept the 7,000 pound ones as he planned to built a trailer.   I've had misgivings about that for the last few years.

I know he has built trailers before but he was younger and stronger and had full use of both arms.  He wanted a trailer JUST IN CASE we needed to take the tractor in for repair.  Two weeks ago we were out and about and he stopped at a shop that deals in steel.   The cost of the steel would be about $7,500.  Then we would have to consider the cost of wood for the decking.   Also tires and rims.   Pretty soon we were talking about real money.   JUST IN CASE the tractor had to go to in for service.   They do rent trailers, you know.

You might say I had to put my foot down.   He was upset and a bit depressed for a few days.  But in his heart he knew I was right.   So he wanted them out of here ASAP so he would be able to accept that he would not be building a trailer again.   I listed them on the local Yard Sale site and they sold in a few days.

Then we had to think about our saddles and tack.    We had 3 saddles, two blankets, two sets of reins and bits, two breast collars, two lead ropes and a saddle rack.   We listed all for $400.    Cheap by any count.   One reply was he would give us $200 and get them out of our way that day.   My reply was they were not in our way.    After several inquiries a young woman asked if we would sell her just my saddle.  Sure.   When she and her boyfriend got here they liked what was Lens saddle but it cost more.  We made a deal and she got not only his saddle but a blanket and lead rope of her choosing and a set of reins.  She was thrilled as she is in nursing school and money is tight.  We were thrilled because we feel she was not trying to get something for nothing.

One of our recent Boondockers served 20 years in the Navy as a photographer.   He used his drone for an area shoot of our property.   Love it.

Leonard's brother Bobby and our Sister in Law were vacationing up in Pigeon Forge, TN a couple of week ago.   Bobby called Leonard and said they would stop here on their way back to SW Louisiana. 

This was a double treat as the week before daughter D'Juana, SIL Joe, Granddaughter Alex and Grandson Jared stopped for overnight visit on their way to visit Granddaughter Lindsey who is in the Navy and stationed in Charleston,   SC.   They left Houston area around 4 am and got here around 4 pm.  As usual we got so wrapped up visiting that I forgot to take pictures.  But this was a delightful treat.

I did remember pictures of Bobby and Charlotte.

When Bobby called he told Leonard to get a list together of things he could do while here.   Since we moved here some of the lights in the basement would work sometimes, sometimes not.   Len can no longer lift his arms so this was a job for Bobby, who is an electrician.   My goodness, we have a basement that is now really lit!  Also, I've been having trouble with my mower.   So they got to work on it.

Whatever they did I am loving the mower.  Not loving the mowing but loving the mower

Last week we hosted a family of three.   The 6 year old daughter loves to fish with the help of her Dad.  She caught her first fish here in our pond.   Imagine her excitement when she reeled in (with a bit of help) a catfish.

Yesterday was Fathers Day.   The man of the house here got cards and phone calls from Granddaughters Charlotte and Abby, daughters Terri and family, D'Juana and family along with a phone call from daughter Cassie.

And an invite to son Lennie and DIL Lois' house for lunch.   He came home with his favorite coconut cream pie that has become a cherished tradition.

We have guests here now at one of our sites.  These guests will be here at least until July 1.  They had requested a few day stay, having been here before.   We asked them to stay a bit longer as we leave Friday for visits to the northeast.   They will be feeding our ducks, fish and watering plants for days they are here. Other couple arrive later today but just for overnight.

Until next time.

Out with the old, In with the new

 Cullman,  AL

Something New  Part One

    Last week our friend Stephanie called.   She has a friend that had a few Pekin ducks.   A predator got into them and killed all but one.   Penelope was lonely.   She was looking for a place, preferably with a pond and other ducks.   Stephanie thought of us.   Yes, our Pekin duck is lonely when our Muscovy and Muscovy/Mallard fly off to visit other ponds.  Pekins can't fly.   So, two problems solved.   Stacy brought Penelope over.   She ran straight to the pond.

Penelope and our Pekin, Baby Duck, are inseparateable   Too much sometimes, if you get what I mean.

Something New Part Two

We were finding we needed a closer place than the lawn mower shed or shop to store some garden supplies and other stuff.     We found what we liked at a Lowes up near Huntsville.   

First of several assembling projects just these last few days.    This cabinet came in parts that were easy to snap together

This is now on our back porch.   Makes us more organized.

Out with the old/In with the New Part One

When we bought the house in December 2016 the refrigerator that was here was ok but the water and ice dispenser never worked.   We had it repaired three times.   Nope, still didn't work.   Then two weeks ago it stopped making ice.   So every few days we would buy a bag.   Didn't take long before that was getting old.   I put an ad on Cullman Facebook Yard Sale page.   I guess it was a bargain. Even with no ice maker I had 48 replies to my $60.00 fridge.

The Old:

The New:

We had replaced the microwave just about a month ago. Wish I had gotten stainless.

Out with the Old/In with the New Part Two

I had bought a small used hutch I kept in the laundry room.  I knew we would have to move this before the new fridge arrived.   So instead of just moving it, again Cullman Yard Sale.   Several responses and I sold it to  the first.    So I got $40.00 and this left.

The Old:

What to get?    That's why I have Amazon Prime.   Always quick delivery.  So another assembly project.

The New:

We really like this:

 We liked it so much which led to Out with the Old/In with the New Part Three

Leonard made a table for me many years ago.  I love it but really have no need or room for it after the replacement.   So we gifted it to DIL Lois as a side table in her crafting loft.

The Old:

The New:

This kit came today.  Already assembled and our DVDs inside.

 We love it.

 A few weeks ago we planted some blackberry plants.   Where we put them just will not work.  We needed a trellis.     Since Leonard had all those tools out this week and had a few (very few) spare minutes I ordered this from Overstock.com.     We still need to transplant the blackberry plants.  

More assembly work:

We like it.

Whew!   What a week.  Poor Leonard needed a break.   Only short lived.

He is out in the shop now.   One of our current Boondockers asked to he could help with anything.  As a matter of fact, oil needs changing in the Tractor.   Ideal!   He was a diesel mechanic.  

While out there our 2nd Boondocker arrived for the weekend.   We have a crowd now.   One couple, another couple with Five kids.   And a total of 4 dogs.  (Not counting the host Biscuit). 

We had a Boondocker couple leave today.   The two here now are here  until Monday.  Then another couple arrive on Tuesday.    We are busy.

Until next time.

Mothers Day and critters

 Cullman,   Alabama

Last Sunday being Mothers Day I received several cards.   Thank you Terri and family,  D'Juana and family and Charlotte and Abby.    And a big thank you to son Lennie who invited us to lunch.  He was the cook.      Enchiladas.

        And from Lennie and Lois

I appreciate and love each of you.    

As far as critters here:     I went to plant some flowers and found this looking back at me.

I have to note that it can be quite noisy around here at night with the many frogs at the pond.   We have not only frogs there but schools of blue gills in varying sizes.   When we toss fish food into the pond for the blue gills we know the catfish will take over.   Some of them are to be getting eating size.

We had a BoondockersWelcome guest here last week for 4 days.   He travels with Duke.   I fell in love with Duke.   

He spent lots of time on the front porch.   Duke is a playful dog and loves chasing balls and frisbees.  Unlike Biscuit who really doesn't play.   Duke wanted to play, Biscuit wanted to sleep.

We have often had trouble with critters (probably Raccoons) getting into dog or duck food.   I keep Biscuits food on the back porch.   The raccoon knows how to open the can.   I have learned to put the handle up tight making it more difficult.   This is what I found this morning.   The can still with the lid on was moved about 2 feet.    

The container for recycling was upturned and the lid off.

And plastic that covers the chair seats was ripped.    Think this critter was angry or just determined for a handout.

Until next time.

Gifts, Yard work and Friends

 Cullman,  AL

Here we are in the first week of May.  Weather is still rather cool.  That's alright.  We know the heat is on the way.

This morning we said Happy Traveling to our 38th Boondockers Welcome guests.  This is the first time since December we have no reservations scheduled.     Maybe the Spring rush is over.  We had a lull during December also.   We are thinking in both December and again this time of the year people are where they want to be.   

I want to share two things that recent guests presented to us.   One couple live in a famous town in Pennsylvania and gave us this wine.   I didn't know that Groundhog beside predicting the weather also has a winery.

Guests we hosted last week are on their way to Paradise, CA to work with Habitat for Humanity building houses that were destroyed by the wild fires.   Their daughter is traveling across country with them on this trip.   She lives in NYC and is a freelance cartoonist (think Marvel comics).

We ask our guests to sign our guest book.  This was their entry.  We LOVE it.

There is always work do to in our yard, especially in the Spring.   As we had a cool night a couple of weeks ago and we did not cover our raised bed, we lost our tomato and peppers plants to frost.   We have since put in replacements.   Leonard thought it would be a good idea to rig up a sprinkler system.  That is all well and good but he gives me heart palpations doing so.

While he was at it, we had a Mimosa tree that died and needed removal.   He did that again with the help of his beloved Mahindra. 

Biscuit overseeing the project.

I like the looks of flower beds but I don't have a green thumb.  Perennials are my friend.

By front porch:

Back porch area.

This leads to my inside project.   Finally I am getting around to making a family picture wall.  I want a few more hung but need to get more frames and also have requested recent pictures of each of our children and their spouse.

Several years ago when we were still fulltime RVing we met a couple while in Texas.  We have stayed in contact and get together whenever our paths cross.    Carol and Jerry have a Tifflin motorhome and come to Red Bay, AL once a year for servicing.    This past week we met about half way between at a Mexican Restaurant.    And what better day to have Mexican food than Cinco de Mayo.  Here we are.

That's our latest.  

Until next time.

Boondockers teaching us and more stuff

 Cullman,   AL

We are still enjoying the visits of our Boondockers guests.    Some recent guests remarked how they love to visit waterfalls and would be seeing some in the local area.  Waterfalls?   Here?   Where?   They told us about Larkwood Falls.    So, a day or so later I Googled it.  Oh my gosh, almost right in town.  

It's in the subdivision named Larkwood.   These falls are a natural spill over from Lake Catoma.   What a view from several of the homes.   This home is around the corner and does not have a view of the falls but I am impressed.

I think I have mentioned before that we found a small cafe in the nearby town of Eva.   We drove over on Friday for their daily special.

Chicken filling, cranberry sauce, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, a roll, green beans, ice tea and cake.  Cost is $5.50 plus tax and tip.  Why cook when we can eat like this for $15.00.

I was so pleased that we got the raised vegetable bed set up and cabbage, tomatoes, onions and peppers planted in it.   Two nights ago the temp got down in 27 and there was a light frost.    No more tomato and pepper plants.  Here we go again.   

We all know who is the boss around here so we got a welcome mat admitting to it.

We currently have  Boondockers here on their way back to Indiana from Florida.   They are staying 3 nights as his step-mother lives in the area.    Another Boondocker is arriving in about 2 hours.   We thought we had a 2 and a half week interval between those that left earlier in the week and those arriving not until May.   That was short lived.   Three more reservations made in the last few days.

Our son Lennie is the President of a Christian motorcycle group.  They have monthly meetings.  Today was their April meeting at his and Lois' house.  It was also our great-grandson Jordan's 10th birthday. We were invited to join them all for lunch.

It poured all night.  Heavy rains.   Thankfully it stopped late morning and the sun came out.  Can't imagine all these people in their house at one time.   It is always a treat to observe this group.  The women sit and socialize.   The men do the preparation, serving, cleanup etc.   Cool.  

I just heard thunder again.   And there is Biscuit on the porch running in circles.  He stays close to me when he hears those noises.   And now the weather alert just went off.   Severe thunderstorm headed this way.    Biscuit is close by me.

Until next time.