November - our life has started again

 

November 1st at 10:30 am we were released from “captivity” as we pulled out of Advanced RV Resort and started our life as a full time RVer again -  lol.  Well that was the way we were feeling.  Advanced is a nice place and was great for what we needed but we are so ready to get out and travel again. 

We headed to Rambling Vines RV Park in Magnolia, TX for a couple of days to see friends, go thank our church friends for their help and just to get away from sitting.  Rambling Vines was an okay place and was good for just  a couple of nights but not a place that you would want to stay for a while.  There are only two places for “overnighters” and all the others are full time residence, but then again this area is not on the main drag and you would not be in the area unless you had a reason.  We were backed up to the road so road noise was a major factor, but for two nights we survived.

Morning of November 3rd we headed over the Spring Creek Park, with is a County Park that has full hookups and is free.  You are allowed one week a month here and it is really a great park.  It is maintained by the county and is a large city park.  This place is really great and is normally our go to park when we are in the area. 

While at Spring Creek we attended grandkids soccer, baseball games, had lunch with them at school and then to Show Off for cheer competition season.  The week was busy and we were excited getting ready for our travels again. 

Soccer and Baseball VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Lunch with Kylie

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                  Lunch with Clayton

Cheer Showoff VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Before we left for our north Texas adventure we went to the Meet and Greet of RVers at the Luby’s in Conroe.  Was a good time and we got to met some of the people that we have been talking to on the many Facebook pages.  It is really great to finally put a face to the name and many of us are going to end up in Arizona for the winter so we will be able to meet up again.

Meet & Greet VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

In checking out all the systems on the coach before the trip, our generator was not working, but Jason came out and got that working for us so now we were head the the panhandle.  Our plans are to go to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Caprock State Park, Lubbock, Abilene State Park, Fairfield State Park, Mission Tejas State Park and then back to Houston for Christmas.  Off we go- YEA!!!

Light at the end of the tunnel

October was our last month of “captivity” to the monster call chemo treatment and cancer.  We stated the month off with Fred getting his last chemo treatment YEA!!! We had been told that he was going to get a new doctor but thank God it did not happen.  We have been with Dr. George through the entire process and was so happy when we found out that he was still there – well at least for a couple of weeks, but it was long enough for us to get Fred’s last treatment.  He now has his three weeks of pills and a couple of doctors visits before the end of the month and we will be free from this nasty thing called cancer that has had us tied down this year.  We are so looking forward to moving on with our life and getting back to what we want to do – travel!!

Sunday after treatment, Fred was feeling well so we took a couple of hours and went to the Greek Festival here in Houston.  Neither one of us had been before so it was something different to do.  Of course the food was great and it was fun, but the heat soon got to him and we headed home

Greek Festival VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Clayton’s (grandson) baseball season has started so we tried to make as many of his games as we could this month.  He is so busy between baseball games on Tuesday and Thursday nights and soccer games on Saturday plus practice on other nights, he is always on the go.

Baseball VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 We tried to make as many of the Saturday games as we could but with all that was going on this month we only made it to a couple.  It is so much fun watching him.

Soccer VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Not that Baseball and Soccer was enough, his Uncle Brian runs marathons and some triathlons.  He had one that was in the neighborhood where Clayton’s lives and afterwards he told Uncle Brian he wanted to do one.  So for his birthday Uncle Brian got him an entry into a kids triathlon that was local.  His sister, Kylie, was going to do it with him, but she got sick and only swam in the first leg before she had to withdraw.  She has her cheer competition coming up the first of next months so she and mommy thought it was best to withdraw rather than get sicker.   He really enjoyed it and did quite well in it; I do believe the kid found his favorite sport.  I was very surprise at how fast he ran in the running sections.  He is ready to go again.  We were really proud of him.

Triathlon VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Fred also got the opportunity to spend time with our other grandson at his cub scout campout at Camp Bovay.  He was only scheduled to spend on night as Brian had a marathon.  Friday afternoon Brian has a major problem at work thus he was running late so Fred went ahead and took Hunter out to the campout and just decided to stay for the night.  He had gone with Hunter a couple years ago so was knew more of what to expect.  They had a great time and as with all our grandkids it is always fun to experience things with them.

Camp Bovay VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Even though we spend a lot of time with our grandkids we did find some time for us.  We spend one day and went out to Brazos Bend State Park that is close by.  It is one of my favorite state parks and is full of wildlife and trails.  The weather this month has been really nice not to hot or cold so we spent the day just hiking and enjoying being outdoors.  The park makes me feel at home with all the alligators – lol.  If you get the chance stop by as they have full hook ups and you will enjoy the peace at the park and all the hiking.  They also have one the largest observatory in the area and you can really get some great view of the skies and stars.

Brazos Bend State Park VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We also got invited to be judges at the Brazoria County Fair this month.  This was a first for both Fred and I but we had a great time doing it.  There were eight tables of judges and each table had six judges.  From there the top two entries were sent over to the final Judge Table and the winner was determined.  We were on a initial judge table and glad we were for our first time.   One day we had fajitas, beans and that evening we did the “feast”.  I have never eaten so much fajitas or beans as I did that day.  It was only the meat but we have 15 different entries at our table; I was surprise at how many entries tried to pass off brisket meat as fajitas and that no one used any salt in their beans.  If you complete remember to use salt in your beans, there would have been some better taste to a lot of the beans if there had been salt – lol.  In the feast we did not know what we were judging until the container was open as each entry was the contestants view of what a “outdoor feast with the family” would be.  We had everything from tacos, to grilled fish, to surf and turf to gumbo.  We had 18 entries that night.   

The next day we had chicken and brisket to judge.  We did the chicken that morning and then had the brisket in the afternoon.  There were 20 entries of chickens and about 20 entries that we sampled.  For the most part it was good, but it is surprising how many different ways people can cook their chicken and brisket.  I must say I only had to “indispose” myself of only two entries thank goodness.  This is certainly something we would do again if the opportunity arises.

Have some pictures of the fair itself as you are not really allowed to take pictures of the judging.   Hope you enjoy.

Brazoria County Fair VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We even took some time this month to meet some of our Facebook RV friends as they traveled through Houston this month.     Adam and Christine Koeppel were traveling through for a wedding on their way to Arizona and were staying just across the ship channel from where we are at.  We made arrangements to meet up at their coach one afternoon.  Sharon and Kenneth Nelson were also there and we all had a great visit.  Adam has done a lot of fabulous work in remodeling of their coach, makes me excited to get to work on ours.  Sharon and Kenneth have the fifth wheel but just have not headed out fulltime yet, making plans but the time has not been just right for them.  We all had a great visit and Fred and I are looking forward to meeting up with them again while we are in Arizona.

Koeppel and Nelson VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

As you can see we have not just sat and waited our time out while we were in having to stay put in Houston.  We did what we could on those days that Fred was feeling well and stayed shut in on those days that he was worn out and needed to rest.  We both are looking forward to traveling again and are anxious for November.  We will be doing some traveling around Texas during November and will be back in Houston for some doctor appointments and Christmas with our kids in December.  But we are off right after that for parts unknown.  We will keep you updated as our travels continue!!

September–lion, tigers & bears–oh my!!!

 

All I can say to start of is what a month – as Dorothy stated as she started down the yellow brick road scared and not knowing what was going to happen – lions, tigers, & bears – oh my!!

We started the month off simple and without any worries, Fred has his fifth treatment  of chemo which left only one more and we were excited.

We had one of our grandsons, Clayton,  turned eight so it started with his birthday party at the skating rink.  What an exciting time watching all those kids with all that energy enjoy themselves.

Clayton’s Party VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Fred even got into the action and put on skates to show the kids papaw could skate also and to show his kids the old man still has it!!

 

 

Then his kids decided they would help him along and one of our older grandson held up the rear to save him – lol

Our youngest son Andy with his wife Lisa and their two kids, Kylie (7) and the birthday boy Clayton (8) getting ready to go skate. 

 

 

 

Brian, our middle son, with his two kids, Hunter (8) and Moira (12).

 

 

The following Tuesday after the party is when Fred had his fifth treatment.  He went in with a bad cough but the doctor did not think it is was much so  did nothing about it.  Well it turned into a full blown sinus infection and on top of that I came down with one also.  So now not only were we dealing with his week of post chemo sickness but he and I both were sick – yuk!!!

One thing I did not tell everyone about last month was the day before Fred’s birthday our coach was hit by lighting.  I am a stinker in that each time I see a bad storm coming in I go around and turn things off and unplug them so I was not worried about much.  Well we were watching TV and there was a LOUD BOOM and all our power went out.  We both looked at each other and said oh hell,  and if you had ever seen  three 100 lbs. dogs scared you would have laughed to see ours run and jump into our laps.  We checked things out and the only thing that we could not get back up was our large TV, so I was on the phone to the insurance company.  Things went well and we were being sent the money to replace the TV.  Well as things would have it,10 days after being hit, we have another BOOM at 7:00 pm on a Friday evening and this time everything in the coach was plugged in and being used as there was no bad weather in the area.  This time though we could not get anything to come back up not even with turning on the generator – our coach was completely dead – no power.  Of course it is 98 degrees outside and Fred in his post chemo week, sick with sinus and not being able to take heat and of course Friday evening no insurance agent to be found.  Well I just decided – we opened the windows up in the coach and left the dogs for the night and went to a hotel. 

To make a long story short we ended up in a hotel for a little over a week and my son took the dogs for us so we did not have to board them.  The lighting that hit us had finally worked it way through the coach and had killed our electric system.  NOW WHAT!!

We headed out to our trusted RV repair shop on Monday, Russell RV Service in Conroe, TX and they got right on it with our insurance company.  We ended up with a new transfer switch, new convertor, new electric boards, new micro/convection oven, and a new refrigerator.  I was so excited about the refrigerator as we went to a residential type so now I have more room and even have a freezer that will freeze ice cream.  The insurance company was great as they covered all our expenses, even our eating out, and even covered the cost of us taking our son out for keeping the dogs.  Adjustor said that was cheaper than if we had boarded them.   I guess on the bright side of this, as we are going to be hitting the road in November and now we have a complete new electric system in the coach.  God does have a plan even in your darkest hour give him the room to do his work !!!  Even though it was scary and we were worried about what to do and what was going to happen things worked out good and I cannot say enough good things about Progressive Insurance Company and Russell RV Service in Conroe.

Lighting Repairs VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Finally by the middle of the month all repairs completed, new appliances, new TV and we were back into our spot at Advanced all settled with the dogs and happy to be home again.  Fred gets a call from Craig, the park police officer from San Jacinto, as they had a Texas Navy Day on the USS Texas and needed so help.  So me made plans and headed for San Jacinto Battleground State Park on the 20th to volunteer our time.  The ceremony was put on by the Texas Army along with the Sons Of The Republic of Texas and the Battleship TEXAS Foundation to celebrate Texian Navy Day by honoring those in the Texas Navy of the Republic of Texas.

It was great to see everyone again and after all these months being down due to Fred’s chemo treatments it was fun to be volunteering again.  Not hard work as we transported visitors who were elderly and handicap from the parking lot to the ship, but it was great being out doing something again.  Afterward we spent some time catching up with everyone we then headed back to the coach. 

Texian Navy Day VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The last weekend of the month ended up being a busy weekend for us with grandkids.  We are enjoying the time we have with them right now as next year our plans have us on the road most of the year.  Friday, Hunter and Moira, go to school in Ft. Bend County and this was the beginning of the county fair.  The kids in Ft Bend get this Friday off and get free passage to the fair, so with mom and dad working we got the opportunity to take them to the fair.  We had not been in a long time as our youngest graduated in the early 90’s and we moved out of Ft. Bend and just had not been back to the fair since.  Fun day at the carnival, then shopping, then looking at the animals there for show, listen to the music and of course eating!!!

Ft. Bend County Fair VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Hunter came back to spend the weekend with us and Saturday morning we had to head out to Cypress for Clayton’s soccer game, first of the season.  What fun it is to see these kids out playing and learning sports and it has been exciting watching them grow in the sport world.  His team still plays only 4 on 4 as they are 7 and 8 year old learning the basics.  His team this year started the game off rough but then they seem to get together and ended up winning 15 to 5 (not that a score is really kept). 

Soccer VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Well glad this month ended and we are moving forward.  Lots to look forward to next month as Fred finishes chemo and we can start making our plans to travel again!!! YEA!!

August full of sports and Fred’s birthday

 

August found us on the downhill of Fred’s chemo treatments so we are getting that glass of water empty by each day.  He has done well with is treatments with only being tired and little sickness thus far.  We feel fortunate that things have gone so well per se, but looking forward to getting it over.

August is Fred’s birthday so wanted to make it a fun day for him.  Being that he loves sports and would spend hours watching whatever, (just like his dad – lol), I got tickets to an Astros baseball game for us.  We headed downtown to have an early dinner and then off to the game.  We decided to park at the park-n-ride station by NRG field and ride the tram into town which is always an experience in itself. 

Before the game we went to our favorite restaurant in downtown Houston – Mia Bella Trattoria.  We really had a relaxing time and a great server – this is one of the reason why we love the place so much as the service is always good and the food is excellent.  Of course, though Fred always does his thing and I now have the evidence, he just cannot do anything without that phone!!  Oh and by the way he is showing his age, see how far he has to hold the phone to see it – lol.  Thanks Mike (our server) for making the night exciting and enjoyable.

Then on to the game – it had been a while since we were at a game and tonight before the game they sworn in a group of new recruits to the military.  We even had the Secretary of Defense there to do the swearing in.  Was something neat to see.  Was an exciting game as the Astros won so we left as happy campers!!

Astros Games VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The weekend after the game Fred’s daughter gave him 3 tickets to the Texans preseason game against the Falcons.  Well of course this was not anything that he could pass up and after discussion and phone calls he asked our son Brian and his son, Hunter to go with him.  Hunter is 8 years old and this was his first pro football game, so all the fanfare was pulled out.  Fred and Brian went early and took Hunter for the tailgating and then let him eat to his heart content at the game.  Texans won and not sure who enjoyed the game the most – Hunter or Brian and Fred.

Texans vs Falcons VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Since I gave up my ticket for Hunter to go to the game, Brian and his kids took me to the Sugar Land Skeeters Baseball Game the following Wednesday.  This was my first trip to a Skeeters game and going with the grandkids was fun.  The stadium they built in Sugar Land for them is really nice and is a great place for a fun day as they have a water park area and play ground for the kids; plus a full beer garden and picnic area for adults. 

Skeeters Baseball Game VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

All in all it was a great month filled with sporting events and more time with our grandkids.  Fred completed his third and fourth chemo treatments and we are now counting down the treatments.  We are looking forward to getting back on the road and traveling again.  Just two more months!!