Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 58 degrees, high 80 degrees, light breezes, partly cloudy
While working at Terri's house today, a car drove up with two couples in it. One of the couples was neighbors, while the other couple was friends who had heard that Terri's house was going to be placed on the market and wanted to see the house. Unfortunately, the house is not ready to show. We estimate it will take another 5-7 days before we will be comfortable letting prospective buyers see it. The couple that is interested asked us to let them know when they could look at the house, and are interested in seeing it before we have any Realtors out. So, there is some interest out there. We will see if that interest holds up when the time comes for tours and negotiations. In the meantime, it is encouraging to have some interest out there.
We started inside the house today. The third bedroom, bathroom, and closet were gone through with a fine tooth comb. We touched up the paint, cleaned and dusted where needed, and shampooed the carpet. It really looks good in those areas. Tomorrow, we will do another bathroom, closet, linen closet, bedroom, and hall. That will complete about one-third of the house.
Sounds like fun, doesn't it?
When I got tired of working inside the house, I repaired some vinyl trim around the garage door opening. After that, I mowed most of the yard. I'll finish the yard tomorrow.
It never ends.
Just think, if we were not helping Terri, we would be in Montana by now, and getting ready to go into Canada. Oh, well, next year.
This is not a complaint about helping Terri. We do not regret what we are doing. She needs our assistance at this time, and we will do whatever we have to do to help her.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Rogersville, Alabama: For The Fun Of It
Not all who wander are lost.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Jalapeno's Restaurant
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 56 degrees, high 85 degrees, clear skies, light breezes
We were startled when we got to Terri's this morning to discover that she was at home. She is suffering from recurring back pain that puts her in the bed for a day, and then she is able to function again. Since we didn't want to disturb her as she tried to get going, we went to the back of the house after checking to see if there was anything we could do for her. We started packing everything not actually needed to run the house in preparation for the repairs and clean up. I must have made 50 trips up and down the stairs to the basement (okay, slight exaggeration, but not much of one). The basement is where we are putting everything that is packed.
By the end of the day, we had packed and moved everything not needed in two bedrooms and three closets, a bathroom, the dining room, and most of the stuff in the kitchen. In addition, I installed a cabinet door that I had repaired yesterday. Tomorrow, we will start repairs and cleanup in the areas we cleared out today. My hope is that the repairs will be fairly easy. I'm about to get over this work.
As a reward for all the hard work, we went to a Mexican restaurant named Jalapeno's for supper. It was very busy, so I had hopes that it would be halfway good. That's about how good it was, in my opinion. Carolyn thought it was good, as did Terri and Thomas. It was passable, but I like the Texas style of Mexican food better. The Texas style is spicier and the portions are larger. Not that large portions make it good, but it seemed that portion control was in full force. We will probably go back, but it won't be my favorite. I would rather have Carolyn's cooking. Where's an El Chico when you need one? Even that is not my favorite, but it is better than Jalapeno's.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Years Of Forging Progress
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 56 degrees, high 85 degrees, clear skies, light breezes
We were startled when we got to Terri's this morning to discover that she was at home. She is suffering from recurring back pain that puts her in the bed for a day, and then she is able to function again. Since we didn't want to disturb her as she tried to get going, we went to the back of the house after checking to see if there was anything we could do for her. We started packing everything not actually needed to run the house in preparation for the repairs and clean up. I must have made 50 trips up and down the stairs to the basement (okay, slight exaggeration, but not much of one). The basement is where we are putting everything that is packed.
By the end of the day, we had packed and moved everything not needed in two bedrooms and three closets, a bathroom, the dining room, and most of the stuff in the kitchen. In addition, I installed a cabinet door that I had repaired yesterday. Tomorrow, we will start repairs and cleanup in the areas we cleared out today. My hope is that the repairs will be fairly easy. I'm about to get over this work.
As a reward for all the hard work, we went to a Mexican restaurant named Jalapeno's for supper. It was very busy, so I had hopes that it would be halfway good. That's about how good it was, in my opinion. Carolyn thought it was good, as did Terri and Thomas. It was passable, but I like the Texas style of Mexican food better. The Texas style is spicier and the portions are larger. Not that large portions make it good, but it seemed that portion control was in full force. We will probably go back, but it won't be my favorite. I would rather have Carolyn's cooking. Where's an El Chico when you need one? Even that is not my favorite, but it is better than Jalapeno's.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Years Of Forging Progress
Not all who wander are lost.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Black Water
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 49 degrees, high 85 degrees, clear skies, light breezes
We had a few things to do around the RV this morning before we went to Terri's house. The most pressing chore was to dump our holding tanks. They were chock full, and I didn't want to wait another day and have an accident happen. For those of you who have never lived in an RV, tank dumping is somewhat of an art form that has to be done in a certain way to keep the dreaded pyramid of crud from building up.
RVs are built to be able to be off the grid for a number of days. That means they have up to four holding tanks for the waste water, plus another tank for fresh water. We are not using the fresh water tank at this time since we are sitting in a park. Instead, we are hooked up to the park's water supply. While sitting in a park, we open our shower and kitchen holding tanks most of the time. However, there comes a time when the dreaded black water tank (think about what black water is) has to be emptied or dumped. When we know we are going to dump the black water, about two days ahead of that we close the shower and kitchen tank valves so we will have relatively clean water to flush the sewer line after dumping the black water tank. Whenever I am dumping the black water tank, I always wear surgical gloves because there is the chance that the hose will leak or fall off the outlet pipe. That means you have to grab the hose and try to put it back on, and it would not be nice to have black water (have you figured out what black water is yet?) running all over your hands. And it has happened. Yuck!!!!
Once the black water stops running out, I hook up a water hose to a connector under the RV and turn the water on to flush the black water tank clean. Then, the kitchen and shower tank valves are both opened to flush the sewer line clean. The whole evolution takes about 10 minutes, and we do this about every 10-14 days, all dependent on our use of the bathroom.
That's probably more than anyone wants to know about one of my tasks (yes, it is my job, although Carolyn can do if she needs to). Once you get used to it, the job is not that bad, unless a sewer hose comes off or a hose leaks.
Moving on to the rest of the day: We delivered a truckload of stuff to the Salvation Army as a donation. Then we had a couple other little chores to do in town before we could go out to Terri's house and get started on our work for the day. My big job for the day was to pressure wash the eaves and soffits on as much of the house as possible. I was unable to get to a small portion of the house because it was so high in the air, even with a tall ladder. In addition, I was unable to do the back side of the house because a bird is nesting back there. Since we are nature lovers, we will wait until she hatches her eggs and raises her young. Carolyn continued in the kitchen with the job she started yesterday. Progress is being made, but it seems slow.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town -Hot Springs Village, Arkansas: The Right Choice
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 49 degrees, high 85 degrees, clear skies, light breezes
We had a few things to do around the RV this morning before we went to Terri's house. The most pressing chore was to dump our holding tanks. They were chock full, and I didn't want to wait another day and have an accident happen. For those of you who have never lived in an RV, tank dumping is somewhat of an art form that has to be done in a certain way to keep the dreaded pyramid of crud from building up.
RVs are built to be able to be off the grid for a number of days. That means they have up to four holding tanks for the waste water, plus another tank for fresh water. We are not using the fresh water tank at this time since we are sitting in a park. Instead, we are hooked up to the park's water supply. While sitting in a park, we open our shower and kitchen holding tanks most of the time. However, there comes a time when the dreaded black water tank (think about what black water is) has to be emptied or dumped. When we know we are going to dump the black water, about two days ahead of that we close the shower and kitchen tank valves so we will have relatively clean water to flush the sewer line after dumping the black water tank. Whenever I am dumping the black water tank, I always wear surgical gloves because there is the chance that the hose will leak or fall off the outlet pipe. That means you have to grab the hose and try to put it back on, and it would not be nice to have black water (have you figured out what black water is yet?) running all over your hands. And it has happened. Yuck!!!!
Once the black water stops running out, I hook up a water hose to a connector under the RV and turn the water on to flush the black water tank clean. Then, the kitchen and shower tank valves are both opened to flush the sewer line clean. The whole evolution takes about 10 minutes, and we do this about every 10-14 days, all dependent on our use of the bathroom.
That's probably more than anyone wants to know about one of my tasks (yes, it is my job, although Carolyn can do if she needs to). Once you get used to it, the job is not that bad, unless a sewer hose comes off or a hose leaks.
Moving on to the rest of the day: We delivered a truckload of stuff to the Salvation Army as a donation. Then we had a couple other little chores to do in town before we could go out to Terri's house and get started on our work for the day. My big job for the day was to pressure wash the eaves and soffits on as much of the house as possible. I was unable to get to a small portion of the house because it was so high in the air, even with a tall ladder. In addition, I was unable to do the back side of the house because a bird is nesting back there. Since we are nature lovers, we will wait until she hatches her eggs and raises her young. Carolyn continued in the kitchen with the job she started yesterday. Progress is being made, but it seems slow.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town -Hot Springs Village, Arkansas: The Right Choice
Not all who wander are lost.
Monday, April 21, 2008
John Eaton
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 47 degrees, high 83 degrees, clear skies, light breezes
When we moved to our present RV park, one of the first people to invite us to the park was our neighbor across the street, John Eaton. John had lived in the park for several years, moving here from Mississippi when his wife passed away. His two sons are doctors in the area, and wanted John to be closer to them. John still owned a farm in Mississippi, plus he had a basement bedroom at each of his sons' houses. He maintained a mobile home here at the park that he called his office, but it was more a place to call his own than anything else. This morning, we received word that John was killed in a car wreck caused by a drunk driver that hit him broadside. John was on his way to pay his respects to the family of an old friend that had recently passed away. John was one of the most helpful people we have ever known. He was a true southern gentleman who always had time to stop and ask how everyone was doing, and always asked if there was anything we needed help with. We didn't know John very long, but we know that our lives have been enriched from meeting him and knowing him the short time that we did. Our sympathies and condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.
We got a late start on our chores at Terri's house because we had to pick up a few groceries and go to the post office. Once we got to the house, I started on the shop again, determined to do everything I could to finish that job today. I am proud to say that the shop is cleaned up, and I should not have to do that again. Whew! That was a job.
While I was working on the shop, Carolyn was packing dishes, pots, and pans that are not being used, and cleaning out the cabinets as she went. She finished most of the kitchen, and should finish that up tomorrow. I will start with the pressure washing of the eaves and soffits.
Once the pressure washing is completed, which shouldn't take more than a day, I will start the repairs inside the house. I'm not sure how long that will take, but I'm shooting for a week. In the meantime, I loaded up the truck with charity stuff that will be dropped off tomorrow before going to the house.
One day at a time.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Nashville, Tennessee: Music City
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 47 degrees, high 83 degrees, clear skies, light breezes
When we moved to our present RV park, one of the first people to invite us to the park was our neighbor across the street, John Eaton. John had lived in the park for several years, moving here from Mississippi when his wife passed away. His two sons are doctors in the area, and wanted John to be closer to them. John still owned a farm in Mississippi, plus he had a basement bedroom at each of his sons' houses. He maintained a mobile home here at the park that he called his office, but it was more a place to call his own than anything else. This morning, we received word that John was killed in a car wreck caused by a drunk driver that hit him broadside. John was on his way to pay his respects to the family of an old friend that had recently passed away. John was one of the most helpful people we have ever known. He was a true southern gentleman who always had time to stop and ask how everyone was doing, and always asked if there was anything we needed help with. We didn't know John very long, but we know that our lives have been enriched from meeting him and knowing him the short time that we did. Our sympathies and condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.
We got a late start on our chores at Terri's house because we had to pick up a few groceries and go to the post office. Once we got to the house, I started on the shop again, determined to do everything I could to finish that job today. I am proud to say that the shop is cleaned up, and I should not have to do that again. Whew! That was a job.
While I was working on the shop, Carolyn was packing dishes, pots, and pans that are not being used, and cleaning out the cabinets as she went. She finished most of the kitchen, and should finish that up tomorrow. I will start with the pressure washing of the eaves and soffits.
Once the pressure washing is completed, which shouldn't take more than a day, I will start the repairs inside the house. I'm not sure how long that will take, but I'm shooting for a week. In the meantime, I loaded up the truck with charity stuff that will be dropped off tomorrow before going to the house.
One day at a time.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Nashville, Tennessee: Music City
Not all who wander are lost.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
We Have Pictures
Northport, Alabama
Weather: low 49 degrees, high 84 degrees, clear skies, light breezes
We slept late for a change (at least I did). Carolyn still got up about 0400 hours, but was able to catnap until about 0600 hours. I, on the other hand, didn't get up until about 0730 hours. Guess what? The sky didn't fall in, and the world kept turning. I'm thinking I need to do this again, and it would be nice if it could become a habit.
As I mentioned yesterday, we were going to take the day off. It was nice to just laze around for a change. I'm sure taking a rest will rejuvenate us so we can get a lot done on Terri's house next week.
I went for a walk on the Levee Trail in Northport this morning, and remembered to take the camera. Below this paragraph is a view of the downtown and one of the nice old houses that has been turned into an antiques shop.
More pictures of Northport.
Does anyone remember the 5 & 10 cents stores where everything was much less than a dollar?
The picture on the right is of a house that was built in 1838. Looks good for it's age, doesn't it? It was given to the town of Northport in 1999 by a descendent of the original owner.
The next picture is here because I messed up and uploaded it by mistake, and now I can't figure out how to delete it. Anyway, it is a six lane bridge connecting Tuscaloosa and Northport across the Black Warrior River. It is a very busy bridge, especially in the morning on the side going into Tuscaloosa.
The next picture deserves a place in the center of the page because it has a barber shop in the building. What's so distinctive about a barber shop? I received the absolute worse haircut that has ever been given anybody in that barber shop. It was so bad I went home and had Carolyn give me a trim. Since that time, Carolyn has been giving me my haircuts. I figured she could do better than most of the barbers, and she has.
I have more pictures I will post on another day.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Hardin, Texas: A Great Place To Live
Not all who wander are lost.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Truck Loads of Junk
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 46 degrees, high 77 degrees, mostly clear with small white clouds, gusty breezes
We wanted to take it a little easier today, but circumstances came together to allow us to get rid of two utility trailers and three pickup truck loads of stuff and junk. Getting rid of this stuff will make it easier to do the repairs in the house, and less stuff to move when the house is sold. That meant we had to be at Terri's by 0830 hours, and we worked steadily until about 1200 hours. At that time, we stopped and had lunch.
After lunch, I went back to the shop to continue working on that cleanup project. One more day in there should complete the job. This is the type of job that takes a lot of effort and time, but I shouldn't have to do it again. Yeaaa!
We are not going to do anything tomorrow. Double yeaaa! We need to take a day of rest, and Carolyn needs to take it easy because she is having some indications that the vertigo is trying to come back. We don't want that to happen.
It rained until after midnight last night, but the weather did not get rough. I don't know how much rain fell, but all the potholes were full. The next few days should be nice. If we feel like it tomorrow, we will take a ride in the country. Hopefully, pictures will be posted soon.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Atlanta, Georgia: City Lights, Southern Nights
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 46 degrees, high 77 degrees, mostly clear with small white clouds, gusty breezes
We wanted to take it a little easier today, but circumstances came together to allow us to get rid of two utility trailers and three pickup truck loads of stuff and junk. Getting rid of this stuff will make it easier to do the repairs in the house, and less stuff to move when the house is sold. That meant we had to be at Terri's by 0830 hours, and we worked steadily until about 1200 hours. At that time, we stopped and had lunch.
After lunch, I went back to the shop to continue working on that cleanup project. One more day in there should complete the job. This is the type of job that takes a lot of effort and time, but I shouldn't have to do it again. Yeaaa!
We are not going to do anything tomorrow. Double yeaaa! We need to take a day of rest, and Carolyn needs to take it easy because she is having some indications that the vertigo is trying to come back. We don't want that to happen.
It rained until after midnight last night, but the weather did not get rough. I don't know how much rain fell, but all the potholes were full. The next few days should be nice. If we feel like it tomorrow, we will take a ride in the country. Hopefully, pictures will be posted soon.
More later, be safe.
Today's Town - Atlanta, Georgia: City Lights, Southern Nights
Not all who wander are lost.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Raining
Coker, Alabama
Weather: low 45 degrees, high 75 degrees, winds 20-30 mph, rain started about 1830 hours, bad weather not expected
We started early this morning, arriving at Terri's house before 0900 hours. We had a lot planned to do, and wanted as much opportunity as possible to get most, if not all, of it done. I picked up some weed killer to spray between the patio paving blocks so the weeds could be killed. Spraying the weeds was the first thing I did after arriving. Now it looks like we will need a new sprayer because the old one is leaking and not maintaining pressure.
The next task was to spread two bags of fertilizer that I found in the basement. Rain was in the forecast, and this seemed like a good time to put the fertilizer out. After the fertilizer was spread, I pulled briars out of the shrubs in the flower beds. Then it was on to the shop to clean that out.
My original plan showed us being able to clean up the shop in about a day. Hah! I worked in it most of the day, and still have another couple days work. It looks like it has never been cleaned up before. It amazes me that they could run a cabinet business and build cabinets in an environment as dirty as this shop is. On the plus side, I am finding tools, such as two routers and a biscuit joiner that it was thought had been lost. I'll continue on the shop tomorrow, and finish up what's left after that on Monday.
As I write this post, it is raining fairly hard, with some lightning and thunder. At least there is not any severe weather forecasted. If we happen to have severe weather, it is usually announced with sirens, because the local area has experienced several bad tornadoes in the past. The closest shelter for us is about half a mile down the road in the old volunteer fire department building, half of which is under ground. If we are at Terri's house, she has a tornado shelter built into the basement of the house. The walls and roof of the shelter are 6" reinforced concrete, which should stand up to just about any tornado that might come through. It's nice to know we have a safe place to go if bad weather hits.
I apologize for not having any travel stories, but we feel that it is important to help Terri during her time of need.
More later, be safe.
Today's town - Winslow, Arizona: Moving Forward, Cherishing The Past
Not all who wander are lost.
Weather: low 45 degrees, high 75 degrees, winds 20-30 mph, rain started about 1830 hours, bad weather not expected
We started early this morning, arriving at Terri's house before 0900 hours. We had a lot planned to do, and wanted as much opportunity as possible to get most, if not all, of it done. I picked up some weed killer to spray between the patio paving blocks so the weeds could be killed. Spraying the weeds was the first thing I did after arriving. Now it looks like we will need a new sprayer because the old one is leaking and not maintaining pressure.
The next task was to spread two bags of fertilizer that I found in the basement. Rain was in the forecast, and this seemed like a good time to put the fertilizer out. After the fertilizer was spread, I pulled briars out of the shrubs in the flower beds. Then it was on to the shop to clean that out.
My original plan showed us being able to clean up the shop in about a day. Hah! I worked in it most of the day, and still have another couple days work. It looks like it has never been cleaned up before. It amazes me that they could run a cabinet business and build cabinets in an environment as dirty as this shop is. On the plus side, I am finding tools, such as two routers and a biscuit joiner that it was thought had been lost. I'll continue on the shop tomorrow, and finish up what's left after that on Monday.
As I write this post, it is raining fairly hard, with some lightning and thunder. At least there is not any severe weather forecasted. If we happen to have severe weather, it is usually announced with sirens, because the local area has experienced several bad tornadoes in the past. The closest shelter for us is about half a mile down the road in the old volunteer fire department building, half of which is under ground. If we are at Terri's house, she has a tornado shelter built into the basement of the house. The walls and roof of the shelter are 6" reinforced concrete, which should stand up to just about any tornado that might come through. It's nice to know we have a safe place to go if bad weather hits.
I apologize for not having any travel stories, but we feel that it is important to help Terri during her time of need.
More later, be safe.
Today's town - Winslow, Arizona: Moving Forward, Cherishing The Past
Not all who wander are lost.
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