Blogger program can be a challenge

AYE AYE

Have you ever said 'No more having to learn something new'. Well, this 21 st century is all about re-learning how to do what you already know (how to do that is).

Why do cell phones keep changing? Why can't we just jump ahead to all of these new features, in one jump?

In the past all my 'stuff'' has run my life. I would like to get that under control, but with all things revolving around computers, I believe this will not happen, the way I dream. But all the stuff will be in these little, blinking, black boxes.

I wonder why all the blinking lights are blue?

My computers are 17" HP with window's XP, 15" HP with Vista, and 1o.1" Acer with XP (I think) and Sony with Windows'98. I use all these computers and have found the blogger program works different on each computer.

Seems loading pictures into my posts does not look the same on all the computers or work the same. Guess that means I will have to LEARN something new.

Please join me as we navigate these blinking black boxes and have our travel adventures.

KY....more shelves for Condo

Still trying to make a place for everything. You know the saying ‘everything has a place and everything in it’s place’. Or something like that.

Craig is adamant about not having the motor home look junkie. Of course I agree, this motor home is one of the nicest things we have ever owned. Holiday Rambler sent us the original sticker and the asking price was $237,000.00. I’m sure that is not want it sold for, but still.

Five years ago I never dreamed we could own something so nice. We plan on living in the Condo for the next two years. Starting Jan 2011. That is why I want to make use of all space. Shelving could have come in the coach, remember it is expensive. But it didn’t, probably a weight consideration.

This is the cabinet in the bathroom area. It has nice storage but not for the small stuff. Seems like there is always room for the large stuff but never enough for the small stuff.

I have been assigning area’s for Craig and for me. So Craig gets the top and I get the bottom. Look at our profile picture and you can see the logic in this.

Craig needs a place for his shaving kit and supplies.

I need a place to lay my hair dryer, curling iron and all things hair. The cords are what makes my hair dryer hard to store and hard to get too when needed. We still have a large medicine cabinet in the water closet (area).

H'burg, KY...painting moving trailer

This is our picture window from the living room.

Father and child here. The guy on top is waiting for 'Dad' to polk a seed down his throat. Never gets old. Love to watch the bird feeders.

Some times life is just slow, but I have discovered that means, soon things will pile up and get very busy.

Preparing to move and go full/time/part/time in the Rv is slow.

This 8 by 12 foot trailer will go to the house in Louisiana. Full, of course, but while it is nearly empty I want to paint the floor. You may remember that part of my new retirement life is to take better care of my stuff.

One more coat of paint in the very middle of the trailer and it will be check off my to-do list.

Will do that tomorrow.

Tell then.

Ky Horse Park.....Volunteer Training

Things are busy around here. Spent most of the week packing. Craig was packing his toys, he packed and I taped boxes and listed the items. Team work.

The volunteer job at the KY horse park schedule a two hour 'security team' training, tonight from 6:30 to 8:30. Training went over to 9 pm.

I am on the low in of the security team. That is fine with me. Keven Trvo is director of security for the Hargrove event. He had lots of info. Seems ticket sales are not what is predicted so hopefully this will not be so involved that we walk 10 miles a shift.

Lots of new construction going on in the 1200 acre park.

Maybe tomorrow I can remember some of the highlight but for now it is time for bed.

Honda CRV....upgrades

Honda CRV….upgrades

Weekends are busy with extra’s. Makes it hard to stop and compose a blog note.

I have found I blog for myself, I have to stop and remember, stop to take pictures, then look at them. All of my summer roundabouts that I have done in the pass 10 years. I didn’t take any pictures, why, well no one looked at them. Not even my husband, so I figured why take the time. Now I get to enjoy the view and enjoy again when I blog (like a journal).

Last evening Craig took me out for dinner. We went to Applebee’s in Danville, KY, about 12 miles south on Hwy 127. Then we shopped at Lowes. I enjoyed the evening, really enjoyed it.

In February I purchased several items for the CRV. Extras that I wanted on a vehicle. Ordered online from Factory Auto Accessories, they are suppose to have genuine factory accessories for Honda, Acuras, and Toyotas. Spent $688.00.

I wanted these carrier racks on top. They where very easy to install.

These rain visors for all the side windows.

This is before the visors.

This is with the visors.

Craig had to pull the rubber stops down to insert the clips and then pull the protective tape off to stick the things. The clips where confusing but he got it done.

The visors where $106.60 and the rack carrier on top was $210.00. Still have the back door deflector and the fog lamps to install. Well, Craig not me.

Note: I lost a follower tonight. Hi Robert hope all is well with you. Where are you and your pretty wife??

H'burg, KY...Lovely day...finally

We have had two gorgeous days, not sooooo hot. I took advantage and worked in the big garage and made shelving for the Condo. You might remember from yesterday's post that not everyone agrees with my projects.

This must of stayed in my mind because I cut a shelve board 4 time before I got it right. Called Craig and told him this was his fault. He didn't argue.

He had to visit the dentist today. Dentist told him he brushes his teeth too hard. What does the mean???

Pictures of the Aquarium of the smokies. I have a bunch but this was wonderful. He hung out on the acrylic tunnel.

Can you see him.

Looks like a smiling old old man.

H'burg, KY...Storage projects

Working on my goals for retirement. As mention previous, I want to take better care of my stuff. I believe that will include simplifying the amount of stuff we travel with. Not so much all the treasures that live in our house, but what we travel with.

I have dreamed of a kitchen that only has the items I actually use.

Added shelves to our hanging closets, to store our (small) folding items. This is about a 20 degree angle. I suppose pipes are behind because of the bathroom sink.














This is the largest wardrobe. Craig will have to use this one because his hanging items are sooooo long.














This will be for me. It is over the washer/dryer and shorter than the Craig's.


















Added new curtains for the large picture window (aka wind shield). Still need to hem and trim. Thought some color would make the place seem residential and less cookie cutter RV interior.

Craig came home from work and I made the mistake of trying to have a conversation about this project. He says 'you don't need to be doing that until we know what we need to be taking'. Really busted my bubble. I don't need to talk to him. He doesn't understand that I DO know what I am taking. Men are different, he just doesn't want any holes in the walls. To bad.

Gattlingburg, TN...sharks and more sharks

Need to change computers to find more pictures of the aquarium. Please be patience. TKS


Neglected to say that the shark picture from yesterday was taken last year. At the Aquarium of the Smokies in Gattlinburg, TN. In the acrylic tunnel you walk right under and beside these huge animals. If you ever get to Gattlinburg be sure to check it out. Well worth the time and money. Believe the tickets where $22. Coupons will bring this price down.

We even drove the 38 foot motor home thru downtown Gattlinburg (only one road) and parked in the aquarium lot. The Aquarium staff helped to guide and park us, they where very pleasant and helpful. I called ahead and they knew we had a large vehicle. This was Thanksgiving day.

Craig was a bit nervous but I wasn't. Craig says I just don't understand what worry is. Maybe I don't have enough of an IQ to worry.

Thanks to reader, Lynn, for telling me I needed to caption my pics. How are readers suppose to know?

H'burg, KY...projects

Not much to tell around here. Adding storage to the condo, of course, I needed boards and brackets that I did not have. Off to the lumber yard and Wal Mart. Will take pictures tomorrow.

While at Wal Mart, I over heard a lady saying her neighbor's barn was broke into last night. Just down the road from us. We have been broke into twice in this place. I will be happy to move away from here.

On my list of how I plan on changing, is that I want to take better care of my possession's. That includes locking doors and not leaving things out in the open.

Also, on my list is I would like to start dressing better. Take the time to look better, earlier in the day.

Well, not much to say, thanks for being here.

H'burg, KY...financial planning

Cedar Waxwing

Four months from today we plan on being unemployed. That is when the RV adventure will begin. What are we doing to prepare.

In the pass, life has been about getting ahead. Well, it is time to rethink. Craig will only be 57, to young for Social Security. I have been planning our finances for the last 2 years.

Without his paycheck we will be living on savings. How much savings is needed? From all of my research, mostly reading blogs, I believe $35,000 a year will pay our bills and let us travel in comfort.

One of the most important thing a full time RV’er needs, is to be debt free. Even with everything paid, our basic bills will run about $1,200 a month. It’s the yearly things that run that total up, like insurances, taxes, and all that.

The biggest ‘if’ factor, is the cost of medical insurance and medical care. Craig’s one medicine cost between $8,000 and $12,000 a year. We meet our prescription deductible for him by February, every year. He has several doctor appointments coming up and we will discuss our plans with the dr.

In my working career I have saved enough to pay our way for two years. This leaves Craig’s savings alone. He is just too young. Ha Ha. So the thought is to go two years, or how ever long the $’s last, and see about working after that, if needed.

From all that I have read I believe the only regret, we will have, is that we didn’t do this sooner.

On a lighter note. Craig went to Lowes and Wal Mart. Lowes he purchased some pipe and stuff to add a place on the Condo, to store extra sewer pipe, will post pictures as he goes alone. Wal Mart was for groceries, he must have been hungry, because he spent $103.00. Only thing that was not grocery, was a can of Raid Flea Spray (purple can), seems the dogs and house have fleas. Thought that was not going to happen this year, it is the middle of August. The Raid can was $9.64, I think that is expensive.

H'burg, KY...working on RV

We (that would be me) are always looking for projects on the camper. When we begin our part time/full time RV adventure next year, I would like to have most things in full time order.

Somerset, KY has a small Belk's department store. I stopped, it only cost Craig $60 for two pillows and $30 for these LaCrosse weather gauges.

The part with the clock is called the station and the beige thing is the remote transmitter.

This model accepts 3 remote transmitters, plus the station does the indoor temp. I was able to set both of the outside remote transmitters to send the same signal to both of the stations. Now I can 'see' the temp's in the bay with demand water pump and all the water headers and also an outside temp, in two different locations. Still need to decide where I want that transmitter to go. Right now I have one station in the Condo and the other one in the house. These where $15 each.

We don't have heated cargo bays and I have always wondered how cold and hot it gets. This should give me the info.

H'burg, KY...shopping with neighbor

Today has blown by. Didn't get much accompanist. In days past, this would be unacceptable. These days I am trying to change. I want to learn to accept the day for what it is.

When my next door neighbor knocked on the door, with her purse over her shoulder, she asked if I wanted to go to Cato's and shop. Seems they are having a clearance sale.

Yes, I need to be packing and all that, but I went shopping.

If someone goes to the trouble to invite you to do something, well one should try to make that priority.

I have found that I am out living friends, so friends, who like to do things, are getting fewer. Do not pass up an invitation to goooooo.

Long ago my Mom told me, if you want a friend, you have to be a friend.

See ya tomorrow.

Your friend Marie

My sweet niece and her daughters (Florida girls)

H'burg, KY...we are moving

We are moving, again. Hoping this is the last big move, and this is going to be a big move. We will call this box Number 1.

I believe that after this move, that is moving all of this stuff we have accumulated on the road, to the house in Louisiana. We can begin a new way of living. But first I need to organize this caravan home. We have moved so many times I should be very good at this.

Yesterday, I took Craig's car to the dealer in Somerset, KY. They need to fix the side mirror and repair the leather on the driver seat. Their was a hole in the bottom of seat and on the side. Adam did the repair and it came out unbelievable, I didn't know leather could be repaired like this. Here is the repair and a picture of damage on one of the other seats. This damage was not near as bad as what Adam repaired in the driver seat. I was impressed.

Ky Horse Park...Volunteer job

In my older/retirement part of life, I find I do not say yes, to all things. Is that what you find? It is not that I don't have compassion, just that I find people will take advantage, and these people are out to take advantage.

Derek Rhodes, security coordinator, for the FEI Equestrian Games, did a telephone interview with me. He is scoping out 'team leaders'. Asked a million questions, like do you have a problem with a lot of walking.

One of the requirements to volunteer is to give these people six 8 hour sifts. Mr Rhodes made the team leader job sound great, then the poke came. He says that the team leader position requires a commitment of ten 8 hour sifts. He quickly asked if I could comment to that.

I told him NO, I would do the 6 original shifts. The reason I said no is that this is getting expensive. The event needs to get a life. They have come down on the ticket prices. Anyway, Mr Rhodes is not a volunteer but an event planning that travels all over doing these things. While I am able and willing to work, I am not willing to pay their bills. Mr. Rhodes did not offer and incentive to stay the extra days.

I mention that if another individual needed a place to stay and we worked together, I would offer a place to stay in exchange for a free ride to the horse park. The drive is about an hour, only 40 miles. He said he would make a note and let me know.

Lexington Airport...Aviation Museum (2)

Here are some of the planes that where outside the building, on the tar-matt.

You are not allowed out there without one of the volunteers with you, and they have to be wearing the big badge around their neck, or you will have airport security to deal with.

This is one of the planes used by the flying school next to the museum.

This Italian made plane came in. Wow, notice the prop is in the rear. Nice. Tim, our guide and pilot for one of the airlines, smiled and said, very nice and very very fast. Guess, fast is better even in airplanes, if you are a guy.

This is what the web site says about the Avanti. I want one, please.

With its sleek Italian design, incredibly high speed and large cabin, the P180 Avanti II jet charter provides busy business air travelers the luxury and quality charter flight they deserve. A lot can be said about the P180 Avanti its unique aerodynamic design and luxurious amenities. A practical as well as plush aircraft, the turboprop has a 1,750 nautical mile range and staggering cruising speed of 400 miles per hour. It also boasts the largest cabin in its class, complete with a full lavatory. The Avanti II is also an exceptionally quiet aircraft, affording passengers piece of mind after a long day of business meetings.

Lexington Airport...Aviation Museum

Booooooo

Now that Craig and I are nearing the retirement part of life, my mission is to become a better partner. I believe part of that is running errands together. No longer should we be so busy that we can not go together.

Just like all the tanks at the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, I was bored, but trying to fake interest. Craig loved it and talked to anyone who would stand still. He was in the Air force for 8 years and I guess he like planes.

Our Snapper lawnmower needed a new belt. So a trip to Lexington was in order. On the way is the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, located at the airport.

The Aviation Museum of Kentucky has a 12,000 square foot indoor exhibit area as well as several aircraft located in an outside exhibit area. The museum also features traveling exhibits and displays through out the year. Take a look to see what some of the items the Museum has to offer

Museum Docents can provide guided tours as well as Self-guided tours are available with volunteer docents located throughout the Museum. All you need is 1-2 hours for your visit .

This guy is 89 years young, he explained that he had a stroke this past year. It has not hurt his memory, must be a very smart man and loves airplanes, he was a pilot.

Daytime parking is free and available for automobiles parking during Museum visits. Due to construction that is occurring next to the Museum, parking for motor home and bus may be limited.

McDonnell RF-101 Voodo US Navy Blue Angels A-4 Skyhawk Crosley Moonbeam biplane AH-1 Cobra helicopter US Navy Grumman F-14B Tomcat A replica of the Matthew Bacon Sellers 1908 Quadruplane, Kentucky's first airplane WACO biplane McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom A General Electric CF6 Turbofan Engine Many other flyable aircraft on permanent display
Flight Stimulator

More to come. Time for a nap! That's part of retirement, in fact, it might be a requirement.