Tourque Converter returned

You remember Mr Van required a new transmission. Well, several attempts to fix the transmission didn't work. A local guy replaced this torque converter and said all was working. But not so. I expected Mr Van to be fixed for the Thanksgiving Holiday, so Craig and I could make the first trip to Louisiana. Well he did not fulfill this promise. He had 4 weeks to get this done.

Mr Van was finally fixed at another mechanic shop and a request made that this part would be returned to the first mechanic. He had charge me $854 but did give me a refund. The weather has been frozen here and I only just got this part returned. When I drove up the mechanic did not even turn around when I said hello.

This thing is heavy. Susie and I together could hardly get it out of the van.

My back has gone out, again. Soooooooo, this is what I do all day. Look out my picture window and watch the birds.

pics

pics

Tomorrow will be the 6 th day that I can not even get out of a chair without help. I take Lortab and Soma 3 times a day. I have increased this. Not good, but I called the Doctor and the 'nurse' wanted me to come in. Last appointment I waited an hour and 10 minutes to see the Dr. How was I suppose to drive 20 minutes(in the snow), find a parking place downtown, and get up to (see) the Dr. Who would not even touch me. I suggested we use our computers and skype a 'talk'. She only argued with me. By the way I have never seen the MD only the Physician Assistant.

The Spine Clinic in Daville, Ky does not have positive comments on the Internet.

I think this Dr office not longer likes me. I feel the same way.

So glad to have hubby home full time

My back feels like the hog in this guys mouth

This is Craig's fourth day, out of work. I am so glad to have him around, but for all the wrong reasons.


Friday, Craig and I started packing, for the move to Louisiana. Best plans always seems to find a detour. My back, again went out. I have spent Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and now all of Sunday, either in bed or in a chair. I can not even get out of the chairs without Craig's help. Does not seem possible that this is a Level 1 slipped disc. I can only imagine a Level 5 means you will die, by your own hands, because the pain is unbearable.

I meet Craig in 1988 in Richmond, VA. We both where working a Phillip Morris job. Craig was single (never married), didn't have a girlfriend (at the time), family lived 800 miles away, and his mother died years ago. Hmmmmm, no luggage!!!


He cleaned his own house, manage his own finances, and general took care of himself. Somewhere over the next 20 years, he lost this ability. Or so I thought. I just did everything.

I have to say he has been wonderful the last 3 days. He cooked and cleaned the kitchen (didn't know he knew how to start the dishwasher). He checked on me, often, brought me snacks and food and even my pills. Not that the pills have touched the pain.

I don't want his retirement to consent of waiting on me had and foot, but what would I have done these last few days without him. I am sooooo lucky.

The biggest job is taking care of our 3 dogs. Remeber the Famous Chief is very ill and is carried out the door and put on the ground. Then has to be retrieve from outside because he can not find the front door. Then, because of the cold and snow, has to be warmed up.


NOTE: 3 inch's of snow and more to come. Just saying.

Husband laid off from work today

Well, it is done. Craig left the project, with his boxes, and does not have a project to go to. He is laid off. Yeaaaaaaaa. Craig seems very happy about not having accepted another assignment.

They will pay him a 40 hour week (check) for the next 8 weeks. That will use up 320 hours of the 600 hours of vacation time. He will not receive the balance of vacation time until 6 months has past, plus he loses the 400 vacation hours they 'froze' about 20 years ago when the company merge with Fluor Engineering, company out of CA.

Just another example of company greed.

Not mile marker is to be on the road by the middle of FEB

Company arrives early in H'burg, KY

Friend Susie completed her contract with Amazon on Fri Dec. 17th. She promise to come to Harrodsburg, KY and help me pack for the move to Louisiana. She would visit with her (family) of Amazon campers on Saturday and arrive here Sunday.

So Saturday this is what DH (Craig) and I did. We have ice everywhere. Lots of ice.

This is the front driveway. Susie park here. Right in front of Mr Van.

Susie's home.

While clearing the front drive way, we also have a double driveway in the rear, this familiar camper arrived.

Glad to see Susie, although the camper gave her problems on the drive over. It is stalling out around turns and when slowing down. The camper will go into the shop next Tuesday.

Ice pics

ice pics

bird pics

bird pics

Ice strom...picture window

Our entertainment during this cold weather is the bird feeders. They are outside our large living room window.

Notice all the snow and ice and it is not winter, yet.

Note: Need to postpon this post. The famous Chief is awake and bouncing off walls.

Here he is sleeping on a heating pad. See the light. Wish he would go to sleep now.

I get soooooooo mad....winter blues

Maybe this ice and snow is the cause. The RV lifestyle should help, to live in the sun and warmer temps. At least most of the time. Maybe that is a big attraction of why RV people RV. Craig asked why I am so mad. Partly, I am mad at him, but I'm not telling. Just going to bed. the first rule of being mad 'Is do no Harm'.

This is Craig on the job site.

Mr Van with Craig job site. See the snow. This is a Kentucky Utility plant. They call it 'Brown' because of the street name. It is on the Kentucky river near the 'Brown' damn.

Mr Van has a new transmission and seems to be fixed.

driod 2 posting

4 p. m. edit post using the laptop computer with a LARGE key board...yea

This post is coming from my new Driod 2 Motorola/Verizon phone.

This will be short, just trying to learn.

Craig and I both have new phones but this touch screen is not for Craig, my opinion.

Instead of my usb 727 air card, $65 a month for 5kb use, we have unlimited internet connection on this phone for $30 month and the new mi/fi air (card) for $35 month with 3kb use.

Will explain more when I get to a bigger keyboard.

note: welcome back Bob and Linda...life is good

My birthday dinner. Crab legs, they are great, maybe as good as Olde Pink House in Savannah.

But this is our dinning set up. The TV and football games are in this room. Oh well, we are very comfortable.

By the way, it has snowed alllllll day. My birth year is 1951 and this is my first 'White' birthday-day.

Just a home body

When you take all in to account. We are just home bodies.

A group of people from Craig's work get together. This is a drinking/eating group. We always enjoy getting out but are VERY glad to return home. Plus the bill always seems to be between $100 to $150. We don't have more than two drinks so this becomes expensive, for us.

What will it be like to get together with friends but have our 'home' within walking distance. The RV world is unique, in this respect. I can't wait!!!!

Tonight our party was at Eddie Montgomery's new restaurant. I forgot the camera. His place is fancy. After 9 pm a band preforms but we left before 9. They advertised that Eddie spent a small fortune on the sound system.

That's the stage behind Craig, me and Ahmed.

front

front

Craig is still out of a job this month and we will move all this stuff to Louisiana. I have been working very hard packing. The logistics of getting all our moving vehicles, well, moved is tuff.

Remember my friend Susie, she and I went to the KY Horse park and several othe places, this past June. She will finish her contract with Amazon (workamping) job next week. Susie volunteer to help and will arrive next week. What an Angel!!

Susie wants to head South. The temps here have been frigid and snow is on the ground. I agree, time to head South.

All will be good. I just know it. Thanks Susie.

NOW I KNOW...when I die I will know everything

Like of lot of the country, it is very cold here. About 22 degrees colder than normal. I did winterize Mr Van (class B motor home), although not with gusto. Didn't do anything to the Condo (Class A motor home). Not very smart. I didn't expect single digit wind chill for 4 days.

Looks like we will have repairs with both campers when the thaw comes. Oh yea, as the saying goes 'I know now'.

On top of this, trying to do 'something' in 15 degrees weather is a killer. I think I will die.

Small electric heaters where running in both campers and I put a light in the water bay of the Condo. Not enough. Checked the Condo and found the water frozen to the sinks, 28 degrees inside will freeze, who knew. Added another small heater to the Condo's water bay and put the gas furnace on. Will leave the gas furnace running, just have to pay the bill.

Checked the water pump and it did not pump.

Added the heaters and turned the furnace on about 5 pm. Around 10 pm the bay was at 62 degrees and the water pump finally started pumping to the sinks. Didn't see any leaks in the belly bay but time will tell.

The outside showers of Mr Van and the Condo is what I am expecting to be busted.

When Craig retires with me, this is going to be his job.

On a lighter note: My sister called tonight to wish me a happy birthday. Only my birthday is not today, but next Sunday. Seems it is suppose to be 30 degrees tonight in Titusville, Fl.

Cold weather kills brain cells, first. Thirty degrees in Florida is COLD!!!!!

Thanks Betty, I love you and miss you.

Did you recognize Donkey? I like the Shriek, the movie!

Launch date changed to Dec 22

Craig's lay-off date has move to Dec 22nd. The need to get all this packing done is front and center. A lady has come twice to help, she is in that grey area. A 60 year old woman that was laid off when the factory closed. No anything including a home or pension and too Young for SS. She is living with her Mom.

I pay her $8 an hour and we work about 2 hours a day. Two hours is enough. How does a person become ruthless and just let go of all this stuff? Can't seem to do that, this is my stuff.

Class B, RV can pull a toad

pic

pic

pic

pic

New Rebuilt Transmission only $3,000

Mr Van is back in my drive way!! Wonder how long it will stay this time?

When Craig and I retire I dream that we can handle these problems together. Not sure why I get sooooo nervous about all of this. When we where young, where we just to busy to notice, or did we just not know. Because now I look for problem after problem.

All in all, I did get to Versailles, pay for the transmission and drive the Van pulling the Honda CRV home. Didn't have to ask anyone (including my husband) for any help.

Oh yea, stopped at the Verizon Store. Maybe I am my own worst enemy.