IS THIS REALLY TEXAS????

Sunday, November 29 – Still laid up with back ache.....yuk! Marsha is making our Thanksgiving Dinner today.....Turkey, potatoes, dressing, and gravy! She is trying her baking expertise in the Convection Microwave. The turkey turned out super!! It was so juicy. She finished decorating. Looks pretty good!

Monday, November 30 – We went down near Houston (about an hour's drive) to do some Christmas shopping today. Livingston is not the town for shopping.

You might be thinking.........Boy, Marsha and Paul aren't doing much. No Grand Canyon, No Las Vegas, No L.A. There's plenty of time for that later. We're here to spend the holidays with our girls. We've missed them and want to spend enough time with them that they ask us “When are you leaving Texas.....LOL

REMEMBER: It's not a vacation.....it's a life style! We'll be moving on after the holidays!

Tuesday, December 1 – I exercised the onboard generator today. This involves running it under load for about 30 minutes. This is something that should be done monthly to keep things running smoothly. I will also be getting the generator oil and filter changed before heading to Quartszite, AZ where we will be needing it for boondocking.....no electrical hookups.

We went and played Mexican Train with Barb & Bruce Highland. People we met the other night from Two Harbors, Minnesota. They have been full-timing for two years. Very nice people. We hope to meet up with them in Quartszite.

Thursday, December 3 – Went to the Orthopedic doctor today. They took some x-rays and scheduled an MRI for Friday. I won't get the results until Tuesday, December 8.

Marsha and I then went Christmas shopping….again. We were near Humble, TX, a big shopping area so we took advantage and shopped for several hours.

Friday, December 4 – My back feels BETTER today! The doctor gave me a med-pack (steroids), and it already feels much better. I take the pills for a week. At least he's provided some help.

I also went in for the MRI this afternoon. This place is like a 4-star spa. They asked us several times if we would like anything to drink OR EAT!! When I was taken back for the MRI, Marsha asked for a cup of coffee. They brought it to her in a small private waiting area….oh brother….in a china cup and saucer. They even gave us a gift….travel mug….when we left and asked if we would like a bottle of water to take with us! This is going to cost a bundle. I was given the MRI x-rays to take to my doctor on Tuesday. It is obvious I have back problems. The two doctors have said it was from an injury I suffered as a youngster............probably that darn football.

While we were in Houston today it S-N-O-W-E-D !!!!! YIKES!!! We didn’t come West to freeze in the snow! It was funny to see the Texans enjoying the snow. This is only the 8th time it snowed in Houston so many of them have never seen snow!!! When we were at the mall, someone came into the Macy’s store and told the employee’s that it was snowing and THEY LEFT THE STORE to go look. We couldn’t believe that the employees walked out the door to see the snow. Everyone was taking pictures and videos. The big news story was the snow. What a hoot for an Ohioian. It didn't stick on the ground but all the cars and roofs of buildings were covered. School was let out at noon......LOL

We're snug here in the motor home. It's 36 outside but we're very comfortable with our furnace running. We were advised by the campground hosts to turn off the water faucet, drain our water hose and store it in the MH basement. They don't want frozen pipes.

Saturday, December 5 – JEEZE LOUISE......IT'S ONLY 27 on the thermometer this morning! CRAZY! The whole country is experiencing a cold wave, I understand.

We're headed to Tyler, TX to spend the day with Kelly. She's going to buy a new computer, and Marsha is going to help her set it up.

Had a nice weekend at Kellys. She made a delicious vegetable lasagna dinner, and we enjoyed visiting and watching college football with her and Scott.

LOTS OF RELAXING TME

Wednesday, November 25 – Thirty-nine degrees on my thermometer this morning. Good new is the high will be near 80* by noon. Guess you can't get far enough south to escape the night time cold temps.

I've been suffering with BAD BACK problems the last week or so. I've never had back problems in the past so this is frustrating. I saw a doctor before leaving Ohio and with Epidural shots in the back, he got me feeling almost normal. I thought I was fixed-up! Yeah right! It's getting bad enough now that it limits what I feel like doing. It's worse now than it ever was. Any worse and I won't be getting out of bed in the morning. It's okay if I don't move, but that's not a whole lot of fun. I have an appointment with a doctor next Thursday. I hope he has an answer.

Tonight Marsha and I went to the activity center here at Rainbow's End to play Mexican Train. Yeah, I won again......GEESH! Marsha came in second….AGAIN!

Thursday, November 26 – THANKSGIVING! We are headed to Houston to have dinner with Carrie. Plans have changed. Carrie was going to have the dinner at her place, but now we're going to one of her friend's house. It was a very nice Thanksgiving day. The dinner was scrumish. What a delight to be celebrating with a group of young people. Unfortunately, the pictures on the camera didn’t turn out. But just take my word, we all look FABULOUS!

Bella found a new game that she thinks she is pretty good at playing. Nick, one of Carrie’s roommates, has a pool table, and Bella decided to give it a whirl. She couldn’t figure out where it went.

 

Friday, November 27 – Black Friday......yep, I went shopping with Marsha and Carrie. I actually went to the mall....WOW! Unfortunately, my back eventually stiffened up, and we decided to head back to Livingston early. Hope the doctor will be able to subscribe a successful treatment next Thursday.

Saturday, November 28 – Another lazy day. Marsha did decorate for Christmas, including putting up a Christmas tree on the dash for everyone to enjoy. I think she just got started. You better believe it, Paul.

 

Y’all come back now, ya hear.

BACK HOME IN LIVINGSTON

Friday, November 20 – Rainy day here in Lewisville, TX (just north  of Dallas). We enjoyed our leisurely beginning of the day. Will use the rainy day to catch-up with computer stuff, run some errands, and simply relax. We did take a ride around the area. We were amazed at the housing developments. Thousands and thousands of huge houses on tiny lots….allotment after allotment. A very different lifestyle than we were use to in Ohio.
Below are pictures of our campground site and one of the trails. Beautiful place.


More campground pics.

A LITTLE BIT OF THIS, A LITTLE BIT OF THAT:

1. DNS Direct TV – We recently subscribed to Distant Network System from Direct TV Satellite. This is an alternative to people who do not have “local” TV stations because they travel. We are unable to receive broadcast by network stations – ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX – because they route through local stations (like Cleveland, Columbus, or Dallas). Therefore, we subscribe to DNS and receive the Network Broadcast from New York City and Los Angeles. As a result be can watch a program on a network at two different times. Example: the Today show out of NYC at 7 a.m. or the same show out of LA at 10 a.m. Pretty neat! Although, we can receive local broadcast over the air using our antenna (the old style of antenna you may have on the roof of your house. Rv's have a similar external antenna called a batwing.) We have to get a converter box since our 2005 TV's do not receive digital broadcasts.

2. Central Time Zone – this really is VERY different than Eastern Time Zone. Even though it is only one hour different, it has a hugh impact on your lifestyle, if you spent most of your life in the Eastern Time Zone like Marsha and I have. Everything you are use to doing occurs one hour earlier. The morning shows are on a 6:00 am, national news at 5:30 pm, Monday Night Football at 8 pm, College Football at noon, and Prime Time broadcast start at 7 pm instead of 8:00. For a morning person like myself, it's great. Although, it's tough to stay awake late at night. It's going to take some getting use to. About the time I adjust, we'll be moving on to Mountain Time Zone.......LOL.

Saturday, November 21 – Took Bella on a hike this morning back in the woods. Saw two deer – one a pretty good size buck. Watched the OSU vs MICH. game. OSU was barely victorious. The campground was packed. Numerous families with tons of young kids. Also, a big group of cub scouts. Everyone was having a blast. Lots of campfires too.

Sunday, November 22 – Burrrr......44* this morning when I got up. What's with this cold stuff???? Travel day today. We are headed back toward Houston for Thanksgiving at Carrie's house. That %&X$! city of Dallas still screwed me up. That town just isn't fit to drive a big MH through. In the future, I'll drive the outer loop!!!

Arrived in Livingston about 1:30. A five hour drive... We're in site 140.

Monday, November 23 – Marsha had a doctor appointment this morning. New doctor in Northern Houston for her Arthritis and Osteoporosis. She really liked the doctor and was happy to be able to see one doctor for both problems.

The highlight of the afternoon was getting our mail. Our new Texan stuff was here....license, bank stuff, and a ton of other mailings. Unfortunately, Marsha's license was screwed up and she had to get her picture retaken. Another bureaucratic delay!

Y’all have a great Thanksgiving, and y’all come back now…..ya hear!