Mother Nature----I Want To Go Camping!!

Mother Nature is not having a good year.  She is suffering from memory loss judging from the weather we have been having.  Doesn't she remember that this time of year we are supposed to be in the 60's?  Doesn't she know that in order for April showers to bring May flowers, there have to be a few days of warmth and sunshine?

I know, I know, in another few months we will be complaining about the heat and humidity. But even 50 can feel comfortable if there is no rain or wind to go with it.

I am comfortable at 80-85 degrees.  Any cooler and I freeze my patootie off.  Any warmer and my hot flashes and night sweats have competition.

I would be happy with days in the  80's and nights in the mid 50's, as long as I have my hubby to snuggle up to.

We want to go camping but it's just too darn cold.  Want to go this weekend but if it's going to be under 60 and raining, it won't be worth it since we have a lot of work to clean up our lot from the winter mess that good ol' Mom Nature left us.  I am planning on taking 2 days off next week, hoping that we can get the floor in our camper replaced and put the kitchen benches and table back in place.  I really would like to get all that heavy maintenance type work done early so we can just relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of sitting outside having our coffee, sitting around the campfire, and not sweating and busting our butts doing work all weekend.  After the major stuff is done we just have to worry about watering the flowers that I plan on getting planted in my containers, and maybe sweeping the sand off our plastic grass that never needs cutting.

Once the camper is re-positioned on the other side of the trees, we will have more room on the door side so we can move the table away from the camper and sit on BOTH sides of it!

I already know we have a potential leak in the cap over the vent in the kitchen area, since a friend stopped in to check on things and told me that the floor under that and the table appeared to have gotten wet.

I can't really complain, we got the trailer at a really good price and it has served us well over the last 2 years.  We bought if from another friend at camp who had it for several years.  She took very good care of it, kept it clean and in great condition.  Many of the issues are because it is so old, 1985 I believe.  This will be our 3rd year with it and we will probably be putting a little more $$$ in it in the way of new floor base, fancy-schmancy stick on linoleum tiles, and hopefully new mini-blinds and curtains.

I can't begin to tell you  how I look forward to leaving the office on Friday afternoon, getting home and changing to comfortable clothes.  I know that my hubby will have everything packed and ready to go when I get home.  Usually just have to stop for gas and maybe something for dinner (usually sliders LOL).

From that point on until we get home Sunday night, all stress, tension, and drama are non-existent.

It's HAPPY CAMP time!!

Our Annual Christmas Letter

Greetings to one and all,

We thought about sending out Christmas cards this year, but changed our minds. Then we thought about sending out a “newsletter” such as the ones we get from friends. You know the kind, they tell all about their year, the accomplishments of their kids, and the exciting things that happened to them throughout the year. We decided against that; all the kids are grown and on their own, we don’t go anywhere, and we don’t do much, so our letter would be so boring.

Ok, so maybe there are a few little tidbits to share.

Our main source of entertainment is our cat, Missy Dawg, or as she is affectionately known by some as “Fat Cat”. She is our alarm clock, our bed time nagger, and our watch cat. She lets us know when it is time to go to bed, such as when it is 9:00, regardless of the day of the week, by head butting our arm or whining in our face wherever we are. In the morning, she lets us know it is 5 am by being a plain pest and hitting one of us on the head with her paw until we get up. Then she goes to the alarm clock and hits it the way she sees us hit it to turn the snooze on. Only she manages to turn the sleep timer on and blare the radio. So we HAVE to react! Then she takes her place in the kitchen waiting for her treats and making sure her bowls are filled for the day. She greets us in the evening by waiting by the front door and making sure we follow her to the kitchen to give her the evening treats. And we never have to worry about squirrels or rabbits getting in; she makes sure we know they are out there. What would we do without her?

Tina and Rich are doing well in Alaska, getting settled in their new home. The twins, Kelby and Colby, were a year old in October and are growing faster than weeds. The Internet and Facebook have allowed us to see them grow from day one, their mom is very good about posting pictures. This past summer they went camping and just loved the experience!

Russ and Dee and the kids are now in a bigger place so the kids can have separate rooms and more play area outside. Sounds like a nice place and the best thing about it is they didn’t have to change schools. Jennifer is a sophomore in high school and already planning her college education. Cheyenne is in 8^th grade, doing very well and anticipating high school with her older sister. Lisa is in 2^nd grade and is smart as a whip; and Russell is in Kindergarten, and is a typical little boy. You have to remember he is up against three older sisters! All the kids do very well in school, all A’s and B’s.

Brian started working with a new company this year. He travels to several states in the country, some of which are Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, to name a few. His company has accounts nationwide and he covers the Midwest, but seems like he goes more than just the Midwest states, but he enjoys it.

He just moved into his own place, a condo in Yorkville. He is still furnishing it but with as much time as he is away from home, he really doesn’t need much! We gave him one of the extra Christmas trees we had, and his box of ornaments that his grandmothers have been buying for him since he was a baby, along with other ornaments and lights so he can decorate his new place. He still comes by to visit, eat, and play World of Warcraft with us. We still don’t see wedding bells in his future but that’s ok. He is enjoying his life as it is.

We both play World of Warcraft and have a lot of fun doing it. It’s cheap entertainment and at least keeps our minds active! In the summer we go camping, and just won a year’s membership to the campground we go to, along with a lot. So we don’t have to worry about where we will pitch our tent, we will have our own “place”. The campground had a few members that just abandoned their lots and trailers, and the campground took possession and will be selling them in March. We were told there are a few travel trailers that would be just perfect for the two of us that are very affordable. So we are hoping to find one and have a permanent setup as opposed to pitching a tent every time we go there. So if you are trying to find us when the weather gets warm, that’s where we will be. We can always be reached on our cell phones, if we have them “on” us. ;)

So here’s to you, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay warm and safe, and for goodness’ sake, leave Santa some cookies and eggnog!

Love,

Russ & Karen

And Fat Cat.