Tuesday Morning

We got up about 7:45 and got into departure mode. Of course, there were three more cartons to get out to the rig overflowing with stuff we certainly cannot live without. I thought I'd take a break and have a cup of tea and update the blog. I need to shower and dress. I didn't sleep well last night. One, it was too hot and humid since we decided not to cool of the house for only a day or so and two, I kept remembering things I needed to do. I am looking forward to the day that I don't have to load and unload stuff and I can keep it in the rig. Ah, well. My hip and knees are complaining quite loudly and I find myself groaning with each step. I hate to say this but I am looking forward to getting this bad hip replaced just so I can walk without pain. I favor the bad right hip which throws my gait out of wack and results in continuous knee pain.

I'll post more when we get out on the road. Paul and Grandpa are at the bank and will be back before noon and then it's "On the road again..."

dennise

Memorial Day 2006

Well, folks say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. In my previous post (a week ago, for heaven's sake) I promised to post every day until our departure for places east. Foolish reader. You actually take me at my word?

Its about 9 pm and my tushie is a draggin'. I have been loading up the rig for our 6 week road trip out to the east coast, back to the midwest for some motorhome rallies and then up to the Muskegon Michigan Elks Lodge campground on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan. We had a great visit with my sister Kathy who came down from the Chicago area. She helped Mom plant a new perrenial garden in her backyard. Paul cooked the ribs Mom supplied and we dined like true American piggies. Of course, both Mom and I think people are starving so we cook for an army. We packed up the leftovers to feast upon as we meander down the road on Tuesday.

We will head out late tomorrow morning as Grandpa has some banking stuff to deal with, and then we will try to make tracks to at least eastern Ohio by Tuesday night. We'll probably boondock for the night off the highway (think WalMart). We have reservations at Rocky Gap State Park about 10 minutes outside of Cumberland Md for Wednesday. We will visit with Jan for about 6 days or so and then off to Bean town.

I am begining to have second thoughts about leaving my house in the hands of my son. Nagging little doubts. Will he remember to stay in the bathroom to make sure the toilet flushed properly? (Our toilets have plastic innards and sometimes the freaking lever catches and the toilet just runs and runs). Will he remember to turn the water off after he waters my tomatoes and flowers I spent blood, sweat, tears and lots of money on? Will he turn off the stove after he makes some ugly Zack concoction for dinner? Will he remember to take out the trash before the neighborhood mice decide that the Ziaja's are hosting an open house and an open invitation to move in? Terrible thoughts keep running thru my tired little brain. Well, the only thing that consoles me is that one, the furkids will be with us so they won't starve or die of thirst and two, I have homeowners insurance. I keep telling myself that he is almost 21 years old, and should be responsible by now. My mothers intuition is telling me otherwise. I just have to trust him. Oh. My. God. 'Nuff said.

Well, I have about ten million things to get accomplished before I can take a shower and hit the bed. I will try to update this whenever I can get a wifi connection. Hopefully, most of the McDonald's across the country should have SBC wifi which I subscribe to so I can get online more often.

hugs

dennise

In the words of Frank Barone, "holy crap", its been months since I have updated this blog. Some writer I am for cripes sake.

It's Monday morning and I am sitting in my trusty blue recliner. I am recovering from our first rally for the Cenois prairielanders. Paul and I, and Gay and Bud Leezer were hosts. We went to New Salem Campground adjacent to Lincoln's New Salem Historical Village in Petersburg. Nice place, very woodsy and large spots. We brought the rig out early Wednesday so we could get near the pavallion for the group. Upon leaving, I was starting down the stairs of the motorhome, and my shoe caught the top step's carpet and down the stairwell I went. Slammed into the door which thankfully was shut, or I would have landed out on the pavement. I am lucky I didn't break my tush. Jammed my right shoulder AGAIN and pulled a muscle in my neck. By Thursday I couldn't move my head. Sigh. It just never ends.

We had a great weekend and it was great to see everyone and catch up on what had happened since we all met last December. We had a breakfast potluck and feasted on yummy casseroles, fruit and coffecakes. We normally do the potluck on Saturday evening, but we decided to do a traditional All American BBQ with hotdogs, hamburgers and all the goodies that go along with it. It was followed up with a beautifully decorated Anniversary cake that we had specially made for the Cenois Prairielanders. It was decorated in red, white and blue and had a wonderful motorhome across the top of the cake. It was delicious. (I had a very very small slice and only had the diabetic shakes for about 45 minutes later that night, LOL!)

We are getting the rig ready for our trip east to Cumberland Maryland and Boston, Mass.

I promise to update daily with our preparations and tales of adventure.

hugs,

dennise