I must explain

The other night I dropped a line on Face Book which, in retrospect, was very snippy and judgemental. I struggle with that ocassionaly and needed to clarify this one. I feel the need to apologize to anyone I may have offended. 

The difference between RVers and Campers was my spout and I figured out why I see such a difference. 

RVers, on the whole, are people who travel and live in their RV, either by choice or for work. We do see all age groups and many walks of life in this group of RVers we've become so familiar with. For the past four years we've considered ourselves RVers. You will find RVers primarily in parks which offer full hook ups and monthly rates. 

Campers are people who choose to spend their free time or vacation time at a park or campground. They have limited time available to enjoy all that nature, their family and friends and all that the park have to offer. They schedule the camping on weekends and time off, often during their limited vacation days.

Basically we've concluded this; RVing is a lifestyle and Camping is recreation. When full time RVers experience large groups of campers enjoying the park, its akin to your family enjoying a quiet evening at home while the neighbors host a big party in your yard. 

More later ....

PRAY OFTEN

LIVE WELL

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LOVE MUCH

Missing pic

I'm so disappointed. I can't see the picture of Michelle that I posted next to mine

Another 2 post day

My beautiful cousin Michelle. Think there is a slight family resemblence?

Joel inspired me today

For quite a long time I made the time each week to listen to Pastor Joel Osteen's message. He is very inspiring and assuring about our lives as God's children and how blessed we are. For a while now I've not taken the time to hear Joel as I felt he got just a bit repetative and not very spiritual. I respect him a great deal but feel he's become an extremely commercial cheer leader.

Today, instead of deleting it automatically, I chose to read his daily devotional and was again inspired. This lesson is one that is most difficult for me, and possibly for many people I know. The moment I read it, however, I wanted to share it with you. So here is my post for today:    Pastor Joel Osteen

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Did you know that when you allow someone else’s words or actions to upset you, you’re allowing them to control you? When you say, “You make me so mad,” you’re really just admitting that their actions have power over you. As long as that person knows they can push your buttons, as long as you keep responding the same way, you are giving them exactly what they want. Sure, people have a right to say and do things that are upsetting, but we also have a right to not get offended. We have a right to overlook their actions. 

In fact, the Bible says that it’s an honor for a man keep “aloof” from strife. In other words, we have to remove ourselves, either physically or emotionally, from strife and offense. It’s not easy, but we can choose to let it roll off of us like water off a duck’s back!

Remember, you don’t need everyone to agree with you all the time. You don’t have to have the approval of others in order to be approved by God. You’re job is to be the person God made you to be, so overlook offenses and strife so you can live in peace and victory all the days of your life!

More later .......

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LAUGH OFTEN

LOVE MUCH 

Another new Texas experience

The store slogan is nearly an understatement, as we experienced it today. We've seen the local TV adds for the HEB grocery stores. They tell of the local producers and the private ownership but they don't quite encompass their scope in one little TV spot.

We only needed a few things and I was curious today so we went in to have a look around. We found the largest sellection of nearly any food or drink item you can imagine. Their fresh produce section was the largest I have ever seen. Their fresh sea food section was absolutely amazing. We even got a little education about the store from the young man working the sea food counter. He grew up in Minnesota... ha ha He told us of the entire fleet of shrimp boats owned by HEB and another fleet owned by someone else but who sell 100% of their catch to HEB.

We saw so many items on the shelves that we've only before seen in specialty shops and touristy orchard stores. It was awesome. They also offer kitchen wears, children's things, office supplies, big smoker grillers, garden things, a complete bakery, a deli and they sell fuel as well. I didn't notice the fuel station until we were on our way out and they are a full 10 cents per gallon lower than every other station in town on diesel! Their grocery prices were a bit lower than Wal Mart as well.

We're hooked. 

More later .......

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LOVE MUCH 

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th...  Deb & I were just chatting on Face Book yesterday morning and declaring that we were going to have a happy, lucky Friday the 13th. After our chat we went on our merry little way and made the mistake of leaving home. ha ha ha

Actually it all turned out just fine, but it was a bit adrenaline filled for a while. 

We went first for a second look at a trailer we had found in the local swap sheet and confirmed that we found a good deal on a trailer that will serve us multiple purposes and will hold up for years to come. We had intended to purchase a cargo trailer. We want a trailer to retrieve our belongings from Iowa and one that we can use to haul treasures from flee markets and thrift stores and one that we can use to move just about anything anywhere. Well, moving onto an acreage where we intend to raise animals, we had not really figured in the need to move animals.  When calling on one trailer in the swap sheet we stumbled accross a stock trailer on the same property. This stock trailer is 16', has tandem axles, is made of thick welded and riveted aluminum construction and has very narrow side air channels that could be covered to use the trailer for cargo.  After looking at it once we came home and did some research on line. We confirmed that he was offering a very good deal on a very solid trailer and so we went back yesterday and made arrangements to buy it. I forgot to get out the camera for it but this is what it looks like:

She's a beauty and I'm sure she will serve us well for many years.

After we made our deal we were headed back through town and planning to stop at the big Goodwill stoor to see their furniture. Proceeding down a one way street which is one of the major streets cross town we encountered a 24' white straight truck that felt the need to come into our lane before we felt the need to leave it. They collided with us on the passenger side just behind the cab. As accidents go we came out with the least amount of damage expected. We were blessed that we happen to be driving a heavy duty truck with a solid flat bed. The driver's side front corner of their truck cab was torn up pretty well. Their entire headlight housing was torn off and hanging by the headlight wires. You can see where they made contact with our flat bed and they broke off a portion of the 2x4 post on our side pannel. The major damage was that they pushed the undermounted toolbox back into the tire. We were also blessed that the toolbox was not completely attached to the flatbed, simply hanging in a frame that was easily cut away, removing the entire twisted toolbox and relieving the pressure on the tire. 

We got to meet two of San Angelo's finest law officers to make our accident report and to make arrangements for repair. We got to chat with a tow truck driver on the way to the welding shop and experience yet another Christian who is excited to invite you to their church. We confirmed that our roadside assistance policy is as good as professed and quick at their response. And, we got to meet a local welder who keeps a little shop in town and does quick work at a fair price.  Our truck looks a bit naked now, missing a tool box on one side, but we haven't found any other damage. 

The irony of it all is that the truck that ran into us and the driver that was ticketed for the accident were from Minnesota. The poor man felt so bad about it and I felt bad for him. I don't know how much driving his job entails, but that accident will likely affect his employment. I did learn one important lesson: if you exchange information before the motor officer arrives, the situation becomes a civil matter and there will be no police report. The first officer on the scene, who came just to block traffic but not to make a report, informed us of this as we were exchanging information.   ;-)  We quickly handed back the papers and walked back to our own vehicles before the reporting office arrived. It was all very fortunate and handled very well, I thought. 

More later ...............

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LOVE MUCH

beauty

Even on an overcast day, the Great Blue Heron is a sight to behold.

Ah, the adventures of photography. You take your time; you don't approach too quickly.

You spot the ellusive animal and try not to scare them away.

Catching them in their natural habitat is fun; watching them do what they do.

The last two were really a challenge!   ;-)

The first, I believe, is a great blue heron. For as long as I can remember Dad has called them a cream shi**er  or a mile 'r more bird. Every time they talk off and fly they leave a white trail accross the water.

This second one was a curiosity for some time. At first we ony saw them from a distance and we didn't see their tail. The first were nearly always sitting hunched and looked a lot stockier than they really are. I think they were adults and this one may be young. There are now at least three young ones on the bank right accross from our space. They're black on top, dark brown on the belly and they have a fluffy tail. The tail isn't as fluffy as a squirrel, but close. 

They live on the shore line and run to the water when scared.

I finally had to concede and admit that Bubba was right ........... 

Its a mink!

These last two wild animals I think you're familiar with.

The little white one seems to be able to sleep anywhere; preferably in Dad's chair when Dad wants it and sometimes even in his own bed!

This last one has been seen, nearly on a daily basis, along the shore line. Today I even witnessed him setting foot in the water;

to assist a family pushing their pontoon. 

His skin is a bit darker than is typical and his legs have been exposed quite often lately as well. If you look closely I think you too will recognize this critter.

More later ........

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LOVE MUCH

Its SSSOOOOOOOOOOOO cute

Now that our mortgage has been approved I feel a bit more confident sharing some information about the property we're buying. We're really excited about the place and spend hours and hours dreaming of how life will be. 

The sweet little white house you see above sits on 8.48 acres. The yard is fenced for Mijo and the acreage is fenced for small animals. There is one real solid metal building, a big chicken coop and several open stalls for goats or sheep. 

We plan to do a bit of work on the house to transform it from a 3 bed, 3 bath to a 2 bed, 2 bath with a big mud room and a workshop room. 

We're scheduled to close on or before March 29th. Once we close I'll start taking lots of pictures and try to keep everyone posted with our before and after shots. 

More later .............

PRAY OFTEN

LIVE WELL

LAUGH OFTEN

LOVE MUCH