Love family; HATE Vegas

Have I ever told you all how I feel about Las Vegas? Likely I have so you may feel free to tune out now and back in later.   ;-)

I'm a Christain, albeit a very theologically uneducated one, so I think of Sodom and Gomorra when in Las Vegas. Driving into town on a Saturday early evening was an experience in itself as we were exhausted from three days on the road. We found the motel easily enough with the assistance of Peaches, our GPS unit, and the fact that we're staying at the Stratosphere Tower which literally towers over every other structure on the strip. We found a parking space on the 7th floor of the parking garage and fought our bags down the elevator, from one end of the casino floor to the other for check in, and back up to the 7th floor to our room. In this happy jaunt we were approached, or accosted, no less than three times by vendors attempting to suck us in to what they were offering. The gentleman at the check in desk and one of the vendors on the casino floor pointed us to the "nearest" elevator to our room which turned out to be the furthest elevator to our room. After we finally dropped our bags and located the "nearest" elevator to our room we headed back to the casino floor to find a bite to eat before sleep. I was so disappointed to find that the buffet here was twice as expensive as the buffet at the Terribles casino in Iowa where we stopped enroute, but we weren't willing to keep walking and take another option at the end of the day.

When I walk through a casino I feel depressed and out of sorts. While living in Southern California I worked in a casino for six months. I worked in the check cashing center and was front row to the desperate damage gambling can inflict on people's lives. I've seen businessmen throw every credit card they have on the counter searching for that last $50 cash to throw away in a slot machine. I've talked to the school teaching single mom who decided that moving another 25 miles from the casino would be the only thing that would keep her out of it and maintain a portion of her retirement account. I've seen people throw a temper tantrum because the ATM machines and the check cashing center refuse to give them cash from their government assistance (food stamp) cards. I've seen people return to the check cashing center regularly on a 36 to 48 hour gambling vigil with no sleep.   

I see that when I come here. I see the billboards for topless shows about female vampires and the families dragging small children through the casino where they are exposed to whatever might cross their path. I see people living the phrase "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"..... but I know it doesn't. You can't hide from the Lord and you will end up before him accounting for your choices some day. 

Enough preaching. I've made many, many bad decisions in my life. I've done things that would make most people blush or weep. I thank the Lord every day that he brought Bubba & I together and that I finally found my faith and the joy it brings to my life. I pray for those who have not yet discovered the joy that following Jesus brings. I pray for those who have not discovered the strength to make better decisions. 

Later today we go to Richard's house in North Las Vegas. I'm so anxious to meet him! Its so exciting to have a new family member after 9 years of not knowing any of Bubba's family. As best they remember they last saw one another in 1985 when Richard came home from Germany and his tour of duty there. They're brothers but barely know one another. It should be wonderful experiencing their reconnection. Bubba and I believe this is the Lord's plan; that we should come here and reunite part of his family. 

If all goes well we will spend more time with Richard tomorrow and hit the road again Tuesday morning. Will try to keep you all posted as to where we are and what we're up to. I should have a picture or two to share with you my morning. 

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

PRAY OFTEN

LIVE WELL

LAUGH OFTEN

LOVE MUCH 

Are we there yet?

I'm so tired! Who would have thought that two days on the road would poop me out so quickly. We're driving a rental car to Vegas to visit Bubba's Brother, Richard. We left home Thursday morning and spent Thursday night in Wichita. We left Wichita this morning and tonight we're in Albuquerque. We didn't bring the dog or the 5th wheel, planning to make the trip in just over a week. Mom & Dad graciously accepted baby sitting duties with mijo and we left keys for everything else just in case they need. 

First it rained and then it rained and later it rained some more. The last few hours were nothing more than sprinkles, thankfully, so the stress let up a bit.

We've enjoyed some great restaurants photo ops. Today we even stopped in Groom, Texas at the enormous cross and bronze stations. What an overwhelmingly BEAUTIFUL place. I was brought to tears through so much of it. When we pulled in it was raining and there were rain clowds in every direction. It stopped raining when we stepped out of the car and by the time I got to the cross for photo the sky opened up and the sun shone only on the cross; it was still rainy in every direction. To say I was overwheled with emotion would be a horrific understatement.

Well, Bubba is already in bed and I think I'll be jumping in soon. I'm exhausted, as much from driving in the rain as anything else.

I thank you all so much for your prayers today. I know that the love of good friends, family and our Lord is what pulled us through another glorious and emotional day.

More later .........

Yarn stores full for the trip

When I look at the cabinets I filled with yarn I am amazed at how little of the yarn, cotton and thread I purchased new. I would bet only 15% of the cache you see came from the store. And, this collection doesn't include the two steamer trunks full of machine yarn and crafting supplies I put in storage!

Between the generosity of Mom, the folks at church and my finds at estate auctions, I am pretty much set for crochet materials for a long time. I will still look at every second hand store and flea market, to keep my cabinet stocked, but won't have any serious need or room to store it until I get busy.

Mijo has decided, since we removed the sofa from the 5th wheel, that he needs to hang out behind Bubba's recliner. I don't like this much for a couple reasons and do need that area to store a couple little things so we decided to offer him a more typical solution ........ a crate. He had never experienced one before but seems to have taken to it real well. He likes to be out of the line of traffic, be able to keep us in sight and to be covered to some degree. Today I even through a blanket over him in the crate because its cool and rainy and he was shivering.



More later ........

PRAY OFTEN
LIVE WELL
LAUGH OFTEN
LOVE MUCH

Three dry weeks then 3 posts in one day!

Just wanted to show you my summer projects. In between the dozens of things that have kept us on the go since spring, I've been stocking my bins of completed crochet projects. I used to be the hat lady but have found that, since I've finally found the patience to read patterns, I can make doilies and garments. ITS SO COOL! hee hee hee

Me thinks thou dost protest too much ......

For the last three months I've been heard expressing my disdain for gardening. Its too hot, there are too many bugs, I hate to bend over ...... yadda, yadda, yadda ...... canning is hot, messy work ...... on and on.

So, this week I've been witnessed, on several occasions, harvesting said vegetables from Dad's garden. I've brought up cherry tomatoes, scalloped squash, zucchini and onions. I've experimented with several different combinations of ingredients and served several pans full of fresh veggie stir fry. I do my best not to overcook it but don't always succeed. I'm of the opinion that nearly everyone overcooks veggies. They lose color, texture and taste the longer you cook them. When it comes to the little cherry tomatoes I don't even cook them at all. I wait till I've shut off the gas burner and stir them in right before I serve the dish. Its amazing how far they go, some shedding their skin even, without spending any time over a burner.

I deduce I was inspired to try dishes with scalloped squash after Dad served us a "comfort food" that he made for us as kids. Dad fried bacon ends, added chopped onions and scalloped squash, cooked it till the squash became opaque and then poured beaten eggs over the mixture and made a big scramble. The taste is unique and AWESOME!

I've attempted my own lazy style of food preservation. We'll see how well it works. I don't foresee having the ambition or necessary commitment to learn the fine art of canning but I have been known to buy freezer bags in bulk. I've frozen chopped carrots with great success, rhubarb with limited success and have now attempted onions and cherry tomatoes. Later today I might throw some scalloped squash in the freezer for future experimentation. ;-)

This week Bubba and I experienced estate auctions for the first time, with Mom & Dad. We watched and learned and came home with several little treasures for VERY little money. We've decided this will be the method of furnishing our next home and we are really looking forward to it. It looks to be the perfect place to find some items to resell too and I look forward to doing that after we settle.

Today Dad & Bubba are headed off to an antique tractor event. I'm planning to help Mom with her latest Nestle sewing order this afternoon and finish digging through our little treasures from the auctions.

To illustrate how well the last auction went for us; Dad bought a big entertainment center with a 27 inch Sylvania TV and VCR for $20 ...... total. The TV & VCR are like new. I ended up with three big baskets full of yarn for under $10 and a pile of towels, place mats and three down filled pillows for a buck. I sort through the piles of bedding and such and will be taking a load to Good Will before we leave. We have to practice living with just what we need and use to retain that good feeling even after we move out of the RV.

I better get busy. I still need to run through the shower and get next door to cut with Mom. Deb is coming down this weekend and I look forward to spending a little time with her again too. She's bringing Jon with her; he flew home for a quick visit and will be driving his car back to Ft. Bragg. Before she heads home to Minnesota we plan to sit down with Mom and go through her cedar chest. It should be fun! One of the legs on the chest needs fixed and we need to move it so we plan to empty it first.

There I go again...........

More later

PRAY OFTEN
LIVE WELL
LAUGH OFTEN
LOVE MUCH

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

Can you believe how long its been since I've posted again?? Good grief Charlie Brown; how could this be? I've noticed that when we're in Iowa I seldom blog because I'm buried in other projects and when we're away I blog consistently because it becomes part of my routine.

Anywho ............ since I last posted we thoroughly enjoyed the Galen & Erma Smith family reunion in Clarksville. At one point, outside the clubhouse at the park, there were more adults in the frisbee circle than kids.

We spent 5 days in Amana, cutting our commute to the VA from 2 1/2 hours one way to 30 minutes. We shopped the awesome shops and meat market and laughed through CLUE, the musical at the Old Creamery Theater. Dad cooked some awesome brats over a real wood fire while Bubba and I enjoyed the first full hook up RV Park with amenities this summer.

This week it prep time for my sister & brother in law's move to Minnesota. Mom & I spent the last two days with Deb, cleaning out the attic and hauling things to storage. We'll be back later and picking up the U-Haul Monday. We'll all be heading North either Tuesday or Wednesday to Emily.
Bubba's all excited today. We're picking up his truck at the shop. He's felt so lost without it the past couple days. Among other maintenance and prep work he had an air ride system installed. We put an air ride type hitch pin on the trailer too so our voyage down the interstates and back roads of America ought to be very comfortable now. We discovered as we toured the highways of Iowa this summer that our heavy duty, no frills truck pulling the 5th wheel offered a very choppy and jerky ride.

We think we're still on target to pull out of Iowa by the first or second week of September. We will make a trip to Vegas first, in the car, to reunite with Bubba's brother and walk down memory lane with some of the pieces their father passed on to the boys. I'm a bit anxious and very excited about meeting a member of his family for the very first time. It should be absolutely grand!

When we head out we will be heading South first. We want to spend a month or so in Arkansas at Rene and Cecilia's park; the same place we spent last winter. We plan to go East to visit Sheila & Ed in North Carolina, then make our way back West, pausing occasionally along the way, and stopping in Central Texas. We're interested in Central Texas as a home and want to spend enough time there to really check it out. By then we'll know if we're ready to continue on to the West coast or if we're ready to put down roots and get busy with our hobby goods business. I look forward to telling you all about what the Bubba's Girl Born Again Boutique will offer. ;-) (You have to have a goal)

Now I feel as if I've vented pretty well and need to move on to the projects of the day. Not sure what all it will entail but believe it will again be busy. Mom's room rearranging projects haven't been completed yet and a couple loads of Goodwill stuff is still hanging out in the garage so I'm sure I'll be busy.

More later .......

PRAY OFTEN
LIVE WELL
LAUGH OFTEN
LOVE MUCH