CHEF WANTED ... FULL TIME POSITION!

Lucky for me waxing the roof didn't turn out like my jello.  I'm making T-Shirts.  The first will say CHEF WANTED.  You don't even have to be a professional, just cook so I don't have to.  Since I planned on a long day of football, I figured I would make that jello-cream cheese dessert.

Simple, right?  Two cups boiling water with a package of jello.  Stir.  Add one cup water and put in the fridge to set.  In my defense, I was distracted by the thought of getting back up on the RV roof.  I forgot the cup of water.

I realized my mistake too late, but thought what the heck, lets add just a bit of water and see what happens.  When the beaters hit the jello/water mixture, it threw jello everywhere, but eventually mixed up rather nicely considering it was like oil and water.  How lucky, I thought as I beat up the second set of ingredients.

That didn't work quite as well when I blended them together, but the end result was not bad.  I spent the next HOUR cleaning up bits of jello and cream from the tops of my cupboards.

Truly, I require a chef.  Next up, I saw on Facebook that this was the best dip in the entire world.  Her family LOVED it!!  I cut the recipe in half using half a can of chili and half a bar of cream cheese.  Melt on the stove with a cup of cheddar cheese.  

At least I didn't burn anything, but this was one of the worst dips I've ever made.  I forced myself to eat what looked like ...... well you can see what it looked like.  I really try not to be wasteful, but most of this ended up in the cemetery out back.  Even the coyotes won't eat THIS!!

Okay ... my LAST try at cooking something edible for the football games, which by now have the Titans losing to Kansas City.  I'm happy, because it's been 50 years since Kansas City made it to the Super Bowl.  

Since I had all those s'mores ingredients leftover from the rally, I figured they would be easy to fix, something I could not mess up.  Sure enough, they came out wonderful, but lack the flavor I remember as a kid.  Maybe it's the marshmallows baked in the oven.  The chocolate didn't even taste right, let alone the graham crackers.  I think that bean dip screwed up my taste buds!!

My second T-Shirt will say I SURVIVED THE ROOF -- TWICE!!  During the commercials, I set up for the second climb to Mount Everest since the wind died down considerably.  Here's why I wax the roof.  It's white and oxidizes something terrible in the sun.  Moisture collects on the top from early morning coolness and drips white gunk down the sides.  

Most of the top section of my rig is painted black, making it show up even more.  This is minimal compared to what it normally looks like.  I call them tiger stripes.  This is only two days after having it washed by the crew.  It gets MUCH worse, completely covering entire sections of the sides.

During a break in football action, I again scaled the mountaintop with my mop to put on a second coat.  Most all of those uneven sections dried and I used much less on the second coat.  I'm happy with the results, hoping it lasts for awhile.  I gather I'll have to do this at least every six months.  In the meantime, I'm trying to get a cover built to park under.

I finished watching the play-off games .... boy were they great .... with the 49ers winning.  It will be a great Super Bowl in a couple of weeks.  That should give me time to come up with something edible for game watching.  

When This Old World Starts To Getting Me Down .....

Now there's a ditty that will stick with you for a time.  It was running through my head as I prepared to go UP ON THE ROOF.  I know everyone says not to do that, but there's no one else around.  When I get too old, my plan is to build a scaffolding next to the rig where I can just walk across.  Until then, I'm left to my own devices.

First off, I needed Mop n Glo.  Things didn't quite work out as planned.  The bottle is very large, heavy and roundish, making it difficult to hang on to.  OH MY GOSH!!  Wasn't I embarrassed when it slipped from my hand on to the checkout floor.  The top broke like a dam, with wax going everywhere.  I SWEAR, that has never happened to me before!!

I apologized several times as the sweetheart of a checkout girl ran and got another bottle.  I offered to pay for both, but she refused.  In the back of my head, I was hoping this wasn't a sign of things to come.  I made sure my will was intact, just in case I fell off the roof.

Once home, I began to set up.  There was lots of loose gravel, so I placed these two boards down to set the ladder on.  See?  I'm as safe as I can be.  Dan's ladder was tall enough (just barely) so I could reach the RV ladder and skinny up, landing on my knees.  I had already thrown the mop up top.  Honestly, going UP is the easy part.  It's getting back DOWN that's dicey!

Nice view!!!  I started at the front and began mopping, or rather spreading the stuff around.  It seemed to be working pretty well.  I should have taken a rag with me, but I wasn't going down to get one.  Man that's a big roof!  It must be close to 2,000 square feet!  In no time my back was screaming.  No wonder we don't wax our floors any more.

Probably not the best of jobs, but I smoothed it out as much as I could with a $9.00 sponge mop.  I'm thinking if I took the mop head off and did it by hand, it might be better.  I remembered to take one picture, but not until I was back OFF the RV ladder.  It's still drying here, but I think will require one more coat.  Yeah, I'll be back up on the ladder today.  Don't tell anyone!!

In the afternoon, I contemplated all this fabric that needs to be organized and put away, but got absolutely nothing done in that respect.  Instead, I played Susie Homemaker and ran the vacuum around, picking up all the dead scorpions and wasps I could find.  Honestly, I'd rather be up on the roof!!

After another wonderful taco soup dinner at the Chance house, this is what we all looked by 8:00.  

It's usually breezy here in the mornings, so as soon as the wind dies down, I'll be back up for the second coat of wax.  That should do it for this round.  

Our little coyote friend came back last night, yipping for Cooper to come out and play.  I don't know what Cooper said in return, but he marked his territory about 89 times before we went to bed.  I'm guessing it was not "let's be friends and go to the dog park"!!

It Could Have Been Worse

Sadly, as I perused the outside of my rig while getting ready to leave Yuma, I saw the infamous tiger strips trickling down the sides from condensation.  Gee ... it wasn't even clean ONE DAY!  At least it's an easy fix at this point.  It could have been worse.

Our timing was perfect ... as I was leaving the park, Ray and Cindy were coming in.  We held up traffic while saying our goodbyes and I drove off into the hazy Arizona skies.

My first encounter was this guy.  His sign says he's going to Texas.  That's a long ride on a bike.  It also says he's hungry, but I was going uphill at a good clip.  There was just no way I could toss him that leftover Panda Express.  Can you just imagine?  It's pretty cold in the desert at night

This was as spectacular as the scenery got.  I wondered about the bicycle guy going downhill here.

The canyons in this area are beautiful.  It would be fun to do some hiking.

Soon I ran into this pair.  Yup ... there are TWO people on that bike.  I can certainly see doing this on the Oregon Coast, but across Highway 8's desolate road?  No way.  It took me five hours and that was WAY too long!!

They are still working on the highway all the way to Gila Bend.  At least it was a nice distraction.  It certainly could have been worse ... I could be sitting on that bicycle!!!

Once home, I unhooked the Jeep and backed the long way into my driveway.  What a surprise!!  Mr. Chance had left some old wood for me to park on.  I added 2 x 12's to one side so I would be level, and hit it right in the middle the first try.  Yahoo!!

Mrs. Chance then invited me to dinner.  Who could say no to Taco Soup?  I unloaded half the freezer, then hotfooted it over for a great meal.  I don't know how she gets so much flavor from chicken and broth.  

I mentioned I was going to find some mop 'n glo today for the rig roof, but didn't think my ladder was tall enough.  Well look right here Patty said ... is that tall enough?  So I stole Dan's ladder, stuffing it into my Jeep.  Shhhh don't tell him!!!  

Once back home, I was serenaded by a lovely coyote soprano.  The puppies were not impressed.  Cooper talked back to him for 30 minutes as it moved closer and closer to the house.  No worries, the puppies were safely inside.  

It must have been roaming around however, because Cooper refused to go to sleep come bedtime.  He kept bothering me until I finally got up.  We sat on the couch for maybe 30 minutes with Coop growling every so often.  I guess the coyote left, because he finally fell asleep, whereupon I promptly went to bed!!  It's nice to have a watch pup in the house!!  It could have been worse, I could be sleeping on the desert floor next to my bicycle!!

Off Into The Wild Blue Yonder ...

I admired my rig for just a few more minutes yesterday before heading out yet again.  Cindy and I had our eyes on the Arizona Marketplace.  For any of you quilters out there, the small fabric shop inside has grown into a HUGE store, perfect for your fabric addiction, or at least mine.

They even have an entire WALL of bolts at $6 a yard.  If you take the balance of the bolt, it's $5.50.  Paradise in my book!!  Cindy is SO good at this.  In no time she had several bolt ends and THIS gorgeous piece of fabric.  I struggled trying to match up one piece.  At long last, I picked up about 8 yards, including the bottom two here.

With my fabric fix quieted down, we walked down one more aisle looking for a new harness for Cooper.  His old one broke yesterday.  I picked one up, discussing what size with the saleslady.  She said large ... I said large ... I purchased it and left.  Good grief .. when I got home, it was a MEDIUM.  

Back to the marketplace I went to exchange it.  Cooper loves the color of this one, but having become enamored with the kids at the dog park, he would rather just run free.  I now have to literally DRAG him home because he wants to live there.

Then it was off to meet some new RV friends.  Elva and I have talked a lot of Facebook and she reads my blog.  That's her husband Jerry in the window taking our picture.  What a great couple.  We sat in the laundromat while Elva did their wash, laughing like we'd known each other all our lives.  I stole this picture from her Facebook page since my selfie didn't turn out near as well.  Thanks Elva!!

Next I made a mad dash to the far end of Yuma looking for a ceramic heater for Jonathan.   It took me several tries switching out holders and light bulbs to determine it was the ceramic bulb itself.  I've never had them quit working.  Back home I installed it in this perfect example of ingenuity (NOT) that keeps him at the required temperature.  He's an exotic bird, requiring specialized equipment.

Dinnertime came quickly, so Cindy, Ray and I stopped in at Panda Express.  Boy do they give you huge portions!!  I have enough left over for two more meals, which is perfect because I'll be back on the road today.  

Here I go, back into the Wild Blue Yonder, hoping all the while it does NOT rain!!

A Washer I Am NOT!

You all know when it comes times to washing the rig, I'm terrible at it.  Almost as bad as my cooking.  I can't reach the top unless I'm on a very tall ladder.  I try not to tempt fate.  That's why I called I & I Mobile to do the job right.

But first, a trip to PetCo to find bird seed.  Jonathan was out completely.  The puppies chicken wasn't going to hack it.  You'll be proud to know I didn't stop at ANY other store.  Surprised?  Me too!!

Once back at the park, while waiting for the wash crew, I watched the locals play shuffleboard.  There's so much finesse, I love it.  Then you hear WHACK as someone killed another's puck.  It's all quite sophisticated!  Soon it was time to head back to the rig for the wash crew.

It was a little off-putting when I opened the door to a huge puff of smoke from a cigarette.  No matter though, my baby is finally going to be clean and waxed after two years.  I know, that's WAY too long.

I forgot to ask about waxing the roof, and of course that would take another hour, time which they didn't have.  Oh well, at least it will be clean and I can wax the top myself when I get to Tucson.

The puppies went crazy as the guys hit the roof.  Soap went flying everywhere, causing my newest neighbors to go inside.  Really, the four guys did a very good job of keeping the water contained.

I walked around occasionally just to see how it was going.  Unlike previous companies, they even opened the closed shades and washed behind the ears.  Here she is in all her glory.  Isn't she pretty?  At least for the time being.  I'm just praying for no rain for the next 30 days.

The puppies and I spent the rest of the day snuggling on the couch.  I had received word early in the morning that George Yates had passed away.  It's just so sad that someone with that much laughter to give the world should pass so young.  

So this sunset is in his honor.  He taught me how to barbecue the best chicken ever and gave me several foolproof recipes, not to mention making everyone in his RV world smile.  You will be greatly missed George!!

Avocados From MEXico!!

Don't you just love that little ditty?  Now you'll have it in your head all day long as I did after picking up groceries yesterday.  I've never seen so many avocados in one spot and SO much cheaper than the $5 for two I have to pay in California!!

Our first stop of the day was Mexico, very early in the morning, to pick up meds.  I only have one measly prescription that really doesn't cost much in the U.S.  It's the children's Benadryl I pick up for a song that helps my wallet, along with one Z-pak that I hoard until I'm sick as a dog with a cold/flue/virus.  It's rather a shock when you see the bill for $289.20, until you realize that's pesos.  

This is a terrible picture right into the sun, but is almost the first thing you see.  I went to the Purple Pharmacy while Cindy went to another in town.  This is where we met up before leaving.  Not only was there no line, there was no one in sight except one man who held the door open for us.

I did a bit of running around before magically ending up back at Grandma Jo's.  How did that happen?

I'm drawn to these fabrics like a moth to a flame.  They are certainly much more colorful this year, more akin to the colors of Mexico.

So what do I pick up to finish a quilt?  All these drab brown fabrics!  

When I mentioned how much the Chance family and I loved those Mexican Tacos, Cindy suggested we go to lunch at a place that serves the authentic variety.  I was all over THAT!!  We drove way out into the foothills to find this place on the side of the frontage road.  I've no idea the name, but if you drive East past Fortuna Rd, you will come upon it.  Just look for all the cars.  They were VERY busy!

Give them your order and pay AFTER you eat.  

Oh my goodness!  They were SO delicious and just like in Mexico.  This place even had something like ten toppings you could add on.  I guess I won't be missing those tacos after all.  You can bet I'll be going back there!!  Yes, there's a bite missing.  I couldn't wait!

Once home, I tried to organize the contents of my eight fabric boxes, but finally gave up.  Cooper wanted out, so we went for a short walk to the small dog park.   People here are just SO nice.  Cooper has never been to a doggie park before, mostly because Jessie hates every dog on the planet.  Everyone told me the trick was just to let him off leash immediately.  

I decided to give it a try.  He was pretty tentative at first until he met a new buddy.  They played racehorse and chased each other around for several minutes.  Then he went off to mark 89 spots as his (typical boy dog).  He had so much fun we will definitely do it again!!  Back home, he crashed!

Today is wash the rig day.  I called a local guy who said he would be here around 2:30 to wash and wax my rig for $110.  Wait till he sees it!  I'm hoping he will include waxing the roof, but if not, I'll do it when I get to Tucson.  Has anyone tried floor wax on the roof?  I've heard that's easy and cheap. I certainly need SOMETHING!

In the meantime, I may just sneak off to that taco place again!

Cramming 20 Hours Into 16

I never stopped yesterday.  Those pictures you see where the background is all blurred?  That was me.  I've got friends here I'm determined to see, so I finally made up a calendar.  Surprisingly, it's full!!

It started out with a nice cup of coffee and my babies at 4:00 again.  The time is messing with the three of us a little.  I actually had to wake THEM up!!

Then it was off to the laundry room.  Lucky I got there very early, even after getting lost.  This place is huge with more craft, sewing, pottery, exercise and pool rooms than you can count.  It was sparkling clean, so I threw in my load and set it to GO.  In the meantime, I chatted with the locals.  This is a beautiful upscale park with many owners versus us renters, and unlike some parks, they all engaged me in conversation like I was a family member. 

With the laundry washed, I headed back to hang everything from the rafters to dry.  My washer is giving me an error code.  Another thing to work on.  Then it was off to look at a gorgeous house for sale just down the street from the Warners.  It's a 2 bedroom 2 bath magnificently decorated home for $300,000 with everything included, furniture and all.  I can't tell you how tempted I am!!

Then Cindy and I headed off to the fabric store for a quick look see.  She came up with something immediately because she can pick colors like a pro.  I take an hour or two.  I'll head back later on.  In the meantime, I extended my stay one more day in order to hit the Yuma Marketplace Thursday.

Whew!  I'm getting tired!!  I needed groceries, but it was getting on in the afternoon and I wanted to be sure and visit the Richards suite out at Pilot Knob.  I thought I blew it for two reasons.  I didn't realize it was so far, and when I crossed back into California, I thought I was an hour early.  Come to find out, they stay on Arizona time.

I love these Canadians, traveling with and meeting up with several others along their route.  Higgins, the puppy barely visible under Bob's feet, along with his wife Jo-Anne, Patsy (taking the picture), Bill and I.  I even got to lavish some love on Higgins after he did his tricks for treats!!

Here's Patsy and I.  I think I first met them on her Blog (click here).   It's funny how people can feel like family, even if you don't see them every year.  We discussed some of my RV problems and laughed over our instant pot tragedies.

And that's when Patsy gave me one of her painted rocks.  It's a quilt!  I love it and will keep it on the dash of my rig.

I was supposed to get groceries, but ran out of time.  I just had some of Cooper's food for dinner.  No worries, it's leftover chicken from the rally, along with a little leftover salad.  The thought of two ice cream bars for dinner didn't sound good.   I must be sick!!  I'm headed back to Grandma Jo's today, then off to finish up some paperwork (doggie vaccination proof is required here).

Then there's the rig wash and wax, Algodones, Yuma Marketplace and catching up with more friends.  I'm going to be a busy girl.

Take A Deep Breath!!

You would think there would be a flurry of excitement and craziness trying to get 300 rigs out of our specific parking lot, but by 9:00 am, hardly a sole was moving.  Here's the weird thing ... out of 650 rigs, 450 were volunteers putting this gig on for the 200 newcomers.

By 9:30 I was getting antsy, so my Vice President and I took my lovely golf cart and wandered the rows of rigs looking for trash.  There should have been more carts, but FMCA now requires everyone to be certified in golf cart driving.  It's so difficult you know!!  We pretty much hit the entire fairgrounds landscape and picked up less than half a bag of garbage.

By 10:00 I was back at the rig packing up.  Although my goal is to leave with less junk then when I arrived, this time I failed.  The downside of being President is carrying everything the club requires, like the easy-up, the electric griddle and all those heavy photo books from 30 years ago, not to mention 6 huge tablecloths and all the ice cream paraphernalia.  

Then I had to figure out my exit strategy to keep from hitting one of those steep gutters and wiping out my new windshield.  At long last I was on the road, working myself into a tizzy about whether I had enough fuel or not.  I asked my phone ... how many miles to Yuma.  It told me 253.  I don't know where it thought I was, but when I asked 30 minutes later, it said 148.  I thought I could make 148.

If anyone is traveling 86S or 78E heading to Yuma, you will find a brand spanking new Love's Fuel station in Westmoreland, just north of Brawley.  I pulled right in with a big smile on my face!!  Not cheap by any means, but I didn't care.  I had a big grin again!!

If you've been this way, you know the drive is boring.  Nothing to see but the Salton Sea, so far to the left I couldn't get a single picture.  

You are getting close to Yuma when you see these guys parked out in the desert dunes.  Surprisingly, it wasn't crowded at all.  In fact, I saw very few rigs camped out.

Ahhhhh my destination.  Hello Yuma!!  I frantically tried to double check my map, dropping my phone on the floor.  RATS!!  I went with my gut and actually drove right to the Palms RV Park.  I was able to retrieve my phone and text Ray Warner to see if he could possibly come help me park ... and he did!  

In fact, he parked me perfectly the first time.  How cool is this?  Rigs are so far apart, it's like you really have your privacy.  This is also a very dog friendly community, so I don't even have to worry about the puppies barking.  I just LOVE it here.  

I got a VIP tour of the property so I know where the laundry is.  One thing I didn't get fixed was my washing machine that's giving me an error code.  Laundry is on my schedule today.

This morning I'm taking a deep breath and feeling all those sore rally muscles.  Then it's off to the fabric store ... what else??  Laundry can wait!

Scooping The Goods!!

I was up at the usual 4:00, never the happiest moment in my day until Cooper bulldozes my face.  You just can't be mad when that happens!  For the most part the group sat around and chatted since the Vendor buildings weren't carrying anything we had not already seen.

At 11:30 we gathered up and headed to the quonset hut to set up the ice cream social.  This involves MUCH more work than handing out bars.  I have to provide all those bowls, spoons, napkins and two kinds of syrup, not to mention the ice cream.  The idea was to go early and take the ice cream out so it could thaw a tad.  Last year the guys got blisters from scooping.

But WAIT!!!  Yikes!!  The ice cream is VERY soft!  Apparently the freezer wasn't set cold enough?  It was almost a disaster until we discovered it had not melted one whit, but was easy as pie to serve ... even easier!  We scooped and plopped the goods into the bowls in record time.

The ladies at the far end garnished almost every bowl with syrup.  Unfortunately, I have loads of syrup left over.  Apparently they don't have the sweet tooth "I" do.  Honestly, I think I have enough bowls, spoons, napkins and syrup to put on another entire ice cream social.  I purchased for the 1700 people they said would be here, but only1100 showed up.

I was getting worried with 20 containers of ice cream left, but people just kept coming in THANK GOODNESS!  You're not going to believe this, but we had exactly ONE container left over, along with four boxes of bars.  That's a miracle!!  I did my little happy dance!

Just then, I got a phone call.  They were ready to install my windshield.  I raced back to the rig and frantically drug everything off the dash.  Two guys got to work immediately removing the windshield, fast as lightning.  They congratulated me on how clean the dash area was, not knowing I hadn't cleaned it in probably two years.  

As I sat inside with the puppies, they brought out the new piece and began to install it.  I just can't believe how fast they were.  I suppose it's easy when you do dozens of them at a time.

TA DA!!!!  Brand spanking new windshield, ready for that rock hit it will probably take when I get near Tucson.  Forty five minutes and they were gone.  

Just then Miss Cocoa came back from the Pet Parade.  She was cute as could be in her lion costume.  This little girl weighs almost 60 pounds and can drag you down the street in a flash.  

So that was it for the day.  Happy hour was sparse, but one of our members brought minestrone soup for us all to enjoy.  It was a wonderful end to a nice but very chilly day.  We spent two hours discussing how to make this rally better, but had few ideas.  

I excused myself to watch the next playoff game.  Today is gather up all your junk and try to make it fit in the bays day.  I'm not in a hurry at all, as I'm heading off to Yuma.  

Happy trails .......