It's Official!

Hunter and I are Floridians-at least on paper! We have spent the last few days, except Thanksgiving Day, in and out of a variety of offices filling out a myriad of official documents. At one point we even had to pack up our "home" and drive it to the licensing office so two ladies could go out in the rain and actually copy the vin numbers and mileage from it in order to give us a Florida plate. We are also in the process of acquiring a mail service so our address will be different than our resident address, which is now Hunter's mother's address. It can all be rather confusing but we are happy to have all the details behind us. Although we aren't officially snowbirds, we are enjoying the 70 degree sunshine for the moment, until we head to Alabama for our next MMAP mission project, beginning December 1st.

"Living on the lot"

The brochure pictures a motorhome nestled among a cluster of tall pines adjacent to a sun drenched lake. Morning breaks with dew covered grass while a roaring campfire warms the hands of a man in his “golden years” watching the sunrise. My thoughts go to his wife who is pictured standing in the open door of the RV. I imagine she is preparing to inform him that flapjacks smothered in maple syrup are on the table. As he enters his retirement home she would refill his coffee mug while the couple sits down to enjoy their breakfast gazing out their kitchen window at the mountains reflected in the blue water. They would sip their fresh orange juice caught up in quiet conversation. With the windows slightly ajar they might even hear a pair of loons calling to their young and an occasional woodpecker tapping out the day’s rhythms. Yes, THIS is what I want!
Retiring, buying our motorhome, and entering the world of full-time RVers was the first step toward realizing the dream of flipping those flapjacks beside that lake. After seven months am I any closer to this ideal scene? NO. In theory, I haven’t left the dealership parking lot! Let me explain.
Since June of this year we have been in and out of RV maintenance bays three times. On the surface that doesn’t seem to be excessive except consider the fact that when we entered the maintenance buildings our vehicle didn't leave for an average of two-three weeks and in one case over a month! What’s the problem you ask? After all, didn’t you purchase a NEW RV? The answer is yes! The problem is a combination of many things; one being the lack of parts on hand and the snail pace of receiving them when ordered. There are also various types of communication breakdowns. In addition when we arrive to pick the vehicle up, we end up actually living in our RV on the lot because all of the repairs are not complete to our satisfaction. The Country Coach, which we bought, has the following byline printed on all of its advertisements: The World’s Finest Motorcoaches. Pity those who purchase “the world’s average motorcoaches”! This company should have a brochure picturing the following scene.
The sun peeks over the roof of the RV dealership streaming into the window of a motor home which is parked under an awning on hard, cold cement. The couple inside wakes to the sounds of 18 wheelers roaring down interstate 40 and the 60s music being broadcast from speakers located on the lot entertaining “shoppers”. Eating their cold cereal at the breakfast table they can see from their kitchen window into the office of a sales manager as he makes his morning calls. People meander around the lot going into and out of various RVs for sale. The couple, whose residence is next to the showroom, hope no one is interested in their rig. If they open the door they'll find the occupants in their pjs. Once dressed their day consists of setting up a laptop at a table in the showroom catching up on e-mails while drinking machine coffee and waiting for news concerning the status of the maintenance on their motor home.
My advice to anyone buying a Country Coach? Memorize the address of your dealership so you can send it to friends and plan to spend your first year living on the lot!

Maybe we should upgrade. What do you think?

"things to do, places to go, people to see."

"things to do..."
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a wonderful project held at my Mom and sister's church. I helped to assemble food packages amounting to over a million meals! The program is called Kids Against Hunger. It is a volunteer-driven effort to package and distribute humanitarian relief where crisis has struck and there is immediate need. Kids Against Hunger is a short-term hunger solution.

I worked two different 2 hour shifts. It is amazing how fast an organized assembly line operation can function. During the first shift 10 tables of 10 people each were able to complete enough packages to feed over 30,000 people! When I worked at a table with some younger volunteers (ages 7 and up) the final count wasn't as big but the laughter was abundant! Kids were getting a taste of the joy of volunteering.

Checkout the website to view a sample packet of food and the photos below for a view of the operation. If ever you hear of a satellite church or other organization taking on this project please join in the effort. You'll be blessed!!







"places to go"
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama is a great place for a day's visit. It features more than 1,500 artifacts representing our nation's achievements in space exploration. The Saturn V Exhibit was awesome. You felt dwarfed by the sheer size of the rocket which carried men into space. In another level of the museum you could try your hand at "landing" the shuttle. Thankfully that is not my job since I crashed it every time! Hunter attempted the rock climbing wall and Becky "pretended" she was putting on the jet propulsion pack. Education mixed with fun-can't beat it!





"people to see"

A tour group at the Jack Daniel's Factory. Can you find us? We didn't even have a sample!



Saving the best until last-an adorable smile on a walking one year old!

What is "tagging" anyway?

I just recently read my daughter's blog and realized she had tagged me. OK. What does that mean? As a little girl on the farm we often played tag around the yard, running wildly from one tree to another trying to avoid the inevitable "touch" which meant we were "it"! Being tagged "it" was then your turn to chase while others ran away. Well, if the blog "tagging" is similar Rebecca has "touched" me and I am it. What does "it" do? I decided to check other "tagged" bloggers and have discovered that when you are "it" you are to list 6 things that people may or may not know about you-so here goes:

1. I am a "sweetoholic". Every meal MUST end with some kind of sweet dessert, even if that means a single carmel or a packaged mint. In a little zipper pocket buried in my purse I carry a stock of little sweets. When I eat at a restaurant I don't have to order a big dessert because I carry my "fix" with me.

2. I love theater!Watching a broadway musical transports me into a land of pleasure.
Not only do I enjoy watching performances but standing up on stage as an actor or director produces its own thrill.

3. I have long and skinny feet, size 11 narrow. If it were possible I'd shave off an inch or two and be able to participate in shoe sales and wear trendy styles. Unfortunately I must deal with this "deformity" and pay big bucks for conservative, basic shoes. Can you guess what I would change on my body if God gave me a choice??

4.I have developed a love/hate relationship with popcorn. Since childhood Sunday nights have been reserved for the "popcorn" supper. Yes! I looked forward to the smell wafting from the kitchen and the taste of warm butter and salt surrounding each crispy kernel. Yummy. Sadly I have had to stop eating this special snack because of my stomach problems. Now I can not stand to be in the same room with a bowl of steaming popcorn. In fact just the other day my husband and I visited a restaurant where the waiter greeted your table with a hot tub of what used to be my favorite snack. All the while he was taking our order I eyed the tub knowing it was a forbidden treat. Just before he left I asked him to remove the popcorn from our table. I just could not deal with the temptation. Age may bring wisdom but it removes certain special delights!

5. I hate loosing at board games. Generally, I am a people-pleaser but when you start rolling the dice I turn into a competitive "monster". I've been known to use such tactics as whining, disrupting, complaining, and pouting. Try as I may I can't seem to keep my emotions at bay. It's better I stick to baking the cookies while others enjoy the game!

6. I love to listen to books on CD while on long road trips. The hours melt away and I am transported into worlds of adventure, romance, and suspense. Hunter tolerates the "gooey" novels but prefers the true life stories. We have been known to miss a few turns and have to backtrack on our journeys. Now, with the large motor home, we must be more watchful as you can't just take a quick u-turn in a 43 foot RV!

If you have been one of my blog readers you know already that I love scripture so I want to share a special one I rediscovered recently.
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains." Habakkuk 3:17-19
I took the idea behind these verses and applied them to my life.
"Even though my feet are too big and I can't find stylish shoes to wear; even though there is no cure for my chronic stomach ache; even though I haven't seen my grand baby in weeks; even though my family and friends are often not around; even though the RV STILL needs repairs, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength!"

Try using these verses and inserting the current stresses of your life. It's an uplifting exercise.

Seashells by the seashore

Over the week-end Hunter and I went to Gulf Shores, Alabama to visit my sister and her husband, Marlene and Greg, who are spending the coming week there in a condo. We thoroughly enjoyed our time walking along the beautiful white sand beach. Marlene teaches first grade and plans to return to her class with "little treasures". So we helped her pick up these treasures as they washed upon the shore. Shells are always special! We also played some cards and hiked a sandy trail near a fresh water lake. The weather continued to "shine" with cool ocean breezes, full sun, and temps in the 70s.

We won't be as fortunate with the warm weather next week as we are heading north. Wednesday we leave our project in Florida and head to North Carolina where we will drop off the motor home at the dealership for more repairs then drive our Toyota Scion on to Chicago. Our good friend's daughter is having her wedding reception at the Garfield Conservatory on Friday night. From there we will travel to Iowa for hunting season and time to visit with friends and family in the Quad Cities and Minnesota. I will be packing my winter coat and leaving the shorts behind!

We are looking forward to our next MMAP project in Alabama in December.

We've Arrived!

In the center of the Florida "panhandle", nestled among a multitude of towering trees, sits Bethlehem Bible Camp. This is the location of our first MMAP project. Although we are a week late, due to mechanical problems in our motor home, our reception "committee" is warm and welcoming. Already we sense the spirit of God in this place and in the lives of our fellow MMAPers. There are three other couples and a single man working on this project, which currently is remodeling the inside of one of the living quarters on the property.

Each day starts with devotions at 7:30 a.m., 10:00 break, lunch at noon, another afternoon break at 2:30, and quiting time is 4:00 p.m. Hunter joins a group of men ranging in age from 62, (he's the youngest) to 86! One of the couples is close to our age and this is also their first project and they have been full time RVers for one year. I spent an enjoyable half-hour visiting with Chris, the above mentioned wife. We have a lot in common with this couple. I can already see a night or two of cake and cards! Here are a few photos I took this morning. By the way it is a gorgeous 78 degrees with a mild breeze causing light "showers" of fall leaves. Life is good!


welcoming sign


building being remodeled


lots of work to do


coffee break



Here is my haven-a "make shift" internet "hot spot". I can see I will be here everyday. Being outside, enjoying nature while e-mailing, blogging, or just surfing the net is such fun. What can be better than that-right Rebecca(my blogging daughter)??

A Day at the Park

Grandma is photographer as Mommy and Christian enjoy his first time in a park playground.