Saturday Mumblings.

Happy New Years

             2012

 

We were up about 06:00AM, had coffee, Donna napped in to get some more rest.

Adam had his Saturday kid shows to watch. About 09:30AM I called Don and he said to come on out that the fiver was finished.

I went out and picked it up and I really like the job he did it is rock solid, he said he used 3/4 inch treated plywood for the floor said it should resist any more moisture should it ever leak again, Hopefully it won’t, you know I’ll be watching it like a hawk now.

 

                  Chappie is home on her pad..

                          From the entry door.

                           Looking forward.

                  Looking toward the rear.

                         Flooring pattern.

The only carpeting left is on the slide and it just makes the joint look better. The one thing I noticed this flooring gives you a feeling of more room in the living area.

It’s ceramic and came in 2ft by 4 ft sheets with the pad already attached, it was twice as expensive as the thin vinyl flooring that was in there, I think the appearance and sturdier construction and the ease of keeping it clean will make up the difference.

After the pictures I hitched the battery maintainer to it and disconnected the the AC power so the converter doesn’t have to run in the couple months it isn’t being used.

That’s about it for now I have to take Adam home to Warrenton.

Everyone have a great New Years Day and be safe out there….Sam & Donna…

T.G.I.F.

Up early with my bride for coffee and then she was off to the truck company.

Adam stayed the night and after Donna went to work, him and Rigg’s took over our bed for a late snooze.

Not much to do today, I got a call from my son Andy that his new car had developed a miss and would I pick up some plugs and wires so when he gets home tonight he can change them Saturday.

Don from the RV Repair place called and said that the fiver should be ready to be picked up tomorrow morning so I said I would call him and make sure before coming out. Looks like Chappie  might be coming home.

Adam is bumming his friends aren’t home so he doesn’t have anyone to play with it was a nice mild day so he did take a couple bike rides, and then about 03:30AM his one buddy finally called so he was out the door like a shot.

Donna only had a half day at the truck company and was going to do some shopping and then head for the restaurant. Like last year we don’t have any plans for New Years Eve’s, we always used to go to a dance either, at the church, or the VFW, or the last 5 years or so at the Lake clubhouse, but starting last year we just haven’t bothered.

Here’s a picture of what a real buddy is.

      

Not much else going on, just waiting for the kid’s to make it home safe from Oklahoma, Hope everyone has a good weekend and Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Thursday Happenings.

Up at 04":30AM with my bride and had out coffee, then she was off to the truck company, she has a Doctor’s appointment after work, so she is taking off tonight from the restaurant.

I got some pictures from Don at BestRVRepair. He is documenting how my fiver repair is coming along and thought I would like to see them.

Some were taken on 12-03-11 and then all the way up to 12-28-11.

The first four show the hidden damage that was under the vinyl floor covering.

                Ready for new wood sheets.

                          New insulation.

                          New wood panels.

                          New floor covering started.

As you can see if it was wet it was replaced and first he sealed the bottom vinyl floor cover , then new insulation and then treated lumber, before starting with the floor covering which is a floating ceramic floor with a built in pad.

After we get the trailer back I will let you all know what I think of the finished job, so far it looks like he is addressing each problem as he gets to it.

Some of the floor debris he removed, Donna & I had removed the rug and vinyl floor covering at our place before it went in for repair, or there would have been twice as much.

All we can hope for is that it will be Much, Much Better Than New when he is done.

That’s about it for today, Hope every one is having a good week and getting ready for New Years Eve. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Wednesday Musings.

Up early with my bride and we had our coffee, she still isn’t sleeping well so I worry about her not getting enough rest. She was off to the truck company and the restaurant at 05:30AM.

Turned out to be a really nice day, sunny and in the 40’s. All the snow is gone. Just a lazy day here at the ranch.

Got a call yesterday from Don at the RV repair place, he asked if we had looked at flooring yet, I told him we just had picked some up Monday and it was in the back of my truck, He said great I just finished the subfloor and I’m ready for it, I will be going into O’Fallon later this morning so I will pick it up. When he came and got it he said it was really nice and that the rig is really going to look sharp when it is finished. He said if all goes well, he should have it done by Saturday. Wow, I didn’t expect it until late January so our Chaparral might be home this weekend, If it is I will get my Son to help put the cover on it for the rest of the winter until were ready to take it out.

Rigg’s is enjoying going in & out on a nice day, The kid’s behind us that play with Adam when he is here, are all out of school so Rigg’s wants out to play whenever he see’s them. The older boys aren’t afraid of him. But the little one and the girls stay clear of him, he is just to big and playful for them.

Not much else going on I may even get a nap on the couch later.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Tuesday Thoughts.

Was up early at 04:30AM and was greeted with the first snow of the 2011 Winter, 4 days before the end of the year. My bride and I had our coffee and then she was off to the truck company, since the snow only amounted to an inch or two and it should melt today, there was no plowing for me. My sons boss called for him at 03:00am to go plow and put salt down, he forgot he was in Oklahoma, I was tempted to say I can take his place, but I didn’t, don’t need a plowing job when I have my own here. He is on layoff for a month until the landscaping business picks up again except for snow removal.

                   Just enough to be pretty.

We had a request for my Mom’s Corn Fritter Recipe from one of our fellow bloggers, so if anybody else is interested let us know with your e-mail address and I will send it to you.

Tonight will definitely be a night for Tovar’s. We can have a little of everything, Lasagna, Ham, Au Gratin's, but no fritters left.

Donna and I picked up the ceramic flooring for the fiver yesterday it is a floating floor that comes in 2ft by 4 ft sections and has the pad already attached. I will be taking it out to the carpenter in the next day or two, I was going to today, but now will wait for the snow to melt. He lives out in the country like we do where the busses don’t run and the county doesn’t do much snow plowing, used to be here the folks plowed the roads themselves, but now that it built up we get better plow service now.

Rigg’s is in his glory and is spending long periods outside playing and eating the snow, it covers his nose where he eats it. He just loves running and kicking it up.

Well that’s about it for today, I thought maybe I would be hearing from Adam to come and stay since he is off school but Maybe his Mom is off and they are spending time together. The house is sure quiet with no Kid’s or Grandkid’s here…

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Monday Meanderings.

Up about 06:30AM with my bride and had coffee with the spritz in it (Annisette). The did some blog reading. We are still full from the meal we had last night, speaking of which, I told Paul Tempesta who is down in Mexico eating Tamales instead of of his traditional Lasagna Christmas Dinner I would send him a picture of our feast, Here Ya go Paul.

       Wish I could Attach the smell of the kitchen.

Rigg’s got a special Christmas dinner.

                                          Anticipation.

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Lasagna just like Mom & Dad..

Rigg’s also even though he had been told no presents,  received a couple from the girls that work with Donna at the restaurant, and one of Andy’s friends. So he wasn’t left out.

Speaking of the Tempesta’s they are in Hacienda Contreras Mexico. With Kevin & Ruth all  of whom  have visited us here at the Weeb Ranch, If things were better this year money wise we were going to go with them to Mexico, but family needs and the trailer floor put the kibosh on that for this winter. Thanks to the miracle of the cell phone we talked with Paul & Helen this morning for a short time and they are all doing fine and loving it and wishing we were there.

As an update on the fiver ,Donna and I are going to the flooring place and pick out some floor cover today so once I get that out to the repair place hopefully in a couple weeks the trailer will be done, I’m in no hurry since we don’t plan on using it for a couple  months, and it is indoors right now, When it comes home my son & I will cover it with the cover I won last summer.

Got a call from the kid’s at midnight and they are all safe and sound in Oklahoma, They are planning on coming home on Friday.

Tonight will be another culinary blowout here at th Weeb Ranch, Donna will be baking a Ham, and having Au Grattin Potatoes, and Corn Fritters as sides, I will wash it down with a few of those Dos Equis Cerveza’s I got, No beer last night as I had Italian wine with my Lasagna.

Two days in a row some of my favorite foods, is this a great country or what.

Hey my buddy ROD in Kansas City Ks. has been released from the hospital he had to interrupt his stay in warm Arizona for surgery at home. I will slosh a Rolling Rock down later in the week for you. Remember when you could only buy them in the small pony bottles( splits). Still bottled in Latrobe Pa. but owned by In-Bev (Budweiser) now.

Our friends DENNIS & DONNA are enjoying the same weather in Texas as we are getting here at the ranch, supposed to stay that way until the end of the week and then start down to the cellar.

Well That’s about it for now be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Sunday News.

 

M erry Christmas

Well here it is Christmas morning and it is going to be another gorgeous day with temps in the 50’s, This is unheard of for MO. I can only remember one other years ago when we went for a motorcycle ride because it was so warm. Last year we were having a blizzard.

This guy made an appearance sometime last night at the Ranch.

And the big winner was????

               Sam’s Loot, Beer Socks & Underwear..

Of course the big winners were really  Adam with his bicycle and some xbox games, and Nicole with her Barbies, a jewelry box, and a necklace from Andy.

Mom got to the kitchen first and got a hold of the tongs and I had to run for my life.

Nicole is back and here she is opening her presents.

As you can see Rigg’s enjoys present opening as much as the kid’s.

The kid’s will be leaving later this morning for Oklahoma and the we will be Home Alone. Maybe there will be a movie by that name again.

                     

One last Christmas thought, remember, Weebles Wobble but they don’t fall down.

Lasagna tonight I can’t wait, even got a bottle of Dago Red wine to go with it.

And as he rode out of sight

I heard him exclaim,”Merry

Christmas to all,

Especially all you guys in

Blogland.  And Be

Safe Out There”.  

Sam &  Donna.

Saturday Mumblings.

 

Twas the Night before

Christmas.

The Weeb Ranch was quiet it had been a beautiful day, temps in the 40’s and a bright sun, Poor Mom had to work at the restaurant so we all are waiting for her return.

I took Adam home so he could visit his other Grandparents and then go home and wait for Christmas morning.

         Rigg’s was taking a nap with his tug buddy.

This guy says after a couple of these, they’ll be plenty of Ho, Ho, Ho’s to go around.

Almost can’t wait until tomorrow to see Nicole’s face as she opens presents. That is the age that makes it such a wonderful holiday for the kid’s. We still do stress the real meaning of the season to the kid’s though and then we enjoy the day.

For our friends traveling in Mexico this Christmas, Feliz Navidad, for the rest of our blogger friends and families we extend a Very Merry Christmas from our family at the Weeb Ranch to yours. Rigg’s and Sadie said, WOOF-WOOF to all there furry friends and they hope plenty of doggie treats come your way.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

  

T.G.I.F.

Up early with my bride, she had to work at the truck company until 11:00AM and then they let out for the holidays, so she called and said she was going to do some shopping and then go into the restaurant.

Adam called his Mom and she said he could spend another night. He is happy as it is a sunny day and he can play with his buddies here while when he is home he doesn’t have any buddies close. I think he like spending the nights with Grandpa too.

It is counting down now for the Christmas Weekend, Donna will work some hours at the restaurant tomorrow and then be completely off for Christmas Day and Monday, as I said we have great meals planned and days of relaxation, With the kid’s going to Oklahoma we are looking forward to just being here alone with Rigg’s, just like when we hit the road. Sadie is going with the kid’s to Oklahoma.

We are so glad to see everyone in Blogland seems to be well and enjoying their holidays.

Don’t forget party at home, don’t want to see this in the mirror.

             

I remember when I was on the PD Christmas Eve Day was always busy with accidents and DWI’s, most of the accidents were alcohol related. As you all know I partake in a cold High Life every now and then but always in my home or campsite, and never when I am driving. Thankfully Donna has always been a teetotaler and is our designated driver, and piano mover.

Everyone have a great Holiday weekend and PLEASE like the old Sarge says, Be safe out there.  Sam & Donna.

Thursday Happenings.

Up early with my bride and then she was off for another full double at the truck company & restaurant. Adam & I had to make due on a cold and off and on rainy day, it stayed in the low 30’s all day. This morning I went to the grocery stores with a list for our Christmas meals, Donna will work Sat ( Christmas Eve ) at the restaurant, they are supposed to close real early, Then she will have off Sun and Monday.

So here is the plan, Christmas we will have our traditional 4 inch tall Homemade Lasagna, that bride of mine for not being an Italian born, sure learned to make a great Lasagna from my Mom & I. Then Monday I bought a nice Ham and we will have a baked Ham, with Au gratin Potatoes,& corn fritters. All three of which are way up my favorites list. The kids Andy & Samanatha with Nicole will be going to Oklahoma Christmas Day to visit with Samantha folks. So Monday Donna I & will be home alone. First time in a long, long time. maybe Ill chase her around the cook station with the pancake turner, or the tongs just for fun.

While I was waiting for the bus yesterday to bring Adam home. I was listening to my radio and I thought of AL and his appreciation of music.

I too like several different types of music, most older Country & Western, and especially the 60’to 70’s, maybe that’s because while we were flying in the Navy we would dial up AM stations on our low freq ADF radio, ( direction finder). Especially some of the foreign stations that must have been nuclear powered for the range they had, here in the states the FCC limited the power output of our stations. Anyway I chuckle every time my son Andy calls 60’s music, old peoples music or dead guys music. I still haven’t found anything that remotely compares to it., Want to charge up your feelings put Born to be Wild on, and what about, Do you love me by the Contours, Just about any Bob Seger, Want you bride to hold you tight, how about Slow Dancing, or Unchained Melodies. By the Righteous Brothers.Yep music sure can change your mood and sometimes your day. I still have one hit wonders that were popular in regions but not nationwide, anybody remember To much to dream last Night by the Electric Prunes, or The Little Black Egg by the Night Crawlers, Saw them both at the Jax Beach Auditorium in concert before leaving on a cruise in 67. How about Nobody by the Human Beans or Who can hear What a Wonderful World and not think of the movie Good Morning Viet Nam. I still like the version with the sounds of Hueys flying by.

Wow what a memory trip every time I put that cd in I am carried back to the cockpit of a helicopter, or maybe I’m just getting old, That’s probably it. Thanks for allowing me to bare my feelings and thoughts, Blogs are great for that.

Well that’s about it for today, the kid’s are playing in the living room and since Adam is going home tomorrow and I only have two PA pizza shells left I told him I would move pizza night up to Thursday this week and make us a big square pie.

Before I forget here is a picture of the three Grands.

Adam, Nicole, & Sadie say Merry Christmas..

Everyone have a great day, and Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Wednesday Musings.

Up early with my bride, and then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant.

I had to make a run to Wal Mart to get some bulbs to replace here, I needed a special one for the light over the garage door, a long skinny halogen, and they did have it.

Then this afternoon I went out to Warrenton to pick up Adam. He is now on his Christmas break and his Mom has to work, so he will be staying with Grandpa & Grandma until Saturday.

He really thought his Dads new Jeep was cool and had to have a ride in it.

That’s about it a short post today. Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Tuesday Thoughts.

Up early with my bride, then she was off to the truck company. I had an appointment to get my truck inspected at 09:00AM and then on the way home I stopped at the DOR office and renewed the plate for another year.
Then my son Andy wanted me to go with him while he picked up his new to him 2000 Grand Cherokee, we then made a stop at the insurance man’s office and then back to DOR to register and get plates for his car. It’s a really nice car and rides good.

                                Andy’s new car.
Last night Andy & Nicole made a ginger bread house, here’s some shots




Looks like it came out yummy to me.
I think my Son and my Granddaughter are learning the baking art their Grandma is famous for.
Well that’s the news for today waiting for Donna to get home and we will have a Besketti supper. Hope all is well with everyone in blogland. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Monday Meanderings.

Up early with my bride, then she was off to the truck company.

Got a call from the Vet this morning and she said the blood work had come back on Sadie & Rigg’s, She said  everything looked good so far and to keep them on the medicine until it is gone, and then bring them both in for a final check up, but she says she doesn’t expect any problems. It looks like we all got lucky on this one.

Mom Broke the news to Rigg’s this morning about his Christmas behavior.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO CHRISTMAS FOR US !! !

That's right Riggs, Santa checked his list and though he overlooked some of the stuff from this year, well the last two weeks rather did you in.  Remember last weekend?  1st thing in the morning you stole a stick of butter off the counter, swallowed the thing whole wrapper and all.  Then at dinner you took half a pot roast right off the plate on the cook station.  Does any of this sound familiar?

Ok I remember, but I already  paid for that.  That wrapper didn't feel so good coming out and I spent time in doggy jail for the roast and I did try to tell Samantha I was sorry that she didn't get any dinner.

But maybe next time she'll be a little quicker at coming to dinner.

                                 DOGGIE JAIL.

I'm sure you didn’t like doggy jail, but I was very angry at you and thought maybe you would learn a lesson, but of course I was wrong. Friday night Andy calls me and said we have a problem, Riggs and Sadie somehow got the D-con from under the sink.  I get home and poison is all over the place.  Do you have any idea how frightened I was for the 2 of  you ?

I know Mom, that was really stupid of us, but we paid for that too.  We had to go to the doctors office, he poked

us, he stuck us with needles, he stole our blood and gave us shots and pills.  Wasn't that enough punishment?

And now we both have to take a bunch of pills every day ! And I know since I'm such a big guy that little bitty Sadie is much worse off than me.  But no Christmas presents, that doesn't sound right. Santa has to know I'm not really naughty just impulsive.  Yeah that's right impulsive. You'll see we'll both be okay.

I'm sorry Mom and Dad that I cost you so much right at Christmas and scared you so bad, I'll try to be better tomorrow.

Love Riggs (and Sadie too)

Never a dull moment with our boy Rigg’s and his little partner in crime.

This afternoon when Donna is on her way home from work I am meeting her at the flooring store and we’ll try to pick out 140 sq. feet of floor covering for the trailer, Then my bride says she will by me a nice dinner. Boy did I ever get lucky.

I hope everyone is having a good week and be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

 

Sunday News.

We were up at 06:30AM I may have been a half hour earlier but I got the coffee made so Donna would have a break.

She is working the 10:00AM to 04:00PM shift at the restaurant today.

Adam is one happy camper, since we have had some sunny and mild days here considering it’s December. I asked if he wanted to go looking at some wheels, he has asked for a bike for Christmas. So off we went to Wally World. All the way there I asked him what kind of bike he had in mind and he said I know just the one I saw it in my dream last night, It’s black and has tall shiny handle bars and it has pegs front and back and a spinner BMX  handle bars. Pardon my ignorance but I had to ask what a spinner was and he said you can spin the front wheel all the way around when it is doing a wheelie.I know my Harleys would never do that.

Once we got there the parking lot was jammed, and I told him better hope they have bikes left. Once inside he was off to the bike department like a shot. As soon as I got there there I saw that he had a big smile on his face and he said Grandpa they have two black ones just like I saw. The one was a little better constructed with Allen head bolts instead of regular nuts and bolts and heavier looking mounting hardware for the seat and handlebars, which by the way were chrome. It also had a $30 dollar higher price tag. But I said what do think , take this for a test ride and see how it feels so we got it down off the stand and he rode it around the bike aisles and came back and said all it needs is for the seat to be raised and the bars moved back and it will be perfect. So I said to him, since it was only a week from Christmas day and it was sunny I would go ahead and get him his present early. Talk about one happy kid.

                        Adam & His new bike.

Got it home and off he went to show it to his buddies in the neighborhood.

Well that takes care of one Grand, Donna sais she wanted to get Nicole’s gifts, since they would be girly things, so I said sure.

I am easy to please, 1 package of underwear, 1package of socks, and a 30 pack of Miller High Life Light and my Christmas is made.

Well that’s about it for today , Adam is out riding his bike it is sunny and cool.but that won’t stop a boy on his new bike. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Saturday Notes.

Disaster struck the Weeb Ranch last night around 11:00PM when Donna got home from the restaurant. She discovered that somehow after Adam  & I  were in bed. Sadie & Rigg’s got a packet of D-Con out from under the cook station and then tore it apart in the hallway. It is impossible to know how much each consumed, but Donna was on the 24 hour emergency line to the Vet and he said to bring them both in at 09:30AM that they should be okay until then.

Neither one showed any sign of distress or poisoning, but the Vet said it takes awhile for this stuff to start to work and makes them bleed internally.

Donna cleaned up the mess where they had spilled it and the box tatters real good since this poison depends on a sweetener to get the intended victims (rodents) to eat them.

My son Andy and I took the two of them to the Vet and she weighed them, Rigg’s 107lbs, Sadie 8lbs.then got a blood sample from both of them and said she was supplying a prescription. for vitamin K tablets, 25 mg for Sadie and 50mg for Rigg’s and that they will be given another test in 21 days. The prognosis is good for the both of them and the Vet said the secret is getting them in within 24 hours and starting them on the medicine right away.

As you might know there were some scary moments until the vets appointment, since both of these pals of ours are special. Soon as we got home the partners in crime got their pills and were told they were on super strict double probation and that anything that gets near their mouths will be watched. Since the bill for the two of them was $250 I can not stand any more excitement like that for awhile.

Adam is out playing, it went from 22 degrees this morning at 06:00AM to 45 degrees at 11:00AM so he called his buddies and they are meeting up now for some outdoor play. I certainly prefer this to sitting in front of the xbox, they can do that when it gets really cold in another few weeks.

Well I think I will put this aside for today and hope everyone has a good weekend. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

T.G.I.F.

Up early and coffee with my bride Then I  napped until about 07:00AM and saw Nicole of to school.

I had to make an emergency run to Shop & Save for my 30 pack of Miller High Life light, the Emergency Low Beer warning light came on yesterday but I hit the reset button right away to silence the klaxon horn and then my son Andy volunteered to do the grocery shopping, He remembered the dog food for Rigg’s, but forgot my beer, guess you know where I am on the seniority list. So I made a quick run and still spent $49 by the time I was out of there.

I got a call from Adam’s Mom and she asked if he could spend the weekend with Grandpa. Sure was the answer, I had been hoping and waiting for the call.

So I went out and picked him up at the bus stop in Warrenton MO.

When we got home it was Friday/Pizza night at the Weeb Ranch. Both of us packed away about 4 pieces each.

Since Rigg’s gets rid of any left over crust that the kids don’t eat he is a happy lab indeed tonight.

That’s about it for tonight, I am planning on taking Adam looking at bicycles tomorrow and he needs to find what size will be best for him since he is sprouting up and out grew the one he has now.

Be safe out there and have a great weekend. Life is good. Sam & Donna…

Thursday Happenings.

Up early with my bride, had our coffee, Donna was off at 05:30AM to the truck company and then the restaurant.

My first chore at 05:30AM was to take the dumper down to the end of our driveway, Thursday is trash day here at the ranch.

It was another cloudy grey day, no rain but just dreary and temps in the 40’s.

Maybe things will be looking better around here.As some of you know My son Andy and his girlfriend Samantha had both been laid off last spring, plus Adam’s Mom was laid off . Andy’s car finally died for good in April, not worth the money to repair it.

Well First Adam’s Mom Shana got called back to work at the GM plant. What a blessing that was. Then Andy and Samantha both found work this Fall and are slowly trying to make it back to even keel, Andy has had his race car  (Camaro) for sale since spring and now it just sold. He has made up what he owed in late Child Support, and paid his bill’s and now is going to by a used pickup truck. I am really proud of him as he paid his Mom what he borrowed, and still will be able to get this truck.

I know he is feeling better about himself being able to see above water for the first time in a couple years.And doing it on his own through his hard work and side jobs cutting grass.

I pray now that things will keep going this way as this is what I always told my sons, If you work for what you want in this country eventually you will have it. We all give Thanks for these small gains this year, a little here, a little there.

Sure Donna & I have put off our dream for another winter, but maybe ,who knows we may be next and be able to get a little ahead too.

Thanks also to all our fellow bloggers who we can draw support from when things don’t go our way, like the trailer mishap. We know you will be waiting for our dream to come true. And rooting us on.

Everyone have a great week, and be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Wednesday Musings.

Up early with my bride this morning, I have been fighting a cold or flu like Donna had so last night I took a dose of Nite cold medicine and wrapped up, This morning I had a cup of chocolate milk and took my medicine. then a dose of cold medicine and laid back down. I woke up at 09:45AM. and so far today I feel a little better and no runny nose. We’ll see how that goes after supper tonight.

Speaking of supper, Donna has the restaurant tonight so I will be cooking for Nicole & I, I am waiting now for her to hit the door after school. Then I can kind of find out what she feels like eating tonight.It was around 50 degrees and rainy all day and we just had a pretty good thunder & lightening storm come through, I have been watching for the school bus, but it looks like the majority of the thunder is over so Nicole won’t be scared. She doesn’t care for thunder storms.

Not much doing at the ranch today, just a rainy lazy day with a lot of time for Rigg’s &Sadie & I on the couch.

Everyone have a great week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Tuesday Thoughts.

Up at 04:30AM with my bride, then she was off to the truck company.

About 09:30AM I got a call from Don at the RV repair place that has our trailer, he said if I could come over he wanted to show me something. It is about a 20 minute drive from the Ranch so you can bet all the way there I was imagining he had found something else and it would be more money. When I got there he said he had finished taking out the sink cabinet and also the furnace and water pump had to be removed and now he was going to remove the floor panels that needed to be replace, but he wanted me to see how the damage had gone all the way through and how when it is all back together he is going to try and make sure that there is no water anyplace. I took a couple of pictures. Sure looks sad now.

The replacement floor will be marine plywood, two sheets from the wall over the water heater, this plywood will be treated on both sides with a sealer before installation, then a floating floor covering like STEVEO&KAREN used in their motor home. Hopefully it will be much better than new, all new molding will be used throughout. The only carpeting left will be in the slide, this will make cleaning and sweeping and vacuuming easier, with Rigg’s hair.

Hope I didn’t open a can of worms or jump into the pit with yesterday’s comment on Mexico, I know everyone's comfort zone is different. After reading the comments, it appears that most people still aren’t real comfortable with traveling in that area as yet. plus the one thing I hadn’t even taken into account, the language difference seems to be pretty important. I must admit after my last trip north to Canada.We would probably stay clear of Quebec for the same reason, plus the lack of even a willingness by some to even help you, when it was obvious they knew English, but refused to speak it or acknowledge us back in 1995. My son said however that certain fast food restaurants and quick shops were that way with Spanish when he was stationed in the Navy near San Diego Ca. But the rest of Canada and the USA is a mighty big place, and the Welcome sign is always lit at the Weeb Ranch.

Well that’s about it for today, Hope you all have a fine week and be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Monday Meanderings.

Up at 04;30AM with my bride and had coffee, then she was off to the truck company, no shift at the restaurant tonight but she has her every three month doctors (neurologist) appointment at 04:30PM so she will be late getting home tonight.

It was a cold but sunny day here in Dardenne Prairie, but it really got gray looking like the lights went out a little while ago, now it look like a winter day.

Rigg’s and I are waiting for Nicole to get home from school.

Don’t have a clue what to do for supper tonight, since Donna has the Doctor’s appointment who know what time she will get out of there.

We could have had left over pot roast, but Donna left the meat portion of it on a plate on the cook station, and after I left the kitchen, Rigg’s must have jumped up and stolen it. Boy was he in trouble. Samantha hadn’t eaten yet and there was probably a pound out of a three lb. roast left. Donna was fit to be tied and Rigg’s was confined to the corner for the rest of the evening and then she shut the bedroom door so he couldn’t come in our room last night.

I guess she forgave him because he was on the bed when I got done with my coffee.

But I must say he has good taste since the roast was excellent, at least the part I managed to get.

I read where GEORGE of Tioga and George fame has been the victim of two attempted robberies while inside his motor home in the last two weeks in Mexico. Since we have several friends down there in southern Mexico now we are naturally concerned. But I just have to think that in both cases they came away empty handed and George was not physically hurt or threatened that it might just be extremely bad luck. I also think that it depends a lot on the appearance you put up. In our case with a large and loud dog like Rigg’s who is sensitive to his property I think that acts as a big deterrent to the casual theft who is not armed. I know when KEVIN&RUTH visited here before leaving for Mexico they had a sign in the window of their motor home that said Beware of the Dog in Spanish. PAUL&HELEN also have the three big labs who I know would make a lot of noise if a stranger was snooping around the motorhome.Donna & I have talked about it and decided we would not be afraid to make a trip to the areas south of the border towns. There are several areas within a 40 miles of the house we live in now that are virtual war zones and I personally would not go into them after dark even armed. So I think the Mexico safety thing is still blown out of proportion, Plenty of people stay at the Casino RV park in East St Louis, which is the murder capitol of the Midwest. Yet a lot of those people would say Mexico is too dangerous. I guess what I am saying is with a little common sense you can feel safe anyplace.

Just voicing my opinion, your safety is a personal thing that everyone has to decide for themselves, Here in the USA I would have a gun with me along with Rigg’s, If I were to travel to Canada or Mexico the guns would have to stay home. It’s all in what you feel safe with.

That’s about it for today, Everyone have a great week and be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

Sat/Sun Notes.

Well here it is Sunday afternoon already, Rigg’s is laying next to my kitchen chair as I start the blog. Donna & I have been up each morning this weekend at 05:30AM. I make the coffee so my bride will have a cup as soon as her feet  hit the floor.
We had a good weekend, yesterday Nicole was here most of the day and than went to her Dad’s for the night. Donna only had the evening restaurant shift, so she was able to get an afternoon nap in before leaving.
Today she was OFF the entire day, no call in to the restaurant it was good she could just relax and do what she wanted, of course she did clean the bathroom in our bedroom and some other chores, but she did get another nap this afternoon. I hope she is getting some of the rest she needs.
My Son and his friend Danny finished installing the three turbines on the new roof, two of the old turbines we had the bearings were shot so they replaced them with new, ones, they also worked on the little sun porch roof to get it finished.It’s only 3 square of shingles and they should have it done today and that will be it for the roofing job.
Donna has a pot roast simmering and the house has that good supper is cooking smell.
We both have to do some Christmas shopping, I am getting a list together for the grandkid’s, sheesh all the stuff they want I’ve never heard of except of course the Barbie stuff Nicole has on her list.
Rigg’s just went to red alert, must have seen a feral cat in the back yard.
That’s about it for now Be safe out there, and have a great week… Sam & Donna…….

T.G.I.F.

Up early with my bride, Had our morning coffee, and then she headed out to the truck company & the restaurant.

I went over to my brothers for a while this morning, I had a train tape for him and he had a scanner radio for me, my old scanner quit last summer when I was in Fort Madison so he said he had an extra one. They do come in handy when you are waiting for trains to come and they have a defect detector close by and it gives you a response when a train passes.

Other than that the truck is parked back in the garage and I am waiting for Nicole to get home from school along with Rigg’s who is laying by my chair.He has the advantage of hearing the school bus stop so he knows before I do that she is home.

Haven’t heard anything on our fiver, it’s been gone over a week so all I can hope is no news is good news, He will call when he is ready for the floor covering and then Donna will pick out what she wants and I will take it out to him to install.

I have to get my truck inspected this month to renew the license.So that will be something I have to get done before December is over.

We did see some sun today but it was still cold and winter is just starting.

That’s about it for today, Everyone have a great weekend. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Thursday Happenings.

Up at 04:30AM, Donna said she was feeling a lot better and decided she would go to work, personally  I don’t think she lets her resistance build back up enough, but we will see.

The highlight of most Thursdays anymore is having the trash dumpster picked up, and emptied, especially when they have to squish before they go to the next one. Nothing like the sound a trash truck makes when it is squishing the trash. to make your day.

Tonight we are in for a treat, of course Donna will miss it since she will be at the restaurant. Samantha is making homemade Enchilada's, boy now that has become one of my favorites. I know I will need at least Dos Cerveza’s to go with that.

That’s about it the food is coming out of the oven. Everyone have a great week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

Wednesday Musings.

Well Donna is home today in bed with the Flu, She came home yesterday an hour early and said she was loading up with medicine and going to bed. This morning the same thing she had a cup of coffee and more medicine and has stayed pretty much wrapped in a blanket in bed. Hope this knocks out whatever has her down.

Today is Pearl Harbor Day throughout the United States, although it isn’t celebrated as it was when I was a kid.

Here are a couple of pictures I dug up out of the vault.

                  Sinking and capsized ships.

After looking at this picture I can find one sailor armed with a rifle. Imagine being under attack and not having a means to defend yourself. Even during the Viet Nam War unless you were in a combat outfit, you were not issued a personal weapon in the US Navy, they were kept locked up  in a difficult to get to place.

These guys most of them gone now deserve all the Thanks a country can offer. They truly served with honor.

Nicole got out of school early today too. I guess they are having teacher conferences, or else it was a mass jail break of all the kids.

Rigg’s & Sadie are laying by my chair while I type this.

          Rigg’s & Sadie, just watching Dad blog.

Short post today, have a great week and be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Tuesday Thoughts.

Up early with my bride we had coffee, Then at 05:30M she was off to the truck company. No restaurant tonight.

It has been gray and cold all day we had a very light dusting of snow, just enough to cover the ice on the patio and the railings. No real accumulation. But that my friends is how it starts, a little bit and then Whammo you get the hammer blow when you least expect it.

I procrastinated this year and have waited to put the plow under John Deere but It will be done here in the next couple of days just to be safe.

I have read where several bloggers have had mice troubles this fall. living in Dardenne Prairie, it is a yearly ritual that a few find some way to get into the house in the fall and you have to eradicate them. For some reason this year they seem to be tougher to kill so I decided to set up my secret mouse camera to see if I could spot one.

              

              No wonder there harder to get rid of.

This morning I had to go to Game Stop with Adam’ s xbox. He had brought it over this weekend and said it was broke. Donna found the paper work and the warranty still had a few days to go so this morning they gave us a brand new one complete with another years warranty to replace it, no charge. Wow now that’s like an early Christmas present.

Rigg’s is laying by my feet near the back door, in about 15 minutes his buddy Nicole will be coming through the door and he will try his darndest for a kiss and a lick while Nicole tries to keep from getting a wet face and runs down the hall squealing. I think now he just knows it aggravates her and does it for fun.

Such is lifes little pleasures here at the Weeb Ranch, what would you do without those moments to remember and remind her of when she is a teenager.

Sadie is taking her afternoon nap, she came in while I was watching a movie and laid by her Grandpa and now she is in her bed behind my chair , waiting for Nicole also.

My son brought me home a 6 pack of Heineken Light and said to try it. I had a couple with supper and they weren’t bad, but they can’t beat the economy of Miller High Light at $13.47 a 30 pack.  My Special occasion beers are Moosehead, or Rolling Rock, those are real beers though no light or watered down beer.

Well that’s about it for today ,hope all are well out in Blogville. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Monday Meanderings.

Well yesterday when Donna got back from the restaurant we realized it was December 4th. That is a big day that we shouldn’t have let sneak up on us. It’s Riggens Birthday, He is a big bouncy three years old.

   Happy Birthday

       RIGGENS

.

First day in my new home with Mom.8 weeks old

                                  My first Ducky.

                  My first birthday 1 year old.

                    My second birthday, 2 years old.

My third birthday, Mom has a special cake made out of hamburger and a pupperoni candle.

Oh Boy I can eat it now.
Wow am I ever a lucky Dog, I have the bestus Mom & Dad, and a little sister named Sadie that loves me and plays with me, I also have my own boy named Adam and my own girl named Nicole who play with me too. Mom & Dad take me on trips with them in their fiver, whatever that is. but we go neat places and meet lot’s of other dog’s and people. I have had doggie friends like, Coco, & Jodie visit me at our house. In the summer I went to Wisconsin and visited with Duke & Duchess at their house, oh yeah Mom & Dad went too. Well now I have to wait another year before I get another birthday and more presents.

                    Rigg’s at the end of his Birthday.
We are so thankful that that little 10 lb furball that came into our lives three years ago, has turned into 100lbs of lovable doggie, He is a full of energy puppy like attitude still, but can be a gentle and loving big brother for his little 7lb sister Sadie. He  has provided hour after hour of love and fun for our whole family and anyone he meets is an instant friend.
Well that’s about it I want to get this posted so Rigg’s can have his day.
Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…