Sam&Donna-5th Wheel Vagabonds

T.G.I.F.

2012-01-27T17:34:00.001-06:00

Up at 04coffee with my bride and then read a couple of blogs.

Pretty much a do nothing day until 02:30pm when it got time to go to Warrenton Mo. to pick up Adam at the bus stop. We got home at 04:30PM and Chris and Nicole were waiting for us. Today was Samantha’s birthday, so my son is taking her out to dinner so Grandpa had the three kid’s to feed, since we did pizza last night I asked what was the one thing they all wanted for supper, of course instead of a home cooked meal it was TACO BELL so Grandpa made a run to the border and brought home supper. Boy do I have three happy Grandkid’s right now, The xbox is going and the dogs are getting a workout.

Now Grandpa is going to relax and have a cold Miller High Life.

Hope everybody has a great weekend. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Thursday Happenings.

2012-01-26T14:52:00.001-06:00

Up early then Donna was off to the truck company & restaurant.

We will have the three Grand's here Friday night and then Adam is having a sleepover on Saturday night at his house with his buddies and is going to ask Chris if he can go. Nicole will be left by herself when the boys leave for Saturday night.

Raining most of the day but the temperature is near 40 so there is no snow or ice, which is good. Donna will have just a wet commute each way.

Not much going on both the pooches decided it was a good day for a nap. Rigg’s is laying on the couch, and Sadie is in her day bed in the kitchen next to my chair.

I am waiting for the kid’s to get home from school, all in all just a lazy day here at the Ranch.

Well that’s about it for now. Hope everyone is having a great day out in blogland. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Wednesday Musings.

2012-01-25T15:20:00.001-06:00

Up early with my bride, she left for the truck company & the restaurant at 05:30am. It hadn’t started to rain so se had a good drive in, It stayed around 35-36 all day and just grey all around, about 01:00PM it started a slow drizzle, but no ice or freezing rain. They have issued a winter advisory with a possible freezing rain and snow mix , but nothing yet. Nicole’s school wasn’t taking any chances and dismissed early at 01:00pm so the busses could get everybody home before the ice started.

So far a typical slow day at the ranch I made a quick trip to Auto Zone for some batteries for the door openers, and a manual for Andy’s new Jeep,I like those Hanes Manual and have one for each vehicle we own, they pretty much walk you through anything you would want to work on at home.

Rigg’s and Sadie are glad to have Nicole home and are bugging her to play all afternoon.

Hope everyone is having better weather than us. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Tuesday Thoughts.

2012-01-24T14:30:00.003-06:00

Up early with my bride, and then Rigg’s and I slept in until Donna left for work and then I went in the kitchen and started reading blogs.
I want to Welcome our 142nd follower, RUTHIE G. didn’t see a blog for her but welcome aboard Ruthie and I hope you enjoy following the antics of our group here at the Weeb Ranch and when we do get to make a trip as we prepare to set out on a fulltime adventure. Hope you are a pet person as Rigg’s & Sadie will do their best to help keep everyone on their toes around here.
Want to thank everyone for the pleasant welcome back after I got my internet service back yesterday, wow over 100 e-mails to catch up on, my Railroad Historical Society keeps me busy on most of them, plus trying to read the blogs I missed, I also like to keep current with a group of photographers that I trade train pictures with. Just about all of this is done by the internet.
Donna commented to one blogger that I was beside myself, without the internet, and AL From the Bayfield Bunch commented “I'm surprised clinics haven't sprung up around the country to help folks through the troubled times.....”. You know Al may have something there. But I was amazed at the times I went to the computer to do something, and found out it was linked in some way to the internet. So I was out of luck. I did go once to McDonalds to use their free wi-fi with the laptop to make a quick post to let everyone know I was down and out of service. But things have gone back to normal and I believe there is an improvement in speed although even before our DSL seemed plenty fast, but now when I download a train picture it just appears on the screen like it was cached, before if it was a big file it would scroll down a little slower.
Waiting with Rigg’s for Nicole to get home from school, then let the games begin. she will be full of energy and Rigg’s & Sadie will be more than happy to help her burn it off.
Before I forget again I received a copy of a certificate that Adam got from the MO. House Of Representatives, we are all so proud of him and the internet went down before I could brag. Here ya go.

Adam’s Certificate.

It’s sunny and about 45 today at the Ranch not bad for winter time, were supposed to get two days of rain and the temps are supposed to be in the 40-50’s for the next two days so maybe no snow. I’ll take the rain anytime.
That’s about it for today, hope everyone is having a great week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Monday Meanderings.

2012-01-23T17:04:00.001-06:00

Was up at 04:30AM had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company.

Before I go any further after no internet for three days I want to welcome my 140th & 141th followers, the first is JACKIE she has a blog so click on her name and take a look., then there is SHERRY & CHARLEY click on their name to see their blog, I hope you all enjoy the antics at the Weeb ranch and when we are traveling.

I was out the door a 09:00AM and went to the Centurylink Store In St Peters MO. to pick up the new router that the tech said I needed. Got home and after following the directions, it would not work so after an hour on the Tech support line, he decided it was in the DSl line and he would send a Technician on Tuesday. I noticed after lunch our phones were dead, Then about 03:30PM I got a call on my cell and the tech said to go down and try the internet, it worked and he walked me though setting up the wi-fi which is built in with this router. It seems to be faster and the signal upstairs is stronger than the Belkin wi-fi I had before.

So after period of three days we are back in the blog business.

Boy it sure will take a while to catch up on what was going on for the weekend. But I will read some tonight and some early in the morning when I get up.Had a ton of e-mails to catch up on also.

Hope everyone is having a fine day, be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Saturday Mumblings.

2012-01-21T15:43:00.001-06:00

Just a short note to let you know we are without internet service at the Ranch, Donna got a call about an upgrade to our DSL, and told them go ahead, I had lightening fast service Friday before I went to get Adam, when I came back,none, it says connected, but no amount of waiting brings up any page or my home page, Donna called tech support and after an hour of troubleshooting they decided my old DSL modem is not compatible with my new upgraded speed, something about an 8, and my model can only handle a 4 or 6, So I have won’t be posting until Monday.

So I ran to McDonalds to let your guys know what was going on, Be Safe Out There. Sam & Donna…

T.G.I.F.

2012-01-20T14:29:00.001-06:00

Was up and at em at 04:30AN had coffee with my bride and then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant.

Got me coupon and papers for the DMV from the Doctors in the mail. so I headed to the License Office, ten minutes later I was walking out with my Handicapped Parking hangers for My truck and Donna’s car. The price, FREE, couldn’t believe it.

Then it was back to Walgreens with the coupon for my prescription, Burrpppp wrong this coupon gave the same price as the last one $243 a month, so I asked this Pharmacist to please call the doctor and advise them the coupon didn’t work and we couldn’t afford the original that isn’t covered under our insurance plan, One hour later I was walking out with a generic three months supply, the cost $24 for three months , quite a difference. It only took three trips by me and two by my wife to finally get my pain relief medicine. Exactly one week from Friday to Friday.

Waiting now for Nicole to get home from school, Don’t know if she will be staying here or at her dad’s, it’s hard to keep up with who’s weekend it is.

Adam is going to spend the weekend I will be going out to Warrenton in a little bit to pick him up.

Not much else happening. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Thursday Happenings.

2012-01-19T16:22:00.001-06:00

Up at 04:30AM with my bride and had out coffee, then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant.

She told me this morning when she went to pick up my medicine, at Walgreens, they told her they didn’t have any for me, and no record of the change or calling the doctor in the computer. So it looks like my trip to the pharmacy was for nothing.

I went back this morning and wouldn’t you know it the pharmacist, I had talked to and who found the substitute at a cheaper price and was also going to call and get the change approved by the doctor, was off today, The pharmacist on duty couldn’t find anything in the computer and so he had to start from scratch and try to find out what was going on. I told him this was my third trip in regards to this one prescription so I am not jumping for joy and it is Thursday and I went to the Doctors last Friday and still no medicine we can afford, and my feet still hurt. I said would you call the doctors office and see if they know what going on. Of course they get a recording to leave their number and the office will call them back. I sat around about 30 minutes and the pharmacist came over and said he had just got a hold of my doctor and that they are sending a coupon by mail to me for a discount price on the original medicine, the one we can’t afford for $250 a month. I said well I hope this coupon works better than the one I brought here yesterday that my wife downloaded from the drug companies website, which came up with the same price, no reduction per month. So now I have to wait again till the mailman brings me my coupon and then another trip to Walgreens. Sheesh, I wish I could run a business like that. As you can see I got through that whole ordeal without even a cuss word. But I will be ready for a High Life tonight.

Hate to bore you with my medical adventures, I can hack a little foot pain and I am sure there are plenty of others out their who are in a heck of a lot worse shape than me , so I don’t want to sound like a complainer. But I never could have been happy in my career giving the people I was serving that kind of service.

On the bright side Nicole has decided to name her bear Coco, even though she is a white bear like a polar bear she said she likes the name so Coco it is. I peeked into her room last night and she was asleep with her arms curled around Coco, so she now has a sleeping partner.Makes you feel good all over to see them so peaceful and innocent like that.

Another cold day here at the ranch, put the truck back in the barn and it hasn’t moved since the drugstore trip, the highlight of the day was having to the dumpster emptied, but I missed it. That’s about it for now. Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Wednesday Musings.

2012-01-18T16:21:00.001-06:00

Up at 04:30am and had coffee with my bride, then she was off ay 05:30am, to the truck company and then the restaurant.

Nicole was feeling a little better so she was off to school, Grandpa had to go to Walgreens to see if I could find an affordable substitute for that $250 a month one we couldn’t afford, He found one that I can get a 3 month supply for $50,That’s a lot better, so he had to call the Doctor and get it changed, I knew that would take a while but before I left I found something that I was sure would make a sick 8 year old girl happy.

Nicky and her new Bear, she hasn’t named her yet.

The smile on a little girls face is something that makes this old Grandpa just want to spoil her more.

It was pretty cold here at the ranch today with a high of 34 degrees but a wind made it feel colder to you when you went out.

Other than that it was a slow day around here today Nicole just got home and is laying on her bed with her new bear. I will start supper for the two of us here in about a half hour, When I stopped at the meat market the other day they have frozen pizza’s like what I call bar pizza’s, the kind that bars heat up for you when you get the munchies and they don’t have a restaurant attached,you know a bar, bar, not a sports bar or eatery. Anyway these are fast and easy and surprisingly good. The kid’s love em and there's plenty of food for two people. Of course I’ll have to have the appropriate atmosphere in the kitchen and get my Millers iced mug out and wash it down with a couple of High Life Lights. The first Miller High Life I ever had was in a hotel on the Chicago Loop while I was on my way to basic training in Great Lakes Naval Station.

How about a old Locomotive picture,

DL&W 1505, 4-8-4 Pocono Passenger Engine.

Here she is in 1945 all dolled up for the engineer’s last run before retirement, He is holding his Grandkid’s, Imagine the excitement in the air. For you Ladies look at the fashion statement. If you click on it you will see they have installed electric light bulbs all along the boiler handrails.

Well that’s about it for now Have a great week, and be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Tuesday thoughts.

2012-01-17T15:53:00.001-06:00

Slept in this morning, Donna had just left for the truck company at 05:30Am when I awoke, asleep at my side on Donna’s side of the bed was Rigg’s snoring away, he is a contact dog so having his 100lbs next to you is the same as having your wife’s 115lbs, so I never knew she got up and left. Of course the minute I got up he jumped down and was waiting in front of the pantry where his food is kept for me to put his daily ration in his dish, he will nibble it on and off until Sadie gets up and then to keep her away he will finish it.

I want to Welcome our 139th follower RUSS KRECKLOW & DONNA K. they have a great blog called Travels in Therapy that we have been following for some time. Russ & Donna we enjoy your travels even though like us you haven’t gone full time.You have been lucky to meet up with some great bloggers, Donna & I are hoping to get a spot for a short stay at Desert Sands,next winter so maybe we can all be there around the same time. You are welcome anytime here at the Weeb Ranch and I hope you enjoy reading about life here and when we do get to make a road trip, hopefully soon now the the fiver is repaired and roadworthy.

Nicole is home today she was sick last night and then again this morning, Andy and Samantha had to go out today, so Grandpa is the pediatrics nurse while her Mom is out. Donna will be home in about and hour and can take over.

Went to my Doctor’s office this morning to get the paper work done so I can get a parking permit for the handicapped spots. I have delayed this for a long time especially with Donna’s CPAP and now my Peripheral Neuropathy is getting worse. I see so many people half my age with no visible defects parking in those spots and I always felt that they should be available for someone who is really in need of them, like veterans missing legs, When I went for my appointment last Friday I asked the Doctor what he thought and said he was surprised I hadn’t asked for one a long time ago for Donna especially when we have 100 degree weather and her breathing is more difficult. He also confirmed that my feet were slowly getting worse and prescribed a drug, when Donna went to get it filled the pharmacist told her our insurance didn’t cover it and it was $250 for a months supply 60 pills, I told her no, I can stand the pain for awhile since we really can’t afford that much more on our medication expenses. I asked the girls at the office to tell my Doctor and see if there is something else I can take. He wasn’t in today so they will mail me the paperwork to take to the license office and call me if the prescription can be changed.

Rigg’s is also on nurse duty and won’t leave Nicoles side unless when goes in her bedroom for a nap she shuts the door to keep him out, she keeps her candy stash and dolls in there and if she leaves the door open Rigg’s will sneak in and steal a Barbie to play with or candy if can sniff it out. Last time he he got a doll the head came off and Nicole was in tears until Grandpa performed emergency doll surgery and managed to get the head back on. Needless to say Rigg’s was in trouble again. But she has forgiven him and likes it that he watched over her when she is sick.

I stopped at Rallo’s Italian Meat Market on the way home and got some of the good really fresh ground beef he has. and some buns, and also a couple of his frozen pizza’s. Tonight I think we will have Hamburgers, scalloped potatoes and a vegetable. The burgers are just great with that ground beef, just like a bar’s grease burgers, really juicy and tasty.Better quit here, I ‘m making myself hungry just typing about it. Hey hope all is well with our blog family, and from the Old Sarge. Be Safe Out There. Sam & Donna……

Monday Meanderings.

2012-01-16T12:33:00.001-06:00

Boy did the weekend fly by, what happened to Sunday, it went by so fast I forgot to post a blog, Oh well we’ll just catch up here. Had the Grands from Friday morning until Sunday evening right after supper last night Nicole and Chris’s Dad picked them up for a sleepover at one of Chris’s friends houses. Adam elected to stay with Grandpa since he didn’t know anybody and his Mom was going to pick him up this morning. They all had a great weekend and I told them we would do it again soon, I said find a place you want to see and we will go.

We didn’t go eagle watching the Sunday paper said they are late getting down here to the Lock & Dams where they winter and fish so we will wait a couple of weeks, must be the warmer start to the winter we had..

Donna had to go in to the truck company,I guess they don’t celebrate MLK Day like the schools and such.When I was on the PD they gave you 12 holidays in pay in the form of a check the first week of December, that way you got Holiday pay whether you worked it on the schedule or not, plus it gave you Christmas shopping money. So to me Holidays were just another work day.Usually all the major holidays were busy on the roads so you pretty much were scheduled to work anyway. When I was a Sergeant and my boys were grown I would put myself on the schedule in place of one of the young guys who had kids home,so they would have Christmas Day off with their families.

Now when your retired, everyday is a holiday.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Saturday Mumblings.

2012-01-14T16:05:00.001-06:00

Up about 06:00AM with my bride, had our coffee, and looked at the blogs.

We have all three Grandkid’s for the whole weekend so I said I would take them someplace for a day out, they all wanted to go to.

Planet Fun.

Once we got there they were off like a flash, through all the tubes and labyrinths that make up the place it is huge so they can run and climb and get all sorts of exercise, Nicole met a girl she knew who was having a birthday party there, so the three were invited for cake.

Even though we had pizza night at home last night they were up to share a pie and had that, Nicole was a regular pizza face before it was all over.

The Pizza Face.

Nicole & Adam.

Chris & Nicole.

After pizza it was three more hours of running the course and playing with friends. Then it was time to drive home and Grandpa had coupons for a free Blizzard at Wendy’s on the way home. Smiles were evident all around.

Grandpa will be smiling latter when he has a frost glass of High Life Light.

Grandma Donna had to leave for the restaurant as we were getting home but got to say goodbye to the kid’s, They don’t have school Monday so they will be together until then when Adam will go home to Warrenton and Chris will go to his Dad’s.

That’s about it for today, hope everyone is having as great a weekend as we are, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

T.G.I.F.

2012-01-13T14:47:00.001-06:00

Got up at 04:30AM and then remembered I had my every three month Doctors appointment so I laid back down and got another hours sleep.

I always make my appointment for the first one at 09:00AM, and that way no waiting I get right in the treatment room and usually in 30-45 minutes I’m out the door.

Anyway he did all his testing and drew blood like always and looked at my feet and I told him they are getting sore when I walk any distance, so he gave me a prescription for that. Then he said okay I’ll see you in 3 months and I knew all was well again for another 3 months or 3000miles. Who in there right mind would make a doctors appointment for Friday the 13th, I was thinking that all the way to the truck, when I got there I looked at the card with my next appointment, yep 09:00AM 4-13-12 another Friday. I am going to have my head examined when I get there.

Nicole and Chris had school today and Adam was still off, they will all three be off Monday, Adam was the lucky one as he got to go to the grocery store with me and pick some of the things he likes.Sheesh another gallon of chocolate milk, have any idea what the lifespan of a gallon is with three Grands home, not very long.

Here’s an e-mail Donna sent me from work this morning,

You should have seen last night....the kids were having sword/nerf gun fights when I got home. running all over the place,...lots of laughing and giggling they were having a good time.

I told them to be careful w/ those nerf bullets they were shooting or Riggs would get it....sure enough one bounced off Nicki and Riggs pounced......Adam and Chris took off like a shot after him....Chris finally caught up to him ...he was holding Riggs and told Adam take it out of this mouth...Adam ' no i'm not putting my hand in his mouth.....Nicki come here.....well Chris grabbed the back half of Riggs....Adam grabbed the middle around his chest....'Nicki take it out of his mouth' ''yuck not me I'll help hold him' so she grabs around his neck and the you do, no you do it started.

so I went in and pried open his mouth stuck my hand all the way around and didn’t find anything. I said well guess he swallowed it...Nicki said no its still in his mouth....so I tried again nothing....well she was on the floor looking up and said he has it on the roof of his mouth...sure enough a second later the tip of the nerf bullet was sticking out the front. they all laughed some more...thought it was the funniest thing…….

Sounds like a normal night of mayhem at the Weeb Ranch. God Bless the kid’s and dogs. they sure make life a hoot around here.It may be cold outside but this crew warms the inside up pretty quick.

That’s about it for Friday or Pizza day as it’s known around here.Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Thursday Happenings.

2012-01-12T13:03:00.001-06:00

Up at the usual 04:30AM, Noticed right away it was snowing and had about an inch accumulated, the temp was 20 degrees with a wind chill of 10deg. At 05:00AM got a call from Shana who asked if I could get out to Warrenton and pick Adam Up since his school was canceled and he is off until Tuesday now. I got dressed and headed out for the 25 mile drive in the snow, The minute I got up the street and put the brake on for the first time I immediately found out that under the snow was black ice. Luckily I had no one in front of me and stayed on a straight course. But now I knew that my speed and braking would be severely limited for this trip. Saw a couple of plow trucks out once I was on the interstate but they were just plowing and not salt shaking so the road stayed slippery. Got out to Warrenton and picked up Adam and then headed home, since eastbound is now the direction of people heading for work the traffic picked up and we passed four accidents, one serious with a large single truck upside down along the right side.From the amount of emergency vehicles it was obvious someone had been hurt or worse.When we finally got to the exit to Hwy61 where we get off the Interstate was at a standstill and stayed that way for several hours. I was lucky and got off and was home right away. Total driving time in this junk, two hours 30 minutes, in what is normally a 35 minute drive each way.I think the last snow I drove in was in the bus, and now I remember why I didn’t care for it. That’s why my truck stays in the garage normally when it’s bad weather.

Snowy morning at the Weeb Ranch.

All the Grandkid’s are here at the Ranch for a change, Although Nicole lives with us, Adam & Chris just get here on selected weekends when their Mom or Dad decides they want time off from parenting.

Lunch time at the Weeb Ranch.

The kid’s are enjoying their extra snow day off school and are playing xbox and also Rigg’s & Sadie are getting a workout playing with the kid’s and just plain happy to have the extra company.

Grandpa is enjoying the sounds of kids at play and just having them around, we will probably go out in the yard if the snow is enough to make a snowman.

My son Andy got called out to plow at 01:00AM he just made it back in the house at 01:00PM 12 hour shift, he said they will call tonight if they are needed tonight.

That’s about it for today here in Dardenne Prairie, hope everyone out there in blogland is having a great day. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Wednesday Musings.

2012-01-11T15:33:00.001-06:00

Donna was up at 04:30am for her coffee, I got up took my morning pills and then went back to the bedroom, Rigg’s looked so comfortable laying on our bed that even though I was dressed I snuggled up next to him and the next thing I knew it was 07:30AM and Nicole was getting ready for school.

Another sunny and mild day the afternoon temp is 55 degrees, just unbelievable for winter in Mo. Rigg’s is in & out all day, he loves playing outside, and then will come in for a few minutes and then he wants back out. Then it’s Sadie’s turn so I have a full time doorman’s job it looks like.

Just looked at tomorrow’s forecast, A low of 26 tonight with rain & snow mixed,then tomorrow the high is supposed to stay at 26 with more snow. Looks like I may have spoke too soon.

Donna is going in to the restaurant tonight, she said she is really feeling better. I hope.

Not much else going on at the Ranch, the truck stayed in the garage again and the only chore is to get the dumpster down for the Thursday pickup.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Tuesday Thoughts.

2012-01-10T15:11:00.001-06:00

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

Want to welcome our 138th follower, MICHAEL & DEE See you folks have emigrated from SA to Ontario Canada, and now are RVers. We sure hope you are enjoying your lifestyle and that you enjoy the antics that go on here at the Weeb Ranch, in between our trips and as we count down to a fulltime life. Hope to meet up with you someday.

Today is another mild, sunny day here in Dardenne Prairie. The temp right now is 56 and Rigg’s is loving it. He gets out and chases the feral cats that live under our wood pile in the back, I guess they have a nice warm safe den there as this is the second year they are here and Donna said she saw kittens last summer. They are smart as they know how far Rigg’s can get to them on his run and then sit outside the distance and watch him. The one looks to be 40 or 50 lbs it is a big one the other adult is a quite a bit smaller, don’t know if they are a mated pair.

Must be enough of a natural rodent food supply in the area to sustain them, although a few years ago they wouldn’t have lasted with the hawk population we had. But know that homes have been built you don’t see hawks as often.

Waiting for Nicole to get home from school, she was playing with the dog’s when she got home yesterday, and today will maybe want to go up to the park after school for an hour if it stays warm.

Today is our youngest son Andy’s 30th birthday, I know I am getting old now, he has decided he will celebrate it Sunday when Donna is off and we can all have a dinner out someplace. Happy Birthday Son.

Well that’s about it for today, I have a few minutes before the back door flies open and Nicole bursts through and starts in with Sadie & Rigg’s who will be thrilled to see her. Ah the noise will be great.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Monday Meanderings.

2012-01-09T13:43:00.001-06:00

Was up early with my bride she decided she was feeling well enough to go into the truck company.I can only hope because I knew no amount of persuasion was going to get her to stay home another day. I guess 2 1/2 days of bed rest was her limit. No restaurant until Wednesday so maybe she will be more rested and the medicine will have done it’s job.

I am now sitting here trying to decide what to make for supper, I have 2 lbs. of ground beef I need to cook so I will make Sloppy Joes probably with a side of Mac & Cheese. Any left overs don’t last long as the kid’s will devour them for lunches. Boy that was easy the big decision of the day made.

Waiting for Nicole to get home from school, It is sunny and 49 degrees, not bad for a winter day.Makes me wonder when winter will finally hit here.

No plans to go out anywhere, just a stay at home day for me.

That’s about it for today. Hope everyone is enjoying a good week, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Sunday Notes.

2012-01-08T15:15:00.001-06:00

Up again at about 05:00AM had some coffee and then read some blogs, Donna said she is feeling better and more rested each day. I went to the store for some more milk and eggs and picked up two more prescriptions that were ready for her. That was the sum total of me being out with the truck.

Nicole got home this afternoon and Donna had some books for her to start reading, Donna & I are readers and we have always encouraged our boys to read, and now the Grandkids.

Looks January is going by at a good clip, we keep hoping things will allow a spring trip and also another one this summer like we did last summer, It was sure nice to meet up with blogger friends and we hope to have some stop here also and spend a few days at the Ranch.

How about a couple of helicopter pictures.

Single engine UH-2a/b, These were the version I flew with during my stay in HC-2. ( 1250hp)ca early 60’s

UH-2c/d same airframe two engines what a hot rod (2500hp). ca 1968

The pictures of the single engine versions are like hens teeth to find, wish I took more back then. The dual engine version went on to become the SH2-F Light anti sub/ship version and stayed in service until the early 90’s when it was replaced by newer and bigger models.There are a tone of SH2 pictures out there.

Well that’s about it for today, hope Ya’all had a good weekend. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

Saturday Mumblings.

2012-01-07T15:10:00.001-06:00

Up about 06:30AM had a chocolate milk while Donna had here coffee, Donna said after taking her medication she got some sleep last night, she has been taking short naps throughout the morning and afternoon, She said she is going to bake a pie later for dessert tonight. Don’t know what kind yet.

Samantha is due back either tonight or tomorrow from Oklahoma, Andy washed and shined his Jeep with the mild weather we are having it was 60 yesterday and should hit 50 today sunny all day so far. He is really proud of it, since he hasn’t had a car of his own for over a year.

Rigg’s is loving the weather and is bugging to go out every five minutes it seems, Sadie is more inclined to lay in her little bed and watch Rigg’s from the window next to the back door.

Hopefully with some rest like she is doing Donna should feel better in a few days, Keeping her home Monday will be a chore since her company doesn’t let them accrue sick time, so no work, no pay.

Before I forget I want to welcome our newest followers WILLIAM & MARY ANN Welcome Aboard we have something I common and Donna had a Triumph Bonneville when I met her and after we were married we had several Harleys, we are currently bike less. Hope you guys enjoy the antics here at the Weeb Ranch and maybe we will meet in our travels, visitors are always welcome here at the Weeb Ranch.

Well that’s about it for today, Thank you all for your concern over Donna’s health, when it rains it pours that’s for sure. We are still hoping maybe to get her retired this year and get on our way to our dream of hitting the road, We just might be able to afford health care if we work camp until 65 and Medicare kicks in. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

T.G.I.F.

2012-01-06T15:07:00.001-06:00

Started the day early with coffee with my bride, she has not been sleeping well and said she might try to get in to see the Doctor soon.

Boy was I surprised when she came home at 02:30PM and said she had stopped at the doctors and he said she is starting to show signs of pneumonia and that if she didn’t get two or three days of rest he was going to put her in the hospital, that with a bunch of medication she has to take. so she is now laying down.

Today it is 65 again and sunny just a beautiful January day. Maybe the cold front passed or the front down south is pushing warmer air our way.

I haven’t gone anywhere today and the farthest I intend to go is out to the mailbox.

Haven’t heard from Adam so he may be spending the weekend with his Mom this weekend.

Waiting for Nicole to get home from school, she will be going to her Dad’s house this weekend, so Donna & I should have a quiet weekend around here. Not much else going on at the Ranch now.

Hope you all have a great weekend, and be safe out there, Sam & Donna…

Thursday Happenings.

2012-01-05T12:13:00.001-06:00

Up early with my bride and had our coffee, then she was off to the truck company and the restaurant. Had a bad day yesterday and missed our Wednesdays post. It started with and early morning call that Samantha’s Aunt in Oklahoma passed away so her and her Mom left to drive out there. Andy is staying here with Nicole so she doesn’t miss any school.

The we got an e-mail from Donna’s brother Pat, that his wife Kathy’s cancer is back in two places and she will have to resume chemo.

Between all that Andy’s new Jeep broke down so we got that to the shop and $202 later it was fixed, but by that time Nicole had to go to Girls Scouts, so no blog was done.

So now I want to welcome a new follower number 136, BARGIRL2382 didn’t see that she listed a blog of her own so if you have one let us know. Welcome Aboard and I hope you enjoy the adventures and misadventures of the crew here at the Weeb Ranch and our travels when we make them. Never a dull moment here with Rigg’s and Sadie the fur babies.

Went out to pay the car insurance and stopped at the RV dealer, and they had the 30amp female/ locking 4pin connector for my new generator, now I can plug the 30 amp cord from the trailer directly into the generator. It also eliminates the possibility of accidently sending 220 volts from the generator into the trailer.

That’s about it for today, everyone have a safe day. Sam & Donna…

Tuesday Thoughts.

2012-01-03T14:59:00.001-06:00

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company.

Not much doing today, the truck hasn’t left the garage.It is a cold but sunny day.

Rigg’s wanted to say something so here he is.

Ok, you be the judge, I think it was unfair.

Mom was home for a couple of days so she cooked some really good smelling meals for everyone even a nice Christmas cake with these pretty red and green stripes and lots of white stuff.

I grabbed a spoon and was ready to dig in too and all I got was YELLED AT !

Now Ralphie what are you laughing at....you're my nephew you aren’t suppose to be laughing at me.

What Uncle Riggs....see I'm not laughing.....I feel sorry for you. Of course it was unfair....after all you had a spoon and all. Not as though you didn’t have any manners.

Well anyway folks.....let me know if you thought this was fair of Mom and Dad.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.... Yeah I paw-tyed a little, my eyes don’t look so good…..

Well Rigg’s just because you managed to steal a package of plastic utensil’s doesn’t entitle you to people food dessert. No wonder you got yelled at.

Well that’s about it for today, hope everyone is having a great week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Monday Meanderings.

2012-01-02T15:05:00.001-06:00

Up at 04:30AM, then realized that Donna was off today, so I went in and made coffee and read some blog. Donna got up a little later and had coffee with me. Later in the morning I took the two unopened boxes of floor tiles back and got a $140 rebate, $70 a box. Then it was over to Shop & Save to fill in what we needed for groceries for the week.

When I got home I found out Donna wasn’t feeling good with back pain and still coughing, what a combination. She spent most of the day in bed, We decided to let Andy & Samantha order pizza and we would add one for us so There will be no cooking or mess tonight, a true day off from everything.

The wind is blowing which makes the 40 degree day seem like 20 it is cold when you go outside. Wish we were somewhere where it is warm, Maybe like Desert Hot Springs, or Florida, We are looking for next winter and if I can get all my friends to swear us in as Honorary Canadians, maybe we can get in the Desert Hot Springs RV Park.

That seems to be a very popular spot with bloggers from all over Canada and the Oregon area.

Well that’s about it Nicole should be home this afternoon from her Dad’s and that will make the two pups and a Grandpa happy, The noise will start again and it will have the happy sound of a child’s laughter again.

Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Sunday Notes.

2012-01-01T11:33:00.001-06:00

Well it’s the start of a New Year 2012, and what better way to start it but with a coffee with your bride, Donna had to work last night, and got home right around midnight, by that time my train movie had worked it’s magic and I was zee’ed out and never saw anything fall or heard any explosions, so I have to take for granted it is in fact a new year.

Look’s like Rigg’s took a minute to celebrate.

Today is a nice sunny day in the 40’s, definitely not the usual MO. weather for New Years, This is usually the coldest part of our weather with an above average chance of snow being on the ground, the majority of our below zero weather usually comes between Christmas and Feb 1st. Also most of our snow, Usually after the middle of Feb and the 1st of March you can count on a few nice mild days and Spring is here by April 1st.

I hope we are in for a mild winter this year after the one we had in 2011.

Really a do nothing day Donna is catching up on a nap and then she said she is making Chicken in Alfredo sauce for supper. For you guys like DONNA from Sandwich Il. that’s dead chicken in white sauce.

I spent a little more time this morning restocking drawers and looking around the fiver, I must say Don is a craftsman, on the cabinets and sink wherever a screw was removed or molding was replaced, he repainted so everything looks brand new. Around the edge where the carpet used to be he installed really nice tasteful molding again any nail holes were painted just giving it a nice finished look. He is a retired carpenter that started this RV repair business as a retirement job, he works out of a huge pole barn with room for several trailers, and had two waiting to come in when mine was out, the one was a sideswipe and he said they are tough, but it will look like new when he’s done. I would recommend him to anyone who needs a fix like mine.

well that’s about it. I am going to just sit around and relax, and hope for a trip to be possible soon as the weather warms , or maybe even before it does.

Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Saturday Mumblings.

2011-12-31T14:06:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-30T15:32:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-29T10:53:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-28T12:51:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-27T09:33:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-26T11:33:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-25T09:40:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-24T15:30:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-23T15:05:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-22T15:56:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-21T18:17:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-20T16:00:00.002-06:00

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.

2011-12-19T13:23:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-18T08:51:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-17T11:13:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-16T17:26:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-15T14:40:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-14T15:46:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-13T16:06:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-12T15:51:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-11T16:05:00.002-06:00

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.

2011-12-09T15:49:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-08T16:44:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-07T13:42:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-06T15:38:00.001-06:00

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.

2011-12-04T17:30:00.002-06:00

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…

Saturday/Sunday Notes.

2011-12-04T14:44:00.001-06:00

The weekend seemed to just breeze by. Adam was up early on Saturday and watched some of his shows(cartoons) then at 09:00AM he got a call from his buddy Brandon who lives behind us, He was out like a shot to play, aside from a short lunch break they played (about 4 boys) all day until I called him in for supper at 05:00PM.

He would have tried for some more playtime after supper but the rain finally came so that was it. He was ready for bed at 08:00PM which for a weekend is early so I know he was played out.

Today (Sunday) was a dreary and cold day off and on drizzle so the boys had to stay in. Adams Mom called and said she would pick him up at noon to take him somewhere so that was about it, Grandpa and Rigg’s occupied his time most of the morning. Donna had to go in the restaurant for a day shift, so the house quieted down this afternoon.

Waiting now for Donna to come home and I think I will just cook up some spaghetti sauce, throw a couple of sazzisa’s in it for me, Donna doesn’t care for them she says to spicy. But it is a good hot meal for a dreary day and easy to make.

Not much going on here at the Ranch. With the weather nothing got accomplished out side, I know I have to take the deck out from under John Deere and attach his plow & chains, it’s just a matter of time in December if snow comes this way.

That’s about it for today, Hope everyone is having a fine weekend. Be safe out there…. Sam & Donna..

TGIF

2011-12-02T17:42:00.001-06:00

Up at 04:30AM with my bride and had out coffee, then Rigg’s talked me into laying next to him on top of the comforter on our bed so he could get his extra hour nap after Donna left until Nicole got up. He would stay in bed then too, but Nicole makes sure he is up and awake to play with.

Didn’t do much today, about Noon I got a call to tell me to pick up Adam at his bus stop today and bring him over for the weekend. Nothing like good news and having Adam for the weekend is always good news.It’s Nicoles weekend with her Dad, so it will be me & Adam this weekend, He is looking forward to playing with his buddies from our neighborhood and maybe going out with his Grandpa if the guys aren’t around to play with.

Donna has the restaurant duty tonight so I won’t see her until I wake up and make sure the coffee is going. She will sleep in until 05:30 or 06:00AM on a Sat. or Sun since she doesn’t have the 50 mile commute.

Being Friday tonight was Pizza night at the Weeb Ranch, Since it is late when I get back with Adam from Warrenton, we fudged on it and baked a frozen one instead of homemade. So I am finishing my pizza and on my second High Life Light as I type this.

Everyone have a good weekend. Be safe out there, Sam & Donna…..

Thursday Happenings.

2011-12-01T16:16:00.001-06:00

Up early, had coffee with my bride, then I laid back on top of the bed with Rigg’s while Andy got ready for work and Nicole got ready for school.

Today was wash day here at the Ranch for me at least and I started on last weeks wash, got 3 loads done and I will have one for tomorrow.

The boys came back to work on the roof. it should be done this evening, and then they might have to come back once for a quick cleanup of anything that missed the dumper, and then they can come and get it out of the back yard.

I will be glad when I have the piece of mind that it is covered with new shingles and then we can have our first snow storm and no worries of leaks or water getting under the old stuff.

It was sunny and got up near 50 today, but it is supposed to fall back into the 20’s tonight again.

Not much else doing, Donna has the restaurant tonight so I will be cooking for Nicole & I. Andy & Samantha usually wait till later to make something. Nicole and are are hungry by 05:00PM so we eat early.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Wednesday Musings.

2011-11-30T14:30:00.001-06:00

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

I blogged awhile and then at about 10:30AM I headed out to Warrenton MO. where I dropped the fiver off to have the floor repaired. He had just finished a motor home so I was abled to back the fiver right into this large pole barn, plenty of room with it parked and the slide out. It appeared clean and neat. The kind of place I would like my shop to look like when I am working on something.

He said he would call when he is ready for the floor covering and Donna and I can go and pick something out and he will tell us how much is needed. I am pretty sure Donna is looking at the flooring that KAREN & STEVEO put in their motor home.

So Don the guy doing the job said he is looking at a couple weeks, and I told him not to rush since I only want this done once.

Other than that I got home and put the truck back in the garage, When I got home I saw that Danny & a buddy were busy up on the roof, so I am hoping that it will be finished up today. It is cold in the 40’s but sunny and they sound like a lot of hammering with the air guns is going on.

That’s about it for today a couple of the blogs I read today had run in’s with coyotes near their rigs and homes. These can been very crafty and tenacious animals, especially when hungry. Keep small dog away from them.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Tuesday Thoughts.

2011-11-29T16:21:00.001-06:00

We were up as usual early and then Donna headed to the truck company.

Got a call later in the morning from the RV repair place and Don asked if I could bring it out and drop it off tomorrow at 11:00AM to start the repairs. I am so glad that this is starting now and maybe before Spring we will have it back and in like new condition. I am going to have him install the 4 inch wide eternabond tape on the front and rear cap seals. I guess I am just paranoid about water leaks now , but this is one of the points where a lot of leaks occur. I figure it will be in a heated garage and he can clean the seal area recaulk any thing that needs it and then apply the tape. should be a pretty permanent seal after that. Went out today and took both the recliners out and put hem in the garage, so he would have the whole floor area clear to work on. Then I hitched it up and I will head it facing out in the morning. It was cold enough that my hands were getting numb after hitching up.

Not much going on today it was sunny and 38 degrees and then it clouded up this afternoon. Nicole has cheering today so she will be late getting home.

Rigg’s is out having a run in the back, must have seen a cat in the yard.

That’s about it here at the Ranch. Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Monday Meanderings.

2011-11-28T14:48:00.001-06:00

Well we were up at 04:30AM Donna had coffee and I had a glass of milk and a blueberry muffin. Donna was off to work at the truck company at 05:30AM and I waited around until Danny and his buddy got here at 09:00AM to work on the roof, They got until a little after noon and then the wind kicked up and it started to drizzle so they called it a day. Danny said they have between a half and a full day of work left to do. The weather has just not co-operated at all for them. Andy was at his own job all day.

Donna said she got a call from Adam and his xbox is broke, so she is going to stop at Game Box to see if it is still covered under warranty. We got it for him last year for Christmas.

Waiting for Nicole to come home from school, pretty much stayed a recluse today and didn’t leave the house. The truck stayed in the garage. Fuel last’s a long time if you don’t leave the garage. I filled it on the way back from Branson and it still has a half tank after two weeks.

Somebody in the St Louis Metro area bought a lottery ticket at a Mobil Station and it is the winning ticket with all the right numbers for 2.5 million. They haven’t returned it yet to claim their prize. Ever think of what you would do if you would win that much money.

I know Donna would retire, and we would pay off the house and make the repairs it needs and then transfer it to my Son and Grandson, We would positively leave on our full time journey. Would we buy a new rig, probably not right away, maybe never. Trust me being poor isn’t so bad and we could put the rest in savings and help some of our family get out of debt. Had a friend who won several hundred thousand and within a year he had nothing to show for it, Hopefully he had a fun year. Donna does buy a ticket a week so maybe we can dream about it, I have never bought a lottery ticket in my life, juts not lucky, don’t stand next to me in a thunder storm..

Hope everyone is having a good week, it’s starting to look like winter here at the Weeb Ranch with the endless grey days and cold temps, it will be in the 20’s tonight.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Sunday Notes.

2011-11-27T11:19:00.001-06:00

Up at 05:30AM again, had our coffee,Donna told me they asked her if she could come in today on the day shift at the restaurant.How did I guess we wouldn’t have a day off together this week. Well we did have Thanksgiving Day, so I guess I can be Thankful for that. Anyway she got out of here at 09:00AM. So I jumped in the truck and headed over to the Shop & Save grocery store before the 09:00 Mass let out. and the store was swarmed. managed to get in and out and just beat the rush as they were leaving the church lot as I drove by on my way home. For years Donna & I would attend the 10AM mass until she disliked the new pastor they sent out to raise funds for a new church. The one thing she got tired of fast was being referred to as “oh your Sam’s wife” instead of her own name. She said he might be good at raising money but he sure isn’t a people person. Plus it went from a small town parish where everyone knew and helped each other, to Money, Money Money, They kind of forgot the religion part somewhere along the way, so our family just parted company with them. Funny thing they still send envelopes to the house several years after we stopped attending, but know one ever called to see what the problem was. Believe me they would have got an earful from Sam’s wife.

Nicole helped Grandpa carry the groceries up from downstairs, she is such a good helper. It’s just little things like that that make you realize you have raised some good kid’s.

Still a cold misty day again, I was hoping the guys would get some time in on the roof, if they got one nice dry sunny day it would be finished I believe.

Anyway That’s about it from Dardenne Prairie,hope you all have a good week. and be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Saturday Mumblings.

2011-11-26T14:09:00.001-06:00

Well we slept in until 05:30AM this morning, then it was coffee time, Donna only has the restaurant to night, and did some cleaning this morning, and mopped the Kitchen floor, I hid out close to the basement and and garage, out of sight.

Yesterday I posted the blog before I had a chance to run out and fill the gas can with gasoline. So it was late that I finally filled the new generator with crankcase oil and gas. I had put the new battery maintainer I bought for the fiver on it to make sure the battery was fully charged before I started it.

Then the time was at hand to give it it’s first start, opened the gas shut off, put the choke on turned the key and within a couple cranks it fired and I opened the choke and it went into a smooth running mode, I made sure the switch was turned to 120v and then closed the circuit breakers and the gauge went to a rock steady 115volts.

ROD had asked yesterday to let him know how loud it was, Since I haven’t heard a Honda in a long time this one sounded reasonable quiet, since it was sitting on the tail gate I could hear a little rumble from being on the truck bed which I am sure will disappear if it is set on the ground. I let it run for about 15 minutes to give it a chance to wear in some. If I went into the house from the garage and shut the door you could not hear it anymore.All in all I don’t think it is too loud, it has a 6.5 HP OHV engine which is a copy of a Honda and the alternator does not scream, the muffler seems to be pretty big for the size of the generator and it has a round exhaust pipe that is set up to add additions to it. I plan on extending it and making an adapter to put the rubber tube I use for getting exhaust out of the garage in the winter time, you’ve seen those tubes at garages and tire places that go through a hole in the door.

I think with any generator no matter what make it is or how quiet it is supposed to be there are some rules of etiquette that apply.

1. Don’t run it if you are near others. period.

2. Run it during hours when others would be away and not sleeping.

3.In most cases it is more of an emergency power source than a primary power source.

The majority of our camping is where there is a power source since we seldom fully boondock, if you are boon docking, you do without A/C, and microwaves, and just use the generator to replenish the batteries when they go down. Usually when boon docking you are away from other rig’s. so like anything else, it’s common sense.

Hopefully Monday I will hear when to bring the fiver out for it’s repair, and when that is done we will be ready in the spring for a trip to get back in action.

Like I said it’s a dull rainy day here at the ranch, Nicole is playing with Dolls and watching TV. Now there's a novel way to pass the day. Playing with Doll’s. Nah Donna would have a fit.

Here’s what Rigg’s & Sadie do on rainy days.

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

TGIF

2011-11-25T08:54:00.001-06:00

We were up at 04:30AM and had our coffee, Donna has to go in a half day at the truck company and then tonight at the restaurant.

I decided since Rural King opened on Black Friday at 06:00AM I would leave the house at 05:15AM in case there were a few in line. Surely the real shoppers would be at Best Buys, and Wal-Mart or K-Mart. BURRPP…. wrong as I drove onto the lot there was already a line of about 60 people. I had no other choice but get out in the cold and join the other fools. The whole time I was thinking, they only showed 2 of those generators in stock surely I can’t be so lucky as to have no buddy else wanting one in this crowd. Finally they unlocked the door and I did an end run around the middle aisle and got directly to the power driven aisle, and there they were like an oasis in the dessert Two 3500E electric start generators just as pretty as you please. One was a floor model and the other was in the box, so I loaded the box onto a cart and then I still had to buy a power cord adapter for the twist lock socket and a couple quarts of oil. Went to check out which was another 30 minute line and madhouse, The generator, which started out at $399, ended up being $319, after the Black Friday 20% discount. The cord was $21, and the oil about $6. with tax it came to $371.00. Still less than the $399 I started at and that was what the 2000 watt model was going for when I looked at them last summer. Here’s the new baby.

New in the box.

Front view. Wire is 10 ga. shouldn’t get hot.

Gen side, good sized muffler.

Engine end, can be hand started also.

This afternoon I will fill it with oil, put some gas in it and hitch up the battery and charge it. Then give it a test run. What’s nice is the fuel shut off, you can shut the valve and run it out of fuel in the lines and the carb will stay clean and varnish free. A few ounces of Sta-Bil in the gas tank and it will be ready to go just by turning on the fuel valve.

Will I ever do Black Friday Morning again, NAW, can’t be lucky twice in that game.

Donna and I did our Thanksgiving Dinner at Hometown Buffet in O’Fallon, we got there at 04:00PM and it was a madhouse to with about a 30 minute line already. Doesn’t anybody cook at home any more, the place was loaded with young families. If it wasn’t just the two of us we would have cooked a turkey at home, since it was the only place in town open we had to wait it out in line, but I will say the food was good and hot and there was plenty of it.

Well I’ll get this out for posting. WE hope Y’all had a great holiday and enjoy your long weekend. Rigg’s is bugging for me to go in on the bed and take a nap with him, he missed his morning nap after Donna leaves where we get an hour before Nicole goes to school.

Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Wednesday Musings.

2011-11-23T15:13:00.001-06:00

Up early,had coffee with my bride. Then did some blogging.

Want to take this opportunity to WELCOME our 133rd follower, LAUREN MILLER, didn’t see that she has her own blog yet. But if you do Lauren let us know. We sure hope you have fun watching the antics of the Weibel Clan here at the Weeb Ranch as we move toward fulltiming in our fiver.

Donna wanted a little holiday spirit in the blog so I put up a header of when we still had our Pond in front and decorated for the season. One year we had over 6000 lights and got a Thank You note from the Electric Co-op. people would slow down on the road to get a good look. Too much work now so we don’t do it anymore.

Adam had to wait until about 02:30PM before any of his friends got home from daycare today. He is now a happy camper out playing with his friends, The forecast for today was sunny and 50’s , but it has been cloudy and right now is 44 degrees. Kid’s don’t even notice it.

Well the insurance agent called Donna yesterday and told her than even though he had argued for us, the company still turned down the claim, stating that if it had been a sudden loss, like a burst pipe, it would have been covered, they changed their story in mid stream again. Our agent was disappointed and said how do you expect to sell insurance if a customer can’t get his claim through. He by the way the State Farm agent owns an RV himself.

I called the fellow that I liked and had the $2400 dollar bid and he said he could start on it next week and take from 2 to 3 weeks to complete it. I told him great, just call when you want it delivered to your shop. It will be indoors the whole time so that is good.

I have pretty much decided to wait until Fri and buy the 3000 watt generator instead of the 5500 watt. it will be $80 dollars cheaper with the 20% off sale, and it will fit in the space I have for it in the truck and also is smaller in case I want to build it into the fiver, It has electric start, and will not be as loud, and also will run longer on a gallon of fuel. 3000 watts will be more than enough for our little 30 amp electric fiver.If I ever decide to upsize the trailer I will buy one that is factory equipped with a generator, so this just makes the most sense, even without the Friday discount it is the same price as the Thanksgiving Day sale on the bigger one $399.

Before I forget, tomorrow is the holiday so.

HAPPY

THANKSGIVING

TO ALL OF YOU.

We here at the Weeb Ranch have a lot to be thankful for and we are. We have had a safe year and good health all around and are getting closer to our dream..

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

From all of us here at the Weeb Ranch, Sam,Donna, Andy, Samantha, Adam, Nicole, Rigg’s & Sadie.

Have a great Holiday and be safe out there..

Tuesday Thoughts.

2011-11-22T17:28:00.001-06:00

Up at 04:30AM, had coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company. Last night she showed me an ad for Rural King that had a 5500 watt(6500 surge) generator that will be on sale on Thanksgiving Day only marked down from $599 to $399. I went and looked at it and I believe it is a Generac, But with Rural Kings name on it. It has the Honda style ohv motor, electric start, 120 and 240 volt outputs.I asked the Manager if he heard it run and he said it is about the same as the Generac I heard there in the spring.I asked him to look and he said they had 18 in stock, so I guess I will be waiting Thursday morning before 07:00AM for them to open.

The also had a 3000 watt model with electric start, that was priced at $399, but would be 20% off on Thur, Fri & Sat. I would even consider that as 3000 watts will run an RV A/C.

Anyway after that, I waited until 03:30PM and was at Adam’s bus stop in Warrenton to pick him up, He will be spending Wednesday with us as his Mom has to work and there is no school tomorrow.

We finally heard from our friends Paul & Helen who are having their share of adventure’s in Mexico. We hadn’t seen a blog or gotten an e-mail in about a week and started to worry. But they posted a blog today, and had a multitude of adventures and misadventures to report. They slid off the road and had some damage to their motorhome, but luckily it is nothing to impair driving it.

Donna said she would have packed it in and headed back to the states. Were hoping they meet up with KEVIN & RUTH in Mazatlan, They are a lot more experienced at Rving in Mexico and probably can help them out.

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

Monday Meanderings.

2011-11-21T16:48:00.001-06:00

Up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride, then at 05:30AM she launched for work at the truck company. No second job tonight.

Another rainy and grey day today with temps in the 40’s, I am hoping for a couple of 60ish sunny days for the kid’s to finish the roof.

Donna sent me this from work.

This is very good! Not the usual type of redneck jokes we hear.

We have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years. It's time to
take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that
values home, family, country and God. If I had to stand
before a dozen terrorists who threaten my life, I'd
choose a half dozen or so rednecks to back me up.
Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit -- that's what rednecks are
made of. I hope I am one of those. If you feel the
same, pass this on to your redneck friends.
Y'all know who ya are
.
You might be a redneck if:It never occurred to you to
be offended by the phrase, 'One nation, under God..'

You might be a redneck if:You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.

You might be a redneck if:You still say ' Christmas'
instead of 'Winter Festival.'

You might be a redneck if:You bow your head when
someone prays.

You might be a redneck if:You stand and place your
hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem

You might be a redneck if:You treat our armed forces
veterans with great respect, and always have.

You might be a redneck if:You've never burned an
American flag, nor intend to.

You might be a redneck if:You know what you believe
and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You might be a redneck if:You respect your elders and
raised your kids to do the same.

You might be a redneck if:You'd give your last dollar to
a friend.

If you got this from me, it is because I believe that
you, like me, have just enough Red Neck in you to have the same beliefs as those talked about in this email.

God Bless the USA !

Keep the fire burning, redneck friend.
IN GOD WE TRUST!

AFTER READING THIS, I'M PRETTY SURE I'M A REDNECK.

I did look in the mirror though just to make sure.

Well that’s about it for today, I hope all of you are safe and enjoying this great country of ours. We hope to be enjoying it with you soon. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Sunday Notes.

2011-11-21T05:19:00.002-06:00

Up at 05:30am again then at 10:00AM Donna headed into the Restaurant for her Sunday extra shift.
Things were so slow around the Ranch today that I had to check my pulse to see if I was still pumping blood.
It was a rainy grey cold day, so the roof still isn’t finished, but almost.

Even Rigg’s was moving slow, if at all today.
He gives the word Lop a new meaning sometimes, how can such an energetic three year old be such a lop at times, and spoiled, now he needs a pillow.He was sleeping when I took this and never moved a muscle, to say leave me alone.
Since I am so late in posting better get this out. be safe out there, Sam & Donna…

Saturday Mumblings.

2011-11-19T15:07:00.001-06:00

We both slept in until 05:30AM this morning then had our coffee.Donna baked some brownies to take to work, for her special friends and co-workers. The boys, my son Andy & his buddy Danny finally got a day to work on finishing the roof, they have about half of the back side to go.Were hoping for tomorrow, but it is supposed to rain later in the day. It started cold at 40 degrees when they started but now it is 62 and sunny and the Carhearts came off from a combination of working hard and the temperature going up. Boy I don’t envy those guys, that roofing is hard work.

Not much going on here, besides the roofing, Donna has to go into the restaurant tonight, and she said they asked her to work a party on Sunday again.

I was hoping she would take a day off but she is back to working 7 days a week since we got home from Branson.

One of these days we will find a way to retire and get out on the road.

That’s about it for now. Everyone be safe out there wherever you are. Say Good Night to Mrs. Calibash if you run into her. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

TGIF.

2011-11-18T16:13:00.001-06:00

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

My only real accomplishment was to take a shirt to the cleaners for my son to get starched for some occasion he is going to this weekend. Kind of reminded me of my Navy days when you would have your tropical whites starched and pressed so they would literally stand up at attention without you being in them.

Rigg’s and I went out for some backyard fun today, he sure loves having anyone to play with and will wear you out in no time flat.

Then we all waited for Nicole to come home from school, to both Sadie & Rigg’s this a a highlight of their afternoon and they know by their internal clocks when it is 03:30pm as they start sitting and watching out the back door for her to come home.Then as she comes in the back door, Sadie does her ballet spins on her hind legs and Rigg’s is right in there to steal a kiss and a lick. Nicole in the meantime is yelling Rigg’s your getting me all wet. It just makes Grandpa’s afternoon and I laugh out loud each day. I find it fascinating that dogs know when it is time for a kid to get home.

It was a sunny but cool day in the 50’s today in Dardenne Prairie, you can tell winter is just around the corner ready to pounce on us.I hope we have the sunny weekend they promised so the roof will be finished up. In the last week we had three rainy days and three days of high winds where you couldn’t get on the roof.

Hope everyone is having a good time and all the ones that are heading south find fair weather. Donna sent me an e-mail saying she was checking out the rates and the amenities at the Sands RV Park in Palm Springs. Don’t know what that is about since we have to have the fiver repaired before we make any trips, and I am looking forward to a Florida trip in March first. But maybe it’s just for a future winter trip. Anyway it sure looks like a nice park on the website and all those Canadian friends can’t be wrong. Eh.

Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Thursday Happenings.

2011-11-17T16:35:00.001-06:00

We were both up at 04:30AM. Donna had coffee and I just took my pills with a little chocolate milk and then laid down again for another hour. Just didn’t feel like moving much this morning.

No word yet from the insurance company, I hope we hear something soon so I can send it out for repair.

It says Thursday Happenings in my title, but so far today nothing is happening. I checked on the delivery of a couple shirts I ordered, and the priority mail said they are scheduled to be delivered today 11-17, but it is now 04:30PM and no sign of anything yet. When we were in Branson I went to the Military Store to get a tee shirt to replace one I bought in the same store 2 years ago, it is fading after several washings. Well as luck would have it they were sold out. So I went on the web and found a couple I like better so that is what I am waiting on.

Nicole has cheer leading today, so she won’t be home until a little before 05:00PM. What a cutie she is. Grandpa is so proud of her. I should be hearing from Adam tonight to let me know if he is coming for the weekend.

Other than that, no Happenings to report here at the Ranch. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Wednesday Musings.

2011-11-16T14:40:00.001-06:00

Up early for coffee with my bride.She was off to the truck company and then the restaurant. I decided at about 09:00AM to pay my State farm insurance agent a visit. I told him of my plight with the claim and that they had said we could have a review. I also told him that I thought we deserved better treatment for our 30 years of loyalty and premiums, and that if it were refused in the review process I would like a letter with the reason so I could file an appeal with the Mo State Board of Insurance. (Thanks Mike for your suggestions in your comments). The agent made a couple of calls and then smiled and said, I just took it up the chain a few notches, let me work on it for you, so that is where we are at now.

Rigg’s said he had something for the blog this morning so here it is.

First I want everybody to meet my new nephew, Ralphie.....he is a miniature Australian Shepherd. He lives in New York City, so I haven't met him yet, .....maybe one day then I can be a role model for him.

Honest Mom, I didn't know that the cable would do that. You see while you were untangling the cable from the overhead wire, I know I was standing looking at the back door.....BUT THEN....I heard this noise, and it was so dark and I didn't want anything sneaking up on you, after all your back was turned to the yard. So I just took off as fast as I could to warn what ever was out there that I am big and strong. Sorry that it took you by surprise and the cable took you off your feet. You see I am so strong I don't even notice.

Now you and Dad were gone so long and I missed you, I know when you came home that I got all kinds of pets and treats...but it just wasn't enough....I only stole that fruit punch pouch to get your attention, after all blame Nicole she's the one that left it laying out. And you know its not fair, you are suppose to run after me and chase me round and round...but no you got Nicole to go one way and you went the other, so I just gave Nicole the packet, 2 against one now is that even ? And so what if I took Adam's toy....he wasn't here to play with it.... thought I looked pretty cool running around with a red missile in my mouth, like Captain Lab, Commando of Dardenne.

Now for the cream cheese caper....I saw you eating the white stuff on crackers and it smelled so good, I thought I'd try some. Okay so I'm not suppose to get on the counter, I'm sorry, but I just had to try it. Guess my big feet hitting the floor got your attention 'cause you came in and caught me....off I took. Haha...I really have strong jaws don't I? I had that whole pack of cheese in my mouth and you were trying your best to pry my mouth open and take it from me....Why were you doing that, you already had some why couldn't I have some, it was just melting in my mouth and was soooo good. Aluminum foil? Stick in my throat? Well that doesn’t sound very good. Why is there bad stuff with something that taste so good. Wish I was a raccoon then I could just peel off that bad stuff. Well, you did eventually get it didn't you, did you have to stick your hand so far down my throat? And then it was a little embarrassing when you pulled your hand out and kept going yuck yuck yuck.

Now I was good for two days wasn't I? But it was Sunday and you aren't suppose to go to work on Sunday. I wasn’t going to eat the cookies, after all they were in plastic bags. I just took them off the counter because I thought if I took them you would stay home. You know I didn't try to eat them because I ran to you and made the bags do that crinkly noise so you would pay attention. Of course all you did was yell at me to drop them and tell me I was a bad boy....but honest Mom I'm not bad...just mischievous and like to have fun.

See how sad I am......I promise I'll be better tomorrow.

LOVE Rigg’s….

Boy never a dull moment with our boy Rigg’s, but he is all 100% Lab Boy still. I guess we will have to wait and see if he grows up some more next year, in a few weeks he will be a three years old, Boy how time flies.

Went out today and bought a battery Maintainer to put on the fiver so I could unplug the AC from the back and that will keep the converter from running all winter and plus keep the batteries from boiling water out, the Maintainer says it has a solid state board to keep the charge level right when its plugged in like the charge wizard did on my old fiver.

Also got Donna some Rain Ex blades that Wally World had on sale for ten bucks. Gotta keep her happy too.

That’s about it for today, just waiting for Nicole to get home for from school now supposed to drop below freezing for the first time tonight. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Tuesday Thoughts.

2011-11-15T15:32:00.001-06:00

We were up early and had our coffee, than Donna was off to the truck company.

Another nice day with temps in the 60’s, it did cloud up a little this afternoon.

Donna got a call from the insurance company and they are refusing our claim, they said we waited to long to report the damage. Donna said we found the soft spot while camping this summer and had to tear the vinyl floor and carpeting up to assess the unseen damage. The person who she was talking to asked if she wanted the claim reviewed and another adjustor sent out and she told them yes. So we are still up in the air. I will really be surprised if they change their mind. Insurance companies will take their premiums, but find any excuse not to have to pay out on a claim.

Not much going on, waiting for Nicole to get home, The mutts and I have the house to ourselves now that Samantha and Andy are working. Which is really a good stroke of luck. Rigg’s is getting used to jumping up on the bed for an hour or so after lunch and watching a train movie with Dad. I think he is snoozing instead of watching though.

See where we have a bunch of friends heading south, and two sets already in Mexico.

Until the fiver is repaired we have no hope of a winter, and the expense is going to knock our budget for a loop. We are still hoping for a couple weeks in Florida around March. Time will tell. Sure would help if the insurance fairy was looking our way.

Not much else doing. Hope everyone is doing okay. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Monday Meanderings.

2011-11-14T10:51:00.001-06:00

Up early for coffee with my bride, then Donna was off to the truck company.

Since our trip to Branson last week we have several new followers and I’d like to WELCOME them. BUD RUSSMAN ARIZONA RV GUY, FRED & WILMA'S ADVENTURES, & MARK & CHRIS'S PHAETON PLACE. That brings us to 132, I hope your guys enjoy following us and reading about the everyday antics here at the Weeb Ranch as we head toward our goal of full time in our fiver.

This morning the adjustor finally came from the insurance company, he took some pictures, climbed up on the roof and then said the claims office would let us know if it is covered within a few days. So we still don’t know if we will paying or the insurance company.

Either way now we will make an appointment next week to send it in and have the repairs start.

Another nice day here with a temperature of 71 degrees, boy I know the bottom will fall out soon and winter will be here for the duration.

Well that’s about it for today, waiting for Nicole to come home from school so maybe we can go to the new playground.

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

Saturday Mumblings.

2011-11-12T13:28:00.001-06:00

Was up early and had coffee, spent some time reading the blogs, Then some laundry. I don’t think I mentioned it before but the City of Dardenne Prairie just completed a large park behind the City Hall complete with some elaborate playground equipment and rest rooms, a pavilion and a little gazebo bandstand.

Today after lunch I took Adam & Nicole over for about an hour, they had a blast, a lot of other kids to play with and just a really neat place to play, and it is a block from our house.

Here they are when they got up this morning.

Adam, Nicole, & Sadie..

It doesn’t show in the picture but Nicole was wearing the neatest jammies with the feet in them.

Later they got into a game of tag and made Rigg’s “it”then they would run and hide and Rigg’s would find one of them and then they were “it’ until they caught someone else. I’m surprised they didn’t catch hell from Grandma or the parents since the noise level got pretty loud, but they were having fun, that’s all that counts.

Donna has a shift tonight at the restaurant and Adam’s Mom is picking him up before supper. But it has been a fun Saturday here at the Weeb Ranch.

After coming back from the park Grandpa is taking it easy.

I hope everyone’s weekend is going fine like ours. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

TGIF.

2011-11-11T10:20:00.004-06:00

      Veterans Day

Thank You, Thank You

    To All Who Served

The United States flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. The United States flag flies from the last breath of each military member who has died protecting it. American Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen don't fight because they hate what's in front of them...they fight because they love what's behind them!

Navy Seal’s service dog did not want to leave his side.

              Patch from my era.

My Son Tim’s Dessert Storm Patch.
What else can be said other than THANK YOU so much for your service to your country.I know a lot of bloggers out there have served in the armed forces of both The USA. and Canada, and I send my Thanks to you all. I wish I could list all of you here in my blog for everyone to see but I am always afraid I would forget someone or not know about their service.
I also know that most if not all of you are like me, I am always embarrassed when someone Thanks me for my service, In all honesty, I enjoyed my time flying in the Navy, I always considered it a gift that made me a better person, the discipline, and leadership taught me, carried through my entire life, right onto my career in Law Enforcement. So Thank You all for giving me the opportunity to serve this great country of ours, I am truly proud to be an American.
Adam and I are going to spend the day just bumming, have a store run to make and maybe just take a drive and enjoy this nice sunny day, was going to do some more laundry, but it can wait, life is short and every minute you can spend with the Grand’s is special.
I will cut this short today, again Thank you all, and God Bless all of you. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.
PS. To all the wives out there, Thank You for the restless nights, you worried while your spouse was serving in harms way.

Thursday Happenings.

2011-11-10T15:50:00.002-06:00

We were up at the usual 04:30AM, had our coffee and then Donna launched from the starboard catapult for the truck company and then the restaurant.
Tuesday right after we got home I got a call from Adam who asked if I could come to his school Thursday at 12:30PM for a Veterans Assembly, I could tell he was excited about it so I said sure, as long as I don’t have to sing.
So today I put on a Navy Tee and a ball cap and went for his assembly honoring veterans, He was so proud of his Grandpa I thought he would bust.

                  Adam’s School in Warrenton MO.

         Grandpa & Adam before the assembly.

                               The Vet’s on stage.

                                  The kid’s.
It was a lot of fun and I met another Vet who had been a policeman with me and I hadn’t seen in ten years. It seems lately I have been running into people I hadn’t seen in years. Adam was happy because he got to get out of class and go home with me when the assembly was over. He will be spending the weekend with us.
Here is an update on our fiver, we got three bids, Donna called the insurance company before we went to Branson and they said an adjustor would be getting in contact with us, When we got back she called again and they said yesterday that they would have an adjustor contact us within 48 hours, so are still waiting. If the insurance doesn’t cover it it looks like we will be out about $2800.00 One bid was for $3900.00.
Either way we will have the fiver back in top shape before spring and be ready for a trip in March.
Decided when we got home to thaw out a PA pizza shell (square) and we are making a pizza for supper.
That’s about it for today, everyone have a great week and be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Wednesday Musings.

2011-11-09T15:20:00.001-06:00

Up at 04:30AM with my bride, coffee, and surprisingly I felt well rested, Donna was out the door at 05:30AM . Rigg’s was still laying on our bed getting his extra hour until Nicole gets up and gets ready for school. He is such a lop and so spoiled.

Had dishes to do and about 4 loads of wash for this morning. then the harsh reality of being home from vacation hit, Today is trash dumpster day so I had to take it down to the road.

Yep were back home and Donna is at work and I am doing the house chores, right now both Rigg’s and Sadie are laying by my feet, Rigg’s won’t leave my side now for a couple days because we were gone and he wants me to stay with him.

Adam is coming over tomorrow after school, he doesn’t have school Friday so his weekend with Grandpa starts a day early, Nicky likes that because then she has a buddy to play with.

Been reading blogs and trying to catch up on four days worth that I am behind. In doing so I read from another blogger that they are giving up blogging for awhile due to other commitments, and just not enough time. I can understand that. I am fully retired and have a lot of free time during the day when Donna is gone, sometimes it still is tough to keep up. I just do the best I can and sometimes it is a couple days between comments. but if you don’t hear from us, don’t worry were still here and will be back to you soon as we can.

It rained just about everyday we were gone so the roof is still not completely finished, they have a section yet on the back that still has old shingles, but the rest is all new stuff. My son said one sunny day and it will be done.

Well, that’s about it for today, Donna has the restaurant tonight, so I will have a small supper to prepare, usually Nicole and I share a meal and my son and his girlfriend fend for themselves.

Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Tuesday Thoughts.

2011-11-08T16:18:00.001-06:00

All good things have to end and we had to head back to the Ranch from Branson this morning a little over a three and a half hour drive.Here are a few more shots from yesterday.

Security Cats at the hotel.

When we drove up to the hotel we stayed in last night there were two cats guarding the front door,notice the No Pets sign.

At the Dick Clark Theatre, Sam was being his normal self, note this is way before the cocktail hour.

Sam with the Blues Brothers.

Sam with Marilyn.

So we pulled into the Weeb Ranch at about 03:00PM and started to unload. Rigg’s and Sadie were jumping all over ,they both missed their Mom & Dad ( Grandma & Grandpa in Sadies case) after 5 days away. Rigg’s was smelling all the bags because he knew their was a present for him. All the kid’s & Grandkid’s got presents too. Mostly tee shirts.

Rigg’s trying on his new US Navy Bandana for when he practices his buddy rescue at the doggie park lake.

We had a great time but we are both whipped, 2 or 3 shows and other attractions each day just wear you down, and they were all good shows, Really good entertainment, We would recommend a trip to Branson to anyone a very nice clean Welcome town and boy do they treat their Veterans well. We are planning on meeting the gang in the summer when we will bring the fiver down. We had such a great time with my old service buddies and their wives. Just hope we can do it again several times. Thank you all for the wonderful comments while we were gone and yes we had a great time…

We are going to sleep good tonight in our own bed. Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Monday Meanderings.

2011-11-08T06:08:00.004-06:00

We were up early, we had to check out of the room by 10AM so we headed to McDonalds to post yesterdays blog.

                                    Sam Posting.
Then Donna got on line and found a place to stay for one more night and booked it. This time we made sure it had free in room Wi-fi.

                        Donna reading blogs.
In the afternoon we met the gang at Dick Clarks Legend Theatre, where they had a show with star impersonators.

The Blues Brothers had parked their car out front.

Our Gang, John, Bonnie,Barry,&Donna. waiting for show.

                       The Blues Brothers.

                              Alan Jackson.

                               Dolly Parton.

                              Ray Charles.

                                   Elvis.

                           Dolly & Alan Duet.
This was an excellent show all of the actors were very good and authentic, especially Ray Charles. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
After the show we went upstairs to the Midtown Cafe, a restaurant done up in 50’s Diner Decor. Really nice. We had planned on another show in the evening but Sam was having stomach distress so we headed for the hotel for the night.
Tomorrow we will visit the gang at Barry’s house and then head for home. Everyone have a great week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Sunday Notes.

2011-11-07T08:48:00.003-06:00

Sunday we got up early at the hotel and had coffee and Sam worked on the blog post in Live and Picasa. Then we got in the truck to go to McDonald’s so we could get a wi-fi and post and check our mail for the day.
At Noon we met the gang, Barry&Bonnie, and John & Donna at the Titanic Museum It turned out to be a very interesting and neat tour, when you board they give each passenger a card and on it is the name of a passenger who made the actual voyage, Sam’s was a priest, and Donna’s was an elegant lady. At the end of the tour they have a wall where you can look at the name of your passenger and see if they survived the voyage, Donna & mine did not. so were floating in the North Atlantic. No camera’s were allowed inside.

                              HMS Titanic.

              An Iceberg can ruin your day.
Then it was Ruby Tuesdays for lunch before an afternoon show.

     Hope John was describing a fish he caught. John was in Barry’s Hal-3 unit Viet Nam.
From lunch it was to a show by the Fercos Brothers from Europe. They are a family of Magician, Acrobats, and Wild Animals Trainers and have a simply awesome show featuring Tigers,panthers, and a large male lion that is allowed to walk on the stage on a leash in the world.One of the tigers is white. just a really neat show where these big cats appear in magic routines that make you sit there and say “how do they do that”/ Unfortunately no photography or flash was allowed during the show for safety reasons.

After the show we went to Lone Star for a nice supper.

Barry&Bonnie Waluda, Barry flew with Sam many times in the same aircraft 40 years ago, He also was awarded the Silver Star, for his duty in Viet Nam.

                              Sam & Donna.
After the supper we headed to our evening show which was a Country & Western show, with the Bacon Family where everyone in the family including the Grandson appears and sings,even the two great grandsons made appearances to hold the flag and one road a play horsey during a western number, they were 4 or 5 years old. It was a great show.

                                Music Hall.

                                Bacon Family.
One thing I have to mention is how the city of Branson is so friendly, especially to our countries Veterans and present service men & women. This is something that is 365 days a year, not just Veteran’s week. Every show we attended, admission was free to the veteran. At each show you were asked to stand and be recognized for you service. Every restaurant we ate in gave at least a 10- 20% discount to the veteran parties. Everywhere you went you were welcomed with a “Thanks for your service” and a handshake or hug. Talk about make you feel at home.This is a great town to visit and if you don’t have a real time it can only your own fault. We have decided to stay an extra night just to share this with our friends. Sam says he is so embarrassed and humbled by all the attention given to the veterans, in his words flying in the Navy was a whole lot more fun than working in a filling station as a teenager.
For all of our friends and family out there, we are having a great time and it was sure great to get away especially Donna from her two jobs and just have fun.
That’s about it for now. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Saturday Mumblings.

2011-11-06T10:26:00.001-06:00

Saturday dawned sunny and cool in Branson. We started the day by meeting the gang at Sadie’s Restaurant for breakfast.

Me & my bride.

On the way I had to stop and get a picture of a P-51 with the same name as my wife, the Donna Kay.

Then the guys went to register at the Veterans Center for Veterans week and get our name badges. The girls all jumped in another car and went shopping.

Saw this at the Veterans Center.

Then we all met up and went to the Star Theatre for a free Veterans Special Show.

Barbara Fairchild singing.

This performer, Karen, is the girl that serenaded us at Mels Cafe yesterday. She sang the same song that she sang to Sam yesterday.

After the show it was more sights and shopping and then about 06:00PM we headed to Table Rock Lake to board the Branson Belle Showboat for the Dinner Cruise.

This girl was not only an accomplished singer & Musician, but she performed and amazing act playing in mid air dangling from these ropes.

The show got over around 10:30PM and we all headed home after a long day. As you can see we are having a great time on our Branson Getaway.

Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

TGIF

2011-11-05T06:57:00.001-05:00

Well we left home at 04:00PM Thursday afternoon, for the 4 hour drive down I-44 to Branson MO. It was rainy and miserable for just about the whole trip. We stopped for a burger in Rolla Mo. which is the halfway point and finally right before Springfield MO. the highway dried up and the rain stopped. We arrived in Branson about 08:45AM and checked into the resort. Donna was a little disappointed since she thought we would be staying the main 6 story building with the indoor pool, sauna’s and everything under one roof, which I assumed to from the internet ad. When we got there we found that all those rooms are timeshare and not open to the public. We do have a nice room in a big motel like building of which they have 7 on the grounds, but it is a walk or drive to everything else in the resort. It is a very large place with a gate to come and go and very nicely appointed.

Gate at front.

Entranceway.

Main Building & Check In.

Our room during our Stay in Branson.

Flowers Donna liked all over the grounds.

Donna on treadmill.

After we were settled in our room last night we went to the Olive Garden at about 09:30PM for a late dinner and cocktail. Since the room has a fridge we stopped and got a six pack of Rolling Rock beer just in case of an emergency or medicinal purposes.

This morning dawned a chilly 40 degrees but bright and sunny we went to Golden Buffet for breakfast, later we will be meeting Sam’s buddies for a late lunch and then some shopping

Mel’s Hard Luck Cafe.

The white haired guys are all ex rotorheads. Sam & Barry in rear flew on the same detachment in HC-2, same aircraft many times,John & Jim were HC-2 and HC-4 squadron members. John & Jim & Barry were also in Hal-3 and that’s where Barry won the silver star.

Sam is serenaded. This young lady had a beautiful voice,

Jim & John get their turn.

We had a great lunch and several hours of conversation, the girls did a little shopping while we made plans for the weekend. Saturday will start with breakfast, registration for the Veterans activities, a dinner cruise on the showboat Saturday evening.

Since we didn’t want to pay for wi-fi at ten dollars a day at the resort, I will have to publish this later from MacDonalds.

Were having a ball. Everyone be safe out there, Sam & Donna….

Thursday Happenings.

2011-11-03T12:56:00.001-05:00

Was up and at em and had coffee with my bride then she was off to the truck company.

Finished packing and getting everything ready for the trip, I am hoping Donna can get off a little early and we can get out of here a little early.

I am posting this early because it is four hours to Branson and by the time we check in and have dinner it will be pretty late.

They have a brand new rest area near Springfield Mo. that I used to stop at with the bus, it is stocked with all kinds of brochures and ticket discounts and is staffed 24/7. I want to make a quick stop there.

Won’t be long and Donna will be home and we’ll be “Out OF Here” on our 4 day adventure.

I’ll post tomorrow with some of the days happenings today we get to look at 200 miles of I-44 on a cloudy day.

Be safe out there, Sam & Donna..

Wednesday Musings.

2011-11-02T16:45:00.002-05:00

Up early again and had our morning coffee, Then Donna headed out to the truck company & restaurant.
I started with a trip to the hardware store and got the RV pink stuff to winterize the trailer before we get a hard freeze.
Then I started to pack for tomorrow’s trip to Branson. I am looking forward to seeing these guys I haven’t seen since the late 60’s.
I put my collection of Navy pictures that I scanned and digitized over the last couple years on DVD’s and then made a copy for each of them. I was going to try and have a tee shirt made with our old squadron patch and logo on it but I will have to get home addresses and mail them later. It was going to take a week to do them and I didn’t go to the tee place until Monday.
Packed two of my old Squadron Ball caps so Donna & I would each have one and a couple of Navy related shirts. I can’t for the life of me find my USS Independence ball cap, Found the USS Shangri La one and the squadron caps though. I will have more than enough veterans apparel for the stay. Branson is celebrating Veterans Week and my one buddy Barry has been there before and said it is an awesome week to visit with special shows and tributes for veterans, also discount pricing.
We will leave tomorrow as soon as Donna gets home. I set up the laptop and programmed Streets and Trips to take us to the resort were staying at, West Gate Branson Woods Resort it is really a great looking place with a Resort Hotel, Cabins & Villas, 2 outdoor pools and one indoor pool and 2 hot tubs. Restaurant & Lounge.
Were both excited about the trip, Poor Rigg’s was watching me loading my suit case on the bed and was trying to get my arm out of it, He knows a separation is coming for a few day.
The camera is ready so we will be sending pictures when we post from the hotel.
Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Tuesday Thoughts.

2011-11-01T16:06:00.001-05:00

Up early with my bride and had coffee, put a little anisette in mine as an octane booster.Donna headed out to the truck company and then on the way home she has to stop to get some blood drawn. I told her instead of having holes made in her she should just cough them up a sample.

I had to go to the Verizon store and switch my new phone out it was not ringing when I would get a call or vibrating and then I would later see a missed call, also they never set of the 1 button voicemail so when I would try to check my voicemail it would ask for a password, since I have been using the one button for the last three years I didn’t have a clue what the password was. I finally was given a new phone and it is setup and seems to be working fine.

Then I went to Kohls, they were having a big 50% off sale I wanted some jeans, but they have discontinued carrying the fat guy sizes 40 is the biggest. So I went to JC Penneys and they had the $50 dollar relaxed fit jeans for $29 not quite half but close enough when they carry your size. I love Penneys they always seem to have what your looking for and usually on some kind of sale.I really needed jeans since all mine are wore out and thread bare so I splurged and bought three pair.I should get another 5 years out of them.

Then a stop at Shop & Save for Milk, Bread & Beer. and it was home for me for the day. Tomorrow I will pack for our Branson trip we will be leaving Thursday when Donna gets home from work. That should put us at the hotel at a little before 10 PM just enough time to put our clothes in the room and go to the lounge and get a beer and a snack before bed.

I have been reading other bloggers say they can’t find anything to put in a blog, but for a slow day I still can find a couple of paragraphs.

That’s about it for today though. Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Monday Meanderings.

2011-10-31T14:27:00.001-05:00

Was up early for coffee with my bride, the I had to take a machine my son rented to the Lumber Yard in Old Monroe Mo. Then right from there I had to drive into St Louis County to Maryland Hts MO. to get the check for the roof job signed by our Mortgage company so we could deposit it and pay for the job, Never again in the height of the morning rush, no wonder Donna leaves at 05:30AM to go to the City of St Louis, what a madhouse, I had a lady sail right onto the highway on an entrance ramp and cut right over when I only had about two cars lengths between me and the car ahead of me, I hit the horn and she was so close I thought she hit the front bumper of the truck, but she just flipped me the bird in the mirror and didn’t stop, When I got to West Port Plaza where I was going I went and looked and there was a little scrape in the chrome like black plastic just like her car. but no obvious damage.

Got home and put the truck in the garage. enough road rage for one day.

Donna called and said we have a new addition to the family. My Son Sam Jr. in NYC has acquired a new Dog which makes him our new Grand dog. He is a Miniature Australian Shepherd named Ralphie. His previous dog passed away in April.

Our new Grand dog, Ralphie..

We got the bids over the weekend and Donna faxed them to the insurance company, now we are just waiting to hear from them as to when an adjustor can come out.

Waiting for Nicole to get home from school, not much else going on it’s sunny and 60 degrees, so that will be good for the roof job, the guys are going to work on it a little each night after work and then finish it this weekend.

Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

Sunday Notes..

2011-10-30T15:56:00.001-05:00

Up about 06;00AM had our morning coffee, Donna got ready about 09:00AM to head for the restaurant, We had a setback on the roof, Danny was sick, which left just my son to work on it, one of his buddies came over, but had never done any roof work, plus we had a cloudy day with two short periods of drizzle, So much for the sunny weekend, But they plugged along all day. but the roof won’t be finished today like they hoped, Danny said he would be over all day tomorrow and Andy said he will work a couple hours after work each night that the weather hold outs until it is finished. Personally I thought two work days wasn’t enough time myself when they told me. They rented a machine to help remove the old shingles so in the morning I will have to take it back while Andy goes to work.

Not much going on besides that. Nicole is home from her Dad’s and that always makes Rigg’s happy, he is always happy if a kid is around.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Saturday Mumblings.

2011-10-29T16:07:00.001-05:00

Well St Louis Is a world champion town, And we can be proud of our Cardinals, plus all the fans, the police reported no problems downtown after the win last night and even no traffic mishaps.Everyone is scrambling today to get there World Champion hats, shirts and other memorabilia. They started making them at 10:45PM That’s when MBA made it okay to sanction the designs. The stores promised to have them in stock by noon today. You couldn’t find a parking space at a Wal-Mart all afternoon.

My Neighbor two doors west of us had a Cardinal display at the end of his driveway, he’s a serious fan.

He must have a workshop with a band saw. 26 Redbirds in all, Hand painted. The mailbox is red too.

Andy and his buddy Danny started bright and early on the roof, It was sunny and 65 this afternoon and there hoping to have it just about finished tomorrow afternoon.

My son Andy hard at work on the roof..

Adam went home to Warrenton today, he thoroughly enjoyed his four day stay and spent plenty of outside time playing with his buddies, in fact I never did see him turn the x-box on the whole time he was here. He was played out each night and asleep by 09:00PM. That’s when you know a kid had a good day.

Donna headed out about 03:30PM to the Restaurant, she said they called and asked her if she could be a Hostess tomorrow, so another girl could get the day off. Of course she said yes, I like it better when they want to to serve a party because you make pretty good money especially if they drink as in an older crowd.

That’s about it for now, I will start supper soon, I think when the boys are done for the day I will have them order pizza’s and beer after a hard day on the roof.

Everyone have a great weekend, be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

T.G.I.F.

2011-10-28T15:08:00.001-05:00

Up early with my bride and had a coffee for the first time in a few weeks, I have been off the antibiotic so I figured my stomach could take it. Donna headed out to the truck company and then the Restaurant.

How about those CARDS, unbelievable finish last night to game six, now if they can pull it off tonight we will have another Championship here in St Louis. The town is going nuts, car horns blowing, people yelling and laughing, no violence thank God like some other cities.

Been waiting all day so far for the dumper trailer for the old shingles to come off the roof. It was never delivered yesterday. I finally around Noon called the Shingle company and the guy that answered thought the trailer had been dropped off, I said No, unless it’s sitting at the wrong house someplace. He called me back and said he would have one out today, so here I am still waiting. My Son and his buddy wanted to start pulling shingles up after work until dark since it’s not supposed to rain all weekend, They hope to be done Sunday afternoon doing half the roof each day. The house is 2500 sq. feet so I hope they make it.

Adam was out the door at 10AM and so far except for a quick lunch stop he has played with his buddies all day, he will sleep good again tonight, but I think his Mom will be picking him up after she gets off work today. It looks like he enjoyed his three nights at Grandpa & Grandma’s.

Several of my Canadian friends have already headed south into the USA and more will be joining them shortly, One of these days we will join the Birds too. Although once the fiver is back in top shape we will probably make a two week trip to Fla. in March or April. It will be getting warm enough to get in the water at that time of the year down there. Although when I was stationed in Jacksonville and Pensacola us northerners would swim no matter how cold the water was. It was just great to go to the beach on a 70 or 75 degree day.

Well that’s about it for now hope everyone has a great weekend. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Thursday Happenings.

2011-10-27T16:17:00.001-05:00

Up early as usual here at the Weeb Ranch, Donna headed out to the truck company and then the restaurant.

Then about 7:30AM the truck arrived with the shingles and supplies for reroofing our home. That’s what I like to see, a company that gets an early start. They drove around back and extend the conveyor thing and then in about 30 minutes had all the squares of shingles and tarpaper and nails up on the roof ready for the job to begin.

I am still waiting for the dumpster trailer to be delivered but the guys aren’t scheduled to do the job until Saturday. My son & one of his buddies that owns a roofing company are doing it over the weekend. You won’t se me up there unless it to deliver a soft drink or water to one of them and then I will just hand it from the ladder.

Ready to start the roof replacement.

Adam had a great day off from school and spent the day playing outside again all day with his buddies that live behind us. The schools are off because of teachers conferences this week.

Well we’ll see if the Cards stay in the Series tonight a must win if they lose they are out.

They will play tonight as no rain is in the forecast but it is a cooler day than last week.

That’s about it from Dardenne Prairie for today, Hope everyone is having a great week. And be safe out there.Sam & Donna….

Wednesday Musings.

2011-10-26T16:42:00.001-05:00

Up early as usual, Donna was off to the truck company, and then the restaurant.

Had the two Grandkids all day, Nicole is still coughing up a storm, but they played cards and games and some video games and kept busy and both ate a good lunch for Grandpa.

The World Series game was postponed due to rain, a good idea since it is a whole lot better for fans not to have a game started and stopped and endure the rain. We all hope that the Cards will have a burst of energy and be victorious here at home.

About the only thing accomplished on this rainy day here, was getting the dumper down and taking the rolled up carpet and vinyl flooring that Donna & I took out of the fiver down for the trash pickup in the morning.

Pretty lazy day otherwise, getting ready for our long weekend in Branson which starts next Friday, Don’t know if there are any bloggers there, There was one but they are leaving the 30th which is before we get there.

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

Tuesday Thoughts.

2011-10-25T13:14:00.001-05:00

GO CARDS.

Up early to see my bride off to work at 05:30AM.

Had two Repair people out yesterday one in the morning and one in the afternoon to get bids on fixing the RV.

After the first one left, I took my drill and took some inner partitions out that were under the sink and enclosed things like the ductwork and water pump. The water pump showed no signs of leakage.

The second guy came and a couple of minutes later said I think I found how the water is getting in here. It was so simple as to be unbelievable and the problem has probably been there since the trailer was built. The outside AC power outlet for stuff you would put outside, when it was installed they used two pieces of double sided tape on each side and never caulked the top or around the outlet. This is supposed to be a water tight outlet but from inside you could see daylight.

This AC outlet box is the culprit.

See the lack of caulk, the two round black areas are actually holes to the inside where the fiberglass was ground out to mount the outlet.

Board on back wall under the sink shows where water came down and the very bottom behind the duct tube shows a water stain at the edge of the vinyl floor.

The inside wall is still sound with no damage.

All three of the guys that gave us a bid said that the water damage had started a long time ago, and now it looks like shoddy assembly is the reason and it’s had a leak since it was put together. no one ever noticed the lack of caulking or sealing. but you can bet now I am going to go every where on the trailer that has an opening through the shell, don’t forget to check the clearance lights if it’s a light and not just reflector it will have a hole drilled behind it and hopefully a gasket. and double check that it is sealed properly.Might be a good idea for all my blog friends to do the same thing on their rigs and maybe catch something before it gets as bad as mine.

One thing I found out after I got the partitions out, the trailer has heating ductwork running down to the fresh water tank, which means it is probably so equipped on the other tanks, That’s a feature I never knew about but might keep the tanks from freezing if you are camped with the furnace on and get a cold night.

Don’t have a clue what this will do to my insurance claim. but it was nothing I did and had control over. so all we can do is hope. The guy that found it runs an RV Marine Repair business and deals in fiberglass repair also so I think he looked it over for the source of the leak.

Now we will wait for those two bids to be returned to us and go to the claims adjustor.

Nicole was still feeling the effects of her cold and stayed home today from school, I will be going out to Warrenton shortly to pick up Adam, There is no school for the rest of the week so he will be staying here while his Mom works.

Well that’s about it for today, I hope everyone is having a fine week out there, and being Safe. Sam & Donna…

ADDENDUM TO SAM'S POST YESTERDAY

2011-10-25T10:56:00.000-05:00

Hey its Donna. just a small correction to Sam's post yesterday.
As smart as my husband is he gets is ologists mixed up....my appointment was w/ my
cardiologist and he was happy. Happy enough to take me off the blood thinners.....Yeah
no more ugly bruises every time I bump into something.

Monday Meanderings.

2011-10-24T15:52:00.002-05:00

Was up at 04:30AM with my bride, then she was off to the truck company, and on the way home she has her every three month Neurologist appointment. So far she has had good results every time since her heart surgery.
Had another RV repair guy, This one is a carpenter, come by and take a look at the floor, he helped me remove the rest of the carpeting, except for the slide out. I was glad to see all the flooring that had been under the carpet was solid and new looking, I also took out some of the partitions and a shelf from under the sink to get more room to see how extensive the damage under there is. This guy said the same thing that they wood that is there is dry now, but at some time, for a long time in the past it was wet. He thinks whatever was leaking was repaired by the previous owner and he did not realize or chose to ignore the fact that the floor under the vinyl linoleum was soaked and damaged. he checked the walls and doesn’t see any traces of water running down from the roof, It said in almost all cases like that there is damage to the inner walls and wall finishing.He was going to e-mail me a bid before Friday and said if the insurance won’t cover it he will work with us to keep the cost down. like Dona and I putting the new top layer of floor covering in. He said what hurts is the amount of hours expended in removing the sink cabinet and fridge cabinet, but that he will try to see if he can maneuver the floor under the fridge cabinet so it won’t need to be removed. only bad part is all the wiring and the converter and fuses are located under the sink cabinet drawers and that all has to be moved to get the floor in.
My buddy MIKE suggested returning the RV to the manufacturer ( Coachman) for the repairs, but without being sure the insurance will cover it and no warranty in effect I doubt we could afford it. A Police Pension and social security only stretch so far. Any way Coachman is out of business and Forest River isn’t honoring any of their service complaints so I doubt they would want to even look at the trailer now plus it’s 2005 which makes it almost 7 years old.
After the RV guy left John Deere and I went out and did another sweep of the grass, managed to get it stuck in a rut and being alone, I was lucky enough the ground was dry enough to get behind it with my truck and pull it out with a strap, I should have know I was getting in to far but the next thing I knew the wheels were spinning and I couldn’t back it out.
Nicole is home from school sick today, so I been keeping a check on her on the couch and asking her about once and hour how she feels. just being a doting Grandpa.
I have another RV-Marine repair place coming by at 04:00PM to take a look at it so that will give us three bids. Then it will be up to an insurance adjuster to decide once I have the bid’s.
Were just sick over this as we had water leak trouble with our previous fiver and the dealer I took it to said it would costs more than the trailer was worth to repair, I found the Coachman at his place and he gave us $4000 instead of $3000 on a trade and knocked another $2000 off as an incentive. I stressed when I bought it I was moving up to a hard fiberglass shell body with aluminum frame and joists just to stay away from water problems. But I guess no matter what you have the possibility is always there.
Before I forget Here is a copy of an E-Mail Donna sent to all the family members updating them on Adam’s condition, you are all our blogger family so I wanted to pass it along.
In talking to Shana Saturday all Adams test came back clear.
They are now thinking that he could possibly have ulcers.
He is suppose to limit acidic foods including soda, which of course is a bummer for a kid today.
She said she has really noticed an improvement.
He was w/ us all weekend and seemed to almost normal again
Though ulcers in someone so young is not good, but other things could be much worse, so we
are really hoping this is what it is. Love Donna.
Hope everyone is having a great day,Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Saturday/Sunday Notes.

2011-10-23T16:14:00.002-05:00

GO CARDS

Saturday dawned a sunny and nice day a little cool in the morning and then it got into the 70’s in the afternoon. Adam called his buddy that lives behind us at 09:30AM to see if he could play, They were out and then he had lunch at his buddy Brandon’s and didn’t get back until 05:00PM. a full day of outdoor play no video games or inside stuff, just what a boy needs. Nicole’s Dad called Friday and asked if she could come over for the weekend so she was gone, so luckily Adam had his buddies to play with, Rigg’s was happy as a lark being outside to bark at the kid’s and get attention every time one of them ran over to give him a pet.
Adam & Rigg’s got into the World Series spirit last night.

Nicole has a jersey so I will get a picture of her when she gets back.
Donna got asked to work at the restaurant on Sunday again, I guess she will be working from 09:00am to 05:00pm.
Adam’s buddies had church this morning so he is waiting to see if they can play again today.
It is another nice day here on Sunday with sunny skies and the temp is supposed to get close to 80 today. Just a gorgeous weekend.
Took Adam back to Warrenton Mo. about 03:00PM then came home to wait for my bride to get home from the restaurant. she got home around 04:00PM, I started some Italian shells with hamburger for supper.
Not much else going on. Tomorrow I have another guy coming to give an estimate on the trailer, and then I have one more referral to call. There is a Coachman dealer in Eureka Mo. so I may call and get an appointment to take it down there for an estimate also.
Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

T.G.I.F.

2011-10-21T16:52:00.001-05:00

GO CARDS.

Was up at 04:30AM with my bride and she was off at 05 :30AM to the truck company.

What a heartbreaker last night with the Ball Game. They don’t call them the Cardiac Cards for nothing ,but that’s how baseball is you can be within in a breath of victory and the world comes crashing down. All we can hope for is better luck and hard work in the next couple games.

Went to Warrenton as school got out to pick up Adam for the weekend , he is looking forward to a weekend with Grandpa & Grandma. His Mom said his tests are better and he is feeling better than last week. He also likes to play with Nicole, they get along like brother & sister.

Rigg’s is a happy dog with the two kid’s here, it gives more ways to get in trouble.

Not much else going on. Hoping the temperatures are a little higher this weekend so I can do something with the kids.

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

Thursday Happenings.

2011-10-20T16:23:00.001-05:00

GO CARDS.

We were up at 04:30AM Donna headed out as usual at 05:30AM, She headed to the truck company & then the restaurant..

The big news of the day is our hometown boys the St Louis Cardinals. Prevailed in the first game of the World Series. I know a lot of bloggers are rooting for Texas, and they are a good team. But St Louis is a come from behind underdog team, that somehow manages to get a World Series Crown every so often. I remember back in the Days of Ozzie Smith, and Vince Coleman and the others when runs were manufactured by stealing bases and just darn good hitting and fielding. Texas is a powerhouse so we will see if our underdog Cardinals can pull it off. Just so you know when they aren’t playing the Redbirds I enjoy rooting for the Cubs, Now there is an underdog if there ever was one, I can still here Ole Harry Cary yelling “Holy Cow, the Cubs win” into the radio mike.

I think the neatest thing about having a World series here in St Louis is the hundreds of fans it brings into the area and the boost for the downtown economy. It is just a contagious good time feeling and everywhere you go you can feel it in the air and see it in all the red jerseys that are wherever you look, even the old ladies at the grocery store have there Cardinal shirts on and caps too.

Nicole and Adam have their jerseys and caps, I will try to get a picture for the blog this weekend.

Here in Dardenne Prairie, Indian summer is over and Fall is definitely in the air, it was 47 for the high today even with the sun out and we had a good wind. Nicole has her coat on when she heads for the bus in the morning. I went down to bring the dumper back in short sleeves and it was a cold 47 with the wind blowing.

Didn’t go anywhere today, at this rate I’ll get several weeks out of a tank of diesel. We’ll make up for it when we go to Branson next month.

Rigg’s has been in & out many times today, he must know winter is coming and wants to take advantage of as many nice days as he can.

Not much else going on. which is good, still waiting to hear from the insurance company on the trailer, I ran the slide in. and I am going to wait on blowing out the lines unless we get freezing weather predicted. They might want to charge the water lines to see if a leak is in one of them.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Wednesday Musings.

2011-10-19T16:04:00.001-05:00

Up with my bride at 04:30AM, she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant at 05:30AM.

Did some blogging and spent a slow morning it was cold and damp here all day so far, no sun and it doesn’t look like it will get above 50 degrees.

One of my commenters said he didn’t think the insurance would cover it if it was a leak from inside, At this point we don’t have a clue where the leak came from. I am hoping when they send and adjuster out he will help and determine this, either way, with comprehensive I would hope it would be covered as long as it wasn’t negligence by the owner. We will just have to wait and see, and hope for the best.

The World Series will be off to a cold start, I hope that doesn’t effect the outcome.Tonight is game one at 07:30PM.

The furnace has been running pretty steady today, first time for this year, The truck didn’t leave the garage and neither did I today, the only thing I will be leaving for is to walk the dumpster down since it’s Wednesday. That’s about it for today, Nicole wore a Cardinals Jersey and hat to school today, the kid’s were allowed to dress up for it. She’s excited about the world series.

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

Tuesday Thoughts.

2011-10-19T07:27:00.001-05:00

Up with my bride at 04:30AM and then she was off to the truck company at 05 :30AM.

We have a separate policy on the fiver with State Farm, so I called my agent and told him about the leak and floor damage, he said he wasn’t sure but it might be covered under the comprehensive section so he is turning in a claim. At least it is a try to get some help paying for it.'

I also want to WELCOME my two newest follower’s 126 & 127. WILLIAM MCKIBBON is first, I couldn’t find a blog listed for him , you have one send us the url. Number 127 is JOLLY OLLIE ,Couldn’t find a blog for him either.

Hope you guys enjoy following the happenings and antics here at the Weeb Ranch, seems like with Rigg’s and the Grandkids there is never a dull moment.

Also the trouble with the fiver will keep us occupied and busy until the snow flies around here. Maybe I better do one more cut and put the snow plow on John Deere, that might help keep the snow away for awhile longer.

That’s about it for today. Be safe out there, Sam & Donna…..

Monday Meanderings.

2011-10-17T15:02:00.001-05:00

Up at 04:30AM with my bride, I must say I had a fit full night thinking about the damage to the fiver. Donna Googled the RV Tech who came and gave us the estimate, and he was clean with the Better Business Bureau here in MO. but she found one complaint in some RV repair link, where he did a repair in March of this year to a travel trailer of a roof leak and siding,and the leak came back and the trailer owner was not pleased with his work and rated it poor. It was also a $2500 job. I think that finished him with us. He did charge $50 to come out and make the estimate and said if we had him do the repairs he would deduct it from the costs. I guess I’d rather be out $50 than $2500.

I went our and took some pictures to post, wherever the leak is it is under the cabinets and between the hot water heater and the sinks, it is not wet to the touch under there but sometime it was leaking as you can see. we have to see what cause this first before doing to much repair work.

Yesterday morning Donna and I ripped up all the tile flooring and peeled the edge of the carpet back, there is no damage to the half of the floor under the carpeting. We are going to remove the carpet from the rest of the floor except for the slide out when we put the new floor and a hard covering down.

As you come in the door out from under the sink cabinet to just under the edge of the rug on right.

Moving forward in front of sink cabinet. The light color is dry and hard.Only soft spots are where it is actually black.

The damage ends at the door under the fridge and hot water heater.

Another view of the end.

Overall view rear to front showing all damaged areas, anything under the cabinet will have to be replaced also.

Were looking at about 4-5 feet on the right side of the floor the left 4-5 feet is clean and hard and should be good to go.

As you can see this is going to be a pretty good job for whoever does it. We are both sick over it. The Tech did say that it was probably leaking and wet over a long period of time possible when we bought it. He said it takes several years for the wood to get like it is in several places. I know I noticed the one soft spot by the door at the end of last summer. and we just put off having it checked until now.

Sure wished I lived close to Steveo and Karen as I would tackle the job myself if I had a partner in crime with some RV knowledge.

I like the idea about having a carpenter look at it, maybe I can find someone that will do that. Right now we are kind of at an impasse until we decide which way to go.

I appreciate the help and comments. Just another rock in the road to full timing, but we will get their someday and in a fiver that is “Much, Much Better Than New”.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

BLOGLAND,..NEED YOUR OPINION

2011-10-17T06:32:00.000-05:00

Hey, Its Donna. If you read Sam's blog from yesterday you know we have some problems with the fiver. The guy who came yesterday for some reason did not set well with me. He is recommending doing a 3/8" overlay of plywood over the existing floor. Now it is wet and mildewed. He said he has mildew cleaner and driers that would dry out the existing wood. I am concerned about leaving the old rotting wood there. And
I think the price of 2500.00 is a little steep considering he is just going to put the wood and lineoleum in.
Need your advice or experience in this.....Is putting new wood over old a good idea??
Thanks to all who respond

Saturday/Sunday Notes.

2011-10-16T17:48:00.001-05:00

Saturday was a nice lazy sunny day around the ranch, Donna was home during the day, and then about 04:00PM went into the restaurant. not much else went on.

Sunday we were up at 06:00AM about 08:30AM I took Donna’s car for an oil change, Then when I got back Donna & I went out to the fiver and ripped up the tile floor over the soft spots, our worst fears were confirmed as we had water damage in two spots. I got the number of two RV techs to have them come out and look and give us an estimate on the costs of repairs. One called back and came out and spent about an hour inspecting it and then said if we replace the bad wood and then put a linoleum covering and also remove the rug from the main floor section. This is all following finding and repairing the leak to begin with so it won’t just start right up again, he said were looking at about $2000-2500 to repair it and have it stronger and better than new. It is amazing how thin the wood and floor material is in an RV.

Were stuck because this will be our home so we have to have it fixed. and yes I want it better than new. Were both all for getting rid of almost all the carpet, the only carpet left will be on the slide out and that would go to but it is a bigger job than the rest of the floor.

So now we will see what the other Tech says and go from there.

Just what we need now is more expense.

Anyway that’s what's going on now at the Weeb Ranch, If anyone else has had flooring work let us know what you think about the pricing.

Everyone be safe out there, Sam & Donna……

T.G.I.F.

2011-10-14T16:25:00.001-05:00

Up early with my bride, then at 08:15AM I jumped in the truck and headed to my Doctor’s office in St Peter’s MO.

Has three months gone by so fast, seems like I just went for the last visit a couple weeks ago. Anyway he gave me the once over and drew my blood and then went over all the numbers and said my numbers were still great and to get more exercise, He always tells me that.So now I’m good for another 3 months or 3000 miles. Oh he gave me a flu shot and said it’s a good idea as you get older to have one each fall around this time.

I had to go to the computer shop and get a memory stick for my Latitude laptop, seems one of them stopped working, it had two 512MB sticks, but actually one of the slots is dead, so he put in a 1 gig stick in the remaining slot and that brought me back to 1 gig of memory. If the other slot quits I will be able to use the laptop as a paperweight so I hope I get a few more years out of it.

Nicole is home and glad to be off of school now for the weekend. The weather today was cloudy but dry and in the mid 70’s, I can live with that, it’s a confortable range.

Well that’s about it for today, just a lazy day here at the Ranch. Hope everyone is having a good week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…….

Thursday Happenings.

2011-10-13T18:49:00.001-05:00

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

Today will be a short blog don’t know what happened but the day just seemed to rush by. Samantha wanted to surprise my son Andy with a night out to the see the Cardinals play the Brewers tonight in post season play, I got on the internet and after several false starts I located two tickets for $60 US a piece in the terrace section on the first base line. Total for just tickets was $127US , But the kids were happy and they claim will pay us back after pay day. So Nicole and I will hold down the fort. Figure with just one small trip to the snack bat and parking fees this will be a $175 dollar night, but also the thrill of a lifetime for these two young people.

Were hoping for the miracle of a world series here in St Louis again. We have had had several while we lived here and it is really a rush for the whole area. So far we have avoided the excesses shown by fans in some other areas.

Not much else doing. everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna……