Wednesday Musings.

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride, Then she was off to the Truck company. The restaurant is closed tonight so she will come home.
I got these pictures from New Jersey, as of 11:00AM this morning (Wednesday) still no power but the water has receded.

This is the Mantoloking bridge just north of where my Son lives in Brick New Jersey.

This is about 4 blocks from my Son Rick’s apartment. In Point Pleasant NJ.

This is the Seaside Heights Amusement Park pier, This is just a few mile from my son Tim's home in Brick NJ.
Normally the water at that bridge is about 20 feet below the road and bridge deck.
We are so glad that things are over and they can get to the task of cleaning up and rebuilding .
Thank you all out there in blog land for your prayers and support during the last few days, we are so lucky to have all of the kid’s and granddaughter weather this storm safely.
What a pretty sunny day at the Ranch it’s 40 degrees and although it’s 11:00AM I am still sitting here in the kitchen in my jammies, Boy what a life. Have no plans other than maybe go get Donna’s prescription at Walgreen’s later.
Hope everyone is having as easy a day as I am. You guys that are still on the road, be safe out there. and take it slow and easy and keep rested.
Sam & Donna…..

Tuesday Thoughts.

Not much sleep here at the Ranch last night, Donna & I pretty much were occupied with keeping up with the storm and worrying about the kid’s. No matter how old they get you still think of them as the kid’s. I wanted to give you an update since the brunt of the storm has passed New York City and New Jersey. My oldest son Sam Jr. in New York City reports that the power is off about a block south of his building all the way to Battery Park, He is lucky and they kept the power on where he is at, So he had a ringside seat to the action watching it from inside his balcony window last night, He said he saw the big transformer explosion, and that all the rail and car tunnels are filled with water, for a time all the bridges were closed due to winds but he thinks they are letting people back now from Jersey.

My Granddaughter Allie in Brick New Jersey said their neighborhood has been devastated, and water came to to within inches of their front door. All the streets are flooded. Power has been out since early last night, But her Mom managed to get a generator, so they have limited power for a fridge and a few lights.

My Son Rick in Point Pleasant New Jersey said he and his wife and Mom are all okay, no power since last night and no generators to be found. but there is no flooding by them. so they are just waiting for the power, they have been told by the power company it could be several day for most areas along the coast.

So the Weibel family weathered the Perfect Storm and Donna & I can stop worrying.

Hard to imagine that places as far west as Chicago will feel the effects of this storm luckily we are to far south and won’t have any rain or winds. here a the Ranch. It is another cold but sunny day in Dardenne Prairie. Looks like our blogger friends,  LEN & PHYLLIS weathered the storm in Upper Deerfield Twp. New Jersey and had no damage to their rig. We were glad to hear that.

I think Rigg’s and I will take a nap and catch up on maybe an hour of the sleep I didn’t get last night. Rigg’s is always ready for a nap.but sometimes he wants to take up the whole bed. He prefers our queen size to the double in the guest room where I will lay on top of the comforter to watch a movie and nap sometimes.

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

Monday Meanderings.

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

Kevin and Ruth were up at 07:00AM and had a nice breakfast and coffee and then said there see ya’s and headed out a little after 08:00AM, they said they might try to make Oklahoma by evening.

We so enjoyed their visit and as always we look forward to seeing them again, what a nice young couple.

Just before they left, Donna called with the bad news that one of the younger girls that works with her at the restaurant, Renee, lost her husband to a massive heart attack last night, He was only 45 years old and leaves three teenage children. What a heartbreaker, life just isn’t fair.

Since I have three Son’s that live either on the Jersey shore or in New York City I have been watching this hurricane with great interest, I thought I would share a few pictures taken today out east. Taken today..

Street side of the Hoboken Rail/Ferry terminal under about 5 feet of water already.

                         Miss Liberty getting a shower.

Normal view, water appears be above the first level of concrete at the top of the steps.

These were taken when Sandy hadn’t officially crossed the coast yet it will hit just about between Atlantic City and Tom’ River NJ. So the worst is yet to come. My Son Tim & family live about 2 miles from the ocean in Brick NJ. which is 30 miles north of Atlantic City, My Son Rick and his wife live in Asbury Park, again about 2 miles from the ocean and about 10 miles north of Tim. Then my Son Sam Jr. is in New York City right about a block from the Intrepid Museum on the Hudson River.

So as you can see we are keeping a keen eye on storm from our safe perch here in Dardenne Prairie. I e-mailed them all saying they should think about hopping a plane or getting in the car heading out here for a stay at the Ranch. But they are their Fathers sons and I am sure they will elect to ride it out for better or worse. One More.

Former Ferry Boat now Restaurant, overwhelmed and sunk at her pier, Edgewater NJ.

Again all of this is being done by the Hudson River before the actual arrival of the storm.

Well against that’s enough news for today, I hope the rest of the country is spared any more bad weather and everyone has a good week. Be safe out there, and say a prayer for all our folks out east in harms way. Especially the first responders who will voluntarily go out when ever they are called upon. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Sunday Notes.

We started our day with Donna making a nice breakfast, then we sat around the kitchen and talked and just had a great morning with our guests, Kevin & Ruth.

Around noon we headed out to take the Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour. Donna and I had been there several times, but Kevin & Ruth had never seen it.

 

                        Hospitality Room.

After the Brewery we headed up to the Museum Of Transportation but when we arrived we found out they were closing in less than an hour so we didn’t feel it was worth the price of admission for such a short time.

           Ruth,Sam, & Donna at the Train Museum.

To cap off the night we all went to the Olive Garden for a great supper. The food was great the company was great it just was a great day all around.

Sam, Donna, Ruth,&Kevin. at the Olive Garden..

Tomorrow Kevin & Ruth will continue their journey south to Mexico. and Donna will be heading back to work.

I hope everyone out there, had as good a weekend as we did. it sure was nice to see our friends from Canada again and we look forward to another visit. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna.

Saturday Mumblings.

Was up at 06:00AM and had coffee with my bride, then we had a slow morning just doing some straightening up before our company arrived. The Grands Nicky and Adam were here so they had their Saturday morning TV to catch up on. I double checked to make sure I had all the ingredients for tonight’s homemade pizza supper, Can’t go wrong with that for when company is here.So far we haven’t heard from Kevin & Ruth so we don’t know what time they will be arriving, so we are just relaxing and waiting.

At 05:00PM our guests Kevin & Ruth arrived and the pizza party began.

Putting the finishing touches on the gluten free pies.

             Sam & Kevin enjoying a cold Moosehead.

                                The gangs all here.

                                        Pizza’s done.

                               Ruth & Donna.

We are thoroughly enjoying a night of camaraderie and hearing about how our years went by.

Tomorrow we will see the town a little bit and have a day of exploring.

Gosh it is so good to be back among our blogger friends and enjoying their company.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. and please, just be careful out there. Sam & Donna.

T.G.I.F.

Remember Our deployed troops on every Friday.

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

Between 05:00PM and 06:00PM last night the temperature went from 72 degrees to 51 degrees, Today the high is supposed to be 52 degrees and it is sunny but feels cold. This is seasonal weather for this time of the year it is also supposed to ne right at freezing for the next four nights. Glad I park my truck and donna’s suv in the garage, no frost on the windshield to deal with in the morning.

Adam is having like a vacation and playing games and then playing on the downstairs computer, he doesn’t have a computer at home so this is a treat for him. His xbox is hitched to the wi-fi so he can compete with his friends.

Not much going on the the Ranch today, I went over to the Barber shop and got a haircut and beard trim, and yes this is a traditional men's barber shop with the striped pole out front and all. Best of all if you’re a senior or a Vet he will do the hair cut and beard trim for $12; Such a deal.

As of this morning Kevin & Ruth were in Cincinnati and they sent Donna an e-mail saying they would be here tomorrow in the afternoon and stay till Monday.

I can see a few tours, like the train museum, and the Brewery for Sunday.

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

Thursday Happenings.

Was up early and and coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant. Adam slept in since he stays up late with his Xbox and then watching TV. When there’s no school he enjoys that.

Before I forget I have several new followers I want to Welcome. FULLTIME RVER’S, I didn’t see a blog listed for them. RICK &KATHY ROUSSEAU, and NAN & JOHN, no blog listed for them either. Since blogger keeps changing the number of followers it makes it hard to keep track of the changes. It says we have 159 followers now. I hope you all enjoy reading about the goings on here at the Weeb Ranch as we wait it out until Donna can retire and we can get this show on the road, Welcome aboard and enjoy your ride when we do head out on our trips.

Today is another gorgeous sunny day with a temp supposed to be in the low 80’s. I just know that will be coming to a screeching halt here soon.In fact this should be the last warm day with a high of 50 predicted for the next 4 days and lows right at freezing. Looks like Indian Summer is bidding us goodbye.

Yesterday John Deere and I along with Adam cut the back acre. I will do the front and side today with Adam and then that will be it for this season. with the temps falling it will be short enough for the winter. I will wait and maybe next week pull the deck off and put the plow and accessories on for the winter. I keep hoping for a mild winter like we had last year, but still need John ready to go just in case.

Our Canadian friends Kevin and Ruth will be arriving for a short visit either tomorrow or Saturday. We look forward to seeing them as they head south to get back to Sherman in Mexico.

I am trying to find a nice wooden cane to see if it will help me with walking when I have the neuropathy pain in my feet. Went to Walgreens but the cheapest one they had was $25 and I didn’t feel like spending that much. So now I will check out the Goodwill and resale shops.

Got a couple of pictures of my Granddaughter Allie riding her horse Dude,on the beach in Brick New Jersey where she lives. Looks like they were both having fun.

                          Allie & Dude.

                        The End.

Donna has always enjoyed horseback riding, I prefer something that is powered by internal combustion either gas or diesel.

Have to make a quick run to the store this afternoon. The emergency low beer warning light came on on the fridge last night, I managed to silence the klaxon horn with the reset button but the light (orange flashing) will stay on until another 30 pack is put inside. Plus I am going to get some Moosehead Beer for my Canadian guests so they feel at home.

Not much else going on here at the Ranch today, Will be heading out on John as soon as I finish this and getting Adam started on it too.e just needs to see what path to take and then he’s good to go on his own.

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

Tuesday/Wednesday Musings.

We were up both mornings at 04:30AM and had our morning coffee, Then Donna headed out to the truck company and then did some shopping on the way home. I just spent a lazy day at home and when Donna got home she surprised me with some KFC dead chicken for us.

Today she is off to the truck company and then the restaurant.

Ever had one of those days that was a complete screw up from the start. When I was having coffee Donna told me to make sure and call Adam at 12:30PM. She also sent me an e-mail from work reminding me.

So at the prescribed time I called him and first thing he said, was ‘”Grandpa where are you, you were supposed to pick me up at the bus stop at 12:30. “ I told him it’s 12:30 now and the message I was given was to call you. Just start walking toward your house and I will leave now and be out there as soon as I can. it usually takes about 35-45 minutes to make the drive, and it’s a good 2 mile walk from the bus stop to Adam’s house, When I got there he was still about 1/2mile from the house on the dirt road that goes back from the street. Boy was he glad to see me.

They are having teacher conferences on Thurs-Fri.so they got an early dismissal today and don’t have to be back until Monday. So of course Adam wanted to spend the long weekend at Grandpa & Grandma’s house.

Today is a beautiful sunny day currently 81 degrees out, I told Adam I would let him run John Deere around the back yard if the ground is dry enough from yesterdays rain.

Not much else going on around the Ranch. The pooches are laying on the floor in the sun and snoozing. Not a care in the world.

Hope everyone is having a great day. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……..

Monday Meanderings.

Was up at 04:30AM with my bride for coffee then she was of the the truck company for the day.

It was basically a cloudy day but it got up to 80 degrees  and although it looked like it would rain any minute and Donna said they had a hail storm over across the river where she works, we didn’t see any rain here in Dardenne Prairie.

Other than that it was a very slow news day here at the Ranch, tonight I s it, it will either make or break the Cardinals.I guess it will always be the cardiac Cards here in St Louis, never a dull moment.

Just about all our friends are now on the road, so we pray for a safe journey for all of them.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

Saturday/Sunday Notes.

Saturday was a slow news day. Andy went out and picked Adam and he came to stay with us for the night. It was one of those sun in and sun out days and it did get up to about 60 degrees in the afternoon.

Sunday started for us at 06:00AM with coffee with my bride, Then she made breakfast, a bacon & Cheese omelet for me. Around 09:45AM she left to head to the restaurant for the day shift.

Adam had to leave with his Dad at 08:00AM for a morning football game over in Berkeley MO in St Louis County. His team the Warriors were victorious after losing last week so he was happy.

Looks good in his bloodstained practice jersey and helmet. Rigg’s is wondering what is on his head.

After the game his Dad took him home to spend the day with his Mom.

Our friends PAUL & HELEN along with their Labs, Coco, Jody, & Sandy finally got off on their 2012 adventure after the electrical problem in their coach was fixed. I got a Skype call from them this morning from the RV park they spent the night in in Alabama. They are hoping to be in Texas tonight. I couldn’t believe how clear the Skype call came through, the sound and picture was excellent. Paul said maybe that’s because they were parked under a huge wi-fi antenna. He said most places they stay at in Mexico don’t have wi-fi and they depend on a mi-fi type receiver.

Also our friends from up in Bayfield Ontario AL & KELLY along with their bestus pal Pheebs, will be hitting the road today to head southwest to their winter home base in Congress AZ. We hope they have a safe problem free journey, IF you decide on a westerly route your welcome to stop and say hi at the Weeb Ranch.

Also KEVIN & RUTH will be leaving Ottawa in the morning at 06:30AM and heading southwest to Mexico with a stop on Saturday at the Weeb Ranch, we’ll leave the light on for you guys and have a safe trip in the little car.

Today (Sunday) is just a gorgeous day lots of sun and the temps this afternoon are in the upper 70’s. I wish we had this kind of weather all winter.

My two pooches, Rigg’s and Sadie are both laying on the kitchen floor taking advantage of the sun coming through the back door. and snoozing.

That’s about it for today, hope everyone is having a good day out there in Blog land. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna

T.G.I.F.

Was up early for coffee with my bride, Donna was feeling better after taking her meds and a good nights sleep, she just e-mailed me and said she found someone to work the restaurant and was coming home from the truck company for one more good nights sleep and medicine.

I am glad for that normally she toughs it out until she gets worse and can’t walk.

Really a drab cold, cloudy, misty and just generally grey day here at the ranch today.Was going to make a Walgreen’s run and decided to put it off until the weekend. Truck stayed in the nice warm garage all day.

Believe it or not supposed to be near 80 degrees Sunday & Monday. I’ll bet that’s the last of our summer like temps for this year.

Well that’s about about it for today, Rigg’s is in his lay next to the chair mode that he reserves for these kind of days, not a care in the world. what a life. Plus when his Mom gets home he will get a Good Boy treat for just laying around all day.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Thursday Happenings.

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

Rigg’s and I put a train movie on and had our nap. Sure glad he likes trains.

Looks like two of our blogger friends have to delay their departures, AL and Kelly and also PAUL and HELEN They were both supposed to be leaving today but Kelly is feeling under the weather, and Paul lost part of the electrical power on his coach so they have a delay until that is repaired. Hope all is well soon and they can head south for the winter.

The tire place called and said Andy’s tires had come in so he went and picked them up so now he is et for the winter.

I had to repair my compressor, when I was using it it last week to winterize and then when Andy used it to run the impact to get his tires off, it wouldn’t  shut off, it is supposed to shut off when the pressure reaches 130lbs but it was climbing past that and the shut of lever when you put put it down to the off position had no effect. The only way to turn it off was to unplug it. Since it is 220 volts that was not the best solution. So I took the switch gear apart and found out the contacts had welded themselves together, I cut them apart and dressed them shiny with a file, and that got it working again, the air pressure shut off switch was working fine but the manual contacts were overriding it. Works like a new one now. That’s one thing that is really a necessity in any shop is a good quality air compressor and tank that will get pressure up to about 130lbs so you can air up RV tires and spray paint and use air tools that consume high volumes of air. I have a 3 hp compressor with a 50 gallon tank and it holds plenty of air.

Donna called and is not feeling well so she said she is coming home and taking some medicine and going right to bed. No restaurant for her tonight.

It is colder today and pretty good winds, supposed to rain a little bit tonight.

That’s about it for the bustling downtown Dardenne Prairie area. Hope all is well out there in blog land.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……..

Wednesday Musings.

Was up early and had coffee with my bride. Then she was off to the truck company and then the restaurant tonight.

Kind of a dreary day here at the Ranch, my Son had two tires flat today and when he went to see what was wrong both had holes in the sidewall. He had helped get his bosses truck out of the mud at a job site and he thinks that might have happened when the tires were spinning. He jacked his  jeep up and took the tires off and of course I had to loan him the bucks for two new tires. They won’t be in until tomorrow since he had a larger size on the Grand Cherokee so it will sit on stands all night.

Rigg’s and I had a nap this afternoon for about an hour, he loves laying next to his Daddy on the bed.

Donna said the bake sale went good for Tyler’s benefit and that between all the offices and people in her company  managed to get over 30 days vacation time donated for his Mom, so she won’t miss a paycheck. I just can’t imagine what that whole family let alone Tyler is going through. She said he is making headway both physically and emotionally and has accepted the fact he will no longer have any legs. We continue to solicit prayers as he is undergoing almost daily surgeries this week. Thank you all for your support. I remember during Desert Storm an embedded reporter once said ” Where do we get these young people like this”. That’s easy from middle class America, remember the Silent Majority, In my years of service the majority of the guys I served with came from families like mine, no money but just about every male member, Fathers, Grandfathers, Uncles, cousins, they had all served their country in previous wars and it was just the right thing to do. Today the kid’s don’t have that incentive but they still have a love for their country and the pride to serve although the numbers are much smaller now. Young Men & Women like Tyler will always be found because we are truly the land of Freedom and they know that doesn’t come for free.

Well that’s about it for today, haven’t left the house, so no pictures for awhile. I hope all is well for all our friends out there. Please be safe out there, Sam & Donna……

Tuesday Thoughts.

Was up early and had coffee with my bride.Then she was off to the truck company. Rigg’s and I shared another hours nap together. He is so spoiled.

This morning I went to Wal Mart first to return a battery Maintainer I bought last week it stopped working after two days. So I just had them credit the $20 dollars back to my card. I will look for another brand probably at Auto Zone. The maintainers have three positions, once the battery is up to charge they lower to a sustain mode and then your battery water doesn’t boil out.

Today was dumper day so I hauled the dumper out to the end of the drive.I have devised a system to just hang it on my trailer hitch and it follows the truck down the driveway.

I was hoping to talk my son into putting the cover on today but he got doing other more important stuff.

It was a gorgeous day sunny and in the 70’s and no sign of rain.

Brought home a nice ham so we will have Ham and a side dish for supper. I love ham. When I was a kid you saw ham at holidays.

Hope all is going well for everyone out in blog land.

I see where more and more are getting ready to head south and escape the winter. Maybe next year for us.  Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…..

Monday Meanderings.

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride, and then she was off to the truck company. Rigg’s was already waiting for me on my bed for his after Mom leaves nap.

The rain stopped and the sun came out so I decided to go out and  finish what I started on the fiver yesterday, the lines are all blown out and pink stuff added, the slide in in tight.I disconnected the the ac power, to the converter and connected the Maintainer directly to the two batteries. So now it will not boil them over the winter. This system worked great from Nov until march when I got the trailer started for our trip to Florida. last year.

Now all I have left is getting the cover on and I may wait until Kevin and Ruth get here since Kevin is skinny and my son is too. I won’t have to worry about to much weight up there and they can roll it out and I will tie it off at the bottom. If you remember I won this cover in a drawing from Kevin & Ruth Last year so this will be the first it goes on, it is still in the box brand new.

I will be batching it for supper tonight. Donna has been invited on a girls night out with one of the women that used to work with her. She looks forward to these nights, and God knows she can use the fun and relaxation. I will have my buddy Miller, ( High Life) here to keep me company so it won’t be bad.

I have already decided besides having to get John Deere out for some plowing, I am going to make sure we have enough rations in the pantry, so if we get snow, the truck will stay in the garage until the roads are clear. If my Son Andy is off work he can take John and go clear driveways in the subdivisions across and behind us, even at $15 dollars a driveway he can make some pretty good change and get a bunch of return customers from the older people. I equipped John with an orange flashing strobe light on a pipe behind the seat and it already had halogen headlights so he will be visible to anyone else out there in the snow.

Today the kid’s won’t shovel a drive for less than $20 or $30 and he can do a better job faster with the plow and a blower to clean up with.

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

Sunday Notes.

Was up at 06:00AM and had coffee with my bride, then read some blogs, Rigg’s and I took a nap.

Donna said she had things to keep her busy and she spent most of the day baking goodies for the bake sale that is going to benefit the Lady at the truck company who’s son was wounded in action.

I went out and blew out all the water lines and then added pink stuff to both the grey water tank and black water tank, both had been drained before we left the Rally two weeks ago.I also drained the hot water tank and the fresh water tank so now it is winterize as far as the water systems go. Just as I finishing that up a storm came through so, I had to put off putting the battery maintainer on the batteries and disconnecting the converter for the winter. Then I will have to have my son and his girlfriend put the cover on and that will be it for the winter, Chappie will be in hibernation.

Then all we can do is wait and hope we can make another Spring Florida trip and get a little early sunshine.

Not much else doing here at the ranch, we haven’t decide on supper yet, but we are going to have a relaxing evening that’s for sure. Everyone be safe out there. Sam & Donna….

Saturday Mumblings.

Got to sleep in until 06:00AM and then had coffee with my bride.

Today for all of you who don’t know is the 237th birthday of the United States Navy which was established Oct. 13th 1775 as the Continental Navy, comprised of two small sailing ships that were armed to protect our ports.

Since then it is the largest and post powerful Naval force in the world, Larger that the combined Armies and Navy of most other countries.  Some of my favorite Navy Pictures.

One of the Rescue Helicopters from my USS Shangri-La Detachment in 1967.

US Navy F4 Phantom breaks the sound barrier about 20 feet off the runway, I can only imagine the sonic boom at this airfield that followed it.

Blue Angels, USS Constitution, Guided Missile frigate, Guided Missile cruiser

Most powerful Deterrent to war the world has known.

Turning into the wind  full deck, a helo launching at the bow, two fighters on the forward cats, another helo ready to launch from the waist cat, Looks like it’s about show time.

 

I am truly lucky to have been given the privilege to serve in what is the worlds greatest Navy. I have always said it was the most fun a poor kid from the country could have. We can sleep each night knowing, that if Americans are in danger, anywhere in the world, A US Navy Carrier Task force will show up, establish air superiority, and land US Marines in Navy and Marine helicopters to secure the area. God Bless them all.

Last night went great and pizza tasted extra good for some reason. don’t know why maybe I was extra hungry for it but sometimes, my homemade just comes out extra good.

Donna is getting ready to leave for her Saturday night at the restaurant . Me I am going to chill and about 05:00PM I will drink a toast to my fellow sailors around the world, Happy Birthday guys.

That’s about it from the Ranch for today. all of you be safe out there. Do it to them before they do it to you. Sam & Donna..

T.G.I.F.

Was up at 04;30AM and had coffee with my bride, then she was off to work. Rigg’s and I enjoyed a short nap after she left.

Was out cutting again for awhile on John Deere. I want to keep it short and mulched up before I quit at the end of the month for winter.

Tonight was pizza night so I got my last ball of dough out of the freezer. I will make a run this week for a couple more for next month.

No Grands this weekend. I was hoping for Nick and Adam. but they both had activities, Adam has a game tonight under the lights. imagine that , kid’s football in a park with lights. When I was a kid if you ran late the parents had to pull their cars around and put the headlights on.

That’s about it the blog is a shorty today. be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Thursday Happenings.

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

It’s been cool each day this week when we get up earlier it was in the 30’s today it was 44, It got up to about 62 this afternoon, but it is supposed to maybe hit 80 Sat. and Sun.Pretty much sunny just a pleasant afternoon here at the ranch. Rigg’s and Sadie have been in and out between naps and they lay right beside the kitchen table in the sun that comes in the back door, I have the screen door open to let some fresh air in the house. Won’t be long and we’ll set condition Zebra and dog down all the hatches to keep out the winter winds.

Saturday will be winterizing day so I am picking up a couple of gallons of pink stuff and also winter oil for John Deere and a set of fresh plugs and a new air cleaner. He likes to change that stuff before his two seasons, Summer and winter.Although last year was so mild we only had him out plowing twice, The year before it was two or three times a week for a couple months. Were praying for another mild winter this year. but who knows, we could get clobbered. Someday insulated long johns and insulated coveralls will be a memory for me, but it looks like they will be back in action one more winter.Along with ski socks and my flight boots.

Found a couple of pictures that reminded me of our Rigg’s,  Karen in the Woods had this one.

And here is another I found someplace in facebook.

Boy don’t you just love Labs, a day doesn’t go by that Rigg’s doesn’t do something or make a face that cracks me up. And Sadie is getting just like him, they are both always one step away from trouble.

Today Sadie came over and jumped up to get on my lap for attention, Rigg’s just walked over and watched for a minute and then picked her up by his mouth on the scruff of her neck and carried her feet dangling and gently put het in her bed next to my chair, then he came back to his rightful place for his attention. What a jealous one. But he was still gentle with his little sister, He amazes me with the way he treats her.

Don’t have anything else going on in Dardenne Prairie today, so I will say See Ya Later, Hope all is well in blogland, Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Wednesday Musings.

Was up at 04:30AM and had coffee with my bride I then decided Rigg’s and I would need a nap, when I got to the bed I saw he had beat me to it and claimed my spot.

On a more serious note, it is not everyday we take time to think about our men & women serving in our armed forces, we should, every once in awhile something happens that brings that war closer to our homes and hearts. Here is a memo Donna received at work at the truck company about one of her co-workers. It has to be a parents worst nightmare.

Good Morning,

On Monday morning it was brought to my attention that one of our team members Pamela Britt received some terrible news. For those of you that do not recognize the name, Pam is a member of our Food lion Jacobson account.

Pam’s son was severely wounded in an attack early Saturday morning in Afghanistan.   He has lost both legs, has severe burns and injury to his eye.  He was flown to Bethesda, MD on Tuesday.  He will be at Walter Reid Hospital for 10 months to a year.  As you can imagine, this is a horrible time for her and her family.  Please keep them in your prayers.  Pam has taken some time off to be with her son. Due to her length of service Pam does not have PTO available to use.

I would like to see us pull together and support Pam during this difficult time. I have attached a PTO donation form. If you wish to donate some of your time please complete the form and return to me.

If you would like to follow his progress, they have a Facebook page set up “Supporting Tyler Jeffries”  

Thank you for all you do,

               Tyler is in the center.

            At Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland.

Donna only had 1 1/2 days vacation left but she donated them to the Women so she could go to Maryland to be with her Son. Don’t know if they are accepting donations for the family. Here is the url https://www.facebook.com/SupportingTylerJeffries

Please remember him and his family in your prayers tonight, What a brave young man. Everyday of freedom we all enjoy in this great country has a price paid for by our young service people.

Personally I look at that young mans face and remember the young faces of many young men I served with many years ago. The bright smiles and happy faces of guys having a great time doing what they knew could be dangerous but doing it nonetheless.God Bless them all.

Well that’s about it for today I hope everyone is having a great day and just be careful out there. Sam & Donna..

 

Tuesday Thoughts

Was up at 04:00AM and had coffee with my bride, felt a lot better this morning after I sucked down some medicine and wrapped myself up in the new blanket Donna surprised with when she came home from work. All summer I just use a sheet, But in the winter I put a blanket over it, Donna on the other hand is wrapped up in a sheet, blanket and comforter all year round, some times you can barely see her head. Anyway I wrapped up and got a good night sleep and sweated the cold out, I was soaking wet when I got up but I sure did feel better and slept pretty well at that.
It got up to about 65 degrees by 01:00PM so I went down and put the deck under John Deere. It isn’t so bad a job if you use a floor jack and not try to lift it by hand. All in all it takes about 30 minutes with six pins that have to be inserted in different places to hold it to the mounts. Then john and I went out started cutting and cut until I ran out of gas, Got about 3/4ths of it done and I ran to the gas station and filled a jerry can, but I decided I would finish it tomorrow. Boy was John happy to get back out and his deck was nice and smooth, and quiet with the new pulleys and spindles on it, just like when it was new 400 hours ago. The dealer said that model should run between 800-1000 hours before the motor will need a rebuild, so I will probably be dead by then and my son Andy will be the owner.
Waiting for Donna now to get home from work and decide what we will do for supper. I hope everyone is having a great week.
Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Sunday/Monday Notes.

Sunday was a slow day really cold at first right at 32 degrees and then slowly got up into the 40’s. Adam had a football game, but his team lost, His Dad said none of the kid’s acted like they cared for the game much.Didn’t get much accomplished here with the cold.Donna worked the day shift at the restaurant.

This morning I was up at 04:30 and had my coffee with my bride, I won’t do much today as I am fighting a cold or something. just feel like I am coming down with something so I am going to take some meds and lay down later.

I was going to put the deck under John Deere and cut some grass, but I am leaving that go until tomorrow, it is supposed to be near 60 so it won’t be as cold. If I get two cuts in in October that will be it and I will pull the deck and put the plow , weights and chains on.

Nor much else going on so I will see ya later. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

Saturday Mumblings.

Was up at about 06:00AM and had coffee with my bride, at 07:30AM I left to go pick up Adam in Warrenton, he wanted to stop and pick up breakfast at McDonalds on the way back. When we got back we had breakfast and then Grandma started on a cake for one of the girls who works with her at the restaurant. they are having a baby shower for her, so she made her a babycake.

                             Baby Cake.

            Donna the Baker finishing the cake.

Adam always the helpful one, graciously volunteered to clean the icing off the spatula’s and mixer blades for his Grandma and said he wouldn’t even charge her to do it.

                  Adam cleaning the spatula’s off.

Later in the morning the John Deere dealer called and said the deck was fixed. Rigg’s volunteered to ride over there in the truck with Dad to be a guard dog while I was inside getting the deck.

They had inspected it and found two of the spindles that hold the blades on, wore out and so they replaced those along with the idler pulley and spindle for it. The parts came to $108.67 and the labor was $121.50 for a total of $242.98 with the tax included. For that I have just about all the rotating parts on the deck except one pulley spindle replaced so it is just about a completely rebuilt deck. The repair guy said it should be good for another 450 hours as long as I don’t try to cut a fire plug with it. I am happy as a expected that was going to be about what the cost was. To replace the deck is over $1000 so I am happy.

New Idler and one of the new spindles under the silver pulley.

                  Ready to go under the tractor.

It was to cold to work on putting it back under the tractor today but I will do it on Tuesday when it will be sunny and in the 70’s again.

Got it unloaded from the truck and then loaded my generator back up in the back of the truck and now I am back to square one again.

Rigg’s enjoyed his ride, and now Adam is playing on the computer, his friend’s aren’t out because of the cold temps today. Donna is taking a nap before working the restaurant tonight.

That’s about it from The Weeb Ranch on the outskirts of bustling Dardenne Prairie MO. Hope all is well in Blog Land and everyone is having a great week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……

T.G.I.F.

Was up at 04;30AM and had my morning coffee with my bride, the furnace was running and it was 45 degrees outside. Even Rigg’s went right out and came right back in a few minutes.It never did get above 49 all day.  Looks like we might get to freezing tonight, but then it is supposed to go back up into 50’s and 60s for the weekend.

They said something on the news about a winter weather advisory in the Upper Midwest ( MN. and N Dak.) so we may be getting the edge of it.

Nicole came over after school again and Adam called and said he would like to spend the weekend. That means we should have a kid’s weekend this week.

Forgot to take the dough out of the freezer, so we will have to heat up a couple of frozen pizza’s tonight. Just not the same as homemade.

Pretty much a rainy grey cold fall day around the Ranch with no one leaving unless they have to.

Hope everyone is going to have a fun weekend. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna…

Thursday Happenings.

Was up early with my bride for coffee, then she was then off to the truck company and then the restaurant. I was surprised at 05:00PM yesterday when I heard the garage door open and close and Donna came in. They had mistakenly scheduled to much help at the restaurant so since she had the most seniority she took the cut and went home, I felt bad because I had made a small frozen lasagna for me and it was just about gone when she walked in, she said no problem, I can find something to throw together around here.

The John Deere dealer called and said the parts should come to about $90 dollars and the labor for getting the stud out would add another $100 to $125 dollars to the cost for repairs, he said the parts should be in Monday and it should be done then and he would call.

Got a pleasant surprise at 03:30PM today, Nicky was at the door and she is staying for supper with us.

               Nicole & Sadie 01-04-12.

Boy did Sadie and Grandpa miss her, she said she is doing well in school and has lots of activities.As usual she gets cuter every time I see her.

Today was warmer than yesterday with the temps in the low 80’s, can’t help to think how long this Indian Summer weather will last.

I will probably winterize the trailer this weekend. and have my Son and his girlfriend put the cover on it. Since I am to heavy to get on the roof and my foot problems don’t help either.

Not much else doing around the Ranch here in Dardenne Prairie, Samantha made the grocery run today and save me the trip.  Hope everyone is having a great week. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……..

Wednesday Musings.

Up at 04:30AM for coffee with my bride, then she  was off to the Truck company and then the restaurant, before she left she got a shot of Rigg’s settling in for his nap with Dad.

Is he spoiled or what? Notice who gets the remote.

About 08:00AM I took the deck to a new John Deere Dealer in St Peters MO.The one I always used to go to in Dardenne Prairie, closed last year. They said they would have it done by the end of the week, but didn’t know what the cost would be until they saw what they had to go through to get the stud out. I guess I should direct a prayer to Saint John D. ( the patron saint of tractors) to keep my bill down.

Came home and have had a lazy, but gorgeous day, sunny and lower 70’s predicted and so far that’s what it is. Rigg’s and Sadie like these days and are in and out all day.

Hey it’s a slow day, how about a few old Navy pictures.

Blue Angel F-11 Guarding the gate at NAS Lakehurst NJ. the black hanger on the left housed HC-2 my squadron.

                    #2 wire pass.

             Over Mayport Carrier Basin.

                         Welcome Back.

                        Bringing the whale aboard.

Phantom II F4J on the cat with the HC-2 Angel overhead.

As I have said before, Naval Aviation was the most fun a kid from the country could have, I wouldn’t hesitate a moment to recommend it to someone’s teenage Grandkid as a way to serve their country after finishing college or school.

If they had a time machine I’d take the ride back just to have a short stay in those days again. But today everything's is faster and better, just as dangerous. but hey, none of us are leaving the planet alive anyway. Better a few years a a young lion, than a lifetime as an old lamb.

That’s about it for today, hope you enjoyed a short blast from the past.That picture of the photo F-8 over Mayport was taken in 1962, on the right of the carrier basin is the St Johns River and in the background is Jacksonville Fla. Jim & De from Tumbleweed stay in the RV Fam Park at Mayport which is now located where all the sand is on the left, across from the tip of the entrance to the basin.

Looks a lot different now. doesn’t it Jim & Dee.

Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……..

Tuesday Thoughts.

Was up at 04:30AM for coffee with my bride, then she was off to the truck company and Rigg’s and I had a short nap.

I have to find a way to get the deck up into the back of my truck, it weighs about 200 lbs. and my Son is at work on a couple of roofs he is helping put on like he did ours last year.

                            The complete deck.

               The damaged idler pulley mount.

I used to own an oxygen-acetylene tank set that would get  that broken stud  hot enough to drive out, but about 15 years ago some guy blew up his house through carelessness with a set of tanks and now they are not allowed in residential houses, you can only rent them now and not purchase the tanks and hoses and torches.

So I will have to take the deck to the John Deere dealer to have the stud replaced and a new pulley put on.  I know that will cost a pretty penny because anything from John Deere is a high buck item.

Not much going on besides that it was dumpster day so I took the dumper down this morning. but that was about it for chores, like I said I still would like to go over the grass a couple more times before throwing some seed out and leaving it for winter, I have to seed and straw where the burn pile used to be and then leave it for the winter.

Can’t believe its October already, we are still having mild days in the 70’s but the nights are dipping into the 40’s and 50’s and it won’t be long maybe just a couple weeks before it starts to go below freezing at night. Usually right around Halloween you start with hard freezes at night.

I know most of the snowbird crowd is starting to head south already. Boy I wish Donna and I were heading out with them. Maybe next year.

That’s about it from the Ranch for today. Hope all is well in Blog land. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna……