Sunday, May 31 – Saturday, June 20
We have absolutely no idea where the month of June has gone! So many developments on Our Little Lot have taken our time and our energy that by the end of the day we have fallen into bed too exhausted to even consider writing.
However, we did get the electrical conduit and water pipes put together, the conduit wired, and everything covered (thanks again to our neighbor, Gary Fox and his backhoe) on the 31st of May under the expert supervision of our new friend Bob Royar. Jim and I have learned so many new skills since we started this role of being East Texas landowners.
Just a brief explanation of the lovely yellow arm and ankle bracelets that I am sporting in the above photo…the mosquitoes and chiggers have taken a fancy to me. I found that by wearing these lovely items I can work more comfortably outside as they repel the insects! You may purchase your own set at any Wally World!
On Monday, June 1, we decided that we owed ourselves some down time and took off for a two day cycle trip around East Texas…mainly the Marshall, TX, area. It was absolute heaven to ride and enjoy the sights of nature with no briars to pull or dirt to rake!
Excitement reigned when we arrived back at the RV Park in Holiday Villages as we received a call from Heather saying that she and her family were coming over on the 5th for a day’s visit! That news gave us the boost of energy we needed to return to the clearing of land and sprucing up the lot as we impatiently wait the three weeks before we can put Big V up on her new home.
Since we have been living in the RV Park, we also spend some of our time there mowing (they would mow, but not as often as we think it should be done). Also, we needed to give Big V a thorough cleaning and do some cooking.
Jim: Heather, Andy, Alexander, and Abby arrived shortly before noon on Friday, just in time to get the grand tour of the RV park and our lot.
Following a walkaround of the lot, we walked down to the clubhouse for lunch and then we all changed clothes and hit the swimming pool. It was the first time we’d been in the pool since we got here, and it didn’t take long before we were wondering why we had been spending the hot afternoons pulling weeds and briars instead of soaking in the cool pool. Oh well, live and learn!
When we were finished at the pool, we returned to Big V to dig out the fishing poles and walk down to the pier to try our luck. Of course, it was still the hottest part of the day and not a time for fishing, but the little ones didn’t know that and thoroughly enjoyed learning to cast their lines out into the lake.
Abby got tired of the fun before the others did, so we walked her back up the road to Big V and I got busy getting everything ready for a big family dinner. We had invited Mother, Ernie, and Billee (T.J. had a previous engagement with some of her friends) to join us for barbecue and all the trimmings and I needed to get the grills fired up.
It wasn’t long before the coals were glowing and the meat (country style ribs, pork chops, and chicken drumsticks) were sizzling on the grill. We sure do know how to make the neighborhood “stink purty!”
The family showed up just as the food was finishing on the grill and we all sat down outside to enjoy the fast and the multiple conversations that come with a large family gathering.
Saturday found us hard at work at the lot again, just attacking the piddly chores that we can do until we get the sewer and water connections tapped in.
Sunday morning we went to church with Mother and T.J. Ernie and Billee went to Dallas to visit their daughters, so we volunteered our services as chauffeurs.
Monday – Saturday, June 8 – 13
Happy Anniversary on June 8th to son John and daughter-in-law Carol in San Antonio, TX and to James and Susie in Hobbs, NM on June 12!
We have absolutely no idea where the month of June has gone! So many developments on Our Little Lot have taken our time and our energy that by the end of the day we have fallen into bed too exhausted to even consider writing.
However, we did get the electrical conduit and water pipes put together, the conduit wired, and everything covered (thanks again to our neighbor, Gary Fox and his backhoe) on the 31st of May under the expert supervision of our new friend Bob Royar. Jim and I have learned so many new skills since we started this role of being East Texas landowners.
Just a brief explanation of the lovely yellow arm and ankle bracelets that I am sporting in the above photo…the mosquitoes and chiggers have taken a fancy to me. I found that by wearing these lovely items I can work more comfortably outside as they repel the insects! You may purchase your own set at any Wally World!On Monday, June 1, we decided that we owed ourselves some down time and took off for a two day cycle trip around East Texas…mainly the Marshall, TX, area. It was absolute heaven to ride and enjoy the sights of nature with no briars to pull or dirt to rake!Happy Birthday on June 2nd to Zeke in Knox City.
Excitement reigned when we arrived back at the RV Park in Holiday Villages as we received a call from Heather saying that she and her family were coming over on the 5th for a day’s visit! That news gave us the boost of energy we needed to return to the clearing of land and sprucing up the lot as we impatiently wait the three weeks before we can put Big V up on her new home.
Since we have been living in the RV Park, we also spend some of our time there mowing (they would mow, but not as often as we think it should be done). Also, we needed to give Big V a thorough cleaning and do some cooking.
Jim: Heather, Andy, Alexander, and Abby arrived shortly before noon on Friday, just in time to get the grand tour of the RV park and our lot.
Following a walkaround of the lot, we walked down to the clubhouse for lunch and then we all changed clothes and hit the swimming pool. It was the first time we’d been in the pool since we got here, and it didn’t take long before we were wondering why we had been spending the hot afternoons pulling weeds and briars instead of soaking in the cool pool. Oh well, live and learn!
When we were finished at the pool, we returned to Big V to dig out the fishing poles and walk down to the pier to try our luck. Of course, it was still the hottest part of the day and not a time for fishing, but the little ones didn’t know that and thoroughly enjoyed learning to cast their lines out into the lake.
Abby got tired of the fun before the others did, so we walked her back up the road to Big V and I got busy getting everything ready for a big family dinner. We had invited Mother, Ernie, and Billee (T.J. had a previous engagement with some of her friends) to join us for barbecue and all the trimmings and I needed to get the grills fired up.It wasn’t long before the coals were glowing and the meat (country style ribs, pork chops, and chicken drumsticks) were sizzling on the grill. We sure do know how to make the neighborhood “stink purty!” The family showed up just as the food was finishing on the grill and we all sat down outside to enjoy the fast and the multiple conversations that come with a large family gathering.
Saturday found us hard at work at the lot again, just attacking the piddly chores that we can do until we get the sewer and water connections tapped in.Sunday morning we went to church with Mother and T.J. Ernie and Billee went to Dallas to visit their daughters, so we volunteered our services as chauffeurs.
Monday – Saturday, June 8 – 13
Happy Anniversary on June 8th to son John and daughter-in-law Carol in San Antonio, TX and to James and Susie in Hobbs, NM on June 12!
Unable to do anything (except pull weeds and vines) at the lot, we turned our attention this week to taking care of some chores around T.J.’s house. She had several things that needed to be done and offered to pay us to help. At first, we declined to talk about pay, but she insisted that since she would have to pay someone else to do those things, she might as well pay us.
Without going into much detail, we found that there really was quite a bit to be done. During the course of the week we fixed a set of wooden gates to the backyard area…had to remove all the hardware, do some minor trimming on the wood and some digging and cleaning out of the threshold, and then reinstall the gates.
The most time-consuming chore was to paint two bedrooms that haven’t been painted in the fourteen years that T.J. has been in the house. All of the elements for painting were involved…furniture moving, picture removal, wall preparation, etc. Once the walls were ready and we had paths around the rooms, we developed a system for doing the painting – I did the trimming around the ceilings and floors while Barbara started rolling out the walls. When the trim work was completed, I grabbed a roller and started helping to put on either first or second coats.
It took four days to complete all the painting and furniture moving, but along the way we also hung photographs and paintings in other rooms and did some other minor chores (including cleaning up our mess).
Saturday morning found us hard at work at the lot again. We decided that the slab had set up long enough and that we were tired of living temporarily in the RV park. So, our game plan for the day was to dress up the areas around the slab, burn off the giant pile of weeds and grasses that we had accumulated, and generally get ready to make the lot our new home. It was a long, hot, and dirty day, but we had a great sense of accomplishment when it was over.
Sunday, June 14
We awoke early this morning and reconfirmed our decision that this would be moving day for the Littles. We had intended to move after church and working at TJ’s, but with storm clouds looming, we decided that we’d better tackle the move before any rain hampered us. After multiple trips in the car to carry our outdoor furniture, grills, and other miscellaneous items that we didn’t want to repack in Big V. By 10:00 a.m everything but the car, the motorcycle and trailer, and Big V were in place on the lot.
After riding the cycle up and parking it and the trailer on the back corner of the slab, Barbara took me back down to the RV park where we fired up Big V and slowly made our way through the twisty roads to 394 Geronimo, our new residence.
Without going into much detail, we found that there really was quite a bit to be done. During the course of the week we fixed a set of wooden gates to the backyard area…had to remove all the hardware, do some minor trimming on the wood and some digging and cleaning out of the threshold, and then reinstall the gates.
The most time-consuming chore was to paint two bedrooms that haven’t been painted in the fourteen years that T.J. has been in the house. All of the elements for painting were involved…furniture moving, picture removal, wall preparation, etc. Once the walls were ready and we had paths around the rooms, we developed a system for doing the painting – I did the trimming around the ceilings and floors while Barbara started rolling out the walls. When the trim work was completed, I grabbed a roller and started helping to put on either first or second coats.
It took four days to complete all the painting and furniture moving, but along the way we also hung photographs and paintings in other rooms and did some other minor chores (including cleaning up our mess).
Saturday morning found us hard at work at the lot again. We decided that the slab had set up long enough and that we were tired of living temporarily in the RV park. So, our game plan for the day was to dress up the areas around the slab, burn off the giant pile of weeds and grasses that we had accumulated, and generally get ready to make the lot our new home. It was a long, hot, and dirty day, but we had a great sense of accomplishment when it was over.
Sunday, June 14
We awoke early this morning and reconfirmed our decision that this would be moving day for the Littles. We had intended to move after church and working at TJ’s, but with storm clouds looming, we decided that we’d better tackle the move before any rain hampered us. After multiple trips in the car to carry our outdoor furniture, grills, and other miscellaneous items that we didn’t want to repack in Big V. By 10:00 a.m everything but the car, the motorcycle and trailer, and Big V were in place on the lot.
After riding the cycle up and parking it and the trailer on the back corner of the slab, Barbara took me back down to the RV park where we fired up Big V and slowly made our way through the twisty roads to 394 Geronimo, our new residence.
Just as I started backing Big V up the long driveway, Bob and Mary Royar came by and assisted Barbara in giving directions. The sun was hitting just wrong to be able to use the backup camera, so the others gave me verbal directions until Big V was settled firmly in place on the concrete.Before long, we had attracted all the neighbors and everyone admitted that Big V certainly looked like she belonged in her new surroundings!
Time had flown by and since we were responsible for the lunch, we loaded the food in the car and headed to TJ’s where she, Joseph, and Mother were awaiting their meal.
Once everyone’s appetite was appeased, Barbara and I began hanging blinds in one of the newly painted bedrooms. Finally around 4 it was time to head out to our new home at 394 Geronimo St! (We have a 911 address, but will not have mail delivery there)
Monday, June 15
We were up before daylight and Barbara decided that this would be an excellent time to hit the laundry while I piddled around on our estate. We both took time though to sit out on the patio and admire our new home.
Our chores this day included not only the laundry, but mowing, filling in holes, and the clearing of another part of the land that leads down to the creek.
Tuesday, June 16
This morning found our new neighbors, Linda and Wes, from Texarkansas putting in their drive and clearing the land to the south of us. Since they were using Gert, the same guy who put in our drive, we asked him about putting gravel on the rest of our drive. We were delighted with the quote he gave us and made plans for that to be done before we once again returned to TJ’s to finish up our projects there.
After completing another set of blinds and hanging a new chandelier in the dining room, Barbara and I found ourselves once again among the unemployed and headed back to our little lot.
Imagine our surprise when we returned home to find a pile of gravel in the driveway waiting to be spread out. And, by evening’s end, Josh, who works for Gert, had done just that! What a beautiful sight!
Wednesday, June 17
Happy Birthday to Amanda in Knox City!
Today was to be another red letter day for us and for Mother. Josh and John, the village representatives for Monarch Utilities, arrived to tap in our sewer system and complete all of our utility hookups. We were hoping they would be finished before I had to go to Mineola to take Mother to Tyler, but that didn’t happen, so Barbara stayed behind to watch what turned out to be a very educational procedure. While I hopped on the cycle and motored off to town.
While Barbara stayed at the lot, Ernie and I took Mother to Tyler to have an injection in her back to alleviate the pain she has been suffering there for several years. The procedure, done at East Texas Medical Center, didn’t take long, but there was a lot of waiting time before and after, so Ernie and I had an opportunity to just sit and visit for several hours.
Around 3:00, we got a call in the waiting room letting us know that they were preparing to wheel Mother down to the front doors, so I went out to get the car while Ernie stayed to help get Mother outside.
By 3:30 or so we were back on the road to Mineola to get Mother back into her own room to rest up from the day’s experiences. The doctor said she should rest and take it easy tonight, but that by tomorrow she could do anything she wanted.
Thursday, June 18
After a slow start around Big V this morning, it was back to Tyler today for Barbara and me to do some serious shopping. There were several items we needed that just weren’t available in our area, so we pretty much made a day of the trip, with stops at Southern RV, a motorcycle shop to get a new cover for the Voyager, Dollar General, Cato’s, and, of course, Walmart.
On the way back to Holiday Village we stopped by Mother’s house to check on her (she was feeling just great…no back pain for the first time in years). We returned to Big V where we unloaded the Vibe and settled in for the evening, just trying to stay cool on one of the hottest days of the year so far.
Friday, June 19
Today was just another workday around the place, but did involve an afternoon trip up to Quitman to get a new license tag for one of the trailers and then to Sulphur Springs to return several pieces of PVC to Lowe’s and purchase some more sections and couplers to finish an electrical project. While we were there, we found some material to help insulate the front windows from the burning afternoon sun…maybe we can finally get some relief from the summer heat!
Saturday, June 20
On the way back to Holiday Village we stopped by Mother’s house to check on her (she was feeling just great…no back pain for the first time in years). We returned to Big V where we unloaded the Vibe and settled in for the evening, just trying to stay cool on one of the hottest days of the year so far.
Friday, June 19
Today was just another workday around the place, but did involve an afternoon trip up to Quitman to get a new license tag for one of the trailers and then to Sulphur Springs to return several pieces of PVC to Lowe’s and purchase some more sections and couplers to finish an electrical project. While we were there, we found some material to help insulate the front windows from the burning afternoon sun…maybe we can finally get some relief from the summer heat!
Saturday, June 20
Happy Birthday to cousin Ladd in Mineola.
Since we were planning to leave for a week and a half to go to Artesia tomorrow, we decided we’d better get caught up on some serious housecleaning chores around Big V. While Barbara went off to start several loads of laundry, I started the indoor cleaning – vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, mopping, etc. It was a chore that we had put off for way too long, and took up a huge chunk of the day.
When Big V was clean and shiny (inside, at least), we turned our attention to cleaning up the Vibe for travel. Since we had been using it almost like a pickup truck to haul everything from groceries to rocks, it was a real mess, but we soon got it under control and had all but the last minute things packed away.
Tonight we just rested and reflected on how busy we had been for the past three weeks; it was almost as if we’d lost all concept of time, with the days running together as we got the lot, Big V, and the vehicles ready. Finally, we are beginning to feel “at home” here at Holiday Village.
Since we were planning to leave for a week and a half to go to Artesia tomorrow, we decided we’d better get caught up on some serious housecleaning chores around Big V. While Barbara went off to start several loads of laundry, I started the indoor cleaning – vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, mopping, etc. It was a chore that we had put off for way too long, and took up a huge chunk of the day.
When Big V was clean and shiny (inside, at least), we turned our attention to cleaning up the Vibe for travel. Since we had been using it almost like a pickup truck to haul everything from groceries to rocks, it was a real mess, but we soon got it under control and had all but the last minute things packed away.
Tonight we just rested and reflected on how busy we had been for the past three weeks; it was almost as if we’d lost all concept of time, with the days running together as we got the lot, Big V, and the vehicles ready. Finally, we are beginning to feel “at home” here at Holiday Village.
"The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it." Mother Teresa
From the shores of Lake Fork,
Jim & Barbara
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The end of the week found us battered, bruised, and pretty well shredded by thorns, but the dream was coming alive…now if we could just shut off the rain for a while (who would ever think that we, from southwest Kansas, West Texas, and southeastern New Mexico would ever say anything like that!)...jpg)
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As Juan and Larry were moving the heavy wet concrete into place, we heard thunder rumbling in the distance and the sky started clouding up…not at all what the weatherman promised for the day. It appeared that the approaching storm was going to break to the north of us, but just to be on the safe side, Larry asked us if we would mind going to town to get a roll of plastic sheeting to cover the newly-poured concrete..jpg)
After visiting for about a half hour, we agreed to let them get to work on it. Gert said they could begin this morning and that he would have Josh come over with a tractor to move the dirt around the way we wanted it. Since we’d already tried to do the job with a small wheelbarrow, shovel, and rake, we voted that it would be well worth the price to let them take care of the job.