Busy July & August

We got home the afternoon of July 10 and spent the next couple weeks cleaning out and reorganizing the inside of the coach. The rest of the month we took stock of the house and decided it needs a lot more work than we have time for….  We have to replace the front door and back sliding glass door, then repaint the whole outside.  We also need a new dishwasher, microwave, and television…. Because of time restraints, all but the doors may have to wait until next year.

The first couple weeks of August proved to be a nightmare.  We couldn’t believe that everything happening was taking place during those first two weeks.  There were two RV Rallys, my 50 year high school reunion, a Moore retirees picnic, a good bye party for our grandson, my dental and eye appointments, Ken having to report for jury duty, and two geocache events.  Whew!!

Since we couldn’t do them all, we had to decide what was most important.  The first thing we decided to do was go to the Monaco RV Rally (Aug 2-8) which had been scheduled for several months and was already paid for.  Early on the 2nd we moved coach out to the Oregon State Fairgrounds so we could hook up to electric during the rally.  We were one of the first few in line and got a marvelous spot situated very close to all the activities and right across a grassy area from all the new show coaches.  The “party” started on the afternoon of Aug 3.  Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, and lots of wine (and soft drinks) were served while everyone had a chance to see and visit with old friends and take the time to view some of the new coaches on display. The rest of the week was more of the same with a daily catered breakfast, happy hour/catered dinner, then an evening show. We had a lot of fun and loved being wined and dined, but we still didn’t buy a new coach. Yes, we looked, and liked some that we saw, but weren’t tempted to spend that kind of money. However, we did get a couple things fixed on our coach (latch on bay door and a new arm on main door) and ordered a new set of outside screens for the front of the coach. We even made an appt to upgrade our TV antenna.

Also during that first week of August, I had to visit my dentist and have two teeth (molars) prepared for crowns ($$$).  It worked out, because the temporaries were pretty solid and didn’t stop me from participating in the meals or drinks (grin).

On Sunday, Aug 8, the great exodus of coaches headed out in caravan style heading for the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) Rally in Redmond, Oregon.  We were scheduled to attend the rally in Redmond (Aug 11-15), but had too much going on at home and couldn’t get away for the whole week (I had eye appt, Ken had jury duty).  The FMCA Rally is a huge rally with 1900 coaches in attendance.  There also were several hundred vendors showing their wares and offering some great deals.  There were many things at the vendors we wanted to check out, so we finally got the chance to drive Jeep over on August 12.  It was good that we did because Ken had purchased a tow shield storage bracket that didn’t work and was able to swap it for a mud/rock screen that does work. We also had our fire extinguishers recharged and ended up ordering some new inside solar and privacy curtains for coach’s living room.  We also took the time to view many other coach brands and models, but still weren’t tempted to buy (grin).

We have been so darn busy since getting back to Salem in July that we just haven’t had much time to do any caching…. Well, we finally had a chance while on the way home from Redmond.  We ended up finding 21 caches, but since then haven’t been out looking for any.

Our grandson (Justin) joined the Air Force and on August 30 is headed to San Antonio (Lackland AFB) for his basic training.  His elected field is in Special Forces/Combat Controller.  His wife, Holly, had a goodbye party for him on August 14th, so we had to be home for that!

This is Holly & Justin.

This is Leigh, Tim, Jessica, Mila & Justin

This is Me and Ken with Justin

It was a fun day with several family members in attendance. We were so glad to be able to let him know how much we love him and how much we will miss him. We are very proud of Justin and will pray daily for his health and safety.  We hope to be in Portland for “Family Day” when he has his final swearing in ceremony and then departure for Texas. There is going to be a lot of tears that day!!

Happily, Ken’s juror number wasn’t called, so he didn’t have to report for duty, but his name has gone back in the pot and can be selected again soon….

After having my temporary crowns on for just over two weeks, I went back in for the permanent ones, and as dentist was fitting them, he noticed something that he didn’t like and said he would have to have them remade and rescheduled me to come back a week later.  Finally after 3 weeks, I have the new crowns on and they feel great.

I also had new glasses ordered and when I tried those on, I couldn’t make out the words on a written page……bummer, they now have those on back order with an adjustment to the bifocal section.

This has not been the best of weeks for me because on Aug 20, while just walking, I pulled something (??) in the back of my left heel (felt like a rubber band snapping) and spent the last two days with foot wrapped while hobbling around.  Today (Aug 23) it feels better, and while slightly limping, I can bear some weight on the side of the foot. Yes, I did call for an appointment with a podiatrist and will find out what damage, If any, I might have done.  It’s really a bad time to have foot damage/soreness because we are off to Alaska in two weeks for our annual Salmon fishing trip. There’s a lot of physical work to be done during that trip, so hope I can hold up my portion of the trip.  Wish Ken luck for having to deal with me as his fishing partner, and wish me luck in being able to handle all the work ahead of me!!