T–MINUS 38 HOURS AND COUNTING……

Chris, John and Aiden arrived Friday night about 7Pm…They gain an hour coming this way, and lose an hour going home…And sooooo, Mr. Aiden Kendall Wolff, age 2 years, woke his “Mimi” (that would be me) up Saturday morning at 5:50AM..Hey, it was almost 7AM in his little time warp!!…Here is what sunrise looks like here at 6AM..

I try to avoid this time of morning unless we’re “traveling”, or it’s from my bedroom…however I got this shot by stepping outside our back door, with Aiden watching his crazy Mimi from the warm inside.  We were the ONLY ones up…(NO, REALLY?)…Hey, wait a minute…I almost forgot… we were joined by Elmo, who was trying to sneak sips of my coffee while I was dozing off.

….Mimi made some cinnamon toast for Aiden and Elmo, and they ate it while watching Secret Agent Oso on our TV. (I KNOW you don’t have a clue who that is, but Aiden  is a big fan.)

We had a great family time this weekend……

……I made some yummy food….(these are party rye with cheese, mayo and mushrooms).

                                                ……AND…..I got to see yet one more 5:50AM sunrise with Aiden Sunday at 6AM…

 

WHAT WE HAVE HEAR IN THIS PICTURE ON THE RIGHT IS THE FAMOUS “BACK END OF A BEAR” WHICH WE  ALL HAVE BEEN AS UGLY AS…. HE IS A POLAR BEAR LAWN ORNAMENT WHICH LIGHTS UP..I GAVE HIM TO THE HEISERS FOR THEIR FRONT LAWN THIS CHRISTMAS.  HE REFUSED TO LEAVE OUR GARAGE WITHOUT HIS FAITHFUL COMPANION, THE PENQUIN…..SO NOW THEY WILL BOTH MAKE THEIR HOME STANDING IN THE SNOW ON COBBLER COURT IN SUGAR GROVE , IL.

(DENNIS HAD A TIME JAMMING THEM BOTH IN THE BACK END OF THE HEISER’S CAR..THEY WERE ARGUING OVER WHO WAS GOING RIDE LOOKING FORWARD..AND, AS YOU CAN SEE, THE PENGUIN LOST THAT BATTLE.)

…Yesterday, (Sunday) morning I made a breakfast scramble of sausage, bacon, hash browns, eggs and cheese ..PLUS pancakes. The Heiser family came back over for the feast, accompanied by their rescue dog, Bogie…and Kelly and Cindy came by to see The Wolff family off home to Indy..Kelly was heading into Soldier Field in Chicago with some fireman buddies to see the Chicago Bears vs. Michael Vick (the Eagles)….He was looking pretty festive..

 

Sooooo…after everyone got their fill , they all headed in different directions, and McGuyver and I began RE- stocking our Hiker.  So far the weather looks pretty good for the drive South.  We will go through Arkansas and down into Texas along the Eastern side which borders with Louisiana.  We will be “incommunicado” until we get to Jefferson TX on Wednesday evening, so blogging will not happen until Thursday this week. 

I want to welcome Visionquest  and Kyotesue to our blogosphere….a couple more brave souls who read this crazy stuff!! Make sure you climb into the truck tomorrow morning…ya gotta get up early, though!!

AND TUESDAY, WE WILL FINALLY BE MAKING LIKE RV’ERS …AND GETTING THE H--- OUTA HERE!!!!

Post note made Monday morning…..

 

HOW ABOUT THOSE CHICAGO BEARS!!!!!!!

THE PARTY JUST KEEPS GOIN’…….

First of all, welcome our new followers, Brian and Tricia. You are very brave souls, and we hope you enjoy our meager attempt at a blog..Thanks for jumping in the truck with us..we hope to take you traveling real soon!!!

Yesterday was a wonderful day…We had a great time with some family….young…and… young at heart.

AND…WE HAD SOME DARN GOOD BOUNTY, TOO!!!

Yes, a turkey WAS harmed in the photos of this blog…but someone else did the dirty work..

I just finished him off!!!!!           

    Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Jr. drove down from Montgomery, IL to join us.  Luckily the weather was cooperating, and there was no snow or ice.  If that had been the case, McGuyver was going to pick them up…I didn’t want them to miss the Cave Family Turkey Day….They came bearing gifts….

….We had a wonderful song from Taylor…

 

 

 

…..who surprised us with the great song, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”….She really has quite a lovely voice, and she is going to be a talent in her school group “MidKnight Special”.  (Their school mascot is a Knight…hence the name.)

 

 

We started with some snacks, cheese and crackers, spinach dip, chips and guacamole (did the Pilgrims have those things??)  Dinner was about 2:30PM…and then the desert of ice cream pie…I need to go get some more Rolaids.

 

The sunset last night was the perfect ending to the day…

 

….And so today we are winding down…somewhat…..Chris, John and Aiden are going to get in this evening from Indy, and the party will continue…Tomorrow is Italian Sausages in Spaghetti sauce, crockpot style…The Heisers are returning for  the day..and who knows who else will show up..This is really a great way to prepare for another “trek South” on Tuesday…Having a get together with our family just before we “make like a baby and head out”…(I know, I know….but YOU know my sick humor, right?)…..More blabberings Sunday or Monday…Hopefully we leave Tuesday..Keep your fingers crossed for us…We need all the good karma we can get this time.!!!

MAKING PLANS AGAIN…LET’S GET GOIN’!!!

  We actually talked about leaving Illinois again, before we have to get Den’s friend, Eddy, to plow the Hiker out of the snow.  McGuyver is feeling pretty good.  He hasn’t had any major “episodes” with his back since we got back.  He refuses to go to the Doc here in Sandwich, and I am not going to start  harping on him to do so.  As he correctly points out…I am NO doctor! ( MEN!) He is a grown man and is responsible for his own health…There…end of story (hopefully).

  Thanksgiving looks to be a  fairly small gathering here at the Cave Dwellings.  Ter, Tim and the 3 kids will be here….Uncle Jr. and Aunt Jeanette will be here (though I wish they would allow Den to pick them up and drive them here and home)…Kelly and Cindy already made plans…Hey, nobody thought WE would be in town for Turkey Day!(Least of all us!) …We could have a few random family members drop by, so I am getting my act together for the sacrificial  bird, with all the trimmings!

  We have been having a little issue with our electric fireplace in the Hiker.   It heats just fine, but the pretend flame seems to get stuck when we first turn it on…This just began on our “bonsai run” home. where we hit some pretty rough roads in Southern Illinois (imagine that!)…McGuyver had the whole fireplace torn apart and hasn’t determined if it is the motor or what it is…After it is on for about 15 minutes, the flame thing begins to work…Personally, I think that the poor thing hates Illinois and wants to go back South…I’m with the same program!

  Thanks to all of you who sent best wishes to us for our anniversary.  I got on one of my very best ensembles for the occasion, as you can see.

  Hey, Kelly and Cindy brought me that nightshirt all the way from Ireland…and let me just say “That thing is WARM!”

I marinated some rib eye steaks , baked some red potatoes in olive oil and herbs…Then, just add a salad with blue cheese and walnuts and we had a romantic dinner for two….that we could eat in our jammies..It may sound crazy to some folks, but it ‘s what we do.

I have been doing some research on Jefferson Texas Christmas events….We  hope to be there sometime on or around Dec. 1st or 2nd.   I have an appointment with the foot Doc Monday for probable Planter’s Fasciitis in my heel.  I am hoping to get a shot and be on my way……Better living through science, I always say…and no way will this keep us from heading South!

We have been to Jefferson, but never at Xmas time. I have been researching it online and it looks like they really roll out the festivities!!  We stay at Lake of the Pines Army Corps campgrounds. Ya just gotta love the Golden Age Card.   I  also “just love” Jefferson…If you have never been there….do put it on your list of Texas towns to visit…It’s like a small New Orleans…

  Well, tomorrow is cooking and prepping day for all of us amateur chefs who are hosting Thanksgiving Dinner.  I hope everyone has a great Turkey Day, and gets to spend some time with family.  This is truly a time to give thanks for all  the blessings we enjoy, good food, friends, family…and  freedom .

…..AND NOW…LET’S GET THIS FEASTING UNDERWAY!!! BRING ON THE ROLAIDS!!!

DATE NIGHT FOR D & D..WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE?

  Saturday night has be our “date night” since Dennis and I were dating. We have always been firm believers that keeping the conversation going always seems easier away from the cooking, dishes, cleaning and sometimes HoHum trappings of home.  As we got older, we found it to be something we  REALLY enjoyed, especially when we had 3 rugrats running around the house.   No matter how stressed the week got, I always held date night out there…knowing we would find some time together without the little voices of “mommy, daddy, mommy, daddy”…It was good quality “together” time that we needed. So now, even though our kids are long gone from the house, we still find time for date night…and yes, I STILL look forward to it..(It actually gives me a reason to“fox up” (as best I can ) at least once a week.

WE BOTH CLEAN UP PRETTY WELL….ONCE A WEEK…..

Today, Sunday, I made us some biscuits and gravy for breakfast and McGuyver went out to put some antifreeze in the Hiker..It is suppose to get really cold by the end of next week..like…in the ‘teens…OOOOOH GOODY.

…ABOVE ARE PHOTOS FROM OUR COUGAR, ALL DUDED UP FOR CHRISTMAS, 2005.  SHE WAS THE PRECURSOR TO OUR HIKER….SHE WAS A GOOD ‘OL GIRL, EXCEPT SHE HAD 4 BLOWOUTS IN 2 YEARS…THIS WAS NOT GOOD, BUT SHE WAS OUR VERY FIRST CAMPER…AND IT ONLY TOOK US ONE TRIP TO REALIZE THIS WAS “LIVING THE DREAM” FOR US.

The Salt Lick BBQ, just outside Austin TX….December, 2005….YUMMY!!

             

The photos below were taken in the old historic town of San Ygnacio, South of Zapata, TX.

The town was started by the first home , built in 1830 by Jesus Trevino.  It was built to establish a fort for family and neighbors against the invading Indians.

..Above are the remainders of the fort ….In the photo on the right, you will notice on the top of the building above the door, there is an old sundial, that was placed there in 1851…The old lady in front of it was placed there in January, 2006.

I guess you can see that I am totally “on the road” in my head.  We are still determined to get back in the Hiker and hightail it South ASAP! 

 

Tomorrow McGuyver and I will celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary…..ARE YA READY FOR THIS?????

 

 

 

 

 

LORDY, GOD…! MCGUYVER WAS LOOKING LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN JACK NICHOLSON AND DRACULA…AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHO THAT YOUNG INNOCENT GIRL IS!!

Sorry, but I just couldn’t resist….and it all seems like these were taken yesterday.    OK, so now I am waxing nostalgic again…It is a creepy, gloomy day out today….but it is warming up….I see the distinct possibility of a campfire…AND cocktail hour could come early.

STAY TUNED…

BULLMOOSE BAR AND GRILL….OH YEA…

First of all, I’d like to put a big shout out to some new, brave followers, RV-Anytimers, who have a truck camper AND a Fiver….and it seems they have been to Alaska, one of our favorites!!! Thanks for reading .  You will soon figure out that Dennis (A.K.A McGuyver) is often the fodder for my blogs, and I am the writer…so it’s all MY fault!!!  

Den and I did our walk through “downtown”  just so I could get a picture of the train car, (which is still not open, by the way…)

Well, the old Diner train car sure looks lots different these days!! Sure wish we could go in and have some food and a cocktail…all part of our reporting back, of course.  Alas, they still aren’t ready for the public…AW SHUCKS!!

 

 

 

 

 

BEFORE…….

          ………..AND AFTER…..

She certainly looks “restored”, doesn’t she??? ….Love the colors, too!

Our clock/thermometer which displays the time and outdoor temp on our bedroom ceiling is broken.  It displays the time, but the temperature part is kaput…This is not good…We use that to help us get dressed “weather appropriate” for our morning walk.  McGuyver tried to fix it, but decided to just order a new one…GOOD DECISION!!!

 

…Would we rather be here……………..  ?                              …………Or here??????

It is FREAKIN’ COLD here today, so we found out!……(And rest assure, no animals were harmed for this fur collar….. )

 

Our stroll through the arctic took us by our local “fine dining” restaurant….We rarely go there,  but, Den had his class reunion there.  It is very nice,  but McGuyver and I don’t often spend big bucks on food that we can make at  home…Maybe that’s part of our “frugality”, or maybe we just like to eat at home….comfy , by our fireplace…very romantic, …especially with me in my ensembles…

The pumpkin guy, above right , I must explain….Our Sandwich High School “Indians” are in the 4A Illinois State High School Championship football semi-finals…This town is covered with encouraging signs, and all of the store windows downtown say “GO INDIANS!!”….They play the Rock Island Alleman Pioneers tomorrow at 2PM.  Last week when they beat the Mendota,  the whole town came out to great them when they the team bus drove into town..(We were still in Mississippi).  At least we sulked home  just in time to catch the Sandwich Indians play in the semi-finals!! (AND the Chicago Bears game on TV last night, where they SHUT OUT the Miami Dolphins!!!) YEA, MONSTERS OF THE MIDWAY!!

 

GO INDIANS…ALL THEY WAY TO CHAMPAIGN!!

(CHAMPAIGN, IL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ,IS WHERE THE PLAY THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME…IF THEY BEAT ALLEMAN!)

I have been busy getting my menu planned for Thanksgiving, and I felt the need to put up a few well placed Xmas decorations.

That little tree is fiber-optic ,and..it revolves too….I kinda get the feeling we’re in a disco when it’s lit…So much for tradition.  We did have a nice traditional big tree, but when we started heading South for Xmas, we handed it down to our daughter, Chris.  It is  a tree that just cries out to be set up every year, and NOT stored in some old person’s basement, like ours…I know that tree is  much happier at their home every year, all lit up, sparkling and smiling with gifts at it’s feet….and not hidden away in our house….

 

 

I SAW THIS SMILEY GUY AT KOHL’S AND HE JUMPED HAPPILY INTO MY CART…HE TOLD ME HE WAS ON SALE, AND THAT HE WOULD LOOK FABULOUS AT  MY HOUSE…HE WAS RIGHT!!!

 

(IN CASE YOU CAN’T TELL, HE IS A NIGHTLITE…VERY CLEVER, EH??)

 

 

 

….Dennis is feeling better, but still  has a few little twinges in his back.  Thanks to all of you for your concern, and especially all you guys who made me realize that McGuyver isn’t the only stoic MD avoider…

This morning Den was  online with Google maps…..looking to see the route from Sandwich, IL to Jefferson TX…..hmmm…Either he was just toying with me, OR…… he is intent on heading out of here soon…

STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER UPDATES…THIS COULD GET INTERESTING!