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!

Please…Don’t Let It Get Toooo Cold Here!!!

 

 

 

Who is this clown, wandering around looking for snow??? He just better stay out of our neighborhood!!!  ( I DO like the look, though…Polar C,S & D…(Cool, Suave, and Debonair).

 

Actually, McGuyver decided not to winterize the RV yet..He will  just blow the lines out for now, trying not to blow out his back again,  and hope we can get back on the road before January…or whenever the Arctic winds begin to blow out of Canada….

The last time we were here for Christmas was in 2007…We left the day after, and it was a challenge just getting the camper loaded and ready in the colder weather….

Above is proof that only Santa should don the red hat..Who ARE these people, anyway???

  I went to see my sis today at St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin.  She just had a feeding tube put in, so she can get nourishment.  They hope that once her trache heals she will be able to actually EAT again, but for now, the tube is it.  I told Darlene that our nephew Scott, (who has had a feeding tube for 4 years), says there is a steak in every can.  She still cannot talk, also due to the trache, but she is very fiesty and somehow maintains her goofy sense of humor.  So you see, we are alike in many ways.

 

 

                                                    CHRISTMAS AT THE CAVE’S 2007

     

We are not sure exactly if ,and when ,we will get out of here…Dennis finishes his steroids Friday, and he is feeling fairly good..He wants to wait until he is done with the ‘roids’ and see how his back feels.  Why is it, (she asked dumbfounded) , that men put off ANY visit to a Doctor??  Men should have to suffer all the invasive procedures that we do, that’s what I think…Then they would have a REASON to delay the visit.   Let’s have a show of hands…How many of you ladies would like to AVOID your yearly trip to stirrups and the Gynno Doc??  Me, too….

  I went to get my turkey today, a 16 pound bird.   I’m trying to keep it simple this year..yea, right.  Just the basics..I like it traditional..No turduckins for me,  and no goose or duck either. We will have Uncle Jr. and Aunt Jeanette down, which is ALWAYS a good time.

  OK, this blog is becoming a huge bore to ME, so I cannot imagine how you, who didn’t already nod off, must feel.  I promised an update on the train car, so I will get a new photo for my next blog….and try to “kick it up a notch”…

HEY!!! YOU!!! THE ONE DRUELING , WITH YOUR CHIN RESTING ON YOUR CHEST…!!

YOU CAN CLICK ME OFF NOW….BUT..JUST REMEMBER “I’LL BE BACK!”

WAS IT ALL A DREAM??

  I had the most wonderful dream….I dreamed we went to Indy to visit Chris, John and Aiden…Then we got in our RV and went down into Mississippi for 10 days.  The weather was glorious, and we saw some Civil War history, plus we stayed right on the Mississippi River for 4 days….Then…..I woke up and I was in Sandwich, IL…

  OK, OK,….so it wasn’t a dream…We actually are back in Sandwich, IL …as of this afternoon…..

Long story short….Den’s back was still not 100%, so we figured that since we were only 600 miles from home, and not 2000 miles away, we should get back here and see how his back does….At least we are in our own town, with our own doctors and local hospital nearby, should need be..(But, McGuyver is doing OK for now)…He is still taking steroids and pain meds, so we shall see how he does when those are gone… We both figured it is still early in the season, and we can rewind this trip and start fresh once we are satisfied Dennis is feeling great again.  Also, while on our way home, I got a call from my brother-in-law, and my sis isn’t doing well.  She now has a permanent trache tube, and is back in the hospital in Elgin…So, you see?….It seems that sometimes things happen for reasons… 

  Meanwhile, I have adjusted nicely to our new plans…I am getting the fixins’ for Thanksgiving dinner at our house, which will be fun.  Family time is always good, and we hope we can get all our kids together.  I DO love the smell of turkey roasting in our house, and all of the wining (the liquid kind) and dining that goes on.  Hey, I even have the idea of putting up a few little Xmas decorations.

  There are no photos for this blog…We pretty much drove for 2 days, staying last night at Rend Lake in Southern Illinois…Today, we spent all afternoon UNloading stuff from the Hiker..Hey!! Didn’t we just LOAD that sucker??? In came the TV receivers, computer and printer,(first MOST  important)…then the cocktails and food (gotta have that stuff for our campfire on our deck!), then the dirty clothes (big whoop)..…We left our shorts and summer stuff out in the Hiker… kind of like placing little seeds of hope for a future trip….

So…..we are back home for the time being…Looks like we may see a flake of snow here Wednesday evening or Thursday morning…If we get much snow while we’re here, I may have to talk McGuyver off the ledge…He can tolerate the very first snowfall, then he turns into an old curmudgeon armed and dangerous with a snow shovel… 

Sorry I haven’t commented on any blogs yet.  As you probably know, when we are on the road we have no computer …..And right now, it is waaaay past our cocktail hour…and I have my priorities..I promise I will check all blogs soon! Sorry we had to unload all you kids from the back seat, but you are welcome to stay and visit our house while we are here….I promise we will get back on the road ASAP!!

 Tonight I’ll probably get up in the night, bounce off the walls trying to find the bathroom, and try to flush with my right foot…oh, well….LIFE IS STILL GREAT, DAMMIT!!!

McGuyver …McHurting…McBetter, But …A Change Of Plans…

Yesterday was pretty exciting around the Cave Dwellings..Let me just say that McGuyver has had some issues with his back for the past couple months….It couldn’t have anything to do with the heavy lifting of logs while using the log splitter in our back yard…RIGHT?? JUST MY OPINION…..

  This condition has been progressing as we have traveled…and yesterday it made it’s crescendo into one major pain.  He woke up and was having trouble bending over the bathroom sink…He was OK sitting, but standing was becoming more difficult..As I stated, sitting down, he was fine, but just about lunch time, he was in so much pain when standing that we decided to get the Hiker ready to travel and head home to Illinois Saturday (this morning)…I called and cancelled our much coveted reservations at Bruin State Park LA and at North Toledo State Park for Thanksgiving ($44.00 non-refundable, but at that point I didn’t care)…I even called our Doc in Sandwich and set up an appointment for Dennis on Monday at 3PM….

  McGuvyer, (being McGuyver), proceeded to try and get some stuff outside stowed away…Let  me just say, when I saw him hanging onto the door of the RV with a death grip, and sweating in pain, I decided that THIS was the last straw!!..Sometimes ya just gotta take the bull by the horns…and McGuyver by his britches.  I got online and looked for an urgent care clinic to get him into.  About 1/2 hour later we were at Greenville Family Medical Center, waiting our turn to see a Dr….ANY DOCTOR!!

Let me just say that we didn’t wait long…A little paper work and copies of Den’s insurance cards, and we were into a cubicle.  McGuyver was walking with GREAT difficulty, and now I was the one sweating profusely, wonder what the Hell was going on!!  Just about that time, in swoops Dr. Neal Suares, looking like Matthew McConaughey (for those who know what a hotty he is)..He takes one look at Dennis leaning on the gurney, makes a few cute comments about Sandwich, IL, and gets to the point… He asked Den if he had tingling or numbness to his leg and Den, said, “No, it just feels like someone is jabbing a knife in my lower back when I put weight on my left leg”. Dr .McDreamy decides there is no need for X-Rays, and rules out a pinched nerve. “What I am pretty sure you have” he states confidently, “is a muscle spasm…possible from heavy lifting” (NO, REALLY???)….See, McGuyver, you are NOT SUPERMAN!!!

  He prescribed an injection of Toradol (an anti-inflammatory), some 500mg Naproxen (Aleve), and steroids….Come to find out, Dr. Suares did some of his medical schooling in Chicago area, and worked at St. Joseph Hospital, where my sis has been in and out…AND he has some family who live in Geneva and St. Charles area..just about 30 miles from Sandwich…SMALL WORLD!! I have to mention that this whole deal was only $127.00.  We had our Visa card ready, but they didn’t want us to pay anything, saying they would submit Den’s Medicare and co-insurance…I couldn’t believe they didn’t want one red cent…They even want money up front at our local hospital back home..

  The prescription drugs were available right there at the clinic pharmacy..Fred’s Pharmacy…No, I am NOT making that one up…that is the real name of the place…And they took Den’s Drug Insurance Card, processed it , and we owed $4.44.

We left the clinic, drugs in hand and a shot in McGuyver’s behind…McGuyver drove…driving wasn’t an issue..walking WAS. But, after about an hour of being back at the Hiker, McGuyver felt MUCH improved, (and so did I)..  He even lit a campfire and watched the barges go by as the sun was setting…

So, as I said, our plans have changed.  Tomorrow morning we decided to keep our direction in a lateral move to Texarkana, TX..We have stayed there before, and know the area…Civil War history will have to wait for now…But, we don’t want to head any further South….just in case….And we want to give McGuyver’s meds a chance to see if he is truly getting better…

THANK YOU DR. NEIL SUARES!!

THANK YOU GREENVILLE FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER!

THANK YOU FRED’S PHARMACY! 

 

YOU ARE ALL VERY NICE, FRIENDLY, HELPFUL PEEPS!!!!