'17/#3 And Our House Is On Wheels....

We are still in Forsyth MO and doing just fine. The weather has been a little unpredictable with temperatures ranging from a low of 4 degrees to a high of 68 degrees, and that is all within a period of 3 weeks. Layering has become a way of life and I am sure we will survive the winter. The wind has also made it interesting. Some days there is nary a whisper of a breeze and other times it feels like the trailer is going to tip over. It really hasn't come to that point but the trailer does rock pretty good sometimes.

Mary is still working her "part-time" job and for the most part she is enjoying it. She likes the people she works with and is getting to know quite a few of the locals. Some she even refers to as her "regulars". I am not sure about the "part-time" part of it. In the last month there have been some personel issues at the store and Mary has offered to work extra hours to help out. She really likes her store manager and wants to help out any way she can. Sometimes that means more hours than she planned, or that I care for, but if you know Mary, she is going to do what she wants. Just today one of the girls has been diagnosed with chicken-pox and will be out for a week. Mary has already said she would help cover the lost hours so her schedule will change I'm sure.

On a sadder note, we just found out that Mary's Aunt Grace passed away. That leaves Uncle Don alone in Florida. We know he is okay but are still concerned as any family would be. At this time no plans have been made, so we are on hold for now. Like I've always said, "our house is on wheels and our plans are written in jello". If need be, we can be in Florida in a couple of days or have our whole rig back in just a few more than that. Family is family and we will do what is needed. For now we will just keep doing what we are doing until the "jello" gets shaken.

Sad for now in our home in Forsyth because....
Home is where we park it,
Frank and Mary

'17/#2 And The New Year Starts!

I had a little episode this week and asked Mary not to say anything to anyone. I came very close to passing out at home and had to be transported to the hospital by ambulance. Preliminary tests point tentatively to a bleeding ulcer, leading to anemia, and a blood pressure drop. We and our doctors are on top of everything and I am feeling much better. This is not the first ulcer I have been diagnosed with but it has been many years since I have had any problem. Hopefully it will be many more, or better yet never, that I have to deal with this again. The one bright side is that I have made a good dent into our annual deductible on our health insurance.

In the last blog I told you we were expecting a little cold snap, but not as cold as we've had before. They lied! It is every bit as cold as it was before. We've had two mornings with wake up temps in single digits. One morning it was only 5 degrees!!! Good news is that our winterizing, furnace, and space heaters are working out well. I have been pumping quite a bit of propane for the locals and feel for those who have run out during the night. Everyone here is looking forward to the warm spell predicted this week. We are expecting 60 degrees on Tuesday. Quite a change in just a few days. Hopefully the park's water pipes will thaw today and we can get back on city water instead of our fresh water holding tank. That's what it is for but it is a limited amount of water that won't last forever.

Mary has been off for several days now, taking care of me. She was pretty upset with my trip to the hospital and is now relaxing. Prior to the new year she had worked more hours than usual to help out some of the girls she works with and has earned and is enjoying her time off. It is also nice that she doesn't have to go out in the cold weather that we are having. Resting, staying warm, and watching trashy TV....what a way to relax!

As of now I am doing well and we are just relaxing here in our home in Forsyth Missouri because.....

Home is where we park it,
Frank and Mary

"17/#1 Happy New Year!

Well another year has come and gone. Many people are saying good riddance to 2016 and bemoaning all that has occurred over the past 12 months. 2016, while unique, is no different than any other year. Once examined you will find good and bad has happened every year and will continue to do so forever. Some events are more important than others to each individual, but overall, for all the bad things in 2016 there are just as many good things.

As for us, we are grateful for 2016 and looking forward to 2017. Our health is reasonably good as is that of our family and friends. We are still living our dream out here on the road and 2017 has more adventures in store for us. Our grandchildren are all doing well in school and our children are doing the same in their professional lives. 2017 looks to be another good year. Like I've said before, it is not all unicorns and rainbows. We had more than our share of flat tires this year and Mary needed surgery on her knee but those are things that happen and can't be avoided. That is life. What you do about those bumps in the road and how you let it affect your future is what will determine a good year or a bad year and ultimately a good life or a bad life! Optimist or pessimist, glass half full or glass half empty? The person in the mirror will decide if you have a good year or a bad one!

New Years Eve was quiet for us. A lot like Christmas. I spent it with my best friend as I will the rest of 2017 and beyond. New Years Day will be the same while we relax and have a lazy day. The next week looks like it will be a cold one, but we are ready. It won't be as cold as it was a couple of weeks ago but it will last for about 4-5 days. Electric heaters, propane furnace, warm clothes, and warm blankets and we will be just fine. Wintering up north is not that bad. I don't know if we will do it again.... but at least we know we can.

For now we are enjoying the unseasonably warm weather for another day or two here in our home in Missouri because.....

Home is where we park it,
Frank and Mary