Couple day catch up...

Monday morning we got ourselves up and going as we wanted to head to Carson City and get ourselves home in time for lunch. So after our usual visiting with friends online, showers and breakfast we were out the door at a reasonable hour. I say that, because I don't know what time it was haha. 

Had a nice drive and Ken dropped the generator off for repair. They've got a February 3rd date to be finished, but we're thinking it'll be before that and if not no biggie.  

On to the bank where we put the Money Pit dollars.  No plans to spend it anytime soon just nice to have a cush.  After that we were pretty much done and headed back home in time for lunch here at home.  

Nothing much except being at home and doing a few chores. 

Tuesday morning we awoke around 0600 and had our usual morning.  We stayed home all day and got some things done around the house. I decided to make some potato soup with a ham bone. Cooked the bone till the meat fell off. I cut up and heated some various vegetable to put in there too. It actually turned out pretty good.  Ken had some left over chili I had made the other day and I ate 1/2 cup of the soup with a salad.  

Potato, ham and veggie soup/stew...

We had a spaghetti squash to eat so I mentioned making spaghetti squash crust and pizza.  Ken went for that one.  I had all the things I needed so got them cut up and ready to be made. 

Ken's part..olives, mushrooms, oysters..mine, layered veggies..
It was yum!

In the afternoon Ken made his part and I made mine. When dinner time came we both enjoyed our parts of the pizza! YUM! 

Wednesday morning Ken ran to get the propane bottle filled for the trailer and he made a trip to the dump to get rid of some old tires. For breakfast I had found a recipe for almond flour biscuits..hmmm..I made them this am and they were really tasty. Ken had a bite and thought it was good too. I used egg beaters so the carbs and cholesterol were minimal.  Just what I'm looking for. They don't rise like regular biscuits, but that's ok with me. I'm just happy to have a biscuit! haha. 

Almond flour biscuits..yummy! Not like Grandmas makes
but it works..

Ken had the potato soup/stew for lunch this afternoon and he said it was good. This afternoon I made a veggie bake casserole, Ken barb qued some chicken thighs for him and I'll have a salad with the veggies. I sat outside with him while he cooked, but now we're inside and he just started a fire in the woodstove. It's getting cold out there. 

Veggie bake casserole..every veggie I can think of..a little cheese
and sour cream/yogurt mix..

Happy 8th Anniversary to our nephew Dusty and wife Chelsea! Cute couple and now they have those 2 adorable kids Owen and Cassidy...

Dusty and Chelsea 8 years ago..

Ken's brother Don had a couple of trees removed and it certainly opened up the views and the house looks awesome!  It's looking like we won't get to see it in person this year :(  Cornersville, TN! 

Nice and open to the sun now

Love this place! 

All of our blogging friends are in Quartzsite now..wish we were there! 
We'll know a week from tomorrow if we can head there and meet up even for a few days! We're hoping! 

Happy hour going on.  Hope everyone has a great evening! 

Happy Birthday Cheryl! Money Pit is gone! Nice lunch in CA

Saturday morning we set the alarm for 0330 so we could get ourselves ready and get on the road around 0500.  We actually left about 6 minutes early.  I made Ken two breakfast burritos and 2 egg beaters and cheese for me that we were going to eat on the road.  We haven't done fast food in a few years now and didn't want to do it now. 

Early morning drive..

We had a good drive over the hill taking highway 50 to Hazel Ave and then meandered our way to K.C.'s place in Rio Linda.  He was happy to see us and we enjoyed a nice visit with him, Sierra and little Rylee Mae.  She just turned 3 and is just adorable.  Unfortunately got too caught up in talking I didn't take any pictures :(   

The Money Pit once again lived up to its' name.  Ken went to start the truck to drive it off the trailer and the batteries were dead! Ken felt bad and K.C. just laughed.  Ken offered to deduct the price of new batteries from the price but K.C. wouldn't hear of it.  He knows he's getting what he wants and it was a good deal. Hugs all around and we headed out. 

On our way home...I80

Boreal Ski area..there were people on the slopes..

We headed over to Garcia's Mexican Restaurant where we were meeting Eric, Christina, Mason and his friend Jackson for lunch.  Adam showed up too. Hopefully next time we can meet up with Russell's family.  We had our favorite server, Chris who doesn't ask what we want to drink just shows up on the table. We had lovely conversation and a great meal. About 1400 we hugged and said our good byes.  

We headed home via I80 and got here about 1730.  Karen had called and they had a good fire going and invited us over.  It was a late Happy Hour or 4! A nice night with wonderful neighbors.  Home and to bed! 

Sunday morning we awoke close to 0700. All that fun last night made us tired! Our usual routine and then time for breakfast. Ken wanted his almond flour waffle and 2 fried eggs.  I tried a new low carb pancake recipe that was delicious.  This one included a little cream cheese in the batter. YUM. 

A slow day here at home. I got under the cabinets and cleaned some things out. A few other chores and now just hanging out watching some tv.  Ken's going to bar b q some hot links and I'm making broccoli tots..sounds yummy doesn't it. 

Jacob and his new to him car..

Mason and his cousin Natalie..she turned 14
last month and he turns 14 on the 31st..so they
combined parties last night with Christina's
family..

Cute pic of Mason and his mom, Christina

Tomorrow it looks like we'll be heading to Carson City to drop off our older Honda Generator and get it fixed. Be dropping by the bank to deposit the Money Pit $$$.  

Grandson Aaron 3rd from the Right..their team Rogue Select
won again!

Last, but not least Happy Birthday to our Daughter in law, Cheryl! Sounds like she had a pretty good day with a Mexican Lunch and a new heated throw she's enjoying this afternoon! 

Have a wonderful evening! 

Carson City, Reno, home today, and a change in travel plans

Tuesday morning we set the alarm for 0500 so we could get the day going early.  Visited with our blogging friends and had our coffees.  I made us some breakfast and we actually hit the road near 0800.  Had a nice drive to Carson City, stopping by a trailer place in Dayton to see if they had a tire and wheel for our 20 foot trailer.  They didn't.  We then stopped at Discount Tire in Carson City and they had both in stock.  We left it,and then ran over to Wal Mart to do some shopping. I went my way and Ken went his as we were buying different things. 

After leaving a decent deposit there, we went back to Discount Tire and got our new wheel.  From there we headed over to Reno so we could stop by the bank and get the pink slip for the Money Pit and then to Total Wine for my wine I like to drink (decent deposit there also) haha.. 

We were nearing 1300 so back to Carson and visited our favorite Chinese place there.  Wonderful Hot and Sour Soup and then a great lunch.  Some of mine came home with us and Ken will have it with dinner tonight. 

Talking about food reminded me that the spinach/mushroom lasagna I made the other day was AWESOME!  We both loved it and will definitely make it again. 

After lunch yesterday we headed home and unloaded stuff.  Time to call it a day and enjoy a happy hour together.  Ken didn't want dinner but i had a little of the lasagna. YUM.

This morning (Wednesday) we didn't wake till almost 0700!  Our regular morning and it was slow going, just because we weren't going anywhere.  I decided to head for town and mail a special envelope and then see if I could get my hair cut which I did. Ken was home working on changing out the tire on the trailer, so we've got 4 good tires on the trailer and 2 spares with a little tread. We'll be heading to CA Saturday to say bye bye to the Money PIt.  It was a nice day with warmer temps than we've had for quite awhile. The wind came up this afternoon and cooled things off.  We're both inside now and I'm getting ready for our own Happy Hour. 

Well, we've had some changes to our travel plans this winter.  Ken finally called the surgeon to do the shoulder replacement surgery.  He's been trying not too call but it's time.  At this point he can't reach across his chest to touch his other shoulder.  When driving he has to use both arms to put the truck/car from drive to park. It's just too painful.  Today we got a call for an appointment with Dr. Cummings on January 24th.  So here's how it stands now...We won't be leaving for AZ until after that, depending on the surgery date.  If they schedule like they did for his hernia last year we won't be leaving at all..:(  WE'll just have to wait and see.  

Just remembered...9 years ago today we both retired! Best thing we ever did!!

Have a wonderful evening everyone. 

Grandson, Jacob is playing his last year of high school basketball, so I had to steal these from Facebook. 

One of the rare pictures where you don't see him
smiling!  I so see his daddy, Russell in this pic

There's that smile

Jacob 2nd from the right top row..:)

Breakfast with neighbors, movie watching and veggie lasagna

Sunday morning we got up at about 0500 and turned the coffee on to perk.  Did our visiting with our blogging friends and got ourselves ready to head for Dini's and some breakfast visiting with Joe, Stacey, Rylee and Stacey's mom, Susan.  Had a lovely time and before you know it was time to go so some of the wait line could sit down! 

We came straight home and then I left Ken at home while I ran to Raley's to pick up a few things. 

The wind was howling about 1300 and it was really cold outside.  Ken came in and actually sat down. He'd had enough. I grabbed a little lunch and joined him.  John had given us the cd series of Lonesome Dove (which we'd watched some) so the afternoon was spent being lumps on a couch watching cowboy movies :)  Around 1700 we had a surprise visit from John and Karen bearing goodies, fresh eggs and a big piece of brownie she'd made. They visited for awhile and then headed home to get some dinner. 

We had our dinner and then bedtime.  

I saw on FB that Eric and the boys had gone up country to play in the snow yesterday so I stole a couple from Facebook. 

Mason and Seth having fun in the snow

Seth's Jeep did really good in the snowstorm..

This morning (Monday) we slept in until after 0700!!  Coffees, blogging and a little piece of brownie and we were ready to get the day started.  Yesterday on Pioneer Woman she made a zucchini, mushroom and spinach lasagna so I thought why not today?! That's how i spent my morning making it up..Looks yummy, we'll see in a bit how it tastes. No noodles, the zucchini strips are the noodles. 

The layering process...

It looks delicious 

I took Karen an egg carton, gloves John left and the cds they loaned us. Turned into about an hour visit.  Ken worked on his checkbook and stoking the fire here at home. Time to wind down the day now. 

Have a good evening.  Looks like we're running into Reno tomorrow for some running around :0 

Trip Home, Cleaning, baking and Money Pit ready to head to CA.

Thursday morning we slept in till about 0700 or so! We were at the Tonopah Rest Area so we knew we only had about a 2 1/2 hour drive or so to home. Had our showers and breakfast and pulled out about 1000.  

A beautiful drive all the way, not too much traffic going our way which was nice. A lot of people heading south! 

We pulled into the driveway a little before 1230.  I spent the rest of the day cleaning the trailer and unloading stuff. Ken did his thing with the truck and trailer too. Once I was done with the water in the trailer, he pulled it over to the dump here and then winterized it.  Even though it's only sitting for a week or two, with these temps here, it's got to be done.  16 degrees here this am. 

About 1600 our neighbors called and said they had started a fire, so we headed over for Happy Hour or two.  We called it quits pretty early, came home and pulled out leftovers for dinner.  Watched some Lonesome Dove and called it a night.  

Friday was spent taking down Christmas decorations and cleaning house. Loads of laundry were done too! Ken took down the lights on the bunkhouse and outhouse and kept himself busy. Karen had mentioned that she wanted a HUGE fire on Friday night so Ken went over there to split some firewood for them since we were going to be enjoying the fire too. John is able to get telephone poles from his work, so it was cut to length, so Ken just had to split it. 

Close to 1700 we headed over for a few hours. Very nice way to spend the evening. Home for a late dinner and then bedtime. 

Saturday morning, we got up near 0600 and checked in with our blogging friends.  All good there! Watching Pioneer Woman now and her healthyish cooking this am. 

Time to get the day going! Today's plan to take down the bunkhouse decorations inside and get clean sheets on the trailer bed. Before you know it, the day is done!! 

Have a wonderful day! 

UPDATE Later in the day...

Well, I wanted to get this posted this am..didn't happen! Ken got the Money Pit loaded on our trailer so we can take it to CA next weekend (as long as weather cooperates)..OUr friend K.C. is buying it.  Bittersweet, but again it is named Money Pit for a reason. He knows the issues and still wants it. 

The Money Pit is loaded and ready to go to CA

I did some baking after getting the trailer bed made and the stuff traded out in the bunkhouse. All back to normal for 11 months or so. I made some soup/stew for the next few days. We're not really soup people, but because it's so cold salad just doesn't seem to cut it. Banana bread made for Ken's coffee in the am too.  

Ken's soup..fresh veggies, potatoes, low sodium white beans
(I didn't take time to make fresh)..potatoes and andouille sausage.
Mine had the fresh veggies and a little sausage..I'm not eating
beans or potatoes right now. 

Skinny banana bread for Ken

I was trying to decide what to have for dinner and then it hit me..haven't had George's tuna melts in a long while.  So made up two..Ken was having leftovers from camping and this along with a small salad hit the spot! Jalapeños, under the cheese. YUM! One left over for tomorrow night. 

Tuna melt with hot sauce..YUM

Have a great evening everyone.  We've got 0815 breakfast plans with our neighbors, Joe Stacey, Rylee and Stacey's mom Susan..so better call it a night at almost 2300!! 

Leaving Parker, not going to Death Valley, Tonopah, NV

Wednesday morning we set the alarm for 0430 Arizona time..or so we thought. Either way I was awake before it went off.  We wanted to do a load of laundry before we left the park since we were headed to Death Valley NP.  Got ourselves up and then somewhere in talking we decided to just head home. We've got some things we want to do before heading back south and I have the time to get the house cleaned up from Christmas.  

Since we were up anyway, we took our time and got ourselves going slowly. With all those hours we were actually out of the park by 0800!! We never do that, but since we didn't do laundry we were ahead of the game.  Said our goodbyes to John and Karen and headed out.  They weren't too far behind as they caught up and passed us along the way. 

Near Buckskin Mountain State Park..

Lot's of boondocks along the way..

Lake Havasu

The wind was not fun once again as a lot of cross winds. Long story short, it was a good drive and this morning finds us at the Rest Area outside Tonopah, NV.  A good place to spend the night and we were the only ones here.  

Our sunset near Tonopah, NV

Our view out the window this am..clear and cold!

We turned the heater down before going to bed as we prefer cooler to too hot when sleeping.  I woke up about 0400 and it was freezing!! Went to turn the heater up and found we were out of propane.  Not really out, but Ken had to go outside and switch bottles over. Outside temp was 13 degrees! Inside didn't feel much warmer.  Had some frost on the windows inside! We're nice and toasty now. :)

After visiting our friends online, showers and breakfast we'll head home. We're only a couple of hours from there. 18 degrees there now and warming to 49! 

Have a wonderful day everyone!  

Parker, AZ..Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! How time flies even when you're not doing much! Our last day in Parker before heading towards home.  After showing Ken the temps at home (12 degrees with a high of 35) I don't think he's in such a hurry anymore. haha. It's been pretty chilly here in Parker too.  WE've got clear beautiful skies  today and a wind 48 degrees but feels like 40.  

We've had a great few days with Karen and John.  Karen's daughter, Isabel came to visit Saturday and Sunday. She brought her boyfriend, Casey and her kids Cameron and Sophia.  Was really nice see and spend some time with them. We ate too much and drank too much. Oh well.

Our site with the flag blowing..

Looking down the row

Honestly don't think we'd stay here again..too crowded

John and Karen's site..

A Christmas gift from a friend..haha

Cameron

Mugsy..

WE've been putting our Little Red Campfire to good use every afternoon and evening.  Bundled up like Eskimos but we're enjoying. 

New Years didn't make it to midnight but that's ok.  Karen and John bar b qued some excellent chicken and veggies and before that we both made snacks and enjoyed those too.  

Sophia...she loves getting her picture taken

So does Mugsy..

Sophia and her Papa John

Cameron, Sophia and Ken

Today we took our time getting up and getting going. We'll meet up with our friends and take them on the CA side up to Parker Dam just for something to do out of the wind. 

Tomorrow they'll head home and we're thinking we'll head to Death Valley for a few days just because...I tried to talk him into South Padre, Texas..but didn't get that one to work :(  haha. 

Hope you all have a wonderful first day of the new year!!