Miller's Crossing Completed

We had the most relaxing weekend yet at our campsite.  LL and I arrived a bit before 5:00 pm Friday.  I forgot to post a picture of the walkway LL put in on our last trip.

It was very quiet and peaceful.  We had a visitor.  A coworker of LL's who has a campsite stopped by and visited for a couple hours and it was fun for me to get to know him.

In the morning, LL went to work on the wind mill.  He took it apart, sanded and painted it.

Then it was a matter of finding the right place for it.

We put a glider in a quiet place LL had cleared off.  It will also work as a third tent site if needed.

Then it was time to put up our sign.

Mid afternoon, Kane and Max arrived.  A little later, Karen, David, and Sally came to visit.  And then to our happy surprise, Katie, Kelli, Gaij and Sam came.  Kane and Kelli took the boys to the river to swim.  I love having people over to camp or visit.  So relaxing.

Well I guess the boys don't know how to relax.

We came home early afternoon so that LL could vacuum and work on the pool.  And soon we are off to my brother Davids for a swim and Hurricane drinks.  With the weather, Family and no agenda, this weekend is the best type of weekend ever:)

Miller's Crossing

Bailey and I made a sign to post at our campsite.  Miller's Crossing is a film I saw years ago.  I decided to name our campsite Miller's Crossing because of our last name and our site is on Cross rd.

We decided we did not want to "civilize" our site too much.  Lots of campsites are decorated more than most people's home.  But we are adding a few elements this weekend.  Along with the sign, I want my glider bench there in a corner for a nice quiet nook to read. 

Years ago my dad gave LL and I his windmill.  It is in need of sanding and painting.  LL is always looking for something to tinker around with when we are camping, so he is taking it up and will beautify it.  Hopefully we will find a nice place for it.

Today, I need to get going to the grocery store to get a few things for the weekend.  I really need to get moving because I know I am going to have a long session dealing with my digestion later.  Then I need to quickly clean house, prepare a bit of food, pack up and be ready when LL gets home from work. 

I am looking forward to this weekend as the weather is suppose to be great, Kane and Max will be arriving tomorrow, and family might come up to visit.  Have a great weekend.

Week 27, 2011

Happy Belated Independence Day!  I took a week off from the computer.  Not just this blog.  No Facebook, No e-mail, etc.  No reason in particular.  Just didn't feel like spending time in front of my laptop.  But we went camping Friday and Max didn't take a break.  Even camping he likes writing on his laptop.

Rufus did well camping.  Must say his favorite part of camping is his walks, and he had be dragging behind him.  I guess he was walking me.

Mom, Karen, John, David, Kris, Steve, Rett, and my kids came up on Saturday.  We had dinner and then went and played bingo with several hundred other campers.  We did not win anything:(  But it was fun.

My Kids stayed overnight and we had a good time around the campfire.

The next morning, after breakfast, everyone but me went to the river and some even got in to swim.  When they got back, we packed up and got home late afternoon.

The next day was the 4th and we went to Kris's for breakfast, watched the parade in Mt. Angel and the swam and had a barbecue at Davids and Karen's houses.

Tuesday, LL is on vacation all this week.  So he took my mom to the casino while I had my friends over for coffee.

Today, Wednesday-Not sure what we might be up to today.  Last night we clipped the chickens wings cuz they keep getting out of our yard.  I noticed then how bad the nests are, so I will probably clean them and get rid of the weeds in the garden.

Thursday, LL and I might go up to our campsite overnight.

Friday, come back because Saturday is the Staab picnic at my brother David's house.  It has been years since we got together with this side of my family, so it will be fun seeing everyone.

Miller Time

This was my type of weekend.  The weather was perfect and the weekend was relaxing.  I spent a good part of the time reading.  In fact, it was hard to put the book down.  Max spent a bit of time writing on his laptop. 

Rufus doesn't like to be tied up and has figured out if he sits in the RV, he gets to be untied.

Shortly before dark the first night, LL and I took a walk down to the river.

The next morning, Max and I went to the little store that is at our camp.  Next to it is showers, laundry, ice, and this little playground.

In this building there is pool tables, shuffle board, ping pong, book exchange.

Around noon, Kris, Steve, Kara, and Kyle came over to visit.  Kyle, my nephew is visiting from California.

We all walked down to the river.  And boys will be boys, Steve and LL started skipping stones

The Buchheits left after lunch.

Later that afternoon, Max chopped kindling for us, and we spent a quiet evening by the campfire.

The next morning, LL emptied the RV's septic tank, and refilled the water.  Then we cleaned up and got home in the early afternoon.

At some point in the day, I either ate something I am allergic to or ate gluten because I was down for the rest of the afternoon and evening.  This makes me nervous about making it to Max's meeting this afternoon.  But I can only do the best I can.  If I don't eat all day so I can go to the meeting, my brain will be mush and I will be useless when advocating for Max.  So I am going to try a very light lunch and hope for the best.

Week 26, 2011

We had a great weekend at the campsite.  I will post some pictures in next post. 

This week I need to wash the towels and clothes from this last weekend and pack them up for this next weekend.  I also need to get more organized and make sure I pack well for this holiday weekend.  As we have been running low or running out of quite a few things in our RV.  So along with getting ready for the weekend, I have a few commitments for the week.

Today, Monday-LL and I have a meeting for Max at 4:00.  This is about his work and it is time to make some changes.  4:00 is a very tricky time for my "digestion" so I will go early and wait at Mom's. (she lives just around the corner) and make sure I'll be safe before going to the meeting.  If not, I hope LL is not late.

Tuesday-Meeting friends for a visit

Friday-First thing in the morning I have a meeting for my sister Kathy.  Then I will finish getting ready to go to the camp site.

My Girl Is 19

Happy Birthday Bailey!

Kind of an old picture.  Bailey runs from the camera, so I had little to choose from.  My Baby is 19 yrs old today.

LL, Max, and I are going to be around for most of the day.  Then we are taking off and going to Miller's Crossing to camp for a couple days.  Yippee!!

I had a very rough night last night so I am tired.  Luckily, LL has the day off so he will help get things ready.  I don't feel up to a lot of cooking, so hamburgers and hotdogs for the guys, and I will probably take my stash of gluten free meals I made last week that is in the freezer. 

I am looking forward to long walks and I downloaded to my ereader The Help.  So I will start that book this weekend.  I have been told once you start reading it, you do not want to put it down. 

Have a great weekend!

Week 24, 2011

We had a good weekend.  Saturday, we went around our place, inside and out, collected things for a load to the dump.  LL and Kane took it.  I stayed home and cleaned the garage a bit, made GF brownies and trimmed and debudded some rhodies. 

Sunday, Bailey and I ran to Salem to buy some clothes since I have put on too much weight for a lot of my wardrobe:(  I found a dress and a couple tops at Target and Ross.  I have been resisting spending money frivolously lately, but I couldn't resist buying a bento (tiffin) at target and then a small tiffin at World Market.  Photos of my prized tiffins will follow sometime this week.  Max had another stomach issue.  Don't know if it is another bug.  But I am thinking I need to look into gluten issues.  Gluten intolerance is very common with people with Autism and can be genetic.  So, he may be a lot like me:(

Then we went to our friends Michele and Chuck's home for a graduation party for their son Devin.  I have known Devin since he was four.  He was the sweetest boy and has grown up to be a fine young man that his parents are proud of.  I am too.


Chuck, Devin and Michele

 So for the rest of the week, well, I am going to be flexible and be available for my brother David who is having surgery.  But this is what I know for sure.

Monday-Going to Silverton Hospital which is just around the block from my house, to be there before David goes into surgery.  I will probably go back and forth to Max and the hospital through out the day.

Tuesday-IF and I do mean IF the doctors release David, I will take him home and spend the day with him.

Wednesday-If David still needs help, I will be at his house.

Thursday-I will get things ready to go to Campsite if the weekend looks good.  Need to cook GF food ahead of time

Friday-If the weather looks good, I will finish packing and go to the campsite. (I hope, I hope).

Week 22, 2011

Well, to say my weekend was a disappointment is an understatement.  LL and I took our time getting to the camp spot.  Arrived around 1:00 and he was ready to take a nap before 2:00.  That was OK by me, because I had a hot coffee, a good book and a fire to sit by.  Watching the weather change within seconds.  Beautiful blue sky with fluffy clouds, then whoosh, rain clouds roll in and drizzle with an occasional down pour.  This went on throughout the evening.  Still I was hoping for better weather.  Saturday morning was the same but it did eventually dry off enough for us to get the tents up.  We were expecting the kids later in the afternoon. 

Then it happened.  Don't know how exactly, but LL injured his back.  At first just a slight pain but then it increased.  So by the time the kids arrived, he wasn't feeling so hot.  Still he took a long walk with Bailey, Rett, Max, Kane and Rufus, while I stayed by the campfire.  While they were gone, the thunderstorm arrived.  I am still surprised they were not wetter when they got back.  We made hamburgers and steak over the campfire and Coleman stove.  Kane went home that night.  Rett and Max slept out in the tent, Bailey, LL and I in Marlin.  Around 4:00 am, LL's back was beyond painful but after pain medicine and a move to a different bed.  He managed to sleep a little longer.  I knew then though that our camping time was over.  There is no way he was going to last till the end of the weekend.

So after breakfast, we broke down camp and was home by noon on Sunday.  LL nursed his back the rest of the weekend and hobbled to work this morning.

Today, Tuesday I already went to Salem and got my blood test done.  I have an appointment next week with my Oncologist so this is my week of waiting and hopefully not worrying too much.  It's raining here right now, so for the rest of the day I will clean and do laundry.

Wednesday is my sis Kris's birthday.  So I hope to run over to her house for coffee in the morning before she heads to work.

Thursday, suppose to be nice weather so outside I will be.

Friday, Beau gets gussied up by Vicky his groomer.

Who knows exactly what will go on this week.  Hopefully Mom will stay on the road to recovery and so will LL, but we will see.

I have been spending quite a bit of time with Mom.  Going over there this morning and will see if she needs to see doctor again.  Max's big meeting was yesterday.  3 hours long.  Don't know how well it went.  I will know the results of it in a couple weeks.

Since the weather will not be so good tomorrow, I am not scrabbling around to get things done for the weekend.  We won't be in a rush to get to the camp spot so I will take my time this evening and tomorrow getting food and items ready.  Then even if it is raining, we will mosey on to Miller's Crossing in the afternoon tomorrow.  That is if I feel Mom is on the mend.  David will be around for her Friday and Saturday if she still needs lots of help, but I just get nervous when she is so ill.

Week 21, 2011

LL and I kept busy this weekend.  Friday night, I watched the first episode of the final season of my beloved Larkrise to Candleford on PBS.  The season has only a few episodes, so I am savoring it.

Saturday morning, LL and I went fishing.  I caught one right away, but it was too small, and we just had bites after that.  We got home just in time for LL to go to the pet parade.  I didn't make it this year.  The rest of the day we worked on the garden.  Too bad I didn't read comments on my blog before this, because my niece had some chicken wire to give us.  We ended up buying a small roll to protect against the very rude and ravenous chickens.  We took a scooter ride to my mom's house.  That evening, LL took Max to a dance and they both had a good time.

Sunday, I went to Kathy's home to celebrate her birthday, went out to lunch.  LL spent that time trimming hedges and working around the yard.  When I got home, I refilled the vases with fresh lilacs.  Just a few more days before they wither.  I love how fresh the house smells when the french doors are wide open, and lilacs are in every room.  I so wish I had fresh flowers blooming all year to bring inside. 

Later in the afternoon, Bailey and Rett took Max to our local theater to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean.  Boy, Max was so excited to go and was so happy when he returned.  I guess the movie was great.

This week I hope to set up a time to have coffee with Kayli from Sitka.  Looking forward to meeting her in person. 
Monday, today, I have some more garden plants to pot for our balcony.  And need to start planning food for this next weekend.
Tuesday, I am going to try to pop in and see Kathy for her actual birthday.
Wednesday, I have an important meeting for Max.  About his work and home staff.  Really hoping this meeting goes well.
Thursday, I will be finishing up getting ready for a few days at Millers crossing.  LL and I are planning on going even if it rains a little.  If it is a totally storming weekend, we will stay home, but a little rain never hurts anybody.  Especially Oregonians!  I will bake, premake some food, pack up, and get my chicken coop cleaned out.
Friday, LL has the day off so we will go to our camp site in the morning.  I am hoping Kane or Bailey brings Max to us on Saturday afternoon.  And even better, I hope Kane and Bailey stay a day or too.  We will have tents set up in case someone wants to visit.  There is always room in Marlin, but I know both Kane and Bailey are tent campers.

I hope you all have a great week:)

Miller's Crossing Ready for Summer

LL and I did not get up to the campsite till 6:00 or so Friday evening.  Just enough time to set Marlin up, start campfire and heat dinner over it.

 

We just relaxed by the campfire for the rest of the evening.  Beau relaxed in his spot.

In the morning, before breakfast and before working on site, we took my point and shoot camera, coffee and Beau for a long walk.  The water was down and beautiful.

After our walk and breakfast, LL took the pickup and got a load of small gravel for the tent sites and got them finished.

I took my good camera for a walk and was hoping to see some deer.  I have seen some every time we have been here.  But no such luck this trip.  LL did see four of them though.  They are darker than the ones we see down in the valley.  I guess to blend in with the dark forest.

By the time we left, our campsite improvements were finished, and I gave Marlin a good wipe down inside.  So hopefully from now on, our camping will be for fun and relaxation.

Week 20, 2011

This week I am planning on no plans.  Still not feeling very well.  This cold is a nasty one that has zapped much of my energy.

Over the weekend, LL and I did take the RV to Millers Crossing and stayed the night there.  We finished getting the spot ready for the summer.  After I am done writing this post, I will upload and post pictures.

On Sunday, we went out of town over night and got back yesterday afternoon.  For this week, I hope to pick up our garden plants, and spend as much time outside as possible.  Hopefully, breathing fresh air will help my cold.

Looking at the calendar, I am amazed that June is almost here.  Although the last couple days have been nice, it still feels to me like it is April.

Have a great week.

The Adorable Debby!

I am so thankful I made it to Tony and Debby's house today to watch Price Is Right.  I made sure I ate safely yesterday and did not eat this morning.  I got there right before the show started.

So much family was there.  LL's brothers, my sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, their children.  It was so much fun.

My niece Laura and her nephew Frank.

LL and our niece Karen looking at her beautiful new baby, Emma.

Me, and Emma.

Debby and us watching the show.

Debby was on from the beginning and made it to the Showdown.  She won a hammock and $8,000!

I need to get moving.  I think because the weather will be nice the next two days, we are going to try to take off late afternoon for the camp site, MILLER'S CROSSing.  I need to get a couple meals figured out.  Clothes packed up and at least the kitchen back in order.  I think I have Max's schedule figured out.  He will work tonight.  Kane and Bailey here for him, and after his staff leaves tomorrow, Kane or Bailey will bring him to us so he can camp one night.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Midweek and Can Post

Our internet connection has been very sketchy the last couple days.  If I am lucky to get a connection, uploading pictures take forever.  But I have been lucky to get on today and hope LL has time to research and we can get a new wi-fi. 

A belated happy birthday to my sis, Karen, who's birthday was on the 22nd and my brother Doug who's birthday was yesterday. 

I spent the day yesterday cooking a turkey, freezing the meat and boiling the carcass for stock.  Trying to keep foods as clean as possible so I am no longer adding bullion cubes to flavor stock, but simmering the stock with added vegetables for hours to concentrate the flavors.  Also finding gluten in the most peculiar places.  A lot of turkeys are injected with stuff that include gluten.  So I bought a turkey that was fresh, with no msg and gluten free.  As usual, I over cooked it.  I don't make turkey often enough to get good at it, but that is about to change because eating lunch meat, even deli meat, does not work with my digestion.  So cooking a 11 or 12 pound bird every few weeks will be my plan.

Bad news for me.  Watching the weather predictions, I have been getting excited and prepared for a beautiful weekend at our camping spot.  Which I am naming MILLERS CROSSing.  Because our spot is on cross road.  But LL came home last night and said there is a good likely hood he will have to work on Saturday.  Grrrrrr.  I said "well that's too bad, Bye Bye!  I am still going"  But because of some work that has to be done on Marlin, me going without LL is not going to happen.   But boy, oh boy, when we get those couple things fixed and I learn how to turn on all the gas, well then Bye bye, will really mean Bye Bye!

I took Max to the doctor yesterday to look at a lump on his wrist.  It ended up needing to be drained.  Max handled having two long needles put in him very well.  He also found out he had lost weight since the last time he was in to see the doctor.  This made him happy, as he has been trying to eat less and exercise more.  Today, O. his staff, will be taking him to the salon so Aunt Karen can give him a mohawk.  He is so excited.  Me.......Not so much.  But it is not a tattoo or piercing so I am letting it go.

Week 17, 2011

Had a nice Easter.  Not a lot to say about this week.  Again, at the mercy of the weather.  But the plan so far is............

Monday, LL has today off and if the weather is dry (wishing) yard work is in order.  My house should look like a home, but is more of a trash can.  So I will get it back in shape.

Tuesday, if "digestion" allows, I am going to see my sister Kathy.

Wednesday, Max is getting his hair cut.  His choice, and I am trying to just go with it.  A Mohawk. I am sure pictures will be following:)

Friday, my sister-in-law, Debby is on Price Is Right.  So if digestion allows, I am going to her house to watch the show.  Watch it if you can.  Debby has one of those personalities that is made for that show and it should be fun.

The weekend, well it is too soon to say because of the weather.  I think from now to Memorial Day weekend, if the weather looks great, on the weekends, we will go to the camping spot.  If the weather is rainy or showery, we will stay home and either work inside or outside between showers.

But, if you want to know what I really will be doing during my days if it is not raining..........
I will be sitting here,

Watching my boys,

And my girls,

My boys watching my girls.........Rufus is eyeing Harriet..........

And Harriet not caring......

Watching the lilacs starting to bloom,

Watching my strawberries growing,

Going into my green house to...........

Watch my snow peas.

My lettuce,

And praying for my spinach

How could anyone be as busy as that:)  Sitting and watching nature happen:) :) :)