Monday, May 30, 2016

May 30, 2016 Grapevine Tx

WOW finally the campground has opened 1/3 of the sites and no cabins.

But its about time we were so tired of the Elks parking lot, although thankful
that we were able to stay in Grapevine for when we were working it was an easy
commute.

We are now right up front in H1 which provided more room for the cars and a coverd
picnic table and no neighbors to the east of us. At least now we can even open the day
shades and let a bit more light in. Love those shades, but sometime it makes it too dark for
me.

We've been very busy between trying to get the park and the sites cleaned and my dad
being in and out of the hospital our time has been split up all across several counties here
in the DFW area.

So we are starting a 10 day shift to easy into June HA HA.

About all the news for now


Wednesday, March 16, 2016

March 16, 2016 Grapevine, Tx

Well where has the last two months went? Wow seems time just slips away so quickly at times.

Things here in Grapevine were looking good, the lake was receding and it looked like maybe we would be back in the park about the 15th, then we got more rain and the lake rose 5 feet. Lord, whats going on that we just can't catch a break.

We did take a little break from the grueling schedule(roflol) we went to Fort Lauderdale to furnish our house we bought back in October. The trip was very productive and provided a nice break from the DFW activities. However there was no time to take in the beach, but that will happen with time.

Otherwise all is going pretty good, dad is a bit more settled at Prestonwood Court, my son is getting settled in the condo with Riley and wow the weather in the DFW area is in full bloom of spring.

I am going to attached some photos of our place in Florida and our recent move in. Hope you enjoy.
Front view and circular drive which we are debating on how to change, more black top, paver or concrete

Back patio and two large mango trees.
Yep the motor home will fit right there with a few inches to spare. 
Looking North from dock, canal has a wider area for boats to turn around at North end

A boat passing by our small dock that goes down into canal

Hope you enjoyed the outside of our Fort Lauderdale home, now for inside.


Yep, a trip to Home Goods to help furnish the house

Modani makes their delivery, less the living room chair :(

Great place for morning coffee, watching the boats maneuver the canal
Sofa and ottoman made our living room
TV all set with tv stand that can be added to later to make a wall unit
Spare bedroom for now, yep guest wouldn't like that full size air mattress
Bedroom is about done, bedding on platform bed from Modani of Miami

Dining room all set





Tuesday, December 8, 2015

December 7 2015 Grapevine Tx

Well what a year it has been in and around the lakes in North Texas.

In May 2015 Lake Grapevine rose to a point it forced the city to close The Vineyards on Lake Grapevine due to rising water. The water rose from under 535 to over 560 taking over the entire park. We returned in time for the November/Thanksgiving opening to help with preparing the park for the reopening. We made it thru Thanksgiving, then the water began to rapidly take over the park again.  Opening the 24th of Nov and we closed again on the 29th. So sad to be in this situation again. the water is presently at 551 and it looks like the Corp of Engineers are releasing 500cfs, and now it appears that the lake may begin receding. Its amazing what 16 feet of water can look like. Our RV site at the Vineyards is definitely Water front today.

Our return to the DFW area was to be near family and friends for a while and this sure stretches our interest to be in the area. We have chose to camp out basically in a parking lot at the Elks club. Fortunately we had water and electric. To have sewer is important and we have contracted with a company for an external holding tank that will be pumped out weekly. We are thankful for this as it has allowed us to stay close by for our work schedule.

With that said, I was able to accomplish one of several goals and that was to convince my 89 year old dad to move to assisted living. Nine months without my mom and his over all decline in health made this necessary. So over the next few weeks we will be working to get him settled and hopefully finding that some of the stress of living alone can be helped by the staff at Preston Wood Court. I definitely have to say that my hat is off to Jeanette who stopped by while taking a tour of the facility. She stepped in introducing herself , sitting down on the floor next to my dad who stated that "today is the worst day of his life". She took his hand and said "WOW then you must have had a wonderful life then if this is the worst day".  My dad then began thinking and talking about his life and you could see he was proud to reflect on his many years. I believe she single handedly turned this situation around. From there going forward he was more responsive and accepting of the idea of moving to an apartment.

My dad is making a big change from living in the house he and my mom bought over 38 years ago to moving across town to be closer to my sisters that live in Carrolton and Plano.

In addition, I'm here to support my son who is in the process of a divorce and taking on the responsibility of their six year old son. Over time I feel this will be good for my grandson and of course my son. Jeffrey thinks the world of that kid as most dads do of their sons.

Other than that, have not gotten to see any of our Dallas friends yet and hope we will get that opportunity soon.

North Texas weather has been so pleasant over the week and we could only wish for it to hold out like this for a few months.


  

Saturday, November 14, 2015

November 14 New Orleans

WOW another night in Florida after leaving Tampa then we traveled thru Alabama, Mississippi and landing in New Orleans. Last day was about 357 mile a long day of driving by our normal standards. Although Bill drove the majority of the way, I drove the last 40 miles getting us to the park in New Orleans. When playing on my phone, acting as a DJ on Pandora and txting the trip was quite short LOL

Got word Oncor has agreed to turn the power on and the city of Grapevine is throwing all resources it sounds like on getting the Vineyards in top notch shape to open for Thanksgiving.

So we will still leave NOLA headed to Dallas Monday, stopping over in Shreveport then cruising on into Grapevine Tuesday. May stay at the Elks club for a night so we are close by and can make the big move over to the Vineyards.

We're looking forward to seeing everyone and imagine it will be like riding a bike we'll fall back into a routine and seeing familiar faces.

Winter in Texas oh yeah! We hope for a mild one!!


Monday, November 9, 2015

November 9 Tampa Bound

Well its time to say good bye to FTL, headed to Texas. We enjoyed the boat show here yesterday although very warm in the sun upper 80's felt like 95.

We'll spend a day or two in Tampa with friends we hosted with at the Vineyards then we will begin our journey to Tx in hope they are ready to accommodate us after the big flood of 2015.

Last we heard power should be back on by the 12th, we hope or we maybe hanging out somewhere else until they get everything up and running.

They are hoping to be open for Thanksgiving, which should be totally a booked weekend.

After we get to Grapevine Tx I will post to sum up our trip and what we encounter along the way.

Friday, October 9, 2015

October 9 Tampa Fl

Well we have been in Tampa this week with our coach in service at Lazydays. The door needed to be replaced and it required a new door, paint and etc. So we have had a two night hotel stay. Seemed very odd for sure.

We'll return to Fort Lauderdale to see our friends Sid and Phyliss before heading west returning to Grapevine Texas.

We'll be working as camp host at the Vineyards when they reopen after the floods that flooded the park in May 2015.

They are trying to get the power back on but needed to order new electric panels which will be 4-6 weeks delivery before they can do that.

They are hoping to get us back in the 1st couple weeks of Nov, opening for Thanksgiving weekend. (maybe)

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

August 25th Key West, Fl

Well its our last day here in Key West. We are headed up to Ft Lauderdale to spend about 10 days or so. We will get to see our East coast friends.

Our trip out to a sand bar on Sunday was very nice. The water was nice blue and green color and for the most part the day was awesome. Had a little storm roll thru, but it was a brief shower cooling it down a bit an then it was gone. Ate lunch before going back out to enjoy our play on the sand bar seeing many sand dollars, a star fish and other little sand cleaning items.

If ever in Key West taking a charter out is the bomb!