They Promise Today is the Last Day of Rain for a Long Time

It's really no news that we have had a lot of rain since we've been here and the last three days are no exception.  It's been intermittent until today but it started raining about midnight last night and has not stopped - even for a minute - and is supposed to continue during the night.   My toes and fingers are beginning to web.  

We were having lunch today and watched as the wind grabbed our shade canopy and broke the bent leg (from previous storm) right in half and the whole thing collapsed. It's dumpster material now.  Winds were reported at 35 knots this afternoon at the airport.  RV was rocking a bit at times.  

Poor Maggie - Rog forced her out first thing this morning so she could pee.  Then mid-morning she and I braved the wind and rain for a very short walk to the backside of the RV where she had a small poo and long pee.  After that she didn't want to have anything to do with going out.  We have put down puppy training pads but mid afternoon I picked her up and carried her to some grass under a tree and she finally dumped.  I was beginning to think she was going to explode.  Each outing we came back in soaked, despite raincoats.  Mine only reaches mid-thigh so my jeans were available to the wind and rain.  It's dark now and the rain is pounding relentlessly on top of the RV.  Not sure I'll get her out again but will have to try at bedtime. 

After a couple hours of knitting while listening to an Audible book this afternoon, I had to change the venue for my butt and back, so I moved to the computer where I've been having fun working on a family tree for a friend.  I have so many dead ends on our tree that working on one with lots of hints on Ancestry is fun. Time flies by when I am sucked into the discoveries.   I plugged in the basic info this morning and got 876 "hints" within five minutes!   In the meantime, I'm also communicating with a "cousin" from my mother's family.  We share the same great grandparents.  

I  had such a hard time using the MyHeritage site I signed up for in December when they had a sale.  I figured I'd try something other than Ancestry.  Apparently my tree is so big (almost 5K people) that it didn't meet the basic package so nothing was working right.  I cancelled.  Then I got a call from them and, after I told them what my issues were, they upgraded me to the top of the line package for free for six months.  Problem is I still haven't figured out how to use it properly.  I need a tutorial for sure.  I'm sure there's stuff out there I need to know for my tree but can't figure out how to get it.  

Made lentil soup in the crockpot today with some veggies thrown in. Not bad.  Didn't have the spices called for but it turned out ok. I refrained from making a dessert.  All of us have put on a few pounds - the new year's resolution didn't last long. Even Maggie's weight is up. 

We are due to leave on Saturday for a couple weeks in Arizona before returning home. Weather forecast for here for the next two weeks - sunshine and 70s.  Figures.  What a winter this has been.  We talked about it today and figured that the only "safe" place for snow-birding this year would have been southern Florida.  All the usual places - here, Arizona, Texas, etc. had cold and rain.  Oh, well.  

The rest of the week is planned for errands and on Wednesday, Roger's hip permitting, we are going to the SD Zoo's Safari Park for the afternoon.  

Pay Phones, Wood Ducks, and Geneology

Two days of some sun and 60 degrees are leading up to more rain this weekend.  Today was a bit brisk with wind chill, but bundled up it was OK.  Rog sat outside in the sun trying to stay out of it all bundled up listening to his audio book.  I spent the afternoon inside working on geneology and talking with a friend who stopped by.  

Yesterday was a Costco and Target trip.  Today was Costco again (I saw something yesterday I decided I wanted so we went back) and the library.  Two not very exciting days.



The wood ducks are arriving and starting to set up housekeeping in the wooden nest boxes on trees around the lakes.  They are so awesome looking.



When was the last time you saw a pay phone?  I forgot to take a picture, but we did see one yesterday near the trolley station. I can't remember the last time I saw one. 

Two dear friends lost their pets this last week.  I got the news yesterday and you can bet that Maggie got lots of extra hugs. Such sad news when we lose a loved one, no matter how many feet they have.  

Two weeks ago (about) the folks next to us pulled out and new ones moved in.  They parked their rig and a truck and we've not seen them since.  Twice someone has come and gone inside for a few minutes and then left again.  It's very strange.  This place is pretty pricey to be used as a storage space.  

A nice surprise today.  I had cancelled the new geneology program I bought the end of December because I was having user issues - as in I didn't know how.  Plus, I have too many people in my tree for their basic program and it wouldn't let me add stuff.  Well, I got a call this morning from the company asking why I cancelled and wanted a refund.  I explained my issues.  They gave me 6 months of their "premium plus" service for free, so I guess I've got to try it again.  They seemed quite impressed by my tree and the number of "matches" that need to be reviewed.  He told me to make the most of the next six months!   Not sure how to figure this out as I've now got two trees going on two different sites.  How/when do I reconcile them?  I need to put my thinking cap on and figure this out while I have this opportunity. Anyone have any ideas?  With a couple more rainy days coming up I'll probably get some quality time on it.  I just need to focus.

Two Days of Lovely Weather

President's weekend generated a lot of traffic - kids, dogs, RVs, big trucks, small cars, bikes, and people walking everywhere. Fire pits ablaze in the evenings  - well, last night.  The other two nights it was raining.   This place seems to be a favorite destination for locals  as well as snow-birds.  

It occurred to me today as I sat outside enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather, that it was so quiet.  I guess I've realized that the noise level on the weekends is so much higher than during the week but it really hit home this afternoon.  This is really a nice place during the week :-)

Rog had the coyote encounter today.  Maggs and I haven't seen any in the last few days.  Roger has been trying to walk with us in the mornings recently.  His hip seems better, but his feet go numb.  Can't win.  Today he thought he saw someone going in an RV that didn't belong to him (the guy's car was gone and he's alone), so we walked down to the creek area so he could get a better look.  As it turned out it was the owner.  He was doing the Santee Shuffle and had moved his car and walked back to his RV to drive it to the new site.  The coyote was by the creek just walking by.  Two large dogs spotted it and barked and it just ambled away.  It shows no fear.

I started playing with the left over yarn - probably have enough for a lap blanket.  It's keeping me occupied and I can sit and listen to a book or watch DVDs while I knit.   That, and hanging out on Ancestry the last couple days has made the days go fast.  

Not that we are counting, but we have less than two weeks left here.   We need to get a trip to the Wild Animal Park in, but other than that have no plans.  It's supposed to rain all next weekend and into next week.   I keep seeing the alerts and notifications from home about the snow, rain, avalanches, closed roads, weak dams, floods, etc.  I'll take the rain here over that any time.

No plans yet for anything tomorrow. 

 

What a Fun Day!

We always enjoy getting together with Steph and Pierce and today was no exception.  We had good conversations and lots of laughs.  They are super kids and it's always a pleasure to be around them.   We went out for lunch and then hung around the RV for the rest of the afternoon.  Maggie was even happy to see them.  There's a slight chance we will get to see them next Sunday and meet at Safari Park, but that is up in the air.  Steph thinks she had a good interview on Thursday for substitute teaching in the district she wants to get a job in, so things are quite positive for them right now.  It's good to see.    

As reported on the news everywhere - it's been raining for the last couple days.  Enough said about that.  

Nothing else going on, I'm afraid.  

I Connected With a Distant Cousin Today

Now that I am back on Ancestry, I've got "hints" of all sorts to follow up on.   I also got an email message this morning from a woman who shares great grandparents with me on my mother's line.  We've been emailing back and forth all afternoon - photos, info, etc.  It's so fun.  What is amazing (to me) is that she lives in the same town my father grew up - West Frankfort, IL.  I don't think I ever knew (or that my mother ever knew) that there were relatives from her side of the family in town.  I plan on staying in touch with my new found cousin and perhaps meeting her this summer as we wander home from Pensacola.

Wind - hard, heavy wind today.  I think our shade canopy is now truly done for.  At one point, the RV was shaking from the wind - not enough for dramamine on our part, but enough to be noticed.  It started raining heavily about 5:30.  

We got out early to the grocery store to stock up on snacks for Stephanie and Pierce's visit on Sunday. This rain is supposed to be non-stop until tomorrow evening.  Maggie and I also got some quick walks.  I hate the wind - I know you've heard that line before - so the walks didn't amount to much.  I'd rather walk in rain or snow than the heavy wind.  It'll be interesting trying to get her outside at bed time to do her business. 

Will be inside tomorrow - most likely working on geneology.  

Maggie Has a New Friend

Maggie and I met a woman from Castle Rock, CO while we were walking a few weeks ago.  She has fallen in love with Maggie and vice versa.  She waits for us to walk by her RV every morning and has a treat ready for Maggs.  Of course Maggie now heads that way and as we get near the site she starts whining and puling on the leash.  Today the woman said she missed her "Maggie fix" yesterday so she had two treats for her today.  Her husband asked how much we wanted for our little dog - he'd write a check.  I told him Maggs was priceless - he couldn't afford her.  

No coyote sightings today - we stayed in our area and just lapped it a few times this morning instead of down to the end of the campers and back.  We did another lap this afternoon as we are expecting rain for the next two days.  Intermittent tomorrow, but steady on Saturday.  Low 70s and sun today.  

Rog and I cleaned house today - dust, vacuum and mop.  He did some work outside and finished his puzzle.  Will probably get another tomorrow when we go out - have to stock up on food for Steph and Pierce's visit on Sunday.  

I played with Ancestry for a while today.  Made a few discoveries but nothing exciting.  

Another bad night last night for me.  Don't know what is waking me up - about every 2 hours.  Usually I go back to sleep, but last night I ended up on the coach about 1:30am and was awake for a few hours.  Maggie decided she needed to check on me but not stay with me as she always has before.  So, am tired today.  I need to figure this out - can't walk around feeling exhausted all the time.  

OK, back to Ancestry for an hour before we turn on the TV.  

Taxes Are Done

We e-filed this afternoon - so that chore is done.  

I was right about yesterday - laundry and a haircut.   Both went as well as expected :-)   I didn't sleep well the night before, so I was quite tired after our morning walk and had to have a nap before my haircut.   No TV last night - we both read instead.

Maggie and I got our long walk in yesterday.  I was carrying my "coyote stick," so, of course we didn't see any.  We did see evidence of one having eaten a duck, though.  Feathers everywhere.  Today, was another story.  We got about half way down the upper half of the campground and a guy on a bike told me I didn't want to go that way because, "there's a coyote down at the end of the road and he doesn't look good.  He's probably waiting for your little dog." So, we turned around and walked up and down rows of RVs to get some semblance of a walk in.   I talked with one of the "volunteers" who work here and he said they (the park rangers) can't catch him because they don't have the right equipment and they have to call in special help - which they haven't done. He did say he would log my complaint - a whole lot of good that will do.  He also warned me where there was a "nest" between two big palm trees back behind the storage facility near our end of the park.  Won't be going that way.  I did hear them, though, about 2:30am. Maggs and Roger slept through it.

I found towels to match the new rug today!  It's been a hard color to match.  Sears had some that were labeled "rhubarb" color and they are the closest I'm probably going to get.

The last two storms that came through pretty much beat up our shade canopy so it will be going in the trash as we leave.  The metal legs won't go up and down and there's holes in the fabric. I found a place locally (well, 20 miles) who makes RV awnings and shades.  They sell shade screens that are made for our electric awning and have a drop of about 8 feet.  We took a drive to their site and bought one today instead of ordering over the internet.  Figured we would save shipping, we would have it before we left, and we had a place to go today.  Stopped for lunch and at Sears and had a good day running around.  Rog has tucked away the new shade for our travels as we won't be dismantling the canopy until we leave.  

We got new neighbors behind us today while we were gone. They must have spooked Maggie being out there setting up making noise because when we got home she was a wild woman - she was so happy to see us.  She's become fairly calm over the last few years when we go out and return but today was like when we first got her.  She was crazy...  no damage to the RV, though, as in the past.

81 and sunny today.  70s and cloudy tomorrow with a big storm expected to hit Friday and Saturday.  Another powerful Pacific storm is approaching. We are already getting wind and flood warnings.  Well, sunshine was nice while it lasted. 

Another Coyote Tale

Maggie and I were about a third of the way on our walk this morning when a coyote came off a side trail to the one we were on and stood watching us.  We had no where to go but backward as there was a fence on each side of us.  He stood there and stared at us for a long time as we stood stock still. Neither Maggie nor I wasn't moved a muscle for probably two minutes.  The coyote turned and went ahead of us behind some storage area for RVs.  We got to the turn and I decided we didn't want to go along the back of the lake as planned because it looked like that's where he was headed.  We took a short cut through a section of RVs and saw him trotting along parallel to us down a slope next to the lake.  He ran into some bushes in front of the cabins there.  I saw a ranger and told him about it and he went looking for the critter.  Discretion being a good thing about now, I turned Maggie away from our usual walk past the bushes that we saw the coyote enter.  We came around a corner and got to a large grassy area where a woman and her kids were playing. The woman shouted at me that there was a coyote following me and was close.  I turned around and sure enough he was loping along getting closer and closer.  I hurried over to where she and her kids were thinking that there would be safety in numbers.  The coyote veered off and went into some bushes across the street Maggie must have looked quite appetizing today.  

Last night I tried to get the new geneology program figured out and gave up.  I cancelled it and paid Ancestry to get back on to their user friendly site.  I spent a couple hours playing around with a friend's family line and just had the best time.  Unlike our tree, there were no dead ends right away and the discoveries were exciting.  

It took about half and hour at the post office to get the forwarding order cancelled.  I had to stand in line to get to a clerk, she couldn't help but supposedly summoned a supervisor as she sent me to the end of the counter.  I waited and waited. Finally another clerk walked by and asked if she could help and I told her I was waiting for a supervisor.  She went and found one. He came out from the back right away, understood what I needed, and took care of it.  It took some time, but he even contacted our post office and told them what he was doing and was going to fax paperwork so the cancellation could happen sooner rather than when they got the paperwork through the mail.  Who knows how long that would take.  I was surprised, although Roger said he wasn't, that they couldn't fix the issue on their computer here that is linked into "the system."  He had no problem finding us, but apparently you have to be in your own zip code for that supervisor to enter the change for you - after he checks your ID. He kept apologizing that he wasn't in the right zip code.  So, hopefully, our mail will now stop coming here.  

In the Sprouts store today I got a bit of a "comeuppance."  I've been hungry for strawberries and just haven't seen any that look at all good.  I was going through the containers turning them over and looking for the most ripe ones I could find and said to a woman doing the same, "Boy, it's hard to find some that look half way good." Her retort was, "Well, it IS winter" as she gave me the "you dummy" look.   OK, I've been told.  Put me in my place, for sure.

No towels at Target or Kohl's to match the new rug.  Back to BB&B later this week and hope they have restocked and we can reach them.  

Sunshine and 75 today - a teaser.  Looking at three days of rain this weekend but until then will enjoy the sunshine.

Laundry and a haircut tomorrow.  Whoopee!  

The Rug is Done

It's done!  Now I'm in search of towels to match the dark color.  I have LOTS of the "vanilla" color left - almost two full skeins.  I'm going to have to find another project.  

Now that the rug is done, I think I'm going to spend some quality time trying to figure out the new geneology programs and software.  I keep getting emails about "matches" to others' trees, but I've not yet sat down and focused on it. We've got a about three days of rain coming the end of the week - should be a good time to do it.

Stephanie called last night - she and Pierce will be coming for the day next Sunday!!!   Yay!!  We saw them last Christmas Eve.  They are very busy kids. 

Coyotes were howling about 3am this morning.  It sounded like the whole pack was in our yard.  Maggie and I sat straight up when they started (Rog slept through it) it was so loud.  She sat on the edge of the bed at the foot at full alert watching the door for about 10 minutes.  They wandered off or just stopped yipping and she was able to relax and go back to bed - as was I.

Sunshine, breezy and about 60 degrees today.  Maggie and I had a nice walk this morning and Roger had a bike ride.  

Tomorrow we get to go talk to the people at the local post office regarding our forwarding order.  Hopefully, I won't have a tale of woe tomorrow night when I post.  

Want to read a good book?  The Dry by Jane Harper.  I'm almost finished listening to it.  Very good Australian who done it.  

Another Strike Against Santee Lakes

As much as we have loved coming here over the last seven or eight years, we are thinking that this will probably be our last. Since we've been here this time: 1) deposit for future reservations up by $50 with a $50 cancellation fee, 2) the price of laundry up from $1.75 to $2.50 per load per wash and dry, 3) more and more full timers with little kids, 4) mail regulations about not receiving packages causing us to have to rent a mail box in town, 5) the basic rate is going up next year, 6) and today everyone got a notice about cleaning up their site and that no more canopies were allowed.  I asked our camp host what we are supposed to do about shade as our site has none. He said we were OK if we called our canopy "camping equipment."  We see him every day and he knows us, so since we are leaving in less than a month he said notStill, it's crazy.  I guess they are trying to clear out the long timers who store all their worldly possessions outside their RVs.  

When I asked about next year's increase I was told it was to make them competitive with other RV parks in the area.  My response was that I thought they would get more people if they charged less than the others.  "Oh, we have all the sites filled all the time. We can charge it because the demand is there."  OK. We are now seriously considering not coming back at all, but we already have reservations for next year.  We made them right away to save our site.  I was told that the months in 2017 would generate a cancellation fee, but if the rates do go up and we use that as the reason to cancel, the 2018 deposits will be returned in full.  As Roger said, "It was nice while it lasted."  

Yesterday was 80 degrees and sunny.  Needed to run the A/C for Maggie while we went to Costco. I've been keeping up with the weather at home.  Almost makes me feel guilty to be enjoying these days and like a whiner when I complain about all the rain. Today we had heavy fog and 65 degrees with clouds.  You can tell it's starting to think it's Spring, though, as the ducks are coming in and starting to pair off.  We saw a Canada goose yesterday and our first pair of wood ducks. They are so beautiful, but unfortunately, skittish, and I haven't been able to get their picture - at least one in focus.  I'll keep trying.  

We spent a couple hours on-line today looking for places in Arizona. We now have reservations for 4 nights.  Not doing so well.  We pull up the park reviews and if Roger sees "tight spot" or "narrow road" in the comments/reviews that park is a no-no. There are lots of them out there, but we are picky.  I hope our trip there in March will be successful in finding something for next winter.

I made our Pensacola RV reservations today for May!  We get there on the 10th and leave on the 30th.  Ryan graduates on the 26th.  We are giving ourselves 16 days to get there, so we will be leaving before the end of April after doctor and dentist appointments.  We will probably only be home about 3 weeks before we take off again.  I hope to get a good haircut and join my bookclub for a meeting and maybe even go to the exercise classes at the gym.  

My crochet rug is coming along.  Of course, I keep losing count of the stitches if I'm watching TV or a movie and I end up ripping out a row or two to fix the goof. I never can seem to make the mistake at the end of a row - it's always at the beginning :-( 

Can't remember if I mentioned Roger's latest puzzle adventure. All the rain, fog, dampness we've been having has caused the picture to come off the puzzle piece.  Pieces, actually. Many of them.  Yesterday he sat here with a glue stick trying to match up the picture with the background shape.  He said it was hard and he felt like he was in elementary school with his glue stick. I really was sort of comical watching him.  Now he has to hope they aren't too swollen to go into the puzzle.  I told him just to ditch this one and buy a new one, but, no, he's not giving up yet. 

Gave Roger a haircut today and he is now sporting a full beard. Looking good.   Now, if his hip would just stop hurting.

Maggie woke us up earlier than usual this morning and insisted on going out.  Strange behavior for her.  Rog said he got to the edge of the grass just in time for her to do her business and it wasn't normal.  Then when I took her out for a walk she had the squirts and no energy so we didn't go far.  Poor sweetie was rather subdued today.  What she does is hoover up rabbit poo before we can catch her.  Also, if we have company with a dog, she finds some bark, mulch, a stick, anything to bring to sit and eat in front of the other dog.  Not sure what that's all about, but it's every time.  Making sure they know it's hers, I guess.  So, her intestinal tract was a bit out of whack today.

I finished the book Steph wanted me to read - now all we have to do is find a time to get together to discuss it.  

Here We Are Again.....

.....Two days with nothing of interest to report.  

It rained yesterday so I decided it was a good time to do the turbo tax thing since I was going nowhere.  Usually I do it on line at turbo tax and it downloads all my info into the new year calculations.  Well, because of the internet issues here and everyone was stuck inside and on their computers, and the fact it isn't in the least secure, I bought a download from Amazon so I could work on the computer.   The download and then the updates took forever - well, about two hours.  Of course, there's no personal info in there, so I had to input everything from scratch.  That wasn't too bad - we don't have that many sources of income, but it took some time.  So, now it's ready to upload from our Schwab account the middle of the month and then we are good to go.  I'll just have to do it on the hotspot and not the internet.  

We did go to the library yesterday and pick up my book club book (which I had a hard time putting down at lights out last night) and then we both lost all will power and went to the dairy queen.  First time since we went on the no/low sugar kick.  It was sooo good. 

Today our friend Eileen brought us baby bundt cakes.  Couldn't say no.  Talk about a sugar high. 

Intermittent sun today and in the low 70s.  Got to spend time outside and visited with several neighbors as everyone else was outside, too.  Didn't leave the park.

No coyote sightings today but last night when Rog took Maggs out after dinner he could hear them.  He said, Maggie peed, hopped up and ran to the RV.  She wasn't spending any more time than necessary outside in the twilight.  

Finishing up season 2 of Homeland tonight and have season 3 on hold at the library.  Hope to get it before we leave.  

Low Energy Day and Rain

Yesterday was a total "low energy" day for me.  I woke up tired, we went to the commissary in the morning, and then after lunch I spent the rest of the day on the coach with my audio book and crochet.  Just no energy at all.  I had plenty of sleep - I'm blaming it on the change in barometric pressure from the storm moving in. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  I even had a cup of tea with caffeine and a piece of dark chocolate about 3pm to give me a boost. (Caffeine is a rare thing for me - except for chocolate, of course, and that is every day!)

Roger spent most of the afternoon outside for as long as he could stand the wind and cool weather.  He put the patio stuff away in anticipation of the rain coming.  (Today, tonight, and tomorrow.)  Our little shade gazebo took a real beating during that long series of storms.  A leg is buckled so we can't raise it up and down and the cover is being held together with a lot of duct tape.  We'll leave it up until we leave, then it goes in the trash.    

Today it's been cool, windy, and the rain has been misty or drizzly all day.  No real downpours.  (The towel stuck in the corner of the bedroom slider is still dry!)  I got a walk in this morning before it all started, so that was good.  Yesterday I got a very short walk and I paid for it.  Sitting around all day makes my back ache during the night. 

This afternoon we went to the small mall in the neighboring town of El Cajon to walk around and be out of the RV.  We lapped the mall twice and greeted the other mall walkers as we passed each other.  We stopped for a hot beverage and treated ourselves to a snack while we people watched.  Two old retired Navy guys sat down next to us and they talked about the old days with Roger (Rog had his Master Chief hat on and that opened up the conversation). 

On the way out of the mall through the Sears store, Roger bought a pair of shoes.  I mention this only because he rarely buys himself new shoes and I am always buying shoes. Show me a shoe rack and I'm there.  So, today was a turn around.  I deliberately stayed away from the women's shoes.  

I made some corn chowder for dinner.  With a salad and crusty bread it was a nice comfort food meal on a dreary day.

I tried to go on line this evening to change the forwarding address at the post office as we will be leaving a month earlier than planned. The USPS website is NOT user friendly.  I'm going to have to call tomorrow.  I was too frustrated by the time I gave up that I wouldn't have been my nicest when I talked to someone.  

Our friends from Michigan sold their motor home to the first looker.  Amazing. They will be leaving as soon as all the paperwork goes through.  I'll lose my walking buddy.  

It's been a couple of quiet days.  Sun has been intermittent and we've needed sweatshirts or sweaters, but that's ok.  We haven't been out of the park - just enjoying the warmish weather.  Roger got another puzzle out and set it up outside.  I worked all day yesterday trying to get the rug started.  I must have tried six times before I finally got going on one.  So many different patterns out there for a hexagonal rug - so many difficult patterns.  I finally found a simple one and am able to listen to a book as I work - it's that simple.  It just might work and look OK.  

We paid our rent for February yesterday and cancelled our reservations for March.  We will be leaving here on the March 4th and heading for Arizona.  I still haven't done the reservation thing except for two days in Yuma as I'm hoping against hope we can get into the base in Tucson - it is first come, first served, but March may still be quite busy with snowbirds.  We will find someplace, no doubt.  Not being tied down to a one month lease, we just may be home late March instead of early April.  It will depend on what we find in the way of parks to stay in.  We want to leave the RV in Arizona and pick it up on the way to Pensacola in May so we have to decide where that will be and which route we will take east. 

Rog washed the truck yesterday - now they are predicting it to rain on Monday and Tuesday.  Figures, huh?  Truck looks nice, though, for a while, anyway.

I know I'm getting old and cranky, but is it absolutely necessary for kids under 10 to scream all day long while they are playing? My neck muscles tonight are so tight from 8 hours of screaming kids.  We live near three RVs who have kids and are full time in the park.  During the week it isn't so bad - they are in school - at least most of them.  Come Saturday and Sunday they are wild.  Of course, they are joined by weekenders who have small children.  They all get together - and scream.  

The park is packed again this weekend.  I don't think that there is ever an empty space on the weekend here.  There are 355 sites.   I don't usually walk Maggie on Saturday because of traffic, kids, dogs.  I did this morning as my Michigan friend wanted to walk.  Maggie had a set to with a bull dog, got chased by kids who wanted to pet her, and we had to dodge vehicles everywhere.  We did get our two mile walk, though.

We had a closer encounter with a coyote on our walk this morning.  I didn't see it, but my friend did and yelled at me to stop.  It was close enough that Maggie barked at it.  I don't think she really knew what she was barking at, but she felt it necessary.  It just loped on by, down the path, under the fence and out into the neighborhood bordering the park.  Yesterday a woman I see often with her two dogs told me that she lives in the neighborhood and has been walking her dogs for years around the park.  She warned me she had seen two on the western side of the lake.  She also told me that this is the first year she has encountered so many of them.  The clearing of the western area just outside of Santee Lakes for houses (about 400) certainly has pushed the coyotes out of their habitat. Other people have reported seeing more rattlesnakes, but, fortunately, I've not encountered them.  

Maggie has a new friend.  I've met a woman out walking every morning for the last few days.  She always stops to talk to Maggie.  She is from Castle Rock, Colorado.  She and her husband recently lost their Bassett Hound and she is having some issues dealing with the loss. She says that one minute she doesn't want another dog because she doesn't want to go through a loss again, but then again, "my house and RV are not homes without a dog." She and her husband have been trying to adopt a couple of Yorkies that were recently found in a house that had over 100 of them.  She said that there are 1500 applications for the 100 dogs.  Today she was going to the local shelter.  I hope she finds something.  I did warn her that we tried to adopt a dog from here but we were turned down because we were in an RV and were from out of state.  I hope she has better luck, although, it turned out the best for us, because we found Maggie when we got home!  This morning she gave Maggie a little stuffed bone with a squeaker in it.  Maggie carried it home with her ears and tail up and just pranced all the way.  She is sleeping with it right now in her day bed.  

Saturday night - laundry night again.  I'm writing this while I wait for the washers to finish.  We weren't alone tonight as we have been the last few Saturdays, but there were washers available.    

Second Puzzle Finished

Roger finished his second puzzle last night.  He said it was the hardest one he's ever done. This one was 750 pieces - he usually only works the 500/550 piece ones.  And, the shapes were pretty bizarre so that didn't help matters.  He ended up with only two pieces missing and one that was chewed up.  How he does that, I don't know.  He starts out with new puzzles but by the time he's done there's always a piece missing.  I think Maggie helps, though.  She seems to like the taste of the glue, so if a piece falls on the floor - it's toast.

I think the trip to the zoo did Roger in.  He's been in quite a bit of pain from his hip and experiencing sciatica down the same leg.  He's riding his bike, but no walks right now.  He's taking it easy and dosing himself with ibuprofen for a few days.  I guess we will have to wait for a while before we try the Wild Animal Park.

After spending over an hour last night (when Rog was working on his puzzle) on Google looking for a hexagonal rug for the bathroom since the yarn debacle had made me give up on the idea of making one.   Well, no luck.  Bathroom rugs just don't come in that shape.  That is about the only shape that will fit the area, unfortunately. It's a really crazy area to cover. So, today I went to Michael's and found some bulky "blanket" yarn to give it another try. Of course I didn't have a crochet hook the size I needed, so had to get one of those, too.   So far this afternoon, I've started it five times and ripped it out four times. I've not worked with this size yarn before and I'm having difficulty, but I just started another attempt with hopes I can get past round 4 before I chuck it across the room :-)  Send positive thoughts my way - maybe I can actually do this.

I picked up a book at the library today that Stephanie wants me to read.  It's a history book that had been recommended to her by her "master teacher" (the one she just student taught under) and she wants me to read it and for she and I to discuss it.  I feel privileged she wants my input.  It's about four of our presidents and stories of their slaves.  A good read for Black History Month, I suppose.  It actually looks quite interesting - In the Shadow of Liberty.   Good news - Steph is done!  She's finished her student teaching and can now go look for a job!!!  

Coyote sightings twice today.  Maggie and I had one walk right across the road in front of us today - maybe 5 feet away.  It just loped across the street ignoring us but Maggs didn't know quite what to make of it.  She went into full alert and stood stock still except for her nose twitching.  Then, later this afternoon Roger had one (probably the same one) run out in front of him while he was on the bike.  We see them every day now.  They have become quite bold and wander up and down the rows of RVs as if they owned the place - which they pretty much do since no one is doing anything to chase them off.

It was cooler today - only got up to about 70 and it was cloudy off and on.  We are expecting cooler weather and possible rain by the weekend.  These lovely warm days were so nice!

Nothing Newsworthy Today

Another lovely, sunny, warm day.  Rog got the truck washed, we picked up a few groceries from the Sprouts, we both finished our books, and that was about it for the day!  Maggie had a short visit with her friend, David, and had a very long walk this morning, so she was happy, too.