Friday

We had a fun day today.  We went down to the Cedar River to a sandbar and played with the kids. 

It is Erin's birthday - her 40th.  It was a gorgeous day here today...just awfully close to perfect.  The kids had fun in the water and we had fun sitting on the sand, watching them.  

Tonight we had chicken or steak, sweet corn on the campfire, and berry dump cake made with raspberry pie filling and fresh black raspberries...and of course, ice cream!  

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Thursday

I don't know if this will post or not.  It says I have internet, but I can't get into any sites at all.  We will see.

We got to Palisades-Kepler around 2:15.  Bryan's family was already here - we're parked right together.  Around 5:00 Bryan and Aidan started our campfire.  Then after the wood burned down, Bryan started to cook.  Some of us had hamburgers, Kaitlyn had a hot dog, Erin had a chicken breast, and Aidan had a chicken leg and a cheeseburger!!  We also had fresh sweetcorn - yum!!

We bought this screened in gazebo so we could eat without the flies bothering us so badly.  It was advertised that it was easy to put up - like 45 seconds...wrong!  The guys put it up inside out the first time and it didn't sit right...finally figured out what was going on and turned it and now it works great!  Took an engineer to figure it out!!  It was nice to eat without flies!

By about 7:45 the flies came to the campsite and were everywhere.  Bryan took Aidan for a shower, Erin took Kaitlyn for a bath, so I came into the camper out of the flies. 

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Wednesday

I was a slug today.  Dave went out to Bryan's to mow, so I didn't even take my shower until after The View!  It was fun being a slug...for one day!!  Tomorrow, we're heading out to go camping.  I don't think we were able to get internet at this campground last year, so you may not hear from me until Sunday.  We're going to Palisades Kepler State Park near Mt Vernon this weekend. 

I did work on some cards today.  I got a few more done.  I've got a nice stockpile going, but I need cards in Florida, too, so I'll keep making them.  I need to finish a quilt, but I just can't get motivated to do that.

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Tuesday

We both had busy days today.  Dave worked around here, cleaning up the garage area and our storage area.  I was able to get my hair cut and get a pedicure without seeing many people.  The beauty salon was pretty much empty and so was the pedicure area of the nail salon.  No problem social distancing today!!

We got our walk in early this morning.  We hadn't walked for a few days - it was just too hot.  This morning, though, the weather was perfect for walking!

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Monday

We had a relatively quiet day here...or rather I did!  Dave was busy taking the camper out  to Camping World and then to it's parking spot.  He also picked up groceries.  I, in the meantime, baked cookies and made a casserole for supper.  I also worked on a couple of cards.  I'm also having fun watching old videos of episodes of The Match Game.  Sometimes I sit here and just lough out loud at some of the antics of the "stars"!! 

Pretty uneventful!  Sorry we're so boring. 

More later...

Here's a look inside our camper.  They are pretty self-explanatory.

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This is too funny.  Kaitlyn decided to bounce on the couch and she just kept doing it. 

Equal opportunity - I needed to show you Aidan, too!  He tried to bounce on the couch but was told he's too big and knows better.  Poor kid!  

 

We tore down this morning and came home.  It was a good shakedown camping trip.  The only issue we had was Dave couldn't get gas to the grill.  Tomorrow we take the camper back to Camping World to see why. 

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Saturday

Bryan was very surprised!  He had no idea we'd traded campers...he told Aidan they were going to surprise Mommy so not to tell her.  So the first thing Aidan said to his mom was, Grandpa and Grandma didn't get a new camper!!  Sort of gave it away!!

Hot day here - 94 with a feel like temp of 108!  Very hot and sticky.  At least we had a bit of a breeze!

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Friday

We did it.  We traded in our camper for a new model and we love it!  I will get pictures posted soon.  We've kept it a secret from the kids, though.  Bryan and Aidan are coming out tomorrow to try to fish so they'll see it then.  It's really been hard keeping the secret.  We were at Bryan's tonight for pizza and movie night.  I thought Dave was going to give it away tonight when he told Bryan we had both our car and pickup here...so he'd recognize us! 

We watched "Cars II" - fun movie.  Aidan really gets into the movies!  Kaitlyn sat on my lap for at least 30 minutes of the movie...then she sat with Dave...then she became a wild child!!  She ended up being up about an hour longer than she should have, but at least she wasn't crying...she was very happy!

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Thursday

We're camping again.  We came out to Big Woods Lake, which is actually in Cedar Falls.  We were able to get a good spot on the end of a row...that way when the kids come out on Saturday, we can sit out by the fire and not have to worry about neighbors being close.  It's supposed to be really, really hot here this weekend.  Tomorrow night we'll be going to Bryan's for pizza and movie night. 

Tonight we're already hunkered down for the night.  I had nightmares last night and I woke myself screaming!  I'm reading a book that has a man who kills people and eats them as steak...I've never been bothered by gory books, but this one got to me.  Someone was pouring salt on me to make me into steak!!  I will not be reading that book any more.  The last one I read in this series was gory, but didn't bother me at all.  Oh well, I have others on my Kindle!

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Wednesday

I almost forgot to blog!  I got to playing accordion (a form of solitaire) on the computer and then realized how late it was.  Accordion is a game that I've never won...chances of winning are 1 in 200, so the odds are against me.  I'll keep playing it until I either win or get tired of the game.  Then I'll move on to another one that I've never won.

Dave went out to Bryan's today and after my interiors meeting this morning, I cleaned house.  Good exercise, so I didn't walk.  We're planning to go to Big Woods  Lake camping tomorrow so we'll see if I have time to walk tomorrow. 

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Tuesday

We had another busy day today.  Took the camper out to Camping World to get an estimate on what it's worth.  Now it's just a waiting game to see if we decide to trade.  I'll let you know this weekend!
We looked through all of the campers again today.  We are working on our Pros/Cons list - and Cody threw us another one to look at.  Sheesh...now we're really confused!

I didn't sleep well last night so I'm headed to bed early. Here are some pictures from Backbone State Park! 

More later...

Monday

This was certainly a strange day!  I slept a little later this morning - until about 8:15 or so.  I LOVE MY TEMPURPEDIC mattress!!  It's especially nice after a camping trip.  I don't toss and turn - I just stay in one spot and crash!  After breakfast and watching the last half of The View (I forgot it was Monday!), I took my shower and was ready for my day about noon!  Haha - nothing lazy about me!  Dave wanted to go to Camping World for a couple of things and suggested we go look at new campers...a fun thing to do during social distancing.  We found a couple we liked, but aren't quite sure we're ready to make that commitment.  Our camper is 6 years old and we've had to fix a few things since we got home.  Stay tuned!

When we got home it was almost 4:00!!  We ate our lunch/dinner and then Dave had a meeting and I watched my Cubs get beat...grrr.  Didn't like that at all!

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Sunday

We left for Backbone State Park up by Strawberry Point, Iowa.  We got there around 11:15 when check-in wasn't until 4:00, but we didn't have reservations so we wanted to get as close to Bryan's as possible.  He was going to be in #17 and we got #19.  We had one camper in line between us...which is good for us all...since we eat all our meals together.  Dave and I went to Strawberry Point to pick up some groceries.  Cute little town.  We were in the campground for the rest of Weds., Thursday,, and a lot of Friday before the kids came.  Then we enjoyed them until about noon today when we came home.  We went for walks, played with bubbles, went fishing, and watched movies.   It was really hot out.  We had no internet, so we couldn't tell what the temperature was (or the feel like temperature) but someone told us it was over 100!!  The flies were loving the hot humid days!  Today was a perfect day!!

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Tuesday

I had an appointment with an orthopedic doc this morning.  He scheduled surgery to remove this mucoid cyst from my finger on August 13th.  I have to do all the pre-op things including a COVID test.  Fun times! 

We packed the camper this afternoon.  Tomorrow afternoon we'll pack the refrigerator and take off for Backbone State Park where we'll camp thru Sunday.  Bryan's family will join us Friday afternoon.  Hope it doesn't rain all weekend!!

More later...

Monday

It's a good thing that my computer displays the day and date, because I have no idea what day it is most of the time.  When you have no outings to look forward to, one day is just like the next.  I was quite surprised just now to find out that it is Monday! 

Dave had an eye doctor appointment today (which went very well) and I had to go along because they always dilate his eyes.  I walked around the big parking lot while he was in seeing the doctor.  Then I tried to find some shade so I could read.  Finally one shady spot in the parking lot opened up and I moved to it.  Much better than sitting in the hot sun trying to read!  I have an orthopedic doctor's appointment in the morning, but I'll drive myself.  I'm hoping to get rid of this cyst or whatever it is on my finger tomorrow. 

This evening, Dave and I walked part of the cemetery so I could get my 2 miles in.  Then popcorn for supper. 

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Sunday

I had one of my dizzy spells last night and today.  Needless to say I didn't walk today.  In fact after breakfast, I went back to bed.  Whenever I have sinus pain like I did yesterday, I almost always have dizziness the next day.  Wonder why...hmmm...ponderings by Peg!!

I got up about 2:00 and ate a bite of lunch.  Dave was out at Bryan's.  After lunch I felt a bit better, so I went outside and washed my balcony doors then came in and opened up the house.  It was a very nice day.  I even played with my inks! 

This evening we went to Bryan's for spaghetti.  Yum, yum!! 

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Saturday

Boy oh boy, it was hot here today!!  The feel like temp was over 100 again.  My sinuses were really hurting from the moment I got up this morning, which usually means it's going to rain.  About 3:00 or so it started pouring!!  Then the temperature dropped to 74! 

I tried to open the doors today, but it was just too hot and humid out.  I had to close up the house and turn on the air.  I did some playing with inks today since the air was on.  Sometimes when I'm "painting" the ink draws in the humidity, but it didn't today.  Dave was at Bryan's all afternoon - he got home just after the last storm abated. 

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Friday

We walked early again today, although today was a lovely day!  On our way back to the condo, we met my friend Connie and two of her four dogs...Timmy and Kirby.  They have 4 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.  Connie walks 2 at a time.  Timmy used to bark at me the minute he saw me, now he loves me!!  This is the first time Connie has met Dave.  Usually when I see her it's when I'm walking alone.  She's very nice!

This evening we went to Bryan's for movie night.  We watched the Lego Movie (1).  I enjoyed it more than I did Lego Movie 2.  Plus I got to rock Kaitlyn through most of the movie - that was more fun than the movie!

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Thursday

Interesting weather day here!  We walked at 8:00 because it was to be another hot one!  It was good walking that early!  Wasn't even that hot!  Came home and had breakfast and then a shower!! 

This afternoon, it absolutely poured, the wind blew, and the storm radio kept going off!  We had puddles in the yard and the creek to the east of us rose!! 

I'd like to know how much rain we had!

We needed the rain badly!!

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Wednesday

I tried to walk this morning, but I only did a mile.  It was 85 and felt like 95!  This afternoon it got up to 95 and felt like 102!  We're having our tropical heat wave!!  Tomorrow it's only supposed to be 85 - I'll probably have to wear a coat!!

Dave gave a car detailing job as his  part of an auction last fall (to be done after we got back in the spring).  He chose today to work on that project..  For my second mile, I did laps in the garage - it's always cool down there and that way I could say hi to him every time I went by where he was working!  I did some playing with some new inks I got and I even got some reading done.  Tonight he had a board meeting and I just hung out!!

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Tuesday

Dave had things to do in the garage this morning so I had to walk by  myself.  It was very hot again today.  At 7:00 it was still over 90, then a little shower came through so  it's only 85 but still feels like 88!  That's pretty hot for here at 9 at night.  I got a mile and a half walk in and then I came home.  One of the pipes in our building  sprung a leak, so Dave was busy with that pretty much all day.  I just had a normal day - creating and reading and playing games on the computer.

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Monday

It was another hot day here today.  In fact, we didn't walk because it was so hot.  We had to pick up groceries today and Dave needed to stop at a couple of other places.  I drove just so I could get outside for a bit. 

Tonight the HOA here met with the contractor who is going to fix the walls of our basement.  That was a long ordeal.  Dave just got home and they started the first meeting at 4:00.  I didn't go!  I chose to stay home - Dave had to be there because he's on the board.

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Saturday and Sunday

Happy Independence Day!  It was a beautiful but hot weekend in Iowa.  On Saturday Dave went to Bryan's to power-wash his patio and house.   The kids are camping, so it is a good time for Dave to do this kind of work...no little people outside!  I played in my studio and then at 11:00 I went to Kyle's.  Since we're isolating after our condo's yard sale, I didn't go to stay.  I had Bob's cooler to return to him and some flowers for next year's Decoration Day.  Plus, my contribution to the family potluck was chips!  When I got there, Bob came out to meet me and Blaise came running for his hug...but I had to tell him that he couldn't hug me...that was sad.  I told him I loved him a whole bunch and he was okay, but it was sad for me.  Kaylee and Clayton brought McCoy out to about 10 feet away from me.  He's a cutie!  He said "Peg" and Bobbobbob for Grandpa Bob!  Rowyn was asleep but I was able to see Oaklyn.. 

In the evening, we watched The Horses of McBride and then at 9:30 we took our chairs outside and watched the fireworks next door.

Today Dave went out to finish his power-washing job while I "attended" my 3 church services.  Then I went walk, but it was really hot so I only did a little over 1.2 miles.  We watched The Women of Brewster Place.    We ate dinner at 4:00 and now I'm watching Sunday night's game shows. 

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Friday

We've got another beautiful moon tonight, although it looks a bit hazy...maybe my window needs washed.  I think the Sahara sand is in the sky over Iowa tonight.

We had a hot beautiful day here.  At one point it was 91 outside.  It's still 82 and it's almost 10 PM.  It'll be hot tomorrow! 

Dave went out to mow at Bryan's today.  I drove out to pick black raspberries, but I only found 7-8...we'll try again Sunday morning.  I have a feeling Erin's folks picked them yesterday.  Erin told us to get them tomorrow, but they won't be ripe yet.  I came home and made ham balls for lunch.  They got done at 1:00 but Dave didn't get home until 2:35!!  We had to warm them back up for a late lunch.  The rest of the day, I read and played with my inks.

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Thursday

Has anyone noticed how beautiful the moon is tonight?  It is shining brightly right outside my "window to the world."  I wish I could get a good picture of it, but I don't have the equipment or the patience to try tonight. 

I sure hope everyone is well out there.  My goodness this virus is running rampant again.  I guess people can't be patient and wait it out.  If we could just keep social distancing and wearing masks, I think we could make it stop...but it's going to take everyone getting on board, not just some of us.

It was a hot one here today...close to 90 and supposed to get hotter this weekend.  I'm sure glad we didn't go camping.  We'd have just stayed in the camper all day in the  a/c!  I'd rather be here - at least there's something to do here.  (I finished about 25 cards today and actually got my craft table kind of cleaned up!  I also baked banana bread and Dave got groceries.

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Wednesday

I feel like I'm sounding like a broken record.  We walked this morning then came home and took showers.  It was  pretty humid out today.

Dave always finds things to do around the building and I can play in my studio.  Same old, same old!!

More later...