Happy Memorial Day everyone!!!

Happy you're home!!

This is a test to see if I can post.........plus I am really happy dad is home :-)

May 7-8, 2011

It's hard to say but this is my last BLOG.  I decided to head back home.  I think my fire has gone out!  It was a very nice trip but things were not working out as I had expected, and I don't really know what I mean when I say that.
I was missing the family, without my car, price of gasoline and when you are on the road like that you are not in control of things that happens around you. I did enjoy the month that I was out on the road but I had to make up my mind which way I was going to go, West to Ohio or East to Delaware.

You really don’t appreciate what you have at home until you leave it for awhile and then you learn to appreciate it more. Life is that way also. God is in control of our life and we have to learn to listen. Maybe he will send me out again and I need to wait and listen. Maybe He only wanted me to go out for one month and work on Pastor Todd’s church.

I want to thank Twila for all the work she did to make the BLOG fly (loved the pictures)!! Also, I want to thank all of you for your comments. Thanks again!!!!

May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. 

May 6, 2011

Breezy - Warm - 65-70 degrees



"To prove that I'm here"



Yes, it’s still breezy. Maybe I should get use to it! Rode about 5 miles today going down town and taking pictures of the camping area.

Had a good time today on the island. Went to the museum today and it was really worth  $6.00 and got to read and see a lot of history about the watermen and their life style.

Had a nice lunch at the Captain’s Table (big oyster sandwich an fries). After lunch I took a nice cruise on The Historic Buyboat around the island. It was nice with a little breeze and plenty of sun.

Bill, they even have a place to work on your boat and spray them!!

                             

May 5, 2011

Breezy and cool 60-65 degrees

Dad, the naturalist...

Another day of wind blowing. I told myself that I was going to ride to town regardless if the wind was blowing or not and of course it was blowing but I made it back around noon. Strictly for sight seers, walkers, eaters, and drinkers. It’s a nice island, worth the visit. All very clean and well maintained. A lot of eating places and bed and breakfasts.  Of course plenty of things for the boaters! My bike trip was about 4-5 miles and I walk about 2 miles this morning around th RV park. I will take pictures later of the park.

Which one do you want, Bill?

Was able to get 5 TV stations last night to include WBOC (Fox 26) It was nice watching TV again. I like my TV especially my TVO (?) No, I don’t have it with me, I was strongly thinking about bringing it!

My new radio is working fine to include the CD player. I have it hooked up to my speakers

May 4, 2011

Breezy & Cool 50-55 degrees (Speedometer Reading 31,522  - Generator Hours 485)

Morning very cool and raining - afternoon raining on and off - sun came out around 4:00 - not a good day but I am here. Not going down to the downtown part until tomorrow.

What I have seen of the camp site so far it is very large and very nice. Security at the gate, no getting in without your ID card and a pass. Will give it a ride through tomorrow. I hope we have good weather for me to ride. Must wear your helmet while riding on the installation!

Left the church this mornig around 9:30-9:45 and made six stops before I got here. Stopped at Best Buy and got me a new radio. Will unpack in a few minutes and see how it works.

I am showing a good WiFi signal but I can’t seem to get into it so I am using my MiFi at the present time. Will check this out also.     

I am sure glad that I took the motor home out of the back area yesterday because it would have been impossible this morning for all the soft ground and mud. When I got on the hard part I had to wash the tires, steps, water hose and electrical line. That’s behind me and I enjoyed the three weeks.

May 3, 2011

Sunny - Breezy - Very Warm 80-85 degrees

Another nice day. I didn’t do any baseboard today. I got promoted to running crown molding, up and down the ladder.  Of course I was the helper! This was my last work day here. The earth movers made me a ramp to get me out today before the rain tomorrow. They said if I waited until tomorrow it wold be too soft to get out. I  moved to the other end of the church yard and will leave around noon tomorrow.

The paint contractors came today and primed all the walls and ceilings. They taped everything and then sprayed. Next they will spray two coats of finish paint. The church folks are going to paint the old part (upstairs office, kitchen and bath room). The contractor will be starting on the stone part near the end of the week. He said it will take him three weeks.

They are planning to have their first service on 19 Jun 11 (Fathers day). Phil (the projector manager) said they can do so Pastor Todd is getting geared up for the big day - you know Todd!

May 2, 2011

Sunny, Breezy 65-70 degrees

Another nice day with plenty sun and of course the wind.

Hey guys, I am having a good time working at the church. I only work from 9-12 and then 1-3. You can’t beat that. One hour off for lunch - that’s not work, but I do love the hours!!

Last two nights under the sheets and blankets again. I am sure glad that I didn’t start this trip in March!

Going over to Diane and Pastor Todd’s house tonight for chicken supper. He wanted to know if I liked chicken and of course I said yes. Anytime I don’t have to cook I like anything BIG TIME!!

More baseboard today and again tomorrow. No more baseboard for me and my knees after tomorrow!! That might be true until my next job!!

They moved the pile of siding that was in front of the motor home this morning and now there is a large pile of dirt in it’s place. Never a dull moment! Will need to work on that in the morning.

May 1, 2011

Cloudy - Warm 65-70 degrees

Another nice day. Vaughn picked me up at 9:45 for church. After church we went to Leonardtown, MD (25-30 miles South) to a large car show. They had around 250-300 on display on the streets of their town. Had a good turn out with good weather. From there we went South to Look Out Point (25-30 miles). This is where the Potomac River and the Chesapeake meets. On the way back we stopped for a hamburger and fries. Got home about 6:00 PM. Had a good day!

Vaughn and myself went out for supper last night. We went back to Bert’s and we had pork chops, potatoes, green beans and roll again, sooo  good!

Well,  the week end is about over and that means Monday is around the corner, yep - more baseboard! I have  both bath rooms, two closets, the foyer and two doors to finish. I should finish these by Tuesday afternoon. Will be leaving here early Wednesday afternoon.

April 30, 2011

Breezy and cool - 55-60 degrees

Yes, breezy again. Went for a nice bike ride this morning and stopped by WaWa’s for a sausage egg & cheese muffin and a cup of coffee. What a nice treat! Walked 2 miles a

little later.

Got another nice music station on my computer. Pastor Todd gave it to me yesterday. You can make any mixture you want, any artist or station. Go to Google and print in Pandora- its free.

Vaughn and myself are going to California  for supper tonight, maybe Outback! He didn’t go home this week end because he was sick for two days and stayed here this week end to make up for the two days he lost.

Tried to get up with Navy Recreation Area today but no luck. The are supposed to call back, you know how that is!! I will call them again today and tomorrow also.                     

Still have ants and  using the traps. The instructions said it will take a little while. If this doesn’t work real soon I will try what Sherry suggested.

                                                                                                                                   

John, you are the only one that likes my old barn! There are people that wants to take it down for. the lumber and the metal on the roof.

Last couple of nights have been back under the blankets and sheets nights. I could got up and turned the heat up but you know how that is, it’s OK, I will get warm without getting up.

Finally got through to the Navy Rec Center and got a three night stay (Wed thru Sat at 2:30 check out)!! Going to have a ball, me an my bike are going to do some big riding and looking!! Now I can start planning my next stop after I leave the Navy Rec Center. Just checked the weather for that time frame it looks good to gooder!! I am going to hang up my work clothes and get my slickers out, can you imagine??? If you could be a little bird and fly over and check me out!!!! One thing about it, you can’t sneak up on me at the camp site because I am protected by security all around me, so! You can’t get in!! And you can take that to the bank Fred!!

I am leaving for supper.  You have a good night and have a good Sunday. Would you believe tomorrow is the first day of May.

April 29, 2011

Breezy - Cloudy - 65-70 degrees

Another nice warm day and breezy again. It seems its always breezy here. They say it’s not normally this breezy.

Got the window done in Pastor Todd’s office. He was in the office preparing his sermon for Sunday. He was singing along with the computer. Work the rest of the day down in the foyer putting down more baseboard.

Sara and myself went to WalMart to do some shopping and return the radio. She took me to Solomons Island. What a nice place. I am sure Sherry and Bill have been there. The Navy has a LARGE recreation area there. They have 8 classes of cottages, cabins, apartments, bungalows, yurts, camp sites, pool, beaches, marina, pier, ramps, fishing, crabbing. You are charged by what your rank/grade might be.  I think I might try to get in for a few days. It looks like they might have a long waiting list. I will try calling tomorrow. I think the reservations are done by an open lottery months in advanced.

April 28, 2011

Very Windy - Cloudy - Raining 70-75 degrees

No walking today or riding my bike – raining

Had a large rain storm. The new roof leaked in four places today. It leaked before and they put another new one on about two weeks ago. The guys that put the new one on were here and were able to see it leaking. The ceiling and the walls were all finished and waiting to be painted next week. Another set back.

Pastor Todd was over a few minutes ago and got me on line with the church internet! He said that Gabrielle just got home from college, maybe for the summer.

Another day of baseboard and door trim. Going to trim out a new window in Pastor Todd’s office tomorrow.

 This is a picture of the barn that is on the church property. It is a nice tobacco barn that’s is in good shape with electricity, a new roof  and a stage that the kids use for their outings. It must come down because the space the barn is on exceeds the square footage that their next building project will take up. The state/county will only allows so many square feet per acre/project. When they go to their next building stage the barn will need to come down, how sad. I just love old buildings, remember the old farm house?     

April 27, 2011

 Windy - Cloudy - Very Warm 75-80 degrees

Another nice day - Too windy to ride the bike it was hard just walking.

Another day of window trimming - I think that might be the last one. Today was the steeple day. They have been working on it all day. They are just about finish. I am sending Twila the picture of the steeple and I am sure she will work it in!

Twila, I love that picture of the man with the computer, that was me big time!! I think I have that problem solved. I still have a couple of small problems. I am hoping Dave can solve them.

Went out for dinner last night and had a very good meal. Two pork chops, two scoops of mashed potatoes, cole slaw and a roll. I was going to bring home one of the pork chops for tonight supper. It came home not in a box but in my stomach. They were soooo good.  Must go back there again before I leave. It’s called Bert’s 50'S Diner on US 5.

Thinking about moving on early next week. I think most of my work has been accomplished since I have been here. Going to miss the kitchen for washing the dishes and pot and pans, the bath room for the nice hot showers. From now on I will be washing my clothes!

April 26, 2011

Breezy - Warm - 70-75 degrees

Not a good day for riding the bike. Just got back from my 2 mile walk and plenty hot. I have the AC on in the motor home and it feel good.

Spent the day trimming out windows that have been replaced with newer ones. At least I am inside and it’s a little cooler. Same thing tomorrow, more windows. They want to start painting the walls next week.

Going out to eat tonight with Vaun (?). There is a restaurant about 3-4 miles North of here. We are leaving when he stops for the day. He is staying at Pastor Todd’s house. I am sure we will have a lot to talk about.

I have a call to Dave about this computer. I hope he can fix it or I am going to have a funeral for it and then I will go back with the cell phone. At least I won’t have to wonder if it’s going to work or not. It’s been a pain and the strange thing about it, it’s not the internet. It’s either me or the darn computer. To me, it’s basic stuff. End of story.

April 25, 2011

Very Warm - Breezy - 75-80 Degrees

                                                                                                                                                 

Very nice outside - AC on - Having trouble with my computer. Not sending and receiving my messages. I find myself spending more time on the computer (correcting things) than I do on anything else, this doesn’t make me happy. I don’t know what’s happen to Saturday and Sunday’s messages. You work on them and send them and they don’t arrive. I should have a copy in my “SENT MESSAGES” but they are not there either!

Still running baseboard and door trim. Had home made spaghetti and salad tonight. Not going to spend any more time on this tonight. It also jumping all over the page. It’s getting on my last nerve! We will see what happens to this one.

April 24, 2011 (EASTER)

Sunny - Very Warm - 85-87 degrees

Very nice day - Rode my bike to church today. 1.8 miles each way. Took me about twenty minutes to make the trip. Nice work out with Sunday clothes!

Pastor Todd brought my clean clothes back about 1:30 and took me to their house for dinner. They all got Easter baskets to include me! It was full of peanut butter candy! What a surprise. I don’t think I have ever gotten a Easter basket when I was a little boy - no money!

                                                                                                                                               

Got back home around 4:30 and spent the rest of the day relaxing. Had a nice week end just resting and getting ready for next week.

Hope you all had wonderful Easter and remember what GOD has done for each one of us!

April 23, 2011

Cloudy - Breezy - Cool - 60-65 degrees

Another bad bike day - breezy - hard to pedal. Slept until 7:30 this morning. Cool again in bed last night. Under the sheets and blanket! Slow day - Catching up on some house work, putting up a hook here and there for hanging up some clothes.

My heater started working again this morning!! Don’t know why but did. Will sleep warm tonight.

I walked for about 2-1/2 miles and took some picture. When I got back Todd and Diane came by to look at the tile going down and invited me to dinner tomorrow. Of course I said YES. They are having ham, mashed potatoes with rolls. They took home my dirty clothes. What a blessing!

Went to church last week with my suit and tie and guess what, I was the only one with a suit on to include the preacher. Everyone had jeans on with short sleeves shirt with the TAIL OUT. Never in my life! Guess what, this week  I will be mung them!

                                                           

Cooked a steak outside on the grill - not tender - not happy - what can I say - just suck it up and eat it. I am still trying to find a tender steak. Before I am finish this trip I will find the right cut if not, I will keep traveling!!

My internet is down and I don’t know why. Just another problem with all the other problems. I tell myself, hang in there all will be well!

Congratulation Twila on finishing your master program. Does that mean more money each month?? Very proud of you!! We want Dustin to be next! Hang in there Dustin, we love you!!

You all have a happy Easter and thank Jesus for what he has done for all of us.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Cloudy - Breezy - Very Cool 50 - 55 degrees

No AC today - Sleep with my head UNDER the sheets and blanket last night. Got to come up with another plan tonight! Was going to have a steak tonight but it not cooking weather outside, maybe tomorrow night.

They are putting down the tile in the foyer , the bath rooms and the church area tomorrow. Slowly coming together.

More baseboard today. The upstairs is about the same as before. Putting a new window in Pastor Todd’s office, moving a wall or two, and adding a outside fire escape.  They had to add another thickness of dry wall to pass the fire code. That meant that the door molding had to come off and build the openings 5/8" thicker to off set the dry wall thickness. I have three door openings left for Monday and then I can finish the baseboard.

Supper is the next big event. I think I will have ham and eggs tonight. with toast and apple sauce. Sounds good?

April 21, 2011

Breezy - Sunny - 65 - 70 degrees

Nice day but a bad day for riding the bike. Rode about five miles and glad to get back. Had a good time shopping last night. Got back about 8:15. Sara said she been stopped about seven times since she has been living here for SPEEDING and not wearing her seat belt. She still doesn’t wear her belt. They don’t give her any tickets just tell her to slow down and put her belt on! What can you do with a little old lady like that??? Got a new radio - don’t like it - it doesn’t have a antenna - you turn the radio to find the station. We had better radios seventy years ago! Back to the store it will go.

Another day of baseboard. I am getting promoted tomorrow. I going upstairs to put down some more baseboard and trim out some doors and windows. Not working on Saturday or Sunday.

John, the man that is working up here this week lives in Seaford, DE. He lives at Middleford. When you make that stop at the end of Middleford  road, you make a right like you are going to Georgetown. He lives between the two small bridges on the left side. He said he has put in some roof vents for you. He said you are a gooood guy!!He has his brother working with him. They both know what they are doing and are hard workers. They are coming back next week.

April 20, 2011

Breezy -  Sunny - 75 - 80 degrees

Nice day today - Have my AC on at the present and it feels good. RV’s are not made for extreme weather. Another day of putting down baseboard. My knees are doing fine. Knee pads are Ok but they are a pain also. They are always moving on you. For me - the cardboard does a good job.

Got me a date tonight at 6:00 PM. Sara and I are going shopping to WalMart!! I think I can trust  her to get me back before dark! It’s about 20-25 minutes South of here. It’s going to feel good to go shopping. Going to get a radio and some ant traps. Yep, got ants, don’t need them.

Twila, you are doing a wonderful job with the BLOG.  I turn on my computer morning, noon and night just to check to sees what’s new with the family. Love your comments. They keep me Sparky! Jim, you take care of that finger and keep working for the doctors and your brother!!!!.

April 19, 2011

Cloudy and Breezy - 70 - 72 degrees

Another nice day - no AC - Just got off work, walked two miles and rode my bike for four miles. I am sure glad that I got the seven speed bike. I ride most of the time at three or four speed. There is one hill that I need a #1 and I am so happy when I get to the top!

Spent the day putting down baseboard. My knees are doing OK. I put down cardboard under them but the cardboard is always at the wrong place when you need it. The chop saw didn’t want too work right (wouldn’t cut square) causing the joints not to fit. Will get another saw tomorrow.

It’s supper time and I am having ham, eggs and toast with some jelly. Then do the dishes, take a shower and have a cup of coffee and some banana bread, play with the computer and watch a DVD. By that time it should bed time. Trees and bushes planting tonight and it’s not raining. I am not part of that program!

April 18, 2011

Cloudy - Breezy - 72 -75 degrees

(Does Dad need a dog?)

Another nice day - have AC on at the present time. Just finished my two mile walk and getting ready to fix supper (left overs). Been working outside all day with the siding. The guy that was suppose to help with the siding wasn’t able to make it, maybe tomorrow. Phil wants me to start running baseboard and trimming out the doors tomorrow. O my poor knees!

Told Pastor Todd that I need a WalMart run in the next couple of days. I normally make a WalMart run 3 to 4 times a week. Why not, let them store it for me. I do miss my car but I didn’t want to pull another 20 foot behind me. Life goes on!! I can’t get out of the space that I am in because they had large pile of siding in front of my vehicle. I told Phil he needs to move it  because if there was a fire at the church, I would be blocked 

                                                                                                           

By the way, Phil is the Project Manager. He is doing the same thing that Marion Griffin was doing at our church in Laurel. Phil only has this one church that he is working on not two or three that Marion had going at the same time. Phil is also a member of this church and he told me that he has 10 children!! Need to research this a little further!! Maybe there was a merger of families!

April 18, 2011--Picture of Motor Home

April 18, 2011--Church Construction Pictures

This is the old house, which is part of the new church. It’s the class room, rest rooms, office, etc.

Front of the Church

Drive way construction



April 17, 2011

(Sunday) Sunny, Windy - 60-65 degrees

Nice day except very breezy. My heat stopped working this morning. Must be something electrical. Another stop when I get rolling again. I do have a portable heater on board. I hope the cold weather is over!

Doug and Hope picked me up for church this morning at 9:15. Had a nice service with a very good praise band. They had ten people in the band with Diane on the key board. The have a very good praise band leader but he is leaving for four months to go overseas. He is in the Air Force (CID) plain clothes. This means Todd will be leading the praise group. Of course he can do it but it’s another job that he doesn’t need.

They have someone coming tomorrow from LWC that knows how to put this siding on. I thinks he is going with Karen Wilson daughter and I think they are hiring him to do the trim work inside.

April 16, 2011

Cloudy, Windy and Raining - 50-55 degrees

Cloudy to start off with and started to rain around 10:00. I decided not to go out on the tree and bushes detail. No work going on inside so I spent the day inside the motor home. I was watching   them with my binoculars and as I was scanning the work going on and I spotted a person that looked like Doug Lawson. I told myself, that’s got to be Doug because God didn’t make two people that looked like that. Sure enough it was Doug because he and Todd came to get me for supper at the Crofford’s house. We had a nice visit with both families. Hope was also there with the two boys and the little girl. We had barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes and salad with cake and ice cream! While we ate, Diane did my laundry and sent me home with clean clothes and some goodies! Going to miss all this when I leave! It started to rain very hard around noon and they called the planting off until Tuesday night. They got about 2/3 of the planting done. They had about 25-30 people show for the work day.

April 15, 2011

Sunny and very warm - Breezy  - 70 - 75 degrees

Nice all day. Number 45 sun block!  More siding - We got the front finished. Tomorrow is a work day for the “church” - planting about 200 trees and bushes. Now the forecast is 100 percent chance of rain. They have to plant because they have had these plants for over a week and they need planting. Hope I draw a inside job!!! I don’t any pull at this church!!!! By knowing Pastor Todd doesn’t help much!!  We are suppose to have winds up to 25 MPH tomorrow. I rolled up the big awning to play safe and duct tapped the smaller one that has been giving me trouble with the weak or bad spring.

April 14, 2011

Cloudy Morning - Sunny Afternoon - 70–75 degrees

Started off cool this morning and after lunch we were putting sun screen on! Still putting on siding - going slow because it’s a “hard board” and going onto a heavy metal frame - breaking driving bits after driving about 10 to 12 screws. Maybe we will find a better way soon or they will go broke buying bits! Todd (maybe the church) bought us a 30 inch pizza for lunch today. That must be a big oven to whole a 30 inch pie. I got the left overs in my refigerator!!                

I bought a portable grill Tuesday and had a grilled steak, salad and a baked potato tonight. Not bad for ruff camping!

Todd bought a shower curtain and hooks for the tub today. No more water spray on the floor. He even installed the curtain!!

April 13, 2011

Cloudy - Cool - Raining on and off  - 55-60 degrees

Started working outside putting siding on. New type for me and very hard to install. I was the ground man. Started raining about 11:00 and after getting wet we went inside to installing installation. This lasted for about 3 hours and back outside again with the siding.

Had dinner with Todd & Diane and their family tonight. We had spaghetti, bread and salad. Diane made the salad, Todd cooked the spaghetti and the kids did the rest. Sara and myself just ate! Kids are fine except Carissa or Candesee (the one next to the youngest child) broke her leg last week. Doing fine with the leg.  Had a nice time together. They live about one mile from the church.

April 12, 2011

Milage Reading: 31,466 - Cloudy  - 68 degrees

 Left at 0930 - As I left the camp site I saw NX and a Commissary. Got me some duct tape and some food items. Got up on top of the motor home with a piece of wire and some duct tape and fixed it to travel. Will get it fixed later.

On the way today, I saw a sign and it said”HOSPITAL Open 8:00AM to 12:00PM” I thought that was different - do they all go home after 12:00PM?

Had a nice trip to the church. Windy and started raining about 30 minutes before I got here. They are working on the grounds, grading and digging with the big equipment (mud all over the place) About 5 minutes before I got here they dug up the drive way and it started raining harder. I couldn’t get in and I was on the highway (no shoulders). The equipment operator said it would be at least 30 minutes before he would have the hole filled in (fresh hole in the drive way with nice soft dirt with my 18,000 plus vehicle). I found a parking down the road and waited.                                                   

About a hour later the heavy equipment left because of the rain and I said a pray and gave her a try. Believe it or not, the fresh dirt was tight and I made it in OK! The place they wanted me to park was soft from th rain but all went fine. Got a lot of mud (clay) on the big tires but was able to wash off. They have a full kitchen and bath room in the old part the house. Took me a nice HEATED shower tonight – They don’t have a shower curtain!!

April 11, 2011

Left home at 10:50 - Mielage Reading 31,350  Weather nice and a little breezy. 65 degrees

Stopped at True Blue to get LP Gas for motor home and the lady didn’t know how to fill the tank! She called her boss on the cell phone and he said this would be a good time to show her how to fill one. He would be there in 30 minutes. I said no thank you, I have a service appointment at Carry’s in 30 minutes.

Got the motor home serviced at Carry’s. Did a good job and very happy. They also filled the LP.

Got weigh at Laurel’s Truck Stop. Gross Weight: 17,840 plus 60 gal of gas in Delmar, DE @60 gal X 8 lbs per gal equals 480 lbs TOTAL GROSS WEIGHT 18,320. I am authorized 20,500 MGW.        

Went to Delmar, DE and got 60 gallons of gas @3.55 per gallon.

Went to Salisbury, MD and got on Rt 50. All going fine - little windy causing the vehicle to go to the right - nothing new. Looked into the mirror and noticed the awning was flapping on the slide out. Stopped in Vena and tried to fix it. On the road again and I noticed it flapping again in Easton.   Stopped for supper and fix it again. At this time I figured the spring must be weak or broken. (Time for Jack!) and me with no duct tape. The only thing so far that I didn’t load!

It started flapping again and I came on in. Will check it again tomorrow! Had a hard time finding the camp site. It doesn’t have a address so I couldn’t run a GPS on the site. It wasn’t worth the trouble but it only cost $9.00.