The Joys of Owning a MH

 

Well things haven’t gone all to well with the Motor Home. When we first got it, we found a leak behind the shower and fixed it..We thought!   A few weeks ago I went out to it and connected the water hose, so I could do some cleaning. The water came barreling out much too much. I hadn’t connected the water regulator..  So when the bathroom rug and hall rug were soaked the next day, my first thought was I blew a line.  Joe my son in law, tried to see how to get to the hoses but never could get to them. He tore up the bathroom and hall rug so we could let everything dry out.  Not knowing where to go from there, we decided to take it to a professional. I called a place not far from here and they said bring it in.  We did and after two weeks, we now know we have bad news.  The leak was found, behind the shower, where we originally had the problem. They had removed the wall and could see it trickling down the wall. We have no idea how long it has been like this, however they found water damage all the way through the floor, with some mold.  The end result, they will have to remove everything and replace the flooring. If that wasn’t enough, they found a problem with the roof . That also needs replacing.  So what we thought was a good deal when we bought it, has turned into a very expensive fix.. They are also fixing the heat and replacing the toilet..We are hoping when this is all done, which will take about 4 weeks, then we will have a like new home.   Of course in the meantime, we have to cancel some reservations, hoping by July we have it back, so we can do some fun summertime trips with the kids. 

Going back to the owner is not an option. The fella that sold it, lied about selling it for his grandfather. We found this out, going through papers that were left behind. Turns out he had bought it from someone whose wife had owned it and passed away. It was an as is, when it was purchased and I understood that at the time.  On the other hand I have also seen this same year and mileage being sold for   ten thousand more than I paid, so I guess you get what you pay for….

A Quick Trip to Boston

 

I started the month off with a quick trip to Boston…My son Kevin picked me up at the airport and we drove back to his house in New Hampshire. We spent a fun family day with a trip to a favorite seafood restaurant for an early Mothers Day meal. I love my fried clams and chowder, yumm..  The kids, big and small had some fun..

We stopped for ice cream and then went back to the house. I got to meet the newest member of the family..

This is Milo..looks like I’m choking him but I wanted to get his cute face..

The next day I took off for an anniversary party back in Ma. It was for my cousin Kathy and her husband John, celebrating 40 wonderful years.  Kathy  was the closest thing to having a sister I had while growing up. We only lived one street away, and spent alot of time together.

Here we are 40 years ago..

And today..

 

The party was wonderful and I got to see my three brothers and quite a few of my cousins.  When the party ended,  I checked into a hotel for the night and had dinner at my brother in law Jack’s house ( Kevins’s brother). Sharon and Jack don’t live far from where I was staying, so it was nice to catch up with them and spend some time.

The next day I had a great visit and lunch at an old friends house. Alice and I worked together for many years..Another friend Margaret also joined us. Can’t believe I forgot to take pictures, but you know when woman start gabbing, all else is forgotten…

I headed to the airport and flew back to Houston that night.. What an enjoyable and busy few days!

March and April

Well, now that the hardest part is behind me, perhaps I can keep up with my blog,  every now and then.

March

Started the month of just right with a girls day out with Bridget and Lynette…We shopped

and found this perfect sized chair for Bridget!..  Then off to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory..What would a visit there be without a piece of this..

                                 

 

The search was on for the perfect RV for me. My daughter Kim and I went to PPL in Houston to look. The ones that I could afford were terrible. We were very discouraged… I then started searching the paper and online. Found one not to far from here, so my son in law and I headed to look. It was small, but cute. We wanted to think about it and check online for the value. When we got home we decided to call with an offer and oops, too late..It was sold!  Guess it wasn’t meant to be.. I then decided to look on Craigslist in Florida. I started with the familiar places there. I saw one that sparked my interest..called for details and was happy with what I heard. Only problem was that it was in Florida and I am here in Texas.  I knew that if you don’t jump on these deals, they are gone fast, if they are a good one.  I called my friends in Florida to see if they could help. Don was away,  but Patti agreed to go first thing in the morning to look it over.  I was on the phone with her the next day,  as she did a walk thru and checked things out.  I then made an offer, it was accepted and I had Patti put down a down payment.

It was a 2001 Four Winds 31 ft Class C. It came with lots of extra’s..

Two days later, Kim & I were on a plane headed to Tampa.  We picked it up,  took it to our friends house and started cleaning it up. My son in law  Joe, flew in later in the day with the boys, since it was spring break.  We loaded it up and headed out that night…. We wanted to enjoy ourselves on our trip back.  We stopped for the night at a Wally World.  We were on the road next morning, and we had our first hiccup.. A double blowout.. Not a good start and it held us up for many hours waiting for service,  on the side of the highway..

Next stop..Henderson Beach State Park in Destin, Fl

This area happens to be one of my favorite places  in the country.  You can see why…

Kevin and I have been coming to these beautiful beaches for many years…

The kids had fun..

Fishing…

Building…

Digging…

Playing frisbee…

Splashing in the water…

 

Grilling…

And watching beautiful sunsets..

We spent a few days and hated to leave..

On to Cajan Palms in Louisiana. We had our fill of Crawfish. My daughter said the best she has ever had..

  The boys played miniature golf…

The pool and water park were not open but looked real nice…

We eventually returned to home..with plans for fixing up the RV for future trips..

I had a friend coming.. Kyra an RVing friend that was on her way through this area..I suggested she park her home in our backyard..

We spent a few days together, one of which we picked up Penny and traveled up to Mac & Nette’s..

Lynette, Penny, Kyra

The next day Kim & I were leaving for Galveston with the boys, to spend Easter weekend…

Our site at Jamaica Beach RV Park

Playground next to our site..

We colored easter eggs..

Rented scooters..

 

and had lots of fun…

We were off to the beach..with Scruffy

and had visitors…

Joe, Sherri and Kris

The kids played chess…

and helped Kris play too…

they hunted for eggs on the golf course…

before saying goodbye…

So nice to see Joe and Sherri again and to meet Kris. It has been several years..Hope it won’t be so long next time.

The campground had a weenie roast and we toasted smores.  We spent another day at the beach and had an outside movie at night..

It had to end but we will be back again this summer..

Back at home the kids were swimming in the pool..

I have had several lunches with Lynette. So nice to have a friend close by for awhile…Will miss it when they leave.

I watched the kids,  so Kim and Joe could have a much needed vacation together in Mexico..

That about wraps up these two months. I will be back with more later.. as I plan more adventures~~

Catching Up for Dec, Jan, Feb

Wow, it’s so hard to write a blog when it’s been so long since the last one.. I will try to catch you up since my last post…

December..

I had alot of bridges to cross..the first being  Kevin’s birthday, it happens to be the same day as our granddaughter Kailyn’s, so I planned a nice family vacation to Disney. We had a blast.

Kailyn, Kevin, Chris and Jen

When my son and family headed back to New Hampshire, I drove to St Pete to visit friends.  Glad I was there to celebrate my bff  ‘s birthday..

Patti and Arlene..

Kite festival at the beach..

Even got to have a nice visit with RV friends , Dee and Jim, Anna and Gale and Lessie and Bill. It was the first time to meet Lessie from our chat room. How fun.

Dee, Lessie, Jim, Ed ,Gale, Anna, Arlene 

 

Two of my grandsons took part in the Flags Across America with their cub scout group. They laid wreaths on the graves at Houston National Cemetary, after a very nice ceremony..

Placing the wreath on grampy’s  grave..

I got through Christmas, thanks to the  kids.

I  even pushed myself to decorate a small tree..

January

Then on to my wedding anniversary, which was the hardest by far. I drove to the cemetary, parked and blasted our song “Colour My World” and visited for awhile…

With help from above,  and that of friends and family, I got through it.

I was getting itchy to travel.. The Tampa RV show was coming up, so I headed to Florida and stayed with close friends  for several days.

Gunnar, Don, Katherine, Shannery, Patti, Don

Plans had been made to attend the show and have a meet up with RV Dreamers that were in town. That we did and it was so good to see them all. 

Donna, Arlene, Nancy, Elaine

 

February..

The superbowl here at my daughter’s, is always a big deal. For years, the guys usually golf either the day before or after. This year they started the 1st Annual Sully Invitational..It was hosted by my son in law Joe, my son Kevin and our good friend Don from Florida. It was held the day before the superbowl.

 

Then the annual superbowl party…

Arlene, Sherry and Patti (kitchen help)

  Game on inside

And out

 

With that behind us, I was getting itchy to travel again. RV Dreams was having a rally in the desert in Quartzite Az. Hmmm, I really wanted to attend but I didn’t have an rv.  The search started for a rental. And found one, with pickup in Las Vegas…

This would prove to be a good chance to see if I would want to invest in an RV again. Alot different traveling alone.  But I did it, and loved being out there again..

 

So much fun being with Dreamers again..

Howard and Linda

 

The solo cafe girls… serving up breakfast

and drinks

We had a fun filled week with lots of food, seminars, cocktail hours, campfires every night and beautiful sunsets…Not to mention new friendships.

 

Gina, DJ, Kyra, Arlene

After a fun filled week in the desert boondocking, I was off to Yuma.  A friend from Florida, flew in to meet me. We parked ourselves next to Bob and Molly, who took good care of us.. Susan and I spent quite a few days going back and forth to Mexico for dental work. The results were good..We managed to have a day out with Phyllis…

Arlene, Phyllis, Susan

I returned the RV  to Vegas and flew back to Houston in time to have a gathering with more RV friends that happened to be in the area.  Mac and Nette are gate guarding in Huntsville, about an hour from here.  We all headed to their place for fun, food and laughter…

Nette, Barb, Kathy

 

  Roger, Mac, John, Chuck, Nette

The girls…Arlene, Deb, Lynette, Bridget, Kathy, Barb

It sure has been a busy few months and I love keeping busy.. There were  lots of other things in between. birthday celebrations, lunches out and searching for that perfect RV…

More to come~~~