SECOND CHANCES

July 3rd: Holland is blessing my life in so many ways - his encouragements are helping me engage in things I've always wanted to do, but never had a chance to experience (for one reason, or another) with Bob. My life with Bob was good; but a lot of youthful activities fell along the wayside for both of us when parenthood took prominence, 9 months into our marriage. Parenthood was also good … but it also adds expenses that generally puts the kibosh on youthful activities.

In my New Life unfolding there is time now, for those youthful activities (using common sense, of course). And my new husband is a great encourager when I get an itch to scratch those dormant itches ;-)

Monday started out very busy … and ended very happily.

We both felt the day ended on an {accomplished} all the way around ;-)

Tasks were completed from morning to mid-afternoon:

Holland put foam wrap around the bed's rough edge. YAY!

I got busy with the food packages … and Holland got busy with the gates.

Re-Packaging for two, instead of 8 - will stretch this food further/cut down on waste.

Dividing these packages into two, instead of four; a half cup will NOT satisfy a full-grown man!

I love these retractable measuring cups; perfect for limited kitchen storage, and SO COOL.

Prepping for re-packaging.

This is pretty quiet; I feel accomplished with each scaled back & re-sealed package.

Holland set this gate up to keep the boys out of the bedroom; safer this way following the earlier asthma attack. And he set the other one to keep them out of the bunkroom; so they are confined to the LV-Kitchen area, only.

And youthful aspirations were fueled by Second Chance activities: we decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at the river :-)

Not bad for 66-1/2 … I can still rock short shorts ;-)

My first 4-wheeling adventure since September 1974. Holland was good about it: a very patient {teacher}, very encouraging.

A pretty location - the scare was worth it; Camelot Shore & Cowlitz River.

The boys enjoyed themselves … from one end of the beach, to the  other.

We were over there, yesterday; the Rock Pit Beach -  behind the Castle Rock 'Park' area. It's 4-wheeling entrance, too.

I am determined to DO this …

Praise the Lord!

Holland gets a bang out of my little excitements, and his love is igniting second chances in the New Life we are building together.

Only a few more days, then we are on the road again - YIPPIE!

Current set-up; Castle Rock-WA

Fresh Honey Holland bought on our way home over Coal Creek Road. YUMMY!

Something different Holland grabbed at the store; it's like Snapple Tea with a kick. A refreshing ending to a very good day :-)

FUN IN THE HOT SUN

We had to run over to Oregon this morning to collect the RV Title … and we had to stop by the RV Office here, and secure another week's stay.

Interesting rock & Poplar trees, outside the Office Building.

Bleu's bandana did not last long … I don't know when Holland tied it on Bleu, but Sonny ripped it off in no time ;-)

After we had the Title in hand (and it's about time too, Oregon - WTH??); we thought we'd take the pups to Jones Beach and let them run free for a while :-)

Just before we left the beach, I called in a pick-up-order at Bundy's Burger Bar … and promptly got the 4x stuck in soft sand :-(

Holland grimaced, and said, "You'll have to put the truck in neutral, slip the gear into 4x, and back out." I said, "You told me 2 weeks ago, that this truck would 'drive on sand, no problem' - so, now, there's a problem?" He said, "This truck will drive on sand easily - but you need to be smart about it: you just can't jump right into deep, soft, sand!" I rolled my eyes … he'd been grousing about how I treat the truck, all morning long: I 'need to close the door easier' (something about {bushings} - whatever: I've slammed lots of truck doors and no one ever worried about bushings); I 'need to take it easy on accelerating' (we compromised - he can drive his way; I will drive mine) … and now, I 'need to understand sand driving' (and I admit, I do - I've never done it before. I listened, but I also set my mind to having fun in the hot sun :-))

IT'S A TRUCK, FOR GOD'S SAKE!

And, it's meant to be used like a truck.

But, to Holland, the 4x is his baby - I don't think he puts it above me; but it's a close toss up ;-)

I'll try to be gentler - but I'm not going to lose any sleep over how I drive a truck.

I found a fishing weight at Jones Beach; I'll give it to Frank & Sean on the 4th.

Who will be 'top dog'; LOL

Shaded bowl of water - they went through 3 bowls. It was 80-degrees today.

Sonny wastes more water than he drinks …

I got the truck stuck in deep, soft, sand; admittedly, the grooves were very deep.

We gently chastised each other … seriously, but in good humor.

Trisha Yearwood -'That's What I Like About You' song:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhF-egmTUWo)

Gary Allen -'Learning How To Bend' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvfJb10oc0M)

I WILL MISS these Bundy Burgers … I've been eating them since I was a 17-yr-old newlywed; and I introduced Holland to them this year. They are made the old-fashioned way - messy, and yummy!

At home, we put flea collars on the boys … and settled in for a relaxing summer evening ;-)

Both fur-babies were outfitted with flea collars; the collars came with reflective lens.

Gary Allen - 'Nothin On But The Radio' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRnDl75acdw)