GETTING STUFF DONE

The 'To Do List' seems endless.

So does the waiting.

And the chronic pain.

There is stuff that needs to get done … and a limited time-frame in which to accomplish everything.

We were sitting around drinking our coffee and discussing the things each of us needed to get done - at least by Friday. We will be moving again Friday morning.

We don't mind being on the move; we mind being held hostage by someone else's scheduling, and by the pain that enflames Holland's shoulders/arms by mid-day. I want him to get an X-ray next time he sees his disability doctor … and he says, "No. If I get an X-ray and need surgery, that could upset our travel plans for at least 6 months - maybe longer." I say, "Wouldn't it be prudent to know what we're dealing with? I think it's severe arthritis, but it is possible you have torn something with all the heavy lifting you've been doing. Please: you are in severe pain - find out. At least then we'll know how to pray effectively. And if we end up sitting in an RV Park for months while you heal, that's what we'll do. We won't like it, and it will be spendy: but we'll do it. I am your wife Holland, you aren't alone anymore - I'll support you in your decision one way, or the other."

We looked at The List: there were five {necessary} stops we needed to make before Supper time. It was 10 AM, and Holland's shoulders start burning like fire around noon. So, I said, "All this needs to get done today - I'll drive, and that will take some of the pressure off your arms. But, I can't listen to big hair bands from the '90's today, Holland (that's all he listens to when he drives). I don't want those depressing lyrics running through my mind, and I don't want to hear falsetto screeching today (that includes my preferred 70's rock and roll). The babies kept me hopping all night long; I barely got any sleep - I need low-key music today." KUKN was the music channel agreed to: Holland hates country music, but he was going to be the passenger today - the driver chooses the music ;-)

First order of the day was to stop at Scott & Lana's, and see if there were any packages delivered for us; we have been waiting for a food shipment, and anticipate it arriving before we pull stakes, here.

Then we would steadily work our way through the listed items as we drove from one end of town, to the other; and up over Delameter back to Home.

Thankfully KUKN played decent modern country songs, and Holland was okay with it (though he did switch stations while I was in WinCo buying groceries - I heard it booming out the open windows as I exited the store ;-)); but for the majority of the day, KUKN was burning up the airwaves. And at one point, when it was announced that Diamond Rio would be playing at the Cowlitz Fairgrounds and I expressed disappointment that I'd miss them a.g.a.i.n. … Holland said, "Why don't you look up their itinerary online when we get home, and if they happen to be where we are at any given moment on the road, we'll go see them." I just stared at him for about a heartbeat before saying, "You don't country music, Holland; I couldn't put you through that - you'd be miserable." He said, "I could sit through it Baby, if it means that much to you."

HE'S THE GREATEST :-)

Diamond Rio - 'Love A Little Stronger' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubMxuhkBdeo

Diamond Rio - 'Beautiful Mess' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4oZ90_24_M

Diamond Rio - 'I Was Meant To Be With You' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJxSMcrVaSI

Diamond Rio - 'I Believe' song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcgb1xS6OLw

It was an enjoyable day out.

Elohim showered us with grace all day long: Holland's pain wasn't sending him to his knees with sharp groans, and e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. on The List got done … both fur-babies behaved, and Sonny did not get car-sick :-)

The dehydrated food packages arrived; long-term food storage in an RV is very limited, this seems the wisest choice to eat healthy.

It all looks good. I think this will work for a while; ALL packages say "8 serv.", which realistically is 3 or 4 servings for adult portions.

The boys got new leash halters - Holland hates the color, but there was no black available in their size.

They do look sissified, but they are growing fast; they will soon be wearing black … or camo - if available … halters ;-)

This Shabbat was blessed from beginning to end.

It is good to be greatly loved and highly favored by The Most High God :-)

BACK TO WASHINGTON

We are still waiting on Holland's teeth.

And today is moving day; we spent a month at RV outdoors & Cabins RV Park in Clatskanie … and won't be going back. The location was nice, the park hosts were not - they want the $$$$, but they clearly do not want the people or pets that come along with the moolah. If we had known this, we would not have paid for a month's stay, in advance: but hindsight is clearer that foresight.

And I really can't complain too much because living in Clatskanie for a month was actually an answer to prayer … I like Clatskanie, and at one pointed wanted to live there (Bob did not); Elohim answered that prayer of mine, so long ago, by putting Holland and this RV in my life - and arranging for me to live in Clatskanie for a month.

I am thankful for the opportunity Elohim gave me - and for the experience of enjoying the farm atmosphere, even if the Park hosts soured the experience with their self-centered nonsense. Perhaps they will loosen up and allow people in the future to actually enjoy their piece of property, but I know we will not be going back.

Anyway.

Today we moved from Clatskanie-Oregon to Castle Rock-WA. We had booked a week's stay (beginning with our arrival this afternoon), Wednesday afternoon. We were looking forward to the new location :-)

We set the alarm for an early morning hour, and got busy.

I gave the fur-babies breakfast - then, I jumped into the shower for a quick refreshing; afterwards, I started tearing the house down by moving everything down off countertops and into a safe place, while we would be in motion. The moving prep did not look pretty, but a house beautiful atmosphere was not the point - effectiveness, was ;-)

Finally, the kennels were placed in the truck back seat area, and we were ready to roll.

Peaceful breakfast.

Tearing my bathroom down, after my shower: it looks messy, but everything will be safe this way; Spider Plant secured in the sink basin, where it won't get upended.

Yesterday afternoon, Holland hung this Cargo Net to keep the things stored in the upper bunk of the Bunk Room in place; the net is camo color, of course ;-)

I stuffed the Loft area - and stacked it so nothing would fall onto the floor. When the puppies grow up and do not need constant attention, things up there will be tidied.

A place for everything & everything in it's place (TV pulled down and cushioned inside sleeping bag; nothing in the way of the pull-in.

While I was in the shower, Holland tore the kitchen down - he is a real blessing. He had even pulled things off the counter spaces, and placed them on the floor … out of the way of the kitchen & Livingroom pull-in's.

He had prepped his bathroom … and everything that would roll while in motion, was placed on the shower stall floor.

Sonny gets car-sick … but we made it to Castle Rock (and to Longview, later) without any vomit cleanup; THANK YOU, LORD!

Moving Day conversation; it was revealed that Holland & I had crossed paths many times in the decades, between meeting face-to-face.

Holland had been looking for me all those decades ago … and now, he has me. LOL

Holland weighed the 4x & RV at the CAT Scales; between Clatskanie-OR & Alston-Megler-OR. MAX wt., is 26,000/he was relieved to know we are not overweight … and now I can store more stuff in the 'basement' ;-)

The Peper 49r is still closed after the February kitchen fire.

We pulled over at Gateway Shell in Castle Rock, and got a burger for lunch.

The drive to our new locale was fun, and easy.

The dogs slept the entire trip; I read to Holland ways to keep canine car sickness at bay - he kept fresh air moving through the truck, and Sonny did not get dizzy or vomit in his kennel :-)

We liked what we saw when we arrived at our destination :-)

Toutle River RV Resort.

Check-in Office-Store-Info Center.

Train traffic - not too loud; but it is right directly behind the backend of the RV Park.

Our spot - tight, but we did fit.

Nestled among the pines, firs, and various other evergreens.

It's a very nice RV Park - and I love the pine-scented breezes that gently blew through while we were setting up.

After Holland got everything hooked up outside/our Home leveled; and I put everything inside back in place … we ran into Longview to get a few things.

Such "a guy" - no neatness, at all; LOL

We drove to Longview over Delameter Road. My guy knows me well; he grabbed me an ice-cold bottled Cola, at 4-Corners in Castle Rock. I love this handsome guy; he had a real workout today.

After we got back, I out things away - then took the boys out for a stroll to scope out the Park layout. It was h.o.t., so I strapped the paw booties on their paws, and they were okay with that ;-)

Walking the boys on hot asphalt - booties were in order. Holland ordered them weeks ago.

While we were walking about, Holland ordered a bike trailer to tuck the boys into when we go biking - they can trot alongside us until they get tired, then into the baby trailer they go while we finish out our exploring. Holland is always teasing me that I treat the dogs like babies … but he is the one that spoils them rotten :-)

We also went over the Park Papers that were handed to us when we checked in at the Office, earlier.

RV Park Sheets

Everyone was tuckered out, and in bed by 9 PM.

Worn out and ready for bed at 9 PM.

Tomorrow is going to be another 'on-the-go' day.

DISCIPLINED ORGANIZATION

Friday we will be pulling stakes here … and setting up in Castle Rock-WA, until Holland's final dental appointment is tied up.

So, this morning, we started getting the RV ready to be moved.

Holland fiddled around with truck - and I organized {the basement} ;-)

This would have been done sooner; but it's been raining nonstop for the past week, here.

Today was an 80-degree day, but we couldn't take the day off: Friday is coming up on us fast.

Big undertaking in sweltering heat … my side of the 'basement'; household necessities.

Holland's side of the RV 'basement' … home and truck maintenance.

80-degrees at noon; but this is the first day in a week's time, that we have not had rain.

Gotta make sure there is room for 'necessities'. LOL

I want to be able to reach and grab … not endlessly search in frustration.

Placing items in spaces that define their uses.

Holland threw a monkey wrench - literally! - into all my organization tactics, when he got in there and started rooting around :-(

Holland was a bachelor for a loooong time: organization connected to the Home, never played a part in his life. It WILL from now on …

We used team work to get the ladder strapped in place.

Sewer hose storage strapped on the back bumper - where it should be anyway; IN the back bumper (which is hollow for that specific purpose) in most RV's. The ends of the zip-ties were nipped off.

Holland's side of the basement; looking neat & tidy - with room for the water hose & heavy-duty power cord.

And it's going to stay that way ;-)

Disciplined organization is a key factor in full-time-RV Life. 

BBQ Smoker will go in the 4x bed, for the time being.

A place for everything - and everything in it's place … there will be more organization back here as things get shifted around later on.

The cardboard will go to the recycling bin in town.

Everything was accomplished around 3:30 PM.

And Pam called to ask if we wanted to join her and her family for Supper - "YES! And Thank You."

Pam is a good cook, and her chicken suppers are something to look forward to.

Holland had never spent 1-on-1-time with my friends before, but he "fit right in", and the get-together was a success :-)

I liked hearing that I looked happy in my new life, with my new husband … and Holland liked hearing confirmation that he makes me happy.

When it was time to leave (the puppies had been kenneled for awhile, and needed to relieve themselves), I had not realized that I'd left my phone behind, on the patio table.

At a turnout on Coal Creek road, Holland was walking Bleu, and I was walking Sonny … when Sean pulled up behind us and Pam handed me my cell phone.

I was so tuckered out I had left my phone behind; Sean drove Pam  up the road to find me - and Frank followed thru to make sure.

They are good friends; and have stayed with me these past 5-1/2 years since Bob's spirit left Earth.

I'm glad Holland "fit's in" ;-)

BOTH DOGS OFF-LEASH~Jones Beach-OR

Yep 👍 My hubby is learning this Married Lesson, too 😂🤣

I showed him this pic on my cousin's Page, and he started laughing. He said, "yeah - that's what happened here, too." 😘

********************

Holland wanted a guard dog - I didn't want a dog at all; been there, done that. I didn't want to be tied down with another dog. I wanted to be free to get up and go whenever I felt like it.

Holland insisted - we compromised.

Holland wanted a full-grown rescue dog - I nixed that idea; I didn't want to deal with someone else's headache, or canine abandonment issues.

Holland kept insisting we {need} a guard dog - we compromised: he finally agreed we could get a puppy ;-)

One puppy became two puppies :-)

Teaching Bleu & Sonny to come to each of our calls - Holland verbal; me, a whistle.

Jones Beach-OR

Furry explorers … Fishing Season 2023 just opened up.

Sometimes they grate in Holland's nerves (the high pitched puppy barking & night-time whining) … and I remind him how much he insisted we "need a guard dog." When I remind him, he looks at the frisky, barking, bundles of lovable fur - and I say, "These fur-babies will grow up to be exactly what you wanted; they will learn to be quieter. They will guard us faithfully because they will know they were raised with love. Puppies grow up to be full-size dogs - you will have your 'guard dog' before this year's end."

By this time next year, Holland will appreciate the compromise ;-)

The boys are learning to get along with each other.

Compromise is a GOOD THING :-)