Today is my birthday, and while I have to work today, FabGrandpa and I will be going to Flagstaff on Wednesday and Thursday for our “weekend”. I know we’ll have some fun there, and I will buy me a birthday present. Now, for your viewing pleasure, here are some photos of my granddaughter, Amelia, who is turing 1year old today. Yes, she was born on my birthday last year!
Her first time walking–sorry about the sideways video!
Today was my first day of work for the season. We did the usual stuff–saying hello to everyone that came back from last year, meeting the new people, telling what we did on vacation. (or in this case, over the winter). The weather up here at the North Rim has been sunny and gorgeous every day since FabGrandpa and I arrived back on April 25. But today? It snowed!
Can’t tell much from that photo, but it did snow, off and on, all day. It was cold out there, too. Walking back and forth from the RV to the fee office was a brisk adventure.
I got mail today, too. Lots of it. Bills, magazines, and Mother’s Day cards from the girls and Seth. And these loverly socks that Becca knitted just for me:
Does that girl take after her mama or what? Look at that cabling–she is one smart cookie!
In the afternoon, one of my co-workers and I walked over to the emergency services building to pick up the golf carts that belong in the campground. They weren’t charged up, so we plugged them in and walked back. While it was sort of chilly out, and snowing, I really need to get out and walk more. Don’t know that I will do that again tomorrow, but for today, yeah.
Tonight, I made some home made gluten free banana muffins to take to class in the morning. There are two of us who can’t eat wheat. Today, someone brought biscotti to eat with the coffee, which we couldn’t have. So, tomorrow, we’ll have something, too.
You know, when something like that happens, the person who brought the goodies always feels like they need to apologize to me (and others) because I can’t eat whatever they brought. The way I see it, is that I am the one with the special diet, so it is up to ME to make sure I have something to eat at times like that. It is MY responsibility to make something to take. I always share whatever I have, because most times it is good, even if it IS gluten free, and I can let my friends and co-workers see that I am not being deprived because I have to eat something different. Something that is not doughnuts or biscotti. And this recipe is so easy and quick to make.
Pamela’s Muffins
1Â 1/4 cup Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar
1 banana, mashed.
1/4 cup water
Mix all ingredients well, spoon into a muffin pan, bake for 22 minutes at 350 degrees. Done, and it makes 6 muffins.
Tomorrow, we’ll have a goodie too, to go along with that B.O.R.I.N.G training.
You guys are so good! Thank you so much. Because of you, I was able to send my friends, Marcie and Jim, $285 today. I know from experience that even if you do have health insurance, cancer treatment is still hard on your wallet. When FabGrandpa was being treated for oral cancer in 2001, it took every penny we had in savings to meet those expenses. And while the outcome for him was good, and he is still with us, we depleted our savings in the process. Marcie and Jim have no health insurance, so even a small donation of just the spare change in your paypal account would be very much appreciated.
The word from Jim is that Marcie’s surgery went well, and she is recuperating in the hospital now. They still have needs, so if you haven’t already made a donation, you still have time. Just use the Paypal button to send whatever you can. And thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart for all you have already given. If you can’t give, then please just pass this on by tweeting or posting on your facebook page.
Even if we think we don’t. FabGrandpa and I have been full time RV’ers for more than 11 years. Along the way, many many people have crossed our path and we have made friends all the way from Virginia to Arizona and from Florida to Utah. We keep in touch with so many people after having only spent a couple of days in the same place. It must be because we all have that gypsy spirit, that we have been so blessed in meeting so many wonderful people.
One of these dear people who we feel so proud to call “friend” is Marcie. I met her several years ago online in a forum for full time RV’ers. She and I have many common interests, and see eye to eye on many issues. She and her husband go by the name TaleTellers on the forums, and writes a blog called Ramblings. We finally met in person last summer, when FabGrandpa and I were working at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and she and her husband were work camping in Kanab, Utah. I just learned that Marcie has been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, and must go through surgery and a regimen of chemotherapy. She is in incredibly good spirits about this, and is preparing herself for the fight of her life right now.
Marcie and her husband have no health insurance. The hospital where she is to be admitted for her surgery has made a plan with them that includes them paying UP FRONT $4200 for the estimated seven days she will be in there for the surgery and cancer treatment. If you would like to make a donation to help them out, you can click oon the donate button below:
When we got to town yesterday, I had a shopping date with my daughter, Emily and my friend, Suzanne. We went to the mall so I could shop for boots and bras. Yeah, my two favorite things in the world to shop for. Not!
Last year, we went to a shoe store in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to buy our boots for the job. I bought Wolverines on the recommendation of someone who has worn them all their working life, and paid quite a bit for them. They were comfortable and fit the criteria of being brown polishable boots. But after only two months of wearing them on the job, they started coming apart at the seams. That left me to represent my employer in raveled, ugly boots.When I emailed Wolverine, they pretty much told me they were not going to do anything to help me, that I should expect some wear and tear on a pair of work boots. Well, yeah, but you would think that a pair of boots that cost over a hundred dollars would last more than two months. Even at the Grand Canyon. Especially since I am required to keep them polished and clean. So, sorry, Wolverine. You don’t get any more of my money.
This year, I bought a pair of Craftsmen 6″ Sport Boots from Sears. They looked pretty good on me, were comfortable, and were on sale. I hope they last through the season. If they don’t, I hope that Sears will stand behind their product.
After spending half the day finding boots, it was time to shop for the dreaded undergarments. And you know what a hard time I have shopping for bras! I wanted to buy five new ones, but it seems that most of the women in this town wear the same size as me. With three of us searching, I could only find two bras in my size. Sad but true. At least I didn’t come away empty handed.
After the shopping trip, we all went to our favorite barbecue joint, Hudson’s. It was delicious as usual. I have to tell you about Suzanne. We met over 40 years ago when we were both working at Southern Bell. She was my first room mate when I moved out of my parents house. We kept in touch with each other for about 10 years but then lost each other as life went on. Then, a couple of years ago, we hooked up on Facebook. Yesterday was the first time we had seen each other in at least 30 years! It was really fun to see her again.
My son in law Tommy and grandson, Spencer met us at the restaurant, too.
Spencer is like most other third graders I have known, and puts off doing his homework as long as possible. But because Emily is a teacher, she makes sure he does it. Here he is working on his homework while we waited to be served last night.
I was in town today and found these:
My daughter, Becca, is a graduate of the University of Alabama, and is currently enrolled in their Master of Library Science program via online classes. Yep, Roll Tide, Baby!
Becky came to visit for FabGrandpa’s birthday weekend. We took her out to Valley Grocery for fried catfish and home fries!
They make the best fried catfish in Alabama there. Rob and Belinda, the other camphost couple, came too! I didn’t get a pic of them though.
I had given Belinda a gluten free King Arthur Chocolate Cake Mix and some Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, and she took them to the store so the nice ladies there could bake it up. We surprised FabGrandpa with his birthday cake after lunch. He didn’t get it until he realized I was eating the cake, too. Then he asked, how in the world did you do this? He was so surprised! Everyone, including Becky and the people who work at the store, were in on the surprise!
After lunch, we took Becky over to the Moundville Indian Mounds to take a look around. It was a gorgeous day!
The Black Warrior River runs along side the indian mounds location. It was way up due the heavy rains we had last week, but really was beautiful to see.
Yep, I was there, but still having a hard time getting around. It really sucks to not feel good. I DID put on a SPF 100 sunscreen on my face.
We really enjoyed Becky’s visit. She had to go home all too soon, though. And FabGrandpa loved having his little surprise birthday party.
Yes, it’s true. I am going to be a grandmother again. This time, Becca is the new mommy-to-be. She and Ken are expecting their first child in November. We are soooo happy and excited for them.
To celebrate the arrival of FabGrandbaby number six, I am going to make this cutie cute baby quilt:
The funny thing is, the day after she told me she was pregnant, I went to the store and saw this magazine, and just knew it would be the perfect quilt. When I saw her at Becky’s wedding and told her about it, she said she had bought the same magazine! Perfect!
