Friends

First Barbecue Of The Season

grand canyon north rim — The view from our picnic table--it was truly Grand!

Yesterday was my and FabGrandpa’s “Friday”, the last work day before two days off. Since it was a gorgeous afternoon, we decided to get out the grill and eat outside. Our friend, Terry, came over, and we had a “grand” time just hanging out.

I cooked up some country style pork ribs, mashed potatoes, and baked beans, while we had a couple of beers and a weeee tiny bit of tequila. Cause you know it was Friday! And while I totally forgot to take pics of the food, I did get a great shot of just the day:

jayco 32fks — Our home at the Grand Canyon

We’re having a little get-together with some more of our friends tonight–a wine tasting and appetizers–it should be a lot of fun. Can’t wait!

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Sometimes We Need A Little Help From Our Friends

Karen · 20 Comments

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.

Me, chris and marcie — Me, Chris, Marcie at the Grand Canyon

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:

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Boots, Bras, and Barbecue

Karen · 7 Comments

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.

men-craftsman-sport-boot-dark-brown_9767076_175 — Crafstman 6" Sport Boot

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.

me and my first roomie — Suzanne, her husband, Bob, and me. She was my first room mate way back then.

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.

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I Want A One Of These

Karen · 7 Comments

kindle, amazon kindle, buy me one! — Purty Please

My family who loves me knows that I don’t DO Valentine’s Day, nor do I often ask for gifts. And when these first came out, I didn’t think I would like them. But, since I got my Droid X in November, I have been thinking more and more that THIS would be a good thing for me to have.

Because I live in an RV, and love to read, and books are so heavy, and heavy is not good for RV, AND because I when I am working there is a lot of slow time, and this would fit so great in a backpack, I thing it is more that I NEED one of these. It is not a WANT but a NECESSITY! So, because it is something I NEED, I will just this once accept a gift for Valentine’s Day if anyone would like to send me one. Purty Please. With a cherry on top? Oh, and you don’t necessarily have to be family to get me one of these. hahahahaha!

And NO, this is not an AD. It is a Plea. No, not a plea–I am BEGGING. Oh, and don’t forget there is Mother’s Day, and my birthday, and Tuesday, all very good reasons to get me something.

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13 For 10: Handmade Reversible Apron #2

Karen · 1 Comment

My online friend, Sally, donated two of her cutie cute handmade aprons for the cause! This one is green and blue, and oh! so cute:

Apron number 2 purple — Green and blue reversible apron

Sally makes these aprons, and I think they are just soooo cute! And because it is reversible, you get two looks in one:

And here is a pic of the blue/green print to give you a better idea of how it looks:

Apron number 2 print — Blue floral print

Bidding starts today and ends on 1/31/2011. I am starting the bid for this item at $10. All proceeds from this auction are being donated to The Oral Cancer Foundation, a national public service, non-profit entity designed to reduce suffering and save lives through prevention, education, research, advocacy, and patient support activities. To make a bid, just leave a comment here with a dollar amount that you wish to bid. The auction winner is responsible for paying shipping from Washinton zip code 98223.

See the auction rules here.

More information here.

This auction will close on Monday, January 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time. The highest bidder will win. The winner will be responsible for paying postage to ship the item. If you have any questions about this item, email me at fabgrandma @ gmail.com

If you’d like to spread the word about this auction to benefit The Oral Cancer Foundation, and to help educate people about oral cancer, please tweet about it, post about it on Facebook, or write about it on your blog. I’d really appreciate it! and you could be saving someone’s life!

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If You Love Me, Send Me Your Spare Change. Ok, Send It Even If You Don’t.

Karen · 3 Comments

I continue to be humbled and honored by the generosity of my friends, whether they are people I actually know in person, or the ones who read my blog and connect with me online. I woke up this morning to a donation of $23.80 sitting in my inbox from Cheryl. Thank you so much, Cheryl. That was just an awesome way to start my day! And yesterday, I received a check from Judy, who won the auction for the water bottle with a bid of $7.50–she sent $25.00! The total amount raised for The Oral Cancer Foundation is $323.59!

I went to the post office today to mail off some items to winners. While I was there, I struck up a conversation with the postal clerk. She said her 17 year old nephew chews tobacco, and has been told by his dentist that he has “pre-cancerous cells” inside his cheek. I gave her one of my business cards, and invited her to look at my blog and follow the links here to The Oral Cancer Foundation to find information to give him–I hope he gives up that chew and lives a long and happy life cancer free, but the odds are, he won’t. Y’all say a prayer for him tonight, ok?

Don’t forget, I am still taking your spare change donations, just click on that “Donate” button over in the right side bar to send me the spare change in your Paypal account. And by the way, have you been screened yet? This is a benefit for The Oral Cancer Foundation.

To learn more about this auction and spare change fundraiser, read here.

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12 For 10 Auction: Sterling & Turquoise Earvines

Karen · 5 Comments

mike and gaelyn — Our good friends, Mike and Gaelyn at Bryce Canyon NP

I guess you noticed the 12 up there, instead of 10 in the 10 For 10 auction. That’s because FabGrandpa and I have some of the best friends you could ever meet! One of them, Gaelyn from Geogypsy, has generously donated a pair of sterling silver and turquoise earvines for me to offer at auction in my benefit for The Oral Cancer Foundation.

Gaelyn makes these earvines. I have seen them in person and they are really beautiful and unique. They allow someone with one hole pierced ears to look as if they have multiple piercings. Here is how she describes them:

“Ear Vines bend to follow the curve of the ear. They only require one pierced hole. Insert unbeaded wire from front to back
and pull down like a dangle earring. Swing up with ear between wires, align as desired and give a little pinch”

These beautiful sterling silver and turquoise earvines normally sell for $20 a pair. All proceeds from this auction are being donated to The Oral Cancer Foundation, a national public service, non-profit entity designed to reduce suffering and save lives through prevention, education, research, advocacy, and patient support activities. To make a bid, just leave a comment here with a dollar amount that you wish to bid. The auction winner is responsible for paying shipping from Arizona zip code 85362.

See the auction rules here.

More information here.

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Spare Change Donation!

Karen · 1 Comment

Just wanted to let you all know I received another donation to add to the pot! Christie sent me $5.00 by paypal! Thank you so much, Christie! This brings the total to $284.29. Yay, I am over half way to my goal!

To learn more about this auction and spare change fundraiser, read here.

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