Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   UMOM New Day Centers, Phoenix 

Dec 24, 2019

Temperature 58 Degrees, Rain

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

Two Years Ago Today.

OK, I’m a day early but since there will be no blog tomorrow let me wish a  Merry Christmas to all my family and friends.

I hope everyone takes a moment in the next 24 hours to remember the real reason for this season, to remember the love that is at the heart of Christmas Day.  For God so loved you. . . never forget how loved you are, how precious you are in the eyes of our creator.  Now it’s our turn to spread that love.  Maybe through a smile on your face.  Giving a cup of hot coffee to someone who is down on their luck.  Perhaps by giving of yourself in service in some way – serving at a soup kitchen for a day, wrapping presents for the less fortunate, the possibilities are endless.

Speaking of friends, the two of us along with Bob and Leone went to

Christmas Candle Light Service .  Bob is the one that put the wrong fuel in his tuck so they are without wheels.  Well, not exactly they do have a Harley.  However, it was raining, we were going, so we went together.

We went to Central Church in Phoenix.

This is the worship center about 15 minutes before the service.  A few minutes into the service and it was almost completely full.

After the service they had a fire going in the outdoor fireplace in the courtyard.  Cookies were just around the corner.

Hard to see – I only had my phone – but there were four Advent and a Christ candle lit in the bell tower.

It was a great service of Lessons and Carols which was made even better by the fact that we celebrated with our friends.

The evening was still young, the four of us were hungry

and this was one of the few places open.    We spent a delightful couple of hours eating, sharing RV war stores, talking about places we have been and would like to go, summer plans next year, work camping, and so much more.  Times like this are so wonderful.  Bottom line its the people we meet, the people we come to know that makes this lifestyle the best of the best.

A milestone for us today.  Two years ago today we left NJ in Graybeard.  It was a bitter cold Sunday morning and oh boy did we have a lot to learn about our rig and the RV life.  For instance, it sure would have made sense to run the generator and the heat pump.  Did I think of it?  Of course not.  As for driving a thirty six foot motorhome.  That Bay Bridge Tunnel Complex was really unnerving.  Today, no sweat.  Yes, we’ve come a long way since then.  And we’re still evolving and learning

I’ll close with this.

A turtle, of course!  Why are they my favorite?  Because they remind me that the only way to get where you want to be in life is to stick your’re neck out and go for it.

Another fantastic day on The Road of Retirement.  Outside, cool and rainy.  Inside, we are warm and cozy.  We had a wonderful day together with new friends.  We took time out to celebrate and remember the real reason for the Christmas season.  What more can you ask for?

Glad you were with us today.  We always appreciate your company and comments.  Catch you in a couple or days.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before

See you on down the road

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   UMOM New Day Centers, Phoenix 

Dec 23, 2019

Temperature 69 Degrees

Once There Were Seven

Drop In Projects – Christmas Week

Graybeard Projects

Thinking out loud

Once there were seven

But now there are just two.  Its as someone said the ebb and flow of a fulltimer’s life.  Friendships made that will last forever.  New friends waiting to be found. New places to see.  It’s the thrill of I wonder what is around the next corner.  We’re counting down the days, no make that hours before its jacks up and we’re rolling again.  This is the life we live for.

Its Monday which means a work day.  A work day that is laid back and easy to take.  This is what is called a Drop In Week.  No set schedule.  A couple of minor projects that still need to be finished.

Now is that a supervisors smile or not?  Bob looks a bit uncertain but I’m not.

First project completed today.  This is a wrought iron fence that someone literally ripped from its mounting brackets.  It took a little cement, some custom made brackets, a few lag bolts and we had it back in place.

Moving on.

Some touch up was necessary in the dining hall.  A bit of Frog Tape and a little gray paint and this project was in the books.

One more for the guys.

Another wrought iron railing that had been pulled loose from its mounts.  We drilled new holes for new lag bolts, readjusted its position and by early afternoon we were finished with this project.  That’s it for us.

Meanwhile, over in the activity center.

Barbara and

Leone plus a couple of other volunteers continued to wrap presents.

That’s it for now.  No more to do until Thursday.  And Thursday we’ll be packing for a Friday departure.

In terms of Graybeard projects.

it was out with the old

and in with the new.  What a difference!  Turn on the water and it flows with force.  Something in that old faucet must have really been clogged.  The aerator for sure but since it is non-removable you can’t really clean it.  No doubt the cartridge inside the faucet was also clogged.  Honestly, the difference between the old and the new is like the difference between night and day.  You can actually wash your hands in the sink, now, without an issue.

Which leaves only one more Graybeard project – pulling the toilet and replacing the water valve.  In due time, in due time.

Thinking out loud, if you will.  Having begun the process of shopping for a replacement for Graybeard some things are quite obvious

• Graybeard is one solid, dependable coach that has – and continues – to serve us well.  A worthy successor is going to be hard to find.
• It’s very obvious that there are a lot of people who are still upside down, even after twelve years, in terms of an RV loan.  How can you tell?  The ridiculous price that they are asking for their coach.  They want you, in essence, to pay off their loan
• A lot of rigs are used as is.  There is no attempt to update and improve what the coach originally came with.  The motto of many seems to be use it and discard it
• A quality name brand coach does not always stand the test of time.  Some coaches that you believe would be rock solid even after several years just aren’t
• The best coach to look for seems to that of a full timer who is either going to a new rig or coming off the road.  These are the coaches that are in tip top shape, taken care of, and with oodles of upgrades.  Forget the miles it might have on it, you can count on the fact that it has been well maintained.

Enough rambling for now.

Time to close out our day on The Road of Retirement.  It has been an easy one from start to finish.  UMOM projects have been completed.   Graybeard projects have been completed.  Not a bad day at all.  Through it all we continue to travel along, hand in hand, singing our song.

Glad you could make it today.  We always enjoy your company and your comments.  Catch your tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before

See you on down the road

 

 

Places We Have Called Home In 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   UMOM New Day Centers, Phoenix 

Dec 22, 2019

Temperature 70 Degrees

My Day to be Treated

Football Sunday

Graybeard Projects

Decorating the Christmas Tree

So today was my day to be treated.  I absolutely love shrimp and fish of any kind.  Guess what I had for supper today?  Oh yea!  My sweetheart treated me to an appetizer of shrimp cocktail.  That was followed by a delicious meal of salmon and rice.  I am one lucky guy.  Thank you love of my life.

Today was a day to just settle back in the recliner and watch football.  One game after another.  Some were absolutely thrilling.  Then of course there were others that were why bother.  Suffice to say come evening time I had had my fill.

In terms of Graybeard Projects

This was on the to do list.  Well, it didn’t get done.  Rather I gave in to the fulltimer’s motto:  never do today what you can put off till tomorrow.  It’s been a problem for some time so what’s another day.

I did get some things done.

This stained glass Christmas candle was made by my Dad many, many years ago.  It has many wonderful memories of my Dad associated with it.  We, therefore,  wanted a special place for it in Graybeard and we finally found it and so put it up today.

I also

decorated our Christmas tree.  We have a star on top.

Of course it had to have some turtles.

These are so neat.  They are hand crafted walnut shells made using a dremel tool.  This one has a small screw driver attached to it.  We have two of them on the tree.  Look in the picture previously and you will see the second.  That one has a small wrench attached to it.  They were both made by a fellow NOMAD who was on this project with us.  He gave two to each of us on the team as Christmas presents.

Finally, we have Green Eggs and Ham.  That’s our Christmas tree decorations and it is about all we can fit on the tree.  But its enough I believe and makes our tree one of a kind.

There you have it.  Our day On The Road of Retirement from start to finish.  A great supper for me.  A laid-back, relaxing day for both of us.  I watched football.  Barbara watched Hallmark Movies.  The Christmas tree is decorated.  Dad’s candle is up.  Just another day in paradise.

Thanks for checking in with us.  We always enjoy your company and your comments.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before

See you on down the road

Places We Have Called Home in 2019

Home Is Where We Park It:   UMOM New Day Centers, Phoenix 

Dec 21, 2019

Temperature 71 Degrees

Another Couple Had to Leave

Graybeard Projects

The Nutcracker, Ballet Arizona

We received an urgent text message when we got home last night from Steve and Jean – please stop and see us when you return.  So we walked on over to their rig and discovered that they were leaving the following day – not next Friday.

Jean’s surgery wound has opened up again.  She wants to get home to her own doctor.  Steve is feeling just good enough to drive.  The weather heading back to Minnesota looks good for the next three days.  Time to go.  Their kids purchased a home for them this past summer so that is where they are heading.  Their kids, I wonder if any of mine are reading this.  Highly doubt it.  LOL.

Now there are only two rigs still left, ours and Bob’s.  He can’t go because he put unleaded in his truck instead of diesel.  However, he is nervous and anxious.  His mother had a minor heart attack a few days ago and he desperately wants to get to her.  Hopefully his truck will be ready by the end of next week.

I decided to tackle one project on the Graybeard list of Projects.  I wanted to get the last blind up, the small one in the bedroom.  Tools in hand I went to work.

Off came the old blind and valence.

Up went the new 1 inch slat blind and valence.  Now, all the old string blinds are gone.

Two more projects to tackle:  replace the bathroom sink faucet; and, replace the water supply valve on the toilet.  Not today, though.  We had an afternoon appointment.

I decided to give my sweetheart an early Christmas present.  Something she has been wanting to go to for a long, long time.  Something she figured I would never go to in a million years.  Did I shock her!

It was presented by Ballet Arizona.  Ballet Arizona is a professional ballet company directed by Ib Anderson.  The company was created in 1986 by a merger of three smaller Arizonan dance companies that were struggling to survive.  Today, the company of thirty-one dancers occupies a prominent place in American ballet.

It was presented at Symphony Hall.   The hall is home to the Phoenix Symphony, Ballet Arizona and Arizona Opera.  It is also the site for Broadway touring companies, a variety of dance productions, and appearances by popular entertainers.

The Ballet Company was accompanied by the Phoenix Symphony.  Founded in 1947 when Phoenix had a population of less than 100,000, the orchestra began as an occasional group of musicians performing a handful of concerts each year. Today, the orchestra appears before 300,000 subscribers, ticket holders, and music enthusiasts each year, offering 275 concerts and presentations in an annual season running from September to May.

 

 

 The Nutcracker is the magical tale of Clara, the Nutcracker, the Rat King, the Sugar Plum Fairy and other delightful dancing characters.  With 150 performers, 100,000 Swarovski crystals, and Tchaikovsky’s cherished score performed live, Ballet Arizona’s The Nutcracker was a winner in our book.  The few pictures I’ve been able to post, the words written really do not do the performance justice.  You have to be there.  Maybe some day you can.

I am so glad I was able to fulfill a long time wish of my sweetheart.  She – and yes me too – was enthralled with the performance.  How fortunate we were to be able to witness this stirring performance of an annual Phoenix tradition.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  It was with heavy hearts that we bid goodbye to two new and very dear friends.  One Graybeard project is in the books.  We were able to enjoy a great performance of the Nutcracker.  Life is good.  Thank you Lord for this day that you gave to us.

Thanks for joining us again as we traveled along hand in hand.  We only wish you could have actually been at the ballet with us.  It was awesome.  Catch you tomorrow.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before

See you on down the road!