I Predict My Bad Mood!

My fabric sale went well, I suppose. Problem is that there is still a lot of fabric left. I had 3 ladies come while I was still getting everything out and in some kind of order. Did not faze them and they shopped around me. I sold my sewing machine, over 150 patterns and the storage cabinets along with about 100 yards of fabric, along with a few other items before noon. Dragged after that, but about 50 more yards left. Then a storm announced it's intention and HeWho helped me get it all back in.

He didn't help take it out, he did offer to help, half-heartedly. I denied his help. He does not follow directions well. He did complain that I has "slammed" the storm door over 100 times while he was "resting his eyes". I did not slam anything. I simply let the door close behind me as I went out with both arms full! I will do it all again next Saturday, all the while scheming to pack up some more fabric and label the box as something else. If it sells, I wasn't meant to keep it, but if it doesn't ... that is a different story!

I woke up Sunday aching all over, sore throat, dizzy and just felt awful. I took the day off. Sort of. The dishes from the weekend were still there awaiting my attention and I took care of them and I was not nice about it. I threw a roast in the instant pot and tried to sneak away to my bed. The dogs somehow knew I was in there and sat at the gate in the hall crying and crying. For over an hour. I waited to see if the man in the recliner would make any attempt to calm them other than yelling at them to shut up. And he wonders why they prefer me to him!

I gave up and got up and told him the roast was his dinner, to choose any combo of leftover vegetables he wanted and I ate some rubbery jello I made last week. I still felt horrible, sudden noises bothered me and I did not want to be touched. 

Eddie kept trying to get in my lap and Mr. BoJangles kept climbing the back of the couch to march across my shoulders and insinuate himself between my face and the TV. If he would have simply chosen a spot to lay on my shoulders, I could have handled it. But he is in constant motion and kept trying to stick his tongue in my ear and up my nose.

I finally swatted his hind end and went to bed. Cujo and Eddie tunnel under the covers and then lay still. Toni Louise insinuates herself between our pillows at the head of the bed, but Bo has to try every vacant inch of the bed. My stomach was hurting and he kept treating it like a pillow to lay on. Even when he finally sleeps he is prone to doggie dreams and his legs jerk and he whines. 

I did manage a somewhat decent amount of sleep. Yesterday I was cold. That ended at some point in the night, as I woke in a puddle of sweat. I stripped the bed and decided it smelled like essence of wet dog. I toyed with thoughts of bathing the canines, but vetoed that idea. I just don't have the stamina to get it done. Oh, what did you say? No, HeWho is not a bather of dogs. He tends not to rinse all the shampoo out and Eddie's allergies make that a necessity of life. He might have just sprayed them all with Febreeze and told me he bathed them. I know him well!

In between rest periods I started sorting through my linen closet. I found all manner of things expired. Cepacol lozenges didn't have a date on them, but I can assure you they are no longer good. I really regret popping it in my mouth! The medicine cabinet is looking bare and tomorrow I will start packing up the towels, leaving only 4 to use until we move. The boxes are starting to pile up as I make progress. Supposed to be a nice tomorrow and I plan to go outside to see how much progress has been made by HeWho procrastinates. I predict my own disappointment .....

 

Four Hours

 Confession time. I was the one who did not hammer the lid down on the paint. Beside the point when you consider how many times I have moved that pait without spillage. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

Another Friday in a campground here. I have four hours left and I do not think I will make it to the end. Seems like every one I have checked in so far is determined to find fault with everything about their site. I am tired and sore from packing up boxes and stacking them. I don't want to be here and it is coming through, loud and clear.

I thought a nice hot bowl of soup would make me feel more like handling the public. I prepared the soup and made sandwiches and beckoned HeWho only eats well when I take the time to choose his food. The rush to check in usually happens between 4:00 and 6:00. It was 2:30 and I thought we might actually sit down and eat like civilized beings. But, no, that did not happen.

The bell rings at the window and I tell HeWho was hungry not to wait for me. It was a check-in from about an hour earlier telling me there was no water hydrant on the site. I told them I would send someone to them. I figured if they had already waited an hour, 15 more minutes wouldn't be that inconvenient.

Went back to my food, didn't sit, the bell again. This one wanted propane. I told him to leave it at the dispense station and my husband would fill it as soon as he finished eating and bring it to him. Back to the soup that was cooling and I managed to fill my mouth before the bell rang again. Propane guy telling me he left the tank and wondered who he should pay. I quoted the price and said he could pay the man delivering the tank or me, didn't matter. He said he didn't have exactly $20. I said "ok" and he left as I hurried back to my now cold soup. Another bite and the bell rang again. Propane guy wondering if I could make change for $100. I opened the cash drawer to do so .... but he didn't bring the bill with him. Another spoonful of cold soup and the bell rang yet again.

No, not propane guy. This was the guy who couldn't locate the water hydrant. He found it. It was one of the older sites with the faucet low to the ground and it was covered with leaves. Then he wanted to chat about the changing of the seasons. Back to the soup bowl that no longer held any interest for me. I had time to clear the table before the bell rang again with propane guy and his $100 bill. Then I checked in four campers that came in within minutes of each other, along with another site unable to locate the sewer and ask if I was sure the site was a full hook-up. The answer lingered on the tip of my tongue.

By the time I checked in the last of the four, the first of the four was back at the window to tell me they did not feel safe on their assigned site. "It is so steep, we are afraid our camper will roll away, we used the chocks, but they don't seem big enough." says the woman and then turns to her companion and says, "You tell her!"

"There is no one in 30 and we would prefer that site, it is more flat," says the man. I tried to explain that the site was reserved and just because it was currently vacant did not mean it was available. The key word being 'tried'. Tried and failed. All sites are not created equal and some sites, such as 30 are more suited to very large rigs towing cars. The people had a small 5th wheel and the site I assigned was sufficient for their needs. I moved them, but not to 30.

And now I sit, knowing I have four more hours of this. Four very long hours. I don't think I have it in me.

Time Keeps On Slipping Into The Future

 Where does all the time go? I seem to be making very little progress in packing up stuff. While I am tired at the end of the day, when I look around around, my gaze settles on everything that still waits for my attention.

While time keeps slipping into the future, HeWho seems unconcerned about this thing called packing. I can't really say that it bothers me so much, as I have witnessed his inability to pack things and take advantage of the space. It still annoys me that I am doing all the work while he asks what I am cooking for dinner.

Sometimes I just look at him, other times I answer truthfully, "apparently nothing". He has been going out to find nourishment a lot!

Today the weather is chilly and I packed up the room I always over-winter my plants in. I have tons of smelly paint that was gifted to me by a kamper. I only use it outside because the smell is overwhelming. I carefully stacked one can on top of another and started bring plants in and using the cans as pedestals to hold plants. HeWho must have felt guilty about me hauling all the plants in and started helping. I have plants hanging everywhere. On the front porch, in the trees, where ever I can put some happy colors. Four gigantic ferns adorn the building front as you come in, and they are heavy. They will be moving to North Carolina with me, by the way. 

As HeWho took the last of the plants in, telling me they would not "fit" inside, I stayed to grab the ones that just needed to be under shelter and clean up. I came in to grab the broom and the smell hit me. He spilled the paint. On a carpet square. Did he take the carpet square with the offensive smell out? No, he did not. I am a bit high from the fumes. I should probably go find the square and remove it, but this sounds like a good excuse to not cook!!

Number 35

 After all that measuring and prepping for the extravaganza affair that was meant to relieve me of my hoard of fabric, I only sold about 100 yards. Not really discouraged, though. Us fabric hoarders are a rare breed. I will be doing it again next Saturday and the next until I exhaust all possibilities.

Word of mouth will be my best friend now. My variety will bring those other sewers not so interested in quilting. Pictures were taken and texted and I expect some out of town sewers to show up. In the meantime I keep uncovering other stashes I managed to hide from myself and I did sell my cutting table and have a lot more room to maneuver around in.

In case you are unaware, fabric is heavy. Forty years ago, I could balance a formidable stack of bolts on one shoulder and climb a ladder to change out seasons in the 7 stores I was in charge of. I would be tired after a 12 hour day, but at least I didn't feel like a truck ran over me!

No bolts this time, but I did transfer most of the fabric onto outdoor tables yesterday morning. Not to mention the 6, yes 6, rubbermaid bins of remnants. I sold a good many of those at 10 cents and 25 cents each. Only one lady in her eighties unrolled them before she would consider buying them. At the end of the day I had to haul it all back in. HeWho offered to help, but I was trying to keep it in stacks of types and colors and denied him the priviledge of helping me.

I am sore and I am tired. The phone already had calls on it when I woke at 8 am. I longed to stay in bed and go back to sleep, but I remembered that I close early today. 

While on our big adventure south, I had the store phone and the reservation book in my possession and took some barely legible requests while bouncing down the poorly maintained interstate. I have a litany of facts that I repeat with EVERY reservation. I confirm the date of arrival and date of departure, then say, 'I don't run your card today. The only reason I would do so would be if you don't call to cancel and simply don't show up and I could have rented and didn't. Should your plans change, you need only to let me know, there is no cancellation fee. You can pay anyway you like (NO American Express) when you arrive. Check-in is any time after noon. In the event that you arrive after hours , you will find an envelope on the door with your name on it and inside will be a map with the route to your site high lighted and you can come up to the office in the morning." EVERY SINGLE TIME these same words leave my lips to the potential camper's ear. Some will tell me just to use the card and I can text or email a reciept.

While most women making a reservation listen to me, most men don't. I don't know why that is, maybe too much information to grapple with, or simply a short attention span. They will wait until I stop speaking then proceed to shoot questions at me. "How early can we get there?" "How much are putting on credit card today?" If I cancel, how much will you charge me?"

It comes as no surprise that they will fail to follow my directions to get to my campground or to the assigned site. Google will have you pass my exit and put you in the rest area for trucks right across the frontage road from my park. You can see me, but a locked gate will prevent you from just driving the short distance across the road. You will then have to travel 9 miles west to the next exit and circle back. Some of them will call me and yell at me about Google's misdirection and demand that I go unlock the gate. You can use your imagination about my reply.

This morning, as I am still dosing my body with caffiene and moving slowly, the bell at the window rings. This is not a welcome sound for me and I make my way to the window where a dour faced woman stands glaring at me. I don't know this woman, so I can't fathom why she dislikes me. I open the window and using my false chipper voice greet her and ask how I can help her. "We are here."

My coffee is reaching the sarcastic side of my brain and so many responses come to mind, far too many to mention. Trying to be nice and stifle my true self, I ask if she has a reservation. Her husband cowered behind her (much like HeWho does when I take over the conversation that he appears to be losing). She gives me the name and I give her the clipboard and tell her she needs to fill out the registration while I find her on my chart. This seems to add to her dislike of me and she proclaims that they will be going to site 35. 

I tell her that I had to do some rearranging and that they will be in site 32. Both are 50 amp full hook-up long sites that can accommodate large rigs, but now she is really mad. Still trying to do my job, I offer her a weekly rate, since they will be here that long and it will save her almost $80, much more than the 10% her Good Sam discount would be. I try to explain this to her and she sighs deeply and says that she doesn't really have a choice, does she?

"What?" yells my brain. I can't stop myself and tell her that, of course she has a choice. This is when I see the look of panic on my husband's face. He thinks I am going to give her the option of going elsewhere, in more colorful tones. I tell her I will be happy to charge her full price and give her  a less than $30 discount. She ignores me and looks even more angry.

I complete the transcation and hand her credit card and multiple receipts. Then I show her how to get to her site. Done. I go back to the chore I was doing before I was so rudely interrupted. I don't know how, but I am still finding more fabric. Fully caffeinated now I am on a roll. Packing and moving packed boxes into a tidy stack thinking that I am getting a lot done this fine day. The bell beside the window calls out for my attention.

I see the woman from 32 and with a sense of dread I open it. Looks like she comandeered a seasonal camper to transport her to me in his golf cart. "The people on 35 left and we can't reach the hook-ups on 32! We want 35, I don't see why it is such a problem."

"Well, let me enlighten you," says my brain. Deep breath. "Ma'am, the problem was that you came in too early. Check-out is not until noon, therefore check-in is AFTER noon. 35 was occupied when you arrived, 32 wasn't. I can't put two campers on one site." "Well you told me 35 when I made the reservation!" she replies. "Yes, I did," I say, "and I also told you that check-in was AFTER NOON. Move if you must and I can rearrange everything once again!"

She will be here an entire week. Oh goody! She seems attached to the number 35.

Hello, My Name Is Kathy and I Am a Fabric Hoarder!

For well over 2 weeks I have worked diligently in my sewing room. I have measured and labeled over 500 yards of fabric. I have rolled up remnants and found all manner of things tucked away in that room. Yesterday, I sorted the last big rubbermaid bin from the closet in that room and congratulated myself on a job well done.

For over 8 hours every day, I have sorted and cleaned and stacked. Dust has been in my eyes and up my nose. This morning I was back at my seemingly endless task. I hit the notions today, bagging lengths of lace and ribbons and pricing them 25 cents a bag. I emptied box after box of saved treasures and was feeling pretty good about my big outdoor sale this Saturday. The weather is supposed to be perfect and I have posted it everywhere.

Just as I was about to stop to prepare dinner, I looked down, under my cutting table that is 3' X 5' and discoved FOUR MORE PLASTIC BINS. My neck aches along with my shoulders and my arthritic thumb is throbbing in protest. I want to cry.

I have been packing the things I want to keep in the empty bins and placing them in the empty closet, all the while wondering how I managed to cram this much stuff into such a small area! I have found fabric that I don't even remember buying!

Scraps that might be useful one day are the most time consuming. A lot of fabric and scraps were gifted to me from other hoarders, as they found themselves unable to toss them in the trash.

It would appear that I have a problem. I am a fabric hoarder.  

The End of the Great Escape

 Is this day five or six? This is day six and we are home. Day five was just traveling. The windsheild wipers quit working on the trip down and I was excited to see the sun when I woke that morning.

I ousted the driver from slumber so we could get the dolly and car hooked up while the sun was shining. It went well with me guiding him into place and I even helped put the strapping on the tires. I managed to get a very small cup of coffee while pulling in the slides and securing everything inside. The dogs headed for the car when I took them out, all set for another day of looking at property. 

They were confused when I herded them back into the coach. Soon enough they found their spots next to me and settled in for a morning snooze. This was the part where we went through some realy curvy roads towards Chattanooga and the interstate. Then it started to rain again. The driver said he could see and wouldn't have to strap me to the front of the coach with a squeegee to clear the window.

We finally drove out of the rain and were at the next campsite in Paducah by 3:30 in the afternoon! It was time to celebrate. Our offer was accepted and we ate dinner and were asleep by 9 pm. This what passes for celebrating for oldsters.

Got up at 7 this morning and headed north. Gained an hour and we were home around noon. The phone has rung 37 times so far today. I will be happy to lock up tonight and sleep in my own bed!

The queen bed in the RV is comfy enough, but the four dogs made it too crowded. Cujo and Eddie claimed their spots tucked in next to me. Toni Louise jumped down to the floor when she realized no TV watching would be forthcoming. Bo was restless every night. He liked to watch himself in the closet door mirror on my side of the bed. I am not a fan of big mirrors, preferring to see myself from the shoulders up. 

Bo always settled on my pillow wrapped around my head. As flattering as being wanted is, it was not sleep conducive for me. Bo is only still and content when sleeping or I am playing with his fur. He likes to have his long course fur on his back ruffled until it is standing on end, making him look like he has a mohawk. I can tickle his neck or head, too, but I dare not bother his feet or tail. He is such a strange creature!

Adorable Dora, the turtle, was so happy to see me! I know you are thinking, "Sure, she was." But she really does interact with me. Whether it is my voice or my face she is looking at, I couldn't tell you. But when I talk to her and hold her she stretches her neck and looks my way while turning her head from side to side. I promised her that I would take her along on the next trip.

Martha, the boy cat, was happy when we returned. He rubbed against me for a bit then went to see about his canine siblings. Now he is roaming the park checking out all the campers. He has been here all of his life and is used to the high volume of traffic. He stays off the roads and sort of saunters around unless he is lying in wait to catch a rabbit or bird. I wonder how he will like living in isolation and becoming a resident of North Carolina. I have high hopes for him. I hate to think he would be unhappy.

I will be happy, the dogs liked it there and Eddie's allergies seem to abate while we were there. The turtle won't know the difference as long as I am there. Now I pack and sort.

Days Three and Four of the Great Escape

 Day three saw more rain.We went our anyway to do some drive-by's. I have studied the pctures of the possible new homes on-line and so I figured I would easily recognize them when we went on our mission. I was wrong about some of them. 

We employed Siri to guide us on the twisty roads into the mountain side to have a look at three prospects on the same road. The driveways were really steep and short. One possibility had a circular drive, but we doubted our motorhome could make the turn, the circle was tight. Another prospect just looked spooky. It was raining and dreary, but the building itself was hard to see in the trees, it was drab brown and I gave that one a thumbs down.

The one I was looking forward to seeing was a covered RV space with hook ups and a building right there. A good sized two story building that looked a lot better in photos. This was one that my baby girl had already proclaimed a definite NO. But, she is not the boss of me and looking is free. We pulled under the "shelter" out of the rain and I ventured out to peek in the windows.

Oh, it was bad! No amount of clever landscaping on my part would take away the sheer ugliness of the property! Then I took a good look at all the pieces of rotten wood around me and realized that the roof of the shelter was held up by some precarious placement of questionable boards and pieces of cinder blocks. This was listed at $87,000. I doubt they will get $87, as both structures are tear downs.

That road was a disappointment and we had no cell service there, so we left that area and headed to North Carolina, a mere 9 miles north to see the one I really liked. It is small, one acre with a park model and two out buildings. He who fancies himself to be in charge of the budget had initially said no to this one when I showed him the property on line. "No, costs too much."

The roads were fairly decent after seeing the other properties and we determined that we could get the 40' motorhome onto the homesite. We decided to walk around in the rain and let the dogs lift their legs and mark territory. It only has one bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area. But a covered, screened porch almost the length of the building and facing the ravine, at bottom of which is a trout stream made a huge impression! The mountain views are magnificent. The porch was open and we could see the living area through the sliding doors and the kitchen through the window on the porch. I have been placing furniture in my mind for some time now, having decided that this was a definite contender.

There will never be close neighbors and the sound of the water rushing over the rocks will drown out any other noise! We looked and looked and finally left to head back to the campground and our RV. So, I waited to see if the budget minded mister would say anything. He liked it, he liked it a lot. We submitted an offer through the realtor we were working with, inside unseen! He suggested more than I wanted to offer. 

Budget, indeed. Good thing I had him lost in the mountains looking at the others first! I still don't know if he liked it, or he was just tired of looking. Whatever. We decided we will not need this diesel guzzling 40 feet of rolling home just to take trips. We are selling it and buying something more managable that I will feel comfortable driving. Getting rid of my car, as well. We will need 4 wheel drive to live here.

It is day four now and the sellers did not accept our offer and countered for $9000 more, we have countered with $5000 more. Now we wait. I am not so good at waiting, although I feel like this is 10 years later than I wanted to do his.

We will be on the road again tomorrow, stopping in Paducah, Kentucky for the night. Time to get back to the real world. I have the store phone and have been making reservations and taking cancellations and other annoying calls. One call was from an irate person demanding to know why the pool is closed. Just can't wait to get back to work!

Mr. BoJangles has turned into the most excellent traveler! He waits for his leash to go out and sits patiently waiting for his people to take him home to sleep! Toni Louise is still hyper and wants to be first in line for everything. I am just happy to know that my king bed will fit in the bedroom of our potential new home! I miss my bed. 

Day Two of the Great Escape

 Day 2 was pretty uneventful, as far as mishaps go. It didn't start out well, what with HeWho trying to pull out of our site without bringing the levelers up. We used to be pretty adept at traveling, but the 18 years spent on the other side has made us newbies! It makes an awful noise and me saying to HeWho, "Something is wrong," didn't help.

He got out and checked the car, the car dolly and the entire length of the rig and was still baffled. A helpful camper came to the rescue. So glad we didn't chat up anyone and mention that we owned a campground and start in with stories (that would be me, by the way). 

Crisis averted we went on our merry way. So far the trip was a familiar one, especially to me. I listened to a book and played with a puzzle on my laptop until we changed directions into the mountainous terrain in Tennessee. I was quite literrally sitting on the edge of my seat (the couch) in order to see and try to take pictures. No, I can't sit in the passenger seat, as all 4 dogs want to be in my lap. I finally turned the big comfy passenger seat I longed to sit in to face sideways so I could get a good view while sitting back on the couch. We traveled by the Ocoee River for miles and miles. The leaves are turning colors and it was beautiful.

Like a mother with toddlers, I couldn't aim my phone in time to get any good shots. We arrived here just in time for check-in. All set up and all the canines having had a walk to smell previous critters passing through and thoroughly marking this new territory for future travelers to sniff, we relaxed a bit. It was nice to have nothing to do. Except answer the phone and take reservations and cancellations on my part. We actually watched a movie.

We are staying at the State Fair Campground in Hiawassee, Georgia. We went out to explore the area and find a place to eat. Most places were closed until Wednesday. Probably not worth it to open up before the weekend crowds. Ended up at an Asian place serving Chinese, Japanese, and Thai food. In our masks, we definitely stood out. We chose an isolated booth and went with Thai food, declining the offer to sit around the hot grill and watch our food being prepared. Cheek to cheek were the folks sitting around the grill, no social distance precautions here. Just not worth the slightest chance to contract the virus to me.

Another good nights sleep listening to the rain patter. Just a steady gentle rain. Upon awakening this morning with Bo looking at himself in the closet door mirror and Eddie gently nosing me to tell me his bladder was full, I asked the man of this rig if he could put the awning out for the dogs to have a dry place to do business.

"I don't know how," he mumbles. Supposed to be the push of a button, but it doesn't seem to be working and he did not want to try to figure it out in the rain. Looking on the bright side, we won't have to worry about getting the awning in before we leave. Today we will be driving by properties and determining whether or not we would be able to get our 40 feet of RV in and out easily. That will narrow down our prospects considerably.

We left with no umbrellas, of course. I am hoping to find a stray one in my car. The dogs will be going along for the ride, so the dog food has been withheld so far. Bo and his delicate stomach. He gets over it pretty quick and only threw up twice the first morning, but the car might trigger another event, so we will wait to feed!

First stop will probably be the closest Walmart for umbrellas and more bottles water! This park is on Lake Chatuge and the water smells like it might be tapped from a stagnant area of the lake! Still enjoying sitting here with my coffee, I have already had three calls on the store phone. I have the reservation book with me and didn't even have to get up to take care of it!

Now I am off to explore the pssibilities that await my inspection! Rain is forecast for our entire stay!

Day One of the Great Escape

 Day one of the journey south has been pretty uneventful. Minor things have happened to keep things hopping. I woke the driver in plenty of time to hit the road early. Last night I put all the last minute things in a box and collared up the canines. Changed the cat litter and filled the cat feeder. Cats are pretty self sufficient, you know.

I imagine Martha, the boy cat, might enjoy his time alone. I hope he doesn't host a wild party in my absence! It took both of us to harness Mr. BoJangles and I did not realize until this morning when I was trying to put on his leash that we had it upside down. I thought it looked funny, but trying to catch him again was impossible. He was indignant and ran wildly through the house and falling to the floor and trying to rub the harness off.

This morning he was not cooperating as I tried to turn his harness around to hook the leash on. I grabbed the other three leashes and headed to the motor home to get them on board. Cujo has increased his girth since last wearing his harness, so we chose the choke chain for him. He doesn't run far from me in any event if he does get loose. Same for Eddie. Must be why I did not notice that Toni Louise had chewed her harness strap. One good yank from her and she was free.

I coaxed and cajoled and yelled the magic word "treat", then threatened and told her what a bad girl she was. She stayed just out of my reach and would turn, look at me and grin her goofy grin. HeWho came up on the golf cart and she hopped on with nary a glance at me!

We settled her in and the trip got underway. My doxies assumed their normal positions next to me and Bo was busy running from window to window, stopping long enough to heave up his stomach contents occasionally. Then HeWho is the driver hit the rumble strips and Toni launcher herself at my chest and dug her claws into my shoulders.

She associated the noise with thunder and she is afraid of thunder. I had to hold her for awhile until she calmed down and finally put her on the couch with the rest of the dogs. Cujo is always tucked next to my leg and has never been challenged. Eddie was next to Cujo and decided to lay his sweet head on my knee. He is such a gentle soul, my Eddie.

Next thing you know, Toni has nosed Eddie out of his spot and taken over my lap again. Her legs are freakishly long and bony and she will not simpy sit still. Always moving and digging her knees and elbows into my ample flesh. It hurts! She will throw her head up suddenly and hit my chin or a cheek bone. I will have a black eye tomorrow.

We had to stop at a Walmart to buy Toni a new harness and get some food to prepare for our nourishment. We were in Illinois and it was a super Walmart. No Carts were available.  I asked the greeter wearing his mask under his nose about a cart and he just stood there and said they didn't have anyone available to bring them in. 

One would think that a worker just standing there to greet shoppers, which he was failing to do, would take it upon himself to go out and gather a few carts for the shoppers he was not greeting to use. He was not a young person with an attitude. He was closer to my age and obviously has little enthusiasm for his job. I doubt he is a participant in the morning Walmart cheer session. When I started working in the pharmacy at Walmart, I immediately declined to participate in that cheer myself. But the manager was quite charismatic. He never demanded participation, but I found myself joining in on a couple of them. He was good at his job and the employees responded likewise and it was a team effort. This store in Illinois needs a better manager.

We arrived at the campground just south of Nashville with plenty of daylight left. I leashed up the dogs while HeWho registered. Upon parking at our site, the step stopped working, making the step to the ground a doozy! I managed to dismount with my dignity intact and walk my dogs and watch them take care of business. Getting back in was not as easy. In my younger days I would have just grabbed the handle and pulled myself up. Good thing my name is not Grace, because it was not graceful. HeWho loves me put his hands on my ample derrierre and sort of shoved me up. And yes, there were people around. Next purchase with be a small step stool than can be stashed next to the passenger seat in case I need to get up and down again.

Tomorrow we will be at the State Fair campground in Hiawassee. Only a little over 200 miles tomorrow. Time to close my eyes and lay me down to sleep.

Stay Tuned Part 2

 Yesterday I told you about an incident here that ended with a visit from law enforcement. While I was dealing with that situation, another arose and loomed large. I may have mentioned the "double" sites we inherited with the purchase of the park. I am not a fan of them, but I have to use them.

Making the "seating chart" for the weekend can be a nightmare. I have to make sure the back of the site is filled before the front site backs in. Then I must make sure that the front site will be leaving before the back site. I do, on occasion, get it wrong and have to do a last minute alteration to my chart. Some campers are very understanding, while others an be complete a$$holes.

I have monthly sites that are in that situation. I knew that one was about to leave and immediately talked to the camper in front of him. He was on a jobsite pretty far away, with no means of transportation to get back before the one in back wanted to leave. He had his son, where his truck was parked, mail the door key to me and said he thought the ignition key was in the ignition.

The key finally arrived the day before the other camper wanted to pull out. This was Friday. The day I had to call a deputy out. HeWho was busy all morning making last minute repairs and such in advance of our trip. I was swamped with check-ins for the weekend and fielding calls from travelers who had not made reservations. We had a very full park, using the tent sites and extension cords for those last minute travelers and I still had to turn away 14 rigs. It is Oktoberfest, people! All the campgrounds in a 25 mile radius are full. Every weekend of October. 

HeWho was dispatched to move the motorhome blocking the camper wanting to leave Saturday morning. Said camper was calling me incessantly wanting to know when I would move that motorhome. Motorhome guy was also calling to make sure I had the key. Calls were coming in on top of each other and I was considering a nervous breakdown just to have a moment of peace.

HeWho could not find the ignition key. Motorhome guy was consulted about where to look and this went back and forth for well over an hour. I suggsted the tow truck, but you can't get the gear in neutral without the key and we really did not want to ruin the transmission. Camper waiting to leave shall now be referred to as the Jerk kept calling "When are you moving this?" HeWho was THERE, but he called me. He would growl his question out and I would tell him to talk to my husband and he would hang up. Perhaps his time would have been better spent helping look for the key.

"The key chain has an alligator foot on it," says nice camper. He went on to suggest we hot wire it. Having never stolen a car, I didn't know how and the same went for HeWho failed to find the key and went to get the tow truck. The minute he left the Jerk called to ask what we were doing, hanging up as soon as I told him. Not a chatty guy, I suppose. The nice camper is and I would have to cut him off to check-in and asnswer other calls.

He managed to move the motorhome 10 feet forward, but the Jerk still couldn't get his truck in. I don't know that he actually tried, I am thinking he just decided that he would complain through the night. He did. I don't answer the phone after I go to bed, but I did check the call log. 

I have witnessed magnificent feats of drivers managing to get their campers out without having anyone move. They aren't in that tight, not bumper to bumper. The efforts on the part of HeWho was needing to sleep ended at about 8:30. He told the Jerk that he couldn't move it any further and that he could go on to spend his off days with his family and that we would move it as soon as we could and put it in dry storage at no cost to him for as long as he needed.

I was taking my first sip of coffee when I heard someone beating on the door to the office. I looked at the monitor to see the Jerk pounding the door with his fist while simutaneouly ringing the bell. Still in my sleep attire, I called out to HeWho was dressing to let him know his little friend wanted him to come out. The Jerk started with obsenities, making HeWho less than willing to assist him. He went back to his site, violating the speed limit, by the way.

I went on to shower and get myself ready for another day of fun. I had just dressed and put product in my hair and had not yet tamed it when the bell at my window rang. I was not open yet, but went out with my wild hair to see who dared to invade my world. 

The deputy at my window inquired about my well being and asked if my husband was around. I asked him how he thought I was, give the state of my appearance and that my husband had gone to find some assistance in moving a motorhome. The Jerk called 911 and told them we would not let him leave, that we had blocked him in and would not let him go, that he thought we were trying to steal his camper!!! HeWho arrived right about then and the deputy and him had a good laugh together.

Bud, of Bud's Towing, former employer of HeWho towed, and good friend of HeWho no longer tows came to our rescue and figured out how to move the motorhome without damaging anything. The Jerk left and took his attitude with him.

During one phone call from the owner of the alligator foot key ring, I tolf him that I was pretty sure I could find the key, but could not get out of the office. After all the moving and the Jerk leaving, the key was found! In the cup holder, just as he thought it would be. HeWho didn't find it, another camper did. I suppose I should have gone and looked last night, but the motorhome would start anyway, even with the key.   

 

Stay Tuned, Part 1

I am loaded and ready to roll out of here in the morning! After sleeping only four hours last night and having the day from hell, I can hardly contain myself. I cannot wait to escape!!

As you can well imagine, problems arise and tempers flare from time to time with people living is such close proximity as a campground. Some people will take a dislike to another person and set out to do devious things to irritate that person. I hear about it, of course and will dispatch HeWho is the man of this household and business to handle it.

One such situation has been building up to a boiling point of late. I was manning my station here by the check-in window when I saw the couple in question pull into the parking lot and get out of their vehicle with what I assumed was laundry and make their way to the side of the building where the laundry room and shower rooms are located. I grabbed the phone and my keys to go and talk to them about their behavior. They would be the perpetators of the childish irritating behavior, not the victims.

I rounded the corner and noted that the laundry room was unoccupied .... The couple, a man and a woman were in the men's room, along with their dog! This couple seems to spend an inordinant amout of time together in the various restrooms in the park. They lock themselves in, even in the shower house that has more than one shower. This prevents others from being able to access the showers. Many campers have seen them go in and stay for as long as an hour. There is speculation around campfires about what is going on in the locked men's or women's rooms. 

Not a young attractive couple newly involved, this is a middle aged, overweight duo that would solicit the gag reflex when the subject arises. There are some things you just don't want a mental image of. And now the dog is involved! HeWho came up while I dealt with check-ins and phone calls to confront them when they finally came out. After addressing the dog dilemma, he suggested that they not rev the engine of their truck in front of a particular campsite. They hotly denied doing so, so he told them to depart and enter on the opposite side of the park in the future. I saw him talk to them as I took reservations.

That very night, or more precisely, the next morning one of them left the park at about 10 minutes until 4 am and gunned the motor loudly in front of the site they has been the recipient of their noise pollution. I was told of the departure time. The truck returned a little over 20 inutes later and a session of monumental truck revving took place.

Unfortunately for the miscreants, I had my bedroom window open. Martha, the boy cat, has a nice fat ledge in the window sill that he likes to sleep on and watch the sun come up and the birds gather at the birdfeeder in the peach tree. The noise startled the fat cat and the curtain moved. Mr. BoJangles stood up at the foot of my bed , looking out the window and barking in his highest pitch (we refer to that as his screaming voice) and Toni Louise raced in from her spot on the cool tile in the bathroom to help him bark at what might have been an intruder, she really didn't care, it was just an opportunity to join in. 

I looked out the window and SAW them. I am old and cranky, plagued with various aches and pains in my joints upon wakening, not to mention my bouts of insomnia. Waking me is frowned upon. HeWho should have ejected the couple months ago for various unfractions that included leaving big bags of garbage outside their door and letting it sit until some animals ripped the bags open and proceeded to spread the contents to other sites. One must keep in mind that I am tethered to the main building when we are busy and we have been very busy. HeWho is non-confrontational and will only address such situations with some persuasion (incessant nagging) from his wife.

Luckily, he was not available yesterday, so I took myself down to the site of the trouble maker. The first lie was telling me he did not even leave the park that morning, lie number two was swearing that his truck was "very quiet". Lie number three was saying that no one had ever spoken to him about the noise. He was trying to be angry at my accusations, his face beginning to redden. He told me he couldn't imagine who had complained except for the guy he was targeting.

I let him talk and dig his own hole before I disavowed him of his lies. "Your truck IS loud, I have heard it myself when you might think I am not watching. And, by the way, there are cameras everywhere throughout the park. As far as not being warned by my husband yesterday, I am the one who called him to talk to you and I was watching from my desk when he did speak to you about your truck and your dog."

I watched as his stance became less confrontational before going in for the kill. "This morning you made a big mistake ..... YOU WOKE ME UP! Where would you be going at 4 in the morning?" The color had drained from his face and he said he had to go to work in another city that would take the better part of 45 minutes one way. "But, you were back in 20 minutes! One more complaint and you will be evicted, do we understad each other?"

I was still unsettled when I came back to the office. They have always made me wonder where they get their money, since neither one appear to be gainfully employed. Just about 10 days ago he paid his rent with cash. He told me had $1350 and wanted to pay ahead. The wad of bills in his hand was impressive, but just where did it come from?

There would appear to be a lot of traffic in and out going to his site at all hours, so I followed my instinct and called for a deputy to come out to access the situation. It will come as no surprise that my instinct was correct. He is well know to local law enforcement and not in a good way. I imagine he will be hunting another place to live soon.

I won't miss this. That was yesterday, today is not much better and involved another visit from a deputy. Stay tuned .....