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 .....