Good Friends and Campers

This is my fence built by a couple of our campers. I painted it and endured a whole day of hearing "you missed a spot". I have since corrected it and ironically that particular board was hit and broken by a truck backing up. The culprit came up to the office, head hung low and told me he broke my fence. The reason for the fence was to prevent some one from driving too close to the ditch that provides an escape for the overflow of water from our pond. No one has ever gone into that very deep ditch...........

This a long shot......lots of grass to mow. The fence maitains that rustic country feel. I have tried to plant some flowers and ground cover next to the fence. The ground cover will take hold and cover the area next year. The rabbits have eaten everything I have tried to plant. I haven't given up, just put that project on hold. I can just see lots of black-eyed susans bracing the fence in my minds eye. Honeysuckle on the fence.....maybe......

These two guys put in the fence posts. It took two to push that auger through the rocky soil.

I am thankful every day for wonderful friends who just happen to be campers. Just when I think I can no longer put one foot in front of the other, they pick me up and carry me........

You all know who you are, and you are more than just a few.

Here I sit in what I have come to refer to as my prison. I am just busy enough to not be able to escape for longer than a bathroom break. I am grateful that I got a shower before love of my life went off to his lowly little job as store clerk. We both mowed all morning and the heat was oppressive. I was dripping with sweat, but determined to get my part done. I did, and now I sit and wait for the storm I see brewing in the sky. A good storm with a moderate amount of rain will make me so happy. My garden needs a good drink and everyone will stay away.........

After my wonderful birthday surprise this weekend, I had another surprise that wasn't so good. One of my favorite families pulled out! They were so nice and well behaved and I am left with the riff-raff hooligans with their barking dogs, and loud rude behaviour. I miss them. I miss the southern wit and the polite children. I have a few polite children left, but these girls were my favorites. I was happy they were here and was looking forward to having some girls around that I would feel comfortable playing with my granddaughter. I still have a couple here, but as I said these girls were the best!

I posted awhile back about my old cat (Ode To Crazy Cat). I was trying to prepare myself for his eminent demise. Well, I haven't seen my old guy for almost a week. I think he went off like old cats will do. His predecessor, an old Siamese named Misty did the same thing. I suppose they were trying to spare me the grief. Didn't work so much. I hope that he went off and died the way he wanted. I wonder if maybe one of the current riff-raff here may have accidentally hit him in a rush to get to work in the morning. No, he went off and died like an old Indian, that is what I choose to believe. I would like to have given the old guy a proper burial or even had my old buddy cremated.......... Wishing won't make it so. He lived a good long cat life of almost 16 years.

I am still getting to know my new computer......... but I think I am in love. I will be posting a lot more pictures since it is so much faster to upload than this one. Of course I will have to take more pictures and I am hoping things will become more routine as this month fades away.

This is that time of year that we get tired. There is not an escape that allows us to simply take a whole day off and kick back and do nothing. I think that everybody needs that from time to time. The season starts with intense preparation in March. You only have a few campers, but the clean-up from winter storms is overwhelming. By the time the official camping season begins with Memorial Day we are already into the constant routine of mowing 2 or 3 times a week. Along with the little surprises you get on a daily basis.....broken pipes, sewer back-ups, and such. By the end of July you just want to be left alone for longer than 5 minutes.

Last night we had both decided that we were going to lock up right on time and ignore the phone. I had a lovely roast cooked to perfection along with carrots just right. I was going to make biscuits and add potatoes to my roast. We still had some of my birthday cake left and we were going to sit in front of the TV and play with our animals and just have the most wonderful evening we could imagine and go to bed early.

It was a great plan. I was outside checking the progress of my squash and tomatoes when my cell rang. "Come here as quick as you can!" says Drew. "Where?" says me. "Pumproom!" says him. This can't be good I think as I hurry back into the building. It wasn't. He was holding the water pipe closed with his hands standing there in a flood zone. I flipped the breaker to the pump, turning off the water to the whole park and grabbed a bucket. He was trying to change a filter and broke the pipe off at a position that made the water shoot straight up. I couldn't exactly put the bucket over the pipe and there was still a lot of pressure in the line. I suggested that he hold his hands over the water to divert it into the bucket. The pressure was greater than I thought and we both took it right in the face! Up my nose, actually.

Anyhow, with the water off I couldn't finish cooking. I couldn't wash my hands. I couldn't stop answering the phone. Every body called to tell me that something had happened to the water. What is it they say about the best laid plans? We finished up around 10:30 and simply collapsed. We ate the roast and the now overdone carrots along with some too cheesy macaroni. No bread, no dessert, no TV, no winding down. Such is the life of a campground owner......

Happy Birthday.....To Me

Today is my birthday. I am 56. It has been a long day, but pleasurable............ because yesterday love of my life surprised me with a birthday dinner that I remained totally unaware of until it happened. He has never pulled off a surprise like this before! I thought we were treating our good friends to a BBQ rib dinner in return for all the times they feed us. I happily marinated the ribs and prepared the potato salad that I know Karen likes. I was concerned that Bob, the undertaker would have nothing to eat since he was recently diagnosed with diabetes, so I took myself down to their site to discuss this dilemma. I insisted on making dessert, a sugar free chocolate mousse and sent them shopping for me, as they were going any way.

Little did I know they were all plotting behind my back as I sat in the store all day doing my job! As soon as the clock struck 8 I closed and headed down with my offerings of dinner. They had decided we should eat at their place since the grill was handy. I rounded the corner to hear a chorus of Happy Birthday! There they all were with balloons and cake! We had a wonderful meal together as usual. Lots of laughter and talking and eating.......... then ...............

this man, here, also known as love of my life took off on Bob's 4 wheeler and left! He returned with what would appear to be a bag of garbage. He presented me with this offering. It was his attempt at gift wrap. So, wondering what he could have gotten me, since we had agreed NOT to give each other gifts.............. I slipped the garbage bag away to reveal..... MY NEW COMPUTER!

Dude, he got me a Dell Inspiron! My very own laptop! Do I love this man or what???? My new computer is so much faster. My old one would do really cute things like suddenly freeze and have to be rebooted over and over, losing everything I had just done. I am so happy with my new computer. I can't stop smiling.

As if that was not enough I got bath products from Karen and Bob (the undertaker, making Karen be the undertaker's wife). A coffee cup from Pete and Susan. This cup was made for me, it says "yes, it is always about me"! I love these guys! Eugene, Karen and Cody were there to help us celebrate. I had a great night! I am just sorry I did not have my camera with me to capture it all on film!

A Typical Day

"I bottomed out" said the man patiently waiting for me to open the store this morning. I awakened the sleeping one and grabbed the camera. Yes, he did. The trees are in the way, but he was stuck pretty good.

No less than half a dozen men congregated to ponder the situation. He had turned out the wrong way and in doing so went into some really soft ground. Good Samaritan Tony came to the rescue with his truck...........

As you can see, everyone was eager to help. Me.........I watched. Good Samaritan Cody climbed under to look for a place to hook the tow chain. He was getting advice from the owners of the legs you see.

The tow chain was going to damage the front end of the motor home, so a trusty piece of firewood was put in service...........

Love of my life gave directions as the big pull began. I like to dress him in bright colors so that I can find him easily.........

Sweet success and our traveler is on his way! And we aren't even open yet!

Try To Stay Positive.........

I woke up to bright sunshine and a beautiful morning. A good night's sleep had worked it's wonders. I cleaned house and did laundry all day yesterday and I stretched lazily on the smooth clean sheets. I got up and took the dogs out while the coffee brewed and I was checking my e-mail and coming to life when I heard the buzzer to the store. I hit mute on the Today Show and continued reading, only slightly annoyed.

What if somebody has a real problem, maybe I should have grabbed a robe and gone to the door. There is a sign stating store hours, but all the what if's have now invaded my brain. With great reluctance I drag myself to the bedroom to slip on my mowing clothes. I awaken love of my life so that he can go get the bobcat and get started on his day. Off to the pool to retrieve the trusty robot and clean the filter. I get the pool ready for occupancy and head to the bathrooms..........

I hate bathrooms. I cleaned and stocked them last night before bed. The ladies room isn't half bad, but the men's is just gross. The toilet tissue is gone and someone decided to enlist the paper towels for purposes of necessity. I suppose I should be grateful that they didn't flush it and that most of it ended up in the trash can. I am having to dig really dip to find that gratitude, though. Now I can only wonder what could have happened to cause 3 rolls of tissue to be used over night. The ladies room has all the tissue I stocked last night. I always expect the ladies room to be low, but 3 rolls gone in the men's? Perhaps I should check the trees........... no TP there. I guess someone took it to put in their camper. Always glad to be of service, after all.

The thrum of the mower is soothing. I like the feel of the vibrations that go through my hands as I mow. I have prepped all my trees so that the riding mower won't hit my branches and I am enjoying the solitude and monotony of mowing stripe after stripe. I imagine a piece of cloth being cut into bias strips to make a binding of some sort. I like the feeling of accomplishment as I look at the already mowed section, still green and glistening with residues of the morning dew.......... All of a sudden a voice interrupts my peace, "The dryer is hung up!" she shouts over the mower. I release the handle and let the engine stop. "It weren't me, but somebody else, I just come to tell you." As I squelch the desire to ask "who it were", I see Play Misty For Me come around the building to tell me she had taken care of the problem and needed no assistance.

Still pondering what she could have meant by saying the dryer was "hung up" I attempt to start the mower and return to peaceful oblivion when Mr. Wonderful comes toward me to inquire about paying for a shower.......... I tell him to put his $3 in the drop box and turn my back and quickly yank the cord and fire up the engine. I finish my side yard and go in to grab a quick shower and get the day started.

The dryer "hang up" was the coin slot mechanism was stuck and with a good thrust was forced into use. I was happy to hear that, because the dryer had just been fixed the day before....some wire on the heating element. Love of my life tried to share this information with me and all I heard was yadayadayada. Just glad there was nothing wrong that required ordering a part and waiting for the arrival before we could remedy the situation.

Now, I must explain the shower and Mr. Wonderful. This man camped her at one point in time, shortly after we bought the park. He had one of those campers that fit into the bed of a pick-up truck and it was far from new. He has a black, going gray pony tail and his teeth tell a story of long time meth abuse (aka meth mouth). I gave him the name Mr. Wonderful because he would tell me on a daily basis what a great carpenter, electrician and plumber he was. He was also a heavy drinker if his breath was any indication. I opined that if he were so wonderful, why, then was he living in the back of a pick-up truck that had also seen better days.

He stayed here a couple of months, then moved on to where he said he had found cheaper rent. The cheap rent must not include bathroom privileges, cause about 3 times a week he pays $3 to shower here. Mr Wonderful, indeed. He attempts to flirt with me when he comes in. I find this to be amusing as well as slightly nauseating.

Yesterday was eventful as well. The lady who shall be forever known as the apple thief approached me to see if she had any mail. I replied in the negative and she then wanted to know how she would know if she had mail. Hmmmmm. How do you know if you have mail at home? "I check the mailbox." she said. "Well, then, I suppose you will have to check here at the office." I tell her. All this is being said while her youngest child, the rock thrower is screeching that she wants a popsicle. I have since found out that said child is a spitter, too. This child is 6 years old and displays behaviour that would earn my child a good smack across the bottom....for starters.

She tells the child that she "ain't got no money" and not to "go in that store"; so, of course both children go in and open the door to the ice cream freezer to gaze upon the contents. She has told them not to open the freezer door and I find myself wishing that she would stop suggesting what not to do, since her offspring are intent on doing whatever she tells them not to do. The little spitter is screeching again that she wants a popsicle and once again is told that she "ain't got no money". The child , all red faced with anger, looks at me and demands that I give her mother some money! I have been known to give a child a popsicle or a piece of candy on more than one occasion, but I do not reward rude behaviour and tell the child "no". Simply no, as I have reached an age where I do not feel the need to explain my thoughts or actions. She then demands that I give her a popsicle! She is once again told no. I bite my tongue to keep from asking this woman where her parenting skills are. Throughout this exchange she is looking at me expectantly, as though she hopes I will give the child what she wants. I guess this is a learned behaviour that has been re-enforced by those she encounters. It won't be happening here.

The county fair is going on and I was hoping for a peaceful day at the pool. Not happening. One gentleman was in the pool with his little dog in his arms. When I told him the dog was not allowed in the pool area I earned myself the dirtiest of looks. I think of my pets as family, too, but wouldn't try to take them to a public pool. The reasons are obvious and I am amazed daily by people and what they expect to be able to do.

Positive thoughts.....positive thoughts.....The only positive thought I can seem to come up with involves locking the door!

Can You Not Remember?

Yesterday was my son's birthday (his sister's, too). I called them both just to tell them that I love them and catch up on their lives. My chat with Jill was too short.I called her when I was still open, and, of course I was interrupted too many times to actually talk.

My talk with Jeff was better, since the store was closed. He was interrupted several times by giggly little girls. That was sweet interruptions, though. They wanted to go to the store to buy their Daddy a present for his birthday. Children need give us nothing to make our hearts soar with love. Just the fact that they want to give us anything is more than enough.

Jeff shared the most wonderful story with me about Maya. She wanted to give her Daddy a card, but she is only 5 and can't spell. So, she asked her Daddy if he was good at not remembering so that he could help her make the card. He was so proud as he told me this.......... and I was so proud as I listened. My kids are really good parents and that makes me feel like I accomplished the most wonderful thing in the world!

Tomorrow.......

Tomorrow is the day that marks the wonderful day 34 years ago that introduced me to two tiny people who changed my life forever.

Looking like I had a watermelon tucked under my shirt, I waddled into the labor/delivery department to begin my big adventure. Only 10 days before I had been in this same hospital for an X-ray of my enormous belly to determine just why it was so enormous. I already knew that I felt four little feet pounding my ribs, but they wanted proof. I was right and we made a mad scramble to prepare for our double bundle of joy. We were given no clue as to the gender of these babies, so we picked out four names.

My due date wasn't until August 26, but my doctor decided theses babies needed to come on out before I burst. Remember this was 34 years ago and technology has grown by leaps and bounds. No argument from me (the swollen one).

All prepped and ready for an emergency C-section, just in case things didn't proceed as expected, They started my pitocin drip around noon. Jill Suzanne arrived nearly four and a half hours later at 4:29. She weighed five pounds, nine ounces and looked like a little doll. Her tiny face was surrounded by a cloud of dark hair. She was perfection with all fingers and toes in attendance. They held her close to me for a good look, then whisked her away to the warmer to await the arrival of her brother.

Six harrowing minutes later, Jeffrey Irving arrived feet first. He was smaller by seven ounces. He wasn't crying, not even a little. I saw him briefly as they held him up while trying to suction his mouth. No sound and he was very blue. When I started to question them they moved out of my sight. Finally I hear him cry. Such a tiny little sound he made. I kept asking to see my baby and they kept showing me my daughter before they whisked both babies to NICU.

On the way to the nursery the babies were introduced to their dad and his mom in the waiting room that families were confined to during the birthing process. My very abrupt doctor chose this time to tell them that our son would most likely not survive. Bedside manner was not his strong point.

We stayed at the hospital for the requisite 5 days and I celebrated my 22nd birthday by actually holding my baby boy in my arms for the very first time. I was allowed to touch him in his confined isolette by putting my hands in, but not to hold him. Times have changed a lot since then.

On day five we all three took our leave of the hospital. Jeff weighed 4 pounds, 11 ounces at the time of discharge. Jill weighed 2 ounces less. The two little peanuts could fit together in the infant seat with room to spare. They were as different as night and day. Jill was tiny perfection with dark curly hair and Jeff was skinny and gangly with feet and hands too big for his frame and lighter hair that soon left entirely to give me a bald baby.

Different in temperament, these two, but locked together as only roommates of the womb can be. They are still close to this day. They grew up being referred to as "the twins". One name always followed the other and they shared the same friends. Jill was the oldest and remained the dominant twin until high school. She would even choose her brothers wardrobe and all of their friends. We moved to a different city at this time and that is when the role reversal occurred and Jeff began to choose the friends (he was never in charge of Jill's wardrobe!).

Today their names are no longer locked together with each others, but with those names of their mates. They have each given me grandchildren and grown to be parents themselves. Not only my children now, they are people in their own right. I love to be in their company. I love the sound of their voices on the phone. They can make a horrible day all better with just a word. They no longer lean on me as it seems we have undergone another role reversal.

I think it is called life, this constant changing of the roles we have. I loved being a mommy and being indispensable to my children. I love being Gramma even more, though. I am content to watch them parent and do things differently than I did....and yet the same.

Tomorrow Jeff and Jill will celebrate the day they were born. I won't be able to be there to see them and hug them. That makes me a little sad, but I will celebrate them as I hold them in my heart all day long.