Simonne, Daniel, Sunshine and Kiki's Adventures

RV Ranch Burleson, TX

2006-08-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

Oh well after a week of this hot weather, we still are not use to it. we try to get some things done in the morning and visit everyone in the afternoon. The 20th was Honey bunch's birthday. George took us all ( Ruby, Justin, Jimmie, Raquelle, Ben, Darrell Jackie, George Honeybunch and me) to Vance Godbey's at Lake Worth. It has been years since we were there but the food was still just as good. Honeybunch had a good time visiting and seeing all. She even took her photo album to show everyone. We looked at a 38' Alfa Gold 5th Wheel. Honey bunch was so amazed at the amount of room and storage in it. She said she was sad to come home to our house, but said maybe next year we will get a larger 5th wheel. This one had all of our wants and wishes. Maybe after Arizona, we will have to wait and see. Put in to work at the KOA in Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada today for next April. We will have to wait and see what they say. That would sure be nice to go up there in the cool weather and honeybunch could practice her French there. We visited Ramonna and Sarah at the shop yesterday. It seems that Annie will buy the shop and move around the corner the end of September. She said she is really glad she does not have to lift and move those heavy bolts of material anymore.

Leaving Amarillo

2006-08-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

Well today we are leaving Amarillo. It has really slowed down. We will be headed back to Burleson at RV Ranch for a month. We will visit all our friends and them head to Apache Junction, Arizona for a 6 month commitment for the winter. I will be a gate attendant at Superstition Buttes (http://www.superstitionbuttes.com/). I will work 3 days approx 15 to 18 hours a week for the site. There is a lot to do and see in this area. Honeybunch will be free to work part time or volunteer somewhere. She is anxious to get up there. This is just outside of Phoenix, AZ. We really enjoy RV Ranch with all the extras, especially the bathrooms. Well better run and get in the pool to cool down. What a difference in temperature from Amarillo. There it would get to maybe 95 and cool off to about 62 at night. You could sleep with your windows open. Oh well, back to reality of the heat. I do not know if I ever will get used to this heat of 100+ and all the humidity. Oh well pool time to cool off!

Visiting Route 66 Shops in Amarillo

2006-07-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

Today we spent time driving the old route 66 in Amarillo. The old section just west of downtown is really neat. They have an old stoplight and street lights. We visited several antique shops and before we decided to get something to eat. We had some swamp things and a couple cold beers at the Blue Gator. A pretty step back to the old days here.

Cal Farleys Boys Ranch

2006-07-11T16:17:00.000-07:00

Today we decided to visit the Boys ranch (http://www.calfarley.org/). It is about 60 miles out of Amarillo. We were greeted at the main office and saw a real neat movie about the ranch narrated by Red Steagall (http://www.redsteagall.com/). We then was given a ride to the Cafeteria and had a wonderful lunch. We were then driven around the ranch and got to talk to some of the boys there. It was amazing. They take these boys in and do not charge a dime! We were shown one of the houses they stay in. They have 6 bedrooms of 2 to 3 boys in each room. There are 2 set of houseparents and it was really neat meeting and being able to talk to them. The most amazing thing is not once were we asked to make a donation and we were unable to find a place to pay for our lunch. They exist totally on donations and do not take any government money. They used to be self sufficient growing and raising all that they ate. The government stepped in and now they have to buy some things to meet FDA standards. They are in the old town of Tosca which was given to Cal to start his ranch for boys. A real neat adventure and experience.

4th of July trip back home

2006-07-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

Boy what an adventure. We left Amarillo on 4 July to go back to Fort Worth and celebrate Raquelle's Birthday. While we were dining at Joe's Crab Shack, somebody decided that they like the XM radio in my truck better than I did. They smashed the passenger side window and tried to steal the XM radio, took Honey bunches purse and direct TV receiver and also broke into the truck next to us. Boy talk about an expensive trip. Honey bunch had our spending money and all her address's in her purse along with both of our debit cards. Had to spend Wednesday going to bank to check book replaced, new cards and window ordered. They installed it Wednesday around 3pm. We spent the night and drove back to Amarillo Thursday. We got back around 11:30 am and went back to work at 2 pm.
But on a lighter note we got to spend an extra day with our Grand Daughter and the in-laws. They really seem like a good bunch of folks. We also met Ben's Grandmother. Raquelle says her and Ben will try to come up and visit us at the KOA.
Oh well guess this just goes to show you can not be too careful now a days. A lesson learned.

Another week of workamping

2006-06-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

Boy oh boy does time seem to be going fast. Already another week done and 2 days off are here and gone again. It has been a lot more like typical Amarillo weather this week with temps from 64 in the mornings to 90 in the afternoon and not so much wind. Took the girls to the beauty shop at Petsmart and they looked so cute as you can see in the picture with Honeybunch. Justin has been making a killing helping out in the KowPoke Cafe delivering meals to the camp sites. He is averaging around $10 a night in tips and spending it all before the next night. He is having such a good time. Everyone says they will miss him when we take him home on the 4th. We will be back home for 2 days and then drive back up here and go to work Thursday afternoon. All and all having a good time and missing all of our friends back home. Hope to see y'all on the 4th and 5th. Till next week, see y'all

A Night at the Drive-In

2006-06-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

Last night Justin and Papa went to a real old fashioned Drive-In. The gates opened at 8pm and the movies started around 9:30pm. It was called the Tascosca and here is the link http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/txttasc. We stopped and got some fried chicken, iced down some drinks and took some popcorn and chips. It had a playground, concession stand and the sound was on your car radio. We saw a double feature (http://tascosadrivein.com/) and it was $10.00 a car night with their bumper sticker on your car. There was around 50 to 75 vehicles there. They even played the old "10 minute get your favorite drinks/treats countdown between movies" clip. Brought back a lot of memories and of course Justin had a blast. He said he even liked it better than the movies that he goes to now. There were a ton of kids playing at the playgrounds and a lot of pickups backed in with chairs in the back to watch the movies. Some people even spread out blankets and laid back enjoying the movies. We all had a great time.

Here is a good Fable that was sent to me

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house." The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?" "That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them." "For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

Happy Father's Day

2006-06-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day. Justin made me a cute picture frame and picture of his self. Today we work a split shift; 8am to 11am and 5pm to 10pm. Oma will work in the Kowpoke Kafe this evening. She really enjoys working there, making the meals and then delivering them to the camp site. She is meeting some real nice folks from all over the world. Here is a link to some pictures at the campgroundhttp://community.webshots.com/photo/551473679/2798813120075441303vuYGzG

Cadillac Ranch

2006-06-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today went to Cadillac Ranch on the west side of Amarillo. Justin got to spray paint all 10 Cadillacs. The wind was blowing about 25 to 30 mph. He had a good time and went thru 2 cans of spray paint. Here is a link to more pictures

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=551369759

1st week of Workamping

2006-06-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

Well made it through our 1st week of workamping. Honeybunch is actually using the computer in the office. It will take a little time but she is starting to get the hang of it. She is also working in the Cafe preparing the meals to be delivered to the campsites and learing to drive in the golf cart. She has met a lot of people including some from Germany. I am doing the outside work which involves escorting campers to their sites, driving the hay wagon, watering and whatever else comes up. It is a lot more work than what we wanted; around 40 hours a week; but as this is our first job we will go along with the flow. The next job will be only about 20 to 30 hours. Justin is helping me out with all the outside duties. He has his own KOA shirt and hat. He is really having a good time. He has met a girl that lives in Amarillo and even got her phone number!! Jan, Bobbie's daughter is taking him out to the baseball game this Thursday. It has really been dry up here and have only gotten a few sprinkles since we have been here. The good thing is the humidity is really low and the temp drops down to the upper 60's at night. Our days off will be Tuesday and Wednesday's. We will go visit Palo Duro Canyon today and Cadillac Ranch wednesday and let Justin spray paint them. I will try and start posting some pictures for everyone to see. Here is a link to the photos at Palo Duro Canyon http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=551369776&security=xzHZLA

Arrived at Amarillo KOA

2006-06-04T07:12:00.000-07:00

Well made the 350 mile trip from RV Ranch in Burleson and Arrived in Amarillo at the KOA Friday 2 June. After leaving Wichita Falls; a whole lot of nothing to see except for a few towns that really monitor the speed limits. It is warm up here but cool at night, around 65 to 70 Degrees. A lot of wind up here as there is really nothing to stop it. Usually blowing around 15 to 20 mph from the south. Got all set up and met Tim and Bobbie, the owners along with Chuck and Nancy, Sid and Coleen, Tami and Don the fellow workampers here. We are scheduled to start working Tuesday 6 April and really looking forward to it. Justin is meeting new friends every day and having a good time.

RV Ranch Burleson

2006-05-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

Well spent Memorial Day here in Burleson. Raquelle, Ben Leah and Richard stopped by for a visit. Our neighbors next to us are workamping here. Talked to them to learn their perspective of workamping. Went to the pool. Big decision for us as they have 2 pools and spa's here. Relaxed in the hot tub and just laid back enjoying ourselves. The girls (kiki and sunshine) are really enjoying all the walking around the park and the great friendly people we are meeting. Sold Honeybunch's mustang last Friday. Now we are down to the truck and 5er. She will drive the truck to work Tuesday and Wednesday. We plan on relaxing on her vacation day Thursday before we go to town to pick up Justin (our Grandson). He will spend about a month with us up in Amarillo this summer. He is really looking forward to it.

RV Ranch Burleson

2006-05-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Wow, 1 week into the new lifestyle and we have not killed each other yet. We have downsized a whole lot more and are starting to remember where everthing is at in the camper. It is surprising at how much stuff we think that we really need and actually don't use. We recieved a great Job Offer from Amarillo Koa http://www.koa.com/where/tx/43102/. Sounds too good to be true but after talking to the owners they said come on up. We will be working for them from 2 June till 15 September 2006. Pretty amazing; being paid and getting your camping site and utilities for free doing what you actually enjoy doing. We are so excited about this job offer.

Our New Adventure Begins

2006-05-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

Today is the start of our Fulltime adventure and new lifestyle. The House is scheduled to close on Friday at 10:00am. Honeybunch is at work while I set up our 5er at http://www.rv-ranch.com in Burleson. A very nice spot to begin at and sort out things till Honeybunch closes the Drapery Shop 31 May.