"Youth" is when you're allowed to stay up on New Year's Eve. "Middle age" is when you're forced to, and "Old age" is when you can't.

Unfortunately, 2010 has left me bitter and wondering whether you might be available sometime soon to hear me complain about it.

Happy New Year Everyone!

My Top Ten New Year's Resolutions 2011

1. To continue being awesome.
1. To try and get even awesome...er
2. To start buying lottery tickets at a luckier store.
3. To get my life in order...ish
4. To not start 2011with a hangover
5. To not let the New Year peer pressure me into making promises I'm not going to keep.
6. To join a gym, and possibly even go there occasionally....(ha...I even laughed at this one myself!)
7. To somehow change the world's negative perception of cellulite.
8. To no longer be condescending to morons. Poor things can't help it.
9. To adhere to my resolutions for longer than 24 hours.

I'm hoping that the New Year brings me the ridiculously unattainable things that 2010 didn't.

I feel bad for illiterate people:

They have never experienced the joy of finding DIRTY WORDS spelled out in their alphabet soup.

What did you think I meant?

Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.

The Day After Christmas

It's the day after Christmas and all through the estates,
Everyone is napping after emptying their plates,
The presents are all opened, the stockings are bare,
The Christmas tree is falling over, but no one seems to care,
The kitchen is in shambles, the whole house torn apart,
What was that noise, did Uncle Wilber just fart?

The food is all eaten, the booze is all drank,
The cupboards are empty, as is the fish tank?
There's packages, ribbons, and bows everywhere,
In a planter I found someone's underwear,

All I can say, and I say it with some fears,
Just wait till next week, the day after NEW YEARS!!!

What happened to my page template today? Everything is all out of whack??

Merry Christmas!

I asked Santa for a million dollars...I got a candy cane....Santa's generosity is greatly exaggerated.

Christmas Spirit

Someone told me that if you want to feel great eliminate stress from your life. They also said stress is the result of things unfinished.

I went to my cupboard and found a 1/2 bottle of Jack Daniels....so I finished it.

I gotta admit, I do feel feel much better now...lol

Merry Christmas everyone. Thanks for laughing with me at my twisted humor.

Each day is one day closer to the full-time dream. I hope one day we all get there.  

Just to be clear: our agreement to not buy each other gifts this year only applies to my gift for you.

Kids, when I was your age, the ENTIRE family shared one phone, and it was attached to the kitchen wall by a cord. We couldn't even update our Facebook status from it.

Forget about the past, you can't change it. Forget about the future, you can't predict it. Forget about the present, I didn't get you one.

Does anyone know where I'm going, or why I'm in this handbasket?

Dinner last night at "The Grill House" in Allegan, MI. Great food, outstanding company, makes for a wonderful evening.

The Grill House

Boy, you moon one wrong person at the company Christmas party and suddenly your not "professional" anymore!

I'm starting to think that Santa just isn't that into me....Even after I took first place in the reindeer games.

Yeah...I found the "on" button!

I find "Santa Baby" misleading. Last I checked there weren't any women beating down doors for fat, married men who work one day a year.

I've decided to take Frosty the Snowman, Jack Frost, and Old Man Winter out for some Flaming Dr. Peppers. What's the worst that could happen?

Just a reminder in these tough economic times that instead of spending five dollars on my Christmas card, you could just give me five dollars...lol

It's beginning to cost a lot like Christmas.

I should be more careful what I wish for...Some guy might just offer to hook me up!...lol

Vansteaders - Thanks for the laughs Mike & Heidi. 

I wonder why it's called "gross" pay when it is what I "net" after taxes, that is really "gross!"

I learn something new every day. Unfortunately, lots of times it’s that what I learned the day before was wrong!

Dear Santa, Yes, I have been bad a few times this year, but it was worth it...

Yesterday, the snow was pretty...

Today, it just looks like work!

Saturday morning cartoons

Some of us are old enough to remember when the only cartoons on TV were on Saturday mornings. In today's world of cartoons 24/7, the once common term "Saturday Morning Cartoons" is a term no longer valid so no longer used.

Then there are the terms used widely today that didn't exists back then like "blogging", "internet", "webpage", and "cellphone". Using any of these words back in the 70's would have gotten strange looks from the folks in that time. Yet today they are routinely part of everyday conversation.

One term still in use today as it was back then is taking a, "Saturday afternoon nap"....hummm.....not a bad idea.

People say that money can't buy happiness. I say I haven't yet secured sufficient funding to conduct an adaquate study on this subject.

Did you know turtles can breathe out of their butt, which is incredible, considering most humans can only talk out of theirs.

I hate housework. You dust, you vacuum, you wash the dishes, do the laundry and six months later you just have to do it all over again.

Obviously

A study in the Washington Post says that women have better verbal skills than men. I just want to say to the authors of that study:..... "Duh."

What a great morning to be at work!*

*Status update may or may not contain BS.

The "most awesome" daughter in the world...

Stopped by for a visit tonight.

She & Snoop Dog were checking out Dora

Snoop misses her....

Snoop says he is driving when Dora is ready to go. Somebody want to tell him his "license" does not cover driving?

All of RV Blogland, please read my idea

There seem to be many of us who are planning to go full-time, but for whatever reason, have not yet. I like finding & reading about other bloggers who are preparing for the road.

I wondered if there is a way to tell quickly if the blog is about someone all ready on the road, or someone getting ready to go.

Here is my idea, I have added a "*" to the end of my blog title to indicate I am not on the road yet.

What do you all think? Good idea, or goofy one?  Will it work?

If you are a "wannabe"  like me, add a "*" to the end of your title & I'll know you are not on the road yet.

If you like this idea, feel free to post about it & pass it on. Let's see if we can change the world....blogworld...lol

Andy

Here is Dora's world at 19°F

I wonder how we really know that hard work never killed anybody, when the only reliable witness may be dead?

"The best revenge is a life well-lived" is so true, but it doesn't usually provide the instant gratification that I seek.

The new name is.........drumroll please...........

From "Dora the Explorer". My hope is for Dora & I to put a lot more color on the states visited map.

What's in a name

A fellow blogger (Glenn from To Simplify) told me that the name for a new rig will present itself & you just have to be ready & paying attention to see it. He was absolutely right & it happened for me today. As much as I feel the name Gypsy was a great fit for my first rig, I think this one is just as good a fit for the new one. Thanks to those who made suggestions & I did consider each and every one of them. I also seriously considered Gypsy II.

I liked many names that have meanings about freedom, new beginnings, or wandering in general. This name is so simple yet will instantly convey its meaning to anyone who has not been living under a rock recently. Innocent, yet elegant, simple, yet deep in meaning.

So what is it? What did I choose? Not telling yet. Stay tuned.

The Upcoming Christmas Miracle

I had a wonderful holiday. Incredible company ;-)... and delicious food. I had Thanksgiving dinner at Schuler's in Marshall MI. Kudos to the few places that remain open & give up their holiday time to serve the singles & smaller families that choose to eat out.  I ate way too much & if I keep this up, the Christmas Miracle will be me getting my pants buttoned!

I hope all of you also have or had a great holiday. 

What the F....unny is going on here

News Flash...

I just Figured out what might be the Finest name for my new rig. It Found it's way into my head while I was Frying French Fries. Fascinating....I Feel kinda Funny, like something Freaky is going on.....Maybe too many Exhaust Fumes today?.......whoops, sorry, I just Farted - must be those French Fries......anyway....

For now, it is my First choice, you might say my Front runner, but I really have not Finished deciding....

Ok, that's all For now......

Oh wait... the name is Freeda. Because my motorhome represents to me more than anything, FREEDOM!!!!

Disclaimer: No actual potatoes were harmed in the writing of this blog update :-)


Hope everyone  has a happy & FUN Thanksgiving!

The older I get, the more I desperately cling to my immaturity.

It's official - I made the deal!

Help me name her.

1987 Fleetwood Southwind. See the pics on the Unnamed preview tab!

Possible names:
Windy - From Southwind
Reva - "One that moves"
Sundara - "Beautiful"
Polly - "Sweet"
Pandora - "Trouble"
Nuada - "Protector"
EOS - "Goddess of Dawn"
Leda - "Woman"
Freya - "Lady"
Hera - "Chosen One"
Aishe - "Alive"
Nadya - "Hope"
Simza - "Joy"
Jofranka - "Free"
Pixie - "Mischievous"
Vesta - "Goddess of the Home"

Bittersweet day...........

The bitter part...

Got some bad news about Gypsy today. The framework deterioration is so far gone it will make restoring her financially unfeasible.  She is worth more right now in parts that she will be if I do the work so, I have to part her out. I'm sorry old girl, I really tried.

The sweet part...

I have a line on Gypsy II. Stay tuned.

Security Warning

I just read that burglars read blogs to see when people aren't home. So from now on, I'm at home. With a shotgun, a hungry crocodile, and Snoop the killer...Beagle?

It's becoming very clear that I'm getting the "Winner of Nothing" award for 2010.

I am living the dream! Unfortunately, I think it's the bad one where I go to work with no pants on.

Blindfolded

Since the roof repairers couldn't get Gypsy in this year, I had to cover her up. It will allow me to keep working inside without further water damage, but it almost seems like I covered her personality in the process.
 
Because the windshield leaks too, I bought a big enough tarp to cover the roof & the windshield both. Covering her windshield seems like it took away her ability to see out.

For the next few months, she won't want to see the Michigan winter anyway.

I rescued her from an early demise, to borrow from Kid Rock, she was "tired, frail & aching, waiting patiently for the sun to set". I have seen her at her worst, rotted, leaking, systems failing, on her last ...tire...I hope I have the fortitude & stamina to bring her back to the beauty I know she can be. After all, she was Born Free, born to be wondering, not covered up in a Michigan backyard.  Only time will tell.

Celebrate small successes

Today I replaced Gypsy's door handle/porch light. The original one was old weathered & did not work. Now she has a shiny new one!

I bought the new part at General RV Center in Wayland MI. http://www.generalrv.com/ Here are some pics of the store & the gals in parts. Very knowledgeable & helpful. If you need Fleetwood parts, give Carol a call.

Saturday Ponderings

Since there is a real live dog called a "Toy Poodle", what is the stuffed animal version called?

Friday Night Fever

Ok friends, it is Friday night. Who wants to do something we will regret in the morning???......Anyone?....lol

Status Updates

FYI. This status update has absolutely no nutritional value.

Wednesday Rants

The worst feeling in the world is when you are in the middle of a good story and realize no one is listening to you.

The Mission

The Mission

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Wishes the creators hadn't hidden all of my talents so well.

RV-Adventure-Bound

RV-Adventure-Bound

What a difference a day makes.......

Yesterday was sunny & unseasonably warm, now today it is cold and windy. Rained last night & looks like it could snow......burrrrr........anytime.

Gypsy & Dolly look sad. They spent some of their former life in California & I think they are not happy in the cold. I know I'm not!

Up in smoke.....

Need to have a bonfire tonight

This is most of the "stuff" removed from Gypsy. Time to get it burned before the weather turns for good. Hard to believe it is Mid-November already.

Saturday sunrise here on the farm.

No new roof this week :-(

Here is a pic of Gypsy's roof today, before it is replaced. I hoped they could get her in this week but it did not happen. Hopefully the good weather will hold & maybe they can get her in next week. I'll be talking with them today.

Love that Dog

Tired Thursday

Just trying to make it through today. Looking forward to a vacation day off tomorrow. Spend a little quality time with Gypsy & Snoop Dog.

Then there was light....BRAKE light(s)

Gypsy was sad, no brake lights. Figured I should get those fixed before we need to drive to the roofers. Checked fuse, bulbs, all good. Checked switch on the pedal & found the problem. Removed the switch & messed with it awhile & shazam, brake lights work. Another one scratched off the list.

Today is Monday...that is reason enough for me to hate it.

Easy day today.

Took a break today from the typical work my tail off on the renovations. Just a beautiful day to take it easy. I found a fuel leak Friday that I got fixed & spent most of yesterday finishing up the roof insulation removal. I have her ready to go to the roofers this week whenever they call.

Pic of me & Snoop in the drivers seat this morning. 2nd pic is our view of the neighbors property from the windshield.

Continuing the rehab......

The demo begins....