Happy Halloween

          

                

Pulling up the anchor

We have been at this particular spot a few months.  When that happens you tend to get comfy meaning it's gonna take us awhile to put everything back in it's proper place.  

We have some places we still want to go and see.  Hopefully the fires that damaged the area will allow us to go sightseeing.  I'll be sure to post some photos if in fact I get any.  

We really do like this area, too bad the fires put a damper on seeing some sites.

Looking forward to return to  "South State"  and being with family and friends for the next few months.  You know by now there will be a few blogs from that visit.

So far now

What would we do without cellular phones

We,  Mr Doodles and I are RV'rs.  We are traveling all the time.  To be able to keep in touch with family and friends by way of my Verizon phone well there is nothing  better. 

When we are in one of the big box stores and Mr wanders off I can call him almost like a GPS and get his location.   I am able to call my sister from the market and ask her to read me that recipe  cause I forgot to put the app on my phone.  See we added another word to our vocabulary   APP

But folks let me remind you that I am sick and tired of almost being  run over by some jerk while they were on their phone.  If in fact you think your conversation is more important that very minute than you paying attention while driving well you just might want to check with your insurance company to see if you are covered for an accident while you were chatting or texting.

Let me list a few incidences that happened just in the last few days. 

• lady ran a red lite at a very busy intersection, I in a truck and another car were very lucky to have missed her.

• a fellow was on the phone  when a fire truck with full sirens blasting swerved to get out of his way.

• an older gentleman in a work truck was texting while turning left I happened to be turning left also and he ventured over in my lane.  He had the nerve to mouth  "sorry".

• and last but not least a woman ran her cart into the back of me because she was checking her coupons. Knowing she ran into me she said  "trying to save some money here".

Those are but a few I even was aware of.  Sit in your car and count the number of folks around you in their car  on the phone.  You can bet the conversation doesn't end when the lite changes.

All I can say is ya better have a lot and I mean a gob lot of insurance if you hit me cause I'm coming after you if you were on your phone. 

Cell phones play an important part in all our lives just don't let your usage before a nightmare.

Look who's having a birthday!!

This I the first photo I took of Bogey

and this is a favorite 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We love this little guy!!

He is turning three.

Bogey we love having you travel with us ~ you are a joy!

The many uses of vinegar

 I know this is not a cooking blog.  BUT I have stumbled onto the many uses of vinegar.

I'm not going to bore you to tears with the bajillion uses but I am going to post the link, 

then you can decide.

It all started when I needed a shower door cleaner.  If you don't know we live in our RV.  We have the pleasure of encountering many different kinds of water while traveling about the country. There are some days that I just shouldn't Google  anything cause it can be a definite time waster.  Back to the googling part.  I see first there is  130 then 150 then a whopping 254 I present you with the many uses of vinegar.  

Wanna hear about a great soap scum remover.  Here goes two parts white vinegar to one part Dawn dishing soap.  Here comes the weird part but no arguing cause it works..........heat the vinegar slightly in your microwave  (DO NOT BOIL) then add the Dawn, put it in a spray bottle, shake it a little, spray on affected area and let it set for a little bit.  My little bit = about a half an hour.  Go find your Magic Eraser, spray down the shower with hot water then wipe down the area with that Magic sponge thingy (love those things).  Rinse well.   Ta Da clean soap scumless ;) 

I neglected to mention I was doing this to Mr Doodles cause he wondered why the shower smelled like a salad.

Now one more hint and this one is a dandy well for me anyway.  A bit of background, I have been bothered my allergies and sinus problems for as long a I can remember.  Some days are worse or better than others,  Yes I have been to a ton of Dr's regarding this and I could prove it by showing you the drawer full of crap  drugs they have prescribed.  Because of this problem I am so lucky to have a problem with mucus.  YUK!!  I know not my favorite thing to discuss.  Google throat mucus and you'll be amazed at the number of sites that appear.  Anyway drinking cider vinegar diluted with warm water is a life  sleep saver.  I can sleep most nites without choking.  

OK I have bored you to tears I'm sure but I must tell you that I bet I post another hint about vinegar soooooooooooo

 

newest piece

Mr has attempted a  new piece...........

                  I kinda like them.

clouds doing photoshop

it appears that the wispy cloud just barely visible on the right was trying to brighten the sky.

2012 Olympics

The Olympics are just around the corner.  I love the Olympics.  Winter or Summer.  Doesn’t matter. Thank heavens for my DVR.  I think why I enjoy the Olympics so much is the athletes dedication.

We were watching the diving trials and the synchronized women’s team advanced to become Olympians by just a few tenths of a second.  Good heavens these young girls have worked for four years to get to that point and to be denied a seat on the plane because of  a lousy three tenths.  I have never competed so I cannot even imagine the feeling.

A couple a months ago we were in a beachside seafood joint.  We had just been seated when about twenty folks wandered in luckily they had called ahead.  They needed a couple of extra chairs so we offered them our extra chairs.  Two and a half hours and a couple of really good margaritas later we became fast friends.  

Come to find out they were judges at the Olympic Gymnastic trials.  Several of them were also going to London.  Several of them  had been coaches.  Some of them were even gymnasts themselves in their younger years.

By asking one question of the head judge we got an incredible education on the way the teams as well as the individuals are judged.

What a great bunch of folks they were and when we watch the gymnasts compete we will think back to that nite and remember how difficult it is for the judges.  They did tell us in a whisper "look out for a young lady by the name of Gabrielle".

 Good Luck to  Team USA!!

Gila National Cliff Dwellings

This happens to be where the fire is raging in New Mexico. We have spent many months in this area and the Gila National Cliff Dwellings is one of our favorite hiking trails. I understand this whole area is closed down. We hope to make a return visit someday soon.

Needs no explanation

for some sunny news!!

Still a bit of white stuff showing

But the weather up here in the Eastern Sierra's has been just beautiful.

Day tripping

Beginning of the June Lake Loop............still a fair amount of snow capping the higher elevations.

Mono Lake   Interesting area almost a high desert feel

Snow melt waterfall coming from Dream Mountain

Managing a higher altitude

When my doctor heard we were traveling to a higher altitude from Yuma she emailed me this need to know info.  I explained that we have been in higher elevations before however she said "but you are older now".    The NERVE!!  There is one couple here that the wife has not been outta bed for four days.  We on the other hand are doing fine and taking it slow.  After all we are aged ;(

Things You'll Need

• Water and other liquids
• Over-the-counter pain reliever
• Motion sickness medicine 
• Try to ease your way into high altitudes. If you’re driving, spend a few nights at moderate altitude (5,000 to 6,000 feet) before climbing to your destination. Don’t go from flatland Kansas to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains in one day.
• Drink plenty of clear liquids. The low humidity at high altitude tends to dehydrate you, which can make you feel sick. To do the most good, start consuming liquids a couple days before you arrive at your mountain destination. Water, juice and sports drinks are great options for replenishing lost fluids.
• Avoid alcohol and excessive salt for a few days before and after your arrival at high altitude. These items exacerbate dehydration.
• Take it easy for the first few days at high altitude. The reduced amount of oxygen at high altitude puts a strain on your heart and lungs, so let them adjust. Get plenty of sleep—altitude can make you feel lethargic. When you do start being physically active again, go slow. Try a short hike or bike ride first and build up your endurance.
• Treat your symptoms. Headaches are common, so keep a pain reliever on hand. Nausea is another frequent symptom, so try taking motion sickness medicine and drinking carbonated soda to settle your stomach.
  

Tips & Warnings

• If you’ve had altitude sickness before or suspect that you may come down with it, visit your doctor before you travel. He may be able to prescribe medicines that can prevent altitude sickness.
• If you have heart or lung problems or other serious medical conditions, consult your doctor before traveling to high altitudes.
• If you have difficulty breathing or experience swelling in your arms or legs, descend to a lower altitude and see a doctor immediately

Stunning views!!

I will probably bore you to tears for the next few months because of my use of the word STUNNING!!  But let me tell you the views are just beautiful.  The mountains look like they are close enough to touch. I took this out the truck window on the way  to Mammoth Lakes.  Which I will write more about because it's a sweet little village.

Life is about making the right decisions and moving on.

Ah yes the life of a gypsy as my sister likes to call us.  Well I guess we are.  We enjoy the challenges a new area brings.

We shall begin our new challenge by spending the summer here at June Lake.   They have all the typical mountain lake resort goodies going on water sports, fishing, hiking, sunrises and beautiful sunsets.  And what I am looking forward to is the photo opportunities.  I love being in Yuma but there are just so many photos you can take of a cactus.  June Lake is quite close to the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park one of my favorite places.

Mr in his spare time will be replenishing  his inventory of his beaded pieces.  I'm sure he'll be coming up with some new designs.

We'll be pulling out of here in a few days.  And on the way to our destination we'll stop and get in some much needed family time.

Sister and I just had this conversation

It's all about communication.   It's a given hairdresser has a different  measuring instrument in their head than we do.  Explicit communication must be used when communication with a person that has a pair of scissors in her hand. 

So I walk into the salon where I am about to get my hair cut.  Hair cutter person says "wow your hair has really grown".  I say "I know thank heavens I can even get it in a short pony tail thingy".  "But the sides don't seem to be growing as fast.  Should WE shorten the back a bit so it could grow out together with the sides and it would be a short bob with some good layers"?  "Sure" she says.  "Let's go shampoo".

Friends I did not stress on the phrase A BIT!!   I now have a very short back that matches up to the sides, it's cute but it's shorter than I wanted.  But then again it's only hair and it will grow.  We put a few hi-lites in it.  I'll put my color on today.  Then don my Easter bonnet tomorrow.  Pardon me while I go look for my biotin.

I hate to admit my husband is right

but maybe I am a klutz. And maybe I should be more careful when leaping over a brick wall.  It was a short wall.  How the hell did I know the GRAVEL ground was lower on one side than the other.  Stop and think about that. OK got that in your mind have ya.

Here I was doing a favor for a neighbor who has a crummy spring cold didn't feel like going to the market but I would pick up a few things for her.  Then come back and brew up some chicken soup.  Doodles to the rescue with great intentions.  

When I hopped over the wall to run to the market I went down like a load a bricks. In gravel damn it.  I hollered for Mr Doodles.  He came scurrying over, when he saw I was OK all he said was you are such a klutz you were due you haven't had a fall in awhile.

Whaaaaaaa  he hurt my feelings but he did wipe off the gravel,  clean the blood off of me with peroxide and check the bump on my head.  Sat me in a chair outside, got my book and some muscle relaxers with a water chaser.  I would have preferred a corona or a tequila shot but I think he was in charge and I had no room to argue.

So I will admit to many cuts and scrapes, a minor bump on my head and a ton a bruises popping up as I type.  But I will live to see another bruise I'm sure............but right now I annoyed and sore. 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Oreo Cookies

How can I be married to a man that has never had an Oreo cookie.  I have some theories but I might not share them with you now maybe later. 
Anyway Mr Doodles oreo cookie deprived.  Well we are gonna fix that aren't we!!

First it was the twinkie we found out he had never had a few years ago.  Introduced  him to the twinkie and he was quite impressed with the deliciousness of the sponge cake and cream filled yummy tasting treat. 

OK fast forward a few years to just this past Sunday.  Big article in the local paper about how you gonna celebrate the 100th birthday of the oreo cookie.  So I asked Mr  that question.  His answer "what's an oreo cookie"?  After I recovered from my being stunned from that answer I grabbed my keys and ran to the market.  This man cannot go another minute without the pleasure of eating an oreo, life has it's priorities ya know!!






 a hefty half gallon of ice cold one of these. 

I arrived back with a sweet package of these

Let's just say Mr Doodles is sending Happy birthday wishes to the Oreo cookie folks!!

Arizona may be the Grand Canyon State

but Yuma, Arizona is definitely the lettuce growing area.  Being part of the Imperial Valley of Southern California this vast desert area grows an abundant amount of lettuce, all kinds, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower. 

A hearfelt kinda day

Hope your day is filled with love and hugs!!

I'm just too cute

Tombstone Bead Collection

Beautiful wire wrapped pendant suitable for any gold chain



Stones are jasper beads are copper length approximately 20"

All pieces are one of a kind.
For more information please email me.

Flat calm, gin clear

that is what our viewing pleasure was when we were out

whale watching.  We celebrated our family Christmas with a feast the nite before then wandered off to Ventura for some dynamite whales, dolphins and sea lions.  Viewed dolphins I had not heard of called Common dolphin.  The sea lions were quite comical but the whales were spectacular as the find their way south to Mexico have their babies then wander on back up the coast to babysit the babies on the way to the Berring Sea.  Would love to view their trip north.   I might add that when we left the dock we had rolling 4 - 5 ft swells meaning an iffy trip out.  But once we got out a ways it flattened out and became just beautiful.  Unlike the day before the folks on the whale watching boat had eighteen foot crashing waves.  I do believe our timing was impecable to say the least.  I do have a few more photos to add  but that will happen once we land in a more permanent spot in a few days.