Arrived home

Arrived in Andrews about 4:30 this afternoon.

Speak kindly. It doesn't hurt or blister the tongue and it does raise spirits and comes back to you many times over.


Frozen By Fear

The Little Engine That Could was a story that inspired many of us as children. The story tells of a small train that was faced with a steep climb up a very large hill. Half way up the hill the little engine started to feel as though it was an impossible task. Fear set in.
"Will I make it?" the train wondered. "What if I don't? What if I run out of steam before I make it? What if I'm not equipped with a strong enough engine to handle this?"
The fear grew inside as his speed slowed with the climb. Soon he crawled to a stop. "I can't make it," he thought.
He was gripped with fear, paralyzed by it. Then things got even worse. He was now slipping backwards. His fear was now his reality. The top of the hill was out of his reach and he would never make it. As he slid backwards he yelled out, "I don't want to fail!"
Then something inside him changed. In truth he really did want to be on the top of the hill, not forever stuck at the bottom to live in its shadow. Fear was replaced with determination, drive, and a desire to make it to the top. With all he had in him he focused on summoning the power he needed to stop the backward slide.
And he did it! He was now holding his ground on the hill. His excitement deepened his determination. Up the hill he began moving, ever so slowly, pulling the weight of the entire train behind him. He looked up toward the top of the hill and held clear in his mind the vision of making it. He became even more determined and that made him feel stronger. His confidence grew and he picked up more speed. The train didn't feel so hard to pull now. He felt great strength within himself that he hadn't known before; strength he had never needed before now. As he neared the top of the hill he felt unstoppable. He knew he was going to make it!
He did it! The little ol'train made it to the top of the hill and congratulated himself. It felt great to be at the top. Filled with joy, confidence and a passion for life he looked down the tracks eager to continue his journey. He saw another hill - bigger than the last! A big smile came over his face; for he truly understood there is no end to the hills! This filled him with a deep sense of peace and humility. He then further realized that the journey and the destination are one and the same.
He wondered how was it that at the half-way point he felt so overcome with the task and yet it was in him to make it. He was strong enough. Could it have been that as his fears grew, his thoughts were consumed with the vision of not making it? Failure almost became his reality. It was when he changed his focus - alerted his perspective - that he felt powerful. In fact, it seemed the more he believed in himself the stronger he felt, and the easier the climb became. His new focus became his new reality!
He admired just how powerful his thoughts are and he never took them for granted again. He became aware of his thoughts and he used them to go places he always wanted to go!
Remember: You are the conductor of your own train on the tracks of life and you are strong enough to go places you want to go. Don't let a little hill stop you - choose the reality you wish to create, not the one you're afraid might occur. Soon enough you'll be able to say just like the little engine, "I know I can!"

Heather Walter

Dallas

We are staying in a KOA campground in the middle of Arlington. All around is busy traffic but somehow you can't tell. It is like an oasis.
We met up with Pamela last night for another delish Dallas dinner. This city has the best places to eat and Pam and Max know the best of the best. I had chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese, fresh aspargas, spinach (fresh) and wild mushroom risotto. Yummy. Pam brought my dishes that she has been storing for me plus an extra dish. Now on to home and cleaning out cabinets so I can use them. Yuk! Home and cleaning out cabinets. What is wrong with this picture.
It has been a good trip. Sure doesn't seem like we have been traveling nearly a month.

Vicksburg Ms - Wednesday Nov 28

Left Birmingham after a good walk in the park. This should have been a short travel day but turned out to be an adventure. We broke the back window of the pickup when we stopped for lunch. Long story short, Terri told me I could call 411 on my cell phone and get help finding someone to replace the window. News to me, but it worked. Then the park where I thought I had reserved a space called and said they didn't have room for us. As it turned out, the park we found was close to the auto repair shop. The window was replaced for less dollars and less time than we expected. The RV park is nicer and has better security.
To all our loved ones, just so you know, you are in our prayers, good thoughts, good energy every day and we are so grateful for you. May this day be the beginning of better and better lives for you all. Know you are loved beyond measure.

on down the road towards Texas

We left Savannah this morning. We are south of Birmingham this evening. We had a long day on the road. Problems with some info I purchased sent us on a goose chase for RV parks. Anyway, we finally just drove a bit more than we had planned to stay in a nice park we found earlier this month. Plan on being home the end of the week.

Sunday night while still near Savannah we caught a fantastic sight of hundreds of birds comingin to roost. Randall got some video so maybe we (he) can post it later. Here are some still shots.

BTW I was told we were a dismal looking lot in the pictures I posted. So....no more intense puzzling and no more poker faces.

Poker night

Our last day in Hilton Head. The girls all shopped. The guys did whatever guys do while girls shop. Final night is always poker night. Randall and Cozt were the big winners again this year. Makes you wonder what he does in his spare time. George was runner up.

Sunday morning after loading up, Calvin and I picked up Charlie. He was ready to be rescued and was especially happy to see Emily and Madeleine. We caravaned to Savannah and all stopped for lunch at Cracker Barrel. Then Terri and family headed for Jacksonville, Pamela and Max came by the RV for a bit. Randall and Charlie caught a few zzz's.

The day after Thanksgiving

Everyone slept in this morning. Pam, Randall, Terri, Emily and me did a little shopping this morning. Madeleine and Emily went with Calvin and I to take Charlie out of the spa for a couple of hours.

Spent a while on the beach, watching football, working puzzles, more eating and just hanging out.

Thanksgiving and two days prior

Tuesday night we parked the trailer in So. Savannah KOA. Our site is near the lake which supposedly has gators swimming around. The pics are of Charlie checking out the ducks and geese.

Wednesday we went to the house in Hilton Head. Wow!! This house is perfect for us. In fact this year we have one bedroom and bath that is not being used. Wish Christopher and Brian were here.

Thanksgiving was a typical Thanksgiving day for this bunch. Much cooking, much eating and much walking.

Visit with Brian

Spent some time with Brian today. He is a special person. It was so good to see him. Barbara and Wendy came home a little while before we left. Wish we had more time with them all. Hopefully we will be back in a few months.

Had a delish dinner with Terri and family and watched Dancing with the Stars.

We will head out for Hilton Head this morning.

Jax days 2 and 3

Friday was spent getting Em ready for her show and Saturday was the show. She did well. Two fourth places. We were all pooped Saturday evening. So after eating dinner out, Calvin and I came back to the trailer and went to bed early. The pics are from Friday and Saturday.

Jacksonville day 1

Arrived in Jax. We are staying at a park near the ocean. Very nice and very resonable in price. We got turned around coming into town and had to take the ferry across the St Johns river. I was really wishing for the flat lands of west Texas after so many bridges. Yikes!! The pictures are of shrimp boats viewed from the ferry. The other is our campsite.

Arrived in Florida

We had a full day on the road yesterday. We unexpectedly found a KOA nestled in a forest. It seems very isolated, even tho the interstate isn't that far away. Charlie is afraid to go outside which makes me a little uneasy. The only thing missing is the Bates house. I guess I've been in the wide open spaces so long I have tree-phobia.

Thought for the day.
"Whether or not we realize it each of us has within us the ability to set some kind of example for people. Knowing this would you rather be the one known for being the one who encouraged others, or the one who inadvertently discouraged those around you?"

Josh Hinds
Syndicated Columnist and Author

Crossing those state lines

We left Little Rock about 10:00 yesterday morning. Made a few stops during the day. The first picture is of Charlie on the Arkansas/Tennessee line. The next ones are where we stayed near Tupelo, Mississippi last night. It was on the Natchez Trace. Just a beautiful park. In fact I believe it may be part of a National park as the manager said something about Forest Rangers being around.My travel agent, Sister Jane, found the park for us. When I am on the road and can't connect to the internet I call on her. Her charges are very reasonable if anyone is in need. I give her phone number out to everyone I meet along the way. We had a good long walk yesterday about dusk and another one this morning early. The trees are just amazing. All shades of yellow, orange and red. Some even look burgundy. Just can't beat nature for beauty.
We continue to meet helpful people with good info. I am still amazed how many full timers we come across.

We are near Birmingham, Alabama this afternoon. We stopped early today. Put some ribs in the slow cooker and need to do a little catching up with the few housekeeping chores. Should take at least 30 mins. We are finally in a camp that has cable TV. Calvin was about to go into witdrawal.

"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you."

Zig Ziglar

Author and Speaker

Arkansas

On the road once more. Left this morning after going by and telling Jane and Jim goodbye. We got to Little Rock late afternoon. Drove to Malvern and visited several hours with Calvin's uncle Paul. They are good people.

We met some fellow travelers who gave us some info/tips on being full time RVers. We really like RV traveling but if we full time it we probably need something larger. It is so good to have your bed and coffee pot whereever you go. We have met a lot of interesting people in our travels.

Nov. 10, another day in Oklahoma

Calvin didn't feel great so we spent another day with the Weidemans. Jim went to work and Calvin slept most of the day. Jane and I had some good time together, ran errands, shopped a bit and tried out her new slow cooker. Good eating for dinner. Charlie will hate to leave. He has been getting mega attention. This is pretty country and the weather has been perfect.

Birthday celebration

We spent most of the day celebrating Jane's birthday. She seemed to have a good birthday.

We went for a walk this morning, then made the cake. Went out to eat lunch then came back to the house to open presents. Jane and I walked to Karola's for a chat then back to the house for cake and coffee. Jim cooked hamburgers for supper then we watched a little TV. Charlie is being demanding and constantly hounds Jane and Jim. Of course they are spoiling him even more if that is possible. He really likes it here. So do we.

Blessings to you today and always

A Prosperity Blessing

May you be blessed with an amazingly abundant day today!
May the clouds break and the heavens pour down upon you more joy, more love, more laughter and more money than you could have ever dreamed of.
May the sun shine its golden light of prosperity through every cell of your extraordinary body.
May you be cleansed today of any resistance or feelings of unworthiness that you may still be holding onto.
May your false illusions of doubt, fear and scarcity gently fall away like soft white feathers on a gentle breeze.
May you be willing, simply willing, to allow the Universe to shower you with miracles today.
May the Angels wrap you in their shining wings of opulence.
May the fairies deliver you to their pot of gold at the end of a majestic rainbow.
May your eyes shine with the glorious truth of who you really are and may that truth uplift others in your presence to their own inner knowing.
May your ears hear the sound of perfection ringing in your soul.
May you taste the deliciousness of every precious bite of life as your day unfolds moment by moment with amazing grace, heartfelt love and a bounty of magnificent money.
As this day ends, may you slumber wrapped in an exquisite blanket of enduring peace and profound gratitude.
And may the last words you speak today be Thank You!

Veronica M. HayCopyright 2004
Veronica Hay is the author of "In a Dream, You Can Do Anything, A Collection of Words" An extraordinary collection of writings that will uplift you, motivate you, inspire you and gently guide you along the inner path of your life. You can visit her website at: www.insightsandinspirations.com or email her at: veronicahay@telus.net

Good day with Sis

We had a super day. Jane, Charlie and I took a good long walk while Calvin and Jim went window shopping. We decided to have Jane's birthday dinner today in Ft Smith at Red Lobster. Had a good evening at home. Lots of laughs and good conversaiton. I really believe we could leave Charlie here and he would never miss us. The picture is him and Jane bonding. What a dog. What a rotten spoiled dog.

Poteau USA Nov. 7

Had a good day. A walk in the park early then off to Pam's. We had breakfast at Chubby's then did a little shopping, of course. After all we were in Dallas.

Then on to Poteau. Arrived around 6:00. Spent the evening with Jane and Jim. The picture is of Charlie and his new friend the funky chicken.

Remember you are loved by the highest and the One that knows you best

Did you know that whenever you whisper, "I'm sorry..." to someone quietly in your mind, someone over here sheds a tear and healing begins?
Did you know that whenever you whisper, "Can I help you..." to someone quietly in your mind, someone over here sheds a tear and an army of angels are sent?
And, did you know that whenever you whisper, "I love you..." to someone quietly in your mind, someone over here sheds a tear, healing begins, an army of angels are sent, and 10,000 bells are rung?
Actually, you even have your own marching band that follows you everywhere....
I love you,
God

On the road again

What a way to start the trip. Left Andrews about 3 hrs later than planned. When we stopped at a roadside park for Charlie to get some much needed fresh air, we discovered we had lost a window in the trailer. Upon arriving in McKinney the GPS system kept telling us to camp in the middle of Interstate 75. We had intended to have dinner with Pam and Max but finally called them and said we wouldn't make it. Pam ordered a pizza and told us it wouldn't be delivered for awhile. Anyway, after getting parked and set up we started out the door to the Guests and Calvin decided to fall out the door rather than walk down the steps. After much writhing and moaning in the driveway (just kidding) he got up and is OK. At that point we decided we needed to stay in for the evening. Supped on greasy sausage and eggs rather than greasy pizza. To bed early and a better day tomorrow.
I am reminded of where I was and what I was doing at this time in 1961. Happy birthday tomorrow, Brian. What a fine man you are!!!