Festival Is Over ////// Happy Thanksgiving

                            

The Pecan Festival started early.  Friday I didn’t work, but setup my table up in the Club House.  I had to start at 9:00 am Saturday.  From then on the day just flew by.  Between selling my cards and painting a few faces, I was kept busy.  Although I did take some time to check out some of the other vendors, and spent half of what I made on some things from the ladies from the church that I attend. 

        

                  The last one is for Sandi, as she has this thing about Coffee.

                         

                  The bottom two are of the same thing, 2nd one is shown open.

There were some other things that other vendors offered, that were really neat, however I really didn’t need “Barefoot Sandals” or any “Boot Bling”.  (They were cool though.)   One of the vendors did some amazing “Wood Sculptures”.    (No Pics)

                                 

Since this was the first Pecan Festival, there were near a dozen vendors, a bake sale, pecan cooking contest, and a kid’s area.  There were kids looking for a clock and a pecan pie and I finally realized that they were wanting pictures for the Scavenger Hunt.  They were having a good time, 

                             

       There was a Bounce Castle and a Put Put contest  (in the background)

                                       

                                             

In between sales and face painting, I was able to get some painting done.  One was in acrylic and the other is in watercolor, neither one is finished yet.

By 4:00 pm people began packing up.  There would be a bonfire and a concert by Clifton Jansky at 5:00 until 8:00 pm with dancing too.  Those that stayed had a really good time.  I certainly enjoyed it.  (again no pics)   All in all, I think that it was a success and that they will do it again next year. 

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This week I have been getting things ready for a visit from my daughter, Sandi and grandchildren, Mary and Charlie.  I started cleaning from one end to the other.  I will periodically get out the steam cleaner to sanitize every thing.  The steam mop works great, however my hand held steamer wouldn’t produce steam.  I called the manufacturer to try to troubleshoot the problem.  It is just a couple of days out of warrantee, but they will still replace it and are sending a return label for me to send back the defective unit.  I will just have to do the normal cleaning routine until I get the new unit.   

Sandi and the kids left Fort Worth a little after 6:00 this evening.  So now I wait. They should be here around 10 or 11 tonight,  In the meantime I am watching “ My Life As A Turkey”,  very interesting!   Then after that there is another interesting program on NOVA about what, how and why we eat the things we do and what happens when we do including using all of our senses, very educational.

Just heard from Sandi, they’re almost here, so I will close this post and wish you all a     HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Thanks for visiting

Hey Mom, you did get this one pic of the bonfire

Susan and Angel

Gearing Up For The Pecan Festival

This week has gone by so fast.  There was church on Sunday and then on Monday I took some packages to the Post Office for mailing.  Yep, you guessed it.  They were closed for Veterans Day, but at least I was able to pick up my mail.  I also went into San Antonio to Central Market and Whole Foods to get a few groceries.

we’re going to VA to Hunter and Carter

                                          Road trip to Bastrop   

Tuesday, after going back to the Post Office, I took a trip to the little town of Bastrop.  It is about 40 miles NE of where I am at.  A week or so back, one of our campers that I visited with, (also artists) mentioned that they enjoyed going through some of the small galleries there and suggested that I check it out.  Well that’s what I did and yes there are some there.  I visited with Judy who was at  “The Art Connection”.  I was able to show her some of my art and she gave me some advice on marketing it.  Thank You , Judy.  I will follow through on some of your suggestions.

                                         

                                          The Art Connection in Bastrop TX

From Bastrop I went to Jerry’s Artarama in Austin to get some Acrylic Paints and Canvas Sheets.  I want to try the acrylic media again.  It has been a long time since the last time I used that media.  Austin is not one of my favorite cities to drive in.  I mad a couple of wrong turns and finally was able to find the art store.  It was a lot easier going home as it was right on I35.  There was a bit of traffic as I had to go through downtown, but once I was out of the city, it didn’t take to long to get back to San Marcos, where I stopped at Hobby Lobby to get a couple of mats for my paintings and headed home.  I was only about 15 minutes away form home and pulled in just before it got dark.

Wednesday was  taken up with laundry and stuff  at home and Thursday it was back to work.  It was just Sheila and me in the office.  It got a little busy at times but it gave me practice on the computer.  I’m beginning to get it , but there is so much to learn, so it will take time to be comfortable with it.  Sheila actually left me in the office by myself a few times, but all I had to do was call her and she could be there if I needed her help.  I actually worked eight hours.  Normally I don’t work that many hours in one day, but we are gearing up for the festival.  Today, I didn’t work other than to set up my table in the Clubhouse. 

            I’ll also be doing face painting.

“My Spot” is usually all by itself, but because of the Festival and the Formula One Race in Austin, I have neighbors on both sides.  It is getting a bit crowded, although everyone is friendly and having a good time. 

Tomorrow will be a long day, so I will have to say “Good Night”.

Thanks for visiting

   What?  I have to stay home alone again?

Susan and Angel

Where Does The Time Go? More Paintings

 

It’s already Saturday.  I really haven’t gone anywhere noteworthy.  Although  I did find a new Optometrist in San Marcos for my annual eye exam.  Last week is when I made the appointment and had them send for my records from my doctor in  California.  When I went in for my appointment, I asked if they had gotten my records and the comment was “yes, all 22 pages.”  Wow, I didn’t realize that I had been going there that long.  There wasn’t much change, although I need to keep track of the growth of cataracts.  I will have to go back for trial contacts and then order new ones.

I finally received the package that my son sent to the CG in West, TX.  It is an internet radio. for my truck, except that it is the home unit and I will have to get the vehicle kit.  At least it is set up at home for now.   While at the Post Office, I got a P.O.Box, because I am at Leisure Resort and I reside there, it didn’t cost anything except $6.00 for the key.  COOL!

I’m finally beginning to learn the computer, one step at a time.  There is so much to learn, regarding check ins and reservations.  Sheila wants to train me herself, but she is so busy that it is hard to focus for any length of time.  The way that I learn is by actually doing, but as people check in, they have been on the road and want to get settled in as soon as possible.  So she does it.  I will be back in again today, so maybe we can walk through the process together.    We are now preparing for the Pecan Festival on Saturday the 17th,  That’s next Saturday!   I will have a table set up for my art work and will also do face painting.  I may even do an actual painting too.

                          This week I was able to get some painting done.

                             

                                        The teasing Roadrunner

                              

                                        The “Peeping” Roadrunner

                               

                                The San Marcos River at Leisure Resort

Time to get ready for work.  enjoy your day.

Thanks for visiting

Susan and Angel

More Training, More Moving Targets, More Treats

Another day at work on Friday, I expected to learn more in the office, but maybe it was good that Sheila decided that she needed to spend more time outside.  My brain needed some time to digest yesterday’s information.  So I shadowed her and learned how to get the cabins ready to be occupied for the weekend and of course stopping to pick up bits of trash.  This is a very clean park.

                                 

    This is what is in the Country Cabin, the smallest.  As you can see, it sleeps four.

There are specials where campers also get firewood, so we also delivered wood to those cabins.  Then back in the office, we just schmoozed with some of the guests.  One of the long term guests, who was leaving, brought us some long bamboo sticks, light weight and strong, that we can use for hiking.  That was so sweet of him. 

I normally will be working most weekends, but Sheila gave me Saturday off to volunteer Face Painting at the church for their Fall Festival.  I needed to be there at nine in the morning.  So after work, and a bite to eat and a little TV, I would be off to bed.

It has been really foggy for the last few days and when I got up, Saturday morning was no exception.  When I got out on TX 80, visibility was at nearly zero.  The speed limit in some places id 65 MPH and I can’t believe that some people actually go the speed limit when visibility is so bad.  I certainly stayed away from those drivers.  I would normally wait until the fog burns off and it did, to a certain extent, by the time I got into San Marcos.  I took my time and still got there in plenty of time.  I got all set up and then checked out all the vendors.   In addition to the face painting, there was the bounce house, and several games that the kids could play.  I think that the kids had the most fun throwing /smashing whipped cream “pies” at/in the faces of the teachers.  Those were some really courageous teachers.

    

    

                     This little boy was my last subject of the day.

I was done by noon, after cleaning up,  I just had to do my part and purchased some things from the bake sale and something for my daughter.  Can’t say what it is, because she reads this.  Also not saying which daughter.  Sorry girls!

                                    

I had left Angel at home, so I went home to let her out and she needed some cuddling.  I then decided to grill some salmon and vegetables using a Fire Wire.    Thank you, Colleen, for suggesting that I get a small table top one at Wal-Mart.  The timing was just perfect, as the wind picked up right when it was all done and by the time I got everything inside, it poured.  It didn’t last long, but afterwards, I stayed inside, because the table and chairs were all wet.  I then opened up some wine to have with dinner.  It was really nice.  I must have been really tired, as it wasn’t long before I took a nap.  When I woke, I watched a bit of public television for a while and then went to bed,  Yes I reset the one clock that needed it.  All my other clocks reset them selves.

This morning, I was up early anyway, so I did a load of wash before getting ready for church.  This morning there was no fog, so it was clear sailing all the way into San Marcos.  After church there was a pot luck and things left from the bake sale.  Of course I bought more, but gave some away to my fellow workampers.  The rest went into the freezer.

I’m sticking close to home for the rest of the day.  I may even bring the grill back out, but maybe not.  I hope that you are all having a great weekend as I am.

Thanks for visiting

  I think that I’m staying right here.

Susan and Angel

Part of The Flocking /Working On The Learning Curve

                           

Halloween was finally here,even though Angel and I celebrated the holiday last Saturday, I couldn’t let it go by without Angel showing off her costume.

                           

Since I didn’t have to work, Angel and I took a ride up to Potter’s Creek COE CG, on Canyon Lake, TX, northeast of San Antonio and northwest of San Marcos.  That’s where the Pink Flamingos were flocking.  I joined Birdie and Colleen there in the morning and spent the day meeting and visiting with the ladies who had com from far and wide, some had even come from as far as Louisiana.

All day long we had additional visitors,  the deer.  There are a lot of deer in the park.  there were four of them that hung around the campsite wishing and hoping to be fed.  Campers are asked to not feed them or any of the wildlife.  We didn’t but evidently some people have fed them.  They had no fear of people and even when chased, they give you a look as to say “ are you crazy, we’re not going anywhere”. 

     

                                       They just followed Birdie back. 

     

They came up really close to the pen (that’s part of it in the bottom right hand corner of the picture.) where Colleen’s dogs were and Angel was for a little while.  I thought that they were a bit curious about those short legged animals.  They just wandered all around the campsite, all day.

I didn’t stay for dinner as I did not want to drive back after dark, as there are so many deer out there on the road and I didn’t want to take the chance of hitting one.  I also needed to get back because I had to work in the morning. So I said good bye and headed home just before 5 pm.  

On the way back, I stopped to make an appointment at the eye doctor in San Marcos.  I will need to order contacts and maybe get another pair of glasses. 

This morning I began my training in the office.  There is so much to learn, not only the computer, but also the different promotions, where everything is, office policies, and xo on and so forth.  My head is swimming.  Tomorrow I do it all over again.

After taking Angel for a short walk and fixing dinner, writing this post,  it’s time to go to bed.

I hope that you all are enjoying your week.

Thank you for visiting

Hey, Mom do I HAVE to stay here?

Susan and Angel

My New Automatic Awning

One of my commenters, Barbara of Me and My Dog suggested that I include in one of my posts, the information on my new automatic awning.  So, Barbara, this is for you!

                            sitting in the sun   

            old one

As you all know, I spent 4 months this past summer, gate guarding in South Texas near the Mexican border.  Let me tell you.  It was HOT!  Although, most mornings were quite comfortable, I would have spent more time outside if it were easier to use my perfectly good awning.  However, it is so high on the 5th wheel, that it wasn’t easy to get it back up when the wind picked up and that was quite often.  I have seen dust devils as tall 8 to 12 feet high.  So needless to say, I didn’t use it and stayed inside watching movies and sitting on my you know what. 

I was there to make enough money to clear a 2011 tax bill, so I just stay a little longer for enough money to cover the added expense for the automatic awning.  So on Labor Day, I left the oil fields and headed north to Camping World in New Braunsfels, Texas where I had an appointment on September 5th to replace the current awning with one that is automatic and has a wind sensor to the tune of nearly three thousand dollars.  I’m sure that there are places that it wouldn’t cost that much, but to my way of thinking, Camping World is nationwide and that cost also includes a 3 year warranty.

                

                                  new awning from two directions.

I  have a 37’ 5th wheel and the awning is 16‘ long.  Mine was a bit expensive, so if you have a shorter one, it may not be as much.  In talking to others and the guys that installed it, the sensor might not be needed, because, to work, the winds have to be sustained before it brings the awning in and that may be too late.  So, you may not want one.  That could save a few hundred dollars.  One thing to keep in mind is that with an automatic awning, you can’t anchor or tie it down. 

        

                                taken from my door, both directions.

It is so easy to just push a button on the remote.  I have been holding the button down to open and close it and my thumb would relax and it would stop.  I just found out TODAY that I only have to hold it down once for it to open/close completely. DUH!!!!!  Although, I can open it only part way if I want to.  Others that I have spoken to have a button installed on a wall or wherever.  Mine is operated by a remote ( like you might have to open a car door ).  In order for me not to lose it, I keep it inside the control panel door.  I used some tape to make a place for me to slip it into for storage.  It works for me.

                                      

In general numbers, the installation, $312., wind sensor, $260., awning and assembly, approximately,  $1,650, 3 year protection plan, $349., shipping $128., and misc. charges about $15.   Again, mine is long, but hopefully it will give you an idea as to the cost. I’m glad you asked.

I really like it.  I haven’t had to use it much, because the way that I am parked and I have quite a bit of shade.  It is sooooo easy and quick. 

Gotta run, and get to work.

Thanks for visiting

  What?  You have to go to work?   Ohhhhhh no!

Susan and Angel

BOO

Wow, what a day.!  Saturday started with a bacon and cheese omelet, pumpernickel toast with ligonberry jelly and decaf coffee.  It was really good and got me ready for a long day dealing with the Halloween Festival here at Leisure Resort.  I got dressed in my costume earlier, because I knew that I would be too involved to get back to the rig to do it.

                                           

                                My Scottish attire, and the cape kept me warm.

Let me back up a little.  Friday we were to do the set up and it was my job to organize everyone and get the Club House decorated.  Because of the weather, there were things that would have to wait until Saturday.  It was really windy, cold and there was the threat of rain.  We did as much as we could and I checked to see it we could stop and make up the hours in the morning.  Sheila said that I was in charge and to do what I needed to do to make it all work.  OK!!  We all came to the conclusion that we could get all finished by noon if we came in at 9:00 am.

     

                              The guys did a great job on the outside.

    

It was a bit interesting, as I haven’t done this before and just came up with a plan, setting times for the different activities, who would oversee them and setting up the different areas where they would happen.  Most of the afternoon I did face painting and let everyone else do what they were going to do.  Since the Face painting wasn’t advertised, I had Trish, a guest, be my first “Victim”.

                                      

She then took her “skeleton and spider” dogs for a walk around the CG to “advertise”.  It wasn’t long before I had a line of kids wanting their turn.  I asked if I could take some pictures, so  here are some others.

               

I later took a break and Allyson took over.  Her specialty was painting their whole face, so they could be an animal or ghost or whatever they wanted to be.

                                               

     

            From the pumpkin carving, they gathered in the Pavilion for the Piñata Smash.

     

                        Everyone in their costumes, yes, even Angel.

After awarding all the prizes, as it was getting dark and the only thing left was the Hay Ride through the CG.

     

Even though it was a long day, it was a lot of fun and everyone had a great time.  Sheila told me that evidently this was the best organized Halloween event that they have had.  Sheila wants me back next year.  I will see what happens.  Who knows where I will be next year.

Next week she wants to train me on the computer and in the office.  She will be taking a well deserved 3 days off and I will be helping Janice, another Workamper, on Tuesday so that I can take Saturday off to do Face Painting at a Fall Festival at the church that I have been attending.

So far it seems that this is a good fit for me.  Once I learn the computer system, I will be able to have more opportunities available wherever I go.

I hope that you all are having a great time celebrating the holiday and LIFE.

Thanks for visiting

 

Hey Mom, this is better than walking around in this silly clown suit.

Susan and Angel