Little bit of information on our Parents

Kris's mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer right after Katrina had hit the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and New Orleans. Since she lives in the Gulf Coast area it was very difficult to get treatment due to the destruction all around there. Over the past couple of years she has had treatment and was getting along rather well. Her spirits were high and she was making the best of each day. In November of 2006 she happened to be in Atlanta Georgia visiting some dear friends the same weekend we were there for Kris's new hire briefing for the position he has now. We were grateful to have 3 wonderful days to spend with her.

April of 2007 she was admitted back in the hospital. Her cancer was growing rapidly. She was able to be discharged, however it was not long before her stays in the hospital had become more frequent and longer. While she was in for more treatments towards the fall of that year she fell and broke her hip. She still was in good spirits and her mind was sharp. Over a short amount of time more tumors were developing in her brain and they were growing larger. This is another side effect of having breast cancer.

We visited her every weekend while we were in Jacksonville, FL . October 13 2007 was the last weekend we were going to be in Jacksonville so we went down to see her since we did not know when we could get back down. Her daughter , a home care nurse, brought their mother home with her to give her some one on one care. We had no idea she would passed away late in the night. God in his infinite wisdom knows the time and place we needed to be. She was a wonderful lady and a true Christ follower. I think of her often when I have down days and remember her courage and the positive outlook she had on life. Then I realize, I really don't have it so bad. I do have a great life!

Speaking of God's infinite wisdom, when we left Atlanta back in November of 2006 we were going to Fort Fisher NC for his first assignment. On Jan 5, 2007 the day before we were leaving Ft. Fisher heading to Miami, Fl, we received a call from my brother John. He informed us my mom's husband had passed away from a heart attack. Pa had been in the hospital recovering from a heart attack and was due to come home on this particular morning. We never know when it is our time. I am thankful she was not alone when this happened. We were thankful that we were only 3 hours away from her and were able to take our rig to her house. Kris and I were able to stay two weeks to help her out with some much needed repairs. Duane and Trisha took time off their jobs and rallied around us. What great kids we have! After we arrived in Miami I flew back up to help mother for about 3 weeks with the estate and other things. Nothing is better than having the favor of God and his watchful hand over us.

Vortex Springs

Those who are interested in scuba diving may find this a little interesting. The park we stayed at last night is a place where families can come to for the day or weekend. It is nothing really special except for the diving. Yes, I said diving in a small, very small body of water. You may visit view

http://underwaterflorida.homestead.com/vortex.html

It has cave diving and 115 feet deep for regular dives. It is very impressive. The camp store is loaded with all kinds of dive gear. This must be a busy place in the summer months.

On the Road

I usually prepare something for lunch so we can stop at a rest area and walk some. Today I decided not to do this. I knew the route very well and we stopped in at Sam's club in Mobile Al. to pick up something for lunch. We found some chicken salad with cranberries. We have never eaten this before and it was very tasty. This will server us very well for several lunches. We try to eat healthy even though we are traveling. We ate out so much when we were in Puerto Rico and we both are a little burned out on this for now. Of course, Olive Garden is an exception!

It is 4pm Central Time and we are passing by Crestview, Fl.. Kris worked there for a year before joining the FAA. You are correct, we are not out of town! He worked on refurbishing C130's. There were holes he crawled in to he believes were not meant for human beings. This was a very stressful job on the old body.

We will be passing by a section of the road tomorrow which will live in my heart and head forever. Stay tuned for that story.

By the way, I a writing this post while we are traveling down the highway. Yes, I have internet and power. This is a very nice feature to have on the road.

Another surprise

Kris had a problem with the right front landing gear. He had to repair this one in Key West about a year ago. Key West, amazing place! OOps, that is a story for another time. Lets keep on track here. Okay now, the cost of fixing the front landing gear the first time was just pennies since Kris is so knowledgeable. The landing gear simply wore out. However, when we were leaving my moms place after my surgery the same landing gear broke again. Kris noticed that it probably broke because he raised it to high and broke a pin he had replaced earlier. The morning we were leaving the RV park going to Jacksonville, FL. the same landing gear did not raise up. Kris found the motor to the landing gear had broken off the mount. He was able to get it remounted, but he thinks there is another problem so he will be taking it apart later when we get to Jacksonville, FL.
Having someone who can fix anything and fix it right saves time and dollars when you are on the road as much as we are. If not for Kris's knowledge and abilities the cost of one landing gear is at least $600 smackeroos!

I am not telling these things for anyone to fill sorry for us. I am saying that if you want to travel it will never, ever, be trial free. Keep your mind opened and cash reserve on hand for traveling. We love our lifestyle and we take all this in stride

One of Those not so good times

We do enjoy our life style, and like everyone, we know life does throw us curve balls every now and then. Kris has been hearing a strange noise under the hood of the Freight Liner for sometime now. He figured it was the exhaust so he drove it over to the Freight Liner shop before we left Mississippi to get an estimate on what it would cost to fix the problem. They quoted him $2000.00 for labor and parts. When Kris drove the truck the next day he heard another noise which was the exhaust manifold. He had some free time at work to check out the new problem. He knew he could not pull the RV with the manifold problem and he also knew we were out of time here to have it put in the shop. The problem Kris was facing and the reason he was concern about working on the truck himself is, he was fearful the bolts would break off. He knew he had to take a chance, so he said a prayer for favor and then proceeded to loosen the bolts. The bolts came off with no problems and he was able to get the parts and seals he needed to fix the manifold. The exhaust can be fix later since the parts have to be ordered. He has saved us a little over $1000.00 once all is said and done! Oh it is so good to have favor!

How long will it take us to realize problems are not as big as we make them out to be when you lean on your faith. I am so glad that God sees our heart and overlooks our stubbornness. :) He is so good!!!

Inaugration Day

The site at the inauguration was truly impressive to see so many people come together and not one incident occurred during the big event. I was impressed to see how hopeful people were for America to return to its values. I hope people will look to our new President as a human being and not be so hard on him when he makes mistakes. It would be great if the people that did not vote for him would pray for him and his cabinet. It will truly show "We the People" do want America to stay the great nation that it is.