Looking For A Lull

Ok so no new news on the house front;  The kitchen is still tore up and we are still waiting on the insurance and contractors to reach an agreement so they can start putting us back together.  This does not stop us from planning though, because life moves on even if everyone else isn't ready. I've been looking around and doing some research lately into what we may need to consider while we are in AZ and of course that means making another list so here it goes.   It's warmer there but still gets cold.  Packing clothes to match those dips in weather isn't the issue rather keeping Chappy warm and free of frozen pipes etc, is where I'm looking.  Much to consider here and I get the feeling I should maybe have started looking into this earlier however I'm formulating a plan that involves some heat tape, a small space heater and using our fresh water tank as primary water source most of the cold times.  I'll have to remember to come back report on our final ...

Well, the Donk went in for her checkup and the Vet took out her stitches and said she doesn't have to wear the cone as long as she is not licking her incision.  This would make her a much happier puppy, except that for some reason she came down with a case of hives yesterday and we are now feeding her benadryl and trying to find out what caused it.  Poor girl. Still no word on the house.  We've been waiting for the insurance and contractors to at lease start the reconstruction process but nothing yet.  It's a pain because soon I'm going to have to travel for work for a few weeks, and that will mean that Karen will have to deal with them on her own.  She doesn't like that idea. It's going to be an interesting September for sure.

My noisy Taco may be getting her cone off this week!

28 Hours.  That is what google maps is telling me it will take us to drive from Michigan to Arizona when we go this winter.  Of course we will not be driving straight through and we will instead be spending a few days looking at some new places we've not been before while making our way there.  Florida was 17 hours and even that we divided into 2-3 days so this trip I suspect will be no different.  The tough part is where do we stop?  There are so many places that would be neat to see on the way down and since we have a week to make it there and a couple extra days on top of that to get settled in we won't be in a severe rush.  It makes it even harder when we think of what route we may take too. So much planning.  I can't wait!

We're coming up on the end of summer and 2019 has been a great year so far. There have been some down times but there always are. Here is where we stand: Highlights so far this year: Took Chappy to GA for work in March. Spent a week with family in Florida in March. Went to Michigan and South Dakota in May. Found a campground to park Chappy between trips. Traded in Delilah and brought home Bodie Had great times with family that visited Ohio! Spent two weeks in Michigan visiting family and friends. Lost Saratoga. :( Donk injured her leg and is recuperating from surgery. Kitchen flood of 2019 results in unplanned renovations in the Ohio house. Canceled yearly Gettysburg trip Things we are planning and are in the works: Another trip to Michigan to drop off Chappy. Trip to Michigan for Thanksgiving Trip down to AZ Trip to California and holidays with Kids and family. Trip to Florida to visit family in the spring ...but now we are getting into activities fo...

Donk is home from her surgery and doing well.  She is a bit flummoxed and annoyed by having to wear the "Cone of Shame" though.  Her surgery incision is ugly, but I think it will heal up pretty well and she's eating so, that is good too! Wasup with this lampshade?

The Donk has her surgery today.  Fingers crossed it goes well.

My last update was a bit short since I was working on a Sunday and wanted to get something out here to let everyone know we are still alive.  I thought since I had a few minutes I'd add a little more detail into where we are with the house, the Donk, the plans etc. The House. All the demo is done and we have been dried out and now it is time to have a contractor come through and give estimates on the work to get us back in shape to the insurance company.  At this point we have chosen to have the same company that did the remediation work because they did a great job and were very pleasant to work with.  All of the plastic is down but we are walking around on next to nothing in the kitchen and dining room.  You can see directly into the basement through the cracks between the boards. No more plastic or machines...just mess. The Donk. Surgery is scheduled for this week and we are hoping it's not too painful for her.  The leg as it is has not been bothe...

They dryers are gone and the plastic has come down we are now waiting for reconstruction to start and hopefully it will go smooth as well.  The Donk is also set to have surgery this week on her knee. More to come soon.

10 days since calling the insurance and the water emergency people and we were told today, we are almost dry except for one spot and it should be done tomorrow.  The plastic still hangs over the doorways, the floors are totally stripped, the drying devices are still loudly moaning away and hopefully tomorrow that all will change.  Then the real fun starts - replacing everything that was damaged. On a separate front, we've been having some discussions about our campground where Chappy is staying.  I don't think we'll be taking him back there next year.  It's for a number of reasons and I'll try to sum it up with a list: The cost.  It is $1800 for the season.  We were also just informed that if you stay in your camper more than 10 weekdays in a month, then you must switch from being seasonal and pay a monthly rate starting at $450/month.  This makes no sense to me as no other campground does this kind of thing that we've seen. I'm all for rules an...

A bit long between updates but there has been a TON going on.  The workers still work to clear out all of the water damage and the kitchen is pretty much off limits and unusable at this point.  Karen's sisters are down visiting and camping out in the back.  Good thing we always bring in a porta potty for this get-together or it would be really difficult getting people to the bathroom with all of the work going on. Everyone is having fun and enjoying themselves though.  Great times! I've been talking to campgrounds in AZ and trying to finalize our decision on where we will be staying during out time down there.  We are leaning toward Benson at the moment, but I will have to call and ask more questions before I can say for sure. Here are some pictures of the Girls visiting Jen's Birthday watermelon! The tents, and activity area The typical reaction to me and my camera...