Guess where we are?

GENERAL BUTLER STATE PARK!!! And with us is lots and lots of snow...We are going to try to leave tomorrow and head towards Tennessee but since this park has not even plowed our road it's going to be interesting making the trip up the hill to leave the park and actually since we can't even tell where the roads are we may end up in the snow covered land and with the weight of the RV we could end up stuck. Jack feels quite confident that we'll be fine. I'm the worrier.

These are a couple pictures of Jack and I doing our hikes around the park. I know that this may sound very silly to many people but being the first person to make tracks in newly fallen snow and having the snow cover your coat and hat, the freshness in the air, the true beauty of nature always makes me feel closer to God. I told you, silly, but it's how I've felt since I was a child playing in the snow. We've had a lot of fun here. I've especially enjoyed the beauty of the park and lodge, the privacy, the coziness of the RV while surrounded by lots of snow and deer.

We did run in to Carrollton again today for more supplies. I love saying that. Supplies. RV'ers don't shop to pick up groceries or clothes or anything that home owners do. Seems as an RV'er it's always supplies you're picking up. Like we're really roughing it out here. Jack had to buy a pair of good boots and found a pair at Glaubers Sporting Goods in Carrollton. Very nice people but I felt as if I'd walked in to Sara Palin's living room. There were so many stuffed animal heads hanging on the wall I'm going to have nightmares for weeks. And I could really, honestly read Jack's mind. He's paying for the boots and praying that I keep my mouth shut especially since two hunters stood not less than 8 feet away from us.

Watching the babes play in the snow was so awesome. Each morning either Jack or I take them out for their first potty walk. Today it was me. Tanner was loving the snow, running into every little drift he could find. And of course as mentioned before, leaving his mark. Poor little Sydney though is so tiny the snow reached her little belly. She buried her face in the snow like a bull in a china shop trying to find just the perfect spot for a lady to potty. I tried to get a picture with her face totally covered in snow but she wouldn't stand still long enough. She wanted to pee and get back to the RV. This evening when we took them out for their last walk she literally stayed in the foot tracks Jack and I had made earlier. She did not want to get her little feet covered in snow balls again.







Picture of the king and the diva. They have such a dog life. Say a prayer for us as we TRY to leave this park tomorrow.

Day 4- General Butler - Still

Today we decided to walk downtown. The little "village" of Carrollton, Kentucky sits quietly by the Ohio River unnoticed, I'm sure, by many just passing through. I think probably back in the 40's or 50's it was probably a really thriving little place to be. Some beautiful homes line the main street that date back to the 1800's. I'd love, love, love to take tours of some of these homes. But I'm pretty sure the police would somehow get involved if I kept knocking on doors and asking, "May I please take a look around your home?" So, we just walked. And walked. Again until I had to potty. Women my age can't go too far from a bathroom. I just cannot get this fact to register in Jack's brain. But being blocks away from the nearest bathroom the walk became more of a speed walk than a leisurely walk. I began to sweat and the faster I walked the warmer I became. Hats, scarves and gloves started coming off. Finally a bathroom and all was well again. We walked down along the Ohio river but quickly noticed many of the old and tired properties that stood erect against the cold wind that blew off of the river. It is really difficult for me to comprehend the major differences between the cultures of people living in our country. And the only thing that separates Carrollton, Kentucky from Madison, Indiana is a bridge. But in my whole life I don't ever recall seeing so many dogs on short chains, chained to a tiny, dirty, old, dog houses. Being the dog lover I am, I naturally wanted to let them all loose. But again I am trying not to go to jail. I had to walk by these poor souls and could only say a little prayer for them.

We stopped at a diner in Carrollton for a beer and lunch. A place called Down on Main Street located where else but Main St. at 508. A great little place. Clean with great food and a lot of character. Friendly people and owned by Junie and Rhonda Welch. It's a really cool place to be on a Friday or Saturday night with Prime Rib and fish buffets. I'm sure many locals make it a favorite spot. It's worth the drive from Madison or a stop if your driving through and if we lived around here it would certainly be a favorite spot of ours.

I stayed in tonight while Jack took the babes out for their nightly walk. I felt like chilling out a little so I stayed behind. Gabe got us really nice walkie talkies for Christmas so we were able to stay in touch all the way around the park. And General Butler is huge park. Of course we have cell phones but actually these walkie talkies are easier to use.

It was a good day. Anxious to see what Mother Nature brings tonight. YUK!!!

Day 3-And again we are still at General Butler

The day started out as usual. This morning though I slept a little later and Jack walked the dogs. He refuses to put their coats on and that drives me a little nuts. He says, "Oh my gosh, Janet, they are dogs. They have fur." I'll tell you a little later about that "their dogs...they have fur" remark.

Jack fixed a breakfast of eggs, bacon and muffins. Cut our intake considerably but I still feel as if I cheated on my "new" healthier lifestyle already.

We had to run in to town to pick up a few supplies as they are expecting a good amount of snow tonight and tomorrow. I asked some guy, whom I had to talk to tonight about our Dish Network, where he lived. Pakistan, he said. Well, that was a big shocker, huh? I then asked him if he would like to have some snow there in Pakistan. He laughed. Wasn't sure if really understood what I was saying to him but continued, "cause if you do my husband will come to visit you." Can't friggin believe it. This is the most unusual cold weather that has hit this area in years. We were headed towards Nashville but due to the ice storms they are expecting we've decided to stay put for a couple more days. I can't imagine anything worse than taking off in a snow/ice storm in our RV. So, we are going to hunker down and continue to explore the beautiful surroundings.

Ok. Ok. Jack's remark about the dog's having fur....We went on a long walk tonight with the dogs. Of course, I put their coats on as the wind had picked up a little. Tanner, being a guy dog, has to put his little mark on every post, tree stump and picnic table leg in the entire park. Which, of course, takes us twice as long to take our walks. Little Sydney was getting a little ticked off about Tanner's peeing habits and tried hurrying us along. Tanner could care less. Every scent ever left in the woods the last 100 years by any other dog had to be peed on by Tanner. He's the king of his woods....that's all there is to say about that. But Sydney was getting cold. It's funny how you can read your dogs behavior but real dog lovers can. She'd walk a few feet, stop, hold up one leg, walk a few more feet, and hold up her other leg. She was cold. That fur, her coat was not keeping her warm enough. Sooooooooooooo, Jack picked her up, tucked Ms. Princess in his coat and carried her back to the RV. All you could see was her little head sticking out of his jacket and her long white tail hanging below his coat. In the mean time Tanner is still peeing and I'm still freezing. But beautiful is the only word I can use to describe this park.

Day 2 ---Still at General Butler

Okay. Where do I start? TMI would be boring for all of you, yet not enough details would leave you hanging like the episode of Dallas...Who Shot J.R.? Whatever. The big cliffhanger in my life today was whether or not I was going to make it up the mountain without falling in to the creek bed breaking a hip or arm. Seriously, though, if every day of the rest of our life was like today then I think we'll be just fine.

Got up early...for me that's a shock in itself but Jack and I both were up fairly early. I looked out the window and saw that it had snowed. I crawled back in to bed under our toasty, wonderfully, warm down comforter and wanted more than anything to curl up in a ball and sleep for another hour or so. Sydney, though, had different plans. While Tanner, Jack and I tried to pretend sleep, Sydney did her morning Cardio on our bodies. I kept my eyes closed praying she'd think I was asleep and watched, through clinched eyes, as she walked up and down Jack's body several times. He, too, was trying to fake her out but she wasn't buying any of it. She rooted down under the comforter to give him his good morning greeting; aka...that nasty doggy morning breath lick on the cheek, or forehead, or chin, or God forbid the lips. Jack was quick. Me, on the other hand, not so much. Before I could cover my face, that slobbery kiss was all over my face. Satisfied she walked down my body (this is no joke....she actually walks up and down our bodies...I suppose because she can) to where poor Tanner was still sound asleep. I think. I heard him snort once or twice, so he too was most likely awake but just trying to show Sydney he was a little ticked off at her. Heck, she doesn't care. It's all about Sydney. She licked him on the ear, jumped down and the day began. For all of us. Tanner's like, "I'm going to strangle that little bi-otch one day." He's eleven years old; in dog years that 77 years old. I'd want to strangle the little bi-otch too.

I put my sweats on, my Uggs, my hat, scarf, gloves, two sweatshirts (since I did not bring a winter coat.....my son asked me if I was taking a coat and me, being all smug remarked, "If I have to wear a winter coat then we might as well stay home." Can you say "Eat your words?"
I wrapped the dogs in their sweaters and took them for their morning walk. I can't remember a more peaceful time in my life. Honestly. Fresh fallen snow, undisturbed by humans, and a freshness in the air that I haven't noticed in a long time. We walked for probably a 1/2 mile before heading back. Even though it was cold, the quietness of nature kept me warm. One thing I'd like to say before ending this...I know Ugg boots are a bit pricey but Jack has bought me a couple of pair and there is nothing that I have ever found that will keep your feet warmer. You are not supposed to wear socks, which to me was somewhat gross at first, but not wearing socks keeps your feet as warm as if the boots had an electric heater.

We came back to the warm air of the RV and Jack preparing breakfast of fresh fruit and oatmeal. We are trying our best to stick to a newer, healthier lifestyle; no processed food or at least not as much as we once consumed. Okay, so it's only been two days. For those who know me, you know that I'll be all over Chicken Alfredo in a week or so. No. No. I won't. Yes, I will. No. I wish I could take a pill to stop the cravings of McDoubles and Fazoli's Chicken Alfredo like Chantix did for me when it came to quitting smoking.

But we are going to do our very best to change our lifestyle. We met a wonderful couple yesterday; Gail and Allan from Maine. They are on their way to Texas. They stay in Texas for two months; head back North in March. Anyway, Gail is an RN and noticed my limp when I got up and asked me what was wrong; I told her I thought it was my medication causing the soreness in my muscles: Tricore. To make a long story short Jack and I both have decided to go the homoeopathic way to reduce our cholesterol, along with diet and exercise. I had already decided to drop my Tricore, even before talking to Gail, as I haven't had so much muscle pain in my whole life since starting that medication. Living with muscle pain on a daily basis as if you are 100 years old is no way to live. So I had been reducing the Tricore even before some very good advice from Gail. I will continue to ween myself off of Tricore over a period of time but I am going to stop taking it. Jack, though, totally stopped taking his cholesterol medication today and went the homeopathic way. So, we'll see. But the way we feel, it is our life and living it to the fullest and in the best health we can should be our decision. We made the decision to quit smoking after 40 years. I think we should be able to change other aspects of our lives if we so desire. I don't think doctor's should have the right to tell you how you should feel. The doctor I was with for almost 17 years kept saying to me, "Well, Janet, you know you are getting older." What the heck? No kidding, doc? And life is a bi-0tch. So what's the answer? More medication? Okay. Enough of this crap. I'm getting depressed and it's really been a great day.

We hiked up the snowy mountain to the beautiful lodge here at General Butler. Without the help of the walking sticks our sons gave us at Christmas I know I wouldn't have made it. Too many holes, tree roots, logs, etc. crossed our path. And with the snow we really couldn't get a clear picture of the path. But being who we are Jack and I had to stop several times to cover up sewer or water pipes that had broken open. Huge gaps in the pipes could have caused severe injury to the deer as they ran through the woods. So, we collected huge logs, stones and whatever we could find to cover the holes. A deer could have been severly injured in one of those holes. I really can't explain the peaceful atmostphere on that mountain. Just Jack and I, walking, noticing every sound around us; every chirping bird, every crackle of a limb made by a squirrel. And then there before us stood two white tailed deer. They didn't move; we didn't move. Not but a few feet away from us we stood eye to eye, watching the other. There is a God. Look in to the eye of a deer and see their soul, their trusting nature and you have to know that God made these pure, innocent, trusting animals. And then my cell phone rings and scares the heck out of me and the deer.

The hike was great. Refreshing and excillerating. Though as I write this my thighs burn as if I've run a marathon. But this is only day three of our new life. I already have our hike route planned for tomorrow. Love it. Thank you Lord for hiking sticks and sons who think of us, Uggs, and ugly warm fuzzy hats that keep you warm in 15 degree weather. Thanks Gabe and Jason. We love you. I love you all; my family. Miss you.

General Butler State Park, Carrollton, KY

Our first stop; General Butler State Park & Resort. Even with the starkness of winter, the barren trees, the brisk air, and one other camper in the whole park (which is huge), it is still beautiful. We took our furry friends for their morning walk and ran in to 4 white tailed deer. They watched us as if deciding whether or not Sydney would make a nice morning snack. Obviously deer aren't meat eating creatures (are they?) They observed us for a few minutes and eventually went on their way.

The day went well. No traffic issues (however I slept a good bit of the way) and an easy park. We are having difficulty getting the satellite to work and with some football game on tomorrow we may have to move the RV just to get a signal. We'll see.

So far it's been relaxing. Jack cooked terrific pork chops last night and with a salad dinner was awesome. It's going to be hard getting accustomed to cooking for just the two of us though. But we hope to change our eating habits as well as our exercise habits.

Day one down.

Which way to Go

Our plans were to leave this coming Friday. Well, I guess plans are for changing. Today is Thursday and as I write we are on the road heading South. Our plans for the first night is to stop over in General Butler, Kentucky. From there, who knows?

We woke up today to a very cloudy, spitting snow kind of day. Made me happy that we have finally decided to do this thing. I have to be of the mindset though that this is the beginning of our "new" life. I've been a mess knowing I won't be seeing my sons, sister, brothers and
Terry for months but they know how much I love them and that is what is important. Jack and I have this incredible opportunity to see the country at our pace and see and do the things we've always wanted to do.

So--the day has dawned. It is here. God be with us and those we love. Down the Road a Piece we go.

Happy New Year

Well, we say goodbye to 2010 and say hello to a new way of life. Jack is retired. It's Friday night. I think. Since leaving the career environment it's been difficult to remember what day it is. When I see empty trash cans in the drive way I know that it's Wednesday. Our son takes the trash out on Tuesday night. When Jack was home, all day, I knew it was Saturday and or Sunday. Now that he's home all day, every day, there are some days I cannot remember, really, what day it is.

Moving on. This year's Christmas holidays were nice. Our sons are wonderful sons who took their time and selected gifts for us that made so very much sense for our upcoming life style. And so very thoughtful. Uncommon spices, olive oils, games, wireless noise canceling headphones and hand engraved walking sticks. Our time together was priceless. Brenda losing Mike has made me feel so much more blessed and thankful for my sons. Mike's death was so very unexpected and he died instantly. I'm just thankful every single day that I have my sons.

It's hard to be totally happy when someone you love so much is hurting beyond words. Their pain, their heartache seems to always be at the forefront of your thoughts. I pray that one day she will forget the pain for a minute or two. A minute of peace to her would be a gift during these days. I miss Mike. I miss Brenda.

Terry seems to be doing okay. I tell you she is the most beautiful bald headed beauty I've ever known. And she is. Her chemo has been hell with a capital H. Of all her treatments thus far only two have gone without a wrench being thrown in to the mix. One time the nurses' used a needle too small and consequently the chemo went in to her chest cavity her chest ballooned to the size of a cantaloupe. But regardless of the horrible experiences she has with her chemo each Tuesday, she tries to keep smiling. Even though each and every time she goes for treatment she encounters a time warp only available at Ball Memorial. She can be scheduled for treatment at 8:00 am. Most times she doesn't even start treatment until noon or after. It's an all day torture Tuesday.

So, leaving them behind and not seeing them once or twice a month frightens me beyond words. Bill is very ill too and he's constantly on my mind. I'm having to put it all in God's hands though and trust that He'll watch over my loved ones.