Merry Christmas - Safe and Happy Journeys

Merry Christmas - A very Safe and Happy Journey

From the Prichard's 
DaGirls II

Holidays and Happiness

Dec. 24th Christmas eve, and we are home waiting for the storm to pass here at Sunshine Acres Children home.

Susan is getting packed, as she is heading to Chicago to see Eric, Di, Dana, Mike and all the grandchildren. Scheduled to fly out Monday morning – on a red-eye.

Dakota, Tilly and I are staying where it is warm and cozy, not to say I would not want to see everyone, but Chicago ?? It’s cold there and I have gotten to the point I would rather drive the Rv instead of flying. So off she goes to spend time with the families.

I will continue to volunteer and stay busy while she is away.

So, maybe you were expecting maybe a Christmas  letter? From ME? I just blog about life and what is going on. Big and sad news a close friend, has been taken gravely ill and has been taken to the hospital and put into an induced coma. We understand he will be kept like that for a few weeks. Our hopes and prayers are very high priority for Andy.

So to all of our Friends – May you have a wonderful and beautiful Merry Christmas wherever you are.

Susan, Dakota, Tilly and me.

Happy Holidays from all of us to you.

Life Changes or as we know it, We change

Well it has been awhile, we been kept not so busy, but busy enough seeing friends, going places and doing things. Our biggest travel was down to Casa Grande to see friends. Along with that we have been doing the doctor things, you know, medical check ups, dentist and so forth. Also helping friends who needed some medical attention.

Also some improvements, repairs and just plain old fun. And let's not forget we are both volunteering.
Repairs? You don’t say, what type of repairs, you might ask? Well, one day we almost lost our big awning. It just about popped outside of the track. Luckily we were outside and with Susan's help we managed to retract it and seated it sort of till we could get repaired. Mike (Gene’s RV)came out with Eddie and along with me we were able to get it re-installed and firmly mounted this time. Seems there are 2 small # 6 screws which lock it in-place – NOT. Well it is now in place and working well. Gene's also assisted us with a fan rewire (by me), new monitor (backup), Vent fan lift and motor and more. We just about have our twin temp working again. A few more minutes and back in service.

Susan has been doing hats, baskets, sewing things for friends. We learned Mexican Tile game. Did I tell you she loves her pantry? Well she really lovvvvvvvvvvvvves it.

We also sold our Big Mr. Buddy and installed a Pro-Com Blue Flame Ventless LP Heater. We learned of this from Terry and Karla who have had one for a few years. We are hoping to really try it out this week. For this install, I choose to do flare fitting. This is a method where the copper tube is flared by a flaring tool. This was an easy way and good thing to do.

We also upgraded our Cell Phone System. We installed a Maximum Signal System. What does this allow us to do? Increase our cell phone service while in the Boonies. Our 3g system, was working, but I needed a new antenna and better tech:

Maximum Signal

The outside antenna is installed on the rear roof on a 8 inch saw blade as a ground plate and the inside is located up front near the captain's chairs. This will give us the best range.

Along with this, I installed a new 12 Vdc water pump for recirculating hot water line to the bathroom sink and shower.

On the other side, we usually all take our walks around the area, then off to the dog park / baseball park to allow everyone to take a long and hard run. We are now taking the Dakota and Tilly along with us when going to the stores like Home Depot and a few other places as part of her training and socialization.  That's going very well

Dakota is always ready to go

Of course what would be a good outside shot?

We have been trying to catch up with friends and what they have been doing.

Speaking of friends, I’ll try to make this short, while sitting with Wayne,

Wayne looking Good

when Kathy was in surgery, a long time friend pop out of a ward. Once we got over the shock of seeing each other, Charlie had sad news about an associate we had worked with and known for many years. Sad to say he passed away that night. So, it begs the point. You never know what may happen tomorrow. Odd I could not fine his obituary.

of course I capture a photo of Charlie 

and another of Bob 

Now how about where we are and what we are doing. Susan and I have been given alot of compliments about our work and work habits. It seems we really do not need supervision nor have to be told what needs to be done. We see and just go do it. Phil, my partner gave me a really big compliment saying “ I hope you are coming back next year, and wish you were staying longer. It is nice to hear words like that, especially from your co-workers. We just seem to get along and know what needs to be done at the same time. We share the work load but if he is busy, I am doing clean up and getting ready for the next job.

Even Big John, Facility Mgr has taken notice.  Well anyway, work here is realy great and fun, its’ fun to be with a bunch of good people who work well with each other.

What else, the first MOAB was held this month and will be each month till April:

Oh while I am at it, we located 2 - 305 Watts Solar panels, for the low price of $120 each. That brings our system up to 1600 Watts. Woo-Ho, no longer have to elevate the panels. With what I have learned since Oct. I do believe we will no longer have to run our generator or reduce it operations quite a bit. Photo of our roof will be added later.

We have started our new "Where have we been / going road map:

Traveling Companions

Susan found this Hutch, This is the finish product. When she found it, a top section was built on top, she stripped it, re-finished it and then we made modification to it. 

Link to a small video 

Night with the fam's Soccer game (Colin).

No photos of the parade (allergies just about killed me)

More/Additional Photos and such to come later.

Well time to close and get this published