Think about this ... "be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle"





Tuesday, May 12, 2009

moving forward, ever forward


Today we traveled a whopping 30 miles or so.  We left the campground in Bernardston that I so enjoyed ~ lovely, green grass site, very quiet (no kids, no planned activities just peace and quiet) lovely woods next to the campground property for Sir to romp in and a lovely little brook babbling (yes, babble, babble, babble) through the campground ~ just plain and simply "my kind of place" but close enough to "things" to make King Richard a happy fella (I think).  

Oh yes, we arrived in Dummerston, VT (just outside Brattleboro ~ birthplace of yours truly oh so many many years ago and baby sister not so many years ago).  We are staying at a KOA here.  We've pretty much avoided KOA's as much as possible.  They are usually quite nice but they are always grossly over priced.  We were discussing this today after Rick asked how much the site was a night, why it is that KOA's feel they can charge what they do - Rick decided it was because of the name and the expectations the brand name carries with it?!?! Me, I think it's just greed, plain and simple greed.  Anyway, here we are. There is a campground a mile down the road where we've stayed in the past, but they are not open yet for the year!!!  I won't even start with that rant, I'm sure it is getting old.

Yesterday in Bernardston was a very very productive day for us.  I spent quite some time cleaning a very neglected coach interior - very very neglected.  I had sort of kept up with the laundry (without doing sheets and blankets) with the washer/dryer in the coach because the laundry room at the campground left a great deal to be desired (as Mom would say!). There are often times that campground laundry areas can be "calming" (yes do call me crazy or whatever you think fits) but here's why I feel that way ... when I am all done I feel like I've really accomplished something, and there is usually a book exchange in the laundry area and since I've been reading a trashy romance novel every week or so that is a good thing.  I am still, however, searching out the book about the Amish teenagers and their year "off" before they "accept" their Amish way of life.... anyone out there know the book?  

While I was cleaning inside Rick was going like "the hammers of hell" outside doing maintenance and upkeep "stuff" and getting the specifics of the new batteries we need to replace soon - two out of eight isn't so bad now is it!! Plus Sir got to spend lots of time outside being a total goof because the neighbor people weren't home so he wasn't a threat to anyone!

After "chores" were done we headed out for one last little time in the area. As we enjoy doing we came upon a local establishment owned (recently - well they bought it four years ago) by a young, local couple.  We just love these places, hearing the owners stories and so admire the hard hard work they are doing to attain their dream of owning their own place, being their own boss(es).

Case in point ~ "Smitty's Pub" on Chapman Street in Greenfield.  Now, I think we all know, Rick is not shy about having his photo taken (especially when it involves standing next to or hugging up to a very attractive female).  So, obviously the photo above is King Richard, he is with Shelby (as in, as she said "Mrs. Smitty's Pub").  

The photo below just cracks me up.  The owners (Dan and Shelby) have a young daughter.  As Shelby told us, they don't like her to be in the "bar" but one Sunday they had to come in (the bar is closed on Sundays so the family can have some family time) to do something at the bar. The daughter wanted a task, so Shelby gave her gloves and a scraper and told her to go along and scrape the under side of the bar - hence the note posted below - isn't it priceless! Needless to say, said daughter has not done that chore again since that particular Sunday! Talk about a spunky, don't mess with me kind of kid huh!  YOU GO "SAM, THE BOSS"!  But, check it out ~ it's signed "Love Sam, the Boss"

You may wonder, what on earth is the next photo.  Me too!  

Several months ago after I completed the quilt I made for Princess Paige I decided (DAH, how silly of ME) that I should really get back into sewing, because I have far too much time on my hands and it is not only allowing me to pack on the pounds, as my Mom would say "an idle mind is the devil's workshop" so .... When we were in Deland, FL there was a terrific quilt shop around the corner (walking distance in fact) from the Lodge we were staying at.  I spent a few hours at that quilt shop choosing, arranging and rearranging fabrics for this great "wall hanging" of flip flops.  Well after about a gazmillion hours I finally completed the top.  I went to put it on the wall in the bedroom where I had planned for it to go ... DAH, it was too big for the space!!!  Mensa candidate that I am, I never bothered to measure - why bother, it was a wall hanging for heavens sake of course it will fit there! NOT! As Rick so gently pointed out to me "you're a seamstress, how could you not measure?"  I put the project in a basket and let it be for a while.  Then we got that steering wheel table I had wanted for so long, and decided it could be a "topper" for that ... so below is the "completed" project.  

I am amazed at how lax I have gotten in the quality of my work ... trust me when I say, this finished project would never, ever have been acceptable in my previous life.  I'm not sure why it is now, but so be it I guess!  Lucy, you would be horrified!
So, in closing ... this evening we were out for dinner (using a gift certificate from one of my very favorite sites where you can get $25. gift certificates for as little as $3.00 sometimes, but always for $10.00 ~ you've just got to LOVE IT).  The local veterinarian was there having an adult beverage and a burger. His "philosophy of the day" was ... 


"don't put onions in home made baked beans" .... you know why????

???

????

????

It creates tear gas!!!   

OHHHHH   BOYYYYYYY   I didn't make it up ~ Doctor Ben did.

Good night folks!

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