Happy 6th Celia & Trying to Leave Town

May 20- June 9, 2022                                                       Most Recent Posts:
Greenfield Mountain Farm                     Spring is Finally Bustin’ Out All Over
Virginia                                             Late April-I Wish it was Still a Small Town

The weather has been all over the place.  Mid 90’s in May-Unheard of.  And then highs in the 40’s. 

These were the temperatures at the farm while I was in Maryland to visit Carrie for Celia’s 6th birthday.  It was cooler there.  And they have a salt water swimming pool.

I have only two grandchildren so it is too easy for me to overdo presents on birthdays especially since they are still little.

So rather than have it seems like Christmas, I portioned them out.  Two the day I arrived.  Two the next day and three on her birthday.

They weren’t big things.  But who doesn’t love to open presents.  Surprises are so much fun.  Colin had gone to the store with Daddy so we took that opportunity so he, at 3, would not feel badly about no gifts for him.

This game has been a family favorite since my childhood.  It was invented in the 30’s and older versions are collectibles.

With a pool you need several swimming suits.  I wish I had taken her picture out of the water in this one which she wore to her swimming lesson the next morning.

On Saturday Mommy was swamped literally.

One of the two gifts today was a new pair of rainboots which Celia promptly wore all around the house in her nightgown.  The heels have lights that flash when you walk.  Too cute.  I want a pair like that.

Mommy takes advantage of a morning smoothie in a fancy glass.

The wonderful young woman who took care of the kids when Carrie first went back to work came for Celia’s birthday and brought her a terrific box of Crayola pens, pencils and markers along with two coloring books.  The 3 of them colored together as they had done when they saw each other every day.  Not sure how Carrie found Nicole but the children love her.

That evening Nicole took Celia out to eat and Matthew said he would take Colin and Carrie and I could go out for a Mother Daughter dinner so I treated her to Mexican food mostly so we both could have Margaritas.  Sorry we couldn’t do the selfie to include the great looking drinks.

Sunday began with Nana and Colin reading a great little National Geographic book on Bees.  He got it from his Bee themed party at nursery school along with a Bee balloon the he absolutely loved.  I can’t believe I didn’t get a picture of him with that thing.  So funny!

Then it was time for Celia’s swimming lesson.  She can do the back stroke and the crawl and is very comfortable in the water now.  Face in and all.  Really important if you have a pool.

There is not much more fun than a pool full of little girls having a good time in the water.  The birthday girl is waving to her Nana.

She’s wearing the second swimming suit I got her for her birthday.  It has long sleeves so she won’t have to have sunscreen slathered all over her.  I’d like to have one of those too.  Why don’t they make these neat things for adults?

Mothers enjoying the shade

Of course after the pool it’s time for presents.  Everybody wants to see.

And then birthday cupcakes.  Colin’s head is barely visible at the foot of the table.

The next day it’s time for Nana to leave.  Everyone has to go back to work and school.  Luckily for me there is a Brusters that I have to drive by on my way from their house.   And Jamacian Me Crazy is a permanent flavor.  OH YES!

That’s about all the good news.

Unfortunately I have to squeeze in two surgeries for Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  One is on my face so I have to have Mohs Surgery.  I’m not too happy about this given how careful I am to wear a BIG hat and the 50spf sunscreen my dermatologist told me to every single day of my life.  

Sorry about the pictures.  They are actually for me to remember just how this was.  I sure hope there aren’t too many scars.

 

Finally after 8 months, on Tuesday May 31st Winnona, Ruby and I leave the farm for the mountains of North Carolina for the summer.

In about 11 miles I start up Afton Mountain to get on I 64 west.  The check engine light comes on.  The rig starts to overheat.   I try not to panic.

SO VERY LUCKY that shortly there is a pull off this two lane road up a mountain that is big enough for both Winnona and Ruby.

I call for a tow.  The insurance company doesn’t have a clue.  Where is he?  In Missouri of course.  After nearly 45 minutes on hold and his coming back on line over and over to say he was checking the next company, he said that he couldn’t find anyone to come and I should call the police.  Maybe they could help me.

WHAT?

So I hang up and call a close by  local garage that I know has a truck big enough for Winnona.  This is a real concern when you call an insurance company and don’t make it clear that a regular tow truck will not do.  My insurance guy said he called them but their trucks were out at an accident.   But by the time he fiddled around they were back but of course the insurance company has to call or I have to pay.  Quote -$1000 to tow me into Charlottesville. 

After I called A and then call B back and B calls A and A calls me back, it wasn’t 20 minutes before a guy who definitely knew what he was doing got Winnona hooked up for her first ever tow in 18 years. 

I followed and we ended up at Jim Price Chevrolet in Charlottesville where they work on trucks and more trucks – dump trucks, school busses, krispy kreme trucks, RVs. 

3rd piece of luck after the available pull over and getting the tow company I wanted was that Mr. Price has two electric hook ups for RVs.  Trying to look on the bright side but boy it’s tough.

So here I sat waiting for parts.  Turns out it was an O2 sensor, radiator hose clamps and the fan clutch.    

I paid $100 in shipping to have the parts “next day” but the week-end interfered and it wasn’t finished  until Monday the 6th.  When we discuss the bill I see I”m being charged $600 for towing.  After a couple of phone calls, that was cleared up but I thought it was very interesting that the tow company charges Jim Price $600 and me or my insurance $1000.  I had to call the insurance and she told me that’s what they paid.  SO if you don’t have towing insurance you might want to have the shop call for the tow truck.  it might save some money

On Tuesday, I hook up Ruby and head out.  I get as far as the end of the drive into the dealer and when I go to stop, my foot goes all the way to the floor.  Not good on an RV towing a car.  Can’t back up.  Luckily they have a second entrance but I have to weave my 56 foot self through rows of new cars.   This time it is brake hoses.  They also fix my lights connection between the RV and the car that has been on and off.  A short I think.  

Anyway I’m right back where I was over 10 nights ago. At least it has 30 amp.  No water.  No dump.  Semi boondocking.  This photo was taken when I first arrived.  Since then my neighbors have left. 

These are my neighbors out my front window.

And the reading material in the waiting room.  You may need to blow the picture up to see that both publications are from the NRA.   Not exactly how I was hoping to spend the first 1/3 of June.  Another wait for parts and I MIGHT be able to try again to leave on Friday.  My favorite – I just love driving on week-ends.  Tongue firmly in cheek.

Luckily I have a month long reservation in North Carolina where to date, I will be more than 10 days late.  No refund for the 1/3 of the month I have missed.

I feel like a bad luck magnet!
I’ve been off the road now for more than 9 months.