Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Exciting Times

We have certainly had a busy few days. We had a wonderful time camping Friday and Saturday nights. The beauty of where we live never fails to amaze me. God‘s creation is stunning. Each season has its own beauty. We woke up to fog in the mornings and when I took Chloe for her walk Friday night, I looked up and there was a doe standing less than 10 feet from us. She wasn’t bothered at all by Chloe wandering around in the clearing. She just watched her very quietly and stayed there until we walked away and then she walked away in the opposite direction. I certainly wish I would have had a camera with me.

The big excitement is the fact that Dennis has a new ride! He has absolutely loved his old truck. It was a 2013 Ford F150 eco-boost. The problem is that it did not have enough power to pull our house! We pulled the small trailer with no problem, but whenever we moved the big trailer we had to pay someone to do it. That is not going to work out in retirement if we want to keep the trailer and travel. He’s been watching craigslist and gone in to talk to a couple of dealers several times, but they never had what he wanted. We have had the luxury of being able to take our time until he found the exact truck he needs to pull our house. After he finished winterizing the little trailer yesterday, he and Larry went to look at a truck and test drive it. 

Well, to make a long story short he came home and got me and three hours later we were the proud new owners of a 2019 F350 diesel pick up truck.  I actually cried as they drove our F150 away. We both loved that truck and it’s been paid for for many years. I told Dennis that it’s ridiculous we paid three times for this new truck, what we paid for our very first house in 1978.  But, he assures me that since it’s diesel he will never have to buy another truck. Apparently they last a long time.

Tah-dah!  It really is beautiful and even has heated and air conditioned seats.  Who would have thought air conditioned seats were even a thing? All I cared about was that it has a big backseat so I’ll have plenty of room for my yarn and Chloe!🀣

Here are the mini-lights at night. I am loving them and they make everything so cozy.

The other end of the room.  That’s piper’s handprint above the TV. She sent me a card that says, I love you. Of course it has centerstage!

I never got caught up in the coloring craze when it started a few years ago, but Piper has been giving me drawing lessons every afternoon on FaceTime and I found myself in need of coloring pencils or crayons. When I bought  the pencils, I saw this book at the same time. I have to admit it’s rather fun.  So far this is the only thing I’ve colored.

Our busy day today consisted of Dennis having to be at the dentist for a check up at 7:00 am, then at 9:00 he had his annual physical and 9:15 was mine. We both had to have blood drawn too and then had to be at Dennis’s office by 10:30 for our flu shots. After that I had to drive almost to Idaho to take the title of the old truck to the dealer. Then it was back to the doctors office for another attempted blood draw. Oh, I didn’t tell you that the phlebotomist poked me nine times unsuccessfully the first time I was there this morning. I was running so late for my flu shot appointment I had to leave and go back. After six more tries I went to the hospital across the street and the lady there got it first try. So there were 16 needle jabs just to get two tubes of blood from me.  All this was while fasting. I hadn’t eaten since 4:00 yesterday afternoon and I didn’t finish at the hospital until almost 12:30.  Then I had to pick up groceries and mail and finally back home. It was a busy morning and almost a 24 hour fast!  

Oh, and while at the doctor, Dennis had to get a tetanus shot because he sliced his hand open on a piece of metal yesterday as they were closing up the trailer. It was not very clean metal either and even a bit rusty. Since it had been eight years since he had a tetanus shot he got one today.  The poor guy ended up with a flu shot in one arm and a tetanus shot in the other. I wonder if he will be able to move his arms tomorrow?

So that’s been our little bit of excitement in the world. I hope you all have a lovely Wednesday and don’t have to have any blood drawn or get a flu or tetanus shot!

Blessings,
Betsy



22 comments:

  1. You have been busy, thrilled you were able to get the new truck. We are just going for our flu jabs now, yuk!

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  2. Looks like you and Dennis have had a couple of quite busy days. I don't like the sound of all those jabs,having blood taken (and leaving your arm like a pin cushion) and on top of it all a dentist appointment. At least you have the excitement of your brand new truck to help you push away the thoughts of the other events. All those gorgeous twinkly lights and the card from Piper will help you forget the nasty too!! Keep well Amanda x

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  3. My goodness, what an experience. Hopefully no more doctor visits and bloodwork for a while!

    Congratulations on the new vehicle. I remember when my husband traded in his truck, Clifford the Big Red Truck. He had bought it used and driven it for at least 15 years. It had a vinyl bench seat and crank windows and push down locks. His new truck (he bought it new!) had cloth seats and air conditioning! He had never had a truck with air conditioning. When he left work at the railroad in the summer, he would roll down the windows and try to cool off driving 55 down the highway to our house. It also had FM on the radio LOL.

    When he retired we bought what we call the school bus. It's a Chevy Traverse that can actually hold six car seats. We went to an auto show in January of 2018 and I measured every back seat and third row. I had families with strollers following me to check on my findings. We care for grandchildren and transport to preschool. Nothing would work.

    That September (because we spend a lot of time looking for the perfect vehicle, too) we saw the 2019 Traverse and not only could I fit a mixture of six regular, booster and infant carseats, if I place them just right, you can tip the seat forward to get in the third row WITHOUT removing the carseat in front of it. Of course you have to remove the child, but there is enough headroom to tip the seat. I always kind of thought we would get a sporty little car as our retirement vehicle, but I wouldn't trade these grandchildren for anything.

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  4. Goodness! You have been busy! Your new truck is a monster. Our neighbors have a huge pull trailer and that's the same truck they have for it. I still can't get The Mister interested in any of it. All he wants to do is sit around and watch golf all day or figure out ways to annoy me....sigh.

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  5. That's a very nice lookiung truck!! Glad you'll be able to pull your trailer now. Gosh, my Mom always had a hard time when she would go for blood work. They always had a hard time finding a vein. Sorry you had such a hectic (and uncomfortable) day. I do love those mini lights in your trailer.

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  6. I cried when we sold my PT Cruiser convertible, so I totally understand!

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  7. Glad you got a nice tough Ford truck. That's a lot of jabs for a blood draw. A couple ladies do a really good job where I go. I usually take something with me to eat after a blood draw..snack then go eat breakfast at a restaurant or home. I'm being lazy right now. Out of bed NOW! Woke up a bit tired. Smoke in area bugged me last eve. Went to Salem 3 places and home. Watered outdoor plants. Need to keep them alive. It'll be a good day for you and others too! I like your story about the deer. πŸ˜πŸŒˆπŸπŸ‚πŸŒΉπŸŽˆ

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  8. Nice truck! It is a good one to pull your home! So sorry that they had such a hard time getting your blood...it sounds awful. Yes we are getting our flu shots tomorrow. Not looking forward to it but it is necessary:)

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  9. Nice pickup! I love the heated seats in my car but can’t imagine seats with a/c. I got my flu shot on Monday, so now I’m ready for winter.

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  10. Wow-that was a lot packed into a few days!!! Ouch to the needle pokes-I only allow three strikes and then you're out! Sorry. Enjoy making memories in that new truck!

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  11. Goodness.. I cringed really badly when I heard that they stuck you so many times for the blood draw. I have a severe aversion to needles and blood drawing so I was upset for you that you went through that. *C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S*!* on the new truck, it's a beauty!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  12. Nice truck . . . very nice :) A day filled with doctors probing and poking does sound like a very nice day to me . . . bet you're both glad that's over for a while.
    God bless you both,
    Connie :)

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  13. Nice ride! Wow. Im so sorry you are a horrible stick! Poor lady. When we had a tiny baby and it was looking like stick after stick after stick, we all felt horrible. Then miraculously someone would get an IV in and it was such a relief. Your home sweet home is looking cozy. Did you notice th card Delighted Hands drew of your camper steps and flower can?

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  14. My Goodness. You've been poked and poked some more. You must be glad that's over and done.
    The new truck looks amazing!
    And amazing it must have been to look up and see the deer so close to you.

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  15. Sorry you’re unwell Betsy, pray you recover ASAP I don’t get reactions from them, did the first or second year but now since except this year arm was sorer than normal. Your truck looks like my sisters except theirs is a RAM, they’ve a big four wheel drive van so needed to bigger vehicle too. They’ve taken it right across central Australia on some pretty rough roads but pretty countryside, I shared their pickies last year each week.
    Praying you’re okay again soon, that taking of blood is record, I’ve never heard of that many attempts. I’d be a mess if they did that, I ended up with cellulitis from just three attempts last time in hospital. Needed to use another arm cos that one was not go. Sorry your veins are bad.. or they’re bad at their job!
    Lovely share and sorry I’m late... again... 😁
    Thanks for being a blessing, and may God bless you too, especially in these unusual times, a blessing to rest simply in Him! Praying you’re all kept well too!
    Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x 😊

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  16. That's a nice looking truck! I'm sure that he'll enjoy it. My husband has a new truck, but not as big as yours. That will be great for hauling your house! And the lights are so cozy.

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  17. Betsy, Your advice really helped me In Oklahoma. People are people are people. I did well. IM so glad. Thank you

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  18. Congratulations on your beautiful, new truck! And, so sorry to hear about your trying day with all the needle jabs and doctors visits. Bless your hearts. I trust things are going much better for you by now.

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  19. Ouch, poor Dennis and poor you! That is an awful lot of needle jabs.

    Congratulations on the new truck! Though I understand your tears at saying goodbye to the old one. So much of our lives seems bound up with our vehicles. Watching one drive away is like saying goodbye to all the things that happened while we drove it. May the new one bear you to many happy destinations.

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  20. Hi Betsy,, looks like life is keeping you busy and happy... The socks and sweater you made for your grand daughter are adorbs!
    I was hoping to get a quick camping trip in before the rains,, (we have a membership with KM Resorts) but,,, alas, nope... So both vintage trailers are back in the barn parked next to the motorhome,, on the plus side,, because we have power out in the barn we can always 'camp' out there for kicks-n-giggles... Have fun relaxing and enjoying the changing colors of the season... Hot tea and scones will keep you snug.

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  21. So while I was checking your latest post I found this one I missed last week, but enjoyed reading now. I admire your new truck! I hope it serves you as well as the one you tearfully parted with. I hope that being turned into pincushions will show you and Dennis are in good health or help you stay in good health! Lovely to see your new coloring book, and the pretty page you completed. I am so grateful for the peace the Lord gives us!πŸ’œπŸ™✏️

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