We are quickly coming to an end of our Texas visit with family and friends, remodeling and repairs, and helping my brother along the way.

Yesterday, we helped him with his purchase of a new (used) refrigerator since his quit working while he was out of town. Luckily, it stayed cool enough that all the food didn’t get spoiled, yet much of it was sacrificed.

What wasn’t, Kevin cooked up and put in the freezer last night while we were at dinner with friends.

We had lunch earlier at Back Forty Smokehouse because I wanted to see an old friend that works there. She is actually one of my middle son’s ex-girlfriend. Somehow, they always stay friends with me! Is that because I show an interest in them and their lives? Is it because I feel bad about the way he treated them? Anyway, she visited a little with us while we ate and it was so good to see her. I’m so happy her little family has stayed strong and has grown. I have watched her sons grow up on social media.

The day before, I had lunch with Ms Stephanie, Christina, and Cindy (her one-time PT therapist) which was a surprise for me. I didn’t know she was joining. We had a great visit, despite everyone talking over each other in our excitement. I thought everyone looked so good, especially Ms Stephanie, who never seems to age.

That is of the utmost importance, seeing friends and family while we are home. However, work on the bus and other issues kept us from seeing everyone that we wanted to. My long-time friend Kaye (she lives in Bridgeport ) is back at work but we talked on the phone. Also David’s niece and her family did not get visited this time. They understand the nature of our visits and that we see them when we can.

I do find it curious that some of my friends will make more of an effort to visit with us than our own family, but I digress. David is bad about it, I have to push to get him to do it most of the time.

His mind is on bus repair, remodel, and all the red tape and jobs that go along with owning a motor home before we leave. Dotting the i’s and crossing the T’s you might say. So when we head out Monday, we are doing it safely.

At least one more important visit is coming up tomorrow. An acquaintance from school is in town at a nearby campground in Grapevine and we are planning to meet for “linner” at Esparzas, my favorite place there. I have been in contact with her since we were in Arizona the first time, because she, her husband and their show dogs live in Prescott, Arizona. We will be joined by another classmate that lives in the area, so I’m excited….and all of our husbands will be there too!

As for me, I am trying to stay as strong and pain-free as possible, because we still have to wash all of our bedding on the bus, load it, and balance it before we leave. Weather is coming also, if we are to believe the meteorologists. I don’t want to be packing and loading in storms, so pray that doesn’t happen.

Dont take this the wrong way, I love writing challenges and exercises, but I will be glad to get back to what the blog is about and recording adventures and tales of our travels. Taking nature pictures in the beautiful states of Colorado and Arizona. Who knows? Where we will be in the in-between, so stay tuned!