BLESSINGS

May 23rd: First thing Holland did this morning, was fire up the BBQ Smoker.

And I got busy getting our house in order.

We'd brought home a new coffee machine the other day - and I set that up this morning while Holland was fiddling around with his BBQ toy; we hadn't had a cup of coffee in weeks (since we sold the Heron Pointe house and went East to bring the 5th Wheel home); withdrawals were making themselves known.

Holland smelled the coffee, and came in for his cup of joy juice ;-)

A coffee machine & a Juicer. YAY!

When I came to the tote with these lapghans in them, I quickly placed them over the loveseat cushions: Bleu has sharp toenails, and he is a frisky puppy - the loveseat is covered in leather. Sharp toenails will destroy it. We want to keep it nice.

It may look hillbillyish - but until Bleu grows up and settles down, the lapghans will stay put. And if people don't like it … they can stay away: Bleu lives here, they do not.

I had a lot on my docket; I was in full hustle trying to get it all done.

Reminders.

New sheets/neutral color; no pink or flowers, in this home.

Laundry Day; my tees.

The briquette scent was wafting through the open windows as I went about my business, while Holland tended to his.

Holland got the smoker-Grill up and running this morning; he loves to BBQ.

I prepared the yams …

After Supper, I continued unpacking boxes we'd brought home from storage (every time we go into Longview, we bring home a truck load from the storage unit).

Walking from the bunkroom through the livingroom-kitchen, I noticed Bleu was sporting a new bandana; I took off his {baby} halter, and slipped his chubby little toddler body into the halter lead I had bought him weeks ago:

Bleu sported a camo bandana; and a new halter lead. It's a little loose, but he'll fill it out in no time~10 months old.

My 2 fav guys.

I wasn't looking; I wasn't expecting either.

And THAT is WHY Elohim IS Who He IS: HE KNOWS BEST WHAT I NEED, and makes sure I get it 💓

These 2 give me unconditional love. I am blessed beyond measure 😁

Holland put the T.V.'s in place; and as I was finishing up laundry, I heard Holland on the phone talking to a T-Mobile Internet technician … setting the Internet up - we paid B.I.G. for the hookup; we wanted to use it. He is doing all he can to get us closer to our boondocking goal.

He is a good man, and a loving husband.

I'm glad he is my man.

I am blessed beyond measure :-)

Holland setting up our new Internet, T-Mobile. A step closer to boondocking.

HOLLAND DOING HIS THING

May 22nd: Holland likes to cook … and has by and far claimed the kitchen as his domain.

I'm not sure when I'll get to cook; but I kept some of my favorite cookbooks, just in case he allows me space in his space ;-)

I finally found a George Foreman Grill the other day, in town - so, we used it tonight.

Holland made up some smoky pork chops for tonight - and later on. The rest will go in the freezers of the outside kitchen.

He also made up some Beef Steaks - nicely cut and seasoned.

Supper was awesome :-)

Holland is a good cook.

After Supper, I started putting some things from storage in place, in our home on wheels: one of the things that was set in place was a Spider Plant I had received as a gift last Summer. I had watered it well before placing it in the Storage Unit the day we left for West Virginia - nearly a month ago. It held up well, and I brought it home a couple days ago.

Tonight, I wanted it set on place.

Holland had seen me fiddling with my plant (pulling off faded leaves, and snipping browned tips), and he noticed me pulling my little step stool out of the pantry … so, he lifted the plant and asked, "Where do you want this?" I put the stool back, and pointed to the top of the back bathroom cabinet, and said, "Up there - I think there is a recessed area that this thing will fit snuggly into; I'll pull it down when we pull out of here, and put it in the sink where it will be safe until we set up again."

The Spider Plant snippet that Gail, from Naselle, sent home with me last June … has matured; and is sending out babies of it's own.

Holland has always paid attention to me. He noticed everything I wore - everything I said (and didn't say) - he noticed my actions. We were best friends before we became best for each other ;-)

Holland is 6'4": what was a big stretch for me, was easy-peasy for him :-)

T-MOBILE INTERNET SET-UP

May 21st: We finally found the time to get our own internet hookup: (((YAY!)))

Loris, from Longview T-Mobil. She has been awesome; very friendly - very helpful. And she has a great customer service personality, too ;-)

Now, we will not be dependent on spotty hotspots with low wattage.

We spent a couple hours in the Longview-WA Office, getting this thing underway - that included getting new phones a.g.a.i.n.: apparently T-Mobile internet the internet service is tied to their phone service.

T-Mobil Internet hookup for full-time RVing.

It seems we have spent the past 4 months getting our Life set up by purchasing everything in doubles or triplicate! Holland and I have both updated our home addresses, internet service, and phones twice … and I have updated my driver's license three times since I had to renew it the end of December 2022. These changes have not been free - or thrifty changes :-(

Hopefully, soon (please, God!), we can slide into our New Life without replacing anything else; and we can start saving $$$$ soon (which was the primary goal of going across country to purchase our new home), instead of watching it fly out the proverbial window.

The bright spot in all this big-ticket-money spending, is that we are getting closer to the Road Gypsy Life we look forward too :-)

In the end, our independence will all be worth every cent spent.

WESTPORT-OR; PUGET ISLAND/CASTLE ROCK/TOUTLE-WA

May 20th: I'm really enjoying our stay here at Clatskanie's 'RV Outdoor Adventures'; I like the quietness. I like the farmyard atmosphere - the crowing of the rooster at dawn … and waking up to ducks (as I did this morning) outside my back door :-)

Ducks outside my back door, this morning.

We've been hustling to get things done  … and I guess Holland thought I was getting snippy, because he said, "Come're Baby. You know what you need? You need to get out of the house. What do you think about taking the ferry across the River? You haven't had a scenic ride in a while."

I was out the door, pronto ;-)

My man knows me: more gets done around the house after I enjoy a relaxing out-of-house moment, than will ever get done if I feel squeezed by 4 walls and housework all day long.

We drove to Westport-OR (our side of the River), to take the Wahkiakum Ferry across the Columbia River, to Puget Island-WA.

Wahkiakum County Ferry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahkiakum_County_ferry & http://clatsopnews.com/2019/01/03/wahkiakum-ferry-legacy/

Everyone wanted to look at-pet-and puppy talk to Bleu, which excited him … and I got peed on: Holland laughed, and Bleu gave me the pity eyes; it's a boy thing.

Westport-OR from Clatskanie-OR; 11 min (9.2 mi) via US-30 W

Westport Ferry Landing to Sunny Sands, Puget Island Ferry Landing.

Taking the ferry across the Columbia, at Westport-OR; the average trip across the river is 12 min.

Driving into position.

Leaving Westport Ferry Landing.

Bleu got so excited with all the attention - he peed on me!

The Ferry Landing on Puget Island-WA

Disembarking.

Bleu is becoming Curious George. LOL

On the Washington side, we drove through Cathlamet and down Ocean Beach Highway; taking Coal Creek Road over Delameter to Castle Rock, where we enjoyed some river time there - and Bleu experienced his first water play moments.

Bleu's first river experience; Castle Rock-WA

After Bleu dried off, we drove out Spirit Lake Highway in Toutle, to visit Holland's cousin; who was enjoying time in her RV at the Silver Lake Resort :-)

My husband gave me a good outing.

And I gave our home a good going over once we got back home.