Brrrrrr, it has been cold here at night. We have been spending a few nights up at the river in the fiver and it is cold. I'm nice and cozy in the fiver, but when it comes time to walk the dogs------I have actually had to break down and wear shoes and socks. I can't tell you how unhappy that makes me. Anyway, here are some photos of our neighbor's garage. As much as I hate to see "progress" encroaching on our "wilderness", I do like the design and they are very nice. They have included a "loft" bedroom over the garage area. They have also put in a small kitchen and full bath downstairs. Their plan is to be able to spend time there on the weekends till they retire and build the house. As much as I enjoy our time on the river, it is just to darn cold to be there year round.

I spent most of yesterday brushing, clipping, and bathing the furballs. They both sure did need it, especially after our trip to Turkey Run. I get such a kick out of watching them run thru the house after their baths. I know they feel better!

As most of you know, we are currently staying in our stick house trying to complete projects and get it ready to sell. We have; however, made the decision not to sell this year. Although the economy did play a role in our decision we also wanted to make sure our son had a roof over his head for the winter. He is currently a Purdue student and would love to live on campus, but that is just not do-able right now. Hopefully, he can work things out for next term.

We will be heading up to the river to our fiver today. The temps are dipping, so we need to make sure it is ready for the frosty temps forecast for tonight and tomorrow. I am so ready to move back into our fiver. It just so cozy and relaxing. It's home.

I received a note from a fellow rv-dreamer that some of you will be getting together this March in Texas. I wish we could be there, but our plans are to leave Texas by the end of December. We want to spend some time in New Mexico and than on to Arizona. We will start our journey back to Indiana sometime in the late spring. Hopefully, the market will have improved or at least stablized and we can put the house on the market at that time.

I sure do hope the temps here in Indiana improve----I've actually had to break out my "winter" flip flops!!

I'm back! I'm not going to promise to blog every day, but I will post a few times each week. The countdown has begun---we hope to be leaving and heading to Texas after Thanksgiving if not before.

Yesterday was my B-day! Happy Birthday to me! I'm 51 years young. It was also little Belle's B-day, she turned 8. Belle and I decided we wanted to spend our birthdays hiking at Turkey Run State Park. So, of course, we took Cosmo and Bill along for the day. It was a beautiful fall day and the furballs so enjoyed bouncing through the water and the mud! A grand day was had by all!

Well, I'm finally back to post. I'm on the "other side" of surgery. My recovery is slow, but I am making progress---I think. I really don't do much these days---I have managed to get in a few short walks, but still don't have much energy and still on the pain meds. Tomorrow is a big day---I get my "staples" removed! I can't tell you how happy that makes me. My belly looks like someone installed a zipper! Hopefully, next week I'll start to see some improvement in my mobility and energy level. I do feel soooo much better---a lot of my aches and pains I had before surgery are gone---especially my back pain and I definitely feel "lighter". Anyway, that's where things stand at present........on the road to recovery..........

Well, once again time is just flying by.......where does it go. We have gotten a lot accomplished in the last few weeks. The den is now painted, the carpet pulled up ready for new, and the dreaded closet purged of all it's treasures. I did have a garage sale last Saturday, I hope my last, and sold a few things. We also started on the main bath. I'll post some pictures soon.

I wanted to get this post in before I leave for the hospital. Today is the big day for me. Surgery is at 8am. I know I'll be in the hospital for at least two days, but I'll post as soon as I'm up to it once I'm home. Again, thanks to all of you who have emailed your good wishes and prayers. It has been a great comfort to me. Thank you and see you on the "other" side.................

Time is just flying by......it seems all I get down these days is helping Sam get his life in order. I think I'm finally on the back side of that---once school starts we can get into a routine and I'm hoping things will settle down. His room is a total mess. It looked so nice when he came home, but he has boxes to sort, clothes to go through----eeeek!

We finally got started on the "den" yesterday. I have the room completely emptied out and hubby started on the can lights. Unfortunately we had to "regroup" on the lights. I wanted to center them on each wall, but the ceiling joist are in the way. So, we just decided to nix the whole can light thing and buy a nice light kit for the ceiling fan. Bill is up in the attic today wiring so we have separate switches---one for the light and one for the fan. At least it is a little cooler for him today. I turned my attention to the closet. It is so overwhelming. So many of my "treasures" are lurking there. It is hard to part with them, but I know I must!! Into the garage sale they go. Some days I begin to wonder if we will ever get this done. We had done a major purge before we left for Florida last winter. I really thought we would not have that much "stuff" to sort through at this time. I was wrong!! I must have "hid" it all in the closet........woe is me!

Been a few days since I posted, we have just been so very busy. Sam came home last Friday. He has been gone for almost 3 years and it was very emotional for all of us. We have been shopping and visiting friends---we have so much to do before he starts Purdue in the Fall. His room came out fantastic and he really seems to like it. We have a few "finishing touches" to apply, but nothing major. Next, we start on what will be the den. It needs a total re-do. It is also one of the last "junk" hold outs. In other words, I have lots of sorting and throwing away to do before we can even start the paint. Hubby will be installing can lights in the ceiling in this room as well. Our goal is to get the "den" and the main bath done before my surgery Aug 7th. I will have about a 6 to 8 week recovery period after the surgery so we really need to get moving. Today I will start the "grand purge" of the den. We will set up tables in the garage, I want to go ahead and place and price items as I go---hopefully that will save us some time later. Sam will be sorting his clothes. He has out grown most of his shirts and some of his pants, so they will be added to the garage sale tables.

A note about my surgery---I have gotten emails and calls from many of you expressing your concern and good thoughts. For those of you that are wondering, I will be have a hysterectomy. I have rather large fibroids, which means I have to have a full incision for removal--no band aid surgery for me. That is why my recovery time will be longer. It seems at "50" many of my "body parts" are "opting out". First it was my gall bladder, now this. The good news is, so far anyway, all of these "deserters" have long since stopped being useful so I say "good riddens"! Thank you all for your kind words and concern and I will keep you posted. Now, it is back to work........