The Property! July 27, 2011

Finally!   No more just talking about "getting some property" to work on campers. Norm and Jules FOUND the property that they want and are in the process of buying it.

Norm has also already turned in his paperwork telling his bosses that he is retiring in January 2012. What a sweet deal! Sitting around doing nothing and still getting paid! How does THAT work? I need to get a deal like that! Norm told me to put in 28 years like he did and then we can talk about it.

This is it, THE property! Norm & Jules picked out a couple of acres in a small town named Malden before Jules left. Now that Jules is back they are getting all the paperwork signed and finalizing the deal. This is going to be the retirement property where they can work on their old campers and stuff and keep them indoors in the winter. They also are planning on camping on it. I can't wait to move there.

This shot (right) is from the western edge of the property, looking east.

This shot (left) is from the eastern edge of the property, looking west.

This spot is where we will park the campers during the summer. Our own little campground. (The mobile home is just off camera to the right.)

Come spring Norm is planning on building a large barn like thing to work on the campers in. He said he is tired of having to keep covering everything up with tarps when it rains.

Jules told him she didn't care if it was a big building that holds all of the campers or a little one for the one he is working on. Either way, she is going to be in the campground.

The property currently has just a mobile home on it and a metal building that is falling down. 

Talk about a scary place!

Just looking into that shack gave me the willies. No telling what lives in there.

Norm kept bugging me and calling me chicken so I HAD to go in the scary building. I was really nervous, but I did it just to shut him up.

I didn't see anything moving around and I didn't get bit so it was OK. I think Norm wanted me to go in first because he was afraid he would get bit by something. Who's the chicken NOW?

There was a house at one time next to the mobile home. Norm & Jules plan to put up a small log cabin in the future after getting rid of the mobile home. Until then the mobile home will act as a shower house, like at a campground. They are going to do some work on it though to make it nicer while they are using it.

While walking around looking at the mobile home I met a new friend. His name is Jack. He told me he was a donkey but Norm said he was something else that I can't repeat. Its good thing Brock wasn't around to hear Norm when he said it or it would have cost him a dollar for Brock's college fund. 

Jack said he just hangs out near the house. I asked him about the scary building and he said he never goes in there. (Now you tell me...)

Norm and I were suppose to go back out to Malden next week to meet with a guy who takes care of the septic tank. I don't know what a septic tank is but Norm said its probably best that I keep it that way and let the pros take care of it. When I asked Norm what made him a pro he just looked at me funny and said, "I'm paying someone to handle this." I guess that answered my question.

I really wanted to spend more time wandering around on the property and exploring but Norm said we had to get back because it was time to start getting ready for another Vintage Camping Rally. This week we are going to South Bend (Granger) Indiana for the Northern Indiana Rally. That is the rally with naughty gnomes. I'm not a naughty gnome (admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof!) so it is going to be interesting to see how things go.

Talk to you soon,

Travis

It's Finally Sunday! July 17, 2011

I didn't think this day would ever get here! We all went to meet Jules at the airport. She only expected Norm to pick her up so it was a surprise when Jules saw all of us. We all were holding our signs and waiting.










Before we left we took some pictures of the signs and Brock was all excited that "Ama" was coming home.

I probably should have taken more pictures, but like Norm, I was too busy hugging Jules. KC's sign was a series of signs. Maybe Joni has some more pictures that I could add.

Sorry it took so long to get this added. It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks! If you are wondering what is wrong with Norm III's face... It is riding his Harley with sunglasses for WAY TOO LONG!! He needs to be out in the sun for a bit without the sunglasses!

What are WE suppose to do? July 13, 2012

OK, I told you early on in this blog (my very first post about my new family) that Jules was the glue that held the family together. She has MORE than proven that statement correct!

I'm really concerned about what we're suppose to do since Jules is out of town. Even Brock is very concerned!

Jules took a trip for two weeks. Yes, just 14 short days. She is in Tennessee. She has been gone for all of 10 days so far and Norm is a basket case! They talk on the phone nightly and they give each other updates about daily happenings. Luckily, Jules comes home this coming Sunday. I didn't know humans can go days on end without eating food!

I've seen Norm eat twice! He made eggs one morning and he ate a frozen dinner thing another day, that's it! The only other thing I saw him eat was when he was sitting on the couch with a Mountain Dew and sunflower seeds. I tell you, I'm starving to death here! I complained Sunday night after he finished off the sunflower seeds KC brought home Saturday afternoon. Norm claimed that he eats at work. Lot of good that does me, he won't take me to work with him. When I mentioned that he works 4 days a week he told me to mind my own business.

I'm not sure what KC & Norm III do for meals though. I think they understand that Norm is basically lost without Jules. Joni, Jason & Brock came over to the pink house on Monday night with food for a cookout. I don't think Norm would have eaten a regular meal if it wasn't for that. I offered to order a pizza for us one night and he told me I had to pay for it. Needless to say I don't carry cash and the pizza guy doesn't take plastic.

Norm & I have been working on a secret project so we have been keeping somewhat busy. I can't show you any pictures of it yet because its a secret. I can tell you about it later and show you the pictures we've been taking as we have been working. I'm sure Norm would thrash me severely if I posted pictures now.

I miss Jules so much that I tried to go see her. When I asked Norm for bus fare he told me to suck it up like the rest of the family or get a job. So I had to devise an alternative way to get him to loosen up on some coin. I told him I was going to send Jules some snacks. He was OK with me rummaging through the cabinets and getting some things together. When I had everything set I asked him if he could mail the container for me. He said he would drop it off at the post office in the morning. Right before he got home from work I put my plan into motion and climbed inside the container. I was all set!

Everything was perfect. On the way to the post office some of the paper packaging tickled my nose and I sneezed. Norm wasn't happy and after finding me hiding said I couldn't send Jules any packages that were bigger than me. I guess I have to wait until Sunday to see her like the rest of the family.

Well, time to get back to work. Besides, running around bugging Norm keeps him on his toes and keeps his mind busy while Jules is gone. Come on Sunday!!!

So Indiana Rally - Fowler Park; June 9-12

First, a special hello to all of the new friends I met at the rally last weekend in Fowler Park. Hang on and enjoy the ride, I certainly do!

Thursday June 9th:  Oh yeah, camping again! I'm telling you this is the life. I love camping. However, getting ready to go is a bit bothersome. Why can't we just leave the van loaded? After inspecting to see if Norm had packed everything it was time to hook up & go.

Norm told me to double check his work to make sure he didn't miss anything. (Like I know what I'm looking for? I'm new at this stuff.)

Time to hit the road. I won't get into the fact that we were driving for a LONG time heading to the Indianapolis area (Fowler Lake) only to discover that we were suppose to be going to the Terra Haute area (Fowler Park). Suffice it to say I don't think Norm will let me Google the directions anymore. We arrived later than planned. The gates closed at 10 pm and we got there at 11. I don't know how, but Jules & Norm convinced the gate guard to let us in anyway. We set up camp and got to sleep by 2 am.

Friday June 10th:  Fun in the sun. Temperatures in the upper 90s and NO SHADE! You could cook an egg on the rocks.

Actually our hosts, Wagonmasters (that's what they call the folks that organize the rallies) Roger & Erin thought Norm & Jules were going to be bringing their paddle boat (whatever that is) so they were given a beautiful campsite on the tip of a peninsula. We had shade in the early morning only.

Norm said that the only way he is going camping again is with air conditioning. I told him when he finally gets it he won't need it anymore. He threatened to toss me in the river if I didn't quit bugging him.



Beautiful


I had to think about that for a while. A refreshing dip and getting Norm in trouble with Jules. Seemed like a win-win situation. I think Jules heard us though and said to knock it off.

This was our campsite all set up.



Barb - aka Mom



Our neighbors on one side were BJ and her mom (Barb).



BJ & me



Barb didn't mind my chatting with her, but I think she preferred to sit next to Norm.

I think BJ is as strange as Norm. She had a whole flock of Flamingos wandering around her campsite! I had to watch real close where I walked.  



Introducing myself to the group



Later in the evening we played a game called I Never. Everyone sits in a circle and says something that they have never done, like sky diving. If the others had, they had to pay a penny for it. We started with 40 pennies each and the last one wins all of the pennies.

Jules did real well! She made it to one of the last three.

Norm was out early as usual. I think he should just donate his 40 pennies and watch from now on.  

After the game it was time to head back to the campsite. A couple of cool beverages and time to get some rest.

Norm said Saturday was going to be busy with the Show & Shine.

Saturday June 11th:

The weather was much improved. The eggs needed longer to cook on the rocks. 

The Show & Shine is the time when all of the campers (if the owners want to participate) are open to the public to be viewed. It is a great chance to see how everyone decorates their campers.

It is also a great time to get new ideas. Like WHERE to hide that air conditioner!

 This is Dave & Patty with their camper & me. Dave hid the air conditioner inside the vent above their heads. From the outside you would never know the camper had air!

These were some of the other folks that we were camping with.



Anna & Bill





Mary - I hope her husband doesn't see this!



Pam



Amy

Kevin & Marsha



Lynda & Pam



Mary (Erin's mom) & Robin

Ernie (aka Abe Lincoln for the event)



Hunter, Cooper & Gus (hiding behind Hunter)



Karen (in the boat) & Rich



Trish



I had a wonderful time meeting everyone. It still amazes me how many people don't mind posing for pictures with me. I even got my picture taken in Trish's camper, on the bunk!

Its a good thing that I'm vertically challenged or I would have never fit!

I even met another gnome that everyone was saying looked a lot like me. Personally, I don't see the resemblance. (I thought I was vertically challenged...)

I know some folks think that rallies with games, contests, show & shines and the like are really not what camping is about. I think that is the great thing about the different rallies. Some have all the bells and whistles, some don't. Like their trailers, each is distinctive and different. I enjoy all of them. Any time spent camping is better than being at work. (Not like I have a job anyway, but it sounded cool when I heard it, so I stole the quote.)




Jules, me, BJ, Mary & Leroy

 

Saturday evening we had the "pot luck" dinner.

There were door prizes and a white elephant grab bag. Personally I didn't see ANY elephants, anywhere, white, pink or any other color for that matter.

But I did get a few cool new things.

After dinner there was a race wearing a very large ladies unmentionables.



Brian & Kevin (left) Walt & Rich (right)



I'm not sure that the owner would be happy knowing what they did with them. Besides, who borrows someone else's drawers? But it was funny watching the participants running in them.

After the dinner & games it was time to sit back and enjoy. A lot of campfires, conversations and generally hanging out with new and old friends.

Jules and Norm rode their bikes around to the different campsites visiting. Norm told me if I didn't have a bike I could walk. I tried putting a stick in his spokes as he rode off but I missed. Jules was kind enough to give me a ride.

 We hung out with Ray & Sandy for quite a bit that night.

Sunday was very peaceful, although we did have to pack up & go home. We stayed at the campground after church services and had a late breakfast. We planned on heading home around 2 PM. It was interesting that there were still folks stopping by that had missed the show & shine or had heard about the event after the fact. Jules & Norm always let people that stop by look around in Bob.

Unfortunately, all of the rallies eventually come to an end. On the way home we stopped for gas and some young folks had followed us into the gas station. They had been travelling the same road and stopped for gas too. NO silly not that kind of gas, none of us ate, the cars needed fuel. When they asked if they could take their picture with Bob of course we said yes. I had to jump in that shot too.

That was it for our rally weekend. Our next rally will be the Northern Indiana Rally, in South Bend, in July. From what I'm hearing it should be a doozy. I've heard they have "naughty gnomes" that attend. I'm not a naughty gnome, though I have known a few. I am really looking forward to seeing if I know the gnomes from days gone by. Norm said he is going to keep a close watch on me so I don't get a bad reputation like the other gnomes. He's boring that way.

Until I write again,

Travis

Jason's Birthday - Finally Celebrating it! - May 2011

As you have read in my past entries, Jason's birthday was in April. Things were very busy for the family and it seemed that every time we planned to celebrate Jason's birthday something else would intervene and ruin the plan. Well, we finally got to celebrate it properly.

One thing that I have learned hanging out with Jules and family is that they don't let birthdays go unnoticed. Even when someone prefers to just ignore the fact that they are having a birthday the others won't let it just be another day. It is always viewed as a special day for that person. This time it was Jason's turn to try and ignore a birthday.

Brock would have none of his dad's shenanigans and like his grandma insisted that the special event be celebrated properly.

The evening started with dinner at a local restaurant. Of course we did honor Jason's request that there be no photos in the restaurant. (We had to give in somewhere or it would have made the whole celebration a brutal ordeal for him.) Instead we had a fantastic time.

After dinner we retreated to the pink house for a casual evening of family and giving Jdub (that is what I call him) his gifts. Since I am now with the family, as a direct result of Jason introducing Norm & me at Christmas, it makes it all the more fitting that he be featured here for his birthday.

The rest of the family had been debating long and hard about what gifts to get Jdub. They decided to pool their resources, since birthdays have a spending limit, and get something for him that he had wanted for a long time. Yep, a couple of cards. They call it being frugal. I think they were just being cheap.

Watching Jdub open gifts is a thrilling time as you can see by the look of shear joy on Norm III's face. How he could contain his excitement is beyond me. I personally was giddy the entire time.

Ok, they weren't all that cheap. They did get Jdub a gag gift. It was a little McDonald's figurine thingy. Actually, Jules got it for Bob, but they had to give Jdub something to unwrap. While he was trying to figure out why in the heck the family would have given him a McDonald's figurine, Norm & Norm III snuck out to bring in the real gift.

Can you hear the theme music in the background as THIS was being unveiled? Seriously, a 42" LCD TV! Can I sign up now for my birthday?

Jdub has done so much for the whole family since joining it that we all felt he deserved to get a luxury toy that hes been waiting to get since he started working on their house. Plus, he didn't get to go to Vegas like everyone else. (Someone had to watch the dogs.)

Jdub was VERY surprised and happy! Now all he has to do is convince Joni that he needs to actually be left to USE his gift, rather than finish his honey-do list for a few weeks.

He is such a great person. At least he let me slide when I first found out about his birthday last month and didn't have a card or anything else.

I almost ruined the night too. I had been commenting on how much I felt that I too deserved a giant TV.  Brock decided I needed to let his dad have his day and to quit whining about what I wanted. I made the mistake of telling Brock to pipe down. After knocking me off the table with one pillow and piling on a few more Brock was about to jump on and pummel me when Jdub grabbed him. I obviously realized shortly thereafter that Brock was right. It was Jdub's day, and he certainly deserved it.
Happy Birthday big guy!

Travis