Here's the Answer

Several of you wanted to know what the Splendide tech told me.  It's a little embarrassing because it was rather simple.  

When the machine wouldn't come on, I moved the dial to the "reset" button -- still nothing happened...the light never stopped its rapid blinking to release the door.  I then turned the dial back to where it was when we turned the machine off -- "Anti-Crease."  It started but stopped again when the "Anti-Crease" was complete, but the door still would not release.  That's when I called Splendide.  The tech told me to push the "Easy Iron" button off -- it was in the "on" position.  (Somehow he knew that -- guess it's happened before.)  He explained that since I did not have the dryer portion set to dry -- time was at zero as I intended to remove some shirts I didn't want to dry in the dryer -- and the "Easy Iron" button was "on" and there was no dry setting on the machine, it  basically didn't know what to do, so it just stopped.  I pushed the "Easy Iron" button off and everything was fine.

I hope this makes sense.

On The Road Again

Judy -- of Judy and Emma -- Please tell us about the bird in the header picture...we are sure you know:)


Arkansas is now in our rear-view mirror, as we left Maumelle Park Monday morning.  We drove to Texarkana where we picked up our grandson, Allen.  

Allen is riding with us to North Carolina and will fly back home.  We haven't seen Allen in a year and it's nice to have him with us.   He graduated this year and is planning to join the military -- either the Navy or Air Force.

Our first stop was Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston, Louisiana.  

Allen wants to make sure everyone knows he picked out this park.  We had no idea when we drove the three miles from I-20 what we would find -- what a pleasant surprise this park was.  And the price was perfect -- $20 for full hookups.

Before we left, I had my hair done at my favorite salon...

...with my favorite stylist, Sue.

Sue has done my hair for years and when we are out on the road, I REALLY miss her...she's the best!

I am typing this as we are driving down the road.  I will answer the question of what I was told by the Splendide tech when we stop and I can look at my machine again -- want to make sure I answer it correctly and need to look at the dial.

I am behind with my blog -- this is Friday and the information on Lincoln Parish RV Park happened last Monday.  As usual, I will be attempting to catch up -- again!

Splendide Washer/Dryer

For those who have a Splendide Washer/Dryer in your Motorhome, Fifth Wheel, etc. -- listen up:)  I started a load and then we decided to do a little shopping.  Not wanting to leave the machine running while we were gone, I pushed the main button to "off."  After we returned home, I once again pushed the button to resume the washer.  NOTHING...I was like, "oh no."  Couldn't open the door or nothing.  I looked up the Splendide technician number, which is located in Clackamas, OR.  It was 6:19 p.m. our time and they close at 4:30, Pacific Time.  So, I jumped on the phone and called.  The technician promptly answered, asked a few questions, told me exactly what to do -- and viola, prob fixed!!

I was so impressed -- I simply had to share that experience with other RV'ers.  So nice to have a corporation who is willing to share their expertise without charging a penny for their service.

Thank you Splendide!

Sight-Seeing with Friends in Little Rock

Welcome Karen -- we are happy to have you as our newest follower.  Hopefully, you will find something useful, interesting or just plain funny here as we try and figure out what we're doing and where we're going!  Welcome!


With everything going on, I am still a very blessed woman.  We have so many wonderful friends and family members who continue to stop by for a visit. 

Last Friday, October 14, Jo and John -- fellow workampers from Branson -- arrived on their way home to Florida.  Jo and John, along with Takota, who is an Portuguese Water Dog, live on a boat in the Florida Keys and travel during the summer months in their RV.

Takota

I truly LOVE Takota -- Jo and John have worked very hard to train him and even tho he is still a puppy, I am really impressed with his behavior...he is sooo well-mannered!

Jo is a breast cancer survivor and an inspiration -- her cancer recently returned, but she's not letting it stop her from doing what she wants to do!

On Saturday we went to the 19th  Annual Pinnacle Mountain Rendezvous.

Jo and John

As we walked the path to the entrance, there were various signs with statements about Arkansas history:

At the Rendezvous, we stepped back in time with mountain men, American Indians and pioneers.

John bought a feather for his hat.

Next we were off to the Clinton Presidential Library

The Presidential Limo

Replica of the Oval Office

Currently, there is an exhibition entitled "The Art of the Brick," and created entirely by artist Nathan Sawaya out of LEGO bricks.  Check out some of his work:

Self portrait of Sawaya

Our Beloved Razorback

In 1999, the Clintons invited world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly to provide artwork for the White House Millennium celebration on New Year's Eve.  Chihuly created two identical towers of glass.  In 2004, one of the crystal trees was donated to the Clinton's Presidential Foundation and installed permanently in the Library.

Crystal Tree of Light

Recently, Clinton was in Little Rock to dedicate what was once an old railroad bridge -- and is now the latest walking-bicycle bridge --that crosses the Arkansas River and connects Little Rock and North Little Rock. 

Little Rock skyline from the bridge

Across the bridge is a new RV park

You can also see the USS Razorback

The 311-foot USS Razorback was present in Tokyo Bay at the signing of the Peace Treaty ending WW II.  

We had a great visit with Jo and John.  As fulltime RV'ers, we don't believe in saying "good-bye," so we said, "Safe travels, Jo and John -- we will see you again -- down the road."

Thanks for stopping by.  May God bless our family and friends everywhere and may God continue to bless our voyage.

NORTH CAROLINA HERE WE COME!

WHEW, what a whirlwind the past week has been.  After a lot of prayer, discussion, etc, we are returning to North Carolina and Duke.  I already have an appointment on November 9th at Duke and will see a surgeon, oncologist and radiologist all in one day.  It was a tough decision because I truly love, respect and trust my doctor here, but it's going to take awhile to get me straightened out and all fixed up and we decided we would rather be near our daughter and family instead of hang'in out here.  

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, your good wishes, encouragement, etc.  I am at peace with my decision and plan to head that way on Monday.  Altho I have tons of great friends here, as well as a brother and sister-in-law, we wanted to be with our daughter and her family during the holidays.

We've had other friends visit, so there is more to come in future blog posts.

Again, thanks for the many kind words...God bless you, one and all!

Friends, Pinnacle Mountain State Park and Breast Cancer

Welcome "Karen."  So happy to have you as a new follower.  Thanks for stopping by -- hopefully, you will find something here that will keep you coming back.  

I moved with my family to Little Rock when I was nine years old.  I grew up here, I graduated high school here, I married, I had both my children here.   Alan also grew up in Arkansas -- we have friends and family still here.  No matter where we roam, Arkansas will always our home.  

Last Wednesday, October 5, I met four friends at Maddie's Place.

There are several other small restaurants in a row near Maddie's.

Maddie's Place serves various comfort foods with a New Orleans influence.  For instance, I had fried chicken livers as an appetizer and then a fresh spinach salad as my meal.  I know what you're thinking -- "and that's comfort food??"  You don't find many places that serve fried chicken livers and it doesn't sound very New Orleans, but it was yummy!

Meet Lisa, (Me), Sabrina and Mary -- The Fab Four as we used to call ourselves!

If you will remember, I worked with Lisa at Little Rock AFB.  When Katrina hit New Orleans, Sabrina and Mary were friends with Lisa and evacuated to Lisa's house and that's how I met them.  Sabrina and Mary worked at the VA Hospital in New Orleans and now work at the VA Hospital in North Little Rock.  Before we became fulltime RV'ers, we four girls would get-together on Friday nights to check out various eating establishments around the City.  These ladies have over 50 years collectively serving our Veterans every day, with Mary having spent the most -- 35 years -- as a drug and alcohol counselor.  Since we left the area in '09, Lisa and Sabrina have both married some good 'ole Arkansas boys.  It was great seeing them again -- I miss our Friday night outings.

On Friday, October 7, fellow bloggers, Jim and Gayle, stopped off at Maumelle Park for a few days.  They were able to get a prime site that backed up to the river.

They drive a 50 Year Anniversary Lazy Daze Motorhome.

They enjoyed the Little Rock area, riding their bikes over 30 miles on Saturday and climbing Pinnacle Mountain.

We found time to sit by a campfire.

It's always fun to meet fellow bloggers.  We first met Jim and Gayle in Branson over Memorial Day weekend.  They were on their way to workamp at Wappapello State Park, near Poplar Bluff, Missouri.  They enjoyed Maumelle Park so much they stayed an extra night and left on Tuesday morning.

Tuesday night, October 11,  I had dinner again with five friends I have known a very long time -- we were friends in high school and two of them (Carolyn and Clara) I have known since the 5th grade.

Marilyn, Lynda, Carolyn, Linda, Me and Clara

Clara and Me

Me and Carolyn

I am blessed with so many wonderful friends.  We had so much fun laughing, reminiscing about the good 'ole days and catching up with each other's kids and grandkids.  What a blessing these ladies are to me.

One day last week, we decided to check out Pinnacle Mountain State Park -- since it is just down the road from Maumelle.

We knew we would never make it climbing up the mountain so we chose to walk up to the overlook.

I completed my testing on Tuesday and also met with Dr Hagans to discuss the results.  All scans were good, except my pancreas was swollen -- no mass, just swollen.  Could be something I ate, maybe gallstones, but he didn't think it was anything significant.  My diagnosis is Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 1 -- Stage 1 is good.  Tumor is low grade and non-aggressive.  Choice is 6 weeks of radiation and if ca is found in my nodes, then chemo.  I'm concerned about radiation and the effects it may have on my heart, since the ca is in my left breast.  I could have a double mastectomy and not be chasing breast cancer another day.  Since I have a family history of breast cancer, I'm leaning towards the double mastectomy -- they're just boobs, right?  Sound radical?  Probably, but I do not want to worry about the "C" word for the rest of my life -- I have way too many places to go, too many things to see, etc, to be worried if there will be another cancer scare in my breasts.  My first reaction in discussing it with Dr Hagans was take them off, but afterwards, I began to waffle on that first gut reaction and have gone back and forth all week. Then a friend told me something very interesting -- she said when you have a first gut reaction as I did, she felt it was the Holy Spirit whispering, telling me what to do.  When doubt starts to creep in, it's the dark side trying to twist and confuse.  So, as radical as it may sound, I'm probably going to opt for the double mastectomy.


Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you will come back again.  As we continue to travel this journey, we know how blessed we are to have family and friends who love, encourage and support us.  Life is good, God is good and we are thankful!