Weekend at the Lake

Finally. It seems like a while since we were able to get away from civilization since out last attempt ended before it got started with a wheel bearing fire. This trip went off without a hitch (no pun intended).

Ali and I took advantage of my parents good nature and dumped the kids/dog off with them for the weekend and headed south to check out for a few nights. I say this every time we get back from a weekend...it sure is nice to get away from things for a few days. This is the place that started the RV'ing spark a few years ago even though the rental we had then was less than fantastic...the experience as a whole led us to purchasing a unit of our own and has so far made some good memories (and a few bad ones). This trip was similar to the last October trip in that the cardinals were in the World Series and it was a perfect night to sit by the fire and listen to the game. This time we did have a TV and ironically the only channel we could pick up was Fox so we were able to watch and listen to the game. I'm old school and chose to remain out doors until I got tired and decided to go to bed.....only to wake up and catch the wild close to the game in the 9th.

Ali was able to read a book and we spent a ton of time outside just really doing nothing and it was fantastic and it was the perfect trip to wind down the not so busy camping season. By the time next weekend is over, we will have spent 15 nights in the Camper and while not as many as I would have liked, over two weeks total over the course of a season is pretty respectable.

No trip to Lake Ozark is complete without picking up some Blue Bell Ice cream

Also loaded up on some firewood for the next few Nice Outdoor Fires at Home

Now on to planning at least one larger trip next year....trying some place new for a longer duration is pretty exciting and a little scary at the same time. Details to follow.

Busy Fall Weekend

It was a very busy weekend at the old homested.  We got a lot of things accomplished after having taken a few days off from the continuing moving process. Friday was the very first grass cutting and it looks awesome! The mower was able to get it all on one charge and really had no issues. I think its time for a new blade or at minimum a sharpening of the old one. I did find out that I need a new blower....the batteries on the old one just are not cutting it anymore. They have been cycled too many times.

We also made a trip to my parents to get the final round of stuff...as it turns out it was more than I bargained for and it took two trucks to get the job done. Just a few more things at my brothers and we officially should have all our stuff back.

 

Continuing with the home owner theme...Saturday night I built a workbench for the garage. I will be honest I never have liked any kind of wood working. I just don't have the knack for it. However, for my first attempt it turned out pretty solid. Still need to add the Peg Board and get some hooks but all- in-all it looks nice. I can already tell that keeping it clean will be a challenge.

Big Garage plans for this winter....I would like to run a service panel to accommodate some future tasks such as a larger welder, 30A RV Receptacle, separate circuit's for various things. I also need to get my grandpa's truck inside to start what for me will be decades long process of a street rod.

 

Tis that time of year when the weather changes and the leaves begin to fall. This is also the time for the Annual Redneck Tradition of the BUSCH CAMO Can. While not my favorite beer, I usually purchase a case of this flavor just because of this damn can.



 

 

The house is really coming together....fence should be going in soon. It feels like everything is getting settled but there still is a ton of things to do. Its a process but I can see the next few years being very busy with house projects on the weekends. We took a walk last night and I again reminded myself why we chose to move back to New Town. A mid October Sunday night stroll by the lake to get a scoop of Ice cream....even the dog had a taste. 

 

 





Illinois State Parks

Yesterday I had some time to kill while traveling for work through Central Illinois and stopped to take a look at Sam Parr State Park in Jasper County. Its about an hour South East of Effingham Illinois. I have not given much thought to any Illinois State Park only because they are not advertised very well and their website compared to the Missouri State Parks honestly sucks.

Upon entering the campground there was only one person there and it was the Host...all other sites were vacant. Not too Surprising considering it was a Tuesday. Took a few pictures but nothing really stood out to me. The Playground was ropped off for some reason and there did not appear to be showers. With that said, it was a very nice spot with spaces spread out and pads of varying lengths. There were a good amount of water connections and plentiful electrical hookups but no sewer that I could see. 

After taking a few minutes this morning and looking at the IL park system as a whole....there are a TON of state parks but navigating and finding details stinks.

Who is ready for a vacation? I am. Even though we just moved in to the house a few weeks ago I already want to get out! Not because I don't like it but because the last few weeks have been fairly stressful. There has been too much happening too fast. The kids have come down with a cold of some sorts, and like clockwork for the past three nights a series of screams can be heard from Max's room at around 11pm because he is all stuffed up. Poor guy. Also last weekend Sam decided to get into a fight with the counter top and lost. Here is the result:

Our dog Gibson is finally getting settled after what was a very weird few days for him after we moved in. I am sure its strange going to a new home but he didn't handle it very well. He was so out of sorts we had to get him some tranquilizers. I will admit it was a little funny seeing him all doped up. 

Over the last week I managed to install a garage door opener and clean out some more space in the garage. Most of what needed to go into the house is there and now its just a matter of starting to get things organized. To my amazement my truck actually fits! Our last house there was no chance of this as the garage was really just an over-sized shed. 

Lots and lots of recycling right now....sick of seeing cardboard. 

My brother gets married this weekend and I am the best man. Apparently I am to give a speech....I have no idea what I am going to say. Any ideas? 

Halloween is getting closer and I am pushing for the kids to go as Forest Gump and Lt. Dan. For some reason this makes me laugh...might be inappropriate but so is shitting your pants and Max has no embarrassment about doing that. 

Almost a Week In....

Its Friday at last! Things are slowly getting organized and finding their place at home. There are still lots of empty walls and things that are still needed. It’s funny how if you don’t have the space for things you don’t want or need them….now after putting everything we have inside its clear we need to invest in some real furniture. Still need to empty the garage and install door openers. Got all 21 of the blinds installed so it’s no longer a fishbowl and grass went in on Monday. Watering is a full time task and I have gotten it down to twice a day for a total of about 45 minutes a day. Next up is a fence and a large hit to the pocket book. Oh well it’s needed for the kids and for some privacy.

It’s a busy October and I am ready for a long weekend break at the lake. Camping trip take 2….hopefully the wheels all stay on this time.

Long Time....Worth The Wait

On Friday we officially became homeowners again! Whooo Hooo. It has seemed like this day would never come but it has. Now I can start bitching about why it sucks to be a homeowner. It does not really suck as much as it is a lot of work. We were fortunate enough to get some movers to help with the big stuff and essentially empty our storage unit into the garage and load some of the big stuff inside the house.
All went off without a hitch....however we were surprised to see them working when we showed up for the final walk through. It did seem a little weird considering we were closing on the house about an hour later....they had to swap out windows for some code reason and finish touching up the paint. To be completely honest I really was not impressed with the fit and finish of the final product. Cabinets need to be adjusted, light switches need to be leveled plus many more little details you only notice after being in the house a few nights. Overall we are very happy don't get me wrong.

Some finished photos: