The ADVENTURE Begins !!

Just a quick note before I pack up the computer. It is about 5:45 AM (23 May 2006) and we are in the throws of getting on the road. We plan to head out about 7AM and stop over in Castle Rock to visit the Seales, our FIRST full time friends...they were friends long before full time, though. We'll have coffee, then aim south a few days before heading east.

Stay tuned...!

CHEERS!

Just a few more hours

Saturday afternoon...1PM. Taking a break for lunch. We have been at the trailer this morning organizing and seeing how much more we can take. Something wrong here...I think there are weight limits!! Betty wants 14 days worth of clothing along, 'cause she does not want to do laundry very often. Well, heading for the midwest and the humid climate, we may be FORCED to do laundry often...hot and sweaty. She has pushed out of her mind the 6 years in Kansas City and the 4 Months in DC. Well, no worries. We will take it as it comes.

We should be in Santa Fe on Tuesday evening, and hanging around there for a few days while the Retirement Villa (RV) picks up a few enhancements. Then to Kansas for the reunion of Excel Owners at the factory. After that, a bit of a change. We will REST and READ and NAP. Should be back home by June 18th. We both have medical appointments on the 19th.

I will post a small message or two along the way, as we are able to find WiFi spots. There will be one in Moriarity, and for sure one in Smith Center. Just don't know how reliable we will find them to be. As advanced as we think we are, technically, we are still babies at understanding.

While we are on the road, first class snail-mail can come to us if you use the following address:

Betty and Gordon Keller
177 Rainbow Drive # 7727
Livingston, TX 77399-1077

This is our mail forwarding service. We will tell them periodically where to send our mail. It is best if you use this address because it is faster. If you send it to our home address, we will still get the mail, however it will take an extra 2-4 weeks!

Stay Tuned... and CHEERS!

8 Days to go

Whew...8 days before we start traveling. Can't believe it is happening so quickly. Being retired is great, because I have all this time to prepare...NOT!!!!!!! I am so far behind, it is amazing.

Thought we would take Ms. Kitty over to the Vet to get her clearance to travel. $400 later, we find out that her elevated T4, and all liver enzymes are giving the Vet and us, a lot of heart burn. Ms. Kitty is 9 years old and was a stray from Marin County Cat Connection. Really a delight. But, now we find hyperthyroidism is wreaking havoc on her internal organs. At last year's wellness check, this was not found (also a different vet). Now, rapid heartbeat, heart murmer, voracious appetite, and substantial weight loss. She has always been skinny, but last year weight 6.38 pounds and this year just a tad over 4 pounds. She runs and plays and is fun to be with. Does not seem sick, but the weight loss was bothersome to us. Vet suspects liver cancer and a sonogram on Wednesday will help with the diagnosis. She is on meds to slow the thyroid down, and maybe we will better see normality when she is not burning up food as fast as she can eat. She will travel with us, but we will likely return home in mid June for followup. Change in plans, but what the heck...time is on our side, now.

We had a nice Mother's Day at Gordon's brother's house. We picked up his mother around 11AM and arrived for brunch. His sister was there, too and lots of good visiting among us all. We missed the grand and great grandchildren, but they had quite an agenda that day. The little ones received a variety of seeds from the Easter Bunny, so this was the "plant the garden" day. They have a couple ducks too (Hmmm. seems the Easter Bunny might have broought them, too. Couple dogs, a barn full of cats...good thing they live in the country, Huh?

Packing continues. Sorting out what we will take is still an issue. I think that coming home after a month will be a good choice...help us to return an overage, and pick up more necessary items we foolishly left behind. We'll see.

Well, back to the grindstone. Will try to get out one more posting before we head off to Moriarty.

Retirement--It can happen to you, too!

I do like it, this retirement thing. Well, I (Gordon) am not too experienced...it has only been four days. Betty said I would like it...she is so experienced, 4 months since her last day. She has had me busy, and I have my own chores to do, too. Wouldn't you know, the kitchen sink backed up today...just weeks before leaving for the trip. Now, a sink back up isn't so bad...it happens. BUT, we found roots growing in the sewer line. The helpful hardware man at ACE just laughed at me. Says that Roebic 77 root killer is a BIG seller. Can't keep it on the shelf. I learned later that it is common in this area and routine maintenance of the sewer lines is just what needs to happens. The contractor who did much of the labor in our rehab of the townhouse was here doing some electrical work. He helped in the sewer issue. He will watch the house for us and keep it functioning while we are away. Yes, we will be back home depending on how long we want to stay out.

Betty had her wardrobe out, today...ALL OVER THE PLACE. But this is a good thing. She is choosing what to take along on the trip. Extra stuff will be passed along, and no new stuff will be purchased (so she says) except as needed. Sounds good to me. BUT, I think two pair of walking shorts, a pair of jeans, 7 T-shirts and some good walking shoes should suit me fine. Wonder what HER issue is?? (Do you know what formal attire is for a retiree? Shoes with laces !! Hmm. My tennies have laces. Do they qualify?)

Good to have the Retirement Villa (RV) here at home, now. Packing will be easier. The HOA has a large parking area with electric hookup. We can keep the frig on as we load food items. AC is available if it gets hot. Slow but sure signs of progress.

We'll be heading for New Mexico first. Then to Smith Center KS. Lots of activities planned and lots of friends to visit. Keep your eyes on the schedule and don't forget to post your helpful hints.

Best to all. Gordon