NEW TRUCK DAY!

[Nasoosie]

GOOD MORNING TO ALL!

Yesterday was sunny, cool, and dry! It was truly a day for being outside, at last, as this past week has been the wettest Central FL has seen since last October-----before I even got down here. But we here at Wickham Park Campground have still found things to do to keep busy, visit, chat, share stories, and more----I have had a wonderful time.

However, as we were leaving with all the dogs and us packed into my truck the other day to send some time at the dog beach about 6 miles from here, I stupidly turned a corner too sharp, not seeing the heavy-duty picnic table we had moved into my path, putting a dent in the back door as big as a basketball. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper! I was no longer in the mood for any beach visit, and wanted to find a repair shop to get an estimate. Out came the dogs, and off to the nearest Ford dealer we went----the other two campers needn't have come, but come with me they did. After a lengthy time at the Ford place, a $1,000 estimate to fix said dent, and more inquiries into buying a new truck (which I have been researching for over two months now) I found the exact truck I have been looking for, and a great deal to boot. Today I go to pick up my new truck. My monthly payments will now be over 50 dollars less per month. However, as I upgraded to a crew cab with four real doors, the bed will be a foot shorter, and my beautiful topper will no longer fit. My dilemma now is to find a way to cover the bed with something equally as nice as that was. Hopefully the bank will uphold its promise for a low interest rate they first quoted, or perhaps we will begin all over!

The skies are bright blue today, and the humidity is arid for FL, so it should be another beautiful day to be outside. Hope you all have a great time wherever you are.

[Colliemom]

Good Morning Soos and all who follow,

Soos, so nice to see you posting first on MC. Been a long time.

Congrats on the new truck. We of course are waiting for pictures as you know, but I know you will take care of that eventurally.
As to truck covers, you might investigate a tonneau cover like I had on my truck. It just lifted up and was really easy to use. Doesn't lock of course, and can't carry high stuff, but it might work in the meantime, till you can get a new top. I know you carry all kinds of things in your truck, so you wlll want a new top. And I've been there done that with those picnic tables too. My TT's bumper caught one when I was backing into a camp site, even though I had moved it. But it just pushed it along with the TT, so no big deal there.

Well, my news for the morning is that i have done an about face with the TT I had ordered and asked the dealer to cancel the order. After doing some deeper research this past weekend, i have realized that the hitch weight is going to be too heavy for the current tow vehicles hitch weight. Hitch can carry up to 450 pounds, the dry hitch weight is 417 pounds. Add full propane tanks and you have increased the weight dramatically. Plus I think the overall weight of the TT will be a bit on the heavy side as well. Even if it's estimated to be around 3500, you know that those figures aren't always accurate. Ford Flex owners who have towed with thier vehicles have mentioned that going to the higher side of the GVWR is a bit much. I know my last TT and truck combo wasn't the greatest till I got the more powerful truck and that TT was below the GVWR of the truck. Also read that Ford's factory installed hitch on the Flex isn't strong enough in some cases. So rather than run a liability issue with a lease vehicle. I have decided to forgo that TT and look for something a bit lighter and perhaps a little smaller. There are about 3 possibilities, Jayco, Starcraft and Sportsman.

But in the meantime, I have been busy working in the yard getting my front landscaping redone. Am almost finished out there. Will start the backyard eventually. Other little things to take care of first. I've been replacing wood landscape ties with new ones and also moved a pile of rocks from behind my garage to around my shrub bed in front of my porch. Have cypress mulch spread around the 4 trees I do it to every year and will be cutting grass this week as well. My nice neighbor came over yesterday and with some help from another neighbors compressor, grinder and impact wrench, removed and sharpened my mower blade. So I'm good to go there. And saved me having to buy new blades So today's project looks like it's going to be tearing out the last of the ties and starting to replace with new ones. Will have to go buy some more I think.

Our weather here has been beautiful these past couple of weeks, with only one day of rain in the past two weeks. Needless to say it's been a bit hot working out front in the sun. I am kind of wishing it would cool off a bit for a couple of days. Our fire danger here is elevated as well. That time of year.

Ava, i'm sorry to hear of all your issues tht seemed to have cropped up on you and will keep you mom in my prayers as well. I think about you all the time and keep counting down those months till you retirement and you can get back out on your own.

I know I have missed a few birthdays out there too and want to wish belated Happy Birthday's to all those who have had one. Hope you all had great days. Also welcomes to all the new folks who have joined. Lots of hopes and dreams out there. Also hope those of you in the rainy areas are startng to dry out.

Well, I'm gong to get moving around here while it's still in the cool of the morning. Want to go down to the end of the road here and get some of the gravel that was piled up by the snowplow this winter. Will use in another landscaping project in back.

Have a wonderful day all.

[Redwahine]

Good morning everyone. Congrats on the new truck Soos. Sue, it's a good thing you figured all the weight out before you took delivery

Last night we got a call from the president of the Shrine clowns. He simply asked DH if he had give out any noses at the circus?? DH keeps some of those red foam rubber noses in his pockets and occasionally gives them to a child. DH answered, "yes, he did". The pres then sent us the obituary. I include a small part.

"Sam's last day on this earth was spent with people that loved him the most. He was greeted in the morning by his Daddy and played with..."daddy-style". Sam was smiling from ear to ear and giggling as they played. He then spent a few hours at the Fort Bend Shriners circus where he was the only person in the crowd to receive a clown nose from one of the clowns. Sam continued to enjoy the rest of the day surrounded by loved ones. The autopsy report concluded that Sam's passing was directly related to the injuries he sustained during labor/birth. Sam aspirated during his sleep."

DH and I cried. Sad for Sam's family, but a sense of wonderment that our fun and games helped make a little boy's last day a happy one.

Sam 2 1/2

[mitch5252]

..

Sue, that's a bummer. When you mentioned your new trailer, I (always on the lookout for extreme LIGHTWEIGHT) went internet searching. I saw that hitch weight and said a big OUCH! But don't worry - your perfect rig will come along...
..

[JudyJB]

Recovering from a two-night campout with my son and three grandchildren, ages 3, just 5, and 6. Whew! I can see why you have kids when you are young, and don't know how these grandmothers who are raising their children's children can do it. I love my grandkids, but they are constantly moving, climbing up and down into the overcab bunk, and asking if they can push buttons. The middle one, a girl, never stops talking. I went to their house yesterday and watched them while parents went out to dinner. Got them bathed and in pajamas before parents got home and son drove me to the campground, so I am completely exhausted!

I have one more night here and then need to drive to Decatur, IN, about a 6 hour drive. There is about a 90% chance I will need to leave my rig there for two weeks while they fix my sagging kitchen and the soft floor up front. This means I will need to completely empty my kitchen which is on the slide near where the soft floor is. Also most likely empty my refrigerator for the two weeks. I brought some boxes and tape, and will try to rent a car to drive back to Ohio for the two weeks. Son is going to be on business trip, so he won't be able to come and get me.

More worn out just thinking about all of this. Today will be a rest day and getting caught up with all the mail I received from the last 4 months. Need to also count out pills and balance checkbook.

[carolb]

Good morning all

Well Sue, the right one will come along, as someone said...glad to hear Soos found her "right one"!!! Red, touching story about Sammy

Sarah, hope Magic is safe--I saw where spring floods are doing their thing to make life difficult for many...I'll be working in the yard again today--seems like the thing to do for those of us who still have the s&b Never did get around to washing the exterior of HarBor, so should probably do that today too. I read where it's "best" to use baby shampoo & a touch of vinegar--anyone ever hear that???

Ok, off to the garden! Y'all have a great day!

[Redetotry]

Red that is an amazing story. Big hugs to you and your husband, and also a big thank you for participating in the Shriner's events.

Sue, sorry about your TT but I too wondered about the weight. I hope you find the right one soon! Judy I bet you were glad when that weekend was over!! Soos, congratulations on the new truck!

It is cloudy but the rain has finally stopped and it's not quite so cold, still have my heat on though. I think this is the first time I can remember having the heat on in May. I just keep hoping it is a sign we will have a cool summer. Just got a call my yoga class was cancelled, bummer I was all ready to go. Now to regroup my plans for the day.

Just read your post Carolb, no never heard of mixing Baby Shampoo and vinegar, good thing you'll be outside! I used Baby Shampoo one time to bathe my dogs as it kills fleas but the smell made me sick, I think it is odd that they use it on babies if it is strong enough to kill fleas. I have a good wax job & DH just used plain water and wiped it down with a chamois. The dirt and stains came right off.

[AlmostThere]

Soos, so nice to see you posting first on MC.
As to truck covers, you might investigate a tonneau cover like I had on my truck. It just lifted up and was really easy to use. Doesn't lock of course, and can't carry high stuff, but it might work in the meantime, till you can get a new top.

FYI The tonneau cover we had on our full-sized shortbed PU truck was heavy if ever you needed to remove it. It was a two person job. we did have a lock put on ours as people do steal them.