COOKING OVER A CAMPFIRE

One of the things I enjoy doing when ever I have the chance, is cooking over a campfire.  We purposely don’t own a gas grill, charcoal grill or any other kinds of grills-including the George Foreman one.  Why?  Why should we when we can enjoy a much better meal cooking of wood.

First thing first, you must get the right consisting's of charcoal base from your firewood.   Once you have that, then it’s time to wash, poke and foil your potatoes.  Now to get those potatoes into the fire, without burning yourself.  We have a fireplace wood grabber to help us out.  Now let the cooking begin!

Notice that I have the potatoes next to the fire-not in the fire.  I want my potatoes cooked, not burnt so I’m care where I place them.  I leave them in this position for about 10-15 minutes.  Then I slowly back them a little farther yet from the fire.

I find a piece of hot wood and place it for a spell on the potatoes.  I do rotate the potatoes every 15 minutes or so, as not to burn them.

Once I know the potatoes are near to done, then it’s time for the meat!  We use a basket that we purchased a few years back at Wal-Mart and works great for cooking over a campfire.

I do cheat a little and place a rock on the handle-so that I don’t have to stay there holding it the whole time.  I make sure I don’t have a real high flaming fire going at this time, because again I want my meat cooked to a perfection-not burnt.  Sometimes I might have to rearrange very carefully my firewood under the basket.  If one area isn’t get enough or maybe too much.

Now there’s a meal fit for a King or Queen!  Yeah we did cheat a little.  The carrots were cooked over a camp stove that we use outdoors a lot while boondocking.  The meal was excellent!

When we downsized to our small little unit, we gave way to our cast iron pan we had. I think we may need to find another now that we will have more chances once again to cook over campfires.  You can really cook many wonderful meals over a fire that taste better than anything else you can imagine.

AND THE CHASE IS ON!

Brian and I enjoy taking our walks out here in the Desert.  This year though we are taking  it a little easier on our feet.  Brian has developed a small cyst that is dissolving on it’s own and was caused by shoes breaking down.  And I’m being more caution after having surgery on mine this past summer.

Anyways, we stay mainly on the dirt roads and we like to head out away from all others.  Towards evening we head towards the mountains just to the East of us-where it’s very peaceful and quiet.  We go until we see the top of the sun just hitting the Western slopes of the mountains and then we know we have to start heading back.

On this particular evening, I knew that the sunset would be amazing, and so I took along the camera. 

As I turned around to shoot some pictures of the Eastern mountains where the sun was shadowing areas and making it look picture perfect; I all of a sudden hear this thumping noise as if someone or something was running towards us.  We have  to always keep an ear and eye open to the ATV’s that roam out here, for they won’t slow down and we usually have to move over to allow them through, I knew the noise was not machine made but something else!

Like I said, I turned around and appeared a huge Jack Rabbit!  I don’t know who was more startled, me or the rabbit!  I let out a squealed, because at quick glance I wasn’t  sure what it was-thought maybe a coyote got too close to us.  The rabbit stood only for a second, with his huge ears raised high, then he was off, but not in the same direction he came from, but cross country.  He appeared to have hidden himself in some nearby bushes.

After my heart got back out of my throat, we carried on back towards our camper as the sun kept going down.  A few minutes later out of my right eye, here comes a coyote on a dead run.   He’s also watching us as he’s running as if he’s on a chase.  We stopped to watch him and I tried to shoot a few pictures, but he just wasn’t going to slow down enough for me to get a good shot of him.

We continue to watch him as he literally circled us.  I don’t think we have ever seen such a huge coyote out here as this guy was!  Anyways as he made a complete circle around us, we notice he went in the same general area as that rabbit went hiding in the bushes.  sure enough he had found his prey that we apparently had disrupted and the chase was on! 

We watched first the rabbit taking off with the coyote on his tail in the opposite direction of us.  Now that the sun had set and we watched an amazing show, we knew we still had a ways to go to get back and needed to keep going. 

Once again out of the corner of my right eye I again caught movement and right in front of us-no more than 30 feet comes the jack rabbit and the coyote chasing right behind him!  They both stayed on the roadway for the longest time and watched the chase until we couldn’t see either one of them.

We found the prints to the coyote and was amazed to his size.

We can’t help but wonder who won-the coyote or the rabbit?

UNRULY ATV’S

Sitting out here on the BLM land, where RV’s are lined up for the winter months, staying out of the cold weather, they bring along their toys.  ATV’s, 4-Runners, Quads,  Dune Buggies, you name it, if it’s got 4 wheels and can run, they are out here. They run rapid out on the desert, not minding of others when the dust flies about.

As anywhere else, there are rules to be followed, but we notice those that like to go out and exercise their toys, they forget that those rules apply to them.  Oh, about half do follow the rules, obey the speed limit of 15mph, and stay on the dirt roads, while others go like the devil is on their tails and making their own roadways along the desert floor.

It’s just not they are happy playing with their toys, they also go high telling it towards the mountains, to go find that million dollar gold piece.  Again, not caring if they are ruining what precious piece of land there is out here.

The BLM officials are aware that more and more of the desert is getting trampled on, stomped on, and year, by year, deteriorating literally to thin dust.  The desert life is being threaten out here by man and the machines they so love to play on.

Don’t these unruly ATV’ers understand that if they cannot play by the rules set forth by those officials-that not only they risk ruining the fun and pleasure for themselves-they also ruin it for others and what about our children’s future?  Will they get to see what we see and enjoy today?

We had the misfortunate and the pleasure of one unruly Dune Buggy-sort-of-a-thing as he heads out as if someone was chasing him; stirring such a dust storm that we had to close up quickly or have all that dust inside.  About an hour later we notice a pick-up truck heading out and towing that dune buggy back in.  We couldn’t help but think: Poetic Justice?

Below are some pictures of a group of ATV’s taking off across from us, not minding what they trampled on…when you look at the picture-also look at the flag they so proudly display as they break our rules out here on the BLM lands.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it would be loads of fun to ride around on an ATV, BUT I would never go traipsing across the country and I WOULD follow rules that are set forth for the safety of myself and of others.  But it may never come my way, for those that will spoil it for me and for others in the future-it will be a sad day….

GOOD BYE OLE’ FRIEND

Good bye my ole friend.                                                                                 
We’ve been together since the very beginning.                                              
Through thick and Thin.      
                                                                  
Once Upon A Time in the very beginning when I was completely computer illiterate and had no knowledge of the internet, it was determined that I needed an email address.  I said: “Say what?”.   I still remember that day like it was yesterday….

It was a cold chilly day and we were newbies to full-time RVing.  We were sitting in a park that recently was devastated by an horrible ice storm.  But as days got warmer and time soon was getting closer for us to move on, we notice that we sort of was sitting ducks…

Upon getting our mail on the road, we received our license plates for the truck, but never did for our 5th wheel, and the temp plates had expired.  No cell phone, no computer and not knowing how to contact the state of IL while we were in Arkadelphia, AR we turned to some new friends that own the mini mart just down the road from us.

He jumps right on his computer,got the info and we contacted IL about our situation.  She proceeds to tell me that we need to email her the info and fax her all the papers we had.  Again being totally dumb founded, our friend, Jim, helped us out greatly.

then he tells me that I should get an email account and use it for when we needed it in the future.  He also proceeds to tell me that he almost guarantees that I will need it again.
So after a few days of thinking about it, I thought why not, what a better way to communicate with our daughters while on the road.  But not owning a computer, I went back to Jim and he had his hired help a young gal, get me started.

When it asked for a username, I sure didn’t know what to put.  Then we came up with the kidz, because that is what everyone seemed to call us.  Hotmail says I couldn’t just use the kidz, since it was already taken.  Then we came up with 39, that was how old I was when we officially hit the road…so my new email address became thekdiz39@hotmail.com.

I soon learned to use local libraries for the internet and I surprised our daughters by starting to email them back and forth.  It wasn’t until fall time when we finally purchased our own computer and once again learned the art of computing.

I have had that email address since the beginning, and now some crazy hacker decided to steal it away from me!  Now I have to say good by to the ole friend and find a new one!  I have gotten mad at it, threaten to leave it, changed colors, added info, added new friends, got mad at it, again, threaten to change it, and now I’m forced to make those changes.

It’s partially my fault, I guess, I started to get lazy, but no more laziness for me, it’s time to make some changes.  I guess I need to practice what I preach for my own security.

One of the things is I need to change my username on some of my other things.  That’s going to be hard for me since I have kept the “thekidz” as my logo for all these years.  Oh, I will still keep it for most things, but will change it on others.  Another is I need to frequently change my password more than I do.  Again I got a bit on the lazy side and started to use the same password for other things-except my personal business-those are protected with separate passwords.

Unfortunately I have lost some emails of friends that we have met along the way, and no other way of contacting them, so I guess it was time to say good-bye to them as well.  We didn’t stay in touch too often.  But one thing I will change: I have now copy and pasted all my email address onto Words that way I have them if ever lost again.

All I can say is that I hope this doesn’t happen to you, and a lesson well learned.  Should I thank the hacker or be mad?????

LOOKING BACK AT LIFE….

As I reached another mile marker in my life and noticing a few more grey hairs, I can’t help but look back at my life.  What have I accomplished or better yet, What I haven’t accomplished…


Ever since I could remember, I always had this dream of just getting in a vehicle and taking off to unknown parts of the United States.  Well for several years now, we have sort of lived out part of my dream.
But now I look back, and wonder all the things I have missed out on….                   
Is there anything that I could have changed or would change?                                                                    If I could turn back time, yes, there are many things that I would change in my life, but I can’t….  
So I have to live with the choices I have made.  Some haunt me, while most moments I cherish close to my heart.  Those that I cannot share with others, and yet I do share some.


This past few weeks and reaching that mile stone in my life, I have taken a step back to look at my life.  Deciding whether or not to continue the path that I’m on or making changes to my life.  Here is what I finally came up with:


As mush as I do terribly miss being around family,  I don’t miss getting involve in all the meddling and drama part of it.  I do not do well with the roller coaster ride that some family members like to live their lives, So therefore I choose to keep in touch, but at a distant.


the hardest thing for me is when we meet some wonderful folks, and then we seem to leave them behind.  I just hope that I have left some kind of imprint in their brains to always remember me and my small traveling family.  I know they are implanted in my brain forever.  Once in a while Brian and I will reminisce about those that we have met along our travels.  With a chuckle here and a chuckle there, we know that those are fond memories that will never be forgotten.


I do enjoy my wondering ways with my hubby and 8lb Min Pin, Leah.  And now I’m hoping to finally explore more of the country, go where normal folks don’t wonder to too often.


I do enjoy writing about our adventure, as small as they may be for now-who knows maybe someday I’ll write about our adventures.  All I know is that I really  haven’t accomplish my dream to the fullest and I have every intention of doing that for as long as I’m able.  At that time we will decide when and where we will settle back down.  One thing is a given; it will be where the winters are warm….

JUST CHILLIN’

After working all summer long and then going onto Amazon.com to work seasonal, it’s time to kick back and chill out for a spell.

Unlike last year, the weather has been very cooperative towards us. We have had nothing but an abundant of sunshine and temps nearing 70’s to even mid 70’s with nights in the 40’s.  Makes it great for relaxing and chillin’ out.

Last year we at this time we were cooler with constant winds to battle.  I guess just before we arrived they did have several days of high wind advisory posted.  but since our arrival, it’s been very peaceful and calm.  Allowing us to keep out awning out during the daytime, and to cook outdoors which we so much enjoy doing.

So What do we do with our days?  Morning starts out with Brian getting up and starting coffee and letting Leah out.  He also has to start our heater for about an hour just to take the morning chill off.

I get up, and this is when I do my computer time.  It’s also when my brain is the freshest for writing.  When the computer power gets to low, then it’s time to shut down, have some breakfast and take Leah and we go for an hour walk around the desert.

We usually take our time and maybe visit with our neighbors as we stroll along or maybe chat with someone else who is also out for their morning walk.

the remainder of the morning is sitting out on our patio, waiting for Leah’s boyfriend to stop by and play for a spell.  Before we know it, it’s time to think about lunch.  Afterwards Brian enjoys laying out and catches some sun rays.  Some days I will also catch the sun rays, but right now I’m busy catching up on some sewing that I have started.  I also like to read books, and when I get caught up on all my other “stuff”, then I will pull out a book to read while basking in the warm sunshine. 

On occasion we will get visitors that we will pass a few hours with, or maybe we will go visiting with folks that we met last year.

As for Leah if she is good, we will cut her loose from her lead and allow her to roam close by.  We have a small wood pile that she loves to crawl around on and waits for any critters to move.  Then she might get the urge to start digging her way to china in hopes of catching that little critter.

Some days we will pack a snack or maybe even a lunch, plenty of water and of course the camera and Brian and I will take off cross country on the desert floor and hike.  In the past we have taken Leah with us, but I think this year we will live our little girl at home.  There are so many Cholla/Teddy Bear Cactus that we seem to spend more time digging the nasty little things out of her.

We have been known to take the car and go wondering as well, this year we are hoping to go explore a little more than what we did last year.  the mountains entice me and I want to check them out.

Then of course we naturally have to run either into Quartzsite or Parker to do laundry and get some more grocery. 

Our evenings consist of another leisure walk, without Leah.  She knows that she doesn’t go on this walk so right after supper, she automatically goes in her kennel and waits for us to close the door.

We enjoy watching the sun setting and waiting to catch maybe a glimpse of a coyote running by.  When it’s too dark and starting to get chilly, then it’s finally time to go indoors.  If there is something good to watch on TV, we will turn it on for a few hours of entertainment or if not, then we enjoy each others company and try to whoop each other in a good card game.

If we get the opportunity, we will sit out and have a campfire, but out in the desert, that is far and few in-between.  We did purchase some firewood and will soon cherish a campfire one of these nights.

Yep, this is the life to enjoy!!

MY HUMBLE OPINION-AMAZON.COM

Now that I have officially completed my first season with Amazon.com in Coffeyville KS. Here is my humble opinion about the whole thing:
Upon my phone interview with Paul from Amazon, he was very pleasant on the phone and very honest in the interview. He came right out and stated that the job could be physically demanding. He asked if I was able to lift at least 50lbs, if I was able to walk at least 10+ miles in a 10 hour shift, if you would be offended by some of the things that might come through the fulfillment center. If you can answer those questions honestly-then you won’t have any problem working for amazon.com.

• Never did I have to really lift 50lbs, and they are very adamant that you “test” the load before even trying to lift. If you feel you cannot lift, then don’t hesitate to ask for help and get a “buddy lift” (another person to help you with the heavy item).
• The only time you may walk 10+ miles if you are a “picker”, then you could easily walk more than that; especially during peak season. Another one that could get you that many miles is also a stower (a person who puts the items in designated area). I was a receiver so I basically stood more than I walked. They do require that if you stand more than 15 minutes in the same spot that you get a rubber mat.
• Good solid shoes is a must and some are not even allowed, so before you go out and buy those shoes, find out first what are allowed and what are not. There are two different tennis shoes that are not allowed, the one is an exception as long as the wires on the heel are covered. Stay away from steel toe shoes!
• You will have to go through security every single time you leave the plant area. So be prepared to have your break time cut down by a minute or two.
• I never knew they could put so many shifts as Amazon has done; I believe that there was a total of 13 shifts. All day shifts started at 6:00am (inbound) or 6:30am (outbound) and you worked until either 4:30pm (inbound) or 5:00pm (outbound). Night shift started at either 5:00pm or 5:30pm depending if you were inbound or outbound. Regardless what you worked, we all did at least 10 hour shift. You might start beginning of your week on Sunday and end on Wednesday or maybe start on Monday and end on Thursday and so forth and so forth. There was one called the Donut shift and no they didn’t get donuts for going in but their shift might start on Monday, work Tuesday, have Wednesday off and then work Thursday and Friday and have the weekend off. There were couples that worked only 2 days and had the rest off. So many scenarios that you wouldn’t imagine that a job placement could do-but Amazon did!
• During peak season (right after Thanksgiving and going all the way to Dec 23rd) your hours could increase to 50, 55 or 60 hours. Workampers are only required to work 50, but they do have the option to go up to 60 hours if they choose too.
• All work force campers completed on or before the 23rd of Dec. Depending on when your shift work week ended. Amazon will pay for one extra day of camping the day before you start and one day after you completed your end of term. you do NOT get your bonus if you leave your assignment before your officially end date. I was shocked to see a couple of campers leave and they only had one more week left to go.

• We did get a few flack from the regular workers, but I learned for the most part to do my job, try my best to get along and not let them get to me. I would great them with a smile, tell them good morning or to have a good night and before I knew it, I did become friends with them. Once in a while I would ask for their input (even though I knew the answer)-this made them feel that you needed them and they then in return would actually respect you back.
• You had several vested folks running around, red vest, green vest, yellow vest and an occasional brown vest.
  • Red vest: were your Ambassador and did mainly training. They guided you and answer you any questions and were there the first week of your job.
  • Green Vest: were your PA’s (Process Assistant): If there was a job shift they would tell you were to go. Amazon also works on a percentage and they would come around about 2-4 times daily to let you know where your percentage was. Or if you had a screw up, they would come and tell you what you did wrong.
  • Yellow Vest were your managers of your dept.. You may easily see two or three of them running around your area. One is generally higher up than the other, but the same, if you have a question or problem, you go to them.
  • Brown Vest were the work campers force supporters. If we had any questions to relay to Paul or Dana we would go through them or they might do a safety check with us to make sure we are following Amazon’s guidelines in safety.
• Amazon is very strong on Safety and are very strict in areas of Pit Drivers and running or working around the conveyers, there is absolutely no room for errors and they won’t hesitate in firing you if you violate the serious safety rules! You do go through safety school on your first day during orientation. So pay attention-it’s really not rocket science but more common sense than anything.
• Your first day is called Meet and Greet which basically was orientation. You watch several videos (they are boring), you took a quick quiz to see if you could read and comprehend what they wanted (very easy and simple and almost funny). Here is where they will take your pic and you will get a badge before the end of the day and you will know what shift and areas you will be working. It’s an all day affair.

I mainly stayed in Inbound trained in receiving and prepping. Prepping was sort of fun, but hated to hang coats on hangers! When Peek time came around many folks that were stowers and some receivers got moved over to outbound with many extra overtime. Here is where I really got frustrated because all the managers knew that I wanted as much OT as I could get, and I didn’t get moved. I got stuck in inbound and the tension between all the workers for some reason got more tense.
I won’t denied there were a few occasions where I just wanted to walk out, but I didn’t. I didn’t come this far to loose the bonus that I would receive at the end of completion. The lesson I learned is that I should have gone to HR right away with my issues instead of keeping them to myself. When I finally was denied extra OT that is when I did go to HR and both Paul and Dana did their best to get me my hours.
I did get some training in Outbound and enjoyed the different pace of work. However several of those that got transfer during peak season, they ended up quitting. I think if the managers would pay a little more attention to the workampers, they would get better cooperation and a lot less walking out on the job.
Here is a low down and description of each job that a workampers may do:
Inbound consist of shipment coming into the fulfillment center, being received and/or prepped, then onto the stowers who put the item away.
Receiver: Semi’s come in and workers unload the thousands of boxes/cases of products. Most get put on a conveyer and receivers check the items into the fulfillment center. The item is scanned and checked in through a computer system. They have to make sure there is no damage to the product upon checking in. It’s place on carts to be stowed away.
Prepping: consist of varies things. If an item if fragile and could possible be broken between transship, then it’s wrapped in bubble wrap to protect the item. If it’s anything apparel or cloth it has to be placed in bags or if it’s a child’s toy that is cloth it has to be bagged. Any liquid items that could possibly open up has to be bagged. Coats have to be placed on hangers. This is just a few things that maybe prepped.
Stower: the stowers now take the cart and find temporary placement for the product. They carry a hand held scanner so that once the product is placed, they have to scan both the product and the bin that the item is going into, so that the picker knows exactly where to go to get this item when needed. Some products have designated areas that they have to be in.
Outbound is now where the pickers goes finds an item that has been ordered and goes to shipping to be shipped out.
Picker: When item is received online through amazon, a picker goes and locates that item and places it in a bin. They too carry a hand held scanner and this is where they get their information to locate that item.
Crisplant: is the packing dept. Orders come off the conveyer and run through a chute. Again checked to make sure it’s the right product being shipped and there is no virtual damage.
Shipping: there are so many ways an item can be shipped. It all depends on how the customer has requested it to be shipped to them. Once the product is placed in the right size box, it also gets scanned and is sent down a conveyer where the address of the shipment is placed and ready to be shipped out.
Now here are some “funny” words that I call them that we had to learn quickly the meaning of:
Water Spider: is a person who takes the carts from the receivers and sends them to the stowers. Or they could also be the person that stocks the boxes for the shippers.
Gaylord: are huge boxes that shipping items are placed in once ready to be shipped to be taken out and loaded.
Asin: stands for Amazon Standard Identification Number. It’s a bar code that identified each item that is scanned into the warehouse.
There are many more that you will learn, but these are the ones that I laughed at the most!
There is really a lot that goes in to ship an item out and is amazing how it all works. It was a fun experience and look forward to more years as a seasonal work force campers for Amazon.com
One thing is for sure: this is NOT a sit down on your butt kind of job! It is physically and even mentally demanding-but I would and plan on doing it again. It does get frustrating, but you learn to cry a little, laugh a lot and make lots of new friends!
Note: All that I have described here, is how Amazon.com operates it’s fulfillment center in Coffeyville KS. So it may vary at other fulfillment centers. I hope this gives you just a general idea on how it all works.
Amazon’s Motto: Work Hard, Have Fun, Make History!

CRAZY OR WHAT??

Since traveling on the road for over 11 years now, we never have made a move this late in the season.  We always have been somewhere and settled way before even Thanksgiving.  But this year being a little different since working at amazon.com, we didn’t hit the road until literally days before Christmas!
Leaving Coffeyville, we had decided to make one of the AZ Casino’s our place to stop to enjoy Christmas at one of their delicious buffets and who knows-pluck a few dollars into the slot machine.
Upon getting ready, we knew that a bad snow storm was hitting in the direction we wanted to go, so we got held up in Sayre OK until the storm passed and the Instate cleared. 
The more we thought about it, the more exciting it sounded to be parked in snow!  We would bundle up and yes, even Leah and go play out in the snow on Christmas Day!  What a better way to enjoy the day and then go pig out on the Christmas Buffet!
Well, here’s where it starts to get interesting….
Upon leaving Amarillo TX and heading towards NM border we knew that we would start to see the snow accumulation.  Heading towards Tucumcari we only saw a dusting along the roadway and thought to ourselves that this was nothing.  We were thinking that a dusting to these folks was a blizzard…but as we got closer to a town called Edgewood NM, the snow started to get deeper.  There were areas along the I-40 corridor that hadn’t even been cleaned off along the shoulders yet.  All the rest areas Westbound were still closed and not plowed out yet.  They were just opening Eastbound rest areas as we plucked along.
   

Needing a break and wanting to stretch my legs, Brian found a Wal-Mart right off of I-40 in the town of Edgewood.  The exit was slushy but cleared enough to master the motorhome and tow, until we got into Wal-Mart’s parking lot.  They apparently don’t know the word “snow-plow”!  It wasn’t plowed at all, and being Christmas Eve, it was chaotic!  There was no place safe to park the motorhome without the fear of getting stuck since there appeared to be 10-12 inches of the white stuff. I  manage to go in one entrance and out the next exit to learn that I could not make the left turn I needed to head in right direction.  So ended up going down  the road, in the wrong direction of our destination and not knowing what was ahead.
I found a shopping center where I barely could get the motorhome in one drive and back out the other just to turn around!  upon the entrance I scrapped the back-end.  Brian goes to investigate and finally those skid wheels we purchased did their job well!Now turned around back in the right direction, We decided I didn’t need that rest after all so onward we go to the Casino!
We were tossed between Dancing Eagle and Sky City Casino.  Both had RV Parking, however Sky City sounded to have a wonderful Christmas Buffet-so Sky City here we come…
Monitoring the weather closely in that particular area, we knew that both Casinos got hit hard with the snow storm.  So Brian called to find out if even the RV Parks would be open and even plowed out.  Sky City told us that it was being done as they spoke-or so we were told.
Upon our arrival to Sky City Casino in late afternoon on Christmas Eve, we were again greeted with lots of slush and snow!  It made it difficult to even get fuel, but manage.  We paid for our site and was told that the campground was plowed out and ready.  The RV Park is across the road from the Casino/Hotel/Travel Center.  As we crossed over the road, to our dismay, we couldn’t even try to get into the RV roadway let alone find our spot that was buried yet under all the snow! 



We left the motorhome sitting in the roadway, unhooked the car and went back over to the travel center where we paid and complained.  They got the guy over to plow it out while we sat waiting…thinking boy, we gotta be crazy or what?   It took well over an hour and half just to get us a path in and into our site. 
Now we are stuck here until they finish up on Christmas Day so that we  can pull back out bright and early Monday morning to much warmer weather-AZ!




Upon getting up this morning-it was only down to –7below outside!  I think this is the coldest weather thus far since traveling.  So did we stay warm inside? You betcha!!!  With the help of the electric heater and the motorhome furnace running until we got up, then Brian turned on our Cozy World brick heater.  We never hooked to the water direct and what we have in the tank didn’t freeze either. 


We opened up the window blinds and discovered all the windows had ice on them!




Since the sun has come out all the windows are cleared up.  We are just waiting for the afternoon sun to hit the slide side so that we can bring it in and not wait till tomorrow.  As the day moves forward we are to warm up to a mighty 36 degrees.
Another Christmas Day to remember and to put in our memory book

MS GARMIN-HILARIOUS!

When we purchased our motorhome and decided to travel summers we also decided on a GPS system to help guide us as well. 


After researching and picking a few  goo-roo’s brains, we decided to take the middle road and purchase a Garmin.  Ms. Garmin has proven her self and helped out greatly; especially getting us around metropolitan areas such as Denver, Fort Smith, Amarillo, Albuquerque and Phoenix. 


So once again hitting the road and on Interstate I-44, we wanted Ms. Garmin to help us around Tulsa and Oklahoma City.  So leaving Coffeyville KS we put in the Wal-Mart in Elk City OK, the nearest destination we could possibly get to Sayre OK.  We had it in mind that this time we would just take the Toll road and stay on Interstate-specially with the weather being a bit unpredictable this time of year.


Well, Ms. Garmin had different ideas.  She wants us to take a southern route to jump onto I-40.  So when we ignored her direction, and she consistently would say: “r-e-c-a-l-c-u-l-a-t-i-n-g” in that little annoying voice of hers.  She obviously did not want us to take the toll road and kept telling us to take every exit we would come across.  We always figure that they were set up to take the most economically way, so why in the world was she trying to take us 60 miles farther south-was beyond us.


but this is when she really got hilarious; when we ignored her once again on taking an exit, then she became insistent that we did a u-turn in the middle of the interstate!  Ironic enough she knew the locations of where there was a break in the barriers for emergency vehicles to do their u-turn, but no way we could!  We finally got tired of hearing her annoying voice and just shut her down.  We would get through Oklahoma City the old fashion way:  Brian being my navigator and the good ole’ Rand McNally maps!


As our old buddy, Ron would say: “Why buy a Garmin when you can buy a $2.00 map?”  Maybe he knew something we didn’t…

A PENNY, NOTE & GIFT CARD

This past few weeks has been a little harder on me.  What has happened is that many folks that I started here with Amazon got moved to outbound and I got left behind in inbound. 


So lunch time and break time became lonely place for me and even on the floor those that were still around were the regular workers, treating me as if I just got there.  On a few occasion I had to remind them that I have been there and I knew how to do my job.


This was becoming a depressing note for me at on a few occasion I was ready to just walk out-but instead I would walk to the bathroom-shed a few tears go back out and held my head high and went on with working.


A lady seen I was feeling lonely and came over and has in braced me with her kindness and friendship and ever since has been a great friend and I will always remember her-Thanks Val!  And along with her came a sweet older couple.  Val has gone out on the limb to even talk to plant manager to let her know how this past week or so has effected me.  The plant manager came over with a smile and had a nice chat with me-which has helped brighten my spirits some.


Determined to make the next 3 weeks as pleasant as possible I got to work one morning and in front of my locker was a penny-heads up.  Of course I had to laugh and thought of my co-worker who got moved over to out bound and thinking he put the penny there for me.  “A Penny For Your Thoughts”.  So I kept the penny and will keep it with me.




At lunch time I got my lunch out and found a napkin in it.  Thinking who got into my lunch and put a napkin in it.  I took it out and found this note written on it:




Leave it to George to write that I’m still short (He is also the one I think put the penny in front of my locker).  That made my day and another laugh.  Of course those around me wonder why I was laughing at a napkin until I showed them my note!    You see George and Bonnie and Nancy we all became good friends and those three got moved to outbound.  I’m still glad that George can still pick on me!


In the mornings after we clock in we do stand-up before going to our designated stations.  It’s here that they get announcements, stretch our muscles before work.  We do this again right after lunch. 


This past week they have been doing 14 days of Peak Drawing.  They drew three names and those winners won $10.00 Amazon Gift Certificate.  This particular day they ante it up to $25.00 dollars and instead of three winners they went to just one.  I was the winner that day!  Needless to say I stood there dump founded when my name was called!






to top the day off, my percentage on the receiving line was way up as well-and I wasn’t even trying to make quota-but I manage to go above and beyond my own expectation and Amazons.

COUNTING DOWN

Well as the countdown begins and it starts to get busy, my blog web pages may have to be short and sweet for now…But again-you just never know what I might write or when….with that said:
After two months of working at Amazon and avoiding volunteer time off we are now in full swing with the countdown to Christmas. Earlier this week we started with voluntary overtime that turned into mandatory for us this past Thursday for inbound.

Several folks including all that I have met and became acquainted with has been moved to outbound with plenty of overtime for them.  I have been left in inbound in receiving/prepping.  We are only getting 1 day overtime while outbound is doing 2 days of overtime or coming in one hour earlier.  Those that I have met didn’t want the overtime as I did. 

Also this past week while working on the receiving line, Christmas songs were playing, putting some of us in the Christmas spirit, then comes along those that didn’t want the music;  turned it off and started to play hard rock music. It sadden my heart to really know there are scrooges out there…
On the positive side of Amazon:  The week of Thanksgiving we had a meal catered in from a local catering company.  We had Turkey, mash potatoes with gravy,green beans cranberry salad and for desert bread pudding.  It was very tasty.  those that had to work a couple of hours on Thanksgiving Day got to take home a pumpkin pie.  This next week we are having another meal catered in and this time it’s stuff chicken breast, rice pilaf, and I don’t remember the rest of the menu.  Management also has been going around handing out small little trinkets to us workers.  Also all of us workampers received a workampers force T-shirt.

      

So the countdown begins…..only 3 weeks left and I’m done for the season with Amazon. Will I return to Amazon again next season? Probably, but not here in Coffeyville. I’m wishing for Fernley NV since we plan on spending the next several years that way touring the West.

You know I think I could get use to this kind of a lifestyle…Work maybe from Sept to Dec for Amazon.com and then the rest of the time off to tour around; Yep let the countdown begin!

WINTER COATS?

When Brian and I started our travels we went through all of our clothes and reduced what we had.  We decided we will no longer need heavy sweatshirts, sweaters, boots, gloves and most of all winter coats.

Our first winter was a huge mistake getting rid of all that since we got stuck in an horrible ice storm near Hot Spring AR.  We had to go buy once again gloves and hats.  But we refuse to buy a winter coat. 

After that bad experience we decided that thereafter all of our winters would be in the southern warmer states.  One year we traveled around parts of Louisiana and although we never had ice, when it rained it was very cold and damp.  Then we ended up in Northern Texas and once again in the cold and yet once again, we refuse to buy a winter coat…

Here we are again facing cold weather at least until Christmas time and we still refuse to buy that winter coat.  So how we do stay warm?  layers of clothing.  We wear t-shirts with long sleeve shirts.  When we go outdoors we put on our hooded sweatshirts and then our windbreaker/rain coats.  We did break down this year and bought stocking hats.

Now our Miniature Pincher, Leah Kay-well that’s a different story.  She’s ready for any type of weather that may come her way:

she has rain coat,

,

A summer dress,

A spring/fall type coat,

Somehow along the way we recently have lost the coat that is shown up above.  That was mine and I think Leah’s too favorite coat of all.  So now I must make her another new coat to keep her warm. 

and for really cold days just about everything gets covered up!

and now she owns a Christmas coat;

With the exception of the rain coat, I have made all of her coats, so that way I know for sure she will stay nice and warm on these cold days when out walking.

REMEMBERING PAST THANKSGIVING

Brian and I have full time RVing for a long time now.  When holidays come around, it gets a little depressing sometimes for me.  I miss the family gatherings and all the trimmings that goes along with it.

But as Brian and I do travel we are making new memories for the holidays-making each year a little better for me to accept.

I remember our first Thanksgiving on the road.  We were staying at a Corp of Engineer park near Hot Springs AR.  Brady Mountain campground to be exact.  We were newbies to the RV full-time lifestyle; fresh on the road-not even a month.  In fact we still had temporary tags both on our Coachman 5th wheel and dodge diesel truck.

Our small little 5th wheel had a very small oven and we couldn’t even fit the smallest turkey in it-even if we tried.  So the next best thing was going out for a Thanksgiving dinner.  We called around and being on a tight budget-we settled  on Shoney’s Thanksgiving buffet.

Thanksgiving day rolled around and we decided to keep a tradition that we started when the girls were young and that was having pumpkin pie for breakfast. (now that’s another story to be written at another time).  It started to rain like the dickens as we hopped into our truck and headed to town.  Got into Shoney’s and waited a short time to be seated.  The turkey turned out to be rolled turkey meat-not even a real turkey!  The dressing I think was to be cornbread dressing; which we were not use to.  When it came to the pie, a waitress came around and asked if we wanted pumpkin, apple or sweet potato pie.  Of course we said pumpkin.  We got a small sliver of a slice and a dollop of hard cool whip on top (it’s a good thing we ate a small one for breakfast…).

It was the most disappointing Thanksgiving meal we could possibly ever had!  Next thing was laundry to do and there was a laundry mat open.  Two of the machines ripped me off and no one to complain to…

We soon discovered that the Wal-Mart supercenters were open!  Never been in one until we came to AR before; we manage to pass over 3 hours of just walking around, while it poured outdoors. 

So that is how our first Thanksgiving on the road turned out.  Each year did get better.  We soon found private parks and spent holidays in them; which helped the holidays go much easier for the both of us. 

We did not try another Thanksgiving meal out again-until a few years ago when we spent the holiday down in North Padre Island for winter.  We went into Corpus Christi to Golden Corral.  They did do carved turkey.  We were there early enough-but it just still didn’t seem like it was the best.  I guess there just isn’t anything like a good home cooked meal….

We did have fun with holiday dinners in the private park.  You had a huge variety of food along with both types of dressing-bread and cornbread.  The only bad thing about that was-no left over turkey to take home! 

So from now on it’s a given with us-We will cook our own Thanksgiving dinner and make our own memories each year!  And we can pig out as much as we want to!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and hope each year brings new memories….

Just Another Week…

aaahh…just another week around here in Coffeyville.  Let’s see, they say the ground has shook under our feet, tornadoes not so far away, amazon gearing up for the holidays, problems here in the park.  Just another week…

Let’s just start off by saying the temps have been like a roller coaster around here.  Up, down, up, down.  We get a few days into the 70’s with lots of sunshine.  But with that sunshine we also get the winds.  Then here comes a round of storms, spouting off tornados.  Luckily none near us, however this past week what was thought to be an EF2 turned out to be an EF4 and it was heading in our direction.  But it never reached us and all we got from it was winds, torrential rain and lots of lightning and thunder.  A rude awaking at midnight.

Then a few hundred miles south of us in central OK they have been having earthquakes-the strongest being 5. something on the Richter Scale.  I don’t recall feeling that particular one.  But one night after going to bed, we felt the motorhome move and thought it was just another wind downburst; but I guess it wasn’t-it was actually the earth moving.  Now scientist are scrambling to figure out if these Earthquakes are natural or due to oil pressure from oil companies drillings.

Now at Amazon.com I was told that I would be moving to a different area along with 4 other folks-which never happened and now don’t know if it will.  They started talking about the “black-out” period starting the day after Thanksgiving.  If and sound like it could be a big IF (according to the rumors that seem to fly around) we should get overtime-starting with 10 hours extra, possibly going to 20 hours of OT.  As fast as they talk about that-then they go around asking anyone who wants to take VTO (voluntary time off).  AND at the same time-they are asking for VOT (voluntary over time) for this next Thursday. Of course I was the first to put my name on the list for the VOT.  Such a crazy place I work at-but I do like it.  And will return again next year!

Here at Big Chief Park-they are having their own share of problems.  But it’s the owners own fault for these problems.  With all the recent rain and downpours, once again a large rig punch through and this time it didn’t break the water line-but the electric line!  Knocked out power to 5-6 rigs; making a few unhappy campers.  Down the road a ways seems to be yet another large water leak.  However-they claim it’s still standing water from the recent rain-although everywhere else has dried up.  The camper in that spot has to waddle almost to get to his vehicle and can’t even get to the back side of his rig.

While checking out the bathrooms/showers the manager’s assistant was spraying down the showers with a combination of Lysol and bleach.  I made the statement that that won’t keep the mold and mildew away and that he’s going to have to put some muscles into cleaning.  His come back was that’s as good as it’s going to get and if they don’t like they can shower with the mold and mildew…I wonder how far that will go before campers start complaining…When he hoses down the bathrooms-they stay constantly wet and always standing water when you walk in-even in the toilet area…poor planning is all I have to say.

So as I said:  It’s just another week around here in Coffeyville-wonder what next week will be like?

ONE MONTH AT AMAZON

I have now worked a full month here at Amazon.com and all I can say is: I SURVIVED!!-So far….
This past week has been a true test on all of us-both seasonal workers and the permanent workers that work all year there. 

Just like anywhere you go-rumors fly around: some being true-some stretching the truth.   This week it’s been hard to filter out all the rumors going on.  One thing is for sure in Plant D the tension has been extremely high making it a difficult place to work almost in perfect harmony.

It all started out on Sunday when 1st break rolled around and we all were asked who wanted to take VTO (voluntary time off).  As it is, Sundays are what we call lull days; when hardly anyone is there.  I kind of liked Sundays because not too many bodies running around.  Anyways, a few took the VTO while us die-hard turned it down (like me) and continue to work.  Once again after lunch, during Stand-up exercise/announcements VTO was asked.  Again a few more left.  At 1:30pm we all were told to clock out and go home at 2pm and not to come in until 8am on Monday.

Needless to say I was actually disappointed about not receiving my full 40 hours of work this week. with it only being the beginning-what would the remaining of the week bring?

Come Monday they came around this time asking if anyone wanted to take VTO on Tuesday or Wednesday or both days!  Again my answer was NO!  Gosh darn it, I was hired to work, work and work.  I was looking forward to the extra money to fuel our motorhome this summer and finally not having to not work a summer!  Now I’m to the point that I’m really worried about job security here at Amazon.com-specially with the holidays coming up.  Also on Monday I was moved around to 3 different Prep areas (normally called Prep Cells).

Here is where rumors start. The full-time workers are blaming us seasonal workers.  They say we are coming in and taking over their job where they don’t get their time in.  Rumor is that in receiving-there will be no overtime and with them constantly bringing in more workers, they won’t be enough work for everyone. Another rumor is because of several other new fulfillment centers opening-all the products are being sent there and not to us.

  One guy that was normally in stowe (putting items in proper areas after we receive them) was brought into help with prep.  The women in that area treated him rough-so he went home (note: it was his last day as he was moving on).  Another lady was brought over from outbound due to an injury and was placed on light duty until further notice.  They have her biting bullets and she too is close to quiting.  Only thing keeping her is she knows it’s temporary and she will be back in outbound soon.  Another lady who has been in prep since the beginning-the regulars had her crying.  So the morals of the plant isn’t very good right now.

On Tuesday I jumped from receiving to prepping back to receiving; which at times a few of us stood around waiting for product to come down the line.  We all held our breath as to if we were going to be sent home….

After lunch on Tuesday I finally went to one of our person in charge and said that I really don’t want any time off and if there was maybe an area that I could move to where I wouldn’t be asked day-to-day to take VTO.  She said that there were 5 people gong to picking (where we have to locate a purchase item and send it to outbound to be package).  I asked her if I could be one of those 5 and she told me I already was. 

Now I’m excited because again rumors are that there are no VTO in picking and they will work longer.  Plus I will now get the walking that I so much miss.

Wednesday morning I’m pumped up and ready for a new adventure.  As promise my name along with 4 others (one of which I have worked with) are up on the board to report to picking school at 7:45.  Until then we go to receiving line until it’s time.  We are all there ready to go.  We get signed in and pick up a scanner just to be told: “not going to happen this week”….our mouths dropped and we asked what was going on.  They claim miscommunication.  They also claim that they are not going to train 5 when they just asked 40 to VTO and they got more Seasonal Workampers coming in on Thursday for picking school! 

At this point I’m really, really frustrated and was just about to go ahead and take VTO-go home and weigh my options here at amazon.  We were assured that we would be back to picking school next week.  But at this point I hold nothing to face value-because there is no guarantee what next week will bring.

The Big shots (as I call them), are gearing up for black out.  This next Wednesday they are having a black out parade inside the plant, then everyone in the plant will meet in D section for a “party”.  It’s hard to be in the mood when tensions are high right now.  They also stated that work will start picking up and be more steady…

I was sent back to receiving and was told I would stay there until maybe next week…I guess only time will tell what will happen.  As down as I felt I really didn’t care if my percentage was up or down.  Surprising enough-my percentage was over hundred percent and work was constant.
After talking with some of the other workers, I soon learned that others have asked to be transfer to picking and they were not chosen….So now I’m curious as to what the new week and this next month will bring here at Amazon.com.

Yes, I’m going to stick it out.  I really do like working here, I just don’t like the uncertainty it’s bringing.  Many of us seasonal workers come a long way to work and not to be left dangling on a string from day to day.

NEEWOLLAH

Neewollah is of course Halloween spelled backwards. Every year in Independence KS, a huge 3 day celebration goes on celebrating Neewollah. this is how it got started: ABOUT NEEWOLLAH        Neewollah celebration began in 1919 as an effort to provide positive activities for kids of all ages in place of the typical Halloween pranks that occurred in the community of Independence, Kansas. In the beginning the events centered on parades, morning, afternoon, and night on October 31. The parades consisted mainly of decorated cars and carriages. Queens and princesses from area festivals rode in the parades, along with our own Queen Neelah who was selected based on votes bought at a penny each. The Great Depression and World War II interrupted the Neewollah celebration but in 1958 four businessmen revived and elaborated on the Neewollah theme bringing it back as a 3-day celebration. Today Neewollah is the largest annual celebration in Kansas. The city of Independence will grow from a town of just under 10,000 inhabitants to 75,000. Today's celebration now includes 3 parade.  Go to: www.neewollah.com to learn more about their celebration and maybe next year if in the area you will come and join in on the fun.  It’s for the young, middle and even the old enjoy and have fun.  We only went to the parade because Amazon.com had a huge float and we wanted to see what it was about.  Any Amazonian workers could join in on the float either walking next to it and passing out candy or by riding on the float.  I choose to be a by stander next to my husband. As we were waiting along with many other spectator for the parade to start, we all of a sudden heard this loud roar and up looking up here came a military fighter planes flying very low over our heads.  It was really awesome and we soon learned that was the beginning of the parade.   They had well over 130 in the line-up with lots of marching bands playing along.  One really stuck out the most only because they put lots of extra nifty steps into their march which made them very unique and good. Of course I was waiting to see Amazon.com’s float and to see if I would recognize anyone from work.  Sure enough a few faces that I did know were either walking or riding on the float. I think it was unique for the way they paraded the antique cars with a police car next to it.  It almost appeared that they were racing or maybe preventing a race. I think we even found our future camper!  Wonder if would make it through the mountains and the back woods where we like to adventure? And there were some pretty awesome floats in the parade as well! HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!