The Coming Year

During the first part of this coming year, we are heading (or attempting to head) down to Oklahoma for a month or so. Alan has two daughters living in Oklahoma and hasn't seen them for a long time due to his ex-wife and her screwed up ways. (She died in August, thus are being contacted by the girls again.)
This should be an exciting time, getting to know the girls again and their babies, too. The older girl has a daughter that will be two years old in February. The younger girl has a 6 month old daughter.
We want to go down there to find out what has been going on with the girls for the past 10 years, try to help them see that Alan isn't the "bad guy" he was made out to be, and see what we can do to help them in some way. Since they have been lied to and taught to lie for so many years, we want to show them what it is to live honestly, say what you mean and mean what you say without exaggerations.
We are nervous about the whole matter, but so happy that the girls are now able to talk to their father again. Heather already calls me "Mom" which is so fantastic. We have talked to her several times a week since she called about her mothers death. the younger daughter is a little more hesitant, but hopefully will come around sooner than later.

We are also in the process of buying a bigger bus to convert as our new home. This one is a regular coach.....MCI tour bus. It is not only a little bigger, but also has mega-storage underneath in the luggage compartments. Woo-hoo!!! We are going to take our time fixing this one up with the items we absolutely want, instead of patching it together then having to go back and fix and re-fix.
When it is all finished, it will be completely self-sufficient. We will have solar panels, 12-volt electricity, large generator, large fresh water capacity and several tanks for gray and black water. We are also planning on fitting it with a large propane tank and two roof AC/heaters.
It will take us a while, but it will be great when finished. I can't wait.
Our present bus just doesn't have enough room anymore. We will miss it, but hope it gets a good loving home. We have put so much work into it over the past 4 years. It has served us well, but it is getting to be time to upgrade. Hopefully, the next bus will be our home for many years.

Have a wonderful, blessed, happy, adventurous and love filled New Year in 2008.

YAHOO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

I've been having lots of fun answering questions on Yahoo's Questions and Answers. It takes compassion, honesty, being non-judgmental, and intelligence. It stimulates my brain. So far, in the past few weeks, many of my answers have been chosen as best answers. I think this is due to the fact that I give well-thoughtout answers and don't put people down.
I do not think I am overly intelligent or consistently give good answers, I just use compassion and put myself in the questioners place when I answer.

I've Been Tagged

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”
1. I had a deformed uterus which prevented me from carrying a pregnancy to full term.
2. I love snakes, lizards, and frogs.
3.I am scared to death of butterflies and moths...childhood trauma.
4. I have two extra breasts, tiny ones.
5. I was born premature, the doctor who delivered me was drunk, he dropped me, I still have a scar on one hand.
6. I can talk to ghosts.
NOW! For the six next very lucky contestants/bloggers...

Staying Here

Man, it sure is hard staying in Wisconsin for the winter. Can't wait till we get the bus fixed or spring comes.
It seems like we've been sick or ailing for much of December and into January. I guess being in this cold, changable weather and not being used to winter, is taking it's toll on us.
It is nice being this close to the "kids" for the holidays, though. We did the whole exchanging gifts thing, had a tree (fake of course, because I'm allergic to pine), baking cookies, and celebrating New Year's Eve.
Now comes long, boring January.
At least we can get wireless internet here and fill much of our time "surfing", playing games on-line, and watching TV. I help the "girls" with their housework and cook and bake sometimes.
Thank goodness, though, we can get away and into the bus. Family is wonderful, but trying at times. It's so nice to have our privacy, too. When we're all in the house, there are seven of us.....we've gotten so used to it just being Alan and me and the cats.
HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!