The Final Countdown

Now that I'd made a complete fool of myself - crying in the back room like a 17-year-old hormonal teenager - I could at least gain some semblance of composure the next few days before we returned to work.

Scott's mom was only here a short time, and so we took those days off. Sunday Scott's mom met with friends she knew for Lunch, so we did laundry.

We ran into another worker - just hired not long ago in the maintenance department, and he reported it took the work campers that normally pick up in the courtyard, plus he and another guy nearly 2 hours to clean up the mess left over from the night before.

This isn't some college party. These are mature adults (mature?) in their 60's 70's and 80's partying it up every night - one of whom gets booted from time to time for being disorderly. They built a freaking plastic cup tower 4 feet tall on a table with about 500 cups and LEFT IT.

Cup Tower

It tumbled, and they had to fish the cups and trash out of the pool. These are our parents, grandparents and older siblings who used to yell at us to "Pick up after yourself! I'm not your maid!" who are trashing it. And it just wasn't cups. It was food, belongings, wine glasses pop cans, napkins, and more.

I mean, I'm all for having a good time, and living it up - ESPECIALLY at their age - but why can't you clean up your shit at the end of the night? Jeez. This had all of the workers hot under the collar and no one seemed to be in a good mood.

The pool was pretty deserted, too - for a Sunday. Everyone was hungover - I guarantee it. We ordered a beer and sat in a lounger in the sun, while we waited for Scott's mom and our Laundry to get done. When she got there she was surprised at all the "Old people in bathing suits" One thing about being here - no one cares what you look like - we're ALL fat and old, lol.

She wanted Mexican food, so we searched for a good restaurant and headed out to have dinner. It was really good and I was glad M suggested it.

The next day we took off to the hills and to that place with the outdoor entertainment and food. We brought Odie this time, but it was really crowded and there was zero parking. We headed up the road, until it ended, and turned around and back down to kill some time, and take some photos.

Just then Scott's mom got a phone call. Surprised she could talk to anyone up there, she answered and it was Scott's sister. She said "I don't want to ruin your trip but… (Static and unintelligible)…….Dad……..Hospital……." Then she lost her. She tried a couple times, and from what she could discern, Scott's dad was in the hospital again. They were divorced, but I'm thinking she knew she was with us and she could pass on the information? We figured he was back in for his Heart issues or something. He had been in and out for several years - the last time having Covid for a week and not telling anyone. Scott said we'd figure it out when we got back down to town.

Coming back into the little roadside stop, Called "Tortilla flats" We scored and found a place to park - even if our schoolbus - long truck stuck out into traffic a little.

We sat down outside, as Scott went in to get beers and order food. Then he was told he couldn't bring the drinks out, so we snuck the dog in, and stuffed him under the table. He's really great about becoming invisible in patio situations, and I just adore him for that. He's respectful, quiet, and mellow. It was VERY crowded in there, though. We ate our lunch, listened to the Band, and headed out.

Scott's mom was finally able to talk to his sister, and she said his dad was in the hospital and they had to put a feeding tube down him, and he was being combative. He had not signed a DNR, even though both kids flew to his home a few years ago to discuss such a thing. He was unable to make the commitment so it remained unsigned. She didn't elaborate on WHY he was in such need, however. Scott's mom said to keep us updated.

We went home, grabbed a chair from the patio (ours are too short for his mom to be able to get in and out of), and enjoyed a drink. The phone rang again and it was Scott's sister again. His mom looked contemplative, saying "uh-huh, OH, I see…..ok. he passed….." Looked at Scott and I and said Ok thank you, we'll call you back in a while. "I'm sorry, but your dad has passed away. They took the feeding tube out, gave him some morphine, and he was arrested. They were unable to bring him back" Scott didn't react. He just stared at the ground.

I grabbed his hand, and said "I'm so sorry honey. What do we need to do?" I then said, "Well, I can start packing and be done and ready by Wednesday when your mom leaves," He said "No, we don't have time to drive all the way up there - I have to help G, and I need to get there ASAP," I said, "Well, IDK what to do with Odie and kitty - it'll be at least 5 days and you know how he is when he's not with us."

Odie is NOT good with other people - especially in a doggie daycare setting. He's ok for a few hours, but he refused to eat, or even pee when he was there the one time we left him overnight. I wasn't sure about anyone else. Scott insisted I stay here - not to mention we REALLY couldn't afford all of it. No work for both of us for another full week and then some, boarding for the dog AND the cat for a week. Flights for Scott and I both there and back. It just made more sense - and I think it was good for him to be able to take the time alone he needed with all of it.

The next 24 hours were spent arranging flights back to the town his dad lived in, rental cars, and hotels quickly so he could fly solo, out the day his mom left. I was able to find him a flight just 15 minutes after his mom's, so we could get him to the airport at the same time as her - and it would work out really well. I felt like a dick. I couldn't go and support him, see his family and help with all the shit that needed to be done, but there was just no other way.

The next day, I asked Scott's mom where she'd like to go as a touristy thing. She picked the Zoo, and so we went to a big Zoo/Safari Park/Aquarium. So we spend the better part of the day walking the grounds, and enjoying a different kind of Zoo experience. The cages were open and close to visitors so you could see the animals walking around, and be close enough to a Jaguar to see his eyelashes.

We could feed the Giraffes, feed the lorikeets, see a goofy little Armadillo do tricks for froot loops, and feed the stingrays. Feeding them brought back a flood of memories from my 20s.

Way back in a previous life, I was married to someone else. We enjoyed a few years together, and well, the rest is very painful and personal. We won't get into that.

I will say, however, that we had a glorious time swimming in Grand Caymen's oceans and feeding giant stingrays chopped up squid in the open ocean. I nearly drown, at first, but was able to grab ahold of the ship's captain - and he pulled me, and the bucket of squid with him as we swam to a shallow sandbar. They are friendly and funny, and suck the squid up with so much power, that if you're not careful I bet they could break a finger! I giggled and remembered to keep my fingers and hands flat. they have bony mouths - no teeth and these guys were small, like at San Diego's Sea World - in a shallow, and raised containment area - but it was still cool.

We ate at the restaurant, and it was really good - even if the entire place looks like it requires millions in upgrades. Covid was NOT good to them. Everything was worn down. Much of the park is covered in overflowing trash from bins and discarded masks from the hundreds of kids that come in the on-season. They mentioned they always need help in the wintertime. Oh, DO you? hmmmmm. INTERESTING.

The next day, we got Scott's momma packed and ready to go, and I then dropped them both off at the Airport. Odie and I drove back, and I thought about stopping at a dog park on the way home - but there weren't any real close. I took the opportunity for the quiet to get taxes done and do some cleaning.

The next few days I worked and spent one night up at the bar watching the Karaoke. B, one of the work campers who worked the bar, loved singing and wanted Scott's motorcycle vest to wear to sing something from Rocky Horror Picture show, so I brought him Scott's vest and stayed until he was done. It was really busy that night, and he didn't end up singing until late - so I didn't get home until almost 8pm.

I HATED leaving Odie that long - even with a walk to the park, and several bathroom breaks - and even some runs next to the golf cart I borrowed, I hated it. HE hated it.

I texted my friend J, to see if she wanted to get together over the weekend - and she said sure! After some back and forth about a possible night out at a comedy stop, she said she had to work the next day, and it wasn't going to work out - but we could just still hang out at the pool. I said YAS and so we did!

The house was clean, laundry was done, and now I was enjoying a pina colada next to the pool. THIS was why we came here, and we were almost ready to leave. If we ever come back - we will be as renters or residents and never as Workcampers. Never again.

We froze a little, as we both forgot towels, so we had to run to our loungers and warm in the sun before walking back. We hugged and she said we needed to BBQ before we left. I said ok, and we'd figure out a weekend soon.

I've been having an issue since I got sick back in October - and subsequently seemingly had a reaction to the meds I was on. My lips swelled, cracked, and peeled. Then I got a rash on my upper lip and all along the bottom that itched like CRAZY. It's slowly been going away - but I've gone through 10 tubes of various lip balms to try to get rid of it - along with several other remedies, with little to no relief.

I had been enjoying some relatively mellow weeks - until that day in the sun, in which it flared it back up again, and again I was reaching for the Carmex. I couldn't FIND any though. Just another one of those weird supply chain issues we'd seen here as of late. My Coffee Creamer, the Regulator for our propane tanks, Lip balm, coke in cans - it's all so random!

I spoke with Scott every night, and on Sunday night even sat IN my bed, and watched cartoons on my laptop. LOL.

He muddled through the best he could with the arrangements, goodwill visits, dealing with his dad's Truck, lift, scooter, bills, and bank accounts. Luckily his Sister took on a lot of those jobs, and Scott went to work going through all the things in his apartment. Several things came up missing - even as they were going through stuff - one being a vacuum and all of his dad's pain pills.

That kind of stuff makes me so goddamn angry. If I would have known - and he would have let me - I'd have outfitted his entire apartment with cameras so he could see was a piece of shit was stealing from an old…..now dead…man.

I recalled my experience with my uncle and how, when he was in a nursing home with severe MS, I couldn't ever send him anything of value or meaning. It would be stolen within a week of arriving. He used to love books on tape, but, he'd never be able to hang onto the player (at the time there were no phones yet). The Facilities don't do anything about it because it's hard enough to find people to take care of people in need of it - without firing 1/2 of them for theft.

Scott said the last thing he needed to get out of the apartment was his dad's cowboy boots he always wore that were in the closet. Neither of them could move them until the end. He gathered them up, the few possessions left he wanted to save, put them in an old suitcase, and closed the door.

I was glad we were able to visit him a couple of times we did the past few years, but I felt like it wasn't enough. Scott's dad was a tough, old farmer. Think John Wayne. Tall, Gruff, unemotional, but liked to tell stories, always with a cigarette in his hand, and a twinkle in his eye. But, now, each time we saw him - he smiled less and less - the light in him snuffed out for good when his wife of 25 some years died at their farm 5 years ago.

She was out watering her flowers, and he was in a talking shop with a few friends - in the shop. When dinnertime got close, and there was no call to come in to eat, and the friends to go home, He walked out on the warm summer evening to find her face down, hose in hand, water still running.

The night after I picked up Scott from the airport - he showed me all the neat things he found of his dad's that he never knew he had. A yearbook from his time in Korea, his Honorably discharged papers, photos, and cufflinks. The total of someone's entire life - and it fits in a suitcase. We sat and reminisced, and I cried. I didn't get closure and it was tough. I felt bad for not being there. REALLY bad.

To cheer Scott up I bought him a table top Ice machine. The freezer just doesn't have enough juice to freeze ice very fast. We would go through what we could fit in a couple of drinks at night - and we both really love ice. This ice machine makes little cubes in 9 minutes. Enough for one glass - so we sit at night while it runs and by the end of the night we have a full bag. It was reasonable, too. It made him smile, and I was happy I could do that for him right now.

Lord knows he needs a few stiff drinks - full of ice right now.

The following weekend, we met up with my Aunt and Uncle along with some rock hound friends and a geologist to head into the hills to dig rocks. I LOVE doing that sort of thing so I was keyed up and excited to go. We met at a rest stop cafe, had breakfast, and then went to the rock, mineral, and historic museum close to where we were looking for rocks.

We had fun walking around the museum - Odie even got to come in - and reading about the history in the area. The museum was an old School. A Native American School. It was a pretty grand place - reminding me much of my old Jr high. It even smelled the same.

I loved the history and reading about it - but wondering if they were being truthful about it - or just plain leaving out some important details - like how Native people didn't WANT to go to a white man's school. How the atrocities of the Canadian and American governments were ignored while they beat and abused Native children and indoctrinated them to think "our way" Really takes the fun out of visiting a place like that sometimes. The rocks, minerals, and other artifacts were awesome - but that part left me uneasy.

We headed up into the hills and came to a spot where there was some "Halloween Rock" my uncle called it. He said it was Jasper - but my Aunt said "NO it's not Jasper, it's….(Insert what I've forgotten here, lol) Whatever it was - it was pretty cool and I gathered a BUNCH of it. "Just one more….."

Our next stop was to a marble deposit and we got some really pretty stuff that sparkled in the sunlight. Colorado has a lot of marble, too so I felt sill gathering so much from here - I mean we can't TAKE ALL OF THIS with us, haha. I filled a bucket anyway.

As I was wandering as others were sitting and chatting - eating snacks and getting some water - I hear a scream come from the opposite hill. a young man in the group started running, and high stepping, yelling SNAKE! RATTLESNAKE! SNAKE!!!

As he went on about how he almost died - I had to laugh and suppress my urge to go look for it. "Here lies Nikki. She died trying to pet something she shouldn't"

We headed home and it was so nice spending time with my Uncle and Aunt. I never got that much as a kid, and always enjoyed hanging out with my uncle - and I could tell he did, too. The following week was the beginning of plans for the Mexican-themed festival week, and plans for a volunteer lunch. I kind of came in, in the middle of it, but it was to appreciate the volunteers that help us in that office from time to time - or in the case of P, the rockstar - nearly DAILY - with various functions and duties. It wasn't anything huge - so I put together some certificates and started making invitations. The new director wanted it to be themed in a starfish theme. Apparently, there is this poem that has to do with a starfish and volunteers, so I themed the invites that way.

I started cleaning up in the lofts again - and found a ton of clear bags from 2 years ago leftover from the Covid-dominated New years' celebrations, with black and gold paper for the inside. I found about 100 of them, and we had about 50 or so invitees?? We would expect maybe 2/3 of those, as some will most likely be gone by that time, and others just not able to make it. Perfect! I found some cute "volunteer" socks and M found the starfish poem and a little starfish bead to go with it, as another gift, along with a cup that had a nice volunteer saying on it. We only had a list of those people M kept track of, and of a few others the former director wrote down. There was no check-in process or any sort of way to keep track of any of the people who did volunteer their time.

We sent out the invites, and as soon as we did the Park had a meltdown. People were complaining that THEY TOO volunteer their time - by teaching this or that class, or being a monitor in the rooms that need supervision - so they can show people how to use the equipment, or tools (or collect money). They help with Tennis but setting up for their parties! Or they help by leading hikes or finding plastic bags to make the Mats. As more and more people came out of the woodwork - and as soon as we realized we'd created a monster - the new director said she was instructed to invite ANYONE - even if they picked up one scrap of paper once. They needed to get a special lunch. I mean people like to feel special!

Then there were the end-of-year parties - all sponsored by the company. Bocce had a tournament, a fun day, and an end-of-year party - and everything was sponsored by the company. Tennis did, too as well as Woodworking, Quilting, Ceramics, Mat makers, and on and on. Every day it seemed we were prepping yet another tournament or party. Some even got a free beer!

We took a day mid-month to participate in a ride the company sponsored. it was 3 hours long and ended in lunch at another park. We got a cool backpack full of munchies, and a continental breakfast upon arrival. We were all let go in 3-minute increments - which was weird for a Bike rally. We headed up to the hills and it was still a little chilly in the wind. The ride was OK. No one stuck together, someone broke down and was left behind, (We didn't know this) and the others lost us as they looked for a bar, instead of stopping for the lunch. We opted with 2 others to just go back home - because Odie had been in the trailer for hours at that point, and we had to get ready for work. We said we'd help with the Specialty dinner that night since M was gone. We all agreed we could have just done that on our own - instead of signing up for a Rally. We never saw any others in the rally other than the starting point the whole time.

I don't think they know how this works.

The following week, we spent working diligently on the preparations for the Festival week, the Year-end parties, and the Volunteer dinner. Scott and I drove around to some 300 sites to deliver invitations I had made up. I scaled back my involvement in pretty much anything - and I wasn't really needed beyond that.

I had spent a good part of a day going through the schedule with the new director, and all the other stuff I'd done and turned it over to her. The last few weeks she said just come in when you want - I'm not doing anything with it the next couple of weeks. Well ok then.

G one of the workcampers who had a hard time doing much unless told to - would clock in, in the morning and not clock out until late at night. We'd see him there ALL day. Most times he just wandered around - but he was a body if needed, so more power to ya buddy. That took some pressure off us- and to be honest I was done anyway. Just riding out my time.

I was feeling deflated after the comments and BS concerning the manager - but it seems like he was complimenting me ENTIRELY too much, and everyone was acting like I wasn't able to handle anything major. IDK maybe it was in my head - I can do that to myself. Whatever. I'm over it. I worked on certificates designed, filled out, and printed, getting the invites out, and making the gift bags all the volunteers were getting. We had gone to a handful of invitees to HUNDREDS. The next week was a blur of preparations, and trying to find creative ways to get rid of leftovers from the end of year parties, but giving out free bratwurst, Jello shots, frozen margarita pops, and more. We also had one more Quarter beer night to get through and free walking tacos the same night.

One of our only workcamper neighbors left just after Scott did, as his wife's dad fell ill, and so they packed up their car and drove home to Ohio. He'd be back the first part of April to gather his things - and he did. Happily reporting his Father in Law was doing better - and they were going to all go in on a big Coach instead of a 5th wheel so he could come and see the country with them. What a great idea!

My cousin also popped by one afternoon while Scott was working on stuff at the trailer. She brought her two boys and we spent the day chatting and lounging and eating lunch. SO incredible to spend time with her and she and I get along so well. It's crazy it's taken 50 years to get to know her. Sad in a way, too.

The new director had me check to see if we had enough white table cloths for the 29 tables of 6 we now had for the Volunteer lunch. I went up and found a large bag, another smaller bag, and a box full of white tablecloths. I opened one bag lifted one out and verified they were round. Yep, we got enough.

We had pretty gold "silverware" plates, centerpieces for the fresh flowers she wanted to use, and food ordered. Certificates were being signed, and gift bags were done - all 200 of them. We were ready to rock.

The Night before, the day before the Lunch our phone rang, and it was M. She said the main Catering department was down 5 people. 2 workcampers had quit, and 3 had called in, and if we could please head to the kitchen to fill in and help the chef with the NINE HUNDRED racks of ribs he needed for 3 separate lunches.

Scott went in first and then I an hour later. We tried staggering our known long days like that so Odie didn't have to stay home alone for so long.

We spent the better part of the day dipping ribs in sauce, and racking them in huge rolling racks, then loading them into ovens, baking again, then into the pans for the hot boxes going to various locations. It was crazy and we were both pretty tired by the end of it all. 900 ribs. Got some serious education in a fast-paced kitchen those hours - especially on Scott's part. I've been in the food industry off and on my whole life, but Scott's never once worked in one - and now has a healthy new respect for what it takes to feed a ton of people.

The new director was gone, and so I went in to make sure I didn't need to know or do anything for the lunch the next day. I had the 2 volunteers and S put the table cloths on when she came up and said "There aren't enough white ones for all the tables"

What!?

I went down and sure enough - all the ones I saw - except for maybe 20 were NOT ROUND. OMG, I totally dropped the ball on that one. M texted the new director - and left it at that…..Don't freak out I said to myself…don't freak out. WHY the hell were they all in the same freaking box if they were all different! OMG, THIS PLACE.

She found black ones, and made it look great anyway - and I was relieved she did. They were in SO many different places all over the park - I hope she gets a handle on it someday!

The next day we spend setting tables perfectly with the silverware (Plastic goldware) in the right place settings, and arranged flowers, and a table for the certificates. I prayed they were all there and spelled right! I made the salad while others plated fruit for the water glasses on the tables. I arranged them in a sort of rainbow pattern, and then we plated all the salad.

The residents were all thrilled at the elegance of it all and loved every second of it. The new director introduced herself and thanked all of us - and especially M - who received a standing ovation for her dedication and extra hard work she's always put in. She deserved it! We passed out the bags of goodies and there were more exclamations of delight.

The only bad thing was there was a huge stack of certificates that were lost temporarily, and left in the office. People couldn't find theirs, and so a large portion left the park without theirs. Sad since I put in 4 days of work into them. =( Damit. Besides that - it went over very well - with very few complaints. The new director was starting off right. She was going to do awesome here.

She's such a sweet soul. I wished we would have been able to hang out more. She had just moved and found a box of clothing and shoes and even a purse she no longer wanted. She gave me the lot of them and said "Here you go - take what you want, donate the rest" Omg! I was a little taken aback and tearful. It's been a long time since someone has shown me such kindness.

On the last day we were there, we found all the leftover booze from the poker run, and ran with it. I made up huge 2-gallon carafes (?) full of mixed drinks (I kind of like doing that!) and we started letting people just walk up and have them. Glass after glass - filling each 2-gallon container at least twice - some four times before it was all gone. Good thing everyone WALKS home here. lol.

It was a great end to the run. On a high note!

We started packing and cleaning right away. Scott had already checked the tires and repacked the wheel bearings on the trailer. The oil was good and fuel filters on the truck had just been done at Home. Scott washed the trailer, and I got a box of goodwill stuff together along with the 2 bikes we acquired while here.

While Scott did that, two of the 3 ladies I had gone to coffee with right before Christmas figured we'd have a farewell coffee date, and we headed out and had about a 4 hour of conversation. Man, I dig those two! One couple will be heading back to Iowa, and the other we will most likely see at some point in Oregon. They said they'd be out to say hello.

I loved going out in the evening and riding around the park with Odie by my side, pink tongue flopping happily after being cooped up in the trailer. It was still cool enough where a ride felt good - until the last few weeks. It's getting hot and getting hot fast.

Somewhere in between all this we had a small BBQ, and had invited several folks. 2 groups showed up and oddly enough they had also partied with us eons ago at our "Lundstock parties" It was super low key but nice to hang out with them.

The following weekend, we drove to Casa Grande to another friend's house and had a BBQ there, too. Scott and J played some Cornhole, and I sat and spoke with his mom and her friend. Her mom took us to our first "Not sitting with adults concert" She's a cool lady. I've always loved her. I'll miss J for sure.

The Manager took us all out for dinner and gave away prizes (all the leftovers from the trivia nights, bingo nights, etc) and Scott won a handle of Whipped cream vodka. We made Jello shots a lot and for the last one, we had a bottle leftover. I loved making the orange or strawberry ones with whipped cream vodka. SO good! I had a "Flight" or a sample rack of beers - and they were all REALLY good. T from The Park in Colorado got me into porters and stouts, and I had a Peanut butter stout, a Mandarin wheat, a green chili lager, and….something else. The Mandarin (tangerine? Can't recall) wheat was the SHIT and I would buy that again for sure. Even the Green chili one was really good. Better than the one we had in Colorado, too.

The last weekend we were here, we asked A and his wife to head to the flea market - and they wanted to go on another long ride one last time. They were from the back east, and she is a traveling Nurse. Even though I didn't understand why M the manager felt the need to hire someone extra - I was glad she hired him. He and his wife are truly some of the nicest people we've met. He looks like a big scary biker but has a heart of gold. She's quiet and soft-spoken - nothing like her partner - but we got along so well, we want to spend some time together before we all left.

The market was great and I found myself walking out with several things - including 2 new rugs for the kitchen. the $20 price tag was hard to beat. Mom wanted some t-shirts and I bought her a present for Mother's day. I also got a BEAUTIFUL hand painted vase for the center of the trailer like I'd been looking for. I'm not sure what I'll do with the wine Carafe I got in Tucson but it might have to just be something that stays at the house once we get there. It's too cool not to keep.

It looks like an Aladdin's lamp in a way haha.

We spent several hours there and then hit a Mexican place close by. Holy shit was that the best Mexican food I've had in A LONG TIME. Service was great, cleanliness was great, food was excellent, omg. So GOOD. It was great hanging out with them.

The next day we took the scooters out for a nice long ride - 188 miles to be exact. We went up and around the big lake up in the hills and visited a Cliff dwelling monument. The guys didn't want to hike up, so we went to the Marina for lunch, (it was not good, lol) and landed back at home many hours later. We agreed to hit someplace to eat at the end - but both wanted to see if J the manager was going to be around and if they wanted to eat out or something.

Turns out J was able to take a quick trip back east to visit M the manager, for a bit - the first time in 2 months he'd be able to see her. He said M who was also a military spouse was his counselor through it all, and I don't think he was thinking about much else when he left. He didn't say goodbye to either of us.

It hurt A's feelings a bit I think, too. I'm used to being invisible….especially by employers so meh, whatever. He's got his mind elsewhere. I'm not bothered.

Well. Bye.

Maybe a little.

We kept getting requests from just about everyone "you're coming back next year aren't you?" or "We'll see you when you get back!" Ughhhh. No, you won't. We love some of the people here - and I'm sure it would get better as things settled - but we just can't afford to stay here. Just not going to happen - not now anyway.

We headed to a friend's house to say goodbye and finally got to see his new place. He's working on a ton of outdoor stuff and has the inside nearly squared away. Nice place! Low maintenance in Arizona I tell ya. No yard, no weeds. Just rock and cactus. Scott's kind of place! LOL! (All those years I think he's burnt on lawn maintenance)

We, then took a trip up to my Grandmother's place and met with my Aunt and Uncle, and had a pizza party.

Grandma - despite being in her 90's blind, and sick of being alive - scarfed down two huge pieces. Go, grandma! We were telling stories and she laughed a few times pretty hard. She was always such a mellow, quiet person (TOTAL opposite of my Dad's mom) it's always a treat to hear her laugh. It's rare.

We said our goodbyes and I didn't linger. We both knew it was the last time we'd see each other. She was quiet - not wanting to cry - and I did enough for the both of us. I hugged my aunt and uncle goodbye, too. I don't know when we will be back - and now is when I realized I hadn't had NEARLY enough time with either of them.

Ugh.

After Grandma's house, we stopped at my cousin's to say goodbye to her, too. We stayed for about an hour and had some good conversation. She gave me the address to where my Grandfather is buried - on our way home at the National Cemetery. She showed me how to find his grave, and to bring a coin to set on it.

It was hard. I miss him.

My mom sent off our security camera 2nd day to get it to us right away. We'd been hearing the place we had reserved in Vegas was having regular break-ins and I was nervous about when we'd be gone a couple of the nights there. Plenty of eyes around but still. I didn't like it. I also was able to secure a new internet hookup. We'll have to pay $50 a month for it, so I'll have to make that up somehow….but it'll give me the ability to possibly work remotely. and be a little more connected. I love it though. ANYWHERE I have a cell signal, and if it's a weak one I can purchase a booster to help that. Whoohoo!

On the last day, we did laundry and met A and his wife at the pool to hang out for a bit while it marinated. I went in to turn in the mailbox key, and our shirts, plus say goodbye. T the new director was on the phone in her office and said she'd be out in a few minutes to say goodbye. I hugged S goodbye, and M was out with her grandkids. We exchanged annoyed looks and words with her hubby (a game we had - to avoid being "nice" to each other, lol) T never came out so I figured she got tied up. She knew where we were. We called around to steak houses and found one with really good reviews at a casino, and called to reserve a spot. They had one spot available - at 5pm. It was already 3:30 so we had to move it and get our laundry and get home to shower.

We picked up A and his wife and had a KILLER steak and some amazing service. Little warmed towels in a plastic holder, samples of steak, sorbet, and macaroons. Creme Brulee for dessert and a shared prime rib. Holy moly. it was FANCY, but for a pretty darn good price! They played a few games - roulette mostly - and I mostly watched. Instead of throwing it all away - that's what it is these days - I decided to spend any birthday money I get in the coming weeks on things that are ACTUALLY needed and tangible. I have plans…

A great night, and for our last a fitting end.

We packed up the next morning and our little 80-something neighbor came over to say goodbye. She teared up saying we were such great neighbors and she'll be sad to see us go. It's funny how people can bond over things like rocks (she showed me a really cool one with a shell she found, and I offered her the ridiculous pile of marble and banded iron or whatever the Halloween stone I found was called. When Scott was gone, there was a patio sale, and I got rid of all the old silk flowers the resort didn't want.

P pulled at my heartstrings and said 10 years ago, an old lady, she and a few others had lovingly arranged them for some of the services they had done in the past. The old lady had long since passed, and so I saved her an arrangement or two. The new director didn't want them and she was right. Fake, dusty, tacky. But they still meant something to those who made them. It was a fitting example of how things move on, and change as time goes on. No matter who doesn't want it to, how much it means to others, - it will and it needs to.

I saved one for my mom, another big set went to a church, and even more, were distributed amongst the residents that wanted some. the WHOLE back of the pickup was full of silk and fake flowers. All dusty with that "hot plastic in the sun" smell they get. I had 5 or so leftovers from the sale, so at the end of the day, I had snuck them onto random neighbor's porches. One of the being A's porch.

She hugged us both fiercely and said how much she loved the flowers. Simple acts of kindness sometimes.

The rest of the park's management was not on good terms with her - she hijacked a meeting one morning, and had to be escorted out. I never asked why - but she was ultra paranoid and I had to constantly steer her off sensitive topics I didn't want to discuss. We'll miss her, too. ;)

We got up early - both of us eager and nervous to be back on the road again, and pulled out easily. All of our surrounding RV neighbors were already gone - it was going to hit 100 degrees today - time to go.

No one had sent us off - I had the feeling we'd worn out our welcome anyway, ME and my dumb breakdown and all. So we didn't go looking for anyone.

We Folded the behemoth up, put the Dog and the Cat into the truck, and drove to a spot we could open the garage. I had to do a little housekeeping but remembered I'd left the broom inside - inaccessible now - so I just kicked some leaves out the back. We loaded the bike up, took one last look around, and drove out the front gates.