Rolling downhill.......

We're finally over the hump...only 11 more weeks (of 26) to go in what must be the most boring city there is........Chattanooga. At least there is a Publix here but no Kroger. I can still do a few deals at Publix and Food Lion, like the 20 boxes of Capri Sun for .07 each. Had to stock up for the boys' visit!

Their parents came up one weekend and did the tourist thing:

Kyle is here this week for his turn alone. Apparently, his two weeks previously didn't count as his 'turn' because Logan was here! ;-)

Lovin' the strawberries:

Be careful what you wish for..............you might have to wait, and wait, and wait!!!

We are both pretty fed up with the feds and will just stay where we are for the summer. We got a call from Gulf Islands over a week ago yet nothing is happening as of today. No start date, no ok from HR (they appear to be in Mississippi where there are no phones!), no nothing. The person in charge (?) of whatever, keeps calling to let us know nothing. If Sam has to do another background check it will take at least 3 weeks. And the grade level is different so that is freaking them out? What a zoo. It's a wonder they ever accomplish anything. This is the third time we have dealt with federal employees from NPS, or Dept. of Interior, and they are all alike.......slooooooooooooowwww.

Anyway, we are planning a nice trip to visit Samantha, Nate and the boys this weekend and will probably bring Logan back for a week or so.

OMG!! Sam just got a call from Gulf Islands National Seashore about a maintenance position............he has to call them back when he gets back to the camper today at 4:00. The lady said she had a few more to call ahead of him (?) so here's hoping it works out. We would give two weeks' notice here and be on our way SOUTH!

NPS Uniform.....

Looks pretty good.

All the parts of Sam's uniforms finally arrived. He's had the pants, belts, boots and hats for a few weeks but the shirts just arrived this week. Guess it takes quite a while for them to sew S. Shepard on the front and attach the patches to the sleeves! And the coat he ordered while it was 40 degrees outside still has not arrived....(now that it's in the 80's)....guess he'll be saving that for next winter, if it ever comes in.

Tough job, but somebody's got to do it!

Project 365 Day 74 - Us at the Gala

There is just not much to take pictures of around here. Same ol' same ol'.

Sam is working Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday...10 hour days...so he is off today and also Friday and Saturday. He doesn't have his uniform or hat yet. It will probably be a few weeks. Like anything with the government...the wheel turns slow! He says the job is very easy...rides a truck all over the park and up the Rio Grande River (part of the park, also) checking the garbage cans, bathrooms, etc. They did repair and paint a couple of signs yesterday and today. There will be more to do when the weather warms up some more. Now it is 70-80's days and 50's nights. Not bad.

Us at the Winter Gala

Project 365 Day 66 - Amistad Reservoir

Amistad Reservoir

The lake is so big it is hard to get much of it in a picture. It has more than 850 miles of shoreline, 540 of which are in Texas. The US/Mexicn border follows the bed of the Rio Grande through the lake. Summer is definitely the busy season for the lake with motorboats, sailboats, and houseboats as early as the end of February. We're looking forward to seeing the sailboarders when the weather warms up.

Joining up with Smokey

Where are we going next??

Smokey knows!!

Sam has a position with the National Park Service at Amistad National Recreation Area near Del Rio, Texas, on the Rio Grande River. He begins January 18th. We will gradually make our way to that area over the next week or so. We got the call on New Year's Eve....Happy New Year to us!