Back home, in Texas

We had a busy week in Arkansas.  We saw almost everyone that we were hoping to see.  Spent some great time with my sisters and our friends.
Ramona, we've been friends since 1972, showed me her new house.  They haven't moved in yet.  They are remodeling and painting.  It looks so good, I can't wait to see the finished product.
We did have one disagreement about a chandelier.  She hates it and I think it would be wonderful in a game room or in Scott's office.  That is where it's hanging now.  He wants to keep it there, she wants it gone.  Who will win?  I betting on Ramona.

 Well, it's not so bad is it?  I texted Michael and asked him if he would want it for his game room.  He loved it.  Kaitlyn sent back, "I know our family is a circus at times, but I don't want my home to look like one!"  It's not looking good for the monkeys.

I know this is a bad picture, but you can see its size better in this one.  I think it's perfect for an office or game room.  I think that I am the only one though.
The week went by way to fast.  We left this morning around 8:30.  Thank goodness we hadn't gotten very far before I realized that I had left my phone.  We left again around 9:30.
We traveled thru more rain going back to Texas.  I don't know what it is with us and rain.  We seem to take it with us wherever we go.

                 

 Between all the rain, we had some beautiful skies.  I love looking at the clouds.

 It feels good to be home.
Later

A transplant for the transplant

Today we went to see Doug's cornea specialist.  Doug as had a lot of problems lately with this cornea.  In fact, he has had a lot of problems with his eye, period.  He has had several ulcers that left caverns, as the doctor likes to refer to them, in his cornea.  Today he informed us that this cornea has reached the end of it's usefulness.  It's time for another transplant.  Transplants last on average, 10 years.  This one is 11 years old.  Dr. Berry recommends that Doug use a doctor in the Houston area, since we have moved there.  He said he would do some research and recommend one for us. (yea)  Since Doug is scheduled for some heart surgery on the 12th of Sept., he told us to wait until after that to see the new specialist.  In fact, his words were, "just wait, and if you are still alive on the 13th, then let's schedule the appointment with a new doctor".  He does have a dry sense of humor.  We like him and hate to start over with a new doctor but as he said, you can't be that far away from your doctor with something like this.  He also told us it wouldn't be fair for him to do the surgery and then send us to a new doctor for him to take care of his handy work.   He said a few things about how wonderful he was and all but it was time to find a new "wonderful doctor".   Like I said, we like Dr. Berry.
We got back in town in time to have dinner with Jim and Libbie.  Today is Libbie's 62nd birthday!
It was good to share their company this evening.  I don't have any pictures.  Unfortunately, I left my camera back home.  I brought my camera bag, it just didn't have my camera in it. bummer!
Happy Birthday LIBBIE!!!!
Later

Driving in the rain

We left at 9:00 this morning after a very heavy rain shower.  We were hoping that was all the rain but we weren't so lucky.  It rained on us through most of Texas.  At times it was so heavy you couldn't see the road.  There were several cars in median that had hydroplaned.  We had one right in front of us.  She was getting out of the car when we went past.  There was already someone stopped to help.  It was a mess.  We slipped a couple of times but thank goodness, we stayed in control and on the road.
We arrived around 6:00.  Happily there was no rain here.  Two of my sisters, Phyllis and Debbie, greeted us and fed us fried chicken!
After visiting for a while, it didn't take long for us to crash.

Yep, we are tired.  I think we will make a short night of it tonight.
Later

On the road again, but not in the motorhome this time

I have been a little lazy about writing in my blog.  We haven't been traveling or having any new adventures.  Just living life right now.
In the morning we will head back to Arkansas so that Doug can see his eye doctor.  Hopefully he can recommend one in the Houston area.  I know there are a bazillion great doctors in this area but I would like to have a referral, a recommendation or something.  I hate to just close my eyes and wherever my finger lands, that's the one.  LOL Without a recommendation, that would be what we would be doing.  We want one that does cornea transplants so that he can take care of that but we also need one that knows how to fit and care for his new Jupiter lenses he has.  He has been having trouble with his cornea and his new Jupiter lens.  We need another Dr. Berry here in Katy!
While back home (it will always be home even if we aren't living there anymore) we hope to see all of our family and friends.
It's hard to move so far away from the place you have spent your entire life.  Don't get me wrong, this is a good thing.  I am glad that we have moved.  I just miss my family and friends.  It will be good to see them.  We will be in Arkansas about a week.  We have a lot of people to see in that time.  Doug's eye appointment is first on Monday.  We aren't taking the motorhome but will stay with my sisters.  Looking forward to seeing them all on Tuesday.  When the four Johnson girls are all together under one roof, it can get loud with lots of laughter and everyone talking at once.  I can't wait!
Later

Just a few pictures of our day

Not much going on around here so I thought I would just post a few pictures.

                     Can you find two frogs in this picture?  I think this bird is called  a killdeer.

                                           
                                           This pond has the biggest bullfrogs I have ever seen!

                                                  This place is just teaming with wildlife.

                                             I took a few pictures of the sky this evening.

                                           Here is a shot of the moon.  It's just a little sliver.

Can you see the star?

Almost forgot to show you this one.  See the snake?  It looks so small in this picture.

If you can blow this picture up somewhat you can see the curve of the snake under the water.  This snake is much bigger than I thought.

To get your mind off the snake, here are a few pictures.    Lucas wanted to ride Buster.  Lucky for Buster, he couldn't stay on.  No 8 seconds here.

This was taken as we were leaving the doctors office in downtown Houston.  We are getting on I 610.  Oops, didn't mean to get scary again.

Later

Moving is a long, painful process

We have been very busy around here trying to become Texans.  We have gotten both vehicles and the trailer we use to haul the Kubota tractor, registered and licensed with Tx. tags now.  That alone took us several hours of standing in line.  We should have licensed them in Amarillo.  Not only was it quick and easy but cheaper.  Having a vehicle inspected cost a mere $7.50 in Amarillo.  Here it is $25.50.  An emissions test is required here is one of the reasons for higher cost.  We had to pay $90 sales tax on each vehicle and the trailer to transfer titles and registration.  The total cost to get license on the car, truck and trailer was $599.00.  In Arkansas it was $25.00 each and the trailer was a permanent tag.  They keep telling me that it will be cheaper next year because we don't have to pay the sales tax or the transfer of title fees.  I guess this is helps revenue since they don't have state income tax.  I feel like I just paid my income tax!  LOL  The tags for the motor home were $252 so we spent close to a thousand dollars just putting Texas tags on vehicles.  We still have to get our  Texas drivers license.  We should be about finished with changing everything over after that.
We meet with the builder to finalize our house plans on Saturday.  I think after all this we need to take a vacation!  It's time to go somewhere fun and preferably cooler.

To update on my poor old tooth, or lack thereof.  I do have dry socket and it's not much fun.  The dentist told me to get some clove oil and pack the tooth.  That oil tastes terrible but it is amazing how it deadens the pain.  Keep that in mind if you get a toothache or even a mouth ulcer.  I found the clove oil at a GNC.  And you can add it to a candle warmer and make your house smell good.  How about that!
Later!