A welcome aboard to four new followers. So glad you can join us on our journey. Nancy has joined us from Oregon. I still can't pronounce Oregon they way people in Oregon do. They are new to the RV and blogging world. Sue and Mo are having a great time out there. Their header picture reminds me of Joshua Tree National Forest....sigh.
We also have a fellow artist following us. Richard the RV Painter is here. He has some nice art work in his blogs. Hopefully, when we are on the road, I will be able to get back to being creative! When I first saw the RV Painter, I thought he painted RVs. And no, I am not a blond. Richard's wife is Melissa. Welcome Melissa! She is an artist of words. Melissa writes books. I'd love to read her book.
The weather here in Indiana was wonderful for outside chores.... until today. We have accomplished so much and are thankful for the energy we had. Today, John is bushed and napping a bit. Even with emphysema he pushes and pushes till a job is complete. It may take longer, but when it is done, it is done right. I am so thankful for such a neat guy.
This strenuous journey to our Big Journey, is soon going to only be a memory. Our discussion over breakfast was; "what do we do to have the total body exercise that we are getting from all the work we are doing here?"
There is much lifting, pulling, pushing, walking, bending, squatting etc. In the future, when we are full timing, hikes will do some good, but we want to find something that will incorporate all the above. We like the extra strength we are gaining and when we are not too exhausted, it feels good.
Yesterday, we did maintenance on our second patio. It is located in front of the barn that is closer to our house. The patio is Tennessee Blue Stone. In the patio, we designed and built a lovely water feature that is eighteen inches as well as two feet below above the patio. Visitors are awed by a water feature that is partly above and below ground. You also get to see the tools we forgot to put away. The fountain is not turned on, but you can get the idea.
These pictures are hazy due to the fog and rain. They are taken with the telephoto on my new Canon Power Shot SX 150 and are not as good as they could be due to the photographer. - me.
Here is a picture looking out the kitchen window using the zoom feature of my new camera. It was until a year ago that you would see our llamas. I do miss my fiber kids, but they were a lot of work. And this year a bale of hay is almost twice the cost of a gallon of gasoline! Now our hay money goes into the motorhome gas tank and we have less work. I hope we get out of here before the pond out back freezes over and it is ice skating time! Would anyone like to buy a house?
Thank you for taking part in today's journey and for your prayers for our strength and energy to accomplish our tasks at hand.
God bless your journey today!
I wrote a post for today hours and hours ago. Every time I clicked on the publish box, everything came out befuzzled. I have tried and tried to correct the mistake that I cannot understand that I have made, so I just say Geesh.....and write another.
What I was trying to share today is my adventure into the Gluten free diet world. Gluten? What's that? It is a protein found in wheat, barley, wheat products. And it is been found to cause inflammation of joints. Joints as in body joints, not dives and other yucky places.
Many people have found that by no longer eating wheat, their osteoarthritis improves. I, personally, have two friends who have testified to the benefits of living gluten free.
I ventured into this program after visiting with my orthopaedic surgeon at Ortho Indy, one of the nation's leading group of orthopaedic physicians.
My physician, Dr. Mark DiLella, made the comment that after looking at the x-rays of my hands, that I am one arthritic person. That comment gave me visions of being so crippled with arthritis in the years to come, that I might end up in a wheel chair or something similar.
I know, I know, I have a vivid imagination and sometimes tend to see the worse case scenario. That's okay in this instance as it has given me the kick in the arse to take charge of my future when it comes to how I will be able to move about.
Since we have returned home, I have not been able to do much felting due to the pain in my hands and back. I was fortunate to have some inventory to take to the St. James Court Art Show in Louisville, Kentucky last week end.
To be able to work at the show, I had to have pain medication beyond the typical Alieve or Ibuprofen. That was not "a good thing" for me and I sure did not want to think I had to rely on narcotics to get me through the rest of my life.
Two of my friends have been preaching / touting / sharing the benefits of a gluten free diet. Bah humbug, I thought for the last two or three years.
Last week, I asked myself what I had to loose if I tried the gluten free diet. When I could not come up with one reason. When I knew that I wanted to have a better life than sitting in a chair all day. When I knew that I wanted to explore the deserts of the southwest this winter, I gave in and started to live the gluten free life.
Guess what! It is an easy way to eat! No wheat, that's it. No bread. So? I can live without bread. No pasta, hummmm.....well I guess I can live without linguine with clam sauce. I can live without chicken and noodles....I think.
Well, I am on day nine. I am still alive! I have survived and it is no problem. I feel like I am doing something positive about my discomfort. As a matter of fact, I feel better already! I am moving more fluidly and no pain! I had no idea it would happen this fast.
It happened in such a sneaky way. I didn't realize how much better I am until John and I were talking about it and voila! I said, "hey... wait" I feel better already!
The next action I have taken in increasing my physical activity. I am not sitting and reading all the time. I am getting up and walking. I walked for about eight blocks with no discomfort! This is tremendous! I hope to get to the point that I walk a minimum of an hour daily.
The weather is beautiful and is conducive to walking. Arthur is going to have to chase me to get me down again! Now, if I could just get rid of these crooked fingers..... hehehe.
I still must have the surgery on my thumb this Tuesday. I have totally ruined that joint. But guess what???? I will be able to enjoy my fiber art once again. Life is good!
I have put my life in perspective in the scope of all life. A fellow blogger is fighting Lymphoma. She will have surgery on Wednesday.
Another blogger, at the age of thirty eight just lost her husband to a heart attack. Sure makes my life simple, doesn't it.
Yesterday, I wrote about the buds of life and the process we go through in living our lives. I am so thankful for God and His blessings and His COMFORT in times of stress and need.
My prayer for each of you is that your days to come are enriched with his love and blessings.
God bless....N
Yesterday, we did maintenance on our second patio. It is located in front of the barn that is closer to our house. The patio is Tennessee Blue Stone. In the patio, we designed and built a lovely water feature that is eighteen inches as well as two feet below above the patio. Visitors are awed by a water feature that is partly above and below ground. You also get to see the tools we forgot to put away. The fountain is not turned on, but you can get the idea. 
Here is a picture looking out the kitchen window using the zoom feature of my new camera. It was until a year ago that you would see our llamas. I do miss my fiber kids, but they were a lot of work. And this year a bale of hay is almost twice the cost of a gallon of gasoline! Now our hay money goes into the motorhome gas tank and we have less work. I hope we get out of here before the pond out back freezes over and it is ice skating time! Would anyone like to buy a house? 
