Still here, decided to just start new thread

We are leaving for Minnesota in the morning.  Probably only going to be gone a week, but at least we will get
away from all this work for a bit.

Sue Anne is very excited, she has wanted to see the Mall of the Americas for years. 

Our area is turning into a game area.  We are overrun with deer, have been for some years, never saw
one when we were growing up.  I read the last deer here was killed in about 1816, but they have made a
huge comeback.  Tom and I saw a cougar going across the road about a month ago down by a guy that
has a big turkey farm, he lives about a mile away.  We have wild turkeys, and lot of coyotes.

We have heard rumors of panther and mountain lions but nothing really confirmed till lately.  We live up high
on a huge bluff but below us is the Wabash River and lots of river bottoms. This is where the glaciers started
melting,  The soil changes dramatically just in this area and south of us.  Within a mile they raise melons on
sand, we have black dirt, and on south of  us is sandy ground. Totally flat in Illinois and we are about 600 ft
where we live.  A friend of mines tenant about 10 miles from here  got a picture of one under his security light
the other night.  Just wow! We also heard there have been a few black panthers seen.  East of us likely over 50
to 75 miles there have been a few confirmed sightings of black bear.  Unbelievable.

My husband said they are coming back in after the deer, well they need thinned out for sure.

Here kitty, kitty

We live in east central Indiana. Two years ago, one of the local farmers was up in his deer stand and saw a cougar walk by.He wasn't sure about shooting it so he let it go. The game warden said he didn't see it. Having known the man since a small boy I am inclined to believe that he did see the cougar. I guess it's like the recent black bear sightings, they don't want the public to be alarmed.
Indiana Journey

Oh they are here, I saw the cougar and I know the people that saw the mountain lion, they have no reason to lie.

We had a great time, we got in tonight.  The old motorhome made another trip, without issues.

We stopped at a Jellystone park on the way up, nice place.  We got to St Paul and found a park by the Mystic Lake
Casino, called Dakota Meadows, what a beautiful well designed park that was.  It's part of an Indian group in the area.
The area was Bloomington, Minnesota, I told Tom would be a great place to live in the summer.  We went to the casino
and the Mall, Sue Anne really liked it.  The amusement park was neat and we ate on the top floor where she could play
games.  They have one that simulated a roller coaster and accommodated 2 people, with her dinner we got her a pass
to the game area, she had a ball.  Her dad and I ended up riding with her on that thing a lot of times, all of us enjoyed that.

Then we went to the Zoo and also to the IMax and saw Suicide Squad, she wanted to see.  It was a Marvel Comics
show.  And of course we ate way way to much.  We don't want to use up to many of her days so she can spend
Thanksgiving and Christmas with us so we got in tonight.  I know a good time was had by all.  I got Tom slowed down and to quit acting like everything had to be rushed through and even he had fun.  We had internet issues, the Meadows park was upgrading their internet so I couldn't get it to work. The Ipad did sporadically.

But if you ever get a chance stay there its beautiful, they limit your stay to 7 days and you can't return for 30, it said in case of special circumstances?

We were next to a Prevost, I'm sure they didn't appreciate our old Eagle parked  next to them.  It was GORGEOUS!  But we were gone most of the time anyway.  Didn't see neighbors fraternizing there but I told Tom part of it was the short time frames people could be there.  The other neighbor pulled in with a travel trailer only a day before us, nice folks.  I would like to go back there.

I hope Tom can enjoy life more, for some reason its hard for him.  I don't think he has been able to let go of the work mentality yet and likely won't for awhile.

Of course while we were gone his mom left a message, did not sound happy.  She gave our phone number for us to call her, then said she wouldn't be there long.  I saw there had been 9 calls, but no messages but the one. Tom says she really doesn't know how to leave a message.  I'm sure she forgot that he had told her over and over we would be gone this week.  That disease is so sad for people. The staff knew we were going to be gone so nothing wrong or they would have called us. Tom will go see her in the morning as usual.

Sue Anne was very sweet.  We have gotten a Medicaid waiver for her apparently in May but were not told by the group home admins. I have talked to the state and they said she qualifies for the family support waiver now.  Have been talking locally to our workshop for the disabled and am finding all kinds of services for her.  From behavior therapy, to workshop, to 2 to 3 days swim therapy in a neighboring town.  To some local park areas, computer workshop for her.  I am going to make an appointment and visit about it, then take her for a couple of days and see what we have here. Also transportation from our home to the workshop, they pick up some others and said they can her too.  We could not access anything without the waiver, they won't even talk to you, used to take 5 years to get it, now its down to 1.  But they are supposed to be changing the makeup of the home where she lives.  It's unofficial but I'm hearing the 2 men are going to be moved and the bedfast lady and they are going to try and make it a more active group, so I'm not taking any hasty actions.  We have our annual meeting end of August and I'm going to see what is going on.  They have a new director and the state people have a lot of good things to say about him.

I would love to bring her back home.  I think getting her off the meds the psychiatrist was giving her has helped, but the staff there has really helped her too.  Sadly the state cut a lot of money from their budget for the disabled and they have basically 1 person per shift to take care of 6 people and the one lady consumes all their time.  I know the house mom that Sue Anne loves is looking for a job.  She is really good but they have worked her into the ground.  Noone stays long the pay is so low and the responsibilities so great.  The state already told me Sue Anne's staying there has been a positive experience so if we had problems again they would likely take her back easily, that is our concern.  Tom is afraid after 2 or 3 months she would be like she was before.  I just don't know. So lots to think about.

But we had a great trip and lots of fun!!!!

I think I saw you last night!  We were headed westbound on I74 leaving Champaign a little after 5 pm after dropping our son off at U of I. I was stopped in construction traffic and I saw a vintage American Eagle towing a Cadillac SUV going eastbound. I told my wife that's got to be Carolyn coming back from Minnesota. 

Someone went around us and honked and waved, I told Tom likely someone off the forums.
We have the mural on the back, a dead giveaway.  That sounds about right we did come
across I 74.  Didn't intend to get home last night but traffic wasn't bad at all most of the way.
We took I 35 out of St Paul and were rolling along good.  Once we got within 4 hours of home
we said why stop.  We were here about 9PM.

It was a good trip, Tom was a sweetie, and Sue Anne had a ball.  Of course, Miss Black, just
slept and ate most of the time.  LOL!  This was a short enough trip Tom liked it, and Sue Anne
got another item off her bucket list.

She had a lot of pain with her gut, she has diverticulosis so bad she worries us.  We decided it
was time to take her, she has been looking forward to going since June. It's about the only
way you can travel with her.

Yeah you don't see to many old ones like that still rolling down the road.  We still look at ads
and think oh there is one we would like, then think will we just start repairs all over and how
many more years will we drive then back off.  What can I say, we are both guilty.

I was showing Tom some Itasca's parked where we were, was saying folks say they are
nice too, we saw quite a few of them driving one day.  There were lots of people going
south when we were heading up there.  Most travel trailers and motorhomes I've seen
on the roads in some time.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to Minnesota. Sorry we didn't have the opportunity to meet up.

Yes, we weren't gone long.  But I didn't want to push it, I got him to go, he enjoyed himself
and our daughter was good as gold so it was a success.  Babysteps!!  LOL!

We filled up with diesel today and Tom figured out mileage, I thought he made a mistake so
we refigured it.  He kept the coach coming home pretty much at 65, cruise control a lot of the
way.  We ran the genny all the way up and all the way back, never turned it off, we had both
AC's running and on the way back the washer and dryer running.  Coming back we got 9.26
mpg, he was thrilled and that was towing also.  It still used some oil but not like it did, he
left it below the add line and on the way back down a bit more.  He still wants to look it over
and check out several items. We don't have leaks when sitting. We have no oil or soot on the
tow car.  That time I didn't get the stick screwed in good I got oil everywhere.  I had cleaned
it with brake cleaner best I could.  He wants to clean the engine good and put a container on
the slobber tube to see what we are losing there. He wants to check the turbo and some other
things. I don't understand some of what he is talking about actually.  He said if he finds nothing
then he is getting a leak down test and a compression test, he said if those come back ok, he will
just keep it checked and add when needed. 

The engine temp and transmission temps were right on, oil pressure was good.  The diesel shop
had done some adjustments, said it was idled way to low, so increased that a bit and some other
adjustments I can't remember what now, but Tom said they were needed.

So we had no issues with it, just need to check further.

We just missed you at Dakota Meadows by one day.  :'(  We stayed there a week and left Thursday for Oklahoma.  Dakota Meadows is a nice place. And they really dont have a problem with returning or with staying longer. They just have that rule in place to keep workers from staying there all summer who wouldnt be patronizing their casino.  We have a spot reserved in a few weeks when we return and will be there 10 days.

I really liked the RV park, they even had an RV wash and vehicle wash, plus the diesel was $2.19 a gallon so
we filled up before we left.  I REALLY liked that park and it was so convenient to everywhere for us. We were
going to wash the motorhome and toad but had a storm come through and did a great job so we didn't have to.
Tom had no more then put the awning out and here it came.  LOL!

However, won't get me up there in the winter!!

Sorry we missed you, would like to meet some of the folks from here.

I'm trying to get Tom to go south for a month or so, he says he doesn't want to.  I may end up doing so anyway
about January and I'm debating on bringing DD home.  She had gut problems while we were gone and is still
not feeling good.  Not bad enough to go to the doc but she suffers with diverticulitus a lot and I worry about her.
I'm afraid they will let her get to sick before seeing about it, she almost died from the massive infection years
ago and I'm pretty sure one like that again they will remove it all.  She is fortunate to have made it this far
with it intact.  I want her to live life to the fullest long as she can and she loves traveling and going south in
the winter or west.

Anyone been to Leamington, Ontario, Point Pelee?
Wondering what kind of facilities around there, been looking on the
net but first hand info is sometimes better.

Looks like the rally is at Sturgeon Woods Campgrounds in Leamington, anyone been there.  I haven't
called yet, tomorrow, but looks like sites for travel trailers mainly, hope my old motorhome fits.

Leaving Monday, going to meander up, its only 700 miles and allow 3 days home too.  Tom likes to
do routes so I told him a route west of Detroit would be nice.

I imagine no going north after this month, south after that.

Sue Anne is going with me, no Tom, ladies only!!  Going to do another test run with her to see how she
can behave, checking this week.  We now can get a Medicaid waiver, very hard to get but she came up
for it so may bring her home.  With it she has behavior management, transportation, a day center where
she can go 2 to 3 days a week to swim therapy in a heated pool, she needs the movement as she is getting
frozen shoulder again.  Discussing Friday other services, respite care is one we can get also.  I can't believe
her name came up so quickly, we are indeed fortunate.

I think without the stress of the inlaws on me, her change in medications and the help she received she may
be able to function at home. I feel she should have another chance.  With Tom home I no longer have to
carry the load, am loving having him here.  He is pretty happy too, just taking him some time for him to get
out of that work routine though he still wakes up most mornings at 5, I notice a lot of times he drifts back off
to sleep now.  That's a good thing. 

We had a great time, beautiful area.  Sue Anne was very nice, amazing group of women.
Administrators, former teachers, nurses, military, social workers, most were retired.
I watched some of them interact with Sue Anne and think I need some classes in
behavior management.

For them it was effortless, I think some of her problem is me and I need to learn to
deal differently, never to old to learn.

DD, the cat, and I are hitting the sack, drove in today from Canada and I'm pooped.
Tom plugged up the motorhome, we didn't even empty stuff, just a few essentials.
He has been working hard on one rental, was hungry, and tired.  And he and the
dog missed us.  LOL!  The poor dog was running circles around me, "talking".

Love it, does them good.

Thanks for the update, Carolyn. Glad you folks had a good time.

We have talked the topic to death of getting work done on the diesel or buying another.
We both just can't let go of the money, what can I say? We both think I might drive for
5 more years, who knows, but I will be almost 76 then so likely.  So Wednesday we have an
appointment with Scheid Deisel in Terre Haute.  They had suggested we carefully measure
the oil, run it at add level and take a couple of trips after doing some tweeks to the motorhome
and see what happened.  Oh it runs like a dream, no issues starting, running or anything, but
its still using oil, it does use less this way, or I should say its losing it, Tom says its blowby.  DH says
do an engine rebuild, they are saying wait, they are going to do a compression check and a
leakdown test first and he wants to take a relook at the turbo charger, Tom agrees with that. Then they
will decide what is wrong and give us an estimate of the cost, "ain't going to be cheap as we know".
Tom is also afraid we can spend $100k for a used one and end up with the same thing and still
have to fix one.  Who knows?

Tom thinks the K & N filter likely wasn't seated right at some point or was left to dirty, I
cleaned and cleaned the thing and he thinks it may have already messed up the engine. I had it taken
off and a new canister put on and now use a paper filter, the diesel shop said leave it that way.
He said the K & N's certainly add airflow but he said where it was it also sucked up road dirt, dirt
from everything as it was open except for the plate on the end of it.  I guess we will
find out Wednesday.  Tom said I could just keep adding it and driving, but I'm a little leery of that
solution. I just needed to at night when I stopped, but still.

This place builds high performance and all kinds of specialty stuff, they have a big show deal
in Terre Haute each year.  He said before, oh I can give you more horsepower!!  Hey dude I
just want the old girl to run like she does and not use or lose oil, or whatever, is all. Not going
to race her!! LOL!

So here we go on another adventure.  If we get it fixed, then I am getting the front repainted
and the side windows back off the front and the door.  The rest is in really good shape.  Tom and I
are putting new detail tape around it after that. 

So wish me luck on that diagnosing what the issue is.  I wanted slides but I'm also very comfortable
driving it, so don't mind keeping the old girl.

many diesels like to run at the add oil mark. 2 of mine did that. If I topped it off, the oil level would go down to the add mark and stay that way

Yes, we kept hearing that and tried it but it would still use some. 

I'm anxious to see what they find out.  Will let you guys know.

Motorhome in for diagnostics, waiting to hear what they will need to do.

We know it won't make it worth more but can at least sell it later when I
can no longer use it.  Planning for Sue Anne and I to take off somewhere
after first of year.

Everyone be safe in the hurricane areas.

We got our diagnostics, there are 2 cylinders with issues, he said should be 350psi
and one is 250 and one is 310. Its also a sleeved engine.
He did say we need a new turbo and the rear seal Tom said was leaking so that
will be fixed. Head will be looked at to see if it needs machined?  Injectors are good
he saw no issue with them, if needed could be changed out later.  Will have new liners,
new pistons, and they will be Cummins parts. 12 month warranty or 12000 miles, but he
said being assembled correctly that should be no issue. 

I'm sure many think this is foolish to spend for an overhaul on one so old and likely
it is.  But several reasons, first I like it, like driving it and am comfortable with it.
I would like a slide or two, but again big money for something I don't have to have,
if we were living in it, yes, and most times it will just be Sue Anne and I though Tom
said he will go with us some. I'm the only one that wanted slides, they don't care, guess
they like being peas in a pod!  LOL!

Secondly is money and time, I hope to drive 5 more years at least, divide that by
$100k and $20k a year versus about $3k, big difference.  Our big big issue is get
a newer one for that amount and find it has the very same issues, so then still
have to spend money to get it fixed.

Also this way we will be able to sell it for something when I'm done, I know it
won't add value, but the other way likely would be junk.  Tom said it will be like
having a new engine in it. 

They can't get to it till first of November, some guys are going on a mission with
the church or something like that and that's fine with me.  Scheid Diesel has a
good reputation.  They are in Terre Haute, Effingham, Ill, and Lafayette, Indiana.

I don't plan on going south or west till at least January anyway so will work nicely.
I'm excited about it.  I am learning more and more about engines and diesels, never
to old to learn.

So now waiting to get my old (new) diesel back.  Next is get the nose painted.

I will do some work inside later changing the fabric on the valances and reupholstering
the kitchen chairs, the rest is leather in good condition.  Hope to try my green machine
and see if it cleans the ceiling.

The coating we did on the roof is 5 years old and still doing fine.  But Tom is making noises
about putting a new rubber roof on it if he gets time, he said if it needs it he is pretty sure
he would not want to try and coat it again.  Yes, we can do it. Our garage is 16 foot or more
high so plenty of room.

So that's where we are.  He said he would do either, buy another or fix this, up to me.  Well
he knows when he does that what I would do. I can't say just go buy another when it has to
be my decision.  If he was not retired I would, since he is I won't.

And we were to put our newest rental on the market today, someone called and we rented it
last night.  Good quality housing here, doesn't last long.

Now we have 2 more to do, will be next year before they are done as he wants to stop and do
some work here, wire his garages, but water in far flung areas of the lawn, some dirt work, etc.

Will likely get the old girl back home before Thanksgiving, they tell me it will be like a new
engine, there are enough new parts in it to be classified new by our check book if that counts.
I have valances recovered, new blinds came in, awesome, day nights ready to reattach.
While they have the engine out we are getting an estimate for them to take out the rest of
the old insulation in the engine cavity and put in heat and noise shield. I put in after we
got it some around the box under the bed and on the lid, all I could reach.

I am working on the curtains for the windshield now.  When those are done recover the
2 kitchen chairs.  While I was at it found a good looking vinyl wallpaper with no repeat and
found enough of it to do all the walls I think. The back half has wood paneling half way up
so not much back there.  Didn't realize how old it looked till I got everything off the walls.