Heading Out of the Area Again…

And still no visitations with our grandson…has to be the hardest thing we do. We again wanted our grandson to enjoy traveling with us once again this summer but our daughter apparently still has some issues she needs to work through, hopefully she does this soon.

We are heading east to work some…play some…travel lots! Looking forward to meeting some old friends…making some new friends…loving life to the fullest. Life has certainly taken a turn in the best direction possible for us and we once again have the “New Earth” to thank for this new attitude we carry with us daily.

The Cooks Have Left The Building…

We quit and the owner asked us if we could finish the weekend and of course we agreed. We never had a problem with them and do not want to leave with any bad feelings from them…from some of the others is unavoidable.

It was a bit shocking that she was unaware of what has been happening around the campground, we always thought they knew by the things management claimed was coming from the owners and we can now see it was not that way at all. We had always had a pretty good rapport with the owners and never quite understood where all the animosities between management and owners came from, we now understand. Some people are just not meant to manage.

We are hoping for an amicable weekend and then head out and on to our new adventures. Making the best of the time left will be our goal and learning any new lessons that life has in store for us. Once again, we will take so much more out of this experience then we ever imagined and we know that as long as we continue to remain open and receptive the lessons learned are endless.

Soul Searching - What We Have Found In Ourselves

A pattern has been surfacing in our lives lately that made us take a good look at what we needed to do. One of the things that we have recently learned is to stand up for ourselves. Not in an overly aggressive way but also not allowing ourselves to become “doormats” either. Being assertive and sharing our thoughts, ideas and feelings with others in a non-confrontational way is so much better than not saying anything at all and continue allowing others to dictate how our lives should be.

It is truly a fine line that we cross many times…for many years we crossed into the direction of aggressiveness. Yelling, screaming and being very confrontational for the first many years of our lives was how we handled most situations. We then began to see how harmful this was and how we needed to change our outbursts…but then the passiveness took over and we became “doormats”, allowing others opinions to sway our decisions, choices, moods, and our total well-being.

We know what we need in our lives and we also know what needs to be done so this can be accomplished…we just need to get out of our own ways at times so this can happen. Lately, we are more awakened in every moment and we highly recommend following the “New Earth” event that can be found on Oprah’s website, just click on this article title to link to it. The entire journey has been phenomenal for both Jerry and myself and you will know if you are ready for this experience too. Good luck and please let us know of your experiences with this wonderful and exciting event.

Digging Deeper

When your life seems to be either in a tailspin downwards or you are just not sure which direction to take, the best thing to do is dig deep. All of the answers are within yourself, you know just what to do, have faith in your choices and go for it.

We have had many challenges in our lives and lately they have been the same ones reoccurring over and over, giving us the opportunity to work them through once and for all. With our new tools that we learn almost daily now, we are able to take these challenges and turn them into even better tools into a forward motion. There are times we need to take some tiny steps backwards because we are still unsure of the next road to take but the one thing we have always known and follow is to “Never Give Up”.

Through our years we have heard things said to us and we accepted them but now when we hear them or read them they take on entirely different meanings. We always knew life was full of choices but to truly understand that in every situation you have many different choices has lately been an enlightening experience for us. We no longer use the phrase, “We had no choice” because we do have choices in every situation, in every moment of our lives and now we are making the best choices that will continue moving us in an upward and forward motion.

Planes of Fame

Located just about 30 miles south of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Highway 64 is this very quant museum. This is usually Jerry’s thing, he likes visiting the more educational places where I usually gravitate more towards the photo opportunity sights but I have to admit I was amazed at this place.



The museum is set in an actual hanger which really sets the mood perfectly, as well as the very informed greeter that we shared a very pleasant conversation with. It’s a self tour so you are able to take your time at each exhibit but there is also information plaques throughout where you can get the scoop about each item.



I took many photos and even some film on our recorder but to actually see them in person is no comparison. The eerie feeling of these planes knowing they were actually the ones that were in battle was very spiritual. Many of them still fly in shows around the country so the planes could actually be different with each visit you take to this museum.




Don’t forget to take a walk through the planes outside in the back, they tell many stories. Also, for a small additional charge they allow you to walk through the plane out front, unfortunately it was under repair at the time of our visit so we could not go inside. Repairs for this plane takes a long time since it is so old and parts are no longer available, they have to make the part for the repair from scratch.




Take the time to stop and visit, you won’t be disappointed and the nominal price you pay is worth it. Check out their website for further events at Planes of Fame.

Comments Have Confirmed…

We are not alone…there are families feuding with one another and are being denied visitations with their grandchildren, who had nothing to do with the disagreement and are innocent children that are missing out on some very wonderful life experiences with their grandparents.

Many of our readers have shared that they too had always been there for their children but as soon as they chose to begin living their own lives the children became angry and needed to take “Control” and deny visitation.

Yes, it is absolutely true that several years ago there were some harsh words said between my daughter and myself but to continue to hold a grudge over words spoken is just not healthy and to continue dramatizing this situation as if a vicious crime was committed is totally preposterous.

Many of our readers are choosing to not stay in contact with their families because as several stated “does no good, because anything we say or do will be twisted around to "prove" to them that they were right.” We too understand this so clearly…our words have been misconstrued and we have repeatedly been called liars…we have always been truthful and upfront about all the situations and maybe it’s hard for them to face the truth about things that they do not want to believe and it may not be what they want to hear but it will and has always be the truth.

Through the lessons on the Oprah/Eckhart Event, we are learning how to live in this moment, not dwell on the past and understand that the only person in this situation I can change is ME! I know I raised a very strong, independent, loving, kind and gentle daughter who has just been temporarily misguided, she will come around and soon understand that mistakes happened but true forgiveness will prevail.

Be True To Yourself!

Has there ever been a time in your life where a bad moment happened that others will not let you off the hook, or worse yet have begun clearly seeing it in an entirely different light?

The story of the events that happened that day over two years ago have grown into this outlandish fairy tale. It was an argument between a mother and a daughter who were both going through some rough times but to even suggest that I ever threatened to “Kidnap” my grandson is simply ludicrous. And, all the other tales that I did that “dreadful” day are just too bizarre to give them a space in this article and so far from the truth.

As always, we will continue to be truthful and true to ourselves…no matter what others do or say. We will not allow their lies, vindictiveness and wanting to get even to sway us from what we know to be true.

It is important for us to live our lives this way every moment and not to allow others to veer us towards any different path and it is of utmost importance never to allow others opinions to color our own thoughts about ourselves.

The stories of what they believe to have happened compared to the truth of what really happened is on totally different sides of the spectrum of life and this is what continues to keep them stuck in the past instead of forgiving, letting go and moving into the next phase of our lives.

The worse part of this entire situation is that a young innocent child, my grandson is paying the highest price of all. He is not able to share special moments with his “Nana & Papa”, who has always loved him, cared for him and never used him as an instrument to get even with another person. It saddens me knowing that deep inside him, he is sad and feeling unloved and believes that we left him as many others have in his very short years. The only thing left for us to do is to pray that someday soon our daughter will see the harm she is doing to all of us and let go of her anger and pick up that phone so we can begin the process of allowing us to be grandparents to him once again.

If You Do Not Like What We Are Writing About…

Then stop reading our blogs…stop calling us…stop commenting about what we write.

The calls and emails from my daughter, her friends and my sister continue even though we have moved on…they will not. Yet another photo sent to us from an anonymous person, now telling us where many more of these photos had been put on the Internet…not by us but by my daughter. She, her friends and my sister all accused me of lying and putting photos on the Internet of my grandson when the truth was revealed tells an entirely different story then their version.

They claim that they do not say anything bad about us in front of our grandson…a person close to the family has informed us that they have witnessed otherwise. It’s not hard to believe since many times we have witnessed many harsh words spoken when any particular family member is not at the gathering, especially when alcohol is consumed which is always plentiful at every gathering.

My sister once again is threatening to do us physical harm if we do not leave who she is claiming is HER grandson alone. There were several times during our many heated arguments that she actually boasted that she, “got away with murder once it would not be hard to do again”. We don’t believe that she would actually do us any physical harm…but her anger has always been very destructive and got the best of her several years ago during an argument with a then boyfriend that led to his death.

They continue to put all the blame on me but I am taking responsibility for my part in the argument that happened over 2 years ago that they continue to make into this huge mountain. It was an argument and a few things were said by both my daughter and myself that I have apologized for and forgiven her for and am ready to put it past us and move forward. But now that my sister has decided is “her chance to get even with me“ as she said in her most recent email by, “taking my daughter and grandson away from me it will show me that she is and always has been in control of my life.”

Control and anger is an issue that truly ruins many lives and we continue to struggle with our part in this entire situation and pray that we will be able to get through this one day and be able to be a part of our grandson’s life since we have done nothing wrong as grandparents and he should not be punished for something that in all reality was not a big deal.

May 13, 2008

The date is May and not December or January? Okay, just wanted to verify that before going on with today’s journal.

We are in Williams, Arizona located just 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon and during the night we continued to hear what we thought was hard raindrops on the roof. .
A bit chilly but not so cold that we would have thought it was anything but rain. We awoke this morning to what then sounded like bigger drops of rain falling on the roof that we assumed was coming from the many pine trees all around us. Upon closer investigation we looked out the window and the entire area was covered in snow…white…cold…snow…about 4 to 6 inches of it

Neither of us wanting to get out of bed…we snuggled back in and by the time we did venture out it had already begun to melt. These photos do not begin to describe how white and beautiful it was when we first looked out our window. All the trees, cars, campers and roads were covered with a blanket of snow and when looking up into the sky, all we could see was white…no clouds…no blue sky…only white!

Just another day in the adventures of full-time RVing…we love it!

What Is Mother’s Day…

When your children or mother are nowhere around?

There are so many woman today that instead of having a joyous day with their children and/or many others that are without their mothers that will be mourning the losses instead. For so many reasons we will be separated from them today…some very valid reasons and others not so valid…but still will not be sharing the day with them.

For all of us that feel that emptiness inside because our loved ones will not be with us today, my heart, thoughts, prayers and love goes out to you. Instead of wallowing in the self-pity, take that sadness and channel it into the greatest gift of all and reach out to others and help them through a tough day. We will all feel better if we take the time to listen to others and understand that we are not alone today…no matter what the circumstances on the outside look like.

Know that there are thousands of people out here today that will have a heavy heart but let’s all get together and do something nice for someone else who might be going through the same sort of pain that you are also going through. Let’s all take that extra moment today to listen to others stories and help them through the day. And, maybe…just maybe…it may make your day brighter.

My story…
For over 30 years I have been a mother…for more than 40 years I had a mother…today neither are with me…but I will move beyond this pain and reach out to others and share the love I have deep inside me…if I can do this…believe me you can too!

What Is Success? How Do You Define Success?

There are certain quotes that get our attention and show us whether we are on track or not, this one did it for us today.

"Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." - John Wooden

Then the article went on describing how most people describe success, the definitions vary in every direction but what we all need to understand is that success does not have to be what others define it to be or a grand gesture, small daily successes are just as important and should be celebrated.

The important place in life is exactly where you are in this exact moment and is not always where you are going. It is also very important for each one of us to be who we are and not try to be somebody we are not. We were not all put here to be a Mother Teresa type, if that were the case who would we all take care of if we were all caregivers?

It has taken us many years to understand that who we are is not always what other people want us to be but who we are is exactly who we should be every moment of our day.

For more on this referenced article, please click on the title and you will be directed to Unity of Phoenix's website.

The New Earth Event

What a fabulous concept that Oprah and Eckhart Tolle have begun, a web event that will make history. You too can be a part of this event by clicking on the title of this post and you will be directed to the website where you can...sit back...relax...enjoy and become a part of this life changing moment in time.

We heard about it many weeks after it began but we have been able to enjoy it now because all the lessons are archived on Oprah’s website. We have completed two of the lessons and in just these two lessons we have seen a major shift in our lives.

The answers are coming to us because we finally realize that they have always been inside ourselves. We have spent many years of our lives searching for things outside of ourselves and have always come out of those situations unfulfilled and very confused. We no longer search outside for things, instead we are reaching deep within, knowing our purpose in life resides deep inside our very own hearts. Once we realize this and not look outside for our purpose we are easily attaining all of our dreams,

We have learned that when situations happen and a decision needs to be made for which road to take that for us it now means to relax, take our time, breathe, meditate, and above all else listen to our hearts. As soon as we did this, the doors have opened to us and our dream plan is once again taking on a whole new meaning. We now follow our hearts, go towards our dream and above all, have fun! Life is Grand!