2023 April/May – Back in Illinois after 6 months

First agenda item - drop camper off at Camping World so they can replace the bumper they dented last time it was in, install a new exit window that is extremely hard to open (window arrived there in February), replace a module for my furnace and fix my camper door lock once and for all so it stops opening and letting the dogs run free or worse, fly open when I drive! Simple, right? They have 1 month to complete these. Oh, and while you have it, can you please change my oil? More to come on these agenda items.

Second agenda item – Move in with Jim for the month, keep the dogs quiet and see as much of each other as possible. Simple, right? More to come on this agenda item.

Third agenda item – See the girls!!! Simple, right? Of course, this one is so easy. I love those girls. I saw them as much as I could. Jim and I surprised them on Tuesday night. Screams of “Mimi!!!!” could be heard around Red Robin. Poor people, they had no idea what was going on. Such cuties and they both grew so much in 6 months. Ev’s hair is super long now. Ken is so mature and missing so many teeth!

Fourth agenda item – See as many friends as possible while in Illinois. Simple, right? Yup - my social calendar, on the days Jim was working the food truck, were full! Worked my normal work week with a few lunches added in but mainly had dinners with everyone I could.

Just like when I was first leaving Illinois on this adventure, I wasn’t always thinking properly to take a picture with everyone. If I missed taking any of your pictures this time around, I apologize! You need to remind me!! Next time I’m in town, I’m going to take over somebody’s house or a restaurant and have you all come see me, rather than me running around Illinois all month. 😊 Don’t get me wrong, I loved seeing you all, but it was a lot of driving.

Soooo, 2 weeks into my stay in Illinois, I was on my way to meet my bank loan gals when I get a phone call that the dogs are barking and the landlord wants us to get them. So, I turn around, grab them and they hung with me for the next 5 days straight. Literally, the whole time I am working in the apartment or while running to stores. The following week, Jim and I wanted to go to for a quick dinner and left the dogs in the apartment. Well…they barked, someone complained again, the landlord calls and says they have to be out, they can’t stay anymore. Jim convinced the landlord to give us until Monday, when my camper is “done”. I called Camping World right away to inform them that I need my “house” back on Monday. No problem, they got the new bumper on and will do the window and oil change when the furnace module comes in, later in the week. Perfect. Teri was sweet enough to offer up her driveway for me to park in for the remaining 2 weeks. She was away at a conference the first few days, so no problem.

Thursday, I take the camper back in to for the window, oil change and furnace module. They got the oil changed and module the in but they can’t seem to locate the window…what?!?!? It’s been there for 2 months and NOW you are telling me, after 3 weeks, that it’s missing? I leave in 1 week! Oh, and they had a quick question me – "your ladder didn’t happen to be bent prior to you dropping it off, would it have?" NNNNOOOO! WTH!!! So, they get onto Amazon, re-ordered the same ladder they installed for me 7 months ago. OMG – seriously. I’m not getting any more work done there. For each 2 items they fix, they break another! BTW – the re-ordered window won’t be in until after I leave Illinois. Let’s hope they can hang onto this one for 6 months, for when I return from Alaska. Sigh!!!

Jim and I lost time together. Teri and I got to spend more time together. Sad and happy…ying and yang.

Once again, a month just flew by. It’s so crazy. I am off to Missouri, to spend a few days at Mom’s then her and I are headed up to Montana for Christine and Zach’s wedding. I have lots of things planned for Mom and me. It’s gonna be nice to spend time with her and have some fun at the same time.