We're now Texans

Yesterday was a "goat roping" day to quote my husband. We started out on Monday to get our RV and car registered and get new drivers licenses. We were told to go to the courthouse to start the procedure. Then someone else told us to start at the tax office. It was a small place where they pay their taxes and get their car titles and registrations. Well, they told us that we had to first get the car and rv inspected. So we drove to the place that does inspections and got the car done. We waited until yesterday to get the RV inspected, as that involves packing everything up and putting the slide in.

On with the story. We got up at 6am to prepare the rv for the day. Arrived at the inspection place and got in quick. Parked the RV and went to the tax building to get the car/rv registered and title them in Texas. We didn't want to do the last part but were informed we had to. We didn't have the curb weight of the RV and they wanted a picture of the RV. So we drove the couple of blocks back to where we had parked the RV . This is one of the blessings of having a home on wheels. We turned on the computer(with the new power converter that hooks into the cigarette lighter) and printed off a pic that we had in our Kodak pics. It was on computer paper and was 8x10 but they got their pic!! While there, Gary called the Newmar company and found out the curb weight as we couldn't find it in any info we had and the only weight printed on the driver side info was the GAWR. So back to the tax office. The reason they need the curb weight(this is the weight without fuel, water and packed)is because that's how they determine the tax rate. Next it was on to the police dept to get our new drivers licenses. Gary had no problem, but me, I had lost my SS card years ago, and they won't give you a license without one. (What bugs me about this is that at the bottom of Gary's SS card it says FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAXES ONLY, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION) and yet you are required to have it for identity purposes. Something is totally wrong with the picture.

Anyway, we then had to take the RV back to the Escapees RV Park, and then drive 45 minutes to a town by the name of Lufkin to the SS office. The directions they gave us at the license place were right on track. In less than 5 minutes, I had a copy receipt saying my SS card would be mailed in a couple of weeks . Then back to the license branch and I got my license in about 5 minutes. Well, almost. What you get is a piece of paper with all the info saying it is a temporary permit and you will get your license by mail in 2-4 weeks. Back home in Indiana, we got our license, titles and registrations all at the BMV AND we walked out with our new license, picture and all! Oh, and then we remembered that we needed to get a handicap placard because mine runs out in Feb. For that we had to go back to the tax place where we registered. And it cost $5.00. Back home in Indiana that also is gotten at the BMV and is free. So if anyone is reading this and plans to go to Livingston Tx., to establish residency as a full time RV'er, here is the procedure.

1. Get your car/RV inspected FIRST(we went to Harrison's body Shop up the road from the

police station)

2. Get your registration/title transfer at the county tax office. You will need to know the curb weight of your Rv and have a picture of the outside of the RV.

3. Get your drivers license at the police station in the building to the right and make sure you

have your SS card and current drivers license with you.

4. They don't accept debit cards(as of this posting) at any of the 3 places we went. Only cash or

a check that isn't out of county.

Hopefully this info will be helpful to you. It may be different in other cities in Texas(as per debits, etc.)

We are now officially TEXANS!! But we're still and always will be Hoosiers at heart!

The pics at the top of the page are of a place called Livingston Lake, about 10 miles from our RV park. We drove there on Sunday morning and found a secluded spot. It is a beautiful place. Gary took the bible and he read from Genesis. It was wonderful to feast our eyes on God's beautiful creation while reading about it. Well, the lake is manmade, but the sky and all the trees and birds are His creation. The one pic showing the phone booth struck our funnybone! I haven't seen a phone booth for who knows how long and never in a state park. But there it was!

The camping area is so nice we may leave here a day early and stay there a day. Many of the sites are very close to the water and heavily wooded. And the site are spacious and not right on top of each other. We recommend anyone visiting Livingston to stop by the Lake.

This may be a long post. I don't want to bore anyone. We have had several friends inquire about our travels since leaving Indy and since I didn't start our blog earlier, I'll do my updating now. I(Sally)was told on Nov 16 from my oncologist that I was in remission. The next day I had my port removed and on Mon., Nov 19th we left Indy and headed to Kentucky in our RV. Our oldest daughter and son-in-law lived at a Christian camp and conference center at that time. They have volunteers that help out and are equipped with hook-ups for about 15 rv's. So we were able to park there. Our son-in-law had been offered a job as an associate pastor at their church and they were in the process of buying and fixing up a house. Gary was able to do some carpentry work at the new house and I watched my three precious grandkids while daughter and son-in-law painted, fixed up and began the moving in process. We spent Thanksgiving day eating and resting. Our two other daughters were able to drive down and spend the day with us and it was a mothers delight. We ended up staying there for about 2 weeks and then headed down to Knoxville, Tennessee.

The reason we chose Knoxville is because we needed to return to Indy in Dec. for our daughters graduation from Purdue and we needed to be close enough to go but not where there was snow and cold weather. We also were able to help a fellow friend and RVer. He had been in an accident in Oct. and had almost died. His RV was parked in N.C. and he ended up being flown back to Indy. So Gary and I drove out there in a rented car. It was almost to the Atlantic Ocean in an area near Swans Quarter. It was a beautiful drive. Then we drove the RV back to Knoxville and parked it in a site. Our friends from Indy rented a car and drove to Knoxville, spent a few days with us, and drove the RV back to Indy. Our friend is recovering slowly and we are praying that he fully recovers and can get back on the road as he desires.

From Knoxville, we went to Florida. We met a lady in Kentucky who mentioned a place by the name of Lake Yale in Fla. that has volunteer opportunities. So we contacted them and applied and were accepted. We thought the lake sounded familiar. My parents happen to live on the other side of the lake from where we were staying! So we spent many days visiting mom and dad while volunteering.

We met some awesome people at Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center. Most of these men and women are 12-20 years older than we are. And can they work!! We painted walls, washed walls, painted tables, sanded benched, made curtains, put in blinds, washed windows, etc. I think I'll go back to Indy and go back to my old job-(just kidding!). One lady, Romona and I, worked 2 eves in a cafe. I had thoughts of telling myself I would never waitress again after doing it years ago, but we just worked behind the counter and it was fun. It all came back. I even remembered how to take apart and clean the coke machine!! The volunteer coordinator was a caring, fine lady. Every day we start the day at 7:45 with prayer and singing. Then at 10am we break for 1/2 hour. Then back to work til 12 and break for an hour. Then back to work til 3. On Tues. eves we gather for devotions and we have game night Friday eve and they started having a pot luck one night a week. It was a great group to be with.

One desire of Gary and my hearts was to get involved with disaster relief somehow. As we were preparing to go on the road, I believe the Lord kept putting on my heart, a cup of cold water given in Jesus name. Okay, I reasoned, that just means that as we go along , we will be doing little things, in his name. Well, one bit of info we found out upon arrival at Lake Yale, was that they are one of two headquarters in Fla for disaster relief. They have 2 trucks that have kitchens in them and can serve 60,000 people. They have a water purifier that can take muddy water and make it drinkable. They have several generators. Anyway, the regional director just happened to be there and Gary just happened to talk to him. They are having a one day training in March for disaster helpers. One of the statements in their flyer is that their motivation is a cup of cold water in Jesus name! Ya think the Holy Spirit is leading us along? We do. So we will return to Fla. in March and volunteer again for the month after attending the disaster training. From what we have learned, we can then help out with any disaster, not just in Fla.

We are also hooking up with an outfit called Campers on Mission. We met several couples who are in this organization and we had heard about it while doing some research back in Indy. You can choose where you volunteer and if it doesn't work out for you , you are free to move on so you aren't tied into something that doesn' work out.

We are currently in Livingston , Texas. Starting Saturday, Feb. 2nd, we will volunteer for a month at Care. Care is a unique concept in RVing. This is an Escapees RV park. This is their headquarters. It was started 30 years ago by a couple who full time RV. There are chapters all over the U.S. and Mexico and Canada. Care is a place where RVers who are recovering from surgery, etc., can come and recuperate. Or if they can't travel because of age and health problems , they can come here and for $1200 per month per couple, they can be fed 3 meals a day, have transportation to doctors, have laundry done, have their rv cleaned once a week and have nursing care. They reside in their RV's. There are activities and outings planned for them. They also have an adult daycare that is open to the public. Where do the volunteers come in? Well, Escapee members(we are one) can get their site free for volunteering. You can only stay 2 months. You also get 2 free meals a day on the days you work. Usually 6 days a week, varied hours. And by volunteering you keep the cost down for the residents. They have a paid administrator,cooks, and maintenance. Also a nurse. We will help the cooks prepare food, take out trash, clean up the dining room after meals, do dishes, vacuum, etc. Also , since Gary has a CDL license, he will help with driving . Its a great opportunity to serve others.

Well, I know this post is getting long and I promise I am somewhat caught up and the other posts won't be this long. Will try to post daily. Love to our friends and family and see ya down the road!!