“USA 🇺🇸 North Carolina ~Monthly Blog Series of….It’s Never Dull!! ~MAY 2024”

• June 1, 2024
• By Pen
• 0 Comment

May Flowers

The month of May has been a bit fast-paced, but that’s makes for full and happy life!

We loved our time in the Outer Banks, but it’s always good to get back home, after being away, and we had some fun projects we wanted to get to.

We’ve been traveling full/time for eight years, not putting roots, down, nor letting any moss grow under our feet, till we got to North Carolina, last December. We are enjoying life this way, too.

I’ve owned many homes and I always worked hard to put in a nice-looking yard, with flower gardens, ponds, and vegetable gardens; depending on the room I had.

We are now, a very tiny yard, but it is still enough to make me happy, plus we don’t have to mow the grass, as it’s done for us.

We put out Hummingbird, Finch and Wild Bird feeders. I put up solar lighting, which offers a nice touch, too, at night.

It only takes one bird to discover the feeders, and the news travels fast after that!

I enjoy seeing the cute bunnies in my yard, during the early morning or late evenings. They are all over the campground, actually.

I hope they leave our garden alone.

On Mothers Day weekend we got hanging flower baskets to add to the yard. I don’t have room for a pond, but I got a large bird bath with a fountain.

I’m not completely done with all the special touches, but I’m getting there. It’s been so nice to have “Baloo,” the truck, to make easy work, out of hauling things, too!

I smile every time I’m outside, or looking out my window!

Operation Shed

Because we have this lot, we are also allowed to put a shed of some kind, on it. What? Space? Storage? Wow, it sounds so good! Ha!

Daryls been searching for a used one, and while we can have, up to a 10 x 10, we didn’t want to pay for one that big. He found a cute shed that a man built for his wife, when she wanted chickens. I guess she changed her mind, so he wanted to sell it.

It is a 5 x 8 size, and that will just have to do. Daryl had to get a good deal, since the shed was an hours drive away, and we had to pay somebody with a trailer, to deliver it to us. BTW, it wasn’t finished on the inside for chickens, yet, so it never housed them, and that’s a bonus. 🤣

It will be great to have some extra storage, close at hand, as I’m canning again, plus back into crafting. Daryl has tools he wants to get in one place, as well. I’m sure we will have no trouble, filling it up!

The really big deal was getting a small chest freezer. Again, ROOM! What a commodity; “extra anything” is, after living like we have, for so long.

We also worked on a little garden plot. It’s small, but I will get enough room for my Herbs, and of course Tomato plants! We got seeds for the grandkiddos to plant pumpkins, but ran out of room, as those are a vine plant that spread out.

We are a little late getting planted, but we will see how it goes. It’s already humid here, and the frost has not been a threat for several weeks.

I am reminded of a time, when I was a very young child, going to the feed store, to buy garden seeds, including pumpkin seeds. My dad always worked a garden, that I can remember, I was the youngest kid, so I was probably around five, when we picked out the perfect pumpkin seed packet. The picture on the seed packet was that of a Jack-O-Lantern. I was very exited to see what those magic seeds could do, so I watched and waited for what felt like forever to a five-year-old, for the pumpkins to sprout, and turn big and orange; only to be quite disappointed the pumpkins did not grow up with two eyes, a nose and a mouth, already on them! 🤣

Wow, did I ever get that wrong!

Pool Time

Speaking of humid weather, the pool is open, now, and will soon be warm enough in the morning, for D and I to enjoy water aerobics. Maybe June, since nights cool down, and the pool is not heated. Daryl and I are both excited to get back to that kind of exercise, too. Again, it’s been eight years!

We have already promised the grand kids a pool and pizza party,  sometime in June, when the pool opens, for a full seven days a week; after Memorial day. They won’t mind if it’s a little chilly.

They are all in!!!!

And do you know what? I always said it’s such a blessing to get to have grandchildren, but an extra bonus, when they are so stinkin cute, too!

NAILS!

You know what else I did, after eight years? Yuppers! I’m super excited. It started with a pedicure, before our spring break at the beach. I didn’t plan on getting nails again, but I could not think of a reason not to, really.

True story: When I had them before, I got them the first time, when a country neighbor friend of mine was going to school, to learn how to do them, and she needed to practice on somebody.

Nobody knew about acrylic nails, before this time. Chelsie was just a little kid. I loved the simplicity of having nice-looking nails, all the time, with almost zero effort.

For the next 31 years, I had my nails done…. till eight years ago, when I took them off, to travel the world.

SUNSETS

Just before the Northern Lights made such a splash, all over the world this month, we had a spectacular sunset!

We did not get to see the Northern Lights, personally, this month, as they showed up after midnight, one night in North Carolina. I’ve seen them in Alaska, but Daryl has never seen them. We thought we would get to, last year, whilst on our 3.5 month trip to Alaska, and back, but no, the weather was mostly cloudy and rainy for 52 of our 72 days, or something like that. Ugh!

From Chest Waders, to Hip Waders, to this…. ⬇️

Having been away from Onslow Beach, for about a month, I was excited to go! My first day back to Onslow, was about like it was, before we left; as far as it taking way more hours of searching, to find less teeth.

It’s nice having the sun and all, but I already miss the cold winter days on the beach, in my chest waders, with the abundance of teeth around. Winter storms, actually churn up the sea floor.

Don’t get me wrong; I am grateful for the small hauls, too,  😎….I’ve just been spoiled, clearly!

That’s another extinct Great White tooth, top left. I’m lucky finding those! Also in the mix is another Gator tooth. Those are always fun to find! 

On another day at Onslow. I got some interesting items, too ….a few shells, Sting Ray mouth plate pieces, bones, and some shark teeth

STRAWBERRIES

This happened, one afternoon. Chels and I had lots of help, too. The kids loved getting their hands into the strawberries, after all the cleaning and cutting, to do the mushing up!

We also made Strawberry Butter, which also freezes well, so will last awhile. We did not have a blender to make it a super creamy texture, but it tastes the same on a warm biscuit.

Freezer Jam, doesn’t freeze solid, so refilling a jar for a meal, is easy. The Strawberry Butter does freeze solid, so we leave a jar-full in the fridge to refill, but it takes a little more planning ahead, to have, at the ready.

We had lots of laughs, and joking around….”Sneaking” a dip with a spoon for all the taste testing that just had to be done!

We ended up with plenty of Strawberry Freezer Jam and Strawberry Butter, for a good while… well, plenty for Grandpapa and MeMa, anyway. How fast the Richardsons devour theirs up, is yet to be seen.

Story: so I always canned and put up the freezer jams. Chelsies favorite was def the strawberry freezer jam. She would come home from school and devour the jam, like nobody’s business, even offering jam and toast to her school buddies and any neighbors, around. Obviously, I had to put the kabosh on that constant extravagance, so it would last at least the winter, and I could actually enjoy some, too. 🤣

I’ve never found putting up jam a cheaper option, even when picking my own fruit in the field. The supplies, and ingredients add up; it’s even really spendy, now, with the current economy. So, while it’s always costly, the treat is, it’s so much better, than store bought, any day of the week!

There were plenty of strawberries left over to make strawberry shortcake for the family, as well as to just eat fresh, plus share with neighbors.

Next up, we will do Raspberry Jam, when that season arrives; which will be an actual canning process. The same will be true for Apple Sauce, in the fall.

So far in the area, we have found access to fresh farm eggs, raw milk, pig and beef. We are so glad to have a freezer for better quality meat!

Hair Journey

I didn’t realize how I could enjoy the short shaved cut, again, till the humidity hit, here in NC.

I thought going back to the pixie cut would work, but it didn’t. I had a lot of friz going on, plus not finding the right stylist, didn’t help matters.

So, super short it is, once again, and I’m finally happy with my hair, after two and a half years of trial and error….yay!

I have found THE stylist, and am so pleased!

Aurora Fossil Museum Festival

I really looked forward to this adventure. Aurora is about an hour plus drive, from Chelsies place. It was a 3-day festival, so we made an overnight of it, to take in two of the festival days.

We loaded up the kiddos, and off we went! The main focus was a chance to dig in the fossil pits, dumped all around the town. Of course it was pretty crowded, because this is well attended.

We also got to get some treasures, we already found on NC beaches, identified by professionals. We learned a lot, and found more cool treasures in the pits.

The kids found some shark teeth, and we brought home, huge fossil bones… most likely from whales.

Planting their very own sunflowers!

I like these fossils!!! 🤣

⬆️ Rylan is the youngest and at seven years old, the most into the shark teeth hunting.

He was so excited to meet and get a picture with this guy,  who knows all about shark teeth hunting and is a You-Tube person whom Ry follows, and learns from.

We would spend the night in New Bern, which is about 30 minutes away from Aurora, and the closest place with a hotel.

“Three little Monkeys Jumping on the bed…”

Best of show went to Luke for his spectacular Superman flying! 

We stayed at BridgePoint and while clean and nice, they failed on getting their pool opened by this Memorial Day weekend. Kiddos were very disappointed. Could not blame them, as we were all looking forward to some pool time over this hot weekend.

In addition, I want to point out, I was given the option of asking for a rollaway bed, if needed, since I just got us one big room to share. We decided to get the extra bed, offered, and the hotel charged me $30. There was no mention of this cost when I inquired about it with them, before booking. No, I don’t recommend this hotel. Just saying. We could have brought a cot and sleeping bag for free, had they been honest. It felt a little shady.

Story Time

While we are having very warm and sunny days, there are still tornados going on; many times will little warning. The last tornado, actually touched down, in Camp LeJeune Marine Corps Base. This was closest touch down to our proximity, to date!

I had just put out our new welcome flag, the afternoon of. This would be our third such flag, since we began our RV lifestyle. They do wear out, and I’ve had one, tear, but I’ve never had one just blow away….. but if I think about it; “gypsies in the wind” and all 🤣

We drove around after the storm, looking for it, but couldn’t find it. I posted a notice thru the campground FB page:

“Good morning,
We have lost our welcome flag in the wind. I just noticed it, this morning. Has anybody picked it up?

It’s brown with a white; class A picture, and our travel blog link printed on it: 2gypsiesinthewind.com

We are in the space, with the orange VW Bug. Many thanks!”

UPDATE:
We came back from Jacksonville this afternoon and our welcome flag was hanging back on its stand!

Whoever found it, added such a kindness, as even putting it back, from where it blew away from! You are appreciated!!!

THANK YOU!!

Personal Journey

So, almost a month ago, I embarked on a weight-loss journey. I committed to a six week program, with high hopes. I have tried in the last year, to release weight, but was unsuccessful; twice, on a two-week plan to lose, NOT EVEN LOSING A SINGLE POUND!

If I had a bad diet, it would be understandable, but I don’t. I eat healthy foods, watch my portions, drink tons of water, and consume less calories in the day, than is recommended for my age. Still, no luck releasing.

13 years ago, I was told I had thyroid cancer. I so did not want to lose my thyroid, but I did. I started thyroid replacement therapy and that was successful for the first 10 years, till we returned from our world travels. Then, my body quit, fully absorbing my thyroid medication; for some reason, therefore my body is in constant hypothyroidism…Such a drag.

So this time, I pulled out all the stops, including fasting for four days, every 30 days. I’m on a strict; 600 calorie-a-day, limit. I eat little bits, four time a day. But, after 3.5 weeks, I now know, this journey will be for much longer…possibly, indefinitely. The struggle is very real! I think I might have lost one pound, in three weeks.

So, replicating the Nutrisystem plan, I got busy with food prepping, now that we have a chest freezer. I won’t buy any more Nutrisystem foods, but not because I don’t recommend them; I do. It’s a great way to get the jump start I needed, with no fuss on meals/snacks, to start. I just like to cook and I like to eat my own food, and now I’ve gone from a diet to a lifestyle change.

You would be shocked at how much 600 calories a day, is, (or isn’t). If I’m lucky I will get to increase to 800 calories each day, if I ever release, at the minimum, of one pound a week.

Regardless, I’m sticking with it and will win, no matter how long it takes. I’m happy to be on the stem cell therapy patches, as they will help clear the imbalance I’m going through with absorbing the meds.

At one time, Daryl’s body quite absorbing Iron, while at the end of our word travels. He is also on the stem cell therapy and his body is absorbing iron, as it should, now.

I would love to sample that strawberry jam and butter, one day, but I haven’t. It’s not on the plan, at this time. That’s a good goal to look forward to, though! Maybe next strawberry season.

I’m on day three of food prepping for June and part of July. One thing is for sure, food goes a long ways when only eating a 3/4 cup at a time for a lunch and a dinners! 🤣

All my snacks and breakfasts are done, airless sealed, and already in the freezer. 

Tornados

We are already well into summer weather, sans the occasional storm with tornados! Can you believe we had our closest tornado, touch down, just next door in Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base? Yikes that was close!!!!

Oh Bother

I couldn’t believe it. I stubbed my toes and broke one. I heard it crack. I have zero time for this! I’m so happy for my patches, though, for pain control and for fast healing!

Speaking of my patching, after three months, the chronic pain I’ve lived with in my body, for 19 years, is GONE! I feel like I’m walking on a cloud, now!

In spite of it all, I’ve got places to go and things to do, so now I mostly hobble to do it! One such thing was going with Chels to her softball games, again. What a beautiful evening. 

After the game, we went to Walmart. It was the only thing open that late. We were in need of some art supplier. My toes were throbbing, since it had only been a few hours since I broke one, so Chelsie talked me into driving the cart. That was a first.

OMG! We couldn’t stop laughing. The reverse was tricky and now I know they don’t turn very tight.

Zodiak Time 

So Daryl’s been busy. He is selling his blow-up canoe, and got us a Zodiak, in its place, with a nice Mercury motor. We wanted a 30 hp, but the 20 hp weighs over a hundred pound, and that was our limit.

We will just take longer, getting where we need to go! Next up, will be a trailer to haul it down the road for even further destinations!

Daryls owned many boats in his lifetime, including a skiing boat, and two different Zodiaks. He is quite excited, and so am I. Now we have an 8-man vessel with solid floor, bottom.

I would not go with him in the canoe, as there are many Alligators around and I’m not taking chances, because of the lack of stability, in them.

Yes, ain’t no joke! We have seen the 15 footer, plus there is a 12-footer and one smaller, continually near the launch site.

Now, Chels and I can further our shark teeth hunting grounds, to access more water edges around the area, and most preferably when the gators are in, more of hibernation mode; in the cold months. 

On the last day in May, Chels and I hit up the beach. It was just the most beautiful day!

It was low tide, and the tide was further out than either of us have seen! I was limited on walking my regular miles and miles of beach, due to my broken toe, but I did for a little while, where the sand was hard, in the surf and I could keep my toes from bending. I’m so glad I did, too, because I found the most beautiful tooth! (It’s only the length of a Quarter)

While I have found some brown colored teeth, the rest are black with some grey. This tooth was my first white one. Actually, it’s an indication of it NOT being millions of years old, and fossilized; instead a recently lost tooth from a Sand Shark.

Onslow is now set-up with lifeguards, up and down the beach. Last month we watched all the training going on, for water rescue. They were wearing wet suits, because it was still cold. Not now. It’s very warm, indeed!

Weekends and holiday’s are especially quite busy, with family time on this beautiful beach, on Base.

On this day, there were also about eight dolphins frolicking in the water, close to shore.

Note:
If interested in learning more about the Aurora Fossil Museum, here is their link:

https://aurorafossilmuseum.org/

SEA you next month!