what comes around comes around!

Jeni's knee surgery went well and the Dr. said she would be her" fiesty ole"self in a few days.So until then I'm chief"bottle washer"around here!For 39 plus years Jen has tended the helm of our family and did it well.But now I'm in charge!I hope I don't sink it !!
Well it's pretty much official,we are staying the summer in So. Cal.We won't be heading north to Oregon or Washington.Maybe next year.Too much to be done here.It's a plus for us as wherever were needed we just drive our house on wheels to,set up the "dish" and were home.
We found out that we are now #45 on the list at our homebase park,Park Sierra.we have moved up pretty quick so we may be in this comming winter.Park Sierra is a member park for the"Escapees"RV club we belong to.You buy in for a lot with full hookups and when you decide you want to leave you get your origional buy in back.It will give us a homebase thats half way between our families in Sacramento and So. Cal.The best thing is it's a volunteer park,everybody pitches in to run the park.It gives everyone a sense of a close knit community where everyone knows everyone.We can't wait!
I got a call from both my brothers today which hasn't happened in a while.It was great talking with them.Instead of talking about the drama going on lately,we talked about fun things. it was great.I am blessed to have such wonderful BRO's.
Well Jeni is ringing the bell so I better get movin and see what she needs".Chief bottlewasher",What comes around comes around!

Keeping up with the Jones

With a little overcast yesterday morning,I decided it was time to wash the rig(RV).Now it's been a while since I last did this chore and there is an unwritten code among the RV community that if you are parked next to someone,your rig better look as nice or nicer than theirs.In the park we are in right now there are a lot of newer and more expensive rigs next to ours so that was my motivation "keeping up with the Jones"!
first I get out my bucket,hose,nozzle and car wash soap.Then I survey my objective,how to wash my rig and not get water on my neighbors rig seeing they are parked so close to us on either side they can hear our clock tick! This means "close combat washing" meaning water hose on low flow,brush on long pole(no room for ladder),double brushing as low water flow won't rinse well,and double the washing time,an hour and a half job now a three hour job.But the hardest part of all ,the most time consuming, is fielding comments from your neighbors."Can you wash my rig next." "you know it is going to rain now." "you missed a spot." and the worst is the RVer who brings a lawn chair over so he can sit and critique your washing techniques.
Finally,the chore is done and I'm still in good standings with the neighbors.
In the afternoon,we headed to "campworld" for rv supplies.I love this place as I can browse the isles for hours looking at the gadgets,and things to make our rig look new and expensive et.("keeping up with the Jones!").
It was sad to hear the news this morning that one of my favorite actresses Farrah Fawcett passed away.She was a "class lady".It makes us wonder,it"s not how long your here,it's what you do while your here that makes a life fullfilled.
We are going over to Dans today to do laundry,and get things in order as Jeni's knee surgery is Friday morning.It's a minor "clean out"like the athletes get nothing major.
Jeni and I are official "NCIS junkies".The popular military crime show on CBS and USA networks.They are running NCIS marathons this week,so we have been glued to the TV yesterday and today.I love Mark Harmon as "Gibbs" a part he seems suited to.He has come a long way since his "bit part" days where he played the "airhead"surfer dude characters of the 70S.One good thing,when we go to Dans today,he has "Direct TV" so we won't miss the marathon.
We have a nice sunny day today.Seems like we should be outside walking the RV park,sprucing up our RV pad or housecleaning, but today we won't be" keeping up with the Jones",we will be "kicking back"and "munching"that is what us Dorans do best!

Fathers Day!

Sometimes in all the celebrations of life,we forget the ones close to us.For example,saturday and sunday Jen,I,my brother Gary,Martha,Dan and our grandson Aiden were at Dans house celebrating the June birthdays and Fathers day.Saturday night we all went to a ball game,and Sunday we were at Dans.My daughters called to wish me happy fathers day. one call I received was from my Grandaughter in Sacremento.she has no father,He ran out on her and my daughter a long time ago.She was home alone and being 14 yrs.old and very emotional,she felt she had no man in her life for this special day.It just "broke my heart"! I reminded her that she has many Fathers in her life.Uncles,Dan,Gary,Dustin,Larry,and me.We are all fathers in one way or the other to her and were there for her.I won't forget her next year.

Jeni and I have a busy week as we have things to do for our son and Jeni has a Dr.appt tomarrow and knee surgery on Friday.

I put a couple of pictures up of us at the ball game and Dan and son Aiden enjoying fathers day.

Road Trip!

Yesterday was Jeni's birthday so we loaded up the Grand Vitara and headed west and north.We took the I-10 west to Santa Monica,then jumped on hwy.1(the PCH) and headed north.The traffic was light except in downtown LA.On hwy.1 we checked out some of the state parks and beaches.Mcgrath state beach,just south of Ventura has 173 campsites and can accomadate big rigs.you are just a short walk to the beach,and there are many hiking trails.No hookups are available but there is a dumpstation.Another great beach and campground we found was Broomhill state beach.the campsites are close to the ocean and the views are great. Again,no hookups.

We ended up in Ventura at the "Channel Islands National Park visiter center.We were hoping to take a tour over to one of the islands(there are 5 islands) but we got there too late.They did have what they called "an iteractive diving tour"where your in their auditorium watching the park rangers underwater at one of the islands with a live camera.we could actually talk with the divers and ask questions.We saw the biggest lobster we've ever seen as the ranger held him up to the camera for us.Because it's a preserve around the island,the ranger said the sea life is much bigger(no fish zone).The lobster he showed us had to go 10 to 12 lbs.easy!Their main focus of studies at the islands are the kelp forests underwater around the islands.All in all it was very interesting and we plan making it back soon to do a tour of the islands.

Well hunger set in so we found a"subway"(our favorite lunch)and headed in to Ventura harbor , found a free place to park,took our lawn chairs,lunch and sat on the beach enjoying the ocean and the afternoon breeze

As the sun was dropping into the late afternoon fog bank,we decided it was time to head back.We stopped in Malibu for dinner as we had a "hankerin" for some clam chowder.We couldn't pass up a photo op as we left town(see pic.)then we headed home.A quick stop for dessert (mickey D ice cream cone)and home safe.

I think Jeni had a great Birthday!

Chef?

You know your nearing"rock bottom"when your watching cooking shows.You know,Rachel Ray,Giada,The Barefoot Contessa ,Emeril,and that big blonde guy that looks like he might also be with the W.W.F.You start thinking,"I can do this",and Poof,your a chef!You start dabbling a little,actually using a reciepe,buying spices you never heard of,and using words like,"blend","Saute"and"puree".STOP! Gormet cooking is an art best left to the pros.



My brother Larry{big guy in red in the picture} is a Gormet Chef and he would be the first one to tell you it takes years of training and experience and then maybe just maybe you might make it.



A while back Larry and I were driving back to Phoenix together and he gave me some insight into the knowledge he pocesses concernig food.I was in awe. like all craftsmen,they make it look so easy,but it Ain't! Maybe i'll watch "Desperate housewives"!

Jeni and I had a quiet weekend.Were still hanging out at Terrace Villlage RV park.We have been laying low to conserve funds but,Jeni's birthday is thursday,so we will party down for sure.Our son Dan has his son Aiden this weekend so we will certainly be over to see them.We all might take in a baseball game Saturday night.

Jeni says no more daytime tv for me.Shes afraid i'll want to be a "pitch man" like Billy Mays or the "shamwow"guy."Hi Phil Doran here for insta-cash"! Hey,sounds pretty good.

Date Night!

It was date night for Jen and I.We headed out to Rancho Cucamonga Ca.to "Victoria Gardens".This is a shopping and dining mecca set in the 1950s mode.it is set up like a typical downtown area you used to see in the large cities.
We dined at the "CheesecakeFactory"and walked dinner off strolling through the many shops along the streets.The pictures are of the crazy assortment of cars parked along the streets.The yellow one is a lambordini Jeni just had to stand behind.The red one is a 1957 Tbird in mint condition.Sorry as the pictures are a little dark,but you can kind of get the feel of the area.We found a nice bench to set for awhile and people watch.All in all we had a great date!
More "June gloom" in Riverside today but we have decided to ignore it!The park is starting to clear out a bit as summer is almost here.Our neighbors from Idaho left this morning and 4 other rigs pulled out too.Jeni and I think this might be a sign that it's going to get real hot soon!
We put a picture of our rig at Agua Caliente county park at the top of our blog thinking it would only fill the intro header,HOLY COW IT'S HUGE!the verdict is still out on it
I guess today is the deadline for anolog TV.We had purchased a converter box from "Radio Shack"last winter with the govt. coupon we got as our TV wasn't digital.When we arrived in Riverside this spring,The TV went out so we got a new digital TV.What to do with my converter? I remembered my daughter Katie didn't have cable and her TV`was an older model,so I shipped it to her.I expect a call anytime asking"Dad,how do you hook this darn converter box up!"

Where's the sun!

Mayday,Mayday!Where's the (as the kids say)FREAKEN sun!We had another gloomy day today.We dodooled around the RV this morning,then headed over to our sons house to do some laundry.I also tried my hand at body work on the" ole" Suzuki.I had a few small dents and scratches,so I bondoed,sanded,painted,and clear coated.How does it look? uh,it's not as easy as it looks.
My son Dan is a hard worker and a great father to our two grandsons.The picture on the right is him and the boys.He coached Aidens baseball teams the last couple of years.Nevin,his other son is too young for bball so he is the mascot.Dan has been the most important influence on the boys life,and he is doing what it takes to be there for them.Sometimes life isn't fair,but when your handed lemons,you make lemonade!
We had a nice dinner tonight,mexican food and Dan rented the movie"Grand Torino"with Clint Eastwood.It was ok but had a great line by Eastwood.as the local"gangbangers were hanging around outside his house,Eastwood grabbed his old army rifle,went outside stuck it in their face and said,"get off my lawn!"as only Eastwood can.Great line
Hopfully we can do some sightseeing tomarrow.Maybe Hollywood!