The RV Splendide washer finally gave out on us. It had been on the noisy side for the past couple of months. We've babied it along, doing smaller loads and cutting down the cycle time. After all, the washer happens to be as old as the coach, 12 years. Yesterday, not only did the machine sound like a bearing was going out, it quit spinning. Kit removed the sopping wet clothes, finished washing them by hand, and hung them out to dry.

We'd been doing a little research online for another one and decided to wait until we just had to have it. Fortunately, we can have the new one shipped directly to Cotulla. The local Ace Hardware accepts packages for gate guards. Jerry called PPL RV Supply to order the machine. The clerk indicated it would be shipped the same day. This morning, we got online to track our purchase. Right now it is sitting in San Antonio. Yippee! Kit is happy.

The day was slow enough that Jerry decided to remove the old washer to make way for Kit to clean the area before the new one was installed. The machine was heavy (150 lbs.) to maneuver around in the small bathroom, but Jerry managed to get it to the front door. Kit talked him into waiting for some able-bodied person, besides her, to help him get it out of the RV. Jerry agreed. Just 15 minutes later, and angel arrived in the form of a hefty fella from Gate Guard Services. A new service tech, Kevin, showed up! He and Jerry had to unhinge the entry door. Jerry backed the truck up to the steps so that the machine could be placed right into the truck bed. In less than 10 minutes, they had the washer out of the rig.

We brainstormed possible solutions for getting rid of the broken machine and finally decided to contact an RV repairman in Carrizo Springs to see if he was interested in the unit for parts. Donny Parrish was tickled to death to get the machine and indicated he could come pick it up today. When he wasn't here by 6:00 p.m., Jerry called him back to see if we misunderstood him. No, he still wanted the machine and would get it today. As of this post, we still have not seen Donny. Hmmm.

Friday night in Cotulla means Pizza Hut Mobile pizza. Jerry made a quick run into town to order his favorite ground beef with cheese on a thin crust. While waiting, he picked up a few groceries from the list Kit made for him.

Tomorrow we are splitting our gate duties to help out Bill and Vickie. They have a gate just up the road. It's Bill's birthday and Vickie is taking him out to eat. Kit will run our gate while Jerry takes over the gate for the Ford's.

Life is G☺☺D!

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Rathjen Ranch, Near Cotulla, TX

Kit's Birthday

Weather was a carbon copy of yesterday with mild temps and low humidity, sunshine and blue skies It's the kind of Texas we love.

Jerry was up before dawn to be awake and ready for the rush of gate traffic. However, just like yesterday, it was another slow day. As soon as Kit was up, the birthday festivities began. Jerry made a quick trip into town to our very favorite fast food breakfast place, McDonald's, for biscuit sandwiches. Cotulla doesn't have much in the line of restaurants, but at least they have a McD's. We will survive!

Kit's phone was hot today. She received many birthday wishes from all across the U.S., including a special call from her Mom. She also had some great birthday greetings on her computer. Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful messages. She spent most of her day outside with a book to read and her binoculars for bird watching across the drive.

From 201205_May

Susan, our gate friend from down the road, stopped on her way into Cotulla for a brief visit. She indicated the busy part of fracing had ended and things were beginning to settle down for Bob and her.

The construction crew dropped by at the end of the day to check on the pad and reported they would be here tomorrow to try to get it finished They've been away from our site for over a week because of the wet conditions after our rains. Fortunately, the pad won't be used until the first of June. We're looking forward to some action at the gate tomorrow!

Life is G☺☺D!

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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Rathjen Ranch, Near Cotulla, TX

Drying Out

Sunshine, temps in the 80's and blue skies greeted us today. It was perfect for being outside.

Kit replenished the seed in the bird feeders. The doves, woodpeckers, jays and finches are chowing down. She has the hummingbird feeder out as well, but we've only seen a couple of the Black-chinned that are so common to this region, and even then, it is not on a regular basis.

Jerry ran some errands in town and then headed up I 35 to find the gate where Bill and Vickie are located. They are just off the highway on a little side road in Millet, TX. Vickie sent back a few magazines for Kit to read and pass on to another gate guard.

By the end of the day, we looked like we were actually beginning to dry out. The puddles are almost gone. We can walk across the road and not worry about mud clinging to the shoes.

Life is G☺☺D!

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Rathjen Ranch, Near Cotulla, TX

Rain Again?

A line of thunderstorms skirted across our neighborhood late last evening. We checked the weather service before going to bed, and felt confident it would only be rain. However, about 1:40 in the morning, Kit was awakened by the rocking of the RV and the sound of the wind. A dry line was passing through. The winds were scary with gusts that caused the straps on the little window awnings to sing.

Kit tried waking Jerry. He was in a sound sleep, but managed to get up, survey the situation, and immediately go back to bed. (So much for moral support, and this morning, Jerry indicated he didn't remember even getting up.) The winds subsided, headed farther South. Kit was back in bed by 2:30.

The morning brought sunshine and cooler temps in the 70's, but we were drenched with the overnight rains. Only a few units passed through our gate today. None of the pad construction crew showed up. We had the big boss here to check the possibility of working tomorrow. About the time he left, we had another downpour. So much for drying out today.

Another shower hit us, out of the blue, just at dinner time. We now have the perfect conditions for mosquitoes! What ever happened to the Texas desert that we desire to live in? We suppose we should be thankful for the moisture. Okay, we are, but now we need to dry out.

Life is G☺☺D!

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Monday, May 14,2012

Rathjen Ranch, Near Cotulla, TX

The Portable Air Conditioner

The roads and pads on our ranch were ready for workers today, but that didn't happen. Our crew drives from San Antonio. This morning, SA had a strong thunderstorm go through with lots of rain. We only experienced sprinkles and stayed dry for most of the day. The big boss drove in to check out the pad, but left, taking his crew with him to another site. Tonight, a storm is knockin' on our door, to be here in this county in about 30 minutes. Heavy rains are predicted, so here we go again. If the rains do come and we get the forecasted 2 inches, we'll be without a crew again tomorrow while we try to dry out.

We've had several inquiries about our portable AC. A faithful blog reader, Rod I., asked for more details. Rod, this blog's for you!

We purchased the DeLonghi, Pinguino eco, PAC 120E, portable unit at Sam's Club for around $300.They have a unit that includes a heat pump for an additional hundred. We chose not to get that feature since we already had an infra red portable heating unit. The AC sits in a plastic box on wheels and is about 30 inches high, 18 inches wide and 15 inches deep. The unit plugs into a regular 110 outlet. With the hot 100 degree plus summers in Texas, we are out in the elements of extreme weather while gate guarding. We felt we could use this unit to boost our existing roof airs. The unit came with a plastic window cover, similar to those you would use when installing a portable unit in your house window. This cover did not suit our purpose in keeping out the bugs when installed in the odd shaped driver side sliding window. Jerry fashioned what we needed out of a scrap piece of plywood, (complete with beveled edges.)

We have tried putting the unit on the floor, but found it took up precious space. Since we do not use the driver seat while working a gate, we use that space and easily vent it out the driver window, using the 4 inch hose that was packed with the unit. Directions said to drain the unit of water before storing. However, we have never had to drain any water from the pan.

The DeLonghi will cool our unit down to about 75 degrees in less than 30 minutes. We continue to circulate the inside air with a couple of oscillating fans. If you go to the DeLonghi website, (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&q=delonghi+air+conditioner+portable&oe=UTF-8&cid=12337302438022934998&rate=4&os=reviews ), you will find numerous reviews listing pros and cons for the AC. We have been extremely pleased with our purchase. This is the second summer for using it. Hope this helps.

We were sad to hear the passing of a Fort Clark Springs Unit 37 resident, Lois Carlson. Our thoughts and prayers are with John and the family.

From 201205_May

Life is G☺☺D!

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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Rathjen Ranch, Near Cotulla, TX

Checkin' Out the Neighbors

It was a routine Sunday for us as far a gate guarding goes. We had a few of the flowback crew leave for meals in town. We had a handful of "strangers" looking for other sites. We're learning where some of those places are, but we couldn't help everyone. We had eight tankers come in at various times today, hauling out oil from the reserve tanks on the pads.

This afternoon, with a lull in the PGA golf tournament on TV, Jerry decided to wander down the road and find the gate where Bob and Susan were working. They have a very busy gate with two fracs going on. Bob had already filled up seven pages of signatures from units passing through their gate when Jerry arrived. Now we know where all the sand trucks are headed when they pass by our place. Before leaving, Jerry managed to get Susan and Bob to break for a photo.

From 201205_May

We finished our evening in front of the TV watching Survivor, continuing to relax. We're bracing ourselves for a busy day tomorrow. The roads and pads have dried out. That means the crew working on the new pad can get it finished up and the heavy equipment can move on down the road.

Life is G☺☺D!

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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Rathjen Ranch, Near Cotulla, TX

Not Much Today

The gate was a slow one today. We need to bank up these restful days to remember at a later date when we can barely crawl in the front door.

Jerry pulled out his drill and skill saw and made a rustic plywood table with 2 x 4 legs to straddle the driver seat. The new piece of furniture will be used as a place for the portable AC unit. The driver window was the only one we could conveniently use for venting the AC. Having the AC unit up off the floor allows us to have more living space. It works for us.

Kit did a little load of laundry and then made a grocery run to Super S. She wanted something fresh to go with the crock pot chicken breasts. Super S had corn-on-the-cob available. It turned out to be a good choice. The corn was sweet and tender.

The temps were perfect for being outside. However, we have a bad case of gnats! The nasty things just drive us crazy! We're hoping to see them disappear as the ground dries out.

Life is G☺☺D!

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