A Nice Little Time Saver

I have always said someone should invent a tracker for my keys, well they did.

I was sent this little devise to use and review and I like it. For all those times I misplaced the truck keys and spent countless hours looking for them. Now I don't have to. I am actually going to glue one on the back of the TV remote as well. That thing has legs and just gets up and walk off every time I turn around.

Beets BLU Key Finder Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Small Wireless PagerTag Keychain with Audio Alarm. Device Works with Smartphone Apple iPhone (4S, 5, 5S, 5C, 6, 6 plus), iPad (mini, 3, 4, Air) and Samsung Galaxy (S4, S5). Key Locator System Works with App on iOS and Android

• Our electronic black beeper has loud sound alarm and red LED light in case of link loss
• In our portable square key detector remote commands accessible on the key fob button press
• Geo regions actions (iOS only). You can use our seeker through special app for iOS and Android.
• Lost location tracking on the smartphone. Our device to find lost keys can be also used for purse (wallet), pet, bag.
• Proximity detection with automatic sound alert. Device also works as RF remote control. Our tracker is great transmitter for men and women

Baby Rebecca

One year ago today my heart was given to another



My how time just rolls by.






To Hannah,
If there is one bit of advise I can give you, it is, don't blink. If you do, it will be over just like that and all you will have to look back on is a blur. Cherish these times and every moment you have with her. Don't let this crazy world take any of your time away from Rebecca. I chased the dollar and didn't get to do the things I wanted to with the three of yall. I think that is the one thing I regret in life. I blinked
Your doing good, me and mom are proud of you.

To Rebecca,
Even at one year old, I can already see what a strong young lady you are becoming and going to be later in life. You are my first grand baby and always will be. You hold a special place in my heart that can never be replaced. I pray that I am around long enough to see what life brings your way. Because you are your momma's daughter, I know nothing will hold you back and you will take life by the tail.
If you only take one bit of advise from me then let it be this, cut your momma some slack in your teenage years. She is not going to raise you perfect, she is going to make some mistakes and you will even hate her a time or two. With all that, just always remember, she is doing the best she can and loves you more than anything in the world.
So here's to you Miss Rebecca and to turning One Years old. Gpop loves you. 

When It Rains It Pours

I hope everyone had a great and safe holiday weekend.

I know we needed it, but I think we have had enough rain for now. From the Red River to the Gulf, the center of Texas is washed out.  I have never heard of so many evacuations and high water rescues as I have this past two weeks. I hope all my blogger friends are safe.

I have also seen flooding where I've never seen it before. We have to drive through the lake's backwater to get out of our place and if it continues to rise, then we will not be able to get out at all.

This picture is the road to our house. It's about 3 inches below the bottom of my truck when I left this morning. 



We spent four days this weekend in Oklahoma at the South West Open Chili Cook Off. It rained on us there every day as well, but we still had a great time.

Saturday Jessie was the only one of us that placed. Here she is sitting in the top ten out of 140 cooks right next to the big dogs, the current World Champion and past champions.She represented the family well.


Me and Kylee made it to the intermediate round then hit the pool. We didn't have many breaks in the rain but when we did, we made the best of it.

As far as me, I won 2nd place in the 42 tournament and 4th place in chili on Sunday. I was the defending champion on Sunday and I gave it one heck of a shot, but fell a little short. That's okay though, the lady who won it deserved it.
Candy did cook, but she didn't make it off of the first round either day. A little disappointing for her being a celebrity and all, but that's how the chili rolls. 


For the next two weeks we will be working on the house between rain storms. We have a 50% chance everyday this week and into the weekend.  We have hot water now so all we are lacking is the kitchen. We are still using the camper to cook in, but that's about all.

I have a special post for tomorrow, you are not going to want to miss it.

Jerry

A Must See

 Here you go country girls. This is what you have been looking for to have another stream of income so you can work from home, be more self sustainable and to also equip yourselves with the right tools against the predators of the world.

Damsel in Defense is about equipping women with the tools to not only keep them safe but also to give them the confidence to know that they have a way out if they ever feel threatened. We are very excited about our affordable and adorable line of products. Whether you are at home or traveling, running or celebrating downtown with the girls, Damsel in Defense has the products and fact-based education that can and does save lives.
Hello! My name is Candy Ford, and I am a sales representative for Damsel in Defense. A little back story, I found Damsel in Defense  through what I like to call "fate". I asked God to send me a sign for the next step in my life since my three wonderful daughters have left me to follow their own dreams. It may have been through a car decal, but he sure sent me a sign. I hold a passion for helping others close to my heart, and know that Damsel in Defense has been the best opportunity for me to pursue that passion

Another Wall Hanger

Candy and I met up with our oldest daughter Jessie at a little town right outside of Austin for a chili cookoff. Marble Falls is a beautiful little town with a slow rolling, lazy river splitting it into. I could see myself going back one weekend during the hot summer months with a inner tube and a bottle of sunscreen. 

180 chili cooks and about as many BBQ cooks were packed into a small, oak tree filled park. Every blade of grass and every open spot was occupied with either cooks, motor homes, tents or food. This was the 44th annual Howdy Roo Chili and BBQ Cook Off.
If you are a Texas cook, this is the one that is on the bucket list to attend.
I felt privileged to be a part of Chili History and to cook with some of the Chili Legends. 


As long as someone in our group walked, that was all I was wanting. I thought my chili was great and I thought Jessie's chili was even better, but in the end, the Queen beat us both, again. Candy beat out 160 other cooks to get 20th.  I am so proud of the run she is having.
I am now known as Mrs Candy or just her road manager.

We all had a grate time and now we can check another great one off the list.
We are off for the next two weeks and then to the South West open on Durant Oklahoma.


See ya,
Jerry  

Best Of Both Worlds

 Most of the time when we are cooking chili during the weekend we get absolutely nothing done on the house, this weekend was a little different.

We had some friends come up to cook with us this weekend at a local cookoff. Due to the massive amounts of rains we have had, the cookoff, not but five miles away, was canceled. They were flooded out. So with our friends on the way, truck already packed and spices mixed we decided to make the drive two hours away to Wichita Falls and cook there. It was well worth the trip, but Saturday was done, no production on the house. But then.......
Sunday I had some help. Two of my nephews came up to visit and sit on the porch with their old uncle. No porch sitting here, I put their butts to work. And with my dad keeping them in line, we got a lot of work done.
Super great guys and I couldn't have done it without them.

 Knowing more heavy rains were on the way I needed to get the upstairs door, windows and ceiling done so we could be a little more weather tight.
All we have left to do upstairs now is the carpet, trim, railing and water heater then Candy's craft room and trophy room will be complete.

While we were all working on the house, the girls cleaned the yard and started a fire to burn off the scraps. My piles were getting too big and started to become an eye sore so with no wind and wet conditions, Candy decided it was time.
I think the only thing we were missing was the BBQ.

Next weekend we will be in Marble Falls, a little town near Austin, to cook at the oldest chili cookoff in the world. This one will be a big one so don't threaten me with a good time, I'm there. 
Then we have two weeks off to get more work done on the house then to Durant for the Oklahoma State cook off. I should be able to finish the upstairs and get started on the kitchen but don't cross your fingers yet, I may decide to do some porch sittin.

Hey, thank yall for hanging around,

Jerry

Just A Little Proud

Yup, that's my wife right there, the new Texas Ladies State Champion.

What a great weekend we had cooking chili down near San Antonio. This right here made it all worth it.

Until next time,
Jerry

Sleeping Arrangements

This last weekend was a huge push to get the bedroom completed.

I think we are just tired of the cramped space in our camper bedroom where as soon as you get out of bed, you are touching a wall and the ducking and dodging of getting through to the bathroom.

Jessie took the weekend off from college life to come up and help out, she is such a great hand.
Other family members also showed up to lend a hand and help out with the floor, insulation and ceiling. 

Around midnight Saturday we were done with everything except the trim. Candy decided she would help out by sitting there, supervising and pointing.





New mattress, new bedding and new pillows, we spent our first night in the new house last night.

 



















It's almost hard to believe this was my mower shed.

That empty corner there is now filled with Candy's vanity and makeup stuff because the bathroom was built for me. She has a whole corner of a room to get ready and I have a sink and a little mirror. 

The two lofts will be for storage in case you were wondering and right there on the face of the loft will be where my TV is mounted.



Yesterday I finished the upstairs electric and this week we plan to finish the insulation up there plus get the walls on. Next week the tin on the ceiling and then the carpet. 


See ya then,
Jerry

A Month Ago

I actually could not believe it has almost been a month since I last posted. I think this is the longest I have ever taken off.

We have been cooking chili almost every weekend here and there. It's kinda been a hit and miss on making it in the top ten or the first in the trash. Last year our chili did great and this year it is only mediocre. The only thing to do is to keep cooking it and maybe it will turn around. This picture here was a couple of weeks ago in Dallas. Me, Candy and Jessie cooked with some great friends of ours and we all walked.

A three weeks ago my youngest girl Kylee started cooking with us and last weekend she won first place. She cooked against 48 other seasoned cooks with some being in the "Big Dog" category. I am so proud of her to do this on her second cook off. It makes it all worth it to see the younger generation doing things like this.






The House,
Well the house is coming along, slowly. Our goal was to be in it by May and that is not going to happen. I guess if I made it my number one priority then we would have made it. Here's the deal, even though it's a camper I have a roof over my head and I have a bed to sleep in. The house will get done when it gets done.
So let me show you some of the updates,

With the bathroom finished, I moved on to the hallway and the closet. I went ahead and tiled the hallway floor, but carpeted the closet. Then Candy wanted sliding barn doors to go with the horse stall look so I built the doors and installed them per her design. The hallway and closet is now completed.


 






We have already filled the closet with clothes and dressers just to get them out of boxes and out of the camper. It is so nice to be able to move around the camper again.

We have now moved into the bedroom and started work in there. We have the insulation in and the interior walls finished. This week I plan to insulate the ceiling and get the tin up. Once the bedroom is complete then we will shift gears and start on the kitchen. That is what will take the longest.  

Until next time,

Jerry

Old Man Winter

He came in late this year. So with nothing to do here in Texas, we went off for the weekend.

 Last weekend was my birthday, I turned 43. My company sent me to Las Vegas to celebrate in style.
This was our first time to visit Vegas and believe it or not, our first time to fly. So much to see, so much to do.

We spent four days doing things I have never thought we would do. I would not have chosen to go there myself because I don't like gambling, people or crowds, but I had to step outside of my box and just enjoy being around and doing things I have only seen on TV. How could I say no, it was a free trip, kinda. The flight and hotel was free.

They should be ashamed of themselves for price gouging the way they do. The hotel where we stayed, The Palazzo, a drink cost $12 bucks, but two miles down the street I found the same drink for $1.99 and there is no way you can eat cheap unless you get off the strip, then you have to pay for a cab ride.

The weather was great, upper 60's, and as I write this we are snowed in here in North Texas so I do miss that.

All and all I enjoyed the trip. We went to a lot of places and did a lot of things in such a short amount of time. Now I know what to expect the next time we go. I can't tell you everything we did because you know what they say, "What happens there, stays there." but I seen things I shouldn't have. LOL

No updates on the house, the weather has been too bad and cold to work on it and we don't cook chili again until the 14th. Maybe, just maybe we can get something done this weekend.

Until then, Viva Las Vegas
Jerry

Almost

Here is a sneak preview of what the bathroom is looking like.

We set the toilet last night and finished the inside plumbing. It sits off to the right of the tub.
This weekend I will build the shower curtain rod and get that installed but tonight we will be doing the outside plumbing and hooking the house up to the septic tanks and water supply.
The washer dryer combo will sit in the back right corner and will be installed at a later date.

Then it's out into the hallway and closet to get those areas done. It should take about two weeks to complete those I hope then on to the bedroom.

We are taking a month off of chili cooking so I am hoping to get something done on this huge project I put on myself, the pressure is building.


Gotta run,
Jerry  

Play and Work

I guess that's how my weekends go, one day for play and another for work.

Saturday we cooked chili down in Irving.

61 cooks showed up and 7 of those were the raining word champion and the other six were ex champs. Among the other folks there, Mexico and the Intercontinental champions, Texas Lady's State Champion, Texas Men's State Champion and eight out of the top ten current world ranked chili cooks were there. 
So to say the deck was stacked is an understatement.

Long story short, Candy won 2nd place out of all those heavy hitters. I am so proud of her.

Sunday was nothing but working on the house. We decided to do the bathroom first and move out from there.
This weekend I tiled the floor and got started on the walls and ceiling. I really like this look and I will show some more as we get more done.
This week we will be finishing the walls and getting the tub, sink and toilet in place. 


That's it for now,

Jerry