Good Evening Blog Buddies,
During the past year my DW and I have had a slogan regarding the purchase of our RV.
That slogan was "WE'RE DO'IN IT"
Well-Well-Well - today that slogan has changed to "WE DID IT"
We arrived at the NEXUS RV Executive offices at 9 am today (Friday) and stayed until 1:30 - went to lunch - returned at 2:30 and stayed until 5:30. During that time period - close to 8 hours, we were taken on a tour of the manufacturing facility and the show room.
I have been researching NEXUS RVs for 6 months now and my research showed that they were a strong-well managed company. It also showed that the NEXUS RV was an extremely well built RV. Well, after today's visit and examining the exterior top to bottom and the interior top to bottom and side to side I was surprised to find........
The NEXUS RV was not only what my researched found it to be BUT - the NEXUS RV was in fact much more than my research showed - it was SUPERIOR to what my research show - it in fact was simply stated, FANTASTIC in every way - a SUPERIOR product - well built with many-many innovative-state of the art techniques & construction processes inside-outside-top-bottom-and sides.
We have completed a sales order & agreement for a 31 foot Class C Phantom RV with a living room slide out 10 feet long by 2 feet deep.
Our RV will go into production in January 2012 for delivery March 2012.
Very,very,very exciting!!!!
This Land is My Land
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
EXHAUSTED IN ELKHART
Yo Blog Buddies,
Just a short post -we arrived in Elkhart Indiana this afternoon (10/13). We had to get up at 3am to get to the airport 2 hours before our flight - which is IMHO a stupid thing to have to do! The flights were not all the long - Albuquerque NM to Dallas Fort Worth TX and then to Fort Wayne Indiana. It's not so much the length of the flights as it is the WAITING FOR THE FLIGHTS!!!!!!!
After arriving in Fort Wayne and getting the rental car - we had a 2 hour drive (in the rain) to get to Elkhart.
However ---- tomorrow we begin our long awaited dream of seeking out our RV!!!! We meet with the manufacturer tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday -- very exciting!!!
We grabbed a quick dinner tonight - Applebee's which we both love - I got the cowboy burger which is one of the best burgers I've had!!!
Soooooo busy day tomorrow and if time permits I shall put up a short post to let you guys in on our progress!!
Later Dudes,
JR :>)
Just a short post -we arrived in Elkhart Indiana this afternoon (10/13). We had to get up at 3am to get to the airport 2 hours before our flight - which is IMHO a stupid thing to have to do! The flights were not all the long - Albuquerque NM to Dallas Fort Worth TX and then to Fort Wayne Indiana. It's not so much the length of the flights as it is the WAITING FOR THE FLIGHTS!!!!!!!
After arriving in Fort Wayne and getting the rental car - we had a 2 hour drive (in the rain) to get to Elkhart.
However ---- tomorrow we begin our long awaited dream of seeking out our RV!!!! We meet with the manufacturer tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday -- very exciting!!!
We grabbed a quick dinner tonight - Applebee's which we both love - I got the cowboy burger which is one of the best burgers I've had!!!
Soooooo busy day tomorrow and if time permits I shall put up a short post to let you guys in on our progress!!
Later Dudes,
JR :>)
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
I COULD NOT RESIST!!!
Hello blog buddies,
Well, after setting up ED I could not resist throwing some paint around. As you know I was biting at the bit to do so but had to do some things to get ready for our trip to Indiana to design our RV. So I rushed thru those tasks and found the time to throw some paint around. Where there is a will --- there is a way!!
A week of so ago we had a dusting of snow at the UNIT ON THE HILL - however up at the ski basin they had a friggin BLIZZARD!!!! From what I could see - a good 6 inches and------most of it is still visible!!
This is my interpretation of "EARLY AUTUMN SNOW IN THE SANGRES"
It is 10 x 8 on canvas panel and was painted with vigor using a palette knife. This is painted in an expressionistic style with emotion and of course expression - which is why they call it expressionistic - DUH - see how quickly I catch on!!!! :>)
Excuse me - you, Sir in the 4th row - you have a question? -----------------------
Good question!!!! When I have not painted for a while my strokes with brush or palette knife become very hesitant - tentative - my arm does not move as freely and I over think design-composition-color etc etc. Sooooo that being said ---which I just did ------- I always do a very quick painting using a palette knife and I put no thought into the colors chosen, or to the exacting shapes or positions of objects.
Moving on ---- I did this piece very quickly with gusto, and perhaps an exaggerated movement of the "KNIFE ARM." In this way I build up my confidence quickly and my hesitation with the absence from the painting process very quickly disappears.
First I throw in a quick sketch and then apply some paint in a very "I don't care" manner.
Well, after setting up ED I could not resist throwing some paint around. As you know I was biting at the bit to do so but had to do some things to get ready for our trip to Indiana to design our RV. So I rushed thru those tasks and found the time to throw some paint around. Where there is a will --- there is a way!!
A week of so ago we had a dusting of snow at the UNIT ON THE HILL - however up at the ski basin they had a friggin BLIZZARD!!!! From what I could see - a good 6 inches and------most of it is still visible!!
This is my interpretation of "EARLY AUTUMN SNOW IN THE SANGRES"
It is 10 x 8 on canvas panel and was painted with vigor using a palette knife. This is painted in an expressionistic style with emotion and of course expression - which is why they call it expressionistic - DUH - see how quickly I catch on!!!! :>)
Excuse me - you, Sir in the 4th row - you have a question? -----------------------
Good question!!!! When I have not painted for a while my strokes with brush or palette knife become very hesitant - tentative - my arm does not move as freely and I over think design-composition-color etc etc. Sooooo that being said ---which I just did ------- I always do a very quick painting using a palette knife and I put no thought into the colors chosen, or to the exacting shapes or positions of objects.
Moving on ---- I did this piece very quickly with gusto, and perhaps an exaggerated movement of the "KNIFE ARM." In this way I build up my confidence quickly and my hesitation with the absence from the painting process very quickly disappears.
First I throw in a quick sketch and then apply some paint in a very "I don't care" manner.
In addition to a palette knife, when creating pine trees, I slap paint on - 2 or 3 different colors and use my hair comb as a blending tool - it gives great texture.
I now throw in some dark background around the trees as the forest up in the Sangre de Christo mountains is very thick. I also toss some light orange on the trunks as that is the light side with the light coming from the right - also the yellows/oranges from the aspen foliage has a reflective effect on all that is near them.
Google Blogger - or Google Blooper as I call it is as usual not running very well - so I'm going to speed this up before I lose my efforts in trying to get this posted. It is worse than Microsoft or as I call it MicroSLOP!
I do tweaks here and there being careful not to create MUD as this is being done wet into wet - I don't like waiting for paint to dry!!!! I throw in some snow and some shadows on the snow from the tree trunks and surrounding "things" and I toss in some vegetation as this is the first snow so not all ground cover will be covered with snow.
Following is the completed painting with all those things done to it that I mentioned in the above paragraph - pretty COOL ---
I would like to add that ED behaved reasonably well during this painting session. His attitude has improved considerably since his trip to the "DUMPSTER!"
He did complain once that I was using too much force with my application of paint and he was afraid he might get bruised!!!! I said "ED---I have to go to the dumpster ---- want to go with me?""
ED said no-no-no JR---I'm cool!!!!
I'll be gone for a few days with my DW and we will be designing our RV
OUR NEW HOME!!!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
PAINTING SPACE IS SETUP - WOO-HOO!!!!
Hello Blog Buddies,
Well, I finally got off my --- and setup my painting space!!!!!! Doubt if I get a chance to paint B4 we head out to Elkhart Indiana to seek out our RV - but when I return, watch out - I will be throwing paint around with wild abandonment!!!!
This is my PAINTING SPACE just a portion of a room in our TINY UNIT ON THE HILL but it is plenty of space for me.
The main purpose of the posting is to show ED to you folks --- you remember ED --- part of my plein air team! ED of course thinks he IS THE TEAM - this dude has a lot to learn!!!!! Since we moved in, he has been stored in a closet and 4 times he has gotten out of the closet and climbed up onto one of the kitchen counters - I should say THE KITCHEN COUNTER - (small kitchen)
The other day I took him out to the dumpster, showed him the inside of it and actually set him down into the dumpster. HOLY CRAP - did that ever change his attitude!!! All I heard over and over again was "PLEASE JR I CAN'T GO INTO THE DUMPSTER - I CAN'T LIVE IN A DUMPSTER - I'M TOO YOUNG AND TOO GOOD LOOKING TO BE IN A DUMPSTER - I CAN'T DO TIME IN THE DUMPSTER - WHATEVER WILL I DO - I'LL BE AFRAID TO SHOWER!!!!! :>)
Well it now seems ED wants to play MY WAY!!!!! I did not enjoy doing this to ED (like hell I didn't!!) however he had to be put in his place - I'm the artist he is merely a tool by which I create my art and as I mentioned B4, I have a backup easel - ED does not know this and I'm holding onto that as my ace in the hole!!!
Well anyhoooooo this is ED ------- ED these folks you see out there are my blog buddies and I will only tell you once - treat them with respect!!!!!
OK time to pack for the trip to Indiana to seek out our RV - our new HOME!!!!
Well, I finally got off my --- and setup my painting space!!!!!! Doubt if I get a chance to paint B4 we head out to Elkhart Indiana to seek out our RV - but when I return, watch out - I will be throwing paint around with wild abandonment!!!!
This is my PAINTING SPACE just a portion of a room in our TINY UNIT ON THE HILL but it is plenty of space for me.
The main purpose of the posting is to show ED to you folks --- you remember ED --- part of my plein air team! ED of course thinks he IS THE TEAM - this dude has a lot to learn!!!!! Since we moved in, he has been stored in a closet and 4 times he has gotten out of the closet and climbed up onto one of the kitchen counters - I should say THE KITCHEN COUNTER - (small kitchen)
The other day I took him out to the dumpster, showed him the inside of it and actually set him down into the dumpster. HOLY CRAP - did that ever change his attitude!!! All I heard over and over again was "PLEASE JR I CAN'T GO INTO THE DUMPSTER - I CAN'T LIVE IN A DUMPSTER - I'M TOO YOUNG AND TOO GOOD LOOKING TO BE IN A DUMPSTER - I CAN'T DO TIME IN THE DUMPSTER - WHATEVER WILL I DO - I'LL BE AFRAID TO SHOWER!!!!! :>)
Well it now seems ED wants to play MY WAY!!!!! I did not enjoy doing this to ED (like hell I didn't!!) however he had to be put in his place - I'm the artist he is merely a tool by which I create my art and as I mentioned B4, I have a backup easel - ED does not know this and I'm holding onto that as my ace in the hole!!!
Well anyhoooooo this is ED ------- ED these folks you see out there are my blog buddies and I will only tell you once - treat them with respect!!!!!
OK time to pack for the trip to Indiana to seek out our RV - our new HOME!!!!
MR. ED
Monday, October 10, 2011
STARTING TO PACK - AGAIN!!!!
Good Morning Blog Buddies,
Well we are starting to pack again - this time it is a carry-on bag for our upcoming trip to Elkhart Indiana to design our new RV! We have been planning the RV for close to a year now and we have been planning the trip to Elkhart for about 6 months now. did you ever notice that when you plan something out - the closer it gets the more nervous you get??? I worry about the airplane - I'm not a big fan of riding on an airplane so I start to get all nerved up about the ride. I also get nerved up at going to places that I've never been - familiarity is very heart warming. Now all that said once I get on the plane - I'm fine - well I'm OK ----- once we get to where we are going I'm relieved and I'm OK.
As long as we have been planning the RV, and as long as I've been doing tons and I mean tons of research, I'm getting nervous about the RV. Are we doing the right thing going out on the RV road full time - did I research everything I could - did I get the right information from my research - did I forget anything that will prove to be important - is a 31 foot long RV going to be too long driving down the road - should we think about a 28 foot instead - WELL all that said I know I've done the best I could and over a year ago when we decided to put the house up on the market and started planning our RV adventure, our slogan was --- WE'RE DOIN' IT!!!! We also adopted a slogan of " make it easy - keep it simple" and we have been doing just that. We are the kind of people who once we decide on something we DO IT!!! We step up and MAKE IT HAPPEN!! So am I worried - NO - not worried --- just pre-flight - pre-RV purchase jitters - kind of like going to the dentist - you get all nerved up over nothing!
If we forgot something in our plans we'll just figure out how to correct that issue. Very rarely do we ever say "MY BAD" rather we say "I'LL FIX THAT!"
Sooooooo Wednesday night we drive down to Albuquerque - have a nice dinner at PF Changs -we love the orange chicken with brown rice, stay at an airport hotel and fly out early in the morning - this is -----------------
THE BEGINNING OF OUR RV ADVENTURE.
More to follow my friends. You know what they say don't you????
OH------ you don't - well I was hoping you did because I have no idea!!!
Later my friends, :>) JR
Well we are starting to pack again - this time it is a carry-on bag for our upcoming trip to Elkhart Indiana to design our new RV! We have been planning the RV for close to a year now and we have been planning the trip to Elkhart for about 6 months now. did you ever notice that when you plan something out - the closer it gets the more nervous you get??? I worry about the airplane - I'm not a big fan of riding on an airplane so I start to get all nerved up about the ride. I also get nerved up at going to places that I've never been - familiarity is very heart warming. Now all that said once I get on the plane - I'm fine - well I'm OK ----- once we get to where we are going I'm relieved and I'm OK.
As long as we have been planning the RV, and as long as I've been doing tons and I mean tons of research, I'm getting nervous about the RV. Are we doing the right thing going out on the RV road full time - did I research everything I could - did I get the right information from my research - did I forget anything that will prove to be important - is a 31 foot long RV going to be too long driving down the road - should we think about a 28 foot instead - WELL all that said I know I've done the best I could and over a year ago when we decided to put the house up on the market and started planning our RV adventure, our slogan was --- WE'RE DOIN' IT!!!! We also adopted a slogan of " make it easy - keep it simple" and we have been doing just that. We are the kind of people who once we decide on something we DO IT!!! We step up and MAKE IT HAPPEN!! So am I worried - NO - not worried --- just pre-flight - pre-RV purchase jitters - kind of like going to the dentist - you get all nerved up over nothing!
If we forgot something in our plans we'll just figure out how to correct that issue. Very rarely do we ever say "MY BAD" rather we say "I'LL FIX THAT!"
Sooooooo Wednesday night we drive down to Albuquerque - have a nice dinner at PF Changs -we love the orange chicken with brown rice, stay at an airport hotel and fly out early in the morning - this is -----------------
THE BEGINNING OF OUR RV ADVENTURE.
More to follow my friends. You know what they say don't you????
OH------ you don't - well I was hoping you did because I have no idea!!!
Later my friends, :>) JR
Sunday, October 9, 2011
CORNERSTONES
Good Morning Blog Buddies,
Well, Sunday is automatically a day of rest for us - we used to sit around and read the Sunday paper and read the travel ads. These days we sit around drink coffee and write our blog - search the Internet and catch up on email.
Today we are going to a reception for Artists. Each year here in Santa Fe an organization called CORNERSTONES asks artists to donate paintings for auction to generate funds for their various projects. CORNERSTONES is a company that saves historic buildings and renovates them so they stay functional and history is maintained. I really believe in this cause and last year on into this year and perhaps the next few years they are saving a very, very old church here in Santa Fe - one of the oldest. It is the San Miguel Mission considered by many historians to be the oldest Mission in the USA.
Since we are downsizing getting ready for our RV Adventure, I donated 6 paintings to the auction this year.
Each year a couple of weeks before the auction CORNERSTONES puts on a catered luncheon for all the artists who have donated paintings for the current year. The luncheon is normally held at some of the most beautiful private properties here in Santa Fe. I'm talking about multi-million dollar homes with multi-million dollar views. The owners of these homes are very generous to donated the use of their home for this function.
The food is fantastic and all of the paintings donated are displayed in the home during this wonderful function.
I have to say that I will miss this next year as we most likely will not be in the Santa Fe area.
Well, got to get my self looking nice for this function and believe me that can take hours!! :>)
I've had a ponytail for almost 5 years now and it's starting to become "Old Stuff" that being said I'm considering getting a BUZZ CUT!!! More on that later.
Well my friends - until we meet again - I wish you well. And remember -------Hmmmm I forget. :>) JR
Well, Sunday is automatically a day of rest for us - we used to sit around and read the Sunday paper and read the travel ads. These days we sit around drink coffee and write our blog - search the Internet and catch up on email.
Today we are going to a reception for Artists. Each year here in Santa Fe an organization called CORNERSTONES asks artists to donate paintings for auction to generate funds for their various projects. CORNERSTONES is a company that saves historic buildings and renovates them so they stay functional and history is maintained. I really believe in this cause and last year on into this year and perhaps the next few years they are saving a very, very old church here in Santa Fe - one of the oldest. It is the San Miguel Mission considered by many historians to be the oldest Mission in the USA.
Since we are downsizing getting ready for our RV Adventure, I donated 6 paintings to the auction this year.
Each year a couple of weeks before the auction CORNERSTONES puts on a catered luncheon for all the artists who have donated paintings for the current year. The luncheon is normally held at some of the most beautiful private properties here in Santa Fe. I'm talking about multi-million dollar homes with multi-million dollar views. The owners of these homes are very generous to donated the use of their home for this function.
The food is fantastic and all of the paintings donated are displayed in the home during this wonderful function.
I have to say that I will miss this next year as we most likely will not be in the Santa Fe area.
Well, got to get my self looking nice for this function and believe me that can take hours!! :>)
I've had a ponytail for almost 5 years now and it's starting to become "Old Stuff" that being said I'm considering getting a BUZZ CUT!!! More on that later.
Well my friends - until we meet again - I wish you well. And remember -------Hmmmm I forget. :>) JR
Saturday, October 8, 2011
A CHOOSEN DAY OF REST
Good Morning Blog Buddies,
Well, today my DW and I have chosen to take another day of rest - I guess you could say that we are practicing for our activities when we start full time RV-ing come April. One of the activities we hope to perfect is the art of relaxation and the other activity high on the list is that of napping. :>) Hey - you in the back row - left side - I heard that and no we are not lazy do-nothings!!!! You can leave now you JACKWAGON!!!
Well - thank goodness he is gone - I don't know why people blurt out stuff like that!!! I'm glad I'm not like that!!!!
OK now back to important things Me and my DW----------------------
We went out to breakfast this morning - there is a restaurant in SF that we have been meaning to try but just never have. It is call Tecolote and Guy the host of Diners-Drive-ins & Dives did a show from this restaurant in 2007. I had been told they have the best blue corn pancakes around. Blue corn can be very, very dry however I had these this morning and they were perfect - nice and moist and I had blueberries added to them.
My DW had scrambled eggs with potatoes, sausage and a side 1/2 order of french toast. I have to say that my DW makes much better french toast!!! This was very plain, lacking taste and had NO cinnamon of vanilla added - THEIR BAD!!!!
Well I'll bet that smart mouth person who left the room a while back will be sorry he missed this dissertation!!!! HEY - you on the right side - don't start in with me!!!!!!!! Best to zip your lips dude!!!!
OK - now more about us - a restful day is planned (we've earned it) so later this afternoon we'll go to the movies and see THE IDES OF MARCH nice cast and the previews looked very good.
I hope to get my studio setup next week but most likely won't paint much as mid-week we leave for Elkhart Indiana to select how we want our RV built. There are only a few options that we want so it should be a fun trip - the trick will be not to get carried away like kids in a candy store and pick too many options. My DW will have to restrain me!!!!
Well, until next post I wish you all happy - healthy days ahead and remember as you go through life - "He who hesitates - is in doubt." Enjoy life my friends :>) RJ
Well, today my DW and I have chosen to take another day of rest - I guess you could say that we are practicing for our activities when we start full time RV-ing come April. One of the activities we hope to perfect is the art of relaxation and the other activity high on the list is that of napping. :>) Hey - you in the back row - left side - I heard that and no we are not lazy do-nothings!!!! You can leave now you JACKWAGON!!!
Well - thank goodness he is gone - I don't know why people blurt out stuff like that!!! I'm glad I'm not like that!!!!
OK now back to important things Me and my DW----------------------
We went out to breakfast this morning - there is a restaurant in SF that we have been meaning to try but just never have. It is call Tecolote and Guy the host of Diners-Drive-ins & Dives did a show from this restaurant in 2007. I had been told they have the best blue corn pancakes around. Blue corn can be very, very dry however I had these this morning and they were perfect - nice and moist and I had blueberries added to them.
My DW had scrambled eggs with potatoes, sausage and a side 1/2 order of french toast. I have to say that my DW makes much better french toast!!! This was very plain, lacking taste and had NO cinnamon of vanilla added - THEIR BAD!!!!
Well I'll bet that smart mouth person who left the room a while back will be sorry he missed this dissertation!!!! HEY - you on the right side - don't start in with me!!!!!!!! Best to zip your lips dude!!!!
OK - now more about us - a restful day is planned (we've earned it) so later this afternoon we'll go to the movies and see THE IDES OF MARCH nice cast and the previews looked very good.
I hope to get my studio setup next week but most likely won't paint much as mid-week we leave for Elkhart Indiana to select how we want our RV built. There are only a few options that we want so it should be a fun trip - the trick will be not to get carried away like kids in a candy store and pick too many options. My DW will have to restrain me!!!!
Well, until next post I wish you all happy - healthy days ahead and remember as you go through life - "He who hesitates - is in doubt." Enjoy life my friends :>) RJ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)