My friend Lee and I went to see Wicked and it was so good! It was at the Arnoff Center in downtown Cincinnati. We ate dinner before the show at an Irish Pub downtown and had a lovely evening. Cincinnati is a great city with so many things to see and do.
A view of the stage before the show
I also visited the Cincinnati Art Museum with two of my Camperforce friends, Elizabeth and James. The museum has a wide variety of art including some pieces by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and more. What astounded me is that the museum is completely free! Free parking and free admission for all visitors.
I want to share the story of two of my coworkers from Amazon, James & Elizabeth. They have a story similar to mine, but started out over a year ago and did a lot of traveling out west before coming to Kentucky.
James and I have a very similar sense of humor and we joked with and pranked each other at work. He definitely made me laugh!
The many looks of JamesElizabeth, I “wonder” if she will wear this?
James & Elizabeth did exactly what I did. They sold everything and hit the road. They have a channel on YouTube and you can watch videos of some of the places they have visited and even tour their teardrop camper.
The last day I was in Kentucky, we visited Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, Ohio. It was an amazing place to visit and if you can’t find what you are looking for, you haven’t been to Jungle Jim’s.
The nearly 300,000-square-foot market offers over 180,000 different products, from standard American grocery items to unique international food and drink. Entire rows are dedicated to soda (or “pop,” as they say in Cincinnati), hot sauce, and every variety of potato chip imaginable. Even insects have their own special area (bug kebabs, anyone?). There’s a massive beer and wine selection, and shoppers can drink while they explore.
I have so enjoyed working with all of the other Camperforce associates at Amazon and it is bittersweet that our time is coming to an end. We took a group photo yesterday to mark the occasion.
Back row: Husband & wife Don & Lee, husband & wife James & Elizabeth, Anthony, husband & wife Shirley & Jim, and me. Front row: Supervisor Will & HR associate. This picture was taken at 1 am!
I have appreciated working for Amazon the last three months. The work is never-ending, the pay is extremely fair, but the best part of the job are the people. I have met so many great people here in Kentucky. Amazon and this facility, CVG 1, embrace the idea of diversity and flourish. Amazon has one of the most progressive inclusion policies of any company I have ever known.
We are a company of builders who bring varying backgrounds, ideas, and points of view to inventing on behalf of our customers. Our diverse perspectives come from many sources including gender, race, age, national origin, sexual orientation, culture, education, and professional and life experience. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and always look for ways to scale our impact as we grow.
The number of languages being spoken at any time in the breakroom is mind-boggling. I saw displays throught the facility celebrating Pride, transgender awareness, multiple holidays of every faith & religion, military veterans, and much more. Amazon has so many programs that engage the employees and make work fun. That is one of the things I will miss the most: laughing! In case you didn’t know, I am a joker. I love to laugh. I work hard, but always have a good time. The pictures below illustrate that perfectly!
Santa AnthonyThe shirt says it all!I am due for a wax or shave!Unicorn ChristiIs purple a good color for Lee?James found a “faux” friend—it is not real!Ready for turkey.Ready for Peak season at CVG-1
I hope this isn’t the last time I see these beautiful people. ‘Til I see you again!
Thanks so much for all of the messages, texts, and calls after the Kentucky storms and tornadoes. I was very fortunate to be in an area right outside of Cincinnati that only saw hard rain, high winds and power outages.
I left work at 5 am yesterday and saw lots of downed limbs on the roads. When I arrived at the RV Park, it was completely black and the only light shining came from my camper! I am so lucky to have solar power as a back up source. The solar is enough to keep the important things running–the fridges, the lights and the heat. When I woke up this afternoon, the power was back on and it was time to go back to work.
Until next time, stay safe, stay well and stay warm!
Cappy wasn’t sure about his coat or the snow this morning. He decided the coat was a keeper! He kept trying to shake the snow off of his paws when he walked. The campground is so quiet now. There are only three occupied campers in the park: two with welders and me, the lone Amazonian. My coworker and friend Lee left for Montana last week and is working there this winter. We all miss her but know we will see her again!
The sunrise on the Ohio River was gorgeous this morning.
When I opened my camper door this evening, I never expected to see snow. It was a pleasant surprise and I am prepared.
Warm shoes for inside the camper. These are from Sketchers and are perfect on cold days.
BOBS from Skechers Women’s Keepsakes Delight Slipper https://amzn.to/31GBC09I have worn Bobs by Sketchers shoes to work the last couple of years and these have the same comfort and support. I do not like socks and these are perfect for mornings and nights when the floor is cold.
Full propane tanks for heating the camper and cooking.
I was a total newbie to propane, but have become a fast learner. The furnace and stove both run on propane.
I have refilled my tanks twice since beginning my journey. The best places to refill your tanks are Costco and Tractor Supply. Costco has the best prices, but not all Costco locations have propane, so check before you go to refill your tanks. The Costco in Florence, KY does not have propane, so I am refilling at Tractor Supply.
Another new experience, I had never visited a Tractor Supply store. The associates there have been so helpful and make this task so much easier. I just have to take the tanks to the store, pull up to the propane filling station and they do the rest. My tanks are 30 pound tanks and I can handle them by myself both empty and full. The store I visit also allows you to pay at the filling station.
In case you are curious, propane runs around $4.00 per gallon. Time will tell how long the tanks will last in the cold weather. I try to run my electric fireplace when I am home because it is more economical and does a great job heating the whole camper.
Lots of warm beverages!
These are my some of my favorites. I have purchased the Green Mountain Cinnamon Sugar Cookie coffee for several years now and it is the only flavored coffee I will drink. Unfortunately, it is a seasonal coffee and I have to stock up each Christmas. This flavor is in most grocery stores and is available on both Amazon and Keurig websites. I get an email from Keurig when it is available and just received my latest supply from UPS. https://www.keurig.com/Beverages/Light-Roast/Cinnamon-Sugar-Cookie-Coffee/p/cinnamon-sugar-cookie-coffee-k-cup-gmc:24_CTThese lovelies are from Trader Joe’s.
The Organic Earl Grey tea is the best I have found and is available year-round. I like mine with some fresh lemon and a little sweetener.
The Hot Cocoa stirring sticks are seasonal and worth every calorie. These are perfect for when you want a sweet treat and craving something chocolate. I use almond milk when making mine, but you can use whatever milk you prefer. They even come with a few marshmallows, so they don’t require any extra ingredients. There is nothing worse than watered-down hot cocoa powder mixes. These spoons will not disappoint and are ideal for small gifts and stocking stuffers. The last item I just purchased and haven’t tried yet, but the snow has me ready to warm a mug of the Hark and Holly mulled wine.
I will be finishing my assignment at Amazon on December 23rd and begin the drive to Coffeyville, Kansas on the 24th. It is a 700 mile drive and I plan to arrive in Kansas on December 27th. I will be winterizing the camper and housesitting for three months. Cappy and I are looking forward to having a warm, cozy base for the winter.
If you are ever in need of a groom in Walton, Kentucky, visit the Barkin’ Barber on Main Street. Jennifer did a great job getting Cappy cleaned up and ready for the holidays! https://www.instagram.com/barkinbarber/
I have had several questions about doctor appointments and prescriptions while I am traveling. I found a fantastic provider that is a perfect fit for my lifestyle, Lemonaid Health. Lemonaid is a telemedicine platform and prescription delivery service available in all 50 states.
Lemonaid Health was founded with one goal: to bring more convenient, affordable health care to all Americans. We were born in San Francisco in 2013 and have since helped hundreds of thousands of patients get access to care from the comfort of their homes.
My first appointment was at 6:30 am and my doctor called a little before the scheduled time. The appointment was easy and all of my questions were answered. I received my prescription two days later via FedEx. My monthly prescriptions are shipped to my door wherever I am in any location. I will receive a notice when the next refill is shipped.
If you or anyone you know does not have health insurance and is looking for an affordable option, Lemonaid is worth considering.
I do have a discount code below for anyone wanting to try Lemonaid. If you have any questions, I will be glad to answer them or refer you to the correct information. Lemonaid is legitimate and has been endorsed by many organizations
Christi sent you a $10 credit for an online medical visit with Lemonaid! https://lemonaidhealth.com/?promo=CHRISTII475724 If you have the Lemonaid app, apply the promo code CHRISTII475724 at checkout.
I want to wish each of you a happy, healthy Thanksgiving. This year is the first on the road so Thanksgiving is very different.
I celebrated Thanksgiving with Lee and new friends in Rabbit Hash. The owners of the restaurant in Rabbit Hash invited us to eat Thanksgiving dinner with them at their “Orphan’s Thanksgiving.” Anyone who didn’t have a place to have dinner was invited.
The restaurant provided two big smoked turkeys. Attendees brought all of the sides and dessert. We ate in a barn where they have live music several days a week. I brought my specialties, deviled eggs and homemade cranberry sauce. One of the gentlemen there lived in New Orleans for many years and he brought shrimp stew served over rice. We had plenty to eat and no one left hungry.
Orphan’s Thanksgiving Dinner
Work at Amazon is going great and I can’t believe that I have been working here for 6 weeks. Only four weeks until I head west to Kansas. I am finally settling into working nights and getting a good amount of sleep. However, I have been picking up extra shifts and working as much overtime as possible. Shifts worked the last four days paid double time! Thank you, Amazon.
The downside is that when not working, about all I do is sleep. I rationalize it because I think I will catch up on rest when I get to Kansas. Love to everyone!
The leaves have started falling fast and we have had snow twice this week. It hasn’t accumulated to much, but is pretty to watch. The temperature is hovering in the 30s and 40s so I am getting lots of use out of my fireplace!
Don’t be worried by the lack of posts lately. It is nearing peak season at Amazon and we are able to work up to 60 hours per week with the available overtime. I am working extra shifts this week with one day off, so my free time has mostly been sleeping.
We do receive lots of returns and one of the things I have to do is check items for damage. I take that veryseriously and have the proof to show you.
Ready for high teaTrolling Cleopatra & her aspSharkyPosing!
I have also gotten my coworkers in on the act, too.
Lee going Little House on the Prairie James is ready to pull his hair out!Elizabeth is going racing.Top o’ the morning….really, this is about 3am!
I hope these make you smile because we do work hard, but have fun while doing it.
I know that you have lots of questions about returns and I can tell you that they work like most other retail stores. I am limited as to what I can tell you, but I did find a great video that can give you some insight.
I had a nice relaxing morning today at Sweet Serenity Massage & Salt Therapy. I relaxed so much I actually fell asleep! If you have never experienced salt therapy, I would highly recommend it.
Halotherapy, or salt therapy, involves breathing in air with tiny salt particles to improve your breathing. Halotherapy is done in the spa-like salt room pictured above. Salt therapy can also help you to relax and may help with skin conditions and allergies.
The History of Halotherapy
In the 12th century, the practice of visiting salt caves for therapeutic reasons, or speleotherapy, was common in Eastern Europe. In the 1800s, salt miners in Poland found a more modern version of what’s now halotherapy. Despite working in mines all day, the Polish miners didn’t have any respiratory conditions and were unusually healthy. They weren’t likely to get the colds or coughs that were common among other people.
Research showed that the salty air the miners breathed helped keep their lungs free from infection and allergies. Over time, Eastern European salt mines or caves became popular tourist destinations. People from all over the world visited to inhale the salty air and ease their lung problems.
Salt is a natural and safe ingredient. It does not have any notable side effects. It is also:
Mucoactive, clearing up mucus from your airways
Antibacterial, helping prevent infections
Anti-inflammatory
Immunity-boosting
Anti-allergic
The Mushroom House
The Mushroom House in Hyde Park, Cincinnati
I am always on the lookout for unusual one- of-a-kind places to visit. The Mushroom House checked all of the boxes! This house is located in a stunning neighborhood in Cincinnati.
Built by Terry Brown, this landmark marks the great architect’s creative genius. The house took more than a decade to create; construction began in 1992 and ended in 2006. It served as Brown’s secondary residence, architecture studio and teaching tool for his students.
Built by Terry Brown, this landmark marks the great architect’s creative genius. The house took more than a decade to create; construction began in 1992 and ended in 2006. It served as Brown’s secondary residence, architecture studio and teaching tool for his students.
The landmark itself is a simple one-bedroom house. The most prominent features are its copper ceilings and an orange spiral staircase entry. Terry Brown’s creation has porthole windows that sit against a swirling cedar exterior, which is what gives it its fairytale-like appearance. The side of the house is covered in warped shingles that were placed there to resemble the underside of a mushroom. The bulbous roofing gives the building an added fungal look.
After Brown’s passing in 2008, the hype for the Mushroom House did not die down. The house remains a Cincinnati landmark that attracts people from afar. Currently, the structure is being looked after by Brown’s friend, Paul Lausha. Brown’s other works are exhibited at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Architectural League of New York.
Camping with Christi 