Saturday, March 31, 2018

Good morning. We had some rain overnight and woke to cooler temperatures. Where is our sunshine?

Later this morning I’m taking a ride to the Leesburg Humane Society store with a few donation drop offs.

It was a great day for popping into the area’s thrift stores. At my favorite one I bought a NEW 5x8 white area rug for $25 ... and it looks great in the Sunroom’s TV/Black leather sofa area! Sweet. 

Tonight, it’s Stavros with RanDawn followed by Mexican Dominoes (and wine!) 😜

Friday, March 30, 2018

Good morning 😃 It’s a bright sunshiny day with temperatures in the 80s ahead of rain (maybe?) tonight. We have no plans today, so let’s just see what unfolds.

Our Scotties had a great breakfast about an hour before Mark was out of bed ... 

once he was up, the kids had to wait while Daddy drank coffee. 🤣 💩 🙄

While I was running water for dog baths at the kitchen sink, Mark strolled by the street hauling Lew’s old toilet to the project house. Haha 😂  Life’s a gas. 

As the rain moved in we enjoyed happy hour, steaks on the BBQ and wine. It was a lovely evening. We had a great day but not newsworthy. 😍

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Good afternoon y’all. The day got away on us. It’s a gorgeous sunshiny one with a slight breeze at 84F. 

Mark had an extra burst of energy and washed our vehicles this morning then began tidying the laundry room across the street. Tomorrow’s trash pickup and the cans are all lined up ready for dumping! Bit by bit it’s looking nicer! Mark discovered two cool ceiling lights in boxes that the new owner will be happy to see. 

Copper hanging light ...

Gothic candelabra

I had phone calls to make this morning and then game day at Elaine’s at 1 o’clock. Margaret (visiting from Canada) rode on the golf cart with me. (I told her to hang on!) what a crazy day of Rummicube ... Anita won SIX ROUNDS in a row! That’s never happened in all the times we’ve played! 👀 It was so lovely we sat on Elaine’s porch and played. 

Mark cooked ground turkey for Robbie and BeeZee’s dinner tonight. They’re eating very well ... and avoiding the commercial dog food scares. 

Tonight we went with Lew and Lynn to have cocktails with Margaret who is visiting for a month. (She likes our ‘hood and is looking for a house here.) back home, it’s now 10 o’clock and we’re sitting down to watch the news with the kids. Ta Ta TIL morning. 

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Good morning from Sunny Central Florida where it’s 71° at 11 AM. Mark is working across the street for a few hours while the doggies and I have a relaxing morning. Actually, we’re doing a few household chores. Last night, the neighbors in the blue house behind us were laying tile until 3 o’clock in the morning. No, we didn’t hear any noise but they had six huge lights on and the backyard was lit up like NYC. Mz BeeZee couldn’t and wouldn’t sleep ... she kept watch and woke us 4 times to go outside and glare at the people across the canal. 🐾💕 She is a very good watch doggie. Not Robs; he couldn’t have been any less worried. 😜

Basking in the morning sunshine ... blue house across the canal. 

Meanwhile, down south 250 miles at K’s, breakfast was enjoyed at Galuppi’s on the golf course. 

Tony and Aurelia’s coach looks quite at home on the new paver driveway. (It’s the best way to enjoy a good visit ... door to door.)

Chessy had his eye specialist appointment at 1:30 ... hope it’s not a serious situation. Update: Chessy has a cornea issue with his eyes that can be controlled with an over-the-counter eyedrop medication. I think it’s the best news we could have hoped for. (Our mother had the same issue and had corneal eye transplants which allowed her to continue driving for many years. Since Chessy doesn’t drive, it’s unlikely to change his lifestyle at all.) 👍🏻 👀🐾💕

This afternoon we went to visit aunt Jane at Avante. She’s doing very well and has some lifestyle changes in her future. Jane is going to become a snow bird ... summers with daughter Kathie in Buffalo New York and winters in her Central Florida home with son Rick and daughter-in-law Diane with her. Little BoBo is included in all plans. Currently though, BoBo is at home alone; two neighbors are walking and feeding him daily. Tomorrow one of the neighbors will bring him to visit Jane. It’s not ideal, but Jane feels he’s best in his home at this point.

Tonight, we sit on our porch admiring the growing landscape debris pile! 

Slainte! (Slawn-cha) 

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Ha ha. Mark and Lew are having a blast working across street. They have taken down another piece of fencing and voilà, the driveway is 8 feet wider.

Aunt Jane is still at rehab! I checked in with her daughter who lives up north and the poor little dog is still home alone. We offered to have him her but Jane thinks he’s doing “okay” at home with neighbors coming in twice a day for feeding and walking BoBo. He’s had some golf cart rides which he loves. Jane can’t be released until ex rays show bone growth. It’s still a long road ahead. (Her daughter arrives in 10 days.) So, we’re on Jane’s emergency list.) The neighborhood where she lives is amazing ... her neighbors have really stepped up to help. 

Today was paperwork and phone calls for me. Where are the Plantation shutters ordered February 22nd? Grrr ... it took an hour just to reach customer “service.” 🙄 

At 4 we took a long ride on The Caddy all down Blue Heron and Pine Island ... it’s gorgeous here, 77 and sunny. 

Tonight’s plans are to meet RanDawn at Tiki West for dinner. (Dinner was great!) 

After dinner we walked to Kalua’s for wine. It was breezy off Lake Dora. Dawn was smart to have a jacket ... yeah it was 74 but ... the wind was coolish. 😂

Monday, March 26, 2018

Good morning. I was up during the night and watched two hours of TV then went back to bed. Then Mark was up at 5:30 and watch two hours of TV before I got up. Ha ha ha what a crazy household. Meanwhile, the only one who slept well was Robbie. BeeZee gets up anytime Mark or I get up. Poor girl. 

So, after breakfast Mark went to help Lew and Lynn with their bathroom project. They have a professional over there but Lew is helping him and Mark is helping Lew. The poor professional is going nuts with advice and changes. 🤪

Meanwhile, it’s laundry day here and tidying up the house. I’ve decided on a new household project. It involves landscaping in front of our front screened porch. 

In south Florida, the gang went to Beachcomber for late breakfast. (It looks gorgeous!) 

Red is the color of the day! 

We heard they had a trip moving a boat to Dania. Nice! (We haven’t done that for years now.) 😞

So Mark arrived home at 4:30, worn out from working with Lew. We had happy hour and revive somewhat, ready for dinner of chicken Parmesan at 6 o’clock. Woo hooo. (The kids had chicken thighs, boiled potatoes, carrots and mixed veggies.) 

Tonight it was American Idol with 🍷 ... tomorrow, we’re meeting Randy and Dawn at Tiki West. 

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Good morning. It’s a beautiful start to our Sunday morning 71F with sunshine and a light breeze. We had the front door open and visited with Tony and Aurelia before they left about 10 o’clock heading to Pompano Beach. We had a lot of fun with them here and know they will have a blast in South Florida with Sue and Wayne. 

Aurelia, Chessy and Tony

So, I took the doggies for their ride on the Caddy while Mark move the truck into the driveway and covered the boat. Back to “normal”, we poured a cup of coffee and watched the news. It’s going to be 79° this afternoon. 

Mark worked a couple of hours across the street, clearing out landscape debris. There is a lovely magnolia tree in the front yard that Mark began to trim vines from in order to save the tree. Another few days work and we will be able to see the entire front of one house. Ha ha, the sun hasn’t hit that front in a number of years. Me? Well I created a jetstone and amber necklace to wear with an amber ring gifted to me by Aurelia. 😃 So, I will wear it tonight when we go to dinner at Stavros with Randy and Dawn.

T & A arrive just after 3 o’clock at Sue and Wayne‘s house, right on time. 

Great day for a ride ... RanDawn arrived at 5:20

We 4 had happy hour on the back patio in the evening sunshine before going to Stavros. Dinner was delicious! Now, we’re home watching American Idol ... the judges are super this year!  

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Good evening. It’s now 1020 and we’re getting ready for bed. What the heck happened to the day? Ha ha.

Well, Aurelia and I went to Bealls (awesome bargains!) and Sally’s Shop  at 10 o’clock this morning. We tried to go to shops in downtown Eustis but we couldn’t park near the Peddlers Wagon because of a buskers event. Car traffic and foot traffic was just wild today. So, we’re headed to Publix for a few supplies and wine. 👍🏻

I decided to make Aurelia a necklace with a few pearls I had plus a pair of earrings. Meanwhile, Tony was working on their motorhome, replacing cables and spark plugs. Mark puttered across the street, keeping an eye on Tony in case he needed help.

Egad! There’s a house buried in there. 

The debris pile grows!

Lew popped over about 1 o’clock saying he was finished his project for the day. He and Mark took a break and watched a little golf while Aurelia and I “supervised” Tony from the screen patio. 🍷🍷

After, everyone joined in for a happy hour then we headed to IchiBan for a fantastic dinner ... then away to Randy & Dawn’s for a nightcap and a quick visit. 

We’ve had a fun time, and now it’s time for bed! 

Friday, March 23, 2018

Good morning! It’s a sunny but very chilly start to our day! We’re going boating regardless of a north wind! The plan is a cruise through the Dora Canal and or the Dead River then to lunch at Crazy Gators. Randy and Scott are joining us as well. All the dogs are staying at home as Crazy Gator does not have a dog friendly policy. (I’m pretty sure the dogs are all happy to have a snooze while we’re out for a few hours.) 🐾💕

It was cold crossing Lake Eustis at 11:30 ...

Scott, Randy and Aurelia ... 64F ... Brrr

Aurelia, Mark, Tony, Scott and me; but where’s Randy. 🤪

Nice in the sunshine! 

Crazy Gator lunch for fish fry! Delicious! Randy acted as Scott’s agent in flirting with the waitress. 🤣

Great Blue Heron in the Dora Canal. There were a lot of boats going through the canal today because of the antique boat show in Tavares. 

After Randy and Scott had a tour of the motorhome, we sat for happy hour before we all took a restorative siesta. Since lunch was huge we had a light cheese and fruit meal while we played Mexican Dominoes. Aurelia was in the lead til the last two rounds ... then MARK won! (He only went out once!) 😜 It was a fun evening. ✅

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Good afternoon. Tony, Aurelia and Mark have gone into a garden shop in downtown Mount Dora. I’m not allowed in there as apparently I would like everything and that is where Mark goes to shop for me for Christmas. Ha ha, I’m happy to sit as my foot is a little sore today.

We started our day at the Eustis fairgrounds flea market and bought a few fun things. The wind was out of the north and felt very cold so we were all dressed like winter. We went home for lunch in the Sunroom, walked the doggies and left for the statuary shop in Leesburg. 

Mark liked this sea turtle 🐢 for K’s Dock!

WOWSA! That’s big!

Now, mid afternoon we are in Mount Dora and it feels very nice in the sun. Mark took us on a drive about tour and stopped at Piglets Pantry to pick up something for the doggies. Tony spotted some blueberry doggy bones for Chessie while I bought peanut butter ones for ours. 

Well T & A found the birds they’ve been looking for! Apparently the prices were pretty good for both birds! 

On the way home for happy hour we stopped at Walmart for cheese and bread. The dogs will be happy to see us by now. 

So we had happy hour at 4:30 sitting on the front lawn. Aurelia and I took a golf cart ride around the neighborhood with the Scotties. It felt pretty chilly but beautiful in the sun after we got off the golf cart. We parked Robbie and BeeZee nearby in the golf cart and brought Chessie to sit with us for happy hour. It was lovely. Lew and Lynn arrived for a glass of wine and chat. About 630 Tony put steaks on the grill while I set the table. We had a terrific dinner and then went to their coach for dessert of éclairs. It was a busy day and a fun day. Tomorrow, we are planning a boat cruise for lunch.

Aurelia and the birds ... 

Tony worked hard to get the wings on! 😜 

Beautiful eh!

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Good morning! We were up too late last night. 🙄 Mark and I were celebrating the neighbors’ sale when Randy and Makenna came for a visit. 

It was time for Rob’s and Bee’s evening ride so Makenna hopped on. Mark took this pic as we flew by tooting the horn. Haha. 

They were leaving to pick up Dawn after work when Lynn, Margaret and Lew popped over. (More wine.) So, both Mark and I were awake at 3 drinking water 💦. Haha ... will we ever learn!

Mark was excited to remove the chain-link fence from the wilderness area. The new owner wanted it gone so Mark stepped up with the help of the Mounty. 

Gone! 

The Mounty worked ... broke the rope twice!

Chain link rolled up for disposal. 

Our monthly luncheon at Sol devMexico was fantastic. Service was great, food served promptly, hot and apparently, drinks delicious. We were home by 2 o’clock to ready for T ‘n A’s arrival. 

Mark and Aurelia guided Tony onto our driveway. 👍🏻 They were an easy fit. We had happy hour with various cheeses and sausage at Tony and Aurelia’s rig. Chessie was most entertaining ... he grabbed Aurelia’s cheese, rather than the tiny bit she was offering him. 🤣

Randy, Dawn, Makenna and Scott dropped by about 8 o’clock for a visit. We had lots of laughs, mostly provided by Aurelia. 😃 Scott arrived earlier this afternoon to stay with Randy and Dawn for a few days.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, we are going boating for lunch. Otherwise, if it’s too windy, we will take a ride to Mount Dora. Ta Ta for tonight. 

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

It’s here ... SPRING 🌺. Well we don’t really feel a big difference in our area of Central Florida but nonetheless we like it. 😎 Our friends in the great white north will be extra happy to see SPRING on the calendar. 

Mark and I took a trip to Lowes for a shower head for our bathroom; one with a shut off for soaping up. That’s a good feature that we have in the RV but has taken nearly 18 years to get it at home. 🙄 🚿 

While Mark was shopping for a sledgehammer (?) I found a turtle 🐢 in the garden department. 

The big guy weighs more than 30 lbs ... very detailed. I thought the price was fantastic at $29.98 so home he came. ✅ everything looks a bit nasty as we are having a spring storm today.

The red is a severe thunderstorm area. I guess were all in the soup year in Central Florida and North Florida. Atlanta Georgia had a lot of roof damage to homes overnight, so we hope Tony and Aurelia were OK in their RV in nearby Perry Georgia! (They we’re ok!) Tomorrow they’ll be in our driveway for some sunshine and R ‘n R.  👍🏻

We had some big neighborhood news today as the house across the street that we had dubbed the wilderness area has now closed and sold to a neighbor. Mark and I sat on the front porch and toasted to the good news. 🥂🍾 (We’re very sad that Rick and Ruth did not get the property, but as Ruth says, it just wasn’t meant to be.) 

Monday, March 19, 2018

Good evening. I’m so glad that the blog decided to allow me a page today. Ha ha, I wasn’t able to post anything this morning. Anyway, you haven’t missed much. It’s been a very rainy day, often with gully-washers. 

During the showers, Mark tidied his shed and threw out four buckets of trash, good stuff he’d been saving since our renovations 10 years ago.  I worked on listing things on eBay today plus tidying my craft room. Things that haven’t sold, I pulled apart, sorted and put back in bead bins. I’ll remake current style models. Hey, that’s the fun part, creating.

At 4:30 we sat outside for happy hour amid heavy rain storms. Robbie and BZ enjoyed a yogurt frosty paws while Mark and I sipped wine and ate cheese and kubi. We sure love this front porch. Mark said he fought me on it because he didn’t want to spend the money, not that he didn’t think we would enjoy it. Ha ha ha, I’m so glad we had it built ... it’s just a grand space, and on this house, shade late in the afternoon aka “ happy hour!”

Tony and Aurelia made it to Perry Georgia today amid rain storms. They plan to stay and relax in Perry tomorrow then head to Florida Wednesday after the storms have passed. Good plan! We are looking forward to seeing them on Thursday in our driveway! 

Randy called at 5ish ... pretty tired from a fun weekend. Scott left for Florida and will be dodging the storms and pending Nor’easter. It’s a crazy time of year. (Mark and I recall clearly the tornadoes of 2011 in Oklahoma!) 

So I’ve been thinking about a sort of welcome sign for our porch area. Mark didn’t want “Welcome” or “Hello” ... but found THIS -

Heeheehee ... I love it. 

I found this odd but cool idea for “pathway” lights and plants ... 

Maybe a variation ... well something like it. 

It’s now 8ish and TV time. We’re thinking about Rick and hoping his knee is healing quickly. Then, there’s aunt Jane with her broken hip; time to make some phone calls. 

Ta Ta TIL morning. 

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Good morning sunshine! It’s 10 o’clock and our routine chores are done ✅ ... now it’s time to trim the poor Bougainvillea. Frost hit it badly in January when we were away RVing. Some green leaves have sprouted but it’s definitely in need of pruning. It’s a nasty job because of the thorns! 

Mark went to help Lew work on his bathroom project. Lynn is getting a soaker tub installed and of course it has their bathroom all torn up. Me? I had two eBay sales over the weekend which re-energized me to sell. So, today is photo taking and listing stuff. 

Tony and Aurelia called at 7:30 and were in Nashville Tennessee already. Tomorrow they’ll make Perry Georgia and Florida on Tuesday. It sounds like we’ll see them at least by Thursday. They’ve been ahead of bad weather that’s crossing the continent. 👍🏻 We’re looking forward to seeing them! 

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Good afternoon. And happy St. Patrick’s Day to you and yours! Mark and I are going to the Fish Camp on Lake Eustis for our Irish dinner. It’s a gorgeous day here!

Wow! We saw 11 boats on our lake! It was a gorgeous day ... 78F. Fish Camp was busy but our fav docking spot was waiting. Service great ... corned beef and potatoes-great!  😃 There was karaoke entertainment in the other room. 👍🏻 (They sounded BETTER than us! Imagine that Rick M!!!)

At the bar, at Fishcamp, we saw Donald J Trump‘s twin! Heeheehee ... MacTrump -

What do you think? At certain angles, and certain gestures, he was a ringer. 

We had lots of fun, just the two of us. Back home, kids were happy to see us and we spend our evening recovering from the afternoon and watching telly.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Good morning. We had a surprisingly chilly start to our day considering it’s going to 78° this afternoon. This has been rather crazy weather but I guess we can’t complain since the fourth nor’easter is forming. Pam will get some of the snow from it and of course Donnie will be taking out his shovel again in New England! 

This morning, Mark is working on the Mounty installing a new windshield washer pump. This vehicle has certainly been a learning curve ... very reliable. His next task will be cleaning the boat after all the boathouse gutter cleaning. Some debris had to affect the boat. We wanted all spic and span for Tony and Aurelia’s visit next week! We plan to do a little boating and show them around our lakes ... maybe a ride to the Hideaway! 

Me? Household chores and creating a seashell picture topper. Fun stuff. I did get the grandchildren’s Easter baskets ordered! 

It’s Ramshackles for lunch then onto shopping for craft supplies. 

We had cod fish and onion rings with coleslaw ... and drinks! It was nice and crispy. Afterward we shopped. Easter basket supplies for Dawn’s grandchildren ... bolt cutters (?) for Mark, and floral supplies for me. 

When we got home Robbie and BeeZee wanted a walk followed by a ride on The Caddy. It’s absolutely gorgeous today; plenty of neighbors outside puttering about their flower beds. So after their ride we’re all laying about! 😜 We had parcels stacked up ... the shower head and new curtain arrived plus other odds n sods. Every day’s a surprise package 📦 or three. 😃

It was time for happy hour and a cigar on the front porch and imagining what the wilderness area across the street will look like soon enough. Well we hope! No it’s TV time and relaxing. Except for Robbie, he wants his EE Toy! 💕🐾

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Good morning from sunny Central Florida where it is downright chilly 43F this morning. Yes, 70° later today. 

Ha! This cartoon reminded me of my mom sending us kids out to kill the dandelions with a green plastic tube filled with poison and a huge poker stick on the bottom to prod then pump herbicide into the root.  I’m sure it was a wonderful thing for young children to be doing. Oh, the good ol’ days. Ha ha ha. 🙄

Mark finished cleaning the boathouse gutters, an annual chore while I updated a wall decor item for above the curio cabinets in the dining room. It looks great! Now I’ll make one from shells for our bedroom to hang over a large seashore painting. My jobs were fun, unlike Marky’s. 

Our friend Rick had a 2nd knee injection yesterday in Vancouver. He’s in a lot of pain so we hope this works for him ... otherwise he’ll be joining the bionic group. 🤖 

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Hey, what’s up at your home? Other than some sewing pillow covers today, I have no plans! One thing I must shop for is a shower head for the guest bathroom. (The current handheld one is just OLD and discolored.) That’s what happens when I spruce up one thing at home and the item adjacent looks gnarly. 🤷‍♀️

Speaking of gnarly, the “wilderness area” across from our front porch may soon have a metamorphosis! Really! I’d best take a BEFORE picture. We think the vacant house may soon be under new ownership! It’s exciting! This place has such great potential (Mark and I think) with 200+ frontage. Our neighbor is under contract to close on March 20. However, if it does not close to him, it may be sold privately to another individual who will also treat it with TLC. For us, it’s a win-win either way ... but of course we have our preferences. 😜

This is our view! 

It’s 6:30 now ... I lit the fire 🔥 as it’s dropped to 69F 🤣 

🔥 🌴 🍷 😘 Do you read emoji? 

Sue and Wayne are off to the yacht club tonight while Randy cooks dinner for Dawn. Speaking of dinner, Mark has some fat Scoogin porkchops on the grill. 😋 The Scotties ate very well tonight too, chicken thighs, grilled, and baked potato with vegetables. No kibbie tonight. Boy were they happy campers! 

RIP ... STEPHEN HAWKING ... A brief history of time ❤️ ... you were dealt a bum hand but played it well; an inspiration to all mankind. 

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Good morning. We were both up before the alarm this morning, Mark for a doctor appointment, just a check up. And me, to prepare for game day. Now, it’s 1115 and I’m all set! Yay. Two new gals are joining us today, Margaret, visiting from Canada, and Ruthann, a neighbor from Pat’s street. 

Randy and Dawn are enjoying Daytona Beach and apparently closed a bar last night. Ha ha, they are a couple of recycled teenagers.

So happy they got beautiful weather for riding. It was going to be very chilly overnight at the coast, 45°. Believe me, that will feel cold.

This afternoon, Mark is running a few errands for us while I host.

Well it may be a smaller party than I anticipated as Rose has a flareup of her sciatica, and RuthAnn’s well pump went out. Never mind, for those who show there will be a PARTAY. 🍷

Yup, that’s my home made triple chocolate cake. 

The Wine zone ... plus 2 extra bottles of merlot ... gone. 🤪

Lynn, Margaret, Deenna, Nancy, Elaine, Carol, Flo, Anita, RuthAnn and Pat all had fun playing pool 🎱, Rummicube and Dice 🎲. No one left til after 5 so you know they had fun! (I’m exhausted.) 😅 There were no takers for corn hole today. 😝 

RanDawn arrived home safely after a chilly ride home from Daytona. They had a blast and the bands were super! 

Sue and Wayne tried a new place in Lighthouse Point called Sicilian Oven ... apparently very good. 

Cousin Donny spent his day shoveling snow with his crew ... the 3rd Nor’easter in 11 DAYS! That’s like 3 Hurricanes  happening in 11 days! What the heck! 🌪 That’s just downright mean. 

Newburyport is lovely ... in summer! ☀️

What a pretty home! 

Well, that’s the news from our house today. Sorry it’s brief, but it’s been a busy day. And, we had tons of compliments on the house and the new interior colors, especially on the light purple dining room! Three of the girls asked me to come over with color charts and see what they should paint their homes with ... just make sure the husbands are out golfing when that happens. Ha ha Ha ha ha