December 31, 2016

Good morning from chilly (45) Central Florida. Well, the sun is shining, there's a log in the fireplace and a Scotty on my lot, so no complaints here! 

 

Haha. What a picture. I bet this looks really inviting to Marky in the Ocala National Forest, just chilling! 

I sorted clothes I wasn't wearing and gathered items for an end of year donation to the Humane Society store. We took three boxes two days ago, but I apparently had even more. LOL. Where does it all come from? Mark and I lost about 15 pounds each in the last five months so somethings we just weren't wearing any more. Then, there were a couple of table cloths that I donated and a few odds and ends of household items that should be very salable. Out with the old, in with the new for 2017. 

 

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2017. 

 

Robbie & BeeZee say "get these dumb hats off! Arooo." 

Sharon & Art's party starts at 8 o'clock, so I best get busy getting ready. We're taking deviled eggs and hot pepper cream cheese on crackers! I'm starving now ... 

Friday, December 30, 2016

Good morning! 😎 It's A fine day in our neighborhood as seven couples left on a cruise! Mark and I are holding the fort. We wish them a bon voyage and for the new cruisers (Pat & Ken) we suggested sea bands. 

I finished my Christmas sorting for the new white tree which should arrive sometime next week. Next year's decor has already been selected and table linens ordered, chandelier foofaraw and new white iridescent garland for the (green) living room tree. As you can guess, I can hardly wait. LOL

This afternoon, we are taking BeeZee to our vet for a check up. Of course today she ate all her breakfast and seems to be absolutely fine. It's always that way when you take a kid to the doctor. Ha ha

Last evening we had a lovely phone call from Rick Moir. He was just finishing up at the log home before heading to dinner at the condo. (They've been busy and are within three weeks of moving into the renovated house.) Kudos! Mark and I plan to see it next summer with an RV trip west. 

Back from the vet, BeeZee's X-ray came back clean! Whew! She must have chewed the piece up fine enough to pass it. No more "indestructible" rubber bones for that tough chewer! 

Since I didn't take a picture today, thought I'd do a 10 year flashback to Christmas 2006 at our Pompano Beach home when Mom and Linda were still with us. Matt's there too, behind Mark and Randy. 

 

Matt opening Shiloh's gift of "Iggy" ... while Maggie tried to bite it. haha. (We had Iggy out this year for Robbie and BeeZee!) 

 

Dinner with the usual suspects ... Randy got a nice shiny tooth for Christmas I see. 😂

 

Since my proofreader couldn't see "the tooth" ...

 

Ha! Ta Ta til tomorrow. 

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Good morning from sunny 75° Central Florida. A couple of our South Florida friends are skiing in New Hampshire with the approaching nor'easter. Oh my ... they will have stories to tell! Our weather continues to be beautiful, and slightly above average. Tomorrow morning, we are supposed to get a cold front moving through so perhaps a chance for dockside bonfire? Time will tell.

Poor Miss B is off her feed today. On Christmas Day, she chewed a piece off an "indestructible" rubber dog toy. She's been eating just fine since then, but there've been little bile throwups a couple of mornings. So, tomorrow we have an appointment at the vet to get her tummy checked. (By the way, the doggy cookies are being accepted just fine, but not regular food this morn.) We have the toy to show the vet so she can see how much is gone. She barfed a piece of Kong about the same size last summer ... so here's hoping.

Mark was off to his appointment and to run a few errands on the way home. Me? After my regular household chores, I began taking everything off our (green) Christmas tree. I'm sorting favorite ornaments for the new white tree and those that'll stay with the Green tree. It's a crummy job today, but redecorating is going to be awesome. 

Randy, Dawn and Makenna came over for a visit. After wine, Mark served homemade turkey soup which was a hit with everybody. He also found chocolate and vanilla ice cream, another hit! Makenna played with Robbie and Belize on the floor, showing off her ballet moves. It was a fun evening. They left about 7 o'clock, just ahead of the rain storm. 

 

Haha! Fun stuff. 

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Only Sue will get a laugh from the title, above. 😂 I'll attempt to share the story. Our dear ol' Dad, we thought, "shouldn't be" caring for the big house he and Mom were living in at the time. Well, Sue and I attempted to get him looking at Leisureville properties. The houses were considerably smaller and maintenance was included. It seemed brilliant to Sue and I but dad called it "old foggyville" instead of old fogyville. As you can see, it didn't translate that well but at the time Sue and I were in tears laughing. So what brought that back to memory? Well, it's a little foggy here in Central Florida this morning! 63F now ... 80F later. Schweet. 

The doggies and I are joining Mark on his daily drive to The Villages and doing errands along the route. Since Diane and Kris have taken over Thanksgiving, officially, they are "inheriting" autumn garland. So we shall drop that off and then we have a return to make at  Beall's ... a post office with an eBay parcel and maybe Sonic? Haha. 

Ha ha. By the time Mark went into his appointment, he realized how much he enjoys the ride by himself. LOL 😂 

Chores done, we left the doggies at home and went to Crazy Gators for lunch. It was gorgeous with 80F and low humidity. 

 

Sue and Wayne went dancing at the Elks tonight. They spent their day getting back to normal after having been away nearly a week!

Randy and Dawn had granddaughter Makenna at TheVillages tonight. 

 

 Dawn looks lovely in the blue bow ... but on Randy it looks like a bra on his head. LOL 

Well that's it for tonight.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Good morning from sunny Central Florida where it is 65° at 9. Mark whipped up a wonderful breakfast of bacon, sausages, eggs and leftover potatoes for Sue, Wayne and us. We've all had such a fun time over the last three (busy) days. Unfortunately, the parties over and the K's are on their way home to South Florida. 

 

It certainly is more fun to decorate for Christmas than  it is to tidy up afterwards. Ha ha. I will begin the gradual putting away starting now. 

Mark arrived home from his battle with Home Depot over a Ryobi leaf blower. This is the second one that has broken down within two months. It is seldom used and should be holding up better than that! The impeller is made out of plastic and shatters! (Lew popped in later for a visit and gave Mark some idea of how best to return it. Haha. We shall see!  A few minutes later Lynn came by to say Merry Christmas and to update us on their cruise itinerary.)

We had a surprise phone call from Darlene to wish us a Merry Christmas. She had spent Christmas with Crystal and helped cook the dinner. When she got back home (fortunately her brother was with her) the back door to her house was packed with 5 feet of snow! The only way to get around right now is apparently four-wheel-drive! It sounded like she had a very nice Christmas and really enjoyed being with granddaughter Avery. 

Our friend Sharon called to say that her New Year's eve party is on again. Art is coming along fine after his minor stroke last week and is ready to 🎉! What a trooper. We'll take deviled eggs and wine to the party. 

Well that was our news for today. This evening, we are relaxing and watching Oak Island series about looking for lost treasure in Nova Scotia. 

Monday, December 26, 2016

Good morning sunshine ☀️, another day in paradise! Mark and Lew went to the forest while I held the fort at home. Randy popped in for coffee at 9:30 and invited us to dinner tonight at 5:30. Chicken Marsala is on the menu. Awesome. Mark made a turkey dinner platter for Dawn when she gets home tonight. Randy said she was tired of chicken marsala. 😬

As Mark was arriving home, Sue and I were heading to Beall's "bargain" shopping. I didn't find anything I needed but Sue was in the que so obviously she did. 

Diane and Kris left Southern Palms around 11ish continuing their RV travels ... to The Villages and then onto the Fishcamp. It was a fun Christmas and a good visit. 

Sue, Wayne, Mark and I had a great visit with Randy and the party continued when Dawn arrived home at 8:30. Of course Randy's chicken Marcela  was excellent. He is really a very good chef. 

 

When Dawn arrived, we filled her in on the conversation, forward another wine and visited while she ate dinner. She works tomorrow, so we called it a day and left about 930.

 

Storytelling and listening at RanDawn's. 

 

Randy loves a good joke. Ha ha Ha,

Thanks for a great dinner, and a fantastic visit. We always have so much fun and so many laughs. It was a great Boxing Day! 

CHRISTMAS DAY 2016

Merry Christmas from our little slice of paradise in Central Florida. 🌴

Our Christmas gathering is smaller this year but no less festive. We're still a fun, noisy crowd!  We missed having Randy and Dawn here for Christmas Eve as they celebrated with her children and grandchildren. (Randy had been thoroughly adopted by "the kids!) 💕

At this time of year we reflect on childhood memories of Christmases past and folks no longer with us. Growing up in Winnipeg Manitoba, my Christmases were always white ... and cold! There was extra sparkle from the colored lights in the clear crisp air. My dad hung blue Christmas lights around our windows and along the eaves of our house all the way up to the English cottage peak. Above our neon house numbers, 820, hung a lighted Santa Claus face. It was no easy task hanging lights when dad's only day off work was Sunday, and it was 20 below! Such was Christmas on the prairies.

 

The hustle and bustle of downtown Winnipeg in December! 

Christmas Eve, family and friends would gather for drinks in our downstairs rec room where the real Fraser fir tree was lit and dangerously close to the glowing heat lamp. (Sometimes reflection makes you wonder how you survived the 1950s and the 1960s! We had it all. Lead paint, open face fans, open face heating elements, no three prong plugs, fuse boxes all relatively unsupervised!) 😬 Uncle Jimmy, married to my dad's sister gave each of us girls $1 ... and we were "over the moon" with excitement. All Christmas Eve friends, family and neighbors popped in for "open house" ... food, drink and merriment. All this wonderful warmth of the season was in stark contrast to the 25 or 30 below Fahrenheit temperatures outdoors. Yes folks, those were the good old days. Mom had spent weeks preparing gifts for we 4 girls while caring for our aging grandmother and my dad. It's not until now, when we do all these things for ourselves, do we appreciate the incredible effort our parents made to give us these wonderful memories. On Christmas Eve we were allowed to open one gift each before bed. The remainder waited for Christmas morn  when dad lit the "light bar" and blinded us while taking home movies. (I still have the home movies and Kodak projector!) Oh, the gifts were wonderful too. There were Chatty Cathy dolls, Betsy Wetsy, ice skates, aluminum toboggans, a flying saucer, Miss Canada dolls complete with wardrobe (sewn by my mom) and more. Sue and I received our red cocker spaniel, Ringo, for Christmas in 1964. Wow! That was fantastic as we had naggec for a dog for years! Of course Christmas day dinner was prepared by mom and dad. This meant there were stressful moments in the kitchen, LOL, which were pantomimed one year by Mark and I. Haha. Mom and dad didn't think it unusual at all, as dad remarked, "she's just like her mother!" to which my mom replied "it sounds like home." Well, we all burst into fits of laughter. So that's it. Christmas is a special blend of personal memories tied to family, friends and neighbors. Remember as you enjoy your Christmas this year, it will become next year's memories. 

 

Winnipeg had (has?) wonderful decorations! Dad and mom would take us all for a drive to see "the lights!" 

So, on this Christmas Day, everyone arrived about 2 o'clock and we began the festivities of gift exchange. It seemed everyone had use their imagination this year and the gifts were wonderful. 

 

Kris, (Belle in the pink carriage), Diane, Randy & Dawn. 

 

BeeZee and Robbie had a blast opening plenty of gifts. 

 

Sue took a picture of the table setting, and it did look very pretty. 

 

I'm not sure what was going on here, but Randy was laughing so hard he was crying. Haha. 

 

Apparently we did not take very many pictures this year. We certainly had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun. 

Merry Christmas one and all. 🎄🎁🎶

 

Christmas Eve, 2016

Well, it's been a busy day. It's now 4 o'clock and I'm just getting a start on my blog. It was a little cool this morning at 61° so, instead of taking the boat to Magnolia's  as Mark planned, we jumped in the car with Wayne and Sue and went for breakfast. The omelettes were great ... Sue had quiche which she said was very good. 

Back at home, Wayne went Christmas shopping while Sue stayed with her dogs; Mark and I began the cooking. 

 

Robbie and BZ were very interested in Mark carving the turkey! I cooked the potatoes and then made dressing and gravy. It will help a lot tomorrow not to have those three things to do.

Diane and Kris arrived at Southern Palms RV at 1:30ish. The office was closed, so they had to find their own site. By the time we arrived 10 minutes later, they looked a little harried. 😂 

 

I think in this picture Kris was looking for the "for sale" sign. 😱

Mark helped him get the water and sewer hooked up and gave him what we think are the finer points. There's lots to remember and lots to learn, but I think they are really going to enjoy RVing. Their rig is in lovely condition with plenty of space. 

 

That's better. The jacks are down, the slides are out and the air conditioning is running! Next, it's TV hookup. 

Wayne and Sue offered to cook Christmas Eve dinner for us. Originally, we were going to eat in their rig but, with Diane and Kris nearby, we have decided to set up a dining table in the Sunroom. (The dining room table is already laid for Christmas dinner tomorrow!)

After a fantastic steak dinner, we all watched "the long long trailer" with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. It was a 1954 production, and was hilarious. Originally, Paula and Jeremy bought it for us and we have played it several times. At 9:30, everyone headed for home to rest up for tomorrow's Christmas festivities. 

Merry Christmas 🎁!

Friday, December 23, 2016

Good morning. It's going to be a busy day in our household. Sue and Wayne will be arriving early afternoon. I am picking up our deli order then grocery shopping ... then cooking will begin in earnest tomorrow. 

Publix was crazy busy and sold out of many things! But, it's done! Tomorrow, Mark will handle the turkey and I'll do the potatoes. Christmas is a-coming!

BeeZee and Robbie sat on the front porch watching for Sue and Wayne to arrive. Notice how festive they look. 

 

At 2:20 the K's pulled in with their 45' Prevost. By 3:20 a party broke-out. Actually, we 4 sat on the front porch with Shorty Hotpants and Julius until it was time to feed and walk the doggies. 

Red Lobster wasn't overly busy tonight! (That's a first!) We had wine and a nice evening out and we're back home by 7:30. They retired to TV and an evening with their dogs and we did approximately the same. 

Tomorrow's another day as Nan used to tell us when we were wee ones.

Actually, tomorrow is Miles's 12th birthday! 

 

Melanie made this fabulous cake for Miles for his birthday celebration! It's quite amazing. (Twelve years!) we're looking forward to seeing pictures of his party. 

Ta Ta. 

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Good morning! 🌞 I was awake at 5:30 so began baking cookies and a pie! It sure smelled good when Mark woke at 7:30. (He's cooking the breakfast eggs right now.) 

Haha. Before Mark left for his appointment, he got out his trusty Ryobi blower and piled up the leaves in the front yard. Then, the blower gave out. This is the second one that has burned out in two months. Back to Home Depot we go. I guess we will be buying a different brand! Anyway, he started the mower and mulched up the leaves so it's nice and tidy when company arrives for Christmas. After doing that, he scurried off to his doctor appointment. About an hour after that, our yard man arrived to do the chore that he had just done. LOL. Never mind, they cut the grass,  edged and did everything up so it looks sharp for Christmas! 🌴

 

Ho Ho Ho ... we're nearly ready for Christmas! (I finished my wrapping today, but Mark has a little more to do.) 

Randy and Dawn are going to the Hideaway's  private party this evening. I know they will have plenty of fun. Tomorrow, they are also going there for the annual Elvis show. We went last year, and it was a good time! 

So, tonight, Pat and Ken are coming over for cocktails at 5 then we are going to Plaza Guadalajara for dinner. (Those two are plenty of fun. We really enjoy their company.) 

Sue and Wayne left home about 3 o'clock heading for Stuart where there RV is stored. We'll expect them about 1 o'clock tomorrow! 🍾 

 

Of course we had good fun with at our Mexican dinner. 

 

Ho Ho Ho ... food was good ... Margaritas great ... FUN was awesome! (There's never a dull moment with Pat & Ken.) 

Back home, the doggies are happy to see us. Tomorrow, we're picking up our deli order and groceries and beginning to cook! Ta Ta. 

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Good morning 😃 ... my decorating is complete ... gift shopping, not. 

The B-I-G news is Diane & Kris took the plunge into RVing with a 37' Windsport. (Go big or stay home I always say!) 😎

 

YEP! It's big. Diane frightened the salespeople with her NASCAR skills. 😱

 

We "think" this is the floor plan ... Diane wasn't entirely certain. Tomorrow, they pick it up at the dealer. With this purchase, there's no shortage of gift ideas for Diane & Kris. 👍🏻 (We shall look forward to RVing with them.) 

So, when Mark arrived home from his daily routine, we did our Christmas "swabbing decks" and then went gift shopping ... plus champagne shopping! Proceccio is on hand for celebrating our family's newlyweds. 

Randy called at 6:30 while he was cooking dinner for Dawn. Salmon steaks and broccoli is on their plates tonight. 

Sue was bowling yesterday with "the gang" ... 

 

 

 

Great scores after a long hiatus!  Excellent bowling Greg! (Mark and I have been slackers lately but after the holidays, we will get back at it!)

It's a good time to wish everyone Happy Holidays. We wish all our friends and family peace and prosperity with good health. ❤

Tuesday December 20, 2016

Yes, I'm up early and wishing for ANOTHER Christmas 🎄 to decorate! "We" have whittled ourselves down to 1 measly tree from a high point of 7ish. Now admittedly, that was a bit over the top. But then I see my friend Sharon's house and she whittled down from 47. Nope. Not a typo! Each tree had a theme ... but then she gave her "cleaning lady" permission to cast out a few and wound up with just 23 this year! (It's a darn good thing I didn't see her trash pile in October!) Sharon's trees range in size from 12' to 7' ... so we're talking large trees! It's not the "having" but the storing of it all. Alas, I'm dreaming of a white pre-lit tinsel 7.5' slimline tree. 🙄

 

So, good morning! 🌞I have a few things to buy at Hobby Lobby but am "scared" to go!  Christmas stuff will be on sale! 😍🎄 Mark has his morning scheduled ... 

 

Fortunately, Hobby Lobby was sold out on white trees! Yay. 😅 I bought my list of items and got out of there with my sanity. Haha. All afternoon I decked the halls ... well, dining room with foofarah! It looks glittery! (I did manage to slightly twist my ankle getting off the chair I was standing on. I know! Dumb. 

 

Tonight, we are meeting Randy and Dawn at IchiBan for dinner. It might be the last time we get to see them until Christmas day with everyone's busy schedule! 

 

I heard a rumor today that someone in my family may have purchased an RV ... Diane & Kris! Sweet!!! They'll be joining the RVfest on our driveway this weekend. 

IchiBan was very busy tonight! Our waiter was fresh off the boat and didn't speak one word of English. Dawn ordered red wine ... I ordered Chardonnay but soon discovered "NO WHITE WINE." (No Zinfandel either.) I settled on water with RHEMON. Whatever. Haha ... dinner was good and we had fun. Randy got sherbet at the dessert bar ... but when Mark went for some, Randy saw Mark go to the soup bar. Yep ... a soup bowl for ice cream! 

 

Randy's wee bowl ... Mark's big bowl. 😂

That was our day! Hope yours was good too!

Monday December 19, 2016

Good day! I was up extra early to jump-start my Christmas dinner prep. No, not cooking ... but prewashing dishes and polishing the silver. 🎄It's such a busy time of year! 

Wayne should enjoy this pic as Winnipeg has (had?) terrific Christmas lights!

 

Gorgeous eh?

Mark worked on the fence cleaning project which is nearly done. Maybe he will finish tomorrow, after his foray into the woods. (Hunting season ends January 8th.) 

All's well here. Randy & Dawn had fun with her family at the "Uncle Donald's Farm" ... a petting zoo and Christmas display last night. Today, they were shopping in Orlando. 🎁

Sue and Wayne had Shorty Hotpants at the dentist for a checkup ... and a follow up appointment made for January. (Julius was left "Home Alone."  😱)

Well it's official. Donald J. Trump 🤡 will be leader of the free world January 30th. (The Electoral College voted him in.) With that news I shall sign off and pour some wine. Ta Ta. 

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Good morning from sunny 70° Central Florida. (It's going to 84 this afternoon.) Another beautiful day in paradise. 

Melanie posted this pic of the gingerbread cookies that Miles made ... of his parents. 

 

Meet Mel and Alastair! Haha. 

We had some interesting conversation with our friends last night, about self protection in the age of President elect Trump. It's unnerving to see the route our countrymen have chosen. Yes, we have checks and balances but they're much weaker than most people assume. Congress has delegated a great deal of power to the President, and Presidents have claimed power under the Constitution...and Congress has acquiesced. 

 

This afternoon Mark and I had happy hour with Rose and Jim. They are on edge waiting for Jim's hip replacement surgery next Thursday. Both have been in excellent health and never had any surgery. We had a good time and a few laughs. 

 

Tonight, it was dog grooming while watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. 

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Good morning. Mark and Lew left at 5:30 for the Ocala National Forest. I tried to go back to sleep, honestly I did, but eventually got up and sat with my BZ. (The doggies are pretty worn out after such a big day of entertainment yesterday!) Our pal Bonnie (from Tulsa) keeps in touch with Robbie's brother Tubby's family in Chicago. They celebrated Tubby's 6th with a bowl of his favorite foods! ❤️

Mark and Lew didn't see any deer today ... just a couple of turkeys and squirrels! As always, they enjoyed their outing!

 

Tonight, we went to Texas Roadhouse in The Villages with our friends Ken and Pat. We didn't have to wait very long and the food was terrific. We had a great time. Afterward, Mark went home to walk the dogs and then we went to their house for apple pie and ice cream, and drinks. It was a great evening. We played with their English Springer spaniel, Sadie.  Our Scotties checked us out when we got home!

Sue and Wayne went to the Elks tonight with Carol and Jack. We are glad to hear that Jack is getting out and enjoying himself after having been under the weather. 

Dawn worked today while  Randy did paperwork and puttered around the house. He kept very busy organizing the shed! (We know he hopes to store the Christmas tree, fully decorated, in there.) LOL. Bah humbug. 😂

Well, I'm sitting with Robbie on my lap finishing this blog. It's been a good day and we'll enjoy TV for the next hour with the doggies. Ta Ta til tomorrow. 🎄

Friday, December 16, 2016

Aren't I a little "old" to have a nightmare? 😱 (I took Advil PM at 11 ... and here I am 4 hours later; that obviously didn't work for pain nor sleep!) Anyway, the goofy nightmare was job related ... but I don't have a job! 🙄 (A "front" rolled through Florida during the night so that would account for my edginess.) Thank heavens I don't live in Winnipeg where the fronts roll in from the west with regularity! So, good (wee hours) morning! Mz Bee came to find me and sit on my lap so it's a fine start to this day regardless of anything else. (Yes, I went back to bed after a diet Sunkist.)

Happy birthday to our wonderful Scottie dog, Robbie the Bruce. Robbie turns six years young today. He celebrated, along with his sister Belize, by eating a treat from Piglet's Pantry, while wearing bow ties (from our Tawns family in Perth) and posing for a picture to be posted on Facebook. When Mark got home from his appointment, we went to lunch at one of Robbie's favorite places on the boat. Lucky boy! 

 

BeeZee and Robbie waiting for a doggie cupcake. 🎂

 

Delicious looking, aren't they? Robbie chose a blue one and Beez ate red one. 🐾

 

At 1 o'clock, we took the kids for a boat ride to Palm Gardens for lunch. Robbie sat on this seat the entire ride. 

 

BeeZee is so good on the boat ... but she still wears a yellow tether until she gets  swimming lessons. 

 

Boneless (chicken) wings for lunch ... and visits from a few patrons. 

 

BeeZee sits so nicely now! They're quite used to this rustic gem of a restaurant. 

 

It's official ... Robbie is 6 years young. 💕

What a lovely 75F it was. Tomorrow, 82 is forecast ... no white Christmas in these parts. 

That's it. Now it's relaxing time! Ta Ta.