Sunday, April 30, 2017

Hey hey hey it's been a grand day. Fortunately, it was cooler than yesterday. Today's high was 91 with low humidity and a breeze. Whew. 

Lynn texted for an impromptu 2 o'clock pool 💦 party. Rose, Jim, Pat, Ken, Mark and I joined Lynn and Lew with snacks in hand. Within a half hour it was a regular PARTAY. 💦🥂🍾

Lynn, Rose, Pat and me ... tons of fun! 🌴

Poor Lew hit his head on the edge of a wall clock before we arrived. (He was setting a lamp timer and stood up quickly.) Ouch. 

 

It looked pretty sore!  🤕 (I thought he needed stitches.)

Everyone wanted to plan a January group cruise ... we'll see; first we have an RV summer to enjoy. 

 

Lynn had too much fun! She didn't want anyone to go home! 

When we came home I took the kids for a Caddy ride after their supper. Mark installed a volt meter this morning and we're just starting to watch the reading to know how far we can drive before another charge. 

Randy and Dawn had dinner at Stavros then stopped in for a visit. They'd had a busy time at the Hideaway yesterday and were taking it easy today. We had a good visit ... Dawn's back to work tomorrow. 

Sue and Wayne went to a crayfish party on Las Olas today ... a lovely big home. I bet it was fabulous. (They had the oppressive heat we suffered yesterday.)

 

Nice home! 👍🏻  Pretty landscaping. 

So that was our day! Hope yours was fun too. 😎

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Good morning. I was up early to watch the new Season 12, Episode 1, Ancient Aliens 👽 Sweet! 

 

 

Today's plans include visiting the memorial wall that has arrived in downtown Eustis. We'll go for dinner at one of the local mom and pop restaurants then walk around the wall plus check out the music festival. 

 

Diane and Kris attended Leesburg Bikefest in good style ... 

 

Lookin' great !!! It's friggin' HOT today. 

Mark and I went for dinner to the downtown Eustis Mexico Del Sol ... ✅ ... then to see the wall. 

 

It's horrifying the generations lost due to the Vietnam War. 😡 

 

This 'copter looks SO SMALL. Really! How did they fit inside with all their gear? 

 

One name popped out at me. Jack H. Curry ... our neighbor in Winnipeg had a son in the military. It would be unlikely to be him, but the age would be right. Funny how a name can just pop up and stir an old memory. (He had an English Springer Spaniel named Skippy.) 

Well it was too hot for me to walk about downtown after standing at the black wall. This summer heat arrived too fast; I'm whining. 😂. The music festival sounded good ... but alas, I wimped out. 

Sue and Wayne went to Pompano's American Legion to listen to a friend play, or sing? Maybe it's their Elvis friend from years past who we heard sing. 

That's it. We're home with a glass of wine 🍷 and the A/C running! 

Friday, April 28, 2017

Good evening. Somehow it's 530 and I didn't start the blog. Who do I think I am? Rick Moir? 🤣

There was no front door open this morning as it was 75 when we woke up at 9ish. We had no plans for the afternoon and just puttered about the house. Mark did a little grocery shopping for tonight's Mexican dominoes fun while I prepped the house. It's the hottest day so far this year at 94F. Drat ... there goes the electric bill. 😱

I phoned Randy and Dawn today to see how they are feeling. Fortunately, much better! I invited them to join us for dominoes but know that they are going to the Leesburg bike fest and to downtown Eustis to check out the memorial wall. 

 

Selfie stick pic ... lots of fun and shenanigans 🍀! Rose was the big winner at 97! Ken was a close 2nd at 121. 👍🏻  (Do you see Robbie sitting at the end of the table?) Bee was sitting next to me but gave up her seat just before the picture. 

Great news! Bonnie and Roger closed on the Tulsa house and have moved into their new Claremore property! 🥂🍾 Congratulations!

Thursday April 27, 3017

Good morning from our home to yours. Today we remember birthdays celebrated with Mom. She always had her 4 girls dressed in the current fashion down to the final detail. I recall hemlines taken up and let down before school began each September. New outfits were sewn for each of us to have a week's worth of new clothes before school started. Did we realize the effort Mom put forth daily? I know we didn't! There was no  convenience foods nor microwave ovens; 3 meals a day for a family of 7. OMG. Thank you Mom, and Happy Birthday. ❤️🥂🍾💐🎂

 

Mark's back pain is status quo. He puttered about the house, bathed the doggies, did a few odds 'n sods then visited Lew for a beer. Meanwhile, Lynn and I went on the golf  cart to game day at Sharon's. Whoo hoo. Sharon had a lovely spread of snacks and drinks ... enough for a huge party. Four played Yahtzee ... four Rummikube and 4 played some new game. It was a nice time. 

After dinner, Mark and I took the dogs cruising on The Caddy and stopped to chat with Ken. We decided on a Mexican Dominoes night with Pat, Ken, Rose and Jim tomorrow night. 

Mark talked to Randy who's been feeling under the weather the past two days. It seems both he and Dawn had a bit of a flu bug. It's Leesburg bike fest weekend and they are both helping out Saturday at the Hideaway. Let's hope they're both feeling up to par. 

So that's it for today. Ta Ta. 

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

It was 66°F when I opened the front door today. The Scotties enjoyed watching two squirrels arguing over our birdfeeder. It's a good thing they don't bark (unless stranger danger) as Mark was sleeping in. (It's 920 and we haven't seen him yet!) 💤 

 

❤️ the various greens of our springtime trees! (This picture was taken through the windshield while Mark was fueling up the Kia.) Trout Lake. 

And in keeping with strange photo locations, here's one that Lew took from the airplane as he flew over our neighborhood last weekend! 

 

If I'd known ... I'd have been outside waving! 😎 

Did you find our little slice of paradise? The golf cart is a give away. Haha. 

So Mark was determined to put the RV away properly and hung the front shade. His back's still dicey BUT the exrays came back hunky-dory! 👍🏻✅. 

I took the kids for a Caddy ride at 4:30 ... then we both went at 7:30 ... whoo-hooo, what fun! 

That's it. Life is Good! (Where are you Rick Moir?)

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Good morning. I was happy to see Mark was up moving about more freely. He had a lousy night's sleep, but his back seemed to feel a bit better. We will call the doctor later to see what the x-rays indicate. 

 

Meanwhile, the kids and I rode around having fun after lunch. 

Did I mention how awesome Mark is? Even with a sore back he fueled up both vehicles, grocery shopped, washed and covered the truck! 😍

This evening, we met Lew, Lynn, Dawn and Randy for dinner at Oakwood's smokehouse. It was wonderful ... great ribs ... Randy enjoyed shrimp! 

Ta Ta til tomorrow! 

Monday, April 24, 2017

Good afternoon. It's been a bit of a crazy day. Mark's back is still very sore so I have been doing as much as I can to help him. We decided it would be prudent to see what the doctor thought happened to his back. The first step was urgent care where Mark got a shot for pain, inflammation and a muscle relaxer. Now a couple of hours later, he feels slightly better. I canceled our upcoming RV trip to New Smyrna Beach. Once his back is feeling better we'll book it again. 🌊 

Dawn apparently was not feeling well overnight. Randy said her slippers got a work out during the night. Haha ... use your imagination. 💩 

After lunch I took the kids cruising on The Caddy. It was so windy; leaves were blowing everywhere! They sure love to ride. (Don't worry, they're tethered inside the cart.) After, we relaxed and watched FARGO (The new series.) It was crazy hard to follow ... we liked it. It'll be on Wednesdays at 10 o'clock now! 👍🏻👍🏻  

Afterward, we got the RV backed into the port. 

 

"Poor Mark!" said Dawn. Randy knew Mark was hamming it up for the picture. "Suck it up buttercup!" says our friend Rose (after Jim's hip replacement surgery recovery dragged on.) 😂

At the back of our RVport is the wisteria ...

 

and it's blooming! WOWSA. (Bone Meal fertilizer was the ticket!) 

After dinner, we made plans with Lew, Lynn, Randy and Dawn for tomorrow's dinner at Oakwoods Smokehouse! (We're hoping both Mark and Dawn will be feeling fit for a full rack of ribs!) 

Sue and Wayne had dinner with friends Pat and Derek at Cafe Roma in Pompano Beach. 

But tonight it's relaxing with the doggies.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Good morning! Mark had a tough time getting out of bed with his sore back! Nevertheless, we got it done between us and were on the road by 10:30. We took 19 South to 44 East ... great 4 lane roads all the way home! 

I jostled cars around while Mark waited; then he backed the RV partially into the port for the night. We have reservations for New SMyrna Beach next weekend. With any luck, he will be feeling better by then. 

 

Mark took a pain pill when we came in and hoped for the best. (I think WINE would have been better.) 🍷 While he was resting, BeeZee and Robbie got brushed. 

 

Look at the cypress bits in Bee's coat! What a dirty mess our little girl was! 

Robbie seemed happy to get brushed! 

So, Cedar Key ... been there, done ✅ that. 

 

Were sure happy to see company. Randy picked up Dawn after work and they came to visit very a gift of homemade turkey soup! 💕👍🏻  That'll be our dinner tonight! 😅 Schweet! 

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Good morning! 🌞Mark's having a sleep in while the Scotties watch I Love Lucy with me. Haha ... still a funny show! 

 

Well, maybe I'm the only one laughing ... BeeZee's looking out the window while Robbie naps. 🙄

After breakfast we took the dogs for a drive into town sightseeing. 

 

There are some cute cottage homes here 'n there but only 700-800 folks live on Cedar Key. Instead of lunch by the pier we opted for snacky lunch at the RV. We had Buffalo chicken dip with celery and hot pretzels. 

 

D R A T.  Mark thought he'd do a good deed and you KNOW how that goes! He got the footstool and took down the RV bathroom fan assembly for cleaning. I'm guessing he was twisted up in there with the screw gun. 

Well, Mark brought the fan housing to the kitchen sink to clean it. A few minutes later he picked it up to put on the floor. THAT'S when it happened! YOWSER! His back went out! So ... we're missing the GRW low-country boil dinner and entertainment. 😧 Waaa-waaaa!  

I plyed him with Advil and wine plus a heating pad ... 

and THIS is what I got. 🙄

 

So we ate chicken and cole slaw at home. When I walked Robbie, I heard the guitarists ... 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. Sweet. Tomorrow 's another day ... hope Mark will be okay to drive! 

Friday, April 21, 2017

We were up and on the road by 805 this morning, almost on schedule. The highways were good although mostly 2-lane. The town of Dunellen looked really neat and worth investigating some time. We arrived at Cedar Key about 1045 and were assigned to site 57, likely the toughest one to get into. Ha ha. This place is rustic but with good power. 👍🏻

After a bite of lunch Mark and I drove to the town of Cedar Key. It's cool ... pretty small ... but definitely worthy of a seafood lunch tomorrow! 

But tonight, there's a potluck get together at the Clubhouse. 

 

Mark was advertising Georgia Boys Fishcamp tonight! We sat with Pete and Lorette who we've met a few times! They were the only folks we knew at this camp out ... some familiar faces around although. Dinner was very good ... tons of variety! We sat outside at picnic tables with a nice view of the Gulf until no-see-ums arrived at sundown. Everyone scattered!

 

Mark spys a birdhouse DENT on our neighbor's side mirror! 😂 Mark and I were sitting at our table having lunch when we heard a thump and crash as a "neighbor" roared in next to us. He'd hit a bird house hanging in a tree which knocked his mirror off his coach. All the while "the wife" was sitting with her feet on the dashboard. 😁

 

Lucky, there was no bird living in it at the time. It was pretty funny to see Mark snooping around taking pictures. Ha ha.

Here's our neighbor's mirror. 🤣

Well that's it for tonight. Tata till tomorrow. 

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Good morning. There's much to do to get ready to go ... especially since we decided on happy hour yesterday rather than doing stuff. LOL

 

Wine:30 ... and a cigar!

 

Catching a breeze! Actually, there's probably a lizard in there. 

Isn't it funny how life goes. As soon as we decide on a weekend with the RV, eBay sales start popping. Mark's just gone to the post office for the second time today! 

Tonight we picked up Nancy, Pat and Ken then met Rose and Jim followed by Dawn and Randy at Kahlua's. 

 

We had lots of FUN! Dinner was good ... small (normal) sized ... with a singer and a beautiful breeze off Lake Dora. What a great evening. 

We were home just after 8 o'clock, hooked up the drop of the RV and prepped ready to go! 

Ta Ta. 

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Good morning. It's a beautiful 65°F and the door is wide open. Mark was up early enjoying the birds while I slept until 730. Wowser. That's a switch, eh?

There wasn't much time to dillydally after breakfast as I was a driver for our ladies luncheon group to Eaton's Beach in Weirsdale, about half an hour away. Today I picked up Florence and Cheri. They were pretty chatty on the way there, but nary a word on the way home. They must've eaten too much lunch. LOL. I had a jazz burger with coleslaw and fries. It was a little bit weird with peanut butter added to it. But hey, I wanted to try something different. 

 

When I came home, Mark was working on clearing brush at the end of the street along the canal on K's lot.

 

 

The canal and lake are somewhere back there! Much clearing to be done, a little at a time. Da Mounty and The Caddy will come in handy here! The Scotties and I delivered water then went cruising a few streets for fun. (Both dogs sit nicely on the cart!)

After watching a season 13 "Deadliest Catch" we wondered where the Cornelia Marie was? Why didn't it make the cut for this season? Anyway, interesting to note that the crab fishery is feeling the effects of climate change. You wouldn't think the crab would know much different when they were at the bottom of the ocean. But, apparently they do. Now they have to finish for the road in deeper water. Who knew?

Well we pulled the RV out of it port and tomorrow is pack-up day so we'll be ready to leave early Friday morning for Cedar Key. It's going to be a hot weekend with a high of 91 both Saturday and Sunday. It'll be a nice time to be on the Gulf of Mexico! 

OK. That's it for tonight. Tomorrow, we're picking up Pat and Nancy and going to Kahlúa's, formerly the sandbar for supper. Rose and Jim might be able to meet us there. Same goes with Randy and Dawn. Either way, it'll be a PARTAY! (Ken is on a road trip with his friend Tom, also from our neighborhood, to Key West.) Ta Ta. 

Twosday April 18 2017

Yep. It's nearly noon and I am just starting today's "blab!" So Mark's seawall project is complete, but as in all worthy projects, it created another job. I suppose we had some critters living in the holes of the former seawall. Now, they have had to relocate and chosen our wood pile along side the boathouse! We weren't sure what they were, until one scurried past Mark two days ago. It was a freaking fat rat! Now I understand why the huge hawk is hanging about our yard. It's become the IchiBan of the raptor world. 😳 Mz BeeZee has been trying to tell me something's up in her yard. Every night lately, she wait to hear me roll over in bed and then wants to go out. That tends to be about 3 o'clock in the morning! Well, the stars are beautiful at that hour. 🙄 So, Mark has gone to the home depot for rat traps. 😧

With all the world attention on North Korea and cuckoo president Kim Jong Un, and, yes, our cuckoo president Donald Trump, no one is sleeping very well. Except for Mark, nothing wakes him. 😜

After I take BeeZee out rat hunting around three in the morning I turn on CNN to see who's bombed who overnight. Egad; it's the Cuban missile crisis all over again! Ha ha, not for nothing, but school kids were taught to hide under their desk for protection. You might as well just practice yoga so that you could kiss your own arse goodbye. 😂

Well, today's blog certainly took a turn for the worst. Let me liven it up with details of my early-morning encounter. As you all know, if you are an avid reader of this nonsense, I watch Ancient Aliens, NASA and any science-based space programming. (For some reason, I have never been into sci-fi.) Anyway, I digress. What woke me with a big smile on my face this morning was the sight of two fabulous flying saucers coming over the beach where Mark and I were sitting. (Now you know this is a dream as Mark and I never sit in the sun.)  I'm not afraid of UFOs but am of the sun's rays. I knew the aliens were coming to help us crazy earthlings with our NUKE problem. Quite  alarming was what came next. Two massive oceanliners were caught in the vortex and floating behind the saucers and passed overhead. They were so low in the sky that I could see their bootline waterline's clearly and peoples' frightened faces at the windows. Damn. Remind me not to have another "Betty Ford" night anytime soon. LOL (Diane will say I had the DT's!) 🤣

Here's our Island 🌴Girl Belize ...

 

enjoying sunning herself in Florida's springtime sunshine. Queen Bee sure loves her patio! (Robbie is under the bar hunting lizzies.) 

In the stroller below is Belize's brother (and Robbie's half-brother) Zippy aka Miles on his 4th birthday! 

 

 It looks like he's sharing a ride with a cat! Haha. Cute! (We have a stroller too.) We've just connected with his mom on FB!

It's now 10 to 2 and we're watching for Randy to pop in after golfing with the neighborhood guys. So, BeeZee, Robbie and I are sitting on the front porch "watching." Mark is busy putting a FSBO sign on the K's double-lot at the end of our street. It's a nice lot that fronts on 2 canals just off Lake Eustis. 

Randy said he had a very good golf day and was ready for ... 

 

A cold beer and Advil. 👍🏻 Mark asked Randy why he doesn't get some light colored clothing for golfing. Randy's answer was "because if I wore white, you'd see all the dirt from being in the bushes chasing the damn ball."  🏌 🌴 

Somehow, it's now 520 and time to feed the kids before we take them for their evening Caddy ride. Life is good. Carry on. Ta Ta. 

Monday April 17, 2017

Good (early) morning! Sue and Wayne were on the road home bound by 915, the crack of dawn for the K's. 😎 We had a good visit with them but of course wish they could have stayed another day or two. Our next visit will be in Canada! 

I was thinking to myself what a lazy week we have in store for ourselves. Then, I remembered that we are going RVing this weekend to Cedar Key on the West Coast of Florida. Hmm, well, there's packing to be done and the RV pulled out of the port Wednesday or Thursday. No problemo! 

Then I remembered our Harbor Shores luncheon at Eaton Beach on Wednesday. And, Mark just reminded me that I had rounded up a few couples for date night on Thursday at the old Sandbar. Egad. It's another busy week! 😅 

I worked on some eBay items while Mark worked on our "not so old" lawn mower. Both ongoing projects apparently. I took BeeZee for a ride on The Caddy which she liked ... more room on the seat! 😅. I came back and took Robbie for his ride. He wasn't sure about sitting on the seat as usually he sits on the floor but he did well. 💕🐾

 

Haha. Diane has some great signs at the fish camp's bait house. This might be the next one she paints! 

Randy phoned to chat as Dawn and Jan had gone shopping. I was hoping to rouse interest in an IchiBan night, but Mark and Randy vetoed it. Randy is driving Jan to the airport early tomorrow and then going golfing, so he needed his rest. No problem. Mark made a batch of meatballs and vodka sauce for our dinner. 👍🏻 

Now it's time to watch Dancing with the Stars and chill.  

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Good morning. The doggies and I were up at 6:30 and stepped outside, surprised to find it smoky. Darn it, the wild fires must be nearby. (30-40 miles away!)

Sweet little Scottie Tater Tot is wishing y'all a Happy Easter. 🐾💕 Tin Can Scotties ... 

 

I baked a Blue Velvet layer cake for today's dessert ... it should be nice and colorful for the Easter dessert table. 

We arrived at Randy's at 4:30, just ahead of Sue and Wayne and Diane and Kris. Everyone else was already there and in the party spirit. 

 

Makenna and Charlotte in matching dresses. So cute!

 

Lil Brandon hunting eggs. ❤

 

Dawn, Randy & "Momma" Jan ... Easter dinner was fantastic! We all had a fun time. 

 

Jan bought lotto tickets for ALL of us! Sue had trouble scratching her lotto ticket and thought it was a defective one. As we found out, she was scratching on the wrong area. 😂 

It was a really fun Easter. We were home by 930 for the doggies!

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Good morning. It was a day of finishing tasks! You know how good that feels, right? Well I did the inside chores, Mark screwed last board onto the dock! 😎 YeeHaw! That was a B-I-G job. 

Sue and Wayne are joining us for Lynn's surprise party for Lew's 70th. So far, she has been super stealthy and he hasn't a clue.  We wish Randy and Dawn could be joining us too, but with her mom in town, they are catching up on family time with lunch and a Tommy Dee show at the Hideaway. 😎

Cool beaners! 

Sue and Wayne arrived about 515 and had a look around at the dock project. Then, we sat down for a pre-party glass of wine. Cheers. 

 

Lew was definitely surprised 😳 and delighted to see everyone! Lynn had done an excellent job of preparing chicken marsala, ham, scalloped potatoes and appetizers for the party; all without Lew knowing what was going on! 

 

Lew liked his camouflage birthday cake! It took several blows to get the candles out. LOL

 

Sue, Meredith and Pat were the bar-fly singers as entertainment. Haha. We had a lot of fun!

 

Mike, Meredith and Jack schmoozing on the loveseat. 

We were home by 10 o'clock, having begun way to early. 🤣

Friday, April 14, 2017

Happy 4th birthday to our dear, sweet BeeZee! ❤🐾

Good morning from gorgeous Central Florida. Both Mark and I were awake at three in the morning, having gone to bed too early last night ha ha. So, we both watched 2 Ancient Aliens shows ... then I went back to bed and slept like a log. By the time I got up at 8:30, Mark had eaten breakfast and was outside puttering around. 

Today's fun includes a boat ride to Palm Gardens for BZ's birthday lunch! It'll be chicken chicken chicken and french fries. 🐾💕 

Tonight, we are going to Sue and Wayne's Prevost for steak dinner. They prefer to stay home and eat to keep their dogs company. No problem; we'll bring a salad. Randy and Dawn are entertaining family all weekend with her mom in town. We will join them all Easter Sunday for dinner. 

 

Robbie and BeeZee were hiding from the wind! 

 

BeeZee waiting for her grilled chicken!

 

Robbie was happy to be out for lunch too! 

 

Wind blown! ❤🐾

 

Watching the Wood Ducks on our way down the canal. 

It was a fun afternoon! At 5:15 we headed over to visit with Sue and Wayne. It was great to see their Mediterranean cruise photos from the recent trip. Julius sat with Mark and me ... Shorty Hotpants tolerated us. 🤣 

We had a very good steak dinner despite the barbecue blowing out six times in the wind. Ha ha. It was a typical Sue and Wayne barbecue where the wind gets up and everything flies around. 😂 It was a great time.