Thursday, January 31, 2019

Good morning sunshine, we’re glad to see you! It’s going to be 60 ... and we’ll take it! Over the coming weekend, 70-80. Schweeet!

We had a call from our attorney today with an offer on our hurricane lawsuit ... and we settled! Finally, we can arrange our new roof job. 

Our driveway cleaning went well ... and what a nice job they did. Huge equipment ... steam washing then pressure wash. 

Bin Sanitized is the name of this local company! ✅

Tonight we picked up Karen & Pete for dinner at Red Sauce in The Villages. Alan Darcy was playing there and we wanted to introduce him. They’re looking to book him for a campout. We all enjoyed the dinner and music. 

Sue and Wayne were out tonight too ... they had dinner at Raymond & Amy’s home. 

Dawn worked today ... but she will be off for the weekend. 

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Good morning. We were both up early, had breakfast and loaded up the dogs for a trip to Giant in Winter Garden. We dropped our fifth wheel off for some minor repairs and to add a few things that we want. We still have a north wind so it feels pretty chilly although it’s already 50°. By the weekend we will be back into the mid 70s. 

Mark’s grocery shopping while we wait ... hope he buys pizzas! 

Mark spray painted a few more Christmas bobbles for me while I tidied and vacuumed the craft area. I finished the Christmas wreath and put that away, so now it’s just painting some red garland shiny purple! My vision is nearly complete for next season. Sweet. 

Up north, Lani (in the Toronto area) tossed hot water into the air to create instant snow! 

That LOOKS cold 🥶.  In Winnipeg, Crystal’s car wouldn’t start, even with a boost, so she’s home with Avery whose school is closed! A polar vortex indeed!

Tonight we’re enjoying a roaring fire, Oak Island and Below Deck while playing with the Scotties. 

Ha! I saw this on Facebook today and giggled. 

Tomorrow, it’s the dentist for us. 😁

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Good morning sunshine! It’s a day of finishing up projects and readying my craft room/garage for company! It’s going to be a revolving door with cousin Adam for 2 nights, then Donnie for 7. Sweet! Let’s hope the weather cooperates as everyone wants sunshine when they visit the Sunshine State ☀️

Today, Mark went for a load of wood for the refacing on Marky-Mark’s dock. It was perfect weather for that ... 64F. 

Me? I began tidying up the craft room/garage/2nd guest room. It entailed finishing a few things that have been started. One of my New Year’s jobs is to go through the box of cards that I’ve been saving for 20 years. It is really crazy the amount of money spent on cards, but oh it was so nice to re-read them. That something you can’t do with email and Facebook greetings. There were cards and letters from my mom, Joan, Sylvia, Linda and others who are no longer here. It’s a somber task. The idea is to save one or two from each person and toss the rest. It sounds like a great idea, but pretty hard to do! 

Tomorrow it’s a ride to GRW to drop off the rig. 

Monday, January 28, 2019

Good morning. The sun is shining although it is still very cool by Florida standards. I’ve been busy chatting with my cousin Carol in the UK and arranging for her visit in early February. It’s going to be a blast seeing them. 

Mark and I finished emptying the RV as it is going into Giant for a punch list of minor repairs. At five, we went to Randy & Dawn‘s for chili. Dawn made her delicious seafood dip appetizer, we had some wine a couple of bowls of chili and then played Mexican dominoes. 

Scott, Mark, Dawn, Randy and me. 

Randy and I tied as winners at the end of the sixth round of Dominoes.  So, we had to have a rubber match. Dawn went out that round and Randy was stuck with 15 points and I had 14 points. Randy was boo-hooing that he had lost to me by one point when Dawn spoke up! SHE was the winner! Oh my God we all had such a laugh.

Yup, Randy played a tile right out of his run! 😂

Tomorrow, Scott is off to South Florida, Randy is golfing and Dawn is at work. So, we made it an earlier than usual night and were home by 10:15. It was a lot of fun, like always! 

Robbie and BeeZee were included in the fun and had doggie treats from Dawn. Robs showed his appreciation by mopping the floor with his wet beard. Haha. Well that’s it for tonight. 💤 

Sunday January 27, 2019

It’s a cold (45F) rainy drive home from Waldo but what a fun time was had by all. Heck, we won the 50/50 ... $175 bucks! 

We arrived home at 1 o’clock in the cold rain. I got the big umbrella out and stood behind the rig while Mark backed into the driveway. Then, I cranked the heat in the house, turned the Telly on and made us coffee. Perfect. Tonight we’re meeting RanDawn and family for Brandon’s birthday! More fun is on the horizon. 

It’s 4:45 and it is still raining. What an unusual rainy day it has been. We are looking forward to seeing Scott tonight as he is in town and staying at RanDawn’s. 

The Olive Garden ... we all had good food and good fun! Happy Birthday to Brandon! 

RanDawn with the grandchildren ❤️

Back home, there was a break in the weather enough to walk Robs and Beez! I know we should not complain but it’s cold to us. 

A surprise message from my cousin Caz in the UK came at dinner ... she and daughter Holly and son Adam are flying into Miami on February 4th for a visit! Wow, I’m surprised! So, we’ll make it work. 😜

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Good early morning. It’s only 2 AM but I woke up coughing so I’m now enjoying a cuppa coffee. 

It’s a chilly morning here in Waldo with a north wind! Brrr ... a few hardy souls played in the cornhole tourney. We walked over to watch were too late! We’ll walk to lunch at the corner restaurant later. 

Lunch was really good! Now back home I feel a nap and TV time coming on. 😴 

It’s now just after 5 o’clock and time to go for happy hour and then dinner at six and the band begins at seven. It’s another fun filled night at the camp out.  Life is good. 

Being goofy at the PARTAY ... friends Patty, Mitzi, Richard, Dan, Maya & David ... woot woot. 💕

So tonight, Mark and I won the 50-50 raffle. That amounted to $175 ... winner winner chicken dinner! 

Rich! 😜

Dan & Patty from New Smyrna playing the chair guitar! 🙃

We all had a blast ... back home tomorrow!

Friday, January 25, 2019

Good evening! It was a busy and fun day. We did a little local shopping this morning and then came back and sat outside with the dogs by the lake. Everyone that went by had a dog and stopped to talk. Eventually we had to put Miss B into the RV and she wouldn’t stop barking! Robbie was fine. He actually made a couple of new friends today.

The kids were kept busy watching a man casting into the pond. They were amazed that the little yellow bobber kept coming back. Ha!

Karen with Lexi and Robbie. 🐾❤️

At 5 o’clock, we headed over with our baked ziti for the potluck dinner. Wow, what a big spread of food. There was an hour of happy hour, then dinner. At 7 o’clock, a four piece singing group started. They were really good and had many up dancing!

During the evening, I spoke with a woman from Wales, UK and discovered that her name is Julie, and her husband David Reade has relatives in Winnipeg! No way! Anyway, they are delightful and are enjoying the RV trips with the group, spend six months in the United States and six months in the UK. We’re going to spend some time with them!
Mark and Pete ... fixin’ stuff ... what fun we have!

This guy sings like an angel! Who knew?

That was our fun day! Ta ta til tomorrow. 

Thursday January 24, 2019

Where’s Waldo? Well, we’ll let you know once we find it. 

We left home at 9:15 after a heavy rainstorm passed by. Now an hour later it’s blue skies and 64F on I75 north. 

It was an easy drive except our GPS took us 4 miles past the RV park, then a U-turn and back 4 miles to a right-hand turn! WTH? There was a simple left hand turn into the RV park! After the heavy rains of the morning many of the campsites were messy, but ours was fine, and next to Karen & Pete. 

After setting up Mark hauled the lawn chairs out and we enjoyed the afternoon in the sunshine and wind with wine. Karen and Pete joined us for early happy hour and several members stopped by to chat. 

We re-introduced Robs and Beez to Lexi who they met a few weeks ago. Beez was having NONE 💥 of it so we put her in time out. Half an hour later her tolerance was better. 😛

At 5:15 we headed to Cedar River Seafood for dinner with 69 fellow RVers. It was fun ... and good food. Our day ended with night caps at K n P’s watching SWAT.

Ta ta til tomorrow. 

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Good morning! The RV is locked and loaded and our household “stuff” done; we’re ready for 3 days of R & R (rest and relaxation? OR rabble-rousing? 😜) 

Mark took three more items to the post office today, all Christmas ornaments sold on eBay. It’s amazing to me that many people buy Christmas tree items well into January! I sold ALL the decorations I listed! That’s a Ho Ho Ho for me. 

Marky-Mark featured in “The Shining” 🤣 

Dinner at the Fish Camp was very good tonight! It was fun to catch up with RanDawn and get back to our regular outings, which we love. We’ll see them Sunday for Brandon’s birthday dinner. Scott should be in town Sunday! 

Meanwhile, Sue and Wayne are dancing at the yacht club tonight. 

That’s it for us! Ta ta til tomorrow! 

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Hey hey hey it’s Happy Hour and I’m just starting the Blab. Cheers 🍻 

We pulled the RV out of its port for our next adventure. It’s only a short trip for a weekend campout in Northern Florida ... fun is forecast with a potluck one night and a catered dinner and musician the next. The weather is going to be pretty chilly! 

Our government is still shut down; the 31st day. What a shit storm. Fortunately we don’t discuss politics with our fellow RVers! 

Mark is making Baked Ziti for Friday’s potluck. Yum! 

Mr. Handsome has lost 7 lbs. since Christmas! Well done ❤️.

Randy phoned tonight and said that Scott would be arriving this weekend! Stick around Scott and we’ll be home Sunday! Meanwhile, we’ll meet RanDawn for dinner tomorrow. 

Monday January 21, 2019

Good afternoon. Well, Donnie was delighted that the Patriots won the playoff game. Too bad; I was hoping for the Kansas City Chiefs! Oddly enough both playoff games went into overtime! 

This morning, Mark made us a big breakfast on King’s Hawaiian rolls ... then drove Donnie back to aunt Jane’s where he will do 1 more day of moving for her. He’s leaving for home (Boston) tomorrow. It’s been a busy week for him!

With the help of Nyquil I managed to sleep some last night but with going RVing again Thursday I decided to visit the doctor and get some advice on this cough. 

Update ... after an hour and half wait the advice was ... “we need to get your sinuses dried up.” Saline mist 3 times a day, Flonayse once in the morning and over the counter cough medicine. Oh boy. 

Spot the Scott ...

It’s a snuggle-buggle night going down to 51F. As you see we have a bonny wee fire going! 

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Good morning all y’all football 🏈 fans! It’s a day of games that will decide who plays in the Superbowl. I know the bowl I’m looking forward to ... the Chili 🌶 bowl. 😋 Mark is cooking his hearty crockpot chili with all the fixin’s. 

RanDawn, Donnie & Marky-Mark are joining the watch partay! Robbie and BeeZee will be so happy for company! 

(Last night the storm front moved through our area with little fanfare. The only thing that kept us awake was my darn coughing!) 

Mark’s chili was delish with plenty of condiments and Key Lime pie for dessert. It was so fun to have company watching the game with us. 

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Good afternoon. Apparently we have rain coming tonight and cooler temperatures so I got my glittery project finished, well as finished as I could since one spray can of glitter didn’t work. Oh well, there’s no big hurry on that. Mark is working across the street on Marky-Mark’s dock while Marky Mark is painting the front of his house today. It’s all coming together and looking pretty good. 

Sue and Wayne arrived home from their cruise safely. I am betting that the doggies were happy to see them! 

They had a good time and were happy they had English speaking friends aboard! MSC had a lot of foreign speaking folks aboard. 

Mark was gung ho to go boating today and to Hurricanes for dinner. With my allergies flaring up, I didn’t want to be in the wind. I’m still coughing like a honking goose. The only thing that seems to help is Advil cold and sinus. It’s been a long time since I’ve had an attack like this one. 

Marky Mark was all for going out tonight with us. I tried to get Mark to go with him in his fast boat, but he wouldn’t budge without me. What a sweet guy. ❤️ Soooo, we had a delish dinner of stuffed chicken breast, pan fried potato cakes and green beans. 😋 And wine 🍷 

Tonight we’re expecting our weather radio to squak as heavy weather crosses the Florida peninsula. 😜

Friday, January 18, 2019

Good afternoon 🌞. Our chores are done for the day so Mark and Lew are off to the woods for a hike while I’m going to hike the aisles at Home Depot. 😜 I’m looking for spray paint for a project! I have 20 red glittered coral piks about 12-14” long. Since I’ve switched from red (Christmas) these had to be discarded or painted. Well, you know me! So, I spray painted all the pics with a C green flat paint which gives it the look of coral. Tomorrow, when everything is nice and dry, I will spray it with a sea green glitter. Presto - chango! I also took apart a silk rose bush that I have had for many years and trimmed it into the shape of Silver Dollar branches. Those I sprayed with metallic silver. Cool! Pictures tomorrow. 

It’s an absolutely gorgeous afternoon so I decided to take the dogs for a ride on the golf cart. After loading them up, I turned the key and it was a “no go!” WTH? Help! We know the batteries are good ...

Sunday is a big football day here. Mark’s cooking a batch of chili forbRandy, Dawn, Donnie and Marky-Mark who are joining us for the evening. These games will determine the Superbowl players. It’s supposed to be a very chilly night!

Happy hour on the front porch lasted frim 5 to 7 as Marky Mark joined us, twice. Hey! It’s Friday! 😜

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Good morning. Yes, it’s a bright beautiful sunshiny day here in Central Florida. We are remembering my sister Linda’s birthday today, and a very Happy Birthday to my talented cousin Elliot’s 23rd birthday. 

Tonight we met aunt Jane and cousin Donnie for dinner at Oakwoods. It was  moving day for Jane and they looked exhausted! The movers did a great job ... just $475. 

Jane and Donnie

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Good morning. It’s a rather dull day here and I woke up coughing, again. So, it’s back on the medications. Mark had an eye doctor appointment and then headed directly over to aunt Jane‘s to help Donnie pack. He suggested I go, but I would only go if I could take a roll of garbage bags. Ha ha ha, I would not be popular ... so here I am, home alone. 😜

Shits and giggles ... thanks to my cousin Caz for this one. 😆 

Mark phoned around noon when he and Donnie were at Home Depot picking up more boxes. They took one load over to Jane‘s new place, but with nothing unpacked they ran out of boxes. They are definitely frustrated. 

We’re not the only country with current affairs issues.

I was in the mood for something chocolate ... so I baked a triple chocolate bundt cake. Oh that’s so good. Mark arrived home about 1:30. Aunt Jane was appalled that Mark bought packing boxes! Haha. She’s apparently not mentally prepared to move! It was pretty frustrating; but he reminded himself ... 

It’s unfortunate. The movers she’s hired for tomorrow are going to have a mess to deal with. (Poor Donnie!)

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Good afternoon. It’s about 430 and I’m on the front porch with the doggies enjoying the crisp air at 60° with sunshine. OMG, it’s really winter.  

Well I have been busy around the house, Mark drove to Orlando airport to pick up Donnie. His flight was actually 20 minutes early but they missed each other on the first rendezvous anyway. Ha ha. Mark had to circle the drain a couple of times before he got him. The airport officials are so strict, you can’t stop for a minute.  They are on their way to aunt Jane‘s house where Donnie has orders to paint the kitchen while all the moving is going on. That should be interesting.

Sue and Wayne are in Grand Cayman today on their cruise. They checked in with dogsitter Chris and their dogs are doing fine. 

If you’ve been on Facebook this week you’ve noticed people posting pictures from 10 years ago and today. This one takes the cake.

Bruce and Kaitlyn ... wowsa. 

I saw on Rick’s blog that their coach house is finished and they are now looking for the occupancy okay. It looks beautiful. What a huge undertaking that was. I wonder how many times the meme above was true? 😜 Congratulations, it looks wonderful. 

Back home now, Mark discovered aunt Jane is nowhere ready for the movers! So ... he’s going there tomorrow to help do something. (If I went it would be with a roll of trash bags!) This sweet ol’ lady is the biggest hoarder! We thought her kids had it cleaned out and ready to go. Not so. I’m stressed and I haven’t even seen the mess!!! Poor Donnie. 

Now that’s a bare bear. 😂

It’s a nice night for a fire and some Telly. 

Monday, January 14, 2019

Good day! There’s more work to be done around the house ... haha; it’s all my muddle of deco mesh ... discarded but still good tree ornaments and mounds of ribbon and garland. All this has to be tidied, sorted and either sold on eBay or donated. So, that’s my day!

Mark began rebuilding Marky-Mark’s dock area. Here’s how it looks now (beware, it’s yucky!)

That’s the rickety outer dock ...

and this is the narrow boathouse slip which will house his Penyan (?) boat. 

Looking from the canal to the lodge’s end wall. At one time you couldn’t have seen the white structure, now pressure washed and freshly clad in charcoal gray paint. 

When I phoned Randy & Dawn at 9:30, they were still asleep. Poor Dawn is still terribly sick with this head cold that’s going around. So far though Randy is OK. We will plan to get together with them this coming weekend.

I called Mark‘s aunt Jane to check on her moving progress. Cousin Donnie arrives tomorrow to paint her kitchen and help her move. We offered to help, but she has movers coming on Thursday, little Bobo is going to the Pet Lodge for two nights and she has 99% organized. I’m amazed. Mark will puck up Donnie at the Orlando airport tomorrow. 

Lew popped over for happy hour. I sold an old hub cap for him on eBay. He’s being treated for skin cancer with a cream that has reddened his skin. Poor guy. It looks so itchy! 

More tomorrow. Ta ta. 

Sunday January 13, 2019

Good (early) morning y’all. Mark and I had plenty to accomplish before boating today. Housekeeping had taken a back seat to all my projects the past week. 🤨 There was glitter everywhere. Ha! Even the doggies needed baths 🛀 after I was  done with Christmas! 

It’s a gorgeous 79F today ... perfect for a putt-putt cruise on Mrs R B. ... Robbie and BeeZee are interested! 

The kids are damp and fluffy from their baths. 😜 Don’t worry, be happy ... it’s 78F. Cruising the Dead River. 

Hurricane’s was busy today ... everyone, it seemed, was out cruising. We saw boatloads of partiers wearing pirate bandannas; likely coming from The Hideaway through the Dead River. 

Lake Eustis ... BeeZee loves to watch birds! 

Mark is channeling Archie ... a ceegar and a beer! Nice. 

Back home, we napped, ate and relaxed. THAT was a perfect Sunday afternoon. 

Saturday January 12, 2019

Happy Anniversary Sue and Wayne! Relax ... dance ... dine and drink wine; Enjoy your cruise! 

On the homefront, it’s a pretty Saturday morning with plans to finish projects. Pictures to follow ... 😜

These are the perfect days in life; a bit of “work” a bit of imagination and a project finished. 

The Sunroom’s nautical tree ... on order is 40 pieces of pink pampas grass. That will add dimension and more color. 

Love this stuff!

The Livingroom tree ... snow-flocked and dressed in purple and teal ... on order 34 teal bobbels. 

These will fill the spaces! 

Both trees slid into the closet ... so you won’t hear about them til November. 🎅🏼

Mark spent his day helping Marky-Mark work on the dock til nearly 4 o’clock. The weather is spectacular ... perfect for puttering about outside. 

Tomorrow, it’s housekeeping day ... Scottie bath time and a boating trip.