Thursday, February 28, 2019

Good day! It’s a cloudy start ... but sunshine is forecast by noon. We have a few things to accomplish today ... nothing strenuous. Mark is pretty sore from yesterday’s job! 

It was an afternoon spent at the doctor’s office going over results of my breathing test. No asthma! Allergies seem to be the cause of my seasonal malaise. Mark piped up about my lousy sleep habits ... so now a sleep test is being ordered. What the heck, I’ve always gotten up early. Since the medical tests didn’t produce the results expected, my doc’s diagnosis is “you’re weird!” 😂 

Tonight we’re having homemade turkey soup for dinner. It smells delicious. Meanwhile, I’m cooking potatoes for the dogs. It’s a busy kitchen.

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Good morning y’all. It’s still softly raining, unusually light for Florida! It’s forecast to be 77F with heavier rain and thunderstorms tonight. 😁

After puttering about all day we’re going to dinner with Marky-Mark. 

We had lots of fun at Fish Camp with Marky-Mark. After dinner, we went to “the lodge“ and shot a few games of pool! Shakey-Jake wandered around while we shot pool. He’s such a darling old doggie. Back home we watched Oak Island before bed. 👍🏻

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Good evening! It’s been a busy day! Mark was in a hurry to get the RV parked today before rain began. Since he had washed the rig yesterday, he didn’t want any rain spots on it. So, we got it wiped down inside, vacuumed and floors washed and then put it away about two hours before the rain began. It wasn’t much rain, just very soft.

It seems our plans for south Florida have been dashed. We’ll still go visit Matt but going to Ft. Lauderdale is out.  Sue and Wayne had a chance to go to a free rally for Prevost. Hopefully we’ll see them before they go. 

The rain cleared the air of pollen and I had some back patio time at happy hour! Mark has made a sluice for washing the chattahochee stones around the palm trees. While it was softly raining he was shoveling stones on the sluice and rinsing them with the hose. A lot of organic material washed out. Then he shoveled the stones into a bucket and dumped the clean stones back into the patio. It’s a slow process.

It was a perfect evening for relaxing and watching some Telly. Ta ta. 

Monday, February 25, 2019

Good morning cool 😎 air! It felt great when I took the kiddos out back. I wish there had been rain to usher in the cold front, but it was just a dry wind. We need a good dousing to settle the pollen. Anyway, I took good ol’ Benadryl last night and slept. 

Well, on our way to the post office we saw Lew and he looked none the worse for wear except for a big blue bandage on his leg. Lew and Lynn are redoing a bedroom floor today with laminate. If he is stiff and sore, he won’t be letting onto his wife. Ha ha ha.

Today we sign a release to get our settlement from the insurance company for the hurricane in 2017. It’s been a long time coming, and without Morgan and Morgan we would have nothing. Hopefully all goes well today and in about 10 days we should have money in hand and be able to order our roofer. 

Cousin Adam is currently in Pothos Greece with work. 

This pelican is pink! Nice picture. Are ya lookin’ for the pink panther? 

RanDawn went to dinner at Tillie’s tonight and are stopping over for wine and a visit afterward. 👍🏻

Well, it’s now 11 o’clock and Randy & Dawn are back at home. We had so many laughs, and lots of fun. Maybe tomorrow we can do it all over again. LOL

Here we are cheering(?) Pete on with his leg cramp. Well ya had to be here. 🤣

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Good afternoon. Well, we’ve had a wonderful four nights in the RV. This place is very livable now that we are settled and organized. This morning, after tidying up, we met Karen & Pete at the big pool for a swim. This is the life, pretty darn good. We both talked about some day selling the house and RVing full-time. Well, it’s a dream at this point. But, if the house ever becomes non-affordable, we have Plan B.

It was a short drive home ... a day of laundry and emptying the fridge. 

Randy’s back is a lot better! 👍🏻 Poor Lew had an accident while putting a new battery into his pontoon boat. Benn was helping ... Lew ended up in the drink with a gash on his leg. Mark phoned when Lew was at doc in the box getting stitched up ... he’ll be on antibiotics after the canal water dip. Yikes. 

More tomorrow. 😜

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Good afternoon. We began our day with breakfast at the Tortoise Hall followed by a game of shuffleboard and then off to a craft fair with Karen where we both bought a couple of items. When I came back, Pete was here having a visit with Mark.

At one o’clock I headed over to the hall where GRW was having craft afternoon. This time we were making a bee 🐝 watering station. It was fun ... pictures in a day or two when it’s set up at home. 

When Mark called Randy today, he was home with a sore back. He said he was getting better but had twisted it couple of days before. Drat. 

Pete has been walking around with a constant Charlie horse in his calf for the last two or three days. You definitely need some muscle relaxers. 

It was Mardi Gras night with a catered Naw’lins dinner. It was fun sitting with Patty and her hubs Dan. 

Mark calls him Lieutenant Dan ... but he’s a retired Captain. 🙄 

After dinner and a parade of costumes there was a funny movie. The bar stayed open so much of the crowd did too. 🤪. We’ve had a very fun weekend!

Friday, February 22, 2019

Good morning! It was a steak omelet for breakfast thanks to my leftovers from O’Brady’s. Delicious! Today, we may cruise around seeing the nearby sites with the dogs. 

Well, it’s now 11 o’clock and we’ve had a busy enough day. Happy hour began at 5 o’clock in the pavilion and we sat with Mitsy, Richard, Patty, Dan, Maya and David. Dinner was great. We sat around afterwords and enjoyed a campfire and talked with different people. There are so many crazy stories about RV trips. Lots of laughs.

90 folks at this campout ... 4 new members. Tomorrow, breakfast between 830 and 930, at 10 o’clock shuffleboard and 5 o’clock for cocktails and 6 o’clock for a catered dinner. Tons of fun. 

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Good afternoon sunshine ☀️ ... we’re totally comfortable at Red Oaks in Bushnell. After our tidy-up routine, we took a ride to Walmart to see what they had. Mark found a cool card table that folds in half for easy storage! Beside that, we both found some shirts ‘n shorts. Bargains!

Dinner at Beef O’Brady’s was fun ... and the food very good. There were over 30 VIP members. 

After dinner, we jumped on Karen‘s golf cart and went with her and Pete looking for a party. We found one with JR and Sandra and sat outside having drinks. We saw the rocket launch from the campsite and it was amazing.

Time-lapse pic ... 

We were at the RV by 9:30 to hang out with the Scotties, but they were ready for bed! 

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Good afternoon. It’s been a very busy day. I was off for blood work first thing this morning, and then to our ladies luncheon at the Highland Café in Mount Dora. This café is full of Scottie pictures, little statues and even stained glass. The food was great, just breakfast and lunch offerings.

There were 16 of us, and you could hardly hear the waitress asking to take the orders! You’d think we hadn’t seen each other in a month. 😜

When I got home, Mark had the RV hooked up and the truck running, ready to head out to Red Oaks in Bushnell, Florida. The general campout doesn’t begin until tomorrow, but, our neighborhood is having the big garage sale so we thought we best get the rig out of there while we could. This is a huge park with many relics around! 

Karen & Pete came over at 5:30 for a glass of wine and we went to the local Mexican restaurant afterwards. Apparently, we closed the place. LOL

Just being goofy. 😂

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Good morning. We were both up very early today, Mark to go hiking in the woods with “Chatty Kathy” Lew. 🤨 I was concerned about Mark wearing camouflage today on his hike, but he said everyone will hear them as Lew never stops talking. 😂

Me? While, I cleaned the house, again, did three more loads of laundry and finished loading the RV. Since we have a neighborhood garage sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we may pull the RV out tomorrow as our roads will be impossible to get around with shoppers! 

It’s official now, we’re going RVing tomorrow! Schweet. Mark has an 11 o’clock appointment and I have an 11 luncheon ... so we’ll go after that. 

Monday, February 18, 2019

Good afternoon. We did a little puttering today then Mark headed to the Home Depot for a few things. I did a few chores and got ready to have lunch with Karen at Tillie’s. She and Pete came back home between camp-outs so we girls are doing lunch today.

Cousin Adam went to a motorcycle show in London and planned to get a pick on a new Harley ... but HD wasn’t at the show!

So ... here’s a pic of Adam on a Ducati Dieval. Sporty!

Mark got the Mounty’s oil changed and ready for a trip to the woods tomorrow. Lew hurt his back a few days ago so might not make the hike.  😢

Karen and I popped into Peddler’s Wagon for some retail therapy. The store was really busy! Anyway, it was fun! 

Back home we had a glass of wine before she headed home to cook dinner. 

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Good afternoon sunshine! We had a lazy morning before Mark trimmed two crepe myrtles while I loaded the RV. It’s a warm day, 82F already! 😎 

We’re meeting RanDawn for dinner tonight, but that’s the only planned fun. 

Dinner was fun and the Mexican restaurant was full! Randy and Dawn had a lazy day like we did. Dawn said they really enjoyed Pam and Donnie’s visit and had lots of fun with them! 

Tomorrow, Karen is picking me up to go for lunch. That’s it. That was our easy-peasy day. 

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Good evening. It’s now 515 and our chores are finished for the day. There was laundry, vacuuming, dusting and floor washing. Other than that, it was just another day in paradise. Mark managed to get a bike ride in! The kids are missing their golf cart rides as my allergies are absolutely horrid this year. I’m afraid to take them in the golf cart and be in the wind while the cypress trees are pollinating. 

Friday night at The Hideaway. (Pam was the photographer) 

Pam left for home today, and arrive there safely mid afternoon. We sure enjoyed hers and Donnie‘s visit. It’s always lots of fun and laughs! I phoned Sue to chat for a while and she is expecting more company at the end of the month. It’s winter in Florida. ✈️😎 🌴 🌱 Robbie slept on the sofa for 3 hours this afternoon! Mz BeeZee slept 2 hours ... guess they were busy too! 

Tomorrow, we will begin loading the RV for a little weekend trip. Fun! 

Mark & Brenda sent us a message ... they’re missing us this weekend. Awww 🥰 

Sue and Wayne are out dancing tonight ... maybe a picture tomorrow?

Pam is now safely at home, bundled up I bet. We’re watching a little Telly tonight and relaxing with the Scotties. Ta ta til tomorrow. 

Friday February 15, 2019

It was a day of tech troubles. But, we’re back! First thing today was dropping Donnie at the airport for his JetBlue flight. (Donnie said JetBlue is very good ... more seat space and nice leather!) He’s now back home. 

Afterward, Mark and I drove to Giant Recreation World to pick up our Brookstone after adding a few convenience items. We wanted an electrical outlet by the stove, a grab handle at the front door and a max-air vent over the bathroom fan. There were adjustments to two slides as well. GRW does good work. We’ll take it back there next month after ordered parts arrive to finish our punch list. ✅

With weather deteriorating this weekend in Minnesota, Pam has upped her flight to leave here tomorrow to be safely home ahead of Sunday’s snowfall. ⛄️ We’ve had a great time with both her and Donnie this past week. Tonight, we are taking Pam to The Hideaway to meet Randy & Dawn for dinner and drinks. 

Cruising the ‘hood with the doggies. 

We met RanDawn at The Hideaway for dinner and drinks tonight. Tommy Dee was fun ... 

Fun fun fun ... a nice evening! ❤️

VALENTINE’S 2019

Good morning and Happy Valentine’s Day! 

Today’s our last 4-some day as Donnie flies home tomorrow. (Talk about flying ... this week went by fast!) So, this afternoon we’re taking a ride to The Villages and poke around. Tonight, it’s a Valentine’s dinner at home. Last night, Pam treated at Fish Camp. 

Delish ... Fish Camp dinner! ❤️

This afternoon, after the air conditioning man had finished and the bill was only $170, we celebrated by going to The Villages for lunch. We ate at RJ Gators in SumterLanding ... thanks Donnie! It was fun driving around and seeing all the golf carts!

Nice afternoon! Golf carts buzzing around everywhere! That’s a fun cart we spotted. 

Tonight, we are staying in and having salad and pizza. Mark had big plans for dinner, but we are all too full from lunch! 

Well it’s official ... both Pam and Donnie are hooked on Peoject Blue Book; Tuesdays!  

Wednesday February 13, 2019

It’s been a busy day here! First, the A/C repair service arrived about 10. Nothing conclusive yet ... more investigation tomorrow! Meanwhile we 4 headed shopping for a few hours R & R. 

After lunch we watched Project Blue Book ... 3 of them; Donnie’s hooked. It’s great. Tonight’s our Valentine dinner at the Fish Camp followed by a visit to aunt Jane’s. 

BoBo likes Donnie ... 

Jane, Donnie, Pam & Mark ... 

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Good morning y’all ... we’re watching the Westminster dog show and drinking coffee. 

Adam got his “BeeZee” home to London ... complete with an old favorite hat! Cute!!!

It looks like she’s doing just fine. 🐾💕 

Pam, Dawn and I went to game day at Lynn’s where 16 gals had loud fun. Relative Insanity was a hit again plus Mexican dominoes. We came home at 5, ready for a nap. 😁 💤 Mark cooked dinner ... pork loin, baked potatoes and asparagus. It was good ... we had planned to visit Jane this evening but she was exhausted. Tomorrow we’ll pop by after dinner. 

Wednesday’s first item of the day is an A/C repairman. 🤨 We’re hoping it’s a minor issue. Then, our RV is ready for pickup ... more work will be done once parts are in. 

Tonight we’re home watching the Westminster dog show, 2nd night. 

Monday, February 11, 2019

Good day sunshine 🌞 ... the chores are done and we’re going boating with Pam, Donnie, Robbie and BeeZee! It’s a warm one ... going to 80F.

Bee and Robs with Mark. 

Gorgeous day! 

Donnie and Pam helped Mark by picking up branches while he trimmed the crepe myrtle. It was the right time! Our neighbor just had theirs professionally trimmed. We’re copy cats 🐈!

I had a message from cousin Carol that they’re all home safe and sound! ❤️ 

Lunch at Palm Gardens was good ... the place was hopping. We got home about 3, then headed to RanDawn’s for a valentine’s dinner party. It was fun! Randy cooked chicken with spinach, purple potatoes and green beans. Yummy. Dawn made her delish cheesecake and Donnie whipped up a batch of chocolate bark just for fun. We played Yahtzee ... Dawn then Mark were winners   It was fun once we caught onto the game. (We had tons of laughs!)

The other night Donnie plopped into bed and hit his eyebrow on the drafting table edge. 

Nice save Mark ... a “padded head board” haha. 

We were into bed by midnight! 

Sunday February 10, 2019

Good morning! Hey, I snuck off to bed at 9:36 last night and slept til 3:10. I was aiming for 8 hours ... 🤷‍♀️ ... guess I should have checked my crystal ball 🔮. 😜

Sue and Wayne had our cousins out to breakfast this morning in Pompano Beach where it was sunny and 80F. 

That’s a perfect way to start the day and wind-up their Florida visit. ✈️ It’s been grand having them here! ❤️ Apparently, they had a big shopping day! 

We met RanDawn at Stavros for our Sunday night dinner! 

Donnie entertained us with his flight story.  ✈️ 

1. On the bus from Newburyport to Boston; Donnie forgot his “flipper tooth.” 🦷 

2. The flight from Boston had to emergency land in Raleigh NC for a blocked toilet. The layover was 5 hours while the toilet was fixed ... a blanket had been flushed and clogged the system. 

3. Donnie saw his black Tercel Uber ride pull up. He said “Malcolm?” The driver said yes, loaded up Donnie’s baggage and they took off. Then trouble began ... the driver had a different destination! Eeerk. The trunk popped open and Donnie was left standing at the curb with his baggage! (He’d jumped into the wrong Uber!!!)  So, he trudged back from gate 20 to 30 and found another black Tercel ... “Malcolm? Are YOU Malcolm? By the time Donnie was on the way, everyone was already at The Hideaway so an address change wss needed ... finally, Donnie was dropped off at the bar! Haha. What a trip. 

Last night, Donnie turned out the light and got into bed and  banged his head on the table ... Mark has now put a foam bumper on the desk edge! 

The cut is beside his eyebrow! Poor guy. 

Tonight, Sue and Wayne took the gang to Bella Roma for Italian before their Uber to the airport. 

Great picture! That restaurant is a favorite of ours! Safe travels! 

Saturday February 9th, 2019

Good evening! Whatta day we’ve had! 

They started with coffee on the front porch ... then off to Renninger’s flea market for some browsing. Mark was in a shopping state of mind and found some good stuff! 

Every home needs a crystal ball 🔮 ... but now we have one. 😁 He began Christmas shopping! Then I found an agate geode wind chime. At the end of our 2 hours there we had a cool house plant too! Pam and Donnie ate their way around. Ha! Wagon wheel wheat crisps, tomatoes and melons. Donnie found a cool house plant, rather erotic. 😉

Heeheehee. 

Tonight, we’re chilling out watching a bit of Telly and sipping wine. 

Carol, Holly and Adam left RanDawn’s about 11 and went south on the Turnpike to Festival Flea Market on Sample. Hopefully they enjoyed it. Now, they’re with Sue and Wayne for their last Florida night. 🥰 We certainly enjoyed their company. 

Today on Facebook I saw it’s Berks Baker’s 94th Birthday. He and Arlene were great friends to my parents and live in California. Happiness alwsys Berks. You’ve brought so much joy to so many. 

😍

Friday, February 8, 2019

Good afternoon! Thank you for the birthday wishes! It was brilliant as Adam says! It was a gorgeous day, and we began with brunch at Mary’s café near Randy & Dawn‘s. 

After settling in at Randy & Dawn’s the trio headed to Orlando Mall to pick up a coveted item for Adam. Ha! Hey, he tried to resist, but it is his birthday after all.

Pam arrived about 45 minutes late after the plane needed deicing before takeoff from Minneapolis. Donnie didn’t fare as well leaving from Boston. The airplane there took off but had to put into Raleigh Durham North Carolina as someone flushed a blanket into the toilet system! (Pam immediately thought it would be a child’s favorite blanket that somehow ended up in the tank!) so, it’s now 520 and we’re expecting to meet Donnie at the Hideaway tonight. The hideaway crowd will be Randy, Dawn, Adam, Holly, Carol, me, Mark, Pam, Donnie, Karen, and Pete. I guess this is round three of birthday fun. OMG! 

Look at the beautiful Scottie dog towels, book and tote that Pam brought me for my birthday. Funny enough, they from come from Britain! She bought them when she was there visiting family last summer. And, speaking of Pam, great news as she has decided to retire next year. Yay Pam! 

Hideaway patio ... good music and pub dinner. ✅

Beautiful family ❤️

Karen & Pete

Pam, Mark and Donnie

A shared hat ... brilliant! 

Adam was very popular after his dancing demonstrations.