Saturday August 31, 2019

Good morning hurricane watchers! Evacuations are underway along Florida’s east coast. At this time, Dorian will track 50 miles off the coast. 👍🏻

The bad news is ... a Cat 5. 

So last night at C J’s was good. We enjoyed the coastal vibe and food. There was plenty of food, large portions. 

A fun night. 

Mark pulled the RV out so I could putter away and hang curtains, etc. That took a few hours and when we checked the weather, Hurricane Dorian was heading out to sea! Sweet. We hope it stays that way!

Tonight, after Pizzazz cooked Buffalo chicken pizza, we took the kids for a half hour ride on The Caddy. Now it’s TV time. 

Friday, August 30, 2019

Good morning all y’all. Mark was up early with a cranky backache watching Hurricane Dorian forecast news. When I got up at 5:30 he was on a 2nd coffee. 

Me? I want to pull the RV out to hang the curtains I made. 😁 (Nothing will happen in Central Florida til Tuesday into Wednesday.)

🤣

We’ve been invited to TWO hurricane parties already. 🙄

The Southern word for today is:

NAMASTE 🙏🏻 

Question - “Y’all gonna evacuate?”

Answer - “Namaste here.” 😎

😂 Funny how the bread aisle sells out the quickest. 

My job towards Dorian’s visit was to clean and fill our 24 - 3 Lt glass bottles with water and 2 drops of bleach. Mark went to the bank and fueled up Da Mounty. Tonight, we’re going to seafood dinner with Karen, Pete, Ladonna and Wayne. Ta ta til

Tomorrow. 

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Good morning. Mark was up early, concerned about the path of Hurricane Dorian. At this moment, it seems to be aiming south of Orlando, but as we know 50 miles is nothing when you’re talking projected hurricane paths. 

At this moment, Dorian is a Cat 1 expected to grow into a Cat 3. At a Cat 3 entering Florida 50 miles south of our home would be a 39 mile an hour sustained wind for us. That means a little yard tidy up is needed ... water jugs filled ... canned food supplies checked and the generator tested. Since we have two neighbors out of town, we will be prepping their homes too. 

But, in the way of fun, it’s game day for me at Pat’s house!

Mark took a drive to ABC liquors for hurricane supplies! (Yeah, we make my mom proud!)  He said the liquor store was packed! Line ups for gas were crazy too. Since Irma surprised us two yesrs ago, we Floridians are stocking up! 

Game day was “a B L A S T” ... we all had fun. Carol C. left her phone when she exited at 4 o’clock ... so, I grabbed it, got the girls together and took a picture of us all making “the loser insignia” on her phone. 🤣 I bet she laughs and posts it on FB.

Mark phoned aunt Jane tonight to check on her. She feels safer in that community ... they have had meetings about hurricane safety. 👍🏻

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Hell-O. Our weather news is all confusing confusion. 🙄 Dorian became a hurricane this morning aimed at Puerto Rico! If you know geography, you’re aware that’s a long way from Florida‘s shoreline. So the point of this ramble is 🤷‍♀️ 🤔 ... go pour some wine and change the TV channel. We’ll tune in Friday for an update. It’ll be either a Florida or Georgia or North Carolina event ... category 3ish. 

So, it was dentist day ... just cleanings for us both. Although we had different hygienists, they both told us our teeth were extra clean, but we both have trouble brewing. Was this a new office scare tactic? Mark has stress cracks on two back molars while I have a premolar that is crowned after a root canal. Yeah. 🤷‍♀️ But, it might be getting brittle and will eventually need a dental implant. 🤔 Is Doc wanting a new boat? 😂

After the dentist we treated ourselves to lunch before heading home to chores.  I cooked big batches of potatoes and sweet potatoes for the Scotties while Mark clippered and bathed them. They look so cute! 

On tonight’s ride on The Caddy, we spotted this beaut! 

It’s a Poulan riding lawnmower! Schweeet! So, I raced back via Caddy to guard it while Mark hooked up his utility trailer and Mounty! What a dynamic duo we are! 😅

Darn. He got there quick!  It took both os us to muscle it on the tilting trailer! ✅

A new project! 👍🏻

Now, back home, it’s wine:30 and TV time. Ta ta. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Good afternoon y’all. It’s about time for our afternoon ⚡️ storm! 😁

My “job” today was to interview neighbors Cindy & Paul for the “Spotlight On” newsletter article. It was fun! Although I’ve known them for many years, I didn’t know a lot of their history. After that was finished, Mark and I took a box of goodies to the humane society store ... then ourselves to lunch at Arby’s! It was good; what a take! 😂 Two roast beef sandwiches, two small fries, two small sodas and an order of mozzarella sticks for $8.99 wow. 😜

Mark had a “no sweat” day ... grocery shopping only. Tonight we’re going to RanDawn’s for dinner ... and Robs and Bee are coming too! Fun!

Ha! Randy cooked Mahi and broccoli while Dawn did the cheesy potatoes and appetizer. Everything was great. Afterward, we played Mexican dominoes and Dawn was the big winner tonight! (We think Sue gave Randy this aprin!) 🤣

It was a good day! Tomorrow, the dentist. 

Monday, August 26, 2019

Good afternoon. It’s been a bit of a busy day around here, but typical for a Monday. I’ve been working on eBay and discovered many items I had for sale had somehow dropped off the listing. What the heck happens to these things? Meanwhile, Mark has decided to pressure wash Marky-Mark’s driveway as it looks pretty bad. No, very bad. 😜

I was able to get a new insurance company for our homeowners coverage and will save money over the old one. They received the wind mitigation report and the four-point inspection and I am just waiting to hear back as to how much of a reduction I will get because of the excellent condition of our home. Schweeet. 

We’re expecting heavy rain rolling in from the Gulf this evening ... and it’s been hot here! ⚡️ Dinner tonight was on the Pizzazz! Pep’s Prohibition pizza is great. Of course the dogs got all the pizza bones from me, Mark eats the crust. 🍕 

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Good afternoon. We had a lazy start to our Sunday morning. After breakfast, Mark moved the work boat behind Mrs. R B so our Boat Mechanic, Rob, has a platform to work on the lower end of the motor. 😎 

Me? Well, there was the never-ending laundry plus I had an eBay sale. That encouraged me to list 4 more car charms and 3 necklaces I made recently. When Wayne and LaDonna came in to visit the dogs yesterday, I learned LaDonna likes to paint too! I think we will plan a painting with a twist one day soon! 

Robs started bugging me after dinner for a ‘chew chew boney.’ Yeah, he gets his message across. First I get a high five paw ... then I asked what he wanted ... and his eyes moved up to the basket where ‘old’ chew chew boneys are kept. But, the two of them were finished and Mark had tossed the gnarly stubs in the garbage two days ago! OMG 😳 

So, I ordered more rawhides online. Today at 4 o’clock Robbie started bugging for a chew-chew-boney. I told him he had to wait until the UPS man came! Delivery was scheduled before 9 o’clock! I checked online and the delivery truck was just nine stops away. So, we went on the front porch with the kids ... Mark smoked a cigar while we drank wine and waited for delivery. At 8:30, the truck pulled up and the kids were so happy when we opened the package and there they were! Chew-Chew-Boneys! 💕

Bee is by the fireplace and Robs is under the coffee table; life is good! 🐾💕 Happy doggies. 🤣 Yup, the R kids have become K kids and rule da castle. 🤷‍♀️

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Good morning y’all. Here’s hoping all is well at your home. (I have a muddle to tidy up from sewing.) 🙄 

Mark’s going to chill today after overachieving yesterday! In addition to washing 1 side of the house, he prepped the boat for our mechanic. The poor boat needs a new impeller and lower end work. Ca-ching. 

Today we went to World of Beer in Brownwood for a get together with a few of our Lake County VIP Club pals. Wayne and Ladonna rode with us ... we met Karen, Pete and their son Nick and grandson Peyton there. Rick and Dee live in The Villages. 

L-R ... Nick, Pete, Rick, Mark, yours truly, Ladonna, Wayne, Dee, Karen & Peyton. 

Wayne ordered a pretzel ...

yup, it was big enough for all to enjoy! Delicious. 

Karen & Pete gave us a little pressie for walking Lexy for them during the last campout. It was a sweet gesture ... yet this is how we act. 🙄 Well, that’s us, a couple of goodballs. 🤣

The beer stock is rotated as it arrives ... when they run out, the beer taps are hung up. Cool place. 

Friday, August 23, 2019

Good morning. I was up at 8 o’clock but Mark was already outside washing the south side of the house. Wowsa. 

Our thoughts are with Marky-Mark today. His best buddy of 21+ years, Jake, will be euthanized. Both man and dog have given their all to this relationship. We’re feeling your pain buddy. 🐾💕

I got back into my sewing project today. 👍🏻 I think the new RV decor will look great. Our next trip is Madeira Beach ... Rock Beach and Clearwater/St. Pete. 

Mark cooked a delish pork loin tonight with a baked potato and asparagus. We yakked with Randy and remembered Linda on the 5th year since she passed. He was quite sad today. 

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Well we began our morning with a 4 point home inspection for a new home insurance policy. While the inspector was here, we looked over the wind mitigation report from Eustis Roofing and found 3 glaring mistakes! The insurance company wouldn’t have given us any price reduction based on that. Mistakes are listing OSB instead of the plywood sub roof and omitting the expensive waterproof barrier that’s under our shingles ... then there were wrong tie-down photos! 

So, rather than waste my time dealing with Eustis Roofing, we hired Ronald Caruthers Home Inspections. HE did a thorough job and climbed into the attic for the pictures. 👍🏻

I started my next sewing project ... our RV bedroom valances and curtains. It sounds simple enough but there are many pieces to the puzzle. Tomorrow’s supposed to be in the 90’s so I’m happy to have an indoor project. 

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Good early bird morning! Well that was a night of crazy dreams. 😳 Maybe a nap will occur later?

Mark is taking our new neighbor Bob hiking in the Ocala Forest this morning. Me? There’s a luncheon with the neighborhood gals ... plus a little shopping afterward. 

Applebee’s was today’s choice for lunch! Our neighbor Candie joined us ... nice to have her join the group! 

Our waitress couldn’t get us all in the one picture. 😜

Mark had a good morning in the woods ... and he has a new enthusiast in Bob. 👍🏻

Tonight, we met RanDawn and their two granddaughters for dinner at Mojo’s. The girls actually will eat there. 😅 Tonight was ‘kids night’ and they had fun getting balloon animals made. 

Unicorns! 

It was a great evening! 

Back home, we took the Scotties for a ride in the Caddy. 🐾💕

Tuesday August 20th, 2019

It was a perfect day for an eleven o’clock boat ride with the kids ... sunny and breezy!

Our lake level has been consistent these past few years 👍🏻 but the dam is open now to run rainwater through the Oklawaha and St. John’s River system. 

The current was about 8 MPH ... lily pads were bobbing and twisting in the eddies ... many were underwater! We’re not used to seeing that! 

We talked to Randy this afternoon ... he golfed both Monday and Tuesday ... a 94. That sounds good for a guy who’s 30% titanium. 😜 Tomorrow, we are going to meet he and Dawn and the two granddaughters for dinner.

Tonight, after dinner, we sat on the front porch. It was just 80° with a nice breeze. Tomorrow, Mark is going for a hike in the woods with a new neighbor, Bob. Me? It’s our neighborhood girls luncheon!

Monday, August 19, 2019

Good morning. Mark was off to the eye doctor first thing this morning while I began the laundry. Yuck, on both accounts. Ha ha.

This promises to be a fairly busy week ... and hopefully, a dryer one than last. There has been tremendous rain in Florida this month, but our area has been mostly spared. 

This is Sharon at aquatica, bodyboard surfing. I’m not sure if she’s having fun or not. Ha ha.

My cousin Mark seems to be enjoying it though! What a fabulous vacation they’ve had with 2 1/2 weeks in Florida! It’s a lifetime of memories for their two daughters as well. 

Susan & Wayne had a good time with family at their Saturday reunion. Everything was hosted dockside, which meant many trips back-and-forth up the hill to the main cottage. 

It looks like the weather cooperated! 👍🏻

You think from this picture that the dogs were the ones up and down the hill several times. 🐾💕

We had a good day, and happy hour on the front porch at 4:30. Robbie was quite distressed that we were a little late! 🐾  

We planned a ride on the Caddy, but thunderstorms rolled in quickly. Maybe later.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Good morning. It’s a bright beautiful sunshiny day here in Central Florida. I feel we are going to have an early winter here in Florida. Yesterday’s high was 84° and sunny. That is very unusual high temp for mid-August. 

Finally, we received our wind mitigation report after having our roof installed last June. Now, I can proceed with firing our insurance company and hiring a new one. 👍🏻 😅

Mark has gone outside to putter around on the landscaping as tomorrow is pick up day in our neighborhood. Our friends Marky Mark and Lani are now on the waiting list for their immigration interviews. Hooray. We are so happy for them and can’t wait to have them in the neighborhood full time! 

Randy and Dawn are coming over for drinks later and then we will go out to dinner; so it’s a good day all around.

Happy hour arrival 🍻

Stavros dinner! (We all took doggy bags home!) 

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Good afternoon sunshine! We’ve been up and at it since 9 ... but lazier than yesterday. 

This afternoon, Sue and Wayne are hosting a family reunion at their cottage estate. We hope the weather will cooperate for them and that they have a great time.  

A new (RV) friend tagged me on this and said it reminded her of me ... but in a good way! Ha ha ha, how quickly Dee got to know me. 😇 The funny thing is, the show Bewitched was in black-and-white, so I never realized Edora was a redhead. 😁 

Mark installed a portable air conditioner for Marky Mark today. It’ll be nice when he arrives later this month. That way, he can cool off an area of the house where he is working. My hubs is such a nice guy. Me? I had a couple of eBay sales and got them off in the  mail and made a couple of car charms. I will slowly go broke with the price I charge for them, but it is fun to make them and I enjoy it. So there. 😜

Is it really mid August in Central Florida? The weather has been gorgeous, I’ll be it you have to dodge the thunderstorms. But, today has been sunshine and a high of 83°.

I took the kids for a ride on the Caddy and noted Pat and Ken have arrived home. I’ll see her at Wednesday’s luncheon. 👍🏻 

I suggested we go out for dinner tonight, but Mark decided to cook some pork chops. So, tomorrow we will go out for a Sunday night dinner.

That’s it. There’s not much going on here today. We’re having happy hour on the front porch and just relaxing. My weather prediction, based on nothing more than observation, is that there will be a very early winter this year. We have noticed a few leaves falling from our sycamore tree already, and some of the northern birds are making a reappearance ... and it’s only mid August! 

Friday, August 16, 2019

It’s already 8:30 this evening and everyone’s on their way home! At 11 this morning we pulled away from the dock with ...

Mark, Freya, Sharon, Sophie, Randy and Dawn. The Hazell’s are visiting from London and this is their first Central Florida boat ride. 

Rain was to the northwest but skirted around us ... we cruised Lake Eustis, the Dora Canal, Lake Dora to the seaplane base, the Dead River and turned around on Lake Harris. It was “the best day” ... cloudy, breezy and a high of 83F. Mrs. R B ran perfectly too. 

We went to the Crazy Gator for lunch ... 

and the food was delicious. 

We couldn’t believe we were the only boaters out ... well except for the tour boat in the Dora Canal! 

The Hazell’s were wearing matching Disney shirts and when the tour boat was passing us, Mark hollered “Is this the way to Disney???”

That gave the tour boat folks a good laugh, us too!

Cruising and boozing 🍻 

Dawn was so relaxed that she apparently dozed off. 💤 That led Randy to tell the story of taking Mackenna on the boat with us 5 years ago ... and Randy babysitting while Dawn slept. 😂

Sophie took the helm for awhile as did Freya. 

We arrive back home about 3 o’clock and got into a game of LCR ... then HeadsUp. It was a great afternoon, and lots of laughs. We do hope they will come back and visit again! 

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Good morning Steven (HAWKing.) 😂

As you can see it’s a bright beautiful start to our Central Florida day! We have a few things to accomplish before company comes tomorrow for a boating day. 

Mark worked at Marky-Mark’s vacuuming the pool and trimming a few vines. He came in soaking wet, it’s very humid. Now he’s gone to Home Depot to pick up some wood for our garden project outback.

My task this afternoon was to go for a second opinion at a ear nose and throat doctor. I chose Dr. Vaught in Tavares. He reviewed my CT scan then had a look at my sinuses and throat. Since I am feeling good now, he advised me to come back in mid November when my symptoms often start. I now have an appointment for that time. I asked if I was a candidate for sinus surgery. Since Dr Burgos (ENT) had said I needed surgery and needed it quickly to clear an area my first sinus surgery had botched, I was amazed when Dr. Vaught said “everything is open and functioning as it should” and surgery would do nothing for me! 👍🏻 Thank you Dr. Vaught ... 💕

When I came home after the doctor appointment with my good news, Mark was working on our bamboo outdoor bar. Nice! 

Wednesday August 14, 2019

Good morning thunderstorms! 💦 We were up and out early for Mark’s doc appointment ... I’m his driver. 🥰 

(Yeah, this was Mark running to the 🚽 yesterday.) 😂 All’s well ... 👍🏻

Back home, construction continues even with storms surrounding our area ... 

rumor is this is a spec home ... canal front. 

I finished the RV mirror project today; waiting for it to cure ... then I’ll post a pic. Ta ta til tomorrow.