Hallowe’en 2022

Happy Halloween from our house to yours! 

Geez, it’s going to be a busy one here! It’s Monday, and my bowling league day. And, it is our routine dental hygienist appointments. And of course, it’s burger night! 

Diane and Kris have been moving themselves so far, but we are going tomorrow to lend a hand. Mark hurt his back last Thursday so I don’t know how much he can do. But I can certainly help Diane with unpacking and she’s asked for help with where do I place the  furniture. 

We had two eBay sales today! Yay, wrapped and dropped off at the post office! Diane’s donations brought some luck. 

While I was bowling 🎳 Mark made a huge batch of turkey dinner for the kids! 

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Hey y’all. It’s nearly Halloween 👻 … October has just flown by! 

Tonight, just we two went for a pizza at Stavros and met an interesting couple. They came in 5 minutes after us and sat at the adjacent table. Small talk began … they’d RV’d many of the places we’ve been … including Tom Sawyer on the Mississippi! That’s where in 2011 we encountered the Kathy Bates lookalike. Anyway, Cheryl’s from Georgia and Fox is from Steinbach Manitoba! We exchanged numbers … maybe see them again. 

Thursday morning Mark hurt his back reaching while bending while in the woods with Wayno. He’s pretty sore but we know it’s just a strain. Ice, heat, advil and rest is fine medicine. 

That afternoon I went to game day at Elaine’s. It was so nice to see the core group. Pat, Deenna, Elaine and I played Balderdash. The others played Mexican dominoes; Nancy, Cheri, Carin and Trina. Elaine is a lovely hostess … lots of homemade cake and cookies which I avoided. 

Sue and Wayne are in south Florida sorting out their RV site renovations. Unfortunately, work hadn’t started yet; no permit. 🤷‍♀️ That’s sorted now and the new building should be finished end of the year. Tonight they’re at the Clubhouse. 

Diane and Kris closed on their new Villages home and begin moving in tomorrow. They’ve both just gotten over Covid … fortunately, there’s no rush to get moved. They can do it bit by bit.

Congratulations! (We haven’t seen it yet … maybe next week.) 

 

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

It’s our 28th wedding anniversary! What a fun filled 28 years it has been! 

Cheers to the years! ❤️🥂🍾

We met Sue and Wayne and Randy and Dawn at LaPalma in Leesburg for dinner. Dawn ordered what she thought was a small dinner …

OMG we all laughed! 

We had such fun! Dawn told stories that had us all giggling about Randy’s lack of construction skills. 🤪

It was a good anniversary get together. 

Tuesday October 25th 2022

Good morning sunshine! It’s another day in paradise, and another day to get it right. 

🤣🤣🤣

We puttered about all day … me cleaning inside and Mark outside. Maybe we’re caught up? Hope so. Tomorrow we celebrate 28 years married. 🥳🥂🍾❤️ 

Monday, October 24, 2022

Good evening. It’s been a fun evening! At 5 o’clock we picked up Kim and Nancy and headed to our local Applebee’s for dinner. They had a special on of burgers and a side of boneless wings. We waited for Wayne and LaDonna who thought we were meeting at 6 o’clock. Things have been crazy this week, they might’ve been right. 🤔 Anyway, we had a couple of drinks plenty of conversation and a lot of laughs. The food was good and our waitress excellent. 

Earlier today, Nancy and I went and bowled with Lynn and Gary. We did pretty well, and won all three games!  Nancy, who hadn’t bowled in 40 years, ended up getting a turkey, which is three strikes in a row. Wowsa! A 🦃 !!!

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Good evening. While Mark enjoyed a morning in the woods, I went to meet Sue for breakfast and ride on their new golf cart. It was fun, but I called Sue a student driver as she couldn’t reach the accelerator and doesn’t know left from right. Ha ha ha … what fun we had! 

After breakfast, we rode along the modal paths back and then regroup and went to see Diane and Chris. Chris was not feeling good, so we didn’t stay too long. Diane had sorted a few things she wanted rid of so today I did some listings on eBay for her. She has some really unique collections.

Yesterday was Randy man‘s birthday. He and Dawn celebrated in Savannah Georgia with a mini holiday! 

Breakfast in Savannah! Happy biggie birthday Randy! ❤️

On Wednesday, the family is all getting together to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. It’s so nice we live near enough to do this.

Yesterday, we tidied up the backyard after the septic field was done. Mark leveled it and spread seed and then I helped by putting hay over the top. This will help the seed to germinate and be protected from the sun. Then, according to the septic boss, we will have a beautiful lawn by spring. We shall see, but it was a lot less expensive than doing sod. We were able to buy some Saint Augustine plugs, so Mark put those in which will help to fill it in.

That’s our hayfield. 😂

Our weather has been absolutely beautiful. Tonight, after our walk, we sat on the front porch with drinks and enjoyed the breeze. I think that’s it for today! 

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Good morning. It’s been a couple of kind of busy days around our place. Yesterday, it was our big adventure to take Robbie and BeeZee to the vet for their annual check ups and bloodwork. $555 later we came home to find the tree cutters had already taken down the branch of our camphor tree that was hanging over the neighbors house.  

Now this morning, they were back at 8 o’clock to take the rest of the stump down on the massive tree. It looks great! I am watching them take down a huge branch from a similar tree that is on the neighbors property. These guys are real cowboys, especially the climber.

The green building is our shed and the brown is the neighbors guest house.  

This afternoon Mark raked up and leveled the new septic field. We weren’t able to buy St. Augustine grass seed so put in Bahia grass seed and St. Aug plugs. Then … covered it with a couple bales of hay! 

A lovely hay field! 

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Good afternoon. Mark was up and out early this morning with Bob for some archery hunting. They were pretty chilled when they arrived home at 11:30. It had been 48°F in the woods this morning. That’s Florida cold! 

I was home holding the fort waiting for the septic company to come and cover our new system.

Robbie put up quite the fuss until I said not to. (He’s such a good guy.) BeeZee was afraid of the beep beep everytime the machine went in reverse. 

I had to stop the operator and tell him the lid for the riser was not on properly. We thought he had left it open initially for the county inspector. But no, they are just forgotten to fasten it down.

But this time, it had worked and he had a heckuva time getting the lid to fit. Then he put in screws to hold it down.  

It’s a darn good thing I was home watching otherwise we would’ve wondered how mud was getting into our new septic system!!! 

Here’s our touch of fall weather for this week! We are loving it, except it has put an end to swimming season. 

Tonight, we are picking up Nancy and meeting Pat, Ken, Rose and Jim for dinner.  

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Good morning. Mark and I were up and out today for a scheduled lifeline screening appointment. If you don’t know, it’s a company that performs several medical tests and gives you results quickly. There is a price for it, but good to get it done every few years. 

Sandhill Cranes in the parking lot. ❤️

We have finally heard that our septic field will be covered over tomorrow and then we can get busy picking up some sod and tidying up the backyard. It’s been quite the mess for a couple of weeks. And, the RV is sitting on the driveway in the sun. While all this was going on we had an estimate for getting two huge trees taken down. 

Tonight we’re watching the debate between Rubio and Demings. Yikes. It’s another crazy election time. 

We had a nice golf cart ride with the kids. Our weather has been awesome … tonight it’s getting COLD 🥶. When Mark goes to the forest tomorrow it’s going to be 48°F. That’s Florida cold. 😉

I 

Monday, October 17, 2022

Good afternoon y’all. It’s bowling Monday … And I had fine company today. Nancy was away so Mark stepped in and bowled for her. The lanes were terribly oily today and the balls were skating off and all directions. Ha. 🎳 So we chilled out, had a couple of beer and ate some fries. I think the lanes were greasier than the fries.  😆 

Today is 22 years since Dad left us. I think of him everyday and wish I’d known him better. So many stories I’d like to include on our Ancestry site. He was one of the Greatest Generation. 

Saturday was our neighborhood Oktoberfest which was well attended. The weather was perfect! 

It was fun to meet new neighbors and make new friends. The food was pretty good too. ☺️

Yesterday we had a last swim at KimBob’s for the season. It was a cool dip with the water at 80F. 

Friday, October 14, 2022

Good evening y’all. It’s been a good day here! 

Finally I started our Christmas card painting. I’d had an aversion to painting the last few months … no ambition. Maybe there was just so much going on this year with home(s) renovations and Mark’s eye problem looming? I’m going with lack of time; and not being able to let my mind wander and be creative. 

This afternoon Mark and I went bowling. I worked with my “new” ball without success. I need a lesson! It’s entirely different to handle than my old plastic ball. 

Here’s our scores for 3 games. Mark did very well … no wonder he refuses to get a new ball. (He’s bowling 🎳 with a Mark Roth urethane ball from the Fred Flintstone days.) 😂

Well it’s time to get Robbie and BeeZee’s bedtime apple! Ta ta til tomorrow. 

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Good morning from Central Florida where it is unusually cloudy. Mark is off to the dump with a last load of tree debris from removing our three huge queen palms and the majority of the camphor tree. It’s been a huge job, and I am amazed at what he can do. 

We had our second Shingrex shot yesterday afternoon … and Mark has a very sore arm today. I am not too bad right now, but had no appetite for breakfast. So today we will take it easy and watch at 1 o’clock the final January 6 televised hearing. 

Yesterday, our neighborhood ladies luncheon group got together at Kiku’s Japanese steakhouse. It was terrific, excellent food and plenty of fun. Mary had a sushi platter that she said was the best.

I don’t eat sushi, but it certainly looks appetizing the way it is presented. To the upper right is an avocado salad. 

So that’s what I should have eaten on my Atkins program, but instead I had a plate full of chicken, mixed vegetables and the dreaded rice. And once you put that Yum Yum sauce on it, you just can’t quit. Lol. That’s probably why I am feeling a bit punky today. 

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Good morning. I am up and off to a County meeting with Pat and our neighbor Toni. It has to do with the new developments that will be using our Harbor Shores Road entrance from 44. Mark has taken a load of tree debris to the dump. Then, this afternoon some machinery is coming to dig up our new septic field in the back. It’s another busy day around here, but stress-free. 

Rick M recommended I always have a picture on the Blog for interest. I randomly spun my pictures on the iPhone and this is what I found, an old one of me from last Halloween. 🧙‍♀️ 🎃

Well the meeting went on and on … and last on the agenda …

Good news for the existing communities!

Around 2 o’clock the septic system install began! 

Before

Waiting on the County inspector 

Big pile of sandy soil … nice and dry down 6 feet. 

Monday, October 10, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving 🍽🍁🦃 to our Canadian family and friends. We are thankful for you! 😍

Here in the ol’ U S of A we’re arguing over what to now call this Federal holiday. Egad, it’s legally Columbus Day … 

but sentiment has risen to Indigenous Peoples Day, quite a mouthful. Then there are some who argue against anyone being indigenous prior to the Bering Sea land bridge. What to do? I have a suggestion. Let’s follow Canada’s lead … First Nations Day! 

Each and every First Nations person ,,, $20,000 at age 18. Is it time for the USA to cough up? 

So Mark is here snoozing waiting for Bob who had a busy yesterday and apparently slept in. 

Hahaha … no harm done. 🦌 

Me? It’s my first day of bowling league … and I was so excited I got up at 5:30. 🎳  The team is Rosie’s Rollers and is Lynn Z (and new boyfriend Gary,) Nancy and me. I suspect some fun and crazy antics will ensue. 🤪

Then tonight … dinner with friends! 

What a FUN evening! Nancy, Mark, Bob, Kim, LaDonna, Wayne and me. 

Sunday, October 9, 2022

Good evening y’all. Hope you’ve had as chillaxing a weekend as we have had. Our weather has been perfect. 

Yesterday we took the kids for a pontoon cruise. Gorgeous. 

My favorite kind of day! 

Mz BeeZee sat with her dad for 2 hours 

Robbie looking a little wind blown but always handsome. 🐾🥰

Sue sent a picture of the 1st snow birds to arrive…

Yup! Those Canadians. 😂

I think SHP hosted dinner on the porch there. Enjoy. 

Tomorrow begins a busy week with hunting, bowling, dinner with friends, a county meeting, Wednesday lunch … and yeah a new septic system. Whew. 

Friday, October 7, 2022

Good evening! We’ve had a nice evening out to casual dinner at The Crazy Gator where it was busy busy! The Friday fish fry was very good!

After, we walked around downtown Eustis as it was First Friday, the monthly street party. 

Lake Eustis sunset

Looking down Magnolia to the Heron fountain and lake. 

Autumn colors in this pretty sunset. 

Ferran Park is so pretty now. 

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Good afternoon. It’s been a bit of a crazy busy day around here. Mark hired a couple of handyman to put up 8 foot panels of fencing in our backyard. The house next-door that was always very untidy, went into foreclosure and now is owned by an investor. So, before anyone moves in is the right time for us to change the panels. 

Tonight was YaYa’s at Deenna’s house! We had a blast! Big group …the theme was a pajama party! 😂

we drank, ate and played charades. It was hilarious! 

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Good morning. We had our annual maintenance done on the RV most conveniently this year. Colby of divine detailing worked in our driveway! No fuss, no hour’s drive to the dealership! You can count us as happy travelers. 

Mark‘s appointment for getting his stitches out was changed from noon in the villages to 4 o’clock in Ocala. Darn … we will be going through some traffic, but whatever, he just needs those stitches out.  

Happy 14th birthday to Shorty hot pants …

dining in style today eh SHP! 🥳🎂🐾🥰🎶

I seem to have missed blogging for a couple of days. We met Randy and Dawn at Applebee’s on Monday night for burgers. Because of the hurricane, supplies hadn’t gotten in and as with most restaurants, they were out of a few things. It was fun, we had a good yak fest and good food.

Yesterday, Kim and I had a Mani-pedi day and a little shopping at the Peddlers Wagon in downtown Eustis. It was so relaxing, and then a fun shopping experience. We managed a few hors d’oeuvres and a drink while we were shopping. 🤩 The shop looks amazing!

Last night we took a ride to Nancy’s and planted the Norfolk island pine in her front yard. An old oak tree had been taken down earlier in the year, and she has missing the shade. This one has a few years to grow, but she is excited to decorate it for Christmas. Ha ha!

We now have a rough timeframe for getting our new septic field installed of next week. So, Mark is working to get the last of the big camphor tree cut down. It has a massive trunk, and I’m not sure what we will do with that. 

Sunday, October 2, 2022

 Good evening. It has been a busy day working on eBay listings. Mark did the photography while I did the computer work.

Our friend Nancy called in the afternoon wanting to return Mark’s ladder. We decided to take the golf cart and the dogs and go visit for an hour. She worked very hard to get everything cleaned up and her place looks beautiful, as always. Even the pool is looking great again! So we sat with a beer and enjoyed the afternoon sun. It’s been great weather here. 

Our little Norfolk pine from Christmas past is being rehomed … to Nancy’s. The neighbor took down the massive oak tree between the driveways a few months ago. This wee tree will happily grow there and eventually give lovely shade! They don’t require any pruning … easy peasy. Digging the hole is tomorrow’s fun! 

Sue and Wayne picked up their gorgeous brand new golf cart today! It’s so much fun getting around their ‘hood with a g.c. 

Yeah it’s an update on our ancient The Caddy. 😂

Did I mention the bowling league? Nancy, Lynn Z and I are joining a local league! Tomorrow is sign-up. I’m excited. Lynn is a very good bowler, Nancy hasn’t bowled in 40 years and I’m a hack. 😂 It’s going to be a blast. 

That’s it for tonight. Mark is counting the days until his stitches come out and he can see again. 🤞

Saturday, October 1, 2022

It’s going on 9 o’clock in the evening here, and I am finally getting a start on the blog. Mark was a little antsy today after sitting around trying to rest while his eye surgery heals. During the hurricane, our friend Nancy had a branch from her cypress tree crash into her family room roof. Mark went over to see if he could just remove the branch and cover the damage until her roofer could get to it on Monday.

Well, it turned out to be quite a hole! 

The branch was long! 

And the branch was 4 feet into the roof! 

What to do? Mark couldn’t leave the hole open! 

Voilà !!!

Duct tape and an old shower curtain! Nancy was so thankful for a little help she slipped a bottle of excellent Scotch into the golf cart. 

This evening, we met Sue and Wayne at Takis for a Greek dinner. It was fun to catch up on news from the cottage friends and who might be visiting over the winter season. We also heard Aurelia and Tony are planning a trip to Florida in their new motorhome this winter. 🤩  

Wayne & Sue want to host Christmas dinner this year! That will be very different for Mark and I as we have been hosting it for most of our married life! Sue is suggesting that we take our RV to “the horse park” for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Well, maybe 🤔 

Christmas came early in the way of very old Scottie bookends from Rick M. These beauties will have a place of honor in our house! Rick remembers them from his childhood home … 🐾🥰. I’m going to find the perfect spot for them here and post pictures tomorrow. What an amazing gift. ❤️

Good night all.