Thursday, June 29, 2023

Good morning. It’s a bright beautiful sunshiny day here in central Florida. We have had a very hot, dry week. Today, again, it will be in the mid 90s. I have been starting my day in the Swim Spa and listening to the bird song.

When Mark got up, he took the dogs for a golf cart ride before it became oppressive outside. 

We heard yesterday from Sue and Wayne that Tony had fallen while fixing a light on the motorhome. He is currently in the hospital and had hip surgery. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Today we are taking a ride to the Villages as we have a buyer for the large Windsor patio table. That will be one less thing in the garage and 1514 that we have to move next week. 😝

Yesterday, we bowled three games on Lane 10. There was no oil, so our bowling balls shot across to the left. It was challenging, but very good practice as you never know what you get with lane conditions. 🎳 we have worked our way up to fourth place in the summer league with about eight weeks left to go.  

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Beat the heat was name of the game this morning! Mark left home for Lowes at 5:45 to pick up black mulch to freshen the K’s Villages property. When I got there at 8:30 he was soaked. The forecast was for 96F this afternoon and I bet we reached it. 

Today’s jobs were to pack the bathrooms, linen closet, guest bedroom closets and wipe down all surfaces. It’s ready for the real estate photographer! We headed for home around noon. The traffic was amazingly light and we were in our driveway in 35 minutes! Crazy 😜 considering it was high noon! 

Diane phoned me this afternoon and we got caught up. She and Kris are selling ALL their rentals except for the warehouse one! That place is full of stuff. An estate sale is slated for that. 😝

Monday, June 26, 2023

Well I started my morning with a laugh thanks to AI Alexa and Siri. 😂

I was busy cleaning up around the kitchen when Alexa reminded me to call the vet to set up an appointment to have Robbie’s cyst aspirated. Before my brain went totally into gear, I said “Alexa, call umm ummm, Dr. vet Wilson.” Alexa replied you’ll have to add your Mama to your contacts. Me: Alexa cancel! Siri call Dr Vet Wilson on speaker. Alexa answers Siri … add Mama to Dr. Vet Wilson. OMG 😳 I had such a laugh. 

So, while I was having my phone at home, feeding the dogs, etc. Mark was out doing the grocery shopping and taking Ebay parcels to the post office. Today is bowling and a particularly important day if we wish to move up the ranks.

It’s now Tuesday evening … what the heck? Well we bowled like we wanted to win and WIN we did; all 4 games! Mark was superhero with two games over 200! (His average is now 170.) Nancy, Linda and I bowled well above our averages on 2 games. We did well. 

So there’s an old curmudgeon, Dennis. I’ve mentioned him before …so it was his team we beat! 😁 He got pretty rude with Nancy which got my attention. When I was up to bowl he interrupted me by calling “Hey Red.” I ignored him even the next 3 times he yelled it. I bowled. Bad shot. Dennis says in a loud voice “You missed!” In a split second my mouth had opened and said “Brilliant observation, Einstein!” Well … the bowlers all around burst out laughing!!! Later, when most teams had finished and left, Ed and Lilly came over and were still laughing. Ed was so happy I’d put the old devil (Ed’s words) in his place. 🤣

Last night was pool time for us. Tuesday morning will be finishing up at the K’s for the photographer! 

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Good morning. We had quite a day yesterday packing up the kitchen at the K’s house. The Realtor came by and was pleased with the moving about we’d done. With all the rain in the area this month the shrubs are out of control in the side yard. And, the mulch needs freshening up.  So … Tuesday’s job is clear; outside spruce-up. 

Meanwhile in Canada our friend Jim celebrated his big birthday in style including professional fireworks! 

That’s the birthday guy with his son and grandchildren. 🥳🎶🥂🍾 Happy Birthday Jim ❤️

It’s Kris’s birthday today! 🥳🎶 We phoned and sang … I think he genuinely appreciated it. He’s cooking dinner and then going out to pick up his birthday cake. 😂 Party of 1 🥳

We picked up Kim and Bob and went to Sol de Mexico for dinner tonight. Our usual staff was not there, and the two servers who were were very busy.  It was all delish! We invited them to come in but they were tired after celebrating her sister’s birthday last night. 

I was thinking earlier today that it’s 6 months til Christmas day … then I heard the ice cream truck playing Christmas songs. 😂 I ran outside and got Mark us some ice cream cones. 🥰

Friday, June 23, 2023

Good morning! Yeah, I missed blogging yesterday! We were both ready for a long soak and a bottle of wine! 

Phase 1 of the K’s move began yesterday morning. We moved things around and packed up personal items for the Realtor to access the home. 

Today … our joints need oiling 😂 and it’s Fun Bowl day followed by my lesson. 

Mark’s BIG game today! 🥳🎳235 … It was announced !!! 

Mark went home for the kids while Nancy and I drove over to the lesson. Rich worked with us for more than an hour. We make progress when we’re under his tutelage … hope it translates to higher scores on Monday. 🎳😂

Nancy and Rich having a laugh during the lesson. 😂

The kids had a fun time with chicken chips tucked into their toys. Now while we’re watching TV they’re running around with the giggle balls. So cute. 

Tomorrow we’ll be meeting the Realtor at the K’s house … and doing some packing in the kitchen. That’s it for tonight! 

Wednesday, June 21st, 2023

Good afternoon … Mark and I did some practice bowling for the Monday playoffs. The alley was busy with two groups that had arrived before opening! Anyway, we got lane 31. The first two games were good for us both however I tanked in the 3rd. Wha wa waaa 😩 

We cooked a batch of chicken for Robs and Beez. Mark does the prep … I do the storage and clean up. It sure smells great and they’re thriving on it. 

While Mark’s chewing a dental pic himself, he’s cleaning Robbie’s face and teeth. 😂 Seriously though,  this is keeping them in better condition. 

Tonight we met our “friends night out group” at Applebee’s for dinner. We had good service and good food. There were lots of laughs how many stories shared it’s always a fun time.  

Meanwhile, in Canada, Sue and Wayne are at Donna and Dennis’s for dinner. Hopefully they went by boat! We know it’ll be an entertaining night!

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Good morning. What a day it’s been so far. Our new yeedi robot vacuum arrived. Carlos was not able to be repaired. So, we ordered another one which we called Cosmo. Cosmo worked for about 10 days but just never could get a full battery charge. Amazon was quick to allow me a return. So, Carson has arrived and whatta job it was trying to get it set up on wifi. Maybe the big problem was I hadn’t had my coffee yet? You know that kind of issue, where the app doesn’t open, the password doesn’t work, the unit won’t pair up … you got the idea. Meanwhile, Mark was waiting to hear from Nancy to go get fuel for her generator. Yes, it is that time of year and we are preparing for hurricane season. There are a few weather systems lined up in the Atlantic already. I heard it is warmer water temperatures than usual for this time of year. Whatever. 😝

Meteorologists get excited this time of year … good grief. They’re predicting when a front comes off Africa! Calm down. 😂

Monday, June 19, 2023

Hello from sunshiny Central Florida where it’s 93F this afternoon! 

We’re back to normal speed here after a busy week. Bowling 🎳 started at 1 o’clock. Our team member Linda was suffering from cracked fingertips, a side effect of her autoimmune condition. She’s amazing! Nothing stops her … fingers taped up so much that her bowling ball didn’t fit. No problem … she grabbed a “house” ball to bowl with. That’s dedication! 

I had a great 1st game, well above my average but, alas, the next 2 games were not. 😂 THAT’S why we’re a good team! Someone else picks up the slack on the next game. In the end we won 3 games! 😅 

Next week will be playoffs for position. Maybe that’s our chance to jump up a spot. 🤞

Tonight, we’re home relaxing with the kids! There’s a new (to us) series starting at 8 o’clock. It’s the precursor to Yellowstone. 

These ducks were Izzy’s purchase at Festival Marketplace. I’d told Hailey and Angelina about it … so Matt and Tiffany took them shopping yesterday! 

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Good afternoon! Happy Father’s Day ❤️ 

We loaded up the Kia and drove the girls to meet Matt and Tiff at Canoe Creek. After a quick lunch and visit we were all off for home. It was a great time. 

Sue and Wayne are having a boat ride today! 

Looking great Wayne! The Windsorcraft looks fabulous too! 

Back home, tidying up and doing laundry. Tomorrow’s bowling and the start of a busy week! 

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Good morning! We’re enjoying a thunderstorm and heavy rainfall. The girls are sleeping in. 

Last night we played Mexican Train Dominoes; so much fun. We had a 2nd set from the RV which Izzy’s taking home. Look out Matt and Tiffany … there’s game nights in your future. 🚂 

We did a little shopping at Target and Rural King with the girls. The free popcorn was the best. 😂

Dinner was in the Sunroom with a round of LCR where Hailey won a few bucks and then Mexican Train Dominoes where I was tonight’s winner. 

Everyone is tidying up for the trip home tomorrow. It’s been fun! 

Friday, June 16, 2023

Good evening! It was a super fun day! 

RanDawn with Kenna and Charlotte met us at the bowling alley. We had Lynn and Steve join us too! Randy and Dawn hadn’t met Steve. It was a good afternoon! Hailey, Izzy and Angie played with Kenna and Charlotte on lane 14. Hailey was the winner on that lane. I think we wore them out! They came home and napped. 

Randy won a chance to get a Strike with the push ball  method. 😂

I left a hoard of stuffed toys for Robbie and BeeZee to dig through for treats. It keeps them busy! 

Mark whipped up tacos 🌮 for dinner, very good. Then Hailey and Angie took The Caddy for a neighborhood ride. 

Thursday, June 15, 2023

Well it’s nearly bedtime and there’s a possibility of rain. Northern Florida was hit with severe storms much of the day. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful one … and we went boating. 

Robbie entertained the girls … Hailey and Angie. 

We went through the Dora Canal and around the seaplane base in Tavares. It was windy with a few whitecaps but totally comfortable on the pontoon. 

Yup, Angie’s been adopted by Mr. Aloof. 🐾😂

Beautiful day!  Angie, Izzy and Hailey watched by BeeZee. 

BeeZee wanted out of the wind. 🐾😂

After the boat ride, we had a relaxing afternoon and then went to Stavros for Pizzas. It was delicious, as always. 

Tonight we introduced the girls to Mexican Train Dominoes. It was so much fun they wanted to play again. (We said “Tomorrow!”) Mark and Hailey were 3 points apart.) 

It was a great day. 

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Good morning! It’s going to be a hot 95 today. Early, about 7, Mark and Izzy went hiking in the Ocala Forest. They’re putting on some miles! 

Meanwhile, Hailey and Angie are sleeping in. They’re joining me for the ladies luncheon at a fun restaurant! 

Yesterday, we took them bowling. Our usual Lakeside was closed for maintenance 🤷‍♀️ with a note on the door so we had to bowl in Mt Dora. That place was filled with kids but Ethel found us a lane. It was fun! One of our friends from Lakeside was there with his daughter. 

Back home, the girls drove the golf cart around and went in the pool. Mark grilled chicken for dinner and we sat in the dining room yakking for hours. Nice evening. 

Today …

Lunch at Kiku’s with the neighborhood gang

Our chef was fun! 

Crazy fun was had by all …

Izzy in Mark’s tree stand

The Mason Jar breakfast with Izzy

We’re all chilled out now … just relaxing. 

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Good morning! Yesterday got away on me … we met Matt, Tiffany and the girls at Canoe Creek service plaza about 2:30. 

Hailey, Matt, Tiffany, Izzy and Angie 🥰

After a quick visit, we got back on the Pike to home. First stop was Applebee’s for an early dinner! Guess who was there? Wayne & LaDonna! They’d been in their boat most of the day and were happy to join us. They’d met the girls two years before in Pompano when we stayed at the K’s! It was super fun. 

Back home, Nancy had been over to feed Robs ‘n Beez. 🐾🥰 They were happy to have us home at 6. 

Mark’s ready to take Izzy hiking in the woods! We all had a laugh. Hailey & Angie had fun trying on some eBay outfits. 

Unpacking later … lots of giggles putting on the fancy clothes. 

Then it was pool time … 86F … we were in a couple of hours. 

Sunday, June 11, 2023

🥳🥂🎶❤️ Happy birthday to our dear friend Shay! She’s having dinner at her sister Jan’s home tonight. Enjoy! (Shay’s birthday always makes me think of Rhona as they shared the birthday. She’s been gone since 2000, from leukemia.)

Shutterfly sent me a flashback picture from 2013. That’s Maggie and Robbie with Randy in Pompano. 

Maggie loved getting into Randy’s gym bag … and chewed up his Tiger Woods shoes. 🐾🥰  (As you can see, Robbie was indeed the innocent pup.) 

Mark groomed BeeZee and Robbie this afternoon … they look great! Robbie is getting a present he maybe doesn’t want … a muzzle. He nipped Mark during last night’s brushing. No blood, but a fair chomp on his thumb knuckle. 🥹 It obviously hurt as the dog went flying off his lap with the brush in hot pursuit. 😳 Hopefully the muzzle will help Mark. 

Yeah, Scotties are big dogs with short legs. 😂

We had a great afternoon bobbing around in our SwimSpa … with the jets full on you have to hang onto something. 😅

Tonight we started into Citadel, a series Mark found. Pretty good! We REALLY enjoyed The Expanse, all 6 seasons!

That’s it for tonight. 

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Hi … it’s been a moment since I felt like writing. 

Mark’s cousin Kathie passed away suddenly Thursday morning in Buffalo. It’s thought that smoke from the Quebec fires affected her breathing. She awoke not feeling right and called 911. Kathie was dead before they arrived. Her mom, aunt Jane passed about a year and a half before. Sad. Kathie was always fun when we got together over the years. 

Thursday morning I met Diane and the home inspector at 9 o’clock at the K’s ‘new’ Villages home. Funny thing is Randy V., the inspector, lives in my neighborhood. Haha. It was nice to see him. I measured spaces for moving and placing furniture. After closing in early July we’ll be busy! Diane was busy … no time to socialize; she’s a good broker. I went to the K’s current home, checked it and took a rough inventory of what will move, donate and sell. 

Meanwhile, Thursday morning Mark took care of getting our water softener installed. (The old one was dated 1984!) The water tech expected to install a water conditioner and a cartridge filter. Surprise! Our water 💦 is supreme! The new softener was installed that afternoon. Yay. 

Thursday evening Mark and I pre-bowled for our Monday league. It was difficult…maybe our brains weren’t into it. Lakeside But, we’ll be picking up the granddaughters on Monday. Lakeside oiled the lanes 33/34 especially for us. OMG it was heavy oil; very difficult to bowl well on. Oh well … I’m going to need the bowling shirt that Nancy wears. 🤣 It’s so funny!

Friday morning, Mark took the Kia in for tires. They still had plenty of tread but … with having a road trip on Monday, it was time. Ca-ching. 

While all this was going on we enjoyed our SwimSpa daily and the of course the chores. 🙄

Nancy picked us up at 11:10 for Friday’s fun bowling. It really was fun, I won five dollars getting a strike on lane 25 after my ticket was called, and all in all, we won about $12 that day between Mark and I. We had fun!!! Later that day Nancy and I went for a bowling lesson with Rich. He’s great and we girls are happy to have a pro critique us and make suggestions! Nancy picked up so many spares during our 11 game session! Team member Linda K came too; her first time meeting Rich. 🎳 She seemed very pleased with her progress. 

Now THE BIG news is the K’s arrived safely at their Canadian cottage today. It was a solid week trip with a repair delay in pricey Nashville. Rose had a welcome back dinner planned for them. 🥰

At Rose’s “cottage.” 

That’s it for today! Whew. 😂

Wednesday, June 7, 2022

Good afternoon! It was doctor day … I’ve lost 6 lb in 3 months! Yeah, I’ve been working ar it! Dr. Gundry’s shake mix, Vita Reds and MCT Wellness are meals #1 for my day. Meal #2 is Keto Slimfast with Vita Reds and MCT Wellness and unsweetened Almond Milk. Dinner is low carb something. Plus, bowling 9-12 games a week. It’s not easy, but hey, it’s working!

Mark and I went to the bowling alley for a few practice games. I was consistent, or fairly so, as I bowled a 140, 145 and 151. It wasn’t what I would call a real game, as I was working on aspects of my bowling lesson from last Friday. Anyway, I was happy with it. Once again, we had the crazy kids around us. I guess learning to ignore distractions is all part of it. Ha ha.

Matt found this afternoon and we have made plans to pick up Hailey, Angelina and Isabella on Monday. We are sure looking forward to this. Fun!!! 

Sue and Wayne are still in Nashville getting an RV part replaced. They hope to get on the road tonight but if not, first thing tomorrow morning.

Randy and Dawn were at the bowling alley too, with their family entourage. Kenna, Charlotte, Brandon, Junior, and Brandon were there. It looked like a lot of fun, Dawn bowls so well, if she had a lesson or two, she could be dynamite. 🎳

Monday, June 5th, 2023

It’s earlier than usual for my Christmas nightmares to begin. 😂 When I awoke this morning, I had to laugh. Everything was so vivid and fresh in my mind.

It was Christmas day. I had prepared a beef pot roast. (of all things 🤷‍♀️) for the family dinner.  When I went to retrieve it, I had stored the food in a big Tupperware in the clothes closet! It still looked good, but I was a little concerned. 

Meanwhile, mom hung a 2 piece outfit for me to put on. I didn’t recognize it and wasn’t sure I liked it. I ran upstairs to turn on the big Christmas tree lights and guess what? Only two light bulbs came on!  While I was under the tree attempting to fix the electrical issue, Sue started grabbing mismatched Christmas decor from a cardboard box and stuffing them onto a log that was under the stairs. Now you have to remember, this is a crazy dream, so who knows where the house was  and what the layout was like. Then, my brother-in-law, Kris went to his truck to get some tape so I could put cardboard 3D stockings on the window by the front door. His roll of tape was most interesting. It had a beautiful Christmas print like fancy ribbon … and a tear strip! Good invention! 

I had forgotten to set the table and was busy pulling four large tables together to seat 12 of us. Mom was hauling chairs around that were all mismatched. I just had that organized when dad yelled from the kitchen “I invited a couple of work friends to join us.” 😳

As I saw a car coming down the yacht club driveway, I frantically began shoving chairs around and making more space at the tables. Meanwhile, I realized I hadn’t put the wine glasses on the table and now dad was sitting in front of the cabinet where they were stored. Sue yelled that the upstairs tree lights still wouldn’t turn on but, the big train set was working! 🤪 I guess that was the final straw for me and I woke up laughing.  

Yes, it’s time for me to start thinking about Christmas even though it’s just June 5!!! 😳🎄🤩😂😂😂

It going to be a Mad Hatter theme apparently! 🎄🥂🍾🥳🤩🤣

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Good evening. It is Sunday night. What the heck has happened to the last few days?

Well, on Friday, we played fun bowl with Nancy, Linda, Herb, Mark, and me! It was as usual loads of fun. Lynn and Steve met us there and joined the team. Lynn won $50 by bowling a spare after drawing three cards in a game called pick your poison. Wowsa. 🤩

I won five dollars by getting a strike on Lane 25. Those were the two big winners until Mark picked up the 21 game. You have to score 21 pins in three throws on two lanes. And, he did it. 🥳🎳  Mark won $40 dollars. Then we also won an extra seven or eight dollars in quarters for various games within our games. You see what I mean by fun bowl!!! 

Friday Nancy was dog sitting for a friend so we came home after bowling. Mark stayed home with our dogs and I picked Nancy up at 3:30 for our 4 o’clock lesson in Mount Dora. We are both learning some good tips and having some of our faulty delivery corrected. It’s great, and Rich is such a patient teacher.  Next week I think Linda is joining us. She has potential to be a very good bowler with just a few tweaks to her delivery system.

Friday night I was worn out after seven bowling games! I’m sure Nancy felt the same.  

On Saturday morning Sue and Wayne left for Canada. Did you know that they bought a house the day before they left? Well, Mark and I will be moving them while they are away and setting up their current home for sale. Sue said when she gets home it’s going to be like an episode of “Extreme Makeover” 😂

Randy and Dawn stopped over yesterday. Her mom Jan had just gone home the night before. She had a wonderful trip and saw everyone she wanted to during the month. Today, Randy and Dawn, we’re hosting Kenna and FAMILY for her birthday. 

Us? We both had puttering around to do and Wayno stopped in today for a quick visit. They are going away on Thursday RVing so we have no time to go to dinner with them until the 20th of this month. Isn’t it crazy how time flies by!

We have been enjoying our pool every day and sometimes twice a day. Both of us are happy not to be RVing anymore. I guess it was a case of been there done that. 

Hahaha! Gotta love Stevie! 

Thursday, June 1, 2023

It was YaYa’s at Pam’s lovely home! She had a beautiful spread of appies and a nice pasta dish. Rose brought a fan-favorite cake. 

Denine and Pam … Co-hosting tonight. 

Rose, Nikki and Lynn

Donna, freshly retired, and Cheri

Carin, Laurie and Nancy S.

Pat, Deenna, Rose and Lynn

We had such a fun evening! Congratulations Nikki on your big news! 🥳