Friday, September 5, 2025

Good evening. For the first time we were sitting on our front porch enjoying the sunset while Mark is smoking a cigar. Yes, there are adult beverages involved.

as you can see, we have not begun painting the exterior. But, today we got permission from the POA to go ahead with our color choice project.

The Scotties are a bit mad that they are inside while we are enjoying the front. Don’t worry, they’ve had a golf cart ride tonight that they really enjoyed.

so apparently last night there was quite a party at the Lake As we received a phone call after 10 o’clock with reservations being made for a whole host of parties to come to Florida. Apparently, Sue was giving instructions to Wayne that I should go and buy sleeping bags for everyone 🤣🤣🤣 Mark and I feel very bad that we missed that wild party 😇

We’ve been watching the geese no, they’re not going north, they are the villages geese, Real snowbirds! 😍

despite the heat in the day, Mark has been working on some of the landscape. Much of it was very overgrown and needed trimming back. We bought a few plants yesterday to replace some of the ones that had died off. This new home ownership is a process! Bit by bit

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Good morning. We had a nice evening with Wayne and LaDonna at Francesco‘s. The food was delicious with a nice atmosphere. They came back to our home for drinks and cigars on the porch. Of course we forgot to take any pictures. Robbie and Belize were delighted to see auntie LaDonna and uncle Wayne. Wyatt has only met them once or twice, but enjoyed the visit as well.

Yesterday, we took the kids for a long golf cart ride around the new neighborhood. They sure enjoyed it. Someday we will update our golf cart, but for the moment the caddy is doing well.

we had a delivery yesterday of a couple new patio chairs and a small glass top rattan table. Of course, they have to be assembled. I was expecting three good size boxes and got one. Well, we weren’t in the mood yesterday to put it together, but I guess today we will.

Mark has got the garage tidy enough that the golf cart is in its bay, the Jimmy is in and Kia is outside. The last items to be sorted or huge. I don’t know what he’s going to do with all that. Anyway, things like a big wheelbarrow should be disposed of, but Mark is thinking we will need it for moving stones and mulch around as the weather cools and we do some outside landscaping changes.

tonight is Yaya’s at Linda’s home in Leesburg! This is the first time she is hosting and she loves to cook! Her home is on Lake Harris.

Monday, September 1, 2025

Good afternoon. It's been some time since I was able to do a blog as the conditions changed for using blogger. Anyway, let's see how this one works. We are officially moved into our Stonecrest home and are 95% settled. Mark is still working on the garage and finds we need to insulate the attic and add a staircase to it. Apparently, he has brought a lot of very important "junk" Ha!

looking from the corner of the living room towards the dining room and front door

It wasn’t easy downsizing … we have an extensive collection from our travels 😬 … so many memories attached! (Diane & Sue may have been labeled “hoarders” by me when they moved.) 😂 Apparently it takes one to know one.

Yesterday, we had our first golf cart ride with the kids. There are some trails around here that are very nice as well as riding on the roads. We were cut short by a bit of a misty rain, but we were not sure just how much charge we had. It was nice!

Tonight, we are meeting up with Diane and Kris at Applebee’s. Sue and Wayne have had lots of company this long weekend in Canada. They’ve had wonderful weather for all the long weekends this summer!

That’s a good-looking lot! 🥰

That’s it for today. I will try and write something tomorrow now that the blog is up and active again.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Good morning. It’s currently 78° at 6:30 in the morning. Yesterday was bloody hot at 97. The dogs did not have their usual walk As we came home from Summerfield in a heavy rain storm. That lasted until 10:30 in the evening.

Anyway, we got a lot done yesterday despite not getting there until 130. I had an appointment with Dr. Garcia to get my new crown cemented on. It’s perfect, the color is good and it’s comfortable. She warned me, we cannot re-crown this so make it last. 😬 At nearly  $2000 for one crown I will make it last as long as possible! 

Yesterday at the house, I finished cutting in with the secondary color and Mark began rolling. He bought an 18 inch roller and ginormous “rolling” bucket that holds a gallon of paint at a time. (He was so impressed with his purchase that he did all the rolling in just a few hours!!!) 

You can see the feature wall color “Grand Canal” around the doorway and the more subdued “Tidewater” in the dining room. It may be difficult to imagine how it will be once there are curtains and artwork on the walls. And furniture other than two saw horses and a ladder.  🫣

Where the 10’ ladder is against the “Grand Canal” color wall will be the white fireplace and white window trim floor to ceiling. Maybe not immediately, but eventually there will be white plantation shutters on the two windows at the rear of the living room. Again, hard to picture when you don’t know the scheme. 

This photo is looking at the living room high gallery area and down the hall to the bedrooms. After I snapped this pic we painted the upper portion with Tidewater. The edge of the ledge will be done with the darker color. 

On Monday I went to the house to do some painting and meet with the roofer to sign the contract. That work is starting today! Meanwhile, Mark met with a Boat buyer, took the guy for a ride on the lake. He was a definite buyer as he had borrowed a boat trailer to take it home. After a little finagling, Mark and the buyer headed to the bank to complete the deal!!! So, Mrs. R. B. will now be a rental pontoon boat in New Smyrna Beach area! 

That’s the end of an era … I had been a boat owner since the age of 19. (I had five boats in Canada and five in Florida!) 

Yesterday afternoon, we had our second showing on our home. No feedback yet … I am really hoping for an offer, obviously. It’s not easy living in a place with three dogs and being ready to show! Yikes. 

So that’s it for now. Mark is having a sleep in and the dogs are bugging me for breakfast.  

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Hey, we closed on our “new” home yesterday at 11 o’clock. The seller was a lovely older man with a Frenchie named Pierre! All went well with paperwork. Next stop was the water utility company then onto the association office. NEXT Wednesday we have orientation and get our gate clickers. 

At the closing office … I matched the decor. 😂

In the afternoon we introduced Robbie, BeeZee and Wyatt to the new house. They had high energy looking around for Pierre. 🐾 Diane & Kris came over … (he hadn’t seen it yet.) We think Kris liked what he saw “wow!” And when he saw the huge garage “Holy Shit!” 😂

Today, Mark and I arrived back to the house around 11:30 and began some housekeeping. I tackle the kitchen cabinets and Mark did the living room fan and and thoroughly cleaned the refrigerator. The vent in the back was totally blocked and a lot of dust and dirt on the floor behind it. You know, Not the worst we’ve encountered.

About 3 o’clock, Randy and Dawn and granddaughter Kenna arrived for a visit. Randy said he wanted to see it before everything was changed. 😂 They were off for lunch and then dropping Kenna off. 

Mark and I worked for another hour and then came home. Tomorrow we are taking a day off and going out with friends for dinner.  Saturday, we will get back at it and meet up with Kris and Diane to pick up some paint and look at some possible flooring  I think Nancy may join us on Saturday  

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Good afternoon! Aurelia’s been missing my Blog … so here’s a catchup! 

Diane & Kris are in there new ranch home as of June 25th! Of course they’re still getting settled but are enjoying it all. Kris cut the grass yesterday with his riding mower! Their former home is on the market.

Sue & Wayne are enjoying summer at their cottage and seeing the Canadian family and friends. Mark and I planted a new Oak Holly tree for them at their Florida home yesterday.  

Randy & Dawn joined the group to celebrate the birthdays last Sunday at Sakura Japanese Hibachi. It was a fun night with great food. We’ll do that again soon! The grandkids are growing up and Kenna turned 16. RanDawn went to St. Augustine and Ormond Beach for a quick birthday getaway! 

Us? We’ve been dog busy! Belize continues to do well after her 3rd Chemotherapy. The doctor added radiowave therapy last Wednesday and she seems to have done better! There was no loss of appetite. 

BeeZee’s proud of her many outfits and I’m busy with laundering them. UTI’s are part of the result from the radiation last January. Bladder tissue is sloughed off and UTI’s occur. So, bladder control isn’t 100%. 

Today Robbie met Dr. Bolfer, the Cardiologist, for his first heart checkup. Recent bloodwork showed an enlarged heart but we’ve caught it early and no meds are needed yet. 

Robbie’s missing an eyebrow from a wart removal 3 weeks ago. He’s hale and hearty at 14 1/2 years. ❤️

Wyatt’s been a healthy guy, thank goodness! He and Robbie had a tussle in the backseat of our KIA yesterday afternoon. No big injuries and Robbie is still King. 

AND NOW THE BIGGEST NEWS … 

We’re making a move 39 minutes north and much closer to family!  Our Harbor Shores home will be on the market Wednesday.  

More info to come! 

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Good morning! It’s been a minute since adding to my Blog. 

April flew by with helping Diane & Kris prepare for moving. They’re both “collectors” and are moving into a smaller home. 

Belize had her 3 month cancer scan April 24th. Our next appointment will be May 8th with the chemotherapy oncologist. Vinblastine is recommended. Since the scan the poor wee girl has been incontinent. We ordered some fancy ruffled pants for her to wear! She looks cute in them. 

Randy and Dawn may join us for the November cruise we’re planning. It would be fun to have them join us! 

Spring is in full bloom at our house! The Hawaiian Plumaria is gorgeous. 

The white flowers behind are Gardenia. Heavenly fragrance! 

Funny picture of Wyatt … he’s standing up to my recliner looking for a pat; then sensed Robbie staring him down. 😂

I will add some pictures from the derby party later on.  

Dawn’s fascinator was the best! (The house is so bright this pic looks washed out.)

Lynn & Steve (married 2 years now.)

Nancy looking lovely … the flowers on her hat didn’t last through the wind! 

It was a fun party! Pat & Ken put a lot of thought and effort into making things run smoothly. 

😂 Dat’s it for tonight!