TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2013

The calendar says it's October ... but we're forecast for 89F! 

We are home waiting for Lowes delivery; the timbers for Mark's patio project. 

Avery and Crystal ... in Winnipeg

With my strange sleep patterns, I woke at 9:30 and discovered Lowes had already delivered!  Mark has wood!!! Haha. The project has begun. 

Linda and Randy popped in for an hour and checked Mark's project progress. We sat outside and enjoyed the breeze. 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Robbie's brother, Tubby, is living the good life in Chicago with his family. He was the rascal in that litter!

Monday, Monday ... dirty laundry day. I think a cold front came through as its 73F this morning. LOL

Mark's Monday plans are to order timbers for our pea-rock patio project.

My plans include scheduling doctor appointments for Linda and Randy. 

Meanwhile, Sue and Wayne are settling new living and dining room furniture into their beautiful home. (Wish I was there to tweak it, haha!)

Notice Shorty on HIS chair on the left

Their dining room overlooks the pool and waterway. 

Tonight is History channel's "Ancient Aliens" new episode ... The Power of Three. 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

Good Sunday morning ... 70F at 8 o'clock!

Our friends, Lynn and Lew, are coming for prime rib roast tonight. We're starting with tomato/avocado salad, (Sue's recipe), and onto roasted potatoes, carrots, onions and gravy. A real comfort meal. Yummy. 

Mark's sporting his camouflage beard; yes, it's "hunting season".  

Linda and Randy popped in for a short visit. We are researching new doctors in our area for them and making appointments. It's nearly impossible for Randy to make a phone call and keep watch over Linda now. :-/

Randy's sporting new wheels on their Fat Boy ... On their way to the Hideaway for Sunday music. 

Lynn and Lew arrived at 5 and we had Canadian Imperial cheese appies followed by dinner. Everything was delicious!  The guys sat outside with cigars while Lynn and I shot two games of pool. It was a fun night. 

Now ... NASCAR ... football ... Breaking Bad and Revenge; ah, Sunday night.  

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2013

It's looks like a nice day coming up! At 10 o'clock it's 77F. 

Mark took our Scotties out back for a romp. Our neighbors have a tiny MinPin, Cash. Since we arrived home two weeks ago, Cash has been interested in playing with our dogs ... he's small enough to fit between the fence pickets!!!  Oh-oh. Maggie and Robbie were racing around our backyard, playing rough, when Cash squeezed through the fence and joined their madcap adventure. It didn't take little Cash long to figure out he was in over his head. Mark called Robbie into the house but Maggie was having way too much fun!!!  LOL. She chased Cash down the RVport ... he scooted under the fence and she put the brakes on. Our neighbors were in their front yard when Cash raced past. Hahaha. They didn't know he could run like that. LOL 

At 11:30 Linda and Randy arrived and we drove in the green rocket to Lady Lake for lunch with Diane and Kris. Cody's Original Roadhouse has plenty of Key West feel and sits lakeside. The food was good and it was fun to get together. 

Kris and Diane at Cody's. 

Kris, Diane, Mark ... Julie, Linda, Randy

A sudden squall kept us at the table an extra half hour. Since Diane and Kris were on their bikes, they were happy to wait it out. 

Diane with Kris's Suzuki and her Honda Goldwing trike in their garage. 

Randy and Linda liked "The Woody" golf cart. 

We saw the renovations Kris made to their home since our visit last April and chatted for half an hour. It rained again, so we waited a few minutes for the cloud to pass. 

We arrived home about 4 p.m. ... Happy Hour, and sat outside with Linda and Randy while Robbie and Maggie hunted lizzards. 

 

Robbie the Bruce in his yard. 

It was a great afternoon!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

TGIF !!!  Even retired, we love Fridays!!!

Mark started our patio project today!  Plans are for a "pea rock" patio rimmed with 6x6 timbers extending from our Sun Room door to the boathouse. He plans space for a bar and stools, chiminea and BBQ. 

Linda and Randy dropped in for happy hour and a visit. We sat outside, it was lovely. Tomorrow, we're going to visit Diane and Kris in The Villages, 45 minutes from here. 

Sue and Wayne always laugh that they never buy one of anything!  Today, they may have overdone it. 

Hahaha!  A new record. 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2013

There's a chance we'll see sunshine today! Yay. 

Our Robbie likes to watch TV with us BUT insists on having the loveseat recliner armrest. His method of getting It is to stare to get my attention, then glance where he wants ME to move. LOL

Obviously, it works! Who's the boss in our home? Robbie the Bruce, of course. 

Mark went bow hunting in the Ocala Forest this morning. It was hot and sticky as a cold front is moving in tomorrow. (When a cold front is moving into this area, it packs the humidity ahead of it.)

As you can see, the cold front really isn't very cold at this time of year in Florida!  LOL. Gosh, the temp plunges from 88 to 84!!!  HA. 

Lakeshore Drive around Lake Eustis was very pretty today. There was a stiff breeze, and the Spanish moss was billowing in the trees. 

It's a beautiful region of Florida. 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

It's an overcast morning, 75F. We've had  a lot of rain since getting home on the 13th!  It's very unusual this time of year. 

Randy is dropping Linda off for the day! She and I are going to get our nails done. 

A beautiful bright yellow breasted bird came for a dip this morning right outside my kitchen window!  

This evening, we will take Linda to Stavros, a favorite local eatery, and meet Randy for dinner.  

Linda, reading with Robbie. 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Rain rain go away ... actually, it's nice and relaxing! 

Mark laughs when I light a fire and it's in the 70's outside!  Of course the A/C is on too. LOL

Today, Mark and I are going to shop for a dehumidifier to replace our 3 year old Frigidaire unit. The warranty isn't worth the paper it's written on ... best to replace it and pay with American Express. AmX doubles the manufacturers  warranty!

Google Earth took new pictures over our house this year ... Simplex built our boathouse in January-March, and, there it is!  

Our green rocket is in the driveway, so this was taken while we were RVing. 

The new boathouse was finished last March. 

Linda and Randy were nearby shopping and dropped in ... as we were getting out of our car. They came in for a soda and visit. Linda and I are going to get a mani/pedi tomorrow. 

Mark installed the new dehumidifier in the RV shower stall, washed the awning and backed the Grand Junction into the RVport. 

Yay!  The RV is tucked away until "next time".  

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

Good morning liquid sunshine!  The Sunshine State is in for a rainy day. Of course, this is the day we have chosen to launch Mrs R B. The showers are sporadic, so we will watch for a break in the weather and dash to the launch ramp.

Robbie has a squirrel "treed". LOL

With an hour break in the rain, Mark launched our boat and I brought the trailer home. It was so nice to get her home that we enjoyed happy hour aboard, under the boathouse. LOL. 

Maggie had popcorn and pupcorn at happy hour. 

Robbie is watching the turtle who visits at happy hour. 

Rain continues, it's a perfect night for TV. 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2013

Olivia's was setting up for their 4th Annual Half Way to St Paddy's Day party. We met Linda and Randy there for breakfast. 

Randy and Linda at Olivia's 

Mark finished prepping Mrs R B and Monday is launch day!  Here are the before and after pics.The mold/mildew issue was apparently caused by not enough venting of the boat cover! And, Florida's summertime humidity. 

Before ...

After 3 days of scrubbing, TILEX and Magic Erasers finished the job. 

Tomorrow will be a busy day moving "toys" around. ;-)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013

Saturday's all about finishing up our projects!  Mark is putting the finishing touches on Mrs R B ... carpet cleaning and polishing the rails; and I'm completing the housework chores. Not too exciting, I'm afraid. LOL

Our plans this evening are for happy hour at St. Germain's with our Scotties followed by pizza delivery. 

Well ... Mark and I visited Linda and Randy and took the Scotties. We had way too much wine with Randy's "bammed-up" pizzas, (no delivery)!!! The photo album Randy put together of our RV trip is terrific!  Mark and I went through the pictures and pointed out "who's who" to Linda. She doesn't recognize herself in pics anymore. The dogs were a good diversion as she enjoys and fusses with them. Alzheimer's is a cruel disease. 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013

Good morning ... Lake Eustis reflection. 

Mrs R B remains in the RVport ... Mark refused to launch her looking like that. Today, we'll be back at it. 

My sister, Linda, has Alzheimer's Disease, as you all may know. Randy is taking great care of her. We were fortunate they came along on our big adventure!  For the past two months, Linda has suffered delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. It's a horrible disease and very depressing for family. We are happy to spend time with her and appreciate moments of clarity. 

Mark and I discovered we have a new store in our area ... Hobby Lobby of Oklahoma City!!! It's a fab store for home decor and crafts. This year, our Christmas tree theme is "Peacocks". And, Hobby Lobby did not disappoint!!!

I started the "Peacock" theme while we were shopping at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Biltmore Village, North Carolina. Oddly enough, I was wearing a PEACOCK T-SHIRT that day. LOL

Our friend, Lynn Zido, said TILEX worked wonders on their boat. She's absolutely correct. TILEX is the ONLY cleaner that cut the mold/mildew. We're still working on it but will post before and after pics soon. 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013

Happy Birthday Diane!  We'll see you next week for birthday lunch. 

It appears Diane may have gotten an early birthday pressie. Ride safe. 

Mark and I are launching "Mrs R B" today. It's been stored in the RV port alongside the house. It was covered with a top quality Classic pontoon boat cover but suffered extensive mold damage!  Ugh!!!  Florida humidity is a cruel beast in summer. It going to take a Herculean effort to clean it!

This was white and gold when we stored her 4 1/2 months ago!

Based on the boat upholstery photos, you can guess what we've been doing this morning. Mr Clean Magic Erasers to the rescue, plus bleachy water and scrub brushes!  It seems our neighbor's sprinkler was shooting onto the boat cover for the time we were away. :-/

Dinner tonight was at Oakwood Smokehouse with Lynn. Lew, Linda, Randy, Mark and me. We had lots of laughs and great meals. 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

It's D-Day ... dreaded dentist today ... Cleaning for both of us!  

When we were in Asheville NC last week, we strolled around Biltmore Village. There's a Corner Kitchen restaurant that President Obama visited and made famous!

Mark, Paula and Jeremy at the Corner Kitchen. 

Secret Service with President Obsma 

Michele and President Obama with restaurant owners and their family

Barack and Michele near the sign

Today, Mark installed a flashing on our kitchen slide where water entered during travel in torrential rain. He's so capable. Meanwhile, I went to lunch at Applebees with girlfriends from the neighborhood. Every third Wednesday of the month is a ladies luncheon. It was fun to catch up on all the summer news!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

Whew!  The Grand Junction is all spiffed-up for our next adventure. Plans were to replace the carpeting/flooring, but after a triple cleaning, it looks good again. Mark is adding a "lip" to the bath vanity cabinet, and a shelf in the bedroom upper glass cabinet. He's very talented! Sue and Wayne always have a "list" for him when we visit. Sue calls him "Handydoodie". LOL

Our new comfy chairs in the RV living room. Comfortable!

Mark had a trip to Lowes, it's a man-thing, and came back with something we've been looking for ... braided string!  Yippee. A day/night shade came crashing down one dark 'n stormy night when Linda and Randy were sleeping on the pullout bed. It scared the crap out of them. LOL. Randy thought that a tree branch hit the RV!  What really happened, the string broke on the day/nightshade and sent it crashing down. It's just another job for "Handydoodie".  :-) 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2013

Monday Monday, so good to me. The Harris-Chain-of-Lakes is excellent freshwater fishing and boating in Central Florida's Lake County. 

Seven major lakes connect through rivers and canals, making boating a pleasurable pastime. 

The Dora Canal is a mile long and joins Lakes Eustis and Dora. It flows quietly past giant cypress trees, many two thousand years old. 

Great Blue Herons are a common sight along the waterways. 

Alligators like to catch a few rays on tree stumps. 

 

The Lake Harris Hideaway is a popular weekend spot for boaters and bikers alike. 

Evans Park lighthouse on Lake Dora. 

Mark completed the exterior RV wash while I oiled interior cabinets and vacuumed. In a day or two, the Grand Junction will replace the pontoon boat in the "Port". :-)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2013

Good sunny Sunday morning from the "Sunshine State" y'all. 

Mark and I are stiff and sore from yesterday's endeavor to unpack the rig and reorganize. Today, we're going to unload the clothes and grocery shop. Otherwise, it's a relaxing day with friends. 

Bobbing in the pool with Lynn ... and wine. 

Lew enjoying a brewski. 

It was a nice afternoon spent floating around. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2013

Coming Home, after a long trip, opening your front door, "discovering" you live in a wonderful place is a "wow" experience. 

Then reality. Mark is washing love bugs off the Dodge and RV ... I'm emptying fridges and cabinets. What a JOB. 

Things must be in better shape at K's home as Sue is buying lotto tickets for us all. LOL

Two weeks, of 18 weeks, mail at K's house. It's no different there either. 

Tomorrow Mark and I are going to Lynn and Lew Zido's for a pool party. :-)

Linda and Randy dropped over for a visit at 6:30. It was good to see them and catch up on "news".