FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2013

It's Sue's birthday! Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Susan, happy birthday to you!

When Sue was a little girl, our sister Linda came to our family's home for her birthday celebration. Sue was so excited for Linda to open her present from mom and dad, "Hurry up and open your mailbox, Linda!", said little Sue. So, of course, I reminded her when I sent a text saying I'm wrapping your mailbox. LOL. 

Last night, Randy cooked chicken thighs on the barbecue. It was a beautiful evening; a red tailed hawk and a bald eagle flew past us. One 5' alligator cruised by the dock. Linda was happy and fairly in tune with the conversation. 

This is the view from their slice of paradise. Our grandmother, Nan, used to say "Red sky at night, sailors' delight." That's true if said sailor is delighted with a warm, muggy day!  It's 89° in the shade. That's just crazy for November 1st!!!

Our kitchen had gathered unnecessary, seldom used gadgets and it was time to ruthlessly go through every cabinet and drawer and purge said "junk".  It was more work than I thought!

Mark did "the paint cutting in" on the boathouse concrete floor. Tomorrow, he'll have the easier job of rolling paint on. 

Tonight, TV and R n R. 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Happy Hallowe'en !!! 

Ninja Scotties

Look what we carved !

"Grandma; what big teeth you have!"

Have a "Spooktacular" night. 

Hallowe'en hasn't gone to the dogs ... 

Devilish Sue and Dracula Wayne mirror the look. 

Happy Hallowe'en !!!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2013

Good morning! It's 63° this morning, and forecast for 84 later today. There's much to be done before Linda-sitting at 1 o'clock. Randy is meeting with a health insurance agent today. Our Buick is ready for pickup; we "need" a wine supply and deck paint for the boathouse. It's a runaround kind of day!

Maggie started her morning with aerobics!

Mark stuffs a squeak toy into a sock; Maggie bites leg of said sock and spins backwards slapping the toy on the floor. She does more than a dozen high-speed spins. LOL. What a circus!

Then we have Robbie the Bruce, er, King Robbie the Bruce. 

Robbie gets the RV sofa, Mark the carpet. They're enjoying Jerimah Johnson! You see who's "top dog" in our home!

Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?

Robbie's ego is intact. Haha. 

It was a horrible afternoon with Linda! She was upset Randy didn't come with us. Apparently I was the bad guy by asking Linda to keep her seatbelt on ... it all went downhill from there. I became the enemy. We went shopping at Walmart. Three times Mark sprinted after Linda ... It took an hour to coax her into our truck.  She refused to speak and we got the frigid stare for the hour ride to pickup our Buick. The child locks on the Dodge's back doors were thoroughly tested. What a trip!  

The Buick looks great !  Ready for the next hundred thousand miles, we hope. 

Tonight is "Date Night" ... we're waiting for Randy to arrive.  I'll be ordering a "double" something tonight. LOL

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2013

Tuesday, huh? The day after Monday ... and the day before Wednesday. 

Alright !!!  

Mark is painting the boathouse block walls today. I am detail dusting curio cabinet treasures. 

Clean curios ... ready for Christmas entertaining. Every visit to a new place results in something for the curios ... we're going to need an annex soon. LOL

Randy just phoned ... they're coming for Happy Hour!  

After pouring Gin and Seven, we retreated to the patio bar for some laughs. Randy was confused ... "What day is this??? Wwwhat? It's only Tuesday!"  Linda enjoyed "The PARTAYYY!"  LOL

Randy, enjoying some Gin and laughs!

This Great Blue Heron stopped by for the party. 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2013

Monday, Monday, so good to me ... Buy why a 4 o'clock morning! Who knows?  I watched CNN's docu-movie "Blackfish".

Corporate greed, news report manipulation, victim slander ... and mis-use of intelligent marine species; I won't be spending my money on SeaWorld or similar "parks"!!!  Kudos to CNN for an important program. 

Our green rocket is at the beauty salon. It was a little worrisome leaving without paperwork! "Tank" is a handshake kind of guy. We'll see ... 

This is our "tourist" car ...  peeling !!!

"Tank's" office on the left ... 

Mark and I left home at 7:30 this morning to have the car at the auto body shop for 8 o'clock ("Bring it in first thing Monday morning", said Tank.) We arrived at 8:00 to find the compound closed and the gate double padlock-chained. A nice lady walked over from Camper's Corner and told us "They don't generally arrive until nine or 9:30 'cuz they live in Orlando!"  (Uh-huh. If it was my business, I would leave home at 7 AM to open at eight!) So, Mark and I went to Denny's for breakfast. 

At 9:25, Tank arrived. "Oh, hey, I remember you!" Yikes. Let's hope we see our car again sometime this week! LOL. If I was in South Florida I would be very worried ... But things are different in Central Florida. For example, we ordered a new roof on our house without a deposit nor a contract. Oliver Roofing quoted a great price over the phone, and said it would be about three weeks as my "color" was special order and he'd call me. 10 days later, I received a call from Oliver, "Ruffs dun, bill's in yer mailbox." Perfect. 

Another example, our top-of-the-line gas stove. I called Harris Propane and asked if they carried a particular type of self-cleaning gas oven. "That would be a special order ma'am. What color do you want? Okay, I'll let you know when it comes in." 

A week later, I got a call from Harris that our stove was in and on the truck for delivery.  I was at my office 250 miles away so said I wasn't available. Harris  suggested he install it, haul away the old appliance and leave the bill on my kitchen counter. I had a house key hidden and he did exactly what he said. Mark and I arrived at our house the end of the week to find a new stove installed, everything tidy and the bill on the counter. It's different here, really it is. 

Mark recorded some of our favorite shows ... so it's TV night. Blacklist ... Homeland ... Sons of Anarchy ... Scandal ... Modern Family. Yeah!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2013

Good Sunday morning! Mark and I are picking Linda up this morning to give Randy a much needed sanity break. There's a large flea market, new and used, called Renninger's that's not too far from their house. We hope to amuse her ... and NOT lose her in the crowd. (That's my fear!)

There are seven huge buildings plus a huge outdoor vendor area. It's a great flea market!

Linda enjoying chicken 'n chips at the Flea Market with Mark. I was the only "shopper" today. 

Randy arrived at 4 o'clock, in time for cocktail hour!  We had a glass of wine, and then I made pizzas ... Followed by more wine, then black jack cherry ice cream. Yummy. 

Mark washed the Buick; it's already for its debut at the body shop!

HAPPY HAPPY 19TH ANNIVERSARY

It's a happy, happy day for Mark and me. In fifty years, no one will know this date was special to us, but here's our story. In 1994, on this 26th October, we secretly married. Just we two, a black minister, a white photographer and black chauffeur. Our ceremony - Native American vows,  island flowers, champagne, a tiered raspberry chocolate cake, and soft breeze off Magen's Bay = Paradise. 

Beauclair Room at The Lakeside Inn, Mount Dora

Magen's Bay from the Hillside Gardens where we married. 

This evening we celebrated our union with champagne and dinner at a local restaurant. Years past, we've gifted ourselves with big screen TV, living room furniture, eight cruises, travels, jewelry and such. This year, we plan a 10 day RV trip to visit family and friends. 

Early on in our marriage we gave each other flowery cards and personal gifts. Often Mark would "forget" to buy a card ... and I would point out the obvious ... "You had 364 days to buy a card!"  LOL. Well, we finally decided to stop supporting Hallmark and have card less anniversaries. Great, right?  Well guess who FINALLY got it together and bought a card?  Yes, Mark did. So I said, "We agreed no more cards!" Mark's reply ... "I didn't want to hear you say "You had 364 days to buy a frickin' card!"  LOL. It was a good laugh. 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

G'day y'all. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood; sunny and 84F. 

Mark painted the inside boathouse walls this morning and I cleaned the Buick ... conditioned the leather and such. Monday is its big body shop appointment. Hopefully paint will do "it" for the green hornet. LOL

Our buddy Fritz, (The Pied Piper of cats), Rescued the fourth cat of the feral litter. A cold front moved through Indiana last night dropping the morning temperature to 30°F. 

Casper found a wonderful, kind home with Fritz and Deb. I count five cats now ... dangerously approaching crazy cat people status. LOL

Plans were for an afternoon boat ride and lunch. Randy called, "trouble in paradise" ... Linda refused to get dressed ... Let's just leave it at that! :-/

Mark had brought champagne and fancy crusty bread for dipping; so away we went on a three hour cruise, the two of us. Plus Scotties. :-) There are only a few dozen days like this in one's lifetime; and we seized it. 

Mark and Maggie, "Motorboating"

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

Good morning! The cold front arrived! It's 55F ... a long pants day. :-)

Randy's grilled wings were delicious last night. We had drinks in their "Harley" themed garage; lot of laughs and kept Linda entertained. Alzheimers is a horrid disease, that steals personalities and the joys of life from family. Randy is an excellent caretaker; not always appreciatex (nor recognized) by Linda. Yesterday, she had a few minutes of clarity and apologized for "acting this way". Neurologists are finding links between migraine headaches and eventual Alzheimer's disease. Let's pray for a cure for this debilitating disease. 

Mark, with "Boob earmuffs and hat" supporting breast awareness with Linda. Lots of laughs!

Randy's "Hog Garage Pub". 

We picked up our green rocket at Leesburg Transmission. They did an excellent job, and gave us a three-year warranty on the rebuilt transmission. I asked Mike for a recommendation to a body shop. It was a very good lead, and Tanks Auto Body will do the hood repainting, total car buffing, headlights, and front bumper for $350.  The Buick goes in Monday for beautification. :-)

After a rather lazy day, Randy called to say they were dropping over. Good timing as I'd just put a berry cobbler in the convection oven!  It was a good visit

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

Good Wednesday morning, y'all. :-). I'm feeling frisky! I have donations ready for the Sawgrass Nature Center's fund raiser. We'll be attending with Sue and Wayne next month. It's always a fun evening. We LOVE auctions!!!

Caribbean Sea $75 - Seafoam cupolini coral and sea glass with pewter. 

Turquoise Riverstone with pewter $35

Malachite Cabochon and Sterling earrings $125

Peridot Crystal and Copper Brooch or wear as a Pendant on copper chain, included $40

Copper Heart Earrings $35

Art Deco Earrings $35

Randy has invited us for Date Night ... and the Scotties are invited too. Grilled wings are on the menu!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013

Small Town, USA ... It could be in any State, in any state.

Eustis, Florida's Magnolia Street ... inviting, isn't it? 

Mark and I are gift shopping today. Peddler's Wagon is on MY list. It's a home decor/gift shop on steroids. Our 19th anniversary is October 26 ... I feel a purchase is imminent! 

Today is Randy's birthday ... Sue's birthday is November 1st ... Matt's the 10th; it's going to be fun browsing. Did I mention the champagne at Peddler's Wagon? And cookies? 

Meanwhile, Wayne is enroute to Winnipeg for Charlie's funeral. Sue is staying home, holding the fort. 

Shorty, being a good sport, at the groomers. 

Tonight, dinner's at Tony's Pizza ... a celebration for Randy's 61st birthday! 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013

Our pal, Fritz, is the Pied Piper of cats! When we met Fritz, AKA The Baron von Fritzmeister, and his wife Deb in Fort Lauderdale, they had four fabulous felines lolling about their motorhome. When Fritz walked over for happy hour,  his posse of cats would follow, tails held high. It was amazing to see! Thomas, (Arnold Schwarzenegger of cat world) ruled Sunshine Holiday RV Park. 

Currently, Fritz and Deb reside in Indiana with the last cat of the posse, Thomas. Just last month, a wee kitty showed up on their front porch. Thomas was not having anything to do with the newcomer. He forgot he was once a little lost kitty and played old sour-puss. 

You knew where this tale was headed; you knew what would happen!  LOL. Max and Thomas sharing the sofa. 

Red and Joe are "outside cats" (uh-huh) ... I predict a new posse by first snowfall. After all, when I picture Fritz, it's with four cats!

Fritz with Robbie ... Oklahoma City, May 2012 ... "Happy Hour" in our rig. 

Today, Central Florida broke a heat record ... 91F.  It felt like mid-summer! A promised "cold front" might dip us to 77F by next weekend. Whew!

Mark fixed "Donkey" and readied him for paint. The old concrete yard art came with this property we bought 13 years ago. It just belongs here, that's all. 

Frog Pond Farm is a Draft Horse rescue which solicits items for a monthly fund-raiser auction. Today, I made a pearl necklace and earrings for their November sale. 

Pearls and Pewter $125 ... donated by Mag-Pies Glitter.

Mark cooked pork chops and perogies for dinner! Now we're sitting down with wine to watch "Dancing with The Stars". 

Mark's sister, Pam, is celebrating a birthday today ... Happy Birthday Pam! Hope it's a great day. 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

Avery's pumpkin patch picture reminds me it's autumn! Crystal says she's starting to say Mmmmom. Cute!

Good Sunday morning, y'all. (When I first heard "y'all" I thought it was goofy; but it's actually a pretty easy word for including all our friends and family in a warm, friendly "Southern" way!) Speaking of warm, it's 76F at 7:15. 

Autumn color, Florida style. 

I was just talked with Sue; she and Wayne are hanging their new dining room light. They are enjoying a (relaxing?) day at home. 

Mark plans to watch the Dolphins/Bills game, and I'm creating (a muddle) in my craft room. 

Tonight we're going to get Mexican Lucky ... er, Mexican food in downtown Eustis with Linda and Randy. 

Sol de Mexico is a fun restaurant! It reminds Mark and me of Paco's Courtyard that we stumbled out of while in a Mexican cruise port. Darn, that was some kick-ass tequila. LOL

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

It's one of those restless nights. A warm night, that's for sure; 78F at 2:20 a.m. Time for an ice cold glass of water!

We heard this morning our longtime friend, Charlie Dowling, passed away at home in Ontario. Charlie fought the brave fight with dignity and grace. He was a kind, thoughtful friend to us. We cannot fathom the depths of Rose's pain; married nearly 40 years. 

Sue and Charlie sharing a laugh; August 2013. 

Mark and I spent a somber day puttering about on chores. A cold front is approaching so we may get a drop of rain this evening. 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Good Friday morn! Randy has a court date today so Linda is joining us for the day.  Randy was cited for having "too dark a tint" on their truck windows. Now that's not unusual except the truck is about 10 years old and has the original glass. So, he's off to court to plead his case. Background to the story is one gnarly old cop was training a young whippersnapper. We hope the gnarly old cop isn't in court with Randy. LOL

 

Mark, Maggie, Linda, Randy and Robbie walking the walk. :-) 

Yesterday, Sears delivered our patio bar set and it took Mark and me two hours to uncrate and unwrap it. 

Party of one!  This bar is perfect for us!

Mark put some lights around the inside bar base and I'm going to freshen up the old patio chairs for the canalfront firebox patio. They are very comfortable spring rockers ... worthy of fresh paint. I just need to get off my butt and paint them. Haha. 

Saved by the bell, er, doorbell. Randy arrived to drop Linda off. She was pretty upset when he left but I made her a panini turkey sandwich and a root beer for lunch ... that improved her mood! LOL She certainly has a good appetite!

Mark had taped a motorcycle show for Linda. so we all sat down to watch it. I put her into the recliner ... it's not easy for her to get out of it. Hahaha. (Randy sent a text checking on Linda ... says I'm going to hell for putting in the recliner ... And he has to buy one for home!)

We've had happy hour for the last two hours, and the Hawaiian chicken is ready. Don Ho put the rice on to boil. We're havin' a PARTAYYY. LOL

Randy-man ... 

Marks enjoying Fritz's homemade jalapeno jelly. It's yummy!!!