SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2013

Can you believe it's the last month of 2013??? OMG ... at this time last year I was 5 days into knee replacement recovery. (I'm delighted to report BOTH knees are working well, pain free!"). 

My sister, Diane, and husband Kris, are taking line dance classes at "The Villages". Kris made front page news at class. 

Kris, left, in blue. 

Front right ... go Kris. 

Today, we visited Linda at the "home". She was in good spirits, sitting with a woman and two men, yakking away. There's certainly plenty of mind stimulation there!  One very elderly lady appeared with her walker and Linda quipped, "Little Old Lady from Pasadena."  LOL. Her physical therapy starts tomorrow!  

Chores done, house in order; Mark and I had "Happy Hour" on the patio. 

Randy is coming over for pizza tonight ... and I'm cooking!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2013

Good Saturday morning!  Mark went deer hunting early with his pals Lew and Ben. He enjoys the cooler days to tromp around Ocala Forest.  Today, he spotted a black bear. We're forecast for 80F this afternoon. 

Sue and Wayne left for home about 9:30 with a visit to check on Linda. We'll miss having them in our driveway. It's been a FUN time. 

Making the turn ... 45' long!

It looks like sunny skies for their trip south!

Meanwhile, I wrapped a couple of presents for Mark and started laundry.  Then, we sat on the patio for 4 o'clock "Happy Hour". The Scotties enjoyed "hunting" lizards for an hour!  Although its still 77F, the north wind sent us in for 'round two'. Haha. 

Dang chicken for dinner, plus salad and potato. It's TV "catch-up" tonight. 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

It's "Black Friday" ... let's shop!  Jim and Joyce picked up Sue and me for a trip to Beall's and Belk!  It was fun ... and I bought a Christmas present for Mark!

Sue and Wayne went to see Diane and Kris at their "Villages" home. Meanwhile, 

Jim and Joyce joined Mark, Maggie, Robbie and I for a boat ride!   It was a chilly ride, but sunny!

Jim, Joyce and Maggie aboard "Mrs R B"

Robbie, watching for birds. 

Cypress trees in the Dora Canal. 

Kurian's hosted Happy Hour in their beautiful coach. Randy joined us for a cold one before visiting Linda at therapy. She was discharged from hospital to a skilled nursing facility today. Our hope is that Randy schedules home help while Linda recovers further. 

Tonight, we all went to Oakwood Smokehouse for ribs ... as you can see, Mark set up a special seat for Randy. LOL

It was terrific having Jim and Joyce visit us!  They are going to their condo in South Florida tomorrow. 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

Good morning!  It's 69F and breezy on this day before the "gobble gobble" feast at Randy's. Sue and I are helping by setting the table this morning. It's more like a power struggle. Heehee. 

Randy is quite optimistic today as Linda is much more awake after a medication change!  It's about time. Linda has been in hospital a week. 

Randy, putting up the new umbrella. (It's really nice!)

The dock/rope project. 

Wayne had a project repairing a crystal doodad from their RV bathroom. Mark prepped for cocktail hour. 

Jim and Joyce arrived in town about 3 o'clock and checked into their hotel. We're ready to have some fun. 

It's 4:35 and cocktail hour is underway!

Jim and Joyce brought goodies!  Maple Crown, wine and hors d'oeuvres. :-)

 

Wayne, iPhone searching, Joyce is feeding a sweet moocher, aka, Robbie the Bruce. LOL

Mark and Randy; bromancing. LOL

Is Sue praying for more wine?  

Jim and Joyce are showing us 'how it's done after 53 years'!  (Hope I'm correct on the "year"!  

It was a fun evening with plenty of laughs. 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2013

It's a rainy 69F morning.  82F is forecast with thunderstorms this afternoon. 

Mark and I visited Linda at the hospital about 10 a.m.  She is very drowsy, but in good humor. Randy is waiting for an update from the neurologist. 

Sue and Wayne took their doggies for a ride and went shopping for party decor. 

Sue, Mark and I began route planning for our northeastern RV trip. There are places we want to see and some we want to avoid (NYC) due to heavy traffic.

This evening, we are going out for Italian food.  

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013

Good morning y'all.  Sue and I went to Hobby Lobby this morning!  Sue found a few things and I bought 4 Christmas gifts. 

At 2 o'clock, we met Randy at the hospital and talked to the case worker for Linda's rehab. There are two facilities that Linda's insurance covers, so we are going to have a look at them now. 

Mark and Wayne grocery shopped for dinner ... huge chicken boobs on the grill ... a great dinner.  Randy joined us after helping Linda with her dinner. 

After eating, we all sat around the chiminea, on the patio until 10:30.  

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2013

Good Sunday morning. It's a lovely 69F. Sue and Wayne arrived about noon for the Thanksgiving holiday!  Yay. 

Linda's MRI results indicated no change since her July test. Good news. She was alert and talking this morning. 

Mark helped Randy get his rope project done, but forgot to take a picture! But, Mark did take a picture of a turtle laying eggs beside his dock. 

A large painted turtle ... digging up Randy's lawn. LOL

Our neighborhood flock of Ibis visited. 

Sue and I visited Linda at the hospital today. She was awake and talkative; gibberish, but some sentences. She looks so much better than yesterday. 

Randy is going to join Sue, Wayne, Mark and I for dinner tonight. Of course, it has to be chicken something with Randy joining us. LOL. We can hardly wait for Jim and Joyce to arrive so we can eat steak!  Haha. 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013

Good Saturday morning! We're gearing up for family and friends visiting over Thanksgiving! Our weather is forecast to be cooler starting Sunday; we hope so!  

Mark is enjoying a lovely morning in the woods, deer hunting.  Don't worry folks, he's a conservationist. I'm enjoying a lovely morning with Christmas music playing. Maybe music will motivate me to write cards!

Randy just phoned, and reported that Linda was unable to have the MRI. They weren't able to settle her down so must reschedule for Monday when an anesthesiologist is available. Apparently she's going to be in hospital a few more days.  

Apparently Linda had the MRI at 1 o'clock. A nurse was in her room when we visited so we got an update. Good timing on our part. 

Sue and Wayne are visiting friends in Stuart, Florida ... at the marina. 

They helped Rose get her boat launched and fueled. 

The "workers" Rick, Wayne and Bruce. 

Bruce and Heather have their boat ready for the water. 

Sue and Wayne will arrive here for a week's stay, tomorrow. :-)

Tonight, we are meeting Randy at Stavros for Italian food.  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2013

Good morning and a Happy Thanksgiving y'all. We're thankful for the wonderful lives we live surrounded by family and friends. 

It's a very chilly start ... 35F this morning at our house, the coldest since March!

Since Randy is cooking our traditional turkey feast, we have the day to show Jim and Joyce around the Harris-Chain-of-Lakes. We met at Cracker Barrel for a country breakfast along with Sue and Wayne. Mark was "tour guide" and drove us around Tavares, Mount Dora and Eustis. 

Beard contest ... who's winning?

Mark, helping Randy ... a fun "bromance".

Jim, Joyce, Julie, Diane, Kris, Nick, Wayne, Mark and Randy ... Sue took our picture!

Randy, ready to win. 

Diane, held her own. 

Joyce was amazed that the men did the cooking ... and started the cleanup!  She thought the Tawns girls should write a manual !!!  LOL 

It was a good Thanksgiving!  Thank you Randy, for hosting. 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013

Any American alive on this day in 1963 knows exactly where they were at 1:00 p.m. CST. 

Today marks the 50th anniversary of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy's assassination. 

Notice the proximity of the secret service car. 

Now, look at the proximity of the secret service car. 

Hundreds of books have been published regarding JFK's assassination. Theories abound. In the end, the president shouldn't have been riding in an open car. It was his decision, and his decision alone, that made his assassination possible. 

The Eternal Flame at Arlington. Mark and I have, at different times, visited this site. Our plans include another visit this spring on our next BIG RV adventure in May. 

Meanwhile, my sister Linda is in hospital after suffering two seizures yesterday.

We visited last night with Diane and Kris.  A scan yesterday showed "a brain abnormality". Today, an MRI is scheduled for 9 p.m. tonight to further diagnose. 

Tomorrow's another day. 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Good Thursday morning!  It's currently 74°F, and Mark is in the woods!  

Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs,

Fu**ing up the scenery, breaking my mind,

Do this, don't do that, can't you read the signs?

Today's mission is to poke fun at spelling and grammar on signs!!!

Defecating owners???

Toads in the parking lot???

Oops, a blabber mouth sign!  LOL

C'mon, I couldn't resist!! Brocori??? LOL

I'm pretty sure this arrow is pointing left!

Hahaha ... 

Ho made? Really!

What a deal !  

Do you won't rid of it? WTF???

Hahaha ... 

Although I wasn't able to read the bottom portion of this poster picture, I believe it deals with Ebonics. 

You may speak English, but spelling is another skill. LOL

Message received and understood. Yuck!

Respect our English, please. 

No exceptions, duh. 

I'd rather have an Angus burger, please!

The text message, below, is a hoot. Someone else is obviously tired of bad spelling and grammar. 

Hahaha. I love it.