SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2014

We were up early and off to meet Sue and Wayne at Billy's Cafe for a delicious breakfast. Rose and Sue drove home to Pompano Beach with Shorty and Julius while Wayne took their coach to Sanford for maintenance. 

Rose bought a big monkey to take home to family in Canada. He'll be riding shotgun next April! Haha. I wonder what the Canadian border patrol will think of that! LOL 

Rick and Ruth decided to stay another day and avoid the heavy Thanksgiving weekend traffic. We began our funday Sunday with a boat ride down Haines Creek where we saw plenty of painted turtles and several large alligators! 

It was a beautiful 75°. 

This alligator was around 9' long. 

Rick came prepared with a bottle of wine. 

Daisy enjoyed the day on the boat, and especially sitting with her daddy. 

We went to the Palm Gardens for lunch, and found a table dockside. Rick and Ruth enjoyed the rustic setting and good bar food. 

It was family snuggle time on Lake Eustis on our way home. What a great picture!

We went home, had afternoon siestas, and went bowling! Rick and Ruth hadn't bowled in years. We had some laughs, for sure. 

Rick got his groove on ... maybe they'll play in Stuart once a week. Ruth had a great spin and hook throw!

After bowling, we went to Stavros for great pizza. Back at home, we watched the end of the Grey Cup, then Rick and Ruth headed to their coach for bed.

It was a fun, busy day!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2014

Good day! It's a chilly-willy start to the last cold-front day of the week. We'll be back to the high 70's tomorrow. 

This afternoon is Linda's "Celebration of Life" at Randy's. He's been working hard to get the house and garden looking extra nice. 

Mark had a breakfast casserole and scrambled eggs ready for us all. Rose slept fine but needed some Advil ... me too!

Dozens of friends dropped by Randy's to pay respects and enjoy the food and afternoon sunshine!

Randy dressed the entrance table with lovely pictures of Linda and a guest book. 

It was nice seeing all the people whose lives were touched by Linda's friendliness and humor.  

Linda has been deeply missed by all. 

She made many friends of neighbors, and they are most supportive of Randy. 

The bar was a popular place! I caught you Ruth! LOL

Randy was a good host. 

The afternoon sun was beautiful ... 

Rose, Ruth, Mark, Rick, Sue and Wayne enjoyed some shade on the porch. 

Bob and Wayne visiting. 

Mark and Rick sat at Linda's favorite nook at the end of the porch. 

Diane, Kris, Dawn, Jill, Mark and Hospice volunteer Christine on the large deck. 

Jill, Ruth and Dawn were soaking up the sunshine. 

About 5 o'clock, we headed home to feed and walk Maggie and Robbie. They were happy to see us! Ruth and Rick wanted to cook dinner so Mark drove them to the store for supplies. Rose made Caesar salad, Ruth chopped potatoes, Mark BBQ'd the steaks ... and we had a good dinner. Mark put "Legends of Shelby the Swamp Man" and "Legend of Mick Dodge" on TV for entertainment ... both a big hit!  Haha. 

Ta ta ... it was a very good day. 

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2014

Good morning from chilly Central Florida! Mark was up early and put a log on the fire so it was nice and cheery when I got out of bed. Both Maggie and Robbie were worn out from their visiting yesterday. (We suspect Robbie snuck some turkey ... he wasn't sure about eating breakfast!) LOL

My cousin Flo is off on another skiing adventure for three or four months. She has planned her life well. This adventure will take her to the resort town of Sapporo Hokkaido. Safe travels!

It seems Mel is always dropping one of hers at the airport! 

This afternoon, Rick and Ruth will be arriving to park their motorhome in our driveway plus Rose is arriving to spend  a couple of nights in our guest room. 

Tomorrow is Linda's "Celebration of Life". Randy has been very busy getting food organized and errands run. He, Dawn and Bob and Jill will meet us tonight at Light up Eustis. 

Crazy Gators in downtown Eustis was busy at dinnertime ... but Randy found a big table for us. 

Rick tried one of Sue's "medium" chicken wings. As you can see, they were HOT. 

After walking around and seeing the lights, we found a big table at Olivia's, had another drink and then ... Santa arrived. 

The two big kids gave Santa their Christmas lists before Rick M said we were bad. LOL

THANKSGIVING 2014

What are you thankful for?  OK, I'll go first ... 

I'm thankful for ...

A loving husband,

The sun warm on my face,

The breeze soft on my skin,

Companionship of family,

Connection with "old" friends,

Unconditional love of pets,

A few coins in my pocket,

A warm jacket on a cool evening,

Air conditioning on a hot day,

A full belly,

Clean water,

An education,

A roof over my head,

A dry, comfortable bed,

Food in a refrigerator,

A vehicle in the driveway

and WINE! LOL

This year, Diane and Kris are hosting Thanksgiving dinner! Invitees are Mark and I, Sue and Wayne, Randy and Dawn, Jill and Bob, Rick and Ruth. It'll be lots of fun, and mayhem. LOL. But, NO COMPLAINTS! Haha. 

Meanwhile, I'm watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade. Mark is trying to track down the cause of front end noise with the Buick. It really is time to trade in the beast, but we're trying to hold off until summer. Of course, we can always drive the Dodge truck for awhile. 

This is the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with a route nearly 5 miles long. 

LOL ... Diane coined the word "Turkin" ... in our family, quite by accident. 

LOL ... I guess politically, somethings never change! Thanks to Roger C for this one!

Well, it was one hell of a party. 10 bottles of wine later, there were many stories and jokes and pranks. Everyone had a good time! Bob, aka, "Jim-Bob", may have had a complaint and, according to our family rules, will now be cooking next year's Thanksgiving dinner at Randy's house! LOL  Yeehaw! Other things that occurred, I mindlessly picked up the cut glass salad bowl (that has a stem) and tried to drink my wine from it. LOL. Randy caught me!!! Hahaha. 

Jill, next year's chief cook and bottle washer, having fun with Marky!

Randy discovered a piece of art, and thought it resembled Rick's Mohawk hairdo! We had plenty of laughs over Rooster Cogburn!

Dawn and Randy were looking cute. Randy had to take a muscle relaxer, but we don't know for what muscle! Haha. 

This is proof that Diane was in the kitchen!!! Prior to cutting the pies, Diane was using a potholder to wipe down the counters. Jim-Bob caught her, and that's how he inherited Thanksgiving dinner for next year!!! Haha. 

It was a very good time. We enjoyed ourselves with those that were there, and fondly remembered the ones who weren't. It was a happy Thanksgiving! Thank you, Diane and Kris!

. 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

It rained all night and ushered in a cold front ... perfect for Thanksgiving day tomorrow! Mark just announced he's putting jeans on! Nooo ... say it isn't so. LOL

I found the following on Facebook. 

LOL. I remember those pudding commercials! Thanks to Mark's friend Rick G for this news-current funny. 

Today was 'tidy and clean' house day. It didn't need much ... just putting things where they 'really' belong, dusting and vacuuming. The three "Rs" arrive Friday ... Ruth & Rick M and Rose D. It'll be a nice weekend!

We cleaned house as we didn't want to look like Peanuts cartoon "Pigpen".  Haha. 

Randy, Jill and Bob are dropping over this afternoon for a visit. Dawn is at work this but will meet us all at The Hideaway this evening. The sun is trying to peek out now, so it should be a lovely night for sitting outside!  Just a light jacket will be in order. 

Tomorrow, we're going to Diane and Kris's home for Thanksgiving dinner. It's their first year hosting ... 

 

And they will be looking for a complaint. You see, in our family, the first one to complain hosts at their home the next year! Mark and I went a dozen years before we could score a complaint. Haha. Kris enjoys cooking, but Diane, no way! Haha. I'm sure everything will be wonderful! Even if things aren't right ... it tastes like crap; good though! LOL

Mark gave Bob his Oklahoma coveralls. Bob was delighted ... he felt so cozy in them; and thought he was going to wear them for the whole evening! Well, until Jill said, "I don't think so!" Haha

So, we fed the dogs and went to The Hideaway for supper and drinks. 

It was cool, but with the patio heaters, very cosy! Dawn arrived shortly after eight and joined the party group. Mark and I headed home about 930 to take the dogs out. 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving ... and we have plenty to be thankful for. 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2014

Good morning y'all. We're expecting liquid sunshine today for our drive to Longwood. Maggie will be in their care for the entire day. She'll have an IV injection of chemotherapy that will work for 3 weeks in her body. Fingers crossed. 

My cousin, Hugh Tawns, in Australia, sent these photos of an early "RV". It's a 1937 Packard. Enjoy ... 

Cool, huh? It's in beautiful condition! 

Back home, I made a batch of Shortbread cookies for my Ya Ya's on December 11th. (It's a cookie trade ... but because of Mark's nut allergy, he's afraid to try anyone's treats!) More for me. Haha. My recipe comes from my mom's Purity Flour cookbook, Circa 1950's. 

Well it's a friggin monsoon! Mark walked me to the car under the big umbrella, but we both got wet anyway. Ha. Then he went back and carried Robbie out under the umbrella. It was hilarious! Robbie was not pleased with the experience. Maggie had her injection at noon, with no adverse reaction! We left home at 3:20 to pick her up! She trotted out of the treatment ward with tail held high and ears up! Everyone in the waiting room was greeted with "Arrrooo!"  LOL What a trooper. Doctor said she stood up for the 20 minute drip and flush, very patiently. Maggie is truly amazing. She has the survivor attitude. 

Sue and Wayne arrived at The Villages about 4 o'clock, in the monsoon. The rain was so heavy they couldn't even plug-in the rig! We drove home in similar conditions.

Our friend Rose H sent along this little humor for the blog. 

"SENIORS & COMPUTERS"

As we 'silver surfers' know, sometimes we have trouble with our computers. Yesterday, I had a problem, so I called Georgie, the 11-year-old who lives next door and whose bedroom looks like Mission Control!  I asked him to come over and look at my computer. 

Georgie came over, clicked a few buttons, and solved the problem.

As he was walking away, I called after him, not wanting to appear stupid, and asked "What was the problem???" 

Georgie replied, "it's an ID-10-T problem". 

"An ID-10-T error? Well, is it something I could fix myself if it happens again?" I asked. 

George grinned and said "You'd better write it down ... I think you might understand."

So I grabbed my pen and I wrote down ID10T. 

"The little rat bastard!  IDIOT!!! And to think I used to like Georgie!" LOL

Hope your day was just what you needed! Ta ta.