SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2015

Good morning! Oh, we're both stiff and sore this morning ... too much bowling??? Or, another front moving down the peninsula? Perhaps. Anyway, we've got Light Relief plugged in, that's a quick fix. 

Spring is coming ... 

hang in there our northern pals. 

Mark thought he'd paint the shed today but Mother Nature had other ideas! He just got prepped when heavy showers passed overhead. So, it was nap:30 ... until Lew called! Lynn & Lew are installing kitchen cabinets and needed help to hang the microwave. A couple of hours later, Robbie and I popped in to see the progress, between rain showers. The guys were hanging the microwave for the second time. 

Randy spend his day pressure cleaning the dock and the deck! He's getting a spring cleaning done. Haha. 

Mark and I had planned to go to Georgefest tonight, but it's raining! Drat. Oh well, we'll enjoy wine:30 and relax. 

Meanwhile, downunder, my cousin posted this picture.

Funny! 

I hope you had a good Saturday. Ta ta. 

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2015

Good morning! It's a wee bit foggy! Mark and Robbie just went on their walk, it's 54° as a cold front moved through overnight.

Our plans today include puttering around the house and then early evening going to downtown Eustis for the start of Georgefest, a three day carnival. Unfortunately, Dawn is working all weekend and will miss the event. Randy will be coming with us! Two singers from Nashville that we saw last year at the Hideaway are performing on Saturday night. 

We just heard friend Gene Johnson passed away last night after a tough week. Gene was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer about 8 years ago. He fought the battle and rallied many times. Our thoughts are with Pat and Gene's family now. 

Wayne is enroute home via Minneapolis because of a snowstorm in Dallas, the usual route. It's been a blustery winter all around. 

Randy spent his day pressure washing the front of the house, and his screened patio. He's worn out, so not joining us tonight. Mark and I have decided to go bowling tonight. Fun! Well, it would have been fun if I could have done SOMETHING right. LOL. Mark had a very good night ... 167, 159 & 157 ... good consistency. 

Have you heard of the bird man from Washington Square Park? 

This is Dorothy Diether, the Bird Man and artist/creator of the marionettes, Ricky Syers. 

How fun, huh? The squirrel doesn't seem to mind. LOL

Hope you had a good day. Ta ta!

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2015

The storm front rolled through at 4:30 with a rolling thunder and heavy rain ... gone in a flash ... just enough to get me up for the day. Drat. So ...

Good morning y'all. I prepared my latest "big" eBay sale for shipping. Ha ha! I sold 3 bracelets for $2.99 ... 

shoppers are flocking to my bargain sale. LOL. This is rather like a garage sale at the moment ... 

So much preparation ... and hope ...

and then the reality. Haha. 

It's game day at Pat's house ... a "girls" gathering that includes wine and snacks ... and lots of laughs. 

Mark plans to take a load of tree stumps to the dump. Fun for him. LOL

Mark was using a-come-along to get the tree stumps into the bed of the truck. While I was at game day, he and Robbie took a trip to the dump. I LOVE THOSE TWO! 

Game day was hilarious. We played Balderdash! Thanks Pam Mc for hosting! This is definitely a game we need to own! It was loads of fun. 

Tonight, great TV! Ta ta. 

 

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2015

It's a misty Wednesday morning but not enough to keep Mark off the ladder! He decided to complete the Crepe Myrtle trimming. Nice! There were 4 trees left. The hope is that the "Crepes" will fill out and up this summer. 

Meantime, I have a few ditties I've been saving for a relaxed day like this ... 

Photoshopped, I hope. LOL

Here's a cute Florida joke ...

Corny, I know. Sorry about that. (No I'm not!)

Randy and Dawn stopped in about 1 o'clock to pick up a lawnmower Mark gave them. Of course the darn thing didn't want to start ... Murphy's Law, you know. LOL. So, an hour later, after some tinkering, it was purring. It sat too long not being used. Mark and Randy loaded it up and headed to Dawn's house. 

I spent my afternoon organizing and photographing coats for eBay. I had three that were never worn. Isn't it funny how we gravitate to our tattered favorites. Our relaxed, retired lifestyle is much simpler than before. Cool.

Wayne left today for Vancouver, to look at a boat. When will he be back?

Ha ha. Friday. How do you suppose the zebra got on the giraffe's neck???

Sue is busy planning a bowling social to raise funds for Shi Tzu Rescue in April. It sounds fun!

Rick and Ruth saw the Budweiser Clydesdales in Stuart today. Awesome!  It's such a treat. 

Gentle giants. 

Well, that's all for today folks. Ta ta. 

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2015

Good day, mates! Here's your dose of CUTE ...

This is Herman, 38 inches tall and 22 pounds of sweet cuddles. Aw, ... I know! Don't piss off the Easter Bunny. Ha!

And from Perth, down under ... SWEET

a wee Koala at the Landrover's wheel. Aw, ... right? Where to, mate?

One more? 

A wee Orangatan getting a sudsy bath. Aw! I want one!!!

Last one ...

Besties ... 

It was a fabulous day. Mark and I spent a few hours at the bowling alley just trying different throws. Not only was it fun, but I may have had a breakthrough moment. MAYBE. We'll see. LOL. Mark discovered the ball polishing machine and went wild polishing his two balls. Haha. Yes, he has two! A Roth and a sparkly ball. Ha. 

At home, I finished the preliminary work for our taxes and am ready to mail it to our tax accountant. Phew. While I was tackling that nasty job, Mark sorted through his tools and came up with 4 eBay items for sale! Cool. 

Randy popped in today after his chores and health checkup were done. It was 4:08 ... just past wine:30! Perfect. We yakked and discussed our upcoming guests/plans. It's always fun here! "Never a dull moment!" as my Mom would say ... or, as Randy's Nannie would say, "Not a moment to live!"  LOL 

Robbie sure loves his uncle Randy-Man! He sat on his lap most of the visit. 

We're finished our dinner and evening walk. Hope your TUESDAY was good. Heard we might see Scott here soon!

Ta ta. 

MONDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2015

Good morning! Well, it is A.M.  This minion says it all. LOL 

It's Monday ... and time for me to begin ... T A X  preparations. Yuck. 

Taxes are hazardous! LOL.  While I began the tax muddle, Mark went shopping at Home Depot, Petsupermarket and Winn Dixie and came home with a rawhide treat for Robbie. Nice, huh? Well, Robbie doesn't eat the rawhide right away. He runs around with it in his mouth and cries. Mark and I (yes, both) have to give him the okay to eat it. LOL. This involves taking it from him and pretending to eat it ... (Dumb humans!) ... and then give it back to him. Mark did his "pretend" business then gave the rawhide back to Robs who ran into the sunroom where I was doing the gnarly taxes.  Robbie drop the rawhide about 2 1/2 feet from arm's reach then sat and waited for me to take it. Duh. I fell for it, quite literally. LOL. I was sitting in my wheeled office chair, leaned forward and reached for the rawhide. The chair shot out behind me, hitting the file cabinet (also with wheels) and sent both crashing into the French door. While all this was happening, I pitched forward, then backward, then rolled to the right landing on my right wrist, still holding my pen! Hahaha. Fortunately, I wasn't hurt but it isn't easy to get up from the floor with two mechanical knees. LOL. I had to crawl to the carpet, and all myself up with the help of the pool table.  Meanwhile, Robbie sat patiently, not at all concerned, waiting for me to take his rawhide! Of course Mark came running to see what all the commotion was. Oh boy. Taxes are dangerous business. Haha. 

Now, it's happy hour. Mark is cooking a ham and green bean casserole for supper. It smells very good! 

Wayne is getting his stitches out today. They had a good time visiting pals in Stuart and had dinner with Rick and Ruth. 

Randy is working in his garden today, deadheading flowers and getting the house ready for guests next week while Dawn is at work til 8 tonight. Dawn's mother, sister and brother-in-law are coming to visit. 

That's it for today. Ta ta. It's relaxation time ... "More wine please!"  LOL

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Good day! I had the biggest laugh first thing this morning when I read Fritz's email. (He & Deb live in Indiana ... site of a nasty winter.)

Ah, yes, the pizza server ... LOL. 

Meanwhile, down under, Miles looked very sporty while attending a young writer's festival. Way to go, our "Young Professor". 

Meanwhile, in the "Great White North"' Avery and Crystal are snuggled up taking indoor selfies. 

Two cuties!

Meanwhile, across the pond, cousin Mark and Sharon's daughter, Freya, celebrated her 7th birthday! 

Isn't she sweet!

Also, across the pond, cousin Alex is into the Bloodaxe Vikings with girlfriend Courtney (front & center in green.)

I predict a movie career for Alex & Courtney. 

Lookin' good, Alex. 

Oh, Mark and me? Housekeeping today after a week of fun with Pam here. The doors are open ... fans going ... a gorgeous sunny, warm one. (Happy the cold front is GONE.) LOL

Do you remember me writing about my crazy dream of going through my old house in Boca, and in particular the house-shaped basket I got as a gift from Donna Johnson??? Well, Mark and I went into the Eustis Humane Society resale shop last week ...

and ... look what I found!!! No, it's not identical, but definitely made by the same artist! So, I bought it. Hahaha. 

Chores done, I began some "hobby" fun. Mark watched NASCAR Daytona. Good race. Yay for Joey Logano!

Dinner's done, the dishwasher running, so it's time to relax and watch some TV tonight. Ta ta. Hope your Sunday was great too. 

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2015

Today would have been Dad's 95th birthday ... he's greatly missed; we have our wonderful memories of a great father!

Oh, my aching head! LOL. Good morning y'all. It's a lovely, sunny start for Pam's flight home. Randy and Dawn met us at Billy's Cafe for breakfast at 9:15. 

Not a bad pic for hungover recycled teens. Breakfast was great ... omelettes all around!  And coffee. Lots of coffee. After breakfast, we took Pam to see Randy's and Dawn's before taking her to Orlando airport. At 11:30, with plenty of time to spare, we dropped Pam off for the 2 o'clock flight. 

Sue and Wayne are away in their RV this weekend visiting friends in Stuart. Just a short drive and a chance to enjoy their lovely coach. 

George and Kelly texted they were at The Hideaway...

and met up with Dawn and Randy!

Sorry we missed them but it was a Betty Ford Day at our house. LOL

Tonight, Mark and I are catching up on our recorded TV shows. Empire and Vikings so far. 

Ta ta for now. 

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Brrr ... there's ICE on the birdbath this morning! A 50 year record was shattered. LOL. Tuesday is forecast to be 80 and that's more like it. 

I dumped the ice and put hot water in for my birds and squirrels. Does that make me weird? LOL

What to do on a frosty day?  Bowling! So, Mark sent a text to Randy ... Bowling at 12:30???  And Randy replied ... "Don't say anything but still in bed. Could we go at 1:30 instead?"  Hahaha, lazy bones! 

Mark had been busy bringing firewood in when Randy's return text arrived ... and Mark handed me his phone. Guess Randy didn't want his sister-in-law to know. Busted. Haha. 

Bowling was fun! Dawn won the first game ... Mark won the second game with Randy a close runner-up. Pam hit her leg with the ball once or twice but never paid into the gutter ball fund! (I did!!!) Wa wa waaaa. LOL

Randy lost low-score bet on our first game so dresses the pizzas tonight. Haha. He and Dawn will be over soon. 

Randy was chief cook on the pizzas, assisted by Mark. 

In this case, Mark was Randy's wing man. Ha ha. 

Somehow, they produced three excellent pizzas for supper.

Mark proved he could wear Randy's medium leather jacket. Yeehaw! We all had lots of laughs!!!

Here's Mark and his Top Gun scene. LOL

Oh boy! That's all tonight folks.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2015

Good morning! We were up and out to the post office with 3 parcels and then off to our local flea market by 10 o'clock. It was nice in the sun, but otherwise, "cold".  

Pam, shopping at the "$ to your left, $ to your right" table. LOL. Everything's $1 ... lots of items. (I couldn't make these things for $5 each!) 

Mark, patiently waiting for we girls ...

We came home with shopping bags in hand.  It was good fun!

This afternoon, we enjoyed a fire and relaxed with TV and magazines. Pam actually caught some rays from Mr Sunshine. It was nice out of the wind!

Tonight, we're meeting Randy at Ichiban. Unfortunately, Dawn's at work tonight. :(

How many trips to the buffet??? Pam said 2 ... Randy said she had 4 ... but Pam wasn't counting what was in bowls; only plates. LOL

Dinner was great ... and lots of fun right up to my last comment which I mostly wasn't responsible for, nor can I fully recall. Oh boy!

Now, we're home to watch NASCAR and enjoy a fire. 

Hope your THURSDAY was great. 

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2015

It's a lovely sunny morning but chilly-willy! Rain and cooler air moved in last night while we were having fun with guests. Mark whipped-up breakfast while I emptied the dishwasher and ran a load of towels in the laundry. Mundane routine, I know. Haha. 

By 11, we were off to Mount Dora for a little retail therapy with Pam. After 3 or 4 stores, we'd worked up an appetite, or at least a thirst! 

A light lunch and drinks at the Frog & Monkey in downtown Mount Dora. Excellent French Onion soup & wings! It was a cozy-feeling place; perfect. 

I mentioned my dream about Prince last night. Pam looked confused so I volunteered "the musician"! That led to a discussion which wound up with The Beatles ...

and there it was ... Yellow Submarine behind Pam. LOL

Looks like Mark and I had skulls behind us. Eclectic decor, huh!

Back home, Pam is soaking up some rays in the lounge chair on the patio. This sure beats 15 below.  LOL. Once the sun waned, she came in! Tonight is going to be downright cold ... and tomorrow night a possible "record" low!  Our roses & Christmas cactus & azalea are covered with sheets. 

Tonight, we went to Oakwood Smokehouse for ribs. Yum. (Thanks Pam!) It was crowded but starting to clear out as we arrived. Perfect!  After a great feast we came home and enjoyed a great roaring fire, thanks to Mark. So, it's American Idol and The Empire for starters. Haha. 

Hope your day was grand. Ta ta. 

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Good morning. We started off with a beautiful bright sunny day, but by noon, it was overcast and dark. 

Tonight, aunt Jane, Cliff, Dawn and Randy are joining Pam, Mark and I for chili, rolls and chocolate cupcakes. (They are in the oven now. M-mm!)

Mark started his chili prep while Pam and I went to the post office and Walgreens. This afternoon we relaxed and caught up on TV shows while it rained. 

Pam discovered a "leftover" in the guest room closet. LOL

Let's see who is brave enough to admit she left bra-less! Haha. 

It's now 10 o'clock and we're sitting with our feet up. Cliff was the chief story teller tonight and we enjoyed him thoroughly! LOL. Aunt Jane looks way too thin! I must call tomorrow and see what's up!  Dawn & Randy were totally entertained ... we all had lots of laughs. Dinner was great. Good job Mark. 

Hope your TUESDAY was terrific. Ta ta. 

MONDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2015

Er, why am I up? Good morning! It's President's Day!

LOL. Yes, I was up for hours BUT went back to bed at 6 til 8:30 so all in all it's a great morning! Mark and Pam were already eating breakfast and ready to visit  The Villages today. But, first stop was Rural King for a lawnmower tire. 

It's mainly a man-store, but Pam found popcorn so was very happy! Mark saved $20 on a tire so he was happy too! Then, it was onto The Villages for lunch and shopping. 

We found Dawn's favorite store, "Picture You" where Pam found a few special items, including sunglasses! (It's Florida ... you gotta have shades!) Lunch at TooJays, a New York style deli was "Delicioso"!

The Villages boasts 50,000+ golf carts in all styles. We had a good time, and then headed home to see Robbie. Pam caught the afternoon sun and sat outside for an hour. I packaged eBay items to ship tomorrow and Mark began cooking chicken for dinner. We had a great afternoon.

At 7 o'clock, we met Dawn and Randy at the bowling alley. We had our usual hilarious time and gathered $12 for the gutter ball fund. Pam began with a strike and we thought we were in deep trouble. LOL. Beginner's luck. Haha. Tomorrow, we will scratch off the tickets when we're all together.

Between today's $12 and $12 in winning tickets from last week, we'll be scratching like C R A Z Y. Ha ha. 

Hope you had a great President's Day too. 

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2015

Good morning Sunshine! Pam arrives today from Minneapolis ... yay! We last saw Pam at Marshall & Savannah's wedding in Asheville last April ... much to catch up on. Haha. 

My cousin Connie posted these dog dandies. All are funny, some laugh out loud for sure. Enjoy!

Randy's favorite dog (and phrase).  Haha. 

Our Candy-Bear could find a flashlight in anyone's house ... and bark until you turned it on and played "Shadows" with her. LOL

Hmm, what was HE doing on the floor?

LOL ... Phew. 

Hahaha. Love the pad hanging from the dog's ear!

Give me some sugar. Haha. I bet that dog had a big sugar rush!

Watchdog? NOT. 

???

Pam's flight was fifteen minutes early and we were off for home. Easy-peasy!  After a bowl of Greek salad, we decided to meet Randy at The Hideaway. 

The manager, Donna, gave Randy quite a look when she saw him sitting next to Pam. LOL. She caught Randy later and said "I'm telling Spikey!"  (Dawn). Haha. 

It was beautiful, 73F and sunny. The boat docks were empty though as the lakes were choppy today. 

When we got home, Pam sat in the sun for awhile then it was siesta time. Ah, day drinking and sunshine ... gets us every time. Haha.