SUNDAY DECEMBER 6, 2015

Good morning. It's a lovely start to our day, mid 60s. Mark, Lew and Ben went deer hunting to the Ocala Forest. Me? I'm going to bake a batch of Christmas cookies for Yaya's on Thursday night, here. I'm the hostess, so I'd better get jiggy with it. LOL

On Facebook this morning, I read a lengthy article on awareness and tactical defense. I reposted it, so it will be easy to find on my Facebook page. In this age of uncertainty, bombings, mass shootings and the like, it is worth your time to read and develop these observational skills. At one time, during my karate career, I was very aware of my surroundings and ready to act. It's something I must work on again. Here's the web address for the article.

And now on the sweeter side of life, beautiful Diana with her puppies. 

Isn't it lovely to see the snow on Bonnie's back deck, but live in Florida. Ha ha! Yes it is! It won't be long before she will be potty training them with paper pellets and a litter pan. Robbie was 90% housebroken by eight weeks old. It was sure a help when we were living in the RV in Oklahoma!

The hunters saw plenty of squirrels in the woods today but not much else. Have you seen a Florida monkey squirrel? We saw one a couple of days ago!

Pretty interesting, huh?

While I was repowering this afternoon after such a busy week, Mark hung our new rain chain. 

Now we need rain ... It's all been way down south lately. Sue said they've had gale force winds and torrential rain while it's been gorgeous here. 

Tomorrow, Randy flies to Winnipeg for Gregg's celebration of life next Thursday. It's not possible for me to be there for several reasons. It's wonderful Randy is going. Darlene will need guidance wading through bureaucracy. 

Well that's it for today. Back to working in Orlando tomorrow! Ta ta. 

SATURDAY DECEMBER 5, 2015

Bon jour! It's a cool, windy start to our day. Robbie wouldn't get out of bed until we told him he could stay home today. He's NOT a worker! LOL. Finally, he was lured outside when I cleaned the birdbaths. 

Home Depot pricing was today's job. We need some comparables for negotiating with Empire next week on flooring. I looked over their readymade kitchen cabinets ... just in case the realtor's price is out of line. Sue suggested we look at curtains as well as blinds. It was a good suggestion ... Walmart had suitable items for less money. 

Tonight is our community Christmas party at the Shriner's. I'm having a difficult time getting into a celebratory mood this week but I shall fake it. Remember that old saying ...

We'll see. LOL. 

Thursday night when we went to Stavros with Randy & Dawn, he wanted Carrot Cake but got wishy-washy when it came to ordering. So, I asked the waitress to bring him cake on Marky's bill. She came back a few seconds later ... sold out on Carrot cake. LOL

Hahaha. What a goof. 

At our house, Mark gave them the Thanksgiving turkey's wishbone. They both made extravagant wishes ... then couldn't snap it. 

It was too funny. Look at their effort. 

Alan Darcy and pal Sal were the entertainment at our Christmas party. It was super fun. The food was very good ... and everyone was up dancing. 

Alan Darcy has entertained us 3 years in a row ... we love him! Great show. 

FRIDAY DECEMBER 4, 2015

Good "wee hours" morning. Why am I up before 4? My brain is working overtime! Haha. 

This morning, we took Da Mountie, loaded with ladders to Orlando. 

It was another busy day. Mark had a ton of trash to put out for this morning's pickup. It took him an hour to haul it around. We were happy to see it all go on the garbage truck. The house is looking better, day by day. 

No OSHA here apparently! Nice scaffolding Mark. LOL. Hey, it had to be painted. 

My day began with the pantry shelves. LOL. I have a lot of white paint in my hair and even some on my eyelashes! 

Mark said it now looks ready for collard green tins. Hahaha. 

I also got 4 doors painted, both sides and the family room baseboards. The tile floor was so sticky with grime that I couldn't scoot along on my butt to paint the baseboards. When I tried scooting, my pants stuck to the floor and I ended up with no pants on. Ha ha ha. 

Mark had fun vacuuming this message to the former tenants. Yucky!

Advantage Chrysler called with bad news on our Dodge's transmission. After putting in 3 new solenoids ... it has the  same problem! The service manager said he'd have to order a TIPM ... total $2500. WTF? Sue suggested I talk to the manager. Monday I will call Chrysler headquarters. We understand things happen, but the vehicle has 80,000 miles on it. Not much for a big diesel!!! And there we were at the job site in Orlando with Da Mountie that has 270,000 miles on it, original transmission. The karma gods are still angry with us. :-(

On the way home on the 429, we ran into a rough patch on the highway. I thought we were about to lose a tire. Then, Mark grabbed his leg. A frog was in Da Mountie and jumped on his leg and Peed. LOL. There's never a dull moment. A few minutes later, he found the frog on his shoulder, grabbed it, and tossed it out the window into the grass. Two days ago, we had a lizard inside the Kia. It's time to enjoy a glass of wine. Ta ta. 

THURSDAY DECEMBER 3, 2015

It's a nice cool 66F morning! Rain is forecast but that won't affect our workday plans. We were up at 5:30 and on the road at 7ish to Lowes for supplies. 

Tonight, I will call Darlene and Crystal in Winnipeg and see what arrangements are planned for Gregg. Sad. Gone too soon and so young, 53 and just over a year after his mother died. 

Darlene and Crystal brought joy to Gregg's life. He loved being Grandpa Tawns to young Avery, Crystal & Brent's daughter. 

Well, it was a busy work day at K's Orlando property. 

We had some giggles when Mark took a switch plate off and discovered NO WIRES inside. Haha. THAT delayed a 10 minute job. 

Randy is going north for Gregg's service scheduled for next Thursday. I hope all will understand that my heart is there with the family but physically I won't be until next summer. I know Randy will be a great comfort to Darlene & Crystal.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2015

Good morning! Of course we're awake early when we could have slept in. That's life. The "local" news (Orlando) ... an alligator turf war on a local golf course. 

Goliath is said to be 15' long ... but who measured him?

This morning, we called Good Sam (free towing" for a tow truck to take our Dodge to Advantage Chrysler in Eustis for transmission diagnosis and repair. I hope it's not too big of an expense. But, it is what it is. We need our vehicle. Ace's Towing arrived quickly ...

and the Dodge was on its way. (Ka-Ching!) 

Mark made a run to the post office and onto Winn Dixie for groceries. When he came home, he made two meatloaf pans for "work" sandwiches. Yummy ... much better than fast food!

Dawn phoned late this afternoon to say they were stopping over. Bowling was clearly off. Randy had spoken with Crystal and learned Gregg (my nephew) was in dire health. His kidneys were shutting down and there was no hope. 

We all shared some tears and hugs. Randy thought he'd fly to Winnipeg to see Gregg one last time. But it wasn't to be. Crystal called at 6:30 to tell us, Gregg passed away. She and Darlene were inconsolable. We felt their pain. Rest in peace, Gregg. We love you. 

Ho Ho Ho it's December 1st, 2015

But at our house it's "heigh ho - heigh ho - it's off to work we go" ... this Orlando property is kicking our butts!

We bought gas for $1.95 a gallon in Ocoee today! Wow. We haven't seen that price since Alabama in September! 

Randy phoned at 8 o'clock this morning. I thought something was drastically wrong, but he and Dawn were calling to find out what day we were taking off so we could arrange a play date. Ha ha. We're in. 

I haven't posted any dirt on the renter but if you've been a landlord you already know ... What we've uncovered. After sending Sue and Wayne dozens of pics of work to be done, Wayne sent me a message. 

Mark and I had a great giggle. This poor home is not even close to clean, nevermind immaculate. LOL. 

OMG, right. 

Anyway, we're enjoying the project ... It's what we enjoy doing. Haha. 

Robbie has taken on guard duty by sitting where he can see both doors. When an unsuspecting kid on a bicycle slowed down to eyeball the place Robbie barked and scared the pants off him. Hilarious. Robbie sounds like a Rottweiler!

We're on our way home ... 6 o'clock ... with much accomplished but nothing finished yet. It seems we keep finding more things that must be fixed or cleaned. 

We're ready for supper, showers and TV. Ta ta til tomorrow. 

MONDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Haha. It's lunch break at the job site. 

Mark went to pick up burgers from the King while I swept up more dust bunnies. With luck, we will have all the nail holes (and larger) filled today. Once we have power, I can vacuum the mess and begin painting baseboards. Meanwhile, there's no shortage of jobs to be done. 

Of course, my eBay had 4 sales today so I was busy after dinner tonight. That's the way it goes; all or nothing! LOL. 

It was time to check on the Scottie pups at Bonnie's ...

They're getting feisty. Bonnie sent a video for Robbie. He is very interested when he hears puppy grunts and squeals. It's a major Robbie head-tilt party. Haha. 

This evening, Bob and Jill went back home to Winnipeg. It was great fun spending time with them. They plan to be back in February for another visit.

Ka-Ching! Another eBay item to wrap and ship! LOL

Well that's it for tonight. Ta ta.