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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

What Are You Reading?

How do you get your daily news from around the country?  Do you stay current on World Events?  

I usually start my day reading on my tablet.  I scan the headlines and pick and choose which articles to read.  I find more information than watching the nightly news.  Besides, Jim and I don't like the same networks for news!

I also read blogs with my morning coffee.  I keep up with our friends and those crafty blogs I like to read.  I have a few 'odd' blogs too, like sustainability, farming, off the grid type blogs...and tiny homes too.

Do you follow blogs that involve a lifestyle other than your own?

I read magazines too. If you check the Library tab at the top of the page you can see what books and magazines I've recently read.  As I finish a book or magazine I record it.  I'm still reading the Outlander books, An Echo in the Bones which is number seven in the series of eight books.  This one covers their lives in America at the start of the American Revolution.

I'm always reading cookbooks just because I love them.  Most of them are digital as we couldn't possibly carry the weight of them!  I do have a few handheld cookbooks that get frequent perusal.

Did you know that if you click on an ad I make money?  Apparently no much because in all the years I've been blogging I've not been paid one cent!  You have to reach a certain threshold for them to send you a check....alas I'm still accumulating funds.

Yesterday we headed out to get out of the house.  First stop was the mall and I got a haircut.  While I was in the chair Jim walked the mall getting in some exercise.

Afterwords we went to Harvest Table in Stuart for lunch.  I had gazpacho and fried green tomatoes while Jim opted for a French dip sandwich.  We both had a draft beer.

Next stop was Barnes and Nobles, another great place to while away time by reading.  Jim likes to read magazines and I usually do to but this time I picked up Not my Father's Son by Alan Cumming.  I didn't buy it but I would like to finish reading it.  Apparently his father was abusive but Alan has overcome it!

Then we headed to Home Depot because I wanted to see if they had I mushroom kit.  Someone had posted on Facebook and I thought it would be fun to grow my own. We both like mushrooms.  They didn't, but I found it on Amazon (you can find everything there!).  Seems simple enough, check it out here.  If you try it, let me know!

Well it's sheet day and I hear the dryer calling me

All is right in our world

Monday, March 21, 2016

Front Comes Through

And everyone knows when a front comes through with rain, cooler air is behind it.  Not sure we got as chilly as predicted for last night but it was 60 degrees when I got up before sunrise this morning.  I like it!

We had a lazy, do nothing Sunday.  With the clouds and bands of rain expected we didn't want to be outside.  We spent most of the day reading and in my case being bored.  Oh well, into each life some rain must fall.  We needed it but I wish we had gone somewhere else to get out of it.

This morning we have sunshine and that makes for a good start.


East side of pond looking back at campground


Limpkin, we've only seen one


fuzzy picture of a cormorant


I think these are Apple Snail shells, I saw quite a few of them along the shore and they are a favored food of the Limpkin


We both like wandering around this pond, it's about a mile walk and some is on the path and some is on a sidewalk.  All of it can be walked on grass but not all of it is level ground.  Your ankles get a workout!

Our family lost a member over the weekend and I'd like you to keep Chris in your thoughts and prayers.  His mother died and it is a difficult time for him and his children today as they say their goodbyes.

All is right in our world.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

I know, I know

You've all been restlessly holding your breath waiting for me to post!  Well here I am  :-)

We've been doing what most folks do daily.  Laundry, dishes etc for me.  Jim has been working outside most every day (which I'm pleased about) tinkering with this, fixing that and cleaning the rig and organizing the storage bins.

We've extended our stay here at PSL until the end of the month and then we'll move to Savanna Recreation Area for two weeks.  It's a bit "wilder" than here with gators and birds wandering about

On the 31st, the day of our move we have to be up and about early so we can take the rig for some repairs and knowing we are full timers they promised to get it done asap.

Yesterday we finally got some rain!  The grass around here was crunchy so it was needed.  We've also noted the water level was falling in the pond.

We have tried to walk every day.  The lack of traffic here in the campground allows an easy walk around the loop, as I call it, once around is about half a mile.  Sometimes we walk all around the pond and it's interesting seeing the birds.  Sometimes we walk together, sometimes not.  It's getting much to hot for me to walk in the mornings and I usually head out after 1800.

Do you have a Fitbit?  I'm finding it helps when I'm in a challenge.  I may not win but it inspires me to 'git er done'

All is right in our world

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Could Have been Worse...

We were grateful that the weather cooperated and stayed dry for over a week before we had to pull up stakes and leave.  It was still 'wet' in spots and Jim thought it would be ok if we could get a rolling start.  Didn't happen...as soon as the rig was off the wooden planks it bogged down and our truck could not pull it.


As you can see we sunk almost up to the axle.  Fortunately our son Chris came to the rescue!  He called over to the Prison and two guys came over to assess the situation.  One got down on his hand and knees (inmate) looking to see where a jack might be placed and they did use their truck, along with ours and chains to pull the rig out.  No go....The inmate dug all around the front tire making the hole deeper so he could put pavers under the tire.  Then this big old John Deere tractor came, they hooked it up and Bob's your uncle we were out of the back yard and onto cement!

We've had this problem before and it's a good reason to have a 4 wheel drive.  Perhaps when we win the lottery we'll buy one


Here at Port Saint Lucie (PSL) Village RV Park we found visitors!  This lizard had his tail pinched (by Me) when I lowered the steps.  I had to un-stick him, poor little guy.  I've seen him since so I guess he's doing all right, crooked tail and all.  I also discovered a big frog!  Two and a half to three inches in length he was plastered to the wall by my chair.  I like frogs but he would have died in the house so Jim captured him and set him free outside.

We only forgot a few minor things in packing up.  But Jim didn't forget how to back in and get us settled.  Time for a cold beer!


We were taking Boo for a walk when I looked up and there was Chris!  He wanted to see where we were and he was also out shopping then meeting Sonsearae for dinner.  It was a nice surprise!

Jim says this place costs too much for what they have.  Only a clubhouse and laundry facilities.  We haven't walked around the pond yet but it promises to be interesting.  We do hear some traffic noises from the highway.  I don't think it's bad but we've had relative quiet the past year out in the country. 


Not sure what the definition of a lake is them but this looks more like a pond to me.  We have seen some ospreys and our short walk yesterday scared some wildlife and we heard some odd noises.  I must take my camera to see what we can discover.  I'll bet they keep it gator free so all the snowbirds can be safe.


We were in bed and probably asleep by 2130 Thursday night.  This moving can be tiring!  We're just not used to it

Friday morning we headed back to the house to pick up some left behind items and to say goodbye.  We were going to have a last meal together before they hit the road for the long drive to Tallahassee.  By the time we arrived the packers had already left.  We all hemmed and hawed for a bit, so we said our goodbye to Chris, he needed to return the keys and Sonsearae puckered up, then so did I.  Could have been worse,  but I only needed one tissue.

New beginnings for all of us....

Jim is still working on setting us up.  Does my heart good to see him working a bit everyday outside.  I've been trying to walk more every day because Jim says we have to get in shape for Vermont.

All is right in our world!

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Saying Goodbye

We've enjoyed being neighbors with our daughter and her husband.  Saying goodbye will be very difficult.

Throughout the years we've visited her and she has come 'home' for visits.  But it's not the same as living next door.  Seeing them most every day and interacting with them has made us 'family'.  Yes, we were family before but from a distance.

I left home when I joined the Navy and only returned for visits.  Jim did the same.  When you visit family, everyone is on their best behavior....the love is there but you don't share the day to day life with them.

When you see someone you love on a daily basis you get to see the good, bad and the ugly.  I tried not to pop in at odd times and after awhile a routine was adopted.  But I still managed to pop in and surprise them!  Lucky for all concerned that it wasn't embarrassing!!!  I've gotten used to seeing Sonsearae daily before she goes to work.  Chris on the other hand was mostly at work and seeing him was hit or miss except on weekends.

We did share some meals on Sundays and of course we ate out as families do.  And football!  We're all Saints fans  but we tried not to dominate their alone time.  Both worked odd schedules and as a couple they needed alone time.  As did Jim and I.

Sonsearae and I are like minded with our food choices. The guys are coming around but they're still works in progress.  I think Chris and Jim understand the health benefits but still love their fatty foods and meat and all the comfort foods they've learned to love.  Even I have my moments with foods that I've eaten all my life.

We're looking forward to getting back to our traveling lifestyle.  And I'm pretty sure Sonsearae and Chris are looking forward to the next chapter in their lives in Tallahassee.

But saying goodbye will be difficult......


Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Slowly but surely we're getting things done

Yesterday Jim and I secured the fridge.  First Jim unpacked most of the foodstuffs and as you can see they were loaded onto counters, in the sink and frozen stuff was put in the cooler which I didn't take a picture of.  Since the refrigerator is on wheels he wanted to make sure it didn't tip over or move on it's own.

I have to admit I didn't do much during this process.  But Jim needed to access the rear to get the water line available for the ice maker.  He also put a couple 'braces' on either side so it doesn't rock through the thin walls.  And once it was slid back into it's niche he put some trim under it to keep it from falling out.


I love my new fridge!





Once the slide is in, part of the counter will brace it also...we think.  Obviously the freezer drawer won't open and I don't think the left door will either.

Once the fridge was back in place we worked together putting all the food away.  Everything had to be wiped off as condensation had built up on the glass jars.

Sonsearae has just about packed everything they own.  The movers will be here Friday to pack them out.  We leave Thursday, heading to a local campground.

During her packing she's found clothing that she no longer wants and I spent some time yesterday trying on long pants and shorts.  For the most part she wears a small top while I wear a medium....bigger boobs!  I now am the recipient of several pairs of shorts and long pants.  I've been laundering them and tucking them into places where they wont be in the way.  I won't have to buy any for a long, long time!

Today Jim washed the truck and put the bike rack on the rig.  Tidied up some and loaded some stuff in the garage.  I've been stowing some stuff (mostly clothes!).  Today I made a loaf of Scottish Oat Toasting bread from KAF.  For lunch we had a pasta salad

Jim has gotten in the habit of taking a nap daily....I wonder how he'll manage to drive during a long day of travel?  Time will tell!

All is right in our world