Things are heating Up

 The last couple of days have been beautiful.  No rain, just a lot of sunshine and along with the sun comes the heat.  The Air Conditioner is coming on earlier in the afternoon now.

Yesterday I slept until just after 0800 and shortly after Jim got up!  Late for me, early for him.  😄 We ran out of dry cereal a few days back and I've been making oatmeal or grits for our breakfast.  We still have some leftovers from dining out so we've concentrated on that to clean out the fridge.

Jim did go to the fitness center we have here and did a workout doing the new exercises he was given at PT last Tuesday.  He's a bit sore but I'm proud of him for working on his balance.  I was working on some cards so didn't go with him.  Maybe next time!

Today we were up early.  0630 for me and 0800 for Jim.  We were going to Costco with Sonsearae!  She picked us up around 0900 and this is a good time to shop, very few people so we had plenty of time to look around.  We managed to buy some unnecessary food items but everything will get eaten in time.  Also got a non skid rug for in front of Jim's chair and he got a Land's End t-shirt.  When we left here it was to pick up some cupcakes for a party tomorrow night.

Next stop was our house to drop off Jim and stash my groceries. He took a nap because we wore him out, bless his heart.  Then we headed to a friends house to drop off a brisket and potatoes and the cupcakes.  It was nice seeing this friend again.  Now it was time to drop off Sonsearae's groceries and head to Publix!  Neither one of us bought much but we're now set with fresh food for a few days

Last stop was Starbucks for some icy cold coffee!  Our daughter then dropped me off at home and I spent the next 45 minutes or so getting everything put away.  I also threw some clothes in the dryer and folded them when they dried.

All is right in our world

Back at Work

For the last six days we’ve been off and we’ve tried to stay busy. We’ve both taken the opportunity to read several books.  Our weather keeps us indoors when it’s wet, cold and gloomy.

Jim managed to get the truck cleaned up yesterday. It was filthy!  For once it was sunny and warm. He also dumped the black tank and did some putzing around outside, weather permitting of course.

When the weather is bad we usually head to the mall to walk.  This is good because we don’t spend money.  But when we go to Costco to get in some steps we always manage to find something we can’t live without.  We also take advantage of Barnes and Nobles when it’s nasty outside.  What’s not to like?  We can read magazines and enjoy a cup of coffee.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to play with my paper.  My supplies are all over the place and walking in front of Jim or getting into cabinets over his head is something I don't like to do.  I guess I should go back to working on my cards when he's asleep.  I get up much earlier than he does.

Once again the weather is turning nasty.  A cold front is blustering it's way in.  The progressive dinner is going to be cold and windy.  It's 1400 and the temperature is 50 degrees.  I wonder if it will rain too?  Not my idea of fun traipsing around outside, carrying chairs to eat a four course meal...no matter how much wine they have!  I hope all those attending enjoy or at least drink enough wine to not care about the weather.

That's about it from here.  Just wanted to update you

All is right in our world

Higher and Higher

When you're hot, you're hot!  As each day passes our temperatures climb.  Lately we've been reaching the upper 90's with the nights in the 70's.  During the day the humidity drops and by afternoon we're enjoying fells like temperatures of 100+.  So we don't go outside unless we have too.

Jim has been getting up at 0700 so he can get his chores done outside before noon.  The pool needs tidying everyday what with debris from the trees (wind blows almost constantly.  And the past few days he's been pressure washing the Club House so it can be painted.

The crew that keeps up the grounds were busy the first week of June cutting and trimming all of the bushes.  Don't worry, they'll be back and looking gorgeous by the time the winter season starts!

Upper left is our rig in the 100's.  

These pictures were taken on the 8th of June.  As you can see it's looking pretty bare.  Already I've seen new growth around the resort

After Jim does his morning work he comes home and showers.  Sometimes he naps as he's lying on the bed cooling off.  Sometimes we have our midday meal together before he naps (not good for the waistline!).

I read, make cards, snooze during this time.  When he's gone in the morning I'm usually busy with housework, meal prep, bathing and trimming Boo.  I even squeeze in craft time.

Netflix is our choice for afternoon viewing.  We like England's BBC TV shows and we're enjoying some dramas, comedies and a show Grand Designs (I think) about building or rebuilding grand houses. Fascinating!

Let's see, In the past couple weeks we've mostly stayed at home.  Venturing out only for groceries.  One day we headed to the mall so I could get a haircut and we both got some steps in.  One grocery run found us at Costco and we walked all over that cool building.  I walked all over Barnes and Nobles while Jim reads magazines and that day I managed to get more steps than him.

Yesterday we went out to lunch.  Decided on Chili's because we had a gift card.  About the only good thing I can say about Chili's is they have good margarita's and cold draft beer.  Why is everything they cook so greasy?

All is right in our world

Family Time

Goodness me what a busy afternoon we had yesterday!

Jim and I knew we'd be heading out and shopping with Sonsearae.  She wanted to go to Costco and Whole Foods which is south of here about an hour's drive.  We just didn't know the time for leaving.

I was up just before 0700 and enjoyed my coffee while writing the blog.  Jim was up just after 0800.  I had my breakfast and sent a text asking when we should leave.  Before we know it our lovely daughter is visiting with us and we're making plans.

About this time I noticed a Painted Bunting on the feeder!  First time this season.  Migration must be happening and I look forward to seeing more of the pretty birds

Anyway plans were made and we decided to leave around 1000.  That means I had to dress, make the bed and do dishes in a thirty minute window.  Jim also had to wash the windows on the truck and since he parked under cover he had to remove some Owl poo from the cover on the truck bed.

I even had time to fill the feeders!

We were on the road shortly after 1000.  Beautiful sunny skies with only a few puddles and wet spots to get the truck dirty.

Our first stop was Costco where I restrained myself but Sonsearae managed to buy some dishes.  She's replacing some old dishes so I guess she 'needed' them.  After walking all over this warehouse of a store we were more than ready for lunch.

Cucina, Pizza by Design was the next stop.  Just a few doors down from Whole Foods.  You order the pizza by picking and choosing the ingredients passing in front of the prep station. A glass window/wall separates you from the workers and it's a bit difficult to communicate what you want because it's so noisy and they can't hear you.  Jim and Sonsearae each ordered a pizza while I chose a salad.  The salad is ordered the same way.  You pick the lettuce you want as the base then add ingredients, I built a Greek type salad.  We all had water to drink and we ate everything.  The pizza's were maybe 10-12 inches and my salad was very big and filling.

Next stop was Whole Foods but it was raining a bit and blowing on us so we ducked into a Pier One to browse the colorful displays and wait out the rain.  I found a new rug for the living room!  Bright colors that we both like

While we were in the store the bulk of the rainstorm came and went.  Jim took the rug to the truck while we ladies went to Whole Foods.

I managed to find some new to me items to buy.  More and more you can find vegan options and I have to try them to make sure they're edible!  In this case it was ravioli's made with Kite Hill vegan cheese.

While we shopped Jim had coffee and sat in the lounge, people watching.  We checked out and Jim took the purchases to the truck and we got ourselves some coffee to go with the treats Sonsearae bought.  Chocolate dipped Madeline's and Russian tea cookies.  Yum

The drive home was uneventful.  We have noticed that there is more traffic now as more and more out of state visitors arrive.  There were a few wet spots as we drove, chasing the storm.  Jim's newly washed truck is now spotted with road grime.

We arrived home just a little late for Boo's dinner time.  No matter, he was glad to see us.  I guess Boo likes the rug because he didn't even bark at it when I put it down.

Jim set up the new recorder.  Dinner was a vegan burger for me and Jim had a sandwich.  We spent the evening watching TV

Apparently during the night we had more rain because the picnic table is all wet.  I didn't hear it

All is right in our world

Helena, Alabama

We left Monday and drove just under 160 Miles to Cherokee Camp Ground in Helena Alabama.  http://www.eagleonemarketing.info/cherokeecampground/index.html The drive was uneventful except for the winds.  Jim did a fine job of keeping us on the road and we arrived without incident.  Although  I was concerned about the tire we have that keeps losing pressure!  I'm liking these shorter travel days.  Sitting for so long begins to bother my back and I know the longer drives can be stressful for JIm.

This is an older campground with lots of trees.  We didn't think we'd be able to get our satellite dish to work but Jim found an opening on the other side of the next site...Also our phones have a 1x signal and keep searching for a better signal.  Since we use our phones to get online it has been very interesting....Slow is putting it mildly!  I don't think I'll be posting any pictures

Looking around it seems like a lot of these rigs are here permanently.  That means we hear some cars and trucks heading off to work each morning.  We can see the highway from our site but there doesn't seem to be a lot of traffic on it day or night.  We haven't explored the whole campground but Jim said there's a pond and an upper level...hmmm wonder if we could get a better phone signal up there?  :-)

We did venture out yesterday to have lunch and pick up some groceries.  Our first stop was Barnes and Nobles where Jim used the WiFi signal to update some aps on his iPad.  I browsed through a couple cookbooks but passed on them...Then it was time for lunch and we chose Creekside Tavern.  This place had just opened but I noticed it wasn't a new building and it looked familiar.  Turns out it used to be a Carrinos.  We both ordered up a cold draft and Jim had a chicken pasta dish and I chose three items off the sides menu...garlic mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli and seasonal grilled veggies.  It turns out this is a cheap way to have lunch.. each item was two bucks, so my lunch was six bucks!

Next stop was Costco where we picked up some items we thought we needed and trash bags which we did need!  Their peppermint bark is very tasty!

Then it was off to Walmart for some coffee cream and bread.   

Back home we settled in and had some coffee and dinner was our leftovers from lunch.  

The folks in the Northeast sure have it rough right now.  I can't imagine dealing with that destruction in cold weather...bad enough in hot weather.

It's been chilly here, even used the furnace a couple times in the morning.  It's been getting down into the 30's at night but no freezing so far.  We used our space heater and fireplace almost all day to keep it warm in here.  I must say we've been quite cozy so far.  I think we should start warming up a little each day now as that cold front wanders off to the east and stays north.

We'll be in Florida for Thanksgiving, not quite as far as Tallahassee but at a campground north of Panama City.  Sonsearae and Chris will drive over and we'll all go out for a lovely feast.  It sure will be nice to see them again!



It becomes increasingly easy, as you get older, to drown in nostalgia. Ted Koppel

Git er Done

If you've been wondering, Boo is doing sooooooo much better.  Of course the meds made him sleep more and the Vet said he'd be thirsty from them and he has been drinking a lot.  But his skin is clearing up and he doesn't spend all his time scratching.  I've not found any more fleas and I'm hoping there are no more in the house.  We will spray until we're sure all the eggs are dead!

The other day Anne, Pat and I went to check out the new Costco store in Pharr.  I've belong so we didn't all have to join.  We all found things to buy and split!  I also saw a store demonstration on the Vita-Mix.  I've been wanting one for a long time and the sale price was right up my ally.....my only problem now is where to store it!  Never fear, I'll find a spot for it.

Yesterday Anne and Pat hosted a 'last here' party.  Everyone was invited for this last bash of the season and there were quite a few people who showed up.  Everyone brought food, chairs and drinks and just hung out.  'where ya headed?' 'are you coming back next season?'  were the questions most asked.  It's so nice to know we can keep in touch with everyone online with Facebook.

So many of our friends are already traveling and hopefully we'll see them 'down the road'.

Jim is getting chores done so we can pack up and leave.  This morning he had the passenger windows on the truck tinted.  I guess $45 is cheap enough for the comfort.  It would have been even better if we could have kept the darker tint and avoided the expense!

When he came home from that he started dismantling the patio.  First he removed all the furniture and then pressure washed the screens so we can put them away clean.  Then he pressure washed the patio mat...on Thursday the rig will be washed

almost time to leave, we gotta get er done!

Last day in Tampa

Tomorrow we head out to a new location. A little North, a little East. You'll just have to wait for the location! I can hear thunder so it's probably raining in the bay. The forecast is for rain later

The other day I joined Costco. Always wanted to see inside and compare prices with Sam's Club. We didn't spend much but we brought home some freebies! When I joined they sent coupons and we picked up a free rotisserie chicken and a free 2 pound bag of coffee beans. Three dollars off 2 pounds of chocolate chunk cookies made us both happy. Time will tell if one warehouse is better than the other.

While at the commissary the other day we saw Monk parakeets! We've been here a month and now that we're getting ready to leave we see feral Quakers! By the way the bird is known by both names and is an introduced bird to the US. I used to have one as a pet. I've looked around but I didn't see their nests. They build huge condo style nests. I think they were feeding on the berries on the palm trees. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk_Parakeet

Other birds we've seen here at the campground and throughout the base are: herons, egrets, osprey, wood stork and roseate spoonbills. These are all normal for a coastal area.