Hello! It's me again

Coming to you from Spring Branch Texas on this lovely evening.  Friday is a busy day for me. Laundry, meals and dishes oh my!  At least the meals have been easy.  For Father's Day Jim received a restaurant gift card from Sonsearae and Chris...So Jim took me to Olive Garden.  We both had leftovers from our meal and they had that special going on where you can take home an entree for $5.  So we did.  Jim had Fettuccine today while I had some beans and rice.  We still have some spaghetti with marinara sauce for tomorrow.  

Not sure I mentioned it, but I was supposed to see my doctor last week.  Just the regular three month visit.  In March, because of this Covid 19 we talked on the phone.  If you know me I didn't care much for that.  They wanted to do it again this time and I said no.  I want to be seen as I have this issue with my arm.  I feel an exam is called for.  Any way it's been rescheduled for the end of July.  I expect the same thing will happen and it will be put off again.  No word on when, if ever, I'll have my gallbladder removed.  

My weight has finally leveled off around 107-108 pounds.  I'm still eating small meals with snacks. I eat mostly pasta because it doesn't seem to upset my stomach.  I have been trying to add different things to my diet keeping it low fat.  No passing of stones so I guess I'm doing something right!

My goal again this year is to make 500 cards.  

26 June 2020...169 cards

Handmade Cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

Or shows off a tweet on the fridge

Or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasure

These cards are from the May 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit from Stampin' Up!  Not my favorite kit.  The colors are pretty 

All is right in our world

Rain, rain and more rain!

I think we’re having our April showers in May.  Reminds me of spring in New Orleans.  We’ve been in severe thunderstorm watches, flash flooding alerts and generally nasty weather.  Some cooler temperatures too.

Tuesday started for me around 0500....who knows why!  Since I could only drink clear liquids in preparation for my colonoscopy I could have slept more.  Jim finally got up around 0930.  It was cool and rainy so we didn’t go out.

Not sure why but Boo has decided not to sleep with us. 🙁. He did slip off the bed but he’s done that before.  Took me a few nights to fall asleep without his tiny body next to me.

Took two magic pills around 1400 and at 1700 I started drinking the solution.  It was pineapple flavored and I was told to add some crystal light to it to help make it palatable.  6-8 ounces every ten minutes....thought I was going to up chuck it at one point because I was so full!  I got chilled but by then I was visiting the loo every few minutes.  Just after 1900 I just sat on the throne for what seemed like hours.  Then I really got ill, broke out in a sweat, my clothes stuck to me and I felt really nauseous.  Laid down and Jim woke me around 2130 so I could shower and get ready for bed.  End of round one.

Wednesday

Once again it was rainy.  Around two am I took the other two magic pills and when I got up started chugging the last gallon of solution.  This was harder as I really didn’t want a repeat performance!  But it was ok.  I did get chilled so I had hot green tea and then slipped back into bed with my heated mattress pad to warm me up.  Of course I was up and down visiting the loo.

My procedure was at 1330 and we arrived a bit early.  Because of the rain and possible heavy traffic we left early.  No problem! Once we hiked to the back of beyond I was taken to a cubicle and told to disrobe but leave my socks on.  Then I waited maybe 30 minutes.  Soon I was sedated and then waking up.  While I was under Jim was enjoying lunch.

Was told they find anything significant.  Yay!

Stopped at Olive Garden and we both enjoyed soup and salad. Just the ticket for my empty belly.  When we got home Jim took a nap.

Jim is doing better daily though I don’t think he would agree.  Still sore and taking Tylenol. Removed his stitches and that’s made him more comfortable.  Coughing and sneezing are painful for him.

I bought a tomato bush that had wee tomatoes and we’ve had four small tomatoes that taste real good.  The skin is right chewy so I peel them.

Recently Jim saw his cardiologist because of the afib and meds he was given in Hospital.  He's to continue with that blood thinner until they're gone and about two weeks later he'll be wearing a heart monitor to determine if he needs to continue taking the medication.  Because of the afib it puts him at a higher risk for stroke and now he's taking a blood thinner for that.  

All is right in our world

The view from here

This is my view from my window by my chair.  Taken on the 15th before most of the rain showers.  See how smooth the surface of the water is?  Beautiful....

Most everyone is gone.  On the canal there are four rigs and one is all closed up with slides in.  I guess they've headed back to Michigan.  Only one small tent left and the other sections only have a couple rigs each.  This campground is popular with the snowbirds and come November I'm sure the place will be packed.

We walked Boo and it sure is quiet.  This morning a road grader leveled the roads again.  This is the second time since we've been here that they've done this.  The rains muck up the roads and when you drive through it ruts are made.

We had some Olive Garden ravioli for lunch along with a Caesar salad.  Splitting one of the meals this way makes for perfect servings.

Our predicted high today is 79 degrees and it's going to have to warm up some to reach that!  It's 72 right now and the windows are open to the lovely northeast breeze.

Only one week left here....then we take the rig in and hit the road for Ormond Beach.  Just a short drive (160 miles or so) and I hope it doesn't take long for the repairs to be completed.

All is right in our world

Rain Filled Weekend

The rain started Thursday in the middle of the night and when I got up we had huge puddles in the center section of the campground.  It's lower over there and one section that has sites has been closed for months because of all the rain and flooding.  It is once again under water.  It's a shame as the park must be losing money not being able to rent out those sites.  The ducks like it!

Friday

I wondered if many campers would show up for this rainy weekend.  I watched some tenters set up in the windy conditions before the next squall came through. Once set up they left....I assume they went out to dinner while it rained.

Next up was two travel trailers who pulled into the two spots next to us.  What fun!  Watching others set up can be quite entertaining.  We're not sure our immediate neighbors have done this much.  They unhitched, hitched, unhitched.....both Jim and I wanted to help!  They weren't level on the door side and had to drive up onto blocks.....then they unhitched without chocking and I thought the trailer was going to go backwards....perhaps into the canal!   Evidently the guy did too as he physically held it in place and got help from his friend while the wife backed up and they hitched up yet again...

At least it wasn't raining during the show...

Jim and managed to get a walk in Friday before the next bands of showers came through.

Saturday's forecast was more rain so after lunch we headed into Jensen Beach to walk the mall.  Funny thing it was dry most of the drive there and it didn't rain while we were out and about.  After the mall we headed to Barnes and Nobles, our go to place when it rains, except it wasn't raining!  No matter, Jim read some magazines and I looked at a couple books while we enjoyed a beverage.

Back home and don't you know...we had rain!  The intermittent showers continued during the evening.  I managed a slow stroll about the campground

Our evening was fairly dry...maybe some spitting rain.

I was awakened  during the night by a shower.  As it turned out it was time for me to get up.  The call of nature was upon me.  I really don't like getting up before the sun but this Sunday I was up before 0600.

So I fixed some coffee and enjoyed the solitude.  But the wind!  Fifteen to twenty mile an hour winds were disturbing my solitude.  Not much I could do about it, I guess I should be grateful it wasn't cold.

When the sun finally made a show it wasn't what I expected.  I wanted no clouds and bright, blue skies.  Alas, it was cloudy and overcast and I thought for sure we'd have more rain.

After breakfast and chores we went into Stuart to walk the river walk and check out the Green Market.  didn't buy anything.  No one had corn!   We passed a produce stand that was selling it six for a dollar.  We may have to go back.

Once our walk was over we headed towards home and stopped at Olive Garden for some lunch.  A gift card supported this choice and as it turned out they were doing a BOGO.  Buy one, take one  home.  We have enough food for the next few days!

One more stop at Publix for some coffee creamer and we were done with our afternoon outing.  Once home Jim napped and I relaxed on the lounger and checked my eyelids for light leaks.

It's still windy and my amaryllis are taking a beating.  According to my phone it's 68 degrees outside but it felt good while we walked Boo.  The poor dog hadn't been outside for two days!  He enjoyed marking and sniffing everything.

All is right in our world

Happy Birthday to Me!

The last twenty four hours have been wonderful.  

Except for the Saints losing!  I think we all stopped watching at halftime....just pitiful..

Anyway, we went to an early dinner at the New England Fish Market and Restaurant in Jensen Beach.  Sonsearae chose it because it has mussels on the menu and she knows we've been wanting some.  Apparently the Olive Garden no longer serves them.  We ordered some and I have to admit they were quite tasty!  Jim and I also shared a broiled seafood dinner that had shrimp, crab cake,scallops and Atlantic salmon along with potatoes and slaw.  Plenty of food and we brought some home.

While we were enjoying our drinks I was presented with a new iPad Air...very generous and much appreciated!  I've really missed my tablet...

Today we re-positioned the rig and got it leveled better.  I say better because of the wooden planks we used but it's still off a bit but livable.  We'll have to keep an eye on it and adjust if we sink into this thick grass we're parked on.

As we finished up Jim says we're going out for Mexican for lunch!  We spotted Dos Amigos when we were shopping the other day.  Just the three of us today as Chris was working.  We had fajitas, tostada salad and taco salad...of course we had beer and Sonsearae made us taste some Coffee tequila....have to admit it was yummy and reminded me of Kahlua

This morning Sonsearae made a vegan German Chocolate cake and we enjoyed some this afternoon with our coffee...it was outstanding!  Thank you Sonsearae for a treat I've not had for a few years.  My mom used to make this for me when I still lived at home.

I have to apologize for these pictures.  Both days we had overcast skies and I had to take pictures in poor light. I've heard the owls and spotted one the other night out by the road but this morning I saw a movement in a pine tree and searched him out.  I was pleased to see a pair of them!

Great Horned Owl

The squirrel was descending a tree and I had to hurry to get my camera and take some quick shots as he traversed the trees and fence line 

Fox Squirrel 

Hopefully I'll see them again on sunny days

Veterans Day

Veterans Day originated on Nov. 11. 1919 and was known as Armistice Day.  
It became a national holiday in 1938.  
In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the name to Veterans Day, paying tribute to all veterans - living or dead, and giving thanks to those who so honorably served.

TODAY there are 23.2 million military veterans living in the US.
-9.2 million are over the age of 65.  -1.8 million are women.

The Veterans in our family enjoyed a free meal at Olive Garden today.  There were seven of us at the table.  Sonsearae, Chris, Jim, myself and Pam, her daughter (Heather I think) and a friend.  I'm awful with names!  

A lot of conversation, wine and good food were enjoyed by all.  We even brought some food home.

While there, Jim got the call we were waiting for.  Everything was all set for him to be admitted at the hospital.  The area in his calf where they removed veins for his bypass is not healing as it should.  Mostly he has a hole that seeps.  We think it wasn't closed properly and it needs help!  

Getting it repaired is an outpatient procedure but the doctor couldn't see him in office for a couple of weeks....so they admitted him!  There is an infection so he's on antibiotics.  A couple more tests are needed but hopefully tomorrow they'll do whatever is needed to close this 'hole'.

So my Veteran is sleeping in a hospital tonight.  I miss him.

Another day towards recovery

I can honestly say my husband is on the road to recovery.  Yesterday he was still groggy and not himself....but today Jim was sitting up, clear headed and able to focus on his visitors.  He had lunch while we were there and he ordered and ate most of his turkey salad.  He also ordered a piece of cake that went down smoothly! The three of us spent two sessions with Jim leaving around 1600 because he was looking tired.  I wanted him to rest in case they decided to move him.

Our dear friends and I stopped at Olive Garden for some soup, salad and bread sticks.

He's still in the ICU because there isn't a bed for him on the ward.  Hopefully tomorrow....there are sick people in ICU!

Our friends Anne and Scotty have been wonderful.  Scotty drove the long distance again today.  Two days in a row! The trip is 89 miles one way. On Vermont highways the fastest you can drive is 55 mph and most places it's slower.  Then you have to contend with small towns, etc.  The trip takes almost two hours.

Before long our lives will get back to normal!

Mayport

We left Tallahassee with sad hearts....we love spending time with Sonsearae and Chris but it was time to move on.  Our drive to Mayport was quite easy until Jim took us through downtown Jacksonville!  Still we managed to find our way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Mayport Naval Station.

Pelican's Roost campground is right on the water and we get to see all manor of sea going vessels pass by.  Night before last, between showers we took a walk

shrimp boat

osprey

 

bath time!

Atlantic Ocean

 

Casino boat heading out to sea

We've had quite a bit of rain since we arrived.  First day here we needed to get some dog food for Boo so we headed out and located a PetSmart.  Then we had a wonderful lunch at Olive Garden, using the gift card Sonsearae and Chris gave me for Mother's Day.  Wine and pasta with salad and bread....


Yesterday we were up early and headed to the VA Clinic. But before we left we were treated to a submarine coming into port!  It was awesome!!!
 The folks in the RGV wanted me to have a follow up on a procedure I had in February.  When they told me, we had already left the valley.  So I've been trying to get an appointment and be seen.  You just can't call and ask for an appointment at a new clinic.  You have to show up and take your chances.  I have to admit they worked very hard to accommodate me.  After being weighed and having blood drawn we had time to kill so we left and found a Chinese buffet type place for a quick lunch.  We think it was a McDonald's at one time, and I'm not sure it was an improvement.

Back at the clinic I was seen quickly and examined.  Then the fun began. After several phone calls and suggestions I have an appointment for the 13th, but only if the films from my mammogram arrive in time!

On the drive home it started raining and boy did it rain!  A real gully washer type of storm but we made it home in one piece just in time for coffee and Boo's dinner.

We had hoped to see Bridget and John but they left this morning.  Hopefully we'll run into them 'down the road'.

Today we've had cloudy skies and gusty breezes.  Even had the windows open all morning.  For our dinner I fixed a  new recipe, Beans Florentine.  Feels good to be cooking again!

from The McDougal Quick and Easy Cookbook 

Beans Florentine

1 onion chopped

1 stalk celery chopped

1 carrot chopped

1 t fresh minced garlic

1/2 cup water

3-15 oz cans white beans

1 cup vegetable broth

1 T soy sauce

1 t dried basil

1 t dried oregano

freshly ground pepper to taste

2 cups chopped fresh spinach

Place onion, celery, carrot and garlic in large pot with 1/2  cup water.  Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.  Add beans, broth, soy sauce, basil, oregano and pepper, cook over low heat for 20 minutes.  Add spinach and cook 3 minutes more.  Serve over grains, potatoes, toast or English muffins.

We both enjoyed this and I'll make it again.  It made quite a bit so I froze some for a quick meal some day.

Lazy Days

When we left Tallahassee we brought some of it with us! Spanish Moss drips from the oak trees and apparently we caught some on our way out of Big Oak RV Park.

This is our set up here at Hilltop RV, Robertsdale Alabama. Nice enough campground, the site are a bit close so wintering here would be ok. Certainly not like where we currently stay in the Rio Grande Valley. But this area of Alabama is very nice. Pensalcola and Mobile are about an hour's drive and of course Gulf Shores and the beaches are just down the road.

Last Saturday we headed into Spanish Fort/Daphne to get some dry food for Boo. The shopping center there has a PetSmart. We also had lunch at Olive Garden with both of us having a glass of wine and an entree. It was very tasty!

After one more stop at Publix for groceries we headed home. The weather has been just gorgeous with slight breezes, sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid 80's.

Monday was bed day so I started early with laundry. We also decided to drive to Magnolia Springs, http://www.townofmagnoliasprings.org/. Perfect day for a drive and I only wish we could have taken some pictures of the homes we saw. Narrow streets prevented stopping, where do you park a big truck? It would have been nice if we had brought our trikes and rode around the area. Along the river homes still have mail delivered by boat!

We had lunch at Jesse's Restaurant http://www.jessesrestaurant.com/ and I was very surprised at the menu. We both enjoyed our lunch, Jim having sweet tea (we are in the south!) while I opted for water.

After lunch we walked down towards the river where you can pick up your meal from Jesse's after calling ahead.

These mushrooms caught my eye

The sun filtering through the trees was very pretty

Today it's a drippy, gloomy day so far. No plans other than getting ourselves ready to head to Louisiana tomorrow. We have a beer tasting to attend!

Time flies when you're having fun!

What can I say? By the end of the day I just don't feel like thinking and writing this blog.

When Amy and Dan came by to say goodbye the other evening I told Amy to write her blog more often so we'd know how and where they were. I guess I should do this too!

Obviously we're still here and our departure date keeps getting pushed back. But we'll leave in early April. We have stops planned for Rockport/Fulton area and Houston/Galveston area. Because of fuel prices we may have to stay longer but we'll manage.

Jim is doing resort facility work. This includes locking and unlocking our gates (morning and night), cleaning the pool and assisting with arrivals and departures. There's other small chores too and he gets to ride around in a golf cart with a walkie talkie. He'll be doing this work next season too and we'll have to move up front near the office.

We went to the Don-Wes flea market yesterday with Anne and Scotty. They were shopping around for screening and awning materials. We've never gone on a Wednesday before and there sure were fewer people! On the way there we stopped and had lunch at Olive Garden, we all had soup and salad.

Fall day

It was quite breezy and cool when I got up this morning. Even the flamingos were cuddling!

My guess is a front is passing through which is making it nice and cool for me. By 0820 the temperature had dropped 3 degrees from 62 to 59. Still 70 in the house and the blueberry muffins that I baked made the house warm and toasty and it sure smelled good too.

Last night we had attended a gathering next door that included the Anne and Scotty, Pat and Vern and Amy and Dan. First time this season that all four couples had happy hour together and we had a lot of fun!

Since it was an impromptu get together the food wasn't elaborate but the wine and beer flowed freely and by 1930 when we started towards home no one was ‘unhappy’ if you catch my drift!

Jim and I went out to lunch today enjoying soup, salad and mussels at Olive Garden. Since it was a cool day soup sounded real good to me. This is one of our favorite meals. I must say I stuffed myself but everything was so good!

We stopped in at Barnes and Nobles on the way home but we didn't stay long. Once home we just stayed in and spent quiet time together.

Dinner was BLT's and now that the sun has gone down we're sitting in front of our computers while watching TV.

Foggy, chilly and the flea market

It was foggy and chilly this morning. Didn't think it would ever clear up and it never got sunny per se. We had more clouds than sun today. But it turned out to be a nice afternoon.

One of the things I did this morning was check on the garden. I think the irrigation system is turned on....at least I hope so. Anne joined me at the garden and we walked back to rigs after I bought a newspaper. I wanted to eat out so I mentioned it to her and she was all for it if we could convince Scotty. Back home Jim had no problem talking Scotty into going to Olive Garden.

So we left around noon and had a lovely soup and salad lunch. Afterwards we headed to the Don-Wes flea market. We spent a couple hours looking around and all we bought was pineapple and cucumbers. There wasn't a crowd of people so I guess all the Winter Texans haven't arrived yet. We did notice some empty spots so all the vendors aren't here either.

Once home I checked emails and then made some coffee and sat outside reading my book, An Echo in the Bone. Very pleasant! Jim also had some coffee and finished off a magazine then played some golf on the Wii. Speaking of the Wii, Jim has constructed a mount for the TV that he uses outside to play the Wii



Using a piano hinge, some plywood and a mounting bracket he can now fold the TV up against the roof of the compartment. He still needs to figure out how to secure it for travel.

The following pictures are the ones I promised.

I'm growing Mesclun in a window box and it's doing well. I pick some every day and it's yummy!

my herb pot is doing quite well also! I can't cut it fast enough. Parsley is huge and the oregano and thyme are keeping pace.

On our ride yesterday we stopped to take pictures along the wall of Retama Village

It's really nice having all these flowers blooming all around us! It's November and we have flowers!

Today is my sister Roxann's birthday. Happy Birthday Dear sister,I hope your day was super!

I'm sure she'd love to come to south Texas and smack me for posting this picture! LOL

We've each had some dinner and now we're watching America, Before Columbus on Nat Geo. It's cooling off nicely and we should sleep well tonight.