New Years Eve

We went out to dinner and then the show "Saving Mr. Banks" with 7 other couples.  After the show we went to one of the couples RV and enjoyed visiting, games and snacks (like we were hungry).  Of course had champagne at midnight and then stayed a visited until 1:30 AM.  Great evening!

We enjoyed the show and would recommend.  I need to watch "Mary Poppins" again.

Still getting settled

We did more laundry today as it is not raining and we can hang the jeans on the line.  I also started putting away our fantastic gifts, fun!  We just stayed home today and it sure seemed good.

Tired two

We slept 10 hours - completely unheard of for us.  Then we went for pancakes and to get groceries.  Don finished unloading the car and finally we started some of our mountain of wash.  Don took three loads to the laundry and I did I don't know how many in my little motorhome machine.  Finally we decided the rest could wait until tomorrow.

It has rained on and off all day and super humid, had the AC on some to lower the humidity.  Traffic is still horrific on the interstate, we came home on the back roads from shopping.

Good to be home but miss our family.

Grandson Josh's 17th birthday today!

Josh, old picture but always the hockey player!

Another long day on the road

We encountered a bit of traffic in Nashville but then it was clear sailing until we hit a major slowdown.  Then again in the afternoon another major slowdown.  There was extremely heavy traffic from Atlanta all the way south.  We finally got to Sumter Oaks about 9 pm.  Exhausted again.

Next major trip in 3 weeks:

 

At least we don't have to do the driving.

Long day on the road

We left Minneapolis about 6:30am.  We had some fog, roads were a bit slick, nothing too bad.  Then all cleared and we made good time until we got into a major 2 hour traffic stall.  A truck had turned over spilling their load. We decided to stop sooner than we had planned at Clarksville,  TN.  It was 10:30 pm and we were exhausted.

Day after Christmas

We did some shopping, it has gotten warmer and slushy outside.  My shoes and then socks got wet - hate that feeling.  We met Brenda and Rebecca for lunch, came home for a nap.  Ate dinner in the hotel.  Packed and getting ready to be on the road bright and early tomorrow.  It snowed some today so hope the roads aren't icy.

Christmas Day

The day started at Sheila and Ken's home with a brunch - sausage egg back, fresh fruit, monkey bread and "Poinsettias" to drink.  Following was gift opening, everyone was so generous to us.

Then after a fast trip to our hotel we went to Ken's brother's home for a great Christmas dinner including all the traditional items.  After considerable visiting we went back to the hotel very tired!

Christmas Eve

We went to church with Sheila and family and then to their home for a crape and fondue dinner and lots of visiting.  A wonderful Christmas Eve.

Monday before Christmas

We decided to do our laundry and then go out for a little shopping.  The laundry took all morning, the machines were so slow.  We changed our plans and did a quick fly by Walmart and Sam's Club on our way to the Dennis' for dinner.  Tomorrow we will do some shopping - I think.

We had a good dinner at the Dennis' and enjoyed watching "ELF" with them.  Their puppy Lexi has grown so much but still a darling puppy!

Nutcracker

I went to the Nutcracker with daughters Sheila and Brenda, granddaughters Bri and Rebecca and bonus granddaughter Kazia and her daughter Holland.  We first had a wonderful dinner at "Crave" and then third row seats to the ballet.

Downtown Minneapolis

We took our annual trip to Macy's in downtown Minneapolis this morning meeting Brenda and Rebecca, Sheila, Brianna and Josh (Ken home sick with a cold and Josh has hockey), Kazia and Dusty, Logan and Holland.  We had lunch at the Skyroom as usual after viewing the Christmas display Macy's always has.

After a nap, Don and I actually finished our Christmas shopping, I hope.  We returned the book on CD's we had listened to on the road and ate at Cracker Barrow.  The weather isn't too cold, just cold.

Here we are in Minnesota

Don started the day with a doctor appointment, just a diabetics check-up.  All was well.  It had been snowing lightly all morning so he went to the car early to clear the windows - it already had been done by the hotel!  First time for that.

Sheila and Josh came to visit last night.  Today Brenda came for a visit.  So good to see them.  We did a little Christmas shopping and ate at our favorite Chinese place, Hong Wong.

I am hurting a lot from yesterday's fall, will take some meds before bed.

Looks out of focus but it is snow in the air!

Traveling to Minnesota day 3

We have arrived.  We got an early start again today as the weather forecast indicated there could be freezing rain and we wanted to stop for a good ole Amana breakfast.  The breakfast was excellent, they have such good bacon (and everything else).

We got on the road about 7:30, roads were dry and traveling was good.  After getting into MN, I noticed on my phone weather map that freezing rain was occurring were we had just been in Iowa.  We got to our hotel "Staybridge Suites" about noon and were told we could not check in until after 2 PM, our room wasn't ready.  So we sat at McDonald's for awhile and then went to Menards.  Don had forgotten something and went back to the car, I went on inside.  I must had tripped because the first thing I remember was my face heading to the floor.  Some people came to help, but I couldn't get one leg out from under me, finally Don came and knew just what needed to be done.  I hit my head and as time goes on hurt more and more places.  I bruise easily and don't even want to know how bruised I am.  

When we got back to the hotel we were able to get our room, only it was not the room I had reserved.  I had paid a little more to get a suite and this room was just - a room.  They must have thought we were born yesterday, but relented and gave us the suit.   Much to our surprise, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday they have free food, tonight it was make your own subways.  The also had salad, chips and coke.  We did not feel like going out in the cold so this worked fine.  We also picked up free a local newspaper and USA Today paper.  

We just can't seem to get warm, keep turning up the heat.  Worst thing, it is getting colder out each day,

Day two on the road to MN

Another long day on the road, 10 hours today.  Felt longer than yesterday.

We ate dinner at Ronneburgs in the Amana Colonies.  It was SO good and we are stuffed.  Two of my favorite things were served, sauerkraut and pickled beets.  

Trip north begans

We left our motorhome in Florida at 6:30 this morning and got to Clarksville, TN about 4:30, 11 hours on the road considering time change.  All went well, lots of traffic coming out of Nashville, was good to get to our LaQuinta Hotel.

Taken at a Rest Stop in south TN

Chinese for dinner

I started packing for our trip to Minnesota, so hard to know what to take.  Think it will be a cold trip!  We picked up a movie and then Chinese for dinner.  The movie "Parker" was very good, had never hear of it before.

But not in Florida----

Another trip to town

Another Walmart trip, will this be the last one.  Don't bet on it.

In the evening we went to the wine and cheese party at the clubhouse.  Wow, two bottles of wine in two nights - this must be the party life!

Almost frozen Spearfish Creek in Spearfish, South Dakota:

One more trip to town!

We went for one last trip to Walmart before we head north, got home and realized right away we would be going again.  I think Walmart has some brain blocking rays that make one forget important items so it means another trip where you end up buying even more.

In the evening we went to a spaghetti dinner at the clubhouse, was good along with a bottle of wine!

To my family and friends with dogs:

Women's Luncheon

30 of the finest women from Sumter Oaks went to lunch at Coyote Rojo - a local Mexican food place.  We had a good time and good food.  I hadn't planned to go but glad I did.  

Meanwhile back at the park, Don washed and waxed the car.  When Don finally turned on the AC, I fixed dinner and we stayed home for the evening.

Daughter Brenda looks so cute all bundled up for her walk to her car after work in Minnesota.

Christmas Tuesday

This morning little kids from a pre-school came to the RV park to sing Christmas songs.  They were cute all dressed alike in Rudolph t-shirts they had made.  Then Santa (one of our fellow campers, already had padding and a beard) arrived to hand out little gifts followed by cake.  When he was ready to go he said "my reindeer are waiting" and one little girl said "I want to pet your reindeer."  Time to back paddle.

Dinner out with Sumter Oak RV Park friends

Not that we don't see enough of the people in the park, we went out to dinner with 30 of them to Old World - a German place.  The food was good and the visiting better.

Thinking of our friends and family in the frozen north.  Maybe this will warm them up!

Pearl Harbor Day

We tried a pizza place this evening that we hadn't been to before - Monticellos.  Was the best pizza I have had in a long time!  Of course people from our park were there.  The place was packed and people waiting, some just left when they saw the full place.  The had a brisk take-out business as well.  Good to see a small family business doing so well!


"The day that will live in infinity."

Eating and shopping

We went out for breakfast today and then to Walmart for groceries and Christmas shopping.  The store isn't so crowed this time of day, still plenty of people but at least a person can get around.  I got all the Christmas shopping done until I get to Minnesota.  That is if all my internet orders arrive!

In the evening we went out for dinner.  Some people from the park were there, can’t go anywhere without seeing someone we know ----

We will be going from mid 80's to this???

Escapees lunch and shopping

We went to Clermont today food the Escapees luncheon at Golden Corral.  There weren't the usual number of people there, probably north for Christmas.  Then I went to Kohl’s for another major shopping trip and got more Christmas gifts.  The bill came to about $90 but with all my Kohl’s money, email coupons, 20% off, etc. I paid about $20 which I had a refund card (that I didn't deserve but they insisted) to pay, so I actually paid nothing.  I think I am going to own Kohl’s soon.

Then I went to Kmart, they didn't have much that I wanted.

In the evening we watched “Sound of Music” which was broadcast live.  I really enjoyed it.

Brooksville

Brooksville again today.  We went for haircuts, lunch and a Target trip.  I picked up some things at Target that I wanted and were on sale this week.  The Christmas shopping is getting done!  Hopefully I will get everything I ordered online.

National Christmas tree in Washington DC

December 1

We woke up to fog today; it didn't lift completely until noon.  Made for a gloomy morning.  We went to breakfast at Cracker Barrow.  We have been there so many times and the food and service were great but not today.   We waited and waited for our meal, the server stopped by to say she had talked to the cook.  When we finally got the food it was cold so we had to send it back.  It didn't take long to get a decent meal and we weren't charged. 

I had a gift I wanted to purchase, so while Don was paying for it I found a cape I could not live without.

We went to the ice cream social at the park in the afternoon and grilled salmon for a late dinner.  Talked to our daughters in the evening.

Cyber Saturday

I know it is supposed to be cyber Monday but I did a lot of shopping/ordering on the internet today.  We went to breakfast at the clubhouse which was followed by a craft show.  Most of the things were not interesting but one person had some plates she had decorated that were unique.  I purchased two.

We decorated the motorhome inside for Christmas in the afternoon.  Looks nice.

We went to Steak and Shake for dinner and went to pick up the movie I had reserved “Red 2”.  The same thing happened like last week, the Red Box would not respond.  So I found on my phone another Red Box which had the movie, we went to that one and it wasn't working.   Finally the third Red Box let us rent the movie.  We enjoyed the movie, good actors and action packed.  Lots of killing but they did it without the bad language that many movies have.