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.

Black Friday

I helped the merchants to get into the "black" today.  We went to Brooksville, spent a couple hours at Kohl s and an hour at Target.  In-between stores we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for a refuel of coffee and donuts.  Ate a late lunch at Chick-fil-a.  My legs were hurting in the evening.  I got a lot of shopping down but not all.

Thanksgiving Day

We went to Cracker Barrow for our usual Thanksgiving turkey meal.  It was good as usual, we brought home a plate for "leftovers" for the evening.  Later we called to wish our daughters Happy Thanksgiving and also Lisa and Jay and families at Jay's house.

It was a nice relaxing day!

Rain Rain go away

The day was SO hot and humid that we could hardly stand being outside.  It was one of those days Minnesotans would predict a bad storm for sure.  We went to Brooksville to do a little shopping and did very little stores were so crowded.  I may be doing the bulk of my Christmas shopping online.  We had lunch at Panearas, hadn't been there for a long time.

There were tornado warnings for the afternoon until 10 PM, but we didn't get much until after 10.  There was a thunderstorm with a lot of rain and it kept raining and raining.

No breakfast

We had breakfast but not at the clubhouse as usual on Saturday.  They had propane problems, the stove uses propane.  So we ate at home.

Later we ate dinner at Beef O'Brady's and picked up the Red Box movie "The Internship" which we enjoyed.

Humidity

There is so much humidity that for the first time here mushrooms are growing in our yard.  I don't know about mushrooms, but I doubt any are magic!

We went to dinner tonight at Cracker Barrow, good as always.  Slow day which which was OK.

Where were you?

50 years ago today I was a senior at Belle Fourche High School.  Lunch time and I went out to my car to drive home, turned on the radio.  Usually there was music at this time but someone was talking, it wasn't until I got out of the parking lot that I realized what they were saying was that President Kennedy had been shot.  There weren't saying he was dead, just that he had been shot.  We turned on TV at home when it was announced that he was dead.  I took my "transistor" radio to school, we listened to the news all afternoon.

Kennedy was the first president that had caught my interest, he was young and almost like a Hollywood star. I felt the tragedy as if it was a personal friend that had died.

Sumter Oaks 12th Anniversary

There was a good roast beef dinner at the clubhouse followed by entertainment.  The entertainment was a woman who impersonated a number of famous singers like Dolly, Char, Chero, etc.  It was good if not a little long.  She had a friend of ousr get up to be Sonny to her Char, that was really funny.  All he had to say was "I got you babe" but he managed to goof it up!

All this was to celebrate 12 years since Escapees took over the RV park.

Quick trip turned long trip

We went out for breakfast and then Walmart for "a couple things".  Then a stop at the post office and to get Don's prescription.  The prescription part took 40 minutes while I waited in the hot car.  I finally called him and gave him the choice - come back later OR I would go home and come and get him later.  Somehow that hurried up the process and he was out in a minute.

Today has been the poster day for humidity.  It was 94% this afternoon but for some reason I was banned from turning on the AC.  Finally I gave another choice - turn it on or be put up with my foul mood.  It just took a few minutes and it was already feeling better inside.

I had to think cool ----

To Tampa and beyond

We went to Tampa today, ate at Sweet Tomatoes of course.  Then it was a quick stop at Lazy Days RV and on to Camping World.  Finally we loaded up on fresh vegetables at Parksdale Farms.  A good trip and good to get out of our park.

Sunday

We ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel and in the afternoon went to the ice cream social at the clubhouse.  Read our two Sunday papers and talked to our daughters.  It was a good day other than the humidity.

Our hearts go out to the people in the middle of the nation who lost everything in the weekend storms.

Eating out = again

We went to the clubhouse for good French toast this morning and to our favorite (in Florida) Chinese place to bring home dinner.  A hot and humid day!!!!

,Yes

Rain, Rain

It rained most of the day which made a humid day even more humid.  Guess we needed the rain---

We went to Denny's for dinner, this is an unusual Denny's as the food and service are usually so much better than other Denny's.  BUT tonight they must have had their replacements working - the food was good but service lacked.

Walmart and dinner at the RV park

We made the mistake of going to Walmart at noon, all the crazies were out in force.  To add to the problems two people were loading shelves and totally blocked a main aisle.  Could they have not done so at a different time?  Maybe it is a plot to get me to shop elsewhere.  Then I was looking for soda crackers and could not find them anywhere, turns out they are in a side area with the detergent, makes so much sense.  There is one aisle completely devoted to Christmas candy so they had to delegate to crackers to detergent.

In the evening we went to dinner at the clubhouse, they had King Ranch Chicken.  I liked the meal but some people thought it was too spicey.  The same people who need to add some spice to their lives.

11-12-13

People are getting married today 11-12-13 in masses because this day just come around once.  I thought every day just came around once.

We went to Brooksville to do some shopping and to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.

Up north

just 30 miles to Wildwood for dinner at Steak 'n Shake.  Good as always.  We rented the movie Django Unchained and enjoyed it more than we thought we would.  It was funny but really dark in places.  Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio

Fabulous weather

What a nice day - we have to prepay for the nice days.  We get one or two after several days of high heat and humidity.  We sat outside all afternoon reading, etc.  Only problem was one neighbor decided we all wanted to listen to their bad music.  I dug out a CD and put it in the outside player which was probably the first time it had been used, turned up the volume to drown out the other music.  Shortly someone asked the neighbors to turn down their music, so I turned down ours.  Why is it that some people have no respect for their neighbors?

Busy day - for us!

We went to Clermont to the Escapees monthly meeting at Golden Corral.  Don and I cut out as soon as the meeting portion (after lunch) was done to head to the theater in Clermont.  We went to Gravity 3D.  As we were waiting for the show to start a couple we know walked in - we never see anyone we know at a show!  We enjoyed the show, lots of tense minutes.  Glad it wasn't any longer.  Now I know where they got the name Gravity form in the last few minutes.

After the show Don insisted we get our annual Flu shots.  We had to wait awhile, but that is done.  I ended up with a sore arm in the evening and had to put on ice.

Following the show I did a little shopping and we returned home getting a Subway on the way for dinner.



.

Walmart again

Had to go to Walmart again today, it's getting to be a bad habit.  Our gas grill fell apart yesterday from overuse.  Thankfully they had a replacement!  Of course we needed more groceries.  We went to McDonald's for breakfast and found a good time to visit Walmart is early before the crazys arrive.  Good conversations at coffee today - on topic was the about the white football player that used the "n" word.  We all agreed that if Paula Deen was burned at the stake for using that word years ago the football player should get fired as well.  But we all know a football player is much more important to the world than a cook.

Sunday breakfast out

We went to Cracker Barrow for a good breakfast and then we came home and read the two Sunday newspapers we get.  I talked to our daughters in the evening.

Dinner out with 46 of my closest friends

We went to dinner at Beef O'Brady's with a crowd of people from our RV park.  It was fun and good food.  Usually not so many people come but perhaps because this was the first eating out of the season, lots showed up.

In the morning we had a fine waffle breakfast at the clubhouse!

11113

First of November!  After coffee at the clubhouse, including solving the world problems - we went to Walmart for groceries.  It was so busy it drives me crazy but we needed some things.  We had lunch at the very busy McDonalds.  The rest of the day we stayed home away from the crowds.

Aloha Friday!  One of my favorite places----

Halloween Party

We went to the Halloween Party at the clubhouse tonight.  It was fun, too much good "finger" food.  Some people had good costumes - one couple were hippies, he had a long hair wig.  One woman dressed as a convict in a striped jumpsuit and her husband dressed as a police officer, handcuffs and all.  We emptied our bottle of wine, I think I had about 3/4 of it.  I made a very easy dip in the afternoon and found Pita crackers to have with the dip.

Dip -
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chunky salsa (I used medium, might have been better with hot)
1/2 cup grated parmesan (kind in can)

Mix and chill

Tampa Trip Today

We went to Tampa today, first to Sweet Tomatoes - one of our favorite places to eat.  It is a salad, soup, muffin buffet.  Then it was Old Time Pottery to see if on some outside chance they would have beverage glasses to match to ones I bought several years ago.  After some looking (you can't imagine how many glasses they have) I found mine!

Then it was off to the new Camping World where Don had several things he needed.  He also got me a flamingo that has a solar light.  Very cute!

From there we went to Parksdale farms to load up on fresh fruit and vegetables, also got a gerbera daisy.

Great nephew Quintin

Brooksville

It was off to Brooksville today for haircuts and shopping.  We had lunch at CiCi's then hair cuts and CVS, Sam's Club, Bealls, Walmart.  Lots of walking.  I was very tired when we got home.

First Ice Cream Social of the season

We ate breakfast at our all time favorite Denny's.  It looks like a Denny's and has their menu but that is where the similarity ends.  Best pancakes!  In the afternoon we went to the Ice Cream Social at the campground clubhouse - sherbert for me.  Talked to our daughters in the evening.

Chinese Dinner

We had our favorite (in Florida) Chinese for Dinner.  What a nice day, we dug our chairs out of the "basement" and sat outside reading in the afternoon.  A few people stopped by to visit.

Dade City

We went to Dade City for a fish dinner at Captain D's.  It was remarkably good, hot.  Even the hush puppies were good.  We are enjoying the nice cooler and drier weather.

Just another day in the park

We go to 10 AM coffee in the morning and that is about it for the day.  Good to relax and catch up on reading and computer stuff.  We grilled some brats that have been in the freezer for 3 months - tasted fine!

A day to catch up

Just stayed home all day and it felt good.  We both got some stuff done around the motorhome.  Don is complaining about all the dishes we have to do, I reminded him that's because we are eating at home.  Tonight we went out for dinner.

Settling in

We didn't sleep well last night, we were too tired I think and not accustomed to the AC running off and on all night.  It was a hot and humid night and today is the same but worse.  We did get a lot done around the motorhome.  I got it cleaned and stuff we don't need put away, a couple hours later it looked trashed again so we had a major put away time again.  (I think I sent the message that dumping stuff wherever is not acceptable, a few things out of place make the whole motorhome looked trashed.)

We went to 10:00 coffee, it was good to see people again.  Not everyone is in yet but more expected every day.  We didn't even move the car today from the awkward way I parked in when we arrived.  Just didn't feel like going on the road again.

Made it to Florida

After 10 hot and grueling hours on the road in the motorhome we made it to our site in Florida.  Heavy traffic most of the way.  Why is it when people see a couple cars pulled beside the road and a state trooper they have to slow way down to take a look?  We had one short but major slow down and another 20 minute slow down caused by gawkers.  Get a life!

We got an early start but it didn't take long to get hot.  Heading south in Florida we have the sun come through our big front window and it bakes us.  We were exhausted and it was about all we could do to hold it together to do a minor set-up so we could get to bed.  The good news is we and our equipment made the trip in without incident.  The diesel is officially broken in now, they say you need 30,000 miles before it is fully happy.  And it is a happy motor, just hums along.

Anouther day at Gulf Shores

We had breakfast at Don's favorite place - Waffle House.  Not just any Waffle House but the one near here.  I went to Old Time Pottery and got a rug for the front inside steps and a new comforter for the bed, this time in golden-green.  Then it was Camping World, we hadn't been to one for a long time so had a list.  I also purchased a flamingo with a pink streamer that catches the wind.  I hope there is a suitable tree on our site in Florida.

I caught up on the laundry in the afternoon, Don took the jeans to the laundry to dry as it is raining off and on so the cloths line wouldn't work.  We went to Chick-fil-a for wraps for dinner, brought them home.  It is cooling off tonight so will need heat, we plan to get an early start for Florida in the morning.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

After another 8 hours on the road including two diesel stops we made it to the Escapees Plantation RV Park.  A nice park and level sites, good to be level after last night.  We came a different way this time to avoid all the traffic lights coming into Mobile, we got on I 10 sooner and zipped east right through Mobile.  It will be good to stay here two nights before heading to our leased site in Florida.

Foley Alabama is know for it's flowers along the main road, they change them with the season.

Vicksburg, Mississippi

After 8 hours and 4 states we made it to Vicksburg.  The drive involves plenty of hills and curves in the morning and two lane roads in the afternoon.  It is the most grueling drive on our trip.  We are at a casino campground that doesn't know level sites are important to us RV'ers.  It will be up and on the road tomorrow again.

Hunt for Arkansas Black Apples

Actually we didn't have to hunt them this year as we now know where to get the apples - at a little store by Harrison, Arkansas.  We also got some tomatoes and candied pineapple and chocolate peanut clusters!

Dutton Family and Rib Crib

We had dinner at the Rid Crib in Branson, a good ole rib meal.  Then we went to the show "The Duttons"  with is a very talented family of musicians.  We enjoyed their show!

The Duttons

Branson Train and Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House

This morning we rode the Branson Train for the first time.  We have been here so many times and never quite got it done.  It was a great trip through the hills and valleys into Arkansas - about two hours long.  We enjoyed it very much.  There were a lot of loud and wild kids on waiting to board so we boarded toward the last and kept walking through the cars until we found one with all adults.  On the return trip one couple eventually decided we needed their wild kid to liven things up and resettled in our area.  Finally the grandparents of the kid (who didn't know what "inside voice" means) retrieved the kid back to where there were.  My suggestion to the train people would to have an adults only car.  It's not that I dislike little kids, just the ones who can't be controlled by their parents.

In the evening we ate at the Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House, home of the tossed rolls.  We had very good dinners - way too much food.  We have leftovers for another meal.

Branson Train engine

View from the train

Inside the Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House