The end.

 After some thought I have decided to discontinue my Blog.  We rarely do anything exciting or interesting so it makes it hard to find something to write about!!!

 Back to packing.  The worse part - pills, lotions, odds and ends.  I know I will forget something and the loss will be all my fault.  After practically demanding air conditioning, Don finally gave to go ahead arond noon.  (I am not suppose to touch the thermostat).

I got mostly done around 4PM, just odds and ends and then things like our Covid test results and luggage tags to print out.

Negative, which is positive

 Today was our official Covid tests prior to cruising.  They are proctored online by someone probably in Asia.  The tests went well and we both passed - tested negative.

So we made a quick trip to Walmart to get some things.  I packed like crazy when we got home.  It was hot and I started feeling bad but pushed through.   Somehow I didn't meet the criteria for air conditioning.  I got the clothing done but not the "stuff".

Watched Olympics again when I was awake.

Olympics

 If I only knew if we were cruising.  This covid test two days before one boards the ship is crazy (even if I can see why they require it).

We have been watching a lot of the Olympics.  Amazing how these athletics can do what they do!

We had orange chicken from the freezer for dinner - cleaning out!

Another cold night

Starting to get ready for the cruise even though we won't know for sure until tomorrow that are Covid tests are negative.  I moved the office stuff from the plastic folder that had come apart into the new one while shorting through to get rid of the old.

It was a cold night, down to 37 degrees but we are told that will be the last of the cold.  Heard that before!

I made "goulash" for dinner.

Valentines Day

 Another cold night, I am beginning to think it is the furnace that is causing my allergies.  Today I took one of the free government Covid tests and it was negative!  Hopefully the tests we take for real on Wednesday will be negative so we can cruise.

Cleaned the house, later we were able to open up and get some fresh air inside.

We had pulled pork sandwiches for dinner.  Talked to Brenda later.

Valentines flowers from Don - also our 58th anniversary of our engagement.

Sun, rain, sun

 Don picked up pancakes and sausage for McDonalds for breakfast as we are making an attempt of keeping away from crowds.  

It rained on and off during the night and was very humid this morning.  In the afternoon the sun came  out and warmed things up.

I am having trouble with "allergies" or whatever.  Sore throat, etc.  Don't know what the problem may be.

Talked to Sheila in the evening and watched the Super Bowl - ad's and halftime.

Sun and pizza

 Yet another nice day before it turns cold again.  Don worked on cleaning the shed and I sat on the deck.  Some friends came by for a visit.

We picked up pizza for dinner and then more Olympics.

Bushnell - twice

 Went to Bushnell this morning, had several things we need to accomplish.  Picked up my prescriptions that I was worried about getting before the cruise next week.  No problem getting them early!  Which goes to show the more you worry about something the less the problem.  

Also went to Winn Dixie for a "couple things" and came out with a cart full.  They had some good sales, for here at least.

Sat out on the deck this afternoon and visited with our neighbors.  They are leaving early this year - next week.

Back to Bushnell later to pick up KFC for dinner and then watched more Oylmpics.

Dentist Day

 Dentist day.  Don has a couple cavities that need attention.  The dentist wants to "consult" with us.  One reason we have gone to this dentist for so long as he hasn't tried to up sale us, so we sure hope he doesn't want to now.  He did hint to each of us about "caps" and "bridges"  - something we are not going to do.

We made our usual trip to Dunkin Donuts after the dentist to sugar up our teeth again after the cleaning.

It was cold last night but got into the 70's today.  Watched more Olympics.

Heart shaped donut!

Food Truck

 Sun, is that really sun?  It feels so good to have the sun warming me up.  We went to Walmart for some things - bought a couple expensive items so came to more than I expected.  Then a stop at CVS to pick up the antibiotic that I have to take (because of my knee replacements) before my dentist appointment tomorrow.

This is Food Truck day at the park, so when we got home we picked up cheese and sauerkraut hot dogs (really good) and hot brownies with peanut butter and whipped cream.  Later Don picked up a meatball sub for dinner and a bag of mini donuts for this afternoon.  A real sugar high today!

And it gets worse ---

 Rain today and Cold.   Feels like it could snow.  How awful can it get?  This weather is driving me crazy, where is the usual nice Florida weather.  

We've been watching a lot of Olympics, at least something to do as we are shut inside our trailer.

We had waffles and bacon for dinner, seemed like a good thing to have on such a cold day.

Ouch!

 Today was suppose to be the one sunny day but just not possible.  Cold and dark and damp again.  When or if it will ever end.

Cleaned the house after getting two fingers closed in a door.  Don't think my fingers are going to get black/blue but they still hurt.

We had Chicken Kiev for dinner along with a salad and baked beans.

Bad weather, tough meat

 Another dark, damp, cold day.  This has been an awful winter in Florida.

We went to San Antonio (Florida) to the nearest Denny's for breakfast.  It is a huge place and not many people there.  People are being very careful about not getting Covid.

We grilled some steak we had picked up last week.  The meat is NOT at all like what one gets in Minnesota.  And more expensive.  Watched more Olympics.

Cold again

 The weather front that has been causing problems from Texas to the NE has slipped down to Florida.  We got some rain during the night and it has cooled off a lot.  Dark and damp. 

We picked up dinner at Zacby's, good as always.  Then watched Olympics on TV.

We got our Medallions for our cruise in two weeks,  now we just have to test covid negative two days before.

ANTS

 We seem to be invaded by ants - large, biting ants.  We made a trip to Bushnell to get some stuff to put by the wheels and jacks to hopefully discourage the ants from coming inside.  I got bit once yesterday but I have this battery powered tool that heats up the bite area and is suppose to neutralize the sting.  It worked!!

While in Bushnell we also went to Winn Dixie grocery store for meat and a few other things.  The prices are hard to take, even Walmart is higher than MN.

The high today was 87 degrees!  I sat outside for awhile.  Don got the ant stuff out by the wheels and jacks so we will see it it works.  We went back to Bushnell in the evening to pick up fish dinners to bring home to eat.

Nice warm day at last!

 My day to clean out stuff.  Warm day out at last, good to have the windows open and air the place out.

When I finished my project I sat outside for awhile, first time this winter in Florida to be able to comfortably sit outside.  Then again in the afternoon.

We went to the Clubhouse for dinner.  It was smothered pork chops, al gratin potatoes, beans and a really good (and sweet) dessert.

2/2/22 Ground Hog Day

 We went to McDonalds for breakfast and then across the parking lot to Walmart for some groceries and a few other things.  A good time to go to Walmart as they were not very busy.

Don was in the cleaning mode today and cleaned out a lot of his stuff.  I was in the do nothing mode.

We had scrambled eggs, bacon and toast for dinner.

First day of February!

 We went to Brooksville today.  Had coffee and a bagel and then got our hair cuts.  I'm glad we made appointments as the place was busy.  We made a quick stop and Sam's Club and a stop at McDonalds on the way home for lunch to take home.

A warmer day, last night was a bit warmer as well.  

Sheila called in the evening, good to hear about their trip to Hawaii.

We had Bacon, Lettice, Tomato sandwiches for dinner.  Got the fresh tomato at Parksdale Farms last week.

Blue Sky!

 Blue sky today and warmer.  Last night the low was 38 so took awhile to warm up the trailer.  Which was OK as this is my cleaning day and I always warm up.

We had eggplant for dinner.  I was hungry for it and had been a long time.

More cold and colder

 Overnight it got down to 27 degrees.  That is as cold as it has been in Florida for over 10 years.  It is too cold to be in an RV.  We set the big propane furnace to 55 and it came on several times.  Don got up this morning and reset it to 65, we stayed in our warm (electric blanket) bed until 8 AM.  We decided we didn't want to go out for breakfast as we usually do on Sunday as we don't like to leave the furnace running, so Don went to Bushnell and picked up breakfast from McDonalds.

He had disconnected the water hose but had to wait until 11:00 when it finally got warm enough to reconnect.  We had water in our fresh water tank to get us through.

We watched the Sunday News shows and some other stuff on TV.  Don grilled, or I should say cremated a ham slice.  We could eat only about a third of it, this is the second time he has done this so I will MW it in the future.  We had corn-on-the-cob that we bought at Parksdale Farms last week, it was good and also a good salad.

Cold again

 It was 38 degrees outside when we got up this morning, took awhile for our furnace to catch up.  Nice bright sun at least which really helps warm up the trailer.  

It really never got warm enough to be outside.  We did go to Bushnell to pick up sandwiches from Arby's for dinner.

In the evening we watched the show "Flight" on Dish Starz.  It was good.

Fishy

 Started out sunny today and not so cold.  But we know what is coming over the weekend so are bracing.  By noon all clouds.  

Don went to the 10 AM "meeting" at the clubhouse and I stayed home again today to work on the printer.  I had thought about it over night and the solution I "dreamt" up worked.  It didn't take long before I had it up and running - at last.  

We went to Cracker Barrow for their Friday Fish dinner which is always good.  It is cod fish, Don had all cod but I had cod and one piece of cat fish.  I'm sure they would have replaced it but I like cat fish so just ate it anyway.

Food

This was suppose to be the nice day of the week!  At least it is a bit warmer but still no sun.  We went to Plant City to visit Parksdale Farms.  We had their great fresh strawberry ice cream sundaes, then we bought a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.  The sun was shinning and it was warm there but still cloudy when we got home.  

We stopped at Best Buy in Wesley Chapel to get rid of our old, old printer and a phone auxiliary battery. 

Dinner was at the clubhouse:  chicken "pot pie", vegetables, tossed salad with lots of "stuff" in it and for dessert a brownie topped with cheesecake and cherries.  Good meal.

Dang printer

 At least it is a little warmer but still rainy, no sign of the sun.  Just a little sun warms up our trailer, no sun - we have to relay on turning on heat.

Don went to morning coffee hour while I stayed home and tried to get the printer working and finally it did work.  Then Don came home - at the same time I sent something to the printer, he pulled out the paper to add more.  Messed up the printer again.  That is why I need to work on it alone!

We had leftovers for dinner and some more cherry rhubarb pie.

Cold, Wet, Awful

We went to Brooksville today.  First to Panera for bagels and coffee and to take some bagels home as it is bagel day (bakers dozen and less expensive).  Then to Aldi's for some groceries.  It was sprinkling all morning and in the afternoon rained.  Stayed cloudy all day and cold.  We had trouble keeping it warm inside.  This weather is rotten and shows no sign of getting better.

We had (purchased) pulled pork sandwiches for dinner and started on our new pie Cherry Rhubarb.  

Cold, cold, cold

The temperature got down to 29 degrees last night.  With our space heater and the electric blanket we kept fairly warm.  Was very cold in the bathroom however!  When we woke up this morning Don turned on the big propane house furnace, it ran for a long time until it got somewhat comfortable inside.  At least the sun is out today which helps warm up the trailer.

It finally got up to the lower 70's in the afternoon.  We had chicken penne for dinner and watched some TV.

Guess who these rockers are?

Waffle House!

Finally we got to Waffle House for breakfast.  We were too tired the first Sunday we first got here, then last week it was raining.  Today it is cold and a bit foggy but we got there - we just beat the crowd.  Good as always, same people as last year, good to know some things never change.

Then we went to Winn Dixie grocery store for a newspaper and ended up with some groceries.  When we got home it was 55 degrees inside.  We had to turn on the big furnace to warm up.

We read the Tampa Bay newspaper we picked up and watched the news shows.  It is forecast to freeze tonight so Don put water in the fresh water holding tank (to use overnight with the water pump) and before bed he disconnected the hose and brought in the filter.  

We had steak we bought today for dinner, it was a bit tough.  Also had a salad and sweet potato waffle fries heated in the air pot.  Then cherry pie we bought last week.

Waiting for my pecan waffle!

Printer problems prosiest.

 A dark and cold day.  Our windows were steamed up on the inside this morning.  Had the heat on all day, I didn't come to Florida for this!  Then it is just going to get colder tomorrow and be cold all week.

I fought with the printer in the afternoon.  Will not work on Wi-Fi, tried an old cord that had a bend, finally ordered a new cord.  Hope that works as we will need the printer.

We brought home a pizza for dinner.

Horse pills

 We went to morning coffee (no coffee now days because of Covid, they don't want all our infected hands on the coffee pot).  We had a discussion about Covid, vaccines, horse pills, etc.  We were about 50/50 on each side.  Some people are so far out in their thinking that it is just wild.  They won't take the vaccine as it hasn't been tested enough but will take the horse worming pill.  Crazy - we need to find a new topic.

Dinner was from Zaxby's.  They have good BQ chicken, we got boneless chicken wings.

Thursday

 We had breakfast at McDonalds.  This McDons has been very busy in the past but not today.  Then we went to Walmart for groceries and a couple other things.  Like usual we saw people there from our park.

We spent the rest of the day reading and doing Sudoku's.  It was warmer today, we had the windows open until dinner time.

Dinner was at the clubhouse tonight.  It was very good, pulled pork on buns, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans and strawberry cheesecake bars.

Warm up please!

 Another cold night, got down to 37.  We stay warm but it can get to be a challenge.  I didn't come to Florida for this, hope it warms up now like forecast.

Don power washed our shed today, now we need to wash windows!

We had waffles for dinner.

Cold in Florida

 We went to Bushnell today.  First we drove around a big RV park which was mostly full.  Then we went to the grocery store Winn Dixie.  They had some good sales, but if something is not on sale it is expensive.  They do have a good bakery.

It got down to 39 degrees last night, we stayed warm sleeping but getting out of bed this morning was a challenge.  It warmed up during the day.

Don grilled brats for dinner.

Martin Luther, Jr. birthday

 Clean the house day, just like at home.  It takes just as long to clean this little place as it does our house.  We finally have a little blue sky but it is on the cold side.  Cold nights forecast.

We had left over Chinese dinner.

Sunday

 We were finally going to go to Waffle House for breakfast but woke up to a thunder storm.  It then rained on and off all day.  We just stayed home.

We hooked up the printer which worked perfectly last spring but now refuses to work.  We tried several things and finally decided to order new ink.  Don't know if that is the problem that could shut down the whole printer.

It cleared long enough for us to grill a ham slice for dinner.

Closed

 Cold night, the first of a weeks worth of cold nights.  Once it warmed up outside, Don power washed the trailer.  It really was dirty and moldy.  Now to wash the windows inside and out.  Always something!

We decided to go to our favorite pizza place for dinner only to find the name had changed and it was closed.  No note on the door or reason but closed on a Saturday night.  So we picked up Chinese dinners at the place next door.

Friday in the Park

 A welcome slow day.  We were going to the morning meeting at the clubhouse but it got to be time, we weren't ready and decided to just stay home and get some things done.

Don ordered his Income Tax software which met it was my job to install.  It should be quick and easy but it was not.  I'm not sure it is yet working as I don't know the software so Don will have to see how it is working.

We picked up Beef O'Bradys Friday special for dinner, fish baskets.  They were good.

Bushnell

 After drinking our coffee and watching some morning TV we went to Bushnell for MORE groceries.  I think we are at full capacity now!  First we stopped at the private person's place that sells "Home Defense" that we put out when we are gone for most of the year to keep the mold and bugs down in our trailer.  We were out and good to have on hand if we need to make a quick exit like the last couple years.

In the evening we went to dinner at the clubhouse, our first time this winter.  It was good and good not to have to cook.

Back on TV

 We went for morning coffee time for the first time this season.  Not many people there but good to see the ones that were there.  Lots of catching up to do.

Don washed the jeans in the park laundry.  He also blew off the concrete part of our deck, many small branches and of course dirt had gathered.

The Dish Satellite person was scheduled to come tomorrow but he called to say he was in the neighborhood and wanted to come today.  That worked for us, we are ready to have TV again.  It didn't take him long and we were back on satellite TV.

I fixed some chicken and pasta from a frozen bag we got at Publix.  Turned out it was better than expected.

Brooksville

 We went to Brooksville today.  Panera for bagels and then dropped stuff off at Goodwill.  Went to Aldi and Publix for more groceries.  Our refrigator now looks like someone lives here and eats here!  We picked up cheeseburgers at McDons to bring home for lunch.

In the afternoon I washed another load which catches up with the dirty clothes.  Don got one of our propane tanks filled so will will have heat for the coming up cool nights.

We had bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwiches for dinner.

It is a beautiful day, low 70's and a nice breeze.

House, wash, put away day

 We finished cleaning the house and I started washing clothes in my little washer, beats going to a laundry matt!  Another exhausting day but seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Don called DISH TV and they had a deal for us, of course.  So Thursday we should be watching TV again.  I haven't missed the TV, nice just to read and relax.  We haven't gone to any park activities yet, just too tired to be sociable.  

Unpacking

 Don got the car unloaded today and I worked on getting things put away.  We brought way too much stuff.  I had no idea what Don had left as I was in the hospital at that time.  We also brought our cruise clothes that mostly went in the storage space under our bed.

I also cleaned what needed to be done, counter tops, etc.  It was a busy day, my back hurt greatly.

Talked to our daughters in the evening.  Had some microwave roast beef for dinner.

Made it!

 Last lap!  Locals are complaining about the cold weather - they have no clue what cold is like.  We got to Bushnell with no outstand problems.  Lot's of traffic in Florida like usual but no slow downs.

We made it to our place about 5 PM.  Got rid of the stuff that keeps the mold in check and opened up.  Trailer seemed to be in good condition.  Then we went to Bushnell for a sandwich and to Walmart where we spent over $100  on groceries and still didn't get all we needed.  Had  to put it all away when we got back.  We brought in what we needed for the night.  Don had to hook up the electricity and water, rest will wait until tomorrow. Good to be back to our comfortable bed!

30 hours total on the road in 3 days.

Effingham to Platteville Alabama

 Still cold when we got on the road today.  At least the motel had a good breakfast bar.

Nashville had a very rare snow storm, TV reports were that it was mostly closed down so we made the decision to go through Memphis where the snowstorm had gone through a day earlier than Nashville.  (It was warm enough that our sensor didn't freeze today, thankfully.)  On the way to Memphis we saw where many, many vehicles had gone off the road.  Some were still in the ditches.  Our GPS got us through Memphis with no problem but on the south side we got on a bad, narrow road with many trucks.  Of course this was the time the car gave us the "Low Tire" warning.  We couldn't pull over, no shoulders and way to dangerous so we drove slow to finally find a gas station.  Don checked the tires and they were all fine.  Thank goodness.  Still having trouble with the wind from the glove box.

It was a long trip to Birmingham Alabama.  It got dark, we stopped for gas, got back on the road.  Guess the GPS was tired as it got us on the wrong road.  I sensed something was wrong and finally looked at a map.  Sure enough we were going SW rather than straight south.  I reset the GPS and it found a cut-across road the got us on the correct road.  We got into Platteville Alabama about 8 PM - exhausted.  We stayed where we usually stay but must had gotten their bad room.  The bed was hard and the heat made a bang sound when it came on.  

Before stopping at the motel we picked up chicken wraps for dinner to eat at the motel.

 

Apple Valley to Effingham

 We got up at 5 AM and finally got on the road at 7 AM.  Lots of last minute stuff to do and things to put in the car that couldn't freeze so couldn't go in last night.

It was bitterly cold.  The roads were bad to the Iowa border and still not great.  We would get behind a plow and no getting around it as the plow created it's own blizzard.

We were not without car problems.  In Rochester we started getting a loud steady sound like one of our warning sounds.  We finally discovered it was the exhaust blowing back on a sensor and freezing causing the sensor to give the warning.  Nothing we could do.  We tried stopping and cleaning the sensor but would only help a few minutes, so we just turned on the radio loud and ignored the noise.  The second problem was a cold breeze coming from the glove compartment.  Some vent didn't shut or something.  I was freezing, finally got a sweatshirt to go over my legs but still cold all day. 

We finally got to Effingham, Illinois to our motel.  We tried a different one this time, a Country Inn.  We were disappointed - the shower was just a dribble of water, the bed was hard and squeaked when you move and the heat sounded like a alarm.  Won't be staying there again.  

At least there was a Cracker Barrow near-by where we could eat dinner.

Sun Dog:

Day before heading South

The forecast storm wasn't as bad as the weather people warned but we did have snow and some wind so I'm sure the roads were bad until the plows got out.  Glad we (I) decided to wait a day.  Also still had more packing to do - mostly last minute stuff.  Washed what dirty clothing we had and cleaned around the house.

On the road bright and early tomorrow!