11/25 thru 12/3

Day after Thanksgiving-Black Friday. Up early to buy lanai chairs and coffee table at Home Depot and a refrigerator at hhgregg. Arrange to pick up the lanai furniture on Tuesday and a Tuesday delivery of the frig, then on the road to Suwanee River. Spending the week end with Alan and Diane. Friday night we go to the restaurant/lounge for cocktails and dancing to Justine Case, fairly good music. Saturday we're off to Okefenokee Wildlife Reserve, our senior National Park pass gets us in for free (always a good thing). Most of the reserve burnt this past summer so we take a boat tour to have a look see, the water is very low so can't get as far down the channel as they generally go but that is okay as we saw lots of alligators but only one bird. Sunday morning we take a four mile walk around the RV park then head back to Sarasota. Figure it will take us X amount of hours but didn't count on a fender bender that had traffic backed up and slowed down for many, many miles. Took almost an hour to go ten miles.

Monday morning we get up, drive to our regular parking spot at Starbucks on Fruitville and Honore and then walk 4 miles to weight watchers. Surprise, after Thanksgiving and a week end out we both lost weight. Don't know how but very happy. Monday Al and Diane get into town and doug and Al go pick up our lanai funriture.

Thanksgiving

Today was a great day. Started with a trip to Starbucks for coffee and to read the newspaper. Afterwards we drove to the Legacy Trail and did a 21 mile bike ride in two hours. Got home and after getting ready went to Todd and Shannon's for Thanksgiving dinner. When we arrived Amber and her husband Mark were there to visit and watch football on TV, also there was Aaron and his girl friend Adriana. Later Adan and his girl friend Samantha arrived and we all sit around visiting and watching football. Todd was outside preparing the deep fryer for the turkey, unfortunately the fryer didn't work. Aaron drove to Wal-Mart and bought another so the day was saved. Todd also cooked a turkey in an Infra-ray cooker and it was very good and a lot healthier than the deep fried (which was also delicious). Home now and getting ready for tomorrow when we will go to the Suwanee River to spend the week end with Doug's cousin Alan and his wife Diane.

Day before Thanksgiving

Yesterday was a complete relaxing day for me. Doug went with Amber for the inspection of the house she and Mark have put an offer on, Mark had to work. After they had lunch Doug went for a haircut and Amber came to our house for the afternoon. The three of us went to see Puss in Boots and to be truthful it wasn't that good but the popcorn made up for it.

Today it was up, drink coffee and read the newspaper afterwards we did 30 minutes of Bob Harper Boot Camp workout DVD. Went to the store and got all the items need to make a low-fat pumpkin pie, hope it taste okay. Tri County Air Conditioning and Heating was out for our yearly check up on our air conditioner. No problems so good for another season.

Doug has gone to Sam's to pick up his medicine and when he gets back he will BBQ some salmon for supper and I'll cook a butternut squash. Our day will then be ready to wind down and it will be early to bed as we will get up around 6 for a bike ride before dinner at Todd and Shannon's.

St Armands

Another beautiful day in Florida, got up had coffee and read the Sunday newspaper. Decided that our exercise for today would be a drive to the Ringling Bridge, park under the south side and then walk over to St Armands Island. Every week end there is something going on at the circle in St Armands, today it was a Mustang Club Car Show. Was a fun way to spend several hours. Not all the cars were Mustangs, some Thunderbirds, Ford 150 Lightening pickups and one Mark VIII convertible. Yes, we know there were no Mark VIII convertibles, the owner told us a company took the car and customized 23 of them. We talked with the gentleman who had the first one that was customized, he paid $65,000 to have it did. Guess some people have more money than they can ever spend :) The walk to and from the island is around five miles, so good exercise for the day.

Need a new refrigerator so went looking for one on our way home, think we found what we want. Because our home is a modular we have to be careful looking for a certain size. Talked about taking down the cabinet over the old refrigerator but lucked out and found one we like that will fit.

Yoga

Yoga this morning, feels good to stretch. Helps keep the body limber.

Walked over to the community center this after noon, nothing much going on.

Went to the mall and saw the movie Tower Heist, funny funny movie.

Siesta Beach

Coffee and newspaper at Starbucks this morning then seven-mile walk on Siesta Beach. Suppose to be in the 80's again today. Beautiful sugar sand, light breeze.

Next up to Home Depot to buy a couple palms to plant on both sides of the driveway. Also got two tomato plants to put in flower bed, the tomatoes in the grocery store are tasteless and sometimes just plain bad.

Day starting off pretty great. Todd and Shannon will be over tonight for Mexican Supper, tacos, refried beans, Spanish rice and chips and dip. Oh and good Mexican beer.

Met friends for drinks the other night and heard some good news, they are getting married!!! Congradulations, Karen and Paul. We're very happy for you. Had planned on leaving for Home2 on Oct. 1, but will stay around to help them celebrate. Leave the next day for Canada, Minnesota, Gettysburgh, Washington DC and them Florida arriving around Oct.30.

Labor Day was a labor day and we enjoyed every minute of it. Went to Kent and spent the week end with Bryan and family. Helped seal his new fence and it looks wonderful. Maggie can now run outside and not have to be on a leash. Came home on Monday and was glad we were headed for the Tri-Cities as the traffic headed into Seattle was backed up from the top of the pass back to Ellensburgh.

Back into exercising, it's been so hard this summer to keep at it. We've been gone so much and so active working around the house that exercising just didn't fit in to our schedules. But now we are working out every morning with one of two tapes, Yoga one day and Weights the next. Plus we walk or ride our bikes seven plus miles after the work outs. Maybe we can take off some of this weight we've packed back on this summer.

When we first got home this spring had our fish pond remodeled and it turned out beautifully. Ended up with two ponds in the place of just one. One one side we have 13 gold fish and on the other 2 large Koi. Spent a week in Canada when Doug's step-father, Cecil, passed, on turning found a small fish on the Koi side. Wondering if they had a baby or if one of the goldfish somehow got to the other side.

Next had the area behind our bedroom screened in so we could sleep with our french doors open. Have a small table and two chairs out there so we can sit and have coffee and read our newspaper in the mornings. I admit we enjoy our life :)

Yesterday we walked down to the mall and saw the movie "The Help". I would recommend it as one of the better movies I've seen this year.

So tired, been traveling so much. Seems like we just got back to Richland and already will be leaving for FL in a month. Weather has been cooler this summer, never making it into the 100's so the pool hasn't been used much. Over family reunion all the little kids spent much of their time in the pool but the adults just watched.

Has been a sad summer also as I lost a cousin to a heart attack, only 49 years old. Hadn't seen her in years and was looking forward to getting reacquainted at the family reunion but she passed the Monday before. On the day we were leaving for her memorial got the news that Doug's step-father had passed away. Had just seen him at the Minor-Dickinson reunion so that was good. All the grand kids but two were there as we celebrated Doug's Mom's 90Th birthday. I know they are glad that they got to see Cecil one last time and I know he really enjoyed being there and meeting all her grand kids. Last, just heard that a daughter of another cousin just passed away. Debbie was in her 20's, I believe, and had cancer since she was about eight years old. As I said it has been a sad summer. It can only get better. Things happen in threes and I've had my three....

OMG Snow

Here we are in Valentine, NE and there is snow everywhere. Knew we left FL to soon. Shorts, sandals off and long pants and tennis shoes on. dang.

Week end at Verl and Lynda's was great. Dustin in from Hawaii, Alex from OK, Brittany camping in the back yard and party all week end. Lynda threw a great party with lots of BBQ, potato salad, beer, wine and Marquita's. Verl is now a licensed preacher, a gift from the two boys.

Left Monday morning and made it to McPherson, KS. Just a long day of driving, did stop at one casino where Doug won $60.00 so we are up $20. WOW

Only made it 490 miles as someone took a nap without telling the driver to turn on HWY 83 so when "they" woke up we were 27 miles pass the turn off and had to turn back. There went almost an hour so we only made it to Valentine, but that is okay. Met up with my cousin Dean and his family in Grand Island, NE for lunch and had a very good visit. They have just returned from a vacation in Ireland. Their daughter Rita and her husband, Jeff joined us and we were able to see pictures of their adorable little boys. Hope they all can make it to WA for the family reunion.

Third day on the Road

Day one found us driving 515 miles and spending the night in Pensacola, FL, the city Todd was born in 43 years ago. Would have liked to drive by our old homes but can't remember the address. Stayed at the Comfort Inn because they have a fitness room. Asked if there was a Whataburger close and found out one was a mile down the road. Doug and I walked down, talking about the Whataburgers we ate as a young married couple and how Doug would have to fight to keep Todd and I out of the fries on the way home. Bryan always had more will power and could wait with his dad, but oh the good smells in the car. What we now realize that memories should just stay that...memories. So disappointed in the burgers not at all what we remembered. Next day drove about the same distance but it took almost an hour longer as we got on HWY 90 and drove along the gulf. Beautiful but slow going only 45 mph. Time to get ready to drive to Verl and Lynda so will continue later.

Busy week-end

Monday and a day to relax after a very busy week-end. Saturday was a pool party at the community center and what a lot of fun. Four hours of non stop eating, drinking, singing and swimming. Unbelievable the amount of talent in the community. Sunday we had a cul-de-sac party at our house and a great time visiting with all our neighbors. Everyone came and plans are already in the works for another next season. Didn't really relax too much today as we had to walk to our weight watchers meeting to let our leader know we are heading to WA on Thursday. Have to get serious about this weight loss thing, we've been partying way to much here. Tomorrow having Todd and Shannon and the grandkids over for pizza and a last good bye until in the fall. we'll miss them but looking forward to getting back to WA and seeing Bryan and his family.

Beautiful Saturday

Another day closer to leaving and know it will be hard as it has turned so beautiful here. Temp in the 70-80's. Went walking at Rothbough Park today, it is a nature animal preserve. Known as a deer park we've only seen the deer once, but seen alligator, armadillo, and tropical birds many many times. Had Todd, Shannon and Adam over for tacos tonight. Sent the left overs home with Adam tonight. Young man is always hungry and says he can always eat. Always enjoy spending the evening with family. Tomorrow Adam and some of his co-workers are throwing a BBQ at the beach at Nokomis so will spend the day with family and friends, looking forwrd to a good time.

14 days and counting

April 1 already here and we are starting the process of closing Home2 for our return to Home1. Always look forward to changing our address every six months, we are just gypsies at heart. Guess it started all those years ago when Doug decided to go into management with the RR and it meant relocating. Thinking back on all the homes we've owned, cities and states we've lived in and realize we wouldn't change a thing. Know some have spent their whole married life in one city and one home and are very content. We on the other hand can't imagine not living the life we have. We believe we gave the boys a chance to see how other people have lived their lives and how customs change from state to state not just country to country. Hopeing by the time we reach Richland the weather has started warming up as Doug hates to wear long pants anymore. Much to do when we get there as the fish pond needs to be finished and the fish brought home from Dan and Marisol. We really appreciate them boarding them in their pond this past winter. Seems strange to be writing in this blog as it has been so long, hope to be better at it this time around.