Farewell Christmas! Farewell 2015!

Thursday, December 31, 2015
After water aerobics and a good long soak in the hot tub this morning, Ken and I tackled the job of removing all the Christmas trims around the house as well as washing all the Christmas T-shirts so they too could be stored away until next year.  The tree was put back in a big long box ans stored away in the front room storage area while all the rest of the trims as well as napkins, placemats, and shirts were packed into a big plastic bin and stored away in our shed.

Now we have a denuded house that challenges me again to come up with some ideas as to how to decorate it and make use of the front entrance area which is now a large basically empty room.  This area doesn't have air conditioning or heat so it is limited in how it can be used.  It was a perfect place for the Christmas tree but now, what???

Ken and I took some time in the middle of the afternoon to go to Ruby Tuesday for a late lunch/early supper so I could enjoy my free birthday hamburger plate.  Both of us ended up enjoying a big salad from the salad bar along with the burger and some fries.  Delicious!!!!!

After a walk around the park enjoying the lights on the various homes and RVs one more time,

Ken watched the Cotton Bowl..  Michigan State via Alabama...  while Bette Foulke and I had fun playing Qwerkle and Quiddler.  In between we had fun in our bedroom changing the look.  She had brought over the quilt, shams and curtains they had used in their motorhome and no longer needed.  We tried them out.  What a change!!!!!!  A little work with my sewing machine to make the curtains fit properly and it will have a whole different look all thanks to their offer of these items.  Now I'm eager to paint the walls a light blue.

We can hear all kinds of fireworks going off outside, and many in our park are at the New Year's Eve dance but tonight we wished friends a Happy New Year as we were on our walk and that is the extent of how we are celebrating this night.  Instead, we are off to bed well before the bewitching hour.

Being Twogether

Monday, December 28, 2015 For several years now, Ken and I have been following the daily blog written by full timer Nick Russell who also puts out the Gypsy Journal, a newspaper for full timers  Today's blog was so good, I've copied it and am posting it here so I can refer back to it whenever I wish.  Ken and I have LOVED being full timers but we are always looking for ways to make it better.  This really points out some important points. Our day today included a trip to LazyDays to check on our "captured" motorhome and get a couple of items from it.  We were pleased to see that it is now in a paint booth and they are actually painting it!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!  They told us today they are hoping to have it ready for us by January 10.  I'm not holding my breath but, maybe just maybe we'll have our home back again.  Meanwhile we are having fun experimenting with living in a park model here at Hillcrest RV Park.  Who knows, maybe this experience will put a second home back in our lives.  Only time will tell. After our stop there we continued on down to Brandon and met our long time friends from Michigan, Bill and Elaine Patton, at Sweet Tomatoes where we enjoyed an early dinner together and better than two hours of conversation before we were frozen out by the air conditioning.  They were in the area to take their son Larry and his wife and kids to the airport so they could return to Michigan (well Will had to return to Texas and the rest to Michigan)  They called while we were there to say they might have to be picked up as there was a possibility their flight would not go due to freezing rain in Michigan.  Winter and the problems that come with it began today after a very very long warm fall with temperatures in the 60s still on Christmas Day.  Of course, we, too, have had unseasonably hot weather here in Florida.  We understand it is suppose to begin getting cooler on Sunday.  We'll see. Being Twogether Posted: 27 Dec 2015 11:02 PM PST No, that’s not a typo that I left in the headline to give my proofreading friends a migraine. It’s a word that I made up to describe living long term with your spouse or partner in the close confines of an RV. It is a situation that can be either heaven on earth, or pure hell, depending on the couple. At my seminars on fulltiming at RV rallies I always tell newbies and wannabe RVers that it’s one thing to love your significant other, but if you plan to live the RV lifestyle, you had better really like each other, too! Because when you live in a 2,000 square foot house and start to get on each others’ nerves, or have a little spat, one of you can always retreat to the bedroom, garage, or workshop until you cool off. But if you live in a 300 square foot box on wheels, there is nowhere to go to escape! Back when I was teaching for the Life on Wheels program, a couple sat though my The Reluctant RVer seminar, in which I explore the concerns that many new RVers have to deal with that are holding them back from totally embracing the RV lifestyle. They came up to me later and thanked me for talking them out of selling their home and becoming fulltime RVers. They said that they love to travel, but that they are always arguing and stepping on each others’ toes in hotel rooms because they each didn’t have their own space. They had hoped that RVing would be the answer. They told me that my class convinced them that this would have probably ended in a divorce. Not everybody is cut out for the RV lifestyle, and I’m glad that they realized it before they sold their home and invested all of their money in an RV. So what does it take to have a successful relationship on the road? I think the same things that are required for any relationship, only more so. Communication is probably first and foremost. A lot of guys are terrible about keeping things inside of them until they fester and blow up. I’ve been guilty of that myself more than once. If something is bothering you, or if you are not enjoying something, talk it out. Ladies, if he is a slob and you are tired of picking up after him, or if you need some help with the household chores, tell him so. Don’t just bite your tongue and let resentments build. I always tell Miss Terry that I can read books, magazines, and internet blogs, but I can’t read minds. Compromise is just as important. If one half of the couple wants to spend a few weeks sitting still, and the other one always wants to be on the go, something has to give. Agree to spend a few days sightseeing, and then block out some downtime for just relaxing around the RV park, reading, watching TV, or whatever it takes to recharge your physical and emotional batteries. You both have to be on the same page. Does the husband see RVing as an endless exploration of the back roads, seeing new places every day; while the wife envisioned a lifestyle where she could go and spend quality time with the kids and grandkids scattered around the country, staying in their driveway or in a nearby RV park for weeks at a time? Before you start, discuss what you both expect this new lifestyle to be. Treat every day like your first date. My dad told me once that a man should always treat his wife with the same respect and consideration that he did on their first date, and it was good advice. The little things mean a lot. My wife and I may have just had a terrible argument, and we might both be ready to poke each others’ eyes out, but you’ll never see her get into a car without me holding the door for her. Guys, compliment your wife when she makes you a nice dinner, and tell her how pretty she is. And compliment her for no other reason than that she deserves it. And ladies, it’s not a one way street. We need some positives strokes, too. When you arrive at a campground at the end of a long day on the road, thank your husband for getting you both there safely. If you get hung up in heavy traffic, or have to thread your way through a narrow construction zone, compliment him on his driving skill once you’re in the clear. In the RV lifestyle, you will have to depend on each other for everything. Even RVers have bad days from time to time. Our lives may seem like a permanent vacation, but the reality is that you might be a thousand miles from the nearest familiar face, you might be sick, tired, or discouraged about something. You may be feeling insecure, you may be homesick for the grandkids, or you may just have the blues. Having a loving, supportive partner can help you get through it and back to the sunny side of the street. Of course, the flip side to that is that when the sun is shining, life is good, and you are excited about the day’s new adventures, it sure is great to have your best friend by your side to share it with!

No More Storage Fees!

Saturday, December 26, 2015
Lana Buchanan came over in the late morning and we enjoyed some "tea" time using the pot she gave us as a house warming gift along with a set of cups.  It was so nice to be able to reflect on our past couple of days of celebration sharing the special memories we each experienced.

Then Ken and I tackled the BIG job.  We cleared an area in our new place for storing all the items still left in our air conditioned storage unit over on SR 54 -- primarily photos, movies and slides.  Now that we have a place to keep them we can begin the big job of sorting through them and figuring out ways to pass those memories along to our children.  Last year we had most of the movies copied onto DVDs and gave them to the kids.  But there are a few left and then a tremendous number of photos including ancestral photos and of course gobs of videos.

There were many items left in this house they we didn't want so those too needed to be packed up and put into the storage she in the back of the house so they can be passed along in February when the next major missions yard sale will be held.

It feels good to have at least begun the process of getting a good number of our things under one roof except of course for all the stuff in the motorhome that will continue to remain in it since it will still be home most of the year including our monthly four day outings with Mid Florida Winnies while we live here in Florida.  Hopefully it will return here soon.  At least they've finally started the process of painting the repaired parts - bent door, missing fender, scratches from the blown tire and corner of the front end from the fender bender on our drive through Atlanta on the way to Florida.

Christmas Day

Friday, December 25, 2015
"Today....there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

What a joyous piece of news to the shepherds over 2000 years ago and what fantastic news for those of us today.  We have a Savior! A personal Savior! Today we celebrated again the greatest gift of all - this gift of a Savior - hope. Someone to guide us, provide a place of rest, give support, take care of us and love us even when we are unlovable.  And best of all the promise of a home with Him when we leave this world.

And what a wonderful day it was in this realm!

• Time to enjoy our new to us Christmas tree and open presents sent by the kids (except for a special one that we couldn't have till later in the day.
  
• A festive dinner at our place at noon with Ron and Kathy Alesin, Mike and Patti, and Jim and Sandra Cole.
• A 3:00 pm conference call with the entire family all arranged by our youngest, Janet.  We couldn't physically be together but this gave us the gift of an hour to simply gather as a family and share with everyone listening in.
• A FANTASTIC gift presented on the phone - the kids and grandkids will ALL be gathering at Trails End Resort in Branson, Missouri in July and they've arranged for us to stay in the campground just across the road.  We'll have a whole week to enjoy together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• A visit from Frank and Bette Foulke and their daughter, Carol and her 2 girls Elizabeth and Katherine and her boyfriend Jesse.  They came bearing a special cake made by Jesse and lots of lovely Christmas cookies for us to enjoy together.
• A gorgeous sunset followed by a full moon to light the way for caroling
  
• Two hours of caroling with others here at Hillcrest as we went up and down each street singing and shouting Merry Christmas to those who stayed near home or a neighbors to enjoy our singing.  Such a delight to see all the smiles and be part of our very caring residents.
• A furnished home to return to - a place to reflect on all the "miracles" and joys of the day.  We've now had a little over a week in this new home that is already collecting wonderful memories.
  

Christmas Eve

Thursday, December 24, 2015
How can we possibly be near the end of another year already with the holidays upon us - Christmas tomorrow.  The time really does fly!  And the weather doesn't even send any clues that it is December.  When we awoke this morning is 72 degrees with 99% humidity and that was at 7:00 am! Before the day was done we hit 87 with continuing high humidity.

Anyway, I was off to physical therapy early with an 8:00 am appointment.  But did have good news that the exercises I'm doing are making a difference - just not as much as I might want but the legs are getting straighter.

By the time I got back the choir practice was breaking up so I missed that but did get to chat with everyone and got the good news that Ron Brendel was able to move his fingers a little on his right hand.  That was exciting since Saturday he lost all use of the wrist and hand caused by a mini stroke. This means there is every hope he'll regain the use of his hand.  And Mary Gray is perking up.  She has been moved out of ICU and hopes to go to rehab shortly.  Shirley Davis is now settling down at rehab and feeling enough better that she is ready for visitors.  So lots of good news today.

Beth sent pictures of the boys making gingerbread houses and cookies and Sue posted similar pictures of her boys also making the houses but theirs were out of graham crackers - done the same way all of our children did them on Christmas Eve all the years they were growing up.  It is so neat to see traditions like that continuing on in the next generation.

This is Scott working on his and below is Jason working on his

And these were the results of their efforts

And here are Sue's two boys working on theirs - Reilly and Jackson had the fun of having mom join them and make one too.

So here are Reilly, Jackson and Sue's creations

Ken went to the theater to watch the new Star Wars movie while I enjoyed some time out on my bike and visiting with neighbors - it felt so good to relax and just enjoy time with them.

In the late afternoon Sue called and we got to just chat about lots of different things.  Jackson is still struggling after his girlfriend, Carolina, broke up with him with absolutely no explanation a couple of weeks ago.

As it got dark, we were able to see the big beautiful full moon up in the sky.  It has been over 20 years since we've had a full moon at this time.  It doesn't happen often.  And how nice to have clear skies so we could see it and warm weather so we didn't mind being out to enjoy it.  Santiago Huron, a local who does much of the cement work in our park, came to our campground tonight with 12 of his children to sing carols while moving around the park on a flatbed trailer one of our residents pulled behind his truck.  They did a beautiful job and what fun to follow them around, listen and then greet groups of neighbors who had gathered at various points to hear them

There are lots of decorated trailers and homes too so I snapped a couple of pictures of them especially this cute one of an RV with Santa in it.

Then, we ended our evening with a beautiful Christmas Eve service led by Emma Jean Cook.  Karen did the Luke scripture and Orrie did a beautiful solo to round out the service.  The best part was all of us joining hands to make a complete circle around the edges of the clubhouse so we could see each other,  join together in prayer, sing Silent Night and at the end with Merry Christmas to all those around us.  This really is an amazing park with so many caring people. 

Record Heat and Humidity

December in General
The newspaper this morning (Dec 24) once more confirmed that this December in Florida has been one of the warmest ever in the record books.  When we awoke this morning at 7:00 am it was already 72 degrees with 99% humidity.  Thank goodness for air conditioning because before the day is out it is suppose to hit 85 degrees yet again.  I'd love to wear my Christmas shirts but they are all long sleeved and this is definitely not weather for something like that.

According to the paper the average temperature for this time of the year is 71 degrees for a high with lows much lower.  Instead, Dec 14 - 17 we had record high overnight low temps and we've already had record highs a couple of days - and today and tomorrow look like they will also be record highs.

Those coming to Florida to enjoy vacation time and visits with family will LOVE this weather but those of us here are ready for it to cool off and have the humidity drop.  Still it is all better than ice and snow which is pretty as long as you can stay inside.  But then in SE Michigan it was in the 60s yesterday and there was a tornado in Canton just a couple of miles from the Ratcliffe's home.  In the south ten people lost their lives in tornadoes and flooding is extremely bad because of all the rain.

Sue sent this picture taken this morning when she was out running in Pharr Mill Park which is at the end of subdivision. 

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!!!

Church Street Stroll

Monday, December 21, 2015
I finally made it to water aerobics this morning!!!!!  It is my first time in the pool since we arrived at Hillcrest this fall.  Between my fall off the bike that scraped up the knee and some work done on my toes, plus a move, there has been one road block of another keeping me from hitting the pool.  Sure felt good to finally get in though the water was a mite cold this morning BUT the air was fabulous.  Another 80 + degree day here in Florida.  Warmest December I remember.

We drove down to Lazydays this afternoon to get a few more items out of the motorhome that we need over the next few days including the coffee pot so we can serve coffee when friends come on Christmas Day for dinner -- or for that matter when friends just stop by for a chat.  The adventure got a bit involved as it was not in the bay where it has been, nor where our service advisor said it was.  But eventually we found it.  They have installed new steps and are starting to prime the exterior parts that have been installed.  Just maybe it will be done sometime within the month :-)

But the best part of the day was traveling up to Dade City with friends Frank and Bette Foulke and Jan Reed to enjoy the Christmas lights, music and entertainment along Church Street.  Every house decorates for the 3 day event and luminaries are placed along the sidewalks on both sides of the street for all three blocks.

At many of the homes, groups or individuals provide musical entertainment.  One house has an elaborate display with lights flashing to the music.  Then true to the streets name there are three churches each providing choral entertainment in the sanctuaries.  At the Methodist Church we all sat and enjoyed a large bell choir perform and then a choir and men's group sang Christmas music.

Many of the local businesses create huge panels wishing Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc and those are placed on the lawns of the various homes.  The art on them is just as fun to see as the light displays.  In the past they have served hot chocolate at several stations along the route but we didn't see that this year, perhaps because it was still quite warm even after dark with 85% humidity.  We were all strolling in shorts and short sleeves and still sweating!!

We Have TV!!

Thursday, December 17, 2015
The morning of October 21, we took our motorhome to Lazydays to have some exterior work done as well as a few small items inside.  Today we visited it.  It is now in a bay and being worked on after sitting outside of it for weeks and weeks while we got the run around on the repair work.  Meanwhile, we have stayed in a variety of motels, visited two of our children and stayed in their homes, gone on a cruise (great way to get not only a place to stay but food and entertainment), and stayed in a very beat up, small, old trailer that belongs to a resident in our park in Florida. Yes, there was a TV in our room on the cruise ship but who watches TV on a cruise ship.  Yes, there were TVs in the motels and our kids homes but we really wanted time with the kids, not sit and watch TV.  And our stays in motels were more for a place to stay while going from place to place not to sit and watch TV.  And the trailer had no TV.  So basically we've lived without for about two months - which has been especially tough for Ken who loves to watch football and this is football season.  In fact, the Panthers - Sue and Tim's favorite team (so of course one we follow), has won every single game to this point (13 games) and Ken has not been able to watch any of them!!!!!!

BUT today, we purchased a TV and put it into our newly purchased park model home at Hillcrest - the RV park where we have stayed every winter since 2006.  By 9:00 tonight he had it up and running and even watched a little football before calling it a night.  JOY!

It Is All Ours!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015
We gave Dale and Emma Jean the check for the house and moved in the remainder of the stuff from the trailer as well as some things that have been stored in the shed including Ken's Fantasia figures and pictures which we set up on the shelf between the living room and dining area.  By the time the day had come to an end we had transitioned the house to our home.  Christmas trims were up in front, dishes, silverware, etc were all in place in cupboards and drawers. and pictures were up on the walls.

We did take time out briefly to call our son Dan, to wish him a very Happy Birthday and got an e card off to our friend Steve Weber who was also celebrating a birthday today.

So here is our new home at 248B

This is the entry area with a stacking washer dryer behind the curtain and of course the tree.

This is the living room.  The door at the back is the entry to a very tiny 2nd bedroom that we will probably use for my sewing machine and projects.

This is the kitchen and eating area

And this is our bedroom.

All of these pictures were taken before we had moved most everything in so it now is a bit more ours with our stuff on walls etc.  But at least it gives an idea of what we are living in now.

Oh yes, and this is our backyard that overlooks the cow pasture next to our park.

Once we are a bit more settled I'll post update pictures.

Our First Night

Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Today we moved the items we'd purchased at the yard sale as well as our clothes over to the new house.  We did some cleaning up and put those things away plus did several loads of wash.  Dale and Emma Jean still had a few items they needed to move but had told us we could spend the night at the house rather than deal any longer with sleeping in the trailer.

What joy to have a bathroom we could fully use and a queen bed to sleep in after making due with the trailer with its mold between the walls, bathroom with no door, lights that didn't work and minimal space for doing anything.

Monday morning Emma Jean arrived at the morning breakfast at the clubhouse with a boxed Christmas tree she said didn't get to the yard sale.  She wanted to know if we would like it.  Ken wasn't keen but knew how much I wanted to put a tree in the front room so that was the first things to arrive at the house this morning.  it had lights already on it so we were able to quickly set it up and turn on the lights.  I was thrilled!

A Christmasy Disney Day

Monday, December 14, 2015
More later

An Amazing But Exhausting Weekend

Friday - Sunday, December 11-13, 2015
Friday was set up day for the huge Missions yard sale held at Clubhouse 2.  Ken and I were there moving tables at 7:15 in the morning and worked all morning unpacking contributions, getting them out on display on tables both inside and outside and pricing them.  We also set up the tables and equipment on the porch for the bake sale and hamburger/hot dog sale.  Over 40 volunteers showed up to help get everything done.  And once again we found ourselves amazed at the amount of stuff that comes in from residents.  In fact, there was more than we've ever received before.
 
At 11:30 we allow all the volunteers to shop for items they would like as thanks for helping.  Ken and I picked up dishes, silverware, a toaster oven, a chair, bedspread with matching pillow shams and alot of other stuff for the home we bought last night.

After lunch out with our friends Glen and Lana Buchanan who had also been working we returned to work on the signs that would be posted out at the entrances and at the corners along State Road 54 the busy street closest to our park.  Ken is in charge of signage as well as picking up ice to keep the water and pop cold that we sell during the Saturday sale.

I also created cookies for the bake sale.  Truly a busy and exhausting day!!

Then Saturday morning I was off to the Clubhouse by 6:30 since stuff shows up overnight and needs to be priced(that after returning Friday afternoon to price things brought in late) and put on the tables for sale.  While we advertise the sale for 8-Noon, we know that by 7:30 crowds will be gathering and we must start at that point.  We sold gobs of stuff, ran out of food, shortly before noon, and started packing at that point so we could give all that remained to Habitat for Humanity that was sending a truck to pick things up.  Cleanup was done by 2:00 including the regathering of signs.  Then Berta Mercer and I sat down with the money and rolled coins doing a final count to prepare for depositing it in the bank.  We made just over $3,000 dollars!!!!!!!!!!  We were exhausted but reved because of the success and numbers of people we'll be able to help.

Then Sunday, we sang for worship in the morning, attended an hour and a half rehearsal in the afternoon for the evenings Memorial and Christmas program during the ice cream social.  And before we knew it, it was time to perform at 6:30.  The program went well but by the time it was over we were done in!!!

That was alot to pack into a weekend.  But it was gorgeous weather - sunny and in the 80's and we had helped earn lots of money, remember those who had died over the past year and ushered in the Christmas season here at Hillcrest with the paegent and Christmas music telling the story of Christ's birth.

Flash! Flash! We Bought a Home!!!!

Thursday, December 10, 2015
After several long discussions as we traveled to Texas and again while traveling home, and then more discussions on our even walks around the park, we bit the bullet and told Dale and Emma Jean Cook that we'd like to bring dinner to their home tonight and talk with them about their place.  They have already moved to another location in the park so that is where we went.  Ken picked up a large Sergio's Special Pizza and I made a salad to take over.

By the time we left we had come to an agreement leaving a deposit with them toward the purchase of their double wide park model.  They are still moving items out of the place but told us it would be available next week.

So there we are -- we are the new owners of 248B.  Pictures will be forthcoming.

Traveling Back to Florida

Tuesday/Wednesday, December 1/2, 2015
After lots of hugs and farewells to our family in Texas, we packed up the car and set off for Florida on a very cold dreary morning - especially sad because we had to say goodbye knowing it would be a long time before we would see them all again.

Well over 500 miles later we pulled into the Quality Inn in Hattiesburg, MS for the night only to discover they had assigned us to a SUITE!!

Not sure why that happened cause it was actually a free night earned from all the points we've gathered since putting our RV into the hands of LazyDays for repairs.  But what a nice surprise!

It had been a long day of sitting and especially long day for Ken who drove the whole way with the last couple of hours in a driving rain.  We did make a couple of stops to stretch, get gas and enjoy the view of the changing colors of the trees in Louisiana,

and another at the Welcome Center for Mississippi.  The back of the building had a lovely porch that offered a view of both a railroad and highway bridge across the mighty Mississippi River.

Once we were setttled after going out for a bite to eat we enjoyed having a sofa where we could sit and read the newspaper provided by the hotel and then set up the computer and handled a few basic items before calling it a night.  While Ken was doing that, I went out in the hall and walked from one end to the other till I'd brought my steps up for the day to over 5000.  Having the Fit Bit kind of forces me to remember the need to move even in situations like this where it is raining and we've been out all day driving. Yes, that is not the 10,000 I should be doing but pretty good considering the day we've had.  :-)