Wine makers 'R us...

The location...in Wellington.
Enjoying a sample while making a new batch....yummmm.
Host Lou pouring Dick a sample from the wine making party we missed.
Hostesses Monique and Renee (Lou's daughters) and our vintner.
Lou and friend...dinner followed, and a good time was had by all!

Serve no wine before its time, so when is the time????

GLAMPing life...

So you ask what we do all day, living in an RV? For starters, we get up whenever, turn on the TV for morning news as we check emails and surf the net on the TWO computers. We ride our bikes in the Resort, visit with neighbors...moi takes care of all the paper work, mail, cooking, cleaning, laundry...you know, all that stuff that goes on, no matter where or what you live in. Those are the pink duties, know what I mean?

Dick is in charge of the blue duties...yucky stuff like emptying the gray and black water tanks, repairing stuff, helping Al move a granite bench and setting up his new electronics, lowering awnings for absent neighbors on windy days...but there are also purple duties onboard. Bet you didn't know that. Those are the ones EITHER of us can do...put away dishes/laundry, clean the litterbox. You get my drift. He does pull his share of the load.......read....when I point out that he needs to do the job.......and gets it done in a normal male (un)timely manner.

We both are active in our Resort. The board meeting was yesterday (open to all owners), and I was fill-in recording secretary--no easy task with all the talking that goes on. Today's main job is to review my draft and get the final copy to the prez. Dick is working on finding more ways to get 'cheap' online advertising for our Resort. We frequently enjoy happy hour and/or dinner with Resort friends or local friends. Or simply sit out on the patio and enjoy the fine, warm weather, listening to music and reading a good book.

Tonight we are attending a wine tasting, followed by a dinner. So now you know your colors, and have a wee peek into our GLAMPing lifestyle.

Lake Worth Street Painting Festival...

Hopefully the rain that delayed posting these pictures didn't wash away the beautiful colors on the asphalt canvas! Click on any pic to bigify...enjoy, y'all...there are more pics below........

Street painting...

Chalk by number? Note the model photo on the easel.
Pink flamingo with artist.


This pond won't fill up with leaves!

Saturday crafting

Today has been fun. Well, not at 4AM when I woke up and couldn't get to sleep for a couple of hours. "Snoring Beauty" contributed to my wakefulness, and blame it on menopause while you are at it, but I won't go into that boring subject!

Fun began when friend Joan picked me up to go to the fairgrounds for the craft fair, and was it fun or what! Dick opted to stay home and sort socks; Dan was sorting the tool shed...they missed the adventure. Lots of *stuff* and boy did I rack up on buying some birthday and Christmas presents!!! And yes, I can stuff them in a closet and not give them before it is time to give them:-) After all this shopping, we went to a great little breakfast/lunch place that is owned by the son of another couple that Dick and I knew waaay back when. The food was good and friend Janet was there! Haven't seen her in over 20 years, so it was good catching up on kids/grandkids. The other bonus is that this place is only a few miles from our Resort, so I'll take Dick there soon. Very soon.

Wine and cheese with Al and Sally turned into a simple dinner, followed by a bike ride in the park for the two of us...and assistance with a late arrival to help get him safely backed into his site, no small feat after dark. That's what neighbors do.

No one incident from today is monumental, but all combined it makes for a mighty fine day in paradise. Hope y'all can say the same from where you are.

Birthday boy...

I was able to secretly buy this tee for the birthday boy the other day, and I told him he had to have his picture taken in it or he had to give it back to me!
Advertising for John G's on the Beach

Big grins and full tummies after dinner!

Happy birthday, Dick!

Dick's birthday is today...happy birthday, sweetie! He hates having his picture taken, so he wouldn't turn around and look at me. Here he is watching the kite wakeboarders below. This guy LOVES being around water, and this was a beautiful day in Palm Beach.
There are two wake boarders - pink kite and a blue one.
The blue guy was really 'hauling' on this windy day, so he doesn't show up so well! You can click on the pics to bigify!

Dinner plans include Al and Sally at the Okeechobee Steak House tonight, where if you produce proof it is your birthday, your meal is free. Oh yes, that's where the boy wants to go...friends and free beef! Life is sweet!

Computering 101

If you are having computer problems, this is what you need to do...

Take the mouse thingy and click on the whosit, then scroll down to the third thingamagig, highlight it and copy and paste to the whatchamacallit. It will take you to the gismo that you are looking for. Works for me everytime!

~~~

Computer users are divided into three types: novice, intermediate and expert:

Novice Users - People who are afraid that simply pressing a key might break their computer.

Intermediate Users - People who don't know how to fix their computer after they've just pressed a key that broke it.

Expert Users - People who break other people's computers.

Now, don't you feel smarter? hehe

Just another Wednesday in paradise...

Is everyone as sick and tired (you know in the South, you can't just be 'sick' of something...you are always 'tired' with it) as I am of all the political *stuff* that is out there? A couple of things I received recently tickled my fancy...new addition to our personal dictionary:


Electile Dysfunction: the inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

The other funny was a picture of a 'honeywagon' with the message on the back proclaiming that the truck contents possibly contained political promises:-) Nuff said.

Al and Sally joined us for lunch at John G's yesterday...and today we are meeting Neal and Judy for lunch. There is a pattern here of food and friends. Can't beat that, now, can we?! It is cool but sunny here in paradise. Hope you have some sunshine, wherever you may be.

Good news...

I couldn't find a red heart smiley face, so imagine a big grin on this one...B-I-L Roger's heart only had to have ONE bypass...and he is doing fine! Thanks for the prayers.

Dick and I both passed our flight physicals yesterday. It took FOREVER doing the eye test...new gals, new piece of equipment (read: they were not familiar with the procedure). When the doc came in, he had to 'splain the difference in the eye tests for the different classes of tickets (that is what pilot's licenses are called) and they were doing a first and second class on us. We are only lowly third class pilots (private), not freakin' air transport pilots! No wonder it was taking FOREVER to get this finished. The doc apologized and thanked us for our patience...no rebate on the price though!

Next we visited with friend Dick B, who showed us the beautiful waterfall built in tribute to his late wife...darn, should'a taken a picture of it! I was watching out for that small gator that was swimming in the pond! And dinner with our friends was wonderful, followed by a board game of marbles. I wasn't very good at it, but it was fun and we'll do it again.

We are gonna force ourselves to go have lunch at John G's today...yummmmm. Oh yes, I can work that in my schedule.

President's Day bypass and FAA...

Hail to the Chief(s)...good excuse to close all the guvmint offices and banks, not to mention all the sales going on everywhere. That is where most of the praise seems to be going, rather than saying thanks for this thankless job to the current prez and those who have gone before. Nuff said.

And b-i-l Roger is having bypass surgery on this holiday, not how he would like to spend it but necessary. Guess he'll have a nice zipper to commemorate the occasion. Dick and I are heading out shortly to see the FAA doc to get our medicals renewed, something we have to do every two years in order to be legal to fly. This is a good time to report that son Brian passed his written pilot's exam last week...wooohaaaa!!! He's havin' fun, but will be happy to get his check ride over 'n done with in the near future. We'll have dinner at Dan and Joan's house tonight...so that is our day. Hope yours is good.

Daytona 500 and cake...

Watching the Daytona 500 on the big screen was supposedly the reason to be at Johnnie and Susan's house this afternoon, but it was actually to celebrate Susan's birthday!
Susan is making strawberry daiquiris in her new Margaritaville blender. This marvelous machine even crushes and slushes up the ice and dumps it down into the pitcher...amazing!
Let them eat cake! And it was an ICE CREAM CAKE...yumm, with mini-Butterfingers on top. Peggy, Susan's mom, is checking out the cutting process, while a neighbor lady is trying to be patient waiting for her slice. It was definitely worth waiting for. That was it for our Sunday fun. The race was basically boring until the very end, but that was OK...we enjoyed visiting with all the folks there. Hope y'all did something fun today! Leave me a message, OK? I love reading them. And a very Happy Anniversary #7 to Amy and Jason today. We love y'all bunches!!!

Saturday stuff...

Check out the new light posts Dick added to our lot...and lights wrapped around the tree trunks. They look very pretty at night and help illuminate the street for those out walking and bike riding.
Sally and Al finally arrived from NJ. Here is Sally holding Andy. Check out their new, beautiful fifth wheel hiding behind the trees!

Now you can see our new 'neighbor.' It is a brand new Teton fifth wheel with all the bells and whistles. It'll stay here and not go back 'n forth to NJ every year like the motorhome had to do.

Ibis can frequently be seen throughout the park acting like teenagers--always eating!

Today was our last offical day of playing post office (no, not the game--the 'real deal') at the park office. New banks of mailboxes are being installed this weekend...Monday is a holiday...our mail will be held on Tuesday during the transition, and Wednesday---welcome........chaos. Sigh. Poor Hector, our mail carrier, now has the responsibility of sorting and placing mail for all 400 owners in these new boxes....mail that arrives with either NO box number on it or worse still, the WRONG number on it. Sigh again. I 'spose the pending postal rate hike was in anticipation of this new responsibility thrust upon the USPO. Sorry about that, y'all. Life will go on.

TGIF...

Beer, wings, friends and lots of laughs on Friday nights!
Jean, Lisa...Dick in deep conversation with Wade...what does his body language say?
Now Dick is smiling...Ginger, John and Carol...hmmm, someone wiggled and the next picture didn't turn out of the other side of the table:-) We'll have to go back and try again next week! This is a good example of old farts having fun on a Friday night. Patsy, another round, please, and more French fries...

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. Of course, we shouldn't need a commercial day to remind us of our loved ones, but I 'spose some folks need it. Dick used to bring me chocolate covered cherries each year. Hmmm, I finally pointed out that I don't eat them, but it was fine by me if he wanted to buy them for himself. Give me Hershey's Kisses any day! He finally realized that was my chocolate passion. Of course he has given me baubles every now and then, but what is even more important is the love we've shared now for almost 40 years.

Now go back to those pesky New Year's resolutions. Keep up with me. I usually don't make them cuz they are annoying and so hard to keep. This year I thought of something neat that I can keep...and actually enjoy. I decided it would be my goal to make sure I give a good hug to my guy EVERY day. Not one of those quickie, A-frame 'almost' hugs, and not (necessarily) a passionate hug, but just a simple, you-mean-the-world-to-me hug. Funny thing, we BOTH benefit from this cuz it makes for a better, happier day. Try it yourself with someone special, and if you don't have someone special, give a scratch to your (or your neighbor's) dog, cat or hamster:-) It is a win-win for everyone!

Sea World adventure...

Wow...watch those guys jump!
OK, come just a little closer and I can grab you!
Mommie, will he bite me???

Rainy day in WPB...

These flowers present a prettier picture than what we see outside currently--liquid sunshine. But that's OK...the plants/grass need the nourishment and it gives me time to sort through and organize my stampin' stuff a little better. Dick went and got a haircut (he pays extra for the hunting part), then went to Publix for me. Of course he brings home stuff I wouldn't buy, which is why he enjoys going every now and then:-)

Dan and Joan are coming over for a cook out, which may wind up being an 'eat in' rather than outside on the patio, darn it. That' OK, too, since they are such good, long-time friends that they won't mind at all. It isn't even the food that counts...it is the friendship. Yep, we go waaay back to BC...before children. As a matter of fact, these two met at one of our monthly volleyball parties we had here on the farm when we lived out on Jog Road. Back when it was only a two lane (now six!). Boy, has life changed since then! And it's gonna get better...Dan and Joan are moving to Mayberry. Permanently. Life is very good!

Sandhill cranes...

Extraordinary!
These pictures were taken in the Suntree area of Florida ~Viera~ south of Cocoa & Titusville.

A Sandhill crane couple recently had an exciting addition to their family. When they built their nest near the water's edge it immediately drew attention of passersby. Soon there were two eggs sitting on top of the nest and the mother on top of them.
The really curious passed by the site every morning and would stop their cars to get out and see if there were any new cranes yet. Many brought cameras of all shapes and sizes and would stand near the water for long periods of time hoping to catch a photo of the hatching.
Robert Grover, a dentist, didn't actually catch the birth but, he sure did capture some fabulous shots of the Momma, Papa and baby (the second egg never hatched). Then he put together a slide show with music that is just too good not to share.
Click here: ROBERT GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY - Presented by

Doodlebug having fun in FL...

That was fun, dad!
Hey, wait a minute...that's my spot! Move over!!!

Sweet Parker...

This is how sweet Parker enjoyed Mickey City. Kids head back to Mayberry tomorrow; we go south to WPB where the weather is still warm. Life gets back to normal, whatever that is! See y'all down the road...happy and safe travels.

Disney Day!

Grumps, today is all about ME 'n Mickey! This tram ride is pretty cool.
Jason, Alex and Amy
Alex isn't too sure he likes Mickey and Minnie up close.
Hmmm, this Mickey sticker looks pretty tasty!

Duck mystery name solved...and other stuff

Isn't this a handsome guy? This is the elusive duck that I couldn't remember the name of, and Carolyn supplied it. He is a Hooded Merganser, and this is a little more about him from Wikipedia:

Hooded Mergansers have a crest at the back of the head which can be expanded or contracted. In adult males, this crest has a large white patch, the head is black and the sides are reddish brown. The adult female has a reddish crest, with much of the rest of the head and body a greyish-brown. The Hooded Merganser has a sawbill but is not classified as a typical merganser.


It is not recommended to eat them, according to Carolyn, as these guys are fish eaters, so their meat isn't very tasty. Now you know! And if you've read this far, I'll tell you that Amy, Jason and Alex arrived at C's house late last night!!! We're going to DISNEY today, so check back for a picture or two of Alex for his first ever visit to the Mickey place! Can you see my huge grin??? Y'all find something fun to do today yourselves, since Super(less) Tuesday is now over!

Fat Tuesday...

What is Fat Tuesday, you ask?

Fat Tuesday is Mardi Gras, the festival New Orleans, Louisiana, is famous for. "Gras" is French for fat and "Mardi" is French for Tuesday.
The annual festivities start on January 6, the Twelfth Night Feast of the Epiphany, when the three kings are supposed to have visited the Christ Child, and build to a climax on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, which always occurs on the day before Ash Wednesday. The parties and parades will continue until Lent begins at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday.
Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in New Orleans. It is scheduled to occur 46 days before Easter. Since the actual date Easter occurs on changes yearly, Mardi Gras can happen on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9.
For two centuries it has been an annual event in New Orleans, except during the two World Wars.

Dick and I will spend the evening (also called "Shrove Tuesday") in typical Episcopal Church fashion--eating pancakes, but this time, we'll be at Don and Carolyn's church here in Winter Garden. Let the good times roll, y'all!

More Monday...camp pics

Look closely at the base of this monument, which in a cemetery at the entrance to the hunt camp, and you'll see a patch of reddish brown. It is a sleeping fox! I saw him just as he was about to lie down, assuming it was a cat. Using the binoculars, I could see that it was a fox and this photo doesn't do him/her justice, but it was a cute critter.
Carolyn (and Maggie), Don and Dick sitting in the hunt camp Jeep. Ruby's spot was in back at my feet. Actually, it was more ON my foot!
Ruby also likes to sit up front when she can. This was a fun way to ride through woods. We also saw a flock of turkeys, a couple of sandhill cranes, and some ducks--Maraschite, Marskite, Marsomething--they are black/white and have sort of a hood. They didn't like us near their pond, so they took flight. Oh yes, there was lots of cattle here and there all through the woods. We definitely let them have right of way when they wanted to cross the road!