Short Drive for Moving Day

Short Drive for Moving Day 

Monday February 20, 2023

This morning we got up had our normal morning Moving Day routine. Pulled out right before 11:00. Went to the spot we picked out at that medical building up the road. We sat there about a half an hour, we could see three other rigs nearby waiting too. 

Jim was trying to strategically plan when to pull out based on the time the GPS was giving us. We were only three or four miles away or so. As we were pulling closer towards TTO, we can see the long line of rigs in the turning lane, and there was a cop sitting there. Not sure what he was doing, I told Jim make the U-turn, make the U turn.

 So he went up to the Publix at the light made the left U-turn all very slowly, got in the turning lane. There was a ranger in a golf cart there waiting. He put his hand up for us to stop, of course we did. Then he looked at his watch, and looked at us and waved us to go first ahead of the line that was waiting there.

We were #1

 Later I told him thanks for rewarding us for not getting in the line super,  super early like so many do.

I told Jim some people might hate us here now.

So we were number one. Said hi to Darlene she  was at the gate. We went up and got checked in asked to be near MaryJo in bungalow. She said nothing's there, but I have a perfect spot for you. Tammy took us up and we had one rig between us. Yea we have a concrete pad.

 It was a little bit sunny in the living side but it will be Shady later in the day. But Jim had a lot of shade in the back as he hooked everything up.

 Before we even got back in we had switch crew Angela and Sean stopped on their ebikes to say hi. We're with switch crew family again. 

When we were in our site, MaryJo came over to welcome us to the neighborhood. Jim took our picture together. 

We really became fast friends and feel like I have known her for way longer than a few months.

Before I went inside to do my chores. I decided the wheels were so dirty, I couldn't stand it any longer. So I got a bucket a Magic Eraser and a glove and spray we bought for them. And started scrubbing. Made a big difference, although the picture doesn't show it.

Had to hurry to get out of the sun ASAP.

The left one is finished, The right was the dirty one.

What a nice site we have.

After we were finished outside I went in to set up. I texted my cousin Wanda a while ago and never heard from her. So she didn't give me a warning text and just called. So I figured I might as well answer. We talked for the whole 2 hours I was setting up. It doesn't take any where near 2 hours. I got lunch ready and ate while I talked to her. 

Later after Jim had the golf cart together we took a ride around and alot of Switch Crew here, Val and Kev are still here. Billy and Cindy are here. Harold and Cindy Strange from  One Strange Adventure found out later they were on a Cruise with Todd and Sheila.

There is another couple right up from us Reese Family in a super C, they have small kid toys outside, have to figure out who they are.

Riding around TTO is alot of fun.  Feels like home here.

Later Billy and Cindy stopped over and we had a lovely visit with them outside. 

 Then shared this beautiful sunset together. Cool reflection on back of our truck.

The rest of the day we just chilled and relaxed.

NO Rodeo, Disney Springs and CHOCOLATE

NO Rodeo, Disney Springs and CHOCOLATE 

Sunday February 19, 2023

Lately I haven't been able to sleep well, except this last week. I woke up at 3:20 a.m.. couldn't go back to sleep. Got up at 4:30 a.m. I worked on this blog until 6:00 a.m. then I decided to go back to bed and slept till 9:20. I think I'm just so excited about life and all our fun,  I can't sleep well., LOL 

We were trying to plan something for today with Billy and Cindy. This is our last day at Lake Magic, and they are in TTO. We decided over the phone to go to the rodeo. Today's the last day it's open. We checked the website,  but we didn't buy tickets ahead of time hoping we can get in, turned out to be a bad decision, or maybe a good one.

 We got kind of a late start, it was way after lunch time when  we met Billy and Cindy at the rodeo. We got there first and when they were close,  we were giving him directions to get in. We pulled in first and saw a big sign for where to park and also it said Rodeo SOLD OUT. So we switched it up,  made a  U- turn out of there and told them to pull over somewhere and we would come to them. They went into a Publix and we eventually found them. I said think of a plan B.

As we drove around we passed the sling shot, ride. We were near it a few times, but I just got a good picture of it. You can see people going up and now in it. NO way.

Decided to walk around Disney Springs 

 They have seasonal Disney passes. So we decided to go up to Disney Springs. Jim and I were there already, but not with a professional Disney guide, LOL. We met them at Publix and parked the truck and jumped in their white Jeep with them. I just put a post of it on the yesterday's blog. They're white Jeep is so awesome. Cindy and I jumped in the backseat and we went to Disney Springs walked all around I took a whole bunch of pictures. 

We've always drive by this cool building with these I always assumed fake plants on the outside. And Jim said he told me, but I didn't remember, it's actually called the vertical garden of Orange at Disney Springs parking garage.  This is what the fake flowers look like from the inside. 

We found a little bar / restaurant place

Crazy booth 

 we could sit in and have a drink and chatted with them.

 Shared an appetizer and drinks. Of course I had my water. We had a lovely talk it was so nice to spend time together without the hustle and bustle of a Huddle.

 And just spend time with each other, not being pulled in a million different directions,  it was so much fun.

Had a lovely water View.

 Then we walked around a little more found this awesome chocolate store. Cindy bought six pieces of this Gourmet homemade fancy, fancy chocolate.

Handmade so beautiful too.

So many different flavors.

We were going to share it for dessert, later the four of us. That was very nice of her to do, and it was fantastic. 

Then we were looking for a place to go for dinner away from here. We found a place called Joe's Crab Shack,  had a wonderful dinner chatted 

Above Jim's shrimp and I had fish.

After dinner we shared the chocolates was so good, 

and, they dropped us off at the truck and we got home about 9:00 p.m. thank you Billy and Cindy for a fabulous day.

Funeral

Funeral 

Saturday February 18, 2023

Ever since the last Huddle we have been planning to go to a funeral of one of our switch crew. We met Tom at the last meet and greet, and again at a Huddle and learned of his wife's passing. She was very good friends with Cindy and Billy. I never did get to meet Tammy. But we wanted to go to support Tom, Cindy and Billy and our switch crew family. 

We planned on meeting Cindy and Billy at the funeral which was in Auburndale. About an hour and a half from where we are now, in Kissimmee area in Lake Magic an Encore Park. 

The funeral started at 11:00, we planned to arrive at 10:30. We got on the turnpike to save time. 

It's right across from Adelaide Shores RV Park, Beautiful park, we know Mike and Candy have a cute park model in there. I texted her, thought we could stop and say hi on the way out, but I never heard back. Also my friend Dee stayed there and loved it. I even texted her. There it is.

Arrived just after 10:30, Billy and Cindy were already inside. We sat  with them. There was 6 of the Switch Crew total. 

 There's so many things I could talk about in today's post. Tom has such a strong faith and did an amazing job talking about his wife, Tammy and the last year of her life. How her faith grew. It's hard to explain but the switch crew really changed my life.

I just feel so moved and blessed to have become part of the switch crew and to be involved in their mission and movement to help others and change the world. Even if it's in our own small way and to share the faith. 

First Tom and Tammy's daughter spoke. She did such an amazing job talking about her mother. And then we listened to Tom speak of her. How God was in her life and took care of her all the way till she passed. He did an amazing job of explaining  what I call God winks. 

When we were at the Huddle he told us about a few of them. He repeated them here and there was so many more. I can tell about a few. Her body was full of cancer, everywhere. She needed radiation, and she was about to go for a procedure, but he told us of how they moved her from one table to another and broke her arm.  So then she was never able to get the radiation treatment. 

 Tammy wanted to be an organ donor. After she passed. They called to ask Tom a million questions to see if she would qualify. He said they asked him all kinds of questions and a lot of them were ones they asked for blood donation. And then they talked about the procedures she had, and when they asked about radiation. Tom said NO she was supposed to get it but never did.

 He said there was a long pause and he thought they were disconnected. But the man said if she would have had the radiation anywhere on her head they wouldn't have been able to donate her corneas. So he feels that she was not able to get that treatment for a reason, and she could still help two people have sight even after she passed. 

It was a very special and powerful moment. The other moment that was incredible, their Pastor that spoke today, his mother had just passed away. A week before Tammy. Apparently she was very good friends of Tammy, who  was only 65 years old.  Even with such an age differences. After the pastor's mother died, Tammy said I wish I could be with her Saturday. Meaning to go to her funeral, Tammy was still in the hospital, and couldn't go, so a few days later after she passed they were able to be together on Saturday in heaven.

After the funeral we are all invited to go to the building next door for a funeral luncheon. It was probably the best  funeral lunch I've ever been to. This has been Tom and Tammy's church for I think he said 13 years at least. The congregation was so sweet and brought the most delicious and varied hot food items. It was such a lovely meal. The room had big round tables and all six of us switch crew sat together. There we are sitting there enjoying this lovely meal. The room is filled with his friends and family, and he comes and sits with the switch crew, 

It really moved me that he sat with us. I was Constantly fighting back the tears, well  ever since we arrived. That didn't work for long.

 At the end right before we left I was so compelled to go over and give him a hug. Tell him I wished I would have known her what a wonderful job his daughter and he did speaking of his faith and his wife.  I told him how the switch crew family changed my life, he was a big part of that, and I've never felt so spiritual or so  moved, since our very first Huddle in Texas just over a year ago. 

 I always need pictures for this blog, I told Jim it would be so weird to take pictures at a funeral. Jim agreed.. But I really wanted a picture of the six of us.

 As I felt that feeling a few times throughout the morning and afternoon. As we sat there Tom said,  loudly, WE should get a picture together, with our Switch Crew Banner. Billy had there's in the Jeep..

So we all went outside and after we got out to the parking lot his daughter took a picture of the six of us.

 We said our goodbyes to Tom and his daughter.  Goodbye to Billy and Cindy, we will see them soon when we go to Orlando. 

Then we headed out for a drive to Arcadia Florida, to go to K & J meat and produce. 

It was a beautiful sunny day today, but not too hot. We got to the meat store and loaded up. I bought six T-bone steaks, four New York strips, three huge packs of chicken boneless skinless thighs, two packs, what  I thought were ribs, found out later they were pork chops. A huge pack of ground sirloin. All the beef was for Jim but I eat the chicken and pork. I also bought strawberries, peppers, zucchini, Bananas,  Etc. ALL for $135.00. Thought that was GREAT. 

After we packed up all the meat we headed back home. It was a good hour drive and arrived after 5:00 I think. I repacked all the meat, and got it in the freezer out front and Jim grilled  chicken we had dinner a bit later. 

What a day. AMEN

Regular Chore Day, Margaritaville, and BIG Decision

Regular Chore DAY, Margaritaville, and BIG Decision 

Wednesday February 15, 2023

At

Lake Magic Encore Park 

This morning after breakfast and lunch our usual daily routine.  We took a ride to find a place to park on moving day, to kill time. We have to leave here at 11:00 a.m. and cannot go into TTO before noon. So we found a medical facility probably less than 3 miles away from here, with a big parking lot to pull into and wait for a bit.

 Then we went to the post office and we went in together and mailed the box of chocolates I found for my MIL. That  said made in Germany.  

Then we went to Lowe's to look for a piece of plexiglass, couldn't believe how expensive that piece was, wanted it to put all of our RV YouTuber stickers on and some electrical things for Jim's work in progress. I found 2 flowers I want to add to my one pot. Looking for 2 different cleaning products that I couldn't find. 

Then we went to CVS for Jim's Xarelto, and stopped at Dollar General for TP etc. 

Our main goal was to get to Walmart but Jim was pooped by then. So we'll procrastinate for another day. 

Went back home, later I got out both my instant pots and made my cabbage casserole for myself. In the 6 qt.  with turkey burger, onions, cabbage, rice and water, after I cooks for 3 minutes I put in a can of tomato soup, and a little spaghetti sauce. In the other instant pot I made spaghetti with hamburger for Jim. After dinner we just relaxed for the rest of the evening. 

Thursday February 16, 2023 

This morning I was able to get on my phone and do some listening to NOBS, then I took a shower, washed my hair went outside and put the two flowers I bought yesterday at Lowe's in my flower pot.  I also washed a load of towels. After they were in the dryer, we left to go to Chili's for lunch, Jim had a margarita.

OK, Did this ever happen to you in a restaurant. We had a lovely waiter, he even gave us some ideas for things to do in the area. I asked the hostess,  she said, you'll have to ask the young people, I never go anywhere. OK. I didn't want to ask him because, Every time he came to our table, he had so much cologne on I could hardly stand it. Ever since I was pregnant the first time, 39 years ago, OMG it's bad when your kids are old too, lol. I was so sensitive to perfume, I even stopped wearing it myself. Jim even bought this scented deodorant one time, and I said you either have to get rid of it or move out, LOL.

 The problem is people get so used to the scent and think they can't smell, that other people can't either, so they  put more and more on, while people are dying from the smell. It gives me such a headache. I kept taking the menu when he walked away and fanning the air away.

The manager came out to interview somebody  right next to us. It was a very quick interview, I was so tempted to say something to him. It was one of the dress code policies where I used to work, take a shower geez, but don't bathe in cologne.

Then we went to Margaritaville Sunset  walk. 

We walked all around a lot of restaurants, shops,

 Taco restaurant 

 beautiful views of the sky and palm trees. 

Cool Tiki hut they were working on. Cute Jimmy pic.

We walked past this movie theater that has reclining seats and you can get served a meal inside before the movie. Grabbed a couple pictures quick, but nothing we wanted to see. Plus it was just to beautiful outside.

Really cool yellow tree saw walking back to truck.

Don't know what it is, or if it has any pollen that kills me, but love yellow.

 Then we finally got to Walmart. Not to exciting.

On the way home we drove past this 55 plus Community called The Oaks. I said oh let's run in there quick. Jim said REALLY, he wasn't too thrilled, but he did pull in. He wouldn't go in with me, but I said maybe we could get a tour, if not today some other day. Just wanted to check it out for future info and always possibly for my MIL. 

So I went in, there was a beautiful kitchen area where people trickled in to get a cup of coffee.

 A lovely living room sitting area on the other side, 

a workout room and a beautiful view of the pool.

 There was an office there that had a sign be back later, out on a tour.   I popped into a craft room. There was a whole bunch of people working on some craft thing,  and they all looked up and smiled at me,  that was nice. I asked about signing up for a tour. The lady gave me some info which I took along. Thought maybe we could do it tomorrow. I took the paper out and gave it to Jim, and grabbed my phone, I had forgotten it, I had to go back in to get the pictures. He couldn't believe I was going in again. But it was worth it to get this content for this story. I know alot  of it is boring, REAL life stuff, you know, but they are even worse without a picture. LOL. When I came back out, he said it's REALLY EXPENSIVE, we can't do that. We'll DA I didn't think so, but fun to look, his Mom could. It was fun to see the floor plans too. Mister negative.

We got home and took a golf cart ride.  Jim grilled some chicken and we had dinner together.

Friday February 17, 2023

So we've had a big decision to make, that's been really hard. To spend the money, or not, on the next Huddle in April in TN. We love the Switch Crew like family, but it can be expensive, but it's so worth it. So we bit the bullet and decided to live to the fullest and sign up for our next Switch It Up Huddle. 

Then later today I made an apple dump cake in the instant pot. Just fresh apples, Cinnamon, a little brown sugar,  a little box cake mix to cover, and top with and thin slices of butter. That I didn't do yet when I took the picture, I didn't forget though. 25 minutes in the IP, get it out asap, so top doesn't get to wet, when it beeps with a quick release. 

after the 25 minutes 

 When I woke up my Greek yogurt was ready, it's in the 3 qt.  for 12 hours. I put it on overnight. I didn't think I ever took a picture before so I took one with a spoon in the middle to show how thick it is.

 Then after lunch we got ready and made a trip to TTO for the Canadian Connection was playing they're from 2:00 to 5:00.

 We arrived and went to the dance. Someone told us that everyone from TTO is on one side of the room and the other side was people from Lake Magic, where we still are. It was like at a wedding the bride side and grooms side of the family. 

 Everybody said oh you're finally here, I said no we're just crashing the party but we leave soon, on the 20th. 

We had a wonderful time as usual, Jim even danced with me a lot. I love dancing with my people. 

 Jeanne was there she went to the pool, she stopped in to say hi,  before she went back to her RV, she gave me a hug. She was still pretty wet from the pool, and I gave her a really big hug and said oh you're so cool, it was very refreshing hug, LOL it gets pretty hot in there when you're dancing especially. And the room was packed.

She was the singer, she was going to dance a jig, or whatever you call it on stage by herself. And then this guy came up and took her hand and let her down the steps and then started to dance with her, they did very well together. Later I told him it was nice of his wife to share him,  and do that. He said I'm not married. OK

 We had talked to Cindy and Billy a few times as they were coming in today, we were hoping they would arrive before we left, but they didn't. Our paths almost crossed, we left at 5:30. They arrived just after that. 

We drove around TTO a little before we left, See if we new anyone else, and maybe to find a good site open for us tomorrow. Saw Switch Crew Barbara and Lowry out talking yelled hey Switch Crew, said Hi really quick.

Before we went home we stopped at Publix. There was just a few things I couldn't find at Aldi's or Walmart, and other stores like that. I even took a picture of things I've been looking for. They had everything I wanted but one thing. There was one thing I didn't buy but they had it. I didn't want to spend almost $10 on my floor polish yet since I still do have enough. In the RV life you really have to pace yourself on when to buy your next bottle of something, as close as possible of it running out, but not being totally without it for to long. It's a fine line. 

The funny thing was, we were in line checking out and the guy behind us had a Terminix shirt on. We had a bug guy in Pennsylvania, the same company we used at the nursing home. We used them a lot. Trying to stay on a schedule.

 Long story but we tried to get service in Florida from the company, that they said they do provide it here too. But every time we tried to make an appointment it was an extra fee from our monthly that we were paying while in PA. So when I pointed out to Jim that the Terminix guy was there. He heard me and I thought I was complaining about his company.  I told him NO, no and. I  said there's a story, I always have a story, LOL he said oh, he wanted to hear it. 

So we waited outside for him and he came out and we told him about this company. He said he actually is full-time RVER, and works here in the winter and is staying in TTO. How crazy is that. So he said we could hook up and get a treatment if we needed to, I love the RV life.

 Then we got home and had heated up pre-made dinner together. What another fabulous RV life day.