Happy Monday

Happy Monday 

Monday April 8, 2024

This morning I was back up for walk fit and then line dancing. Those 3 hours go so fast I didn't want it to be over.

 MaryJo joined us the last hour. Her and I sat and chatted together after everyone left. Dan showed up he was working on a project. He needed a torque wrench. 

He said he saw a RV Tech here and asked him what it would cost for him to come loosen a bolt. The guy told him $100. Dan about lost his mind, he's like "are you crazy"  we don't do that to each other here.

Dan was just going to go buy one.

 We couldn't believe it, I told Dan maybe Jim had one, he said I seriously doubt it. It doesn't hurt to ask I said, so I texted Jim. They offered to drive me home. When we arrived Jim was pulling the torque wrench out.

I should have known he had one, I forgot.

 Happy to share with them. We had a little chat and MaryJo wanted to check out the Smart car. She sat in the driver seat and couldn't believe how much room there was. After we said our goodbyes.

Then we took a golf cart ride.

The ad I put in the Orlando paper, for the F-450 isn't working out that well. On our golf cart ride we got our third or fourth contact. They just text you asking for your full name and address so they can send you a check and send a courier to come pick the vehicle. We know that's not legit. 

We had no serious interest yet in the Ford. 

It would be such a great truck for someone starting out not wanting to spend a lot of money. 

Still hoping to find the right legit buyer ASAP.

 Jim and I had talking all day about going out to eat somewhere today. Decided to drive to Clermont for Ruby Tuesday's. Love the salad bar.

It's a bit of a drive, but not for "Junior".

They had a special, buy one entree get the second free. So Jim ordered his ribs and I ordered a pork chop.

The waitress came over and said they were out of pork chops. So she had to bring me the menu again. Since I don't eat beef it limited my choices. I originally was just going to get just a salad, but since it was the special today, figured we'd take it home. Yeah and there's the free part. 

So I ordered a half a rack and shrimp.

 I was at the salad bar when the manager came over and asked Jim if it was OK to serve us his full rack. Mine wasn't ready yet, since they were out of pork chops. Jim said he profusely apologized, and offered us dessert if we wanted it. Well Yeah.

The waitress bought Jim's full rack. I went to get another little plate. And the manager came out again and told us the whole pork chop story and how they ran out. Guess they didn't realize they served the last one.

 Anyway it was delicious and we even ordered a free dessert.  We almost never get dessert. Eas two funnel cakes with ice cream and chocolate.  We ended up taking half of it home. Definitely have enough for three more meals when we left.

 And we saved about $30 off of our total bill.

They we drove home almost dark out by now. Stopped at Publix for beer and milk, lol.

Arrived home trying to watch some TV. Our YouTube channel has expired. They only give you 3 months travel time. Then they want you to go "home".

Such a pain. Can't find a phone number to contact for customer service. Still trying to figure that out. Other wise we like it.

Anyone have any good Solutions.

Tuesday April 9, 2024

Jim was up first this morning. I got ready and went up to do walk fit and line dance. When it was over I texted Jim and he picked me up in the golf cart. I saw Dan come in and he had ordered lunch in the restaurant. Jim arrived and the three of us talked a bit. He was talking about how yesterday they went to Publix and Romaine lettuce was $5 a head. I told him I so like going to Aldi's yesterday. He said that's where they went and it was 2.99 there. After we said goodbye to Dan we went and got produce here. 

Then we took a drive down to the lake there was going to be the last Delta IV heavy rocket launch today. Really couldn't see it because it was so cloudy. We ended up talking with a lovely couple. I saw them yesterday and told Jim I wonder what kind of dog they have.  I realized it was that same couple. She told me the breed,  never heard of it. We had a lovely chat and then we went home and ate our leftover ribs from Ruby Tuesdays yesterday. Later we took a golf cart ride.

Wednesday April 10, 2024

This morning after breakfast I did walk fit and came back for lunch, we both were busy doing things outside. 

I wanted to scrub the shower curtain on the picnic table. Jim assisted me with that job. 

At 11:30 I remembered there was a No BS call on. I was able to listen to the second half of it, then later we had lunch together and went for golf cart ride.

We went by our neighbor up the road, 2 sites between us, and saw Pat and Carol sitting with Johnny. 

She's been wanting us to meet him, he's a recent widower. 

We pulled over and had a nice chat all of us, for quite a long time too.

 Once we left, it was dinner time by now, so we went back home and I started cooking.

 I made pork chops and had fresh applesauce I just made. 

Thursday April 11 2024. 

This morning I did the usual after coffee and breakfast, 3 mile walk fit and line dance. 

They were being silly with the flamingos. Linden, me, Barb, and Lourdes.

Then went home made quesadillas, and rice pudding in the instant pot. 

We had lunch together took a golf cart ride, talked to people same routine on... 

Friday April 12 2024. 

Today is a line dance Marathon. 

First we did walk fit and couple hours of line dance.

 Went home and made lunch. Starting to make our bigger meal then instead of at night. Seems to make more sense in this lifestyle. 

Jim heard a truck coming looked out, said HDT was about to go past us out front. 

Later in the afternoon we drove by in the golf cart said hi. He just got it too. Only towed 3 times. He got it stretched and is putting the jeep on it. He was trying to order a F-450, when they we're so hard to get. He looked into the HDT and found this one. Then the Ford dealership called him said his new one was in. NOW,  he has BOTH. Omg.

A long time ago not sure if they still do it, KFC had a bowl before they came all the rage.

 Mashed potatoes corn, cheese, chicken gravy. Doesn't look as pretty, but man it was delicious, with Jim's grilled smoked chicken that I had pulled out of the freezer. 

Then we went up to the line dance private party. 

I did three more hours of line dance.  Jim stayed with me for a while but then went back home. He came back after 9:30 till we finished and he picked me up in the golf cart.

As soon as we walked out the door we saw a launch I just taken off and saw the bright orange red Trail. It's so funny how it follows the curvature of the Earth and arcs.

Abba Euphoria

Abba Euphoria

Saturday April 6, 2024

What a relaxing Saturday.

This evening after dinner we went to Abba Euphoria. Was kind of a tribute to them. 

They were a lovely full-time family. Dad Phil, and Linda and 17 and 19 year old kids.

Was a good show. 

Jim and I sat with Jack and Vicky,

 you couldn't really chat though 

Sunday April 7, 2024

This morning we relaxed with coffee. I'm usually up first. I did my 2 NOBS Zoom calls. He was outside playing the drums. 

Later we had lunch and went for a golf cart ride. We almost ran out of battery power. But we made it back.

I make dinner we grill chicken and macaroni and cheese and broccoli salad. We relaxed, life is GOOD.

Third Travel day with the Volvo

Third Travel day with the Volvo 

Thursday April 4, 2024

This morning we got up and ready to move, our third travel day towing with the Volvo. 

Rick texted Jim saying he would be here about 9:30. So we made sure we were ready and outside. 

Planned on leaving at 10ish. But we spent time talking with Rick, John, and Richard, we didn't leave till 11:30. We really will miss them.

 I had made more chocolate chip cookies yesterday, and gave John and Rick some. I gave Richard his yesterday.

 Rick and I took a lot of pictures pulling out,

hope to use the best one for new cards. 

Saying goodbye is hard. Last minute meeting of the minds.

We had a wonderful travel day, it was only 2 hours. But felt like 20 minutes.

Such a comfortable ride.

Jim had the new Garmin RV all set up to head to Orlando Thousand Trails, AKA TTO. In the first turn, it wanted us to make a right turn out of here, that was not even a road. Not a good start for the new one. 

He ended up pulling out and backing in so we could make the left turn. 

We arrived in TTO around 1:30 in the afternoon. We were number 29,  and no line. A lot of snowbirds left already, too early for us. Lol

 We found a great site really close to the getaway cabins. Wish we had friends or family in one now.

 Jim did a great job backing in one Fell Swoop. Our neighbor came out in front of us and said " wow are you a truck driver." I said " he is Now"  Of course he said he was watching the whole time. 

We got situated and had lunch. Jim got the Smart car AKA, Junior

offloaded and then took out the golf cart.

 He pulled up to turn the truck back around.

 Today the ad comes out for the Ford in the Orlando Sentinel. Found it online and the first time I looked at it it said five views. No one has called yet. 

Took a ride in the golf cart later after dinner. Always people here to stop and chat with. Spend time talking with Switch Crew, Pat and Carol McDonald.

We're invited to a birthday party tomorrow night.. A little gathering of switch crew, Shawn was 50 last week.

Friday April 5, 2024

So glad to be back at TTO. I was back at 9 am for walk fit and line dancing with everyone. The group is definitely smaller. Alot of people left already.

Got home about 12:30, we had lunch.

Texting with a few people about the Ford. No one serious.

Watched a little TV and new Switch It Up video with Todd and Sheila.

The new Mack HDT and SpaceCraft are just amazing.

Went for a golf cart ride again. We missed doing that, in Port Richey. It's alot of fun to get out and chat with everyone.

After dinner we took the golf cart over to the birthday party.

 We really enjoyed everyone's company Jim had birthday cake. 

I enjoyed talking with the ladies.

We left about 9:30 pm.

New Neighbors and I drove the Volvo

New Neighbors and I drove the Volvo 

Monday April 1, 2024

Today would have been my Mother's birthday, 96.

Today after breakfast and getting it together there was some switching it up going on outside.

 Rick told us today we were getting new neighbors behind us. 

Richard had to move to the other side of the property. There was a big West Pointe fifth wheel coming in, so he would have access to the 50 amp. 

The motorhome pulled over in front of us and dumped, Jim let them borrow extra sewer hose. They also filled with water, then backed up again.

 He ran the generator for quite a while, it wasn't running right.  I guess he was trying to fix it. They were staying for one more night. 

Richard moved to the other side also. It was a lot of activity for our little piece of property here. 

Can't believe it's April and we soon leave here. Jim and I discussed if we were going anywhere else besides Orlando, and we have an ad coming out in the newspaper, so we can sell the Ford ASAP. We would probably stay here at least another week. 

We will really miss the property and our new friends.

 Later after lunch Jim and I went for a walk up the road to a little Park, 

had a nice walk it was quite humid. 

Then we went over to Gill dogs little Tiki bar and restaurant. Then we walked home again, and later having dinner together, what a busy day.

 Tuesday April 2, 2024

Later after our breakfast and lunch. I forced Jim into having fun again today.

As he says.

I Wanted to go back to the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs. It was nice driving the smart around able to park on a side street for free. Woohoo. 

We walked around and decided to go on a little tour of the sponge docks.

Our boat captain George and his three and a half year old grandson, 

were our captain and first mate. 

They explained about how the Greeks came up with the way to easily harvest the sponges. They came up with dive suit, to harvest from deeper water. As they are both Greek, and have been in family business over 100 years, it was very interesting. 

Guy that puts on the diving outfit wasn't available. 

So they had a volunteer to put it on to show everyone how they used to dive. Total suit over 150 lbs.

We went way out into the water, the gulf was on the other side of the three and a half mile Barrier Island. We could also see Clearwater where we were on Friday.

 We could even see the people that were parasailing. 

Beautiful homes along the water.

Then we headed  back we were out almost 2 hours. It was very hot humid day, but the breeze on the water was lovely. We even saw some dolphins. And a lot of birds.

 After we got off the boat. We walked around a bit and headed back to the car.

 Then we headed home and had dinner Jim grilled a couple burgers and I made french fries inside. 

Then we wanted to take the Volvo and fill it up with fuel. First time using our TSD fuel card. It went quite well and we were the only people at the fuel pumps for tractors. Which made it a lot easier process. 

Jim even used the long handle brush to wash the windshield. 

Jim doesn't think the fuel tanks are as big as the guy told us. We only put in 150 gallons,  and they were full. The price was 3.68 a gallon. Total $553.41 The discount was 19 cents off a gallon. You don't know the official price, until it comes out of our account I guess. First time not sure. 

At time of this post, Jim knew what the numbers were.

This fill up was equal to about 4 in the Ford.

By now the sun was starting to set, but we wanted to go over to the parking lot at Burlington, it's huge and empty. 

 I got to drive the Volvo around the parking lot a little bit. Very interesting, I enjoyed it. 

We got home just after Dark.

Wednesday April 3, 2024

This morning after breakfast Jim started putting stuff away outside. I listen to a no BS call and worked at putting things away in here, at the same time. 

After lunch we loaded the Smart car on the Volvo.

David and Sondra in there Volvo at dinette table like we have. Lunch time.

That will be us soon. 

 Still learning curve the tires have to be at the right exact spot. And then go back far enough to touch the wheel chocks. We did have to take it off once and start over. Is the first time doing it without Neil I guess. 

After that was done we knew there was rain on the way. All morning we've been planning with Rick to go out to dinner tonight. But with the pending storms they suggested it might not be a good idea.

 Jim and I honkered down later in the early evening and it just poured. We definitely will miss the roof on rainy days.

 Later after the rain we walked up to Culver's to have dinner, since we were planning on going out anyway. We shared a salad,  and fish sandwich, brought a little piece of fish home and half of Jim's Ruben. We even each had a treat. I brought a third of mine home for later. 

Then it poured while we were inside and we walked back to the RV.

We watched a little TV and sad about leaving tomorrow. 

We do love Orlando and we have an ad coming out in the paper for the Ford. So the road calls us to move on.

Easter Weekend

Easter Weekend 

Saturday March 30, 2024

Morning we had breakfast and coffee. Jim went outside to start working again.

 I listen to an NoBS call from 10:00 to 11:00. I started working on my almond chocolate chip cookies to take to our dinner tonight that are host invited us too,  Rick and Jackie Hill. 

We both got ready and left a little later than we wanted to. It was a good hour drive but not that many miles away. I had a couple stops to make first. First I ran back into Sam's again for the third time while we were here.

 Had to return one of the pairs of shorts for Jim. They didn't fit. While I did that he filled the car up with gas, which was only 7 gallons lol.

 Then we headed up the road to Sally's Beauty Supply. I needed some stuff for my hair and it took a while. 

While I was in there Jim texted me that he had to run back to the RV. Someone else is going to be coming in in a motorhome and Jim needed to  move the Volvo to make room for their arrival. 

He went and did that while I finished my shopping. I came out before his return, I walked into Publix a little bit also a really nice TJ Maxx. Found a end table I kind of liked.

 I think the measurements are a little off. We want to get two different end tables for either side of our new sofa.

There's a little extra room on either side and things keep moving around in travel. 

Jim picked me up and we headed towards Rick and Jackie's house. 

First we stopped at a Wal-Mart I wanted to get some flowers for her.

What a beautiful neighborhood there in. 

There was horses close by beautiful community. 

 Richard and Maisy were already there.

They welcomed us in there home and we went in the backyard let the dogs

run around, they have two of their own.

Then Rick showed us their big Super C motorhome. 

He took out the table, and just build 

a Murphy bed, with lift up table. 

We had a lovely meal together.

Beautiful kitchen 

 I helped her plate up the food and put it on the table. 

She made a big ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing with sausage, green beans with mushrooms, mixed multicolored carrots, garlic bread 

I brought the chocolate chip cookies and she had a big chocolate cheesecake she bought. 

Had a wonderful meal together we

 really enjoyed everyone's company.

 We chatting until about 7:30 finally trying to get ready to head out. She packed up all the leftovers and gave it to the three of us. As we were leaving

they were telling us how the home will be going up for sale in a couple months. Probably for about 850. 

They now have a 10 acre piece of property in Tennessee now they are going to be building a home on. But they will keep the property that we are camping on. Such a wonderful couple,  we can't thank them enough for their hospitality and sharing time with us.

We love our Switch Crew family.

Later I had Jim look to see if he could find any pictures of Rick and Jackie Hill from the Huddle that we both attended in Florida last season. 

 We headed home and arrived about 8:30 or so what a wonderful day.

We had new neighbors when we arrived.

Happy Easter

 Sunday March 31, 2024

This morning we had breakfast and Jim got up pretty late this morning. New neighbors 

He went outside while I listened to a couple of NoBS calls today. I cleaned and made some creamy chicken and potato corn chowder soup. 

I made pierogies and kielbasa for our Easter lunch and we also had ham from yesterday. 

Jim was working outside on getting the ladder attached to the Volvo.

Trying to get more heavy items out of the fifth wheel. 

Rick stopped by again today along with his friend that works in the shop, Todd. They took all the garbage with them today and every time I looked out they were talking with Jim. I went out a few times between my chores. 

Later I vacuumed on Easter. 

Thomas picked Grandma up they all went to church together and ate at our son's in laws.

We talked with her later and so glad she had a wonderful time.

We are so Blessed.