Jim's working HARD

Jim's Working HARD

Monday March 25, 2024

This morning after breakfast and  relaxing and enjoying our coffee. 

Jim was working on the RV again.

 He's doing a great job, I sure hope it stays this way after we move.

 It's great to be working under the roof. 

Later Rick stopped again. He comes over almost every day it seems. I think he really enjoys talking with Jim. Jackie has never came with him. They chat and work.

We talked about him inviting us Saturday to their home for dinner. I asked him if they liked cherries, I was going to make that cherry dump cake. He said not so much, I was telling him about my paleo chocolate chip cookies made with almond flour. That sounded more down his alley, so I'm switching it up, and making those instead. I want to take something I know they will like. I feel like I should take something else too, maybe a hardy appetizer or something. Have to think about it not sure yet what else.

 Not much else going on today we didn't go anywhere. Later for dinner I made some creamy chicken and wild rice soup.

 Tuesday March 26, 2024

I was up hours before Jim this morning. We ended up having breakfast after 10:00 a.m.. got a late start, but decided to go to the weird mall again. 

 I wanted to go back in the thrift store. I found everything I was looking for. I found a curling iron I've been wanting one, $12.00 and a square little Pyrex casserole dish, two muffin pans and today I found William Sonoma bread and butter / dessert plates.

 I wanted to buy all six for a dollar each. But they're heavy and just decided on the two. Total of 30 dollars.

 There's a couple other things I was considering on buying, above fancy muffin pans, $15. each instead of $4.  each.

 Also a cookie press, used to have one. Considered this stuff too. But I resisted.

  I talked to the owner as I was making my purchase, he said they buy contents of storage units, and that's where everything comes from those. I told him it was weird for a thrift store in a mall, he said that's what the neighborhood was asking for. 

Anyway after that we walked around a bit and then headed over Dillard's Clearance. It was mainly just clothing, which you can tell when you walk around, the reason they were on clearance. The ugliest weirdest clothes I've seen in a long time. All the things that didn't sell, they put in this Clearance Store. We did not buy a thing, which in retrospect is a good thing. 

Then we were going to go next door to Burlington next. I had higher hopes for that store being better. By now it was after 1:30, and I said we probably should go eat lunch first. So we went into Taco Bell, I had a great chicken bowl, picture above.

 After we ate and were all fueled up,

we went back to Burlington.

 We were walking around together. Jim was waiting for our Garmin RV 895, was supposed to be coming today,  earlier than expected.

We weren't in the store very long and Jim got an email saying it had arrived, and they showed a picture of it on the doorstep of the house here out front. 

I had talked to him about that, if it happened while we're out. He was trying to use it as an excuse to not go anywhere today either, LOL 

I said just go get it and I'll keep shopping. Works for me.

 I told him not to hurry lol. But before I knew it he said he was back. I found a few things in there of interest. Had a nice chat with the lady, she started it. She said all these storage containers, and I don't need them, but they're so addicting. We commiserated it on our love of shopping.

 I tried to talk Jim into coming back inside, I picked out some shorts I wanted him to look at. He wasn't in the mood, but he really needs a few new clothing pieces. I tried on two things and decided to get them after I sent him pictures. 

Pants didn't really go with the shirt I had on, but they were super comfy. And we both like the way they looked. Also replacing two stripped pairs I had to get rid of. After that I went out in the parking lot found him tucked nicely under a shade tree in the parking lot.

 Then we drove home to the RV. He played with the Garmin for a while, amazingly we did no food shopping today. But I will have to shop the freezer soon. The fridge is getting empty, we're using up all the leftovers nicely. I'll be it, too much pasta.

 Later Jim was helping Richard, our neighbor dump his tanks, he really is an RV newbie and was very confused on the tank configuration. Jim was explaining to him that he had a fresh, black, and gray tanks. And they don't intermix. He just needed extra hoes. After they were done with the tanks we said good night. 

Jim watched hockey game outside.

Wednesday March 27, 2024

This morning wow, we really slept in. Woke up about 8:30 am.

Had coffee and breakfast. Later Jim went outside and started to work more on the RV.

I listened to Corrine in the morning.

Later shopping our freezer out front. Brought in chicken, pork chops, beef

Etc. 

While we were out it started to pour.

Jim stayed out, I was able to run in, since we are under roof.

It is so nice to not hear the rain beating on the roof. It's not always a soothing sound.

Later I made stuffed shells, in the new casserole dish 

and turkey burger with quinoa, and cabbage casserole.

Talked with Richard when he came home. He is such a nice young guy.

Just a side note, Today in the news....

 it has been crazy watching the news, and seeing that bridge come down in Maryland, that was hit by the cargo ship.

Quite Weekend

Quite Weekend 

Saturday March 23, 2024

Was a quite Weekend especially for me. Jim did spend a good part of it working on removing old caulk and screws from the nose of the FW and recaulking it. He has done a great job, it's so solid now.

Jim watched hockey while Thomas went to the game in Philadelphia.

I made him a Ruben sandwich for lunch with the leftover corn beef again, from meat bingo he won at TTO.

I also made a pumpkin cream cheese dump cake.

Sunday  March 24, 2024

This morning waffle Sunday continued and the last of the quiche I made.

I finally listened to NoBS  today, it has been awhile. I'm out of the routine.

Jim continued to work out front on the RV. Before

After, this needs caulked yet. He probably over half done, by Sunday night.

This is a great place to work on projects like that too, under this roof.

Rick and his friend were here today. I didn't even realize. I went out and found they were playing with the APU. Got it working, there was a service switch on the unit that needed flipped. It still needs the sensor repaired, but it now works.

 So when parked and the truck is off we can still have heat or AC.

I had texted both my boys, earlier in in day. Travis called and we talked over an hour. What a pleasure that was.

He cut his hair. I asked for a photo, and I said what's up with the crazy eyes. But there a beautiful blue.

Richard was around too. He was grilling and gave Jim a steak and chicken some potato and macaroni salad. Nice of him. His cute puppy Mazey running around.

Saw this on Facebook, good idea. I don't use the creamer.

 I have to find someone who does and see if anybody can save me some. They look handy.

I did think if someone uses cornstarch as a seasonal / weekend camper, they must be a good cook too. Wouldn't think they would use is much.

Jim watched hockey outside again. I just had a chill day. 

Made shrimp with cheesey white sauce and pasta and creamy chicken and wild rice soup.

Later we had a lovely full moon.

Smart Solo Journey

Smart Solo Journey 

Thursday March 21, 2024

This morning Jim was up first. I made a quiche for breakfast. It has been a long time since I made one. I put ham, onions, peppers, cheese, bacon, and tomato. Was delicious and we will have leftovers for a few more days.

I worked on this blog for awhile and then took a shower. Rick stopped by the 3 of us chatted a bit. He was taking everyone's trash with him.

Then we said goodbye, and I made my first Smart Solo Journey to Walmart.

It is just around the corner from here. I could walk, but to much to carry back.

I left way later than I wanted to. It was almost 12:30. Late start but oh well.

It was nice to be in alone, take my time, and the store was not crowded at all.

I mainly just shopped for groceries.

Still a few things that I can't find, like Magic Eraser sheets, diet hot chocolate, and extra crispy shake and bake for pork chops.

I came back home, he kept taking pictures.

Jim brought everything in and I made him a Ruben, for lunch 

With the leftover corn beef from last night. I don't think that I ever made them before. I had my leftover half turkey burger from Hooters the other day. 

We chilled for awhile and then we started to grill. We are having our neighbor Richard over for dinner tonight. Jim grilled carrots, zucchini and onions and pepper, and then smoked boneless chicken thighs and boneless ribs next. I made the same Creamery Tomato and Spinach pasta I did the other night, it was so good, I wanted to make it again. Here is the recipe I used. Used half wheat pasta and chick pea pasta. You have to cook the wheat a few minutes before you add the chick pea pasta. 

 Made garlic toast too.

For dessert I had corn bread with strawberries and whipped cream.

He was out with his Mom all day trying to find a 55 plus community for her. He arrived after 6 pm. The three of us ate outside, we had a great chat. He is a very nice young guy. He will help us with our tech support another day, as it was getting late and Jim had a hockey game starting soon.

We said goodnight he had to walk Maisy.

I cleaned up the mess inside and Jim did the outside, while he set up for his game.

I watched TV much to late before I finally went to bed.

Friday March 22, 2024

This morning we did our morning routine.  Jim went outside and met with Richard, they discussed his Tech issues in the truck with the GPS. He needs to get the old Google account off from the previous owner, and put our information in. Which they did accomplish that.

Also it plays music during travel and we want it to give turn by turn directions, and no music.

 Apparently that will be a work in progress.  

Later after lunch Jim and I made the drive to Best Buy up the road. 

First this place is so techy, that we feel we don't belong in here, way over our head. Alot of it we don't even know what alot of it is, lol.

 Even the new refrigerators now,  are so technical. It looks like a mirror,  you tap it twice, then you can see inside, without opening the door. Also Keeping your grocery list on your fridge, I guess it sends it to your phone when you're out shopping. Oh my.

The reason we came, we had to bite a very big bullet, and replace our Garmin RV, we really just need one. Especially with going West again next season. 

Still can't believe we lost our other one at the airport, when we flew to Iowa for the HDT. So almost $1,000 later,  ouch.

 Then next door was a weird looking event space. We checked it out there was a mall next door. So as typical malls lately, all across the country, it was very empty. But it was probably the weirdest mall we were ever in. Everything seemed to be geared towards super young people, with very weird and eclectic things, we just didn't get it. I was going to take pictures of some of it, but I thought why, it's just weird, stores we never heard of. Weird art places and gaming centers to do weird Millennial stuff I guess. 

Jim said everything is geared to young people that can't afford to buy anything.

They did have a thrift store inside too. ALSO Weird for a mall I thought. Of course went in. He waited for me. 

Good thing about a Mall they have plenty of places that he can sit and wait. Surprisingly they had some thinks I kind of wanted. Might go back later. I spent a lot of time in there. 

 

Then we actually went home for a moment, didn't feel like going to Walmart. Jim wanted his pills refilled. And it started raining a little bit we stopped at home, actually went to the bathroom, got a drink. Then went basically next door to Walmart, got his pills. 

Have to stop grocery shopping and buying more food. LOL .

There was two things I was looking for yesterday I couldn't find. Hot chocolate was one. And with Jim's help I found both. Also found hard Mountain Dew that Scott introduced us to that we really liked, so that went in the shopping cart too.

 Also all day for the most part while we were out, Jim was texting back and forth with Rick. He invited us to dinner next week, and he was including our two neighbors that are here. The one we really haven't met or talked to yet.

I wanted to find something that I could take along. We found ingredients for a cherry Dump Cake, while we are here.

 I heard a song playing in Walmart that we line dance to. I am simply compelled to stop and dance it out. Jim even counted me in, 5,6,7,8. LOL

But what's very frustrating is, I remembered how it starts, but I can't remember the whole thing. I really miss my dancing people from TTO. So on the line dance Facebook page for Orlando they posted a lot of the dances we do. So I have to look it up and do some homework. Teaching myself really helps me remember. You can find them on Copperknob.

Hope you can read this Phyllis, lol.

 After another big Walmart Adventure, we went back home, later heating up leftovers from our dinner party.

 Just a note about the place we're staying, it is such a joy to have a roof over the rig and concrete. 

Someday 10 years down the road or more, lol.  I would like to be looking for a place like this, or build our own, to put our FW under. Live there a few years, while we find our forever Florida home. Then sell it all.

Having a roof is a game changer and we thought, concrete was great.

Happy Monday

Happy Monday 

Monday March 18, 2024

I was awake early enough this morning to almost see the sunrise. And then see about eight teenagers get on the school bus out front.

 Jim was up shortly after that. What a great first night we had in our spot.

 It's a very busy area here in Port Richey, but it's so amazing how quiet it is right here at the house, under this carport.

As we drank our coffee and had breakfast, we tried to make plans for the day. Go here, go there, we ended up staying home all day.

 At one point Rick stopped in and was doing work around the property. He had a friend that helps him out here and works in the shop. 

While they were here, Jim and I did offload the Smart car.

 All that went well. Later

We had a nice chat with them. Apparently Rick invited us to their house for dinner next week, that part of the conversation I missed.

 After Rick left his friend continued to work in the shop for a while. We could hear some grinding noises in there.

We didn't do much else today,  R and R was needed. 

Jim did get the Ninja out. Didn't even need an extension cord. We grilled and smoked, some boneless pork ribs for dinner.

I think they were the best we ever had them. You have to be very careful not to over cook them. I made spaghetti squash, 

 cole slaw and air fried French fries. 

Jim will not let the Ninja sit outside overnight. I think he should. He always worries about security, that's good, but here under roof, it's gated too.

He did find a new spot for it. There was an empty spot for it inside, as we sit here, where the air compressor was, that we sold. It's definitely more convenient and easier on his back to keep it there.

After dinner Jim was going to watch hockey outside :)

 So I thought it would be a good time for me to finally vacuum. I have been procrastinating something terrible on that job. So I pulled the Rainbow out, started to.

 But the power nozzle wasn't working. He came in and said the game was tomorrow night :(

 I told him about the power nozzle, so he took it out to fix it. He said he had to order parts, but he got it working for now, and stayed outside till I finished, it was just after 7:30 and I had a NOBS accountability group Zoom call. So I did that upstairs. He came back in when we finished. 

We continued to watch the new season of The Voice that just started. Stayed up way later than I wanted to, BUT oh well.....

Tuesday March 19, 2024

This morning we got up and had breakfast and then left around 11:00 a.m. and our first stop was Harbor Freight. Found a few things that we thought we needed. Big heavy rubber Duty chalks for behind the HDT tires. Jim had to get some sockets and some plastic puddy knifes, to remove caulk, so he can redo it. 

He has been looking for a better ladder than what we already have. He found one, but said we can't get it now ?? WHAT, why..... OH the car.. it won't fit, LOL,  guess we have to get that with the Volvo.

Then we went to Sam's Club. First time in a long time Jim says we were in there for over 2 and 1/2 hours, but I don't believe him. I really wanted a couple rotisserie chickens, but those things fly off the shelves, here in this busy area. LOL. 

We went to Hooters for lunch, I know weird, but the food was really good.

We had a lovely view of the water.

There is a casino boat ride, that leaves from here.

Then we found a great park close by.

Took a picture of porta potty. Some Price made a name for himself, lol.

Jim said must have been a shitty cousin. Oh my...

These are the top 2 locations to view the sunset here and Hooters.

 We got home and put everything away which took a while. Nothing really that was cold. We have to go back another day you look at the cold section and try to get rotisserie chickens. 

Later in the day we talked to Richard and his cute puppy Mazey. He said he was a tech guy,  and I asked him if he would help Jim with some tech, mainly getting the GPS in the truck to work. 

 I could make us dinner sometime for the three of us. He said that he could do that and I told him he's the one that works, so whatever work for his schedule. 

He said, Thursday night would work well for him. I said okay I will plan a menu, he said he didn't hate anything but liver.

Jim watched hockey outside.

I watched some TV shows that Jim doesn't really like.

Had dinner later since we had a late lunch.

Wednesday March 20, 2024

This morning I was up for a couple hours before Jim woke up. After we had coffee and breakfast. We got ready went to Camping World first today. There's one pretty close by, we needed two pieces of carpet for our steps. They were so worn out, we were going to get rid of it, but we kind of missed it. Then we left and went to

 Dollar General and right next door was Aldi's. I went in by myself. Needed a few things for our dinner party tomorrow night for 3.

 Then we went to Wendy's for a quick lunch, can't say cheap anymore, because it really isn't. 

Then we came home put everything away. I put the corn beef Jim won at meat bingo in TTO in the Instant pot outside. Put it in for 2 hours.

I first gave the fridge a good deep cleaning. Jim helped me get 2 of the shelves out. I had the rubber shelf lining on the glass. It worked great to keep help keep things put on travel days. But it sticks and comes off on the glass. So hard to get it off. Jim scraped it off with new plastic puddy knife, not even what we needed it for, found a second use. It took awhile to, clean, dry and put everything back in the fridge.

When I was done I ended up giving the car a little wash and and spot cleaning the Volvo a little bit too.

 After all that we had leftovers from last night's dinner and Jim had some corn beef too, it was very tender.

After we went to Brasher Park,

 1.1 mile from where we have the RV. 

 Great place to view the sunset,

 so beautiful.

We got home Jim washed the dishes, and we realized Survivor has been on for weeks already. 

We hardly watched any TV the weeks were in TTO 

We have a little catching up to do.

Packing Up, Meat Bingo and Moving Day

Packing Up, Meat Bingo and Moving Day

Saturday March 16, 2024

This morning I was up first and started the coffee. It was nice not to have to rush off before 9:00 a.m. to walk fit.

We had a relaxing morning, but shortly after breakfast, Jim started working outside packing up. Putting stuff away, trying to get the sand off of everything is the biggest part of the job in this site. 

Jim noticed extra of these yellow rubber blocks, he had in storage compartment. The hitch only had 3, but room for 8. He put a few more on the hich. We did a little research on the hitch, they help to level it. 

Later in the day we invited Neil and Nancy over for lunch. Today was the last day we could do it, or we wouldn't get to see them for awhile, as we leave tomorrow.

 They arrived around 12:30 as Jim was still packing up. Then I realized, I didn't wanted it to look like we only invited them over so Neil would help Jim load everything again. WE Didn't Really, Lol. 

Neil helped load the golf cart, and the Smart. He's the best. I told Jim now we have to do it without Neil here, the first two times, he's helped us now. 

They're always a great help. We were just glad it wasn't as hot out today as it was yesterday, so humid. Today was a little cloudy so that even helped.

 We came inside, I had made lasagna soup yesterday, Nancy brought garlic bread and Jim's favorite dessert, apple dumplings. We had a great meal together and discussed our plans. We thanked them again for helping us load the car. We just love our RV friends, they're so supportive in our new move to the HDT, and are so helpful in making all these changes.

New friends Scott and Pam, we just met, that were so helpful too, left the park the other day. Can't imagine getting the HDT without all their help. 

Scott and Pam stopped by. They brought along Diana and Mark.

 They are the HDT people that we saw their rig here, I had left a card at there site. They have an HDT with a heavy duty black tarp on it, that they carry a car, bicycles, tools Etc. It was nice to finally meet them. We had a nice chat all eight of us.

 After they left we continued to pack up and Jim took a shower. Had some leftover chicken for dinner and then we headed over to play meat bingo.

We shared a table with Tammy and Russ, they're the ones that own the Super C motorhome. 

They were quite the winners tonight. 

Lady that won with Jim's card. lol 

Also across from Jim was Sandie also from Pennsylvania, she's over 80, and a great line dancer and Brian and Lisa. 

Meat Bingo is played a little different.

They call 3 playing cards to win Bingo

So halfway through, they play a game  called, who has the worst card in the house. Everyone stands up. They start calling cards, if they call one you have, you sit down. Jim was the last man standing, with the worst card in the house. He won corn beef and cabbage for that honor. Corned beef for him cabbage for me. Then we played four more games and not a single one of his cards were called.

After every four games you can trade in your card if you want to. They play with four decks of cards, and people come up to shuffle after every four games. So he went up to trade it in.

 And the very next game the lady behind us had his card that was the biggest loser. And she won the very first game after he traded it in.

 It was so funny everybody in the whole place was laughing.

He also won a slice of ham as a door prize.

After I collected our winnings, we walked home.

 It was close to 10:00 p.m. 

What a fun, but busy day even though  we had to pack.

Sunday March 17, 2024

Happy Saint Patrick's Day 

This morning we got up and had our coffee I did work on the blog a little more than normal on a travel day.  

We drank our coffee, and I remembered to do Waffle Sunday. Made him some eggs too and we got moving getting things ready for travel day. Pretty much had everything done inside, Jim worked on the outside. 

When I was ready to go out and he was going to hook up the truck. He put the back up camera on. He went to start the Volvo, and it wouldn't start.

 What's the first thing I do, I texted Scott. Don't know what I would have done without him. I told Jim, it had to be something dumb. 

He figured it needed jumped. Scott said with showing people and loading the Smart, using the winch it drains the batteries quicker than you think. We have to remember to have the truck running when we're loading the smart and using the winch. 

Really for two reasons, now we learned, it has to stay running to be able to dump air, and for the batteries.

I was also asking Neil to keep a key for the Ford.

 He was on the way over, I was walking over to drive it back to use it to jump the Volvo. So I showed him where the key was, and I jumped in his truck, and we drove over to jump it. 

That was an easy fix, once again thank you Neil.

We also have to remember that everything is going to take longer now.

Wanted to pull out at 10, instead it was 11 am. 

But all is well.

It was great riding in the Volvo. So comfortable and I can stand up. Plus now I have a potty.

Since we lost the Garmin RV at the airport, we had to use GPS on his phone. He did alot of research again on the drive. It's all new roads we never traveled. All went well.

A stretch of road was really bumpy, didn't bother me. But Jim said the RV rocked back and forth, more than he thought it would. I eventually looked,  and it did.

When we arrived he pulled into a parking area across the road.

 It was infront of an apartment building. 

Jim walked over met Rick and Jackie Hill, Switch Crew. So nice, we chatted for a bit. We had never met before, but we were at the same Huddle in Tennessee.

 We came up with a game plan on how we were going to back all the way in under the car port. She invited me in, thanks, but I will try to help, keeping watch, and taking pictures. Lol

Jim did GREAT. I knew he would. There was alot more room than the pictures made it look. 

Alot of green when you're looking at it. 

Looks like a long way, heading to the car port. 

We got close to the fence, when Rick said it's Jackknifed pretty good. 

I  REMEMBERED that Scott told me to watch the car ramps. Darn 

All was good, Rick said he watched it too.

It definitely is higher since they raised the hitch and added the more yellow blocks to the hitch. Not sure which helped more.

Here we come.

This is it on GPS alot of very mature trees, so it's hard to see the roads from this angle.

The RV is parked under the roof where the red line is.

After we were in they showed us where everything was, FHU in here for Switch crew, with special pricing.

We can offload the Smart car later.

Better picture in front of the house that we backed through. 

The back of our FW, and our neighbor for another week. 

We continue to chat, such nice people, of course there Switch Crew.

After Rick and Jackie said goodbye and left. They don't live here anymore.

There is a caretaker in part of the house.

We did meet Richard and his cute puppy that Jackie told us about, 3 months old Mazey.

What a great place I think this will be. We had a great travel day too. I made dinner leftover chicken and I made spaghetti squash too.

I had onions and peppers with garlic,  zucchini and butter with olive oil.

and we relaxed for the rest of the evening.