Carl & Sally's Journey in the Bounder

We had to say Good bye to our Dear Sadie!

2011-06-24T08:01:00.004-04:00

June 21, 2011 at 8:45 pm our little Sadie girl passed away!

Many good memories but so sad! She died so unexpectedly within 4 hrs of me seeing her sick!
With many tests and x-rays no one knows what happened. I think she had a heart attack or a stroke of some sort! Blood levels were real low both red and white.

I know she is no more pain and is running with Mugsy, Kittle, and Brandy in green pastures!

Sadie we love you so much and miss you! Life without you will not be the same! We had you for 11 years and 3 months and enjoyed your smile, walks and talks! Love you so much! You went with us on first Motor Home trip to Alaska and was such a good traveler! Sadie we were a Team! My heart aches for you!

Until we meet again I will miss you everyday!

January 21, 2010

2011-01-21T07:32:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we worked on the new bathroom remodel at the Paradis'. Sure is looking very nice!

We had a thunder storm and hard rain this morning at 3:00 and lasted a couple hours! In the motor home it sounds like a lot harder rain coming down!

I am waiting for some mail to arrive. But.......I think the mailman didn't believe that a Sally Heitmeyer lived at the address and sent it back to the return address! What!!! I am waiting for this mail so I can finish up year end work for my companies back home!

I got a UPS package here, UPS didn't have a problem leaving it at the Office!

Keep warm all my friends and family back in Northern Michigan!

Didn't buy the Endeavor!

2011-01-19T21:29:00.002-05:00

We decided not to buy the 2000 Endeavor. There is Motor Home out there for us.
We will just keep looking!

In the meantime we have moved to Lakeland at Kings and Queens Park. It is a 55 and older park. There are 5 RV spots the rest are permanent homes. 2 Blocks from Joker Marchant Stadium, if you aren't familiar with Joker Marchant Stadium....it is the Spring Training Stadium for the Detroit Tiger's......and where the Flying Tiger's play in the summer! We are just waiting for the Tiger's to start showing up for practice!!! Won't be long now!

Carl is remodeling Mike and Sheila's bathroom. Carl never stops working! He is such an artist. I am making tile cuts and I am amazed how he can put together such a "puzzle"! Amazing!

Mike and Sheila are in Mexico enjoying nice warm weather! They will be back next Wednesday.
We will be at Lazy Days for the Fleetwood Rally. Can't wait to go back to Lazy Days, I love Lazy Days.......free breakfast, lunch and good times! It is a vacation for me, I don't have to think about breakfast or lunches!

The weather today was a typical Florida day, 74 degrees and Sunny!

Until another time.........

Pictures of the new Motor Home

2010-12-13T07:32:00.003-05:00

2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor - 12-10-2010

2010-12-11T08:05:00.002-05:00

Well we did it! We bought a 2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor! We want to go out west and go to Alaska again so there it was.......Sally and Carl written all over it! It is always a gamble when you buy something....hope this proves a good gamble!

She is a beauty inside and out. Lots of room in the coach and nice kitchen! Can't wait for my kids to come and stay with us in Lakeland. We will have so much fun. There is so much room!

We will be married 40 years February 27 ...... what a great Anniversary gift to each other!

As we all know that life is pretty darn short! So, we are going to go and have fun!

Watch for more pictures of the new "Baby" in our lives.

2010-03-21T13:05:00.000-04:00

We all went to Parksdale in Plant City, Florida. They have the best Strawberry Shortcakes around. Fresh strawberries, yummmy!

We went with Mike and Sheila Paradis, Donna Paradis and Chas.

We found this place last year and it is such a cool place to go. Can't wait to take Rick and Lori when they arrive. Sorry Amy you won't be here with us......next year for sure.

This is Donna and Chas

The Queen who took our picture! Isn't she cute?

All of us!

2009-05-13T16:05:00.001-04:00

CARL'S MASTER PIECE ON THE STEPS

#2 Looking towards the second deck

A big improvement and a big deck!

Mother's Day Weekend

2009-05-09T12:36:00.008-04:00

Hi,

We are in the motorhome visiting with Rick and Lori. Carl is helping to put on a new deck at their house. We worked yesterday preparing to get ready to build the deck.

Carl and I with the help of our Tracker pulled out shrubs along the old deck so we could start the new deck! That little Tracker has some pulling power. It was fun!

You know the old saying, if it starts to rain before 7:00 am it will quit by 11:00. Guess what that is what happened! Pretty cool. At this time which is 12:40, there are still some rain clouds! Let's hope and pray that it doesn't rain. We have a lot of work to do yet!

Today, after it quit raining, Rob and Marty, Lori's brothers came by and helped put the deck boards on the deck. That was a big help. We thank them for all their work!

Yesterday was funny....I tied Sadie to Higgie's collar and he took Sadie for a walk.....I laughed so darn hard. It was too cute! Of course it didn't last long.

So, hopefully, we will have a good day tomorrow with sunshine! We have to finish the deck and do landscaping done before Amber's Open House which is in two weeks.

Hooray!

Sharon and Larry Smades

2009-04-26T20:24:00.003-04:00

12 years ago Larry and Sharon moved to Madisonville, Tn. They feel they made the right move!
They love Tennessee! These people are friends from way back when!

GAR'S ROADSTER

2009-04-26T20:21:00.002-04:00

Gar has a roadster and we got to take ride! Fun, Fun in the Sun!

Gar and Shirley Wilson

2009-04-26T20:00:00.003-04:00

My cousins live in Woodruff, South Carolina. A great place to call home!
We arrive on April 9, 2009 and parked in their back yard for a week!
We played dominoes, ate good food and laughed and laughed! A very
memorable week to say the least! We traveled to Greenville, Spartansburg and
up to the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. They showed us around and enjoyed their
company.

We left there on Thursday April 16 and drove back to Larry and Sharon Smades in Madisonville,
South Carolina. We drove to Strawberry Plains, Tn to see our niece Sheila Rhode (Roger's daughter). We had a delightful visit with Sheila and her wonderful daughter's Nicole and Brea.
We had to say good bye in a few hours and headed back to Madisonville, Tn. (about 1 1/2 hrs away) We spent the night at Sharon and Larry's and left early heading towards Michigan.

12 1/2 hrs later we were at Rick and Lori's. Had a short visit with them. We left Sunday afternoon after breakfast and headed for home. We haven't seen our home for 4 1/2 months!

Wonder what the furry kids will think when they can romp in a big house?

Paula Deen's Restaurant

2009-04-08T18:05:00.005-04:00

We left this morning early to go to Savannah to get our place in line at the"Lady and Son's Restaurant". Story goes you have to get there early to get a time for lunch or dinner. We abided by the story and we did get a 12:00 lunch date.

We toured downtown Savannah. Went to Riverfront, very cool place. Savannah is a beautiful place!

Went back to Paul Deen's Store wanted to pick up her new book. We shopped around, went upstairs to look at more stuff...and I ran right into Bobby Deen, Paula Deen's youngest son! Boy, I was so excited I could hardly talk!

For those of you who do not know who Paula Deen is....she is on the foodnet work with her own show. She has two son's who also cook and they appear on her cooking show. I love her southern cooking! I think Carl does too!

The Restauant is awesome! It is in an old run down building at 102 Congress in Savannah! It is 3 stories with a restauant on each floor.

The food is total awesome! I ate so much! Yes, when I get home it will be

time to get the "South Beach" out!

We had a totally fabulous day with our friends John and Carol and the Deen's!

Thank you Hilton Head for some decent sunshine and warm weather!

2009-03-31T20:56:00.000-04:00

Tiger's Won 6/3

2009-03-26T23:20:00.002-04:00

Sorry Tampa Bay Rays!

Granderson and Inge both posted a home run!

Great game!

Large crowd at Joker Marchant Field!

Cute Art on back of RV

2009-03-26T13:16:00.002-04:00

Here is some cute art on the back of motorhome. I think Carl and I should do this on our new motorhome someday.....when that day comes!

Knowing when to STOP and PLAY....PRICELESS!

Lakeland, Florida Today

2009-03-26T13:14:00.003-04:00

We are heading out to the Baseball Game. Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Ray's.
It is a 6:05 game. Weather should be about 89 degrees at the ball park.

Will post pictures later.

Weather today is sunny a little breezy and mild to hot heat!

Lovin it!

Recession at Lazy Days

2009-03-26T13:05:00.004-04:00

Folks it is true that Lazy Day's in Seffner, Florida is feeling a little pinch with this recession. Not only are they not selling 300 coaches in a month they have cut back on their breakfast's! Not all that bad when you can get a bowl of cereal to fill you up! We love it anyway!

2 little sausage pieces and 2 french sticks! But all the coffee you can drink.

Not bad for 39.14 a day includes a beautiful hot tub and pool! Did I mention you get lunch too!

Our plans are to leave here on Sunday morning and head
to Hilton Head Island! Hope it isn't raining!

Miss everyone back home.

Bat Boy on St. Pat's Day!

2009-03-18T23:24:00.002-04:00

Ice Cold Beer and Lemonade!!

2009-03-18T23:22:00.000-04:00

Ice cold Beer
Lemonade for sale!

Baseball, Apple Pie, Chevrolet....

2009-03-18T21:47:00.004-04:00

We have been to Spring Training twice this week. We want to go on Friday!

Saturday we went to the game Detroit played Toronto on Saturday. The Tigers won 10 to 4.
On Tuesday, St. Patty's Day, they played Houston Astro's. They played 11 innings with a tied score 1-1. In Spring training they only play11 innings incase of a tie.

Weather on Tuesday was a little cloudy, temperature was 77! It made for a perfect day at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.

Thanks to Mike Paradis he got us some great tickets and we sure do thank him! On Tuesday, a man caught a ball right in the face, the same place we were on Saturday! Ouch!

I got some great pictures of some of the greats! Like the General Manager Dave Dombrowski, back head view of Willie Horton, Verlander, Jim Leyland.

Scott Sizemore got a home run! That was special.

Today, March 18, we met our neigbors in our back yard. Bill and Debbie are from Michigan. We enjoyed lunch with them, then we went to Sam's Club and Costco and back over to Amy's. Did I tell you she has gone to Las Vegas for a few days with Faith Belcher, Amy's friend. So, we are kitty kat sitting for LeRoy and Moses. They were happy to see their Grandma and Grandpa today.

So, tomorrow is going to be hot and sunny and that means sun fun and pool time!

March 14 Joker Marchant Stadium Lakeland Fl

2009-03-15T07:56:00.003-04:00

We traveled to Lakeland, met with Mike and Sheila Paradis from Elk Rapids, Michigan. Mike got us great seats to watch the game Detroit Tigers vs Toronto Blue Jays. We were just left of the Tiger's dugout! 5 Row back! Great seats, could see the players really good. The Tig's won 10-4!
Needless to say it was a great game, lots of excitement.

Game time the temperature was 81 degrees, partly sunny! Most of the time sunny! It was a beautiful day at the baseball park! Hot dogs, big soft pretzels and water, oh wait I had a Starbucks Frappe, Moca with chips! Had to do it, it was so hot! A prefect day at Joker Marchant!

We came back to the RV sat around and then finally went to the pool and hot tub to end the day!

Thank you Florida for the wonderful weather!

March 12, 2009

2009-03-12T21:46:00.003-04:00

We have been in Florida for 3 months today!

We love Rally Park.

I walked 4 miles this morning. I have to start training for the 1/2 Marathon next January!
I am feeling it tonight. Gotta get in the groove!

This afternoon I made a couple batches of rice krispie treats some peanut butter cookies and white chocolate macadamina nut cookies for Amy to take to her bake sale tomorrow. Hope she sells a lot of the goodies.

Well, Saturday we are off to Lakeland for a Tiger Game.

March 10, 2009

2009-03-10T21:39:00.005-04:00

Well, when I finally crawled out of bed at 8:30am this morning we got ready and drove to the Village Diner in Old Englewood for breakfast. Yummy. We had 2 eggs, ham or bacon and potatoes.
I forgot to mention that this restaurant makes all their bread! So, homemade bread with the breakfast. It was very good.

Then we drove to the factory outlet of Tervis Tumblers. Tervis Tumbler's are made right here in Venice, Florida. Tervis Tumbler's work like magic. They keep cold drinks cold for a very long time. Keep hot stuff Hot for a long time. We have now invested in a few mugs! They are worth the money!

Then we came back to the motor home and I caught a few "rays" and then we went to the pool and hot tub, where I met up with Pat the friend I met on Thursday. We exchanged in a conversation, we did the hot tub thing then I went to the shower room, Carl and I ate dinner then we walked over to Pat and Rob's place at C24 just around the corner from us, we sat and chatted then we exchanged addresses etc and said our good byes and hope that we come back next year to see them!

We came back to the motor home at 8:45pm!

Honestly, we have met so many nice people on this trip!

Well, tomorrow is move day back to Rally Park in Seffner, Florida. We are going to miss Rambler's Rest!

More later.........................

Lunch at Village Diner, Englewood

2009-03-09T23:12:00.003-04:00

We met Sharon and Roy at this quaint little restaurant called Village Diner! We had a nice table outside and a great lunch. We all had the Reuben sandwich with fries! Yummy!

We are finding this area some great restaurant's and great food!

Another beautiful sunny day with a very mild breeze! Couldn't get much better than this!

Alligators at Rambler's Rest RV Park

2009-03-09T23:01:00.003-04:00

The sign says there are alligator's in the ponds! By george there are alligators in the ponds.
I was walking Sadie this afternoon and saw some fellows out by the pond pointing and talking. So, being the person I am I had to go ask what they were looking at. Sure enough alligator's in the pond! Had my cell phone with me, so I called Carl to bring the camera.

I have to tell you Sadie loves to wade in water when she is hot, like Lake Michigan in the summer.
In Key West she waded in the gulf, she didn't like the salty water at all! But she wanted to wade in the Rambler's Rest pond, and a fellow told me don't let her go near that water, there are alligator's in the pond. So, it is true and Sadie still wants to wade in the water! She would much rather be back in Michigan in the snow!

Playing cards with friends

2009-03-09T22:46:00.003-04:00

We had a fun afternoon playing a card game called Hand and Foot with Sharon and Roy Warner.

We had a few drinks and a some great nachos! Had a birthday cake! A nice day to celebrate another day of my birthday.

Sharon and Roy rented a house in Englewood or the Rotundra. A very nice house. They are about 12 miles from us at Rambler' Rest in Venice. Did I tell you about Rambler's Rest? It is a very nice park. I will tell you more later.

Throwing the ball

2009-03-09T22:34:00.002-04:00

Playing ball!

Father and Daughter.

A fun afternoon.

March 7 Sharkey's Rest.

2009-03-09T21:41:00.005-04:00

Amy drove down from Brandon today down to celebrate my birthday. We went to Sharkey's on the Pier for a late lunch. While we waited to be seated we watched the bather's soaking up the sun. We watched the birds dive for fish that was fun! It was a beautiful day to be on the beach. People were having a great time fishing and sunning!

We got seated and looked at the menu, I was so excited because they had a Grouper Sandwich, and it was honest to goodness grouper! When we were served, it was soooooo good! What a great birthday dinner. Grouper is the best fish!

After a trip to Beall's Dept. Store I decided that we should have a Sonic Java Chiller. That is similar to the "Frappe" at McDonald's. McDonald's is much better though. The three of us were so darn full, Carl and Amy decided when we got back to the RV Park they would throw the softball around and get some exercise.

We didn't do the pool thing because it had cooled off quite a bit.

We had a great day together and enjoyed the sunshine!

March 6 Birthday

2009-03-06T20:48:00.003-05:00

Thanks to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. I had a million calls this morning! I thank everyone for my birthday calls!

Carl and I went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast and then to Beall's Dept. store and bought a few more things! I love Beall's it is a great store like Kohl's use to be. Glad they aren't in Michigan!

Our friends Roy and Sharon Warner had us come down to Englewood where they have rented a house, (and it is only 12 miles from Venice) we had snacks and drinks. Sharon had a birthday cake for me. Roy, Sharon and Carl sang Happy Birthday to me! What more could I ask for.
Good food and Good friends!

We then went to Farlow's for dinner. Carl and I had the Grouper dinner, Sharon had Grouper Oscar or something like that, Roy had Mahi Mahi. Was an excellent restaurant it was in Englewood, Florida. We would recommend Farlow's!

Again, another year older and blessed with many friends and relatives! Every year only gets better!

Thank you to everyone!

Pier, Gulf and Beaches

2009-03-06T20:39:00.003-05:00

Venice is a beautiful place to visit. Carl and I really like this area. Easy to get around, no travel congestion.

March 5 Venice Pier

2009-03-06T20:22:00.004-05:00

We went out and about in our Tracker and found the Venice Fishing Pier fun place.

I watched a guy catch a small shark on his fishing pole. I watched a guy whittle as he fished.

It was a beautiful day on the beach, too! We did not stay on the beach because Carl would be burned to a crisp in this hot sun!

We enjoyed the pool and hot tub this afternoon and met a couple gals and we clicked! We hope to meet at the pool again soon, but it seems everyone is busy!

March 4 Towing to Venice, Florida

2009-03-05T22:10:00.003-05:00

We headed out today for Venice, Florida to an Encore RVPark, called Rambler's Rest.

First time towing a car! Funny thing the car followed us to Venice without a problem! This is a hugh park with many Park Model trailers with many people stay here for 6 months. A very nice park. However, here I am again with "tengo internet service". Slow, slow that's all I can say.

March 3 visit with Tony and Alberta

2009-03-03T21:41:00.004-05:00

Carl and Tony

We met these wonderful people at Boyd's RV Park in Key West. Then we met them again at Everglades National Park. But, the biggest surprise was last Friday they showed up at Rally Park and they parked them right behind us! They stayed 2 nights and then went to Hillsborough State Park 10 miles from us. So we went and visited with them today. We wanted to check out he park in case we want to go there sometime. It is a very nice park, but their pool isn't ready, not until April 1. I like my heated pool and hot tub here at Rally Park!

Breakfast at Lazy Days"Cafe"

2009-03-03T21:38:00.002-05:00

This is a typical breakfast we are served Monday through Saturday! Then we get lunch too!
This a very nice RV Park. I would recommend this place to anyone!

Frost on March 3

2009-03-03T08:01:00.005-05:00

Really there is ice on the cars and grass this morning! So, we are cold but not as cold as Michigan!

Where have we been?

2009-03-02T20:00:00.003-05:00

Just an update to let everyone know we are still going strong here in Florida.

Weather update: It is cold here!

Hot tub update: Haven't been there for two days!

We went out on our own in our own car today and we made it back to our motor home~! We went to Walmart and Sam's Club. We did take the GPS!

We usually go to the hot tub about now (i.e. 8:00 pm) but not to night, it is a little bit chilly! We have the little heater going and it is still chilly in here!

Rick honored us on his blog on the 27th! We were married 38 years on the 27th! The blog is really cute. The picture above is what he did. We actually are not in a barn. Rick uses photo shop, looks like he is pretty darn good at it!

Just read the Traverse City Record Eagle online that the bay has froze over! The last time it froze over was in 2003! Boy, to think I was there in 2003! This morning I heard it as -5 in the Elk Rapids area. That is pretty darn cold. So, I guess I shouldn't complain when it is 40 degrees here in Florida.

Have a good night.

Navette

2009-02-24T21:12:00.001-05:00

If you saw a Navette would you know what it was? We have a Navette next to us! Funny thing we saw the people when they came in on February 21. Then we didn't see them again. They were suppose to leave on the 22nd. We figured they were probably dead. Finally, they showed up today in a cab. Guess the 21st Ruth the lady woke up with a sharp pain in her right arm. They called 911, they came in took her to the hospital, they didn't do sirens but had their lights flashing! We didn't hear anything! Anyway, according to Paul, Ruth's husband that she did have a clot go through but it went through the heart without any problems and they say that the clot ended up in the right arm. Anyway, she is OK. They bought this 94 Navette. There were only 16 built and he has one!

This is the story:

Built on an Isuzu chassis, with a diesel engine, the Navette is a streamlined design that was admired for its sleek looks and excellent fuel economy. (Don't ask how you check the tire pressures.) The Navette Motorhome was first produced in 1990 by Bob Smith. By 1995 he had produced and sold 16 vehicles, including one special ordered by Kellogg Cereal. Unfortunately he had to close the company at that time due to severe illness. Smith listed the company for sale a few years ago and it still may be available. It is all fiberglass and hand built.

February 24 Parksdale in Plant City

2009-02-24T19:57:00.005-05:00

Steve Barnett and Kathi came today for a visit. We took them to Lazy Days Cafe for lunch and then we rode out to Plant City to the famous Parksdale Strawberry Farm. For a small farm market it does very well! A very famous place, people from all over the world come here to enjoy their famous Jumbo Strawberry Shortcake! Today there was a line of people, probably took us 15 minutes to go through the line.

#2 is the Jumbo Strawberry Shortcake with ice cream and whipped topping.
#3 is the Strawberry Boat, it has strawberries, ice cream and whipped topping.

They have other choices, but these are the 2 that we used.

They also have fresh vegetables and fruit. I purchased some zucchini and cauliflower. I made the Zucchini Custard Bake (yummy) and steamed the cauliflower. I also bought a 1/2 flat of strawberries. I made a fast and easy strawberry pie. Amy and Carl enjoyed everything!

Our day was great, we had fun with an old friend.

Feb 23, 2009

2009-02-24T19:44:00.003-05:00

Feb 23, 2009

Here we are in lot #119 with our parrot lights sparkling! Here is Happy Camper Sadie!

We are enjoying the fine life. We are so fortunate to be able to do this trip!

We sent our title down to my brother John and he is doing the paper work for the Tracker.
We will have our license tomorrow! Thank you John and Connie!

We will soon have wheels to run around!

1993 Tracker

2009-02-22T21:24:00.003-05:00

Here is our new "toad" that we purchased today! We are so excited to get this ready so that we can pull it behind the Bounder!

It is a 1993 White Tracker, 5 speed, 2 wheel drive.

We got it for a darn good price, and it is in good condition. Needs new tires and of course we will go through it when we get back to Michigan.

We cleaned it from top to bottom, the upholstery had some stains so I cleaned them today, that is what you see in the picture.

How do you like it?

Pictures of Half Marathon in January

2009-02-20T21:00:00.003-05:00

I just ordered these pictures from

Disney. Here we are!

Mother and Daughter

February 20,2009

2009-02-20T20:55:00.002-05:00

It was a very cool setting this morning. By noon the wind had died down and it became a very lovely day. Over abundance of sunshine.

I made some lasagna and Amy stopped for dinner and then went to her
softball game.

It is now getting cooler, expecting a high of 31 in the morning.

Got the ceramic heater going, we are very cozy here in this RV.

Looking at some Spring Training Schedules for the Tigers!

We didn't do much today, Carl is still under the weather a bit.

Calu's Condo in Key West

2009-02-19T21:20:00.001-05:00

Bedroom for R.J. and Kayla

Living room and dining room

Looking from the living room

Evidence of a Forest Fire on I- 75

2009-02-19T21:08:00.002-05:00

We saw this fire on I-75 just outside of Punta Gorda.

It was really blazing!

Flames! Smoke in the distance.

Capt'n Con's on Pine Island

2009-02-19T21:02:00.004-05:00

11 Years ago or so, Carl and I came here for their famous
Grouper Sandwich. We came back here but were
kind of disappointed that they sub white fish for
grouper! Well, we pretended it was grouper and
again the sandwich was very good!

Jimmy Buffett's Recording Studio on Key West

2009-02-19T20:51:00.002-05:00

Jimmy Buffett has a recording studio at Shrimp Pier in Key West.

Carl is knocking on the door waiting for Jimmy to answer!

Don't think so Carl!

This was fun thing to do in Key West

Feb 10 Sally "Goin' Crazy on Caroline "

2009-02-19T19:43:00.003-05:00

One of Jimmy's song is "A Woman Goin' Crazy on Caroline Street." I was very
fortunate to be on Caroline Street in Key West Florida on February 10, 2009.

Bob and Suzi's Birthdays

2009-02-15T21:54:00.003-05:00

We didn't get a chance to celebrate Suzi's birthday on January 22, and Bob's birthday is coming up February 25, 2009.

They had this great place called Bob's Bunz in Islamorada to make this special cake for them! It was very good. It had a key lime layer and chocolate with delicious frosting! Yummy.

Happy Birthday to Suzi and Bob! Great friends! We had a great time with them in Key West.

Thank you Suzi and Bob.

Alligators - Feb 15, 2009

2009-02-15T21:44:00.000-05:00

Alligators on Big Pine Key

No Name Key - No Name Pub

2009-02-15T21:39:00.000-05:00

Here we are at No Name Pub on No Name Key.

Quaint little place had great pizza!

Lots of $1 dollar bills hanging around!

February 15, 2009

2009-02-15T21:29:00.002-05:00

Sunday February 15, 2009

We were picked up by Bob and Suzi around 9:45 am and headed north. We went to Big Pine Key to the Flea Market. By the time we got there it was getting pretty hot. We shopped, Bob and Carl went one way and Suzi and I went another. I found a cover up to use for wearing over to the showers or to the pool. I found a lady who paints the most awesome Key West shirts! Of course she was out of my size, so she is going to paint me a shirt and ship it to Amy’s house.

By 1:00 all done at the Flea Market time to head for No Name Key to the No Name Pub. It is a really neat place. It is just a small old building, very quaint. It also has dollar bills hanging all over the ceiling and walls. At one time the IRS made them count all the dollar bills and pay tax on them! At that time there was over $80,000 hanging around!
It is pretty cool to see all these one dollar bills hanging with “Go Blue” and names or stuff written on the bills.

We had great pizza and a waitress that was great. When she talked she sounded just like Pam Krogh. She was as tiny too! We ate pizza until we were stuffed.

Then Bob took us to “Blue Hole” a habitat for alligators and birds. Golly, gee we saw an alligator in the water that was really exciting. Look at all the pictures of this creature! How would you like him as a pet?

We drove through a couple RV parks. Guess what? Suzi made reservations for next February 2010! They will not be traveling without that RV of theirs ever again. They had quite an experience in Key Largo with renting sight on seen. The new Condo is very nice. It is right on the island of Key West right almost downtown.

We went back to their condo for this delicious cake that they had made for their birthdays. Suzi’s was Jan 22 and Bob’s is February 25. We kind of had my birthday and our anniversary too! We enjoyed the cake and ice cream. Yep I need to get the South Beach diet book out and start my exercise program!

We leave in the morning to go north. I don’t want to leave this wonderful, awesome place. Where the weather is perfect everyday and the sun shines all the time.

What a place.

Capt. Tony's Saloon

2009-02-13T22:25:00.004-05:00

Last Mango in Paris.

Feb 13 Key Largo Kampground

2009-02-13T20:25:00.004-05:00

This morning Delaney was fascinated with this large bird that came to our door this morning.
Sadie and I were out walking, Carl grabbed the camera and began taking pictures of this
beautiful peacock.

We tried to get him to "fan" but even Sadie barking at him didn't faze him or her.

Then I took cute pictures of Sadie this morning.

Feb 12 and 13

2009-02-13T19:37:00.003-05:00

We drove to Key Largo to meet our friends Bob and Suzi Calu for dinner.
We stated in Key Largo Kampground, was a nice place but no internet.
We walked around Key Largo and had dinner.

Then Friday we moved up the road a couple miles to a place called Kings Kamp. Good internet!
We went down to the "beach" (if you can call a beach), talked to some nice girls from Maryland and New Jersey. Then we did a load of clothes had a nice steak dinner with baked potato.

We just got back from sitting on the docks of the bay watching fisherman. What a great place!

But I have to tell you Sadie went swimming today in the bay. She still can't get use to the taste of the water! When it is hot she loves to wade in the water! I will download some pictures of her in the water.

I didn't go swimming in the bay.........too many fishes in the bay!

Tomorrow we travel back to Key West!

Good night.

Feb 11 Downtown Key West

2009-02-13T18:52:00.007-05:00

Cats and roosters run wild in Key West.

You can see the smallest bar,
Red Fish Blue Fish, Rick's Bar,
and Sloppy Joes!

What a place to visit.

Look at the pictures on my Photos.

We are going back to that town!

Feb 10 Cheeseburger in Paradise

2009-02-13T18:44:00.004-05:00

Downtown Key West on February 10, 2009

Carl with margarita

Cheeseburger, onion rings and Cheeseburger with heinz 57 w
pickle French fried potatoes

We had fun at Margaritaville

Feb 9, Key West Florida

2009-02-13T17:26:00.007-05:00

Here we are celebrating Key West! And our place at Boyd's RV Park.

We arrived in Key West late Monday Afternoon. We got the motor home all set up and download the bus schedules and tried to figure them out. The Blue Bus and Green Bus where do they go, what time do you get on the bus, when do you arrive at your destination! A lot of work.

We just sat around Monday night.

Feb 7 Kissimmee Florida

2009-02-13T17:13:00.003-05:00

We met about 17 couples that have Bounder Motor Homes. There is a Bounder Group on the internet that we look at everyday. People post problems and people give advice on correcting the problem or whatever. It is a very informative group. We ate at the Golden Corral in Kissimmee. Oh yea we ate! Then we went to the Orange Grove RV park for the night. The next morning we left for West Palm Beach to see Jack and Kathy McCall. Old Clarkston friends!

Feb 8 Visit with Jack and Kathy McCall

2009-02-11T08:48:00.006-05:00

Saw old friends Jack and Kathy McCall. We had some pizza and sat around talking about the good old days! Was fun visiting with them.

Wekiva Falls Resort Pictures

2009-02-11T08:29:00.005-05:00

Wekiva Falls

2009-02-10T20:58:00.005-05:00

Sorry pictures won't upload today.

Here is a little history on Wekiva Falls Resort.

In the early 1970’s an application, and plans to construct a marina and campground was submitted to Lake County for approval. The natural spring, which was Robert R. Shell of Ft. Myers swam in as a boy, was shown these original plans. As a condition of approval, Lake County required the spring flow be terminated while dredging the prososed Wekiva Canoe Creek marina basin, to prevent turbid water from entering the Wekiva River. The land owner compiled with this requirement by having well drillers drive two large casings into the spring vents, each with a control valve. Water cascading from these tall pipes was responsible for the “Wekiva Falls” name.

Wekiva Falls Resort has a lot of history.

For those who are interested in history that is all about Wekiva Falls. It is a pretty place.

My cousin Nick and his wife Pat's daughter and son-in-law, Gary and Kathy are the new owners of Wekiva Falls Resort. They have 2 children Gary and Heidi. The two kids with guidance from their parents are running the resort. There has been a lot of new construction, updating electric and getting the resort in order so it can flourish.

The lots are large. Mt. Dora is only a few miles away, and close by is
Sorrento, with Malls, etc. A lot of potential!

We wish the best!

Feb 5 Meeting with Nick and Pat

2009-02-05T22:59:00.002-05:00

We went to Wekiva Falls and met with Nick and Pat O'Dea, my cousins on Feb 5, 2009. We had a nice visit and enjoyed the RV park.

Equipment off of I-4 in Florida

2009-02-05T22:50:00.003-05:00

We took these pictures from the motor home across the highway. These pictures can't show you all the equipment in this yard! The yard is big and lots of equipment. Who is going to buy these?
Are we shipping them over to China? Mexico? Where? certainly not in the United States.

February 5, 2009

2009-02-05T22:09:00.005-05:00

Today we left Rally Park at 9:20 am and traveled to Sorrento, Florida. We are here at my cousin's
Resort. Well, really my second cousins place. My first cousin Nick O'dea's daughter and son-in-law bought this place back in May. Now Kathy and Gary's (my second cousins) children are running the resort, they are Gary and Heidi (my third cousins).

We played cards tonight with my cousins and their friends. We had fun. We played a card game called"golf".

Today was very chilly. Tonight is really, really chilly. Probably down in the low 30's. We are a little north east of Tampa. Today, I had a sweatshirt on, my fleece that I wear with my cabelas coat and my cabelas coat with gloves. I am still cold. I have to get ready for bed, I think sweatshirt and flannel pants would be good. I sure hope it warms up! Sorry, I shouldn't be complaining!

Tomorrow, I don't know what we will do. Maybe take the motor home for a ride around here.
Of course Delaney wouldn't be really happy about that, but he will survive. Mt. Dora is close by,
that would be a nice little trip.

Saturday we go back to Kissimmee to the Golden Corral and meet with some of the Bounder Group people that are on the internet. We will then put faces to names that we read about on the Bounder site. We will listen and learn from these folks. They all love their Bounder Motor Homes as we do.

How do you like our new traveling sign? On the road again!

Well, keep the heater on and warm blankets! We will do the same here in Florida........

FEB 4, 2009 HARD FROST TONIGHT!!

2009-02-04T20:52:00.003-05:00

Strawberry farmers are scared this time! It is suppose to be cold (brrrr) tonight!

It has been one of the coldest winter's that Florida has experienced.

It is cool tonight! The motor home is chilly right now.

I know we shouldn't be complaining! Home (Elk Rapids) is a lot colder!

Stay warm!!

Feb 4, 2009 Sadie's 9th Birthday

2009-02-04T20:43:00.005-05:00

Sadie turned 9 today! Yes, she always
gets a birthday party! Even though we
were not home in Elk Rapids, she still
got to celebrate.

We tried to find birthday hats, couldn't
find any so Amy made her a hat!
Thank you, Amy!

Moses and LeRoy enjoyed Sadie's Birthday Party!
Moses was the only one who would pose for the camera.

Sadie said her cupcake was delicious!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SADIE!!

Feb 4, 2009

2009-02-04T20:29:00.003-05:00

Today was a very sunny day in Seffner, Florida. Chilly but Sunny!
Our day consisted of going to breakfast, coming back cleaning the motor home and Carl put new carpet on the steps of the motor home.

We washed rugs and then put them in the dryer at the laundry mat, then walked over to have lunch at the Lazy Days Cafe.

This afternoon was spent getting ready to take off tomorrow for Sorrento, Fl. visiting Nick and Pat O'dea my cousins from Clarkston.

Then on to West Palm Beach to visit Jack and Kathy McCall.

After all that we are heading to the Keys and Key West. That will be interesting and fun!

Keep watching!

Mobile Canine Clippers

2009-02-03T15:51:00.001-05:00

Sadie needed to be clipped, so I got on the internet and found a Mobile Clipper. I called her and she said the only opening she had was Monday morning, I thought she said 10:00 am but she didn't show up until 11:00

Her truck was a little bit to be desired along with the inside.
But, I said "Oh well!"

Sadie didn't know what happened to her, it happened so quick, the lady pulled up in her old van with a high ceiling, air conditioner on top, and bathing equipment inside. The lady said bring her in, she started her generator and poor Sadie about had a heart attack, that thing made a lot of noise! But within an hour Sadie was clipped, bathed and all done before she knew it! She even got her nails chopped! Good girl Sadie! She looks good!

There is a first for everything, Sadie! What will be next??

Moes Southwest Grill in Brandon

2009-02-03T14:45:00.005-05:00

When you walk into Moes, the staff shouts out "Welcome to Moe's!" Nice greeting.
This is kind of a fast food place, but they make your meal right on the spot.
Monday nights Moe's have a Burrito Special night, like for 5 bucks or so we order a "Homewrecker"all their meals have a name, such as Joey Bag of Donuts, which is a burrito with grilled meat, beans, rice and shredded cheese and pico de gallo. Our "Homewrecker" is grilled meat, or in Amy's case it would be tofu, beans, rice, shredded cheese, pico de gallo lettuce, sour cream and guacamole.
They are all very good and very filling! Traverse City needs one of these chains! It would go over big!!

So, anyway Monday nights we go to Moe's!

Tonight we are having stuffed peppers at Amy's.

Today we went in the pool and hot tub! What a life!

It is a sunny day here, but many are covering plants today anticipating the frost tonight. Oh it is going to be pretty chilly here they say.

Sadie is in the front window protecting our coach! Good girl!

Smokey Bones in Brandon

2009-01-30T22:31:00.003-05:00

We went to dinner on Wednesday night to a place called Smokey Bones. They use to have a veggie burger but Amy had to choose salmon they discontinued the veggie burger. I had this burger, had to bring 1/2 of it back to the motor home. It was very good. Carl had ribs.

This is quite a hamburger! What do you think? It was very good.

Steelers are in town

2009-01-30T22:24:00.002-05:00

The Steelers are in town. We have a lot of fans right here at the RV park.

John and Carol

2009-01-30T22:04:00.003-05:00

We met a couple that we are so compatible with! We have had so much fun with these two people!
Carol and Sally are really a lot a like. Here are some things:

1. Carol Jean
2. Sally Jean
3. Both hairdresser's
4. Both sewed up a storm in their earlier years
5. John bought their car from Delaney Auto
6. Heitmeyer's have a cat Delaney
7. Both like to cook
8. Both like Paula Deen (she's on Food network)

Even Carl and John have so much in common.

We have had some good laughs, good talks and just plain enjoying each others interest.

They are from Pennsylvania, they are heading out tomorrow (Saturday) for Hilton Head Island where they will be there for 3 months. They are staying in a house for 3 months. They are leaving on Saturday so that they are in the house to watch the Super Bowl game on
Sunday. Carol is a big Steelers Fan.

We are certainly going to miss them. We hope to go home up the east coast and stop and see them. We definitely will see them here next year.

Go Steelers!

Friends

2009-01-30T21:50:00.003-05:00

We got to see our friends that we met in Alaska. We had dinner Thursday night and actually ate lunch with them today at the Lazy Days Cafe. They are looking at buying a bigger class C motor home. Where else would they look? The only place in town is Lazy Days, well that's what they tell us!

They hale from Wisconsin and have a place at Ft. Pierce. That was fun talking about our trip through Alaska and Canada last June and July.

We will try and visit them.

It started to rain last night at 4:00 and it rained really hard all night! If the rain was snow we would have a lot of snow.

Suppose to get cold again! Frost warnings tonight. Brrrrrrr...........................

Will let you know!

Have a great night!

Steve Barnett's Visit

2009-01-27T20:24:00.000-05:00

We met with Steve Barnett today. He brought along his friend Kathy.
We haven't seen Steve in probably 20 years. A lot has changed in twenty
years for all of us. We found out that Steve had moved to
Zephyrhillis, Fl through the Facebook of Linda Ryan, my
friend from Clarkston.

Steve, Linda and Dale Ryan Rick Wilson and former spouses of Steve and Rick were
all our close friends in Clarkston, Mi. when we lived there.
What a great reunion we had today. All thanks to Linda Ryan and
Facebook. Thanks for coming today Steve!

OOPS!

2009-01-26T20:01:00.001-05:00

I was taking our picture with the self portrait on the camera,
you know push the button and run to get in the picture. Well,
I thought it would be a lot easier to jump in the hot tub rather than
go down the steps. Well, I jumped in the pool slipped and bang over I went. Carl thinks it is pretty funny! It was funny! Ha Ha

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!!!

2009-01-26T19:51:00.000-05:00

Today was just perfect. Hot Tub and then swimming!
Went for a ride with our friends John and Carol.
We are enjoying our last week at Rally Park.
Have a little bit more to do at Amy's then we are off
and running to the west coast. Going to miss this place and the
friends we have met!

Jan 26

2009-01-26T19:41:00.000-05:00

This is lot #110 at Rally Park.
We have trees and very vocal birds!
I am enjoying this park. We have our free
breakfast and lunch. We go to the pool.
Especially this week, this is our last week here.
:(

Jan 22 HAVING FUN

2009-01-26T00:05:00.000-05:00

Having fun with my new camera!! Maybe a little bored?!?

Strawberry Kings and Queens

2009-01-25T23:20:00.002-05:00

Strawberry Kings and Queens

2009-01-25T23:10:00.002-05:00

At Plant City, Florida, there is a place you have to go! It is called Parksdale Farm Market. Right now strawberries are in and they are delicious! Our friends from Pennsylvania took us for a strawberry sundae and to buy fresh produce at really reasonable prices. Well worth the trip! The prices were unbelievable! The strawberry shortcake with ice cream was incredible.

They have a photo shoot there, a large strawberry with a place to sit and crowns and all the good stuff.

Meet the new Kings and Queens!

Sally and Carl & Carol and John

I love Rally Park!

What is an Original Thick Buger Bogo???

2009-01-25T23:03:00.003-05:00

Thought this sign on a fast food dive was pretty interesting! What do think it is?
Would you order one? I don't know..............

Pretty Funny

Frost in Florida

2009-01-25T23:01:00.003-05:00

On Thursday Jan 22, 2008 there was heavy frost here. We had to leave early in the morning, 7:00 in the morning, so Carl had to unhook the water, etc. The water hose was froze at the water spigot! The night before we had both ceramic heaters going full blast. Anyway, the reason we had to leave early, we had an appointment to get the air conditioner compressor replaced. Nice guy, he works out of his front yard. Reasonable and fixed! Carl is happy and that is all the counts! Now, we are ready to go out west!

So, you guys up in Elk Rapids, we have had some cold weather too.

Love Rally Park. Don't want to leave.

If you click on the pictures in the collage you can see a larger view

Jan 14 - Jan 18

2009-01-25T22:11:00.004-05:00

On Wednesday January 14 we left Rally Park in Seffner and drove maybe 10 miles to the Florida State Fairgrounds to dry camp on the state fairgrounds with no WiFi! We were shuffled into the fairgrounds parking was irregular, but we ended up in a pretty nice section, where we were right by the gates and the pavilion where they had evening entertainment (if you could call it that). One evening we had wonderful entertainment by Kay and Ron Rivoli, she wrote the song Press one for English. A very fun show. They did a nice job and was refreshing.
http://www.rivolirevue.com/

One fun thing happened while walking through the RV show, my cousin Nick saw me there!
Million in one that would ever happen! Their daughter and son-in-law have bought a RV Park NE of Tampa, in Sorrento, Florida. The name of the Resort is Wekiva Falls Resort.
website www.weiivafallsresort.com. That is where Nick and Pat are spending the winter.
We spent a few minutes chatting and talking about the good ole days. Then we went on our way.

I did find a RV that I really, really liked. I can dream.....We would have to sell the farm! Can't do that. I would miss my house and friends back in Elk Rapids.

We had fun those 4 days, we spent time with Amy, she would come over after work and pick us up and we would go to her house and work or do laundry or just visit.

Sunday the 18th we came back to Rally Park. We like Rally Park!

January 12, 2009

2009-01-12T22:36:00.002-05:00

We drove from Fort Wilderness, in Orlando back to Seffner, Fl today.
Rally Park is full! They are having a few rallies this week, plus many people are here for the largest RV Show over at the Florida State Fairgrounds. That is where we will be starting on Wednesday. We will only have electric probably no internet. Amy will be coming and picking us so we can finish some things up at her house. We really don't know what to expect with this RV show. Hope it is fun. I am sure we will be meeting a lot of people. That will be a lot fun!

No plans for tomorrow. We will do our walk for breakfast and our walk for lunch. I have some work to do for a few clients. It is that time of year for them. Then off to Amy's. I have to do some staining and painting. It is fun to see something turn out so nice. I did her tv stand and wow it is looking pretty good! Carl made Amy's shoe rack today. That needs to be painted and installed in her closet. I didn't take my camera, I will take pictures of the shoe rack tomorrow.

Here are pictures of her finished kitchen. It turned out better than she expected I am sure! Carl did a great job!

Delaney sure doesn't like moving down the road, he doesn't say anything but he gets in his kitty litter box! Yes, I made sure it was clean before we took off! He loves the motor home when it is nt moving! Both animals have been so good!

Good night.

More tomorrow..................

January 11 - Day after the race

2009-01-12T22:17:00.003-05:00

June 11, 2008

The race went well yesterday! Amy was such a great coach, she helped us keep up a pace of 14.25 minutes per mile. We made up 14 minutes from last year! What will we do next year??!!

We started out Friday night to pick up our packets at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, well seems as though the transportation department has a new director. No one could really give us a straight answer on what bus we were suppose to take to get to the Wide World of Sports Complex. We rode around and around, we did get there but it took a lot of getting on this bus and getting on that bus and taking this and that! We got there and we got back but it was very stressful! We got our packets!

Saturday morning started at 2:30 am! Runners must be at Epcot by 4:00. It was a very cool morning, I would say it was 40-45 degrees. We had to get on the bus early, we wanted to make sure we got there on time! We got on the right bus that took us to the other bus to take us to Epcot. We did make it on time! There is absolutely nothing to do until they tell you to go to your corral. We ended up going into the Merchandise Tent and huddling around jackets and pants to keep warm! Then at 5:30 am we all walked over to the start line. At 6:00 am the fireworks went off and we were off and running! Cool morning running it ended up being a beautiful day to be out running in Florida. There were many runners and walkers out there. We did have some traffic jams! But all and all the race went well. We had a lot of fun!

How do I feel today? I slept for 12 hours last night. I don’t feel too bad, my ham strings feel really tight. I need to do some serious leg stretches.

We are enjoying the fine entities here at Fort Wilderness Resort.
We rented a golf cart today and drove around the park. For Internet you have to go to a “hot spot” so that is why I have not updated this blog. On Friday night I had internet, Saturday we couldn't get on so we learned that you have to go to different spots in the resort.

Carl and I went to the campfire sing-a-long tonight and to the fireworks! We left poor Sadie home alone to listen to the fireworks! To those who know Sadie she really does not like fireworks or thunder storms. We came back to the motor home to see her come out from under the couch! Poor little dog. Now she is sleeping on her blanket. She feels safe now with her mom and dad back with her.

Now we have to plan next years race! Amy plans to the Goofy race. 1/2 Marathon on Saturday and the full Marathon on Sunday....Go Amy go!

The Heitmeyer Animals

2009-01-07T14:12:00.002-05:00

Sadie thinks because Delaney gets up on the dash, it is OK for her to the same.
Carl took pictures this morning of Sadie at the front window. Delaney likes cheese crackers too!

Jan 6 Update

2009-01-06T22:08:00.003-05:00

Today was about 80 degrees and Sunny!
We did our daily walk to breakfast and lunch. Breakfast was 2 pancakes and 2 sausages, lunch was baked zita, not bad for a free lunch! As you will see our
daily walk takes in the work bays at Lazy Days, the out door showroom for all the new motor homes there also is a transition area, when you buy a motor home from Lazy Days they provide a few nights and days for you to move all your stuff in the new motor home. It is fun to walk through and see all the new motor homes and what is being traded in. On our walk back to Rally Park we usually walk through the used motor home area, we just look!

Today walking over we saw the motor home that has a crashed front windshield! I guess anything can happen while traveling! I know someone who goes to North Dakota to shoot ducks.....these poor people were just going down the road and smash right into the windshield~ how scary!

We saw 2 motor homes being fumigated! Have never seen this before. Interesting...

Sounds like a little rain coming through tomorrow and a little cooler for tomorrow.

The walk is getting closer!

Have a great day!

Jan 5 Update

2009-01-05T21:44:00.003-05:00

Well today was pretty productive. Carl grouted all the tile! I cleaned the floor and now we are ready to put the dishwasher in. We should get the house back in order and cleaned! (Then maybe I can make some bread and cinn buns!) Carl has a couple new light fixtures to put up and make that shoe rack!
The weather was delightful today! 77 degrees and sunny.
We did our breakfast walk, we get free breakfast and lunch here at Rally Park. We walk over (it is about 1/2 mile each way), and walk back.
Breakfast today was oatmeal with a danish, lunch was a turkey sandwich with coleslaw.
It isn't bad for a free lunch!
When we got back from breakfast and looking at a couple motor homes, I made lasagna for dinner tonight.
Amy picked us up a about 1:30, Carl got a lot done from 2:00 until we quit tonight at 7:30. Yep we are having a good time. We are having fun with Amy. Amy has a bad cold now! Bet we will be sick this weekend! Hope not.....we just over being sick!
I had a problem with my pictures downloading from Picasa to my website, but I found out how to fix it. So my pictures are downloaded now....take a look.

Have a great night!

Kitchen Back Splash January 4, 2009

2009-01-04T21:18:00.004-05:00

Amy only wanted to paint her kitchen and have Carl make her a shoe rack! Well, after taking wallpaper off the walls, painting the kitchen walls a couple times to get the right color, and the many trips to Home Depot, Lowes, I think we are about done! We made a day trip to look for tile, well we came across a Italian tile importer and they had just what she wanted! So, it has been a long road but it has been fun, and especially watching Amy's kitchen become a show piece. It has been fun being here with Amy and helping her with this project! We also painted one wall in the living room. I am trying to make her tv stand look like her new furniture. I hope that works out! She is going to have a great looking Tuscany kitchen!

We still have to grout the tile and put another coat of sealer on it and Carl still has to build the shoe rack!

I don't know if we will be done by Friday, we leave Rally Park on Friday for Fort Wilderness at Disney. The 1/2 Marathon is on Saturday! I am a little nervous but I think I have trained better than last year. Thanks to all my friends back in Elk Rapids who have helped me train! Jan Chobot for walking with me on ice, in rain and hail! My trainer Paul Wonacott who was there every Monday, Wednesday and Friday!
To Elaine my constant companion who encouraged me every step of the way! To my daughter who is the best trainer and the ultimate encourager!! I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for Amy being at my side all the way. And I can't forget about Carl who has put up with all my aches and pains and encouraging me to go for it!
Thank you to everyone! I love you all!

We are coming back to Rally Park on Monday. We will stay here until Wednesday morning then we go the Florida State Fair Grounds for the big RV Show. It goes for 4 days. Then we are coming back to Rally Park again for a few days. Then we are going to be heading out west! Unless, something changes!

Look at the Photo Album for more pictures.

We will be home before you know it!

Happy New Year To Everyone!!

2008-12-31T19:17:00.004-05:00

We want to wish you all a Very Happy New Year! We hope it is a PROSPEROUS, HEALTHY, NEW YEAR! We all sure can use some prosperity! 2009 has to be a great year for all us!!

We worked for a couple hours at Amy's. Amy had Home Depot put some raw umber in the paint hoping it would quiet the paint down a little (it was pretty loud), I put that paint on the wall today. It changed it a little, well, maybe a lot, we have to wait and see tomorrow. We have a lot of touch up work to do. Especially, when you paint only one wall, even being so careful to make a straight line it seems to spill over on the other wall! Amy will pick up her tile on Friday, so we have another full weekend coming up!

We are waiting for Bob and Suzi to arrive tomorrow! They are going shopping at Lazy Days, we get to go through motor homes with them! It will be fun, at least it will be a lot different than what we have been doing! Carl and enjoy helping our kids!

We had a little celebration with Amy and now she is gone to her own party. Some shrimp, crackers and cheese and fixins'! Now we are trying to set up the new TV that we received from Amy for Christmas. Problems???? Oh yea....but Carl will figure them out!

Florida likes to celebrate the New Year with firecrackers and fireworks! So, Sadie had to have a tranquilizer and she is under the couch. She is so scared of fire crackers and fireworks, she was about to go crazy, so Delaney's tranquillizers have come in to play not for Delaney but Sadie! Don't think Sadie would make a good hunter!

We miss all of you back in Michigan! Have a safe and happy New Year!

We love you all......

December 28, 2008

2008-12-28T19:43:00.003-05:00

Well, today was a pretty productive day! I got first coat of orange-ish red on the living room wall. It definitely will need 3 coats of paint. Carl got the primer on the kitchen ceiling and walls. Then after we had our dinner he painted the white on the ceiling.

Amy works tomorrow morning, she said she would pick us up around 1 o'clock. Then to Daltile to see about tile for her counter top and back splash. (Daltile wasn't open on Friday December 26, wondering if they are out of business, guess we will find out tomorrow.) We have looked at Home Depot and Lowes. Since we have changed wall color today, we need to really look hard at tile that will go with the color. It is pretty much a Tuscany color. So, our plans are to get at lease one coat of yellow on the walls in the kitchen, and another coat on the living room wall.

The park is really filling up with Motor homes! My goodness no one was in here until Saturday and they are coming in in groves! Rally park has a big New Years Party here, a lot of people meet here for the big Party. I don't think we are invited.

We are waiting for our friends Bob and Suzi Calu to show up New Years Eve.
We wil probably be sleeping before midnight, we are getting too old for all this hard work!

Will let you know tomorrow how the colors on the walls are doin!!

Texturing Ceilings and Walls

2008-12-27T20:56:00.004-05:00

We have been busy the last few days....should say, Carl has been busy the last few day! He textured Amy's ceiling and walls. She wants to do her kitchen in a tuscany color and style. It is a bigger job than we thought, I guess.
We have to prime and paint. That will come tomorrow. Now, we hear she wants a wall in her living room and a wall in her bedroom!

Here are some pictures.
Tomorrow will bring new pictures I hope.

December 23, 2008

2008-12-23T18:34:00.002-05:00

It is almost Christmas~ Can't believe it!

Here we are in 70 degree weather, it just doesn't seem like Christmas to me this year! Probably, because it is warm and I am not with all my family. Wish Rick and Lori were here, too.

Amy would be having a little problem getting home this year with all the snow the North is getting. I would be at my wits end, knowing Amy would be stranded either in Tampa trying to connect to Detroit or in Detroit trying to get to Traverse City.

To be honest with everyone I could get use to this weather! I certainly don't miss the snow....well, I kind of do. I don't miss taking Sadie out and freezing to death!!!!

I miss all of you back in Michigan, Idaho and wherever!

We went shopping today, picked up grub for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Different twist on Christmas Day.....We (Carl & I)are having prime rib no turkey this year. Should be interesting~Amy is having veggie stuff!

Everyone have a good Christmas Eve!

Love you all!

Dec 20 and 21st

2008-12-21T21:16:00.002-05:00

The weather is perfect! We are suppose to have a cool down tomorrow!

Amy and I walked about 5 miles yesterday. Then we went to her house and started taking wallpaper off her kitchen and dining room.
What a job.....and I have a lot of wallpaper to take off at my house in ELk Rapids! What a job to think about doing!

Today, Carl scraped her "popcorn" ceiling off, he is ready to texture the ceiling. We have all the wallpaper off, and walls washed. We are getting close to getting the walls prepared for paint.

Do we texture the walls, do a suede paint on it, there are so many ideas out there! Sponge paint, rag painting what to do!!!

Amy wants a Tuscany look in her kitchen. Carl has ideas for the countertops, but that may have to wait until the next visit. Time will tell.

The RV park is starting to get filled up! Probably because of the Christmas vacation time! Can't believe it is Christmas time. Floridans decorate their house so nice! But no snow.....how can you have Christmas without snow??? It is going to be weird.

People in Michigan stay warm! We miss you all!

Time to hit the sack!

Delaney and Sadie

2008-12-18T18:53:00.003-05:00

Delaney loves his new home! He is so content here. He is being such a love!

Delaney and Sadie are wonderful pets!

Merry Christmas!

December 13, 2008

2008-12-18T18:41:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday Amy!
Amy turns 33 today! Whew! What happened to those years?

Thursday Dec 11

2008-12-18T18:16:00.006-05:00

We left Sweetwater, Tn. at about 10:00 on December 11, after having a delicious breakfast with Sharon and Larry Smades. Thank you Larry and Sharon for your wonderful hospitality!
We had just awful rain storms all the way to almost Atlanta. The windows kept steaming up so I had to make a window cleaner so that I could keep the steam off Carl's window so he could see where he was driving! It was a mess there for awhile! We made it!
We went through wonderful Atlanta, Ga., at about 2:00pm. We went through without any back ups or anything! Whew!!! We ended up staying in Valdosta, Ga. Coming into Seffner around 2:00 on Friday.

We are in a a very nice RV park.....Rally Park, right next to Lazy Days RV Sales.

They give us breakfast and lunch everyday! The breakfasts are pretty good. Today we had 2 pancakes and 2 pcs of bacon. Lunch was a bowl of soup and a bowl of salad. All the tea, pop or water that you want. Pretty nice thing they do! Then you can go out in their lots and do some shopping (for motorhomes, trailers)!

They have quite an inventory! They have a huge lot of used machines too! Just wish I had lots of money! Don't we all.

The weather has been just beautiful. We get up and walk and then by noon it is 80 degrees with sunshine coming down!

Hope you all in Winter Wonderland take it easy and drive safe!

Check out my Photo Album and see all the pictures taken with my new camera that I got from Rick and Lori for Christmas! Thanks again for the wonderful present! I carry it in my pocket just incase I see something I need to take a picture of something!

Well, I got very sick and now Carl has the stuff. We are getting better! Congestion and coughing! :(

The animals are doing great. Delaney loves his new camper house!
Sadie isn't sure she likes the heat! ( Better than snow!)

Will write more.....later

2008-12-18T18:14:00.000-05:00

Sally's Dream Machine!!!!

2008-12-18T14:53:00.004-05:00

I have been shopping! Found my Dream Machine!!!

It is a beauty. 45ft long and lucious!

Take a look!

December 9, 2008

2008-12-09T20:40:00.003-05:00

We left this morning at 8:30 from Vestaburg, Mi. It was freezing rain, we continued south and just had rain. All the way.

Since Monday afternoon when we left Elk Rapids we have driven 595 miles.

Will keep posting.