Snow and Cold Happy New Year.

Woke up to freezing cold and snow squalls. Mom and I went out for lunch and on to shopping at Sears. Bought a cosy housecoat. We are planning on a wild New Years evening, Watching t.v. and munching on cheese and crackers. Wine as well. We might even stay up till midnight. whoopee!!!!!!Happy New Year....

where did all the snow go?

After two days of rain and one of 90 kilometer hour winds the green grass is showing again. Big piles of dirty snow by the side of the roads and in the parking lots. What a change a few days makes. Today is sunny and around freeezing but no snow yet. I am hoping this stays till Jan. 1st. Thats the day I am planing on leaving to head south.

Merry Christmas

A bright and sunny day. Temp about +2 but windy. Rained most of yesterday,still lots of snow left. Mom has been working in the kitchen most of the morning. Produced the Christmas turkey with all the trimmings, and wine as well. And her usual christmas pudding with rum sauce. We are now ready for a little nap. Merry Christmas to all.

Made It

Left this morning at 8.30. for London. Arrived here at 12.30. Didn't start to snow till the last 30 miles. The road was fairly clear, and no blowing snow. Was a fairly easy run. Lots of snow plowed by the side of the road. Some places about 5 feet high. Mom had a nice meal for me when I arrived. Has been windy and blowing snow ever since. Supposed to have 6 more inches tonight and then freezing rain over Xmas. Glad I came today even though it was -16 . A little cold carrying things in and out of the Van. Mom has the turkey thawing in the fridge. Should be a food filled Xmas .!!!!!!

And more snow and cold.

Last night went down to -15 and with the wind chill was equal to -26. Now that is COLD. Is blowing and snowing again this afternoon. No sun in sight. I am packed and almost ready to hit the road. Just need a big break in the weather.

Snow, snow, snow

Enough... When is this snow going to stop? Started about 9 this morning and is still coming down. I can hear the snowplow in the parking lot trying to clear the lot. Unfortunately there is no place to push it to. Really only got about 8 inches of the white fluffly stuff today but has been very windy, so have drifts of 4 feet in places. At present there is a pile of snow at the end of the lot about 10 feet high and the plow keeps trying to push more on top of it. Think they will have to get a front end loader to dig it up and place on a dump truck and dump it some where else.... No one can get their cars out but doesn't really matter cause the roads aren't plowed anyways so couldn'tgo anywhere even if we could get out. Supposed to be cold but clear tomorrow and snow again on Sunday. Today it was -15 with a windchill equal to -25. Brrr. Now that is cold. Sure makes visiting Arizona and California sound like a wonderful escape. Now if I can just get a break in the weather so can do the 3 hour drive to London safely on Tues or Wed. Time will tell.

getting ready for on the road again

It is the middle of Dec. and have had enough cold snowy winter weather to last me till April. Am packing the Van to be ready sometime after Christmas to make a run for the warmer South. Just need a break in the weather. Don't fancy driving through 5 days of blowing snow and slippery roads. Stau tuned for daily reports once I hit the road for Arizona. This time I have a laptop to keep my family informed of my whereabouts, and any interesting happenings on my travels. .

Shell hunting

Another hot and sunny day here. Rained last Monday and sprinkled Tuesday. Has been wonderful Florida weather ever since. On Thursday we went to a beach at Fort De Soto Park. It's near St.Petersburg , about 2 hours from here. Crossed over Tampa Bay, where it joins the Gulf of Mexico , on a fabulous bridge. Took some pictures , also seen a paddlewheeler boat out on the bay. Eileen thought it was a tour boat of some kind. Lovely sandy beach and not many people on it a 9 in the morning. Collected lots of sand dollars and a few other pretty shells. Now the trick is to get them home intact. We are off to the library today. So nice to sit around and read in the warmth. I am just bone idle and loving every day of it.

Saturday Feb. 9th.

Another hot sunny day here in paradise. Robert and Linda visited last Tues. They also took a little " detour " on the way here so I don't feel so bad about my "detour " on the way to Springs... They , like us ,also wanted to travel home in the daylight. 3 hours here , 3 hours to visit and 3 hours back home. Of course they would be driving the last bit through the Occala National Forest with the deer jumping in front of the car headlights at night. A bear had been spotted near the camp as well.. We had a nice visit . They got to see some of the cats including a few of the feral cats.
The pineapple plant in the back yard is growing a pineapple. Eileen has 6 plants that she started from the tops of pineapples. I didn't think they were that easy to grow, but must be as she has a black thumb instead of a green one...I have taken a picture of it as it is just starting to pop out of the centre of the plant. Don't know how fast they grow but will take another before I leave here.
Yesterday went to see a movie. The Bucket List. Really enjoyed it. We have been discussing what we would put on our list before we kick the bucket. It seems I have a list and have been slowly marking them off.... Who'd have known it... Wouldn't you just love to know what else I have on my list?
This morning we went to a arts and craft fair in Sebring. Was interesting and not too hot. Had my first "funnel cake" Must be a thousand calories in it. Was good but even I couldn't eat it all. we should of got one between us, live and learn. Don't think I will be having another one soon though. Sat in the park munching it and watched the really large people walk by. felt really bad but kept right on munching. Sebring is a funny little town. the centre of the town is a circle with a park in it and the streets go out like spokes in a wheel, and the outer streets becoming larger circles. Cute, but hell for traffic.
It is getting hotter out now , glad we came home early. Eileen is trying to have a nap and I just might too. Ah ,,the wonderful life of the retired in Florida.

sunny but cool

What has happened to the HOT weather? Mind you it is still in the low 70's but actually had to put a sweater on early in the morning when we do our mile walk. Today is warmer so have my shorts on at long last... Last Friday Eileen had to be at the hospital in the morning for a test, as she chose to be asleep for it , I went with her a nd drove her home after. Results show a hiatus hernia, so tha was a relief to her. Although the results from the biopsy aren't back yet. Also having a liver scan tomorrow. today she woke up with a dreadful sore throat, so its back to the Dr. this afternoon to get some antibiotics. It is 5 days since test, just long enough for the hospital germs to have hatched!!!!
We have been taking it easy for the last two weeks, in hopes Eileen will soon be over all the medical problems. We did go out to dinner last night with 28 of the neighbours . They do a monthly community birthday dinner . If your birthday is that month, you get to pick out the reataurant , but you also have to bring your own birthday cake... a young couple came with the newest addition to the crowd. One month old baby girl. Cute as a button and a full head of dark hair. Her parents were the only couple under the age of 65. Swinging group, eh.
We are off to the library this morning. A couple of days ago we did a drive around the area. Cattle ranching and citrus farming everywhere. We stopped at an old cemetary, cause I was surprised to see all the caskets above the ground. I guess if they dig down it is swampy. A large turtle was lumbering along between the graves heading for the orange grove. Of course I didn't have the camera with me.
Guess I am doing what Floridians do down here. spend my time eating out,with discount coupons, going to the library, waiting in Dr.s waiting room's, and waiting in hospital waiting rooms. and going to cemetary's. If this is retirement , I don't think too much of it.
I'm still thinking about a laptop but haven't got it yet. Really haven't had time to go and do some looking. Maybe next month when I am camping by myself.
I will have to go out and chase the cats away from the van before I start it up. Eileen feeds the wild cats, and they seem to be multiplying. She says I will have to open the hood, hit the sides of the van and when I start it , have to do what is known in the area as the "kitty jerk" reverse and stop fast so the little kittens fall out of where ever they have been sitting and then I can drive off. At least they are keeping the creepy crawlys out of the van. I keep looking for the alligators in the lake as we walk past every day but so far, haven't spotted them.

Rain

Woke up to much needed rain on Thursday morning. Stopped by 9 , and fairly warm. Eileen and I headed for Robert and Linda's campsite in Ocalla National Forest. Eileen drove and I navigated. Three hours later we arrived . Did miss a turn but refuse to admit it was my fault. The highway was under construction and the signs pointing to #19 were not there. Went a block too far and Eileen seen the signs for "south " and she did a u turn and headed north. . Lovely drive once we got off the main highway. Checked out the site I will be setting up at, on Feb. 25th. good spot and really nice camp. Robert and Linda treated us to lunch at the little cafe just outside the trailer camp . Very reasonable price and good food. We walked around part of the camp after. Seen the hot tub and 2 swimming pools and nice lakefront as well. Sure I will enjoy my time there. Left for home about 4 , ran into rain again, home at 7. Busy day , was nice to have Eileen drive in her car, (Better milage than the van)and I got to look around and enjoy the scenery. Bonus, now I know the way to go when I travel up there by myself..
Dull out today but warm and no rain. so far.
Have to go to Sebring today, need a sympathy card to send to aunt Pearl. Her son Johnny, from Owen Sound , died of heart attack yesterday. He was 52. Leaves a wife and 2 daughters.
June and Butch are flying home for the funeral on Monday.

Who Let The Cold In ?

Wow. What a change, Yesterday and today the wind blew and temp. dropped to 69. I know that doesn't seem cold but I was just starting to get used to the 80's. At least the sun is shining. My walk this morning was rather brisk. Only did the mile as Eileen had to stop and use her puffer. ( I know, very weak excuse ) Yesterday we worked on the yard. Watered the shrubs and cleaned up the palm fronds. Even the discards seem to root and grow in the back of the lot. Wish I could take home some of the baby pineapple plants and "mother-in-law tongues" that are growing wild . Must be about 100 , looking green and lush in the refuse pile. Eileen is off to the hairdresser and I am here with all the cats. 2 house cats and this morning I counted 11 outside, between here , the neighbours, and under my van. Eileen puts food outside for the wild cats as well. A white one looks rather chubby so expect she will be adding to the population again. Wish I had a camera to put pictures on the computer, cause the cats are really cute. Still haven't seen the local alligator, and we are two streets from the lake , so it/ they don't come out this far. Thank goodness.

Hot Again!

Still lovely hot days, and nights. Back to walking every morning. Well , almost, missed yesterday. But added on to todays walk. Was a lazy day today. Grocery shopping this morning, planned on bowling this afternoon, but Eileen had so many phone calls that it was too late to go. Just as well, don't think my knees would have been up to it anyways. Checked out the pineapple plants in the back yard. No pineapples starting to grow. She also has lots of passion plants growing out there so am going to pull one up and see if I can get it to root for me. Not sure if I can actually take it back home, but first have to get the plant to live anyways. Seems like all the semi wild cats in the neighbourhood have decided to rest under my van. guess it is cool there on the pavement. Hope it will keep the mice, rats, and lizards away from it. Eileen feeds most of them so they like to stay close!

Early night

Relax Jo, was home at 9, think the action must of started after we left. { Actually, I think all the sidewalks get rolled up at 9 everywhere in Florida. } Great country and western singer. Had one beer and left. Also met a friend of Eileen's for dinner out, first. Did the mile walk again this morning. Getting faster so guess I should do more tomorrow. Think we are going out for breakfast tomorrow . It is hot and sunny again today. Shopping is on my list of things to do today. Eileen is still not feeling great. Asthma bothering her still. Has another Dr. appointment next week. Hoping to plan a visit up to June and Butch and Robert and Linda sometime in the future. Nothing else new here. Same sunny warm Florida day. Ain't life wonderful for those that don't work.!!!!!!!!

Hot Heaven.

Thursday, the sun is shining and it is going to be very hot again today. Yahoo. Yes I did go for a mile walk today. Around the subdivision. We walk past the canal and lake but haven't seen any alligators yet...
Going out tonight to hear a country and western singer. At a bar... Yep , this is heaven.

Sun, Sun,

This is my third day in Sunny Florida. The temp has been in the 80's. Wonderful..... Eileen is feeling better but still not up to par. Have been shopping, bought a little heater, so am prepared for the cold weather when heading north again. Started our daily morning walk today. We roared off to Dairy Queen for ice-cream this evening. So will have to be sure and walk tomorrow. Think we will have a lazy day tomorrow. after the walk.....of course.

On my Own

Well here I am on my own with my van. Now that I have learned how to use the furnace etc. I have arrived in florida and won't need to have heat on.... Am dropping Jacquie off at Orlanda airport this morning and hopefully willbe able to find me way out and on to Sebring. Will keep you posted.