Is it really that cold in FL?

Yes, it is.  It got down to 32 degrees last night.  This morning I don't know what the wind chill factor is but, baby, it's cold outside.  I took Sedona out and between the wind blowing and my knee, as soon as she did her business we were back inside.  None of that walking for 30 minutes. 

So what does one do when it's so cold outside?  Here is my latest project for the Lodge in TN.

This is the front side

Of course I had to include Sedona and her little paw prints.

the Lodge with leaves.

My name with butterflies and a swoosh.

Sue in Citrus Ridge was nice enough to have a lesson yesterday for me and Margie since I was not going to be here for her class next Friday.  She uses a Circut machine, cuts vinyl and then we put it on our glass and use acid specifically for glass to etch.  Hummmm, could there be a new portable craft in my future?  Could be but we'll see.

Here is a picture of my wine glass.  Glass etching is very difficult to photograph but I think you can kind of make it out.

One side is It's 5 o'clock; other side is Somewhere!  Big surprise right?

Tiny flip flops on the bottom rim of glass.

Sue let me come over and make a little vinyl sign for the back of my car.  I used the software, Make the Cut, to type out the words and character and then used her Cricut to cut the vinyl.  Then I used transfer paper to lift it from the back of the vinyl paper.  Then I cleaned the window and put the letters on and it's straight and it looks so good.  Gee, vehicle detailing.  Hey I might be on to something here.

In between all the crafts, Margie and I went to Zephyrhills FL to our blogging & RVing friends, Karen and Al to pick up an ice maker they had for sale.  It's portable and will travel well with me and will probably find a home at The Lodge in TN.  It is a Magic Chef and makes ice very quickly.

There are 3 selection for sizes of ice.

Nice capacity for ice and water reservoir.

It's been a good couple of weeks and more fun to come as I'm leaving on a short cruise on Thursday with my son and granddaughter.  It will be good to get back to warm weather but alas, the cold front will be gone in two days and we will get back to "normal."

Goodbye Whitney Houston!  What a loss & what a shame!

Later...

Blizzard Beach, Super Bowl, and Roy's Visit

One of the ladies in Citrus Ridge, Lagonda, invited me to go to Blizzard Beach with she and Bernice.  It was a beautiful day and I was up to it, especially since it was free.  It was a fun time.  Got a bathing suit top on sale and then a discount so it was a perfect day.  The weather, company and beach was such a good time.

One of the slides at Blizzard Beach, nope didn't do it.

Bernice, Lagonda, Carolyn

Bernice, Lagonda, Carolyn

Bernice's slide

Lagonda and Bernice in the wave pool.

Our nest!

Margie and Roger threw a Super Bowl party!  Go Giants!  There were about 18 people from the park at the party and it was a blast.  Lots of good food.  Watching the game on a 55" TV was awesome.  I love Margie's new park model.  It suits them just fine.

A few of the watchers.

Just a little of the food!

Wouldn't be a super bowl w/out wings.

The boys out in Roger's "man cave."

Denise with Buddy and Anne.

Fruit is coming in all over the place and a favorite that will only be around for a short time is the Honey Bell orange.  It is seedless, juicy and delicious!











One of the projects I've done while at Citrus Ridge is glass etching.  I did a wine glass that says "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" and on the base of the glass is tiny flip flops.  Margie also did the glass etching and her wine glass said "Happy Hour" and on the other side is large flip flops.  We did a great job and can't wait to do more.  Stay tuned for a lantern we are going to complete this week.

Prepping the glass

Stencil is applied.

Acid is applied and now wait, 30 minutes.

Margie's getting her prep done.

Cutting out the details.

Margie's back, Flip Flops.

Front of Margie's, happy hour.

One of the things that I have had trouble with in the Whim is the mattress.  It was thin.  I put a topper on before I left TN but it was not enough.  I had an extra topper and I put it on but it wasn't thick enough either.  I found a mattress on Walmart's website and decided to take a chance on it.  It's memory foam and is 8" thick.  As the bear in Goldilocks said, "it's just right."  I really like it and I sleep well on it and Sedona seems to like it too except she has farther to jump from the dinette to the bed.

Picture is a little fuzzy but you can tell the thickness.

My nephew, Roy, came for a visit this week and we have been busy.  He didn't come to stay with me, he came with his cousin, Mike.  They were here for a heavy equipment auction.  I went over the first day and drove around with them to check out the equipment Mike wanted to bid on.  It was an interesting place to visit and to find out how it all works.

In the evening we went to Boston Lobster Feast which we will never go to, it was not good and I would never recommend it.  It's over on Hwy 192 in Kissimmee, FL.  Then we hit Old Town and did a little karaoke, well, Roy and Brian did the singing and Mike and I were there for support.

Roy is in his element on the stage.

Once again, Lagonda, gives me a call on Thursday morning and wants to know if I want to go to Hollywood Studios.  I told her that Roy was with me and she said to bring him along.  So off we go to Animal Kingdom first and then Hollywood Studios.  No pictures here as they were taken with Roy's iPhone and I don't have the pix yet.  We had our pix made with some of the characters, rode some of the rides and saw some of the shows.  It was a terrific day.

Later...

Another week...

...where did the week go and what did I do?  I know I was busy but what did I do?  Let's see, Margie and I went to Clearwater Beach and even though the water was cold it was such a beautiful day.  I went  into the water anyway.

Now, for those of my TN friends, yes, I have to rub it in and maybe you too can be here next year.   I often hear from people who don't post on my blog but send me emails and this one I'll share.  It's from my gf, Linda and TN hubby, Roger who are my neighbors in Deer Run RV Resort in Crossville.

"Hey Girl,

Roger and I have now caught up reading your blog and we have a few suggestions.  First of all, it would be greatly appreciated if you would stop posting pics with people in shorts while basking in the sunshine (its just rude).  We find this very offensive since we are stuck in TN where we haven't seen much sun and we've forgotten how it feels to be warm.  Secondly, please stop posting pics of you and all your friends having fun.  For goodness sakes, its winter time and everyone should be closed up inside their homes like hermits since that's what are days consist of.  And finally, please post something where you look bored, cold and lonely so we know you are missing us as much as we are you!!

Take care,
Linda & Roger"

Last year I wanted to go to Ikea and see what it was all about so I headed out to find out.  OMG, I love that store.  It's huge and there are so many unique things in there.  I'm sure glad that I don't have a house, otherwise I'd be in trouble.  The only thing I bought were some marked down LED battery operated lights for $1.00.  I got them for my bicycle and gave Margie a couple of sets for her golf cart.  Can't wait to decorate my golf cart in TN when & if I get one.  The little lights do a great job on my bicycle, I put them around the basket that Sedona rides in.

 I went to the Noodle lunch at the Orlando Ale House.  The Noodlers are peeps from Citrus Ridge and at 3:00 ea day go to the pool and noodle around.  Here are a few of the group. 

No he didn't get his discount.

I got ready to take my shower tonight and the water was cold, cold, cold.  I looked at the switch for the hot water heater and it was flipped to the on position.  I went ahead and took a shower.  Burr.  Then I went outside to do a little checking on my hot water heater.  I opened up the door and I couldn't figure anything out so I can back in and flipped the switch and went back out and flames were shooting out of the the tube and I promptly ran back in and turned off the hot water heater.  I told FL hubby about it and he will come over in the morning to see what might be wrong.  Of course it might be that I'll go back to the service people if Roger and Mel can't figure it out.  It was very scary.

Margie, Roger and I had a wonderful steak dinner, cooked by Roger to perfection.  Now I'm stuffed and ready for bed.

Later...

Catching Up

The Women's gtg at the state park was wonderful.  Can't wait to go to another one but I sure hope the squirrels aren't as hungry.  The park ranger told us to put bowls of water out to give the squirrels water.  I did that but each morning I'd have more little holes in my drinking water hose.  By the time the week was over I have a very nice little soaker hose for someone.  It sure won't be good for anything else. 

On Saturday I left out and headed to the Tampa RV Show.  It was the first really big show I've attended and I was amazed.  I had free tickets to get in but the parking for an RV was $10 and $15 to stay over night.  Saturday I spent the time going through the vendor/supplier sections and then Sunday I went through some of the RVs and there were a lot of RVs.  It was a fun exciting day.

I bought some replacement cables for my Blue Ox tow bar.  I got a sign personalized for my Lodge in TN.  I got a new drinking water hose.  I also purchased a Zone Pass from Thousand Trails that will allow me to stay in the SE zone of TT for $199 for 30 days staying and then after that I'll pay $3 a night.  Everyone I have talked to who bought at the show last year really used theirs and thought it was a good deal.  It regularly sells for $499.

When I returned to Citrus Ridge, I washed the Whim, the Grey Goose and my bike so I'm all cleaned up.  Will have to try my hand at waxing in the next couple of days.  Margie and I are going to Bartow tomorrow to see a MH one of our forum friends is going to test drive.  If Sarah gets it, it will be her first ever MH and we want to be there to celebrate with her.

Even though I was only gone a week, I've had lots of people stop by and tell me how much they missed me.  This is a really good place to winter.


Later...

More pictures of the Women's RV Forum, as promised!

Today was just another beautiful day in paradise.  It was time for Alice to try out her Shuttlebike.  The way I understand it is that Alice was looking for an alternative to a kayak/canoe to sport with other RV women on GTGs.  This seems to fit the bill but I think assembly will still be a physical challenge for her.  The good thing, Alice will get it figured out.

Alice rides her bike to pump up the pontoons.

Sedona ignores Paco.  He so wants to be friends.

Heading to the springs to try out the Shuttlebike.

A little muscle never hurts.

Pay attention Alice, Pete won't always be around.

Am I cute?

Oh the rudder.

I believe I'm ready.

Checking for Gators.

What a mount!

I believe she's got it!

There she goes.

She even shares as Pete rides off.

This is pretty cool.

And there goes Nan.

Two seconds later Nan is in the springs on her back.  The bike collapsed.

Oh it's okay to laugh.  I would have had a better picture or more pictures but I put the camera down to go out and rescue my friend.  As it turns out she didn't need rescuing but it was sure an exciting day.  When we left the launch area the guy who worked there said it was the most exciting day he had had in a very long time and he was looking forward to going home to share his day with his wife.  He even took pictures.  There was an Asian couple who pulled their canoe in and stayed around to take pictures of the Shuttlebike and a couple from the UK who were quite curious too.  They even played a little with Alice and told her that gators were attracted to the bright yellow color.

After such a busy day, it was time to chow down.  Irmi and Steve fixed a pulled pork dish, Nan made her Liz coleslaw, Carol brought fresh fruit and wonderful pumpkin bread.  Good eating and a great fire.

Gloria is filling her plate.

Nan's chowing down and Soos is computing.

Bob's having a chat and Irmi is trying out her delights.

Can't remember what's so funny but Steve, Carol and Sarah like it.

Isn't this pretty?  It was so good too.

Our fire.

Later...