12-12-12

I thought it a good day to post to my blog.  Lots of weddings today and 12 is supposed to be a lucky number for a lot of folks.

I'm loving being back in Citrus Ridge.  Margie and I have been busy running around and playing catch up.  She is my landlady and I love my (her) lot.  It's convenient to everything and it's a great place to watch everyone coming and going.

I've been spending a lot of time in the pool, walking and riding my bike.  Of course, Sedona is really enjoying being back in the bicycle.  My knee that was replaced is doing very well.  My other one, well, not so well.  I'll make it though.

Tina comes by just about every evening to take Sedona for a walk and then when Sedona hears Liz's voice she goes crazy to get to her.  Sedona is happy to be back too.

A shopping spree turned up another addition to our traveling family.  It's a lighted, movable parrot.

And you can tell it's Christmas around as everyone has decorated and out my backyard, my neighbor has put up a very large cross.

The cross and fountain at the lake from my lot.

Since I redesigned the Whim's interior, I'm much more comfortable.  I took the horseshoe dinette out and replaced it with a recliner and kitchen cabinet.

The Fabulous Five, sans 1, had our first breakfast out.  Missed you Hannah, get down here.  Tina, Liz, Margie and I went to Perkins and enjoyed our breakfast and conversation very much.  And then, Tina's job at Disney got in the way for this breakfast date this month at Celebration, FL.  Maybe in January we will all be together.

Margie Woodall, Liz Kelley, Carolyn Wilson

On the way back from checking out Hillsborough River State Park for the women's rv get together in January, of course, Margie and I had to stop at Parksdale Farms in Plant City, FL.  While frozen strawberries are being used for sundae's, they won't be serving strawberry shortcakes until January.  The strawberries were still delish...yummy!!

My neighbors from TN are coming down in Jan-Feb so that will be fun.  They are going to be right next door to me, how convenient!  Welcome Linda and Roger.

Well, happy 12-12-12 and I'll update after your Merry Christmas...
Later...

The Lodge

I suppose I didn't realize how long it had been since I last posted but here is an update about the Lodge in Deer Run RV Resort (if I have any readers left.)  It's a cozy home for me and I love staying home.  I have some terrific neighbors and there are many activities.

Just as a reminder of what the Lodge looked like when she arrived:

My building is my lifesaver.  I now have a washer/dryer inside.  No hot water but it's all good.

I soon found out how necessary it is to have the Lodge stabilized.  It seems that every time someone walked or rolled over in another room the whole place would shake.  Hence:

Cinder blocks do the trick.

All in all there are six pillars and...

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...additional ones for the two slides.

In addition to the stability I had the toilet plumbed straight into the sewer and the black tank dropped so I don't have to fool with black/grey water emptying.

Then to the underpinning to dress it up a bit.

And to add a little protection to the top, I ordered a Carolina Carport to finish off all my work for the season.

The 12 X 41' topper arrives.

The front gets put in.

Then the rear.

A little grooming has to take place.

All the supports go up.

Good thing it wasn't windy.

The sheeting panels go on.

Getting close to finished.

Add my little sunshine and...

The finished product.

This cover should provide much need shade and protection for me next summer.  That is all I will do for the season.  Next year, I'll put in two ceiling fans and a fire pit and I should be good to go for my TN home.  Guess I forgot to mention I had 5 tons of gravel delivered before the carport could be put on.  So spreading all that gravel did not fare too well for my old body.  Ugh.

For now, I'm in FL at the Thousand Trails cg for a couple of weeks and then I'll move into Citrus Ridge at Margie & Roger's RV lot and be ready for a wonderful winter.

A Whim Update

I really have been a little busy while staying put.  Once I got the Whim back from the slide repair I began working on removing the horseshoe dinnette so I could have more space for a recliner and chest.

Before:  With dinette intact.

The wood portion removed & saved, just in case...

D is our POA president and a darn good electrician.

I removed all seat belts but one to be used for the recliner when traveling.

All finished & ready for furniture.

I am still deciding what chest to put in here.  The dinette afforded so much storage for me that I'm looking for something to replace that and add to the counter space so badly needed.  I already have my recliner and steps for Sedona to get into bed.  She always used the dinette as her step so I had to get something to help her.  Margie had originally purchased these for her dogs and they worked so well, I got a set for Sedona.

Dog steps from Camping World work great in The Lodge and The Whim.

Cart from Big Lots

Here is the cart I'm picking up today to use in the slide. The good thing about Big Lots is that they will assemble w/no cost so I'm driving the Whim over today for them to load it in.  I'm planning on a comfortable winter this year.

But that's not all I've been doing.  Next post will be an update about my lot in Crossville.  I've been working like crazy on it and it's shaping up nicely.

My knee is doing well.  I purchased a stationary bike from a friend and have been riding it to keep the knee in good shape and flexible.  My 37 yo son, Jonathan, had hip replacement surgery so I was in SE GA for about 3 weeks.  He is doing fantastic.  Youth!  My how they heal and bounce back quickly.

We had a Labor Day celebration at Deer Run and the park was full even though there was a chance of rain from Isaac.  It was overcast but not a lot of rain for the holiday.  Halloween is just around the corner and the park is booked.  It's a fun time here on the Cumberland Plateau.

Later...

July 4th Celebration on June 30 in Deer Run

July 4th came early so as to not interfere with other celebrations around the area.  There were children's games, a cake walk, a golf cart parade and fireworks.  It was an awesome celebration but everyone wilted!  The weather was just so hot even the water felt like a warm bath.

Jonathan gets in the mood w/ole Hank!

Neighbor Linda and her sister, Janey.

2nd place and friend Nancy from Knoxville

Jerry is out in the dust making a movie of the entire parade.

Taylor was the driver of the Red Solo Express.

Debbie is making use of the little bit of shade there is on such a hot day.

After the pool, Jerry plays Boppit!

Leah & her daughters play bean bag toss.

Jerry is trying out a Jello shooter.

Must be pretty good.

The cooking station

Shrimp boil is always a favorite hit.

Roy and Tina show up to enjoy the festivities.

Best Friends Forever

Red Solo Cup-my best friend!

Ooooooh

Ahhhhhhhh

Kabooom for about 29 minutes-awesome.

Deer Run RV Resort is known for their events such as Memorial Day, July 4, Halloween and the park gets booked well in advance.  It was a fun event and can't wait until next year.  What a great b'day celebration!

On the Red Solo Cup express I had made the lights and Taylor attached them and at night we turned on the battery operated lights.  Taylor downloaded (and paid for) Toby Keith's Red Solo Cup song and we played it through the radio on the golf cart.  We also played patriotic songs but alas, we didn't win as best decorated.
Later...