Alive and Well in Alabama….

If you have been wondering what and where we are, so am I! It has been sooo long since I have updated our blog that I can almost remember what to do….

Here it goes…. the last blog showed us entering the north end of Alabama and we arrived here at the Plantation around dinner time that day. We stopped to pick up some groceries for a few days and Bill had started the fridge so it would be cold on our arrival. We were on a bit of a time constraint coming down because the quilt ladies were going on a shop hop for fabric and other quilt supplies 2 days after we landed. We left a day lee way in case we had problems on the trip down, so Barb had a day to recuperate so she was fresh to shop! It is good to be back – we do miss our little house but we also miss the fun, the activities and the friends we have here so it is a trade off. The day off kind of disappeared – we hit the road running and we haven’t stopped since. There is nothing wrong with that – we like to be busy.

One of the ‘jobs’ that has to be done when we get here is attending to the rig. It survived better this summer as we prepped it better when we left in the spring – charcoal in pans, cat litter top absorb moisture and odors and the dehumidifier running to help reduce the humidity. We made  it much easier for Bill then we did for Ron.  Thanks for a job well done Bill.  This made less clean up inside than we had the previous year. But the outside takes a beating – the humid weather along with the deathly sun, the outside looked terrible but nothing that soap, water and elbow grease can’t fix. You may notice in the pictures, how big the sago palms are getting…. when we took this site, the lower fronds were on the deck!

 

Now that we’re all clean inside and out, it is time to set up for Christmas. We have hung the outdoor lights and now we decorate inside. All without our customary rum & eggnogs – we overlooked the eggnog the last time we were out shopping.

 

We have new neighbors and friends on the row here, Jerry & Betty have finally got their site. To thank everyone for all the help to get them moved from one site to this one, they kindly took us out to Big Daddy’s for lunch! That was very generous of them and of course we welcomed them to the street!

Stacy, our neighbor turned 75 and wanted a few of us to go with her to McSharry’s Irish pub – who am I to say no – so before long, she had 15 other neighbors and the p a r t a e was on! Soon, with the dinner served and the beer cold, Stacy was on the floor – almost the table – doing the jig to the live Irish band playing in the corner. It was a fun time. I’m sure I may have said this once before, but I am sure there is a law somewhere the prohibits us oldies from having this much fun! If there isn’t, I’m sure we’ll be taxed some how….

The ladies of the park all go to a luncheon once a month at a predetermined restaurant. Usually, about 40 ladies attend and all have a good time. The men are not that well organized but we manage to find our way to some watering hole to keep ourselves fed.

 

This little excerpt takes us to the middle of December. Here is a picture of the front of our site and an azalea bloom on one of our plants in the back. I will post more soon if you dare to come back or have not fallen asleep from boredom!

 

It’s Getting too Cold Here

Well, it won’t be long before our sights will be set on the trip south. If you haven’t heard, Terri, our daughter has been promoted to Partner in her accounting firm. This is an unusual move for a non-accountant individual and an honor. To celebrate, she invited about 120 people to her house to help her celebrate breaking the glass ceiling! Of course, mom & dad were invited so we packed a bag for an over-nighter!

They do throw a great party and here are some pictures:

Barb took a painting class and the neatness was it was in a pub in Port Colborne! How good is that plan? Barb takes a class and I sat and watched sports or read and sipped a cool one or two. Now that is what I called a civilized paint class!

 

 

 

 

The next grand event was our family Christmas dinner. It was held at the end of November and we all gathered at Dawn’s – our middle daughter in Napanee Ontario. To avoid the long drive back to Fort Erie after a huge meal, we took a B&B in Belleville. This was the same one we used when we were here to visit Dawn while she was in the hospital for a few days. Terri & Mark shared the B&B suite with us so the party continued after we left Dawn’s.

 

 

Sunday, we arrived back in Fort Erie and started packing the truck, organizing the house and emptying the fridge for the trip south. Our plan was to leave early but not by the alarm, just go when we were ready. Our plan for the first day was to get somewhere north of Nashville so the wee hours were not necessary. The border crossing was smooth and we were on our way. Stops for nature and fuel was the only plan. Things change as we got to I65 at Louisville, the weather was threatening and by the time we were just north of Bowling Green, it was getting bad. Strong cross winds and driving rain brought traffic to a stop on the Interstate and that is dangerous but drivers were pulling over but since they could not see the road markings, they didn’t know if they were off the road or not. The driver in our right lane was gradually moving into our lane and they were not aware. I carefully moved behind a big rig in the outside lane and followed his taillights. Being up high, he could see over the road spray and could see the road markings – at least that was my theory. Anyway, soon we were through the storm and decided enough was enough, let’s find a motel so we pulled over at White House Tn and stayed the night. The next day, we had clear and sunny weather for the remainder of our drive. We pulled into our site just after 6, put groceries away and settled in to relax for the rest of the evening.

The rig was in great shape, no musty smell or dampness – I guess we prepared better this time. Bill was our caretaker and he said the dehumidifier was running every time he was in checking on it.

 

 

I hope all is good where you are……

End of Summer Projects….

Now that we have survived another birthday, it is still unbelievable that we are this old, we don’t feel it and we just keep on keep’n on! So, last posting, I hinted that we had an experience with a smelly black & white kitty. And yes, we did! Dave our neighbour came over with his live trap, baited and set it and we waited till morning to see what we caught and it was a young skunk. Dave has been catching several throughout the summer so I knew I called the right man for the job. Dave built a kind of shelter over the trap to keep the critters calm while we load and transport them to another space down the lake a few miles from here! I joke that we are sharing with the rich New Yorkers that have their big homes down on the lake.

Not knowing if it was just one skunk or a family, we set the trap again but only caught a possum after a couple of nights so making the leap that we are done with other critters under the house so time to fix this issue. I know that it is late now to put chicken wire around the front of the house but better late than never and having to do this again. Barb & I pulled the skirting off the front and sides so we could fit the wire under so the critters can’t dig their way in again. Once we finished that, we started to finish the front deck. We placed chicken wire around it to discourage them from digging there too. We didn’t work hard, just steady and before too long, we were done. Facias on and gravel laid, now for the rocking chair and a beverage and watch the world go by. We also started the edging finish of river rock up the side to match the other side.

 

The south side of the garage needed an eaves trough so we put that up too. The garden at the back corner of the garage gets flooded after a steady rain so we connected the down spout into the sump tile that we have around the house to get rid of the rain water.

We had a busy couple of weeks socially. Randy & Norma came by for some much needed fast track, lunch and more fun times. John & Di came in for the weekend, some fast track, rummy stix and lots of laughs and fun times.

 

But all this was not without some play time, a couple of shows, some golf and just being together keeps us happy. Barb’s painting is getting better each time she puts the brush to the canvas and my wood turning is improving too every time I go to the shop to make wood chips! The upcoming months will keep us focused on our family Christmas at the end of November and then our drive down to the Plantation for our winter excitement.

 

 

 

Come back again and hope all is good out there with you…..

Back Home from Our Summer Trip to the Plantation….

After we got back from LA, we thought we would take a few days of down time to recharge after the l-o-n-g drive home but not! Terri & Mark were taking off to cycle the Cabot Trail and they had picked up some logs so I could turn them into bowls so we decided even after being in the truck for 19+ hours yesterday, we would go into their place to pick up the logs and say farewell. They have been busy working on the front of the house and at the side to clear a spot for a hot tub they acquired. A coat of paint, remove the wrought iron and the house looks much better.

We had planned to golf and then sit back on the patio at He’s Not Here to celebrate Barbie’s birthday but the weather was not very cooperative so we did a show and dined at home. After a couple of Chocolate Cherry cocktails, I prepared my must have Cherries Jubilee for dessert. Her celebration was not what we planned but it was a nice day none the less – we had good company. We finally were able to complete her birthday celebration plans a week later. We played ICC here in Fort Erie, took in a show and then had dinner on the patio at He’s not Here. It was another great day.

It’s quiet around here most of the time, Barb ‘plays’ in her studio, quilting or painting while I ‘play’ out in the garage converted work shop, learning the wood lathe. In the srping, we planted 30+ Castor Bean seeds but only 4 germinated. We planted the seedlings along the big white fence to break up the glare.

 

We have made friends with our neighbors across the road and invited them over for a happy hour Sunday afternoon – Jamie is young enough that he works so only can party on weekends! Anyway, lots of chatter and laughs and before we realize it, it is well past dinner time and into early evening – apparently we’re having too much fun.

 

 

 

It was time for some Fast Track and more laughs so we headed to Randy & Norma’s in Dunneville, on the Grand River. Randy & I jusy can’t seem to get the upper hand on the ladies. It was a great day anyway, even if we couldn’t win many hands.

 

 

 

It’s time for my birthday golf and dinner. I chose a new course we haven’t played – Whisky Run, name sounded like right up my alley. The course was disappointing enough that we will not return. The 18 holes are squashed into an area suitable for 14! We soon caught up to a 5-some and held us up on every shot. The marshal didn’t want to upset them so he tried to be polite but that hint didn’t work! Needless to say we left the course unhappy. We stayed there for dinner which was also a little short of our expectations. We still had a fun day with a lesson learned….

 

To end the day off perfectly, while we were gone, a skunk moved in under the front of our house. His distinct aroma met us at the back door when we got back. I called a neighbour that I knew has fun catching these cute little black & white cats! He soon arrived with his live trap, set it up and we wait for morning. The air seems to be somewhat better so maybe he is not there after all. We’ll see in the AM.

 

 

Come back soon to hear if we had a free loading tenant….

We’ve Lost Our Minds…..

After Nate left, we had a day off to recuperate and then loaded up the truxk for a little get away – down to LA to visit our stuff and to see our winter friends. I guess it wasn’t hot enough here, we just had to go to Alabama to soak up some more.

We left bright and early – at the crack of 7AM – Sunday morning. Our plan was to avoid much of the heavy traffic and get as far south as we could on the first day. Our plan worked perfectly and we pulled into Columbia Tn for the night. I know I’ve said it before but this is when we miss pulling our rig – finding affordable and comfortable accommodation and having to eat in restaurants is not always fun. Monday, we got away again at 7. On the way, we got a call from Bill, asking our ETA as the gang were planning a late lunch and if we were going to arrive and go out with them. As soon as we heard they were going to Big Daddy’s, we pressed on the flat peddle and arrived in time! Not sure what we all talked about but we carried on back to the campground to carry on. This picture shows what our Sago Palm tree sprouts during the summer! Who knew?

Our rig was in great condition this time around. We were better prepared this year from our experiences last summer. Our caretaker last year helped us to know what needs to be done to avoid the summer weather pitfalls.

Tuesday, we didn’t have any food in so we had to go out for breakfast & Larry & Marti joined us. After, we did some food shopping for breakfasts and lunches – our plan was to eat dinner out instead of trying to prepare anything so we didn’t have a lot in the cupboards when we left in 6 days. The gang suggested we try a different pizza place in town – Chicago Pizzeria – so all 8 of us descended upon it only to find a chain on the door and a closed sign in the window. So, an alternative, lets go to El Paso, it isn’t Margarita Thursday’s but what the hell…. Again, good food, good company and good Margarita’s make for a great time. Marti & Kelli may have had us banned from there this winter as they serenaded the dining room with their dulcet tones. As we were checking out, the gent at the cash suggested there was a nice Mexican restaurant down the road too! I’m sure he was kidding but it was funny. As we were gathering in the parking lot, a couple of other diners came out and asked if they could get a couple of ‘selfies’ with the singers! Again, too funny….

Wednesday was shopping day – Barb was a little bummed since she hasn’t been fabric shopping since April and needed her ‘fix’. So, the girls planned a trip to one of their fav’s – A&E and then met us guys at McGuires for lunch. Of course, the guys did a side trip to wander around Harbor Freight Tools before we made our way to meet the girls. As usual, lunch was good, the Guinness perfect and the company great. We all went back to our place to carry on and enjoy a new game called Rummy Sticks.

Thursday, Barb could not find what she needed at A&E so we went back Jo-Ann’s in Pensacola. After we picked up what she needed, we were back to Foley and just had to stop off at Foosackly’s for lunch. We think they have the best chicken fingers around – ever wonder how many chickens we consume eating their wings, fingers and toes! Sorry, I got off track there. We had our Pegs and Jokers pals – Bob & Phyllis over for a game and Larry & Marti joined us. It was a fun evening and a great game, gotta get one of them….

Friday was a bit slower, no shopping today and the 8 of us went to Cousin Vinny’s for really good pizza – at least they weren’t chained closed. After, we still had lots to talk about so we went back to Larry & Marti’s for happy hour or was it hours?

 

Saturday was a busy day for us, packing, setting the rig back for the Alabama summers & laundry. We aren’t usually there for the bagels bunch on Saturdays so we went to this one and saw many of our winter friends that stay all year now. After was laundry and then as a farewell, the 8 plus Stacy, Madonna & Dallas (our neighbours) all went to McSharry’s for lupper (late lunch or early supper). I am starting to think this is a better deal than McGuires, shorter drive and better Shepard’s Pie. After we were all back at the campground, Larry, Marti, Bill & Ann came by to say their farewells. That was nice.

Sunday, we left the campground at the crack of 4AM. Our plan was to try to drive straight through to home. Our rational was we could sleep for 2 days if need be, who cared! Anyway, Barb & I shared the driving and we rolled in the driveway around 12:30 AM. It was a fun week away.

We hope all is good where you are…..