Home from Fort Wilderness

Hi, we are back, and we had fun... only funny thing... We ended up spending $92.00 for the weekend. It wasn't supposed to cost anything... Long story. She reserved 3 sites, they only gave her two, there was just 3 of us, and we only needed 2 sites... so, our site was used for the screen house... so... they credited her for one night, at $42.16 and that happened to be out site... Their bill came to $135.00 approximately... so that means the credit came to us... But the sites coming to around 225.00 or so should be split 3 ways correct.. 3 parties camping, so that would be about $75.00 a couple... but... nothing was mentioned about that.. instead she was going back to see if she could get a credit on her bill as well, reducing it to only $185.00 for the weekend, which would make the fair share between couples even less... And... on top of all that, we laid the money out for the Major League Devil Rays game at Disney in May, and the Red Sox game in Tampa, all of which came to about $150.00... And when she was going to pay us back for them, I told her no because of the trip to Disney... Needless to say at a time when money is tight for.. I will remember this the next time we go are going to lay the money out for any games or anything... Needless to say, we are always patient, and willing to lay the money out... Well, those days are over...

Anyway, it was a nice weekend... cool at night, damp too, which is not the best circumstances.. and I think we need a new air mattress. Al and Linda came out, and Al said he wants to go to a Red Sox Spring training game is we can get tickets.

Here is a picture from the weekend...

It is Sunday...

DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME... that means we turn the clocks back, and get an extra hour of sleep, which to me is no big deal, although I love it when it gets dark early, but that doesn't last for ever...

Table clothes are on sale at Kohls... I need to get one...

Will go down stairs and cut my pattern...

I am going to do what ever it takes to clean the bathroom....

Have to make the scrap book for Linda and Al...

Started Laundry...

Maybe we should do a fire in the Chiminea

...and we are going to walk to Publix..

Camping next weekend...

So that is my day... hope to post more when the time comes...

Have a good one to who ever is reading this...

Oh, and take this personality test... it is pretty good!

http: //memoriter.net/flash/test.html

and the picture for today is.....sitting out side at Meta's house, having a beer, and relaxing...that was real nice...

Oh... and I have a question.....

I was wondering... if anyone happens to read this blog.... (maybe)... I was told that the was a spot on some of my wedding pictures... and I don't remember where they came from... it might have been my cousins pictures.. anyway it was pointed out to me that the spot might have been my Dad's aura... anybody who knows about this stuff... Could that be...? Here is one of the pictures that has the "aura". If you are reading this, and care to comment... let me know... I may never hear anything... but in the event... let me know...



See, when Dad was at Duke, they had a fountain in the lobby, and when Melissa and I would be leaving the hospital (Melissa is my niece) we would stop in front of the fountain, and make a wish and throw in a piece of change.... My wish is that Daddy would walk again, and walk me down the isle at First Methodist Church of Oviedo... Well he never walked again... and almost a year after he passed away, George and I got married at that church, and we didn't walk down the isle, specifically, but I carried a picture of Daddy with me, and it was a picture taken of both of us at the alter with the pastor that has this spot... Do you think it is my Dad...?

Boston Red Sox won the 2007 World Series!!!!

Well we did it... Now in a week or so I am going to call the Spring Training camp and see if I can jump and get some gooooooood Spring Training tickets... I would like to find a campground in Lee County, and go down there to their home field... I know we have to take advantage of Fort DeSoto since we missed the weekend in September, and we have a credit...

Today it is in the 60's, I got up at 7:30, walked the dogs and watered the plants... My grapefruit trees are suffering alittle, and don't quite know what to do for them...

Next weekend we go camping out at Fort Wilderness.

Talked to Meta last night and she said that the trip to Germany is on for sure since Jon passed up a trip to Boston that same time next year... so George and I will have to save our wedding money for Germany, and start saving (if that is possible right now) for our cruise to Alaska... I do want to do that... So it will have to happen...

I really want my new car... and I wish I could get George to drive... The first appointment that he has that I can't take him to is November 28th, so it will be either him or Richie...

I think Dr. Freed is going to push him to go back to work next visit... which is 11-14... A day after Daddy's birthday....

Busy month coming up.... Next weekend is camping... the following week we have appointments all day on Wednesday... then the weekend to clean and get ready for Thanksgiving, and then Thanksgiving weekend, Meta and Rich and the kids will be down...with Mom...

I invited Janet and Jimmy to come over as well..... So I will get a Turkey Breast, and a fake Turkey Breast, and acorn squash, rutebaga, corn, green beans, red cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy. Maybe peas... don't want to get too much that will tempt George..., Oh yea and some rolls. I have to start putting out rolls...

For dessert will be pumpkin pie, and apple pie.

You know I realized I never posted a picture of our wedding... Well here goes... Hopefully more tomorrow...

We have one more to go!!!!

One more to go....

Won last night, 1 more to win, and 4 more games to go.. and then... we won it baby.....

Today we go to Kevin and Kim DePaolo, and I will bring the camera...

Yesterday when I checked out my window boxes, I found a snail on my beach sunflowers, or dune daisies... Love those flowers. Bought 5 but 2 died, which has left me with 3. I have done some research and they are supposed to be very prolific, so hopefully I will have some babies come from dead heading the spent flowers. They look nice, and would love to have them in all the boxes. And I can't find them anywhere..

Planted a pineapple top too, so hopefully that will spring into a plant, although being in a pot, I highly doubt it will amount to a pineapple...

Making a barbecue chicken thigh for Al and Linda when we go to Disney.. hope they come out for dinner... Will also do Portabella mushrooms for George and I. I think I will make a mixed salad for dinner as well. Was going to do corn on the cob, but we will see... Can still do the mixed salad...

Well better go... the litter box is not making me comfortable. Need to clean the fish tank and do some ironing....

You know what else? I went on Ebay to sell some books, and they ended my sale... what is with that... I have to look into this...!

In the mean time... here is a picture of my snail....

Checking in...

Well, since I was last here, the Red Sox won the ALCS, and so far the are winning the World

Championship series 2 games to nothing. They play the 3rd game tonight in Colorado...

Keep your fingers crossed.

Last weekend we were in North Carolina, visiting Al and Linda in Brevard... The picture was taken at the Pisgah Inn, where we had lunch... it was very good.

We had a wonderful time, and we invited Al and Linda to have dinner with us out at Disney on the 11th. I picked up a scrap book kit to make up a scrap book for Linda from the pictues we took while with them... There is nothing like the mountains in NC in October. We also saw 2 deer right behind the house before we left. All in all it was short but a perfect weekend.

Tomorrow we are going to Kevin and Kim DePaolo's for dinner. She is having a little get together for Audrey and Al, kind of a surprise. That should be fun, and I will bring picture back to share on my blog.

Haven't bought a new car yet... which isn't bad since we really don't need a new one yet. When we do, I will be ready...

Heard from Ingrid, and Pete was not affected by the fires in CA., except for smoke. Which you would expect, since the Santa Ana winds are so strong...

Went with George to Adaptive Mobility this week...Was not impressed... I have to tell you, so far physical therapists do not impress me.... As a matter of fact, most that I have met are lacking, and there is alot that they sould need to do to make me take that back.... The ones that I have met at bossy, pompous, condescending, negative, over bearing... if I think of more descriptives... I will add them...

You know a funny thing happened to me today... I put some books on E-bay, to try to sell them, and they closed me down...? What was that all about.... they think that I am trying to scam me..or something like that... I can't win for losing...

Going to Whole Foods today, Publix, Michaels, JoAnnes, and maybe Target.

Also went to Smokey Bones this week with Linda... It was very good. Also got to see her new kitchen... It was nice, and she is verrrry happy. Granite counter tops are nice, but in a way, I don't know that I would like them in my kitchen... oh well, what ever...

Oh and I am the proud owner of an AFLAC policy... We are both going to get a policy, as soon as George is back to work....Not sure when that will be... Well let's put it this way... until we supplement my income.... Personally, I don't think George needs to be rushing back to work before January 1st.

Well better go, get in the shower, and get ready to go...

We won!!!

We won the American League Title.. now on to the Rockies... I don't know about you... but I am nervous...

And guess what, I saw another eagle yesterday.. pulling out of the airport onto the Bee Line... (not the Beach Line... either!!! Damn republicans....)

Ok, better go, will tell you all about Brevard NC... when I come back.. had a wonderful time as usual...

Eagle... Today we saw an Eagle

Hey, guess what today I was sweeping the screen porch, and heard a chirping from an Osprey, of whom I thought were gone until February... and looked out to the Cell Phone Tower (aka Osprey Nesting Platform) only to find an Ameican Bald Eagle perched on the very top! Now, I am not a big fan of the American Bald Eagle... but they are very regal and majestic... this was a male and was huge.... The Osprey that was protesting his decision to use the Cell Phone Tower as a place to perch, was alittle bit smaller.

I had George look through the binoculars (my current vehicle to watch my birds and or baseball players, until I get my telescope to watch my birds, hint hint Santa....) and he was able to see the Eagle also. Which made me doubly happy since he hasn't been able to focus with the binoculars. I tried to take a picture of him with George's 35mm with the zoom lens, but we think there is an issue with the battery or shutter... Then I tried to take a picture of him with our digital camera... but that did not have a powerful enough zoom... So, I guess I will have to be satisfied with the memory in my heart for now.... He is beautiful, although as far as birds go, they are cruel and ruthless, and scavengers, unlike the Osprey, which are far more classy and upper crust in my book... I am afraid I am with Benjamin Franklin on this one.... but the turkey... I don't know... maybe he didn't know about the Osprey...

On a sadder note, the Red Sox lost last night... Schilling didn't have his game on, and they were not very aggressive at getting the runs... or on base... Those two do not add up to a very successful game, unfortunately.... Lowell did good, and Ortiz and Ramirez, didn't pull their weight... but then again either did Schilling.... Oh well, 5 more games to go, and 3 more wins... before the Indians get three more wins....

Gotta go and fix oatmeal, yuck...!

Hip Hip Hooray for Saturday!!!!

It is Saturday... I am going to work in the courtyard today.... and look for Elke's collar, and attempt to do some filing...

I am hoping George will feel like driving... and just happy to be home!!! I am off next Wednesday, and Friday we fly to the mountains (Asheville) to see Al & Linda... In fact I have to e-mail Linda to tell her all we really need for Breakfast is coffee, milk and sugar...

Spoke to Meta this morning, Rich is running a half marathon in Baltimore with Pastor Hahn... They are having pretty cool temperatures, down in the 40's for a low, and up to the 60's.. Perfect running weather, well I think...

Last night we got an Aflac plan for me, and as soon as George is back to work we will get the other plan. It will just be a good idea since we are going through our savings right now....

The salesman was really very nice, and I hope for only the best for him... His name is Nate Greene, and he is a good kid....

I have to call Wayne, our petsitter to tell him that we are going away next week and will be in need of his services...

Putzen is doing ok, and I am struggling right now with whether or not I can be doing anymore for her... I will update that struggle at some point...

Needless to say, I am just happy to have a day off to enjoy... It is nice not being pressured to be somewhere at a certain time, not to have to watch the clock.... Yep, that is the cruxt of the matter right there, don't want to have to be somewhere at a special time...

Well better go... have tons to do, and it is just too stuffy in here to be here all day....

Talk to you later...

Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Ok, so the Red Sox clinched the division in 3 games.... and.... the Yankees lost their division.... How about that....! That is all I really cared about.. that the Red Sox would would beat the Yankees in what ever division they won... Of course I still want the Red Sox to beat the Indians... and I will be watching that on Friday night... but... What a celebration...

Well that is it for now... gotta go... !!!

Way to go!!!

9-1 to clinch the series against the Angels.....

Let's Go Red Sox!!!

Now, lets keep our fingers crossed that the Yankees will lose....

Hello again....

Was supposed to clean in here today, but alas... that is not the case... did pay bills, and George made the bed for us... The Red Sox are on at 3:00, they are playing in Ca. against the Angels, and if they win this game, then they will play against either the Yankees or the Indians... The Yankees have to win today or they will be eliminated from the play offs, and the Rockies now play Diamond Backs...

We didn't go to church this morning.... which I am glad about... had a bit of a head ache all day, and right now not sure what we are going to eat for dinner... George had a piece of cheese cake today, so half down, half to go...

So, the remainder of the day will be, at best, baseball, clean the fish tank, file, and maybe vacuum if I feel up to it....

At worst... Baseball....

Sometimes I feel like such a lazy bum...

Talk to you tomorrow...

Go Red Sox.... Yankees Suck...!!!

Hello Again...

Well, I am back, it is now 5 months and 2 weeks since George's stroke... and things are moving along... alot slower than before, but they are moving along...

I am back at work, and not paticularly enjoying it, but the money is good for right now... Let's see what happens...

I entered a cheese cake in the Bake Off at the Church Bazaar, it was fun... I came in 7th out of 16 cheese cakes... they sold two pieces out of the cake, one George bought... I did win a free massage... which I might just take advantage of...

Meta and her family are coming for Thanksgiving dinner.... Michael and Linda will be here the day after Thanksgiving... We are going to NC to see our friends Al and Linda for the weekend, the weekend after next, and then we go camping out at Fort Wilderness... So for the next month and a half we have something planned every two weeks or so...

Did I say George was not driving yet... well, he isn't, and we are working with one car. When he starts driving I will be getting myself a new car. I was hoping to get an Audi, but I decided that I wanted to get a piece of property up north, with the eventual plans to build a small home for us to use in the summer, and have our home in Florida for the Winters. This is after we retire of course... I figure, putting that money towards a piece of property, or investing it in that instead of putting that 10,000+ dollars into a car, is a better investment, and leads to what I want instead of the instant gratification of an imported car, which will lose it's value very quickly...

So it looks like I will be looking at a Volkswagen Rabbit. Will keep you all posted as I get closer to that decision.

So, until next time...

Boy has alot happened...

Well, one week, to the day, after my last post... George had a stroke. It was terrible... and scared the hell out of me.... I called an ambulance and he was in the hospital for two weeks. I almost lost him... It was one of the most scary times of my life.

Those of you who know me, know my Dad had a stroke, but it is not supposed to happen to my partner, my other half. The person who completes me... But it did, and I needed to take care of things so that he would be a good as new. What ever it meant. So I did. And, as you may or may not already know, we weren't married... notice that is written in the past tense... That is because now... we ARE married. I am now Mrs. Heidi Ripke-Curcio. Imagine that! Here is a link to our Wedding Album. http://picasaweb.google.com/CurcioRipkeWedding/OurWedding

I think I am an advertisement for Google products...

I hope I wan't forgotten

I hope I wasn't forgotten...

I know I said I was going to be back more often, and it has been almost 2 months...

Well I am here now, and really want to do this regularly...

Mom is coming tonight.. she will be here until 4-27-07, and then we are driving her back home. I hope she enjoys being here, I also wish she lived closer, but if she is happy where she is, for what ever reason, well so be it... then I am happy for her.

Tonight I give George his birthday gift. And I would tell you what it is, but he does check my blog periodically, even though I am not that good at updating it, so I can't tell you. I will have to tell you later...

George has also been putting the house on a web cam almost every day. This is the link: http://georgecf.camstreams.com/ The kids sleep most of the day, if not all of the day, but occasionally I see them walk by, and it makes me smile.

Can's stay long today, and have lots to talk about, but, so I will be back.

BTW My potatoes are doing pretty good, actually see a few potatoes peeking through the soil. My beans are doing well, the tomato plant has about 18 tomatoes on it, and they carrots may actually produce on or two. The court yard is packed with stuff, and I wish I could be outside with a real garden. But this is good for now, and if I can produce veggies from here, I should be happy, and proud.

Hopefully gone for a while but not forgotten....

Well I am back... have been so busy, and lots happening... so I will start slow, and try to write everyday again...

Well first of all, got a new computer, and haven't brought everything over from the old one yet... maybe today... maybe tomorrow... we will see.

I am changing jobs. Used to work with the ISP/DSL group at Embarq, but now they are moving that department over to Decatur, Indiana... (just south or Fort Wayne), so I am moving to the General Office Building (GOB) in Apopka. New job, new stuff to learn, different atmosphere, and I am looking forward to it... I will miss all my customers, but that is OK, the ones that I have gotten close to I have their e-mail address and we will keep in touch.

News, for now are the Ospreys... Finally they are back. Yesterday I saw two at the nest, and one, I am thinking the male brought back fish to the nest. I don't see any babies yet, but I think they will be coming shortly. They seem to be doing some housework on the nest, and I will be more certain in a little while because I am ordering a pair of binoculars today... Not expensive ones. I am going to start out slow, and see how obsessed I am, and how long it lasts.

Have a new computer.... It is w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l !!!! It is fast and easy, and so far I like Windows Vista. For what ever that is worth... I am not exactly a computer wiz, but I like it.

Our club, the Kennedy Club Political Committee, has adopted a road. A section of Red Bug Road part in Winter Springs, part in Oviedo. 1.25 miles, from Brooks Rd. to Slavia Rd. We had our first clean up yesterday, and it went well. About 15 or 16 people showed up, and we filled about 16 bags. There are more bags by the sign, but, they aren't all full. Let me tell you, if I see one more person throw a cigarette butt out the car window, I will not be responsible for the road rage that ensues...

Here's a picture of the sign. Everybody had good time, and we all went to Stefano's for lunch afterwards.

Planted my veggies yesterday. Potatoes, bush beans, carrots, and tomatoes. Not sure what will come of it, but it is fun to experiment.

Well better go, we want to go bicycle riding today, but I need to vacuum and change the linen first.

Well, I am back.... see you tomorrow!!!

Hey Everyone... so you haven't heard from me in a while... well you are right, but I have been soooooo tired.

Michael and Linda got here on Saturday, and we had a ball. They are great! We went out every night for dinner, and George and I gained like 3 pounds.... But it was worth it. We were suffering from sleep deprivation by the time Thursday got here, but it was well worth it. We really look forward to them coming down every year, and next year we have a bonus because we are going up there in July.

Tree went up, and every year I say it is the prettiest, but I think this year is especially true. I is over 8 feet tall, and decorated perfectly. I will post pictures of it soon.

We went to the Alzheimers Resource Center fund raiser on Thursday, and it was very nice. I figured out how to run the bids up. Especially when you are dealing with certain personalities. Actually, I learned it from recognizing my own behavior. I wanted a paticular wreath, so I bid on it, and then others bid after me. I started looking at how people were hanging around different wreaths (myself included) and then how they would watch every single person who went by that wreath, or how they would react when they saw someone bid over them. So... I got to thinking... I walked around, and when ever I saw someone standing by a wreath, expecially if it didn't have any bids, if I liked the wreath, I would say excuse me, and put a bid down. Then walk away. Almost every single time, the person would wait till I walked away, and then bid over me. I kept doing this until I bid on a wreath that now one bid on after me. I figure, I was able to add 15 or 20 dollars to the overall income, just on my own... and it was fun. It is like playing with people... but for a good cause.

Last night Elke went to the vet. Dr. Summerlin loves her. And you have to see Elke, she is like the anti-Elke. She is sweet, and affectionate. She doesn't complain or get angry. It is really a pleasure! I can't imagine what is going through her head.

Tonight is Whole Foods, then tomorrow is the gift exchange here.

Spoke to Al Gross last night, and he and Linda are coming over for dinner on the 21st. At first I was going to make a Pot Roast in the crock pot, but decided that I would make chicken instead. There are two reasons for this. 1, not everyone likes to eat red meat, and two, it will be cheaper and just as good to make the chicken. I am making 40 clove of garlic Chicken.... How does that sound? It is good. I have made it before, and you make it with heavy cream for the gravy, so it is a really rich sauce. (Yea, I know... Red Meat/Heavy Cream... Red Meat/Heavy Cream, it is organic heavy cream.. OK!) I am making broccoli, carrots, and mashed potatoes. For George and I, I will make a Tofurkey Turkey. It is smaller than the Unturkey, so hopefully I will be able to save it for left overs and sandwhiches.

Thursday meeting with Nationwide to look into disability and unemployment insurance for our mortgage, and Friday, going out to dinner and then driving around to look at lights. Saturday is the APWU Christmas party.

I will get out in the courtyard this weekend... This I promise myself.

Well, gotta go...

The Concert was great!!!

Well we went to the concert last night and it was great. The picture of Judy Collins is because, I tried to add it with the picture of the Smothers Brothers yesterday, and I think the both of them were too big, so no to slight Judy Collins, because she was great... I am adding it today.

George said he has never seen me laugh so much. I was laughing non stop. It was fabulous!!! I just love the Smothers Brothers, and I have to tell you, George and I have watched some of their variety shows on the internet, and they were good, but not as good as last night. So... maybe what they said about the sensors on the show was right. Or, maybe the humor was more geared to what we laught at today, as opposed to 35 or 40 years ago... but I have to tell you the truth... I don't think so.

I was telling George on the way home... there was nothing even slightly off color in their perfomance... and there was very little blatantly liberal in their humor. There was some liberal humor, but then they made a joke about Clinton too.

Either way, it was great, and I would go again tomorrow.

You wan to know something else funny? We went to Olive Garden before the concert. Only because we had a $10.00 gift certificate. Not because we love Olive Garden. Well, it was the one in West Melbourne, and sitting at the table across from us was an old couple. Now, the Olive Garden was about a 20-30 minute drive from the King Center. When we got to the King Center we saw the couple that was in the Olive Garden. Then when we went to our seats, the same couple was sitting about 4 seats down from us. Isn't that a hoot. We didn't talk to them. Funny thing about them, and alot of the people in the theater last night... they had NO sense of humor. Very strange thing. Maybe it was all the drugs they did in their "younger days" to quote two words from a Judy Collins song... (ha ha!)

Another thing I pointed out to George. Almost all of the women in the audience (ranging in age from my age to probably 80) did not color their hair. They were anywhere from completely gray or sprinkled with gray. I don't know why I mention that, other than, I guess I have to justify not coloring my hair anymore, since a number of people have mentioned it to me.

Well better go. Have to eat breakfast, and get ready to buy our tree, and run our errands. More tomorrow!!

We are going to Melbourne tonight!!

First of all Thanksgiving was nice. The food was good, the Turkey was OK. The stuffing and Gravy were great. And the deserts... well, they were out of this world. The Coconut Cake was the best I have tasted in a long time. The Pumpkin Cake Roll, was delicious, and the pies once again did not dissapoint me. The cookine were good also. We invited Wayne over for desert (My Pet's Friend) and sent him home with one of the Pumpkin Pies. He also told me how delicious it was.

Spoke to my Mom, she said she may come down here next year for Thanksgiving... Shocker of all shockers. I told her she didn't have to wait till next year.

Had a nice visit with Melissa. It is always fun when Melissa comes over.

Tonight we are going to see Judy Collins and the Smothers Brothers in Melbourne. I am really excited, and I think it will be a ball. Before we go to the concert, we are going to Olive Garden for "UNLIMITED" Salad and Bread Sticks.

Tomorrow we are off (YIPEE!!!) and we are going to buy our tree and plant the window boxes with Pointsettia's. Saturday, Michael (George's cousin from NY) and Linda (his wife) are coming in, and will be staying with us for a week.

Sounds like lots of stuff going on, and fun stuff too!

We have our reservations for NY in July, we made our reservations for camping in March and again in May. We might even think about going on a cruise in February... What the heck...

Well better go. Getting off at 3:00 today.

It is almost Thanksgiving....

Is everyone almost ready for Thanksgiving?

We are having dinner at home, having an Un-Turkey, and lots of vegatables, and lots of desert.
I should be baking tonight, but... I am not. I am cleaning the bathroom, and if I have time I will bake. I would also like to vacuum, but not sure I will have time...

We are having our friend Melissa over, and also Tony and John for desert. We invited Doug Head, but I am guessing he is out of town this year.

Todays picture is of Putzen in her house. She likes her house, she likes to go in there when it is cool, and we are in the dining room. At Christmas time I put lights on the house, and it looks really cute.

Michael and Linda come next weekend, we have our concert next weekend (Smothers Brothers and Judy Collins) and .... last but not least. We set up our Christmas Tree on the 1st also.

I will let you know how all this turns out. I will try to post before Thanksgiving also.

Well better go, have to get back to work.

I don't know about anyone else, but this new beta version of Blogger is a pain in the @#%. I have been trying for two days now to switch, and first it tells me it doesn't recognize my password, then it tells me I already have an account and to try signing in, then it tells me that it doesn't recognize my password. I have to be honest... I don't care about the new version... no matter how "simple" it is. If it is as simple as trying to log in, then they can have it....

This weekend we are maybe going to "For your Consideration" We aren't sure if it has been released to theaters yet, but we are going to give it a try. I know they had the premier, just don't know if it has been distributed yet.

I am having a hard time with my diet this time around. Don't know what to eat, and just want to eat all the time. Last night I was about to go mad... I couldn't stop looking for something to eat, so I ate everything I saw. I had Starburst, Laffy Taffy, Chocalate (and it was sooooo good!!!), then I ate the last of the salsa, and the stale Tostidos. Now this was after dinner.

And, I forgot to add that I gained 3.5 pounds last week. I am just hungry all the time, and can't get my mind off eatting. Part of the reason is because I am sooooo bored. I need to find something to do. Work is sooooooooo booooringggggg. I don't know how much I can take of this place anymore. It isn't the work so much (believe me it isn't rocket science, in fact Lego's would be more challenging... ), but the people around me. I have absolutely NOTHING in common with any of them. If I have to listen to anymore gospel music, I am going to scream. I have a thing about that anyway, so it is really making me climb the walls right now.

This weekend, we have to get upstairs and clean it up. Empty boxes, not empty them into another box. I mean EMPTY boxes, file and what ever else will make that place look like we aren't pack rats.... not that we are trying to look like something we aren't :)

Well let me go, have a conference call, so they can tell us that we don't have fixes for any of the problems we have... Oh god, how many more years till I can get a pension...?

Well, I am back... let's see, what has been new...

Well our trip to NY is tentatively scheduled for June 29th through July 7th. Starting in NY and ending in NJ.

I found airfare around $200 each, which isn't bad. I will be booking it next week, with Delta. Then we will worry about the car.

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday. He would have been 76 years old. I miss my Dad, alot, and everyone tells me that will never change. It shouldn't. I just wish I could have done more for him.

Mom is probably going to NY in January with her "other daughter". I offered to have her come with us, but I think she would rather go with the other one. I do have to get up there next month or in February. So far everything seems to be working out with Edward Jones.

We will probably be going on a cruise next year. Not sure when, maybe January, or February. I need to get the tickets out of the way for trip to NY, then I will be able to figure better.

Carol and Richie went camping this past weekend out at Wekiwa State Park. Tony, Larry and Larry's friend Chad went along. It was really very nice, however, I have to admit, it felt good to go home to our house and kids and bed. I am so tired lately. The thought of having to set up a camp and take it down 3 days later is too much for me to think about right now. But... that being said, I can see myself going camping at Wekiwa another time. One thing bothered me... there was too much stuff. Everything was great, but I looked around and saw stuff all over the place and all I could think was, who is going to pack all this up. It wore me out thinking about it.

Well, hopefully, I will have more pictures to post. I got some cute ones of Putzen in her house.

Well better go.. have lots of orders to do...

I haven't been very faithful to my blog lately... Oh well, things are rather quiet lately, that could be why.

Wanted to drop in before I got on my way with the vacuuming today.

We got our Christmas Cards yesterday.. They are pretty neat, I am glad I got the ones from Miles Kimball.

We fired up the Chiminea last night, and it was pretty nice. Actually, probably better than a fireplace. Alot cheaper, not as much to clean, doesn't take up a BIG spot in the living room. Only draw back over a regular fire place is that it is outside. But really, what difference does it make.

Going to do some Shish Ka Bob tonight. Also going to sit down when I am finished vacuuming, and enjoy a glass of Sangria. Lee brought it over when we had everyone here. Figured, what the hell for a change.

Went to Michaels for a afghan crochet hook this afternoon. You would not believe one of the girls behind the counter. She had these earring on that apparently are for stretching the hole in her ear. OH MY GOD... it was disgusting. She had these big deformed looking ear lobes, with big black buttons in the holes. How gross does that look? What is wrong with these kids? Is she going to want those things for the rest of her life? It must be horrible looking when she takes the earrings out. It is pretty horrible with the earrings in. What are these kids thinking...?

Well better get up and start vacuuming.... I am falling asleep sitting her typing.

Hello!!!

Well, here we are at almost the same place we were last post. Only this time I have the whole day) almost, ahead of me. Let's see if I can make more of this day, than last Sunday...

Ok, weekend started off with sign waving for the Natural Lands Referendum. Then we went to Donato's for dinner. It was ok, not a gourmet meal by any stretch, but cheap and fast and we could get home.

Yesterday we made a badly needed trip to Costco, then Pet Supermarket and then Whole Foods. The we came home, had a sandwich, and went to Tony's for a Halloween Party. Let's see, who was there... Tony, John, Carol, Richie, Mike, Melissa, Diane, Laurie, Steve and Dawn. It was really very nice.

This is a picture of Carol and Richie.. Carol is a Yellow Dog Democrat and together they are a "Devil Dog". Cute huh? George and I didn't dress up. I don't dress up for Halloween Parties. I know I should, but... oh well.

Tony was a Friar, or Monk. Mike was a Florida Republican. He had on a flannel shirt, jeans, a mullett wig, and bad teeth. And the funniest thing was that John came home from work in his scrubs, so any body that didn't know, thought he was dressed up, but actually, he was dressed from work... He is an MRI tech.

We had a nice time, and I had 4 beers....! Can you believe that... I haven't had that much to drink in a long time. Well, maybe I have had 2 or 3 glasses of wine... but actually, this was much better.

George is back involved with the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation Committee. I am not particularly thrilled about it, but he is happy, so what can I do... I don't mind him being involved, just don't trust Michelle. She is manipulative. Works for her, but not for me. Oh well...I have to let this go.

Cold/Cool day today. What a great night for the Chiminea. Actually, Carol invited us over to her house tonight, but I think it would be good if everyone came over here instead and we could fire up the Chiminea. But I have to get the house clean first.

Well, bettter go, and get productive. That may start with cooking breakfast.

Another Weekend bites the dust...

Well, another weekend bites the dust.... But had to add a picture to keep this interesting....

Went out for Mexican, Friday night..., had a Margerita, and it hit the spot after a long miserable week.

After weigh in (and my weight stayed the same... but still have to lose 7 pounds) we helped Richie walk his (and our) precinct Saturday morning. Then spent the day at Carol and Richies house, had dinner and watched the first game of the World Series between the Cardinals and the Tigers.

This morning, was going to get lots of stuff done... but.. got nothing... see that nothing, zero, zilch, nada, null. Well that isn't entirely true. I changed the linen on the bed, did a load of dishes, paid bills, changed the filter in the Brita pitcher, and watered the plants in the courtyard. I also cut the thread for my shoulder bag I just made, now I have to braid it and sew it to the bag itself. Tomorrow I am going to JoAnn's and pick up some worsted weight wool, to make a wrap for myself. Not entirely wasted. But no where near where what I need to get done.

So I decided to not beat myself up, and just live with it. So, I took the hem out of a pair of pants, took the upholstery off a foot stool I use at work, will put the new fabric on this week or weekend, after I get some sort of foam, and staples for my staple gun.

Now I am going to do some laundry, and get me something to drink and watch some TV.

And then it is back to the grind stone... bright and early, 7:00 am, sharp... tot'in that bale...

Last Weekend

Last weekend we went my girlfriends wedding. Audrey Depaolo, well now she is Audrey Schnurr. She got married on the Carnival Cruise Ship Glory, and then they went on a cruise/honeymoon for 7 days.

It was very nice, and we had a nice time. In fact George has almost agreed to try out a cruise. A short one to start. I would be willing to give it a try, as long as the accomodations are nice.

This week has been pretty uneventful. It was getting comfertably cool here for a few days. In fact last Sunday I turned the air off and had all the windows and doors open. That should help next months electric bill alittle.

Other than that, nothing new. I have been in a pissy mood lately, for various reasons... I think it was justified.

Well.... anyway... that is a picture of George and I at the wedding. Kevin's father in law (Whitey) took it.

Better go.,.

My little girl.....

You remember the pictures of GI Joe Frog....? Well he was in the window boxes on my front porch. I had gone out the front door to take a picture of him, and when I turned around to walk back inside, this is what I saw... So of course I had to snap it, to save this minute and image forever...

My little girl.... she watches my every move, and anticpates my next one. I had to share this picture, because she is just sooooo precious.

Haven't posted anything in a while. Not that nothing is going on, just maybe that alot is going on, and I have not time to post. But I am going to try and change that. I also want to add some video if I can.... George will have to help me with that...

Until then, or next time, which ever comes first.... you will have to enjoy my little girl.

Sorry about not having the recipes yesterday... (yea, like anybody really was waiting for them...ha,ha)

I found this game on the internet, and I don't usually fall for these things, but, this one is pretty neat. It is called Virtual Villagers. Pretty neat. So, I was consumed yesterday. Even got up last night and checked on them. I get obsessed with these things, I have to admit.

I used to go to a website called Neopets. It was kind of neat, but it got old. I also have Roller Coaster Tycoon 2, and was obsessed with that too for a while, but had some trouble building some of the roller coasters, so lost interest.

I did have time to run the vacuum, clean the master bath, which needed it desparately, and change the linen on the bed. God can you imagine if I had kids, I would never get anything done. But... then again, I wouldn't be working for 30 years straight, with out a break, sometimes 2 or 3 jobs at a time. I am not whining, except that I am tired, as I have discussed in a previous post.

The weather is starting to break, and we are having cooler mornings and cooler evenings. So much so that we are leaving the door open to the screen porch in the AM and the PM, if it cools off soon enough. It sure is nice. I have to keep asking myself why I picked such a hot climate to move to, and the only thing is because it was cheaper. It isn't that way anymore though. It has gotten pretty costly for housing down here. But we made it into our place just in time, and have a fair amount of equity in it already because of the spike in the housing market 12 to 18 months ago.

Well better go, need to make an MRI appointment for myself.

Visitor

I went out to my window boxes last weekend and found a visitor.. so of course named him.. GI Joe Frog. I named him that because he is (or was because he isn't in the planter anymore, he moved on to new digs) camouflaged colored. And it changed, because he spent 2 days with us here on Oxen Hill Loop before he moved on, and his coloring changed subtly.

Of course I ran upstairs and looked what kind of frog or toad he was, at this web site. I believe he is a frog and I think he is a bull frog. He was pretty big. Although not as big as the bull frogs (or I believe they were bull frogs, the poor things) we dissected in high school. Either way he is hiding here under one of my Pentas, which by the way are not doing that well.... He didn't dig down into the dirt like a toad would have. He did pull himself in under the leaves though.

I would check on him throughout the day if I were home, and first thing in the morning and when I got home from work. I found him on a Sunday night, and he was gone when I got home Tuesday night from work. You could see where he got up on the railing the planters are hanging on, and took that first step, which was a doozy. Didn't see him anywhere around, so who knows where he went, or if he will be back. I hope so. He seemed like a pretty nice fellow.

That is about it, have alot of stuff to catch up on here, and will be in the process of doing that over the next couple of days.

Last weekend was our little get together with 10 of our friends. Only 7 actually made it here, but we had 2 extras come, so it all worked out. Food seemed pretty good, and I will post some recipes that I promised tomorrow.

Today, we at taking Mathie and Wesley for a ride in the car. Wish we could take them out to run around some place. Oh well who know's what we will find...

Ate breakfast at IHOP this morning. I had two eggs over easy, double order of hash browns and a side (and it was some side!) of French toast with banana's, caramel sauce and topped with whipped cream.... I don't think I will have to eat for the rest of the day!!

Ok, I am behind on my posts, about the things that I have been doing... Oh boy, we had company from Germany, we went camping... So here goes... the dinner...

I made Chilli, hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, cumcumber salad, Chocalate Roulade (chocalate cream roll), Bavarian Apple Cheese Cake, and Tropical Fruit Cream Pie (Mangos, Kiwi, Strawberries)

Well, we had a great time... the food turned out great, and I promise I will post the recipes for the deserts later. The Chilli was good, but could have been better, it was alittle dry. The salads were great... It was Julia Childs's American Potato Salad Recipe. My Aunt Betty's Cole Slaw Recipe. The Cumber's were my recipe I found somewhere along the way...

So, our guests were Evlin, Elin, Peter and Heinrich. Evlin and Peter, were the adults, and Elin and Heinrich were teenagers. They love the animals and the animals except Mathie, were all very happy with their company. Mathie is a worry wart, and she can't relax when there are people around that she doesn't know... Especially 4 at one time!!!

George loved the kids. They really were an absolute pleasure to be around. The polite. Joined in the conversation. It was an amazing contrast to the majority of the kids over here.

And they brought all these gifts with them, they brought 4 tee shirts from the German Soccer team from the World Cup, and Hat, then tons of chocalate, and Gummi Candy, glasses, and beer mugs...

And the most terrific thing out of the whole day was, George said that he would go to Germany maybe next year... Evlin and Peter asked him if he would come to Germany, and he said yes!!!

So, maybe next year, instead of a blog entry collection from Philly, there will be a blog entry from Germany!!!!