Very early tomorrow morning, I will be on my way to Colorado for a family reunion. I'm flying to Albuquerque where I'll meet up with Erik, Kadin and Gracie. Monday thru Thursday, we'll be at Valhalla Resort in Estes Park, just outside Rocky Mountain National Park. Both my sisters, their children and grandchildren, as well as my other children and grandchildren, will be there. Some of our Colorado relatives will be joining us for lunch on Tuesday.
Friday and Saturday night, I will be in Denver with Lisa, Erik, Aaron and grandkids as we will spend the Fourth at the former Elitch Gardens, now a Six Flags amusement park. I will fly back to Orlando from Denver on July 5.
Since I'm not taking my computer, I probably won't be blogging for 8-10 days. I wish everyone a safe and fun Fourth of July. God Bless America!!!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Moving In
On Friday, we arrived at the house shortly before 8 AM and it wasn't long before the Graebel truck pulled up and the unloading began. It was hot and VERY humid so those poor guys were soaking wet within a short time. They were finished unloading around 1:30 and we could then shut the doors and keep the AC inside the house. They spent the next hour putting items back together. They were great to work with and we highly recommend Graebel Van Lines, especially if you get Barry as your driver.
As boxes came off the truck, we marked them off the inventory sheet.
Piano makes it safely off the truck...
and is now in it's new location.
Dining room became a staging area for items.
Our new office
We've had a shower every afternoon. This one was a downpour, with thunder which made Arne happy. We spotted a need for another gutter. They only put them on the front around entryway. This one is over the Lanai and we want to expand the screening to cover the patio. Any furniture there would get a drenching.
After opening 6 boxes, I had enough dishes and tableware to serve our first dinner. Note the Christmas cup being used as a wine glass. Hey, whatever works!
We've had a shower every afternoon. This one was a downpour, with thunder which made Arne happy. We spotted a need for another gutter. They only put them on the front around entryway. This one is over the Lanai and we want to expand the screening to cover the patio. Any furniture there would get a drenching.
After opening 6 boxes, I had enough dishes and tableware to serve our first dinner. Note the Christmas cup being used as a wine glass. Hey, whatever works!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Happy Day...Sad Day
Happy day...we closed on our new home in Florida. The house is beautiful. The moving van comes tomorrow and the work begins again.
Sad day...Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett both died a premature death. Michael was SO TALENTED but had such a tumultuous life. I heard a reporter referring to him as the greatest musical icon of all time. I say he was ONE of TWO...Elvis is still King of Rock N Roll. The reporter can be forgiven as he looked like he was born after Elvis died.
Sad day...Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett both died a premature death. Michael was SO TALENTED but had such a tumultuous life. I heard a reporter referring to him as the greatest musical icon of all time. I say he was ONE of TWO...Elvis is still King of Rock N Roll. The reporter can be forgiven as he looked like he was born after Elvis died.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
We're in The Villages!
On our way down from Gainesville, we drove through Ocala National Forest, stopped at a visitor center and got lots of good information about the hiking trails. Arne also picked up information on fishing in Florida. We checked into the Holiday Inn Express in the older part of The Villages, near Spanish Springs Market Place.
We renewed our Sam's Club membership. I had a slice of their pizza and it doesn't come close to Costco. I don't think we'll be spending as much money at Sam's as we did over the years with Costco. I will do a search for a Costco which doesn't require a trip to Orlando. We spent a few hours "shopping" for washer and dryer at Home Depot and Best Buy. Now I'm going to do some research on what I saw, starting with Consumer Reports.
Our driver called today to say he's in the area but won't be delivering our furniture until Friday. Says he "has some things to take care of." Wonder what that's all about??? So, we will be spending 3 nights in this hotel rather than sleep on the floor of our new home on Thursday night.
Tomorrow we'll try to get our drivers' license, car registration, etc. In the evening we're going to see Angels and Demons, so no report tomorrow night.
We renewed our Sam's Club membership. I had a slice of their pizza and it doesn't come close to Costco. I don't think we'll be spending as much money at Sam's as we did over the years with Costco. I will do a search for a Costco which doesn't require a trip to Orlando. We spent a few hours "shopping" for washer and dryer at Home Depot and Best Buy. Now I'm going to do some research on what I saw, starting with Consumer Reports.
Our driver called today to say he's in the area but won't be delivering our furniture until Friday. Says he "has some things to take care of." Wonder what that's all about??? So, we will be spending 3 nights in this hotel rather than sleep on the floor of our new home on Thursday night.
Tomorrow we'll try to get our drivers' license, car registration, etc. In the evening we're going to see Angels and Demons, so no report tomorrow night.
Monday, June 22, 2009
46 Years Ago...
Today is our 46th wedding anniversary. After a week long honeymoon at Lake Okoboji, Iowa, then a week in Chicago, we drove to Pensacola, Florida. Arne was in the Marine Corps and they wanted him to train as a pilot. Pensacola Naval Air Station was home to the Blue Angels.
Today, we drove over 8 hours but only covered 400 miles. We decided to get off I-10 and travel along the Gulf coast. We stopped at the Fort Walton Beach visitor center as we wanted to go to an old fort we remembered from our time here. We were told that would be Fort Pickens and it's located near Pensacola, which we had passed an hour earlier. We both remembered it being in Ft. Walton. But then, that was 46 years ago!
Tonight we are in Gainesville, only 70 miles from The Villages, meaning we will arrive a day sooner than planned.
Today, we drove over 8 hours but only covered 400 miles. We decided to get off I-10 and travel along the Gulf coast. We stopped at the Fort Walton Beach visitor center as we wanted to go to an old fort we remembered from our time here. We were told that would be Fort Pickens and it's located near Pensacola, which we had passed an hour earlier. We both remembered it being in Ft. Walton. But then, that was 46 years ago!
Tonight we are in Gainesville, only 70 miles from The Villages, meaning we will arrive a day sooner than planned.
Side Trip to New Orleans
We got to New Orleans shortly after Noon. Our first stop was the information center which was most helpful. After parking the car, we walked around the French Quarter for a couple of hours. Yes, it's HUMID! I will be getting a new hairstyle.
While I can imagine New Orleans is a swinging place at night, I really have no desire to go back and am scratching it off my Bucket List. Guess I'm getting old. :-(
We spent the night in a brand new Comfort Suites, just east of Mobile, Alabama. After a nice dinner at Wintzell's Oyster Bar, where I did not have oysters but seafood au gratin, we went to see UP, the 3-D movie we had planned to see the night before. It's very cute, great animation once again from Pixar.
I'm the one with the umbrella. Sexy, huh?
Tax dollars at work. There were already two lanes each direction crossing this corner of Lake Ponchetrain. They're building identical bridges. Must be for Mardi Gras traffic. :-)
While I can imagine New Orleans is a swinging place at night, I really have no desire to go back and am scratching it off my Bucket List. Guess I'm getting old. :-(
We spent the night in a brand new Comfort Suites, just east of Mobile, Alabama. After a nice dinner at Wintzell's Oyster Bar, where I did not have oysters but seafood au gratin, we went to see UP, the 3-D movie we had planned to see the night before. It's very cute, great animation once again from Pixar.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Finally...we crossed Texas
Friday we drove 320 miles to San Antonio. I had made reservations at the Hyatt Regency as it was close to The Alamo and on the Riverwalk. We arrived around 2:30 so had plenty of time to tour The Alamo. We then went to the Riverwalk for dinner and a boat ride. I can now cross San Antonio off my Bucket List. Yes, it's humid!
I didn’t post last night because there was $11 charge to access the Internet. We already had a $30 charge for parking. While the room was nice, the Sleep Inn suite we stayed in Thursday night has this hotel beat all to...wherever, and it was $40 cheaper. As with houses, it’s all about location, location, location.
We're now in Lafayette, LA. We're going out for Cajun food and then plan to see UP in 3-D.
I didn’t post last night because there was $11 charge to access the Internet. We already had a $30 charge for parking. While the room was nice, the Sleep Inn suite we stayed in Thursday night has this hotel beat all to...wherever, and it was $40 cheaper. As with houses, it’s all about location, location, location.
We're now in Lafayette, LA. We're going out for Cajun food and then plan to see UP in 3-D.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Long BORING Drive...
We drove 546 miles today from Tucson to Fort Stockton, Texas. When we crossed the border between Arizona and New Mexico, I became very homesick as I realized Arizona is no longer my home. That feeling stayed with me for several hours. Other than El Paso, it was hundreds of miles with very little change in scenery. Due to a loss of two hours due to time change, we didn't get to our motel until 7:30 PM. Tomorrow...San Antonio Riverwalk and Alamo!
Moving Day!
The truck was in front of our house before 8 AM and they were finished loading by 2:30. Arne and I spent the day cleaning as they finished an area. Actually, Arne did most of the cleaning, scrubbing the whole floor. That's a BIG job! I spent a lot of time trying to find places for all the little s*** that seemed to be multiplying.
While most of the good-byes hadn't made me cry, I became sad as we headed down the 101 and passed the 202, where we usually turn to visit Lisa, Nick and Taylor. My eyes teared, my nose dripped and they continued to do so until well past Casa Grande as it finally hit me that I'm moving 2100 miles from my family and friends. Thank God for airplanes!
Arne had to go through a box of golf club papers that he'd collected the last 14 years so we got a late start to our first stop...Tucson. We arrived at our motel at 9:30. I had popcorn for dinner and Arne ate nothing. We'll be ready for the breakfast they serve.
While most of the good-byes hadn't made me cry, I became sad as we headed down the 101 and passed the 202, where we usually turn to visit Lisa, Nick and Taylor. My eyes teared, my nose dripped and they continued to do so until well past Casa Grande as it finally hit me that I'm moving 2100 miles from my family and friends. Thank God for airplanes!
Arne had to go through a box of golf club papers that he'd collected the last 14 years so we got a late start to our first stop...Tucson. We arrived at our motel at 9:30. I had popcorn for dinner and Arne ate nothing. We'll be ready for the breakfast they serve.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Family Week-end...Mostly
Saturday, Arne and I drove to Mesa where we visited with Lisa, Nick and Taylor, as well as Erik, who flew in Friday night for a conference. Taylor had a double-header in basketball with Coach Nick's team winning both games. Taylor headed to Prescott today for BB camp.
Today, being Flag Day, as well as my birthday, I did very little packing. Arne and I met friends, Doug/Santa and Donna McFetters, Doug's brother Chuck, Bob and Judi Findsen, for breakfast at The Good Egg. At noon, I had a manicure and pedicure. I visited with grandson Daniel from 2-3 PM. We played 3 games of ping pong. Dan won game 1, I took the second game 24-22 and he won the third. (He plays alot.)
In the evening, Arne and I drove to Tempe where Aaron was singing several songs in tribute to Waylon Jennings at the Yucca Tap Room. I was surprised to see Suzanne, a gal I worked with at SUSD. Her daughter is DJ at this bar and they all love Aaron's music. It was great fun listening to Aaron as I sipped 3 margaritas. Hey, they were small!
Today, being Flag Day, as well as my birthday, I did very little packing. Arne and I met friends, Doug/Santa and Donna McFetters, Doug's brother Chuck, Bob and Judi Findsen, for breakfast at The Good Egg. At noon, I had a manicure and pedicure. I visited with grandson Daniel from 2-3 PM. We played 3 games of ping pong. Dan won game 1, I took the second game 24-22 and he won the third. (He plays alot.)
In the evening, Arne and I drove to Tempe where Aaron was singing several songs in tribute to Waylon Jennings at the Yucca Tap Room. I was surprised to see Suzanne, a gal I worked with at SUSD. Her daughter is DJ at this bar and they all love Aaron's music. It was great fun listening to Aaron as I sipped 3 margaritas. Hey, they were small!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
More Goodbyes
This has been a busy week, trying to finish up our packing and going out to lunch and dinner with dear friends.
Tuesday night my book club, the Lit Chicks, took me to Blue Martini at City North for Happy Hour drinks and food. Marilyn brought a most delicious cake (chocolate, of course) and the gals gave me a beautiful silver frame with the word "Friends" on it. Around 8, we drove to Marilyn's house where I led the discussion of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" which everyone said they thoroughly enjoyed reading.
Wednesday night Arne and I were invited to join Bob and Mary Colgan, along with Dan and Judy Spears, for dinner at Club Terravita. Arne used to play golf with Bob and Dan.
Thursday night we took dear friend, Trudy Gray, to dinner at Rancho Mañana. It was such a beautiful evening as we were able to sit outside. Sure didn't seem like June 11th in the desert!
Friday I went to lunch with 8 gals after golf. Arne went to lunch with a friend from the Fitness Center. In the evening, we went to dinner with Wayne and Marge Cook.
Some of my "golf buddies"...
Pat, Marilyn, Jan, SS, Carol and Kathy
Some pictures from Tuesday night...
Marilyn, Kathy T, SS
Kathy S, Carol D, Jan, Lynne, Bonnie, Carole B, Pat
Cathy B, Beth, Barb, Patty
Tuesday night my book club, the Lit Chicks, took me to Blue Martini at City North for Happy Hour drinks and food. Marilyn brought a most delicious cake (chocolate, of course) and the gals gave me a beautiful silver frame with the word "Friends" on it. Around 8, we drove to Marilyn's house where I led the discussion of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" which everyone said they thoroughly enjoyed reading.
Wednesday night Arne and I were invited to join Bob and Mary Colgan, along with Dan and Judy Spears, for dinner at Club Terravita. Arne used to play golf with Bob and Dan.
Thursday night we took dear friend, Trudy Gray, to dinner at Rancho Mañana. It was such a beautiful evening as we were able to sit outside. Sure didn't seem like June 11th in the desert!
Friday I went to lunch with 8 gals after golf. Arne went to lunch with a friend from the Fitness Center. In the evening, we went to dinner with Wayne and Marge Cook.
Some of my "golf buddies"...
Some pictures from Tuesday night...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
More Reunion Pictures
Monday, June 8, 2009
Few more pictures of new house...
Friends of Scenic Drive Book Club
On Thursday, June 4th, my first book club had a little celebration with a champagne toast wishing me safe journey to Florida.
Members are: Imelda (my replacement),Lynn, Pam, Peg, MaryLue, Judy, Susan, Edie, Yours Truly and Lorrie.
Members are: Imelda (my replacement),Lynn, Pam, Peg, MaryLue, Judy, Susan, Edie, Yours Truly and Lorrie.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
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