Hi there.....

So kind of you to stop by....I do enjoy the company.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Sore muscles

I have a few sore muscles this morning.  Yesterday was a day to get some things done.  As I was going out to the mailbox I noticed all the leaves that had accumlated in the ditch along the lower part of my driveway.  Those have now been raked over to the other side of the driveway and the ditch is clear so the water can run freely to the drainage pipe.  Next came the overflow pipe in the pond.  I had to put my waders on for that one.  The water was about 24 inches over the pipe which was covered and blocked by dead water lily leaves and stems and various and sundry other plant life as well as a good sized rock (have to wonder how that got there).  I spent about 30 minutes just getting water flowing through the pipe.  Couldn't reach the debris without freezing my arm so I came up and had lunch. Went back down and worked on getting more holes poked in the debris.  A couple of hours later I decided that I would have to wait until the water had gone down enough for me to get to the debris so I could clear it.  That means I'll have to go down there again today.  And of course it rained last night and may rain again today.  At least I can see the white PVC pipe again from the kitchen.  So, I have a few sore muscles this morning.  Just means I need to get off my butt more and work outside, I guess.  Think I'll wait until it gets a little warmer first.
Y'all have a productive day and remember:  life is a four-letter word.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Home

I'm home!  I'm home to ugly weather.  Can I go again....please?  I'm still hungry for sunshine and warmth. 
I had thought of writing on the trip but, since the cruiseline charged .75 a minute, I decided that was a cost I didn't need.  The first part of the trip was the quilt classes part.  I learned a lot of neat stuff and actually finished a couple of projects.  Hopefully I can take the time to get them made into wall hangings.
The ports we stopped in were great.  I don't need to revisit San Juan.  I've been to some of the ports already so I stayed on board.  Costa Maya was kinda special.  I wasn't planning on going ashore but the cruise line arranged for a special tour for members of the quilting group.  We went to the village of Limones and watched demonstrations of embroidery that the local women did.  They also fed us lunch (tamales) cooked over charcoal.  Their work is lovely and the trip was worth it.  Especially since they gave each of us a piece of embroidery to bring home.
The second half of the trip was relaxing.  I didn't partake of onboard activities but rather knitted or sat on my balcony enjoying the sun and sea.  Right now I just wish the house would quit rocking. 
We did have one scary incident when we went through a squall line.  The winds were around 70 mph and rocked the ship over about 40 degrees.  I heard that trays of glasses, etc. went flying in the dining room and one gentleman had to be rescued on the lido deck when he froze in fright and apparently could have been swept overboard (according to some).  Two young fellows went out and got him.  Overall the seas were a bit rougher than usual so there were a number of passengers who didn't make it to dinner.  The trip home was calmer.
I managed to walk almost every day.  It's difficult to walk when the ship is rockin' and rollin'.  A couple of times I actually made three miles.  Hopefully the walking I did do was enough to keep the pounds off.  I haven't weighed myself yet.  Maybe after my shower this morning.
Y'all have a glorious day.

Monday, February 11, 2013

First day

The first leg of the trip was to Half Moon Cay.  The island is owned by the shipping company and is maintained beautifully.  I didn't go ashore since I have been here before and wanted to get some rest and try to get my back back into place.  I must have tossed when I should have turned or vice versa because when I got up it hurt.  So after breakfast I did my mile walk then settled into one of the deck chairs with a rolled up towel behind my back and snoozed.  When I woke up and got up my back was okay and stayed that way the rest of the day.
Tomorrow is the first class. Don't know if I'll get on the 'puter.  Have to say I'm enjoying the sun and warmth.
Y'all have a good evening......

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Well, I made it to Ocala today. The first leg of my trip to Tequesta, FL to stay with my brother for a couple of nights before heading for Ft. Lauderdale and the ship.  It rained the whole way except when I stopped for fuel in Lake Park.  All in all uneventful.  I have enough snacks with me to use for dinner so I don't have to go out in the rain.  I need to eat the cold stuff 'cause I sure can't store it in the van while I'm away.  Not a problem, I happen to really like apple and cheese and grapes.  Healthy, too.  And breakfast is free here.  I think most hotels along the highways offer free breakfasts.  I'm staying at a Hampton Inn.  I looooooove their beds.  They are just so comfortable.  I always get a good night's sleep.
I'm tired so I'm going to have an early night.  Y'all have  peaceful evening and sleep tight.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The trip

Tomorrow morning I begin my trip.  I'll be travelling to Florida and staying with my brother for a couple of nights before heading down to Ft. Lauderdale to board the ship.  While at my brother's I'll be seeing my sister who's coming from Missouri, my ex-stepsister who now lives in Connecticut, and a cousin who now lives in Hawaii.  A mini family reunion that really wasn't planned but just sort of happened.  How cool is that?
Because one has to pay for internet time on board ship I don't know if I'll be doing anything but checking email so I don't have a gazillion spam mails waiting for me when I get home.  I'll have to see what the charges are.  And while I plan on taking pictures those will have to wait until I get back, again because of cost for the time to upload them to the blog.
Today is a final cleaning day.  I don't know about you but when I travel I like to come home to a clean house.  Hopefully my daughter will make sure it stays that way when she and the family come up for her birthday.  Next year I won't be travelling on her birthday.  I'll needto think of something special to do with her since I've missed the last few.
Guess if I'm going to get anything done I'd better get a move on. Y'all have a calm day.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

White

The ground is white.  It started snowing off and on yesterday afternoon.  It was still snowing when I went to bed last night and, although I woke to sunshine this morning, it's started to snow again.  I don't have any idea if it's supposed to last....I don't care.  I was here first.  It's always strange to see snow and blue sky.  And now the sun is shining again with snowflakes falling gently from the sky. 
It's cold enough for there to be a skim of ice on the pond.  I'll be going down there before I leave to make sure the pipe is clear.  The water's going to be mighty cold.  Oh well, I'll be in sunshine and warmth soon enough.
Y'all have a good day and....I really don't care who wins the Super Bowl, I won't be watching it.