Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Rest of the Rally and Back to Thousand Trails Orlando

Friday was another cold day at the Florida Super RV Rally but that did not stop us from still enjoying looking at the new RVs and visiting all of the supplier booths. We talked with the people who sold and serviced the KVH Tracvision Antenna and had them come and see why we were not getting a good picture on our TVs. The wiring that was put in here originally was not correct so they fixed this problem for us. We also got the Blue Ox tow hitch serviced and we are good for another year on that.

We received a phone call from RV Connection that the other refrigerator door is in and they are coming to our campsite on Monday to install it. They are also going to check out the front door awning as it is not working at this time. It is still under warranty so let's get it done now.

We went to entertainment on Friday night. They were three guys playing brass instruments and they have been together for 40 years. They were very good and we enjoyed them very much. I'm sorry I cannot remember the band name.

Saturday morning we got up and the Leivas' and us decided to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. It was really good and we all came away stuffed. We headed back to the fairgrounds and a lot of the Buccaneers had decided to leave today. Russ and I also decided that we would leave after lunch as we needed fuel at the Flying J and did not want to fight the crowd that would be there on Sunday morning. We left about 1 pm and arrived at Thousand Trails Orlando around 2:20 pm.

This morning Russ fixed us egg sandwiches for breakfast, then I did a load of laundry and went to CVS and Walgreens to pick up a few things that we were out of and needed. For lupper, I fixed a pizza while we watched the Eagle/Cardinal football game. When that was over, we went up to the rec hall for entertainment, Dyn-o-Mite Stompers from Leesburg. The dancing was very good but the music was way to loud for my liking.

Another great couple of days. Until next time, take care.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Florida Super RV Rally, Tampa, Florida

On Tuesday morning we leisurely left Thousand Trails, Orlando, heading for the State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. It took us about an hour and fifteen minutes to get here and that included a wrong turn but we were able to find a large church parking lot to unhook the Honda from the motor home.


In taking this wrong turn as we got back on the correct road, Russ hit a large pothole which caused the motor home to lurch to the left. The linen closet came open and all the can goods that were stored there hit the floor along with laundry detergent and fabric softener. What a mess!!!! We cleaned it all up and went on with what we were suppose to be doing. Having Fun with the SMART Buccaneer Camping Club that we belong to.

Just after we got set up and cleaned up, the rains began. It rained most of the afternoon. We went with Nancy and Jim Leivas over to the Hard Rock Casino. We first went to the buffet as none of us had really eaten anything and it was 2:30 pm. The food was really good and there was a very good selection. We then decided to play the machines for an hour. I lost but Nancy came out ahead for the day. Congratulations!!!

We got back from the Casino in time to join the Buccaneers for "Happy Hour". At 5 pm some of he group went to a Steak House for dinner but with us just having eaten we decided to forgo this meal.

On Wednesday morning, our host had a continental breakfast consisting of fruit cups and muffins along with coffee. We all enjoyed this very much. After breakfast the Super show was on and everyone headed over to look at new RVs and to purchase items for their RVs. We walked around for about 3 1/2 hours and by then I was warn out. We came back to the RV and started our dish for the potluck to be held at 5 and rested for a short while. Dinner was great. Nancy and I decided to go back over to the casino and try our luck again. We held our own and just had a lot of fun in doing so.

Today when we got up it was very cold out. Russ was not feeling well so I went over to the pavilion for coffee and donuts. People were slow getting moving today but before 9 donuts were just about gone.

Again today we went looking at displays and I did buy a coffee table for my mother and a new heater for the motor home. They had put these heaters on sale for $15 and they were flying out of the door. Camping World was even delivering your purchase from them to your rig. What a deal.

Tonight we went to entertainment. As we entered the arena the Rally group served ice cream and coffee. Rick Arnold performed rock and roll along with country music and then there were door prizes given out. We did not win anything tonight but there are two more night when we can.

We had another good day and look forward to tomorrow.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Updating from Christmas until 1/12/09

Sorry that I have not been faithful in updating lately but will try once again to get everyone caught up with our doings for the past couple of weeks.

When I left off we were in Chesterfield, Virginia, enjoying the holidays at my sister, Betty, and brother-in-law, Roy's house. We also visited their two daughters houses with much going on at both.

Lori and Dave Schuelke had just moved into their new house. Dave has been building on this project for two years with Lori's help when she was not working for Dominic Power. Dave did all of the wood (cutting, stripping, and finishing). Pictures of the ongoing work and finished project are in my photos on picasa.

Dana and Brian have also had a busy year. In January, 2008, Jenna Nicole, was born. She is so cute and full of vim and vinegar. They also moved into a new house in March and had to contend with the slow housing market to sell their old house. Luckily they were able to accomplish this mission and are very happy in their big, wide-open house in Woodland Pond sub-division.

On Saturday, the entire family went to my Aunt Blanche Ladd's house for lunch and game playing. Her son, Rob, and his friend Penny along with his daughter Ashley were there. Also my cousin Tommy and his wife Pam from Ohio and Fred from Atlanta were also there. We all had a great time and a wonderful meal. Thanks Aunt Blanche.

Card games again started with everyone having a good time. Russ and I just could not get the right cards so did not win at all in all of the games played.

On Sunday, Russ and I went to Wilson, N. C., to visit with his family. Ms. Sarah has been having some health problems (back and eyes) so we called a family meeting and let her know that it was time that she seek other living arrangements. She is unable to care for her apartment in the way that it should be done. Sarah, Russ, his sister Susan and nephew Connor, went out on Monday to look at assisted living places and to talk with a counselor about what to do to get her into one of these. They were able to obtain much information so we will see what will take place in the near future.

We returned to Chesterfield on Tuesday afternoon and that evening went to my cousin Mary and Harry's house for a pasta dinner. She also had her mother, our uncle Bryan, her son, Brandon and brother Lewie. Another great meal and wonderful visiting amongst all of us.

On Wednesday, New Year's Eve, we returned to Florida. During the week Russ and I had decided that he would come back to TT and move the motor home into a spot and I would go down to Frostproof and stay with Mama for a few days. One she had come down with a bug and we were watching it to make sure that she did not go into pneumonia. We discovered when we got to the car that we had left both sets of keys to the motor home at Mamas house. We did stop at TT and get a space then continued to Frostproof so that Russ could get the keys and come back and move.

On Thursday morning Russ got up and searched out the campground for a space that he would like better as we had put in for the extended stay program here. He found a space that he liked better than the one that he had overnight and went up to register at the office. Once moved again he spent the afternoon and evening watching the bowl games on TV. On Friday morning, he had to take the motorhome over to RV Connection to have the refrigerator doors replaced. They had called and said that the doors were in but only one had come and the other is on backorder. They did replace the one and did the inspection that needed to be done to have the warranty extended for another year.

That afternoon he came down to Frostproof and picked Mystee and I up. We were both glad to get back to our own home. We continued to get our space fixed up like we want it and to meet some of the neighbors and people around us.

Over the weekend we continue our set up and watched the play-off games on NFL football. We have gone swimming some, sat outside and just enjoyed the sun, gone walking and bike riding the rest of the time.

On Tuesday we went to Frostproof as this is the night that they have Bingo. On the way down we picked up a few things for Mama and just enjoyed our visit. Russ and I both won at Bingo and felt very good about it.

Today, we went to Camping World and our second bike had finally come in. Now both Russ and I can ride together.

Tomorrow we will be going down to the Tampa Fairgrounds for the Big RV Show and SMART, Buccaneers campout. We will be down there until Sunday.

I will report from there.

Until next time, take care.