Here we go

I mean to write but time gets away from me.  Lots of things have happened since my last blog.  I returned home to Florida last September and all was well until this January. After shopping and going to the truck I fell over one of those concrete slabs that are in front of the handicapped signs in the parking lot.. I went in front of the truck and the car next to us had the driver door open and I tripped over the edge of the concrete not seeing it. .One minute up and the next minute down.Lying on the concrete I could see Buford's feet by the driver door but he didn't know I was down.Anyways I ended up with lots of bruises. I couldn't raise my left arm much so went to see my med. dr. He says the shoulder is not broken and take Advil etc. A few days go by and I decide to call an Orthopedic Dr. He orders an x-ray which shows the bones are ok.Next is an MRI which shows a torn rotator cuff. This is apparently a very common injury. Next is 6 weeks of Physical Therapy. I'm expected to go there three times a week and also do these exercises at home. It is time consuming. I can finally tell now that I am healing. Hooray! They are letting me skip class on Monday so I can go to Raleigh. Buford, Janice and I will drive up for a wedding shower for Michelle Constantin who will marry Scott in May. I am looking forward to this little vacation since I have been pretty much house bound for 5 weeks.Ron and Laura are also going up for the weekend.We thought we could all ride together but they are planning to make many stops up and back and take their scooters so that didn't work. I guess I will celebrate my 72nd Birthday there.
 Great Grandchildren have been added to my life. Nolan will be 2 in June.(Dusty) Harper was born in December(Eric) and Liam Michael
april 6th(Ashley) and a baby girl to Dusty and Lorinda in a few weeks. I'll get to see them all in June.
 P.S. I have been noticing the parking lots that have these concrete things painted yellow or blue.

I'm back

I've settled in I guess. I have been on a spree of cleaning out my home. I have lots of papers, books etc. that I don't need anymore. I won't get it all done before I head north but I'm making great progress.
Jessica flew down and spent her Christmas vacation with me. We went to Mike and Leslie's Christmas day for a prime rib dinner and gifts. It was very nice.
This has been a sad time. My son's highschool girl friend passed this winter. She was 39. Then our cousin Carol, my Viking neighbor, Barb Ream, and our Uncle Roy all passed recently. May they all Rest in Peace.
We had been looking for a Sebring convertible and finally found one. a 1996 (the first year they were made) It's dark green with a tan top.We have a great time riding around Flagler with the top down.Our plan is to drive to the Keys in the near future.It has only had one owner and was well taken care of. Buford has had a great time babying it.
It has been a decent winter so far but time is passing much too quickly.And now we have two weddings to look forward to. Ashley gets married in July and Chris Folts in October.Congratulations to them.
I will try to write more often. I'm so bad.

Back in Fl.

OK I'll try again. Recovering from a 5,000 mile trip out west. Saw so much--The River Walk, and Alamo in San Antonio. Sedona and Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon. Rode the train up Pike's Peak. Saw the 10 buried cadillacs in Amarillo Texas and rode some on rt. 66. Stopped on the way home to see Bill's 2 brothers and wives, Patrick and Shawna in Tenn.
On the way home from Ny stopped to see Buford's son and Grandson in Ohio, his birthplace in the hills of Ky., and Ana's daughter and son-in-law in Corryton Tenn. outside of Knoxville.It's been lots of fun.Now back home getting settled in and who should visit me but the wild boar. There are a bunch of babies now. I may have to sell. I can't take much more of them.
I'm so glad I can now see all the blogs. I've missed reading them.

Back in Florida

I wrote a lengthy post and it didn't go.

Milwaukee Germanfeast

I have spent 3 days at this Germanfeast. It's an exciting time. I loved the music and seeing all the beautiful costumes. I did get to eat snitzel, dumpling and red cabbage, a brat with sauerkrat. I'm not a beer drinker so didn't indulge but there were a lot that did.Leslie bought a pig's head and had us try that but after having all those wild boar in my Fl.backyard I could only have a taste.The 10,000 Maniacs from Jamestown were there Sunday night. Mike and I sat right up front. They have been a band for 30 years and from our hometown but I have never heard them until now. I really liked them and the singer Mary Ramsey from Buffalo is a delight. I held up a sign saying Jamestown NY and she acknowledged it. There were several stages with many bands and we just couldn't hear them all.
I left Milwaukee Monday at noon. They wanted people to give up their seats as the flight was overbooked.I checked it out but would have to have an extra stop so declined. Ron & Laura were picking me up at the Erie airport and I didn't want to delay them. We did go to the Casino on the way home and I played my favorite machine. I hit and it wouldn't stop dinging until it got to $171. I played a little more and ended up taking quite a bit with me. I guess that made up for not giving up my seat for a free airplane ride.
There are a few more things to look forward to before my return south.Time is going by too fast.

It's been 6 long months

I can't believe 6 months have gone by without me writing in this blog. A lot has happened. We had some cold weather last winter in Florida. It was a good year anyway. My friend Jack would come down on Thursday and go back to his home on Sunday.He says he likes to work and work he did. He has my yard and landscaping looking wonderful. He brings vegetation from his home to mine. I have lots of new stuff-- banana trees, rose bushes etc. We ocasionally see the pigs. We go to the Moose on Thursday night and dance. I had a roof leak in the office so had to have that repaired. He fixed the inside part.It's so nice to have a man around the house.
I didn't have a lot of company but it was great when Mel, Kris, and Kelly came and stayed a few days to celebrate their big 5-0 Birthdays.They said they had a great time. I did have family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Jack likes to work in the kitchen so that was a great big help.
He drove me back to New York the beginning of June. So here I am. I became a great-grandmother June 20th with the arrival of Nolan Allen Truver.He's a real sweetheart. We just had a big celebration for Ron and Laura on Sat. the 16th of July for an early 50th anniversay party. I really believed they were surprised. Jerry, Derek and Heidi planned it and pulled it off. We siblings helped where we could. Mel made the wedding cake for them to cut and it was absolutely beautiful. I gave a speech for Bill who was the best man.I had them wear red clown noses and I wore one. I thought it would help me to laugh and hold back the tears.The weather man cooperated and did the next day for the Mohr reunion also held at the Vikings. We had barbecued chicken 2 days in a row which was ok with me. It was good!!.
Jack came up the Wednesday before, Janice and Don came up on Thursday and Greg and Mel the next day. They left the following Mon. but it was good to see them for a few days anyways.Don and Janice stayed until this last Sunday. While they were here we went to Niagara Falls,rode on the Chautauqua Belle, went to a couple of Casinos and our campers pig roast,etc. We met Greg and Judy at the Salamanca Casino after going to the Zippo museum and he showed us how to win at those machines. Jack put in a beautiful walkway in front of my steps while here.
Now everyone has left and I've spent the whole day alone and inside. Actually I'm getting ready to go to Milwaukee for a Germanfest. Will meet Mike, Leslie and her family there for the weekend.(and I made 2 loaves of banana bread)
My life is much quieter here than it used to be. The skating rink is now a Mr. Salvage and I don't go dancing like I used to.I keep up with the lawn and the porch has been done and the shed cleaned out.
News is sad tonight. A couple have died in Tonawanda from the heat and there was a special on the young man who fell out of the roller coaster.
It's a little cooler now. It was very hot while company was here.
I will try to do better on this blog- I promise

Still catching up

I had a wonderful time in Nevada.It was in the 30's and 40's but didn't feel that cold. We went to Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, Reno. Jack saw no sense in putting money in a machine and losing it at the Golden Nugget until he won &25.A monster was created.We had fun and probably came out even with our gambling.
We went to a candlelight service in Palm Coast on Christmas Eve. and then went to Mike's for Christmas Day and had a beautiful prime rib dinner and opened gifts after. My gift is a trip to NY city in April with them and Minzi. (Leslie's Mom) I was there only once when about 16 so I'm really looking forward to it. The day after Christmas I had the 4 Florida siblings here for another prime rib dinner.It was a quiet fun day.It was fun (another fun) decorating this year and my home sure looked Christmasy.
Now it's another year and where does the time go? This year I have a new computer, a new dryer, and a new 47 in. TV.We have had fun watching movies on the big screen.I gave my camera and microphone to Ron and Laura so they can now skype with their families.
Greg and Mel will be here this weekend as he has work in Savannah Ga. Her Birthday is the 23rd and it's a big one. It will also be "fun".
I've written a lot about my wild boar problem.They have allowed hunters to come into Bulow State Park and shoot them. At last report they took out 23, then 22, and now another 15. People say they were here first. However they reproduce every 6 months, carry diseases and can even kill you if threatened. At least now the population will be kept down. I have been seeing deer out back.They are quite small and "fun" to watch.One of them likes to eat from my bird feeder.
It's been very cold here. I saw on TV that we were the only state that didn't have snow for a couple of days. However, flurries were reported in noth Florida.
That's all for now. I'll try to do better with my blog posts.

Christmas is coming

I did have Thanksgiving for about 20 people. Mike and Leslie couldn't come as she was hosting her family.Again we had too much food. It was all good and I think a lovely day.
It's already the beginning of December. I (with Jack's help) have put up lights and wreaths etc.It looks so pretty out front. I also have 2 Christmas trees. I remember when I was on the west coast there wasn't any room for any tree and I didn't like Christmas at all. This is so much better. The larger tree is in the dining room and the small one in the sun room.
Jack asked me if I would like to go with him for a visit to Carson City, Nevada to see his sister and family and to see some of the west. I of course said yes.He booked the flights and then told me the temperature. He says it's in the 30's and 40's but doesn't feel that cold. Oh dear, I don't like cold weather. I'm glad I have my winter coat, gloves, etc. etc. It should be a great trip with lots to see. I have only been to Las Vegas so this will be a new experience for me.We will be gone for one week and will think about driving back there again next summer.
I have mailed packages to my boys and families so there's not much left to do for Christmas.There's too many shoppers out already. I'll just relax, play my Christmas music and maybe bake cookies when I get home.
Keep warm all. I couldn't believe the mess on the thruway this week. When will they learn that they could prevent a lot of drivers from even getting on the thruway when it is suuch a mess.

Time really does fly by

It's the first of November already. Yes, I did get the new sod in the back yard. It looks nice and it's wonderful to have that first cup of coffee in the sunroom and watch the cardinals, squirrels, etc. I spilled some bird seed and that must have attracted the pigs. Last Wed. at 7:15 am I saw some dark shadows in the very back and the shadows moved their heads and it was two big boars with their little ones. I counted 8 babies running around my yard. There were 5 black ones and 3 brown ones. They heard me and went to a neighbors and ran when I made some noise. I was sleeping but woke up Thursday at 12:30 am to see them again at the neighbors and again at 7:15am on Friday. I wish you could see the neighbors lawn or what used to be a lawn. It is dug up and looks like a cow pasture. The only thing there is a crepe myrtle tree so don't know what attracted them except the roots..It's an old couple who live there and I'm sure they are upset. Jack has rearranged the fence so my whole back area is protected with wire. He also installed a high powered motion detector. It has a spot light on the back all the time and then a bright light when it detects movement. He says I shouldn't have any trouble now with the beasts.
We went to the Government offices in Bunnell and they gave us names of wildlife etc. and they gave us names of trappers. We went to Bulow state park next door and talked to the ranger there.She says the pigs come from all over and wander around in search of food. We'll see how this turns out.
The weather is still wonderful although it's getting quite cool at night knocking the pool temperature down. We've walked a few times on the beach. I've only been to the pool a couple of times. Buford is a workaholic and is constantly fixing things for me or working on the yard. He has put down 20 bags of mulch and brought flowers, shrubs, banana trees etc.from his house to mine. They all fit in nicely and he has a knack for making things grow and look nice.
We're having a yard sale Nov. 13th so I've been going through as much as I can and getting rid of stuff. It's amazing how much excess one has. Now if we can have good weather on that day we'll be ok.
I have also decided that since Buford is a good cook and very willing to help we will have Thanksgiving dinner here.I like to entertain and it's great to have family together.
There's a lot going on in the next few weeks.I still like my Florida home and would like everyone to come and see me.

Back in Florida

My friend did fly up to drive me back to Florida. We stopped at Greg and Mel's on the way back for Labor Day and fun at Lake Royale. It was early for me to get to Fl. but worth it. We've worked on the lawn etc. etc. and I'm almost all settled in. He comes down for a few days and then I go to his home near Orange Park for a few days. He has put up a little electric fence out back. It's set on a timer for the times the pigs come to eat. I sure wish I could hear one squeal.
My back lawn is almost destroyed due to the pigs, cinch bugs and lack of rain. I filed another complaint today and requested the owner's representative come and look at it after their 2pm meeting. She came and it looks like I am going to get new sod. We'll see if that happens. Jack (Buford) brought down a bird bath and we planted some butterfly bushes and put up a bird feeder. We've seen lots of Cardinals.
I hope that I can now do some trips even though this is like vacation land.The beach has been beautiful.I went to the pool today and hope to go again tomorrow.
Zach was in the hospital for a couple of days. He had some food caught in his esophagus and when they went to remove it he got a little tear and then had to have a chest tube and was admitted to ICU. All is well and he is now home and recuperating.
I'm going back to Middleburg this weekend for a wedding on Sunday. Then Monday I have a routine stress test here.I'll try to do better with this blog.

Back in NY

Mike, Leslie and Zach rode with me from Fl. to Greg and Mel's in N.Carolina where there was a plan for me to stay a couple of days and Dusty and I would finish the trip to NY.Chris and family had just had a vacation in the N. Carolina outer banks and then drove over to Mel's. The plan got changed and we left immediately after the N.Carolina arrival for Ny so it was a straight thing for me.I missed the fun days with Greg and Mel but was glad to have a way to get home.I was home a week when I received news that my beautiful friend Ana had passed away. I flew back to Fl. for a week.Ana and I became friends a few years ago and I went with her to her time shares in Hawaii, Las Vegas, St. Augustine and also on a couple of cruises.
It took awhile after coming home the second time to get settled in but I finally did. I was here for Mark's graduation and party.I have gone to some dances at the clubs but miss the skating very much.
Then word came 2 weeks ago that my very good friend Tom Carlson from Orange Park had lost his battle with cancer. I wanted to go back for his funeral but airline prices were very high so didn't.
The next weekend was the Mohr family reunion. I thought it turned out well. I tried to get Janice to come up for it. Maybe next year.Brother Greg looked delightful in his special dress and the hula skirt. Way to go Greg.
I just had company for a week. He is my dear friend from Middleburg, Fl. He says he likes to work and work he did. He fixed things around my camper that needed fixing. He couldn't stay any longer because of his dog and his yard. He drove straight through both ways.He says he is flying up to get me when I tell him the date I am going back to Fl.which will be the beginning of September.I need to find out when Heidi's open house is and then plan.
I'm sitting on a picnic bench by the lake with this computer. It is a very pretty day.I'll be taking Jessie to work at the Atheneum hotel in Chautauqua later. She works in housekeeping. I thought about getting a job but decided against it.
I promise I won't wait so long to write.
Greg, Slim says he is Crystal's uncle. Do you know Amy?

another finally

Shame on me for neglecting this blog. I don't know where the time goes. We had a cold winter plus the wild boar problem which made for a not so good winter. The weather now however is beautiful with everything blooming and so pretty. They have cleaned out the areas which the boar chewed up and will eventually put new sod in. I have had a mess in the back since I got here and it's still a mess. We have put down yard guard which is supposed to repel those critters. I saw 4 of them 2 days ago and hopefully they got their snouts full and won't return. Ron's medical problems also put a damper on the winter. He is now home in NY and I hope he sees constant improvement.
I'm starting to get ready for my trip back to NY. I'm so comfortable here that it's hard to think about going back . Some good things are waiting there and it will be great if the weatherman cooperates.The skaters are not giving up with the rink being closed and are going to Erie once a month. It will be good to see them all again.
Slim Griffin and the Country Gentlemen play every other Friday night at the Celoron Legion so I can hear some good old country music. Of course the Mohr family reunion is Aug. 1st and that is always a good week. Greg and Mel will be here then.
Heidi will be coming back to the area so perhaps we'll see more of Kat. (Heidi and Dan too)
I'm finishing up some things today and Bill and Loretta will be here tomorrow afternoon and stay the night. They are on their way to Sarasota for a Grandaughter's graduation.She wants to eat at Alfies and have their fish fry. My friend Buford (I call him Jack) will be here today and we are going to do some more to the back lawn area.
That's it for now. I'll try to do better and not let so much time go by.

Ron's Surgery

I'm writing this for Laura as she won't be home until very late tonight. She wants to stay at the hospital until Ron wakes up more. Janice and I went this afternoon and stayed until 9:30pm. He was beginning to wake up then from the anesthesia. He did well and is in the Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine.The Dr. said to plan on staying one week but if things go well it might be shorter.Laura will do an update tomorrow.

Catching up

Time is going by too fast.I just had company from Auburn, Indiana. Don and Joey Aiken have been in Florida for a couple of weeks. They stayed here for 4 days. We went to some yard sales and an antique store.
He convinced me to buy red mulch and put it around my house. He was right there moving the bags and dumping the mulch--all 24 bags of it. He also put a new light on my lamp post.I told him not to work and just enjoy the area but he said he enjoyed it. He's 78. He works at and used to be President of the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Automobile Museaum in Auburn.They bough a lot of my dolls when Bill died. Now they are on their way home facing rain and snow.I hope they make this a yearly visit.
Leslie's father passed away last week. They had a Memorial service for him today.The service was beautiful with many eulolgies.It was Military with the folding and presentation of the flag, taps etc. My friend Rick drove me to Melborne for it. It was good because we went through some heavy rain on the way home and I was glad I wasn't driving.. Rick is from Palm Coast and was widowed 3 months ago.He likes yard sales, auctions etc. He says he will go dancing with me. We'll see!!!
Ron paid tribute to Laura for her attention to him through his knee ordeal in his blog. They are facing surgery next week for removal of the partial knee.. Oh how I wish they would go to Shands Hospital in Gainesville for a second opinion.

Everyone's Gone

I just had a fun and exciting two weeks. Greg and Mel came down for his 2 seminars for Marshall Institute..They stayed some at my home, at Orlando and at Daytona.Scott flew down late Friday night as he wanted to see the shuttle early Sunday morning. Chris and Lynn flew into Orlando Friday night and drove here in a beautiful rental red mustang.I had breakfast with them at the Pier Saturday morning. Melanie and I went to Longwood for a baby shower for Melissa. She's due to have a baby girl the beginning of March.I drove on to Paradise Cove in Lake Buena Vista for Mike Watson and Kim pruitt's wedding. I met Chris and Lynn there. It was a 5:30 pm wedding and very cool with 27 mile per hr.winds. Yes,it was outdoors and very chilly.They put up plastic sides on the patio and had torches lit for the reception. It was a beautiful wedding and reception. Jim. Gale, Drew, DeAundra and family all looked wonderful.It took me one and a half hour to drive home.No one was home when I got there as the guys had gone to the races and they and Mel left from there to go to see the shuttle scheduled for 4:39 am. Chris and Lynn had VIP seats for the launch.Unfortunately it was scrapped at the last minute.Greg, Mel and Scott left for home on Sunday. Chris and Lynn had flights for Monday so they returned to the cape and saw the liftoff on Monday at 4:14 am. Chris sent me a text that it was awesome. I'm anxious to see the video he took. It's almost 9 pm and I'm very tired so know everyone else is exhausted. It was a great time.
This morning I drove to Palatka to go with Ron to the Dr. He thinks he may still have an infection in the knee due to the lab results. He will have a bone scan of the knee on Thursday.He does seem better and is walking better.He will start Physical Therapy soon.

About time

Yes, it's about time I updated my blog. It's been quite a busy time here. Greg and Mel arrived in Florida a week ago Sunday. Greg had a seminar in Orlando so they spent some time there. Next was the seminar in Daytona. It's been great to see so much of them. Wish we all lived closer. Saturday is the baby shower for Melissa at 1pm in Longwood, Fl. and then the wedding for Mike Watson at 5pm in Lake Buena Vista. Mike is the son of Jim and Gale Watson.
Chris and Lynn are flying down for the wedding, a long relaxing weekend and to hopefully see the shuttle on Sunday morning.They have not seen my house yet so I look forward to that. Scott is also flying down for the shuttle. I hope it doesn't get scrubbed. It's scheduled for 4:39 am.Saturday is supposed to be a beautiful day in the 70's.
Ana's daughter has called me and they had to take Ana to the ER last Friday after scraping ice off the driveway. She has been evaluated and now has to have 2 heart bypasses. She's in the hospital in Knoxville. Her daughter is a nurse there. I have to hope that all will go well for her.
It's late and I need to go to bed so I will be ready for tomorrow. We're going to St. Augustine for the day and then Alfies for dinner. We all seem to like their fish fry. You know they are there because of Bill and I purchasing our first Florida home in Ormond. Greg's parents,Bud and Betty, then stayed in our home and they also bought one and later a restaurant called Alfies.

P.S.

I forgot to mention that our former neighbor in Frewsburg has passed on.Bill Thomas died yesterday, Jan.16th in Hamot Hospt.in Erie.Pa. Bill and Sandy were great neighbors.
The Post-Journal also had an article about Dr. Bert Rappole and his wife Mary and their work in Haiti.
They have been there many times helping the people. They helped one man with his education etc. and became very close.Mary went to his wedding last year. They haven't heard anything from him since the earthquake.
Some of the comments to the Post Journal were disturbing. Drug Lords and corruption rule Haiti. The ones who need the aid won't be getting it. One person wrote that Hillary arrived in her Sunday-Go-To-Meeting clothes instead of jeans and a shirt.

It's getting warmer

Yes, the cold spell in Florida seems to have left us.It's so nice to go outside without a jacket.
The Mexican workers here have dug up all the bad areas out back. I only hope this means that they will be filling in with new sod and that the pigs are gone. They set up a trap for a couple of days. Everytime I heard a noise I would go look at the trap but to no avail..
I went to Sanford yesterday for Remy's 2nd Birthday party.Janice went the night before to help Melissa and I picked up Don at 11 am and we drove over.The party was at a children's play gym.They had all kinds of play things for the little ones as well as clothes to dress up in.No shoes are allowed in the area. You have to wear socks.Melissa supplied all the food and the cake and a good time was had by children and the adults.Remy didn't seem to know this special party was for him but it didn't matter. He had a good time.Janice thinks we should open one of these places in our area.
Chad's Dad Bob has lost 60 punds and looks really good. His Dr. told him if he wanted to enjoy his Grandchildren he needed to get busy and lose wt.I need to loose at least 10 # so I'm going to work on it.He takes a whey product every day.I bought some and will try it. (the old curds and whey)
After the party we went back to Chad and Melissa's. We saw pictures of the sonogram of the new baby girl.It won't be long now.I told Chad that we liked our Grandmother's middle name Roxanna. He said he liked it too.
I'm just here working on getting more organized.I have a lot of papers to sort. I'd like to do some painting (walls and canvas) but we'll see. Greg and Mel should be here next Sunday night.I always look forward to their visits.
Ron appears to be doing better. They are coming this way today so we'll probably all meet at Alfies later for dinner.

Snow in Florida

This has been a terrible week weatherwise in Florida. It has been very cold with temperatures dropping into the 20's some nights. There has even been snow!!!!I didn't happen to see it but then I really didn't care to see it.My furnace has been on almost all of the time.This next bill will be out of site. How about the ones who can not afford it.I love my electric blanket.I can turn my heat way down at night.I hope my grapefruit are ok.I've got almost all of my Christmas stuff put away.It's too cold to work in the garage.
I have some things coming up and I'm looking forward to them.January 16th is a Birthday party for Remy who turned two.This will be in Sanford. He is such a sweetheart!! January 20th is a luncheon with some women who play cards together. I was invited through my friend Patti and now I seem to be part of this group. This next one will be hosted by Anita at 116 Ocean Aire terrace N., my old home. Anita is part of this group. Isn't it a strange world? I am supposed to bring an appetizer and just can't think of anything now. Any sugestions from anyone? Then Greg and Mel will be in this area for a few days as Greg has some business here. That's always something to look forward to.February 6th is Anthony Michael Watson's wedding to Kim Pruitt.Chris and Lynn are flying down on Friday night and will come to Flagler then. We will drive to Orlando on Saturday for the 5:30 pm wedding and reception..That day is also a baby shower for Melissa.(She's having a girl)I guess I will have to miss the baby shower--darn.
Tonight is a Singles dance at the Elks. I will go as I get cabin fever if I don't get out of the house.
I talked to Laura today. They were invited out to dinner last night at Corky Bell restaurant and my brother ate a full rack of ribs.Then he had a piece of apple pie at home. I guess he's finally eating again.