The first two pictures are from Parksdale Farms.  The place where we get our strawberry parfaits and friends get strawberry shortcake.        The second picture is of Linda and Larry, from Indiana.  They have the shortcake                                                   

 These flowers are at Busch Gardens.   They have beautiful flower gardens all over the area.  some in a design, some just in pots scattered around the grounds.       the next picture, taken in February is our group of National Great Lakers.  We all at one time owned National motor homes.  We still have ours.  We meet each winter at Parksdale for strawberries and then go to a near  by park to sit and talk and catch up on who is doing what.  Some of the club meet in Texas.  Where ever we winter we find our club members and get together.
Hoosier Cruisers met in Sarasota.  I wrote about that earlier.      I                                                      

Hey!  Maybe I am learning how to arrange photos and my writing.  New computer, have to learn how this one does things I am used to doing on the old computer.   The next picture is another at Parksdale.  Greg and Betty, Bruce and Beth, Ernie and I enjoying strawberries.   We splurged and got the strawberry sundae boat and we did not share one, as we usually do. The next two pictures are of Rachel and Joe.  H. C. members visiting in Florida.  They have an RV, but did not feel they should drive it so far this year.  Hope to see them at some of our Indiana Rallies this summer.

And that is the end of the first group of pictures Ernie has put on the blog on the new computer.  It is like the phone.  We learn something almost every day about how to use our new HP.              We traveled to Aubondale Saturday, to a flea market.  I was so sure that is had a section on tables of stuff out in the open like some markets do.  Nope, all under cover and stuff from out of the U.S  and just unbelievable what is there.  We did not buy much.  A small magnifying glass, 4 little LED lights and batteries.  We did find the Stewarts.  They are from Canada and have a kettle corn operation.  We see them at the Plant City flea market and I usually buy a bag.  They have found a small place where they just have kettle corn and their daughter manages it.  Friendly people and we always enjoy visiting with them.      We left there and on the way home stopped at the Lakeland City flea market held at old outdoor theatre  We did find some silver there.  It was quite windy and hot.  Only 10 am and some of the vendors were packing up due to the wind blowing their stuff around.                             Clayton and Rita area in Florida now, we will drive to see them Monday.   They are one of the couples in our card club.  If we could get Jim and Berniece to come to Florida we could have card club down here.     Will check this for spelling errors.  Hope to learn how to type and move the pictures where I want them.   Have a good day.

Oh, we have heard all about the tornadoes in Indiana, and all over.  Did any of you have relatives or friends that were involved in any of the destruction?     Keep all of these people in your thoughts.

The pastor at the church I attend always states."Keep our Nation in our prayers.  I won't get into politics, just pray for change."    And most of us understand what he means.  See you.   jkc

New Computer

A busy week, last week.  Spent a lot of time at Best Buy Store.  Finally decided to buy a new computer.
It is about the same size as the old one, except this one has a number pad at the side.  that makes the keyboard smaller, and places the right hand in toward the center more.  I keep wanting my right hand to the right and have trouble hitting the right keys. 
We are still learning how to use our phones and now we have to learn Windows 7 too. Lots of fun.  We took the old computer in to the Geeks to check out.  Cleaned out a lot of dust and a few other things.  It was working great.  It was raining today and when we left to go out with friends to eat we unplugged the computers.  When we came back the old computer would not work as it should.  So, back to the Geeks tomorrow.

We went to Lazy Days, picked up Bob and Carolyn and took them to Sweet Tomatoes for supper.
They have delicious soups.  We enjoyed going out and visiting with them.  They had been to the Webster flea market today. 

We have had 5 tomatoes off of my one plant.   They are small, but good.  Earlier I had several things I was going to write about, but at one am I am not doing well.  I had been to bed, became awake, tossed and turned and here I am now.  Time to hang it up and write more Tuesday.  Good Night.   jkc

Tuesday.   we are learning how to use the printer connected to the new pc.  need some used  paper anyone?  We did take the old pc to the Geeks at Best Buy.  And of course you know what happened.  It worked just fine.   Maybe a system update that did not get completely installed that caused the problem.  Maybe something else.  Keep using your old pc and enjoy.  So we are.  Working just fine.

Picked 3 tomatoes today.  One could have stayed on the vine a while longer, but it had a little hole in it.  I do not know if it was caused by some bug or if I injured it when I was checking and watering the plant. 

Out to eat for lunch.  2 chicken sandwiches for the price of 1.  Plus Senior drinks.  $5.35.  and Beth said come on down for some burgers this evening.  No cooking today.  Need to fix something and have them here one evening soon.  We usually play some euchre and have a good evening.

Did you watch the Oscars?  or the revealing of who will be on Dancing With The Stars?
Or do you watch Survivor?  I am hooked on the dancing and survivor.  sometimes I think the person voted off the tribe talks too much during tribal council and therefore seals their own fate.  I keep trying to keep my mouth shut, but my trick knee still keeps my foot in my mouth at times. 

We have the air on today.  Was so hot and humid Monday.  And not a whole lot better today. 

Gene, I was told I should put this on the blog, that you would enjoy it.
Our daughter, (teaches in inner city Indy, 3rd grade)  has a new boy in her class.  I will call him J.  J is something of a bully, hitting someone is his thing.  Only one day while in the restroom (a row of urinals along one wall)  J. was behind a strong boy named D.
All of a sudden Nancy heard some crying from that restroom and out came one of her students.  Mrs. B.  J. is on the floor crying and hurt.  Nancy goes to the door,  "Are you dressed in there, may I come in?"  Yeah, come on in.  And she surveys the scene, tells boys J and D to go to the principals office.  And then talks to another teacher.
They know that boy D, a strong healthy boy, does not lie.   They heard from the principal that when the two boys arrived She ask boy D. what happened.  Well, J. was punchr ing me in the back while I was trying to pee, soo I turned around and decked him one."   Don't mess with D.   But J had not learned his lesson and just happened to pick on D's little brother.   And got decked again.  Nancy told her class that maybe J's problem might get straightened out by students in other classes.  She had already told her students not to return J's punches, stay out of trouble.  He did not punch hard, just annoying jabs.   And that is only one of the stories she tells.  I do not know how she keeps going, but she loves teaching and it seems that her students like her and try to learn.  She said she did not think they thought of her as black, white or whatever.  She is their teacher and sometimes she does fun stuff too.

time to get ready for our evening out.   Later,    Ernie said there they are,  and yes, there was Beth and Rita.  Trying to sneak past our coach.&nbs; Not really, Rita and Clayton had just arrived.   So there were 6 for burgers.  So nice to have Clayton and Rita also.  They drove on to Palmetto ???? and then the fellows (Ernie and Bruce) won 2 out of 3 games of Euchre.  Home and soon to bedl  Good night.   jkc

Saturday, a free day.

Ernie is doing just fine.  Friday we went to Busch Gardens.  Went early to go to the "special showing for Passport members" of the Iceploration show.  We had seen it last week.  But thought we would see  what the special deal was.   We got a new popcorn bucket with a ticket for a  free fill up of popcorn. (smaller than the one we have) the show was the same as we had seen the previous week at a regular show time.  But it is a pretty show and the skaters do a good job.  the costumes are really neat.  Many were fluorescent.  and then we hurried over to the Osmond Brothers show.  It is good, but the music is so loud and their mikes were on full power that at times you could not understand what they were singing.  The best part of the trip to Busch was that when we walked into the ice show this person said "HI, Ernie"  Joe and Rachel from Muncie and our RV Club.  They did not drive their RV down this year, but drove the car and are staying with Joe's sister.  Good to see them.  and then sat in front of them at the Osmond show.

It had been trying to rain all morning.  We went to TGFridays for their endless soup and salad lunch and when we came out it was raining.  a stop for groceries and we were home.,

Then 6 of us headed for Sweet Tomatoes for supper at 6 pm.  Met two more Hoosier Cruisers that had originally planned to  be with us, but had unexpected visitors.  So we were seated near that group.  A good time.

Today we just relaxed.  It was foggy this am and humid this pm.  Did get my sheets dry on the line, put the rest in the dryer.  Made a quick trip to the Bit Top Flea Market, Ernie found a tool he could use and a fork.  I did not buy anything this trip.

Home and Ernie played delete time on the computer.  We have had various problems lately and decided to delete stuff.  I deleted some also.  Did you just see the crash with Jeff Gordon's car sliding on the side and roof of the car, down the track?  amazing and he walked away, once they got him out.

time to do some more work putting my silver patterns on the computer. 
sleep well,   jkc

Ernie

today is 5 days post op for Ernie.  Well, not surgery in the sense that he was in the hospital, but he did have a procedure done on the varicose veins in his right leg.
We found a clinic here, liked what we saw and heard, they did a doplar on both legs and then we went in to hear the results.  so on the 10th we were back to the clinic, he sat in a reclining chair, like a dentist chair, they gave him a valium and a demoral and started working on his leg.  He had taken one antibiotic before the surgery. 
Sent him home with the leg all wrapped up with ace bandage and then a second green ace bandage.  Keep  the leg up for 24 hours, except hourly walk for a few minutes.  Keep moving your  foot, to keep the blood moving.  He made it almost 24 hours. 
Beth & Bruce, Greg & Betty, stopped by and we all went to get strawberry sundaes.
Sunday the green wrap came off and it was a quiet day.  Monday, back to the clinic for another doplar on the right leg. To check for blood clotting. Off came the ace bandage, doplar done, hose put on right leg and we were on our way home.  Via Wall Mart and Steak and Shake.
He may walk as much as he likes, no jumping, running or skipping.  Just walk.
Tues. we went over info for taxes and Wed. we went to  the flea market and then for strawberry milkshakes.  first time we have had those and they are good.  Altho the berries were still frozen in the bottom.  But it was definitely a strawberry milk shake.

I found a JJ pin and then another vender that had a lot of stick pins.  small.  I picked out 7 JJ pins and ask how  much.  50 cents each.  So  I looked and got 8.
3 little chairs, an angel, and 4 lighthouse pins.  cute.  The bigger pin is a cat pin and not only had the JJ logo but 1988 on the back.    also found a sugar shell spoon.  Pretty with a design in the bowl of  the spoon.  It looked terrible, but for $1, I bought it.
I was right, it is called Floral, which is a pattern name for several floral patterns and is quite collectable.  And The excellent polish person in this coach had it gleaming in no time.  Ernie does a great job of polishing while I catalog what we buy.  And that is something I must do.  I have 7 small note books full and also have the pieces listed on a computer program.  In the note books I list the pattern name and manufacture of  the silver plate, how much it cost, where I bought it, page number from our info book and also a catalog number.  Most of that info is put on a tag and the tag is tied on the piece of silver.  The computer has the same info, except I  do not put in  where we bought or found the piece.  The catalog number help us to locate certain pieces.  On the computer the pieces are put in in alphabet order as  to the name of the pattern.  Makes a cross index of sorts.   Interesting to look and see when we find a piece we want how many more of that pattern we have stored.  Don't ask how many pieces or silver boxes we have,  I am not sure either, but we have fun and enjoy the search for certain patterns.  The same with the JJ Jonette jewelry.

Today we went with Bruce and Beth to Sarasota to the Sun and Fun RV park for a Hoosier Cruiser Dinner.  12 couples made it.  Rick gets the parks private room and we have a small buffet and use of the room from 11 to 3.  An enjoyable day to see our Indiana friends during the winter months.

Good times, Good health, good friends.  We are blessed. 

Have a good day.  jkc

oops

I put in the wrong city.  Our yacht took us to see the St. Petersburg skyline.  Not Sarasota.  Original post had Sarasota.  jkc

Weather and days gone by

What a beautiful week we had last week.
We left Charlie's Park Sunday the 29th of Jan. to go to Brooksville, Fl., for a SEA rally.   South Eastern Area rally, a part of FMCA.  there were 1000 motor homes there.
Sunday was arrival time, checking to see who had arrived and enjoying the move.  We met up with Jerry and Carol, Bruce and Beth.  Went to Texas Roadhouse with Jerry and Carol for supper.  Monday, the 30th we headed for Webster, Florida.  the big outdoor flea market.  Met our  friends from Alabama.  Merrill & Martha, Cubby and Anita.  _
We found some good silver plate buys, plus 3 silver chests.  I found a pin and Ernie got a few small things.  Had lunch at the Speckled Bean, a buffet.  Good food, although the wait time is about one half hour.  (tonight, Beth said they found a place just past the flea Market with good food and no wait time.  Will have  to check that out if we go again._ Back to the rally------  The entertainment was good, sort of.  The sound system was lousy and so made the experience not so good. Thursday night we went to  the Harmony House for supper with Merrill and Martha.  Good small town diner.  Ernie had liver and onions and I had shrimp.  Just a light batter on the shrimp.  good.   Friday night the entertainment was the  the CIGAR CITY BAND.   They worked on the sound system and the band was great.  all the old tunes we motorhome people like.  You know, the oldies but good ones.  The band caught on that we were enjoying it and they decided to enjoy themselves also.  They took a 15 minute break and played for another 50 minutes.  Everyone wants them to come back next year.  Did not seem to be as many vendors this year.  We did renew our Pass Port Membership for 3 years.  This is an organization for campgrounds to give you one half price per night.  A $30 a night campground will only charge $15. if you are a PassPort member.  They can fill their park and we get the benefit.  some will state during heavy tourist seasons the it is available only if there are openings.  Some parks are full during the  winter in Florida.
At full price.  We also bought 2 led lights for the RV.  Two above the table, to replace 4 bulbs and one for our bullet reading lights.  It is bright and better than the old bullet lights.   Expensive light bulbs, but supposed to  last and last.   Longer than what we will own this RV??????    Melanie and Ross, if you are reading this, Sharon and Don Eversman were at the rally.  We talked with them Friday and introduced them to Beth.
Then Don and I talked while Beth and Sharon discussed quilting.

Came home to Charlies on Saturday.  that after noon we headed down to the Tampa Bay Marriot----walked through the lobby to the marina.  Where the yachts park along the bay.  Our friends, Austin and Linda, ( we met in Florida, they have a home in Muncie)  were having a 50 year anniversary party.  Their son is a Captain, of the Knot Again Yacht.  King Marine of Tampa Bay.  Luxury Yacht Charters.  We had a bay side buffet and then Mikel took us on a cruise around the Tampa Bay and out further to view the St. Petersburg sky line.  Loved it. Knot Again is a 50 foot luxury yacht featuring a gracious salon, full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, extended aft deck with dinette which converts to a sun-bed and an extensive bow area.  Coast Guard inspected etc.
We ask Linda how she liked her party.  Well, I had said I wanted to go on a cruise for my 50 wedding anniversary.  This will do, have my family and Friends also.

Sunday was a lazy and busy day.  Catching up on things that needed to be done, a trip to Wall Mart and Winn-Dixie.  Winn-Dixie had a special on crab legs and we got some for supper.  We enjoy getting them when they are on sale.  Also got some shrimp.

Today, Monday, it was make telephone calls to find out where a package was, check with Medco about not sending automatic mailings, and 2 more calls.  Did three loads of was.  One in the dryer and the rest out on the clothes line.  Dried quickly, even with the humidity.  There were black clouds to the North, but we did not get any rain.  the weather man said you could drive and be almost flooded out and the next mile there was no rain. 

Our park has been busy.  A trailer sold and another bought,  new people up  the block, here in the park.  And an older lady had a stroke last week.  UPS left us a note, had we moved? and where were we?   Called them and they will deliver Tuesday.   And I picked the first tomato off of my plant.   A small one, but it was red, ripe and ready to eat.  One more is ready, and then it will be awhile before the others are ripe.  They  are small tomatoes.  Not cherry, just small.  the onions are doing well, small but tasty.
Beth said her lettuce was just right for cutting and they had some for supper.  I almost snitched some Saturday, it look so  fresh and pretty.  
The weather had been warm the last few weeks.  The weather man said tonight that a cold front was coming this week end or the first of next week.  Be down in the 60's.
yep, that is cold, down here.  Might have to get out a sweat shirt for a day or so.

Better stop for  now, that is the latest with us.  How are all of you doing.
sleep well,   jkc

Tues. afternoon.  another motor home moved in and Charlie brought a small trailer from Zepherhills for someone.  Park is full, but for one spot.  And a couple empty trailers.   enough   jkc

Brookville, on Wednesday

just a brief note.  We are dry camping at the SEA (South Eastern Area) rally of FMCA.
Sunny and nice.  Doors and windows open with 1000 motor homes.

Two Indiana RV's in front of us.  They mostly use there RV's when they go to old car meetings.  Only two other couples from Indiana are here.  OOPS, time to fix lunch.
write later.  jkc

P.S. from the Seasame Street blog

At the flea market
A good day.  I bought some peppers and strawberries.  Ernie bought a socket and an angel pin for me.  A JJ pin.  pretty. 

Beth came down with some sweet corn for us, so I said stay for supper.  We had sausage with peppers, onions and tomatoes.  I usually use Ro - Tel tomatoes, but I am out, so I used some taco sauce, V-8 juice and diced tomatoes. Beth walked back home and came back with a delicious salad and strawberries.  Good food and good friends.  When Bruce left for choir practice Beth taught us a card game.  a type of rummy.  fun.
Its 11 pm, time for bed.  Good night all.   jkc

that was written last week.   Today we did not make it to the flea market.  But did get to Parksdale for strawberry sundaes.  And the National Great Laker Club had a gathering at Parksdale and then on to a local park for some time with everyone.

Yesterday, Jan. 24, we celebrated 53 years of marriage. Went out for supper in Plant City.
Johnson Barbeque   smokin' since 1954.  the sign outside also says Fred's. 
Which ever, it was good.  The dinner was 4 ribs with 2 sides.  But if you ordered 2 sides you could get 6 ribs.  So we got the 6 and took 6 home.  large ribs, good meal.  I had a sweet potato casserole and it was delicious.  The manager said some people top it with a scoop of ice cream.  I passed on that idea.  We had left overs tonight.

Will try to write more often.  Have a good day tomorrow.   jkc

Seasame Street Movie

Last week we went to Busch Gardens.  Happened to meet up with 3 others from our park.  After watching one show we decided to go to the 3D theatre and watch the Seasame Street film.  We did not think about this one carefully.  We came out wet, all shook up and wind blown.  Laugh like crazy and had a good time.  More adults there than children.  That was ok.  You never know what we will do where ever we may be.

Have missed going to the flea markets, cold and rain have kept us away.  Will go to one tomorrow.  Wednesday is Plant City Flea Market is what we call it.  I have heard it called the Mexican Flea Market and Sam Allen market.  Named after the street or road it is on.  But we find it interesting to see what goes on and see some of the vendors we talk with each time we go.

It was 84 today.  After the past week of cool weather  this was welcome.

Last week was also the Tampa RV Super Show.  We went two different days.  No, we did not buy a new coach.  Saw some neat ideas in the vendor buildings, checked the Pilot/Flying J, Booth.  They are offering a card, like a credit card, but it is just for Flying J and Pilot service centers.  For those of you that do not know Flying J and Pilot are truck stops.  Flying J also catered to the many RVers out there.  They had a dump station, fresh water, propane, gas and diesel.  They also went bankrupt.  And Pilot bought them out.  Pilot decided rather than they pay the 3 cents they must pay the credit card company's that many of the rv people use that Pilot would have their own card.  Give us cents off on the gas and diesel.  And not shut off the diesel when it reaches $75.  (then you start all over.)  And a ninety gallon tank takes more than $75.
Which is why we fill the top half, not let that get below 1/2 full.   It is not a credit card.  We will get a notice each month what we owe and pay Pilot.  It was interesting, two or three of the personnel at the Pilot/flyingJ booth commented that Pilot just did not realize how big the RV business was for Flying J.  We did not stop at Pilot stations, they did not cater to us.  And did not have overnight parking for us.  so why stop there.  The new stations will have these amenities.

Friends from Pennsylvania called us and we spent some time with them.  they are looking for a smaller motor home and were staying 3 nights at Lazy Days Campground.
So we met them there for lunch, which is free.  It was pretty good. Better than last year.
Meat loaf, green beans, rice and your drink. 

Most of the people here in the park that were either gone for the holiday or do not come until after the holidays are all here.  Our row is full now.  The back row has 3 spots open.  Charlie prefers persons that will stay at least a month or the season.

My tomato plant survived the cold weather and is back in the sunshine.  Must take the aloe plants back outside also.  The onions are growing, won't be long before we have some fresh green onions.  Fun, something to watch and take care of. 

Enough for now.  Talk with you later.   jkc

Happy New Year

It is 10 pm.  Ernie is in bed and I will be before long.  the trailer park just
West of us is having a firework New Years Eve.  Have seen some of them from our window.  Hear them all the time.  Plus Latino music.  We hear the music several nights a week, if our windows are open.  Our RV is not up close like some of the trailers in our park.  Makes life interesting.  And this year, each evening, after dark the ice cream man comes along.  In the park West of us and the one South of us.  And that jingle goes thru my mind half the evening.   The truck does not come down our lane, wonder if he only goes where he know there are children. 

Went to the Big Top Flea Market today.  Talked with Gene, the gentleman that has one whole end of a building for all his stuff.  He has gone to auctions for years and brings in new stuff all the time.  but the last two years he has slowed down and trying to clean stuff out.  I found a small spoon with holes, it is an olive spoon, or a salted nut spoon, or a relish spoon.  Most pictures said olive spoon.  Dainty and a pattern I like.  While talking with Gene I told him about the lady we bought the tea leaf strainer from.  He ask some questions about her and said they used to go to the same auctions.  Her name is Dottie and if we go to that market again tell her he said hello. 

Now the fireworks are going off to the East.   Wonder what it is like here on the 4th of July.      Have a Happy New Year.   jkc

PS   maybe quieter as the migrant workers next door leave.
it is the 6th and I have not finished this blog.  A lot has happened.  we have had cold weather.  I mean, frigid for Florida.  28 Tues and Wed mornings.  I brought the tomato plant in, plus the all the plants but the onions and pansys.
I have some green onions planted in two shallow plastic saucers that I got for a quarter at a garage sale.  They are looking good.  The tomato plant has about 8 or 9 tomatoes on it.  Most are quiet small yet, but one is really a nice size.

We have also had some sadness within the Hoosier Cruiser Club.  A long time member died this week.  And another member has had cancer and is undergoing various treatments .  Plus we learned another friend in the club had a brother die suddenly.  I guess it is like my grandfather said when he turned 90.  I read the paper to see if my name is in the obits. 

Went to Parksdale on Thursday.  For our Strawberry sundae and grapefruit. also got 4 yellow peppers for $1.  3 cucumbers for $1. some fresh picked green beans and a bag of tangerines.   Have to watch, some of their veggies are expensive.  Sometimes we can get good vegetable buys at the flea markets.  We missed two markets this week.  did not feel like getting up and going in the cold.  We go early and hope to find a good buy on something.???? 
Have a good week end.  jkc

Pictures and more pictures

This is a cast iron picture used in the 1840's to show the fire brigade that the house was insured.  If you did not have a fireman's mark on your home they may not stop to put  out the fire, as they would not get paid.  We found this at the Plant City Flea Market and bought it for a friend from Mobile, Alabama.  They are interesting pieces and usually command a price of $40 and upward.  The vendor did not know  this and had told us $15.  When we came back after calling our friend in Alabama the vendor said $45.  Wait a minute, you just told us $15.  So I did.  You  may have it for $15.  Someone told me after you left I should ask $45. A good buy for the day.

Linda and Larry from Yorktown, IN.  They were driving through and just had to have a strawberry sundae.  No problem for us to show them how to get there, even though we had already been there in the morning.  We split the sundae and so we did have a whole one on Wednesday.  Just 1/2 twice.  Parksdale has gone to their winter prices and so no more parfaits.  Just sundaes, shortcake, milkshakes, anything with strawberries and ice cream.   Goooood

The back of a 3 wheeled motorcycle.  Yes, it is a cycle.  We had to get out of the car to look at it.  And it has a steering wheel for driving it.  Two person, just like a regular cycle.  More pictures of it on the Pictures blog.

Some more of the stilt walkers from Jungala.  They are fascinating. 

We are now enjoying having Bruce and Beth here.  They are good friends from Indiana, we play cards with them and have good times together.  I had ham and beans for them the day after they  arrived.  Give them time to get settled and not worry about cooking.  Went out last night to  Sweet Tomatoes for supper. This is a restaurant that serves salads, pasta dishes, soups and breads.  With soft serve ice cream for dessert.  And they have a fruit section also.  Good food,, fresh from the garden.  Well, the delicious turkey soup might not have come from the garden.  Anyway, we had senior night tickets, $2. off the regular price.   We walked two miles today.  1 in am and 1 in pm.  Gotta keep walking.  I still do my arm exercises.  Must work on getting my arm in back of me, to scratch my back.                                                       More people are starting to talk with us, they have seen us  here now for 3 years, so I guess we pass muster.  Or we are not just fly by night campers.  Which we used to do.  We, maybe, miss the sight seeing we did when we stayed in an area only a week or so, but we also now enjoy staying in one spot.  It is nice to make new friends and be a part of the park community.  

Enough for tonight, hope you enjoy the pictures.  I am sure there will be more.    Good night.   jkc

Christmas night

And all the decorations are put away until next year.  They were using up the space where I keep the toaster and small blender.  SO, put away!
Christmas eve we attended the Methodist/Native American Christmas Eve Service.  I enjoy hearing the drums and the singing. 
Today, I went to church and came home to cook our own Christmas dinner.
The small rib roast turned out great.  So was the dressing.  The potatoes were stuck to the bottom of the pan and black.  The beans were almost the same way, but I got to them in time to save them.  Guess I haven't cooked a bigger meal for while that I forgot to watch the various pots.  We are eating less than what we used to, so I need to watch more what is actually cooking.  Plus, I forget that gas and electric are just different.  Another excuse for poor cooking.   anyway, we survived and had a quiet day here in the RV.   83 degrees outside today.

Our friends have shown us how to get on to various coupons for eating out.
I now have 3 different sub-way sandwich shops where I can get a free cookie and get points on my card.  I have enough points that I can get a free drink.  So, since you  can get a 6 inch sub for $2.00, we can have a sandwich, drink and dessert for $4. plus tax.   I usually share!

We have enough points at TGFridays for a free appetizer or drink, and yesterday Bob Evans had e-mail coupons for dinner, 2pm to 5 pm, buy one
entree, get the second one free.  Tomorrow it is the  same for breakfast.
Taco Bell gives seniors free small soft drinks and Steak & Shake is still having happy hour half price on all drinks.  They make good milk shakes.
And Ernie is losing weight.  Slow, but it is going down.

Talked to both of our children today.  They sounded well and we enjoyed their conversations.   Nancy said her 3rd grade students have improved since the first of the year.  That is good.  I-Step testing is just a month away.  I like to hear about her students and when a struggling student catches on to a certain principle it is a delight to know you are getting through to some of the children that are so slow.  They can learn, I think it takes plenty of patience and ingenuity to teach so that children want to learn.

Planning on defrosting the refrig and finding the ham stock I have frozen in bags.  Will make a pot of ham and beans, so that when our friends get here from Indiana they will not have to cook that evening.  or lunch.  The freezer is small and it is packed, probably too much for proper freezing.  So, it will be good to get the ham stock out and find what is hiding in the corner of the freezer.  Does any one else have that problem.  In the refrig or the freezer?

A few more days and it will be 2012.  It will be an interesting year I am sure.
Take care, everyone.  Happy New Year.   jkc