Saturday, February 26, 2011
My Favorite Place
There are three pools here but only one hot tub. I thought the hot tub would be crowded all the time. Happily I was wrong. We've never seen more than four others here at any time and at sunset we have the place to ourselves.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Awesome!
A nice finish to an otherwise very trying day. It's been years since I've seen a shuttle launch and that was from much further away. The pictures really don't show how clearly we could see the glow of the rockets.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
February Blooms!
It's been a very long time since I've had any gardening to write about so Garden Bloggers Bloom Day seem like a good day to start again. I wasn't really expecting to have anything blooming here and was pleasantly surprised to find a pink azalea blooming on the back corner of the house when we got here. It's even prettier today!
That's it for blooms, unless you want to count the yellow weed growing in a pot. Most of the plants here are either dead or in need of severe cutting back and crossed fingers. The next two pictures you can see the front planter full of dead shrubs that we need to replace. You know I'm loving my palm trees!
There are terrible restrictions on the size of the planter you can have out front here but I notice many ignore them. I'll see what I can do with it but I'm not sure I'll ever be happy with such a little space to work with.
This palm still needs to be trimmed. We did borrow a trimmer but even with the ladder it was too high for us to reach. I have a very tall person in mind to take care of it for me.
Here is one of the things I'm going to try and cut back and hope it recovers. I'm afraid it will take me awhile to learn the names of things.
And one finally for today, a photo of our back yard. With the screen room on the side of the house I don't see us using the yard much but it is nice and shady. Not sure what type of pine it is paired with a tropical something that needs attention.
So I have some research to do but I see new plants going in very soon!
That's it for blooms, unless you want to count the yellow weed growing in a pot. Most of the plants here are either dead or in need of severe cutting back and crossed fingers. The next two pictures you can see the front planter full of dead shrubs that we need to replace. You know I'm loving my palm trees!
There are terrible restrictions on the size of the planter you can have out front here but I notice many ignore them. I'll see what I can do with it but I'm not sure I'll ever be happy with such a little space to work with.
This palm still needs to be trimmed. We did borrow a trimmer but even with the ladder it was too high for us to reach. I have a very tall person in mind to take care of it for me.
Here is one of the things I'm going to try and cut back and hope it recovers. I'm afraid it will take me awhile to learn the names of things.
And one finally for today, a photo of our back yard. With the screen room on the side of the house I don't see us using the yard much but it is nice and shady. Not sure what type of pine it is paired with a tropical something that needs attention.
So I have some research to do but I see new plants going in very soon!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Window Dressing
Years ago I sewed every week. I made clothes for myself and the kids. When they got old enough not to want to wear home made clothes I moved on to craft projects, doll clothes and dress-up items. Lately the only sewing I do is repairs and curtains.
I found a great deal on clearance curtain panels months ago so I did some calculations and ordered enough to do my front room and living room with extra panels to cut into valances. I brought the machine down and I spent the last week sewing off and on.
The panels are a synthetic and required hours of ironing which caused back pain. In the end I'm happy with the way they came out and very happy to have put the sewing machine away for now.
The last owner left the original paperwork on the place here and our front room is called a "gathering room." It's the main entrance, long and narrow. What on earth do you do with a room like this? This house is much larger than our home in New York but has only two bedrooms. I don't know how much company we'll have at any one time but I'm thinking we'll use the room as an extra bedroom with either a futon or air mattresses. I do plan to put some furniture in the room but I'm in no hurry.
I added panels to the archway between the front room and living room so they can be separated as needed.
The valences mostly cover just wall. I wanted to both hide the trailer style windows and give them the illusion of more height.
1984 Twin, Homes of Merit
I found a great deal on clearance curtain panels months ago so I did some calculations and ordered enough to do my front room and living room with extra panels to cut into valances. I brought the machine down and I spent the last week sewing off and on.
The panels are a synthetic and required hours of ironing which caused back pain. In the end I'm happy with the way they came out and very happy to have put the sewing machine away for now.
The last owner left the original paperwork on the place here and our front room is called a "gathering room." It's the main entrance, long and narrow. What on earth do you do with a room like this? This house is much larger than our home in New York but has only two bedrooms. I don't know how much company we'll have at any one time but I'm thinking we'll use the room as an extra bedroom with either a futon or air mattresses. I do plan to put some furniture in the room but I'm in no hurry.
I added panels to the archway between the front room and living room so they can be separated as needed.
The valences mostly cover just wall. I wanted to both hide the trailer style windows and give them the illusion of more height.
1984 Twin, Homes of Merit
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Weather Worries
We've been here almost two weeks now and it feels like vacation's over and we should be packing up to head "home." I feel guilty that I get to stay. I'm not homesick but I am really starting to miss my family.
We're struggling with where home is. Is home now Florida or New York? I guess New York will still be home for awhile anyway.
I've been thinking a lot about my family and friends back in CNY that are having to deal with a terrible winter. One is having serious problems with their roof and there isn't much that can be done at this time of year. He did try and break up some of the ice and fell from the roof. Thankfully it was the lower roof and with all of the snow on the ground he didn't fall far and is OK. And as the snow continues to pile up the ice buildup will only get worse. We turned off the heat before we left but with our house being in the snow belt the snow continues to pile up onto of the ice we had when we left. Neither of us was able to rake the roof after early January so we'll cross our fingers that we won't return to damage.
One of my sons works for AAA and needs to be at work when the weather is bad. I know his schedule and worry accordingly. The biggest worry is that he'll get hit while standing on the side of the road helping someone else. I also worry about everyone being able to get around when the snow never seems to stop.
I am really missing the kids at work. I do not miss getting up extra early to be sure I can get out of the driveway, the drive to work on unplowed roads, the frigid and slippery walk down the hill to my bus that then needs to be cleared of snow, or driving in the bad weather on ever narrowing roads. I think of all my friends that do every morning.
It was a rainy, dreary day here spent waiting for the internet guy to show up. The rain was needed so no complaint. The guy showed up several hours late but we're back on line. A good day.
We're struggling with where home is. Is home now Florida or New York? I guess New York will still be home for awhile anyway.
I've been thinking a lot about my family and friends back in CNY that are having to deal with a terrible winter. One is having serious problems with their roof and there isn't much that can be done at this time of year. He did try and break up some of the ice and fell from the roof. Thankfully it was the lower roof and with all of the snow on the ground he didn't fall far and is OK. And as the snow continues to pile up the ice buildup will only get worse. We turned off the heat before we left but with our house being in the snow belt the snow continues to pile up onto of the ice we had when we left. Neither of us was able to rake the roof after early January so we'll cross our fingers that we won't return to damage.
One of my sons works for AAA and needs to be at work when the weather is bad. I know his schedule and worry accordingly. The biggest worry is that he'll get hit while standing on the side of the road helping someone else. I also worry about everyone being able to get around when the snow never seems to stop.
I am really missing the kids at work. I do not miss getting up extra early to be sure I can get out of the driveway, the drive to work on unplowed roads, the frigid and slippery walk down the hill to my bus that then needs to be cleared of snow, or driving in the bad weather on ever narrowing roads. I think of all my friends that do every morning.
It was a rainy, dreary day here spent waiting for the internet guy to show up. The rain was needed so no complaint. The guy showed up several hours late but we're back on line. A good day.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Still no Internet
Just a very quick update. To get internet here we have to either use AT&T DSL or Brighthouse cable. The homeowners association here manages the cable franchise and only has someone available to sign you up on Monday and Friday afternoons. Since we arrived on a Friday we wanted to see if we could get any TV stations with an antennae before we just committed to paying for cable. We were shocked at how clear the channels came in! We don;t get many channels but we haven't had cable in years so we won't miss it.
So over first weekend I called AT&T and got information from them about the internet. Armed with that information we went down and talked to the woman here about the cost of cable internet. AT&T had the better deal so we decided to go that way and headed home to sign up.
Once we got AT&T back on the phone it turned out that the price I had been quoted wasn't good for what we wanted after all. If the person I'd talked to originally had explained things correctly we would have signed up for cable. So, our next chance to sign up was last Friday, which we did. We're still waiting to here from Brighthouse as to when they will be coming to hook us up.
Lack of internet may not be a totally bad thing. We've been busy cleaning and putting our stamp on the place. We've moved furniture, hung curtain rods and curtains and I've done a bit of sewing. For the most part the weather has been warm and sunny so I've been sitting outside and reading in the afternoons.
There are over 1,100 homes here and only one small hot tub so I figured it would be busy all the time. So far every time we've gone we've it it to ourselves! It's a short walk there and I figure we'll spend lots of time there. Hopefully the pool will warm up soon.
John had a guy come and put new batteries in the golf cart. It runs but something isn't quite right so he has something to tinker with. Once he has it going so I'm sure it will get me back home I'll be exploring the neighborhood. Meanwhile I'm on the lookout for a used bike. Maybe I'll find one at the neighborhood garage sale coming up in a couple of weeks.
So over first weekend I called AT&T and got information from them about the internet. Armed with that information we went down and talked to the woman here about the cost of cable internet. AT&T had the better deal so we decided to go that way and headed home to sign up.
Once we got AT&T back on the phone it turned out that the price I had been quoted wasn't good for what we wanted after all. If the person I'd talked to originally had explained things correctly we would have signed up for cable. So, our next chance to sign up was last Friday, which we did. We're still waiting to here from Brighthouse as to when they will be coming to hook us up.
Lack of internet may not be a totally bad thing. We've been busy cleaning and putting our stamp on the place. We've moved furniture, hung curtain rods and curtains and I've done a bit of sewing. For the most part the weather has been warm and sunny so I've been sitting outside and reading in the afternoons.
There are over 1,100 homes here and only one small hot tub so I figured it would be busy all the time. So far every time we've gone we've it it to ourselves! It's a short walk there and I figure we'll spend lots of time there. Hopefully the pool will warm up soon.
John had a guy come and put new batteries in the golf cart. It runs but something isn't quite right so he has something to tinker with. Once he has it going so I'm sure it will get me back home I'll be exploring the neighborhood. Meanwhile I'm on the lookout for a used bike. Maybe I'll find one at the neighborhood garage sale coming up in a couple of weeks.
Friday, February 04, 2011
A New Beginning
I had pretty much abandoned this blog. It seemed that all I had to write about was Apple whine – so I just stopped writing. Oh, there were some good things in the last few months but with pain came depression that over shadowed everything.
As of February 1st, I am officially retired! Last Friday we finally made it to our Florida home. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law had stocked the fridge and turned on the heat and water for us so all we had to do when we got here was to unpack the car and I am very grateful for that.
So where is here? We’re in the Orlando area in a senior golf community with over 1,100 residents. After living on a quiet acre in the middle of nowhere for the last several years I imagine I will have a lot of adjusting to do and lots of opportunity for Apple whine but I’m hoping to dump the whine and replace it with humor.
It will be at least another week before we have internet at the house so I may not be posting much during that time. The free wifi does not like blogger!
For anyone who is wondering what transpired from August thru January:
I spent the last couple of weeks of August limping and trying to recover some strength.
I went back to work just after Labor Day and had so much pain I went home and did nothing after each shift for a couple of weeks. The pain eased over time and I began to do more but not much more!
The Safety Expo at work in October kept me busy for weeks and was a success. A real bright spot!
At my follow up appointment with the doctor in late October I the swelling was finally down and I learned the source of my continuing pain – one of the screws was extended through so that I was walking on it with every step I took. Surgery was scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving to remove all screws and the plate.
Nothing much happened in November. My surgery was put postponed until mid December. We started planning our escape south.
After finally having the surgery the change was amazing. The color of my foot improved and there was less pain when walking. I also felt better in general. The doctor thinks that I was allergic to the metal in the plate! I believe it was poisoning my entire system.
The day after my surgery my husband informed me that he had a hernia, most likely the result of shoveling. In mid January he had surgery and recovered very quickly.
After his follow up appointment we closed up the house and jumped in the car. We had planned to spend one night at Mom’s and hit the highway south. Snow in the south delayed us another day but Mom was happy to have us stay an extra day.
Now that we’re up to date let the new adventure begin!
As of February 1st, I am officially retired! Last Friday we finally made it to our Florida home. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law had stocked the fridge and turned on the heat and water for us so all we had to do when we got here was to unpack the car and I am very grateful for that.
So where is here? We’re in the Orlando area in a senior golf community with over 1,100 residents. After living on a quiet acre in the middle of nowhere for the last several years I imagine I will have a lot of adjusting to do and lots of opportunity for Apple whine but I’m hoping to dump the whine and replace it with humor.
It will be at least another week before we have internet at the house so I may not be posting much during that time. The free wifi does not like blogger!
For anyone who is wondering what transpired from August thru January:
I spent the last couple of weeks of August limping and trying to recover some strength.
I went back to work just after Labor Day and had so much pain I went home and did nothing after each shift for a couple of weeks. The pain eased over time and I began to do more but not much more!
The Safety Expo at work in October kept me busy for weeks and was a success. A real bright spot!
At my follow up appointment with the doctor in late October I the swelling was finally down and I learned the source of my continuing pain – one of the screws was extended through so that I was walking on it with every step I took. Surgery was scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving to remove all screws and the plate.
Nothing much happened in November. My surgery was put postponed until mid December. We started planning our escape south.
After finally having the surgery the change was amazing. The color of my foot improved and there was less pain when walking. I also felt better in general. The doctor thinks that I was allergic to the metal in the plate! I believe it was poisoning my entire system.
The day after my surgery my husband informed me that he had a hernia, most likely the result of shoveling. In mid January he had surgery and recovered very quickly.
After his follow up appointment we closed up the house and jumped in the car. We had planned to spend one night at Mom’s and hit the highway south. Snow in the south delayed us another day but Mom was happy to have us stay an extra day.
Now that we’re up to date let the new adventure begin!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
