CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY MAKING HERE AT OUR WINTER HOME.

 

Christmas here at SKP Resort has come and gone!!  But I need to get one more Blog posted so that I can get the order for my hard back book of our  2022 Blogs.  We had to make a trip to Port Charlotte for an Oil change in the Honda Monday, December 19th.  So while in that neck of the woods, we also stopped in Punta Gorda to see our Ohio friends, Bill and Esther.  Bill had recently taken a fall when out walking in their park.  Unfortunately, it caused some damage and Bill had to have surgery to get relief from a brain bleed.  Then he was in rehab for a time while that healed.  He had just gotten back to his home the day before we got there, so we stopped for a short visit with them.  He is now having therapy at home so we expect to see him out and about soon.  Esther is doing pretty good and their daughter and grand-daughter were visiting from Ohio to give them a hand.  After the first of the year we hope to get back there for another visit.

Before getting back home we also stopped at Audrey's niece's children and grandchildren's home outside of Port Charlotte.  That also was a great visit and must do that again when we can stay longer.  

The results at the Honda dealer said we also need four new tires!!  Now we finally got that done today in Sebring, Florida.  It was a lot closer to home, so we are poorer, but safer!!

Gary is back into his Art meetings with other Florida friends.  We have also jumped back into more appointments with our local doctors here.  This will also mean more follow-up for sure.  

Gary then took a field trip with some of the men from our park to see Nucor Steel where rebar is made.  The men here really enjoyed the trip.  They had no idea how much knowledge Gary had of the subject.  It brought all of his work knowledge back in full swing!!  

 I did do some cookie baking until I ran out of time. We have given a lot of cookies out to others, but we have had too much feasting also!!! 

We also bought a little used fridge here in the park, so that gave me extra cold storage for ingredients and candy and cookies. We bought an old large fridge last year that we had to constantly take off 3 to 4 inches of ice weekly.  So we never turned that one on this year when we got back.  We just got rid of it.   

Christmas finally got here and our park had dinner in the clubhouse at 2 pm.  We found space to join others who we had never sat with before.  It was a good time of visiting, as usual!!

Sitting with different friends, Janet across from
Skip.  Ginny across from her husband, Norman.
and I was sitting across from Gary when he was
not off taking pictures!

Miss Vera and Gary

While there Gary had taken a gift wrapped drawing for a surprise gift for a 92 year old resident,  Miss Vera.  It was a drawing made from the likeness of a five year old picture of her that someone had given to Gary.  The suggestion was made for him to do this last year and he did remember to do it..  She has come to see us to request that we come to see it hanging in her home.  She said that it is not hidden away under a bed! So we must take a walk soon and stop to visit her.  

This Wednesday evening the park will be resuming our weekly Bingo. I almost hate to get back to the routine again!!  But it is one of my duties.   We are all expected to get involved in running the park.  Hm-m-m!

Sunday, December 18th, we also had several activities at our church for the Holidays, so will share pictures when I can.  

Pastor Kevin waiting as the Children were leaving
stage following their Sunday evening pageant.

The sermon Sunday was great where we learned of different slants to the historic stories.  We also had a young girl baptized at the end of the service.  It was a very meaningful service!!

Yesterday afternoon we had a couple, Rodney and Sandy,  from our Ohio campground stop by to see us here in Florida. They are in a resort in Avon Park, FL.   It was great to see them and catch up on news.  

We also got word that friends, Dave and Laura, a couple we had first met at Mesa Regal in Arizona, have bought a home here in Florida not too far from us.  So that gives us another short trip to make for visiting.  They were originally from Rapid City, S Dakota.    

It is Wednesday, so it is now time to get ready to go resume Bingo. 

Friday, December 30th, was another fun evening that we looked forward to.  We each were to take what they called heavy hors d'oeuvres.  No bags of chips for this event!  So at Gary's suggestion I made veggie pizza.  There were many different dishes and crock pots!! I never knew there were so many different varieties of meat balls!!    Yum-m-my!!  This was followed with our "Yankee Swap".  Tons of fun and much swapping of a few of the gifts!!!  

Remember the much used Fanny Paks?
Well, someone found a "Belly Pak" that made
it's rounds in the group.  I think George was
having too much fun wearing it!!  
Notice the "belly button"

There was a couple 'Ott lights' that got 
stolen often.  I really wanted one of those
to take home for my late night reading.

Skip got the second 'Ott light'.

Sorry Skunky!!
No one would trade for the falsies she got!!

But the popcorn was much sought after!

The 'belly pak' began it's rounds! 

New Year's Eve, another music and dance evening.  But we've decided that we are going to be lazy and stay at home in front of the TV.  

Friends, Sandy and Lou 'from Tennessee'  walked over to visit us.  They are on the other side of our resort.   Much good catching up!!  Gary was able to give them the drawing that he had done of their dog, Jake!!  They appreciated that!!

So our year will go out as much of it was enjoyed.  Just relaxing!!!  Take care and have a Healthy, Happy New Year all of you friends and relatives!!

CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES 2022 - Enjoy!!

My last problem Blog seems to have published !!  So I will begin a new one. 

Sunday, December 11th, the youth of the church provided a lovely lunch for the Senior Department of the church after the morning Service.  It was a good meal and great Fellowship.

That same evening our S. S. Class had our usual Holiday cookout and carry-in at the Ranch of Wilbur and Susan's.  They raise cattle, 140 acres of watermelon, and orange groves.  Another fellow from the church brought his Smoke Cooker to do Pork Steaks for us.  Yum!!!  

Gary on the left messing with his camera,
Probably getting ready to take pictures, 
and Wilbur on the right.
The ranch is quite large and a family
business.

 

Wilbur's wife, Susan on the right.

 

This past Friday, December 16th we went with another couple, Jan and Skip  from our Park for Fish dinner at Olympic Restaurant in Avon Park before going on to Fly Wheel Light Show at Bowling Green FL.  It was a drive through show and very pretty!!!  I can't imagine how much work to get all of the lights out and about!!  

Santa and Mrs Claus about to sit in the 
carrousel.

These ladies are sitting in one of the buildings
on the grounds.  They were waving and calling
out to us.

There were many buildings and tractors to be seen!!  We understand that the show used to be a walk-around after you parked your car in the fields.  We were quite content with it as it is shown now.  Very pretty and we hope to see it again next year.  

                                         _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Wilbur again accepted Gary and a couple men from our park to visit their Ranch.  The guys love it when Gary makes these plans and Wilbur is ready with many stories about the Original Old Florida !!  

Wilbur with the two men posing for Gary.

One of the trees that Hurricane
Ian took it's vengeance out on.

Wilbur in his home!

Many cedar trees on their acreage:  

In fact their current house was built from the cedar on their ranch.

Wednesday, December 14th,  the ladies of our park (the SKPettes)  went for our annual Christmas lunch at the Historic Jacaranda Hotel in Avon Park.  It is a beautiful place and we love the Christmas decorations.  I am trying to find a new place to go to next year for a change.  It will be a difficult place to replace!!  

There were more than twice this many ladies
the past two years.  But we always enjoy it!!

I still have more to share just from the first of November, so tune in again!!  Take care and stay healthy!!

WINTER SEASON begins in WAUCHULA, FL

 It's more than time to catch up with Blog pictures and our calendar!!  I did begin with a half mile walk in our park, but I have fallen quite short on continuing on a daily basis!!  I guess I need to become more faithful with it for my health's sake!!  I've not gotten busy in my flower beds either.  But for that I have an excuse - - -.  I began pulling the grass that sprang up there over the summer and got into an ant bed.  They were quite aggressive so I'm waiting for those to heal!!  I need to buy some new plants and fertilizer yet.   

Our SKP Resort Park also had a Thanksgiving Dinner at the clubhouse.  Like I said we do way too much eating!!  We also went to a local restaurant with two of our friend couples from here in the Park.  That inspired a great visit!!  We all were of the opinion that we need to do that more often. Not necessarily the eating though!!

 

I am having problems with writing and downloading pictures as usual.  The Blogging program has changes although not a lot.  But it does cause me problems.  I will try to continue and hope that there are not too many problems.

I spent Thanksgiving weekend red-ding out kitchen cabinets and roasting a small turkey for our enjoyment and to store some up in our little freezer.  I love left-over turkey!!

Our Christmas cards are finished and mailed out!!  Also made arrangements for Christmas gifts back in Ohio.  I think that I was earlier than usual with botht!! 

And our little Christmas Tree and village are set out here in the motorhome.  I sure do enjoy that!!  I think even more than Gary does.  We need to buy some lights and decorations after Christmas, when they are reduced, to use outside next Year.  We have driven around in our park after dark for enjoyment!!  

Our Church's Children's Pageant last Sunday evening and was very enjoyable as usual. Had live babies again this year. I always love that!!  I guess that is saying we are a growing church!!  I've been just writing away. So now I must go back and dub in pictures. 

Maybe I'll even do another Blog for some separate activities. I hope that you are gearing up for a very enjoyable Christmas!!

We have some very good instructors. 

I may have to move on and end this Blog to start another one!!  I can't seem to undo what ever has transpired here.  It is writing what I am typing beginning from the center out.  So will see how it continues.  If it publishes okay,  I will try to continue with this.  If not, I will begin over.  So stay with me !!   In the mean time we are wishing you all a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!!  Love to you all.

TRIP SOUTH TO FLORIDA, WITH A STOP IN SOUTH CAROLINA

 This Blog will be the last of my Blog fiasco from October 29th.  It will be much shorter as we were very close to leaving to head south.   We chose to go south through W Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia states before going on into Florida.  The outcome of Hurricane Ian made much of our choices for when and where to go south through Florida.  

The last Sunday before leaving we went to the Hot Dog Shoppe in Salem with Dick and Jane, our Salem friends.  Except for classes on Sundays we did not spend any extra time with them except for that last Sunday.  It was just about time for their annual anniversary trip south to Florida also. 

Gary, Audrey, Jane and Richard

We traveled on down to Lexington, SC where on Sunday we made our temporary home in the Red Barn RV Park.  Then Monday we connected with our friend, Sandy, and checked out the Thrift shops before finding a place to eat.  

Sandy, making cards while I worked with my
scrapbooking in her kitchen.

Then Tuesday we went to her church Bible Study where we reconnected with Johnny and Mary.  We visited with Sandy continuing until Thursday evening when we spent more time with her, Mary and Johnny.  Awesome visit!! 

Archive photo:  Johnny, Mary, Sandy

Leaving Friday morning early we got as far south as Starke, Florida  where we stayed in a Walmart parking lot that night.  Then Saturday we finally arrived at our SKP Resort and went to New Hope Baptist Church  nearby on Sunday. Home at last for our winter. We will be here until May as plans are now.  We are wishing you all a blessed winter.  We have seen very little damage so far from Hurricane Ian until yesterday when we drove on west to Punta Gorda.  All along those roads there were piles and piles of brush from trees downed and piles of what we assume was household stuff from water/flood damage.  I failed to take enough pictures of that, so I hope to get some another day for more scrapbook records of this year.  

Stay safe and healthy!! Take care!!

ADDITIONAL SUMMER in OHIO - 2022

Our summer started with Mother's Day dinner at Rich and Lynn's.  There is always pleanty of space there because we can enjoy their back yard! 

Victor hitting the food table!

Maybe Richie ate too much?? 
But I think that his various work
schedules get to him!!

Lynn going in to find more food!!
Oh, Lynn, you look so good.
You must sure be dieting!!!

Angie and more family.

We did finally find a day for family dinner out at the Dutch Haus, But Miranda and Doug were not available because of their vacation.  I am sure that they had a great time on their own!!

I did order a birthday cake at the Dutch Haus to finish off our dinner. 

Lynn, Richie, Richard, Victor, Gary and Audrey

Miranda,  sorry you missed the outing!!
We missed you and Doug!!

We did go to our condo in Boardman occasionally.  Not enough, although I did get there for a laundry day when needed!!  Not sure what the guys were watching. 

Gary and Victor found their comfy locations
to watch the TV and whatever Vic could
could get on it.

We did get my Barrister's bookcase from Cousin, Jeanne in Florida.  She found it for me at an Estate Sale down there. Estate Sales are her pass time hobby.  

I do think that her husband, Norbert, wished he could have kept it.  But I had looked for one quite a long time.  So when she called to ask if I still wanted one,  I jumped on it!!  We just did not connect to get it for another year.  

I'm still not finished with the Blog that I have lost two different times trying to put it in print!  So stay with me!! 

Hope you are enjoying your summer also.