Moving Linda's Chair and First Guests

DeBary, FL.

36 deg. clear, NW wind @ 9 mph.

Forecast today - Mostly sunny. Highs around 57°F. West northwest wind 11 to 17 MPH, gusting to 24 MPH.

Tonight: Clear with patchy frost. Lows around 37°F. Wind chill around 29°F. West wind 8 to 15 MPH, gusting to 21 MPH.


It felt really cold here yesterday. I don't think the temperatures ever got out of the 50's and there was a 25 to 30 mph wind blowing most of the day. That didn't stop Jim, Lindsey and Denny from moving Linda's recliner over to the house though.

Denny came over around 10:00 and Lindsey and Laura came just a short while later. Within a few minutes, the guys had the legs off of the chair and were very carefully maneuvering the chair down my steps and through my door. With the 3 of them, it went pretty well and soon the chair was in the back of CLT and on its way to the house.

Getting the chair into the house was much easier because of the wider doors and steps, and soon it was sitting in the living room with it's legs back on. : )

By a little after 11:00 Jim and Denny were back here and Laura and Lindsey were back home.

Thanks everyone!!!!!! : )

Denny had seen a little of the house when he helped to take the chair over there, but Bev and not, so  about noon, Jim, Linda, Denny and Bev headed over there.

After taking a tour of the house, everyone sat and talked for awhile. This is Bev relaxing on the love seat,

and Denny and Linda relaxing on the couch.

Both Jim and Linda said that Denny and Bev seemed to really like the house and gave it some very nice compliments.  While they were talking, Jim made the observation that Denny and Bev were the first people to visit the house that weren't family. Later, he said that he's glad that the first guests at the house were Denny, (probably his oldest friend) and Bev. : )

After visiting for awhile, everyone came back here to the CG. Denny and Bev went to their RV, Jim was tired, so he took a little nap, Linda watched some TV. Later in the afternoon, Linda put together a ham casserole and baked some brownies. Then around 6:00 they headed over to Denny and Bev's where they all enjoyed a very nice meal of casserole, corn, warm bread and brownies.

Around 8:00 Jim and Linda came back here and then watched TV until bedtime.

Another very good day with family and friends.

Thanks everyone, for all your help.

Today, Denny and Bev will be leaving. : (   They have reservations at a campground on the coast North of Daytona. They'll stay there for a few days before heading up to S. Carolina to see Denny's sister and then heading back to Illinois.

Did you know that March is "Adopt A Rescued Guinea Pig month"?

Oh!!!! And thanks everyone for the great comments and congratulations that you left on yesterday's Blog!! They are very much appreciated.

WOW!!!!!

DeBary, FL.

46 deg. clear, W. wind @ 8 mph.

Forecast = Partly cloudy. Highs around 61°F. Northwest wind 8 to 18 MPH, gusting to 29 MPH.
                  Tonight, Partly cloudy. Lows around 37°F. Wind chill around 29°F. West wind 8 to 16 MPH, gusting to 23 MPH.


All I can say is WOW!!!!!!

I knew that Thursday, Jim and Linda were going to head over to an RV Place, (LaMesa RV), near here to start looking for a Class C to take my place, but I never imagined that on their very first day of looking, they'd find one!!!!

Yep!!! You read that right!!!! I couldn't believe it either, but when they came back here, CLT (Cute Little Truck), told me that they had found an RV that they liked, taken it for quite a long ride, and was pretty sure that they'd made a deal on it!!!! I knew that they had been gone for quite a long time, just to look at RVs, but I never imagined that they would find a unit that they liked this soon!!!!.

You could have knocked me off of my jacks with a feather!!!!! : O

So, what kind of RV is it??? Well, I don't know a whole lot about it yet, just what I've overheard, but from what I can gather, it's a Class "C" 2006 Gulf Stream BT Cruiser with a Ford 450 chassis and the V10 engine. It's 27' long, has 2 slide-outs, and appears to have been used very little.

The RV had just been traded in and wasn't even cleaned up yet so Jim and Linda got to see it before the dealership did their "magic" on it to make it look nice. Both Jim and Linda said that it definitely needed cleaning, but nothing in or on it seemed to be excessively worn or abused. And, Jim said that when he took it out for a test drive on city streets, 2 lane roads and the Interstate, it handled very well and seemed quite stable for a Class C.

So,  ,  ,  ,  ,  when will the trade be made??? This coming Thursday, March 7th!!!!

Now, this brings us to a big change of plans for Jim and Linda!!! If you remember, they were scheduled to leave here this Thursday and they were going to head out to try to find an RV. Well, being that they've already found one, they have decided to stay here at Highbanks for an additional month, get the new RV all set up and ready for their summer travels and leave Florida on or about the 7th of April.

By this time, they should also have the house ready, and have most everything set for their return this fall.

Early yesterday afternoon, just as Jim and Linda were coming back from taking more "stuff" over to the house, Denny and Bev arrived here at Highbanks. Their Winnebago Brave is parked in a site just a short distance from me. Denny has been over here to see me and yesterday evening, Jim and Linda went over there and had a nice meal of Pizza with them. Then, after talking for a couple hours, Jim and Linda came back here and watched TV for awhile before heading to bed.

Both Jim and Linda said that it was really good to see them again, and are really glad that they were able to stop by for a couple days. : )

This morning, Denny is going to help Jim and Lindsey move Linda's recliner over to the house. Like I said, it's probably going to be quite a job to get it out of my door because even with the wooden legs taken off, and the chair turned on it's side, it's as wide as my door.

It came in through that door though, so they should be able to get it back out. ; )

Then, this afternoon, Jim and Linda will take Denny and Bev over to the house so they can see it. They are some of my faithful Blog followers, so they have some idea of what it looks like, but would like to see it in person.

OK!!! I know this post is getting quite long, but I have just one more thing I wanted to tell you about.

I think I may have found someone to take over this Blog!!! : )   It's still too early to tell for sure but I think I've convinced him to do it. I've agreed to help him get started and we have already gotten some of the intro and the layout of it set up. He hasn't totally agreed to to this yet, but I'm confident that with a little more help, I'll be able to convince him that he can do it and that it will be fun.

So,  ,  ,  ,  stay tuned!!! As soon as I'm sure that he's going to do this, I'll introduce him to you.

Did you know that yesterday was Jim and Linda's 28th wedding anniversary?

Shopping, Moving and Company Coming

DeBary, FL.

47 deg. clear, NW wind @ 7 mph.

Forecast = Mostly sunny. Highs around 73°F. Northwest wind 9 to 15 MPH, gusting to 21 MPH.


Tuesday ended up being a grocery shopping day. That is, after the rain and storms finally cleared the area. We didn't have any storms here in DeBary, but it did rain quite hard for awhile.

While it was raining, Jim and Linda were going through drawers, cabinets and other storage places inside of me to further try to decide what stuff they still need to take to the house.

This has been one of the hardest parts of moving and downsizing RVs. If they leave too much inside of me, and there's not enough storage in a smaller RV that they purchase, then what do they do with those items? On the other hand, they need to be sure that they have enough along to be able to live comfortably for the next 2 or 3 weeks, or however long it takes to find an RV.

Yesterday, they took a whole bunch of stuff over to the house and put it away. Jim also loaded up his bike and took it over there so he wouldn't have it in the back of CLT. Then, after they returned and were resting/napping, Laura called and wanted to know it they'd like to meet over a Steak N Shake around 5:30 for dinner?

Well, again, that was a "no brainer", so around 5:15 they headed over there and had a nice visit with Laura and Lindsey while enjoying a sandwich. : )

Oh, do you remember that around the 1st of February I mentioned that Denny and Bev, (part of the Illinois Bunch), were going to stop by for a few nights? Well, tomorrow they'll be arriving here at Highbanks and will be staying for 2 nights!! They'll be coming in their Winnebago Brave but as of today, there's no sites empty real near me, so I may not be able to see him.  : (

I'm sure Jim and Linda will have a good time visiting with Denny and Bev though and they've already planned a Pizza dinner for tomorrow night. : )

It should be a fun time!!! : )

 Did you know that today is "National Tooth Fairy Day"?

A Little Business and Some Photos

DeBary, FL.

36 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Mostly sunny with patchy frost. Highs around 66°F. North northwest wind to 13 MPH.


Jim called Nancy, (the community manager over at Highland Country Estates), yesterday morning to find out what would be the best time for he and Linda to come over and take care of some business. She told him that she wouldn't be in the office for some of the afternoon, so around 11:00 would be the best time.

So, about 10:45 they headed over there.

Then, they went to the house and removed all the masking tape from the areas that were painted. After removing the tape and moving some of the furniture back to the walls, Jim got out his camera and took some pictures.

The light was coming in the window, so it made kind of a glare, but I think you can see the furniture that they bought OK. This first photo is of the couch, end tables, lamps and ottoman that they bought. (Can you tell the walls are painted light blue? )

This is Jim's leather Barcalounger and the love seat that matches the couch

This is the chair that came with the couch and love seat. It matches the ottoman that's in front of the couch. This chair is currently in the small bedroom that Linda will use for a sewing/craft room.

This is the chest of drawers that they purchased to put the TV on and it will also give them more storage. This chest appears to be fairly old and is made completely of solid wood, (no particle board).

This photo is of the Secretary that Linda fell in love with the first time that they went into the store. In fact it was purchased before Jim and Linda took possession of the house. This item also appears to be quite old and is very well made.

I have photos of more of the furniture that they've purchased, but I'll save them for another day.

Jim and Linda were back here at Highbanks by about 1:00. After relaxing for a while, both of them took naps. ; )  The rest of the day was spent watching TV, relaxing and resting their muscles that were still sore from all the painting.

Oh, Jim got an e-mail from Denny and Bev!! (part of the Illinois bunch), They're going to be able to spend a couple nights here at Highbanks around the 1st of March!!! That means that they'll be able to come and see me and also see Jim and Linda's new, (to them), double wide!!

Did you know that An early American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry, dated February 4, 1841, of Berks County, Pennsylvania, storekeeper James Morris?

A Call To Laura and A Call From Denny

DeBary, FL.

50 deg. overcast, light mist, no wind.

Forecast = Mostly sunny. Highs around 75°F. Northeast wind 3 to 7 MPH.


Nothing too exciting happened yesterday. After lunch, Jim and Linda took CLT (Cute Little Truck), and headed to Walgreen's to pick up some much needed items and then went to Win Dixie and bought a few groceries that they were out of.

Oh, Linda called Laura and asked her if she would help do some painting and decorating over at the house. It probably would have been better to get that stuff done before getting the furniture, but sometimes you just can't make everything happen in just the right order.

Anyway, Laura said that she'd be glad to help and in fact, I think that today, she may come over and "survey the situation" to see what paint and supplies will be needed.

Later in the day, Denny, (one of the Illinois Bunch), called. He and Bev are at Denny's sister's house in Lakeland right now and are on their way to Thonotosassa for the month of February. They were fooling around with a computer and Denny was wanting to know the address of the house so that they could look up the location.

The way things stand right now, we won't be able to get down to Thonotosassa while they're there, so they are trying to figure out a way that they could stop by here for a day or so when they leave there and start their return trip back to Illinois.

That would be great!!! I hope they can work it out!!! : )

Jim called the Insurance Agent yesterday and he told them that he still hadn't heard back from the insurance company. So,  ,  ,  ,  ,  still more waiting on that issue.  : (

Did you know that on this date in 1949, the first Emmys were presented at the Hollywood Athletic Club?

Final Preparations For Travel and Visiting

Rantoul, IL.

36 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Clear. High of 70F. Breezy. Winds from the SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20%.


Being that it was quite chilly yesterday morning, Jim and Linda decided to go to the grocery store in the morning so that it would be a little warmer when Jim started doing things outside.

By the time they returned and had the groceries put away, it had warmed up some.

One of the first things he did was to clean my windshield and some of my side windows. They had gotten really yucky over the 2 months that we have been here and really needed cleaning. While he was doing that, Russ and Debby came by to dump some garbage, (the dumpster is right across the street from my site), and to say good-bye and thank Jim and Linda for talking to them and giving them information about full-timing.

After finishing the windows, Jim dumped my tanks and put all the sewer and water hoses away.

The rest of the afternoon was spent watching the Bears game on TV, checking all the basement compartments for unsecured items and visiting with Denny, (one of the "Illinois Bunch"), when he stopped by on his way home from taking a motorcycle trip on his big Honda Gold Wing. : )  He couldn't stay long because he was wanting to get home, but he was here for about 1/2 hour or so.

Oh, Good News!!!!  I did learn that he and Bev are planning on going down to Florida this winter, so we'll be able to meet up with them and their Winnebago Brave sometime in February. : )

After Denny left, Jim and Linda walked over to the office and talked with Louise for awhile and paid for my stay here. While they were there, Paul came in, so they were able to talk to him for a little while too.

The evening was spent watching TV and getting a few more things put away inside of me.

This morning, about all that's left to do outside is to hook CLT to the back of me and disconnect my electric cord. Linda has most of the inside stuff put away, so there's not much to do there either.

The plan is to leave here sometime between 9:30 and 10:00. I'm thirsty, so we'll need to stop for fuel someplace and then head over to Indianapolis to see Linda's cousin, Mike and his wife, Sandy.

It's been a good stay here in Rantoul. I really like this campground and am looking forward to coming back here again next summer. But, I'm also looking forward to getting back out on the road and seeing Jim and Linda's families and friends in IN, KY, NC, VA and FL. ; )

A Point to Ponder : You never see a hearse with a luggage rack.

They're Gone and Jim's Appointment

Rantoul, IL.

59 deg. clear, SE wind @ 3 mph.

Forecast = Sunny. Highs in the lower 90s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

They're Gone!!!! : (  Yep, the "Illinois Bunch" packed up and left yesterday morning. : (

Denny came over and talked to Jim for awhile yesterday morning. Then, went back over to his site and started packing up for the return trip home. Dave was also packing up and before long, was ready to head back to his house.

Jim and Linda went over there and talked to Denny and Bev and Dave and Dee Dee for awhile, but soon it was time for h and h. (hugs and handshakes) 

It sure was good to see them again, but this visit seemed  way too short!! I sure hope I'll get to see them again when we're down in Florida this winter.

By the time they left, it was about lunch time, so Jim and Linda came back here and ate a little. After eating, Jim laid down and tried to take a nap, but couldn't go to sleep. (He was probably thinking about his eye doctor appointment that he had for later in the afternoon).

So, after getting ready, he and Linda took CLT and headed down to Savoy, (which is just a little South of Champaign), and to his eye doctor.

Jim has Glaucoma and this was his first visit back to the eye doctor since it was discovered last year. He's been putting drops in his eyes every day, but really didn't know if they were helping or not, so he was kind of nervous about going back.

Well, everything seems to be OK. ; )  He needs to have one more test done before we leave here, but his doctor said that the pressure in the eyes is down and the medication seems to be working.  In fact unless this retina scan thing that he still needs to have done shows some abnormality, he's good to go for another year!!! : )

Of course he'll still need to continue to use the drops every day.

By the time he was done at the eye doctor, it was dinner time, so CLT took them to an Applebee's Restaurant which is near the doctors office.

After they returned here to the park, Jim took a little nap and then he and Linda watched TV until bedtime.


Did you know that Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization? And also, did you know that It is estimated that over 2.2 million Americans have glaucoma but only half of those know they have it?

All Of The "Illinois Bunch" Are Here and The Cook-out

Rantoul, IL.

57 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast =  Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. Light south winds.


Denny came over for awhile yesterday morning and he and Jim sat outside under my awning and talked for awhile. They have known each other for years, and in fact, lived only about a block apart when they were growing up.

They always seem to find something to talk about. Being from the same small town, they both know a lot of the same people and Denny keeps Jim abreast of what's going on with them.

I think if was about 9:30 or 10:00 when I saw Gordy and Dorthy pull into the CG. They had driven down here for the day, and just brought their car instead of the Motor home. Once they were here, that meant that the whole "Illinois Bunch" was here. : )  After they were here for a little while, Dorthy came over and visited with Linda for awhile and Jim went over to Denny's RV, where everyone was gathering, and visited.

During the afternoon, Linda was busy getting food together for the Cook-out that was planned. She baked a cake, cut up some cantaloupe, made a cucumber and onion salad, "doctored up" the potato salad she had bought at the grocery store, and baked a green bean casserole.

Then, about 4:30, everything was packed up and taken over to Denny's site where Dave and Denny had built a campfire. (Denny and Dorthy helped Jim carry the food over there). After everyone was there with the food that they had prepared, they started cooking hot dogs and brats over the fire, and cooking a few burgers on a grill.

Jim and Linda had invited Paul and Louise to come to the cook-out so they came over and had something to eat also. They had to leave once when an RV came into the park, but once they got them registered and into a site, they came back over and visited for awhile longer.

Jim and Linda both said that they think everyone enjoyed the cook-out. There was more than enough food for everyone and everything really tasted good. : )

After visiting for awhile, Jim and Linda came back here. (Denny and Dorothy helped Jim and Linda carry some of the stuff back). While Linda was putting the left-overs away, Jim went back and visited for a little longer and then came back here for the evening.

Gordy and Dorthy went back home last night and today the rest of the "Illinois Bunch" will be leaving. : ( It's too bad that they couldn't stay longer, but they have to get back home. I'm hoping that I'll get to see them again this winter, down in Florida. 

This afternoon, Jim has to go see his eye doctor. He's not looking forward to going, but knows it's best to go and make shure everything is OK.

Did you know that Americans eat more than 16 billion hot dogs each year?

Happy Birthday Bev and Cook-out Plans

Rantoul, IL.

54 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. Light north winds.


Jim spent much of the day yesterday visiting with Denny and Dave. Linda worked on her Family Tree program and in the afternoon, baked a cake.

You see, yesterday was Bev's birthday and being that there were already plans to get together with Denny and Bev for pizza, Linda decided to bake a small birthday cake for Bev. : ) 

So, about 5:00, Linda called Monical's Pizza to have a pizza delivered and then a little later Jim and Linda headed over there.

Jim and Linda both said that the pizza was good and everyone seemed to enjoy the cake. I thought that I might hear them singing "Happy Birthday" to Bev, but I understand that she really didn't want them to do that. ; )

While they were eating pizza and birthday cake, quite a rain storm came through the area. It rained really hard for  awhile and we even had some thunder!  Jim was concerned because he had left my windows open, but it was OK as the rain was pretty much straight down, and my window awnings did their job and kept the rain out.

Today, Dorthy and Gordy are coming for awhile. They'll be driving down here in their car and will be heading back home this evening. Since they're coming down today, there's going to be "cook-out" where everyone will bring a dish to share and they'll cook hot dogs and brats over a camp fire.

It should be fun! ; )

Did you know that on this date in1959 - Hawaii became the 50th state?

Most Of The "Illinois Bunch" Arrives

Rantoul, IL. 56 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Mostly sunny. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Light northwest winds. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.


Jim and Linda finished getting me presentable yesterday morning. Then, Linda put a load of laundry in my washer and Jim went outside for awhile.

It was a little after noon, when Dave pulled in with his Open Road 5th wheel. There aren't any sites available real close to me, so Louise put him in site 28, which is across the street from me and North a ways. It's a nice site and he should have quite a bit of shade, which will be nice if the temperatures start climbing again.

About 20 minutes or so after Dave arrived, Denny and Bev pulled in with their Winnebago Brave. To keep everyone as close together as possible, Louise put them in site 26, which is also across the street and right next to Dave and Dee Dee. It's also a very nice site with some trees for shade.

If you look way to the left side of the photo above, you can see the very back end of Dave and Dee Dee's trailer. (That's Denny getting his satellite dish set up). 

Not long after Denny and Bev arrived, Dee Dee pulled in with their car. She may need to go someplace, so they wanted to have the car here in case it was needed.

The rest of the afternoon was spent visiting. Dave and Dee Dee's son and his daughter stopped by for awhile and then for dinner, everyone just did their own thing.

Jim and Linda didn't go back over there in the evening, but I think that Dave and Denny built a fire in the fire ring next to Denny's RV.

I don't think there are any real plans for today. Probably just more visiting and catching up on what has been happening since we last saw them down in Florida. Tomorrow, it sounds like Gordy and Dorthy may be driving down here in their car to visit for awhile, and I think a cook-out is being planned while they're here. : )

A Point to Ponder :  Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

He Still Knows How and A Sloppy Joe Dinner

Rantoul, IL.

63 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Partly sunny. Isolated showers in the morning...Then isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Light northwest winds. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.


Jut to prove that Jim still knows how to take photos, I thought that I'd post this one that he took the other day. It's not a photo of anything special, but I thought the dark blue sky and the puffy white clouds were kind of neat. It was taken from my site, looking towards the North.

Jim and Linda took CLT and headed to the County Market Grocery store yesterday morning. I though that they were only going to pick up a few items, but when they returned, they had the whole back end of CLT full of groceries!!!! : O

Somehow, they managed to get them all put away in my refrigerator, cabinets and basement compartments. : )

The afternoon was spent with Jim taking a nap and doing some cleaning inside of me, Linda cleaning some too, resting and making a desert for Louise's evening meal.

Oh, I'm sorry. Did I forget to mention that Louise invited Jim and Linda and another couple over for dinner last night?

It was sometime yesterday morning when Louise came over to my site and told Jim that she was having Sloppy Joe sandwiches, home made potato salad and home made slaw for dinner and that he and Linda should come over about 5:30 or so and they would eat around 6:00.

So,  ,  ,  ,  ,  being that Linda always likes to take something to contribute to the meal, she decided to make one of her sugar-free deserts. 

The one that she made this time, she just calls, "Peach Stuff". I could probably find the recipe if anyone is interested, but I know she uses a cake mix, some peaches, sweetener, and some nuts.

As usual, Louise put together a very good meal. Both Jim and Linda said that her "Sloppy Joe's" were really good and so was the potato salad and the slaw. And,  ,  ,  everyone seemed to enjoy Linda's desert.

After eating, Louise started a fire and everyone sat and talked. Jim and Linda must have had a good time because it was after 9:00 by the time they came back here. ; )

Thanks Louise!!!  : )

Today, Denny and Bev and Dave and Dee Dee will be coming. I don't know when they'll be getting here, but I would imagine that it'll be sometime this morning or early afternoon. I'm really looking forward to getting to know Denny and Bev's motor home and Dave and Dee Dee's 5th wheel a little better.

It's too bad that Gordy and Dorthy won't be coming with their MH. : (

A Point to Ponder :  Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.

The "Eyes" Have It

Rantoul, IL.

55 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Light southeast winds.


What do the "Eyes" have?  They have a good report!!!!!  : )

Jim and Linda took CLT, (Cute Little Truck), and headed down to Linda's retinologist a little after noon yesterday. Again, even though she hadn't noticed any problems, she was very anxious about going. Well, as it turned out, everything is fine and she won't have to be going back for another year. (Unless she notices some changes in her vision.)  

Great news!!!! : )

Of course to check her eyes, they had to dilate them. So, when she came back here to the CG, she was still wearing her "movie star" glasses. ; ) 

Not much else happen around here yesterday. Jim did go over and talk to Louise in the morning to make sure that there were sites available for the 2/3 of the "Illinois Bunch" that will be coming tomorrow. I don't know for sure which sites they'll have but hopefully they'll be pretty close to me.

Today, Jim and Linda need to go and pick up their mail at the Post Office and a few things at the grocery store. I also need a little cleaning inside of me so I'm presentable.

A Point to Ponder : Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

The Rains Cometh and The Illinois Bunch Too

Rantoul, IL.

55 deg., clear, W. wind @ 5 mph.

Forecast = Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.


Wow!!!! That was some kind of storm!!!

Yesterday afternoon, we had strong winds, small hail, severe thunder and lightning and 1.8 inch of rain!!! The radar had all kinds of purdy colors in it, but we lucked out and didn't have any tornadoes in this area. (That I've heard about). 

We definitely needed the rain, but we didn't need all the other stuff that came with it. 

Yesterday morning, Jim spent quite a bit of time on the computer and then went out and secured everything outside as they were forecasting the storm and the radar for this area was starting to light up. The afternoon was spent watching the radar, TV and the weather out of my windows.

By late afternoon, the storms were over, so Jim and Linda took CLT and headed to Monical's Pizza where they had a very good pizza.

After they returned, Linda worked on her Family Tree program and then they both watched a pre-season football game on TV.

Oh, and with all the excitement of the storm, I almost forgot!!!! The "Illinois Bunch" are coming this Sunday!!!! : )  I didn't think that they would be coming until sometime in September!!!!!

What a great surprise!!!!!

Well, actually 2/3 of them are coming. Jim talked to Dave and Linda talked to Bev and it looks like Denny and Bev and Dave and Dee Dee will be here, but Gordy and Dorthy won't be able to come. : (  Bev did say that Gordy and Dorthy may be able to drive down here for one day, but they won't be bringing their RV.

Jim hasn't been able to get in touch with Louise yet, but he's quite sure that it won't be a problem getting them sites here at the CG for 3 or 4 nights.

He'll go over and talk to her this morning.

Today, right after lunch, Linda has that appointment with her retinologist. He'll probably dilate her eyes so she won't be able to see much for awhile after her appointment. Then sometime, either today or tomorrow, Jim and Linda will need to go to the grocery store to pick up a few thing before the Illinois Bunch get here.  And, I need a little sprucing up inside.  ; )

A Point to Ponder:  Half the people you know are below average.

Doctor's Appointment and A Suprise Visit

Rantoul, IL.

68 deg. partly cloudy, no wind.

Forecast = Partly sunny with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Light east winds becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.


Yesterday was the day that Linda had to go to see her doctor in Fisher, IL., for her annual check-up and to get her prescriptions renewed. She always gets very anxious just before she goes to the doctor but everything went well and unless there's a problem with the results of the blood test that they took, it looks like she's "Good to Go" for another year!!! : )

Because of the blood test, Linda couldn't eat anything in the morning, so from the doctor's office they headed over to the Village Garden Restaurant, (also in Fisher), and had a very nice breakfast. ; )

While they were eating, the phone rang and it was Dave, (One of the "Illinois Bunch"). He and Dee Dee were out and about and wanted to know if it would be OK if they stopped by for awhile, in about an hour and a half? Jim told Dave that would be fine and that he and Lind were looking forward to seeing them.

So, after finishing their breakfasts, Jim and Linda headed back here to make the inside of me presentable. : )

I think if was around noon when Dave and Dee Dee pulled up in the parking area in front of me. After h and h, (hugs and handshakes), they came inside of me and had a very nice visit.

It sure was good to see them again, but all too soon, they had to leave. : (  But, I'm hoping that I'll be seeing them again real soon. Hopefully the whole "Illinois Bunch" can make it here to the CG for a get-together, sometime before we leave.

Speaking about leaving, Jim has been doing some planning and it looks like we'll need to leave here around the 20th of September so that we can head East to to see Mike and Joe and their families, (with stops along the way to see a couple of Linda's cousins and Roland and Louise),  Anna who is now living in Jacksonville, FL. and get down to DeBary, FL. in time to get a decent site at the Highbanks CG for the winter.

Whew!!!! Looks like I'll be putting on quite a few more miles before the end of the year!!! ; )

After Dave and Dee Dee left not a whole lot happened. We had some t-storms go through the area, but here at he CG we only had about 96 drops of rain. : (   Most of the rest of the day was spent watching TV, and doing normal things.

Did you know that American, Eddie Eagan is the only person to have won gold medals in both the Summer and Winter Games? He was a boxing champion in the 1920 Antwerp Games, and also won gold at the 1932 Lake Placid Games in the team bobsled event.

Darrell And Judy Come Visit and A Meal At The Clubhouse

Summerdale, AL.

48 deg. overcast, no wind.

Forecast = Cloudy. Numerous rain showers. Highs in the lower 60s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of showers 60 percent.


Jim didn't feel well yesterday morning. You know, just kind of crummy, but not really too bad. So. . . . he didn't do anything except sit a watch TV and play with the computer a little. Linda, on the other hand, did a load of laundry, worked on her Family Tree Maker program and did some more on her embroidery project.

By noon, Jim was feeling much better and it's  a good thing too, because Darrell and Judy, Wandering America, who are Jim and Linda's friends, stopped by to see me and to visit for awhile.

Again, it was just like talking to someone you had just seen, when in reality, they hadn't seen each other since last year when they happened to meet up in a CG in Bristol, TN. And then, it was a very short visit because Darrell and Judy were just passing through.

Anyway, I think they liked me and after getting the "tour", everyone sat inside and visited for at least an hour. : )

About 4:30, Denny, (one of the Illinois Bunch), called. He just wanted to thank Jim again for helping him with that spring air bag that he replaced on his MH. That was really nice of him since Jim says he really didn't do that much to help.

Thanks for calling Denny.  : )

For dinner, Jim and Linda went over to the clubhouse here at the park. They serve dinners over there a couple times a week and last night it was "Hamburger stroganoff over noodles with vegetables, salad, desert and drinks", all for $6!!!!!

When they came back here after eating, Jim and Linda were still talking about how good the food was and how friendly the people were. ; )

The evening was spent watching TV until bedtime.

Oh, and Linda finished up that embroidery project she's been working on. : )

Today, if the weather holds and it doesn't rain too much, Jim and Linda are planning on doing some shopping. There's one of those outlet malls down in Foley, AL, (just a little South of here), and Linda wants to go to a "kitchen" store to look at some new pots and pans. And, I think Jim wants to stop by the Coleman outlet store to see what they have that he can't live without. ; )

Did you know that on this date in 1863 - The fire extinguisher was patented by Alanson Crane?

Thonotosassa To Old Town and The Old Town CG

Old Town, FL.

57 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog in the morning. A slight chance of showers in the morning...then scattered showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs 76 to 79. Northeast winds around 5 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Denny came over to my site about 9:00, (which is very early for him), to spend some time with Jim and Linda and say good-bye.

He watched as Jim brought in my bedroom slide, (the living room slide was already in), disconnected the rest of my utilities, started my engine and after building up air pressure drive me off of my site and hook up CLT.

Then, because he had walked over to my site from his, he rode with us back to the parking lot next to the office.

It sure would have been nice to be able to spend more time with the "Illinois Bunch" but we couldn't this year. : (

Maybe next year. : )

It was 10:10 when we dropped Denny off at the parking lot and left Southern Aire. From the CG we took US 301 South for about a mile and then took Fowler Ave West for about another mile to I-75. It surprising that the Northbound traffic on 75 was as light as it was, and even though Jim had originally planned to turn off of 75 onto US 98, when we got up there, we were moving along so well that Jim decided to take I-75 all the way up to Ocala instead.

Once up to Ocalla, we turned NW in US 27 and followed it over to Williston and then took Alt.27 from there to Chiefland, where it joined up with US routes 19/98. Then we followed Alt.27/19/98 up here to Old Town and the Old Town Campground 'N' Retreat.

Jim and Linda have been here before and knew that they had large enough sites for me and cable TV, (so that they could watch the Super Bowl). ; )

This is not a fancy park by any stretch of the imagination. In fact if you come to this park, make sure you swing as wide as possible when entering off of CR 349 because the entry road is sand and very narrow.

Once you pull into the CG and you come up to the office, (Pictured below),

you have to stop because there's logs across the right side and a chain across the left side.

Shortly after we stopped in front of the office, Joe came on his golf cart and welcomed us to the park. After signing in and paying 1/2 price, (Passport America), he led moved the chain and led me further into the CG on the road shown below,

and to my very large, level site.

My site has some shade, 30 amp electric and water free wi-fi and cable TV. There's a dump station on the way out of the park, so you can dump if you want to when you leave.

For just over $15 you can't beat it. : )

It was 12:55 when we got here so it took us 2 hours and 45 minutes to travel  149 miles.

After I was set up the rest of the day was spent watching football on TV.

Today, we'll be heading to Bonifay, FL for 2 days to visit some of Jim and Linda's friends that are work-camping at a CG up there. Then, on Wednesday, the plan is to head to the SKP park near Summerdale, AL for awhile and visit with more friends there. ; )

Should be neat!!!

Did you know that February is "Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month"?

Successful Installation, Visiting With The Illinois Bunch and Time To Head West

Thonotosassa, FL.

62 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog early in the morning. A chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s near the coast and in the lower 80s inland. Southeast winds around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of rain 30 percent.

About 10:30, Jim took some garbage to the dumpster and then headed to Denny and Bev's. Denny was just getting ready to start working on installing the new spring air bag, so Jim stayed and helped. He says he couldn't do much but did get tools and stuff for Denny when he needed them.

The installation went much more smoothly than the removal and by a little after 12:00 they were done. : )

While he was over there, Dee Dee stopped by to visit with Linda. They hadn't had much opportunity to talk while we've been here so Linda was glad to see her. : )

After lunch, Jim dumped my tanks, put away the hoses, loaded his bicycle into the back of CLT, took a nap and then about 3:00 he and Linda went over to Denny and Bev's for a visit.

About 4:00, Jim and Denny went over to Gordy's for "happy hour" while Linda stayed and visited with Bev.

When Jim and Linda came back here they ate dinner, (a pork steak cooked on the grill and some asparagus cooked on my stove), then watched TV and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

It's been a short but good visit with the "Illinois Bunch" here at Southern Aire, but now it's time for us to start heading West. There are already plans to stop by and visit with some friends along the way in the panhandle of Florida and in Alabama. And, it's hoped that we'll cross paths with more of Jim and Linda's friends as we make our way across the South. ; )

A Point to Ponder : Why does mineral water that has "trickled through mountains for centuries" go out of date next year?

Dave and Dee Dee's Fish Fry

Thonotosassa, FL.

61 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s near the coast and in the lower 80s inland. East winds around 15 mph.

Yesterday morning, Jim took a bike ride and ended up over at Dave and Dee Dee's site for awhile. Then after lunch, Denny stopped by here to talk. 

After Denny left, Jim took a nap while Linda made a green bean casserole and then, about 3:00 they loaded, chairs, food and drinks into the back of CLT (Cute Little Truck), and headed over to Dave and Dee Dee's site for a fish fry!!

You see, Dave likes to fish and their house in Illinois is located right on a lake. So, all summer, Dave catches fish and then freezes them they so that they can bring them down here to Florida to have a fish fry for all of their friends here at Southern Aire.

All the people who are invited also bring food, so it ends up kind of like a pot-luck.

Jim took a bunch of photos, so I've picked out a few to show you.

Everyone sets their lawn chairs up in a big circle.

From where Jim and Linda were sitting, a view to the right.

Looking to the left.

This is what everyone is waiting for. ; )

The above photo is of John who volunteers to fry the fish.

All the food that the other people brought.

A special thanks to Dave, (in the center of this photo), for catching all the fish.

and to Dee Dee (in pink), for putting the whole thing together.

By all accounts, the fish and everything else was delicious and if you didn't get enough to eat, it was your own fault! : )

When Jim and Linda came back here, they were still stuffed and were talking about how good everything was.

Thanks, Dave and Dee Dee. : )

Did you know that the average American ate 15.8 pounds of fish and shellfish in 2009?

Southern Aire, Gin And Syl's New MH and Pizza With Denny And Bev.

Thonotosassa, FL.

50 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s near the coast and around 80 inland. East winds around 5 mph.

Jim got out and about fairly early yesterday morning and took some photos of this park so I thought I'd show you a few of them.

The above photo is the entrance sign that you see as you come to the park.

The view as you turn into the park.

The office/clubhouse/laundry

A view of me in my site from down the street.

My site as seen from across the street.

While Jim was out riding his bike, he met up with Denny and after riding around for a little while they ended up at my site where they sat out on the patio and talked for awhile.

After lunch, Jim and Linda took CLT and headed over to Denny and Bev's site. Linda wanted to visit with Bev, and Jim and Denny had decided to go to the Camping World, which is only about 4 1/2 miles South of here. So, Linda stayed at Bev's while they headed to the store.

Jim had a list of things he wanted to buy before we head West and Denny needed a few thing also, so it worked out well.

After they were done shopping, Jim decided to call Gin and Syl, (some very good RVing friends that they had met at an RV Dreams Rally), who are buying a new Winnebago Journey Motor Home from Lazydays, which is right next door to Camping World, to see if they were still there.

Anyway, they were still there, so they came over to Lazydays on their bikes and led CLT back to where their new MH is parked.

I haven't see their MH, but CLT says that it's really nice. Luckily, Jim had his camera along so he was able to take a few photos.

Syl and Gin standing in front of their new MH.

A shot of Gin inside.

The drivers side

And, Denny and Syl looking at the passengers side.

Everyone says that it's a real beauty and I'm sure looking forward to meeting up with Gin and Syl down the road sometime soon. : )

Oh, guess what I just found out?   Gin and Syl are going to come here to Southern Aire today to see me!!!! Wow!! That'll be great!!

When Jim and Denny came back, Bev ordered a Pizza from Howie's. After eating, they talked for awhile before Jim and Linda came back here. 

Well, this is getting pretty long so I'd better quit for today. Besides, I need to get ready for my company!! ; )

Did you know that in 1966 the first motor home rolled off the Winnebago Industries assembly lines? These motor homes were sold at a price approximately half of what was being charged for competitors’ models, which led to its ubiquity and popularity in the RV community.

Kind Of Blah and Working With The New Program

Thonotosassa, FL.

51 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. East winds around 10 mph.

Jim didn't seem to be able to get in gear yesterday. I don't think he felt really bad,  just kind of "blah."

So, he really didn't do anything except fool around with the computer, read, talk to Denny and Dave for awhile when they stopped by, take a nap, and then go to "happy hour" over at Gordy's.

Meanwhile, Linda spent much of the day working with her new Family Tree Maker program and  figuring out the way the different parts of it work. She's slowly starting to get data entered into the program and says that she's really enjoying working with it.

Did you know that today is "Appreciate Your Social Security Check Day?"