Holy Crap, how in the world did I make it to 60?!

Well, I moved into the 60's.  Celebrated by cruising the Caribbean on Princess.  It was such a lovely vacation. Princess is a fabulous cruise line.  We hope to cruise with them more.

Our cabin Steward built this calorie free towel cake for me. 

Heather and Mark sent me this beautiful arrangement for my Birthday.

I'm trying to think what else has gone on over the last 4 months.  But I'm old....  Can I use that excuse now?

I'd like to say it's all sunshine and roses, but Ralph, my mom's husband, is on dialysis now.  Both my mom and Ralph celebrated turning 85 in June and July.  The dialysis is hard on Ralph, and a huge time requirement.  

We had my Niece and her youngest daughter stay the first week, then my brother and his youngest son came and stayed for the second week.  I am so grateful for them taking the time out of their busy lives to help their respective parents and grandparents. 

Suddenly, it's August 4th.  

We are doing maintenance on the RV.  Debating on selling it and changing over to a fifth-wheel.  But then we'd need a big truck, but big trucks can be handy.  Humm.  It is such a beautiful rig and has taken us on so many adventures.

I'm so enjoying Denise and Carl's big adventure!  

Ta Ta for now!

Almost tax time!

Happy April fools day, and my sister in law's Birthday. Happy Birthday Jen!

We have been staying in The Great Outdoors Resort, in Titusville, Florida.  We are able to help my mother and her husband Ralph.  My mom's health has been declining, and she needs more assistance.  Ralph is also moving slowly towards dialysis due to his renal failure.

In the interim, I have also gained a new primary care physician, to meet the needs of my nearly 60 year old body.  Ian is also in the process of getting a new primary care doctor.  

Ian's cataracts are now all repaired, a process we started in Missouri.  One adventurous day, Ian had surgery, Ralph had surgery, at different hospitals, 30 miles apart.  I was the travel coordinator for all.  We had the floor installation men at our house that day also.  It was busy.

This spring has gone quickly.  We had the sad passing of children, of two different friends.  Our hearts go out to Lisa, and the loss of her son Ryan.  Also our hearts are broken for the Fiorello family, over the loss of Matthew.

But life, goes on, unstoppable, without a moment of silence, and it is still, amazingly beautiful.

The holidays came, and went.  The cat is still in the bag....

My nephew, Garrett visited.  I was able to join him at an amusement park, where we both had a blast!

The "Fun Spot" in Orlando, not crowded and a ton of rides to go on.  Garrett did have me go on a bungee jumping ride.  I think I screamed until I was hoarse!  He just laughed and laughed!

Still in the bag...

We replaced the flooring in the house.  The tile was damaged when one of our pipes broke.  We were unable to match the original tiles, so we opted to put vinyl planks over the tile.  The carpets were also removed.  So the whole house is vinyl planks now.  100% waterproof and easy to take care of.  We are down to replacing the backsplash in the kitchen.  Then our flood reconstruction will be over, yeah!

A rocket launch, Ian's surgery.

Ian's son and daughter in law, came down to visit.  We were able to stay at Disney World's Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Disney magic all the way!  Our room was delayed and not only did the front desk "shout out to Nichole!" give us a room credit, we were also comped a fireworks cruise at EPCOT.  It was wonderful.

Another rocket launch

Yummy dinner thanks to recipe from Heather!

How in the world, did I not get one picture of our friends at Disney?!  Oh well, we went on an overnight trip to Disney to meet up with our best friends.  We didn't go to any parks, just visited, ate food, hung out at the pool and had a great time!

Besides all that, we had an impressive hail storm and Evinrude has a couch now.

All is well here in Titusville.  I am still working, traveling down to Rockledge, Florida as needed.  The Anesthesia group in Rockledge is great, and the OR staff are fantastic.  I am lucky to be working with them.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

With 2019 just around the corner, I thought I'd do a quick update.

We went on the most amazing cruise in October, with our friends, Jim and Allena.  We ate to much, drank to much and spent a lot of time laughing real hard!  Just about 2 weeks of total bliss.  If only life could be this way all the time!  Royal Caribbean, Adventure of the Seas.  Wonderful.

We are still in Titusville, Florida.  All of us have been going through various stages of health issues and hospitalizations.  I am back to work, but only on a part time basis.  It is taking longer than I anticipated for my fractured leg to return to normal.  Everyday, slowly, my leg is improving.  We are lucky to be in a RV community with many amenities available to us.  We had an amazing Thanksgiving dinner, provided by our community Blue Heron restaurant.  The food was wonderful, and everyone was sent home with another complete meal to have another night!  

Oh, did you guys know that batteries can explode?

We have new motorhome batteries now.  Big shout out to Eagles Pride RV Sales and Service in our community for coming over and working the day before Thanksgiving to repair this "explosive"situation.

We have had so many friends and family come and visit us.  Being close to Orlando international airport is a huge benefit, the airport is only 30 minutes away from us. Major Orlando attractions all within 30 to 45 minutes. Also, stunning national shorelines are only 30 minutes away from us.  Oh, forgot to mention, the cruise port is only 30 minutes away also!

Of course, we couldn't make it through the year without another cruise. 

We cruised on the MSC Divina this December with my mother and her husband.  MSC was a new experience for us.  For us, the price was downright amazing, but I would still have to think twice about going on the line again.  I feel that if you love to dance and party, all night long, and don't mind long lines, it could be a good line for you.   

We didn't return home until December 20th.  I just didn't have the oomph to put up all the Christmas decorations.  So I bought some lovely flowers for the table.  After leaving for work at 6am, and returning at 8pm on the 21st, I came home to a Christmas Miracle!  The kitchen cabinets were in, and the microwave and stove were all hooked up!  Thank you Mike Moulton, our contractor.  

Christmas came, and went, Ian's kidney stone came, and went.  I put out the Christmas laser house lights, outside, on the 26th....  The one tree it lights up, is lovely. I haven't sent any cards.

It is now the 29th, and I have a bathroom sink.  I know that may sound silly, but it is nice to brush my teeth, at a sink, adjacent to my bedroom. Up next year, a shower, and floors!   oooooooohhhhhh.  

I'm moving "stuff" back to the kitchen from the garage.  We have an emergency call system for my mom, so when she falls, she can push the button on her necklace, and the whole house loudly alarms with "fur elise", so we know to go looking for her.  No more spending an hour on the floor, hollering for help.

I, am not climbing ladders.  I am walking, I am breathing.  Life is beautiful.

Be safe this New Year

 

The phrase "break a leg" is used to wish a performer, "good luck"

Cape Girardeau, Missouri is a wonderful place to both work, and live in.  The folks that live there are kind, and generous with both their time and themselves.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen health issues with my parents, I had to cut my time short in Missouri.  We were able to close up the RV and head back to Florida in record time.  Amazingly, we blew a tire as we pulled into our garage in Florida.  We were lucky.

I was truly upset about having to leave Cape Girardeau.  I very much enjoyed working there and will miss everyone.

After arriving in Florida, we were able to get the family situation settled.  In the interim, I decided to put away things in the garage.  After falling off the ladder, I was given the opportunity to check out our local ER.  It was nice, my broken leg, was not.  I have a tibial plateau fracture.  Basically, a broken knee.  I will be unable to put any weight on my leg for up to 12 weeks, after that, hopefully, I will be able to progress to weight bearing.  At least I do not need surgery, and I am in an adjustable hinged splint system instead of a long leg cast.  I broke my leg on July 12.  Not only does this prevent me from returning to Missouri, it also prevents me from helping out in a local hospital.  I place high value in providing solid work and being reliable.  But, my situation is making this impossible.

So, my Aunt has been out, it was wonderful to have her here.  Now my brother, his wife and their two youngest kids (adult kids), are arriving this week.

Just to make things more fun, the kitchen floor flooded August 5th.  We (Ian), mopped up and tried to figure out what was going on.  Seems we have a leak in the shower behind the kitchen.  We called the insurance company, now we have contractors, leak detectors, mold detectors etc.  All the damage is between the walls of the kitchen, bathroom (x2) and bedroom. 

So hopefully, if things come in 3's, we have reached that number. (sick parents, broken leg, flooded house).

The great things are, of course, #1, my husband, but the wheelchair from Craigslist, has been very helpful. Best friends visiting! Aquatic exercise provided free in my community, My parents improving. Grocery ordering through Walmart, really, try it.  Publix grocery also delivers.  Cracker Barrel to go!  Starbucks......

Really cool things are rocket launches.

Break a leg!

Redbuds, Throwed Rolls, Cats, Cataracts and Company?

Finally, warmer weather! We are surrounded by beautiful budding trees and flowers.  There was a wonderful small town festival in Charleston, MO.  They have stunning Dogwoods and Azaleas.  Also the redbud trees are amazing. 

After enjoying the parade, flowers and craft show, we decided to eat at Lambert's

These guys sling these hot, fresh rolls to anyone that raises their hands.  Occasionally, the rolls land in the wrong places, like the middle of the next table, where folks were not asking for a roll.  Other times, down the middle of the isle.  It was fun to catch them (they are HOT). But I mostly ducked!  The food was also quite good and served in massive proportions.  We ate for 3 days on our leftovers.

Yum, Pie! I like pie!

This is one of the few covered bridges in Missouri.  It is next to Bollinger Mill.  All these areas are less than half an hour from where I am working.

Below are photos from the Trail of Tears State Park.  This overlook is the Mississippi.  The park is a memorial to the Native Americans that were forced out of their lands. Over 4000 Native Americans perished on this forced relocation.

Yes, the next picture is of french toast.  This is at Sands Pancake House in Cape Girardeau.  I do not know how they make this so incredible.  I think they soak home made bread, in uncooked creme brûlée cream, then coat it with sugar right before grilling it.  So is has the crispy sugar crust and a custardy sweet bread center.  It does not need syrup or butter.  Cash only place.  But for less that $4, you have to be kidding!

So, after touring and viewing the area, and gaining weight on delicious foods.  Ian decided he would actually like to "see" things.  This is right after he had his cataract removed, lens placed and a macular pucker (retina wrinkle) repaired. 

The children tried to cheer him up, but the gave up and comforted each other.  I, on the other hand, got on a plane and went to our home in Florida.

I decided not to call on the neighbors, they already had company coming...  By the way, this really is in my neighborhood (but not my house), Monday May 14th.  I may start opening my front door very slowly!

Disney and a Drive coming up next.

Love, from Cape Girardeau, Missouri

After selling our place in Tequesta, we decided to see if my folks would like to move into a place that the four of us could share.  Shockingly, they said yes.  We put their Jupiter home up for sale and purchased a home in Titusville, in a RV park.  We now have a place to stop at between jobs and traveling.  The great bonus is, Mom and Ralph are there too! 

My brother and his family helped with the move.  My little brother is one tough guy!

He has metastatic bladder and prostate cancer.  He has been able to see his grandchildren be born, his son beat addiction, his daughter become a doctor. His other son accepted to Carnegie Mellon and his other daughter become the most empathetic animal care therapist ever!  I hope he stays on the right side of the grass a lot longer.

After spending all my finances on another house, and not working for four months.  I had to get back to work. 

This nice guy named Adrian called me, told me about a great opportunity he had for me in a beautiful small town in Missouri, and I said yes, that sounds great!  So off I went.

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Where else would a warm weather loving gal go, in the middle of the winter...  I may not have been thinking clearly.   It was really, really cold when I arrived.  I drove around  a parking lot, filled with snow and ice, just to be sure I could control the rental car.  Yea Ford Fusion, two thumbs up on all wheel drive and heated seats!

I woke up in my hotel, the next morning, hearing strange sounds outside my window. It sounded like, olympic skaters were trying to grind to a stop in front of my hotel.  

I peered through the drapes and saw people, trying to scrape thick layers of ice off their cars.  

I wondered if my rental came with an ice scraper.  

 It didn't matter, I couldn't break open the doors.

It surprised me that the ice didn't melt during the day.  I had forgotten how cold, cold can be.

I went down to the waterfront a few weeks after arriving.  I was waiting for the sun to come out.  Finally! A beautiful, sunny day! It was still cold, so I wrapped up in my down coat,  and walked along the Mississippi river.

Cape Girardeau has a flood wall along the river.  It has murals painted on it depicting the history of this area.

This is a wonderful small town.  The downtown main street is charming.  

Southeast Hospital is where I am working.  

The folks here are so wonderful.  There is an amazing sense of community.  I can see why they return to raise their own family here in Cape. 

It is finally spring here in Cape Girardeau.  I would have more photos but Noah won't open the windows on the ark.  They say it may stop raining soon.

Then it snowed instead... (This was on April 7th).  Sorry the picture is from the window of our motorhome.  I wasn't about to get out.

It is supposed to warm up soon!



With Love, from Cape Girardeau!