MONDAY

Well here I am trying to figure out how to get my blog back to the format that it was when I started.  You should never have an amateur play around with data.
Jim is going to wash the camper today.
I think today is a good day to go to the ocean.  It is only a 10-15 minute again.

It is 7:30 and Jim is up and at em.  He is never up and at em at 7:30.  He wants to wash the camper before the sun gets out and bears down on us.

I am going to try and download pictures again.  I just have so many to do.

SUNDAY

I have no idea where I am in the real scheme of things. I don't remember which day we went to Maria Selby Gardens, we drove 70-80 miles to get to Sarasota and it sure was worth it. After seeing drab whit winter we need a flower fix. We got it. Enjoyed ourself very much. We are at I Crystal Lake RV Park in Naples. It is beautiful out - we arrived on Saturday about noon and it started raining but we got in our 2 mile walk in around the park first. Believe me I need it. I am starting to look like Fatty Patty. I am having problems posting, I have changed the set up or the look of my blog and I should know to keep well enough alone. What a twit. It is now Monday morning, we walked around the park twice yesterday, I love the walks. so I have put on 6 miles since Saturday. Not a lot but certainly a beginning. I hope I can post some pictures. I have had fun taking pictures and so did Jim. Jim can set pictures up so much better than I can. We decided to check out and see if the park was still having church services. In fact on Sunday at 9:30 they had their last Sunday service and the Pastor Dan was the same pastor as we have heard before. He is a wonderful speaker. Nancy you will appreciate this, he looks like Steve Kjorness. Very much so. Anyway he gave a wonderful sermon. He especially connected with us with a story about a man with a horrible disease that was causing him to go mad. Anyway Pastor Dan and his wife visited the man in the hospital to give him communion and the man was strapped down because of his disease. His body was out of control. Anyway to make a long story short, he was able to put a crumb of bread and a sip of wine down the man's throat and by praying over him and stroking his arms he calmed down to such a point that his madness seemed to disappear and the man was able to leave the hospital and return home. Now I sure didn't tell the story as well as the Pastor but it was quite a moving stiring story, the pastor and his wife had tears in their eyes as they told the story.

WEDNESDAY

Here we almost set a record last night for colder overnight low.  I think the record was 43 or 44. It looks like we will maybe go to 65 today as a high.  Not the 78 we had a day or so ago.
We were in Tarpon Springs which is a 45 minute drive away.  It is nice outside and I sat out after we got back last night.  I can't believe we are this far South to be cold, the good news is we can walk, walk, walk.  I love it and so do the dogs.  We even got a bath last night.  Little Otto that is.  He needed it - the little guy had some issues.  I squat down and put him in the shower.  We usually wash the dogs with the outside spay hose but you can't use it here.  I can't believe the amount of people in this park.  It is a nice park but we are right by the freeway so there is that noise and just too many people.  Maybe it's just our sight.  Everyone seems to walk by it because we are by the dog run and a couple of blocks from the recycle ( and all they recycle is aluminum cans and cardboard ) don't know why they don't recycle glass.  Different states, different rules.
We did have fun at the Greek Village yesterday.  Boy are things set up for tourist.  The best part had to be the Hella's bakery.
http://hellasbakery.com/company-info/hellas-restaurant-and-bakery-tarpon-springs-florida
The food was to die for, we got coffee and I bet we spent $25 there.  It was fun.  I bought some salt water taffy and a Wizard of Oz lunch box, something I just can't live without.  Jim bought me a new dress, something to sit around in.  Pink tie die with a pretty design.  Some junk jewelry.  I think stuff was $1.87 per item.  I did get some earrings and a funny pink wire necklace.
It was fun walking along the boats and seeing another way of life.
We left the dogs home yesterday because we didn't know what we would encounter and on our adventure today we will take them with.  If we have to leave them in the truck it won't be an issue with the record cold weather.

TUESDAY

Jim went to visit his friend yesterday and the kids and I walked and explored the park which is quite extensive.  I love visiting with people visiting and hearing their stories.   Most are from IL and points East.  Jim couldn't believe there was a couple from San Diego here for the winter.  It has been raining overnight both Sunday and Monday.  Was cloudy all day yesterday but pleasant and I do't know the forecast today.
One thing I am getting a kick out of is Find Friends.  I did it with the Kids so I know where they are.  I only have Mac and Skye so far but I only want to do it with the kids.  It will be fun for me just to know where they are.
Jim went to find the exercise club.  I will take a walk with the dogs.

MONDAY

We are in Wesley Chapel Fl.  Close to Tampa-St Pete and Bush Gardens I guess.  Quail Run RV Resort to be exact.  Not a bad drive over and hot when we got here.  Rained when I got up by 5am so I put the awning out.  A overcast day mad cool so the weather is perfect,  there aren't 3 feet of partly cloudy on the ground so I am happy.  Jim took off to see a 86 year old ex-employee of Ziegler's and I am just all too fine walking the dogs and hanging out.  I am hanging out outside.  I feel like a Princess.  I am outside, did I say that.  So tickled.  My dogs are on the sidewalk beside me.  We have a very nice spot here.  Huge cement pull-through with grass all around.  Lovin it.  I don't care if I go anywhere.  Been reading The House Girl.  Good book.

SATURDAY AND GOODBYE MOBILE/PENSACOLA HELLO TAMPA/ST PETE

This is the day we went to the beach, I knew it was my lasr chance to go, on the way, right in Foley there is a hotel up foe sale, you should see the. Chandelier hanging just inside.  Just huge and does it sparkle in the sunlight, everytome we drive by I just want to stop and take a look.  It might have been "The Bellingham".  Lovely lovely.
We had a mice chicken dinner last night,might have 2 sweet potatoes, the white variety left and then I guess it will have to be yams.  I cut them up like coins and derizzle a dab of EVO in a pan with a little sea salt and ground pepper on them and they turn out quite nice.
You should have seen the fog yesterday, hung around forever.  We could always see but I wonder if it will hamper our drive today.
We will miss nthe wonderful preacher at 8:30 this morning but you can't have everything.

Talked to Dot yesterday and the inspector is coming Thursday so they will open anytime after.  Can't wait to visit.  What she and Richard have done for Holly is short of awesome.  I know how much she appreciates her parents help on "The Rosewood Cafe".

We are having fun traveling across the country, so much to see.  It sounds like a cold front is making it's way across the South.  We will be leaving about 7am.  Hope going North the fog lets up or the wind blows it away.

FRIDAY

Now I spelled Friday incorrectly the first time around, could it be I have had a White Russian? Hum?  OK here is the deal, we had a nice day yesterday and today, tomorrow sounds good but all next week sounds lousy because of rain and low Tempatures.
We were walking around Wal-Mart today, along with Target, we bought a card for Hope because she had 4 stitches in her chin because of a fall from a teeter totter.  Poor baby, I didn't know you could spend $7 for a card.  My goodness what is this world becoming.  You should see the card.  Bedazzled band aids.  How perfect is that.  I just wish I could be there.
Friday is so long ago I can't remember what we did.  I did the sheets on the beb and bought a new mattress cover and yes Mac, that is where I bought it, TARGET of course along with Hope's card.  
Saturday we took a nice long walk and we also went to gulf Port to the Gulf to Orange Beach.  80 degrees an lovely.  Just high clouds bout we finally both got a little sun.  I am wearing 50 PFC or whatever they call it on my face, I sure doesn't want cancer on my face again.  They cut such a huge spot off the end of my nose.  Of course my nose is cuteier than it was.  I go in 'May for dermabraision on my nose to get rid of some of the roughness.  I wish I could get my whole face done.  I think Dede had it done and it sure wasn't pleasant.  She lives in the land of the sun 24/7.

WEDNESDAY AND THE SUN IS OUT - HIP HIP HOORAY

We really explore today.  We are going downtown Mobile AL.  A big day today.  I am just afraid we will try to take on too much.
BRAGG-MITCHELL MANSION

We had fun going through the Mansion.  How exquisite it was.  They had so many chandliers and huge huge mirrors in each room.  The parlor had 4 giant mirrors and that would have been the room they had balls in.  The ceilings were 15 feet high and that was so in the summer the heat would rise and not be so bothersome.  
They also had many costumes of the day and lots of explinations on why they were made the way they were.  For instance so many times the skirts were layered and that was so they could pass them on down to individuals of different height.  The outfits were almost always two piece so they could just wash the top for instance and they would have the skirts in layers so they could change the look up.  It was fun to hear the history of why they dressed as they did.
The house was build in 1855 but when the war came they cut down all the trees because it became part of the war machine and they needed to be able to see a great distance.  It was also a hospital during the was.  There are very unique lights now upstairs.  They look like blown glass but the lady of the house didn't like them so put them in the attic and were found among the restoration and they look like blown glass.  They are just beautiful and were designed to be in the entry way.  What I love about them is they look like giant tear drops in an milky, amber glass.  

OK NEXT ADVENTURE:
The Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and The Portier House.  Which is part of the whole church.  The Portier house is where the first Bishop of Mobile lived from 1834 to 1906. The house was name after the first Bishop.  The grounds were part of a Spanish land grant and formerly a burial ground.  

The Cathedral has a wonderful history.  Mobile was founded in 1702 to serve as the capital of Louisiana by the French and in 1703 the parish was founded by Bishop de la Croix of Quebec to serve the Mississippi Valley.
Construction on the Cathedral started in 1835 by Bishop Portier.  It was completed in 1850.  The bell tower, the stained glass windows and crypt chapel for deceased Bishops were all added later and received the distinction of Basilica in 1962 by Pope John XXIII.  The title Basilica is an honor given to a church because of it's significance.  It signifies that the Holy Father considers the church especially dear to him and has a certain precedence before other churches.  There are approximately 67 minor basilicas in the US.  There are 4 major basilicas and all are located in Rome.  I have been in two Cathedral-Basilica's, this one in Mobile and the one in St. Louis.
I love going through them.
I found out there was a major fire at the basilica in about 1965 when touring the Portier house, they even had pictures.  There was a homeless person living in the basement and started a fire under the altar.  The pictures were unreal.

 and in the Portier House I saw the most beautiful furniture that was donated.  I felt like I was on Atiques Road Show.

It said that this chair and sofa were from the Napolian area, the Egyptian period.





NEXT ADVENTURE:

The Mobile Botanical Gardens.  Not tons to see and very confusing.  They did have a pet station for drinking behind one of the buildings.  The dogs certainly had a good time coming with us.  There were so many Camellias in The WinterGarden.  Many colors ect.

TUESDAY MORNING AND IT IS STILL CLOUDY AND COOL

We took off for a drive and to explore.  It's not raining today but it usher is cloudy and cool.  We really had a lot of fun.  We stopped in the visitor center in downtown Foley, Al and it turns out Foley was founded by Mr Foley from Chicago who bought 50,000 acres and sold parcels to his friends.  That's the way to start a town, I think it was actually founded in 1915 or so even though he started the town in about 1903.
We are about 2 inches above Gulf Shores on the map and we drove and drove all over.  We had fun at the state park, they had an observation room with some live specimens.  Snakes.  I could have gone all day without seeing snakes.  They showed 4 stuffed snakes that are poison the coral, rattlesnake cottonmouth, and the copperhead and of coarse all kinds of varieties of each species.  Gag me.
We got back to the camper and I did laundry but Jim had seen that they had posted that it was movie night on Tuesday so we bit and it turned out to be Saving Mr. Banks.  Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks did a wonderful job.  You hated her and he was pleasant.  It sure was intriguing, how they made Mary Poppins.  It was fun to hear the creativity of the songs ect.  The movie itself was totally depressing but  so was her life.  My goodness it was hard to find a bright side to it but I don't think she ever tried too.  There's the rub.

MONDAY MORNING - FOLEY AL

Well we have been in rain for a day and a half, it hasn't really let up and at times it has been severe.  Yesterday morning was a hoot, we were getting ready for church here at 8am and over the loudspeaker they were announcing tornado warnings.  I had to laff.  We left an unbelievable winter to come to tornado warnings.  Serve us right for thinking I can go for a walk.  Am I a smartie pants or what.
I don't think I have blogged since we arrived at the first destination of our trip.  Foley AL.  It is just a few miles up from Gulf Shores AL.  We had a good laugh.  We arrived a day early because we left a day early but we mor or less forgot all about it.  They didn't have room for us a day early.  That's how filled up they are.  No room in the inn so to speak.  We got here about 4:30 they said we us could set up in a parking lot by the LP tank.  Jim asked a fellow lady camper if there were places we could walk to and have dinner at and she said the only place she could think if was a Waffle House.  She mentioned we were lucky because there was a pot luck and we were welcome to join in and we did.  It was at 5:30 so we went with she (Doris-her mother liked Doris Day) and her husband Mark and a group they go with.  It was fun and we had lights from our battery and just went to bed early because traveling is always tiring.
We got set up by 8:30 Sunday morning and off to church, was he ever a good speaker.  I would like to get his name and maybe I will call the office, Jim found out his church and wrote out a check and gave it to the office.  They didn't take up a collection.

MEMPHIS TN

We got here about 2:30pm  and fighting the wind all the way here.  Some funny things always happen when we are setting up.  I am in the camper, dogs in here too.  I am letting out the slides and after I have all 4 of them out I can't find Makons.  I can hear her woofing but no dog, just Otto.  I go get Jim from outside because by now I am worried because, no Makons.  He comes in and helps me search but still no Makons.  I start to put the slides back in because she has to be somewhere and low and behold she is behind the King bed slide.  There is a pocket where she can fit and when I put that slide out she crept in there.  Once the slide was out she was trapped.  Who would have thought that would ever happen.
I took a turn around the dog park and camp ground and then we decided to go to a rib joint but the key was I wanted to walk.  It was at least 1.5 miles.  I was excited.  I want you to know I don't walk as fast as Jim but I am glad we did it.  We had a wonderful dinner and margaritas were part of happy hour,  only $3.50 each.  Gotta love Memphis.
We took a pink limo back to our campsite.  Part of Memphis charm.
We are going to shower, had the dogs at the dog park at 5am, will get them out again soon.  It is almost 8 am and Jim just got up.


Later.

FRIDAY AND NO SNOW

We drove a lot the first day.  We were going to stay in Rochelle Il but there was too much snow and I couldn't do it.  We got there at 4:30pm and Bob picked us up in his new van, and took us to their house.  Geri made dinner, pot roast, cauliflower and either sour cream raisen (Jim's favorite) pie. Or coffee cake.  What a treat, wonderful people.  Their daughters Carrie and Holly are both nurses, an RN and a LPN.  Both Bob and Geri are retired.  We had a nice visit and by 8pm we were back on the road until 10:30pm when we hit Effingham.  We stayed at Camp Lakewood and we were in bed by 11:30pm.  You would not believe how cold the sheets were.  We think the memory was still frozen.
Jim called his friend Norm in Charleston, 28 miles away and he picked Jim up for coffee ear 6:30.  I took the dogs for a walk and was in heaven.  No snow.  Did I say that earlier.  I'm sorry but I am so delighted, no snow.  Dogs love it.
I started to read a book by Dr. Mary Neal.  A true account of her life and death and life again experience.  Joyce Brown or rowed me the book and I just never got around to it.
We left Effingham and are on our way to Mamphis.  We are both tired SOS who knows how far we will get.

BLOG BLOG BLOG

Where does the time go, we have been busy getting ready to go to Florida.  Our first stop is Rochelle IL   Jim has ex-relatives there.  We will have dinner there tonight with Jeri and Bob.  Will be fun, it's Jane's sister.  Jane is Jim's ex-wife.  We always stop when we are in their neighborhood.
I bet we have 50% of what we own with us.  I forget what a nightmare packing up is.  We have way too much stuff.
We had such a nice time at church last nigh.  We had 38 of us there for our soup supper and service.  Tom and Deb made a wonderful Green Pepper soup.  My goodness it was tasty, lots of desserts, I brought the blueberry delight, my Mom's recipe and it is always a hit and went right away.  I made one for us to bring with but Jim ate 70% of that already.  I have a small piece, he has a row.
Oh it's fun to be going, we didn't think we would this winter because of our remodel but we just needed a break from our winter.

FRIDAY ALL DAY

I don't how to get the print larger.  It is so wonderful being a teckie.  My word.  I am being smart because I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to my computer and now my printer won't print anything but the G mail logo.  
Kill me.
I had crafter's yesterday, was fun. Lorretta was late because Paul got stuck in their driveway.  Bummer.  It is always fun to have and go to crafter's.  I can't believe how well Gloria is doing.  She never knit or crouched in her life and has made scarf's now and afghans.  What a whiz.  
I was tired after and of course took a nap.  Love naps.
Dot remembers but we used to take them when we worked at the grain exchange for BQ back in the early 60ies.  Long time ago.

CLCC or Central Lakes Community College

Here we are in Brainerd.  River my wonderful Grandson drove me here - in my car of course.
He had never been on a freeway, I don't know if you consider 371 a  true freeway because of  the getting on and off all over the place but the speed limit is 65 so you can just zoom along.
Brought me back to when I was teaching  the kids how to drive, I think we spent a lot of time in cemeteries practicing practicing practicing.
The accu-placer test took 2 hours.   The good new is he makde it.  He passed the entrance exam and can now sign up for Videography.  It is his forte.  He was president of video club in school.  He is such a wonderful kid and just needs some guidance.  They have free tutoring.  All you have to do is ask.
They have a group that helps with kids of parents that have never been to college.
It will work for him.  Now license and job to get some money.
I left here at 5:15 and blew in to church by 3:30 for bible study.  We are on Matthew 11.
Got home and last night Jim and I went to Lenten services.

NEW DAY

We spent from 10am when we left and got back by 6:30pm.  Now that is a long day.  Over 8 hours and we had to take the truck because my car died.  I wonder why they pick a certain day to die.  We have had colder days.  Today is 12 below.  A warming trend I see.  Yes I am being facetious.
We now know Spring is not going to come to Minnesota this year.  Amen sister.
Well now I just have to plan on having my way about when we leave.  That's not always easy, the weather may not cooperate.  Next week is a big week.  This week is Ash Wednesday.

We are in Sartell, just outside of St Cloud waiting to get shots in our eye's.

We have been here two hours already.  We are starting to feel like a fixture.  I know now I should have worn long underwire.  Oh well.
I am trying to jiggle some of our schedules so we don't leave anyone in the lurch.  I know Bethany is Food Shelf for April and I will be gone.  Lorretta will find someone to cover.
I think it was August and December I helped with last year.

SUNDAY ONLY 24 BELOW

Well I think it is going to happen.  We are going to go South probably around March 15th.  Who knows.  Would be fun but depends on what weather is like here.
Went to church today, picked up Skee and Nancy.  Of course I had potato dumplings for breakfast.
Talked to Dot today, it was hard.  She put Callie down on Friday the 28th.  Just was suffering too much.  It is a phone call I had a hard time making.  When we loose our pet we loose part of ourself.
Well Downton Abby is over.  I wonder what will be on Sunday nights.

ONLY 17 BELOW ON THIS SATURDAY

The coffee is so good I feel like pouring it on me.
We had D.O.S.S. last night at Renee's  and a good time was had by all.
Renee's house is adorable, I went with Darlene, Dee drove, Jean came by herself, Pam had a houseful for the weekend so she brought her two lovely daughters, Mia and Amber and her sister-in-law Mary, Denise was the last to arrive, it was a very nice time.  Had to be 10 of us.  We certainly had a varity of wines.
Today Library and Jim has to be at church at 10 am so it will be a full day and at 4:45 we pick up Skee and Nancy for thr potato Dumpling dinner.  Can't wait to see what they will be like.  Will it be like the ones my grandma used to make.  We will see.  If they are I need to get my ducks in a row and make some.  I love Club.  That is Norwegian for potato dumpling.
I am going to try and change the color of my dining room and hall to a tan.  I am sic of sage green.  I may have Kenny paint for me.  I am sick of painting.  We will see.  Saw him Thursday night at the Muni.  He is leaving soon for CA.
I talked to Sharon yesterday and her remodel  job is a slow go