I will be making a more posts about the cruise and some more pictures also.
Monday, January 31, 2011
We're Back
We got back yesterday from a 1 week cruise to celebrate our 53rd anniversary. Here is our picture during Dress Up Night. Since this was an Norwegian Free Style Cruise, there were not many men who actually dressed up. Must be a sign of the casual times we are now living in.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Super Flag Light
While at the Tampa RV Show, I saw a light for our flag that I fly in the front of house. I have had the flagpole for many years and have it lighted from a spotlight at the ground level. But the light does not do a good job on a flag that is 20 feet above ground.
At the show the USA Flag company had a solar powered light that mounts on the top of the pole, charges batteries during daylight hours and then stays on all night long. The light is right over the flag so the light hits the flag quite well and makes it more visible than the light on the ground. When the flag is blown around the pole by the wind, the light rotates around with the flag. And sun power is free!!
To see the light more clearly, just click on the picture for a better look. Use your browser's back arrow to return to the Blog.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tampa RV Show
Who said we couldn't serve dinner to ten in our Motor Home?? Not us, because we did at the Tampa RV show last week. I do think we reached a near maximum though!!
We met with 4 other couples at the show and we all parked together and had a meal together each evening. We have been meeting with 3 of the couples for the last several years at the show and we also get together during the summer when we can. It is a fun group and we do have a good time together. They guys solve maintenance problems and the gals talk about the guys!!
It was a good show but the weather was quite cold the first two days. The overall activity indicates that the economy is coming back. We saw a lot of RV's with sold stickers on them during the last 2 days. We helped the economy some, but did not buy a new coach.
While at the show we picked up a number of free camping coupons or those with a discount. Now we have to plan our trips to use these. Jim also got stuff to fix up some of the problems we keep having with the RV. After all it is now coming up on 11 years old and small things keep breaking down. At least they are not big things that cost a lot!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Ten Days into 2011 and going strong!!
On January 1 I realized we had a problem with the microwave. It made a loud buzzing when we went to heat something so we did not even try. I was sure it was a bad magnetron (being involved with radar in the Navy) and I researched parts on-line and found the lowest cost one for about $160.00 (ouch). rather than trying to repair it myself I swallowed my engineer's pride and made an appointment for GE service to come out on Monday.
The serviceman confirmed it was the magnetron and at first said it would be about a $400.00 repair. I naturally told him of my research and also that I could by a similar new model for about the same price. He sharpened his pencil (actually a computer) and I agreed to have it repaired for about $280.00.
When I saw how he had to get at the part to replace it I was glad he did it and not I. I would have been hunting for hours and maybe days to find all those screws to get that rascal out of the microwave.
You never realize how much you use a microwave until you do not have one!!
The next evening was the election of Directors for our Co-op and Carol was not running for Treasurer again. She was really happy to get out of the job as it was making her lose sleep!! There is a great lack of talent on our board of directors (my personal opinion) and I had even turned in my candidacy at the start of one meeting but withdrew at the end. The Hazelwood reunion planning is in it's final 4 months and I just cannot bring myself to take time away from it. Too many from the WW-II era will be there and I want it to be a great reunion. So far we have 60 shipmates coming to the reunion.
If you have not seen the BLOG on it just look at my profile on the sidebar and you will find it.
Even though we partied on New Years Eve, we went out to the American Legion on Thursday, JAN 6 and danced the evening away to Jay Smith. Then on Saturday the Pancake Breakfast was held in Riverwalk and guess who chairs that?? Yep, Jim does!!
There was a good turnout as our crew (all men), served over 100 breakfasts of Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, toast, coffee and orange juice. And all of that for $3.00!!!
It is now Monday evening and we have just returned form the Monday night Riverwalk Bingo. Carol did win at one of the games, but Jim cannot because .. he is the bingo caller!!
We sure have a lot to do in our retired life and are enjoying every minute of it.
More will be coming later!!
The serviceman confirmed it was the magnetron and at first said it would be about a $400.00 repair. I naturally told him of my research and also that I could by a similar new model for about the same price. He sharpened his pencil (actually a computer) and I agreed to have it repaired for about $280.00.
When I saw how he had to get at the part to replace it I was glad he did it and not I. I would have been hunting for hours and maybe days to find all those screws to get that rascal out of the microwave.
You never realize how much you use a microwave until you do not have one!!
The next evening was the election of Directors for our Co-op and Carol was not running for Treasurer again. She was really happy to get out of the job as it was making her lose sleep!! There is a great lack of talent on our board of directors (my personal opinion) and I had even turned in my candidacy at the start of one meeting but withdrew at the end. The Hazelwood reunion planning is in it's final 4 months and I just cannot bring myself to take time away from it. Too many from the WW-II era will be there and I want it to be a great reunion. So far we have 60 shipmates coming to the reunion.
If you have not seen the BLOG on it just look at my profile on the sidebar and you will find it.
Even though we partied on New Years Eve, we went out to the American Legion on Thursday, JAN 6 and danced the evening away to Jay Smith. Then on Saturday the Pancake Breakfast was held in Riverwalk and guess who chairs that?? Yep, Jim does!!
There was a good turnout as our crew (all men), served over 100 breakfasts of Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, toast, coffee and orange juice. And all of that for $3.00!!!
It is now Monday evening and we have just returned form the Monday night Riverwalk Bingo. Carol did win at one of the games, but Jim cannot because .. he is the bingo caller!!
We sure have a lot to do in our retired life and are enjoying every minute of it.
More will be coming later!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR
We decided to go to Harbor Isles rather than our own Riverwalk was because Harbor Isles was having a "real" New Years Eve party that would last until midnight!! Harbor Isles had a live musician rather than a DJ and they were having hot and cold snacks. A light meal was preferred by all of us!! Also at Riverwalk, they turn the clock ahead at least one hour so they don't have wait until the real midnight!!!
This group is a bunch of party animals and we wanted to have a real midnight celebration and we did. The musician was not a Jay Smith, our preferred entertainer, but he was better than a DJ!!
We wish everone a prosperous, healthy and happy new year.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
A Happy Christmas was had
The end of the year is fast approaching and I am not sure we are ready for it yet!!
Santa did come to our house on Christmas eve and there were presents under the tree in the morning. The best present for both of us is the fact that Carol's eye surgery has gone so well. The week after the right eye was done she was back at the doctors and they were very pleased with the progress as well as Carol. Her eyes are no longer dilated and she exercises them by reading small print and then looking at distant objects.She is reading the 20/16 easily at close range and she says the distant vision is "wonderful". Good by glasses and contacts!!
We celebrated a little by going out for dancing to Jay Smith on the 23rd. The snowbirds are back because the American Legion was really full. This was also the first time in a month or more that our friends, Gus and Marilyn had the opportunity to get out and "shake a booty".
About a month ago Gus's 96 year old mother ( who lives with them) fell and broke her hip. It was only two weeks and she was back home and is doing amazingly well. She is using a walker and getting around better than most 96 year olds without having broken a hip. Gus and Marilyn also have her 93 year old mother living with them!
On Christmas day we had Dinner at our house with Carol's sister, Gail and her friend Angelo plus we had Gus and Marilyn family (all 4) also. It made the day really pleasant having a fine group like that at our home. It was like an old fashioned Christmas for us.
It also made it very nice to hear from Joy, our daughter, during the day. It is always makes our day when she calls.
It is only 4 months away from the Hazelwood reunion that Jim is the Chairman of. It is taking more time now to get things properly organized, mailings out and making sure the schedule is accurately set. Jim has been pleased with all of the favorable comments he has gotten from shipmates who have been logging into the blog. He even gets calls several times a week from some really old timers (WW II) vets.
Several of the Christmas cards we got this year brought sad news of the passing of several long time friends. That's what happens at the age we are now.
We wish every one a very Happy New Year.
Santa did come to our house on Christmas eve and there were presents under the tree in the morning. The best present for both of us is the fact that Carol's eye surgery has gone so well. The week after the right eye was done she was back at the doctors and they were very pleased with the progress as well as Carol. Her eyes are no longer dilated and she exercises them by reading small print and then looking at distant objects.She is reading the 20/16 easily at close range and she says the distant vision is "wonderful". Good by glasses and contacts!!
We celebrated a little by going out for dancing to Jay Smith on the 23rd. The snowbirds are back because the American Legion was really full. This was also the first time in a month or more that our friends, Gus and Marilyn had the opportunity to get out and "shake a booty".
About a month ago Gus's 96 year old mother ( who lives with them) fell and broke her hip. It was only two weeks and she was back home and is doing amazingly well. She is using a walker and getting around better than most 96 year olds without having broken a hip. Gus and Marilyn also have her 93 year old mother living with them!
On Christmas day we had Dinner at our house with Carol's sister, Gail and her friend Angelo plus we had Gus and Marilyn family (all 4) also. It made the day really pleasant having a fine group like that at our home. It was like an old fashioned Christmas for us.
It also made it very nice to hear from Joy, our daughter, during the day. It is always makes our day when she calls.
It is only 4 months away from the Hazelwood reunion that Jim is the Chairman of. It is taking more time now to get things properly organized, mailings out and making sure the schedule is accurately set. Jim has been pleased with all of the favorable comments he has gotten from shipmates who have been logging into the blog. He even gets calls several times a week from some really old timers (WW II) vets.
Several of the Christmas cards we got this year brought sad news of the passing of several long time friends. That's what happens at the age we are now.
We wish every one a very Happy New Year.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Batteries and eyes!!
Carol had her right eye operated on last Tuesday 12/14 and it went much better that the first eye. This time Carol knew what to expect and even though she expected her vision in that eye would be poor for a while, it was much better than the first eye, Tomorrow she goes to see the doctor and will have the 2 small stitches removed. She alredy stopped the drops that dialate the eye so her vision is now near normal.
Last week I went to our motor home to start it and run it on the road for a good warm up. When I went to start the engine, it barely turned over but it finally did and got started. Then I noticed that one of the air tanks was showing zero air pressure and the check engine light was on. That is not a good thing since there air brakes on the motor home. I checked the tanks by pulling drain valves and both tanks actually had air in them. I shut down the engine and restarted and this time the check engine light was not lighted (good!) but the one tank still showed zero air (bad!). Rather than taking our drive I called a Freightliner facility and made an appointment to have the situation looked at ($$$$). I did let the engine run for a long time to charge up the engine batteries. I also called my battery guy and planned to have the engine batteries change the next day since it was quite apparent they were not holding a charge very well.
The next morning the engine barely turned over but finally caught on properly and started. Again I had a check engine light that was on but the air tanks both showed the proper pressure!! But now the volt meter showed zero voltage on the batteries!! I ran the engine for a while and shut it down and restarted and the check engine light went out but the volt meter still showed zero. I drove it to Venice and had the engine batteries replaced and then all the gages were reading AOK. The computer must have been taking a small fit because of the low voltage. So I cancelled the Freightliner appointment and felt relieved.
This week we having Gus and Marilyn Lopes and their mothers over to have Christmas dinner with us along with Carol's sister Gail and her friend. We may even have John and Mary Lou Serafin join us if they have no other plans. So we may have a house full and it will be enjoyable.
Thursday, Jay Smith is playing at the Venice American Legion so we will be dancing to his music that evening with Gus and Marilyn.
Merry Christmas to all.
Last week I went to our motor home to start it and run it on the road for a good warm up. When I went to start the engine, it barely turned over but it finally did and got started. Then I noticed that one of the air tanks was showing zero air pressure and the check engine light was on. That is not a good thing since there air brakes on the motor home. I checked the tanks by pulling drain valves and both tanks actually had air in them. I shut down the engine and restarted and this time the check engine light was not lighted (good!) but the one tank still showed zero air (bad!). Rather than taking our drive I called a Freightliner facility and made an appointment to have the situation looked at ($$$$). I did let the engine run for a long time to charge up the engine batteries. I also called my battery guy and planned to have the engine batteries change the next day since it was quite apparent they were not holding a charge very well.
The next morning the engine barely turned over but finally caught on properly and started. Again I had a check engine light that was on but the air tanks both showed the proper pressure!! But now the volt meter showed zero voltage on the batteries!! I ran the engine for a while and shut it down and restarted and the check engine light went out but the volt meter still showed zero. I drove it to Venice and had the engine batteries replaced and then all the gages were reading AOK. The computer must have been taking a small fit because of the low voltage. So I cancelled the Freightliner appointment and felt relieved.
This week we having Gus and Marilyn Lopes and their mothers over to have Christmas dinner with us along with Carol's sister Gail and her friend. We may even have John and Mary Lou Serafin join us if they have no other plans. So we may have a house full and it will be enjoyable.
Thursday, Jay Smith is playing at the Venice American Legion so we will be dancing to his music that evening with Gus and Marilyn.
Merry Christmas to all.
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