Closing out 2010...

What an amazing year 2010 has been. We have been so fortunate this past year but know many have not. It hasn't been a great year for a lot of our friends and family and we sincerely hope that 2011 will be better for everyone.

Yesterday we rode over to our friends Dottie & Dan's at The Glades RV Park in Moore Haven. We visited for a while, toured their rig and trailer (they have a motorhome towing a boat and a pickup towing a large utility trailer. They like their toys....LOL!).

Then we headed off to LaBelle for a great lunch at the Rodeo Grill. It was Dottie's birthday... We chatted and ate as we watched Sadie out the window. She is SO good at waiting for us. She loves watching people and enjoyed the cars traveling up and down the road. Every once in a while she'd settle down for a nap, then she'd hear something that interested her and she'd pop back up.

She had her first ride with her new Doggles. She's not so sure about them but was good with them on the ride back home. The only thing that could have improved the day was more sun and more time with our friends. (Read Sadie's take on the day with photos here.)

Today we will grab a short ride into Clewiston and back, then finish de-oozing and loading the bikes in preparation for our move into Lakeland tomorrow. It's only 115 miles, the kind of travel day we like!

╔╗╔╦══╦═╦═╦╗╔╗ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
║╚╝║══║═║═║╚╝║ ¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
║╔╗║╔╗║╔╣╔╩╗╔╝ NEW YEAR ☆ 2011
╚╝╚╩╝╚╩╝╚╝═╚╝   ★☆ ♥￥☆★☆★☆￥♥ ★☆

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu

PS> You can review our 2010 travels by photo in our SmugMug Album

Not so sure about the Doggles...but I do look good!

We went for our motorcycle ride yesterday...it wasn't sunny but that was okay cause I didn't have to squint too much. But I did find out what Doggles are...not sure about them yet.



I tried to shake them off. That worked...then daddy tightened the straps. No more shaking them off. Tried my paws but that was hard to do when in my carrier on the motorcycle. (Parents are SMART....they waited till I was in the carrier before they put them on. How'd they get that smart?)

We headed out and I discovered that I could scrape them down on the side of the carrier. Hee-hee!! But darn, they kept stopping and putting them back on me. We got to our friend's house and visited for a while. They are nice folks (but their Beagle named Badge couldn't come outside to play....that made both of us sad). Here's a picture of Dottie and Dan. (PS. It was Dottie's birthday...)



We took a nice ride into a town called LaBelle. I've been there before but only in the big white truck so I didn't see much. This time I got to sit up and see everything! Mommy and daddy and their friends went inside to eat (I could smell the food!!!) While I waited for them I heard motorcycles pull in and lots of people came up and talked to me. I got LOTS of petting...I like that.



I was so happy that I didn't' even try to take off my Doggles on the way home...and I realized that I can sit up and look around even when daddy is going fast. Maybe these Doggles aren't so bad after all!



Sniffing and lickingly yours,
Sadie

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Growing up in the 50's

A friend posted a link to an unusual blog in Facebook and I had to take a look. I spent about an hour looking at the site...scrolling back to the beginning. So many memories...some familiar, some not.

I don't want to ruin it for anyone but if you grew up in the 40's-50's or if you just love photography, you need to take a look. I see myself revisiting this blog often. Enjoy!

Vivian Maier - Her Discovered Work

This was created in dedication to the photographer Vivian Maier, a street photographer from the 1950s - 1990s. Vivian's work was discovered at an auction here in Chicago where she resided most of her life. Her discovered work includes over 100,000 mostly medium format negatives, thousands of prints, and a ton of undeveloped rolls of film. I have approximately 90-95% of the work.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu

Hot and cold....

Well, the last three nights here in Moore Haven, FL have been below freezing. The day's were in the upper 50-60's with lots of sun. We haven't been doing much other than catching up on reading, emails, etc and trying to get in a couple of bicycle rides a day (aiming for 30 minutes). It's easier on both of our knees....

We had company yesterday, Dottie and Dan came to visit. We've been online friends for a while now, they also ride motorcycles. They finally got out of the snow and cold and made it down here to Florida, staying in a park not too far from us.

We found we had a lot in common, especially Stu and Dan since they both have a history as mechanics and like Chevy products. LOL! We chatted for hours and before they left we made plans to go for a motorcycle ride on Thursday since the weather forecast is for upper 70s.

Friday we will be packing up the rig to get ready to move to Lazy Dazy Retreat in Lakeland on Saturday. We've really enjoyed our time here at M RV Resort in Moore Haven and wouldn't hesitate to return.

I'll try to nab a few photos tomorrow, know I've been remiss. LOL! Be sure to check out Sadie's blog today....we got a short videotape of her pulling Stu on the bicycle. She LOVES it and it's encouraging us to ride more.



Not much else is new....I've really enjoyed lazing in the sun and reading the last couple of days. Trying to clean out the last of my paperbacks and then move on to my Kindle backlog. January and February will be busy months while in Lakeland.

March we plan to move over to the east coast of Florida, staying at Breezy Palms RV Park in Palm Bay.  That will put us in a good spot to visit Daytona (Bike Week), Cape Canaveral and family in both Vero Beach and Ft Lauderdale. Another busy month...we wouldn't have it any other way!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu

I love my life!

Thanks to everyone that told me about their little bed accidents...I feel better. And don't worry, mommy and daddy still let me back up on the bed at night. I get to lay on the bed with them till they are done reading. By then I am really sleepy and daddy carries me off to my crate where I sleep really well on my soft, cushy, comfy bedding. Sigh....

I've been spending my days laying in the sun...who needs Key West? Life is good...



Remember I told you that mommy was going to try to get a video of me pulling daddy on the motorcycle? Well, here it is...I hope you enjoy it! She said I run too fast for her to get a good one....LOL! I love the bicycle....



Tomorrow we're going for a motorcycle ride with our new friends, Dottie and Dan. Daddy said he was going to try out my new Doggles on me...I don't know what those are and I don't know if I will like them. I'll tell you after we try it out.....hmmm.....

Sniffing and lickingly yours,
Sadie

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Cleaning Out & Sharing for the New Year

Next time you are in Wal-Mart, K-mart, Target, any of the Dollar Stores or chain drugstores, spend a few dollars and pick up $10 worth of trial size shampoos, conditioner, liquid soaps, powder, lotions, razors, toothpaste, etc. Then find out where the closest abused women/children or homeless shelter is located.

They will love them because their residents are often short term. Another good donation to shelters is liquid soap, dish detergent, paper towels and toilet paper. A few extra dollars each week goes a long way and at the end of a month you'll have enough to donate.

If in your travels you find some discount or free 2011 Calendars, box them up with your old magazines and books and send them somewhere they will really be appreciated, M/C Mags for the Military. They also appreciate playing cards, puzzles, snack packs, toiletries (even full-size), note cards, stationery, pens, etc. Nothing to send, then mail them a donation to help with mailing costs.

M/C Mags for the Military
829 Avenue M
Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Think of all of these items as you clean out your rig (home) in preparation for the New Year. Diet changes? We donated all our canned and boxed goods to a food bank. Old coats, hats. gloves? Many cities have programs just for this, if not find a shelter. Old towels, blankets and sheets? Find a pet rescue or animal shelter.

Did you acquire a puppy this year? Got an assortment of outgrown collars, leashes, dog beds, crates/kennels. baby gates? Dog rescue facilities and shelters can use them if they are in good condition.

I'm sure there are more items around your home that you no longer need or use. Time to find them a new home!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu

Settled in with full tummies....

Thursday Stu took his motorcycle to the Ft Myers Harley dealer for service. He had noticed a small oil leak in the engine and wanted to get it checked out. While there they found a problem with his emergency brake...it has always slipped out of position, needing frequent adjustment. There was a bolt missing and to fix it meant removing the rear tires. So that got fixed as well as the rocker box gasket that was leaking. He also stopped at PETCO and PetSmart for dog food, poop bags and to pick up Sadie's rabies paperwork which they had left out of our packet last week.

Christmas eve we watched A Christmas Story as well as a special on Christmas lights. As a child one of our traditions was to go out Christmas eve and look at all the lights. The was a decent substitute...at least for me. LOL!

We had a nice Christmas day, the weather was perfect. Hit the mid-70's with lots of sun and little wind. We took several dog walks as well as two nice bicycle rides....great exercise....well, at least for me and Sadie. She LOVES to pull Stu along on his bicycle....not sure how much exercise he's actually getting. LOL! I hope to catch this on video at some point...she really loves it.

We watched a couple more Christmas movies while we waited for 3pm and the dinner at the clubhouse. We chatted with family via phone, text and Facebook...got caught up to to date on all the news. Read wonderful holiday blogs from our friends and caught up on email.

The campground provided the turkey, ham AND lasagna and the residents provided all the rest. What a spread it was...plenty of choices for everyone, even if you were dieting (I think I did pretty well except for not passing up the lasagna). We had a good time chatting with our neighbors here in the park.

Our evening didn't go quite as well. I had an attack of vertigo that put me to bed early and then Stu got another bad sinus headache. We're both better today and we think both were caused by the front that moved through late last night bringing a little rain and today, a LOT of wind and cooler temperatures.

We have no major plans for this week other than Stu installing the replacement inverter that arrived on Friday. They replaced ours with a brand new one. Thank you, Xantrex! I'll do some cleaning inside to get us ready to move to Lakeland and the Lazy Dazy Retreat in Lakeland on Saturday. Thursday is the next day with temperatures back into the 70's. I know we'll take the motorcycles out then for sure!

Hope all our readers had a wonderful Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate or don't this time of year). And sending out wishes for a wonderful 2011 for us all!!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu

I killed Ellie!!

Remember my flat elephant, Ellie? Well mommy said I killed her....heck, all I did was pull her head off. She's still good to play with...really! [snicker]

Yesterday was a fun day...I got all kinds of treats. Yum! Mommy and daddy took me for a bicycle ride TWICE! I love doing that...I get to pull daddy. Mommy says she's going to try to get a video of it, whatever that is.

We took lots of walks, too. It was so warm we stopped a lot so I could cool down and drink water. Today is MUCH colder and so windy. I don't like the wind...it whistles in my ears.

Then mommy and daddy put me in my crate while they went to the clubhouse for dinner. I'm not sure how I did it, but I managed to open the crate and when they came home I was sleeping on their bed. [snicker] I was SOOOO comfortable and SOOOO sound asleep that I didn't even hear them come in.

Then it happened....I didn't mean for it to....honest....I was just so sleepy and so warm....suddenly the bed felt wet and warm underneath me....oops!! Good thing mommy and daddy love me so much, they didn't' even yell. Daddy took me outside and when I came back in mommy had cleaned everything back on the bed.

Think they'll still let me sleep on the bed tonight before they put me in my crate?

Sniffing and lickingly yours,
Sadie

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Dog's Rules for Christmas

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog cuddles.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know: Don't wee on the tree... Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree... Mind your tail when you are near the tree... If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open... And Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree.

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part: Not all strangers appreciate kisses and cleans. Don't eat off the buffet table. Beg for goodies subtly. Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your spot on the sofa -- they don't know any better. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach unless you can get away with it...

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important: Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important) Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house. Be nice to the kiddies. Turn on your charm big time.

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DO NOT BITE HIM!!! 

[author unknown]

Sniffing and lickingly yours,
Sadie

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wishing all our followers a happy holiday season. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas to all my furry friends...I hope your stocking are stuffed with toys and other fun things to chew!

>

Sniffing and lickingly yours,
Sadie

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Key West Life

Oh my....what a great time we had! I couldn't possibly write about it all without boring everyone to death so here are the highlights.

• Drove down on Saturday in the rain for 75% of the trip. Sadie did great!
• Hotel was amazing...would definitely stay there again. Gorgeous, large room, heated pool, nice breakfast every morning, comfortable bed.
• Had great dinner Saturday night with JC & Bev at the Red Fish, Blue Fish restaurant
• Walked our feet off on Sunday...perfect weather...lots of socialization for Sadie with people and pets. Many of the stores and restaurants are pet friendly.
• Loved the old houses.
• Loved the lush greenery
• Loved the flowers and shrubs.
• Loved the Christmas decorations.
• Loved the quirky scenery and people!
• Weather turned cooler for the sunset cruise on the catamaran but had a good time. Hey, free beer, wine, champagne and soda! Nice two hour cruise.
• Repeated on Monday...even better weather. Lots more walking and socialization.
• Visited Mallory Square for sunset entertainment and fun.
• Headed back on Tuesday....absolutely perfect day for riding!!!

Here are a few fun photos...the rest are in our SmugMug album (although the order is messed up...LOL!). You can also read Sadie's view on the trip at Sadie Speaks.

Till next time - keep on rollin',
Donna and Stu