We've arrived!

After weeks of maintenance/repairs of the Freightliner and RV plus all the prepping of inside, we finally left the house on Christmas Day. We spent Christmas Eve in the RV while it was parked in the driveway, letting the #2doods get used to new surroundings as well as allowing me to wash and wax all the floors in the house. Always nice to come home to a clean home (yes, we spent a major part of the day cleaning...lol).

The #2doods did pretty well adapting, we set up one crate in the living room area and extra bed pad beside it.



They made themselves at home quick easily...and the evening passed quickly.



Next morning we got up early and did all the last minute things, including pulling in all the slides so Stu could air up all the tires. Then the two crates were stored in the garage beside the motorcycle. Then it was time to load the #2doods. Initially we planned on Cooper riding in the Freightliner with Stu and Murphy riding in the Jeep with me. First snafu, Cooper wouldn't get into the Freightliner without a LOT of help in addition to the ramp. Phew, both in their respective spots, we were ready to go. We had hoped to be out by 9am and managed at around 10am (which was actually 11am Eastern Time). Just in time to see some snow flakes!



We took I-40 over to I-75 and the traffic was as light as expected. Our first rest stop and the dogs had to be rearranged with both of them in the back of the Jeep. Cooper slept and traveled just fine, but getting out was worst then getting him in. Oh my! Not an issue for them though, they were doing wonderfully on the leash, behaving much better than we anticipated.



Due to the late hour, we planned to stop at the Flying J south of Atlanta and decide if we would boondock there or try to make it south of Macon and stay in a campground that night. We stopped and I got fuel but two issues. Stu was having some electrical problems with low voltage in the Freightliner. He was concerned we might have to replace the alternator before continuing. Second problem, there was no parking available at the Flying J so we headed over to the TA. Nope, full there, too. Fortunately there are two more truck stops there - Love's & Pilot. We found a perfect spot right next to a curb with a good grass area to walk the dogs behind us. With the rig backed all the way in, there was room for the car in front of it. Then came our next surprise. We had to use the side back door to get the dogs out. Murphy jumped right out! Cooper took a little persuasion.

The next day went well. The Freightliner batteries were recharged (we ran the generator all night to help charge them) and although it was showing only 10 volts when we headed out, it soon was up to 12 volts where it belonged. He thinks there might be a loose cable and we made it to the RV park around 1pm without further incident. Phew!

The park has nice wide spots on grass with a small concrete patio. We got the RV lined up and settled in quickly. The #2doods have lots of walking space with a very quiet road behind us and a huge field beside us. Initially we planned to board Murphy (who adapts quickly to most anything and anyone) so I would only have Cooper to deal with while Stu flew to Maryland for the funeral of a former coworker. But dealing with walking them both at the same time was much easier than anticipated. Oh, and another HUGE surprise. After using the ramp to get the dogs in and out at the truck stop and the first couple of times, as soon as we used the back steps into the garage both dogs quickly adapted to using the steps. No ramp! Then they did the same with the front door. SOOOOO much easier. Yay for smart pups!

Their crates are now set up in the garage, side by side. Their wet weather towels are stored on top and their toy box is available, too. We have A/C back there when it gets warm but for now we are more apt to be running heat. If the weather is bad, we can take them in and out back there and use the towels to dry and de-mud them. (Ignore the flattened boxes and paper piled on top...LOL)





This morning we crated the #2doods and headed out for the 45 minute drive to the Jacksonville airport. You do go through some small towns but the drive was easy, most of it on US Rt1. Back home and I got to open several boxes that already arrived from Amazon.

We originally planned to carry our older B&W laser printer in the RV but it was just too big since we took out the old wooden file cabinet, my computer card and rearranged the dining table into it's original position. After a little research I found and All-in-One HP inkjet printer for $20 on Amazon. Yes, you read that right. $20!! And the print cartridges are $15. Much smaller footprint and we will just pull the cartridges when we park the RV for summer. Since we no longer have a WiFi router in the RV, we will use it with a USB connection. It's been tested and works fine as did the scan function. Happy camper here! I'm sure this is an older model but for the price, it's hard to go wrong.

So the #2doods and I are settled in for some alone time until Stu flies back on Sunday. He arrives so late, he booked a hotel room and I will pick him up on Monday morning. The weather forecast for next week is COOL but we have plenty to do. I still have a lot of computer/office stuff to get settled. Stu has a lot of repair/maintenance chores on his list. We also need to take the pups over to meet their eventual boarding spot where the will meet the lady who runs the facility and her Boxer. We also plan to have lunch with the sister of a fellow firefighter friend. Then there are several interesting sounding spots to try for breakfast &/or lunch. We will take the bike out and explore when the weather permits.

Ahhhh, life is good!

PS. Need a last minute gift? Book One in the Klondike Mystery series, Not a Whisper, is on sale for a limited time. Only $1.99 until 12/31. Grab your copy or share as a gift!


Ciao for now!

Phew! A few notes for now...

No, you didn't miss our cruise blog. I've been swamped with my latest book release and some other things, so hopefully, maybe, possibly, this weekend?

Here's a synopsis of what's been up with us since we got back on Feb 12th (ten days - where did it go?):

• Uneventful drive back from Tampa other than a windshield chip
• Insurance covers windshields at 100%, got the chip repaired (yay!)
• Rain, then more rain
• Stu had a dentist appointment, one wisdom tooth extraction, two crowns
• Still raining
• I had a mammogram and was offered the new 3D mammography (Medicare pays for it)
• We both had doctor appointments. All is well with us both!
• A break in the rain, had two sunny, beautiful spring-like days!
• We closed on the sale of our property in Jamestown. Sold to RVing friends who plan to build a cabin for non-winter residency. In fact, their plans pretty much echo our original plans!
• Did all the usual daily stuff - shopping, laundry
• Watched the Olympics!
• We started a lo carb diet (lazy keto) on the 13th. We are both down six pounds!
• Raining again!

Speaking of rain - this is before it got really bad!

Stu initially thought he had either a cold or sinus issues (we've both had the allergies nail us since returning home). A week later and he's currently getting a root canal for an abscess beside the extraction. Hoping he will get to feeling better.

On the down side, our son-in-law had to have surgery to remove a brain tumor that was found when he suddenly suffered a seizure. It came back cancer but they feel they have it all removed. He is now undergoing treatment to be sure. Also, my old neighbor from back before I went full-timing let me know her husband was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, spread to the lymphs and liver. He is way too young. Another very good friend was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has spread into the shoulder area and is currently in rehab with a fractured collar bone and two more in the hip. Lastly, a friend from Florida passed a day after entering hospice, he had a head/neck cancer and had been fighting his battle for a while. Sigh...cancer SUCKS!

The 2doods? They're doing fine...as always. Cooper lost a little weight and Murphy gained too much weight while at doggy camp. We suspect Murphy was eating some of Cooper's food. Ten days of normal eating and Cooper is back up and Murphy is slowly decreasing. LOL! I know everyone is missing their dose of the Doods, so here is a little compilation video of their indoor play this morning.

Funny story from yesterday as we headed to drop the pups at doggy daycare off before going to the closing on the property. It was early and I hadn't had breakfast so I went through the McD's drive-thru to get a cup of coffee. This was a first for the pups.

~ They didn't like the voice in a box. They barked. 
~ They didn't like the lady taking my money. They barked. 
~ And they were still barking when the coffee lady spoke to me. 

LOL! Guess we need to get out more...

I snapped a couple of photos in the doctors office. I fell in love with this hedgehog in my examining room. I want one!

And had to save this one from the waiting room.

Ciao for now!

9/29/2017: Celebrate the Small Things

It's Friday and time to post my Celebrate the Small Things on this blog.

If you'd like to join in the fun or check out some other participating blogs, click the image to the right or the link at the bottom of the page.

It's been an interesting week, my first taking care of Cooper 24/7. Well, except for Monday when he went to doggy day care and I was FREE for a day. LOL!

So, here are my celebrations for this past week...

We have a new friend in the pasture. The previous ones, Brownie & Blackie, went on to feed someone. Now we have a much smaller Blackie, or BB for Baby Blackie. Cooper is not a fan!

Cooper has gone into a MASSIVE chewing phase while his adult teeth are coming through. After two months of play with his favorite vinegar bottle, it was finally thrown in the trash. But not until after I got this hysterical picture of him laying on his back, playing with it - inside his crate!

Yes, he has out-grown it. When Stu gets home, he's converting a used crib into a wooden crate. Should be interesting. LOL!

For those who don't subscribe to my newsletter (and you really should), the first book in my Klondike (PA) Mystery series, Not a Whisper is currently FREE! If you've already read it, then tell your friends! If you haven't read it yet, you should. Why? Because I finally finished the third book, Almost a Touch, and it's available on PRE-ORDER.

But the biggest news is the addition of a second puppy to the house. On Monday I picked up a 12-week old puppy, Murphy. He's a Collie/Goldendoodle pup and will hopefully stay a little smaller than Cooper. They are doing wonderfully, no accidents in the house except the very first morning. Of course, it helps that the weather is nice enough to leave the back door to the deck open. LOL!

They are sleeping in the same crate - no more puppy cries all night like the first night. If I thought it was cramped for Cooper, you should see the two of them. LOL! So today an XL crate and pad will be delivered and set up. Phew!

Murphy has his first vet visit today...hoping all checks out. He is a snuggler, something that Cooper isn't. I'm loving that! Oh, you can see a TON of photos in their SmugMug Album. Here's a sample...

Yes, there are two dogs in that last photo.

Hoping you had something to celebrate this week!

Ciao for now!

Home Again, Jiggity Jig

We enjoyed our ten days on our Southern Caribbean cruise. This was our first Royal Caribbean cruise together, second for Stu and first for me. Many folks have asked us to compare it to our Carnival cruises and I will do a roundup at the end of this post.

We had five ports and had been to all the islands but one on a previous Carnival cruise. I stuck to my guns and WROTE. Stu did two dives and ventured out a bit at the other ports. Not many photos, more of the ship and ship views than land photos. You can see them all in our SmugMug album.

We were thirty minutes out when we had to do an about face and return to the terminal in Ft Lauderdale for a medical emergency. During the cruise we had two more emergencies at ports. Guess we're all getting older. Sad....

We wandered the ship on the first day, marveling at the pretty decor and the amount of public space. We never felt crowded. There were two theaters, one for movies and comedians/performers and one for the production shows (I could be wrong but that's what I remember...lol). Several bars, open at various hours, an unusual shop layout (with pretty much the same merchandise as Carnival), and a nice adult solarium pool area.

Our cabin....


Our balcony....


The atrium (named the Centrum)


On the way to the Schooner Bar


The solarium (and bar) - adults only area


The shopping area


Sunset at sea


Tortola, B.V.I.


Basseterre, St. Kitts


House band on 50's-60's night in the atrium (there are several more short videos in the album)


Roseau, Dominica

Local street drummer

Fun local transportation


St. Johns, Antigua

Lots of boats, this was one interesting one

Definite party boat, they were dancing away!

A beautiful sunset from our balcony


Philipsburg, St Maarten

Better color, taken outside (not through a window)


Our favorite musician was a Scotsman, Kevin Philip.
Video

In full regalia


Yup, we added another musician friend to our Facebook list (and yes, he's also young enough to be a grandson).


We did both formal dinners.


I actually saw the sunrise in Fort Lauderdale...eeek!


Our overall impression of RCCL was, nice but not for us. Please remember, this was ONE CRUISE on ONE SHIP that we are comparing to over TEN CRUISES on SEVEN SHIPS.

We enjoyed ourselves but felt it was a bit too sedate. We loved the decor, very different from Carnival's more gaudy look. We liked the large public areas meaning we never felt crowded but that comes from taking away from other areas. The hallways for the cabins are narrow and our cabin was definitely smaller. Yes, that means the bathroom was smaller. The counter space was horrible. Smaller drawers, less storage place. Still had a safe and a mini-fridge (empty). The bed was fair, and for me, the pillows were horrible. Flat and hard. But I have to say the A/C was superior!

Things got very quiet after 10pm other than one or two bars and the casino. No late night comedians or shows. The timing was very different for us. Gone were the fresh burgers and hot dogs in the afternoon, replaced with buffet steam table burgers and dogs. Just not the same. Ice cream was only available when the Windjammer buffet was open. And yes, there were times it was closed. Doors closed and locked closed.  And don't get me started on the chocolate chip cookies. If we were comparing just that one thing, it'd be Carnival - hands down (freshly baked, still warm cookies as compared to dry, tasteless, worse than store bought cookies).

The staff treated us very well, several even interested in my writing. I did most of my writing in the Windjammer buffet. Spending a lot of time there, I was shocked at the amount of loud talking between staff members. But even worse was listening to someone be dressed down, loudly, in front of guests. This happened more than once.

We also felt the cleanliness wasn't as good as Carnival. We rarely saw anyone out cleaning, the Windjammer floor was nasty - food under tables all day long was just one thing. The last two days I couldn't sit on one side near the beverage counter because the smell of rotting garbage was terrible.

Oh, when in the lido buffet area, you don't serve yourself your own drinks. Not coffee, not water, not lemonade, not tea...that was different. They did have a non-smoking night in the casino but we noticed very few people smoking the entire cruise. They also gave us each $5 to gamble with - neither of us took advantage of that. We also loved that the photographers weren't hounding you to take your picture.

Would we cruise them again? Maybe - if it were a great deal and a destination we wanted. For now, we'll stick with Carnival and enjoy the rowdy crowds and cheerful noise!

Ciao for now!

A musical cruise makes for a magical cruise!

Unless you have never read our blog, you know we just spent 13 days cruising on the Carnival Conquest. It was our first time on that ship and our umpty-dump time in the ports. That meant scuba diving for Stu and writing for me.

The diving went well, but the writing? Not so much. Mostly due to two issues. First, I had made some domain changes to author website (A New Look) and had a couple of issues pop up - like no one could see my book page and no one could email me. Thank goodness for my laptop and Carnival's internet package. The other major issue was promoting and marketing the novella I had just released, Paradise Down. But the good news is I did fix a couple of plot holes in Almost a Touch that had been bothering me, so not all was lost.

The surprise on the cruise was the music. No, not just the music but the musicians. On our first night of the first cruise (we did 13 days, back to back), I was waiting for Stu to meet me for dinner and I was listening to the band in the lobby. They were doing a variety of tunes from 50's to more recent and doing a great job. After dinner we came back to listen to more.

They called for requests and I asked for both a drum and a sax solo. That was all it took. Over the next thirteen days we became good friends with this motley crew. Most were young enough to be our grandkids, or at least kids. But they were all talented, interesting and fun to be around. We tried to follow them as often as possible.

Here is the line-up for the main group, #sixappeal:

• David - band leader, singer and guitarist
• Jessica - singer
• Federico - guitarist extraordinaire
• Alberto - bass quitar
• Jacob - keyboardist
• Chaz - drums 

Carnival was also testing out a horn section, both on their own as well as doing sets with #sixappeal. They were nicknamed the Hornets.

• Chris - trumpet
• Gordon - trombone
• Steven - saxophone and flute

Separate or together, they were great. You can hear a little in the clip below.

On week two, we also met Norm and Annette from Baltimore. Also a late in life marriage, these two lit up the dance floor. They out-danced us every night! We hope to meet up with them again when we are in Maryland. Wonderful folks. Here is a little sample.



Stu enjoyed his diving, as always, but a few things of note. In Roatan he dived with Chaz from the band and they had a blast. In Grand Cayman, he dived the wreck of the USS Kittiwake, something he would definitely do again. He also met a young couple from Deland, FL on the dives and we hope to connect with them next winter, maybe do some local dives with them. Oh, if anyone is interested in dive videos, contact Stu and he will send you some footage. ;)

One last bonus from the cruise(s) - I now have the plot and characters for the third novella in the Lei Crime Kindle World. Readers are loving Paradise Down, I already had the outline for Paradise Drift and now I have Paradise Dead set. I hope to have them by the end of the year. Oh, by the way, Paradise Down is NUMBER ONE on the Amazon Hot New Release list for Kindle World mysteries! If you haven't read it, maybe you should! ;)

As always, see all our photos in our SmugMug album.

Ciao for now!