Florida 2022

Dennis and Phyllis Allsop purchased a home in Bonita Springs, Florida about five years ago and have invited us to visit each year.  We have gone each Spring for about a week.  This was the latest we've gone as it was April before we went.  

Dennis loves sto take us out on a boat.  We spent one entire day on the water.  It was lovely.  Of course I got sunburned.  Not my face, just my neck and arms.

The water was a bit chilly so I didn't go in.  The wind was not too bad but still pretty breezy that it blew our umbrella down.  Thus, my sunburn.

It doesn't matter the temperature of the water, my sweetheart loves the beach and goes in.  

The rest of the week was far too windy to go boating so we just went to the beach.  Pat attempted to find sand dollars.  The waves were just too big and each time he found one, he was swept into a different spot and didn't get it.

I attempted to go out by him and each time the waves crashed over me I just giggled.  The salty water was barely out of my eyes when the next wave would come crashing over me and I started laughing all over again.  We got some good beach time even if I only went in the water once. 

Each morning we got up early and went for a walk.  I saw this giant plant that I think looks like an aloe and sent it to Erin.  I needed Pat in it to get the proper size. 

Some of the places in Village Walk (where the Allsops live) have these magnificent palm trees.  I didn't know this, but there is only one palm indigenous to Florida and this is NOT it.  I love these stately, royal palms. 

Since I was sunburned and didn't want to be out in the sun, we went to TopGolf and tried our hand.  

Each person gets 20 balls and we just took turns hitting them.  Points are awarded depending on if your ball goes into one of the holes and which hole.  I was the only person to get a hole in one.  Still, I just barely got beat as every other set of balls was a bust.  I'm either great or horrible.

I absolutely adore this man and spending time on vacation with him.

These are some of the greatest, most generous friends we know.  We love them and their family.

The "golf course" is behind us.

It makes me nervous when the size of these waves is so big.

Dennis has some beautiful hibiscus plants on either side of his driveway.  This plant has three different colors!

Even though this one is only pink, it's blooms make me happy.

On one of our early morning walks, the sun was coming up and I could see the colors of the sky reflected in the water.  Just beautiful!

Pat climbed this tree in order to pull down a piece of palm that was dead and flapping in the breeze.

Several times during our walks we heard the cranes honking.  On two separate occasions we saw one taking up residence on top of the walking bridges over the water.  We walked right past this guy and then turned and took his photo.  Then he flew away.

We cannot afford to live in Florida and nor do I want to.  It is a beautiful place to visit especially when our weather is still cold.  Good thing we have friends who request us to visit them each year.

 

Wood Fiber Refresh

Deb had her grandsons for a week for Spring break and asked if I would fill in for her.  Not a problem.  Just inform me of what I may not know.  She had most of the paperwork finished so I didn't need to do anything other than time cards and loads from Mattoon.  Jeeps called with an issue that took me a bit to resolve regarding a split load but that was about it.  A few loads showed up on Monday and Tuesday.  By the end of Wednesday I was looking for things to do so I cleaned her office.  I moved and vacuumed behind everything and suddenly it dawned on me that I have paint at home and I could give the place a new facelift with a coat of paint.

The last time the office was painted was when the addition was constructed.  That's quite a few years ago.  Probably more than 12 years. 

I found a full can of paint at home as well as my ceiling white and loaded up the truck.  I was shocked that the ceiling took two coats!

It isn't a very big space so it didn't take very long to cover the walls.

I liked the new color but especially the white ceiling!

Finally I thought some artwork would make a huge difference to the general look of the place.  There are a couple extra pieces of the photograph of the property so I put one up above Deb's computer.  I believe her home property is in the background.  

Then I added this old barn piece and a calendar to fill the space between the windows. There was a bracket for a computer monitor there which we no longer had so I removed it, filled the holes and made a much nicer looking space.

Then I focused on the dark entry hallway.  I primed and painted over the dark paneling.  

I think it makes a huge difference.  The next day I came back and painted over the vinyl wall covering on the opposite wall.  No before picture but rest assured, it looks so much better.  Another piece of artwork there and it makes the whole space brighter.

Then my brother tells me that he likes what I've done and he wouldn't mind me painting over the dark paneling in the work room.  Done!  Of course I couldn't stop at one wall.  I needed to do the other three walls and the ceiling.  I did leave the wall with the wildlife paneling as it has character.  I need to take some after photos.  It looks so much bigger and brighter.  Of course, part of the bigger is that I cleaned out a lot of junk!  Another painting project accomplished!

It remains to be seen if I will continue with that project.

 

The End of a Season

It has been a really fun year watching our granddaughter, Cami play basketball.  With such a small team, he had opportunity to play on the Varsity team as well. 

We have such a week conference that she was able to play Varsity a lot!  The only real competition was Manawa and although the games were hard fought, they did split and share the conference title.

I've seen her confidence increase as the season went on.  

The season ended in Edgar in the semi-final regional game.  We were most interested in this official who spent more time bent over than upright.  He didn't move very much and was rarely in position to make a call.  I believe with officials all calling the infractions in their own area the outcome may have been different.  Either way, it was a fun season to be a part of.

 

Oral Surgery is Fun

Tom had a tooth that never erupted through the skin.  I knew about it from the time he was a teenager.  The tooth was very close to the sinus and the oral surgeon said he didn't want to touch it.

Fast forward to this past summer.  Tom had a dentist appointment and Laurie said he flinched as she cleaned his teeth and got near that spot.  Dr. Walsh said it needed to come out.  

I was to find an oral surgeon and there are just none that take his insurance.  Oh wait, there's one in the Milwaukee area.  Not driving down there.  Then I thought about what it would cost and decided to make an appointment with the same oral surgeons that removed the wisdom teeth of all our children.  

We went to have the tooth removed and the surgeon said the tooth was partially through and the x-ray she had didn't give her a very good look at the way the tooth was positioned.  She wanted to do a 3-D scan which was only available on the east side clinic.  I made a new appointment.

He had the tooth removed and I was told what a good patient he is.  The 3-D scan was referred to several times during the procedure.  So much so that the surgeon said we didn't have to pay for it.  That's a savings of $200!  Tom told us that the surgery was fun.  What a guy.  Who thinks being in pain is fun?  I gave him drugs for pain for several days.  Only once did he tell me that he had a little pain and that was about day 3.  

I came home from watching Eddie the day after surgery to find this site.  His ipad was still playing whatever he had on and he was sound asleep.  He didn't even hear me come in the house.  

In our testimony meeting he told everyone that he had Oreo surgery and it was fun but that he will never do it again!  Apparently it wasn't all that fun after all.  :-)
 

The Almario Home

Dan and Lauren Almario purchased a home in Bonduel.  They closed on February 1st and decided they needed to make some improvements before moving in.  All the flooring was torn out making way for new wood laminate.  Lauren wanted the place painted.  She picked a color that is basically white.  Then she picked a medium blue color as an accent.

The really interesting thing about this house is that whomever painted it last did not remove any switch plates or outlet covers.  They painted right over the top!   

Then there are these two closet doors that were painted.  The mirrors weren't removed.  Why would they be?  That's way more work than removing a switch plate. 

I really like how the blue turned out.  It is a splash of color that's needed with all that white!

We painted the east wall in the living room the same blue color. This built in book shelf in the same room looks so good with the blue background!  I carried this little splash of blue to the bathroom cabinets and it is also in the kitchen.  It may also get carried yet into the family room.  There are drawers there that could be the same splash of blue. 

The family room is knotty pine.  I'm sure it would be beautiful if someone hadn't tried to stain it a yellowish green color.  It reminded me of the color of baby poop.  It is now painted that same white.  The house has been refreshed and looks so good.  It was a labor of love for them.  Sammi worked with me and without me some days so we could get it done.  I hope they love their home!
 

White Out!

One day while painting at the Almario's home in Bonduel it began to snow and I knew it was time to go home.  

It didn't snow a lot but it surely blew around and made driving difficult.  I drove at a speed I felt comfortable with but many behind me felt the need for speed.  The roads weren't slippery but as a vehicle passed me, it blew up the snow until it was a white out!  Then I really slowed down.  

 While I did get home safely, I thought about how long winter is.  I'm feeling the need for Spring!

Easter Tree

When we purchased this little pencil tree after Christmas I never thought I would have it up as long as I do.  I took all the hearts down that had pictures of my family and loved ones.  

Since I think St. Patrick's day is silly I skipped it and went right on to Easter.  I thought about the true meaning of Easter being the resurrected Savior and decided that He needed to be the theme of the tree.  

I think I could use a few more photos on eggs but it makes a statement and it is a reminder of what the Easter season is all about.  No chicks and bunnies on this tree.