Arriving in Wisconsin

Kirk and I arrived at Chapparal Campground early evening of 4/30.   It rained the entire way there from Indianola.  The next morning we went to breakfast with some of the seasonals.   Every Sunday, the regulars at the campground go to breakfast in LaValle about 4 miles down the road.  The food is great, and it's a fun time to spend with our friends before they all leave to go back to their lives for the week.  We received a nice little May basket from Laurie and Kurt.  They are so sweet.   After getting settled into site #1 ( which was no easy task), then went to supper in Spring Valley with Dennis and Dianne. 

On 5/2, I started my new assignment in the Dells.  I worked their once before about two years ago.  I enjoy working for and with Amy, my boss.   Since I've started traveling, I've worked for her in a few different facilities here in Wisconsin.  I'm hoping this assignment lasts for the Summer.  We really enjoy this part of Wisconsin, our friends here, and being close you our family.   Kirk also gets to work here, which is an added bonus.  

Beautiful scene on my way to work

Cinco de Mayo is always a good excuse to have a margarita and eat Mexican food.  Kirk and I went to Reedsburg and celebrated at Cancun restaurant with me having a yummy watermelon margarita.  Kirk is always my DD.   

On 5/7, we drove to Minneapolis to attend Ady's violin recital.  Going north in the summer means getting to spend as much time as we can with our families.  What a pleasant surprise to hear her play.  Ady has improved so much and really enjoys playing.   Following the recital, the girls took us out for lunch at The Bad Waitress for Mother's Day, which was the following day.  Kirk and I headed home after visiting with girls as it was a 3.5 hour drive. We stopped at Costco on the way home :)   

Adys awesome recital.  Nice photo bomb Kirk!

On Mother's Day, the seasonals, Dennis and Dianne, and Kirk and I took in the Mother's Day Buffett in LaValle.   It was a great time with friends, and great food.  That afternoon, we played nine holes with Dennis and Dianne at Spring Valley, and ate supper there also.  

Stopped by this young couples home to say hi before golfing.  Ron and Arlene, we love you!

More of St Cloud MN 2015

While in St Cloud, Kirk found a good deal at the Territory Golf Club just down the road from us, that allows him to play all the golf he wants for $20 including cart before 1300 on weekdays.  One of the seasonals, Jim, at the campground is also a golfer, so him and Kirk hooked up many times to golf together. They became pretty good buds.  They are going to miss each other.  Territory also has a pretty good restaurant with excellent prime rib Saturdays.

 People size guitar inside Rollie's and below is stage where many"used to be" big name bands play.

Our favorite place to go out though, was a fun honky tonk called Rollie's Rednecks and Longnecks.  They had the best pizza that we found in the area (of course, we didn't try them all).  We enjoyed going there, especially on Friday evening when Rollie and a buddy would sing from 5-7.  They sang a lot of old country and some new.  Great voices.  During the time he was singing, that guy could throw back shots of Jagermeister like no one I've seen and act like they didn't even phase him.  I highly recommend this place if you are ever in the area.  One other thing I had never heard of was the meat raffle.  Apparently this is very well known in the north.  Kirk and I actually won one of the meat raffles.  

 Below is our site at St Cloud and above is the view across the street.

May and June were both unseasonably cool and rainy.  We had a few nice days in there though.  The park workers (and there were many) would hold Taco tuesday every other Tuesday at the office.  We joined then a couple of times and had a good time.

On Mother's Day, Kirk and I went to the Cities to be with the girls.  The girls and I attended the Peter Pan play at the Children's Theatre.  Kirk joined us to eat lunch at Burger Jones (fun place), then we went back to Kristy's place.  Kristy and I made some roller blends with our essential oils. 

 Our side and back yard on our site in St Cloud.  

On 5/16 the city tornado siren went off around 2100, and all the campers and our animals had to seek shelter at the laundry room/bathroom.  This was our first time in our five years on the road that we've ever had to take shelter because of weather (not that we haven't seen some scary weather in those 5 years).  The tornado missed us.  Just lots of rain, AGAIN!

We took a our first motorcycle ride up here to Mille Lacs lake on 6/2.  This was about a 200 mile round trip ride.  Nice day, but was very windy.   We stopped for lunch at a little cafe in Isle.  This was recommended to us by a local.  Well,  let's just say that you can order whatever you want on the menu as long as it's a reuben sandwich.  The lady was out of the first thing I ordered, so I gave her another choice.  After waiting about 20 minutes (they weren't busy), she finally brings out our sandwiches.  She then asks if I like reuben's, and then sits it in front of me.  We were so shocked (and hungry) that Kirk and I just looked at each other and laughed.  We were worn out when we got home.

Did I mention that there was a Costco in Baxter and Maple Grove, MN?  Each were about an hour from St Cloud.  Of course, we visited both of them.  Our favorite was in Baxter though, as it was a new one and never very busy (Costco's tend to be crowded).

 Kirk, Damon, Heather, and Kylie above.  Below, Mavis and me in a selfie.

Kirk and I took a weekend trip to Gladbrook 6/13.  We stopped at a little hole in the wall in Beaman, IA and split a yummy tenderloin sandwich.  We stayed in the guest room of the apartment building where Kirk's mom lives.  They let you stay there for free if you are family or friend of one of the residents.  Very nice.  Queen size bed, dressers, bathroom with shower, and you have access to their kitchen if needed.  Mavis' apartment was just down the hall, so very convenient.  We all met Kirk's daughter, Heather, her boyfriend, Charlie, and kids Damon, and Kylie for supper at the BBQ place in Marshalltown.  We had boarded Chuy in St Cloud at Granite City Pet Hospital, which was okay, but rather expensive.  We did find out we could have our dog in the guest room, so he will go with us next time.    I also had my first bout of laryngitis for the first time in 1.5 years (since taking essential oils).  I used to get laryngitis about 3 times a year.  This one only last a day of totally having no voice, and several days of a hoarse voice.

Lakeland Florida March - May 2014

After my cataract surgery in March, Kirk and I headed to Lakeland to start my new assignment at Palm Terrace.  Lakeland is halfway between Orlando and Tampa.  First of all though, on our trip from Beverly Hills, FL to Lakeland our truck hitch came partially loose from the motorhome while in tow.  Weird looking out your side view mirror and seeing your tow vehicle in the lane next to you hanging by a thread.   Blessed we are!   The next exit had a place that sold RV parts and just happened to have ONE of the thing we needed.  What are the chances.  Well we finally made it to Lakeland in one piece.  We stayed at the Lakeland Carefree RV resort.  We had a place on the lake, with a sign in our site that said something to the effect of "watch for alligators".  So, of course the dogs were never left unattended when outside.  Never did see an alligator while there.  Nice place, but don't plan on going there anytime soon. They have been repairing, remodelling, etc for the past year.  So, no hot tub, or restaurant.  And the pool is only open part of of the time.
I Started my job in Lakeland on March 10. My boss was an SLP also. Great gal!  Actually, everyone of my co workers at Palm Terrace were great.  I loved my assignment there and made some awesome friends.
Kirk and I found another Chuys tex mex restaurant in Orlando.   So, of course we had to drive there a few times to get our Chuys fix.  One of those times was on Cinco de Mayo.....that was so much fun.  Did I mention that Chuys has the best margaritas ever!!!
I feel like I'm all over the place here, but if you ever happen to be in Plant City, FL don't forget about the strawberries.  This place is known for their strawberries and has a festival every year to celebrate them.
On March 19th I had to return to Ocala to have my 2nd cataract surgery. It went quick and I was able to return to work the next day.  If I had it to do all over again, I would have found the money to have the multi focal implant lens.   Cheaters are a hassle.  Especially with all the close up work I have to do.  Dang insurance companies anyway ( they only pay for standard vision lens implants).
On a positive note, we had 2 Costcos very close to us in the Tampa and Orlando areas.
During our stay in Florida, we got news from home  ( March 20) that daughter in law, Nicki ( Bens wife) became very ill.  She ended up with a diagnosis of discitis and after leaving hospital, had to continue with medications given through a PICC line for the next 6 weeks.  Today, all is well.
Every 2nd Thursday of the month in downtown Lakeland there are food trucks.  This is a very fun event and should definitely be attended if you are in the area.  Don't forget about Harry's Cajun seafood and bar also in downtown Lakeland.
On 4/12 Kirk and I took the motorcycle and rode to Winter Garden.  We drove to the park where his grandparents wintered years ago.  Their old mobile home was still there and inhabited.  We also visited the farmers market while there and bought our summer hats, which we wore when we visited FT Desoto and Anna Marie Island on 4/26.  (Ben turned 31 on 4/26.).  Anna Marie Island is a fun place to visit.
On 5/3 our beagle, Lily came down with a crazy itching.  We took her to the vet, but nothing really helped.  One week later we were back to the vet as now she was having trouble walking, and would yelp when barely touched. The vet thought that maybe it was a disc in her neck and gave us lots of meds.  Nothing helped and on 5/13 after more vet visits, and now in excruciating pain, and still not walking, we had to have her put down.  Before taking her to the vet, Kirk fed her a rib eye and she was allowed as many treats as she wanted.  The vet now thought she had a spinal disease or tumor.   This was the hardest thing so far that Kirk and I have ever had to do.  The Polk county animal hospital was the best.  We had Lily cremated and they were able to give us her remains the next day as we were leaving to go north.  Lily was a friendly, faithful, and loving part of our family.
We returned to Homosassa, FL while in Lakeland to eat shrimp at the Freezer and even bought extra to bring back with us.
Mother's Day this year was on 5/11.  Kirk took me golfing, and grilled rib eyes, shrimp, and jalapeño poppers.  Totally awesome.  Think I'll keep him.  The kids sent me their famous selfie of all of them in one pic.
My last day at Palm Terrace was 5/15.  Gave all my co workers my homemade organic lip balm, and homemade cashew brittle.  I will miss them all ( Jill, Mike, Natalie, Allison, Brittany, Lantz, Sloan, Linda, Tianna, Brandy, Jay, Victor, Janice, and Pete ).
Kirk literally picked me up at the back door of Palm Terrace my last day of work and we headed north.

 Happy Mother's Day....from those crazy kids of mine :)

 Cinco De Mayo....just one more reason to go to Chuys in Orlando (like we need an excuse)

 Wearing our new sun hats on St Petersburg, FL beach

 Our little Lily....June 13, 2001 to May 13, 2014

 Our back yard in Lakeland, FL...dogs never left unattended!

Kirk's grandparents old winter home in Winter Garden, FL.  Can't believe it's still there.