Easter Sunday at MacDill Air Force Base

I am going to attempt to enter a blog quickly before my computer "quits" on me once again. (Days Later:  Thank goodness I saved a Draft.)  We enjoyed a rather quiet week last week because I was still having dental issues and the weather permitted us to fish only once.  As I was leaving the dentist office on Friday during rush hour traffic, on an empty tank of gas, and with my exit to the freeway closed off I spotted a HUGE Jo Anne's Fabric store.  I instantly figured out how to cross a few lanes of busy traffic and made a left hand turn into the strip mall parking lot.  Wow!  That is the first fabric store I have been into in a long time, and I had a blast!  Still lacking in heirloom sewing supplies, but had some beautiful fabric.  I have almost completed the first little outfit for "Baby Peach," and I am still immensely enjoying the process.

Billy and I went out into Tampa Bay on Saturday for our third attempt to return to one of his old fishing holes.  We found the spot after much searching, but what the meteorologist predicted to be light chopped turned into moderate chop, and we couldn't anchor on the spot.  Still it was fun to be back on the water.

For my RV friends out there the Simply Lite Corningware (http://www.corningware.com/index.asp?pageId=132) casserole dishes came in quite handy yesterday to carry one of my Easter dishes to Jean's house.  I also used one of our new Melamine Stacking mixing bowls,  and I was prepared to inform our fellow RV'rs about how wonderful they are until I discovered you should NEVER put them in the microwave because of formaldehyde.  They are lightweight, have lids and a rubber ring on the bottom to keep them sliding around in the cabinet or on top of the counter if you are preparing a meal while being driven down the highway.  We just recently bought these from Costco.  I still like them, but I surely wish they would go in the microwave.

We enjoyed Easter Sunday in Plant City with Marianne, Jackson and Kevin and his family.  Jackson quickly caught on to how to hunt for Easter eggs and a good time was had by all.  The food was scrumptious and Jackson enjoyed lots of banana pudding.  Jean prepared an Easter ham and turkey to go with the side dishes that we each contributed.  Quickly closing to see if my computer has lasted long enough to post this blog.  As always, "Life is Good Today!"

Lincoln texting Memaw Easter Sunday.

Dot, Bill, Kenlee, Marianne, Jackson, Granny, Jordan, Alan, Kelly

Dentists! Lab Tests! But Fun With Grandson!

We have had a busy few days since last I was on the computer.  The dentist visit was a real shocker for me since I clench my teeth frequently when I move during the day and night from the pain in my back.  The pain has been there so long that I hardly notice it anymore.  Six and half hours straight in the dentist chair on Thursday and I am done.  Still can't eat but I could stand to lose a few pounds.  While my life was miserable dealing with the dentist I went over to the Air Force hospital and had blood work and bone density tests done.  Have an appointment with the Dr. Monday week as they said "something" is wrong with the blood work.  La la la la la la la!  Getting old is not for sissies!

We spent the weekend with Marianne, Kevin and Jackson and had a grand time.  I cooked a dinner of pork chops, fresh creamed corn, green beans, homemade mac and cheese and yeast rolls!   Life was good, but I couldn't eat.  On Saturday while Marianne studied Kevin and I went to Costco and Kevin bought a great sand box for Jackson.  We returned with his purchase and they all commenced to putting the monster together while Jackson and I played.  Jackson ran a fever on Friday and Saturday so he wasn't feeling great!  I was able to finish up Jackson and Lincoln's Easter outfits.  The pattern is Children's Corner Jeffrey and they are both reversible.  Jackson's is the little yellow outfit and the embroidery on the reversible side does not show up too well.  I don't take very good photos of the baby clothes and certainly didn't want to iron that little rabbit again before I took that close up photo.  You get the idea ----- those two little grandsons will look like angels on Easter morning.

We haven't mentioned new purchases for our motor home lately because there thankfully haven't been any.  We finally decided that we were spending a wad of money buying bags of ice during the week and bought a portable ice machine.  It is small and light and sits out under the awning.  It makes 28-30 pounds of ice a day and works great except  for taking out on the boat for fishing.  The ice melts too quickly.  Also found some Melamine stacking mixing bowls with lids at Costco.  They are great.  Previously I had some plastic stacking bowls with lids, but I couldn't use my electric mixer with them.  Now Billy will be happy to know that I can mix him up a cake to cook in our "Easy Bake Oven."  Must close for now and plunder through my sewing "stash" to see what I can make up for that new little grand daughter coming soon.  Life is Good Today!

Lincoln's Easter Outfit

The Revere Side of Lincoln's Outfit

The photo uploader seems to be having trouble tonight so I will put the photos of Jackson's Easter suit up tomorrow.

Fishing Has Changed in Tampa Bay

The Island we wanted to fish today!

When Billy and I went out fishing on Friday we launched the boat right here in the Fam Camp RV Park at the Marina.  Billy used to fish along the shoreline of MacDill AFB but since 9/11 the waters surrounding the base are off limits to 1/2 mile out.

So we proceeded across the bay to another of Billy's favorite fishing spots.  Hello!  First time I have been pulled over in a boat by a blue light.  We were informed that no wake is allowed for two miles out (manatees), but we were allowed to go on with a verbal warning after Billy told him he was retired law enforcement.  MORE really good fishing waters closed to fishermen.  We towed the boat off of the base today to O'Neill's Marina in St. Petersberg.  Billy had a secret fishing hole there where he caught 90 reds in one outing.  OH MY!  We got almost over to the secret fishing hole and discovered that there were signs surrounding the entire island which said "No Combustible Motors."  Billy was seeing RED and phoned Fish and Wildlife to see if that meant we couldn't go into area with the motors off.   The law was as Billy thought - not allowed.  We seethed as we watched a kayak through our binoculars in our secret fishing spot, and we were not allowed.  We are supporters of preserving our saltwaters, but the "reef huggers" need to get real!  Enough said!  We caught 25-30 trout, 6 of which were nice sized keepers.  We have dental appointments tomorrow and Kevin is going to dog sit Maggie for us then we will go to his house for a mid day fish fry!  Yum!  Billy grilled steaks on the grill for dinner tonight while I trekked over to the laundromat and finished up on the laundry.  Life is Good Today!

Maggie likes to "kiss" every fish before we throw it back.

Man and His Dog Beaten by Fishing Regulations

Grandson Jackson Sleeps Over with Memaw and Big Daddy

You can double left click to get a better look at that precious little face!

Jackson came over for a sleep over late yesterday afternoon.  I walked him down to the playground, marina and the beach and we had great fun as you can see from the photos.  He went to sleep without a peep and slept through the night until 7:00 am.  After a breakfast of bacon, grits, eggs, biscuits and cantaloupe we walked to the beach again.  I didn't plan on allowing him to go swimming but he wanted to follow the other children so away he went.  We returned to the motor home and he "practiced" coming up and down a step for about an hour, had a shower, had lunch and then a quick nap.  Marianne and Kevin came on base and we went out to lunch at the BX and they took Jackson away from us.  Life is Good Today!  Jackson has learned how to say Memaw.  He says "Maimai" and I answer every time.

More Storms in the East

.....but thankfully the strong ones missed us here in Tampa.  Caroline has quite a few trees down in her yard, on Sam's truck and on their shop.  She was without power for longer than she could handle.  Mike and Mary Ann woke to a giant tree lying across their front yard and the storm scared the wits out of Billy's mom and family in Dothan, AL.  It has certainly been a rough Spring for storms in the South!

Billy and I went over for a visit with Marianne, Kevin and of course Jackson on Tuesday.  We can't get enough of playing with that little grandson.  I took his Easter outfit with me for a fitting and thankfully it will fit fine.  Still working on the two Easter suits.  Billy is at the VA Clinic today for routine appointments, and I had planned on cleaning the motor home and then dragging out the sewing machine.  Best laid plans..,.....After cleaning the motor home and completing the embroidery on Jackson's Easter outfit I started lazing around.  After I finish the blog I plan on curling up with a cup of  MateVana Rooibos Chai Tea and a good book.  Speaking of hot tea I finally broke down and bought a Keurig Mini coffeemaker, and I love it.  It makes a perfect one cup of coffee with nothing to clean up or wash.  It even makes good Southern iced tea, so we are "Happy Campers."

Yesterday, after seven months, we finally sold the car and we are now a one-car family.  Afterwards we stopped by the Mess Hall at MacDill Air Force Base (http://www.macdillfss.com/mainmenusub-dl.aspx?SectionID=260)  for dinner.  How have we missed this jewel?  We had two big salads that were more than we could eat and drinks for a grand total of $7.25.  They serve three meals a day and have a hot menu if you are not in salad mode.  We will be returning there for sure.  So you see Life is (Still) Good Today!  Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit.

Yoo Hoo! We Finally Get to Go Salt Water Fishing

Yesterday we were pleased to join the "work" party over at Kelly and Alan's house.  Here are the photos, and we failed to take one photo of the Blue Angels that were flying over while we were working.  Also attached is a photo of Lincoln at his Yo Gabba Gabba 1st birthday celebration.  So sorry that we missed it.

 I took Maggie for a long walk this morning and then drove to the Commissary and PX.  Now we are getting the boat ready to go out fishing!  !Yes, Life Is Good Today

MacDill Fam Camp in Tampa, FL

We arrived back at the Fam Camp here at MacDill yesterday.  Billy drove the motor home and followed behind in the truck pulling the boat.  We got a great site near the beach, bath house, with shade trees, and the boat is parked right out front.  Life is Good Today!  The residents of the Fam Camp are working like little worker worker bees cleaning up the debris and drying out "stuff" after the major storm that hit here day before yesterday.  We were so lucky to avoid that storm down at Okeechobee.  Maggie is ecstatic to be back to one of her old stomping grounds and she prances around the park like she owns the place.

We drove over to Marianne and Kevin's last night to visit with Jackson before his bedtime and enjoy a Mexican dinner with them.  Kelly and Alan (Kevin's sister and husband) had a live oak tree fall on their house during the storm and are having a clean up party at 12:30 today.  We will be there with bells on to help as much as we can.  After our home in Bay County was hit by a tornado from Hurricane Ivan Alan along with Marianne, Kevin and Brandon came straight to our house and helped us for days to clean up the Mess!  We don't know how we could have managed without them.

For now it is wonderful to be back in Tampa.  I am secure knowing that there is a fabric store nearby and even got a Starbucks gift card from Caroline to enjoy a cup of coffee that somebody else has brewed.  So life is good today.