Storms and Tornado Warnings at MacDill

I have purposely not posted for a few days because I was hesitant to reactivate the War Between The States!  On Monday I was to drive Marianne and Kevin's car which was parked in front of our motor home to the airport to meet their flight from Raleigh.  It was necessary to have their vehicle because Jackson's car seat was inside.  Billy was spending the day at the VA Hospital in Tampa and was unable to come to my rescue when I needed assistance.  While vacuuming the motor home I heard a loud explosion outside and at the same moment saw Marianne and Kevin's car jump up and down.  Sure enough the right front tire blew out right before my eyes.  I called Marianne and Kevin who had not yet left Raleigh to inquire if they had road side assistance.  Triple A had to have me meet them at the front gate of the military base, and I did not have a car.  I went to the campground office to ask if they had a repairman I could phone.  The gentleman at the office strongly suggested that I ask my fellow neighbors for assistance first.  I immediately realized that I had a problem asking my neighbors for help - all of our neighbors are to put it mildly of the "Northern persuasion."  With my best Southern accent I rapped on the neighbor's door who could clearly see my blown out tire when he opened his door.  I explained with sugary sweetness that I was in "a pickle and had a flat tire."  A good Southern boy would have said "let me get another swig of this iced tea and I'll change that tire for you m'amm."  This neighbor looked at my sad car, looked at me and boldly asked "What do you want me to do?"  Being of Southern heritage I was not accustomed to straightforward answers but I mustered up the courage and replied..."Well, I want you to change that tire for me puhlease sur."  To give our kind neighbor credit he responded to my request and attempted to change the tire, but the hub caps were each locked, and we didn't have a key.  To cut the now long story short Billy returned safely from the VA hospital and we transferred the baby car seat to his truck and picked Marianne's family up from the airport.  Later the car was towed out to be repaired which brings us to another story on another day....

Billy was accompanying the wrecker driver to the front gate of the military base when the tornado sirens began blaring at their highest decimals.  After hearing "take cover immediately" a few times I cradled Maggie up under my arms and ran as fast as I could in the wind blown debris and pouring rain to our truck.  We drove around the corner to the laundry room to find almost every elderly camper (you see WE are young here) in the campground trying to find a place to park so they could take cover in the laundry room.  I jumped a curb and parked the truck under a clothesline but others behind me were instructed to abandon their vehicles in the middle of the road and run for cover.  From the TV in the laundry room we could see that the tornado was currently hovering over MacDill AFB so I telephoned Billy to take cover.  He safely parked under the pharmacy pick up window.  There was some minor damage to the site three away from ours, but we were fortunate.  Next time there is a weather warning I will hesitate and consider the danger of blowing debris outside before I run for cover.

Yesterday we went to Lake Okeechobee (http://lakeokeechobee.org/) to explore our options of RV parks to stay in there for the month of February.  We visited the Brighton Seminole RV campground (http://www.semtribe.com/TourismAndEnterprises/Brighton/Campground.aspx) and liked it; however, we were really impressed with Twin Palms RV in Lake Port (http://www.visitglades.com/lakeport), and we are currently attempting to secure reservations there for the month of Feb.  We met Ray Freeman, a fellow retired Firearms Examiner, at Cheers and Beers for lunch.  Afterwards, we went out behind the restaurant and observed a weekly game ritual of "Washers."  The participants were having a good clean, laid back good time.  Stopped off by Ray's house and saw his flats boat, air boat, alligator gigs, and all the men toys that accompany his outdoor lifestyle.  I am really looking forward to fishing from Ray's air boat.   The Brighton Seminole Casino (http://www.seminolebrightoncasino.com/) is just a few miles from Twin Palms RV campground, and I am looking forward to playing the slots again!

We returned to Tampa to pick up Marianne, Kevin and Jackson to retrieve their now fixed vehicle.  They treated us to a wonderful dinner at Cracker Barrel, and we got to spend more time with Jackson.  He just the sweetest.  So for today and the coming days I think Billy and I will be busy catching up on Drs appointments, registrations, and prescriptions as we prepare to leave the "big city" for the isolation and minimalist lifestyle that we have come to enjoy.  I know that I will have to find a fabric store to purchase material and notions so that I can sew for the grand babies.  Certainly, as we look forward to more fishing in the Everglades and Billy will have to visit a tackle shop to shore up his fishing gear.  Life is certainly Good Today.

Plant City Strawberries and Fresh FL Citrus

On Friday I took Kevin's advice and had the fresh strawberry milkshake from http://www.parkesdale.com/ instead of the strawberry shortcake.  It was yummy; however, I informed Billy that he will have to take me back at least once more so that I can enjoy the strawberry shortcake.  We picked up our boat from Bill and Jean's house in Plant City as well as as many oranges as I could carry out of their yard.  I can't get enough of this fresh FL citrus and cannot understand why they sell the California grown citrus in the supermarkets here.  It surely is good.  Friday evening we went back over tohttp://www.macdillfss.com/mainmenusub-dl.aspx?SectionID=250 here in the RV park for dinner.  I ordered the grilled shrimp Caesar salad and Billy ordered the fish and chips.  His fish and chips was very different than it was last week, and he was very disappointed but my meal was delicious.  At twilight we noticed a Great Horned Owl outside our motor home.  He was very close to the Osprey nest that is also outside our window.  We will have to keep Maggie May leashed especially close to us.  It has been cold here and very windy, but we shall not complain....steaks on the grill tonight and yes....."Life is Good Today."

Another Moving Day at MacDill Fam Camp

Yesterday was another moving day at MacDill.  I am amused by the mass of RV's moving on the same day.  It's like a giant game of "musical chairs" that we used to play in elementary school.  We were moved back up by the osprey nest and looking out over an opened field.  Think we have a better cell phone signal here as Verizon likes to drop calls here at the Fam Camp.  On Wednesday we babysat Jackson while Kevin went to the library to study for his Broker exam.  While babysitting I took a shower, did two loads of laundry and fixed dinner for Marianne and Kevin - country fried steak, mashed potatoes/gravy, green beans, fried okra, creamed corn, yeast rolls, and lemon meringue pie.  Took Jackson for a couple of long walks and took him to the playground to slide down the slides.  Yes, life is good today.  Kevin passed his broker exam yesterday so life is doubly good.  Today, we are taking Marianne, Kevin and Jackson to the airport so they can fly to Raleigh to visit friends.  Hope they down't run into frozen "stuff."  After we drop them off at the airport we are driving to Plant City to pick up our boat and YES - go to Parksdale Farms for strawberry shortcake!  Oh Yea!   Keep having to pinch myself to see if it is real that we are going to have a grand daughter coming June 18th.  I picked up the dedication gown that I have been working on and keep adding additional rows of lace and flourishes!  Life is Good Today. Temperature in the 60's and pictures of Plant City strawberries to follow!

MacDill Fam Camp with Photos

Today is the kind of day that reminds me why we enjoy full-timing in our RV!  The weather is beautiful complete with campers walking through the park wearing beach gear as they head for the bay.  Billy drove over to the Hobby Shop on base to put the running boards on his truck, while I cleaned the camper and picked up my sewing.  Our son phoned last night to tell us that he and his wife are blessing us with a grand daughter on June 18th.  I feel the need to sew with ribbons, lace, and ruffles as embellishment.  Yippee!   Our plans made in jello to go out west again in the Spring will be gladly put on hold for another year.  Besides, the soaring price of gasoline is frightening.  I took our camera with me when I took Maggie for a walk to check her "Pee Mail."  As you can see, we are backed up to a little salt water canal, and the golf course is on the other side of the canal.  The structure on the beach is the Seascape Bar and Grill that serves dinner and drinks each evening.  We couldn't ask to be in a better location.  Our "toes in the water, a== in the sand..... Life is Good Today."

Another Moving Day at MacDill Fam Camp

We arrived at the Fam Camp without reservations in early January so per Fam Camp  routine they placed us in a temporary spot with electricity and water.  We stayed there for 2 or 3 days and then were given a spot with full hook-ups for two weeks.  Yesterday was the end of two weeks and moving day, so they moved us to the "boon docks" with about 15 other campers.  That is an area in the middle of a field at the Fam Camp that is without electricity, water, or sewer.  We moved and promptly packed our bags, shower sundries, and dirty laundry and moved in to Marianne and Kevin's house for a few days.  We were not with them long enough to wash the laundry, but I did have a good shower before the Fam Camp phoned that they had us a spot with water and electricity.  It is a wonderful spot as we are backed up on a salt water canal that is beautiful to look at out the bedroom window.  I wouldn't mind staying in this spot for a while.  It is very peaceful to look out over the water.  There is a wonderful hiking trail that takes you along the salt water canal to view the wetlands wildlife and also the golf course on the other side of the canal!    We went to sleep and woke up to driving rain this morning and thunderstorm, so we are enjoying just lazing around.  Maggie's late night walk through the RV park last night was fantastic as the weather was a perfect 72 degrees and folks were out and about enjoying the night air.  Glad we were able to enjoy that walk before the rain set in.

Friday night Billy and I went over to Seascapes Bar and Restaurant that is in the Marina here at the Fam Camp.  On Friday they have a fish and chip special that was really very good, but the boiled shrimp platter that I saw folks ordering yelled out to me to return on another evening.  The sun set over Tampa Bay as we  were eating and the atmosphere could not be have been better.  Also had a big playground on the beach that I know Jackson would enjoy.  Billy noticed they were setting up karaoke, but he was not feeling up to singing since he was just released from the hospital.  Just saying...........................

The rain is still pinging on our roof so I am going to grab my book and a blanket and curl up the rest of the day.  "Life is Good Today."

The Flu in Tampa, FL

Billy had a tooth abscess last week and had the tooth extracted without taking antibiotics prior to the extraction. He promptly began running a fever so on Monday he went to the Tampa General ER.  The base military doctors did not have a record of our registering here on Jan. 3rd.  Tampa General admitted him and he spent four nights there while they ran a gamut of tests and lab work to see if he had developed the dreaded bacteria around the heart from the dental procedure.  Last night the lab results came back that he had the flu and he was moved into isolation.  :)  Today after donning hospital mask, gloves, and gown they let me bring him home.  Hopefully, he will be able to get some rest tonight.  I haven't posted all week, because we didn't want to worry his mom with the illness.  Maggie and I have been doing great, and we actually finally became comfortable driving into downtown Tampa to the hospital.  Just wanted all to know that we are still alive and kicking, and "Life is Good Today."

Tarpon Springs, FL

We could not have ordered up a nicer day than yesterday.  The weather was warm and it was a wonderful day for me to walk around the park and explore.  I noticed that many of the campers here have these little lightweight appearing bicycles.  They are small and along the lines of a dirt bike like our kids used to ride, except that they have extended handle bars and seats.  They also look like they fold.  I even saw a lady riding her bicycle to the laundry mat with her laundry hanging over the handlebars.  Made a note to self to look into these.

Ventured off the base by myself yesterday and piddled around at Target and Publix.  Still looking forward to going to the Whole Foods Market and Fresh Market which are also nearby.  While at Target I saw a soft sided folding kennel to serve as Maggie's "condominium" when we are out.  Her large hard sided kennel is getting bulky to haul around in our "toy" truck.  At dinner one of Billy's Army buddies, Jimmy Padgett, stopped by the motor home for a visit.  We went over to the Marina restaurant that is here in the RV park and enjoyed Schnitzel sandwiches while looking out over the Bay.  It is a great little bar/restaurant that we will certainly  be visiting again.  Jimmy and his wife are entertaining the idea of purchasing a motor home and traveling so we had lots of fun talking about what we each plan to do in the future.  A great visit and next time Jimmy is down this way he said he would bring his wife Tricia with him.

We had one heck of a thunderstorm in the early morning hours last night but dragged ourselves up to drive an hour north to see our good friend Joe Hebert with Fish-on-Lures.  We had to trade in two of our rods that malfunctioned and of course had to stock up on his SS Minnows and other stinky artificial baits that we have been purchasing from him for years.  He has bought a new place that he is working hard on to open a new shop and living quarters combined.  Still Joe said he would find time in the next two weeks to go fishing with us.  He has accomplished most of his sells at fishing shows and on-line but is now planning on opening a storefront.  He has some great lures at:  http://www.captainjoefishing.com/

After leaving Joe's, we stopped by Tarpon Springs and I was pleasantly surprised and disappointed that I didn't have my camera along to take pictures. The sponge industry helped build a Greek community that is now famous not only for the worlds finest sponges, but for some of the finest Greek Restaurants, Markets, and Bakeries in the Country.  I was wide-eyed at the authentic Greek restaurants and the many European bakeries on the street.  It was kind of windy and cold so we didn't stay long, but Billy promised we would return when the weather is warmer.  Here is the website to see the little town:  http://www.spongedocks.net/Map/sponge-docks-map.htm.

Still Exploring MacDill Fam Camp and Tampa

Sunday morning we decided that it was time we did a little "work" around the "house."  Billy washed the outside of the motor home and I cleaned the inside. Sunday afternoon Marianne, Kevin and Jackson came to spend the evening with us in the motor home and cook hamburgers out on the grill.  They were our first dinner guests in the motor home, and we had a blast.  The hamburgers were grilled to perfection on our Baby Q Grill that we have thoroughly enjoyed.   I took Jackson for a little walk up and down our street and discovered that it is really dark outside without street lights.

We woke Monday to warm temperatures and the birds singing all around us.  What a wonderful sound!  I thought I was living in Hawaii again.  In the new spot that they moved us to we can see an osprey nest not far from our camper.  It appears to be a mother and two young birds that I really enjoy watching.  We have a secluded wooded area across the street from us so it is a very peaceful spot.  Joe and Dianne who were our old neighbors moved with us and are still next door neighbors.  Life is Good Today.   I still have not been able to walk around the entire RV park.  It is huge with Tampa Bay and the Marina about 2 blocks from our camper.  Billy and I are both getting itchy feet (wrong - webbed feet) to pick up our boat and get out on the salt water with a fishing pole in our hands.  Before we can fish though we have to take our poles to our pro red fishing buddy Joe to be repaired!   I also probably need to deal with the pain in my back and neck that still remains after my fall down Caroline's icy steps.   Thought it would get better on it's own as I can now lift my left leg that I couldn't lift after the fall.  Billy had an appointment at the VA Hospital in Tampa on Monday that lasted a few hours.  Maggie and I sat in the parking lot and read a book while we waited.  Afterwards we went to Ikea to buy a new duvet and duvet cover, and then we enjoyed dinner at a little diner.  Found the perfect little folding wooden tables at Ikea to use for end tables and what not tables.  Only $6.99 so I purchased two and plan to go back and get two more for the patio!  Yoo Hoo!  Life is Good Today!

Hoisted our dirty laundry to the campground laundry mat this morning and wondered how we manage to dirty so many clothes when each of our closets is only four feet wide!  Of course, I was laundering the old duvet and duvet cover to be used on the hideaway sofa should any of our friends and family want to come sleep over with us.  After the laundry we visited the BX on base and I was pleasantly surprised to find items that are  not in all of the PX's.  I think this is where the "pretty people" shop.  They had some really nice items.  Took our Hyundai to the Hobby Shop on base for a tune up and then we will put it back on Craig's List to sell!  Don't know why we are having a difficult time finding a buyer.  Going to have left overs for dinner, take a long walk and then curl up with my book about General Robert E. Lee.  Life Is Good Today.  Couldn't be better.

Jackson's First Birthday and Happy New Year from MacDill Air Force Base

The Fam Camp here at MacDill is filled with activities to keep us busy.  I walked into the Marina on Friday to find five tables of bridge playing and one table looking for a fourth.  I couldn't substitute as we were in a rush to drive to Marianne's house in time to see the Bulldogs play in the Liberty Bowl.  We will not talk about the outcome of that game.  There is always next year.

True to our usual form Billy and I were tucked safely into bed on New Years Eve.  We slept over at Marianne's house so we wouldn't have to drive across town after midnight.  New Year's day Marianne, Kevin, Billy, myself and Jackson enjoyed our New Years Day lunch of black eyed peas, ham, green beans, collards, meat loaf, and mashed potatoes.  Now I learn that we must add stewed tomatoes to our good luck dinner to bring us good health!

After lunch everybody came over to celebrate Jackson's first birthday.  With an abundance of Grandma's present Jackson was not in need of attention!  In the photo he is signing for "more" of that wonderful cake that he has smeared all over his face.

Today Billy is cleaning the roof of the motor home, and we plan on checking out the Ikea sale to see if we can buy a new down comforter.  Life is Good Today!