February 6, 2014

Englewood, FL (Chores)

It was another beautiful day.  We didn’t venture too far-just a quick stop at Publix and the library.

 

 

 

 

Back home, Monte went across the road to smooze with one of our neighbors while I sat outside reading.

 

 

 

 

When he returned, Monte coaxed our cat, Annie outside to give her a much needed brushing. 

She wasn’t cooperating. 

Just a little more.

WHAT?

With a newly brushed coat, Annie ventured out a little to explore--BUT as soon as a squirrel began barking at her, she retreated.

Okay, I had enough--time for a nap.

Please let me in!

Although it was quite warm, the sun was obscured by the low hanging clouds.  BUT, I'm sitting outside wearing shorts and a tank top so believe me-

I'm not complaining

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 5, 2014
Englewood, FL

Not wanting to miss the monthly pancake breakfast, we set the alarm for 7AM.  Monte had attended last months’ breakfast so he already knew what to expect.  We brought our own place settings and, after paying $3 each, we found empty seats.  Within a few seconds of sitting, one of the volunteers came over to offer us a choice of orange or tomato juice.  A different volunteer came over to collect our plates and take our egg order.  It wasn’t long before we were eating perfectly cooked eggs, sausage and pancakes.

I had made plans with my parents to meet them at the Senior Center in North Port to have our taxes prepared.  AARP sponsors this free program.  I arrived first.  When I pulled into the parking lot I had to circle a few times before finding a parking space.  When I entered the center it was standing room only.  I noticed there were numbered clipboards on a table so I grabbed two of them numbered 44 & 45.  The first thing my dad said when he arrived, after finding out it would be at least a three hour wait, was I’m not staying.

Dad left to do some errands.  We told him we would call him when it was getting close to our number called.

We had arrived at 10:15-I walked out with a completed tax return form at 3:45!  It was well-worth the wait for me because it had cost me over $300 the previous year to have an accountant prepare my taxes.

While I was gone, Monte went back up on our roof to treat it and cleaned our neighbor’s roof.    

February 4, 2014
Englewood, FL

Chores took up most of our day- I treated all of our woodwork

while Monte cleaned our roof. 

When one of the neighbors noticed him on the roof he asked Monte if he wanted to make a few bucks cleaning his roof.  They set an appointment for tomorrow.

February 3, 2014

Dinner with family in Englewood, FL

When we arrived at my brother’s house for dinner, these two Sand Hill Cranes were on his front yard doing what looked like a mating dance.

Not wanting to spook them, we stayed in the car for a few minutes.  Sure enough, when I finally opened my car door they took off.

 

 

But they didn’t’ go far-just around the house to the back yard.

 

 

I guess they had enough human company after a few minutes

 because every time Monte tried moving closer they walked away from him.

 

We had a wonderful dinner with my brother and his wife, Margaret as well as my parents and Margaret’s cousin and her husband visiting from Canada.

There were plenty of deserts to choose from.

 

February 2, 2014

Visit with Mom & Dad in Northport, FL

Another beautiful day-these are the types of days that made us choose to winter in Florida.  We had made plans to spend the day with my parents.  I went shopping with Mom while Monte took a ride to Sam’s Club with Dad who is trying to decide between buying a Kindle or an IPad. 

After we ate, Big Bird, as my dad calls him came for his daily meal. 

My dad buys hot dogs just to feed the bird. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monte has a way with animals-Big Bird ate off the plate Monte held up to him.

After he had finished eating, Monte and Big Bird did a little dance. 

 

 

Thanks for a delicious dinner, Mom

The sun was very intense on the lanai so

Dad drilled holes in the awning to install hooks so he could hang a curtain to block out the light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 1, 2014

Applebees in Englewood, FL

It was the first really nice day in a week and I took advantage of it by spending most of the day sitting outside reading.

In the early evening we used a gift card we had for Applebees. 

 

 

 

 

 

Both Monte and I are creatures of habit as we always order the same thing off the 2 for $20 menu. 

 

 

 

 

 

I really like their spinach and artichoke dip but was disappointed when it was brought to the table—the chips were greasy.  Monte called our server over and asked her to bring fresh chips.  The second batch was great.

January 31, 2014

Rain, rain, go away…..

Englewood, FL

When it finally stopped raining in the afternoon, Monte and I went for a bike ride around the park.  It was nice enough to sit outside reading for a while and then it rained again. 

I like it when it rains occasionally-a bowl of soup and an afternoon snuggled under my favorite soft blanket reading a good book—BUT it has been days now and I am really tired of it---so rain, rain, go away…..