Return of the Cruising Bunny's....

[K2-Mich]

REAL LATE HELLO. Ooops.

I've got a boost of energy and have been washing the bedding and other loads to clothes and now am waiting for the duvet cover for the comforter to dry. It's going to be good sleeping tonight on all fresh bedding. Well, it happens almost like clock work once a week for the sheets and pillow cases. The Comforter cover doesn't get washed that often. It's on top of a flat sheet and doesn't need it. Useless information .... sorry! Ha ha.

DAVE: To get those BEADS you mentioned I think the girls on the parade in New Orleans have to BEAR IT ALL on top! Ha Ha. Not sure they still do that or not.

I liked the Presidents Address last night. He wasn't "Mousey". He said what he wanted to say and didn't go off track. I thought that that group that Shouted out something about the 13 soldiers that got killed in Iraq when all the troops were trying to get out of that country was just HORRIBLE. They should have dragged that "bitc*es butt" out of the chamber. Biden didn't flinch and just kept on talking. Whew.
Now, we all know from decades of these Addresses that maybe 2 of the things he mentioned will actually happen. But it is what it is.
Nancy Pelosi was a SIGHT FOR SORE EYES with her constant FACIAL EXPRESSIONS. It was really making me sick towards the end. I think she's losing it fast.

Karen: Good for you gathering things for the bathroom project. I wouldn't give that guy that called and said he could give you a quote on a PAINTING job the time of day. Glad you told him to bug off.
I had a remodel cabinet companies owner call me and ask why we aren't using them for our kitchen remodel. (I had sent the salesperson a nice note saying we weren't going with them and didn't want any discussion on the matter) She must have forwarded my message to the boss-lady-owner and that's why I got a call. She said she just wondered if I wanted to share with her WHY so they could be aware of why. Well, I told her that the saleslady was WONDERFUL, but the rest of the staff did NOT SHOW this salesperson any curiosity when she asked any of them simple questions to help her give us good service. I mentioned that that included YOU the OWNER too. I could feel she was taken back a tad, but I said the saleslady deserved better respect from the staff and I didn't want to discuss it any further. She thanked me for my frankness and that ended the conversation. I hope they ALL treat the lady better after my remarks to the owner. I actually felt good that I said it like it was!

GAS prices are crazy. Costco is still the cheapest place to get gas, even with my current $.20 cents off on a gallon from Kroger's grocery store fuel points. Right now I have 3/4 of tank. I'll wait it out. Prices might go down and they might go up. It's a game of chance these days.


Lee: I like your dinner menu. No need to go all fancy while you're on vacation. Keep it simple and it works for me anytime.
Lee do you think that the series I'm watching: The CROWN is factual? If so, the Queens hubby sure was a character. I felt bad for him having to give up his military career, but he's turning into a real SOB in this series. Very jealous of Elizabeth. I'm still waiting to see when she gets pregnant with the last 2 kids. I didn't realize they had 4! I knew of 3. And the Queens sister Margaret is a real trip. Ha ha. Not to mention they all smoke way too much.

I'm making Egg Roll in a Bowel for our dinner tonight. I'll be adding small slices of chicken to it instead of ground chicken. It's what I have and it will be just fine. Google it to see what it's like!

I've been writing down in a hardcover journal what I've been making for dinner for us lately. WHY..... so I don't have to try and remember what was good and what wasn't and I can just look at my notes and know if we liked it or not. I should have been doing that every since COVID happened. Makes it easy to pick and choose what to make.


Later gang.

 

[K2-Mich]

Lee: Posted: We did hear back from Sunshine about the rates for 2024.

That's really nice of your rental folks to extend the same price so far out. I take it you already have 2023 locked in! This place is becoming your home away from home. Ever given it any thought to try another location in Florida? You're probably like we were all those years. FAMILIAR with the area and didn't want to have to start over with another location.
Only thing for us now is that since COVID hit, the owners have gotten very GREEDY and up'd the rental prices twice as high. What was approx $5,000 a month is now $8500 and up in some areas. I'm just glad we had over 40 years of easy on the pocketbook rentals on the Gulf or directly across the street.

Dinner was good. As I said earlier it was called Egg Roll Bowl. I added the crunchy Chow Mein noodles and it turned out good.

Off to watch more of "THE CROWN".

Hope our CRUISERS ae doing well. I bet they check this board and just don't post! Ha Ha.

 

[A’Burg Guy]

Egg Roll in a Bowel

I can hear Tony laughing over that line Kathie.
Good on you for letting the cabinet lady know what and why you weren’t going with them. We did lock in for 2023. We do like the community and the area. Lu-Ann researched a couple of other locations in different parts of Florida and the prices there were out of site as well! As far as we know The Crown is fairly accurate with a little embellishment for TV.
I think it’s good of you as well Karen to blow “painter man” out of the water. If he doesn’t even know who or what job he’s talking to and about I wouldn’t have ANY confidence that he’d remotely do a good job.
G’nite to all of you!

 

[fatherdav55]

WOW! Death and destruction in Ukraine is only getting worse with each passing day. Just a couple of weeks ago these people were just living a normal life and going to work every day. Now....It's loss of life, losing their homes, all their possessions, and needing to flee their country for safety. Can you imagine doing that?

It doesn't seem possible but it's only 17 days till spring. It won't even get above freezing today. And every day our crop of potholes is flourishing. When I was a little kid it was explained to me what causes them.......And I didn't believe it. When things get warm, things expand and when they get cold they shrink, or so I thought. It took me quite a while to understand that when water gets down in the cracks of a road, and then freezes, the water expands, pushing aside pieces of asphalt or concrete. And voila, another pothole is born.

Outstanding KC! Finding a contractor so quickly. If you gave him the contract, did he ever say how soon he'd be able to start?

So THAT'S what you did to get your beads, K2.

You must have had many cups of coffee to get that energetic yesterday morning. I too thought Biden did well in his State of the Union speech. That lady that yelled at him showed that she has no manners or class.

Lee; You once again proved that being a good tenant pays off. The owner not jacking up the price for next year proves it. But as any owner knows, tenants can make you or break you.

My big event for today is going to the barber. (Under Kathi's direction.) Ever since having that long hair and a ponytail, I just don't notice when my hair is a little too long and shaggy looking.

 

[A’Burg Guy]

Good morning.
Wow, Thursday already. Where does the time go.
We had a nice visit with our friends last night. We picked up some corn on the cob because we knew Eric liked it. Turns out they had never had it buttered, sprinkled with salt and pepper, wrapped in foil and done on the bbq! It was a hit. It was so nice to sit out on the lanai and enjoy our dinner.
I hate it when my hair, or what’s left of it, gets too shaggy Dave. Of course during the peak of Covid all of the hair places at home were closed for months. “Covid hair” became a style.
How did the contractor interviews go yesterday Karen?
We noticed King Cakes in Publix yesterday. Another way you know it’s Mardi Gras time. Well that and all of the beads it seems Karen has accumulated.
It’s going to reach 32F at home today. Maybe 60F by mid week. A far cry from the 84 forecast for this area.
I wondered what the ruckus was here just now! It was the garbage truck, four way lights and markers flashing, stopping and dumping the bins at the end of everyone’s driveway. It won’t be long until the “trash valet”, yes that is what they are called, is around to put the bins back beside everyone’s house.
It’s hard to imagine that some of the hutch is off on cruise ships and all of us are going about our lives pretty much like normal. Yet, as Dave pointed out, half a world away people who were going about their daily routines a couple of weeks ago are in such turmoil. It’s so hard to imagine in this day and age that one person could be so evil and have no regard for humanity.
Be thankful for what we all have. Stay safe. Wash your hands. And smile at someone. Have a wonderful day.

 

[K2-Mich]

You couldn't have said it better LEE. Thankful for all we have. Prayers for those folks in Ukraine that had their lives torn apart by a senseless, pathic idiot. I can't even begin to imagine how I would handle what they are going through.

DAVE/ LEE: Art is in need of a haircut/trim of what's left around the sides of his head! Guess I'll have to drag him down to the basement and do the job again. I HATE IT, but I must say I do an excellent job of it. How could I not. There's not much to trim. Ha Ha.

I don't have much to chat about.
We have a Appointment with the TAX MAN in a few hours and that's it for today.

Lee: THE CROWN is going to be the death of me. I stay up way too long watching these fools carrying on in such old fashion ways. How the Queen ever made it to be still in command is beyond me. And I will agree with what Jackie Kennedy said after her visit to Buckingham Palace..... the place was a dump and needed updating. I'd give anything to be able to ramble through the place on my own self-tour for about 2 hours. Do you think they still have all those staff employees walking around in RED SUITS?

Karen: Hope you had success in picking up that Shower Surround. Hope it wasn't too heavy to get off the truck once you got to Jane's. You and your sisters just amaze me at times. Heck...ALL THE TIME! Keep up the good work. Just watch your back doesn't get pulled out.

Today I will be wearing my NEW Tennis Shoes. I haven't had a new pair of Tennis shoes in years. Goes to show you how frugal I can be when I want to! I guess I just hate breaking in a new pair. The ones I bought have nice arch support and memory foam insoles. Seems like they all have that now. I'm moving right into the 21st century. Ha Ha.

Sunny and 29F right now here in Macomb. Brrrr. Thank goodness for the sunshine.

 

[flgirl51]

Good evening...I am wore out from all the running I've done this week, but at least it was a productive week...the contractor is scheduled to start Barb's bath on March 14th...we added a couple items to his scope of work for an added charge of $350...money well spent...the contractor who came by yesterday afternoon for 5 mins. sent a labor only estimate of $4,500....I told him our budget did not stretch that far...

Lee, nice to hear you have a spot confirmed for next year's visit...and without an increase in price. You & LuAnn are the kind of tenants landlords only dream about...burger's & corn on the cob..can summer be far behind?

Kathie, you are speed reading again...Jane is not getting a bathroom remodel...Barb is....and nope I didn't have any problems getting the shower surround it..it WAS heavy...but I opened the box in the back of my truck & took it in piece by piece. I wanted to check it out anyway to make sure it wasn't damaged...and it wasn't. It's a really nice heavy fiberglass surround that looks like subway tile. I will post pictures when it's all done...of course...

Dave, I'm kind of surprised myself at how well the contractor search went...I hope I didn't just jinx myself by saying that....
Sorry your team didn't make it to the end on TAR...but I was so happy to see the couple I was rooting for win it...they are the oldest couple to ever win Amazing Race...
Worked at Jane's for a while today...I was trying to put edging & mulch around her pool...but the edging I bought at Lowes that was supposed to come with ground stakes...didn't....so it's going back to Lowes & I ordered a different kind from Walmart. I did manage to take my weedwacker to the high spots in her front yard, so that looks nice now....and she bought me chinese food for lunch so it was a win/win....now it's time for a shower, some aleve & to relax for a while.
Tomorrow I have to go down to my friend Betty's house & load up a bunch of boxes of stuff that she is donating to a local thrift shot. The villa she's been renting for years is going on the market next month so she is packing up to move...her new place is going to be even smaller than where she lives now, so she's really had to downsize...Catch up with you all tomorrow!

 

[K2-Mich]

On the way to the CPA's office we saw GAS at KROGERs for $3.89 a gallon. That's a jump of $.59 cents a gallon from YESTERDAY. Costco's gas today is $3.40 . Talk about gouging. Just not right at all.

Back from getting taxes done. Glad that's over for another year.
We are so lucky to have a HONEST, yes I said honest, CPA doing our taxes.
It's a family run business and we feel like we're part of them by having them
do our taxes all these years. Nice Church going Christians. Hard to say that about
most businesses these days. He's up to date on all the tax laws and how we can save
paying any taxes we shouldn't have to. Found $600 dollar deduction for us. Works for me.

Karen, so good to read that the shower unit is not damaged. Bummer on the edging having to go back.
And I really feel bad that your friend Betty is having to move. Times are good for SELLERS right now and I'm sure that's why the owner thought it's better to sell than have to deal with renting. Of course, this isn't good for Betty. I hope the owners did give her enough notice to find the place she's moving to. Hopefully, you'll be able to stay in touch.

I just opened our mail and there was a BILL (co-pay) from the hospital I went to LAST JULY 7th, 2021 for my knee surgery. Can you even believe it took them that long to bill me. WOW. Glad I keep all of my date calendars and could quickly look back to see what I was doing on that day. Yup.... I had knee surgery. Ha Ha. You wonder just what took them so long to get the bill to me. WOW.

Still COLD, but SUNNY here. 29F degrees at 5:35 pm Thurs. And they say it's supposed to go to 60F late next week. And of course, CRASH the following day. It's been that way all Winter.

Off to cook dinner..... AGAIN! Always something! Ha Ha.

 

[flgirl51]

Kathie, yes the owner's told Betty about 1-1/2 yrs ago that they would not be renewing her lease...they are older out of town owners & just decided they did not want the hassle anymore. They own 2 units in her Betty's Villa & a Patio Home like I have...they will get a pretty penny for the Patio Home...those things go like hot cakes in here....5 yrs ago I paid 96,000 for mine and several in here have sold for over $150,000 in the last few months...

 

[A’Burg Guy]

Another beautiful Florida day. We did a zoom hello with our friends in Edmonton, AB who usually come down for 3 months. Their home was sold by the young lady who owned it and the new owner wanted no part of a three month rental. And Steve and Pam would be excellent guests.
Oh Karen, poor Betty. I hope that she is able to find something nearby and reasonably priced. Fingers crossed that the young fella Barb has contracted doesn’t let her down. You should have posted a “spoiler alert” for TAR!
There should be a time limit on hospitals sending bill Kathie. That’s the thing with haircuts. I’ve yet to find a place that charges by the amount of hair their customer has.
We’re picking up our friends and heading over to Disney’s Boardwalk Hotel. It’s a dandy place to watch fireworks from.
So, we’ll see you all in the morning.

 

[flgirl51]

Sorry Lee, you're right I didn't even think about a spoiler alert...

 

[A’Burg Guy]

That’s OK Karen. I’ll place a wager with Lu-Ann for breakfast out somewhere.

 

[fatherdav55]

My thoughts are again with the people of Ukraine, this morning. Stuck with a war they never wanted, made by a tyrant who is not above targeting civilians. So many of the people that have fled Ukraine know that they never again will go back to their country.

Well aren't you spoiled, Lee. Having a "trash valet". As far as barbers, where I go, they sure are a busy place. When the older guy owned it, it was mostly him that did the cuts. Occasionally he'd have one additional barber, but usually they wouldn't last long. Now the place has 4 guy barbers and 1 female barber. 4 different rooms with 2 chairs in the main room where the main door is.

Good for you getting new tennis shoes, K2. They seem to spend more money for design & and testing on the sneakers than most other types of shoes. And that's why they are usually more comfy. It sure is nice once we get our taxes out of the way.

KC; I'd hate to be a renter, having to deal with all the whims of an owner and having the rent skyrocketing every year. Good thinking on taking the shower-surround inside, in pieces. It's not only easier on your back, but also gives you a chance to make sure all the parts are there.

Today we WERE going to go grocery shopping this morning. But the natural gas company will be here to make sure the meter in the basement matches the remote meter outside. (Sometime between 8 and noon.) We decide if they show up before 10, we'll still go to the grocery store. The days of having a meter-reader are pretty much gone. Now they just drive down the street and their computer picks up the signal from the house's outside meter. Same goes for the water company.

I wonder how many fish-fry signs I'll see today in front of churches.

 

[K2-Mich]

I see my title next to my picture is Wacky Wrabbit. I like it! Ha ha. The rest of you are 3rd Officers!

It’s another 37F SUNNY day here. Very bright, but still cold outside. And to think next week Wednesday it’s suppose to be 60F and the next day Thurs BANG it falls to 34F. Crazy.

Dave: It makes me sick, literally, to watch what that MONSTER is doing to the people and country of Ukraine. The latest attack on the Nuclear plant has been labeled a Terrorist attack. They have the workers trying to keep the place from doing a MELTDOWN with Guns pointed at them by the enemy. Horrible.
I had to shut down news reports because I was feeling a anxiety attack coming on. And that’s just not me at all.

Wonder how our CRUISERS are doing. I saw that Bill posted from the ship on Facebook. I told him to stop by and let us know how things are on the ship? I doubt we will hear from him.
I hope Pat and her gang are enjoying their time together.

I went to our Krogers grocery stores yesterday on the way home from the tax appt to get my $7 buck credit and the CUSTOMER SERVICE DESK AREA was CLOSED! Not enough employees to keep it open everyday. Wow. One employee said it would be open today. I’ll be going back there soon.

Lee: I’m totally can’t get over all the “Affairs” that went on with everyone associated with the Queen and Duke. I can now totally understand WHY HARRY & MEAGAN got out from under that lifestyle. Not a easy life behind those Iron Gates.

Okay gang I need to get a few things done around here.

I have a story to share with all of you about the Refrigerator we bought Oct of 2020 and put on one of those “Interest Free” extended payment plans. I promise to tell it another time. (All good)

 

[Negc]

Thought I posted yesterday but apparently it didn't take. Had some great comments that willl now go forever unread.
Liked your racing photo, Lee and glad you have such a good and generous property owner who isn't going to take unfair advantage of the price inflation so apparent with other rental owners.
Left Curaçao yesterday afternoon and now have two full days at sea before we arrive back in FLL. Everyone seems to be having a great time and we have met some very nice people from various locations in the US. Today we had a champagne toast and lunch with an officer with filet mignon and tiger shrimp and a delicious chocolate cake w. vanilla ice cream for dessert. Kevin and Jamie and Lisa and Jason joined us for dinner and tonight we will be dining with our friends, Dianne and Rich, and Jimmy and Patty. Breakfast each morning is relaxed and pleasant in an uncrowded Coastal Kitchen dining room. Much better than the crowded Windjammer Cafe buffet or one of the Main Dining Rooms.
Saw a picture of Bert and Pat relaxing on their cruise. Hope they are having as good a time as we have been.
We did manage to book a 14 night cruise that goes roundtrip from New Jersey to Greenland and Newfoundland but it isn't until September, 2023. Greenland is one of the few North Atlantic ports we have yet to visit and it is not frequently on an RCI cruise itinerary.
Weather has been ideal although our excursions off the ship have been limited to the immediate dock area in Aruba and Curaçao due to the heat and my somewhat limited mobility.
Hope that this post makes it and will try to check in again before we arrive back in Florida. If not I will post when we arrive back in Vero. In the meantime, be safe and pray for those folks in Ukraine.

 

[A’Burg Guy]

Good evening Bunnies and Wacky Wabbits alike.
We started the day at Old Key West Resort where we had a delicious breakfast featuring banana bread French toast. Darned fine if I do say so myself. Thank you Karen.
Thanks for stopping by Bill. I can’t imagine how much the port in Aruba has changed since we were there. Fantastic that the weather has been good for your voyage.
There seem to be so many things that either aren’t open or are operating at reduced capacity. I am really tiring of everyone blaming Covid. How can it be be, and this goes for home too, there are so many unemployed and so many help wanted signs Kathie. We too can’t believe the goings on behind the “Royal Compounds”. All that stiff upper lip and secret stuff.
So Dave, did the grocery shopping happen or did the water people put the kybosh on that plan? I’m amazed that even the utility companies are so dependant on electronic devices to read meters and generate bills. We used to get every other bill “read” by a right proper meter reader. They adjusted the charges up or down. Now, like you said it’s a “drive by” or entirely on line.
I don’t know how that monster is still in control of his misguided troops and inflicting the destruction and terror on the people of The Ukraine. How can a satellite see a license plate from space but they can’t rid the world of him?
We better run a mop around a couple of the cubbies. Our seafaring friends will be back sooner than we think!
See you all tomorrow. Or later this evening.
I hope you have all had wonderful Friday’s.

 

[K2-Mich]

Shhhh….it’s early and I don’t want to wake anybody. I should have know better than to have that cup of coffee so late in the evening. So now I’m up at this ungodly hour watching The Crown and hoping to fall asleep. Bummer.

About mopping up the Cubbies…..I’ll take a look at them and get the Dust Bunnies out from under the beds.

Bill: Great post. Glad you’re all having a good cruise. I had to laugh when you said it was to hot at one of the ports. It’s been a steady 33F here in my neck of the woods lately.

Dave should be on here shortly, so I better get off and leave him some room. I’ll be back later.

 

[fatherdav55]

The terror and war-crimes continue in Ukraine, and inch up the inhumanity every day. Damn that Putin and his army, who are not only targeting civilian homes but now are shelling schools and hospitals. And all for what?

Good day for you to take a BEloved afternoon nap, K2. Hope you didn't have another cup of coffee this morning. Oh yea....just use the garden hose on the cubbies.

Nice to see you popping in, Bill. Pleased to read that your cruise is going smoothly, and you've had nothing but good weather.

First up Lee; Why do they call that place "Old Key West Resort"? What's its' connection to Key West? Nope, we didn't go grocery shopping yesterday, so we'll do it this morning. The lady from the natural gas company showed up way past 10. Kathi had her come in through the garage and down the steps to the meter. The gas company tells you ahead of time to keep your pets away from their people. (So it was me and Fuzbutt upstairs while Kathi showed her where the meter is.) She ran her "sniffer" around the gas meter and nearby pipes, wrote down the meter reading and then was off to her next house.

I never got to see the lady but I could hear her voice. She sounded like a jovial person, with all her laughing. And Kathi said she was.

Hard to believe, but we are actually going to be in the mid 60's today and tomorrow. And then it will take its' inevitable dive back below freezing.

 

[A’Burg Guy]

Good morning.
Well Kathie, if you’re up you may as well put the coffee pot on for the rest of us.
Old Key West was the original Disney Vacation Club resort Dave. It was built to reflect the colourful cottages you see if you get off the beaten path in Key West. Naturally the “cottages” are on a larger multi unit platform. Their check in area pool and restaurant, Olivia’s, are all decorated in the Key West “vibe”. The music in public areas is all tropical or “trop rock” (Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and their laid back styles). I bet that meter lady gets on well with customers if she has a positive outlook and good sense of humour.
Every day I think the world finds it harder to believe how low that dictator will go in his pointless war against innocent people. There are no words…
Have a great day folks and as we go about our “normal” day think of the people of The Ukraine.

 

[K2-Mich]

This is SO PURE MICHIGAN that I had to post it on here after I saw it on Facebook. Note where we are now.... Spring of Deception. Sunday temps to be 60's.... Monday 34F!

Help yourself to coffee!