Catching Up

Not sure if anybody noticed, but I haven't blogged in quite awhile. I've not been in the mood - not sure why but I've been in a funk and feeling sorry for myself and not motivated. But, I'm over it now and have reminded myself why I started this blog in the first place. I started it so that when I'm old and grey - some will say that I'm already old - but not grey thanks to Lady Clairol - but I mean when I'm really, really old, I'll be able to read my blog and remember where I've been and what I've seen and done. Now, I need to document the last month. Here goes.

At the end of July my cousin and her husband rented a house in Dillard, Georgia to have their children and grandchildren all gather for a family vacation. They so generously invited me to come along. We took in the local sights, ate, played cards, had fun. The highlight of the trip was tubing down the Chattahoochee River in Helen, Georgia. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the tubing adventure as there was no way to keep the cameras dry. It was my first time tubing and it was very exciting.







The week after my return from Georgia, Tom and I were visited by Rich and Linda. We spent a nice afternoon showing them the "world-famous" Iron Horse Inn and the Daytona Harley Davidson Dealership followed by lunch.






On August 20th, Tom and I drove up to Wilmington, North Carolina to spend the weekend with his daughter and son-in-law. We had a very nice visit relaxing at the pool, boating and plenty of good eating.







And, this past weekend I drove down to spend the weekend with my brother and sister-in-law in Fort Lauderdale. Walt drove us up on Saturday to see Lake Okeechobee and on Sunday we checked out a "new-to-me" local casino. You know those players cards will end up on eBay very soon.







So, that about brings me up-to-date. We are preparing to head up to Asheville, North Carolina next week to attend my nephew Andrew's and Kristin's wedding. Looking forward to some cooler weather.

Bingo or Bust

Tonight I went to the local Bingo Hall without the usual suspects. It wasn't as much fun going alone, but I did get my gambling "fix." I lost - which is my norm - wasn't even waiting in any game, although I enjoyed myself. It's a lot cheaper going to Bingo than Atlantic City, just not near as exciting. I chatted with some of the ladies at my table and they have me excited about going back to Biloxi. Tom and I used to go to the Isle of Capri in Biloxi a couple of times a year before and after Hurricane Katrina but haven't been there for many years and I don't remember why we stopped. Perhaps we'll go in December as our Christmas gifts to each other.

Random or Rambling?

So my nephew Tim asks where are the random musings of Crazy Aunt Liz? Wow - how do daily columnists or bloggers come up with so many topics to write about. If they are writing about their daily personal experiences, then I'm in trouble. Frankly, my life isn't all that exciting and didn't think it would make good copy. The most interesting times for me are when I'm planning a trip or when I'm on a trip. Once I return home, I'm either catching up on the mail, doing laundry, watching TV, surfing the internet or shopping, Nothing any more unusual that what everybody else does when they get back from a trip except they get it done right away and I drag it out until I have to get ready for the next trip.

Since I retired from federal service almost fourteen years ago my life does not have a routine. Working makes you have a schedule whether you want one or not. I miss not having that structure in my life - not that I'm complaining and I certainly don't want a job or any committed schedule, but there is something to be said for it. You have a certain amount of time to get things done and you do them. When there is no deadline and you can put it off until tomorrow, you do, or at least I do. I make a list of things to do the next day and I'm lucky if I get any of them done. Some days I'm just not motivated to do anything. I work better under pressure and need deadlines.

Yesterday I dragged out a bunch of stuff stored behind the sofa to sort through to sell on eBay and ended up just moving it around and putting it in different boxes - but none of it got put up for auction. I did come across two puzzles that I had put together awhile back and glued them with mod-podge. The rest of the day I spent on the internet playing this new game Jungle Jewels (the game is probably not new but it is to me) and watching some movies on TV. A really productive day!

This morning, with renewed enthusiasm, I'm determined to get something accomplished today.

Eileen - Happy 60th Birthday

To my long-time friend of 40-plus years, I wish you a healthy and happy birthday. Welcome to the Club. I won't lie and say the 60's are wonderful - but they're not bad. Enjoy!

Happy 9th Anniversary toTim & Jenn

Journey's End - Day 13

I left Pennsylvania yesterday morning for the drive back to Florida. There was much more traffic on I-95 around Washington, DC than I had expected. It was smooth sailing once I got through Virginia. A stopover in Florence, South Carolina last night and then continuing on today. Got home in Florida this afternoon. My cats were very happy to see me. There's no place like home!

New Hope - Day 11

Today I went with my girlfriends Mary and Dolores to New Hope, PA and Lambertville, NJ. New Hope is an artsy kind of town with lots of shops and restaurants and a place I visited many times in my younger years. It was fun walking around there again. We had dinner at the Lambertville Station, the site of my class reunion this coming September. Heading South tomorrow morning for the long ride back to Florida.

Losing it in AC - Day 8

I left the beautiful mountain weather Tuesday afternoon and headed northeast. With a stopover in Staunton, Virginia to break up the trip, I have now arrived in Atlantic City. I keep forgetting how long a drive it is coming from the Mountains and dealing with the I-95 traffic. I swear this is the last time I'm driving it myself and not looking forward to the drive back to Florida. If I'm tempted again to make the Linville/Atlantic City run, please direct me to this post to refresh my memory. One of the places I stopped for gas today was in Woodstock, Virginia (not the famous Woodstock). It reminded me that many years ago - probably in the 1970's - Tom and I after visiting his brother and wife in Charleston SC, all four of us then drove together to Pittsburgh to visit his parents. The water pump broke on the trip and they couldn't get the part until the next morning. We all slept in our car inside the garage bay. Not many photo ops today so just some pictures to remind me of the drive and stops I made along the way.

Chillaxin - Day 6

My company left this afternoon. It was a fun weekend. Tonight I was just chillaxin (a word I stole from my trend-setting niece Kate). Need to do a few chores tomorrow morning then hope to get on the road in the afternoon to continue my trip North.

Happy 4th of July - Day 5

Today we celebrated Independence Day by going to Tweetsie Railroad - an amusement park in Blowing Rock NC - and stayed for the Fireworks presentation after the park closed. We did not get home until 11:00 pm. I am so tired that I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.