I'd Be Lost Without You.....

February, 2014

We are heading west.  Our next stops, crossing Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana will be to see Emily Norris in New Orleans....

where we had a nice visit and dinner out.  Emily is grown now and is quite a nice young woman.  It was great having a few hours and really getting to know her.

While in New Orleans we took a walking tour and saw Sandra Bullocks house and a house owned by Nicholous Cage and Ann Rice.  It was a spooky house.  Not a surprise I guess.

We headed to Bossier/Shreveport, LA from New Orleans for a quick couple of days with Chrissy, Jason, John and Jacy.  We had to move fast cuz it was 25 deg. at night there and a cold front was moving in.  Two days after we left a huge storm hit and Chrissy had to go stay with friends because of a long power outage at her house.

John is quite the karate master now.  We were able to go to one of his classes.  I would like to add that he is now playing checkers (like his Grandpa Joe)  He played Mark when we were babysitting the first night and he won!

I am embarrassed to say that the baby carrier behind Chrissy and Jason has Jacy in it and that is the only picture I got of her.  I was holding her most of the time at the house and failed to get a picture.  Rats!

This is the "Cajun" Pawn Stars shop.  Mark remembered it on our way to Chrissy's so we stopped and walked around.  Our trip these last 6 months has taken us to many, many, pawn shops.  Mark is always on the lookout for Marlin rifles.  So, when we drive through towns if either of us sees a pawn shop we pull over if there is someplace within a block that will accommodate the motorhome and Mark runs in while I idle the engine.  We haven't made a purchase yet.  Still looking......

This is the card Mark gave me for Valentines Day.  I think it has been so appropriate throughout this trip.  Our motto is "It takes Two, baby!"

Damm I'm starting to get flabby arms!  Just saying.......

Anyway, I am installing the last three states.  Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.  These are the last three "new" states I will get on this trip.  Maybe this fall we will get that big empty hole in the middle of that map.

On to Texas and Craig and Wendy's house.

We will be having an extended stay here.  Craig is taking vacation to build a shed on his new property which is about 20 miles out of town.  Mark jumped at the opportunity to help.

Wendy and Craig's grandson, Kallen had his third birthday while we were here so he came over one afternoon and spend some quality time with his grandmas.

During the building project I hang out in the motorhome and enjoy playing candy crush, reading, motorhome chores and fixing dinner for everyone when they get home.  Wendy has been involved in the building project too but she is the photographer sending pictures to my phone so I haven't been able to get a picture with her in it.

January in Florida

January, 2014

We started the month in the Keys.  Everything was going great and then I shattered one of my crowns so we had to head north so I could find one of those endodontists that make a same-day crown.  I found one in Naples, Florida so we headed north.

Turns out they have Dog Tracks down here in Florida.  So, off to the greyhound races we go.  My first  race I picked the winner.  The Flying Apostle.  I picked it for my mother.

My next 6 picks, starting with Fuzzys Jay Leno were all losers.  So much for my picks.

This is my silk paper.  They had craft day and this was the project.  Have no idea what I will do with them but maybe frame them and give them as a gift!  Watch out, everyone, you may be the recipient of Angie's Art.  We also played bingo.  I was a bingo winner on bing night.  Mark went down to card night and played poker with the guys.  He came home with an extra ten bucks.  We like this place.  We missed the horse races.  The Seahawks were playing so I didn't want to miss anything.  We may be having some horse races up at the lake this year.  It sounded fun.

 We went to three movies while we are here in Naples.  After one of (our movie we went to a restaurant with Chilean food.  Mark was a good sport about trying some different food and we had a good meal.

Headed for Sarasota after Naples and this little restaurant (the Turtle Beach Pub) was across the street from our campground.  They had a mean Mojito!  The happy hour at this restaurant and the one next to it were good and we walked across the street several times during our stay for 2 for 1 drinks and half price appetizers.  What a life.

There was an art show in Sarasota at St. Armand's Circle.  High end stuff.  These little cuties were sitting on the bench in front of their "mommies" boutique for dogs.  Their "daddy" had them out enjoying the people and posing.  They did like having their picture taken, I think.

The parkway had this statue which I just had to take a picture of.  It was 30 feet high.  Now, that's a big smooch!

We stayed at Turtle Beach Campground near Sarasota.  It was backed up right to the beach.  Mark wasn't catching a lot of fish.  As a matter of fact, I think this may be the only one but it was a doozie!  Shark!!!!

As you can see, we had some nice, sunny weather for several days.  Mark's friend there in the background would hang around, waiting for someone to throw away a little fish or pieces of useless bait.  He was very patient and not afraid of people.

Stayed in Sarasota til the end of January and them started the trek west.