"Come on D-o-w-n !!!"

I felt like I had been called on "The Price Is Right."  /After everybody's busy day ( I had a great workout- /BP at start was 106/78)  we went to Cracker Barrel for early dinner and a visit to "Rooms-to Go" (Pompano) where Raoul was happy to show us around the showroom at various "looks" and ensembles. The prices were fair (as in just)  and the kids started to furnish my new house.  I, of course, was overwhelmed. Jason told me he came to the store with a figure in mind. I have to say we got a lot for their money (a real chunk of change). It will be delivered next Tuesday: Recliner (electric), reclining couch (electric), Tables, lamps, bedroom set-(7 pieces) (articulated bed ) dining table (pub table and 4 barstools) and  bonus 32 inch television. In short, I am set up in the new digs. The furnishings are nicer than any I have had prior to my 67th year.  I am still overwhelmed.  This is Lori's birthday week and I got the loot! Go figure. She is a treat- Raoul was teased within an inch of his life.

Visiting John Prince Park

I was invited to lunch at the Maison Latour on Saturday and it was very nice. We did some walking to admire the new facilities: pavillion and laundromat, landscaping and paving. We saw Andre and Nicole briefly as they had a family event to attend. Saw some other old faces and enjoyed the feeling of being in camp. I headed home about 4:30 because I wanted to go to Harbor Freight to buy a big magnet. Jason's fillet knife went in the canal and I think it can be fished with a magnet.

Honey is having a hard time. She is absolutely resistive to all meds. I ended up shoving them down her throat. She ended up barfing two days worth of semi-digested food on the only piece of carpet in the whole house. Jason ended up hosing off the rug and  mopping floors last night. The possum is still around and Honey and Buddy go ballistic if they catch a whiff.

We have all been furiously playing "Word"- I had to quit this morning because Lori was whipping me and I needed a rest. I wasn't mad but I was frustrated.  If you don't get the letters, it is hard to score. She plays for blood-I like that.

Real Life

Honey and Buddy went in the canal Thursday afternoon chasing the possum. Honey cut her foot and was bleeding profusely. Off we went to the Pet Vet in the BMW! I offered to take my van.  Honey had surgery and has to wear a cone for a few days.All the blood was scrubbed from the driveway and only a little got on the car-washed up fine. The protective seat cover was a different story but it washed nicely. I love about my son, that the dog was important and the car was way down the list. Honey is not a happy camper but she was out scouting for the possum this morning. Can't keep a good hunter down.

I am anxious to get her in her own backyard because now that she has been in the canal she may go again. The handover of the new house looks to be on schedule for February 8.  We have been looking at furniture. We found the most comfortable recliner but I couldn't get out of it. The mechanism is faulty. (true story-I am not making excuses)  The 5'2" salesperson demonstrated it could be done but it was a struggle for anybody bigger. Lori and I found an electric one yesterday- equal comfort, no stress.

Went shopping with Lori: Tarjay (Target)  then we went to lunch at the Baja Cafe. We had fun though we were a bit rushed by my schedule.

The six chairs I bought from Habitat for Humanity had to come home-they needed the space. I got them in the van. Jason scanned a tag with his iPhone and they retail at $189.00 per copy. These came from an FDIC auction and are a sturdy HON brand. I figure at $15.00 each, even if they end up patio furniture they are good value.

I made it to Cardio Rehab Friday and had a good workout. My Nu-Step work level was at 3 and I walked a mile and quarter at 2.7 m.p.h. on the treadmill.  It is mind numbingly boring. One of the attendants caught me making faces at Bert yesterday. My coumadin is in the therapeutic range. After some time they will try another cardioversion (shock the s--t out of me) of my A-Fib but in the meantime I am feeling well and progressing. I do get tired sometimes but I listen to my body and go get horizontal when that happens.

Life in Urbanity

Taking Thayne to PBIA was hampered by a crash that tied up traffic for miles. Because of the weather his flight was delayed 30 minutes so it all worked out. He has checked in from Wyoming so he made it home but his suitcase didn't.

The firetrucks came to a neighbor's house yesterday. We think storm damage caused a problem. I missed Cardio-Rehab yesterday. I was sleepy, arrived early for the workout and said I will just close my eyes for a minute- It was 2:10 when I woke up. A nap in the van-welcome sleep but not particularly satisfactory.

On the way home I stopped at the habitat for humanity re-Store which Jason had said was great for finding stuff for homes. I bought six chairs-pretty nice ones- for under $100.00. I think that scared him (Mr. Low Rent meets Mr. Quality Counts)  so they took me to City Furniture after supper. We had a good look around at the various styles and types of furniture. It was useful in establishing prices and values, too. I have been scouting a nearby consignment store. We have no real idea when the new house will be vacated. but a few things to put in it at the get-go will be helpful. Lori is fun to shop with. She loves the process.

The Party's Over

Last night Jason took us to Marcello's for dinner: Jason, Lori, Thayne, and Denise-a "blind date" for Thayne's bon voyage. A pricey place but with delicious food and punctilious service. Lori asked our heavily accented waiter how to say something in Italian. He said "You'll have to ask one of the Italians- I am from Argentina." We got a big laugh out of that. I would say the blind date was not a match but it was fun and we got to know somebody new.

Today Thayne will board Southwest Air for a trip back to Wyoming. He is routed through Baltimore so he may have an adventure or two with the weather before he makes it home. We had an adventure with weather last night after a balmy evening. One hour we were standing in the cul de sac visiting with neighbors and watching Buddy leading the big dogs on a merry chase, the next hour it was blowing seriously and the lights wrere flickering- a deluge followed.. The pool is a mess this morning.

I need to start making noise: Jason wanted to be up by 8:00 a.m. in order to get everything done before we go to Palm Beach International  Airport. I'll start by uncovering the birds.

Old Tuna Breath

Sunday we motored out to Vista BMW so Thayne could look at Mini Coopers. We we not treated well at all at this snobby dealership. I gave them a piece of my mind. Told them either one of us could write a check for  their damn minis but they wouldn't see a nickel. We were received with reverence at the Pet Deli which is in a huge "flea market." Jason had phoned in an order for Juneau. The flea market is not open open air-it is more like a mall and we couldn't find a place to park in the 40 or so acres that surround it. There was a steady stream of cars. I finally had Thayne cruise the mall while I went in to pick up organic entrails to feed the Juneau.

Sunday night the dogs were alerting so out they went into the sideyard. They werre insistent something was in the bouganvillea bush. After much searching and gingerly parting thorned branches Thayne found a young possum. We already had on hand neighbor Billy's Haveaheart trap that we were going to use on a gimpy raccoon. So Jason opened a can of tuna  for bait after we figured out how how to operate the rusty trap. In the house  the dogs went, and we watched TV while we waited. All of a sudden Jason said to Buddy-"You smell like tuna!" So we checked the trap. Buddy had cleaned up the bait and waltzed out of the trap unscathed. It had not even triggered. There is usually a good-natured contest to see who Buddy will bed down with. Nobody wanted to win but Lori did.

Having a houseguest often reveals a side you did not know. Thayne loves to shop-not buy necessarily, though he did buy some new tennis shoes- he bought his last pair when he was a Junior in high school and is now 42. He has asked and gone on shopping forays with Lori. He has a great time. Lori is fun and every transaction turns into a friendship, though. She is constantly trying to "fix him up."

Busy, busy,busy

Thayne on the sofa at David's house Friday night. Where Levi's met satin. The occasion was Karen's birthday-a celebration made sweeter by her being "cancer-free" at this time. Karen is a long-time employee of David's. The food was catered, Italian, and delicious. Jason took the cake. It was not a huge gathering and it was the most relaxed party I have attended there. I helped David with the dishes and David and Jackie danced. It was a very good time

Saturday was without plans and it turned out fine. The ocean was flat so Jason suggested we go fishing. (That I go riding- I love going along and being on the water.) Jason found a spot that was hot. The fishfinder was beeping like crazy. They caught a number of 'trigger fish" that have small mouths and usually just steal the bait. They went back in the water. But two Vermillion Snappers, a Yellowtail Snapper and a Blackfin Tuna, were legal. kept and grilled, and inside of us within two hours. Delicious!

Jason and Lori had a Texas Hold 'Em Party to attend in Ft. Lauderdale. Thayne and I went to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Paid $13.00 for a draft beer and a gin and tonic at Hooters' outside bar. It was chilling with the wind. Thayne is so quiet that his enthusiasms don't show and I was getting frustrated. Just walking around. We killed some time but for my money, this was the least enjoyable adventure we have had.