Introducing Rocky & Reba Redwood!

       A close friend recently told me that I need to start blogging....so after eleven months, here goes!

Neil and I have simply been hanging out in PA and working.  That is until the Hershey RV Show in September.  I kept saying that we were in a conundrum...not moving ahead on any of our new goals as full-timers. Well we certainly got things going.  We purchased a new 2014 Redwood RV at the show and it was delivered to us last Friday.

We are currently staying at Pinch Pond Family Campground in Manheim, PA.  They were nice enough to allow us to use the site next to us for the switch.  Arriving almost an hour early, we quickly got to the task of moving.  I had packed as much as possible in bags to help expedite the move.  We were fortunate enough to have our son, Scott, my sister and her husband, Mike & Terry, our good friend, Darlene and Neil's friend Bill to help us.  After approximately five hours we had managed to move everything over to the new RV!

Introducing Rocky & Reba Redwood!

I still can not believe that after several years of looking for a truck we found exactly what we wanted and in that perfect black color to match our new home!

I must say that they are a beautiful match!

Saying "Goodbye"  to our Jayco was a little bittersweet!  Purchased in 2005 (a 2003 model - only two years old), this RV was always good to us...especially in the last seventeen month living in her as full-timers.

So now the real work begins...finding a home for everything?  We somehow managed to clear off the bed and sleep in our new home that night.  Sofa and chairs were all piled high with stuff.  So when I woke up on Saturday morning, I found my tea and tea pot for a nice cup to start off my day.  Here is an interesting fact.  My tea bags have slogans or thoughts for you to reflect upon.  this was mine on that first morning…

Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light. 
(might need to work harder on the "travel light")

It has been several days now and I am feeling more organized than I did at first.  However, the biggest hurled was all the different size cabinets.  I guess I thought it would all be arranged similar to how I had organized our Jayco Designer.  Quickly, I realized that I needed to let that thought go!  Now things are coming together nicely, and I do say...we love our new home!  The lay out provides so much more open space.  I love the large island, so much counter space!  The fireplace is...well only off at night when we sleep!  Haven't tried the washer/dryer combo yet, waiting till Neil is home.

I will leave you with a promise to follow up with inside picture and an early Thanksgiving wish.  I truly know that Neil and I are truly blessed with such wonderful family and friends.  Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Neil & I had a wonderful Christmas this year!  We spent time with both of our families on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day and  lots of time with Scott & Sara!  We even left Reba (our RV) to sleep at their home.  It was a wonderful time filled with great memories.  Scott even surprised us by playing and singing songs for us with his new guitar.  Including Silent Night (my favorite)!

As wonderful as Christmas was, we were very anxious too head south to warmer weather!  My father as some of you know was having health problems.  To be exact a 9mm kidney stone!  Several weeks ago he had back pain and was tested for a stone.  However, his pain was not from the stone. He actually had over done it and was having back pain.  In a few days it was gone and he was feeling better.  He was scheduled to return to the urologist on January 2nd.  So Neil and I decided to head to South Carolina until we hear the next set of test results.  So we found ourselves back at Huntington Beach State Park (the place we visited at the end of October for the Carolina Clan reunion).  

One morning I looked out our RV window to find a new friend!  He was just strolling around looking for food.  Not shy at all!  Eventually, almost everyone in our camp row came out to see him!

Found some time to relax by a nice campfire!

On New Year's Eve, we went to Brookgreen Gardens www.brookgreen.org for a candle light tour of the gardens.  It was absolutely beautiful!  The pictures do not do it justice.  

Beautiful wreaths and trees in the indoor rooms.

My favorite wreath with all the shells.

All of this exhibit was absolutely beautiful...would go back to see it all again!

My sister who has been helping Mom & Dad in my absents, has been wonderful and I will certainly be giving her all the time off she needs when we are home again.  Taking care of parents living in their own home at age 85 and 87 is not an easy job.  A big "thank you"!  

On Jan. 2nd, we heard that Dad was on a three month hold with the  doctor, so Neil and I headed south   to Florida on the 3rd!

So...we have arrived in Florida!  Our first night was spent at the Flamingo Lake RV Park  www.flamingolake.com  just outside of Jacksonville.  Quite awhile ago, we saw a show on one of the restaurants on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in Jacksonville called The Metro Diner.  OMG what a wonderful place!                www.metrodiner.com

YoHala on the Square!  A type of French Toast with bananas, creme cheese filling grilled and topped with fruit compote!  Please note this is a half order and was served as an appetizer!  I have never had an appetizer for breakfast!

Eggs Benedict with Crab Cakes and Hash Browns - my breakfast.
Neil is having eggs with bisquits topped with sausage gravy and home fries!

That is me on the left with a very large to go bag...breakfast tomorrow promised to be delicious as well!

Sorry I have not posted for so long and sorry this was so long...thanks for listening!  Happy New Year!