MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

 FROM 

LINDA AND DAN 

AND

SEA-ENNA

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN PARADISE PARK

We did a little late night tour through the park to check out those that have put up light displays for the Holiday season.  

Kudos to those that put in the effort, it sure makes everything look so "Christmassy". 

Then there are these that had to be photographed in day light as they don't show as well at night.  

I know someone that would love this in her yard.  

WELL DONE EVERYONE

SETTLING IN

Well, we have been here for a week and the first few days were very hectic.  First of all it was getting supplies in, Groceries, Propane etc.  Then getting TV internet and phone all hooked up. Then we had to get busy on our commitment to host Christmas Dinner this year.   Of course at the time we promised to do that, we didn't know we would have such a hold up at home and be late getting here. 

But we finally got our patio furniture out and all set up after having to have our Orange tree cut down.  It was in real sad shape when we got here this year.  I have been trying everything to keep that tree alive, for a number of years, all to no avail. 

  I got my Christmas decorations out and set up.  

 

 

Our tree is up.  LOL

  

So we are all ready for the season.  Now we just have to concentrate on that party we are hosting.  We have already had so many wonderful volunteers step forward.  It makes it so easy for us.   

LET THE WINTER SEASON BEGIN.  

WE ARE IN PARADISE

We have arrived safe and sound here in Paradise Park, our winter home away from home.  

The weather is wonderful, we had to have the A/C on yesterday, but we are without it today.

We still have unpacking to do, and we haven't even un loaded our patio stuff out of the shed.  Oh, well, that's another day. 

FIRST WE HAVE TO GET TV AND INTERNET  AND OUR PHONE GOING.  

WE HAVE ARRIVED IN TEXAS

We awoke this morning to more fog and misty rain.

Drove across the Flint Hills of Kansas under dull dreary skys.  

When we got to Oklahoma the sun was finally out in full force.  What a releif, after all those gloomy days.  

As is tradition, we waved and took a pucture of the Thackerville sign as we passed.  One of these days we rally must stop there and take a look around.  

We just crossed the border into Texas and have stopped for the night.   Tomorrow we will do the run from the Top of Texas, down to the Tip of Texas..  To our winter escape hatch.  

THEN IT IS RELAXATION TIME

TONIGHT'S STOP OVER IS IN PLATTE CITY, MISSOURI

When we left Forgo North Dakota this morning, we were shrouded in absolute pea soup fog.  We thought, "Oh well, this will soon burn off",  as morning fog usually does.  But NO.  This hung on for most of the day slowing down our travels all the way through the rest of North Dakota, all of South Dakota, on through Iowa, and into Missouri.  What a drag.  

As we drove through Missouri heading to Kansas City and our switch over to I 35 we decided to call it a night.  The fog had lifted but it was still very overcast.  "Where is the Sunshine I am driving all this way to fine?"  Maybe we will find it when we reach Texas tomorrow.

That is our destination for tomorrow night.  Denton, Texas.   And hopefully the sun will be shining.  

BRING ON THE TEXAS SUNSHINE

ARRIVED IN FARGO, ND FOR THE NIGHT

 Well, we were up and at it early this morning.  Said our "Good Byes" to our friends and neighbours, Gord and Ellie and we were on the road by 9:30 am.

As we headed to town we realized the the lighter plugin for our GPS had fallen apart and shorted out our doors locks.  Thank goodness "Ed" had already arrived at Murray's shop and did some testing and found the problems for us.  A new fuse and instructions to "Buy a new GPS cord" and we were on our way.    "Thanks again Ed". 

New GPS cord from CanafdianTire, done.  US funds from the Credit Union, done.  Dog food from PetValu, done, then a final gas top-up in St. Norbert and we were heading out of the city and to the boarder by 12:47 pm.    

That over night snow wasn't to bad on the highways, but really slowed things down, getting through the city to get our errands done.  We cleared the border by 2:00 pm and were here in Fargo by just after 4:00 pm.  

WELL, WE ARE ON OUR WAY!

 

 

 

.

WE HAVE HEAT!

We finally have our new furnace hooked up.  I was beginning to think I would never see this day.  

We have been heating our place with two ceramic heaters since the fall.  One in the kitchen and one in the living room.  It has been OK, but not exactly automatic.  You'd feel a little cool so, first you put a sweater on, then, colder still, turn the heaters on.  Next thing you know your sweating, so you take off your sweater then when that's not enough, you turn off the heaters and then repeat.  And so it went all day, and no matter what, the floor never got warm, it was always wool socks and slippers.  

And that toilet seat never did warm up.  BRRR!

So now we are busy packing up our summer cloths and heading to Texas.  

WE WILL BE OUTTA HERE ON THURSDAY MORNING.  

.  

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Usually, we are in Texas by this time of the year.  But this year we have been held up so we are getting to see our neighbour's Christmas display for the first time.  

Gord and Ellie Gowie's grand display  is usually dismantaled and put away by the time we get back in the spring so this is the only chance I have had to see it, in all it's glory.  

I'D STILL RATHER BE IN TEXAS

(but I'm counting my blessings  LOL)

 

IT'S TIME FOR TEXAS

As the weather gets cooler here in the Manitoba Interlake, our thoughts are turning to the warm weather that is awaiting us in Paradise Park of McAllen, Texas. 

 

It will be a few weeks before we leave, as we are still waiting for our furnace to be functioning and we don't want to leave until that job is complete.  But, we are starting to make lists of things to remember to shut down, things to pack, things we have to do here, before we leave, etc. etc. etc.  

We still have a lot to accomplish with the house, but we have done enough for this year.  We accomplished most of what we set out to do and the few things that didn’t get done are certainly not essential.  The condo we used to own was easy.  Lock the door and walk away.  Now we have a real house to secure and lock down.  

OH WELL, I'M SURE WE'LL FIGURE IT ALL OUT 

THE BEACH HOUSE RENO "So far"

This is the beach house we purchased in August of 2016.  Where we live in the early spring, prior to the launch of Thunderbird and in the late fall prior to heading for Texas.  

It is located about 10 blocks from Boundary Creek Marina, where we dock "Thunderbird".  

It is about 1/2 a block from the lake.  

We sold our little downtown Winnipeg Condo, with the idea of eventually turning this into our retirement home.  It will be a work in progress for the next couple of years, as we spend our summers living on the boat and working on the house to turn it into our eventual full time home . 

It's a real house with proper cinder block foundation, insulation etc.  But needs upgrading to today's standards.  Year one - was plumbing and bathroom.  This is what we started with.  

With a tiny bathtub that you can only stand up in to shower with a hand held shower head and a hot water tank in there behind the bathroom door.  

 In the summer of 2017, Dan tore out all the plumbing and put in all new lines from the water pump all the way to the sewer.

Needless to say the house became unlivable that summer, as we gutted and rebuilt a completely updated bathroom.  

With two entry doors.  One off of the kitchen and another entry from our bedroom. 

And a nice large shower stall.  Then it was off to Texas for the winter. 

Then when we returned in the spring of 2018 our list was formidable.  Complete new kitchen and a new gas furnace.  

So where do you start?  Apply for gas lines to be run to the house.  And like so many other things that happen in reno projects it's hurry up, get that done then wait.  So while we wait for the gas fitters, we installed a nice big fire pit, because after all, whats the beach without a fire pit. 

  

Then there was the design process, the shopping for cabinets and hardware.  My fridge I had already  purchased in the "year of the bathroom".  But I still needed a stove, counter tops, paint, trims, etc., etc., etc.   This is the kitchen I started with: 

Fortunately the new kitchen was going into a different room, that the back door entered into, so that we could keep this one functioning while we created the new kitchen.  So, this is what we ended up with.  

I still need some small trim around the windows etc.  But I am very pleased with the results. 

So it is time to head for the Texas sunshine and some rest, while we make our lists for next years projects.  

START PACKING