RV Blog--Life in a Box. This just ain't 'camping' any more....

Tuesday, March 30, 2004:

Okay, how did she do that? Lana's name is on my blog entries!!! I, of course, am too technologically challenged to have a clue how that happened. Heck, I freaked out yesterday when my monitor started going dark...I just knew it was on the verge of crapping clear out. Hours later, I found the problem...I'd unplugged what I thought was my old laptop's power cord to plug in a fan. Errrr, it wasn't the OLD laptop cord... Battery power was down to 20% before I figured out what was happening. Funniest thing--plugged it back in and my screen brightened right back!!! *blush*

Big outing yesterday--took Keith along to the RV store to pick up a new awning de-flapper and have a look at a big 5th wheel that was listed on their website. Only, of course, they'd SOLD it and not bothered to update the website. Then on to the Bartow Walmart (still a favorite place to go--NOT), to buy a fan for the Florida room. Keith was very good. He let me drive WITHOUT picking my lane, picking where I was going to park, telling me where to turn.... I think he's realized that if he po's the driver, he goes nowhere! Hehehehe!

We got new neighbors last nite. What a circus! When he finally got that little bumper-pull camper where he wanted it, he couldn't get it unhitched! Took him, his lady, her brother, the neighbor on the other side an hour of beating a banging around on that hitch. Of course, those of us with experience know that all he needed to do was roll the tow vehicle forward a tiny bit to relieve the stress on the ball..... but, no one asked us! LOL! We are soooo easily amused......

Time for me to go be a thorn in Keith's side.... :) Dinah

Dinah // Tuesday, March 30, 2004
______________________

Monday, March 29, 2004:

I've figured out a cheap, easy rehab for Keith. That old 'gun boat' and the bigass truck both could really use a coat of wax..... *evil grin* "Wax on--wax off"....

Taking Lana to the Orlando airport was the easiest trip in Central Florida, as it turned out! Less than 3 hours, up and back! Amazing! Of course, now she's gone and it's just us--with no activity director! LOL!

After much consideration, we've decided that this cute little box has got to be replaced by a larger one! The search is on!!! Our 'family' is just too large for life in a 28' box! Armed with my list of RV dealers, I'll start out by calling all the ones with toll free numbers to see what's out there. This operation could take a while, since Keith has decreed that only another Holiday Rambler will do! We'll see what's out there..... After all, we're stuck here for another 6 weeks or more--how hard can it be???? LOL!

Weather in Florida promises to be another sticky one--it's already 61, with the humidity at 87% and headed for an 80 degree high. Meanwhile, we hear that back in IL it was 75 degrees yesterday! Beautiful March weather--to be followed, no doubt, by a snowstorm..... LOL!

#1 son called last nite to share that he has now experienced his very first kidney stone and now appreciates the phrase... "GIVE ME DRUGS!!!" Methinks he has learned a whole new appreciate of what it was like to produce that son he's so proud of! He's certainly not impressed with the kidney stone gene that his dad seems to have passed on to his kids. I hope they didn't get the 'clogged arteries gene' , too.... But I suspect that Jared is now ready to accept that it could be there and to nip it in the bud!

'Nuff rambling.... Ya'll take care!

Lana // Monday, March 29, 2004
______________________

Thursday, March 25, 2004:

Good morning! Beautiful morning here--59 degrees, sunny, and very light wind for a change. I sat out in our new screen room and drank my coffee, instead of hanging out in the 50plus chat room.

Only 3 days left and then Lana is flying back to home and hubby and leaving us to fend for ourselves. :( Ah, well--we've managed for 37 years...I guess we'll survive. Sure has been nice having her here, tho. It's been fun watfching her pour over the local maps and find her way to anywhere in her little rental car! Heck, she's seen more of the area than WE have! LOL! Tonite we're taking her to the Harborside for dinner--seafood! None of us has tried gator tail yet, so that will be interesting.

Keith is doing just great. We're hearing a lot of whining about how he hasn't enough energy--duh! Major surgery?????? Always was an "I want it NOW" kinda guy! No patience. He's only 3 weeks into a 2 month recovery--gonna have to figure out something, now isn't he? :) lol I'm looking for a cardiac rehab program where he can go exercize under supervision.

Got the old car back--seems the alternator was just checking to see if I was paying attention--it wasn't really in need of fixing! Stuck brush or some such--it's that kind of car! Thump the offending part with a screw driver handle and away you go again! LOL!

Have a great day!

Lana // Thursday, March 25, 2004
______________________

Sunday, March 21, 2004:

So, for all 3 of my blog fans, here's the link to our online albums again. Click

We had a terrific Sunday. Good friends who'd been wintering in norhtern FLA, came down to admire Keith's new "zipper". Wore him out but he loved it! His recovery is going much slower than he'd like, but it's going great! I have to admit that the second month will be a real treat, when he's NOT wanting to just eat, sleep and take his walks--but isn't allowed to do any lifting or pulling or car repair or any of that fun guy stuff.....

Sure enough, Super Wally World sucked--and then didn't even have what I went there for! I was looking for a huge piece of green outdoor carpet that they used to sell, since the one outside our door was getting really raunchy.... Ended up with the high-price, pretty blue one from the RV store. Which we'll need as a floor in our new screen room after it's installed on Tuesday! Yippee! We'll get to sit outdoors without being eaten by skeeters and pestered by the blasted love bugs. :)

It got up to the mid-80s here today, and we were so unamused that we turned on the airconditioning.....

Lana // Sunday, March 21, 2004
______________________

Saturday, March 20, 2004:

For folks who LIVE in a 'travel' trailer and are trapped where they'd rather not be, we're surprisingly happy! The humidity is oppressive, we don't much care for temps in the 80s in MARCH--but LIFE IS GOOD!

Keith is doing great. Sleeping a lot, eating a lot and walking around the park as much as he can.

Lana is still here, and we're off in search of the nearest Super Walmart.... (I know--I hate them too, but sometimes ya gotta go....) Later....

Dinah // Saturday, March 20, 2004
______________________

Wednesday, March 17, 2004:

Rained ALL DAY yesterday. We're getting a taste of that 'wonderful' Florida weather we used to just watch on the Weather Channel! Picturesof Lana trying to get from her trailer to ours, for those who care--in the Life and Times Album, I think...

Keith is doing just as predicted. Very tired and sore, but glad to be alive, and home! Looks like we get to keep Lana for another week--she's teaching her daddy to cook healthy stuff! The meals are great! I've never been much of a cook--maybe because all Keith liked to eat was meat and potatoes and lots of salt? Anyhow, it's fun to have her all to ourselves for a while--and she's been a godsend!

Dinah // Wednesday, March 17, 2004
______________________

Sunday, March 14, 2004:

Home from the hospital, at last!We finally got him back to his puppies and his own 'turf' and he's pooped. But, at least no one is waving prune juice and suppositories at him! :)

Lana is still here, bossing us around--which is a good thing! She's staying a while--depending on how long she can stand us and vise versa. She's sorta settled into the rental trailer here in the park--a bigger version of OUR box. Now to get settled into a routine. Funniest thing...food quit appearing out of the air, and dirty dishes now pile up instead of being picked up and carted away.... '

Dinah // Sunday, March 14, 2004
______________________

Thursday, March 11, 2004:

Forgive me! I should have posted here at least ONCE since Sunday! But I'm here now. Keith is doing great and may be discharged tomorrow! Tonite I got to come back to the motel with Lana, leaving him happily watching the movie "Patton".... :) Ain't life WONDERFUL!

Thank you to all of you who sent up prayers and emailed words of encouragement to us both!

This weekend will no doubt be filled to the brim with settling Keith into our little 'Box' and getting our puppies back home and settled down! The landlord is working on getting Lana into an empty rental unit close to us, so we won't have to all sleep in a pile in the little 'box' while she's here! :) So everything is under control and we're working toward 'the new normal'. Catch ya'll later....

Dinah // Thursday, March 11, 2004
______________________

Sunday, March 07, 2004:

Lana's Views another place to keep track of what's going on here!

We're heading back to Orlando this morning after a halfway decent night's sleep. We'll be staying there, since they plan to take him out of Intensive Care and give him a room in the Coronary Unit. I'll post a phone number for the room, a.s.a.p.

He's still doing great, according to his nurse early this morning--I'll be able to see for myself at 1:00.

Thanks for all your prayers and well-wishes. I'll have the laptop with me and be passing them on to Keith as I can.
Dinah

Lana // Sunday, March 07, 2004
______________________

Saturday, March 06, 2004:

This evening Keith was sitting up joking and visiting, still in the CVICU, under constant supervision and having plenty of pain that comes and goes, depending on the morphine. I can only see him for 1/2 an hour, 4 times a day, but they're pretty sure that, unless there are complications, he'll be moved to a real room on Monday, and can see people and talk on the phone, depending on what he's feeling up to.

Pam has started a webpage for anyone who wants to send greetings and well-wishes. click. Got some really old, and some really bad pictures on it!

Off to get a little sleep. More later....

Dinah // Saturday, March 06, 2004
______________________

To all our dear friends: Yesterday, Keith had open heart surgery--SIX bipasses. He is doing extremely well, sitting up talking ( in a morphine haze, of course). I'm doing well today! Both our kids, by a series of miracles, were able to fly in last nite and take over. :) He is currently in the intensive care at Florida Hospital in Orlando. I'm sorry, I don't have the address handy, but I wanted everyone to know as soon as possible. Will check back with you all when he's been moved to the CPU. (Cardiac patient unit) This is one of the best heartcare facilities in the Country and he's getting the best care possible! The Cardio Vascular Intensive Care Unit here is just unbelievable. Right now, there's a nurse with him at all times, monitoring everything right there in the room.

With all that said, it's time for me to get a shower and some clean clothes and get back to the hospital. More later.....

Dinah // Saturday, March 06, 2004
______________________

Wednesday, March 03, 2004:

Spring has sprung in sunny Florida. Lots of beautiful flowering trees. And humidity and highs in the low 80s.... Great, if you like that sort of thing....

Keith went to the doctor to seek treatment for worsening gallbladder attacks. Not the gallbladder. He has to get lab work today and see a cardiologist tomorrow. There are "abnormalities" on the EKG they ran yesterday. Naturally, our first instinct was to run for home and family, but that's just not practical! He doesn't need the stress of packing up, spending 2 days on the road, at least, and then trying to set things up where it's still cold, muddy and Winter!

Our little 'pack' of dogs has settled down. It's fun to watch the puppy running as hard as he can to keep up with the 'big dogs'! We had some 'moments' when Kizzee had to put him in his place, but now he's their favorite toy! :)

We got a visit from a pair of bikers, down from Michigan for Bike Week. Hadn't met them before, but they're part of our one-and-only bike club. Had a nice little chat, and then they road off on their nice, QUIET Harleys.... Sunday we've got folks biking in from Georgia that we haven't seen for a couple of years! Guess I'd better start de-cluttering our living space! LOL

Dinah // Wednesday, March 03, 2004
______________________