Fall Is Here....

Yep.   Fall is here.   But not the fall that I am used to with the leaves changing color and crisp, sweater weather.   It is in the low 80's in Gulf Breeze and sunny.  Humidity is low so that is a blessing. 

Sandy called one afternoon and suggested I meet her at Disney World on Monday.   Well, let me think...........I am on my way with Mom.   We at lunch at the Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort and shopped at Disney Village.

Here is Mom, Sandy, and I in the Floridian.

 

 Dad did not go on this trip.   He was building a fence in the back yard - his latest project.  Now Kacey does not have to be on a leash to go outside.

 

These pictures are two of the many sand sculpture contest designs at Navarre Beach.  It is amazing what these people can do. 

 Last week we joined The Club II.  This is the outdoor swimming pool, there is an indoor pool, and the most impressive exercise equipment area that I have ever seen. 

 

This dolphin is Winter, from the movie DolphinTale.  Mom and I went to Clearwater to spend the night at Kathy and Terry Cox's.  They have a beautiful condo on Clearwater Beach.  We sat on the balcony for hours talking and watching the view of the Gulf of Mexico.   Earlier Kathy took Mom and I to see Winter.  Winter lost her tail when a baby and was nursed back to health.  She is beautiful and looks so happy.   The movie features Winter and her story.

 

 I saw this on Pinterest.  I don't know how many times I was working and my brain would take off to the beach.   And now I am here in person - not just in thought.

And I am back to where I started.  It is fall but hardly feels like fall.   Kathy's Mom sent her leaves from Hobart because Kathy was missing fall so much.  I will also miss the first snow fall and a white Christmas.  But it is beautiful here and I really can't complain.  So happy fall to all - no matter whether you are in the north or south!

Pensacola Naval Museum

Hi everyone.   Sorry for not posting.....just lazy, I guess.   Today we went to the Taste of Pensacola and had some great food and went through the art and craft booths.  It was fun but hot and humid.
Yesterday was a busy day.    After doing some errands on the west side of Pensacola, we decided to stop at the Naval Aviation Museum.  It is one of Dad's favorite places to visit.  (The museum is about 30 minutes from our house - so easy to visit.)
www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

This is a wonderful statue of soldiers representing various wars with US involvement.   It is the first thing you see when you walk into the free museum.   Yes, I said free and it is one of the most amazing museums I have ever visited.  When visiting Pensacola, this is a must on your calendar.

In front of the museum is other statues. This is a Navy man dressed as Dad did when he was in the Navy.  Oh yes, and me.

 

 

The planes represent air flight from the beginning of airplanes to now. 

This picture above is the cover of another Shutterfly book that I did with pictures from past summer.  Recognize the man?   Yes it is a picture of Dad that I took when we were watching the sunset at Fort Pickens.  I love Shutterfly.   They have lots of specials and if you watch for them, you can get the books made for great prices.

My last picture for today.  Meet one of my friends we met up with on the Pensacola Beach pier.  He is a beauty.  What a life......spending your days on the beach and pier.

Life Happens....

Been a busy time working through a few problems this last week but we also had a wonderful visit from family.  So here we go.   Dad was not feeling so well after Labor Day Week-end for a couple of days but by Thursday evening he was really feeling bad with a terrible head-ache and a fever of 102 so off to emergency we went.  After many tests, they decided that he had an unknown viral infection.  All we could do was pour liquids down him, Tylenol, and rest.   After 4 more days, Dad was feeling better!   Yea!!!
Just in time because Robin and Sandy were coming in for a short visit and we were so excited.

 Robin is my cousin.   Isn't she a cutie!  Do you like her friend on the post behind her?

 

 

Dad, Sandy, and Robin.   They are not camera shy, are they?  Cute picture.  We went to Crabs on the beach for dinner and they got to spend some time the following day at the beach.  It was much too short of a visit.

We did get to walk on the fishing pier on Pensacola Beach.   It is the 2nd longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico. 

 

Warning:  Dogs should not chew gum - no matter how much they beg!

Kacey got into to some sugarless gum and I knew from a Facebook friend's comments (Colleen) that sugarless gum will kill a dog so off to the vet we went.   She was force vomited, had an IV, blood test, and stayed at the vet's office for the whole day for observation.   We returned the next day for another blood test and found that the liver count went up.  NO GOOD!  So she was put on liver medication and returned this morning for a third blood test.  YES!!  Liver counts back to normal.   I love my little Kacey and am so happy we could get her through this.   NO MORE GUM KACEY!!!   Many thanks to Colleen and her dog Butler for spreading the news on sugarless gum and dogs. I have also tried to spread the word on Facebook also.

 

 

Today we went to Taste of Pensacola Beach.   YUM.   I got sweet and sour chicken with rice and a sausage slider.   Dad had a footlong hotdog and Mom had the sweet and sour chicken and a chocolate ice cream bar.   There was live music and of course - the beach.   A wonderful day for this festival.

 

 

How about Taste of Kaiser's?   We soaked the chicken and sausage in pineapple juice and then put them on the grill.   Oh my!   So good.

Dad and I have been discussing our next project - fencing in the back yard but we will wait for the weather to cool down just a bit.  So, Dad is healthy again, Kacey is healthy again, Mom has been doing great, and I am happy.  Matter of fact, I quickly put together an 8 by 8 Shutterfly book on Thursday and got it upload.  They had a free 8 by 8 book deal going on but over by Thursday evening.   I was pretty busy with company, Dad, and Kacey and just never got around to starting the book but had it finished in 5 hours.  The first Shutterfly book I did took 2 weeks.  Hmmmm...... we will see how they compare. 

 

Take care everyone and have a great Sunday!

Isaac

Well, we had an unwanted guest.   This guest was not invited, showed up anyway, stayed too long, made a mess of our house and yard - his name was Isaac.  The weather men/woman started talking about a tropical storm way out in the Caribbean and they thought it might be a problem for the Republican Convention in Tampa.   Kathy and Terry were scheduled to visit for two days but decided that they had better head home and prepare for the bad storm.   As the next couple days went by, the storm was headed towards us.

So up went all the boards on the windows, all patio furniture came into the house with the help of Nicole, Lamont, Kray, and Elise.  We had the generator ready to start, gas to run it, and extra food and water.  Sunday night Isaac was coming towards us and we were going to leave the next morning for Sandy's in Atlanta since now they were thinking it would be a category II hurricane.  I woke up at 2:00 am and looked at the Internet and it was till coming towards us BUT by 8:00 am it had moved to the west and we would not get the worse of the storm!  Hurrah!!!

We decided to stay.   We could handle a category I.  As the storm came closer it moved over to New Orleans.  (You feel guilty in your prayers.  You pray that it does not hit your area but that, of course, means it would come on shore in another community.)  We ended up with the winds equal to a tropical storm.  Three days of winds and off and on rain was our only experience with Isaac.  So all the boards came down and furniture was put out on the patio. 

Hurricanes are nothing to ignore.  At the last second they can become a higher category and/or move to the east or west.  So it is best to prepare for the worse and hope for the best.

Things are back to normal.  Almost.  Unfortunately Dad has not been feeling well the last few days.   I think the worry and work associated with Isaac wore him down and he needs to rebuild his strength.  Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow.   Mom has been going through boxes of pictures and sorting according to Kaiser - Ronschke - Thomas family.  I know she is also trying to write the names of the subjects on the back.  Big job.  I have been been to the beach once since Isaac, doing some odds and ends around the house, and working on the budget.

We are hoping to see Sandy and Robin this week-end for a short visit.  I haven't seen Robin for some time and look forward to seeing her.  Sandy is my Aunt and we went to Disney together last February.  So that is it from Pensacola for now.........Take care!

I was going through my cell phone and cleaning out pictures and came up with some pictures that I thought I would put on my blog before they get sent to the trash.

This is a great picture of Dave with the blue sky behind him.   This is how I think of Dave when he isn't around.

Mom, Dad, and I treated ourselves to Peg Leg Petes for lunch last week.   Looks like he has Mom's arm - that silly pirate.

 This truck is carrying port-0-pottys.  I loved the saying on the back.   "#1 in the #2 business."  That tickled my funny bone.

I saw this poster on Pinterest and it brought me back to my childhood.   I had this poster hanging in my room throughout junior high and high school.  I think it is true!  

When I was up in Indiana, my friend Kris gave me a packet of lights to be installed under the kitchen cabinets.  This is Dad's newest project.   It will take awhile since the outlet has to be cut out in the wall, electric ran, etc.  It is going to be great.   Thanks Kris - these are going to be wonderful!

Yes, I know.  I have not been here for quite some time.   Reasons are:
1.  I have been busy.
2.  Mom's computer is down and she uses mine so it is stationed in her room.   When I think about using it, she is taking a nap.
3.  I am lazy.

Sooooo......., July was crazy with Dave here for the whole month.   This is the longest I have lived with Dave since we were kids and I must say, it went just fine.   No problems and I think we all are very aware of each other's space.  When we discussed making this move a 2 years ago, Dave said "We love each other, it will work out."   I think he is right. I loved having Dave here and I hope he comes for fall break.  The plane ticket prices are so high so we will see.......
Then Mike and Ron along with Sage came down for a week.  We had so much fun with them and hope Mike comes back really soon.   I know Ron will be here for Christmas.
I am now up to today's blog.  
When Dave left for Monticello at the end of the month, I rode up with him.  This was a drive all night trip and those trips wipe me out but at least you are there a bit quicker. Ron met us at Rensselaer to pick me up. I stayed with Ron for two weeks and had a great time.

 This is me at the beach before we left.  

Our friends, Nicole, Lamont, Elyse, and Kray have two paddle boards.   They offered us an afternoon with them and Dave had a blast.   In case you are unsure of how to use paddle boards, they are large - you stand, kneel, or sit on them and paddle around.  It is a popular activity here but the boards are not cheap.   I have not been able to find one for less than $800.00.

Once we got to Hobart, I stayed with Ron and Sage.   Sage went out of her way to make me feel welcomed.  She is a 7 month, 42 pound black lab with excess energy.   I miss you Sage.

I loved visiting in early August.  My friends Betty, Kelly, and Kris were not in school yet so they had more play/fun time.   I got to see each of them separately several times and also all together.  A also got to babysit Natalie and Colin one morning and had such a great time with them. 

Thanks for so much fun - Kelly, Steve, Natalie, Colin, Eric, Lisa, Eli, Lilly, Betty, Kirk, Kris,  Sue, Gordon, Dean, Mike, Laura, cousin Sandy and Jim, Uncle Carl.

My uncle Carl.

Ron and Sage.

This picture of Dave and Ron was taken on Shafer Lake.   Dave teaches with Tammy and  Tammy's family took us out on their boat.   This was such a treat for me because I spend 30 years of my life on Shafer Lake with boats.  I miss that so much!  

Tammy's son Caleb.  You can tell he LOVES living on the lake.

Ron's birthday is August 22 but we celebrated it my last night in Hobart with Mike and his sister Laura.  (Shhhhhhh....... Ron is turning 50.  How is that possible when his older sister is still in her 40's?

Top Ten Memories of Trip:

1.  Seeing family.

2.  Having fun with friends that I miss, miss, miss, miss.

3.  Eating at Lincoln Subs.

4.  Boat ride on Shafer Lake.

5.  Going to New Buffalo with Betty and Kris - shopping and of course, eating at Redimacks.

6.  Having time with Natalie and Colin.

7.Eating at Gelsosomos Pizza. 

8.  Seeing Kelly's beautiful new house.

9.  Having Betty bring new life back to my Great Grandmother's doll.

10.  Being with Ron for two weeks - priceless!

Guest Blogger - Dave Kaiser

My brother Dave  wrote this about today's beach activities. He is a science teacher - 6th grade. (You know how it is, younger brothers always wanting to get in on your fun when your growing up!) Just kidding Dave.

Today on The Gulf

By Dave Kaiser

What a beautiful day along the Gulf Coast near Navarre. The family was going to spend time on the beach and I was going to get in some boogie board time on the waves. Walked out on the beach, carrying all the supplies we needed for the day and began to set up base camp. We have a shelter that puts up rather quickly and easily except today. There is a good swift breeze blowing off the gulf trying to turn our shelter into a kite. It took all four of us to complete the installation of the structure when most days I could do it by myself. I could not help but think of John Candy in his film, Summer Rental, as we discovered on our first attempt we had somehow had one side right side up and the other end upside down. This should have been an easy fix yet somehow it was not. Three more tries later and the shelter was established.

Mom was settled in her beach chair prepared to watch over the water, Dad was on his way down to the water line to hunt for shells, Peggy was checking over supplies and then would join Dad, and I grabbed my board and headed out towards the waves.

The water was a beautiful emerald green close to shore and then a little further out it turned into a deep blue. Across the water sporadic white caps were the promise of waves to ride. The water felt cool at first but in no way caused one to pull back from entering. The waves invited me out to play and yet tried to push me back to shore. I made my way through the shoulder high water to reach the sand bar where the waves first broke. With the boogie board in hand I look over the approaching waves and begin the patient search for the right wave. I knew the spot I chose would be a good spot for I saw many breaking waves hit that area as I made my way out into the water. Now that I am here I can see great waves crash to the left and right of me and a few break after they pass me. These are all just tricks of the water to tempt you away so that you will be out of position to catch the great wave. If you succumb and go to those other spots the waves will surely die and the wave meant for you will pass by because you are not there. The important part of experiencing life is being there to experience it. So I stay put and waited for that wave. I am hanging onto the board and the waves have me bobbing up and down. At times I see what must be the wave heading my way. I can just see it looming over the waves in front of it. I set my timing and go… but no I don’t have it right yet. Too late in leaving and the wave pushes past me. Trying to recover and a wave equal to the one missed collapses no top of me, having had my back to it.

The water, she loves it when you turn your back to her, she will make you pay for that mistake. Fighting my way back to my chosen spot I struggle through sister waves of the one I mistimed. Now I go back to the routine of watching the coming waves. While I look across the water I wonder what ships are passing far from my site, what life swims by me unseen, did the kid down the way pee in the water? Ah here comes my wave. It is building and the wave is holding together. The curl grows but does not collapse. I can feel the water pulling past me to feed the coming wave. I struggle to fight against the tug of water and build up speed with my board. The wave picks me up and propels me forward. I can hear the water flowing under my board and feel the spray of saltwater in my face as the curl breaks and the white water continues to push my board towards the beach. Yes, it all came together and I had a good ride. The best ride this month and now, after wiping the water from my face, it is time to hustle back out to my spot to get the next wave meant for me.