Mary Ellen Hawk's blog

Welcome to my new address for my blog!

JANUARY

 Oh my, it is the last day of January.  Where did this month go?  Since returning to Florida after a wonderful Christmas at home in Nesquehoning, it has been one thing after another.
  It began with a dinner at Cinderella's Castle at the Royal Table.  I had my picture taken with her and I was as excited as a 6 year old.  Can't help that friends, she was one of my childhood friends.  the next day began with a breakfast with a group of friends from the camping club, then on to the RV show at the FL state fairgrounds in Tampa.  That was fun, but the strawberry shortcake at Parkesdale was soooo much better. 
   We have had several different entertainers come to the clubhouse in the park and several group dinners too. One of the being a weiner roast that Bill, Paul and I were in charge of.
   Madelyn and Chrissy were here for Martin Luther King weekend.  We took them to a character breakfast at the Beach club where we saw Minnie, Donald & Goofy.  We spent the day at epcot and had a blast.  We then took them to Norway for a dinner with the princesses.We were greeted by Belle and had a picture done with her, but even better than that we were visited by Snow White, Aurora, Ariel and of course Cinderella.  I was close to hyperventilating.  Seriously, I am the worlds biggest 6 year old when I am in Disney!
    I went to my first ever experience at a horse race.  A group of us went to Tampa Bay Downs.  I didn't bet but had a blast cheering for everyone else's horses.
   I keep trying to start the water aerobics class but the weather hasn't cooperated.  We are supposed to meet at 9a.m. but it has to be at least 60 degrees air temp. I did swim laps on Friday.  The air was 55 but the pool was 82.  It felt good to do that.
  We have gone out to eat quite a few times, as a matter of fact, cooking at home is a rare happening.
   We also had a trip to Jacksonville to celebrate our friend Lew's retirement.  Another person into the land of retired fun.  I have come to the conclusion that retirement is hard work, but I will sacrifice and uphold my part.
    I guess that pretty much wraps up January.  I can only imagine February,  I am looking at the calendar and it looks like it will be a full 28 days.  I will post again as soon as I have fun things to tell.   Take care my friends!

DECEMBER

   I can hardly believe it is December already!  I got back to Florida on Tuesday night.  For those of you who are not on facebook, let me fill you in on my latest adventure.  First I need to make it known that Madelyn was scheduled to work on Black Friday.  I didn't want her to spend Thanksgiving alone in Virginia, so I decided to go down there.  Well, she had a sofa and chair in my garage that needed to go to her apartment so I decided I would rent a small 10 foot truck and take it down to her, and return to PA with her on Friday night.  Now this is where it gets interesting, U Haul in Lansford had no 10 foot truck for me.  the smallest was a 14 footer.  the nice man said it was no different than driving a 10 ft. truck.  I laughed because I had not ever driven a 10 footer so how I would I know.  So, I take the truck home to Nesquehoning and load it up.  Donna Kattner, bless her brave heart decided to accept my invitation to go with me as my navigator.  My new mottoe is  I AM WOMAN SEE ME DRIVE!
   I thought I was in trouble form the get go because as I came up Coal St. in Nesq, a coal truck decided to park right in the middle of the road.  I could not got around the right because of a parked car, and I could not go around the left because of a boat trailer.  I waited for the coal truck driver to come out of the house, but after 5 minutes I got my attitude on, so I pulled a 3 point turn between parked cars and a telephone pole.  I DID IT SUCCESSFULLY!  Tehn we made our trek to VA and fortunately it was a successful trip.
  The next morning Donna and I had to take Madelyns' car to the Subaru dealership for an inspection and then we picked her up at the Metro station. Please keep in mind that I am (was) absolutely terrified to drive in the VA/MD/DC traffic.  But all was good.
  Our thanksgiving meal was very untraditional.  We had smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, pan seared scallops and lobster tail.  Madelyn made a delicious pumpkin cheesecake to top the meal off.  We also decorated her apartment and put her tree up. All in all it was a wonderful trip to VA and a wonderful time at home.  My mom is doing as well as can be expected.
   We had our traditional thanksgiving meal at my moms on Saturday nite and it also included celebrating Nancy and Missy's birthday.
  Now I am back in Mouse Mountain.  My next rrip home will be on January 5 for my Christmas.   As we begin activities here again I will update our adventures.

NOVEMBER

    It is November already!  It is hard to believe.  We have made 2 trips to Disney this month.  On Monday we went to Epcot and spent time eating and drinking around the world at the Food and Wine festival.  I also renewed my annual pass. I got 15 months for the price of 12.  Florida residents can do that! Hehe.  Tuesday we went to the Magic Kingdom.  We met the newest princess.  Princess Tiana and Prince Raveen form the story   The Princess and the Frog.  It has a New Orleans theme to it.  
     We have also started the shuffle season.  On Monday I won both of my games, but today I won one and lost one and unfortunately lost the overall.  Oh well it is all in fun.  Ok, that is all for now so til next time.......Enjoy Life!

THE ARRIVAL

  It is Sunday night, October 25, and Bill and I have arrived at Mouse Mountain.  We spent from Wednesday until this morning in Jacksonville, visiting with friends.  We had a very easy arrival and everything went as it should.  thank goodness no problems this year, at least so far.  It took us over an hour to get set up and we have a few things to finish tomorrow.    It is warn here, in the mid 80's, and I don't say that to rub it in because I would prefer the upper 70's.  
  I will really try to update this blog weekly.  Just in case anyone is interested in what we do here in FL.  Take care everyone!  Stay in touch please.  If you are on Facebook, send me a friend request.  Can you believe I am actually on Facebook, who would have thunk it?  Hehe : )   : )   ; )

The continuing travels.......

Today is Tuesday and we have made it as far as Florence, South Carolina.  We are at a  KOA here.  Except for some slowed travels in 2 construction areas in South Carolina, the trip has been fine.  Tomorrow, we will arrive in Jacksonville where we will stay til Sunday to visit with 2 very good friends.  Then Sunday it is down to Mouse Mountain.  It will be so nice to be there are see as everyone of the "snowbirds" arrive.   Stay tuned for more updates!

The Adventure Begins

Tomorrow begins yet another new adventure.  My best friend Donna and I are heading to Philadelphia to cheer Madelyn on in her 3 day 60 mile Susan G. Komen walk.  We are looking forward to an exciting, albeit wet and cold,
weekend.   After that, on Monday I will head to Maryland with Madelyn where I will meet up with Bill at a campground down there and Tuesday morning we start the trek to Florida.  I am looking forward to it, altho there is a part of me would like to clone myself so i can also stay here in PA to be with my mom.  It is really hard, but my mom supports my going to Fl, and we have hired someone very nice and capable to stay with my mom so Missy and Nancy can still work mostly uninterrupted.  Stay tuned for upcoming adventures on my "Escape from Winter"

Just an update!

Well, it has been a while.  Summer was spent taking care of my mom, who fell due to my and my sisters lack of concentration.  Thankfully she is recovering.  Right now, I am in the middle of PSU and ND football. I don't spend the entire week at PSU, just the weekends. 
  On the weekend of the 16th to the 18th of October I will be in Philadelphia to cheer my daughter on during her second 60 mile 3 day walk for the Susan G. Komen walk for the cure.  Then I will meet up with Bill in College Park, MD and begin the trek to Florida.   I can hardly believe it is almost time to go again.
   Ok, stay tuned for our upcoming adventures!

Heading Home

We are finally on our way.  We have stopped in Jacksonville for 2 nites to see friends.  then we begin the long leg home.  We will pull out of here on Tuesday morning and see how far Bill can drive.   I am really hoping to be home in Nesquehoning for Friday nite.  But we shall see, I can only hope.  Pray for us so that we can hit home on Friday, please!!   Hope to get a chance to call folks when I am home.   Take care!

rain rain go away

Well it has been raining here now for 4 days.  Here outside of Orlando, we have had at least 6 inches of rain.  Daytona Beach has had 26 inches.  At least the threat of fires is gone.   We are still here and I don't know for how long yet.  I am anxious to get home.  Believe it or not I need a break from Florida.  There is no one of our crowd left here and there is nothing much to do.  It is either too hot or like now too rainy.  I have been reading and knitting, playing games on the computer and doing puzzles in books.  I just would lke to be in my house for a while before the football season starts.  Altho there are no away road trips planned so I will be able to get back to Nesq during the week to spend time with my mom.
Ok  that is about all, just thought I would update anyone who reads this!