Trying to Settle In -- Home in Florida

We have been home for eight days, and for the most part, we are settled back in...but there is a BIG HOLE still in our lives, in our hearts...

One thing we love is the Florida Gas Prices compared to the California Gas Prices.  I have a 14 gallon tank in the HHR, and I put nearly 13 gallons in at Sam's Club Friday.

Back in late November, I put just over 13 gallons in, and it cost me $45.50!  That's $15 more in taxes in California than in Florida!  THAT'S a bunch!!!  On top of that, Florida's highways are in much better shape than California's highways...makes you wonder doesn't it???

It took us a week, but we finally made it to Mama Maria's.  To top off the treat of eating at Mama's, we met Marcia's granddaughter and great-granddaughter there.  No pics, they don't want pictures of the nearly 4 year old out on the Internet...all I can tell you is that she is growing up, and is as cute as could be.  

Next week is Marcia's first Doctor's Appointment of the new year.  Today we went to get blood work done, and we were back home within the hour.  Sometimes it has taken us over an hour just to get the blood taken once we walked in the door!

 

Bubba is sure adjusting well without Skruffy.  We turned in the notification to the Condo Board about Skruffy's death, and Bubba being the new service dog.  We are going to look for a younger dog to fulfill this need, probably start looking in March.  He reminds us when he gets his "Arny and Sandy" treats...sometimes this 16+ year old acts like a kid.

It has been 2 1/2 weeks since we lost her..the hole in our heart is a bit smaller...I have not had any more dreams of her, but we both miss her so much.  

All of these pictures of her were taken back in 2012, except the one below which was taken a few years while we were headed to, or already in, Alaska.  This one above was taken at a westbound rest area in Texas along I-10 between San Antonio and Van Horn.  It was a very windy day, and she let me put her securely up on this tree limb, and you can see by her face just how windy it was.  When we drove along the same highway but eastbound, I looked over at that same rest area, I think the same tree...there are going to be many, many memories like this as we travel.  Happy memories, which help fill that empty hole...

Now when we drive, we just figure that Skruffy is there with us as our "co-pilot"...sitting on my dad's lap.  We love and miss you both.

HOME, TIRED, HOME, MORE TIRED, DID I TELL YOU WE ARE HOME????

90/90...  yes, near 90 degrees, and at least 90% humidity!  WHY do we have to pick a day like this to  come home and unload?????  I am so tired I can't even set up my computer!   But we are 95% unloaded, and RV is safely in storage, but in need of washing, carpet cleaned, etc, etc.  Condo was/is in fine shape.  Neighbor Mary still alive and doing well...and we are happy to have another year of travel behind us...but something is missing for sure.  Our MINDS tell us it is right, our LOGIC tells us it was right, our HEARTS tell us that we want our little baby girl back.  Had a dream about 5 days ago, opened the RV door and there she was, rolling on her back in the muddy lawn...she quickly rolls up onto her feet like she use to, her coat of fur was immaculate, she looks up to me and I see what she is thinking...."See dad, I can run...I can see...I have no pain...I don't get dirty...no stickers or thorns to worry about."   Oh I miss her so very much....the condo seems so empty.  Of course, Bubba has his moment...escapes through the front door very first chance he gets and gets halfway out of the complex.  Reality slips in...a new service dog takes over, one that needs a bit of work....but he is 16+, so we will need to be looking....

ZZZzzz...until tomorrow...or the next day....