Living Our Dream

2018 Tampa RV Show

Wauchula, FL - Events of Monday, January 8 to Wednesday, January 17, 2018

You might be wondering why when we have decided to give up full-timing and buy a park model we would go to the Tampa RV Show. The reason is we went to the show to look at furniture for the park model. We decided not to buy the furniture package when we ordered the park model because we wanted to find furniture that really suited us even though we knew it meant we would likely be doing a lot leg work on our own.

We heard about an Amish-owned company in Indiana called Lambright that makes sofas, recliners, and theater seating designed specifically for RVs so it is nice and compact. Although the park model will be bigger than our 5th wheel, it's still not huge so we are looking for furniture that isn't oversized.

Lambright furniture is sold by several after-market RV furniture stores in Indiana and by a company called Glastop located in Pompano Beach just north of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. We made a day trip to Glastop a while back, and we liked one of the models of Lambright theater seating we saw there. When we realized Glastop was going to be at the RV show, we decided it would be a good idea to go to the show to try to finalize our decision about the theater seating even though it is still going to be over two months until our park model is delivered.

We headed straight to the Glastop booth after standing in line about 15 minutes to get our tickets to get into the show. Fortunately, Glastop had the model of theater seating we were interested in on display.

Margery trying out the Lambright theater seating

Paul's turn

The theater seating was even more comfortable than we remembered. The center console can be raised up out of the way so you would also be able to lie down lengthwise on the seat if you want, although it isn't quite long enough to stretch all the way out. There is also a large drawer below the center console where things like remotes, pencils, and glasses can be stored.

Lambright furniture is available in a variety of fabrics and also in Ultraleather, which is a faux-leather material made from urethane rather than vinyl. We had an Ultraleather sofa in our motor home, and it was very durable and easy to clean so that's what we decided we wanted for our new park model. The other big advantage to Ultraleather is it is available in a wide variety of colors.

Display showing all the colors of Ultraleather

While at the show, we found out if we order the theater seating within a week of the end of the show we can get the special show price that is $125 off the regular price. Glastop will specify an extended ship date to schedule the arrival for right after our park model is delivered. That way we won't have to find a place to store the theater seating in the meantime. All we have to do now is decide on a color so we can call and place the order.

After we checked out the theater seating at the Glastop booth, we headed outside and walked past some of the RVs on display. We're not sure what they were thinking with the bathroom location in the Class B camper van in the next photo, but you better lock the back door when you're on the john or you might find a new meaning to the term "looky-loo."

Lock the back door when using the john

As we walked around, we looked at a couple of smaller travel trailers out of curiosity. However, once we trade in the 5th wheel and have the park model, we're not planning to buy another RV (we probably won't be able to afford one even if we wanted to).

The air was cool, but the sun was shining brightly making if feel warmer than it was so the crowds were growing rapidly. Not only that, but our feet were getting tired so we headed toward the exit around 11:30. The next photo shows the crowds along the midway extending out the main entrance.

Crowds along the midway

Outside the gates, the lines at the ticket windows were just as long as they were when we first arrived.

Long lines at the ticket windows

Going to the RV show was our most recent activity of note, but we have continued to be busy around the Co-op with meetings, with an occasional meal at the clubhouse, and with going out to eat at a few local restaurants like Dee's Place in Sebring. We also went to Taco Tuesday at the Main Street Grill with a group from the Co-op, and Margery went to lunch at the Island View Restaurant over in Sebring with about 25 or 30 ladies from the Co-op).

Margery has been busy with the newsletter and with making sign-up sheets and posters for Co-op activities. She has also been busy attending meetings so she can keep up with all that's going on around the Co-op in order to better be able to pass that information on in the newsletter.

Paul has been busy working on projects around the Co-op with the Landscape Committee. One of the projects he worked on recently was planting some dwarf Ixora shrubs around one of the Co-op's storage sheds.

Storage sheds before shrubs

Storage shed after shrubs

As co-chairman of the Landscape Committee, Paul also oversaw the installation of 5 new palm trees along the streets of the Co-op. We were originally going to plant the palm trees ourselves until we found out 8 to 10-foot trees like we were planning to put in weigh around 1,000 pounds each. Fortunately, we we found Edgewood Landscape over in Avon Park who would supply the trees and install them for a very reasonable price. The trees arrived last Tuesday.

Maneuvering the first tree into position

As you can see from the photo above, palm trees have a very small root ball because the roots are heavily pruned when the trees are transplanted. Fortunately, the roots grow back quickly, but the downside is the new trees have to be watered frequently until the spring/summer rains start. The tops are trimmed because they will likely be damaged in transit anyway. They should start to show signs of new growth in a few weeks.

Because the trees have a very small root ball, they also have to be braced for the first few months to keep the wind from knocking them over. The cost of planting also included bracing.

Workers installing bracing on one of the trees

Bracing complete

So that's what has been keeping us busy recently. Thanks for stopping by.

Christmas in Pittsburgh 2017 Part II

Pittsburgh, PA/Wauchula, FL - Events of Tuesday, December 26 to Saturday, December 30, 2016

Phipps Conservatory, located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, has its annual Winter Flower and Light Show during December. We have gone in the evening for the past several years, but this year we decided to go during the day on the day after Christmas (Tuesday) even though J. Michael had to work. Actually, he was probably relieved he didn't have to go. Going in the evening is a good way to enjoy the lights, but going during the day is the best way to enjoy the flowers. Not only that, but it is much less crowded and much easier to find a parking space during the day.

The poinsettias in the next photo greeted us in the Palm Court right inside the entrance. We stopped for several photos.

Poinsettias inside the entrance to the conservatory

Lora, Lydia, and Margery in the Palm Court

Margery and Paul

The entire conservatory is decorated with colorful poinsettias, paperwhite narcissus, and several varieties of other colorful flowers. Below are just a few of the beautiful scenes from Phipps Conservatory.

Christmas tree in the Victoria Room

Formal garden of the Broderie Room

Poinsettias galore in the Sunken Garden Room

Christmas trees and a toy soldier in the East Room

As we said, the nice thing about going in the daytime is being able to better appreciate the flowers. The next photo shows just some of the many varieties of poinsettias on display. At night you can't see all the variations in color and size as well as you can during the day.

Some of the many varieties of poinsettias at Phipps

It was a little cool in the conservatory, and the girls had all left their coats in a locker near the entrance. Lydia complained her hands were cold so Lora showed her how to keep them warm by putting them in her pockets. The next photo shows how Lydia walked around most of the rest of the time.

Lydia keeping her hands warm in her pockets

Phipps always has a garden railroad display at the Winter Flower Show. Kids, both young and old, can push buttons at various locations around the display to activate different animations and sounds.

Lydia activating a part of the train display

The Gallery Room is used as a children's educational space and features a make-believe farmers' market where kids can learn about healthy food choices.

Lydia shopping for produce

Lydia unloading her groceries while Lora works the checkout

Another nice thing about going to the flower show during the day is from December 26 through 30 Phipps has Family Fun Days where they have a number of crafts and activities for kids. Lydia (with Mommy's help) made a bird feeder from a pine cone and a decoration from yarn and Spanish moss. She also planted a paperwhite narcissus bulb.

Lydia planting a paperwhite narcissus bulb

Near the end of our tour, we passed through the Serpentine Room where there was a New Year's theme with large clock set to midnight.

New Year display with clock set to midnight in the Serpentine Room

J. Michael got home from work early on Tuesday, and after dinner we drove to see the Christmas Light Up Celebration in nearby Clinton where Christmas light displays line the mile-long road through Clinton Park. We have gone for the past several years, and it's always spectacular. Below are just a few of the many displays.

Manger scene

Elf with wheelbarrow full of gifts

Santa manger scene

On Wednesday, Lora and Lydia joined the two of us when we took Paul's step mom to lunch at Empire Palace. We were never able to find a good Chinese restaurant in the area of Ohio where we spent summers nor in Florida so we really appreciated the opportunity for a delicious meal of General Tso's chicken. We rounded out our holiday celebration with more good food and good company on Thursday evening when friends of Lora and J. Michael came by the house for a visit.

After saying our good-byes on Friday morning, we hit the road headed south around 8:30. Traffic was fairly light except for the section of I-77 to the north of Charlotte where it is always congested. It's been worse the last two years because there is construction going on to hopefully alleviate some of the tie-ups. We stopped at the Hampton Inn in Rock Hill, South Carolina as usual.

Our RVing friends, Dick and Barbara, live near Rock Hill so they met us for dinner. Even though we went to Texas Roadhouse on our way north, we went there again arriving just in the nick of time for the 6:00 deadline for the early bird specials. Everyone else had 6-ounce sirloin steaks while Paul opted for a grilled pork chop with peppercorn sauce. It was the first time either of us had ever had anything but steak at Texas Roadhouse. The steaks were as good as they always are, and the pork chop was outstanding - very tender, moist, and flavorful. More importantly, it was great catching up with old friends.

After an early breakfast at the motel on Saturday morning, we were on the road around 7:30. There were several slowdowns that caused short delays and one major accident that caused about a 20 to 30-minute delay, but traffic was otherwise relatively smooth-flowing most of the way until we got to Orlando. There is construction on I-4 going through Orlando that caused several slowdowns, and the attractions (Disney, Universal Studios, etc.) caused a big slowdown on the southwest side of Orlando. Traffic when we return to Florida is always worse than it is going north, but this year it wasn't as bad overall as it has been in previous years.

We stopped at Wendy's for salads to go on our way through Avon Park. We pulled into the Co-op a little before 6 p.m. and got unpacked. After we ate our salads, we relaxed a bit before heading off to bed. It was great to spend Christmas with family, but it was also great to be back home.

Christmas in Pittsburgh 2017 Part I

Pittsburgh, PA - Events of Tuesday, December 19 to Saturday, December 30, 2017

On the morning of Tuesday, December 19, we piled into the truck and headed north to spend the Christmas holiday in Pittsburgh with Lora, J. Michael, and Lydia. We made an overnight stop at the Hampton Inn in Rock Hill, South Carolina, as we have done in recent years. Rock Hill used to be about half way, but now that we moved two hours farther south to the SKP Florida Co-op, the first day's drive is a little longer.

After we got settled into the motel in Rock Hill, we went to the Texas Roadhouse located a few minutes away for dinner. We arrived before 6 p.m. in time for the early bird special, which consists of 10 or 11 entrees with two sides for $8.99. As usual, we both had 6-ounce sirloin steaks, which were delish!

After enjoying Hampton Inn's complimentary hot breakfast on Wednesday morning, we were on the road shortly after 8 a.m. We arrived at Lora and J. Michael's house around 4 p.m.

Every time we see Lydia, she seems to have grown a couple of inches. We spent the evening relaxing and getting settled.

On Thursday, Paul met several of his former co-workers from MSA for lunch. Paul misses his buddies, but he doesn't miss work one bit.

We spent Friday and part of Saturday wrapping gifts, cooking, and making other holiday preparations. Later on Saturday, we went the Christmas Eve Eve church service. The services on Christmas Eve Eve are much less crowded than on Christmas Eve so it makes things easier with Lydia. Attending services on Christmas Eve Eve also makes things easier because we always go to J. Michael's brother's house on Christmas Eve for a buffet dinner. J. Michael's brother smokes several beef briskets, and everyone brings a side dish or an appetizer. It was great visiting with everyone, and the food was delicious!

It's not unusual to have snow during our stay in Pittsburgh over Christmas, but this is the first year in many years that we truly had a white Christmas. The ground was bare and there were only a few snow flurries on Christmas Eve; but when we awoke on Christmas Morning, there were a couple of inches of fresh snow on the ground.

Fresh snowfall on Christmas morning

Along with the snow came colder weather. The cold, and along with it the snow, persisted the entire remainder of our stay with lows in the single digits and highs in the teens.

Last year, Lydia was old enough to be aware of what was going on with all the gifts and festivities. This year at 3½, she was even more aware and was able to anticipate things with even more excitement. It was great seeing her wide-eyed look when she first came downstairs and saw all the gifts. After taking a good look around, she started opening the gifts in her stocking.

Lydia with her stocking

From the stocking, it was on to more gifts. Lydia cuddled up on the sofa next to Mommy to open some of her presents.

Lydia opening gifts on the sofa next to Mommy

One of Lydia's favorite gifts was a new shopping cart. Fortunately, the assembly was easy, and we were able to get it put together quickly so Lydia could try it out.

Lydia with her new shopping cart

Of course, the dogs got their turns as well. Lora and J. Michael's boxers, Gunnar and Java, got new toys and snacks, and so did Freeway.

Freeway opening one of his gifts

After the gifts were opened and all the boxes and wrapping paper were cleaned up, we had a delicious breakfast of scratch-made cinnamon rolls, which is a tradition we started when Lora was a kid. Margery's mother, who was Swiss, always followed the European tradition of accompanying sweet rolls with cheese, and that is something we also continue. The cheese provides protein and also adds a savory counterpoint to the sugary rolls.

Another tradition we started when Lora was a kid was to not have a big dinner on Christmas, but instead to snack our way through the day with various appetizers. That gave us time to relax, watch movies, and play with our new gifts. With all the shopping, wrapping, baking, and other preparations leading up to Christmas, it was a good way for everyone to enjoy a more relaxing day without the added work of preparing a big dinner. Lora and J. Michael frequently follow that tradition, and we enjoyed the rest of Christmas day snacking, relaxing, and playing with Lydia.

Lydia is old enough to begin to learn to follow rules to play games. She got several games this year, and one of them was Sneaky Snacky Squirrel. The object is to fill the 5 holes in your tree stump game piece with different colored acorns. A spinner determines how many and what color acorns a player gets on each turn. The spinner also has a "wind storm" on it where a player can lose all their acorns and a "sneaky snacky" space where the player can steal an acorn from an opponent. The next photo shows Lydia and Da (Daddy) playing Sneaky Snacky Squirrel while Mommy watches.

Lydia playing Sneaky Snacky Squirrel

Unfortunately, J. Michael had to work the day after Christmas, but the rest of us went off on an adventure. Stay tuned.