Why I love the tandem!

Wind in my face, sweat on my forehead, muscles aching, butt & back sore and yet, I love it! What's that I love? -Riding our tandem bike! After our grueling 30 mile ride-most of it facing head wind I began to reflect on why is it we do this? What's there to love? First of all this is an activity both Hunter and I enjoy doing together. In retirement you have more hours together therefore it becomes necessary to find a common enjoyment.
It's widely known that exercise promotes health. "Tandeming" is one way to insure we stay healthy!
Challenges stimulate the mind and riding our bike provides many of "those" opportunities.
Face to face with new people-we've met wonderful bikers on our journeys sharing stories and recommendations for future bike routes.
See the world-with our "take apart tandem" we can throw it into 2 suitcases and travel the globe in search of new and exciting places to ride. In May we will be touring the heel of Italy. Can't wait!
Our adivce to husbands and wives wanting a great acitivity together?-buy a tandem and start having fun!

What is Florida?

Sunshine, beaches, seafood and Key Lime Pie!!!

My Valentine!

I am answering the question posted on my daughter's blog. What are some reasons you love your Valentine?

1. He's the King of fixing anything broken-no job too big or small!

2. Will eat ANYTHING I fix-even a flat piece of gluten-free rice bread! (Oh, and say it is delicious, too.)

3. Patiencely corrects any of my computer "mess-ups".

4. Has always been and continues to be the ultimate best father of our children, full of wisdom ready to share at the first phone call.

5. Loving & very attentive pappa/nano to his 5 grandchildren.

6. Honors my request for quiet in the wee morning hours so I can have my devotions and even joins me with his ipad Bible in hand!

7. Loves my mother.

8. Playfully teases me to keep me smiling while I fend off his playful Italian "butt pinch".

9. Allows ice cube feet and hands on his toasty warm back.

10. Accompanies me to romantic movies and shopping even though he'd rather be in a deer stand or with his fly rod on some quiet stream.

11. The most trustworthy partner on a tandem or as a buddy scuba diving!

12. Gently coaxes me to play cards with him, even though he has super "card sense" and I DO NOT! Then during the game he encourages my feeble attempts, yet not just letting me win but trying to teach me a thing or two-such patience!!

13. He is so friendly to everyone he meets and that attribute helps me open up to others more freely.

14. Above all else, I love him because he seeks to love me as Christ loves the church!!

Time together

As we grow older we begin to realize the value and pure joy of time spent with loved ones. Time to walk, talk, share a sack lunch by the beach, view gardens, marvel at God's flowers, sit on a bench reading a good book while the sun sets over still waters of the bay. These are a few of the moments Mom and I spent this past week while she visited Hunter and I in Florida. How blessed we are to have our 84 year old mother able to fly from Minneapolis to Tampa to visit us and even sleep on our "pull-out" couch in the RV.
One of God's greatest gifts is a MOTHER!

The "Perfect" Vacuum

Now, really, you're posting about a vacuum cleaner? If you knew the road I've walked cluttered with "wanta-be" vacuum cleaners you would understand why I'm so estatic about my new appliance!!
Before we moved into our "little" home we were happy with our Oreck but it was just too big. There are no tall closets in our RV so where do you store this tall tool? Therefore we bought a small, basically hand held unit which fit nicely under the bathroom sink. But just "fitting in nicely" doesn't mean it actually worked. Basically that unit simply moved the dirt from one spot another!
Next came a tall, skinny unit that I had to leave by my bed, tripping over every night and morning getting into and out of bed. It performed fairly well but only for about 15-20 minutes at the most. It was rechargable and you must always remember to plug in the battery overnight or you had little "juice". Another negative of this unit was a lack of any attachments, therefore getting into tight corners was impossible, so the dust and dirt simply built up in those areas.
Enough of losers-on to the winner by far: Dyson City DC 26
All three of my children own Dysons and love them but they are big and I knew those Dysons would never fit in a tight space. It wasn't until just recently, while shopping in Bed Bath and Beyond, did I discover this gem. We bought it on the spot and love it! It fits into my clothing closet and does battle with dirt all over the RV, including EVERY nook and cranny, with victory every time. Although invented for apartment owners it is perfect for the RV full-timer!!
The best thing about this vacuum cleaner? My husband enjoys using it.
Reason enough to pay the price!

Hunter's Advice on Retiring Well with The Wife!

"Put up with her:

unconditional love!"

Advice on "retiring" well with your hubby.

1. Take up at least one hobby that your hubby loves. Ex.-fishing
You don't have to be good at it. Just spending time with him and becoming interested in what "interests" him brings sparkle to his eyes and obvious delight in his conversation.

2. Allow him extra time to savor his morning coffee. Join him if you like coffee or just hug your cup of tea.

3. Prepare one or more of his favorite foods weekly- like artisan bread, homemade pizza or a boston cream pie.

4. Go to bed together every night, even if you aren't sleepy. It's a great time to talk and snuggle. When he falls asleep just pull out your Nook and read!

5. Stop what you are doing and take a moment to listen to the details of what he has just fixed. He'll feel respected.

6. Try to take a stroll each day holding hands. You'll both feel younger.

7. Compliment his hair cut. Tell him what a young man you married! He'll smile like a grade school boy!

8. Discuss but NEVER argue about political candidates. They're just not worth it!!

9. Make your bed together. It kick-starts the day with cooperation.

10 Above all else memorize and follow the wisdom of Paul when he said, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3