Tue - 24 Mar/15

A dull and dreary start to the day. It remain overcast until late afternoon.

We lost another neighbour this morning. The park is starting to thin out as folks head home. (Picture was taken through the RV's Windshield Privacy Screen.)

A lot of folks are "Spring Cleaning" their park models before heading home soon. The sound of pressure washers cleaning the roof and leaf blowers piling up the leaves filled the morning air.

Our mission today, after the morning rush, was to head to "The Container Store" in Orlando (across from the Millenia Mall). This was the closest store (only 4 in Florida) for us to visit. It is HUGE. It took us a half hour to walk all the aisles. They have an unbelievably large and varied selection of household storage items.

I was trying to find a replacement for the 2.5 (U.S.) gallon water container that we use in the kitchen of the RV. It fits perfectly under the counter near the sink. Our old container somehow got dented in our travels and began to leak. I have searched at all the major retail stores without luck. It is available on-line at prices varying between $10 and $30. This is the only store I could find that carried this item. We bought two of the large size and a single 1 gal (U.S.) container.

Charlotte also found some other neat items which included a storage container with customizable divisions in which to place all her sewing machine accessories (feet, etc.).

Unfortunately, after the purchases where made we discovered a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts next door. (Sorry, Liz - I apologize!). Liz phoned last weekend for the location of the Krispy Kreme near Montreal. Liz, Nick and Marty were on their way to Mt. Tremblant in the Laurentians to Ski and Snowboard. They had a sudden craving for Krispy Kreme and phoned me for guidance. Unfortunately, I had to tell her most of the Krispy Kreme locations in Quebec had closed and the only one left near Montreal was in the other direction. Somehow, I know these things. (grin)

We avoided spoiling lunch by not indulging in our purchase. Instead we crossed the road to Pollo Tropical.

A fellow on his way into Pollo Tropical noticed the attachment on the front of the Del Sol and jokingly asked if I played "Bumper Cars". I told him I was from Canada and it was were I attached my snow plow (grin). Folks who think we live in Igloos are easily convinced by this ploy. (It's really to attach the tow bar to the Motorhome when we travel. I could remove it; however, I leave it on "for protection".)

Pollo Tropical is a fast food restaurant that began in Miami selling food with a "Taste of the Islands". The chain is concentrated mostly in Florida. There are also a few locations in TX, GA, TN and Central America. Charlotte had the Lite Grilled Chicken Breast paired with fluffy Yellow Rice with Vegetables and Balsamic Tomatoes. I had the Lite Chicken Caesar Wrap and Caribbean Chicken Soup. Both were quite good.

We passed on visiting the Millenia Mall so we could "Get Out of Town" before the rush hour. Normal traffic here is like rush hour in most other places.

We enjoyed the same "slow route" back to the RV that I planned out for our trip to the Arts Festival on the weekend. I stopped for a gas fill-up at the Shell in the Winn-Dixie Plaza at the intersection of
SR-19 and CR-44 in Eustis, We then went in the Winn-Dixie for a few items (Steak Filets, Potato Salad and Macaroni Salad) that we will bring to the "Street Party" at OMS tomorrow.

Next, we pulled into the small plaza across from OMS to get distilled water from the "Glacier" dispenser. It's has gotten "pricey" since last year. It is now 30 cents a gallon (not 25).

We soon had all three of the new water containers filled and in the trunk.

Back at the RV Charlotte organized her sewing machine accessories into her new container while I turned on the computer and checked the e-mails.

Our best friend (Helene) had sent an e-mail from Canada, One of her hobbies is creating unbelievably beautiful and unique greeting cards. Charlotte and I always eagerly anticipate receiving a card for our special occasions. Helene was in need of a "Danice Rubber Stamping Surface Mat" that was available at JO-ANN (which is not a Canadian Company). She sent a picture.

I went on-line and checked for the item. JO-ANN had none available; however, indications were that the store in Tavares still had a few in stock. Although it did not rain today the sky was overcast until late afternoon; however, the sun was now shining. We have a nice quiet route along Lake Eustis that we take to get to this store. That was the only excuse we needed and soon we were on our way - after all, it's only "Bill Miles" (grin).

(Explanation: "Bill Miles" is a decal on our Motorhome. It was given to us as a gift from "The Kids" when we purchased the RV. Appropriately, it was Helene that originated the saying in reference to our many "long distance" travels by saying; "After all, it's only Bill Miles!")

At Jo-Ann I sent Charlotte in with instructions to buy two mats. (Bill's Rule #4: Buy extra - it's cheaper than gas!).

Bonus: Not only did Charlotte find two mats; she also found some nice material, as well. (Bill's Rule #17: You can never have enough material!)

Perhaps Charlotte will make another "Travel Jewellery Holder" like the one she recently completed. Each of the inner pockets holds an individual piece of jewellery which keeps it from getting tangled.

Pulling the string and closes it up into a small, neat pouch. Charlotte is always making great things like this!

We arrived back at the RV in time for our usual Tuesday TV Evening: Jeopardy followed by Family Feud, NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and Person of Interest. Naturally, all programs were accompanied by a few more Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

Dull weather didn't make it a dull day!