“Living the Dream” – Year 2, Day 103, Tuesday. August 9. 2022. Another hot day. I headed to the paint store to buy black paint. Sherwin Williams store didn’t have the base to mix up the black. Had to go to Lowes for other odds and ends and they had the base to mix up the Sherwin Williams black paint. I picked up some Rosin paper which will be put under the hardwood flooring.

The hand rail to the upper level is now painted. It looks great black. 

The upper level foyer is painted and the trim on all the ceiling lights, smoke detector and vents are in place.  Next work will be done on window trim and the hardwood floor.

On my way out I saw these birds. I think they are vultures or Turkey Buzzards.  I wanted to get out of the car and get really close pictures, but they did not move when I opened my car door.  I was a little nervous to get any closer.   It was a bird convention in my neighbors driveway. They even had patrols on perches protecting them. I had to take a picture. They are beautiful.

Steve also hung up some things in my closet. I am starting to unpack get organized. He hung a jewelry shelf and a stained glass iris thing that Jenna made as a little girl. Awe the memories.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 67 Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Work on the Master Bedroom Closet continues.

Pantry is completed and we are stocking it up.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 66 Monday, July 4, 2022. Happy July 4th. Just a lazy day here. I keep getting messaged from people who have covid right now. It just never goes away. Take a good look at the old house. Next Monday demolition is starting and the middle level bedroom view will be very different.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 65, Sunday, July 3, 2022. It’s a Lowes Sunday. Picking up supplies for building closets

Then an afternoon of working with Melamine to finish the custom closet shelving.

The iron on melomine tape is working out great. Melamine is cut to shelf size,

edges are sanded, tape is cut,

ironed on,

and then trimmed with a sharp razor blade. Steve is doing a fantastic job.

It will be freaking great when I can put stuff in closets. I really don’t like the metal shelving that go in closets.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 64, Saturday, July 2, 2022. Pulled out of the vacation rental home at 3:45am.

Unbelievable, there was traffic. Sunrise was at 6:33am. Got to see lots of colors as the sun prepared to rise.

Rest areas are packed. Is this the people who couldn’t find a hotel for the night? No one in ladies room. No parking spaces though. Lots of cars and tractor trailers. Truckers are definitely moving our products. Two hours from Kissimee traveling north on I75 you are in the country with no traffic. Soooo much nicer. At 7am we are in Georgia. Through out the day we keep hearing “There is a speed trap ahead”. I should have counted the number of times a police car was pulled off the road with radar. I guess they are trying to keep the accidents down on the highways. Home and eating dinner at 5:30pm.

No traffic, it was smooth sailing. Exhausted, but glad to be home I think. Realized we still have a lot of work to do. Tomorrow it is back to work.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 63, Friday July 1, 2022. Today is our last day in Florida and our last trip to the super busy Kissimmee Walmart. It is amazing the number of employees stocking shelves everytime we stop in.

We are leaving early tomorrow and driving straight home. We spent our last day relaxing at the house, packing up, and even played some pool.

It rained in the afternoon and ended with an early evening double rainbow. Good signs for our travel home.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 62, Thursday, June 30, 2022. Another fun SeaWorld Orlando day.

We really enjoyed the Rescue Tails show.

And the Dolphin show.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 61, Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Another easy relaxing pool day. The squirrels run on the screen room roof every morning.

Koral is into the retro look and had heard a lot about Goodwill bin stores. We found one online near us here and us ladies took a ride in the afternoon to see what she could find. We went to the wrong store. The cashier told us the bin store was another half hour away. We had already driven almost an hour to this one. The traffic was so bad

that we just looked around the store we were in. She found some really nice stuff there. I am not into retro.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 60, Tuesday, June 28, 2022. It was 85 degrees at 8am as we headed to seaworld. First stop at the park was to have a family picture taken.

Then it was on to the roller coasters. It was a roller coaster day for everyone but me. First they rode the Mako

https://seaworld.com/orlando/roller-coasters/mako/

Steve said before he knew what he was getting into it was too late to back out. Then they headed to the newest coaster at Seaworld the Ice Breaker.

https://seaworld.com/orlando/roller-coasters/ice-breaker/

Steve, Justin, and Koral were going on and Koral started reading all the warnings and Steve chickened out. So Justin and Koral were the only ones going on. They got in their seats and the seat belt was locked. Koral said I don’t want to go. They opened the seat belt and she got off the ride. She turns to Justin and says what are you doing. He says I am riding it. So she got back on the ride. I don’t know if either one will go on again. Steve wants to try it now. Yikes – not me, I am a chicken. Steve and I waited while Justin, Bobi, Marley, and Koral went on the Infinity Falls ride. Steve did not want to get wet and I don’t do rides. It worked out good though. We could take some good pictures and a video.

Look at this great pole. Made me realize how far we will be when we are in Sydney. Australia in October. 10,532 miles from Florida. We have never been that far from home before.

In the afternoon we got out of the heat by going into the Shark Encounter. The shark tunnel is really neat.

After the day at the park we went out to dinner and then relaxed by the pool.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Monday, June 27, 2022. Woke up to these 6 hot air balloons going up and flying over our house. Very cool they were all different designs and colors.

Then off to Seaworld Orlando we went.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 58, Saturday, June 26, 2022.

It was a fun day of hanging around the pool and house. Did nothing, but the day flew by. Even the squirrels joined in the fun.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 57, Saturday, June 25, 2022.

We are in Florida today, where everything is bigger. Bigger bugs, snakes, bees, ants, weeds, and flowers.

Some of the Florida 55 plus communities amaze me. I am not sure how seniors find their home. All the houses look the same.

We checked into our rental home. The entrance into the resort is really nice. It is a gated community so we had to go to the office to get a key to get in to the resort.

The homes are so similar it is amazing. Good thing there are numbers outside. We rented through VRBO. The manager sent a text this morning with the code to the front door. Nice contact less check in. There is a camera monitoring the front door of the home.

We were a little early and surprised the cleaning crew.

We took a quick look around the downstairs. The pool area looks really nice.

We left the ladies to finish their cleaning and headed to the busiest Walmart we have ever seen. There were no cashiers just rows and rows of self checkouts.

The one constant in the Kissimmee/Orlando area is the heavy heavy traffic. There is also the never ending building of tourist rental units.

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

“Living the Dream” – Year 2 – Day 56, Friday, June 24, 2022. On the road again.

Just can’t wait to get on the road again. Going places that I’ve never been. Seeing things I may never see again. This is our song. Willie Nelson had the right idea in 1980.

One year ago today we were living so differently.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 55, Thursday, June 23, 2022. The project for today is to get the shelves up in the pantry and linen closets. The closets are measured.

and the melomine boards are custom cut to fit the closets.

Each shelf is numbered so if they are removed for any reason they are easy to put back in the proper spot. Upstairs linen closet looking good.

It will be so nice to get things organized and put away. The pantry needs some support brackets added before they can be used.

There are hundreds of little details to building a house.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 54, Wednesday, June 22, 2022. We took a quick trip to London today. London, KY that is. Steve is using Melamine board to build the closet shelves. The Lowes in London has the 4×8 boards we need.

We bought three,

but we realized after we started rough cutting them, that we don’t have enough to do all the closets. Steve says it’s because I wanted extra wide shelves.

So at some point we will have to run to the London Lowes again.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 53, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Another clean up day with regular chores in the morning. Lawn mowed, weed whacking done, laundry done, house cleaning done. In the afternoon Steve worked on painting and putting the doors on the pantry,

the middle level linen closet, the upper level linen closet,

and the upper level bath.

It really looks so much nicer with the doors up. Slowly we are getting there. I worked on moving things out of the old house and cabin. Getting the old house emptied out so we can tear it down.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 52, Monday, June 20, 2022. Left Clarksburg, West Virginia at 7:30am. Got into Kentucky and had to stop at Buc-ee’s. Gas at Buc-ee’s is inexpensive at $4.499 compared to other places. I don’t think you are going to buy gas any cheaper anywhere else.

Lined up outside the store are these feeders. We thought they were for feeding cows, but I think they are for hunters to feed deer corn. Interesting, feeding deer so you can keep them around to shoot.

Mid afternoon we are back in town and giving the old Impala a bath. After a 1,500 mile ride she is ready.

Tomorrow it is back to work.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 51, Sunday, June 19, 2022. Happy Father’s day! We spent the afternoon in Hershey Park.

Arriving our first stop was at Hershey Chocolate World to take the tour. This tour is prior to entering the park and is a free to all simulated factory tour. It is very educational and also fun.

Then we went into the park and headed straight to the Overlook Food Court for lunch. We always eat lunch here when we are in the park. They have a good variety of food from burgers to salads, lots of places to sit and eat in and out, and they sell beer.

Then it was time for an afternoon of ride fun.

It was a nice relaxing time. We started driving home in the early evening and are staying in West Virginia for the night.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 50, Saturday, June 18, 2022. Very cool temperature in Pennsylvania. It was a very busy day. First time in jeans and a sweatshirt in at least a month.

We had to go buy jeans for Steve to go watch Joshua’s soccer game. Jamie coaches and his team was really good. In our opinion Joshua was the best player. Of course he was, he’s our grandson lol.

Look at him go in the video.  Go Joshua go!!

We then all went out to lunch and then back to Jenna’s so Julianna could get ready for her recital. You know it takes lots of makeup, hairspray, and Bobby pins to get ready.

Then off to the recital.

It was a great show. The evening performance was all the older kids performing, like ages 11 and up. The younger children’s performance was earlier in the day. It is sometimes cute to watch the little guys perform, but this show was about pure talent. Julianna loves dance just like her mom did when she was young. She is already starting that she wants to go to college for dance. Oh no!!

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 49, Friday, June 17, 2022. Arrived in PA in the early afternoon. Gas prices are higher here than in KY.

It was a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed our afternoon relaxing on Jenna’s deck until they got home from dance recital rehearsal.

We then got the tour of Jenna’s new office,

Advanced Motion Rehabilitation in Red Hill. PA. Wow, what a fantastic facility.

The last gym is still being worked on. It is awesome.

She has such a great new facility and successful practice. We are so proud of her and how she has helped so many people regain their life again.

We’re Setting New Standards In Physical Therapy

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 48, Thursday. June 16, 2022. Last night our granddaughter Marley received her 4H gold award. We were unable to attend, but we are so proud of her. It takes hard work and dedication to receive that award.

I woke up last night with the coyotes barking and realized I no longer care. No longer am I fixated on the bugs, bees, snakes skunks, ground hogs, coyotes, or any other creature wondering around. I am in a wonderful comfortable bed in a real bedroom protected from all creatures. Well most anyway. I do have a track of bites on my stomach. Lol – something took a walking bite. Today we are out and headed to PA. Our first stop was Buc-ee’s. I am still amazed at this place. The Restrooms are huge, clean, and the stalls are very private.

I am also amazed at the number of garbage cans outside and around the gas pumps. There must have been over fifty of them.

We got stuck in hours of traffic on I79 in West Virginia due to a shooter situation. Boy am I glad we stopped for lunch or else we could have been in the middle of that issue.

Shooter was shooting at cars on Interstate 79. https://wvmetronews.com/2022/06/16/deputy-wounded-suspect-dead-in-i-79-shootout/
After sitting in hours of traffic. They opened up the highway at the next exit. We got off the exit and tried to find our way. Maps kept taking us back to Interstate 79. Finally I got smart and went into settings and said no highways. We then took lots of tiny roads. Some barely wide enough for 2 vehicles. West Virginia is beautiful!!!!.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 47, Wednesday, June 15 2022. The windows were cleaned windows inside and out. Love that you can clean the inside and outside so easy. We didn’t think we would like the double hung Pella windows. The grill is inside the glass and we hated it at first. Now we love it, so easy to clean.

Steve painted the doors

and the power was disconnected from the old house.

We were so worried, especially the last two nights about a fire starting in the old house. Now that the electric is disconnected, we are a little less concerned. Time to tear that junker down.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 46, Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Busy day today. Cleaning up and waxing more furniture. Debating curtains or no curtains. I like curtains, but I think more people are going to no curtains. The doors to the master bedroom are up. They still need to be painted. We bought large hand mirrors for the vanity. There was just no way to hang a wall mirror. We were so busy that I only took one picture of my new closet. Next week the shelving and closet poles will be installed. That closet won’t look so open then.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 45, Monday, June 13, 2022. The day started with just the padding down in the master bedroom closet area.

Carpeting was rolled out.

Carpet kicking is very hard on your knees. He will be sore tomorrow.

There are many sharp and hot tools that are used in the carpet laying trade.

We had to turn the air conditioner down so it is hot work. You can’t stretch cold carpet.

It is hot, hot, hot here today.

The closet came out wonderful. There is one piece of carpet in the closet. It really stretched nicely.

The doorway into the bathroom will have a tack strip and then a corian saddle. Carpet has been left long in that area.

The doorway into the closet is taped and then ironed.

Carpeting is completed in the master bedroom area except by the doorways.

Garbage is bagged up.

AND WE ARE IN. WOOHOO WOOHOO WOOHOO. All vacuumed and ready.

The rest of the house is still a construction site and really dusty. We laid carpet strips down leading into the room to catch any dirt before being tracked into the finished room. Although, once we move the furniture in there will be no shoes allowed.

We started moving our bedroom furniture from the second bedroom to the finished master bedroom

and spent the afternoon cleaning up our bedroom furniture. The furniture was in a storage unit for eleven months and than a few months here at the construction site. It is extremely dirty.

It is surprising how well it cleaned up. As it was cleaned and polished we set it up.

This furniture is old, but the style fits the Williamsburg.

We moved the cabin TV into the master bedroom and by the end of the day we are showered and laying in bed watching it. Tonight will be our first night sleeping in the new house.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 44, Sunday, June 12, 2022. Justin stopped by to help Steve carry the carpet rolls to the upper level. I am so thankful for that. He was going to have me help him.

He also brought Spencer who just loves blueberries.

The carpet tack strips

were cut and

nailed into place around the room.

The plywood was screwed down where it was creaking when you walked from wood shrinkage. Then the carpet padding was rolled out,

cut and

stapled down.

Look at those scissors and they are the smaller pair.

Last few days of wearing shoes in the bedroom. Steve got his first of many cuts while doing the padding. The tack strip got him.

The mini blinds were hung.

We are all set for the installing the carpet tomorrow.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 43, Saturday, June 11, 2022. All the trim is up in the master bedroom and closet, including the baseboard trim. It is a never-ending job of cleaning brushes, rollers and pans each painting workday.

Steve is working on the closet baseboard trim in this picture.

This picture shows the trim in place and the closet window before being painted.

The construction debris was then cleaned out and the floors were thoroughly vacuumed.

Then Steve caulked using Alex fast dry paintable caulk around all the window seams,

the door jamb seams,

and th baseboard trim seams.

The caulk fills in any cracks/gaps and makes for a nice smooth paint job. It also keeps the cold/heat from coming in around the windows. Insulation was stuffed in around the windows before the window extension jambs were put up. All this special attention gives you a nice easily climate-controlled home. We also have 2×6 walls which makes for good insulation. Wood filler was applied to each finishing nail hole.

It dries really fast, so you have to quickly wipe off any excess with a rag. In fact, you have to keep the lid on and just quickly dip your finger in.

A light sanding was done to all trim after the nail holes were put up. Then all trim was painted.

The doors were removed for easier trim painting and carpet laying. Here’s a picture of the door to the master bedroom from the bathroom

This is that same door but from the master bedroom closet side.

The doors will be painted in the other room and put back up after carpet is installed. The only thing needed now is door stops and doorknobs. We have the doorknobs for all the doors but need to purchase the door stops for all the doors. There is always an endless number of things to get. Tomorrow will be another shop day. Well, I actually go out about every other day to pick up items. Tomorrow we will go together. We are having a difficult time finding white Melamine boards. We found some about an hour away. So, we will pick them up tomorrow. We use Melamine for the closet shelving. Before the end of the day the tack strips are laid around the room in preparation for tomorrows work.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 41, Thursday, June 9, 2022. The windows are being finished in the upstairs. Before moving to the upper level to actually work on the windows, we cut the plywood on the middle level into the approximate sizes needed.

I love what is being done with the extension jambs. Maple furniture grade hardwood plywood is being used for the extension jambs.

Each window piece is measured and cut separately to ensure wood for jambs and sills fit perfectly. Clear knot free pine is being cut

and sanded nicely for the sills.

The trim is 3 1/4-inch colonial primed finger jointed trim. I love it. It’s the Williamsburg!!!!

Not much was accomplished today. We ran around picking up more carpet and trim a lot of the day.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Year 2 – Day 42, Friday, June 10, 2022. Trim work continues.

Doors were hung in master bedroom and closet.

There are now 5 interior doors hung with 13 more to do. They all need to be painted yet.

Five windows now have trim on them. 14 windows to go. The trim on the ceiling recessed lighting is on in the master bedroom, closet and hallway.

The electrical plates are up, and the heat/air registers are up in the master bedroom area also.

Finishing work is very much in progress.

The construction site is very messy again.

Steve says you just keep moving the construction mess around until finally you move it out the front door. Talking about the front door, we are going to build in planter boxes instead of railing on the porch sides. I think this will be a great place to grow things with the nice indirect light. Also, it will be nice to keep the wind from blowing across the front porch. We also booked our Amtrak adventure today. We will be taking Amtrak from Los Angeles to Houston next May. We booked a Roomette. We are super excited about taking a cruise from Galveston through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles and then an Amtrak roomette to Houston next year.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Saturday, May 14, 2022. Got off the MSC Seashore at 9:30am. Facial recognition was working and we were off the ship quick and easy in the Miami Cruise Terminal. A Royal Caribbean ship was unloading at the same terminal. The terminal was very busy, but things went very quickly. We found a porter and were in our car quickly.

We drove through Miami to Walgreens for our scheduled covid test.

I am amazed how many people actually live on the Miami streets. They have tents set up and all their belongings right by the sidewalk. It is so sad. Even though we are in a city there are trees with huge flowers around. The flowers are blowing and landing on our windshield. They are beautiful .

Also, the number of huge iguanas just crossing the street or on the sidewalks is incredible. I wasn’t aware that Florida cities had a large iguana population. Do you think they really taste like chicken?

Steve tested positive and we are on our way home. Our last cruise from Fort Lauderdale on Allure of the Seas has been cancelled. We are on the road again. Heading back to Kentucky to work on the house.

I lost my sunglasses on the ship and now Steve and I are wearing the same exact pair. Steve had a brand new pair with him.

We are Staying in Tifton, Georgia for the night.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

To view more information on the MSC Seashore, click here: https://deestimes.com/seashore/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture

Friday, May 13, 2022. Today we will be spending the day at Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas. It is MSC’s private island. We are up early enjoying the gorgeous ocean sky view and morning coffee.

We pull in about 7am. As we approach the island, we pass MSC friendly employees waving welcome.

The 100 foot light house sits on a little peninsula. It has 20,000 LED pixels and 46 moving heads. At night time it lights up with a fantastic light show.

The sea gulls were loving the balcony below us. 

One even got stuck and couldn’t get out.  I think people feed them from the ship. 

We headed out to sit on the beach and check out the water temperature. The welcome to the island was awesome.  Although, I did feel a little self-conscious.  The man behind us didn’t.  He was pumped.

They don’t sell anything in plastic on the island and we are drinking can water.  It is the first-time drinking can water for us.  You need a little time to adjust to the taste and texture.

As we sit on the beach, I hear lots of people are talking. I can’t understand any of them. I guess this is my European beach vacation.

When we got off the ship, we headed to the closest beach to the left of the pier.  It was nice, but there were a limited number of umbrellas to sit under. 

Steve tested the water.  It was cold, but very very clear.  I like Labadee, Haiti much better.  Water is much warmer.

Get out there early if you want chairs and an umbrella. We sat away from the beach near the trees.

The beach is very wide.  Remember, you are not allowed to take any shells, coral, or vegetation off the beach.

While we are sitting on the beach. Justin is at our house with the kitchen counter top installers. They pulled around to the back deck and said no way was the counter going up those stairs.

They ended up bringing it in the front door.  

The peninsula piece is 44 x 116 inches and weighs about 1,000 pounds. The three men had to bring that up the front entry steps. It was a very hard job, and they are going to be sore tomorrow.

They hooked the dishwasher to it,

glued the double sink,

and dropped in the cooktop.

The installers spent a lot of time getting the one seam perfect. What a great job.

It was worth the $4,400.00.

After the beach, we headed to the buffet. They had done some really artistic watermelon carvings.

Tonight, is our last towel animal of this cruise. A great Armadillo. Sad, we have to pack up and put our luggage outside the door. They will take the luggage and have it ready for us in the cruise terminal to pick up after we get off the ship tomorrow morning.

To view the complete daily diary, click here: https://deestimes.com/living-the-dream-year-2-may-1-2022-april-30-2023/

To view more information on the MSC Seashore, click here: https://deestimes.com/seashore/

Today’s product recommendations are traveling essentials.                                                    1) Luggage hand cart – we love this cart for easy rolling for easy cruise carry-on bags.  Even when you can’t go to your room right away this is so easy to walk around the ship with.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3s37EOw

2) This large toiletry bag is the best.  Steve has the black and I have the pink.  We both absolutely love them.  Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3v1p6ok and picture