Making Room For Retirement

I haven't posted for a few days, but we have been quite busy.  

We bought a mobile home!  We saw this sweet little deal a couple of weeks ago, I knew at the time that this was OUR home, but we didn't want to rush into anything, figuring if it was meant to be,, it would happen.  So we spent the next couple of weeks looking at other mobile homes in other parks, and we kept coming back to this one.  

It isn't a palace, it needs some updating, but oh the view!

  This is taken from our back porch. 

  We took possession on Saturday and yesterday we stopped by to drop off some purchases.  We assembled the deck furniture, (not  in this pic)
I sat down and that was it - I didn't want to move.  Just bring me my drink and I here I'll be.  

It is a double wide, 24X40, 2 bedroom and 2 bath, and has a glassed in Florida room that is 10X24,  

(This is the view from there)
 
plus a utility room with washer and dryer.  

We have lots of room for retirement, plus I will have a space for my quilting AND lots of space for any guests who may make their way down to Florida for a visit.  (you won't have to sleep on my pincushion)

As I said it needs some updating so stay tuned for more before and after shots.  This project will keep us out of mischief for the rest of the season.  The basic furniture was included, full bed, and dresser, a couple of chairs, and some dishes, etc.  We already found a great sofa bed at Habitat for Humanity ReStore - and get this, they were having a half-price sale.  We will be shopping the thrift shops and garage sales for other amazing deals.  Our mission, and we have chosen to accept it, is to furnish it cheaply and make it beautifully ours on a budget.  

During all the  trips looking around the countryside we stopped by Winter Haven's downtown core where we took this pic.  What can a say, Christmas trees and and palm trees, and blue skies.  Does it get any better? 

I took this pic without even knowing it - but I thought it was kind of interesting - a new perspective on a Christmas tree.  








 
I have been humming carols and feeling very Christmassy even without the snow.  

Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church was all dressed up in its Advent greens on Sunday, we are looking forward to the Advent services and the Christmas eve service.  

And the park with our 5th wheel, (which we are still staying in, until we get the new place cleaned and a bit more  furnished) is all decorated for Christmas.  

This couple goes all out, these four pics are all various views of their unit.  

 

So where do they store all of this?  
It turns out that this is the park caretaker, so he has other storage options - otherwise all of his decorations would fill up his trailer and his shed.  I hope the park pays his electric bill!







 




And lots of other folks are all decked out as well,

as well they decorate  their golf carts.  












Because we have been so busy, this is all we have to decorate so far - 
 

a banner I made.  
(from half-price fabric from Joann's, plus a discount coupon on total purchase) 

It is outdoor canvas - lesson learned - do not iron outdoor canvas - it melts!  

So good-bye for now

from Mary                                                                                 and Alf