Saturday, March 26, 2011

Florida Division of Motor Vehicles

Now that my eyes are healed, I went to the Florida DMV to have the "lens correction required" removed from my license. Ordinarily I would dread the experience having been exposed to the Rhode Island DMV where a trip there can and usually does require hours. Not so here in Panama City Beach. I took my passport and went. I waited five minutes for a free clerk and soon found out that I needed more forms of identification. Either a passport (check) or a birth certificate. Then a social security card or a W2 /1099. Then two of the following, registration, deed or rental contract, or two current utility bills. I was told that the medicare card was not acceptable.

Home I went to dig out all the necessary documents. I told Carol that I was told that if we get pulled over with the restriction on the license and we could not prove we had lens implants, we could be restricted from driving the vehicle then and there. Carol immediately produced her passport and Social security card. I retrieved my 1099. We got our respective auto registrations. Now for the utility bills. When we bought the house, we put the electric bill in Carol's name as she had a history with the company and they waived the deposit. The water bill is in my name but I went paperless and have the total paid via a bank draft. No paperwork, good citizen. The cable bill was paid and shredded. I did have the HOA bill which had both our names on it.

So the next afternoon we headed to the local DMV office. As I went to take a number, we heard, I can help you. We passed our eye tests and produced the paperwork along with our licenses. Pictures were taken, fees paid and then we waited for the computer to kick out our new licenses. The longest part of the approximately 20 minutes total was spent waiting on the computer. Carol's license has "Safe Driver" printed on it. Mine does not. Apparently Virginia transmitted the speeding ticket to Florida.

We were soon on our way. Visiting the local Florida DMV office is a breeze.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Hat and Shoes

Earlier this week Carol and I went to the Silver Sands shopping center in Destin. It is a pleasant 40 mile drive from the house. I specifically wanted to find a small bottle with a cap. I have found a restaurant that makes a great cheeseburger, but they don't have vinegar for my fries. I also wanted socks from the Jockey store. We always have lunch at the Chao Italia restaurant. On the way there we saw the Sunshine shoe outlet. Carol wanted to try on the Vibron Five Toes shoes. We had a great lunch. Carol had meatballs and spaghetti and I had the chicken parm with spaghetti.

After lunch on the way back we stopped. While Carol was trying on the shoes , I wandered around the store and saw the Tilly hats. I am pictured below sporting my Tilly hat. The hat comes with a four page owners manual. It floats, repels rain and blocks UV rays. Best of all, its not made in China. It is made in Canada. Why would I want this hat. Well this winter (unfortunately) I have lost more hair than weight. I need to protect my head and face from the sun. I have had a thing removed from my nose a few years ago. Please note the shear curtain in the background. Carol made the drapes and the blackout behind the shear. She also created the same for the double window in the dining area. Those are palm trees on the shear. Very tropical Florida and I love the curtains. The blackout also helps to keep the house cooler in summer.



The shoes Carol bought are pictured below. Each toe has its own space. It does take Carol an extra minute or two to put them on. She tells me how comfortable and light they feel. She is planning on wearing them on our trip North in April. They look like they will be great for travel. They come in some wild colors but this is the pair that fit best.

There are socks that are made to be worn with these shoes. Carol asked me if I would be embarrassed to go out in public while she wears them. "Absolutely not" I said. I think they are great.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

20 -20

Yesterday Carol went for her combined one week appointment for her right eye and her three week appointment for her left eye. The good news is Carol's left eye is 20 - 20. Her right eye is still healing and yet it tested as 20-30. Carol still has pressure that the Doctor deemed too high and he gave her drops to alleviate the pressure. This pressure is causing Carol a good amount of discomfort in that eye. There is no reason to believe that Carol's right won't heal and also be 20-20. The new drops are already helping with the discomfort. The Doctor cleared Carol for full activity. This morning she is busy sewing the shears for our dining room.

We decided to go out for dinner to celebrate. We had driven by O' Charley's yesterday and decided to go there for dinner. We walked in and there were three or four couples waiting. I did not give it a thought as I could see the dining room looked empty. The greeter told me there would be a wait of about 10 minutes as they were waiting on the servers to arrive, and would that be OK. I told him it would not be OK and we left. It was already after 5:30 PM. I told Carol on the way to the car that if they can't schedule the servers properly, how do we know the kitchen is staffed properly. We backtracked and went in the local Outback. We had a great meal. This is the second time we have left a restaurant and ended up with a great dining experience.

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Our Dogs Pillo - Gizmo - Tiny




Pillo (pee-lo) is our newest addition. We acquired him last October when he was 2 months old. His parents were each 4.5 pounds and we expect (hope) he will not surpass that weight. Pillo pictured above is sleeping in the sun with one of his favorite toys. He is a bundle of energy and is usually involved in mischief. He playfully attacks Gizmo my Yorkie or he is running throughout the house with one of our socks or with one of Carol's skeins of yarn. He finally managed to jump high enough to get on the furniture. He managed to get a knitting needle and chewed the tip off. Carol remarked that he must have an amazing digestive system. He has the run of the house. He wants to play with Tiny our 17 year old chihuahua who tends to sleep a lot and has little patience for romping with a puppy.

I managed to catch Pillo and Gizmo sitting on my recliner when the sun was shining in the back sliding door. Pillo has several shirts as he is not yet 3 pounds and needs the added warmth. The red bib like thing around his neck is actually a harness for walking him. We tried a collar but he pulls on the leash and we are afraid he will hurt is trachea.


Carol has started teaching the "boys" tricks. Below Gizmo is playing dead. Pillo is waiting his turn as he and Gizmo each perform their repertoire. Tiny does not nor will he do tricks. He just gets his share of treats automatically. It has a lot to do with his seniority. Lately Carol can not do the routine while she recuperates from eye surgery. I tried to fill in but they have me pegged for a softy and I give them the treats without them really performing.



Carol ordered a doggy playpen recently. It gives us some relaxing time without worrying what mischief he is doing. We also plan on bringing it North as that house has stairs and a railing that he would easily fit under. He has a number of toys in the playpen and he will stay happily in there until he decides to howl his displeasure.


We can not imagine our home without him.