We have been in Orlando since early December, living in our
daughter’s driveway in the camper, helping take care of little Basil and Levi
during our son-in-law Stephen’s three heart surgeries and cancer
treatments. If he had not had the fluid
build-up in the pericardium around the heart, he might still not know he has
stomach cancer that has metastasized.
He has a better prognosis in Germany with their holistic approach to
building the body’s immunity and hitting cancer with a double whammy of chemo
and heat—pinpoint heat aimed at each spot of cancer and whole body high fever
during the chemo. While they are in
Germany, we stay in the house and care for the boys.
But we couldn’t keep the camper in the driveway indefinitely,
so we checked out many of the 55+ manufactured home communities around
Orlando. Finally one little house
grabbed our attention with its fabulous view of a little marshy lake with lily
pads and cypress trees and teaming with birds.
So the camper is in storage, and we eat every meal on the lanai (Florida
screen room with plastic windows) watching the ducks, cranes, and ibises.
When Tara and Stephen go to Germany again, we will move back into their
house to care for the grandboys, but in between we have our peaceful refuge.
We bought new beds and mattresses, recliners, and a couple
other new pieces. Most of the
furnishings are used though. We have had
a ball searching through consignment shops, antique stores, flea markets,
resale shops and rummage sales for the shabby chic look.
The seven foot orange French provincial sofa and red rug
sound shocking, but the effect is bright and fun.
My favorite place to sit looking out over the lake.
We eat most meals on the lanai.
Our bedroom is purple, of course accented with violets.
The guest room is ready and waiting.
The kitchen is part of the great room. The whole house has been remodeled with new
cabinets, floors and so on.
Sunrise from the lanai. This is paradise.
