Living the Florida life style, when we have time.

With sirens blaring, Santa made a trip through Tropical Acre. Even we retires get a thrill from the little man in red.

Iknow it has been a long time coming, but here is a little update on things going on at Tropical Acre. Seems like there is always something to to, whether it be shopping, painting, shuffleboard, golfing or what ever it is retired people do best....nothing. I am waiting for the day we can do nothing.

Our biggest project lately is painting the bathroom. I take full blame for this project! I got sick of the striped flowered paneling that was in there, so decided to pick out a color to paint. Of course with painting comes the little things that go with it, such as filling in holes (which we had a lot) and taking things off the walls. I took the plates to the recepticles and switches off and Fred noticed there were no electrical boxes, only wires. So being the good conciences fellow he is, he started to replace them all. That led to a lot of time and many angered moments. Not to mention the obsentities about the man the lived here before us. With out going into a lot of details, his job is finally finished so now it's up to me to get out the paint brush. I have the first coat on and will attempt the second coat today. I just want it done and put back together. After all that, then I have to remake a window valance and two door panels. Hopefully, that will tone down the plain peachy color walls.

Between all the work, we have to play. We have been trying our hand at shuffleboard. I can't say it's the most exciting "sport" around, but it is fun and something to do. They play three nights a week, I don't know if we will play that much, but on nights we don't have anything to do, we will be there.

We had our Christmas dinner at the clubhouse a week ago. Very good food and a great evening. The entertainment was funny, everyone laughed so hard some had tears in their eyes. We also had a visit from the local Goldwing chapter, their bikes all lit up in lights. It was a thank you for all the Toys For Tots, donated by the residents.

They told us we were their number one donating park. Kudos for Tropical Acre.

I play golf on Wednesdays each week. I will say, those guys that get that stupid little ball in the hole for a par have a talent. I can see an improvement in my game, sometimes, but still have a long way to go.I only had one whiff last week. The ladies I play with are very nice and don't seem to mind that I haven't quite got the knack of the sport. That's what happens when you start something new at an "older" age.

The houses are all decorated with Christmas lights, or I should say most are decorated. Some very nice, some a little too much. The man across the street from us refers to his house as the Griswalds. The first time I saw it, I thought it was a bit much, but have gotten used to it and now I think it is very pretty. At least it is bright and merry. There is something to say about Christmas lights minus the snow. It just isn't the same. I will try to include some pictures of our lights at least. Need to take more of other lights.

I guess I've rattled on enough, so will try to attach some photos then I have to get back at my painting. Hope you all have a very blessed and Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.

Sorry I still don't have the format right, but someday, maybe......

Always something to do!

I can't remember when I posted last and I'm too lazy to look it up, so...Fred has been working very hard on his shed...his pride and joy. The guys finished it a couple of days ago, except for putting the window in which will happen as soon as the find one. In the meantime, Fred has been assembling a work bench which came in a trillion pieces. After much sputtering and a few words I can't print, it is finished. He is still trying to arrange his tools. Now maybe he can find things when he wants them. He now has two shelf units to put together so he should have everything organized so even I can find things.. if I wanted.

We hung curtains in the living room and today I hung the metal tiebacks. Looks very nice. We still haven't replaced the lamp I broke when we first hung the curtains, but that will come later. The funny thing, I was trying to hook up our doorbell. You know the kind that plays over 100 tunes and you have to program which tune you want. I played with it last night and again this morning. Just after I gave up on it, our neighbor came over. Seems everytime I tested it, their doorbell would ring. He said they kept going to the door and no one was there then got to thinking, since they had this same problem a few years ago, he decided to check with us. He said to keep working with it until I found the solution. I asked how would I know, he said "when I quite coming over here". After he left, I checked with the neighbor on the other side, and sure enough it rang theirs also. He said he thought their's had a short in it because they had their place powerwashed and thought it got wet inside. Soo, now I am afraid to play with it anymore so bagged it up for later.

So my friends, hope I haven't bored you, but just wanted to bring you up to date with the Streeter's. Have a good week!

Update, Wednesday

I made it through the first golf outing. All my nervousness was basically for nothing. The ladies were very tolerant and good natured. I even used the same ball for all nine holes. Fortunately, we only are playing 9 holes instead of the 18 they usually play. There wasn't time to get 18 holes in because there was another league playing right after us. For me, 9 is enough!

I am posting some pictures of the mess we are in now with the construction of the new shed and screen room. It will be really nice when it is complete. Martin (the builder) was suppose to do more today but because of an earlier commitement he won't be back until first thing tomorrow morning. Yipee, let's see how far he gets tomorrow.

We got some much needed rain today, short but sweet. Sure made it humid afterward. On our way to Brandon this afternoon our thermometer showed 88. Sorry, but had to add that.

Busy, busy!

We certainly have kept ourselves busy so far. Seems like there is so much we want to do and we are getting a little impatient with it all. Fred has been working in his shed, the guys are coming tomorrow to work on it some more. We had to empty a lot out of it so they can get inside and tear the inside walls down. They built around it, and it looks really nice, but now it's time for the inside.

I have been working on the front flowers, and it looks much better. Now I just have to get some color planted. I think I will try the wave petunias again. They were really pretty last year. I intended to also get the front porch finished and arranged but that never happened.

Just returned from the Monday evening meal. What a bargain! It was beef and noodles tonight, my compliments to the chef. Afterward we checked on Tom and Kathy's house, all well there.

I am going to try to attach some photos with this, another first for me. I hope it works.