It's beginning to look like Christmas

It is so hard to believe that Christmas is just a couple of days away. Sure, the houses have lights, the stores are really hopping and playing carols, and for the most part, people seem a little more jolly. However, what we are lacking, is the voices of the little girls and all their giggles. They had their Christmas party last night at the house, and I soooo wish I could have been there. It should be getting easier, because, after all, this is our 4th Christmas down here. NOT!!! It was really fun talking to everyone, if only for a minute.

We had company last night for some drinks and snacks. Had a great time, inspite of the solidified Bailey's. We had a new bottle, big bottle I might add, that we bought last Spring. It had never been opened but because of the high temps in the house during the summer, it was cooked. I tried to pour the liquid into the glasses and nothing came out! How upsetting!!! Fortunately, we had just bought another bottle, as an extra, so we were good. Lesson learned!

Today was golf day. What a joke! I don't know if it was because of the lack of sleep the night before, or the fact that I hadn't played in three weeks, but it was BAD. We had a great time and the weather was beautiful, so it made it worth while.

Hope you all have a happy and joyous Christmas. "Merry Christmas from our house to your house."

Finally!!

This is what our place looked like this am. I hope the plants survived.

We are finally having some nice weather, again. I am sorry to hear all about cold weather back home, but ....We have paid our dues. I have been going to bed with my bathrobe and socks on, also two blankets. This is Florida, it's suppose to be warm. We uncovered our plants this am, after being covered three nights. Once before we have had to cover them, but only for two nights. It's suppose to be nice for a few days, then cooler again.

We are starting to get into the Christmas spirit, even started to make a couple of things from the kitchen this am. They are in the freezer now. This is the first day this week we haven't had anything going. We had a great time yesterday, went out to eat with some friends at The Roadhouse in Wesley Chaple, then afterwards, stopped at their house for coffee,some freshly made cookies, and some laughs. Tomorrow we are going to our favorite flea market in Belleview with Tom and Kathy. We haven't seen much of them this year so am really looking forward to tomorrow. We always have some laughs when we are together.

As soon as Fred gets back from his dump run and taking Abby for a golf cart ride, we are going to load her up and take her to the dog park and let her run for a while. This will be our first time there this year. She should be a happy camper when she gets back home.

Have a great weekend.

Frustrations

The nativity scene on the cabinet between the dining room and living room.

This centerpiece I put together all by myself. Aren't you proud? No Martha Stewart, but it works for me.

This is on the front porch, a new tree this year. It is done mostly in Boyd Bear ornaments, and of course ones from the little girls.

Our "chicken" planter that got run over last year when I set it behind the car and forgot about it.

Our new clock!

I think it is the same as last year, except we added the tree. We didn't put that up last year. Now, if I can just get all the lights to work. They are on a timer, comes on at dusk.

Why is it getting so hard to manage my check books???? I just spent almost 2 hours getting them to balance. Of course, it would help if I used my debit card from the right checkbook. I made a transfer in one checkbook, and paid a bill on line from the other. OOPS!!!! Thank goodness for check guard. ECCU must love me about now. Oh well, problem solved.

It is getting very cloudy, sure could use some rain. We have our Christmas dinner at the clubhouse in about 1 1/2 hour. I wish I could say I am really hungry, but nope. I don't suppose all the circus peanuts I ate this afternoon had anything to do with it. I would have forgotten about it, but the man of the house reminded me. Glad someone keeps track of things. (Maybe I should hand over the finances to him)

Just wanted to send along some pictures of what few Christmas decorations we have. Now I learned 1/2 of our outside lights don't work. Oh what to do???? Let them go for now or try to figure out the problem. I hate the thoughts of checking them one bulb at a time. YUK.

We have play practice tomorrow, something I look forward to each time. We are having so much fun, hope it is a success. Not that I have any big part in it, but it is still fun. Plus, I am getting to know more people.

I will try my hardest to post more often, we are just soooo busy.

Christmas is Almost here

There was a small wooden platform where the dancers performed, also some tourists. They put on quite a show with local colors.

The drinks and food was served "tapas style", which were small plates with different island style food, which was very good.

On the south (I believe) end of the beach the terrain was very pretty, not for swimming.

The north end was a little more "beachy" with the sand. In between was sand, but Tom said there were sea urchins scattered and you had to be careful where you went in. Not my idea of a perfect swimming area. I enjoyed just laying in the sun and watching the sights and hearing the sounds.

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I posted last time. Where does the time go? There is only about 2 weeks before Christmas, but in my mind we are still in November. I will see if I can bring this up to date.

About the petunias I planted....dead! It has been so dry here and I guess we have been so busy, or I should say on the go, they kind of got forgotten. Oh well, they weren't the ones I wanted anyway.

Fred took out the original clock that was out in front of the house. It didn't work anymore, but was sort of an icon around the park. We had bought a different one last year, but because he knew it was going to be a big project, he hesitated in starting the job. All said and done, it wasn't really that bad. It sure looks nice now, quite an improvement, I think.

We have also taken a 6 night cruise with Tom & Kathy to Key West, Grand Caymen and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Had a great time and very nice weather. It was just good to get away and relax. We love Key West! We just walked around, did some shopping and had a couple of drinks at a couple bars, and spent some time at the marina. Oh yeah, can't forget the Key Lime Pie from Kermit's Key Lime Pie store. They are famous for their pie and all sorts of candy and dips. Ocho Rios was a day spent at a beach just relaxing. It wasn't the most modern place but enjoyed every minute of it. There were free drinks, food, music and just the sound of the waves slapping against the shore made it all worth while. Grand Caymen, wasn't my favorite, but Margaretaville was fun.

I don't mean to complain, but it has been cold here. We covered up the bushes and plants for two nights in a row, and even last night got into the very low 40's. Golf was cancelled Tuesday because of the cold and wind. I guess 4 gals braved it, but they said it was horrible. More power to them, I sure had no desire to go out and freeze.

We have our Christmas decorations up, and even had Santa come through the park on the Pasco County fire truck, but it still doesn't seem like Christmas is just around the corner. I still can't get into the spirit without the snow, however, I much would rather have the blue sky and sunshine and a little less spirit.

Have a great Christmas and stay warm. Please be careful of the slippery roads and all the ice. (That, I don't miss!)

I THINK we are settled in.

These are the new Bougainvillea bushes we planted. The one on the left is a Pixie and the other one is a Dwarf. This is a test to see which one works out the best.

Fred put up these small fence sections to hid a few things. It's not ideal, but it will work.

Who's this????? Why it's Abby, the wonder dog and her chauffeur. She sure loves her rides in the golf cart.


Yes, it's true. I believe we have everything in its place and a place for everything. It seems good to know that part is over. The closet turned out great, a big thank you to my other half. He worked all day, but finally got it finished. By the next day I had it filled. I never realized how many photo albums and scrapbooks I had. They are not in any order, but they are in there and out of the totes we brought them down in.

Seems like we have been on the go a lot, or taking a break as we like to refer to it. We have been to Busch Gardens, a couple of flea markets and just running getting things we need for the house. Golf has started, which I really enjoy. We just started playing at a new course, somewhat longer than we are used to. We figured it took almost 5 hours to play 18 holes! (We are not great players by a long ways.) I just like being out with friends and having lots of laughs, not to mention getting some sun.

We have all our bushes planted and even planted some petunias a few days ago. I couldn't find any wave petunias, but at least they will add some color out front.

I have also obligated myself to be part of a play the park is putting on in February. It's not that I have any speaking part, but it is a commitment and so far it has been fun.

Tomorrow is a free picnic for veterans at the clubhouse. Anytime there is a mention of free food, there is a crowd. Whenever we can get someone else to fix our meals, expecially if it's free, works for us!

Speaking of food, I guess it's about time I try to figure out what to get for dinner.

Typical Monday

Our day started out with our Monday morning meeting, same ole same ole. We got out later than last week due to a lenghthier discussion. Our board president is back from Michigan so he brought us up to date on what's going on. Afterwards, we went to breakfast with a group of friends and had an enjoyable meal and good conversation. From there we went to Lowes to return a dead bush I planted last year, but didn't make it. We also bought some decorative fence to put out back to hide the garbage can and we can also store a couple of things so it will be somewhat out of site.

Our trip to Belleview was fun, bought a pixie bougainvillea to replace the one we dug up. We found out from our neighbors that a man from across the road about cried when he found out we threw the other bougainvillea out. He said it was the prettiest bush on the block.HA!!!!! He should have taken care of it a few times and he would understand why we dug it up. Hopefully, the new one will get pretty, it's a little scrawny now but I'm sure in a few weeks it will look nice. The only thing is, now we need something else to fill in where the old one was. I'm also looking for some wave petunias for out front.

Nothing else is new, sort of getting in the grove of things. I started to sort out my scrapbook area, hopefully can finish today. Next big project is to redo the closet in the spare room.

I will try to keep you updated as things go on.

Keeping busy

We are back in Florida and busier than ever. We brought a crap load of "stuff" with us this time and we are still trying to figure out where to put everything. We have put two bookcases and one filing cabinet together to give us a little more space. It has helped, but still need more room. Fred is going to rebuild half of the closet in the spare room, to make room for my photo albums and my completed scrapbooks.

A couple days ago we dug out the ever growing bouganvillia out front. Everytime we came down we had to trim it down, otherwise it would have taken over our house. It was again to the top of our awning and growing everywhere. I started trimming and after a few scratches from the long thorns I had it ready for Fred to start digging. We finally got it out, but now we have a bare spot that needs something. I think I will buy another one, but this time making sure it says "dwarf". They are such a pretty bush and pretty much everblooming. We bought some plants today and planted some of them. Will finish the rest of them this weekend. I have the palm trees weeded and Fred pruned them so they look pretty nice.

Tomorrow we are going to Belleview to the flea market we like. It is our play day, taking up most of the day, so hope Abby will be ok here alone.

The weather has been typical for Florida this time of year, very warm and dry. I golfed Tuesday and it was extremely hot, thought we would never get our 18 holes in. The liquid refreshment afterwards sure tasted good.

Until the next update, have a great Halloween and don't let the gobblins get you!

Final Week

This is our final week here and preparations for heading home are under way. It has been getting quite hot and humid and I think we are ready for some cooler weather, including Abby. She kind of drags when we go out for our walks. Tomorrow she gets a bath, in our shower, so wish me luck.

We have most things packed that we are bringing home, 90% of it being our darling daughters goods, (I love you, Shannan). We don't bring back much, only clothes for the 2nd day. It's hard because it will be 90 here but who knows what by the time we get north of here.

A made a quick visit yesterday to AAA to get a strip map because we wanted to take a different route home. We found out many of the northbound expressways are very slow because of construction. We opted for the one that has the least amount of problematic work zones. Hopefully, it won't tie us up too long. We should be home Thursday, early evening.

I am in such a "clearing mode" to get rid of things and hope that continues until we have our garage sale, which should be a good one this year.

It's time to let Abby out for her morning walk, then to get our day started. It's the first Saturday of the month and that means we enjoy the Veteran's breakfast at the clubhouse. Whatever we do, our mind will be....."don't forget this or don't forget to do that". Even though we have a list, seems like there is always something we manage to forget.

A cute couple

The mama lion just lazin' in the sun.

This turtle was kinda neat. Notice the hippo in the background.

I loved these two. They look so cuddly.

I just had to add these Lemurs to my blog. They were so cute I could have brought them home with me.

Time is getting closer.

The flowers were so pretty, everywhere.


The Crown Colony House Restaurant.


Fred and I with our new friend.


Tom and Kathy with a friendly being.

We have a little more than a week before we leave for Michigan. The time has gone really fast this winter, and now it's drawing to an end. It comes with a little sadness, however, I have mixed emotions. Now that we have a date set to leave I am getting anxious to see the little girls, yeah, the big kids too, but the little ones are top on my list.

We have been trying to get some last minute day trips in before we leave. Last week we went to John's Pass, near Clearwater. It was a really neat place with a boardwalk along the canal with shops and restaurants. We had our lunch at Scully's and enjoyed a delicious chicken sandwich.

Today we went to Busch Gardens. We bought a 2 year pass so we can go anytime we want since it is less than 1/2 hour from here. It comes with free parking so if we get bored next time we are down here we can zip over and have lunch and take in the sights. We went with Tom & Kathy today and it was unbelievable how empty the place was. With Spring Break over the walkways and rides were very empty. We had a super time and a delicious dinner at the Crown Colony House Restaurant. We also rode the Congo River Rapids and got soaked! It was just nice walking around and not fighting the crowds. The end of April is certainly the time to go.

Tomorrow is golf day, my last until next October.

A quick update

OK, I give up! I have been trying to upload a video of our zip lining in Roatan, but unfortunately it won't work. It may by too big, but at least I tried. I have written this posting once and sometime during the process of trying to get the stupid video posted, it deleted my whole post. There is no way I can remember what I typed so I will abbreviate.

Our cruise was great fun, thanks to you, Shannan. You did a super job of planning everything. We played, ate, snorkeled, ate, swam with the dolphins, ate, went on a zip line over the jungles of Roatan, ate and had a lot of fun at the piano bar with Milborne. Did I mention we ate a lot? Oh yeah, we did walk "for the cause" on Lido deck along with probably 100 other cruisers. I'll never forget our 2:30 am pizza run.

We are within three weeks before we head back to Michigan. About this time I really start to get anxious to head back. We are now trying to take a day road trip now and then. We have been to Siesta Key and Venice only to find it was still Spring break and the beaches were extremely crowded. We also went back to Belleview to the big flea market. a spur of the minute decision, but we had a good time.

Now we just relax until it gets about a week before we leave, then the rush is on. That's when we clean the house and pack things to bring back with us. We already have a tote started with a few things that we don't want to forget. It is such a worry that we will forget something that we may need this summer. We are planning on coming back in August, so if we forgot anything important we can get it then. So for now, it's getting ready for the big rush.

Getting ready to set sail!

We have had a rather busy week this week, and it is seeming more like Florida, weather wise. Shannan arrived Thursday afternoon, and seems we have been on the go every since. Friday after we went to lunch at a new restaurant, for us anyway, we went shopping. From there we went to Parksdale Farms for strawberry shortcake. If we had been ten minutes later, we would have been too late. As it was, we didn't get to look around very much because they were locking up. We decided to get some "liquid refreshments" to take on the ship, sounds easy, however, only certain places sell what we wanted. We had to drive quite a ways out of our way to get to an ABC Liquor Store to get some good wine and champagne. Walmart stores down here don't sell much wine or any hard liquor, you have to go to an actual liquor store. I just don't get it!

This morning we went to Beall's Outlet, one of my favorite stores, and got everything we couldn't find yesterday. I guess we should have stayed in Zephyrhills for all our shopping needs. We stopped and Shannan treated us to lunch at Flaco's, then home to start packing. Later on in the day I baked a ham for dinner, that way Fred will have something to eat while we are gone. I think we have our packing about done, and believe it or not, we are under the 50# limit per bag. Not much, but we are under it. Coming home it will be much lighter, hopefully the booze will be consumed. It's just last minute things now, then to finish the bathroom bag in the morning. Hope to leave here about 10:30 to be at the pier by 11:30 and hit the buffet by 12:30. (Isn't that what cruising is all about???)

Will have an update on how everything went when we get back.

The Strawberry Festival

Live...The Oak Ridge Boys

Singing "Amazing Grace" And they were amazing!

The arena; our seats third row almost center.

We knew a storm was brewing.

We couldn't believe how the sky looked behind us as we left the stadium.

This week turned out to be a pretty good week. We have had a mixture of weather, but I guess that's what makes it interesting. Cool the first part of the week but by Wednesday was beautiful. It was the first playing golf in a long time that we haven't started out extremely cold. These gals don't play unless it is 60 degrees. It made it to the low 80's, I even wore shorts and a short sleeve shirt and actually got plenty warm. Maybe it will stay this way!

Then came Thursday. Actually, the rain started Wednesday night, but by Thursday it was coming down pretty good. I kept thinking what my dad used to say, "rain by 7, clear by 11". It never did actually quit raining for any length of time. The concert started at 3:30 and it was raining off and on right up until the "boys" came on stage. We got a few sprinkles, but nothing bad at all. The concert was great, so much energy these guys have and it overflowed into the crowd. They have been around a long time, but there singing is better than ever. By the time the show was over, and we headed out, the sky was black. We had just gotten out of the festival grounds and on our way home the sky opened up. Later, we found out that there were tornado warnings in a couple of the surrounding towns. We were so glad and thankful the weather cooperated for us.

Here it is, Friday afternoon, and it is still raining. I didn't think Abby would ever go out and do her business. I was beginning to worry about her. Finally, when we got back from WalMart from a grocery run, she went for a walk with her "daddy" and all is well. Hope it stops raining by tomorrow...big doings here; poker run, parade and dinner tomorrow night.

Waiting for it to warm up.

"Girls just want to have fun"

This young "gal" is almost 90, but full of fun.

Just another playmate.

What's this? Something new, a browntone palm tree.

It has been pretty quiet here since our company left. The most excitement we have had was the Mens Style Show, which was held at our clubhouse. Bear in mind, we knew most of these guys on any given day, but put them in drag and we didn't know most of them. Some of them made pretty good looking women. Some of the ladies attending the show may have been a little jealous of the outfits. As they showed off their fasions, the pretty barmaids (actually women)passed out glasses of beer. What a lot of laughs and fun. Following the fasion show was dance for all, with "Dinky" playing the music and singing. He did a really nice job singing and playing everything from Elvis to Johnny Cash to Irish music. A great night out for us senior citizens.

As for the palm tree...it just isn't right to have brown palm trees. However, that's what has happened to most of our palms in the park. We have had such a cold winter, the coldest in 40 years, that all the plants and bushes are brown. We have been assured they will come back. I am going to start trimming the plants this weekend so they won't look quite so bad.

Spring is coming!

Spring IS coming, at least that's what the calendar says. However, I think the Big Man upstairs has another idea. This has been a really strange year, weather wise, never knowing what each day is going to be like. For you, up north, it's snow and I'm sorry for that. Down here, it's just plain cold and a lot of wet precipitation. We did golf last week, the first time in 4 weeks and it's looking rather doubtful if we play this Wednesday. At least today the sun is shinning and it is very pretty out, suppose to get to low 60's I believe.

Our company has come and gone, which is kind of sad. We had a good time while they were here, even though it could have been warmer. The time just goes so fast when you're having fun,(sorry for the old cliche), but it's the truth. We didn't have nearly enough time to totally relax and get all our visit finished. Regardless, I am so happy everyone could make it down.

Fred and I are finally recovered from our sicknesses. Sure was a long time coming. Not too much is going on, just doing our everyday normal thing like everyone else.

Hang on, Spring truly is coming and there will be warmer days ahead.

We're back!

We made it back pretty much on schedule. Can I say we had fun??? No, not exactly. The first day onboard when we had the safety drill, which involved climbing 6 flights of stairs, about did Fred in. He wasn't feeling 100% anyway, and stairs aren't his favorite thing to do, so he had to stop and rest several times. I thought he wasn't ever going to make it. We finally got to deck 11, and found him a chair to sit while we listened to the Muster talk. We took an elevator back to our floor and he crashed. We pretty much rested until time to go to the dining room. That went pretty well, but afterward still came back to our room and got ready for bed. Day 1 and nothing exciting. Day 2; about the same thing, eat, rest, eat rest and by dinner time, "formal" night he was sweating rather profusely and knew he was not well. He sat up all night because he couldn't breath. First thing in the am we went to the infirmary, they took a chest x-ray and checked him out and told us he had pheumonia. Well, there goes the rest of the trip. We spent all day Wednesday in the infimary and twice a day for the duration of the cruise, with instructions to see a doctor as soon as we could once we got back to Zephyrhills. We never got off the boat nor did we go to any shows, and whenever we went anywhere, I had to push him in a wheelchair, which was no easy task. I can honestly say this was not a good time for us. With the exception of one of our ladies falling on her first day and breaking her shoulder and on the second day another gal fell and recked her knee and was in a wheelchair, everyone else had a good time.

We are trying to get back into the routine here, but just seems like there has been so much to do for some reason. Would like to just go outside and get some sun but the weather hasn't been cooperating. It's not suppose to warm up until next week. Golf has been cancelled for the 3rd week in a row. This is the coldest winter in many, many years.

Day before departure.

Here it is Sunday, early afternoon and we set sail tomorrow. Things are pretty much packed with the exception of the bathroom stuff. As I look on the bathroom counter, it looks like a pharmaceutical with all the cold remedies. We have been battling this cold bug for a week now, still coughing, blowing and for me I am still hoarse. I think maybe a cruise is just what the doctor may have ordered for us. Hopefully, we can just relax and enjoy the sunshine. We have no activities planned, just have fun. I will rest much easier once we check into our room. I have visions of being denied for boarding because of our health. I hope we can just make it through the check-in line without coughing our insides out. I really don't think we are contagious, afterall we have had it so long. I just think this if the aftermath.

We are about ready to leave to take Abby to the kennel. I have been trying to explain to her she is going on her own vacation. Somehow, I don't think she understands. I have all her stuff ready to go; blanket, toy, treats, food and her paperwork. Once we get back from that, it will be one step closer to sail time.

This morning, would you believe I set the alarm for 4:10 am so I could go down and watch the Endeavor lift off. I took both cameras, hoping to capture something. I first checked the website to see it was still scheduled to lift off at4:39. It was extremely quiet outside that time of morning. Anyway, after waiting about 5 minutes past liftoff time, and saw nothing, I came back to the house only to learn it was postponed because of the weather. Next scheduled liftoff is tomorrow morning at 4:14. I don't think I will even try it again.

Happy week to everyone, will post when we get back.

Trying to recover

We have been a rather sickly couple this week. Monday, the morning Jason, Lyndsey and Jayley left, we woke up as usual to get ready for our coffee time and meeting at the clubhouse. The only problem this morning when I woke up, I had no voice. Laryngytis had set in. I knew I started coughing on the golf course Sunday, but thought nothing of it. Regardless, I woke up voiceless. Not wanting to give in, we went to the meeting as if nothing was wrong. It didn't take long and I was pantomiming to friends trying to tell them I probably wouldn't play golf Wednesday because I didn't want to take any chances of being sick for our cruise on the following Monday. Do you know how frustrating it is to have an idea but can't spit it out???? By later that same afternoon, Fred started to cough and sputter and by the next morning he was sicker than a dog, coughing, hacking and groaning. Wouldn't you know it, about the time he got into the shower the phone rings. Seeing it was Tom, I attempted to answer...still no voice, but gave it my best shot. We had a couple of laughs and got enough out to tell him Fred would call later.

We are trying extremely hard to get better so we can cruise Monday. By today, Wednesday, things are looking up. Fred isn't doing hardly any coughing and my voice is trying very hard to return. The good Lord willing we will be on that boat!

The Florida lifestyle of shuffleboard

Jayley, our official scorekeeper

Trying to keep warm before we start.

Lyndsey perfecting her form.

Jason is going to show us how it's done.


We haven't played shuffleboard since we came to Florida this year. We had forgotten some of the basics like what do you play to, score wise. It didn't matter, we had fun regardless. When we got back to the house, the kids started packing for their journey home. I think they had a good time and hope they can make it again sometime soon.

They left early Monday morning, about 4:00, drove straight through and arrived home about 11:00 pm. We use to do that, but as we got older and the kids got older we decided that made for a long road trip, so we break it up into a two days drive.

Now, it's going to be a quiet and relaxing week until we cruise on Monday. That is providing we regain our health. I am on day number two of laryngytis, which my darling daughter makes fun of, and Fred started a bad head/sinus thingy. It always hits him hard and he's out for a couple of days. Hopefully, by Monday he will be ready to set sail. The last time he had this was the day before we left to come down here and he had it for a couple of weeks. Just so he can climb the gangplank without coughing and passing out, we will be ok! I figure if he sleeps for a few days he will be fine.

Southport Springs Golf Course

Ready to have some fun, even though it is a bit chilly.

WATCH OUT!! How brave, we'll watch for gators, you hit the ball!

Great form, buy why not, she has a good teacher.

Jayley even had a turn.


We had a really fun day, dispite the cold. Sort of got off to a bad start because the starter put us on the back nine not realizing they were finishing up a scramble. So the first three holes we had to work around other players. After they finished everything was fine. At least we can say we played golf. We didn't keep score, which was a good thing. We had some good shots and some pretty bad ones. It was fun just showing Jason where I play golf every week. I am a little less nervous playing with my gal pals because some are just as bad as I am. Most, however, are much better. At least I have a lot of room for improvement. I think I need to schedule some more lessons this summer.

A day at the pier.

It was cold and windy with no sun. We want to come back on a better day.

I think Jayley had fun.

A family shot. The weather could have been nicer, but it was fun anyway.


Saturday we headed off the St Petersburg Pier. We had never been there before but Shannan and Brendon was telling us how nice it was. It would have been a lot more fun and a lot prettier if the weather had cooperated a little better. It was cloudy, windy and rather nasty. The pictures were taken before we ate which was a good thing because by the time we finished our lunch it started to rain. We hopped a trolly ride to the parking lot and headed back toward Zephyrhills. Fred and I definately will go back when the weather is better. It has been a cold winter for this part of Florida. I'm not complaining because I know what Michigan winters are like.

After we got back from the pier, Jayley wanted to go swimming, so Lyndsey and I took her down so she could swim. She had the pool to herself. It was too cold for anyone else, but she enjoyed it. When she was finished we bundled her little cold body up in a towel and her t-shirt and headed home. I feel so bad that the kids were only here for four days and three of those days were cold, cloudy and windy. That's the chance you take during our winter. Some good days and some not so good.

A day with Jayley

The Manatee Estuary at the Big Bend Power Plant, Apollo Beach

These were the strawberry boats we ate, huge and delicious!

Strawberry Queen Jayley


The day after the kids arrived, Jason and Lyndsey went to Orlando for the PGA show and we took off for Apollo Beach so Jayley could see some manatee. Unfortunately, there weren't nearly as many this time as there were only last week. The water temp had warmed up enough so the manatee headed back out to open water. We did see a few. There were three bus loads of kids, about Jayley's age there at the same time we were, so the museum was impossible but we still managed to have a good time. A woman asked if we would like her to take a picture of all of us in front of the sign so we took her up on it. It didn't turn out too badly.

Afterwards, we headed to Plant City to a place called Parksdale Farms. Get a load out of the size of the strawberry boats; ice cream, strawberries and whipped topping. To our amazement, Jayley ate nearly all of hers. They were delicious. We walked around to see some of the plants before we sat Miss Jayley down on the throne and took her picture. She picked out a T-shirt, big enough to be a sleep shirt, and we picked out some jam and oranges before we headed back to Tropical Acre.

We unloaded and headed for the pool. The water was very warm, but the air was quite cool. With wet bathing suits it was a very chilly ride back to the house. All in all, it was a fun day. I hope Jayley had as much fun as grandma and grandpa did.

Everyone loved riding in the golf cart. Taylor was a pretty good chauffeur.

The girls also enjoyed the hot tub. (The water wasn't too much warmer than the pool)

Notice the beautiful blue sky. Eat your hearts out, northerners.

Just before we left for the airport. They were a little excited.

We had just unloaded their things curbside at the Spirit door.


We have only been home for a short time from taking the kids to the airport. We came into a very quiet house, miss them already. I miss all the little giggles, squabbles and everything in between. I especially miss hearing, "grandma"????

We sure enjoyed their visit, wish they could drop in on us a little more often. The weather could have been a little warmer but we made due with what we had. The girls enjoyed the pool and hot tub, but got quite chilly on the way back to the house. I think it was only about 52 degrees when we dropped them off at the airport.

Now we have a day and half to get ready for the next visitors; Jason, Lyndsey and Jayley. Looking forward to their visit.

Isn't this a happy bunch?? We all had a great time.

I love this picture of a Sand Hill Crane. We have them all over in our park.

It was fun just watching him get out of his pool so he could eat his dinner.

Our National bird, symbol of freedom.

We certainly have been enjoying our company. The little girls have been so good and easy going. Only a couple occasions where Ally has gotten overly tired was there any major crying. The pool has been a huge hit, especially with Taylor.

Yesterday, Brendon, went to the Daytona Beach area to visit a friend, so the rest of us went to the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park and had a really enjoyable day. After a cloudy start the weather turned out to be very nice. I think everyone had a good time. We promised the girls ice cream on the way home so stopped at a McDonald's with a playland, trying to wear them out some. The only problem....no ice cream! They played for a while then we headed for Zephyrhills and stopped at a Sonic for their promised goodies. Just the topping of a beautiful day.

Sure will miss them when they leave.