Yes.We.Survived.

Yes, folks, we DID it. Entertained 5 folks (relatives) for days, all (at times) sleeping in this little place that has ONE bathroom and only a pull-out couch for guest sleeping. Adult(s) on the bed, kids on the floor. And after they left on Friday, I must admit that I enjoyed NOT having kids' cartoons on the tv, plus a return of the remote control to OUR hands...

But the kids were fun and WAY too full of energy (ages 7, 9 and 11) - and that is why God has parents bearing them when the parents are in their 20's or 30's. I actually spent more time with them then L did, as I accompanied his daughter and kids (before her husband flew here a week later than her arrival by car) on a few car trips in this area. Anyway, overall, we all survived. The kids could not (almost) get enough of the pool, even with the colder temps.

His daughter and the 3 kids were here for a week, followed by her husband flying in, and then they had 5 more days (two of those nights with us) of Florida time. Their last evening here, we went up to a development called The Groves. The clubhouse there has a restaurant, and on Thursdays there is a buffet plus a DJ for dancing and for karaoke. Not every singer is excellent, and we know (by now) which ones are not really worth listening to, and which ones have better voices. But they all have enough guts to get up in front of everyone and sing... and that is something that I would LOVE to do (but lack the courage for it).

We took his daughter and kids there the previous week, too -- and had an interesting experience that literally had the other diners/dancers mesmerized. When we were first seated, his daughter saw that one leg of this table (around which 6 of us were seated) was not too stable. But it seemed okay, as long as we did not put weight on it. It was a round table, seated 8, and there were 2 unoccupied seats at the wobbly end. L and I were finished with our meals, and the other 4 had consumed some of theirs - and then the waitress came up to see what else we might need. We think that she MAY have triggered the collapse of the table, as she lightly leaned on that side... and like the Titanic, the table tipped slowly to that side, as dishes, glasses, silverware and all began sliding to the abyss - er, floor . And continuing to mirror the Titanic, once it picked up steam, the remaining tableware slid faster to the tipping side,with all now on the floor. And then... silence.

We were stunned, and his daughter told her kids to STAY SEATED. I didn't know it then, but she was afraid that someone would think her kids had caused it (they had NOT). Then we began to retrieve a few things, but most were unsalvageable. I had been fortunate to grab my handbag (had been secured by a handbag hanger, off the floor) before it would surely have joined the rest of the mess on the floor.

L's daughter and I get along very well, and I am happy about that. After his family left, he thanked me for being so good with his family. And, really... who would NOT make that attempt? If you hope to be accepted in the greater family, you had better put forth your own best effort. That's my thought about this, anyway.

It IS possible that we will still have another guest in about a week or so. A friend of L's friend F (also lives in this RV park) wants to visit here, and F could not find an available lot for his friend to use for that week. So -- since this is ONLY one person -- I told L to offer our place as a bunkhouse. A vacant lot might still turn up, so this situation is still iffy. I am getting used to being a boarding house!

Anyway, I will admit that this was not without stress - but on the other hand, I felt truly involved in this family. And that was a nice, warm feeling. Truly.

Lots of visitors!

Very quickly... Since we have moved in here, we have had lots of visitors. First, my sister and her significant other (such a weird term but one that most understand) were here just a few days after we got into our new place. They were here about 2+ days, then back to St. Pete to visit with another friend, and then back here again for another 2+ days. Had fun, L brought R (Sis's guyfriend) golfing one afternoon, Sis and I got to do some gal stuff (including her finding a dress for her daughter's wedding this spring) and it was pretty laid back.

Now we have a WHOLE house FULL of company - L's 2nd-oldest daughter, and her 3 kids (ages 11, 9, and 7) got here a week ago. Two days of driving by L (also her initial), and she was pretty happy to get here. She and I get along very well, so that is a blessing to me. The pull-out sofa has served as a bed for both my sis's visit as well as L's. And then kids on the floor, with sleeping bags. Today, around midday, her husband flew in and the gang went into Crystal Beach, Madeira Beach and so on (Gulf of Mexico side) for the day. Now they are back with us, kids are finished eating mac 'n' cheese and some of us (okay, the guys and a couple of the kids) are watching the US vs Canada hockey game (Olympics). So far, the visit has gone pretty well. The colder temps (for Florida) and some rain has been stressful, since it limits the activities and what the kids can do (for burning energy). But these are Minnesota kids -- so it has amazingly NOT been too cool for them to use the heated pool at our RV park. Many at the RV park have commented about the kids using the pool during the cold weather. Updates later on the remaining visit...

So that's been our life these past few weeks. I am kinda tired (again). No dull times around here! I think I will need to catch up on my sleep after this.