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.

We are IN!

Yes, somehow, we are inspected and living in our new home. A little disorganized, still, but IN. And we even had our first overnight guests, my sis and her guy, visiting us from Minnesota. They were here for two nights and parts of 3 days, and it was good to have some time with her. They are visiting with friends in St. Petersburg for a few days, and will return to spend a few more days with us, starting on Thursday.

Yesterday we finally got the F350 licensed. Ouch, that sales tax -- 7%. I must say that even tho' most states do this, it feels so unfair to pay sales tax on a vehicle which already was taxed when it was brand-new. However... it is nice to be street legal, since we're licensed and insured now.

Anyway, this is just a brief update -- and I will (hopefully) be a little more descriptive in a future post. Tonight, I am just TIRED. Had my second golf lesson this morning and felt like I made a little progress from the prior week. Then came home, rounded up Mr. L and ran out for lunch at Jason's Deli -- one of my very favorite-ist places to eat -- then to Sam's Club for fresh fruit (my body feels the need!) and to Home Depot for a Weber barbecue. I am anxious to cook a bit more things at home (yes, Virginia, you CAN eat too many meals out) and hope that this place will be conducive to that. Love the new cooking range -- they heat up SO quickly, these new electric models! Yawn... gotta run for some shut-eye!

Status update: home

We were pretty UP today - our home was to be inspected by multiple county types, and then we were free to move in. Four inspections were necessary... and by noon, 1 had been completed, and inspectors #2 and #3 were there, waiting to do their duty.

So we were buoyed by all of this activity - and went off to do some other things, including grabbing lunch at one of our favorite deli's. And we went looking for a golf club for yours truly, who is starting to take golf lessons and so far owns ONLY a driver.

We returned about 4:30 and drove to the park model. The construction permit papers are tucked inside a screen, and we pulled those out to see the four expected signatures. And three signatures were there. But only three.

Poor, poor Florida. Obviously there is NO incentive for things to get accomplished here in a timely fashion. Now it is after 5 pm, and we know that we will be spending yet another night in this tiny little Class-C motorhome that we have taken to referring as a "cramper" because the space is so limited. It really is NOT intended for 3-months occupancy, especially not when cold or wet weather keeps you confined inside.

I am going to pour myself a glass of wine. This whole thing could drive me to drink...

Doesn't this frost ya?

Oh, yes.... Florida is experiencing some chilly temps. Supposed to get down into the high 20's (or hopefully low 30's) Saturday and Sunday nights BOTH. We are residing in an RV park, and lots of folks are MANY years older than we are. And this cold weather is hard on them. Lots of propane is being burned, very quickly, as they attempt to keep warm in their RV's and campers. L's friend F works as the maintenance manager here at this RV park and has had many late-night calls as people run out of propane; and one couple blew out the electric circuits because they were running FOUR fairly substantial heaters simultaneously!

So... we are being cautious about propane consumption - we need it in this little motorhome for heating the water and running the heating system. But we have had to top off or refill twice in the last week, and since the cold temps will be around until next week, we may have to do so again.

Yesterday was pretty nippy, and frost was on a lot of windshields. Plus on our bicycle seats! If you enlarge either of these photos, you may be able to see the frosty seats... I chose NOT to ride the bike that morning.

Christmas and SNOW!!

So, yeah -- lots of snow over Dec. 24th and 25th. About 24" total, and ALL of it very wet, very heavy and sticky. Perfect for building snowmen, but the pits where roads and shovelling and plowing are concerned. However, some great photos are possible. Unfortunately, I only had some so-so ones, but I'll share them anyway.


This was one of the last ones taken - had a lovely blue-sky time so the sun played up the scene nicely. Other ones showed lots of snow, but they almost look like old-timey photos when black-and-white were the only photos possible.


This is taken during the heart of all the falling snows -- has that very greyed-down look, and the falling snow is very obvious. Yes, I agree that it was attractive. But driving on so many washer-board-surfaced roads is not fun. The wet snow packed down onto the paved roads long before the plows could attempt any clearing. And remember that many plow operators were not gung-ho to get out there (even WITH overtime pay) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.



It was snowing pretty heavily when this was taken - I think it was early afternoon of the 25th.



Taken towards the same general area as the proceeding photo, but without the heavily-falling snow. Maybe on the 23rd or a few days before that. But the snow had already made its presence known. Winter was here to STAY for the season.

But... it was a good holiday, and we tried to see both sides of the family as much as we could. My family likes him, and his family seems to like me, as well. A few days after our return to Florida, he helped his daughter get set up with Skype. It was fun to see them that first time -- the 7-year-old and 9-year-old were all, "Hi, Grandpa!" and also wanted to see me in the frame. But then they were very typical boys of that age, making all sorts of faces that they could see in their small set-in frame on their laptop monitor. We just laughed and laughed at that. It makes the miles between us seem less distant.

Now... that nearly nationwide cold snap is hitting us down here, too. Ugh. It can leave anytime it wants to! But... it seems that it will hang around for the next week, and MAY leave around next Wednesday. I know... it could be worse - and we could be shoveling that white stuff or dealing with much colder temps. Sorry, my northern readers. I know that it is much better here, as far as temps go.

Oh -- we had a low-key New Year's Eve party at the clubhouse here. Bring a snack and BYOB. Most were just there for the socializing, and that made it fun. Drinking and no driving. Perfect.

Happy New Year to all. And happy birthday, Dad - I hope you and your siblings are having a fun time up there, playing cards with the other ancestors who proceeded you. That must be one heckuva game - pinochle or cribbage or ?? Love ya.

Florida Thanksgiving, gators, jumpers

First of all... I must confess that it has been years since I have celebrated Thanksgiving with my REAL (biological) family, due to living in Texas for years. So spending yet another Thanksgiving NOT with my "own" family is not a hardship for me. L and I had already looked at airfare prices and decided that we could only realistically afford one trip this year -- so we chose Christmas.

We had a gathering at the clubhouse of this RV park, so those who were not able to be with family, could have a social gathering. The park's management provided the turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and margarine -- and the residents who chose to join in the meal, were asked to bring a dish or dessert. I am SO hungry for vegetables, so I chose to steam several heads of brocolli. I sliced and sauteed several cloves of garlic and stirred this into the brocolli before I covered the dish and we walked up to the clubhouse. And it was a good meal, with certainly PLENTY to eat. Most of the vegetable-based side dishes were definitely made from scratch. Not so, with most of the desserts (I noticed). I think ALL of the pies were "store bought" or at least store-purchased, then later baked. The same was true of most of the cakes. So it's given me some ideas for NEXT year... I will probably still bring a good veggie dish, but maybe a from-scratch dessert, too. I could make a good bread pudding (a taste that I acquired while living in Houston), for example.

Gators: L has noticed gators in the water, on most of the golf courses on which he has played. So here are a snap or two of one of the gators - only about a five-footer - that he and the rest of his foursome came across while playing in a tournament the Monday before Thanksgiving. This first shot shows the gator mostly out of the water, headed (already) back to "safety" after being spotted.


Here's the gator making his way back to the pond and already partially in the water.



JUMPER! A friend that we've made at this park, did a tandem jump (yes -- he jumped out of a perfectly good, still operating plane) the Friday after Thanksgiving. Here's a couple of photos of that day.

First one shows him practicing the "assume the postion" that he is supposed to be in, soon after bailing out of the plane.
>>== "And smile for the camera..."


<<== Supportive friends - plus B's wife, S (blue jacket, right side)



SAFE LANDING! They sold a tee shirt: "The sky is not the limit: the ground is"