DAY 32 and 33: SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JANUARY 30 AND 31, 2021

DAY 32: JANUARY 30, 2021: A SATURDAY WITH CLAUDIA AND BURT

On Saturday, we slept late then had a huge brunch from sausage and eggs to sweetbread, French bread, fruit, and cheeses. I made Star fruit smoothies and plenty of coffee. We sat, we hung, we talked. Claudia and I needed to do something , and they brought their bikes. After some deliberation, that happens with 4 people, two of who. would just as soon sit and have cigars, lol, we rode our bikes north to Long Key Park Beach.
before Hurricane Irma, this  was a beautiful RV park and beach area. Now, it 

remains a beautiful beach with its walkways, paths, over marsh bridges, and tent camping areas.

FROM THE CROSS OVER BRIDGE OVER THE MANGROVES

AFTER OUR WALK ALONG THE WATERFRONT AND THE HIKING TRAIL 

CRAFT BEERS AND MUNCHIES AT FLORIDA BOAYS AFTER " DRAGGING" THE BOYS BIKING

But, we weren't done yet, They still had to ride their bikes3 miles back to the RV after the beers. 

When we returned, we sat under the canopy chatting while the boys had a cigar. After a while, I started dinner: Grilled Turkey kabobs with lots of grilled vegetables 🌶  : onions, mushrooms, green squash, yellow squirrel and more. That with buttered tortellini made a great dinner. Claudia and Burt brought nuts and German chocolate for dessert.

More chatting and in bed by midnight. Who cares. Not us , that is for sure. 

As we were eating, Rodmey Yanet, Evelyn, Rashel and family had a family parade with their kids. so cute,

On Sunday, we slept late and had another breakfast together: fruit, eggcups, a variety of sliced meats, cheeses, corn muffin, fried eggs. 

Full, of course, Claudia and I took a long bike ride around the park.

TWO PICTURES REFUSE TO SHOW UP: UGH

THANK YOU, RICK

 I'm going to stop for today to see if this will send!

Great weekend!

DAY 31: FRIDAY, JANUARY 29: COMPANY COMING TONIGHT

Carol had this on email. Funny 😆 

Why I Like Retirement!   Question:    How many days in a week? Answer:    6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday   Question:    When is a retiree's bedtime? Answer:    Two hours after falling asleep on the couch.   Question:    How many retirees does it take to change a light bulb? Answer:       Only one, but it might take all day.     Question:    What's the biggest gripe of retirees? Answer:    There is not enough time to get everything done.   Question:    Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors? Answer:    The term comes with a 10% discount.     Question:    Among retirees, what is considered formal attire? Answer:    Tied shoes.   Question:    Why do retirees count pennies? Answer:    They are the only ones who have the time.     Question:    What is the common term for someone who enjoys work and refuses to retire? Answer:    NUTS!   Question:    Why are retirees so slow to clean out the basement, attic or garage? Answer:    They know that as soon as they do, one of their adult kids will want to store stuff there.   Question:    What do retirees call a long lunch? Answer:    Normal.     Question:    What is the best way to describe retirement? Answer:    The never-ending Coffee Break.     Question:    What's the biggest advantage of going back to school as a retiree? Answer:    If you cut classes, no one calls your parents. And, my very favorite.... QUESTION:    What do you do all week? Answer:    Monday through Friday, NOTHING.  Saturday & Sunday, I rest.     SERENITY   Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked, 'How old was your husband?'  '98,' she replied.... 'Two years older than me'. 'So you're 96,' the undertaker commented.. She responded, 'Hardly worth going home, is it? Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: 'And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?'  the reporter asked... She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.' The nice thing about being senile is you can hide your own Easter eggs and have fun finding them.   I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes.  I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts.  Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore.  Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92.  Have lost all my friends. But, thank goodness, I still have my driver's license. I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour.  But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over. My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Know how to prevent sagging? Just eat till the wrinkles fill out. It's scary when you start making the same noises as your coffee maker. These days about half the stuff in my shopping cart says, 'For fast relief.' THE SENILITY PRAYER:   Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.   '*********

 

-This may be all I get on today. Nothing m

but trouble with the blogger today. 

After a run,Zumba, Toning,and some Pickleball, I made thr RV ready for guesrs. Bed is ready and so is dinner for them: Enchiladas.

We heard from the Sullivans and Santos. Our Valentines Cards have been received. I wasn't about to wait. 2 weeks early but mail has been sosllllllllloooooowwwww!

We heard from Joan and Gordan. We have been contacted about our next shot. Joan and Dan asked how we got them. Hopefully they can get an appointment soon. 

Sharon and Steph have things going on this weekend. Sharon house hunting : Steph racing the Corvette. 

I worked on acquiring a new walker for dad today: one with handles. 

At 5 we went to the Full Moon Party. No moon that we could see, though. Too many clouds!

PICKLEBALL BUDDIES AT FULL MOON PARTY

DAY 30: THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

Yes, what a difference a day makes. The wind is strong, the skies are cloudy and the air is cool. A run was perfect in this weather. At 9 , Sherry will do Urban Rebounding so I have signed up or that. 10-12 is Pickleball. Serving is going to be tough in this wind. Tom may play. That would be great. 

Rebounding was a great class.

SUCH A GREAT WORKOUT WITH SHERRY

PHOTO SHOWED UP ON FB OF OUR PROV RIVER WINE CRUISE: SO COOL


STEPHANIE SENT THIS PHOTO OF TOWELS FROM A SHOP. SO FUNNY 

MASS THIS MORNING WITH FATHER STEVEN

FUN MEMORY WITH DON AND JOANNE



TOM PLAYING CORN HOLE

Lots to do today! First of all, I am trying a new breakfast. No way we can buy real Portuguese sweetbread here but I did find a Hawaiian one. Lol! we will try it. It will make good French Toast, I hope. Well, now  that sounds weird: French Toast made with Portuguese sweetbread, well, Hawaiian sweetbread. Ha! More to follow on that one. Well, it was good and it was the closest to any sweetbread we have tasted, not dry and just sweet. 

Pickleball was tough with the wind, strong NW wind. But, as always, fun.

After cleaning, laundry, and replacing the wooden frame under the Starboard slide, we invited Richelle and Casey here for dinner. Unfortunately, they are leaving Saturday to move to Georgia. We will miss them. I made American Chop Suey with small shells. They had never had it before. We sat out and chatted until 9 pm. 

We heard from Claudia. They may be here late tomorrow.

SOMETHING I MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE 

DAY 29: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021: WHAT IS NEW FOR TODAY : TOM AGREED TO PLAY CORN HOLE TODAY WITH THE PICKLEBALL GROUP: YEAH

PHOTOS FROM LAST NIGHT:

SUNSET LAST NIGHT FROM OUR BIKE RIDE

THE CLOUDS LOOK LIKE A CITY SKYLINE




ISN' T THIS FUNNY, A SAND MONUMENT IN KEY WEST WAS MADE: NO THIS WOULD BE CLIMATE CHANGE 

I need to send this cute one to the grandkids 

VIEW FROM OUR DINNER SPOT,  SYLVIA 'HOUSE IN THE BACKGROUND 



MEMORY OF A PAST DINNER WITH ELDRIDGE FAMILY : LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WHOL GANG BEING TOGETHER AGAIN AND SHARING AN EXQUISITE MEAL AT THE LOHMANNS.

Up at 6:30 and out the door by 6:45. First thing I saw was Joan's message about my blog. Always good to hear from her and Gordon.They inspire me to keep writing. ❤️.

 Old glory drooped from its pole by the marina this morning. No wind in marina. I love seeing the flag proudly flying but  drooping is good when I want to board.The direction today is S/SE. Perfect.

 Moving up and down the canals was beautiful. I noticed today that ,because the water was so motionless except for the ripples I was making, the reflection of the boats 🚣‍♂️ both hanging from their lifts and floating at their docks was mesmerizing. One boat was artfully decorated with a variety of dolphins 🐬, the fish. The colors were so bright.The eyes of the fish (painted ones) seemed to be staring at me. That one had an incredible reflection. The variety of colors and fish sizes reflected so clearly. 

The palm trees also reflected. If I only had my phone, I could take photos of these sites. The. again, i wouldn't have another hand to take that photo. 

Today I also noticed so many people on their roof top decks watching the sunrise 🌅 which was so pretty with clouds trying to hide it. Sunrise took a while as the sun peeked bit by bit.

Many waves were received. I said hello. Using my hands would not be a good idea. 💡. Balance is the key, and I wasn't about to fall in with an audience. 

I continued on to the entrance of the marina and ventured out a bit. Nothing to see there except the seemingly endless Gulf, sea of blue. I need to look at a chart to see what is exactly Northwest of us. I'm thinking, the Everglades. 

As I headed out of the protected area, I noted the sign indicating "Beware of the Crocodiles". Now, that sign is not very calming when one is on an inflatable paddleboard. A man at the dock saw me. He said: I bave lived here since 2012 and I have never 👎 seen one. That is good to know. He is from Canada and was in the mood to chat. He was able to get to Florida and cross the forbidden Canadian border by flying from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale and having his car 🚘 shipped . He said it was worth it to get to warm weather. 8 people were on the island near the tiki bar fishing and watching sunrise.

THE PADDLEBOARD LAUNCHING SPOT


THE MARINA WARNING. GOOD NEWS, NO ONE HAS SEEN ONE IN YEARS

With the water being so flat, I saw 11 boats preparing to go fishing. 

Next, Zumba at 9. It is also pancakes 🥞 day so Tom will pick up ours.

It was 10, no Tom. I asked Belle to make two orders then I called Tom. He forgot ! Oh well, no loss. We still had a breakfast waiting. 

10-12 was Pickleball. Tom may try to play tomorrow.

ORLK breakfast has ; scrambled eggs, 3 pancakes, 3 bacon, Two sausages butter oj, and syrup. All 😌 I neede that after all the working out.  

At 1, Tom and I played in a Corn Hole Tournament.  made it to the second round. Tom

made it to the 3rd. Hot but fun.

He went to the post office . I took a shower . then we both went for a bike ride . great to be doing things outside .

At 7 we read: SHEEP IN A JEEP .   All  had a great virtual visit. 

LEO SKIING

DAY 28: TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021: A FULL DAY AHEAD

At 6:30, I was up, dressed, ready to head to the waterfront. Tom did a great job setting up the paddleboard on the dollie. It was easy to transport to the marina, slip the board in at the launch ramp, and off I went. The area is beautiful. The canals show a completely different side of the park. I stayed on the west side of the park riding up and down the canals and in the basin. I headed out the entrance of our marina but turned around and came back. The area was shallow, not that it mattered but it was unnerving. I didn't want to meet any large marine animals with fins and very sharp teeth in the Gulf of of Mexico.

I continued up and down the canals viewing the water side of the homes I see on the road when I am running. It is amazing how many people were awake and said hello. People on their decks drinking coffee, fishermen getting ready to launch their boats, and people just hanging around with their dogs. I stayed out for quite a while, then came in so I could do Dawn's 426 Circuit Breaker Class. I am hoping to go out on the water again tomorrow. 

I DIDN'T WANT TO MEET THE CROCODILE THE SIGN SAYS LIVE HERE (BUT NO ONE HAS SEEN HIM)

After a great class by Dawn, I went to play pickleball with my new raquette and balls. It was fun , of course, and hot. But, I didn't really feel the heat. I was concentrating.  I played 5 games. I am working on my tan for sure. The sunscreen melted off. Playing felt so good. Linda said I was a natural ! Ha, no, I just can run around the court pretty quickly.  Need to work on serving!

At noon, I had made a peanut butter vanilla  smoothy.  Boy, was that refreshing. 

I spoke to mom and Michael, and texted with Sharon and Steph. Emails from Grace allowed us to set up a lunch date. 

I heard from Rodmey that Rashel did so well on her math test today.  Maybe all that work with chocolate chips and place value paid off.!Ha!

At 1:30, Tom and I went to Winn Dixie and did a huge shopping for us to entertain Burt and Claudia this weekend. Tom went to the chiropractor and I ran a few more errands.  

When we returned to the Resort, we went to Flamingle. Dinner was pick up and take out. We sat at a picnic table and enjoyed pulled pork with all the "fixins".

We added wine and sat by the water.

SUNSET


MARINA ENTRANCE INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO

After dinner we went for a bike ride. Sylvia asked that we join Square dancing again. We decided not to do this this year. Tom really isn't interested. 

I wanted to put in more photos but the internet is horrible and won't let me send photos from my phone to the Ipad. 

OUR VIEW WHILE EATING DINNER

DAY 27: MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021: HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎊 TO SON IN LAW JOE

THE OSTIGUYS DAY OUT
We left Joe a singing birthday message on his phone.

DAD AND THE KIDS

HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY, JOE!

A day of Zumba and Toning. No paddleboard again. The wind was worse than yesterday. A fisherman told me tomorrow is the day! Ok, I will try again. 

At 1 Rashel came over and we worked on math. She is working at it. 

At 6, we did a Zoom for Jane V,s Birthdays. Great to see everyone.

We enjoyed it!

I finally was able to sign up for next year's Key West 5 K. 

Then bed.

TO END THE DAY, EMILY SENT THIS. IT SAYS IT ALL! IT IS SO SO TRUE!

DAY 26: SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2021: HAPPY SUNDAY

My plan was to paddle. I dressed for the occasion: wet suit, water shoes, life jacket, ankle strap. As, Tom slept through the whole thing. I use the dollie to carry the board to the marina. Tom set it up nicely a week ago. The wind was unforgiving from the East/ Northeast.mWhitecaps were in the marina badin. Maybe if I had been out recently, I might have tried, but I have mot been out since September in Bristol. Balance is the key element. So , I brought everything back home and put on the running shoes. It was 7:45am. I watched Father Batty from Mount Carmel. Always an uplifting mass with him.

We had a breakfast of oatmeal with blueberries, almonds, and cinnamon. At 10, I did virtual Zumba with Sylvia. At 11, Rashel came for more math. We played the math games I made with place value. She loves chocolate chips so those are the prizes. After completing 5 pages in her text, she wanted to watch the Lorax while holding her Lorax.

Since she isn't going home today, we will work a bit more  tomorrow afternoon.

At 1:00, I went to play Pickleball. You might say, I am becoming addicted. The players are great and accepting. A new guy named Steve started today.  

At 2:15, I returned to the RV. We were headed to Florida Boys to watch Tom Brady snd the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play The Green Bay Packers. The Bucs are heading to the Super Bowl. Now we have to hope The Buffalo Bills win  the next game against the KC Chiefs. Brady vs Allen would be amazing in the Super Bowl. Time will tell.

We headed home at 6:30 after saying goodbye to waiter, Jordan.

Another full day. I am sure we will fall asleep before the game is over. 

TWO BUFFALO BILLS FANS 

WHEN THE Bills are playing, Stella can wear Bills Gear to school, not her uniform.

ON OUR TRIP  NORTH IN BUFFALO, BOB AND OUR DEAR FRIEND, DWIGHT, AWAITING THE START OF THE BUFF PATS GAME IN 2015. We had a great trip. When we returned, Dwight lost his bout with Cancer.

Buffalo is losing, 14-9. Ouch! 2   1/2  quarters to go.

DAY 25: SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2021: ????

I ran , then wind and water were calm. I Finished running and the wind came up. Change of plans. Tomorrow, no running, paddleboard instead.

So, After the run, I watched Father Steven's mass. Always reaches my soul. Next, Pilates with Sherry. It was tapec, but who cares. Next, procure a Pickleball Racket. NOT! After connecting with security, and he opening the equipment cabinet- none. Ugh.

Mine should arrive next week. I decided to walk to the court anyway, at 10. Someone may have an extra! More to follow...

MEMORIES FROM YEARS PAST

I managed to find a paddle for Pickleball. Sandy let me use hers. Don was one of the players with us.nLinda and Jim are great teachers. Deb and Chuck are also welcoming to a newbe. Bob said he was the newbe last year. 

This game is fun!

After a cookout lunch, Tom went to read by the waterfront. Lunch is every Saturday and I don't have to cook. Then,   I worked with .Rashel in math. 

Place Value is tough for this little one.

Then, Evelyn came and we finger painted.

HANDWASHING


FINISHED PRODUCTS

POPSICLE TIME

After dinner I texted Muriel hoping she would read to us and we could  see the Sullivans.


THOSE BIG EYES ARE BEAUTIFUL 

CUTE BOOK

MURIEL MAKES THE BEST FACES

GLAD WE COULD GET A QUICK CHAT WITH MADISON

We really miss them all!

It has been a good day.

💕 

DAY 24: FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021: STARTED THE DAY WITH A RUN

Many times on my morning run,  I see  things I should write about but then forget about. I guess it is too early and by the time writing time comes-it is gone.

Well, today, I saw a persistent woodpecker on one of the stilted high rise home's deck trying to bore a hole in a railing made of either steel or aluminum. ( Either that or he/she was filing his/her beak). I ran East Island from the beginning and heard him. Sure enough, there he was.I could hear the tinny sound and knew he wasn't going to get anywhere. I ran to the wnd of the island, and sure enough , he was still at it. If he keeps that up, he will have NO beak left.

Next, I ran to West Island. There is a dog park between the two.  I heard a man talking loudly but only saw one person. I turned the corner and saw a man being walked, well not really, by three large, very large dogs all on long retractable leads. But, none were retracted. They looked like mixed breeds: a shephard, rotweiller, black lab. I thought, this can't be "his first rodeo" with these dogs. He was trying to get them to the dogpark, I think. Such a mind movie : 3 large dogs, on long leads all going in different directions with a man trying to corral them into a small gate at the dogpark. Now, my little sister had 3 large dogs. She walked all 3 on short leads and had no problem.  She will tell you those long leads are no good for walking big dogs, never mind three. How do you reel them all in when needed. 

As Tom says: Sometimes you watch the show; sometimes you are the show. I think I was his only audience.This man WAS the show for a good 15 minutes. I don't think he even saw me. (too busy). I went home when he finally got them into the dogpark.

SOUL SISTER'S BIRTHDAY

Last night, late, Chan sent this great photo of Jessie in 🏀 basketball action. She is quick in volleyball so I can only imagine the moves she can make in basketball.

. We love getting photos of the kids, especially when we can't see them in person. Today in the mail we are , according to the updates, expecting mail from the Royals, the Sullivans, and the Santos. 

I texted Joan who is up early like me, usually. She called immediately, lol!!

After Zumba and Toning, I was starving. Egg wraps with blueberries were what we ate. 

After that we hung around, read, and called home. Michael is helping my parents who will get their Shot next week.

Claudia will be calling so we can visit next week. I finished my book SCHOOL DAYS and headed to the library for another one. 

Tom and I signed up for the night out: Tirvia, i suck, karioke, not, beginners line dancing. That ai can do. We bring our own drinks and snacks. 

It will be fun to see people, even at a distance. Normal, trying to be somewhat normal.

I took out my Paddleboard gear. I am hoping to use it tomorrow if the weather stays calm and the water isn't rolling around from wind. 

I am hoping the weather is also nice for playing pickleball if Insee anyone out there. 

Great  texts back  and forth with Stephanie and Sharon. We do know how to keep each other updated (and amused).

At 4 we went to the Trivia. we joined Sylvia ans Ken a

so we  had help working on those crazy Questions. Sylvia led line dancing and Tom and I did a few slow dances. 4-6 flew by.

I came back and made cauliflower soup after we went to the corner store to buy lottery tickets for tonight.

TOM AND BELLE: ACTIVITY DIRECTORS

LINE DANCING WITH SYLVIA 

DANCING THE HOURS AWAY


RICK'S DAILY CHUCKLE

MAYBE I CAN PADDLEBOARD TOMORROW