DAY 14: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019: COLOR RUN FUN

Up at 7:30 for an 8:30 departure to St. Patrick‘s for the fun run. My shirt wasn’t white when I finished. Not to take the fun out of it, but a lot of people were breathing in a huge amount of colored dust. It was powdered paint not liquid! There was no finish line. I guess people were supposed to run or walk when they dropped. Lol. I just ran for 30 minutes around and around their mile course then stopped. It was getting very warm out. Beautiful day, though!

WAITING IS HARD ......

THE START

COVERED IN COLORED DUST


END OF THE RACE 

The race was fun. Hard to believe more of the color is on my body, not on my shirt. Weird! The paint went  right through! Lol!  

The afternoon was rainy so I watched JAWS, the oldest one, and worked on some crafts. What else ? Can’t do anything outside. At 4:00 Rene called to say she and Bob are in St. Augustine. We leave tomorrow so we won’t see them. 

 

At 4:30 I returned to St. Patrick‘s for mass. Some kids still had their Color Shirts on from the Morning. Wait until they take those off. My skin looked painted. Another shower and it should be gone! It’s like working with food coloring, not easily removed. 

Michelle sent us some great photos of Maddy and Morgan’s Homecoming Dance. What great  memories of high school they will have. As it should be! 

YELLOW SUBMARINE OF THE PORTSMOUTH MARCHING BAND

MORGAN FOR HOMECOMING 

MADDY AND GAVIN


CUDDLING WITH MURIEL

This is going to be a memorable Homecoming.

After dinner, we disconnected some of the hoses and left the electricity and cable to prepare for an early departure in the morning. We are headed to Tampa East RV Park. Then we will drive to visit the Royals. On Monday, the coach goes back to General!

Highlights of the day: A fun race, photo watching the kids Homecoming, an easy day.

DAY 13: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019: LAY DAY, LAZING AROUND, NOT, LOTS OF ERRANDS

This will be a first Color Run for me. If I  were home I’d be running in the Halloween Pumpkin Run with JUDY. Glad I’m doing one anyway. I’m hoping the rain holds off and the temp is cool. The race begins at 10.

I wish Debbie, my sisters , and the girls could be here. Now, that would be more fun! 

Today I ran in a different part of the park where there were many different RVs. Later To. After dark I walked there. So many pretty Palm lights decorated people’s sites. 

Another long leisurely breakfast interrupted by a call I knew I would get soon but didn't want tobest. A high school friend, Gail, passed away. I was with her this summer and last winter in Punta Gorda. She told me she would never make it there again. She was a beautiful woman who always had a positive outlook, a smile on her face, and lots of wonderful stories about her grandkids. May she Rest In Peace.

By noon, I needed to get out. We made a last trip to our mail service at St. Brendan‘s Isle, then to the post office to send out a few gifts and my RI license plates to Maddy=Bye, bye!

I spoke with mom, and she sounded upbeat. She told me lots of fun stories about her good times with Gail’s parents as the couples went out dancing.

Tom accidentally dialed Todd. It was rather perfect. He was on his way to work and we were able to chat. We are looking forward to seeing them Sunday in Siesta Key. All is well in Buffalo!

Jann and Bill texted to say we have a spot for the RV in California as we set up for our trip to Alaska next year with them, the Deuterman’s and the Hanley’s. The trip should be memorable!!!

Pam and John told us about the Metro Diner in Jax. We loved the one in Palm Coast. The Manager came to speak to us. We were not disappointed. It was all we expected and more. I had something I always wanted to try and didn’t until today: Chicken and waffles. 3/4 of it was packed to come home but at last I tried it. No need to have it again. But, it was delicious and huge. 

WE ARE HAPPY THE SLIDE IS FIXED.

WE WROTE NOTES TO CAMPERS INN FOR THEIR EXPERTISE AND PROFESSIONALISM 

BILL REPLACED THE PIECE THAT POPPED OFF— ALL LIKE NEW

FUN NIGHT ON JAX BEACH

PAM AND JOHN GREAT HOSTS

Funny story today. My friend Lucia told me a friend of hers so a photo of us together and thought I was Celine Dion. Wow! Wish I could sing like her! Lol!

LUCIA AND ME

OUR 50 th CLASS REUNION AUGUST 22, 2019

OUR ALASKAN JOURNEY ITINERARY 

CUTIES IN TEXAS— MISS THEM

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY: a good run, a relaxing morning, catching up on mail, a delightful dinner in an old favorite place. Our sadness today was sending cards to Gail‘s family. We will not be home for her service.

DAY 12: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019: LAY DAY, EASY DAY AT FLAMINGO LAKE

So, this morning inward a bit lazy. It felt good to sleep in a little late. When I did get up at 8:30, it was a perfect 65 degrees and cloudy! Perfect for running outside around the lake and through the campground. It was great. I followed it up with 30 minutes of weights and thought about the rowing/ weight workout I was missing with the girls and Coach Gina. I appreciate being able to workout here. I need to be ready to take up where I left off in October at 426 Fitness. 

I have decided to run in a Color 5K Race this Weekend, a race to benefit St. Patrick‘s Catholic School. Only negative: having paint thrown at you. I’ve done mud ( but I had company) so what’s a little color! Ugh! I’ll let you know. I would have missed it but it was rescheduled due to last Saturday’s storm. 

We had a long leisurely breakfast finishing a pot of coffee. After doing laundry, so happy to have a washer and dryer on board, I chatted with mom, then MICHAEL.

Feeling ambitious, I went to the local shopping center to begin Christmas shopping, yes, Christmas shopping. I have to do what I can when I can as we travel. 

AFTER DINNER, TOM AND I WALKED AROUND THE PARK LOOKING AT THE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS! There are some really interesting ones like this skeleton in a skiff. If happens to be my favorite.

It reminded me of my Pirate day with Brad DeWolf. Such fun!

LOTS OF PEOPLE KEEP THEIR SITE IN THE THEME OF THE PARK : FLAMINGO S

 TURTLES ARE EVERYWHERE IN THE LAKE. THEY ARE SO GRACEFUL AND SLOW  EXCEPT WHEN THE SEE PEOPLE. 

I need to video them during the day. When people walk on the dock, turtles come from every direction and look up at you. Literally lift their heads toward you. I guess they are used to being fed. I’ll have to bring them something (first, I’ll have to see what they eat). Lol!

THESE SWANS ARE AVAILABLE TO RENT. PERHAPS TOMORROW TSKE A PADDLE AROUND THE LAKE.

THE LANDSCAPERS GAVE ME THIS BEAUTIFUL PALM FERN . NOW, WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS BEAUTY?

I WORK, TOM DOES PAPERWORK WITH CIGAR NOT FAR FROM HIM

MY NEW LICENSE PLATE AS A FLORIDIAN. UGH! NOT SURE ABOUT THIS YET. I MISS MY BRISTOL 4TH OF JULY PLATE THAT I WAITED YEARS TO GET AND ONLY ENJOYED FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. 

HOPEFULLY MADDY WILL ENJOY IT AS IT IS GRANDMA PAT‘S INITIALS. RHODE ISLANDERS ARE PARTICULAR ABOUT LICENSE PLATES.LOTS OF BRISTOL DETAIL ON THIS ONE. LOVED IT! VERY PATRIOTIC!!

All in all another good day. Actually did relax today.

DAY 11: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019: BIG DAY OF TRANSFER

Today, I awoke at 6:00 to run before Tom and I traveled to Green Cove Springs to change our address. We will leave our address behind but not our house.  It’s a strange feeling. My PS 66 will be given to Maddy, her Sullivan Grandpa‘s initials, and I’ll get some crazy a—— number that means nothing. You now how we Rhode Islanders are about our license plates. I ran in the dark. I’m happy the Rv Park is gated with a guard at the Gate. But, I had an eye open for critters! Lol!

On our way on Route 17, I was freaked by a young man on the side of us driving a Volkswagon Passat with no hands on the steering wheel and both on the cellphone, 2 Hand texting. Tom Said it was one of those cars that drive themselves! Ahhhh. He wasn’t even looking as a car pulled into the lane before him. I don’t think I like that very much. I wouldn’t want him behind me or near me. 

Last night we spoke to Maddy after celebrating with her cake. She enjoyed the gifts we sent from New Oleans.

MURIEL IS WEARING THE MUSICAL NOTE MASK WE SENT


HAND PAINTED BY A STREET PAINTER: MADDY PLAYS THE SAXE.

We completed our paperwork and appointment in Green Cove Springs.  We are now Florida residents and voters. I don’t know if I am happy about this or not, but it’s done. The registry lets you smile unlike in RI. The whole process took less than an hour and a half. We would still be there if this was RI. 

Today we are going on a boat ride with John and Pam, then to their home for dinner. We have been looking forward to seeing them again before we leave for the Keys. 

MADDY‘S BEAUTIFUL HIGH SCHOOL RING

                                                              DINNER WITH JOHN AND PAM

                                    LOVE THIS PHOTO! MISS ALL OF OUR GRANDKIDS

At 2:30 we left for John and Pam’s. We enjoyed a boat ride in their lagoon just outside the ICW . Beautiful, relaxing. It was great being on the water again. We truly enjoyed spending time with them this week. An added treat for being in Jacksonville.

          THE LAGOON

                        JOHN AND TOM


                                                               FREESTYLE

Highlights of the day: Completing our Florida residence paperwork,  spending the afternoon with John and Pam aboard their boat, and dinner at their home. 

DAY 10: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019 : MADDY‘S 17th BIRTHDAY: SO PROUD OF HER

We woke up early to catch Maddy before she left for school— singing Happy Birthday in our scratchy morning, 7am voices, and wishing her a very happy day  and  successful, experience filled year. As the oldest grandchild, Maddy has been the role model for the younger 7 which includes her sisters. She has done so many things in her 17 years from bring an excellent student to a musician to playing basketball and soccer. We are all so proud of her.

    WE LOVE WATCHING HER PERFORM WITH HER MARCHING BAND AND LISTEN TO HER PLAY THE SAX IN THE JAZZ BAND

                SUCH A BEAUTIFUL GIRL, INSIDE AND OUT

      LOVING THOSE LITTLE COUSINS 


                              A DINNER WITH HER SISTERS AND GREAT GRANDMA AND GREAT GRANDPA

Feeling we had wished her a happy day, I went for run to explore this beautiful resort. I found I could run around the whole lake, by the cafe, and around all the campsites. This resort is laid out very well. When we were at North Lake in Texas, we were fooled! Lol! No lake— just in name only.

Some of my sights:

    BY THE CRYSTAL CLEAR POOL

        THE FLAMINGO LAKE AND AMERICAN FLAG– NOT WINDY ENOUGH TODAY




   TOMFOOLERY‘S HOME FOR THE WEEK

Yes, today is mostly about Maddy, but that is good! We texted and called her and texted with mom. We can’t believe she is 17 today! She is amazing!

  MADDY AND MORGAN ON TOMFOOLERY, CATALINA 380

WE READ DR, SUESS OBLECK, AND MADE THE GOOEY GREEN LIQUID SOLID GOOK. 
         
GREAT FUN SKATING IN FLOWER MOUND

So many wonderful memories and more to come. 

Today, I was fortunate to get in an outdoor run before it poured. It was a good day to grocery shop and pick up the little things I needed to make more crafts. Tom needed a Home Depot run, of course. I did, with coaxing, encourage him to let us shop for a new pair of jeans. His are all too big. Looking good!

Highlights of the day: Celebrating Maddy‘s birthday even though it was from afar and exploring Flaming Lake.