family photo

Couldn't get this added to previous blog entry -- it is our family photo while on the Royal Carribean cruise -- before we gained the 5 extra pounds!

Wedding; Cruising; Parading

We've had such a lovely week. It started with a wedding near Tampa -- I officiated and remembered how to be a minister afterall! The groom is a friend of my daughter's from college days. John and I met with the couple (John & Elle) ahead of time and enjoyed getting acquainted with them--they were great fun. The wedding was at sunset on a wonderful beach, with a champagne, steak and lobster feast afterwards! Hey, someone had to do it! I was just at the right place at the right time!




Because Kristen was already here for the wedding, we had Jason fly out, and the four of us went on a 5-night cruise. There's nothing a mother enjoys more than having her family in one place for several days, especially since they can't escape! It was pure delight! We went snorkeling in Cozemul, and Kristen and I took in a river tour to a rain forest and Mayan ruins in Belize. The guide was so knowledgeable in every subject, (archeology, history, bird and wildlife, politics, culture) and helped us know a lot about the area on the bus and river ride. Local people served us a typical lunch (rice, beans, chicken--yummy). We saw many different birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and vegetation. Kristen climbed one of the tall ruins, but I, of course, had to stay below to take pictures! One afternoon John and I competed in a ping pong tournament -- I won the "gold medal!" (Only 5 actually competed!) Jason competed in the belly-flop contest, with lots of "drama". There was also added drama with a helicopter evacuation for a medical emergency one day. All in all--a fantastic trip. We had good visits, great laughs, more food than you can imagine, super entertainment, and mostly good weather. (The last afternoon was a bit rainy and windy, with a bit of rocking and rolling during the night, which wasn't so much fun.)

It's taken us a couple days to recover. We've returned to the Sun n' Fun RV Resort in Sarasota, Florida, for another month. We got back into the swing of things when we heard horns blowing Saturday morning, and poked our heads out to see what was going on. We had forgotten it was their 2008 Homecoming Parade and BBQ. Lots of creativity went into the costumes and decorating those golf carts! A youth group from Canada, the Calgary Fiddlers, provided the entertainment. They were great fiddlers and dancers!

We also attended a Ringling & Barnum Bailey Circus near where we're staying. Ringling Circus started in Sarasota. They were great, although we wished we hadn't read the blurb handed out by protesters before the show accusing the circus of cruelty to the animals (elephants, tigers, dogs).



Last night we buttoned things down after hearing a tornado warning for our area. They cancelled the bulletin later, but still had some wind, rain and lightning. Today it's back to the heater and winter clothes! Such drastic changes in weather within a couple days is something we haven't quite gotten used to, but then we're not in the sub-zero temperatures like a lot of places right now!

Happy New Year!

OK -- now it feels like winter! We woke up to 30 F weather and a frozen water line going into our trailer yesterday morning. It was the coldest day in Florida since 2003. It is quite unusual weather. Two nights ago it was so warm and humid we had our fan going all night. The last two nights we have had the heater going. It is supposed to return to the 70's by the weekend, though. Before the "chill" we did enjoy an afternoon at a beautiful beach in Sarasota -- along with a visiting raccoon.

We also had a great dinner out for my birthday -- alright, my 63rd birthday!!! We had heard about the Columbia, a Cuban restaurant from more than one person, and it was exceptional. It was crowded inside, but we had a great outdoor table with a terrific dinner (see photo holding menu) in a very upscale shopping area in Sarasota.

We also had a great New Year's evening. A prime rib dinner at the Boondocks, the restaurant here at the RV resort, followed by a dance party with a band. It did feel funny getting all dressed up, then going to a party on our bikes! (see photo) We had fun dancing on a crowded dance floor with mostly other 50-80-year-olds!

Here's wishing you a very Happy New Year!