My Christmas tree

I looked and looked for my mini tree before we left home with no luck. I knew as soon as I bought one I'd find the other but then we saw these little live pines at W/M and thought it would be perfect. It's covered with glittery sparkles and I added the drums.

Doug finally got his fishing license so he will be at the fishing jetty soon. He's only been waiting 8 months to get back out there.

Olive is still hanging in there, but probably not much longer.

Today it was 84 but down to 47 last night. We aren't suffering too much though. Only 5 more days till Christmas! Really?!?!

We've had off and on showers the last couple days but I guess it's much needed since we've been told it is the first rain since October! We are still doing things around the park while waiting for our car to be delivered on Friday (it's Weds now). Today  I'm going to go  learn how to play Bunco and Doug is going to try to tease the fish onto his hook at the lake.

Thought you'd get a kick of our UPS delivery "truck" here. What a job! Every day till Christmas we see her driving around the park. After the holidays the big brown truck will be back.

Olive is still not her usual self she kind of rallies and then stops eating again. We're taking good care of her though.

Our Second Home

We have arrived in Sarasota for our 4th winter in Florida. We got here a week earlier then last year. (I seem to sense a pattern here) and plan to stay till the end of March. This time we were able to take off during a mild spell at home and only encountered scattered showers. Luckily our muddy road froze the night before (even though it doesn't look like it) we left or we may have been stuck there till spring! 

We left on a Tues and arrived Fri afternoon for an uneventful trip. Our car is being transported down for us and it should arrive by next Friday.  


We had a scare with Olive last night, she hadn't drank or used the litter box all day. Luckily she did eat a little wet food so I added some water to it to try and keep her hydrated. She still isn't herself but is better today. She's still able to jump on the sofa where her bed is so she isn't too weakened but I was worried. Especially since we won't have a car for another week.
Today it is almost 80 and so very nice.We'll  be thinking of all of you. . . .

So far behind

 

Saving the best for last.  Our best February news was the birth of our newest grandson. He was born Feb 22 and weighed only 5lb 3 oz. named Synjin Riece. This picture is in his first week - love the wide open eyes. Can't wait to hold him - he is just precious to us.

Jewelry making

I have been taking some classes in beading while down here. The coral/brown bracelet is called kumihimo and is a form of weaving with the beads. I just finished the matching necklace and just need to put the clasp on it. 

The second necklace is a spiral beading technique that I made with 2 kinds of crystal beads and black faceted beads. Very sparkly. I finished another last night, goes quickly.

Next week I will take another class to make a wire crocheted bracelet. And then sadly the store is closing but the gals doing the classes will still do some so I will get to try more new things next year!

Doug has spent a bit of time fishing learning what does and doesn't work in the salt water down here.  He finally got a "keeper" spotted trout, it was 22" I think but neither of us thought to weigh it. We haven't eaten it yet but it should be good.

So much to do, so little time!

We actually made it over to Daytona for Speedweeks this year. We went to the Duel qualifying races. It was a long day with a 3 hour drive each way but we were glad to go. We were getting low on exhaust fumes in our systems after missing Loudon last summer. The wheelchair accessible seating is front row so the view isn't too great. If we go again we'll splurge for higher seating.

Here is my buddy Mark Martin (yes still driving) at his 55 pit stop. It was coincidentally right across from where we sat.

This is a southern lobster. Doesn't look anything like ours!

See the one on the left hanging upside down by the tail?

There are 4 or 5 in this pic.

Last week we went to the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota. It was small but very enjoyable. I liked watching the seahorses and jelly fish.

Busy week here. For Valentines day, Doug got me this beautiful hydrangea. Sure hope it survives to make it home. I never have good luck with them but the colors are so pretty. We also went to dinner at the restaurant here and had a great meal. Then the next night we went out again for dinner and a show- the monthly murder mystery here. Good for lots of laughs. No one figured out the murderer. 
Doug's been fishing a few times this week but no luck. Still trying to figure out the tides, moon and whatever else seems to influence the fish biting. Still, a bad day fishing is better then any day at work!

I got in the pool twice this week, I'm up to 7 laps now. We tried swimming on my stomach but Doug was afraid I'd sink and he didn't want to play lifeguard so I'm still looking for someone to help with the swimming.
This weekend was overcast both days but very humid. Reached 80 without any sun. Very windy today too, felt like a warm fall day with leaves falling all over.  So weird to hear talk of spring coming when I feel like it's August and fall is on the way.

A week in the life of. . .

Days go by quickly. There is so much to do here at Sun n Fun that we still haven't found time to visit some of the local sights. We did go to see Tim Conway a couple weeks ago. He's still very funny, laughed from beginning to end. Last night we saw a show right here at the resort, a 3 man band  playing 30 instruments with a lot of comedy thrown in.

Doug continues to squeeze in fishing whenever he can and the tide cooperates. I've talked him out of going when it's high tide at 3am. He deep fried some of the fish he caught last month, it was delicious and we had enough to share with our neighbors. I'm actually sitting in the car right now while he's out on the jetty. It's a little windy and overcast. Of course at 78 degrees, I'm not complaining, just wanted to make use of my time here.

We learned a new game called Petanque (pa-tonk).  Very similar to bocce but played on a gravel court about 5' x 20'. we play with different people every time so have had opportunity to meet a lot of new people.   Wish I could remember all their names!

I've been using the new fitness center weight room. Had a trainer finesse a program for me. I'm noticing a difference.  We've been to the pool a few more times. I do laps for about 1/2 hour on my back. Am looking for a swimming instructor to help me do the crawl. May have to fly my niece Jennifer down here to teach me! (wonder how long it'll be before she contacts me! LOL).
 That's all for now. I really need to do more picture taking. I've been taking beading classes and making jewelry. will show some of that next time.

Finally in the pool!

We finally got in the pool of the new fitness center. We had a one on one trainer but had no problems with the lift. This day was just experimentation to see what we could do. What I want to do if figure out how to swim laps so  she will help me again to do that.I'm floating right now with just a waist belt. and I have weights on my ankles to keep my feet from floating. What I still need - maybe- is something to put around my neck to keep my face out of the water but if I swim then maybe I'll need ankle floats instead. Once we figure it all out I'll be on my way. While we were trying out new things Doug was soaking in the hot tub.

 

Doug  finally got to go deep sea fishing.  They went out about 30 miles and caught amberjack, grouper, snapper and he got one flounder. This is the total for all 6 people who went. He says he's happy just to have gone on the ocean. 

                  

This is one of the Amberjack he caught - weighed about 35 lbs. They are only allowed one per person.

Well, I haven't really taken any pictures yet this year, except for the cat who always provides us with some comic relief. Same as last year, if the outside temp goes below 50 (45 last night) then we will find her in bed with us in the morning. Otherwise, we may not see her all day. 

Yes, it's gotten cold at night but day time is beautiful. 67 feels like 80 when there is no breeze and not a cloud in the sky. 

Doug has been working on perfecting his fishing and caught a flounder yesterday. It's a flat fish so not a lot of meat but a couple more and we'll have a meal. Unfortunately neither of us thought to take a picture.

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We had a tour of the new wellness facility this week. Can't wait to utilize the pool lift. I've signed up for some one on one training for both the pool and weight room. Will take some pictures to share.