CLOUDS & 49 DEGREES....Brrrrrrrr

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Free Donuts and Coffee day today.  Not many people there, as many have left for other areas or went home for the holidays.  Oh well, more donuts for the rest of us.

Today was also, "clean house day".  Roger vacuumed and I dusted and shook out rugs.  In shaking them out, I decided they really needed cleaning, so I gathered them up and went to our laundry.

The weather today is really yukky...but not as bad as back home, where it's only 9 degrees !!!  It only got to 49 today and was very cloudy.  So it was a good day to clean and do laundry....and take a little nap :-)

We had asked friends to join us for dinner tonight at Longhorn Steakhouse so Stu and Diane and Dale and Melinda went with us to dinner in Mary Esther.  The company was great and the food was VERY good!!  Roger had a steak and I had salmon.  Yum, Yum !!  We took pictures to send to Jill and Brian.  We miss them. :-(

Stu and Diane, who were supposed to leave the same day as we, are now leaving in 2 days to head farther south, where it's warmer.  It was 80 and sunny down there today and 49 here.  Hmmmmmm. Tomorrow will be their last day here. I don't blame them one bit.  In fact, if Roger would do it, I'd leave tomorrow!!!  I didn't come all the way down here to be freezing!!!  NOT fun to look out on deserted beaches and people walking around the park with winter coats, hats, mittens, and scarves!!!!  I could have stayed home and seen that!!  The weather predictions looking forward show these kinds of temps and no sun for about a week!!  Boo-Hoo :-(

BOXING DAY....in Canada

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Today is "Boxing Day" in Canada....I still don't know what that is but Happy Boxing Day to all my Canadian friends.

I had 3 loads of laundry to do today so after my coffee and toast, I was off to the laundry room.  I really don't mind being there as I do some Facebooking or read the People magazines that someone graciously leaves there.  Roger started getting the RV ready to travel next week by bringing in the slide and treating the seals.  He also tire pressure in all the tires and added air where needed.

While Roger was working outside, I did some rearranging in the trailer in an effort to make things easier to get to and find and to have room to put away the Christmas decorations.  I know it's early, but I just wasn't in the mood to look at it all anymore.  Like I said yesterday, it is DIFFERENT spending Christmas away from family and all you've ever known.  For instance, unfortunately, they don't do ground ring bologna down here...don't even sell ring bologna...so we didn't have our usual ground bologna sandwiches in honor of Grandma Dietrich :-(

I then once again returned to Wally World to return 2 iPad Mini cases and get the right size.  I had gotten a case for Roger for Christmas, as his was broken, but twice I had gotten the wrong size.  I finally got the right one and while I was there, got me a screen protector for my phone (it's already cracked in 3 places and I want to hold it together for another 6 months....too many drops) and a new wireless mouse.  Mine was doing wacky things!!

Later on we went over to Stu and Diane Hazens' lovely 40' motorhome for snacks and drinks.  Dinner was leftovers from Christmas but still tasty.  We invited 2 other couples to join us tomorrow for dinner at Longhorns Steakhouse in Mary Esther.  Roger is craving a good steak and I LOVE their grilled salmon.

Weather today wasn't as bad as had been predicted.  Originally temps were going to be in low 50s, cloudy, possible rain, windy....BUT, it turned out to be in the 60s when the sun was out and partly sunny.  Can't complain about that.  Not a pool day, but better than in Michigan where our family is under a Winter Weather Advisory for cold and colder weather today and tonight!!!  Brrrrrr

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Nitey Nite.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Day, 2017


What can I say about Christmas in an RV, in a park on the Gulf, in Florida????  IT'S DIFFERENT!!
It's not necessarily bad....just different.

I made cinnamon rolls, one of our Christmas Morning "Traditions" and we had those and coffee from my new Keurig, while Roger opened his gifts.  Roger had a few presents to open, but one of mine from him I chose to give away to a family in dire need and the other one was put to use a few days ago...a new red mini Keurig & flavored coffee.  I did open one from the RV park and it was a very nice and useful LED light and I got a beautiful card from Roger.

NOTE:  I am ticked!!!  I had written out this whole story about our special gift...and this darn website deleted it!!!  ....or maybe it was user error...I'm not sure!!

Anyhow, I was writing about a gift we opened this morning that had FIRST been opened 50 Christmases ago, when we had been married 4 months and were living in Married Housing at U of M (when you had to have a marriage certificate to get an apartment).  We had splurged on a bottle of liquor that was beautifully and professionally wrapped.  We carefully opened it and removed the bottle and then closed up the empty box, re-taped it and put it back under the tree because it was so pretty. Since that Christmas, it has become the first gift under our decorated Christmas Tree and the last gift there when all the other gifts are opened.  Then when all the decorations are packed away, this one was lovingly wrapped up in tissue and put away till next year, when, God willing, it would once again become the first and last gift under our tree.  Somewhere along the years we decided that if we were still here and still together in 50 years we would reopen the gift and see what it had been.  Neither one of us could remember what it was but were guessing it was Southern Comfort, as that was our drink of choice at that time.  So, this morning, it was 50 years and we debated on whether or not we should really open it....we decided yes, we needed to.  So, carefully we reopened it and took the box out slowly and with eager anticipation.  What we found was a plain white box totally devoid of any writing or pictures!!!  Absolutely no description or hint of what had been inside.  Ha Ha....50 years of lovingly caring for a plain white box!!!!  I couldn't stand to part with it so I patched it up again and put it back under our little RV Christmas Tree.  I'm sure over the next 50 years we'll again forget what was in it and have to open it up again !!!

We Facetimed with our children and their families this morning and got to see Livvy and Cece open some of their gifts from us. The DeWulfs had opened theirs from us on Christmas Eve.  Both Howell and Woodstock had gotten a few inches of snow overnight and both places looked beautiful...like a Christmas Card.  I'm sure tomorrow they will wish it all gone!!!

I could say we had a white Christmas too, as the sand and the dunes on the beach are white as snow and drift as the wind blows. 

We went for a little walk around the park and visited with Stu and Diane for a short while but it was quite cool and windy, albeit sunny, so we didn't stay out too long.  However, Roger decided later on to go over to Navarre Beach and go for a long walk....while I took a little nap.

I had put a roast and carrots in the crockpot early in the morning and by 4:30 we had a delicious roast beef dinner with carrots and mashed potatoes and baking powder biscuits.  Again, not traditional for us, but then nothing has been "traditional" this holiday season.   Roger said it was the best roast beef dinner he had ever had and reminded me how special I was to him and how much he loved me.  Awwwwww :-)  Best gift ever!!!

 I am missing my family more tonight than I have since we left home 2 months ago.  I was not emotional this morning, but as the day went on, I kept thinking something was "missing".  It's kind of hard to explain, but I'm writing it down so that years from now when I read this blog, I'll recall my feelings. Honestly, I can see why so many people wait until after the holidays to head south.  I guess I'll be alright tomorrow, but I have to say, I will be glad when the holidays are totally over.

I will also be glad when we leave here in a week and head farther south to our next park.  I believe it will be much more active, in terms of activities, and it will definitely be warmer.  Not that this park isn't nice...because it is VERY nice.  The staff and RVers are all so friendly and so willing to help out everyone and to include everyone in all they do.  It's squeaky clean and close the Gulf beaches.  I'm just ready to move on and see what's over the next hill................

...AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Christmas Eve.  Doesn't really feel like Christmas here.  It's warm and sunny.  I got up early enough to get my beans in the oven for our potluck today.  I had to go back to "Wally World" to exchange some things I had bought for my phone.  It was much more civilized today.  Thankfully.

Our friends, Jill and Brian are packing up their motorhome today and will be leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for home in S. Carolina. :-( 

At 1:30 we went down to the clubhouse for our Potluck.  There were lots of people there and as before, the food was delicious and plentiful.  A good time was had by all.  There were even "leftovers" for sandwiches of the turkey and ham.

Weather today was very pleasant.  Sunny and in the high 60s.

A group of us met down by the gazebo on the beach and enjoyed the propane fireplace and good fellowship.  It was a very pretty night and a lot of pictures of the sunset were taken. 

We said our good byes to Jill and Brian, as they would be gone before (most) of us got up tomorrow on Christmas Morning.

Roger and I deviated from our usual Christmas Eve traditions of watching A Christmas Carol and having cheese and sausage and crackers and wine.  I started watching It's a Wonderful Life, while he was doing some computer work and eating snacks by himself (I was too full).  He announced he didn't like this movie (????????)  Since when????  So he read and I went to the bedroom and watched an old Bing Crosby special on TV.  I tried to believe it was Christmas Eve....but it just wasn't the same!!

Merry Christmas to all....and to all a good night!!! 

A ZOO AT "WALLY WORLD"

Saturday, December 23, 2017

I needed to make cookies and baked beans for our Christmas Eve Potluck on the 24th, tomorrow, so I went to WalMart (aka: Wally World) for a few groceries.  What a ZOO!!  Traffic was backed up to get in the parking lot, had to drive around and wait for a parking space, there were no grocery carts, didn't matter because the aisles were gridlocked and full of stressed, grouchy people and hyper, excited, out of control kids!!  BIG MISTAKE but I had to get my supplies....my fault for putting it off.

I finally got back and baked 4 dozen cookies and got my beans ready to bake tomorrow for the potluck.  I only burned a few cookies in my little RV oven. I'm actually getting pretty good at using it.  It's quite tricky in that the heat doesn't dissipate like in a big residential oven. A baking stone in there does help though.

We went for a walk and visited with friends and talked with our children & grandchildren on FaceTime.  The little ones, in NY, were so excited for Santa's visit and for their Nana & Papa & Aunt Lolo from Kalamazoo to get there.

We enjoyed another Happy Hour at the Tiki Hut on the Beach with friends. 

FORT PICKENS & A PICNIC LUNCH

Friday, December 22, 2017

Brian & Jill, Stu and Diane, Dale and Melinda and Roger and I all drove out Santa Rosa Island to the very end where we toured Fort Pickens.  It is an archeological built in 1834 out of 21 million hand made bricks made by slave labor.  The walls, many of the buildings, cannons, batteries, are all still there.  There was a nice movie in the museum that explained everything so that our tour made more sense.  It was quite interesting.

We had packed lunches, so after the self-guided fort tour we went to a picnic area and ate our lunches and then toured 2 campgrounds.  The whole area is a National Park,  Camping cost $20.00 a day but you better have everything you need with you as the nearest store is about an hour away!!

Friday night is ice cream sundaes and games but there was no ice cream tonight, due to the hosts having left for Michigan for Christmas...just games.  One of our friends, Diane, won 2 of the 3 Right, Left, Center games.  Lucky Girl !!

WINTER SOLSTICE

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Today is the first day of Winter and is 70 degrees here & very sunny.  After Craft and Chat at the clubhouse, Roger and I went to Navarre Beach for a few hours.  We took some drinks, our chairs, our books and just relaxed and enjoyed the sound of the waves, which were quite large!!  We watched a surfer riding the waves and stupid people feeding the "sky rats" (aka: seagulls).  Seriously!!

Late afternoon we joined friends down at the Tiki Hut on the beach for Happy Hour. We took some Winter Solstice pictures from the Beach of the sunset.   Posted pictures to follow :-)

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Last night,eating pizza, Diane and Jill announced they had recently learned where the "Mother Lode" of shells were and they were leaving at 6:55 am to get there before others did.  At the promise of some really nice and unique shells being found....I said I'd go too.  Oh dear God...I sat my alarm for 6:15am (I was sure it was still dark at that time).  My alarm went off but I didn't hear it until 6:30.  I jumped out of bed, got dressed, put on a hat over by bed head hair and met the girls to head to the beach.  We found the parking area that had been described to Jill and we headed for the beach.(BTW, it is light at that time :-)  WOW...the stash of shells on the beach was unlike anything I'd  ever seen before.  Piles and piles and miles and miles.  I found some really unique shells that I'd never seen before and I met a lady who had been out earlier and she gave me some really NICE shells she had a ton and she just gathered them to give away.  Yay for me!!

We got back to the RV Park in time for coffee and donuts at 8:30 in the clubhouse.  I needed the coffee for sure!!  We passed Roger, leaving the park as we were going in. He went Christmas Shopping :-)

Tonight we watched the George C Scott Christmas Carol.

A HAIR DAY FROM HELL !!!

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Today I decided I needed to get my hair cut and low lights put in.  I had gotten good reviews on the stylists at Wal-Mart so I went there hoping to just walk in.  That didn't quite happen but I ha d some shopping to do so I did that and came back in an hour.  I have to say, it was the hair day from HELL.  My Stylist started out by saying to me, "I'm having a bad brain day today...I think I left my brain at home..."  Oh great, just what I need....a ditzy girl working on my crowning glory.  She had one speed, S-L -OOOOOOO-W.  She was precise in everything she did....but too precise!!!  I was there for FOUR HOURS to put in 15 foils and cut off 1/2" !!!  She would walk around the room, talk in circles, and every once in awhile....about twice an hour....sang, "La La La La"  That was it  !!  I had to text Roger and tell him I was OK.  Didn't want him to think I had been abducted.  I have to say, she did a good job and I was pleased with the results, but OMG....4 hours???  My hairdresser at home does all of this in less than an hour!!!

In the afternoon, Diane and Roger and I went swimming.  The pool water is 89 degrees and it was wonderful!  We've been here almost 2 months and this was our first time in the pool.  After this, we went to Jill and Brian's MH and had wine and cheese & crackers and then decided to order pizzas for dinner.  The pizzas turned out to be $23.00 each with delivery and tip.  Holy Cow....that's more expensive than Woodstock, NY pizza !!!

LIME-A-RITAS

Monday, December 18, 2017

The other girls went shelling again this morning, but earlier than I wanted to get up. Roger cleaned the roof of the RV and I helped by rinsing the sides of the trailer so they didn't streak.  Didn't do too much today.  It was cloudy and cooler than it had been so not a good day for the beach.  Roger and I did do some shopping at "Wally World"....Ha Ha

Late afternoon I put in some laundry and we went to Jill and Brian's Motorhome for some Lime -a-Ritas and snacks. 

Lucy in the window of Jill & Brian's motorhome...waiting for "Mama"

A MILLION DOLLARS IN AN IRISH PUB.

Sunday, December 17, 2017

More Sea Shelling this morning with Jill and Diane at some different beaches.  I have all the shells I need, but am still looking for a whole sand dollar.  They have to be white, which means they are dead before you can take them though.  If you happen to dig one up from the water, and it's still alive, you must put it gently back under the sand, and in the water.  They will die within 1 minute of being out of the water.  If you are caught taking a live one, the fine is BIG BUCKS...plus it's just not nice to upset the ocean's eco system.

Brian and Jill and Stu and Diane and Roger and I went to dinner at a restaurant in Destin called McGuires Irish Pub. We had been there on 2 other occasions a few years ago and were looking forward to going back.  The restaurant is very unique in that it has over a million dollars in $1.00 bills tacked to literally every square inch of this restaurant (except the floor and seats).  Walls, booths, ceilings...unbelievable!  People write messages with a black marker on their bill and tack it to the wall....somewhere.  We actually found the one we posted 2 years ago.The food there is AWESOME and the portions are HUGE !!  I had an Irish Steak and Mushroom Pie and Roger had the night's special of 2 porkchops.  We each took home enough to have dinner the next night.

 L to R: Jill, Brian, Stu, Diane, Roger, Me

Dollar bills on every surface.

My steak & mushroom pie.

 Roger's 2 porkchop dinner and all the fixins.

 Happy Hour at Jill & Brian's motorhome.

"DIRTY SANTA PARTY"

Saturday, December 16, 2017
 
The first thing I did this morning, was go out to the truck and check my candy. I had stored it there because our frig is too small and it was cold enough outside.  It was still a disaster!!  The 2nd thing I did was dump the whole pan in the trash. :-(  Judy asked me why I didn't keep it and
eat it ourselves. I told her that was precisely why I threw it away!!!!

I got a text from Jill saying she and Diane were going "shelling" at 10:00am and did I want to go.  It was already 9:30, but I said yes.  We drove down Santa Rosa Island to Pensacola Beach.  We began walking the beach and each found lots of nice shells, but no sand dollars....at least no whole ones, only broken pieces. The weather was beautiful and the Gulf was the most beautiful green and aqua...thus, The Emerald Coast name.  After another beach we stopped at Publix Grocery Store for a few things and I bought some candy to take to the party since my homemade candy was a disaster.

About 2:00 pm, I decided to try to make another batch of candy but this time only a half batch and I would boil it longer and bake it longer.  It was too warm outside to cool it but I did find room in the frig for it.  Sat out on the patio reading and soaking up some rays and in an hour I went to check my candy.  VOILA!!!  It turned out perfect and was a big hit at the party.

We had finger foods before the "Dirty" gift exchange and as usual there was a fantastic array of goodies.  The drawing for the gifts began.  As it went on, many gifts were "stolen" from their owners but could only be stolen twice. So if you were the 3rd person to get it....it was "safe" and it was yours.  My number was drawn about 1/2 way through so I chose a gift from under the tree.  When I opened it, it was a microfiber, bead filled, massaging pillow. Ahhhhhhh  The next person whose number was drawn, stole it from me!!! I went back to the tree to pick another gift and my 2nd gift was chocolate, liquor filled, candies shaped like bottles.  Nobody stole it, but I did trade it for some nice BBQ sauces at the end.  About 1/2 hr later, Roger's number was drawn and he was so chivalrous, he stole my pillow back for me!!!  Awwww what a Sweetie he is.

....AND I WON !!!!

Friday, December 15, 2017

I made candy for our Dirty Santa party tomorrow.  It was a total disaster!  I texted my friend Judy who had given me the recipe after I raved about how good hers was when  she and Dave
brought some to us when they visited.  I asked her if she had any idea what happened, as the bottom of my toffee was "gooey" and not crispy like hers.  She didn't.  I decided to wait until the next morning to see if it "cured".

We met friends in the clubhouse for ice cream sundaes at 6:00 PM and because it was 2 long time guests Birthdays, we had 2 Birthday Cakes.  Ugh!!!  Too much sugar!!

After sundaes we played our usual horse race game, which we both lost at and the Right Left Center, which I WON !!!!  Yeaaaa me.  I came home with $17.00 worth of quarters!!!  We can do laundry next week :-)

'THEY JUMPED"

Thursday, December 14, 2017

This morning was "Craft, Chat & Coffee" from 10 to noon in the clubhouse.  I worked on a cross-stitch project and as always....there was lots of "chat"!!
. 
Roger worked on a squeaky bathroom faucet.  Not sure, but I think it still squeaks!!  I just ignore it.  My computer is really acting up tonight...or it may be my mouse, but if you see words where they aren't supposed to be that is why.  The cursor just jumps all over the page.

When the plumbing work became too frustrating, we went shopping to Camping World for some $10.00 gifts for our "Dirty Santa" party this Saturday.  It's a game where you choose a gift from under the tree when your number is called....OR....you can be dirty and steal a present from someone else!

I put a load of laundry in the washer and then we met friends down by the beach....at the tiki hut...for drinks and talk.  While down there someone said, "...look...he just jumped from that plane. By the time everyone looked up and spotted them, there were 10 jumpers parachuting down out of a perfectly good C-130.  They followed the leader and we assume they landed at Hurlbert Air Force Base down the road.  All branches of the military train their special ops teams there.  It was getting cold so we retreated to the gas firepit in the gazebo.  It was there that I remembered I had a load of wash sitting in the washer.  I had to leave and put it in the dryer.  Roger and I then went across the street to a Culvers for dinner.

GIRLS DAY OUT

 Diane and Jill

View from Restaurant

Diane & Me

Wednesday, 12/13/17

After Donuts and Coffee this morning, Brian (with an i) and Roger went to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. (Roger's 3rd trip there).  Jill, Brian's wife, and Diane, Stu's wife, and I went shopping to a very nice Goodwill store in Destin where we each found some good bargains  I found a new doll, still in her box, and an extra outfit for her for $8.99. She is as cute as can be. I am giving her to a local family who is temporarily living here in the park and are down on their luck.  I asked the Manager to do an "Adopt a Family" here in the park to help them out and I hope they do.  They have 3 children and a very old motorhome and car.  The Manager said at one point, before they got this motorhome, they were homeless. :-(

After our shopping trip to Goodwill, the girls and I drove up the coast to Miramar and walked some beautiful beaches in search of seashells.  It was the most pristine beach I've ever seen....nary a shell was to be found!!!  Oh well, it was a beautiful day for a walk on the beach.

We drove back to Destin and went to the Harborwalk Village and ate at a restaurant called Harry Ts. We ate on the deck overlooking the sound and the sunshine felt so warm.   We all ordered "brunch"   I had a shrimp and lobster omelette that would have easily fed 3 hungry people.  Along with this was a heaping pile of the best hash browns I've ever had, fruit and a bakery basket.  Very yummy!

It was a fun  "Girl's Day"

BEST tasting hashbrowns I've ever had and the humongous omelet.  Got 2 meals out of it.

CRAFT & CHAT & COFFEE (too early for Wine!!)

Tuesday, 12/12

Roger got a call this morning from Stu asking him if he'd like to go to the Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base with him and Brian. Of course he said yes.  So a quick shower and off he went. 

A couple of the girls here and myself who met last week in anticipation of finishing our snowman...that didn't happen...decided that we had so much fun just sitting around drinking coffee and talking that we'd meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 10 am to noon for what we call "Craft and Chat".  Bring whatever craft you want to work on & your coffee cup and we'll craft and chat.  If you don't want to craft...just come and join in solving the problems of the world. Today was our first get together and it was great.  Some colored, some quilted, some knitted & crocheted and I worked on making social business cards. I think this will be a great success in the future.  Sharing crafting projects and ideas is my kind of fun.  Wishing Jill Ohare was here too.  She would LOVE this.

We have lots of parties and get-togethers coming up so stay tuned.

String Snowman Class

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF BAD WEATHER....DRINK WINE!!!

Friday, 12/8 - Monday, 12/11

I haven't posted in awhile, but it's NOT my fault!!  The internet at our park has been "sketchy" at best.  I would try to blog and...CRASH...everything was either gone or I couldn't save what I had typed. It was way too frustrating to keep trying, so I quit for awhile. They are trying to get it fixed and today it seemed to be up and running, so here goes:


Friday night was "make your own sundae night" followed by games (involving $$) where we both
make more weekly donations.  Oh well, it's fun...kind of...and time with new friends is always a good time.

Saturday, 12/9 we had a Breakfast Potluck.  Really unique and really good!! ( The park provided Sausage Gravy and Biscuits and everyone brought a dish to pass.  We had EVERYTHING imaginable to eat and it was all delicious.  The Sausage Gravy was THE BEST we ever had.  I did get their recipe :-)

The sun has finally come out again & the skies are bright blue.  Sunday afternoon they had 60s and 70s and 80s music by a DJ in the Clubhouse.  Karaoke was available but no one availed themselves.  I didn't have enough wine to get me up there !!!  Ha Ha

Monday 12/11 was "Art Uncorked".  Translation: Drink wine while learning to paint.  There were 8 of us in this class and I can tell you, there was NOT enough wine!!  We all painted the same picture of a very colorful vintage trailer.  I'm sure if there had been more wine, mine would have turned out better.  This afternoon, we and 2 other couples went to the Clubhouse with our wine and continued our "chatting" that was started on someone's patio but once the sun gets down to a certain point, it gets cold and you have to move indoors.  After sitting in there for awhile, people started arriving for a potluck dinner for the employees so once again, we gathered up our goodies and went to Stu and Diane's 40' motorhome.  There was plenty of room for all of us and we enjoyed seeing their coach.

Our little vintage trailer paintings

GOOD FRIENDS AND BAD WEATHER

Monday, December 4, 2017 - Thursday, December7, 2017


Monday I had to do laundry again but at least while I'm doing this chore, Roger is back at the RV vacuuming and cleaning things up.  I know when I get back, things will be all tidy.  In the afternoon, we attended a surprise "Welcome Home and Happy Birthday" party for a long term couple here who are 88 and 80.  They recently returned from up north where, sadly, their son is terminal with brain cancer.

On Tuesday, I had to get up early...like 7:30 AM!!!!!...to go to grocery store in anticipation of our friends' visit.  I partied yesterday and didn't get there.  Judy and Dave arrived around 10:00.  So good to see them.  We chatted for awhile and showed them around the park before having lunch outside on the picnic table.  We lucked out because it was sunny and warm...even though rain was predicted.  After lunch we took them for a tour of Santa Rosa Island and through 2 National Seashore Preserves.  We went all the way to the end of the Island, where there is, in fact, a Fort Pickens!!!  All this time I thought it was the name of a little town out there....which it is....BUT, there are the remnants of a Fort built in 1836 and a very interesting museum.  We didn't get to spend as much time there as we wanted because we could see the storms moving in and we had foolishly left the windows open in the RV and the awning out so had to head quickly back.  It did POUR on the way back but no damage done in the RV.  That evening we went to dinner at a restaurant on a Marina called Boshamps.  I had fried oysters...that were "OK", but Roger will tell you his blackened swordfish steak was THE BEST meal he's had in ages!!!!  I'm so glad for him because he's been craving swordfish for a long time.

Dave & Judy Eisele

Big surf off Santa Rosa Island

Dave and Roger on Beach

On Tuesday, the rains and cold air came in earnest and continued for the next FOUR days!!!  OMG...it was cold and windy and the rain was torrential.  We made the best of it by visiting friends in between downpours and sharing coffee and donuts in the activity center and LOTS of chit-chat.  I just can't stress enough how friendly everyone here is and how much we are enjoying meeting all these people from all walks of life.  Some people are here every year and know each other well, but they don't exclude newcomers from their groups.  Everyone makes you feel like you're their best friend.

Wednesday was our long awaited craft class where we began making string mache snowmen. It took 2 days to complete because it takes a long time for them to dry, especially when it's 50 degrees out and raining all day.  (I'll post pictures later)  The rain is relentless.  The extreme wind and cold is, to say the least, NOT fun!!!  We could have this "crappy" weather in Michigan.  I must say though, I thoroughly enjoyed the crafting and my snowman is ADORABLE!!  He is sitting in my little kitchen window, looking out, and his LED string lights make him glow.

Thursday, MORE rain.  The bad weather is getting to everyone here.  I made brownies in my little oven while Roger went to Home Depot to pick up a few things.  Oh, by the way, our annoying clicking noise in the overhead AC went away.  Maybe the new thermostat helped, but we'll probably never know for sure.  There is currently a FREEZE warning in effect for tomorrow night...SERIOUSLY ... NOT joking. It is currently colder here in the Panhandle than it is in Chicago!!

The entire South is in a deep freeze.  One of the parks we had reservations at in Texas got 5" of snow and it was 18 degrees.  As far south as Corpus Christi there was 10" of snow.  To make a long story short....after much conversation and deliberation, we decided to change plans and try to find another park in Southern Florida for the rest of the winter.  I had serious doubts that was possible, but Roger had done some research and found a gorgeous 5-Star park in Arcadia, FL.  My parents use to spend their winters in Arcadia for many years.  I called and believe it on not, they had 3 sites, out of 700+ available.  It was more than we had planned on spending, but we grabbed it. We'll leave here on 1/2 and arrive down there on the 3rd.  We have to watch Bowl Games on the 1st!!!  We then had to call all the parks we had reservations at out west and cancel them.  I think we will be better off down there where we are almost guaranteed warm weather and sunshine.  We will be at Cross Creek RV Resort in Arcadia, FL.  Site 771.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Guess what???  MORE RAIN and Gloom.  Good day to finish our craft project Snowman.  He took awhile to assemble but it was great fun.  A new friend, from S. Carolina, Jill is also a craft lover and we both enjoyed this project.  She also likes to shop in Thrift Stores and there are some good ones around here so we'll be going shopping soon.