Adventure Logan

Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas to you all from us here in sunny Florida. We have been enjoying life here in the warmer than usual weather. Many days we have trekked to the beach to catch a few rays so the suntans are coming along nicely. Things are very decorated here – can you imagine being able to put up strings of lights in 70+ degree weather! The malls have huge trees and garlands so if you can forget that you are in shorts and sandals it almost seems like home. Dave continues to golf (4 days a week) and we have been to movies each week – this week I went to see Lincoln with Peggy while Dave and Jim saw the Hobbit. We’ve been to the Laidlaws and Gallants for dinner. Earl was here for dinner three nights and we managed to host the Gallants before then went north for Christmas. We are teaching the gang to play canasta – dominoes will still be Thursday night but we like to have other things to do. Tonight we joined 55 people for dinner at the clubhouse (turkey, dressing, potatoes, gravy and lots of side dishes). It started at 5 pm on the dot and we were already back at the trailer an hour and a half later!!! Talk about senior early bird specials.

At the hall in front of the tree on the stage!

Peg and Jim sat next to us in the hall – always great to be with them! There were three tables and ours got called to the buffet first – yipee for us. At home after the Christmas Dinner at the hall ! Time to let all that turkey land on our hips!

Beach Fun in December

We have been very blessed this year with a super warm December – so we have managed quite a few trips to the beach. Usually it is warm but this year with temps in the high 70’s and low 80’s the beach really beckoned. As usual there are lots of birds to watch!

We have spent time at the beach with the MacIntyre grandchildren John and Justin (during their visit here).

And of course, there was a first drum circle of the season at Nokomis Beach. It is always an interesting experience to see the “characters” who come to the beach to drum down the sun. Each year I have noticed subtle changes (additions) to the ceremony. This year they set up an altar with palm fronds and lights and there were also banners hanging from the life guard station.

Since we have been here we have made Tuesday nights movie night. It is $5 for seniors so that is also a draw for us old folk. So far I have seen Skyfall, Life of Pi, and Playing for Keeps. I actually saw Playing for Keeps alone – first time I have ever gone to a movie all by myself. Dave and Earl went to see Red Dawn. Once Liz gets here in January, Tuesday night becomes our card making night in Englewood but until then it is a great chance to see some movies at a decent price.

Venice Boat Parade 2012

The annual Venice Boat Parade is always a great event. I am not sure which part of it attracts us most but the pre-parade meal and social time is almost as much fun as the actual event. This year the weather cooperated big time – 80 degrees and clear as a bell. We had N’tinos pizza and pie in the picnic park and then walked across the street to where Dave had laid out the chairs (on Wednesday).

The bridge to Casey Key is lifted prior to the boat parade.  Since this vantage point was at the beginning of the parade we got to see the boats coming up from the south and getting into line. There were only 33 boats this year – fewer than any previous year but it was lots of fun anyway.

Pops Sunset Restaurant across from Nokomis Park where we watched the parade.

While we were there, a photographer from the Herald Tribune was taking pics. He got a pic of Dave and Earl as they waited for the parade to start. Three of the pics made it to the hard copy of this morning’s paper- not Dave and Earl however!  So here is the link if you want to see more of the parade and the guys!

http://galleries.heraldtribune.com/default.aspx?id=358348

Shopping and Technology Learning Curve

We have had a great 2 weeks of settling in and making fun purchases. Grey Thursday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday were all interesting events. We opted not to do much in-store but I did have some fun with the sales online. I got my Ninja frozen drink maker on Black Friday along with a TV for the Cullens via the Walmart.com site. They have both already arrived at the store and all we had to do was pick up at the store. We bought new phones and since our Bell Expressvu isn’t working we got a new PVR from Direct TV. Then Target had the e-reader that I wanted (Nook with after glow) so that I can read in bed and have the screen backlit. So I got that on sale and received a $25 Visa card for purchasing it – got to love it. We wanted to try Amazon.com so I got a lime green case for the Nook and protective sheets for the screen. They too have already arrived along with a dozen golf balls that were half price. Just when I thought all the tech was covered I decided to buy a router and give myself wireless here. SO – it was time to learn how to use all this new stuff. The phones needed all the numbers inputted, the PVR needed to be learned, the e-reader set up and books downloaded from Woodlawn Library and the router set-up. The only thing that I actually knew how to operaate was the Ninja – so the frozen smoothies were easy.