The cool weather is gone and we have been sunning on our patio but today we actually committed to going to the beach. The winds and waves left their mark on the beach with a huge lip where the sand was eroded – a few days and it too will flatten out. 
The table that came with the trailer was circa 1964 so it really had to go. I didn’t want to spend a fortune and I hoped to see one at a yard sale. There were lots of tables but many of them had glass tops and no leaf. With the large gang that is here now, it is essential that we have seating for 8 -10 for meals and more importantly dominoes. There was a 50% sale at Goodwill about a month ago and when Dave told me about it I popped over for a quick look. I found a great table (60 inches + leaf) and it was only $10. So with that I began the search for chairs. I woke up one morning and had a great idea. I had seen chairs at Habitat for Humanity (Restore) which came from a closed out McDonalds. They were $5 each. Voila! A recoat of fresh paint and new yellow suede seat covers and we are ready for the gang. I bought 8 of them and also have 2 spares that we painted black and will also recover. 
The bulletin board in the mail room at the hall was a disgrace. It drove me crazy so I finally got the chance to fix it and I loved every moment of the challenge. Now everything has a labelled spot and people can actually find what they need. I have had lots of very complimentary remarks which made it all worthwhile. Yes, the teacher in me is still there and very happy!!! {Peggy – know you will really appreciate the facelift that this board got.}
4 possums
3 racoons
1 cat
Many years ago Dave mentioned that he would have loved to be a forest ranger so his new job here at the park – game warden – will have to do. In the quest for the many feral cats he has trapped 4 possums, 1 cat and 1 racoon. “Rocky racoon” was pretty cute this morning but definitely unhappy. Dave took him to the forested area near Caspersan Beach and let him go. Unlike the possums who have to be urged to leave the cage – Rocky took off like a bullet.
The guys finally beat the gals after 4 losses to the women – they were tense and wanted the win pretty badly. Of course, they couldn’t resist the phone call to Gus to assure him that they had won!
We have been very busy since Mary and Bob returned to Dartmouth – time flies when everyday is a Saturday. Oh the retired life!! We managed to survive the 11 day cold spell – meant that I didn’t have to run the air conditioning during the night.The MacIntyre grandchildren returned home and left a big space in our hearts. It was so much fun having them around during the 6 weeks – they were lively and gave us all a reason to smile. Dave and John became special friends and I really took to Justin – love the smell and feel of that baby skin. I miss holding him when we are in restaurants.
The big project was the laminate floor – it is wonderful – Dave and Dave did a super job of it and I couldn’t be happier with the finished product. It runs the length of the trailer including both the kitchen and the bathroom. It got laid quickly but the trim took a lot longer. I splurged and bought myself a rocker/recliner.
The second project was the rehab of what were originally two room dividers that separated the dining area and living area. We took them out when laying the floor and it opened up the room significantly. Dave took them, stacked them. adjusted them and painted them. Now they are a great new cabinet that is both a storage and display case. He’s getting pretty handy so I may have to keep him. (Mary Evelyn and Janet – notice the blue fish you got me on prominent display)
What a show! We travelled with park residents (we brought the average age down significantly) via charter bus to Tampa to attend the Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey 3 ring circus. The venue was the forum where the Tampa Bay Lightning play. It was the first “senior bus tour” for us and we chuckled as we listened to the conversations going on around us. Prior to the show, we wandered on the floor watching the pre-show antics of the clowns and some of the performers.
The intro of the show was wonderful with many of the performers coming into the rings – coupled with numerous high tech holographic screens we were taken on a semi-historic view of the circus days of old.
The tiger trainer was wonderful to watch as he got those mighty animals to do his bidding. Personally I would not want to be in that closed cage with nine fierce beasts.
This large cage holds 7 motorcycles and riders. The performance began with 4 riders and then they added the other 3 one at a time. While we watched each successive addition, we marvelled at how they could all be in there racing around without crashing.
The elephants were a sight! Although I was unable to get a good clear shot of the last one, it was the newest addition to their family of elephants. He was born on the night of the Inauguration and was named Barack!
Following the show we travelled south by bus to Bradenton and the Golden Corral. It was be “best” buffet I ever visited. There were tons of choices of salads, main courses and desserts. I was impressed with the fact that each container of food was full, tidy and hot! A cook was actually grilling steak so I could get a piece of my favourite “rare” steak. For $10 each (not even senior or early bird prices) we ate a wonderful assortment of food. The other fun thing was arriving in a bus and unloading 40 people at a restaurant – you need to see the faces of other diners when that many “grey hairs” arrive!!
Santa brought us wonderful laminate floor for the mobile and Dave and Dave Thomas laid the biggest area on Thursday and continued work on Friday. It had the underlay attached to it so the laying of board was quicker. I am thrilled with it so far. I will update the pics when the whole area is finished on Saturday.
Bob and Mary’s week was over too fast but we celebrated one more meal anyway. Mary Evelyn joined us for supper. They will be back mid March so this trip was just the practice one.
Adventure Logan 