Sun., March 14, 2010

It felt strange to change the clocks for Daylight Savings Time so soon. I hate losing that hour of sleep, but I love that it stays light later.
Mike and Linda, and John and I went to a small boat show in North Fort Myers. John bought a rack for fishing poles and Mike bought cleaning stuff.
Then we went to the Shell Factory which happened to have a car show and Octoberfest (in March, go figure). When we came back, we walked on the beautiful white beach behind their condo. Then it was time for happy hour. As we were sitting on our back deck having cocktails, two manatees came swimming by. They are so big and slow moving. They just laid there in the water and did a slow roll, like they were showing off for us. Mike and I both tried to take pictures. If mine turn out, I'll attempt to attach them here.
Later we went to Castaways and listened to a one man band "Mark Hennessey". He was really good and played a wide variety of music. Castaways has a live band (as opposed to a dead band?) every night and so far, we've like every one of them.

Mon., March 8, 2010

First of all, Mike and Linda Luti arrived yesterday afternoon. They are staying right across the street from Fish-Tale Marina, where we are docked for the month of March. We are so glad to see them. We just picked up where we left off, like no time had passed since we had seen them last.
That being said, I have to report on today's happenings because I know if I don't, you will all hear about it from them or John anyway. Did you see the movie "RV"? Do you remember the part where Robin Williams is emptying the holding tank of the RV? Well, when we were at Paradise Marina, Clarence (an employee of the marina), emptied the holding tanks as part of our dock fees. At this harbor, we needed to do it ourselves. John asked me if I wanted to operate the end at the boat or the end at the dock. I chose the end at the boat. Wrong decision. It was difficult to open the valve. When it did open, it moved a little out of the hole and *#!*#! sprayed out all over me and the boat. I ran into the boat and scrubbed my face and then went back out to help John finish the job. Just about that time, Mike and Linda came strolling down the dock. Well, let's just say YUCK. They waited patiently while I got my second shower of the day. Not a good way to start the day.

We proceeded across the street to get their Grady White. Apparently, you aren't allowed to leave a boat on a trailer in the parking lot at their condo for more than 24 hours. It had been 20 hours when we went to retrieve it. However, there was a warning ticket taped on the trailer. Linda ripped it off and crumbled it up and we took a tour of their condo. When we came back out to move the trailer, an old crabby lady approached the truck and told them that someone had reported a person ripped off the ticket and balled it up. She said that usually means they aren't going to do anything about it. Mike told her that he still had 4 hours until his 24 were up. Linda and Mike were nice to the lady, but it aggravated them. Why do people have to be so crabby and mean? It put a damper on the rest of the day.

We went to West Marine, out to lunch, for a boat ride, happy hour, and then out to dinner. So, after a kind of sluggish start, the day turned out just fine.

Mon., March 1, 2010

On Sunday, Norm and Sue helped us deliver our car to Fish-Tale Marina on Fort Myers Beach. We are moving our boat there for the month of March because Mike and Linda Luti are coming for three weeks in March. They have rented a condo on Fort Myers Beach directly across the street from Fish-Tale Marina. We had driven there by car last week and the traffic is horrific this time of year. We decided it would be much less stressful to take the boat there. It's more expensive than Paradise Marina, but it's nice to have a change of scenery.

So, on Monday, the 1st of March (my mom's birthday), we left Paradise at 8:45 A.M. with Paul and Patty Sagel, and Norm and Sue Mayer on board. The weather was cool ( in the 60s), but the sun was shining and there was very little wind. We were in the inside pass when I called the marina to see where we were supposed to go upon arrival. We were told to go to the restaurant dock. About 20 minutes later, a person from the marina called and told us to turn around and go back out into the Gulf. He said the inside pass is too shallow for our boat, even though the channel is marked on the chart plotter. He said to come in at San Carlos Pass further south and then head back north to the marina. This added about 2 hours to the trip. We arrived at 2:30 P.M. This harbor has a restaurant, rental boats, a ship store, and a strip mall in front of it. There are more restaurants, clothing stores, a hardware store, a laundromat, a hair salon, a nail salon, an ice cream parlor, a CVS, a post office, and some souvenir shops. There are, however, no other live aboards. We drove the others back to Paradise and headed back to our new digs for the month. It is very quiet here at night. We are anxious for the Lutis to arrive.

February in Florida

Okay, okay, I know I've been bad about keeping you informed of our "adventures". It's just that there has to be an adventure to write about.

We keep hearing this is the coldest winter ever in Florida. It feels like we are to blame for that. After all, what is different this year over all the others? We are here. So it must be our fault. March HAS to be awesome.

Since January, we have taken a couple of dinghy rides. There will be 4 to 6 groups from the harbor and we'll go exploring the canals. Every time we end up at a restaurant for lunch. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? We've anchored out overnight at Ding Darling. That was fun, but windy.

Jeff and Cheri Conniff arrived. It was a good thing they were here for the Super Bowl. The video system the marina people set up to watch the game didn't work. We ended up hooking up Jeff's TV and watching it in the tiki hut. It was so cold that we had gloves, coats, hats, and blankets on. It was kind of like watching a game in Cincinnati.

I am taking a block of the month quilt class here. On the first Saturday of February, I went to the class, and my sewing/embroidery machine broke. I left it there for them to fix. I was told 2 to 3 days unless they have to wait for parts. Today is 15 days and the parts are out of stock. It needs a new motherboard and touch screen. It sounds expensive. I have a lot of projects waiting.

We have a brand new granddaughter. Katherine Elizabeth Sagel was born on Feb. 16. 2010 at 10:13 A.M. and weighed 8 pounds 2.5 ounces to Jeff and Susan Sagel. They called us on Monday, the 15th and said the doctor was going to induce labor at 8:00 P.M. on Monday. We started home at 2:15 P.M. and were at the hospital at 8:00 A.M. We got there 2 hours before Baby Kate was born. She is absolutely beautiful with lots of hair and lovely skin coloring. She was born on Tuesday and came home on Wednesday. They had a little scare and had to take her to Children's hospital on Thursday because she had not gone to the bathroom at all. She lost 8 ounces. They sent her home with formula and now all systems are working fine.

We had a stowaway with us on the trip home. Sue Mayer rode along so she could visit her children and grandchildren. We enjoyed her company. It made the car ride seem to go faster.

It was nice to see all of our family while we were home, but you can keep that snow and cold. Our next trip home will be in April. Jay and Cynthia's baby BOY is due April 4th. If you ask Carolyn and Maria what their new brother's name is going to be, they tell you Pluto. Perhaps this little baby will have a nickname before he's even here.

On Valentine's Day, John's parents, his sister Joan, niece Kim, and Norm and Sue went for a boat ride with us. It was 62 degrees out, but sunny and warm with the canvas down. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. The company, the food, and the scenery was all good.

Before we went home, Charlie and Diann Myers came to visit Norm, Sue, John, and me. We went out to lunch with them. Do you notice a recurring theme here? It was nice to visit with people from home.

Today is another scheduled dinghy ride. Our restaurant destination is Pinchers. We've not been there before, but I'm sure it will be good. Retirement seems to be a lot of eating out.

Sat., Jan. 23, 2010

Finally, the weather is getting warmer. We have happy hour every afternoon at 4:30. We have met some really nice people who have had some interesting boating experiences. Tomorrow morning, Norm and Sue, and John and I are going to Ding Darling to anchor out for a few days. We plan on exploring the area in the dinghy while there.

So far, Jeff and Susan's baby has not made its debut. As soon as we get the word that she's in labor, we will start home. We are looking forward to seeing everyone.

We are eating a lot more fish than normal. It tastes so good when it's so fresh. We had stone crabs a couple of nights ago. They were cold, but good. I also tried mussels. I had tried them in Cincy and did not like them, but this time they were good. Maybe it's my taste buds or maybe it's fresher and tastier.

Today Jeff Conniff called and said he and Norm made the crossing 2 nights ago. Cheri drove the car. They are planning on stopping here at Paradise Preserve to visit when they get this far. My hope is that the baby doesn't come before they get here, or we won't be here.

COLD COLD COLD

Carol and I went back to Cincinnati for the holidays and had a great time visiting family and friends. The grandchildren have gotten so much more "grown up"in the past few months. We got back to Cincinnati on Dec 17th. and spent a week with my parents and the second week with Gina and Jim, Clara and Lindy. Sure wish I had some of Lindy's energy.

It was cold while we were in Cincy. Christmas was a lot of fun since all the grand kids are just at the right age for the wonderment of the season.

We came back to the boat in N. Fort Myers on the !st. of January. It is still cold. Since we have been back the warmest day has started out at mid 40's and got to mid 60's. We have also had a lot of rain. At least we didn't have the 6 inches of snow like in Cincy. This week, the weather is suppose to improve considerably.

We have been watching a lot of football with Paul and Patty. The Cincy teams did as well as usual. We have installed a marine satalite TV system and Dish TV should be out this week to hook us up thier network. It took John a week to mount the satalite reciever (4 hours) and run the cable (5 days) including drilling holes in the boat and fishing cable in the boat.

We did have a nice visit from John's cousin Dave and his mother. Spent a day at the dog track. Carol and I did not win a single race but had a marvelous time. The day before we were going to go out for a boat ride but with 50 degree temps. and 40 MPH winds, we stayed in port and partied on the back deck.

Well, that's all for now from "sunny" Florida.

Nov. 26th through Dec.12th

Hello, it's been awhile, hasn't it? We've been busy getting adjusted to being retired. Paul & Patty, and Norm & Sue have been wonderful guides here in Florida. They have been showing us where the best restaurants and shopping are. They have led us to many Happy Hours, bars, and places to watch the Bengals and U.C. play football. Paul and Patty took us to sing karaoke. I've never done that before and I LOVED IT! (Paul, you've created a monster.) They have introduced us to so many really nice people (their friends). My Christmas sewing is finished, the shopping is finished and the gifts are wrapped. I found a great sewing store and I've signed up for a quilting class. It's a block of the month class. Even though we won't be here through the end of the class, the owner of the shop said she would send me the instructions and designs in the mail each month after we've left here.

We are anxious to see all of our family and friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!