GULF BEACH RESORT

 The screened porch and entrance to our condo.

The view from just inside the door.

Another view from just inside the door. You can also see the computer area.

Our sitting area. The TV is just inside the front door 

where I was standing to take the previous pictures.

We have found a place for all our belongings, and our rule is that everything must be put away immediately. So far so good, but then it's only been a day. A few more pictures and more news on the next post.

MORE PICTURES

 Crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge - a new thrill every time we cross it.

 Someone's hiding on the beach already!!

 A friendly visitor.

This will probably where I'll do my reading.

We arrived in Sarasota at the Gulf Beach Resort about 2 pm yesterday. After we found a place for all our things in our small but comfortable room, we spent a little time on the beach. Later in the afternoon we went to St. Armand's Circle where we had a delicious dinner, then strolled the circle - still hoping a glass alligator will jump out at us. 

There is a huge Arts Festival at the circle today, so later today we'll head back there and see what's going on and probably have some pizza.

OUR DAYS

Yep! This is how we spend our days when we're NOT out on the beach or pool. It's really nice to have a clean-freak, ocd husband who spoils me!

We have two more nights here - all of a sudden the time is going by quickly. Friday we will go to Sarasota for a week. We plan to see some friends we worked with many, many years ago in Dwight. I suppose they're kinda old now also. Then to Ft. Lauderdale for several days.

The weather has been beautiful, by far the best of all the times we've come to Florida.

Cleve & Kathleen visit Mike/Ann and Lynn/Mim

Last weekend, enroute to Florida, we stopped in Anderson, South Carolina for a wonderful 24 hours.

After seeing and touring the beautiful like-new ranch home of Uncle Lynn's, along with an update on the South Carolina Primary (the very next morning!), the 4 of us departed to Ann and Mike's spacious home, less than 5 minutes away. After a long day of teaching by Ann, she and Mike were still able to serve us all a fantastic and bountiful Southern-style dinner. We had a great visit and Kathleen and I then returned to a "bed-and-breakfast"...(yes, Uncle Lynn's comfortable home!). The next morning, after voting, Ann and Mike returned to her parents home where all 6 of us enjoyed a delicious breakfast, followed by an informative and interesting tour of the city of Anderson -- with native Mike narrating. We learned that the Bailes name is a longtime professional and respected mainstay in Anderson, S.C.

The photos reveal Mike's hobby of hunting deer (the 2 on the right side he shot in Alberta, Canada...the many others locally). He also does his own taxidermy!!!..... including the 10-pound+ largemouth bass he caught in a local farm pond.
For any of you traveling southeastwardly, we'd highly recommend stopping by
Uncle Lynn's & Ann's place for some great Southern Hospitality. You, and they, will love it. Thanks Uncle Lynn, Aunt Mim, cousin Ann and Mike.

Since we've been talking about aging . . . .

Old folks are worth a fortune: with silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet, and gas in their stomachs.

I have become a lot more social with the passing of years; some might even call me a frivolous old gal. I'm seeing five gentlemen every day.

As soon as I wake up, Will Power helps me get out of bed. Then I go see John. Then Charley Horse comes along, and when he is here he takes a lot of time and attention. When he leaves, Arthur Ritis shows up and stays the rest of the day. (He doesn't like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint.) After such a busy day, I'm really tired and glad to go to bed - with Ben Gay. What a life!

P.S. The preacher came to call the other day. He said that at my age, I should be thinking abou the hereafter. I told him I do - all the time. No matter where I am - in the den, upstairs, in the kitchen or down in the basement - I ask myself, "Now, what am I here after?"

SENIORS ON THE BEACH

I'll bet this SENIOR BEAUTY gets all the OLD MEN'S attention

as she struts along the beach!!

Places I've Been and Haven't Been

Some of you have seen this and Lynn suggested I send it to everyone here. Hope you enjoy it and let us know which places you've been to.

Places I've Been and Haven't Been

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots.
Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots
with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes
you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport;
you have to be driven there. I have made several trips
there, thanks to my friends, family, and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and
I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I
try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important
to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm
getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really
gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my
age I need all the stimuli I can get!

I may have been in Continent, but I don't remember what
country I was in. It's an age thing.

Grandma Time

I spent a couple days with the Endress children while their parents were gone.  We had a good time even though little Heidi was sick with the flu.  Here she is with her big sister, Sarah.

Andrew and Laura love to play games.  Probe and Scrabble were our favorites.  I also enjoyed being their school teacher on Monday and Tuesday.  They realized that most other school children had the day off on Monday, but they were good sports and got their work done earlier than usual.  I regret that I didn't get any good pictures of Matthew and Julia. 

Today Elizabeth called and asked if I am sick.  Two or three more of the children caught Heidi's flu.  She said it is going around and I am sure exposed!
Posted by Carol

HELLO FROM J & A

We're having a nice time in Florida. The weekend was rather chilly, but today it is warm and sunny and is supposed to continue to get warmer and be in the 80's by the weekend.

Here are a few pictures of our "indoor" activity from last week - began the project on Monday night and completed it this morning.

 We got off to a good start - this is about two days into the puzzle.

 By Sunday evening, we were almost done, but just got tired about 11 pm.

The finished puzzle this morning - CATS, CATS, CATS, everywhere CATS!!

In addition to this puzzle, our activities last week included lunch with a couple of Jerry's HS teachers, a birthday dinner of roast pork, baked potato, salad, and cherry pie a-la-mode, and lunch with George and Hilde on Friday. On Saturday we went north to Tarpon Springs to an outdoor arts/crafts show on the historic boardwalk. Jerry watched some of the entertainment while I went into the shops along the boardwalk. Nothing appealed to me - I think I may have finally outgrown the impulsive tourist shopping I've always enjoyed. Unless, of course, that mini-green alligator jumps out at me sometime!

We went to Sarasota to church on Sunday. Heard two good sermons and saw a few people that we know. Then we went out to Lido Beach, west of Sarasota, and found a little motel/resort and reserved a room there for a week after we leave here. It's quaint, old, clean, right on the waterfront, and inexpensive. Perfect.

Jerry's back on the beach today, and I went grocery shopping and did laundry this morning.

Surprise!

This is what you may find in your bathroom sink when you are remodeling your kitchen. I put these hard-boiled eggs in to cool, and a couple of hours later was startled when I walked by the bathroom sink and there they were. The project was going well until I found out I can't find kitchen faucets I really like...so the sink won't be hooked up again until I get busy and make a decision.

Follow-up on ANOTHER OLD PICTURE

Thank you for the good response to this oldie photo; however, I'm sorry that I do not know the location. I was hopeful that someone would recognize it.

RAINY DAY

Today was a chilly, cloudy, rainy day, so we decided to go the Flea Market, browse a bit, have a hotdog, listen to music, etc. It was mildly sprinkling when we left, but as we got about 4-5 blocks away, the deluge began. We could barely see where were going. Gulf Blvd - our main drag - is a two lane narrow highway with a bike track and a walking path on both sides and condo's along the west side and  restaurants and/or more condo's on the east side. The puddles on my side of the car were splashing water as we drove through them.

After all that driving through the water, when we got to the Flea Market, it was closed - I assume due to the rain. So we went to the Tyrone Mall instead. Ate at the Food Court's Chick-Filet (don't think that's spelled right), then Jerry patiently let me browse some stores. Think I need to go back by myself sometime :)! Great mall.

He's on the beach now, rain stopped but it's still a little cloudy with some sun popping through. I need to get at the jigsaw puzzle we're working on. As you can see, our life is quite stressful right now!!

An Opportunity

Earlier this school year one day Dad had to stop by my classroom for something. I had the seniors in there that period, and he ended up staying and talking with them for about fifteen minutes just sharing things with them.

They loved it and asked that he come back, so I cleared it with the principal, and ever since then he's come about once every couple of weeks and just talked with them for about fifteen minutes at a time. They come talk to him when they see him at various school functions such as the Christmas program, and always want to know how he is doing and when he can come back to class.

Yesterday the seniors voted for Dad to be their graduation speaker this May. :-)

Two Questions

It's not too late after Christmas to consider the following questions. I always enjoy reading what people have to say for these two topics - most folks' answers not only cause the reader to learn much about them, but also are really good stories!!!

So, with that as a preamble:

1. What is one of the best gifts you've ever received; and

2. What is one of the best gifts you've ever given?

(Not necessarily limited to Christmas gifts; just overall in your life.)

RANDOM PICTURES FROM FLORIDA

 Kelsie and Grandpa watching sunset from our patio.

 Angela, Kelsie, and Nathan cuddling before going to bed.

 Grandma and Kelsie having dinner at the Salt Rock Grill.

 Jerry, Ada, Vic and Jean - they have sold their house and are moving

leaving next week. We will miss them if we come back next year as we always

have one or two lunches with them.

Grandpa, Kelsie, Grandma. Kelsie is going to Jacksonville tomorrow.

The Photo

Recheck the photo of Perry, Aunt Mary, Mother, Carlton and Alice!

It is amazing the "stuff" a person encounters when getting into a closet. The photo was such a surprise that I couldn't pass up the idea of not putting it on the blog. And you all have responded quite well. NEXT--can anyone identify the location?

Another Old Picture

Here's another family remembrance that I thought you'd enjoy viewing. The photos of yesterday indeed bring fond memories.

TOO COLD IN FLORIDA

 Angela and family on the boardwalk following the delicious dinner at Scully's.

(ignore the uninvited guest behind Heater)

 Nathan is deciding which game to play next.

Grandma, Kelsie, Jerry, and Heater playing a heated game of Skipbo.

OK - something strange is going on again, but I'm going to post this anyway and see what it does on the Blog. 

The Wetzels flew out of Largo this morning around 10 am and I think are driving from Chicago to B'ton as I write this. Kelsie will be with us until Sunday when she will go back to Jacksonville. She and I went shopping today to get some material to make covers for the pillows on the sofa in her apartment. We're looking forward to three days with her.

Happy New Year to all.

Hello Family and Happy New Year!

I would LOVE to hear your Resolution(s) if you made one.

Here are mine:

1. I will embrace joy in all it's forms...no whining, wishing or "what if"

2. I will continue to grow a healthy lifestyle which includes allowing my body to rest when it's tired!

Love to all,

Jodie