TWO MORE BUSY WEEKS IN FLORIDA

The week of January 19th began a little slow which was good as it gave us time to rest up after the three days straight of riding bus and sight seeing.  On Tuesday we went to the Spaghetti Dinner here in the park, where there was a Country Music singer after dinner.

But even more important to us was the couple from Niagara Falls Canada that we met, who just began their first year as Full Timers. Jeff and Judy are a very nice couple who we found we had a lot in common with.  At some point in his life, Jeff must have done some engineering as he and Gary could talk that to no end.  And when I asked Judy if she scrap books, she was very enthused to plan meeting with me at the activity center on Tuesdays to pursue that hobby!!  I was elated of course as my first day at the center had been spent by myself.  I did get a lot done though.

Judy and Jeff

It was interesting how we happened to be sitting across from each other for dinner.  We were both late in arriving at the Hall so ended up in the back corner in what few seats were left.  We started talking and didn't stop!!  They are younger than we are so that is also good for us!!

 

Later that week we droved down I-75 to Cracker Barrell and met up with a friend, Barb, who used to be in our Sunday School class back home at First Friends.

Barb, Gary and Audrey

This is not the first time that we have connected with her down here, so it was good to catch up on news.  She was on her way over near Orlando to see one of her daughters and her family.  We will try to connect up again before the end of March if we can all find the time.  It is always good to see old friends!!

The next day Gary went out to Dade Battlefield again for what was to be a re-enactment.  It was rainy so did not turn out to be an actual re-enactment, but informative and enjoyable, non the less.

 

We have been trying to walk here in the park, though do not get it done as often as we should.  Diane, I just had to show you the Knomes that we found on one of our walks.  Hope that you are still enjoying yours. 

Sunday we took a drive down to Brookesville and had dinner at Golden Corral after church.  Then on Monday I made a pot of chicken soup since all it seems to do is rain.  Thus many days have been very cool, or even down right cold!!  So much humidity that we had to get out the dehumidifier.

Lois we just wanted to let you know that we met Marie and Len while sitting out one afternoon.  They stopped by to introduce themselves.  Also, I think that the couple who you had asked about finally arrived across the road behind us.  Everyone misses you and Don!!

On Tuesday while I was scrapbooking with Judy and another lady who is only here for the week, I got a call to meet up with cousins who were traveling through on their way from Miami to Ohio by way of Port Charlotte and Bushnell.  It was great for Gary and I to meet up with Tom and Judy as well as Bill and Barb for a short visit.  They were hoping to beat the storm home, but ended up staying a couple days in Brunswick GA until the worst of the storm was over.

That evening we went to the Elvis impersonator show here in the Park.  It is always well attended, and I think that they have this Jimmy Smith here every other year.  We had seen him before, but enjoyed it just as much again.  Jimmy did many other artists songs as well, such as Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Crash Craddick, Conway Twitty, George Jones, and Bobby Darin, to name a few.  He has a great voice!!

Elvis, Jimmy and Elvis!

Jimmy and Elvis!

Yes, Tina, Elvis is dead, but it seems we keep seeing him about!! People just don't let him rest in peace!!

There was a little chap by the name of Carson in the front row who was very agreeable to go up on stage and show his dance routine!  Jimmy got quite a kick out of it.  Just wish we would have been in the front row to have watched little Carson's feet!!



Not sure who is learning from whom!!

I do believe that they both had loads of fun!!

Wednesday was doctor day in Dade City for Gary, and of course I had to get a little shopping in again at BonWorths.  We stopped again at BubbaQue for dinner.  Then home to rest up for the next day on a bus trip to Port Canaveral for a Casino Cruise on the Atlantic on Victory.

Their bus picks us up right here in the Park.

Victory Cruise Ship

 






I got to play bingo for a while also.  It was a pretty rocky boat ride even though the ship was pretty big, so did not do real well walking around. They had musicians and a dance floor also.  We had their buffet dinner also.  Always good food.

This past Saturday did not look too promising for sunshine, but we bit the bullet and drove up to Mt. Dora for their big Art Festival.  We were able to stay dry and enjoyed the day very much.

The prices here began at $3500, and the bronze rocker on the right was $19,000.

Prices here were in the thousands!!  Awesome work!!

I had to take pictures from a distance, or from the back of the booth as in the chairs booth.  Seems some of the artists do not like you taking pictures, as if I could copy any of their work!! I did hear from someone that their fear is of the pictures floating about on the Internet and being mass copied in some other country. 
Some of these are repeats of the show we saw there in 2010, but enjoyed them again.  And they keep coming back, so must be making sales!!  They seemed to keep busy.

We stopped in at the Masonic Temple for a cheeseburger lunch.  It was good to rest the feet!!

The weather was perfect for lunch on the porch!!

Yesterday, we had dinner at a Mexican Restaurant in front of the park after church.  Food and service was very good.  We had wondered why it always has such a full parking lot.  Now we know.

Later in the afternoon Jeff and Judy stopped by.  Great to visit again!!

Now I am caught up with my Blog and hope to stay that way!!  I need to do pictures every day and it would work easier that way.  I did get my Blog printed in hard back for the year 2013.  Thanks to Bob and Donna for the idea!!  I hope to keep getting one each year.

Speaking of Bob and Donna, we enjoy your Blog as well, and you seem to be having much fun!!  Maybe we will see you again when we get out west this year.

Take care now and stay tuned.