CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY MAKING HERE AT OUR WINTER HOME.

 

Christmas here at SKP Resort has come and gone!!  But I need to get one more Blog posted so that I can get the order for my hard back book of our  2022 Blogs.  We had to make a trip to Port Charlotte for an Oil change in the Honda Monday, December 19th.  So while in that neck of the woods, we also stopped in Punta Gorda to see our Ohio friends, Bill and Esther.  Bill had recently taken a fall when out walking in their park.  Unfortunately, it caused some damage and Bill had to have surgery to get relief from a brain bleed.  Then he was in rehab for a time while that healed.  He had just gotten back to his home the day before we got there, so we stopped for a short visit with them.  He is now having therapy at home so we expect to see him out and about soon.  Esther is doing pretty good and their daughter and grand-daughter were visiting from Ohio to give them a hand.  After the first of the year we hope to get back there for another visit.

Before getting back home we also stopped at Audrey's niece's children and grandchildren's home outside of Port Charlotte.  That also was a great visit and must do that again when we can stay longer.  

The results at the Honda dealer said we also need four new tires!!  Now we finally got that done today in Sebring, Florida.  It was a lot closer to home, so we are poorer, but safer!!

Gary is back into his Art meetings with other Florida friends.  We have also jumped back into more appointments with our local doctors here.  This will also mean more follow-up for sure.  

Gary then took a field trip with some of the men from our park to see Nucor Steel where rebar is made.  The men here really enjoyed the trip.  They had no idea how much knowledge Gary had of the subject.  It brought all of his work knowledge back in full swing!!  

 I did do some cookie baking until I ran out of time. We have given a lot of cookies out to others, but we have had too much feasting also!!! 

We also bought a little used fridge here in the park, so that gave me extra cold storage for ingredients and candy and cookies. We bought an old large fridge last year that we had to constantly take off 3 to 4 inches of ice weekly.  So we never turned that one on this year when we got back.  We just got rid of it.   

Christmas finally got here and our park had dinner in the clubhouse at 2 pm.  We found space to join others who we had never sat with before.  It was a good time of visiting, as usual!!

Sitting with different friends, Janet across from
Skip.  Ginny across from her husband, Norman.
and I was sitting across from Gary when he was
not off taking pictures!

Miss Vera and Gary

While there Gary had taken a gift wrapped drawing for a surprise gift for a 92 year old resident,  Miss Vera.  It was a drawing made from the likeness of a five year old picture of her that someone had given to Gary.  The suggestion was made for him to do this last year and he did remember to do it..  She has come to see us to request that we come to see it hanging in her home.  She said that it is not hidden away under a bed! So we must take a walk soon and stop to visit her.  

This Wednesday evening the park will be resuming our weekly Bingo. I almost hate to get back to the routine again!!  But it is one of my duties.   We are all expected to get involved in running the park.  Hm-m-m!

Sunday, December 18th, we also had several activities at our church for the Holidays, so will share pictures when I can.  

Pastor Kevin waiting as the Children were leaving
stage following their Sunday evening pageant.

The sermon Sunday was great where we learned of different slants to the historic stories.  We also had a young girl baptized at the end of the service.  It was a very meaningful service!!

Yesterday afternoon we had a couple, Rodney and Sandy,  from our Ohio campground stop by to see us here in Florida. They are in a resort in Avon Park, FL.   It was great to see them and catch up on news.  

We also got word that friends, Dave and Laura, a couple we had first met at Mesa Regal in Arizona, have bought a home here in Florida not too far from us.  So that gives us another short trip to make for visiting.  They were originally from Rapid City, S Dakota.    

It is Wednesday, so it is now time to get ready to go resume Bingo. 

Friday, December 30th, was another fun evening that we looked forward to.  We each were to take what they called heavy hors d'oeuvres.  No bags of chips for this event!  So at Gary's suggestion I made veggie pizza.  There were many different dishes and crock pots!! I never knew there were so many different varieties of meat balls!!    Yum-m-my!!  This was followed with our "Yankee Swap".  Tons of fun and much swapping of a few of the gifts!!!  

Remember the much used Fanny Paks?
Well, someone found a "Belly Pak" that made
it's rounds in the group.  I think George was
having too much fun wearing it!!  
Notice the "belly button"

There was a couple 'Ott lights' that got 
stolen often.  I really wanted one of those
to take home for my late night reading.

Skip got the second 'Ott light'.

Sorry Skunky!!
No one would trade for the falsies she got!!

But the popcorn was much sought after!

The 'belly pak' began it's rounds! 

New Year's Eve, another music and dance evening.  But we've decided that we are going to be lazy and stay at home in front of the TV.  

Friends, Sandy and Lou 'from Tennessee'  walked over to visit us.  They are on the other side of our resort.   Much good catching up!!  Gary was able to give them the drawing that he had done of their dog, Jake!!  They appreciated that!!

So our year will go out as much of it was enjoyed.  Just relaxing!!!  Take care and have a Healthy, Happy New Year all of you friends and relatives!!