This part of Florida is a really nice spot to vacation. The weather yesterday was 79 and today it was 78 with some afternoon overcast and humidity. We are lathered in sun screen but I still got burnt on my shoulders today. At Fort Myers Beach, the sand is hard packed, fine (almost like talc), and as white as can be. Last weeks storm has churned up the sea so the water is a murky greenish brown. Continue reading
We arrived about an hour late on Saturday due to de-icing hold-ups at Detroit Metro Airport but we managed to get settled in by 3:30pm. The condo is very nice, right on the beach, and well appointed for our stay. It’s like staying at someone’s house, everything is right at hand. Continue reading
Jean and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary yesterday, December 29th. It is always a challenge to make plans to celebrate since there is no telling what the weather will dish out in late December. We decided to take a short drive to Shaker Village for an overnight stay. Jean and I had dined there before but never spent the night. We made dinner and breakfast reservations and headed out on our long journey after Jean came home from work.
At check in we were given a room in “East Family Dwelling”. The rooms are decorated to maintain the original Shaker layout of a very simple design. The building we stayed in was an original family dwelling from the Shaker days. I’m sure the Shakers didn’t enjoy the modern restrooms, Sealy mattress, and heating systems. The outside temperatures dropped below freezing Friday night and the room did get a bit chilly but that only made the comfortable bed a bit harder to get out of Saturday morning. I am glad that we didn’t have to do it all Shaker style.
Our dinner reservations were at 7:15 and we both enjoyed the great evening meal. We were still feeling the effects of the big Friday evening meal Saturday morning and breakfast was not sounding very interesting. We will have to go back some other time and try out the breakfast buffet.
All in all we had a very enjoyable evening. I suppose I better start looking now for something to do for the 35th. The way time flies it will be here much too soon. You can check out our weekend pictures here.
Check out our latest family movie (5.5Mb) after the jump. Continue reading
This morning we woke up to giggles and cheers of ‘Look at all the snow’! We are experiencing our first snowfall and accumulation for the season. By the looks of the road the snow plough has not made it down our way yet and we will have to search our garage for the snow shovel. With lots of things to do this busy time of year, I think we will stay put and fill our house with the smell of mmm baked cookies. More pictures after the jump. Continue reading
These last two weeks have been a very busy time for Laura. She has been studying hard, finishing up reports, getting tested in her clinical and writing her final exams. She had 11 exams/tests and done well in all. Way to go girl!
Tom drove down to Windsor on Friday afternoon to bring her home for the holidays. They stopped off at Costco to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Laura will be home for some R&R and then head back to start a new semester on January 7th.
Laura was able to get back in ‘home mode’ with pjs on till noon etc. Lucas was extremely happy to have Laura home and has been sticking by her like glue. I know as parents we are happy to have our little nests full again.
The Wow Factor was right up there. We stayed at the Paris Hotel and Casino right in the heart of Las Vegas Blvd. Had an upgraded Suite, king size bed and all the trimmings and a view overlooking the famous Bell Fountain. While Nick was at his conference I ventured about roaming from one end of the strip to the other. I even economized and bought a jumbo hot dog and a Miller Lite combo for $2.00 and sat on a park bench at 11am and had my lunch. Went on a dam coach tour to the Hoover Dam, ate buffalo chili and even shopped. I tried my hand at the slot machines and was too chicken to try the tables. Had fun though watching strangers loose their stacks of chips. Got invited to a cocktail party at the top of the Hilton, held in Elvis’s private suite, now that was pretty cool. Went to two nightclubs, LAX at the Luxor and Body English at the Hard Rock Cafe. Didn’t get up on the dance floor but got plenty of Cosmo’s and scoped out the pole dancers. Left the glitz and glamour behind and now its back to reality. Check out my Las Vegas pictures here.
Well the big guy celebrated his 50 something bday today. The weather was cooperative and he drove down to Windsor at noon to pick up Laura for the weekend. On the return, they stopped at the DMV in Tilbury to get the license tags for the vehicles. The ladies there gave Tom a lollipop and wished him happy birthday. When he got home the mail lady had delivered cards from Rosemary & John and Catherine & Bill. When I got home from school low and behold Tom had already made supper. To Laura’s delight it was his specialty mushroom-wine chicken using Linderman Bin 65. It was just right! Instead of a cake I baked an apple pie with sharp cheddar and a fine brew of Columbian java. And then the piece de resistance… a birthday serenade over speaker phone from Eileen. I know he has enjoying every minute of it as he is now relaxing in his bathrobe as I type. Tomorrow we will go out to the Rice and Noodle for Thai food. Hope you had a great day Tom.
Today being October 17th, the bells and whistles go off and Nicole we will all be thinking of you. We will also be cheering for you on the ice as I understand that your hockey season starts this week as well. Go out there and get a goal or two. Going brunette is something of a change..don’t think you can hide, your sunshine smile will give you away every time. All the best from your Ontario relatives.
THE Right Brain vs Left Brain test … do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise? (200KB) Continue reading