Thursday, January 26, 2012

We had a wonderful day at Busch Gardens again today.  Larry & Carolyn Jarvis went with us again.  We all wanted to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra with The Diamonds show, and they did put on a great show.

As we were entering the park, we noticed that they grow the kids big here in FL.

Then it was time to see some of the larger animals.  The alligators were large enough that we were glad that they were on the other side of the fence.

The gorilla made such a nice picture that I sent it out with a message “meet your cousin”.

After these animals we stopped to see some birds.

We also took a ride on the train around to Stanleyville to get our tickets to the Glenn Miller show.  For lunch we went to the Zambia Smokehouse where we had beef brisket sandwiches on flatbread.  They are a do again, although next time we will share one.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

We left after lunch to drive to Tavares, FL for a doctor appointment to see if Marilyn’s arthritic hands could be made to feel better.  Halfway there, caution lights lit up on the dash of the Jeep – the ABS system, the 4WD system needed to be serviced, along with a couple of other lights.

Our first stop was the arthritis doctor, who told Marilyn that nothing could be done with osteo-arthritic hands.  Then we stopped to get Marilyn some larger knitting needles followed by a stop to get my new glasses adjusted.

Since we also needed an oil change, we went to Advantage Chrysler Jeep Dodge.  They did a diagnosis, and found that a speed sensor in one of the rear tires had gone bad.  So, $237 later, just over an hour, we were back on the road with no warning or caution lights lit up.

We did good getting gasoline though.  We used our Winn-Dixie gasoline discount card at one of the listed Shell stations (Mt Dora), and got gas for $3.36 per gallon ($0.15 off per gallon).  Not cheap, but better than $3.519 per gallon. 

Wednesday & Thursday–Two Fun Days

Yesterday, we had a wonderful lunch and visit with Paul & Peg Gifford.  Ken & Alice Miller joined us also.  (Alice is Paul’s first wife’s sister).  Peg baked a delicious egg casserole.  As always, we look forward to seeing all of them again soon.  The first picture is everyone but me, then Marilyn and Paul, then Ken followed by Alice.

Today, we went to Busch Gardens, spending the day with Larry & Carolyn Jarvis, and Frank & Maureen Halliday.  This was our first time to use our new Florida Fun Passes.  We get to continue returning to the park for free now.  On the way in to the park, the tram driver said we should start by taking pictures of ourselves, so I did.

We all had lunch together and watched the “Let’s Dance” show.

Next we took a ride and the cable cars.  Marilyn started out saying “don’t shake this thing”, but she began to enjoy the view as the ride progressed.

Our next ride was on the train that circles the park.

Continuing our walk around, we could not resist taking pictures of these butterflies.  That is Carolyn Jarvis in the picture with me. 

Larry Jarvis just had to have his picture taken with Big Bird.

Then Marilyn found some kangaroos to take pictures of: 

We finished up our day at Busch Gardens with the “Doo-Wop” show of great music.

What have we done since January 1, 2012, It is now the 16th.

We have been enjoying not having a lot to do.  We try to walk 3 miles every day before breakfast if it is not too cold.  Yesterday morning was 30 when we got up – no walk.  This morning it was 42 and Marilyn had a talk to go to at nine, so we walked in the afternoon.  I have been trying to get all of our old photographs scanned into the computer.  Finished about 1500 except for labeling them.  I think there are 2 more albums to scan.  We did pick up our new glasses last week, although mine need some more adjusting.

Last week was the Tampa RV Super Show.  We did not work.  In past years, we have sold Escapees memberships with another couple.  They backed out last fall, and we begged out in late November.  Escapees must have decided to cancel the show much earlier than that, because their name was not included in the show book.  We did attend the show on Wednesday, and spent the day going in and out of several of the new rigs, plus wandering each vendor building. 

Marilyn and I decided that we would try to lose weight this year.  We have stopped drinking Manhattans except on Sunday, and we only go out to eat one time per week.  It is starting to show, now that we are in our third week.  Last Sunday, we gathered for cocktails at the Jarvis’ site with a some other couples.  Yesterday, we cocktailed with Pete and Mitzi Hull, and Larry and Carolyn Jarvis.  I worked with Pete for many years at the IRS.

Our dinner with Pete and Mitzi was barbecued Halibut, and we still have some in the freezer from Alaska.  We always enjoy our afternoons catching up on our lives.

Happy New Year, Sunday, January 1, 2012

We celebrated the end of 2011 at the Sumter Oaks RV Park clubhouse.  Everyone in the park was invited to the wedding reception put on by the Pearlite’s and the Colbert’s for the marriage of Pearline Pearlite to Lance Van Colbert.  The invitation stated that in lieu of gifts, guests were “Politely asked to bring and share some horses’ ovaries”.  When we arrived, we found that we were seated next to the grandfather (Pappy) of the Bride along with Pappy’s current wife, Henrietta VIII).    The parents of the Bride (Minnie Pearlite and Duke Twayne of Booger Holler) came in first:    They were soon followed by the parents of the Groom.  They were Victoria and Vance Van Colbert.      Booger Holler was next to a mountain, which was owned by the Colberts. 

The bride and groom arrived, and were escorted to their reception table by their parents.  They sat with the best man and matron of honor.   

After the wedding party had the opportunity to fill their plates, all of the guests lined up to partake of the “horses’ ovaries”. 

The bride and groom made a lovely couple as they danced the night away.    Others were on the dance floor also.  We saw the best man (in reality the husband of the groom) dance with the matron of honor (in reality the wife of the bride).    The festivities never seemed to end.  Even the bride’s sisters showed up for the event.

We also had another memorable cake cutting ceremony (like so many weddings).  The matron of honor even chastised the bride and groom before they cut the cake. 

Once again, I ended up with lipstick on my face as I was kissed by the bride. 

Among the entertainers, Larry Jarvis sang to us a beautiful Tony Bennett love song “When I Fall In Love”.

And, as the entertainment drew to a close we were once again visited by Father Time 2011 and Baby New Year 2012. 

As the ball dropped in New York City, Marilyn and I drank another toast of Champaign to the New Year 2012.