Christmas

It was good. Beachers in St. Augustine was nice, could see the ocean right out the windows, opened Christmas presents under my lame palm Christmas tree in my parents room – got some books. Setup the Wii in my bedroom at the hotel – and we sang and played lego rock band on our new guitar hero band set for hours. Then played sports resort – mostly watching the boys fly around and around the island ( a little like the sortie of pelicans that pass the balcony ever hour or so). Boys jumped in the heated pool – and then we took the Durango out on the beach – No one told N. that the ocean was cold so he played in it for probably 45 minutes, amazing. Dinner was at a snooty restaurant down the shore at a nice country club, good food – N. had chicken tenders there as well.

Saturday we walked through old St. Augustine – parking was a pain, but it was cute cobblestoned streets, little shops – we tried alligator tail, and toured the castle, then rode the Ripley train trough town. It was chilly and when we got close to the minigolf place (free with train tix!) we jumped off and played a round S. started with a hole in one and N. was winning after the first nine holes – but I stormed back to be the gracious winner. We eat at Sonny’s BBQ which was ok, S. liked it, it was all you could eat. Back to the rooms to pack the cars.

Bunga and Umpa also provided a day at one of the theme parks – and I debated where to go for a while. Busch Gardens was closest to our final destination Tampa/Largo – but we’d need to drive 4 hours to reach it the try and get our money’s worth from tickets – We looked for someplace where we could see alligators, maybe a airboat ride or Orlando. It was decided to go back to the Magic Kingdom – since N. didn’t remember it and we would be sure to hit the high points since we knew our way around. It was a crowded, and wet day, but we arrived (steamship) to see the 11:00 parade, then Swiss Family Robinsons tree house – the went through the new pirates of the Caribbean ride. Lunch in Pecos Bills was a fiasco , not enough tables. We then wandered toward tomorrowland – which is where we ended our day around 8pm. Dropped my parents at the hotel near the airport and then off to the camper.

Christmas Travels

C. and the boys are in Pa. step one of their trip south. Bunga and Umpa arrive tomorrow night, and we all gather in St. Augustine Thursday afternoon. Presents are wrapped, Chex mix (Dad Style) is made (and half eaten).

Work is fine - taking forever to get the project going, I have some busywork which is better than sitting trying to look busy.

Potential visit

Started Christmas shopping today- figuring it's easy to hide things 1300 miles away. Ironically I discovered my flights to Ct. for either 12/10 or 12/17 - would be over $300. But if reversed, C. could get down here for like $230... Now it's a matter of figuring out if we can get coverage for Logan, S. will be at Camp Workcoeman - but the boys would need someone to get them off to school Monday and Tuesday...

We'll see.

Back to Florida

Thanksgiving is over - Went to C.'s family for Thanksgiving. It's interesting how that dynamic has changed over the last 25 years, It was the cousin's kids (pre teen) at first, now those three have about 8 kids between them (blended families). Saturday, instead of going out to Winsted (no power) - my parents came here, with turkey and ham, it was a good day, although I didn't find Kevin online. C. went to her 25th reunion at the Elks in the evening, she had a good time - I spent the evening with the boys. Church was ok on Sunday, the god thing is it does feel like home - and I saw the betrothed Jaimee and Mike! Scooter came over and hung out in the afternoon - and when I dropped of D. for his MYF thanksgiving dinner, went out with Scott, and was reminded that although we're peers, his grandpa stuff is something I'm glad not to deal with yet!

Going to stop and get a tooth looked at, and then grandma will drive me to the airport.

Holiday News

1 - Thanksgiving, I leave Wed. for home, will be in town through Monday. C. has us going to Wallyworld for Thanksgiving day, Ugh. Then she has her 25th HS Reunion Saturday, I'm going to spend the day/evening with my parents for Thanksgiving instead.

2 - Christmas, My family is driving down, and my parents are flying down. We will spend the holiday in St. Augustine at a hotel on the beach. Flights home were expensive, and I couldn't afford to miss the 3 days of work, so everyone is adjusting and coming down here.

3 - Windy today, getting bombed by acorns on the roof of the camper all day/night. Yes - It's sunny, I'm in shorts and flip flops.

Update...

I've been working now for a week in Tampa/St. Pete - I live in the camper in Vacation Village in Largo. I will go back to CT. next Wednesday, thru Monday for Thanksgiving.

Been talking over plans for Christmas - realizing that the flights for that week are ridiculous, and I'd only work basically only 3 days out of a pay period. So I suggested that they come down here, so we can spend more time together. We are working toward possibly spending Christmas in St. Augustine - then back to the camper so I can work, then someplace else, for the 1st, and then they could drive north from there.

First Day

Made the trip from Ct. made it down to Fredrick Del. - where coincidentally, C. thought we could stop for the night. Borrowed my friends dolly (car dolly) to tow the mazda behind the camper. One of the straps that ties the wheels down went. But I was in front of an autoparts store and bought a tow strap, that I was able to use to fix the trailer.

Drove from Fredrick, Del. to Jacksonville, Fl. and slept in a Walmart parking lot. Made it to the campground by 2 the next day. Parked the camper, went shopping.

Started work this morning - have a cube, 4th floor of tower 1. Seems ok, company structured a little better than my previous employer. Big shop too.

C. is here 'till Wed. lunchtime. May see the beach tomorrow.