April 16 - 21, 2011

Bernie on beach at North Redington Beach

Saturday in St. Pete's area is market day and you have to experience it once during a stay. Acres of buildings with everything you can think of from food to jewellery. You meet at the beer and music tent at noon time so everybody can show off their "great" buys (and to have a good beer and sing some tunes). It was Marlene's and Joe's last night so we took the trolley to Crabbie Bill's at Indian Rocks Beach and had our fill of deep fried fish and crab legs and lots of laughs. Of course we all bought the group picture to remember the good times.
Sunday - Aaron's 3rd birthday. What a treat for all of us when he popped into our lives 3 years ago. Weather is still beautiful, water warm, sand soft and Jeannie and Mark cooked a big spagetti supper for us tonight. Treat not to cook.
Monday - Sun and more sun. Bernie and I played golf with Eugene and Ginny today at the Mainland course and what a great game - shot 86.(the course is a lot shorter than ours). After lunch at the Fireside and afternoon on the beach we went to the hockey game with Pete and Beth - Tampa vs Pittsburg. Arrived early enough to park ourselves at an outside corner table at Gilligans to have supper and watch the world go by - Tampa fans, Pittsburg fans, scalpers, traffic, etc. Great seats in second level and what a PR job done by Tampa - music, videos, cheerleaders, etc, etc. The game won by Pittsburg.
Tuesday - After our morning walk we drove to Clearwater Beach to visit a couple we met on the Danube Cruise. Sandy and Mike Maslowski are from Chicago and it was great to see them. She is on new medication and it has enabled her to get out of her wheel chair and walk again. They have a beautiful condo on the beach and are able to see both sunrises and sunsets from their balcony. Had a delicious lunch at the Beachcomber (been there since 1958). Beach time and then skyped the kids and heard all about Aaron's birthday and the dragons. Highlight of the day! And then out to eat again - this time with Dianne and Ivan at Da Sesto, an Italian on the corner of 66th and Park. Been there before and would go back again - out of this world pizza.
Wednesday - Bernie leaves tomorrow for Daytona so it was laundry day. Enough work so we hit the beach and ended off the day with Beth and Pete for a barbecue at our abode.
Thursday - Email from Jeff and Angie with news that the girls adoption is final. Fantastic !! They are off to Crystal Palace to celebrate. Donnie and Karen arrived at noon time for a visit and lunch and then the boys were off to play. They will have a great time in Daytona. I'm on my own and as some friends were saying "Unsupervised on the beach". Relax even more especially while Greg is home working on the cottage bathroom. :-)