April 19 - 21, 2014

Another dreary few days on the beach. Saturday Bernie, Pete and Robert D. Lee went to a classic car show in St. Pete's and had Beth and Pete over for a steak barbecue (so cool I put on my long pants). Easter Sunday we spent the day on the deck as the beach was too windy and cool and our highlight was Skyping the kids who had Easter dinner at our place :-). Derek, Katja and Christoph also had a sleep over on Saturday night. Great they are getting together. Sharman and Roy shared Easter dinner with us at Far Horizons and the night warmed up to spend a nice time on the deck watching the sunset. They are heading home tomorrow. Bernie had a game of golf with Fredi and Jim at the Tides while I puttered the morning away. The sun popped in and out all day. We visited the Lewis, Jacksons and Sutherlands on their beach, sunset at our beach and then supper and singing at Friendly's Tavern. We were joined by the crew down the beach - Marjorie, Johnny Ray, BoBo, Pam, Sherrie, Fran and hubby.

Bob,Slyvia,Rhonda,Grant,Jen,Gord,Sherrie,Bernie

Sunset at North Redington Beach

April 12 - April 18, 2014

Another week gone and time is getting near to packing day. This has been the coldest, windiest and wettest April we have had in Florida since we started "coming south". Not complaining, just an observation :-) This week Bernie, Joe, Pete and Roy went to the stock car races up off Ullmerton, while Sharman, Jen (Nfld) and Jen (NS) went to Carrabba's for an excellent dinner and social time; another day we watched the Masters with Bubba winning,

days on the beach, attended the musical The Jersey Boys at the Straz centre and thoroughly enjoyed it; played golf at The Tides with Sharman and Roy - some great shots and some different ones. 

Joe and Marlene left on Tues as they are expecting their first grandchild and it was a boy - Cameron, 4lbs, 6oz and going to be fine young fellow; we shared a sunset and cold one with Sherrie, Gord, Rhonda and Grant on the beach at Maderia; one night had dinner with Gisele and Fred at Marlin Darlin' and then ended up at Friendly's Tavern with 14 other Amhertonians for a night of Karaoke (Beth, Pete, Sherrie, Gord, Rhonda, Grant, Pam, BoBo, Marjorie, Johnny Ray, Denise, hubby, Rita and Caissie). As they say "Oh what a night" - even Gord and Grant got up to sing. The girls all did "House of the Rising Sun". So far we have not seen any recording deals. 

Gord and Grant

Rita,Rhonda,Jen,Caissie,Pam,Marjorie,Denise,Sherrie

One morning it was only 13 degrees and windy - as they say in Florida "the real feel "was 9 degrees. It did warm up to 25 and sunny and after the afternoon on the beach Jeannie, Mark, Mel and Laurne came for a chicken casserole dinner and beautiful sunset. As always when we are away Aaron has a birthday - 6 years old. We did get to speak to him and Kiahna and Kyra the next day. He was all excited about his lego. Also Skyped Derek and Christoph one evening. The little rascal had the keyboard, mouse, papers, etc all on the floor but he did stop once in a while and look at us and talk. Busy, busy kids. We went to the car show and dinner at Quakers Steak & Lube - car show was not good but the food was great. Friday it poured and blew and poured so we spent the day at Rainbow's End, a couple of classic car dealerships, relaxing, walk on the beach, and potluck dinner with the Ohio, Wisconsin crew. No chance of being bored on the beach :-)

Sharman and Jen

April 6 - April 11, 2014

On the beach again enjoying a cold drink. Have been doing the usual things almost every day - early morning walk on the beach, coffee, beach time, reading, swimming and just relaxing. There are a ton of high school kids around and it is fun to watch the football games, volleyball games and just the drama that goes on with teens. They are well behaved and having fun. One night we heard this noise on the beach and it kept getting louder and louder - looked out and there had to be 100 kids on the beach. Pete and Beth arrived on Sunday after leaving Amherst on Fri at noon - they drove a lot each day. Monday was the wind storm on the beach and we didn't stay very long. We were covered in suncsreen  and sand, it was an afternoon for the deck.  On Tues it just poured rain so the Estabrooks, Vanvulpens and we went to Ellenton to the Outlet Malls - Bernie had a hay day. Lunch at Woody's on the Bay and then Joe, Pete, Bernie and Jen went to the Toronto - Tampa hockey game. Tampa won and Toronto is out of the playoffs. On Thurs Gisele and Fred came for a beach visit  (on the deck as the wind was strong again) and then Paul and Judy showed up. Paul and Judy stayed for 2 nights and we had a great time relaxing under our umbrellas on the beach, dinner at Petey-Joe's, Investment meeting of the boys on the beach, lunch at Mango's, swimming and socializing . P and J headed to Orlando Fri afternoon and they fly out on Sat morning. Great to have them here

The Investment Boys

Bernie, Beth, Jen, Judy, Pete, Marlene, Joe

April 1 - April 5, 2014

Weather has been great at North Redington beach and perfect for daily walks, relaxing on the beach, reading, sipping on a cold one, swimming, and just doing nothing. Tuesday night was ribs at Friendly's, the local Tavern and then karaoke for Katherine. I was her cheering section. She did a great job - 5 singles, 2 duets with the karaoke guy and a group song with 2 waitresses and 1 guy from Ind. It was a fun night. Wednesday night was hamburgs, well done, at JD's at Indian Rocks with Jeannie and Marianne - the Piano Man didn't make it and his substitute was so-so. We had fun watching the older folks dance especially one couple - she came with a walker but they had fun on the dance floor. She swayed in one spot and he danced around her and never let go of her hands and a smile on his face the whole time. Thursday we hated to leave the beach but the musical we went to was well worth it - Disenchanted was a story of the Princesses after the original story was done. It was hilarious. Friday after we spent a few hours on the beach I drove Katherine to the airport and she winged her way home with AC - as with her trip down she was delayed and missed a connecting flight and ended up getting home a few hours later. But we had a great week - enjoyed her visit immensely . On Saturday Bernie arrived back early afternoon from  Daytona - he had a great 9 days with the guys golfing. Apparently his golf was terrible but he had fun. Marlene and Joe have also arrived and we expect Pete and Beth on Sunday. Beautiful sunset on the beach and a barbecue steak to finish the day

March 28 - 31, 2014

At the beach and so enjoying the relaxation and warmer weather. The poor old Maritimes are being hammered again with snow and freezing rain. Maybe a little bit guilty :-) Katherine and I having a good time walking, reading, relaxing, shopping, visiting friends, listening to music at a local hang out, eating out, cooking in. Have visited Crabby Bill's, the Candy Store, tour of Clearwater and lunch over looking the beach, beach shops, kitchen shop, moving from room 23 to 25, and just relaxing. The girls- Sharman, Jennifer (NFLD), Katheine and Jennifer (NS)

Sharman, Jennifer, Katherine, Jennifer