Mel & Ray

Roger was in San Antonio working all last week but got home in time for us to enjoy a fun week-end with Mel and Ray. They were only here for two days but, we made the most of them. We ate lunch outside on Saturday at the Tiki Bar - a fun little place on Lake Minneola; spent Saturday afternoon at the winery music festival; then drove to the Villages for dinner on Saturday night. There is entertainment every night at the gazebo in Spanish Springs - it was a duo playing and singing 60's music this week-end. Dick and Sally and Kay and Dale joined us - the eight of us had a fun evening.
We went to breakfast in Clermont on Sunday; browsed around the Farmer's Market and then rode our bikes into Winter Garden - it's about 5 miles each way. Everyone came over for dinner outside on Sunday evening - a nice ending to a great week-end! Wish we could spend more time with Mel and Ray but, they are youngsters - won't be retired for a while yet!
Roger is heading back to San Antonio on Wednesday for a presentation but, coming back to Florida on Thursday night. No time to install his new TV this week! He's finding out why they call it "work" and not "fun!"

Florida Living

Life is good!! We are really enjoying our time in Florida - our social calendar is full and it is so nice to spend time with friends. Don't get me wrong - I love Roger dearly - but, "girl time" is great! Kay, Sally and I rode our bikes into Clermont the other morning for coffee and sat outside a little cafe talking until after lunch!
The weather has been lovely for golf and biking and just being outside. We've even had two dinner parties on the patio!
I'm taking golf lessons once a week for 5 weeks - don't expect to excel but hopefully, to at least improve!

Roger has been busy installing our new HD-TV satellite dish on the roof. The new 32" (the biggest he can fit in the space!) flat screen TV is due tomorrow and he will be one happy guy to get it all hooked up. He deserves it - he's the one working for it! I took him to the airport this afternoon - he will be in San Antonio all week - returning on Friday.
Looking forward to Mel & Ray's visit this coming week-end. Hope the weather stays nice but I guess anything is better than the cold and snow they've been dealing with in Michigan!
Megan is busy going to school and working part-time at an Austin interior design company. They won't be able to join us here this winter but I'm looking forward to being in San Antonio next summer to spend more time with them.
Heather is in Bangkok shopping with girlfriends while Kyle is "Mr. Mom." Samantha and Emily called us on SKYPE last night and when I asked what her Daddy was doing, Samantha said "He's enjoying some peace and quiet while we talk with you!!"

Rolling Ridge

We arrived in Clermont last Monday and are settled in next to Dale and Kay. Dick and Sally arrive next week and other friends in February. It is nice to return and see people we know! We had two nights of hard freeze and since then it has been beautiful - in the high 70's. The park has changed because all of the lots are now privately owned and most have been improved with pavers, sheds and landscaping - so nice not to track in sand! The new homeowners association is busy getting organized and making improvements so we are looking forward to a fun winter.
Lakeridge Winery is just up the road and they have live music on Saturday afternoons. The four of us took our lawn chairs up yesterday and had a pleasant afternoon just sipping and talking and listening to the band.

We biked into Clermont this morning and had breakfast at a little cafe on the main street. They were having a Farmer's Market all along the block so we browsed at all the stalls. Roger was happy because I can't buy much if I have to carry it home on my bike!
We are going to the driving range this afternoon - Roger and Dale played golf last Thursday but, I haven't played in ages and we signed up for the golf league on Tuesdays. Gotta' get my groove back!!
Going to the flea market on Monday; golf on Tuesday; get my hair done on Wednesday; going to the Tampa RV Show on Thursday - such a full social schedule!!!

Happy New Year!

Best wishes for a 2012 blessed with health and happiness! 

We are in St. Augustine, Florida for the week-end and will drive to Clermont and our winter home tomorrow morning. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the states - founded in 1565 by a Spanish explorer named Menendez.
It was a beautiful Saturday, in the 70's, and we enjoyed a trolley tour of the historic downtown, lunch at an outdoor pub and walking along the cobblestone streets. We celebrated a great 2011 and toasted to an even better 2012 during dinner at a nice Italian restaurant and were in bed by 10:30pm!!!
We drove along the waterfront on Sunday, walked out on a long fishing pier, where they were catching blue fish, and stopped at the St. Augustine Lighthouse. We had lunch at the Conch House in the harbor and reflected on all our wonderful adventures during 2011 while we feasted on fried shrimp.

Redecorating

We've made major changes in the motorhome. We stored our two chairs and ottomans in the townhouse and bought a leather loveseat that reclines! Sooooo.....comfortable! It takes up alot of space but we love it. A new lamp/table and different throw pillows and we have a whole new look!

Roger is already making plans for his new HD TV that he plans to install when we are in Florida! His reward for going back to work!

Early Christmas

We celebrated Christmas a little early with my family this year. Mel and Ray, Joel and Rachel, Kyle and Rachel, Kirt, Carlos and Megan all came to San Antonio last week-end. Megan and Carlos stayed with us and the others stayed in the townhouse. We had such a fun family time - dining out on Mexican food, touring the Riverwalk, shopping and playing cards. We even cooked a traditional meal with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and the works - yum! We missed Judy - she couldn't take time off during a really busy time for the plant - and of course, Mom, Kyle, Heather and the girls. But, like so many families, we had to adjust to changing times! We were so glad they all came to Texas!
Kyle and Heather and the girls just got back from Phuket, Thailand on "holiday" - just in time for Santa to come! They had a great time - the girls fed an elephant and got to hold an eagle. They also had a gymnastics school so Samantha got to fly on a trapeze! Hope they remember all these wonderful adventures they have had while living in Kuala Lumpur!
Baking pumpkin bread and date nut torte today - been hungry for both. Carlos and Megan will be here Christmas day and Monday and then we'll take off for Florida on Wednesday.

Home, Sweet, Home

I left Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, November 30th. Even though I was excited to see Roger, (I missed him so much and so did the girls!) coming home always seems much harder than going. I flew from KL to Singapore, only a 55 minute flight and arrived at 9:30pm - then I had a 5 hour lay over - my flight to Moscow didn't leave until 2:30am. Hard to stay awake until then - so afraid I would fall asleep and miss my plane! Ten hours to Moscow - a 2 hour lay over - then 12 hours to Houston! Between a bad cold and god knows how many time zones, I was wiped out when I finally arrived! It has taken me 4 days to feel human again but the trip was worth it. I had a great time!
We actually went to Lake Conroe near Houston to a Boomer RV Rally over the week-end. I didn't participate much but good to see old friends again and celebrate the up coming holiday season.
Roger is doing well at work - basically doing the pre-planning needed to get the project started and getting settled into his new office. Samantha and Emily made him a picture frame for his desk - by gluing seashells we gathered in Langkowi on a frame and putting a cute picture of them in it. Of course, he cherishes it!
I need to get busy with holiday preparations and Christmas cards!