2/16 Florida notes

Arrived yesterday afternoon to Navarre Beach, where Caroline's aunt lives. Before going to her home, we stopped to eat at Sailors' Grill. Unfortunately the driver of our vehicle turned too quickly, and instead of going into the parking lot, drove into the sand. Even though it was an SUV we couldn't get out of the sand, and in fact kept digging in deeper. We decided to leave the car there and see if someone in the restaurant could help us.

We ordered our food and drinks, and noticed a handsome man sitting at the table next to us. One of us asked him if he could help. He said yes right away. Caroline and I went outside with him, and two young men stopped by just as we were trying to decide how his truck should pull us out. They helped the other guy (retired Air Force guy named Bob), and in just a few moments we were on solid ground. We were extremely grateful that it was so easily done, and we promised ourselves we'd be a lot more careful in the future.

We then arrived at Aunt Webbie's, and I was (and still am) flabbergasted at the beauty of her home. First of all it's right on the beach and it's absolutely gorgeous. Aunt Webbie is 94 so she stays on the first floor in a really nice bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Upstairs is the real master bedroom, but they turned it into a dorm for all the visitors they get. So Genia, Caroline, and I are sleeping in twin beds in the master bedroom. It's got a HUGE deck overlooking the Gulf, and the biggest bathroom I've ever seen. Can't even begin to describe it, but it is ultra cool. There's another bedroom upstairs with two double beds in it, and another private bathroom.

Everything is tastefully decorated with a definite beach theme throughout. Aunt Webbie is delightful and so bright and "with it." A lot of fun, and very gracious. We all had cocktails together, and after she went to bed the three of us played spades. Genia won every game. (I hate her. Hate her.)

Tomorrow I'll post about today and another driving faux pas. Hilarious. And later tonight, I'm going to whup Genia's butt in spades. My turn to win. Yes, it is.

7/29 It's been great

Last night Gerri, Genia, Caroline, and I went to the Beau Rivage and Hard Rock Casinos. We had such a good time. Afterward we went to the Elks to a dance. Angie joined us there. I'd said I wanted to gamble and also dance with a stranger for my birthday. I did both--although Genia got the stranger to dance with me. :)

And today we all went to the beach. First of all, Gerri and I are both burned, but it's okay. When Caroline got there she brought a shade canopy that she just bought. We took it all apart and got out the directions to erect it. It turned into a big laugh. Finally several young men came over to help us. They are Navy Seabees (engineers) and putting things together is what they do. :) They did a great job of helping us, and were so friendly and kind.

Genia and I rented a jet ski for 40 minutes, and so we each got to ride for 20 minutes. It was freakin' amazing. I absolutely loved it. The Seabees said we were the coolest old ladies they'd ever met.

Gerri and I picked up a pizza on the way home. We finished up the salad fixin's at my house and had pizza. It was excellent. We're getting up at 4:30. So I'm in my room to type this, and to relax a bit. Will try to go to sleep around 9 or so. Ger will leave for Atlanta around 5 AM.

The visit has been superb. Hope she can come again. I'm sure going to visit her too.

7/4 A good, wet day

It rained a lot in Biloxi but not in Gulfport, so we went on our beach picnic. There were three Red Cross workers--Genia, Carolyn (or maybe Caroline), and Angie, along with Angie's daughter. Several people canceled because of the weather. I arrived around 4:15 and they were already there. It was great! We sat and chatted, played in the sand, then ate dinner around 5:30 or so. The people who were supposed to bring the utensils canceled, so we used potato chips as our forks. It was funny. Luckily they were Ripples and sturdier than regular chips.

Angie and her daughter have only been here two weeks, and Carolyn and Genia since October, so everyone is looking for friends. Perfect for me. :)

Because the weather was so crummy I'd taken Quincy out of the kennel, thinking that I wouldn't be going today. Since I left her at home I couldn't stay out real late. So I am missing the fireworks (start at 8:45), but that's okay. I got home 4 1/2 hours after I'd left, and there was a little puddle of pee in my room, but I quick got out the rug shampooer and took care of it. So no harm done.

I'm glad I came home early. People are shooting off fireworks everywhere, and it's bothering Q a bit, so it's good I'm here.

Back to work tomorrow.

(Just took her outside again and the neighbors are shooting off lots of firecrackers, bottle rockets, and even bigger stuff. It's legal in Mississippi. She got really scared. Guess it hurts dogs' ears.)