Got back into our routine after Thanksgiving. When Suzie is away we’re in charge of getting Kai off to school so we’re all up at 6:00, make a lunch for him, breakfast and then we walk to the bus stop at the end of the street to catch the bus at 7:15 A.M. We’re free for the rest of the day to do housekeeping chores, shopping and on Mon., Wed. & Fri. we can play pickleball - the players can drop in from 1:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M so I go for the early play, Joe picks Kai up at the bus stop at 2:30 and when I get back at 3:30 he goes to play.
It works out ok and Joe is more than ready for me to get back to help with the homework.
Suzie brought all of the Christmas decorations down from the attic so while she was gone Kai and I decorated the tree complete with a train around it. The house looks very festive. We also set up a laser light show on the outside.
Went to Barnes & Noble with Kai's class and, of course, the best part was the sugar cookie that Kai decorated.
 |
| Joe showing Kai his favourite book "This Old Boat" by our friend, Don Casey |
Richard came to help do some chores at Serge & Denise’s (Suzie’s parents) house. Serge wanted a big area in the back of the house filled in with some rock so the guys went off to order the rock and Joe & Richard spent 2days hauling the rock and shovelling it. Big job but they got it done. Joe did more jobs for Serge-fixing lights and the front door threshold. In between he was doing a plumbing job for Suzie. Serge & Denise were off to Mexico for a wedding so Richard stayed at their house and came over to have dinner with us each night. We’re spending more time with him here than we do when we’re home.
I’m getting use to driving this big vehicle - not going too far yet but I can take it to the pickleball courts, to church and to Publix. There is a beautiful Catholic Church 5 miles north of here-Immaculate Conception Church. Since it’s right next door to the Publix, I park in their lot and walk over. Parking is the biggest problem with this van so I always pick a big spot at the end of the parking lot. Last Sunday, I went to a Christmas concert at the church.
December 16, 2017
We’ve been here a month now and are finding our way around the area. This week we went to Port St. Lucie to the RV park where Suzie has a lot with a motorhome on it that she would like to rent this winter. We pressure washed the slab and got the inside organized. Suzie’s parents Denise and Serge also have a lot with a beautiful motor coach on it. After working hard all day, they took us out for a nice dinner at Outback.
Came back to Melbourne the next day for an appt. at Social Security. Decided to apply for Joe’s social security while we’re here-they say he’ll get his first cheque in Jan., 2017.
Went to a Christmas pageant at a church up the road called Chapel by the Sea. The children looked so cute in their costumes and they had live animals around the stable outside. Kai was a shepherd.
Joe has been working on the Canoe that was stored in the back yard. He has added a motor mount and and an electric motor. with the little trailer it can be hauled across the street and launched there in the small river that runs into the ICW. Kai can’t wait to drive the boat-not too interested in the rowing part.
Joe took the van into a repair shop and they said the struts needed to be changed-we’ve been hearing some clunking noises and he decided it was time to look into it. The quote to fix it was $1,900.00 so, of course, he didn’t want to pay that much and has decided to do it himself. Hopefully it will work and he’ll save over $1,000.00.
Suzie’s friend is arriving from Panama today and she will go for some flights on Sat. Stefan and Kai will fly to New York this weekend, see a play and then go on to Quebec for Christmas. Suzie will join them on Christmas Eve. Suzie's daughter, Megan is traveling through Australia. We’ll go to Alison’s next Friday and spend Christmas with her and Brittney’s family. Plan on being back here for a few days between Christmas and New Year’s and then we’ll go to Barb & Mike’s in Englewood for a visit in Jan.
Yesterday I made cookie dough and Kai enjoyed making the Christmas cookies just like Alison did when she was a little girl.
We’lll be back here by Jan. 9th to get into the school routine again.
Everyone has made us feel so welcome and at home but we have to admit we do miss cruising and especially our cruising friends. Will have to see how the rest of the winter goes when we start traveling again in February.
Hope everyone has a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year
