Key West

Our annual trip to Key West is this Friday. There have been so many twists and turns in planning this trip!

Now that the drama is over - I can tell you the story. First of all, where we stayed last year (and subsequently booked for this year) had a fire and became unavailable to us (in July). This news had Allison going crazy until she could find something else in our price range - she found us a mansion about an hour away from Key West Airport. It was on the water, with a swimming pool and a guest house. We thought it was perfect - we would work out the logistics of getting there AFTER the contract was signed, sealed and delivered!

When the owner of the mansion finally sent me the contracts - I faxed them back ASAP and awaited further instructions. I finally got a phone call on Wed. 8/20 saying that he had rented it out to someone else - YIKES!!!

Allison and I scoured the Internet and poured our hearts out to anyone who would listen. We finally got an owner to take pity on us and rent us the "Grand Marshall" and after a little haggling (begging),he offered us the place at a MUCH reduced rate. This place has 6 bedrooms, and 2 pools. It is ONE mile from the airport and 2 blocks off Duval Street.

I guess it is true - God never closes a door without opening a window!

I wonder how many bathing suits and PJ's I can pack in a backpack??

Grandma's Birthday

My mom lives about an hour away. In an emergency, there is no thinking - I get in the car and go. Sad to say, but in normal times, that hour can seem like forever.

My mom's birthday was this past Saturday. We all took a trip to celebrate Grandma's birthday. We brought all the food and were prepared to have a nice lunch together.
There were 6 of us going - and with the ridiculous price of gas - we decided to go in one vehicle - so we proceeded to load up the Pathfinder.

Just as we were finished packing the car, Allison picks up a large insulated jug -"I have a surprise for you all!! I made an 'adult beverage' for us to have at lunch!" - (YOU GO, GIRL!!!)

Mr. Wonderful, hearing the squeals from the rest of us declared, "As I am the designated driver, why don't all of you pour yourselves "one for the road" and let's get moving! I have very obedient children - they all lined up and Allison poured them each a nice tall glass of Sangria! HERE WE COME, GRANDMA!!

Everyone was in a great mood by the time we got to Grandma's house. We had a nice lunch and the boys trimmed Grandma's hedges. We sat for a while and just visited - then we headed home - WITH THE INSULATED JUG!

Happy Birthday, Grandma. We had a wonderful time and made another great memory.

Full House

Allison came for a visit. Yes, the 'tornado' is in town! She finally left her impossibly long hour-ed job in the Keys and has decided to move on to a normal work environment (whatever that means). While we were in A.C., her brothers convinced her to take a trip up now, before she found a job. She was supposed to go home today, but we changed her ticket and she goes back next week.

It is nice having Allison around. She did all the laundry while I was at work. She does all the prep work for dinner. She makes special order cocktails at a moment's notice. AND she plays with Mr. W. while we are all at work. All in all, a wonderful thing! Too bad she has to go back to reality and start earning a living!

It has been MANY years since I've had 3 of my kids living under the same roof. I would be fibbing if I said I did not enjoy having them there. It is nicer having them here as adults than it was when they were teenagers!!

I know that they will eventually all move out, and move on. Until then, I will just continue to savor the moments...

AC Wrap-Up

We had a ball in AC. It was nice, just the two of us. We've been together for so many years, but we were only alone for the first couple minutes of our relationship! It is so nice to know that when (or should I say "IF") empty nest syndrome rolls around, we will be just fine!

The first night, we went to Morton's for a top-notch steak dinner. Boy, was that good! The food and the service were superlative! (not to mention ridiculously pricey!) Afterwards, we walked along the Boardwalk prior to proceeding to the casino. When I could not keep my eyes open any longer, I retired to the room and left Mr. Wonderful to do the magic that he does. After some time, he emerged in our room, waking me up while waving his voucher. We decided to pack it away and cash it just before leaving to go home, thus assuring we would go home with money in our pockets!

The next two days, we ate, slept, shopped, gambled, etc. On the last day, we finally cashed that voucher and headed on home. Mr. W. was thrilled to be driving his new vehicle (which arrived just one day before we left home). His new Ford Edge Ltd. (with the panoramic roof) proved to be a comfortable ride.

I think I know what the secret of longevity in a relationship is - ALWAYS be considerate of each other and NEVER take each other for granted. Consideration and appreciation go a LONG way in sustaining happiness!