I banged my knee, i banged my knee....All this swelling made me start yelling!!

I came home from the laundromat today and found all kinds of messages on my cell phone...Robin, Mike and Rachael. This picture was included with Rob's. She fell at work this morning and is laid up for, we are not sure how long. They took her to the hospital where they put the brace on her leg (it's actually her knee that she hurt) and she will be seeing an Orthopedic Surgeon to determine just what damage she did.

She is so disappointed because of her schooling. Mike will take her to class until we get there and then one of us will run her to school if she is able to go. The first thing she did was call the teacher.....She can get a doctor's release for her clinical but it is going to put her behind. She is doing so well, it's really a bummer. Oh well, it will all work out. We will be there for almost 2 weeks so at least we can give them some help. She had Rachael send a text to Salt the other day warning him ahead of time they had a "list" of things that needed to be done around the house!!!!

I did remind Robin that the stores had those cool motorized shopping carts so she would not have to give up the "Mom/Daughter-in-Law bonding we always share....!!

Doug and Darlene had their annual 'Breakfast" this morning and once again Doug impressed us with his FANTASTIC waffles (check out the professional waffle maker). Everyone brought a dish to pass and once again we ate like royalty.

Salt and Jim waiting for the call to breakfast.....

Waffles, egg casserole, cheese potatoes, bacon, juice and monkey bread....yeah that should be enough.....

The line begins....This will probably be the last of the pictures of this gang. We have tickets to a play on Friday night and a big festival on Saturday but then Salt and I will be heading out early Sunday morning. After that, it will be the crew in VA Beach and then on to our hectic summer on the island and all the many friends we will meet up with there.

Doug and Darlene built a new home in the park in an area known as the Villas. Although they will still be a part of the resort, they will be leaving the neighborhood. We chipped in and bought them a set of chimes as just a little reminder of how much we will miss having them right behind us!!

As we were packing up today I looked at all the beautiful flowers in our little garden and in the planters. I hate leaving them, knowing how long it will be before we will be able to have blooming flowers at home. When I do finally get some going on the island I can start fighting the deer off again.

A Black Bear has it figured out and gets what he deserves....and the fur that he is waring is the fur that he prefers!

Saturday was a FULL day....had to make choices as there was so much going on. Oh well what we missed this year we will pick up another year.

Our first stop was the Antique Boat Show in Mt Dora. We were supposed to attend this last year when they had the big TILT picnic but had conflicting plans. I can't believe I did this...I took my camera out and I had a dead battery. I must have accidentally hit the "on" button at some point putting it in and out of my purse.

I did manage to get a picture of one of the "woodies" before it totally shut down. Not one picture of a boat....urgh... there were such beauties there too!!!

I did get a couple of pictures on my cell phone. Loved the amphibious cars...It reminded me of watching Dr. Mabee going back and forth to work when we lived on Hay Island.

And I particularly liked the license plate......

I have no pictures from the Black Bear Festival....We really had no idea what this was until we arrived. It turned out to be very educational, with all kinds of booths featuring animals, plants, trees here in the Ocala National Forest. I met an author at one of the booths, who is a retired judge and now is writing fiction based on Florida history....Indians, Missionaries, etc. I bought the first book in a Trilogy, called Wekiva Winter I really wanted the whole series right then and there but for once in my life (when it comes to books) used some self control. I have the Web Address for later.

We came home for a couple of hours before heading out to the Mud Bog Races and Mud Drags.

Boy...talk about feeling like a "redneck". As I said on Facebook...I felt like I was back in Cicero, NY in 1964. Which makes me wonder what Terry Lewis, Wally Bell and some of the drag racers from our time are doing today????

This little guy was going through the mud holes like he had been doing it for years.....

All kinds of vehicles....

Sunday, we went for our last Bowling Breakfast" until next Fall. Here Carolyn shows off....

She was whipping the rest of the girl's butts!!!

Terry looking serious....which is hard to do with the bunch of us picking on him!!

We checked out the market at Rennigers later that afternoon and then went to a new restaurant called "Back Yard Boys"....Bar-B-Q. Here is one of their side orders which is ...are you ready for this???? Fried macaroni and cheese....like mac and cheese isn't fattening enough without being fried. It was SO good....I am really going to have to get serious about this healthy eating when I get back to the island. At least it will be a little easier when I am cooking and not going restaurants where I find stuff like this!!

Under the sea, under the sea...Darlin it's better down where it's wetter...

Early this morning after a stop at Cracker Barrel for breakfast we traveled to Weeki Wachee Springs for the mermaid show, a boat ride and history lesson.

Weeki Wachee is a Seminole name which means winding waters. The springs produce 100 million gallons of crystal clear water every 24 hours. The temperature is a constant 74.2, 12 months of the year.

This statue is at the entrance of the park. You will see in a later picture, the same move produced in the closing water ballet.

First stop was a picture of the boys with one of the mermaids. I really had to twist their arms to get into this picture....NOT!


We took this picture of Bob so his son could see what good care we are taking of him while Ralph and Karen are in Iowa. By the way, hurry home.....I want to get to say goodbye to you. If not, you are definitely going to have to come to the island!!!

And of course there always has to be one "dirty OLD man" in the group!!!

Love the peacocks....you could walk right up to them....if they didn't walk up to you first!

Salt alligator wrestling??????

King Neptune and one of his favorite mermaids..

Our first show was "Fish Tales" which was basically the story of the springs, how the first theater was built in 1947 and basically how the girls train to be mermaids, how their breathing mechanism works, etc.

The colors of their costumes were beautiful,and we could see them but when you take pictures through the glass and into the water they aren't as clear. I love this picture where you can see the turtles and fish swimming with them. It makes one believe that the mermaids may be real...well I can pretend!!

After the first show we took a boat ride down the Weeki Wachee River and once again we were able to see all sorts of wildlife, including wild turkeys, bald eagles, this blue heron.

Here was a manatee just lounging in the warm water.

an egret......

I was able to snap this picture of one of the peacocks.....magnificent colors!!

Caught the tail end of the animal show as we wandered into the last mermaid show.

I can't believe I even got close enough to take this picture.....I HATE snakes!!!

Baby alligator.....

Tortoise.......

And on to the mermaid show.....Theme was "The Little Mermaid"

and of course the prince who fell off the ship and into her arms.....

We all loved the frog.....

And here is that wicked witch who wanted to steal the little mermaid's beautiful voice.

And on land with her prince after she was granted her wish of having legs.....

The final ballet.....remember the statue?

I loved this little girl....you could tell she just wanted to be a mermaid and be right in that pool!!!

After the show, we made our final stop at the Russel Stover chocolate outlet to stock up on their delicious hot fudge sauce. Hot fudge Sundaes for all the grand kids in 2 weeks!!!

We all had another great day....I can't wait to take the granddaughters here....hopefully next winter!!

Good fish chowder good clam chowder makes you want to cry for more...Fills you up from your top to your toenails...Makes you hear the ocean roar....

Tonight was the Muldoons' turn to entertain. Terry made his famous "fish chowder" with the remainder of the fish the boys caught on their fishing trip out of Tarpon Springs. The chowder was delicious and the evening was fun.

After dinner, Terry presented Bob with a picture which I took when he was driving Gene's boat the last time we went out. Terry printed it and framed it.

Susie calls "Bob" our own personal "Benjamin Button". When we adopted him he was a very sad older man (because of the loss of his beloved wife Gloria) Now, we have corrupted him with all our shenanigans and he seems to be growing younger every day...he has the greatest dry sense of humor!! We all love you Bob!!

If you remember in an earlier post, Terry was using a candle for his fire pit. Tonight Susie brought this much improved model out. We figured Terry was able to purchase this one after the market went up almost 500 points the other day. In time he may have the real thing!!

And of course, it's time for another Emma update.....here she is with a cupcake she decorated at her girl scout sleepover. Only 2 more weeks and I will have all my grand kids together for 10 days. We have lots of fun planned!!

Tomorrow we are off early in the morning to spend the day at Weeki Wachee Springs and the Mermaid show!!

Here is the main thing I want to say...I'm busy 24 hours a day

So, here is my handyman!! Salt and I have been busting our butts to get everything in ship-shape before we leave for the beach. Salt spent the day outside, cleaning the roof, getting the gardens in shape and packing.

I went from room to room trying to figure what I needed to take and what I could actually leave here. Fortunately we are allowed to bring the motor home in and park it in our driveway while we are making the transition. This will also give me a chance to get the empty cupboards, stove, refrigerator, etc. cleaned.

We took in dinner at a local Japanese restaurant. The food is always so good and of course the show is fun....especially if you have friends who have never experienced it.

There were a couple of kids at the table next to us and it was worth the price of the meal to watch their expressions when the flame jumped!!

The entertainer....

My favorite part....the veggies are always SO good.

Loving the experience!! About 3 months ago we started a "bucket list". We are all compiling a list of events, places, restaurants we want to do next winter. We decided to put this one on again. Actually, as Ruthie said..."our bucket is turning into a barrel!

Pictures are somewhat blurry tonight. Somehow or other, I changed the focus on my camera. Tomorrow is "Breakfast Bowl" (breakfast with 3 games) and hiking. Monday, Olde Time Pottery (girls' day out) and Bingo. We are booked right up and including the night before we leave. Glad I accomplished as much as i did this week!!