We missed you all and wish we could have been with you sometime during the weekend, but, alas, the potties needed us, the roads and airports were jammed, and we're SURE it was COLD wherever you are!

We spent Christmas Eve day doing laundry (and you wouldn't BELIEVE how many other people were doing the SAME!) and the day before that, at the beach!!  And the beach was PACKED!!  Don't people shop for bargains anymore??  All these people were old, and should have been out shopping for their grandkids.  (We sent our giftcards out a week prior, so we were done shopping in a day!! THAT was a first!!)

It was most pleasant, even tho it was crowded.  And it was WARM!  Christmas Day was spent doing much of the same ole, same ole.  We walked Sunny then cleaned the bath houses.  The park has been fully booked for a couple of weeks now — I guess school's out and everyone wanted a nice get-away. We had originally planned to have Mike & Brandi over for dinner, but Brandi didn't feel well, so Dick & I just rode around the park on our new bikes and had baked ziti for dinner.  Not exactly traditional, but it was good.  We took a big serving over to Barbara, the ranger on duty for the day, and she was very appreciative.  The official dinner was held the next day, and even tho it was much later than planned, due to working in the office, it was good.  Even traditional, mostly.

Our son, Mike, and his son, Oliver, have spent the last couple of days with us....little did we all know how many projects would all of a sudden be a priority item, but the rangers have kept us busy with a list.  Plus, with all our sites filled, mostly with tent campers, WITH KIDS, there's been a LOT of work in the bath houses.  But, they've had a good time — staying busy chasing snakes & armadillos and looking for spiders.  Hard to say which one is having the most fun.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and we have stocked up so that we won't have to go out for anything for a few days.  The only thing we're looking to do is go pick fresh tomatoes and strawberries at the U-Pick farm a couple miles down the road.  Then we can make our special smoothies!  With the berries, that is. 

We got a call from Tim & Staples tonight.  They're looking for us to complete a square at an ADVANCED dance in Lakeland, in a few weeks.  They must be crazy, but it's really sweet of them to ask us.  I dunno how they're gonna feel about being broken down all the time, but I guess we'll give it a go, if they promise to be patient.

Now I really have to get on the stick and find a good kennel here; today we finally found a beach that allows pets.  It's actually teeming with dogs, all unleashed & having a blast.  Hope Sunny isn't too intimidated (no telling how I'm gonna feel!) by all the attention.

We were visited by a black racer today while we were over chatting at Mike & Brandi's place.  He kept a wary eye on us for quite some time.  I assure you (and him), we had NO intention of deliberate interaction.  He was welcome to do whatever came naturally, in his own space, for as long as he wished.  However, we were not sorry to see him slither away.  He was only about 3 feet long, and maybe an inch in diameter, but that was plenty big enough to convince me that he was to be respected.

Well, Dick's waiting for the air-card and the skeeters are swarming still, so I'd better turn it over to him.

Much love to all, and best wishes for a happy, safe, healthy & prosperous 2008!!

kc