Christmas in January

Nasty colds kept the John Prince Park people in their campers for the festivities of the season so we held our own last Saturday. Drinks and canapes at Andre and Nicole's, then a lunch at the Old Key Lime House. We had a beautiful day for it and as usual, some good laughs and photo ops.

Jeanne's idea and photography. Others were taking snaps too before it was over.

All five of us-we are ever mindful that we used to be seven. Lots of pleasant memories and more coming..

Since that time I came down with the dreaded cold-probably from Jason who had a rough time of it. I think I am mostly over it and did not have a very bad time of it. Perhaps Dr. Cohn's administration of a flu shot helped me. Dr. Rosenbaum's office did not care that I had a cold and I had another good report from Rob and Melissa. (I haven't actually seen Rosenbaum since the word Medicare passed my lips) My battery will last for another 8 years making it highly likely a defibrillator will become available on eBay. There were no cardiac events since last time-It will be a year in March since my Cardioversion and I haven't skipped a beat.

Greg and Lew came by yesterday-the puppy has arrived and it proving a tonic for the whole outfit. Even Pupper is less mopey. After an easing in, all four doggies played a little. It surely is a cute pup. Greg hardly lets it walk.

We are in the midst of another cold spell which means jackets. Some of the plants are feeling it. It is nice for long walks with the doggies and not at the crack of dawn. Jason and Lori are in the throes of home maintenance and improvement. They will take a weekend trip to the other coast for R&R with some friends.

Shiver Me Timbers!

I had to figure out how to get my air conditioning  system to produce heat. A first time in over a year and first for me ever. It is a little different. Instead of hot air coming out of the registers, first comes cool, then comes warm and that is pretty much it. The air handler recirculates the air  pretty frequently and each time the air goes through it gains some heat. After awhile it is comfortable. It has not frozen here but is is very brisk out there.  Should be nicer this weekend. The days are very nice-Honey is frisky. Buddy is too, then he thinks a lap is a nice place to be.

The John Prince people have been sick! Serious colds, sore throats. They have stayed home and I am glad for that. Jason succumbed to a cold bug day before yesterday. Hope it leaves him more quickly than it did the geezers.

Jerome of the rasta hair and gold teeth delivered a used file cabinet from Crazy Roger's used office equipment. It is heavy wood and he worked hard and got it just right. He said, "You have a cozy crib here." He is right. I do-what a difference a year makes. Trying to make sense of the office/den. Jason's mantra is "Make it look intentional."  I try. My "give a sh.."  attachment takes a holiday sometimes. I think it is on its last legs.

12312011 FL New Year Eve at David and Jacqui's

Click on the picture to see the WebAlbum

Happy New Year!

Another Fabulous New Year Eve at David and Jacqui's.  A fantastic band-Weedline, enough Italian Food to feed an army- Nice people and pretty people (sometimes they are the same!). The wine flowed freely. If you didn't have a good time, it was your own fault.



Is She or Isn't He?  Some are saying transexual others not.

The college boy dancing with s/he might have been in for a surprise (or not).

In any case they crashed  the party and were certainly well turned out. Everybody is welcome. Certainly charming and more than willing to be photographed.  A first for me.

A profusion of great food. Jason scored ample leftovers for me and delivered them last night.  Glad tohave them.

Weedline sets up in the living room. They rocked.
I'll post an album after I get it finished.

Web Album for "Kill the Bug" party

Click the picture to view the album.

Stuff and Nonsense

I went with the kids to Renae and Bob Miller's Boat Parade party at Jason's rental house in Pompano- pre Christmas. They have made the house very homey. That was the good news. The bad news was in spite of tripod, I got about two decent pictures. This is one of them. It was a visual and audio spectacular. I enjoyed it.

Yesterday was my final medical checkup of the year with Dr. Cohn. We were both pleased. Tests and exams showed improvement or holding my own. I had experienced a couple of gouty sessions. He prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug, Colcrys, which has been around for a long time. You often don't know how much pain you have been carrying until it goes away. I like it and though it has a load of potential side-effects, I seem to be tolerating it well.

Greg lost his canine companion, JJ, a few weeks ago. He made her last days as pleasant as possible-and loved her. He was really torn up about it. Still is kind of a mess. (been there, done that) His constant loyal companion of 13 years is sorely missed. I encouraged him to get another one-it is a compliment to the passed dog that it was so important in your life that you don't want to do without a canine companion. He texted me a picture of the pup today. I am anxious to get my hands on it.

Didn't feel very energetic after my Doc visit. I charged all the batteries on my cameras and called it a good day's work. Today I decided to fix a garden ornament that Lori gave me for Christmas. It was broken out of the box. It is a kind of wind chime with glass marbles on a chain inside it. The chain was broken. I decided super-glue was my best bet. First I glued my fingers to it. Then I glued it to my shirt. Then I tried UGlu tape and it seems to have done the trick. Of course it has been cool for a couple of days-time will tell.

Jason sold the "project house." He got his asking price. I have new neighbors- Youngish transplants from New York (some time ago) by the name of Figueroa- Reuben and Susan. He does ad layouts for (gasp) the Enquirer. Seem like nice people.

Matt is contemplating a possible move to Bend, Oregon to assume the director's office there. He is being encouraged to apply by headquarters and his boss. Many things to consider-more money for sure, house? Audrey? It is all up in the air right now. No easy decisions. Bless him.

Kill The Bug 2011

Christmas is in our rear view mirror. Lori has staked out the morning of Christmas Eve for her "Kill the Bug Party" the tradition among the Polish being that to have a good snort and a nosh on Christmas Eve morning keeps you healthy. We should have plenty of healthy friends and neighbors on 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue. I helped this year by running to Costco and cooking quite a bit. All great fun for me. The party runs from 8 a.m. to Noon so "come in your jammies" is observed by a good percentage of the attendees. Mimosas, Bellinis, Bloody Mary's, Screwdrivers and wine and plain Champagne grease the skids. This year Mark Jaden performed acoustically on his guitar and was spectacular. A highlight for me was when he sang an original song that has "And you have a fantastic a__. as a lyric and the churchgoers as well as the heathens were out there shaking it. Jason took the video.

Next door neighbors (to Jason and Lori), Steve and Mariela, dressed (and cooked) for the event.

My nephew Chris and his longtime friend Mia attended. Her folks live in Palm Beach so we get to see them once a year. They live in Los Angeles-Chris is in the movie biz.

My neighbors, the Pattens, attended this year. A nice family-Matt is a Sniper for Broward Sheriff office. They do a lot together -he wins the "Clark Griswold Award" for over the top Christmas decorations in the neighborhood.

My across the street neighbor plays the tambourine and dances. Trish dances in the background. Though the party was supposed to be over at noon it was still going on at 5:00 p.m.. We missed David's Christmas Eve Party because things were still going on and Lori was sleeping hard- until 10 p.m. at which time she arose and went to 1:00 a.m. with Trish and Lori's niece. We counted 80+ attendees most of whom we knew. One of the last to leave was the Baptist minister's wife. Kind of makes you feel good.

Cleanup continues. We are anticipating the New Year's bash at David and Jacqui's.