WOW! What a Month!

Frost on the Windshield

Happy Riley

     The saying, “Time passes when you are having fun,” has never been more true. My dress for the wedding was ready when promised and looks fabulous! We packed for 2 weeks in the cooler, and possibly snowy, north; wrapped the presents, emptied the refrigerator, and did the last-minute cleaning and laundry, before headed north on December 20^th.  While Pete finished up some work projects, I had a couple of medical appointments to keep before Christmas.

      

    We stayed with Chris, Kel and the girls. Hadi’s excitement was wonderful to watch, especially while her Elf on the Shelf, “Bubbles,” kept a watchful eye. She even had a number of encounters with Santa (on the fire truck, at school and at a breakfast.) Her biggest concern was that she might have omitted a few items, but Bubbles knew to report back to Santa.

    Riley continues to grow in leaps and bounds. Her happy personality survives even when she is sick, which was most of the time we were with them.

Little ladies in their Tutus

     Christmas Eve, we took Pete’s mom to dinner and stayed the night. The 3 of us headed north to Chris and Kel’s for Christmas breakfast.  Heather and Kel’s family rounded out the gathering. Needless to say, a great time was had by all!

Hadi examining Nana

     Well, almost all…Pete came down with an intestinal bug Christmas night that laid him flat for the next two days. I took Mom back home on Monday, completed some errands for her, then returned to keep tabs on Pete. Oh yea, remember Riley’s cold? Well, guess who she shared it with!

Kids with wrapped up leftovers

    Friday before the wedding, was busy. We had to drop Bailey for boarding, continue south to Seaford to pick up Mom, drive to the hotel in NJ (6 hours of driving since leaving the house in Pa), and host the rehearsal dinner at Rats, a fabulous restaurant located on the grounds of The Sculpture Garden outside Princeton.

We gather for the Rehearsal Dinner

     

      The wedding was memorable in every way.  Greg, in his dress uniform, and Jenn, in a magnificent, embellished floral, mermaid dress and tiara with a vail of red, white and blue were married by a celebrant who shared their love story and play to the crowd!  Their love of all things nautical was the theme throughout the venue: her rings, the tables of foods for cocktail hour and the tables for dinner. Before dinner, Greg changed into his suit (more comfortable and Jenn's dress loss her mermaid's flounce. The food was yummy and the dancing non-stop (great DJ!) Guests held sparklers out on the patio creating a roadway for the newlyweds and everyone donned hats and created noise as we danced in the New Year.

First Dance

Bobbi Jo celebrates Jenn & Greg

Chris' Toasts his brother and his wife

Chris & K

Jenn and her "Babes"

Steiner Side getting Craz

The Bruzik Ladies welcome 2017 

Hadi, our dancing Machine!

Love Sparkles!

   














     New Year’s Day, we were able to spend time catching up with family and friends before everyone headed home.  Ann, Howie, Carolyn, Mom and we said our good-byes after a great dinner and stayed the extra night.

      Monday, we drove Mom back home and continued on to Florida. Unfortunately, Tuesday, she was admitted to the hospital for the next ten days. As of this writing she is doing better; out of the hospital and improving in in rehab.

      Since returning to Riviera City Marina, time has flown. Pete has been busy with work. We were able to visit a bit more, as well as catch a few movies and dinners with Ann and Howie. Over the last couple of days, I did some heavy-duty cruise prep: For 5 hours, Rug Doctor and I cleaned all the upholstery, shades and rugs. After defrosting the freezer and fridge, there was a trip to BJs, along with dividing, then vacuum sealing all the meats. A couple of loads of laundry were done, which meant a number of trips, as I also washed all the bedding. (The marina only has two, somewhat decent dryers and I had 4 loads of laundry!) Then, taking inventory of the fridge and dry goods, replenished was needed.  I did steal away for a few hours by myself at Butterfly World, south of Delray. Had a great time and managed a few good photos!  Now, I just need time to process the wedding photos as well as my butterflies and birds.

Rainbow Lorikeet

Common Sailor Butterfiles

   

Amazon Parrot's Tail Feathers

Painted Birdwing Butterfly

     Sunday, we dropped the car off in Marathon. We left early enough (7am) so that we missed all the traffic that occurs later in the day.  We were back at the marina by 3. We joined Ann and Howie for a great Italian dinner and said our temporary good-byes. I’m sure we will see them on the return trip or may be while we are in the Keys.

     Monday, fuel and water tanks were topped off and holding tank emptied, paperwork completed with the marina and did the last of the laundry. As I was returning to the boat, I noticed the catamaran behind us had a yellow line in the water. I knew that the owner was away, to I climbed aboard, found a paddle to retrieve the line and began pulling the line from the water. I wound up pulling up the diver, whose yellow air line was attached to a hookah and was cleaning the bottom of the boat!

     Just before closing, we moved to the fuel dock to top off the tanks, and stayed for easy departure for tomorrow’s nautical dawn. Tomorrow, we hope to do an outside jump from here to Miami and avoid the 35 bridges!  It will mean a long day to cover the 80.5 miles.  As we head to bed the forecast is for winds 10-15 from the ESE with seas 4-6 feet.  Hopefully, we will be able to sail.

     Well, it’s time for our beauty rest, so we wish you all good night!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  K & P