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Sunday, January 13, 2013

We finally left Maine on the 28th, having been delayed due to a snowstorm.
Made it to Royersford, Pa, where we spent the night with Joe & Norma.
She had a nice meal ready for us when we arrived, even though it was several hours later than anticipated.
 
We spent a nice evening chatting and playing with Murphy.  Thank you Folks for welcoming  him into your home.  He enjoyed his visit also.
Left the next morning and after about an hour on the road, we rain into snow, then freezing rain and then traffic!  It was a long, hard day of driving and we were so happy when we arrived at the Candlewood Suites in Rocky Mount, N.C.  They accept pets and had treats ready for our pup.  Another day of heavy traffic and weather and finally! into Jacksonville, Fl.  on Sunday. We actually could have made it "home", but our arrival would have been in the evening and we decided to rest and head out in the morning, all fresh and ready for the unloading of the Van and settling in process.

Our Friends Arlyn and John were waiting on the steps for us when we pulled into Solana and within an hour, the Van was empty and we were chatting with old friends again, catching up on the news.  Brian came over and made quick work of setting up our computers so we were online quite quickly.  Thanks to all of you who (always) help us feel so welcome.

Marie and Arlyn had wine and snacks sitting on the counter for us....we had arrived HOME.....

It was New Years Eve and the 4 of us (Arlyn, Marie) went down to one of our favorite restaurants...Fishlips! where we had a drink & dinner.  Then after checking to make sure Murphy was comfortable in his new surroundings, we walked down to the beach where they held an all-day beach party!  Not a lot of people left there, so chatted for half and hour and walked over to Jean & Vic's where we had an early Champagne toast and made our way back to the Condo.  Fireworks started about 11 and we lasted until about 11:30....couldn't stay awake to bring in the New Year.  
Little Murphy was still .wearing his Maine fur coat and feeling the heat!  We made an appointment and had him groomed the next day.
He doesn't look like the same puppy....They tell us his hair will grow back in quickly...we're hoping because they sure gave him a Florida cut! 
The temps have been in the mid 70's to mid 80's since we arrived, so I'm sure he's much more comfortable this way.
On Saturday, about 20 of us drove down to the Elks for their monthly Steak Dinner.  Evelyn (Carolyn F's Mom) is visiting from Montreal and joined us.
Wanted to have her picture taken under the Elk so her Family up home would see where she was!

"Lunch Bunch" was on Wednesday and quite a gathering joined together to get caught up on the latest.  It was good to see everyone.

The Water Aerobics has started up and I've managed to get down there to exercise almost every day.  The water is beautiful, temps around 82-84.

My Friend, Carol L, from Illinois went to a garage sale this summer and came home with a treasure....for me...... She found a box full of Linus, Charley Brown fabric.  There are 56 yards and she only paid $10.00.  When she gave it to me, I felt like I had hit the jackpot!  Imagine all the blankets we can quilt for Project Linus with this....I cannot begin to thank you enough for this Carol.......

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Shortly after we got home and unpacked, we packed up again and headed to Vermont to help celebrate our Great Granddaughter's 1st Birthday.
                                  Gracie full of cake and ice cream
                                          4 Generations Photo

From Spring to Fall 2012

When we got home in May, we were going to sell our house, move to Florida permanently, coming home for 3 months in the summer!  Our minds were made up so we started having Open Houses every Sunday.  What a chore that was...had to keep the house cleaned all the time, just in case...someone came knocking at the door, which actually happened several times.  Our Open Houses did bring people in and as it turned out, we never received an offer, or even an insult!  On September 15th, we threw up our hands and the For Sale sign ended up in the dumpster!  It wasn't meant to be!!! or as my Daughter Melinda says "Everything happens for a reason"... not sure just what the reason is, but it didn't happen so we agreed that living in Maine was a good thing....we will winter in Florida for as long as we both physically and financially can.  Trying to sell our house took up the better part of the summer, but we were busy doing other things also.  Here's a brief recap of our Summer and Fall.....
Helped celebrate our good friend Jim Thomson's 75th Birthday...
Guy's Niece is getting married in June, we went to their Shower ...it was such a fun event!

                      The theme was Tropical....they did it up 1st Class
Grandson Sam graduated from High School, heading to Clark University in the Fall...
Grandson Spencer, graduated from 8th Grade, going to High School in the Fall...

                                      Jenny and Rob's Wedding.....
                The reception had a nautical theme....one to remember

                             Guy with Son Rick and Daughter Brenda
Traveled to Bangor for Jan & Joel's 50th Anniversary....JP, their son, surprised them, coming from Calif.
                          Morrisson's, Froding's and the Linscott gang
These 5 guys have been friends since grade school  (and have stayed in touch all these years)
                                                    Jan & Joel
             A train trip to Rockland with Mel and Betty, from Mass.

                       We had lunch at the Black Pearl in Rockland....I'll
never forget the Beet Salad I got there....

August 2012

                                 Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland
took a ride up the coast and enjoyed a great Lobster dinner....These little towns put on a good feast!  It was a beautiful day and we walked around all the booths, did a little souvenir shopping, heading home with our bellies full of great seafood.
Steve Matsko and Family stopped by for a couple nights on their way up to
Acadia National Park where they spend a week camping every summer.
                            doing a little sightseeing at Two Lights......
Our Granddaughter Meghan, is spreading her wings and is moving to Nashville, Tenn. to expand her career.  She's been working at a local Nursing Home, but wants to work at a Hospital where she can continue her learning curve.
BBF Brianna flew to Tenn. with her when she went for her Interview....they
made themselves known in Nashville, checking out the local scenery....
                               Aunt Lynn, Mom and co-worker Mary
       Going Away Party....Safe travels Meg...We will all miss you so much!
Guy won 20 Lobsters in a raffle and decided to invite his Family over for a
Lobster cookout.  By the way, this is the neatest way to cook corn on the cob. Put corn in a cooler, fill with boiling water, shut cover, wait 30 minutes, and your corn is cooked and tastes wonderful!  Quick and easy way to cook corn for a big crowd.....



When Meghan left for Nashville, she couldn't take her puppy, Murphy with her.  She asked us if we would take him...we had no intentions of ever gettting a dog..but couldn't refuse her. We always loved this dog, but now we love him even more, if that is at all possible.  Meghan was heart broken when she had to give him up, but did because it was best for the dog.
A hard call on her part, but a good call for us. 

We try to take Murphy everywhere we go....we met Jan & Joel in Camden one afternoon for lunch and were so pleased to find a neat restaurant that allows dogs on the outside patio.  There were dishes of water for them and it was nice to have them there beside us.

September 2012

                                  Don & Billie's 80th Birthday Party
Guy's Brother & Sister-In-Law have the same birthdate and Carol gave them a party at her home in Lisbon Falls.
Nichole called and asked me if I'd like to go to the Roller Derby with her.
She lives in North Conway, NH and I don't get to see her very often so I said sure!  Roller Derby-ing isn't my "thing", but I'd get to see Nichole so we went.  It was a hoot!  What a crazy bunch of people tearing around the floor on roller skates....I was glad I went, probably never go again, but it was fun.

Jim & Pat invited me to the Retired Officers Association  Lobster Bake...Guy was out of town, sorry he couldn't make it....Nothing better than overlooking the Atlantic ocean, eating Lobster....
Guy & Rick's annual trip to the Penn State Game.  They stay at Steve & Linda Matsko's....Penn State beat Navy!
                Jim & Pat's Surprise 50th Wedding Anniversary Party

They sure were surprised and even more surprised to see their son Jimmy was there from Alabama.
                                                 the pool boy!

                            September 1st was Murphy's 1st Birthday....
                               no cake, but he did have a party hat:)