Monday and Tuesday - Welcoming 2019!

Ken and I were up our usual times and did our normal morning routine.  We took a walk around the campground and then I went for a few groceries while Ken continued to get additional steps.

It was another gorgeous, sunny day so we ate lunch outside and then I made a red pepper dip and got a tray together of different types of crackers to have with a cheese ball I had brought from home.  

We left the CG at 2:30, stopping at Detwilers for more fresh fruit.  When we got to Rick and Joyce's, Barb and Frank were already there.  Joyce had reserved their community's clubhouse for the evening, so we headed there and met Skip and Judy.  

The 1st event of the evening was to enjoy a delicious meal together of Joyce's homemade lasagna, garlic bread compliments of Frank, and tossed salad by Judy.  It was a delicious meal.  I provided the snacks for the evening and we each provided our own drinks.  

I had made card tallies as a hostess gift for Joyce and the 8 of us had a great time playing double deck pinochle, changing partners for 7 rounds and having the opportunity to play with everyone throughout the evening.  What fun!  Joyce was the all around winner!

Rick, Joyce, Ken and I headed to Venice Beach at 11:00 to view the fireworks at midnight.  The other 2 couples decided to call it a night and head home.  It was a mild evening on the beach with so many stars and a decent amount of wave action.  One couple launched 3 Chinese lanterns during our time there and they were fun to watch floating through the sky.  

Ken and I were back to the campground by 1:00 after a wonderful New Year's Eve gathering with special friends.  We are so blessed!

It was off to dreamland as soon as we returned!

Today, Tuesday, Ken was up early again, even though we got to bed so late!  I only appeared at 8:30.  Noela had called and she had a chat with Ken.  She and Ernie plan to be here at Harbor Lakes by mid afternoon!

After eating a light breakfast, Ken and I made a phone call to Fred and Doloris to wish him a Happy Belated Birthday (it was yesterday!) and to say Happy New Year!  Then we called Chuck and Melissa, fellow campers and special friends with whom we had camped for over 100 days 2 years in a row!  We had a nice long "visit" via phone and plan to get together at The Villages here in Florida the beginning of April when we leave the campground to head back home.  We always look forward to spending time with them and relive many of the experiences and adventures we have shared!

Ken and I packed our lunches and got ready to go to the beach.  As we were leaving, Jim and Joyce arrived, friends we had met through Ernie and Noela.  After our time here this winter, they will be keeping their 5th wheel at Harbor Lakes permanently!

Ken and I got to Englewood Beach around 12:15 and had to wait for someone to leave to find a parking space - it only took a short time, but there were so many people there.  What a perfect day to be on the beach and hard to imagine that it was New Year's Day!  Ken took a long walk while I enjoyed looking for shark's teeth.  The wave action was perfect today for just walking a short distance and then letting the breaking waves "reveal" the teeth!  What fun!

It doesn't look very crowded, but Ken was walking away from
the main area!

Here you can see some of the many umbrellas!

Ken always did some walking around Englewood and this is
a view of the Intracoastal Waterway!

We did a little reading and by 4:15 we were back to the CG.  We stopped at Ernie and Noela's site where they were already set-up but the job of unloading and finding space for everything had just begun.  We visited for about 1/2 hour and then we were back to Wilbur for showers.  Ken rested while I did my devotions and then made salads for tonight and tomorrow night.  Noela stopped by to let us know that they would be going to bed shortly after dinner as they were so tired.  They did so much driving since leaving Canada on Sunday!

Ken grilled chicken and after cleaning up, we played 3 rounds of Hand and Foot.  I was winning after 2 rounds, but round 3 I didn't get into my foot!!!  So, Ken is now ahead by 1400 points - what is that about!

I worked on this blog and around 9 we headed to bed.  It was another special day!  

Happy New Year's to everyone and may 2019 be a year of good health, joy, peace, happiness, and special moments that create cherished memories!