Bye, Bye Beach and New Friends in Paradise

Our days in Paradise are coming to a close. Today was again filled with wind and high seas, but lots and lots of sunshine. As you can see from the photo and video, swells were too high and came too far in to lay at the beach, so we all retreated to the grassy knoll and the lower pool for a last day of fun in the sun. We've met some fun new friends this week: meet Sheri and Gary and daughter Erica, Grumpy, John and Nina, Grace (aka Laura Bush) and husband Bill (he wasn't there for pics), Keri and Clark, and Ken, Jodi, Lindsey, and Robbie. These folks are a hoot! We laughed until our sides hurt! Also made a bunch of new friends in Erick's golfing buddies, though we don't have pics of them! Bottom line: we'll be looking to come back the same time next year and pick up the party where we left off! It's been a great vacation.

No snorkeling today, so our golf ball count stays the same. We think it's a pretty good number!

Hoping to get in a goodbye to the kids if Betty has time to bring them. Gonna hit Atlantis for one last shot at financial freedom! (Don't hold your breath!) Gotta say goodbye to our island paradise in style.

Next posting: from home!

We Found the Booty!

Wow! What a day! Erick got to play at the Ocean Club golf course today with some of our new friends here. He had a blast and couldn't believe how breathtaking it was. The homes, the views, the greens! Indescribable! I spent the morning with Betty visiting Mt. Tabor Full Baptist Church, getting Erick's cigars at Graycliff, and hitting Bay Street for a few other small items. We finished our time together with lunch poolside at the club. Then, after Erick got back, he and I walked down the beach and dared the gigantic waves not to drown us as we searched for golf balls at Snorkelers' Cove. Boy, did we score! We found the booty of all booties as far as golf ball treasures are concerned: 37 balls in one short snorkel trip! That's a record even for us! Got the gorgeous shell as a bonus! Still trying to get all the sand out of unmentionable places after being tossed and dumped by waves, but it was worth it for the big find! Almost doubled our take for the whole trip! Praying that the good Lord will give us calm seas tomorrow, but the weather folks are laughing themselves silly over that one! Oh well, we've done well regardless.

Only one more day...then reality. Have to make the most of it! It sure has been great! We are truly blessed.

Paradise "Lost" for Kadous Family

Miss Betty and the boys whisked the Kadous family off to the airport for a long flight back home. Sad to see them go but they enjoyed Paradise just as much as we do! Erick and I went snorkeling and found 21 golf balls, thinking of them the whole time and dedicating our big find to their adventures of the past week. Safe travels.

On the wings of eagles...

Got in a great snorkel with sightings of eagle rays, barracuda, flounder, and tropicals galore. Greatest visibility we've ever seen down here. That was two days ago. Yesterday a big storm moved through and brought thunder and lightning and rough, rough seas. Too rough for decent snorkeling (though Erick still managed to find 6 golf balls!). Rained most of the day and we have clouds off and on today. Seas are pounding folks right into the sand at the shoreline today. We're still getting in a lot of R&R, reading, and even a workout here and there! Tonight we're going to try our luck at the casino since it's the Kadous' last night here. More to come...

Big Birthday Bash

This year's birthday bash happened on Sunday when Betty brought the kids over for swimming, dinner, cupcakes, and presents. You wouldn't believe how these kids have grown! First we went down to the ocean and let the waves knock us around, but one grabbed Sarah a little too hard and knocked her down, scaring her and completely covering her with sand. The water was kind of cold and we opted to go up to the pool from there. After showers by the stairs, we went to the upper pool and spent almost two hours playing in the water. And guess what, that pool is heated this year! It was almost too warm - geriatric or therapeutic warmth. So there were no chattering teeth this time, but a lot of handstands and held-breath competitions and such. Tony and Radonna's boys, Kyle and Keaton, joined in the fun, too. Then we headed to the condo for a big spaghetti dinner (sauce was courtesy of India) with salad and garlic toast. I made red velvet cupcakes for birthday dessert. Once dinner was over, the kids opened their gifts and then had some play time both here in the condo and over at the rec room on the pingpong table. We finished off the night with a group photo so we can memorialize it all. What a day! We were all exhausted when they left but it was a good kind of tired! Wish you could have been here to celebrate with us. Betty and the kids say hi to everyone.

She's growing up!

Just back from visiting Sarah and Lainie. We had lots of fun playing at the park, shopping at the Disney store for Princess and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse t-shirts, and spending time reading all her books. Sarah got a little time to herself to do whatever she wanted, and we got a chance to do a little cooking and share some tasty meals. I'm sure going to miss them as they head off to Ohio. Please keep them in your prayers as their new realtor looks for a buyer for their home. They're due for some good luck!