WEATHER WOES

Guess you've all been waiting for this!! Cold in Miami and warmer in Illinois ... Went grocery shopping Friday and got home just in time for winds and very heavy rain. As per TV warnings, when the rain let up it started cooling off. Tied a record for "cold" on this date (61) Went to see the movie, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." We liked it! I like Brad!!

It was considerably colder Sat. (for Fla) but we were going to the local IKEA to get some office furniture for rooms at Paul's (Doral) HR offices. What we didn't know was that there was big matress sale until 11:00 am and people were lined up for blocks - we had 15 minutes to wait so we just got in line. Paul & Larry didn't realize how chilly it was (upper 40's); didn't seem to bother Larry too much, but Paul had goosebumps! We decided to wait because the attendants kept telling everyone to take their vouchers to the mattress section and they would be taken care of promptly. (One guy wanted to know what the heck we were doing since we didn't want the voucher he offered - Paul said, "Just waiting to shop." He shook his head and moved on. The place opened, everyone just filed in very orderly and we went to get breakfast upstairs - turned out to be free - scrambled eggs, bacon. hashbrowns & coffee. Worth the wait.

After Paul & Larry picked out the receptionist desk, six tables, a couple of file cabinets, etc., we (they) loaded the Jeep & dropped me off at home. They spent most of the afternoon putting stuff together. Spent the evening (they didn't get home 'til after 8:00 pm) watching DVD series "John Adams" Really good - seven parts, will have to spread it out.

Sunday, still chilly, but forecast says "warmer" today After church, I went to the HR office with P & L for them to finish putting the rest of the furniture together. (Paul has Regional execs coming in next week and wants things in good shape.) Took a short ride around the grounds in a Security cart ... Jane, you are the one who always goes on about the palm trees; you wouldn't believe all the trees on the "White" course. Looks like a veritable jungle of palm trees (I hope Larry took a good picture to post).

Left to go get something to eat before a movie - "Slumdog Milliomaire" The theater is in a huge mall (indoor, huge, very open - and yes, girls, you could spend an entire day there - or more). It's about a half hour away - seems like almost to Ft. Lauderdale. Got home around 8:00 pm - checked out Super Bowl half-time show & score of game and watched rest of "John Adams". If you like Colonial times and American history, get this set. It's great!

Well, gang, it's still jeans-weather (at least for me), so I'm not sunning today. Larry is busy auditing personnel reports for Doral HR and the doggies are napping. Am going out to read "The Time Traveler's Wife" - but don't worry, I won't be telling you about sandy beaches and sunny skies ... at least today!!!

While waiting for comments, I remain,

Marma, Mamaw, Betty, Beej, or Liz

Just reading, 'riting and resting!!

Hello, again!!

Adjustng to the Fla life - they are an hour ahead of Chg time, so I wake up earlier but have absolutely NO trouble going back to sleep. Paul leaves really early (around 4:30 or 5:00 am) and doesn't get home 'til 6:30 or 7:00 pm. He's a workaholic... Larry has been doing some Doral auditing on personnel sheets for Paul (at home), so Molsen and Copper and I try to stay out of his way. (As if we could distract him) He's working on the patio, but we had to go to the Mall to get leashes for the yard because every time we opened the door, the doggies wanted to chase birds. (I refrained from that so I don't need restraints.)

Yesterday evening was quite exciting, but disturbing. We heard lots of sirens and horns and figured there must have been an accident nearby. About 5 or 10 min. later - more of the same. Then a helicopter came right over the house, very low, and Larry & I went outside just in time to see the copter land in the park field next to the house (approximately half a block away). Ambulances, fire trucks, emer.vehicles all lined up and we waited. They brought someone from the wreckage (on the free-way), put them in the helicopter and airlifted away. Didn't see anything on the news - no "updates" like in Chg Perchance that isn't news here, or no one is interested. News is just things like cloned puppies, woman having octuplets, new restaurant openings (THAT is news - it's usually closings) Feel free to let me in on any happenings in your vicinity. Superbowl Sunday is coming up!! Who knows - we may joourney to Tampa just to be in on the action - partying, not football!!

'Til next time then. carry on!

Two Days in Florida Sun

As you can probably tell by the Blog Title, we are taking advantage of the warmth, the sun and Paolo's free time. After a Larry-prepared breakfast of French toast, bacon, coffee, etc., we headed for the beach . We parked in a near-by garage (after many attempts to find a parking space), then toted our snack-pack filled with soft drinks & edibles, beach towels and other beach paraphenalia to a spot on the sand. Tied to confiscate some beach chairs, but the ever-vigilant attendant said , "That will $10 per chair and $10 if you want an umbrella." Big deal!! We came to be in the sun (no umbrella) and $40 would pay for our intended lunch. We all laid out enough to get totally "crisped" (except Larry, of course, who never seems to burn), dropped our "beach" stuff off at the car and went in and out of shops along Lincoln Mall strip. As we sauntered along, we surveyed all the outdoor dining selections and decided on "Carnevale" for Italian food.

Umm-mm, delicious - with red wine, of course, and Larry ordered a frozen something or other. Drove back to the house and discussed "What's going on tomorrow?"

Today is "tomorrow" and that's Sunday! Larry, Paul & doggies walked me the 3 or 4 blocks to church where the guitar group blasted a few lively hymns, the Knights of Columbus were preparing their fund-raiser barbeque, and the sunshine promised another day near the water. To relax, read, just hang out, we traveled to ... Doral Spa Pool. Got all settled in, applied our newly-purchased suntan oil, the waitress came by (NOT Jessica!) with menus and we basked!!

Decided to get a little lunch and- then - the sun went in, clouds hovered, skies blackened and we decided to go shopping ... of all places, Macy's ... Everyone bought something but yours truly!

Went back home to have margueritas, then go to dinner. After that,however, we watched a movie (Burn After Reading) and just decided to order pizza and watch TV. Jonferes had to catch a 6:30 a.m. plane, Paul goes to work early, and Larry, the dogs and I just laugh, roll over, and wait for the mid-morning sun to come up.

It's really warm and nice here - but don't know what you guys are doing (except Jane). Karen, who are you taking to breakfast on Sat.; Mary B., are you coming to visit while I'm here; Bern, did you guys do anything different in NoLa; Laddie, lots of cool biker T-shirts here; Bri-boob, better adjust your itinerary; Hillary, where the heck are you; Sheila, we tried getting peppermint milk shakes, but they were closed on Sundays; Jason, more interesting journeys await!! ALL of you - comment away - it's a work-week, so we won't be doing "touristy things"

Sorry about your Chicago deep freeze - wish you could all enjoy the sun and sand. Til next time

Think Spring - !!

BEGINNING ADVENTURES

Today's temperature started out in the mid-sixties; so we decided to go to Miami Beach and, amongst other things, view the ocean, white sand, sun-bathers (!), and just walk along the shore.

Our next stop: Miami Ink - hilarious!! Couldn't take time to find a proper "peanut" drawing that we liked so I settled for a more expansive transfer. It was getting late and we decided to head home - right in the midst of the "rush" hour.Dashed in and out a few shops across the street - each of us had our own interests and specialty shops we liked;



but our main interest and absolute delight was "Casa Casuarina," the "legendary mansion" most recently owned by Gianni Versace. It has been turned into a hotel and is open to the public for tours, etc. but you can eat lunch inside. So-o, that's just what we did!!



Absolutely beautiful...almost like a museum ... can't believe people actually lived there. Reminded me somewhat of Hearst Castle in Calif.

Took pictures - Paul joked with the waiter and he told Paul we could sneek into a room near our table (Versace's private dining room - now a more private room for those who can host a small dinner party and pay for it). All the walls were small stones & pebbles arranged in mosaics and borders; Versace's large table had been removed and smaller -sized tables with white cloths, place- settings, candle centerpieces, etc. replaced it.

We enjoyed our lunch and took peeks into the pool area, etc - spent almost the rest of the afternoon there. Left, strolled around, and looked into a few more shops Jennifer was fascinated with the body-wax emporium and after a somewhat " disgusting survey," we journeyed on.

Well, have to go now. The sky is blue, the sun is bright and since it's going to be in the mid to high 70s, we feel obligated to hit the beach. Hope you are all bundled against the wind, wearing your mittens, and keeping warm. We are - staying warm, that is!!!

Blogging has gone on long enough - we have to get ready to go to the beach again - or somewhere!! Sun is bright, sky is blue, and we are roasting!!!

Later ..

We Arrived in Miami

Okay, everyone - Here we go!!!

After a smooth and uneventful air flight a (thank goodness), we were met at the airport by Paul. Drove to their Miami home and had a glass of "welcoming chardonnay."

Decided to go to Bahama Breeze for dinner (Jane & Laddie will appreciate that - we spent a few good times there when we were in Florida before)

After a "few" Bahamaritas (with "sidecars") and "ultimate" pina coloda (lots & lots of fresh, shredded coconut!), we ordered appetizers to share, rather than meals - picture coconut shrimp, firecracker shrimp, clam claws, spinach & artichoke dip - and a reorder of coconut shrimp. (needless to say - I loved the

coconut & the firey (hot) shrimp. Home - retired to our respective roms - lights out - tomorrow is another day!!! (Rather, today...)

Going to Miami!!!!

I'm getting ready to go Miami tomorrow and am setting up a blog so everyone can see what I am up to. Please visit my blog every day!!