Trip to Florida

I had to make a quick trip to Florida to take care of some business. So as is our usual style, I extended it into 3 weeks - plus an extra week in Costa Rica on the way home! I got to be in Florida for my awesome grandson Austin's birthday as well as for his awesome Dad's birthday. I also got to attend an incredible dance performance of Austin and granddaughter Megan. Besides all of that (!) I got to visit our great friends Emma and Jon, who have also left Costa Rica and now live in Florida. I spent some time with my super friend Gail. In Costa Rica I got to visit and do lunch with my long time friends Goldye and Linda and got to see a bunch of my old friends at the weekly Conversation Group that I used to participate in. In addition to all of that, I spent several days and celebrated my birthday on the Caribbean with fabulous friends Judy and Bob! What a month. And poor Gene got to stay home and take care of more details with the new apartment, like finally getting our plumbing leaks resolved. Pobrecito!  The several postings under this one are photos from my trip. It was busy!

More of My Beautiful Granddaughter

The Food's Always Good!

Mark & Debbie and the kids are all seriously into good food. I always eat well when visiting them - from the freshest and tastiest sushi ever to great hamburgers, it's an ongoing food fest!

Austin's Birthday Party

One of the Highlights of My Trip!

I got to go to my grandson's birthday party - an afternoon with his friends at this awesome place where they did zip lines, rope climbing, rock climbing, trampoline jumping and a bunch of other fun stuff!
Birthday parties are not what they used to be!

I Even Got Invited to a Superbowl Party!

Now if I Could just Remember Who was Playing ...

St Augustine with my Friend Emma

Day in St Augustine with Emma

Special Treat - Lunch with a Long Lost Cousin

Cousin Dave & his Beautiful Wife Maxine

Actually, Dave was never lost - that I know of anyhow. But I had not seen him since our high school days - or maybe junior high school! No particular reason - life is just what happens while you're making other plans. I had never met Maxine, but I have a very fond memory of my mother writing to me in great excitement because Dave had brought Maxine to the house to meet his Aunt Sally. They had just got married and he wanted to show off his bride! We always loved Dave - and my mother immediately loved Maxine, too. And I just thought it was the coolest thing ever that they had come to visit my Mom.

So after all these years, it turns out that while they still live in Maine for half of each year, they spend the other half these days in Florida, not far from where my friends Emma and Jon live! So we were able to meet up for lunch. It was a fabulous visit, I hated to see it end, and wish that we lived closer so that I could get to know them better. Need that little cottage on the lake in Maine!

Visiting with Emma & Jon in Florida!

Lunch at Paris Bistro

Mark's Birthday Dinner

And of Course it's Sushi!

A Day with the Amazing Gail!

An Inspirational Woman

New Years Eve from the Balcony

Housewarming, Christening & Blessing!

Christmas Eve on the Balcony

Larry's Last Adventure

He always seemed to be up for an adventure - and for making new friends. He was communicating actively with us long before we ever met. As soon as he became involved with my good friend Madelle, I became his friend. It really was that simple.
Many people are shocked and saddened today to hear of Larry's unexpected death. He had many friends in many locations. He was our most active commenter on the blog (often anonymously) and often offered facts or insight that was helpful or amusing.
When I received the email from Madelle titled "Larry's Last Adventure," I knew is couldn't be good news. But I thought it was a great way to look at the passing of such a cool and adventurous guy.
Farewell, my friend. I'm glad we got to know you.

Happy People - Thoughts for the Day

Friends, family, personal goals, acts of kindness, emotional health. A well balanced, happy life  seems to me to require these. Paula Davis-Laack agrees, and has some factual research to support her analysis.

So far this week ...

some things have gone better than others.

The Lighting of the Tree - Magdalena del Mar

There was a great children's choir, a speech by the wife of the mayor, who says we in Magdalena are all one big family, and of course, fabulous fireworks! The park was filled with adorable little kids and lots of big people, too. A fabulous evening!

And finally - by popular request - Photos of the New Place!

Sure looks better than it did on this day!

Cost of Living, Inflation & Exchange Rate

Source: tradingeconomics.com When we first visited Peru in December 2008, the Peruvian Sol to US Dollar exchange rate was about 3.3. For the most part, the cost of things seemed reasonable, if not downright cheap in some cases. Fast forward

Photos of the New Apartment

Art has been hung. A couple of accent walls have been painted. The place is generally put together and looking great. Tomorrow I am going to take photos and post them. I swear. I really am.