Day off

We have been so busy lately that we are very pleased just to stay home today and RELAX!!!  Even retirees need a day off now and then.

Our gator day was fun, although the last few times we have been there, the rules keep changing.  This time they had taken out the gator tank from its location of years.  A new one, bigger and nicer, is being created.  The gators are still form Gatorland, so Mark and I wore our Gatorland t-shirts and hats for the first time.  The girl showed us Lemon Tart, a three year old female who was delightful.  We had a lovely time, but now you have to give them a donation of at least $5.  Then you can take all the pictures you want on your camera.  Last time it was free.  All the times before that cost $10-20 and NO pictures allowed on your camera.  All in all, this is not a bad donation for the right to take all the pictures you want.  I actually gave them $10 because the girl was so good and we took A LOT of pictures!

Susie and Ed will now go up on our powder room wall!

Me and Lemon Tart.

The Gatorland girl Laura did a great presentation.  She said Lemon Tart was her favorite gator to work with because she liked to "cuddle."

I got to cuddle Lemon Tart, too.

Thursday was a complete treadmill kind of day.  We had early morning, fasting blood draws.  I hosted 7 ladies for Mah Jongg in my house for about three hours while Mark shopped.  Then we had fun at the Trail's End buffet and hayride.  Unfortunately, I ate way too much at the buffet and went up four pounds in one day.  I gained four pounds in eight days on the cruise; I lost those four pounds in 13 days at home; I regained the four pounds back in one day.  Yeah, love my body.

Yesterday was another ridiculous treadmill day.  I left at 8:45 for a 9 a.m. rehearsal.  It ended at 10:30 and I went to water aerobics, although 10 minutes late.  Then we ate a picnic lunch by the pool before working in the library 1-3.  We stopped at Publix for things we forgot, ran home, showered and changed, made salad, set the table, tidies up the house, and got up to the Palms by 5:30.  We met six new people who seemed to enjoy Shabbat dinner at our house.  Mark led a full kiddush when we got back home, and we had some desserts back up at the Palms.  I was so tired by the time we got home at 9 p.m. that I left half the mess still on the dining room table to clean up today.

THAT'S why we need the day off today.

Oh, best part!  Our AC died yesterday afternoon, so the house was hot while we were cooking.  Fortunately, the ceiling fan over the dining room table plus the lower outside temperatures after the sun went down kept the house reasonable.  The guests did not complain.  The repairman is coming on Tuesday, so we are hoping it doesn't get too hot in here between now and then.