Our Motorcycle Day!!!!!

Johnny and Maria came over to the Condo today on their Harley.  We all rode together to Foley, Fair hope, and Daphne.  Paul rode in his van behind us.  The weather was perfect....what a great ride...couldn't have been nicer.  We ate breakfast at Hazel's, stopped and looked at art galleries and a Medical Museum in Foley.  Then we went to the Pecan Farm...got to crack and sample our own pecans....bought Pecan butter, and Pecan candy.  Then we decided to go to Sonic's and have Cherry Lime drinks.  We rode up to the Harley Store but....they are closed on Monday.  When we got home Linda and Norm have arrived in Pensacola from Jacksonville.  They came over to eat at Doc's with us all.  Donna and Johnny came too.  Then we went back to the Condo...Johnny and Mike went in the sauna and steam room.  Paul went to the pool and hot tub.  Maria and I went down to the pool and met up with the boys and floated and hot tubed.  Maria just talked with us...she didn't bring her swim suit.  Paul, Maria, and Johnny spent the night at the condo with us.

Sunday Excitement

Today we went to the Bowen's house in Pensacola for lunch.  We took veggies, dip, strawberries, and two kinds of ice cream.....homemade vanilla and strawberry vanilla.
They had turkey, dressing, gravy, Italian beans and potatoes, rolls, hot dogs, sausage, potato salad, and wings.  Quite a feast....oh Oreo Cake too.
We enjoyed talking to the family while we waited for Johnny and Maria to get there.  Then we all sat around and talked some more.  Maria and Johnny decided to stay at the Bowen's and to come to our condo tomorrow.  We are going to both ride our cycles to the town Fair hope and Bass Pro Shop tomorrow.  It should be fun...hope it isn't too cold.

A Beautiful And Wonderful Saturday In Alabama

What a great day!  We hung around the condo for a while and about 12:30pm we took off on a motorcycle ride.  It was just perfect for riding.  We rode along the beach to the end of the island and then back towards the bridge.  That felt so good with the salt air so close.  We checked out the State Park...but didn't find the nature center...have took again for it later.  It is interesting to see how things look different when you are on the motorcycle and on the van.  I think you see a lot more on the cycle.
When we got back to the condo, we cleaned it up a little and got it all shined up for Johnny and Maria.  I also wrote the bills...ugh.
Then we had Johnny and Donna down to our condo for dinner:  Smokey's pork BBQ sandwiches, coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, veggies & dip, ice cream and strawberries.
We ended the evening with the hot tub and a swim in a warm pool.

Belated Birthday For Donna

We slept in until 11:00am and then jumped up very quickly and dressed to go to the gym.  After that we had plans to go a restaurant called Grazie, for Donna's birthday....a few days late. It was very good, however more expensive than we usually pay for meals.  Everyone got different meals and we all loved them. 
Going home I saw a Pelican Art Gallery.  Donna turned around and we all went in.  It was so nice and had so many things, I know Lynn would have loved it.  I have to take her there next year.  Mike found some lovely silver pendants....kind of casual ones the reminds you of the ocean.  I couldn't decide which one I wanted so Mike said,  "buy all three and I did!" The clerk said they are almost 99% silver....not sterling silver, so they will never tarnish.  I had never heard of that and they were $45 or less, so I think I got a great deal.  When we left, Donna said, "why did you buy them all...I wanted one".  that wasn't very nice of me on her birthday was it?  I hope they get some more in.

Good News And My Art Lesson

Miss Tammi called and said she was sorry she didn't offer us first choice on the Condo and we could have it if we wanted it.  She is going to send us the fees for it next year....she informed us that they would be quite a bit larger than the "killer deal we got this year"....I knew that made her mad last year but didn't realize she would hold a grudge like she did.
I went to my art class in Folley.  It was so much fun and I learned a lot.  The owner, Jan, of Jan's Art Studio has set aside each Thursday for anyone who is working on an art project to come in and work with others in her back room.  She was very helpful to me, especially since I know nothing about watercolour. Each person was using different mediums....pastels, oils, acrylics, beans, rice, corn, & other seeds to make a 3 D project for an Appreciation of Art Class.  Jan doesn't like the watercolor pencils very much, so she had me try tube paints.  She said the tube paints I have are the cheapest one you can get, but they are OK for practice.  She did insist I that get 3 new brushes...a flat, a round, and one that you can use to scrub out the color with.  She also taught me a quick easy way to make clouds.  You just make your sky using the colors you want and a water wash...then while wet, use a Kleenex or paper towel to blot out the color...then clouds appear.  Then you can dry the sky with a hair dryer and add shadows under the clouds and more color to the sky later.  She had me paint the same picture I did in the condo with the new paints and techniques she showed me.  Now I have done my 3rd and 4th water color pictures.  I guess I will be rich as soon as I start selling them.
After the art class we went to the gym and worked out and then to the cinema to see the new Sherlock Homes movie.  Donna and Johnny went while I was at the art class.  They loved it.....we didn't like it very well.  I very seldom like movies that are old fashioned or set in other countries.  Also Sherlock was very different and zany.  It was very fast and jumpy...lots of fights and action.  I guess it was OK, just not my type of a movie.    I did like the popcorn and coke....we got the Senior pack....small but good.
Lastly but not least, we went to the sauna, steam room, pool, and hot tub.  What a way to end a good day.

Trouble In Paradise

Today we found out that our condo manager has already rented our 401 condo for next year for January, February, and March.  She didn't even ask us if we wanted to rent it next year. The general rule is that the people in the condo get first choice for next year.   I called the owner and told her about it.  I don't know what will happen.
The good thing we did was go to the Genealogy Library in Pensacola.  One of the club members sat with me and helped me get some good stuff about my Dad's family.  I am going to get it all organized and go back and continue the search.

Yoga Day 2

This morning was my second Yoga class.  It seemed easier this time....I kind of liked it.  No music though......I missed that.  Donna and Johnny took me there because my Mike went to Mike Rawes' farm to work on his motorcycle trailer.  Donna and Johnny dropped me off and went to the mail box.  They made a miss turn and found a lovely Live Oak Housing area of beautiful big homes.  Then we stopped for lunch and wanted to get soup and sandwiches at Bella Luna Restaurant.  It was very good...we will probably go there again.  I had half of the Steak & and Cheese Sandwich and the best big salad with just everything in it.
Mike was gone longer then he expected to be.  When he got back, we all went on a walk on the beach...picked up a few shells and lots of feathers....pretty soon I'll have enough feathers so I will know what kind of bird it is...Pelican or Great Blue Heron.
Mike spent the whole evening trying to registrar for Medco....thanks to them for unlinking our account....boy is he a grouch.

Food Is Way Too Much A Part Of Our Day

This morning we went back to the restaurent, Road Kill...it was baked pork chops day.  Donna and I both love pork chops. We met Mike Rawes and Paul Bowen there.  It was a good buffet.  Everyone wanted to go to the used bookstore in Folley but I saw a store called Jan's Art Studio down the street.  So I went there to see if they had watercolor classes.  It was a very cool store.  They have an open art day every Thursday....guess who will be there next Thursday.  They had the prettiest necklaces made out of threads with tiny squares of ribbon....they are really light and have a bead to make them adjustable...longer or shorter.  I think they are called Stained Glass Necklaces.  They had lots of beautiful original paintings....oil,acrylic, and watercolor. The pottery pieces there were made by a man called Rhett Butler....can you imagine.  He actually digs up his own clay and makes beautiful pieces.....beautiful colors....I think the owner says he doesn't even used a potter's wheel.  He puts lovely quotes on the back of each piece.
Then we went to the outlet mall again to find some workout clothes.....Donna and I both got some....after all we have to look beautiful at the gym.  The boys bought some shorts and shirts in their stores.  I also found the coolest knife at the Case Knife Store.

It is so cool...lime green...blade, handle, cover and all.  Kuhn Rikon is the brand.....very, very sharp...I need it here too...all of the knives in the Condo won't cut butter.
We came back to our Condos and had clean out the fridge day.....we ate all the leftovers.  I love leftovers.
Before we went to bed Mike, Paul, and I went to the pool and hot tub.  What a way to end a good day!

Party Day

Today is my sister's birthday....January 22.  I bet we are going to have a great dinner and celebrate together. 
Here's what happened:
We slept in and Donna and Johnny played games on the computer.  Then we went to the outlets to find some workout clothes.  I thought we were going to go to dinner, but no, the guys took us to the gym.  Hahahaha...what a disappointment.  I do always feel better after I work out.  Johnny wanted to watch some football games and we had soup and hamburgers for dinner....guess we will eat out later at the Italian place.
Later in the evening I watched some movies on Lifetime TV.

Beautiful Day At Royal Palms

Yesterday we went to the mall in Pensacola....it was fun.  I got some eye cream from Estee Lauder.  I hope it helps....my eyes look horrible.  I also found the really dark blue jeans I tried to buy in Toledo.  They are called Ruby Road.  I couldn't buy them there because they didn't have my size.  They didn't have my size here either, so I tried on a size smaller and guess what....they fit great...even kind of roomy. 
Today was such a nice day.  The weather was fantastic....in the 70's and after I woke up, I spent some very pleasant time out on the deck....getting some sun and listening to the waves.  It was so nice that we went for a walk on the beach, down to the fishing pier.  I picked up some sea weed, shells, and bird feathers.  I think I will decorate a piece of drift wood.
Then we went to the pool and hot tub.  Everyday we meet some new interesting people there also renting condos here.  Donna and Johnny laid in the sun on their deck and then they came to the pool and tub too.
Then we decided we would get dressed and go to Doc's for dinner.

 I ordered Red Royal Shrimp and was quite surprised when I saw the head was still on the shrimp.  The waitress took them all off for me....thank goodness, I didn't like looking at the heads and eyes.
We went to a movie....The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo....

and surprise...it was good.  I hated the book....too hard to understand.

It'a Pretty Quiet Here In Alabama

Yesterday my sister Lynn and her husband Bill left to go home to Delaware.  I miss them already.
We slept in a little...guess whose idea that was?  We went to the gym and no one really felt like working out....but...we went.
When we got back to the condo, we went up to Donna and Johnny's condo for homemade soup and West Virginia hot dogs.  I brought up yesterday's left over cherry pie and some vanilla sugar free ice cream.
We were all tired and decided to go to bed early...had the lights out by 9:00pm.
Mike woke me up before sunrise and we took pictures...it is just so pretty here.
Then of course we had to go back to bed and rest our weary bodies.  For lunch we went to Auntie Bo's and had ribs and chicken buffet.  It was pretty good...$8.00 a person.  After that we drove through the little housing areas there and looked at all the beautiful homes....lots and lots of pretty ones.  We looked at Wolf Creek Landings...a big bunch of attached condos that some people rent out and others buy and stay there.  It was right on Wolf Bay River.  I think Jewel would like this area for her family.  Donna says they are just huge and beautiful and fairly cheap...course they are not on the Ocean, but they are on a bay, great for fishing and boating.

It Seems Like Yesterday

My sister Lynn and Bill are packing the car to go home in the morning.  It seems like they just got here yesterday.  We had such a good time with them.  They loved it too and today we looked for a house they can rent here next January.  They want to rent a house so they can bring their little puppies with them.  For some reason, condos will not let renters bring pets.  We went to an agency and looked at the outside of of several houses.  They would not let us look inside them...we had to look on line at the pictures.  We like three or four of them.  Hope Lynn and Bill can get one next year for the month of January.
After looking at the houses, we took Donna and Johnny back to their condo and we all went to Pensacola to the Genealogy Library. 

 It is so nice...we are going to start going there and working on our family tree once a week.  Mike found several bits of information today that he has been trying to find for a while....that made him very happy.
We finally started getting our forwarded mail....so exciting...just love getting all those bills.
When we got home, I fixed Beef and Noodles, with Italian Green Beans.  Donna made a Caesar Salad and hot rolls, and Lynn furnished the desert...cherry and blue berry pies with no sugar added Blue Bell Vanilla Ice Cream.  Johnny is feeling under the weather with a cold and did not come down....we sent up a plate for him.
Bill is going down to use the sauna and steam room....pool and hot tub for the last time. this year.
We will miss them when they have to go home.

Beautiful Day Today At Dauphin Island

We drove around Mobile Bay to the Dauphin Island Bridge.  The car ferry was still not working. It was sunny and warm and a wonderful day for sightseeing and exploring.
We stopped in some beach shops and gift shops.  We took lots of pictures of the beaches, water, birds and even some pelicans.  We saw lots of beautiful beach houses.  It was a quiet sleeply little town.  We picked up lots of shells all down the west side of the island.  We had Subway subs for lunch.  Then looked around a little more.  It took close to two hours to get there and get back, but the time went fast.  Always fun when you can visit with family. 
When we got back to Gulf Shores, we called Donna and Johnny and they wanted to meet at DeSoto's for dinner.  We all had the Senior meals, which were good and also cheap.
Back at the Condo, Mike, Bill, and I went to the pool and hot tub.  Actually Mike and Bill did the steam room and sauna too.

Gym Day And Just Messing Around In Gulf Shores

Today we went to the gym....it has been a while since I have been able to go....remember I was a little sick.  Today, Johnny says he is sick and he and Donna took the day off from the gym.  After the gym we went looking for some houses that will take dogs that Lynn found on the Internet....couldn't see them inside but liked the outside of them.  Maybe they will come down to Alabama for next January 2013.  We found lots of pelicans on the Bayside and we stopped and took pictures.

 They are so pretty.(watercolor examples for us)  We had to come quickly to see the Ravens play the Huston Texans.....Ravens won....Lynn and Bill were very happy, but said the Ravens did not play their best game.  During the game I painted with watercolors a little.  I finished my Ocean Beach scene and started one of the Royal Palms Condo in my new handmade watercolor paper book, that I got for Christmas.  I am only going to put things in this book that make me happy.
We decided on Mexican food tonigh,t so we went to Tequilas, a close by restaurant.  It was pretty good.
Mike and Bill went to the condo sauna and steam room.  At 7:17pm, I met them at the pool and hot tub.

Dauphin Island Trip Canceled

We were all going to Dauphin Island today to look for sea shells and explore for interesting things and stores.  When we got close to the Ft. Morgan road, the Ferry sign said the ferry was closed until after the weekend.  We wanted to ride the ferry because it saves over 200 miles of driving.  So we changed our plans and went to see a little town called Fairhope.  It is a really nice little southern town.  We checked out downtown, the park on the bay, and the beautiful new houses in the area.  The downtown streets have flowers blooming and growning all over.  It was just so pretty.
Then we went to Jesses in Maganola Springs for dinner.

Rough Water Today

A storm is coming in and the Ocean is a little rough.  Tomorrow should be good shelling.  Lynn and I got up just after sunrise this morning and went out looking for shells.   Johnny came out too with his shell scoup....we found a few small ones...not a lot of good ones  I did find some more shells with natural holes in them...good for my shell bracelets.  We found some big sand fleas and the next thing we knew there was a big bird standing right next to me.  I took pictures with my camera phone. 

Movie Day

I'm still sick...not sure if it is a cold or allergies.  I decided not to go to the gym today.  I slept in while the others went and worked out.  Later we went to Lambert's Cafe,

Home of the "throwed rolls".

and then to a movie....Tinker, tailer, Soldier, Spy...and it was terrible.  All of us slept a little through some of it.  No one really liked it.
We stopped at Bed Bath and Beyond and bought a digital scales.  I hate it when I can't weigh myself.  If I have gained weight, it is only about a pound.
Lynn and I have been painting with watercolors a little today.  Lynn started a Pelican picture and I started a seascape....showing sea grass, white sand, and the emerald green water.
Mike, Bill, and I went down to enjoy the pool and hot tub.  Mike and Bill used the steam room and sauna. 
We met a lady from WV who is here with her boyfriend and she says she is bored.  Her boyfriend only wants to watch TV.  We told her some things to do.

The Guys Day And The Girls Day

Today the guys went to Pensacola picked up Paul, "to dig up some Palm Trees for Lynn and Bill...shhhhhh".   Then they all went to the Naval Base Air Museum.  Next they went to Ft. Barrancs...  Bill loves all the forts that they have got to see down here....Fort Pickens, and Ft. Morgan.
The girls slept in a little and them we went to shop a little.  We went to Old Time Pottery and found some nice things.  Then we went to Cici's for lunch and it was pretty good. Then we got some more groceries for dinner...we had W.Va. hot dogs, Johnny's cole slaw, baked beans, salad, corn on the cob, and pizza for appetizers.  Then banana splits for dessert.

Sea Shelling Day! Am I Getting Sick?

Today we got up early again and went out to find sea shells.  First we went to Ft. Morgan, then to Pensacola, then Navarre, and then Fort Pickins.  We found a few good ones but not very many big ones and none of the big ones we expected to find.  We drove around from beach to beach all day.  We ate out lunch at Grape Express and dinner at Smokey's.  When we got home the boys went to the steam room and sauna and I went down to the hot tub with them.
I bet I have sneezed at least 50 times today.  My eyes are watering and my nose is constantly running.  I don't have a fever and I feel OK, but I don't look or sound good.  I wonder if it is a cold or allergies?  I usually don't have problem with allergies.

Yoga Class Today

We went out shelling this morning right in front of the Condo...just got some little shells.  Johnny took his shell rake and pulled in some from the floor of the Gulf.  While I was busy finding shells a big bird sneaked right up behind me and was really watching me.  Johnny was getting about one Sand flea in each scoop.  Johnny threw him one and the bird was very happy.  I took lots of pictures of him.
At 11:00am I had my first Yoga class.  It was fun...lots of balancing and flexibility practice, stretching and mind quieting exercises.  I think I will try it again soon.
For lunch we went to the Grape Express and had the Big Bad Roast Sandwich.  When we got back to the condo they were having trouble with the elevators....thank goodness we are only on the 4th floor....Donna and Johnny are on the 14th.
I am catching a cold or have allergies...runny nose and eyes; so I needed to take a nap.
After I woke up I fixed left over BBQ and baked beans with Carmel apple salad.  Donna and Johnny didn't come down because they were afraid they would get here and the elevator wouldn't work when they wanted to go back up to their room.  So then they called and wanted us to come up to their Condo to have cookies, ice cream, and Key Lime Tarts.  Guess they thought that we could walk back easier than them if the elevator quit working.  Anyway, we didn't have a problem and the cookies and tarts were good.

Sightseeing In Florida

Today all six of us hopped in the van and went over to Pensacola and went sightseeing  along the Gulf.  In Pensacola we stopped at the Krispy Kream donuts and got hot donuts and hot chocolate. It was pretty good and I'm sure there weren't any calories.   It was kind of cloudy so the water wasn't as pretty as it usually is along there.  We drove down to Navarre, Ft. Walton, and Destin.  We stopped at a little beach near Navarre and pick up some very pretty shells.  Lynn's beaches in Delaware do not have very many shells, so she was very happy.  We also stopped at a Shell Shop and the Goodwill Thrift Store.  I bought a few shells and Lynn bought some and she found the large shell that is in her wallpaper...she was very happy to find that.  Johnny found a yoga pad for me at the Goodwill....I was pretty happy about that since I am going to take my first Yoga class tomorrow.  We ate at Red Lobster...I had Maine Lobster...just love Lobster...don't you?
When we got home to the Condo, Donna and the guys went to the gym and then we all went to the pool and hot tub except for Lynn...she says tomorrow for sure.

Our First Sunday In Alabama

Today was an exciting day!!  My sister Lynn and her husband Bill, came to spend some time with us at the Condo.  They are from Delaware and they had a long drive, but I think they will love it here.  I fixed a good meal for them.  I made homemade beef BBQ with "Baby Sweet Ray's Sauce".  I found some wonderful corn on the cob, made deviled eggs, veggies and dip, and my Carmel Apple Crunch Salad.  Donna and Johnny came down and we all had a good visit.

Beach Walking & Exercising At The Fitness Center

I have more pictures to put in this post, but I think I will have to do them tomorrow.
I got up early this morning....quite a feat for me....to watch the sun rise and take pictures.  While I was waiting for the sun to get in just the right place, I noticed this lady right in front of the Condo, bending over and picking up lots of things.  Just yesterday a lady told me that lots of people were finding sand dollars this year.  After watching the lady some more, I was sure that was what she was doing.  I couldn't stand it, after I took the sunset pictures, I got dressed and went down to the water. 
Nooooooooooooooo, she wasn't picking up sand dollars, just shells.  There were lots of people out there shelling, so I walked down to the pier and picked up shells too.  Nothing spectacular but a few with natural holes in them.  I got to thinking maybe I could make sea shell charm bracelets with them for me and my daughters.  So I am going to start collecting them and see how many I can get.
Then I rushed back to the condo and put on my PJ's and jumped back in bed....oh boy, did I sleep good.
It seemed like I just got to sleep when Mike started waking me up, telling me it was time to go to the gym.  I grumbled a little, but I finally got dressed and got ready to go.  Then we noticed how beautiful and sunny it was outside, and I called my sister and asked her if she wanted to sun tan a little before we went to the gym.  Oh, how wonderful that felt.
Finally we headed over to the gym, Mike and me and Donna and Johnny. 

Gulf Shores Recreation Center

We have decided to get the quarterly passes....it is only $3.00 each a day, but since we want to go 3 or 4 times a week, we can save some money.  We all did our workouts....then we went to get a little snack at Zaxby's Real Chicken.  We got 5 tiny strips and Johnny and Donna got just a few wing drumsticks.  Then we took the my sister and her husband back to the condo and we went to Books-a-Million.  I like to read magazines there and Mike needed some new books.
After that we went to the grocery store and stocked up on some things and got meat to make Bar-B-Que for when my other sister and her husband gets here tomorrow.  They are coming from Delaware. We are really looking forward to them getting here.  I know they are going to love it down here.  Wouldn't it be great if next year they get a condo here at Gulf Shores while Donna and I are here?
Today it is Donna's turn to make dinner.........she made a wonderful Broccoli Salad...Yum, Yum.  Then she made bean soup with cornbread...Yum, Yum again.  Then our surprise was that we each got some homemade cookies....(we are all dieting).  We watched the football game a little up in Donna's condo and then we decided we better go home to our condo.  I was getting pretty tired and thought I would take a bath.  After I got to fourth floor, I remembered we had a hot tub downstairs and that would probably feel much better on my aching body than a bath.  We quickly got on our suits and went right down....oh my, that was wonderful.
I was on Face Book a little and noticed my daughter Kelly was on.  We talked a little and then I decided to call her.  It was good to talk to her.  I have talked to my other daughter this week too.  I miss them and the grand kids....wish they could come down and visit.

Our First Friday in 2012....Alabama

We had a fun motorcycle ride this morning. We rode to Ft. Morgan....it is along Mobile Bay. The water wasn't near as pretty as the Gulf is but it was a nice ride. We were looking for areas that have big sea shells. We found lots of broken ones but no whole ones. But I didn't walk very far, so if I would have walked further maybe I would have found some. We'll look again later.
When we got home I decided to take a walk on our beach in front of the condo.  It seems like I am seeing lots more people walking and shelling out there.  I found lots of tiny and small shells, but not very many of the bigger or medium sized ones.  On the way back, I saw Johnny waving at me from our deck, so I went on up. 
We visited a little while and pretty soon Johnny said, "There are a pair of foxes out on the beach!" 

Can you see them both here?

We couldn't believe it, but they there trotting along the water and over in the dunes.  I even got pictures.  Never heard of foxes at the ocean before.  They came around from the front of our condo and went down to the water and then down towards the pier and then back to the side of our condo and over into the bushes by the parking lot.  We couldn't see where they went after that.
After that we got ready to met Mike Rauses (I might have spelled his name wrong) and his wife for dinner at Ivey's.  We had a good time and a good meal.  We stayed so long at the restaurant, that I'm surprised they didn't kick us out.  I'm excited because my sister Lynn and her husband Bill, are leaving tomorrow to come see us here at the Condo.  They will get here on Sunday afternoon.
We will all have great fun together.

It Is Getting Warmer.....Yeah

Today we all went to work out at the Gulf Shores Recreation Center....I'm getting back into the hang of it.  It has a nice Fitness Gym.
Then we went to Wolf Bay Lodge for lunch. 

It has a wonderful salad bar...even deviled eggs.  Mike ordered a Captain's Plate but only ate half and is saving the rest for another meal.
We were going to the movies but we were at Wolf Bay so long that we couldn't make the 12:15 movie and we had food to take home.  We thought we would never get our food....finally the waitress realized how long it had been and hurried the kitchen crew up.  Then she offered us free deserts.  That part was nice.  I got Key Lime Bread pudding.
Afterwards we went back to the condo to take a little nap.  Paul called and wanted to come over for supper and to swim.  He brought JM with him.  Mike, Paul, and JM went out to shop and eat.  I stayed home.  I had bacon popcorn, a Clementine, and some almonds for supper...it was good.  They are going to try to find a weight scales and a spotting scope.

Still Light Jacket Weather Or Maybe A Vest

We went to the Tanger Outlet Mall today....

We stopped in the Lee's outlet and I bought some small jeans....nice and Surprise, cheap too.  One pair was $6.49 and the other was $8.99.  Both the same style of jeans, just two different sizes. 
Then the Cosmetic Outlet and got the lipstick, color Melon I have been looking for...yeah!  Then our favorite place...Harry and David's.  We got our fill of snacks, some Soup Mixes....Tortellini, and Chicken Mushroom Barley.  Donna and Johnny got two other kinds...we will probably share the soups.  We also got two boxes of pears...the best pears in the world.  We paid full price for one box and half price for the other one and we will divide the cost a both get a cheaper deal.

We ate at the Road Kill Cafe....that was very good.

Mike wanted to find a blood pressure machine and after looking in many stores we found one.  Also he got something to raise and lower the tongue on his trailer.
We checked out another Fitness Center and it was pretty good too.  Now we have to figure out which one we want to join.
We were going to go to the docks and see what the boats were like when they come in but Donna called and they didn't have any out today...so we will have to wait. 

Day Three In Heaven......or I mean Alabama

Today was cool...we knew that was going to happen and it is supposed to warm up by the weekend.  It was 48*oooooh but it was 23* back in Michigan...so I guess not too bad.  We went to the Post office and got our mail box keys and went to the Gulf Shores Recreation Center to work out.  It is pretty nice and mostly has the same machines that our Bally's has.  Donna and Johnny went too.  We met a lady named Catherine and she told us some places we should go look at.  Big Sea Shells at Fort Morgan....a beautiful hotel called the Grand Hotel at Fairhope, Bellingraph Gardens, and some restaurants.
Then we went to Lunch at Jesse's in Magnolia Springs....just love the name of that little town.  Had a hard time deciding what to order.....everything looked so good.  Mike and I ordered a Mexican Dish and it was wonderful....we picked different salads...mine was Broccoli Salad and his was Macaroni Salad.  Then we both got bottles of diet Green Tea.
Johnny and Donna got loaded Potato Soup, a giant Bar-B-Que with a Broccoli Salad and a twin cheeseburger Por Boy. 
After that we headed back to the Condo to rest, read, and work on our computers.
That evening Mike and I headed down to the Sauna and Steam room and later met Donna and Johnny at the pool and hot tub. 
Just another lazy day in Gulf Shores for us.

Still Settling In

After a wonderful evening and good night's rest, we woke up and I went out on the deck to look at the water.  It was so pretty, I had to take a picture. 

Just think, every morning will be like this everyday we are here.

Donna and Johnny came down to fourth floor and we were ready to go pick up a few things at the grocery store and Target. Afterwards, we went to lunch at Kitty's Cafe.

 We had a good Spinach Bacon Salad and Mike had Sausage Gumbo....yummy. 

We went looking at some of the fitness gyms in the area. 
The one at the condo was a disappointment. 



It only has two machines: a treadmill and a stationary bike and it is in a VERY Tiny Room. 

Some of the fitness centers were closed and we will have to check them out later...but we toured one and it is $3.00 a day...I think we are going to try it out tomorrow.

Donna had some Colossal shrimp and she made Shrimp Scampi and we got some strip steaks.  I cooked them on my new Cuisinart "five in one" grill.  I just love that grill...I brought it with me.  We also had boiled red potatoes, and a salad with veggies and boiled eggs.  I got out some of Carol's cookies for desert.  Good, healthy meal......well, kind of.
 
Mike actually went back to the Recreation Center and worked out...he liked the fitness area.  He said the pool is gigantic...but we have a pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna at our condo.

 So we will just use the one here. 

Around 8:30pm, we went down to the pool and hot tub. 

They were both nice and warm...actually the hot tub was hot...just like I like it.  The chlorine was pretty strong and there seemed to be a slight fog in the room...it was kind of surreal...I liked it.  We were the only ones in the area.  It was great!

New Years Day In Pensacola FL. And Gulf Shores AL.

We woke up this morning refreshed and ready to get to our condo in Alabama.  We stopped at the Bowen house to see Johnny and Maria and Maria's brothers and sisters and their family.  Paul had cooked spaghetti with meatballs...yummy...very good!  After visiting for a while, Johnny went with us to the condo.  It was in the 70s today but it is supposed to get colder this week...guess we brought the cold with us from Michigan.

It was a little foggy when got close to the Ocean. 

Our Royal Palms Condo

We dropped off our motorcycle, clothes, food, and things.  I stayed at the condo to try to get things in order, while Mike and Johnny took the trailer over to Johnny's property to be stored there while we are in Alabama.  The Condo was just as nice as I remembered it. 

If feels very homey already. 

 You can see the ocean from every window in the condo. 

Donna and Johnny come down to see our condo and visit a while.  It was good to see them.  I went up to see their condo and eat a Harry and David pear.....I just love pears.