Big News Came with Santa

Happy Holidays to one and all.

It’s time for an update and I will make it in real time because there are real time things to say today. My dear darling daughter, Karlene, was surprised by Thaddeus on Christmas morning with a proposal and an engagement ring. She is thrilled and excited, as we all are. I’m so happy for the both of them and can’t wait to put my two cents in about their upcoming wedding. (just kidding Karlene).

We're still in Puerto Vallarta, having stayed much longer then we had planned because of me having sprained my foot. Of course Puerto Vallarta isn't a bad place to get stuck at. We have enjoyed our stay here, this our 3rd time here.

On Christmas we had a great time at a potluck out in Mezcales, with about 20 folks from different boats who are all docked in Nuevo Vallarta marina. We all got to play a few rounds of a game that's a cross between tennis and golf. I didn't do too badly, even playing with a handicap... it just might be my sport.

The food was good and plentiful, turkey, mashed potatoes and all the fixings.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN WITH UNCLE AL

You may have noticed there’s not much mention of Al over the summer, the reason is that he was on his own adventure while I was in Florida. In total Al drove about 7000 miles this past summer. The first trip we did together to Colorado and back to SoCal. Al then drove back to Colorado to stay at the Flying Horse Ranch to try his hand at living on a ranch, haying and even learning how to drive a tractor. He had a good time with Lou and Lydia, I think he may even have gone to a barn dance or two. Thanks to Lou and Lydia for taking good care of Al.

After a month on the ranch Al drove back to SoCal and fell into his rhythm there, visiting friends, playing with his motorcycle and Monday night dinners with boating friends in Newport Beach. Monday night dinners has been a ritual with this great group of people for eons; they meet at a tiny sort of coffee house, called “Alta”, the food is simply sandwiches and salads but the true appeal is that they are allowed to byob. Needless to say the wine flows in abundance and Al come armed his six pack of Haake Beck non-alcohol beer.

Speaking of Al’s n-a beer. My mom asked me, “Yevette, when Al drinks that make believe beer does he get make believe drunk?” Anyway… back to Al’s travels. After A few weeks in SoCal he took off to Lake Tahoe. Remember Ronan? No worries if you don’t, Ronan is the dog who lives at the house that we house sat for last year. This year Al went solo, just he and Ronan for about a month. I bet it wasn’t as much fun without me, at least that’s what I think. Next road trip was planned for La Paz, where we left the boat for the summer. Al’s friend Jim was a good sport and volunteered to go on the 2000 mile wild ride down to Baja and back all within a week. Al had the truck loaded up with boat parts, a new dinghy, davits for the new dinghy, and the best part was my new lime green kayak. I love my new kayak, thank you Al. Many thanks to Jim for accompanying Al on the long ride South of the Border. Upon returning Al had just enough time to pack a bag and get on a plane to Orlando to join me and to bring me back to SoCal It was a happy reunion for us; we got to do some fun things in the short time he was there. According to Al his favorite moment was when he whooped little Yevette (my 11 year old niece) at driving go-carts. He’s such a guy…..