h20skibum

First sunrise of 2023

Not the clearest picture, but we were all waving from here.

I will have the Beef Crostini, Lobster Bisque, Surf and Turf, and the Chocolate Cake. I read in our small hometown newspaper that none of the restaurants are offering any New Year meal and party celebration packages. Most are closing up at 11:00 tonight.

I know I am a little early with this, but it will be a busy day and evening for us. Was surprised the sand sculptures we did yesterday were still intact and pretty well defined. Everyone walking by had to stop for a picture. So today, the early birds were just working on a sign in the sand. Tonight, we have reservations at Bubba Gump’s, then we are cruising on the Jungle Queen for the Holiday Light Show. Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year. And thanks again to Dani for this thread. May it keep going strong in 2023.

+1 @A&L_Ont Andrew. Happy birthday, Happy New Year Eve, and have a great cruise.

Another sunny and warm day in Florida. Pool time, then it was off to the Rustic Inn Crabhouse for lunch. That is one place that hasn’t raised their prices, at least not for their lunch special. Friday, Shrimp, Shrimp and more Shrimp is still $13.95 including sides and drink. Then it was off to the beach in the afternoon for some more sand sculpting. Since it was afternoon, my California grandson was awake. 🤣🤣 I say go big when you are building. Not sure where dinner is tonight. Daughter is choosing.

If you went due east, you would find our sand sculptures on the beach. I would want to avoid going to a shopping mall when getting a break from the cold.

I hope you are finally moving. Maybe there are too many people driving to their cruises, after the airline meltdown. I know I am not looking forward to that drive back north next week.

Evidently I have been using my card too much. I got one of these, just after they rang up the big dinner bill. Maybe it was some of these excellent desserts the grandkids ordered. I guess it is a good thing that they keep a close tab on any charges that seem out of the ordinary.

You can tell that the east coast people get up much earlier than those west coasters. I was up, and did a five mile walk with my daughter before 7am. Then some pool time and beach time for sandcastle building 101 with our east coast grandkids. We had this built and were back to the house, just as our west coast grandson got up. 🤣🤣

Oh, those problems with Southwest have been a stressor here. Our daughter missed one of her treatment sessions this week, because of hospital scheduling problems over the holidays. So they were booked on SW to fly home in time for her treatment the beginning of next week. With SW cancellations continuing, they found 4 seats on another airline for Sunday. I think this fiasco will hurt SW

It is 76° in sunny Ft. Lauderdale this morning. Yesterday’s beach day saw some sand sculpting. Grandson sculpted an octopus. While his dad was working on some kind of big fish. and I had to make a little sandman for our granddaughter We stopped at Lauderdale by the Sea, and some of this fudge made its way into a box and into Susan’s hands. The tree was lit up for a photo op for our two PA grandkids, while the CA grandson was busy eating ice cream. and finally, the traditional Christmas pj photo. I wonder how much longer this will last.

Have a great cruise and a happy birthday. I will be following along. We have been warming up Ft. Lauderdale for you. It was up to 79° today. Here is to the start of a great New Year.

Channeling OB.

So here is something I haven’t done for a while. My sunrise photo of the day. Well, maybe two things. My daughter was up early, so the two of us took a long walk, and caught the sunrise. Last night, we packed all 9 of us in our Highlander and went to Bahama Breeze for supper. I know, it is a chain, but it is good to find things for the grandkids. Anytime you can get a drink in a pineapple, it is a good time. My supper was a jerk chicken pineapple bowl. This was really good, and something I would order again. Beach day today.

@HBE4 thanks for sharing your story. What a wonderful thing to do.

It is 61°, and going up to 69° today. My daughter and her family just landed, so I will pick them up as soon as they get off the plane. Nice that we will now have our kids and grandkids together for the week.

We had rain most of the day, with temperatures in the low 60’s. So we stocked up on a few groceries and spent some time in the hot tub at the house. I guess it isn’t cold enough for these to fall out of the trees. I looked over, and it was sitting on the ledge of the hot tub with me. When I moved closer, it jumped into the pool, and finally managed to climb out. IMG_6490.MOV

Speaking of chocolate and liquor, back when my kids were both in college, Susan had a part time job in a chocolate candy store so we could make their tuition payments. They made all of their own chocolate, and one of my favorite things from there was their chocolate shot glasses. Of course, she got all of the chocolate items at a steep discount. No better way to enjoy a shot than in a chocolate shot glass, then eat the glass. I still don’t know if we saved any money for tuition, or just fed our chocolate addiction.

@Sea Dog Greg, it looks like you had a great Christmas. Thanks for sharing your story. It seems that Kirkland makes some decent things. I have had some of their wine, now I will have to try some cognac.

A couple beach pictures from yesterday. I guess people in Florida don’t go to the beach when it is a little chilly. Usually, I run from the waves like this, but for a change, the water is much warmer than the air. IMG_6486.MOV

Thanks! There were a lot of things that had to be changed to try and make this happen this year. Our daughter wanted to try and keep things normal for our grandkids, and carry on our Holiday tradition. She told her kids this morning, that there was a possibility they would not make it down. Of course, they would be really disappointed. So, last night we carried on our tradition, with a Japanese hibachi meal. The place was really packed, but the food was delicious.

Her flight is the one trying to get here. Yesterday’s flights to Florida were canceled, as were today’s. We are hoping they don’t cancel tomorrow, so they can get here.

Flight delays with the storm have become a norm. My son and his family were delayed a couple times flying here from SFO. The plane was there, but they had to wait till they had a full crew. They were delayed about an hour and a half, but they finally made it here. Now my daughter is anxiously watching all the cancellations, and hoping their flight tomorrow is not canceled. Hope you made your flight.

It appears that Snowflake the Elf has left until next year. Oh, and it appears I have been given a new name by Marriott. I told everyone to call me Ricardo this week. 😁