We Must Be Mellowing.....

February 2 - 8, 2012

My brother, Mark, and sister in law, Sue, came from the Detroit area for a one week visit. In the past this has been a bit problematic. Mark, has always been the fun one. I've accused him of behaving like the youngest person in the group. That has usually been a two year old or a teen-ager. But, always the one that was a little out of control. Sue, on the other hand, has more phobias and fears than you can count. She is afraid of being kidnapped and held as a sex slave, she's afraid of most dogs, she doesn't like to be on the water if there are ripples, she's very nervous in the car (That one has a basis -- Mark drove through the wall of a house with her in the car when they were in high school). Without more elaboration -- I'm sure you get the idea. 
Well, we're happy to report  -- it was a great visit!  Sue was a very good sport and even had fun on an all day dingy ride (through some relatively rough water) and a two day trip on Gotta Smile to St Petersburg. Mark was lots of fun, as usual, and we had endless laughs about 'the good old days'. When they left, we were trying to get them to commit to a ten day visit the next time they come! Brian and I agree we have to give them the coveted great guest award!



All of our guests pose in Sarasota and
shop at St Armand's Circle.

The calm before the storm.
Dingy ride.

Big homes along the bay,

Lunch at the Salty Dog.
Does anyone notice that there is something missing?
A ladder --- A way for me to get out of the dingy!
We had to climb the boards to get to the dock....

After a very tasty lunch.
Sue is not wearing Mickey Mouse ears.
Those are buoys strung on the sign.

     
  
     

Time to get back in the dingy....
My feet are not on the wall of the dingy.
They are on the top rail of the dock.
Diners that are near the dock are offering to
come out and help me get in.
My pants are soaked from the waves coming over the
bow of the boat. I look incontinent.
I have no dignity......
but we laughed about how pathetic I was
for the rest of the week .

Everyone is dry and back on board after a fun day.

A beautiful day to travel to St Petersburg.
We spent the whole day on the upper deck.
Dolphins traveling with us.

Florida is the land of giant trees.
I've shown you live oaks and banyan trees.
This is a kapok tree in bloom.

The only other woman I'd let Brian cuddle up with. 
Her long tail must help her balance
 those big boobs! 
After we moored in the bay, we took the
dingy into town. 
A trolley ride showed us the sights.

Gotta Smile in front of the Vinoy Hotel

Time to leave and we are all smiling -- for real!

We have a new mailing address:     Jackie and Brian Smillie

                                                            411 Walnut Street

                                                                   #9268

                                                            Green Cove Springs, Florida

                                                            32043

Gotta Smile -- We're lovin the ride!