BADGERS TRIP TO FLORIDA

As most of you know I sent mom and dad off on a cruise. We had a long talk about a baby sister (or brother if they must) so I decided it was best they go off alone for a while.

I suggested that I stay with Grandmother and Grandfather Mulder at the Villages.

This is their back yard.

I helped Grandfather Don with some computer problems he had.

Grandmother needed help with the chocolate chip cookies. Funny how grandparents never say 'no' to another cookie.

I showed Grandmother Mulder and Nana how to color.

Later Nana and Grandpa Bo took me out dancing .

The rock band was a little dated. (The youngest guy was in his 70's) But they did ok. I did notice a bunch of old guys circling the square in their tricked out golf carts hooting at the girls who stood in groups giggling. There was a lot of talk about "drugs", colestoral/heart/arthritis etc. but I think it was mainly talk. Someone really should have been there to chaperone though.

Grandpa Bo and I danced a bit but we kept knocking people over in their walkers and when the wheelchair folks tried to start a mosh pit I decided we better get off the floor. Besides, I think Grandpa Bo was winded.

The next day we went to lunch. I had a hard time keeping those four in line. You'd think nobody else in the world had a granddaughter. Geeze!

Finally I took Grandpa Bo's Beer away from him.

I've decided that babysitting grandparents is exhausting work. I hope mom and dad get back soon. Thats all for now- will report on the brother/sister thing later.... Badger (aka Adeline)

Woman Shoots Retired Husband At Village's "He Upset Me"

The title of this update (a recent headline in the Flordia Papers) has nothing to do with Bo and Cindy (so far).

We had a great time at Disney and were pleased that the McGormans could join us. With Mike along we got the insiders perspective. We also learned that Kelly knows every person in Central Florida who works with horses. Including Joe who gives hay rides at Disney. A little weird because there's no hay and they use a horse (Belgian not American) to pull the wagon instead of a John Deere tractor.

We were serenaded by the 'Hat Lady' at the Rose and Crown. We though were doing pretty good with 37 years of marriage but 'Hat Lady's' parents were sitting with us and they had 64 years. 'Hat Lady's' mom and Cindy got a little toasted and began exchanging ideas on marriage.

We were surprised to find that Florida has other places to stay besides Disney. More economical too. As we write this we are presently in Little Manatee River State park. $24. a night, but no 'Hat Lady'. But judging from the jolly way our camp hosts greeted us (Jerry and Caroline) I don't think it will be that different.

Anniversary #37

Happy Anniversary to us! Our 37th, hard to believe! We started the day in Hollywood studios, formerly MGM studios. It looks mainly the same, but colder than last time we were here. We walked from Hollywood studios to Epcot via a long canal and the Boardwalk, about 2 1/2 miles and our first stop was, of course, the Rose and Crown, Bo's favorite pub west of London.

We met a couple there who are originally from the thumb area of Michigan, who left for Florida when they retired 10 years ago and never looked back. They were also camping in Fort Wilderness, why, I am not sure.

We are inside the Japanese Restaurant, awaiting our wonderful dinner. So where's the saki?

So this is our personal chef, grilling steak, shrimp, mushrooms, zucchini and onions. Here he is making a Micky Mouse volcano with zucchini and onions... I guess you have to be there! Great dinner, costing more money than a year's worth of tortillas in a Yucatecan village.

Having slept through the New Year's Eve fireworks, we managed to stay up for the Epcot Fireworks, cold notwithstanding. Life is good.

Technology Woes

On day 9 of our four month retreat, the microwave blew. I think that this was the first time we had used it since we purchased the trailer two years ago, since most of our camping has been in parks without electrical hookup. Anyway, the rice did not cook and soon a funny smell and smoke came out of the unit. This is never a good sign. When we took the unit out, the back panel was crushed in, obviously defective when it was installed... so we have no microwave, but have solved the problem of what to use as a little lamp table in the screened-in porch area.

As for pedometers, we each purchased one at Walmart after Christmas. Bo bought the $5 one and I bought the $7 one. At Mike and Kelli's, we carefully calebrated them measuring our paces. So a nice walk from the campground to the Wilderness Lodge is 1.7 miles or 1.3 miles depending on whose pedometer we believe. We have decided to do averages, not that it really matters... we are enjoying the walk, despite the cold weather (50s).

New Years Day and TV

Our stay at the McGorman resort, RV and horse ranch went well. We would have liked to stay for the New years Eve bash but we neglected to make reservations. When we called guest relations at the McGorman Resort they advised us that the park was full so we had to make alternate plans at a second rate accommodation.

Still I was able to give Kelly some advice on riding horses. Arabs are a very dumb sort of animal, kind of one step above an amoeba and one step below a Congressman.

I was also able to give mike some ideas on landscaping and electrical work.

Well for New Years Day we watched the Rose Bowl at the Pioneer Hall in Fort Wilderness. The drinks you see in front of us cost $24.00. Cindy mentioned that we could probably buy a TV for that and a couple 6 packs of Natural Lite besides. She mentioned that the super bowl was coming up but so far I'm resisting her pressure.

This is Cindy in front of our camp site. I know it's a little off my normal exterior illuminations, but remember folks I'm traveling in a 22 foot trailer (with 40 pair of shoes, only two of which are mine) and space is a little limited.