Palmetto Dunes---a golf cart with air conditioning! A first---it's that tubular piece that you see. Never had to use it though---

Our Book Club

The book club we hold has criteria for
  Any and all who enter our door
We don't accept ladies who are under 50
  And quirkiness is quite appealing and nifty
Sometimes we may pose for a photo or two
  Calling the husband of you know who
Clad in his housecoat he does appear
  Click goes the shutter---he's such a sweet dear

Laughter's essential or we my grow weary
  Suggestions for reading a book that is dreary
Or one that will cause Marlene to get teary
  But there haven't been many that leave us quite cheery
And there are so few of which we are leery

The point of this ditty I want you to know
  Is the building of freindship that does seem to show
By our interest and mirth that is all in good fun
  It's so obvious that we enjoy this a ton!

  

The Ladies' of the Club - October 13, 2011

Our final days in The Netherlands

Thursday, August 18 was our last full day in Holland.  It poured most of the day and the weather was coolish but yesterday was perfect biking weather and so we spent our time doing just that in the Veluwe nearby Apeldoorn where our cottage was located.    In total, we covered 30 kilometers.  The surroundings were gorgeous with lush plant life, streams, fields of heather and lots of people on their bikes!
The following day we went to Mudorodam near The Hague.  Here, we visited a site that contained a miniature scale of The Netherlands with boats, canals, cities, some rural areas, an airport, bridges, locks and even a stadium conducting a rock concert with people waving and moving their bodies to the beat of the music.  Willem was fascinated.  We had taken Cameron there when he was a few years younger than Willem is now and he was equally mesmerized by this incredible structure of The Netherlands.
Before our flight left for Rome, on Friday, we had time to take in the open air museum in Arnhem.  That, too,  held fascination for Willem as he watched one the of workers do a demonstration on the method onced used for making paper.  The Dutch used strips of cloth in the process and demonstrated a variety of stages employed to get the end result.
We are now in Rome in 40 degree weather.  Not a cloud in the sky and boy is it hot!!  It's quite a change from the weather and culture experienced during the past week and Willem is taking this all in with much pleasure and appreciation as we are as well and in particular, enjoying this holiday with him.  He has been a constant source of delight for his grandparents!

Willem enjoying his daily dessert while pondering his next question.

Willem is deep in thought about our next topic of discussion.   "Do you think there are any positive things about communism?"  he asks. "Have you been to Cuba?"  "Never mind---there aren't!"   "So, what's for supper, Grandma.?"

So, Grandma---what will we talk about while we wait for Grandpa? How about the counter culture of the 60's?

Off to Amsterdam and a visit to the Anne Frank house

Willem, being the history buff that he is, was anxious to see the house where Anne Frank hid from the Nazis for two years.   In her diary, Anne said that she had hoped to be a writer when she grew up.  Willem remarked that she really was a writer because everyone knew her story everywhere because of the diaries she wrote during the period from 1942 - 1944.  "It was really too bad that she never learned that she had become what she wanted to be---a writer---she became a famous writer but never knew it," said Willem. 
On Monday, we visited Delft where we toured the two churches where the kings were buried but first went to Kinderdijk to see the 10 or so windmills---a few of them functioning.  We didn't take a tour as it was extremely busy plus the rains were heavy and we weren't prepared with umbrellas.  However, the day was interesting for Willem and he enjoyed every minute despite the downpours.  Willem brought about four or five books with him to read and although we have only been here five days---he's read them all.  So, he has started to re-read them as he says he  never tires of them.  He loves to read---that's evident!

Yes!! I like this!!!

We are finally in The Netherlands!

Willem feels right at home, here, in Holland; afterall, he came equiped with a name which is the same as the crown prince of the Netherlands---Willem Alexander---his favorite color is orange (Willem of Orange), and he is WEARING orange with Holland patriotically emblazened across his chest!  So far, he is enjoying the Dutch cuisine, doesn't mind the cool rainy weather and his favorite (so far)has been the plane ride (he watched 3, approved of by Grandma, movies).  Today, the weather continues to be rainy and cool so we are taking a drive to show him various points of interest here.  Oh---he's totally impressed with Landal, the  place where we are staying until next Thurs.  There's mini putt, a play village with a castle. and a great restaurant where he enjoyed his first glass of sinas (a favorite of his father's when he was a boy visiting Holland.)

Celebrating with my family

The day couldn't have been better what with having lunch with Shirley, Jennifer and Carly.  We all met at the restaurant across the street from the Burlington Art Center---a place that's become a favorite of Shirley and mine.  The time went by way to fast and before you knew it---we were saying our good-byes.  It was short but truly sweet!

A birthday lunch in Burlington with my sister Shirley and great nieces Carly and Jennifer

Golf anyone??

Being diehard golfers come rain, tornadoes, snow, sleet and HEAT, our enthusiasm can't be BEAT! 

With temps. and humidity factored in, it had to be 38 deg.!   Twelve of us began our golf game at Redcrest with the first group teeing off at 1 p.m.  The last group consisting of Wilma, Gracie, Teresa and Claudia stagggerd across the green,  for our last putt of the day, around 6 p.m.  "Do you want water or wine"? someone  hollered from our table of players who had long finished before our foursome.  I won't say who had what but it helped cheer us as we added up our score cards.  (Just for the record---everyone knows I don't play in any of the above conditions with the exception of heat, but those other guys---they are truly the diehard golfers!

A Weekend on the Rideau Canal and River System

The Civic holiday weekend was full of promise with clear skies and no forecast of rain.  The tire on our trailer that blew out last weekend on the 400,  as we headed north to Lake of Bays,  was replaced with a new one plus a spare---just in case.  Chuck and I planned to meet Cameron and family in Ottawa.   All was well.  The traffic wasn't too heavy for a Friday departure.  We reached our first destination, Smiths Falls, and found that  Roger's Motel was  the only vacancy in town.  I can only say that it was clean and absent of  bed bugs.  That was all good!   On Sat. we set out about 8:30 a.m. after launching our boat.   Heading toward Merrickville, we were told by the first lockmaster that the boat traffic waiting for the  next lock to free up was a one  hour wait.  No problem for us---we had all weekend. 
It was 10:30 a.m. on Sat. when we arrived at the marina in  Merrickville.   It was to be our first and last stop of the day. We didn't quite make it  to the locks before we hit a rock that damaged our propeller so badly that we had to replace it.  It took five hours for Mr. Marina Man to do what he needed to do which included a 23 kilometer trip to another marina elsewhere, for a propeller,  as he didn't have one  that would fit our  boat.  Four hundred and fifty dollars later we were on our way again.  We went  through the Merrickville locks finally and because they were expecting us that morning Chuck had to explain the whole ordeal and everyone had a chuckle---even Chuck.  (It was a beautiful  sunny day-- everyone HAD to be happy!)  As we pulled into the dock where we planned to leave our boat for the night, the motor started to spit and spew.  The boat stalled.  Chuck started it again.  It stalled.  When he went to the back of the boat to check on the propeller, I hadn't brought the rope  that secures the boat to the dock all the way into the boat and it had blown into the water and  then wrapped itself around the propeller.   Fortunately, the new prop hadn't been damaged and with some help Chuck untangled it.  However, he had jumped into the water with the dress watch I gave him for an anniversary gift many years ago.  It wasn't waterproof!  Yup---we had a real adventurous weekend but we kept our cool and remembered who we were in Christ! 

Our Book Club

Our Bookclub - Swimming, Eating, Talking and Critiquing!

On Monday, June 20, the gals congregated at our place at 3:30 p.m.  It was our wrap-up for a year of great reading and discussion.  We have marveled at the level of friendship that has developed since we began in February 2010.  This is something special that everyone enjoys.  It must be true because the gals left shortly after 10 p.m. and the day flew by!
It was perfect weather for a dip in the pool; however, only Carol Ford and Becky Miedema dared to chance it.  Marlene and I sat with our feet dangling in the water while Lucy and Janet, chatted as they sat and watched the water babies.  By 5 p.m. Carole Campbell arrived and I then started the chicken and lambchops.  We ate around 6:30 p.m. but had our book discussion beforehand---and another after we ate.  The evening was coolish but warm enough to eat out on our deck.  We ended with bible reading and prayer.
It was a most enjoyable day!

Family funny faces.

Great birthday party! Nice warm day for swimming---Willem enjoyed!

Willem's 10th Birthday Celebration

Willem turned ten years old on June 15, 2011.  This is the year he is traveling to Europe with Chuck and myself.  Every year that one of our grandchildren turns ten, they get to go on a special 2-week vacation with us.  Jocelyn went two years ago and Willem has been counting down ever since.  I made him a special scrapbook calendar page with the countdown until he is finally airborne which will be on August 11, 2011.  Grandma and Granpa are pretty excited about this adventure, too!

An Evening of Scrapbooking

Finally, we gathered for another time of scrapbooking after a 3-month hiatus.
Grace Speelman and Carolyn along with Grace H., Teresa S. and Janette VanTol..
We may not have gotten a lot accomplished (well some of us anyway) but we sure had fun trying!

What a fine visor!

Well---thank you ladies for your gift!  What fine taste you have---and to be so observant as to notice the rhinestones on my golf socks and present me with a matching visor---this will be a nice distraction when I play a lousy game.  I can just look at my socks and then my hat and think my game may stink but I sure am decked out in my best  finery!

Homeward Bound

Our last day of golf was on Friday and the day was hot hot hot!  Did we mind?   Not at all.  We had a round of golf at Shipyard.  It was a day for taking photos and a day for loads of fun.  The week flew by and we had a group hug back at the unit.  The guys behind us, on the course, wouldn't have tolerated our affections.  After having appetizers, drinks and a breather before taking off to C.Qs,  in Sea Pine Plantation , we re-hashed the week and its adventures.  Those girls---they took so many photos of aligators---ugly big things that they are but still---they are God's creatures, too.

On Saturday, we left the unit by 10 a.m. sharp, stopped at Tanger 2 and then  went for a coffee.  We were on the road by 12 p.m.  The weather was iffy with heavy rains on and off throughout the day.  We encountered thick blankets of fog but nothing too serious that hampered our vision for driving.  Stopping at 8:30 p.m., we took two rooms at the Hampton Inn  in Summersville, West Virginia.  After we checked in, we were off to dinner at Applebee's.   Our waitress must have been very impressed with our good behavior as she continued to refer to us as sweety/honey---you know those syrupy words that middle-age and older women  are often called.  We just humored her and  I held my tongue and behaved myself by refraining from saying---"the names are Grace, Gracie, Teresa and Claudia!"  My dear friends have taught me patience and longsuffering---they REALLY are honeys.

The best day yet!

We hit the golf course (Shipyard) at 12.20 for a 12:40 tee-off.  The weather was gorgeous and actually the nicest day we have had so far.  We saw pileated woodpeckers on our way off the course just as we finished the 18th hole.  They gave Grace and I lots of photo opportunities.  Tonight, we are packing and then going to C Q's for dinner at Sea Pines Plantation.

Too much fun--again!

We were all up by 7:30 a.m.  Went to Wexford to check out shops before golf.  Played at Port Royal on the Barony Course.  Gorgeous day with much attention given to us by the ravens.  They watched and waited and when we were all pre-occupied with the "perfect drive" they stole Grace's lifesavers.  How desperate is

that!!??

Tonight, the girls treated me to dinner at Shelter Cove.  We went to Scott's Fish Market and sat outside---was that nice!!!  We were teased, yet again, about our Canadian accents---"eh" ---given our identity totally away.  Oh well---all was good fun.  We are bemoaning the fact that tomorrow is our last day here.  It promises to be a good one with sun and warmth---hooray!

Wednesday's Wow Day!

Isn't she brave

Today, we had excellent weather for our game of golf.  We played at Shipyard and saw an alligator the likes of which I have never seen here!

Fun on Hilton Head Island

I am, now, in one of my favorite places---Hilton Head, South Carolina---with three good friends from my church and we are having a great time!!  Chuck was here for the first week and my friends arrived on the same plane he left to go back to Toronto on.  That was Saturday.  While Chuck and I were here together, my sister, Shirley and her husband, Bob, came for a visitl.   The guys played golf while we went to Barnes and Noble, visited and had lunch together.  I then took her to the new Tanger 1 outdoor  mall that had opened the day before.   Had an enjoyable dinner with them at Crane's---a favorite dining place.
Since the girls have been down, we have played golf, had some good discussions and I took them to the new mall, today, as regrettably it rained!  Last week, we experienced rain almost daily and Chuck and I golfed together, in total, 6 holes all week!!
We leave for home on Saturday.  Tomorrow is a golf day---can't wait!!