Breakfast on Captiva

Glenn and I went to Captiva as planned for a picnic breakfast on the beach. Breakfast was simple...bagels, cream cheese, etc...and a yummy, slushy juice drink that included some fruity alcohols. I pretended it was a mimosa. In any case, it was delish. The water was pristine and a perfect temperature unlike that of Sanibel which has been super warm since we've been here. We spent a couple hours on the beach and then visited Jensen's where we saw at least four manatees...looked like a mama and babies. We rode around the island just a little and then headed back to Sanibel for the rest of the day. A good time was had by all. I hope to make a point to do this again next year...not necessarily for Father's Day, but because it's a beautiful beach to visit.

We will be leaving Sanibel tomorrow and heading up to Sharon's to pick up Sparkle. I can't wait to see her! I am sure Sharon is anxious for her to be picked up as well...ha! I'm not in a hurry to get home really. But it's time....

Father's Day

Tomorrow is Father's Day. Glenn and I are heading to Captiva for a picnic breakfast on the beach. We haven't had a chance to go to Captiva yet this trip. We'll ride over to Jensen's and see if we can spot any manatees while we are down there.
Today Glenn went to visit Santaguida over at Bonita Beach. He seemed to enjoy the short time over there. I enjoyed my alone time on the beach!
Things are getting pretty quiet around here. Jodi and crew left last night, both kids sobbing into their blankets when they left. The Sass crew left this morning....always a sad time. Next year, Glenn and I are thinking we'll come a few days early but plan to leave when everyone else does. We are planning to leave Monday afternoon for Sharon's and will spend a day there, grab Sparkle, and head home. I'm not in a hurry but I'm pretty sure I have bills to pay!

Time Flies

Just when things are really hoppin', folks have to start leaving the island and heading home. That's the part I hate.
Yesterday we lost "the nurses", today we lost Chris and Niki and fam as well as the Kuseks. Tomorrow night we lose Jodi and John and fam. Saturday we lose the Sass clan. McClevey/Bartletts arrived today. Don't know yet when we are leaving but it will likely be Sunday or Monday. I'm in no hurry.
Tomorrow is a big snack day at the pool....everything that is left comes out! Can't wait.

Two Little Fish Learned to Swim

This was a very exciting day. Both Gracie and Anabelle tossed off their floaties and decided to swim with no assistance. Both can go quite a distance with no help. Two more kids learn to swim here on the island.
Yesterday Sharon and Sparkle came for a visit. I missed my puppy and it was great to see her. It was very nice of Sharon to drive all that way. We took her around the island a bit, hoping that maybe she'll come back in her RV sometime for a few days. They only stayed over one night and took off this afternoon.
There was a huge party in "the nurses'" condo during the World Cup game this afternoon. I didn't watch the game but stopped in for the important part-the snacks. I did, however, hear the excitement erupting when the US scored. The pool activity was rather rowdy today but lots of fun. The whole group was out well past six this afternoon. The beach was so beautiful tonight. I could have stayed out there all night in my chair I think.
Yesterday I had my cell phone tucked in my bathing suit, waiting for a call. Later, I took Aly out into the water and happened to look down and see my phone floating in the water. I think it's pretty much ruined. grrrrr.... It's not very old either.

Turtle Spotting

A couple nights ago, Mary, Chris, Niki, the girls and I took a walk on the beach. It was such a spectacular night....breezy, no no-see-ums, stars as bright as I've ever seen them. A little ways down the beach, Chris spotted some turtle tracks in the sand with his flashlight. We quietly followed them to see if there really was a Loggerhead nesting and sure enough, we saw her. She was huge, sitting there quietly in her nest. We quickly moved away so as to not disturb her egg laying. We walked down the beach a ways and when we returned, we saw her tracks indicating that she had returned to the sea. Unfortunately, the next day, the nest was not roped off by the turtle spotters. It is likely that our presence disturbed her and she fled. What a rare sight they are to see though. We are still hoping that perhaps there are eggs under the mound but it is unlikely.

Todd left Tuesday. He was sad, I was more sad. He called last night and said he might just fly back down this weekend. No word on that yet.

Today there were two major events-the annual fishing trip and the annual pasta dinner. A few peeps came back happy after the fishing trip. Michael was lucky enough-or skilled enough-to have caught the biggest fish, winning him the pot of money. Meghan had a nice catch. But a few came back feeling dejected with a zero count for them. Better luck next time. Mary, Jodi, Gracie, and I went to breakfast. The mimosas were wonderful.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the pasta and meatballs tonight. After dinner we spent a little time on the beach but it got pretty still out there. We did find lots of live lightening whelks. The kids were thrilled to see those and anxious to throw the live guys back to live. Mary is such a great teacher when it comes to shelling. The kids are learning the names of lots of the shells from her. They follow her on the beach like she is the Pied Piper of shelling.

Sharon is coming to visit tomorrow and bringing Sparkle. We'll show her around the island a bit and maybe she can come back with her RV sometime on her own. I think she'll like it a lot.

And the Group Grows Again...

Yesterday afternoon was arrival day for "the nurses". This year that includes Meghan, Melissa, and a new nurse, Michelle. It's always fun to see them again, and to top it off, they bring the best snacks to the pool during our almost daily snack time.
Sadly, Todd leaves tomorrow. It's been so nice having him here this long so I can't complain. But we always hate it when he has to leave. He took Glenn and I to the Jacaranda for dinner tonight. Yummy as always. Last night the whole fam and friends went to Matzaluna. There is a slight possibility that I may have one family photo that is decent. It happens to be on Mary's camera though. The males in the family (with the exception of John) are big pains when it comes to photo sessions so it's never an easy task.
The weather has been incredible....hot, sunny, and there was even a teensy breeze on the beach today. We also had a fairly low tide this afternoon which made it easy to hang in the shallows with a drink. Anabelle hurried up to me when I first came out and said "Mimi, there's a party out there!" And she was surely right. There's always a party around here somewhere!

The Group Grows

More friends arrived today....The Sass Clan is here!!! We spent a great day at the beach and pool, ate in, had coffee at the beach, and everyone gathered here for a little euchre

and socializing. It's like no time has passed since we were last together.