Thursday, Jan 3 - We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year 2019. We managed to stay up until midnight on the 31st, and thus were able to welcome the new year in. Then pretty promptly to bed. But we did it. We even managed to keep Kathy O'Driscoll up 'til that hour, which is pretty amazing, given her usual bedtime hour is much earlier.

Speaking of Kathy, we had a grand time sharing the occasion with Steve and Kathy at their wonderful place in Champions Gate. They have such a nice home there for their winter months, and it's always a pleasure to spend a little time with them enjoying the surroundings. We went out for dinner to a Mexican restaurant on the Eve, with a large crowd waiting outside, as you might expect. However, Kathy whipped around the corner into the bar area, and we were immediately sitting in a nice booth. No waiting, no fuss, no muss. Kathy's got the secret. No reservations needed in the bar area, so just go in and grab a table if there's one available. A good meal was the result.

The Omni Hotel complex in Champions Gate put on a great fireworks display at 10 p.m., which we could see very clearly from the balcony of Steve and Kathy's place. And later, we could hear fireworks and could see other displays in the distance. Americans really love their fireworks, and so do the companies selling them. New Year's Day we went for a long walk, then headed to the pool complex for a swim and a game of bocci ball. Following was a fine dinner, with Kathy preparing a wonderful pork tenderloin,  and then we had to leave to come back to look after Bailey the cat. Big thank you to Steve and Kathy for their wonderful hospitality.

Speaking of Bailey, she's quite a girl. If her litter box isn't tidy, she lets you know with very loud complaining. If she's hungry, she also lets you know, yowling even if it's 6 in the morning. There's no alternative but to get up and feed her. If she wants some attention, she also lets you know in various ways, mewing, climbing up on you, cuddling up on the back of the couch right behind your head. No doubt about who runs this household. But she's very affectionate (so long as she's getting what she wants), so it's been fine looking after her needs.

We've enjoyed the Clubhouse pool and hot tub, and I've been trying to figure out my putting problems on the practice green. Not much luck so far in that regard. Reading, games of Rummykub, some t.v., bike rides to the nearby Saddle Creek Park (18 kms return), and an occasional beer. We've managed to put in the days quite nicely, with wonderful weather (low 80sF). We miss the road, but will soon be back at it.

A couple of pics follow: one of our digs here in Schalamar Creek, and others

from the Saddle Creek Park.

That's it for now. Stay healthy and happy all year long. More later. Stay tuned.