Lay over in St Augustine

It has been a change for us being land lubbers now for the last week and more. Having both daughters around and Josh has been nice. Or should we say them having us around actually. Invading their home and changing there pace for a few weeks. The first day we got to Josh and Leslie's place Jeannie and I just kicked back and did nothing as they both had to work. Andrea flew in on Monday night and the 3 of us went to pick her up at the Jacksonville airport later Monday night. Randy was dropped off and he went in to meet Andrea and get her bags. Well in that process as Andrea's bag was on the baggage carousal she told Randy there that one is my bag. So I picked it up and off we went with her carry on bag and the bigger bag. Well as we were leaving the terminal with both bags going to the waiting car. A young girl came up saying sir, I think you have my bag. I looked so dumbfounded as Andrea told me to get that bag. Heck I had no idea that it was not hers. Well what are the chances of having 2 bags looking the same and both with a pink tag for ID on them. The young girls dad was there and he kind of laughed at what happened as he had seen Andrea's name on the one that was still on the turn style. So back in we went and got that one and MAKING sure it was hers. The week that Andrea was at Leslie's and Josh's was filled with shopping and the 3 women doing their thing as Josh worked and I went to the boat a few days to do projects. One thing was measuring for a make shift table so when we have guests over we can have meals and drinks. We never thought of having friends that we meet along the way over for drink and snacks. But hey we are newbies to this. Our large table sits in our basement so a make due one is being made. The other project was running heavier wire for the solar panels and a new style of controller. One that gives the panels more of a boost and uses more energy from them. Just more boat dollars. Being out on the new mooring balls that St Augustine has now requires one to either use there dingy which many do, or to take the water taxi. But the water taxi only runs till 4 pm so you need to make sure your not wanting to go back out after 4pm. So we just leave our dingy in the pile with the rest. One of the nights when Andrea was here we all went down to Ormond Beach to have dinner with Jeannie's sister, Jeanette whom we met at Chile's restaurant.
That is always a good time seeing her and catching up on the latest. As usually it involves a shopping trip over in the mall after we eat. I know Jeannie has really enjoyed having both daughter's in one place as it does not get to happen that often now that everyone has there own life and work schedules. Lots of laughs were heard as Andrea was her ole self coming back home from Ormond beach. We were all laughing in tears. The first week went bye fast as we were all on the go doing things, then it came time for Andrea to go back home. So we all went back to the airport to see her off and yes we all had tears. But the good thing is next time we see her she will have her 2nd son Cruz as she is due the end of January as Jeannie will be flying home to be with her at that time. Having access to a car has been a blessing as we need to provision for the trip over to the Bahama's. So after we dropped of Andrea we stopped to BJ's which is a wholesale store and we stocked up on a few things. The kids eyes were big when we started picking out things and there car was what you call full. Yes we have more to get still. Having been to the kids home a lot over the years, there neighbor 's Rob & Tina always seem to feed us one meal at least when we visit.
Well to show them our gratitude we accepted a day to baby sit their daughter Audrey who is not one yet. I think it was a lets see who can wear who out day. Well Audrey won as she did not want to nap as all she wanted was to play which we loved doing with her. This was the first year in 16 years that we have had Thanks giving with Leslie. We were all very blessed to be here. Josh did a deep fried turkey and as usual it is always good. It was just the 4 of us eating dinner that day. We have been eating left overs the last few days which is always better 2nd time around. Having gotten most of our supplies here in St Augustine we are pretty close to being set to cross over to the Bahamas now. Once we leave the kids on Saturday we will be heading out Sunday for Vero Beach and then to Lake Worth to set and wait for a weather window. We have enjoyed St Augustine Municipal Marina. They have really fixed it up quite nicely, and the staff is very helpful. So until spring of 2o11 we are out of here, and on to the next part of our journey!