My how time flies ... we're well into our 4th year as almost full-timers.  With only an occasional trip back to the old homestead, our vagabond lifestyle is certainly a departure from previous years.  Our home on wheels has kept us safe and warm and has allowed visits to places most will never dream of going.  Of course some of the places we've gone don't warrant dreaming about anyway but the good far outweigh the bad.

We've talked a bit about the weather down this way and here's a rare occurrence I caught on film (?).
A photo of an approaching warm front from the Gulf of Mexico with the setting sun about to be covered up. But we really did have a few days of warm weather.  Unfortunately those dark clouds had a bit of rain in them.  Our coach is out the picture to the left (we're on another side of the lake) and the clubhouse is on the far right.

As the holiday season is upon us,  the pace is quickening to fill old Santa's bag with presents on his trip north.  Store to store we go ... looking for just that perfect gift ... "Oh they'll just love it" I think.  "But what if it melts before it gets delivered", I wonder.  Okay okay ... so maybe frozen Gulf squid wasn't the best idea.  It's the thought that counts ...right?  So back to the drawing board ... With choices like shippable bags of pecan shells, Gulf shoreline oil balls, and returned tee-shirts from the local souvenir shops ... it's always tough to pick out that 'just right' gift to show we really care.

Just so you know we've not forsaken our desire uncover good eateries across the land, we have been dining out ... and with some regularity.  We made a pack with our Iowa friends before we arrived here that we would only eat out on Fridays.  Leaving the remaining six days for more healthy, at-home fare.  I think something occurred when we crossed over the state line or maybe sometime during the last full moon, but whatever cosmic event struck us, we somehow have messed up the commitment and have now migrated to eating at home once per week and dining out the other six.  Sure hope the budget can continue to stand the pain. I know the waistline can't.

We had a little pre-Christmas gathering at the clubhouse tonight.  Live entertainment, free food, booze and even Santa made an appearance.  A very nice holiday get-together for the park residents.

When retuning home tonight we jumped on Skype to wish our daughter a very happy birthday.  Not as good as being in there in person but it was great seeing her and the family.  We sure miss all of them.

As a Christmas present to ourselves, we're headed to Biloxi Mississippi with our friends Jim and Carol in a few hours.  We've booked a couple of rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and will continue to spend our kids inheritances, much to their chagrin.  We'll fill you all in on the outcome later.

So if by chance we get delayed counting the large horde of money we're expecting to win at the casino, Sharon and I would like to wish you all you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
And I would like to thank all of you for checking out my blog now and again and the many nice compliments.

Still livin' the dream

Phil