Santa arrives in Gulf Shores, AL

We went to the first annual Gulf Shores Christmas parade Saturday afternoon with Tom & Ann. The Budweiser Clydesdale's led the parade on a nice 65 degree sunny day. We saw the lobster man, doesn't every Christmas parade have one? Boats too. There was lots of candy and beads being thrown for the kids to collect. Gotta have beads at Christmas. How about the Mardi Gras looking shrimp on the front on one float? It was a nice day for the parade.

Back at our winter home, Gulf Shores, AL

We returned to Gulf Shores Sunday for the winter. It was a short 2 hour drive from Jody & Renato in Biloxi. We are 3 or 4 weeks later getting here so the sites we usually take were not available but we are still pretty close to our friends and have a good site for the winter. We are back into euchre twice a week (I've won $9) , cribbage, poker (Judy started a ladies poker game today, 12 played while I lost my shirt with the guys), bingo, indoor water aerobics and Curves has relocated even closer. We ate Sunday evening at the Shrimp Basket, all you can eat for $10, the shrimp are local. Monday we went to the pecan farm in Summerdale to get 10 pounds of cracked pecans, Tom & Ann went with us to get some also. We made our annual trip to Lamberts (throwed rolls restaurant) with some friends Wednesday afternoon. We are disappointed that the Galley on the Bon Secor River has closed due to the BP oil spill this summer.

Today we finished the inside Christmas decorations after doing the outside yesterday and stopping by our street's happy hour at 4pm.

The weather has been sunny but chilly, high 30s/low 40s at night and 60s daytime. As long as the sun is out 60s is fine. All is well.

Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Birthday to me

We are winding down the time remaing here in Biloxi. On Thanksgiving day we went to Jody's and celebrated with Jody & Renato and his brother, girlfriend & their daughter. Renato got to carve his first turkey. Jody & Judy did a good job making a really good dinner. It was the first Thanksgiving meal that Renato & his family has had.

It was also my birthday so we had pumpkin pie with a candle to blow out, took a couple tries but I did succeed.

On Saturday night Judy & I plus Jody & Renato went to the IP Casino to see Kenny Rogers, one of Judy's favorites. The first half of the show was Kenny's hits and the second was his Christmas show. We all enjoyed it and got to sing along to a couple songs.....Lucille.....four hungry kids and crops in the field.

Renato & Jody (+mom in law)

The first picture is of Judy in one of her hot poker games here at the campground. She often plays with the locals, they play daily at 1pm. I played once but they play some wild games with wild cards. Sometimes she win & sometimes not. The framed feather is the one we purchased last month in OK at the Cherokee Nation. It's hanging above our door, do yor see the 3 pictures?

The other pics are of Jody & Renato (and Renato's mother). They were taken in Jody's home and on the Biloxi beach. We had supper with them Saturday night and everyone (but me) cooked. Since being here Renato has been making some Brazilian dishes and it's pretty good! Renoto's mom made a dish that was kind of like a deep dish pizza crust with cheese, vegetables & chicken. She also made a desert that was like a custard cake. Sunday night was another pay back dinner, Jody took us out a fancy place called Vibe at the Hard Rock Casino. It's 2:45 Monday, 76 and light clouds. Great weather!

Biloxi Gulf sunset with Rudy & Linda

Rudy and Linda have pulled out headed to Texas but we walked across the street to the gulf and snapped a couple pictures before they pulled out.

We have been spending some time with Jody & Renoto, yesterday I went to their place a popped a pot roast in the oven while Judy was playing poker at the CG, she lost but the roast was real good. Judy & Jody made the rest of supper after Jody got off work. Renato fixed a pretty good Brazilian drink.

Judy hasn't done any cleaning for the last 2 or 3 minutes so she's really going at it now.

Tuesday we went to the movies and saw Unstoppable with Denzel Washington. It was a good flick but the popcorn & soda was more than the show.

Veterans Day parade, Biloxi

Today Rudy & Linda went with us to Biloxi's Veteran's Day parade. It lasted an hour & 15 minutes but much of that time was spent with many stops and delays, probably when they went by the reviewing stand. There were over 80 groups and military equipment. I believe that every high school in the area had an ROTC group in the parade. It was an excellent parade!

Sure wish this program would organize the pictures like I entered them!

Gaters & an air boat ride

Today we went with Rudy & Linda for an air boat ride to check out the gaters in there home. The ride was nice but could have lasted longer but we saw lots of alligators. It would be nice & relaxing to just sit for an hour or two in the swamp and quietly listen to the birds and animals while taking in the sites.