Good morning Marathon !
Morning Banana Bay
Thurs. Jan 23 (I think) 2014 Banana Bay
We have been so busy busy doing nothing !! Jon rented a car and went back to PC last Sat. and picked up Crew and our car, then came back to Marathon on Sun. Our week as been about tracking down people get all of our repairs done. We have the canvas guy who will be replacing some of our Eizen glass, and waterproofing our upper helm enclosement. We found an electronics guy who will replacing our radio and Auto helm. I had this insane thought that it woud be fun if I did allot of the boat detailing myself. I spent a half hour (OK fifteen minutes) polishing the rails, and luckily it started to pour. I then decided to put it off a bit, then I lost all of my mojo and decided that a walk would motivate me. While on my walk I saw a sign for a professional detailer working on another boat in the marina, and well, it just seemed like he was doing such a great job…………. I then remembered that the whole time I was doing the polishing I kept moaning, Oh God - so I figured this was his response to my calling out. I need to digress, the day before I was playing ball with Crew. I asked him where the ball was because it had rolled under my chair. Just as I saw it and went to grab it, Crew also decided to grab it and accidentally bit down an the base of my middle finger with about 25,000 pounds of pressure. Boy, I never want to be attacked by a dog – I only had one jagged puncture and it gushed blood and throbbed – I don’t know how tennis balls ever stand up to his jaws ! Anyway, back to my detailing. I decided to plead mercy from Jon due to my injury, and bring him some oil for the rusty wallet. He told me to get an estimate from the guy. Well the guy came over with his estimate which included 64 hours of man labor to get this boat done. I explained to Jon that 64 hours of skilled labor, would take me about 1,000 hours, so now, we have the boat detailer too.
We finally have the boat organized – a bit of a routine. Today I went to Zumba with my friend Bonnie. It was really nice group of women. Bonnie really had good rhythym, I think I looked like I was out of the scene when Lucy and Ethel were stomping on the grapes on the I Love Lucy Show. They are also starting a daily pilates class on 2/4 so hopefully I will retain some flexibility so I can bend over and tie my shoes.
We are excited about this season here at Banana Bay. Our friends Jim and Danette are due down this weekend, my friend Cheryl comes the next weekend, then our friend Lew comes the next weekend, then my mom and her boyfriend come the next weekend.
We have been doing our restaurant rounds. The new Dockside is great ! Crew wants to go to the Dockside every meal because they brought him a bowel of ice water. I have also been experimenting with my crockpot – See what I mean – busy busy busy !!!!
I will say it has been chilly and windy most of our time here – in some weird way this actually pleases me because I would hate to think the only bad weather was when we were on our way down here.
On a side note – I can’t believe that love did not keep Captain and Tenille together !
We have been so busy busy doing nothing !! Jon rented a car and went back to PC last Sat. and picked up Crew and our car, then came back to Marathon on Sun. Our week as been about tracking down people get all of our repairs done. We have the canvas guy who will be replacing some of our Eizen glass, and waterproofing our upper helm enclosement. We found an electronics guy who will replacing our radio and Auto helm. I had this insane thought that it woud be fun if I did allot of the boat detailing myself. I spent a half hour (OK fifteen minutes) polishing the rails, and luckily it started to pour. I then decided to put it off a bit, then I lost all of my mojo and decided that a walk would motivate me. While on my walk I saw a sign for a professional detailer working on another boat in the marina, and well, it just seemed like he was doing such a great job…………. I then remembered that the whole time I was doing the polishing I kept moaning, Oh God - so I figured this was his response to my calling out. I need to digress, the day before I was playing ball with Crew. I asked him where the ball was because it had rolled under my chair. Just as I saw it and went to grab it, Crew also decided to grab it and accidentally bit down an the base of my middle finger with about 25,000 pounds of pressure. Boy, I never want to be attacked by a dog – I only had one jagged puncture and it gushed blood and throbbed – I don’t know how tennis balls ever stand up to his jaws ! Anyway, back to my detailing. I decided to plead mercy from Jon due to my injury, and bring him some oil for the rusty wallet. He told me to get an estimate from the guy. Well the guy came over with his estimate which included 64 hours of man labor to get this boat done. I explained to Jon that 64 hours of skilled labor, would take me about 1,000 hours, so now, we have the boat detailer too.
We finally have the boat organized – a bit of a routine. Today I went to Zumba with my friend Bonnie. It was really nice group of women. Bonnie really had good rhythym, I think I looked like I was out of the scene when Lucy and Ethel were stomping on the grapes on the I Love Lucy Show. They are also starting a daily pilates class on 2/4 so hopefully I will retain some flexibility so I can bend over and tie my shoes.
We are excited about this season here at Banana Bay. Our friends Jim and Danette are due down this weekend, my friend Cheryl comes the next weekend, then our friend Lew comes the next weekend, then my mom and her boyfriend come the next weekend.
We have been doing our restaurant rounds. The new Dockside is great ! Crew wants to go to the Dockside every meal because they brought him a bowel of ice water. I have also been experimenting with my crockpot – See what I mean – busy busy busy !!!!
I will say it has been chilly and windy most of our time here – in some weird way this actually pleases me because I would hate to think the only bad weather was when we were on our way down here.
On a side note – I can’t believe that love did not keep Captain and Tenille together !
Burdines for my favorite sandwich - the Chicken florentine !
Crew snugged into the crew quarters for the night
I predict rain in our near future….
And of course it was our turn to be filled up just as the skies opened up……
The best part of rain storm, is definitely the rainbow !
Monday Jan 28 2014
It has finally warmed up and the sun is shining – now this is more like it !
Crew, now thinks he is the Mayor of Banana Bay and has made a new buddy Salty who is a young golden retriever who gives Crew a run for his money. They play hard with lots of rough jumping and tumbling going on. I also think Crew has stars in his eyes and seems a bit smitten with Sophie who is a dachsaund. Crew has fun playing with her and surprisingly gentle while Sophie runs circles around him. The marina is full of dogs this year so Crew is in heaven ! The only problem is Crew has taken to just walking off of the boat when he wants to go visit or gets bored, This is not good……
Jon has been sanding the wood that he did not get to last year so we can get a couple of coats of varnish on it before the detailer comes on Wed. The side that is facing the dock was easy peasy. The other side, not so much. It entails Jon holding on the edge of the upper helm floor for dear life with one hand while he sands and scrapes with the other hand. He has kind of lost his sense of humor. For example when I got home from Zumba today I just jumped on to the boat which I guess made the boat rock a bit, Ok a lot, and Jon was like – I am going to fall off, you just can’t rock the boat like that etc……… Crew who was at the bow of the boat supervising and I both had a good chuckle over this. I also think the word is out that there is a high probability that Jon will going in to the drink because I saw a barracuda lurking around it water below where Jon was working.
Speaking of Zumba - now almost a pro after my second class, I thought I was moving right along with the foot steps, until she started adding arms - ugghh….. the only worse insult to my injury was when I was realized it was a Zumba Gold class - the Gold does not mean it is the best of the best, the Gold means it is for the "Golden Age" participants. Just wait till my new Zumba shoes arrive that I ordered, I will show those golden oldies that I can move my feet and arms too, so what if i am the youngest in the class…..
We have enjoyed the quiet and relaxing time we have had but a girl can only take so much quiet, so now time to shift the social gear into high. We had fun visit with our friends Pat and Bob, and Bob's sister, brother and brother in law. Our friends Jim and Danette from Palm Coast arrived yesterday on their boat. We spent the day with a trifecta of starting at the American Legion, then on to the Brass Monkey then finishing the night off at Hurricanes.
Thursday Night we have a fundraiser/party for Salty’s that burned down last week and was a local favorite. Our friend Cheryl also arrives from Harwich Port. Sat. there is party out on the point here at the marina with our fellow boater Donnie here at the marina and his friends playing music. Our friends Sally and Tom arrive on Sat. from Palm Coast on their boat too. Sunday we have a pre super bowl party, and Betty the bookie will be organizing our super bowl pool. I am also trying to organize a big MTOA gathering for around 2/10 tor 2/11.
That’s pretty much the happenings here in da keys – as I sit hear listening for the weather forecast of another artic blast, I have decided I better go grab my bathing suit and go to the pool for swim now before the thermometer dips below 80…..
It has finally warmed up and the sun is shining – now this is more like it !
Crew, now thinks he is the Mayor of Banana Bay and has made a new buddy Salty who is a young golden retriever who gives Crew a run for his money. They play hard with lots of rough jumping and tumbling going on. I also think Crew has stars in his eyes and seems a bit smitten with Sophie who is a dachsaund. Crew has fun playing with her and surprisingly gentle while Sophie runs circles around him. The marina is full of dogs this year so Crew is in heaven ! The only problem is Crew has taken to just walking off of the boat when he wants to go visit or gets bored, This is not good……
Jon has been sanding the wood that he did not get to last year so we can get a couple of coats of varnish on it before the detailer comes on Wed. The side that is facing the dock was easy peasy. The other side, not so much. It entails Jon holding on the edge of the upper helm floor for dear life with one hand while he sands and scrapes with the other hand. He has kind of lost his sense of humor. For example when I got home from Zumba today I just jumped on to the boat which I guess made the boat rock a bit, Ok a lot, and Jon was like – I am going to fall off, you just can’t rock the boat like that etc……… Crew who was at the bow of the boat supervising and I both had a good chuckle over this. I also think the word is out that there is a high probability that Jon will going in to the drink because I saw a barracuda lurking around it water below where Jon was working.
Speaking of Zumba - now almost a pro after my second class, I thought I was moving right along with the foot steps, until she started adding arms - ugghh….. the only worse insult to my injury was when I was realized it was a Zumba Gold class - the Gold does not mean it is the best of the best, the Gold means it is for the "Golden Age" participants. Just wait till my new Zumba shoes arrive that I ordered, I will show those golden oldies that I can move my feet and arms too, so what if i am the youngest in the class…..
We have enjoyed the quiet and relaxing time we have had but a girl can only take so much quiet, so now time to shift the social gear into high. We had fun visit with our friends Pat and Bob, and Bob's sister, brother and brother in law. Our friends Jim and Danette from Palm Coast arrived yesterday on their boat. We spent the day with a trifecta of starting at the American Legion, then on to the Brass Monkey then finishing the night off at Hurricanes.
Thursday Night we have a fundraiser/party for Salty’s that burned down last week and was a local favorite. Our friend Cheryl also arrives from Harwich Port. Sat. there is party out on the point here at the marina with our fellow boater Donnie here at the marina and his friends playing music. Our friends Sally and Tom arrive on Sat. from Palm Coast on their boat too. Sunday we have a pre super bowl party, and Betty the bookie will be organizing our super bowl pool. I am also trying to organize a big MTOA gathering for around 2/10 tor 2/11.
That’s pretty much the happenings here in da keys – as I sit hear listening for the weather forecast of another artic blast, I have decided I better go grab my bathing suit and go to the pool for swim now before the thermometer dips below 80…..
Pat, Jon, Nancy, John, Bob Crew's tail and John (yep- there were alot of John's)
Starting out at the American Legion with Jim and Danette
Then on to the Brass monkey…...
Jon holding on for dear life as he scrapes off the wood
And Mr Barracuda waiting for a slip and fall by Jon..
Crew supervising and making sure Jon is not just lounging around as he hangs off of the rail
Sun. AM Feb. 2
We are moving right along with repairs – new radio, auto helm and bilge pump. The boat detailers are on day four. They had assured us that our boat would look good as new when they quoted us. Now the conversation has turned to, wow this boat is really old, who painted this boat – what kind of paint did you use on this boat….. Hmmpph not sure what these stains are but they are tough to get off etc……. Sundance is definitely getting shinier, but I am not sure good as new will be in her cards.
It has been a busy week again. We went to dinner at Dockside with Jim and Danette and our friends Peter and Nancy and were joined by another large group. I have been experimenting with my crockpot and made a mean pot of chicken and dumplings that fed us about 2,000 meals. Jon and I have picked up cribbage again. Jon hates it when I win which of course only makes me savor it all the more. My inner obnoxious self comes out of hiding complete with whooping and dancing all over the boat, it really irritates Jon.
My Zumba seems to be improving. I base this on the fact that the dirty looks from the unfortunate souls who end up next to me have diminished a bit when I go the wrong direction and stomp on their feet, or circle a bit too fast, get dizzy and fall over on them, or when I get a bit over enthusiastic and yell out "Hoot Hoot" at the wrong time……. Can't wait for Pilates to start this week so I can enchant a whole other group of women with my charm.
Cheryl arrived Thursday and has adapted nicely to our lifestyle of getting busy doing nothing. We have gone to our fav’s for lunch and dinner, walked the 7 miles bridge, toured about town, and spent lots of pool time. Friday we went to Cape Cod friends home, Pete and Lisa for cocktails, then out to dinner with Kathy and Gary, Jim and Danette complete with dancing and an ominous photo bomber.
Last night Karyn organized a fun party at the marina point. Her husband Donnie and his band played and I think there were about 100 people there. Betty the bookie was there and we bought all the winning squares for the Super Bowl pool for tomorrow. If you are wondering if we had fun, we had enough fun that I got up and sang with the band, that should sum up our night. Jim and Danette also came over, and Sally and Tom arrived on their boat – hail, hail the gangs all here! We are considering sabotaging Cheryl's car so she can’t leave tomorrow !
We are moving right along with repairs – new radio, auto helm and bilge pump. The boat detailers are on day four. They had assured us that our boat would look good as new when they quoted us. Now the conversation has turned to, wow this boat is really old, who painted this boat – what kind of paint did you use on this boat….. Hmmpph not sure what these stains are but they are tough to get off etc……. Sundance is definitely getting shinier, but I am not sure good as new will be in her cards.
It has been a busy week again. We went to dinner at Dockside with Jim and Danette and our friends Peter and Nancy and were joined by another large group. I have been experimenting with my crockpot and made a mean pot of chicken and dumplings that fed us about 2,000 meals. Jon and I have picked up cribbage again. Jon hates it when I win which of course only makes me savor it all the more. My inner obnoxious self comes out of hiding complete with whooping and dancing all over the boat, it really irritates Jon.
My Zumba seems to be improving. I base this on the fact that the dirty looks from the unfortunate souls who end up next to me have diminished a bit when I go the wrong direction and stomp on their feet, or circle a bit too fast, get dizzy and fall over on them, or when I get a bit over enthusiastic and yell out "Hoot Hoot" at the wrong time……. Can't wait for Pilates to start this week so I can enchant a whole other group of women with my charm.
Cheryl arrived Thursday and has adapted nicely to our lifestyle of getting busy doing nothing. We have gone to our fav’s for lunch and dinner, walked the 7 miles bridge, toured about town, and spent lots of pool time. Friday we went to Cape Cod friends home, Pete and Lisa for cocktails, then out to dinner with Kathy and Gary, Jim and Danette complete with dancing and an ominous photo bomber.
Last night Karyn organized a fun party at the marina point. Her husband Donnie and his band played and I think there were about 100 people there. Betty the bookie was there and we bought all the winning squares for the Super Bowl pool for tomorrow. If you are wondering if we had fun, we had enough fun that I got up and sang with the band, that should sum up our night. Jim and Danette also came over, and Sally and Tom arrived on their boat – hail, hail the gangs all here! We are considering sabotaging Cheryl's car so she can’t leave tomorrow !
J.B. at the Dockside
Danette and Nancy
Jim and Danette
Cheryl and I at the Dockside
Crew loves to go to lunch at the Dockside. Crew insisted he was not begging……..
Crew finally settled under his Auntie Cheryl for some good ol' fashion rubs….
Cheryl and I at Pete's on Key Colony
Lisa, Pete and Cheryl - Key Colony
Cheryl, photo bomber, me, Danette and Kathy at Castaways
The gang - Jim, Cheryl, Jon, me , Gary, Danette and Kathy at Castaways
Cheryl, photo bomber and Jon
And we got them all up dancing before the night was through….
Jon, Jim, Danette, Kathy, Gary, Becca, Stan and Cheryl at Burdines
Stan and Cheryl - Burdines
Donnie and his band at the pre pre super bowl party on Sat.
and the sun starting to set
Cheryl and Jon
A little liquid courage in my hand - and I belted out a rendition of "Put another log on the fire" and "Me and Bobby McGee" Lucky it was a kind crowd and very late in the party.
Feb. 2 Superbowl Sunday
It was without doubt about the world’s most boring super bowl, but we managed to still enjoy ourselves (Shocking !) Cheryl left late morning for the airport. Josie Sally and I then did a grocery store run along with every other person in Marathon to buy our party supplies. Larry our great dock master cooked about 3,330 pounds of ribs, and the rest of us brought sides to accompany them. Sally and I scored on 33 ounce insulated tumblers with handles – my new favorite beverage container ! Jim and Danette joined us and we all feasted till we bust, then headed off to watch the game. Sally bought a TV for us to plug in at the dock master’s office, but all of the male minds could not get it to work. Luckily Lisa turned the TV on for us so we could watch the game at the tiki bar. It was wonderful watching the game in 80 degree weather while people were also swimming in the pool. Jon and I left at half time because the game was so boring, and all of the pre parties left us ready to get to bed early. We are getting ready for bed now so tomorrow our feet will hit the ground running – well, at least our feet will get us to the coffee pot…..
It was without doubt about the world’s most boring super bowl, but we managed to still enjoy ourselves (Shocking !) Cheryl left late morning for the airport. Josie Sally and I then did a grocery store run along with every other person in Marathon to buy our party supplies. Larry our great dock master cooked about 3,330 pounds of ribs, and the rest of us brought sides to accompany them. Sally and I scored on 33 ounce insulated tumblers with handles – my new favorite beverage container ! Jim and Danette joined us and we all feasted till we bust, then headed off to watch the game. Sally bought a TV for us to plug in at the dock master’s office, but all of the male minds could not get it to work. Luckily Lisa turned the TV on for us so we could watch the game at the tiki bar. It was wonderful watching the game in 80 degree weather while people were also swimming in the pool. Jon and I left at half time because the game was so boring, and all of the pre parties left us ready to get to bed early. We are getting ready for bed now so tomorrow our feet will hit the ground running – well, at least our feet will get us to the coffee pot…..
Pre super bowl party on Sunday.
Betty the Bookie taking a break from her work.
And here is Betty's final product - even though we bought 10 % of the board, we did not have any luck !
Larry - not only the world's best dock master, the universe's best rib chef !
Terri, Dave and George - Terri and Dave are our next slip neighbors this year.
Tom, Jon and Jim trying to get the TV to work for the Super Bowl but no luck !
Luckily Lisa turned the TV on for us at the Tiki bar - Danette, Jim, Jon, Susan, Tom and Sally.
Nothing like watching the Super Bowl at the Tiki Bar in 80 degree weather !
Feb.11 – where is the time going ??!!
I could probably think of all kinds of clever things to write, but I have gotten so far behind – this will be just the facts – Jack. It is hard for me to even remember what we have done. I do know my days consist kind of the same routine. Up between 7:00 to 7:30 AM, off to a class in the AM, followed by swimming in the pool here, then lunch, a nap in the afternoon, cocktails, dinner and maybe a game of cribbage, then to bed with a book around 9:30 to 10:00 PM. We paled around with Sally and Tom, and Jim and Danette. Jim and Danette left last Sat. Lew arrived Fri. we toured about Marathon and Key West, hit up both the Pigeon Key craft fair as well as the Pigeon Poop craft fair. We dined on dock at Sally and Tom’s end of the Dock one night, and at our end of the dock the next night. I am still enjoying my crock pot, last success was Sloppy Joe’s. Lew headed back to the cold and snowy North East yesterday. I guess the biggest news round these parts is the opening of the new Bealls outlet – I shopped there yesterday and counted 37 people in front of me in line. Tonight we had a party at Sunset point and were joined by Trina and Joe, Charlie and Carol, and Mike and Peggy. All three couples are not at the marina any more, but were here our first year at Banana Bay. Crew as thrilled because Charlie and Carol are Molly’s parent’s, and Molly is Crew’s old flame from two years ago. Molly and Crew shared a moment, but I did not have the camera ready to capture the magic. Tomorrow night Jon and I are hosting a MTOA/marina party. I have no idea how many people are coming, and in true Keys fashion, I don’t even care – the more the merrier !!!!
I could probably think of all kinds of clever things to write, but I have gotten so far behind – this will be just the facts – Jack. It is hard for me to even remember what we have done. I do know my days consist kind of the same routine. Up between 7:00 to 7:30 AM, off to a class in the AM, followed by swimming in the pool here, then lunch, a nap in the afternoon, cocktails, dinner and maybe a game of cribbage, then to bed with a book around 9:30 to 10:00 PM. We paled around with Sally and Tom, and Jim and Danette. Jim and Danette left last Sat. Lew arrived Fri. we toured about Marathon and Key West, hit up both the Pigeon Key craft fair as well as the Pigeon Poop craft fair. We dined on dock at Sally and Tom’s end of the Dock one night, and at our end of the dock the next night. I am still enjoying my crock pot, last success was Sloppy Joe’s. Lew headed back to the cold and snowy North East yesterday. I guess the biggest news round these parts is the opening of the new Bealls outlet – I shopped there yesterday and counted 37 people in front of me in line. Tonight we had a party at Sunset point and were joined by Trina and Joe, Charlie and Carol, and Mike and Peggy. All three couples are not at the marina any more, but were here our first year at Banana Bay. Crew as thrilled because Charlie and Carol are Molly’s parent’s, and Molly is Crew’s old flame from two years ago. Molly and Crew shared a moment, but I did not have the camera ready to capture the magic. Tomorrow night Jon and I are hosting a MTOA/marina party. I have no idea how many people are coming, and in true Keys fashion, I don’t even care – the more the merrier !!!!
Jon, Josie and Gordon
Sparky's best happy hour 25 cent wings and shrimp with a healthy serving of blue cheese potato chips for good measure
Harley and Marley at the Dockside
Lew and Jon - Dockside
Harley, Marley and their mom
Nothing like a Sunday AM breakfast at the American Legion - Lew, Susan, Tom and Sally
Key West Harbor Front
Susan, Lew and Jon - Sloppy Joe's
The girls are back in town - Cindy, Peggy, Nancy, Susan Trina and Karen
Skip and Mike
Joe and Betty
Crew is a happy boy !
not to mention one handsome guy
and to top it off, one ferocious watch dog……...
2-12-14 Hump Day – MTOA party !
We sure lucked out ! It was raining in the afternoon, but then the skies cleared, the sun shined and we were a go for our party ! Jon and I hosted a party here at Banana Bay for all of our fellow MTOA friends in the area and anyone from the marina who cared to join in the fun. We ended up with 62 MTOA members, and a great group from the marina. Our friend, Palm Coast neighbor and MTOA member, Peter, graciously entertained us – he was amazing and Jon loved all of the old time favorites ! Peter was then joined by our friend and marina mate Donnie, and his band Five Sheets to the Wind. Everyone brought food and as usual we all feasted well, danced and sang along with the band. Judging by the requests for us to have party again next year – I think everyone had a good time – I know we did !!!
We sure lucked out ! It was raining in the afternoon, but then the skies cleared, the sun shined and we were a go for our party ! Jon and I hosted a party here at Banana Bay for all of our fellow MTOA friends in the area and anyone from the marina who cared to join in the fun. We ended up with 62 MTOA members, and a great group from the marina. Our friend, Palm Coast neighbor and MTOA member, Peter, graciously entertained us – he was amazing and Jon loved all of the old time favorites ! Peter was then joined by our friend and marina mate Donnie, and his band Five Sheets to the Wind. Everyone brought food and as usual we all feasted well, danced and sang along with the band. Judging by the requests for us to have party again next year – I think everyone had a good time – I know we did !!!
The whole MTOA gang
Chow time - we always eat well at our gatherings !!
Seeing double ! Peggy on left, and her sister Kathy and husband Allen !
Where else can you listen to music with this backdrop behind me...
Jon loved listening to the music and singing along - we even got in some dancing !
Bill and Laura
Peter rocking the house with Donnie and his band Five Sheets to the Wind
Dave and Terri - our great boat neighbors !!
Skip with Larry - Larry is the world's best dock master - he is from NH to boot !
and the band rocked on…..
Tom and Sally getting their groove on
It was getting dark and the clouds were filling in, but the weather God's blessed us because the rain started about ten minutes after we wrapped the party up !
