Goin' South

Goin' South
On the Gulf Coast Waterway 11-2011

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Merry Christmas in Port Mansfield!

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We woke to another cold, gray day, but realized it could be a lot colder! Daren surprised me with a new Kindle Touch e-reader, but I suspect it's mostly HIS present! Still, it's very cool, and he's figuring out how to download library books! We've bought so many boat things, we have Christmas and birthday gifts for the next decade!! My favorite is our new black solar shower that pumps up like a bug sprayer. It works so much better than the gravity-fed black bags! (As seen in large photo on deck). I know it's primitive to live without a water heater, but it won't be an issue in the tropics! That sure sounds good right now!
The Christmas Eve candle light service at church was lovely, and we enjoyed singing carols with a packed church and then eating Christmas goodies! I brought G/F shortbread cookies (thank you, Sue!) with melted chocolate chips, a veggie tray, and Daren's Mom's tuna-stuffed jalapenos! We got to visit with Candy and MO friends Wanda and Ron, their son Rusty and wife Ruth, and their 2 college sons, Conrad and Garret. Such a nice family!
Sunday, we enjoyed a delicious Christmas feast at the Pelican Pub with about 20 new friends! Jesse is from Tunas, MO, and was class president one year...out of a class of 15! We ate the best prime rib ever, made by pub owner, Jan's new boyfriend, Gary. We were entertained by comedian Marsh, and Jan served her award-winning banana-blueberry cream pie. Everyone had a great afternoon, and Pete and Libby were thrilled with the scraps we brought home! Merry Christmas to ALL!
Yesterday, we walked dogs and clothes over to the laundromat at the RV park, and ran into Missouri friend, Mary, from the quilting group at Preston's Prairie Methodist Church!! We marveled at the "God incident" and I HAD to call our friend Tracee to tell her about it, and we had a nice visit! She was in charge of their church's Angel Tree again this year, and it went well...36 children! She and Roger bought 3 shaggy red Highland calves for Christmas!
I heard from cousin Jamie in Enid, OK, who comes to Port Mansfield every January! I'm hoping we'll get to see them before we leave, as I haven't seen her since I spent a HS summer with her family (40 yrs ago!). Warsaw friends, Jack and Shelly are on their way to Brownsville in their 37' RV, and we look forward to seeing them, either here or Port Isabel, our last US stop. Daren and I got to ride to Brownsville with Orvil and Candy last Thursday/Friday when they dropped off/picked up their boat starter. It's a very colorful town with a lot of historical architecture and friendly people! The staff at O'Reilly's were especially helpful, and Candy and I ate lunch at a great Mexican restaurant where the waitresses wore red Santa's helper outfits! Fun!
Tonight, we had a surprise Skype call from Don and Cheryl and daughter Holley! It was fun to see them on the computer screen, and their dogs! You've got to love technology! We wish you ALL the best for a healthy and happy 2012! If the Mayans were right, Jesus will return this year, so be ready! : )

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