Frivolous Adventures

It’s been another long break between blog posts.

There have been a couple of reasons for that, one of which is the national shit show that is currently taking place. Discouraging, to say the least. I don’t want to write about that shit show, but everything else I’d like to write about seems frivolous in comparison.

But my kids like reading about my frivolous adventures, so here goes.

These past couple of months, the frivolity has primarily centered around visits. In most instances, Dave and I were the ones being visited. In one case, we did the visiting.

Dave & Liv

My nephew Dave and his wife Liv were the first to visit. The two of them and my brother came over for the Super Bowl where we had much more food than was necessary for five people (including my mother’s award winning chili – I was told to send the recipe to Amber). We were thrilled for Chris when his Eagles won.

After the Super Bowl, we had dinner with them three more times, including one time at Dave Sr’s club at Jonathan’s Landing for the prime rib. Everything went really well except for a little problem at the end with the club valet. We came back to our lanai for drinks to recover.

We also went for “free” golf for a few holes. My nephew told me to hit down on the ball.

Our last dinner together was on Valentine’s Day. While we were golfing that day, “little” Dave insisted that we join them for dinner. I resisted, but he broke me by asking “Auntie Mich, years from now when you’re on your death bed will you regret not having gone out to dinner with your nephew?”

So I said yes to dinner.

He had made last minute reservations at Romeo-n-Juliettes. Those of you in the know realize how difficult, if not impossible, this is to do at this particular restaurant. But he dropped Phil’s name and got us in. Phil and my mother discovered this place shortly after it opened in 2010. They called it a hole-in-the-wall. The marketing folks call it a hidden gem. Both descriptions are accurate.

We’ve had many special family dinners there. Some of them for very large groups. Some of them for smaller parties of four. All have involved lengthy conversations over burrata, Penne alla Vodka, and several bottles of wine. The dinner with Dave and Liv was no exception. We ended up closing the place.

Dave was right. I would have regretted not going out with them.

Sue & Austin

Sue and Austin have made a few trips down here this season. Now that Lexi is off to college, they are actively looking for a place in the area. Perhaps down the street.

While they were in town, we again went out to dinner – to Salute Market, Coolinary, and Stage. Coolinary is an old favorite, Stage is a recently added favorite, and Salute was new to me. On Tuesdays, Salute has an excellent happy night.

We also golfed nine holes. Austin informed me my husband was giving me lousy golf balls. That stopped then and there.

We aren’t usually able to get Dave Sr. to go out to dinner, but he is willing to come over to the lanai, often with Grizzly. So, when Zach and Lexi arrived for a quick weekend trip, the seven of us had drinks and apps on our lanai.

Upon posting a photo of us to the extended family chat, Joanne immediately called me to give me grief for not inviting her.

As if…

Joanne & Matt

The next week, Joanne and Matt were invited over. We had them up to the club for lunch where it was salad bar only, and we played nine holes where it was cart path only.

While golfing, Matt told me I wasn’t aiming my shots at the target.

I told Jo she had a nice golf swing. She told everyone I thought she had the best golf swing ever.

That night, we had reservations at Salute Market, it being Tuesday. But Dave Sr came over to the lanai again with Grizzly, and we drank so much we canceled the reservation and ordered pizza.

Yes, we pull out all the stops for the Verkuilens. Of course, when they visit for one day only, they have to take what they can get.

Meagan & Chris

This time, Dave and I were the visitors. We flew up to New Jersey for a long weekend to spend time with Caleb and Lucy (and Meagan and Chris).

While Meagan and Chris went to work on Friday, we baby sat. And while they went out to lunch and to a movie on Saturday, we baby sat.

I. Had. So. Much. Fun.

Caleb loves us to pieces, but this is the weekend where Lucy really got comfortable with us. She smiled and laughed and was so happy with us.

We did not go out to eat though we had mac & cheese for lunch and got take out one night for dinner. We did not golf, though Chris helped me problem solve while building legos. And there were no drinks on the lanai, though there were a couple of visits to the local parks for sliding, climbing, and swinging.

Kris & Wayne

We became friends with Kris and Wayne back when Heather and their daughter Kasey were in middle school. The last time we spent significant time together was when the kids were in their senior year of high school. In 2010.

So I was a bit surprised when Wayne reached out to Dave through Heather to invite himself and Kris over for a couple days. Dave missed/ignored the first set of texts and phone calls from Wayne until Heather informed him that Mr. Pelletier told her he had been trying to reach him.

So they came for a couple of days.

And it was like we had never missed a beat. Kris told me a couple times to never change. Apparently, I can be a little direct.

We played EIGHTEEN holes of golf. BOTH DAYS. Considering my handicap, I hit A LOT of golf balls. Wayne told me to tee my golf ball up higher.

We also went to Salute Market, it being Tuesday. The next night, we had dinner in since drinks on the lanai transitioned to drinks on the 13th green for a putting contest. Wayne won.

Dave invited them back next year.

Deb & Jim

Deb and Jim wrapped up the visits when they made their annual trip down here.

We did not go golfing, so Jim didn’t give me any recommendations for my golf game. And he didn’t help me with legos. Though we did have a brief conversation about shower temperature regulators.

Rather than golfing, we went shopping. We made our usual trek to The Gardens GreenMarket where Dave bought his beef jerky, and Deb bought her island girl shirt. Jim and I sat at a picnic table in the shade.

We also went out to eat plenty of times. Guanabanas, Tommy Bahamas, Romeo-n-Juliette’s (yes, again), and Jetty’s. We also had breakfast at First Watch where Dave hit it off with the waitress.

There was plenty of time sitting out on the lanai conversing and even dozing, though not always with a drink in hand.

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That brings you up to date on my frivolous adventures. You may be wondering why no photos. That’s because we forgot to take a photo with one of the couples (the Verkuilens), and I don’t want Jo to feel left out.

Though I guess I have to include photos of at least one couple.