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Florida trip part Deux.
Nov. 1st, 2012 09:11 pmHaving arrived after a cross-country trip, my stomach was a mix of motion-sick and anxious. Stepping off the plane, I knew I had arrived in Florida as the wash of humidity jack-slapped me up one-side and down the other as I stepped off the plane. “Yuck!” I thought to myself knowing that my southern gills had dried up. “I really hope this will be gone by this weekend”
Knowing that my friend Debbie would be picking me up soon, I scurried over to the baggage claim to pick up my suitcase. No sooner had I gotten there when I notice a lady with her hands in the air calling my name. But… who the heck WAS she? Turns out, she was indeed my dear friend Debbie. But I didn’t recognize her! She was missing over 100 pounds that I remember, dressed very modern and sexy and looking absolutely GORGEOUS! I’m so incredibly proud of her, and just couldn’t go on enough!
As her strapping and athletic son helped me with the bags, we jumped into the soccer-mom mobile to head to dinner for a happy reunion with the Moores and Holly. Gods, it was fantastic to see old friends again and pick up where we left off. Yet sadly, it somewhat began the theme of my trip, which would be “the Horseman Tour”. Story after story, I would learn about friend-X who had some bizarre new medical condition, or had an operation, or was going through a divorce, or lost a job, or was undergoing foreclosure. Ugh!!!!! Truly, over the course of the next few days, this was the case in example after example. But for that brief time at dinner, we old-buddies were back to giggling and palling around just as we always had, as if no time had passed whatsoever.
The next day, shortly after picking up my rental car, I headed north to my mom’s condo to visit my sister Roxanne. Not entirely sure of my route, I contacted her to see if I could get the address. It was then that I also received a text indicating that I would be meeting the girlfriend of my nephew. This threw me for a loop! Now, I KNOW rationally that my nephews and nieces have all aged. But in my naïve head, they are all still kids. But… no. My youngest nephew is now on his own living in San Francisco starting his advertising career… and that is the YOUNGEST. A few of them have kids of their own. And it was with that in mind that I would be meeting his girlfriend who is due in February. YIKES! Yet another crack in my joints!
Arriving at the condo, I was happy to see Roxanne, but surprised to see her morphing so much into my mother. I guess I never realized just how much they look alike! (Of course, the fact that all the women in my family are shrinking like Sophia is beside the point). As for Chantel, I found her very charming – grounded, intelligent, calm, and with a good head on her shoulders, it was really nice to see her and Roxanne bonding so much. Oh… my poor nephew. Two strong women bonding over his baby. Oh… he doesn’t stand a chance!
Yet, the condo was a bit of a… oh how does one put it? Disaster! Roxanne was in the middle of packing everything up for the sale. Um… sale? Wha???? Huh? But the plan had been… well, I guess the plan changed. Oh, add on another thing. There was a massive hole in the bedroom wall. Again… WTF? Apparently, Chantel had discovered a leaky pipe. The association was to take care of it, but… AIIIIIIYEEEEEE! Not being particularly fast on my feet or good with sudden shock-and-awe, I made the suggestion that we go out for lunch (short for “GET ME THE F#*$ OUTTA HERE!) So heading to Tarpon Springs, we ate fantastic Greek food, caught up, chatted, laughed, talked about family, etc., etc., etc.
Now, let’s fast forward to Sunday. After the trip down to Cape Coral, I arrived tired and not quite sure what I would find. I had never been to Geneva’s house before. And after the condo trip, who knew?
Well, I was really surprised, truth be told. Mom came out to greet me, and she looked great! Then came Geneva who also looked great. Following hugs and salutations, I was given the house. Wow! While in the middle of absolutely nowhere, I gotta say, the house is just stunning! I forgot how much a neat-freak my sister Geneva is. Oh…. I remember when I was like that. Siiiiigh. We had a great time! Mom took us out to dinner at a local steak joint. I had a beer (or twelve). Genie and I stayed up late and reminisced and chatted and got silly. And then the next day I was off on my roadrace back north to Tampa to catch my flight back home.
The trip was crazy – never boring – incredibly busy – and socking all of my energy. But ya know what? It was really awesome!
Knowing that my friend Debbie would be picking me up soon, I scurried over to the baggage claim to pick up my suitcase. No sooner had I gotten there when I notice a lady with her hands in the air calling my name. But… who the heck WAS she? Turns out, she was indeed my dear friend Debbie. But I didn’t recognize her! She was missing over 100 pounds that I remember, dressed very modern and sexy and looking absolutely GORGEOUS! I’m so incredibly proud of her, and just couldn’t go on enough!
As her strapping and athletic son helped me with the bags, we jumped into the soccer-mom mobile to head to dinner for a happy reunion with the Moores and Holly. Gods, it was fantastic to see old friends again and pick up where we left off. Yet sadly, it somewhat began the theme of my trip, which would be “the Horseman Tour”. Story after story, I would learn about friend-X who had some bizarre new medical condition, or had an operation, or was going through a divorce, or lost a job, or was undergoing foreclosure. Ugh!!!!! Truly, over the course of the next few days, this was the case in example after example. But for that brief time at dinner, we old-buddies were back to giggling and palling around just as we always had, as if no time had passed whatsoever.
The next day, shortly after picking up my rental car, I headed north to my mom’s condo to visit my sister Roxanne. Not entirely sure of my route, I contacted her to see if I could get the address. It was then that I also received a text indicating that I would be meeting the girlfriend of my nephew. This threw me for a loop! Now, I KNOW rationally that my nephews and nieces have all aged. But in my naïve head, they are all still kids. But… no. My youngest nephew is now on his own living in San Francisco starting his advertising career… and that is the YOUNGEST. A few of them have kids of their own. And it was with that in mind that I would be meeting his girlfriend who is due in February. YIKES! Yet another crack in my joints!
Arriving at the condo, I was happy to see Roxanne, but surprised to see her morphing so much into my mother. I guess I never realized just how much they look alike! (Of course, the fact that all the women in my family are shrinking like Sophia is beside the point). As for Chantel, I found her very charming – grounded, intelligent, calm, and with a good head on her shoulders, it was really nice to see her and Roxanne bonding so much. Oh… my poor nephew. Two strong women bonding over his baby. Oh… he doesn’t stand a chance!
Yet, the condo was a bit of a… oh how does one put it? Disaster! Roxanne was in the middle of packing everything up for the sale. Um… sale? Wha???? Huh? But the plan had been… well, I guess the plan changed. Oh, add on another thing. There was a massive hole in the bedroom wall. Again… WTF? Apparently, Chantel had discovered a leaky pipe. The association was to take care of it, but… AIIIIIIYEEEEEE! Not being particularly fast on my feet or good with sudden shock-and-awe, I made the suggestion that we go out for lunch (short for “GET ME THE F#*$ OUTTA HERE!) So heading to Tarpon Springs, we ate fantastic Greek food, caught up, chatted, laughed, talked about family, etc., etc., etc.
Now, let’s fast forward to Sunday. After the trip down to Cape Coral, I arrived tired and not quite sure what I would find. I had never been to Geneva’s house before. And after the condo trip, who knew?
Well, I was really surprised, truth be told. Mom came out to greet me, and she looked great! Then came Geneva who also looked great. Following hugs and salutations, I was given the house. Wow! While in the middle of absolutely nowhere, I gotta say, the house is just stunning! I forgot how much a neat-freak my sister Geneva is. Oh…. I remember when I was like that. Siiiiigh. We had a great time! Mom took us out to dinner at a local steak joint. I had a beer (or twelve). Genie and I stayed up late and reminisced and chatted and got silly. And then the next day I was off on my roadrace back north to Tampa to catch my flight back home.
The trip was crazy – never boring – incredibly busy – and socking all of my energy. But ya know what? It was really awesome!
