TAMPA’S INTERNATIONAL MALL WORTH THE TRIP!

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Travelers Rest Resort

Dade City, Florida

70 F, Sunny

It seems like we have been away from home for longer than 3 weeks. B1 is surely enjoying her snowboard at the Peak and B2 is swimming and dancing away. I am so pleased that they are so active. I can picture Randy ice fishing and Brian bowling—did he get another 300? We are also thinking of Denise and her dad—we hope that he is doing better. That darn flu. The cats are keeping Coleen warm, I am sure, especially fluffy Oliver, the Rag Doll cat. I can picture all of our dear family and hope that the weather is not too bad in Erie and Jamestown.

Last evening we took a walk in the TRR garden and noticed that the frost really did a lot of damage—many plants won’t come back until next year, and some did not survive at all. I could not believe how well the staghorn ferns did, but the hydrangea did not fare well.  Usually we see poinsettia and other flowers blooming, but not now.  When we are here, the garden is a highlight, refreshing and lush, but this year it is suffering.

Today TK was willing to return to Tampa so we could shop at the International Mall, one of the best in the East. It isn’t quite as big as Sawgrass Mills Mall near Fort Lauderdale, but the trip  was fun! Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Rolex, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton, and so on. Even a Tesla showroom.  I am good at window shopping, but Dillard’s was having a killer deal of 30% extra off items on sale. TK scored a beautiful TB shirt for $26, regularly $150. Actually I bought it for him for Valentine’s Day—thinking ahead, of course.

We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory, always a favorite. TK had meatloaf, AGAIN-the 3^rd time since we got off the ship. Key lime and lemon meringue cheesecake are the best!

Despite missing our family, I know it is good for TK to be in warmer weather with the added benefit of spending time with his family. It is so much easier not wearing boots, heavy coats, Cuddle Duds, scarves, mittens, hats. We do have the heater on at night, but by morning we can turn that off and be on our way with just a sweater. Sandals, capris, and shorts are healthier, aren’t they?

A few days ago we went to a small get together at Scorchy and Mary Lou’s friends in “The Village,” a part of TRR with one story homes. Stan and Sharon, from Toronto, sold their cabana and RV in TRR and bought this home for $120,000. They have a share in ownership of the park, just as before, pay modest property taxes, and a modest annual fee. The home has two living rooms, a large dining room, three bedrooms, two baths, a beautiful large kitchen, a screened porch, and a large deck.  Their back yard is on the creek that runs through TRR and there is ample space between homes. TK and I know that we could live in such a home rather than a condo or RV/cabana combo, or in a Florida community. Every year we ponder this idea, but we still could not leave family behind and paying that amount for two months of living does not seem prudent.

Today was a good day and it sure was one less day of wearing boots!

TK's Takes: He has seen few policemen and more speeders on Florida highways. He loves meatloaf.

Note to Donna: Dale Chihuly was wearing TB shirts in the film we saw yesterdaym--three different ones!!