Modified house arrest

After breakfast this morning, Donnie had a chat with Willis about the
terms of his modified house arrest.  He can prowl at night, but must stay
home during the day.   Like a typical teen, he appears to be tuning him out!

Thought we had a buyer for the captain's chair already this morning.  The guy paid his money and took it to his boat.  Unfortunately he came back about thirty minutes later; it didn't fit his boat either.  Hopefully, somebody somewhere in the Keys is in need of a new captain's chair.  Meanwhile, we've started our search for a vehicle to purchase down here to drive home in May.  Found exactly what we were looking for down in Key West, but it sold yesterday so we missed out on that one.  We'll keep looking.  Today we'll comb the obituaries...jk!

Donnie's working on giving the boat a bath on the exterior.  I needed a few things from the store I forgot yesterday.  Mac and Jean are coming over for hot dogs on the grill at lunch, and then we're looking to get in some pool time and a game of dominos this afternoon.  Looks to be a rather uneventful, HOT day in paradise. Trust me, I'm not complaining!

Only 7 gallons

This morning Donnie was up and at 'em for his last fishing trip with his buddy Kenny and his parents.  I spent the morning still taking care of business.  I had lots of stuff to mail at the post office, a little more cleaning down below, and a grocery run.  It was desperately needed since I had lost nearly everything when the fridge conked out on Sunday.  It was really strange stepping off the boat this morning...there was not a speck of breeze, and the Gulf of Mexico was still as could be.  It was like glass, perfect for water skiing. (or parasailing!)  It was almost eerie, it was so quiet.  With list in hand, I pedal, pedal, pedalled my clown bike to town.


I was a bit over zealous in my grocery shopping.  I nearly couldn't
get it all home! 

After stowing away groceries, and putting a pork tenderloin in the crock pot for some BBQ tonite, I made my way up to the office to take care of some online business; banking and craigslist. 

We are attempting to sell Donnie's captain's chair on craigslist,
since it didn't fit on Marquesa :(

The Gulf of Mexico was eeriely calm today.  It was like glass;
gave me a hankerin' to go water skiing!

We watched the sunset with Dan and Biddi- they
were up to their usual tricks!



It was perfect conditions for a green flash, and we saw it, AGAIN! 

Wednesday is Survivor night, so after the sunset we retired to our cabin to watch Survivor and American Idol.  By 10pm, Dan came knocking on our boat, "Donnie! Come have a cocktail with me!" You can't resist Dan, he can sound so pitiful and forlorn.  So it was an hour of story-telling and sillinesss before we called it a night. Funny story....Tomorrow Dan has a fuel truck coming to Banana Bay to fill him up.  They're getting ready to shove off for the Bahamas in the next week or so, and he needs about 200 gallons (at $4 bucks a gallon!)  Dan asked Donnie if we needed any fuel, to which Donnie replied, "I'm only down about 7 gallons right now."  Gotta love sailboats!!! G'Night all :)

Taking care of business...

Back to reality...well, reality in paradise, that is.  I mean, time to tend to boat projects and such that got put on hold while company was in town.  First order of business...a delivery.

Donnie had bought Kenny a tshirt for all the fishing
trips, so he had to have this one for Fran when he
saw it in Key West the other day.  They're such
good people, really fun people, and we are
sorely going to miss them when they leave on Friday :(

While I thoroughly cleaned the cabin, Donnie checked on the wiring
job he did yesterday on the refridgerator (did I tell you I lost everything
from the fridge?!) and he properly mounted our life sling- a must.

While I was busy cleaning, Willis was clearly taking his first
 day of house arrest in stride.  Darn him.

With our chores out of the way, and after having lunch with our
friends at the Hurricane, Donnie and Dan headed out to go lobstering.

They came back with two legal tails that are now in the freezer :)  It was dollar taco night at the Hurricane, so back we went for our second meal of the day there.  You can't beat dollar tacos with friends!  After a visit (and cocktail) on Dan and Biddi's boat, we turned in rather early, as Donnie has to be at Kenny's boat AIS (a** in seat) at 9am.  Kenny is taking Mac and Jean and Donnie out for the last big fishing trip.  He's pulling the boat out tonight, and they are leaving Friday morning for their home on Hatteras Island, NC.  We're really gonna miss Kenny and Fran...can't wait until next year!

The cat is in the barn...

I repeat, the cat is in the barn..errrrr...ummmm....Willis is back on the boat. With a ball and chain on his hind leg.  and a shock collar on his neck.  where he will remain for the next 72 hours.  it's an emergency detention hold.  he will get food and water.  and nothing else.  definitely no lovin'.  dern cat.

Willis is MIA

No pictures today....Willis made off with the camera after his nightly prowl.  He came back briefly while we were returning the rental car at the airport (so says our neighbors).  HOWEVER, he has not yet returned and it has left me in a rather foul mood all day. 

Kenny & Fran, Mac & Jean, and Donnie tried to cheer me by writing a country song...

Walkabout Willis

That dog-gone boat cat,
is no where to be found.
That Willis cat of mine
is out cattin' around.

He wasn't in bed this morning
when we saw the light of day,
Willis will be under house arrest
and he'll never go out to play.

Chorus:
My cat's gone missing,
and it's a cloudy, windy day.
My throat is getting sore,
and my cat is far away.
I got no transportation,
and my daughter left for school.
The laundry and bills are piled up,
so, I'm just drinking by the pool.

I keep looking for my Walkabout Willis
and he's no where to be found.
If he doesn't turn up tonight,
I'm calling for the search hounds :(

Sombrero Beach, Marathon, FL

Today was Ellie's last day *sniff* so we opted to go to Mamaw and Paps to finish up some laundry there, then go to the beach.  After Burdine's last night, we were at their place doing laundry and giving the bug a hair coloring session.  With all the company we've had the last two weeks, nearly everything we owned needed washed- five loads worth!  While the laundry was going, we went to the beach for her to grab the last of the sun's rays.

I think Sombrero Beach in Marathon is the prettiest in the Keys.

She's a cute bug :)

gathering sea shells...just like when she was a little tadpole.

Me and my girl!

Watched a guy netting bait to go fishing- he was good.

She's a toys-r-us kid, definitely doesn't want to grow up just yet!  

After the laundry and beach, we met up with the family for some
cheeseburgers and fries at Banana Bay.  Ellie bug hitched a
ride back on Uncle Dave's motorcycle- nice ride :)

After lunch and a little pool time, it was time to pack up and head up to Ft. Lauderdale.  It was nearly a three hour drive up and back.  Luckily, Elle had a direct flight back home...I'm sure gonna miss that girl...*another sniff* :(

Back to Key West

This morning we had our last breakfast with Greg and Wanetta as it was time to take them back to the airport at Key West.  It was rough saying goodbye...I was hoping for a bump so they could stay longer!  The week simply flew by too fast.  Thanks, guys, for some more wonderful memories made with y'all- you're the best :)

Since we had a rental car, we packed our PBJs, bathing suits and towels and headed for the beach.  In all my trips to Key West, we've never been to their beach.  It was pretty nice, very nice, actually.  I'm sorry neither Ellie or I took pictures, though...we were a little distracted (and grossed out) by the guy wearing a cod piece.  If you don't know what that is, look it up on wikipedia! YUCK!  The sun was intensely hot, burning hot, so after about two hours, we were done in.  We opted to head downtown in search of our favorite gelatto place.

The town is always hopping when a cruise ship is at port...but it was especially crazy on Saturday.  Apparently in Key West, St. Patrick's Day is to be celebrated for the entire weekend.  I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of the woman wearing only shamrock 'pasties'....wow.  There were several pub crawls going on, passing out the green beer, and there were plenty of drunken pedestrians barely able to crawl themselves!

In the midst of the madness, was this momma and her peeps!
Roosters abound in Key West...have I told you I HATE roosters?!

You, too, could get lei'd in Key West...
I have no doubt that many did that day. 

It was 'interesting' people watching  :)

...and then the policeman stopped traffic for a wheelbarrow race.
More free green beer to the winners- and a girl flashed her tata's
 to the crowd when she was declared the winner.
Neither one looked like they needed any more beer!

We passed the little hotel that has Cafe Marquesa! 

If you remember, I bought a Cafe Marquesa sign for
 my galley when we visited Key West with
 Marc and Wendy back in February.

On our way home, we passed through Big Pine Key and went searching for some
 key deer for Ellie to see.  We found this cute couple kissing in the bushes!

Since it was Elliebug's last night, we took her to Burdine's for
some of their famous fries with 'fry dust'- YUM!

Ellie tried her hand at the dice game while we waited on our food.
She had a nice conversation with the Danish couple sititng behind
us.  She got some good tips on places to see when she takes
the Baltic cruise with her dad and sister in May- lucky girl!

Me and my honey :)

And while we were busy, cramming as much fun as possible in to Ellen's
last day, this was how Willis spent his Saturday...what a sorry sucker!