OLD POOL DECK GONE

We finally had our old pool deck removed this week. The contractors started to remove the cool deck yesterday and finished by midday today. They also cemented over the flower bed in the corner. Hopefully by the end of next week we'll have a new clean looking pool deck.

HOME AT LAST

Today we arrived home after what seemed the longest weekend. In addition to driving over 1100 miles, we unwrapped countless Christmas gifts left by Santa, ate more carbs (thanks to some delicous cookies, chess pies, party mix, pecan pies, cheese biscuits, and fruit cake cookies) than our body could handle, and took so many digital photos that it would have taken up 45 rolls of film.

DESERTING BRADY & JIM

Although we had a great time with Brady and Jim over Christmas, we all made our exits today. Kelly was heading to Rock Hill to spend some time with her boys, although how she packed her car we'll never know (see photo). Jim took Margaret home, and Dawn and I drove to Perry, FL, where we stayed the night in a hotel to break down the trip.

CHRISTMAS DAY

The noise from the burglar alarm last night didn't prevent Santa from leaving some presents for Michaela. Although, as the space under the tree was already taken, he had to lay them out in front of the Hi-Fi. Other gifts received worth a mention were a personalised photo journal of our time in America for Brady and Kelly (see photo), and a top, toy and unique gift for Jim.

CHRISTMAS FARE

With so many gifts under the tree to open, Brady decided that it might be better if we had the Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.

ARRIVED IN FLOWERY BRANCH

After another handful of hours on the road, we arrived at Dawn's mum's house. However, when we arrived, it looked like Santa had arrived early as there was no more room under the tree for us to put our gifts.

SET OUT FOR ATLANTA

Today we set out for Flowery Branch so we could share Christmas with Brady (Dawn's mum), Jim (Brady's husband), Kelly and Micheala and Jim's mother Margaret. This time we broke the journey down into two days and stopped the night in Macon, GA.

NOT CHRISTMAS DECORATING

We have finally started decorating the house for the new year.

Paul painted a couple of ceilings and removed the shower door in the main bathroom, while Dawn stripped the bathroom wallpaper and painted the walls and trims in the main bedroom and closet.

DCO APPRECIATION

When the board of the DCO (Dunedin Council of Organizations) heard that we are leaving Dunedin and moving back to England, they insisted that Dawn and I sit at the head table for this month's meeting. Then, during the meeting, President Pat Kennedy presented Dawn with a framed certificate for all the good work she had done above and beyond the call of duty as a director this year.

LUNCH AT SWEET TOMATOES

Today we met Marsha and Ed K, Cathy E, and Teresa D at Sweet Tomatoes on US19 in Palm Harbor for lunch. It was good to take some time out from training, and to catch up on what everyone was up to.

MARSHA & KEVIN @ THE DUNEDIN BREWERY

Tonight, with many of Marsha G's friends, we packed the Dunedin Brewery to the rafters so we could meet Kevin, her boyfriend from Scotland. Needless to say he was a hit with everyone and we couldn't be happier for Marsha and Kevin. They looked perfect for each other and need to make it happen. WE DID!