"CAST AWAY"

                                       August 10, a beautiful, sunny, 84 degree Saturday, a perfect day to stage a "cast away" party. Thank you Daniel, Gina and Elianna.   ( I'm under the assumption the party was for me, I was the one with the cast)

                                      Donna and I arrived early and everybody else was expected between noon and two. Daniel and Gina went out of their way and had some of the food catered. The pulled pork and barbecue where delicious. Beside our close circle friends, Donna and I had the opportunity to meet new people, like Daniel's neighbors and Coworkers and their family's. Everybody enjoyed the food and hanging in and around the pool. Of course, the biggest hit, as always, were the baby's, but the free flowing Rum in the boy's corner came in a close second.

Waiting for all the guest to arrive

They look content!  No wonder, the food is ready, the pool area is set up perfectly 

and the pool is at 79 degree with the heater off.

Filling up on some delicious food before everybody else arrives

The mingling begins.

from left; Daniels neighbor Brett and his wife Brook with baby Landon, Gina, Eliana, 

Daniel, Eric and Karla

Eliana is ready to jump in the pool

Everybody enjoying the sunshine

Eliana's special play space for the pool area

Lifeguard at work!!

Even Karla and Sara conquer the pool, under supervision of their husband's

Donna is helping me out with the lifeguard duty

Grandma keeps Eliana warm after all that swimming 

It look's like the Rum is starting to take some effect

                                 On this day we stayed overnight for the first time in their house. Amazingly I slept very deep and profoundly I think in part of it because it was very quiet and dark out there in the woods and probably the Rum had something to do with it too.

                                 Also, we where invited to go out on the neighbor's boat the next day, but for some reason (I forget why) we left pretty early for home. Belief me, I hate myself for missing this as you see in the next 4 pictures. To make it worse, Donna blames me for not being able to be there.

How you explain enjoyment?

It is getting better

and better

Her first fishing lesson in her life from Daddy

                                      It was still an amazing weekend, even missing the boat ride. I am sure the opportunity will present it self again in the near future.

REHEARSAL TO A PARTY

                          It feels good to be able to walking again unassisted, meaning no crutches or walking stick like an old men!?! HA, Ha

                         Celebrating this and especially loosing my cast, Daniel and Gina organized a “ Cast Away” party at their home on the Ackermann Acres, with friends, neighbors, co-workers and family. 

                         To be sure that the extensive steps and the beautiful pool were no problem for my newly healed ankle, Donna and I visited Daniel, Gina and Eliana 2 weeks before the party, and as always, we had a good time other than catching a little sunburn.

August, 27, first time in 2013 a trip to the pool

It looks very inviting

Just a touch cooler than anticipated

Donna catching some rays

So does Eliana

What a great day

Eliana and I are ready for the party in 2 weeks.

GREAT TIME BEFORE MY DISASTER

                         As I remember, March and April was a fun months for us, because we had the opportunity to spend lots of time with our grand kids, family and friends for no special reason. Here are some pictures to prove it.

It's always nice and such a good time to take care of Eliana

Grandma can do nothing wrong

Getting ready to get food on the table.

She grew up that quick, it is easy for me to take care of her now.

We took  Jacob and Luke fishing to Bush wild life.

Luke  is showing his passion.

Resting with grandpa

Just like a pro, great style.

On the April ,27th we had a little party with family and friends 

First arrivals, beautiful looking family

Eric had a harsh critic about my chocolate-S cookies,

but I think Karla liked them

Joe, happy as always

so is Sarah----, I think

Daniel looks content, wile Eric is stealing some food in the kitchen. 

On the 29, we took Jacob and Luke to the Transportation Museum

Boy's are boy's, of course they had to clime every train

Jacob looks good as a conductor

This is a snowplow in front of a huge engine

It was a great exhibition of trains, cars, planes

and even boats

Of course we also had the privilege to visit Ackermann Acres, 

regretful it was still a little bit cold to swim

Nitro is fighting for attention

True love

Bacardi and coke by the pool

Daniel relaxing , Brian and the boy's playing in the background

The proud owners of Ackermann Acres

Only hours before my accident on may 4th, this hawks came to visit me just outside my window

The female is waiting

for the male to arrive.

I had to delete the next picture for obvious reasons 

TRULY THANKFUL

                          Thinking back on April 27th when my unfortunate accident happened I realize how lucky I am to have Donna and be surrounded by my family, friends and neighbors. I did not expect to be so helpless for over 6 weeks and not be able to walk.

I spent 6 Weeks on this couch starting May 4th

This nice orange cast I had exactly 6 weeks

On June 21 I changed in this boot caring this until July 28.

With this boot I was able to walk slow and carefully and start some light duty around the house.

This was the last day in my boot !!

Now I am wearing only a small protection strap for my ankle. 

Donna had to take over everything I used to do and much more like taking care of all my extra needs. It was so nice to see Daniel, Gina, Brian and Windy to help out and even Eric was on standby to help out. Our great neighbors also helped out with the grass cutting and kept an eye on me.

Donna had to dig out some old recipe and spend time in the kitchen 

to take care of our food needs.

I was surprise with the excellent food she came up with.

Here are just a few picture

Grouper with shrimp, rice, mixed veggie and cream sauce. 

My favorite, steak and salad

Pork steak with beans and Broccoli, cauliflower mornay

Grilled salmon with caper sauce Green beans and boiled potatoes

Sauteed flounder with spicy fresh tomatoes  

boiled potatoes and butter beans

and lots more I don't have pictures of.

Like I said, yard work had to be done.

It looks like Donna seems to enjoy her new job

On the lower level she had to be careful not mowing down my bamboo 

Ed, my neighbor brought over his tractor a few times

Brian was weeding the hill while Windy cut the grass one day.

Daniel of course came by a few times and helped out,

so did the other neighbors, Mike and Frank.  They took their turn a couple of times

and as appreciation I baked them a big Swiss Zopf with some

homemade blackberry jam that Donna had picked and I made.

I was very happy when I started to be able to move around a little bit

My first attempt back in the kitchen

Saute some Italian sausage for the topping

Prepping the pizza

Ready to get backed 

Yummy, just like Imos

Beside helping out we had lots of visits and well wishers. Of course, 

it was always such a great feeling to see the grand kids, I think my ankle was heeling so much faster.

Great time

At this time Donna and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their help.