Hi to all......We're here in sunny Florida.....but it's cold. Sweatshirt and jeans kind of cold. And windy! There is a strong breeze off from the bay, which is really cold. We're told this is unusual for here. Let's hope so!
Anyway, we're here for around 5 mos. This was kind of a last minute decision, as we were offered a work camping position here. 20 hrs/week in exchange for a FHU site, with all utilities paid. So.....we took it.
I am mostly doing cleaning here and Tony is doing the maintenance. I clean the laundry room, bath house and clubhouse. We can schedule our time any way we see fit. We have a little golf cart to run around in. It's really a very nice park, and it's also 55+, so most of the people are our age or older.
There is a fabulous fishing pier here, and they catch quite a lot of fish off from it, we hear. Also, a private boat landing for the residents here which we'll be using, once we decide if we're going to go back to Michigan to get our Florida boat! We may do that, once we see how things go here.
There is a great Tiki hut here, with picnic tables underneath it, a heated pool, and a nice hot tub. The clubhouse is nice with lots of tables, a library, billiard room, and a kitchen. They have a Thanksgiving dinner here with turkeys for all the residents, and you just have to bring a dish to pass. Same for Christmas, as most residents here will be away from their families for the holidays. They have a Christmas Day ham dinner for all, and a take away type of gift exchange for all the residents. It seems they provide for us all the way.
There are people here who are full timers, who live here full time. Others come here just for the winter, and have been coming for years. There's just all types. This was only our first day of actually working here, so we will reserve judgement until a couple weeks have passed. But.......I must say, most everyone here has been extremely friendly and helpful in welcoming us here.
But not all is fun and games. On Monday, Oct. 27, we buried our friend. Chang Xiong, a man we loved and respected. He and his wife owned the restaurant that I worked at near Baldwin, Michigan for a while. He was hit by a semi and killed instantly, 3 weeks ago. What a loss to this world. He was loved by all who knew him. They have a house here in Plant City and a huge family. They had a funeral here for him that lasted 4 days! On the last day, that we went, there were over 200 people at his house.......and that was the small group of friends and family! I will miss him so. He has a lovely wife, Song, who will continue to run the restaurant near Baldwin, with the help of her son and wife, most likely until it sells. But...she is heartbroken......as are all who knew him. We will be there for her, as will her many friends. God has a plan for us all, and while it's hard to understand sometimes, I know that Mr. Chang is in heaven with his Creator....no more pain, no more physical problems. While we have lost a friend, heaven has gained an angel.
On a rather sad note, I close this entry. We'll see you down the road.
Love........Kathie
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