We have started packing up. It is a task trying to get all our clothes and music equipment packed up into the beast (our truck). We won’t be taking the Free Spirit (our RV), which will be put in storage for a month and only because we will be staying at our condo, which has yet to be rented. And, we now qualify to stay at an over 55 resort, thanks to my hot wife, who looks awesome for 55. That’s another blog in itself.
Our drive to Holiday, Florida will begin early Saturday morning, and we kick off four weeks of performances with 11 shows throughout Pasco County. It has been a while since we put on that many shows in a short period of time. But, we are both looking forward to seeing all of our old Florida friends. It will be a great Christmas present for both of us. In a way, we miss those days, even though it was only six months ago. But, we also enjoy what we have been doing. And, we are looking forward to our next adventure when we finish up our Florida gigs.
Lulu and I watched her promo DVD that brought back some memories. If you haven’t seen any of the clips, you can see a couple on her web site at www.LuluEntertainment.com . It has been quite the change from those days. Those Florida fans really know how to party. It was rare to do a gig that people did not get up and dance. It seemed that as soon as the music started, the dance floor got busy. And, we loved the selection of music that they often asked for. Usually it was the modern pop music that they wanted, and we never objected to playing it. Check out what the St Pete Times said about one of Lulu’s shows at The Ramada Inn on her web site. The reporter was surprised to see the energy at what he called the “hottest dance night in town”.
Although we have had lot’s of fun entertaining at the different RV parks we have visited, we have not relived that same kind of energy. I think we just have not found the right group yet. Don’t get me wrong. Every place has had nothing but great comments and all have spoken highly of Lulu’s talent and our performances. We just haven’t seen the same kind of foot-work on the dance floor like we have seen in Florida. So, it is with eagerness and sadness that we pause our journey and head back to our old stomping grounds. We will miss our friends from Homossassa, after the tragic loss of The Marguerida Grill to a fire. We used to love performing there two weekends a month. We made lot’s of friends in that town, and we enjoyed working for the owners, Tommy and his family.
As for our stay in Alabama, I reiterate the post I had up before. If it had not been for a change of street names and some buildings, as well as the weather, I would have thought I was still in Pasco County. There was nothing here that took my breath away, or would tempt me to vacation here. The beaches are the best part of this area. And they are in fact as clean as they claim it to be, even after the BP tragedy. We are returning in January to do a couple of gigs, and will be staying for another four weeks. But, business is business, and we have to stick to a budget. It is cheaper to stay everywhere for a month or more, rather than staying for a few days.
It still stands that Lulu and I are very comfortable living in our 37 foot 5th wheel. It really does feel like a home, and I think we have adjusted to the smaller living quarters. It didn’t take long to get that feeling of home. We have all the comforts of a home; color TV, with all the channels, AC, heat, full kitchen, tiled floor bathroom, full shower, queen size bed, dining table and of course my magic couch and Lulu’s reclining rocking chair. The outdoor screen house really added to the space by giving us an outside room that we got to exercise, cook and eat in. We used it for the first time here in Alabama.
One major complaint is the cellular phone reception here is not very good for one of the phones that we use. It happens to be the cheapest one with the most minutes. So we had to budget our phone time. Wi-Fi has been excellent, so use of the computer has not been a problem, and I am still trying to figure out how to get the best out of magic jack and skype.
There is another thing that we miss, and that is spending the Christmas season with our family. This year will be the first year that my parents will not be returning to Florida and my only daughter is 20 and is doing her own thing up North, and Lulu’s big family also are up North. It is just another lifestyle change that we have to make. They are always in our heart.
We are off to finish packing. Putting on our winter clothes to keep warm, and hopefully shedding them off when we get further south. Our time zone will be changing also, since we have been one hour behind for two months. Florida, here we come. Stay tuned for our next post. I am sure it will be eventful.
