Judy and Matt At Sea: FIRST POSTING OF 2011

Wow, looks like we haven't made a posting since Christmas Day. Sorry about that, but we've been busy -- believe it or not. After we posted on Christmas we went to one of the local beaches -- it was beautiful -- a coral beach, unlike most around here which are sandy. Attached is a picture Matt in front of the big waves hitting the coral. It was beautiful. Then we went to dinner at the home of our yacht broker here in Stuart. He had his 90 year old mother, 3 sisters, and 21 year old son -- we fit right in. They were all delightful and we had a really good time, plus the beef tenderloin was to die for.

The next week was pretty quiet. We drove up to Vero Beach one day to do a little shopping. New Year's Eve we went to a party here at the marina for about 26 people. We had a good time visiting with lots of nice people. One couple we met are from Long Island and have a 74' boat the same brand as ours (Ocean Alexander). They are quite a pair. A couple of days after the party he knocked on our boat and asked if we wanted to go for a boat ride -- we were excited because we thought it was in the big boat. No, it was in his 29' Scout. We were gone for about 6 hours, ending up having a late lunch at a restaurant on the water. Fun day and we'll have stories to tell about this couple for years to come.

New Year's Day (our 34th wedding anniversary) was spent with my making a nice meal and even baking a pie. Matt brought me flowers.

We have some very good news. Matt is so much better. Last Tuesday he had his 2nd injection into his back and today he had his last. The results have been so good -- we hope he continues to improve and that the pain does not come back.

Last week was old home week for us. Our friends, Don and JoAnne Staffa (previously from Wexford and now from NY), came and spent two nights with us on the way to Fort Lauderdale for a cruise. At breakfast the first morning the phone rang and it was Bill Taylor (from Wexford). He was in our parking lot after driving back from Miami and the Orange Bowl game. He ate a quick bite with us then left. Then a couple of days later our friends Rob and Janina Cushman (from Wexford and Italy) came and spent a night with us. I am attaching their picture. Don Staffa didn't want his picture taken, so we can't attach one for them. It was great to see everyone. I think they all approved of Monkey Business.

Sunday we went to another beach -- this time a sandy one. See attached. All beaches down here are sure pretty. We have been trying out different churches down here. None match the great one (St. Andrew By The Sea United Methodist Church) we had in Hilton Head.

One more picture -- Matt and me in our new teak chairs with foot stool. They sure are comfortable and I can foresee us sitting in them a lot -- relaxing, drinking, reading, whatever . . .

Since Matt is so much better we are thinking of leaving here on the 24th. We'll keep you posted (literally).