Calvin Take Me Away

You gotta love SpellCheck.

No, not really. The app that fixes one's spelling "errors" seems to mess up what I'm trying to say more often than it helps. And it's so sneaky, sliding a change in stealthily after I've viewed text I'm ready to send. I'm sure SpellCheck laughs its ass off over how it dupes people into sending idiotic texts.

Last week my girlfriends and I were excited about gathering for our annual vacation. This year is special because we all turn 60. Most flew into Orlando on Thursday. Watson and I didn't arrive until Friday - to meet up with them for an evening flight to Key West. Paula was already on site in KW. On Thursday, Robyn, Sal, Pam, and Julia were trading group emails about meeting up. I was slogging through a series of work meetings, preoccupied with packing and my friends.

As our group text message string grew, I attempted to send a photo of the PowerPoint from my meeting. I typed "Calgon, Take Me Away" to go with it. SpellCheck changed Calgon to Calvin. Of course, I didn't notice it until later when someone else posted a reply. Ugh! Robyn said she knew what I meant. Watson said she wanted me to bring Calvin along - so this became a running joke. This group is witty and funny - a must for buddies. They fill my bucket. 

What about these bucket fillers? It all started 11 years ago with our 50th birthdays when we pulled a group together to honor our pal Theresa Faust, who had passed away. Since then we have grown to be fast friends - something I truly need at this stage of my life. They are my support and advice. Hey, it takes a lot to be a woman of our age.

We've been gathering each year since our 50th, sometimes at our class reunion in our hometown Atlantic. In addition to Nebraska and Iowa, we've been to Oregon, California, Florida, Texas, and Florida. For our 60th we chose Key West, Florida. Paula found a lovely townhouse on VRBO. It is on Stock Island, adjacent to Key West. The gang arrived on a prop airplane at about 6 PM on Friday night. Our pal Paula, trip planner extraordinaire, picked us up.

Our puzzle fits nicely

Have I mentioned what good cooks my friends are? Paula had purchased a grouper at a local fish market. She grilled it and Julia also performed some magic. We had fish tacos that night. The grouper melted in my mouth! Robyn is a super bartender. I am on cleanup duty. We had 60 cake and did a puzzle Paula made her own self. My talent is listening to audiobooks.

The next day we walked to the local Botanic Garden and sat by the pool in our complex. We had the place all to ourselves for a while. It was like our own little Atlantic Golf and Country Club pool.

Rob & Jules hydrate

That evening we wished to see the sunset from the pier, so we taxied down. Then we walked to Duval Street - the commercial happening spot on the island. I insisted on buying Red Headed Slut shots for all at the Smallest Bar. This was in honor of our 60th birthday. It's a fam tradition as I'd done this for my sister Cindo's 60th on my first visit to the island.

Love how the sun shines on us

So pretty! 

Smallest Bar - shots! 

The next day was a bit rainy. We paid for a tour bus to take us around the island. The driver was very knowledgeable about the history of the place. There are several military bases in the area, and we noted flyovers at Stock Island quite frequently. We hopped out and some of us visited the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, where I felt like I was in a Disney movie. Paula and I walked over the KW Cemetery, but it was closed, and nobody hopped out of a grave to let us in.

After winter in Iowa, it was nice to see green plants and butterflies

The flamingo was trying to impress his mate

KW is full of chickens and a rooster woke us up each a.m. 

We ate at a Cuban restaurant that afternoon. I think the Cubano sannie in the East Village in DSM is just as good.

Hey there sailor! 

Monday was the day we celebrated our birthdays. Most of us are already 60, but Robyn's is coming up soon and Sal's is not until August. We took an 8-minute boat ride to Latitudes on Sunset Key for a lovely luncheon overlooking the most beautiful view anyone could wish for. I ordered a lobster roll, which was delicious. After lunch, we shared desserts, of course!

Giving Paula selfie lessons

Luncheon View! 

Sixty is grand!

After lunch, Paula and I decided to stay on Duvall and listen to music. We heard a good band at Sloppy Joe's - the older bar in town. The name came from how messy the place was from ice melting and the owner's name - not the sandwich. The gang stopped at the store. When we arrived back at the ranch, we ate shrimp and celebrated our last night together by playing Cards Against Humanity. I did not win - I think Pam was the come-from-behind victor.

In between all of our activities we spent time on our deck and watching the Olympics. We had discussions about our parents, health, jobs and volunteer activities. At one point there was a half pill on the table. Whose was it? We Nancy Drews figured it out. We talked about future plans. This stage of our lives is exciting and scary! It's best to be in it together. Cultivating friendships isn't always. But oh, the payoff is sweet. 

Aren't they adorable?  I adore them! 

On Tuesday three of us headed back to their real lives. Away from the rest of us. We remaining four carried on as best we could. We went to lunch at Hogfish. It was yummy. I love the open-air joints. We hit the pool one last time. Leftovers were on the menu that night. I hate that part. Cleaning out the frig, stripping the beds - all pointing at the reality. The party's over.

Marina on Strand Island

Flying sucks. I'm not a genius when it comes to traversing airports. I bumbled my way through Orlando (exiting and going back through security) yet still made my flight to Houston. My flight to DSM was delayed for two hours. Still, my honey collected me at the not quite DSM International airport at 11 PM that night. I was happy to see him and Odie. I was not happy to see the wintery Iowa weather and my job. Calvin. Take me away!