Florida Sun Times

It's was 6:00 a.m. and I saw a shadow down by the inter-coastal. I wondered if it was a bush, because it was so still.  And then I saw a hand move to the mouth and realized it was a woman smoking.  All I thought was "What a waste of a beautiful sunrise and fresh air."  

We did our usual walk on the beach this morning down to the pier; picking up sea shells as we walk; no easy fete to keep your pace up at the same time.  There have been slim pickins for the shells except for cat paws.  That's what I call them anyway.  They are spiny on the top.  I don't know if that is the official name of them or just something I made up.  
I did find a scallop today which are my favorite shells. 

The weather is cooling down for the weekend, but will be 73 today and partly sunny.  We are thinking of going to Desoto Park; we have heard there are good shells there.

Pictures?? probably tomorrows blog :)

Florida Sun TImes

Leading article:  DID HE JUMP OR DID HE FALL?  In the condo right across the street from us a man fell to his death from a third floor balcony.  According to our eyewitness Fran, the area was closed off and the man laid there for several hours while the scene was investigated and the medical examiner came.  She was sitting in the front of her unit which faces the condo in question.  Yellow police tape still surrounds the area.  The area is right where we access the beach and we had been by there in the morning to walk the beach.  Luckily we missed it all except for the sound of all the emergency vehicles.  

Weather:  The day was cloudy with some bursts of sun especially in the afternoon.  We sat outside most of the day with trips to our condo for lunch, bathroom, snacks etc.  A cold front is coming in today and will cool things off for the rest of the week. There is a high wind warning and severe thunder storm warning today.  Saturday and Sunday look especially cool (again)  It is part of the cold front sweeping across the nation that is dumping snow in Chicago and Detroit.  Thankfully we will be here.

Today Donaldo is going to try and get his swim in; good luck to him.  We are going to run a few errands this morning.  

The coffee is ready, the tea has to be made and breakfast to be decided.  Hoping for a snow day for all the kids and teacher moms!  

Three songs

A rather large banana muffin and oh, so good!!

Beautiful Hibiscus

We really like our church down here; the pastor is great and the people are friendly.  We went out to eat after church and ate outside even though it is cloudy, it is still warm.  Then, when we got back they had just finished cleaning our unit and the floors were wet, so we walked to the coffee shop and Don had a coffee and I had a chai tea and we shared a rather large banana muffin.  

During singing at church today I noticed three lines to three different songs.  You know how certain songs just kind of touch you?  The lines were:

"Our God reigns forever and ever."

"Come to Jesus, He will make you whole."
"All to Jesus, I surrender."  

It's cloudy out right now and there is a little drizzle; we are making the most of our sun room :) as you will see in the picture below.  

Donaldo thought this was a good use for the chairs we brought-great idea!

Lunch outside

Weather Report

Really, yesterday was the same as the day before, except we took a break in the mid afternoon from sitting in the sun and went to the post office to pick up our mail.  We also went to the grocery store to get a few items. There were blue skies and the high was 77 and it never got below 70 all night.  Dinner was at home again...we eat very simply; no fuss no bother...even for the chef.  
Sorry you all had snow...we have fog rolling in right now; getting worse by the minute.  It will burn off eventually, but we won't get our walk in as early. It is supposed to be 81 and partly sunny today.  The weekend looks a little stormy, but you never know. Next week looks a little cool, but sunny with highs in the upper 60's.  As the chef says "It is better than home."  So right, Donaldo, so right. 

More of the Same.....

I am trying to think about a clever blog to write, but we have been so laid back this week, there is nothing new to write.

It has been warm and sunny and it looks like things might change in the weather Sunday and a cold front moves in which puts us in the upper 60's next week.  So I am sure we will venture out then.  Everyone needs some down time and this week certainly has been that.  So, Friday's list includes:

*A walk on the beach every morning

*A swim in the pool

*Reading by the pool (except, I am having trouble finding a good book to read; one that really sucks me in-you know what I mean?)

*playing scrabble by the pool

*out to eat Wednesday night (Crabby Bills; I had Grouper cheeks-there are supposed to by the fillet mignon of Grouper) They were little round medallions and were very good, even though I thought it was a little weird to be eating grouper cheeks.  Who eats the cheeks of a fish?? Who knew grouper had cheeks?? 

*A trip to the library which has a marvelous view of the ocean 

*A little TV at night 

*And a very early bedtime; it must be all the fresh air.  

*I am not sunburned and I am just picking up a little color.  The sun is HOT and INTENSE.  We usually find the shade. 

That's the summary of our first week.  I can't believe how fast it went by.  

And a little p.s.  We went to Beall's Outlet on Tuesday and I got two pair of Capri pants which I needed, 2 tops, a beautiful bathing suit cover that could double as a long blouse and a purse.  I also walked to the little beach store down the road and bought some tattoos to send the kids and a tank top cover up.  That was the extent of my shopping, which is quite a bit in one week.

Now, I HAVE to find a good book.  What was the highlight of your week?

What's Not To Like.....

About Florida??

I love:

I love the ocean and walking along the shore

I love the flowers; these look like little Iris

Add caption

I love the Hibiscus blooming

I love other blooming bushes

I love the intercoastal 

I love the pool

I love the birds

Way Back When-sday

I just happen to have these pictures of my mom and dad's wedding on my computer.  I have been sending one a week to my dad; he loves getting them.  I think my mother is beautiful; I can see why my dad fell for her.  He looks so young and handsome; it's hard to take that he seems so old now.  But we were all young once and aging is part of the fall of man.  Won't it be nice to be in heaven where we will never age or get sick. I love old pictures; they bring me back to simpler times. 

My grandma and grandpa are at the forefront.  Love my grandma's hat and shoes!

From left, my mom's dad (pe'pe') , my mom's older sister, my mom and dad and grandma and grandpa

I love the cars and the signs in the background  

Out In The Sun

                                  

It was nice to finally be able to sit out in the sun yesterday afternoon.  After a morning of finishing up the grocery shopping and walking to the library the winds finally died down.  It was a perfect sunny day; and by afternoon the temperature had reach the mid-sixties.  After lunch and a walk to the library we found two lounge chairs and parked our bodies on them with books in hand.  It was just loverly.  Mid seventies are expected this afternoon; I don't know if we can do more of the same-oh YES we can!!
Meanwhile, I think Uncle Buck needs to take a little more control of the nieces at home and their children.  More relatives are coming today.  So far, we have a broken vase and a locked bedroom door due to the four-year-old.  I guess Uncle Buck has to take the door knob off to get into the room.  Hope that turned out okay.
Anyway, there are no worries down here as we lounge around for another day. 

The Unexpected

It pays off to go to church; of course in more ways than one.  But yesterday when we went to church we saw there was to be a concert that night of one of our favorite southern gospel families....a free concert.  We went to the concert and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The church's praise team also played some country music at the beginning and end; boy were they good.  
The only thing is, I didn't bring my cowboy boots, rhinestone belt buckle and sparkly jeans.  Afterward, I bought Sheri's book on her struggle with breast cancer and I talked to her and she signed the book for me.  I LOVE signed books and talking to her was an extra kiss on the cheek from God.
  It was cold last night with that north wind still a blowing.  We were glad to get back to the condo and turn the heat on.  Crazy weather!
Uncle Buck's nieces came for a visit for a few days.  His niece from Chicago came with the kids and his niece here is on winter break.  So that is nice uncle Buck will have some company.  He has been lonely since his wife died. I understand his sister might join the group and let me tell you, there will be a partay!! There will be lots of laughter.

What a fun night

The pictures are a little blurred even though we had close-up seats, it was a little dark

That is their 19  year-old daughter

Their 7 year-old daughter even got in the act

The Firsts

After a harrowing drive through Georgia on Friday we arrived at our Condo at 1:00 p.m. yesterday.  Our unit wasn't ready so we went to our favorite coffee shop and had a Chai tea latte and a coffee and cooled our heals for awhile.  That was our first trip to our favorite coffee shop.  When our unit was ready, we were more than ready to move in.  We have a new unit this year; doesn't have quite the view of inter-coastal as the Eagles Nest, but we can still see it.  I named it "The Birds-Eye-View."
By dinner time we were ready for our favorite "first night" restaurant, the Greek Village.  Then a peak into Beall's Outlet and finally a grocery trip to Publix.  We were exhausted after that.  
Today was our first visit to Indian Rocks Baptist Church and our first meal at PJ's.  We had lunch there-a grilled grouper sandwich and coleslaw.  Now Donaldo is going for his first walk.  But since it is 48 degrees with a windchill of somewhere lower than that, I chose to stay in.  Can you blame me?  There is even warnings out for riptides and warm people not to go into the ocean.  
Things will start warming up nicely by Tuesday and the rest of the week; so glad the sun is out at least.  Now for a Bird's Eye View of a few firsts:

First View of Tampa Bay

The Bird's Eye View

Lunch at PJ's

South

On our way at 7:10 a.m. Pretty sunrise. Uncle Buck arrived with Buster just before we left. He is not really my uncle, but I call him that because I've known him a long time. Well blogging on an iPAD is slow and I just saw the sign for Ohio. It's not my favorite state; kind of boring. Happy Valentine day and Happy Birthday dear blog.

D-Day

Our list includes
*Penzey spices
*dryer sheets
*bathing suits and towels
*kindles
*muffins.  The chef will probably make them today
*supplements-gotta keep healthy
*all the cords to electronic equipment; we seem to accumulate more and more.
*shorts
*sandals
*tickets to see Ernie Haas and Signature Sound
*Church clothes
*hats and sunscreens.  Although I do not look good in hats-Nada
*canvas chairs to sit on the beach
*games
*plastic bags so went don't have to buy them
*journal
*toothpaste and other personal care condiments
*Gotta remember to leave Uncle Buck some coffee
*Bible
*coffe
*tea

And we always forget something, but it's not like we are going to a foreign country and can't buy something we forget.  Wish you all could go....and thankful that we are able! I will have more to blog about later.  Happy Birthday to my blog; eight years old tomorrow.  Wow that's a lot of yammering (word?)

What is It?

I am having trouble sitting down to write a blog.  Maybe after 8 years I am fresh out of ideas and creativity.  My blog will be 8 years old on Valentine's day.  It's hard to believe!  I find it so much easier to just stick some pictures on and be done with it.  
Yesterday was Kristen's birthday and I should have had a nice blog about her.  She is the baby of the family and I can't believe it's been over 35 years that I had a baby.  What did I know back then?  Not so much.  Hindsight seems so much easier.  I see her with her three kids and see what a great mom she is and what a sweet woman she turned out to be. I just have to say, love each stage that your kids go through, because it goes by so fast.  Now she is going to have a teenager this summer.  YIKES!
I have to finish up some last minute things and hoping Buck will use the food that we leave.  You know how men can be!
Maybe some extra sunshine will make me more creative, who knows?

From the Heart

"God, this day is Your day.  How should I spend it?  I want to delight in the precious gift of living in Your purpose.  I'm excited to interact with my family, engage in work, and explore the wonders of this day with Your perspective guiding me."  Elizabeth Goudge

"The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.  It is good that one should HOPE and wait quietly for the slavation of the Lord."   Lamentations 3:25 NKJV

Two Lips

It was suggested by Capri K that I need a picture of the tulips that were sent to me, and here is the picture of the lovely springtime beauties.  It is kind of exciting to be sent flowers.  I can't remember the last time that happened.  Don't you just love the ceramic Valentine vase?  The flowers are opening up perfectly; not too fast.  
Well, my packing is going along nicely.  I keep adding things to it, so my theory of simplicity might not be working.  Luckily we are not flying so we have lots of room in our vehicle.  
Uncle Buck is ready for shoveling the snow while we are gone and keeping things up around the house.  Since he is a retired police officer, it is nice to have him around.
Big news:  we are thinking and trying to decide about getting a little dog; a Cavapoo.  It is a cross between a poodle and a Cavalier and it is the same dog that Kristen has. In fact, they have the same father. We must think about it carefully as it will change our life a bit and cause the problem of what to do with the dog when we travel. She was born last Sunday and would be ready to get on March 31st or after.  I have already picked out a name, but I still must be sure I want her.  I will put a picture on tomorrow and you can give me ideas for names and a reason pro or against getting a dog.

Snow Day

We sure have had a lot of snow this winter.  All the more reason to go to Florida.  Yes, Uncle Buck is coming to stay at the house with his dog Buster.  I will have to get some food and drinks in the house for him; he is quite a big guy.  He sure can eat.  
Because it is a snow day; that means a jammy day for me.  There is just no reason to go out that I can think of.  This is what I have been doing all week:

*packing (trying to make it simple this year)
*watching the second season if Downton Abbey; love it!
*reading "Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer" by John Grisham
*putting photos into albums and making a few greeting cards
*Some friends sent me flowers (Tulips) which are in a Valentine vase. It was so thoughtful!

Today I intend to dabble in all of the above things and enjoy my Tulips.  Might listen to K-Love for awhile and catch some of my favorite songs by Meredith Andrews, Big Daddy Weave, 10th Avenue North, and Chris Tomlin. How are your spending this snow day.   

Four Generations

Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of my mom going home to Heaven.  She is missed and there are so many good memories of her.  An absent mother leaves a hole in your heart, that never quite goes away.  
Since I have been going through pictures I found this one taken in 2003.  One thing about going through your old pictures, you keep finding pictures you have forgotten you have taken.  I love this one. 

Four  Generations:  My mom, me, Kristen and Megan