I was able to get away to QW last weekend. It is just so special to wake up at home on Saturday morning and have coffee on the porch overlooking the canal. Saturday was spent cleaning up a bit and then I got this brainstorm of an idea.......I wanted to paint the kitchen. Two and a half years ago we had to take down a small cabinet to make room for the new refrigerator which left a bare, unfinished wall. For some reason on Saturday that wall was just bugging me and it had to be fixed.
Down to Home Depot and a quart of Lemon Ice paint and I got started. Once the wall behind the refrigerator was done I stepped back and realized that I needed to paint the wall above the other cabinets because it just looked funky the way it was. OK, so now 3 hours later I step back and it looks pretty good. But it still needed something. Soooo, I decided to put up a shelf for some bottles that we have collected over the years from the beach. Now I am done, right? Well not exactly.
Now I look at the other small wall around the pantry door and it just cries out for paint. But, I only have a little bit of paint left and now it is 7:30 pm. Another trip to Home Depot but alas by the time I arrived they were CLOSED. I forgot I was in Marathon and not Clearwater. So that meant that I had to pick up more paint Sunday after church and finish up before I left to come back north. One thing is for certain, I left the house in tip top shape and the kitchen is now bright and cheery with it's new color. No matter that I worked hard over the weekend I had a wonderful visit home.
Sunday I was able to stop by to see my kids on the way back to Clearwater. Paige, PG and Zane leave Wednesday for a trip to see PG's grandmother and other family in Ohio. This will be the first trip for Zane to Ohio and I know PG's family is thrilled to have this chance to meet little Z man.
Since Ashley has not posted in a few weeks I just have to put something on my post: They were all at the dinner table and everyone had finished except Todd. I guess he must have wanted to leave the table and Ashley said something like "no because you have not touched the food on your plate....." Well, you must understand that Todd has inherited his mama's penchant for one liners. (Ashley used to just crack us up with her remarks when she was little.) Anyway, Todd gives Ash one of his coy looks, reached over and touched the food on his plate and said something like "there I touched it" and then just smiled!! I am not sure I know what happened after that but I feel certain it involved some kind of behavioral therapy. :)
I got to put Kyle and Todd to bed last night. It was Todd's turn to pick out the bedtime story and it was a good one about sharing. These guys are just growing up so fast. Kyle is getting so tall. I can hardly believe he is almost 5 years old. Pretty soon Zane will be walking/running around with these two. It is a challenge to keep up with them but they keep me young. Thanks guys!
July 21, 2008
July 9, 2008
July 4th "Vacation"
Every time we are at Quiet Water my oldest grandson proclaims we are on vacation. Works for me.
I was able to spend the Wednesday night before with Paige and Zane (PG was on the west coast shooting for a movie). I had such fun playing with Zane..........lots of smiles and "talking"was involved. I left Fairfield Drive early on Thursday morning and arrived at Edgemere Drive before Kevin left for work....that's early!The boys slept in a bit but once they were awake and breakfast was over things kicked into high gear. After we put their little red suitcases in my car we were off on our journey to the Keys.
About 20 minutes into the trip the question "how much longer....?" made it's first appearance but there was no whining or fussing. Just the question. We made it to the Capri restaurant in Florida City for lunch. Pizza, chocolate milk and ice cream. I ordered a large pizza for the 3 of us and I got to eat 2 slices.......the boys were hungry! Once we left Florida City both of the boys took a nap and by the time they woke up we were about 3 miles away from Quiet Water.
We dropped our bags at the house, turned up the A/C and water and then went into town to the post office and to pick up groceries. Hot dogs for dinner and then to bed pretty much on schedule for the boys. I waited up for Kevin and Ashley to arrive. Once they arrived safely we all hit the sack.
Friday:
*Kevin worked on Sook most all day and got her running by the end of the day. While he worked, Ashley, Kyle, Todd and I went to the beach. I had bought a kite the day before and the boys had fun flying it with their mama. It did get caught in the mangroves and we had to do major work to get it undone....but we did. Friday night was spent anchored off the beach @ Sombrero to watch the fireworks which were spectacular. There was a little snafu with the anchor but Kevin managed to work around it and we all enjoyed the evening.
Saturday:
Sook is running so we spent the entire day on the boat, most of the time at the sandbar just hanging out. When not snorkeling around the boat Kyle was climbing up and then jumping off the the side with all of the adults yelling "feet first" every time he started to jump. (We were anchored over shallow water) Todd put on his mask and snorkel and after a while was having a great time kicking around with one of us holding his hands. Later in the afternoon we ran down to Burdine's on the Water for gas, drinks and snacks. Kyle and Todd both got to steer the boat while we were idling in the canals and they did a great job! Then back to Quiet Water to get showered and dressed to have dinner @ Annette's. Had to check on Nemo and "Frankie the Puffer" before we left Marathon.
Sunday:
Ashley, Kevin and the boys left early morning so they could visit with friends on the way back to Fort Myers. Pappi pretty much vegged all the rest of the day with a little bit of cleaning included. The house was so very quiet after the Longs left.
Monday:
Big cleaning day for me and once I started I found more and more that wanted to spruce up. I ended up leaving later than I planned but the house was left in sparkling condition for Ryan, Kylene and Riley who arrived on Tuesday.
As always, it was difficult to leave and head back to Pinellas county. I find such peace at Quiet Water. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful place to escape to as often I wish to.
I was able to spend the Wednesday night before with Paige and Zane (PG was on the west coast shooting for a movie). I had such fun playing with Zane..........lots of smiles and "talking"was involved. I left Fairfield Drive early on Thursday morning and arrived at Edgemere Drive before Kevin left for work....that's early!The boys slept in a bit but once they were awake and breakfast was over things kicked into high gear. After we put their little red suitcases in my car we were off on our journey to the Keys.
About 20 minutes into the trip the question "how much longer....?" made it's first appearance but there was no whining or fussing. Just the question. We made it to the Capri restaurant in Florida City for lunch. Pizza, chocolate milk and ice cream. I ordered a large pizza for the 3 of us and I got to eat 2 slices.......the boys were hungry! Once we left Florida City both of the boys took a nap and by the time they woke up we were about 3 miles away from Quiet Water.
We dropped our bags at the house, turned up the A/C and water and then went into town to the post office and to pick up groceries. Hot dogs for dinner and then to bed pretty much on schedule for the boys. I waited up for Kevin and Ashley to arrive. Once they arrived safely we all hit the sack.
Friday:
*Kevin worked on Sook most all day and got her running by the end of the day. While he worked, Ashley, Kyle, Todd and I went to the beach. I had bought a kite the day before and the boys had fun flying it with their mama. It did get caught in the mangroves and we had to do major work to get it undone....but we did. Friday night was spent anchored off the beach @ Sombrero to watch the fireworks which were spectacular. There was a little snafu with the anchor but Kevin managed to work around it and we all enjoyed the evening.
Saturday:
Sook is running so we spent the entire day on the boat, most of the time at the sandbar just hanging out. When not snorkeling around the boat Kyle was climbing up and then jumping off the the side with all of the adults yelling "feet first" every time he started to jump. (We were anchored over shallow water) Todd put on his mask and snorkel and after a while was having a great time kicking around with one of us holding his hands. Later in the afternoon we ran down to Burdine's on the Water for gas, drinks and snacks. Kyle and Todd both got to steer the boat while we were idling in the canals and they did a great job! Then back to Quiet Water to get showered and dressed to have dinner @ Annette's. Had to check on Nemo and "Frankie the Puffer" before we left Marathon.
Sunday:
Ashley, Kevin and the boys left early morning so they could visit with friends on the way back to Fort Myers. Pappi pretty much vegged all the rest of the day with a little bit of cleaning included. The house was so very quiet after the Longs left.
Monday:
Big cleaning day for me and once I started I found more and more that wanted to spruce up. I ended up leaving later than I planned but the house was left in sparkling condition for Ryan, Kylene and Riley who arrived on Tuesday.
As always, it was difficult to leave and head back to Pinellas county. I find such peace at Quiet Water. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful place to escape to as often I wish to.
June 19, 2008
ALABAMA VISIT
I have spent the past week in Fort D watching over my mama and daddy. It is really true that the older we get the more child like we become. My daddy is a stubborn, cantakerous man at 89 but I have to feel some empathy for him. He has always been outside the house either working, gardening, hunting, driving around or just plain walking the pasture. His hearing and eyesight are VERY impaired and he is having a hard time accepting the limitations he has to face into. On the other hand, my mama has always been a homebody (mostly home by herself during the day) and it has been difficult for her to have my daddy under foot 100% of the time. She rivals Job with the patience she exhibits with my daddy......I couldn't do it. She has spoiled that man rotten over the years.
My daddy had gall bladder surgery a few weeks ago and has fought hard to regain his strength and has done a remarkable job rehabing. But while he was recuperating my mama came down with bronchitis. Combined with the strain and stress of the past few weeks she has not started feeling better. At the doctor's office yesterday her BP was 170/120. Yikes!!! The doc has prescribed complete rest for her and she and daddy are under strict orders from their kids to make sure that happens.
I hate to see my parents age. It was so hard for me to leave them today and I couldn't hold back the tears as I was thinking of them on the flights back. I could picture my daddy as he was this morning sitting in his chair with a sad look on his face. I know he is lonely and craves someone to talk with all the time. He hugged me not once but twice today before he would let me leave. I know he has to feel isolated living in a world with limited hearing and sight.
And my mama. At age 85 she deserves to have relaxation in her daily living but it is difficult with daddy and the care she feels she has to give him. I know she feels annoyance with daddy when he asks questions 2 or 3 times before he can hear the answer. Or when he hears her say something different from what she actually said. But one thing is for certain, she will never have regrets when it comes to the care she has given daddy over the years. She gave me an extra special hug today when I left.
In his own way I think daddy tries to take care of mama when she is sick. And I believe he listened to me when I told him yesterday that complete rest means no housework, no cooking, no waiting on anyone. Janet and I almost fell off our chairs last night when he picked up his dishes and took them to the kitchen sink.
As usual daddy entertained me all week with all the wonderful stories (memories) he tells. He can remember dates and names of people from years ago and I can't remember things from one day to the next. He and I took a rode trip to Gulf Shores on Tuesday to see Uncle Max. We had a nice visit and then went to Lulu's for lunch (Jimmy Buffet's sister's restaurant). It is a neat place and the food was great. Then we stopped @ Reeboks and bought a new pair of tennis shoes. Daddy came back to Fort D and slept 3 hours in his chair......one tired puppy but I know he was glad he went to see his brother so the trip was worth it.
I must give special thanks to my sisters/brothers (yeah that includes the in-laws!) for the work that has been done around the house. Tommy W and Steve finished up the ramp that was started by Max and Janet, Steve and Mr Willie cleaned up the garden so that there will be tomatoes and squash this year, took out the window A/C units and changed the security lightbulb. J and I tackled the upstairs and took a truckload of "stuff" to Goodwill and a truckload of paper over to the burn pile. Lots of tired muscles and sore backs that day.
Ellen & Tommy W, thanks for having the folks stay at your home for 2 weeks. There is no way they could have gone back to Fort D from the hospital. Laura, thanks for all the time you devote to making sure all is well. Taking everyone to doc appointments, making sure there is food to eat and basically just taking care.
Mama has an ultra sound test tomorrow. Hopefully that will rule out anything serious and she will start to feel better quickly now.
My daddy had gall bladder surgery a few weeks ago and has fought hard to regain his strength and has done a remarkable job rehabing. But while he was recuperating my mama came down with bronchitis. Combined with the strain and stress of the past few weeks she has not started feeling better. At the doctor's office yesterday her BP was 170/120. Yikes!!! The doc has prescribed complete rest for her and she and daddy are under strict orders from their kids to make sure that happens.
I hate to see my parents age. It was so hard for me to leave them today and I couldn't hold back the tears as I was thinking of them on the flights back. I could picture my daddy as he was this morning sitting in his chair with a sad look on his face. I know he is lonely and craves someone to talk with all the time. He hugged me not once but twice today before he would let me leave. I know he has to feel isolated living in a world with limited hearing and sight.
And my mama. At age 85 she deserves to have relaxation in her daily living but it is difficult with daddy and the care she feels she has to give him. I know she feels annoyance with daddy when he asks questions 2 or 3 times before he can hear the answer. Or when he hears her say something different from what she actually said. But one thing is for certain, she will never have regrets when it comes to the care she has given daddy over the years. She gave me an extra special hug today when I left.
In his own way I think daddy tries to take care of mama when she is sick. And I believe he listened to me when I told him yesterday that complete rest means no housework, no cooking, no waiting on anyone. Janet and I almost fell off our chairs last night when he picked up his dishes and took them to the kitchen sink.
As usual daddy entertained me all week with all the wonderful stories (memories) he tells. He can remember dates and names of people from years ago and I can't remember things from one day to the next. He and I took a rode trip to Gulf Shores on Tuesday to see Uncle Max. We had a nice visit and then went to Lulu's for lunch (Jimmy Buffet's sister's restaurant). It is a neat place and the food was great. Then we stopped @ Reeboks and bought a new pair of tennis shoes. Daddy came back to Fort D and slept 3 hours in his chair......one tired puppy but I know he was glad he went to see his brother so the trip was worth it.
I must give special thanks to my sisters/brothers (yeah that includes the in-laws!) for the work that has been done around the house. Tommy W and Steve finished up the ramp that was started by Max and Janet, Steve and Mr Willie cleaned up the garden so that there will be tomatoes and squash this year, took out the window A/C units and changed the security lightbulb. J and I tackled the upstairs and took a truckload of "stuff" to Goodwill and a truckload of paper over to the burn pile. Lots of tired muscles and sore backs that day.
Ellen & Tommy W, thanks for having the folks stay at your home for 2 weeks. There is no way they could have gone back to Fort D from the hospital. Laura, thanks for all the time you devote to making sure all is well. Taking everyone to doc appointments, making sure there is food to eat and basically just taking care.
Mama has an ultra sound test tomorrow. Hopefully that will rule out anything serious and she will start to feel better quickly now.
May 19, 2008
VACATION WITH THE BOYS
I spent last week taking care of my two oldest grands and it was sooooooo much fun. We spent a couple of days at Quiet Water chasing poor little land crabs and looking for iguanas. We walked down to the beach each day and had such a good time playing in the water. At low tide there is a sandbar that is perfect for kids to play safely. We had to buy some water shoes though as this is a natural beach and even though it has been cleaned up there is still glass in the water. One day there was someone there doing kite surfing and Kyle was just fascinated. He and Todd both wanted to go get a machine that beeps to find coins in the water (lots of people out with metal detectors).
In all my infinite wisdom I bought the boys some kid scissors to cut designs out of paper. BUT because we had been talking so much about them needing haircuts they decided to tackle that job themselves. We visited Robert @ Headhunters in Marathon who did a great job cleaning up the bald spots in their hair after they played barber.
The boys both loved having lunch at Herbie's. They had hot dogs (just like their mama used to order) and lemonade. The waitress came over and sat down with the boys and talked to them about her own little boy who is in school in Marathon. We visited Annette's for dinner and the boys were so good they got compliments from lots of the other people there on what well-behaved little boys they were........... I was so proud. And of course we had to visit Nemo in the aquarium. The boys don't know it but that is not the same Nemo that was there before. If they don't hide well enough they get eaten by the big puffer fish who has lived there for 6 years!
We came back to Fort Myers on Wednesday so I could have my hair cut by Deanne the next day. We brought Auntie Paige and Uncle PG some key lime pie from the Blond Giraffe. We got to hang out with Auntie Paige and Zane for the rest of the week. What a sweet baby and boy is the personality beginning to show with all the smiles and laughing. He is eating cereal now. Actually scarfing it down! He is so cute to watch.
It was hard for me to leave Fort Myers. I had such a great week. Today at work was about as I expected it to be. It's always hard to come back from a vacation. But Memorial Day weekend is this next weekend. Yahoo!!
The only concern during the whole week was that my daddy had to go into the hospital with what has been diagnosed as gall stones. Today the doc told him and mama they want to remove the gall bladder later this week. My sisters and brother are taking good care of everything up there and making sure mama gets her rest. Thanks and love to all of you.
In all my infinite wisdom I bought the boys some kid scissors to cut designs out of paper. BUT because we had been talking so much about them needing haircuts they decided to tackle that job themselves. We visited Robert @ Headhunters in Marathon who did a great job cleaning up the bald spots in their hair after they played barber.
The boys both loved having lunch at Herbie's. They had hot dogs (just like their mama used to order) and lemonade. The waitress came over and sat down with the boys and talked to them about her own little boy who is in school in Marathon. We visited Annette's for dinner and the boys were so good they got compliments from lots of the other people there on what well-behaved little boys they were........... I was so proud. And of course we had to visit Nemo in the aquarium. The boys don't know it but that is not the same Nemo that was there before. If they don't hide well enough they get eaten by the big puffer fish who has lived there for 6 years!
We came back to Fort Myers on Wednesday so I could have my hair cut by Deanne the next day. We brought Auntie Paige and Uncle PG some key lime pie from the Blond Giraffe. We got to hang out with Auntie Paige and Zane for the rest of the week. What a sweet baby and boy is the personality beginning to show with all the smiles and laughing. He is eating cereal now. Actually scarfing it down! He is so cute to watch.
It was hard for me to leave Fort Myers. I had such a great week. Today at work was about as I expected it to be. It's always hard to come back from a vacation. But Memorial Day weekend is this next weekend. Yahoo!!
The only concern during the whole week was that my daddy had to go into the hospital with what has been diagnosed as gall stones. Today the doc told him and mama they want to remove the gall bladder later this week. My sisters and brother are taking good care of everything up there and making sure mama gets her rest. Thanks and love to all of you.
April 24, 2008
Calm Before Storm Season Begins
Spring has sprung with beautiful greenery everywhere, warm temperatures, cool breezes, pretty flowers and blue skies with puffy white clouds. It has been perfect for walking after work and it feels really good to get back to an exercise regimen. Next week I hope to start a kick boxing class .... well at least give it a try.
I am off to Quiet Water this weekend and look forward to relaxing a bit. Friends are already booking visits for summer so I am taking advantage of every opportunity I can to be there myself. Maybe I will catch sight of the BIG iguana (kinda like big kahuna?) while I am there. Everybody keeps telling me how big this guy is but I have yet to see him myself.
Just six weeks until hurricane season officially arrives. My wish is that we have another quiet one as we still have not quite recovered from the back to back bad years. If they will just stay off shore and pass us by that would be the best of all scenarios. As Jimmy Buffet always says....time will tell.
I am off to Quiet Water this weekend and look forward to relaxing a bit. Friends are already booking visits for summer so I am taking advantage of every opportunity I can to be there myself. Maybe I will catch sight of the BIG iguana (kinda like big kahuna?) while I am there. Everybody keeps telling me how big this guy is but I have yet to see him myself.
Just six weeks until hurricane season officially arrives. My wish is that we have another quiet one as we still have not quite recovered from the back to back bad years. If they will just stay off shore and pass us by that would be the best of all scenarios. As Jimmy Buffet always says....time will tell.
April 10, 2008
Directions from a 4 Year Old
Yesterday afternoon Ashley called to tell me the time of Kyle & Todd's school program Friday night. Kyle realized she was talking with me and asked to speak to me. Once on the phone our conversation goes kinda like this:
Me: Hi Sweetie, did you have a good day @ school?
K: Yes, uh yes ma'am (little coaching from mom)
Me: Did you get a green card?
K: Yes ma'am and Todd did too.
Me: I am going to be at your school program on Friday night.
K: I know
Me: I am just going to come straight to the school from work so I will see you there.
K: OK Pappi.......
He then proceeds to tell me in great detail how to get to his school. At red lights I have to stop. Same with stop signs. He told me to turn right and left with landmarks "on the right or left". And last, "and then you will see the gym". It was just the cutest thing and he actually gave me directions for about 2 minutes. I was trying so hard not to giggle it was just so special.
This time I didn't hang up on my little sweetheart Todd. He told me he had gotten a green card at school too and he got a lollipop when he left. I told him I couldn't wait to get a hug from him this weekend and he told me he loved me. How much better can it get from there?
Can't wait to see everyone this weekend.
Me: Hi Sweetie, did you have a good day @ school?
K: Yes, uh yes ma'am (little coaching from mom)
Me: Did you get a green card?
K: Yes ma'am and Todd did too.
Me: I am going to be at your school program on Friday night.
K: I know
Me: I am just going to come straight to the school from work so I will see you there.
K: OK Pappi.......
He then proceeds to tell me in great detail how to get to his school. At red lights I have to stop. Same with stop signs. He told me to turn right and left with landmarks "on the right or left". And last, "and then you will see the gym". It was just the cutest thing and he actually gave me directions for about 2 minutes. I was trying so hard not to giggle it was just so special.
This time I didn't hang up on my little sweetheart Todd. He told me he had gotten a green card at school too and he got a lollipop when he left. I told him I couldn't wait to get a hug from him this weekend and he told me he loved me. How much better can it get from there?
Can't wait to see everyone this weekend.
April 8, 2008
First Trip Home 2008
My winter visitors have gone back to Tennessee and I was able to travel to Quiet Water for the weekend. My good friend Debbie was able to go with me and we had a wonderful weekend, too much food, a lot of shopping and just talked until we were hoarse. It was the first time Debbie has been back to QW in years. We tried to remember the last time but couldn't.
We had a very uneventful trip down on Friday night but a stressful return. We thought we waited long enough that most of the bad weather was past, however, we ran into a monster storm on the Alley. Debbie said it was like a snow "white out" which I have never experienced. I was thankful we were in her car and she was driving. It was a little scary for a while. We can't complain too much though because we need the rain so badly.
We kept looking for the gigantic iguana that made an appearance while the Bellamys were in residence but never saw even a little one on the yard. Did see one or two squashed on Coco Plum Drive. Guess that is Keys roadkill.
I missed seeing my kids (big and little) last weekend. I think they may get tired of seeing me so often but I never tire of them. I am traveling to FM this weekend for a hair appointment and can't wait to get some sweet hugs. Zane & Paige are still in Tallahassee so I won't see them for another couple of weeks. I know that little baby has grown so much since I saw him last. I'll be glad when they are home to stay.
Spring fever has grabbed hold of me it seems as there has been major cleanout of closets and drawers in the past week. It's amazing what you find you have forgotten you had when you start looking through storage. I am somewhat of a pack rat but nothing like my daddy.....thank goodness.
Now if I could just get motivated and exercise. The hardest part is just getting started.
We had a very uneventful trip down on Friday night but a stressful return. We thought we waited long enough that most of the bad weather was past, however, we ran into a monster storm on the Alley. Debbie said it was like a snow "white out" which I have never experienced. I was thankful we were in her car and she was driving. It was a little scary for a while. We can't complain too much though because we need the rain so badly.
We kept looking for the gigantic iguana that made an appearance while the Bellamys were in residence but never saw even a little one on the yard. Did see one or two squashed on Coco Plum Drive. Guess that is Keys roadkill.
I missed seeing my kids (big and little) last weekend. I think they may get tired of seeing me so often but I never tire of them. I am traveling to FM this weekend for a hair appointment and can't wait to get some sweet hugs. Zane & Paige are still in Tallahassee so I won't see them for another couple of weeks. I know that little baby has grown so much since I saw him last. I'll be glad when they are home to stay.
Spring fever has grabbed hold of me it seems as there has been major cleanout of closets and drawers in the past week. It's amazing what you find you have forgotten you had when you start looking through storage. I am somewhat of a pack rat but nothing like my daddy.....thank goodness.
Now if I could just get motivated and exercise. The hardest part is just getting started.
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