Birthdays....

The interesting thing about birthdays is that they come every year. Okay, so if you were born on leap year, then it would be once every four years, but for everyone else, birthdays are a yearly event. Some years birthdays are are dull and boring more like a pity party and others are full of excitement. This years birthday has just gone on for several days. It started on Saturday having met up with Caitlin and Adam in Sarasota. I just enjoy going to St. Armands. I love the circular shopping area, although I have tendency to get lost thinking I'm in one quarter of the circle but be in the opposite side. I did shopping at Chico's getting several cute outfits. The Florida Olive Oil Company is a place where I have to go each time. Lunch at the Columbia with the 1905 salad is a must and the yummy Cuban bread. We then walked off the lunch by window shopping and then walked to the Lido Beach. To me the beach is huge, by that I mean deep. Because of erosion most beaches are narrow, but this one is quite deep. It was a lovely stroll along the seashore, and then in the distance, thunder...further down the sky was getting quite dark. So off we went, walking back to the cars and saying our good byes. Sunday was an assortment of things....being pampered is quite lovely, as was today. Although today, I let the baby drive...she did quite well and I didn't have an anxiety attack or yell...LOL I had two free meals :D "Bargain". We also went shopping to top off our checklists for our travels. After acknowledging each and every birthday wish on FB and writing thank you cards, and cleaning out a few draws...I find that my birthday was a good day, a bit of excitement with a smattering of the mundane...and I'll be my birthday will continue over the next few days....:D I can deal with that as long as my age doesn't increase ;D

My baby graduated today.....

Today was another "Red Letter Day" at our house. I remember hearing this term used at one of my son's First Communion, and every milestone that has passed by each one of my children has been indeed a "Red Letter Day". Just a few months ago, Caitlin graduated in Gainesville. It was exciting and I was so proud to see my daughter accomplish so much through hard work and studies. Even when times were tough she persevered. Today, I once again was able to feel the pride as our "baby" has completed her education as a child and enters into academia as she begins studies at College. It seems like yesterday that I was not feeling well while visiting family on the other coast and soon found that I was pregnant. I had a long pregnancy that as complicated by continuous nausea and vomiting and I had hospital admissions, home health, IV's and finally a central line with TPN and Lipids. I had and amnio to elevate everyones concern, I knew things were fine, this is how my pregnancy's go, and we found out we were having a girl. Though I picked out the name Laura Emily, my husband decided to have the kids choose, so I had a list of several names and they chose Callie Marie - unanimously!! The kids figured out that here first name was made from letters from each of their names. And so it was. Miss Callie was born - a beautiful baby that was happy and content and she was taken everywhere, starting at the tender age of six months she was going to quilting and sewing classes. She traveled everywhere the other kids had to go and wherever I went. She has continued to be my travel buddy. A quiet girl that is reserved, but has quite a sense of humor; who doesn't like my shutterbug ways but...has picked up some techniques that are rather impressive; who would rather cover her face when I take a picture rather than flash her big beautiful smile; she is kind, helpful, and sweet. Today was her day. She shined as she walked down the aisle with her classmates, ready to close this chapter of their life, but with nervous anticipation are excited to open the next chapter. There were many words of advice, practical that are inspiring...don't live about your means; don't cave to pressure; be the best YOU, you can be; no matter what job you choose - have fun at it; let a positive attitude guide you; don't give up; and these words "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other's people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what your truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." Steve Jobs. In her high heels she was graceful in crossing the stage to accept her diploma and shake hands of her principal. Sitting with her classmates and tossing the tassel on her cap from left side to the right and rapidly walking out of the gymnasium, to move on to her next adventure. She didn't want a party, but she did want my homemade lasagna. She was quite patient has I had take "just one more picture"...we had a quiet celebration which will continue for a week with other friends graduating from other schools. Sigh, so I sit here wondering what she will finally decide as her course of study, will she live close or in another country, it is a bittersweet time...I miss my little girl, however, I'm thrilled for her to go from a bud to a blossom! May God guide her way! Way to go Callie!! xoxo :D There she goes, out the door with her friends.....

Life is good......

Easter came and went. It was on my weekend to work, but it was sloooowww, so I was on call and was able to attend Church and was able to go to LaBelle and pick up Callie who had been visiting a friend, and we stopped to eat at Cracker Barrel. Then April blew through, I only know that there was no rain and that it was very dry. I did attend four Nursing conferences. I always come out of them feeling like I'm dumber than dirt. Most of them had a lot of good updated information. I went to Ikea twice and met up with Caitlin, we dropped some money there. We ate with Liz, Candy, and Lisa at the Columbia Restaurant. Two days before we met up with Leslie and Jill and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory....should just get the dessert, because after the meal, who has space to pack in the dessert? It took me two days before I could eat the cheesecake slice and I shared it with Manuel because I was still so full and I only ate half the meal!! Enter May, I'm not sure how we got to May, it flew in. I just got back from North Carolina and visiting Natalie. We went shopping and she, Callie, and I went to the Grove Park Inn for a dueling piano show at Elaine's which was a lot of fun. I love music and we were able to put suggestions along with tips for songs to be played, from College fight songs that got up to $75.00 to Country, Rap, Love Songs, etc. It was a blast. We went to the Biltmore again to walk through the gardens. I cold spend $$$ at the garden shop, but, escaped that. We attended a beautiful Church in the Biltmore Village that was built years ago by funds given by the Vanderbilts. We went to Lake Lure, it was so beautiful there. Part of the movie "Dirty Dancing" was filmed there....and that movie played today!!! Then we were off to Chimney Rock. I don't know what is with me lately, but heights really have me spooked. I got 3/4 of the way all by stairs (I am not crazy about stairs), Natalie and Callie tired their best to coax me up, but I became quite dizzy and nauseated. They went all the way up, I prayed all the way down by myself, after much self discussion about "you can make it...just have confidence"....well the confidence didn't stick. I did make it down, shaking and sweating all the way down, and then the rain started! I did purchase some cute garden art in the gift shop!!! Shopping always makes things better, doesn't it? :D We then went to Gatlinburg, TN. We wanted to go to Dollywood, but the weather wasn't the best, so we settled for going to the Aquarium and a couple of the Ripley Museums. The weather started out rainy and ended up beautiful! Our last stop was in Sevierville, TN to one of the Winery's. They have Apple wine and mixtures of Apple/Strawberry, Apple/Peach, Apple/Pomagranate, Apple/Raspberry, etc. Of course I have purchased wine that is being sent out as I write. The following day I drove out to Waynesville, NC and had lunch with a dear old friend that I went to nursing school with. She is such a sweet person and has accomplished much. It was so wonderful to spend time with Lisa. I was able to meet her beautiful daughter also. Then it was time to get ready to leave! I mailed out somethings that wouldn't fit in my suitcase, went to the uniform shop and purchased a uniform set (since we are going to one standard color....it's suppose to make people have a more positive image of nurses....okay!). I wanted a pair of shoes but the rules say white or black...neither go well with galaxy blue. I found a blue and black that would go splendidly! But will see if the company has plain blue. Before I knew it, Natalie had me at the airport, and off I went. By the time I boarded the plane, she was entering her apartment! I've spent a few lazy days at home, yesterday paying bills online...so I'm officially broke...LOL and today is Mother's Day. I had peaceful day. The kids got me some wonderful cards, a edible fruit arrangement, a nook cover (Kate Spade) and wine stopper. Manuel made me breakfast in bed and then took me out later to eat. I had wonderful texts from family and friends. Life is good!!!

Bucket List

As I get a bit more....hmmmm, how shall I delicately put this???....worldly...As I get more worldly (don't want to use words like "older" or "more mature") there are many things that I'd like to do. For several years I have had things on my list and I've been able to check them off....Olympics - check - Salt Lake City. Italy - check - June 2011, Alaska - Check - did the land and sea tour and the cruise. Today, the air show was something I could check off. I just love aeronautics. If I didn't get to darn motion sick, I think I might like the G force and the heights, and the intense speed. However, I am totally satisfied to see some one else in the cockpit with the nerves of steal, a strong stomach, and a daredevil spirt to pull the maneuvers that were preformed. There were the MX planes, the RV series, the diamond jets, the F18 - now that baby can pull some G's, and the fantastically awesome Blue Angels!!! I was able to get some good pictures..yep, between the iPhone, the point and shoot, and the big baby with the 70-300mm lens. Of course, there a people there with far bigger and better equipment, but it doesn't matter, I got some totally amazing shots. Even a bit of video, just to relive the excitement. I had a great time. Unfortunately, the husband, didn't fair so well in the sun, so he took cover in the shade, I'm not to crispy....LOL I was good and applied and reapplied sunblock. Anyway, with happy memories captured on memory cards, and visions of biplanes, world war II fighter planes, and the mega jets dancing in my head .... I'm happy! Airshow - Check! :D

Leap Year!!!

Today is the 29th of February, and as we all know it occurs only once every 4 years. Manuel's sister was born on this day. This is the day when females can propose marriage to male! :D It was a beautiful day today, although in other parts of the country they were hit with horrid weather particularly those that had tornadoes. But here, it was bright and sunny. I got out of work early, did some housework and went to the gym! I'm off for my stretch off, nothing could be better than that :D
Happy Leap Year!

The end of January....

It is 2012 and the 31st of January!!! It just seems that we were celebrating the New Year...well, we didn't party or anything....it was rather low key. During the Month Natalie went back to North Carolina and started back to school. Caitlin finished school and was looking for work...both of them celebrated birthdays. Work was a zoo. I started Spring cleaning. Manuel has gained and lost accounts and got a new work van since the 22 year old Jeep with 450,000 miles pretty much started falling apart. I have shopped some, mostly online although I did visit William and Sonoma and got a few cool things there and found a Vera Bradley outlet!!! Had lunch and went to a Movie with Maria...that was fun! I have found a 365 online scrapbooking that looks good, but I haven't started anything.....only collected. Oh, there was that horrible Costa Concordia accident....we saw that cruise ship this summer when we were on our cruise. Sunday was a disastrous multi car pile up on I-75 near Gainesville. Today we have the GOP elections today. And in a short time, we begin February!!!

Merry Christmas....

It is that time of year again when we spend weeks preparing for Christmas. Some years it is stressful and other years things flow smoothly. This year it was a bit more stressful. Long hours at work with a cranky cumbersome computer system and days that provided no time for a break or a meal....I did get things done, but I wasn't most pleasant about it, I must honestly say. I was a basket case by the time my mixer decided that the measuring cup would be a nice asset....causing bread dough to splatter all over the counter, cabinets, microwave, stove, and floor (I am sure there are places that I have found the now hardened dough). After managing to get things cleaned, I preceded to start all over again, only to have the jar of yeast tumble over and spill all over the place, it is annoying to step on the little yeast beads. Aaaarrrrgggghhh!! So, through exhaustion and tears I managed to get that all taken care of, when my family arrived back after viewing the Christmas lights....I must admit I was annoyed by their cheerfulness and dwelled on my misery of being tired and all the things that went wrong. I really should have put it aside and looked at all the good. After a fairly decent rest, I was refreshed to start the new day! :D

Christmas day was spent leisurely. We ate breakfast, opened gifts, laughed, enjoyed, admired, oooohhhhh'd and aaaahhhed. We had lunch and then it was time for friends to make their arrivals. The true meaning of the season was about the Christ Child being born on this day. The church service was a reflection of the season. Seeing the reports on the news about the Church of the Nativity....I remember by going their several years ago through the tiny door into the church and going down the stairs to see the place where Jesus was born...a truly awesome experience. So with all the ups and downs leading up to December 25th....it's really about the birth of a baby who would teach the world about peace, patience, kindness, and love.....a very good lesson for all of mankind.

May the blessings of the season be with you! Merry Christmas! :D