Silly Saturday....

Got up (good start!) and Joe and I headed for the Gulf Coast. We stopped at Mazzaro's Italian Market, first, and picked up a few things (wine, pasta, biscuits, pizzelles).

Our main mission for the day, was to visit a few properties along the beach, to find one that is clean, affordable, has a pool and beach access, that we can use for our family reunion next summer.  We found a few, but also found that they are not as affordable as I would like.  So, the search will continue. It does give us an excuse to go to the beach again!! :)

Joe even suggested that we should stay over a night in whichever property we decide we like best! :)  I was interested to hear from two of them, that they don't "do" family reunions (she added, "no offense") but family reunions tend to take over the pool areas and be loud and raucous. Ha! You would think she had been to one of ours before!

No plans for tomorrow, other than the usual chores. I hope you had a good Saturday, and wish you a blessed Sunday. Thanks for your visit!

Friday Fractured Fragments....

• Short weeks, for whatever reason, always seem to drag on longer than a regular week! What's with that?

• Tampa was getting really bad storms last night, but they seemed to skirt us. We kept hearing thunderstorm warnings, but not much more than a few sprinkles came down. Not that we couldn't use the rain, but it doesn't need to be a terrible storm!

•  Does anyone else find it strange that ice hockey is now going on at the same time as baseball? I remember when each major professional sport had it's own 'season'. We had football season (fall), basketball & hockey season (winter), and baseball season (summer). Now they ALL overlap and there is no such thing as a 'season' anymore. What's with that?  $$$$$$

• Tomorrow (Saturday), we are making a run over to Mazzaro's Italian Market, and then will go check out a couple of places for our proposed family reunion, at the beach in 2015.  I don't need to tell you about Mazzaro's, since I've written about it several times before....but YUM!

• Onyx is doing okay. I'm going to wash Cookie's bed this weekend. Still get tears when I look at her pictures.

•  The seminar yesterday morning, about outcome budgeting, was sort of a bust. It is something we are already doing. They have just started calling it something else. It is validation, though, that we are doing 'it' right. 

• My sisters both have birthdays coming up! Patti's is June 1st and Tammy's is June 5th. I sent gifts out, on Tuesday, and Tammy got hers already...and of course, opened it early! Got a call from her tonight, and am happy she likes what I sent.

•  I think that's enough for this post. Obviously, I don't have much to say!! I surely do wish you all a good weekend, though, and thank you for stopping by!  Blessings!

Another Throw Back Thursday....

Off to my second morning seminar this week. Yesterday's was by the Lakeland Police Department about how to handle (or react) to a shooter in your building. Six of us went, from the Museum. Two security guards and two of our maintenance guys, me, and our techie guy. It was frightening, but also interesting. Click HERE for the article in today's newspaper.

Today's seminar is being done by our audit firm, at the United Way building. My boss is also coming. The topic is Outcome Budgeting. Sounds lovely, and also somewhat frightening....but I'm looking forward to it.

I don't think I've posted this photo before. It is of me and my three siblings, and was taken in the very early 1980s - I'm guessing 1982. Don't you love the clothes and glasses?! I was still trying to straighten my hair, too! Ha! Notice my sister, Patti's hair, though. She wasn't afraid of curls.

And that is the way we looked back then! Makes me giggle. Thanks for checking in! Blessings to all!

End of May Hodgepodge....

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 176

From Joyce:  Monday holidays always throw me off in blogland. I hope you had an enjoyable weekend and you're ready for a new set of questions in the Hodgepodge. We had a fun full weekend here, which I'll get around to recapping later today, but for now here are your questions for this end of May Hodgepodge.  Be sure to hop back HERE tomorrow and add your link to the party!

1. What news story are you following right now?  I don't listen to the news anymore, and I rarely read the front page of the newspaper, so I'm not "following" any news story right now. Most of them just get my Irish up because of stupidity, or underhanded politicians. I barely recognize our country now. So looking forward to 2017 and no more Obama!

2. What's the last thing you wanted but didn't get?  On a trivial level, I wanted a maxi skirt I found in a little store, over the weekend, but they didn't have my size, so I didn't/couldn't get it.

3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...when did you last have a hamburger? Other than your own kitchen or BBQ grill, where is your favorite place to go for a hamburger? And for all you non-meat eaters out there...when you're invited to a cookout what is the one side dish you hope is on the menu?  We had hamburgers, cooked on the grill, Memorial Day. We love the burgers at Miller's Ale House and at Red Robin Restaurants.

4. How have your priorities changed over time? Core priorities of faith, and family first don't really change, but I don't stress over cat hair and dust anymore, and am coasting to retirement now, rather than worrying about career development.

5. What's a favorite memory with your grandparents? They go back to when I was little and have to do with our big family holidays and reunions (all of which I have written about before). My dad's folks were gone when I was in my early 20s - Granny's fried chicken is a great memory. My mom's folks divorced when she was 11, so I had two sets of maternal grandparents. Weekends at Lake White, with my grandpa and step-grandma (she is still living!); my mom's mother doesn't bring many favorite memories to light, but my step-grandpa loved us and let me build Barbie doll furniture in his workshop, from scrap lumber. Loved him to pieces.

6. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being fantastic!), how good are you at multitasking? Share an example.  I am probably a 9 at multi-tasking. I wear five hats in my job, and also keep a home with a husband and four cats. I am always doing something else while watching TV.  I find that I am unsettled if I don't have several things going on at once.

7. How would you summarize your highs and lows for the month of May?  The low was losing our sweet Cookie kitty. The high was getting through Mayfaire, at work, and (personally) seeing grandson Tristan just this past weekend, and learning that our son and DIL will be moving from PA to GA and will only be 4 hours away (instead of 18)!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. Family. It is becoming more and more important to have family close.  Soon to have Lauren and Tristan both in Florida and Joey just across the border. Have to keep working on Jeff (son #2)!!

Thanks for reading my Hodgepodge answers today! Looking forward to getting to yours! Blessings!

Tuesday Tidbits....

• It was a wonderful, long weekend, but getting back to work always happens too fast.  Sometimes short weeks seem longer than a normal work-week. What's up with that?

• There are only nine more days of school, here in Polk County. At one time in my life, I wanted to be an art teacher. Had that come to fruition, I would be looking at 2 1/2 months off, but then how hard would it be to go back to work?! I worked at a private high school, as business manager, for almost four years, and office staff didn't get the summer off. I actually loved going to work in the summer with no kids and no teachers! Ha! (Especially no kids!)

•  Onyx is still missing Cookie. He has been sleeping in "her" bed. I was going to wash it yesterday, but told Joe we would give him another week with it.  Poor baby.

• Joe and I both got some pool time in yesterday! I actually got a little sunburn. Joe cooked burgers on the grill and promised to grill out more this summer. Of course, we can grill year-round, and he did get a really nice gas grill a couple of years ago, that we have used (maybe) a half dozen times. I will try to remind him of his promise!

•  Busy work week ahead with meetings and a couple of project deadlines. I'll need to stay on task to get it all done....

Thanks for stopping by! I am still trying to catch up on all the posts I missed. Reading some and not commenting, admit to skipping a few, but looking forward to your blogs today! Blessings!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend...

It is Sunday, early evening, and I still have another day off work to look forward to! We had a wonderful time, visiting family down in Naples, Florida. Kathy and Jim always show us such a good time. Always. And spending time with Tristan is just the best.  Soon, we'll be able to see Lauren more often, too!

We got there Friday, late afternoon.  Kathy prepared a delicious Italian dinner for all of us, including a wonderful dessert. She made a meringue "crust" and filled it with whipped cream, strawberries and raspberries. The entire dinner was delicious, and the dessert was a perfect ending.

Yesterday (Saturday) we slept in, which felt great. Then Joe and I went with Kathy and Jim, to a little shopping area, where they get facials done. We shopped while they got moisturized. When they were done, Jim went home to pick up Tristan and we all went out for lunch. Last night, they had chartered a pontoon boat and captain, to take us out on a 2 1/2 hour cruise around Naples Bay and out to the Gulf, to see the sunset. We packed a picnic dinner for everyone, which included Tristan's friend, Brett, and Brett's mom, Jenny. Rob (Brett's dad) and Skye (Brett's sister) were at Disney for the weekend, so we missed them. Had a wonderful time on a very comfortable boat, by Captain Joey D's Charters.  Here are the photos I took....

 

 Tristan and Brett

 The whole gang. Caught Tristan without a smile.

That would be me!

 

 The two Joey Ds... Captain and my Joe. We had a good time with the Joey D thing.

 The Captain, Joey D.

His business information.

The canal, with lovely condos, leading out to the bay.

 My sweet Joe.

 Jim and Kathy

 Two dolphins put on a show for us. They are too fast for me to catch them out of the water.

 

 We made it to the Gulf of Mexico in time for the sunset.

I almost forgot to brag about Tristan. He is finishing his Junior year of high school. Their award assembly was Friday morning. Tristan brought home three award certificates! One for perfect attendance, one for Excellence in U.S. History, and one for Excellence in Big History - which I had never heard of, but here is a definition I found:  (What's Big History? Definitions? Just as world history tries to look at the past on scales larger than those of the nation state or the particular civilization, so big history tries to look at the past on even bigger scales, up to the largest scales of all, those of cosmology. Big history tries to look at the past on all scales, from those of conventional history up to those of cosmology.)  We are very proud of him!!

So, that was our big weekend. I am happy to have tomorrow for laundry and putting things away. We don't have any plans, other than that and maybe some burgers on grill and a dip in the pool. Summer is officially here! I hope you are enjoying the weekend!! Thank a veteran when you can, and fly our flag tomorrow, in honor of those who gave their lives for our freedom. Love & hugs! Blessings!!

Five For Friday.....

We are on our way to Naples, FL, today. I'll be away from Blogger until Sunday evening, but I'll have lots of photos (hopefully)!!

• Onyx is still missing Cookie. The other three don't seem concerned at all, but he is definitely missing her.  She was his little girl, from the time we brought her home.

•  We haven't had rain in a couple of weeks, and our pool needs to have some water added before we head out today. Need to get that done, like now!

•  I love corn on the cob, and Publix has had some good deals on corn. I prefer yellow or bi-color corn, over the white corn - but I wouldn't turn down a good ear of white corn! LOL  I grew up in Ohio corn country. My home-town has a Sweet Corn Festival every Labor Day weekend. I really love corn on the cob.

•  My high school class is having its first reunion since we graduated, in 1970. Actually, it is a reunion for the classes of 1968, 69 and 70.  Before you think it will be really crowded... there were 47 people in my senior class, and about the same in the other two. Unfortunately, I can't go. It is at the end of June, which is also the end of the Museum's fiscal year and the annual audit is in July. Lots of work to do for year-end. I could get away for a long weekend, but sure hate to spend $300-$400 for a plane ticket, and not get to visit my sister, sister-in-law and grandmother. Just can't do it this year.

• I am still thinking about how two of our favorite TV shows ended their seasons. Do you watch "Revenge" and/or "Grey's Anatomy". Wow, is all I can say. Can't wait for the new seasons, to see what happens!

 Wishing you a great Memorial Day weekend!! Don't forget to thank a veteran and remember those who gave their lives for our freedom!  Blessings!!

Throw Back Thursday...

Throw back Thursdays are getting me to sift through some of those photos, still sitting in boxes, to share with you all. It's a good thing, and I thank you for visiting and enduring.....

 Senior band members. The year was 1970. That's me, 2nd from the left, sitting in the first row.  This photo is in the yearbook, but I had the original photo, since I was on Yearbook staff and we got to keep photos that were used in the book.

 My two first cousins and me. Tom and Peggy both died of cancer when they were 59 years old.  Peggy died of undetected bladder cancer.  Tom died of esophageal cancer. Tom was a Church of Christ pastor, and not a drinker or a smoker.  Peggy was a minister's wife, and could play the piano so well.  They are missed.  Both had children and left spouses behind.

Remember that pixie cut from last week? Still have it in this photo of me and my brother, Randy, who also died of cancer (age 48). I miss him. He left a loving wife and two children.

It is so great to have photos and memories!! Thanks for your visit! Blessings!

Hodgepodge....Thoughtful or Fearful?

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 175

It's Tuesday, which means it's time to post the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Be sure to hop back HERE on Wednesday and add your link to the party! See you there-

1. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?  Seriously? In the shower! Really. Must be something about being naked and running water (snort...I don't know!). But I really do get my best "light bulb" moments in the shower.

2. Are you a risk taker? What's one big risk you've taken?  Not much of a risk taker, but I DO when necessary. Moving to Florida, 25 years ago, was probably the biggest risk either of us ever took, since we came with no jobs and basically started over. Wouldn't change it for the world, though.

3. Some of the most common phobias according to the National Institute for Mental Health are-fear of spiders (arachnaphobia), snakes (ophidiophobia), heights (acrophobia), fear of spaces from which escape is difficult (agoraphobia), fear of thunder and lightening (astrophobia), fear of dogs (cynophobia), injections (trypanophobia), social situations, flying (pteromerhanophobia) and fear of germs and dirt (mysophobia). True phobias affect only about 10% of adults, but of those listed which would you rate as your greatest fear?  I really don't have a  phobia, but I don't like being taken by surprise by snakes and bugs. If I know they are there, I can deal with them. I just don't want them to surprise me!

4. Are you settled or do you feel the need to move somewhere new?  I am very settled, but have started to think about retirement in 3-4 years and that we will probably need to sell our house and move to something more manageable.

5. What is something you find annoying when dining in a restaurant?  I like my water glass to stay filled, so hate having to flag down the server to fill it for me. I also don't like the server to hover, though. Find that happy medium that all experienced servers know about, and I am a happy customer.

6. Daffodil yellow, sunset orange, spring green, or sky blue...your favorite color this time of year?  Spring green. I consider green a favorite color...any shade.

7. If you were going to take a holiday all by yourself, where would you go?  To a quiet beach with a good book to read.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  No random thoughts pop into mind this week. I'm still thinking about Cookie, and our trip to Naples this weekend. I've written about those.

Thanks for reading my Hodgepodge today!! Blessings!

 

Tuesday Tidbits....

• My old computer is still not behaving, and I am still using Joe's laptop.  I have pictures here, there and everywhere, now. I really need to work on getting a new laptop for me....
• So happy to have those two big issues over, yesterday. The budget passed and financials done and approved for another month. Now we can move on to preparing for next year and growing again!
• My blogging friend, Kris, and her family are vacationing in Orlando this week, but I don't think we're going to connect this trip. She suggested Thursday night, but Joe has a meeting he already has tickets for, which includes a baseball game with his CPA buddies. Friday we head for Naples. Tonight or Wednesday is our only open time. They have lots of people down, and coordinating schedules is not an easy task when time is limited.
• I had an email from granddaughter, Lauren, and she said she is excited to be moving closer to us! That was music to my ears! She said she signed the lease for her new apartment, in Boca Raton.  Joe says that means rat's mouth in Spanish. I wouldn't know, but maybe Brenda can confirm for me. If so - yuck!
• Missing our Cookie kitty, but settling in to having only four cats now.  Onyx was like Cookie's surrogate parent when we first brought her home and their friendship/bond continued. He stayed with her these past couple of days, probably sensing what we didn't. Joe said he sniffed around her body and the box he placed her in, waiting for Lasting Paws to come for her. After they left, Joe said Onyx stayed in the foyer and meowed real loud several times, and it was a mournful sound. He was a bit clingy last night, and I let him cling all he wants. We'll all be sad for awhile.
• I'm not really writing about anything new, so I guess I'll let this go for today. I have a doctor appointment this morning, so will be late getting to work. Just a normal check-up with my heart doctor.  Not expecting any problems.

Thanks for checking in, and for all the kind words concerning our loss of sweet Cookie. Love & hugs.

Monday, Monday....

I am happy to report that the Board meeting went well this morning 11:30 - 1:00. The financials for April were approved, and our budget for next year was approved. Big sigh of relief to have that behind us now! Next year's Treasurer was nominated and he will be great to work with, so win, win, win.





Now I can spend the afternoon catching up.  This is my mostly-ignored-last-week, IN BOX....


I've mentioned that we are going to Naples this weekend. Kathy just emailed me to say they have rented a pontoon boat for Saturday evening. We'll be taking a nice cruise and having a picnic dinner on board. Wow. You can bet I'll have some fun photos to share!

 ---------------------------------------

 RIP Cookie. 

 Cookie on the left, on the floor, Onyx in the bed. This was just yesterday. She was moving, drinking - just seemed a bit lethargic.  She was only 11 1/2 years old.

Well, I just got some very bad news from Joe. Our sweet Cookie kitty has died.  She just went peacefully. We noticed her not feeling good this weekend, but she has had an ear infection and we just chalked it up to that. Have been treating her for it and it was better. There was obviously something worse going on that we just didn't see. I'm heartbroken. I held her this morning, and petted her and gave her medicine. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to say good-bye.  So darn hard to lose a cherished and loved pet.

That's all I can write today.  Thanks for bearing some of the burden with me.

Sunday winding down....

I hope you have had a great Sunday, as evening slides into view.  Ours has been good!

We enjoyed our evening with neighbors/friends, Bob & Ginny, last night. Dinner was good, if I do say so myself. Bob had seconds, and Ginny asked me for recipes, so I guess it was a success.  Joe and I ate the few leftovers for dinner today.

Bob & Ginny, our great neighbors.  We cat sit for them, and they cat sit for us.

 Some snacks for starters.

 

The stuffed shells. Had six left, which we had for dinner tonight.

Joe and I went to the movies today. We have been wanting to see "Heaven Is For Real" and finally got there today. We both enjoyed it very much, but agreed the book is better (which is usually the case).

I am working on the laundry and am ready to relax for the rest of the evening. It has been a busy, but good weekend. Hope yours has been good, too!!

Thanks for stopping in! Blessings!!

Saaturdaaaayyyy!!! Yay!!!!

Happy weekend!

I finished my biggest project and was able to get the smaller one done, too, at work yesterday!! Hooray!

When I got home last night, Joe had already started cleaning the bathrooms. Bless him! I got the dusting and vacuuming done, polished a few furniture pieces that needed a bit more attention, asked if Joe wanted a burger for dinner (that's all the energy I had left) and his reply was "why don't I go get us some Popeye's chicken?".  Yes, yes, and yes!

This morning, we slept late (until the phone rang at 8:40 - another neighbor, down the street).  We got up, I made us a nice breakfast, got my pasta sauce started in the crockpot, and then Joe started cleaning the louvered pantry and linen closet doors while I started using the floor scrubber to really clean the floors and area carpets. Joe also washed some of the windows, inside and out! I have to say the house looks good enough for company, and they will arrive tonight, at 6:00 (from next door!).  I told Ginny she could have three glasses of wine, since there is no driving involved tonight!  I'm "doing" Italian. Stuffed shells, sausage, and nice a antipasto for starters, a salad, and pound cake with a pudding sauce for dessert (almost Italian creme cake).

I'm taking this break while the floors dry completely, then to the shower before more cutting and slicing and mixing. I enjoy cooking for more than two, and it's always fun to feed good friends and family when they come. I hope I remember to take a few  photos to share tomorrow.

That's it for today! Thanks for peeking in! I wish you a blessed weekend!  You all are always in my prayers!

It is finally Friday!

So happy Friday is here, but I have so much to do, at work and home, that I really wish I had another day. I rarely have to go to the office on the weekend, and am going to do my best to finish a couple of projects today, so I don't have to do that.  We are having our neighbors to dinner tomorrow night, and the house hasn't been cleaned for two weeks. Mayfaire got in the way.  With FIVE indoor cats, you can imagine the cat hair drifting everywhere!!

I don't always have time to read the entire newspaper, in the morning, but I always make time for the comics. Pickles (by Brian Crane) is my absolute, hands-down favorite comic. If you aren't familiar, it is grandparents and their grandson lives next door. With all the throw-back photos I've posted lately, the one in this morning's paper made me truly laugh out loud.

I will leave you with that little chuckle, and wish you a blessed Friday!!

Throw Back Thursday....

I talked about family reunions in yesterday's Hodgepodge.  I went looking for reunion photos, and was able to locate one of the Cameron family. I was quite young in this photo, and I put an X on the people I recognize and know. The rest are mysteries. Isn't is awful how we lose track of family? I have a bunch of relatives I know nothing about. What a shame. I'm guessing this is about 1955.

Our only "claim to fame" on the Cameron side is Dr. Arthur James, of the James Cancer Center, in Columbus Ohio. He was married to Millie Cameron. They may be in this picture, but I don't know what they look like. 

The next photo is of me, holding my sister, Patti, with our brother, Randy. Patti was born in June 1958, so we can assume this is late summer 1958, making me almost 7 years old.

Happy Thursday to you all!! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Blessings.

Joyce is truly a Hodgepodge MAYvin....

Hodgepodge Questions Volume 174

Here we are again. Wow Tuesdays roll around fast, don't they? Almost as fast as Wednesdays when we have to post answers! See you back here tomorrow for the linky party! Join Hodgepodge by visiting Joyce, HERE!

1. It's still May, right? When were you last in the middle of something that might be described as mayhem?  Well, it was well organized mayhem, but it was last weekend, at Mayfaire. 50,000 to 60,000 people descended on us for our outdoor art festival.

2. When did you last feel dismayed?  When my alarm clock rang on Monday morning, after not having any time off on the weekend to chill and get housework done. It was back to work and I will do a little each evening, to catch up.

3. What's a food combination you like, but other people may find strange?  I was just talking about this at lunch with friends, on Monday. I like tomato and dill pickle on my peanut butter sandwich. Don't turn up your nose until you try it. It's good!!

4. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Do you think that's true? Why or why not? I might have been an art teacher, but it is way too late for a career change. I'm 62 years old now. That doesn't mean I can't volunteer and teach art projects to children, which is a possibility when I retire. So - with some modifications along the way, it is never too late to do what you love. True!

5. US News and World Report listed the best historic destinations in the US as follows-Washington D.C, Philadelphia PA, Williamsburg VA, Charleston SC, Boston MA, Richmnd VA, Savannah, GA, Santa Fe NM, Yellowstone, San Antonio TX, San Francisco CA, New Orleans LA, and Charlottesville VA.

Of those listed how many have you seen in person? Which two sites on the list would you most like to see in person?  I worked in Washington, D.C. for 12 years; I have been to Philly many times (that is where Joe is from); I have been to beautiful Williamsburg; I have been to Charleston a few times; I have been to Richmond a few times; I have been to Savannah; I have been to New Orleans a few times (LOVE New Orleans); and I have been to Charlottesville - lovely horse country. I don't especially care about San Francisco or San Antonio, one way or the other. I guess that leaves Yellowstone, which I would love to experience, and Santa Fe, which is a great art town.

6. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. If you had to participate in a single fitness activity for the next half hour, which activity would you choose?  If my knees didn't hurt so bad, I would pick walking. I like to hike and walk and don't mind 2 - 4 miles (when I'm not hurting!).

7. What did you like best about the city, town, or neighborhood where you grew up?  I've written about my little home town many times. Small, neighborly, safe.... Millersport, Ohio, was a great place to grow up.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  We are starting to plan a mini-family reunion for July 2015. Does your family (or did it) do big family reunions?  When I was little, we always had a huge Willman family reunion, every summer at Serpent Mound, in Peebles, Ohio.  It was wonderful to grow up knowing my cousins as playmates. We were spread out over Ohio and Kentucky, so the annual family gathering was so important. I remember all the good food (pot luck), the noise, the laughter and the anticipation. The Cameron side had reunions, too, but not each year, and most of them were older folks so my memories of those gatherings are kind of sketchy.  So - I have already contacted my Willman cousins and they have committed to be there. We're going to the beach for a week and I am already anticipating the fun!!  Tell me about your family reunions!

Thanks for reading my Hodgepodge today, and thanks to Joyce for another good one!!

 

Tuesday Tidbits & Throwbacks.....

Slowly working on that pile of photos....

 

This arrangement was purchased at Mayfaire, as a gift for a volunteer.  It gets to "live" in my office until time to give it to her.  Isn't it beautiful?

 Can you believe the entire thing is made from clay?

A longer view of them, on top of my file cabinet.  The artist gives classes in how to make these. Her booth was so pretty, with all colors and kinds of "blooming" flowers.

 This throwback photo is of my great grandparents (Emma Looker Swiss and William Swiss) (center) and the daughter, far right, is my Granny Kelly, Dad's mom. Next to her is Great-Aunt Emma.  Great Grandpa Swiss died before I was born, but I remember Great Grandma Swiss. She died when I was five or six. The other girls are Gr-Aunt Edith, Gr-Aunt Phemmie and Gr-Aunt Polly (Sarah). I knew my great-aunt Polly, but not Edith or Phemmie.

This is my mom's mother. She was quite the flapper girl!

 This is my mom, looking kind of sassy!

This is me, on a very special Christmas gift!! I don't remember this bike, but it sure looks like I was happy to get it from Santa. I was probably four in this photo. We moved from this house the next year, after this Christmas.

This is my sweet mom. Not sure if it is her senior picture, but definitely high school. Too bad I take after the Kelly side (look just like my dad) instead of the Cameron side. My sister, Tammy, got the Cameron genes, while Patti and I carry the Kelly genes.

See - it's me. I also got his arthritis, his height, his big feet, his knobby knees, and I turn into him behind the wheel.... just ask Joe about that! Ha!  Dad taught me to drive, and that's enough about that!

Thanks for visiting!! Wishing you a good day. Blessings to you!

Good Monday Morning....

The meme Monday Quiz About Me is back, but was not very interesting, to me, this morning, so I'll pass on it.

I'm tired, my knees both hurt, and I have a busy week ahead of me, but life is good. I have nothing to complain about. Praise God, I have a job I love and enjoy, even when I am tired and hurting.

I'm looking forward to Mother's Day stories and photos. You have already seen mine....Mayfaire.

Our son#1 called last night, and they will be moving to Georgia at the end of June. It is good that they finally have an official date.  He will be helping Lauren (our granddaughter) relocate to Florida over the next few weeks. Kathy and Jim found an apartment for her, which she approved by seeing it on the internet. Joey will help get her furniture and car moved down, so getting her to Florida is a group effort that I know she appreciates. While Joey and Darlene are moving Lauren, they will also be house hunting, so it will be a busy trip down and back for them.

We are going down to Naples for Memorial Day weekend. We won't get back down that way until (maybe) July.  Kathy took Lauren to Paris, the summer between her Junior and Senior year. She told Tristan she would take him wherever he wanted to go, this summer (between his Junior & Senior year). He originally chose Egypt, but Kathy told him it is too dangerous to travel there right now. His second choice is Norway, since he is "into" Vikings and such right now.  They will leave for Oslo a few days after school is out for him. I know it will be a wonderful trip for them!

That's all the news I have to share right now. I wish you all a great week ahead, and appreciate that you took time to stop by my blog!! Blessings!

Sunday at Mayfaire....

Well, Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and to any person who has made a difference in a child's life.  As a step-mom, I always like to say that love lines are just as strong as blood lines. I did not give birth to my 'boys', but they are my boys.

Today is also our 29th wedding anniversary. If you are connected with me on Facebook, you have already seen my anniversary post.  We actually went out to dinner on Friday night, as our 'anniversary' dinner out.  Mayfaire ends today, and Joe and I will meet at Peking House for dinner.  They do a Mother's Day buffet there that is pretty good, and they don't mind that I show up in a t-shirt and sweat-messed hair. (Sounds lovely, doesn't it!)

I have only gone out, around the festival, once today. My knee is not doing well. We rode the golf cart around and only walked a portion of the festival. I wanted to see a couple of the award winners, and they were mostly on one side, so that worked out okay. Joe and I had lunch and then I came back to the office. He headed home.

Here are just a few photos I took today.

The Florida Department of Transportation is one of our sponsors. We usually only see these advertising banners at the beaches, but this one flew over several times, yesterday and today. They are promoting bike and motorcycle safety. 

Geico Insurance is also a sponsor, so the Geico Gecko was here, getting photographed with kids. He had to be hot in that outfit!! Bless him (or her!).

This was our view while we had lunch. The day started out cloudy, but the blue sky peeked out and it was really nice out there (if not a little hot).

One of the swans was coming out to see if anyone dropped any bread, I think. He was quite busy rearranging his feathers, and wouldn't pose for me, so this is the best I could get for you.

Here are links to a story about Mayfaire, in the newspaper today, and about the Award Winners.

I look forward to seeing photos and hearing about your weekend and Mother's Day! I spoke with my grandmother this morning, had a text from son#2, and will most likely get a phone call from son#1 tonight.  Peace, love, hugs and blessings! 

Saturday, at Mayfaire!

We have a beautiful blue sky, just a few clouds, and a wonderful breeze today! Perfect for Mayfaire by-the-Lake!!

I'll just share some photos I took this morning.  Joe has been here and gone, but I enjoyed a lunch snack with him before I came back to the office.

My knee did great during my first walk-about. The second round, however, was a different story. I think I am done walking for the day. For the first time, I started feeling the bones grinding a bit. Figured that was not a good thing to be feeling.

 Our wonderful volunteers, at the T-Shirt Tent.

Our friends, Hattie & Murph, who came down from Michigan!

 Co-workers, Loren and Adam.

Some of the art....

A view around the lake, at all the tents (164 tents!).

Hattie & Murph, with another friend, Al (seated).

Joe and me - hot and sweaty already (and oh-my-gosh, my hair is a mess!!).

There is entertainment all day long, from local groups, and the space is shady and comfortable!

This plant is growing beside one of the sidewalks. I have no idea what it is, but it is quite interesting!

And this one, too. Similar, but a little different.

 The Children's Art Tent is always busy during Mayfaire, with take-home craft projects.

This is the daughter of my old boss (who moved to Chattanooga, TN), and her husband and new baby! It was so good to see them - they came over from Orlando, to go to Mayfaire. I got to hold Trent (after sanitizing!). I always laugh about new parents who make you sanitize before touching the baby. Wait until they have the next one! 

My friend, Shirley, brought her son to Mayfaire. I had never met him, since he lives in Texas. I was happy to finally meet him and see her!!

So, there you have Mayfaire, on Saturday. It is going very well, so far.