Ok, so there was a huge party at New College. I don't know how late it lasted, but we were told not to expect to hear from the girls until 2p. Ah, youth!
After a good night's sleep (no party for us) TM and I took the scooter and headed for Osprey, FL and the Tervis Tumbler outlet. Neat place and we did buy a couple of things. Then we made our way back to Bradenton via downtown Sarasota.Found out later we were about 1 block off - which was probably a good thing - as the big Saturday market was in historic downtown. Oh, well I am sure we were better off.
We got back to Bradenton just in time for Sheila to call and tell us where to meet for lunch. Actually TM had plenty of time to walk TD before we abandoned the poor puppy again We headed to downtown Sarasota again and when we got there is when we found out about the market. As it turned out the restaurant and market were closing. Sheila called to tell us to go the St. Armand's and the Columbia restaurant. Luckily, we had not even found a parking place, so it was a matter of finding the right road. We did a pretty fair job and even found a parking place in front of the restaurant. We even beat Sheila and Michael. The girls were already there in the process of getting a table for 9. I had been to Columbia before and knew they have good Cuban sandwiches, now I know they also have good black bean soup. We had a fun waiter who put up with us nicely. I mean waiting on 9 people talking non-stop has to be a challenge. Afterwards, everyone split because of errands to run, etc. Sheila had to get up by 6a on Sunday in order to get to Orlando airport to catch her plane to Denver.
Sunday, TM and I went to church in Bradenton. The congregation was quite small, I think there was 25 of us there; but like so many places in FL, they have much bigger numbers when the snowbirds are in. We spent the rest of the day doing laundry and getting things ready for Monday's move. Also got in a little nap time, which caused us to miss evening services.
That's about it for now. God Bless
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Graduation Weekend
The Big Day - We met Sheila, Michael, and Michelle at Yoder's. Yoder's is Sarasota's Amish Restaurant. No, there is not an Amish colony in Sarasota, but at least one family likes Fl in the winter, so they started a restaurant years ago. We must have timed it right because we did not have to wait ti be suited. They tell me there is almost always a line. We ordered our meals and then Mary and her friend came in. It was good to see them too. This place serves plenty of food. I took 1/2 my entree home. Michael ate his entire slab of meatloaf and then couldn't order dessert. Yoder's is famous for their pies. We all wound up taking our dessert home with us.
After going back to the trailer, walking the dog, and changing clothes, we were off to New College. We arrived at 6p for the 7p grad. Sheila and Michael were there already and had seats saved for us. By 7p all the seats in the tent were filled an people were standing and sitting all around. When the processional started, people had to be herded out of the way so the dignitaries and graduates could come in. Michelle looked lovely in the dress her grandmother Reed had made and the pearl earrings and necklace her parents gave her for graduation. The silly mask she wore detracted just a little. Of course, with the way some of the others were dressed, it was nothing. Also she didn't wear it on stage.
The parody of a ceremony began with the college president's speech. He definitely has a very high opinion of himself, but managed to talk down enough for us peons. He intro-ed the speaker with some real put-downs,I think he was trying to be funny. The Speaker, a graduate of New College, is with the federal bank of New York. After he gave his curriculum vitae, he told the grads the most important thing to getting to the top is luck. Makes you trust our economic specialists appointed by President O.
Then came the good part, awarding of the degrees. Michelle had a huge smile on her face. TM got a good (maybe a little fuzzy) of her. We are so very proud of her! My dad, who was an LLD (Dr. of Jurisprudence) would be thrilled.
Afterwards there were refreshments and time to take pictures before we lost all the light. We did get some good pics. TM has posted them on facebook and (hopefully) will post them here.
God Bless
After going back to the trailer, walking the dog, and changing clothes, we were off to New College. We arrived at 6p for the 7p grad. Sheila and Michael were there already and had seats saved for us. By 7p all the seats in the tent were filled an people were standing and sitting all around. When the processional started, people had to be herded out of the way so the dignitaries and graduates could come in. Michelle looked lovely in the dress her grandmother Reed had made and the pearl earrings and necklace her parents gave her for graduation. The silly mask she wore detracted just a little. Of course, with the way some of the others were dressed, it was nothing. Also she didn't wear it on stage.
The parody of a ceremony began with the college president's speech. He definitely has a very high opinion of himself, but managed to talk down enough for us peons. He intro-ed the speaker with some real put-downs,I think he was trying to be funny. The Speaker, a graduate of New College, is with the federal bank of New York. After he gave his curriculum vitae, he told the grads the most important thing to getting to the top is luck. Makes you trust our economic specialists appointed by President O.
Then came the good part, awarding of the degrees. Michelle had a huge smile on her face. TM got a good (maybe a little fuzzy) of her. We are so very proud of her! My dad, who was an LLD (Dr. of Jurisprudence) would be thrilled.
Afterwards there were refreshments and time to take pictures before we lost all the light. We did get some good pics. TM has posted them on facebook and (hopefully) will post them here.
God Bless
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Bradenton 2
Ok, today we actually stayed in town. We went to the South Florida Museum and Manatee Aquarium.
The museum is excellent, we recommend it. Good displays and signage. Follows Fl from 1st known inhabitants on up. There are rooms showing a doctors office, a dentist office and an operating room. Let me tell you, I am really glad I never had to have surgery in one like that! No matter what your surgery, you can be sure you would come out with a bad back! There was a mock-up of a Fl casa. Trust me, nothing like the McMansions of today! Quite small with low ceilings. As far as the low c. But why ceilings, remember the average height was 5'3". The chapel was quite nice also. The paintings at the stations of the cross were kind of weird tho. Guess that may be just me since I know nothing about all that.
Snooty, the manatee is the oldest in captivity and probably the oldest in the world. He will be 62 this year. No word on if he has filed for social security;but why should he when is is very secure as it is. He is hand-fed his meals most of the time. In fact he pretty much demands it. When the person feeding him got too wrapped up in talking, Snooty let her know that he should not have to wait. He would wriggle his nose like crazy and them put one flipper up on the side of the tank. A couple of times he blew in her face. :). As you know, manatees are very mild mannered and docile creatures, so there was no chance of attack. A good portion of the manatee population was lost this past winter due to the cold. If they can't find warm water their body just shuts down. All of the aquariums were taking as many as they could hold in order to save them. It was very interesting; again we recommend it.
We did not go into the planetarium. We were too late for one show and didn't stay long enough for the next. We plan to catch it another day.
Lunch at the Riverside out on the pier was really good. Had a great waitress. We ate soft shell crab sandwiches.
Later that evening we went to dinner with Sheila, Michael and Michelle. We recommend Mr. Tequila in Bradenton. Good, authentic Mexican food.
God Bless
The museum is excellent, we recommend it. Good displays and signage. Follows Fl from 1st known inhabitants on up. There are rooms showing a doctors office, a dentist office and an operating room. Let me tell you, I am really glad I never had to have surgery in one like that! No matter what your surgery, you can be sure you would come out with a bad back! There was a mock-up of a Fl casa. Trust me, nothing like the McMansions of today! Quite small with low ceilings. As far as the low c. But why ceilings, remember the average height was 5'3". The chapel was quite nice also. The paintings at the stations of the cross were kind of weird tho. Guess that may be just me since I know nothing about all that.
Snooty, the manatee is the oldest in captivity and probably the oldest in the world. He will be 62 this year. No word on if he has filed for social security;but why should he when is is very secure as it is. He is hand-fed his meals most of the time. In fact he pretty much demands it. When the person feeding him got too wrapped up in talking, Snooty let her know that he should not have to wait. He would wriggle his nose like crazy and them put one flipper up on the side of the tank. A couple of times he blew in her face. :). As you know, manatees are very mild mannered and docile creatures, so there was no chance of attack. A good portion of the manatee population was lost this past winter due to the cold. If they can't find warm water their body just shuts down. All of the aquariums were taking as many as they could hold in order to save them. It was very interesting; again we recommend it.
We did not go into the planetarium. We were too late for one show and didn't stay long enough for the next. We plan to catch it another day.
Lunch at the Riverside out on the pier was really good. Had a great waitress. We ate soft shell crab sandwiches.
Later that evening we went to dinner with Sheila, Michael and Michelle. We recommend Mr. Tequila in Bradenton. Good, authentic Mexican food.
God Bless
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Bradenton
is really nice. Love the park we are in. We did manage to get away from Winter Haven in time to meet Mellan & Richard for lunch at CiCi's. It was a delightful hour. We took turns bragging on our grandchildren! Mellan's granddaughter, Meaghan, received a scholarship for her next level of schooling. She deserves it as she works hard and is a good student.
Tuesday was a non-day. I did beading and TM did this-and-that. TD helped him.
On Wed. we went to Sarasota (about a 20 min ride) to th Classic Car Museum. There are some really neat cars there, including some from the Beatles. I am sure TM will be posting pics.
Then we went to the Mote Aquariam. We really enjoyed that. There is so much marine life there and it is well displayed. The shark tank is like, dumbell shaped and the volunteer said it is that shape to break up the swim pattern. If they are in a round tank like they used to be, they just swim in circles. Makes sense to me. The dolphins were not active at all,so we did not spend long there. We did see some sea turtle training. Who knew? They recognize several signs and are, of course, rewarded with fish. There is also a bird sancuary with some beautiful birds. Of course the ones in cages have been injured and will be returned to the wild when they are ready. Here is the place to bring any birds that are affected by the oil. Which,by the way, has not hit these beaches yet. Hopefully never.
Sarasota is a really pretty town - a least the parts we saw. And we did go thru a couple of neighborhoods.
We have plans to get to the Ringling Museum before we leave the area.
God Bless
Tuesday was a non-day. I did beading and TM did this-and-that. TD helped him.
On Wed. we went to Sarasota (about a 20 min ride) to th Classic Car Museum. There are some really neat cars there, including some from the Beatles. I am sure TM will be posting pics.
Then we went to the Mote Aquariam. We really enjoyed that. There is so much marine life there and it is well displayed. The shark tank is like, dumbell shaped and the volunteer said it is that shape to break up the swim pattern. If they are in a round tank like they used to be, they just swim in circles. Makes sense to me. The dolphins were not active at all,so we did not spend long there. We did see some sea turtle training. Who knew? They recognize several signs and are, of course, rewarded with fish. There is also a bird sancuary with some beautiful birds. Of course the ones in cages have been injured and will be returned to the wild when they are ready. Here is the place to bring any birds that are affected by the oil. Which,by the way, has not hit these beaches yet. Hopefully never.
Sarasota is a really pretty town - a least the parts we saw. And we did go thru a couple of neighborhoods.
We have plans to get to the Ringling Museum before we leave the area.
God Bless
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Here we are
back in Winter Haven. Our park is like a ghost town, very few staying the summer. We had a good trip down. Stopped in Chattanooga and had lunch with my sister, Cindy, her son, Seth, and daughter-in-law, Shannon. It was a very enjoyable hour for us. Cindy looks good, esp. considering her breast cancer surgery and reconstruction.
We stopped for the night in Warner-Robins, GA. (not on the base though). Stayed a nice Day's Inn that accepted dogs - well, there was a $15.00 charge, but was worth it. We had planned to eat sandwiches in the room, but forgot to stop for bread, so we went across the street to Steak n Shake. Turned out a little expensive. OH, not the meal! I spotted a Hobby Lobby and went in there looking (and buying) beads. I really didn't spend too much - but all things are relative. Thurs. morn we came on down to Winter Haven and got in around 3:30. Our neighbor, Chuck, was still here so he helped TM with the scooter and carrier. Thank you, Chuck!!! Of course, by the time we unloaded everything, the trailer was a mess, so have been straightening up so we can move on Mon.
We took Sat. off. Sheila picked me up and we went to Tampa and met Michelle and Mary for a "girls day". It was delightful. I even got a few minutes alone to chat with each of the girls. We went to the apartment complex where Mary will be living starting July 1 and it is really nice. Sheila is wishing she could have found something like that when she was in college.
Sheila and I had the trip over and back to chat. I caught her up on some family things and she caught me up on some things. I was tickled to hear that she and Michael will be graduating with their master's degrees. But disappointed that we just now know that it is June 4 and we can't be there. :( Our plans are just too far along to make that big a change. They don't seem to mind, so I guess it will be ok.
TM spent the day with Michael in Merritt Island. They did some work on the pool motor, watched movies and talked. Then TM and I compared notes when we got home.
Today at church services was great. It was so good to see our Christian family again. Of course many of them are gone for the summer, but pretty much the core group was there. Yes, of course we went out to lunch and dinner. How else would we catch up?
Well, will be up early tomorrow to finish hooking up, etc. We meet Mellan for lunch at noon, so we have to be out of here no later than 11:30. Looking forward to it.
God Bless
We stopped for the night in Warner-Robins, GA. (not on the base though). Stayed a nice Day's Inn that accepted dogs - well, there was a $15.00 charge, but was worth it. We had planned to eat sandwiches in the room, but forgot to stop for bread, so we went across the street to Steak n Shake. Turned out a little expensive. OH, not the meal! I spotted a Hobby Lobby and went in there looking (and buying) beads. I really didn't spend too much - but all things are relative. Thurs. morn we came on down to Winter Haven and got in around 3:30. Our neighbor, Chuck, was still here so he helped TM with the scooter and carrier. Thank you, Chuck!!! Of course, by the time we unloaded everything, the trailer was a mess, so have been straightening up so we can move on Mon.
We took Sat. off. Sheila picked me up and we went to Tampa and met Michelle and Mary for a "girls day". It was delightful. I even got a few minutes alone to chat with each of the girls. We went to the apartment complex where Mary will be living starting July 1 and it is really nice. Sheila is wishing she could have found something like that when she was in college.
Sheila and I had the trip over and back to chat. I caught her up on some family things and she caught me up on some things. I was tickled to hear that she and Michael will be graduating with their master's degrees. But disappointed that we just now know that it is June 4 and we can't be there. :( Our plans are just too far along to make that big a change. They don't seem to mind, so I guess it will be ok.
TM spent the day with Michael in Merritt Island. They did some work on the pool motor, watched movies and talked. Then TM and I compared notes when we got home.
Today at church services was great. It was so good to see our Christian family again. Of course many of them are gone for the summer, but pretty much the core group was there. Yes, of course we went out to lunch and dinner. How else would we catch up?
Well, will be up early tomorrow to finish hooking up, etc. We meet Mellan for lunch at noon, so we have to be out of here no later than 11:30. Looking forward to it.
God Bless
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Mudder's Day
Hope it was happy for everyone. I know mine was nice.
It was indeed bittersweet at Laurel, but that is true every time we come back. We had a really good class discussing prayer and kind of makes me sorry to miss the rest of it. It was so great to see everyone and have the chance to say goodbye (again).
Later in the afternoon Apryl and I went for massages. Ohoooo, nice. There is a new place called Massage Envy and the introductory massage is 1/2 price. Wonder If I can claim that again in the fall?
Afterwards we went over to Don's mom's to wish her a happy day. She refused to go out to dinner, so we just visited for a while. Then Don's sister and family came in. It was good to have a chance to visit with them and catch up on their world.
Monday I went to lunch with Brenda so we could celebrate my birthday a bit early. Even got free dessert at the Copper Cellar - chocolate fudge cake w/ice cream and hot fudge topping! Later in th evening we went with our friends the Browns to Ruby Tuesday. I barely got around the meal - definitely no dessert!
Here we are on our last day trying to round up everything and get packed. Ock, not the fun part, makes me cranky and poor TM has to put up with it. Nick just stays in Cleo's bed so he doesn't get in the middle. Tomorrow morning he will be glued to us so we don't leave him behind.
God bless
It was indeed bittersweet at Laurel, but that is true every time we come back. We had a really good class discussing prayer and kind of makes me sorry to miss the rest of it. It was so great to see everyone and have the chance to say goodbye (again).
Later in the afternoon Apryl and I went for massages. Ohoooo, nice. There is a new place called Massage Envy and the introductory massage is 1/2 price. Wonder If I can claim that again in the fall?
Afterwards we went over to Don's mom's to wish her a happy day. She refused to go out to dinner, so we just visited for a while. Then Don's sister and family came in. It was good to have a chance to visit with them and catch up on their world.
Monday I went to lunch with Brenda so we could celebrate my birthday a bit early. Even got free dessert at the Copper Cellar - chocolate fudge cake w/ice cream and hot fudge topping! Later in th evening we went with our friends the Browns to Ruby Tuesday. I barely got around the meal - definitely no dessert!
Here we are on our last day trying to round up everything and get packed. Ock, not the fun part, makes me cranky and poor TM has to put up with it. Nick just stays in Cleo's bed so he doesn't get in the middle. Tomorrow morning he will be glued to us so we don't leave him behind.
God bless
Friday, May 7, 2010
Here we are
just about caught up. Still in Knoxville, but leaving on Wed., 5/12. 
Headed out for a lunch with friends today. It will be bittersweet at Laurel tomorrow. It remains hard to leave dear friends.
God Bless
TM has seen his mom just about every day, I go with him part of the time. She seems to be doing ok. Apryl found her a dog since the other one died. Hazy is about 6 yrs old and well trained. She wasn't there 24 hours before you would have thought she had always been there. She barks to alert mom when someone comes to the house. She has a pretty ferocious bark, so I think she will be a good deterent.
We went to Rogersville, TN to visit with my relatives, Bill, Jean, Monte and Joan. Had a great time. Dinner was ribs and they were sooo good! I spent some time going over some of the geneology stuff I have. I am getting closer! I think I have found a connection to Davy Crockett, but have to do a little more research. Bill and Jean, who are around 90 yrs. old, are looking really good. Pretty much just the normal "getting older" stuff. (Note I didn't say old age, I know better.)
We took a trip to Greeneville, TN to see TM's relatives, but didn't make it all the way around. We met Uncle Jack and Aunt Sarah for lunch at Ma & Pa's. When we walked in there sat cousins June and Carol, so naturally we spent much longer over lunch than we had thought. It was really great to see them as it had been quite some time. However that meant we didn't have time to run by the iron works to see Uncle Willis and Aunt Barbara and Lisa. Really missed seeing them, but time gets away.
I should have TM take a pic of my arm. I went to give platelets on Tues. and something went wrong and now my arm is one big bruise. Never had anything quite like it. I din't get to finish giving, but got my t-shirt anyway!
It has been great seeing so many folks and catching up. My knee has done fine, altho going down stairs is still a bit of a challenge - i.e. I am slow.
Headed out for a lunch with friends today. It will be bittersweet at Laurel tomorrow. It remains hard to leave dear friends.
God Bless
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)