Going Home

I went back home to Oregon for a couple weeks to pack up our five bedroom home and visit with the kids, and grand kids. It was a lot of work and very exhausting, but I had some great friends keeping tabs on me. I packed over 260 boxes filled with memories, antiques, family heirlooms and just stuff. We also moved most of the outdoor furniture and indoor furniture.

While I was home I did have a chance to get together with some dear friends. I went to Cyndie and Rame's home for a BBQ. I rode with Dev and Rog up to their home in the boondocks of Grants Pass. They have a beautiful ranch up there. Although, if you knew Cyndie she would never strike you as a farm girl. We had a great night up there, shuckin' corn, and spending countless hours laughing. Dev is very animated and tells amazing reenactments of stories. The kids had a great time swimming, doing nails, playing on the tramp and just running amuck.

I also got a change to have a couple dinners with Natalie. My son, Nick, and her son, Alex, have been friends since second grade. Her daughter, Maryssa and Faith have been friends since Kindergarten. Natalie and I enjoy a passion for cooking, and before I left to Florida we enjoyed sharing many yummy meals together.

Kali just started back bar tending at a small bar in Central Point. I went out a couple times to play some free pool and watch my daughter, no wonder she makes great tips, everyone loves her.

One night we took a break and Jerry brought over his two guitars, drums, microphone and we played until 3:30 a.m., it was so much fun. All the kids had a great time just letting loose. Kali and Jerry have amazing voices, it was fun hearing them sing together.

On the last night of our stay we threw a BBQ at the house. It was like a revolving door that day with visitors. My ex-in laws, Jerry & Dana, came to visit, whom I still adore very much. They have not seemed to age. Then many of Kali's friends stopped by. It made me feel old for the first time. Sarah came bringing her baby, Ayrabella, Kayla is pregnant with her second and brought Marissa, Crystal was there with Dayton and Kali brought Dominic out to play after his nap. These were all gals that spent countless hours growing up at the house and they are all mothers now, where did the time go. We had fun just visiting and watching the kids play.

It was hard to say good-bye to everyone. Walking through the empty rooms was a strange feeling for me. I know once Crystal and Jordon move in, the house once again will be filled with memories of fun and laughter.

On my way back home I stopped in Oklahoma to see Misty and Shannon. We have been chatting on the Internet and by phone for the last year. It was so great to meet these two in person. They are so much fun. Katie and Faith had a great time together doing nails, swimming and running around Celebration Station.

It was fun visit, but it was nice to get back home and get back into a routine. And I really missed the big guy.

Busch Gardens-Africa

First off, let me say I know "Super Freak" is probably not the best song, but I really needed to hear some upbeat dancing music...so be glad it's not Brick House. LOL We had fun previewing the video and dancing around the house. When watching the roller coaster video, turn down the sound...I did a little whoo hoo'ing for Faithy. If the music offends you-turn it off!

We ended Elliott's vacation here with a trip to Busch Gardens. We all had a great time, spending almost eleven hours in the park. Elliott rode all the main roller coasters. We all rode the water rides-G is NOT a huge fan of roller coasters, so I hung with him and looked at the animals. Faith experienced her first roller coaster ride, "The Scorpion" and was hooked. We ate lunch in the Egyptian part of the park. The food was really good and they had a show with great music. Everyone was dancing and trying to eat at the same time, including us. Faith was in a hula hoop contest and was one of three left. They had them turn opposite ways then the hoop was spinning and all kind of fun things, the gave away beaded necklaces as the prize. Faith ran into her old coach Miranda and 'Uncle Jerry', it was nice catching up. We all had a really good time, just wish some of the other kids could have been there too.

Simple Woman

Hosted by Peggy @ http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/
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Outside my window...it is dark, but you can hear the storm.

I am thinking...it's late. I should try to get one night of good sleep, but I am not tired.

I am thankful for... good friends...new and old.

From the learning room...it is quiet. Florida starts school mid-August. I think we will wait until after Labor Day.

From the kitchen...it is closed. Although, Elliott is going through the cupboards for munchies.

I am wearing...sweat pants and a tank top.

I am creating...this new post.

I am going...back to Oregon at the end of July for two weeks. It will be fun to see everyone. Cyndie put the 101 in the freezer... LOL. Then off to Oklahoma to see Misty and Shannon.

I am reading...other people's blogs. That is all I have had time for lately.

I am hoping...I can maintain or lose more weight in the next couple weeks.

I am hearing...the sound of the television and Elliott humming tunes.

Around the house...spic and span. Next week, I will be precooking meals and freezing them, so Gregg doesn't starve or eat cereal every night for dinner.

One of my favorite things...spending time with family.

A few plans for the rest of the week...tomorrow Faith finishes her OGC camp and will be performing a dance routine. Thurs. & Friday are up in the air, other than normal everyday stuff. Saturday-Busch Gardens and Sunday-BBQ with some friends from France.

Here is a picture I though I'd share... Elliott is into rock climbing. We found a place called Vertical Ventures. He has gotten to go a couple times. I really enjoyed watching him.

Summer Aquintances

We love the place we live right now. The Casa Bella is a gated community and consists of mostly higher ranking military or professional business people. Faith being the outgoing little person she is makes friends instantly. It seems daily she is bringing someone new through the door she just met. Because it is gated and all the staff knows Faith, from her "part-time" job in the office, she has free reign within the confides of here. What is also neat about Tampa, is it is a melting pot of people. Faith has made friends with girls from Kentucky, Tennessee, Hawaii, England and her latest girlfriend from France. Maria has really taken to Faith-and is a great person. She speaks some English with a great accent, but also speaks Dutch and Spanish. Elliott has come to stay for the month of July and they have been all gathering in the pool room for some late night tournaments. I caught some pictures the other night, there was a lot of boasting and teasing go on, when the opposite team got up, they would whistle, bark...it was so funny. I also included a video of victory...when you see Elliott, all I could think of was the guy from Lucky Charms saying, "It's magically delicious."

4th of July Trip

We had so much fun this last weekend. Elliott, has come from Oregon to visit for the month of July. We picked him up Wednesday night and it has been a whirl wind ever since. We left Friday for the Keys for the weekend. The ride there is beautiful and we passed the time with stories, the kids watching Seinfeld on the DVD and listening to Blue Collar radio on Sirius. One bridge we cross is the Sky Bridge and it is so awesome. At night the rods light up, but if you fear heights not a good one to go over. It gives you a great view of the bay.

Along the way we passed several signs you would not see in Oregon, here are a few.

For those who know Spanish... where you wouldn't want to live.

We stayed in at the Oceanside Motel in Islemorada. It is owned by former football player for the Steelers, Gary Dunn. It is a local favorite and during football season many ex-football players stop by. It was a nice place and the food and hospitality great. I included pictures on my video portion. It was cute the first night we were there looking at the menu. Elliott saw dolphin and he immediately said,"I'm not eating flipper!" Dolphin is a fish that is big in the area as are conch.

I happened to have the opportunity to capture a live conch on the beach. They actually have eyes where you can see the pupils. Elliott took him back out when were finished taking pictures.

Faith loved being able to go up to the outside bar and order Shirley Temples. I loved the sign that is hanging where she ordered the drinks. Hurricane Warning-If the beer bottles break, there is a hurricane.

We ate breakfast one morning at a place called Mangrove Mike's. The restaurant is very popular with the locals. You can buy these visors with fake hair. Gregg tried one on...NOT! But we had a good laugh.

The main reason we went was to snorkel and Bahia Honda is one of the best. You have the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. We had to deal with a park ranger who definitely took his job to seriously. They had raised the rates since last year to ten dollars a car with four passengers. We were two cents short. He would not budge, so I had to pull out the visa...what a jerk! I thought Gregg was going to lose his temper but I kept putting my hand on him and telling him it's okay. We had a really great time snorkeling. I didn't get to do a lot because I am still battling with this stupid eye infection. One eyed-Suz, I should have bought a patch. They saw lobster, cow-fish, and other many beautiful fish that swim by you even just sunbathing in the shallows. Faith was catching the hermit crabs and amusing nearby kids. That evening we went to Lorelei's for dinner. Faith and I both thought about Gilmore Girls when we saw the name. It is open seating right on the beach. In one of the boat slips was a car converted to a boat...what a great imagination.

After dinner, we watched a great firework display from the safety of our motel.


On the way home we stopped at the Everglades Park. The air boat ride is amazing in itself. The beauty of the Everglades and seeing the alligators in the wild. I included a separate video. On the way home we were on a portion of the trip called Alligator Alley and yes, there a hundreds hanging on the banks when it is sunny. They have fences on both sides of the highway but occasionally they escape. In fact, one trip down we saw one doing the death roll in the slow lane, everyone was swerving everywhere. We were diverted because of an accident-80 mile detour. The one perk was Diary Queen where we stopped for ice cream. The kids had to let out some energy...

Then we ended our road trip with another beautiful sunset.

Our Trips in Different Directions

Faith spent this last week in Texas at Karolyi's camp. She left very excited to meet Bela and Marta, as they are icons in the Olympic world. When she got back she was full of stories of camp life. They spent about 8 hrs a day practicing gymnastics and the other hours were filled with activities of swimming, learning dances for the talent show, horseback riding, lake activities, and other fun camp things. She did come back with many new skills...which is exciting for her starting Optionals. Faith also brought back several items signed by Bela...a water bottle, Karolyi Good Luck Bear(which I loved... my little girl at heart), and a leotard. Faith said, when she was being hugged by Bela and having her picture taken, her heart was beating so fast with excitement. The only bummer for her, was this coming week Nastia Lukin, Shawn Johnson and many others were going to be at Karolyi's to train for a upcoming event. She can't wait for next year, she said she wants to go for two weeks... I better start saving now.

Bela & Faith. Her coaches from home being silly-Dan & Christain

Gregg and I also took a vacation to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was our first vacation without any of our children. We spent our first night in Savannah, Georgia. It was beautiful! And the food and people were great. We ate downtown on the Savannah river, at Huey's, where we sampled the local cuisine...yummy. I also had Beignets, which I love. The Italian's make a similar dessert called Zepole's. It is a warm piece of fluffy dough with powdered sugar. After dinner, we walked along the cobbled line streets where I busted my high heels. Luckily, no ankle injury. I ended up buying a pair of flip flops...so much easier to walk in. We also watched huge carrier ships come into port. It was amazing seeing them make it under this one bridge.

Downtown Historic Savannah

The trio of guys singing were awesome- the harmonized so well together.

The next night, we spent in Georgetown, South Carolina. The people were not nice and the food stunk! Definitely, we will pass this town up next time. I did manage to get a beautiful sunset picture though.

We spent the next few days in Myrtle Beach golfing different pro courses everyday. We played Indian Wells, Burning Ridge and Wacchaw East Plantation. They were all beautiful and challenging.

We stayed at the Springmaid Hotel on the 6th floor. We had great views and the beach was just below our hotel. Gregg and I enjoyed walking in the evening looking for sea shells. One night, a storm came in quickly and there was going to be a wedding rehearsal. In one quick gust of wind, half their chairs went down.

I also got to cross another item off my list of things I want to do. I have para-sailed in Mexico and bungee jumped from my ankles over a pond. Gregg took me on a helicopter ride. It was so much fun and I sat next to Jack in the front seat. We talked through our microphone headsets. I am hooked! I would love to go again. Now, if I can just talk him into letting me parachute from a plane. He doesn't trust anyone enough to let me go, and I don't think the Army will let me be a guest for a day.

On the way home we stopped in Jacksonville, Florida because we were having golf withdrawals. I looked up this place on our Garmin. At first, we were a little nervous. The area was not so good and I think we were the only white people in the neighborhood. I am sure they saw our license plate and thought for sure the dumb Oregonians were lost. I am not a prejudiced person, so I could care less if we didn't fit in. It was called First Tee and we had so much fun on this course. It was like playing in your backyard. You had to guess where the golf paths were and the holes weren't really marked. The people who ran the course were fantastic and accommodating. I would love to go back. We found out the course was used primarily for kids struggling with criminal backgrounds. Funny, it was located right next to the work release center. They had guys that mentored these kids. The rules were posted on the cart, which included dress attire and in bold letters no foul language...so I whispered(LOL). Golf is not relaxing like people say. It is frustrating at times and you get a work out in. Especially, balls you shank into bushes, tree lined areas and ponds. Overall, our trip was fantastic. Gregg and I got to spend some quality time together. Now, I have to do the all the laundry in two days and repack. We pick up our son, Elliott on the 1st and then we head to the Keys for the 4th of July. Hurrah, another adventure.