Cool Monday

Today was suppose to be warmer than yesterday....not.  It may have been actually slightly higher temp, but it was cloudy, so it felt cooler.  We started the day with a pretty long walk, came back and had fruit & yogurt parfaits.  Before we came, I made some granola and I wanted to use it.  So, a couple of weeks ago, in BSF, Barbara made these yummy parfaits.  She used vanilla yogurt, blueberries and frozen strawberries.  Blueberries here were $5 for a small carton so I used fresh strawberries & red grapes.  

The day was very low key and relaxing.  We ate sandwiches (me outside, Clyde inside:) and Clyde and I played bingo.  For the coverall, I had one left to uncover.  It was 45 and he called number 44!  He asked "who wants to know what the next number was?"  You have it.....45.  I hope the winner needed the $80.00....really I do.  I do NOT play to win, and this is the only time I get to play, so I sure don't expect to win.  We also played banana grams.  Walked again, finished at Outback.  Looking forward to tomorrow!

Sunday 4th Day

Today was a perfect weather day at the beach.  It started cool and windy, but very sunny.  Not a cloud in the sky today.  As the day went, it warmed up.  We went for a long walk on the beach, played banana grams, I played Bingo, and we ended the day by all sitting in a large room watching the Cats play Michigan.  There was a large group of UK fans that shared all their snacks and yelled loud. We also shared the victory by UK winning 75 to 72 (I believe the score).  On to the final four!  What a season.  This will be a game we will not forget where we were and how we celebrated with friends and strangers....all that bleed blue.

Saw this box of crackers after we played the Louisville, Cardinals and liked the name, Angry Birds.

This was in the room downstairs with some really nice UK fans.

Rainy Third Day

Today, we got up late and went for a walk on the beach. Rain was on the way so we decided to watch some of the Hoops game, ate leftovers from last nights spaghetti, and head to the grocery and Bealls. While we were inside the rain came. Came home and waited about 30 minutes got dressed and headed out for supper. Now we're waiting at Blackbeards for supper. Got here about 5:30 and had a 45 minute wait which is the longest we have waited here.  It's always worth the wait regardless of the time.  The sun is beginning to come out as evening comes on, it's still windy and cool. Looks like the rest of the week is supposed to be sunny and warm.

South Bound and Down

Second day, more driving!  We don't need to get to our resort too early on Friday (today), plus we love a stop over in Savannah, so that's how we roll.  If it works out with timing, we stop there for lunch.  There is a "dive" looking place down on the River Walk named "Warehouse" and for $8.00 we get 1/2 lb. angus burger and hand cut fries.  Mostly, we go for the candy stores that give out good samples.  This is a chance to get out of the car and walk a ways and stretch our legs.  Then we have about 4 hours (less) to get on to the beach.  Makes our trip a lot longer to stop, but we think it's worth it.
I will post pics tonight when we get back from supper.  Then we will watch the Cats and hope for a victory over the Louisville Cards.  Go Cats!!!

We got to the beach about 5:00, after our afternoon in Savannah.  It was cloudy and windy, but warmish.  Unpacked the car, the suitcases, and took off for dinner at our "go to" place, Stavros.  They have the biggest portions at a very reasonable price.  We started eating there many years ago, when our resort offered a small (10% I believe) discount to eat there (I guess the restaurant offered it to our resort, not the other way).  Clyde and I share the large, Greek, salad and the entree....spaghetti (sometimes we get meatballs, sometimes not).  We bring home the leftovers.

This is always such a welcome sign....a long drive.

Almost there!

 I believe I may have over packed?

 Our Greek salad & breadstick.....love in every bite.

This spaghetti is for one.  Clyde and I share it and bring home the rest.  Too big!  Cost is $10.  

Spring Break 2014

I love spring break.  No, I didn't go on any beach trips with girlfriends when I was young and party:)  As most know, I have worked all my adult life in a school, so getting a break in the spring was just wonderful.  Just in time to wipe away the winter doldrums, or cobwebs.  So, we head south, where it is warm....always hoping for a clear, sunny week.  We were introduced many years ago, to the Islander Beach Resort by our close buds Fred & Michelle.  After going with them for a number of years, we bought a week there for ourselves.  We are very thankful to have been blessed to know of this little "gem" of a place.

Before we went with them there, we brought our kids up by going to Daytona and staying in various motels.  One we stayed in for several years, when they were small, got a little crowded and dated for us, so we started browsing around.  Never found another "just right" until the Islander.  We love Daytona area, and New Smyrna is just a beach over.

Many people go on elaborate vacations to resorts we only see in magazines.  We really enjoy going pretty simple, eating out at familiar places at night and eating in for breakfast and lunch.  Of course, when I get tired of cereal or sandwiches, we take a nice drive down A1A to Flagler Beach and eat at the pier or another quaint place along the way.

Anyone that know us well, knows we love Aunt Catfish.  When the kids were small, we ate at a seafood place (chicken fingers) called Shells (Becky loved their crab legs).  Then as they got older, and Becky went with us a few times through high school and college, we started making AC a staple. You get in a habit and some are hard to break.  One is an Italian place, named Stavros.  They have one in Ormond, Daytona and New Smyrna.  You get large portions for a good price and we can travel all day, be worn out and not too "tidy" and go there for their large Greek salads and good spaghetti!

I am on the road and wanted to start this blog entry and will add pics as the week goes.  We hope to enjoy this week with old friends we catch up with there from year to year.  Keeping with tradition, we will sit out on the upper deck (with the oldies), walk the beach, play some Rook, dominos or not???  and eat out at great places each night.  Looking forward to this relaxing week.

Hardest part for me....of course.....leaving my babies.  I know that is silly as I don't see them at home each day and most weeks only once or twice.  However, I don't like them being so far from us.  I will miss Lucas' fifth month marking his birthday (9th) but will catch up with both my kids and their families on the 13th as we have made plans for a dinner out.  Can't wait for those hugs and for me to kiss Lucas' little cheeks.  Priceless.

 We had extra time today, so instead of traveling the interstate (top up!), we took the scenic route.  Our first stop was at the Apple Barn for lunch.  If I could stop at the apple fritters, julep and soup, I would be good to go.

 We went on through Gatlinburg, into the mountains, over them into Cherokee.  From there, we planned to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Due to a snow on Tuesday, it was closed (here at Cherokee).  So, we put the top up, got on the interstate outside of Maggie Valley, and rolled on.

Up on the Smokey Mountains we road through the snow.  The temp was OK so we kept the top down.

Stopped for the night in Waltersborough (spelling?) SC.  We took the long way to get here today, but it was very enjoyable.  Will get to New Smyrna around 1 or so tomorrow.  Goodnight for now.

Maggie's Kindergarten 2013-2014

Kentucky is experiencing one of the longest winters we have had for awhile, but spring is on the way and that will bring the end of our school year (early June).  Maggie will have finished her first official school year, Kindergarten.  Here is a look at her year from the first day on.  She is doing very well and preparing for 1st grade.

 First day of school 2013-2014, the boys both took great care of MJ.

 In July, before school started in August, Maggie fell off a swing in Florida and broke her left arm.

Someone said to me "my principal never looked like her"....Leslie Thomas is their principal at Rosa Parks Elementary.  The boys started there in 2nd grade.  She runs a great school.

Dorothy Zoll was Jason Allen's Kindergarten teacher (Breckenridge) as well as Maggie's.  

Although this is Maggie's Kindergarten blog, I keep losing photos in cyberspace so I decided to add these two.  Above, Matthew and Daisy Andry (2nd year with her as she moved to third grade this year).  Below is Austin and Mrs. Galvin.  They both have been good to our boys and we are SO very happy with them and with RPE.

I have the time to make small treats for the kids teachers from time to time.  It takes all of us to cover our kids with all they need/deserve to be the best kids and have the best life they can.  This includes "thanking" those that give to them daily.  We appreciate their service!!!!

 The next few photos were from their classroom Thanksgiving program.  Super cute!!  Well done Mrs. Zoll and her para, Mrs. Shrader (that we like a lot!)

 This is her first (I believe) student teacher this year.  Both so far have been very good and I met the newest one last Thursday.  

Some of her classmate princesses at her 6th birthday party.  Belle visited.  

 While mom & dad were on a cruise in January, pap and I stayed with kids at their house (and ours).  This is a snowman that MJ had to make and take.  UK outfit was just one day before school.

 I get there while the class is with the teacher or student teacher in circle. Then we begin centers. This is Ms. Lynn (2nd student teacher).

I had the kiddos overnight the day before Valentine's Day parties.  They are finishing their boxes and cards.  Below, dressed in their red for the day (2 down below).

March 2014 during my time there at Centers.

Maggie leading the class line to specials (they go there directly after centers).

This was the most recent photo of MJ during centers.  March 13, 2014.

 I know I have one of Mrs. Shrader (para) with Maggie, but this is the only one I see.  I have been welcomed and treated well by both Mrs. Zoll and her and I so appreciate them!  This has been, so far, a winning year.  Maggie is reading well and gets along well with everyone, from what I see.  She is always obedient and quiet, and really just ignores me (as she was told to do when parents are there for centers).  She is a good girl and I love her lots.  

Mom, Martha and I heading for our first Gaither Homecoming Cruise aboard the Westerham Holland America line.  We embarked on Feb. 22, so we decided to go one day early and stay overnight in Fort Lauderdale.  Getting to the BG airport, we find our flight, US Airways was cancelled.  They told us we could taxi to Louisville and get there that evening, but after breakfast in the airport, and a short wait, we find this was delayed and wouldn't get there that night.  If we stayed the night (in the airport) they could get us on a flight to arrive in Fort Lauderdale before the cruise.  With the other delays, and no insurance, we were so confused as to what to do.    We didn't have insurance, because we didn't have this planned, it was a last minute cancellation (about 1 1/2 week).  Our names weren't even on the roster in our little handout booklet!

So, I called Clyde as he was working and he got busy packing while we got a taxi on the way back to Lexington. We tried to find any other way there.  The airline (supposedly) called other airlines and none could get us in there any quicker.  They called Atlanta, Cincinnati, other airports that Clyde could drive us to, but in the end, he drove all night and got us into Fort Lauderdale by 10 a.m.  A LONG night for all.  Especially him.  Thanks babe.

Our small cabin had a balcony and this was my first view out of it before we left the dock.  I loved the beautiful view, perfect weather.  

This was our first stop, Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.  I loved the beach!  By the time we got there, and needed to be back at the boat early afternoon, I got about an hour out there.  I loved every minute.  Mom and Martha went on a glass bottom boat at this time.

This was the first concert, we had them at 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and was SO inspired.

After our concert was suppertime.  The first night we ate at the BIG buffet in the dining area.  This was good for mom as our dining room time was 7:45.  We were happy to have the early concert time, as we made this cruise for the Gaither's and the Homecoming performers.

 We ate breakfast the first couple of mornings at the buffet, but had room service the remaining week, Devotions were at 7:30 a.m. and we had to leave early to get mom there.  

On Monday, it was our turn (red/blue....we were the blue team) for the autograph session.  There was a long line, but once there, it was nice.  We got to meet the vocal band and Bill & Gloria.

 Wes Hampton and David Phelps, awesome talent, nice men.

Newest members of the Vocal band.  Todd Suttles and Adam Crabb had to learn a lot of songs in a short time but they were just the nicest young men!  Pray they have many good years together.

 Mom chillin' on the Lido pool deck while Martha and I were in the pool.

 Wed. Feb. 26, our port of call was Cozumel, Mexico

I loved this pic with our boat in the background. 

I'm sure we made quite a sight every where we went.  This was a good, authentic Mexican restaurant that served our sodas in these large glasses, made mom and Martha a balloon animal hat and had a terrific view of our boat (below).

We were loaded down, and getting over bumps was not easy (elevators, boat ramps)....whew.  I used muscles I didn't have.

At dinner one evening, one of our fabulous desserts.  Yummy!

One of the rare (maybe two) times I sat outside our room and relaxed.

This is Kevin Williams, a Kentucky native.  He plays the guitar and adds much humor to the concerts.

 (orange) Angie Primm....I loved her.  Such a personality,  booming voice, matched from tip to high heeled shoes and always had a matching "hankie" that gripped her microphone.

 Mom was so blessed during the concerts and felt very close to Heaven (and to dad).

 We were so loaded down getting home that mom had to wear a hat of Martha's....no room in the bags.  She checked three bags and bought one in Mexico to help carry our few purchases.  I didn't buy much, because we packed for one airlines, 50 lbs., and I was up near there, then coming home we could only pack 40 pounds.  I did buy some things for my kiddos so I used mom's luggage to help me.  She was way under 40 lbs.  Putting two blankets in hers, she was about six lbs. shy and I was one pound over.  My backpack was very heavy.  I had to drag it through the Sanford airport.

This was all I needed to lose it....we came across a couple of hateful men on the airplane and I was worn out already, so seeing them made my day turn out OK.  So happy for this trip, for the weather, for the Gaithers & Homecoming, but I have never worked as hard in one week...in my life.  Loved it, but will not take small wheels on a wheelchair for Martha and I to push around again.  At least without Kent or Clyde to help!  Thank you God for allowing mom to go on this cruise.