Odds and Ends....

Money is my first topic for today.   I am trying to get used to the budget of a retiree and it is tough. I am learning to hate the mail.  It is usually a bill.   Ugh!!!   More thought process has to go into each purchase but I will get the hang of it.

Kacey, my pug, had a follow up visit to the vet today and more unexpected bills came from that!  She is worth it but expensive, not to feed but to keep healthy.   I might look into the pet insurance program. 

Dave is coming for fall break.  He is my brother that lives in Monticello, In and teaches.  Looking forward to his four day stay.   We always have lots of fun and I know we are going to the Oar House.  He loves that outdoor restaurant.  My Aunt Sandy and cousin Tammy are coming Wednesday for a 2 day visit.  Looking forward to seeing them.....it has been a long time.

One of the things I miss about Indiana is the boating that we used to do on Lake Shaffer.  We had several boats and loved to get out on the lake.  But all were sold when we headed to Florida.  We felt that our boats would be too small of the gulf...just not safe enough.

But now we live in paradise!   I love living so close to the beach and just running over every day if I wish.  The beauty of the island never gets old to me.   And it is 85 in mid October....how cool is that!

Ron Loves Shelling!

Ron - the younger of my two brothers just spent 10 wonderful days here.  It was so much fun that today seems too quiet and I miss him too much!  Come back Ron!  We did so much as a family.  Shelling and beach was at the top of the list but also went to eat and some great restaurants, went to the zoo several times, some shopping, and more beach.

We ran out to the beach after dinner one evening and just walked the beach.  Being there during the afternoon just wasn't enough.

I love this picture of Ron.   We have two different size nets for shelling - this is the larger - I like to use it because I can go deeper in the water to get larger shells.  Shelling is difficult to understand because one night there are shells everywhere and the next day - nothing!  Very confusing.

Notice how calm the water is in this shot.   Well, I love that because I am known as flopping around in the waves when they get too big.  I just can't seem to stand up.

We have shells, shells, and more shells.   This is just a small selection of our find.  We keep them and plan on putting them around the palm tree in the front.  I will never get tired of the beauty of shells.

Someone else loved having her Ron here for the week.  He chases her all over the house and she loves it!

My friend Nicole taught us how to make a shrimp boil.  So good and so easy.  All in one pot you add red potatoes, corn on the cob, polish sausage, and shrimp.  Throw it all on the table when cooked and eat away!  This is on the menu when Dave, Betty, and Kirk come down in a few weeks.  Here is Mom digging in on the good food!   Way to go Mom!

We went to the zoo several times and I could not keep Ron out of the bird sanctuary.  It is pretty cool, I have to admit.   It is not unusual to have 10 or more birds land on you when you walk in to the enclosure.   One of the best things about the Gulf Breeze Zoo.

The lemon tree at the zoo shows us what my newly planted lemon tree will look like one day.

I have been blessed with two brothers that I love dearly.   I need them and they need me.  We have so much fun together and it is hard to live 900 miles away from each other now but when we get together, which is often, we have fun!   Keep those airline tickets cheap please so we can keep flying back and forth!
Miss you Ron .........but Dave comes in for fall break in two weeks!  YEAH!!

Bye for now!!!!

Ron's here!

It has been lots of fun these last few days.  My brother Ron is here for 10 days and we are busy getting lots of beach time in....but the waves today were too big to go into the water.   We so understand the power of the gulf and don't take chances.   When we picked up Ron at the airport, I love to see that I live somewhere that turtle designs are part of the floor tiles.

Turtle floor design in at Pensacola Airport.

Zoo visit in the bird sanctuary.

The final pictures are of sunsets - so beautiful on the water and Ron and Dad shelling. 

People playing sand volley ball in Navarre. 

We took beach chairs out to the beach to enjoy the sunset Saturday night.

Dad and Ron walking the beach.

Tonight my dog, Kacey is not feeling well.  Nothing is more sad than a sick pug.   I have taken her temperature and she does have a fever, not terrible.  WHY does this dog always get sick on a week-end when you can't take her to the vet???  So unless she is up and moving tomorrow morning, off to find a vet we will go.  I am one of those doggy Moms that will wake up off and on during the night to check on her.   She is my spoiled baby.

Have a great week everyone!

Beach time....

Friday it was time to go to the beach!  The weather was perfect....85 degrees but no humidity and just a slight breeze.   The water was perfect for me.  I don't boogie board so I don't need the waves.  Matter of fact, I worry that the waves are going to cause me to strain my knees.  They have caused problelms inthe ,past and are doing so well so I don't like to take chances.  Back to the beach - I was able to go way out in the water and enjoy shelling without being knocked down.  It was so fun!

Notice how calm the water was Friday.  I loved it!

Another room is almost finished.   With friends and family coming in throughout October, we have been trying to get most rooms ready of company.   Today we ran over to Kohls to get sheets for the guest bedroom and I got a gift for 8 year old Natalie's birthday.
I thought I would add another picture of  the house .  The picture above is my room.  It is small but workable with my furniture. 

Today Mom and I did some shopping and weed pulling.  I have no idea what is on tomorrow's agenda.  Have a great Sunday everyone!