Fall means FOOTBALL

Fall here in Gulf Breeze/Pensacola Beach means that cooler weather will move into the area in late October.  But cooler weather here means in the 70's and if the sun is shinning, it is  beautiful day!  In the fall, football is as big as football in Indiana!   And the bands that I have seen are WOW!  The bands go to the away games and both bands perform a half time show and compete with playing during the game.  Even when the ball is in play!   It is loud and exciting to watch.  Oh yea, and the game is going on also.

 

 We went to the football game - homecoming at Gulf Breeze High School.  Here the team is warming up, the band is marching into the stadium.

 

The students run out to the field when it is time for the team to run in and believe me, there is a mob of happy teenagers out there ready to support their team.

 

 

Our neighbor and friends the Jubicks were so proud that night.  Their daughter, Elise was in the homecoming court and the Dad's (in tuxes) walked their daughters out onto the field.  She was beautiful!!

 

Here is Elise, her Dad Lamont, and her Mom - Nicole.  We love this family! 

 Kray is not pictured right now but he was there supporting his sister.

 

Waiting for the Queen to be announced.  Only seniors can be homecoming queen and Elise is a junior.  What a thrill!

 

 

Dad watching it all.  Where is my popcorn???

 

Releasing the balloons when the team ran out.

 Guess where we will be going soon?  In January but the excitement has already begun.  The schedule is as follows:  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and DISNEY!   There are lots of fun and important things happening in

between.

• We are taking Dad to the eye doctor in the morning.  His left eye is bothering him and he wonders if the lens they put in when he had his cataract surgery several years ago is slipping.  We should not try to guess the problem, just wait until the doctor tells us. 
• Pool is down to 74 degrees.  Chilly and unless the sun is out, too cold to swim.
• I found a Disney purse on EBay that I wanted and bid on it.  Guess what!   I got it!   Another lady must of wanted it badly because she was bidding till the last second.  I got a great price.
• I found a few Christmas gifts at super prices.  My friend with twin girls in middle school says she never has the time to look for great buys.  I get that!  When I worked everyday I did not have that time either but now I do.  I have a few ideas for Christmas gifts and if I see them at a great price, I pick them up and save money. 
• To my favorite HMS friends:  My friend Kris is going back to school soon after being out because of surgery.   I know she wants to return and everyone misses her.  Kelly is already stressing because of Christmas Concerts.  (I remember that well.)  And Betty just goes along happy and busy.   Miss you guys!

 

Fall in the Gulf Coast

Fall is so different on the Gulf Coast compared to northern Indiana.  Lots of beautiful colors are being proudly displayed by the trees in Indiana right now and many people love going on week-end journeys to see the beautiful colors.   Here in Florida we do know that Fall is here but mostly because  it is getting darker sooner.  Temps here are in the 80's and nights are comfortable.  So today seemed like it would be a great day to go for a ride to an area I had not visited yet - Foley, Alabama.

 

The tall pine trees grow fast and straight and drop big, beautiful pine cones.

 

 

 

 Foley was just over an hour drive for us and we loved the drive today.   Everything is very green.  We started our visit at the Tanger's Outlet Mall.   I had heard it was a great mall and it was!   Pretty, large, easy parking, lots of stores that interested me - I just need more money.

= $$ = I wanted it!

 

I did go into Coach and was excited when they had a 50% off coupon.   I have always wanted a Coach bag and thought, maybe now?  Well, 50% off of way-too-much is too-much.  (You might wonder why I want a Coach bag?  I have no idea.  It is just that it is - COACH!

 Afterwards, we went to a restaurant I had read about where they have wonderful rolls and throw them to you across the room.  Lambert's Café was so fun and my gosh, the amount of food you are given is crazy!  They do throw the rolls when you ask for one and the rolls  are warm and delicious.  The menu is very southern with lots of greens, fried chicken, and BBQ pork steaks and sandwiches.  I thought the prices were good - especially for the amount of food that you receive.    By this time we headed home and enjoyed the sunset on the way.  
There are other areas that I can't wait to visit.  New Orleans and some of the beautiful southern plantations in Georgia.  That was today's activities......I also took Kacey to the vet this morning for an ear check and nail trim.   I needed a relaxing drive after that - Miss Diva is quite a handful when getting the nails cut.  And I have the scratches to prove it!

    

We lucked out again.

Tropical Storm Karen is not even considered a tropical storm as I go to bed this evening.   (Sat. nite)  We might get some wind - maybe some rain - but that is about it.  That's how it goes with the storms.  You keep up with the changes and prepare if need be.   Yesterday I wanted to see the waves so off we went to Pensacola Beach.  Oh, and I wanted to see Jim Cantore.  You know, the weather man guy that shows up when a bad storm is on the way.  He got sunny Pensacola Beach for his assignment and some other poor guy got the wicked snow storms. 

 

 

As soon as I pulled up to the beach by the pier, I knew he was here because this is their truck.     But he had left to go back to his room an hour earlier to take a nap.   Darn.  

 Surfers are every where you look. 

 

 

 

 Here is the PB fishing pier and there are always lots of surfers close by in these weather conditions.  The people standing under the pier are there just to watch surfers.  Now I know the waves don't look too bad in this shot but you will see a better shot of waves  further down.

 

 

These two beach buddies are here to see the waves and yes, get ice cream   Chocolate to be exact.

 

 

Another surfer.  Swimming is not allowed.   Only surfing.

 

 

 

 

 

Another surfer coming around the corner.  Maybe he wants ice cream also.

 

 

Our local news is also here.  Look at that pretty blue sky.  Does that look like there is a storm zeroing in on our beach?

 

Enough wave and surfer watching.   Home to swimming in the pool. 

Ah, Miss Kacey, you are such a diva.  

We will see what the weather is like in the morning and if tomorrow will be a pool or a rain day.  Take care all!

Tropical Storm Karen

 

KAREN - Go Away!

 

Tropical Storm Karen is moving in our direction and I was pretty confident that we were going to make it through hurricane season without a storm.   WRONG!  Karen is supposed to turn into Hurricane level I tomorrow but hopefully drop down to a tropical storm by the time it hits land.

 

It will hit land probably during dark and I hear that is just scary to hear the roar of the wind when it is dark outside.   I am not looking forward to that.   We need to move all patio furniture and items into the garage, shed, and house.  We can put the chairs into the pool.   So tomorrow we will be busy moving outdoor items in.   Yuck.  The flowers are gorgeous right now.  Just downright beautiful.  I am sure they will be stripped of their beauty by the storm.  

But I am really not complaining.  Could be worse, much worse.

Oh, and gas is so cheap here right now - $3.19.  (Crazy that this price is considered cheap.)  That will change after the storm because they will have to of stopped production on the oil rigs in the gulf for the storm.   So gas will go up, up, and up.

We have hurricanes.  The middle of the country has tornadoes but at least we have some warning for our hurricanes.  Some areas have terrible snow storms, others mud slides, fires, frigid cold spells, floods, etc....

Tomorrow and Saturday it is our turn to deal with Mother Nature and we know she is a tough cookie.

End of September

Oh my gosh, I have not kept up with my blog during September.   One more day of the month.  I know it is fall but it is 85 degrees here, blue skies, and I just got out of the pool.  So I took a few pool shots but first let me think about what has been going on.  Our wonderful neighbor Karol and her son Ethan moved to Puerto Rico and we helped her when need be to get ready for the move.   She is a strong woman and an incredible mother.   We will miss her and hope to see her back some day.  I might add that it is SOOOO quiet without 6 year Ethan.  Miss you too - lots and lots.

I had the neighbors down for strawberry short cake last night - Elise and Kray.  While we were eating it I thought this just isn't as good as usual.  Today I found out why - IT WAS SUGAR FREE ANGEL FOOD CAKE!!!  Good for you, not so good to eat.

Saving money was my job for the month and I checked the insurance for the house and for Mom and Dad's auto and saved us a grand total of (drum roll)  $1,100!!!!!  Good for me, right?

Some plans coming up are Disney in January, Christmas here with Dave and Ron,   Stacey and Nancy the week before Thanksgiving, and for Thanksgiving Tom and Holly, Rich and Leta, Sandy and Robin, and hopefully Sandy and Jim.    Great fun to have so much family together.  

(I just paused here because my brother Dave called and we talked for 1/2 hour.   He's doing good except for fuel pump problems in his vehicle.)

So, like I said earlier,  I just had gotten out of the pool before beginning this blog and took some quick pictures.

Mom relaxing by the pool.  She does this several times a day.

Kacey saying please don't make me go swimming.   I am just not in the mood.

Dad also relaxing by the pool.   He had a head-ache earlier so he looks he is feeling better.

I love the vine!  So beautiful.

The fountains are great for when you are in the pool and also out of the pool.  When in the pool you can swim under, through, and around them.   When out of the pool they make quite a loud water fall sound that is so relaxing.

This is our dolphin,  The youngsters love to ride him and try NOT to fall off.

The dolphin and me.  To my left is our automatic pool sweeper.  It runs every morning from 6:30-8:30 and sweeps the pool. 

Again, me and the dolphin.

I have lots of coupons for restaurants so we are going to choose one and go out for Sunday dinner.   I hope everyone is doing great and enjoying fall.  Tuesday, the first day of October, I will be getting the Halloween decorations out of  the attic. 

It's A Bummer...

Today is my birthday and aren't birthdays always great days.   They are in my family because everyone goes out of their way to make sure that you have a festive day.   Mom cooked steak on the grill, pineapple upside down cake with fresh pineapple, we were in the pool, and spent some time relaxing.    But my birthday started with a sad note, that explains the title - It's A Bummer - because we took some friends, our next door neighbor Karol and Ethan  to the airport and had to say good-bye for now.  We needed to kick back because it has been a busy 5 days.  Lots of work needed to be done before they left and we tried to help when we could.   Ethan  LOVES Mr. Ron.   Mr. Ron plays ball, swims with Ethan, plays catch, watches cartoons, and any other activity a 6 year old boy would enjoy doing.    Our wonderful neighbor Karol and her six year old Ethan were moving back to Puerto Rico and oh my, are we going to miss them. So today we are missing our friends but hope they are happy.

  Karol at the airport this morning.

 

  Ethan looking cool in his new sunglasses. 

 

We have grown to love them and have enjoyed having Karol and Ethan spend holidays with us.  Ethan is so funny and has energy that just amazes me.  You know, he wears you out just watching him run around.  Matter of fact, as I am typing this I just received a text from them that they have arrived in Puerto Rico safely.  

Now I will have time to play with my new birthday gift - and IPOD.  This is from Mom and Dad and Ron.  I have been too busy to even take it out of the box.   Oh, and thank you Ethan for the tea cup with the initial E.   I looked at Karol wondering why E?   She said Ethan did not want me to forget him so he wanted his initial on the cup.   Well, that works -  Ah, the thought process of a 6 year old.

 

 

Labor day 2013

We have had a wonderful Labor Day Week-end.  Saturday was mow the lawn day and some fun pool time.   We had the neighbors over for dinner.   Sunday we had a BBQ with 9 people and lots of good food.   Then into the pool for water volley ball.  
Today, Labor Day, we enjoyed a drive over to Pensacola Beach and took a lot of photos.   So here is Labor Day, 2013 on Pensacola Beach!

 

Dad and Mom as we getting ready to leave.

 



Mom enjoying the hibiscus in our yard.

 

 

I can't believe how big our banana trees have gotten!

 

 

Monument to honor the death of a well-loved surfer from out area.

 

 

 

Beach is being enjoyed by many.

 

 

And why not!  It is a pretty day.

 

 

Emerald Dolphin, where we used to stay.   People were enjoying the pool.

 

 

Cars parked along the more quiet parts of the beach.  

 

 

The thatched umbrellas are for the trolley stops on the beach.   By the way, it is FREE!

 

 

 

Beauty of the beach on the sound side.

 

 

The sand oats help to hold the sand in place.   You are not allowed to destroy these plants.

 

 

More beautiful beach scenes.

 

 

SRIA - Santa Rosa Island Authority has added palm trees all over Pensacola Beach.   Just give them a year and they will be opened up.

 

 

A beach walkway down to some lucky person's beach umbrella.  Paradise away from home.

 

 

 

Ahhhhhh.   Just calming.

 

 

 

Family heading toward the water with toys.

 

 

They have found that round buildings do better in the high winds of hurricanes.   Makes sense, doesn't it?

 

 

Almost all houses on the beach are built up.  Money, money, money.   And most can't get insurance or termite protection  You build, you pay, you hope it stays.

 

 

Another round building.

 

A big house.  At least you don't need to pay for grass.   Most people just go for the sand look.

 

 

Well, that is Pensacola Beach on Labor Day.  After our drive Mom and I went into the pool and relaxed.       Kris- if you read this, I hope you are feeling better!  I think about you lots.

                                   Happy Labor Day All!