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!

Busy, busy, busy....

I have been back from my Indiana trip for a week and so much has happened.  We went to two festivals - one was the Taste of Pensacola.   Lots of fantastic seafood and craft booths.  We appreciate good crafts because we were into craft shows for approximately 10 years.  These were great booths of woodworking and art.  Mater of fact, I purchased a beautiful oak chest to use for the recyclables.   The tapestry on the top is so pretty.

The zoo has welcomed two new members!  Two beautiful white rhinos.  Now, they are not white - confusing - put they are wonderful.   I just love the zoo.



White Rhinos eating their breakfast.

Tonight we ran over to Flounders for a sandwhich.   Too much food!  But I love their 18 cents chowder.

You can't beat the price....or the taste.

After dinner we took a drive down to Fort Pickens to see the sunset.  The clouds got in the way but how fun it was to see two young musicians being recorded to put their music on YouTube.  They were great.   I was just in the right place at the right time to enjoy their music.

Two talented young ladies.  Good luck!

Tomorrow is the last day of September.  October is busy and lots of fun coming up.  Ron will be here from the 5-15,   Sandy and Tammy from the 19th - 21st,  and Betty and Kirk from the 27-31.  The time is going to fly. 

Now I understand why retired people say "How did I ever have time to work?"

Busy as a bee......

I have been have from my Indiana trip for over a week but have been so busy.  We enjoyed the Navarre sand sculpturing festival and also the Taste of Pensacola.  Good, good food and wonderful craft booths.  I purchased an oak chest at one with a beautiful tapistry of pelicans.

This is going to be used to store the cans for the recycle bin.   So pretty!

Back to Florida

Ron

I just spent a week in Indiana visiting my brothers, friends, school,  and doctors.  All was so fun!  (The doctors weren't fun but all went well.)  I stayed and my brother Ron's house and was treated like a house guest, not just like his big sister coming in to stay.   I don't know why you look red Ron.   We were having pizza - my first night there.  My favorite pizza!  The 2nd night I met Dave - my other brother - for supper and we drove out to the lake.  So pretty.

Fall is in the air back in Indiana.  Cool nights and days in the low 70's felt so good.  These always make me think of fall.  Don't we call them cat tails? 

Chicago had their cows, Pensacola has the pelicans, and Hobart has the Brickies.  This is Yohan, - the Hobart Brickie mascot.  He became the Hobart schools mascot many years ago Hobart is called the Brickies because 100 years ago, there was a brick factory in Hobart.  It is a cool name - different.  Well, as driving around town, I came across several of these Brickies.  Pretty cool!

I flew home and it was great.  Stop over in Atlanta was just the right length and Ron picked me up at Midway.  Now I know everyone has their flying stories but the return flights home were iffy at best.   They kept saying they might cancel the flights due to weather but finally we got on the flight to Atlanta but oh, so late.   So when I arrived at Atlanta, I had 5 minutes to get to my flight in another terminal.  I new that was not going to happen.  But they held the flight!!!!  So cool!!!  So I did get home to sleep in my own bed.

Now I am back to my Florida fun.  Navarre is having their sand sculpture contest this week-end.  We stopped by last night and I am going back later this afternoon so more pictures to come.  It is amazing what these talented people do.

Again, I had a wonderful time visiting friends and family.   Thanks much Sandy, Jim, Ron, Dave, Kelly, Betty, Kris, and Betty at Shears.  Closing down now and going to unpack my suitcase.  (Oh by the way, I bought so many new t-shirts and tops that I had to ship them to Florida instead of carry them on the plane.) 

Palm tree in twilight.

Back Home Again in Indiana....

Last Wednesday I flew back up to my hometown in Indiana - Hobart.   The flight was great but my gosh, how Midway in Chicago has grown since I had been there.  I am staying with my brother Ron and having the best of times.   Some time has been given to complete some medical work but mostly visiting friends and family.

As soon as Labor Day week-end is over, the field begin to turn a beautiful golden color.  The trees have not started turning yet but you can see fall is a coming!

As I write this, I am at our friend Mike's house.  This is a special house to me.  Mom grew up here, then Grandma and Grandpa sold it to Mom and Dad and I grew up here.  This hill goes down to Lake George.  We spent our winters ice skating and sledding.  Wonderful child memories.  Now, Mike has the house and loves it as much as we did.   Beautiful view, isn't it?

One of the many things I lack in Florida is my hairdresser/friend Betty.   She owns Shears in Monticello so Friday I took off for her to color (whoops - of course I don't color my hair) and then met Dave, my other silly brother for dinner.   Had a great day.

I don't have that much time and I wanted to spend as much time with my friends as brother as possible.   Yesterday was my birthday so we went out to dinner and then to the gambling boats in Michigan City.  We are NOT big gamblers so we don't last long before our money allowance is gone.  But it was fun and we can dream of the riches we could of won, right??

Also on Saturday, I went to my friend Kelly's house for Colin's first birthday.  That was quite a birthday bash.  He took it all in stride.  I loved seeing Eric and Lisa and Kelly's sister Colleen and her cutie Maddie.  Happy real Birthday on Wednesday Colin.
This has been a fun trip.  I miss my friends so much but I know I made the right decision to retire.  I enjoy having every day to do what I want.  Now understand, I loved teaching, loved it for 36 wonderful years but now I am living  in paradise!  I will always be a hoosier and a Floridian  - both!   But what football team to cheer for now?   Hmmmmm.......

Fishing Pier Visit

Yesterday afternoon we visited the Pensacola Beach fishing pier - not to fish but to walk the pier.  The pier is 1471 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico and is a beautiful spot to walk.   Sunday was again one of those picture perfect days and I just have to get out by the water as much as possible. 
  The fishing seemed great at the end of the pier.  They were pulling in fish right and left.  Soon I would like to start doing some fishing.  The fishing in the gulf/ocean is so different than fresh water lake fishing.  Again, need to learn lots.

The beach had lots of people enjoying the day by swimming, shelling, surfing, sunning - all the S's.  What a joy to have this so close to home.

This is the view when half way out on the pier.  We could see large jelly fish floating by - but not too many. We have seen many, many dolphins while out on the pier and lots of sting rays, large fish, jelly fish, and much more. 
After eating dinner last night, we took Mom to her sleep test.  I was impressed.   The room was very nice - just like a hotel room with tv, bath and shower room, and lazy boy chair.  We dropped her off at 8:00 p.m. and Dad picked her up at 5:30 a.m. 
Finally, here is a picture of part of the family room - still a work in progress.

Every day this week is going to be picture perfect according to the weather channel - but I am flying to Indiana mid-week.  Hope it will be picture perfect there also!