Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Just a few more Days!

I'm so excited for Kelly and her family to be here. There are just a few more days until they are here! They should arrive sometime Saturday. They are going to be staying on Clearwater Beach which is like 10 miles from here but with all the construction it will be like 30 minutes away. Kinda like going to Kokomo, but that's closer then I have been to them in months. I have been kinda in a funk since my mom left...but now that the time is going by I'm getting pumped for Kelly's visit. Then in the back of my mind I'm thinking how bummed I'll be when they leave. (I'm not trying to think that far ahead...I just want to enjoy their visit.) I'm hoping that they will have a great time while they are here. I'm going to make sure I give them their space I don't want to crowd their vacation and don't want them to think they have to entertain me the whole time! Kelly sounds like she is totally ready to just sit on the beach and enjoy doing nothing but soaking up the sun. I have been trying to fill my time with constructive things. And I have been working on my paper work for my cosmetology license. For Florida's license I have to take and pass an HIV/AIDS course. Don showed me when he does some of his continuing ed courses. I set up an account and it was cool because I could print off the course (before paying) and read it (plus it gave me a "pretest"). I took the pretest and then went back and paid and took the test (which was the same as the "pretest") and only missed one. So--I passed and in all the excitement of passing I called and made sure what all the Florida state board would need, and then called Indiana's state board and had them send certificate of licensure to Florida. Now all I need to do is sign all my paperwork cut them a check and pray for the best. Hopefully--soon I'll know if I can get my license here. Well--that's all on the updates for now. Have a good weekend and I'll update again soon!




This is for the official Lipizzaner Web page if you would like to go look at it!

I'm so misguided!

Don found a site and thought it was way interesting. So I'm going to share it with you. It's all about farts! And if you know about the book "The Gas We Pass" it fits. I have that book somewhere---I got it when I was a nanny from the kids. But if you click the book below it will take you to the website about farts! Enjoy!



Sunday, March 25, 2007

My Mom's Visit---Take Three

I totally forgot to blog about the last place we saw when my mom was here! After we spent time seeing the Royal Stallions--we went to a really cool pizza place. It is called "Roaring 20's". This place is known for it's massive pipe organ music (which is live) and their pizza. There are 2 organist that play in this pizza place...both hail from Ohio and worked at one time or another in Indianapolis. The one we got to hear taught at Butler and Indiana University...which was cool for me! I would love to go back and take better pictures! The organist take requests and when it's break time---the organ turns and lowers. It was very loud but the music was great and so was the pizza! They are only open from 4:30 to 9pm and we got there at 4:50pm and there was a HUGE line...waiting to get in. Enjoy the pictures!





Saturday, March 24, 2007

My Mom's Visit---Take two!

I really enjoyed my mom's time here (and I hope she did too). Wednesday--Don had to work so Mom and I headed to the outlet mall---she did all the shopping there. We checked out what they had and came home. We did take and bake pizza, and got some wings. Thursday Mom and I hung out around the house...and I made a pork roast for her to enjoy (using our new herbs from our small little garden). Then Friday the 3 of us headed out to see "The Original Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria". It is a lost art and very beautiful to watch. I know that it was just practice but it is worth the time to watch them. My mom got to see them in Austria when she was 8 years old and it was a little different...but I'm sure she enjoyed watching them again. If you know anyone that is coming to the Tampa area...From January to March each year...they can go out and watch them. I have included some photos from our outing. Don and I agreed we will be returning and seeing them again! Today we had to say good bye to my mom. (It's always sad for me since I'm a mama's girl.) But she had today planned...flying home and getting repacked and heading to Ohio to see Annette. I think she needs to drive a while for her to feel like she has been on vacation! But I know we all enjoy having mom come and visit. I hope you all have a great weekend and enjoy the pictures!


My Mom's visit--Take One

My Mom got to come to Florida to visit (which was exciting for me). She got to see alot and I'll try to recap for you. She flew in on Thursday evening. Then on Friday Mom and I drove to Ocala, Florida to meet up with Shari so mom could visit with her and her family. Saturday Shari got tickets for them to go to NASA's Kennedy Space Center. From the stories it sounded like they had a good time and walked all over. They didn't get to see everything (but that's okay now Mom has a reason to go back). Sunday They had a cooking party at Shari's. Then Monday Don and I drove the 3 hours to go to Jacksonville and pick mom up. While we were there we got to visit over Dinner (there are some shots from dinner at Chili's). Tuesday Don and I took mom to the orange grove, then off to John's Pass for a walk (it's nothing but shops) and lunch on the docks. And after we were home...we let mom relax and Don and I made her our perogie Thanksgiving Dinner (including pumpkin pie ones!).


That's the back of my mom's head, my nephew Jackson, my sister: Shari, my brother-in-law Robert...and my niece Lydia....

This is my nieces: Sarah, Sarah's daughter: Aubree, and there's Lydia again! Don really has missed Sarah!

Here are the girls again!


Hot and glossy Turkey Perogies

Oranges from the Grove...can't go to the grove and leave without oranges...


Somewhere between Largo and Jacksonville there is a town of Waldo...just in case you wanted to know where he was...he must live on this street in Waldo, Florida!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

uploading pictures & update

I have been wanting to upload pictures...but I have been too lazy! I'm getting ready for all my company that is coming. I know-- it's no excuse not to get other things done. But with church stuff (which takes up a lot of my time), and cleaning/getting ready I'm just getting lazy when I'm online. But here are some pictures to make you laugh and to see our newer plants...

This is Don with the puppies (Tigger and Roo) in Jacksonville...this picture cracks me up and I just wanted to share it with you! The dogs didn't much like the fake hair and beard. But that's a dang good looking Christmas tree behind them!


This poor thing is what we are hoping will come up as a "Honey Tangerine" tree. We got some from the grove and loved them...so we planted some seeds to see if we could make them grow. We are still watching it! And the gate is to keep little dogs out of the dirt!


This is Don's mini Lemon tree. It started to finally sprout new leaves. I should have been taking pictures from the start of the sprouting it has been cool to watch...maybe next time...the new leaves are the small yellow/green ones!


And this poor thing is my newest herb garden. The Rosemary in the back left has died...it was sad when we bought it but I thought I could save it...I was wrong! But the other herbs are wonderful! We have even used them in some of our cooking. Don thinks he's a real chef now using fresh herbs.

The weather here is good for the plants so hopefully they will grow great! I really don't have a green thumb but I thought I would give it a try! You never know.

On other news...Evie is getting her stuff together so she can move in June! But she has posted her resume on a Education website and has had a "hit" but it's from Miami. But it's promising to see she has put up one and it's already had a hit. Poor thing still doesn't have her car fixed yet (from the accident her sister had in it around Christmas). It should be done SOON (so they say). Other than that it seems like she is moving forward and time is moving fast.

Don still likes his job, and moving up the ladder. One of the other embalmers left (or was asked to leave) yesterday. So he won't be on the bottom for long! It kinda looks like one more might be leaving soon. So up the ladder he goes! Don likes his boss and the guy he is "teamed" with so that makes a big difference!

Well--I hope to post again soon! My mom gets here Thursday and we have somethings planned so I hope I remember to take my camera so I can post some of what we did while she was here! Have a great week!

Friday, March 02, 2007

Changes...

Thank you Jackie for the help with my ticker! One day I'll learn! As you can see I added a ticker for Eternity which is Don's sister's baby. I'm trying to bridge some gaps for us with her. So I'll keep you updated there.

Don's other sister will be moving here this summer. It is in the works...so hopefully that will go smooth (a lot smoother then ours!). Her work is not a good environment any longer for her...so she is going to leave. She needs a new start and hopefully we can help her get that new start! Life here is a LOT different then Wendover, Utah. (And if you know someone that is looking to move to that area and is looking for a house--let us know--she is going to have to sell her house!) But it's a bitter sweet thing that she is moving here. I wish her life in Wendover wasn't as stressful as it is, but I'll have someone to do things with! I'm very excited about that. (Sorry Evie!)

I had to go to the dentist...and if anyone really knows me that is a horrid thing for me to do. I have let my exams go so that Don could get his teeth under control...and as result I have a tooth in the back of my mouth that I will be getting taken out. I was going to have a root canal done on it, but as the day wore on yesterday I decided that it's not worth saving. So I'll call the dentist back Monday and tell her. I have to go to a specialist because of my leaky heart, but it will be worth it in the end! But I told Don that now we have dental insurance we are both going to do better with our exams...I'm sure he's just totally excited!

I also decided that my time at home sucks...so I planted a small herb garden. I'll get a picture of it and post it. It makes my porch smell really good! Don wanted a mini Lemon tree so we got one...and over the last couple months there hasn't been much change on it. Today I was looking at it and noticed that it has a new growth starting. I'm very excited about that! We went to the grove and got some Honey Tangerines...and decided to plant some of their seeds to see if we can get them to grow. So I think I'll be living in a very self serve house. I'm scared that Don might want to try things like pineapples and bananas. It might be like a jungle in our house.

Also--I'm starting my paper work for getting my Cosmetology License here in Florida. I have had NO luck with trying to find a job. So I think once I have that it won't take long to get something. So I'm nervous that I might have to test over this stuff again!

13 days until my mom is here in Florida! I'm totally excited about that. We have found an activity to do with her before she leaves. While she is with Shari--they are planning to go to the Kennedy Space Center. But when she is here visiting ME--we are going to see the Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria. They spend the winter here and from Christmas until the end of March people can go watch them train for free. My mom saw them once in Austria when she was 8 years old. So when I called her last night about going she sounded excited. Just in case you don't know about these wonderful horses...here is a short story:

The stallions were saved from almost certain extinction at the end of World War II. Colonel Herrmann and his father smuggled their horses out of Europe under the protection of General George S. Patton. Other highlights about these horses: it takes 9 years for these horses to learn "the capriole," the move for which they are best known. Leaping from all four feet, they strike out with the hind legs. Once a battle maneuver of their ancestors, it is now part of this remarkable equine ballet. That's right they are ballet horses!

29 more days until my friend Kelly and her family will be here for spring break! Don and I are so very excited to see them! I'm not sure what we are going to do that week...I think one day we are going to the Magic Kingdom at Disney. Other than that I think we are going to play everything by ear. I know Don would love to take Maggie, Alesha, and Madison to the Zoo here. We will see how the week goes. Just very excited to be able to spend time with them!

Other than that nothing else is going on. Hope your weekend is full of fun and sun shine! Have a great one!