Happy Birthday!

To what would of been Todd's 57th birthday.

Not sure why I want to put it out there.

I'm usually pretty quite about those things.

It's hard sometimes to think he's been gone now for a little over 9 years and then at other times feels like a life time ago.

I wonder how different life would of been if he was still here.

It's like a memory of all the things you've done and you look back on those memories but those things didn't happen but you know they would of.

I don't know...just weird to think of.

Just felt the need to acknowledge the day today.

My.... How Time Fly's

I can't believe it's been since last September since I wrote my last blog post.

To be honest it wasn't until this past February that I was reminded that I hadn't written a blog post in several months....and since that time, time has just gone by.

Funny how it has a way of doing that.

I debated how I was gonna start again...pick up where I let off and play catch up...start from today?

I decided I would give a quick update on highlights, if that is what we want to call them.

Last September I moved my Mom here to live with me. I was so happy that she finally agreed to leave Tampa and stay with me.

Mom had MS along with some other things but you would never know by looking at her she had a hard time except for the wheelchair. It was just getting harder for her to function on her own

and I was thrilled she was finally coming to stay where I could help keep an eye on her and to be around to help.

September found us getting some things done to help mom around the house and setting up new doctor appointments and such. Mom was also undergoing treatment for cancer.

It was nice having visits with mom...her being able to see my grandchildren, her great grandchildren.

We had Halloween together where she saw the kids in their costumes as they came to trick or treat here...Mom and I celebrated Thanksgiving alone and it was wonderful.

We also celebrated Mom's birthday with the kids and grandchildren.

I was really looking forward to Christmas with having Mom here...we hadn't spent a Christmas together since around 2006.

But Mom became ill mid December and was hospitalized. 

January 1st Mom was moved to a long term care hospital where she passed away February 17th.

She just couldn't recover from infections and her breathing.

I'm thankful that I was able to spend those last few months with my mom.

I wasn't with Mom when she passed but my brother was. Part of me feels bad and the other part of me was glad I wasn't there. I know at the end she didn't suffer, God took her home peacefully and for that I am forever thankful.

In February I had gone to New Orleans for Mardi with Fonda and her cousin Rita and my cousin Lonnie met us there as well...we had a good time and it was something I got to scratch off my bucket list. It was while I was there Mom went to be with the Lord. Fonda's dad was also not in good health and he also went to be with the Lord the next day.

I also had a little health scare in April which has required me to have a little lifestyle change but nothing that can't be managed...it has allowed me to loose 30 pounds in 2 months without trying to loose weight.

It's now summer time which means pool time and spending some fun time with the grandchildren.

Love them babies.

 

I do have some trips planned and excited about that....so I will start again writing a blog and keeping those of you interested in what's happening and with pictures of those things near and dear to my heart....like grand- babies, concerts and travels....some things just don't change

Until then....

It Is What It Is!

 

July Mini Vacation

During the month of July I took Hayden, Colton, Tayler and Tammy to San Antonio where we stayed at a cool hotel with a water park and we visited Sea World..

Needless to say...it's Texas...it's July...it's hot

next visit will be the spring or fall but it still didn't keep us from having a fun time.

 we saw a couple shows...one was Shamu...we sat in the splash zone...I think they need to rename it the soaked zone....the kids laughed so hard afterwards.

And we were soaked.

 Everyone loves a Merry Go Round

 above....Tammy and Colton on his first big people roller coaster...Hayden, Tayler and myself went to the Sesame Street water park playground

 It was a fun time getting away with the kids....hoping to do something over Christmas break before they go back to school if they don't already have plans.

Not Over The Hill....Just The Beginning

July 5th My BFF Fonda celebrated her

50th Birthday.

On July 6th her family surprised her with a birthday party at a beach house in Surfside Beach that the rented.

It was a great celebration!

Happy Birthday my special friend!

Love you MORE

Happy 4th of July

Today the grand-kids came over for a swim...

it was a nice hot day to be in the pool...we had a a lot of fun.

My 3 handsome Grandsons

Colton, Noah and Liam

 Jenn had to leave early to work in Fulshear at the parade so I kept the boys.

Once Tammy and the kids left Noah and Liam layed down and had a snack and to watch Disney Jr.

Before Mickey Mouse was over Noah fell asleep with cookie in hand and mouth.

poor baby played hard in the sun and water.

Girl Time....1970-Something!

So a few months ago Lisa, Jeanette and I had planned a get together at Lisa's bay house in Corpus (N.Padre) but sad because we knew Melinda could not join us as she couldn't get out of Florida where she now lives.

So you'll know the story for 1970-Something...we all grew up in the same area and went to the same school and knew some of the same people.

Finally the day had come for our get together...Jeanette was to meet me at my house and I would drive from there....Jeanette was running a few minutes behind schedule.

Finally a knock on the door...as I came to the door I could see through the glass...

MELINDA!!!!

She had come home for a family reunion and was able to make our girls get together.

What a GREAT surprise it was.

 

Jeanette knew what was going on but Melinda swore her to silence .....so now the next surprise would be for Lisa as she had no idea either.

This made for our third summer in a row to get together all 4 of us.

It was a Great weekend!

 We arrived at Lisa's and Melinda hid in the car while Jeanette and I went to the door and went in...

Melinda then came to the door a couple minutes later and knocked and Lisa was so surprised...

and then the fun began!

Above ...us taking a group selfie...we laughed so hard.

The deck looking down the bay canal of Lisa's home and the next day us laying out with drinks and having a  great time catching up.

That evening when we got in...Lisa had all kinds of goodies fixed for us to chow down on...we sat outside and drank and had a good ole' time....

we chatted about old friends, new friends, our lives and families and so on....

Good times!

Next day we went and did a little shopping...went to the beach and had lunch at a place on the beach which was nice but not good or my hair at all...then back to the house for more relaxing girl time in the big ole float....

In the picture above form left to right:

Lisa, Melinda, Myself and Jeanette.

Before we knew it our time had come to an end and it was time to head home...

 

Of course on our road journey we took a way that was suppose to be faster and of course it wasn't...but then every girl trip needs a bump in the road just to have more time together...but we didn't take that same way home.

 

It was a great weekend...love you girls!

We need to make this annual thing since we've done it 3 in a row now...

what shall we do next year?

Cheers To The End of A Fabulous Vacation....Day 14 and 15

On our 3rd day in NYC we went shopping at Tiffany's and had lunch at 

The Boat House in Central Park.

 This was my first time here....it was beautiful...it was a good lunch and a wonderful view.

A nice way to start our day.

This was our view from our table.

 A view from across the pond of The Boat House.

 When we were done we walked a little in the park before finally finding our way out.

You can get lost in Central Park.

 Found our way to Bethesda's fountain an did some photo's.

 And then Bow Bridge in Central Park

Once out and finding a cab we headed back towards the hotel...we hit some bad traffic not far from our hotel so we opt to get out and walk a couple blocks instead of sitting there watching the meter go up.

We stopped at the bar in our hotel and brought up some drinks and sat outside on our terrace and visited...it was a nice evening and a beautiful view...

We went out and grabbed a bite to eat at a Italian Restaurant across the street...wasn't bad but after being in Italy for 11 days the food just did not compare.

I knew those clams weren't gonna taste the same in the states, no matter who was cooking them.

We then chilled and off to bed.

Next day we hopped on The Subway...an adventure in itself.

We headed to the ferry to head across to Staten Island and see the Statue of Liberty along the way.

 The best view from the water and free.

And leaving NYC behind.

Once we arrived on Staten Island we grabbed a taxi and headed to 

The Drunken Monkey.

 I wanted to go and have a drink here and just see what the place was like.

I watch way too much Reality TV...can't help it...love a good train wreck.

Anyway, I watch the show Mob Wives...and Big Ang is on the show...she's actually the normal one out of the ladies...and she has a bar called The Drunken Monkey.

It was a dive...only holds 75 people at one time, which is hard to believe cause it doesn't look like it even holds that many...but it was a fun little place that we ended up staying more than the one drink....hoping Ang would make an appearance which she didn't but that was fine...was going for the experience anyway.

Margo (who is on the show from time to time and runs the bar) made the best drinks, made us feel welcomed and also gave us 2 rounds on the house ...it didn't hurt her to do that, she made a lot of money off us that day.

Five hours later we left...we had fun...we had stories...but like all endings of a good trip...

somethings must be left in New York City...

So I will leave you with that.

What Happens In Staten Island

Stays In Staten Island.

Once back in NYC we ate, we shopped, we packed and off to bed...early flights in the morning to home.

I had a blast on my vacation...spending a wonderful time in Italy with my cousin...I can't wait to go again...I fell in love with Positano...it was just the best.

And then ending my trip with 2 of my best friends meeting us in NYC...was a great way to continue vacation and to end it.

I am blessed!

Thank you ladies for the experience.