Almost 1

I can't believe that on Saturday it will have been 1 year since this sweet baby was welcomed into our family. Our grandson Little Man turns 1. I really wish we were closer so we could share in his special birthday with him. But Sha Sha, Papaw and Auntie sent up a box with presents and full of love for him.

Sweet Little Man with Daddy, Auntie (holding him) and his Momma (Taken June 19, 2010)

Sweet Little Man with Auntie, Sha Sha (holding Little Man), and his parents.

Sweet Little Man being held by Daddy, with Papaw and his momma.

Little Man and his trip to the farm (October 2010)

Little Man and his grandpa.

Picking his pumpkin out.

Now if this isn't trouble I don't know what is. Sweet Little Man and his Uncle.

Have a wonderful first birthday my angel. We love you! Wish we could be with you but hopefully Momma and you will get down here for CHRISTmas.






"make sure you keep it between the navigational beacons."

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Riggs and Mr. and Mrs. Beers

This weekend was the wedding for three people that have meant a lot to me. Two were married this past Saturday. My brother in law, Dan and his new wife, Lisa were married in a beautiful location.
Sunken Gardens was neat place to get married in. Beautiful tall trees all around. The macaws and parrots nearby. The hired a steel drum player (once I remember her info I will post it!) who was great.
The photographer was Jessica Charles. She took some great pictures. I can't wait to get copies of the ones she took of The Monkey, our nephew and a close family friend. Boy did these children "ham it up" for the photographer. LOL
We had a small cocktail reception at La Veranda Bed and Breakfast. All of us stayed there for two nights. What a great place. They served breakfast in the mornings and the food was to die for! Saturday morning was a spinach fritatta with some fruit. YUMMY. Sunday morning was blueberry cream cheese French toast with fruit (BTW both meals came with a meat- one day bacon and one day sausage but being vegetarians we chose no meat!) The rooms were wonderful. So comfy. We stayed in the South Beach room. It has a sitting room and a bedroom. Perfect for us. The children stayed in the room with my inlaws. They had a two bedroom suite with a living room. The children loved using the "secret stairs" to get from the room to downstairs and all three were like "little Ninja's" just appearing all of a sudden. It was cute. I LOVED the two wrap around porches. We all spent a lot of time on the one downstairs. Just talking and telling stories and having a great time. The owner is Nancy and she lives on site.
After the cocktail reception we walked a couple of blocks to 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House. The food was wonderfully awesome! Appetizers were Artichoke Manchego Fondue Blue Corn (very yummy),Wings and Pork sliders; Salad was The Green Goddess with Green Goddess Dressing; The entrees offered were Ale BBQ Mahi Mahi with vegetable and jasmine rice, Chicken with potatoes and vegetables, Grilled sirloin with mashed potatoes and vegetables. They made Frankie, myself and The Monkey huge bowls of pasta with vegetables... (We said we would go back there just for that and the biscuits! LOL).
After a wonderful supper some of the party went back to the B&B and some of us went to The Vinoy(where I have been told that the Red Sox stay while they are in town!) for a drink and sat on their large porch.
Then it was a bit of a walk to Courigan's Irish Pub where we had a few beers. (Frankie and I had one and called it a night. We enjoyed our quite walk home- it was about a 15 minute walk- I am so thankful that I had made the decision to take off my regular shoes and put on sneakers!)
My brother in law and his wife had the perfect weather for this wedding. It wasn't too hot or too cold and thankfully, even though we are in midst of hurricane season here in FL we did not have to worry...

The other person that is dear to me that was married this weekend is a friend from high school. His name is also Dan. His new wife, Shannon, and him were married Sunday October 10. (10-10-10)

I wish both sets of newlyweds the best.













"make sure you keep it between the navigational beacons."

I love Fall.

Yesterday we were driving to pick up our new family members.
Toby eating a whole wheat cracker on the way home

Toby at home



Tiger claiming his spot under The Monkey's desk. He wouldn't let her pick up the paper.

It was a nice ride but a little sad. I commented to Frankie how weird it was to know that it is October and that there were no colors on the leaves. It makes me miss New England so much. I loved the four seasons (even winter and snow).

Last week Little Man got his first hair cut. I can't believe how big he is getting.



Little Man at the farm with his other grandparents









Lima Bean's momma and The Boy have been here for almost a month. Lima Bean's momma has been so sick with this pregnancy. Doctors appointment tomorrow for her. The Boy has gotten a new job. He seems to like it.

Today Frankie starts his new job. He is working in a hospital. He really enjoys working in the medical field but was burned our while working for as an EMT a few years ago. He went into the hospitality industry but so did NOT enjoy that.



"make sure you keep it between the navigational beacons."

We decided the end of August that we were going to become vegetarians. The Monkey and I watched a video (PLEASE BE AWARE THIS IS GRAPHIC!!!!) .
She has not touched meat since August 27. It took 3 days to sink into my brain. So since August 30th I have not had meat. We are what is considered Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians. We have kept dairy and eggs in our diet (but only a little amount). Frankie went a week before giving up meat.
I have noticed some changes in the way I feel. I was always bloated and gassy after eating supper. I have not had these issues since giving up meat.
I have made many different things to eat since we have started this journey. It is interesting in our house. The Boy and Lima Bean's Momma have moved in with us. They are meat eaters. Tonight the children went to KFC. The Monkey ordered a Chicken Bowl without Chicken. Needless to say she received many strange looks.
Tonight I made Slow Cooker Pesto Spinach Lasagna. Without the Pesto. Frankie and I were unsure how it would cook. He was actually a little nervous. I have to say I put it in the crock pot on low for 6 hours and it was perfect. We both loved it. The Monkey wasn't really hungry but she had a little piece and enjoyed it.
Next time I think I will add some more veggies. I will have to make a small cheese lasagna for Lima Bean's Momma.



"make sure you keep it between the navigational beacons."

Quick update- Lima Bean has a new due date of April 6.
Here is her/his newest picture. This was taken on Friday August 13.




Here is my new tree... Every person in FL needs some type of citrus tree. So this is my lime tree. His name is Lenny...




Last year I bought a bamboo tree. I wanted something comforting. Zen like. So I bought Bob. This was him September of 2009.


This is Bob today. I was a little worried about him since I moved and had to leave him in another state. He was a little dehydrated and in need of love but I have him back on the good side.



I am reading another book for Book Sneeze.


BookSneeze is great. When someone signs up they can request one of the available books to read. When the person is finished reading they write a review on their blog and on a public site (ie. Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc...) and then can request another book.

School starts Monday for the Monkey. We are looking forward to it. This year we are trying a virtual school. Monkey loves being on the computer so we thought this would be pretty neat.








"make sure you keep it between the navigational beacons."

Great post

My friend, Sylvia, over at Christian Homekeeper wrote a great blog called Sit Down At The Table.
This article reminded me of good times and sad times.
The good times are holiday meals with friends and family as In my next relationship I remember early on we would sit at a table to eat but mostly and eventually suppers took place in the living room watching tv. Sometimes it didn't even take place in the same rooms. My daughter and I would eat in one room together and my bf, at the time, would eat in a different room. After many changes I found myself in a relationship with a great man (my husband) and his family. It was expected that supper was to take place around the table. It was great. I could feel the love as even though every one was stressed and rushed we made the effort to get together at this time. We would sometimes have music on sometimes nothing in the background. We would have 3 different generations at the table. My mother and father in law, my daughter and Frankie's little cousin (who is like a daughter to us) and Frankie and I. We would just talk. Talk about what the girls did in school. What was going on at the different places of employment. There was a lot of laughter and silliness. Even Mario (who doesn't know he is a dog) literally sat at the table in his own chair.
Now as my husband and I (and The Monkey) have moved out we make sure to sit at the table for our meals. Not just supper. We even eat lunch and breakfast at the table. Sometimes with background noise. Most times without it. (BTW the table that we now sit at as a family is the exact same table we sat at as a family with my in-laws.)
As our family continues to grow I look forward to the family and holiday suppers at our table.







"make sure you keep it between the navigational beacons."

Embracing Your Second Calling by Dale Hanson Bourke

I have just finished reading this wonderful book. At first I was a little skeptical since I am not yet 40. But I felt like this book was written for me. I loved the attention that the writer gave to Naomi and Ruth. I read this book with a highlighter so that I could highlight passages that I felt very strong about and didn't want to forget. Little comments like "...if I was too busy for friends, then I was too busy." (pg 140) hit home. Reminded me that I need to make time to stay connected with my friends. My favorite sentence has to be found on page 157. the last sentence of the first paragraph. "You simply had to trust God." How true is that?
The writer shared so much of the things that she went through at different times in her life wrote them in such a way that I just ended up feeling like I was her friend.

I was very depressed at the fact that I am approaching 40 but after reading this book I feel like I am ready to accept it and that the best is yet to come... This book is a definite read for any woman approaching the "second half" of her life.




I do want to disclose that I did this review for BookSneeze. I am not required to list a positive review.

Changes again...

Well. I am finally able to sit and spend a few minutes here...
It has been very hectic around these parts...

My in-laws arrived the beginning of July with all our belongings. It was a busy week of unloading a truck then finding homes for everything... I didn't realize how much stuff we actually had.. OK to tell the truth many members of my new family donated items to us... YAY! Less we had to buy! All the rooms EXCEPT the master bedroom are finished.
The last week of July The Boy became very ill.... He ended up in the hospital and they were talking about doing surgery on him.. So thanks to my mother in law I was able to fly up to Boston, MA to be with him. After 4 days in one hospital and 2 days in MA Eye and Ear hospital in Boston The Boy was finally able to go home... Thankfully without needing surgery... (Good thing we pulled him out of the first hospital. After 4 days they still were unsure of what was wrong with him. MA Eye and Ear knew in 2 hours.) So I ended up spending from Monday until Saturday there.
Came home Saturday the 30th of July in the morning... My mother in law had surprised me by getting an earlier flight than expected and was actually waiting with Frankie and The Monkey when I got off my flight. My flight actually landed 20 minutes early. We had to wait 5 minutes on the tar-mac since the other plane was still in our gate... I managed to arrive 10 minutes after my Mother in Law...
Saturday night The Monkey received a text from her Cousin. In this text was the picture of the Monkey's new half brother that NO ONE in the family knew was coming... 10 minutes after this text I received a call from the Boy, now mind you I left there at 3am. He wanted to tell me that his gf was pregnant. I was quite shocked to say the least. But I am embracing this news with the reminder that Children are a gift from God. Right now we refer to him/her as Lima Bean.


"I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille" (Lima Bean @ 5 weeks gestation)


Lima Bean @ 6 weeks gestation

Isn't it truly amazing how God can change something that looks like a ball into a beautiful work of art?

So that was Saturday. We were up early Sunday for our family vacation. We went to Snug Harbor in Madeira Beach. I highly recommend this little B&B. It is great. We stayed in the room called "On Golden Pond." When I opened our blinds the view was straight back of the boat slips and the water. It was absolutely beautiful. We spent 4 days swimming in the pool, drinking beer, fishing (my new favorite hobby!) and having a great time visiting. We stopped in the Candy Kitchen a few times (was really a necessity with a 16 yo, 13 yo and a 9 yo.) for some treats. Then on the last night there Frankie, myself, my BIL and his fiance (they are getting married October 9th) walked down to Daiquiri Deck for a few drinks and some pool. A great time was had by all...
We returned home Wednesday afternoon to run some errands and then I did about 5 loads of laundry (Frankie doesn't do laundry so I had all the laundry from before I left to go to Boston plus what was worn the week I was gone). Then my mil and fil came over Thursday and Friday to paint the Monkey's room. Blue and Grey. Friday I did a big sweep of the house (the dust bunnies multiplied quickly while I was gone and no one could find the broom... Hmm... Thinking of making a sign for the closet where the broom has been for months just so they know where it is!)
My in laws left Saturday morning and we started puppy sitting our furry "niece" Roxie.


Roxie went home this afternoon... So now it is time to sit an relax....

Finally yesterday I was able to get The Monkey completely registered for Virtual School. YAY! I had started this process before having to leave unexpectedly to go to Boston. Then while I was gone they had sent me a message to call them. I was able to call and get everything fixed Friday and as of yesterday she has been approved and will start on August 23. I will only need to purchase items that she will be using. All the books are provided through the school.

Oh and on Monday while I was gone I was voted onto the Condo Board! YAY! Of course I have no idea what position but I am still pretty excited about it. I was also happy to see when I returned home from Boston that the bike that was chained to our stairwell had been moved to the bike rack which was moved away from the dumpster. YAY! No more tripping over the bike handlebar.

I hope everyone has a wonderful blessing filled day!



PS. Lima Bean is Due April 1st.




"make sure you keep it between the navigational beacons."