The Florida Report

Friends, we spent a few beautiful days on the Emerald Coast watching some spectacular sunsets...

...staying warm by the pool...

and walking the beach with family(...and maybe a bit of shopping too...).  We had a great time....and ate some amazing food: 

Pickles in Seaside:  Best Key Lime Pie (on a stick)

Charlie's Donut Truck in Alys Beach---Best Birthday Breakfast

Meltdown on 30A--Best Grilled Cheese

Taco Bar Seaside--Best Chips and Guac

Havana Beach Bar and Grill, The Pearl 30A---still the Best Cocktail  

George's At Alys Beach--Best Birthday Dinner...everything we ordered was incredible...but their Warm Chocolate Toffee Goo is out of this world.  Save Room.

Uncle Mike's Fire in Watercolor...

...Best S'more

It may have been a little chillier than normal, but we were having fun with our family, and really, what more do you need?

Spring Break 2017 Begins

The beautiful spring warm weather party is over in KC.  B arrived home last night  and we are headed south tomorrow.  Not a moment too soon.

Before I head to the sunshine state and slip my sandals on, my toes need a serious touch up.  I love this nail polish.  It stays on a long time and comes off with normal remover.  And now that I can barely reach my toes, let alone see them, I want my efforts to last.

We are meeting sister number 5 and her family in Watercolor.  C is also joining us, which means I will bring this perfect sun block (which actually makes you look tan!) for my beautiful red head.

Speaking of preserving your complexion...for all of you out there who have experienced chemo recently and so need to stay away from the silver bullet known as Tretinoin, this oil really works.  I highly recommend it. 

 I will tell you all about my trip when I return home.  Have a great week, friends!

22 is Lucky in Japan

Today this little man celebrates his 22nd in a Japanese Bath House.  M is spending his senior spring break across the Pacific.  Here are some highlights...

Japanese Garden

Japanese Fish Market

Sushi and Saki...what more do you need?

I think this is part of the Imperial Palace?  

Shinjuku in Tokyo

Mt Fuji at the bottom

Mt Fuji at the top

Their famous high speed train

Safe travels, boys!

 Happy Birthday, M!

The Book Report

I give this book a double thumbs up.  I loved the message and it is so beautifully written.  

Favorite quotes.....there are so so many:

"Harold could no longer pass a stranger without acknowledging the truth that everyone was the same, and also unique; and that this was the dilemma of being human."

***

"I miss her all the time.  I know in my head that she has gone.  The only difference is that I am getting used to the pain.  It's like discovering a great hole in the ground.  To begin with, you forget it's there and keep falling in.  After a while, it's still there, but you learn to walk round it."

I have not yet read this...same characters, different narrator.  Does anyone recommend it?

A friend of mine recommended this book to me.  I did not like it....but what do I know?  It was hugely popular in France.  I will never forget this quote:

"Just 'cause she is farting though silk doesn't mean she can shit on people who don't have any money."

Katherine Pancol has written two more books with the same characters....this one has been translated into English.

"The Squirrels of Central Park are Sad on Mondays"  has not yet been translated into English. Je peux attendre.

The Waiting

T has wanted to be a doctor since he was a little boy....and this weekend he will find out if he matches in Orthopedic Surgery.  Friends, this is the culmination of years and years of hard work. 

He has taken all the tests, done all the interviews, worked all the clinical hours....now it is time to wait and to pray...and that can be the hardest part.  

Presidents' Day Skiing 2017

Big T and I spent Presidents' Weekend skiing with these guys in Breckenridge.

 Friends, I was a little nervous about how I would do with the neuropathy in my feet (courtesy of chemo)...but these new skis practically turn themselves!  It is definitely worth the extra money to get the demo equipment.  Getting back on skis, post-treatment, was a personal victory! 

Big T always makes sure we have ski-on/ski-off accommodations...it is the only way to go when you have a group of skiers with "varying enthusiasm".   I could take a nap after lunch and Big T could ski until the lifts closed.

We hit the Gold Pan apres ski (it was built in the 1800's for the prospectors)....we had some celebrating to do and some black diamond (yard sale) stories to tell....

March On 2017

M and Big T both have birthdays in March.  Since M will be in Japan on his big day, we celebrated early at the River Club. That banana cake was five layers of deliciousness.  I love celebrating birthdays...especially my own children's.

March is also Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month....and tomorrow (Friday March 3rd) is the day to wear blue.  

Early detection is always key...so please help get the word out.  And, when you celebrate your 50th birthday, please get a colonoscopy.  Ok... I am done now.