Time in Tampa

For the cause of continuing education, I arrived in sunny Tampa on Monday


I was fortunate enough to stay with lifelong, dear friends..Mike "Hammer" And Laurie Hayes. Even though I attended "classes" from 9-5 daily, they made my sat idyllic...


Their beautiful home....
Laurie and I immediately set out for a long walk.... My children would have been mortified...Laurie helped me collect huge pinecones on our way. Hammer is bringing them to Jacksonville for me...Christmas decorations people!!!!!


I enjoyed the Spanish moss...


The Cypress trees


And Laurie stretching!
On the Y to my classes the first morning I witnessed this...


Living out the Y mission....I love it.


We went to Clearwater Beach and saw their new beach condo....


Hammer decorating....


We then headed out to walk on the beach and enjoy the sunset...








It was a great one.....


We then went tour friend Ruthie's and we all had dinner on the beach..... What fun to meet up with dear friends, all who used to live just a mile away from me in their new home...Florida





Don't fret, I did learn a lot!


And just look at Laurie and Hammer's little Sarah, all grown up...modeling.


A great way to end a great week...looking at a beautiful girl!!!!
And just look what arrived in the mail at home...


Daytona tickets!!!

Location:Tampa, Florida

Dancing with the Y Stars!

Saturday night the Chamber of Commerce hosted their Dancing with the Stars..the Y was out in full force supporting the cutest dancing couple...and THE best dancing couple...our very own Josh and Angie


Angie warming up at the bar....


Kelsey supporting Josh


Angie, Maggie and Michelle


T. Kitty and her engineer


Carol, Linda and Jane


Desperately trying to get a picture of Judy....seen here with Rich


Still trying. Get a load of Papa Joe and T. Kitty


Almost....


I give!


Our dancers!


The best!


The cutest!


Mr. Phil and Lynn


A free for all now...


Go Papa Joe!





Lynn and David


Papa Joe and Jared's Jenny. Oh Papa Joe...


Terry and Sharon



Angie and her twin sister Laura





My girl


Absolutely NO idea....
Just know..the Y ruled!

Think happy, warm thoughts

Inspiration.... For this cold, windy day...


Or in Italy....





Or France


Or at the lake....


Or Michigan...


Somewhere warm..... And always....


I know, again!!!!!!!

My baby has a birthday!

Friday my baby turned 22! So we went to St. Louis for the day...to shop, eat and celebrate. It was also Laina's birthday...no, don't know her!





Lunch at California Pizza Kitchen....


Yep, we liked it!


We hit our usual favorite spot....and the we saw this....


Yes, I scared the kids by taking their pictures...but you see....when Madeline was little...she spent a year wearing plastic heels....she wore them EVERYWHERE... The beach, on walks, church, grocery store...you name it, she wore them there. You should have seen her amazing calf muscles. She could run up and down hills, climb trees and dance in them. She wore out about 6 pairs that year. So it was rather apropos when, on her birthday, we saw this little girl wearing them in the Galleria.


Jake got her a cake!
Annie served Madeline and Dede cake for their joint birthday dinner...


Yep, Dede is singing!


Aunt Sally flew in from Cape Cod to be with Ninny


Jake had fun with his iPad and Finley's photo....yep, creepy!


Normal photo of Harmy and Millie


We went to my friend Khara's art opening....it was fabulous!


My favorite Halloweener....of course! A mini Dale Jr. But today...all about Smoke! Yep, NASCAR talk... I'm something, aren't I? Happy November!

Location:Jacksonville, Illinois