Todays adventure brr

 The sunset colors over Hunter Lake were beautiful tonight. Pat and I started calling it “our lake” because it’s close to our rbb rental and we walk there every day. It’s a bit chilly today though but still pretty. We drove down to Vero beach. I love the ocean waves. 

We ate at a place called Mulligans outside, we are brave northerners! A bit chilly but sunny

Who knows , we are retired we may be back in Florida when it’s warmer

Jurassic park

We went to Circle B Nature preserve yesterday and it looks like something out of a movie to this northern girl. It reminds me of Jurassic Park! There’s heavy moss over the huge living oaks and swamps and tropical looking plants. We saw some big gators and a couple baby ones

Our granddaughter Amelia went for the hike with us through alligator alley. We had fun! 

Meanwhile back home they got 19 inches of snow which isn’t unusual to where I grew up in Michigan but for southern Indiana that was a really big deal. Lots of closings on work and churches and events. Hope everyone stays safe! 

  

Our son had to shovel his car out it was covered in snow and he still has his driveway to do. At least his work is called off today and he stocked up on groceries! Looks like a good day to watch movies and read since thankfully they have not lost power.

Tomorrow I will meet with my cousin Cindy who lives down here now. She grew up in Michigan too. Her and her husband moved to warmer weather after they retired. Cindy and I were close growing up. She was one of my bridesmaids. People used to get us mixed up sometimes because we looked a lot alike then.

I guess we’re getting ready for lunch now . Lots of nice eating places here!

Later gators! lol

Celebrating family and Florida life

 I feel really blessed to be here but concerned for friends and family back in Indiana. It seems very likely there is a major winter storm on the way with 10 to 16 inches of snow! Cancellations are in progress. I know some northern places often get a lot of snow like my family in Marquette Michigan but for southern Indiana it’s rarely more than a few inches. The storm is wide spread .  It’s 80 degrees here today which is wonderful! 

We stopped at the Christian school where my daughter in law and two oldest twins work and saw our son Justin on this his birthday. He does a lot of volunteering and he was helping to set up a nice swing set on the playground. It was hot there in the sun! I told my husband when we left how I think Justin grew up to be such a nice man.  He really cares for his family and for others Tonight we are going to an Italian restaurant to celebrate his birthday.

  

I love my family and am thrilled to be here spending time with my Florida grandkids . God bless them all.

Angie Justin’s wife works with special needs kids and loves it a lot. Her kids mean a lot to her.

The girls work part time helping in various ways and also volunteer. It was hard when they left Indiana but I’m so grateful to see how God is continually working things together for their good! 

They don’t miss the cold weather but they do miss Indiana sometimes. They lived way up in northern Indiana by Lake Michigan before so they had snow there for sure!

Today my husband Pat and I ate outside at the Garden Bustro .This is my kind of winter lol. It was so beautiful and lunch was good.

  

Last night we walked by Lake Hollingsworth and saw a beautiful sunset. Feeling so blessed!

  

Florida adventures

 It’s so beautiful here though yesterday was Florida chilly! I actually shivered a lot and dressed warm but it was a good day. We got to go to the school our grand daughters and daughter in law work at. It’s so nice to see how well things worked out for them here in Lakeland. My daughter in law works with special needs students and loves it.

We went back to Mirror Lake and it’s so pretty today. Hollis Garden is so beautiful a breath of fresh air in the winter. So nice seeing flowers this time of year! It’s freezing at home!

The people here are so nice. There must be something about southern hospitality. At the restaurants and groceries it’s been pleasant. We did meet a couple neighbors in our little apt complex here. We sat outside and had a nice visit with a lady named Joyce from Pennsylvania. She brought us some oranges she picked herself at an orchard. So nice!

  Our youngest son Eric was here with us a few days but he had to head back home for work. We did some fun things . When we were at Clearwater beach it was horribly windy and cold but the waves were beautiful. We went to John’s pass and had some seafood and that was nice. 

   

Getting ready to head out to our sons for awhile and visit with the kiddos. It’s a blessing seeing our Florida family. Hope to see Terri soon too, she’s a great friend . We are blessed.

  Well that’s the adventures in Florida this week

God bless you all! 

Meanwhile back in Indiana

 One thing that’s a little hard for me is leaving my dog somewhere when we go on an extended vacation but it’s much easier getting lodging and sight seeing and dining with Judy the two of us.

However little Toby seems quite content spending time with my daughter and her family and she’s keeping me updated with pictures. She says Toby is following her everywhere like he does me and he likes to sit on her lap.

He looks like he has it made to me!

I love getting all the pics she sends me! 

This of Julian, he’s so cute and funny and into everything now that he walks! Gotta love these years as I said in my last blog they grow up so fast!

God is good

 It looks like it will be a sunny day today. It’s a little cool this am but definitely not Indiana cold. It should be nice walking weather today. We are staying in a handy location close to Hunter Lake, Lake Morton and Mirror Lake. It’s so lovely to walk along the waters edge and see the various tropical birds of Florida. Yesterday there was a pretty pink flamingo. I didn’t have my camera with me just my cell phone so it’s from a distance. I did take my Kodak camera that I can zoom in with. I’m sure I’ll take some fun pictures and maybe even zoom in on a gator! Only way I want to see them is from a safe distance!

  Our son Justin is coming to this side of town to have lunch with us today so it will be nice to spend time with him. It’s different now that the kids are all in school and the 3 older girls are young adults They don’t stay little for long that’s for sure. The oldest twins are 21 and the younger twins are 16 now. They’re doing well and I’m proud of each one. Simon the baby of the family is 14 now. What a trooper he is having 5 older sisters! 

The song goodness of God has so much personal meaning to me. I’m overjoyed to be healthy and able to make these trips and I thank God for my family and friends here. 

Have a blessed day! 

Florida

 We are at our son’s home in Lakeland Florida. It’s nice warm 80 some degrees today. I could get used to this weather for winter!

We stayed in Destin a couple days,beautiful beaches and good food on the emerald coast. Yesterday we drove a lot but good to be herewith family now.

We are enjoying the sunshine state ,even yesterdays foggy morning!