2007 - Zoo Trip for Jonah's Homecoming

For the record, here are some of my all time favorite pictures from Jonah's homecoming in 2007. I don't think he went to Tennessee in 2008. Anyway, Mia would have been almost 1 year old. Now she is almost 3. Jonah is 9 so he would have just turned 7. Jill is 6 so she would have just turned 4. You get the idea, etc. etc.

A Happy Summer Memory

Crossfire, Jim's dad and Jim Sopkin playing here at Rick's on the River.

The staging area at White Sands Beach where I ran into Jim and Crossfire.

White Sands Beach

I didn't have my camera that night, but I went to a little party in Karin's neighborhood at White Sands Beach. They had a little concert and pizza party one Friday night. Jaime, Mia, Jill and I went along with Karin and Alan. I loved the music right away but who should I see at the bandstand but my old friend, Jim Sopkin. Jim's band used to be called the James Gang when we worked together at Verizon. Jim plays all my favorite music, Jimmy Buffett, country rock, some old 60's classics and he is the kind of person who makes everyone feel like they are his best friend. He saw me and I saw him at the same time! I was so happy. I like Jim's music so much that I once hired his band to play at one of my bonfire parties in the back yard. Only band I ever hired, including my wedding! If anyone has ever walked into a room full of people, maybe feeling a little shy, and received a big welcome through the microphone, you can imagine how great that makes you feel. Jim used to say hi to me and my friends when we walked in back when he was playing at Gino's. Between the music, the water and sand and the night breeze, I felt like I was 17 years old again. We found out that Crossfire plays regularly at Rick's on the River so we will be going there soon. Joyce, Peggy and Jen were great friends of Jim's as well as me. So we all are looking forward to some more great times. (P.S. In the photo above the guy in the foreground is Jim's dad who plays guitar with the band and also blows a great harmonica.)

Karin's Birthday at Rick's on the River

Maya, Jen, Joyce and Karin

Karin, Jaime and me

Maya and Jen

Roger and Alan

Jill, Maya and Jen

We had Karin's birthday celebration at Rick's on the River. Sorry I didn't take any long shots. I think I will add a few shots from years before just for fun. Happy Birthday, Karin.

Here are some pics from last year at Rick's, 2008.

Erica, Vannon and Cory

Mia and Jill look different here, but look at 2007!

Karin's Birthday 2007 at a different location:

miscellaneous musings - worries

Mia napping in the middle of the floor with her favorite (surgical) gloves on.

Jill arriving in the rain complete with Hannah Montana hat, umbrella and baby doll.

Ale House with good friends.

I haven't posted in a while. My mind is full of mostly worries. Worry tends to paralyze me. I want to sleep or watch tv and just not think too much. Worries about the world in general and about my talented and beautiful daughter who has finally finished her degree and having a hard time finding a job. The police finally found her van which was stolen 9 months ago in Sarasota, but the impound fees were too much for her to pay. No telling what shape the van was in, but she wanted it back anyway. It had air conditioning and was the right size to fit her family. She cried and made phone calls for 3 days before giving up and realizing she could not get the van back. Worries about my son who has amazed me lately by signing up to go to International Academy of Merchandising and Design to study sound recording. It is a huge risk since it is very expensive and he has not got a good track record for finishing anything. I have a little hunch and a lot of hope that his love of music and a lot of encouragement from Stephanie might get him through. Worries about Jill who just returned from a long, scary bus trip with her mother to visit her family in which Courtney had her purse, bus ticket, money and cell phone stolen almost as soon as she arrived. Also stolen was Jill's cell phone which was meant to keep her safe. The GPS on the phone which was meant to track Jill if necessary turned out to not even be good enough to find the damn phone! For whatever reason, the bus company would not honor the return ticket and Courtney had to borrow money just to get home. Courtney needing a liver transplant?? Courtney is a huge worry in general. Stephanie and Cory did take Jill to Disney World for her birthday on her return. That child's life is full of highs and lows but missing the basic security that she really needs. That is what I try to provide along with Stephanie, her dad, Jaime, even Roger who was worried about her, too, while she was gone. Jonah is due home on August 9. They had a tornedo up in Tennessee while he was there which is something he has always worried about. Worried about little Mia who is growing like a weed and learning every day. Her scars are getting better, but she still faces more surgery. Wondering if she will EVER get potty trained. Worried about how I can make some money to help us make ends meet. Worry about Roger who just had a CT scan of his neck arteries yesterday. We have been to the doctor every day this week for different tests. Today it is Nibbles turn to go to the vet. Tomorrow Roger has to have his coumadin tested again. Of course, Roger has his own worries about his children and grandchildren. Well, enough about worry. I have more uplifting things to say, but this post is already contaminated with worry. I will add a little gratitude that I am waking up with my husband in my beautiful house that Alan did such a good job on with a beautiful view and friends and family down the street and around the corner.

Princess Dress

Jaime's bridesmaid dress from early 1990's. It was mid-calf length on Jaime when she wore it but it is a long Cinderella dress on Jill. Just a try on. No where to wear it right now.

sweet and gentle visitors!

Every morning we watch the cranes slowly stroll down the golf course eating bugs in the grass as they go along. There are five when they all show up, but mostly we see these three. They make the strangest clacking sounds. Today they came across the street into our yard! I ran to get the camera and a slice of bread. They came straight up to me for the bread but were much more gentle and calm than the local ducks, who can get quite aggressive. I led them all the way to Sylvia's house and talked to her and Steve who were having coffee on the porch. When the cranes got ready to leave, the biggest one spread his wings and stood on his tiptoes for a while as if to say "Thank you." I was so stunned I didn't get the shot. What a nice way to start the day along with cooler temperatures and some sunshine instead of rain!

Jill's 6th Birthday Party!!!

Jaime's Birthday Cake Creation

Jill, Haley and Savannah

Stephanie and Cory

Sylvia and me

Cara and Haley

We celebrated Jill's birthday early at Jaime's house. The guests were Haley, Kinley, Savannah, Briel and Mia. Jill's friend Jordan was not able to make it. Sylvia, Karin, Cara, Briel's mom, Cory and Stephanie and I were also there. Courtney and Sean came later. Jaime baked the cake and did wonders with the confetti cake mix, white fluffy frosting and food color with skittles for decoration. There were princess candles with stars on top. Jill got a beautiful Barbie doll and a Hannah Montana 3-D Concert video with 4 sets of 3-D glasses and a lot of other great stuff plus some cool birthday cards. Everybody got a bathing suit from somewhere and played in the pool outside. Jill had a great time!

btw, Mia LOVED the Barbie. She kept saying, "She has hair! She has a dress! She has shoes and a bracelet! We had a hard time getting Jill's Barbie away from her. I guess it is time for Mia to have one, too!