Officially Retired!

Allan reached a new milestone with his birthday this weekend - retired! His social security checks will begin arriving after the first of the year. Good for him! And good for us because no new job is looming on the horizon yet.

We had a festive weekend with a neighborhood party Saturday night and a church spaghetti dinner on Sunday night. We had a dozen family members over for birthday cake and ice cream afterwards. Allan's oldest son, Tom, is in town for a seminar and joined us. He will stay with us for a few nights.

We've got cake!

When tragedy strikes - strike back with cake! How can you worry when your kitchen smells so wonderful and you can hardly wait to frost and eat your new masterpiece warm from the oven. So many wonderful childhood memories involve cake, especially my grandmother and I whipping up some favorites like coconut layer cake or devils food with fudge frosting or strawberry layer cake. YUM!

When I was a teenager, I discovered carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. My mother bakes me one each year on my birthday. Life is definitely better with carrot cake and cream cheese frosting. I'll go back to worrying when the cake is gone.

Next Step

I wish I knew what the next step will be. My husbands job was eliminated today. A lot of peoples jobs are going away right now. I do not know how I feel...just numb right now. And scared. I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't even worry yet. Because I don't know what is waiting further down the road for us.

I think I will probably go into survival mode. Food and shelter will be priority one. Then cars, electric, and water. Everything else, I don't know. I just want to know that Allan and I will be alright.

We knew that this could happen. We knew the company was going through looking at every position....with the intent of cutting jobs, to save money. I prayed. We both prayed. On Saturday night, at the concert, I relaxed. Allan still had his job. Maybe this awful thing would pass us by. Other co-workers agreed. Afterall, who would want Allans job.

Maybe, by some miracle, this will be good and everything will turn out better. They say that when a door closes, a window opens. I hope that happens for us.

To my family and friends, please pray for us. Don't be afraid to reach out to us. We will keep you in the loop, we will ask if we have needs. Help us only if you can. We truly love each of you.
Thank you.

Passing time...

I'm stuck inside with a bad cold, instead of enjoying the beautiful weather outside. Allan was sick first...he's better now. I don't know if I caught what he had or if it is just a mild reaction from my flu shot. But I just lie around. My head hurts; I feel achy.
The fresh breeze coming in through the open windows is amazing. I watch the curtains flutter in the moving air. I hear the birds singing and people passing in the street. The sky, from the window, is brilliant blue and crystal clear. There are no clouds.
This is my kind of weather!

Beach Outing

Since we discovered Caddy's on the Beach on Treasure Island, it makes going to the beach a lot easier. We buy our meal (on this trip- breakfast) eat, and talk, and then lie in the sun on their loungers and chairs. What could be easier! We usually go early before it gets crowded so we get a good spot and have the beach to ourselves. The water was great- calm, cool, and no seaweed! We like to spend the summer holidays at the beach as a family!

Family Fun

Our visit with Melanie and the boys could not have been more fun!
Okay, maybe a little less rain. But we stayed busy with family
cookouts, ice cream parties, trips to swimming pools and local
parks, and an indoor mall. And Target. Although the boys were NOT
interested in sleeping much, they were up for anything else-
especially the toy closet and eating everything in sight.

On Saturday we drove to Jacksonville to see the Lewis cousins. It was a special birthday celebration for Dawn and Rose. Everyone had a blast! Lots of babies to cuddle, presents to open, food to eat, and family to visit with. Melanie and the boys stayed to visit longer and I left to drive back home. Know she is having fun seeing all her family and friends before she flies back to Nebraska at the end of the week.

Glad you were able to come, Mel! Miss you already!

Playtime with twins Jane & Joy

Dawn and Rose with new birthday Barbies!

Company's Coming!

Setting up the portacrib!

Mel and her two boys are coming for a visit!
Elijah gets to sleep in the guest room with Mel.
Isaiah gets his own room (Allan's office).
They fly in next Tuesday and leave for Jax. on Saturday.

I am working on the schedule of events while they are here.
For those of you in the area- call me if there is a time
or event you would like to see happen and we can add
it to the calendar.

So far the Pier, Northshore pool, and maybe breakfast at
Caddy's on Sunset Beach top the list.
With the heat and the weather,I'm keeping the schedule
flexible. We will probably hang out at the house the most.
If you are free, stop by. She wants to see everyone!

Cleaning up the baby equipment!

Dusting off the toys in the toy closet!

Lime Green Harness

I haven't posted about McGee lately. He just celebrated
his 4th birthday. I decided that a new walking harness
and matching leash were needed. After looking all over
town I picked out this sporty lime green step-in harness.
Since its hot out, I wanted something minimal and easy to
put on. He also got a new squeaky toy!

LOOK WHO'S 33!

August 5th

Happy Birthday to Kristin!
Happy Birthday to you!

We Love You.
Mom & Allan

We hope your day is extra special!

At The Trop.

One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the ballpark with my Dad. I remember going to Candlestick Park in San Francisco to see the Giants; to Busch Park in St.Louis to see the Cardinals; and for the last 10 years or so, going to Tropicana Field to see the Tampa Bay Rays play. Since Pop Pops birthday is in June, I usually buy us tickets to see a home game.
On this night the tickets were compliments of Joe, my brother-in-law. He was out of town. The New York Yankees were in town. This was the second of a three game series.The Yankees beat us the night before. But I am happy to report that the Rays came back and beat 'em 6 to2! It was a very exciting game and PopPop and I loved every minute. We even got out of the parking lot without any hassels!

Pop Pop enjoying his burger!

Mugging for the camera

Love the big TV scoreboard!

view of the field from our seats

Outfielder Carl Crawford

Guest Suite

Have been working on spiffing up the guest bedroom all weekend. Still need to find fabric for the window valances. Have cleaned, organized, and rearranged pictures and knick-knacks and these are the results:

NEW WHEELS

I'm liking my new car. It's a 2009 Nissan Altima- brand new! Had 14 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. It has a light silver gray interior. And COLD a/c! Also a great sound system. Has a nice big trunk and cool wrap around lights. Watch out - it could be parked in your driveway soon! I'm travelin'!

DAYS OF MY LIFE

Much has happened in the last week. Patrick has finally moved on;
I leased a new bright silver Nissan Altima; and finally got some good
news on the medical front.

I LOVE my new car.It is sporty and fun to
drive and plenty of room for hauling my decorating finds and family
and friends. May get to test it on the open road tomorrow - by way
of Orlando.

My doctor is taking me off Actonel and putting me on Forteo to
fight my osteoporosis. The Actonel is not slowing down my bone
loss. Forteo will actually create new bone. It is given by daily
injections for two years. I should be starting this next week. I
am at a very high risk for fractures.

I will be working extra hours at the Bronze Lady due to Carol's
travel schedule. This week is Market in Atlanta. I've been busy
setting up new displays to keep everything fresh. I love that part
of my job.
Some recent pics:

Living my Nightmare

Patrick is STILL here- only now he has NO job and NO money.
He is in my house 24/7. No one can escape him.
And Allan puts up with it.
And I am WAY OVER IT!

Today Is Your Birthday!

Caroline is 28 today!
Happy Birthday!
We love you!

Nebraska

We had a fantastic time in Nebraska and South Dakota.
The folks are friendly and the scenery is beautiful!
We flew into Rapid City and rented a car
and drove to Mt. Rushmore and then on to
Gordon.
Lots to see and loved ones to visit with. Gordon is small
(pop. 1750 or so) and out in the middle of nowhere.
Everyone is so nice and friendly.
Melanie and Adam have lots of space -- so book a room
and go see them. You'll have a blast.
Adam was ordained on Sunday in his new church.
Mom, Dad, and I also attended Mass at St. Leo's
Catholic Church in Gordon.
We all had dinner on Saturday at a local restaurant -- best Mexican food ever!
I especially loved Rapid City! Beautiful!
We saw snowy mountain peaks when we approached Denver.
All to soon the trip was over and we were back in Tampa!
Can't wait to go back!

We're leaving Tampa and heading out west!

Meet Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln.
A national park ranger is standing on Mr. Jefferson's head.

Pop-pop's two best new friends -- Angel and Abby.

Big boy Elijah.

Melanie and Adam's home -- the parsonage.

Soon to be ordained pastor and family in church entrance.

Blessing the new pastor.

Local and district church officals.

The Sorensons.

Big family group shot. Moms, dad, granddads, grandmoms, aunt, brothers, wife, and kids!

Newly ordained and installed Pastor Adam Sorenson.

Their pretty little church -- Grace Lutheran, Gordon, NE

Best place to stay in Gordon, NE. $36 a night!

Skyline Drive view of Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City landmark -- Mountaintop Dinosaur.

Our Rapid City host and hostess -- Don and Margie Wickler.

View of snow capped mountain peaks from Denver airport.
Next stop, Tampa!