A little bit of Tuscany

The painters finally showed up last week to paint our house. I got to choose the color. Allan and I looked at paint chips on a recent trip to Lowe's. I knew just what I wanted. Isn't it great! A pretty yellow/gold with umber tones. Looks like Tuscany to me!

Memory Lane

 We're working on a pictorial family history to present later this summer at our family reunion. I am going through and picking out the family slides while Mary Jo is digitizing them and Allan is loading all into his computer. We are putting them in order and will begin to edit them and add text and sound.

The thing that stands out is how close a family we were. And how fortunate we were to have each other. We felt loved and protected. We shared adventures and outings that continue to this day. We were taught that family time is special and important.

 We were an Air Force family and traveled the world. We enjoyed meals and swimming at the Officer's Club at various bases. We went to Armed Forces Day celebrations and worshiped at the base chapel. We shopped at the base exchange and commissary and sometimes went to base schools. All but one of us was born in a military hospital.

 We lived all over the United States and two overseas tours to England and the Panama Canal. We loved to move. The most exciting assignment was to Florida. Who knew all those years ago that most of us would end up still there!

The bag started it all!

My three daughters got together recently (okay, so over the phone ) to decide on a special Mother's Day gift for me.  Melanie was attracted by a store's display window, but I think there's more to this story!

Anyway, I received the beautiful Brighton handbag shown above.

I LOVE IT! Everyone I show it to LOVES it!

So, of course, I needed some new shoes to go with it. Not just any shoes would do. Since the new bag is going on the cruise, too, these shoes would have to match, and also match any new clothes I buy for this trip. I will need a new travel dress. Oh, and a new swimsuit, capris, tops, hat, etc.

Seems this new bag started something!
Oh, the shoes are Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops Brenna in cork.

Hmmmm, seems to me I remember a cute little summer shift at SteinMart. See you later!

Look what came in the mail!

Sometimes it pays to read the ads that come in the mail. Our local Nissan dealer was having a special factory event and sent me an invitation and a gift card. Two hours later we were driving this baby home. Even has a sun roof and navigation. I couldn't be happier! A new car!!!!

My Style

Make up, hair styles, fashions - I think it comes with age and experience. Since I've found what works best for me (finally) it is a lot less time consuming and money wasting. Some things I've learned (in no particular order):

1. Find a good hair stylist and get your hair cut often. I wasted a lot of time on this - when the right person was right under my nose! She's cut my mother's and sister's hair for years! She knows my hair and uses great products and I don't even have to tell her what to do. I look forward to my appointments and feel great afterwards!

2.Keep your makeup simple and minimal. I found a great concealer, foundation, blush, eye shadow, and mascara at Target. I use Chap Stick and Burt's Bees lip shimmer in Fig. I use CoverGirl face powder on my nose, forehead, and chin. I don't use foundation on my forehead or chin. I take my old makeup that I like with me when I buy new makeup - sometimes they change the formula or color. I have never used soap on my face. I like most Olay cleaning products and moisturizers. I always wash my face at night before bed. Always!

3. Since I work at the beach now, my fashions are mostly casual. I always have a nice pair of jeans in denim and white. Capris in white, black, navy, khaki solid and a great print or two. Dress pants in black and white. I love to shop for tops and sweaters. I almost always shop for clothes to wear to work, and when they start looking old or worn, I recycle them to wear around the house. Dresses I buy when I need something for a special occasion. This year I did buy a new dress for Easter. I buy most of my clothes at SteinMart, Macy's, and Dillards. I always use coupons and wait for sales. I am a size 8 and look for styles that are fitted and tailored. I love aqua, coral, and lime green colors for summer.

4. Shoes and handbags are a new obsession for me. Currently LOVE Lindsay Phillips switchflops and ballet flats. Also have new aqua and coral wedge sandals that I got for my birthday. Love Vera Bradley bags and accessories. Recently planned a wardrobe for a business trip around a new pattern called Limes Up. Four days worth of business casual around one handbag!

5. Jewelry. My new favorites are Brighton, Bonn Bons, Silpada, and stuff my kids send me! I am not a fan of Pandora - just don't get it! Allan gave me a beautiful Bonn Bon bracelet for Christmas. My everyday bracelet is my Brighton charm. I do love bracelets, especially with beads and charms! I wear mostly silver.

Getting ready for work in the morning is a pleasure instead of a chore. I learned what works best for me and I make time to shop wisely and plan ahead. I don't always buy, but I do look in stores
and slowly add things every season. I donate things I no longer wear to local Catholic charities. I always look forward to my next shopping trip!

Cruise Update.

This month I am busy getting all of our travel documents in order. Allan's passport is ready, but mine needs to be updated. Hopefully a quick trip to the courthouse will fix that!

The BIG NEWS is we are only $200 dollars from having this dream trip paid for! And we still have almost a year to go. We received a very generous gift from some dear friends last week and we are waiting for a nice tax refund. Allan and I have each been putting in a hundred dollars from our pay checks each month. We will continue this so we will have money saved for the extras!

Today I received special birthday wishes from Princess Cruises. Next year, we will be on one of their ships headed for the Panama canal!

WE CAN'T WAIT!!!

New Bikes

We purchased my new bike last week. Today we were able to get Allan's new bike.

We had the tires inflated at Bob Lee's Tire's on 4th Street. Allan put his new bell on the handlebars and adjusted the seat.

We ate a light lunch. We were ready to hit the road! It was a beautiful, sunny, breezy day so we decided to bike along Brightwaters Boulevard.

Seven or eight minutes into our trek and my back tire exploded!

Allan biked home and got the Jeep to rescue me and my bike. Back to Target to see what is next with my poor new bike.

Target kept the bike and will either repair or exchange it. Should be back on the sidewalk tomorrow!

*Update

Target fixed the back wheel and all is good. Rode the bike to Publix for a few things and the trip went well! Going to get fitted for helmets, next.