Military Honors

Pop Pop

I am so lucky to still have my parents alive! And just living a short distance away. They are the head of our family. I still need their love, advice, and company. I think my brother and sisters would agree.

Since late last year, my dad's health has been declining. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and then the doctors found kidney cancer. The surgery did not get all the cancer. So now he is dealing with chemo.

He spends a lot of time at the hospital and at doctors' offices. He takes a lot of medicine. He never complains. But the last time I talked to him he said he wanted to get better. He still wants to fight. He is still in the game.

BOBS

These are my second pair of navy Bobs. I so loved my first pair that I wore a whole through them and had to throw them out. I was out yesterday and wandered into Shoe Carnival during a back to school sale. These retailed for $49.99 and got them for $24.98 - half price! Needed comfy shoes for the Chicago Market trip in September. Think these will do well!

This pamphlet and little tag came in the shoe box. Seems BOBSfromSkechers has partnered with Best Friends Animal Society to help save the lives of dogs and cats in shelters across the USA. When you purchase Bobs, Skechers will make a donation to support Best Friends. Neat, huh?

Sigma's in Tarpon Springs

We were fourteen strong on Saturday, June 25, when we gathered at Bill and Carol's river house in Tarpon Springs. First up - a group picture!

We lounged the day away in the shade on the dock. A wonderful breeze kept us all cool. Girl talk, cold drinks, and munchies all around!

View of the back side of the river house. Carol's parents built it in the 40's after settling there after the war. She and Bill use it as a Florida get-a-way with family and friends.

We took off for a late cruise to see the sponge docks and watch a beautiful sunset. Also saw some playful dolphins!

First mate Cody in charge of docking! He loves the boat and wears a little floatation device.

Earlier in the week a small group headed to Anclote Key. Wonderful shelling!

Beautiful Florida sunset from the bow of the ship!

We are Sigma Kappa's from Florida State. Sisters we will always be!

Charleston

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. Connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Isle of Palms beach house. Home for the next five days. There will be fourteen of us staying together. And parking for all eight cars!

 

Our tiny porch - usually had at least five sitting and enjoying the sea breeze.

Our large living room had seating for just about everyone. Where we hung out when not out shopping, touring, or eating!

Neighborhood attraction. Pink house with lots of pink flamingos. People would stop and pose and have their picture taken!

Lobster night! Three lobster tails for under $20! Two sides included! Best value of the whole trip!

Made it to The City Market! Bought gifts for the family and myself! Great baskets, jewelry, food, crafts, and candy!

Hand made low country baskets - called sweetgrass baskets. Pricey but beautiful!

Beautiful Charleston homes on every street. Most with porches to catch the cooling breezes.

Lots of ways to get around. Gwen, Suzie, and I choose an air-conditioned bus but others did the horse drawn wagons!

Lots of parks and beautiful fountains. This one near The Battery.

Loved all the pastel colored row houses. Bought a print of Rainbow Row and also a house painting on an old slate roof tile!

Stones brought over on ships were used in the construction of early roads.

On Friday we toured Magnolia Plantation. It is known for it's beautiful and varied gardens.

Something blooms all year long! Lots of spring bulbs were coming out!

The current plantation house. The first two were destroyed.

Official reunion photo of our whole group! Til next year, ladies!

Spring Road Trip 2016

Gwen and I started out around noon on Sunday, April 17. Our first stop would be Jacksonville. I would be staying with Kristin and Brian, and Gwen with Janis and Scott.

We got back together the next day for lunch and shopping. First stop was The University of North Florida. Gwen was looking for gifts for her daughter, an alum. She found just what she was looking for at the bookstore.

Lunch was at a cute local place, Moxie's. Fresh salads, sandwiches, fish, pasta. Gwen, Janis, Gail, and I enjoyed catching up. Fun, food, and laughter!

Dinner that night was Kristin's grilled chicken!

Younger kids enjoying a COLD swim in the pool.

Enjoyed the before-school time to talk to the younger kids - and ride to school with them in the red mini van!

's

After the school run on Tuesday morning, Gwen and I headed out to Savannah. First stop was Byrd's Cookies. This Savannah company makes delicious little cookies in lots of yummy flavors and packs them in cute tins and packages. And they serve lunch! Bought a nice variety for Allan to enjoy!

After checking into our hotel, we ventured down to the historic district to take a tour. Found this cute open air trolley with Rick as our local tour guide.

Rode past many historic buildings, squares, and homes -- such as The Mercer House from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

We stopped once -- to get out and tour this beautiful cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This was my favorite site on the tour. The cathedral had just undergone a $34 million restoration.

The beautiful rose window and gleaming pipe organ.

One of many stained glass side windows.

The altar and tabernacle -- and beautiful oriental carpets.

The large baptismal and holy water font.

Back at the hotel, we had time to relax with a glass of wine at poolside before venturing back downtown for dinner!

Of course, we would choose The Olde Pink House for dinner that night! With its eleven different dining rooms and dripping with Savannah charm, how could we not? And yes, I had the flounder!

No visit to Savannah is complete without a stop to Leopold's Ice Cream Shop! We found a short line that night and enjoyed our ice cream in glass dishes inside the air-conditioned shop. Butter pecan for me! Chocolate chocolate chip for Gwen!

Our last stop before Charleston was Beaufort, South Carolina. And the first stop there is always St. Helena's cemetery to visit Bruce's grave. This year another family member died. Bruce's older brother, Richard, died this past March and had been buried in the family plot.

We spent a few hours on Bay Street in Beaufort having lunch and peeking into the shops. But we knew we had to get back on the road -- sisters were waiting for us in Charleston!