Dinner in Cocoa Beach, Florida

The Husband and I have been enjoying ourselves, trying all the different eateries in our new home town. Last night we stopped in The Pig and Whistle for a bite and a pint. Having never been to a real English Pub I cant tell you if is authentic or not. I can tell you that it was comfortable, with a few TV's playing assorted sports, and almost every table full of very happy guests. The waitstaff was friendly, courteous, and anticipated the very questions we had. The Husband had the Chicken Pot Pie; chunky chicken, sweet corn, chicken gravy, with a flakey pastry topping, and a side of mashed potatoes. I chose the beef tips with mushrooms and gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Both meals were fantastic, however, I liked mine the best. We definitely will return (I hear they have one of the best burgers in town). 

I am Baaaaack....

Yes, once again, after a years hiatus, I am back to try this again. I know, I know, you have all missed me and have moved on and learned how to live without my crazy ramblings. However, I am jumping in to try again. First, we moved out of an apartment in Oviedo, Florida and bought a home in Cocoa Beach, Florida. I love my new home and home town. We are having a great time settling in and exploring. Between the great eateries and festivals our weekends are flying by, not to mention home improvements. Now, we get to add the wedding of our oldest son into the mix. Woo hoo.......life is good.

January 3rd, 2012 One Photo a Day

This is a beautiful shell bouquet I found, many years ago, at a thrift store. I am currently working on making shell art. Sailors Valentines, mosaics, and 3D objects are also on my list of things to do. Dave and I have been taking classes, in mosaic arts, together. It is a fun art form incorporating glass, tile, shells, and found objects. Our teacher is a very talented woman and her studio is filled with some amazing artists. We really enjoy our time there.

One Photo a Day January 2, 2012

These are my beautiful fur babies Loki and Kapua. 4 year old  Australian Shepard brothers. They are the sweetest dogs, to my husband and I. However, they have an issue with fear. They fear everything, including butterflies. They were brought up around our two human sons and it takes time for the dogs to remember them. In fact, Loki can forget who you are if he turns around too fast.  But they are my goofy dogs and I couldn't imagine our lives without them.

One Photo a Day 2012

 I have challenged myself to take a photo a day for the 366 days of 2012.
 If you would like to join me, you can get more info on how to do it, follow the link.
http://shuttersisters.com/home/2009/1/12/tips-for-shooting-one-photo-a-day-for-365-days.html

Here is photo number one.....Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney, Florida.
Dave and I had a wonderful day of people watching and fantastic food. This is not where we ate, this is the view from Bongo's Cuban Restaurant. The combo platter, filled with mouth watering Cuban food, was perfect for the two of us. After lunch, we sat for a few hours of people watching and ice cream. The international visitors were such a treat to watch. Happy babies, tiny children, young adults, and much older one's, from all over the world. We had a great spot, right in the middle of the action. So much so, that our bench became the Grandpa parking spot. Seemed every few minutes some family would park their Grandpa on the bench, to wait for them to finish shopping. We met a few wonderful folks that way. Too soon it was time to head home. We will go back soon.

Happy New Year!!!

It's been awhile since I was last here. Life has been very busy. There have been births, deaths, our oldest has joined the Navy, and our youngest turns 17, the 26th of this month. WOW, time does fly. Dave and I are doing great, he is enjoying his job, and we have both started working in mosaics. I have also decided to partake in a photography chalange, one photo a day. This will help to remind me to get the camera out along with myself. It will also help to get me online, if only to post and comment.

It's been a while!

Well hello,
   it's been quite sometime since been here. A lot of things that happened in last couple of months. One of those things is I'm turning 50. To be exact I'm turning 50 on Saturday. So I've been celebrating this entire month.
   One thing I did to celebrate was buy a Dragon. Okay, so I didn't run out and buy big giant firebreathing dragon with wings, that would've been really cool. What I did was get the Dragon speech recognition program and so far so good. See, I can't type, never learned, that made blogging a bit difficult. Which is one of the reasons why been gone so long. The other reason of course is that nobody reads this thing.
   I guess I write for me. I don't really write for anyone else. If someone happens to see it, read it, comment, that's wonderful. If not, that's okay. So here I am wandering around, dictating nonsense on my blog.
   I made a deal with myself for my 50th birthday and that is I'm going to try and commit to writing my blog at least once a day. Hopefully you'll find it interesting worth commenting on and if not I'm, okay with that my dogs still love me.

Love

I know I am blessed to feel this way about my husband.

Happiness

Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad.  ~Norm Papernick

Magical Nights

    Laying in the dark, with the moisture in the air, listening to the soft sound of the fan and watching the car lights making slatted shadows that danced across the walls. It didn't take much imagination to put me back in my childhood home, at Grandma's house. I was safe, secure and in heaven.
   It didn't take much to rip me from my magical moment. Just the hard movements, and loud snores, from the man in the bed with me. He reached out for me in his sleep, pulling me into his arms, and held me close. I am safe, secure and in heaven. What a magical night.

After a while you learn.....

After a while you learn…



“After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul, and you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security, and you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises, and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child, and you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure… that you really are strong, and you really do have worth.” ~Veronica A. Shoffstall

Poppy

Today, Dave decided we needed nick names. So he named me "Poppy" after the California Poppy. California's State flower and my Grandpa's favorite. He says I am a California Girl and always fun and sunny, as the poppy is. Dave then said from now on I should call him......"DANGER". OK, after I stopped laughing, I said he ...should put off nick names for awhile. I love my husband so.......

Talent ?

All my life I have felt I had a talent, other than talking.
 I have spent years making many artistic attempts.
It started very early. My grandma taught me to draw, crochet, embroider, and sew. I would make doll dresses, stuffed animals and I drew many a costume.
She also jump started my love of theater and acting. We would spend hours perfecting hair, make up and costumes. I continued with theater all through high school and for many years after that.
I have since tried hot glass, painting, photography, and stained glass.
I am OK at most of what I have tried. However, my painting, drawing and crocheting end up looking like a three year old has done it. I believe it was described as "Primitive".
I love working with my hands. I love working with colors. So it looks like I am ready to try another project. I'll be working with fabric and lace. We will see what happens. It may not turn out well but I am sure it will be fun.

After years of being raised by a policeman, working as a grief counselor, as an EMT, and years with the police and fire departments, I have developed a dark sense of humor.

My guess is these folks (and their family) will be laughing too, some day.

http://failblog.org/2010/08/01/epic-fail-photo-safe-snacking-fail/

Ageless Style

Hundred and one-year-old Sally Gordon listens to speakers as she is given America's Outstanding Oldest Worker award for 2010, at a ceremony in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010. Gordon has been in the work force 84 years. For the last 26 years, she has been an assistant sergeant-at-arms, or "red coat" for the state, serving the Nebraska Legislature while it is in session.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)


Another one of my "Heros". I adore older, strong, passionate, classy women. They help set me back on track when ever I start feeling old.






http://jezebel.com/5610016/woman-is-the-oldest-worker-does-it-in-style

The Rainbow Bridge

In honor of all pets passed.


Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.




When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.



All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.



They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.



You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.



Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....



Author Unknown

Redistribution of Wealth Program

It seems I will not be headed out to California this September as planned. Last week The Husband and I entered into a small "redistribution of wealth" program. We were approached by two young men, who made eloquent pleas, asking for help. One, our 19 year old college student in need of assistance after unexpected doctors bills and school expenses . The other, our 15 year old, whose mother was in between jobs. His request was for items to start his Freshman year in High School. So it appears that all budgeted disposable income will be sent to our kids in Phoenix, for the next few months. Hopefully I'll make it to California after the first of the new year. That's only 5 months.

Killer Clown

I know, I will probubly go to hell for laughing at this.
I dare you not to laugh.

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/07/22/killed-by-being-swun.html

Decision rejects Prop 8: Ruling Gay lesbian or same-sex marriages are recognized in California

I can not tell you how happy I am to hear this news from my home state California. Every adult should have the right to marry, the adult they choose, regardless of sexual orientation.
Thank you people of California, and the Judge who over turned the ban, for all your hard work and good sense.

Decision rejects Prop 8: Ruling Gay lesbian or same-sex marriages are recognized in California

Rape Analogy: The “Walking in a Bad Neighborhood” Theory

Rape Analogy: The “Walking in a Bad Neighborhood” Theory