Home again, home again, rig-a-jig-jig

A photo of Lexy, my daughter Kate's dog. We're watching her while she and her husband go to Costa Rica...yes, ANOTHER VACATION! Some people have the life. Lexy had surgery to remove a cancerous nodule from her head. The vet thinks she got it all and we're hoping Lexy is going to be okay.

My backyard certainly is not the ocean. Before I lose the magic and awesome feeling of that vacation, we booked a house for next year and most of my sisters and adult children have committed to another two weeks next year.

The house is a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house, almost 3000 sq.ft. and on the same beach; about 20 houses south. I wish I could've stayed for an additional week. When I'm older, I plan on moving to Florida. Oh, how absolutely wonderful. I'd sit on the beach with my book and forget to read for watching and listening to the waves. Calming, relaxing, recharging. Good for talking with God and actually hearing His voice.

I do look like a Puffer Fish, (not a frog yet) what with the prednisone. I'm down to 10 mg. a day and next week I'll only take half that - if the cough doesn't come back. I have a bit of a cough on the 10 mg., I just want to get back to normal.

August 21, 2010

1:11 p.m.

West Des Moines, IA

Packing up....wahhhhhh

Our last sunrise was overcast - which makes it that much easier to say good-bye.

Scout LOVED the beach once he realized the towel was his and he didn't have to lay his face in the sand. He did end up swimming in the tide pools. He met a female dalmation and fell in love this vacation. Ah, puppy love.

My black eyes are almost gone - the prednisone is still bloating me and it is discouraging - but I keep telling myself "it's only temporary".

We went to San Sebastian Winery for the wine tour and tasting last night. How neat. Ended up buying six bottles of wine between us.


Getting ready to pack up the car. Next year....

S. Ponte Vedra, Fl

August 7, 2010 7:32 a.m.

The Party is Breaking Up....

This is the last sunrise the six sisters will spend together this year. We've decided we had so much fun, we're going to do it again next year, same time - same place!

And here is baby sister Stephanie all bummed out because the limo is picking her up at 9:30 and she can't even go down to the beach. "Just a couple more days! I'm not ready to go home."

Katie paddle boarding...early in the morning as the waves aren't too tremendous yet. (They did get pretty powerful as the day wore on.)

Jon out surfing...Emily got out really far on the paddle board this morning. Yesterday she got cut up trying to get it out past the breaking waves. (That was in the afternoon.) The kids all got up around 6:30 this a.m. to try it before the waves really started roaring.

Jon and Emily enjoying a drink (water, water everywhere but never a drop to drink) as they read their books.

Kate and Lauren trying to figure out if we're going to the wine tasting tonight since Emily and Jon went to a gator farm and into St. Augustine already.

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Thursday, August 5, 2010 5:14 p.m.

Boo-hoo! It's almost time to come home. No! No! Give me another week or two. This is truly Paradise.

Beautiful Weather, Beautiful People

The Gang's all Here

Jon and Emily arrived yesterday at JAX around noon and after liquor shopping arrived at Turtle's Nest at 2:30. What a beautiful time we're having.

Am just going to post some photos this morning - they tell it all.







Monday, August 2, 2010
6:02 a.m. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL