Days 3 thru 6...

Okay, I tried...the thought was there but the time didn't seem to be!



Let's see: Day 3 ... Still not catching up on sleep but sleeping sort of normally..does that make any sense? Relaxed this morning and then headed off to Tarpon Springs (look em up) ...a greek community where they are well known for sponge diving. Met up with my cousin's son who I haven't seen in 2 1/2 years and he introduced us to his neighbor that owns a sponge boat that does tours. His neighbor generously offered us the tour for free and off we went. So much we don't know about so much. The history was very interesting, the diver went down and brought up a sponge and I, of course, took a million pictures..haha. The tour was about 40 minutes long but flew by. If you're ever in Tarpon Springs make sure to take the tour on the Nickolas (?) III. On the way home we got caught in the "tornado warning" area. Hmmm, now that was just a bit scary. The rain pelted the car, the wind rocked the car and things were flying everywhere. A few blocks later we were just back to regular rain and an outstanding lightening show!



Day 4... Family day! My aunt, uncle, cuzzin, her hubby and her boyz all live about 30 - 40 minutes from my gf...how lucky am I!! :-) Off I go about 10am to have a day of visiting. It's great to spend time with everyone ..getting to know my 3rd (?) cousins who range in age from 10 to 2 .. they are sweet girls. I stay until about 5:30pm and then head back for a birthday dinner with my gf. A full and fabulous day!

Day 5.. For those of you that have heard me speak about my godmother, lucky me ..she is wintering about 1 1/2 hrs from here and this day finds me heading to Haines City, FL. It is WONDERFUL to see her and the family (her *kids*) all together for the 1st time in 30 years. We all gather for dinner and I enjoy listening to the family banter..laughing...and all the stories. Of course I take pictures and at some point in time, I may share them with you...laughing. I don't sleep well that night...feels like a scratchy throat coming on but can't be, I've already been sick! Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I get up the next morning having not slept much and with a wonderfully froggy voice. By the time we make it back to my gf's in the afternoon, I sound terrible and we have a dinner to attend at my cousins. Her hubby, who was a chef for 30 years, cooked dinner... swordfish, fresh stir fried veggies and a special rice he makes...yummm!!!!

Day 6 & 7 ... I am knocked out by my cold and we are mostly home. I don't think I've napped this much in years. Also the first time I can remember getting sick on vacation...grrrr... this may NOT happen again. Catch you with you tomorrow...

hugz

Day 2 ...

So much for sunny Florida...laughing...oh well, I'm here to visit, not because of the weather!

I stayed up as late as I could and took 1/2 of a Tylenol PM to help me get onto a "normal" schedule as quickly as possible. Both helped and after a relatively good night's sleep, I was awake at 7:30AM!! Geez, one would think I was going to work. It actually took me a while to get fully awake and then I was ready to gooooooooooo!

I remember talking to my gf and her hubby last night but I don't remember exactly what we talked about..laughing..I was so tired! Today was a different story! My gf and I met when we were 15 (a couple of years ago *wink*), and have "seen" each other twice since then..this trip being one of the times. It is such a blessing to have such a strong connection with her.. it feels like we see each other all the time. She's delightful to be with..is a smart and funny lady, and loves me for me..hmmm? lol Her hubby is great...loves to banter and attempts to keep me on my toes all the time! Thank you, George for bringing to Florida!

Today's adventures included a local flea market where I found a number of treasure's (new tops, of course..lol) a camera case..and, and, and! ;-) After spending the better part of 3 hours there we went to a local bar and had a GREAT hamburger and some of the best onion rings I've ever had! Okay, now that we had some sustenance and a little time to rest we moved on to a craft store (now what would i find there...lol), Best Buy for a new memory card for my new Lumix TZ3, and then off to the grocery store for "stuff". (which included stuff for Bruce's wonderful chicken/feta recipe)

So, until I figure out how to add photo's from their computer ...all you get are my words and wishes for a safe and sane weekend...

love from the Sunshine (NOT..haha) state!!

Day 1 ....

An early morning...phone rings at 5:30AM to wake me..I head off to the shower..put myself together and head down to the front desk of the hotel to check out and catch the shuttle. On my way to the elevator I am presented with my first gift of the day, a lovely sunrise, something I rarely experience!

I arrive at the airport feeling the excitment and the little bit of nervousness that always meets me at the airport. These feelings are rapidly replaced with sheer terror as I discover I have left my ticket at HOME!!!!!! HELPPPP!! The United agents I speak with calm my fears and quickly have me on my way to the security area which I fly through. Sigh, now I'm back to the original feelings, I smile, looking forward to the day and what it will bring.

Great flight,,wonderful seatmate, a young man (25 yrs of age & in the Air Force) who is leaving his wife and 2 1/2 yr old son to serve in the Middle East for the next 7 months. He's smart, funny and kept me company from Los Angeles to Denver, Please keep Maurice and all the men and women serving in all the branches of the armed force, in your thoughts and prayers.

Denver, I'm nervous again .. but only for a moment. I smile as I spot my friend, handsome as always and wearing that fabulous smile that makes everything right, We talk, talk and oh yeah, talk some more...silence is not part of this visit. I enjoy watching his face as he takes in every page of the calendar I made for him,,,just the reaction I was hoping for.
The food was mmmmmmmmmmmmm *grin* GREAT...the company the highlight of my short stay ...too short but each moment a gift, Parting came too soon!

The next part of my trip was uneventful and I arrived in Tampa on time,,.thrilled to see my girlfriend...

more later...my body seeks sleep...