Saturday Night Out

After a very early start to the day, Rory was up at 2:30 am but I got her to settle until 4:00 am when she was up for the day, we had a quiet day.  Saturday night was not so quiet but it was fun.  We decided to go to dinner and our friends joined us.  We tried a new restaurant, to us, and went to Margaritas on Fleming Island.  It was good and the best part, for us, is that it was not crowded.  After dinner we decide to treat the kids to ice cream and we headed for Dairy Queen.  We had a great time together and the kids especially enjoyed it.

Mary Poppins Returns

Yestwrday I took Rory to her first movie in a movie theater and saw Mary Poppins Returns.  It was good and so was she.  She was so excited.  The great thing about this being her first movie is when I was her age my grandmother took me to my first movie and it was Mary Poppins.  I remember it vividly and hope Roey will too!  After the movie we walked around the mall, rode some kiddie rides, had lunch , then ice cream and rode a few more rides.  It was a great day with Rory!

Happy Birthday To The Best Sister Ever!

Today is my sister Pam’s Birthday and who knew the day she was born would be the day I would have a best friend for the rest of my life.  My sister and I are extremely close and have a great relationship.  We talk to each other at least once a day and share everything with each other. I know how fortunate I am to have a sister like her and love her more than she will ever know!  I thank God for her everyday!  Happy Birthday Pam!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

St. Augustine Nght of Lights

St. Augustine, the oldest city, knows how to put up some lights!  This year is really pretty and even though I have seen this a few times it is still pretty and amazing every year I do get to see it.  We did not do the train or trolley instead we opted to just walk around and enjoy the lights that way.  It was the perfect night with the temperatures around 62 degrees.  Cool enough for a light jacket but not cold so we were just comfortable.  Rory enjoyed it especially running around under the lights.  Thanks Jenny, Nate & Rory for a great evening!

A Good Christmas

I had a good Christmas with my girls!  The morning started early with Rory waking up at 6:00 am and her Mom too!  Jenny was always an early riser on Christmas morning!  Rory was so excited but did wait for mom and dad to get up (about 5 minutes later).  She saw her hoolahoop first and went directly for that.  Next her dollhouse from Aunt Pam.  We did stockings and fixed breakfast as we waited for Aunt Carrie & Uncle Daniel to come.  Once they arrived and opened their stocking the gift opening began.  Rory was very happy as she received almost everything she asked for.  We all had a great gift exchange and a lot of fun.  My favorite thing about Christmas and is watching something I gave or made get opened up.  I started something new with my girls.  A scavenger hunt for a present. I guess it is a new tradition because they want to do that every year now!  Thank you all for a great Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Just want to take a quick moment and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  I hope Santa is good to you.  Enjoy this time with family and friends and take a moment and be thankful for what you have.  Merry Christmas!🎄

Last Morning With Fred

Merry Christmas Eve!  This is going to be a busy day for all. I will head to work for a few hours then return to Church later tonight for three services.  Jenny, Nate & Rory will be headed to Nate’s Dad’s house for their family Christmas and Rory has to stay extra good today so Santa will come tonight!  This morning was Rory’s last morning to find Fred.  Tonight he will return to the North Pole until next year.  It has been fun playing with Fred and all of his fun things he did.  I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve!

Christmas #1

Last night we celebrated Christmas #1 with some extended family.  We celebrated with Melissa and her family.  Melissa is Jenny’s best friend since high school and Kinsley is just a few months older than Rory.  Rory had a great time last night playing with Sissy & Bubba and we had a nice Christmas too.  The kids loved their toys and played with them the rest of the night.  We did have one dilemma yesterday.  While we were out having breakfast with friends the dogs decided to get into a box of gifts.  I don’t think anything was hurt except the gift wrap. I re-wrapped them all!

A Fun Tennis Party

No Elf news today!  Rory is at a sleepover but I will share a really fun Christmas tennis party Jenny hosted.  Her team was pretty successful this year and a Jenny was named Player Of The Year.  A huge honor for her tennis team and her and I am very proud of her for it.  Way to go Jen.  In the Christmas spirit Jenny webpbt all out with the tennis party with a Christmas punch to great games and a fun gift exchange.  She made up a ball with plastic wrap and candy and prizes and when they played that game it really started off the party.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and it was a good party!

Fred Got Stuck

Fred decided to cool himself off a bit but got stuck in the ice dispenser on the refrigerator door.  I guess he did not realize that the chute was smaller than him; silly elf!  Rory was so surprised to see Fred in the ice dispenser and went running to get mommy and daddy to see it.  Rory was warned that she better start to listen better otherwise Fred won’t be visiting again.  Let’s hope she realizes it. Four days left until Christmas!

Fred Is Fishing

Fred decided he wanted to go fishing over night and borrowed Rory’s new fishing game to do so.  Rory woke up super early this morning and because Fred was fishing in the bathroom sink Rory found him early.  She thought it was so funny to see Fred fishing.

Elves LOVE Syrup!

So Rory learned this morning that elves love syrup because this morning she found Fred drinking syrup from the bottle with a straw.  Fred also brought sprinkles so we can make and decorate Christmas cookies.  I guess we will busy sometime making cookies soon!  Rory did not really like Fred drinking the syrup so she took it away but she did need it for her pancakes.

Snow Elf?

Fred pulled off a good one this morning.  When Rory walked out to the kitchen she noticed one of the patio doors was covered in snow. It is a bit cool for Florida (42 degrees outside) but not cool enough for snow.  Well Fred’s snow is still one the door and he wrote in it.  A week from today Is Christmas!

Fred Went Climbing

After hanging all day on Sunday Fred decided to climb the light over the dining room table.  In the note that was left he wanted to play a little game with Rory.  It took her about 5 minutes to find Fred. She is loving this Elf on the Shelf and quite frankly so are we!

Fred Was Hanging

Rory was very excited this morning when she finally found Fred.  He was hanging from a decoration and with him was a candy cane.  Fred decided to play a little game and hid 11 candy canes throughout the living room and dining room.  He only hid 11 because he wanted to have one to show Rory what kind of candy canes were hidden.  Rory doesn't like the traditional ones so he brought her cherry candy canes.  Rory had so much fun finding the candy canes.  Fred is still hanging and Rory has already enjoyed one of her candy canes.

Fred Is A Decorator!

Rory woke up this morning to a Christmas decorated bathroom.  When she went to sleep last night it was her regular peach colored bathroom but when she woke up and started looking for Fred she eventually checked out her bathroom and once again her face was priceless.  She was in awe!  She loved it and noticed everything that had been done to the bathroom.  Way to go Fred!

Fred Brought A Gift!

This morning, Rory was surprised by Fred because he brought her a gift.  It was a snow globe with a snowman family in it and it plays “Jingle Bells”.  Rory loved it and her face was priceless when she saw Fred with the snow globe.  It truly brings a warm feeling into Christmas watching the completely surprising look and wonder of Christmas only kids can do.  It is pure innocence; beautiful!

The Dustbusting Elf

so Fred decided since he created a bit of a mess with his “North pole snow” he decided to help clean it up using the Dustbuster.  Rory was so disappoibted at first because she couldn’t find fFred then she finally looked down on the floor.  She was so excited to see Fred with the Dustbuster and thought it was the funniest thing yet.  Fred, the dustbusting elf!

The Elf Went Tubing!

Rory woke up to Fred snow tubing in the North Pole and ended up still on his tube and sitting on “snow”.  It was so cute because at first she could not find him because he was on the floor this time.  She was very careful not to touch the elf but she just had to touch the “snow”.  Fred leaves a letter everyday and she loves getting them.  I can’t wait to see what Fred will do tomorrow.

The Elf Is Fred!

Rory has named her elf Fred.  I think she got the name from a YouTube show she watches called Daily Bumps.  She was so excited about being good and getting Fred.  This morning she was a little reluctant to look for Fred but once I turned all the lights on she started looking for him.  He was talking to Santa and eating some of my popcorn.  Too cute!

Elf On The Shelf

I never fully understood the attraction to Elf on the shelf until recently and my little granddaughter wanted one so badly but her parents did not.  I followed their wishes but I sure wish we started this earlier.  Rory has not been a good girl for a few days and even when she was at school she was misbehaving.  We told her that the elf would not come to a house where a little girl was not being good.  She made an additude adjustment over the week end and she has been great and earned her elf.  He came over night and this morning she was greeted with a trail of snow leading to where the elf was resting.  So, our elf story begins.  Stay tuned for more elf on the shelf...the Rory edition!

Santa Visit

Rory went and saw Santa yesterday and for the first time in three years she hasn’t screamed bloody murder.  She has not enjoyed her Santa visits for quite some time but this year, partially due to peer pressure she sat on Santa’s lap and smiled.  She was so adorable and she got to tell Santa what she would like for Christmas.  Go Rory and Santa!

Grilled Cheese Toaster

My sister Pam gave me a Grilled Cheese toaster for my birthday and I tried it out for the first time and it was good.  The bread got a little too toasted on the edges but the cheese melted well and the sandwich was good while ignoring the burnt area.  It was very easy and mess free.  All I did was butted the outside of the bread put some cheese in the middle and popped it into the toaster.  I see a lot of grilled cheeses in my future.  Thanks Pam, I love it!

Present Presentation

I had such a nice present and family and friends were very generous to me.  Thank you to everyone. I got some great things, check out the picture to the right —->
I got some things I am dying to try like the grilled cheese toaster and the mini fridge.  My silicone pastry mat and everything else.  Love it all!  Today I will be trying to finish up my Christmas shopping.  I only have a few gifts left to get and really want to finish up!  Wish me luck!  It is kind of a tradition to go Christmas shopping after my birthday mostly because I would You my birthday money to buy Christmas presents.  Thanks again to all!

My Birthday Was Good!

I had a really nice birthday yesterday with lots of birthday greetings from family and friends both near and far.  It was really great and made my day even more special.  Thank you all!  I got some really great gifts that I will share in tomorrow’s blog.  Thanks all!

It’s My Birthday!

Today is my Birthday and it has been declared a Federal holiday.  I am thinking, wow, all for me?  I know it is in honor of President George HW Bush who has served his country well and will be missed for several reasons.  The world is missing a lot with his death but heaven has a new recruit who will serve our Lord well. Happy Birthday to me and thank you all for my Birthday greetings!

My First Official Bell Concert

I performed for the second time ever playing the bells yesterday and all I can say is the concert went well but I still have a long way to go.  My biggest issue last night was not staying on count.  I mean how hard is it to count but obvious for me it is almost too hard.  I did not think I was nervous but as the evening went on I got more nervous.  I do thank my neighbor next to me who continued to help me getting back on track.  Thanks Donna!  Next week we have one more concert and a chance to redeem myself.  Count...1,2,3,4!

Just A Quick Post

I did not get a chance to post earlier today and just wanted to share how the VMD turned out.  The show this year was really hurt by the bad weather we had on both Saturday and Sunday and even though the venue and the vendors were dry the walk to the venue might be a little wet.  The good thing is a Jenny did pretty good and and was invited to their next show In Jacksonville in May!  Go VMD and weather, please cooperate!

VMD Day 2...Eh!

So being that it was a Saturday and looking back at the two previous years of VMD we expected to be busy but we were wrong.  It was a slow day and the sales were truly disappointing.  Raining all day May have hurt us but we were in a covered venue and never felt the rain.  Today’s weather is suppose to be better so let’s hope the people will come and buy.  We had a lot of lookers but not a lot of buyers.  The good thing is Jenny stayed busy customing her cuffs and bar necklaces but it never got crazy like we were hoping and kind of expecting.  So, if you live in the Jacksonville area come on by the Vintage Market Days At The Clay County Fairgrounds between 10:00 to 4:00 and say “Hi” and maybe pick up an item or two!

VMD 2018 Day One Is InThe Books

The first day of VMD (Vintage Market Days) is done and it had a good crowd.  I even got some Christmas shopping done!  Jenny, Nate and I werepretty busy most of the day and Jenny is happy so far on how it is going.  I am hoping today is busier but a little concerned with the weather.  We are under a structure let’s just hope it does not keep the crowds away!  VMD  day Two is beginning!