Moving on....again

It seems life has a way of fixing the things that cause us stress and strife. Philip moved in December to Milton Florida. He found it and the job there to be less than desirable. He hung in there for as long as possible and although he would have liked to find something in Jacksonville, he took a job in Tallahassee. It is a beautiful city and should be much better in way of quality of life. I think once the initial loading and unloading and getting settled is over he should enjoy exploring there.

I spent last Saturday there looking at apartments for him and trying to find a place that was comfortable and quiet, yet affordable. I visited several at his recommendation and finally came upon a wonderful complex just off I10. It is located in the Northeast part of the town and really seems like a very nice area to live. I am not familiar with where the TV station is located, but Philip says it is fairly close to where the apartment is so the commute should be quick.

I will travel to Tallahassee tomorrow with a VPK Directors networking delegation. We will go and meet with several of our legislators to discuss issues that effect our local facilities. I am not normaly in the business of this type of thing, but I am looking forward to it.

Time with the Kiddo's

The twins have grown so much! They are talking and mimicing every thing they hear. They are a joy to be around and we had so much fun!
Jason and Ethan are two peas in a pod. I feel like I am having a flashback to Jason's childhood everytime I am with Ethan. Ethan still loves school, but can't seem to get much in way of what goes on during the day for him.
Ashley looks like a doll in her new glasses. She always is busy keeping up with the babies, Ethan and the biggest kid of all Jason. She is finally able to get little pony tails in the girls hair and so they wear their hair up; it really is adorable!
Ethan is showing off the families hobby. This is a monsterous fish tank with a beautiful variety of fish. The children love to watch it and I must admit I find it fun as well.

Bellingrath Gardens, Mobile Alabama

Spring Break has been a long favorite of mine. It is not something most adults get to experience after college graduation unless of course you remain in the field of education. This is spring break in our school district but not in my grandson's over here in West Florida. So my time with him is limited, but not altogether off. I was able to spend Sunday with the kiddo's at the hands on science museum and then lunch at TGIFridays!

Philip and I decided to spend Saturday over at Bellingrath Gardens just southwest of Mobile Alabama. It was a relatively short drive from his home. We were more than a little surprised at how dismal a drive it was and began to wonder how anything of beauty would be found in this drab and dilapidated part of the country. Well to our surprise the gardens are quite lovely. We were able to walk through out the garden at our leisure. We did not take the home tour or the river cruise, but just walking throughout the gardens made for a very enjoyable day. We very much enjoyed this lovely group of young ladies, we called the Southern Belle's! They were dress in these beautiful pastel dresses and made themselves available for pictures, I just snaped a quick shot!

There were azalea's that towered over Philip's head and flowers of every color and variety. We even happened upon a snake crossing a walkway in the Japanese gardens. I don't think I will add this to my places to go to again, but all in all a very enjoyable day!

ziddio

Philip and I love The Three Stooges. I found this vidio that many thought was lost. It is humor lost on many today, but I just laughed. Click and enjoy!
Ziddio

Future Plans

Lately I have been focusing on future plans and trying to make some. To most I think it would not be a difficult task, but to me it is next to impossible. Philip and I seem to be facing one Challenge after another and it causes me stress. I know that it causes him stress as well, but we handle things very differently.

My life is filled with many things. I work at a job that I have had for nearly 10 years, live in a house I had built over 15 years ago. I have an extended family and friends I have known for 20+ years. I think you would say I am a stable if not rather boring individual. I find security in planning and executing those plans.

Philip boosts his ability to be free and clear in a few days notice. His profession is fluid and although he has done essentially the same job for many years, he has moved from company to company for various reasons. His list of cities lived in reads like an tour of southern cities and towns. He thrives on living for today, and not worrying about tomorrow.

I think that is why we are such a good match because we balance each other in many ways. It is when things begin to change that I lose composure and become a fearful stressed out mess. Philip gets a light in his eyes and looks to the change as a challenge and a possibility of something better. I think that one day, we will be able to make life a more serene and peaceful place for the other, but right now future plans are not as much a reality as just seeing what tomorrow holds and looking for the possibilities.

I think there is a lesson to be learned by both. I must learn that taking each day alone can release stress, allowing me to experience more in life. Philip must learn that stability allows roots to grow deep and those roots hold us steady in storms. Oh! The sunrise at the top of this blog is a reminder that every day is new and has its own set of possibilities! Also that on June 16th at sunrise, our lives will begin anew!

Turning 20!

Today was a special day for Grace because she turned 20! It was also a milestone for me because all my children have officially left their teen years behind. It is our families tradition to have a family dinner on your birthday. Tonight Grace chose to have Chicken marsala, mashed potatoes, green beans, ceaser salad and raspberry sherbet for dessert. It was a great night with grandparents, aunt and cousin, sister and of course me (MOM) and now her husband Chris and her daughter Vanessa. The family has grown so very much this last year. Soon we will have another addition, as my niece Laura will have a baby in May. The more the merrier!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET GRACE, LOVE MOM

Time

Time passes so quickly. The minutes turn into hours and the hours days, days into weeks and the weeks become a year. I sometimes feel as though I have closed my eyes as a child and woke up a middle aged woman with nothing to show for this life. Oh I know I have accomplished things, but nothing huge or memorable or life changing. I wake each morning with a sense of anticipation the hope of a new day just to realize this day will be much like the one before. Before I know it I shall be an old woman reminiscing about the good ole days and wondering where they have gone.

Today I found myself wondering if my Grandmother Baker had the same thoughts and feelings I do. She was our "cool" Grandma. She bought us bikini's and played jokes on our cousins and just made life fun. She had a purple Gremlin, and loved the beach, thrift stores, and adventures. She never said, "I don't think that's a good idea", she'd say,"That sounds like fun, want to give it a go?". I am myself a Grandma, although I am "Goody" to them. It does not have the aire of old, I hope it says I am the "cool" Grandma. That would be great!

Anyway, time can either be your friend or your worst enemy. It passes without our permission or acknowledgment. We find ourselves watching it slip away through opportunities missed and children grown. I am praying I will still accomplish much in this life. I have a few more good years in this old girl yet. Enjoy today for tomorrow is a thought of what is to come and yesterday is just a memory.