1st Birthday and More

 

We recently returned from Kennedy’s (granddaughter #2) first birthday party via a road trip to Michigan. It wasn't quite fall yet, but we still enjoyed a bit cooler weather.  In addition to the party, we went to an outdoor brewery for hard cider, cooked quite a bit, watched football and had a fun day at a new park.  Pretty much all the grandparent things possible.

The party was so fun and Melissa did a great job with decor and food.  There was controlled chaos with a lot of kids running around, but all was well.  Any reason to get family together makes a great day.  I was able to see my sister and meet a new grand niece too.  We are truly blessed with our 3 cutie grand girls.

On the way to stay with Megan for a night before heading back to Florida, we made a stop at Michigan State and walked around campus on a beautiful blue sky day.  No leaves turning yet, but there was a slight crispness to the air and the campus was special as usual.  We also had lunch at our favorite spot.

Now, just doing Florida things and celebrated my husband’s birthday on 9/11.  He made the best of having one’s birthday on a sad day and climbed 17 flights (110 stories) of stairs with the Sarasota firefighters to honor the 9/11 first responders.

Next up - a road trip to St. Augustine.  

Catching Up

 

My poor neglected blog needs a catch up!  I am finally at a place where I can catch up on all the things the past year has me behind on.  My one year surgery date was July 31st and that was a big milestone to celebrate.  My knee is in a good place - maybe 95% healed, but I can do pretty much everything and that is what matters.  Otherwise, I adapt my yoga poses, ice when needed and basically carry on.  I can also chase my granddaughters with ease; the number one goal in my rehab.

Speaking of granddaughters, I returned last week from a fun trip to Michigan where I got my fill of both daughter and  granddaughter time.  There was a lot of time to play, talk and help.  Both sets of parents had a night out too with Nanna as babysitter.

Otherwise, we are in the quiet part of summer where my calendar is pretty empty and I can just go at a slower pace.  I do a lot of what I call piddling in both my house and yard, just doing things as I see them without a grand plan.  I volunteer on Thursday mornings as usual and write the group’s weekly newsletter too.  We do have a dinner scheduled with neighbors this weekend, but most of our friends are still doing the snowbird thing.  I also watch a lot of baseball - go Detroit Tigers!

There are some fun things coming up like another Michigan trip for granddaughter number 2’s first birthday and to help Melissa unpack in her new house.  We also have a trip to St. Augustine planned to see James Taylor at the amphitheater.  We have not been there yet, so will do some sightseeing too.  Otherwise, I’m looking forward to football season and the return of friends to Florida.

Also hoping for a quiet hurricane season!

Birthday Week

June has been the kind of laid back, Florida style summer month I love.  There have been beach walks in the morning before it gets too hot.  There have been trips to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings to purchase fresh vegetables and make healthy meals.  There has been time to work on my yard in the cooler mornings and while we remain in drought conditions, there has been just enough rain to keep everything at least a little green.  

Our social life is quiet in the summer too, but we have been out a few times and will be doing a fun dinner in Sarasota on Friday.. It is a new to us Italian restaurant with a piano player.  The group will meet here for a pre dinner cocktail and I have a fun red white and blue drink planned.

For my birthday, we will have a beach day at Siesta Key and then a favorite restaurant in Siesta Key Village for lunch and Margaritas.  I’m sure I will face time with the cute granddaughters too.  I miss them, but do have a trip planned in July. 

I have been on a reading kick too.  There seem to be a lot of good books all of a sudden, so my reading list and library hold list are both long.  Three books that I have really enjoyed this month are June Baby, The Calamity Club and Go Gentle.  I do love the writing style of both Maria Semple and Kathryn Sockett.

Happy end of June!