Posts Tagged ‘daytona’

Full Circle

Friday, November 23rd, 2012

We started this year of travel in April after all the cancer stuff was over; it was like a New Year’s celebration to head to Phoenix on our way to Colorado. One of the first photos I included in my blog was a saguaro cactus (they look like people to me), and here I am back in Arizona finishing up 2012’s travels.

It’s been totally awesome to think back at our time with Focus on Family, a European riverboat cruise, England friends and memories, family reunion on the Jersey shore. Disneyworld and Daytona, a retirement celebration, forever friends, DC Marathon, Hurricane Sandy, voting absentee on the road, a noreaster, humidity, wind, rain, snow, icicle-cold, and desert hot!

While at the family reunion at the shore, we fondly remembered cousin Sandy, who lost her cancer battle.I am so glad we had gotten closer over the last couple years. It seems like she might have had her hand in protecting her family’s beach house when her namesake hurricane came through and didn’t do any harm.

And while visiting Barnoldswick, England, we joined friends still mourning the death of my special friend Gail Usher. Some of her ashes are hidden in a crevice on the south side of the Grand Canyon because this was a special spot for her! We end our travels by way of this majestic natural wonder to be near and reflect on the gift of her friendship.

This journey, all of 2012, has shown us the glory of God in the sights, sounds, and tastes we have experienced, but most of all the people. It’s always good to come home, but if your heart is with God then it ALL feels like home.

Blessings

Role Reversal

Monday, October 15th, 2012

In Daytona Beach and it’s time…time to get my Dad lined up for a retirement home.  The mind and spirit are not ready but the body is, and we are braced for a fight.  After working with him on a 35 page application for the new VA facility only 5 minutes away, he dug in with all sorts of arguments and fears.  He accused me of coming with the ulterior motive of locking him up. Tomorrow we work on some power of attorney and bank issues. Then another try.

We’ve told him he can say “when” but let’s get our ducks in order.        

sigh

It Could Give You A Rash

Monday, October 15th, 2012

Humidity – that invisible wall of air that hits you as soon as you de-plane in Orlando in October.

Now the Disney attractions were entertaining but I found my eyebrows not thick enough to hold back the sweat! My power walks looked like dunks in the pool. Clothing doesn’t dry, make-up runs, deodorant fizzles, and hair frizzes.  

We are now moving up the state to Daytona after a great time at the JW Marriott(work) and the Magic Kingdom(play). I am in search of dryer/cooler weather before MOSS grows on my backside!

Family Time In Daytona

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

mtvernoncoupleWe were so warmly welcomed in Janet’s home  and happyt to spend a few days with she and my dad and celebrate his 85th birthday with he, Janet, Aunt Marilyn and lots of cronies.

We particiated in their Friday night get together (karaoke and all) a wonderful homecooked meal at home, and dinner at Outback, guests of Marilyn. I have had the priviledge of seeing Dad 3x in the last year. Maybe with the new baby coming there will be another visit this summer.

Then we headed back to Orlando and the flight home. Five weeks, two Pfizer conventions,  monuments, museums, friends, family, a BIG birthday, Disney, new sights and tastes…..priceless!

Free Mickey

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

mickeytopiaryWe escaped the Pfizer work at the American Heart Convention and are ready to play! On our own, we have reservations at “Shades of Green’; a military resort on the disney properties.  There are 5 military resorts worldwide and we have been fortunate tostay at 3 of them:  Disney, Garmish, and HaleKoa(the other two are seoul and virginia beach). 

Shades of Green has all the amenites of  any Disney resort and cheaper. When we checked in, we  found out that every  active duty or retired service person was intitled to a free five day pass to the Disney theme parks and a reduced price for anyone with them!!!!!  

Our original plan was to spend one day at Epcot and then head to my Dad’s. Change of plans:  add one day at Disney Studios and be a day late to Daytona (they understood)!