She was GLOWING!!

When Elissa graduated from UNCG with her masters she was actually glowing.  She had overcome the typical obstacles but there were additional challenges that had tried to trip her up and she would have none of it.  Between the financial challenges, juggling life with two active children, the commute to Greensboro and an unexpected move to Raleigh she had her hands full but perseverance is almost her middle name and there was never a doubt that she would run the course.  I am so incredibly proud of her and was thrilled that she decided to walk for graduation and give us the chance to celebrate her.  Chip, Celia and Lily put together a lovely party and a great time was had by all.  Yeah Elissa!!!!!  Can't wait to see what you do next!!!!!!!

The kiddos

I stopped in Raleigh on the way home to check in with the girls.  Celia and Lily posed for this "ninja, strike force, scary picture" for me before I headed home.  The morning light was hitting Lily's fist which makes it seem so much more scary!!!!  Makes me smile...

  And John and I were able to take the boys camping at Lake Hartwell during their spring break. They learned the art of helping out because there is lots to do when you are camping and they were great to do their part.   The weather was perfect for a hike in the woods and lots of card games at night.  Good times!!

Hilton Head

 

John and I had never visited Hilton Head so we decided to stop on our way home this year.  Of course we were not disappointed!  We were taking a selfie with an impressive marina in the background and a kind woman offered her assistance with photography.  I thought they were both pretty good shots!!

I saw this marvelous oak tree and had to get a shot with John there to show it off.   And of course we found a beautiful beach that went on forever.  It was fun to grab a picture of a shadow kiss on the beach.  It must have been a good kiss because as you can see he knocked my shoes off.....

 

Orlando Eye

Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't like roller coasters, PERIOD.   But the Orlando Eye intrigued me.  It is a very slow moving, air conditioned booth that rises like a Ferris wheel and gives you a birds eye view of not only downtown but vistas as far away as the space coast.  So when Maureen visited us last winter we decided that we would do it together and I held her to it.  I just loved it and the fact that we were buzzed by a helicopter made it all the more delightful.

Friendship is an incredible thing

What makes a long lasting friendship? The answers are many and varied but I do know that I am grateful for my friendships that have stood the test of time and distance and life changes.  Linda and Ken are wonderful friends who are there if you need them and when lots of time passes between visits we catch up like it was only yesterday.  Linda retires this spring and is starting a new chapter and I am thrilled for her.  She has been there for me in large and small ways and I will be forever grateful.

  I feel like I have known Keith and Julie forever. Keith and I started out as pen pals more than 50 years ago and we have stayed in touch throughout all of my moves (although he did say that it was easy  because I just kept sending them those Christmas cards).  Life is not the same because Parkinsons challenges everything but his spirit is the same and we love visiting with them.  BTW the beaches in Naples are simply beautiful!

And then right before we left for the winter we were able to get together with friends from Brandon.  My does time fly!!!  We are so blessed!!!!!!

With membership to Bok Tower Gardens comes priviledges

Bok Tower Gardens seems to have become a routine destination for us especially because it is a lovely place to take friends and family when they visit.  This year we looked into membership and decided to join.  One of the perks is a visit to the Founders Room, the grand entrance into Bok Tower.  The tower from the outside is a work of exquisite art and the Founders Room was no less spectacular.  From the ceiling to the beautiful arches,the balcony leading to the upper levels and the magnificent floor, exterior window on to the fireplace (through which all of the bells were brought into the tower and then hoisted skyward) it is an incredible sight.

LANCE

Lazy Days may still think that I am Sally Franz, an alias that I chose to find a salesman that would help us find the specific camper that we were looking for, but it was John and I that were thrilled to buy a travel trailer with thoughts of taking off and doing some traveling. It seemed like a good time to go camping again......so we bought a 23' Lance travel trailer, just the right size to take the grandchildren on an adventure or head out on an adventure of our own.

To test the waters we went to Lake Kissimmee State Park, a lovely area with hiking trails and wildlife.  We discovered that we need to get back into the camping mindset again not to mention that it rained like crazy the first night we were there.  Anyway we have begun and are ready to plan the next great chapter of our lives.