Baseline Golf Course Ocala Florida

Baseline River Bridge

Yes this is also on the Golf Course

Dad and Jack

The beautiful waterfall on the golf course

Jack on our friends golf course in Ocala

Any of you that know Jack well, know that his dreams of retirement included playing golf everyday. Unfortunately that is not to be. He would take one swing and probably never move again:( Poor Jack. I had been trying to get him to visit our friends Nan and Arlie Parker every year in Florida. But he is such a private being that it was hard. We finally talked him into going and he loved every minute of it. Arlie took him on a great tour of the course and his nursery. Words can not explain just how beautiful it is. No I can't play golf I have tried many times over the years but to no avail. I even thought in college I would take the easy Physical Ed class and take GOLF. Boy was I wrong, I still can't remember if I passed.. but I sure did try. I play golf like baseball should be played !!!

We enjoyed a great day with Nan, Arlie, their son AJ and his adorable son little Arlie. It ended with a late night diner at Arlie's favorite steakhouse. What a meal.... They are incredible host and I love them so much.

Of course shopping (SCRAPBOOK) that is was fun that day. I found a lot of things for Jack's 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger Scrapbook. An Incredible store called Griffins in Ocala, and yes they are on line. They are a Mom and Pop type store with everything a crafter could want or desire. Lets just say I shipped home 50 lbs...USPS.

Thanks to the Parker's Mom and Dad and Jack and I had a wonderful day. Jack and I snuck back to Ocala a few days later when we rented a car. OK I will let you in on that days excitement. I love a good laugh even if it is on me. Jack rented a 2008 Cadillac and wanted to see what it would do!!!! Just as he took of I put a Coke to my mouth and instead it went up my nose down my clothes and yes I snorted COKE !! I had a white tee on and lets say it was done. Off to Target we went. Jack dropped me off in front of the store I do believe he feared for his life. In Target I went with coke all over. trying to find the PLUS sizes is another great story !!! They had 2 racks of PLUS clothes. Is no one overweight in Florida !!! Finally I found another Tee and went to the check out. The cashier looked at me then the Tee and started laughing. As most of you know I laughter right along with her !!! off to the stores restroom I went to remove the coke the coke covered shirt and then headed out the door.Jack was attentively waiting to pick me up. As I got in the car he said and I quote "I like that shirt better" !!! We both got a good laugh.

Then of course I got treated to a nice steak again !!! Wow spill more coke get steak, that gives me and idea !!!!!!!!!

Florida was Great

Here is a picture of the Happy Couple on their first ever vacation with no children ever !!!! Tomorrow we celebrate 24 years of marriage. We both feel very fortunate to have found each other and tolerated each others good and bad qualities. I really believe that is what marriage is about. Also the fact that I love this man with all my heart and soul.
We did not have a tropical vacation as Florida was experiencing it's winter. 22 above is much better to wake to than -22. days were high 50's and 60's which Jack and I love. Any time I can spend with my parents is always great to me. They are very active and kept us busy doing our favorite things Thrift stores, Scrapbook stores, Harbor Freight (yes Jack was in Heaven) and just riding.
We actually mailed home 55 pounds of books. When they are 25 cents to $2 I buy a lot and it keeps me in reading for a year or more. We also bought 2 suitcases at thrift stores and filled them full of goodies. Everything from a $4 tripod for Jacky to a Eeyore charm for Michelle to Brandi's tee shirt that says "Aunt" on it. Shells and Tees for Conner. Oh ands Conner got about 75 books for 29 cents each.
We have so many good friends in Florida that it feels like and extended family reunion. Mary and Glen,George and Nancy,Harlow and Joyce,Aunt Ruth,Bucky and Bea... We would love to get a place down there and did look at a few places but this is not the year for us. There are 4600 places for sale in Citrus County alone and we know given another year the prices will fall even more.
Brandi had a bad fall 2 days after we left down 2 flights over outside snowy cement steps and tore her ACL and Meniscus. She is in physical therapy 3 times a week and we are hoping she will heal without surgery.
I have so many great pictures that I will share soon......

"Wake up Grandma"

I woke up this morning with this adorable little guy dive bombing me saying wake up Grandma. Please hide under the pillow with me. "I can see you" giggle giggle !! Over and over again. Jack finally said Conner you are going to hurt Grandma. But Grandma loves hearing that giggle. Plus the fact that we are leaving for Florida in 2 days and knowing I won't see this adorable little man for a few weeks makes me sad. He really is the light of our lives.
On another note I am sitting here blogging and I have not packed a thing yet. I hate the fact that you are only allowed 1 suit case. I might just pay the $20 extra and stop worrying. I can't wait to get to my parents and just sit in their Florida room and read a good book, go to some flee markets and if I can sneak off an auction or 2. I can mail anything home right !!! There is a great auction house in Inverness about 10 miles away. They have everything from estate auctions to antiques and businesses.They are great people and the place is always packed so you have to go early and stay late. The best bargains are usually later. I bought some beautiful painting there a few years ago that I absolutely love. I was going to bid up to $60.00 on one and I ended up getting all three for $51.00. I was lucky there was no other interested party that night.
Well I will close for now and play with Conner and get some packing done.