Thursday

Wow I can not believe how nice the weather has been the past 2 days. We actually have reopened the windows as the humidity has taken leave from this area for the past 48 hours. It was actually cool this morning as I rode my bike to the Rec. After my usual quiet time and a lite breakfast of fruit I got in 2 hours of good fast pickle ball play with about 10 players. Finally got the wet t-shirt once again. Yea!!!

I got home to find Ava Mae visiting as her mom had a doctors appointment so we had fun with her in the yard and her fascination of buggies. She just loves playing with insects. After lunch we just played until it was time for Ava's nap at 2 PM. Nancy an I just laid around reading until it was time to meet with our group of pickle ball players for dinner at Nancy Brinner's house in Maderia Beach. There were about 15-16 in attendance and the food was plentiful with burgers, dogs, dips, salads and desserts. Thanks Nancy for opening up your house to all of us.

Well the Rays have loss the past 2 games with the Yankee's and are losing 2-1 with White Sox as I write. Come on guys you need to tighten up. Well will close for now.LATER

Tuesday and Wednesday

Well the morning was overcast and a hard rain had fallen in the early morning hours. I did my usual quiet time and a lite breakfast then headed off on the bike to the Rec. for some pickle ball. I played hard for about an hour and a half but could feel that I wasn't totally back to strength. I headed back home between the rain showers. Did it ever rain hard and with thunder and lightning all around.

I then headed out with Nancy for Sam's to do her weekly church shopping. It rained hard off an on the whole time but we managed to stay relatively dry. We got back home a little after noon then Ava and Amy came for lunch. Afterwards Ava and I played in the house and I read a little while she watched some Elmo's World. They left about 2 PM and Nancy and I just hung out with me reading and she on the Internet.

Nancy fixed a pot of Tortilla soup for supper and was it ever good. Amy and Ava came and she liked it as well. It was a good day for soup.

The temp's dropped down a little after the all day rain and this morning I opened the windows when I got home from the Rec. I had to wear a long sleeve shirt as I rode to the Rec. about 7:45. I played hard for about and hour and could once again feel I needed to back off on play. There were about 16 players this morning so I eased out early.

We did know one of the four teenagers killed Friday night in Seminole. The family use to attend SFBC but we haven't seen them in a couple of years. He was 15 as well as most of the kids were of that age. Once again 5 teenagers in 1 car trying to make it home before curfew, with 4 of them dying in a high speed crash.

Well I watched the Tampa Bay Ray's whup the Yankee's 15-5 on Monday and then they lost 7-2 on Tuesday to the Yank's. Looks like they have a decent ball club hope they can repeat like last year. Well will close for now. LATER

Sunday on Monday

Well the day started out with bright sunshine and humidity starting to rear its ugly head so that means the A/C with be on until next November. Oh well the price you pay for living in Florida. After our quiet time and lite breakfast we headed off to Element Church for a great worship service with son Bobby and about 175 others. We had about 18 that made the trip from our county to worship at Element.

We got back around 12:30 and started getting ready for the big family dinner that was happening at our place around 6 PM. I picked a mess of fresh beans(probably the last of the pole beans) including 1/2 runners and pole beans and snapped them while Nancy got yellow squash ready for her famous casserole. G/G was making the baked ham, pickled beets and eggs and GAB was making a spud casserole with Amy making a carrot cake. We had 14 for dinner and neighbors Jon, Mel and Phoenix came by later for dessert and coffee.

After dinner the girls went out in the back yard and hunted for Easter eggs as well as played in the dirt pile which my backyard has become. Everyone stayed until nearly 9 PM. The girls shared a bath together so they were asleep by the time they reached home. Its always great to watch the girls(Ava and Annsley) interact with each other and how much they change with each visit. I was ready for bed shortly after 10 PM as it had been a big day and Monday was going to be my first day back on the pickle ball court in over 2 weeks. My cough has just about completely faded but Nancy has developed a small tickle causing her to cough a little. LATER

Saturday

Well what a beautiful day except the humidity is back. After our quiet time and Big breakfast(pancakes, eggs and ham) we took off for the beach. I did a couple miles walking in the waters edge and ran into a couple friends. A former trooper and his 2 kids so I got the scoop on all that's happening with personnel at my old district. It's been 5 years this month since I hung up the gun and badge. Yow where does the time go. Rick said lots of retired troopers are coming back on patrol starting out again as rookies. Oh well I loved what I did, but for me 30 years was enough. Boy did I get a sun burn. Maybe its a result of me taking or being on antibiotics. I'm red as a lobster.

We kept Ava last evening as the Amy and Tyler when out for dinner and then birthday shopping for Ava. She will be 2 the 25th. So cute she is and so smart. Nancy fixed her pasta dish with tons of fresh basil, oregano, garlic over penna pasta with tomatoes and a little red wine. Wow is that better than the Olive Garden recipe. Ava loves it as well.

Well we are heading out to Tampa for Element's first Easter Service. Bob , Jill and Annsley along with Nancy's folks and her sister Betsy family along with Ava's folks will all be here for dinner this evening. Looks like a house full to eat a ham dinner with all the fixin's. Hope all of you have a great Easter and share in the great news of the empty tomb. Love to all, LATER.

Friday on Saturday Morning

Well Friday morning started out with bright sunshine and with temp's in the 60's. It got a little warmer and muggy as the day progressed. After our quiet time and lite breakfast I piddled around in the garden, Nancy went to get Ava and Amy(Ty took the truck for service) and they stayed until the afternoon. Daisy came after lunch for a visit and I rode to the library on the bike for some books I had ordered. I spent the afternoon reading a historical novel about the Mormons and their plural marriages called the 19th WIFE. The book is very interesting with flashbacks to the early 1800's and the history of LDS(Latter Day Saints) with Smith and Young.

After a lite dinner Nancy and I headed over to Element Church in Tampa for a benefit concert for one of the couples who are adopting a baby about to be born in August. There were 3 bands performing with around 150-200 in attention. It definitely left you awake with loud music and the place rocked out. We stopped by Wal-Mart on the way home to look for a kitchen for Ava's birthday. We were there at after 10 PM and the place was packed. No wonder they are a success in the business world.

I seem to be not coughing as much, thankfully. I have one more day of antibiotics but I really don't think they mattered much as I think this infection was viral not bacterial. Anyhow I just want to be cough free.

Well I think we are heading to the beach this morning with neighbors Dan and Carol. Tonight we are watching Ava while Amy and Tyler have the evening out. LATER

Thursday on Friday

Well its another beautiful day in sunny Florida with just a touch of humidity in the air. By the week-end its supposed to be in the 80's once again with the warm muggy air returning. My cough has slowed down to where its bearable but after a little research I've come to the conclusion its a viral lung condition and antibiotics didn't seem to help. I will rest this day and the week-end then try to once again work out starting on Monday. Nancy is coping with her new(4th) blood pressure medicine and so far it seems to be working with minimal side effects.

We are heading this evening to the Element warehouse for a benefit concert for a young couple who are adopting an infant then to stop off at Wal-Mart and find a toy kitchen for Ava as she will be 2 on the 25th of this month. Where does the time go?? Nancy and I are starting to think about heading back to the mountains around the end of May. We are planning on 2 trips back to Florida this summer as we have a wedding to attend on the 31st of July and then for Annsley's 2nd birthday on the 11th of October. This is our last year for cooking at SFBC so we will be able to head back after her birthday for the leaf festival the end of October and to experience a little cold weather into November if we desire.

Well not much else happening at this time except I'm ready to be done with this coughing completely and to return to wet shirts at the gym in pickle ball. Thanks to all who have called and sent e-mails. Wishing all a Happy Easter and hopefully all will take a few minutes to reflect on what Jesus did for each of us on the cross today, Good Friday. LATER

Wednesday on Thursday

This morning (Thur.) is not nearly as nippy as yesterday. Wed. the highs were only in the 60's unbelievable for Florida this time of the year. The sun is shining brightly and its just another clear day. The humidity is supposed to return as well as high temps for the week end. I certainly wish I could get rid of this cough. I've been doing a little research and I think I have bronchitis the viral type as the antibiotics don't seem to affect it. I suppose I will head back to CVS and find a good cough suppressant with an expectorant as I don't have a lot phlegm. Oh well I sure will be glad to be rid of this nagging sometimes constant cough.

Dinner at church was a success as Nancy made her famous potato casserole with ham and garlic green beans. Just after getting home neighbors Jim, Laurie and Kayla came by with a dish of homemade chili that was out of this world good. I had eaten at 5 PM so wasn't hungry until I decided to taste this dish. Well I finished it while Nancy was in the shower. Sooo Gooood. Thanks neighbors. We watched American Idol and kept flipping back to the Ray's vs the Red Sox game. The Ray's won 7-2. Go Rays!!!

Well I haven't coughed much this morning so maybe its running it course as last night I hacked and coughed until about 2 AM. Hope all of you are well and I don't wish this cough on anyone. LATER