On The Road Again

We took a little road trip Monday to South Beach in Miami. Our school district is on Spring Break this week and my sister, Lisa, is up in New Jersey taking care of things with her oldest son, Philip. So I took Rachel, Kyle and their friend, Jillian, to South Beach. Ooolala, it is an interesting beach . . . We lasted about an hour.

After trying not to look at many interesting sites on the beach, we did some window shopping and enjoyed those views much better.


It's amazing the beautiful places that are a short drive away. It only took us a little over an hour to get to Miami Beach. It's like another world there. We have to go again as there is so much to see and do.


The sky was so beautiful on the ride home.

A fun day was had by all.

My Little Track Star

I feel like I write about my daughter, Rachel, a lot, but I just can't seem to help myself, so please bear with me. I haven't been posting as much as usual lately because it is track season and I've been spending a lot of time at track meets. When my son was younger, he played baseball. I loved going to his baseball games. Rachel does soccer and track and I love watching her also.

There is a big District track meet this afternoon. The top four runners in each event today will participate in the County meet. Rachel is determined to be one of the top four in the 800. I think she's got a good chance.

When Rachel was about 5 or 6 years old, we would often go to many of the local playgrounds so she could play on the equipment they had there. She always loved doing chin-ups and she was pretty good at it. One day she watched these girls a little older than her scoot down the monkey bars with their hands. She was amazed that they could go through so quickly without falling to the cushioned mat below. When they left to go on to something else, Rachel tried. I can't tell you how many times she fell. She picked herself up and tried again and again until her little hands blistered and bled. Rachel was determined way back then to keep at it until she mastered it and she did. She was very proud of herself.

Rachel feels the same way today about this track meet. She is determined to be one of the top four because she wants to make it to the County meet. She's got some real tough competition, but I know she'll dig for that same determination she used to make it across those monkey bars so many years ago. She believes in herself and whatever the outcome, isn't that what it's all about?

Another Day in Paradise . . . Um, I Mean Jupiter

Has it really been a whole week since I've posted? Geeze! Time flies. I've been spending a lot of time in Jupiter lately. I really like it there. Funny, we were going to buy in Jupiter before we bought where we are. I think I'm glad we didn't, but I sure do like going there. So much to see and do.

I had lunch on Saturday with my sisters sister-in-law, Gail. We had such a wonderful time.


It was such an overcast day. It wound up pouring buckets, which we desperately needed.

It was still nice to walk around the area surrounding the Jupiter Lighthouse. Gail was a wonderful hostess/tour guide and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing things I had not seen before.

Gail's home is very interesting. I love to see how people decorate their homes, which is why I so enjoy reading blogs. I love to see the many unique items and to hear stories of their origins. It gives you a glimpse into the history of a persons life. I really loved this print Gail had in her home. I took a photo of it so I can use the words creatively for something.

So much to do and so little time to do it. Why is that? I have been so very inspired lately, but the wants, needs and desires of life are all tugging at my heartstrings. Maybe this weekend . . .

Legally Blonde

I entered an online contest last week sponsored by the Palm Beach Post. I had to text the word "blonde" to a given number. It was easy enough to do. I got the call on Friday afternoon that I won. I was so psyched. I won two tickets to tonight's opening night performance of "Legally Blonde, The Musical" at the Kravis Center in downtown West Palm Beach.

Rachel and I had a wonderful dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, did some window shopping at City Place and caught the play at 8pm. IT WAS GREAT!!!!! We loved it! Our seats were good and the show was so very entertaining. The applause was incredibly justified. We had such a fun night!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

This jolly little leprechaun greets those at my door. He was handmade for me over twenty years ago and has graced every front door of mine ever since. He's here to wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!!



We had our traditional Irish dinner of corned beef tonight as Rachel and I have a special evening planned for tomorrow, which I will share with you then. Lisa and Kyle joined us. Just wanted to share a photo of my festive table, complete with crooked candles - oopps!!


An Irish Blessing for you . . .

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

A Day Off

I had the pleasure of taking today off from work. I spent the day with my sister, Lisa. We went to Blowing Rock Preserve in Jupiter.

The day started out very cloudy and we really doubted it would clear up, but it did! And I have the sunburn to prove it!! I have never been to this beach, but my goodness, I will be going there again. I feel bad (somewhat) showing pictures of winter in South Florida, but when most of you are enjoying summers of sun and fun, we will be in our rainy season. This is our best time of year and we are doing all we can to enjoy it. Sit back and enjoy with me . . .

Wasn't that a pretty place? Now back to work I go.

Walk for a Cause

It was a beautiful day for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk in downtown West Palm Beach.

Rachel heard about the walk last week and was so touched by some of the stories about children with diabetes. She really wanted to support this cause. The weather was gorgeous. The views were beautiful.

There were many teams from different companies, schools, towns - even a large group of girls supporting the Jonas Brothers, as one is diabetic. We saw Rachel's track coach from middle school. She was so thrilled to see Rachel. They talked track and the coach asked Rachel to send her the high school schedule as she would love to come to one of Rachel's track meets. We thought that was pretty cool.

Our trek was along the Intracoastal Waterway. It doesn't get much better than that.

After the two mile walk, we relaxed on the grass, listened to music and enjoyed some of the refreshments provided to the walkers.

It was truly a beautiful morning spent making another special memory with my favorite girl.

We went to TJ Maxx this evening. I found these two lonesome little plates and just had to give them a home. I think they'll fit in just fine.

So now I feel like I have to scavenge all my local-ish TJ Maxx stores to find others to keep them company. They're awful cute, don't you think?

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. Make up for the hour we're losing by enjoying every minute!!

More Easter Eggs

It is such fun to make eggs for the Easter Egg Swap hosted by Jennalee at Artrageous Afternoon. The picture below shows the two I made a couple of weeks ago at the top of the photo, and the three I made tonight at the bottom of the photo. I had such a great time making them. Only one left to go for the Swap, but I think I'm going to make a couple more as door hangers for some of the special people in my life. Jenn makes them into a garland and sends different ones back to each participant. I can't wait to see all the different eggs.

I'm really having a great time making things lately. The weekend is almost here. Lots of time for crafting!!

So You Wanna Be a Track Star

Today was the first track meet of the season. Rachel was asked to participate in three events - the 4x800, the mile and the 800. Here is a photo of her on the last leg of the 4x800. Look at that form!!


We were at the meet for just about four hours. I know I won't get much sympathy, but it really was cold out there. The temperature was 59, which is very cold for south Florida. The wind was whipping and the bleachers were not heated, like the seats in my car. My blood has thinned in the 20 years I've been living here and anything below 75 is nippy, especially if it's windy. I know. You think I'm nuts. Okay. I'm changing the subject.

Miley Cyrus sings a song about being a rock star. I dropped Rachel off at school very late today. She had less than three minutes to get to class. She texted me a short while later to let me know that she sprinted the whole way and she made it!!! I texted her back and said . . . so you wanna be a track star . . .


That's my girl! Now I've gotta go get my blankets. I'm chilled to the bone!!!