Hello to my blogger friends . I am presently in Lakeland Florida and it is very beautiful here . My son Justin lives here with his wife and 6 children and as most of you know my friend Terri also lives here. She’s been a blessing in my life for many years and now my son and his family have also been glad to have gotten to know her! Life can be interesting the way it brings certain people together.
This morning my husband Pat and I went to church with Terri and enjoyed it as well as getting to meet a few new people. Thank you Terri for your hospitality as you have opened your home to Pat and I!
Afterward we went and had a tasty lunch and a good time visiting at the Fish City Grill.
When we got back we walked around at a couple parks. One had signs about alligator crossings but good thing we didn’t see any, at least close to us.
We also went to Morton Lake and enjoyed the swans and other tropical birds.
What a lovely place to spend a week. I could get really spoiled by this! I would love to be a snow bird and spend a couple winter months here each year.
This is the perfect place to ring in the New Year! Happy 2024 everyone!
Here’s some more pictures of our adventures with family. With a big family there is always so much fun. The Christmas lights were at Bonnet Park.
We had adventures at Mirror Lake also. Our granddaughter found a big turtle but didn’t bring it home. He’s got a good place to live!
I’m happy for the friendships I’ve had for many years and the new friendships that are forming. You are all beautiful in unique ways and I celebrate you being part of my life as I enter a new year.
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Our daughter Michelle and family home with us for Christmas
Meet the newest member of our family, Toby. He’s a bit of a surprise for me and was here just in time for Christmas 🎄 We were having lunch with friends and I noticed the ad for the little puppies. We’d talked about getting a Maltese or a Yorkie and I guess we got both! He’s a mix of the two.
I wanted a small lap size dog this time even though I totally loved my last dog who was a Siberian husky. Nanook was 72 pounds and my Morkie puppy is just under 3 pounds but he has a big personality and is winning hearts ❤️❤️ He will only get to 5 or 6 pounds fully grown.
This is Nanook and she loved children but a Maltese Yorkie mix is also a friendly breed and good around children and other pets. We will be traveling to Lakeland Florida with him soon and the grandkids are excited to get to see grandmas new puppy. We are excited to see them and also our good friend Terri. It’s amazing how things work out in life and that the part of Florida my kids moved to is so close to Terri!
I’m so happy to see the sunshine today, yesterday was rainy. I’m getting ready to take a walk but will try to write again soon! Happy new year everyone!
Ok we took a walk. Winters too cold for the little puppy and his little legs are so short so he had to rest in his kennel a little while. When he gets a little bigger he will be able to go on neighborhood walks.
Can you believe in a few short days we will be ringing out the old year ? What a crazy year it’s been but we made it! I had a pulmanary embolism, cancer diagnosis and also hyperparathyroidism! Two hospital stays and 2 surgery recoveries later I am living and breathing ( 100 percent on my oxygen at my last dr visit) Gods been with me all the way though the process has been hard. I’d never like to repeat the process but there have been lessons learned in faith and trust and some wonderful people along the way who supported us. My oncologist held hands with us and prayed after each appointment! I believe God gave him wisdom and the treatments were successful. I’m doing very well though I am still in a process of regaining the strength and stamina I had. It does take time after major health issues.
I want to wish everyone happy and healthy year. Whatever you may face that looks so big God is bigger than the giants and His plans are for good. Whatever heartaches you have there is comfort. I know I will not understand a lot of things this side of eternity but I’m thankful for life and breath and eyes to see the beauty all around.
I posted this song because it meant so much to me and has even deeper meaning now. Sometimes were just plain hard and I know we have all been through different kinds of things so I know you would understand. You wonder how you can get through some things and faith isn’t always this bright warm feeling , sometimes it’s holding on through the darkness and through tears but just knowing in an unexplainable way God is closer than ever. I pray his rich blessings to be upon you always. See you next year if not before here. I have to pack my suitcases!
