Visiting Family in Florida

Bill and I are sitting in the Orlando airport waiting to board our plane signifying the end of our little five day mini vacation visiting family in the Orlando area. Of course we stayed with Corey, Duncan and our sweet little granddaughter, Calleigh. From the moment she ran into our bed on the first morning to her wailing good bye in the car, we've had a great time with her (and all of the rest of the extended family.)

We started our time here at the zoo with both sets of doting grandparents chasing a 20 month old through the zoo. She was non stop action and chatter. She loved everything and made that clear.

Our next day was spent celebrating Corey's 33rd birthday (where does the time go?) in Disney World. Because they let you in free on your birthday Corey decided she would venture there even though she had always maintained she wouldn't be frequenting the place even while living nearby. Calleigh was in high gear and literally ran everywhere. How many people does it take to watch a toddler in Disney World? The answer was clearly seven. Not until 4pm when we finally got her into a stroller did she finally nod off for a few minutes. I hadn't been to Disney World in about 25 years and didn't notice that much has changed. However seeing it through Calleigh's eyes was very worth it.

Bill spent much time visiting with his four siblings who live in the area--Wanda, Shirley, Dick and Mary. It is always a special time when they can be together and never is it frequent enough. Spending some time with Wanda's Steve was also special as he is definitely in failing health.

Calleigh and I had a fun time going over to Toni's motorhome yesterday and going swimming in her campground's pool. She and Terry have been in Leesburg since the fall with Terry working in the Leesburg Hospital. They will be there until May when they head back north. If the google directions had been correct I would have had an extra hour visitng there.


We got to spend a little time with the younger generation that has settled (at least for now) in the Orlando area. Niece, Shannon and nephew, David, along with second cousin Megan have settled into work at Florida Hospital as nurses and a social worker. The three share an apartment and have yet to figure out who should take down their Christmas tree. It is fun to see them entering the workforce and finding our what life is all about. David has found a nice girfriend who we were happy to meet.


All in all we had a wonderful time but remain happy to be living up north. As much as we love our family down here give me the north any day. Calleigh will draw me back here in another five weeks but that's what it's like being a Gigi.

Christmas is Behind Us

That short wonderful time between Thanksgiving and New Years has past and regular life falls back into place. We started the season as we have for several years now spending some time in the Woodstock Inn in Woodstock, Vermont. This year we got to spend three nights and it was wonderful! We were there with several old friends and Shawn and Camille for the first night.



Woodstock remains the epitome of a rustic Vermont village. It never ceases to remind us of "It's a Wonderful Life." We expect to see George Bailey at any minute particularly at one of the bridges crossing over the river.




While at Woodstock Shawn set me up on Facebook. An old friend of mine asked me to join and knowing nothing about it I did. In the last three weeks Ive learned a lot about it and have greatly enjoyed being in touch with old friends. I've loved seeing some of their family pictures. It has drawn me away from this blog however but a stranger's comment on my last blog entry has encouraged me to keep going.



Christmas started for earnest at our house on December 19 with the arrival of Duncan, Corey and Calleigh from Florida, Rick from Michigan via Maryland and our locals, Shawn and Camille from New Hampshire. The 19th ended as a winter wonderland that was especially loved by little Calleigh.




Our annual visit to the Boston Pops Christmas Concert with supper at Vinny T's first remained a holiday standard. We were not disappointed.



We added Edaville Railroad to our list of must do's for the holiday season this year. Calleigh was so thrilled with it that I'm sure it will become an annual event. We anticipate she will have a little sibling and cousin to accompany her next year. For this year she was thrilled to have her friend Bruno accompany her. I think Bruno will be much prefered for many years to come.




We spent a little time at Patriot Place where the "out of towners" got to look around. It is very impressive.



Christmas day itself was wonderful with Lori, Charlie, Kelly, Steve and my mom spending the evening and day with us. We missed the new groom Rad who was visiting the inlaws in Michigan. Toni, Terry and Kathleen helped to take up the slack. We remain grateful for the true gift of Christmas.


To all a very Happy New Year and may we appreciate God's great blessings in 2009.