Back home again ~ in Michigan.  We had a nice time in sunny Florida but duty calls and we had to return to our  jobs back here.  But the sunshine was a nice treat, as well as our visits with friends along the way. 

I wanted to bring Skylar home with me but PastorDave wouldn't let me, so I thought I'd share her 'blink' photo again.  Isn't she a cutie?  When told to "smile" she blinks her eyes shut until the camera flashes.  A real sweetheart!

Have a good day y'all ~ see you soon!

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On The Road Again ... 

Here are a few pictures of  "friends are meeting friends"

Almsthvn ... auntconi ... surrogate ~

We had lunch at New Krishna Indian Restaurant.

Auntconi and Skylar

Skylar is PastorDave's granddaughter ~ she will be two on March 1st

When she was told to smile she 'blinks' her eyes shut ~ so cute!

Auntconi and PastorDave ~ we had lunch at Sweet Tomatoes Buffet!

... and the last one, for now, shows me with my eyes closed ~ argh!

Auntconi, Surrogate, and Mimi ~ we had the hotel clerk take our picture in the lobby ~ but alas, my eyes are closed.  

We stayed two nights in Altamonte Springs FL.  Surrogate had some work to do for a few clients. 

We were able to meet with mimi.  It is so nice to meet friends along the way!

From the minute mimi and I first met we hugged and never stopped talking for about three hours.  For real!  We went to dinner at the Longhorn Steak House across the street from the hotel so we didn't even waste time driving around.  We went back to the hotel and chatted some more.  Before we left we had the desk clerk take a picture of the three of us.  Surrogate will download them to his computer, send them to me, and if I can't figure out what to do, he will post the pictures. 

The next morning the fresh air was nice and it was sunshiny ~ this really is the ‘sunshine state' ~ and we headed south down the highway in the direction of Fort Lauderdale. 

We arrived in Fort Lauderdale FL about four o'clock!   Then we fill the car with gas, check into the hotel, and hook up the computers.  Then we might think of getting something to eat.  But of course it is first things first, we check in with family and friends to let them know all is well!  He has some work to do while he is here, and will meet with friends and go golfing. 

Me? ~ I'll walk on the beach and look for shells. 

... to be continued!

It was a gorgeous and sunshiny day of 63 degrees and a slight breeze when we met with PastorDave and his darling granddaughter for lunch.   We thought it was warm and had no jackets on; but PastorDave thought it was a little chilly.  You see, we had left the south Chicago area two days earlier at -9 degrees with wind chill factor of -45 and it was soooo cold.  So in comparison this felt heavenly!

Then after lunch we headed south for Florida.  I was going to meet with mimi for dinner, but we were doing some shopping (one of those outlet malls - fun place) and when we got on the road we realized we would not make it to Orlando in time for dinner and phoned mimi to advise her of the time factor.  She said that there was a 13-county tornado watch so to be on the lookout or we might be headed for Kansas.   I remembered to take my ruby red slippers along so I was prepared.   Surrogate said for me not to worry and that he had everything under control.   So I took a nap ~ Makes sense, right?

As we progressed into Florida he reminded me that ‘this is the sunshine state' and the temperature was rising and things were looking beautiful ~ however he said to look ahead to that thundercloud ... so I did ... and shortly it started to rain, and it rained, and rained, and rained.  It rained really hard.  But I put my ruby red slippers on and we forged through.  Finally we made it to Altamonte Springs and we are here at Best Western Hotel.

Since this is ‘the sunshine state' and it will be raining thru the night ~ to wash the cars, etc ~ tomorrow will be beautiful! 

... to be continued!

Well, in this case it is "Driving auntconi"

Auntconi loves it ~ without a doubt!  It is so nice to just relax and leave the driving to someone else.  I'm doing my best to not be a ‘backseat driver' ~ I don't think I'd look too cute traveling with a muzzle.  Seriously, this has not even been an issue ~ I was always asked by my ex if I had an official "BSDriver's license" ~ hmm, some people!  Perhaps this has something to do with ‘the driver' ~ me thinks that is the case!

Anyway, we left Grand Rapids a little after 2 o'clock and had a nice trip to Illinois arriving near Chicago.  Surrogate met with his sweetie.  I have a nephew living in Chicago.  So all is well!

Sunday we will head to Cincinnati to meet up with almsthvn ~ I can add her name to my list of ‘online friends I've met in real life' ~ ohhhh I love this!

... to be continued!

As you may or may not know, surrogate drove to Detroit Saturday and kindly asked me to ride along.   I was pleased not to have to drive in the winter weather.   We made it to Detroit and back ~ safe and sound!

I enjoyed a good time with my family for the birthday dinner of my niece, and 

was able to visit with my nephew who is home for a brief visit from California.  

As usual we had lots of laughs, hugs, and fellowship, and birthday cake, too.