May Shenanigans

Lord have mercy as my old granny would say look who has his real license!  He is now the proud driver of a 13 year old mini van-we did the same with his older brother, safe ride LOL  But I have to say he is so helpful to pick up things for us at the store and it's great not to have to chauffer him around between his job, friends, and other things!  I'm totally spoiled! 

More exploring Florida...

This time me and my friend went to Ulele Restaurant and Armature Works in Tampa.  Armature Works is this big Industrial building that has been turned into a food/wine place with several restaurants and bars.  My older boys took me there one afternoon over Christmas break and to be honest I didn't really care for it (they thought it was the bomb)  To be fair I was probably already sick with Covid and didn't realize it so I was so tired and didn't enjoy the long walk from where we parked .  Plus I had on boots so my feet were killing me. It was loud and had so many small restaurants that required standing in line for your over priced meal. (don't worry there were no outbreaks of covid from me being there!)  So my friend and I thought we'd try it together.  I still didn't like it nor did she.  Maybe we are just not hip enough LOL  It still was loud, over priced and too annoying to have to stand in line like you would at a mall food court for very expensive not that great food   You can watch their video  Armature Works you might be cooler than we are and enjoy it!

 So we went next door to   Ulele Restaurant on the banks of Ulele Springs.  It was much more our style.  We sat outside  and enjoyed our lunch in the beautiful surroundings.  The lunch was great and the prices more appropriate. 

Right beside the restaurant is Ulele  Springs Water Works, there's another park just sough of there all along the Riverwalk.  

We  took a stroll on Tampa's River walk.  There are swings that you can sit in and watch the river traffic and solve all the world's problems.  But you can walk for several miles in each direction if you'd like to!  We didn't that day

This year I am purposely trying new things and going new places.  I don't know about you but I can get stuck in a rut and if I do go out I go to the same places I've gone to for 30 years or more.  Luckily both my husband and one of my closest friends like to do explore new places.  It's funny my husband would rather explore new nature/outdoor things and my friend likes outdoor stuff but also is up for little shops and restaurants.  I like to do both so I can go with the flow and be happy with both LOL

Living in Florida it's amazing the things that are in our own backyard!

We had a little scare with our Ginger.  She's the big girl on the top left.  I noticed one day that she was not acting like herself.  See how her tail was drooping?  That's a hug sign a chicken is not well.  

(Dumplings is on the top right looking away.  Shorty is on the bottom left and Frenchy is on the right she is my little girl)

It seemed like I could feel something on her backside plus she had a bald spot.  Previously I'd thought she had lice or mites but couldn't find any one her or the other girls but I treated for it anyhow.  I tried giving her a bath in Epsom salts just in case she was egg bound.  Even though she did not feel good she did not appreciate my care LOL  Nor did I appreciate having to clean the bathroom after she got away from my and flapped all over the place  

So my husband took her to the vet for me.  Again I can only think what my family would have thought about me taking a 7 year old non laying hen to a vet!!!  And I admit while I love animals, the dark places I've seen in this world reminds me that humans are so much more important.  There's a balance somewhere and I probably was a bit off balance with Ginger.  But let me tell you about Ginger, last year I went through a deep valley - our whole family did-  Ginger greeted me every day, every time I walked outside and made me feel a little better.  I felt I at least owed it to her to have her put to sleep humanely.  BUT!  After a day at the vet some tests, two shots she is totally back to normal!  I am having to deworm ALL four chickens (there's alot of squawking pecking and fussing going on....and the hens are doing it too hahah!)  What a JOB!  Have you ever had to give medicine to a chicken?  Yeah me neither!  I've given medicine to dogs cats and terrible children but giving liquid meds to chickens is a whole 'nother ballgame!  

But Ginger is happy and healthy!  They all love watermelon so they've been getting a half one a day.  

Hope you are having a good summer thus far!  Our temps are in the 90's but that's ok I know how to live with heat.  I don't know how to live in cold weather....what do you wear?  It's so complicated for me!  For example when we were in NY in January in a "blizzard" it was awful outside but hot inside.  So if you wore a sweater under your coat, it was too hot when you came inside.... In Florida just wear shorts and flip flops so much easier!!!  

Spring 2021

Easter 21

smallest group picture we've had in many years!

For years I've felt like our house had a "disjointed' look about it and this was the year I've decided to redo some things.  One of those things was Sam's room.  He sleeps in a hospital bed because of sleep apnea.  But everything needed an update.  I like how it turned out!

Jon and I are continuing to explore new places in Florida.  A few Fridays ago we went to the Anclote River / Tarpon Springs area

Key Vista Nature Park

this is a real Florida beach

There is a tower there

the pier is a little south of the first park Anclote Gulf Park

Then the docks of Tarpon Springs

Our FAVORITE restaurant and bakery

We finished the day at Anclote River Park that has a small beach on it right where the river meets the gulf.   Everything was free except parking at Tarpon Springs and the Greek food!  Actually if you eat at Hellas restaurant they have free parking in the back!

Molly modeling for us

Me and a few of my babies lol

My sweet girls

More backyard pictures

Bruno one of my real rescues.  He came up or was dropped off and looked awful.  I was actually afraid of him because he was so large and feral.  But since I'm the cat whisper somehow I was able to connect with him and he is now the sweetest boy.  I don't' really want to rescue animals, they just come across my unwilling path and I have to take care of them  Sometimes I'm able to find homes for them like a recent cat and her newborn kittens but it's rare when that happens.  

THIS is why I have no garden I'm growing chickens!

This year we went to the annual banquet for Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Stables   It is always a lot of fun and our Sarah was featured again!

A picture with Laurie and Lisa the therapists - we clean up good LOL believe me most of our time spent together is times without make up or dressy clothes 

Sarah's favorite thing HORSE

This video was shown at the Banquet

Sarah's video Please watch this video about Sarah and Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center  If you ever want to donate to them-it would be a blessing they do so much for so many people!  We are so blessed to be a part of this!!!

Look who is home!  We are so glad to have Shad home after his freshman year in Arizona!

Mother's Day 2021 I have 5 reasons to be happy on this day and I'm so thankful for us all being together

My sweet Sarah

He's a Keeper

So glad to have our boy home!

the One who started it all my bearded baby

my stinker Sam

Sweet Selah She was not enjoying the sun

 

Prayer Request

 Over the past year I've found out an incredible amount of things regarding my family lineage it's a story for another time  and it will be INTERESTING!  But right now can I ask you to please pray for a family member who is very ill and in the hospital on a vent.  Over the years I've learned God hears our prayers and I'm desperate for God to hear this request to spare my relative's life and bring complete healing!  Thank you for your prayers!!!

Yvonne

Thank you for your prayers unfortunately my relative did not survived this illness.  I'm devastated about the whole situation.   One day I'll share my story when it's appropriate.   My heart is very sad about this loss.  

Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island

 Continuing on as your Florida travel guide.....

Our family has gone to Honeymoon Island many times and love it.  The admission is only $4 a person or a carload for $8 there are bathrooms and a restaurant you can even rent umbrellas. It's very nice.  There are trails for walking and miles of beaches.  Read about HONEYMOON ISLAND  Caladesi Island is off its coast and only accessible by boat.  There's a ferry that runs from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island and it's only $16 a person.  Read about Caladesi Island  We've been there a few times but a few weeks ago Jon and I were able to work things out so we could go together and we had a wonderful day.  The 20 minute ride over is fantastic we saw dolphins and really enjoyed it both going out and coming back.  There's a restaurant and small store on the island but we brought our own sandwiches fresh from Publix! So after we got there we found a picnic table and ate because we were starving.  

We are Floridians so the water was wayyyyyy too cold for us.  We could barely stand to put our feet in the water but it will warm up soon.  We just wanted to walk and I wanted to take pictures.  It was absolutely a gorgeous day!  It's so rare that we get to go somewhere together with no kids so we felt foot loose and fancy free (at least for 4 or 5 hours lol)  You probably can't relate but just leaving our house with our little people is hard and time consuming.  Taking them to the beach is something we do but it is so much hard work.  So to just go and not have anything to carry but my phone was very nice!  It was relaxing for us and we are going to try and do something once a month this summer.  That's our goal at least!

I never get tired of the beach.

No crowds here we walked for miles

Still no kids:)

So this is a great place to spend a day or two if you come to Florida and see the REAL Florida!  There are no hotels on either island or camping but there's a few hotels in Dunedin which is just a few minutes drive.  You'll thank me for this recommendation!