Spring Break 2014

I look forward to my Spring break every year, especially this year after a rough Winter. I arrived in St. Pete's on Sunday 23rd. and Ed was there to meet me, when we got home no one was in the living room, I was so hungry, I picked up a chip as I passed by the table. Ed took me straight out to the lanei and I almost choked on the chip. There lined up were Steve, Jen, Ashley (Steve's daughter), Tyler (Jen's son) and Cher. What a lovely surprise. I didn't even know Ashley was in Florida.

Steve - Pat - Ashley - Cher and Ed

same line up with Jen - she was photographer for lst shot.

Ashley and Tyler playing in the pool

I wish I had a shot of Tyler standing on the float. He's a natural born surfer. 

We had a cookout, great start to my vacay.

On Monday Cher and I went Freedom Hall the assisted living residence where Ed's Mom Tina is living. We all went to Beall's my favorite store and Cher bought Tina's birthday gift from her and Ed. I bought a gift for Cher's Birthday on the 27th.

Tina holding up her gifts so we could show Ed.

For dinner on Monday Ed brought in food from one of our favorite restaurants. Only place I know that serves Sushi, Hibachi and Italian? Cher's has sushi, I have filet mignon and shrimp, Ed who lives up to his Italian heritage, had a veal dish.

Tuesday morning I went with Cher to her Physical Therapy. She introduced me to Tina the receptionist who is a fellow Londoner. Another patient was standing there, Tina commented on our accent, and I said I try not to sound Southern. The fellow standing there (he was so cute) informed me he was from NC, then he said to another lady, "aren't you from SC?" Somehow he didn't sound like NC, more like Texas? He said I had a good fake accent, so I told him he didn't sound like NC. He confessed he was from Wisconsin. Now I had been there right around the time William H. Macy had been in the movie Fargo. I heard him in an interview describe how he picked up the accent, instead of saying, "Oh Jeez. you say Au Chee-ez." So I said it and got a laugh, I know when I was in Wisc. I prefaced every sentence with "au chee-ez."

We left there and went to lunch at Panera's. Cher and Ed had visited the British Shop before I got there and for dinner we had real bangers and mash, with fried onions and peas. Yum Yum.

Relaxing by the pool after dinner, the pool turns from blue to green. The fountains change color they didn't show up too well in the picture. I love the fire pit.
On Thursday the 27th, my baby girl's birthday. I can't believe she's 58, then again I can't believe I'm almost 80? The Birthday dinner was at PJs best sea food place at the beach. Denise and Robert golfing buddies of Cher and Ed joined us.

We have to pose with the Blues Brothers.

Robert, Denise, Mum, Ed and Cher.

Next day we went shopping at Beall's one more time. We had Chinese for lunch. 

Saturday we went to Finley's pub with Steve, Jen and Tyler. They have good fish and chips, Shepherds pie among other things. I eat so much seafood when I am here, it's a wonder I don't grow gills.

Sunday Eric was in a bicycle race. We went to watch, now I tried very hard to take pictures, but they are so fast I get mostly pictures of the road with no cyclists.

 This might be Eric? Too fast to tell : )

After the race when the only one of us to reach the podium was Cher, she should have been #1.

Catherine (Eric's girlfriend) Ashton (David's girlfriend) and Cher and Ed.

After we left the kids we went to dinner at a new place for all of us, the Clam Shack. It's just a small place but food was so good. I think I had the best scallops I've ever had. I will not weigh until I get home.

Next day we had some sunny weather, out of my ten days only 3 were hot and sunny. I think it was a good thing because we were limited for travelling because of Cher's back problems. I told her I didn't need any adventures, I just want to spend time with her and Ed, and Steve, Jen, Tyler and Ashley. We love floating in the pool in the hot sun, so relaxing, and garden is so beautiful.

this little gorilla is laughing at me trying to get into the pool.

the arch is covered in Jasmine I wish you could smell it!

Oh! too soon it's my last day here, we had another day by the pool, then in the evening I was told to dress for dinner. We were going to the Cafe Pont. A really top class french restaurant. The service makes me feel like royalty.

my appetizer crab and lobster cake with lemon mustard sauce.

our entrees.

we each had a dessert sampler, creme brulee with blueberries,
chocolate cake, and strawberry tart posing as a sail boat.

We spent the rest of the evening relaxing by the pool.

Ed showed me how to take a night shot. New Moon.

 

Cher and I always have a hard time saying bye, so we say - Until next time. It was doubly hard leaving this time, Cher with her back problems, and Steve recovering from his surgery. I thank God that Steve has Jen to take loving care of him, and Cher has Prince Edward. He truly is a Prince among men. Ashley was on the same plane going home to Greensboro. Amelia my church buddy always meets me for a welcome home party. This has been our tradition for about 6 yrs now. Waiting for my luggage I spotted my new suitcase (London calling?)

 and took advantage of my white hair, and asked a young man to pick up my bag. I know I'm so cheeky. I turned around and Amelia was gone, Ashley came up to say bye, and I said I was looking for my friend, she asked if she had white hair? I said - yes, Ashley said she's over there talking to my Grandma. Of all the people in that airport, Amelia and Laverne had visited while they waited for our delayed flight. The older I get the more I believe we are all connected.