Courage and Defiance

My cousin Anne is a lesson in courage and defiance.
For the past 5 years she has  waged her own battle with health issues.
Her days have been filled with treatments, Dr visits, medications and hair loss. There have been days when I don't know how she finds the energy to even get out of bed. Through it all she faces each day with a positive attitude and a sense of moving forward.

This past September she had surgery. Her recovery has been slow. She now has a "drop foot" to deal with above other issues. Mobility has been compromised.
A drop foot means she has no control over movement from the ankle down on her left foot.A brace is necessary to hold the foot at a 45 degree angle -- as it should be. A brace was made for her.

Looks pretty complicated and definitely isn't comfortable.
Anne's daughter (made from the same genes) wouldn't accept that this could be the only solution. She went online and found a much better alternative.

Anne ordered this brace and finds it not only works great but is quite comfortable.

Against all odds she continues to improve.

Life now has new props. This is "Rollie"

Many in Ann's position would opt for a mobile scooter. Not Anne. She says she needs to stay in shape!
She has a love hate relationship with this prop. Although she hates depending on support she realizes a fall would be devastating so she forges on without complaint.

New shoes were also necessary. Something to give plenty of support and allow the brace to do it's job.

Voila ---- mobility!
We may move a little slower but that's ok .... who needs to rush anyway.

Ann's comfy sandals are packed away ...... for now.
She is optimistic that she will be able to wear them some day soon.
She hopes to get back to pool exercise classes soon too.
No boundaries to hold her back.
Life is what you make of it. Anne deals with the lemons and the roses!

She is an example for us all.

Thanks for a great visit Anne and Ron.
Hope we can do it again soon.

Tomorrow we head north.

Snow will be fun .... right??

New Shopping Experience

The weather in Florida although warm has been cloudy.
We had an early start today because Ron had a doctors appointment. Once that was over the day was free.

Most cities have those special little haunts known only to locals. Ft Myers Beach is no exception. Our shopping destination after lunch was an Italian Deli/Grocer on Pine Island -- Paesanos ----- how Italian is that!
It is a great little spot. The aroma of cooking garlic and oregano greet you at the door.

Lots of pasta --- prepared or dry. Breads and pastries. Wines ---  from Italy of course. And

olive oil of such variety it was hard to choose.

Anne and I had a hard time deciding what we needed.

Ron likes the hot stuff! Olives were his next stop.

We decided on chicken pasta for tomorrow and bought everything we would need.

Must be getting old cause we headed home shortly after our shopping extravaganza.

Tomorrow is our last day here this visit.
Still lots to see and do.
Maybe we will get out for that picnic yet!

No matter ------ always a new adventure.

Flea Markets

In Florida when people tire of the beach they head for the Flea Markets.
On a rainy day this is especially the place to be.They are only open on week ends so you have to plan your days to include a stop.
Navigating the people,aisles and merchandise is almost an Olympic sport here.

The aisles and merchandise flow in an eclectic riot of color and variety. If you see something you want best  buy on the spot ---- chances of finding the booth later aren't good.

This booth sold toys and puzzles. Anne purchased a hand held poker game for their bathroom  "entertainment station". Looked like fun. No wonder Ron disappears for hours at a time!

Don's prize ----- these little mirrors for the car. They glue to the side mirrors to assist in parking. He had been looking all over for them. Cost .... $1.00.

Anne and I headed for the Avon - Mary Kay booth to see what bargains we could find.

All good fun and great exercise.
Enough  for one day we headed home.

Guess we tired Ron out!
He snoozed while supper was being made.

The plan is to picnic along the water tomorrow.
Great scenery .... fun company.

Always a new adventure.

Heading South Again

We had 2 wonderful weeks in Myrtle Beach. Catching up with old friends always great! Hope we can do it again some day.

5AM Friday found us on the road headed for the sunshine state  and a visit with my cousins.
It is a long drive through Georgia with scenery of tall pines, trees covered in Spanish moss and air filled with swamp gas.

These trees have an eerie look. I can picture them under a full moon on a clear night ........ scary!

A reviving stop is always the Florida welcome center. ....... orange or grapefruit juice???? ....... 6 hours to go to Ft Myers Beach!

This bridge over the Calahatchee River is the gate way to our destination ---- always a welcome sight.

Picture says it all ----- palms and sun ---- just add water!

This is the Park where Anne and Ron live. Homes are on canals.Wonder if the manatee are here this year?

This is our morning view! Doesn't get much better.
Don't know what adventures today will bring.
Maybe the Flea Market ----- maybe just a picnic.
Will be great just to catch up with Anne and Ron and visit.

Always a new adventure.

Sandals and green houses

Things are warming up nicely in Myrtle Beach.The sandals are out! Temperatures are nearing 70.
Garden centers are a buzz of activity  --- a sure sign winter is past. Just seeing all the blooms puts a spring in my step and makes me want to grab a shovel and get planting.

i was really intrigued with the variety of plants and trees available at great prices.
These palms are 10 feet tall and sell for $149.00.

Don was shopping while I was checking out the palms.

He picked up these roof racks. ....... maybe he too is thinking a new tree might be a good thing??
Guess customs might have a problem with us bringing such an item home!

Oh well. Fun to shop. Guess I will just look today since plants can't be taken home.

Now ------ how can we put those roof racks to work??

Plan to explore second hand shops next ....... as they say one persons junk ------ another persons treasure.

Never stop exploring.

64 1/2

We are visiting friends in Myrtle Beach right now.
Our friend Donna will celebrate an extra special birthday in August  We are going to be away so will miss the big event which I'm told will include jumping from an airplane!! ----- everyone has a different bucket list .......
Anyway ----- we decided these special days should be milked for all they are worth! Never too soon to celebrate a special day. So today was Donna's 64 1/2  birthday celebration.

This is the birthday girl!----- don't the tiger ear muffs add an extra something to her ensemble......

Woops ---- she isn't in birthday mode yet.

There she is!
That's better! This is how a birthday should be spent.
Fed Ex arrived at noon ---- right on time with the birthday surprise.
Deb and Donna are the proud owners of a new Toyota Highlander. They had the windows tinted in the purchase only to realize how difficult (almost impossible) it is to see out those tinted windows at night. Sooooo last week the tinting was removed. Today sun vents arrived.

Don having already installed these on our car had them snapped in place in no time. Look great. Gives just that little extra relief from the sun or rain. Brand name is Weather Tech ---- made in Germany.

After all our hard work it was time for Happy Hour.

Nice to be outside on the porch enjoying the evening sun.
Steak and mashed cauliflower (yum) for dinner. Meaghan will be happy to learn we had angel food cake for dessert.
All good.
Never miss a chance to celebrate anything with friends and family.

A new project tomorrow.

I think it may involve some work on our car----- seems to have a Boo  Boo on the front fender.
Happens when you move forward and the car in front doesn't ....... apparently!

Never a dull moment.
We do keep busy.

The Beach

Life at the beach is good!

Mornings begin with a walk. Great just to be outside. Our 4 legged residents are always anxious for this event.
After breakfast we have quickly settled in to an all too familiar routine!

  Sadly ---- computers are a necessary part of life even while on vacation. A means of communicating with those back home ---- checking for local attractions ---- and of course online shopping and tracking of merchandise. The local paper is also a relaxing diversion offering local news and the daily crossword puzzle.

Today we made it to the beach ---- after all this is what we came for!
Love the colorful  beach houses that line the shore. Is there anyone who doesn't enjoy the sights and sounds of the ocean? So relaxing.

The days are passing quickly. We have been here a week already.
The weather man is promising temperatures near 70 next week.

No time lines. No schedules. No traffic jams. Great friends to spend time with!
Life is good.