ONWARD AND UPWARD

The best way to read this post is to either read the captions under the pictures first...or the text in between............................

My friend Jeri came up for a couple nights and chauffeured me around in her hot little Mercedes.

I know you've just been waiting on pins and needles to see more pictures of my Florida vacation...

so here they are! 

And my Davida and Trish and I had a totally relaxing day catching up.

I've neglected my play room for a week now, and not necessarily because I've been busy with Christmas preparations or anything like that - 

although I did have 78 people show up to my house this past Sunday evening for a Christmas Party! 

While I was making tags in the hotel room...from things I'd collected, this one turned out to be an angel ornament.

I think what's had me out of the play room is the fact that being without a computer got me down. 

And, since coming back from the States...for the first time in 19 months...

Hubby and I spent MANY hours on these waters in our little boat when we lived in Temple Terrace right after Sophia was born.

I've been homesick. 

It was cold enough in Florida that I got to layer, layer, layer...something besides art!

Like crazy.

You can just SEE how chilly it was from this picture! But I loved it!

That, coupled with the fact that we buried my Mom 8 years ago this week. 

My memories of her bring me joy and peace though - and especially around this season...cuz Mom LOVED Christmas time and it showed in everything she did!

Jerry and I on the little boardwalk/bridge that connected the rest of the world to that magical beach.

So, I've decided, for many reasons...and Mom being one of them...to...

(as Mary Engelbreit says)...

"JUST SNAP OUT OF IT".

Now...how was I supposed to obey the "Do Not Feed The Birds" sign?!?

And part of that is me making art again.

Add caption

I mean...good GRIEF!!! I have SO much to be happy and thankful FOR!!!

Jerry and I at Crabby Bill's Restaurant on St Pete Beach.

Today...and a little yesterday...I feel lighter, happier, more peaceful, energetic...

I didn't realize...until this trip...how many brick roads there are in St Pete Beach.

and FINALLY getting back to myself.

See those cool little bird tracks?!?

(Even though I need lots of improvement...I'm better than where I was by far). 

A frequent visitor outside our hotel window.

Ya know...I usually skim over or entirely skip any blogs that I follow if all they're doing is talking about negative emotions, feelings, how hard life is, etc. - 

so if you haven't already read this far, I totally understand. 

This is probably the best picture I got of the hotel living room. Jerry watching the morning news.

But if you have read through, I want you to know that my decision to be happy is making my family, my home, my neighborhood, my city, my country, and eventually the world...a better place to live.

Yep! We DID get to Best Buy - where I bought a new camera. Can't live without one! This means I'm going to try my hand at posting some tutorials - soon!!!

And so I wish you happiness, peace, love, joy, great expectations (fulfilled), good health, prosperity and all things groovy...today and every day until the end of time. (If there is such a thing).

These were so pretty and abundant on the walk to the beach.

I love you all dearly...

Create your life,

annie!