Florida Budges

Shells of Sanibel

2009-01-10T18:02:00.003-05:00

These are some of treasures we found on the beach in Sanibel.

Sanibel Island

2009-01-09T18:36:00.004-05:00

Took a few days off this week to recooperate after the holiday season. We decided to go to Sanibel Island. It is on the Gulf side of Southern Florida, just off the coast from Fort Myers. It was fantastic and absolutely beautiful, with tropical plants, flowers and the bright blue water. It is ranked in the 10 beaches in the world for shelling, and it certainly didn't dissapoint. I found myself up at 6am everyday to catch the low tide, and was able to find some fantastic shells, I'll get some pics and load them on later. The weather was fantastic, not a cloud in the sky and in the 80's. We didn't swim in the ocean however, because everytime we hit the beach we would see a 6 foot shark coasting up and down the beach about 10 feet from us, so to say the least, it spooked the kids (and me!!). It was a beautiful island, we found our first coconut on the ground, peeled it (which took about 4 hours of hard labor) and cracked it open, just didn't dare eat it not knowing for sure if we could. We stayed in an inn right on the beach which made if very relaxing and enjoyable. We will make it a point to have this area as our quick get away spot.

Birds

2009-01-04T20:34:00.004-05:00

After looking at pictures from our trip to the zoo, I realized I had a few pictures of birds over the years. Thought I would share some.

A Day at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

2009-01-04T20:26:00.004-05:00

We spent the day at the Jacksonville Zoo yesterday. The kids loved it and had a great time. The grounds were beautiful. It was a fun day.

Extra spending cash for the Holidays

2008-12-23T21:56:00.002-05:00

Well this was the first Lemonade stand for Erin in her young entrepreneurial career. She was so excited she could hardly contain herself. She set up shop at the bottom of our driveway and sold for a couple hours bringing home $7.00 at $.25 a glass. Not bad for her first set up. Given her overhead costs she maintained a low occupancy cost which makes me inclined to charge her rent for utilizing the space at the end of the driveway. We'll see how the economy effects her, and then renegotiate.

Festive Night at the Plantation

2008-12-21T20:09:00.002-05:00

Last night was our communities "Christmas Lights" night. For the past several weeks you could get luminary kits from the club house, then last night everyone turns their lights on, lines their driveways with the luminaries and they have a parade with Santa on a float drive through the neighborhood. Of course, I was working the mad house at the mall, so I missed the whole evening, but Lori had our luminaries out, the kids loved it, were catching candy from the parade, then went to the neighbors house to watch christmas movies projected onto the side of their house, all the while sipping hot chocolate on a cool 75 degree evening. It was a nice event for the neighborhood.

Our Christmas lights

2008-12-16T19:12:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving Visitors

2008-12-13T14:53:00.000-05:00

We were extremely happy to have Lori's parents, her brother Brett from Tennessee and his son Brady at our house for Thanksgiving. It is the first time we have had Thanksgiving with Family in 5 years, so it meant a lot to us. They drove down from Tennessee Thursday morning, just in time to get the food cooked and on the table, which was delicious, and I must say I make a mean mashed tater (not for the skinny folks). After lunch we headed to the beach, it was the first time Lori's been to the ocean since he was a child, it was a beautiful day. We searched through all the crushed shells and found a good 8-12 sharks teeth, it was awesome.

Black Friday for me began at 3:00am with lines around the Department Stores, and craziness throughout the entire day. Lori brought her parents and brother to see the madness, so that was fun, but the real fun that day until later when we went out to eat at Clark's Fish Camp. It is a restaurant out on the bank of the river, part of it overhanging over the river, with lilly pads everywhere. While eating, you through your fries over the edge and it creates a frenzy of catfish and turtles fighting for the food, it is a real redneck place - its great. Mom and Dad can attest.

I'm embarrassed to admit, but I will anyway. One of my favorite parts of their stay is that Brett, Brady and I went to the Dog Track to watch the Greyhounds race. It was the best!!! I could lose (or make) a lot of money. I loved it.

It was a great weekend to have family with us.

Picture of the mall on Black Friday:

We're up!

2008-12-11T22:18:00.000-05:00

We're on and ready to roll.

2008-12-11T22:08:00.000-05:00