Wrapping up Summer 2011

I really thought that this summer was going to be somewhat relaxing. Hang out at the pool, go to the zoo, the Children's museum, play with friends, etc. It was packed! We did hang at the pool and play with friends a few times, but not one trip to the zoo and finally today we are going to the Children's Museum!

So what did I do this summer you ask? I stripped the wall paper from my master bathroom(with the help and guidance of my good friend Amy). Went to the Florida Keys. Finished painting the bathroom after Amy painted color # 1 while I was vacationing!(I know, I have great friends!!!) Painted my master bedroom. Visited with my dad. Took a very last minute trip to Sarasota, FL with the family. Byron had a business trip there. Prepared stuff for this years job on the PTO. Carted the kids around to various camps and activities. And last but not least, kept up with the never ending responsibilities as RS President. Whew!!

After living here for two years and putting off sprucing up my master bathroom and bedroom. Never finding the time or desire to do it, I finally did! It looks great to me. Guess I will have to take my paint swatches with me though. For it isn't long before we are packing up and heading out of this little town I have really grown to love.

Now y'all are curious where we are headed, aren't ya? Well, nothing is "official" official yet, but it will be soon enough. We are moving to Sarasota. Hence the last minute tag-a-long trip with Byron. I have mixed feelings towards this move. I like it here in Mississippi, I really really do. It's not perfect for sure, but there is so much that I do love. Our ward is great. The schools are really good. I love my neighbors and my neighborhood. I have made some terrific friends, though a few have left themselves...hum...I love the little twang my children have developed. Especially Hannah when I call out to her, she always responds with, "M'am?" and all three almost always answer me with "yes m'am", or "no m'am". This is expected and enforced in school. Besides who doesn't love spelling out, "M-I-crooked letter, crooked letter-I-crooked letter, crooked letter-I-humpback, humpback-I"? I can't do this in FLORIDA can I? It just wouldn't make much sense.

I will say, Sarasota is pretty nice. In the four days we were there, the place grew on me. It's like CA only not nearly as crowded. We were there in the summer time though, so I bet come winter it will be packed like back home when all the "snowbirds" as we called them flocked to Tucson. Everywhere we went, we were met with the nicest folk. One night Byron and I left the kids at the hotel and went out to dinner. Hannah is old enough to hold down the fort for a bit! Yippee! Our waitress we learned is interning at the MOTE Aquarium and offered to leave the kids and I 4 free tickets at the aquarium's front desk so we could go and enjoy. My little Jacques Cousteau loved it!! The kids and I stayed a day longer than Byron did since he needed to get home to then fly out to LA for the week. The restaurant we ate at our last night was a hop, skip and a jump from our hotel. It was a little Italian place. Such yummy food. My calzone was delish. I inquired if I ordered one to go, would it be good the next day as I really wanted to take one back for my super good friend Alison. Can you believe that the owner said he would come in early to make one that I could pick up on my way to the airport? Really folks it's true. That baby was still warm as we boarded the plane for home.

I guess I will be sad when we leave, but look at what is in store! There are sailing clasees for the kids. Classes that teach circus stuff(Ringling Bro. winter home was Sarasota for years!) Warm weather all year long. The #1 beach in the States(Siesta Key), and a long list of other stuff. I guess it might just be OK.