Dexter's Premier

Ohio—4/29 through 5/19/09


This was a wonderful trip—I drove up from Gainesville to Dayton and got to spend time with Dan and Ali before Dexter joined us. I spent one day with Heather, Jeff, and Cole and my brother. Heather and Cole came for a visit and we went to a science museum where Cole got to play and see and do fun things.

May 5 Dan and Ali went to the Wright-Pat base hospital to get started on induction and I was able to join them after 10 a.m. Heather came over in early afternoon and after a lot of pushing Dexter joined us, too!!! It was so amazing to witness his birth!!!!! After an extra day’s stay to be under the lights for jaundice the family came home and were greeted royally by Bosley, Ophelia, and Tigerlily.

Jeff, Heather, and Cole came by on the weekend for the day and we all enjoyed seeing Cole’s reaction—he did a great job of sharing until he just couldn’t stand Heather holding Dexter for one more moment!

We spent our days taking walks, caring for Dexter, and of course my favorite times were when I got to hold him! He is a beautiful little boy, so lucky to have Dan and Ali for parents. They are doing so well with him. Dan is so good changing diapers, feeding him, caring for him!

I hated to leave but had to get back to work. There are plenty of photos to see if you would like—see below. I can’t wait to get back up there!! Having some problems posting pictures to Facebook, but here are a few http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=80241&id=617928368&l=01a7a44328

Shrimp Feast 2009

Shrimp Feast 2009 46th Annual at Fernandina Beach, FL

I had the chance to go to the Shrimp Feast at the beach today. It really is an excuse to go visit my mother and get in some walking exercise around the old downtown and on the beach. The shrimp feast all got started with the blessing of the shrimp boats years ago. Fernandia is a port city on the Atlantic and has a harbor that separates Florida from Georgia. Today the have fun by having pirates land and take over the city and turn the town into a big block party with shrimp on the grill, cold drinks, art for sale and old antiques about.

So, this antique went and picked up an even older antique (my mom’s now 84 and the youngest of her sisters) and together we walked about, did not buy anything, took some pictures, ate some shrimp, and had a good time. Hope you enjoy the pictures. for pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75951&id=617928368&l=b0f14d3de8

Backyard pet?

April 3, 2009--A backyard armadillo surprise!

As I looked out the window into our backyard I was quite surprised to see this weird creature walking across the back. I grabbed my camera and went out for some close ups. He ran under a gap in the fence to our neighbor’s yard and I haven’t seen him since.

Stephen Foster

A MORNING STROLL

I took my camera along on my morning walk through our funky neighborhood today because it is such a lovely day with the sun shining, mild breeze blowing, birds chirping constantly, flowers (especially the azaleas) in bloom, and the new tree leaves bursting forth.
I’ve just got zinnias in the planters by our front steps and a pot garden (2 bell pepper and 2 cherry tomato plants) started on the back porch. It is so nice to have spring here!

For pictures go to:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=71899&id=617928368&l=c354d24713

for pictures go to:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=67076&id=617928368&l=f69c38c1b6





Saturday March 14, 2009

DUDLEY FARM HISTORIC STATE PARK

This weekend is the big Paint Out fundraiser at the farm and one of our friends is among the artists scattered all over the place painting farm scenes. We had never been to the farm before and decided to spend the morning. It is about 8 miles west of Gainesville and was founded before the Civil War. Three generations of Dudleys worked the farm for over 100 years. It is still worked daily by volunteers who are well versed in how things were done in the late 1800’s.
Today the farm includes the farmhouse, separate kitchen, gardens, cane syrup house, sweet potato cellar, general store, hay barn, stables, corn crib, tobacco barn, chicken area, smoke house, outhouse, corn fields, sugar cane fields, grape arbors, well with a hand pump. There were a few mules and horses. The volunteers were working in the gardens, spinning yarn, cooking, washing clothes, making baskets and rag rugs. They were eager to explain how these things were done.The weather was delightful and we had a good time.

2/26 through 3/3/09 Sharon’s Ohio Trip

I had such a great time visiting our girls and families in Ohio. Even the cold weather didn’t matter!!
Cole is an amazing boy—so bright, so loving, so adorable. His voice is so sweet—especially when he calls me Nana. We had a fun exploring the children’s area and water world at COSI in Columbus (Heather, Ali, Cole, and me).
Ali’s baby shower was terrific. Her coworkers are all so very nice and did a beautiful job at Panera’s with all the decorations, food, and gifts. Heather’s games were a big hit, too.
I got to attend another of Heather’s psych classes at Columbus State which are always entertaining. I also got to spend time with my hand on Ali’s belly interacting with little Dexter!
Ali and I had lunch with brother Bob. He got advice and a lesson on his laptop from Ali on genealogy research.
It was hard to leave but I shall return the end of April for Dexter’s debut!!
I took plenty of photos—hope you enjoy them!
For pictures go to the link below and enjoy.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=65833&id=617928368&l=2d766

Beezer

Our long time pal is gone, but never forgotten:

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BEEZER

Have you ever had a cat that comes when it is called?
Have you ever had a cat that recognized its name?
Have you ever had a cat that would give you her paw?
Have you ever had a cat that wanted to eat your peas?
The marks on her face said “M” for Maine Coon,
but, we knew it stood for Moynihan.
She loved us without reservation.
She captured our hearts and demanded our affection.
We called her Beezer.
1996-2009