Indian Shores Beach & Volleyball Finals

Well, our latest adventure was time spent following the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship. In 2005 we traveled to San Antonio, in 2007 to Sacramento-Lake Tahoe, and this year it was Tampa-St.Pete. Each year we had hoped to see our favorite women’s team, the Florida Gators, play in the finals. This year they were knocked-out by the eventual winner, Penn State. We saw awesome volleyball, especially the Finals - Penn State vs Texas.

When we were not attending the volleyball matches we stayed at a resort on Indian Shores Beach. Indian Beach is a large beautiful beach located on Tampa Bay. It is north of St. Pete Beach and south of Clearwater Beach. There are many casual and some upscale restaurants located on Gulf Blvd. and we sampled a few

The photograph on the album cover was taken as two weather fronts came together over the bay. The weather was unusual—at the beginning of the week the fog lasted well into the afternoon. At times we couldn’t see across the intercoastal. We had almost no rain. The last day was absolutely beautiful but the wind was 20-30 mph. The surf was up and dozens of surfers were out in their black body suits looking like seals bobbing in the Gulf. Some people were using kites to pull themselves around in the Gulf while balancing on small surf boards.

Each day brought long walks on the beach and it was a very restful week—perfect recovery mode for Sharon. . So you can see some of the beach pictures and some volleyball pictures go to:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=130457&id=617928368&l=d79c664c6b

Headed to Indian Shores, FL for the week

Leaving today for a week of R&R and Volleyball -- NCAA Final 4 Division 1 Women's Volleyball will take place in the St. Pete Times Forum Thursday and Saturday. Pictures to follow:

Allan & Sharon (Sharon is on the mend)

Sharon’s Medical Adventure

On Friday the 20th Sharon had a follow-up visit with her physician who informed her that her biopsy showed endometrial cancer and it was stage 3! Her doctor had already called a surgeon and they had scheduled surgery for Tuesday morning.

This all happened early Friday morning and Sharon still had to drive to Jacksonville Airport and pick me up from my return from New Mexico. She told me as I drove out of the airport. I lost track of where we were for awhile, but we drove on home to face a long weekend.

Prayers and well wishes began to roll-in like wave after wave. Monday’s meeting with Dr. L. Morgan, gave Sharon great assurance that she would be under excellent care. The wait until the surgery prep Tuesday morning was very emotional, but we employed one of the greatest tools in healing, laughter and joy.

Sharon went under the knife around 10am. I went home and my two sisters Cindy and Beth joined me at my Gainesville home. Cindy and Beth had flown down to Florida to visit my mother and have Thanksgiving with Mom, Clint, Sharon, and I. It was wonderful that they could come over and stay with me until Sharon was in recovery.

Sharon was admitted to the brand new Shand’s Cancer Hospital. This hospital opened November 1 this year and Sharon had helped open it. She is working on the non-trauma orthopedic cancer floor 6 West and she was admitted to 6 East. Therefore, her friends and coworkers were around and helpful.

Many people sent flowers and messages. Thanksgiving Day Dr. Morgan and Dr. Mock came to visit us at Sharon’s bedside. Well they had been able to get all the lab results and the surgeon was positive that the surgery had removed all the cancer and it was in no other tissues!! No radiation, no chemo required, just regular follow-up visits. What a great Thanksgiving Day. Sharon barely ate anything that day and I faired on left-over’s.

Her are some pictures - She is at home and on the road to well being.

My Cross Country Adventure with Dexter

Well, I have a new travel companion, Dexter, my grandson.

He along with his mother, Allison Karrels, my daughter, together we had a great adventure!

On Nov 15 on a beautiful Florida Sunday morning, we set off for New Mexico, via Atlanta, Georgia; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

We had a great time. Dexter, is so much fun. We practiced high-fives, drum patterns, and smiling during the hours we sat together in the back seat of a Ford Escape. Dexter can make anyone smile. He was riding backwards in his high tech baby seat. He found it boring and slept, most of the time. But once he got to his new home he was very active. I was impressed how strong his legs are. He will be walking soon!

I can’t wait for my next adventure with Dexter!

For pictures of sites we saw along the way go to our Face Book photo album:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=123200&id=617928368&l=8bb8b554ac

Dexter meets UF Mascot, Cheerleaders and Volleyball Players!

Dexter is making the rounds at the University of Florida. Friday and Sunday he attended Volleyball matches in which UF won against Georgia and Auburn. Dexter is pictured with Colleen Ward star of the Auburn match!

Dexter Karrels first visit to Florida

Dexter Karrels first visit to Florida
Allison is moving to New Mexico. So, she took this opportunity to visit family and friends in the Eastern time zone. Allison arrived with her son Dexter in Florida at Dexter’s great-grandmother’s home in Fernandina Beach. Dottie Stone is my mother and Allison’s grandmother. The photo album link shows pictures from her home.

We all (Allison, Dexter, Sharon and myself) left Dottie and headed for Gainesville where Dexter and Allison will stay a few weeks. Yesterday evening we took Dex to his first Gator sporting event, a Gator Softball game! The Gators won, of course. Tonight he gets to go to a Volleyball match at the O’Connell Center. Go Gators

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=119457&id=617928368&l=07c96117f9

Halloween 2009

Just a quick note to say Hi! Happy Halloween 2009!
This is a picture of Sharon and our new cat Aja.
This month should be full of adventure as I (Allan) drive with Ali, Dexter, and Tiger Lilly to ABQ, NM.