So, I had a free night at this condo/timeshare place and it turned out to be right on the beach. Look at that view! I stopped here on my way home from the World Quilt Show to visit my nephew, Nat, and his family.

Had a nice dinner together (pizza) and then, the most remarkable thing. The kids were told they could have their tablets and . . . wait for it . . . total silence ensued. With three little ones! Got to catch up with my nephew and my sister-friend, Sarah.

So, this is what I came home to. Oy vey that dog will never be the same. Here she is with Florence, obviously having had a traumatic and painful separation from me. NOT.

And we scrambled on Saturday to set up for a Sunday party with all of the water aerobics folks. Had a good turn out, I think about 25 people, with lots of good food and drink and super company. I love these guys! So happy to be entertaining in this wonderful little house with the great big pool!

Can't see them very well, but I put tiki torches in the garden.

Laurie and a friend

Even did a little dancing but it was dark by then and for some reason my phone flash failed. Still finding my way around the camera on my i-phone.

It's a long way up to Orlando but a world away from the Fabulous Florida Keys. Here is what greeted me on my arrival. You would not see this in the keys. Praise Jesus.

Anyhoo, I checked into my perfectly adequate hotel and was off to the World Quilt Show in the morning. Spent seven hours drooling over the gorgeous creative imaginative and fantastic quilts I saw. Quite humbling. On the one hand, makes me want to go home and start sewing. Inspiring. On the other hand, makes me want to put away my sewing machine for good. I am not worthy! Here is a small sampling:

from South Africa

Carmen Miranda - love this!

Viewer's Choice - the picture doesn't do it
justice. It was symbolic of the warming of the earth.
The beading in this is incredible.

from Israel. Love that it is a quilt within a quilt

This was making a statement about texting
and driving. Really nicely done.

The world winner and well deserved. Tibet. Awesome.

So check this out. The first two pictures are what my yard looked like one year ago in January. The next two pictures are from last February, and the next two pictures show what it looks like now, night and day (literally-haha). Can you believe it??

These morning glories are welcome intruders from next door. So pretty.

And guess who the wind blew in? Sophie's BFFs, Florence and Jim (not pictured). That look on Sophie's face says, yeah I know I'm not supposed to be up here but I'm not going to move.

They are going to keep each other company while I trek up to Orlando for the World Quilt Show. Woohoo!

New Year's Day found me behind the bar in my tiki. Katrina and Sue came over for a swim and happy hour and then Tom and Lu came by so back into the pool. I am so very grateful, first for my wonderful friends and then, for a place of my own. (Thanks, Mom) The pool is icing on the cake.

A toast to the New Year

Sue and Tom clowning

Lu makes an entrance

Nightfall and thank you, Mick and Ellie, for the
pretty green and blue lights for my tiki

Last but certainly not least, I'm grateful for this little goofball, 

love of my life Sophie

Happy Happy New Year

Last night I dreamt of my beautiful Lucy girl. In my dream, she was sleek and lithe, leaping in the air and running like the wind. No gray hair or cloudy eyes. A ballerina, an athlete. I miss her so much. I woke up in tears but happy to have seen her as she once was. I wish I could see my Dad that way. I've only had one dream where he wasn't wearing the ugly mangle of Alzheimer's. I trust I'll see more of the real him in my dreams soon. 2015 was a year of loss for me. My husband got married. My daddy died. I lost my Lucy. Rose. Now we start 2016. A time for new beginnings, for moving out of the past. I will turn 60 this year! So, let the good times roll. I for one plan to make it a stellar year!  Now, let's review shall we?

words to live by

still apropos in 2016

HANDBOOK 

Health:

1.        Drink plenty of water.

2.        Eat breakfast like a queen, lunch like a princess and dinner  like a beggar.

3.        Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less  food that is manufactured in plants.

4.        Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5.        Make time to meditate.

6.        Play more games.

7.        Read more books than you did in 2015.

8.        Be in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9.        Sleep for 7 hours.

10.      Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11.       Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12.      Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

13.      Don't overdo. Keep your limits.

14.      Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15.      Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16.      Dream more while you are awake.

17.      Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18.      Forget issues of the past. That will ruin your present        happiness.

19.      Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20.     Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 

21.      No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22.     Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23.     Smile and laugh more.

Society:

24.     Call your family often.

25.     Each day give something good to others.

26.     Forgive everyone for everything. 

27.     Try to make at least three people smile each day.

28.     What other people think of you is none of your business.

29.     Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your

          friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

30.     Do the right thing!

31.     Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32.     However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

33.     No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

34.     The best is yet to come.