Let's (Not) Bee Friends!!

A few of you know that a couple weeks ago, I walked into my studio and looked out the window as I always do, to admire the view. My heart nearly stopped as I saw the entire view blocked by hundreds of bees ~ on the INSIDE of the window!! I beat a hasty retreat & got Larry. He tried to open the window for them to leave, but most were dying and the few that left, tried to return. We let nature take its course and cleaned bees up off the floor. We thought that we knew where they might have gotten in ~ but, one thing led to another, & thinking it was probably a fluke, we let it slide. Well ... last Saturday late afternoon, I again went into my studio to get my laptop, and history repeated itself!! There, covering the window, were hundreds of bees! I felt like I was in a bad "B" movie remake of The Birds & bees had been substituted. Once again I beat a hasty retreat & this time Larry was able to watch them enter the room. He sent J and Pat to the store for expandable sealer for the outside of the house while he clear caulked the interior opening. He also sprayed bee killer on them. We let them die in peace as he & Pat fixed the exterior. Monday morning I cleaned up the mess. This was just a small portion of the bees:


Here's a close-up:

How disgusting! But, now we are sealed up tight. I don't care to be friends with these bees.

Total Surprise!!

Well, this last Friday was my birthday and Larry surprised me big-time! He arranged for Shelley to fly down from Illinois to surprise me. Becca picked her up from the airport and brought her here. As I answered the door & saw Becca, I reached out to give her a hug & caught Shelley out of the corner of my eye. It didn't register at first, but when it sunk in, I almost had heart failure!! That evening, Becca hosted a birthday dinner for me at Fatty & Mabel's.

We had a riot!! Dinner was wonderful, drinks were great, and the tequila shot was superb!! Here we all are: Robin, Shelley, me, Larry & Becca

Saturday morning, Becca arranged a boat excursion for us with her friend "Capt'n Dave". He was a great seaman!! Here is Shelley & I in the back leaving Gulf Harbors.

We went out to Anclote Island & had a few beverages & chatted. We hunted for shells, watched some dogs playing together in the surf & walked the island. Here is Larry & Robin

And Becca & Capt'n Dave

We cooked out on the boat & then headed back in. He took us by our house. This is the first time we have seen it from the water. He got in so close.

We had a perfect day on the water & then went to the New Port Richey celebration. Had dinner at Fitzgerald's (Fabulous Sheppard's Pie) and saw the fireworks. We also had a couple more tequila shots & met some more friends! It was a wonderful weekend. Larry is so thoughtful & caring. I couldn't be more lucky to have him & our friends ~ both the "old ones" & the new!! Thanks to everyone for making my birthday so special!!

Not in Oz ...

OK, so I know I am supposed to get Jennifer's wedding pics up here & I promise I will ~ BUT ~ 3 days ago we had a wild & wicked storm blow thru ... & I do mean blow!! 65 mph winds with rain and hail. We lost a lounger off the 3rd floor balcony (totaled) as well as a couple of cushions that wound up in the neighbor's lot. A fish by the pool is now IN the pool. :-)

Isn't funny how the wind can do these things?

Gracious Dinner in Yorkville

Friday night dinner in Yorkville was wonderful. The people and the food were, as always, stellar!! Our gracious hosts, Joanna & Mike, who also let us invade their privacy and stay the week with them as well. We thank them!!

Here is Joanna & Sue looking angelic.

The food was awesome and so was the company!!

Magic Hands! Thanks again!!

So good to be here with our friends.

Every party needs a dancer!

It was a dance move ...

We had a fabulous time!! Florida is wonderful & we are making a few friends here, but we miss our "old" friends too.

April Birthdays

For quite a few years now Val & Bob, Tammy & Don, and Larry & I have gotten together for the "April Birthdays". Out of the six of us, four have birthdays in April; Bob, Tammy, Don, & Larry. We had dinner at Rock Bottom where they surprised the Birthday-ees with cake & ice cream.

Yummy!

Tammy & Don

The group

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was spent with Ma & Dad having breakfast at Timber Oaks Clubhouse. They had everything you could think of to eat: biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, omletes, french toast, pancakes, juce, coffee and Bloody Marys! We had a wonderful time!! All my kids managed to check in for Mother's Day & wish me the best. Thank you all!! This picture sums it up nicely tho ... If you are thinking of doing something that you shouldn't ...

Don't You DAAR-RA!! Because Mother Knows Best!!

Ma & Dad's 40th Anniversary!!

Who would have thunk it?? 40 years??!! And they are still smiling!! :-) Larry and I helped them celebrate their 40th anniversary. Ma wanted to know if we heard the one about ...

It was a really good one!!

We went to Outback Steakhouse and ate ourselves silly!!

These two are forever wary of the other!! Is that the secret to 40 years together??

Here's to 40 more!!