Where’s our car?!

I wish I had taken a picture last night when we landed in Bangor and went to get our car that had been sitting in the parking lot since Thursday!  It was completely covered with a thick layer of ice plus the plows had gone by so there was a bank of snow that we just could not get over despite the best efforts of the Hubs who has driven through many a snowdrift!  A nice young man from the terminal came out with a shovel and helped us out and we were on our way home.  It was 24* which was delightful compared to the –10* that we had the day we left for Florida.

When I looked out the window this morning I was greeted with this beautiful sight.  It’s not real clear as I had to take it through the window and as Needled Mom can verify I am having MAJOR camera problems! That’s a story in itself!  Any who, I digress.  I looked outside and out of the woods about 15 deer came into the back yard and with them was the piebald deer that has been around the back forty this past summer.  It’s the first time I have been able to get a decent picture of him and he is gorgeous.  He shed his antlers in the fall, I would have loved to have gotten a picture when he had them.

Can you see him in the midst of these other deer?

We were very fortunate to get out of Maine in between snowstorms and missed another one on the way home.  I appreciate all of your comments and prayers for our safe trip.

It was just GORGEOUS in Key Largo!  Sunny, low 80’s, no humidity, the perfect weather.  It is such a beautiful spot and we have enjoyed our many years going there to this conference.

This handsome young man is a friend and has the same name as our son, we were headed out to do some reef fishing…………..

This is the extent of the fishing pictures as several of us got sick and we came back early.  One gal caught some kind of ocean mackerel which we brought back and had for lunch.  It was gorgeous out on the water but it was very rough so the boat was really rocking back and forth.  Our guide was a bit disappointed that we wanted to come back as he wasn’t sick a bit as he does this every day of his life so I am thinking let me get you on the back of a snowmobile and take you for a wild ride and see how you like it Buster! ha!

One of my favorite things to do while here is to go to the cat rescue place where we got Noodles and Munchkin.  I saw several that caught my eye but the Hubs was there giving me the eye so I didn’t even mention it……..Plus there are plenty of kitties that need a home here in Maine. 

It is a lovely facility and the cats have a huge outdoor space that is all fenced in up to ten feet high so that they can’t get out.  They all are clean, healthy and friendly.  I love the staff there, they know every cat by name and love to have people come in and visit and hopefully adopt one of these beauties.

Needled Mom and I had such a good time together.  I think we had more ‘us’ time this time then any other year that we have met up there ! Yay!  We were only about three rooms down from each other and even got to sit at the same table for the first time on the formal night in all the years we have been going.

We took lots of pictures, some good, some crazy and some downright scary but we decided everything was fair game! ha! She will have more on her blog to share with you all too!

This was 60’s night…….. We had a blast!  The music was fun although VERY loud but the band did a good job.

My camera was just having fits…

Here comes the scary part so buckle your seatbelts!!!!

The formal night was very elegant with yellow roses on all of the tables, my favorite.  The food was excellent although was too much.  I will be on crackers and water for the next month….

As you can see you can put a shine on a 60’s sneaker, I love this picture, I treasure our friendship!

While the men were hard at work in the morning sessions we got to eat breakfast together most days.  We both read the book that I took about the Hoyts and the amazing journey they took doing the marathons, biathlons,  and triathlons all over the world.  It’s a wonderful book and I am sure you would be inspired by it.

Of course I found a couple more books while there. This one is a southern cookbook with absolutely yummy, although probably not low cal, recipes.  There is a lot of southern lore along with the recipes and you know me, I love me a good cooking novel!

 

The other is by Lucy Swindoll.   It’s a celebration of our lives as women and finding a balance in our lives.  Quote: Lucy brings balance and wisdom your way as she openly shares her life. She knows from experience the importance of listening, learning, laughing and loving her way through life.  I can’t wait to get into this one!

There is more to tell about this trip but I will save it for next time.  NM and I thought of you all while we were there and and wished you could have joined us.  It was hard saying goodbye, I must admit the tears flowed freely!  Thank you Mary for such a fun time!!!  xoxox