Karen Turns 60!, Going Home!, and A Fun Trip!

This week I went back to where I call home.

We lived in Nashville for about 12 years, my kids grew up there for the most part, and my very best friends all still live there.

We all get together about twice a year for birthdays and weddings.

And a few other things.

To say it feels SO comfortable going home is an understatement.

And dang....not sure why my friends never age.

I mean, I've been friends with them for about 20 something years!

So, when we decided to celebrate Karen's 60th, I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

I stay with my best bud Connie's home which, yes, I oooooh and ahhhhhh all over.

It's just amazingly beautiful, just straight out of Veranda.

sneak peek of my favorite part...

isn't that amazing?  Macrome roping.

So.  I got there and Connie had a huge surprise for me.

Connie and I have known each other for almost 20 years now.  We are kindred spririts and wild dogs could not tear us apart.

We are as different as night and day, but so alike that it's scary.

That doesn't make since, but...

let me explain.

Connie is a health nut....me? not so much

Connie exercises all the time....me not so much

Connie NEVER sits down.....me? well, lets just say that my new Iwatch tells me it's time to get my fat butt off the sofa.

Connie and I both LOVE art.

We have VERY similar taste for beautiful things.

Many times we will see each other and without knowing, will have purchased the same items.

It's just wierd.

We both love projects and we both love to cook.

So, back to when I got there.

She took me to see Darius Rucker.

yum.

What a terrific performer.

And she knows him, which scored us some back stage meet and greet!

We had some fun at the Wildhorse Saloon!

So when you're backstage with Darius Rucker, you have to do a "Fireball" shot with him before he goes on stage to perform.....

...it's been a REALLY long time since I've done a shot of any kind.....

but I was ready....

and then one of my favorite bands

Little Big Town

gave us the thumbs up!

no really, they were watching.....

So, after sleeping until 9 a.m. the next morning, Connie got me up and took me to her exercise class......

Lets just say I had a hard time walking until today (and that was Tuesday)

That night, Barbara brought over some of the most amazing seafood straight from Alaska and we cooked it up for Karen's 60th birthday surprise!!!

What fun!

We sat around and told our very favorite stories of the last 19 years.

We are about to celebrate the anniversary of our 4.0 USTA tennis team going to Nationals in Tuscan!

(we came in 5th place)

(You really should have heard the stories.........quite entertaining I might add)

this was us WAYYYYY back then. OMG...

and another year of tennis....

wow.  these were all a really long time ago!

And now!

A special birthday celebration for Karen!!!!

To my sweet friend!

Happy happy Karen!!!

May the next 60 years be just as good to you!!!!

xxxooo

kb

Two New Paintings!

New from the "Landscape Series"

"Peaceful Day"

30 x 22

Mixed media on deep profile gallery wrapped canvas

Price upon request

"Dripping Orchids"

22 x 30

Mixed media on deep profile gallery wrapped canvas

Price upon request

kbdr@aol.com

"Summer Surprise"! Part II

So, after our adventure at Weekie Wachee, we decided to head on down the coast to Port St. Richey.

"W" and I said that really, really all you have to do to make kids at this age have a good time is a hotel, hotel breakfast, and a hotel pool.

That's it.

But, I'm assuming after a while, even that would get old.

We woke up Sunday morning and headed down to another State Park called "Honeymoon Beach"

What a beautiful place!

The beach is different than what we are used.  Very shellie and lots of rocks in the water makes wading a little lot difficult.

This was where my camera battery died. ugh!

Luckily, I was able to snap a few shots with my phone.

but really, that was it!

After a 1 1/2 hour beach dig, we jumped in the car, had a bite of lunch (charged my camera) and headed back up north.

to....

Ride on an Airboat!

but first...

a nap.

If you've never ridden on an airboat, put it on your bucket list.

It's just fun!

and

this is where I got a little camera happy ;)

(dresses from Hannah Anderson)

this one wasn't too sure at first.

sweetest thing I've ever seen.

the boat skims over the surface and you get to see all kinds of wildlife treasures!

we saw one alligator.

*tip.  We went at 5 p.m.  If you go on an airboat ride, I think you would see more "gators" in the earlier, cooler hours.

We realized that we kinda overdid that day.

That night was not the most fun any of us had.

just saying.

Anyway, we headed to Lake City!

Everyone had a great shower and hit the sack around 9.

We had some VERY tired kids.

and

tired grandparents.

On Monday, after another hotel swim, and hotel breakfast, I packed a picnic lunch and we headed here.

to yet another State Park!

www.ichetuckneeriver.com

SO incredibly beautiful!

*tip.

Get a paddle.  The river was really slow and we were having to paddle with our hands.

but a really great end to a beautiful trip with the G-kids!

I think it is safe to say our first "Summer Surpise" trip was a huge success!!!

What made this trip special?

We loved surpising our grandkids.  Also, we made use of State Parks.  Florida has terrific state parks and best of all? They're cheap!  We wanted to do everything natural, and let them see how to have fun through just exploring!  We did not want to do anything that did not involve nature.  Nothing "theme parky".

Well, except for Weekie Wachee.

(but that's different)

***tip!

If you take a road trip with kids this age, make frequent stops.  Just relax and take your time.  Don't be on a set schedule or it will drive you crazy and then melt downs happen.  I think driving 2 hours and stopping at different places is the way to go.

Also, we added up the cost of this trip.  We spent less than 1,000.00 for this trip.

And really, it could have been done even cheaper.

Next time I will pack a cooler of food.

Also, if you take 3 kids, take a blowup mattress (or one adult will be sleeping on a vinyl couch)

Stay at a Hampton Inn or even better Homewood Suites (the best IMHO)

Have a wonderful day y'all!

kb