TO MY FRIEND, SUSAN B.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt

WELCOME BACK, AMERICA! I MISSED YOU!

As I continue to ponder the inauguration and decipher President Obama's words I realize how much they mean not only to America but to the world. Some people were happy just because the Bush administration was ending but it is more than that. President Obama promises a departure from the old ways, a new beginning. He seems to accept his ability to change and empower the whole world. And so much of what he said was left unsaid....echoes of leaders before him, memories of well-fought battles and a vision of America that includes all of us.

YES WE CAN!

Jack and I watched the transfer of power with awe. The moment was history! What a day for our African-American friends. I can only imagine how they feel. We look forward to better days - with hope, and joy and the belief that - yes, we can!

I FOUGHT THE LAW AND I WON!

Today I went to traffic court to contest a speeding ticket I was given last October. I contended that the signage was insufficient. I contacted the DOT in Tallahassee and spoke to their Chief of Safety. She sent traffic engineers down and they AGREED with me and added additional signs. When I told that to the judge he dismissed my ticket and complimented me on my "spotless" driving record! Yay! Power to the people! An attorney there on another case walked out of the building with me and told me she wants me to represent her the next time she gets a ticket!! One addendum: I still had to pay court costs of $81. Boo.

A CABIN IN THE WOODS!

What a Holiday we had! We swapped our Florida home for a cabin in the romantic Poconos for Christmas! It was a road trip so Dakota Kate could join us. The cabin was an hour from Jack's sister, Kristen, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were spent with her, her significant other, Rick, and 2 of her 3 children. Her oldest son, Seth, is in the Air Force and was unable to come home. Lena is 22 and a student at CU in Boulder. Ben is 17 and finshing high school in CA. It was cold, VERY cold - and icy! PA had a lot of snow a few days before we arrived but then it warmed up a little - and guess what? - we were ICED in! Plus, all the snow melted and we were unable to try PA skiing. From PA we drove to Medina OH to celebrate the New Year with our dear friends, The Bigley's, Susan, Todd and Madeline, their beautiful 12 year-old daughter. We didn't have a White Christmas but we woke up to 6inches of new snow on New Year's Eve Day. Beautiful.........we were sad to leave everyone but headed out on January 2nd for the road trip home, stopping to see my Dad in Gainesville - he turned 87 on December 15th! - arriving back to WARM on the fifth. We were so blessed to spend this special time of year with family and close friends. You will notice as you look at the photos and videos there were a LOT of animals at both the homes we visited. That's just one of the MANY reasons we love all these people sooooo much. At Kristen's there were 3 dogs, a cat and and African Grey. At the Bigley's there were 4 dogs and an Amazon who whistles the Ohio State Fight Song and when she's done whistling says, "Go Bucks!". Listen carefully (sorry the video is so dark) and you will hear her!




First stop at The Topaz Motel, Flagler Beach, FL. We have stayed there before - dog friendly!!
Dakota posing on Flagler Beach
Sunrise over the Atlantic!

Here's the cabin!
A snowy face!Slip sliding away!


Dakota made herself right at home!
So did Tito when he came to visit!
Dakota and Tito played well together!
It's Christmas Eve! Ben, Lena and Tito! Conferring on just how to make cream of mushroom soup! Jack and Kristen! Cookie time! That's Cathrone! Leroy, the African grey parrot! Good Morning, Lena! It's Christmas! Santa brought Ben a new laptop! Lena got a new hat and scarf! Doggies got presents, too! Kristen found a bag from the jewelry store! Presents! Santa brought Dakota a stuffed fire hydrant! Sonny stole it! RICKY Romeo aka Fru-fru pulling beer on the sled. Rumor has it that in times past Pomeranians were barge pullers! Just ask Kristen! Tito loved to wear my Christmas scarf! Tito in his hoodie! He loves his Aunt Susan! Rick's delightful father, Fred! With Kristen, Rick, Lena and Ben we celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary at a Portugese restaurant! Happy New Year in snowy Medina! Todd and Jack playing darts and Wii golf! WE fell in love with Wii!!! My beloved friend, Susan aka Mrs. Bigley. When we lived in Medina 3 of us on our cul-de-sac were named Susan so we used our last names! Madeline and her friend made us party hats! Doggies, too! SOPHIE ZOEY TUCKER GUAGE