Never Say Never

Thursdays are a special day of the week because my teacher friends and I get together at lunchtime and enjoy a relaxing lunch. I usually pick up lunch and bring it in and we sit down for 35 minutes and talk about what's going on. It is a day I look forward to and so do they.
A few weeks ago Kathy told me that Chris, the principal was going to talk to me about a job opening at UME. I must have been in a very bad mood and went off telling all my friends I was NOT interested in teaching ever again, I didn't want to work in the school once my after school gig was up, etc, etc, etc.
Monday morning Chris called me and asked me if I was interested in working with a student as a "tracker" for three days. I agreed, so today is day three of working again for the school district. Yesterday Chris came into the classroom we were in and asked me if I would substitute for the morning in one of the fifth grade classes. So today I will be a "tracker" and a substitute teacher.
I really would rather be working out in my yard, taking Copper for a walk, or riding my bike, but I will go and enjoy this experience. I hope I have made a difference in Ethan's school days.

Now!! That was Fun!!

We have returned home from our Florida vacation. We really did enjoy ourselves and wish it could have gone on longer. We spent time on the beach, spent a day on the gulf fishing, ate lots of great seafood, and even took in a Tampa Bay Rays bb game.

We flew from SLC to Tampa on Sunday, stopping in Denver and changing planes in Kansas City. (I do not suggest stopping in KC. The airport is just awful.) After arriving in Tampa, we stopped at LeRoy Selmon's for a delicious dinner and then drove to Sarasota via the Sun Shine sky way. It is a beautiful drive along the coast. Roy and I went for an evening walk in his neighborhood.

Monday, while Nate and I chilled out, Roy headed into work. He picked us up for lunch and a drive around the area. We ate at a place named "Pincher's Crab Shack" and my fried shrimp was the best shrimp I can ever remember eating. Nate and I went to Roy's office where we picked up our "car" for the week. A very nice Lexus. Later that afternoon, we headed to the community pool for a relaxing time. After Roy finished work, we headed to Lido Beach.

Tuesday was a wet and windy day. Roy came and got us for lunch--a little pizza place where we enjoyed a Chicago style pizza. After dropping Roy off at work, Nate and I found a place where Nate got his haircut. (He looks so much better.)For dinner that night we went to "Stonewood Grill" for a great steak dinner. The rest of the evening we drove around Lakewood Ranch looking at homes for sale.

Wednesday, I got up early and went to look at a couple of model homes in the area and after picking Nate up and feeding him, we headed back to Lakewood Ranch to get more info on homes in the area. After Roy finished with work, we jumped back in the car and headed to Siesta Key for another evening on the beach. We ate dinner at the "Lobster Pot", a little place we drove by on the Key. The seafood there was great--another delicious seafood dinner.

Thursday was our day for fishing. We got up early and headed to Sarasota Bay and jumped aboard the "Flying Fish". We went out into the gulf for some deep sea fishing. I caught the first fish of the day, (for our group), Roy caught the most fish, although we weren't keeping score, and I think Nate caught the biggest fish of one's caught by the Turner fisherpersons. We all came back a lot redder that when we left. It truly was a fun day. Later, Nate and I headed back to Longboat Key and an evening walking along Lido Beach.

Friday was chill out day for Mom and Nate. I went and bought souvenir t-shirts for the grandkids. We met Roy for lunch at an Irish pub called "Firkins and Fox." It was an interesting little place. Friday night we headed to Tampa for the Rays game. The game was great--Tampa beat the White Sox on a pinch hit grand slam home run. Tropicana Field leaves a lot to be desired in the comfort area and baseball should really be played outside. Why can't every ball stadium be like Camden Yard in Baltimore?

Saturday was travel day and Nate and I arrived home late at night. It was a great trip and I look forward to spending more time in the warm climate of Central Florida. There is so much to see and do.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE

1. It's taken on a Saturday. (Today, April 11.)

2. Spring break started yesterday when school let out.

3. We are leaving for Florida tomorrow so Nate should be out with friends.

4. That's a book he is reading. 1984 to be exact. Yes, he is truly reading every page of the book.

WHAT'S HAPPENED TO MY SON???

Passing Time

It seems like forever since I posted a new blog. In truth, there is not a lot going on here on the home front. Nate has finished his ACT prep class so no more getting up at 6:30. He did very well and I am proud of his accomplishment.

The weather has been typical Wyoming spring time weather. Warm one day and snowy the next. Last Saturday, April 4th, Dad and I cleaned 6 inches of snow off the driveway. It has almost all melted away today. (Last check it was 55 here.)

I have been reading alot this spring, just like I usually do in the springtime. Dave and Summer sent me a book about Yellowstone that I enjoyed reading. As I read, it brought to mind so many of my trips to Yellowstone and surrounding areas. It also made me think of places I still would like to visit. I also read a biography on the life of Kit Carson and his role in settling the southwest and made me realize how much I would like to spend time exploring the Santa Fe, Taos, New Mexico area. (That's lucky because I would like to visit Albuquerque longer, too)

Summertime will surely be upon us, sooner that later, I hope and I have lots of fun plans for the warmer months. I have furniture that I want to refinish, but at the top of my list is going camping this summer. I really would like to travel south to New Mexico and do some camping with the New Mexico Turners and then travel North to do some camping with the Idaho Kimbers. The Orem Ellsworths would like to spend some time at Bear Lake, also, so you see I have lots to look forward to this summer.

Nate and I will spend next week in sunny Florida. I am looking forward to that and we have lots of things planned. I will post lots of pictures when I return.

Nate's junior prom was last weekend, so I thought I would post a picture of Nate and his date, Jackie. He looks like he is really enjoying himself, doesn't he.