Emotional Moments

Journaling seems to not be my best task. But in my own defense, I tend to savor my weekends and just seem to not be able to collect my thought long enough to hit the keyboard and share my day to day (or even month to month for that matter) happenings. The last I had entered in this blog was from a wonderful trip we made to visit family in Orlando and then off to Tampa to see the Osmonds perform as well as met up with family/close friends that live in the Tampa area as well. So much has happened in our lives since that time.

My mother-in-law "Cookie" had a very successful heart value replacement surgery in Orlando and came back home and back to her routine in no time at all. This was the year of my 35th class reunion - and as I have always done in the past - planned & hosted a nice weekend event for an intimate group of classmates that were able to be here. We were also waiting with great anticipation, the birth of our second grandchild - who was due to arrive at the end of September.

Life though doesn't always work the way expect that it will. Within a few short months of returning home, I hosted a wonderful party weekend for my childhood friends whom I graduated with. Here is a photo publication that was featured in the local photo magazine called "Conch Color".

No sooner had we caught our breath from that exciting weekend we were faced with Curtis' mom going into the hospital for a simple intestinal surgical procedure. This was early July and as she faced several setbacks and complications, in the end 8 weeks later she lost her battle from complications due to the surgery. We still feel the void her presence was a constant and the daily calls or meals she prepared for Curtis at lunchtime are missed deep to the core of our hearts. She left her earthly home in late August 2011.

Not more than 8 days later on the very day we were cleaning and clearing Cookie's belonging out of her apartment - I got the most unimaginable text. It was from Amber....yes our daughter-in-law. She said she had been feeling discomfort, her mom took her to the hospital and as they monitored her , she soon found herself going into labor!!! THREE WEEKS EARLY LOL!! By that afternoon our newest angel came into the world!
Weighing in at only a mere 6 lbs. 7 oz. , a healthy happy baby girl named Emma Lynn Roberts.

little moments, here and there ......

So much is going on lately that I can hardly keep up LOL! This time of year I am usually busy with alumni banquet planning for my alma mater. I've been on the Convent Alumni Committee for over 10 years and it's an annual event that I always look forward to. Getting together with my childhood friends, classmates and fellow committee members somehow keeps me youthful and spirited. This year's banquet date went through some changes, but we're finally on track with it and look forward to a weekend of fun on April 16th.



Barely able to catch my breath, I am also balancing some packing to move yet again! Yes...we've found a quaint little mobile home park just outside of town which will be perfect for us. It's spacious, and on the water with a spectacular nightly view of sunset. We are so looking forward to those nights when we can unwind out on the back patio listening to the water beating on the rocks, and the seagulls calling out to each other at days end. But, in the meantime I am buried by boxes and chaos in 2 locations. Oh well! The end result with be so worth it !!!

Curtis and I made plans to visit his mom in Clermont who is recovering amazingly well from heart surgery. In addition to travelling to see her, we decided to take a trip to Tampa and get together with several classmates and dear friends who live it that area.

We had the most memorable evening together laugh, crying (I was the only one who did that!) and just enjoying each others company. It had been anywhere from just a few years to almost a lifetime since I had seen some of them.

In addition to that little mini-reunion, Curtis and I managed to get passes to Busch Gardens and enjoy ourselves. We hadn't been there together since our kids were very small so it was nice to go back. While we were there, we took in performances by The Osmond Brothers! For the past 10 years or so I have travelled with my "Chickie" friends to see the Brothers but this time was so special because I was sharing it with the love of my life! I remember glancing over at him during certain songs that the Brothers sang and remembering those songs that filled our lives during our courtship. It made experiencing these shows just a bit more magical and it was wonderful.

In addition to the shows we also attended a Q&A and book signing at Barnes & Noble in Tampa. Jay & Wayne Osmond were there to talk about their books and chat with fans. Sharing this experience with Curtis as well was another precious moment in my life and I just love my sweetie to pieces for being a good sport and being there with me through it all. Now we have our own memories to share of a Brothers' event and concerts.





As if all of this seems to be enough, I am also planning our late Spring trip to Louisiana to visit our little growing family. We are looking forward to seeing Abby and her parents as well as her other set of grandparents - Cindy and Jack! Abby, at 2 years old is growing so fast and making great strides in speech and other milestones that a toddler of her age is expected to achieve. We can't wait to share "precious moments" to come!! We promise to sharing photos of that trip as well !!

Abby....celebrating her 2nd Birthday

Amber & Ricky posted this image from Abby's birthday party! It's so amazing to realize just how many "precious moments" in my life have included in person or online photos,chats, or Louisiana & Key West visits with my adorable granddaughter in the past 2 years and how quick the time has flown by. I love her with all my heart and hope she has a wonderful day with family & friends at her "dora the explorer" party!

And so another year has passed by...oh the moments!

I really need to improve my blogging skills!! I have been to this site so often over the last year, but never seem to make a point to jot down my thoughts. I only blame myself for not taking the time to truly share my feelings....I mean, geesh - 13 months and 1 day since I last posted?? Really?? That has got to change - and maybe now it will !!

About 2 1/2 weeks ago my sweet, creative daughter-in-law let me know we were going to be grandparents again!! The first time - she shared it with us was her sonogram wrapped in a precious birthday box for my 50th birthday! This time however, Amber let me know via "text message" with the image of her pregnancy test!I was picking up coffee on my way to work and froze in my tracks LOL!


Baby #2 will arrive around September 29th, and we hope to be there in time for the birth (only 2 days shy of my Mom's 74th birthday!)......oh what an exciting year 2011 will be and we're so looking forward to counting down the months and days until this event!


In the meantime.....I hope to make a concisous effort to put my thoughts down as often as possible. Thanks again for taking the time to ready my entries !!! Please leave me comments and let me know you were here :)

My Life's Precious "Snapshots" ...

It's amazing to think I have nearly taken for granted many "precious moments" I've experienced in this decade! Someone once said never look back and regret what could have been but look ahead, learn from what was not achieved and grow!  I have much to be thankful for and do not, for one minute have any regrets. Below are a small glimpse at those special times, moments and moreso - special people in my life that have made my experiences treasured times. As the country song says, "Don't blink"! Because some of those special moments can slip by quicker than you realize.

a sunset snapshot as I left work one day.

a fun screen shot I captured from a video of Abby

a photo session for a friend & her son

Make a Smilebox greeting

I could get used to this !

    

I wanted to share with you a collage I created of some of my favorite images of Abby. These were taken at the Martello Towers @ Higgs Beach. The first one created, untouched and done on a lavender background and the other in sepia tone.

As I said before, I was really pleased with the sepia color I used to give a more nostalgic appearance to the collage. There is something really innocent about displaying in a simple tone. I hope to find my unique niche in the future and become more relaxed behind the lens." I really could get used to this ! " 

Abby finally visits Key West

More than any other year since Ricky got married and moved I was so eager for this Thanksgiving to arrive! I found myself constantly referring to so many "moments" this year being a FIRST. We were finally grandparents! It was the "first" time we celebrated grandparents day, but more importantly Thanksgiving and Christmas were going to be Abby's "first" too. Amber and I had been emailing each other alot and we'd made plans to do family pictures at the beach - for Christmas cards but more so just because I love doing annual family pictures. This year especially was no exception! I was beyond pleased with our "family" photo but better still I was so thrilled at just how comfortable Abby continues to be in front of the camera - "Lela's camera" !! I want to share not only the family pictures but some of the most adorable ones of Abby. I tried color versions and black and white to see if it changed the mood of the snapshot I captured. Deep down I really think this could eventually be more than just a hobby but a life long dream come to fruition. Thank you for dropping by ...feel free to leave a comment or critique of my photos. As I bring this post to a close I realized that in just a little less than 60 days my sweet angel will be celebrating her first birthday. Here's wishing you a blessed holiday and healthy and prosperous new year! Stay Safe !!!

Our 2009 Key West Family Photos

November came upon us before I could literally catch my breath. I never seem to have enough hours in the day even when we've changed the clocks back an hour....you see - each year at this time, in my job as an employee benefits clerk, I devote a fast-paced 3 weeks to visiting school sites from Key West to Key Largo and other cities in between on a daily basis to help those wanting to make changes to their health benefits. Those drives up to Key Largo , while making for a long work day - turn out to be some of the most beautiful times to drive "the Keys". I have seen some amazing sunrises and equally breath-taking sunsets on the drive back home that same night. I seem to forget to bring along my camera until I take that moment to realize the rich colors of the sky on that given day I'm on the road. Paradise IS after all famous for brilliant displays of vibrant colors at this time of year (note to self:Always keep your camera close).