Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Praying that everyone had a great Christmas & 

will enjoy abundant blessings throughout 2016.

Here's how hubby & I celebrated after Christmas.

Interval run at Clearwater Beach

Pier 60

Ice cream sundae bench

Hmm!  Which way should I go?

Coffee after running!

 Movie Time!

 

(compliments of hubby's place of employment)

 

 

It has been a looong time since we've been to a movie theater.

 HAPPY  NEW YEAR!!

 

Fifth Half Marathon

COMPLETE!!

I had not participated in a half marathon for 6 1/2 years,

so this was quite an accomplishment.

I had a personal best time which really pleased me.

participant medal

The 14th Annual Florida Holiday Halfathon was held on December 13th.

We started at Madeira Beach, FL & ran north to finish up at Taylor Park in Largo, FL.

The weather was beautiful - sunny & 70ish!!

course map

I have been training with a group of ladies,

FAB 50 Women on the Run, for a marathon in January.

Per our training schedule the Holiday Halfathon was our "recovery run."

Before the Race!

The Finish Line!

This was NOT my finish time.

I started early with the walkers,

since I am an interval run/walker.

After the race some of the FAB 50 ladies performed a Flash Mob dance routine.

Since I have no rhythm I did NOT participate.

What a fun day with a great group of ladies!

Look for the marathon result post in January!!

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE . . . .

CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas!

With all the commercialism surrounding this time of year,

please remember the reason for the season is Jesus.

Wood Storks In Action

The Wood Stork is one of Florida's signature wading birds.

It is a long-legged, awkward-looking bird on land that soars like a raptor in the air. 

Like many Florida birds associated with wetlands, the Wood Stork has suffered from the destruction and degradation of our state's wetlands. Today, the Wood Stork is classed "Endangered" by the State of Florida and the federal government.

It feeds in shallow water, stirring the bottom with its unlikely pink feet and snapping up small prey that are unlucky enough to encounter the bird's sensitive bill. 

They nest in early spring, just in time for the traditional season of lowest water when prey items will be concentrated in shrunken wetlands, providing good hunting so the storks can feed their young.

 

 What do Wood Storks really like to eat?

My neighbor's flowers!!

BROTHERS

We recently enjoyed a visit from both of my brothers.

It was too short, but very sweet!!

We miss you already & can't wait to see you again!

 

More Chicago Happenings

What is a "Trunk Show"?

A trunk show is a special event in which an artist or designer puts on a special display of his or her work for review by a select group. The name comes from the fact that a designer will literally show up with a trunk of merchandise to show off.  It is quite common for attendees to have the opportunity to purchase or order items during the event.  

Trunk Show is taken very literally by Chicago artists!

During our recent visit to Chicago we attended a Trunk Show

a block away from our son & daughter-in-law's apartment.

Our grandson rode a borrowed bicycle to the show.

The participating artist designs bumper stickers.

 The "trunk" of the car oozed smoke!

 

Refreshments were served from the hood of the car for the enjoyment of the attendees.

Some attendees (our grandson) provided their own entertainment!

Neighborhood park fun!

 Impromptu t-ball!!

I love visits with our grandchildren!!

Chicago = Grandchildren & Picnics

We spent a few days in Chicago visiting the grandchildren and our son & daughter-in-law.

One negative about living in FL is that we are further away from the grandchildren.

We try to visit them once a quarter.

 The weather was perfect when we were there in September.

Three out of the five days I was there we had picnic lunches!

Picnic lunch 'one" was at the Field Museum.

We went on "free" day which was a bonus!

They have a great children's play area.

Lunch was in a nice shady spot next to Lake Michigan.

Picnic "two" was near our son's place of employment.

We walked a couple of miles from the apartment to our son's gallery.

Then we walked a couple of blocks to the park!

After we ate lunch our son had to go back to work.

We stayed at the park & the grandchildren had a blast playing.

Picnic "three" was by the river after church on Sunday.

We stopped in at Trader Joes & bought lunch fixins.

Since it was Labor Day weekend there was a lot of river traffic to watch.

After lunch & people watching we packed up & continued to walk along the river.

As we made our way towards one of the train stations we passed by Millennium Park.

The grandchildren knew the routine at the Lurie Garden where there was a shallow stream.

They promptly sat down & started removing shoes & socks so they could go wading.

Evidently they had done this before!!

I didn't dare take my shoes & socks off 

because I wouldn't have wanted to put them back on.

We still had to walk/ride home!!

Everyone was exhaustd by the time we got home,

but we had such a good time.