I love this photo!

How is it that I did not know what a roller coaster from hell this whole grieving thing is? Somehow I was unaware. Knowing logically, that we are supposed to bury our parents, that’s the way it should be, isn’t quite how it feels when you are on the loss side of that statement. While it may make total sense in the abstract, it is of no comfort whatsoever when the reality hits you. Last Friday, the 29th of April, was the six month anniversary of mom’s death. It still seems so unreal….Tyler, Rick and I went to Athens for a quiet dinner and toasted mom. It is so strange that I can feel happy one day and so incredibly sad the next. I can talk to Tyler about how mom lived her life to the fullest and appreciated every day and that she wouldn’t want us to mope around being sad. I can even mean it and believe it. At that moment.

Yesterday I stopped in at World Market and within the first 20 or 30 feet of entering the store, I came across three different sets mothers and daughters out shopping together. About the same ages as my mom and me. I just teared up and had to leave. Why her? Will I ever stop asking myself that question? Will I ever get over the fact that her neurosurgeon, in all likelihood, hastened her death? I’m still filled with rage where he is concerned. And the fact that I have no mother to celebrate for the first time this Mother’s Day is painful beyond belief. I miss her so much. I know we often drove each other crazy, which I think is very normal for strong-willed mothers and daughters, but I would give anything to have her drive me crazy one more time.

So, wow, that was a fun trip. We actually got home last Tuesday, but the last part of our trip and after we got home has been incredibly busy. We spent about seven days with Jenna and her husband and had a great time there. We tried all kinds of great restaurants. We got to witness Tyler Krager eating oysters and octopus for the first time, which was great. He comes from a small town in Illinois, not really known for it’s diversity in food, or anything else, for that matter! Anyway, him trying new things is big, and especially cool because he likes it. I love how open minded he has become, since that is such a huge change from the way they are back home.

After the first week there, Rick and I decided to go explore the Atlantic coast and absolutely fell in love with the Daytona Beach area. This is not an area I was even mildly interested in, but it was beautiful and the people were so friendly. Don’t even get me started on the great beach. So, to make a long story short, we bought a condominium there. Ever since we sold the business back in 2010, we had been thinking about getting a place on the beach, and almost bought one in Clearwater back in 2014 when we took the big road trip. But now that we will have our daughter, son in law, and a grandchild in Florida, we figured, what the heck. If not there, now, where and when would make more sense? Besides, it is a little over an hour from the town Jenna lives in. We found a great deal, and we already have it rented out for four months next year, which covers most of the expenses for the whole year. It was a no-brainer. No, we aren’t planning on spending half the year there or anything, but we will try to go there a several times a year and stay two to three weeks at a time. When we aren’t there Jenna and her husband can use it, or our son Tyler can go there and we will also rent it out here and there, but not until next year. This year we are redecorating it and making it ours. It is obvious that it was owned by an older couple-the decorating was very 80’s and not in a good way. We can’t wait to get started on this project! We head back for a couple of weeks next month.

After we found the perfect condo, Rick was ready to head back home. Originally we thought we would just explore both coasts on the way there and back, but after our week in Daytona, we saw no reason. We spent another couple of days with Jenna and headed back. While the way over was a nice leisurely 6 day drive, the way home was a three day race through some of the crappiest weather we have ever driven in. We got to make a great first stop in Mobile, Alabama for some crazy good oysters, and spent our first night in Lafayette, Louisiana. The second day was pure hell on the road. It started raining around Lake Charles, with the worst rain around Beaumont, TX. Zero visibility-basically following taillights. I just wanted to get into a fetal position in the passenger seat and weep. That was the first bad day of flooding in Houston, and lucky us, we got to see it firsthand. In the middle of Houston the highway patrol, had I-10 closed. No detour signs, no arrows just now you’re on 45 south. Sweet. We found our way around on the loop and got back on I-10, only to to find ourselves about 50 miles west of Houston at a standstill because the road was flooded. I mean, flooded. We were directed to drive at about 2 miles an hour single file in the left lane. We made it to Fort Stockton again after several more storms. Basically, Rick drove 11 1/2 hours in some of the the worst weather ever. I was useless. I did, however drive most of the way home on Tuesday so he could have a well deserved break….

Some photos:

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SURPRISE!!!

So, that’s the big news! The Kragers are having a baby! Jenna is in the first week of her second trimester…The due date is October 11th. We couldn’t be more excited! We went out to The Villages yesterday to take the baby announcement photos. What a place! I think this is an area they might make their permanent home. I can’t imagine, golf wise, how Tyler could do much better in his career. And Jenna seems to really like her new job. She’s enjoying the hospital atmosphere, and in addition to the public relations work, will be doing two separate healthcare shows, one on television and one for the hospital. So back on air for Jenna.

We spent Tuesday exploring the immediate area. There’s a boardwalk around Lake Dora that has alligators in the shallows. It’s so pretty, but definitely has a creepy undertone. The trees have Spanish moss draped from the branches, and I swear the area looks like It was staged by Disney! Signs warning you to not feed the alligators makes you want to not venture off the boardwalk on the trails, just in case they might confuse you with a food source.

The food in this area is pretty good…lots of seafood and a lot of diversity. The first night we had Peruvian food, which I’ve never tried before. It was delicious! We followed that up with gelato. Last night we ate at Ty’s country club on the patio overlooking the greens. Part of getting ready here includes spraying myself down with insect repellent. Mosquitoes love me. I don’t even want to think about how many more there will be come summertime!

We left New Orleans in the morning, drove across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama and got to Florida in time for a late  lunch. Magical. This was our first true pit stop. Or maybe after our beautiful hotel, the difference was too extreme, but ugh, not a fan of this area. We got a room in a place called Inn at Destin Harbor. Sounds nice, and the photographer that took the pictures of this place is a freaking magician. But, cannot wait to get the hell out of here……. The whole (or hole) area is kind of trashy. They call it the emerald coast-I have a few more accurate suggestions. Please forgive my bratty tone!

After spending a night in Lake Charles, we took off bright and early to explore Natchez. They had a spring festival going on so it was pretty busy. We did a little self guided walking tour after a delicious barbecue lunch at the Pig Out Inn. You can imagine how much we needed a walk after that! It is a very nice little town and I’m glad we got to see it….I’m equally glad we couldn’t find a decent hotel room there. That meant we would go to New Orleans a day early. Let the wild rumpus begin!

Today is February 29th. It’s been four months since mom died. So hard to believe…. I spent some time over at the house today putting more collectibles away. Still not getting rid of any-just trying to get it to look more like a young man lives there. I did finally start on the going through the clothes closets part of the adventure. Wow, there were so many things in the closets that I haven’t seen in many years. It’s a huge job, but I think it’s time. We did come up with some paintings that we would like some of mom’s friends to have. Will figure out the logistics of that soon.

The very best news this weekend is that my cousin Roland made it through his cancer surgery with flying colors. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief. He still has another week in the hospital, but it’s looking good,

Tomorrow Jenna and her husband are leaving Texas and moving to Florida. So, it’s safe to say we will be spending some time there in the very near future. So excited for them on their new adventure! We will miss them being just a 12 hour drive away though……