Florida...Day 1

So, here we are in Land o' Lakes, Florida. Last I heard, Florida is supposed to be the "Sunshine State", but today it's been nothing but RAINING and humid. For our first full day here, I don't so much mind being home bound and doing nothing. Anyone who truly knows me is aware that I am incapable of sitting still for too long. However, after our 18 hour drive, I have appreciated the down time.
I slept wonderfully last night, and had a fantastic run this morning! Since then, we've just been 'vegging out'.

The drive...
It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. haha. We tried to sleep as best we could in the car, but truth be told, it was very difficult. My poor neck hurt every time I woke to change positions. Little Joey (who is celebrating his 9th birthday today! yay!) was awake from about 6 in the morning 'til we got here...so, he slept for about 6 hours and was READY to go after that. ha! Our drive from NY to VA was as smooth sailing as possible. I got to bond w/ Shannon's sister-in-law, Josephine, and eventually, we all fell asleep.

After a stop in Virginia for gas and a bathroom break, we drove AGAIN straight to Georgia (I LOVE Georgia), and we then stopped in Cracker Barrel for a delicious breakfast. We were all in very good spirits for a bunch that had been 'car bound' for so long. From there, I took over the driving and Shan and I sang, chatted, and continued on the way. We did make a stop at a 'Waffle House' for a quick bathroom stop, and for all the great things I've heard my Southern friends say about it, perhaps I simply walked into the wrong one. Hmmm?

I'm excited for what the rest of the week will bring..I'm meeting with a college friend on Tuesday, and we have a fun day planned...nothing concrete, but I'm positive it will be wonderful. Wednesday, the Celentano family and I are headed to see the NY Yankees play, and I'm SURE that will be awesome!!! And the rest of the week~who knows where it will take us? What I do know is that I'm grateful that Shannon invited me to spend our Easter Break with her and her family. They are an amazing group of people, and once again, I know I've been blessed by having her and her family in my life.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

This past Sunday, my family and I celebrated my father's 58th birthday. Trying to get everyone to agree on a venue is always a project, but thankfully we came to a happy medium fairly quickly. The choices were somewhere sort of healthy (my IDEAL restaurant), with STEAK (dad's ideal restaurant!). Noda's Japanese Steakhouse in White Plains is where we finally agreed upon. I know dad was pleased to have his loved ones around him. It was especially nice to have Mom, Grandma, and Natalie with us. I sit here and laugh to myself as I recall him telling me the waiters BETTER not come sing to him, and as usual, I replied with an "okay" and ignored his silliness. However, I'm sure he wasn't surprised to hear the 'Happy Birthday' (in Japanese, of course) coming his way. I also know that deep down he didn't mind. Just by looking at the smile on his face in this picture, and all the pictures we took that night, makes me certain that this was a special birthday/evening for my father. He truly is an amazing man. I know I have been blessed to have had his as the man who raised, loved, and taught me so many things in my life. I know my sisters, mother, and anyone that truly knows him, can attest to the special & unique person he is.
We love you, Dad.