The Martineau's Come to Visit...Day 4

It was damn chilly this morning...57* when I got up.  We walked around Ollie's Pond (because it was cooler) and ran into Wendy and Dan.  A nice surprise.  They were going to Osprey to visit with Ginny.

We had our coffee on the harbor, then home for lunch.

My FB post, and I quote..."Of course it's overcast, barely 60*, winds N @ 12 and predicted to rain...Wendy and Dan are here!"  It never fails.  It's been sunny and hot without a drop of rain for weeks, but as soon as they get here...BAM!

I worked on the blog, took Tessa out to play twice, made iced coffees and read for half an hour.  Gave her a treat and some Benadryl, changed our clothes and met Wendy and Dan at the Mint Thai restaurant at 5:00 for dinner.  They were playing darts at the Icehouse and walked over.

We celebrated Wendy's birthday (April 4) with a gift from Little Lavender Lobster...silver heart earrings.

Dinner was our treat as a "thank you" for everything they do to take care of the house while were away.  This year, that's been a LOT!

They walked back to the Icehouse to play more darts and invited us along, but we declined because we wanted to get back to the dog ;o(

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;o)

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Son

It's that time of year again, Greg is having a birthday!  His 47th one, actually.  

Wishing him an extra special, super, duper Happy Happy Birthday!  He's one of a kind ;o) and he makes me proud to be his mom.

To be fair, here's the original photo with his girlfriend, Danielle, after a birthday dinner in Boston.

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;o)

Celebrating a Special Someone

We picked them up around 9:30, went to the farmer's market and Mercer's, where we sat outside and ate the macaroons we bought at the market.  We went to the beef store and bought things for dinner later, then dropped them back at home.  They did their thing, we did our thing for the rest of the afternoon.

We always try to celebrate Wendy's birthday when they come to visit, even though it's a little early.  Then we celebrate again when we get home, even though it's a little late...

I bring these candles from Maine every year!

This is one of the best pictures of Bill in, like, forever!

We had filets, stuffed potatoes, broccoli and portobello mushrooms for dinner; lemon cake, strawberries and whipped cream for dessert and we played Racko.

Happy early Birthday Sweetheart!!!  We Love You!

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:o)

Happy Birthday!

Today is Greg's 46th birthday!  Wishing you the best birthday ever and a year filled with everything that makes you happy.  I'm so proud to be your mom!

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;o)

Little Pot of Flowers

Wendy gave me this vase for my birthday several years ago and I'm still in love with it.

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;o)

Happy Birthday to Me, Me, Meeeee

Quite a milestone birthday...SEVENTY FREAKIN' YEARS!  Holy crap, how did that happen?!

It's true that in the past, I didn't look upon getting another year older with great affection.  However, at this point, I have come to the conclusion that getting older is considerably better than the alternative.  So...let's celebrate!

I received a package from Greg a couple of days ago but waited until today to open it.  It's a very cute garden stake!  Now I just need to find the perfect spot for it ;o)

Wendy and Dan met us for breakfast at Keeping' It Local, in Shapleigh, which was a special treat.  They gave me a really nice Acadia poster, a special place for all of us and a place where they have agreed to spread my ashes, when the time comes.

Bill gave me this super cool garden cart!

It came in a box and I had absolutely no idea what it was, even as I started pulling pieces out of the box.  Only when I came upon the instructions, did I figure it out.  Not only did Bill pick it out but he also had to put it together.  Now, instead of carrying a stool and a bucket with all my tools around as I work in the garden, I can put the tools under the seat, sit and wheel myself along.  So.much.easier on my back and legs. 

Each one was the perfect gift!  

The afternoon was spent finishing up cleaning the house for the dog sitter and a 3 hour trip to Middletown, RI for Bill's sister's 50th wedding anniversary party.  It was a nice party, attended by family and friends.  I was very surprised when Bill's sister's children presented me with a piece of cake, topped with a birthday candle and a group rendition of Happy Birthday.  It WAS a surprise and it was very thoughtful of them.

We spent the night in Mansfield, MA and headed home the next day, after a visit to IKEA.

All in all, not a bad birthday.  Let's all do it again next year...okay?

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;o)

The Martineau's Come to Visit...Day 4

It rained off and on till about 2:00...completely unacceptable.  We had breakfast at the TnD Bakery, then walked to the farmer's market.  We had coffee at Mercer's, got filets and potatoes at Beef Country, then home.

Wendy and Dan went to walk the bridge, we went to Aldi and Publix.  We took Titan for a walk along 41, then sat on the deck while he ate his treat.

Wendy and Dan got home around 6:00. We had dinner and celebrated Wendy's 39th birthday.

We watched the movie "The Champions", then had cake and gave Wendy her gift.

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;o)

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl

Hard to believe that Wendy Bee Wehmeyer was born 38 years ago today.  She is a compassionate, funny, creative, strong-willed, hard-working, beautiful young woman and I'm proud to be her mom.

I love you to pieces, honey and wish you a marvelous Happy Birthday!

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FORE!

I learned today that FORE should only be shouted when other golfers are in danger of being hit with your ball.  Oops.

Wendy and Dan went to Fisherman's Village to run the Linear Path.  We walked Titan through the park, along the same path but we didn't see them.  We met back at the house and headed to the driving range.  Apparently, Dan wanted to go because he was sure I was going to provide unlimited entertainment.  As it turned out...I wasn't THAT bad ;o)

We bought two buckets of balls and spent maybe half an hour.  It's not like we actually have any control of where our balls might go...

nice form

I think he's done this before

I didn't get any pictures of Dan swinging but being the good sport he is, he stepped in to help Bill.

on three...

Thanks to Dan, I have some swinging video to share!

One of us got a little more than just the ball...

Probably not ready to hit the "tour".  It was fun and there were no injuries to report.

We ate lunch at home, walked over the bridge and went to the Tiki Bar for adult beverages and soda water for Bill.  We had no trouble finding chairs, thanks to a pretty strong wind.

Ahhh, I love this place!

Cheers!

Titan enjoyed his treat and we had iced coffees on the deck once we got home.  Bill and Dan moved the grill onto the front porch in order to grill the filets, which we had along with twice stuffed potatoes and asparagus.  

We finished our game of Racko, Wendy came from behind to win!  We celebrated her birthday with daiquiris (virgin for Bill and I) and chocolate cake.  No candles because I left them at home and forgot to get new ones.  

They will be leaving in the morning to visit with Bob in Nokomis, then head home on Friday.  The week went by really fast and we will be sorry to see them go; we always enjoy their company.

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)

42 Years Ago

On this date, March 13th, my son was born...Gregory Michael Wehmeyer.  I am so proud of the wonderful, responsible, honest, hard-working, humorous, loving man that little baby boy has become!

AND...he's a great dad! Actually...the "World's Greatest Dad" ;o)

I love you Greg and I hope you have a wonderful day, even if it is snowing!

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;o)

Wishing My Baby Girl a Happy 37!

Yes...she is turning 37 and yes...she will always be my baby girl.  I'm so proud of her entrepreneurship, her creativity, her compassion and her courage.

She's a super good "Auntie", too.

Happy Birthday Honey, hope it's as special as you are.  I love you, tons!

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)

Wendy and Dan and Marie Selby

Sunday, March 26...

We left early this morning (okay...early for us) around 10:15.  Wendy and Dan drove us to visit the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.  We made good time even though we stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for beverages and the bathroom, arriving at the gardens around 11:30.  

Fountains at the entrance

First up...the Tropical Conservancy!

Volcano Queen

This one hangs upside down!

My favorite photo of the day!

This red and white one had a great fragrance.

Nice little photo area near the exit.

This is just outside the Conservancy.

Photo by Wendy

This field of salvia is new since last year and it overlooks Sarasota Bay and the Ringling Bridge.

Love this tree...

When you gotta go ;o)

Next up was the butterfly garden and the chrysalis enclosure where there were a number of caterpillars eating and waiting to become butterflies.

Guess butterflies like these plants since they were planted in the butterfly garden.

Shrimp Plant

Dutchman's Pipe

There were a couple of plein air artists at work across this tidal lagoon

and Dan was kind enough to strike a pose

what a dork

Captured this fisherman in the bay.

Wendy was brave enough to try the yarn swing.

From here we walked back along the way we came until we reached the Selby House Cafe where we bought lunch and ate it outside.

We left there and headed toward the Koi Pond, passing a number of different bamboo trees.

Then the pond, always a very restful place.

Photo by Wendy

Photo by Wendy

We decided to pass visiting the Children's Rainforest Garden but couldn't pass a photo op at the base of the huge banyan tree.

We have been to the gardens several times but never noticed this tree in blossom before.  It's  a Shaving Brush Tree.

I don't think I would want to clean up after it tho!

From the Mangrove Walkway we saw a sailboat that was stuck in the sand and listing badly. We also saw this Best Party Boat Ever!

  We stopped in Venice to get gelato, then headed home.

When we buy one more large gelato, we get one free!  Woohoo...the ultimate discount.

At home, Bill sat in the shade on the front porch enjoying a cigar while the three of us huddled in the shade under the umbrella on the deck and drank homemade strawberry daiquiris.  Wendy and Dan also enjoyed a rum and Coke.

We had really good filets for dinner then took Titan for a walk along Rt. 41.  We watched a show on HGTV about people looking for a vacation home on an island I have never heard of - Nevis.  Learn something every day, or so they say.

Monday, March 27...

The four of us walked Titan along the Linear Pathway to the parking garage.  They were willing to watch him while Bill and I used the bathroom, which is the main reason we walk to the garage ;o)

We ate lunch at home, then they went to Hurricane Charley's to have adult beverages and "borrow" the pool, we went to Publix to buy cake for Wendy's birthday celebration later.  We sat in the shade on the deck until they came home but we all ended up inside reading because it was so hot on the deck.  

Bill fixed an early dinner of pasta carbonara, which we ate early so we could walk over the bridge.  We left the house about 6:30, parked at Hurricane Charley's, used the bathroom and headed over the bridge.  Every three minutes we did 12 walking lunges.  When we reached the other side, we did 30 seconds of squats before heading back and we added 12 incline presses every three minutes to the lunges.  We stopped just past the center of the bridge to watch the sunset and do another 30 seconds of squats.

I really like this one!

Always gotta take a selfie...

Twas a bit breezy.

We saw several large fish and 2 sting rays on our walk.

We stopped at the Tiki Bar for drinks because it's one of our traditions.

Photo by Wendy

Photo by Wendy

From there we headed home to have cake and wish Wendy a Happy Birthday, since we won't be in Maine to celebrate on her special day.

She's so cute!!!

Thanks for stopping by...
;o)