My Last Day in Orlando and Coming Home

Brian's brother, Scott, and his family stayed over on Saturday night. I got in too late to see them, but we had a chance to hang out on Sunday morning. I hadn't seen them since Brian and Nichol's wedding and they've had a beautiful new addition to the family since then. They left for home shortly after breakfast.

I took off for church soon after Scott and his family left. I have so many good memories from this place.

After church, a bunch of my friends went out to lunch at Smokey Bones near the Florida Mall for one last meal together before I left.

While there, I was finally able to get a picture of Brian and Nichol (my friends who had been putting me up / putting up with me all week).

It was a little sad knowing it was my last lunch in town and having to say good-bye to everyone.

After lunch, my friend Wee-Gee and his wife Jo met me and Sue at the Panera's next to Smokey Bones. I'd been trying to get together with Wee-Gee all week, but he had gotten sick the day we were supposed to meet. I was thankful we were able to see each other before I left town. Christy also stopped by while we were there to swap photos with each other.

After Panera's, I went back to Brian and Nichol's to start packing and finish up some homework that was due on Monday. Brian, Nichol, and I ended up staying up late hanging out, something I enjoyed immensely.

Monday morning, I froze on the way to the airport -- it was a little cool that morning and I refused to put the top up for my last drive with the convertible. I returned the rental car and made it to my gate with no problems and had a turbulent, but otherwise uneventful flight home.

Mom and Dad picked me up at the airport and we went to Applebee's for lunch before they dropped me off at home.

Seeing Mom and Dad was a wonderful reminder that I have two homes -- one in Viriginia and one in Florida. As much as I miss Orlando, I also relish living close to family again and love my friends up here too. I am doubly blessed.

This week has been a good one, but a bit busy catching up on all the work I should have been doing while I was gone. I am almost caught up to where I ought to be and am adjusting to life at school again after a wonderful week in the warmth and sun. I can't wait for my next trip back!

The Convertible!

Did I mention I love this car?

Dinner At Jaye and Colleen's

Saturday, I slept in and spent the morning and afternoon working on some long overdue homework and hanging out with Brian and Nichol.

Originally, I was supposed to go to Disney with Lisa, Jaye, and Colleen. After Toby (Jaye's dog) got attacked by another dog (thank you to everyone who said a prayer for him), we decided to spend some time with him and have dinner at Jaye and Colleen's instead.

While there, I got to try out my new camera and do a photo shoot of Toby and the ladies:

Now that's what I call a lucky dog!

Despite having a few stiches in his backside, Toby showed no signs of slowing down. He loved running around and playing with everyone. He is one tough little doggie.

After having fun outside, we got some pizza and had a great time just hanging out. Amy and Merritt came over a little later.

A few other guys had also been invited but decided not to come. I don't know if it was because they didn't want to compete with Toby and me, but I didn't mind one bit! :)

Needless to say, it was a wonderful day! I was releived to see Toby doing so well and really enjoyed catching up with everybody.

A special thanks to Jaye, Colleen, and Toby for having us over and for showing us all such great hospitality.

European Reunion at Olive Garden

After the beach, Christy and I drove back to Orlando to meet up with Jeff and Liz, Eric and Lynda, Brian and Nichol, and Nichol's niece, Kira, at Olive Garden.

We had everyone there who traveled to Europe together in 2004.  It was a fun reunion.

Jeff and Liz are expecting their first baby, Matthew, in May and Eric and Lynda are expecting their first (a boy) in July.  Brian and Nichol... just got a hamster (also a boy).

After dinner, Eric and Lynda, Jeff and Liz, and I went to get ice cream at Cold Stone.  We ended up hanging out until they closed the place down (~ 11 PM).

Dixie Crossroads and A Day at the Beach!

Christy took the day off on Friday and since I had a convertible and she just bought an iPod, we decided to take a road trip out to the beach listening to some tunes! Along the way, we had lunch at Dixie Crossroads in Titusville -- a great restaurant the Loop used to always frequent years and years ago. Dixie Crossroads is famous for their rock shrimp that tastes just like lobster. (And it does!)

They also have awesome key lime pie. Aunt Ruth would have been proud! (Key lime pie is her favorite.)

From there, we headed to the beach over at Canaveral National Seashore.

The beach was just a few miles away from NASA and we were able to see the launch pad for the Space Shuttle and the Vehicle Assembly Building in the distance. I'd love to get out here to see a night launch. (One thing I regret not doing while I lived in Florida.)

We saw plenty of wildlife along the beach including many seagulls and this crab that was about the size of my pinky.

And then there were some birds just making themselves right at home...

It was a beautiful day and perfect weather after we got out of Orlando. We left the beach at about 5 PM to go meet friends in Orlando for dinner at 7 PM. (We made it back with 30 minutes to spare.)

Taco Night!

After leaving Ma and Pa Randles, I had to drive across town to Winter Garden to have Taco Night with the She-Shams!  Lisa, Christy, and Momma Shamey cooked tacos for me -- part of a tradition going back years.  (I have no idea how that got started...)

After dinner, I drove the three of them in my convertible to go take care of a couple dogs and a fish Lisa was taking care of.  Our first stop was Ally and the fish.

While there, we got a terrific shot of the four of us:

Our next stop was to go to another house to take care of Bo.  He was so cute!

After making the rounds to take care of the animals, we went back to the Sham Shack for some graham cracker pie!  A fun-filled and completely filling night!

It was wonderful hanging out with Lisa, Christy, and Momma Shamey again.  Lisa and Christy are the closest thing I have to sisters and Momma Shamey was always the one most likely to feed me on a holiday if I was in town.  It was like being with family again.