Wednesday - Feb. 21, 2007

It's one of those days..... long...... at work.......typing my little fingers to the bone......

It always seems like the days after a long weekend away are so much longer and the rest of the week just drags on.

Oh by the way..... While in Daytona last weekend the temps never got above 60 degrees during the day and were about 30-35 at night with lots of wind. And Monday when we returned home, it was starting to warm up already and the last couple of days here have been absolutely gorgeous, sunny, blue skies and highs in the upper 70's..... Perfect weather......Not at all like last Friday when we were at the Beach with Cully (from Tennessee) in our winter coats, long pants and gloves..... Unbelievable!

This coming weekend is another busy one. Thursday I will be visiting my aunt and uncle in Avon Park and then Friday morning getting a haircut in Sebring. Coming straight back to go to a Praise Team Rehearsal at The Gathering Place in Sanford for the Adventist Health System Conference on Missions. Our Praise Team will sing for two services on Saturday. It is lots of fun and I get to see and meet all the AHS V.P.'s that I talk to daily at work!

Sunday, Rudy wants to got to an RV Show in Volusia County - and then come home and watch the second race of the season from California.

Daytona 500 Weekend

Brrrr.... it was cold in Daytona this weekend, but we had a great time, camping in the RV at CrazyHorse Campgrounds and attending all kinds of NASCAR racing events at the Track. I will try to give you a few highlights of the long weekend! We arrived Thursday and set up camp and then headed over to the Track for the Gator Duels - 2 races - 60 laps each and Jeff Gordon won the second race - The first was exciting with lots of yellow caution flags thrown and Tony Stewart winning! The second was fast and furious with less cautions and Jeff came from behind (15th place or so) to win in the last 5 laps or less. It's hard to remember.

Friday, we went to the Flea Market and found a few bargains and went through the Driver Trailers at the Track and some of the exhibits to0.

Saturday - Jeff Gordon was on the Pepsi Stage at Noon, so Rudy and I made our way over there to get some pictures of Jeff on the Stage. Then we returned to the RV to meet Janine and Ashley and fix some dinner.

Sunday = Race Day! It was finally here.... Daytona 500..... We got up early in the morning because Cully and I were chosen through the Official Nascar Members Club to be along the Stage in the infield for Driver Intros! How exciting. Along with this came passes to the Fan Zone in the infield. We got to see the cars going into and coming out of pre-race inspection, Daytona USA giving back the # 48 to Jimmie Johnson & Rick Hendrick (last year's 500 winner), and watch the crews as they got ready for inspection, take peak at some of the Pit areas and see a little of the behind the scenes preparation for the 500.

As the Drivers were introduced they walked off the stage straight towards us and shook our hands or gave High-5's as they walked by. It was great seeing each of them so close!

Cully and I then made our way to our seats where we found Rudy and we got ready for the start of the Daytona 500 with the Invocation, National Anthem and those 4 words that we've been waiting to hear since last November, "GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES".

Janine and Ashley were seated one row up and at the other end of the row from us, but caught a glimpse of them now and then.

# 29 Kevin Harvick Won the race and so on Monday morning we went to Daytona USA to have our traditional commemorative tag made and he just happened to be there giving a radio interview so we got to take some pictures of him there too!. It was a great weekend and we are all so happy that Race Season is finally here. Our next NASCAR race that we will be attending is March 25 in Bristol, TN! (probably another cold one)

February Itinerary

This month is chucked full of RV destinations. Two weekends ago, we took Elani and headed south to Avon Park on Friday for a one-nighter in my aunt and uncle's backyard. This was Elani's first overnight trip in the RV and we didn't want to go far. So we spent some time with family. Elani did great and we had a good time too. She took a little nap in the afternoon on Friday along side Grammy and then at night she went right to bed in the "big girl bed" and not a peep out of her. She woke up bright and cheery the next day too. Except for the nasty rainy, cold, wet weather we had, it was enjoyable and I foresee longer trips with Elani in tow in the RV with us.
Last weekend we left Friday before Noon to our monthly destination north of Clermont to camp with a group of friends and enjoy the quiet solitude of the woods, and listen to the sand cranes and owls chat at night. We enjoy good food, fellowship and relaxation on these days.

This week, Thursday, we head to Daytona International Speedway for the Gator Duels and the Daytona 500. We are camping at Crazy Horse Campground behind the airport that sits behind the Speedway. We will rely on the generator for power for this 5 day, 4 night excursion. Our friend, Cully from Tennessee is flying in to join us and we expect a couple more to come for part of the time too (at least to visit and eat with us). This is the start of the 2007 NASCAR CUP Race Season and I am ready!

So, three of the four weekends in February we've taken up residency in the RV. I love it!

Elani Says "I Lub U"

And she said it first to her Grammy! YEAH - I can't smile big enough! Elani and I were out shopping on Sunday, January 21, 2007 and we were in the car driving to the Mall. Usually when we get on I-4 Elani sees things that she recognizes, but we were going a different way, so the usual retention ponds and billboards of "SHREK" were not on this route. As she asked and I had to keep telling her "not, we won't see them today", she got a little discouraged. So I reached my hand to the back seat and gave her little leg a squeeze and a shake as I said, "I LOVE YOU"!
And then I heard those three magic words come out so sweetly and cute. "I LUB U". I almost cried right there on the spot. I was thrilled...... so I did it again and she replied the same way!
Who knew, those words could touch the depths of my heart with such intensity and make such an impact on me. It was just what I needed that morning! After doing a little shopping we played in the Mall playground to play, had Elani's favorite lunch in the Mall (chicken nuggets and fries) before heading home for a nap. It was the best time. I love shopping with Elani and sharing lunch with her. In fact, I love anytime I get to spend with Elani and just me.