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This is a view from the car on the way to the airport. It's the bridge over Tampa Bay. It's so cool, water on both sides, but it seems like a regular road. Just water instead of grass. Wish the picture was better, darn it.

I got home yesterday (Thursday), and I still feel like I'm on Florida time. I was so sleepy, I went to bed at 10 p.m. (1 a.m. Florida time) but kept waking up. So here I am, writing on my blog. YAWNNNNN....

Here's a picture of a layout I did about dad. We put it in a shadowbox and featured it on the living room table with all his cards during the party.

When I got home, Miles & Kayla were both at work, but Kayla left a really nice welcome home note to me, saying I had really been missed. It really made me feel good--I was hoping they would miss me and realize that I did a lot more around here than they realized.

Two Days Left

Well, my vacation is almost over. I've really enjoyed spending my time with Dad and Carla and seeing my sister and her kids. The weather has been relatively cool (60 degrees) the past couple of days, but that's okay. I spent time scrapbooking with Carla and preparing for dad's party - poor Carla got sick and barely was able to be there. I really felt bad for her. And the party was a real hit. Tonight, we went to the Olive Garden, my favorite restaurant.

I'll be glad to get back home, though. I miss my family and it'll be nice to see them again - especially the grandkids. I got a call from Miles and he said Dylan came home with headlice. So Kayla shaved his head and then had to do all the stuff to get rid of it. Sure glad I missed that! I hate for Dylan's head to have to be shaved, but his hair is so thin and blonde, it was probably the easiest way to get rid of it.

Dad's Party

Dad's 80th Birthday Party turned out so great! Here's one of the pictures from the party with this cake. I need to write about the party so I can remember the feel of it. We invited a wide diversity of people; and they came from as far away as Illinois to be here in florida with him. (I came from my home in Oregon.) We cooked for two days beforehand; there was Italian Beef and Corned Beef Sloppy Joes, potato salad (I made it from a friend's recipe and everyone really liked it!) Here I am, working on it! There were appetizers and dips and cold-cut trays and a big salad from Olive Garden! Yummmm! And of course cake.

There was also lots of beer and shots flowing. Dad used to be quite the partier, but he rarely imbibes now, but last night, he had four beers. He had a great time! People crowded around him, talking and laughing and never excluding him from the fun.

One thing we did was to set out some paper and pens and asked people to write down their stories about dad, about why they loved him, etc. At first, I was afraid people wouldn't do it, but as the party went on, people would go over to the table and write down their thoughts. Some of them brought tears to our eyes. Dad read them this morning. He didn't say anything, but I know he liked them. Here's what I wrote:

"Dad,
Reader's Digest used to have a feature called "Most Unforgettable Character," and from some of the stories you've told me, you would be a perfect candidate for that. Such as the time you led a herd of goats through downtown LeRoy. And the day you decided to put a burning cigar into the mouth of the Teddy Roosevelt bust at school!

My favorite childhood memories include you teaching me to ride a bike, and visiting you in Heyworth - did you know I met my First Love there? And when I had my accident and woke up in the hospital, there you were at my bedside.

Dad, your wonderful dry sense of humor and the non-judgmental way you have of accepting people as they are, with all their faults & frailties, make you truly an Unforgettable Character. I love you very much, and I hope you are with us for many many years.

Love,
Linda 1-12-2008"