Life gets away from you...

Good morning all: Iam finally able to get back to the blog scene and catch up on all the goings on in the family. I have made good friends here in Florida and one lady (Marilyn) and I end up painting together quite a bit. I met her at St. Pete Clay when I took that class with Sassy and she paints and has a simming pool too, and so after work about 2-3 days a week, I get in my ten laps and a couple of hours painting lessons with either me teaching her or her teaching me some technique in painting we have mastered. I am determined to put my work in a juried show come this time next year and have joined the local art guild. Ariana and Sassy, you should do the same and Rachel should put some of her handiwork in too!!!!
HOWEVER, my best news is that I am GOING TO PARIS to meet up with Auntie Chris, Kelly, Rebecca and Erin as they do Italy and Paris. I know! I could not come home for Christmas and now I am off to Paris. I have laughed about that ever since. I will still come see you all in Ohio in the spring, but this is a once in a lifetime chance to visit with A/Chris and the girls. My ticket fare was a bonus they gave me at work for doing well during the year. I thought and thought for about 10 MINUTES and then I decided to use it to go to Paris instead of Ohio...Lets see Paris in Autumn or Ohio in WINTER!!! No contest. Sorry kids. New grandbabies and all!
But I have to say that I have kept up with you all thru your blogs. It has been especially nice to have Rachel and Ari work out how to blog and e-mail me the blog at the same time, this way i can read it thru e-mail at work and download any photos I want instead of waiting until I get to the library to read the blog as they will not let me use the blog site at work. You know, social sites are banned in work places. So Dan if you can work out how to e-mail me your blog, that would be so good. I had a lovely labor day with your cousins Ashley, Austin, Sarah and Darrell at A/Donna's and Uncle Stephen's house (note the correct spelling of Uncle Steph's name...It was a dumb mistake on my part in the last blog - sorry Steph) and anyway all the little kids were there too and I went in the pool and played with the kids and caught lizards etc and enjoyed myself tremendously. Both Austin, Ashley and Sarah and I even think Darrell have been to Paris so they all had advice about buses and trains and sights to see. I am so excited. I cannot wait.
I have not seen A/Chris for 10 years. Talk about cruel and unusual punishment. But that is life kids, hang on to the opportunity you all have to see each other every weekend if you are able and make time for each other in your homes. Use the holidays or birthdays as days of celebration to unite the family so that you all grow up knowing each other and each other's children. I love you all dearly, miss you like crazy and can hardly stand the distance some times. I want you to know that you have richly blessed my life and I am so proud of each of you and the choices your are making. Now before i start crying...I am going to sign off until next time. God bless and keep you and the next blog will probably contain a lot of pictures from Paris....so stay tuned......xoxoxoxox Love Mum