J.A.F.O.: December 2008

Saturday, December 27, 2008

End of Week One

Well, I have a few minutes here in Ft. Lauderdale before I board my flight back to Atlanta, so I thought I would do a quick post.

This has been a really good week. Last weekend, I got to meet Bogart, the 3-legged Boxer rescue in foster care. Such a sweet and active guy, you'd never know he only had 3 legs (he lost one after being hit by a car. It was my privilege to transport him from one of our Director's homes to one of our newest Foster homes. And within a few days, news came that our Foster was so in love with him that they have put in their application to adopt him permanently. Aren't they the lucky ones? I rounded out the weekend with Cheryl's Christmas party, surrounded by great friends, and some chores and packing for my trip down to Ft. Lauderdale.

I arrived mid-morning on Monday, and Dad and I grabbed some breakfast before heading to their house. A few errands in the afternoon with Mom and Dad, then off to the Seminole Hard Rock for dinner with Stacie, Angie, and Mauricio - friends I hadn't seen in AT LEAST 25 years! We had a great time catching back up with each other, sharing stories from the past few decades, and just generally reconnecting. I can't wait until our next "reunion".

Tuesday started with a diner breakfast with Dad, my cousin Wayne, and our friend Bud. Then we headed south to Miami MetroZoo for a photography day. And a full day it was! Over 6 hours and over 450 pictures! The best of the best are posted on a gallery on my website. Finished the day with Mom and Dad at a new Chinese restaurant called "Stir Crazy" where you serve yourself from a salad bar and the chefs wok your selection into your own custom meal. It was very tasty!

Wednesday and Thursday were mainly holiday stuff. Spent time with more family, including aunts and uncles, and of course my sister, niece, and nephew. The days were chronicled in pictures of my nephew enjoying his first Christmas, also on the website. Though the gift-giving was light this year, my folks were gracious in a gift to me, which I plan to use for some new small appliances for the kitchen.

The rest of the week was more family time. An afternoon with the parents and my aunt and uncle as we tried our luck with the local casinos. Throughout the afternoon, I only lightened my wallet by $3 total, so I consider it a good day! Leftover Christmas feast for dinner with Robin and my niece and nephew. And a leisure pace this morning packing and getting ready to head back.

Lots of good things on tap for week #2 of my holiday vacation, including some time with my friends and catching up on some more Boxer Rescue work. And maybe a trip to a car dealer....

Hope all is well on your end. Time for me to power down and get ready to board my flight.

Have a great week!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008