President's Day Off!

Today was a nice, contented day. Courtney and I worked in the morning, but by 1pm we were off!

First stop - the Cuban sandwich place (The Floridian) for a great lunch with the kids. Then we headed  to our favorite "unplug" place, Pass-a-Grille Beach. What an afternoon - the water was so calm and smooth (a bit on the chilly side but I even went in up to my waist) and the sun was just right for relaxing under. As the afternoon went on, you could see the wind start to pick up and the waves begin to roll in.

Here is Courtney's view as he watched Chayton out in the water. 

We stopped at Spiro's on the way home and picked up some Greek inspired desserts (great little place - I'd like to come back and look at their market and wine area a little more). Finally back at home for dinner and dessert at the big table on the back deck (sweet potato carrot lentil soup, bratwurst, carrot salad and crusty bread). Desserts ranged from cannoli S to rice pudding to baklava cheesecake. Yum!

Finished off with a walk with Blue and some other work around the house. Definitely a good day.

Thank you, Obama & the Women's March St. Pete

Catching up! The weekend after MLK Jr day, was just as busy.

It began on Friday with a "Thank You, Obama" party at the U and moved into the Women's March on Saturday.

The party gave everyone a great opportunity to take a look back on all things that had happened these last few years. But also to charge us with answering the question "What I will do in 2017 to make change ... " Whatever your beliefs - now is the time to speak up and take action.

 

MLK Jr Day: A Day On, Not a Day Off!

Catching up! It was a busy and fulfilling MLK Jr Day.

It began VERY early for Courtney and Sabine, as they were in charge of the first MLK Jr breakfast for our neighbors who are hungry at the Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg. Courtney and Sabine organized our UUCM volunteers, food preparation and service for 90+ people that morning!

At the breakfast, we were able to also celebrate the grant that Sabine spearheaded to purchase much-needed equipment for the weekly Friday night picnic for the hungry.

But first - it involved cooking  ALOT of bacon that weekend ... and making goodie bags for the parade.

 Lots of cooks in the kitchen! And wonderful volunteers.

After the breakfast was cleaned up, we moved into the second part of the day: marching in the MLK Jr Parade! I didn't realize just how many people would be lining the parade route as we walked along. It was amazing to be a part of this event and surrounded by such wonderful, open-minded, respectful people.

 Next year - more goodies to pass out along the parade route!

Never fear - Safety Patrol is here!

 Congratulations, Chayton!

All last week, Chayton had been working on his application for Safety Patrol. He had to answer "why is safety patrol important" and "why should you be a safety patrol" along with getting a bunch of teacher signatures. He took this very seriously. He wrote down bullets of his ideas, talked it through and finally, he had his finished document.

Tuesday morning he brought it to school. Tuesday afternoon he came home with his belt!

I think he is proud of his accomplishment ... I wouldn't be surprised if I find him sleeping in his belt.