Mount Dora, FL

I just came across this quote and it is very fitting at this time. We have been having terrible rain storms and flooding in certain areas of Florida. When you are used to sunny and cheerful most of the time, this kind of rainy weather can be quite depressing. And, not to mention, make my hair crazy!

Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.

Kin Hubbard

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The last couple of weeks have been a total blur. My husband went out of town and I don't know how it happened, but, it seems I need him around to sleep. It used to not be that way....I, at one time, loved having my big king size bed all to myself. We have been together 8 years and whether it's one night or 2 weeks, I have a hard time relaxing and sleeping in our bed when he's gone. Anyway, we have a friend who was doing the Gumball Rally 3000. It started in California and ended a week later in Miami with many stops along the way. My husband went along for the ride. Throughout the journey he met a lot of participants in the rally. Mind you, it cost quite a bit to enter and there was no big prize at the end for being the first to arrive at any of the destinations. There were many extravagant cars in the rally and our friend had one of many Lamborghini's.

My husband called me along the way to tell me he was talking to a Prince of Saudi Arabia, the hip-hop artist "Mario", David Hasslehoff and The Jack-A** Guys to name a few. Of course I had to tell my kids who thought that was really cool. Terry decided to end his trip in Orlando where I would pick him up. It was only about 45 minutes away so no biggie. He then called back to say he had set up a meeting with "Mario" for us to meet when we came down.

They arrived in Orlando late Thursday night so I decided to drive down Friday morning....well, what better excuse to skip school than you are going to meet one of your favorite music artists. The kids were so excited and I must say.....I was too! My son didn't think he was going to know what to say and my daughter said she had butterflies in her stomach the whole ride down. What a great experience for them.

We got there about 7:30-8:00am....most of the participants had not gone to bed until 3 or 4 am, so no one was in a hurry that morning. No one seemed to start at the same time....they just did their own thing. "Mario" must have been tired but when Terry called to say we were there, he got up and came down to meet us and take some pictures. He was such a nice guy and when we were finished he went back up to bed. I thought, how great it was that even though he would have rather been sleeping, he came down to meet some fans.

Jeffrey then got to meet one of the Real Housewives of Orange County, Gretchen Rossi. She was amazing and very friendly. I don't think Jeffrey will ever wash his left hand or the shirt he was wearing. I have not seen her show before, but, because she was exceptionally nice, I think I might start.

One of Terry's favorite meetings was with the Prince of Saudi Arabia. Terry had to give me a history lesson regarding Saudi Arabia, etc., I am so glad he's around at times to explain all that I must have missed in school. The Prince also took pictures with all of us and couldn't have been nicer. He actually went to school in the States and was very highly educated. The kids had a blast and couldn't wait to come home and show all of their friends the pictures.

After coming home Friday...I had to get ready for a fundraiser on Saturday. We then headed down to Miami (during the trip, Terry also met up with a huge hotel/real estate business man who offered a free room to us and if you're offering, my husband will take you up on it.) We stayed in a hotel right on the beach and met up with the Prince for breakfast in his hotel a few minutes from us. He had some amazing stories about his travels and this happened to be his 6th Gumball Rally. I guess if I had billions of dollars I would be traveling around and enjoying every part of the world too. He then gave my husband and I gifts...(I have it written down somewhere the names...the long dress and head wrap) and Terry tried to get him to explain to me the "listening" that women do over there...hahaha right! The prince told him, "man, I don't think so....do you think they listen over there?"

After our breakfast and talks about the world we headed back to Mt. Dora. From Miami it was a 4 hour drive, so after the busy weekend, I was ready to be home and relax in my bed.....with my husband by my side.

I couldn't have had a more memorable birthday/mother's day weekend.

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New homes priced from $224,990 - $351,990

You are sure to feel at home when you visit Lennar's Stoneybrook Hills Community. Stoneybrook Hills is a gorgeous Resort Style Gated Community and is set upon the quiet, lush green hills of Mount Dora, FL. This community features beautiful oaks and winding streetscapes.

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2009 Mount Dora Blues and Wine Festival ******3 Days of Great Music*******

**Rain or shine! Bring your chairs and blankets**

Lakeside Inn

Sample Wines from the best vineyards--Saturday 4-7pm

Performing Artists Friday Evening 5-7pm

'Welcome Party' 3-day ticket Only Invitation

T.Scott and DJ Chris

Performing Artists Saturday 3-9pm

The Smokin' Torpedos

T.Scott TropRockers w/blues harmonica player

Greg "Fingers" Taylor

Apple Mary Blues

Miss Jacqueline Jones

Performing Artists Sunday 1-5pm

Beautiful Bobby Blackmon

Ruth King Blues

Rent Money Blues Band Jam

3 day tickets on sale/$48 * At the door Saturday $38 * Sunday $18

Call 1-866-942-8138 for tickets or online at www.mountdora.com

2 Night lodging package at the Lakeside Inn includes:

Two 3-day tickets, Deluxe Room, Full Breakfast each morning, Gourmet Dinner one evening. ($469 plus tax and gratuity) 1-800-556-5016 & ask for "The Blues" Package

www.lakeside-inn.com

Well, the last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. If you have read any of my recent posts, you would know that my step-son, Terry II, has been home for a couple of weeks from Iraq. We all got a big surprise when he showed up a week earlier than expected. He has been all over the place visiting friends, family, and most importantly, his 2 week old baby girl in New York. (We are in Florida) The pictures of proud dad and baby daughter are priceless and I know it must have been so hard for him to get on the plane and leave her.

Terry will be going back to Iraq for at least 6 more months and then there's a chance he will head to Afghanistan. I am seeing nothing but determination on his young, 21 year old, face to return to the horrible place of uncertainty. Terry has matured and grown so much in this past year, it is almost unbelievable. We are all so proud of him. Whether you believe in the war or not, we still have to remember that our children are there, fighting for something they believe in. For or against, we need to support and stand behind those who are risking their lives.

Tomorrow we are having family and friends over for some barbeque, horseshoes, volleyball and we even rented a bouncy moonwalk thing. With the crazy economy the way it is, a huge party is not really in our budget, but, we want to spare no expense in making this last day for who knows how long, with family and friends, as special as can be. And, there is no price too high for that.

Terry and his dad, Terry, have that proud, "men don't cry" attitude. I, will probably, have to keep tissues in my pockets and make a few restroom trips through-out the day. It's hard to laugh and enjoy what will be all around us when in the back of my mind, I know it won't be long before we are waiting for those few and far between calls to inform us he's allright.

For those that have read some of my posts, you know that I am a big baby, my kids make fun of me all the time. It could be a song, a movie or just a sappy greeting card. I just can't help it. I feel like crying right now. Maybe if I get it out tonight, it won't come so quickly tomorrow. Can you really cry your eyes dry? That might be helpful. I definately want tomorrow to be fun and memorable, not sad.

I am not sure where I wanted to go with this post, I think I just wanted to write some feelings down and share them with my AR family. "They" say that will make me feel better. Boy, I hope so. Tomorrow will be here soon and I need my happy face.

I plan on taking a ton of pictures and my next post will be a dedication to Terry II.

Thanks AR for listening.