March 16th, Friday – It’s Official The Lady Of The House Turned 46 Today

It’s official, the lady of the house is 46 today!  Yes, today was her honest to goodness birthday.  Unfortunately, she was not able to sleep in on her birthday, inasmuch as we had an early morning appointment.  OK, a 9 am appointment to have Marti groomed.  9 am though is early, I mean real early for us to start our day.  But we braved the cold, the early morning hour and off we went.  Only to discover we really didn’t have to be there until 10 am!  Ah, that extra hour of sleep would have been so nice.  At least I did get to bring her that first cup of coffee in bed.  I try.

Our next stop was at Walmart to pick up our passport photos.  Oh, let me tell you we are really photogenic – not!  Our mug shots will probably get us into Canada but I don’t know if they will let us come back home.  Time will tell.  Photos in hand we visited the Bushnell court house to obtain our passports.  However, all we were able to get were the applications which are a bit more detailed than we thought and are going to take a bit of time to complete.  Oh well, they will get done in due time.

Continuing on we went to get Marti, who the groomer told us actually decided to behave himself.  Translated, he neither tried to nip her nor did he try to jump off the table.  Amazing.  Compared to what he looked like, he actually looks really spiffy now.  Look,

and see for yourself.  Of course, he is on my lap in our favorite chair.  Hey, he would be the first to tell you, I had a rough morning.  One more thing done before we leave.

While we were out we received a phone call from the camp office informing us that Barbara had a package waiting there for her.  Wonder what it could be?  This is what

we discovered when we returned.  The card read “Grandma, Love, Petrie, Fred, Sasha, Mae and Inky”.  Yes, Amanda struck again with a wonderful note of originality (she has five rescue dogs).  Our other kids never seem to remember their mom’s birthday but count on Amanda never to forget and to always do something special.  Love you Amanda.

Wait, the day was not finished.  Afternoon appointment at the VA in Tampa for an echo cardiogram.  But not for the really needed appointment with orthopedics.  I started that process back in January stressing that I would be leaving the end of March.  Want to know when they finally contacted me regarding a follow up on my knee replacement?  Monday of this week.  Their good news was we have an appointment for you in April.  What a nightmare VA care is down here in Florida.  Especially the orthopedics department.  Nothing like the care in NJ.  Here, they brush you off, will not return your phone calls, and do as little as possible to assist you.  Bottom line it is a mess down here.  So I will have to start the process all over again when we return here next winter.  Perhaps they’ll have the mess straightened out?  I’m not holding my breath that is for sure.

So that was how the day went.  Places to go and things to do.  Daylight is now far gone and night is upon us.  The day was an interesting one.  Though we didn’t go on any trips of discovery it was a good one.  At times a bit frustrating.  Yet, we made the most of the day God had given us.  We did it together.  We hope your day was a great one as well.  If not then remember that tomorrow is coming and when you wake decide to make the day a great one.  Decide to do something that will make you and your world a better place for all.

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before.