Only four hours til Clare is here!

Yesterday, Jo and I went to the Sponge Docks for what has become our annual "date", the Blessing of the Fleet here in our town. This is part of the Epiphany celebration and takes place the day before the big event down on Spring Bayou. Last year, Jo and I were one of about 6 hearty souls who braved our freezing temps to attend the event. We were rewarded with our picture in the St. Pete Times paper. This year, it was a balmy 70 something and the place was hopping...fair weather attendees...lol.

Unfortunately, the event did not start when the paper said it would and I had a hair appointment so we left even before the Greek Orthodox priests arrived with the olive branches dipped in holy water. But we did find a little treat for our Clare!




It was happy haircut day and then back home to finish the cleaning etc. for Clare's (today) and then Pam's visit(Sunday). It was also our dinner in honor of Rob's birthday and as per tradition in our family, Rob selected the menu: crab legs, steak and corn on the cob. This is one of the better of the pictures I was able to get of Rob who, on Jan. 7 (tomorrow) will be celebrating (or bemoaning) turning 39. How did he get so old?




We'll be heading to the airport in a just a few hours to pick up our dear Clare. We are meeting with some of her fans she made here her last visit for a late lunch and then back to the house. I have been concocting a surprise for her and I sure hope she likes it. Diane, Jackie and I are beyond excited. Janet and I got a lovely tote for Clare from the multi talented, Teresa Scholle and filled it with some items she is going to need for the surprise. Will post pics of the tote tomorrow in case Clare checks the blog from the airport in Boston where she has been visiting with Karen, Kellee, Joanne, Gail and a couple of other of our east coast Birdies. We all go way back to the days of the Creating Keepsake Message board. Who would ever dream that ten years later, the core group of the Early Birds would still be in daily touch?

Still have a few chores to take care of but will have my camera at the ready for the further exciting adventures of the Luscious Lushes as we have dubbed ourselves for the next couple of weeks. (long story and one of those "you had to be theres)!

Have a great day!