I have been away from blogging for about a week now and I do have to say the break was much needed and much appreciated. My family and I traveled down to North Florida, just outside of Gaineville, to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my mom, my step-dad, my aunt & uncle, and my cousin.
We had a lot of fun. The girls and I hit the freebies at CVS on Thursday. I did not have to worry about getting their early since my parents live in such a small town. Everything was in stock. Then we ate lots of turkey and mashed potatoes, gravy and veggies. And of course my mom had pie. There was apple pie [with and without raisins] and pumpkin pie. My aunt made cookies shaped like turkeys and there were brownies.
On Friday the girls and I were at the mall a little after 4 am. We stopped in JCPenney first and collected our free snow globes. My mom collects these. Then we drove over to Target and waited. Just before 5 am we went to get in line only to find it was wrapped around and behind the building. Needless to say, we left.
We drove back to the mall and got food. Then we hit Sears, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and a few others. We did not make too many purchases. I did get stopped by one of the Dead Sea people and tried to leave without buying anything. All I can say is these sales people are good. I took the girls to get hair cuts then we walked over to the people selling hair straighteners. Amanda wanted them to re-straighten her hair. We left with three straighteners and various hair stuffs. These things are amazing! We left after that.
We made one last stop at Publix for some Black Cherry soda ~ the best around ~ and this is always a must for any Florida trip. I tried to take a nap when we returned, but my parents had other plans. We headed out to a working farm and orange grove. I have to say, these oranges were so good. Fresh picked and oh so tasty. We brought back six small boxes of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and lemons. I also got some orange blossom honey ~ farm fresh.
Mom made a ham dinner for us on Friday and there was leftover pie and a Carvel ice cream cake for dessert. I think we can all live for a few weeks on all the food we ate on our trip.
We left Saturday around 11 am and arrived back in Virginia around 9:30 pm. Sunday we were greeted by our chickens and today I have to go by the vet and pick up Ivy. I really miss her. Amanda and I took Megan back to Radford yesterday and hit more traffic on I-81 then we did on any of the roads coming back from Florida the day before.
Today I am working on finishing up NaNoWriMo [2400 words to go as of this posting] and will be a bit MIA for the next three weeks as I finish up my final college class ~ which is going to kick my ass ~ and get ready for the holidays.
Well, so much for my super quick update. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, ate lots of turkey, and enjoyed the company of friends and family be it close to home or far away.














Really Anne,
That’s the effect of nanowrimo, your super quick update consisted of 584 words, excluding the title. I knew our writing at nano developed our writing skills. he he he.
I’m glad you had a good weekend and from the stats on my buddy list, I would like to congratulate you for crossing the 50k word count. Hep hep, Hooray!!!
Z
Zorlone´s last blog ..WOOF Top Picks (11/27/2009)
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 6:54 am
@Zorlone,
I’m not sure if it developed my writing skills or just made me even more long-winded. lol
YAY! We did it! 50,000+ words in 30 days. We Rock! Although you deserve an even bigger congrats with all the doctoring and poetry and still you managed to rock NaNo with well over 50,000 words. I bow to the master. heehee
[Reply]
Twitter: Happymaker
says:
Anne! Your holiday sounds perfect! A real girlie holiday replete with lots of food and shopping! I love the idea of cookies shaped like turkeys, and visiting the farm and orange grove. (Although I feel you on the nap thing.)
I know you’re going to be busy so don’t feel guilty about doing what you need to do for the rest of the month. I’m going to be busy too. I missed you! Glad you’re back!
Heather Kephart´s last blog ..Wow I’ve Been Busy by Joe Joe
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:12 am
@Heather Kephart,
I only wish I could have stayed longer. I always feel at home anywhere in FL. One day I will find my way back permanently.
[Reply]
Twitter: AussieSire
says:
Dead Sea People? OK, you just have to explain that to me.
So glad that you all had such a great time and can’t help but wonder how much weight everybody put on :evil Grin:
Sire´s last blog ..Why Marketing Your Ad Space Should Precede Marketing Your Blog
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
@Sire,
The Dead Sea people are the people at those kiosks in the mall selling body cream, lotion, and everything else made from Dead Sea Salts. I have to admit the stuff really does work, but I already have the set and this guy wouldn’t let up. I finally bought 2 mud soaps for $20 [total]. Every time he saw us after that he would smile and say ‘I love you guys’. lol
[Reply]
Sire
Twitter: AussieSire
Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 3:40 am
@Anne, I’ve never heard of Dead Sea Salts. What a weird name, I means when was sea salt ever alive?
Sire´s last blog ..Why I No Longer Link To The Likes Of ProBlogger And John Chow
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
@Sire,
It’s so hard to know when someone is serious or seriously pulling my leg [online].
Dead Sea Salt comes from the Dead Sea. But sea salt in and of itself is not animate to my knowledge.
[Reply]
Sire
Twitter: AussieSire
Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
@Anne, Just so you know I was being serious.
Thanks for putting this old Aussie straight. ya learn something new everyday.
Sire´s last blog ..Why I No Longer Link To The Likes Of ProBlogger And John Chow
[Reply]
Twitter: ConnieFoggles
says:
I’m laughing about all of your Florida references. I’ve been here for 16 years now and just love it. Black Cherry soda is one of my faves (when I drink soda). Have you ever tried their Cream soda? That’s my favorite! Next time you come for a longer visit, maybe we can meet in central Florida. That would be so nice!
ConnieFoggles´s last blog ..Men Of A Certain Age Review
[Reply]
Anne
Twitter: AnneOnline
Reply:
December 6th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
@ConnieFoggles,
Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking when I thought it would be a good idea to leave WPB for the mountains of VA [in 2002]. The schools are better here, I think, so there is that. But I swear every time I drive over that bridge and see that Welcome to Florida sign I feel a little lighter and that I am home. {sigh}
I do love Publix cream soda, too. I worked as a cashier @ Publix for all of 6 months when I was a teenager ~ horrible green polyester uniform. {yuck!}
If I am ever [on my way] down to Central Florida I will definitely look you up!
[Reply]