FLO - RIDA

So time has gotten away from me - terribly, I know...but I've been swamped with work and knowing that Marc was updating his blog so much just made my head spin to try and keep up! =) For those who haven't checked his space out, feel free to visit http://www.marcmagnone.com/ anytime to see what's new and exciting in our lives.

Things are changing quickly around here and soon I will have fun news to deliver about our next destination on the map of the U.S. but for now, I thought it was important to highlight some of my favorite times while I've been here in Florida. I should note - I LOVE Florida. If I wasn't a very proud Texan, I might conveniently forget where I was from and call myself a Floridian just to be associated with this gorgeous state. There is no place like home but Florida...well, that comes in as a close second. =) I think it's the weather - the palm trees - the beach - the company - all wrapped up into one. It's definitely been a very fun stay while we've been here...

In an effort to summarize my favorite parts of our time here I devised another TOP 10 LIST...I should mention that these really aren't in specific order, except for the few at the top. =) And so, here goes -

10. ALLIGATORS!
The only thing I've really ever known about Alligators is that they live at the zoo and I didn't want one as a pet...sharp teeth + scaly skin = not-for-me. You can imagine my surprise to visit Floria and see Alligators sunning on the side of a road, lounging by the pond at the front of Marc's neighborhood, etc. I mean - I know UF's mascot IS a Gator but really, I never got it fully until this visit. To my surprise, I've seen 3 gators while I've been here so far...all within a quarter mile of Mom Magnone's house!

9. FOOD
We've had the best time over our meals while we've been here - with Mom Magnone's home cooking constantly filling us up, it's been a welcome change to our tiny apartment in NYC where it's hard to cook such nice meals. Marc even got to grill out several times on the back porch so we've had steak and hamburgers probably once a week (yes, the burgers are for me - I'm not a steak fan...and yes, I know I'm weird) since we came down.

Marc's Steak Dinners.... (above and below)

(above and below) These are rock shrimp and they are awesome... At the restaurant above they had several different kinds of shrimp, stuff I'd never heard of... and they were all soooo yummy!

(below) This is what was left AFTER Easter dinner - we were hungry and forgot to take a picture before we dug in!

8. MELBOURNE ART FESTIVAL 5K FLAMINGO RUN
While Marc and I have been home, we've started back to the gym on a pretty regular basis which has been soooo nice. I think we're both feeling better about our health and our flabby skin is finally turning back into muscle - woohoo! So after hitting the gym 4 to 5 times a week over the past three weeks, we decided to attemp the 5k in Melbourne. We had so much fun and both of us shaved time off of our last 5k, which is always something to be excited about. Plus - my husband, who is deathly afraid of heights, made it over the river and back on a big bridge, one I thought he'd never walk over, much less run! So proud of him - one more thing to 'cross off his list'.

7. WEATHER
The weather here at this time of year is amazing. Maybe I'm a little biased as well, seeing as I just came from the Northeast where a high of 40 degrees during the day would get me excited to go outside. Plush green lawns - beautiful palm trees - clear skies and tons of sun - it's just so gorgeous here. Couple of things that have become very apparent to me through this process is that (a) I love the south - I am a southerner - nothing will ever change that and nowhere will ever be better, and (b) the sun makes me happy, no matter what else is going on, I can see that shiny yellow glow and I just have to smile....I love it!

6. MELBOURNE BEACH GET-A-WAY
During our first couple of weeks here, Marc and I snuck away for a night on the beach at the Hilton in Melbourne and it was soooo nice. We enjoyed the day, even got to watch a gorgeous wedding on the beach (from afar, of course) and then went out for some great food and drinks together. We got up for breakfast at this awesome muffin place that had some of the best muffins I've ever had - soooo yummy. It's always nice to explore new places and when you're with your husband/BF, it makes it that much more fun. We really enjoyed our 'alone time' and had the opportunity to re-group and recover from the long drive and some of the stress that's come along with this voyage.

5. FRIENDS
While we've been in Florida it's been nice to catch up with some of Marc's old friends - Daniel, Eileen, Moe-Moe, Randy, Chris and Samine, Shane, etc. It was also nice to meet some of his friends for the first time - we definitely enjoyed catching up, hanging with Daniel and Eileen's kids, etc. They are all little firecrackers and we had a blast watching them play soccer, softball, etc.
I also want to mention how great our friends-from-afar have been through this process. Although they weren't here for us to visit, we were constantly receiving emails, calls and cards encouraging us through the job-search process. We miss everyone so anytime we hear from you, it means sooooo much! My girlfriends actually went out to dinner together in Houston and called and passed the phone around just to tell me they missed me - those are the moments that we'll remember forever when we think back on this time. Thanks to all of you, near and far, for all of your support. I have no doubt that Marc and I have some of the best friends in the world.

4. JACK RUSSELL TIME
We have had such a blast with all three Jacks while we've been here. From the moment we let Maddie and Dexter run up to greet Wally the first time, they've become fast friends and developed a great relationship. Dexter still thinks he's competing with 'Uncle Wally' sometimes but he's learned his place and that Wally is his senior, therefore much more wise. Little Miss Priss - aka Maddie - has become Wally's BF and 'keeper/groomer/shadow' while we've been here. She follows him around - barks at him - sleeps beside him - licks his face - essentially follows him around wherever he goes. Wally doesn't seem to mind - he might actually like it...just a little bit. =)

These dogs are amazing - I can't say enough about how much they make us laugh, how much they love us, how much they all add to our lives. They are all a huge piece of our family and we wouldn't have it any other way!

3. BEACH / POOL TIME

Now, as you will recall, we've been in NYC where it really was gray/snowy/cold/rainy/etc. for about 6 - 8 months of the past year. For this sun-bunny, that was too long to be minus a pool, sun, tan lines and a cold refreshing drink. Coming to Florida after our stint up north was a little piece of heaven as we were able to hit Cocoa Beach and also enjoy the pool and yard at Mom Magnone's place. What a relaxing place to be day in and day out - I could definitely get used to this (again) all year long!

2. FAMILY

Really one of the very best parts of being here for awhile (and visiting Annapolis for a few weeks) was the family time. We don't get to see either sides of our family all that often so we've been able to really take advantage of these past couple of months to visit Mom and Dad Magnone as well as Les, Bill and Little Andrew, the newest member of the Magnone/Stephenson family. It's so nice to wake up every day and know you'll be surrounded by so many people (and dogs) who love you and care about you throughout that day. I've enjoyed sitting on the front porch with Mom Magnone, enjoying our coffee together - she's pretty awesome and I'm really lucky to have her as my second Mom. She has taken such good care of us and it's been a blessing to catch up and reminisce together. I cherish these times and always will.

Additionally, my family in Texas has been ultra supportive of us throughout this whole ordeal. I think I'm going to get to see them really soon and it will be soooo nice to catch up in person. =)

1. MARC

For those of you who know Marc well, you know he's a pretty amazing person. For those who don't....well, you're missing out. I've been so proud of him as I've seen him go through a roller coaster of emotions related to the changes we've experienced over the past three months. He's maybe the most positive person I've ever known and his optimism never ceases to amaze. He's been ultra supportive of me as I've dealt with adjusting as well, which is soooo important. All this time I've been thinking - what is WRONG with these people? How can they not see how genius this man is and scoop him up to work for them? Whoever he ends up working for will be lucky because they will benefit from what he brings......he's soooo smart. I can't wait until we're set up in our new home and he's with a team that sees his talent and appreciates all he is doing.

I've enjoyed this time because we got to spend it all together - our lives are normally so incredibly busy that stopping for a few months and going through this all has just continued to strengthen our relationship. He makes me so very happy and I'm lucky that I get to spend every day of my life with him. These are the things that I'm reminded of so clearly at times like these.

One last thing to mention and then I'll stop blabbing......long ago, while cleaning out my Grandma's house, I found a piece of paper inside my PawPaw's Bible and it said this:

Psalm 46: The Lord is 3 Things -

1. On my side

2. By my side

3. Give's me peace inside

I have clung to this little piece of paper since I found it and never knew how appropriate it would be for this time in my life. I keep it by my computer each day so that I will be reminded of what's really important. What a great way to help me keep things in perspective...and it's all so true.

I've really enjoyed my time here in Florida - who knows, maybe one day we'll be back and stay even longer! But for now - we're on to a new life in a new place. Will write soon with the details, I promise!