Hair today, gone tomorrow.

I wonder if I should have created a category for haircuts all those years ago when I started tagging my posts?  This week we left a lot on the floor of the hair salon.

First up was Johanna…

And I went a few days later.

Sometimes we do things…

The morning started with Katriel and I meeting her sweet Explorer Squad for a hike.  If you have known me for more than 7 minutes, you will find out that the only hiking I ascribe to is the kind that gets me from the Transportation and Ticket Counter at Magic Kingdom back to Big Top Souvenirs in Fantasyland…

But they needed a CPR certified parent, and I do love the leaders and the girls…

so we went for a hike.

I would love to say I enjoyed the views, but frankly, I spent all my time watching where my feet were landing amidst the roots and slippery grass fully intent on NOT finding a copperhead.

These boardwalks are the best, no?

We did see wild turtles.  (Yes – I really just called them “wild” turtles.)

Later that night Tab had friends over for a movie.  I didn’t take pictures of that because that would be cringey. 

When they bailed on the fire, I got to enjoy the remainder of it. 

Billy Graham Museum

With my trip behind me and my health returning, Nan, Tabitha, Johanna, Katriel and I went to Charlotte, NC to visit the Billy Graham museum.  It was a wonderful place that exceeded my every expectation.

The entire place was interactive.  It was set up so that you would move between rooms every 6-7 minutes.  Each had its own focus.

This one was set up like a revival tent.

This talked about his media presence.

It highlighted his outreach to our elected officials.

And his opportunities to reach out across the nations.

He and Mrs. Ruth Graham are buried on the site.

It was a slightly stressful drive as Charlotte and I-85 are no joke.  But it was a trip wholly worth making!

Winter Jam 2023

Tab sat with some friends, and Katriel stayed home with Nan.

We barely got there in time, and yet we got there at the perfect moment.  It was JUST as they opened the doors for the HIS Radio More Than Music Partners (monthly donors) to go in just five minutes before the main opening.  We slid right in the door and grabbed seats we liked.  About 25 minutes later friends found us and joined us.  Kevin and Shannon moved here about a year before we did, but they live about 40 minutes west of us.  I haven’t seen Shannon since LAST Winter Jam.

AND – remarkably enough.  In a venue of THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS, our friend Jeff was in the section directly behind us.  So cool.

Many artists.  It was a wonderful night of worship.

Beauty and the Beast at BJU

This photo doesn’t do a thing to highlight the amazing performance we were treated to by BJU.  Over 2000 people were in the auditorium for their “educators' performance” (the last night before opening night). 

Marie and John will be going in a few nights.

Carnival Elation

John and I have been married almost 26 years and we have never gone away.
With Nan coming in for a month, and us living so close to cruise ports, we decided we’d do something crazy and take a four night cruise…

I was medicated to the hilt, and I mostly slept and moved from sitting in X to sitting in Y, but we had a nice time being fed and looking at the sea.  And I would have been about good for nothing at home with the steroids and antihistamines.

The port is small and easy to access.  We went out of Jacksonville.

Parts of the ship are kind of dark and ugly, and other parts are updated and lovely.  All of it was clean and the staff was outstanding.

We hung out waiting for our stateroom to be ready.

It was a great room for two people.

We had a beverage package that allowed us to frequent the coffee bar.

Guy’s Burgers are the best.

The adults  only quiet area of the ship. It got very busy at times.

We also got slushies with our package.

And Blue Iguana tacos.  I had a few fish tacos over the days.

We visited Freeport.

The beach was lovely, but the waves were rough.

We got back to the ship in time for dinner.

We went to Nassau the next day.

And returned to the ship for some quiet time by the family slides.

Sea Day we went to the Dr. Seuss breakfast.

And had more Guy’s Burgers and Blue Iguana for lunch.

Before you knew it, it was time to go home.

And I would feel like I was on the ship for over a week.