Hrrriance Idalia

 Here's hoping that NOAA gets rid of any "I" names for storms in the future (Irma, Ian, Ida, Idalia.....)

Idalia was just a really long thunderstorm for us - in the district and at the house. Some flooding in downtown Sarasota (Siesta Key and Longboat Key too) and in downtown Bradenton, but northern Florida definitely got the worse end of the deal. 

Parker did come home from college for Tuesday and Wednesday and his brothers were also out of school on those days. Wesley and Davis closed the metal hurricane shutters that we have preinstalled but we did not put up any of the plastic shutters across the front of the house or the screen across the back. We had plenty of snacks and propane for cooking on the grill - but our power flickered once on Tuesday for a few minutes and there were no more disruptions. Our pool almost overflowed, but that was it. 

Weird Things Around Town

It was the kind of Monday where our Wendy's caught on fire. 

And when I was touring the damage out on Fort Myers Beach again this morning, I ran into several of these big ugly green iguanas (see 2 under the boat edge) and 1 in the middle of the grass. 

All of our hurricane prep is done again and we are watching the storm track. 

 

Boy Scouts Part Deux

The boys spent Saturday at Camp Miles on the Price Sanders Scout Reservation in Punta Gorda for a merit badge workshop. They both worked on two Eagle required badges. Wesley had Personal Management and Citizenship in Society; Davis had Personal Management and Citizenship in the Community. I sat on the rocking chair porch of the dining hall for a bit to read. 

 

Keys to the Kingdom Tour

Friday Daryl and I went to Magic Kingdom and met up with Amy and CJ. We were there for a bucket list item for me and Amy - Keys to the Kingdom Backstage Tour. We spent 5 hours walking around the park, during which time we got to go on three attractions (Jungle Cruise, Enchanted Tiki Room and Haunted Mansion). We got a special catered lunch at Peco's Bill Tavern. And we also go to go backstage and see where they store all of the parade floats and watch them drive them and also the Electric Water Pageant floats. And we got to walk downstairs and throughout the utilidors - the tunnels that run below all the attractions. 

Amy and I on Jungle Cruise - this is the "backside" or water! 

We got to hear all about the secrets of the Haunted Mansion before going on the ride. 

It was hot as blazes but it was fabulous. Our tour guide was amazing - Darlene is the daughter of an Imagineer who helped build Disney World - and before that he worked in California. When she was a child, she knew Walt Disney and had so many stories to share. 

One last stop before we left Disney property. We went over to Port Orleans French Quarter resort for beignets. Regular ones for everyone else and the allergy friendly (not Mickey shaped ones) for me. Delicious! 

 

Furry Friends in the Pool

Bella was traumatized as a puppy when one of the boys put her in Grandmommy's pool. 

She's never gone in a pool or a lake since. 

Last night we put her in the pool with us to see how she would do. She was a bit scared at first, but eventually settled down to let Daryl hold her for several minutes. Sweet Bella dog. 

 

Week in Review

Things at Grace UMC this week....I got to worship with them and Pastor Sarah was preaching. 

In addition to the boys joining at the contemporary service, there were several people who joined at the later traditional service as well.  

One of their summer community groups spent time out on a dive doing a cleanup over the weekend. 

I got in a couple of walks at labyrinths in Sarasota: Pine Shores Presbyterian and First Presbyterian. 

I also got to meet with our awesome new DCOM team this week in Fort Myers. 

And a very good friend came over from the other coast to participate in the training too. 

 

First Day of Sophomore Year

He sent us a first day of school picture! 

 

College Round Two

This is the sad face of a dog whose boy is headed back to college. 

She did not like all the packing on Sunday night. 

Monday Daryl and I drove Parker up to Lakeland. This year he is in Jenkins Hall, the one building in Greek Village that has non-fraternity boys housed there. 

This year Parker is in a double sharing a floor bathroom. It's still a good size space with lots of storage. 

BEFORE

AFTER 

The view from Parker's desk through the window. 

After we got most everything set up, we headed out to lunch and met the Hills downtown at Harry's. They're only 20 minutes away from Parker's school and he sometimes goes to their church on Sunday mornings.

Last pictures of the day.. he's ready for sophomore year to start! 

And when we got home, this was in the mail. Dean's list for the Spring semester! 

Camping Trip

Friday and Saturday I spent with Wesley and Davis camping with their Boy Scout Troop. After getting everything loaded up in the trailer at the scout house, we stayed at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey (between Sarasota and Venice). 

Checking into the park - we were at the back of the park in a primitive camping site near the Legacy Trail. 

 

On Saturday, we got up and had breakfast and a few of the boys put their cast nets into Tilapia Creek and caught one. 

Later we drove into Nokomis and went to North Jetty Park - time on the beach and out on the jetty fishing. 

Back at camp. We made dinner and then Davis worked on a camping requirement he needs about starting a fire. 

We came home and were hot and tired - but we had a great time hanging out. I loved camping as a Girl Scout and it was good to be back.