Sunday, March 21, 2010

Home Again...Jiggity, Jig....


Home again and feeling so great! The first day of Spring was delightful yesterday. DH took Elaine (of Elaine's Quilt fame) and me on a day-trip to Sanibel Island and Captiva. We were first treated to a big breakfast. Then off to the sunny islands...over several bridges in the beautiful sunlight to see the sparkling Gulf waters (ocean inlets) and sandy beaches. The sail boats and big cabin cruisers were kicking up foam and surf that trailed behind them like streamers of fairie mist and foam. It was just beautiful. We saw pelicans, gulls, egrets and herons. The egrets and herons were in the dunes and wild sections of flowers and reeds at small canals across the way from the beaches.

Beaches on Naples, Ft. Myers, Sanibel and Captiva are all different. Naples, where we live has thick and deep sand with a smattering of shells. Ft. Myers has much of the same, although the sands start to lighten up. Sanibel and Captiva have white sands and more shells respectively! The waters change colors too. Captiva has the prettiest colored water, I think...it's very clear, light opal blue/green. DH says that's because it's much more shallow close to the shore. You can easily fill a bucket of shells on a Captiva beach!

The towns on Islands are seaside lovely. Multi-colored pastels give everything a kind of overall haze of "icing" to my eyes. There are people with seaside outfits, bikers in different colored bikes, kites flying, people walking and sitting in outside cafes, shellseekers on the beaches in funny hats and under umbrellas. We drove past so many mansions...gorgeous and with names like, "Moon Haven," and "Mermaid's End." The newest and by far most imposing of the mansions in Captiva was posted as a Roosevelt home, all white pillared, it sat just across the street from the ocean...within less than a football field's length door-to-door.

DH stopped at a funny old bike shop to let me ride a reconditioned three-wheeler bike with a darling old wicker basket on back. It was pained a pale blue and orange that looked shabby sheek and beach blasted. Elaine and I, of course, fell in love.
I rode it all around for 20 mins. and helped Elaine ride it back and forth with her oxygen tank tucked away in the basket!! LOL We had such a good time. DH made the man a low-ball offer...then declared he'd buy me one to share with E. in the very near future. Just not one like that one with a wobbly front and right wheel!!!

On the way DH had gently talked with Elaine telling her stories about the beaches, birds and houses. I sat back as quietly as I could be...well, as quietly as I Could Be!! She just loves Anthony. I have to say he gets lots of points for his kindness to her. He's even insisting that she take his recliner so she can find a comfortable way to sleep as she's now not able to sleep on her sides or flat in her bed.

We stopped as we left the islands at the Dairy Queen to get soft serve ice creams in the old fashioned cones: a large vanilla for DH, a chocolate for Elaine, and a chocolate dipped for me. We were warm, sunny and happy as could be.

I've returned home after a rocky 4 months to my own stitching haven: my stitching, magnifying light, fancy scissors and tools, wonderful chair and all the amenities. I love being home and the great peace and comfort of it all.

Sadly, midst the need for family crisis sharing, I feel I've let down my RR friends because of the lack of mag. lighting, my own transportation and personal time. It's made me feel horrible inside and very unworthy. I feel it will take me alot of time to make it up to them. While my family counts me as a good mother and a loving supporter of them all....I've become a loser as a stitching friend and I am heartbroken about that. It's my goal to change that in the coming months.

I love and appreciate you each and every one. I'll be coming around to visit all of you soon!!

Love and hugs,
Deb

21 comments:

Jules said...

Sounds like you had an enjoyable outing yesterday! I definitely agree that the beaches down your way are beautiful.

Welcome back!!

Margaret said...

It's good to hear from you again! Nice that you and Elaine had such a wonderful day trip with your DH. (I also love the fiber pic there at the top!!)

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Sounds like you had a great time together and remember, no matter what, family comes first. We will all be here anxiously awaiting your next post - no worries!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back, Deb. It's great to read another colourful post from you!! What a lovely trip the 3 of you had! Wishing you many more of those!

Carol R said...

What a lovely 'return to blogging' post Deb although it's made me yearn for my second home on Siesta Key! I've sent you an email ....
[[[Hugs]]]

Katrina said...

Sounds like a fun day!

Stitching is our hobby, real life comes first. I am sure now that you are home, you will quickly get back in a routine and be able to stitch more :-). BTW, anyone who knows you at all would know you'd never intentionally let anyone down. Hope all is well with your DD.

Carol said...

We just got back from visiting my husband's parents who also live in Naples, Deb. It is such an incredibly beautiful place... Hope being home again brings you much peace and happiness :)

mainely stitching said...

It's much more important to be there for family, Deb. You've done the right thing, and your stitchy/RR friends will understand that.

Welcome home. It's wonderful to hear from you! :D

Lynn said...

Welcome home Deb! It sounds like you had an absolutely fantastic day with your DH and Elaine. How nice for Elaine to get out and enjoy the beach like that. A day like that can help heal so much.

I'm headed to Fort Myers tomorrow morning to visit with my Mom and Stepdad. My sister and her husband are also joining us. I can hardly wait! I've needed a break for so long now.

I don't think you have anything to worry about with your stitching friends. Our families always come first and if they're any kind of friend at all they will understand.

tintocktap said...

Welcome back, Deb! How lovely to hear your 'voice' again and the tale of your lovely day out! Hope things settle down again for you now!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Welcomw back. I truly enjoyed your lovely day out with your hubby and friend. OH it sounded so great and I would of loved to see some pics of those beaches and you all. Makes me want to come to Florida. Hope your family is good now. missed you. Hugs Judy

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Deb. I forgot to mention how I was drooling over all those lovely colorful threads in the pic. I reckon you probably have more than me. LOL Do you have a shop down there were you buy all those fantastic looking flosses??/ Hugs Judy

Tootie said...

I just ran across your blog, because you mentioned Sanibel, which is where I live. I'm not a stitcher, although I've done some sewing back in the day. :) I spend most of my time now, simply enjoying the beauty of nature. I'm happy to hear you had an enjoyable day here. You and your DH seem to be kind and wonderful people, and I enjoyed reading your lovely writings. I'll be back to visit. :)

Von said...

What a wonderful day for all of you, Deb! Sounds absolutely heavenly and I'm sure Elaine was so thankful for some time out in God's beautiful creation. :)

But that lead-in pic - WHOA! I want to just crawl through the monitor and pet all those amazing threads.

KarenV said...

Nice to see you back Deb :) I'm glad you had such a good time with your DH and that Elaine enjoyed it too. As others have said, life takes precedence over stitching and I'm sure people will understand if you're behind with commitments, so don't worry.

Nicole said...

Welcome back Deb! I've missed you!!! I'm going to be down in Florida in April. I would love to see you if at all possible!

Cheryl said...

Great to hear from you again {{hugs}} Im coming to Florida in June, cant wait :)

Lynn B said...

Welcome home Deb, it is so nice that you are back in blogging land!
Ooo, Naples is one of my future destinations that I would love to visit, I am sure I will get there one day!

Hugs
Lynn B

Patricia Lessell said...

I am so happy you are home I just can't tell you. I missed you sooooo much but I know what comes first in one's life that's for sure. And you are far far away from being a crappy stitching friend that is for sure. I am just so glad you and Elaine had such a lovely day out together.
Lots and Lots of Love and Hugs
Patti xxx

Sally said...

It's so wonderful to see you Deb!! So glad you had a fantastic time with Elaine.

Never say you are a crappy stitching friend because you're not. You're the best {{{{hugs}}}}

Brigitte said...

You seem to have spent a real fun day with Elaine and your husband. Sounds all so good and joyful.
I'm sure you needn't be worried about your RR stitching. Family matters are always what comes first. And your stitching friends will understand.