Saturday, November 7, 2015

Family time

Me in the back, Allison and Norma Jean, Alicia and Lexie
I am at Allison's home in Brandon (a suburb of Tampa), with my sister Norma Jean and Allison's two girls, Alicia (8 months) and Lexie (five last June). It's a different life, being around little ones. I guess I will get my fill of kids this week, and then I'll miss them when I go home. This morning I went to Hillsborough River, where my sister joined her newest exercise group, the Pink Dragon Ladies, a paddling group of breast cancer survivors who meet three times a week to practice and compete regularly. I captured this picture this morning of them.
Pink Dragon Ladies Paddling Team
These wonderful ladies are all ages and fitness levels, although all these ladies look to be incredibly fit. They went out for an entire hour of nonstop paddling this morning, which is twice as long as usual. It was possible for me to go on the boat as a guest, but I wanted to get pictures like this one. Plus there is a river walk and so I went for a nice walk while they paddled. It is still very hot, but the humidity has fallen a little and isn't quite as oppressive. I'm tired at the end of every day, though.
Norma Jean (with Icarus at her feet), and me with Zen (Peter's dog)
Peter, Norma Jean's son, took this picture of us while we were "watching TV" in the early evening. He showed us this picture in the morning to remind us what a lively visit we're having. But it's because we are pretty active during the day and, as usual, I fade really early. But I'm having a great time with family. More on Tuesday.
:-)

23 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you're having such a great family time, DJan. Isn't amazing how we forget how much work it takes to care for young ones? I was exhausted when we were on the mainland for these past 5 weeks. I'm glad the humidity is improving for you. Hopefully the temps will cool down too.

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  2. i love the last photo - pure comfort for all. :)

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  3. Your sister seems so fit to be able to swim and paddle as much as she does. Your grandnieces are so cute.

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  4. With all the healthy salads, the great exercise,and the love of pets and family, you will be in great shape when you return to to us here in the damp dark PNW.

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  5. Fun to catch up with your family & learn Allison has a second child, they're both precious. You look like you're enjoying yourself in spite of the heat.

    On another subject. I took the shingles vaccine two years ago. This week I was diagnosed with shingles! It does appear to be a light case so perhaps the vaccine helped in that way but I did not expect to have even a light case.

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  6. I am so very glad that you are having a lovely visit. And I am an early fader myself...
    Cyber hugs.

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  7. I know you will value your time with your families.

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  8. So..... You are in my "neck of the woods."
    I'm wondering when WHEN! it will begin to turn cool. It's November. Come on! Where's the cool/cold weather? :)
    Love to see that you are enjoying the fellowship of family!
    Hugs and great big smiles to you, Jan.
    Always,
    J.

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  9. Hi DJan, Was looking at Red's Hiawatha House when I saw DJan-ity over in the side bar. Had to stop by and see how the visit was going. Great family post. If I had seen your sister somewhere I would have thought it was you! :-) Greetings to all from Seattle. By the way, you missed a lot of rain today. :-) Enjoy that sunshine!

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  10. Look at Lexie and how much she has grown! What fun for you to spend time with them....I think you have a new friend on the couch:)

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  11. You're just proving that lots of exercise means you'll get a good night's sleep. That's a good thing by anybody's measure!

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  12. I love that paddle group, the photo, the idea, their name and water craft, all of it! Enjoy your family time in the Sunshine State, DJan!

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  13. I love the candid shot of you guys watching TV!! And family with the little ones. What a great time. It is very different being around little ones, yes. LOL! :)

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  14. So glad you are enjoying your visit. And it's true about the little ones. I love being with them, then crash after. Guess that's why its best to have them when we're young. I had 3 while in my 20's and don't remember it being difficult at all. Love the pics!

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  15. Lol what a lively lot you are....all that exercising and visiting !
    So good to reconnect with loved ones, enjoy your time together.
    ~Jo

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  16. I didn't think you ever got tired DJan. You are a blogger with super powers! But, a good nap never hurts.

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  17. Lovely pictures Djan. I didn't know Allison had another daughter! Congratulations to her on that bit of news. I love the pic of you and your sister asleep. I,ve never seen you so inactive, lol.

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  18. I understand the fading part. By 4 o'clock it begins and by 7:30 I'm done. We just got an invitation to an evening event for the end of the month. I will have to decline.

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  19. Dear DJan, wherever you go you exercise. What an inspiration you are. I'm so slothful right now about moving the body. I'm hoping that as my body rests up I'll be better able to walk a longer distance. But of course the longer we are away from exercise, the less we can do when we return. Peace.

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  20. I love the photo of the two sisters quietly enjoying each other by just nodding off. That is how it should be after you get your fill of visiting and exercise. You and your sis are inspirations when it comes to exercise.

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  21. Boy, you two look alike. Super that you are there and having so much love and fun. Enjoy your holiday. Love the "early evening" photo :)

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