Absence...

I've been absent...I know. Some recent computer cliches and lack of time have prevented me from providing you with an update. At the moment, I'm at a loss of "philosophies" and "words of wisdom." Rest assured...I will be back with them soon.

In the mean time, here are a few things I've been up to...

Legally Blonde, The Musical - If you're a woman and you liked the movie...you'll LOVE this musical. I went to Orlando with my fabulous friend Sheila and two of her good friends from Orlando.

Spring is here - I've really been enjoying the weather change and seeing everything in bloom. Another reason why I LOVE Florida!

That's all for now. I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Home

Jacksonville, Florida - this is home. For 18+ years of my life, I have lived in Jacksonville, Florida. Jacksonville is in Northeast Florida, almost to the Georgia border on the Atlantic Ocean coast.

I haven't always been able to say that I "loved" this city, but recently I've realized that not only do I love Jacksonville, but I love Florida! My career may take me outside of Florida, but I know that I'll retire back to Florida if that ever happens.

A couple of my friends and I said that we would be like "The Golden Girls" and move back to Florida when we retire, and may even be roommates. I know that one day I'll upgrade to a larger home, but I hope to keep the current home as a place to retire to later in life. You can't beat it, really.

Even better than my home is my desk downtown. Here are a couple of pictures I took which show the view from my desk.

This is the St. John's River. The blue bridge is the Main Street Bridge and I also have a relative in the tall building on the far right!

This is the view from my left side window

I totally sound too thrilled to live where I do, don't I? Well, lately, I've been realizing some of the little things I'd missed...and a few things I didn't appreciate as much as I should have. That has all changed, and one of the underappreciated things was how blessed I am to live here in Jacksonville.

Friends

Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have sorrow.

But, if we are wise, we know that there's always tomorrow.

Lean on me, when you're not strong and I'll be your friend.

I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need somebody

to lean on.

Please swallow your pride, if I have things you need to borrow.

For no one can fill those neds that you won't let show.

You just call on me, sister when you need a hand.

We all need somebody to lean on.

Lean on me when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend.

I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on.

You just call on me sister if you need a friend.

We all need somebody to lean on.

I just might have a problem that you'll understand.

We all need somebody to lean on.

If there is a load you have to bear that you can't carry, I'm right up the road.

I'll share your load if you just call me.

Call me (if you need a friend)

Call me, Call me, Call me

"Lean On Me" by Bill Withers

If it seems that I am obsessed with friendship lately, it's because I am! As always, God taught me a lesson in a most unusual way. I have not been able to get the most recent lesson off my mind ever since it happened about 10 days ago. So, bear with me as I unleash the sensitive side of myself in mentioning how dear my true friends are to me, and how much I appreciate them being there for me last week and everyday before that.

I'd love to list each by name on the blog, but for privacy reasons I will not. They all know who they are, and know they can LEAN ON ME any time.

Love!

March - The Beginning of Spring

March is here! It is officially (well, almost) the beginning of Spring! March and April are the months when I start my excursions to the beach and pool to soak up the sun, hangout with friends in the outdoors and get to read those books I love so much!

This change in season will be especially memorable to me because of the way my winter ended this year. Just two days ago, I joined my best friend Scarlett, her family and friends, my parents and a few other wonderful friends of mine to say goodbye to Scarlett's father, Johnny Williams. Although it was a sad occasion, it was joyous just the same. To watch this family actually celebrate a life with a "Wang Dang Doodle" party - some Southern home cooking and a Blue Grass Band were on-hand to celebrate this man's life. In addition to this event, I went through a momentary personal crisis at the end of Winter which made me realize how much I love my friends in Jacksonville and my family, who also reside in Jacksonville.

Sometimes God takes us through the Valley before we can climb the Mountain again. I'll be back on the mountain soon, but I know there'll be more "Valley" moments. Within each of these "Valley" moments, God will have a lesson to teach me.

This year's lessons, so far, are 1) Take joy in the changing of the seasons....winter will always be cold, but spring and summer will always come back around 2) Enjoy those you're close to, and tell them you enjoy them and are thankful to them each time you speak to them 3) Appreciate what you have now, because tomorrow it may be gone 4) Always be a friend. Even when those around you fail to see how much you care for them or appreciate them, continue to be a friend and someone they can count on when they see the light again 5) Never give up

This is me with Franca and Scarlett - two life long friends whom I know will always be there for me, and for whom I will always be! This picture was taken at the "Wang Dang Doodle" on Saturday.

I love you girls, and I realize that now more than ever!

Photo by: Darice Michelle