Stopping For Gas

I'm posting this note today because I want a permanent record of my feeling good about finding gas at Costco for $3.569/gal. I believe it will be a memory I will call "the good old days" in a few months and maybe for a few years.

I hope Iran learns a lesson from this because I sure have.

Another political lesson we are all paying the price for.

Lunch at Della's Delectables (Della's After Dark is dark)

On our way to a follow-up appointment we decided to have lunch at a local bistro called Della's Delectables, http://www.dellastogo.com/. I don't know that Brandon Florida is touted as a mecca for bistro hounds, but the area around Brandon Regional Hospital seems to have become a hotbed for
chef's expressions.

The folks at Della's are very friendly and, with 23 years in the food service industry, they know how to put their best food forward. Follow the link above to view their offerings. We just had a couple of sandwiches, Muffuletta on Ciabatta Roll and Honey Club on Cuban Bread (pressed). They were both very good with a home made, at your kitchen table kind of touch to them.

They have a twist too. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, from 5:00PM - 10:00PM, they serve up dinner with some Jazz (music 7 to 10). It is called Della's After Dark. We haven't taken advantage of this yet, but since the sign reads "reservations recommended", I am guessing they are busy. *( Unfortunately Della's After Dark is no more.) The Breakfast/Lunch is certainly still one of the best around, but the dinner and jazz is gone. 


After lunch, if you have time and the interest, you can browse through The Book Stall next door. Self-characterized as a book exchange, they had a couple of teaser tables with yellowing paperbacks in various titles jammed in boxes as "special sale pricing" items. I didn't go inside but maybe next time I am in the area I will. I just wasn't ready to inhale the musty smell of old books and exhale the strong smell of the red onion from the bite of Erin's sandwich I took. I didn't want to offend.

Nice seating inside as well

She doesn't want to miss anything

Frog Sconce on the wall

Piling On

These are not the kind of messages you expect to hear from doctors to your child. It's not the time in her life for curve balls. She is too young, fresh, full of life and dreams. So very young, she cannot be ready for this kind of twisting and stress. You just want her to throw fast balls and hit her spots. Yes, it is a sports analogy and yet here it is.

Without getting into detail let's just say lately we have become all too accustomed to hearing from medical professionals, "She is one of the youngest patients we have seen with ... or ...".

A major, life-saving surgery at 23 years old and then at again just this week at 24, for a completely different condition. We are quite ready for a break from this particular kind of excitement, thank you very much!

All through this our girl has proven to be strong physically, mentally and emotionally. That does not mean that she is unaffected by these challenges and fearless in the face of the unknown. She has simply been able to call on her faith and whatever other resources she needs to survive and in many ways thrive. So many friends and family pouring their prayers and best wishes in to us, it has been an overwhelming source of comfort and support.

Pre-op

Recovery with pals to lighten the load

Still so fresh, there is certainly some lingering pain and unanswered questions about what tomorrow may bring, but she is a source of pride and inspiration for us every day. Soon she will be at full strength and this will all be behind us.

Piling On

Each day and moment we have together

is the brighter future of our hopes and dreams,

so let's keep piling them up

one upon another

and another...

We are always on the path

regardless if it is familiar and desired or not.

The path is what it is.

We have to provide our own light and keep moving forward,

one step at a time,

but its nice to hold hands along the way.