Babygirl is 8

Okay, so it's Valentine's Day and, naturally, hubby is away on business. Over the course of our almost 16-year relationship, let's just say we haven't spent that many V-days together. I am okay with that. Really, I am. After all, it's not as if we love each other one day per year. We love each other every day of every year and we celebrate that love every Friday night. That's our official date night and we wouldn't miss it for anything short of a fortuitous event (doesn't that word sound oh so serious?).
When you really think of it, I am not really a fan of many special days and holidays. I mean, we basically escape Xmas and New Year's Day altogether by going to Florida, and Easter, V-day, birthdays and so many other little things just don't seem very important in my book as I grow older.
However, when you're turning 8, all these days and so many more are utterly important. That's why Babygirl's birthday was celebrated not once, but four times this year. It was really like the birthday that wouldn't end... we had a party with family members the weekend before her birthday, we went out for supper on her actual birthday, she invited our neighbor over for supper one evening (because he so would not have enjoyed the girly party we planned for the following weekend), and then we had the ultimate scrapbooking/jewellery making/dancing party 10 days after her birthday. We sang Happy Birthday so many times it feels like she's 18 for crying out loud!
Oh, and I do take pretty much all the credit for the girly party since hubby's participation was limited to blowing up balloons (which looked great by the way). He basically spent the entire party in his office catching up on work and wearing noise cancelling headphones (for those who don't know, little girls can be very, very loud). I really should borrow those sometimes...

Silent blog posts

Guess what, I have successfully limited my grumpiness since our return to snow-covered lawns and freezing temps. The way I see it, if I want to go back to Florida, I have to do my time up North! After all, Florida may be the sunshine state but sunshine doesn't come cheap if you know what I mean!

White sand beach jogs have been replaced with treadmill runs. There's something about staring at the wall for 45 minutes three times a week... it's led to many silent blog posts. You know, the ones which perfectly describe my endorphin-enduced state of mind, the ones in which the hustle and bustle of morning prep for school vanish with wise words only to be replaced by serenity.

Well. They were just that. Silent posts. They were good, heck some were even pretty darn great, but sadly, I never got around to actually typing them for y'all (pardon the lingering southern influence).

Indeed, time seems to be running ahead of me in 2012. I am constantly trying to catch up. But I will.

If only I could figure out a way to type while I jog... the posts would blow you away!

The end is near...

So basically, this is how I've been walking around today... soaking in every single last bit of sun I can.
Although our trip will end with a slight cold spell in Florida, I choose to hold on to those wonderful warm days which were much more frequent and appreciated. They are the ones which will get me through the cold Quebec winter, the ones which energized me so!
Everyone who knows me is bracing for my grumpiness and moodiness upon our return, I just don't do well with gray skies and snow... I promise to make an effort though! I'll give it my all and look at our vacation photos frequently to remain in the zone! The beach zone that is!
We're off tomorrow morning. That's when the nostalgia will most likely set in. My heart will most likely linger on Estero Island... but we're coming home.

XXX on the beach

Come on, you know me better than that. Of course, that was RUN on the beach!

It's all I thought it would be and then some. First of all, let's get things straight, it's difficult! I have been running maybe one or two songs less than at home. I blame this on a few things : the heat and red wine (and maybe a couple glasses of rhum). I have been extra careful about what goes into my body, especially the nights which precede a run (every other day that is), but still, I have to keep repeating my mantra over and over again : "I don't stop when I'm tired, I stop when I'm done!"

One thing is certain, running on the beach is great motivation. Let me explain. My ego has been crushed and rebuilt more times I can count since we've reached sunny Florida. The crushing part usually involves being passed by another runner and not for the life of me being able to latch on to him/her. Luckily this hasn't happened too much and when it has I could easily justify it by the fact that the ones who passed me were most definitely high school track and field stars (at least that's what was written across the back of their teeny tiny shorts more often than not). Then there were those who didn't seem sweaty or even remotely hot regardless of the very hot early morning sun. This, I am sure, is explained by the fact that they surely must live here based on their supertanned bodies which I am almost certain have never experienced the sunburns I am trying to avoid myself. On the other hand, my ego was rebuilt when I passed fellow runners myself with the wind in my hair. Sorry guys, I know how it feels, but I must say that it felt good!

But nothing beats the motivation which comes from seeing 50, 60, and maybe even a few 70-year olds running on the beach. Hats off to them! They are my running inspiration. High school track and field stars have nothing on them... they rock!!! Biggirl commented on one elderly running lady today stating that she was pretty old to jog. Heck yeah, but she was doing great and I hope I will continue running long enough for someone to say that about me one day...

A little taste of our current paradise

So here are a few pics just to keep you dreaming. They should provide at least a momentary escape from the snow, sleet, and rain present up north. Yes, we are feeling pretty darn lucky to be here. Temps have remained pretty much between 25 and 33 since we've arrived. Tomorrow, we're expecting a mere 22 degrees... hey, it's still flip-flop weather right? As you can see, I'm not the only one enjoying the sun and sand!
For those who are wondering, biggirl and hubby are absent from the pics since they were off exploring the surrounding islands on yet another motorcycle ride. Apparently there are plenty of wonderful sights, but I'm content right here on Estero Island, my favorite home away from home.

Hot, hot, hot!

We made it to the west coast of Florida. After spending four days in Cape Canaveral, we are now in Fort Myers Beach. The west coast is definitely the way to go. I truly believe you haven't really experienced Florida until you've seen the west coast. There is just something more tropical, more exotic about everything. I haven't gotten around to downloading the pics but I will...

This is by far the warmest Florida Xmas we've experienced yet. Hip, hip, hooray! Just what we were looking for.

There is a fire station right at the end of the campground. Tonight, Santa Claus left in a fire truck, off to deliver toys... he surprised babygirl with super cool gifts. How nice and so very unexpected! We're talking Barbie dolls here... couldn't help but hope that these weren't originally meant for needy children though... This did also complicate things. He's already been to the campground, does babygirl expect him to return tomorrow night too? I think she does. And he will. Somehow. Some way...

Until my next post, I will let you imagine just how wonderful west coast Florida can be... If you can picture white sand and gorgeous palm trees, you won't be surprised! Go ahead, dream on!

Red like a...

I am a big Ricardo fan. I turn to his website whenever I'm looking for a recipe, especially during the Holidays... When hubby's family was here for an early Christmas dinner, I was all excited about trying this original macaroni salad. It's really easy to make and tastes pretty good too. Best of all, it's a great way to add some color to traditional holiday meals. Let's face it, turkey (or pork tenderloin in our case) needs a little pizazz. A wow factor.

Can you guess what gives the macaroni it's festive color?

Come on, play along!

No one at our Christmas table guessed the answer. That would be because I totally forgot to take it out of the fridge.

I only realized my mistake once everyone had gone home, content with their nearly colorless meal. Yup, all that work went to waste.

That meant plenty of macaroni salad for lunches for the kiddos. Only one problem. When I proudly showed them my salad the next morning, it was greeted with, "Yuck! Macaroni isn't supposed to be red!"

So much for wanting to be original huh?

A for effort... at least I get to share it with all of you!

The secret ingredient is...

Beet juice. Which is surprisingly quite good and expensive. Especially if you forget it in the fridge!