I Started my job in Lakeland on March 10. My boss was an SLP also. Great gal! Actually, everyone of my co workers at Palm Terrace were great. I loved my assignment there and made some awesome friends.
Kirk and I found another Chuys tex mex restaurant in Orlando. So, of course we had to drive there a few times to get our Chuys fix. One of those times was on Cinco de Mayo.....that was so much fun. Did I mention that Chuys has the best margaritas ever!!!
I feel like I'm all over the place here, but if you ever happen to be in Plant City, FL don't forget about the strawberries. This place is known for their strawberries and has a festival every year to celebrate them.
On March 19th I had to return to Ocala to have my 2nd cataract surgery. It went quick and I was able to return to work the next day. If I had it to do all over again, I would have found the money to have the multi focal implant lens. Cheaters are a hassle. Especially with all the close up work I have to do. Dang insurance companies anyway ( they only pay for standard vision lens implants).
On a positive note, we had 2 Costcos very close to us in the Tampa and Orlando areas.
During our stay in Florida, we got news from home ( March 20) that daughter in law, Nicki ( Bens wife) became very ill. She ended up with a diagnosis of discitis and after leaving hospital, had to continue with medications given through a PICC line for the next 6 weeks. Today, all is well.
Every 2nd Thursday of the month in downtown Lakeland there are food trucks. This is a very fun event and should definitely be attended if you are in the area. Don't forget about Harry's Cajun seafood and bar also in downtown Lakeland.
On 4/12 Kirk and I took the motorcycle and rode to Winter Garden. We drove to the park where his grandparents wintered years ago. Their old mobile home was still there and inhabited. We also visited the farmers market while there and bought our summer hats, which we wore when we visited FT Desoto and Anna Marie Island on 4/26. (Ben turned 31 on 4/26.). Anna Marie Island is a fun place to visit.
On 5/3 our beagle, Lily came down with a crazy itching. We took her to the vet, but nothing really helped. One week later we were back to the vet as now she was having trouble walking, and would yelp when barely touched. The vet thought that maybe it was a disc in her neck and gave us lots of meds. Nothing helped and on 5/13 after more vet visits, and now in excruciating pain, and still not walking, we had to have her put down. Before taking her to the vet, Kirk fed her a rib eye and she was allowed as many treats as she wanted. The vet now thought she had a spinal disease or tumor. This was the hardest thing so far that Kirk and I have ever had to do. The Polk county animal hospital was the best. We had Lily cremated and they were able to give us her remains the next day as we were leaving to go north. Lily was a friendly, faithful, and loving part of our family.
We returned to Homosassa, FL while in Lakeland to eat shrimp at the Freezer and even bought extra to bring back with us.
Mother's Day this year was on 5/11. Kirk took me golfing, and grilled rib eyes, shrimp, and jalapeño poppers. Totally awesome. Think I'll keep him. The kids sent me their famous selfie of all of them in one pic.
My last day at Palm Terrace was 5/15. Gave all my co workers my homemade organic lip balm, and homemade cashew brittle. I will miss them all ( Jill, Mike, Natalie, Allison, Brittany, Lantz, Sloan, Linda, Tianna, Brandy, Jay, Victor, Janice, and Pete ).
Kirk literally picked me up at the back door of Palm Terrace my last day of work and we headed north.
