Rocky Bayou State Park

Anyone who knows Bubba and me knows that we are spontaneous, if anything.  (Right!)  On an impulse, we booked four nights at Rocky Bayou State Park located off Highway 20 in Niceville, FL.  We weren't expecting much since we had never heard of this park before.  We just saw it as an opportunity to get away from home for a few days.  We were really surprised.  This is a beautiful park with some of the most spacious camping sites we've had so far in our journeys. 

There are no sites on the water.  This was the view from our site.  

 The weather was cold and windy the whole time we were there so there was no sitting outside basking in the sun or grilling some of the food we carried.  We did hike a couple of their trails in the woods.  Someone told us that there were some Civil War artifacts off one of the trails and we tried our best to find them without success.  We walked and walked with some of it being uphill.  I was sure that we had gone at least a couple of miles.  Upon our return, I read a sign that said the trail was just one mile.  Oh well, maybe the uphill part made it feel like more.  It was fun anyway.

 Bubba is my fearless leader through the woods.  He is much better in the woods than in the city.

It was cold and windy, but it didn't take me long to get warmed up while we were walking.

And of course, we have to take a "selfie".

One day we went to the Eglin Air Force Armament Museum.  It, too, turned out to be a pleasant surprise.  It was free (always nice) and had all kinds of airplanes and helicopters set up outside.  As if that wasn't enough, there were two floors of displays inside including small weapons all the way up to big bombs and missiles.

We had some shopping time in nearby Destin and enjoyed some good meals out.  TV reception was pretty good so we had entertainment at night.  All in all, it was a good outing.  We will definitely return to this park soon.

"Nana, Is This Creative?"

Well, we're almost to the end of January and it has been a little busier than I anticipated.  We did go to see Unbroken on a cold windy Monday.  Neither Bubba or I enjoyed it.  It was just too intense, too much torture, and too much suffering.  I thought the main character was portrayed as a superhero, which I'm sure he would have been the first to tell you that he was not.  His dependence on God was not portrayed as predominantly as I understand it was in the book.  It was just not my kind of movie although I'm very proud of our military and their sacrifice.

Bubba and I raked leaves one day.  I actually enjoy raking leaves.  I surprised Bubba with this leaf scoop which I ordered from Amazon.  He really likes it.  Now if I had asked him if he would like to have one, he would have said "no",
thus the surprise.

While Amelia was here we talked some about the meaning of creative, probably because I told her that something was creative.  We talked about all the creative things she does like making up dances, making up songs, writing stories, drawing, etc.

 This is the "song" she wrote while she was here.

Later I heard her in the dining room and wondered what she was doing.  She called me in and asked me, "Nana, is this creative?"  She had taken the apples out of the basket and spread them out on the table runner.  I thought it was creative, don't you?

Now this is what I will be doing before we go back to Atlanta for a visit.

I can't believe that I'm going to sew again.  It looks so simple but inevitably causes me to say "Oh Crap!" more times than a proper lady should.  I'm going to try to make Amelia some dresses for her American Girl dolls. I told her on the phone that I had bought a pattern and some material for sewing doll clothes and she said, "Nana, That is so AMAZING!"  She doesn't get her enthusiasm from either Amy or Darryl but it definitely makes another sewing project worth doing.

The Rest of December

No matter how you look at it, I have failed as a blogger for the month of December.  I had every intention of posting immediately after anything significant happened, but I just kept waiting for the "muse" to guide me and nothing happened.  So now I will do my best with my feeble memory to sum up the rest of December.

I did have some old friends from work come for lunch one day.  Deneen had just been promoted to sergeant at work and the other friend, Junior, has worked his last week before his retirement becomes official in the spring.  The third guest, Tammy, works with them.  For lunch I fixed chicken and dressing, chicken and dumplings, baby green limas, layered salad, homemade rolls, banana pudding, and coconut "poke" cake.  We had a good time visiting and I enjoyed hearing all the latest news from work.  A lot of people have come and gone in the past year.

I gave Sgt. Yon a red velvet cake for his retirement gift. 

The newly promoted Sgt. Mears loves pound cake.

Later in the week we attended a Christmas gathering at the home of an old friend, Linda.  It was a gathering of church people, neighbors, and former school teachers who had worked with Linda.  It was a nice evening and the food was delicious.

Christmas Eve there was a candlelight service at church.  Singing the carols, reading the scripture and taking communion all brought to mind the reason for the season.  Our new pastor and his wife are doing a great job and we are fortunate to have them at our little Methodist church.

This was our finger food fellowship for two following the service.  It was pretty good.

Christmas Day was blah.  There is just no other way to put it.  When you spend the day without family, it is just not the same.  Bubba grilled steak for lunch and that was the highlight of the day.

Finally on the Saturday following Christmas, Amy and Amelia arrived and it began to seem like Christmas for us.   Following a simple supper, Amelia handed out presents and we enjoyed the evening together.  Amelia liked the dress with the sequins and did some very expressive dancing for us.  Rather than buying gift cards this year, I took a chance and selected two sweaters for Amy that she actually seemed to like.  I had bought four sets of towels to give to Amy and Darryl together because after helping them to move in, I perceived that was the only thing they might possibly need in their new home.  Amy and Darryl gave us a Keurig.  This is something that I have been debating for quite some time so Amy made the decision for us.  My cousin, Vicky, sent a rack for the k-cups and several boxes of cider, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea.  I really think we will enjoy it -- probably not for morning coffee since I drink a pot every morning but for my afternoon breaks or just when I want a cup of something hot.  Bubba likes the hot chocolate very much.

Amelia reminded me of her mom checking out how many presents 

she had under the tree.

The next day, Sunday, we had our traditional Christmas meal of turkey and dressing with all the trimmings.  Following lunch, Amy announced that she needed to go to Target (30 miles away) so Bubba kept Amelia so I could go with her.  I have determined that Target is addictive for some people.  I cannot remember Amy ever coming from Atlanta to visit without having to leave to go to Target.  What is there about that place?

Bubba cooked the turkey in "The Big Easy" which gives a crispy brown crust like fried 

without the grease.

 Amy is actually wearing her new red sweater.  Success!

Amelia loved this $6.00 puzzle of the United States.  She put it together pretty quickly.  

She also told us all about the western states that were acquired in the Louisiana Purchase.  

She is wearing the sequin dress to play.

Me and my girl!

On Monday, Amy left to go back to Atlanta leaving Amelia with us for the week.  She and Darryl were going to the Rose Bowl Parade and Game in Pasadena where they were very disappointed when FSU lost.   

Amy said that her favorite float was the one with the original cast of

 "The Love Boat" on it.

On Tuesday, we packed up and left for Opp to spend a few days camping at Frank Jackson State Park and visiting  with Joe and Judy who had arranged to have John for a visit.  He and Amelia were happy to see each other and played well most of the time.  Judy, of course, outdid herself preparing food for us.  Bubba had smoked a ham and we took them out to eat one night, but for the most part she cooked and it was GOOD.  She made the very best cheesecake that I have ever eaten and every day around 2:00, we sat down with a cup of coffee and a slab of cheesecake.  I guess that this is the point where I should say that I have gained 5 - 6 pounds.  I'm hoping that since I have eaten everything I could possibly be craving and plenty of it, I will be able to get back on track when we return home.  As usual, we enjoyed our visit in Opp.  Joe and Judy are great hosts!

Amelia made a list of things she wanted to take camping with her.

Amelia enjoyed playing with John's race track and cars.

 Amelia wanted her picture made with this leaf.

 She told me that she loves nature.

And yet another picture of Amelia and her leaf.

We took Amelia back to Atlanta on Monday the fifth and she returned to school the next day.  She was excited to be going back.  With sub freezing temperatures forecast for the week in Atlanta, we decided to return home early where it was warmer and to get out of the way while Amy, Darryl, and Amelia prepared to fly to Disney World this weekend where Darryl will be participating in a marathon along with members of his family.  That's what I call living in the fast lane.  There is no way that I could do that much going in that amount of time.  I think they are all tired.  I know Amy is.

We enjoyed our time with Amelia.  She is a delight.  She is smart and funny and so loving.  One morning she got up and went in our bedroom looking for me.  Bubba said that she kissed him on the nose and said, "I love you, Paw-Paw" and then headed for the living room.  We (Amelia and I) slept together two nights and she wants to sleep close.  She would rub my arm and tell me over and over that she loves me so much.  She also told me that my neck was "squishy".  Another item to note from the week is that Paw-Paw has now watched two Tinker Bell movies.  I don't know how many times I've heard him say that he hates animated movies.  I guess it just depends on who asks him if he will watch it with them.

This little girl is our heart.  She brings such joy!

We're looking forward to the new year.  The cold weather is not conducive to camping, but we will go when we can.  We have a few little projects around the house to work on and of course the yard is full of leaves now so there is plenty to be done outside.  I'm getting back on the treadmill.  My heel is just not going to get well it seems so I guess I'll just grit my teeth and walk.  I actually enjoy walking and watching a tv show or movie on the ipad.  We want to do more fishing this year for sure.  It's also about time for our annual movie.  I'm thinking Unbroken would be a good one.  So....2015 bring it on.  We're ready!