Super Summer!

Hello, friends! We've been busy, busy. The heat is miserable. The events taking place in our country and around the world are horrific and so very sad. I've been trying to shield Annie from all the goings on. She has so many questions...and I just don't have any answers...at least not any that make sense.

In an effort to lighten my mood I loaded some pics and thought I'd share some of what we've been up to.

In June, we attended the Annual Florida Bar Convention. Always a highlight for Annie, this year did not disappoint. This past year was my husband's last year on the Board of Governors as he chose not to run again...twelve years...six terms...time to move on. However, the incoming president did not want him to leave...my guy is a workhorse and they call him the "voice of reason". So, he is now the newly appointed Parliamentarian of the Florida Bar. Annie is thrilled! She was not looking forward to leaving her board family.

So...over the next year we will be continuing our tradition of lunching in the lobby. 

The convention highlights...Daddy got an award for his dedication, integrity and intellectual excellence for his work on the Disciplinary Committee. He made life changing decisions that were right and deserving, but difficult. He did a difficult job with great integrity. 

Annie and I are so proud...he is such a fine and humble man, and so well respected.

Of course, Annie was given a present by the outgoing president Ray Abadin... 

...a cuddly fleece blanket with Florida Bar Board of Governors seal and her name embroidered on it.

Lots of hugs and kisses and clapping followed. What a day!

That evening the festivities culminated in a big ole' party. The theme this year was all about New Orleans.

That's the new president and his wife leading a traditional "Second Line Parade" with a band from New Orleans as they entered the ballroom where the party was held.

Would you believe both the new president and the past president were undergrad classmates at Tulane? One parked cars and the other was a bartender while attending the university. Who would believe they would be back to back presidents of the Florida Bar? So they flew in a band to help celebrate the day! It was grand!!!

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On August ninth, Annie will turn thirty. The celebrating has already begun.

Two of Annie's favorite people made a special trip to help her kick off her birthday celebration.

These wonderful friends drove four hours from Ft. Lauderdale...to bring her balloons, gifts, smiles, and lots of hugs and kisses.

They laughed their way through lunch together. 

They played some games. This is a matching game that is photos of all Annie's friends so they were matching pics of themselves which was kind of fun.

 And then they got back in their rental car (so they could both drive and have insurance coverage) and drove the four hours home.

How very blessed is my girl to have such women in her life. I rest a little easier knowing I have friends like these.  

We are women of different races and different faiths. But to us, we are simply friends. We don't see the differences. 

My friend on the left loves traveling to Israel, and on her last trip she brought me a rosary and a little donkey carved from an olive tree. I carry the rosary with me in my purse, and the donkey stands on my sewing table next to my chair. The little beast of burden is my talisman and reminds me to take slow and steady steps on this journey. We share the same name and were married on the exact same day. My friend on the right and I would probably do a lot of damage to our bank accounts if we lived closer to each other. We both love Brahmin bags...we are confessed "bag ladies". We share the same taste in so many things. This friend lifts me up in so many ways. Her joy is contagious. Her heart is even more beautiful than her face. 

I love these ladies...and I know they love me...and my daughter. 

Recent events have made me so sad. I wish we could all just get along. 

Have a great week...stay cool...and slip in a little prayer for peace.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn