It's been awhile since I've last posted and so much has happened. It's been a wild ride.  I could never complain life was boring, that's for sure.

Last summer I spent in Lake Wales, Florida, visiting my nephew and nieces and my sister-in-law Kim, and my sister Yolanda.  I hadn't seen any of them in 10 years.  It was a heartwarming reunion, and I couldn't hold back tears of joy being able to see them all.  Life had been difficult for them after my younger brother Dennis Varel passed away in 2012.  He was their strength and his children were the sunshine of his life.  They all missed his big smile, his gigantic heart, and his incredible sense of humor.  He was a proud father of three beautiful girls and a very handsome son.  They welcomed me into their lives with incredible love, and made me feel as if I had been there forever.  I miss them very much, and I miss Kim's company, too.  She is an awesome mother who holds a full time job and has a home business as a baker, and she's well known and respected in the community.  She was always volunteering her free time to help out a friend, or organize a special event at the school or lodge, and she could cook like a dream and throw a mean party.   She was always encouraging and cheerful.  Kim is always finding ways to save money, and taught me the art of couponing and price comparison when it came to shopping. She can get her hands dirty with gardening and weeding, and mowing the lawn, and then turn around and cater an extravagant wedding in the same evening.  Kim is an amazing woman.

The view of Lake Wales at sunset is breathtaking.  The colors changed every night, from golden reds, to pinks, lilac and blue.  It was beautiful.  The lake buzzed with boats and wave riders every weekend, and couples of all ages walked hand in hand along the shore.  Children would ride their bikes along the path, skaters too, and families would all enjoy the beautiful greenery and trees that lined the lake.  Each morning at dawn the joggers ran the two mile path along the lake shore.  It was a little bit of heaven here on earth. 



Tony and I stayed in Lake Wales until the beginning of January, when we decided to return to Myrtle Beach.  I love the weather here, the cool crisp nights and days were a welcome change from the scorching heat of Florida in the Summer.  My theory is you can always put on more clothes if it's too cold...but if it's too hot, even wearing nothing is no relief from the heat.  I don't mind the cold.  I love the Fall and Winter seasons most of all.  And my puppy Echo, who is an adorable Maltese mix, has lots of beautiful fur that keeps her warm and toasty, too.  She loves the beach and runs circles in the sand, chasing the little birds at the shore.  She often peers out over the balcony and watches the beach, the waves rolling in and out, and the children playing with their beach toys in the sand.  Spring is here, and lots of people are visiting to enjoy the lovely sunshine.  While sitting on the beach access boardwalk,  I spoke to an elderly man from Canada, dressed in shorts and sandals, wearing his sun hat and glasses, with a deep golden tan, and I said "Lovely day for the beach, isn't it?".  He replied " Eh, it is indeed. Especially nice since back home in Ontario there's still snow on the ground."