It's OVER . . . .

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

. . . . . and I think I've survived - the Holidays.  Whew!  It started out o.k. - a quick trip to Michigan and back to have Thanksgiving with the kids and my parents - the boys safely left in the hands of our wonderful dog sitter.  What I didn't plan on was getting some kind of lung rot that still has me coughing up sticky gunk from which ever lung I still have left as I'm sure that in the past 5 weeks of breathless, non-stop coughing that I have hacked a lung up.  I didn't let this slow me down except maybe for the part where I had been to the Dr.'s twice in three days after the steroids I was taking made my face look like I had tried to fry it for breakfast in a pan.  NOT attractive 3 days before Christmas.  Then other family descended here for Christmas and I amazed myself that high on codeine filled cough syrup, that I could actually crank out a delicious meal and host the 2 days of festivities.  Once they left on the 26th I had less than 24 hrs to clean house, do laundry, pack myself and dh, load up the car with food and drinks for the drive to Key West where 2 of our girls and their boyfriends were flying in for the week and New Years.  Once again the doodle brothers got left with the sitter whom they are now calling "mom" as they think that they actually live with her.  At this point I must say that Key West if a fascinating place if you've never been.  Yes there are bars, bars, bars, bars where the patrons can be nude if they choose - NO we did not go in there (trust you me, NO one would want to see me like that and besides - do they disinfect the chairs - ewww), but there is also so much history, great fishing, upscale restaurants.  I coughed my way through 5 days of fun and frivolity.  Worse than being sick though was my lack of internet, time and my DK fix, boy have I missed you guys!!!!!.  I've missed so much for the better part, on and off of the last 3 weeks.  For all you that sent me messages that received no answer, for all the posts, pictures, videos and blogs that I didn't see and comment on - I've survived, I'm back and I'll eventually get caught up on here.  I'm so happy the Holidays are OVER!!!! 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, Glad you are back! This is the first year EVER I was glad when Christmas was over. I was as sick as I have ever been the weeks leading up to it and then my mom arrived at our house and came down with the flu two days later. Next year, we are simplifying the Holidays one way or the other. Enjoy catching up on DK and reuniting with your two adorable Doodles.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I did notice you were missing these last few weeks though I have not been on as much as usual.  You certainly had a lot going on with so little time to just lay low and get well.  I'm glad you are back and now we can start hearing about Stuart and Rooney again.  I have missed up dates on those boys...Happy New Year!

[BG and Gavin]

I hope you are on the mend Jane.  Sleep will help :) 

I love Key West!  Especially getting a big frosty drink with an extra shot of rum on top and walking to the sunset festival.  Reminds of an old thread where Nina dreamed of a Key West Party, which we happily joined:  http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/i-think-i-got-cabin-fever?...

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I remember this!!!

 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Missed you glad you are back!!!! The card you sent me was priceless I adore it!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am glad you are back.  We visited Key West once and LOVED it.  I admit that my DH and my son (who was 15 at the time) were both invited into the bars.  We really had a great time and plan to visit again some day.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Yikes... I hope you start feeling better soon Jane, it sucks being sick during the holidays.  I hope you are on the mend and feel better soon.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Isn't it just typical that the minute you are suppose to relax you get the dreaded lurgy!! Anyway, glad to have you back and better.  I too am really happy this holiday is over. Hmmm must check out this Key West.  Sounds a bit mad but interesting.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You learn something daily on DK even if it's the fictitious dreaded lurgy.

[Dori & Rua]

Hmmmm.  I seem to recall you had a terrible bout of something last winter.  I can't believe all that you have gone through and still managed to pull off a wonderful holiday.

 

Glad you are back!

 

Did I mention I can't wait for our cruise?

 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Dori - be my roomie for Ireland too!!!!! :)  That way we have the cruise in Oct. to look forward to and then in 2013 - Ireland here we come!!!!

[Dori & Rua]

You got it, GF!  Yippie.  So glad you are on board with Ireland.  I still plan on coming out to Ft. Myers a few days before we cruise.  Gotta have time to do some wine and clothes shopping, right? 

 

OK...what trip do we want to take in 2014?  I am thinking that it will be time for another cruise.  I would LOVE to do a wine & food cruise.  Whadda think?