Alex, Michael and Jan

You can really see time fly by when you have grandchildren.  It seems like we just welcomed Alex into the world and then she turned one, just the other day.  It doesn't seem possible, but she is walking, waving, laughing, running, swimming, cutting teeth and being charming.  She is such a tiny, little  thing, but she is all wrapped up in cuteness and light.  

We went to Florida for her 1st birthday party and had a great time.  David showed his bakery mastery again with a beautiful cake celebrating everything that Alex loves.  She was surrounded by a loving family and all kinds of presents!!

She smashed her cake with glee and was a true birthday princess!  

After we came home, we dealt with hurricane Michael that hit south Florida.  We made sure that our favorite Aunt, Gerri, who lives in Sandestin, Florida was OK and then rode out the wind and rain that reached up from the south.  It was certainly nothing like Florence, but annoying none the less.  We lost power and Tony's pine trees took another hit, but once again, we were so, so lucky compared to many others who had to brave the worst of the storm.  

After that, it was another round of doctor's appointments--this time focused on my psoriasis.  My legs and chest got infected to the point that my skin was a Merlot shade of purple and I had open lesions on my legs.  On the positive side, people at work thought I was young enough to be having menopausal hot flashes that turned my skin a deep red color--on the negative side, I hit menopause in my 40's and this was really intense pain-wise.  It burned and itched.  I went back to the dermatologist and now on a regiment that will address the infection and attack the actual disease.  

Squeezed in among all of that was another trip to a new doctor and a rescheduled heart doctor's appointment.  

I have 5 official days left to work and that will be it for me.  November 3rd will be my last working day.  I am glad and I am sad, but mostly glad.  I have to define my new normal now and get my health under control.  It will be nice to plan things without having to consult my work schedule or worry about having to get up early the day after an important event. 

Fall brings many good things for us.  I love our clam bakes, fires and sitting on the Lanai with blankets.  We are having friends over in the next few weeks and I am looking forward to that.  

Tony will be going back to Florida soon for the charity golf event that he does with David and then, David, Brenda and Alex will be here for Thanksgiving.  What a crazy year.  What a happy year.  

I am one!!