Monday's Weekend Recap...

Our weekend has been rather whirlwind but I have lots of photos to share.  Backing up to Wednesday, just quickly because that is the day Dr. Bernasek released me for my right knee and said he would see me in a year for it.  We did schedule my left-knee surgery for January 28.  So, that is done.

Thursday's physical therapy was a killer with the start of strengthening moves. My muscles have been sore since and I am not looking forward to tomorrow since I have not done my homework.  When I got home, I baked two loaves of pumpkin bread (my mom's recipe) to take North with us on Friday.  One for blogging friend, Barb, and one for our kids in Brunswick.

We got up early and headed out the door around 8:30 a.m.  We were stopping in Ocala to visit with and have lunch with Barb (Sweet Tea & Sandals) and her hubby, Tom.  This was not our first visit with them so we were already "in-person" friends.  Meeting blogging friends in person adds a very rich layer to already wonderful friendships!!

They met us at the golf club's Grille Restaurant parking lot, where we 

hopped into their car for a ride through their

lovely new 55+ community to their new home.

I asked them to pose by the front door with Barb's new Fall wreath!!  

If you read her blog, she wrote about the new bow she attached

and about our visit.

We were honored to be asked to step into the football field-sized

Master bathroom shower to have our photo taken.

It is their tradition when someone visits their home for the first time.

Joe kidded them that he gets nervous when people take his photo

because he is in the witness protection program.  Sometimes he is

in the mafia and sometimes he is a high-priced model.  All in fun, of course!

Barb put a disguise on him when she posted this picture on her blog.

Here is it without the sunglasses and mustache. 

We visited for a while after the tour of their beautiful home and it was so great to see her quilts and needlework projects decorating their home.  They are more beautiful in person than in her pictures (if that is even possible). Barb is a very talented and creative woman.

They took us on a different route through their new community and back to the Grille restaurant so we could have lunch.  We talked someone into taking our picture in front of the fireplace (and Joe said nothing about needing a disguise that time!)  LOL

We said our good-byes, thanked them for taking the time to visit with us and treat us to lunch before getting back on the road to Brunswick, GA.  We arrived there and when Darlene got home from feeding the animals at her New Paths Horse Sanctuary, we ordered Chinese for our dinner.

When we arrived, we were greeted by our grand-puppies!!

This is Zoe...

....and this is Brooke.

We got a warm human greeting from Darlene's mom, Cecelia,

who lives with them.  She is almost 90 and is a very

sweet and funny lady!  Love her to pieces!

You can see Darlene in the back doorway photo-bombing!!

We got up the next morning and headed out to "the ranch" after breakfast.  Joe and I got to pretend we were at a petting zoo while Joey, Darlene, and their helper Lisa, did all the work.  Poop to be scooped, food to prepare, hay nets to fill, water buckets to clean and fill and time out of stalls for the minis and the goats, all at staggered times.  There is so much to be done each day, twice a day, to care for these compromised animals.  All of them had or have problems, from aging to wounds that wouldn't heal to hoof problems.  They provide a 'sanctuary' for the animals to spend their days healing and/or living a stress-free life in a place where people care for them.  Six horses, two mini-horses, one mini-donkey, and four goats.  Here is a link to their Facebook page where you can find lots of information about the good work they do and actually see some very fun videos!!

These two are Camille and Cocoa.  Camille only has three legs that work.

This is a very affectionate Veronica who wanted to travel in the golf cart!

Joe and Joey (driving).

Veronica with Darlene. They all just love her (and she loves them!).

This is Casper.  The next photo is very graphic and shows the

horrible burn Casper had on his back.  It is completely healed now

and this little guy is active and very funny. He likes to headbutt!!

Very graphic of the burn and the healing process.

The Veterinarian who works with Darlene is wonderful.

It does cost money to care for these animals so my

only "plug" is to ask if you want to make a tax-deductible

donation to a cause you can feel good about, click on the

webpage link or the Facebook link above and give it some thought!

They are installing shelters for the animals to get out of the sun and rain. 

They have 17 acres to care for.  This is a view of one of the pastures.

The smaller animals need stalls/pens so they are safe from predators

and larger animals.

This is Darlene with one of the mini horses, Lacey. Darlene is

teaching her commands and hopes she will be able to help children with special needs.

This is the lane into the Sanctuary.

More shelters and a couple of the horses.

This is Jet with his head over the gate.  Yes, I had carrots for all of them!

The other horse might be Bailey.  I can't tell a couple of them apart yet.

A different view...

Darlene getting them their grain and special vitamin feed.

When morning tasks were completed, we picked up Lisa (their employee) and her

husband, Matt, so we could all go out to a late lunch together.  We just

happened to be at the restaurant during the Georgia/South Carolina football game so it

was a lively clientele.  Here we are waiting to be seated.

And at the table with our substantial meals!

Georgia lost the game. It was a huge upset.

While we were on St. Simon's Island, I asked if we could get to a place where we could see the freighter that had grounded.  Barb and Tom asked us to look it up if we had time.  Joe and I hadn't heard about it but Joey knew all about it and took us to see it at the St. Simon's Pier.  It was too crowded for me to walk out there for a closer photo, but I got this one from the street and pulled it in on the computer.  The freighter is upside down. It was carrying a load of 4,200 automobiles!  Wow!!  Supposedly to pilot of the freighter grounded it on purpose and for a very good reason - however that very good reason has not been divulged yet.  Sounds kind of mysterious to me...

We dropped Lisa and  Matt back at their place and went back to the ranch for the evening duties.  From there we decided we just wanted ice cream at DQ for our dinner. We were all still full from our big lunch.

Joe and I headed south after breakfast yesterday.  It was sad to say good-bye but we felt blessed by the time we had with our loved ones.  Joey will be down next week so he can be here for Joe's heart procedure on the 22nd. It is a blessing that he will be with us and we are only sorry that Darlene can't come too. They will be to a place with more help one day so she can have a break now and then!! She sure needs it.  Our beautiful daughter-in-law(love!) works so hard for her cause.

I am sorry this is so long!! Thanks for your visit and for getting this far!! 
My apologies for not getting to all of your blogs over the weekend. I did not
take my computer with me and hate blogging on my phone.  Too small.
I'm catching up a bit....

Peace & hugs!!  God bless!!