My eyes opened to see the bright Florida mid-morning sunshine coming through my bedroom  window. I normally would then close my wood shutter blinds to make my bedroom dark, put on my night blinders and go back to sleep?

It only took a moment  before I realized, ” Hey, Flo, you gotta get ready to go out for Mother’s Day dinner by 12:55. Tracy, my always there for me son-in-law, had just made a fresh pot of coffee for me. While I’m enjoying a cup, my daughter Pamela says “Would you like to have one of your present early ?”

Who do you know who could say anything other than  “yes” to that? She brought out a multicolored striped bag with rumpled colored tissue paper topping and handed that to me as I sat at the kitchen table. I removed the pretty colored tissue and “Oh my goodness” as I pulled out a wide brimmed beautiful hat, oh but there’s more, and I quickly unwrapped a beautiful bright colored blouse. Hey, thank you so much, I can wear these when we go out to eat today. How lovely!!!

Before in the mail I had received this beautiful card from my daughter Meredythe Wedding

And this adorable card from my great, great grandsons Jayden and  Isaiah, their momma and daddy Diana and Darren wedding
This adorable potted flower came via UPS from my granddaughter Terri Doss, her husband Gary and their sons Samuel and Joshua who live in Lawrenceville Georgia. Terri’s mother and my daughter who was Carole Suzanne (Susie) smith, we lost with cancer in 1998.
And this beautiful bouquet from my thoughtful son-in-law Tracy Drake.

At FISHBONES restaurant in Sarasota. After walking past their “Pub” we are seated at a table with white table cloth, in their dinning area. I had never been here before. This restaurant is a chain so perhaps wherever you live you have one close by,

We always start our dinner with a sparkling cocktail. Pamela ordered a “raspberry martini” , Tracy and I ordered our favorite wine, mine was White Zinfandel which actually is pink. I tasted Pam’s martini which was red raspberry and delicious and the reason I didn’t order It is Tracy said “it would knock me on my butt” .

Of our appetizer coconut shrimp Pamela and Tracy each ate one and I had four.

Tracy’s rainbow trout with French fries and broccoli

Pam’s rainbow trout with spinach and slaw

Flo’s salad after eating four coconut Shrimp

Coconut custard pie with whip cream and three spoons (we share) to add a little of the sweet sauce around the pie as we each take a delicious bite. YUM!

My wonderful daughter and son-in-law Pamela and Tracy Drake

Back home again I still have another gift from Pam to open,,,,,,,,,,

Surprise of surprises!!!  Everything I need to raise fresh strawberries is in this bag plus a movie and two boxes of greeting cards to mail to family and friends.

At age 94 this has been MY BEST MOTHER’S DAY EVER!!!!!

PS: I dedicate this blog to my lovely neighbors and friends Lee and Norma Althouse.

FRF ❤️