SATURDAY

Hubs and I left the house around noon and headed for Tampa. Our G-d Daughter Meagan, is in her Senior year of college at the University of Tampa. This May she will graduate with Honors, with a degree in Performing Arts. As one of her assignments this year, she had to present, produce, and perform in an hour long, full length show. She has been planning this for months now. So Hubs and I drove up to see her performance.

I've lived in Florida since 1975. I've traveled up and down each coast many times. I've been to too many towns in Florida. NW Florida, NE Florida, SE Florida, SW Florida, East Coast, West Coast, The Keys, and everywhere in between. So imagine my surprise, when on the way to Tampa via I-75 (I usually take SR 60) we came upon the Sunshine Skyway.The Travel Channel rated the Sunshine Skyway #3 in its special on the "Top 10 Bridges" in the World. The bridge is considered the "flag bridge" of Florida. ...and I had never even heard of it. Whoa. It was so high. Such a steep, roller coaster feel to it. It was gorgeous though. Just look at these photos. I took them myself. I was there. Quite an amazing and unexpected treat. I was awestruck. ...and once over the bridge, the other side was filled with gorgeous water on all sides. We really are lucky to live in such a beautiful place!

Anyway, after the bridge we still had a way to go to get to Tampa, but we finally made it. Hubs and I met up with everyone at the hotel. We stayed at the Sheridan Suites. Very cute! It was one of those atrium hotels. Our room had a front sitting area, and a big king sized bed in the bedroom.

My two besties were already at the Hotel. They had gone up on Thursday to help Meagan prepare the sets. Bestie #1, Lauri Beth has been my friend since I was 15 and she was 13. I actually met her through my Sissy. They were cheerleaders together. I was older. (Still am) Lauri and I lived together in college and became best buds. I spent all the holidays with her family, when I wasn't at Aunt Rena's, before I married Hubby. She has 4 children, three sisters, and eight nieces and nephews.

Her family is so close and I have spent most of my life with them! I love them!!! Bestie #2, Shelly, the Momma of our little Star Meagan, has been my friend since we were young as well. I'd say I met her the same time I met Lauri. I was 15 and Shelly was 14, but we really got close in the 80's when we were both young, divorced moms with little kids. Shelly, our three children and me were always together. I remember one time, before I worked for Bossman, I was without a job, and my car was in the shop. Mr. Gorgeous was only in kindergarten.

The school district in our neighborhood only provided busing for children who lived over a mile from school. We lived about .9 miles. He was too little to walk that far, and I had no car. Shelly came to my house every morning at 7:00am, with her little babies in the car, and took Mr G to school for me. Then she came and drove me all over town to interview. She waited in the car for me. She bought Mr. Gorgeous Hanukkah gifts, from me, 'cause I had no money. She was just the greatest friend anyone could ever ask for. I will never forget what she did for me and G when I needed

her. I am so lucky to be blessed with two of the most amazing friends ever! That's Lauri in the blue and Shelly in the pink. Friends for 35 years. Not a lot of people can say that they have friends for so long. After a while you become more like sisters. I love you girls! With all my heart. xoxo

Miss Katie's not even 35 yrs old yet! LOL

Here's Jeff (Shelly's brother), Hubs and me. Jeff and I were inseparable for many years. Then he went and got married. :)

And this is Hank. Shelly and Connie's adorable doggy!

Loved Hank!!! ::Hi Buddy!::

I've been trying to get a video posted for you, of Meagan's performance, but I can't do it. I'm gonna have her Momma e-mail me one. I will post it when I get it...until then, so I don't fall behind any further in my daily blogging, here are just a few pics of the little beauty.

Just wait 'til you hear her sing!