No, not the Super Bowl tomorrow. I am excited because Monday is Ground Hog's Day. I love celebrating it and the First Day of Spring. Over the years they have been my family's special times to celebrate. I've been particularly thrilled that my sons have carried on the tradition.

In the past I have received messages from them that they have given their wives flowers or taken them out to dinner. I love it!

I enjoyed celebrating when I was living where winters meant long days of cold and grey skies. The idea that on Ground Hog's Day you could learn when Spring was coming was fun. I also like to celebrate March 21st as the first full day of Spring. It is important to celebrate each day as the "present" it truly is and every once in a while it is fun to create your own holiday.

Happy Ground Hog's Day on Monday and I hope you enjoy the Super Bowl tomorrow!

Unfortunately, the beautiful warm sunshine from early this week has been replaced by liquid sunshine and cooler temperatures.

Resorts and businesses were hoping to entice all the people watching TV to lust for the postcard perfect weather we normally have here in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Today that isn't what people will see. Instead it is all about tents, umbrellas and moving inside.

Our economy needs the sunny showcase. I think some of the Seminole Indians have been asked to do a tribal dance to bring back the sunshine. Of course, since this weather seems to have driven many of the visiting stars into the Seminole Hard Rock Casino and Resort so far they haven't broken out in dance. Instead they are enjoying the music of their ringing cash registers.

Here's hoping that Mother Nature was just on a commercial break and will be back with warm temperatures and sunshine before the weekend is over.

I enjoy the E*Trade commercials and think you might enjoy these out takes. I hope you have a spectacular Super Bowl weekend.

Unless you are more technically savvy than I am it can be overwhelming. It seems the content multiplies faster than the friskiest rabbits! The continual growing content is amazing.

I have posted on Facebook and here that Elvis may have left the building but Judy has left Facebook. I hope that as people discover the page they will simply send me an e-mail instead of posting messages on "walls" or "poking" or "tagging" me. It was an adventure and definitely a learning experience. I never learned how to find people however it was fun being found.

Yesterday morning I had the opportunity to go to Valdosta to visit my sister, Wendy. She was there with her husband visiting his mom.

Although the visit was short, it was terrific. We got to share some thoughts, news about our children (each of us knows we have the most fantastic children in the world!), and catch up a little.

Wendy looked great. She looked like she should have her picture on the cover of Fitness or Yoga magazine. I loved her outfit.

Mother Nature even gave us a treat. When we arrived it was a liquid sunshine day but during our visit the sun came out bright and shiny.

I love living in Florida. Sometimes though I feel very disconnected from family since geographically we are separated by so many miles. Being able to take advantage of a nice visit like this renews my spirit and fills me with happiness from tip to toe.

Wishing each of you the opportunity to share moments with your family. Whether they are up close and personal or long distance using the technology that I say makes me crazy. I hope you have a sunny, sensational Sunday.

Okay, okay I am crying, "Uncle!" Technology wins. I am crazy.

First it is the mirror that says, "Hey lady, you are getting old."

Then it is the many times I find myself saying things like, "I remember when kids could play safely outside and didn't come home until dinner. Or I remember when phones stayed inside and had wires connecting them to the wall." These "I remember when" statements remind me that I am getting old.

Now my strike 3 is technology. To my surprise I have discovered I have a "wall" where people can write me messages and that someone may have sent me a "thread."

In the world of Twittering, MySpace, Facebook, Texting and 3G iphones I find myself lost. I might as well be back in the corn maze with Jake. Just as I had to count on him to know the answers to the questions so we could maneuver our way through I now have to count on younger more tech savvy people to help me learn this new technology.

I was blogging before it became popular and I learned the value of e-mail when my son Tom went to Japan many years ago so I could communicate with him and his family despite the time difference. But beyond the basics I am lost.

I truly must be an antique. I still prefer a voicemail message over words typed on a screen. Until my son Jim corrected me I thought BFF was "Best Fat Friend." I thought that was rude. Now I understand it is Best Friends Forever, much nicer.

Life is an adventure and in 2009 I hope to explore some of the new ways technology plays into everyday life. Right now however though I say, "Uncle!" I am an old dog and it is going to take me a while to learn these new tricks.

It occur to me that 2009 has SO FAR been a year of false starts for me. I have the best of intentions and then fail to stay on mark and move in the direction of my goals. I guess if I was playing football I would be penalized.

In life it is up to me, to either lose more time beating myself up OR once again I can get ready, on my mark, get set and go forward in the direction of my goals.

It was only 34 degrees when I woke up this morning. That is cold for St. Pete, Florida.

The beach is deserted except for a few who are bundled up for their morning walk. The temperature has only been reaching the mid-50's the last several days. Canadians visiting the area have still enjoyed the pools and even a few have dared the Gulf.

Not me, I will bundle up for a walk along the shore but playing in the water will have to wait. Maybe I am part Manatee because I prefer the warm water.

Below is a picture of Pass-A-Grille Beach - one of my favorites. Despite the cold temperatures, I recognize how blessed I am to be living here in paradise. It is also a bonus that the sun shines when it is cold. It isn't a grey day. Although I won't drive with my top down today, I don't have to scrape my windshield.

Life is good! I hope you stay warm and have a wonderful Wednesday.

To reflect back on all the things we take so easily for granted today that weren't even imagined when I was born is amazing. Such is true for each generation. Certainly the changes in thinking and protocol and inventions have changed dramatically during son's lives and continue through Noah, Hope, Jake and Jonah's life adventure.

I hope the world is becoming "nicer," that people will become more tolerant of differences as the world becomes smaller (more easily accessible) thanks to technology. I hope we become "nicer", to our planet and respectful of the miracle machinery of our bodies.

The media is saying history is being made this week. History is made each and every day. Sometimes the spotlight is on the changes and sometimes they are done without any fanfare or notice.

No matter what your political affiliation, religious or spiritual belief, or ethnic background I hope that 2009 leads all of us in the direction of peace, security and happiness.

Just as there is no magic pill to take to lose weight and get physically fit. It will take each of us to make a difference.

It would be terrific if we all had someone who thought we were good enough "just the way we are."

I guess step one is to know God believes we have the tools within us. It boggles my brain that no matter what - we have forgiveness and love. Now that is the supreme blessing.

The next step is to be able to look in a mirror and be okay with ourselves, even with our imperfections, mistakes and faults. Afterall, each of us is a work in progress.

Wishing you a fantastic Friday and wonderful weekend. I hope you take a moment to realize you are amazing "just the way you are."

Crash go the pans in the kitchen. I definitely need to figure out a better way to store them. Every time I go to cook or bake it seems the required equipment has made its way to the bottom or has found a remote hiding place in the back of the cabinet.

In the last three years I have gradually cooked more and more meals. Traveling less has afforded me more time and the lack of income has made it a necessity.

As 2009 begins, many of my friends and family have shared with me that they are on diets. I need to lose weight myself but have decided that this year I am going to do it the old fashioned way - eat less and exercise more. Sounds simple enough, no special foods to prepare or special beverages to drink. Unfortunately, not so simple!

Without specific guidelines it is very easy to let portions get out of control and it is amazing the variety of excuses I can come up with to avoid exercising. The difference this year is that I have made a commitment to myself to do it, a real commitment.

This is the year that I have decided to not let myself fall prey to other people's definition of me. It is about time I gave myself permission to believe in me and stand up for myself (much easier said than done).

I am inspired by my daughter-in-law. Maybe on the inside she is quivering and unsure but from my perspective she is awesome and has always been true to herself. Last year she began an exercise program and took time out of her day to take care of herself. I talked about it. She did it.

This year I am doing it. I am not going to say I am going to try. I am going to say, "I am going to do it."

The two rewards I hope to get from losing some weight are: better health and improved self-esteem (confidence).

If you have any tips to share please e-mail me at mzdavinci@aol.com and put "tips" in the subject line.

To my family on the "Flat Belly Diet" you guys are fantastic and better skilled in the kitchen than I am. I wish you much success and look forward to the time when we are together and see less of each other.

The weather may have been cold but the feelings were all warm. I am filled with joy and overflowing with fantastic memories thanks to being invited and able to share in the celebration of my grandson, Jake's, birthday.

Last year my favorite weekend was the 17th of January when I had the opportunity to share time and fun with Tom, Shelia, Hope, Noah, Jim and Jake. The only thing that would have made that fantastic weekend perfect would have been if Carol and Jonah could have made the trip.

Now more miles seperate us and Tom and his family are in Texas. We may not have all had the opportunity to be together but they were in our thoughts. We especially thought of them as we all rooted for the Titans. Unfortunately, they didn't win.

So far this past weekend is my favorite of 2009 but what is awesome is that there are still approximately 49 weekends left. Who knows what wonder, fun and happiness may lay ahead.

I am hopeful for all the wonderful, unuimagined possibilities the future may hold.

Wishing each of you reading this today a happy, healthy Tuesday with time to daydream about things that make you happy.

"Try to make at least one person happy every day and then in ten years you may have made three thousand, one hundred and fifty persons happy, or brightened a small town by your contribution to the fund of general enjoyment. " Sydney Smith

"To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world." Author Unknown

Although the playoffs to determine who will come to Tampa are still being held, activities are already underway here for the big game.

Of course, people have been preparing for a very long time but now the visual evidence is everywhere. Signs and billboards dot the landscape. Everywhere you look people are selling a wide assortment of Superbowl gear and souvenirs. New structures have been built for the NFL Experience. Special security checks are already in place at our airports and throughout the community. Traffic patterns are being adjusted. Special events are already underway.

It is an exciting grand finale to have the Superbowl here after our Rays made a run to be the World Series Champions and our hockey team seems to in the process of creating a winning formula.

I have my fingers crossed that the Titans are one of the teams we host.

It is a beautiful morning here in Florida and I will be heading to Tarpon Springs in a few minutes to witness the annual diving for the cross at the Epiphany celebration held in this lovely Greek community.

On Friday I fly to Huntington, West Virginia. My grandson Jake has invited me to come and celebrate his birthday. It will be a quick trip up on Friday and back on Monday with a fun pool party with his friends held at the YMCA on Saturday. I am excited and delighted to have been included in the fun.

Unfortunately, the timing means I miss the opportunity to meet a dear friend Dave Halla when he flies into Ft. Walton beach on Friday. We met accidentally online when I was sending an
e-mail to my dear friend and training partner David Hallal and left off the last "l" in the address.
Over the years, sight unseen, we have shared life experiences. I was there as he dated Amanda, their marriage and the birth of their son, Mark. They travel extensively and I am blessed to be on the receiving end of pictures and communications. Someday our travels will mesh and we will meet but in the meantime it is terrific to have friends in Tucson thanks to cyberspace.

My sister, Wendy and I are hoping for a rendezvous sometime in the not to distant future. She has even entered contests in the hopes of winning a trip to Tampa for the Super Bowl. Everyone is rooting for the Titans. Unfortunately, the Bucs ended the year in a downward spiral and didn't even make the playoffs this year.

I'm looking forward to the opportunity to go to El Paso and see my son, Tom's new home. He and his lovely wife, Shelia and children, Hope and Noah are no doubt still rooting for the Titans even though they are now living in Texas. Go Titans!

A trip to Panama City Beach is long over due and is on the agenda for the near future.

The annual Kumquat Festival is Saturday, January 31 in Dade City.

It would be great to go to East Tennessee this year to visit family and friends.

Sprinkle these fun adventures around travel for business and 2009 has exciting possibilities.

Today was awesome. It was a postcard perfect weather day. Spent time enjoying lunch at the beach playing the "what if" game exploring possibilities for the new year.

I witnessed a spectacular sunset of crimson, pinks and blues.

Finally, tonight I was given the gift of slides turned into photos. The slides are visual proof positive reminders of some of the extraordinary adventures of my life. They also serve as a reminder that incredible adventures I haven't yet imagined may be in my future.

Never did I ever imagine I would have gone to Africa and met such fantastic people. This picture is when I was sharing tootsie pops and blow pops to members of the Samburu Tribe. A tribe that welcomed me and adopted me. As you can see it was hard to say good-bye.

When I was a little girl I said I wanted to go everywhere and meet everyone when I grew up. I definitely count my blessings that this dream continues to come true.