Ocala, FL

I just returned from spending a week in Ocala, FL with my Mother. While there, I think we have reached a decision that it is time for Mom to go into a progressive/assisted living facility. Since January, she has fallen 5 times and had 1 fender bender. I have also noticed that she gets confused quite easily. I think losing Dad has really taken a toll on her. I have many good memories in this house and I will be very sad to see it sold.

My husband has often said that it is easy to mark different phases in life based on location. Knowing where my Mother is headed, I have a simple question. Can I please skip this phase?

Here is Mom with her grandson Brent (sporting a broken collar bone) and sweet, adorable great-granddaughter Kylin.
I decided to take Rush with me to Florida so that he could see what it is like to be an only child. I had no idea that he is such a Mama's boy. He would not go outside without me. He also followed me around the house and would not let me out of his sight. Some of his behaviors remind me a lot of his mother, Dixie.
Dixie hates water and will make a big circle around the pool when we take her to Ocala. She won't get anywhere near the edge. After all, you never know when; "That water may just jump up and pull you in!". While Rush is not scared of water, this is the closest that he ever got to it. I think if I had brought Jenna, she would dive right in.
Here is Rush displaying a nice, pool-side, free stack.