Deanna Doss Shrodes

I called down to the desk this morning and asked them for a late check out which they gladly obliged. We slept as long as we wanted – I had my tea in bed one last time and we watched a movie together, shared a few more spectacular moments, then got ready to come home. Reality struck a short time later and I realized it in a big way that we were coming back into the routine. We stopped for a sandwich on the way home and Larry’s cell phone rang at least six or seven times just during lunch, dealing with work related stuff. I got sick of it and didn't even bother to try and hold a conversation anymore since every time I started to talk the phone rang. I stayed quiet most of the way home as the phone rang again... Then as soon as we got home, the phones were ringing here and Larry had to leave and take care of something. I felt like afternoon came today and everyone was just sitting by their phones doing a countdown saying, "this is it...five, four, three, two...one, it's bom…

Well here we are on our final day/night in Naples and then tomorrow we will come home after as late a check-out as we can get. I plan to savor every last moment before getting on the road.


One little detail I forgot about last night...at Chops (the restaurant), the manager wanted to give us something for our anniversary so she gave us a box of Norman Love Chocolates. I thought that was so sweet. They had them on the menu - you could order them for dessert. I'm saving them for another day.

This morning we slept in again and then I had my tea in bed... after a while we got up and went to Iguana Mia for lunch. We don't have that in Tampa, but we've been there before with the Coopers in Cape Coral. It's a yummy Mexican place that's real casual and, inexpensive. Then we went to the outlets here in Naples. Fila was having a huge sale - 90% off of everything in the store. We got sneakers for everyone in our family - these were normally expensive shoes, and we got all of the…

Ahhh...what a day.

We slept in until 11:30. Priceless. :-) Then Larry got up and got me some hot tea and brought me breakfast in bed. After watching a movie in bed for a few hours we went to lunch. We found a place called Montana Grill. It was really good. A outdoor shopping mall was right there. Spent some time looking around but there was nothing we wanted, we were just checking stuff out for fun. Came back to Hyatt and I headed out to the adult pool - operative word here - adult. It was glorious. No splashing. No squealing. No kids, period. Nobody bumping into me in an inner tube. Nobody spilling drinks or dripping popsicles. It was completely quiet...everyone sitting on lounge chairs, reading books and others quietly swimming in the pool. Larry doesn't go out much due to his former skin cancer, but I go for a while when we go anywhere, while he reads or watches sports. We love being together but are content to be by ourselves for a little while too. So I had fun in the sun a…

Here are some photos of this absolutely beautiful place where we are the next three days. I am so blessed to be here. I love everything about Hyatt…the décor, the beds (most comfortable sleep you will ever have in your life), the pool, the restaurants, etc. All just amazing. I thought I would put a chronicle of my days here...minus some of the details of course. :-)

I got up this morning earlier than I wanted to – I was up late getting so many last minute things done, but I needed to get to my nail place first thing. I was shocked when I walked in to see Mai there. (She always does my pedi’s) I thought she was on her 1-month vacation in Vietnam, which was one reason I was kinda “ugh” about this time but there she was! I got her just in the nick of time. She is all packed and ready to leave for Vietnam but is working today. She was really so happy for me about my anniversary. Lisa did my fill as usual. She loved my ring. Couldn’t believe I’ve been married for 20 years – her and Mai we…

( To all my "cup of coffee" e-zine readers ~ this might look exactly like what you got in your e-mail box today, however is different from the devo I sent out today! This is the "expanded" edition, so enjoy!)

Twenty years ago today at 1:30 pm in the afternoon, Larry and I took that momentous walk down the aisle and became Mr. and Mrs. In that moment, everything changed. We had no idea what the next twenty years would hold. The next few days we are in Naples at the Grand Hyatt in Coconut Point where we will celebrate together this incredible journey. Our eldest son is taking care of things while we are gone. My, how far we have come! To think we are married for 20 years, and have a son who has graduated from high school. Just realize folks, we are not THAT old, we did get married young! LOL


Some of the past 20 years have been absolutely awesome, others more difficult but every one of them adventurous. Remember, we take our vows, “for better for worse, in good times an…

This is what Larry presented me with for our 20th anniversary, which is tomorrow. (Stay tuned for a special blog tomorrow about it!) His gift to me is a platinum diamond anniversary band. (This is a photo of the same one I got, at right). He wanted to wait until tomorrow to give it to me...but he couldn't. It's the same way with our engagement, or any other special thing Larry gets for me. Back in 1986 he wanted to propose to me on the 27th of June, but he got so beside himself with anticipation to propose and give me the ring...he did it two days before. I am so blessed with a man who loves to give...who loves to make me happy. Who loves to make me so happy I just can't stop smiling. Who loves to light my world. I'm sitting here crying as I write this so I'll stop with that train of thought. I would have posted a pic of it actually on my hand but I'm in serious need of a fill. I got a french manicure last time and it's kind of spotty by now, as I call it. …

Well, I'm really zonked - but cramming a week's worth of work into two days plus my 8 hour marathon book writing yesterday is going to be so worth it. Usually when we go away even on vacation, I always have my work with me. I usually commit not to do it during "family time" (when they are awake, or I try to keep it to just car rides when they are watching a movie or something anyway.) But my point is - my work is really never done. I've always got a briefcase and a laptop with me. It's just life. But for once, just once, I want to go away to celebrate our 20th anniversary on Wednesday and I don't want to take any work with me. I want to finish my very last initiative on the list, and forget about anything else but focusing on the one I love...and relaxing.

What this basically means is that I'm not only cramming my church work but my "home" work into a little space of time, plus packing and all that jazz, to be able to be free for the next few…

Don't laugh - I actually do this! It drives my husband crazy. I put my laptop up on the edge of my garden tub as I am taking a bath and check mail as I'm in there or write. I know, it's crazy. But when I say I love writing and reading, I mean it. Anyway, when I saw this pic I instantly thought of me. So anyway, guess what I just did? It's 1:21 am and I just finished a book! Not reading one...writing one - in one night. Don't believe me? It's true and it's not just a bunch of whooey or sloppy writing...it's pretty decent if I do say so myself.
Can't say exactly what it is yet...too many Northsiders read my blog. :-)
But I will say this - it's something extra special...coming up at the best kept secret in Tampa Bay............Northside Assembly of God!
I had to finish this before we went on our 20th anniversary getaway this week. I simply don't want to take my work with me. This is way too special of a time for us and I don't want to sp…

Why blog?

I'm a little confused.
I recently looked up the Webster's definition of blog, and here's what it said:

The term was coined in 1999, and today Webster’s dictionary defines a blog as a “diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page.” More importantly, it says that blogs are “typically updated daily” and that “blogs often reflect the personality of the author.”

This was what I've always thought blogs were for, exactly as Webster's defines it. Most blogs I read fit this description. They are a diary - sometimes the daily happenings of a person, a pastor chronicling the "story" of their church, and most if not all reflect the unique personality of the writer. Even when a person is giving a devotional, sharing spiritual insight or knowledge from their secular job, they do so with the flair of their personality and give personal illustrations that hook the reader to keep coming back for more. Blogs give you insight about someone a…

It's really no shock to anybody who is a real friend to me that my weakness is food. Some people can claim that they are big boned. But when is the last time you saw a fat boned skeleton? Some people can claim they have a thyroid problem. Some people can say they have ballooned up because of anti-depressants or other drugs. Some people say it's in their genes. What do I have to say for myself? I'm an abuser at times, plain and simple. It is a result of stress, however it's MY response to stress, and not the stress's fault, it's mine. Because I have a choice as to how to handle it.
Anyone who is in relationship with me knows, I've been doing Weight Watchers for almost three years now. I am a WW member and will always be. Even if I stayed right at goal, I will never stop going because I know my weakness and this is just something I need to stay on track. Since joining WW, I have lost 30 or 40 pounds, depending on what day of the week or month it is.
This has be…

To do Friday's Feast, (a buffet for your brain) each week go to http://www.fridaysfeast.com/.

AppetizerName a funny habit you have. Oh gosh, there are probably so many it's hard to pick just one. But... probably my habit of straightening all the stuff on a table at a restaurant - the salt and pepper shakers, sugar, menus, EVERYTHING has to be perfectly lined up. I know, it's OCD, and I don't care.SoupIf you could instantly know how to play a musical instrument, which one would you pick? GuitarSaladHow long is your hair? Right now it's a little shorter in back than usual and longer in front. I like it that way. Main CourseWhen was the last time you forgave someone, and , and who was it? I have to forgive someone every single day. I believe this is just life for everybody at least those who want to live like Jesus. I'm either forgiving someone, just completing forgiving someone, or starting the process.DessertWhat is your favorite kitchen appliance? So many of t…