A new adventure!

After a wonderful seven year sabbatical filled with amazing experiences, foreign and domestic travel adventures, and the opportunity to enjoy a myriad of activities, it’s time to “un-retire” and return to the working world.

Over the years, I have worked with Frank, his family and my best friend, helping facilitate their mothers moving to Tampa. Recently I have helped both families when their mothers were unable to return to independent living. Shortly after that, I realized “this” is something I enjoy, something I’m good at and something I could make a living doing.

What is “this”? It’s helping people move! It’s working with older adults and families deal with the emotionally overwhelming task of organizing and dispersing belongings when a loved one downsizes, moves to a health care center or passes away. It is a career in a relatively new industry called Senior Move Management. And I’m pleased to announce that I have formed a company…A Stress-LessTransition, LLC.

I can help as much or as little as someone needs. I do the things the older adult or family doesn’t want to do, doesn’t have time to do or is unable to do.

“But what about The Crazy Travelers?”, you ask. First of all, Frank is 110% supportive of me and this venture! While many items on the bucket list have been checked off, we will still actively follow Seminole football and enjoy trips of a more “normal” length.

I am excited about the opportunities to provide a much-needed service to older adults and families!

While my primary focus will be in the Tampa Bay area, I am available to travel anywhere in Florida. If you know of anyone who is looking to have a stress-less transition (for themselves or loved one), I would greatly appreciate you forwarding along the link to the website.  In addition, I've created a blog where I will post tips, ideas case studies and scenarios surrounding my adventure as a senior move manager.

~Leann

Italian inspired dinner with a Southern twist

The Anderson's shared some of their garden's bounty and brought a huge bag of scrumptious tomatoes, squash, basil and rosemary.

Well tonight we were inspired to go Italian, with a Southern twist.

Bunch o' basil from SOUTH Carolina

Juicy tomatoes and squash from SOUTH Carolina

Prepping for pesto (Before)

Presto, pesto!  (After)

Caprese with balsamic glaze (we'll just say it's from SOUTHERN Italy)

Homemade garlic knots inspired by a pizza place from Frank's childhood in SOUTH Florida.

Fresh ravioli from The Ravioli Company in SOUTH Tampa.

Manga, manga!  (Or as we say in the SOUTH, "Let's eat, y'all!)

So do you get it?  Everything had something from the SOUTH.  :o)

Thanks, Tom & Raquel!!  

Surprise visit

Last week, our friends Tom & Raquel called to say they were heading to Florida for a few days to see Doug.  (Doug and Tom have known each other since kindergarten.  And at one point, many moons ago, Doug and Frank were roommates in Orlando and then Frank and Tom were roommates.)  Needless to say, they have all stayed in touch over the years.

The stars aligned so we could head to the bustling metropolis of Rockledge today.  Rockledge may should familiar as it's the hometown of my BFF, Victoria.  So before we went to Doug's, we drove by her old homestead and snapped a few pictures for her and her brothers. (The house was sold earlier this year and we were all a little curious what changes had been made.)

Once our stalking was complete, we met up with the others.  Pretty fair to say Doug was surprised when he opened the door and saw us standing there.

After spending some time catching up, we headed out for lunch.  Too hot to sit outside, but the view of the river was spectacular and we were able to enjoy the cool inside!

Doug, Raquel, Tom, Leann and Frank

It was really nice to see everyone and enjoy some time together!

The Big Five-Oh

No, not talking about a significant birthday for anyone but rather a high school reunion.  One of the things I admire most about Frank is the relationships he's maintained from 'way back when'.  And I've had the good fortune to meet quite a few of the friends and their spouses.

We see the Villellas often when we are in Tallahassee.  And we see the McLaughlins every couple of years when we are traveling through Atlanta.  The Grabers are the farthest away but have gotten together with them we we go to Portland.  We were supposed to visit with the Strattons who live in Texas on our 'wild west' trip, but since we didn't take the TeePee, we completely skipped that whole state.

Needless to say, we were both looking forward to seeing long-time friends (note, I didn't say old) and classmates.

The reunion was held at Pier 66 in Ft. Lauderdale, the same as the forty-fifth reunion.  (The numbers don't look as big when you spell it out.)  :o)  But lots of drama ensued when early in the planning stages, the reunion company closed up shop due to the death of the owner.  A committee was pulled together and got things organized.  The North Miami High reunion was going to happen!

View from our room.

Yep, that's a helicopter on the back of that yacht.

What better way to kick off the reunion weekend than with rum runners by the pool.

Catching up with friends:

Frank, Debbie S. Leann, John S., Mike M., Carol M.

We ventured out for lunch on our own and went to the Southport Raw Bar.  

The weather that weekend was horrible and while the skies weren't very sunny, it was a nice view.

Mike M., Frank, Rob G.

Cheryl H and husband, Frank, Randy W. and Ron V.

"Nothing but trouble"

John S., Frank, Ron V and Mike M.

"The Better Halves"

Leann, Carol M. and Debbie S.

We had a grand time hanging out together, watching the men catch up with friends.

All-in-all, it was a nice event and it was fun seeing everyone have a good time.

MEANWHILE, back at the ranch...

Tropical Storm Debby was doing a number on the City of Tampa (and the state of Florida).  Our neighbors across the canal sent a picture of how high the water had risen.  (Ended up about 3 feet into the yard.) Thankfully we have wonderful neighbors watching our front and back!

There you have it...the latest update from the Crazy Travelers!