Back in Florida

The primary focus since our return has been finding a suitable practice for Shelly. We have run through all the options from buying-out a practice and going for it alone, to working under a larger "corporate" model, to finding a partner. At present (8:33 PM on Tuesday, November 20, 2007), after 3 weeks of interviews, discussions, decisions and reconsideration's, we are still undecided. The likely option is starting out under a larger corporate practice since this would provide Shelly some of the business experience she didn't gain in the Army and allow Shelly to network and for us to decide exactly where we want to be long-term. But we are waiting out an opportunity that is a good fit.

In the mean time we have had the chance to spend a lot of time with family and trying to relax as much as possible while living out of a suitcase and on the move from week to week. We are essentially gypsies; we have no home, no phone or mailing address of our own. BTW - I think 10 days is when you start to wear out your welcome.

Anyway here are a few pictures from lovely Florida. We have been graced with excellent weather; most excellent.





Stephanie was in the area for a conference last week and stopped in on both sides of her meetings. The four of us took a trip downtown for gelato, a walk and to watch the sun set over the harbour.

Madison learned to say "sun set" and spent the rest of her time rearranging shells by the sidewalk.





















Other than Shelly's interviews, we really don't have a lot to do so we try and get out as much as possible. We spend at least a portion of each day at the park and when we aren't meeting family for dinner, we like to head out for the sun set. On this glorious evening we went out to Siesta Key. Madison is clearly enjoying the wide, white-sand beach.





Near the Sarasota harbour there is a great playground (with a choice location right next to the water) and kiddie splash fountain. We had been down here a couple times in the evening but the splash fountain was closed. On this day our target was only the playground, but the fountain was open and I had conveniently packed a swim diaper in Madison's bag. Game on!!




We arrived in Gainesville over the weekend and will be here through Thanksgiving. After the holiday we head back to Sarasota for a week where we will house sit for Shelly's dad. Convenient, eh. Hopefully, during that week we will get some resolution on the practice situation and be able to start looking at getting settled. It would be nice to have a house by Christmas, but for that to happen the job situation will have to get firmed up soon. I am not holding my breath.

Stay tuned.

--Ed