spouse | John C Donahue.com

I have a great wife who spends most of her days thinking of ways to take care of me. It’s a blessing. I got a call from her on New Years Eve (she was working in the AM) telling me that she had a surprise for us to bring in the new year. I was excited! But I had no idea where we were going.

So, the time came and we loaded into the Tundra to head where ever. After a 20 mintue car ride we wound up at a most surprising location…

The Taco Bus is a Tampa Bay icon. It’s great food, great atmosphere, and I was totally surprised!

Sarah had brought a bottle of champagne, 2 glasses, and party hats. So we ordered dinner and prepared to welcome in the new year.

The entire evening, we enjoyed the neighbor’s fireworks displays. They weren’t exactly what we were used to (Disney), but it they were nice, all the same.

Our burritos were amazing, as usual, and we also enjoyed the ceviche, which was especially great last night. During our meal, Rene Valenzuela, the owner of the Taco Bus, came out to chat with us. We talked for a while, since we were the only people in the restaurant.

And then the time came… We grabbed our glasses, shared our champagne…then we started counting…

Happy New Year… Feliz Ano Nuevo!

It was a great evening, full of surprises, spent with my lovely bride, in one of the most unique places in Tampa. It wasn’t a huge crowd, or a big party, it was just us, with some new friends, and very simple. In other words, it was just perfect!

I’m looking forward to the new year, I hope that you are too.

FRIDAY

Friday was a crazy day! I had a few errands to run and after, I was asked to help bring a portable baptistery to Common Ground.
Of course I said, “Yes”- anything I can do to help someone get baptized…I’m ALL IN!
We got to the church where the baptistery was, and realized that we were an hour early…what to do…?
We headed to World of Beer – actually place, click the link…
I had a Spaten Optimator, my partner had a Blue Moon….and then, it was time to head back to pick up our baptistery.
We got all the pieces (or so we thought) and headed to church to drop them off.
We parted ways and I headed home. Picking up some Chinese food for me and Sid.
We enjoyed a late dinner, some TV, and then crashed.

SATURDAY

Saturday morning was very lazy for me. I have been reading some great biographies (Walt Disney and Chris Gardner) so I got a chance to just read.
I worked on cleaning the house a bit and getting ready for the long weekend.
I ran a couple books down to Tampa for Sid, and while I was down near McDill AFB, I decided to take a bike ride along Bayshore Blvd. I rode 5 miles.
Once finished, I drove home and had some dinner, and waited for my lovely bride to get home.

SUNDAY

Sunday morning, I visited a Church of the Suncoast. Brian Moon, lead pastor, and his team, have built an really great church. If you like in the Land O’Lakes or Lutz area, please drop in to Church of the Suncoast.
After church, I headed home and waited for Sid.
We were very excited because, for the first time in 3 months, Sid had Monday off. We were ecstatic.
In the early evening, Sid and I went to Danny Schaffner’s for a cookout. It was a way for Danny and his wife to serve the staff at Common Ground.
We had a blast! Great food and friends. We even played a couple of board games, which Sid and I really enjoyed.
We came home and again, crashed.

MONDAY

We woke up, let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof), and them went back to sleep.
At about 10 am, we woke up and headed to Cliffs, a little hole in the wall breakfast place. It was great, always good, inexpensive food.
After breakfast (brunch), we headed to a friend’s house for some swimming. Our friends weren’t there, so we had the run of the pool. Before we left our house, Sid made the most AMAZING pico de gallo. TRULY amazing….
Swimming was great, until the storms came.
We drove home, pretty sleepy, so we took a mid-day nap.
About an hour (or so) later, we threw the bikes in the back of the truck, and headed back to Bayshore Blvd.
We rode the entire length of the bay and back which is about 7 miles. We were pretty happy…and tired.
Dinner, a little WWE, and some reading…then off to sleepy land.

WEEKLY LOOK AHEAD

Common Ground is starting their new message series, Summer at the Movies. It’s going to be awesome.
It’s also gong to be a busy week getting the worship area prepared for the new series. Lots to do, lots to do…
I have a dinner meeting with a church planter on Tuesday night.
The job search will continue, please keep praying, God has something awesome planned, I just have no idea what.
I’m going to be fleshing out a new “Team Building” series of posts. Keep your eyes open.
I also need to fix some personal relationships. I have been neglecting some good friends, and I need to rectify that. Starting NOW!