Gilda Txt Message: Hi Sweetie, Tony is making you cookies but Rhebs is eating them.

     David Txt Message: HEY! Tell RHebs to stay out of my cookies, hahaha  

     The oatmeal and mint chocolate cookies were Rheb's promised "bribe" to David for allowing me to visit her for a few days in Jacksonville. 

     I had just come home from a trip to Chicago and Michigan when Rhebs asked me to pay her a visit. I was not sure that David would be positive about my going on another trip without him. Rhebs did some research on available flights and then she called me. David answered the phone and she did not waste using her "power of persuasion" on her "Kuya D" who was not able to refuse. That was when she promised that she would send back some home made cookies for him. That meant that she would also have to use her persuasion powers on Tony (to bake the cookies) because Rhebs is not into baking  

     The hurricane season was at its height and, by the time David got my ticket, there were three hurricanes on the radar, Hannah, Ike and Juliet. David was not sure that I would be able to make it. The serious threat was Juliet, which was expected to hit Florida. Fortunately, that dissipated and it looked like I would be able to go.

     However, it was not until the morning of my scheduled flight that I was sure my trip would push through. Rhebs and Tony were on a Carribean Cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary. I was not sure if their cruise ship would arrive on schedule and I had no way of contacting them. It was only that Monday morning (the day of my scheduled departure) that I got a message from Rhebs confirming that they were home and would be able to meet me at the airport.

      Finally, I made it to Jacksonville and was welcomed into their lovely home.     

   

     When I entered their home, it was obvious at first glance that this wonderful couple have two important values, love of God and love for each other.  Holy icons are prominently displayed around the house along with their wedding mementos. It is inspiring to be with two people who honor their marriage. They have been married for nine years and are still crazy about each.

     Tony is easy to talk with. He is intelligent and has excellent cooking skills (for which his mom claims full responsibility ). I was surprised to see some of my favorite books in his book collection. He also introduced me to the book reader(?), an electronic gadget about the size of a regular notebook that can hold thousands of electronic books  ! The perfect travel companion.

     Visiting Rhebs is like visiting a close sister or favorite cousin. We had such a good time just chatting, cooking and going places. She is the only woman I know who has electronic gadgets for "toys".

     We went to the beach and watched a movie (The Women, enjoyed it). I had a chance to eat some of my favorite Filipino dishes at a Filipino store/restaurant.

     We drove to St. Augustine, a picturesque area which history parallels that of Cebu - occupied by Spain, the planting of the cross and the building of a church.

     At the Cathedral, we met a helpful Filipina volunteer who showed us around and even generously allowed us to use her pass so we could go to the Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish built fort, for free. It was a very interesting experience and reminded me of Fort San Pedro in Cebu. I was sure that David would like this place and I hoped that we could go there together someday.

     We visited a small historic shrine, Nuestra Senora de La Leche, and had a picnic at the shrine's scenic grounds. Our peaceful picnic was pleasantly interrupted by Darl's phone call all the way from Texas . 

     Another place we visited was downtown Jacksonville where we had another picnic at Jacksonville Landing with Rheb's best friend Marie.

     We would come home to the smell of freshly baked cookies which Tony made for David.

     Before we knew it, it was time for me to leave. The farewell at the airport was emotional.

     I am so grateful to Rhebs and Tony for inviting me to spend time with them. It had been a truly fun and inspiring experience. The time spent with them was both a gift and a blessing. I look forward to doing it again in the future.     

      Hugs to David for giving his support on my trip. He is my most loved treasure.

Waaaahhhh, asa man ako share sa cookies :) hehe Bilib na jud ko sa imo powers Gilds, hasta si Tony naka bake para nimo!

yum!yum! tubod laway ko ana da. ~_^

Ate G, I really wish we're neighbors... you are the best/perfect girlfriend for me because we both don't have a child and we click together in almost everything.

Every woman really need a girlfriend/s for all the things her man/husbands can’t or wouldn't want to do like engage in marathon chat fests, commiserate over petty issues, go watch chick flick movies, go shopping even just window shopping.

See Marie and I couldn't do this co'z she is tied up with her 2 kids all the time....don't get me wrong love hanging out with her and her kids once in a while for few hours but I long for the time we can do the things we both did when you were here :-)

I am so looking forward for the time we, (you and Kuya D and Tony and I) can go on a trip together :-) Kuya D already said yes to that!!! Yaaay!!

Love you both!
Rhebs