Pinky & Joy

Today Pinky & Joy

celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary!

I am blessed with parents who have loved 

each other

 my whole life.

They met each other when they were kids in Miami Springs.

They grew up together and fell in love.

I can't say thank you enough for the gift of being raised in a home where Jesus was of most importance

& also where true love was always right in front of my face.

Happy Happy 60th!

I love you.

Weekend in Daytona

It all began weeks ago,

it was Mother's Day weekend.

Mom picked me up from Jacksonville International Airport 

and we hightailed it to Daytona Beach.

There is no better place for us, 

love the sand, the wind, 

the sun and the beautiful blue water.

This was our view from our hotel room.

I think that's mom and Margaret 

cooling off out there. 

We stayed at the Hilton. 

The hotel was nice and accommodating, 

as is common with Hilton 

but they have a seafood buffet 

that is worth the trip.

You need to go.

I'm not a buffet girl at all...

but...

this one takes the cake.

AYCE king crab legs, shrimp, and everything else.

I don't remember the everything else 

because it was all about the crab legs for me.

Ok, the desserts were out of this world too. 

Cheese cake, carrot cake, chocolate strawberries...

I could go on and on.

If you are ever within 100 miles, 

put it on your list.

Tell them you forgot your coupon 

and I think it was about $30.

I'm not sure because this girl paid 

for the whole shebang.

Thank you Margaret!

I wish I would have taken pictures 

but I was trying not to be too conspicuous. 

Here's the truth and my 1 regret.

We stopped by the restaurant,

in our bathing attire.

Yes, we were looking lovely.

I just wanted to get the lowdown on the restaurant

because it came highly recommended.

I wanted to see it for myself.

The hostess was so kind.

She said,

"it's almost rush hour,

you should stay and beat the crowd."

I think seeing those gorgeous crab legs fuzzed up my thinking.

We stayed.

At least we had our bathing suit covers and matching sandals 

and new beach bags with us.

Oi-veh!

It was the perfect weekend,

a little too short.

I am blessed with a wonderful mom.

We have so much fun.

We laugh till we cry.

We shop till we drop.

We love the same shows.

We share the same opinions.

I think we may be a clone.

What's not to love?!

Love you, Mom

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is The Day!

My most wonderful mother is what today is all about.

Happy Birthday beautiful Mom!

Oh how I love you.

 Here's a sweet shot with Mom & Kristen. 

We celebrated at The Outback CrabShack in Florida last week.

It was one of those not over planned parties 

that turned out perfect.

I should have taken more pictures but it was relaxing 

and the food was over-the-top.

If your thing is crab legs, shrimp, fish, clams, oysters, conch, 
etc, then you may need to take a road trip.
It is so worth it.

When I googled the menu to write this blog,

I found that we also received fried gator.

I'm baffled!

Oh well, it was all yummy. 

Wonder if I ate any. 

Oh if you could see my face right now. 

I hope you are having a perfect day.

I love you!

Here, There & Everywhere

I have had the most wonderful few weeks running here and there.

My mother-in-law flew in to spend some time with us.
We are enjoying her visit.
My mother flew in and spent a few days.
We had so much fun yardsaling, shopping, 
eating out, and going to the movies.

Here they are enjoying a snack at Sam's.

I flew home with mom and was able to 
spend some time with family.
It was a whirlwind but I was able to celebrate Paula's birthday.

Happy Birthday dear friend!

We (Brenda, Kim & I) took her out to dinner and came back to her house 

for cake & presents.

Brenda, Paula, Kim and I have been friends for lots of years. 

We absolutely love being together.

This picture was taken last year in the mountains of 

North Carolina.

Thank you Lord for sweet friends.

As always, 

the week flew.

I enjoyed seeing my 

grandkids begin their school year.

I met Kristen several times for lunch, dinner, 

Farmers Market, movies 

and just walking together.

I do treasure our time.

I have been going and going this summer.

I am ready to slow down now.

Will that happen?

I doubt it.

Mark is flying to DC next week and we have been approved for a tour of the White House.

Do you want me to tell the current residents hello for you?

I will give you the whole scoop.

Have a happy!

Pure Joy

Can I just go ahead and get it out?

I don't enjoy all the mushy Mother's Day 

sentiments that well meaning people saturate 

every social network out there with.

It's so cheesy.

Oh! & I have the worse time in the Hallmark aisle 

reading all those silly cards.

Can't we just use the same card every year?

If the card was good last year

can't we use it again?

Now that I got that out of my system...

Happy Mother's Day!

Aren't they just lovely!?

My Mother's Day began early.

I received different Shutterfly gifts all week.

D&D sent family pictures and gifts each day.

Oh the thrill when that UPS man tooted his horn every day!

My very own mother mailed me a huge package 

filled with amazing presents.

An old rolling pin I adore.

Did I tell you that I collect rolling pins?

A huge box of Starbucks Keurig coffee.

A mirrored jewelry box to adorn my new bedroom scheme.

Makeup & jewelry.

She just knows me.

We shall talk about her some more in a minute.

The BIG surprise came Saturday morning.

Mark had to run and "errand" 

and did he return home with my daughter?!

Yes!

She flew all the way from Florida!!

She surprised me and is spending a few days with me.

Nothing could thrill me more.

My heart is full.

Oh how I love my girl.

To my beautiful Danielle,

I am so proud of you and the wonderful mother that you are.

You surprise me every day with the wisdom you bestow in raising those precious kids.

I couldn't choose a better DIL.

Happy Mothers Day to my Mother-in-law.

I am blessed beyond measure and treasure 

your friendship and our relationship.

To my sweet mother,

I am so thankful for you. 

I wanted to make you a video blog 

to let you know

what an amazing mom you are 

and how much I truly love you.

(Click once on the arrow Mom)

To all you moms,

Happy Mother's Day!

(could that be any cheesier?)

Bedroom Makeover

Mom flew home with me from my "Spring Break" in Florida.

I begged and pleaded and she finally caved.

There are no words for how much fun we have.

You see,

the truth is...

we are both lunatics!

We laughed for 5 days straight. 

When we weren't laughing,

we were shopping.

There were yard sales everywhere.

I'm not exaggerating either.

There were so many community yard sales that we couldn't go to all of them but oh the fun we had!

We found a gorgeous antique dresser that I had to have and that is where it all began.

It was going to be for the guest room 

but the more we thought about it, 

the more it became obvious 

that it belonged in my room.

This dresser began the adventure.
(Please excuse the iPhone pictures.)

We painted it white.

By "we," 

I mean Mark & my dad.

 Then we found this sign at Hobby Lobby.
I love Hobby Lobby.
I knew the second I saw it that it was mine.

Mom made a flower arrangement that I adore.

I found Susan at Home Goods.
She makes me happy.

I've been putting off my room forever.

I couldn't figure out what I liked.

After the dresser,

it all came together.

I am looking for a bed.
I think a 4 poster bed is what I need.
We shall see.

I have some more to do
like frame a picture I bought and frame a mirror that I found at a yard sale for 50 cents.

I will share the rest with you as soon as I get it done.

I keep going upstairs just to look at my room.
It just makes me happy.

Never in a million would I have guessed that I'd go with white.
Go figure!

Hope you are having a wonderful day and that the sun is shining brightly in your world.