Thoughtful Thursday: Mistakes

Some rocket scientist thought this horrid looking monstrosity would be gorgeous if it was built at the entrance of beautiful Destin Harbor (where no other building is tall).

It isn't.

I guess some mistakes you just cannot fix.....but living in Hurricane Alley, maybe a Higher Power will think it's as ugly as I do.

That's mean....people have homes there. I am sorry.

Memorial Day and Exhalted Voices

Nancy over at Nancy's Nonsense is already posting to me as to my Memorial Day Post. Ok Nancy.....only because you asked so sweetly:

If you want to know how the Redneck Riviera, and home to our finest Air Force fleet, celebrates Memorial Day.......let me show you:

Click to Enlarge

If you can see this picture, it is only a small segment of the two THOUSAND boats that gather on our local sand bar (Crab Island) for the ULTIMATE summer holiday party.

The boats range from this size:


To this size:


And EVERYTHING in between.

Our Ever present F-16's performed the Missing Man Formation in honor of our fallen troops:



If you have never been directly under 4 F16's when they perform this, you are missing something. It truly stirs your soul.

Of course, there is TONS of Fun, Sun and play time.


Mommy's favorite place during the summer is right here:



A good time was had by all, even Harley.




But, since all good things need to be continued........Ashley had her Spring Concert tonight. It is her last concert as a middle schooler. But, as you all know, my Ashley has to have the last word...........or last song if you will.

Her solo this year was Danny Boy, in honor of Memorial Day, and it was truly an experience. The girl's got PIPES ya'll!



It was a happy goodbye to all those friends she has made in the last three years as she moves to High School:


My Daughter From Another Mother isn't complaining:

And, quite frankly........this weekend wore us ALL out!


Oh. I almost forgot to mention: Allen's sister and BIL joined us for a bit, as did our (almost) 5 year old nephew Ethan:



When it comes right down to it, no matter how beautiful the day is, you have to thank God for our glorious sunsets to end the days:



Have I told you all how much I love living where I do?



UPDATE UPDATE

I got an e-mail asking me how Harley goes potty if he is on the boat......by jet ski of course!



He's not afraid of the boat, the water or the ski:

Thoughtful Thursday: Envy

I don't envy, surprisingly.

But......

I sure would love to have this view every day!

Weekend Pictography

For all of you who live where it is still a bit chilly, I am sorry from the bottom of my heart for showing these to you.

This was our fantabulous weekend!
(click on photos to enlarge)

A client of Allen's let us borrow his beautiful boat:



Most Handsome had it all planned out. We were going to spend the night on the boat in Panama City (about 65 miles from home). He called in a favor, got us a great slip and off we went. Of course that made me so..........



And what did the kids think? I'll let you see for yourself.

Ashley had this to say:



Taylor, she felt this way:




And Harley.....he was First Mate!



We saw some beautiful vistas:




We found these:





We put them back after the pictures.

We had neighbors like these:





And a beautiful sunset:





We relaxed the whole weekend, some more than others:



And loved every single minute of it!

I hope your weekends were just exactly what you wanted to do!

Red?????????

I have changed hair color so many times, I don't even remember what my natural hair color is.

So, for the first time EVAH!

I am a RED HEAD!






Go on, be cruel, be kind, but let me know what you think!

Life: New Beginnings and Closure.

Dear Bloggy friends, I am going to share something very personal.

Many years ago, when I wasn't old enough to know better, I fell in love. I fell in love with a deeply flawed man who I thought I could save, simply by loving him enough. It wasn't to be.

Jimmy was a victim of childhood diabetes. He suffered with it all his life.

I married Jimmy when I was 19 and to say it was an idyllic relationship would be the worst of lies. Jimmy suffered. Every day of his life. To compliment his life, or to end it, Jimmy self medicated. Alcohol and drugs were his medication.

But, let me tell you about this man: He was so charming. He had the most beautiful green eyes and black, straight hair. He always knew what he wanted life to be, but he could never quite achieve it. He had a heart of gold and a body that refused to cooperate.

He couldn't will his life to be normal. He couldn't self medicate his life to be normal and his diabetes was resistant to most synthetic insulin. Jimmy had a very hard life.

But, he did have a way.

Jimmy died on October 19th 2004.

I just recently found out.

You see, Jimmy was a horrible abuser. Physically and emotionally. I lived with him for less than three years before I ran.

I ran (and hid) for over 20 years. I never divorced him.

Hence, I am a widow. (I will explain why I have children out of wedlock later......one thing at a time please).

Last Thursday, I got a call, out of the blue.........after 20 years, from my sister in law. She was just 8 years old when we got married. It was the worst, and best, phone call I have ever gotten in my life.

At first I was so scared..........I had hidden for years, had he found me? What about my children........I was panicked.


I demanded to know why she called me, why after all these years, why couldn't I just stay gone from that families life.

I was told that Jimmy had died four years ago, that he died from complications of diabetes. Diane (my SIL) just wanted to reconnect with me. Still incredulous, I questioned (rather aggressively) her to death.

I wasn't happy. It was a part of my life that I fought for years to escape and forget.

One week later, and many phone calls (including speaking to my mother in law) I am ok with it.

I still can't find the tears for Jimmy, but I have Diane, Eric and the twins.

I always have made my own decisions about life, this one was out of my hands. It overwhelmed me, but............something good is coming out of something really bad.


I spoke with my mother in law (after 20 years) and she forgives me for leaving. I spoke with my Sister in Law after 20 years, and she wants me as part of her children's life..........

I have a nephew and a niece..........one of each, one year old.

It is time to put the past behind us.

Jimmy suffered with diabetes every single minute of his entire life, he lost an eye and a foot. I can forgive him anything if it means I get to be an aunt to Evan and Laura, A sister to Diane.

Almost like the Phoenix, out of the ashes of failed lives comes a golden creature.

That is worth celebrating and embracing.

So, all of you that have a sip of wine this week, toast to pasts being put behind and new beginnings!

Introducing Evan and Laura

I would like all of you, my bloggy friends, to meet my newest family members Evan and Laura.

It will take a while to explain how I just came to know my 1 year old Niece and Nephew, but suffice it to say, I am very proud to be their aunt.

I am actually tickled pink!

Aren't they ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL?