Life is just Ducky: A Vacation by the Numbers

Total meals eaten at McDonald's:  6

Hours spent driving:  36

Chocolate chip Blizzards from DQ: 3 

Devastating car accidents seen:  6

Car fires seen:  1

Nights spent in a slasher-movie-worthy motel in a little town in Georgia: 1 

{Photo by Caroline Welty}

Bikinis worn:  4

Bottles of sunscreen gone through:  5

New pairs of flipflops worn:  2

Crabs caught during the midnight crabbing adventure: 100+

Times we played midnight Ultimate Crab Fighting: at least 20

Times I screamed and moved:  at least 19

Nighttime ocean swims: 2

Times I lost my bikini top: 3

NBA Playoff games watched: 4

Bon Jovi songs sung at karaoke: 1

Hours spent in the hot tub:  more than I spent out of the hot tub

People at church on Sunday morning:  600

Hymns sung that sounded as though sung by choirs of angels: 3

Dance parties shut down by the police:  2

Cute boys met:  it seemed like the Army of Helaman and the Stripling Warriors were at the beach  

Seeing old friends, making new friends, sunning on the beach and having a blast??  PRICELESS!

{Photo by Me.  See my lil' footprint?}

Oh Nuggles! Please do not perish!

I LOVE YOU!!!

P.S. Tulip not only survived, but seems to have thrived during her stay at McVet’s. No surgery will keep her down! She was treated to much TLC from her grandpa E, who checked on her every single day. Such devotion! Tulip has not only recovered miraculously swiftly from her operation, but she has also grown a foot, resumed her charming habit of eeaaaarly morning wake-ups, and adopted perfect personal deportment.

P.P.S. That last part, about personal deportment, is a complete lie. The others are true, so I thought perhaps deportment might rub off in the mix. Last night she barked at my face for twenty minutes while I ate dinner. It was awesome. On my list of things to do today: call the dog trainer……

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Today, everyone arrives. Hurry and up get here, we cannot wait to see you!!!

Tonight we shall eat {Coretta's!}, drink {Shirley Temples!} and be merry {we are all together!} for tomorrow she graduates.

A homefront update

They ripped up the sidewalk, which means they fixed the gate, which means they're fixing the tree, which means they're painting the house, which means they'll build the screened-in porch, which means SUMMER!!!!!

{Which also means that our apartment is a construction zone - unfortunate timing! Please watch your step!!}

Makes me happy

Watching Tulip swim in the Mississippi
The coconutty banana-y smell of my suntan lotion
Suntan lines
Flat out refusing to work out this weekend
Laughing and talking with friends on the front porch 'till the sun goes down

Happy Mother's Day!

I often go walking
In meadows of clover,

And I gather armfuls
Of blossoms of blue.

I gather the blossoms
The whole meadow over.

Dear Mother, all flowers
Remind me of you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Up in the northern parts, someone is having a birthday today.  He's faster than KipK, cooler than Jack Nicholson, plays like Tiger, and is the best Daddio in the whole wide world.  He taught me how to play basketball, soccer and softball and how to drive a car.  He taught me how to enjoy action movies and sports.  He braided my hair when I was little and cried when he bore his testimony to me.  He will put his arms around me and tell me he loves me and makes me feel like the most loved daughter in the world.  My Dad, in every way in the world, is brilliant.  He loves, he dreams, he sings and plays the piano and guitar, and along with my Mom, created our magical family.  

Daddy, I love you so much.  Happy Birthday!!!

{This picture is from 2006.  We need more pictures of us!}

I am happy

In the beginning, I missed New York so badly. It was a sharp longing, the kind you feel for loved ones. I was homesick beyond words. And bit by bit, day by day, breathing in this warm, thick air has resuscitated me. Of course I still miss New York, but that sharp pain has faded into a happier, dimly glowing stash of memories I will cherish forever. My heart is here now. This place is a magical place, and I am under its spell. I am intoxicated by the scent of warm honeysuckle, the sight of Spanish moss dangling from the trees, the tinkle of piano keys, the sheer pleasure of watching Tulip romp and tumble through the clover. I am so glad I am here.

Today

Happy May!

O, the month of May, the merry month of May!
So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green;
And then did I unto my true love say,
Sweet {Tulip}, thou shalt be my Summer's Queen!

~Thomas Dekker