Day in Review - Back to the Grind

Well, I am back from Florida...it was a great trip.  If you didn't see the posts (or skipped them because they were so boring) you will know that we had a wonderful visit to the sunshine state that was filled with food (I put on 4 pounds) drinks (see previous 4 pound note) sun (will get to this in a moment) and fun.

I missed my little doggie but she was in good hands. She spent the week playing with her cousins Lily and Josie.  (As a side note, she has been sleeping about 20 hours a day since we got home. She is either exhausted or depressed)

She caught me taking the picture!

So the best news out of this whole trip was that "Todd" and "Sarah" bought a beautiful home in Bradenton. It was definitely unexpected but I absolutely believe that it was meant to be. They spent my inheritance on this house but I guess I will get some use out of it since it is a free place to stay in sunny Florida. It is in an "older adult" (Old people) private community but us young ens' can stay for up to 30 days each year. The truth is, it is right on the shores of a gorgeous lagoon, the neighbors are far enough away to be comfortable and it will be a wonderful retreat for the entire family. (Let me know if you want to rent it for a week, season, whatever...I will put you in touch with "Todd")

If I wasn't afraid of the little lizards everywhere, I would sit by those palms and write

Let's talk about my sunburn for a minute.  Before anyone preaches to me about wearing sunscreen...i DID...I just neglected to reapply after going into the ocean and rinsing off in the shower (my legs).  Aside from my legs, the rest of my body was perfectly fine and even got a bit of color. So this sunburn was bad...being outside all day with no protection is not good for me...I am no fool, believe me, I always wear something when out in the sun. I know what will happen and I know it will be bad....this was kind of bad...

Though there were no blisters or anything, my legs, ankles and feet pretty much swelled up on top of the sunburn. I did a bit of research and it seems like swelling is a common occurrence. "Granny" and "Sarah" also got a bit of swelling. Mine was way worse though.  I could barely walk by Friday and Saturday, sitting in the car from Anna Maria Island to South Carolina was pretty tough.  By Saturday night I was definitely teetering on the edge of insanity.  I was in pain, exhausted, uncomfortable...all I can say is I learned a lesson about applying and reapplying and reapplying and reapplying and reapplying sunscreen.

By the next day I was on the mend and today, a week after Sunburn 2012 occurred, the pain is gone and all that is left is the unbearable itching that many of you are likely familiar with after a sunburn.Every step I take and every move I make I am dropping DNA all over the place. I really hope the worst is over, but I suspect it is going to take my legs a few more days to get back to normal. As I try to see the positive, I have brand new skin all over the place, so that is probably good, right?

I think the best part of being in Florida was simply the relaxation of it all.  I was really at my wits end before I went and I think I really realized that you need to give yourself a break every once in awhile. I was inspired there and feel energized even now. That is probably a good thing.  I had a great idea for a story and you never know where things like that can take you.

I know this is kind of a boring post...nothing very unusual or funny has happened except the reptilian way I am shedding skin. Have you read the new poetry section? Check it out here.

I have been really into planning my new music blog...I can't decide who to feature first though. Gotye? Rachael Owens? The Autumn Portrait? Bodhi Jones? Someone else?  If you have suggestions, let me know.  I am trying to stick to Indie bands/artists but will certainly consider others. Gotye is about to blow up since his song is going to be on Glee in 2 weeks.

Ahh...what to do, what to do...

Trip to Florida - Last Day in the Sun

Today is our last day in Florida. We are leaving at 6am tomorrow morning. Last day at the beach (I am not going however because I currently am the approximate color of a lobster). We have some shopping to do, last minute souvenirs to buy and a trip to see the new house once again.

It is always hard to leave, but much easier now that I know I can come back at any time (assuming the inspection goes through!).

Off to the shops!

Trip to Florida - Lucky Morning

Reminder - No animals were harmed in the making of this blog post. Any animal that is mentioned was deceased unless specified.

Went to the beach this morning, then out to breakfast. We have been looking for shells all week, specifically whole sand dollar shells. We have had zero luck until today. We finally found one whole sand dollar shell.  I seriously almost dived into the ocean to get it, but I finally go it. Soaked from my toes to shoulders, we continued to walk down the beach.

About 15 minutes later, we had turned around and headed back. I glanced down into the surf and saw...a starfish...just hanging out in the sand. I called for my dad because I was half afraid of it and I am also terrified of fish so I wanted to make sure there were no fish around. A random man came over with a fluorescent green shirt and no pants. He told me it was alright to pick it up and I should see if it was alive.  It certainly was alive.  It was soft and moving along my palms.  It was an extremely cool experience and nothing like the hard starfish you see in the stores.  It was very pliable and you could see all of it's little feet move.  We took pictures and my dad took it way out into the sea, hopefully safe from harm.. 

Me holding the live starfish.

Not two feet down the shore, I look down and see another starfish...this time, I had no fear and picked it right up. It was hard and not moving, obviously dead. We ended up bringing it back, did some research and have now begun the preservation process.  It was an extremely cool morning and very lucky.  One whole sand dollar shell and two starfish (though one was dead).

Back to the beach today for just a bit.  Mom and dad bought a house down here so there are meetings to go to and papers to sign...all of it needs to be done by tomorrow.  A little wrench in our plans and some things have needed to be left out of our plans, but now that we know we can come down whenever we want, it doesn't seem so bad.

Trip to Florida - Trip to Johns Pass

After a celebratory evening (my parent's bought a second home down here!) we retired earlier (some of us (not me!) needed to go to bed more than others) than normal. We are back in business and on our way to Johns Pass which is supposedly a great shopping location. It is also supposed to be very fun. All of our plans have gotten turned around due to the house buying extravaganza but all of us are excited.

Who is coming down to FL for vacation??

Here are some pics from yesterday at Siesta Key and my sister Margarita from this morning.

Trip to Florida - Off to Siesta Key

We had a great morning today. Walk on the beach, went out to breakfast at Ginny & Jane E's then back to the beach for about 2 hours. Back to the house for a quick lunch and cocktails and now off to Siesta Key. I have never been there but I have heard great things about it from "Todd", "Sarah" and my friend Laurel.

Will keep you posted...

Meanwhile we saw a crane in our back yard and I had a delicious margarita. Speaking of margaritas, my sisters Tia and Margarita were able to spend some bonding time with their mom. Pics of our morning are below.

Trip to Florida - No Worries

"Sarah" and "Todd" have been found. No worries.

Trip to Florida - Evening

"Todd" and "Sarah" have officially disappeared. They went for a meeting about a house and have not returned. "Granny" and I were distraught over their disappearance so we went down to the local watering hole and had a drink. Or two. We also took a long walk where "Granny" found a boat with her name on it. "Todd" and "Sarah" are still not home so we have a difficult question to answer...margaritas or piña coladas?

Trip to Florida - Day at the Beach

I haven't blogged today because it's hard to see my screen in the gorgeous Florida sunshine. Lazy day today on the beach, dinner at the Rod and Reel, now onto the bar and wherever the trolley takes us. Until next time, enjoy these pics.

Trip to Florida - First Day

The first day is coming to a close and we are having cocktail hour. Productive day of beach-going, shopping at the pier and house hunting. Bout to take a walk in the beautiful Florida night.

Trip to Florida - Blogging on the Beach

Ok. I am not actually on the beach. My intention was to actually blog on the beach but it was way too sunny. Sucks, right? :)

So I came back to the house and blogging here. Just wanted to share some photos. Had a great morning on the first day. We took a walk around town then hit the beach.

Margarita had a rough morning though. She fell out of a chair then was forced to take a walk. She needed a rest.

Trip to Florida - On Island Time

Trip to Florida - At Our New Home

Finally here! Gotta go unpack and unwind.

Trip to Florida - Sunshine State

It's official!

Trip to Florida - South Carolina Sunrise

Trip to Florida- Off to the Sunshine State

We are grabbing a quick breakfast and will shortly be on our way through South Carolina and Georgia before hitting FL. Up at 5:45 and tired.

I got a report from Chloe. She is doing well.

Trip to Florida - Rest for the Night

We have gone from Ohio to South Carolina and all are tired.

We might go for a nice walk in a bit and plan to be on the road tomorrow by 730, off to sunny FL.

Trip to Florida - Lunch

Stopped in VA for lunch. Already a better experience than WV. It is cold and rainy but looking better the further south we go.

Sandwiches...someone's looks a little sparse.

Trip to Florida- The First Injury

We are officially in West Virginia.

We were in the state for less than 10 minutes and I fell over a stone bench. When I say fall...I mean fall. See photo below. My entire leg hurts and it is getting more bruised by the minute.

My family thought I faked it because it was so ridiculous. In fact, they all walked away from the scene of the crime. Meanwhile, I was hunched over trying not to cry in public.

Of course I don't blame them. I would laugh and walk away if I saw it too. Obviously thus far I am not a fan of West Virginia. Here's to a better visit.

Trip to Florida - On Our Way

8:15 am on March 16th and we have been on the road for 2 hours. Four humans, two dogs and a Cadillac that is filled to capacity has entered Guernsey County Ohio. We have already stopped for a bathroom/coffee break and back on the road again. Nothing of significance has occurred thus far which is good. I am learning a lot about how people raised their kids in West Virginia back in the day.

My sisters are sleeping ( the dogs) Chloe has already had a good report (she is staying with her Aunt Donna) and we are settled in to go to South Carolina today.

"Granny" has just asked if I am twatting. (tweeting)

Margarita looks thrilled.

Updates...It's Time for an Announcement

I know...you have all missed me.  I have been extremely busy.  Working 14 hours a day is no fun and quite frankly, for the birds.

In my "free" time, I have been working behind the scenes on my blog. I have added two new sections. Though a computer genius likely would have been able to do this in a day, it took me several weeks of blood, sweat, tears and pleas to my friend from college Liz to help me. (Check out her AMAZING blog here: WomanlyWoman) Finally I have broken through with my remedial html/web design skills and figured out how to do what I wanted to do with this.

Though I will absolutely keep this blog up, I also have added two new sections to this blog. One is up and running, the other will be soon (after my vacation!).

If you look above, you will see two new tabs. One is called "The Flip Side", the other "Have You Heard This?". Both are dedicated to two of the loves of my life, poetry and music. "The Flip Side" is amateur poetry.  I only choose the most raw and thoughtful poetry I can find and I invite anyone reading this to submit things to me. You can even do it anonymously if you like by e-mailing here. (Just don't put your name!) If I like it, I will add it. I have gut wrenching poems, awesome quotes and micropoetry. Please read it. It is good for your soul. Let me know what you like and what you don't.

The second part of this new venture is known as "Have You Heard This?". In my real free time, I scour the internet for new music and I have found A LOT recently. I want to share with the world and feature some of these awesome bands that I have come across in my drunken stupors research. I promise, for any music lovers out there, it will be updated soon.

In the meantime, keep watching this space.  In two days I am off to Florida with "Todd", "Sarah" and "Granny"...it is sure to be a good time and I will surely be live blogging our adventures, including the two day drive in the Caddy...If you want to be notified when I post, please add your e-mail address on the right side of the screen.

For those of you who want a quick update, Chloe is great, getting ready to stay with her Aunt Donna while I am out of town. I have given up on love, so dating stories may be few and far between in the future. (Though I still want to have children, so perhaps I will share the plan my mom and I came up with.)  I finally have the beginnings of a novel going, which if your remember, was my New Year's Resolution. I am still following my favorite soap opera (AKA the politics of the US.  All of you Republicans are fascinating me with your mixed up musings. Santorum?  Really?) and have been sleeping better the past 2 weeks. (Yes, my insomnia cycle is over...for now)

For now, please read some poetry...comment...it will mean the world to those who have poured their souls into these pieces. Like I said above, it is good for your soul.

I will be back soon...Florida in three days!