Best friends.....

Best friends are people in your life that make you laugh louder.....

Smile brighter.....

And LIVE better.

Central California or Maui, Hi the laughs never stop,

The wine flows freely.....

And we get back to living the way life was meant to be lived.

And in the end.....

And in the end it's not the years in your life that count.....

It's the life in your years.

The years are passing quickly.....

But the memories of each life adventure burn brightly.

Happy Birthday Uncle Matt

It's a girl.....

 100 years from now it will not matter 

what my bank account was, the sort of house I

lived in, or the kind of car I drove.....

But the world may be different because I was

important in the life of a child.

Monkey, today your mommy and daddy 

announced to the world - It's a girl !!!

And from this moment, something tells me 

that Papa and I are going to love you FOREVER.

Good friends never say goodbye.....

Good friends never say goodbye.....

they simply say......

"see you soon."

Maine - Day # 3

The way life should be.....

- MAINE -

"The way life should be"

I was taken out of my comfort zone.....

Makeup not required....

Pony tails were considered "doing my hair".....

Trendy clothes absolutely not necessary.....

Out of my comfort zone and I've loved every minute.

Maine - Day # 2

Where America's day begins.....

 MAINE

- Where America's day begins -

It might have been our mutual love for yorkies or or shared motto  of " you can never have too many pillows.

Our friendship easily developed into lunches, brunches, and dinners.....

Once it was obvious Miss T was once again counting town the days until she could get out of the oppressively HOT Florida summers your Mimi begged her not to go all summer said suggested that 6 weeks was sufficient...
there was no negotiating, she was going no matter what.....

So when Miss T calls and says please come to visit what does Mimi say ????
I"ll be  on the next plane!!!

Maine -Day #1

Spend time with those you love.....

Spend time with those you love.....

One of these days you will say either, I wish I had,"

Or "I'm glad I did."

- Zig Ziglar -

Papa's job takes him away from home so much more than I wish.....

Holiday's at home rarely occur.....

So when Papa says "I'm going to be in Dublin, Ireland on the Fourth of July come with me.....

I think for about 1/1000 of a second, pack my bag, and hop on the next plane....

It's not traditional but it's our "normal" and I can say.....

"I'm glad I did."

Good food is all the sweeter.....

Good food is all the sweeter.....

When shared with good friends.

Cooking doesn't come easy for me.....

in fact many would argue that what I "do" in the kitchen is even considered cooking at all.....

your culinary talents, Monkey, will not be taught or genetically passed on by your Mimi.....

thankfully your mommy is an excellent cook so your meals won't be of the "microwave" variety.....

so if you ever have a friend who says "let me show you how to make scallops and crab legs that don't need to be thrown in the garbage" you scream - yes, please, and thank you all at once.

And when that evening is peppered (and salted by Miss Patty) with laughter, love, and "selfies" it allows me to forget, even if only for a short time, how much pain I'm in,

and realize how blessed I am to have such amazing "talented" friends.....

Just wait Monkey for the post on a French meal that was prepared for us - just because !!!

As Aunt Penny says - you have a glass and it's either half full or half empty - I choose half full.

Let's get this party started 

Scallops for the win !

If scallops are good, scallops, crab legs, and steak are even better.

Friends are for making smiles and memories......

Love you guys !

Irene, Ian, Patty, Vern, Jack, Anne

Son, you outgrew my lap.....

Son, you outgrew my lap.....

but never my heart.

- Unknown -

This visit will be short.....

the older your Uncle Cole gets the busier he becomes.....

but you'll  cherish the moments you spend with him as much as we do.....

you'll laugh at his silliness,

 and be in total shock at the amount of food he can consume in a single sitting.....

he'll want you to watch Jeopardy with him

 and will challenge you to answer as many questions as you can.....

you mention Disney and your Uncle Cole will be second in line (Mimi is first) to take your hand and smile in wonder as you take in the Magical Kingdom.....

He's a special son to us, your mommy's little brother, and your daddy's sidekick when we are all together.....your Uncle Cole is waiting to meet you little Monkey.....

and each day brings us closer to "you".

If tomorrow all the things are gone.....

 If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life

and I had to start again with just my children and my wife

I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today

'cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away

And I'm, proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free

and I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me

and I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today

'cause there ain't no doubt I love this land - God bless the USA.

- Lee Greenwood -

When you say yes to others.....

 

When you say yes to others.....

make sure you are not saying no to yourself.

- Paul Coelho -

Monkey, it is always better to give than to receive but always remember to:

take time for yourself.....

walk in the sand.....

swim in the pool.....

smile at the sunshine and find wonder in the first snowfall.....

and even once in a while - go to the spa, get a facial, and take a "selfie" in the mirror.