Stay Beautiful

I made the mistake of refreshing pages of the Trip Advisor Sanibel Island Forum this morning. It made me feel kind of (and really I wish I had a different name for this, because it sounds pathetic)...homesick.



Honestly, I know I've not traveled much. So I really feel guilty for saying I love that place so much. Because how can I really know for sure?



Except that I just do. I guess. We're not going this summer. Which is cool.



I don't even want to think about the drive. I swore on the way home last year that the next time I visited my dear Sanibel, I would be arriving in a plane.



Unless of course someone said to me tomorrow, "Wanna drive with me to Sanibel." And I swear, it could be a complete stranger and I'd be all...SIGN ME UP.



But I digress. My mother has 6 days off of work at the end of this month. I have no idea where we'll be going, or what we'll be doing. With all that's gone on this year (social security, car problems, health issues) it's been difficult to find the time to plan an elaborate trip, so this year's motto seems to be, the world is our oyster. Whatever that means. They have to do something with the van first. But my best guess is we'll start driving and just see where we end up. I've heard mumblings of Charleston, Asheville, Hilton Head, camping, hotels with pools.



I'm kind of excited. I like a good adventure. And knowing my family it will be one. And in all honesty, I keep telling myself that anyplace is better than no place at all.



But Sanibel? Stay beautiful until I return.

Old Tweeter

Was going through old Tweets tonight when I found this one about taking our beloved gnome, Cotton Cuddlesworth IV on vacation with us:

Jon on Cuddlesworth's trip readiness: "He's probably looking foward to seeing the lady gnomes on the beach."


So that made me laugh pretty hard. But like my family always says...I'm easily amused.

Runner up Jon quote from Twitter (for now, because this list could get long if I continue):

"April, I know my presidents and vice presidents and brothers of presidents." Jon, when asked if he knew who Ted Kennedy is.

Vacation Vlog

Cassie's latest post made me remember a video blog from vacation that I'd never uploaded. They are both rather pointless, but pointless is interesting sometimes, isn't it? haha

Things of note:

-Jon's voice has gotten SO MUCH DEEPER since June. Oh my Lord. I hadn't realized. He sounds so young here. He was also agitated with me at the beginning of this video, we'd been arguing about my driving skills, no joke.
-Treading water is a common threat around these parts. Our Dad takes on this hilarious captain persona when we're near water.
-They call me GPS, it's a bit of an insult. They do it because I'm always confident about directions, even when I shouldn't be.


Vacation 08--Trip to Jerry's Part One from apsies on Vimeo.


Vacation 08--Trip to Jerry's Part Two from apsies on Vimeo.

This year I really want to remember to take more little videos like this. I think they are a hoot to look back on.

Anybody want to buy me a Flip? I think I need one of those.

Photo of the Day: Post Crazy Edition

So I've been wondering all day how you follow up breaking the news to the world via your blog that you're crazy and made some seriously bad decisions once upon a time.

A) Do you ignore it and pretend it never happened?

B) Do you delete the post and pretend it never happened?

C) Do you vow to quit blogging because your disclosure level has reached epic levels and therefore you should really just stop?

D) Or do you post a Photo of the Day and call it a night?

I went with option D.


Jon starting one of several late nights of fishing in Sanibel this summer. This is one of many photos I just recently discovered existed, something about taking a 1000 pictures in a single trip made me forget to upload a ton. But I can't look at that hat and NOT laugh.

Smorgasbord

I would kill for Blake Lively's legs.



And her hair.



And her boyfriend.



Basically if I'm ever reincarnated I'm coming back as Blake Lively.

In other news, remember when my Chiweenie, Molly, was having trouble learning to walk on a leash?

I found a little video proof that she mastered it!

And since I enjoy blogging the mundane, I immediately uploaded it to share.

I know, I know, you can thank me later.



Interesting things about this video:

*Wow, I have a shrill and annoying voice.
*You can hear the water! I miss the water. Quick, somebody get me to a beach.
*See all of the shells? That is the amazing thing about Sanibel. Seashells as far as the eye can see. Miss, miss, miss. Although the living room is overflowing with vases of them from our trips there.

I found this photo as I was organizing my set from this trip (I know, only a month and a half later! I still haven't even had any printed!). I just like it. I love it when storms roll in at the beach, the way you can see them coming from the horizon with nothing blocking your view. Sigh.



And finally, more of the Butterfly Set. Just because I liked how these turned out.











There is always that butterfly (or one identical to it at least) stuck to that flower every single day. I mean, I knew planting a 'Butterfly Bush' might attract a few, I didn't know they'd be moving in.

But I like it.

Photos of the Day

I liked all of these for obvious reasons.

I've come home renewed, which has been a great and surprising after effect of the vacation. I want to watch tons of movies, read a million books and create beautiful things.

I went grocery shopping yesterday to stock up on all of the things we were lacking. I've noticed lately that the bulk of my shopping time is devoted to the produce area of the store. There were no canned foods, no convenience purchases, nothing more frozen than a box of ice cream. It really made me happy to realize my success in changing the way I eat. Tonight I'm trying a new grilled corn and chicken recipe, all very healthy and hopefully delicious.

Progress.

Yesterday I went to the local library for the first time in months, I just haven't been reading much lately. But I grabbed several things that looked interesting and captivating. I managed to devour Rosie O'Donnell's "Celebrity Detox" yesterday and later I'm starting Cecilia Ahern's "If You Could See Me Now".

But I'm dying for recommendations. What have you read lately (or not so lately) that you've absolutely loved? I'm open to anything.

Trip Recap

I've spent 17 hours on the road in the past day and a half thinking about how I would tell you all about my vacation. There are perhaps two ways to do so, the first way would be sugarcoat things. I'd tell you what a fabulous time I had, how I can't wait to go back, look at me...be jealous, and share a few pictures.

But since I strive to maintain a level of honesty on this blog I will say that telling you that version of the story just isn't quite fair. Because when I'm being honest, both with myself and you all reading, I will admit this one thing: vacation kicked my ass.

It is sort of an oxymoron to think of a vacation that kicks you ass. Don't you take a vacation to avoid ass kickage? To sit on a beach and meditate on life, drink a few frozen concoctions and chill?

Yes, well I suppose some people do. People who take all inclusive trips to some resort in the Bahamas. Those who fly to their destinations. And those who travel ALONE.

But it's adventurous to think you can get a group of people together who call themselves family, make them various ages and then think that everything will be peachy. I know this because I saw it all over the island, all week long in families that were not just my own.

The trip began with a route change, the first of many changes in my "plans". And I won't deny that I struggled with the idea of just letting the little things go. There was no Savannah on the way down, and once we were on the road I was at the mercy of two people who don't believe in stopping to rest for the night. Which meant no hotel. And one group of highly exhausted people upon arrival.

The route change did mean we got to sit in traffic in Atlanta for quite some time, at which point I did manage to get my "I told you so" moment. This lone traffic problem meant that on the way home I finally got my way. But, more on that later.

Because there was no layover and minimum stopping we arrived way ahead of schedule to Sanibel. So ahead of schedule we had to drive around the island for three hours, killing time before our condo was ready. This was another hitch in my plan. A very hot, very annoying hitch that had us circling the 12 mile by 5 mile island God knows how many times.

Thankfully check in went seamlessly, the condo was exactly as it was online and the view was gorgeous. There is no sugarcoating this part, it's all truth. I was mystified by the gulf outside of my window. The sound of waves lapping the shoreline. The birds flying overhead and the palm trees so close you could touch.

There is not much to really report on for the week. There are things I wanted to do but didn't, like spend more time on Captiva or shell Bowman's Beach, but nothing I'm crying over. Jon and Dad had a great time fishing, including catching a huge snook and various other specimen I'm not familiar with. And for the most part I enjoyed myself.

Except for the lugging and hauling and cooking. There were so many times I cursed myself this week for not planning a vacation to a resort that sits out chairs and umbrellas for you. A resort that has a restaurant on site. Or one with towel service. This has become the biggest gripe of the entire trip. Sometimes a vacation rental just isn't as relaxing and this was one of those times.

I'm still not sure if it was all to blame on the long ride which started me off in the sleepy column anyway, but I spent 7 days in a blur of tired, droopy thoughts and actions. I don't think I ever recovered before I was on the road again.

A vacation should be relaxing. Despite how close we were to the beach it didn't make hauling a chair and umbrella down the boardwalk any less not-fun. Nor did the fully equipped kitchen ever make up for being stranded on an island with a $6 toll and NO FAST FOOD.

I don't think McDonalds had ever sounded so good before.

So I learned.

I learned that Sanibel is out of my system for a while.

I learned that a long drive is no longer appealing.

I learned that no matter how cute the vacation rentals are in the future: PICK THE RESORT INSTEAD.

God, I got so smart on this trip.

By the time we decided to leave everyone was in agreement that avoiding Atlanta would be preferable. Which meant two things in my little mind: Savannah and Asheville.

Remember those parents of mine who don't believe in laying over anywhere??

Yeah, I don't think I have to tell you how that leg of the trip went. I think I managed to wave to both cities as we flew by.

Again, I'm just letting that one go. No need in getting worked up.

At least I can now add both Carolinas to the list of states I've been in. Only 40 more states to go.

It was a trip of learning, of growth and of letting go. I got Sanibel out of my system for a while, had a wonderful time shelling and taking pictures, and managed to squeeze in a moment or two of solitude.

Just remind me next year that I need to be at some hotel and spa in Savannah or Asheville. ;)

I'll be posting a few pictures this week of my favorite moments from the trip. Just to offset the complaining I guess. And I'll share all of my pretty "souveniers". If anything, they truly kicked good ass on this trip.

But first my pupils need to get reacquainted with the backs of my eyelids; they've missed each other.

Photo of the Day

The perfect way to cap off a beautiful vacation. Full trip report when I return (probably more than you'll ever want to hear). Tomorrow I'll be on the road again, this time through SAVANNAH!!! Cross your parts and hope I get to drive in to the Paula Deen Store.

Just Checking In

I'd write more but I'm too zapped mentally from all this laying around doing nothing stuff.

Umm, beach is good. The end.

www.flickr.com/photos/apsies34/ if you want to see how it's been so far.

Should mention d-SLR envy is THICK on this trip. Everywhere I turn someone has a Canon or Nikon in their hands, ugh. Must buy one this fall.

But other than that, I've ate too much and been way too lazy. Which means one thing: success so far.

The View From The Front Door

What more do I need? I've just been blown away by the wonderful views on this trip, the pretty water, low tides and good weather (**crosses fingers for rest of trip**).

I've been exactly what I said I'd be: laid back. This morning I went out alone for a little coffee from The Sanibel Bean, then I picked up the tab on some bait shrimp for my Dad as a little low key Father's Day present. We spent the day beaching it up, the afternoon on the lanai, a little time at the grocery and tonight I walked the dogs up and down the low tide. And honestly, that's about all I have to report.

Love it.

Just a Warning

Vacation is about to begin. Let's hope I don't cry too much over leaving Jack tomorrow, that we all make it in one piece and I maintain my new not uptight exterior. Oh, and that I remember to capture all of those funny moments, and faces and places with the lens of my camera.

I leave my favorite passages from Anne Morrow Lindbergh's "A Gift from the Sea", a book she wrote while living on the islands I'm visiting.

The Beach is not the place to work; to read, or write or think. I should have remembered that from other years. Too warm, too damp, too soft, for any real mental discipline or sharp flights of spirit. One never learns. Hopefully, one carries down the straw bag, lumpy with books, clean paper, long over-due unanswered letters, freshly sharpened pencils, lists, and good intentions. The books remain unread, the pencils break their points, and the pads rest smooth and unblemished as the cloudless sky. No reading, no writing, no thoughts even--at least not at first....

....The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach--waiting for a gift from the sea.