End of Summer Trip

At the end of August, I found myself at my happy place (no, not Disney World) once again. There is nothing like the smells and sounds of the ocean. When we drive onto Chincoteague Island across the causeway that takes us over the salt marsh, I love to roll down the windows and take in the smells. I anticipate being able to kick off my flip flops (yes, Sam...I still wear them daily in the summer when I'm not barefoot) and walk across the sand toward the ocean's edge. I can almost hear the waves crashing and the smell of the ocean. Nothing cleanses my soul like the ocean (well, Disney is a close second!)

This trip was very laid back. My mother-in-law (other mother) and I spent some quality girlie time hanging out, reading books, and picnicking on the beach. The guys spent their time golfing and fishing, and we weren't 'allowed' to go. That was fine with us! ;)


My lovely other mother and me at the beach...after a coupla cosmos. ;)

The Man is an early riser, so he spent his early mornings taking Molly in the car to McDonald's for coffee (him) and for a sausage biscuit (her.) Then, they would hit the nature trail for their daily walk. He found that they would have to go before the sun rose because Molly, being a miniature Schnauzer and thinking she was a pit bull, liked to antagonize every. single. dog that she saw. The other dogs laughed at her, I'm sure. Or, they wanted to be like her since clearly she IS a princess. ;)


The Man and Molly...she thinks he's HER man, but she's delusional!

I did manage to talk The Boy into coming to the beach with us for an afternoon. He played volleyball with a group of young people and then chilled with us. It's nice to have mom-son-grammy time every once in awhile. ;)


The Boy at the beach...sorry his underwear is hanging out. I guess that's cool or something...or maybe he just needed to pull up his shorts?

Relaxing at the beach....PRICELESS.

Throwing the Diet out the Window...

My mom, sister, and I are in the Chicago 'burbs this week for some girl time. Margie teaches Spanish and is attending a TPR Storytelling seminar. My mom and I are along for the ride and are attending a Japanese class in the morning in the TPR Storytelling method. We are actually understanding the language! It's such fun.

Not only are we learning, we are EATING a lot! I don't usually eat dessert on a daily basis, so I'm getting a constant sugar buzz (which, if you know me...I mean REALLY know me, you know I'm naturally high on life, so I don't need sugar to get me going! lol)

On our first night, we had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. OH MAMA! Mom had pasta with sun dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Margie had fish tacos and I had baja chicken tacos. The tacos were served with black beans and rice. The black beans tasted just like the filling my brother makes for his black bean quesadillas. We were in HEAVEN! (Sam...it was like you were there too, because we were talking about you. Were your ears burning?)

I got a piece of Godiva cheesecake to go and ate some of it at the hotel. I couldn't finish it, but it was as close to heaven as a piece of cheesecake could get.

Last night, we decided to go to California Pizza Kitchen. Margie got a pizza with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. I got a pizza with roasted peppers, carmelized onions, mozzarella, parmesan, roasted artichoke hearts and salami. Mom got an Asian salad. Then, we split this:




mmmmm...I love Red Velvet Cake!

Stay tuned...soon I'll amaze you with my wild Japanese speaking skills!