Happy Birthday to my "Other Mother"

Twenty four years ago, I was not only blessed by marrying my best friend, but I was also blessed by inheriting his family.

My dear mother-in-law, who I refer to as my 'other mother' and I became fast friends. I know that I can pick up the phone and chat with her about anything. Whenever we're visiting, we spend hours talking about every day life, books, or whatever comes to mind. She taught me to cook Scott's favorite foods.

She even taught me how to fix my hair the time I mistakenly decided to get it frosted when I turned 30. I must have gone through a mid-life crisis, because believe me, I am not meant to be a blonde! I came home from the salon, Scott looked at me in disbelief and asked me to please call his mother to find out how to fix it, pronto! She just chuckled, said, "Oh honey...I've been there, done that!" and proceeded to tell me which hair color to go buy.

She's Grammy to The Boy. She's the type of Grammy who used to buy him messy toys and would get great pleasure whenever he was covered in paint, egg dye, or whatever else they got into at the time. She even bought him a pot-bellied pig one year for Easter, but Scott made her take it back before The Boy saw it because we weren't raising a pig in our house, thankyouverymuch.

A few years ago, she and her husband were looking for a vacation destination. Ed loves to fish and she loves the beach, so they settled on an island in VA. The next year, they stayed a few weeks longer...the next year, they stayed a few weeks longer than that. Then, last year, they decided to rent a place for a year and at the end of this past year, they renewed their lease because they love it so much. We visited twice this past summer and enjoyed the time we spent with them. She has made their vacation home extremely comfortable and 'homey.' She has that knack wherever they live, though.

She is very much the definition of a lady....and is one of the most beautiful people I've ever met. Ever.

Happy Birthday, Patty! Enjoy your day and live it up! May you have many, many more! (and I'm so happy you're living your adventure!)
xoxo

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.

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

I just had a short IM conversation with my dear mother-in-law. She said that they are going to renew their lease for another year at the beach!

That means more of this


And this

Can you smell that intoxicating ocean air? mmmmmm.....

And even these annoying critters

I love the beach! It sure beats the heck out of the soybeans and corn that grow in my back yard! ;)