Things That Make Me Smile

I'm in kind of a sour mood today--not bad, just, sour. I don't really know why....But, to counter that, I present to you, things on my happy list today. Three cheers for happy!

A yummy smelling candle
Jax Teller (God bless Kurt Sutter for creating this show)
(picture from here)

House (PTL it's a new episode tonight! Also? FINALLY!))

(picture from here)

Agent Booth (I swear, if he proposes to that wench, Hannah, I will have an aneurysm--mark my words)

(picture from here)

Dr. Chase. Please and thank you. (Why I didn't run off to Australia when I was 18 to find myself a man, I will never know)

(picture from here)
(so this could have basically been titled "men who have accents and or are in the FBI")

These shoes.

Well, and these ones too, because COME ON, WHY NOT:

A spritz of this

Imagining I'm on this beach again

(picture from here)

This movie. Obviously.

What's on your happy list today?

Signs of Summer

(besides the freaking heat and humidity that we've been hit with, holy hell. I want to die. Or move to Colorado. Something)

A few weeks ago, my Ella Mae was running around outside past her bedtime and because I am 500 years old and get up at 5AM on Saturday, that little beagle needed to get her booty in the house. Now. I go outside to see what's distracted her, and wouldn't you know it, like any sweet Southern gal, she's out there chasing fireflies! It was the cutest thing. I about died. I let her play for a few more minutes. Because I'm a good puppy mom like that.

And then, just like that, it's summer (I know it's "technically" not, but, I don't care, shut up).

It's summer when the music in my car has switched from my standard repeat of George, Pat and Dwight (judge away, I don't care) to George, Pat, Kenny, Jimmy, Bob and The Eagles (random, right?).

It's summer when I open the sunroof on the drive home.

When I buy a new perfume that reminds me of the islands (Escada Ocean Lounge in case you're wondering).

When my husband requests a coconut cake for his birthday (I knew I married this man for a reason).

When I pull out the old Sugar Mill cookbook and send Rum French Toast recipes to friends.

When I come home and Rach is pink from sitting in the sun all afternoon.

When thoughts of the islands fill my mind every waking second.

When the smell of Coppertone is heaven.

When I remember the days long ago of endless waves on silky white sand and laughing the day away with my mom. When I remember breakfast at Long Bay Beach Club and dinners at Pusser's. When melted ice cream (because the freezer never worked) and grilled pizza (because the power never stayed on) makes me laugh and cry at the same time.

When all I can think about is my mom. And the places we went.

And the places we wanted to go.

When my BFF just returned from another fabulous vacation and I stare at her all starry eyed, knowing 100% that she was put in my path for a reason--and that my mom had a role in it.

When things slow down, the temperature goes up and it's like I'm 17 again.

Like I was back in the Islands. Getting sunburned, heat rash, mosquito bites and all.

Someday. Someday I'll go back.

Until then, I'll rock out to Kenny, I'll make pina colada pancakes (they're better than they sound) and lay by the pool.

After all, isn't that what summer is all about?

Catalina, Catalina, Catalina!

Eeeek! I'm so excited I could die (but, I won't). This marathon has been my "goal" since last summer. Last summer when I hadn't even completed marathon numero uno, last summer when Danica blogged about Operation Jack. It's finally here.I can't believe it!

It's going to be a butt kicking, I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to walk on Sunday, but, helllloooo, I get to run a marathon on Catalina Island! How awesome is that?!?

And, I'm running for Operation Jack, which as you know is so important to me. The inspiration from Sam and what he's doing has kept me going and I couldn't have gotten through my first marathon (and second!) without all his encouragement and advice. True, I'm going to run a few more for Operation Jack this year, but, this is the big one.

Thank you to all of you who donated (and to those who didn't, DO IT NOW) (seriously, donate! Go without your latte for the day, it won't kill you) (promise) (and, you'll feel so good about it!).

I hope that I can truly make a difference in Sam's goals this year for Operation Jack and Catalina is a great start.

I'm scared, I'm nervous, but, I get to run a marathon here:

(photo from here)

Eek!

California sunshine, here I come!

PS. Donate!

Shades of Perfection

My favorite colors are pink and green, and yet, my favorite place on earth is bathed in magical shades of blue. I don't know.

I may or may not have been a little down lately, which may or may not stem from a) bff being in Europe without me, b) work kicking my enlarging booty, c) aforementioned enlarging booty, d) summer electric bills, d) that general feeling of "aloneness" that washes over me periodically....

In any event, I dream of going back here. I dream of the warm sun on my face, the salty water, the terrible hair days, laughing until I cry, boat trips to neighboring islands, ferry rides from hell, the amazing food, the sweet people and my favorite half way melted ice cream...mostly, I miss the feeling that I get there. That feeling of pure serenity and bliss. Of knowing that everything is OK and that the world may be crazy, but, here, the world turns more slowly, and that's OK.

I may dream about vacations to Greece, I may pine for the Norwegian Fjords, I may debate an Andes trek, but, at the end of the day, my heart really belongs here...

image, via flickr

(I have swung on that swing many a time)

image, via flickr

image via flickr

My amazing mother took the last two.... How I miss her talent and eye... I wish I had all her island pictures to share with you, but, I'm finding more and more of them... Maybe one day I'll get them all converted to DVDs and load them here... We'll see....

Ready to hop plane yet?? Yeah, me too...

Let There Be Peace on Earth

I think if everyone just went here, things would be so much easier.

I'm rather burned out at the moment at the thought of just being back in my favorite place in all the world brings a smile to my face.

Seriously, Kenny knew what he was talking about when he wrote "Old Blue Chair" because that's just the way you feel there. I could never forget all the great memories I've had there, and such a desire to return. It's like a piece of me is missing....Which, I admit is strange, but, I did leave a piece of my heart there all those years ago.

I'm a Shabby Princess, I'm sure I can figure out a way to return soon. After all, as we've previously learned--I'm scrappy!

Can you believe that's me in that picutre?? (I can't either--however, it was ages ago. I think I was 17 there). My mommy took these shots, because, she was an amazing photog--clearly....