Key West with my Bestie

and our dog...

  Last year, on Shawn's birthday, we were in Ft. Lauderdale making the decision to move down here. A year later, we are deciding on a house to buy. And to top it off, I took him to Key West!

We stopped at the beautiful Islamorada for lunch. You must check out Anne's beach and feed some Hungry Tarpon. The water is so colorful.
My hubby looks so handsome eating a Cinderella yogurt. I got cute little napkins and plates. Even brought sparkle candles for the petite cakes, but kinda forgot  about them. I blame it on the views.

  We stayed at this cute 'lil B&B on a quiet street but very close to everything. Having Bully there allowed us to walk and explore the neighborhoods. Shawn took dozes of pics of houses and their front yards to get ideas for ours.

 We were into the flora. Look! Orchids growing wild on trees!

There was oyster happy hours, marina strolling, fish feeding, wave running, and beach time.

 Big Tarpons

Shawn in volleyball Action

  The island's unofficial bird

When in Key West, you must: Scoot

Go see this buoy. Get serenaded by a gentleman at the turtle museum.

 Stop by the Western Union

 We had a blast. How will I top it next year? Perhaps, a huge partay at our own house.... I've started planning the menu this morning ;)

Help him out

 Last year, I wrote about planning ahead for the trifecta of holidays that November/December brings. Since Thanksgiving, my birthday, our wedding anniversary, and Christmas is all within a month, and will be until the end of time, there is some planning ahead to be done. I've just taken it upon myself to write in little reminders on the calendar, conveniently a few weeks ahead of the occasion. I think it helps, but we'll see this week ;).

Let's just hope our kids aren't born this time of year. They'll totally steal our thunder.

Tsk-Tsk

Woke up on a leisurely Saturday morning with plans to have a friend over, go to the beach, and have a couple tacos. On the way to the Mexican restaurant next door, Shawn's mom calls. They chat for a minute and then she drops the bomb:

Aren't you going to wish me a happy birthday?

The husband curses and apologizes. My eyes grown wide in disbelief. Oh no, he forgot his mom's birthday, which means we forgot his mom's birthday.

So today I made a Walgreens Photo book of her recent vacation pics. The hubbs had mentioned that she wanted something like this. It was very easy to upload and create. There was even a 40% promo in my e-mail for photo books. I made this book in 15 minutes, and told him to look at it. Which he didn't. I told him to leave his credit card and her address before he left for work, but he didn't. I really want to grab him by the shoulders and give him a big shake. Maybe something will stick!!!!

Normally, I wouldn't be so upset, but you shouldn't forget your mother's birthday. Or you wallet, or your house keys all in one week. I don't know what more to do, besides making sure he takes his vitamins, reciting his to-do list before he walks out the door, and assuring he carries a purse.

Is this normal? Or should I be worried that he'll forget to pick up Shawlani from school? Is three tasks too much for a man? Or is it my responsability to remember whatever he forgets? How can I not sound like a nag?

So many questions...

(and I'm serious about that purse!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Cheers!

    Today my mom celebrates her birthday in Houston, Texas. She is living the good life there with her sister. She made Houston her home last month.  I gather they go on lots of leisurely walks and pick fruit from trees in the backyard. Sounds good to me.

 Today also marks the one month anniversary of the Hubbs & I relocating to the sunshine state. I'd tell you what all we've accomplished in a month  but I'm not gonna steal my mom's thunder.

Love you MOM! Hope you love the flowers!

I will tell you that when I visit her, I am totally visiting the new BHLDN store.

from (here)

You know, I like their jewelry.

(Hubbs:"You looking at wedding stuff again?")

News and a birthday celebration

We are at it again.

Moving--that is.

Across a couple of states this time.

Ladies and gentlemen, we will now be Floridians.

Our new habitat will look something like this:

taken from the 9th floor roof pool

and this...

and bike rides under palm trees

That's right, within a month we'll move to South Florida, where the Shawn's job is relocating him. In fact, we just flew in from Ft. Lauderdale, checking out the area. Shawn just happened to spend his birthday there on Monday, which coincided with a company dinner at Seasons 52, in Ft. Lauderdale. Not so bad, considering how I was wondering how to top the all previous years with an ever dwindling budget...
Birthday 2011 was celebrated with a North Carolina backyard cookout and with some Florida sun:

a Shawn collage

I think he had a good one.
(all photos were taken by me.)

Impressed

My Hubbs is no ME, but he does good work.* I am impressed with his efforts yesterday.  He has the sweetest of intentions, and made me a happy, happy old lady.

He gets overwhelmed by the three big events within a month from each other, but I tell him we have the whole year to think about it. I remind him that my birthday will not take a backseat to our anniversary (within the same week), or Christmas. Each day has its own special meaning.
It always bothered me that the season from October to December gets treated like one big retail-obsessed holiday.  There are so many great holidays in there, but they all get mushed together. I love the season and fall is my absolute fav time of the year, but can't we relish each holiday without stocking the shelves for the next one right away?

(*Sigh*) I know the answer is no. I work in retail.

I am just asking for Halloween and Thanksgiving and my B-day to be over before decking the halls. In my house, not the ones everyone else's house. I understand families get together only a few times a year, so you gotta decorate while you got 'em captive. That being said, there is no excuse to not make each of our momentous occasions especially distinct from each other in our house.

This year was a bit different, though, with all the reception hoopla, and the fact that I didn't wanna make a big deal out of this birthday. 

"I am so handsome it drives my momma crazy."

The day was fabulous. I was served pancakes in bed. I enjoyed a leisurely walk with my hairy son, took in this little fat robin in the back yard.

"You want to squeeze me!"

After work, I got ready for our dinner date. I met him at Taste of Thai, glass of wine in hand, as planned. I enjoyed watching him walk in with a pink bag & box. Dinner was tasty and we made it to the 10:15 showing of Burlesque (Disclaimer: I sat through The Inside Job on Thanksgiving with two finance guys, Interesting, yes, but I felt like I was in class. I told Hubbs I wanted to see Burlesque after all the derivative talk). The movie was entertaining and we cut up like teens, being the ONLY ONES in the theater! We laughed a lot, made our Cher impressions, and went home for more gifts :).

Showing off his bling mug, munching a tiny biscuit

I am so proud of him for trying so hard. He makes me happy, and I feel lucky to be loved so unconditionally. We make each other better people.

Stay tuned for our (actual) first anniversary this Friday! I got him the perfect paper gift!

ta-ta!

*I am obsessed with perfection, of which I usually cannot achieve alone, but I try anyway. Sometimes get disappointed, but am learning to let go. By the grace of God, help from my mom, and my Hubbs, I am learning. Its tough.