Island in the Sun...

March 26, I've read, is an 'official' day to be considered. 'Make up your own holiday' is a novel idea and a good writing prompt for me. Let me see if my lazy, cocktail drenched brain is even able to engage..

Well, for one thing, the month of march is 'Deep Vein Thrombosis' month. Hmmmm, news to me--since I suffer the disorder myself. Just a little info to keep you up to speed on this sort of common, but rarely diagnosed disorder. When I was 35, and enjoying a salad on a lunch date, I just sort of collapsed and was unable to walk or talk. Very scary, especially for my date, Mark who had to CARRY my pitiful ass to the ER. It was thought at the time, that I was suffering from a funky PTSD brought on by a painful breakup..Fast forward 10 years later when it happened again, in an otherwise wonderful life. After 4 days in the hospital and every test known to man, I showed two spots on my brain, due to strokes! I was diagnosed with MS and put on the appropriate meds. Later, a spinal tap (yowchy!) showed that to be incorrect. A blood specialist found the defect and pinned me with DVT and promptly put me on massive blood thinners that leave me bloated and bruise prone. But I am no longer in danger of throwing clots. Just fat and black and blue! I will be on these evil meds forever. A simple, but thorough blood test could have originally found this problem in Alpena, but I did not have insurance at the time, and was basically stabilized and sent home to regain all my faculties. Undiagnosed, one more clot could have been my last.

So, for me, I just choose to celebrate life-as I do every day. You can guess that I have already made up and celebrated, 'Stay Naked all Day' day, and 'Eat Chocolate for all Three Meals Day', and a personal favorite, 'Stay Naked and Eat Chocolate for all Three Meals Day'! You know I could go on...

Let me know what you would make up for your own 'holiday' and what you would do. And if all else fails, get your blood checked while naked AND eating chocolate!!! xo

A Little South of Sanity...

And so it begins...Our annual 'Debauchery, Sloth, and Indulgence' tour, kicked off yesterday. All the usual players are here and ready for fun and sun. The weather report is perfect, perfect, and perfect! The rum and vodka have been installed in our new bar area. And we have ice in the door of the new fridge-more perfect! We finished the remodeling project in a record 2 and a half weeks and are very pleased with the results. It was long days and many trips to Home Depot, but it is finally complete. The new bar has 6 big comfy stools that will surely get broken in during the next 2 weeks. The Zodiac has already been out zipping around the mangroves and we have spotted manatees and a porpoise in our harbor. Not much else is planned other than the usual boating, eating, sunning and Key West visit. I could use and mani/pedi and a massage after lugging, hauling, schlepping, painting etc. I am raggedy! With the work done, more pool time is in my plans, also some reading and a few long naps with Lola. Lazy daze ahead...xo

Shiver me Timbers....

Ahoy, mateys! I realize the official 'Talk like a Pirate Day' isn't until September 19, but since I actually met some real life pirates, I just had to celebrate this monumental event a little early.

While treasure hunting at the Marathon Seafood Festival on Saturday-well blow me down-I found myself awash in pirate love when I met Cap'n Slappy and his beauteous wenches patrolling and pillaging the grounds. Avast! What pirattitude! After trading our best piratese and posing for this photo, I had to quench me thirst and headed my scurvy arse over to the libation tent for a nice cold mug 'o grog. If you are nautically inclined, I would advise you do the same... Arrrrrgh...

Rolling in the Deep...

Taking a break from painting and such to enjoy lunch at a favorite cafe. The 'host' is a large, golden retriever that not only escorts you to your outdoor table, but patiently waits in hopes that you will 'tip' him once your lunch arrives. I love lunching outdoors amidst the bougainvillea and lizards while looking like a local in my grubby work clothes.

That's all for now, cuz this working girls has gotta get back to the project-which by the way, is going well. See ya'll next week. xo