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

U Can't Touch This....

Oh, yes, I can... In Marathon, Florida today I met this cool French Bulldog named Hammer, at a tiki bar while enjoying peel and eat shrimp and a lime drinky thingy. Apparently he is a regular at said bar and actually arrived by boat with his owner-- on the front like a giant hood ornament. In the Keys it is very common to see dogs, cats, and even chickens wandering around restaurants. And I love it. And can I tell you, this dog had his swerve on!! I couldn't take my eyes off him as he strutted his stuff on his way to his normal table. All the waitresses and bartenders called out to him by his name. As a crazy animal lover, I just HAD to meet him. Turns out this big boy, all 165 pounds of him, is a total cream puff. He allowed me to pet and hug up on him. I ran my fingers thru his face wrinkles and smoothed the fur on this knotty head. He gave me a kiss and posed for the photo. (sort of!) After he was properly fawned over and treated to some fish, he took his coolness back out and got in his boat and motored off into the sunset. Kind of a canine rock star that did 'ol baggy pants, MC proud.

I will be here enjoying the pleasures of the Keys for five weeks, doing a remodel project on the condo, so get ready for more 'paradise updates'! My own personal 'Hammer Time!' Makes ME feel like a rock star... xo

Summer Breeze....

Lately I have been reading like a crazy woman. My ipad is hauled around with me and pulled out anytime I have to wait for anything. Lately it has been enjoyed at both my Dr.'s and dentists offices, de-stressing the wait time and turning it into a little 'escape'-- as much as possible while anticipating these delightful occasions.

I stumbled across an author named Lisa Genova when her book "Left Neglected" came up on a list of 'must reads' I must have read somewhere. Left neglect is an actual name of a disease that the main character suffered after an auto accident WHILE TEXTING. The story takes on a large responsibility by educating readers on the little known condition. Our brain can actually 'forget' it has a left side and will not send the normal cues out for response. We also learn how a moment of carelessness can be a very slippery slope and potentially life altering. I found it fascinating to learn of the bodies capability of stubbornly holding on to this condition and the characters determination and humor in dealing with it.

Then, as I am wont to do, I moved on to her next book, "Still Alice" that also tackles a medical condition. I had never heard of the horrifying thing known as Early Onset Alzheimer's. Again it is highly informative and very tragic at the same time. If you have ever known anyone with Alzheimer's, you already known the horror of realizing that you are losing your mind. Very heartbreaking. Makes me thankful for the health I enjoy while wondering if my forgetfulness and need for lists is something more than my usual run of the mill dizziness.

I still am uncomfortable with giving a 'real' book review. Blogfriend Charles, however, does it superbly. Let me just recommend and see how it flys. After such serious fare, I am on to a few biographies and memoirs. Don't be too impressed--this one is by Cheryl Burke and it's a welcome mind break. Anyone reading anything interesting? Would love to know what y'all are into currently. Those of us in D town are once again digging out from a winter blast. What a great time to settle in and READ!!! xo P.S. Auntie misses her precious Aeryn...xoxo

Heart Shaped World...

Happy Valentines Day. I will not get into the fact that hearts, flowers, chocolate and champagne are a few of my favorite things. I will not apologize. I will use any excuse or day to celebrate these things and love doing it. Whatever, how ever. And like we used to say in the 70's--do your own thing, baby....

A very special sa-mootch to two of my very favorite valentines who just happen to be celebrating birthdays on February 14. First, my Gramma Iola who is 97 years young and as fabulous as ever! Your doing great, Babe and we all love you very much! Then to my favorite little furbag, Lola Simone who is 6 years old and the best nap buddy in the world. You have my heart.

And lest I could ever forget, YOU my readers who give me the time of day each week and take a moment to comment. I smile at each and every one. To my special Valentine blogfriends, who's blogs I visit and comment on--I feel like I've known you forever. You entertain, educate, and amuse me and I thank you so much. Why do I feel like I am accepting the Grammy? Cuz it's an honor-that's why! Love and hearts to y'all. Now go eat some chocolate and drink some champagne with someone you love. And don't forget to stop and smell the roses...xoxoxo