We are Family...

 These days it's very hard to get family together-especially with little children.  It gets much more complex when the kids come from Japan, Slovenia, Denver and Ann Arbor!  Last weekend the stars aligned and for the first time ever, the whole gang came to my sister and brother in laws.  

The weather was perfection as we snacked, celebrated, laughed and ate some more.  The kids rode the golf cart around and fished in the pond.  We caught up on all the news and I was able to reconnect with my great nieces and nephews that I hadn't seen since I visited them in Dubai.  All of my nieces and nephews are very cosmopolitan, and I love hearing about their jobs and lives.  It's a very mixed bag of tricks!  I am very proud of all of them and their delightful children.

I often bemoan that everyday you see people that don't mean much to you, and it takes an act of God to spend time with those that you love.  And I love my gorgeous, intelligent, and very exotic family!

Family isn't something-it's EVERYTHING!  Love to all from Auntie Jodi  XO 

Break my Soul…

 We were driving to dinner in Islamorada when I spotted the boat.  On the oceanside, beached up on shore, sat a small blue boat.  I knew in an instant that it was a boat that ventured there from Cuba.  We see them all the time, homemade rickety crafts that house far more passengers than allowed-all fleeing from Cuba with its poverty, crime, and shortage of food and medicine.  They pack in the boats with the sole purpose of a better life starting in Miami.  Without adequate safety measures or food and water, they venture across in boats held together with tar and staples.  It’s an unbelievable risk of their lives.  All for the American Dream.

We pulled over and inspected the boat.  It was hard to believe that it made it from Cuba to Islamorada and we wondered if the passengers made it to someplace of refuge.  It is such a sobering sight to see this desperation up close and be reminded how very lucky I am.

For all that I try not to take for granted, I said a prayer for those dreaming of a better life.  God bless you and make the waters calm. May food, water and medicine be plenty for you.  May you reach your awaiting family and secure the life you are dreaming of.  God bless and Godspeed.

Running up that Hill...

20 years now

Where'd they go?

20 years

I don't know

I sit and I wonder sometimes

where they've gone... 

   Bob Seger

As I celebrated my 'official' launch into social security realm, this tune came to mind.  Wait-wasn't I just 44?  How in the world did 20 years slip by?  Not that it's been a bad run or anything, but really 20 years?  My Mom called to say that she couldn't believe I was 64, which is really something considering she will soon be 84!  

Now, I know, some of you will say that 'it's only a number.'  Yes, but it's a REAL number.  I feel like I look at things so differently now.  It's a relief to truly not give a care what anyone thinks of me.  I dress for myself and what works for me.  It matters not a whit what anyone thinks.  I curb my words carefully tho...I want to stay soft and not throw any harsh opinions around.  Nobody cares.  If I feel like a nap, I take it.  The same goes for dessert.  I will read for hours.  If I feel like hugging you, I do.  It's for me and I sometimes need it.  I do not question what has happened in my life.  I choose to believe that it's all for a purpose and sometime later, I will know the answers.  I pray more.  And I've slowed down.  If I make it to the gym-it's good, and if not, there's always tomorrow.  Family is #1.

Here's the hopes that the next 20 years bring health, love and happiness.  But for now, I gotta go collect that Social Security!   See, age has some? benefits!  XO

Watermelon Sugar…

 Hi friends!  After a long holiday weekend, I woke up with a nasty flu.  I will be laying low at the beach house till my symptoms abate.  See you next week when I’ll surely be back on my game.  Have a healthy week, Dolls.  Air kisses. 

Girl Time...

 We needed some 'girly time'.  AND it was her birthday!  Galpal Ms. Shanny and I were off to the beach house for a couple of days of our type of fun.  No boys allowed.  So, on a gorgeous sunny afternoon, Hazel and I scooped her up and headed north.

Upon landing at the beach, two crazy cat ladies indulged in afternoon cocktails and snacks-toasting Shannon's special day.  She was also the guest of honor at dinner with Mark and Cheryl, where she enjoyed her first taste of 'frickles.'  If you care to know...frickle's are deep fried, ham wrapped, dill pickle spears.  Soooooo, festive!  Arriving home, the internet was out.  No problem, Shannon and I are both dedicated bibliophiles so we pulled out our books and settled in.

A lazy day of shopping, beach walking and reading followed.  Long conversations where we vented and solved the world's problems.  It was restful and relaxing and totally cathartic and I think we both needed it.  And then our boys arrived and chaos ensued.  

Happy Birthday, dear friend and thank you for sharing it with me.  Let's do it again soon!

Sticky…

 Happy First Day of Summer-three whole months of my favorite weather!  I am never happier than when I’m barefoot, in a sundress and sunnies, with a wine in my hand.  Bring it all on-beach, boating, bonfires and barbecues.  I love it all.  

Thanks to VIN wine bar for providing libation and lounging while watching the world walk by.  And that red Queen sofa is everything!  XO

🎶End of the road🎶…

 🎶It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday, ay ay ayyyy.🎶  🎶Turn the page-ah…🎶

It is with much sadness that I am saying goodbye to my stilettos.  It’s been a great run and I used to say that I could run a 10k in them.  But now, I can barely walk-any distance!  Yep, the day has finally come to ditch my pretty heels.  Now, I’m not exactly ready for those fugly beige shoes with the Velcro closure, I an toning it down a bit.  A few inches at least.  Kitten heels, blocks and wedges are the direction I’m heading.  I sure don’t need to be falling a breaking a hip!  

So goodbye to my pretties and if anyone can use a size 8 Versace (for H&M) killer heels, I’m ready to pass the torch.  Ciao Bella!😘