On your mark, get set...

The time has come!! This weekend marks the craziest, second most anticipated moment of my best friend's wedding shenanigans... The Bachelorette Party! Location?

Let it be known that our dear, sweet, innocent - yes, she actually categorizes in all of the above - bride to be does not partake in such party scenes and this may be somewhat of a chore for her. So it is our duty to help. And that we shall. ;) 

Given the obvious, this post will remain until a follow up post upon my return. 

For now, I'll leave you with a list of the songs I'm sure we'll be jammin' to on the car ride down. Gotta keep it in the theme of the weekend... so here we go! 

 

(a pure classic)

Have a safe weekend, ya'll!! <--- that was weird coming from me, but what the heck...

Thursday blog hop

Well. it looks as though I've beat the link up host today! ;)

Don't forget to link up with Delightfully Chic, and discover new blogs. Join the fun! 

Have a happy Thursday!! :)

"Dig a tunnel, dig dig a tunnel..."

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend! It seems as though my internet did... grrrr. I find myself always apologizing for late posts. This issue will find itself a resolution soon, I promise.

Moving on... I'm quite excited to share my newest project! If I could scan a photo of our whole neighborhood in its current state, there are shrubs pulled out and new ones planted. It seems as though everyone had the same idea this year!! I say that, because I used to live in this same house - 9 years ago - and not a lot had changed when we moved in this fall. As previously stated in an earlier post, we too had landscape in need of serious repair - and we did it! Well, Chris did it. THIS TIME, it was my handy work that spiffed it up a notch. Yes, spiff - is that word even used anymore?  

I know, I know... another landscaping post probably sounds as fun as actually watching the flowers grow - didn't I do anything adventurous this Memorial Day weekend? - yes, THIS. It was a big step for this girl. Bare with me. It's quite impressive. ;)  First things first, my youngin' and I went down to a local florist; aka: an outdoor stand, selling beautiful flowers for as low as $1.99! Not bad for someone who might kill them in less than a week. We'll take 6!

Back home, I had everything set up. It looked easy enough. Although, I couldn't have done it without my handy helper. She really made it easy on mama.

She worked so hard digging those tunnels - if you're familiar with The Lion King 1 1/2, you'd get it - it was time for mom to take over so she could take a little rest...

 ...and the reveal of our hard work! :) 

 TA-DA!! :)

I may have given my self a well-deserved pat on the back. I'm pretty domesticated, but the outdoor landscape stuff is new to me, so I'm still learning. It was surprisingly fun - more rewarding than anything. Now lets see if I can keep these babies alive! Speaking of!!!!! I need to go water them... crap.

Toodles!

Let's LINK UP

No creative blog today... and found it relieving I wasn't alone when I hopped on over to visit Yoga Pants, finding she also wanted to keep it nice and simple. Just what I was intending.

Lets link up, and share our tunes for:

Currently obsessed with this song...  Heard it on a reward show long ago, and recently rediscovered it!!!   

Here's another all time favorite I'd love to share, just because I'm in a really good mood!

And a little country... yes, country! I'm sure there's people that'd still be wrapping their heads around the current playlists on my iPod. BUT, we need to gear up for next weekend - my best friend's Bachelorette party!! And given the location - Nashville, TN - what better way to prep?!

No this isn't a peppy song, but it's one of my favorites and I rock it out solid when it comes on the radio. 

Have a happy, long, SAFE weekend, everyone!!

Palm trees, Coronas and... Snowmen

Inspiration for today's post developed during a late FaceTime chat with some old/new friends. My mind immediately trailed down memory lane to a recent trip where we met these wonderful people.

Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas

To describe the SIZE of this ship is impossible... you have to see it to believe it. Really, there's no words. I'll share two of our favorite spots; Central Park, and the Solarium. 

Now, onto what this post was initially about... our new friends, and the moments I'll never forget!

Everyone, meet Mike & Tammy!

What began as our honeymoon, ended as the best vacation with two new friends. Our encounter was on an unforgettably windy morning - and when I say windy, I mean knocking me off my feet. Shading my face from the sun, I always wear a hat - not knowing it would be the cause of an introduction to our newest friends!! To further explain, my hat blew off and rolled down the aisle, Mike grabbed it -  voila! After Chris and I found a new spot, less windy, Mike and Tammy followed and the rest is blissful history!! :)

For the duration of the trip, the four of us were inseparable. We even added an excursion to our agenda to further extend the adventures!

The absolutely gorgeous, Magen's Bay.

 Suntans and sunburns in tow, we made our way back to the ship. There, we established "our spot" at Globe and Atlas pub, where cocktails, coronas, and snowmen became the highlights of our evenings; along with music by Jimmy!

There was never a dull moment with us. Here are a few more photos to share...

It was so great in fact, we already booked a trip in July to reconnect! This time there will be 6 total... bringing the kids! :) As fate would have it, Tammy and Mike have a beautiful 4 year old daughter - she is a doll. Both of our girls sent a little video greeting to one another when we returned from our trip. It was precious, so we're anxious to get them together.

This is not meant to be a sappy post, but I'm really missing our friends!! I can't wait to see them again. We were lucky, and blessed to have met such a wonderful couple. Our connection was effortless, and I'm hoping we continue this friendship for the rest of our days. They love traveling, as do we, so there's no doubt many adventures await us! There's only about 6 hours between us, but still not close enough for frequent visits, so until our trip (and between future trips) we are thankful for FaceTime. ;)

...a bit blurry, but look at those smiling faces! :)

Tammy and Mike - if you're reading this - we love you and can't wait to see you again!!!! Countdown is 51 days, and it couldn't come sooner.

A moment of silence...

Today, I had intended on sharing a happy post... yet, with the unexpected events in Oklahoma yesterday, I find it only necessary to dedicate today's post with reflection, and a prayer. 

My heart aches for those families, the teachers and children in the schools... the multiple homes and lives lost. Reality doesn't set in often enough, quite like it did yesterday. Quietly sitting next to my husband and daughter, tears unwillingly filled my eyes. Along with yesterday's post - Counting our blessings is essential. You never know when tragedy will arise. 

May God - the Father of all mercies - comfort this town; 

and that they seek Him in their hearts, to surpass this tragedy.

photo credit