Happy Birthday, America!

I love the 4th of July. I get all patriotic inside. You know I can't sing...but when I hear Lee Greenwood, I'll belt it with the rest of 'em "cause there aint no doubt I love this laaaaaand! God Bless the USA!" I have a new found respect for soldiers too. Which makes me love this holiday even more. And my job at Ft. Benning working for the Army has opened my eyes to what they actually do for us, how hard they work, and how often they go unthanked. My dad was in the National Guard, a Major at that, but I was younger and didnt understand fully what he did for us. I have soldiers (around the office we call them "greensuiters") in and out of my office every day. Heck, I gotta yield for herds (well, I think they're officially called formations, platoons, etc) of soldiers crossing the street in front of me on Ft. Benning every day! I see Bradleys and Blackhawks and soldiers parachuting right above my building, and yes, I hear firing from nearby ranges. And I've never felt so safe. I know they're putting they're lives at risk, even just training at Ft. Benning daily, preparing to go to the Middle East, or a Southern border, or a flooded region close to home, for me. And my family. And yours. How humbling. But they'll tell you, "Just doing my job." Well, if my job is to make sure their barracks (where they sleep) or latrines (bathrooms) or training facilities are built to the best of my ability by God I'm gonna do it. Funy thing is, if I was building this same cafeteria (mess hall here) outside Ft. Benning for a private party, we'd be concerned with making sure the customer was happy with the perfect paint color, and the design in the floor tiles, and the brushed nickel door hardware. Here, our customer, our soldiers, are concerned with one thing--is it big enough? Can they get 300 soldiers in for "chow" at the same time because schedules are time and time is valuable and we must eat and hit the ranges to train some more. No fancy-smancy here. It's about Army values, and training. Anyway, I digress. No, I'm no joining the Army. But like I said I get all proud to be an American. I love my job, I'm proud of who I work for. I love that they get to wear the flag every day on their shoulder. That's a bad-a** for you. Remind me to should you what awesome opportunities I've had here, just for working with these amazing people (like skydiving with an Army Ranger!!) A.n.y.w.a.y.....so the fourth...was relaxxxxing. It was home to Mama and PaPa Bear's, where we played HGTV and redecorated a little. well, not Dad. He could care less...about everything but the budget. He was on the hunt for a Jeep. He thinks he needs a new toy. So Mom and I think we need new duvets, curtains, shams, occasional chairs, door hardware, bathroom countertops, tile.....you get the picture. It's fun decorating with someone else's plastic--ha! And it is looking beautiful too! Which leads me to this....I would love to show you my newly fluffed pillows at mom and dad's...... And I would love to show you us playing with Ethel, Dad's lab, in the yard this weekend..... Or maybe our late afternoon boat ride to see the fireworks..... Oh, I know, how about dinner on the patriotic plates Mama picked up special for the 4th..... Or how we all walked out ready for church on Sunday all in UNPLANNED coordinating black and white outfits. Too cute.... But wait, I cant. It probably would have helped it I actually remembered to put the memory card in my camera as I was packing for the weekend. Tsk tsk tsk.

Just the same.

Happy Birthday America. Gotta love us--the land of the free, and definitely the home of the brave.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DADDY!

This is the greatest man I know.

His dad was the greatest man he knew.

They are both great fathers.

Grandaddy raised two great sons.

Daddy is working on two daughters himself.

My Dad and his Dad share the same name. I think this is fittin.' They are that much more alike. And that much more great. Big shoes to fill. But a great ride too.

Grandaddy loved the water so much he raised his sons on Lake Martin.

Last year Dad finally got that boat he wanted and ended up on Logan Martin.

Grandaddy would spend all day in his workshop, that's where he let me get handfuls of corn and feed the ducks by the water.

Dad needed a workshop too, so he built one behind our house, and "piddles" there, no ducks-just duck decoys for his hunting boat....because he hunts them.

Everyday, my dad grows up to be more like his own. My wish on Father's Day is that I grow up and be just like my dad too.

(And this post is dedicated to all the grandaddies who we miss on Father's Day...if you can dedicate a blog post)

The Conclusion to a Great Beach Trip....

Our last night in Orange Beach was spent celebrating my Aunt Claudia's 50th birthday! Fiesta Style!

Uncle Pat and Aunt Claudia's neighbors on Ono Island hosted the party in their beautiful home, and we anxiously awaited behind these gorgeous doors for their arrival.

It was a (sort-of) surprise party....meaning she knew the local neighborhood friends from Ono would be there, and a few family members....but had no idea the size of the guest list!! All the out-of-town friends and family (like me!) had come. And all these good friends from Griffin, GA where they use to live for so long were there (and did I say me!?). And not to mention more siblings than I can count on both hands that came from all over the states and are staying all week! And me of course....

SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Now, before we go any further, I must introduce the mastermind behind it all. My sweet cuz, Lindsey Simpson pretty much planned the whole party behind mama's back, and did a FANTASTIC job. And I'm sure little sibs Hunter and Shelby were pretty big helpers to her as well. So, good job, Linz, too bad I'm 29-and-holding, because you could throw one heckuva party for me next year if I could slip a credit card away from your Uncle Curtis! (here she is playing videographer and probably texting the caterer, what a multitasker)

Once everyone sent well wishes to the birthday girl, it was time to grab cocktails and quesadillas, and head outside to enjoy a beautiful sunset, music, and lounge by the pool (it was awesome!--I think it's called an infinity pool...the kind that looks like it just disappears??)

Jessie, Aunt Claudia, and me

Jessie and I trying to take a photo opp on the dock--the wind decided against that. This is as good as it got. Here are the "twin cousins," they call themselves. Try to follow along if you dont know the story. Uncle Pat (dad's bro) and Aunt C (bday girl) had Lindsey the same day Mama and Daddy had Jessie (Jan 26, 1985)...same day, same year, same city. Different hospital. Lins was several weeks early and Jessie was like 10 days late--so random. But as fate would have it, both mama's ended up with little bambino's, as nurses relayed on the phone to one another from opposite hospitals how far along each sis-in-law was....Granddaddy with us, Grandmother with them....a race to the finish. The Montgomery paper even wrote an article "Double Births keep grandparents busy" or something like that. Too funny. So these cousins needless to say are very close. Which is a good thing they have each other, since I've always been the favorite....just sayin.

Uncle Pat and Daddy....double.trouble. But the best two guys I know. The ever talented Lindsey put together a special slideshow for the lady of the hour, and I think ever person in the room was in it! Good job L! There were tears shed, and laughs shared through all these great old pics. Uncle Pat had some really sweet things to say about his "Clau-Bart" and our wonderful family and friends.

After speeches, and videos, and good food, and gifts....it was time to get saucy!!! I mean "salsa-y!" There was a salsa instructor at the party to show us how to shake our grove thing, baby!

(I dont think I knew my aunt and uncle could move like that! woo-hoo!!)

And check out Aunt C's sibs dancing the night away--I loved meeting all of them! They were so much fun!!

So how do you wrap up a night of salsa dancing and birthday wishing with your amigos? Well, duh, you take a dip in the cool pool....all in honor of the birthday girl, of course!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT CLAUDIA!! LOVE YOU!!!

An SPF Kind of Weekend - Part 1

My Oh My. I've changed my mind, I dont want to grow up. I want to be a kid forever. I want to play in the sand, trap sand crabs under buckets, chase the waves from my toes, fly kites high in the sky, and eat popcorn shrimp at the local seafood shacks. Wait....scratch that....I actually eat big kid seafood now. Mama, Daddy....can I come home?? Yall spoiled us rotten this weekend!! Thank you so much! (And speaking of sweet parents...just how cute are they anyway, I'm just saying.) But Geez Louise, heading home from the beach just makes me ache for more! This weekend was a blast with my family. I think it was the first time in a really long time it was just the FOUR of us together, if you know what I mean. It felt like home. Once again, we had beautiful weather, and spent all day Saturday and Sunday on the beach. And when we go to Perdido Key, we love staying at Eden because it's got the coolest pool ever!

When we all felt like our racoon eyes were as prominent as they were going to get on Saturday, we freshened up for a great dinner. Here's me and Jessie--this is what we do at the beach..."go curly."

We ate at Cozmo's in Orange Beach-please go there, they love dogs there. Cozmo is their dog. There are paintings of dogs everywhere. It made me happy. Food, company, and atmosphere....loved it all! I even got my fish-lovin' father to try some sushi...which he loved, thank you very much....well, all except the ginger. Those pics I'll keep to family distribution only.

Crab cakes might by one of my all time favorite foods EVER! And this 'tini came with its own decor! And oh my, key lime pie!

Sunday, it was back to the beach, and at the request of my dermatologist I applied a healthy dose of the best stuff on the market--Neutrogena sunblock with Helioplex (the Helioplex is the important part, kids). That way I can protect this olive skin with a few too many moles and still be allowed to love the sun and water way too much to let it go.

When I was finally able to put my new book down, "My Sister's Keeper" (lovin it by the way), we freshened up, scoped out outlets for just a bit, and then got ready for a super fun party and the real reason we were so excited to head to the beach this weekend! My Aunt Claudia's 50th Birthday Party!! (stay tuned for Beach post-part 2 for that one--it was one heck of a party!)

But before I go, I gotta give a shout out to Jessie's new "friend" ....who crashed our Party of 4 this weekend, in a good way. Meet Gregory-Alan (double first); Goes by Alan. I call him GA. J-just so you know, "he's ok." (wink wink)

Headed home Monday...BAH HUMBUG! But, if anything made me happy it was the shrimp omelet at Tacky Jacks before hitting the road!

I can almost hear the waves....

If I can just get through this golf tournament I'm helping with tomorrow before I go bananas....I will feed the pups, throw my disorganized luggage in the Yuke, and hit the trails headed south to meet my fam for a beach weekend in Gulf Shores. I need a new book to read, any suggestions?

Big Week for Little Friends

Last week was an eventful week in Columbus for some of my sweet friends....starting with the arrival of this little guy.

Ashley and Brad welcomed Cullen "Hobbs" Clements on June 2. He was 8lb. 11oz and 21 inches long and absolutely precious! (think he might've been just a little ticked at me and my flash in this picture)

And this little miss, Lilly, had her second birthday party. Mom and Dad, Aimee and Sam, had all her friends over (who happened to be all boys...which was fine by Lilly) to play on her brand new swing set!

Lake Days

First, the blog got a facelift if you didnt notice. I was bored with the mustard yellow. The owls are still around of course, hooty hoot. That's for all my Phi Mu friends who like to make fun of me and my house for the owl envasion, hehe. If I had kids I'd put them in the title block, or dogs that would stay clean....but i dont. And apparently I get made fun of for saying "I'm just saying...." alot, so where better to say it than here.

Anyway, it was 92 dad-gum degrees this weekend. I refuse to be anywhere if not by water when it's that hot. I'm just sayin.' So I loaded up with my friends Haley, Rich, Chrissie, and baby Tori for a boat ride to the "sand bar" on Lake Harding.

There was not a cuter driver on the lake! And not to mention she celebrated her one year old birthday on Friday!

Baby Tori and some sweaty river rat dancing to Baby Got Back.

There is nothing I love more than a day on the water. I love the smell of Banana Boat, and a cooler full of beverages, music playing from the boat's speakers, and people watching from my float.

In fact, I might love a lake more than beach. It's a close tie. I was lucky enough to have both growing up. My precious grandparents lived on Lake Martin in AL, where I spent many weekends jumping off the end of the peir, fishing with "gan-daddy," feeding the ducks, skiing, and just being a kid. On other weekends, we'd go to the beach, to a little area outside of Freeport, which is outside of Destin, to our little family "cabin," on the Choctawhatchee Bay. We play in the bay, put the crab traps out as soon as we got there, and watch the dolphins play from the deck, and on the waveless mornings when the water was like glass we could ski the bay too. We eat at our cousin's restaurant, a dive that's been around for 50 years or so, Nick's, where I've never had better crab claws.

Yeah, it is a close call, but something about a lake house with the trees around it, and my neighbors puling up at my dock to say hello, skiing and tubing til the sun goes down, and oh yeah-- no jellyfish. That would be my dream house. I'm just sayin.