Paradise for songwriters and music lovers (Part 1)

There's no moss growing under our feet....nosirreebobcattail.
And since we've not stopped going, I'm having a hard time documenting it all. But I must because the brain forgets things quickly these days.

We had a lovely trip with 7 other friends to the Abaco's islands of the Bahamas; Elbow Cay specifically.

Prior to this trip, when someone mentioned going to the Bahamas, my mind went to that one trip I had with my family when I was about 6. (or pics from peeps Cruise's)  It was all touristy, t-shirt shops and cheesy Casinos.

This island couldn't be further from that. We flew into Marsh Harbour airport and took a boat ferry to Elbow Cay. From there we had golf carts to take us to our rental house. The island is very small; less than 6 miles long and most people don't have vehicles.

 The steps leading to the beach from our rental home. The water was MAGNIFICENT! The beach area where our home was located was quite rocky....but this made for lovely beach combing.
SEA GLASS!!

The first few days of our trip there were just five of us; Michelle, Don, Kelly, Suz and Coach.

And why did we choose to go to Elbow Cay/Hopetown for this particular week, which just happened to fall on Kelly's Valentine birthday?  Songwriters in Paradise We've been big into travelling for music festivals for many years now, but this was something totally different. Smaller, more intimate and it included a great vacation.

This was a few weeks ago, but I'm reliving it all going through my photos. *sigh* I must get back to laundry and bills because neither care about my vacation.

I hope all my blog peeps are well and I'm gonna catch up real soon.

XOXO

Shining brightly

I had the honor of being on the planning committee for (our Local) Tim Tebow's Night To Shine; A prom held for people with special needs ages 14 and up.
When my friend Lori asked me to come aboard, (as fundraising chair) I said yes immediately.....and then I wondered if I could ACTUALLY raise funds. The Coach assured me that he'd help and we'd do just fine. And we did....mostly Coach reaching out to all the business friends that we've supported in the past.

We started planning in October and the event took place on Friday, February 9th.
We hosted over 200 guests and had over 500 volunteers for this special night.

 All of our guests were offered hair/makeup, dresses, shoes, accessories to make them feel as awesome as they are. We had 'buddies' for each guest, so that the caretakers/parents of these lovely peeps could have a night of their own. The parents/caretakers were offered an evening in the Respite room; dinner, music, manicures, massages, games and were given raffle tickets for gift cards.

Our esteemed guests were paired up with their buddies, given a corsage and sent around the church parking lot in a limousine OR a horse and buggy and dropped off at the red carpet to make their big entrance.....with paparazzi cheering them on (unless they were sensitive to noise) and under the swords of the Honor guard.

They were all greeted as the rock stars that they are!

Coming into this, I didn't really know what to expect, but I did assume it would be mostly 'young' guests. Boy, was I wrong. There were so many who were in their 40's-even 60's.

So many big smiles; it was amazing. I borrowed all of these photos because I was actually on the other end....I was there putting them IN the limo's or the horse and carriage. What a great thrill it was for me to see all of the happy, excited faces as they started the evening.

Once everyone had walked the red carpet, they had dinner and then the party really started. We had a great DJ playing great dance music.

I'm not quite sure who had more fun; the guests or the volunteers. SO much joy in one room. (although, my feet were crying out by the end of the night, and I wasn't even dancing!)
I recall at one point looking out into the dance floor and I couldn't tell who was a 'guest' and who was a 'buddy'.....the joy was contagious.

IT was truly an amazing evening celebrating ALL of God's children. Our committee has already had a post-prom meeting and we've made notes about what we'll do differently next year. This is only the second year in our area, so it's a learning process.

Just looking at these photos again makes my heart swell with love; it was truly a Night To Shine for so many and I can't wait to do it again.

Cuties, Old Glory and still getting used to our daughter being the Popo.

Have I expressed my love for monarch caterpillars? I might even love them more than Monarch butterflies. I know, that just doesn't even make sense.
But, they're so CUTE and SWEET when they're eating or wandering around all willy nilly in search of milkweed....and I just want to pet them.

Yes, that sounds really bizarre. Please know that I really don't pet them that often.

And while I'm on the topic of things I can't see enough of....our flags. I love, love, love them so much!

 #thinblueline

And speaking of the PoPo. A few weeks ago Lolo pulled over one of Coaches softball Dads. He didn't recognize Lolo at first and she didn't recognize him until she got his License from him. They had a good laugh.....he received NO ticket, but she did give him a $$ gift card for Publix!
Did you know the police give out gift cards now?
I'm guessing this is a PR thing around the holidays.
Anyhoo....we all had a good laugh...if she ever pulls me over, I'd better get a few gift cards.

Happy Friday!
XOXO

50 years is a long time to be happy.

My Aunt Trisha and Uncle Jim celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on 12/30/2017.
Thank goodness they decided to renew their vows and have a party because I LOVE a party...and I love them.

The Coach and I flew to ATL for the weekend festivities. Sadly, Lolo and Linds had to work; it's tough being a grownup.


AT and UJ were such an integral part of my childhood.....the good part of my childhood. AT and UJ didn't have kids until later in the game and because of that, they spent a good amount of time and energy trying to do their best for Mark and I. (Our parents were divorced and kinda all over the place.)

I recall nice family trips with them; camping, Disney, the Mountains. AT taught me how to set a table, create a dinner menu, clean a house, fold sheets....even those fitted ones. So, she may be why I throw a good shin-dig and can be the hostess with the hostess.
UJ was the one who let us sit on his lap and 'drive the car' way before we were old enough. Also, he taught us the fine art of putting potato chips on our hotdogs. You know, super important things.

Also, UJ was such a good man to my Mom; more than a brother in law, he was her hero.

So, the party was so lovely. The Coach and I were so excited to be a part of it all and to be of help.

I'm not sure if you're doing the math or not, but they married in 1967 and Suzanne was born in 1967.
I'm thinking I brought them all the good luck in their marriage. Yes, I DO try to make everything about me.

UJ, AT, my brother Mark (yes, he's precious!) and my Aunt Debbie. 

Was I at the wedding? Nope. The running joke is that I was most likely left in the car.....playing with the ashtray. Ok, I was 3 months old. Most likely I was in Miami with My Grandparents. Because I don't think they left me in the car until I was a bit older.....like 9 months.

AT, my G'pa Sullivan, my Dad and Mom

I so wish my Mom could've been here for this celebration. Oh, how she adores them both and was always so proud of their marriage.

Fun facts: AT and UJ met at a work function. (Southern Bell)
Check out this timeline:
They met on Labor Day weekend. (One week prior to my birth)
They were engaged on October 13th.
Married on December 30th.
And 50 years later, still very much in love.
They have such a beautiful relationship....based on love and mutual respect.



My Aunt Trisha thinks she spent about $12 on her dress.
They spent hardly anything on the wedding.....and no huge fanfare for their honeymoon.
Money doesn't make the wedding/marriage.

Mr and Mrs Damn and the whole Damn Family.
UJ's brother, both my cousins, Patrick and Christopher. Chris's wife and son, the Coach and I.

The happy couple. 

I wanted to have a childhood flashback with AT. "Tell me a story".....LOL

It was such a beautiful weekend celebrating them both. When we celebrate their 60th anniversary, we will do it all again. :)

XOXOXO