poppy’s beach
my grandfather died almost 17 years ago (this coming september). i was 11 years old… my brother was 7. my parents were devastated. our hearts were shattered. poppy died of a massive heart attack while playing golf with my gramma in lake tahoe. the med examiners said the heart attack hit so hard that he was gone before he even hit the ground.
what a way to go, right?
i mean, now i can look back with 17 years of perspective and say that… what a way to go. and honestly, of all the ways a person can die, that’s pretty remarkable. while i think that, i also think about the strength and bravery my gramma was called to summon within herself to perform CPR on her husband (who was 60 years old) until EMS arrived, hoping, praying, wishing that this wasn’t it.
the magoo’s middle name, ray, comes from poppy. our precious jackson ray… his first name honors paul’s grandpa jack, still alive, though ailing and in need of much healing after a stroke… jackson’s middle name honors my poppy whose middle name was raymond.
first beach experience. attire included pjs and crocs.
being at poppy’s beach (indian rocks beach, florida) always brings a smile to my face. the smell… the sand… the ocean… and it’s not just like any other florida beach. indian rocks is where poppy taught me how to fish… how to drive a boat… and how to wash my hair in an outdoor shower using a bar of soap instead of shampoo.
the pizza shop we frequent when we’re here knows us all by name… nick shut down his shop on the day of poppy’s funeral. never before had it been closed like that, not even for a holiday. i’ll never forget seeing him sobbing for the loss of his friend.
and so being here, this week, is amazing for me… because life has truly come full-circle. my 3 cousins arrived, 1 of whom has a 17 month old little boy who is spectacular and will make great friends with jackson in the days ahead.
hi poppy... i'm here!
there is joy here at poppy’s beach. pure joy. there are incredible memories… hysterical stories… and monumental firsts…
jackson's first seashell (no, he didn't try to eat it).
i feel safe here. i feel at home here. i feel loved here. and now i’m here with my own family… and it is awesome.
well done.
no, much to your disappointment, this is not me. this is a local laying on the picnic bench outside our beach bungalow… keepin it classy.
wordless what day is it???
mi casa
es su casa... NOT.
the view... (from our veranda)
uhh...
yeah. day 1 homies.
more to come… stay tuned…
friday ramblings…
wait, today is friday, right?
i haven’t showered since wednesday.
we leave for a week in florida tomorrow. family reunion. nuff said.
did i pack underwear?
did i pack at all?
i think that’s a half-eaten strawberry on my tshirt.
i have no bra on… come to think of it, have i even brushed my teeth?
i hear the magoo on the monitor.
obviously he’s chosen not to nap. awesome.
it’s only 1:27 pm.
paul’s work schedule has been insane and thru weekends for the last 2 wks so we could vacay next wk.
thank you, my love.
i’m stoked about a new project with a great friend.
my cousin’s little man and the magoo get to meet for the first time!
i need to pack more diapers.
where’s my camera chord? dammit why do i always misplace the chord?!
my hair feels greasy.
i should be showering instead of writing this post.
tuesday i get to see these two mom blogging lovelies… of whom i have never met but i “know.”
i think magoo passed out.
the pedicure i got last week has already chipped.
need to get back to work before he wakes up again…
new project = very cool. will launch tonight! scratch that… launched NOW!
pitched a piece for a dear friend to killer company. could be really good for her.
karma = good.
My Bottle’s Up! has gotten 6 x the amount of traffic than it had just 2 months ago. unreal.
my college roommate eloped… in vegas… 7 months ago… and told everyone last night. amazing.
i booked a cruise for my brother and i next month as his college grad gift. radness.
i need to pee.
can’t forget to pack magoo’s trucks.
red smells… not good.
my friend’s 8 month old daughter’s squishy thighs make my uterus want to house another bebe…
good god no! bad idea.
i get to see all my cousins this week… and they’re all skinny as rails… even the one who has a baby. not fair.
what do i do if jackson eats sand?
i can’t wait to hug my family.
i just farted.
paul farts a lot… more than i anticipated when we got married almost 5 years ago.
farts are funny.
red always smells like farts.
i hope the magoo doesn’t shit while we’re on the airplane tomorrow.
he did that last time. not cool.
i’m hungry. again.
wordless wednesday (sort of)
(((BAM BAM BAM BAM)))
Have a Sip
