lucy.....i'm homeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

So I went on a cruise with 4 friends. To go on vacation and be in close quarters for a week, it is best to make sure you like each other.

Two flew to Tampa the morning of the 12th. The other 3 of us took to the highway around 2:15 that afternoon. Road trips are always fun.... unless one of the parties is drinking Crown and Dr. Pepper and needs to stop every hour for a potty break. Thankfully he passed out I mean fell asleep and the rest of the drive went smoothly.

We spent the night at a hotel with all 5 present and accounted for, then hit the ship the next day around 11:00. If you have never been on a cruise ship, you must do it at some point in your life. The people watching alone is worth the trip.

The first day we spent at sea. Nothing but sun and frosty beverages!! Baking to a golden brown while laughing with friends is simply the best. The next day we had a stop in Grand Caymen, which was very beautiful. The shops were neat and the white sand and blue blue crystal clear water were breath taking. Unfortunately, we were only there a short while.

Tuesday we hit port in Calica Mexico. Being an industrial area, there is nothing there...nothing. This means a taxi ride to Playa Del Carmen. We had to divide into two taxis for about a 15 minute trek. Once in town, we hit the shops. First stop....tequilla shopping! We hit what seemed to be a million stores (though I'm sure it was more like 10.)

Then we hit the beach. Again....beautiful sand and incredible water. We spent the majority of the day basking and swimming, then it was time to get back to the ship.

Wednesday was spent at sea again. Some of us (me) that were worn out and had had enough sun (me) spent some of the day napping in the cool of the cabin.

Dinners and laughter and dancing and comedy shows and music shows and sitting on deck and time spent on our balcony and much much more....

All too soon, it was time to go home...

Friday.....

I always look forward to this day of the week. However, this Friday isn't just any Friday. It's the beginning of my VACATION! My escape from the real world. My journey to the world of sand, sea, sun and frosty beverages. I will tell you all about it upon my re-entry to the real world. Gone for a week. Cya!!

Single white female seeking.....

So this weekend I experienced a moment of boredom. Now, I hate that word and normally refuse to use it because there is ALWAYS something to be done and no excuse for "boredom" but I had a brief moment nonetheless.

So...

I signed up for a 3 day free trial on Match.com. Yep...sho 'nuff.

I discovered a 23 year old soldier at Fort Campbell that kept emailing me wanting a date, even though I'm old enough to be his mother. I have raised my kids...I do not need another at this stage in life.

I discovered a 38 year old man that I actually agreed to meet. After visiting for 30 minutes, he begged me to spend the night with him. Huh? Again I say ....HUH???? Um......no.

And I discovered that there are a lot of men out there that will click on your profile simply because you have a pretty face, then fail to leave a message because they're not into fat & sassy women. They are seeking "slim, slender, athletic and fit." gals. Actually....I think these fellas are scared of us real women. OMG what would their friends think if they actually clicked with a beautiful, intelligent, witty woman that wasn't Barbie Dollesque? Some of these Barbie seeking men are the ones with thinning hair and dunlap desease. (They dun lapped over their belts.) Go figure!

I still stick with my observation that human beings are very interesting indeed :)

Patience...

If patience is a virtue, then I am not a very virtuous woman. Oh I try and succeed for short periods of time, but that is about all I can endure. I am leaving with 2 friends of mine Friday evening. We're driving to Tampa to join 2 other friends. The 5 of us are embarking on a cruise to Grand Cayman and Cozemel. Yesterday I worked diligently. Today, no matter how hard I try, I cannot concentrate. I'm currently in posession of the concentration of a gnat. Yep...not a good thing. I have a lot to do and really could care less, but I have been forcing myself. I keep telling myself that plugging away will make the time pass more quickly. My mind isn't going for it though. My mind, instead, is standing at the railing of a huge carnival ship, feeling the wind in my hair and the sun on my face, viewing the magnificent water. Whoops! Reality sneaks in and gives me a glimpse of many many order cards screaming to be entered. Guess I better deal with the reality for the moment....

Gimme some o' that feel good!

I watch (or listen rather) to the news every morning as I get ready for work. I read the news online usually every day. I don't know why I put myself through it. It's nothing but pure depression cast to the masses. I always ask myself why we can't have some 'feel good' for a change? No doom & gloom...just good things.

I get my 'feel good' fix every Sunday night by watching Extreme Home Makeovers. Everyone involved in this show is making a difference in lives...including mine. Week after week I tune in to see what family is going to be blessed. Usually I end up in tears...the good kind. The "thank God there are still good people in this world" kind. Last night there was for a Hindu family in New York that came here for a better life. There were 7 family members I believe. Their home caught on fire. The were living in a total disaster pit because they could not afford to do anything else. Existing in conditions that most of us couldn't conceive. Yet they were clinging to their faith and they ended up with a new home, complete with a prayer room. I was so happy for these folks. And yes, the eyes leaked as I watched them overcome with joy and blessing.

If you don't watch...try it sometime. It's all good :)

Music

I love music. All kinds of music. In my car I have cd's ranging from Willie Nelson to Kid Rock. I love it all. There are the Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge days where I crank it and sing at the top of my lungs all the way to work. Great way to start the day. Some days are Funk. I think if everyone started their day with Funk, they'd have a smile on their face and a spring in their step. Makes you want to dance regardless of where you are. Andrea Bochelli. Amazing...truly amazing. I could go on and on.

This morning it was raining and yucky and I was really not feeling the work thing, so it was a Kid Rock drive. Very loud.... It worked for me. Now, I have to decide what I'm going to listen to at the office. Maybe some classic rock. Yeah, that works for me :)

I woke up at 4:30 this morning and could not get back to sleep. My life has been somewhat topsy turvy these days and this morning I came to the understanding of why...

I find myself coming home from work everyday and piddling, or reading, or watching a little tv etc. These are all normal things that people do every day. However, there is a restlessness that keeps emerging.

In March, I had to have my chocolate lab, Hershey, put to sleep. He was old and his hips kept giving out on him. He was in pain, but never complained. I knew what had to be done, though it tore me to pieces. This is the first time I have been completely alone. Kids are gone...Hershey's gone...it's just me.

Yet, we're never completely alone are we? God is always with us. All we have to do is call on Him. Maybe this was a lesson for me. Maybe I need to utilize my calling card more frequently.