Where's Abby (+ Dylan and dogs)

Last night's slightly bummy mood was quickly turned around after a Dip in the Sea, followed by some Observing in the Sand. I smiled at the tough looking high school/college kids playing hand slapping games we'd play as kids in line at Disney. (Cousin Lindsey! ;) ).  I also spotted a homeless (which we're now calling LOCAL from now on) man dancing away in the sea. I laid there for a while, remembering that night  months  ago that I ran passed him by the pier. He brought a smile to my face then, watching him dancing with so much joy. I contemplated stopping to tell him this simple fact of the joy his  joy spread, but I kept running, immediately with regret but not enough conviction to turn around.  After another time, seeing a Happy Go Lucky old man shoveling away in the sand, building what looked like a giant moat, (but rooms said was probably him burying his wife), and letting  that interesting Character Conversation pass too, I vowed to never let that happ...

This weekend was one unexpected crazy night after the next. Friday night started with hanging with a new coworker friend, Sarah. We biked over to the bars and laughed a lot at our bikes that were way too big. We needed a sign saying, "we're not hammered, our bikes just don't fit." Our night involved debunking my Foreign Radar Shoe Detector Theory but meeting a foreign looking surfer in the process, meeting a guy that's building merry go rounds in Africa to provide water, assisting in a scavenger hunt, celebrating a stranger's 21st birthday with a fun group of dudes, and making several new friends.  After this crazy night, I had to work at 8am the next day. Rough. But it was a good shift followed by a not so beneficial nap. Are they ever? I did some domestic things before joining Dana, Martin, and another friend for biking around. Lemon Bar time commenced and ocean skinny dipping plans were made and executed. Twice. Giant cards were played, dancing done, and wa...

"I have the best mom/dad/husband/whatever in the world." Ok he/she is probably really great and you may even believe she's "the best mom you could ask for (thank goodness we don't get to pick em), but let's not forget there are lots of awesome moms and it's just utterly impossible to judge, so don't even try.  "I'd only be half the person I could be without him/her." Well that sucks. Hopefully they don't break up with you or die.  "I love ____ with all my heart." Sucks for everyone else in your life to realize there's no room for them in your heart.  "We need more chivalry in our society."  So maybe this isn't as much of a hyperbole as it is just a stupid phrase I'm tired of. So maybe dudes don't hold the car door for you anymore (which is totally doable for your independent self), but you're also not just a trophy wife that can't even work and is just expected to pop out babies and make s...

Woke up late today. Threw on a dress I'd set out the night before. Rushed to work. Didn't eat breakfast. Didn't pack a lunch. Got to work and realized the dress is too big on me. And it's  white. And my underwear is dark grey. And a ccording to the period tracker I just downloaded, I have 0 days left. So I can't go commando. Was just made aware the only way Moes is still running is their queso.  Struggling. 

You know what? I realized that, though I have so much single time, and I do enjoy solo exploring, I actually haven't been treating myself to it as much as I should. My solo Sunday exploring was beyond lovely, I've added several routines to my days to show myself appreciation, and am trying my best to appreciate this "independent time I have." But there's definitely still more I can do. When a friend canceled our river date plans the other day, I just ended up running errands... I totally could've still gone and had a solo day at the park.  I think I'm pretty awesome. To the extent that I don't understand how my awesome dude has not come around and discovered this yet. I had been getting bummed that I don't have a guy to do all the romantic, fun things I want to do. But I'm not gonna let that keep me from doing these things.  So until that day comes where I get my Partner in Adventure, I'm going to enjoy my time and still do ju...

Making a decision about my Fourth of July plans this year was basically my hardest decision I've ever encountered. I had to choose from family and friends' traditional Lake Weir festivities, celebrating in Infamous Jax Beach style with some old friends and potential to make more, and later had the addition of St. Augustine with Les and Brad to confuse me even more. After more than a week of debating, getting advise from everyone, and setting my GPS to the lake once out of work on Friday, I wound up changing route and decided on St. Augustine. Though the lake is always a good time and I'd be spending with some of the bests and family, the idea of celebrating in a whole new way was too enticing.  Once Brad and I made it to St. Augustine, I was so glad I chose this. (A statement made several times throughout the night). We met Les and Gabby at Conch House Marina, where they were working/hanging with us til fireworks time. We passed a good friend, Diane, on her way out, wh...

I was debating whether to share about my Monday after this Sunday post, that could've been seen as one of those pretentious sounding, "my life is more awesome than yours," posts that "makes my life look better through my blog," etc like all these Facebook feeds are sharing. But yesterday was honestly too good to not share. I got off two hours early, which at first was a slight inconvenience as I need the hours. But disappointment didn't last longer than my walk out the door, when it turned into excitement to enjoy the beautiful day.  On my way home, I got a call from one of my favorites, Mr. James... mysterious funny dude I mentioned here  and here . Oh and here . (Just guess which ones are about him). He was off work and interested in beach time, so he came on over.  We had a delicious Brinner feast on the porch, shared poems and ideas, and laughed a whole lot with his reciting of my poems. It sounds a bit different, to say the least, coming fr...