Weekend at the Twisted Pine- 2009

We had the opportunity once again to enjoy a weekend at the heavenly Twisted Pine,
all thanks to my very gracious boss. My friend Cathi, her husband and two children were also able to join us which made for lots of fun. We brought our doggies and let them do a little exploring, but not too much because of all the recent bear activity in the area. To sum it all up, it was a weekend of laughter, food and fun for humans and dogs alike.

Low tide on Sunday morning offered lots of unexplored territory for me and Chewy!

This was delicious! Cathi brought chicken salad and these little crusty
garlic and herb slices that were amazing in your mouth. Mmm!


This is "Butters", Chewy's new friend!


Well Hello, Ladies.... my little Chewy Papa.

The fog was still a bit thick at 8am, but the exposed sandbars were too inviting to ignore.


Somebody found the mud- it was hilarious!

I found this cannonball jellyfish ( at least 15 inches across) in the middle of the sandbar.
Look at the top of the photo and you'll see a trail. Did he crawl??


This looked like a Dr. Suess factory to me. I don't even like Dr. Suess.


Chewy wasn't the only one to find the mud.


Horseshoe Crabs eating a baby.


A lonely, little piece of coral.


After frolicking in the mud and giving the dogs a bath,
Cathi treated us to Belgian waffles topped with fresh fruit. Seriously yum.


Fernando found his twin!


The kids went beach combing.


Chewy hot-wired the car and dipped out.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Pathetic!

I'm speechless. Enjoy.

Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it!

As if I'm not feeling old enough lately- looking back and realizing that the years will continue to pass whether I'm opposed to it or not, I got a phone call from my 7 year old niece Hannah to confirm that I'm indeed old as dirt:

Hannah: HI AUNT MARIKO!!!!

Mariko: Well hey sweetie! What's going on?

Hannah: I wanted to tell you something!

Mariko: Go right ahead baby- what is it?

Hannah: Um, I don't know what they're called but they used them like, you know, like a thoooouuuusand years ago!

Mariko: Used them for what?

Hannah: For music! You know, they're like a cd but they're not. It was like a thousand years ago, Aunt Mariko!

Mariko: *gulp* Are you talking about a record?

Hannah: YEAH! How'd you know?

Mariko: ................

Welcome to the Gun Show!

This past Sunday, we were fortunate to spend the day with friends and also attend a local gun show. It was held at the fair grounds and they send you through a small maze of signs pointing you this way and that as you enter. Once we walked in the door, there was a portly sheriff's deputy who asked if I was carrying any weapons or guns on me. Uh oh, I could feel it building up inside of me and I couldn't resist. Before I knew it, I proudly patted my biceps and replied, "Just these babies!" He was less than amused as the group all let out a simultaneous chuckle. Guess I wasn't the first. We continued to venture in and found ourselves staring at rows and rows of every gun known to man. It was seriously insane and I feel almost guilty for not being able to fully appreciate each and every one. I'm not a gun maniac. I know how to shoot them but that's about it.

Fernando and I agreed ahead of time that if we were to find a decent 22 handgun that was reasonably priced, we'd go ahead and purchase it. Halfway down the second row, I spotted a Ruger priced at $259.00. I was attracted to the price and when I asked the hick behind the table if I could see it, he quickly retorted with "Oh, you don't want that ugly ol' gun. Look here at this purty lil' pink one! You don't even have to aim it, just point that lil' ol' red dot and pull the trigger." What the hell did he just say to me? I insisted that I wasn't interested in a pink f'n gun. Who would take me seriously if I whipped out a pink gun?! He repeatedly told me it was "purty" and before I snapped, I looked at Fernando and he knew it was time to get me out of there.

Further down the row I did find one and he was well below other vendor's prices. It was a Walther (no lisp, folks) 22ppk. It felt really good in my hand and was NOT PINK. I filled out my form that stated I wasn't a wasn't a former circus clown out with a vengeance, etc. etc. Did you know they ask you for your weight on those forms?? I'm guessing "Yeah Right!" was an acceptable answer since they never asked. So, I'll be picking up this bad boy on Thursday and giving the term "packing heat" a new definintion in our household vs. the old one which meant you were full of a stank that wouldn't wash off.

Pe-ow! Pe-ow! Bang! Bang!

New Ring!

Fernando and I love to visit Apalachicola and look through all the little antique stores and novelty shops. During our last visit there, I found a ring that I absolutely fell in love with but the shop owner was so busy telling someone about his latest fishing adventure, he completely ignored me. I don't handle that well so off we went and I tried forgetting about that ring ever since. So two weeks ago I find myself in TJ Maxx (on a hunt for the hobo bag I missed out on a week prior) Cathi points out this ring in the jewelry case and EUREKA!!!! I love my new ring :)

Sad Cow Disease

Winter finally decided to pay a visit this year. On my way home from work the other day, I stopped along the driveway (looooong driveway) to the house and met dad in the middle of the pasture as he was dripping faucets. The High's next to us have 50+ acres with cows and for the past 2 days they've been "moo-ing" out of control. After mentioning it to my father, he informed me that Mr. High had loaded up all the calves for auction and the mama cows were calling for their babies. Sigh.... hello tears.

LOLA EBOLA Strikes Again!

HOLY MOTHER!!!! I don't even know where to start on this one!

I greeted the dogs at the door today and walked in to find this:

This photo doesn't do it justice.

Gee, wonder what that is.. was?

Oh duh! My brand new Steve Maddens!