They're here!!!!

Yes, they are here and I couldn't be happier. The official start of the summer has begun on Emerald Isle and the Crystal Coast. It all started about Thursday night when the traffic started to back up and the lines were longer in the grocery store. By Saturday morning it was full blown and they were everywhere. It is a wonderful sight for us, being that we are in the Vacation Rental business.
Based on my info we had only 41 units of our 1000 not rented for the week coming. That is a goal for the company, to have nothing available!! Luckily there is something left for those who didn't make their plans until late.
After running errands and hanging around the house on Saturday, my daughter and her fiancee' came for the day on Sunday and we went out to the "little island" to hang. We found some old friends and caught up as well as catching many rays!! Many more than the sunscreen could handle. Needless to say the water stung a little when I got in the tub later. We celebrated my daughters birthday since we will be leaving on Saturday for our cruise.
Did I mention Cruise??? Yes, we are going on the Oasis of the Sea's. Royal Caribbeans newest 250,000 ton ship. I can't wait to spend 7 glorious days in the Western Caribbean with my hubby. This will be an experience, as this is the largest and newest ship that they have in the fleet. They launched it in December so we will certainly have a wonderful time.
Today Memorial day we didn't have any picnic but spent it with my son Pete and his girl Shannon. Again out on the boat hanging out on a sandbar just chillin. I love doing that and just catching up with whats going on. They both are military folks so it was nice to talk to them and see how work is going. Pete is getting ready to take his LSAT so he has been studying hard.
One other thing I was thinking about here on Memorial Day is his friends he lost in the Horn of Africa when they were deployed. They gave their lives for us to have the freedoms we have today. One of the friends was a Major from Hershey, PA just down the road from my home. He even shared a bag of Middleswarth Chips with him over there!! Brandon his other friend left behind 5 children and loving wife. I don't know where they are today, probably back in LA but I pray that they are doing well and pray to the Lord for their safety and that they have been able to move on with their lives. If you haven't prayed for our military families and service members please do so today.
One more thing that really irritated me today was that our President didn't think that is was important enough to be in attendance at the Memorial Day services in Washington, DC, at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier. Instead he spent the holiday with his family in Chicago and sent our VP to do the job. Wonder if he would send the VP to make major decisions about our country and our position in the war? I hate it that he just didn't think it was important. I don't remember as long as I can remember that the VP did that laying of the wreath instead of the President. Oh how times have changed in our world and the attitudes of people in office have now.
It makes me wonder what we have gotten ourselves into? (this can be a separate post in itself)
Either way, tomorrow is a new day..... I hope it will be sunny and our visitors will have a wonderful time here at our little piece of paradise. The weather report is for mixed skies, is it partly sunny or partly cloudy?? Guess it depends on whether or not the glass is half full or half empty?
Let me know your thoughts.....

May......

The first of May better known as May Day has come and gone. Where did April go? I am not so sure what happened but we have been blessed with so many lovely days with a few chilly ones mixed in, but I believe that Spring is here to stay. We have enjoyed a beautiful weekend here in Coastal Carolina. After taking Sawyer to play his soccer game I went to lunch at the local Andy's. Andy's is a kind of 50-60's type restaurant in the Emerald Plantation that has the best Cheeseburgers and fries. Of course I have become a fan of the grilled chicken but even better than that they do the hand squeezed Lemonaide and Orangeaid. I again am good most of the time and choose a diet drink. Anyway.... it was wonderful of course. As things start to progress at the beach so does the Traffic. Did I say traffic? Yes, many of you live where there is a commute to work that involves that dreaded traffic. My thoughts of dealing with traffic is having to cross the two lane span bridge between the mainland (where I live) and the island (where I work). Of course when you least expect it there may be a wreck on that bridge. Most of the crashes are rear enders on the top of the bridge. This is because most people get up the speed to get up the bridge and start looking at the breathtaking view at the top and then "wham" someone in front of you slams on the breaks and "crunch" it happens. In an instant you have pushed about 3 people into each other and the view now is dollar signs!!! :( My daughter got a new car for her High school graduation and within a month she got into a fender bender on that bridge!! I remember the day, she called me and I was in another town shopping. My husband happened to be on the water under the bridge but neither of us could get to her there. Luckily it wasn't a bad accident but I am sure she is always more careful when she crosses that bridge.
When you head over that bridge, to see that view of the Intracoastal waterway, you know that you are going to experience a "little piece of heaven" when you get to that beach.
Truth be known, I can't tell you how long it has been since I actually went to the beach via the bridge. We usually take our boat out to one of the islands and park and relax. It's a different way of life to be able to go to one of the little islands and be on "Island time". If you ever get this way I will gladly take you out via boat or Jetski and show you the world from a different view.
I know my sister Jaye would love to get her hands on that Jet Ski we have outside and take it for a long ride. Maybe when she comes this summer she can do just that, I know she would love it. It is like riding a snowmobile on the water and it gives you the freedom to go and ride for hours. Of course with a couple of stops for some gas may be needed.
Today I sat out on my deck, got some sun and watched the grandsons Sawyer, Connor and Ben play in the pool. Oh to be 5-6 and 7 once again. Cannonballs galore!!! They had a blast. We picked two of them up on the boat and Sawyer had to help Pa drive. He is doing so much better this year. He has finally realized how to turn and not get to the shallow water. It's so cute to see him there on Pa's lap with his Sunglasses and ski vest, navigating the boat in the water! I can't imagine what my life would have been like without these little boys here playing swords and hide and seek.
Dinner tonight was at the famous T&W Oyster Bar. The popcorn shrimp is my favorite and we enjoyed the hushpuppies they have as well. Check them out on Facebook and stop in for some seafood as well as other features they offer. Its worth the trip!
I'm not sure but I believe the storms of this past weekend are suspected to come our way tomorrow, so I am sure that we will have to find some indoor things for the next few days. If we could have weekends like this every week, I will deal with the rain during the week with no complaints.
So, May is going to be busy and June too, then we have the Wedding in July and August school starts again...... maybe I will just think about this week now and the other things next week.
Happy Mothers day to those who are moms and if your mother is living with God then know she is looking down on you, knowing you appreciate what she gave you in your life.