The beach at night and odd happenings

One of the best things about living on the west coast of Florida (even if it is temporary) is that we can get up after dinner, and walk a block to the beach for sunset.  Yea, I'm bragging.  Let me do it while I can.

It was overcast and drizzly all day. Not fun at all for the boys, and to keep them from killing each other, I decided rain or not, we were burning off some steam at the beach.

I'm sorry, but even the beach in crappy weather is still amazing.  The gray and blues and creams are so soothing.  The boys ran into the water, which is already as warm as bath water now and I sat down with my camera to do some people watching and picture snapping.  Last year we caught Cameron Diaz at the ice cream shop. Her aunt lives on the island and people see her all the time here.  No such luck yet this summer.

 There is always at least one, maybe 2 groups, having their family photos done at sunset.  And here is the obligatory white shirt and denim group shot we caught tonight. Or as our teenager referred to them "The walking cliche".  I still thought it was great that they got a really big group together - that's so hard to coordinate with only 5 of us, i can't imagine orchestrating this...

But the coolest thing we saw tonight was this group of people that had gathered on the beach for a memorial service of one of their family members.  We watched them pop open bottles of champagne, and then one by one, each of them took turns speaking about his life and the effect he had left on them.  We weren't snooping - we were there first - they literally set up maybe 10 yards in front of my chair.  You could have knocked me over with a feather when i looked at the monitor on my camera after i took the pic...

People...that isn't a flash light, or a shrimping boat...i do believe they had a "guest" attend his own service.  It was such a sweet ceremony, i'm sure he was pleased.  


Linking to Melissa's "Inspired By" Fridays - what is more inspiring than signs of God, as my blogger friend Megan's says?

The next big project...a blank slate for Inspired Fridays

Before i get to what that is, can i just say that it's beyond absurd how happy i am that i actually get to go outside today? 

Like, walk out the door and get in a car and go somewhere? I've been like a caged animal in this townhouse.  

Vance is out of town, the boys are at their dad's, and i was looking forward to some pool time.  

Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not agree with my plans.  Everyday, after work, precisely at 5:05 the sky has let out and squashed my plans.  There is no screened porch here so i can't even fake a good outside spell. CAGED ANIMAL.  

But today...today i'm going to get my hair highlighted after work come heck or high water. And the high water will probably come.  but i'm still going outside. dangit.

OK. where was i?? OH! The project.  Here she is :)  

Meet Willow.  Our new-to-us house. If we ever close, but that's a post for a different day.  

We named her Willow because Willow is in the street name, and well, i like it and she needed a name.


There is LOTS to be done. There always is. New or old. She's not new, she's young. 11 years old i think.  and we have some repairs to do.  But that's ok.  She was great value for the money.  

Here are the pics mostly from the realtor site.

This is the view walking in the front door. Like I said, a lot of work :)  They closed in the porch - so we have to improve that "improvement" by taking it back to being a porch.  And i'm not sure about those scrolly things.  Makes me think of spider webs. And that isn't light affecting the floor - those are really 3 different floor tiles all in one space.  Continuity was not the previous owner's concern i guess. To each his own. LOL.

   
Here is the kitchen..nice.big.open.  I have a galley kitchen now - so i feel like won the jackpot here.

I have big plans for this space ;0)...  this is the master bath...again, big plans people, big plans. Love those hollywood makeup lights.  Great for playing dress up. Wait, i think that came out wrong.

but the biggest reason we decided on this house?....this....

 
yea. me too. 400 acres of a private lake for our subdivision.  This place rocks.  


Linking to Melissa over at the Inspired Room for Inspired Fridays :)