Living from the Heart

This is a continuation from the previous blog... After being redirected from our connecting flight in St. Thomas to San Juan, Kim and I decided we had politely been hoodwinked into giving up our seats. "It's because we booked on Expedia." Kim said earlier. I joked with her that it was that very comment that manifested the whole thing. She told me she thought it was because I asked for seats together and thus drawing unwanted attention. We laughed as we retold the story from our own vantage point. The flight went without incident for the most part. A young mother sat across from us with her three small boys. They cried quite a bit, ate snacks, drank Coke, then went spastic. We accurately predicted the latter after the food and beverage service.  They were cute even while driving their mom crazy (her own words). "I have three boys myself, I've been there."  I  reassured her.  We exchanged pleasantries and she told me my boys were all grown up. I'll

Kim and I have a little inside joke about having adventures. She likes to have experiences she's never had before as do I so it's a great match for traveling. The two of us are both easy going for the most part but sometimes I may be slightly "too nice" as she likes to put it. Case in point, when the Charlotte flight attendant tells us to come with them because the plane has brake issues and she is going to redirect our flight plan through another island.  I just say, "Sure, ok."  Kim meanwhile is reading Heads and Beds, a Reckless Memior of Hotels, Hustles, and So Called Hospitality, she's certain the flight attendant is using "the language". The attendant tells us we have to move quickly for this to work so we jump up slightly bewildered and gather our bags. All attention is on us. She explains we are the only two aboard headed to St. Croix; we are the only two being escorted off, that's for sure, and its nerve-racking.  We follow her t

Wasting Away Again... Waiting for it to warm up in Virginia is like waiting for the apocalypse.  It is 36 degrees in the middle of May, ridiculous.  I need some warm weather stat. Alas, the time has come and I am returning to my second home in beautiful St. Croix.  With this trip comes the blessing of some much needed 'girl time', family time, and husband time.  My friend Kim will return with me to the island and my mom will follow shortly.  We have lots of plans for beach time, yoga, and a trip to the Captain Morgan's Rum Factory.  I can't remember the last time it was just girls and I'm really excited about it! The following week Rob will bring the boys and we will enjoy a much needed refresher.  The boys were a little reluctant to return so soon, I think it's strange, I mean who wouldn't want to go to a beach where the weather and the water is warm? Right? Lastly, the boys will return to the states and Rob and I will have one week all alone, yep,

"Hello Starshine, the Earth Says 'Hello'!" I love that line from the remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it has such a pleasant vibration to it and always makes me smile.  Smiling is something of great importance too, it's something I was having trouble doing over the last couple weeks.  Now that I've worked through the problem and found the solution I'd like to share it in case someone is feeling the same way. I've mentioned before how the transition back to Virginia from St. Croix took a little time and patience.  It was cold for the initial weeks that we've been home and Rob has been working hard and long hours with the upcoming mowing season at hand.  We went from being together all day everyday to spending a considerable amount of time apart.  His support with the boys day to day is certainly missed. Jack of All Trades  The next thing that I struggled with was the change of pace.  Boy things in the states move fast!  People ar