Well, just when everybody in town was ready to run for the hills up north, BAM the magic wand was waved over the Fabulous Florida Keys and the tourists vanished and all is as it should be again. Actually, the tourists came and went with Easter. It is now possible to take a swim without being hit by a boat, turn on to Route 1, check out in the grocery store and eat at a restaurant. Yay! We had a hot and humid day yesterday so I spent the afternoon swimming with the girls. 

 Life is good.

Happy April!

Here is what Louise Hay has to say to me about April:

New people, situations, and ideas abound this month. I am now focusing on the new beginnings that are in store for me. I reach out with self confidence, knowing that I deserve to have good enter my life.

Bring it on, baby, I'm ready!!

In other news, my friend's daughter is getting married and she gave me a little list of projects and supplies, because "you sew." Well, yeah. I sew cotton. Satin is a whole other animal. Talk about fraying. Give me a nice batik any day. You can keep your slippery satin. Anyhoo, here is what I accomplished over the weekend and I think they look pretty cute.

ring bearer pillow

tea favor 

garters

The picture of the garters don't do them justice. They are lavender and lacy with flowers and ribbons with the bride and groom names. I just have the kneelers left to make. They are getting married on my anniversary. Hope they're not doomed. ha

Biker Peeps

I whipped up this cute little Easter wallhanging for my niece, Ryder. Easter is her favorite holiday. Happy Easter, Ryder!

haha

So, I haven't told you yet but my nephew, Nat, and Sarah and the kids were here for spring break as well. I don't have many pictures because we were so busy. Lots of paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and more swimming, snorkeling, you get the picture. After all, this IS the Fabulous Florida Keys.  Here are the three kids vegging after a busy day.

 And, here is little Ben enjoying a slice. Love this!

Sophie was of course on hand to supervise at mealtime.

And, this next shot has quite a story. I'll try to be brief. So the night before, we had quite a windstorm and when I got up in the morning, two of my chairs were missing. Nat spent two hours on the paddleboard, searching up and down the canal, looking under docks and mangroves, you get the picture. I, in the meantime, took my parents to the airport (bye bye Mom and Dad, it was fun!) and when I got home, we all got on our bikes to go out for lunch. We were thinking about Pilot House but at the last minute went to the Fisheries. So, we were waiting for our food and admiring an old Albin (that's a boat-duh) when the guy in the Albin says to some guy on the dock, hey do you want this? And, he points to a chair in the back of the boat. Sarah jumps up. Hey! That's our chair! So we go over and he says he found it out in the ocean and we explain and he hands it over. No sooner does he do that and we are saying what are the odds?? when a little motorboat comes in to the harbor and in the back of it? My other chair!!!! Now really, what ARE the odds of THAT?  Pretty amazing.

So then Nat decides, being a guy and all, that I do not need to ride home and get the car. Oh no. He will attach the chairs to his bike and, with both kids on board, ride home with the full load. Check him out. So funny and so smart, our Natonio!

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Ok, in other news, Will went out for a day of fishing with Cap'n Skippy and caught this ginormous wahoo AND a bunch of tuna. Oh was it good (the tuna-you don't want to eat wahoo). There was enough for eleven of us and I still have more in the freezer for moi.

I took Will to the airport on Tuesday and was sad to see him go - the visit went waaaaay too fast! Bye bye, Will. It was super fun.

So, I haven't shown you pictures of my sister, Becky, and niece Ryder but they were here as well for a few days and we mos def had a full house and even a tent set up outside. Busy full days of sun and fun and I can't believe I didn't find two seconds to take their pictures. But, here is one from the archives. Their visit was short but sweet.

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So, now I am home alone and it is very quiet. It makes me realize how accustomed I am to being alone and living alone and that not only am I used to it but I'm good at it. And, when my family is here, well it just fills me up until the next time. My former husband is an idiot to miss out on all of this. But let's not talk about him, right? He is SO not worth it. And, I AM.  insert big smiley face!

Will and I had a magical afternoon at Dolphins Plus, right down the canal from my house. After a briefing, we entered the water and had the experience of a lifetime.

Checking us out

Will suits up

Trainer, Kristin with Sarah and Big Momma

Will and I give Big Momma (515 lbs!) a belly rub

kisses

A ride to the dock

Shaking hands

It is the most amazing feeling to have two dolphins put noses to the bottoms of your feet and propel you across the lagoon. A truly awesome experience.