Random Thoughts and Musings

First of all, I want to wish a happy birthday to one of my friends who has been a constant source of inspiration since I met him. We initially met on Twitter and he seemed to be relatively tame and enduringly cheerful, with the most positive outlook on life I had ever seen. After a little time, we talked via DMs and IMs, getting to know each others’ ’story,’ and learning about what made one another tick.

I discovered a lot of little tidbits about him that made me respect and admire him as a person, a father, and a friend. His dedication to his children was the first thing I had noticed about him, on Twitter. His willingness to admit to his mistakes, own up to his faults, and correct himself when he is wrong all strengthened that admiration. He has reached out to me during some of my struggles in the last year, and provided neverending cheerfulness during the last year while I helped my BFF & her family through a tough time last year.

He has also provided a fountain of laughter, making comedic entrances and exits on our favorite social networks. Most of all, he has given us all a reason to think with his provocative blog posts, passion for improving the world, and innate sense of what should and should not be.

Happy Birthday to my friend Soren … who will forever be united with me as my Twitterhubby … the poor, unfortunate soul!

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Secondly, there is ME! Today is also my birthday. I will be alone today, as my BFF is still out of town, and my Lil Lady is working with BFF’s Mom to run the daycare. Lil Lady is going to spend Saturday creating a little something of an edible sort for me (I believe it will be a fruit bouquet-I love her imagination and creativity!), and BFF has promised to take me to dinner anywhere I want after she returns. Until then, though, I will have all I wish on my birthday! I shall close my eyes in a little while and dream…

First, my travels will take me to a local bakery for a light breakfast - a bowl fresh fruit and a delicious blueberry muffin. I will sit by the window and watch as people come in and out, sit for breakfast, or pick up orders to take back to work or home. I will make up stories about them in my mind: who they are, what they do for a living, who they are rushing home to see. I will probably even go as far as decorating their homes and naming their pets, because I like my fantasies to be complete!

After breakfast, I will walk the beach in my mind … the beautiful Destin pass. I will scrunch my toes in the sugar-white sand, tilt my face up to be warmed by the sun, and dip my toes into the warm emerald green waters of the Gulf. The breeze carries the the salt of the water to me, filling my heart with happiness. The birds in the sanctuary behind me are noisy this morning, comfortable in their habitat because the beach is nearly deserted and they feel no danger pressing upon them. I will walk out along the beach, rounding the first corner to stop at the spot where we spread my brother’s ashes several years ago. There, I will walk out into the water to find the warm current, knowing in my mind that it is just that - a warm current; and at the same time understanding in my soul that it is my brother, tackling me and hugging me enthusiastically. Walking back up on the sand, I’ll sit down and lean into the dune, wiggling until the sand hugs my back like an armchair custom-made for me. There, I will watch the minnows and remember how my brother would spend hours diving into the water, chasing them. And because my little sister has blocked out nearly all of our childhood, I will also remember her carefree laughter as her skin darkened a shade every half hour and her hair sailed in the wind behind her as she ran along the shore, not a worry in the world. Once the sun has dried my skin and clothes, I will mosey all the way down to the jetties, to listen as the waves crash against the rocks and the sea gulls dive for their sushi luncheon.

The tiki-style roof over the bar at AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar beckons, remind me it is lunchtime, and a day spent at the beach is not complete without heading across the bridge. I’ll sit out on the deck, sipping an ice-cold drink and enjoying the sun’s warmth while I wait for lunch: a blackened amberjack sandwich topped with cole slaw instead of lettuce and tomato (one of their specialties). Growing up, this was a family tradition of ours, and we regulars at AJ’s every summer.

After lunch, my dreams will carry me to the spa, where I will indulge in a mani/pedi. I love being spoiled, so having my legs and feet massaged and my nails trimmed and painted while I sip champagne and nibble on hors d’oeuvres is the natural progression of my day. Topping it off with an hour-long hot stone massage can only heighten my relaxed state, so after my champagne is consumed and my nails are dry, I will carefully tip-toe across the cool floors, ducking behind the curtain to lie down on the cool white sheet covering the extra-padded massage table. The relaxing sounds of rain and thunder mixed with wooden wind chimes piped through the speakers of the small stereo in the room, the warm stones being pressed against my skin as my masseur explains their healing properties, and the scent of the oils as they are massaged into my skin will work together to send my entire being into sensory heaven.

My friends will still be another couple of hours before they can meet me for dinner, so I will need to find a way to bide my time. The bookstore beckons from across town, so I head over and spend a few hours browsing the shelves, sipping an iced coffee, and perhaps making a purchase or two with the gift cards I have been saving since Christmas.

Dinner will be at Pepito’s - the local Mexican restaurant that BFF & her whole family have loved for years and years. There, we will feast and enjoy frozen margaritas, laughter, friendship, and love. Afterwards, we’ll gather at one of our houses and I will be presented with a chocolate cake, decorated with chocolate icing and sugar-dipped strawberries. We will go for a late-night swim (I guess that means my imagination took us to M’s house - he’s the one with the pool LOL), have a few cocktails, and eat cake. Lots of cake.

Of course, the only thing that would make the day even more perfect is if P suddenly decided he couldn’t live without me in his life and showed up on my doorstep to join in on the celebration. Then again, this is MY dream … and in my dreams, anything can happen. The day will be absolutely perfect, with no meltdowns, no tempers rising, and no mishaps with the children.

So, happy birthday to me. I shall have the most beautiful day in the world, and I won’t have to leave my bed.

Life is damned good, thank you very much!

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes that have already been pouring in from my lovely friends. You all know how to make a Gyrl feel warm and cozy inside!

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Thirdly: I am entering a giveaway for one of these sweet babies.

While I would love to have one for myself in green, I am actually looking to win a purple one for Lil Lady:

I love that she is such an incredibly person already, and has strength of character, confidence, and a gentle spirit. I want that to continue, and I think this pillow is just one more way to encourage those things in her heart.

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Fourthly: I am entering THIS giveaway for myself. I have been lusting after Switchflops for more than a year. My OBFF was the one who Tweeted a link way back when, and I had to ask her for it again a few months later because I couldn’t stop thinking about them. I haven’t been able to justify buying them, because I have had perfectly good flip flops that I purchased in 2007. They still have the beading and everything … or, at least, they DID … until a certain little rescue kitty attacked them and chewed off the strap. Gah! I’ve gotten him to stop chewing my shoes (although he still sleeps in them), so now it is time to find another pair!

What better way to get them … than free?! And, how cute is this shoe? (Black  ”Taylor wedge” with the “Vanessa” strap. Full description: The black Taylor wedge provides a little lighthearted lift to your day. 1.5” lift. Black and metallic silver jacquard strap with brilliant grey rhinestone button. Summer Shine Collection.)

Go on, check out the Veater Family Blog, read through Ashley’s posts (I’ve liked what I’ve read so far), oooh-and-ahhhh over her adorable children, and take a peek at some of the giveaways for yourself!