Thursday, June 16, 2011

We spent the day at the beach today. It was amazing. The best day ever.

The beach was smooth, the water cool and shallow, the people pleasant and all shapes and sizes.

I thought the umbrellas were so pretty - - every color of the rainbow.

As a treat, I brought K State tee shirts for Kimber and her girls.

The camp activity for the night was decorating canvas bags. We each signed the others. It was fun and there was much creativity floating around.

I should say that Kimber had her first taste of Pimm's while on this trip. Pimm's is an English spirit that is mixed with lemonade and served over ice. I put strawberries in the glass as well. It is great to be an adult.

Since I am leaving tomorrow, I spent time packing what I could into my suitcase and throwing the rest into the box I shipped to Kimber. She'll tote it back to Atlanta and send it on to me.

It's a sure thing that I'll be back to Hilton Head someday. I have it all figured out: Curtis will golf in the morning while I lounge at a pool somewhere. Then, in the afternoon, we'll get bikes and ride all around the island, dodging the alligators, seeing the sights.

But mostly dodging the alligators.

Wednesday June 15, 2011

I stayed at the pool when Kimber left with the girls for lunch. I just can not get enough sunshine! Pretty soon, here came Grace, delivering a wonderful poolside lunch. I sat in the shade, ate my lunch and relaxed. I could get used to this!

We had planned a trip to watch the dolphins but, instead, Mother Nature put on a show for us. A real Kansas style thunderstorm roared through.

After the thunderstorm wound its way out to sea, we decided to go to South Beach to the Salty Dog Cafe (http://www.saltydog.com/legend/). Emma wanted a tee shirt, so we all got them!

We took a trolley from an off site parking lot to South Beach. On the way, Grace caught 40 winks.

As we were approaching our condo "community" of Shipyard, we noticed several people pulled over, looking and pointing. Naturally, we wanted to be part of the looking and pointing so Kimber pulled over as well.

At the top of the water, nearly in the center is a gray stripe. That gray stripe is a big, BIG, gigantic, largest known alligator since the beginning of the world. I am not exaggerating. That alligator was enormous.

And it looked hungry.

Tuesday June 14, 2011

First things first. The streak in the lower center of the pond is an alligator. A frickin' baby alligator. The only thing between me, Kimber and the two bits of alligator bait in the backseat is a very thin car door. This was our very first 'gator sighting much to the delight of said bait in the backseat.

We spent the day at the pool. No photographs of that. Nope, you can't unsee Kimber and me in bathing suits. Seriously. Can. Not. Unsee. That.

The sun was wonderful for me (Sarah) and miserable for Kimber who was always in search of either shade or a breeze. I think living in the heart of the south (Atlanta) will do that to you.

Naps all around (except for Grace who didn't have to sleep. Ever.) were the order of the day by mid afternoon.

Kimber whipped up chicken fajitas for supper. Back in the days of Dodge City, she wouldn't touch raw meat. She's come a long way, that girl.

Camp activity of the night was making cards which I envisioned would be sent to grandparents or Dad back home in Atlanta. By the end of the night, we made them for each other, for the dog and one for Dad.

Wonderful sentiments that are hard to speak outloud were written, shared and treasured.

Monday Part 3 - Photos

Monday Part Deux

The camp activity for tonight was a great one! Ever since the Royal Wedding , I had the idea of making my own wedding hat. Tonight was the night!

I ordered and had shipped to Kimber 4 wide brimmed straw hats. She had no idea what was in the package as I kept her in the dark for fear of unmerciful teasing. Then, I shopped all over everywhere, looking for flowers, ribbons, feathers, birds, spikes, leaves, ivy, etc. to put on the hats. I shipped all that to Kimber as well. Still, no idea what's happening.

Since today is Priya and Chet's anniversary we honored them by making our hats then eating Battenburg cake which I brought home from England a year ago and kept in the freezer. We were very British. At least, we thought we were very British.

I will post more pictures soon. This is Emma in her wedding hat. Doesn't she look lovely?

One thing we discovered is that Grace has an eye for art and for style. Her hat, I am totally serious here, could have been worn at a wedding in the U.K. It was spectacular. See what you think.

Many laughs and a great sense of accomplishment.

Once the girls went to bed, the fun really started for Kimber and me. We laid in bed and talked until 2:30 a.m. laughing and talking and laughing. Our poor husbands. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Oh one more thing, we went to the beach at around dusk. It was amazing. There was nearly a full moon, the waves were coming in, the sand was fine and soft. I clearly was not in Kansas anymore.

Poolside

I know Kimber will post more later, but here's my day:

Got up.

Had breakfast.

Went to the pool.

Came home for lunch.

Went back to the pool.

Came home for a nap.

Had supper - - Kimber, Grace and Emma cooked a wonderful meal of pasta, salad and bread while I blogged. Remember last year when I was dubbed the "storyteller" while everyone else was a worker bee?

Aretha Franklin was the soundtrack of the evening.

Grace mentioned that God made us best friends because He knew our parents couldn't handle us together as sisters. We think she is on to something!

Later tonight we have a special project in honor of Priya and Chet's anniversary. Pictures will be posted....

Monday in theSouth

We're here! I arrived in Savannah by way of Houston. (Note to future travelers: the bathroom situation in the B terminal sucks. What I was holding since Kansas City, I continued to hold....no relief in Texas. TGFBIS. (Thank God for bathrooms in Savannah))

Kimber spent the morning herding cats, i.e. Emma, 6, and Grace, 12, so she was running a bit behind in getting the airport. Her tardiness worked in my favor since I was in the bathroom (see previous paragraph) and, after listening to a guy puke for the last 20 minutes of the flight into Savannah, I was ready for some fresh air! At the Savannah Airport, there are rocking chairs on the sidewalks outside. I grabbed a rocker, sat down and started my vacation!

Pretty soon I heard a horn honking and knew that the fun was really beginning.

The first thing I did was meet Emma and Grace (and tell them that I overruled their mom for the next 5 days) . The second thing I did was laugh. I haven't stopped yet.

We drove around Savannah on our way to Leopold's for the best ice cream ever. EVER. I had one scoop of vanilla caramel. Mint chocolate chip, chocolate indulgence, lemon custard and coconut flavors were represented. Yum. Eee.

We drove by Juliet Gordon Lowe's house - she's the founder of Girl Scouts. That was pretty exciting for all of us...current and former Girl Scouts.

We walked along the Savannah River and drove by Forsythe Park. I want to re-read "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"now that I've seen everything in person!

Since every paragraph so far has begun with the word "we", this one won't.....Had supper at a seafood place. Funny story - Kimber and I got steak salads and Grace got crab legs. She is a full contact crab leg eater (I know one when I see one since I am one!). From out of nowhere came flying crab meat or crab shell....next time we eat seafood together, I bringing my rain slicker! Good times, Gracie Lou, good times!

After dinner we arrived at the condo which is WONDERFUL! Kimber and I are sharing a room (and a bed!). Naturally, we talked until far into the night.

The Second Annual Kimber and Sarah Adventure has begun.

(post by Sarah)