“It’s time to re-on-vay…”
This is the phrase that my best friend Kelsey whispers to me every time we go on vacation together.
“Re-on-vay” is short for “let’s relax on vacation and let’s not say the whole sentence because we are too relaxed to finish it.”
Our families have been doing the re-on-vay together for almost ten years. What a blessing to find another set of people just as dysfunctional as we are who get along well enough to travel together. They tolerate my need to be at the airport at the butt-crack of dawn and I tolerate their need to do things that involve deep water and sea sickness.
So friends, we are off to someplace paradise for a while with my bestie and her husband as well as another fun couple making their first trip to the tropics. Even though the homestead will be in good hands with Grandma and Grandpa (and 5 dogs) I’ve got the pre-vacation jitters as I try to prepare both of my kids to tackle situations I’d normally micromanage if I were here. As difficult as it is for me to leave them and the always-a-gnat-in-my-ear responsibilities, I’m old enough to know that this quality time with BD and friends is a much-needed reboot and kick in the pants as well as an opportunity to grant some independence to Tanna and Dane.
And, before you get the urge to throw snowballs at my head, let me provide a little gift for you. I know that this time of year can be stressful, so hop over to Brene’ Brown’s site and read this short article, “The show must go on. But at what cost?” It was exactly what I needed yesterday when I found myself drowning in a pile of Christmas lists, bills, work assignments and high school wrestling schedules.
Now pop an umbrella in your hot chocolate, throw in some ear buds and escape from the self-inflicted chaos with my playlist. Perhaps you can re-on-vay today, too.
Psst: The Kenny Chesney sandwich is just for you, Christy. xo
I hope that you relax and anchor in while there, friend. Blow a kiss to the ocean for me and Enjoy!!
With heart,
Dani
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“Blow a kiss to the ocean for me.”
Seems like that should be the opening line to a poem.
Will do, Dani 🙂
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Blow a kiss to the ocean for me, for I am far from there,
Behind the moon and under hills I sojourn while I stare
Inside my heart (where you reside regardless of the miles
that yawn between us vast), for just a glimpse of your glad smile,
Please…Blow a Kiss to the ocean for me, so far…and yet so near.
The ocean sings and shouts in steady thundering loud voice
And yet it also whispers to the ones that make the choice
to listen with their bones and answer with their ruddy heart
that yearns to cast off every weight and burden and depart
for destinations where there is no sorrow, shame, or fear.
You there, at the ocean, me, across that vast expanse
and laboring in desert sands, I listen…for your glance
my way, and I yearn for the sound, the smell of what will be
when I can fly across the sky and land there, at the sea.
But for now, please…Blow a kiss to the ocean…just for me.
❤ to my sisters…how I wish I could cross these miles, these seas, and find my true homeland at last and forever.
*tears*
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Oh my goodness, Charissa!
Beautiful…it’s no coincidence that I thought of you when I mentioned that Dani’s reply sounded like poetry. Ask and you shall receive.
Thank you, my friend.
I’ll blow a kiss to the ocean for both of you.
xo
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omg…so I read that line, thought “Oh Mama that is a poem!” and then lil mama sez “Hey that’s a poem!” lol
Thanks mama…only to the real ocean, the kiss…the other one? That cannot be crossed yet? It can pound sand.
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P.S. “When our lives become pageants, we become actors. When we become actors, we sacrifice authenticity. Without authenticity, we can’t cultivate love and connection. Without love and connection, we have nothing.”
Ding, ding, Brene.
And that’s a wrap.
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That was my favorite paragraph, too!!!
Winner, winner, chicken dinner 🙂
Have a great Friday, Dani! xo
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Authenticity…about the only thing I really believe I have going for me!!
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You know you have waaaay more than just that 😉
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All else is mere permutations
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You are always so kind to read and link.
Thank you!
Michelle
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Enjoy the well-earned re-on-va, Michelle! Watch out for those tan lines and drinks with the umbrellas in them. And have some “Key Lime Pie.”
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Thanks Ned!
You’re assuming that there will be tan lines…oh wait, it’s not THAT kind of beach 😉
*note to self: Key Lime Pie
Psst: I’m still home today and hope to hop over and read about Barbie and GI Joe–I’m so far behind on my bloggy reading!!
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Haha! You’ll know if it’s “that” kind of beach right away because, for some reason, the only people who go to “that” kind of beach are the same people who really shouldn’t be walking around without a trench coat on. You and your group would definitely stick out… well, figuratively speaking.
As for the key lime pie, aside from being my favorite kind of pie, it’s Kenny Chesney’s strangest video. Mostly because it’s the only time I’ve ever seen him without a hat on. There’s a reason he wears a hat…
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I am looking up that video…I’ve not seen it!!
You are so true on “those” types of beaches. I’ve not been to one, but have seen some visitors from there trickle over to the conservative sand.
A couple of years ago, hubby and I were walking along the beach and met a woman and her husband walking toward us. The woman was very pretty…and topless. My dear husband had plenty of time to look away and regroup. It wasn’t until she was just a few feet away that he tripped in the sand…right in front of her. Priceless!
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Hahaha! Poor guy! That sounds like something I would do. Even without the distraction(s). My wife and I wandered onto a nude beach by accident, once. A man came jogging by with his dog. I told her I hope they don’t play fetch.
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AAAAAA!!! There are some things that just cannot be unseen!
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Next time you are at the airport? 5 hours early? Look for me…cus I will have been there about an hour before that, so I will save you a seat!
🙂
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Lol!
I compromised with the gang this time and will be there about 90 minutes early…which is thirty minutes too late for me 🙂
It’s a good thing I have such patient friends!
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Ummm…so I have been known to take a bus to get there at the time I need to be, waiting for all others to come in the “RISKY TIME”!!! HELLLLOOOOOO???!!!!
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We are sisters from other misters 🙂
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Yeppity Peppers!!
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I think we are all thinking about soothing surf and sun right now! Hooray and enjoy!
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Yes to sun and surf!
I hope you get some, too!
Thank you, my friend!!
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Dysfunction draws dysfunction. This principle explains 96% of all friendships I’ve ever had. Put away a rum and Coke Zero for me while you’re there, would you? If I had an Instagram I’d steal that first picture and brag to my friends, “yeah, I roll with these chicks.”
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Hi Eli!
You would fit right in…rum and coke and dysfunction–it’s the perfect combination!
As far as the Instagram…it’s my favorite social media account. I post pictures just for me on that site–you can be social without being overly social 🙂
BTW: I have several of your posts in my inbox and am eager to read. I promise I’ve not been ignoring you 🙂
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Hey yourself, Michelle. I think rum and coke takes the edge off the dysfunction – or does it enhance it?
I just bring myself to Instagram yet. Do I have to have one to look at yours?
Thing is, like a Twinkie, my posts have an extended shelf life. They’ll be ready for you when you get there. Even on some beach, some where.
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It’s so funny–I picked up Instagram so I could keep tabs on my kiddos’ social activities and now I take more pictures than they do!
My username is @mamamickterry–you are welcome to view it. It’s kinda boring and artsy stuff–not anything Star Wars that would be remotely intriguing to you 😉
Have a great weekend with all of your girls, Eli! Is soccer over?
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We’re done with soccer! Grace’s team won second place at our end-of-season tournament. Winter training’s right around the corner though … we have a shorter off-season than NASCAR does.
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Have a super time, jealous as hell and oh…. Hope u don’t get many cramps in your feet ( wink, wink )…. Remember, u told me when that happens 🙂 Do a little recharging for this MUCH NEEDED housewife would ya?! Enjoy!
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Have a wonderful time, take lots of pictures for us to daydream to for when you return 🙂 ❤
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I will Sheena!
I hope you are doing well…I hope to hop over to your site and see what you’ve been up to 🙂
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Enjoy your vacay!!
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Thank you, Scott!
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Oh, Mama! How can you do this to us Northeast-bound winter-sufferers left behind, Michelle?
Enjoy the vaycay. Relax, just do it. Dysfunction your little heart out to its fullest, both families. Deserved for anybody who must get to the airport at the butt-crack of dawn. (Me, too, much to my dear wife Karen’s chagrin.)
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I know…I’m so sorry, Mark!
Thank you for the vacation wishes and it’s nice to know that I would have a fellow buddy at the terminal early if I needed one.
Have a great Friday!!
Michelle
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have a fabulous time!
can’t wait to hear about it when you get back!
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Thank you, Michele!
You have a great week, too 🙂
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have faun on vacay – thanks for the Chesney amiga – and what a great time to slip away for some life giving sun – vitamin D and mmmm mmm goodness. 🙂
oh and fun pics – I like that shadow one the most – with the three gradating shadows – but have fun and be safe 🙂 ,3
love ya ❤
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Hey Yvette!
Christy from RoS gave me the Kenny ideas…I can’t believe I almost missed him!
As always, I love hearing from you and am so tickled that you have such an eye for photographic details. I’m woefully behind on my reading, but I promise I’ll be back to get caught up with you, too.
Have a great weekend, amiga! xo
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Hey Mamma-joy – hope your vary is going nice (or went nice) and it really did not take keen observing to appreciate that shadow shot because it was a photo of just shadows – so you made it easy – lol
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I’m actually more happy for you than jealous, which is saying something given where you’re going and who you’re going with. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids beyond measure and we have so much fun on vacation. But it’s so much fun to spend time with old friends. It makes me feel like a younger, happier version of myself to get away from the usual roles. So yes, really happy for you and hope you’ll post some pics from your trip so we can all bask in the warm sunny glow. Have an awesome time!
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Oh Kristen,
You just know things don’t you? It IS a lot of fun to spend time with friends and go back to being the person your spouse married before the bills and the babies and the responsibilities took over. I’m bringing my good camera, so I’m sure I’ll have plenty of photos to share (please cry Uncle! when appropriate).
Have a great weekend, my friend!!
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There is no better place to re-on-vey than the beach! Have a blast and get a tan for me 😉
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I will do that MMama!!
I see that you have a new post, too…perhaps that’s what I’ll be reading as I’m sipping on the beach.
Have a great weekend!!
Michelle
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I’d find a better read… mine’s boring beach material!!!
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NOTHING you ever write is boring!
You make me smile and appreciate so many things about being a mama. I adore your stuff…don’t ever sell yourself short. xo
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Welp… I know who to come to now when I’m in need of encouragement 🙂 but seriously… it’s about soap!
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Soap? Priceless!!!
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I’m not even going to “like” your comment!
:-p
(Have a great weekend, my friend!)
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Have a great time Michelle, may your re-on-vay blow the cobwebs away, refresh the mind and allow you to really let go and ‘receive’ something for you.
One of the hardest things to do, especially from you as you are a giver. Now give to you…and no squirming…just accept. And enjoy. Namaste
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Oh my goodness, Mark…you know me too well!
No squirming–okay–I’ll try my very best! That said, I know that there will be a volleyball net and paddleboards at arms’ length.
I’m also excited to see that you have a post waiting for me in my inbox. I’m guessing it will be the perfect bit of prose to get my brain heading in the right direction.
Hope you are doing well, my friend.
Thank you for the kind words.
Michelle
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Now that’s my kinda sam’mich!
On a total tangent, I would sing “Anything But Mine” to Spot, so I adore Kenny for all sorts of reasons.
Have a great time! I’ll miss you!
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Awww….loved that you sang to Spot. I was just giving Cleve a big ole good-bye hug while I hummed Bob Marley 🙂
Have a great weekend, cutie. I have free texting via iMessage, so I may send you a pic or two. That is, if the phone even makes it out of my suitcase 🙂
Run some miles for me! xo
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So, so jealous! Safe and merry trip to you, Michelle. Love the pix 🙂
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Thank you, Josie!
It was wonderful. I can’t wait to get caught up with all my friends now! xo
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Have a great trip Mama! Any room in your suitcase for a stowaway? I’m only little. 🙂
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Lol! Ive had many requests from would-be stow-a-ways. Always room for a friend!
Have a great weekend, Paul!
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HAHA!
I wish I would have read this before leaving…I would have definitely saved you a spot next to the sunscreen!
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Yay! You’re probably long gone by now but I’m so excited for you! I hope you have a fantastic trip. I’m inspired that there could be trips like this for me and the hubs down the road in our future. I sometimes forget that our little ones are actually getting older everyday! Beautiful photos too. 🙂 xo
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There ARE definitely trips like this down the road for you. We started making it an every two year thing once our kiddos were a little older.
It was great, it was fun and so refreshing. I’m trying to extend my vacation state of mind on this busy Monday, but the work e-mails are calling me away from the beach.
I hope you are doing well…I see that I have a delightful post from you waiting for me in my inbox.
Mayhem? Bring it, baby!
xo
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Wishing you much re on your vay. Peace out, for now…
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Thank you, friend.
Trying to extend the island vibe a bit longer on this busy Monday morning 🙂
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LOL for re-on-vay; hope you had/are having a fab break from real life!!
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Thank you, Tina!
It was great!
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Oh my goodness, I’ve been away from my reader for so long, but glad I’m getting back because this made me smile. Re-on-vay on! xo
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And you have a good reason, my dear!
I can’t wait to get caught up over at your site…I’m sure by now, you have a new little one taking up your time 🙂
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I’ll just be stealing ‘re-on-vay’ from you. Many thanks.
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You just absolutely made my day, Katie!
Use the word all you want…it rolls off the tongue. Works best with an adult beverage in tow.
Hope you are doing great!
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Good golly, girl…that YOU on the left??
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Tee! Hee!
Who me?
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Ssssssizzzle. (No wonder you and the man still good after all these yrs….) ^ ^
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Oh D, you are too kind 🙂
xoxoxo
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You certainly look ready, Michelle – for anything!
By the way, you’re a fox!
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Awww shucks, Mr. Hook. The company I keep certainly helps 😉
(I’m back and it was great!)
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Great sound, great words, makes for a great day, and I thank you!
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Thank you so much!
I’m eager to start writing again–feeling a bit rusty these days.
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