Condo living at its finest.  We are more than a neighborhood, we are family!  When our property manager, Charles Lemons, proudly announced that his Lisa said yes ~ we were ready to celebrate (not that it takes much to get us together for a feast in the Wine and Dine).  This had to be a surprise of the best kind, though.  We involved Lisa in a scheme to take him out to lunch that day, but not to share that the lunch was with us.  When she arrived, one of his employees told him there was a problem in the Wine and Dine, he was needed right away.  Needless to say, he came in a hurry.  As they opened the door, we yelled “surprise, this party is for you!”  Lisa later told us she has never seen him that surprised.  It was really fun to see a moment of confusion on his face before the reality set in.

Showers are a good venue for finding out interesting facts about the couple, too.  Of course we had to play the “bridal shower question game.”  Now we know that Charles loves to play John Madden’s Football, and Lisa writes poetry (when not practicing law).  And true to form, Charles could not recite one poem (since it has nothing to do with football I assume:)

We then settled in for a Mexican feast of King Ranch, refrieds, nachos, and a green salad to make us feel like we were trying to eat healthy:)

Family traditions are what makes the holidays so special.  Here’s to hoping they never change.  In our family Thanksgiving begins with a feast at Mamou’s (that’s me) Diamond Beach condo overlooking the gulf.  Ivy and Hazel, the grandbabies, definitely have inherited their Mamou’s salt water soul.  They head straight for the balcony, until darkness falls, and time to move indoors for some football.  Then on to Grandpa and Grandma’s the next day, for some cousin time.  Every year they rent a virtual dance hall in Beaumont so the grandbabies, and now great-grandbabies, can bring their riding toys and have some space to play.  We are so grateful to have Grandpa and Grandma with us this year.  Praying that this family tradition continues for many years into the future.  That’s something to give thanks for:)

Just another day in paradise:)  Sis Paige procured a trip to several of the British Virgins, giving me another check on the bucket list of awesome things to see in this world. We  trekked through a very rocky and spookily narrow trail in the jungle, which opened onto one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever encountered.  Certainly one of God’s favorite aquariums.  Our guide was so knowledgeable, making it a great trip through the geological history of the formation of these gorgeous islands.  Evidently the tectonic plate movement forced these enormous boulders up to the surface, forming open air caves where warm sea water gently washes in to form a bath of sorts.  It was one of those spectacular moments in life where you just want to sit down in the midst of it ~ and never leave.  But leave we had to:(  No matter, because the next stop was a huge priority on my bucket list.  Snorkeling inside of natural caves at the oceans edge.  Paige and I were the first ones in the water, and the last ones out.  It was a very cool experience sharing these dark, and a little claustrophobic, natural rooms of stone with sea life and maybe a bat or two.  When we all piled back aboard for the trip home, one of the younger travelers told us they wanted to be just like us when they reached our age.  Our age??  Didn’t know it was so readily apparent:(  I’m sure they just meant me, your older sister, Paige!

A magical moonlit night began a week long adventure in the Virgins with my sister Paige and her daughter Katie.  Not being an avid yoga fan, I had my doubts about attempting the contortions on a sandy beach mat. The truth is, I got caught up in the beauty of the turquoise water, white sand and bright summer moon creating a silver path on the water.  Who could resist?  When my body could be pushed no further, I grabbed my camera and caught these shots of my sister, her daughter and her athletic followers.  They continued to perform feats of balance and agility that I can only admire from afar.  Katie has a rare talent for setting the mood for putting one’s mind at peace while pressing the body into positions beyond my ability for sure.  It was a memory I will not soon forget.

Although each and every day Diamond Beach residents rely on our fabulous staff for security, mail, maintenance, fielding questions and making our day better; just once a year the tables turn.  We, the owners, cater to our trusted staff as they float the river, lounge by the pool and eat James Fuglaar Burgers:)  They bring their family and loved ones to share in their workplace (I mean who wouldn’t want to work here)  There is live music, some of which it turns out is provided by employee’s talented relatives.  There are also a few coveted prizes, such as gift certificates to local restaurants.  We held our breath as the storm clouds gathered to the east and the west, but skirted around us the entire day.  It was if we were magically protected from any bad weather on this special day.  We had so much fun watching them enjoy the day, I’m thinking we should do it twice a year:)

I honestly wasn’t sure that my very protective son would ever consent, in my lifetime, to leaving the girls with me for an overnight stay.  Three and one-half years ago it was out of the question when the first born, Ivy, was brought home to monitors in every room.  If she hiccuped everyone in the house knew it:)  Now that little sister Hazel has been around for a couple of years, having a night away  didn’t sound so bad.  The girls and I had a ball, watching The Jungle Book, sneaking cookies and milk, and diving for seahorses.  While the parents were away Mamou moved the girls’ “dining table” to a more advantageous spot to see the cartoons while dining; and let them shower in Mamou’s guest bathroom, always more fun than the usual spot.  When Mom and Dad got back on Sunday, Ivy insisted on a payback swim at the “dam lake” (Ivy’s term for Lake Travis @ Mansfield Dam).  Then we discovered the best ice cream in Austin, nitro-infused frozen delicacies.  Every kid in Creamistry was fascinated by the smoke (mist) that rises around the ice cream barista as he works his magic nitro machine.  After that experience, I recommend selling the Marble Slab stock, it’s all over for the old fashioned ice cream parlor.

Maui flew over that rainbow bridge like the gazelle that she once was in her youth.  We will always remember how she gracefully leapt over the grass in the backyard as a puppy, when the grass was taller than she.  I always thought she was half gazelle.  The other half was pure mermaid.  She was a salt water soul and spent many of her senior hours gazing across the gulf, at peace with the world.  Never a cross word with any human, she was truly a loyal  family member, and will be sorely missed by all.  Take to your wings and fly my girl – no more pain for you – just peace.  See you and Robert on the other side:)

What started out to be a family jaunt with the grandbabies to try out “The Swan” at the “dam lake” (Mansfield Dam), quickly became a neighborhood event.  Word spread quickly that the Wilcox clan had acquired another funny floating family member.  When Ivy’s BFF Aria saw the swan in the background as Ivy FaceTimed her for a playdate, there was no hiding it.  Everyone wanted to have a turn on this oversized creature; even Tres’ friend Travis joined in.  It’s a good thing, because we needed a lot of hot air to blow this gargantuan thing up.  Funny thing is, when we made it to the swimming hole the guys “jumped in” while the moms opted for some shore time.  Guess they needed some catch up time:)   Fun was definitely had by all.  It took some creative parental reverse psychology to get the kids (and guys) to come out and dry off.  Lucy’s on the Lake for fried chicken did the trick!  The Swan now resides in the backyard pond, for the time being.

One of the things I love most about my neighbors at Diamond Beach – we’re all big kids at heart.  Many braved the foreboding skies and dire weather forecasts to toss those rubber ducks in the river and see which one, through sheer determination, can reach the bridge first.  Our illustrious HOA Pres James Fuglaar tossed them in and let ’em rip!  As always, I picked the losingest number. Not surprising since I never win anything.  My friend (and fellow resident widow) Laurel won the grand prize; dinner for two at Olympia Grill.  I offered to accompany her if she couldn’t find a “date”.  Haven’t heard back on that one:) We moved on to a “limbo” contest.  Our one man band bravely attempted a rendition of Chubby Checker’s Limbo Rock while the kids tried valiantly to make it under the lowest pole.  Lots of arguing over the “limbo” rules brought a final winner, who was underwhelmed by his “dreamcatcher” prize.  He probably would have argued less had he known about the “grand” prize.  The food was too good, as everyone brought their “covered dish” specialty.  To me a successful party is one where no one really wants to leave.  Gauging by the number of neighbors who stayed around after the music died, this one was a rousing success.