David's Retirement Party

Congratulations and well done, my love, on a very successful career! 

We've had several conversations that going to David's retirement celebration, it felt more like going to someone else's party. How can my husband be retiring?! When you're young, I always thought of retirement when you're old and can no longer work. My husband bounds in energy, yet he has retired with 31 years, 8 months, and 28 days of service to the Sheriff's Office. 

His celebration was the "Thin Blue Line" theme, with two joined, magnificent charcuterie tables, and an exceptional dinner everyone was WOW'd over and spoke about all night. I did a plated double entree dinner, Asiago Chicken, Braised Beef with light Gravy, Cavatappi Carbonara, and Roasted Vegetable Medley. Our salad incorporated watermelon (David's favorite) and fresh blueberries to complement the TBL theme, topped with our new Champagne dressing. Guests expressions when the food was brought to the table brought me the exact satisfaction I was going for, and everyone raved all night how fabulous dinner was. 

The charcuterie tables were done by Taylour. She loves doing this and asked if she could help, so I tasked her with the table listing what I wanted to see on it and rose-shaped appetizers. She practiced and nailed it!! 

I began the program with a video custom made for him talking about being in law enforcement, the Training Center, and Michelle answering the phone telling the caller David is reading to blind children. That was what he always told her to tell his callers. Taylour & Brooke began by sharing David's many roles and professional achievements, then Captain (Rich) was the main guest speaker. Working with David throughout their career together and dear friends, there is nobody better than him. In closing, I had my sister-in-law, the Sheriff, came up to share final words. Their tribute to David was beautiful, honoring, and well-deserved. I could feel David squeeze my hand; I knew he was fighting tears. 

But wait... there's more! I had a special surprise for him before we closed this portion of the evening. Being shipped from the Eastcoast of the United States, is the Best Seller with White Glove Delivery... his massage chair. [It arrived and it is amazing!]

The DJ playing 80's rock and a variety of music, family and friends mingled, ate, drank, and celebrated. 

The room looked fabulous, every detail coming together beautifully. 

What a blessing it is to have a successful career. Every speech shared a common theme, he has touched thousands of lives throughout his career and made a difference. He is a legend at Training, he is admired, valued, and respected. Colleagues coming out of the woodwork, phone calls, wishing him well. 

To retire with such a legacy, to retire with good health, and to retire with the ability to do whatever he wants, he is a blessed man.

Happy Retirement, husband.

 

June 2, 2023

 

"There's My Morning Glory!"

 

Every morning I wake up and come downstairs, my husband greets me with a warm and enthusiastic, "There's my morning glory!" I confess, I don't often feel like a morning glory before a cup of coffee!

He is bounding with energy and happiness when he wakes up, usually around 4:00 a.m. and goes downstairs to stretch and workout. Me, I'm more of a 5:45 a.m. girl every day. It's our morning routine. 

Next week my husband retires from the Sheriff's Office. What a milestone in life and what a fantastic career he has had!! He's retiring from the Sheriff's Office and hired on with the US Marshals. 

Preparations are underway for his retirement celebration.

He is admired, loved, and respected by so many in his profession. These last couple of weeks have been bittersweet. So many conversations, emotions, and reflection. 

Plans are in place, good thing his wife is an Events Director! I've got a few surprises for him.

If I am a morning glory, he is truly the sun that shines on everyone. 

"You Looked Stunning Today"

 

My husband always lavishly loves me and showers me with words how beautiful I am even when I have no makeup on, glasses, a sloppy knot on top of my head, or a favorite worst outfit. Prior to dating, being caught like that would have been a certain death. Oh, how easily that changed!

He genuinely doesn't care and he genuinely makes me feel beautiful when I'm at my worst. 

About 8-9 years ago I found an outfit I fell in love with, but it was a bit too tight. I bought it anyway. I wore it once a couple years later, probably still a bit too tight, then back into the closet it went.

Since January, I've been doing intermittent fasting, Keto, and strength training. I don't remember when I weighed what I weigh now, last. I have a couple favorite outfits, I've held onto for many years and they all fit beautifully.

All this to say, that one outfit I bought when it was too small, looks great! I wore it a couple days ago and my husband told me several times how beautiful I looked and he asked me to twirl. Doesn't every girl dream of that?!. 

It was later that night in bed, when he whispered, "You looked stunning today..." I smiled and loved that he was still thinking about me in it. 

The Promise of May

 

May has a certain je ne sais quoi. 

The promise of warmth, sunshine, rebirth and flourish after a long winter. Six months ahead of being outdoors, playing in the sunshine, and basking in nature. Biking, pickleball, long walks holding hands, sipping wine in the sunshine, and patio nights. 

The thrill of knowing so much wonderful has arrived. The appeal of hope, sunshine, fauna and flora. 

To linger in the sunshine and rejuvenate in relaxation, play, and pleasure. 

Hello May, we welcome you. 

Spring Vacation 2023

 

Spring Vacation 2023 was everything we hoped it to be with the sun feeling hotter, and the food tasting even better. Our first stop was in The Villages to see mom and dad. Eighty square miles, four quadrants, 71K homes, everything in pristine condition and everyone riding golf carts. It's like a Jetson's playground for seniors with money! 

A couple nights at mom and dads where we perused the quaint shops of Lake Sumter and eating alligator for the first time, we stopped by the magical location where David proposed and I said, "YES!!" 

We rented a romantic little cottage on Anna Marie Island with a private beach and fell in love with this relaxed island that exists truly on "island time." Our skin sun-kissed, we walked hand in hand on the beach for days, going to several beaches, and lingering in the cutest beach shops. 

We couldn't wait to get to the ocean for fresh seafood and we dined well. From several seafood shacks (our favorites!!) on the ocean with phenomenal seafood, to a darling Parisian cafe, Le Creperie, we sampled and tasted everything fresh seafood. 

After a couple days at Anna Marie Island, we drove down the coast to our beloved Siesta Key Beach for sun, sand, and that fabulous Mango Tango. The very inspiration of one of our wedding day signature cocktails! My favorite seafood meal being Shrimp & Grits at Captain Curt's, a giant tiki hut restaurant with outdoor dining. 

Our skin thoroughly cooked, hours in the sun, we went back to mom and dad's before heading home. 

Thank you mom and dad for allowing us to stay with you, the fun playing cards every night, the use of your golf cart, and delicious meals!! We had the best time, and we love you!

Easter Dinner

 

We hosted Easter dinner in our home with an Easter basket for Amelia and an outdoor Easter egg hunt that led to Easter presents for Sofia, Rowan, and Claire. 

The kids were excited walking in the house shouting they saw Easter eggs outside!!! I had three empty baskets for them to choose a color to grab and run around collecting eggs. On the back porch was their presents with frilly bows. A sit-and-spin (one of my favorite toys when I was young), a seat on wheels they can ride around the house, Seek & Find cards for outdoor scavenger hunts, and a giant bottle of bubbles from Great Grammy (Gigi). 

Having my grandbabies together was wonderful to watch. Amelia sitting in her bouncy seat with the kids gathered around her quiet as to not startle or scare her. They would gentle touch her hair and watch her. Me, it's as if I've blinked in life and I have four grandbabies. 

The sun was shining, the food delicious, and yummy desserts. Lots of conversations going at once and little ones eating their special ice cream in their new ice cream cups and playing with their toys. 

Most visits end WWE with Papa David. David is swift and quick, and the kids love full on wrestle mania with him until they are flushed and overheated. 

Claire-bear is the quiet one. She likes to get into the pantry into napkins and cups, changes the channels on the television, and at the end of the day, I had to delete over 70 videos and photos she took with my phone. For the most part, I had no idea she even had it. She's quiet, smiles sweetly, and is unapologetically her. I love their unique personalities. 

It was a beautiful day for an Easter celebration. 

Rage and Prayer

 

My husband walked out the door this morning with a bullet proof vest on. 

Emotions are raging war in love, fear, understanding him, and zero acceptance of the cause. 

My husband made to protect what we don't believe in and I cannot even speak about it without becoming "F-bombing" furious. I go from fury to tears, from prayer to admiring the man he is. He's so loving and allows me to rage truth verbally, to him speaking into me that he is law enforcement in the gentlest and most loving way. Assuring me that all is well. 

Until... he walked in the door last night with an arsenal of "protection" and the seriousness of what he is taking and why quickly has me at the reality of the situation all over again. Pinning his uniform, loading magazines, filling duffle bags with weapons and a trauma bag, I laid across the bed and watched him. 

My husband is gentle, affectionate, patient, over the top loving, kind, and always super funny. He is my love and he is my Boaz. He is everything a husband is supposed to be, sprinkled in magnificence! 

My husband, going in with his team of close friends, those who train law enforcement. My husband, years on SWAT, trains SWAT, he is highly trained in defensive tactics, weapons of all kinds, armed, equipped, and lethal with crazy-skilled talent.

He is at the 11th hour on the verge of retirement. To be put in a situation we do not believe in, to protect those who choose to put themselves in a place of threat of violence, threatening my husband's safety, puts me in a significant heart condition of extreme conflict between rage and prayer. 

All it takes is one person for hell to break loose and today is April Fool's Day. 

My husband is maintaining order among fools. 

UPDATE:  All went well, thankfully. Ended up being an unnecessary expense for taxpayers.