{'Beachin USA'}

Yes, we went to the beach again for a weekend and I know I have told y'all this before but it is truly my "Happy Place". I could so be a BEACH BUM! After our last beach trip a few weeks ago several of you asked me these questions so I will answer them for you. For those that sent me a personal email on beach "tips"I replied to you in an email.
Q: How can I sit in that sun all day at the beach? 
A: I carry a tent. I sit a while in the sun and then I sit a while under the tent. 
Q: Do you use lots of protection on your skin?
A: Yes. I use a mixture of tanning lotions, oils and sunblocks for my face, lips and my body. Wind burn can be bad too so whether I am in sun or under a tent I keep coverage on. And, when I feel I have had enough sun then a wrap up or tee goes on. I always have a hat and sunglasses on. I will sit under the tent without a hat. I try to be careful about sun exposure for sure. I always use a good moisturizer after sun exposure. I have been blessed with the skin tone that tans more than it burns so that has been a huge plus for me but even with that...skin cancer ain't no joke. I am sure I am not careful enough but I sure try to be protected and use common sense. You must be careful even if you are exposed to a tanning bed. I know women that have suffered from skin cancer due to overexposure in the sun and the tanning bed.
Q: Do you swim in the ocean?
A: No! When I get hot I go just far enough out to get wet and to cool off. I ain't much about going up into the sharks house I can tell ya! I am not your surf boarding, boogie boarding, tube riding kind of girl. GIVE ME MY BOOK and I am good to go. But, I will play a bit in the water if the grands wants me too! LOL!
Q: Do you like walking on the beach?
A: Yes. I love to walk on the beach and when there with the grands, we love to pick up the prettiest sea shells we can find. When it's Marty and I, we like to walk in the afternoon when most people are clearing off of the beach. And of course....I wanna walk barefoot! YES, sand on those toes!
Q: Do you pack your lunch when you stay all day or just snacks?
A: A little of both really. We carry a cooler full of Bottled Water, Gatorade, and a couple of soda's for me. We carry another cooler of fresh fruit, peanuts, crackers, pretzels, cheese sticks and etc. I can assure you I don't go hungry. LOL! I'm the "pre-pack queen". Everything is washed, cut up or whatever is needed for preparation and prepacked in baggies. I like convenience. When the whole family is with us we all carry lots of different things and share. When it's just Marty and I, well, we are low maintenance and it really doesn't take too much for us. I am a snacker when I am on the beach. For me, my favorite is a bottle of water, some fresh fruit, string cheese and peanuts.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the beach?
A: Read. I love to read and can read a thick book in no time flat if it's a good one. Marty, well, no on the reading but he sure will take a little snooze. Oh, and people watch. Hee-hee
 
And, I have to share this with y'all just so you know that I have nothing against playing in the water but you might need a laugh so here ya go. Last summer my daughter's talked me into getting on a tube and catching a wave to ride back to shore. Well, that just seemed like lots of work to me but I finally gave in. The first few times around was fun I must admit. I was getting the hang of it.Why wouldn't I though because the girls pulled me out to sea and got me going good when that one wave that was awesome came through. I did very little work so it was fun! So, I decided that day after about three times of riding the waves to do it one more time. The last time riding the waves became an EYE OPENER! Well, for the man that was standing on shore watching me come in anyway.....I had on a strapless bathing suit and well....can you guess what happened? YEP, that wave caught me just right and down went my top! He was dramatized I am sure! Guess who I saw the very next day at the beach? YUP, the same man! We made eye contact. I think he struggled at first to recognize me since I had my top on though........................... Not sure if he came back for more laughs or if he was trying to wake up from a nightmare but we are still laughing today at the look on that poor guys face! I am quite sure he has never been the same since. I hope the poor thing didn't have nightmares.  So...what was the lesson for me? Wear straps when playing in water. Do it again so we can have more laughs for years to come and maybe I can scare someone else! LOL!



We did take a little time on our way home from this beach trip to stop by Academy. Marty bought a new boogie board so he's ready for the next beach trip. He thinks he is going to out do the grands!  We laughed on the way home at our differences of choice items to buy. He gets a boogie board to play with in the water. I get a small, lightweight, folding table to sit by my beach chair for my convenience. LOL!

Me and three of the grandgirls also had a fun day recently.

I had a large 12 inch round cake frozen in the freezer so what better time to make a fun dessert than with the grands!

And of course they loved it! Especially that baby licking the beater!

What to do with leftover cake after I cut out my little cakes? Crumble it up, slap it back in the freezer and save it to make a trifle.

They had a little fun too with Papa. Country gals for sure!

I hope that you have a great week and as Dolly Pardon would sing...I hope "that life treats you kind".  Remember to be thankful for your blessings....Blessings of some kind come every single day. Beginning with the first breath you take. 

And if you haven't smiled today then maybe this adorable picture of my little granddaughter Adalynn will make you smile....

Hugs and blessings, Cindy