Sunday, December 22, 2013

It IS A Wonderful Life

I think I've become a "newness junkie".  We have very few days that are the same as the one before, and I'm spoiled.  I find that if we aren't doing something different every day, I tend to get grumpy or blue...  Being forced to stay in one place either hiding out from, or waiting for weather can bring on a funk faster than anything these days.  

I was slipping into one of these funks here in Pensacola.  The weather report called for 100% chance of rain.  All of the laundry and provisioning were done, and I was looking for something new to do!  A morning spent researching possible entertainment brought me to a sad conclusion... It looked like we would be spending the day hiding out on the boat WISHING we could get out and do something.

There is a "Must Do" here in Pensacola, The National Naval Aviation Museum, but it's too far away for a bike ride in the rain...  There is the Saenger Theater presentation of The Nutcracker Ballet, we have nothing to wear to a ballet...  There is even a Community Theatre called Pensacola Little Theatre that is presenting a stage rendition of It's A Wonderful Life... again, nothing to wear...  

I was moping about our problems on Facebook and a really neat thing happened.  Little pep talks, ideas, butt kicks... from our Facebook Page Friends.  The one that did it was from Johnny.  Here is what he said:  

Nothing to wear?? Did you head out all Natural. It's winter put on you foul weather jacket. You probably won't see the folks at the play again so who cares. Maybe find someone there that will give you a ride back to the boat. GO NOW. Sounds like an excuse not a reason.

He was right!  It got me going, lit a fire under my rear!  I got back online and found that the Nutcracker was sold out, but there were still spots available at the Pensacola Little Theatre!  I purchased two, the last two that were together, in the nose-bleed section.  That's the top row of the balcony people...  No place for the weak or faint of heart let me tell you.  

We dressed (in what we have) and grabbed our foul weather jackets and set out on the short walk to the Theatre.  It was really nice not having to worry about parking!  We were directed to the back elevator which would take us to our lair.  Yep, absolute BACK ROW with our heads in the clouds!  But we didn't care!  We were excited and happy to be doing something new!  

The stage was set simply and I was curious as to how they would bring it all together, but the play was nicely done.  All of the pertinent parts were there to get the story across.  Being as far away as we were, even with my glasses on, I couldn't very well see the faces of the actors.  So my mind assigned known faces to them... George was my son-in-law, and Mary was the girl who plays Koepner on Grey's Anatomy... It worked!  

I doubt half a dozen people saw what we were wearing, and if they did... it didn't matter.  There were people dressed in all kinds of stuff, from jeans to bling.  I didn't feel self conscious at all!  After the play was over, Bruce and I strolled back to the boat hand in hand, talking about it.  And... it wasn't RAINING!  

Once again, the weather forecast had been dead wrong.  The Palafox Pier was nearly deserted... I guess everyone else was hiding from the rain as well.  It wasn't until we were in our Jammies sitting in the cockpit talking about our day, that the big drops started to fall.  We laughed!  Well, I guess the Weatherman wasn't wrong after all... it DID rain today!

The best part of our day was the boost I got from our FB Friends.  It was just the most awesome thing.  They picked me up when I felt down, they gave me ideas and got me back on track.  I learn from them every day.  Today it WAS truly A Wonderful Life, enriched by these people, most of whom we don't even know...  Today was a gift from them.  

But... it's not over yet!  Carolyn, from The Boat Galley, went far and beyond today.  When we got home from the play, I found that she had researched the bus schedules and found us a way to get to the Naval Museum tomorrow!  Rain or shine!!!  

4 comments:

  1. So glad to hear that Carolyn stepped in and helped you find a bus schedule. I was thinking about you walking back to the boat in the rain and was wondering if you could find a taxi. : ) I spent a Christmas alone after my divorce; it was a very sad time. But, you have Bruce, some kitties and a great boat! It will be okay....

    On another note; here is the recipe I promised you. I found it while searching for my recipe for peanut butter balls; a family Christmas favorite. My mom would double this recipe for our family of nine. So, hopefully that gives you an idea of how much it makes.....

    French Market Beignets

    ¾ C Warm Water
    1 ½ tsp Dry Yeast
    ½ C Evaporated Milk
    ¼ C Sugar
    1 Egg
    1 tsp Cinnamon
    ½ Tsp Salt
    3 ½ C Flour
    2 Tbsp Softened Butter

    Rinse a medium bowl with warm water. Combine the warm water with the yeast. Stir to dissolve.

    Add the milk, sugar, egg, cinnamon and salt. Mix till incorporated. Add the flour and beat and mix until smooth. A mixer works best. Mix in the butter.

    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill overnight.

    Roll dough out ¼” thick. Cut into rectangles and fry in oil till golden. Turning once. Dust with powdered sugar. These are sooo good!

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    1. Thanks (yet again) Marie! Copying and Pasting... You have a Merry Christmas! We will be missing our family, but this Cruising life. The warm wishes from people we've never met go a long way to help us feel good this holiday!

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  2. Yep your learning....I my 33 years of sailing I have learned it not what you ware but how you preceive your self. By the way that's 33 years of sailing in the US Navy. We learned to dress for our selves....sure we got looks but you say hey "I'm a sailor" and 9 out of ten times you are suddenly bomb-barded by questions and offers to get you where you want to go. And yes "Carolyn" That lady is known to go out of her way to help people.....She's already saved my bacon with out even knowing it. Know it late to post this but hope you had a very merry Christmas and New Year. Remember spending Christmas in Houma and New Years at a Marina down from Rabbit Island three years ago by myself.

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  3. Just to let you know your link at the bottom of the page "Subscribe to Post Comments (Atom)" is not working...

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