Happy Anniversary!

Today in History . . .

On this day, 2007, "Make Mine A Cosmo" was originally introduced as www.cos4.blogspot.com! 

The blog was similar to the Seinfeld show.  It was basically a blog about nothing.  With a little focus and the addition of a professional blog design, the little blog about nothing eventually evolved to the blog it is today:  www.makemineacosmo.com

Make Mine a Cosmo is still basically a blog about nothing.  Nothing specific, sometimes the blog is about travel, about make-up and skin care, new products, the weather.  Sometimes the blog is about sports.  Sometimes the blog is political, sometimes it's raw emotion.  Very rarely is the blog about food or recipes, however the posts are often about family.  Make Mine a Cosmo also reviews books and movies. 

Blog Statistics . . .
Since starting Make Mine a Cosmo, the author has:

• lived in three different states (Alabama, Maryland and Texas)
• has traveled to the following countries:  Italy (Rome twice, Florence twice, Pisa, Assisi, Pompei), Spain (Barcelona and Mallorca), England (London), France (Paris and Marseille), Mexico (Cabo and Playa del Carmen), Caymans, Jamaica
• viewed the Sistine Chapel twice
• climbed a Mayan ruin
• swam in a crystal clear cenote
• learned how to paddle board
• climbed Dunn's River Falls
• sipped champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower
• gazed upon the Mona Lisa
• climbed all 284 steps to the top of the Arc de Triomphe
• has had both daughters graduate high school
• has had one daughter graduate college
• has lost a gall bladder
• successfully recouperated from a hysterectomy
• celebrated her parent's 50th wedding anniversary
• celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary to her high school sweetheart
• celebrated her (and her husband's!) 50th birthday
• uncovered some interesting facts about her ancestry

If you've been reading Make Mine a Cosmo regularly, thank you!  Looking forward to another 11 years of blogging!

#SweaterWeather

Folks in the South love to complain about the weather.  It's either way too hot or way too cold.  I'm an Autumnal gal through and through.  I love the Fall.  Always have, always will.  Nothing better than wearing a sweatshirt to a football game or sitting outside enjoying our fire pit and a glass of wine.  I also enjoy the winter.  I've always liked a good snowy day, snuggling on the couch, flannel PJ pants, hot chocolate and a movie marathon.  The weather this Fall has been crazy, however!  Last week it was in the low 90's and we had the A/C on.  Today is cold and rainy and in the high 40's.  And I love it.  I'm finally wearing a lightweight sweater.

The #CosFam has had an exciting couple of months -- Coach and I each celebrated our 50th birthdays, we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and KJ's 18th birthday.  We were on our cruise for everything except my birthday since it's in September.  We had a wonderful., incredible family vacation and can't wait to do it again!  It was the first time the girls ever cruised and they both loved it.  They had their own room across the hall from us and it worked out perfectly!  They went to Karaoke each night, Trivia, some weird Scavenger hunt, the 70's dance party and T and Coach won some coin at the casino's.  We also went to the ice skating show one night and the Stayin' Alive musical our last night. 

T flew into Love on Saturday and we had a lovely girl afternoon getting mani's and Pedi's.  Sunday we drove down to Galveston, Monday was a day at day, Tuesday was Cozumel, Wednesday was the Cayman's, Thursday was Jamaica, Friday and Saturday were at sea, drove back to Dallas Sunday afternoon. 

One of the things I really enjoyed about our cruise itinerary was the two days at sea at the beginning, back-to-back-to-back ports of call and the two days at sea at the end.  We were able to get settled on Sunday, relax on Monday, go-go-go Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday, relax Friday and Saturday.  We had perfect weather to relax poolside and we all came home nice and tan. 

We climbed a pyramid in Cozumel and swam in a cenote (an underground cave).  I really enjoyed this excursion!  The view from the top of the pyramid was awe-inspiring and the cenote was incredibly refreshing!  The water was chilly but crystal clear.  On the way back to the ferry we were able to visit for literally 2 minutes with Coach's best bud Bob and his girlfriend Chrissy.  They were on vacation as well and were waiting for us at Senor Frogs which is right on the dock.  We kind of held up the ferry and the tour folks were not happy with us but hey!  How often do you get to do a shot with your best friend in Mexico??!!

We did a catamaran/snorkel excursion in the Cayman's and this was Coach's favorite.  We chilled on the catamaran to the dive site and again, the most amazing weather and the most perfect blue water. I think he would have been happy just sailing away on the boat.   The girls enjoyed snorkeling and using their GoPros.  The dive site was neat because the shipwreck had actually moved a couple hundred feet due to the recent hurricanes. 

Thursday, Coach's birthday, was spent in Jamaica (just like we did 25 years ago.  We got married on Sunday, October 11 and Monday, October 12 we flew to Jamaica for our honeymoon!).  We climbed Dunn's River Falls and had a fun group with us.  The Falls guides gathered everyone up in one of the pools and we all sang to Coach and splashed at him.  After the Falls we had a wonderful lunch at a nearby beach club and then we headed to the White River for tubing.  I thought we were just going have a leisurely float in the river but there were some great rapids and drop-offs.  Again, perfect weather, perfect water. 

The days at sea were awesome and just so relaxing.  The girls did the surf simulator a couple of times and  we all went down the water slides.  We did a lot of eating, a lot of drinking (Mango Tangos!) and just really enjoyed some quality family time!  www.TheTravelingTacos.com

Surprise!!!

Had such a wonderful Easter weekend!  All of my chicks were in the nest for the first time since Christmas!  And it was wonderful! 

T was originally supposed to be going to Savannah for Easter w/ friends but plans fell through so she hopped on a plane to Dallas instead!  Coach and I were both at work but KJ was home for the Good Friday holiday.  T called her around 9 AM and said, "come pick me up!  I'm at DFW!!"  Now, for anyone who knows KJ knows:  #1 the kid likes to sleep.  I'm shocked she even answered her phone at 9 AM on her day off from school.  #2 the kid hates to drive on the highway.  Seriously.  It scares the heck out of her and for her to drive to DFW and navigate her way around the arrivals/departures is pretty impressive.  So after KJ picked up T she called me at work and said, "Let's have lunch together."  My response was, "You know you'd have to drive on the interstate to get here, don't you???"  They had one of the girls at the Front Desk call me when they arrived and when I walked out to the Lobby, KJ was standing there and then T walked around the corner!  I was SHOCKED!!!!  Coach still didn't know at this point but KJ had asked him to meet for lunch, too.  I didn't go to lunch w/ them because I was so dang busy.  Unfortunately, she kind of spoiled the surprise for him because she texted him "we're here" at the restaurant and he knew something was up. 

The weather was gorgeous and we had such a nice weekend while T was here.  Friday Coach made a delicious shrimp scampi and we all just kind of chilled and caught up with T.  Saturday morning she & I went down to the Dallas Farmer's Market www.dallasfarmersmarket.org and sampled a bunch of goodies and bought a bunch of fun random things . . . macaroons, candles, cucumbers, hummus and pita chips, a cutting board (T is so proud of herself for "adulting"!).  We then drove over to Klyde Warren Park www.klydewarrenpark.org and had lunch from the food trucks.  T had the lobster grilled cheese and I had the most incredible shrimp tacos from Cousins Maine Lobster www.cousinsmainelobster.com (as seen on Shark Tank).  We parked at the Museum of Art www.dma.org and walked around for a bit.  We wanted to tour the Frida Kahlo exhibit but the line was super long. 

KJ had to work Saturday afternoon until closing so when she got home they all went to Top Golf and apparently T has missed her calling.  Coach said she had incredible form and was super accurate.  She said it must have been all those times she watched her friend Will practice at the range. 

 

Sunday we had Easter brunch at the Westin at the Galleria.  This is the 3rd year we've been there and we love that we have a new tradition in Dallas!  As always, we had a great time and I like that they change the menu up every year.  Except for the Peeps S'mores.  I hope they never change those!   http://www.thewestingalleriadallas.com/dallas-private-dining

 

 

After brunch we checked out our excursion choices for our cruise and booked a couple of fun trips that I think everyone will like!  In Cozumel, we're climbing some pyramids and then going swimming in an underground cenote (swimming hole).  I can't remember what the heck we're doing in the Caymans (snorkeling?  taking a catamaran?  sting rays?  dolphin encounter?  taking a catamaran to a snorkeling location where they keep the dolphins and sting rays???) but I do know in Jamaica we're going to climb Dunn's River Falls.  I wanted to just sit on the beach and drink Red Stripes but KJ didn't think that was a good idea. 

 

And then we took T to the airport and she headed back to B'ham and we all cried.  



Friday! Friday!

Yay! It's Friday!

Should be a fairly "quiet" weekend for us. It's all relative: "quiet" for us is insane for someone else. T has two lax games Saturday and Champ has 1. I will be at T's game in case she makes it to 100.

Sunday friends have invited us over for a craw fish boil which should be tons of fun. Her husband is a chef so I'm sure it's going to be delish!!! And, they are from Louisiana. = Guaranteed deliciousness.

We've got our hotel reservations for a couple of Ole Miss games in the fall. Hotty Toddy! Can't wait to tailgate in the Grove. We've been Alabama fans for years & years (way before we even moved here) and that will never change. However, I have started to be on the look-out for some fun Ole Miss tailgating supplies.

Cosmo & I have been working on our big b-day/anniversary trip for the fall (20 years of wedded bliss!). We've narrowed it down to: St. Thomas, St. Kitts and/or Jamaica. We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon but this trip would be to a different part of the island. We've been to St. Thomas before, too and really liked it. We've never been to St. Kitts so that might be interesting. I just need to do a little more research and see what kind of activities/attractions/dining are nearby. Even though the plan is to totally and completely vegetate on the beach, we still like to snorkel, etc. I think I'd like to give zip lining a try. Hey, YOLO!!!

10 on Tuesday -- Dream Vacation (As Always, a Day Late)

1. What is your dream vacation?
My dream vacation is to go to one of those far away islands and stay in one of those little huts over the water and not do anything for a week but lay in a hammock and work on my tan.

2. What has been your favorite trip so far in your life?
Favorite trip so far has got to be our trip to San Diego with the girls. I think KJ was in kindergarten. It was one of those magical vacations where everything just fell into place . . . our flight was perfect, the girls took a surf lesson, we went to the San Diego Zoo, saw the sea lions in LaJolla, the girls played in the cove and we played on the beach in Coronado and had ice cream at the Del.

3. If you and one of your best friends could go anywhere in the world for one week, where would it be and why?
LCM and I would have a fun time in Paris or London. We have very similar tastes and would have a great week having a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe, shopping, visiting museums, etc.

4. Have you ever booked a trip using an online deal? How did it go?
The only time I booked anything travel-related on line was a hotel in Chicago for T & I. We stayed at a famous 5 star hotel right on Michigan Avenue for pennies. I would definately do it again for hotel, not sure how I feel about using it for flights.

5. What’s your favorite thing to do while you’re on vacation?
Depends on the location. Beach is a relaxing trip, other trips are for sight-seeing, museums, dining and shopping.

6. Have you ever missed an opportunity to take a trip that you regret?
I don’t think so.

7. You travel far away from home and get stranded with no way to buy anything, what’s the one thing you can’t live without?
Advil (and Chapstick).

8. What’s one of your favorite traveling memories?
Although my luggage was "lost" on our direct flight from Atlanta to Cabo and magically reappeared the morning we were heading home (my brand new luggage was held together with electrical tape. I swear it was dragged behind a truck or something), I think Cabo was one of the best vacations I ever had. I had no make-up and only the clothes (and underwear) on my back. I slept in one of Cosmo's t-shirts and rinsed my clothes out in the sink each night. I still managed to have an incredible, relaxing, romantic trip with Cosmo. I swam with the dolphins, partied on the beach, took a boat ride out to the Arch and watched the migrating gray whales from our bedroom window each morning.

9. All included resort or backpacking? Why?
All inclusive. I hate being nickle & dimed to death. We did an all inclusive for our honeymoon in Jamaica and didn't have to worry about a thing!

10. Are you more of a lie on the beach kind of person on vacation, or do you prefer to see the sights?
A little of both. If I'm at the beach, I usually park it and don't move. If I'm in Europe or a city I've never been before, I want to do and see EVERYTHING (which usually includes stupid stuff like the "World's Biggest Ball of Twine").