Warning: Drinking a 32oz of Mason Jar of Dragon Voodoo Juice with your dinner may cause drowsiness...

and if you go for two, it's good night Gracie. Having a drink with dinner has become an American pastime. Nothing beats having a cold beer with your burger or a nice glass of wine with your pasta, or even an apple martini served with your nachos appetizer. I, personally, have never been a big fan of washing down my meal with a jack and coke, hard liquor to me is a happy hour beverage, served with a wedge of lime and a tiny straw for mixing, but I can also see the need after a taxing day. However, go about 30 miles east of the Flora-Bama line, and they have repackaged the "big gulp" to a whole new audience...adults traveling with children. We all know the "big gulp" still a favorite among teens and construction workers, nothing beats 96 ounces of orange Fanta with a splash of mountain dew on a hot day. But the folks in Pensacola Beach are genius, they have created a little bit of heaven in a 32 oz. mason jar. With fiery names like Dragon Voodoo, or Diesel Fuel, these cocktails are mixed with 8 parts rum and 3 parts juice and served with your dinner, a wink and smile. And you know what; after spending the day at the beach with your children, creating a sand castle, destroying the sand castle and then making it again, swallowing saltwater- someone crying, sand in your pants, sand in your Ipod, sand in eyes, someone else crying. Each day at 4pm I was beginning to look forward to my adult "big gulp". And as I looked around the restaurant, I think the other parents agreed. I don't necessarily believe in witchcraft, but the Dragon Voodoo held magical powers for me. After drinking about a quarter my girls were talking much quieter than normal. After about halfway through, my husband became much funnier and better looking. And towards the bottom of the Voodoo the substandard food became really delicious. Have you ever tried boiled shrimp dunked in butter, cocktail sauce and hot fudge? My stressed day of sand and sun was soon replaced by magical nights of dancing, drinks and jokes. And can you believe we got to keep the jars? Sure I will have to get rid of a couple of dishes, for storage, but next time I throw a party for 4, we will be serving Diesel fuel for everyone...seriously, why can't I?

In a funk...

It happens to all of us. You are going about your day, a pretty vanila day struggling with your daily routine. Your cone crushes and you find yourself in a funk. Well I have been in a funk for about 24 hours, mostly feeling overwhelmed with the details of moving, finding a house, work is slow, etc. As I sit to here to write about my woes, which overall rank a -.1 on the worse things to happen scale. I think instead I would write about all of the little things that make me happy. In no particular order... pina coladas with a rum floater on top (is that a problem I start with alcohol), running outside when the temperature is a cool 65 degrees ipod on and singing out loud "domo arigato Mr. Roboto", the smell of my children's hair after the get out of the shower, the way my fat cat lays comfortably on me while watching TV- belly up purring, a Starbucks pumpkin pie latte, sitting a restaurant with friends when someone walks up with a round of tequila shots and everyone is game, eating fresh sushi, reading a good book and then passing it onto someone to discuss, listening to my youngest belt out a Beastie Boys tune, hearing my oldest shout out "tell Ava I love her" on her way to school every morning, scouring through the racks at TJ Maxx to find a great designer deal, downloading podcasts- I am addicted. Watching my husband clean, take the kids for a bike ride and then cuddle up with them on the couch to watch TV- all in the same day. Opening a bottle of wine to share with friends and realizing later that 3 more bottles were opened. Watching a great movie (The Color Purple, Slumdog Millionaire, Sixteen Candles). These are a few of my favorite things... (sing this to the Sound of Music). OK I feel a little better, writing a blog is therapeutic... OK off to the store I think I will whip up a batch of pina coladas for happy hour...seriously, why can't I?