Officially The Longest Post EVER, or, A Vacation!

I felt like a princess all weekend. The company Christmas party was this weekend in Biloxi at the Beau Rivage, and me and my honey went all out.

My hair made me happy. It felt very Rapunzel-esque and glamorous. I spent an hour at the hairdresser being pulled by combs and prodded by over thirtyfrigginfive pins, but it was totally worth it. Men, you see what we go through to look fantastic for you, yes?

Oh, and by the way? That's all my hair, thankyouVERYmuch. Who started this extension craze, huh? Back in my day, if you wanted long hair, by God, you had to grow it your dang self! I've spent the last four or five years getting my hair that long...anyway!

So, the party was wonderful. There was dinner, dancing, over two or three hundred guests, and just an all around good time.

The Beau Rivage is such a FABULOUS resort AND casino! We played the slots and had tons of fun with a few rounds of Black Jack. It's always nice when you're not playing to win, because we sure as heck didn't. Ha! But, it was such a great night and SO much fun I can't even describe. Did I mention that I felt like a princess? Right down to the shoes.

My dress was sparkly and the shoes were, too. Funny think about those shoes. We had just driven north about an hour to drop the kids and doggie off with some friends charitable, magnanimous angels who are friends of ours. So, we dropped off the kids et. al., got that rush of excitement and hit the road to begin our four-and-some-change-hour drive...

Me: *squeals* Ooh, we're on our way!

Honey: I know! I'm so excited, it's gonna be so great.

Half an hour later...

My heart literally nearly stopped, eyes flew open wide, and I couldn't breathe. Honey looked at me with concern.

Him: What's wrong?!?

Me: I. think. I. forgot. some...th-th-thing.

I was trying hard to catch my breath and not actually die in the car from shock because I was pretty f-ing positive I forgot my shoes. The shoes that I had to go to three different department stores to find because OF COURSE the department store that sold me the dress didn't have ANYTHING that matched the dress. The dress that was charcoal gray and was just the right size and just the right amount of glittery and swingy and that I loved and wasn't taking back. Oh, yeah. We were already an hour and a half into our drive by that time and was I really, REALLY prepared to go back? WHO does this happen to? Me, that's who. I think the world imploded and time slowed down in these few seconds while the realization hit home.

I told him and waited for the reaction. My honey love looked right at me, put his hand over mine and gave me a grim smile and said, "Well, we'll just have to be fashionably late, won't we, baby? You have to have your shoes." I loved him a whole lot in that moment and felt better. While I was still reeling over how ridiculous the situation was and how awful I felt for causing it, having him be so charming and sweet about it really helped.

We did go back. We got the shoes and took a different route to get out of the area to the interstate and all in all, we only lost forty-five minutes doing it. We ended up talking and laughing the whole way over to Biloxi and had fifteen minutes to get dressed for the party after checking in. Whew! Good thing my hair was done before we left home.

Ok, so my story has gotten a little out of order.

Like I said, the party was fantastic. I got to meet tons of people that I work and deal with directly through email and phone calls each day. That was so nice. I consider some of these people to be good friends, based on the fact that I've known them for well over a year, nevermind that I'd never actually seen them. It was really great and there were many hugs and smiles all around.

We ducked out of the party a little early to hit the casino and then called it a night at about two or three in the morning. I can't remember the last time I did that, but there's a reason it doesn't happen often.

Our room was exquisite. The bed was so soft I didn't move all night. When we woke up the next day, we ordered room service. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm just a sheltered, poor little ol' country girl. I've never HAD room service. I was speechless. They wheeled in this enormous table that held a veritable FEAST upon it. I had ordered the blueberry pancakes with warm blueberry compote, whipped cream and syrup. He had the Beau Breakfast, which included standards of eggs, silver-dollar pancakes, bacon, hashbrowns, and the like. I officially want to be rich just so I can be served like that every day. I didn't even have to get out of the bed! And my hair still looked fantastic, even after sleeping on it, because of the ten pounds of hairspray that was applied to it.

After much lounging and canoodling, we decided it was time to hit the road. We'd had our fill of the gambling and the high-life for one weekend.

On our way home, we decided to take the scenic route since we were in no hurry to get back. Our friends were keeping the kids (and dog!) for the remainder of the weekend and we had nothing but time. From Biloxi, we took the interstate to Mobile, Al, then headed south. Got stuck at a railroad crossing for about twenty minutes. I haven't missed that about Alabama.

On the road again, we continued south...

...till we could go south no more and arrived at...

I just love driving along this part of our coast. There are so many little barrier islands like this, with their adorable little pastel houses, and long bridges over the water, and miles of beautiful undisturbed beaches.

We went all the way to the end of the island, as far as we could go, when we found a bird sanctuary. So, naturally, we had to go exploring...

We didn't see any copperheads (water moccasins) or alligators, but there were plenty of posted signs to warn us of such, and we even found a hole that we were positive could be big enough for a gator to curl up in.

So, after that, we took the ferry off the island to Orange Beach, Al. I've never been on a ferry before, that was interesting. Sitting in the car that's not moving, but looking out over the edge of the boat and knowing that you are moving. If I was weak of stomach this might actually make me sick, but it was just an unusual feeling.

We got out and walked around; there was only one other car on the ferry. They had a doggie with them and that made us a bit homesick for our little scruffums (read: dog, large) as well as the kids.

Once we came off the boat, we went and had lunch at one of those little seafood restaurants that dot the beaches. The food was excellent and the company was even better. We drove on for a bit, but we were kind of worn out from all the activity and new places and just stuff, that we decided to make it to Pensacola Beach and just chill for the night. Which we did.

We watched movies and talked and slept. Woke up the next day and headed home to get the kids and doggie. What a fun trip.