{Perfect 10}

 

 Let's not assume that I know everything there is to know about marriage.

Because I feel like I'm still in an early learning phase.

But it has been a Perfect 10 (going very quickly on 11) for us

And here are a few hard-earned secrets I learned on the way.

Pack a Punch  

Be unashamedly territorial.  Put on the boxing gloves if you need to.  You know where your man's weaknesses and vulnerabilities are, guard them like a maniac.   A lioness prowling in the grass is the picture that comes to mind.  Ain't nobody, nohow.

Pick Your Fight

Yeah, believe it.  I'm advocating a fight.  But not just any old.  See, I've seen marriages crumble because at some point, one or the other of them, simply clammed up.  Refused to get out what was really inside.  Sometimes a disagreement is needed to clear the thick air.  But you've got to learn to fight well and make up even better.

Party Hard
I did say I'd keep this PG, right? And how.  There are too many parties missed in a marriage, and no, I'm not just referencing what flashed through your mind.  I'm talking about everyday celebration of the other person, big celebrations on birthdays, and all around making your marriage an experience rather than a daily grind.  A little more cream and a cherry on top of that cupcake if you please.

Posh
Maybe this is more of an elaboration on the above point.  You've got a bedroom?  Make it look like something out of a resort.  No, this is not your college dorm room.  And no, it's not the family room.  Make it exotic, restful.  Save some pennies and buy some fluff.  Pillows, throws, fur, rugs, whatever speaks lavish to you.  

Primp
If you're not a mascara girl, maybe you should become one once in a while.  You hear modesty preached, and rightly so, but girls, your marriage is no place to be modest.  If you aren't twirling a little skirt for your man, you'll have to go back to Point #1 and you'll be punching in all directions.  

Pass on Mediocrity
Give of your fullest self.  That means you're bringing all of your personality, charm, and strength to this thing.  When (not if) your weaknesses pop up, learn how your man's strength can fill in that gap. Or talk it through.  Make sure he understands you know it's weak, but you want to learn strength.  Be the very best version of yourself, not the flake you admire in someone else.  200% all the time, baby.  KEEP YOUR LOVE ON!

Panorama
Sometimes it takes a stepping back, a viewing of the overall picture to bring about perfect.  Look at how well you're meshing in finances, food, fun, family, frivolous, and more.  Make it a well rounded marriage with a landscape of balance proportions.  Don't just major on family and forget the fun.  You get the picture.

Passion
Don'tcha know it!  Go get some. Unashamedly.

JO

            

The Iron Gate {Because it's a Shop Worth Sharing}

I have found a store worth living in.

Really.

I (almost) insisted to the girl behind the counter, 

That she let me curl up in one of their beds for the night.

While visiting Franklin, TN,

(Downtown Franklin is a must ya'll, an absolute must)

(And maybe it's the south and all the "darling" and "honey" that's allowing ya'll to slip my lips)

I happened upon thee most appealing Store in my history.

 

I could take the whole store home with me, it's just so ME.

It's so French, and so Vintage, and so Greige and just all things lovely.

Elegant, but with the perfect patina and lived-in feel.

I'm contemplating a return trip, with a camera,

And asking to just shoot to my hearts content.

They also offer Design Services

 

So I may just pack my bags, move, and get me a big girl job.

Really, their online pictures just don't do it justice.

You have to come see it for yourself.

(Or come see me there when I get that big girl job)

You're welcome.

JO

{Row, Row Your Carboard Boat}

If you're not living here...you're simply missing it!

I adore living in the Finger Lakes during the summer.

Every time we've ever off-the-cuff mentioned,

"Hey, we should move to such-and-such a place"

We always come back to: "But there isn't any other place in the world that is so beautiful"

Seriously.

And there is so much summer fun around here too.

Festivals and events.

We decided last year, that it would be good just to cut back on our travels during the summer months

And just enjoy what the FLX has to offer.

Last weekend that included Cruisin' Night here on our very own Main St.

Lots of fun cars...old and new to ogle and drool on.

{And no, I don't have pictures.  I was too busy with the littles}

We also got to take in the Cardboard Boat Regatta in a neighboring town.

It's been on our list of things to do for years,

And this year we made it a must do!

Especially since we knew some of the rowers.

Each boat has to be made of only cardboard, glue, ducktape or paint.

There are different "classes" for the boats

Some of them are single hull with only one rower,

Some are multi hull, etc.

Basically you're allowed to be as innovative as you'd like

And row with as many or few people as you want to take on.

There were canoes, kayaks, catamerans, pontoons, you name it.

Some were in it for the speed or for best in show,

Others were in it for the party and to get spectators wet.

  {The crowds were huge.  And by 2:00 in the afternoon, the liquor was flowing rather freely.  It was a bit like spring break in the FLX, if I was honest.  And the liquor may have inhibited more than a rower or two of some of these boats.)

 The kids had to get some dry land boat time

 The magnificent rowers of our favorite boat. 

They won fastest time in the multi hull and best boat construction.  Yay them!

 {Note the cool pick Jeep in the background.  That thing was awesome and totally sea worthy.  They just paddled back and forth by the sea wall for a while.}

There were almost 70 boats entered in the regatta.  And there were more than a few that needed to be hauled out and rescued by a Sea Doo.  Some only lasted seconds after entering the water and breaking into many pieces of soggy cardboard.  Others made it part way and sank.  The best ones made it to the finish line and then some.  

I should have shot a picture of the dumpster just off the finish line.  So much soggy cardboard.

They're entering the water!  Go Team OverSize Load!

 And they were off!  They had some fierce paddlers and they rounded to the finish line in seemingly no time at all.  Next year they'll need to remake the upper portion of the boat, but the lower pontoons were so well wrapped with duck tape, they didn't take on any water at all.

Super fun!

JO