Before the New Year, I made a list of my goals for 2017. Quite frankly, I haven't looked back on them until this past weekend, and revisiting the list has only made me realize that I haven't met many of my goals. For that, I am cutting myself a little slack, as I have been preoccupied with a lot of personal and family matters over the last eight months or so. However, I am also getting my butt in gear. The year isn't over, we still have a quarter of the time left, so I am going to take advantage of it. There is one goal that I have begun working towards, and I am very happy I did it. Zach and I joined the Surfrider Foundation. We have long been wanting to become involved in a volunteer group that shares in one of our greatest passions; our love for the ocean and beach. The Surfrider community engages in actively protecting, campaigning, and educating about our ocean and beaches, ranging from water testing programs to beach clean ups. The volunteer organization is broken up into chapters all across the country and our coastlines. Z and I knew that we had to join. We took part in our first volunteer activity this past month with the Miami Beach chapter, a dune restoration project. A few hours of clipping, shoveling, and dragging away branches from an invasive tropical plant in the Miami Beach dunes was exhausting, but we loved it! It feels great for the mind, body, and soul when you are doing something you love, and helps you, others, and our Earth. We look forward to the next volunteer opportunity in our local Chapter and becoming more involved in the local programs offered through the foundation. Check HERE, for opportunities at a beach near you. xo RCN
Water Filled Weekend
This past week my Father had some business down in Miami. Of course my Mom came along for the trip from NJ (where my parents live) so that we could all spend some time together - mini vacay!
A friend of my father's has a beautiful beach home in Ocean Ridge, FL, about 1 hour north of us in Miami Beach. When he heard our family was all going to be in the area he generously offered for my parents, Zach, Ethel (our mini dachshund) and I to come stay for a long weekend.
It was a water filled weekend. The ocean was crystal clear mimicking the reflection of the beautiful sky. We began the trip off with a stroll down the sandy beach searching for ocean treasures. Even the smallest of shells fascinate me. They are all perfect additions to the many succulent gardens and pots I love planting, adds character.
Back at the house I Immediately put on my one piece from "Show Me Your Mumu" okay, totally obsessed! The serape stripe print pattern matches my favorite beach blanket from our honeymoon in Mexico. Needless to say it gives me happy vibes. We spent a lot of time throughout the next few days just chilling; reading books, watching football, having some cold drinks, and taking a nice drive along the coast through Palm Beach. The weekend would not have been complete without paddle boarding or some surfing, something both my husband and I love to do. We took out the long board and paddle board just in time for shark feeding. Being from Jersey we don't think about sharks as much as maybe a Floridian does. Maybe next time we will plan our timing better, but we made it through! I will definitely make a point to long weekend again in Palm Beach County.
xo RCN