Our Florida Girls Trip

This is no ordinary Florida girls trip. After my Dad passed away I realized that mandatory time with family was necessary. So, a Florida girls trip with my Mom and our family friend of over 40 years was a complete necessity. This may not sound exciting, but trust me, it is. Let me start from the beginning.

This was a trip that was intentional for us girls to catch up and bond. A time to catch our breaths, have a decent moment to cuss, and let our true feelings go. We may, or may not have thrown some fists into the table while throwing back a Lemon Drop Martini, complaining about the absolute and utter fluffernutters and jumberhousers that impede this good life. See, a good Florida girls trip is the answer to any frustrations in life!

Time to let go

Something I’ve always tried to be intentional about is spending individual time with family members. Everyone needs some time to let go and let the chest hair fly out. Whether that is with my husband or one of the kiddos. Everyone needs some 1:1 time. What is chest hair you say? When you can say whatever you wanna say with no regrets. So when I heard Mom say she was going to visit her best friend of over 40 years (but who’s counting?) I immediately asked Kevin if we could make it work. Schedules get tight so it can take a careful balance to be able to peace-out for a couple of days.  

Nonetheless, the weekend was filled with stories of the past, great memories, the latest updates on each other’s lives, and let’s not forget—all that is good and all that is sucking!! I cant seem to update my life without mentioning the sucky details. That’s the good stuff!

“Kevin”

On this Florida girls trip, there was walks on the beach, turtle touring, movie watching, and fantastic food. So one evening, Mom and I decide to take a stroll on the beach one night. Just a moment to listen to waves crash and birds coo. And then… came “Kevin”.

We were sitting on the beach, no towel, and completely unprepared to be next to water. I was wearing some ‘mom shorts’ and a “Texas, yall” shirt. Big mistake. My flaunting of Texas wreaked of a conversation piece everywhere we went. UGH, what was I thinking?! So there we are laying on our elbows listening to the waves crash and here comes “Kevin”. “Kevin” was his name (that’s what they all say 🙄) was in town for a Chrysler convention. He’s middle aged with an authentic smile and painfully excited about Chryslers.

Too many questions.

Kevin found the wrong ladies. One painfully inquisitive question after another about Texas and Chryslers came Mommy Dearests’ answers.

Mom, “Oh I had a Chrysler. It was the WORST car I’ve ever had”. “In fact, I’ve never had a worse car than that one. I can’t stand Chrysler. Would never buy another car from them if my life depended on it.” I chuckled as this guy is laughing at the fact she’s completely dogging on his much loved corporation.

Kevin: “Really? The rappers love our cars.”

Mom: “Rappers? What kind of rappers?” Says the southern Baptist bell.

Kevin: “Yeah, they are huge amongst the rappers. What kind did you have?”

Mom: “I had a (shiny purple) Imperial. It was a complete piece of crap. It did nothing but sit in shops.”

Kevin: “An Imperial? Like in the ‘90s?”

Lisa: (Laughing her butt off 😂.)

Kevin: “Yeah we stopped making those a long time ago.”

Mom: “Wouldn’t buy a Chrysler if you paid me.”

Kevin: “We haven’t made those in years, and in fact, we made those with the cheapest parts. We had a phase where we wanted to be like GE. Those days are over and are now made very nice.”

Mom: Blink. Blink. Blink. “Okay.”

She had no interest in entertaining this guy nor his “dumpy” cars.

The Tables Turn…

“Kevin” thought she was cute arguing with him. He proceeded to quiz us on what we do for a living and gave his opinion. At that moment I questioned why I was telling him the truth…what’s the difference? Mom could have been a career stripper, paid cash for the trip and her imaginary multimillion dollar home in Miami 😂. I could have been the lawyer that defended her against an affair at the capital. Mind you, my mother is not just a southern belle, but a southern baptist, just to make things a better. HEY, things change when you’re in a different place. Be what you want!

Unfortunately we told the boring truth. She’s an oil and gas accountant and I’m a career ICU nurse. At that point, even I was bored and wanted to leave.

We excused ourselves with bare feet and sandy pants and headed out to anywhere. Anywhere.

Southern Baptist drinks

If you know a true Southern Baptist, you know things have gotten better over the years. When I was growing up (ha) my parents never drank, never cussed, never played games, never farted, and was never human. Mom always mentioned that that was how she was raised so she didn’t know any different. On top of that, her Father was a diabetic and they never had carbs, sugars, or any food with flavor. Yeah, I’m not sure how she survived either!

Nonetheless, after conversations with “kevin” we decided we needed to grab a drink. I threatened another Lemon Drop Martini (the Baptist type 🤣🙃) and Mom threatened another Ice Tea. We sat down, and immediately the owner gets upset at me for having no shoes on (I’m no hoodlum!). I snicker and try to behave. Then before you know it, the shoe-police and owner of the restaurant from Argentina again is talking to Mom. I can’t keep these guys away!! She’s just so darn cute and sweet, everyone wants to chat.

Florida is full of retirees. I’m sure it’s exciting to see others in your season of life. I can understand that. I can also understand that there is a strict 9:30 bedtime that I am extremely grateful for and days of slow paced, no hype days. I’ll be on every trip. Guaranteed. I love the retirees! and their 9:30 bedtime!!

Love my Aunt Barbie.

She has been in our lives for decades and will always be my Aunt Barbie. She’s a killer broker and a killer friend. Her career is of inspiration to anyone and has a heart of gold 💛. Mom and her have been incredibly close throughout the years. She probably knows more about me than I want anyone to know. But hey, I think we are the luckiest to have her permentantly in our lives. If it wasn’t for days of Jazzercise in the ‘80s and sweat bands, things might have been different. Doesn’t every good relationship start with high kicks and headbands?

Here is our photo dump of all the wild and crazy trips to the beach, turtle rehab (which they are truly amazing!), and dinner activities (hello, yummmm!). I love a good Florida girls trip.

Don’t forget to drink Southern Baptist Martinis and to ‘extend the truth’ to all men claiming to be a “Kevin”. (This does exclude my kevin of course, he’s a real one… the good kind)

Love to both of my Mothers 😘,

Franny-pants from Sweden. 😆

There is never a dull vacation. Check out the gifts my kids bring. 😂 ahhh, humility or humble-ility?