Can I just BRAG on my sister for a second?

Yesterday was such a bad day. I didn't feel well, I was in an "off" and "sour" mood, and I took it out on someone, which I should NOT have done. The day got worse, and the night was no better. Today, however, is a better day, but I am left dreaming for my upcoming vacation, which I really, REALLY need, and wishing it would be here sooner than two weeks from today. I really need the time away, did I mention that? The quietness (as quiet as a vacation with 5 children will allow), and being away from traffic, people (not you, of course), and work. So since I can't go for another two weeks, I'll just talk about it, and share some pictures... then you'll understand why I'm so anxious for my "vacay."

Warning: I'm serious ... The following may sound like I'm bragging about my sister ... so if you don't want to read it ... move on now! And I don't mean that in a mean way, either. (my husband is going to be horrified I'm even posting this)

My little sister is a very lovely person. She is two and 1/2-ish years younger than me, and is a true and fine (and refined) southern woman, who takes after my mom with her gift of hospitality, is uber-creative, and loves all things "beautiful" (unlike me who has no manners at-all anymore, much to my parent's horror -- but I do love me some beautiful stuff). She was born in Washington, D.C., grew up in the area (hey, me to, just in case you're wondering), and then went to college in the south, where she received her degree in interior design. And ... where she appropriately acquired a heavy, heavy Southern drawl.

She met her husband in the south, came back up to get married in D.C., and moved back down south to start her now large family of 4 adorable, well-mannered, Southern children. Who all have the most hilarious appropriate adorable southern accents. Her husband has worked hard, and has made a great name for himself, as well as a great living (again, I stress worked hard)... They are blessed. And I re-stress ... BLESSED. And in turn, they take little opportunities here and there to share their blessings with me and my family. Which also in turn, makes ME blessed. The two of them (actually his whole family, too) have such generous, kind, and loving hearts. I love them so much.

Anyway, now that I've set the stage, I feel some bragging coming on. My little sister and her husband own a beach house in NC. It's a duplex, and they own the whole home, but only rent out one side, and they vacation on the other side. And in two short weeks, my whole family will be vacationing together there -- in the whole house -- how fun will THAT BE!!!

As I mentioned before, she majored in interior design, and if you're from the south, chances are, there isn't a single white wall in your home... and in keeping with tradition, she has decorated her beach home (the rental side, too) so beautifully. I love going there, because you truly feel like you're at a tropical beach in her homes! And as an added plus, the house is located in an area that has no boardwalks, no carnival rides, no bells and whistles. Just beach. Ocean. Sea Grass. Dunes. The Sound. Seafood. Mom and Pop Ice Cream shops.

Can I just say ... I'M SO EXCITED I CAN BARELY WAIT! Whew. I feel better now.

So, anyway ... I thought I'd share some pictures of what my vacation will look like. Their house is on the ocean (so nice!!!), and in no time soon, I'll be sitting on the porch, enjoying a cup of whatever, listening to the ocean crash in on the beach, and yelling at my son not to eat the sand, not to hit his cousin, and not to throw sand at anyone. My sister, her husband, her four kids, my mom and dad, me, my husband and my son. Doesn't that sound wonderful?!

Anyway, here's a picture of her house. You are looking at it as if you were standing with the ocean behind you. The side they stay in is on the left, the side they rent out (and I'll be staying in along with my parents) is on the right. If you're on that porch, the next picture is the view you have with the house to your back. Nice, huh? Did I mention they are blessed?


















Okay ... here are some pictures of the inside of the rental side ... first, is a picture of the main floor with a family room, a dining area, and the kitchen... all overlooking the ocean. I just can't wait.















Next, I give you pictures of the bedrooms... I love the yellow one with the stripped cover.



















Finally, I give you the only room in the house that appropriately has white walls... the "peak," which has a "window bed" -- it's the top, top, top part of the house, and I'm thinking it's a fine place to hide and read. Very serene, dontcha think?















So that's what I'm holding out for ... in another two weeks. And hopefully, I'll even be able to tap into the neighbors wireless modem. Now, THAT would make it a wonderful, WONDERFUL vacation. Did you know that "uber" comes up as "buber" in spell check? What's up with that?