The beach, the least expensive and most gratifying entertainment there is! Am I right? Oh, and judging a book by its cover.

I never thought in my whole life I would live near the beach, or really any coast for that matter. When I moved to Jacksonville three years ago I had no idea how much in love I would fall with the beach and the prfound sense of peace and relaxation it would bring me just by laying back and staring over the vastness that stretched out farther than the eye can see. Even better, beach season begins in March here, at least that's when it's bareable enough to go even though the wind blowing over the cold ocean water might chill you to your bones, and ends in October.

Thinking back on my last three years, I haven't felt that I went as often as I wish I had. That being said, since Kyle and I will be moving at the end of July and missing out on at least another good two and a half to three months of beach season, I'm going to try to go at least once a weekend until we move.

This past weekend another pair of mine and Kyle's good friends came into town, Cobie and Brandy. Kyle met Cobie during college and I met Cobie's girlfriend, Brandy during a weekend she was visiting from Wyoming. It's actually a funny story I'd like to share with you that reveals that I too, despite my most genuine efforts, still judge a book by its cover now and again, and can certainly be stubborn to trying new things. While on Brandy's first visit to Jax, Kyle and Cobie had to put in several hours of golf practice and suggested that to keep both their gf's happy, Brandy and I should hang out. I wasn't thrilled at the idea because I had just moved to Jax and was still feeling semi uncomfortable meeting new people, or doing anything without Kyle. And, I'll just be honest here, Kyle also mentioned that Brandy and Cobie were practicing Mormon's and I'm sure you all know that without hesitation all the stereotypes about the faith came to mind. I won't mention them to you because I'm sure you can recall a few yourselves. And to my surprise, she had the very similar aprehenssions about hanging out with me since I was not Mormon. Anyhow, we each conceded to our bf's request and I decided to pick her up and take her shopping with me to find a new work suit.

Well, we had a GREAT time! She was very kind, witty, easy going and just all around a very enjoyable gal. She gave me her opinion about the suits I tried on. We ate lunch and gabbed as if we'd been friends for years and weren't at all interested in wrapping up the day when the boys called to tell us they were done. That was more than 3 years ago and I still thoroughly enjoy her company, and Cobie's too, of course. Both of them are back in Wyoming now and we don't see them very often but I sure hope that changes and they'll come to visit us in Louisiana and Kyle and I can show them aroud the Big Easy.