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January 2011

Cottage Cheese:Right Up There With Elizabeth Taylor

Leave a Comment / Posts by Cottage Cheese /

Life is what happens when you’ve made other plans.

Just before Christmas I had planned to be back on Tybee to tour some new cottages that are being added to the Mermaid Cottages collection, enjoy more wonderful meals at my favorite Tybee restaurants, get some new Flip Cam video footage and launch my new Blog series, “101 Ways to get Tybee-ized”.  That was the plan.

But then, I saw on a weather report we were to have a White Christmas in Atlanta.  The forecast was for the temperature to remain above freezing which meant we would be having the perfect kind of snow.  Moist, flaky, gleaming white with no ice.  How could I resist.  Boy Howdy.  A White Christmas.

That was until Christmas night, less than a mile from my home, when a driver coming the opposite way lost control of her car and slid broadside into our beloved red convertible.  It was one of those moments when you know something is about to happen.  You see it coming towards you in slow motion.  The thought flashes in your mind, “I should have gone to Tybee like I planned”.

Well, it’s now been a few weeks and the insurance company has finally made the decision to total the car.  In the meantime, we got hit with another massive snow storm, except this was not the good snow.  This was heavy snow with ice mixed in and the temperatures stayed below freezing.  Tybee seemed a million miles away and just a memory.

To top it off, my three favorite souls on this earth, my dogs, decided that since we were all housebound they would become possessed by Lucifer and re-enact THE EXORCIST room by room…for three straight days…It was Satan’s Spawn, The Demon Seed and Cujo and me.  And, when did someone rearrange the continents since my last geography class? I have a Scottie, a Westie and a Dachshund and I’m pretty sure they originated in Scotland, Ireland and Germany. I’d open the door for them to go out and they’d take one look at the snow and ice and run hide.  This meant I would have to bundle up, pick them up, teeter down off the deck and coax them to tend to business.  More than once I slipped and landed face down in the snow while the dogs beat it back in the house.  I guess it happened often enough the neighbors began watching from their respective porches and proceeded to hold up score cards judging my technique and form for each face plant in the snow.  Rest assured I responded in kind with a little sign language of my own…pointed in their direction.

I tell you.  When it comes to suffering, I’m right up there with Elizabeth Taylor (OK. I’m borrowing a line from STEEL MAGNOLIAS when Truvy makes this observation, but it’s the truth!).

Finally, a teeny speck of sun peeked through the skies onto my own little Antartica.  I ushered the minions out the door and declared they would not get back in the house until they had been freed of their evil possessions.

Life is what happens when you’ve made other plans.  I heard Diane Sawyer say today that life is not the beginning date or the ending date on your tombstone, but it’s about the dash in between.  It’s part of our journey.  It’s remembering that for every bad day or misfortune we encounter that are many more good things waiting to happen to us.  We just have to continue on the journey and look earnestly for the good in everyone and everything and have our hearts open to receive every good thing that comes our way,
There’s a gospel song that says, “The Lord knows I can’t always live on a mountain, so he picked out a valley for me.”
Just between you and me,  I’m asking for more beach time.  The next clear day that comes I’m headed to Tybee even if I have to put on a pair of cross country skis and latch on to the bumper of a passing all wheel drive vehicle headed towards Savannah!
Come on!  It’s Cottage Cheese!

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Mermaids in Our Midst: Lydia at Dutton-Waller

2 Comments / Mermaid's Friends and Family /

     We at Mermaid Cottages just love to hear from you, our cherished guests. We recently received this amazingly sweet email from Lydia about her stay at Dutton-Waller Cottage with family for the holidays:

Dear Mermaids,  

I can’t thank you enough for our lovely stay on Tybee! After our mother died in June my sister Linda and I decided that we had to find a new place for our Christmas celebration that would bring us together in a place like we grew up. After spending 62 years of Christmases together, this was our first without her. Having grown up on an island in SW FL, Tybee sounded perfect! And it was! The cottage was magical, just like the homes we knew, right down to the wood paneling and the downstairs bedrooms! As a preservationist for Lee County, FL I am especially impressed with the work you have done on the cottages! We can’t thank you enough, the Christmas tree was the most wonderful touch and the whole time was magical. (though a bit chilly all across the south!). We fell in love with AJ’s, the little restaurant down the street. After growing up on fresh shrimp from the boats at home we were delighted to find a place that knows how to boil shrimp! Any my husband fell in love with their shrimp and grits. Again, thanks for making our holiday so wonderful. We shall return!

Lydia (and Linda, Mel and Sarah, Steve, and Bosco and Winston!)

     Lydia, we are so glad you and your family were able to make new Christmas traditions while honoring your past ones. It is always our hope that our cottages become our guest’s home away from home. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and allowing us to share it with all of our fellow Mermaids as well. Welcome to the Mermaid Cottage family!

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Tybee Bark Parks-It’s a Dog’s World

Leave a Comment / Service Dogs (Beach Bum Biscuits) /

When you visit Tybee Island, GA you’ll find a city that cares about the welfare of dogs and their owners.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time, but their are two Bark Parks on Tybee Island.

Make sure you make arrangements for the proper care of your dog before you head to the beach.  Cars get deadly hot after only a few minutes.  Dogs found left alone in locked cars will be rescued, even if it means breaking the window glass.

The Tybee Bark Parks are located at the intersection of Van Horne and Fort Streets, between the Police station and the River’s End Campground and RV Park.  The Bark Parks are open from dawn til dusk each day.

For a complete list of Bark Park Rules and a map of the parks’ location visit http://www.cityoftybee.org/Recreation.aspx#Dogs

Your visit to Tybee Island will be safe, relaxing and magical.  Make sure your pet’s visit it, too!

 

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Live Like a Local: Casting For Stars Curtain Call

Leave a Comment / Live Like a Local /

     Ever since October, Tybee has been center stage for a FUN-raising campaign that has been a huge success! The island’s community has rallied together to raise money for the restoration of the Historic Post Theater, and boy did they come out in droves to support the effort! Casting For Stars was an island-wide contest in which contestants compete by hosting fundraising events. Each dollar donated to an event counted as one vote for that contestant, and of course the proceeds benefit the theater. Well, it’s time for the curtain call…this Saturday, January 15th, is the Casting For Stars Grand Finale!

     It’s going to be swell, so plan to join in the fun this weekend! Please come to the Grand Finale Event Saturday at the Tybee American Legion from 7 to 11 pm at 10 Veteran’s Drive here on the island. There will be an awards presentation, so don’t miss being on hand to see which contestant will be crowned the Super Star! In additon to the awards, there will be light hors d’ouerves from Marlin Monroes, a cash bar, and amazing live music from the Georgia Kyle Blues Band! The best part? The party’s theme is 1940s USO…and coming in costume is definitely encouraged!
Tickets are available online, or you can stop by the Tybee Vacation Rentals Office. They are just $25, and of course that goes to benefit the theater resortation efforts! So what are you waiting for? Curl your hair, shine those shoes, grab your steady and get down to the Tybee American Legion this weekend…it’s going to be the cat’s meow for sure!

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Be Our Guests!

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At Mermaid Cottages, everyone is welcome and that includes your furiends, too!  As with all house guests, the key to getting invited back is to be a conscientious, thoughtful and polite visitor.  Here’s some information about bringing pets to Mermaid Cottages and Tybee Island that will surely win you points in the good manners department.

We love dogs, and many of our cottages are dog-friendly.  Please check the cottage listings to determine which of our homes allow dogs.

 

Mermaid Cottages Pet Policies and Island Rules for Dogs:

-Barking: The Tybee Island Noise Ordinance includes dogs barking. The fine is $300 per incident, and the city will fine you if any of the neighbors complain of the noise. Please be very aware of this ordinance.

-Pet Fee for Mermaid Cottages is $100 for up to two dogs ($100 for each additional dog).

-Pets are not allowed on the furniture or beds.

-Please clean up any pet “poo” in the yard.

-Dogs must be on a leash when walked.

-Crates– if you are bringing puppies, we do ask you to crate when you are not home, or at the very least do not let them have the run of the home.

-Flea and tick protection : fleas are here on Tybee in full force, so please be sure your pets are current on their flea protection medicine.

-Dogs are NOT allowed on the beach, and again– the city will fine you if you are caught. $300 per dog.

Tybee Island is a fantastic place to take long walks and your dog will enjoy it just as much as you.  It’s all part of the magical experience of Mermaid Cottages.  Come practice the art of slowing down.  For you, your family, your friends and your pet!



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