docolives

[docolives]

Who ever would have thought that in the year 2025, Madonna would end up being our prophet? I guess that the world is never really done throwing surprises our way! That's just a mom thing. We're right, they don't want to admit it, so they call us stubborn, but you know what I've found works really, really well? Remind them where we got that attitude from! There's nothing a mother loves hearing more than us saying that we took after them! That's a smart move, and it breaks things up from the usual season here, which is nice! But the summer barbecue festivals down there would probably be pretty hard to beat. The food would be so good! And a change of pace from here, too.

We’re just material girls living in a material world. Madonna was right about something. Right! And you’re welcome. I feel ya right there, Livvy. My mom calls me stubborn all the time because I don’t listen to her. I say it’s me forging my own path and making my own decisions. And mistakes. You live, you learn as queen Alannis would say. Sometimes in the summer, but I try to make it in the off-season, because who knows why people actually want to go to Texas in the summertime. We haven’t won an NBA champion in years and also if 100 degree heat and humidity is someone’s idea of a good time… I don’t know. Fall is a nice time to go! But summer has the barbecue festivals so I guess that’s the give or take. True, and it doesn’t get too wild with the cold over there.

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If I were to ask you in a few months, you would say no, but with more hesitation? And that's just me projecting on you exactly how I would answer that kind of question if someone asked me! Remember when they used to do those Japanese game shows where they would just show the people getting absolutely obliterated on obstacles? Wild. That kind of stuff was so popular! I guess it still is, a little bit -- people watch videos of people getting hurt all the time, that kind of thing. Flip flops for the beach, sandals for at home or out to eat for a nice lunch, but sneakers for the barn or work or doing errands! You need to have a good variety!

At this very moment -- absolutely would say no to going on Ninja Warrior. If you were asking me in a few months, that may be a different story, you'd have at least a 50/50 shot. You'd have to do some more training, continual heavy duty training. You start that and I'll join somewhere in down the line. Without a doubt being able to say you finished something that is far more difficult than if we had just been running a straight marathon -- not that those aren't accomplishments! Is it sneaker season? Shouldn't it be almost flip flop and sandal season?

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That's sort of my skill level too -- good enough that I'm not constantly under the board, but definitely not going to be competing anytime soon. But I like to have fun with it, you know? Do my best. You got it, I promise not to call the authorities on you to have you kicked out or anything! Thank you, that's all it takes to keep me around as a friend, is a good invitation to hop on someone's boat and see what that's all about. Well, for what it's worth… you could just dress in a red suit and say that you're going as a lobster. You would not only be on theme, but you would also be really, really good at representing Merrock! But if you decide that you're going to go and need someone to spend significant hours looking up men's suits, I'm the gal to call and… probably honestly any other girl in this town, we all really like to go all in when it comes to fashion! Different is a good way to describe it, especially in your situation, so I can understand it. Plus you're coming home and into a big family and some of those family have their own family now, so it's a lot of family. Sounds like the perfect carnival experience to me!

May just take you up on that, and I do surf, I'm not an expert but I've done it enough that I'm decent enough to hold my own. Just remember that when I show up randomly that you basically gave me an open invitation. Don't worry when I decide to buckle down and get a boat, or even rent one for the season, I'll be sure you're one of the firsts that gets to come out on the water with me. Think that's one of the ones I'm a bit more -- I don't want to say not excited but I've never been a gala kind of person. Plus I'm shit at living up to a theme. It was so much easier when dressing up was my dress blues and that was good enough. Now I'm in a totally foreign figure out how to dress fancy again stage. It's been an adjustment, I won't lie. Harder than I was expecting, you always think coming home is going to be easy and then it's -- not. I'm not complaining, I'm happy to be with my family again it's just... different. Hey I'm not going to complain as long as I can eat as much junk food, and get a good go around on the tilt-a-whirl and scrambler I'm a happy dude.

[docolives]

I'll send some your way! Or, you know, you can stop by any time and just smell them and then also have a glass of wine with me. Flowers and wine go very well together. I try! I don't always have as much time to work on them as I would like to, but I still try when I can, you know? That's the way it goes in this friendship. We push each other to the brink and when we're ready to cry, we push each other past that, too. I'm so looking forward to the summer bash. And the carnival, too, of course. But I am longing for some time on the beach… says the girl who lives on the beach.

Ooh! Pictures please! I do't know when the next time I'll stop by to see them is. I love your dedication to your flowers, because I could never. You know, it's some degree of comfort knowing that I will always have you by my side, suffering right there with me, to help convince us both that we're having fun. Or taking turns, or whatever. But hey! Fun, recover. We got to enjoy Pride this past weekend. That's a different type of recovery. Now we count down for all of the other summer things to do!

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"That's the way it goes sometimes," she made a soft 'tsk' sound with her tongue and shook her head. There had to be worse ways to go than that, right? Granted, he couldn't think of any right off the top of his head, but. "I would think that passing out that often can't possibly be good for them… right?" her brows furrowed thoughtfully. The next time she was at that barn at the ranch, where they had goats, she'd find someone to ask. Get to the bottom of this. "And then the doctors look at you, very confused, until you explain that you just like margaritas?"

"Just let it eat you and embrace your fate, better than suffering." Iris nodded solemnly. "The goats don't die, though, they just pass out. Though I suppose they could die from it? I Haven't looked into it?" She laughed along with her friend. "That's why my last few blood tests have come back inconclusive..."

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Exactly right, and we have no say in it, since we are a cog in the corporate machine, and that's just how it's going to be. They do, they don't need all of our stinky money when they have their own that they can use and worry about. Thank you! I appreciate you recognizing my stubbornness as a good thing, instead of bad. That's true! Do you normally go back to Texas every summer, or like around the holidays or anything? Although… yeah, that's probably smart. Go between Thanksgiving and Christmas when you're tired of the cold here, but might love the warm there.

We'll do it, and then complain later, because that's just how that goes, right? Corporate America can deal with it. They've got the money to lose a little bit, don't they? That's also the thing, we can do the jobs just as good. Maybe even better, might I say? But you are stubborn and determined and I love that for you! Maybe you'll get to go on a trip this summer! I'm hoping to make it back to Texas. Because I enjoy torturing myself in humidity, I guess. Or I might wait until the weather doesn't feel like the devil's ass.

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I grew up riding, so I was around horses every day, but not the same way as we try to do with the program, it was all very serious, you know? Competing, doing events, traveling for shows. So I like letting kids see the softer side of horseback riding. Good, I'm glad! Is Lily very excited that school's out, doesn't have to get up super early every morning? That was my favorite part of school ending, was that little bit of time to sleep in, even if I was still an early riser.

It’s fun! I love seeing the kids enjoy themselves. I think I would have loved to have something like that as well. Kids are much more observant, know more. They have more access to information, which is great! But at the same time it’s still scary. I’ve recovered! We’re just enjoying our weekend now. Yes!! I’ve got my dancing shoes ready for the big party tonight.

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"Oh no," Livvy said with a laugh, shaking her head, "my patients love it when I come into the clinic with crutches, wearing a boot," of course that hadn't happened before, and with any luck, never would, but she didn't want to find out what it would take, either. And she was sure that Sloan felt the same way, that it was better to go into the office in one piece than to show up and feel like you weren't going to be able to do the job. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm kind of eager to get back to my 'take a run every few days' kind of schedule, something a little more laidback and easygoing. Pushing yourself for something like this is fine, but it's not sustainable," at least not for a long time. Eventually, you just got burnt out or risked getting hurt, and neither one of those options seemed viable. Not to Livvy, anyway. As they headed towards the refreshment stands, she let out a laugh, leading Sloan as they went, "we could always special request one? Tell them we won't feel safe unless they're a really hot guy with big, big muscles to drive us to where we need to go."

"Definitely the bragging rights is what matters at the end of this. Saying that we finished the race, and in one piece -- could you imagine given what we do if we had been the ones that ended up injured?" The playful mocking her fellow co-workers would have had at her expense. She knew there were all different events that Merrock held, and she didn't know what the next sporting event would be, when it would be -- hopefully, maybe it wouldn't be another one that involved running but at the end of the day it was always good to just get involved. "I still go running, but I definitely didn't make it into this crazy must train all the time. Feel like I definitely would have ended up injured somehow if I had pushed myself too much." Sloan knew her limits and she had trained pretty well in high school, college, and continued even after college to keep herself in shape. Taking Olivia's arm she leaned into it, "Do the Polaris ATVs come with hot guys to drive us back? Because if they do that option, always."

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LIVVY: You always spoil me. 😘 LIVVY: How was the rest of your pride weekend?

NICHOLAS: Nah NICHOLAS: Allies only get a 1.5x surcharge NICHOLAS: And this is my treat anyway. A thank you for being there when I needed you.

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So… does that mean you won't go on Ninja Warrior with me, Ari, is that what you're saying? I could never, before you take me seriously -- I'd end up embarrassing myself on TV and that's just not fun. But this was fun! And being pretty well recovered afterwards makes it a lot easier to say that, oops. I think just saying that you did it is a huge accomplishment, honestly. Whether you beat any records or not, who cares! It's just about having a good time and challenging yourself. And eating good food and being at a cute little campground, that's a nice bonus. It's sneaker season, anyway! I like my heels, but I also like to move.

It was definitely a little more than I was expecting. Knew it wasn't going to be easy but feel like I was expecting something not like two steps down from Ninja Warrior. Bit of both, wanted to do it in a decent time but it wasn't about crushing numbers either. Wanted to mostly just finish it and know that I gave it my all, which I did. Ice has definitely been my friend, even a few days out. There's worse things than swapping out for sneakers for one week.

[docolives]

You're always welcome to come by my place any time you get the urge to hit the beach -- or surf, do you surf? I have a couple of boards, you're welcome to them, they're in the little side porch at my place. It's pretty much just me and Mallow, and Mikey's living with me at the moment, too. But I want a standing invite for the boat whenever that happens! Maybe you'll get bit with the bug during the gala? Although that's still a couple of months away, I'm betting the urge hits before then. I don't, no. I had fun! It was nice, a chapter of my life, but home is here. Family is here. I feel more like Livvy here. Is it hard for you, being home again? Don't worry, Tristan, no one's going to look at you and think you're not in your prime, I promise! Oh, yeah, please! I can eat, and I don't have to clean anything up…? That's a win! It's pretty much the same, and by that, I mean… the same rides put together every year. Possibly the same grease in all the friers, too. Which makes for delicious food.

Beach is probably where I'm going to feel the happiest this summer, that or the water. Was thinking maybe renting a boat for the season, see how I like it, maybe invest in one to permanently have for the spring and summer time. Ever really miss it and wonder if you made the right decision coming back? Excuse me? I was forced into retirement, so I'm actually still in my prime, and I'm not going to take it easy on you just so you are prepared. Is that why you go around with all the friends? Just want to eat all their good grilled up grub? Carnival does have good memories, been years since I've been to one which means I'll have to make the most of it.

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LIVVY: You know... I didn't see that on the list for this weekend. LIVVY: But I bet if you went in there and asked, they'd give you a discount. LIVVY: My kind gets charged double this weekend, and rightfully so.

Nicholas: why not? Nicholas: i could use a massage after last month Nicholas: think they'll give me a discount for pride?

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Yes! Some of the flowers that I planed are blooming pretty nicely at this point, too, which is good to see. Makes me feel like a decent plant mom. I can't wait to see what my hibiscus and rose of sharons and mallows all do this year, though. Oh, that's exactly it, we can swear up and down that we will never, ever end up doing something like that again, but we will. We always will. It's how we live. I think part of it is definitely FOMO, and also we just want to have fun.

Especially for those gloomy, rainy days. It helps to maintain the emotional sunshine. Really, I think making it though the course at all was the goal. So, I'm just happy that I did, and in better time than I honestly expected. There's something masochistic to swearing off doing that to ourselves again, knowing that in the end, we're gonna line right up to do it again and enjoy it. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe just the FOMO of it all takes over, I'm not sure.

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When someone tells you to just do it, then... you might as well go ahead and do it! I don't necessarily want to listen to corporate America, but I also don't want to not listen to corporate America if they're saying something good. That's true! And also true to the women in a male-dominated field, I found that one out the hard way, and ended up grateful for the fact that I was as stubborn as I was. Absolutely, it's felt nice to be home again! But kind of made me wish that I traveled a little bit more, too.

Right? That counts for something, I think. It’s just telling us to go right ahead and get stuff done. No holding back, getting it over with. Right? They tell us to be determined, but tell us not to be stubborn. Someone needs to tell the grownups that they are two sides to the same coin, almost. Sometimes stubbornness is a good thing! Especially for women who are in male-dominated fields. But then if we’re too stubborn, then we’re labeled as ‘difficult’. But if we say we’re determined, you get waves of praise! Oh I agree, my shower, my skincare routine and my pillow.

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"Just die immediately," she said with a nod of her head, "I mean, honestly, what's the alternative? Scream, and nothing happens, and the sea monster ends up eating me whole?" she scoffed, shaking her head, "I'll just be like one of those fainting goats. I see it, and pass out, and then die." Easy as that, really, problem solved. "It's basically what our blood is made out of... and I might not even be joking."

"That's probably the smart move, in case it really is a sea monster. What would you even do in that situation? Scream? Die immediately?" She laughed. She'd probably be too surprised and morbidly curious to do that just yet, but it was still a thought. "Margs don't really need a reason, you're right. They're just a thing that happens to us."

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Livvy liked to think that there were more adventurous things that someone would choose to lie about if they really wanted to, vs. just making up a little story about the rain. Maybe she was giving someone too much benefit of the doubt, but… Sam himself just didn't seem like the kind of person that got much out of lying to people, to begin with. "Oh no," she laughed, bringing her hand to her lips as he mentioned getting knocked down by a crab, "like… are we talking a big crab, or just one of those little sand crabs that you see all over the beach?" It didn't really matter, a crab was a crab, which meant that it was embarrassing either way… but also pretty funny. "Positive," brushing off her hands, she slung her crossbody bag over her shoulder, "I do hate having to prepare them. But the thing is, it's totally worth it once you're actually eating the food, you know? Just have to push yourself to get to that point." As she started walking back along the docks towards the fish market again, she pocketed her hands and turned her face up towards the sun, "I can't wait for it to get even warmer out."

Sam gave a nod in agreement. Some things they've witnessed or learned from their line of work probably was the reason why he wouldn't take on a lot of things that he thought was way too risky or dangerous. "Thank you. But I wouldn't blame them if they think I'm making it up," he said, giving Livvy an appreciative smile before letting out a chuckle. "I'd say what would be the odds of that happening to me but then again I got knocked down by a crab once." Okay, technically, the person running away from the crab was the one who knocked him down. Still, one could still say that it was the crab's fault. "You sure?" he then asked as he got up himself and put his phone back into his pocket. The time said there should still be some catches left and judging from the fact that he could still see activities at the dock and at the market from where he was, maybe he still could get something. "Shrimp would be nice. Or crabs. Although I'm slightly not sure if I want to deal with the extra effort of cracking its shell before I can start eating."

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At least it felt better to be able to breathe again, Livvy could confirm that. The air was slowly making its way back into her lungs, and she didn't quite feel like throwing up, which had to be a step in the right direction, anyway. Taking another long draw of her water to wash down the bar, she nodded her head. "I know what you mean. And somehow the longest part ends up being the hardest? I know that you can see the finish line and it should be that much easier, but… no," she shook her head, capping the water and finishing off the bar. "But it sure as hell feels really, really good when you're done."

Tasha and been thankful to get in some practice and training before the challenge. Though she was not nearly as prepared as she should have been. Each changing course and activity making her feel less and less prepared, but she finished and that was all that mattered in her book. "Exactly," she took in a deep breath before exhaling, her heart rate finally returning to somewhat normal. Seeing the granola bar, she nodded and accepted it, opening it up and taking a bite. "Thanks, and me too. Honestly for a moment or two, or twenty I didn't think I'd finish!"