The island comes alive and ready to welcome another day. School buses have already hauled kids off the island for their first day back in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. A few cars and trucks putter up the street while a bicyclist heads the other way towards the beach. 

My todo list is now multiple pages, as I return to work today. Editing, marketing, promoting and photographing are all in my future this week. Taking these few moments this morning are some of the most important. Awareness. Thankfulness. Gratitude.

I may or may not get around to the details of the past year. But for now, I have to return to the missing part of my life and get back to writing something every day. Whether I make it public or not, it’s time for me to write again. 

On Thursday, I drove twelve hours from Virginia to Georgia, returning home after a week away. Eight days before, Hurricane Irma set her site on Tybee and we didn’t stick around to wait for her uninvited arrival. We packed up the apartment as best we could. Black plastic bags stuffed and tied with furniture cushions, clothes and anything else we thought we could try to save from floating out to sea. The most important things we packed in our cars to take with us. It’s still pretty amazing to me that we can fit our whole life into two vehicles. Just about everything we need to start over; a bag of clothes, a box of hard drives, computers, cameras, and a mandolin. Clothes to wear and our tools to make a living. Other than our family, what else do we really need? That was our mindset as we locked the door behind us.

Sadness overwhelmed me as I drove over the Lazaretto creek bridge. Imagining that it could be the last time, ever. The thoughts of losing what was in the apartment was not heavy on me, but the thoughts of losing our beloved community and the life we have made here, that was terrifying. I wasn’t ready for this part of our life to be over. Our minds were plagued with these same thoughts less than one year ago when we were vacationing in Costa Rica. Hurricane Matthew was headed straight for our slice of paradise we called home. We were already familiar with our conversation of “what if…?” As much as we didn’t want to, we had to come to terms with answers to that question. 

For the last week, we visited family and friends in Virginia. Laughing, cooking, cleaning, eating, visiting…all while the TV continued to blurt out minute to minute updates as to where this unprecedented monster storm was going to make landfall. Refreshing our phones for Facebook updates and bits of information with hopes to see if our island would be spared…again. 

Over the past year I learned to breathe. Not breathing for survival, but breathing to live. I forced myself to slow down again this past week. Breathe in. Breathe out. Again, but slower. B r e a t h e I n . . . B r e a t h e Ou t . . . I accepted this week as a gift. A gift of time with my family. It was a gift to cook for them. To have meals together. To run errands with my mom. I took time to sleep and to rest. Something my body needs more of to restore and heal. (More on all of that in another post) 

On Monday we watched videos from our phones, as the ocean tides rushed in breaching the dunes of Tybee. Filling the marshes and every little crevice of our island. We cried as we watched our friends’ homes become invaded with several feet of saltwater and mud. Many of these people just recently recovered from damage from last year. 

As horrible as it was to watch, we still let out a sigh of relief, knowing that the water will recede. The sun will eventually come out and dry up the soggy mess. The people of Tybee will draw in closer and band together. They’ll roll up their sleeves, clean up the mess and rebuild. Tybee will recover and heal, because that’s what she does.

Waking up, we planned to take showers and hit the town for as much as we could stuff in a few hours as possible. We’ll… as any seasoned traveler will know, you have to roll with things as they come, because stuff doesn’t always go as planned. We did not plan to have the hot water not work in our hotel room. After calling maintenance and a sweet little gal wearing navy blue work overalls did her maintenance magic, an hour later than scheduled we were on our way. We hiked a few blocks to the nearest Cafe DuMonde so we could start the day with our sugar fix. Beignets from Cafe DuMonde are a must have treat in New Orleans. They are fried dough squares served three in a serving and are covered in what seems to be, a full cup of confectioners sugar.

We were then soaring high on a sugar buzz and called an uber to get us to the other end of town to attend Catholic mass at a cathedral near our already arranged lunch gathering spot. I am not catholic, but Carolyn is. I enjoy worshipping God in any of his houses. The cathedral was just stunning, it was nice to pause and reflect on the goodness of the Lord and all of his glory, thankful for his grace and mercy that have been extended to me in my life. 

After mass we walked around the corner and wandered into a really cool used bookstore. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I could just submerge myself for hours and hours in a bookstore. That’s when my introvert self is soothed and comforted. I run my fingers across the pages of real paper books, as the scent of paper and ink nurture me inside like home cooked meal. This store immediately reminded Kyleigh and myself of the book store we stumbled into in Key West last year. I purchased an antique post card of New Orleans as my token souvenir. I’ll use it as a bookmark.

We had plans for brunch at 12:30 so we walked a few doors down to the Live Oak Cafe to meet our friend Kenny Murphy who moved to NOLA from Savannah about eighteen months ago. The bustling cafe was filled with chatter and clinking of silverware and dishes. We were seated right next to the band. Lively music and kept the spirits high as we placed our drink orders and soon Kenny arrived. It was so nice to see him happy, a smile that is genuine and looks as if he is where he belongs playing jazz music in the town where it all began. It takes a lot to pursue your dreams of making art, or music. Not an easy task. I fully applaud those who step up to make it happen. Kenny is an artist who I knows what it means to put in the hours of dedication and hard work to fulfill a dream.

After brunch Kenny took us to see our friend Anna Lee who also used to live on Tybee Island. Anna Lee works at a really cool place called the Bayou Wine and Beer Garden. This place is huge! We ubered over there and walked from the front of the bar all the way through to the back side where we saw that familiar smile that will light up a room. Anna Lee was hosted us with style and grace as we sipped wine and snacked on a Charcuterie. Another friend, Rose aka Mary Margarita (who also just moved to NOLA) showed up in her In for a Penny T-shirt, although she took the liberty to re-design it during one of her drunken craft nights. See photos.

I’d love to return to New Orleans for a longer trip. There is just so much to see and do. It was hard to fit it all in the 20 hours we were here!

We wrapped up the day and hit the road by 6:00 so that we could be in Baton Rouge in time for dinner. 

Shimmering sun sprinkled gold glitter over the sea, piercing blue skies and white cotton candy clouds suspended to the east and west as our caravan of three cars crossed the Lazaretto bridge. We had no idea what was in store for us on this little clump of sand. Questions filled our our heads… Would we only live here for three months as our temporary winter rental suggested? Or would we find a new life here? Thirsty and hungry to fill a void that ached in both of us for a long time. Years of going through the motions and living out decisions that were based on the way we were “supposed” to live had piled on and eventually took its toll on us. Laughter filled dates nights had been replaced by mounting bills and debt and working 16 hour days to fulfill obligations that we weren’t sure why we were obligated to them.

Two months before, we had already sold everything we owned. The commitment of searching for a new life had already been made. Putting into action, the proverbial saying “Leap and the net will appear” …we had made the leap, we just didn’t know if and when the net would appear.

Within two weeks, it was quickly apparent that Tybee fit like a glove for the whole McNally clan. We soon began searching for long term housing on the island. Our winter rental contract would be up before we’d know it. In the last hour, we found a little apartment, thinking it would ‘make do’ for the first year, but it would at least keep us on Tybee. Convincing our children that we would live like we’re on vacation in the two bedroom, one bath tiny space, as it’s only a seashell’s throw from the ocean. Five years later, we still love our little space and the seascape view it provides. We continue to keep life simple. Owning only the items that we want to use and care for, and not accumulating stuff for storage and dust collecting. Choosing to do only what makes us happy, cutting away stress and anxiety in every area. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

This weekend is our five year Tybee-versary. We continue celebrate life every day with thankfulness, joy and gratitude that we followed that little voice that led us to this place, this quirky, peculiar little island of misfit toys. For the first time ever, we somehow fit amongst the misfits and have learned many lessons. First of all we have learned what community really is, and how to love each other through many differences, not hurling judgement on those that live or believe a differently from us. When one hurts, everyone hurts. When one is in need, everyone pulls together. Fund raising and benefits are weekly events on Tybee. Raising thousands of dollars to support neighbors and tybee family. “Love the Lord God with all your heart, and all your might and all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself…this is the greatest of commands.” Loving your neighbor is definitely one thing that Tybee gets right. Just last week, over $4,000 was raised in one night at The Sandbar, for our buddy Steve-O, who is recovering from a stroke. The same day another fundraiser was held to support life long tybee resident, Captain Royce whose shrimp boat had sunk during hurricane Matthew. Tybee people jump into action when the needs are plenty.

Last night we walked down Tybrisa (our main street on Tybee) for our annual Christmas tree lighting. Five years ago to the day, we attended the same event on our first night living here, we didn’t know one person. Now, I gaze through the crowd and can call out each one by name. I look in their eyes and know a part of their story. We have all been gathered on this island of love to celebrate each other cherishing these moments we call life. I feel as though our lives have been knitted together with these people into this creating a beautiful blanket of love that has filled the emptiness we ached from five years ago.

But I have good news…my heart rate has been normal for over two weeks, so maybe it’s all behind me.

And more good news…even though I love summertime on Tybee, I am truly happy to slow down and really enjoy winter. I crave my carefree days that are coming in January. Days to stay in my flannel jammies all day sipping hot tea writing blog posts and planning my new year. Purging closets literally and figuratively. Removing unwanted debris from my life.

I welcome those eight weeks in January and February, when I can read books from cover to cover in one day…yes, I long for it. I need the solitude and time to center my life again. It’s like each year I get to know myself a little better and when that happens I become a more in tune wife, mom and friend. I take the time to take inventory of what’s most important, where I’m headed and how I’m going to get there. Time to allow my faith to deepen and my communion with God to be more pure. Throughout the year I strive to take moments each day to continue this practice, but in all honesty it’s really easy to miss the mark. So I receive the slower months as a gift.

It’s the last day of November and from the words in this post, it seems as if I’ve already skipped December.

Maybe I just know how fast December comes and goes so I’m preparing myself for it.

Or

Maybe I’m just setting myself up to start my slowdown ritual in December. The to-do list is getting whittled down. I can make the choice to unwind a little earlier this winter. Why wait till next year to slow down and enjoy a little peace and serenity?

Our Christmas season doesn’t have to be a crazy month of madness. We don’t have to go to every event, every party and participate in every gift exchange. That is, unless you really want to.If that is what brings happiness to you.

We each have the same hours in a day and we have the power to choose how we spend them, December is no different.

Here’s a little example of what I’m talking about. Last week Sean and I had a photoshoot in Washington DC. The session started at noon and we traveled to several monuments around the nation’s Capitol to photograph our long time customers in various settings with their three boys, capturing life as it unfolds. We wrapped up our session around 3:30, just in time to drive home in rush hour or should I say rush “four-hour” traffic. When we relocated to Georgia, traffic is something that we just gave up and refuse to participate in. After a lifetime to living in the DC metro area, it is a part of our past and not our present or future. Once we saw that everything was grid locked and it would be close to three hours to travel 46 miles, we just stopped. We pulled into a strip mall on the side of the road, walked into a restaurant and ordered a lovely meal. We relaxed and recounted moments from the day laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Two hours later after traffic had thinned out, we jumped on 95 and we were home in less than an hour and we were not stressed.

Shopping and gift giving doesn’t have to be pushing our way through crowded malls and waiting in line. Other options are plenty. This year, as I have more often each year, I choose to shop online for few purchases as well as shopping from small local businesses or making gifts from home.

So here’s to the arrival of December. May you pause, and enjoy it.

I have been needing to write an update on my health and heart episodes.

After several appointments with cardiologists, electrophysiologist, endocrinologist and echocardiography technicians, the latest verdict from the medical community is inconclusive. The best they can tell me is my condition is not a thyroid issue, nor is is a heart defect, blockage or abnormality. If I’m not blacking out or fainting (which I haven’t) then it is not a life threatening condition. They don’t know why my heart rate is fluctuating at such great degrees, but I should just go ahead and have surgery to implant a permanent pacemaker in my body to take care of the non-life threatening symptoms.

That answer is just not good enough for me.

At least not at this time and not at my age. I have been monitoring and recording my heart rate, blood pressure and stats since this started and I began to notice a pattern and in triggers to the fluctuations. As I discussed these patterns and my hunches with the electrophysiologist, he pushed my results aside and continued attempting to sell me on the need of a installing pacemaker. As much as I believe in quality health care and am so grateful to the advances in technology and competent compassionate health care professionals, I cannot just accept a swift recommendation without explanation to follow through with surgery.

I have currently chose a path to do my own research and connect the dots of this issue before undergoing surgery. So far, everyday I am getting more answers with hopeful data and gaining successful results everyday.

What I have found from reading through hundreds of websites, medical papers and videos, is there is a nerve called the Vagus nerve that wanders through the upper torso from the neck, down behind and below the heart next to the esophagus and over the stomach. This nerve at times can become compressed or pinched and affect the natural firing of the sinus node (the heart’s natural pacemaker). At times I can be lying flat on my back, or face down or sitting upright and check my heart rate and it will be around 30-36 BPM. When I change positions or posture, immediately I will get a new normal reading of between 60-70 BPM. I also noticed a significant drop in heart rate after eating a meal, a few hours later it would return to normal. I decided to start removing specific ingredients from my diet that would cause excessive fullness and I began to see a direct correlation in the two. Breathing techniques have also contributed to a positive increase in heart rate. At the same time I was discovering the various physical triggers that cause changes in my heart rate, I began to tap into this research online that was giving definition to my results. Resulting in more reasons to not have a permanent pacemaker surgically implanted in my body.

I want to take a moment and thank everyone for all of the encouragement, prayers and thoughts that have poured in since I publicly shared what’s been going on with my heart issues. Many of you sent private messages of your own personal health experiences. This dialog has really helped me to narrow in on the condition and eliminate some of the possibilities. By keeping the conversation going, it has also helped me from carrying worry and stress on my own. It is easy to internalize worry and make problems worse as stress alone will create new symptoms.

As of now, I will continue on this natural path to restore my heart rate to normal… hopefully with permanent results. 

The waves crashed and made merry noise just one hundred yards from the second level screened porch where we gathered. Giggling women around a table snacking on whatever everyone grabbed from their house for an impromptu party. My friend Kerriann came to visit on Tybee for a few days during spring break. It seemed like old times as we told stories and laughed until we cried about memories from before she moved away. Kerriann was one of the first people we met on the second day after we moved to Tybee. We had been introduced by our friend Mel, who had also moved away a couple years ago.

One of our favorite memories was one skate night at the Tybee YMCA. My friend had been going through a challenging time as life sometimes throws us a curve ball. When skate night was over, and the staff was showing us to the door (aka kicking us out), but we were not ready to leave. We walked to the back of the Y which leads to Memorial Park. You never have to go far to get from one place to another when you live on a 3 mile island. The kids resumed their playtime at the playground and a handful of adults continued our party under the pavilion. Feasting on leftover cold pizza and sipping cool mojitos from Mel’s magic bag. The summer humid air stuck to our skin and we didn’t care as our hair went awry from the dampness. Sean told stories that kept us all laughing well into the night, in fact we were there past the time the auto shutoff turns the lights off in the park. The kids continued to play via cell phone flashlights. Kerriann reminds me that this night as a good memory in a dark time for her. It is the practical work of Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

That was just one night of many that we have shared with friends that have touched and changed our lives in the four years we’ve lived here.

Hanging out last night with some of that “original crew” was a bit nostalgic for me. Taking me back to when we first arrived and every day we were in awe of the new friendships that came to us. Life carries on and people have to follow where it leads them. Family decisions, career paths and other factors keep the river flowing. It is impossible to ever step back in a river in the same place you once had been, though it is refreshing to relive happy and joyous times through sharing memories of once upon a time.

It makes me realize how much I appreciate and savor every moment of these beautiful times I have been privileged to share with family, friends and loved ones. These moments really are what life is made of.

If I were to describe myself from the past week, it would have to be contemplative. Not melancholy or sad, just quiet and waiting.

I skipped joining my girlfriends a couple times this week and opted for my jammies and slippers instead. I kinda feel like a bear hibernating for the winter. Storing up my energy for when spring arrives.

I think that’s what February does to me. I don’t go out much. Instead I sit inside curled up in my warm chair with my laptop on my lap as I work on new business plans and email brides and customers. It’s a time to update photos, create new websites and map out  ideas that have been swirling in my head for weeks, months and even years.

Today the temperature has dropped even more and threatens to stay cold for the next week.  I am doing the unheard of, and venturing out of my cozy nest and social comfort zone and going off island before the sun is up. Thankfully I have my trusted side kick, Carolyn with me as we push forward and network with other business owners for coffee, breakfast and sometimes awkward conversations. Maybe it will give me some new blogging material!

Till next time… BeHappyWen

Tybee is not just a pretty place to live at the beach.

It is a tight knit community of 3,000 people that care about each other and the city we live in. Each week, there are a multitude of fundraisers and charity events to get involved with. Everything from helping our kids, schools, animals, local food pantry, churches, getting a swimming pool built or a theatre restored. At any given time, I can purchase a raffle ticket, event ticket, go to a party, or volunteer for a plethora of events.

There are options in selecting where I spend my time and money. I’m always guaranteed to have a great time doing it and and the end of the day, as my head hits the pillow, Sean and I look at each other, smile and say,  “It doesn’t suck to be us.”

Last night was another one of those nights. It was time for the annual Tybee Idol costume karaoke contest. Traditionally this has been held and hosted by Hucapoos (our favorite pizza joint/divebar)

All of the tables are moved to the parking lot to make room for a few rows of chairs and standing room only on the wooden deck covered by large canvas sails. A stage is designed and constructed on one side of the open air deck.

A week prior to the event, contestants can be found in local Goodwill stores throughout Savannah, or posting their costume needs on Facebook. As they gather the pieces and parts needed to create an over the top experience for their performance in a battle for the coveted title of Tybee Idol.

This event used to be mainly an adult event, where discretion was to be used if bringing children. But now 100% of funds raised goes to the only school on the island (Tybee Island Maritime Academy) There is now a bigger interest in the event from the younger generation. A new development is to have two mini events in one night. The first hour consists of the kids performances and announcing their contest winner. Then the parents with small children can still be home in time for bed.

Then it’s time for the more seasoned Idol contestants to battle it out with over the top performances with costumes, makeup and whatever it takes to woo the crowd to put dollar bills in their voting cans.

Last year, our family made a debut appearance as Ava and Sean performed Beastie Boy’s “Fight for Your Right to Party” once bitten by the performance bug this year they returned to the stage along with my son Bryce, but this time with their own separate acts. Ava was “Baby Spice” of the spice girls. Bryce shocked everyone as he was onstage half dressed, and oiled up singing “The Promise” by When in Rome. Then people that didn’t think Sean even was at the event were shocked to learn who that guy sitting in the last row all night actually was as he took the stage in full costume to perform “One More Minute” by Weird Al Yankovick . At one point the McNally clan was all on stage together. In the weirdest kinda way…it was a proud momma moment!

Here are some pictures from the night, I just snapped them from my seat as it was shoulder to shoulder people and near impossible to move around. Last night’s event raised over two thousand dollars. All from one dollar votes, one at at a time. You just gotta love a neighborhood to will come out on a Sunday night and empty their pockets for our local elementary school! Congratulations Susan, Casey and Sara for taking first place! Well deserved ladies!

Thank you Eric and Heather Thomas (owners of Hucapoos) for your endless support of this community and making Tybee the place we love to call home.