Purple Tears For My Mama

22 years ago yesterday (April 28) my Mama passed away.

The emotions that happen on this day each year are crazy.  I will admit that it has got better over the years.  I don't spend so much time sad about it anymore.  I spend most of the day thinking of good times.  That's how my Mama would want it.

I miss being able to talk to her every day. Well, I really miss her talking back because I still talk to her all the time.  Anytime something good or bad happens I think I need to tell her.  She loved Prince and would have been especially sad to hear of his death.  When I heard the news she was the first person I thought of.

I'm sure some people have a problem with the things that are so special to me and make me feel so connected to my Mama.  But I don't care...LOL.  She wasn't perfect (who is?).  But she loved me with all her heart.  And she never put blinders on me for how the world was - the good or the bad.  She exposed me to all types of music, all types of literature, all types of art, and all types of television and film.  She encouraged me to make my own decisions and like things because I liked them (not because someone else did or thought I should).

Prince was one of the many artists that both my Mama and I shared a love for.  I spent my teenage years singing to Prince's music....and still do today.  As with many people, he helped define my youth and my musical tastes. I listened to his 1999 (album) and Purple Rain (album) for HOURS on end. When the movie Purple Rain came out we watched it over and over and over....signing to every tune of course.  Purple Rain was shown at The Grand Theatre in Pier Park last night.  I had never seen it on the big screen and thought it was fitting to see it on this day - on the anniversary of my Mama's death.

The movie was as great as it was every other time I have seen it.  Classic 80s! The music!  The clothes!  The hair!  The memories!  I just wish my Mama would have been there to see it too.  I like to think that she's getting to sing those songs with the man himself these days.  I can see her now singing and dancing along, partying like it's 1999.  Partying was one thing she was really good at...LOL.

In the days to come there will be lots of information released on Prince's death and the suspected causes of it.  The tabloids are already having a field day.  I will not focus on this and let it taint my memories associated with Prince.  He was a musical genious and his music and movies will live on forever.  Take some time to enjoy them.  Spend some time listening to his lyrics - really listening to them.  Listen past the sex references and see how they actually relate to life in general.  And take some time to tell the people that mean something to you how you feel.  You never know when it's the last time you will get the chance.  This year my tears for my Mama will be purple....just like the rain.

***

Purple Rain (1984) - (IMDB link)
Directors: Prince, Michael Ballhaus
Stars: Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Clarence Williams III...

Check out this link for Prince's 40 Biggest Billboard Hits - WOW!

Check out this link for Rolling Stone readers poll: The 10 Best Prince Songs

And some of my personal favorites (I can't pick just one) with release year.  There are so many more I could list here...anything off of 1999 and Purple Rain should really be here as I LOVE both of those albums. Check out the first link for video and song facts link for more info about each:
Purple Rain (1984) - song facts
When Doves Cry (1984) - song facts
Let's Go Crazy (1984) - song facts
1999 (1983) - song facts
Little Red Corvette (1983) - song facts
Darling Nikki (1984) - song facts
Take Me With U (1984)

Mamita's Pizzeria - Authentic and Delicious!

We LOVE pizza so when a place says they guarantee it's the best in 50 miles or its free, we have to try it.  Tonight Ron and I tried a new place and we were very pleased.

Mamita's Pizzeria is located at 2808 W 23rd Street in Panama City.  It's in a small building set a little back from the road, but when the Highway 390 expansion is complete they will have the prime corner spot!  That could take a while so we need to keep them in business now!

The restaurant wasn't crowded.  It was quite intimate actually.  There appeared to only be 1 server. He did a great job, once we got our drinks initially. We also met one of the owners, who came out from the kitchen to say hello to us. He was very nice and thankful to us for eating there.

We wanted to try everything! We couldn't do that...but we made a great effort.

We started with Garlic Knots as an appetizer.  They were awesome!  They were light and fluffy with the perfect amount of garlic and Parmesan cheese on top.  They are served with homemade ranch or marinara sauce - we had both!

Instead of settling on a large pizza of one style we ordered three different small pizzas.

I chose Mamita's Classic (The Italian Pleaser) - pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, onions, Italian sausage, green peppers, and black olives...Yum!!!  I loved how the mushrooms and Italian sausage were sliced thin.  I don't like thick pieces of either of these so it was perfect.

Ron picked a Meat Lovers (All The Good Stuff) - pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, and smoked bacon.  It also come with hamburger but Ron didn't get it on his pizza.  He said this pizza was great!

Just look at those yummy pies!!

And we also got a Buffalo Wing Pizza - mozzarella cheese, grilled chicken, smoked bacon, spicy buffalo sauce, and homemade ranch.  It also comes with onions but we left those off since Ron doesn't like them.  This pizza....OMG...this pizza is awesome!

Sorry, I didn't get a picture of the whole pizza.  It was too good and we couldn't help ourselves.

I strongly encourage you to check this place out. We will definitely be back.

Be sure to sign up for their birthday club and email club so you can get special deals.  You can do that here: Birthday Club

Follow them on Facebook too: facebook.com/mamitaspizza/