Top 10 Thursday

Top 10... Favorite Places I Have Visited

While I was growing up my family frequently took road trips across the country. It gave us a great opportunity to see many places. Then when Jay was overseas we were able to take R&R and visit even more places. It was very difficult for me to narrow the list down to 10 of my favorite places, but I did the best I could, and here they are...

1. Germany

At the very end of 2004 and beginning of 2005 Jay and I visited Germany for one of his R&Rs. As you will notice while going through the list this is the only place on my Top 10 that isn't just one place. That is because I fell in love with every place we went in Germany. We started and ended in Frankfurt. We also visited Heidelberg (probably my favorite), Koln, Garmish, and Munchen. Every place was breathtaking, and all are places I would return. In fact I often say if I ever move outside the USA, Germany is where I would chose to go.

Jay, Me, Melea, and Jeff celebrating New Years Eve on the bridge in Heidelberg.

2. Venice, Italy

In 2006 Jay, my parents, and I visited Italy. While I liked multiple parts of the trip, Venice was my favorite city. I also definitely enjoyed visiting St Peter's square, and I even got to shake hands with the Pope.

3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

My family and I took a trip to Myrtle Beach right before I started college. I am a big fan of the ocean, and I definitely loved this trip. We also visited Charleston which is a gorgeous city. Myrtle Beach is a great city to people watch. Honestly there is the most interesting combination of people there; it is amusing.

Unfortunatley this was prior to me having a digital camera so you will have to enjoy stock pictures.

4. Estes Park, Colorado

Estes Park is definitely one of my favorite places in Colorado. Obviously I love the mountains in Colorado, but this is such a sweet and laid back little town. It is a must visit!

5. Scarborough, Maine
Last summer Jay, Ashley, and I visited Maine. We went out to see friends for a BBQ/ Lobster Boil and we had an amazing time. The people there are so friendly, the area is beautiful, and I believe it is one of the cleanest places I have visited. We went in the beginning of June and the water was very chilly, but it definitely didn't stop us from playing in it.

6. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone was one of the big family vacations we took. We stopped multiple places including Corn Palace, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Colorado.

Honestly the geysers at Yellowstone are something everyone should see, but they really weren't my favorite part. I loved all the scenery and the animals even more.

7. Smokey Mountain National Park

I don't remember how old I was the first time I visited the Smokey Mountains, but I believe it was a family vacation when I was in about 2nd grade. I love the Smokey Mountains. I love the mountains, the scenery, and most importantly the waterfalls. This is also where we were when the infamous story about my dad falling in the creek happened.

8. Branson, Missouri

Although it isn't very far away Branson will always be one of my favorite places. I love the atmosphere down there. I have been there more times than I can count, but I don't think I will ever get sick of visiting.

9. The Gulf of Mexico
  I originally had multiple different locations on the gulf listed, but what it boils down to is that I like the gulf. I enjoy being in the water without as much fear about being dragged under and such. There are many fun places to visit along the gulf, but you will likely find me in the water more than anything else.

10. Whistler, Canada
      In 2007 Jay and I visited Canada. We went to Victoria, Vancouver, and Whistler. While all the places were nice Whistler was by far my favorite. It was definitely a tourist town, but we had so much fun there, and it was such a laid back place. All the workers in town had name tags that said their hometowns and it was amazing to see all the different places people were from.

Bonus:

Weston, Missouri: I couldn't decide how to include this one because it is close to my home so it isn't really somewhere I travel to. However, it is one of my favorite places to go for the day. I love walking around the downtown area. Red Barn Farm is there and it happens to be one of my favorite places on earth. I love the little farm, the animals, the shop, and the friendliness of everyone. Weston is where my grandma grew up, and it is where most people on her side of the family are buried. We go to the cemetary there frequently, and if I had my choice it is likely where I would chose to be once I pass. Setting all that aside though Weston is a wonderful little town, and a nice place to spend a day relaxing.

Working Wednesday

On Wednesdays I like to post about things I am currently working on. However, this week what I am working on is the same as what I was looking on last week. So instead of showing you my currenty projects again I am going to show you some past projects I am proud of.


First is the ribbon board I made for Ashley's playroom. I covered a bulletin board with batting, fabric, and ribbons. It works great to hold pictures, cards from  Ashley's godmother, and anything else we want to display.

In addition to the ribbon board Ashley and I painted her name to go over her dresser in her room. We did this by sponge painting wooden letters, and after the painted dried stencils with other colors on top.

Lastly, I used scrapbook paper and Mod Podge to decroate some letters that I hung in Ashley's playroom.

So those are three of the projects I did for Miss Ashley. I love them because they are all personal for just her, and some she was even able to help some with as well. As I am sure you can tell from the pics these projects are a couple years old, but we still enjoy them daily. 



Terrific Tuesday

In continuing with the tradition I would like to take a minute today to forget about the bad, and focus on some of the terrific things I have in my life.

This week I want to focus on my friends. The past couple weeks I have had some friends who have really been there for me and I appreciate it so much. It might be as simple as meeting me for a drink when I need to get away. It might be coming on my podcast as my first guest, or it might even be just talking to me online or on the phone to make sure everything is going ok. All of these things are wonderful, and helpful. Everything shows me I have people I can count on, and people who will be there for me when I need them.

This is a hard thing for me to know and trust. However, as I have recently put myself out there it has proven to be the case. Some of these people who have been there for me lately are people I have known for many many years, but haven't had the chance to hang out with in a significant number of years (5-10 etc.). Others are people who I have more recently become friends with and have only had the chance to hang out with a few times. It is interesting me that there is such a wide variety in my friends, how long I have known them, who they are, their interest etc.... but they are all wonderful people and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Books, Books, and more Books

I love reading. Reading gives you a chance to escape reality for a minute, and experience a world you wouldn't experience otherwise.

Every year I set a goal for how many books I would like to read throughout the year. This only counts books I read for myself.... not kids books, not books for work, etc. This year my goal is 50. Typically I read more than that, but when I am discounting a large portion of books I read I felt like this was a fair number.

So far I have read some chick lit easy books such as the "Shopaholic" series. I have read some classic books like "The Importance of Being Ernest." I have read many books from the new Neta Jackson series. Then I have read books that are outside of my comfort zone such as the first book in the "Fairies of Rush" series or "The Lost Girls and the Wander Years". Though they are all very different they all provide a level of enjoyment.

Recently I started reading "The Shack". This is not a book I would typically read as it tends to fall into my category of "over hyped." I have often found that books like this that get so much attention, aren't books I will end up enjoying. However, I am optimistic that this book will be different. This book provides a lot to think about, and some things to reflect upon.

In addition to these books which count towards my goal I read many young adult books or books geared towards upper elementary school. I am always looking for new books to read in my classroom, and I personally believe that currently some of the best books coming out fall into these categories. In addition to the new books coming out there are books that have been around for years that are simply wonderful such as "Summer of the Monkeys" or "Indian in the Cupboard." "Summer of the Monkeys" is one of my favorite books, and I read it with my students every year. This year we did a large project with it, and then at the end the students got to watch the movie. After our project I asked the students who enjoyed the book and thought I should use it next year, and every child in my class said they enjoyed it and thought I should continue to use it. After watching the movie they all agreed that the book was better. You know when a class full of 3rd graders would rather read the book than watch the movie there is no denying how amazing the book is. As I continue reading I will always be looking for more books that fall into this amazing category, and hopefully one day will even write one that belongs here.

If you have any suggestions for books I should read myself, or books I should read at school I would love to hear them. If you have read any of the books I mentioned above I would love to hear your reviews of them.

Family Day

While I was growing up, Sunday was typically family day for my family. We would do something together: frequently working in the yard, going somewhere for the day, camping, etc. As I know have my own child I understand more how important "family day" is. Ashley and I get alone time almost everyday during the summer. It is just me and her hanging out, spending time together, and making memories.

This weekend has been a bit of a family weekend for me. Yesterday Jay, Ash, and I went to do the balloon release together.

Last night Larry, Ashley, and I went to my parents house to play games. Playing games happens to be one of my favorite ways to spend family time. It is fun and still gives you a chance to talk. Last night we played Imaginn which happens to be one of my favorite games.

This is a picture from our "photo finish" during the first round!

When I was thinking about this blog post last night one of my friends posted "Friends are the family you choose for yourself" to his facebook wall. This is a very true statement and one I completely agree in. There are people in my "family" who aren't technically family. For example my brother's friend "Derek" is someone I refer to as brother, he calls me sis, and we have always been and will always be close. He is part of my "family". Frieda my babysitter while growing up will always be part of my family, as she was just like a grandma to me. The list continues, but the point is sometimes family doesn't just mean blood relatives. Family means the people you feel "at home" with, the people you feel comfortable and safe with.

My "family" has changed somewhat over the years, especially with my marriage and welcoming new people into my family, and then my divorce which somewhat blurs the family lines for many.

It usually takes a lot for someone to get within those boundaries for me, and yet sometimes people sneak in and I look back and have no idea how or when that happened. That is the situation I have been facing lately. Larry is a very special person in my life, and the past few days I have noticed that he has gone beyond my normal boundaries. He has been there to hold me when I cry. He has been with me when I need support, or need someone to talk to. In addition I am totally comfortable around him so he gets to see me be myself with nothing holding me back (at times I am sure he wishes that wasn't the case ;-) ) He knows when something is bothering me, and I open up to him and tell him what's going on. He knows my personal thoughts, fears, and dreams. He knows when something is going to bother me, and when he should be there to offer extra support. He is an amazing person and I am so lucky to have him as part of my life. I don't know how he slipped his way past my boundaries, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

We will always love you.... and never forget you

This afternoon Jay, Ashley, and I did a balloon release at Lake Jacomo in honor of our baby. Today was my due date, and our precious baby should have been joining our family. Instead our perfect child went with God much too soon.

Once we got to the spot at the lake I asked Ashley if she had anything she wanted to say. She said "I wish you could have come to our family", and with that simple sentence there was nothing left to say.

Happy Birthday Angel Baby

Happy Birthday Angel Baby. I wish you were joining our family today, but instead you are in a better place. I hope you can look down over us proudly, and I hope someone up there can tell you all about us. We love you and won't ever forget you!