The Reader

Hey there! Can you believe that I went almost a whole week without blurfin'? Good Grief....funny thing, my Google Reader caps out at 1,000+ posts....I must have been well above the 1,000 mark because I went through TONS before it has finally settled onto 866. Hmmm....do I have jet lag? I went to bed at 2:30 a.m. this morning and woke up at 5:00 a.m. this morning, oy vey.

I realized that I didn't manage to take a whole lot of good photography....I'll have to have "d" pass along more of the touristy ones. For now, I'll share this picture of Cozumel from the deck of the cruise boat after we docked {landed, anchored?}. The water is bluer than you can begin to imagine...simply lovely. A girl could get easily use to vacationing when she doesn't have to cook or clean...just lay in the sun and people watch {love doing that}....it was an incredibly relaxing vaca...one that I really needed and enjoyed. Prior to arriving in Cozumel, we also visited Key West...Wow! What a FABulous place!!!

Yesterday I spent the entire day in a movie theater {with various breaks} to watch these Academy Award Nomimees:

Milk

The Reader

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Slumdog Millionaire

Frost/Nixon

My favorite?

Slumdog Millionaire

Can you believe it? Milk started at 10:30 a.m. and Frost/Nixon ended around midnight. Whew...it is fun to go with a bunch of friends..we packed a bunch of food but then bought something for dinner. I'm trying to break myself of my "Cruise Diet", or lack of diet...yipes...oh well, I was on vaca...

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Orcas Island

TGIF!!!

I tell you, it's an adjustment to get back to work after being off for a glorious week. I'm thrilled that it is Friday and I have lots of fun planned for the weekend! I actually don't have any cards to share with you today...gasp. I did "finish" one tonight but it wasn't hitting me so I'll share it next week after I figure out what it is "missing".

I am sharing some photos that I took when we were on Orcas Island last weekend. My goal is to explore each of the Islands with the kids.

I haven't shared any inspirational thoughts with you in a while. I received a very long {chain} email from a friend that doesn't typically pass them along {hi k!}. She even mentioned in her email that she doesn't usually pass chain emails on but thought it was particularly appropriate. This paragraph really struck me:

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Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

So love the people who treat you right.. Forget about the one's who don't.

Believe everything happens for a reason.

If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.

If it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

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I've always been one to think that "things happen for a reason". So grab life with both hands and make it worthwhile!

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Life is an Adventure...

Life definitely is an adventure but I am certainly enjoying the ride....How about you?

This is a "simple dimple" card as Angie would type...The "it's an adventure" is a die cut from my Making Memories Hul.la.ba.loo line kit. I love the pop of pink...now who doesn't love pink?!

Here's a photo my boy took of me with my phone outside the rustic cabin we stayed at on one of the San Juan Islands...It's a challenge to travel with one kid that doesn't like to vacation and the other that does...what is a Mom to do? Invite a neutral party...another kid! Actually it was great..."s" added to the mix and she's a sweet girl. Well, Tuesday is back to school and back to work for me...I've really enjoyed the much needed time off.

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paper: stampin' up chocolate chip & misc ivory accesories: MM die cut, rabom wide dark brown grosgrain

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Happy Chandelier Day!!!

Happy Friday!!!

This has gone postal to my dear blogging friend Susan. Chances are she hasn't received it BUT I wanted to end the week with it. We are having a friendly chandelier competition. She brings up the concept of connections. Isn't it wonderful to have connections? Whether it is with family and friends....people you see on a daily basis....to dear friends that you don't get to see too often....to people that you meet via blogging...or new connections, the people that you are just getting to know.
Connections are good for the soul...

Thank you Susan for being a fabulous blogging connection....you really help me ponder things with your thought provoking posts...

We're enjoying a mini vacation on one of the San Juan Islands. The cottage that we are staying at is, well, rustic....but check out our view! It totally makes up for everything else...I just love ferry boats...riding them...seeing them...My kids were thrilled to take the ferry boat but more excited to buy "bugles" out of the vending machine...doesn't that crack you up? We brought tons of junk food {& fruit} and they are willing to spend the big bucks on the vending machine...ahhhh...to be a kid again.

I hope you have a magnificent weekend!!!

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stamps: b line designs ink: versafine vintage sepia paper: stampin' up chocolate chip, misc ivory accessories: stampin' up pretties kit, wide dark brown grosgrain from rabom, wide green stitched grosgrain from old navy, my janome...I've missed her....lol

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Great Smoky Mountains

A brief of what's happening with our "mini" vacation at Great Smoky Mountain. (Oops, I always thought it spelled Smokey until I got there - ooops...). It was blast time!

As soon as we arrived our hotel, we couldn't believe how huge rooms - kitchen, two bedroom, 2 bathrooms, living room, and dining room including patio and washer/dryer. I told H - contact He, MR, Am, and An to see if they want to stay with us for free (we were using our timeshares) instead of paying other hotel nearby. They contacted their hotel to see if they could cancel and get full refund and they did. They agreed its HUGE and it wasn't crowd - 6 adults and 4 kids (shh shh they limited to 6ppl).

Mikaela was resting on King bed and reading her book - "Picky Nicky" as she was waiting to go out dinner. Applewood farmhouse - good place to eat! Their apple fritters - so good!

Kyron was checking outside and waiting for his friends to come... S (soon 3yrs old) and Rj (shes so darling - 6 mos old). Kyron adored her!

We agreed to go on Helicopter to ride. Mikaela was in heavenly when she rode a helicopter. Kyron seems doesn't mind as he was about to sleep up the air! It was nice view - highly recommended (We decided to go for short ride - 8 minutes - it does feel like forever!) Mikaela always dream to ride one!

We discussed and decided to go on Monster Truck Ride!

Our friends/kids and I have enjoyed the ride. Kids love it!

Kyron refused let anyone drive this yellow go kart! He got upset when we pulled him out.
Mikaela and Mommy went on Dune Buggy! Whooo what a fun to ride! Go faster mommy!, Mikaela said.

Kyron got a new monster truck. Now, his favorite toy of the week (will it lasts? for how long?) He signed truck truck! Whoo!

Off to Great Smoky Mountains!

It was snowing! SNOWING!!

I told H - pulled over!! Go on short hiking. She kept saying - its cold! I said - I don't care! Poor thing Mikaela was a little nervous to go through woods. After a few minutes, she become more comfortable. Kyron was a little confusing. He looked at many trees and saw creek. Really beautiful creeks. Then I turned fast and popped out the gift box to H. She was confused and laughed at the same time. New ring for her as love and promise! She was so thrilled to get new one even though she has other ring from me in year of 1999. I just feel that it needs to be update and look better. (a very nice ring from www.loveandpride.com). Now we ahead back to Hotel! We stayed in hotel for the rest of evening as it was pouring! Mikaela and Kyron did not want to go out. H went out and get us food as we were not up to cook.

The next day - What a lovely weather but COLD and WINDY!


Other story... Mikaela had been bugging me for a week to do her scrapbook. Today, she asked me to help her with scrapbook. I asked - what do you want to start with. She said, "K" (cousin of west). We looked through pictures. She picked that picture. She picked colors etc... all that by herself. She asked me to help with corner cut and put picture in the middle of blue paper. Also how to spell "cousins". She begged me to give her my "star beach strip". She was proud of her first page ever! (not bad! - am proud of her!)

Now I'm exhausted!

*will revise later

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What? A Trip? To Where?

Yup! I'm packing - my kids' clothes and ourselves too. Not only that... a long list what to bring.... :o)

Last week, H asked me, "Wanna go on a trip?" Where? Smokey Mountain for the long weekend?" I can't deny! I love Smokey Mountain. I've not gone there for long time - probably year of 1993 with umm..... a good friend. Ha Ha. (H- I was young that time!)

I'm getting things together and get ready for dog sitter as she is staying at our place.

We will meet our great friends there and their kids too. They will drive from North Carolina which takes them about 2 hours. Lucky them! I have to sit in my butt for about 8 hours drive! Kids will watch their video or listen their music.

We are hoping to see our old pal. I've not seen her for a while. She had going through a rough time til she met a special guy. She married a that special guy. She has three kids (single mother for few years). Look forward to meet her and meet their kids for the first time. Last time, I saw her was 1993. Been a while…

We probably will go and watch Dollywood’s 22nd parade tomorrow evening. Kids would like that. I told H that we must go Smokey Mtn. National park for a short walk and Gatlinburg. It is really beautiful places.

I will try to check from time to time. Hopefully our resort have computer lab for us to use.

We will be leaving tomorrow morning - 5AM!

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