Author

Inspired and Strong

Browsing
vegas sign
In Family

Vegas Baby

No Comments

For Christmas, we bought Jeff’s two sons concert tickets to see Metallica and Greta Van Fleet young boys at metallicain Las Vegas. We like to give them memories rather than material things from time to time. It was going to be a three-day family trip to Vegas to see Jeff’s favorite band.

This concert was the second time all three guys have seen Metallica together. Jeff took them for the first time when they were just nine and eleven. Now look at them, all grown up!

boys in vegas

When Jeff was buying tickets, he asked me if I wanted to go. I am not a huge Metallica fan but I am a Yes Woman so, of course, I said yes to Vegas and the show! Needless to say, all of us were excited about the trip.

Although we had some difficulties with our flights being delayed and canceled, we all made it to Vegas by midnight on Thursday. We stayed at one of the newest casinos called Resorts World. The hotel and casino were beautiful! They had about five pools which would have been awesome had it been summertime or the weather just a bit warmer!

Both boys are over 21 now so we had a few beverages at the hotel bar when we all got in. Not much gambling took place the first night as we just scouted the hotel and casino and took a little stroll down the Strip. Friday, after breakfast in the hotel, we decided to walk down the Strip to a few of the casinos. We spent a lot of time in Caesar’s Palace enjoying the shopping and people watching. We also walked through the Venetian. It was like we were in a different world and very similar to my time in Venice. I loved the canals and someday maybe we will have enough time for a gondola ride in Italy. Treasure Island was also very cool.

venetian in vegas

Once back at the hotel, we hit a few slot machines and roulette tables then got ready for the show. We went down to the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. Blackened Whiskey sponsored the concert pre-party, and we were only a short walk to Allegiant Stadium. Everyone was excited and ready for the show. We missed the first opening band but got there right in time for Greta Van Fleet. They are a young band but the lead singer has a very distinctive voice similar to the lead singer of Led Zepplin. They put on a great show.

Next up Metallica. The crowd went wild! Even though I didn’t know many of the songs they were great performers, and it was an amazing show. They played all of their classics and a few of their newer songs.  It seemed everyone knew all of the words except for me. We were up in the back corner and you could feel the heat from the fire near the stage. I really enjoyed the show and am so glad I am a yes girl.

us at the show in vegas

After the show, we walked back to House of Blues and then got a car to our hotel. We gambled a few dollars away, saw the amazing Luke Bryan at the Craps table, and went to bed. Luke also had played that night at Resorts World. Maybe we will see him again in concert someday.

On Saturday, we made our way to the airport to all go our separate ways back to Florida. It was a memorable weekend with the boys, and I was glad to spend some quality with them. It’s crazy to think I am technically their stepmom. I came into their lives when they were already adults so they did not need another mother or anyone else telling them what to do. Now at 21 and 23, I am excited to be their adult friend and maybe a bit of a mentor should they ever want or need my advice.

I think it’s hard to go into a relationship at any point when there are children involved. I am thankful that we all get along, and that we can spend time together as a family. Although I have only known the boys for a short five years, I am really proud of the wonderful young men they are becoming. They have so much to look forward to in life and are at such a fun age. I remember being 23 and wondering where my life’s journey would take me. They now are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives and who they want to become.

Even though they probably don’t even think of me as a stepmom, I do hope when they find their significant others, and if they choose to have babies that I get to become Gram, Babcia, Nana, or some type of Grandma-figure. I really can’t wait to spoil the little ones!

All in all, I am counting my blessings that Sweet Gram led me to My Prince which led me to two amazing stepsons. I look forward to spending more time together with them, getting to know them better, and creating more memories together as we take on more family adventures.

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

by
Keep Reading
arms overhead
In How We Move

7 Rounds of 7 Arms

No Comments

Equipment Needed

  • a light set of dumbbells (optional)

Weekly Wednesday Workout

We are starting a new series that will run for seven weeks. We will do arms, legs, abs, shoulders, back, cardio, and chest. In today’s workout, you will do seven rounds of 7 reps of four arm movements. Rest as needed in between each round.

Movements for each round:

  • 7 bicep curls (each arm)
  • 7 concentration curls (each arm)
  • 7 tricep kickbacks (each arm)
  • 7 overhead extensions (arms together)

How to Do the Moves

For the video of movements click here. Remember there are always modifications. Let me know if you need help or suggestions. Don’t forget the warm-up. Make this workout work for you!

Photo by Jernej Graj on Unsplash

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

 

by
Keep Reading
gram stacy and sister
In Adventures with Gram

Sweet Gram

3 Comments

Can you believe Sweet Gram has been gone almost one year?? On one hand, it feels like it just happened. On the other, it feels like she’s been gone so long. People say time heals all wounds, and maybe that is true but losing Gram has been a real struggle for me.

It’s true our family has been through a lot of loss this past decade. It’s hard to sweet gram and grampsbelieve that we lost my sister four years ago May 7th, my Dad 10 years ago May 23rd, my Gramps six years ago on February 4th, and my sweet Gram one year ago on February 24th.

All of these losses have taken a toll on my heart. Sometimes out of the blue something happens and it just hits me hard as a rock. A song that my sister and I used to listen to will come on the radio or my dad’s cologne will drift by me in the store. It’s amazing how hard something so little can hit you so hard.

sweet gram me and my sisterThis past year has been very difficult for me. I am not sure why the loss of Gram has hit me so hard but it has, and I still struggle. Maybe because I feel guilty about putting her into the senior living home for her final 3 months. Maybe because I took care of her for five years. Maybe because she was almost like a child to me and also at times my best friend. Maybe because she was a part of my life for 45 years. I miss her little laugh and her loving smile. I miss her advice, her thoughts, and her funny sayings. She was my partner-in-crime. I miss going to get ice cream with her. I am not sure there is anyone else in the world who loved ice cream as much as she did.

The littlest things made sweet Gram so happy. She never complained. And she rarely said a bad word about anyone. She had the most inspiring outlook on life. And that positive, optimistic little lady is what I miss so much. I am not sure there will ever be another one like her.

sweet gram and ice cream

I guess that is why this past year has been so hard. That little lady carried me home from the hospital when I was born. That little lady was by my side almost every day for the last five years of her life. That little lady was there for every holiday and supported me at all of my sporting events in high school and college. That little lady was my idol. I can only strive to be half as good as my little lady was. I love and miss you sweet Gram.

Stay Strong & Be Inspired, Stacy

by
Keep Reading