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Vegas Baby

March 1, 2022 No Comments

For Christmas, we bought Jeff’s two sons concert tickets to see Metallica and Greta Van Fleet in 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!

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.

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.

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.

In Travel Junkie

Glenwood Springs

January 11, 2022 2 Comments

Jeff and I headed out west to visit some really good friends prior to our ski week in Taos. Although it took us seven hours to get there because of the weather and traffic, it was well worth it. As soon as we pulled into the little town of Glenwood Springs I loved it.

Upon our arrival, our friends had a delicious feast waiting for us. They knew we would be hungry after our long drive. We had some amazing homemade pizza, pesto-filled mushrooms, marinated chicken, Greek pepper salad, wine, and great conversation. The next morning, we got to see the beautiful mountain views from their deck in Glenwood Springs.

That day we went skiing at a local ski resort called Sunlight. I really enjoyed it. It was a beautiful bluebird day. We started on the green runs, and Jeff even gave me a few ski tips. I started feeling a little more comfortable. Clearly, he’s a better skier 🙂 Watch this video!

The resort had a great vibe. It was customer appreciation day so they had a costume contest and donut eating contest sponsored by Sweet Coloradough. They also had a DJ and everyone was dancing and playing cornhole. It became my second favorite ski resort behind Deer Valley.

Later that evening, we went downtown Glenwood Springs for dinner and drinks. We went to Riveria Supper Club. We sat at the bar until our table was ready. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The table before us stayed longer than expected so they treated us with a free appetizer and round of champagne. We didn’t mind waiting and loved the freebies! The four of us split salmon, beef stroganoff, a burger, salad, and bone marrow. We were all a bit tired so we just headed back to the house for a nightcap.

Instead of skiing the next day, we decided to go on a snowmobiling tour. We woke up to a downpour of snow. It was a blast! Jeff and I rode together. The guide led us through the trees and up and down the trails. Then we stopped in a wide-open field, and they let us free ride for 30 minutes or so. I took the sled for a few spins and had so much fun. It was a snowy day so we didn’t get to see the majestic views from the summit, but eventually, the clouds broke up, and it turned into a beautiful sunny day. We continued on our journey, and they took us on a new trail. We had a group of about 10 snowmobiles and everyone was riding pretty good so they kept us out about an hour longer than normal, which was awesome but by the end of the ride, By the end, I was frozen to the bone.

Our trip to Glenwood Springs was short but very sweet. I really enjoyed the mountain town and the beautiful views. Check out the bighorn sheep we saw on our way out of town. Sunlight was a really fun and cute local ski resort that I can’t wait to visit again.

In Fitness and Nutrition

New Year, New You

January 4, 2022 No Comments

It seems every January, people make resolutions that they don’t keep. They think it’s a new year, it should be a new me. Instead of being realistic they go for the gold and end up quitting before they even get started. This year, make your resolution mindful and realistic. Reread the post Eat Better and Move Better and focus on becoming 1% better every day. What baby steps can you make to meet your goal? The more steps you take and the more progress you see the more likely you will be to keep going.

It’s hard because, after the holidays and all of the parties and gatherings, you want to be a new you in the new year. But try to evaluate where you are now and where you want to go. Then be realistic about the amount of work you will need to put in. I am not trying to discourage you. I just want you to be honest with yourself. Whatever your new year goals are…what does it take to get there?

Do you want to lose weight? Gain muscle? Run a race? Quit drinking? Quit smoking? Eat at home more often? Eat less fast food? Travel more? Do a Spartan Race or a mud run? Hike a mountain? Ride a bike? Whatever you decide, write it down, and determine your short-term goals. Remember the end goals are like marathons, not sprints. You are not going to lose 10 pounds in 10 days. It takes time. So start small. Start with two pounds a month and by next year the new you will be 24 pounds lighter! And next year, you can continue and soon you are down 48 pounds, and you can keep it off because you have changed your lifestyle and not gone on some fad diet.

I talk a lot in this blog about how we eat and how we move. I first learned to eat healthily at Bill Lawrencen’s Personal Fitness in Meadville, PA. If you are in the area, go now, and start Dream Team. You won’t be sorry. He gets some serious results. You can also participate virtually. Check out the website. To this day, Jeff and I continue eating a lean protein, the right carb, and a healthy fat at every meal. When we eat out, we make as healthy of a choice as we can, and usually, we order fish or lean meat and veggies.

If your goal is to travel more then decide how often do you want to go? How much do you want to spend on each trip? Then make it happen. Do a little each week or month to get you there. Look for deals on airlines. Look at the low-cost carriers. Try to pack minimally and don’t pay for a seat or luggage. There are many ways to travel inexpensively. Also, look at credit cards that give you miles.

Whatever your goals, it’s a new year for a new you. Start small and take baby steps. Jeff and I had our two-year wedding anniversary on December 31st. One of our new year’s commitments to each other is that every month we will do one of the Five Love Languages. We did them the first two years of our relationship but haven’t made a conscious effort on them for the last two years. Each month we will pick a language and make a day of it. To find out your love language and that of your partner or even a family member, click here.

Whatever your goals, I wish you a safe, happy, and healthy new year and new you! Stay strong and be inspired each and every day!

Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

In Travel Junkie

Copper Mountain

December 14, 2021 No Comments

As you read previously, every month from January through March, there is an airline ski week. The 2021 season has begun! This year the ski weeks are Copper Mountain, CO, Taos, NM, Telluride, CO, Squaw, CA, and there is an international ski week in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. My husband has been going for almost 10 years now, but I am just starting my fourth season.

The second ski week of my life was in December 2019 at Copper Mountain. It wasn’t an official ski week but we had opportunities for discounted lodging and ski lessons. I participated in a few lessons and learned a lot! It was very helpful. That week is a bit more low-key. Three airlines get together, have an ugly sweater pub crawl, a white elephant Christmas exchange, and camaraderie. It’s a wonderful week.

In 2019, we weren’t able to find anyone to watch Gram so as you know she goes where we go. I didn’t realize how high the mountain was but she had no trouble with the change in altitude. She was such an amazing woman.

Last week we went to Copper Mountain again, and it all came back to me. The memories, the fun times, the shot ski’s and the missing her. She loved the snow and the Christmas lights. She would have been so happy to see it all again. The holidays are always hard when you have lost someone but the first one without them seems to be the most difficult. And here we are coming up on Christmas without Gram. Although I am excited to see the kids and my mom, I am going to miss sweet Gram supervising us while we try to make some Polish pierogies. (Although this is not her recipe, it is very similar.)

Copper Mountain is a great ski resort and mountain. They have plenty of green and blue runs which are the easiest and it isn’t really a confusing mountain. All the ski runs are together for the most part. All the greens are on one side, the blues in the middle, and the blacks (the most difficult) on the other end. There are a few parts where they mix but it makes it easy for those who do not want to get stuck up high on the mountain with no easy way down.

I have improved my skiing over the past few years. I think I have now skied 33 days in my life. Woo hoo! I am feeling a little more confident but when I start going fast, boy, am I scared to death of wiping out! I do love it. I love the different places we go and the opportunity to see the amazing views from 10,000 feet in the air.

Hopefully, I continue to improve and do well. Being up so high is absolutely breathtaking with the snow-capped mountains. It really is something special. Even if you don’t want to take the chance of skiing down the mountain, going to a mountain top resort and staying a few days to drink hot chocolate is absolutely worth it.

In Pilot's Wife

Time To Go

November 16, 2021 2 Comments

We left northwest PA just in time. My husband had a trip and returned home Saturday morning. The weather was a mix of sleet and snow when I picked him up. The roads were still too warm for anything to stick but I could smell it. Snow was coming. It was time to pack up and head south.

Usually, we get to Pennsylvania in June. This year, we went to Virginia for six weeks to spend time with the kids so we didn’t get settled in PA until the middle of August. By the time we got there, everyone was going back to work and summer was pretty much over.

It went so fast, and we couldn’t believe it. It seemed like we just didn’t have enough time to enjoy the area. It is truly so beautiful in the summer. The days are long, the weather is beautiful, the creeks are made for kayaks, and the back windy roads are made for motorcycles. Because we were so late getting to PA this year we decided to stay at Gram’s House a bit longer. We got to enjoy the full beauty of fall. The leaves were beautiful reds, greens, and yellows. Then, of course, we had the chore of raking them all up, too! Although we could have left a few weeks ago, Jeff had a few more trips, so we decided to stay.

A few weeks ago, it rained and rained. I escaped for about four days with a friend to Florida for some sunshine. We came back for the weekend and then Jeff had another trip. I spent the week trying to get things packed up and the house cleaned. Finally, it was time to go.

It’s always sad to leave wherever we are. We have such amazing friends and even though we are never home, we never want to leave.

I saw in the forecast that snow was coming. It was cold. It was getting dry. The heat was on. I picked up Jeff in that sleet, and we both decided it was time to go.

We had one last fun night out with some friends. The next day we woke up and to our surprise, no snow was falling down. We shut down the house, packed up the Jeep, and got on the road. The weather was cold, but no rain and no snow.

A few hours later, we got a couple of texts from our friends. One of them said, “I’m glad you got out of town when you did. This sucks!” Then we got a few pictures from our friend Meghan. Although my husband was relieved we didn’t have to leave town in a snowstorm, I thought it was beautiful, and I was a little sad that we missed it.

It’s always nice to be in the snow when you know you get to go back to the sunshine and warmth. I am ready for the sun, the boat, the beach, and the beautiful paradise of southwest Florida. But I did feel a bit of sadness about missing the first real snowfall of the season in northwest Pennsylvania.

Driving from Florida to Pennsylvania or from Pennsylvania to Florida is one of my favorite things to do. We take our time and drive a few hours a day. It takes us four or five days but we stop along the way and see amazing family and friends who are en route. So although it’s sad to leave one place when it’s time to go, it’s a great adventure getting to the other.

Picture of woods by @momma_d.3

In Travel Junkie

Sunshine

November 9, 2021 No Comments

Last week, my friend, Alison, and I went to Florida for four days to get out of the rain and cold and get into the Florida sunshine. We found roundtrip tickets from Pittsburgh to Fort Myers on Spirit. I have written before about how much I love Spirit and how if you buy your tickets at the airport counter you save up to $23.99 each way. I am not saying wait until the last minute and get your tickets. I am telling you if you know the dates you want to fly and are at the airport then go to the Spirit counter and buy!

It’s amazing how much weather can impact my mood. The week before we left Pennsylvania, it was cold and rainy. It seemed like it was never going to stop raining. Finally, it did but it was still cold. The sky was gray and my mood was down. Jeff was working, and I wasn’t motivated to go to the gym at all. It was too cold to go out of the house! Even though we only had a few weeks left in PA I was really glad Alison talked me into going to Florida for a few days. I couldn’t wait!

Alison and I went to Florida with no plans and no agenda except to get our boat home from storage. Our goal was to enjoy the sunshine, sit by the pool, and maybe go to the beach. I also wanted to work out and eat well.

We arrived late Sunday night and just went to bed. The next day we got up early, did a good workout in the garage, and got ready to go. Two of my husband’s friends were coming over to help us bring the boat home from storage. Because my husband always drives the boat, I wasn’t comfortable bringing it home by myself. I was glad we had some reinforcements. It was early in the morning and the Florida humidity was down so for us girls, it was a bit chilly! But the sunshine was out and it felt wonderful on our faces.

The guys made me drive the boat all the way home. I did a decent job although I did find myself out of the channel twice and in very low water. Oops! I need to get better at watching those channel markers! I got it all the way home but needed help docking it on our lift. Anyway, I definitely need more practice but I am usually having too much fun on the boat to drive. Plus, it is a center console and you can’t get much sunshine under the cover. So, usually, my Prince drives us around.

We made it to the gym every morning and had coffee by the pool. We saw some of the most beautiful sunrises (see featured image above). One of the days, we decided to head downtown. I showed Alison around Fort Myers, and we stopped by a few different bars/restaurants. Soon our afternoon was gone. I told Alison how Gramps always took us to a homemade ice cream shop called the Love Boat. We decided we had to go. So much for eating well 🙂

The next day we decided to go to the beach. It was a beautiful day. Not too hot or humid with a slight breeze. We found a little spot in between two restaurants. We had our chairs, our cooler, and the sunshine. It was a perfect beach day. It wasn’t overly crowded but it seems the snowbirds are coming back to Florida earlier and earlier and staying later and later every year.

That evening we met another one of my great friends (who was once Jeff’s wingman ) for dinner at a new restaurant in town called Oxbow. The restaurant is right on the river. We sat outside so we could enjoy the sunset and the water. The atmosphere was wonderful. The food was ok. I definitely would go back but hopefully, the next dish is more delightful. The three of us had such a great night talking, laughing, and being outside.

Later that night, Alison and I sat outside. We knew we were going home to snow flurries so we wanted to enjoy the outside as much as possible. We lit our little gas fireplace and talked the night away.

But soon it was time to go. I hope I always appreciate the sunshine of Florida even though we live there most of the year. It makes me happy to wake up to the rays coming through the window. It lifts my spirits. Even if you can only go somewhere for a few days, take the opportunity to relax and get some sunshine on your face. It does wonders for the soul.

In Pilot's Wife

Never Home

October 26, 2021 No Comments

For the past three years, Gram, Jeff, and I have spent winters in our Florida home and summers at Gram’s House in Pennsylvania. We lost Gram in February and life just hasn’t been the same. I have felt lost and sad without her. It really hasn’t gotten any easier. I still miss her face and her smile. But it seems since she has been gone we are never home.

Even though we have always traveled with Gram, there were some trips Gram couldn’t do. So she and I would have some downtime at home. We would sit by the pool or the fire and watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. But since she has been gone, I have had more freedom to go and now we are never home. I am not sure if this summer is going to be our new “normal” but it has definitely been a whirlwind.

Since Jeff and I left Florida in June we have been going nonstop. It is one of the benefits of being a pilot’s wife. He can work from anywhere, and we have some travel benefits. We decided each summer we can try a different area for a month or so. This past summer we decided on Virginia. Over that six weeks, we had many adventures with the kids and created some wonderful memories. But we didn’t get “home” until mid-August.

We left Virginia and headed to West Virginia for Jeff’s uncle’s memorial service. Although the circumstances were sad, it was nice to see his extended family and for me to meet more of his family. The first weekend we were home in PA the family came up for my mom’s surprise 70^th birthday party, then Jeff had training in Kentucky so we spent a week there with friends. Then it was September, and we were off to Virginia for my niece’s birthday. On the way home, we flew to Texas to get Jeff’s mom and spent a few days in West Virginia again with his family. We met friends in Pittsburgh on the way home and went to a Pirates game. For the first few weeks, we were never home.

The next weekend we met up with friends from Chicago that were in the area and had a nice bike ride through the country roads before we drove back to Pittsburgh and flew to our Florida home to check on the house, run the boat, and have dinner with a few of our Florida friends.

On the way home, we met some of Jeff’s high school friends in Pittsburgh and had a great time catching up with them. I thought we were going home but that weekend we drove to Columbus for the Ohio State game. Again, never home. They won which means I am allowed to go back for another game. It was Grandpa’s rule that if you went to a Steeler game, and they lost you weren’t allowed to go back. Jeff seems to have the same rule!

The next weekend we were actually in our small town. We had a campfire in our backyard then went on a wine walk the next day. It was so nice to be around friends and enjoy the area in which we live. The next week my mom came up, and we drove up to Buffalo and the Falls. It really is amazing how many different areas we can get to within a few hours of our summer home.

The next thing I knew it was October, and I felt like I was never home. We seemed to have missed the summer in PA. Now it was time to head to Nashville for the Spartan race. It was such an amazing weekend with the girls, and I loved the Spartan race. I can’t wait to do it again! From there I went to meet my mom and the rest of the family in the Outer Banks, and Jeff was off to work. It was a beautiful few days at the beach with the kids. They love fishing and playing in the waves. It’s amazing how fearless they are of the water. My brother-in-law caught a shark, and they thought it was the coolest thing.

Sunday we went to the Steelers/Broncos game in Pittsburgh. Again, we met up with Jeff’s high school buddies. We had another fun night although it made me miss my grandparents so much. They loved going to the Steelers’ games and had season tickets for years. We also made it to a Browns/Broncos game in Cleveland a few weeks later where we met up with friends and family. The first time I rooted against the Broncos then I had to cheer for them against the Browns. But they lost and our friend, SuperFan, was in his glory for beating them.

The next weekend was a friends’ weekend and we were finally home! We met up with a couple of girls that I went to college with on Friday. Although I hadn’t seen them in a few years, we picked right up where we left off. The next day we went to my friend’s annual pumpkin party. There, we were surrounded by friends I have known since elementary school and a huge bonfire. One of the perks of living in the country. Again, it was so nice being around people I have known forever. That Sunday our friends from the gym invited us over for brunch. We ate a delicious meal and then played Sequence with her daughters and their boyfriends. It was the old fogies against the young bucks and of course, the young bucks won. But it was a wonderful Sunday afternoon and really fun to play a board game with friends.

We have been in our summer home for 10 weeks although it feels like 10 days because we are never home. Yes, our life seems crazy at times but sitting around doing nothing is not our thing. People ask us how we keep track of where we are going and the Google shared calendar is the only way we survive. We share Jeff’s work schedule, our crazy life schedule, and my social schedule when Jeff is gone. If we didn’t have our calendars, we wouldn’t know what to do.

It’s hard to believe we only have about three weeks left in our “summer” home. The weather is starting to change getting colder and wetter. Although it is absolutely beautiful, it’s about time to go south.

It makes me sad to think about leaving. We love the people in northwest PA and our time here. It seems wherever we are I never want to leave. And maybe because wherever we are, we are never “home”. I always want more time. I didn’t want to leave Florida for the summer. I didn’t want to leave Virginia after our six weeks there. I don’t want to leave Pennsylvania for the winter. I guess that makes us lucky that we have such beautiful, amazing friends and family wherever we are that it always feels like “home”. Mostly, I just wish I could be in three places at the same time!

The featured and fall images were taken by my friend and an amazing photographer. Follow her @momma_d.3

In Pilot's Wife

My Music

September 21, 2021 1 Comment

Many people, whether they are single or in a relationship love watching movies, television series, and Netflix. And maybe it’s because Jeff and I barely sit still for one minute let alone for an hour or two to watch TV, but the first thing we do when we walk in the house is turn on the music. In Florida, we use our phones to turn on our Sonos system. In Pennsylvania, we either turn on the Sonos Move that we bring with us or Gramps‘ Bose radio. Either way, music is on ALL THE TIME.

I was trying to think of something to blog about, and I thought why not talk about music. I can learn about your favorite songs and maybe you can listen to a few of mine. I love discovering new music so I hope to hear from many of you about some new (or old) artists that I may not know about and may soon love, too.

My Favorite Music as a Child

I was born in 1976. My parents loved music as well and had it on throughout the weekends. We had a stereo and a record player. In my dad’s Bronco, we also had an 8 track player! Some of you youngsters may have to Google all of that 🙂 but we had a good collection of music. We joined BMG records and would get 12 records or audiocassettes and later CD’s for the price of one. It was the best way to get new music delivered right to your doorstep.

My childhood was filled with the sweet sounds of bands like the Eagles, Michael Jackson, Prince, Kenny Rogers, and Credence Clearwater Revival to name a few. My mom loved Air Supply and REO Speedwagon, and I flash right back to my childhood when I hear any of the above artists. One evening at Gram’s House, we were listening to Brown Eyed Girl on the tape player. My sister and I must have hit play and rewind 100 times trying to learn all the words as my parents would sign along and tell us what was coming up.

My First CD

As I got a little older, the music industry came out with CDs. My first CD was the Boomerang Soundtrack. I had a collection of over 100 CDs by the time I went to college (which got stolen from my car BTW). I had everything from Garth Brooks to Shai to Sophie B. Hawkins to Janet Jackson.

My Favorite Song to Sing with my Best Friend

I have had the same best friend since 7th grade. We played softball and basketball together and developed an everlasting friendship to this day. She was a year younger than me and she won’t let me forget it now! But we would ride around the country roads of our town and learn the words to various songs. Our most favorite that we still send pictures of when it’s playing on Sirius XM is Stay by Lisa Loeb. We still know every word because we kept hitting rewind and signing each line until we KNEW every word. We also love Sophie B. Hawkins and the song Did We Not Choose Each Other. Of course, we also rode all over Edinboro with my portable CD player blasting Janet Jackson’s Janet CD. Other high school memories include our softball team being on the bus with the baseball team and every few weeks after a good win we would all sing Friends in Low Places on the way home. I also loved The Jets Got a Crush on You. And my high school girlfriends will still play it for me when we go out together.

My Favorite Song to Sing

If you know me or have been reading this blog for a while then you know my favorite song to sing after a few beers is Dreams by Van Halen. Jeff’s mom had the pleasure of listening to me sing a few weeks ago. Although she laughed and laughed, I am afraid I may have scared her away. Hopefully she comes back for another performance very soon.

My Favorite Artist to Sing that Sounds a Liiiiiitttttttllle Better than Sammy But Not Much

My roommate from college brought a double-disc live CD back from a concert she went to one summer. The artist was Ani Difranco and it was her Living In Clip CD. Ani opened for Bob Dylan that summer of 97 in Boston. Once D brought her into our lives, we couldn’t stop listening to her. We listened to those two CDs over and over again. I can still turn on almost any Ani song and know the words. I love Gravel, Little Plastic Castles, Angry Anymore. Shameless and Buildings and Bridges. My husband says I sound much better singing any Ani song rather than any Van Halen song. So I am going with it.

Other CDs that I wore out in college were TLC’s CrazySexyCool, Sheryl Crow’s Tuesday Night Music Club, and Dave Matthews Band Before These Crowded Streets. Our favorite concert to go to in college was DMB. So much fun!

Music When You are in Love

I believe these songs change over time as you and your partner grow into different stages of your relationship and one song may work for one relationship but if that relationship ends another song fills the void when a new partner is found. Jeff and I love making playlists on Spotify and some of our favorite songs from the beginning of our relationship until now are Written in the Sand, Happens Like That, What Ifs, Unforgettable, Meant to Be, Whole Lot in Love, The Bones, More, and Made For You. We started a playlist when we started dating and made it collaborative so we could add to it as time went on. It’s still one of my favorites. If you don’t have Spotify, you should check it out. For $10-15 a month you can listen to almost any full album by any artist new or old. You can also make and share playlists.

When You Need a Good Cry

This song Show Me Around brings tears to my eyes. It really hit me after Gram passed but it makes me think of my dad, sister, and grandpa as well. If you have lost someone this song can bring you some hope even though it will make you a bit sad, too. Drink a Beer, Watch Over You, and I Will Not Say Goodbye are a few more to put on when you are missing your person.

When You Hang out with Your Girlfriends

My sister and I loved listening to music, too. So many songs and CDs make me think of her. A few of our favorites were The Wreckers, Dixie Chicks, Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, and Indigo Girls. Whenever I hear an older song from one of these artists, I instantly go back to the moment with my sister. One of our favorite songs, when we were tired of a relationship and needed to be strong and move on, was Fergie’s Big Girls Don’t Cry. We used to love driving around to this song with the top-down on my VW EOS signing at the top of our lungs.

So whatever mood you are in, check out a few of these songs. Also, please comment or email me a few of your favorites! I love listening to all kinds of music, especially new artists. Oh btw, three more artists to check out on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, or ApplePlay are O.A.R, Diamond Dixie, and Amber Patino. Enjoy!!

Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

In Family

Changes

August 3, 2021 1 Comment

Hello loyal followers,

This past year has shown me how beautiful life is. Although there have been many ups and downs, I continue to give thanks for being so blessed. With that being said, I am trying to make some changes. I am trying to simplify my life, which means simplifying my social media and this blog. I love doing this blog, but for a few months, I felt it was taking time away from my husband and my family. I started this blog to share stories of my Adventures with Gram, and to have something to do when my husband left for work. When I lost Gram, I felt like my inspiration was gone. I wasn’t sure what else to write about. She wasn’t there to make me smile or laugh with her little comments. She wasn’t there by my side when my husband was away, and I missed her. Plus, I didn’t think you wanted to hear about our loss over and over again, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what else to write about.

At this point, I realize I do have many more stories to tell. I have stories about Gram, about caregiving for her, about my travels, and about my journey in love. I want to continue to write, and I hope you will continue to read. My Adventures with Gram, Travel excursions and Family stories will be posted here. I am hoping to get back to a weekly basis, but they will be posted when inspiration finds me 🙂 I LOVE doing the daily inspirations and hope that they inspire you, too. I will also continue with the Weekly Wednesday Workouts. Every now and again I may post a full video here or on Instagram TV but for the most part, I will show you the moves and give you the workout. Please let me know if you need suggestions or modifications.

I am going to try to do more on linked social media and Instagram. Follow me @strong_inspired on Instagram. I will be posting recipes and stories as things come up. Some workouts will also be published on IGTV. Of course, you can always go back and do your favorite workout or find a special recipe on the blog.

I hope you enjoy these changes. If you have any feedback, please email or message me. And please follow me on Facebook and Instagram and share with your friends and family!

In Travel Junkie

The Netherlands

April 13, 2021 No Comments

If you have been following me since the beginning of the blog (August 2020), then you know I left for an amazing adventure in the fall of 2015. I have written about Germany, Finland, and Sweden. Now on to the next leg of my trip. The Netherlands.

I hugged Marja goodbye and boarded the plane in Helsinki and was off to my next stop. I was now headed to the Netherlands to visit my friend Susana, with whom I graduated and who was a foreign exchange student from Spain. Susana, her husband, and her two adorable children were right there waiting for me in Amsterdam.

We had dinner at the airport and then headed back to their house. They lived about an hour from the airport in a cute little townhouse. Although it had been 21 years since we had seen each other, Susana and I stayed up talking for hours just like no time had passed! The next day we went to pick up a friend of mine from Richmond who was meeting us there. Susana showed us all around Amsterdam. The three of us had an amazing day. We tried not to get run over by all the passing bicycles (which is extremely difficult) because the bikers are everywhere!! The bicycle parking by the train stations is just insane and was something I couldn’t even believe. It also made me realize what a wonderful place Amsterdam was that people enjoyed being outside and riding their bikes everywhere.

We ate some wonderful food at open-air restaurants, saw the Amsterdam sign, the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam, and some infamous “coffee shops”. (For more pictures, click here.) It was such a fun day. We had many laughs and just relaxed as we toured around the city. We weren’t on a time schedule, and we all enjoyed each other’s company. Susana was a great tour guide! It was nice to have someone show us around. We took the train home, and I remember just feeling happy and content. I was so blessed to be on this adventure. I was so blessed for my new friend and my old friend to hit it off so well. I was so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

The next day, Susana and her family showed us around Utrecht. It was about halfway to the airport, and she helped us get on the train after our exploring. Utrecht was also an amazing little city. I loved all the canals of the Netherlands. I believe Americans first think of the Red Light District or the coffee shops in Amsterdam, but I am not sure we truly understand the beauty of Amsterdam unless we go there. The canals are amazing. The bridges are fantastic. It is so much more.

Although we only had three days in the Netherlands, it was enough to get a little taste of it, but I also knew there was so much more to explore, and I couldn’t wait to return one day. Little did I know then that I would get to be the tour guide for my husband three years later.

After we hugged Susana and her family goodbye, my friend, Erin and I were off on our next adventure. Italy!

Travel Junkie

Vegas Baby

Glenwood Springs

New Year, New You

Copper Mountain

Time To Go

Sunshine

Never Home

My Music

Changes

The Netherlands

Missing Gram

Letter to Gram