Trip of a Lifetime I

ROME - PART ONE

CAFE'S

CAPPUCCINO

NUNS

BRIDGES

STATUES

KATHERINA

ST. PETER'S

GOLD

A MICHELANGELO

SPARED NO EXPENSE

MORE GOLD

NOT TOO BAD AFTER FLYING ALL NIGHT

ST. PETER'S OUTSIDE

MASSIVE ST. PETER'S SQUARE

FROM A DISTANCE

STAY TUNED FOR MORE....................

2012 was the BIG year

This day was my BIG birthday.... my 50th BIRTHDAY!!!

and it was

wonderful!!

The day started out with breakfast at THE EGG, followed by an amazing

FACIAL

and

HOT STONE MASSAGE

I got some great gifts!!!

AND MY BIG SURPRISE.....

KARL is took me to

ITALY!

It was the trip of a lifetime

and will be

the subject of more pictures and a post

LATER.

SILLY Kate with bows on her head!

The BEAUTIFUL

FLOWERS

I got from my

BEST FRIEND SUSAN!!!!!

THE

BEST CAKE

ever!!!!

RED VELVET.... so YUMMY!!!

Things I Will Do in 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

1.       I will read 20 books (I WILL read 20 books)

In 2012, I read a total of 15 books. However, 5 of them were books my children had to read for school. Some of my favorites from 2012 were Cutting for Stone, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and Extremely Loud, Incredibly Close.

 

2.       I will get more sleep

 

I believe this was accomplished but will continue to get even more in 2013!

3.       I will exercise at least 4 times a week and work up to running at least 30 miles a week this year. My goal is to run 1200 miles, an increase of 450 miles over the 2012 total!!

 



4.       I will lose keep off the 15 pounds I lost!!!

 

5. I will find ways to spend more time with my husband- This is an ongoing need and wish. Balancing children, work and family is a lot harder than it seems.

 

6.     I will enjoy my children more- this was also almost impossible with the schedule we kept. We all ran in so many directions that finding the time for the little things (girl time, movies, shopping together, lunch dates etc.) didn't happen often enough.

7.     I will CONTINUE to write more letters, on stationery! This was actually fun and I do think people enjoy getting handwritten notes.

8.     I will engage a more grateful existence- I did somewhat better at this but there is a lot of room for improvement. I am constantly aware of the blessings I have been given but I would like to have more opportunities to help those in need as a way to show my gratitude to God.




9.    I will see more than one THREE movies- I saw some great movies this year including War Horse, Skyfall, Les Miserables amongst several others. Movies transport you to places that tap into your imagination and intellect. Go see some movies this year!!

10. And perhaps the most important of all, I will spend more time in prayer with GOD...

I really want to increase this more and more. One can NEVER pray enough.



 

Where did the months go....

JULY 2012- JEKYLL ISLAND, GEORGIA

 Driftwood Beach

Aren't they magnificent!!!

Cousins

Leaping!!!

LEAPING!!!!

UP CLOSE!!! Even though far away!!

MADDI

EVAN

O and M

MOM and DAD

FAMILY

KARL and I

UNTIL NEXT YEAR.....

introducing.....

JACK

the newest member

of

our family!!!

Jack came to us in June 2012

from the Ocala area.

He is checking out his new home.

He looks a bit tentative here...



It's OK boy, you can come on out.

I'm really not sure about this.

This is not so bad...

Olivia's riding instructor with the BOY!

Jack and his grandmother..

Jack's first hose down.... kind of liking it!

hanging out in my stall

Can't wait to meet OLIVIA!!!

far too long

It has been far too long
since my last posting.

I will hit a milestone
in a couple of days
and am very excited.

I don't think I have ever
been so excited about
a birthday!

It's shocking to me
to think about 50 years
on this earth;

all the experiences
I have been challenged
to, and all those that
have been mastered.

Speaking of birthdays,
my Grandma Lewis's
100th birthday would
have been yesterday!

Can you imagine 100 years?!

I am hopeful for another
50, although that would be
quite a feat wouldn't it?

What will I do?

I have no idea.
I have thought of this day
for so long, and have no
thought of how I will spend it.

I mean, how does one
spend such a birthday?
Should it be any different
than the others?

I do hope so!

And as long as my
children and husband,
my parents,
and maybe
a friend or so
are around,

I think
that will be just great.

I owe so many posts.

It has been nearly 2 months
since my last. I have many
pictures and stories to share,
so look for those about 
Olivia'snew horse, Jack;

our beach trip to Jekyll Island,
and perhaps
some of my birthday pictures.

Hope all is well in your world
TODAY!!!

finishing some old things

SO while the GIRLS

have been in

CALIFORNIA

I've been busy!

Here's what I have been

WORKING ON!

THIS is a rather blurry picture of my

great grandmother's dresser.

So happy about the way this one came out!

Drawers and desk chair in progress

Chair in progress

Almost done

Can you believe it is the same dresser??!!

This beautiful desk is being sanded and then

painted BLACK!!