I Spy

The thirst for travel and new adventures was one of the many things that attracted Sir and I to each other. Back in the early days of our relationship, we traveled to spend time with friends in New Jersey. On a trip to Atlantic City we each had $20 to spend to win the big money. Being the lightweight gambler, I chose the slot machines and doubled my money. I repaid the banker (Sir) and kept my $20, then went to the boardwalk to enjoy the ambience of Atlantic City. . . I had a plan.

Without a large budget for traveling and with the desire to “shop” on our trips, I devised a plan to acquire something small from each trip... I bought a shadow box with my $20 from Atlantic City. I found an organized approach to shop, yet keep our memories for many years.

It was hunt to find the right piece! What could we find that depicted our trip and fit in the multi-sized squares in the shadow box.

While unpacking recently, I found the dusty shadow box—many items broken from too many moves. What fun it was to go through piece by piece, remembering our trips to places all over the world. We are wondering . . .would they still take the chips in Vegas?

So, I spy something with my eyes – how many countries, towns and experiences can you find?

Valentine’s Day just passed. Loved by those in love, hated by those without love. $15.7 billion dollars was spent this year on Valentine’s Day. Items included: cards, sexy lingerie, flowers, Viagra (yes, there was a spike in sales) ecards, organic flowers, chocolate alcohol, and chocolate. Chocolate only accounted for 1.5 billion in sales. Humm . . .

Sir was very sweet to me. Red roses and a beautiful heart shaped necklace were presented to me at the end of the day. Don’t’ get me wrong here – a love receiving the flowers, eating Sirs favorite meal and getting extra kisses and hugs from Daughter #2 but settling in to watch my favorite movie is a pleasure I love on Valentine’s Day. I am a sucker for love stories. Stories from long a go up to my modern day favorites – Love Story (which was terrible advice), The Way We Were, Pretty Woman, The American President, Nottinghill, The Holiday, Music and Lyrics, Letters to Juliet, and . . .


I do enjoy a few minutes on Valentine’s Day looking through the previous generations of love birds in my family. Sure, they are not Robert Redford, Jude Law or Julia Roberts, but they were couples that passed the test of time. I look at the old photos wishing I knew more of their love story – but for now, I will keep making up their stories in my head. Who knows, it might be the next block buster!

Parents

Paternal Grandparents

Maternal Grandparents

Guilty or Grateful

This woman on the move doesn't know if she should feel extremely guilty or overwhelmingly grateful. Guilty or grateful you ask? While the Windy City was under attack with a record breaking storm, I sat in Daytona Beach at the pool getting a sunburn.

Guilty - I left Daughter #2 at home with Sir holding down the fort, a job is is competent to hold, while I headed to Florida to spend a couple days with my parents while they were vacationing for several weeks - a yearly ritual. My quick get-a-way to Florida turned into a near week long adventure!

Grateful - I was in sunny Florida staying on the beach! I sat by the pool with my parents, Aunt and Uncle listening to the waves crash on the beach. I took a long walk and had a smile on my face with every step I took down the sandy beach.

It was not piping hot everyday, but warm enough to throw on a pair of shorts and head out. I watched dolphins play in the inter coastal waterway while eating lunch - they played the whole time we were at lunch. I enjoyed running by the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse - I do love lighthouses. We went out to eat. We went to two movies - The Tourist and The Kings Speech - loved them both! Relaxing, working out, napping, playing games and working a puzzle kept me occupied.

I am guilty for enjoying myself - but don't fret - the storm got me. I sat in the Orlando airport for 7 hours, yes, the plane was delayed - the weather and still repositioning aircraft - so they say. The aftermath of the storm didn't get the best of me - I came home with a sunburn!