Daughter #1 - Regional Champs

Daughter 1 is a varsity cheerleader at her school. This is her third year in cheerleading and her first year as captain. Her squad took first in regionals for class – 3A Small. Last year they won first in State for 2A Small - but, unfortunately, were moved up a class this year! Keep tuned in – State is held the weekend before Thanksgiving!

Congratulations to the girls and all their hard work.

Half Moon Bay, California

I don’t know how many of you are lucky enough to have a weekend away with your spouse or significant other, but if you are – they are nice. It has been a long time since Sir and I went away together, but this past week we headed to Half Moon Bay – a great town on the ocean hidden away from San Francisco by mountains. Sir had a business trip and spouses were also invited. The Ritz Carleton is located right on the ocean between two golf courses - so we were able to sit on our ocean front patio, watching golfers finish the 18th hole! We were fortunate to get in the way of a golf ball only once!

While Sir attended meeting, I was treated like a Queen. But having a Queendom, did produce responsibilities. I was responsible for attending three dinners, getting to breakfast on time, showing up for my spa appointments, touring a winery, going shopping, and visiting with other spouses. Each morning I started the day with a walk along the coast upon the cliffs that overlook the ocean. To get to the beach there were many stairs and, unfortunately, when the high tide was in, there was not a continuous beach to walk on. With only a few golf carts out early in the morning, I enjoyed the sound of the ocean, the singing of the seagulls and the hum of mowers. It was a great time to meditate and, once again, be awed at the landscape of our country!

The View from our bedroom - how peaceful!

The Thomas Fogarty Winery - while others were tasting, I was walking through the vineyards.

A couple shoots of Half Moon Bay

Happy Birthday Matt!

It has been 27 years since my little brother died, yet it feels like it was yesterday. Matt was 12 ½ when he died - too young. He was a great kid, a sweet and loving soul, my airplane seat partner, sleeping buddy on stormy nights and cuddle bunny with a bowl of popcorn in front of the TV. It was a devastating loss to me and my family. I have the upmost respect for my parents - They carried on. They called on their faith to get them through and they continued to be parents to their three remaining children. Having a 13 year old myself, I just don’t know how they coped! Even after 27 years, my brothers and I still upon occasion have a hard time dealing with the loss. But, it is just the nature of grieving and loss. We recognize special days with calls to one another – the day Matt died, the day of his birth, the day Matt punctured my brothers waterbed with needle nose pliers (sorry Tim, I just couldn't let go of that one). We don’t ignore his memory and we heal through sharing.

Today is Matt’s 40th Birthday! As my oldest brother says “He will be forever young in our minds!” Well he might be forever young to us, but sorry Matt, you still would have been 40 today – so, we decided to celebrate! I baked a cake, we lit the candles and together, Rick, Tim and I, with our families, wished Matt a Happy Birthday and blew out the candles! Mom and Dad, sorry you were not here to celebrate with us. We love you and were thinking about you. Moral of the story: Don’t forget to tell the ones you love, you love them and celebrate everything!

There Is No Place Like Home

In the words of Dorothy, “There is no place like home!” Boy was I glad to get home! It is so much fun to be away, see the country, and visit with friends—but there is something about walking into your own home after being away. I arrived home just in time to hit the ground running: unpacking, doing laundry, sorting through piles of mail, weeding flower beds, returning emails, shopping for food, and all of the unglamorous activities a woman on the move confesses she must do in order to keep the household running. But for fun? Playing nurse to Daughter #1! She had 4 wisdom teeth dug out last week. What a great few days—Pain meds, swollen cheeks and ice packs. Meanwhile Daughter #2 is at camp having a great time dissecting goat feces. Life is good!

Answer To Where Am I? #2

Well, we have a winner! But . . I don't know who you are! The person who won, appeared as anonymous and the blog won't let me reply! So, the person who replied with Racine, WI needs to emails me on aroundtheworldphotos@yahoo.com with their name!

I spent a beautiful morning in Wisconsin! I wrote down directions from the Internet because i didn't have a map here in Chicago. Thank goodness, I studied the map on line because I forgot the directions! I was almost to the second lighthouse before I couldn't remember directions! I guess the Alzheimer's isn't as bad as I thought!

I traveled to two lighthouses. The lighthouse in the picture was in Kenosha and the second lighthouse was north of Racine. The lighthouses were completely different in style, color and placement. I was thrilled with my choices!

Where Am I? #2

It is Wednesday and this Woman on the Move is indeed on the move. Where Am I?



I will send a gift to the first person who answers correctly! Tell me the state and the place!!!



Good luck to all!

P.S. Watch for my new card line of Light Houses this fall. You can find my cards at http://www.shellydoddsayers.com/. If you are having problems with Pay Pal - please let me know.

4th of July in Michigan

Happy 4th of July to everyone! What a great day. The sun was hot, the breeze was cool and the sky was a beautiful blue. I am in Michigan with my parents and we traveled to Ludington to enjoy the 4th of July! I love the 4th. I love the patriotism, the fireworks, the food and the family gatherings. Everywhere I turned today families were together laughing, talking, sharing ice cream cones and hanging out. Red, white and blue were the colors on young and old a like. We had a great time sitting curb side watching the famous 4th of July parade. We enjoyed lemonade and cookies provided by our B&B host as we watched the parade for over an hour! The evening was spent sitting on the beach of Lake Michigan watching the fireworks exploded overhead. What a glorious way to end the 4th!

We came to Ludington to celebrate my cousins 25th Wedding Anniversary. What a family gathering. My mom came from a family of nine kids: one boy and eight girls. It is something to be one of the Hubbard Girls. I love to see my Aunties together laughing and talking, however, sometimes they are hard to control!

I am on the move again!