Summer Day Dream

Some of the best trips are unplanned and this trip rates at the top. We decided to take a trip to Southern California and hit up Lego-land. It was so much fun, going with kids is the funnest and having two young boys was the best. To see things through their eyes, their enthusiasm. They both love legos and Nijago was huge hit. Going to the Lego aquarium was worth every bit, the sharks, the lego divers, the different types of fish, the tanks that had starfish, seahorses, jellyfish and other fish was incredible. By the end of the day they were exhausted, but wanted to go to the ocean so that is what we did, the sunset over the water is so beautiful, I never tire of the scene. I think though, my favorite part was watching the boys as they got to fly on an airplane for the first time. The wonder in their eyes, the way they talked the whole time about what they were seeing out the window. It was truly a magical weekend.

Back to DC

I love the way this country started, I love to read about our Founding Fathers and there is nothing I love more than going to our Nation's Capitol and visiting living history. Seeing where Washington grew up, visiting the memorials and honoring those who have given their lives in blood for this great nation. Being able to see the White House, the Museums. I love going to Europe where history goes back centuries, but I love America's beginnings more.

Southern Hospitality

For my Mum's annual Mother's Day trip, we went to The South with Charleston being our main destination. One of the things about traveling is "the must" of being flexible if something does not pan out. We had originally planned on flying straight to Charleston and spending all our time there. But plans changed and we flew to Orlando picked up a car and drove along the Eastern Coast from Orlando up to Charleston. I checked off a bucket list item when we stopped at the Daytona Stadium, it was a lot bigger than I ever imagined! Jacksonville was pretty cool and we stopped at the typical tourist trap shop, saw a 13-foot alligator, supported the locals when we bought some delicious fruit. We continued on our journey and at the recommendation of a local spent the rest of the day at Hilton Head South Carolina. What a hidden treasure! Wave runners for rent right in the harbor. We ate dinner at a place called the Krazy Crab, it was so good and right on the water and after we listened to local bands while rocking in rocking chairs with the ocean as the backdrop. We woke up early the next morning and it was pouring cats and dogs, but the rain was not like desert rain. When it lightened up we continued on our journey to Charleston. What a City! The history, the culture, the people. All very wonderful! We went to 2 plantations a gone with the wind era, the great Dame homes were incredible, I liked the Magnolia plantation the best though it was not the original home. we walked downtown and along the harbor. We saw American History first hand. We went to a market that was along the harbor and watched local merchants sell their wares. After spending two days there, it was time to say goodbye and it was tough! We began our drive back to Orlando and on the way back we drove through Savannah (A city I want to visit soon!) because we didn't have time to stop. The south really does have a charm to it I can't wait to go back again!

Loving Memory

It has been a few months since my Grandma has passed away. Spring was her favorite time of year and I see memories of her when I am out in the garden when, I am shopping at her favorite places, when I am out traveling and think of the phone calls we shared. For those who have lost a loved one, you can understand the tumult of emotions that come and go as one realizes you will never see that loved one again in this life. I have so much happiness for my Grandma, I know she is once again happy and with her family and sweetheart. My Grandma was an orphan and so she had to endure more things than others. But she was a strong vivacious woman who was with it until the end. She left this world on her terms. She made peace with the world and with those who did not do right by her. She had one daughter who unfortunately let anger creep into her heart. She and her family lost out on so many memories and healing that could have taken place. This family had a daughter who committed suicide (my Grandma's granddaughter). Unbeknownst to her family this granddaughter would come and see my grandma and on occasion my family. I know with every fiber of my being that my Grandma and my cousin are up there having a long discussion. I have so many memories of my Grandma, my Mum made it a priority to have Grandma in our lives and that made all the difference. It was not always easy but in the end, my family didn't have to stay away because of imagined offenses, we were able to have loving memories with a woman who was the glue of the family. A woman who loved broken things and wanted to fix them, who loved animals, who always had a welcoming home to anyone in need, who loved to garden and always had some exotic plant in her garden, a woman who had a love for the Gospel and up until a few weeks before her death a fire in her to do her family history work. My grandma loved music, she lead church choirs, she loved to draw and always had some kind of sewing project, art project going on with music (oldies) or Rush Limbaugh in the background. One of the first memories I have is being in the flower shop she and my Mum owned in Southern California. I remember the smells of all the different flowers, the chill of the refrigerators; the giggles when I and my sister were allowed to poke holes and pour water into the scraps of oasis and make our own "arrangements." My grandma loved Dotsons though she had a few other types of dogs, her favorite were those long-bodied, big-pawed dogs. I remember she loved going on car rides when she and my mum would come visit me when I was at college. As I said earlier, my Mum always made it a priority for my Grandma to be in our lives. I do not remember a time when my family didn't go to Grandma's for Sunday dinner, talking, watching old reruns, snuggling under one of her blankets. My Grandma was my confidant when the dynamics changed in our family and my Aunt Uncle and cousins pulled away due to some imaginary offense; my family grew closer to my Grandma. Some days during the week, I would go over there during the last five years and we would spend my hour lunch together talking about life, love, family, genealogy, scripture, old stories of her past etc. I cherish those with all of my heart. This is a bittersweet time as my sister put it. Because my Grandma didn't go before her time and lived a long full vivacious life, I am happy for her that she is no more dealing with the weight of this life. But I am sad because there are no more memories to be made with her in this life. No more trips to the store watching her sift through aisles, no more hearing her say "It's ok baby," and no more shouting goodbye from the car and watching her wave from her doorway as we drive off. More than anything I am so grateful I will never have to the regret of saying "I wish I had..." instead I will be able to say "I remember when..." in regards to all the memories I have with Grandma. She will be missed in this life but I am happy she is reunited with my grandpa and other family members.