Getting Excited for Italy!!

I really can't believe we are going to Italy so soon!!

We leave in like 2 weeks!!  We head out on Friday, October 14th.  I know it will be here in the blink of an eye.  I feel like I have so much I should probably do.  I'm nervous about packing, I hate packing, I always pack too much and I really don't want to pack too much, but I don't want to not pack enough.  For all you world travelers, what would be some good things to pack for an October Italy trip for both me and Mike.

Rick called us and told us we will probably need some rain gear, so I looked online and saw a couple of jackets and pants that I liked, they also stow themselves in their own pockets...great for a space saver!

A few things I do know I'm taking are:

The Sigma 10-20mm-a friend refers to it as "The Europe Lens". I also rented it for my Alaska Trip and loved the pictures I got with it!

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My Camera Bag-Lowepro Passport Sling (even though I would love to have an Epiphanie Bag, like the Lola, Belle, Clover, or Stella!) I got this bag a while ago, by recommendation from a friend, and I do love it, I just want a pretty bag :)

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My Life Planner-to keep track of EVERYTHING we do and see!

And probably My Merrell's

They are by far my most comfortable shoes I own, but as you can see they are sandals, and I've been known to wear sandals year round, but I do think I may get a tad chilly if October Italy is cold.  Also, they smell really bad too---to bad for Mike and Jo! :) I usually keep dryer sheets in them and have to wash my feet after I wear them. : /

So, that's just a few of the necessities, but there is so much more I know I need to take.  I'd like to be able to go out and get new clothes, but that won't happen, just have to make due with what I have. 

I do need some ideas for books to read...right now, I'm reading Gods in Alabama (good book btw), but I will probably finish it before we leave...I love Nickolas Sparks books and books that have a been made into movies.  They need to be easy reads for this girl, and I mean, it needs to grab my attention in the first few pages. I'm a crier too, so I'd rather not have a ballfest on the plane, but I'm up for any suggestions.

Yay for Traveling!!  Can't wait!!

I Love Weekends!

I Heart Weekends!! 

Especially when they are filled with fun friends, beautiful weather, patios, football, beer being thrown at you, and good food!

Friday Mike and I went out for dinner and drinks with Derek and Kacy.  We sat out on the patio of Cafe Ole!  They have some of the best queso ever...my dinner was a different story though, blah!  But thankfully, I filled up on chips and queso.  Then we went to Blue Dome District downtown in hopes of trying out Dust Bowl, a vintage bowling ally downtown...they didn't have any lanes available until midnight, so we will try another time.  Then we went to McNellies for a couple of drinks.  I really really don't like beer, but McNellies has a gazillion beers, so I tried a cider beer, it was yummy but too sweet for me to finish. 

Saturday, I took Nellie to the vet, she's still a cat, that weighs 8 pounds. We normally see Dr. Mac, but Nellie saw Dr. Townsly, and she thought Nellie looked a little on the light side and asked about feeding. I told her she's been about 8 pounds since we got her, just a little petite girl.  So she checked out just fine.

Then we headed to Chad and Debra for some All Day College Football!  Texas A&M hosted our Cowboys and, I have to say, I was a bit upset in the first half, Mike on the other hand...I thought we'd have to buy new windows or something for Chad and Debra's house...he's very passionate about OSU Football.  Well Chad finally made it home at halftime and got his ORANGE on and the second half was amazing!  Go POKES!!  We beat A&M 30-29, so long Aggies, have fun in the SEC!

We also watched the OU/Mizzou game, and I was sad that Mizzou couldn't keep it up to take home a win in Norman.  But oh well.

So we had lots of fun with game winnings and Mike and I also celebrated a great win for the Yankees!

They beat the Red Sox 9-1 WooHoo!!

So yes, I said weekends are great with beer being thrown at you...on our way home from Chad and Debras, there was this ever so classy, more than likely overserved, guy that kept riding Mike's tail and then as he exited, waving at us with a very nice finger, he threw his can of beer at us and hit Mike's windshield!!  I couldn't believe it and was wanting to jump out of the car and kick some bootie!  Mike on the other hand, I don't really know where my husband was when all this happened, because, he just smiled and said, "We Win".  He was so excited about OSU's win, that even a beer thrown at him didn't bother him. He also told me this morning that he woke up in the night and smiled because he was so happy about OSU winning. He's such a nerd and I love him so much!

Sunday, Mike is playing golf with his buddies and I took Remi to the Dog Park and we had a blast.  It is absolutely a gorgeous day, we went walking, and Remi also played in the creek nearby.  She's worn out now, but we may go on another walk later tonight.  I have beans cooking in the kitchen and am excited about some yummy cornbread for tonight too.

I had a great time in Indianapolis last week and will post about that later. I have a couple of cool pictures to share too.

Oh, I can't believe we leave for ITALY so soon!!!  I've got to start packing!  YAY!  Hope you all had a great weekend and have a great week!

Hugs!

It's Here, It's Here!!!

Remember here, I talked about the AWESOME Erin Condren Life Planner I ordered??? It's Here and I am so excited!  I'm tellin' ya, Ms. Erin is straight out of my bright and cheery bubble, I mean even her packaging brightens my day!  So here it is...

Oh, and thankfully, it wasn't breakable, when the fedex guy came...who didn't even bother to ring the door bell or knock...I swear, he stood at the end of our porch and just chunked it at the door and went back to his truck. But oh well, I obviously placed it nicely for a great picture!

 What I found once I opened it!  They even made me my own Sample package of Enjoy Stickers!

 Wallah!!!  YAY, my very own Life Planner!

With all things fun Mike and I love to do! 

More fun packaging details! 

And these are my most favorite pens that I'll be filling it with! Papermate Profile.  They really are the best pens ever if you like a Medium point.  I use the black at work and so wish I could use the fun colors, but they frown on fun colors! Fun-Haters! 

And these are my second favorite pens, the RSVP by Pentel.  They come in Fine or Medium Tip.

So, that completely made my weekend!  I'll be taking it with me everywhere I go! 

This weekend I have to work...boo! and then I'm headed to Indianapolis for the ATRA (American Therapeutic Recreation Association) Conference and I am so excited.  I'll be there til Wednesday

Our Cowboys come to Tulsa tomorrow to face the Hurricane.  Mike and I will probably have some friends over to watch the game considering the tickets were freaking $95!  But you could pay $110 and get a TU 3-game package...umm no thanks.  Go Pokes!

The weather has started to cool and if feels amazing like FALL!  I just hope we get more than a week or two of Fall and then it goes to Winter.  I love Fall!

We head to Italy super soon!! Less than a month!  I plan on renting the same wide angle lens that I took to Alaska to get some great pictures.  I can't wait!

Well, I hope y'all have a fantastic weekend!

Always Remember

With a heavy heart, rremembering those who lost their lives, on this day, ten years ago, and praying for their families and loved ones. Thank you to those who continue to fight against the war on terrorism and risking their lives for us.  I will always remember.

September 11, 2001-September 11, 2011

Project 365 - COMPLETE!!

Project 365!

100% COMPLETE!!

YAHOO!!

I really can't believe that I was able to finish it.  It took a little longer to get everything together for the final that I expected, but I am so happy it is complete.  I will now be working on putting all the pictures in a Digital Photo Album with Picaboo.  I got an awesome deal with Groupon.

Day 365 - Support

Here's my family who keeps me going in all I do. I love my family so much and they mean the world to me.

Day 364 - Almost a Good Bye
To 365.  Jackson came back to T-town to visit.  

Day 363 - Looking Back

Remi playing in Snowmegedden!  It's been so freakin HOT here, I really needed something to take my mind off the heat. 

Day 362 - Sunflower 

Day 361 - Summer Storm

I love taking Lightening pictures, it helps me practice my own patience. 

Day 360 - Horseshoes

Went to hang out with some friends before their big wedding day and played some Horseshoes...Rachel and I won the tournament!  Go us! This is Mike and Derek. 

Day 359 - Friends at Sunset
Mike and Derek.  Guys are so funny, at least these guys anyway, I either get an extremely inappropriate picture or something that is just goofy...so here they are I couldn't get them any closer and they are even smiling.  Silly boys! 

Day 358 - Anniversary

Mike and I celebrated our 4 year Anniversary on June 23rd.  I love him more and more everyday and couldn't be more excited to the rest of my years with him.  I love you so much Michael!! 

Day 357 - Sisterly Love...

Remi and Nellie really do get get along great and love each other so much.  But they also do things to annoy each other.  Nellie eats Remi's food and Remi eats Nellie's food is just one of the things they do to each other.  This is Remi's food and water bowl, with Remi pouting. 

Yay!  Can't believe it's all over...maybe I'll start another Project 365 again.  I really do feel it helped me become more aware of the beauty that God gives us to treasure.  Hope you enjoyed my year of picutres!

Project 365

Remember here, how I said I had to only pick 5 for my days in Alaska for my Project 365??  It was very difficult, but here they are...

Day 338 - Serenity

Day 337 - Mudflats

 Day 336 - Bear Glacier

Day 335 - Fish Trip on the River

Day 334 - Moose

Alaska Part 5

Well, this is the last of it, All my Alaska pictures.  I hope you have enjoyed them as much as I have.  Now I don't really know what I'm going to do with all them.  It's been forever since I have actually printed my own pictures, I don't know if I will print them and put them in an album or do a digital photo album like I will with my 365 Project, which I just have to get a few more pictures together and that will be complete and on it's way soon too--another later birthday gift to myself :).

So, while in Alaska, we got to meet some of Jackson's friends too, they are both around his age...8-9 months (at the time). I can't believe Jackson will be 1 this month!!  Happy early birthday buddy! This is "Buddy C'

 Bubbles!

 Bath Time = Mohawk Time!

 Brushin his toofers, I think he only had one maybe two at the time, but he loves his tooth brush!

 Julie and Jackson took me to Kincaid Park one morning.  So pretty.  We again didn't get to see a bear, but we saw this sign of one that morning!

and a mean moose alert.  We did see a moose while in the car, but none up close. 

Jackson, Cookie, and Bruiser in the Wheelbarrow.

Julie took me and Peggy to Snow City, a super cute and trendy little cafe for breakfast.

Jackson played 

Then we also drove around downtown and I took some last day pictures.  We went to eat at Humpy's, which is also a place that Man vs. Food went. It was very tasty! 

Here is Jackson other 'Buddy C', he's just a ham!

'Buddy C' and his momma. 

So that's it!  Great fun, you've got to make Alaska a top place to go sometime in your life.  I'm trying to get Mike to go with me next time.

Thanks so much for stopping by!