Vacation Preparation?

Our New Orleans trip is only 20 days away, and I am very excited about exploring a new city! If you vacation with me the one tip I can give you is "bring good walking shoes." I want to see and do and experience everything the location has to offer. I love all the little details (seeing both cornstalk fences)...all the cliche things that come to mind when you think of the location (eating at Cafe Du Monde and taking the streetcar)...all the unexpected "vacation candy" (stepping over a drunk on Bourbon Street and capturing paranormal activity in a photo during a ghost tour). I love it ALL!

When I have time to prepare for a trip I am very organized. I start by searching the internet and making a favorites folder for the city. I begin my search with "Top Ten Things To Do In..." and "Best Things To Do In..."

I search our library for videos and books. A fun book to check out is the "Weird State Name" series. Thanks to "Weird New York" I knew to go to a section of Grand Central Station and Dr. Hubby and I whispered "I love you" into the columns and we could hear each other from across the hall...vacation candy!

I use a small notebook to take notes from the computer, books, and videos. I make lists...lists...and more lists. All the planning allows me to stick as much into my time as possible. I am very efficient. I love the preparation almost as much as I love the trip! The trick is not to plan so tightly that you don't have time for the unexpected...leave some leisure time each day.

How do you prepare for a trip?

Dresden & Amish Country Getaway!

On Sunday evening my mom and Aunt Patty came to visit. On Monday morning the 3 of us packed up the car and headed to the Longaberger Homestead. The tulips greeted us!

The weather was chilly with light rain....except for the downpour that turned my umbrella inside out!

This huge basket was so cool...the apples looked so real in person...Did you know Longaberger's office building is shaped like a basket with handles?

I met this furry friend while touring the rooms of the Homestead. They have so many pretty things.

At 5:00 (when everything closed) we headed north to Amish Country. Home to some of the yummiest restaurants EVER! These hats and coats belonged to Amish men who were dining.

My mom and aunt love the fabric stores...I imagine they feel the same way I do when I get to go to Archivers!

My mom is making me this Scotty wall hanging...except she is using Christmas fabrics. We spent Monday and Tuesday nights at a hotel and headed home Wednesday evening. I was tired! I curled up on the couch with Manga Dork to watch American Idol...we munched kettle korn...and I held her when she cried over the results. We will miss you Anoop!

Trippin'

Going to Longaberger Homestead and Amish Country with my mom and aunt...see ya on Thursday!

My Birthday Present Has Been Ordered...

Last night I went online and ordered my birthday present....

From this amazing man...He knew exactly what I wanted!

I bet you are thinking I ordered this...

Or maybe you think I changed my mind and ordered this...
Oh how I love both of them...BUT...

The present I really wanted was available at this website!
The present that made the above items look like tinker toys...


Dr. Hubby gave me a plane ticket...BUT I will not be flying...



My present is an airplane ticket for Lil Sis to come to my party and go see Twilight with me!

I am SO excited I could pee the rug...or puke...or do one of those Toyota jumps!

She is a die-hard Twilight fan...She even ordered cool contacts that will make her eyes amber like Edwards! How cool! She has inspired Manga Dork and I to go as vampires...I SO feel like a Trekkie or a Star Wars freaky person....AND I LOVE IT!

Happy Weekend!

32 days.....13 pounds

I am so excited! AGAIN! Whichever of you bloggy friends made the comment that when the pounds start moving again that they will come off quickly was right! I lost another one! 13 more pounds to go. BTW, I don't know if I mentioned it, but 50 pounds is just my first goal. I want to lose another 50 by November 22nd! I get to collect the $1,000 from my grandfather at the first 50. Hey! Maybe he will offer $1,000 for another 50. LOL! In the end I will go from 225 to 125. Very reasonable for my 5'1" height.
I won't be posting Tuesday or Wednesday. I am going to travel to Amish Country with my Mom. We are going to be staying in a gorgeous Victorian B&B.
I used to be fascinated by the little things you can see in Amish Country like this sign. I now live where there is one within view from my front porch.
Also, the buggy rides have lost their appeal. Hubby gave me a Belgian horse and Amish buggy for Mother's Day 2 years ago. Funny note: Our neighbors thought we were Amish for awhile. LOL!

Have a great Monday - Wednesday and I will see you again on Thursday.

Back from our trip

We are back from our trip. What a nice 4 days! It felt so good to be able to hold a full conversation with hubby. On the first day we arrived I dropped him at the conference and went to see "Meet the Browns." It was so nice to be all alone with only my thoughts for a little while. The movie was ok. I was impressed that when I washed my hands in the bathroom I was able to take the time to blow dry them. LOL! I spent day #2 with Mom and day #3 with my hubby's Aunt. All the evenings belonged to just me and hubby. I relaxed! Hubby and I reconnected.

Keym had asked about my 50 lbs gone by May 23rd goal. I had read that 8 - 10 pounds per month is a healthy ok amount to go for. I started January 1. I have lost 32 pounds so far. I strive to eat 1200 calories, 25 grams of fat, 64 ounces of water, and exercise 30 minutes daily. I by no means have done all that in any one day, but I have hit a plateau and I am going to have to get my butt in gear. I take a vitamin daily, but ABSOLUTELY no diet pills. I have done this the old fashioned way. I also have a "naughty" meal about every 2 weeks.

I have REALLY missed reading everyone's blogs and keeping up with mine. Feels good to be home.