29 March 2012

Fresh Air



 












Because sometimes it just takes getting up and out of the house to make you feel better. Maybe not 100%, but good enough to remember that sickness doesn't last forever. But that smile you get from seeing the sun set over the lake in your back yard - the one that shines ever so perfectly on your daughter's face at just the right moment - will


25 March 2012

My Mind

  •  I’m thinking of starting a collection jar, so that I can raise money to put Kiri in the private Montessori School up the road from my house. It’s a fabulous school in an A+ district with the best teachers in the area. Only downside – its $6500 per year! Even with our FOUR incomes, I still cannot afford $500+ per month. Even though I believe that it’s entirely worth it! I was thinking also about trying to qualify for a loan, to put Kiri through Pre-K and Kindergarten and then just put her in the free Public Montessori School come first grade, (they prefer applicants with prior Montessori learning experience!)  but with over $20,000 in car loans plus Bop’s $5000 in school loans and thensome, it might be particularly hard to obtain at this point. Kicking and screaming, I am! But I will find a way to make it work! I promise.
  • I think I’m becoming WAY too addicted to coffee. I absolutely cannot get out of bed without drinking an entire cup. Then I can peel myself out of bed, drinking another cup on the way to the bathroom. Then, on my way out the door, I fill my travel mug with another two cups. That’s FOUR cups in the morning alone! I know I’m taking in too much caffeine because my pee is dark, I’m unbelievably exhausted by 3pm and my hair has started to feel like straw! Also, I should probably be drinking more water.
  • I need to start working out and doing yoga again! I seriously tell myself the same thing every day, but never actually go through with it! It’s just that (like I said above) come 3pm, I’m so tired and just want to eat and relax. But I need to do it! Maybe wake up a little earlier in the morning, meditate and do 15 or 20 minutes of yoga - drink a cup of tea and listen to some music? Then go for a walk after I get home from work. Kiri would love getting out of the house; plus there’s just something about being outside around nature that really relaxes you and instantly bumps up your energy level at the same time. Then I can finish the day of with either 30 minutes of hard cardio (on our busy days or early mornings!) or an hour long circuit (arms, legs and cardio!)
  • I’d like to point out the fact that I am OBSESSED with Morningstar & Boca products. Since becoming vegetarian, I have had to try new products and become a little more open minded and I’m so glad I have! My favorites are the tomato bruschetta burger and California turkey burger! Super yum!
  • Though we love our apartment to pieces, Bop and I were thinking about upgrading to a single family home when our lease is up in August. I’d love to have a little more privacy, plus room for a playground in the backyard. It stinks having to walk down a flight of stairs just to be able to feel the fresh beachy air. Also, I’d appreciate not having my downstairs neighbors knock on the roof every time  I run my dishwasher! I just hate that the rental market in Saint Augustine is so competitive. A lot of owners/landlords are more interested in vacation renting their homes, as opposed to leasing them. We may, if we do decide to move, have to leave the core of Saint Augustine and I don’t really think I want to do that. We’ll see though.
  • Truth be told, I kind of miss my inverted bob. Since summer is really starting to show, it’s getting hotter and more humid here and its wreaking havoc on my hair. It’s too thick for 80-90 degrees! I’m thinking of chopping my locks off, though nowhere near as short as they were in 2009. I’m considering trying a longer version, past the nape of the neck with some layers. Just to snip off some of the hideous dead ends I’ve come to have. Thoughts?
  •  Can I just mention how ridiculously excited I am about going back to Cape Cod this summer? OH. MY. GOD. I haven’t visited my family and friends in five years, so I think we’re a little over due. Plus, I’m sure they’d love to finally meet my husband and daughter! {Even though Bop will not be able to join me this summer because of his Army duties! But he will be able to spend two weeks at Christmas time! Yay!} I can’t wait to collect seashells, visit Martha’s Vineyard, take Kiri to the Woods Hole Aquarium and ride beach cruisers and find horseshoe crabs on Menahaunt Beach, just like I did when I was a kid! That, along with boat riding, camping and going to the Barnstable County Fair? WHAT COULD BE BETTER? Those will be the best two weeks of the year – hands down!


I realize this post has been all over the place, but you know, that’s just how my mind has been lately! How have all of you wonderful readers been over the past few weeks? Hopefully as wonderful as ever!
Take care.

20 March 2012

Oh, you know




  • Though I lived in Jacksonville when I was twelve years old, I never really was able to take full advantage of what the city has to offer. Actually, to be honest, I was under the impression it was rather lousy. Much to my surprise, with a little research and a lot of here-say, it's actually become one of my favorite places to be.
  • I've been quite addicted to my Happy Cow app lately. I downloaded it a couple of weeks ago to help find some vegan/vegetarian friendly stores and eateries in the Metro area and my jaw dropped when I noticed how many places there were. I mean, don't get me wrong, Saint Augustine has some pretty swanky vegan, vegetarian and gluten free cafes, (aside from the usual Crispers and Panera Bread),  but they're all pretty pricey. Bop and I were actually talking about going to the Present Moment Cafe in the art district, but again, it's a little on the wallet-tightening side. And it's not quite up to parent + child speed. Hence why the search began. 
  • Kiri has officially started gymnastics. Her first class is tomorrow morning at 9am and I am freaking out. My baby is growing up and it's so hard not to just hog her for myself. But this is what she needs; what she's been asking for. And as her Mama, I have to support her. So, let the tumbling begin. 

I apologize for the tiny bit of randomness. I feel as though it's been SO long since I've blogged regularly, so I'm just a-writin' as it comes to me. Happiest of Tuesdays, all. 




A Zoo-riffic Adventure

I can't stress to y'all how much family time has meant to us lately. These past few weeks have literally flown by, because we've been so focused on working and each other; little else included. My husband and I have made it a point to spend these days together, ones that are few and far between, because life (as we've recently learned) has no intention of slowing down; whether or not we want it to. Don't get me wrong, working hard and making a stable life is important. We know that. But what's more important is ensuring that we, and our daughter, live life to the fullest and love with every square inch of our hearts. Laughing is as essential to life as water or food is. For it is nourishment for our souls. This is why we have chosen to make Wednesday our Family Day. Every Wednesday, every week, a new place to visit, new restaurant to try, new memories to make. Life is too short to spend it unhappy or inexperienced.


This week we chose to make the 64 mile trek to the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, since neither Papa nor Kiri had ever been to one. And I must say, it was a big hit! Brayden came over to play, so we took him with us! We saw giraffes, monkeys, kangaroos and even stingrays! Kiri even came home with a black plush gorilla that she named 'Willow'. Willow and Ninny are brother and sister, reunited at last. They now go everywhere with her. TOO CUTE, I say. Here are a few photographs of our day!




16 March 2012

Afternoon By The Sea











There's nothing more wonderful than spending a sunny afternoon, perched atop a boardwalk, snacking on Panera Bread and laughing with the ones you love. This is how we spent our Wednesday. 

P.S. I'll be back to blogging again soon! With all the sporting events going on in Daytona Beach, plus the little spontaneous family trips we've been taking lately, I've hardly had the time to sit down and relax, let alone write about how sweet its been. Don't worry though, I'll be back before you know it! 

Take care, all.