Ocean Wide by The Afters

A great tune here, haven't posted one in awhile. This is by The Afters. Every time it comes on the radio I've been cranking it up and just can't get enough. Love it!!

NYC, Here I Come!!

Tomorrow the day! I cannot wait! If I had not stayed up sooooo late last night trying to get my camera (Sony) operating correctly, I may not be able to sleep. But I'm pretty tired, after about 2 hours of sleep.

Excited, is not the word! Maybe ecstatic? In the morning, at 4:30am, we head for the airport and then, by earlier than I'm up most Saturday mornings, I'll be in NEW YORK CITY!! Did I mention how excited I am?!?!?! It's my first trip to the Big Apple ever. And I don't plan on it being my last. Of course, next time Dave and Charity are going with me, since Charity won't stop whining and crying about how much she's going to miss me. I'm sure she'll be fine and though Mommy's going to miss her greatly, I know I'm going to have lots of fun!! And hopefully, I'll have some pictures to post and time to post them . . . unlike my Florida trip. . . Hang in there, but don't hold your breath!! :)

For now, good night and sweet dreams of your next destination!!

Keeping My Eye on the Goal

It's never easy to go back to work after having vacation. But this week is a short week for me, only 3 days. Next week with the Memorial Day holiday, it's a 4 day week. So it isn't until June that I'm back to working 5 days in a row. Uuuuugggg!! Don't know that I'll be able to handle it!! :)

So while at work to help me get through the week, I've been keeping my eyes on my special NYC book that Shira made me. Not only is chalk full of information, it's keeping me excited about this weekend. I can't look at it without smiling. Ohhhhh, I can't wait!!

The Meaning of Vacation!

Ahhhhhh, we're having a super good vacation, but very busy! Been running around every day doing all the touristy, theme-park things. Finally today, I'm staying in. Not leaving this house. My dad's sister, Janice and her husband, as well as their daughters, Eleanor and Christina will be coming to visit today. So besides that, it will be a whole lot of hanging around the pool and hopefully uploading some of my 100's of pictures! But it's wouldn't be vacation without all the extra pictures!! Just hang in there and I'll share. :)

Sea World

Today we visited Sea World. It was nice, but once you've done Disney it's hard to top. The landscaping and animals were enjoyable. The rides, well, I could have lived without those.

Happy People on a Crabby Ride

Petting Sting Rays

A neat show we watched.

The roller coaster I went on for Charity. It was a little troubling for ride-hater. But I guess I lived! :)

The Shamu Show was awesome! I'm glad we didn't sit in the "soak" section or there'd be nothing left of my camera! We chose to sit safely near the top of the arena.

A Hug from a Killer Whale, who would have thought?!?!

Impressive!

We even made it back in time for a yummy dinner, Jason, my sister's boyfriend. prepared. And after a day in Florida's hot sun, I was hungry!!

The rest of the night we 3 just relaxed and enjoyed family. I know we'll be doing lots of this over the next 5 days!

Dave chillin':

Charity swimming with the cuz'n:

Me lovin' on my little nephew!

Ahhhhhhh, vacation! :)

At the Villa!!

We made it and without a hitch. Family was already at the airport when we arrived. It's going to be a fun week!! We're all looking forward to various actives and spending time together! I love VACATION!

It (almost) here!!!

Our much-anticipated Bridgham Family vacation to Florida is finally here! The first time ever our family has vacationed together. It's going to be LOADS of fun!! :)

The house is clean for next Monday's arrival, outfits are set out and ironed for tomorrow, everything's packed and suitcases are awaking to be loaded in the car for an early morning departure. Even my silly little craft projects that I get myself into at the last minute are complete. And I'm pretty happy with the outcome!! Now it's off to bed for just a few hours of sleep!! YAY!!

Matching Toes

I redeemed my Mother's Day gift just in time for vacation. There's not much more satisfying than a pedicure and to do it with some one you love is even better!

A Beautiful Day

What an awesome day! Mother's Day! I feel so undeserving and so blessed. For my mom(s) and my daughter and to have a day to celebrate! Awesome! It makes me happy that I'll get to be with my mother in just a few more days!!

We had service this morning and then Dave made Mom and I a special lunch. We both were too tired and full to go out for dessert as we had originally planned. I, for one, have way too many things to do on my to-do list before we fly out Tuesday. But I'm getting there . . . and I can't wait!!

My cards and Charity (about to blow out) my special candle/holder she made me at school.

Crossed off the list: teachers' gift.

Monogrammed note pads and coffee mugs, complete with a Starbucks gift card and chocolate bar inside. Hope they like 'em.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommy's out there!! :)

Seconds of Solace

So unusual and just a short period of time, but for the first time in a long time, so long I can't remember, Dave and I had some free time by ourselves.

She had a school friend's birthday party at The Monkey Tree House. At first she was hesitant about me dropping her off, but after a few minutes with her friends, she was ready for me to take off. Dave was so sceptical that this would happen he had already left and headed to do some errands. I immediately called him on his cell phone and he was back.

We were completely lost as to what to do with our free time! Just like a couple of old people, we found a near by nursery and strolled through at leisure. And then the hardware store. And though it was just a short kid-free time, it was rather refreshing.

We returned to pick-up Charity. She was happy to see us and we were all ready to continue our Saturday together. Ahhhhh, sometimes you just need a little break!

Charity and Reagan (the birthday girl)

Happy 30th Shira!

Shira was my absolutely bestest friend during my early high school years. When she moved away, I was soooo upset. We stayed in touch for awhile. Then over the years life took us different directions. But now, thanks to Myspace and facebook, we've been able to reconnect. She is an amazing person and the years we haven't been in contact, I felt like I've definitely missed out. This year we both celebrated our 30th birthdays. Shira made me aware that we've now know each other half our lives! I'm so happy after all the years we were able to pick up were we left off. And I'm looking forward to the day when we "meet" again . . . I'm thinking for our 31st's!!

100%

Charity had her final arm check-up today and everything looked great! Her arm's completely healed, backed to normal! Yay!

Had a note for being late for school . . . but that was worth a little tardy!


Someone had recently donated some beanie babies to the doctors office and each patient was allowed to take one. Charity chose a little black puppy named Luke. She had to sleep with him tonight. And told me that after Daddy got her to sleep in our bed and I moved her into her bed, I needed to be sure I brought Luke in her bed too. I did! :)

The Last Uniform

I had a very sad "Mommy" moment this afternoon.

As I ironed mine and Charity's 5 outfits for the week, as I do every Sunday, it dawned on me that she probably won't have to wear a uniform on Friday since there's a field trip to the zoo. No worries, I thought, now I'm ahead of the game and have one for the following week. Next Monday. Good.

But Monday will be Charity's last day of Kindergarten, since we're leaving on our family vacation and won't be back until Graduation. I just ironed her last Kindergarten uniform. :( Wow! Where has the year gone? Where is my little 5 year-old . . . now almost 6 and before I know it she'll be in 1st grade!! It seems so grown up, 1st grade. I don't think I'm going to get through this month tearless.

Think I'll go read "Let Me Hold You Longer" to my time-goes-by-way-too-fast daughter. And then go have a good cry!

I ♥ Saturdays!!

We've had a full, fun day today! Why can't every day be Saturday? :) I love 'em!!

It's the first Saturday of the month, so that's Goodwill day, 1/2 off everything. Up early to get the best deals. And for just over $20 everyone in the fam got a few things: 3 skirts and 4 shirts for Charity, 3 shirts for Dave, and 2 skirts and 2 shirts for me. One of those skirts being a certain style black skirt I've been looking for forever and it's from Gap. Happy day!!

We also shopped at Old Navy, got Dave some much, much, much needed jeans. Then Target for some household items with $25 gift card Dave received from work. Yay! Free stuff!!

All that and we were home by 10am to finish cleaning for Grumpy Cook's noon arrival. Dave and Charity even did breakfast at Mickey D's and a Wal*Mart run for markers she's been wanting all while I shopped at Goodwill. If we had stopped at this time, it would have already been a very productive day!

Grumpy arrived and we headed off to the Henpeck Market in Franklin. Very cool! They have lots of very, temping baked goods and serve lunch during the week. We all resisted the urge and passed up to amazing looking desserts. Yum-o!

And then there's upstairs! Love it!! Called "The Loft at the Henpeck Market", reminds me of Maine. There aren't a lot of "chain" stores, so most shops are an unique emporium of various goods. Definitely a good place to get a gift. I found a travel coffee mug with an embroidered "D" on it, but at $24.50, Dave wasn't going for it. He said, "No, tell me the real price." Ha! He didn't believe me! So yeah, it's a little expensive, but it was fun to glance around.

Lunch/early dinner at Chick-fil-A, a Grumpy favorite and home to relax (and catch up my blog) for the evening. Ahhhhhh . . . I ♥ Saturdays!

More Sneaker News

I bet Dave's very happy I don't have the same taste in sneaks as Michelle Obama! :P

Check it out:
First Lady Michelle Obama steps out in Lanvin sneakers and they're only $540!

Whatcha' think? I like mine better and saved a whole lot a $$$!!