The Gift

Bekah asked for a "fixie" or a fixed gear bike for Christmas this year, so Rich and I were on the hunt for one. She said she didn't care if it was new or used, she just had an idea of what she wanted it to look like and the preferred color was kewi green. Other than that, she was pretty open.
I began doing research on the web, looking at new bikes and craigslist as well. I soon realized that there was SO much information out there I wasn't sure what to get her. She has a cruiser bike now, but this is a road bike. Bekah has been exploring doing a triathlon too and we wanted to get her a bike she could have versatility with. Of course, we know very little when it comes to the specifics of it all. Luckily for us, our neighbor 2 houses down builds bikes, races bikes and is all things 2 wheels. I walked down to her house with my laptop in hand (to show her what I found) to ask a few questions. In return I got a wonderful education on bike types, fixies, the fixie culture and a bike! Yes, I left her house with an amazing vintage 12 speed Schwinn road bike. She was so kind. She said that someone had brought her the bike gave it to her for free and she was happy to pass it along to someone who would use it. She changed the seat, she added a new tube for the tire, and put air in the tires. She said she would be happy to make it into a 1 speed or even a fixie if we wanted, but to let Bekah try it out as is first. For those of you who don't know (I didn't) a fixie is a Fixed Gear bike, meaning no gear changing and the pedals don't stop turning. Our neighbor said they can be very challenging to ride in a city area... however, they are very popular and driving a culture of "fixie" riders for transportation. She was so kind and asked for nothing in return. Her passion is bicycles and she was happy to be able to share her passion with someone who was interested. What a wonderful gift.
I need to also add, this isn't someone we talk to frequently or has she ever been to our home for dinner, for the last few years, she has been a neighbor that we wave at when we are driving by. Sadly, I probably have not talked to her in a couple of years. That is sad and really embarrassing for me. It is so easy to get caught up in our day to day lives, isn't it? I am so glad I decided to knock on her door. We ended up talking for about 3 hours. It was a wonderful visit and an amazing gift, not just the bicycle but reconnecting with our neighbor. I read a friend's blog today about turning the filters off..you can read it HERE. A great reminder to turn the filters off and go knock on that door, make eye contact as "Moms Daily Retreat" blog so wonderfully states. There is no better time than now.



Peace & Love,
Kim

Hotel for Dogs

Hotel for Dogs...maybe not an award winning movie, but I really liked it! Such a feel good movie, I'm so glad I turned the channel from American Gangster. Just got done watching the movie and it made me smile. So many adorable dogs and what a great family they all made. I want to have a Hotel for dogs, but until then... I'll just visit the dog park.

As it so happens, this morning we met friends at the dog park, Blue and Bebe had so much fun. Blue heards us and nudges away any other dogs that try to get our attention. It is so funny. Bebe thinks she can run with the Great Danes, today she stood close to the edge of the water watching the big dogs play. I am sure she was wishing she liked the water so she could play too.
Happy Saturday!

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Happy Thanksgiving
Our Thanksgiving started out in the traditional way, with a 5K Turkey Trot in downtown Orlando. Rich and Bekah have been participating in the Turkey Trot to benefit Seniors First for three years now. It is a great way to start the day and the bonus is you can have a little more turkey (or dessert) with the Thanksgiving Day run. This year my cousin Craig and his daughter Tiffany joined us from Jacksonville as well as the Kosiewski Family, Fred, Amy, Katie and Lauren. Everyone did awesome! After the run, we came home, some of us rested and some of us baked pies (me). I made the Scrumptious Caramel Apple pie and Pecan Pie from The Pioneer Woman’s receipe box. I also made a couple of yummy pumpkin pies.
We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings at my in-laws house. It was wonderful having Craig and Tiffany there. Tiffany and I attempted... and finally was successful at making pan fried sliced sweet potatoes. This was something that Jakki used to make and we wanted to honor that tradition.
When we got home we all feel asleep.
It was one fun, busy and emotional day. Jakki was greatly missed and the holidays will continue to be very difficult with her passing this year. We also missed Zack who is out to sea on his deployment, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with him, the USS Bonhomme Richard and the 11th MEU.
It was great to be with one another, fellowship and give thanksgiving for those blessings that have been bestowed upon us in 2009, our family, our friends, that we can laugh, love, create and help each other in times of need just to name a few.
Peace & Love,
Kim

Thank you

Good Morning,
This will be a quick post to say "Thank you" to my wonderful readers that are stopping by. Thank you. I know how busy everyone is and it means so much to me when you let me know you've stopped by. THANK YOU! I love love love your comments.
I have been so busy I haven't had a chance to post recently.
I will soon, so stay tuned.
For those who celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, Happy Thanksgiving! Shouldn't everyday be a Happy Thanksgiving Day?... you know, the THANKFUL part, not the excessive eating and pies... ok, maybe the pies.
I haven't forgotten I owe you pictures of St. Augustine and our Family Holiday Kick-off pictures. Coming soon.
Peace & Love,
Kim

On it's way soon!

It is starting to get busy. With Thanksgiving just 4 short days away, the time will fly by. My goal is to be relaxed, cherish this time and slow it down. Once the holidays hit, 2010 is right around the corner and before we can say Happy New Year, we will be planning for Bekah's graduation party in June. For now, let's slow it down and savor the time we have together this holiday season. We are missing 1/4 of our family again this year. Zack, our son will not be with us for the holidays. As most of you know he is on a ship "somewhere" working for each of us, ready to protect our country at any given moment. We really missed him last year, his first holiday away, this year will not be any easier. We are preparing to send him a Christmas Care package. Rich and I had fun shopping for him. It is mostly all things he requested, like tattoo magazines, vitamins, and books, however, Rich did make chocolate chip cookies and Zack's grandmother made peanut butter cookies. I bought a stocking and added "Gummy Krabby Patties" one of his favorites among a few other things. I need to wrap the items and get them out the door ASAP so they will arrive by Christmas.
Lots of activities coming up, Thanksgiving morning Rich & Bekah along with my cousin Craig and his daughter will be running in the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot at Lake Eola downtown. It is a 5K to raise money for the Seniors First organization. This will be our 3rd year participating in the event. It is a perfect way to start the Thanksgiving holiday. Later in the afternoon, we all will be heading to the in-laws for Thanksgiving fellowship and dinner. I will be making The Pioneer Woman "Moist Spiced Pumpkin Muffins (with Cream Cheese Frosting) along with some pumpkin and pecan pies. Yum!
Also this week, be on the look out for some fun photos from this Tuesday as we are heading to St. Augustine for the day. One of my favorite cities. Saint Augustine, Florida is the oldest European city in the United States. I love the brick streets, historic churches, quaint shops, local artistry, the B&Bs, and restaurants. Always a good day in St. Augustine, especially with my family.
Bye for now, I need to get wrapping Zack's care package. If anyone would like to send a card or something to Zack while he is on deployment, let me know. I would be happy to send you his address.
Have a joyful week full of gratitude. There is so much to be thankful for! (even though our beloved Steelers lost to the Chiefs.. we must move on!)

Peace & Love,

Kim

Fabulous Sugar Blogger

As some may know I started my blog in June 2008 when I was working in Louisville, KY Monday through Friday and coming home to Florida on the weekends. Writing in my blog was a wonderful way to feel connected with my family and friends when I wasn't home.

I experienced huge growth during this time away. And although I do my blog for me, I enjoy it so much I would love to expand it and it's offerings to others out in the blogsphere. I'm working on how I do that... and understanding what I have to offer? What makes what I have to say interesting, why would people want to read what I write...all those things I think about.

Yesterday was a first and it was very exciting, I am humbled that Amelia over at Mom's Daily Retreat - Notes from the Edge passed along the Fabulous Sugar Blogger award to me.


If you haven't been to Ameila's, I highly recommend to visit and stay awhile, good for the soul.

So, as a recipient of this fun award, I need to list 10 interesting/fun facts about myself before passing the award along. So here it goes:

1. During the first 12 years of my life I moved 7 times, my father was in the Air Force

2. I LOVE the Dave Matthews Band

3. I don't like wearing shoes, but I love buying them!

4. I once took a ride in a bobsled on the Olympic track in Park City Utah for a team building event. Exhilarating and painful!

5. I'm a Florida Native

6. I'm a non-practicing licensed Nail Technician

7. I don't like soup

8. There are two gondolas on the Island of St. Thomas, one takes you to what is highlighted as one of the most beautiful views in the world and home of the banana daiquiri and one has some shops and dirt trails, guess which one I went to and took others excitedly looking for my banana daiquiri? Who knew there were two gondolas!

9. According to my daughter I laugh loudly and make funny faces

10. I am prone to whimsical activities (as my husband would say) where I will just break out in song, a funny noise, random thoughts at any given moment


With that said, I am passing this fun and charming little award on to these bloggers, some of my favorites!

1. Heart Piercing Life

2. One Blessed Girl

3. Holiday In The Sun

4. 6 Harts for Him

5. 101 Bird Tales

6. Mad Crafts

7. Life is Beautiful - Embers

Any blogging advice you want to give me, I'm listening! :)

Peace & Love,
Kim

Forever Friends

I haven't posted in awhile. Unfortunately, I have not been feeling well. I've had a headache that will NOT go away. I still have it, but it is not as bad as it has been. I miss not writing... so here is something short and sweet.
Last weekend my daughter and I went to Tallahassee, Fl. to tour Tallahassee Community College. We had a nice time and really liked the campus. We also drove around Florida State University. Bekah, my daughter, has decided she wants to start at the community college in Tallahassee first, then go on to FSU. I think that this is a wonderful idea. So now we have started down the process of applying, understanding the neighborhoods and housing options, budgets, etc. It is fun and I admit overwhelming too! So many things to do and so many deadlines! I know she will do well and I'm really excited for her.
During out visit to Tallahassee we watched a good friend of Bekah's (who is currently going to FSU) and his father compete in a Triatholon event. It was wonderful to watch and I know Bekah is excited now about training for one herself. This picture is of Bekah and her good friend Jackson who competed. These two really connect and it is so fun to watch them interact. I know Bekah just thinks the world of him. Friends like this are so important, just makes life that much more fun!

Veteran's Day Thank you!

"Veterans Day is about everybody who wore or continues to wear the uniform," he said. "It's a very select group of American citizens that have had the opportunity to do that." - VFW Davis

Thank you to all the service men and women in this great nation of ours that have selflessly serviced our country in the armed forces, the USMC, Navy, Army, Airforce and Coast Guard. Thank you for your unwavering committment to protect and defend my freedoms. You are all heros.

A special thank you to my son, LCpl Mills who is actively serving in the United States Marine Corps, currently on the USS Bonhomme Richard somewhere in the gulf. I am so proud of you. Thank you for your selfless act of serving. I love you.
Semper Fi.



Zack's promotion to Lance Corporal


Zack (son) and Rich (husband) in Yuma Arizona on the Marine Corps base in front of Zack's Squadron VMA-513

I Believe in You

"I believe in you" isn't that such a powerful statement. I have to tell you about a wonderful thing that just happened. To get my day started, I was reading through a book of quotes I got from Compendium called "I Believe in You" and as I'm reading quotes and thumbing through the pages, I noticed a business card tucked in one of the pages. I thought that was odd, because I didn't recall bookmarking anything. The business card fell out and it was one of my company business cards and on the back my husband wrote...

"K, I believe in you. L. R." with heart drawn next to it.

It's he just an amazing man. How incredibly thoughtful and sweet. Finding that card with those words on it from him made my heart sing. Do you know he even bought me flowers this week. Rich, I love you so much. Thank you for always being there for me and for our family. Finding that card made my day. Thank you!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today, go out and spread the kindness. Do something kind & random for a loved one or even someone you don't know. You could make their day! (& yours too)

Peace & Love
Kim

On the open road

This is my second attempt to write tonight. I have to tell you I was going down a path of why can't I seem to get my house organized... then I thought, who really cares. Not in a mean way, but I don't care that much. I wish I was more motivated to take care of a few things around the house, I'll get there and I'll get there soon, just not today. Then I started looking through pictures and realized I hadn't looked at some pictures I downloaded last weekend after a motorcycle ride with my husband. I did not have much expectation that the pictures I took were that great, so I hadn't even looked at them. To my pleasant surprise, I really like them. I took them while riding on the back of the motorcycle. I promise, I was safe.
I enjoy our rides together, especially when the weather is not too hot. It is relaxing, a little get away. For me, since I'm not driving, I get to sit back and just watch what is around me, up close and personal. I like that. This is the first time I attempted to take pictures from the back seat, I definitely will try that again. Hope you enjoy the pictures. This is the kind of thing I do instead of organizing my house, life is so much better when it is being lived.



Peace & Love
Kim

Love This Face

Posting a picture tonight of my 17 year old daughter, I took at the Cheerleader's Senior Dinner Friday night.

Ben Harper Friday

When the weather is great, not to hot and sunny! AND it's a Friday.. and you are wearing a new dress... and discovered BEN HARPER! It is the perfect ingredients for an AWESOME Day! So I am announcing that today is "Ben Harper Friday!"
I actually heard Ben Harper on my Sirius Radio in my Jeep, I always loved the song "Diamonds on the inside" when it played. I finally checked out his other songs and I just love them! Here is a live version of "She's Only Happy In the Sun" I absolutely LOVE LOVE it! Makes me Happy!! I've already listened to it five times this morning. Eventually I will need to go to work. Enjoy

Peace & Love my friends! Have a musical weekend.

Who am I and what path should I take?

When I was in my teens and early twenties I didn't give it a second thought. I'm me.. that is who I am. Not really sure if I knew what that meant, but I didn't really think about it and didn't really care I suppose, I was just living life. I went a different direction than I thought I would, I bypassed the "career girl with a dog who lives in a condo" stage and I went a direction of = married, job and children. (if you noticed, "career" changed to "job") It was the right decision, I was happy then, I'm happy now. I love my family and would NEVER change marrying the love of my life at age 19 and having our children in my twenties. It worked for us. But what seems to happen along the way is that we start to get consumed by making a living for ourselves, for our children and for our future and it is so darn easy to get wrapped up in that. I'm not saying that I did't have fun along the way, I have had a wonderful time living. I haven't always felt fulfilled in my jobs, but it's a job, right. I have my family, my hobbies, my friends and my inner spirit to fill in the gaps. As long as I'm paying the bills and my family has what they need and then some- I'm happy.
Now I'm 41 years old. My son is now 20, months away from being 21 and my daughter is 17 and preparing to graduate from High School. After 8 years with one company and 6 with another, I was laid off. Cut backs, economy, change in guard, whatever the reason it happened. I had no emotion about the "job." It was actually a huge relief. (pressure of money aside) I am very grateful to have a wonderful opportunity in front of me. It is different than what I have done in the past, but then again it's not. If I sit down and really think about who I AM, I probably would be doing something completely different, in fact, I'm sure of it. But life has taken me into this direction and I have allowed it to do so. I know that my new opportunity will start to take off and provide our family with security and a future that we have all worked so hard to obtain. So for that I am so grateful.
I find it interesting how "life" happens. I've always been positive, hard working and open to new things, I suppose that is why I wandered on the path I have.
So you are probably wondering is there a point to all this? I am happy to say yes!
I started thinking about my path in life, how I got here and what is next. I believe that is probably a natural thought process when a youngest child is preparing to graduate and leave the "nest." Thoughts of "what haven't I taught her, what should I make sure she knows before she goes out on her own?" "What GREAT life lesson is she still missing?" then it turns to thoughts of "What's next for me?" "What's next for us?" Yes we need to get through paying for college, room and board... so no changes quickly. But what is next?
To continue on this subject of "Who am I?" I have talked to our daughter about doing what she loves, finding her strengths early on, so when she is in her 40s she is doing exactly what she loves to do and it is not only supporting her monetarily, but it is also fulfilling her spirit. I know we can't predict the future and it is even more difficult to see into the future when we are 17 and everything is an opportunity to really know what we want out of life. My hope that she will remember our talks and when faced with opportunities she takes the one that fulfills her even if it doesn't pay the bills yet, because I believe if we do something we LOVE the rest will fall into place. But it is too easy to go down the path of security when we start on life's journey and difficult to jump off of it later. Find your strengths, understand your values, live your life on purpose.

You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose. Your're on your own and you know what you know and you are the one who'll decide where to go. - Dr. Seuss

As for me, I'll get there and I'm moving in that direction.
Loving, nurturing and teaching our children has been and will continue to be the greatest "job" of all. For me, the rest will fall into place.

Have a good Thursday!
Peace & Love

Operation NICE Assignment - "Places I Love"

China Town, NYC March 2007

Operation Nice It is a blog about "Encouraging Individuals to be Proactively Nice." When I'm not feeling so nice or I don't particularly feel like I (clear throat) "want" to be nice, I go and read... looking for that bit of inspiration. Today's assignment is awesome, just exactly what I need. Although I am trying to stay busy with positive thoughts, activities and family, I'm going through a rough spot, feeling a little sad and disappointed with humankind.
When I saw this assignment, I thought, how perfect...what great distraction to think about the places I love, you know, those happy places.
So here it is from Operation Nice.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be? What places do you have fond memories of? What spots do you regularly visit because you love them so much?

I love to learn and explore new things hand-in-hand with my husband, Rich • I love the NYC. The vibe, the awesome public transportation, the fabulous shopping. • I love playing & just laying with my dogs, Blue and BeeBee • I love festivals in the fall • I love being at the beach hearing the sound of the waves, especially at sunset • I love shopping with my daughter, Bekah • I love when we play Christmas music, drink cider and eggnog, eat cookies while we are decorating the Christmas Tree • I love going on vacations • I love talking with my daughter • I love it when my son does/is doing something that he is happy about and shares • I love journals, but I don't write in them • I love painting • I love art • I love taking pictures {Photographyy} • I love San Francisco • I love jewelry • I love laughing and hanging out with good friends • I love tea and teapots • I love good driving music with the windows down and to sing out loud.

That was an awesome assignment, I needed it! I would love to hear about the places you love, what places make you happy.

Enjoy your Tuesday.
Peace & Love

2009 Pumpkins

Awww.. well she isn't our "little pumpkin" anymore, she is all grown up. Bekah in her sailor costume (Shhh! Don't tell Zack) heading out to a Halloween party. Still adorable, just not so little anymore. Also pictured is the pumpkin Bekah and Rich carved together. Our Halloween Pumpkins. Don't you just love fall!

Peace & Love