East Coast adventures with Alison...

Sooooo I wanted to wait until Alison and I returned from NY before I wrote this next post. Unfortunately I am not well know for being prompt. Actually I was very happy to play with my new MacBook Pro and to make a slideshow, but let's just say I am not very technology savvy. As I went to upload my beloved slideshow, what I thought would also be a simple thing, of coarse didn't go as smoothly hence I gave up. Finally having a moment to write my post I am giving it another shot.

My friend Alison came to Boston for a visit on her way to Vermont for her residency and graduation at Norwich University. I have been very lucky to have the friends I have also for the different interests they bring to enlighten my eyes. Alison has a love for history that you can't help but want to love just as much.

We started our trip right in the great city of Boston just looking at some good touristy spots that really I hadn't seen or at least not in some time. We also enjoyed Al's chicken sandwich, which if you have never tried is a MUST! It was great just walking around Boston especially because it was a weekday so it was much calmer. Talking together about how much we love Boston and how Alison wants so badly to move here. Our plans for a double wedding and raising our kids here on the east coast engrossed our conversation most of this trip haha. Visiting Concord and Lexington was so great as well and still crazy to me that I live so close to both. While visiting the North bridge it was just a perfect day. It was raining so hardly anyone was around and we could just enjoy reading all about it and taking beautiful pics of the scenery. How blessed we are truly! Unfortunately I didn't pay attention to my instincts and kept my rubber cover off my ITouch...lets just say I am on my third one and hoping the third one really is a charm! Also I had the opportunity to go to my first RED SOX game!! We won which was exciting and really it was a great game with the Brewers the ambiance was fantastic. I love people watching and this night did not disappoint...."eight seats!"

Driving to New York was shall we say interesting. On the one hand I loved being able to see some different state sights because all the states are so close here, but I am not one to be patient. I have gotten so used to driving everywhere myself that it took some humbling to turn over the reins. Alison's dad did a great job, just like my dad though he enjoyed the detours! We left at 9:30 and I believe we made it there by about 5:30 or so...some entertaining moments and some good naps in. Her moms comments about "be careful there are people right there" being one of my favorites hehe.

New York was great to visit, but it became very clear to me I am very much a Boston gal. New York is all lights and entertainment, great food and such, but it's so smoggy and dirty I couldn't handle it for long not to mention my wallet would deplete rather quickly. Touring Central Park was really beautiful and so striking that there is such a large beautiful oasis surrounded by mayhem. By far our most entertaining spot was the Times Square Toys R Us, I know, I know we weren't expecting that either haha. We ended up taking a ride on the ferris wheel in the cabbage patch cart that I must admit was a little creepy and great all in one. We totally got sold in buying pics there as well because they turned out so great, good times. The lego displays are amazing and little did I know we could see all the sights of NYC all in one spot!

After enjoying some fantastic frozen hot chocolates at Serendipity's we made our way home on the "T". Unfortunately this turned into a very long night. Instead of the one line back to our hotel as we thought they were doing construction which then meant a very loooong detour! Poor Alison had to experience one of the police station bathroom stalls that shall we say were not very clean or private...haha so sad! Rats in the subway station are not something I hope to never experience again. Alison figured we took at least 8 different lines to finally make it back her poor parents were pooped and not sure they were loving this first NYC experience.

Our last day was spent in the NYC temple which was a blessing in so many ways. It is definitely a small temple, but such a ginormous blessing to get away and feel peace and love in the crazy city of New York. Poor Alison had a panic attack thinking I had taken off without her only to find out I was chatting away with one of the sisters there, sorry again! Going there was another great highlight to this trip. We then went to Junior's where Alison found her new love in their red velvet cake. Junior's has the best cheesecake that I hope to try all the flavors of one day.

Sadly all good things must come to an end. Luckily both our flights were delayed so we could enjoy chatting a bit longer. I loved having a piece of home here in New England and a true friend to spend time with. In case I didn't tell you enough Alison I am so glad we are friends and the funny circumstances that made it come to be. I am so blessed to have the friends and family that I do....as much as I love Boston I sorely miss my friends and family. Alson and I were talking so long that we both about missed our flights, oops! Such great memories :)

Alas I could not upload the slideshow here, but here is the YouTube link: http://youtu.be/rNdcuQn7Sdk

A Twista!!

Although Yes I am almost a week behind I would be ungrateful if I had not mentioned this historic tragedy so close to me. Last Wednesday June 1, 2011 here in MA there was a twista! From what I have heard, unsure of the truth, it has been over 100 years since tornados have been here. I was in a word quite surprised when I turned on the television to find out a tornado was threatening Springfield. This is about an hour from me so although alarming I still felt safe....that is until we went into tornado warning affect! If it would have been just me I think it may have been less threatening, but being in charge of a baby, especially one that is not my own added to the worry. Promptly I got a bottle ready and his diaper bag a necessities I thought could keep him good for some time should anything happen. Luckily we were okay and actually he fell asleep in my closet amongst the excitement! I recently had just moved into the basement which was perfectly convenient. Unfortunately there is still a large window in my room, which with a twista is not that convenient. Well we did experience wind and very loud thunder with lightening. Although we made it okay it is unfortunate the damage that comes from such a quick and unpredictable storm. Everyone seems to be jumping in to help those that were affected. How grateful I am for service and those that care to help our fellow men. Our lives can change in an instant so I hope to continue to make the best of it.

Lark Rise to Candleford

For my birthday this year my mother sent me season 1 of Lark Rise to Candleford. Having a hard time even remembering the name of it I had no idea what it was about. All I knew was that my mom said the accent took some time to get used to and that it was clean and a beautful scenery, therefore my dad loved it as well!

Not to my suprise my mom was right once again. I can usually agree with her good taste in shows, she is after all where my love for great music and classic shows came from. This show is in her words "sweet." It has some familiar faces and probably more than I now realize. Just today I realized Dorcas is played by the same actress who played Lydia in BBC's version of Pride and Prejudice. Apparently there are 4 seasons and as I am only in season 2 and sad to think it will end. Hope that you enjoy this as much as I do!

Therapy??!?!?!

That's right I am giving it my best shot and I must say I think everyone should go to therapy. After putting it off for way too long I finally had a breakdown and realization that there were some things I couldn't figure out on my own. A dear friend of mine had talked to me about her experience with a therapist so I went straight to her to know what needed to be done to make this happen.

For so long I felt going to the therapist means I am crazy and out of control. Figuring for so long I can just work it out and I am fine. The truth is I probably was fine, but I could be the better me having someone on the outside really help sort things out in my life. We go to a specialist for specific needs we have for our bodies so what shame should we have in helping adjust and better our mental help?

Because of the openness of my friend I found the strength to finally help me be a better me and really take charge of some weaknesses. I would like to extend this to the world that if you have ever thought "I would like to just tell someone this and have them listen and truly help me without judgment." therapy is for you. Really if ever you have thought about it...go, do it! What will it hurt? You pay for someone to listen to you and you can take their suggestions and progress or stay how you are. Actually with so many other things in our lives we take what we would like from it, so it is all up to us. All in all I love it and it is changing my life. What is even better is that it is though the LDS church. This is so helpful to me because the gospel principles that make me who I am are put in a deeper level and help me to think of them is a different and deeper level. I love it and I hope if you think it would make even the smallest difference I say do it. That is all.

http://www.providentliving.org/familyservices/strength/0,12264,2873-1,00.html

Rosie's Place

"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him" Since I was 12 years old this theme has become a part of my life. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also known as a "mormon" and in short I am LDS. There is a young women's program in the church that starts at age 12 to help young women learn these values listed above and prepare for life ahead of us.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to serve at a local domestic abuse facility. During my time there I kept thinking about this theme. How grateful I am to know of the love our Heavenly Father has for us. This of coarse doesn't mean that I have perfect relationships, understand all or don't have my doubts and worries. Although knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me and to know why I am here on earth certainly makes it bearable and most importantly enjoyable here on earth. Service opportunities are always great to forget myself and remember about my other brother and sisters that truly need my help and love. Grateful for the sacrifices of my parents, grandparents and so on that brought this gospel into my life for I know it's Christ's truth here on earth.

One of my favorite talks to young women though I believe can be applied to all. This is by one of our loving apostles Elder Jeffrey R. Holland http://lds.org/ensign/2005/11/to-young-women?lang=eng

Font test...

This is a test....this is only a test...do not pass GO do not collect $200.00!...........So I am sitting here after spending all day trying to figure out the perfect design (thank you Melanie for your patience) Alas defiantly my second posting refuses to have the correct font. The perfectionist in me just may lose it. For now it is what it is, but don't be surprised if I delete it only to repost it on a different date as I have already done in a complete fail haha!! Oh dear....

Autumn

So as excited as I am for winter to be over I am by far not a summer gal. I hate putting on sunscreen all the time and worrying about getting burt. Constant sweating and the hassle that I have sweat marks just isn't that fun for me. Nope I am a Autumn gal all the way! I love everything about it especially here in New England. At the top of this Autumn list would have to be pumpkin pie...MMMM! This week so far has been very beak and cold so to cheer up the house and me I decided to fill it with home cookin goods. Todays was Paula Deens Pumpkin Pie. This delicious food for comfort was not only easy, but hit the spot perfectly. Cream cheese was also included in the recipe so it has a hint of cheesecake taste to it. Yes I am ready for the beautiful spring flowers and the beautiful walks outside...but long live AUTUMN!!

I am having blog text troubles!!!! Why is my second posting a different text that I can't change??