Cheers!

Tonight I am hosting my Roaring 20's New Years Eve Celebration! Thanks to Amazon Prime and local stores, the pieces of my vision for this celebration has come together beautifully.

Believe me, one never knows exactly how endless details combined together are going to look, but let me tell you, it's better than I imagined! My team set the Ballroom and I think through my thoughts and add the final touches. 

My black ostrich feather plumes arrived last night, thanks to Amazon Prime. A final touch on one of my centerpieces, a very tall (approx 3') martini glass stuffed with a black linen napkin and topped with two white hydrangea's with strings of pearls cascading down the glass and a black ostrich feather plume as the perfect accent to tie the centerpiece together. 

From the check-in table that came together far better than I even planned, to the table decor, to the cocktail napkins, the Ballroom will welcome guests for a glamorous soiree. 

I really am excited. 

Tonight is the 1st party my daughter Brooke has ever been to. She was invited to parties when she was in high school, but she'd always say there would be alcohol and pot, so she wasn't interested in going. But tonight. Tonight will be her 1st party she's ever been to as well as her 1st New Years Eve out. Her Roaring 20's flapper outfit is absolutely adorable and she's been practicing the Charleston. What a great 1st party to attend in life. 

The Ballroom, beautiful. The food, off the hook delicious, thanks to the best chef we've ever had. A talented DJ, a personal friend of mine I used to date in my early 20's, he brings high energy and great music.

Yesterday I booked two more weddings for 2020 and am only thousands away from my 2020 revenue goal. My 2020 goal was set at 215% higher than this years revenue goal, at my permission. In fact, I gave permission to go $75K even higher to take the goal to my own personal goal, but they feel 215% higher is enough. 

In 2019 I beat the revenue goal by 72% over revenue. 

This year, at the end of the 1st quarter, the company gave a nationwide, corporate wide shout out for those who are within 75% of their goal. In one month I will exceed budget revenues. I'm sure everyone is tired of hearing my name.

I've never been a math person, but when it comes to my statistics and revenues, I can prattle it off the top of my head. 

This year was a year of unexpected ble$$ings and next year, WOW!

Cheers to a happy new year!

New Decade

New year, new decade. Being born in 1970 it's been pretty cool to have each of my 10 years in life in a new decade.

In the 2020's, I will be in my 50's. Once upon a time that would have sounded horribly old, but the 50's are the new 40's, and I certainly don't look like a grandmomma. This stage in life is like being in my 20's all over again, but I am completely established and an empty nester.

Television is sharing the things that happened over the last decade and I reflected what were my significant, decade life-changing moments: 

   * Both my daughters graduated from high school and I graduated from college

   * Mariah & Jeremy married 

   * I became a grandmomma to Sofia & Rowan

   * Sold our family home 

   * Became an empty nester after 20 years of being a single momma

   * Brooke & Alex married

   * I'm in a career I never anticipated and thriving

   * My parents are seasoned snow birds and celebrated their 50th anniversary this year

   * My brother started his own church after decades of being a pastor

   * Financial freedom, 0% debt to credit ratio, I don't use credit cards, and excellent credit

   

A completely clean slate. Blessed.

Looking back on the last decade, what made my Top Cringe-Worthy Trends in general list: the selfie, the man-bun, wearing pants hanging below your butt, fillers, and micro-cheating.

My favorite trend and I admit I am an absolutely junkie: Catfishing. I love watching the show and I am still shocked and amazed with the show's popularity (education) people fall for the craziest stuff. 

New Years Eve and 2020 is almost here and I am hosting a Roaring 20's New Years Eve party to welcome 2020. 

I'm ready. 

Black Raspberry Vanilla

It was a just a normal, good day. Low-key and while everyone's busy with Christmas, my schedule is actually light. 

Sunny & 60 degrees in December is nothing less than a Christmas miracle and it felt good to run a few errands with the sunroof open. A few stops with blessings along the way, I looked forward to coming home and soaking in a hot bath.

The delicious aroma of a Black Raspberry Vanilla bath bomb, a cold glass of sweet iced tea and two books (because I often ready multiple books at a time) created a moment I longed to be in and relaxation envelops me. 

I just checked my Fitbit to see if I am still in lead and notice my dad has passed me up today in our family member competition. It makes me smile, because I had to do 16,000 steps yesterday to keep ahead, but right now I am relaxed and ready for bed. 

Tomorrow, I will reclaim my throne. 

A Christmas Happy Scream

There was excitement in the air and Sofia's happy scream when Jeremy carried in Sofia's big present from me, a 7' indoor trampoline, wrapped in Frozen Christmas wrapping paper.

She tore into the paper, saw the photo of the trampoline on the box and said, "jUmP!" She knew. "tHaNk yOu mUcH, gAmMa!" She has the best manners of any toddler I've ever known.

Family together, laughter, conversation, and the excitement of Sofia and little brother crawling all over just happy with wrapping paper and boxes made my heart full. Family Christmas dinner and thought-filled presents, made a beautiful Christmas, and I loved seeing everyone together and happy.

Never mind, I bought my own. Me, I always do a little something for me. It all started with an excess of vacation days in 2019 that I never used that's rolling over into 2020. Not sure when I will use 30+ vacation days + holidays, but I'm thinking I can plan on going to Florida once a month to the beach & sunshine throughout the rest of winter.

2020

New year. New decade. New home. I'm turning 50. It all makes me smile.

Oh, but today, Christmas day! I'm grateful that in the hustle-n-bustle and the excitement of it all, my family is grounded in the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus birth. We know why we celebrate, we know who to thank, and because of Him, we have eternity in heaven.

Christmas day 2,000 years ago was far different than today. When I think of my heart's joy when my grand baby's are born, I think of God's joy and love and the angels rejoicing at the arrival of the one who came to save us.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Wonders and Joy

In a world that can say whatever it wants, but colleagues that insist we communicate Happy Holiday's and not Merry Christmas, I created my own message [photo] to those I professionally work with throughout the year. 

I verbally say Merry Christmas, but my written well wishes are Wishing you Magic of the Season, Merry Wonders and Joy. It pretty much flat lines the bland Happy Holidays. 

It's Christmas Eve morning, the Christmas tree is glistening, the sweet tea is brewing, the cake is baking, and I am going to start the making the cheddar biscuits and spend a peaceful and quiet day watching Hallmark Christmas movies before my girls families come over for a hearty Christmas Eve pasta dinner. 

The magic of Christmas is in their air and gratefulness is in my heart. All is calm and all is bright is not a cliche, I hope you have a calm Christmas. 

What a beautiful way to honor Christmas, that was so incredibly different than the commercial way celebrated today. It's a heart position. 

It's my first Christmas alone and there is beauty in this. Calm and quiet is a hug and provides rest. In a funny way, the day feels longer, which isn't that a good thing when it comes to rest and doing all the little things you want to do? 

Oh, I will wake up all night long and hopefully sleep to 5:00 a.m., because Christmas still thrills me. I will whisper Happy Birthday, Jesus, with a smile on my face before my eyes even open, then hop out of bed, put on a pot of coffee, turn on soft Christmas music, and slide into a hot tub with a delicious smelling bath bomb. 

The scent of  my traditional cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning and that aroma that fills the air! Oh, that first bite into a warm cinnamon bun covered in sugar glaze is heavenly. I intend to stay nestled and warm in pajamas for quite possibly, perhaps the whole day. 

Alone doesn't mean I'm lonely. It means I get to do exactly what I want to do and create the life I want before my perfect complement arrives. 

Two months of heart preparation, two days of rest, Merry Christmas Eve. 

Remember, 2,000 years ago, Mary was in labor and trying to find a room to deliver her baby. Make room in your heart for what Christmas day really is. 

A Christmas Wedding

I did my 1st Christmas wedding and other than both my own daughter's, this was my favorite. It was both beautiful and romantic, the bride & groom were fun to work with, and it was  nice size wedding without being too big and chaotic. The menu was well chosen and the family and guests a class act. 

Believe me, it makes a difference. As an events director, I do all sorts of events and Christmas wedding planning falls under a happy and magical production. 

Christmas in elegant colors, classic Christmas background dinner music, an adorable couple everyone is so happy for and the excitement in the air. I'm behind the scenes sprinkling fairy dust making countless details happen and watching timelines to keep the flow on schedule. It was very Hallmark.

It was a very detailed set up, but we had fun doing it. The vendors came in early and did their parts, the florist, the baker, and the candlestick maker. Kidding! The florist, the bakery, and the DJ. 

The one vendor I've worked with a couple of times, he has my absolute admiration and respect. His work is stunning and I'm always excited to see his creations. He's gay, extremely talented, and tons of fun. We worked and laughed all day. It's so non-threatening, so we just have fun.

Together we adjusted other vendors presentations. I'm always careful how I question/present things because you just never know what vendors are close friends and I never want to offend. So I asked my beloved gay friend, his opinions on a couple of things that were questionable, and was happily relieved we were both absolutely on the same page and we made the necessary changes. 

He asked my opinion about a few things, because even talent sometimes gets tired of making all the decisions and he made a, "we should be in business together" comments, which was a compliment. Together, we would knock it out of the park. 

Final touches made, the Christmas wedding production was beginning, everything flowed perfectly. The bride and groom so complimentary and it was wonderful when the mother of the groom shared with me her son said it was the greatest day of his life. 

My vendor friend ran home, cleaned up and came to the reception as the family's close friend at the head table. It was a long day and at the end of the evening I sat down with him to catch up on conversation. He's a great conversationalist and conversation goes all over the place like with girlfriends. He's giving me the low-down on all sorts of stuff, then was telling me about his teenagers (my mind naturally wanders off wondering if him and his partner adopted or had kids when he was younger, I'm sure he will eventually share). Then, he mentions he's been divorced a few years, that he and his wife were married for 18 years. What? Wife? 

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Now I'm waiting for him to get to the part and share he got divorced because he's gay. That wasn't what happened. He found out about her affair and how broken he was.

It's amazing how many thoughts can race through your mind within seconds and minutes. I'm assessing my former and my day-long assumptions of him. Could I have been wrong? There's no way he's not gay! 

I thought I was girlfriend bonding with a talented and funny artist I admire and respect, so I was comfortable being funny and witty all day. 

Holy smokes was I wrong!!! I was wrong and blindsided! He went from funny and witty to sweet and a bit nervous when he asked if I'd like to have coffee or dinner with him something. Wait! What?!

Have you ever watched a movie where a girl befriends someone who she thinks is gay, then finds out he really isn't? She gets angry because she feels betrayed. That's how I felt/feel. I still can't believe he's straight and I was so wrong all along! It’s just like a corny movie, but it for real happened.

So nice, funny and talented, I'm not sure I could date someone who I thought was 100% gay and have everyone assume he is gay, too. It would be funny at some level. I promise everyone would think he was my gay friend. He'd make a great friend though and I agreed to coffee.

I don't share dating stuff on here, until I'm ready, but this was one for books! 

Shopping Status

I get an A++

Made my list months ago and kept to my list and have been done shopping. When I hear people say they shop on Christmas Eve to get the best sales, I absolutely cringe inside. Where's the thought behind the gift? Who on earth wants to last minute shop?! And, what about Christmas Eve? That's when family is together and Christmas Eve service warms your heart reminding why we are celebrating in the first place.

Today I ventured out to get groceries for the week and Christmas day and I'm grateful I am done. Hustle-n-bustle is very Courier & Ives, but it's chaos out there and people are crazy. 

I'm tired of ham, tired of turkey, and I don't want to grill outside when it's cold, so this year for Christmas I'm making a big pot of pasta with fresh shaved Parmesan, cheddar biscuits, and home brewed sweet tea. Warm, comfort food sounds perfect and a yummy homemade chocolate cake filled with chocolate chips for dessert. After all, it is Jesus birthday. 

One of my new favorite appetizers I introduced at Thanksgiving is a chunk of soft Brie (cheese) on a cracker with a dollop of blackberry jam and a fresh, giant blackberry on top. It's a tasty combination and was a hit! It's my holiday appetizer recommendation if you're in need of an idea. 

Christmas has been two months in the making for me starting October 25th with the Hallmark Channel's Christmas movies. A holiday vacation in a cabin the mountains of beautiful Tennessee leading to Thanksgiving, and I can say I've basked in the holiday for months. A part of me will miss it when it's over, because it's Christmas in my heart. 

Only five more days. 

Happiness is ...

Happiness is ...

Pulling into my daughter's driveway for a date with Sofia and the door opens and there my sweet, little grand daughter is bundled up in her winter coat excited to say, "bYe mOm!" to her momma and spend the afternoon with me.

We ran through the drive-thru and picked up lunch, sang Christmas songs and she was excited to set her lunch up at the table and we ate together. 

I was gifted by another hotel with a super yummy box of chocolates Sofia was allowed to dig into and try. We practiced taking small bites, less shoving a big whole piece in our mouth. We also practiced putting boogies in a kleenex, less our mouth. *gag*

Happiness is ...

Aunt Brooke called and stopped by with Max for a bit.

Sofia saw Papa's christening baby outfit and thought she looked like Anna (Frozen) in it and that's what she wore while she played swimming pool.

We played, "Catch me!" which is chase, her favorite thing is to run. We played, "Hide & Seeky" and she counts, "1... 2... 3..." and we take turns hiding.

She's so smart and she got me. We were playing hide & seeky and she wanted me to go hide, so I ran into the living room and hid behind the Christmas tree in an obvious place. She had a couple rooms to go through, but she is really quick on my heels with this game and she wasn't coming. So I started making loud comments so she could find me. She still wasn't coming. So, I ventured out to find her.

There she was, caught! She sent me out of the bedroom because she found her Christmas presents and needed me to leave so she could open it! Usually when she wants to get into something she will command you to, "Go!" and she will point for you to leave. This time, she said, "Hide!" 

Smart.

She opened her doctors kit and she was in heaven. Sofia is a nurturer and worries if someone isn't feeling well. We played sick for the rest of the afternoon. I think I will send this toy home with her. ha ha It's so perfect for her and even though I've bought her several Christmas gifts and she now has all of them because I've rationed them out over the last couple of weeks, too excited to wait, her BIG Christmas gift will be given to her at Christmas. 

Sofia always pulls back my hair to see my earrings and I always where dangling ones when I am with her. She saw my new necklace and ask, "i tRy pEaSe?" and I slipped my necklace on her and caught this sweet moment of her.

It was time for me to head back to work so I bundled my sweet baby up and loaded her into the car. In minutes she was lights out. 

Happiness is ... dates with Sofia + Gamma. 

A Toy Store

In Christmas tradition, my girlfriend Kimberly and I met this evening for dinner at our favorite restaurant elegantly decorated for Christmas. A fruity Christmas beverage in hand, topped with cranberries for a holiday touch, delicious scallops and catching up on life conversations, we exchanged gifts.

When I saw the necklace of two hearts with my grandbabies names on them and their birthstones, she said, "I know they are your heart." Grab me a kleenex!! I've been wanting something with their names on it and I love them being on hearts around my neck. They are my heart and I had just spent the day with them.

I took Mariah, Sofia & Rowan to a quaint toy store today, one that isn't overly commercialized and big. It was my wish that Sofia would find the toy store magical and I wanted her to have plenty of time to wander, look, and touch the toys. What a perfect way to see what she is drawn to. She held my hand and we went up and down the aisles multiple times. There was no rush, I wanted her to take wander and see everything. 

She loved the dinosaurs, the horses, the baby dolls the most. She found a baby doll and a bottle of orange juice that she carried throughout the store. Yes, of course, I bought it for her.

We stopped at a bakery for sweets and she picked out a couple treats she wanted. I love watching her seeing what she likes and the choices she makes for herself. She was one happy little girl. The kids spent the afternoon with me while Mariah ran to the gym and Rowan has suddenly mastered crawling and can now get where he wants to. I can't believe he's 6 months old already and Sofia is almost 2-1/2 years old. 

She's so fun to carry conversations with as she goes from sweet to bossy and back to sweet again. Little Miss Determined is a very passionate little girl who knows what she wants and won't hesitate to let you know, too. Little brother is sweet, happy and passive and just smiles and coo's. 

They are my loves and my joy, and I love my necklace. 

Music Lessons

One of the most beautiful aspects of being single is every day I do what I want to do and another person's moods, emotions or commotions don't alter mine. It's calm, peaceful and quiet. 

There is also time for hobbies.

I have never played an instrument, so last week I walked into a music store and prattled off the four instruments that I am most interested in with the mindset of touching, feeling and playing each one to determine exactly which instrument I would like to learn to play.

My music lessons start next month and I'm not telling anyone which instrument it is. I will simply provide a performance in the spring. 

Being able to play music for my grandbabies is my inspiration. 

New Book, New Pajamas

My new book arrived today, I'm so excited! I just love Amazon Prime.

I'm exhausted. Four hours of sleep last night, church this morning, running around with Brooke Christmas shopping for Alex this afternoon, and now [means there's more], my perfect etched out moment has arrived. 

I'm going to fill the bath deep with hot water and drop a bath bomb in it. Tonight the scent Shea & Coconut sounds perfect, and I'm going to climb in the tub with my new book and a cup of hot tea in a quiet house. 

Then [there's still more], I am slipping into my new super soft, brand new pajamas that are fresh & clean from being washed, grab a blanket and read and relax all evening, and sleep in tomorrow morning.

Thank you, Jesus. 

Phew, I Made It!

I MADE IT! I made it through an intense holiday event season and I did it with praise and accolades  my events were a total success. My team knocked them out of the park. 

Two intense weeks of massive parties, I had three parties one day, two today. Fifteen hour days are tough especially when every detail falls on me as well as keeping the staff performing well. I hit $30K revenue over budget for December, which is pretty awesome. 

The party tonight was extra generous handing me $1,000 in 100's to tip my team. They were excited, then he gave me a generous tip. 

I have a wedding, a pretty big New Years Eve party I am hosting, and another small party this month, but that's nothing compared to what my team just came through. It's time to slow down as we are now entering January and February which are off season months for events. 

Ahhhh, winter hours. Fa la la la la la la la la

The Bomb

Some people end up stopping for a drink to unwind after a hectic day. Me, I can't wait to go home and soak in a bath with a delicious bath bomb.

So much better for so many reasons than a hot tub with harsh chemicals, these fragrant bath bombs come in a variety of scents and feel fabulous on the skin. 

After much research, this brand was rated the best and they've proven worthy and as I begin my search for a new house in spring, I fully intend on putting in a luxurious soaking tub. 

Ahhhh, a deep tub of hot water that envelops you, a delicious scent, and a good book... me time. 

Rowan's Stocking

Rowan's Christmas stocking is finished and was revealed at our family Christmas last night. 

His name is hand-stitched on the back of the pine cone that flips over and his stocking is now hung on the fireplace next to his big sisters. 

Merry Christmas, my sweet grandson, I love you.

xo

Too Peopley

Traffic was bumper to bumper, the stores were busy and I had to stop and think about what on earth day it was? Only Monday at noon, two weeks before Christmas, way too much traffic.

For a minute I thought it was the weekend. When I go to the stores, I go early, get in, get out, and avoid traffic at all cost. We had four stops to make and it was the grocery store where I was ready for battle.  

My mom walked up to the meat counter and asked for help. I'm walking towards the situation and about 15 feet behind her when I observe what's happening. The guy in the meat department walks with her to show her where the hams were. 

There was a oaf of a man in probably his 50's, could be younger, but he's sloppy and appears older, that turned to his mother, a sweet little old lady, and started making snarky comments on how my mom cut in front of him. 

Aware he is making comments, I ignored it. Walking back by him, I don't remember why I was behind my mom again, this jerk-off approached my mom and said something.

Observing this in slow motion, my brain is processing, is he really saying what I think he is saying?! Certainly he isn't?!! My mom listens to him for a second and says something above his station in life and walks away. My heart is pounding!! Blood is racing through my veins. 

Do I verbally take him out? How far do I go to verbally put him in his place? I'm walking straight into confrontation, wanting to go gangster vs. me not looking like trash. He's an oaf of a simpleton who looks like he lives in his mother's basement and creeps on the internet, SMIRKING and thinking he's better than he is and I want to:  

a n n i h i l a t e  him.

This is taking place within seconds and my thoughts are racing as fast as my blood is pumping, it's been a long time since I've been this mad.

I walk straight up to him [he's still smirking and proud of himself] and tell him very matter of factly, "IF you are at the meat counter staring like you don't know what you are doing, NOBODY knows you need help! Speak up!! She walked up and asked for help while you stood there doing nothing!" He tries to talk and I wasn't going to give him time to, "SHUT UP!" 

My mom is ahead of me and has no idea. My blood is boiling and I'm not happy that I was far too polite. I'm feel like a lion in the jungle hoping he walks by me and makes just one comment. 

I know it's a good thing we never crossed paths again. 

It's been a long time since my blood has raced like that. I may be a sweet grandma, but blood still races through my veins. 

Don't mess with my family. 

I have to agree with the Grinch here, it's too peopley outside. 

Sliding into sweet Gamma mode, because my name seems to forever change with Sofia and I am now, Gamma. My sweet grandson, Rowan, is a momma's boy. I ended up holding him most of the evening. He didn't need a bottle or changed or a nap, he cried because he needed his momma and being second in line to his momma (who was Christmas shopping) as long as I snuggled him, he was just fine. It's all good, I love the snuggles and kisses.

We finally got to use her umbrella! Sofia loves her umbrella and pretends it's raining in the house, it was perfect it was raining last night. Bundling her up so she could actually use her umbrella in the rain, we walked down the road a bit looking at the pretty Christmas lights on the houses. 

Tonight is our family Christmas, I can't wait for everyone to be together. 

Christmas Stocking

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Because Rowan's Christmas stocking is officially done!! 

Once we have the family reveal next week I will happily share a photo. Let's just say, the 2" pine cone alone on it took 4 hours to cut, stuff and embroider. 

It's beautiful! 

The Ugly Truth

I have a new favorite blogger, New York Times Bestseller, Mandy Hale, the writer of The Single Woman. She's candid, raw, and puts life being single into well-written words. 

Being single over 20 years, I can't summarize it. It's a million reasons and stories that are all woven together in the fabric of my life. There were countless choices and reasons then as there are now. 

One thing that I can say is, when I look back now, I understand why. 

God. 

Here is a part of one of her posts that caught my attention, because I love the movie, the very funny romantic comedy, The Ugly Truth. Mandy goes into her depth of The Ugly Truth of being single. 

_______________________________________________

Why do I SAY I’m still single?

A pithy, “Because I’m too fabulous to settle.”

A polite, “Because I’m waiting for God to bring me the right man.”

A peppy, “Because there are still things I’m meant to accomplish as a single woman!”

But the truth is…sometimes I think the reason I’m still single is because I’m inherently flawed. Bad. Ugly. Undeserving. Screwed up. Unlovable.

THIS is the underbelly of singleness. The dark side. Where the rubber meets the road. Where the truth comes out and it’s not the slightest bit pretty, or inspirational, or even positive.

It is, in fact, very ugly.

I’ve dressed it up in pretty pink girl power with a silver lining ... use positivity as a defense mechanism with some cheesy quote or self-help speech ... but neither should we walk around like Tigger all the time springing into action when we feel like sighing.

_________________________________________________

There is the good, the bad, and the ugly truth whether you are single or married. Each of our journeys are different.

Look at social media, there are so many that seem to use snapshots of the positive to gloss over their life. I like Mandy's honesty. The good, the encouraging, but she also shares when she isn't feeling all the feels, that's when it gets real.

It's made me reflect and ask myself if I do the same. I believe I do. Throughout my blog there are seasons of joy, seasons of heartbreak and just real life in between.

If Mandy only shared the positives, it would feel superficial, and quite honestly, superficial is the new normal. Superficial is only true and real until examined more closely, that's annoying and honestly transparent.

She doesn't. She writes straight from the heart and it's almost as if you're sitting down having a conversation with her over a cup of coffee.

I love having a new favorite author.

"My alone feels so good, 

I'll only have you if you're sweeter than my solitude."

- The Single Woman

Theory of Grandma Gift Giving

I have #1 - a plausible and scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena. #2 - A belief proposed or followed as the basis of action. #3 - An idea or hypothetical set of facts, principles or circumstances. [- Merriam-Webster] 

I have a theory of grandma gift giving. 

My preferred method is to give some gifts before Christmas day. 

Little ones get so many gifts in the thrill and excitement of Christmas morning, as one package after another are torn open, they are ready to tear into another. This is absolutely what Christmas mornings memories are made of when you're little and I have a pretty exciting gift for her Christmas day, too.

Preferring to stretch the excitement out and loving that gasp of excitement and sparkle in Sofia's eyes when I say, "I have a surprise!" Giving her time to really enjoy a random gift and why wait till Christmas, I found something I think will make her eyes sparkle in joy, and I don't want to wait to give it to her.

Presentation enhances the moment with a Frozen gift bag (her new favorite thing), and a yummy cookie. I'm excited to see my babies this morning before I go into work. 

This grandma doesn't simply stop by, I arrive.

A Thrill of Hope

Christmas isn't about gifts and vacation and travel aren't just about the shops and shows. 

It's with a thrill of hope when luggage is packed with the promise of adventure ...

... it's the journey, the laughs, the smiles and the whole experience.

We couldn't wait to get into the mountains. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and those winding roads with magnificent mountains on each side, that's where I wanted to be.

Beauty surrounded us. 

Lighthearted and relaxed, my daughter pointed for me to look at the ash on top of the mountains. I laughed and told her that was snow, snow-capped mountains. We laughed, but to give her credit, it did look like a dusting of ash.

Driving through tunnels in the mountains, we played the game we always do, and we held our breath. The goal is to make it through the tunnel without breathing. 

Enjoying the countryside, the crystal clear waters of the rocky rivers that ran along side the mountains, seeing different homes, lifestyles and cultures. Just talking, laughing, and sharing.

The gasp of seeing something breathtaking and beautiful, the laughter of the ridiculous, the smile of this Momma when my little girl said she was sleepy and asked if I was okay driving while she sleeps.

This Momma is always okay, sleep well. This Momma also enjoys the quiet and am perfectly happy and content driving and taking in the views in the quiet of a vehicle surrounded by mountains and sunshine.

Driving home we planned to leave a bit early on Wednesday due to the high volume of traffic the day before Thanksgiving. I wanted to be through the winding mountains, before traffic and before it got dark. We successfully made it home with no traffic delays in 8 hours with 2 stops. 

Sunny & 73 degrees in West Virginia, it felt incredible to crack the windows for fresh air and the sun was hot on my skin. 

A thrill of hope for the trip, happy to get home to her babies, it wasn't about the shows and stores, "Maybe travel, ... perhaps ... means a little bit more!'"