The 10 days leading up to the day I learned to enjoy life.

The last day I let the world put me down. I was attending Taft High located in Woodland Hills, Ca.  I wasn’t the coolest...

Back in Los Angeles

So I just got back from a month in a week road trip!  It’s was quite an adventure, to say the least.  In that...

Things to do in RedWood National Forest & Humboldt County

Hi everyone, so on my last post I barely included any information on cool things to do in Redwood National Forest, after a bit...

1 Weekend in Redwood National Forest

First off very sorry to anyone that cares, but staying consistent with blogging is actually a ton more work than I expected.  Having zero...

Weekend 1 in San Francisco

Hippies, where’d you go!?! I think it’s safe to say that the hippies of the 60s have made their way out of SF, they’re...

When a Solo Trip starts off with a few best friends

Let’s Begin: Today July 28, 2022, marks the first day of my road trip across the West/Mid-West of the United States.  I’m stoked, haven’t...

Coastal Regions of Southern Thailand

Many tourists who visit Southern Thailand never venture beyond the resort town they visit. Many Thai beaches are outstanding, and well worth the visit....

Mae Hong Son Loop

During the week of Loi Krathong, we continued on from Mae La Noi to complete the Mae Hong Son Loop through the mountains to...

Loi Krathong: A trip to the mountains

Last Friday, we took a trip to the mountains west and north of Chiang Mai bordering on Myanmar (Burma). We were graciously invited to...

Trip to Phayao, Chiang Kham, and Chiang Rai

Last week we made a trip east and north to the Golden Triangle area of Thailand, staying in the cities of Phayao, Chiang Kham,...

How to get a good night’s sleep in Thailand

Who knew that one of the major problems we would have on arriving to live in Thailand would be finding a comfortable bed to...

Key to Relaxation

Last week, we turned in or gave away almost all of our keys. I turned in the key to the office where I worked...

Florida Wrap Up

Our three weeks in Florida came to an end Tuesday morning, and I was much sadder to leave than I thought I would be....

Handling the bittersweet emotions of moving

My parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this month. Congratulations, Mom and Dad! My sisters and I held a fabulous party at their favorite winery. Friends...

The intensity of CELTA

By now, you may have heard that I passed my CELTA course (Certification in English Language Teaching to Adults) with flying colors, and I...

Phnom Penh wrap up

Phnom Penh is a fascinating, yet intense place. It is hot, humid, and heavily populated. Buildings are being constructed at a mad pace, and...

5 Ways to Enjoy the Magic of Myanmar

At the end of January, we traveled to Myanmar (Burma) for a week-long exploration of Mandalay and Bagan. The country recently went through a major,...

Three Days Temple-Touring in Beautiful, Bold Bagan

The sun warming our shoulders, hair blowing in the wind, we criss-crossed desert sands by scooter, dodging goats and cattle on dusty tracks with...

PARADISE IN THE TREES

I’ve emailed Google and asked them to change the definition of paradise. Hopefully, in a few days when you type in define: paradise, it...

BEACHES OF CARTAGENA

From the mountains to the forests and now to the beaches. Welcome to Cartagena! This historical city is filled with colourful Spanish colonial houses...

AIR CHINA AND A LAYOVER: WHAT TO EXPECT.

Hello all! Thailand’s been a blast so far! We are just about one week into our 3-week trip and I’ve been crazy busy with...

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN OIL-FREE MARINARA

Marinara is a staple in our kitchen. We eat it every single day with pasta, rice, or potatoes. It’s that good! Instead of buying...

9 Signs Mama Needs A Career Webover

If you want to create a happier, calmer, and more flexible life, start with your JOB. Your job may not be the source of...

How to Make Time to Make Money for Stay at Home Moms

Let me just go out on a limb and guess that you’re a mom—at the very least a parent—who wants to make a little...

I’m Not Your Ideal Employee — Family Comes First

I nearly knocked myself unconscious—running into a figurative brick wall trying to land a job—until I finally realized I’m not your ideal employee. I...

Handle Your Scandal: Having A Financial Plan May Save Your Marriage

This is not a finance blog, but I spend a lot of time talking about marriage, family, and home life. The June/July 2022 Ameriprise study...

The Best Way to Get Consistent Personal Time

With two kids under three, an expat lifestyle, no family or friends nearby, and a husband that travels at least once a month for...

My Secret Weapon to Postpartum Weight Loss

Postpartum weight loss is no laughing matter. Plus, I’m an unusual case. After I had my first baby, I was lucky enough to lose...

The One Mama Rule I Didn’t Know I Needed

For stay-at-home moms, there are two camps—those who thrive and those who survive. Learn the one mama rule no one tells you. It will...

Improve Your life. Improve Your Marriage.

“Improve your life. Improve your marriage.” This is totally my mantra. It may sound a bit wonky but as women, some of us have this...

Get Your Move On

We moved a week ago Friday to a quaint little town in Northeast Georgia about 15 minutes from the University of Georgia, home of...

Along Came a Spider

My youngest daughter left for college seven weeks ago.  Though I have not seen her, I have kept in constant contact with her via...

Say Hello to My Friends

Happy Saturday!  Today, I want to share two of my friends and blogging buddies with you; one you’ve met here on my blog and...

Good Help IS So Hard to Find

Today’s post is a revamp of a post I wrote in March 2010.  Hope you enjoy and, if you do, feel free to share...

Rafts, Prom Dresses and Belly Dancing

It was a gorgeous weekend in Atlanta.  The temperature on Saturday hovered around 70 degrees Fahrenheit with a breathtaking blue sky.  Not wanting to...

Odds and Ends

I would love to tell you my days are spent beachside being served frozen cocktails by a toned and tanned cabana boy who looks...

The Best Parenting Advice I’ve Ever Received

On Tuesday I shared facts about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and that I am the parent of a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. ...

It’s Not Just for Pets Anymore

I worry about my husband.  He is handsome, smart, articulate, creative,  a great father and husband, yet I worry.  Given the qualities he possesses...

No Boys Allowed!!

Long before I became a parent, I dreamed of becoming a parent.  It was one of my heart’s fondest desires.  I always imagined myself...

Birthday Challenge

My 49th birthday is in three days, which means (big gulp) my 50th birthday is in 368 days.  This is not something I have been looking...

Have you met my daughter?

I don’t know why or how it happened, but I recently realized that I have become one of “those” moms who scopes out and chats up...

Forever Family

Yesterday was the 4th of July…our nation’s birthday.  Like many others across the USA, my family and I celebrated the day together enjoying fun in the...

Lost Boys (and Girls)

I was saddened, but not surprised when I read this morning that former teen idol Corey Haim had died at the age of 38...

Nature Walk

During the winter, I tend to hibernate.  I stay indoors, my body temperature feels like it’s just above freezing and my metabolism rate definitely...

Don’t Make Me Go All Donald Trump on You!

Today I had to have a stern talk with an employee regarding her appearance and attitude.  Basically, the conversation was one-sided and the gist...

Lookin’ all Halle Berry-ish and thangs

Christmas morning I opened a gift from my daughter, who is a hair stylist.  Inside was a box containing shampoo and conditioner.  Under normal...

Curling…really?

The only athletic ability I possess (if you can call it that) is walking.  I am not talking about power walking or hiking, just...

An Unexpected Blessing

My 13-year old son decided to try out for track this year and needed medical clearance to participate.  When he was an infant, I...

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Sometimes the decision to end a relationship with your cell phone provider can be a lot like ending a relationship with a boyfriend.   My daughter...

How May I Direct Your Call?

It is a trying time being the mother of a tween and teen boy, having to constantly resolve the conflicts and competition that arise...

Busted!

Our home was raided and is now patrolled by the Environmental Police or, as we like to call him, the E.P (aka Nicholas).  Nicholas joined his...

Don’t Blink

“Don’t blink/you just might miss your babies growing like mine did..” – Don’t Blink by Kenny Chesney At dinner this evening, I was listening...

Friendship and A Movie

My friend, Anita, and I made plans to meet for lunch.  Earlier in the week, I received a Facebook message from her asking if I wanted...

Me and My Mantra

I decided to try meditation as I’ve read it is beneficial to your physical, emotional and spiritual health.  So, since I’m always tired (physical),...

Who You Calling A Cootie Queen

For the most part, I hate television commercials. I hate how there are so many of them in a row. I hate how they...

Bacon is good for me!

“I gotta tell ya something, bacon is good for me”. With these words, I fell in love with a little boy from the reality...