Life is full these days.
Things happening in my world:
- Holiday weekend! I just like saying ‘holiday’. Last night when I got home from work, I made myself an amaretto sour just because. I’m saying ‘Happy holiday weekend!’ instead of ‘Happy Fourth of July’ or ‘Happy Independence Day’, because hi, my husband is British.
- My nephew graduated high school last weekend. I still can’t believe it. I’m sure my sister is more in denial than I am.
- Next weekend is my family’s annual Lobster Party! And it’s at my parents’ new home! I’m sure Andy and I can squeeze in a visit to the beach while we’re on Long Island, too.
- Remember when I talked about everything I appreciated about my town? We’ve lived in Kingston for two years now and it’s another summer of change for us: we’re seriously looking at apartments up in the small city of Hudson, forty-five minutes north and on the other side of the Hudson River. (I’m so ready mentally! Keep your fingers crossed for us!)
- I’ve hinted at an upcoming trip lately. Here’s the terrible news: I’m going to Cancun, Mexico for TBEX North America in September! I consider travel a part of maintaining my mental health- last year, I went away to San Francisco for a few days, and when I saw the early-bird price for this conference in the spring, I decided to jump on it. A few weeks ago, I bought my plane ticket using Airfare Watchdog and Orbitz (I’m paying for the low cost with multiple layovers…oh boy) and I highly recommend both sites if you’re planning a trip any time soon! Enough nitty-gritty, though– I’m going to Mexico! I can’t believe I’ve never been. Part of me thinks it’s kind of funny that my first trip there will be to a resort-y area, but I am beyond excited to connect with other travel lovers, bloggers, and brands at TBEX.

So this isn’t Mexico, but it is the last time I was in a Spanish-speaking + tropical locale: Costa Rica in early 2010.
So that’s what’s going on. It’s summer, we’re apartment hunting and sorting through all the things we’ve accumulated in two years, and it’s a holiday weekend.
How about a nice Friday Gratitude Friday list?!
1. Making things happen for myself. We create our own realities and our own happiness. If you’re ready for a change, change something up! If you’re experiencing wanderlust, plan a trip! It could be a day trip, or a travel conference in Mexico, either way you’re probably going to be re-inspired.
2. Hang-out time with the wifey/best friend this week, and more today!
3. A deliciously cold pool! My four-year-old charge started swimming lessons this week in Woodstock, and we hung out in the pool afterward two days in a row (which just so happened to be the two most hot & humid days of the year). So nice!
4. It’s berry and stone fruit season. I have plums, strawberries, and blueberries in the fridge and the wild raspberries on our street will be ready to pick soon. Yessssss.
5. My commitment to regular exercise. I’m feeling good in my body, this only-body-I’m-ever-gonna-get and I’m so grateful for everything I ask my legs and arms and hands and feet to do.
To finish things off, here’s a nice happy shot that Andy took when we rode the Brooklyn Water Taxi two weekends ago. That’s me, with the Williamsburg Bridge behind us:
What are you grateful for today? Looking forward to hearing what’s good for everyone lately!
*
Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the blue sky, is by no means waste of time. –John Lubbock
Inspiring post! We have much to be grateful for….I am thankful every day! Awesome pics!
Thanks, Carolann! I love doing these posts- figured it was time to bring it back!
Love your list! Today I’m grateful for a long weekend with Hun, searching for our next dwelling, and the adventure we have planned for the weekend! 🙂
Life Breath Present recently posted…Gym Update #10
Love yours, too- I said ‘yes!’ to myself as I read each one. We’re quite similar at the moment!
What a wonderful post!
I have never been to Mexico but I heard it is great.
Today we are thankful that my husband had a job interview and got a few other leads for positions.
Also the first baby since my husband is being born today on his side of the family.
So much happiness!
Happy holiday weekend.
Hata
Hata Trbonja recently posted…Happy 4th of July Via The French!
Thanks, Hata! Those certainly are things to be grateful for! New babies are such a joy.
Call me selfish but Hudson is even closer to here! 90 minutes or so. Hope it works!
I love the Williamsburg Bridge shot. And the lobster party desserts! yum!
TBEX sounds absolutely perfect for you.
Tamara recently posted…The More Kisses & Illegal Fireworks, The Better.
Yes, it is closer! We are calling places and going up tomorrow to investigate some more. Exciting, strange time! Finding our place here in Kingston was so quick and easy; Hudson is a whole different ballgame.
I can’t wait for TBEX!
On the rare occasion that I do drink an amaretto sour is what I reach for. And I love Mexico! My husband is afraid for me to go anymore but I think he’s being silly. He’s never be so he doesn’t know.
I can’t get enough of the berries and fruit either!
I’m pretty sure amaretto sours were my ‘first’ cocktail, introduced to me by my sister! So, so good.
It’s a shame how a lot of people are misinformed about Mexico and completely write off the whole country as a travel destination. There are plenty of safe places. I’d love to explore more of it, but with the conference I’ll be sticking mostly to the resort were it’s being held. It’ll be a nice glimpse, though!
Lobster Party! Gosh, I want to make that happen here in my place too! HAHA. And I love that you’re going to Mexico. It’s kind of interesting to me that Mexico and Philippines are using the same currency – although slight differently amounts.
Hoping for your smooth apartment hunting! 🙂
Rea recently posted…The Art Of Motherhood
The LP has been going on since my dad came back from Vietnam 1969- longest family tradition ever!
Thanks, Rea 🙂
Ohhh I do love a good lobster party!! Glad you had a great holiday weekend.
Thanks, Kate! We are in the midst of so much food prep right now!
Hudson is a great town, as I’m sure you know. Stop into Cafe Le Perch. My sister’s friend Jen is the manager. They have amazing bread.
My friend and I have that cafe on our list for places to try next! Awesome recommendation, thanks Nancy 🙂