Gateway To American - Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island

Hello hello blog readers!

As I mentioned yesterday we spent our day yesterday on Staten Island at Fort Wadsworth checking out some American history! Truthfully there isn't a ton to do in New Jersey and we lived in New York before so when it comes to new things we are a little limited. We didn't feel like going into the city this weekend.. the subway is much less appealing when its hot as hell out and you know because its a weekend its going to be PACKED, and we just had nothing we cared to do in Manhattan so we decided to actually get in the truck and go somewhere!

Jason had looked up Fort Wadsworth a couple of weeks ago and although we didn't plan to go this weekend we thought on Sunday it might be a good day for it. I am a history buff and love that kind of stuff, and Jason is a true American and loves to do anything that shows American pride so we got in the truck and headed out early yesterday morning. Let me warn you all, if you are heading there from New Jersey know that you will go through multiple tolls and one of them will cost you $13.00.. I kid you not! Jason almost died!!

Anyways it was a gorgeous day to get out and tour around, I will give you as much information as I can and of course share pictures but if you are interested in reading about it for yourself I highly recommend you click HERE.

Gateway National Recreation Area embraces an area known for over a century as the "Gateway to America". Covering over 26,000 acres, the park extends from Sandy Hook, New Jersey along the South side of Staten Island to Jamaica Bay and Breezy Point in New York. Part of our touring around included Breezy Point, we walked along the beach as well as the boardwalk, but I will get to that in awhile.

Congress designated Gateway National Recreation Area in 1972 as one of the first urban parks in the National Park System.

The United States defended its shores for centuries with a complex system of fortifications. One heavily defended area was New York City, the nations center for business and finance. The harbor defense system started in lower Manhattan and eventually extended to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Prinipally active during wartime, New York's harbor system defended the region until the late 1900's. 

Staten Island's Fort Wadsworth - Guardian of the Narrows - guarded the entrance to New York's Harbor for over 200 years. Because of the strategic location, Fort Wadsworth continually evolved as new technology became available. From Battery Weed, the Civil War-era gun battery, to modern anti-ship batteries that services through World War II, Forth Wadsworth presented a formidable defense. Today when you visit you can see the harbor from the highest point in the city. 

 This area was really neat, although you can't see on both sides of the buildings there are secret windows where men stood on defense to intruders. 

Although you probably cant make out the words on this display you can see the picture which gives you an idea. 

This home was part of the military base, for the most part it is completely intact as it was. You cannot enter this home but you can look around. Sadly right on the front step was a dead bird that ran into the window. What are the odds? I believe that is bad luck isn't it?

The fort is right on the ocean and the views were beautiful!

There is a ton to do and see in the area! However as the day progressed and the temperature got hotter Jason was less inclined to run around and climb the hills in the heat, so there were parts that we just drove around and explored rather then got out and scoured on foot. However I will give you some information on the surrounding areas just for your knowledge. 

** NOTE: All information provided here comes from the National Park Service, U.S Department of the Interior. It was provided in a pamphlet I received at Fort Wadsworth.**

In the area you can also visit:

Fort Hancock: Sandy Hook Peninsula has long served as a site of military importance and innovative technological developments. In 1874 the U.S Army established the nation's first weapons proving ground here, and in 1895 built Fort Hancock as the outermost defense point in New York City. Over the years the defense included concrete gun batteries, anti-aircraft positions, and advanced Nike missiles. You can explore this 1800's military post, one of the best preserved in the Northeast. 

Floyd Bennett Field: Boasting its strong concrete runways and modern facilities, Floyd Bennett Field opened as New York City's first municipal airport in 1931. In the 1930's the airfield became legendary for its record-breaking flights by aviators like Wiley Post, Howard Hughes, and Jacqueline Cochran, the first female pilot to break the sound barrier. Ownership of the field passed to the U.S Navy in 1942; it was the busiest military airport in the United States during World War II.

Jacob Riis Park: In 1936 Robert Moses, the influential New York City Parks commissioner and politician, designed Jacob Riis Park with an innovative eye for public space. The city developed the site in 1912 as a public beach, but Moses put forward plans that remodeled the bathhouse and introduced landscaped walkways, boardwalks, and courtyards. The parks name is a salute to Jacob Riis, the prominent social commentator and photographer. 

Sandy Hook: New York City merchants, wanting to guide cargo safely through the harbor to Manhattan, financed the building of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. First lighted on June 11, 1764, the Sandy Hook Light is the oldest lighthouse in the nation, and it is still an active aid to navigation. The lighthouse originally stood at the end of the peninsula, but centuries of shifting currents have driven sand northward. Today the lighthouse is over a mile from the tip of the peninsula. 

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After touring around we couldn't help but make our way to the beach.. how could we not? I was really interested to see what the beach would be like down there because let me tell you, you couldn't pay me to stick my foot in the Hudson River outside of our apartment. 

Ha! Not only did I take a picture but I INSISTED we park here.. I felt like it was probably safe! 

The fact that there were a ton of people fishing and therefore big hooks swimming around in the water, I had decided then and there I probably wouldn't want to get in. 

I know it looks nice but the water was pretty dirty, not to mention this is the passage way for trash barges. 

As well, behind us the beach was COVERED in trash. I felt no need to take pictures of that but I wouldn't lay out on the beach either. 

Where the boardwalk was happened to be a little nicer and believe it or not from this picture packed full of pictures. There is a reason they call it Breezy Point as well.. it was windy as hell. 

We walked down the boardwalk and decided to get some Italian ice. Jason absolutely LOVES Italian ice and I am not really a huge fan but decided to give this stuff a whirl and let me tell you... Pina Colada with coconut flakes is TO DIE FOR! 

So that was our day on Staten Island, I really enjoyed touring around and just seeing something different for the day! I think I would say at this point it was worth the $13.00 toll but I'm not sure Jason would agree. We got back later in the afternoon and spent two hours at the pool before making dinner. We went with an easy dinner as we are preparing to leaving this Thursday morning for home and therefore we are trying to be strategic about leftovers and what not. 

I got in bed last night at a decent time, as you remember from my blog and had no intentions on getting out. Jason got in bed not long after me and all the sudden all we heard were these crazy loud bangs coming from outside... stay tuned to find out what it was...

Cheat Post

So I came around yesterday and said that I was going to blog everyday this week.. including today. This is when I thought I would most likely sit around the apartment most of the day today and maybe lay around the pool, that did not happen.

Last night I blogged and right after Jason said, lets go for a walk. So about 8:45pm we headed out the door. I wish I would have taken my camera (which I finally found the charger to today, and it was in the truck this whole time!!) because it was a fantastic night. I thought I would tell you all about that today until Jason came in this morning from the gym and asked if we were going to Fort Wadsworth? We had talked about it but never mentioned going this weekend so I was shocked but jumped up to get ready and head out the door.

I'm not going to lie the battery is going to die on the laptop so I am going to give you some crappy iPhone pictures from last night.. They are so grainy I cant even handle it but I still think they are worth seeing and I promise to take my actual camera out the next time we go for a walk at night. I know I could fine the charger but I am in bed and don't want to get up and go and get it.. and I really feel like I need to go to sleep. Having said that I can wait to chronicle our day today on the blog for you tomorrow!!

Let the record show.. I showed up here today and let these pictures be proof!

See... terribly grainy but kinda worth seeing!

We had some company on our walk last night.. this couple in front of us were getting so close and I wanted to warn that lady getting bit by a goose hurts!

iPhone pictures suck. Those babies grew so fast!

This is what I wanted you all to see the other night! The Empire State building looks so good lit up!

The Colgate Clock.. Pinterest says its the largest clock in the world! See HERE.

This is a really crappy picture but if you look out in the middle you can see Lady Liberty with her flame lit bright! Somehow we have better views living in New Jersey then we did in New York!

So I cheated basically, this isn't really the post I promised and the pictures are HORRID but I will make up for it tomorrow. I would like to just say that I made the effort to get here and that has to count for something. 

I will leave you with this.. the other day I was reading Lil Blue Boo blog, she and her family have recently relocated to the smokey mountains in North Carolina and she mentioned this quote she found in a magazine originally from 1919 republished in Smokies Life Magazine recently:

First I came here for health's sake and peace of mind. The grand old hills and forests gave me both. I return to them a fond affection. 

Then I got liking the people. They are plain, honest, brave and independent folk. They are pure Americans, with true American ideals. They are hospitable, with genuine good will, and not for the sake of gain. They judge a man from his own deeds and bearing; not from his pocket book or family tree. 

Towns are few and small.Outside of them people are quaintly old fashion, with ideas of their own, not borrowed ones. They are original these mountaineers; nearly everyone is a character. 

- Horace Kephart, published in All Outdoors Magazine. October 1919

It just struck me as the kind of people you would meet and love in North Carolina.. the kind of quaint towns you find there.. and you know I never pass up an opportunity to talk about home!

Hope you all had a great weekend.. I definitely did!

Unplugged? (Because I was at Carlos Bake Shop)

Ha! I know what you're thinking.. I took that unplugging thing pretty seriously right? I haven't been around in about a week! I honestly thought about getting here and I spent more time at home then usual but I just really had nothing to say.

In my defense I will say it seems to be a thing around the blogging community, now that summer has arrived everyone seems to blog a little less and enjoy the weather a little more.. and really who can blame us? Everyone is always so excited for summer and although I seem to have been having summer before I went to Peru I am still very much enjoying the weather.

Anyways I thought I would come by and say first, I have challenged myself to blog everyday this week.. which I will stick to until probably about Thursday when we go home and wont have wifi! Jason will work on Wednesday and then come home and we will have a light dinner and go to bed because we plan to get up and be out the door by 2am so we can be home no later then 10am! I can't even tell you how excited I am to be going home, there are no words. Having said that when I talk about having to leave I cry already. This week my home sickness was probably the worst it has ever been, ever! Thursday morning I sat on the couch sobbing just wishing I could go home, I don't know how to shake it. I don't really like it here, I miss home and everything there.. I have good days but its always there.. I have to somehow get over it.

Moving on.. I will try and blog while we are home when I get a chance. We are heading back here Monday afternoon and will be back sometime Monday night depending on traffic and what time we leave, we haven'd made all those plans just yet.

Last weekend we went out with Josh and Tanya and a few other guys Jason works with! We met Josh and Tanya for a late lunch in Hoboken at the Wicked Wolf and then decided to go for another drink somewhere else, that turned into walking home at 3am and Jason spending the whole next day in bed! I cant even tell you the last time we went out drinking and dancing.. Alaska maybe? We just never do it, it was really nice for a change to get out and let loose!

So I thought I would stop by and drop some photos and fill you guys in! Like I said it is my intention to blog at least until Thursday this week and we will see what happens from there! I know I need to work on being around more, I guess I just go in spurts and sometimes have stuff to say and sometimes I don't.

Clear sky's were hard to come by this week so I made sure to document it. 

This is a cute little entrance way where the NY water taxi docks at the Hoboken train station. Its been closed since we got here, not sure what that's all about. 

Before meeting Josh & Tanya for lunch last weekend we walked all along the boardwalk in Hoboken. We live up by the Freedom Tower and as you walk towards Hoboken you get closer to the Empire State Building and such, as seen above. 

After leaving lunch we ended up at the Scotland Yard in Hoboken where Jason and Josh played some darts. 

No caption needed. 

Tanya and I at Bahama Mama I believe.. 

Last Sunday I was feeling absolutely FINE so I decided to make myself a little pizza for dinner.. my hubby was still in bed at this point for the activities the night before. 

My parents sent a parcel and we got it this week, inside was a really nice card from my Momma!

I pushed myself at the gym at the beginning of the week and paid for it for the rest of the week. I have bad hips and sometimes I can go forever and be fine and sometimes I have a lot of trouble, this week wasn't a good week. I woke up Wednesday I believe and literally couldn't move. I was in so much pain, both hips and my back that I could barely move. Not to mention every time I bent over my left hip would pop right out of place. A few days of constant use of the heating pad, tons of advil and no gym time I am just a little sore but on the mend. #oldbeforemytime

Jason had a rough day at work I guess! He came home, put his gym clothes on and said he was going to lay down for a minute... two minutes later he was snoring!

CAKE BOSS! I really didn't spend all week here! Friday night Jason and I met up with Josh and Tanya and walked into Hoboken to check out Carlos Bake Shop! Jason has been dying to try their cannolis and every time we have been down there we either missed it time wise or there was a huge line. Friday night we planned to go down there and go figure there was a great big line! Either way we stood in line and finally got in. 

Check out that cannoli cake!

The place was super busy!

As you are entering the store the gentlemen at the door hand you a ticket with a number on it, when your number is called you find the person calling your number and give them your order. Jason and I got 4 cannolis (Jason) a white chocolate covered strawberry, a chocolate peanut butter cupcake, a caramel cupcake and a chocolate brownie. On the way out of there Jason was already digging into the cannoli box and inhaled on before we were even down the street! We then both ate our cupcakes on the walk home. I got the caramel one and really enjoyed it! I am a huge fan of light whipped frosting where as Jason was not so he was a little less impressed but they were truly fantastic. Having said that, as much as I am not much of a chocolate fan.. we shared the brownie tonight and it was AMAZING! Because of my waistline though I don't seem myself going back anytime soon.. but I like knowing its there. 

The walk home was gorgeous, must love a good sunset!

I also noticed while walking home that these glass pieces that separate the Hoboken train station from the board walk are etched with pictures... they are pretty amazing!

The sunset only got better as the night went on. On the way to Carlos Tanya realized she had left the roast in the crockpot on high and feared it would be dust, so on the way home the guys went to get seats at a local place and watch some of the Red Sox, Yankees came and we went to make sure the apartment didn't burn down before meeting them. We had a drink and watched some of the game before heading home. 

I wish I had my camera because everything was lit up so beautifully on the way home. I couldn't even get a half decent picture of the Empire State building that I could see so clearly and was GORGEOUS! It was all lit up with the colors of the pride flag for pride weekend and it was amazing! I need to carry my camera once in awhile! 

So I think that catches us up. We really didn't do much today.. we were kind of lazy but I guess a day like that every once in awhile never hurts. We just finished dinner and are thinking about heading for a walk when it gets darker. I was telling Jason that the Colgate clock that is just a ways down from us on the boardwalk (I believe I have posted a picture of it from the day Tanya and I went out for a walk) is actually the largest clock in the world and is all lit up at night, so we thought we would go check it out and walk off this brownie! 

Right now we are watching the Red Sox vs the Yankees on TV and just hanging out.. a nice little Saturday night if I do say so myself! We don't have much planned for this weekend so I plan to be around tomorrow as well with something.. I have a notebook strictly dedicated to blog ideas and what not and I think its time I put it to good use! 

I hope you all had a great weekend and are enjoying your weekend! (Especially those of you who are celebrating Canada Day!) 

The Importance of Unplugging

Happy Thursday!!

This week is almost over.. HECK YA! I feel like that about most weeks I'm not going to lie.. I know.. blah blah stop wishing your life away. I cant, I want to go home! Having said Happy Thursday though it is raining.. but looking on the bright side of things Tanya and I visited Victoria's Secrets semi annual sale and a bra that would usually cost me $60+ cost me $19.00... I call that WINNING!

I am trying to be better about blogging so I figured I would stop in today and chat away about how important I think it is to put your phone down every once in awhile and unplug! I know you are all gasping at the thought of it but let me explain.

Jason often says that I am addicted to social media because he thinks I spend a lot of time on my phone, I however STRONGLY disagree! First of all I would say I am anything but addicted so social media considering I don't really have much of it. I have never had twitter and honestly never will.. its just not an interest of mine. I got rid of Facebook before New Years and I could not be happier with my decision, it was all drama and crap and in the end I hated it more then I wanted to go on and check things out.. gone! I don't have Keek, Snapchat, or any of those other social message, picture things. Honestly those are the only two I even know about. I have Pinterest, Instagram and this here blog. Social Media obsessed? I think not!

Truth is I am more addicted to my phone then anything else, my email is on there, all my contacts, being away from everyone all the time its my basic means of communication with anyone and everyone. I play games, check everything that relates to the house (a little obsessively) and can read books. A good portion of my life is on that pretty little piece of technology and that's why I may tend to have it in my hand, a lot.

I think we are all guilty of this to an extent, when you are bored you whip out your phone and check your social media accounts, play a game.. whatever. I blame the iPhone... its got everything we need, or I guess whatever other phone you might have.. and really you people should just give in and get an iPhone.

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I think its habit more than anything else, we rely on having something to amuse us, entertain us and the idea of not having that is scary! So why not challenge ourselves? 

Since Jason has started mentioning that he noticed I was on my phone all the time I decided to try and be aware of it. Jason works a lot and I would hate to think that I squander our time when I have it, more so I would hate to think that he feels like our time together is not important to me.. because it is, more than anything else. So I made myself aware, and I've made changes and I feel like I am all the better for it. 

When Jason and I go out on the weekends I wont look at my phone a million times, really what is so important? At night if we leave the apartment, to go to the grocery store, for a walk.. whatever.. I don't even take my phone, what could I possibly need it for? At night in bed it the hardest time for me to put it away, that's when I most enjoy pinning, or playing a game because there isn't much on TV or Jason is watching something I don't care for. But I limit my time.. I don't charge my phone all day therefore by the time I am ready for bed I have about 10% battery life left and that doesn't go far! When the battery is dead, its dead and although the charger is plugged in right there beside me.. times up! 

Sometimes its really refreshing to just unplug and see the world around you and not through the screen on your phone! When we vacation we tend to turn off our phones and let it be just us and I love nothing more. Once you break the routine it doesn't seem as necessary, as important as the things right here in front of you. 

Try it sometime, put your phone away for the day.. don't sign onto Facebook, ignore twitter and whatever else you tend to do on your phone.. you might just find it refreshing! 

This post really isn't a judgement, if you spend all your time on your phone then do your thing! Be aware of it though, don't make the people around you feel like they are irrelevant or boring because although you are with them you are on your phone. When Jason told me that I was on my phone all the time and didn't pay attention to him (which I assure you is not the case) although I knew he was kidding around I actually felt really bad. Nothing on my phone is important enough to ignore someone in front of me, and being made aware of that was a great thing for me. 

I am now going to make dinner, fold the rest of my laundry and read this fabulous book I am into. Jason and I are going grocery shopping tonight because I absolutely REFUSE to step foot in any store around this freaking place on a weekend because the little patience I have go straight out the window! 

I have super high hopes that the weather here for the next few days wont change anymore because it is now officially looking up! I hope y'all are looking at some hot summer weather for the weekend as well. 

This is How We Both Win!

Hello, Hello!

Summer is officially here in New Jersey and therefore I have been MIA from the blog for a couple of days because naturally I am outside enjoying it! Having said that Monday I took my sunshine life a little too far when Tanya and I spent our day poolside and yesterday I spent my day cooling off! Two days later though I am sporting a nice caramel color and I ain't hatin' it!

Life has not been all that exciting I am not going to lie so I was thinking I need kick my creative juices into high gear because the blog is suffering! I haven't really tried a lot of new products because lets be real, everything is double the price here in this good ol' city! So when I go home I will stock up... and that's where today's post comes in!

Home is a pretty big topic of conversation on the blog and that's what I am looking forward too.. GOING HOME over the 4th of July weekend! HECK YA! So when Cathy (Whispering Soul Photography) emailed me over the weekend and said she was thinking of planning a trip to North Carolina and was looking for suggestions I was anxious to be of some help! Then I figured, I did the leg work why not blog about! Win for you.. the info obviously.. win for me.. I love talking about home!

So shall we?

Obviously I feel like Raleigh is a fantastic place to live but it really isn't all that touristy! In fact I really don't think you are going to find much for souvenirs except for at the airport and maybe Target, which is still limited. I love Raleigh, but if you didn't live there or know people who do you probably wouldn't choose to vacation there. So where in North Carolina would you choose to vacation?

Asheville, North Carolina is AMAZING! Jason and I spent a long weekend there a couple of years ago and it was just fantastic! Real estate there is quite expensive or I could see us having chose to live up there rather than in Raleigh (although I am by no means disappointed). We went up there int he fall and the scenery was absolutely stunning! There is a ton of hiking trails up there, lots of quaint little shops and higher end shopping. The set up is gorgeous, there are places that are small town home and quaint little places where you need to stay in a B&B and go to the hole in the wall for breakfast. There was really nothing I didn't love about our time there.

If you are interested in doing a little looking yourself check out THIS amazing tour Asheville website. A wonderful aspect of this website is that you can also explore what will be available the season you plan to visit!

While in Asheville there is one thing you just cannot miss, the Biltmore Estate! I have heard the best time to be there is around the holidays because they go above and beyond with the decorations. Having said that the fall ain't too shabby either! You can tour the estate, I have seen a ton of pictures of couples who have gotten engaged there, the place is magical!

If you get the chance Google "Asheville, North Carolina Attractions" and you will get a ton of fantastic ideas that are more geared to what you are looking for, some of those may be:

- The Thomas Wolfe House
- North Carolina Arboretum
- Pisgah National Forest
- Botanical Gardens
- Asheville Art Museum
- Folk Art Center
- Carl Sandburg Home, National Historic Site
- Asheville Mall
- Smith-McDowell House

And the list goes on!

Up in Asheboro, North Carolina - Not to be confused with Asheville you have the amazing North Carolina Zoo! Again Jason and I made it out there during the fall and it was FANTASTIC. We make going to the zoo where ever we can a priority if we can make the time, we have been to the Toronto Zoo a million times and its one of our favorite places. The North Carolina Zoo is really spread out and the walk around is so fun and relaxing! The zoo contains animals from two different continents and is spread out over 500 acres, there is over 1,500 animals and 52,000 plants!

If you are leaning towards traveling in the summer, its still a good option to hit up the mountains because as you can imagine the temperatures are a little cooler up there but the summers in the south are still quite warm. If you are thinking a beach vacation I am told Wilmington is the place for you. Sadly Jason and I have not gotten down that way but I have been told by everyone and anyone that Wilmington is the beach to see! The beaches are beautiful and naturally its quite touristy, you can view the official website HERE.

If you are thinking beaches in North Carolina, you may also want to check out:

- Carolina Beach
- Wrightsville Beach
- Kure Beach

I would really recommend if you are down there and that close to visit Charleston, South Carolina as well! You can view our trip details HERE, and I swear you wouldn't regret taking the time!

If you are in North Carolina and a fan of surfing then Nags Head is the place for you to be. We have friends who have been there and I have heard amazing things about the area! It is definitely on our list of place to visit even though I am definitely not a surfer.. having said that I think Jason may want to attempt it again. If you want to do a little more exploring then check it out HERE.

Now recently Jason and I have added a new place to our list of places to see and explore in North Carolina. Although our warranty guy is a big fat dufus he mentioned to Jason recently that he couldn't help us with a few things because he would be at Top Sail Island. We hadn't heard of this place, and like I said although buddy is a dufus Jason decided to Google it, and let me tell you.. no let me show you.. a picture is worth a thousand words.

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Doesn't that scream tropical vacay? I think so!

Now that I have gotten your interest you are probably opening another window so you can Google this fantastic place, let me save you the trouble.. just click HERE. You can enjoy the beach, the pier, museums, aquatic life! I mean look at this...

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Not Hawaii.. I swear!!! You're packing your bags, aren't you?

Check out coastal North Carolina HERE when you get a chance, I honestly don't think you could ever be disappointed in visiting the State anywhere but if you are a beach goer have a look, maybe plan a trip!

Brunswick Island is another place I recommended to Cathy in my email, coastal North Carolina at its finest! In all the coastal North Carolina I have yet to mention the option of Salt Water fishing! I am told by the locals that the time to go out fishing is April, May and I believe September! I have never really given much though to deep sea fishing but I know it is definitely of interest to Jason especially after Halibut fishing in Alaska, I truly had no idea you could catch Tuna down in North Carolina though. There is a thousand charters, but I bet you could make friends with a local too.. that southern charm and hospitality.. oh how I miss it! 

Now where ever you go in North Carolina there are a few things you should know:

- Eat LOTS of BBQ! 

- Don't go to the Waffle House, its crap! (Sorry Fiona!)

- Have Mexican, its too die for!

- Eat fresh seafood by the coast. 

- Eat biscuits and gravy, in the smallest little hole in the wall place you can find and everywhere else!

- Eat the fruit, its soo good! 

- Tomatoes there are too die for!

- Visit a local farmers market!

- Drink sweet tea, but if anyone offers you a Southern Sipper.. RUN!

- The alcohol is cheap, enjoy it. 

- If you see a Cracker Barrel, GO! Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.. its incredible!

Take it all in, we have been around and it is one of my favorite places in the whole world. Relax there, smell the fresh air, have a drink and just be.. because for me there is no where else better in the world to do it. I promise a vacation there will be money well spent!

So thank you Cathy for getting the ball rolling on what should have made an appearance on the blog a long time ago, and thank you all you other bloggers for being just as tardy as myself around your blogs because its summer and we need to enjoy it, and mostly thank you to all of you who are still stopping in because you know even if I am gone for a few days I will be back! 

I have been out of contact in most ways truth be told, I'm just finding my way here and really trying to get in a good place with it. I am trying not to go over my cell phone minutes or data so Jason wont kill me (last month.. eek!) and mostly I feel like those moments where I can just be are what I need right now. I'm not sleeping well at night and nothing seems to be helping that and I try to keep busy during the day (which leaves me with no wifi most often) in hopes of the days going by faster and maybe getting a decent nights sleep. Jason gets home early and has weekends off which I love, more of him in my life (because he usually works a TON) is always a good thing! So if I owe you a phone call, an email or something.. bare with me! Maybe force the issue a little, I swear you are important and I haven't forgotten about you! 

Something worth blogging about it bound to happen, especially if it doesn't rain this week like they are calling for. I will keep you posted.. right now its looking like wings and beers for us, and in my books that is nothing to complain about!