tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22417199125126995412024-03-05T10:42:50.511-08:00ChoicesDinner was great here on Mykonos.Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-35530638931387706072011-09-17T18:06:00.000-07:002011-09-17T18:17:32.516-07:002011 3/4 of the way done!It's been a while since I've posted.<br />I returned from my Italian Adventure in October and spent last winter catching up with friends and family. Having spent two years so focused on school had left little time for the other important areas of my life.<br />Loved coming home to having Heather's family living here. Even if we were a bit crowded in the house for a couple of months, it was really great having the kids here.<br /><br />I spent my vacation this year in Hawaii on Kaui. I'd never been to that island and loved the peaceful serenity of it. Both of my sisters couldn't make it as we had planned, so I ventured into the unknown on my own (I should get some kind of cool adventure nickname- Indiana Grandma~~ no, not that, but something cool). I loved the people the water and even the roosters roaming freely about the island. <br /><br />I was also accepted to Pepperdine University in California. I will be receiving my Master's in Organizational Development from one of the schools that pioneered the field. Classes have started and I am really looking forward to the learning. There are three international practicums where we will be able to apply what we are learning. Costa Rica, China and France; can't wait to explore some more of this glorious world and the people in it.<br />Well, those are the highlights. I'll get back in the swing of posting again. Cheers and have an amazing day!Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-55235720572379189702010-08-13T22:22:00.000-07:002010-08-13T22:31:04.835-07:00Victoria's Villa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfNQd1lFtD8B30pTWCSYfsEMRojVqNkdH3EkDU7vyj4GcqznWb4KxOLMQOd3zHut2Ve8C_3OXaKJGaZGQZF4_49jQRd_aVhQhq6qesFHOWUr9LYzV710C9JCFor8UQPMnsQ-qKaNt0bj3/s1600/The+Villa+9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfNQd1lFtD8B30pTWCSYfsEMRojVqNkdH3EkDU7vyj4GcqznWb4KxOLMQOd3zHut2Ve8C_3OXaKJGaZGQZF4_49jQRd_aVhQhq6qesFHOWUr9LYzV710C9JCFor8UQPMnsQ-qKaNt0bj3/s320/The+Villa+9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505133811476113058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CtJS_vu4GMEcvh7zkKkjRLBL-lnTZi8o6Et88icck1GyuazzqbYT4dnDc06Uh75Y9tTTviEux_1RpOEyczLkJLoroSkT-hCoMwujc3NuKdpxKp7aOeVTUj_C_ZxuVxO-9kmRXmiOolfX/s1600/The+Villa+4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CtJS_vu4GMEcvh7zkKkjRLBL-lnTZi8o6Et88icck1GyuazzqbYT4dnDc06Uh75Y9tTTviEux_1RpOEyczLkJLoroSkT-hCoMwujc3NuKdpxKp7aOeVTUj_C_ZxuVxO-9kmRXmiOolfX/s320/The+Villa+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505133804539035234" /></a><br /><br />The name that my co-workers have renamed Villa Basso to...Victoria's Villa.<br />I love coming home to this place of peace and quiet each night. It sits on a hillside overlooking olive groves and the Adriatic Sea. The town on the hill above is Mt. St. Angelo and is a beautiful little traditional Italian town. Families and friends stroll through the pedestrian streets, arm in arm and just visit and enjoy the evening before heading off to their evening meal. I love the atmosphere and sense of community and family that I experience,,,even as an outsider, I feel welcome and a part of it. I will miss this Villa and the small town that I have come to love.Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-27230614917507043532010-08-13T22:01:00.001-07:002010-08-13T22:37:21.765-07:00Bman is now a married man!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEIMb2E95tzbhyphenhyphen3V10la55GtcN-VCib3VyNySNtqVoFpyfgLUdcvrlSKv3ZDOmXt27N4sBNW2-4xsuD_mg0a_HFV06h2m14KtzxQu8Oa-td2dTX8inBR_OtwSgJlJAp71ixnp2b6C5Ir5/s1600/Bmans+wedding+3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEIMb2E95tzbhyphenhyphen3V10la55GtcN-VCib3VyNySNtqVoFpyfgLUdcvrlSKv3ZDOmXt27N4sBNW2-4xsuD_mg0a_HFV06h2m14KtzxQu8Oa-td2dTX8inBR_OtwSgJlJAp71ixnp2b6C5Ir5/s320/Bmans+wedding+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505126502573963170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9ZatmUSmV3Yu0_NZGyOqkJC-xwCbN1rCt0uJyni8s9HUvJaTklf9vw5HZJc4-Jjp1NoNIYg9iWFysJICbXObqkmSHul76Er06e2_XdFtVmMP-14dxTTTHQs00g7GrcA3V4umuoJV3siz/s1600/Bmans+wedding+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9ZatmUSmV3Yu0_NZGyOqkJC-xwCbN1rCt0uJyni8s9HUvJaTklf9vw5HZJc4-Jjp1NoNIYg9iWFysJICbXObqkmSHul76Er06e2_XdFtVmMP-14dxTTTHQs00g7GrcA3V4umuoJV3siz/s320/Bmans+wedding+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505126496135169490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpUivTNKObwyOTb7N8h1Q4yTOg2UKNX6JHb_KR030cZ7SHw85U6Oq1JyQzuqKuwTaOdIT-mCQVeuBdXIWVqZ4k3RdmBtFnLp4beHr4BFqQUjBeHyjV6M0yeIQCHJRrLNKKv6SCoYxhYdX/s1600/Bmans+wedding+1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpUivTNKObwyOTb7N8h1Q4yTOg2UKNX6JHb_KR030cZ7SHw85U6Oq1JyQzuqKuwTaOdIT-mCQVeuBdXIWVqZ4k3RdmBtFnLp4beHr4BFqQUjBeHyjV6M0yeIQCHJRrLNKKv6SCoYxhYdX/s320/Bmans+wedding+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505126491904301842" /></a><br /><br />I can't believe he's married! Seems like just yesterday I was driving him to school and yelling at him to pick up his room. <br />It was a great family day. Heather and the kids were able to attend and Heather made sure that it was a great day for them by helping with many of the details.<br />Kelly and Brandon are made for each other and I believe will have a very happy marriage. I am so thankful that they have found each other.<br />I did not cry until we did the mother/son dance and he played "Wind beneath my wings." and told me I was his hero....I couldn't quite finish the dance. <br />I love you Bman!! Congratulations!Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-6796394220447284652010-07-11T11:13:00.001-07:002010-07-11T11:35:10.745-07:00Mission Accomplished!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigEXJmXK5Cgr50_Ke4061knqnixOV-0thoSAWzNBlqlJUpHys4mwLfdYasmab47wW3Ur3Mr8ckw0i3OC3AdJCmV9MdUjmsUYwvd-QuyNZoZ9FB2vCVK81o56cKsH3UuDumbSM8cAVUjII/s1600/Italy+and+Graduation+191.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigEXJmXK5Cgr50_Ke4061knqnixOV-0thoSAWzNBlqlJUpHys4mwLfdYasmab47wW3Ur3Mr8ckw0i3OC3AdJCmV9MdUjmsUYwvd-QuyNZoZ9FB2vCVK81o56cKsH3UuDumbSM8cAVUjII/s320/Italy+and+Graduation+191.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492716228788927714" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs_ICJDDCpCYFCcFdzXnirJ28N1tZfSVolGhW92xXvfec9AnLVTqmreEm2Hlrrx0GXD-0rvePN_Tuk_0AD4B5vFPSj1EGwQt668t701pWxNOx5-h9p-mOvsCj4SLHTkkE-CKRMFpozvry/s1600/Italy+and+Graduation+197.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcs_ICJDDCpCYFCcFdzXnirJ28N1tZfSVolGhW92xXvfec9AnLVTqmreEm2Hlrrx0GXD-0rvePN_Tuk_0AD4B5vFPSj1EGwQt668t701pWxNOx5-h9p-mOvsCj4SLHTkkE-CKRMFpozvry/s320/Italy+and+Graduation+197.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492716219439139602" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu1jogr8EZzhzsXJXPLYx8VaTQcDEAYnFejnZDQfn-MlFbLKck0QYZYkm6q1tVDTZr4Td2qvMreRMw7hyjlsmRAKDPPXp2CpMfo93j2vBsmUFnPtgi2_bj5QU9YUKts8_vBNMZLEYb9uk/s1600/Italy+and+Graduation+188.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu1jogr8EZzhzsXJXPLYx8VaTQcDEAYnFejnZDQfn-MlFbLKck0QYZYkm6q1tVDTZr4Td2qvMreRMw7hyjlsmRAKDPPXp2CpMfo93j2vBsmUFnPtgi2_bj5QU9YUKts8_vBNMZLEYb9uk/s320/Italy+and+Graduation+188.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492716210398195058" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-hDihWDqw1AkBEu84Tevhd975JN_XqmfZp1i19HM8OccphTlv0Gjrd21trhU8AxuxyN6pAsYZXiI_xRuFTlsnRd43j-nybyUQfcKaCzQ7LJ36_jhePeEt8vdtKsa3CtTXWy_zPOOvgOp/s1600/Italy+and+Graduation+179.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-hDihWDqw1AkBEu84Tevhd975JN_XqmfZp1i19HM8OccphTlv0Gjrd21trhU8AxuxyN6pAsYZXiI_xRuFTlsnRd43j-nybyUQfcKaCzQ7LJ36_jhePeEt8vdtKsa3CtTXWy_zPOOvgOp/s320/Italy+and+Graduation+179.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492716201747166098" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cvjh3487%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHN8r-6HOfZ3zC5K0m8IpJGKVF0eJV1PqneDZ7dPgDpKz91n4OSKL-W_9AOzYXKxrVNkjwB7dQQCd-mpz38FP40mEbeXM_kj_JluWn-Xn65lu9mzgUOWwSNZiIY-wdpWIrbZIrrIwN0r_/s1600/Italy+and+Graduation+166.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHN8r-6HOfZ3zC5K0m8IpJGKVF0eJV1PqneDZ7dPgDpKz91n4OSKL-W_9AOzYXKxrVNkjwB7dQQCd-mpz38FP40mEbeXM_kj_JluWn-Xn65lu9mzgUOWwSNZiIY-wdpWIrbZIrrIwN0r_/s320/Italy+and+Graduation+166.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492716194128109858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Well, I did it!! Graduated from College with my Bachelors!</span>
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Lots of evenings and weekends away from family, friends and my neglected yard in order for me to reach my goal, but I did it.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">I could not have done it without the on-going support of several people.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Christi and Brenda who paved the way before me….the hours of conversation that Christi and I had about street smarts vs. book smarts and the differences and similarities.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cvjh3487%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">My sister Kelly who supported me when I called to say I just couldn’t get together, or that I needed peace and quiet. She often called to check and see if I had done my homework.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">I have to say I did not enjoy sitting at home most weekends, while family and friends enjoyed each other…but the work was so worth it in the end.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">I don’t know how to thank Heather…my sounding board, my conscious and my constant encourager. I would call when I thought I had reached my limit and she would listen to me and then help support me in getting re-focused…thank you so much for being my cheerleader!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">It was a tough journey, with 12-18 credits per term average...usually closer to 18...But it was worth every step of the way...
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<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">What's Next? - Probably an MBA with a focus on Organizational Development....maybe starting as soon as January...but at a little more reasonable pace. Feels so good have achieved another lifetime goal.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">More to follow over the next few days on my life in Italy!
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<br /></p> <p></p> Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-36943106623373291532010-05-15T05:21:00.000-07:002010-05-15T05:41:28.025-07:00International Lunch...It is just after 2 pm on a Saturday in Foggia, Italy. I have been doing a little homework, surfing the net, and resting most of the day. I just came back from the commerciale (grocery store). I was hungry for lunch and decided to make it with what I had.<br />A large Italian roll (I ate about 1/2 of it), sliced open and spread with our US Philly Cream Cheese, then a slice of freshly made chicken lunch meat. I had a side dish of fresh Gigante Green Olives dripping in olive oil and light spices. Washed it all down with a Corona. ... yep, the best of 3 countries, right there in front of me!<br /><br />Eating in Italy is different from what I am used to. Breakfast is mainly fresh meats, cheeses and bread, with a various assortment of cakes and pastries. You can find fruit on a side table, but it's not one of the main selections. I asked every 2 or 3 days for some scrambled eggs and if I'm lucky they have cooked them thoroughly with no runny parts. Breakfast at the hotel is ok, but I am really glad I brought my instant organic oatmeal, and found some local fresh almonds to sprinkle on top.<br />I am also grateful for the coffee pot I purchased and have in my room. Enjoying the smell of fresh brewed Starbucks in my room in the morning is like a slice of home for me. (no, I can't buy Starbucks here, but a friend brought some back on his last trip to the US...YEAH for friends!)<br />The restaurants do not open until 7:30 or 8 pm for dinner. I kind of like that, except that I need to get up early in the morning. Nonetheless it is great to see families showing up to begin dinner about 9:30 or so when I am ready to leave for a good nights rest.<br />It's interesting too, that all dishes are served in succession. Antipasta (appetizers), then typcially a first and then second course (one is always some sort of pasta), then dessert. At the slow lunches it can be up to 5 or 6 courses. (Takes 3 hours as you can imagine)....The good thing for me is that it is an al carte approach and I don't have to order more than I want to eat. In the US we are used to the meat, starch and veggie all coming on the same plate...not necessarily the way it happens here. Sometimes there are meat and potatoes on the same plate, but I haven't seen pasta on the same plate with meat.<br />I am learning to pace myself or I would have gained a bit of weight by now. Fortunately my clothes are starting to get a little baggy...not much, but a little.....That is encouragement enough for me to continue to be aware of what I consume.<br />I love the fresh olives of every sort and am excited to bring some facoccia/pizza flour home for my friend Christi to try. I hear the flour makes all the difference. I will never be able to eat US pizza without wishing for an Ortalano Pizza from my favorite local restaurant.<br />Ciao' , time for homework...can't drop the ball after this long....Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-61179910502934899502010-05-09T12:36:00.000-07:002010-05-09T12:46:18.677-07:00It's May alreadyI committed to updating my 2010 goals in January and haven't even posted anything since then. I'm in a unique place in my life. I have always had goals and achieved them as soon as I committed to them.<br />The latest of which is to live and work in a foreign country.<br />Italy was my first choice and that is what I have been afforded the opportunity to do, live and work in Italy for 6 months. I'm here in near Foggia, Italy until the end of September.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">School update </span>- I am just starting week 7 of my final 10 week term before graduation on June 19th. I cannot believe it is soooo close! Super excited to have a bit of a life and be able to explore Italy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjyp7qBO7c-98R-lNGstzNLxCH3ffY51e4yCvo-oHK9NuZgt3629Dy21PfcytssJXl_ivsArysehGeoFTDH1lSxRJYgMYqJj_0h7wsU22ZJrM4wivsLVbp60KyxOXu4_b6gv4n-s1Or_y/s1600/21+Mar+Trani.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjyp7qBO7c-98R-lNGstzNLxCH3ffY51e4yCvo-oHK9NuZgt3629Dy21PfcytssJXl_ivsArysehGeoFTDH1lSxRJYgMYqJj_0h7wsU22ZJrM4wivsLVbp60KyxOXu4_b6gv4n-s1Or_y/s320/21+Mar+Trani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469358579537572178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What's next?</span> Not really sure....I've looked at graduate school, but it doesn't feel like the right time.<br />Go back into management (ok, besides this senior manager job I'm doing on a temp basis in Italy)...not sure it's the right time for that either.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">For now</span> I am going to focus on finishing up school, doing a great job while I'm here in Italy and let my next dream, vision and goals come to me as God deems it is time for me to hear them.<br /><br />I'll begin to post some of my Italian observations, learnings and adventures as they happen; Look for Roma weekend, the ladies on the side of the country road, wines, driving Italian style, and dining experiences.<br />Ciao for now!Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-86400939070629154532010-01-01T15:21:00.000-08:002010-01-01T15:41:57.168-08:002009 comes to a slow and peaceful end<span style="color:#ff6666;">It's been a busy and rewarding year. As always about this time of year, I reflect on the past year and what's ahead of me, usually setting my new year's goals by my birthday on the 20th.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">So, how did I do in 2009 against the goals I established?? Let's see........</span><br /><br />* Practice BALANCE - <span style="color:#ff6666;">Didn't really do all that well with this one, but tried really hard.</span><br />* Master Financial Abundance Principles - <span style="color:#ff6666;">ok, about a 50% on this one, at least I'm no worse off !</span><br />* Keep Drinking my 'Wake Up Water" - <span style="color:#ff6666;">Yep, most days!! yeah!<br /></span>* Live every day to the fullest - YEAH! <span style="color:#ff6666;">- Without a doubt !<br /></span>* Move More, Get to the Gym -<span style="color:#ff6666;"> Didn't event get close here. (I think a total of 20 times)<br /></span>* Get my children's book published <span style="color:#ff6666;">- Did get some more info and worked on it a bit.</span><br />* Relax on a sunny warm beach for a week - <span style="color:#ff6666;">Nope, but snuck in an extra day in Clearwater Beach, Florida. (happened have a great view! - the Ironman competition was in town that weekend--big sigh!)</span><br />XX Complete more than 1/2 of my Bachelor's Degree credits - <span style="color:#ff6666;">Oh yeah! And beyond! only 24 credits to go (ok, now you know where my time was spent this year.)</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">So, out of all of these, I really focused on the degree and by not ensuring balance I over achieved in the school department and only 'kinda' reached some other ones. </span><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">When it comes to establishing my 2010 Goals I am going to keep that in mind and be a little more realistic with what I can achieve. </span><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">No, I will not be compromising on what I want ! However, as a grandmother and someone who will be turning 48 this year, I have realized how important it is to live a <strong>healthy</strong> & happy life. Health will be a core part of my focus for the year, physical, mental and spiritual.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc66cc;">Thanks to you my family and friends who have supported my crazy year of people living with me, business travel and mostly the time I've dedicated to school rather than time with you. I love you and am looking forward to taking a year off before grad school. Check back in a couple weeks as the magic Birthday week arrives and I finalize my 2010 goals.</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-43602523657315430872009-11-11T21:24:00.001-08:002009-11-11T21:34:35.236-08:00Breathe, remember to breathe!!As much as I love the learning I'm getting at school, I am struggling to keep up.<br />Work has kicked into high gear too...Mesa last week, this week I'm evaluating another group and how they are doing.<br />I feel a bit bad but am glad to be taking off from Friday thru Tues...<strong>(wink, wink)</strong><br />Class at Mhurst Frid-Sund in Advanced Intercultural Communications....<br />I'm going to be able to stay at my good friend Chelle's house and study until the wee hours.<br /><br />Then Sund - Tues hangin with Jackson and Abagayle at thier house.<br />Head home and go to work for a couple of days and then back to Oregon for another class...<br />Then a week off!!! Yeah!!<br />I fully intend to work on school work and rest as I near the end of this tough term on Dec 11th.<br />then back for more travel and work......<br />I'm planning a trip to a beach for my celebratory trip in June /July.....<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Speaking of celebrations....my son-in-law is graduating on Dec 12th and I am so excited for him!! After 9 years of going to school, while working, he is going to be a Chiropractor.</strong></span> <span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Heather and Brandon have made a lot of sacrifices to achieve their goal and I am so proud of both of them...</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Keep Heather and Brandon in your thoughts as they start the interview process next week.</strong></span><br />Time to crash....zzzzzzVictoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-24807223434838143682009-10-14T17:56:00.000-07:002009-10-14T18:04:24.570-07:00Back at it....hmm what was my first Goal?<span style="color:#009900;">Balance - such an interesting word.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">What does that look like for me? I've recently discovered that I juggle more than balance....While I tend to think that I am balancing the different areas of my life, the truth is that I am juggling several things at once and then take on more because "I can do it! No Problem!"</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Really? Well I can and have done that for years, and years. The time has come to take a hard look at what I CAN take on and what I WANT to take on. </span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Somehow provide a better balance and free up the time and space to RELAX,,,,</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">I'm heading for a weekend class tomorrow after work and the title is "Health and Healing". I've been following Dr. Weil's '8 weeks to Optimum health' this last 3 weeks and am looking forward to what else I can do, or NOT do to support me in achieving my goals.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">I have another Saturday class coming up on Life from the Inside Out...the books are; Cheryl Richardson's "Art of Extreme Self Care" and Rosenburg's "Nonviolent Communication".</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">The timing is right for me to really get the learning from these two courses and quit trying to </span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">DO IT ALL........"I'm not Superwoman, ADJUST!" (smile)</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-22826989579522201182009-09-26T23:10:00.000-07:002009-10-14T20:04:07.952-07:00Wow...and TransitionsWow, I cannot believe that summer is gone already. This summer just flew by. I am amazed when I look a the calendar. Then just yesterday, driving to work there was a fog that covered half of the valley, it was confirmed -- fall has arrived. I am so grateful that I got the house painted today. Wahoo!!!!<br /><br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392655046439011778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYHDXhS3B2LBVt3cNpCa42PS3u7JAjf1PqOW56qZdZ-S1HFoxrBlLNMIos0uTtm2wFcbMUqoGeal8UqDSZdiy_FNV1odbOvryegeS0xJr1owuZW4uV5whBqZl0GkNUHqtg_KXqljlcRdN/s320/house+painted+1.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbWX9QEQ_VrobCK8T7T9tkjSb6Vaflf_KsXZrQM74R1k1XWOQJYvmfMaFAubKNvCfjWLTjTjPoD-yMnygvEFw4n3yXaZ1-FGqRcFTZJI8Kwy08cn5HL6fqKKu0PdvEPWVyT3uYWspEo1H/s1600-h/house+painted+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392655270817240418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbWX9QEQ_VrobCK8T7T9tkjSb6Vaflf_KsXZrQM74R1k1XWOQJYvmfMaFAubKNvCfjWLTjTjPoD-yMnygvEFw4n3yXaZ1-FGqRcFTZJI8Kwy08cn5HL6fqKKu0PdvEPWVyT3uYWspEo1H/s200/house+painted+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392655345435579538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFombl_Vxd2eXd_7n5daGt9iEmLBgzImC8ubpbLKgfMyL7rUjsXGrMJHm_52AQWUCsXsZ7NDtnFIinGzR68eGSN_-r2qvyzbhN41SiafDabE8bV1uSL9qRdi1mXakAP4jDOdM-_ugaf_q/s200/house+painted+3.jpg" border="0" />We will be doing the trim work tomorrow. <div>And ignore the OOOLLLDDD deck to the right, going to be replaced in the spring to match the front deck above. But you get the idea...so much better than that light gray color (see blog post on transformations and dozers)</div><div><br />I started Fall term Thursday and I thought it would be a fairly light term due to the number of credits I am taking, but now I'm not so sure. With 8 text books to read and some weekends, and a large research project to do...I'm a bit concerned but know that I will pull it off.<br />I have got to remain balanced and only take one day and one project at a time or I will not be able to enjoy the journey....TTFN.</div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-8426271315040544042009-09-11T16:49:00.000-07:002009-09-11T17:22:34.250-07:00It's been a sad couple of weeks...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAJO3ca0lSkWrT-9Ra3seTnZFz02bi-FdZWyK-7MMW9UmPm-IP40OwdUTMj4BiAfjFAQcRp0Bd2F5a7XXAbZw0nN6hPvT9VH-68_S_srtbGkRbbRBrQ6dNJ4IJ_fTdIhAS7MIjtZAECgr/s1600-h/00.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380364112694546946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAJO3ca0lSkWrT-9Ra3seTnZFz02bi-FdZWyK-7MMW9UmPm-IP40OwdUTMj4BiAfjFAQcRp0Bd2F5a7XXAbZw0nN6hPvT9VH-68_S_srtbGkRbbRBrQ6dNJ4IJ_fTdIhAS7MIjtZAECgr/s200/00.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#006600;">About 3 weeks ago my beloved grandmother, aka GG fell and broke her hip. I was in a weekend class in Oregon and my sister said she would be fine until I got back Sunday night and not to worry about her, just finish my class. While I couldn't stop worrying - I know GG would have said, "<strong><em>oh Vicky, just get your stuff done, and don't worry about me</em>."</strong>...in her loving slightly impatient Germanish tone...so, I stayed.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">By Monday it was determined that she would not be having surgery to correct the her broken leg, due to her strong objections and the high risk of losing her during surgery. So, on Monday, the hospital discharged her and we needed to move her to a full time care facility that day.....argh...and my sister and I drove all around checking out the best options and found a great spot for her Martha and Mary's in Poulsbo overlooking the water.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380364657459750898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiOkM-akv2qJt-PNmRmkEqJp0UMQGn_4ZVGaQ4hybBjlcSZM6wwN2AhX21F8hs3Z9YHm7RgNnLrOeaE_NAuNbBv4z8YwG06_efy1NydPORIt3Nw7nWIsgJBBdM5JXofi8uBRWZQHHq4nw/s320/206.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="color:#006600;">I slept next to her all night that night, in the recliner in her private room. She did not want to be left alone. She had been given just 2-4 weeks to live, based on her advanced lung disease.<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#006600;">I still had a little over a week of school left before semester break and needed to finish up a couple of papers, talk about a tough balance.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSvAlaAWHCf_CNt2AGhgLh3-EzHSsqWq6QxXteWlLNxnQcfEnC71plTwwIhImYO2qXtrSpFy7Ccv3Dh4_jQUuzw8MY3UVSvK8Un7Drznnu6YuhxXn4Jpnv7bl26UQ3RNIdkR_1ZEy4Fn8/s1600-h/203.jpg"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380364515870126898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 128px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSvAlaAWHCf_CNt2AGhgLh3-EzHSsqWq6QxXteWlLNxnQcfEnC71plTwwIhImYO2qXtrSpFy7Ccv3Dh4_jQUuzw8MY3UVSvK8Un7Drznnu6YuhxXn4Jpnv7bl26UQ3RNIdkR_1ZEy4Fn8/s200/203.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#006600;"> It was really hard to focus.</span><br /><span style="color:#006600;">My boss at work was very understanding and said, take as much time as you need "Family First". So I did.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">I spent many hours with GG at Martha and Mary's reading the bible and even from a Danielle Steele novel. I gave her at least a couple of foot massages each time I went there. She fell asleep almost every time I did. We spent time talking about funny memories. She remembered when I hurt her thumb while I was in labor with Heather. And while Heather was crowning she went to look and said <strong>"<em>Well, don't know if it's a boy or girl, but it's blonde</em>!"</strong> Then when Heather came to visit her at Martha and Mary's, they both spent time joking and laughing.<strong> </strong>Her sense of humor never wained, and she was making jokes up until her last day with us, Sunday, September 6th,,,,just 13 days after we moved her there.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380364367225097378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoidP0GSd8IunrOWkafH8n3L0U57zx5095AJ500u5Trqv_lo-89wiLu_bOxCdxxBZ1v3k4Omgvb4eR3agrjwS8DLdp1cPYoo7q7KkL3CLzW65AfTIHBjVGOPWMK-g41i1-6xISjckQYFz/s200/101.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span style="color:#006600;">She was one of my best friends on the planet and I would often go to her for advise. I will miss her so much. I am thankful that she did not suffer. I am thankful that she went peacefully and that she is with our Father in Heaven.</span><br /><span style="color:#663366;"><span style="color:#006600;">We are holding two memorial services this weekend to honor her and celebrate her amazing life, and I'm going to take Monday to myself to get ready for my upcoming weeks and months---just as she would have expected me to do.</span> </span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-23055636739027107322009-09-10T14:46:00.000-07:002009-09-10T15:16:30.156-07:00Break....much neededSo glad to be on break, after 6 months of writing PLA papers, I was able to finish my planned PLA essays. I received 27 credits and they have posted to my transcript for the summer term. So excited. Plus I took 12 credits, so it has 39 for this term....geez!!<br />I really needed the mental break from school and have scaled back to 13 credits this next term, so I can have a more balanced life until I graduate in June.<br />more later....Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-42599465851727725412009-08-22T20:34:00.000-07:002009-08-22T20:45:23.361-07:00Numbers are NOT my thing.....<span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">I was able to meet with my adviser on Friday to review my degree plan. While adding the number of credits left to go, I was still off by 4 credits each time I added it up, but he wasn't....so I am all set.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">The good news is, after this summer term I will have 42 credits left to go! Wahoo! I had signed up for 19 this next term, but after his gentle nudging about stress levels, I decided to take it back to 16 credits. (I've been taking care of 18-21 each term already, so it will be a nice pace.)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">I do have the opportunity to still test out of 2 of the classes,,,which I may do on my one month break from classes.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">I cannot believe that I am only 3 terms away from graduating! Life is good!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">I do plan to go on to my MBA right after this....my focus will be in Organizational Behavior. Guess I'll have to brush up on my numbers before I take the Stats class.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">Ciao' for now.....</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-83607566620550355162009-08-18T19:16:00.000-07:002009-08-18T19:27:28.239-07:00Dreams do come true....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS2s2QCGKmfCOjGYuYuxkpPSsih-ZZ6YUfMNRvEbv1z2zvC6pMc38PGhbUQ_RhK1nmUhfFv6OxuDZsUDUGvGIF9N0wccpmh2v8Bsq6f70SBhxurVUdLAvw4Bam1W37aQqyRBmqw5rtQNU/s1600-h/Shoen+Library.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS2s2QCGKmfCOjGYuYuxkpPSsih-ZZ6YUfMNRvEbv1z2zvC6pMc38PGhbUQ_RhK1nmUhfFv6OxuDZsUDUGvGIF9N0wccpmh2v8Bsq6f70SBhxurVUdLAvw4Bam1W37aQqyRBmqw5rtQNU/s200/Shoen+Library.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371495704082411522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">I had just come away from a few days of camping on the Oregon Coast with my family. (Had a great time) I had a weekend class coming up and some homework to do and decided to take advantage of the University campus. One of my lifelong dreams has been to be a full time college student. I've pictured myself walking across campus in cutoffs and a backpack, on a sunny afternoon.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Well, on Thursday, August 6th, it hit me -- I am living my dream.<br />I hung out on campus all day, in my most comfortable worn jeans, picked a cozy spot at the library to hook up my laptop and did homework all day. At lunch, I sat in a great chair under a large shade tree just outside the library and ate the lunch I had packed that morning. I did a couple of walks around the main buildings, across the grass and realized that I was living what I had been dreaming about. (less the cutoffs!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Someday perhaps I will live on a college campus for a short while, just for the experience of it...but for now I am happy and grateful that I am living one of my dreams.</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-81733122316819806072009-07-25T21:37:00.000-07:002009-07-25T21:55:27.238-07:00hmmmmm...interesting perspectives<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgKvdeliovAUwofJd9f1TMbpn4BjXTVsvc5mvbZXdPS1_A21ReU-gyeZtxHB176YessitMwzEChaMChbxaOYlQoJirb6FqtdT3D6cSYtnlpEAVQUJYvnkhqLDGn0QWlA7w-v_06kdat5a/s1600-h/MU+tower.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362625940389845746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 114px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgKvdeliovAUwofJd9f1TMbpn4BjXTVsvc5mvbZXdPS1_A21ReU-gyeZtxHB176YessitMwzEChaMChbxaOYlQoJirb6FqtdT3D6cSYtnlpEAVQUJYvnkhqLDGn0QWlA7w-v_06kdat5a/s200/MU+tower.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I attended a one day seminar on Servant Leadership, as a part of my degree plan. As I listened to my fellow classmates, I found it interesting to hear the capacity variance that they all discussed.<br />For example, one discussed how taking 6 credits, plus a PLA class (9) credits would have been too much so she had to drop PLA. Another talked about working full time and only being able to take 9 credits. The other extreme described was a student who works and took "an insane" amount of credits last term, 18......hmm...am I in that category? I started taking classes toward my BA last fall and have taken at least 18-21 credits each term. Perhaps I am, but I am enjoying the journey as well.<br />I did try to take some time this summer and only took 12 credits.<br />I guess I never realized how nuts this schedule is or how much of myself I am committing to reaching this important goal until I heard it from strangers today. But I still know that I'm on the right path and carrying the right load for now.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">PS. >>>></span>Update on my goal - <strong>I did it! </strong>over half way to my degree!! Wahoo!<br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">>>>>>>>></span> Update on other goal - Children's book - currently seeking an agent and am attending a Children's author bootcamp in October...<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc6600;">PSSS...</span>one of my Profs is taking a group of students to Greece, Turkey etc...next spring and will be visiting the last known site of Mary and other biblical sites...I'm thinking I may need to go???<br /><br /><em>Time to crash...to awake to homework in the morning....I am loving being a college student,,,that in itself achieves one of my dreams.</em>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-46970448582687423812009-07-13T20:46:00.000-07:002009-07-25T21:53:38.739-07:00Hangin' with my grandkids<span style="color:#009900;">Had a great weekend with Heather and the three kids. Jackson is becoming such a great young man. I can't believe he's 5 1/2 already...holy cow! Where did the time go? He is a great brother to his little sisters. They are lucky to have him. Just wait until they get to be teenagers...<br />Abagayle is still as cute as ever, and still loves the whole sit on my lap and do the cuddle thing...ahh,,,love the relaxing times with her.<br />Lorelei is going to be 1 in September, and she finally isn't shying away from me. She had so much fun getting into the drawer of plastic dishes, and playing with the flash cards.<br />We had an evening of Disney Scene it, Uncle Brandon and Jackson gave it a good attempt, but the girls beat them in the end.<br />Playing in the lake most of the day Saturday was just what we all needed. This home is a real blessing for me and being able to spend time with family in such a great space. Lorelei fell asleep in the shade of a big tree, while the rest of us played in the water. (Thanks Letitia for giving me a break from shading her when the sun moved around.)<br />Thanks for coming to visit Heather!</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-44395266313932349512009-07-05T12:22:00.001-07:002009-07-25T21:53:10.580-07:004th of July Party<em>We had a smaller party than normal this year, only about 30,<br />but it was great to see family and friends.<br />The kids are all getting so BIG , when did that happen?<br />I got a few vegetable plants in the ground on the 3rd. We'll see if they produce zucchini, watermelon and green beans. Oh yeah, and several herbs as well.<br />Great time was had by all and we are already done with clean up, which is going to make for a very nice day of rest and fun.</em>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-20368953219739778732009-06-20T20:25:00.000-07:002009-06-20T20:35:01.587-07:00What I've learned lately<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzELm0VnY7Dd6ncEWXvJW9virFfaBUK_yGT6iRcSbXyHcd1R5Mfm82td73_Uhqi7XaqHHt3nmVc0_1D2Nfp-LpuXV4CxwGGT0YM_I1SMattxe0rLO_NTB1TvI3wZqFevqcL6YyeU1mqmW/s1600-h/158939541108_0_ALB.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349618441946595298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzELm0VnY7Dd6ncEWXvJW9virFfaBUK_yGT6iRcSbXyHcd1R5Mfm82td73_Uhqi7XaqHHt3nmVc0_1D2Nfp-LpuXV4CxwGGT0YM_I1SMattxe0rLO_NTB1TvI3wZqFevqcL6YyeU1mqmW/s200/158939541108_0_ALB.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">That god and family are most important to me.<br />That I am a great creative writer.<br />That I can accomplish goals I set.<br />That I am my mother's daughter in my generousity.<br />That I am smarter than I thought, and have much more to learn.<br />That I have great friends that support my dreams and pursuits.<br />Sometimes I just need to rest and take in the moment.<br /><br />I am truly blessed.</span></em>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-50060311323150581562009-06-15T07:05:00.000-07:002009-06-15T07:12:19.282-07:00On the move......It's been a busy 3 days of moving...ready? Hold on.....<br /><br />Moved my sister Kelly and her girls into there own home, stuff from my house and her old house. (Sister Susan is here from Montana for a couple of days to help get them settled.)<br />Moved my son into a bedroom downstairs.<br />Moved my home office into my room.<br />Moved Letitia into the 3rd bedroom.<br />Moved the family room around, back into a family room.<br /><br />Then we had a great 4th Birthday party and family BBQ for my grand daughter on Saturday night in the middle of it all! Can you say FUN? Actually all moves went great ...<br />Whew...I think I'll go to work to rest up :>)))Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-70901918435518184102009-06-08T19:41:00.001-07:002009-06-08T20:35:59.486-07:00Transformations and dozers.....I started my Saturday morning at 6 am, with coffee, knowing that the backhoe/bulldozer would be here about 7:30 am. Sure enough, they showed up. Ken, his son and nephew...all ready to jump in and get to work!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wMmAicdu-37PuPz34j1TCDvf7YAS-odqfqF98UK4LELdl7IYFdIeCrtNiazAL6AwI-sp6bs6UPhCX0XAxy4iV8oV5Utg0QWXV-6FnfJTgpBKIrlVFE8uho5N5YZe5qzqVv_1jjoSIjSQ/s1600-h/100_1085.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345159110665794466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wMmAicdu-37PuPz34j1TCDvf7YAS-odqfqF98UK4LELdl7IYFdIeCrtNiazAL6AwI-sp6bs6UPhCX0XAxy4iV8oV5Utg0QWXV-6FnfJTgpBKIrlVFE8uho5N5YZe5qzqVv_1jjoSIjSQ/s200/100_1085.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The lady that built this home loved rhodies and roses, and all other sorts of large plants. After 35 years, the place needed some thinning out. I had 7 trees removed last year and two large ones about a month ago.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345160261493128306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8i-WAOyU_MG5_0UYmhTa2_gBrWsXRw6zlcqqlL9L_p3BlGlKhF5TCNuMQ_0j8LzapF27IvIo1EFascWVTUHlsAUK6EKpcDcZa2m3d8mHeWeRFSQbLOPMArcGy8rPzNcN0ZeOWfDSdfjA/s320/100_1075.JPG" border="0" />This is the stump to one of the trees at the back left of the house...the other was just as large. about 3 feet across the base. Although we didn't remove these stumps, Ken did remove the other 7 from the other areas.<br /></div><div>My dream is to create a peaceful space, install my pond (that I bought several years ago), install my fountain (that I bought several years ago) and get my vegetable garden started. I miss my old one.</div><br /><div>The back of the house...before....</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345159613343413426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxCiek7p45v46QMxuBhlmDqHQweRC5-CRzwl6lDZ0XQww33EkM8MMzn-7_-bkS4ZYi2_fg-tlFbWx_wPa33cXWM_rR-vbgTL-qn_814JV10P_gLIPEpYuW-2yDQ9LQihYTzMoub_dkPIX/s320/100_1070.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345159827256107282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMctuRK6TDhaY5ckViLPBSf_KwEuqDOoRgCnJQkRKnvsTOde6dKRQEUoGUpQdldELx_XicOffoqETAnviNU0TTF9IjQijekf-PaUKrQmeNqI0YL2kQFJxGcM3L_7v4PiQwKMarZtB7jSp/s320/100_1069.JPG" border="0" />As you can see I started cutting down the 10 foot tall Rhodie earlier, and the tall european alderberries. </div><div><br />and after,,,, ahh, plenty of space for a stone patio and ....with the pond in place, ready to install.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345160728442615298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWqu0sl_Z43lariTiScXnga85J-NWh0Qd94WXMdT7PGc_6w_VMyGlrFlDnv9Dp4K8Fxn9FAVVMH3m6ql8817jK_srQS-r973xKR4LlGJ02I5VKM8OcfxktJ5l1pFMigmiw8ZZ_kgMELYt/s320/100_1079.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345161085737035266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3_Qjdh-ZG_SGpg41kQ6GpvIfaIcPOUHLU8jH9Q80KVXUVEkvz0mgRnZRwjjMTQCNZ63QDOXQZQPbuS6S-NfH_nnRjUhYoTrheaA9DWaww_H-1eFkD8MQMwmkyUOVwLQAPDcyBKcLemxw/s320/100_1083.JPG" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345161808233675570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXp2mJ-x8sgPHM3I0hTjP0icKcNenQnIuSWM92r2hmtbW0hZRFRGTp0K1HC_pG91_edGBlFmNCqo1eVveMk_okJUxOWXpGYxviEnH4TjbXIfDToODc_35CMH3wvKXc061pjHiZAoVpxYZ/s320/100_1086.JPG" border="0" /> The mound of dirt behind the pond is where the top level pond will go, to run water into the other. <div>Kelly bought me a beautiful red japanese maple for mother's day which I am going to plant next to the pond, to divide the upper area and lower patio a bit....it will look great next to the pond.<br /></div><div>The side yard, before.....</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345162296484902530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganpajVFee-WamWGY2E9rYmsANVGbVy0uCdiyWUYdUWkgPECSnZrWkTpQnqv2taT-57rQp8CuiMc13tPUlKwb5J0lZJn0ad0kB0pBZ4bv9RGcWJGRULdviRmrPKOb7M_0cYdEX8ym8MHbi/s320/100_1071.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>and now where the vegies will grow in the same space,,,with my fountain placed at the rear of the section, overlooking the garden.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345162501775802946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HKZtz-djh5ueaqTd2ztZubtMK5b5mWMIbdC8rouDOQruM5UmVrw0j-y4dXLCTGGv3Lrx4PSN2NBeSOj_aLbJaVvRGBs2a-N3F4epjXG9ORDhCfNMez1jy5FCmXArtcLKPPc-3s92Y0X2/s320/100_1077.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>I was able to save one unique rhodie and place it where I removed two small birch trees that morning. you can see it next to the purple rhodie, in the 'before' side yard photo,,,,I had to trim it back a bit...but I think it will make it.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345162879547080210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtvMAkiWTI0bPu6ZJHgw99yI-7iYjGwKu5ZXH0SFhNxbfR8xDBjJnPnmMK8ri5Ffa3aJdNbAmtA76CqEpGb83BkjOrmEDR8J3mr1LYbJXlyharHoq3PuGlziKqD9iIUJGNZB8NCQlYvax/s320/100_1080.JPG" border="0" />It is a beautiful light peach color. this is near the back corner of the property and will fill in nicely when I get the back fence installed.<br /><br /><div>Yes, lots of work,,,Brandon, Kelly and her girls all helped haul brush, load the trailer, pick through and get out the roots....we crashed hard that night. Thank you!!!!!</div><br /><div>Now that the space is cleared out, I'll start adding to my dream throughout the next year...stay tuned.....oh, and look for the house to be painted....I think I've settled on a medium tan color, the trex deck has a red tint,,,I'm going to invest in one of those paint programs to play with the color scheme....anyone up for a painting party??</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-18344633068052681772009-06-05T16:25:00.000-07:002009-06-20T20:25:40.787-07:00Rocks in my head....So apparently there are little rocks in our inner ears...who knew?<br />My doc did a procedure to get them back into alignment and my vertigo is all healed.<br />Whew!Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-18245806889801745682009-05-28T05:03:00.000-07:002009-05-28T05:32:34.690-07:00Feeling like a kid again....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBnuSpcz1J4vmxapZE7EOIDosAKT4McgLmxSrfC0yEsYybu7xKzyA504FsvDJxEdWZ8GQbmDAHyNWQ28FahMExYqSO0JQZERvwQPW3XzYCeMkzXNBl7OziGT2evudyisKE-wtO43HJwfH/s1600-h/week+of+injuries.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340847809622764050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBnuSpcz1J4vmxapZE7EOIDosAKT4McgLmxSrfC0yEsYybu7xKzyA504FsvDJxEdWZ8GQbmDAHyNWQ28FahMExYqSO0JQZERvwQPW3XzYCeMkzXNBl7OziGT2evudyisKE-wtO43HJwfH/s200/week+of+injuries.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">So last Thursday morning when I woke up I had vertigo really bad, and it is still there. Everytime I turn my head too quickly or lay down or even roll over...ok, go ahead, make the dizzy blonde comment.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">As the weekend progressed I was working in the yard, etc. I had to climb onto my roof, from my bedroom balcony. Did I mention that there is a railing in the way? about 3 1/2 feet tall? and about a 2 foot gap between there and the roof of the garage? and oh, BTW I have a serious fear of heights. As I 'gracefully' make my way to the roof, I land on my left leg giving the outside of my shin a great scrubbing from the roof tile...ok, ok, not so bad.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Later that day I dropped my keys on my right foot, poking a hole in the toe next to my 'pinkie', it's only slightly purple and still swollen....</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">The next day I start to reach into my car door and the top corner of the window stopped me with my left bicep~~~ Oh, I'm not done yet!</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Still enjoying my naturally induced 'buzz' I am walking into a work site Tuesday morning and my heel gets caught in a 2" break in the sidewalk, and yep, down I go....witnesses and all.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">So, the right ankle is swollen and bruised, my left knee lost only a top layer of skin and is only swollen a bit with a nice shade of purple......The ankle felt especially good when my chiropractor used the activator on the bruise to get in back in place. At least it moves better now...but MAN! did that smart!</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">And did I mention the carpel tunnel thing happening in my right wrist? A bit of typing lately.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">I started thinking about this last night......this kind of thing happens to kids all the time, they end up bumped and bruised and scraped, whine about it a little, and then still have the moxy to go and play all day.......</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">I'm going to do the same. Just got done whining here, Heading in to work for a busy full day workshop and then one more day of work before I take the better part of next week off. (guess I'll see a doc about the dizzy thing while I'm off work.)</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Enjoy your day ! and Be Safe!</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-71118004730122826072009-05-20T12:08:00.000-07:002009-05-20T12:20:22.333-07:00Life at the Lake<span style="color:#333399;">Lake Meridian comes alive this time of year.</span><br /><span style="color:#333399;">This weekend the waterskiers were out, the float plane took off and a ton of teenagers in cutoffs are running around. The kayaks were in the water in the morning.....</span><br /><span style="color:#333399;">The police boat that docks across the street has started making it's daily rounds.</span><br /><span style="color:#333399;">The sand is ready for toes to sink into, and ready to be shaped into sand castles.</span><br /><span style="color:#333399;">I took the sunny Sunday opportunity to study outside....yep, you guessed it. Only about 1/2 the time, the rest was a great nap in the sun! (without the benefit of sunscreen,,,,not so great) The sound of the birds, and lapping of the water on the shoreline, warm sun was just too much to resist.</span><br /><span style="color:#333399;">I'm going to fire up the barbeque for the first seasonal BBQ this weekend...should be fun.</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-75099110370640931382009-05-16T17:16:00.000-07:002009-05-16T17:33:13.588-07:00Be careful what you ask forI asked for balance and got the opportunity to practice it.<br /><br />I attracted a little drama this week. My new neighbors are building a giant house and have kind of elbowed their way onto my property with an elevated driveway, saying it's their property.<br />Oh My, time for a surveyor.<br /><br />Work is picking up the pace, more improvement workshops to lead, classes to teach and meetings to run....glad to have the job~ I'm lovin' it.<br /><br />The house is empty for about 4 days, allowing me time to do homework. I got a nice visit from my dad and Terry, they came up from Oregon City for a couple of hours and got quite a few roses that I was getting rid of. Also helped me gather up old hoses and rope lights from the back yard. yes, rope lights...apparently the lady that lived here before loved them in trees. The bulldozer is coming in next Saturday to take out stumps, rhodies and a few other things to make way for the vegie garden and the brick patio. I'll post some before and after pics.<br /><br />I finished up the PLA paper on Conflict Management....good reminders while I continue to work through the whole boundary issue.<br /><br />I also got some time in the sun and took the convertible out for a spin, grabbed a chocolate shake and visited my aunt for few minutes.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336582736513705922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLkgwo8bXSLziLdFsGFcwR64sfINmM5PV0GKXpt3CEr793FC50GFIKtGGGHPKtyjshcvBtw-A7VN-PsTEhwzjF0pUF5uCsrNRHcgt74Hi4rEQMJ7VXeyZG_ZMislb5BQhaGppdYWYKKdJ/s200/santorini+cruise.bmp" border="0" /><br /><br />Now, back home ready to dive into my Writing class homework and start my next paper on Listening.shhhhh.Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2241719912512699541.post-84584372667520415502009-05-10T09:09:00.000-07:002009-05-10T09:40:44.595-07:00Practicing Balance......I did say that was one of my goals this year...well, be careful what you ask for!<br /><br />I am looking forward to how I practice Balance over the next three or four months:<br /><br />Still have a full time+ load at school through June 12th<br /><br />Traveling a bit this month for work<br /><br />My sister and nieces moved in about a month ago...so far, so good<br /><br />Stir in a couple more things...<br /><br />Moving my office space back into my bedroom, my niece is moving in from Montana to what was my office room the first week of June. My sister may come along for a visit at the same time,,,<br /><br />The first week of June will be interesting and a definite opportunity to practice balance as I finish up the term, move some things around and a niece in. I am really excited about her arrival. I have been telling her for a few years that she was more than welcome to move out here and in with me, when she finished her teaching degree. I can't believe it's here already: excited!<br /><br />It will be fun having the three nieces here this summer to enjoy the lake and each other.<br /><br />Time to practice balancing my day....<br /><br />I am going to keep this trip in mind...I walked a lot, saw a lot of history in both England and Greece. I had time on the beaches, in the museums, enjoyed the Mykonos night life, some quiet time by the pool and great exercise....all balanced...<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334233739888897122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmChhmsKWPOi5i84KBm0e22Ee0mIarVbj7Ngjvbz2T8RbMSHEgqSJ4qBRBrcoktxBqfvdrsbLAT5YWft8_60jq1MJzVNuoNL_3enM1oz2NVX0IJSwylCFijVTQaSiqPkJgiwkdZudU9gYB/s320/100_0228.JPG" border="0" /><br />Happy Mother's Day to those of you who have been blessed with that role.Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07945291349713140834noreply@blogger.com0