Summer List



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 It is only April, but I am already trying to decide what my summer is going to look like.

Since I just started a new job (YIPPEE!) and I know I need to find my own apartment, the options are going to have to be inexpensive and short day trip ideas.

This blog post is going to be a list of staycation ideas as well as day-trip ideas for me (and YOU)!

Let's begin:

Staycation
1. Since we know I have an ever eager 5 year old ready to run along on an adventure with me, most of these ideas will be just an excuse to be a kid again. I think the best #1 idea I could do is invest in outdoor toys. For example - a badminton net, a big beach ball, water guns, water balloons, etc. You can buy these items fairly cheap at most discount stores, so this might be right up our alley. It gets so hot down here, what a better way to cool off and enjoy my niece.

2. Movies - I realize that it is sort of cliche, but it is a lot cheaper than running off to the beach. Not to mention, it is always nice and cool inside. Plus - many of the block busters hit for summer.

3. Summer reading. I think I mentioned it before that I STILL buy stacks of books for summer. Sort of a habit from childhood, but it becomes something I like to do. Grab the lawn chair, grab a nice big glass of iced tea, and just sit by the gardenia bush, inhaling that sweet scent while diving into the next story.

4. Zumba. Yes, now I will be able to afford to start back at the gym. I will select a Zumba class, and go to one a couple of days a week. It's a lot cheaper and a lot less smokier than dancing it up at a club! LOL

5. Ballroom Dancing. I want to get back into this, and what a great idea for summer. I did find two different instructors in Macon, so I think this might be a nice treat and distraction from not being able to take off overseas for the summer. ;-)

6. Shopping Farmer's Markets - I LOVE spring and summer for visiting local farms and farmer's markets. The selection is incredible. Also, since I love to take pictures, the colors of the fruits and veggies are so vibrant.

7. Swimming. Just visiting a friend who has a pool is a wonderful way to chillax.

8. Lake Tobo - there is a lake nearby, in Macon, and there is a marina where you can rent a boat for the day. Would be fun to get a group together and do this.

9. Home spa day - why not break out the foot bath, the back massager, the face mask, and give myself a manicure from time to time?

10. Finally - Visit the local museums. Yes, I will be working at one, and that thrills me to no end, but really get out there and take in the history of my hometown. Also, attend theater productions, etc. If Macon is known for one thing - it's the Arts.

Day Trip Ideas

1. I am SOOO thankful to only be 2 1/2 hours from Savannah. Do I need to say more? I guess I will.. I love taking the Dolphin Cruise, I love ghost tours, I love the moonlight cruise, I love going to the beach, I love the Telfair Museum, I love taking pictures of all of the amazing homes, I love the food.... etc... etc..

2. Atlanta is 1 1/2 hours away. Maybe even an hour. Depends on the traffic. There are SO many things to do there - The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world, The CNN Center, Underground Atlanta, the Atlanta Zoo, Fox Theater, dining, shopping.. I could go on and on. Many MANY choices.

3. Stone Mountain, out side of Atlanta, has a TON of activities in the summer.

4. Jekyll Island, this is about 3 hours, maybe 4 from Macon. My family used to vacation here when we were kid. They have a wonderful outdoor theater, a great summer water park, the island is small, so you can rent bikes. It's awesome.

5. Shoot the Hooch - I love heading to Helen, GA (about 2 1/2 hour north to the mountains,) and renting an inner tube, taking a bus to the top of the mountain, and tubing down the Chattahoochee River. You can do it all day! It's awesome.

6. The Georgia Renaissance Festival takes place from late April to I want to say early June. There is nothing more fun than a Renn Fest.

7. Jacksonville is only 4 hours from here. Tampa, about 5 1/2. St. Augustine- 5 hours. There are options!

8. I can always day trip it back to Birmingham to visit friends.

9. Chattanooga is about 4 hours from here.

10. Finally Charleston. Can you believe I have YET to see Charleston. I think this summer may be the one.

What about you? What DESTINATIONS do you plan to visit, or what are some fun ideas for home?

Decisions

Decisions become easier when your will to please God outweighs your will to please the world. ~Anso Coetzer


If only it were that simple.
 
:-)
 
I have wonderful news. I actually identified one week that I did not have one single meeting on the books! It's a miracle - the week of July 4th. I decided to take that week off for vacation.
 
My original plan was to go home for the week. Then Mr. Sour Puss himself said to me, "How will I get to work?"
 
Thus my need for vacation.
 
You would not know this, but I used to travel all the time. I went on little weekend trips with "the girls" and had a blast. Since I have married the egyptian, a man who makes people who are frugal look like shop-a-holics, we don't go anywhere. And when we do - he complains about how much money we are spending.
 
He says to me, "Why don't you just stay here. We can do stuff here. Maybe go to the movies or something like that."
 
Right. Translation - I wake up early drive him to work. Come home. Clean. Go back to pick him up. He gets on the computer and chats with friends and family back home. Then he announces we are going to a movie. A movie of his choice.
 
Does not sound like a vacation to me. It sounds like every day. Plus - he never lets me pick the movie. I swear.
 
I told my friends back home, that I was going to come home for a week. I am from middle Georgia, about an hour or so south of Atlanta in a city called Macon. It is about a 4 hour drive from Birmingham. Not too bad, but long enough that you want to take your time.
 
Then I began to feel guilty.
 
But why? It's not as if he said, 'No don't go. I will miss you.' More like - 'What about me?'
 
I asked him to request the time off, he does not even want to try.
 
Sooo.. even though I deserve to go home and just get away from the BS, I have decided to compromise. I think I am going to drive home on the 1st or 2nd of July. Spend one night with family (not see any friends) - then grab my 5 year old niece and drive back to Bham on Saturday or Sunday.
 
I believe I will keep her with me through at least Thursday. I think it would be a kick to spend time alone with her - which by the way - I have NEVER done this. She is finally at that fun age, and there is no changing of the diaper! lol  I found 3 places I would loooooove to take her.
 
One place was IJump. Man this sounds like a kid's dream place.  For about $5 your kid gets 2 hours of indoor inflatable fun. There is even a rock wall and some go carts. but I figure, at her age - the running around and playing on all of those inflatables in the a/c is perfect! How much fun would that be? There apparently is an adult cafe I could wait in, but knowing me - I will be taking 5 million pics of her just going crazy. Maybe I should give her an ice cream before we go.You know - sugar her up and let her just use up all of that energy, then we come home and crash! LOL
 
Then I thought one of the days we could go to the Birmingham Zoo. Since it is so hot these days, we would need to start early. Plus, I could take her to the Sea Lion show, let her run through the Kangaroo park, ride a camel, take the train, ride a carousel, we could spend almost an entire day there! If I am strategic enough, I could map out when all of the various animals feedings are and we can watch! I am not sure if she has ever been to a zoo. This would certainly be a treat. Plus, I just love animals, about as much as she does. We could have a blast!
 
Finally, I want to take her to Alabama Adventures. Two great parks in one - an amusement park and water park.  I called home to figure out this inches thing, to see if it would even be worth it to us. Apparently she is right under 4 feet tall. (Is that tall for a 5 year old?) I was thinking, I am only 5'1 she is going to be TALL.
 
After a few days in Bham, visiting these places - maybe spending our afternoons at my pool, going to see some kid flick (yuck.. but it will be worth it to see her happy,) making home made pizzas and snow cones... then I would drive back to Macon. Spend a couple of nights there and see all of my friends and enjoy time with family.
 
Is it crazy? Is it tiring? Would it feel like vacation? Oh I don't know... but I would be with people I love. I would have the time to spend with my niece, and I could still make sure the egyptian got to work. THEN - I would still get to see friends in Macon.
 
Compromise. I think it's a good thing. Plus, I think we all win in the end.
 
Any suggestions for spending time with a 5 year old?

I am not, but if I were...

I am not on vacation. To perfectly honest, it may well be July or August, or even September before I can actually take some time off.

In the meantime, I thought I would paint a picture of what my imaginary vacation looks like..

**These pics came from Google Image Search**

I would start by packing my bags. I would seek out old vintage luggage in various colors.

What is a vacation without an amazing beach getaway. This is EXACTLY what I dream of.

Or how about whisking away to Greece, and choosing the perfect little villa to rent for a few weeks? This has always been a vacation dream of mine!

Perfect time to rent that felucca I am always dreaming of.

Spend the evenings, just me and the egyptian  - on a rooftop balcony, watching the sunset.

Lazy afternoons floating on a hot pink float in a refreshing pool!

Head to South America and hike to the waterfalls through the rain forest.

Meet up with friends and family and go for a little cook-out.

Take a quick weekend get-away to a quaint Bed & Breakfast in a tiny village somewhere.

Wander the outdoor markets in some random beach town on some random island..

Can't leave home without this!

Sit by the beach and paint. No, I am not an artist - but do it for fun.

Have dinner with the egyptian in some outdoor cafe by the sea

Drive to tiny towns and partake in their outdoor festivals

Catch as many firework shows as possible

Rent a bike by the sea...

Spend a day kayaking the sea

Stumble upon hidden treasures

Coffee and tea in the afternoon

Find a glass bottom boat tour

Shop in NYC

Attend a few outdoor concerts

Try a little parasailing

Take a cooking tour of Provence

Hang out in the lagoon pools

Play in the water sprinkler

consume fruity island drinks

Wander the streets of a cliff side village

Time to come back down to earth!

Red Velvet Ice Cream and Domestic Skills

Yesterday, the egyptian was walking through the house, sort of being light hearted yet boss all at the same time.

He turned to me at one point and said, "I am going to miss how organized this house is."

Oh.. wait.. you may not get that joke. Or maybe you will.

First of all, I never claimed to be perfect. I am not a neat freak, nor am I the queen of organization. I do pick up after myself, I never go to bed with dirty dishes in my sink, and our clothes stay nice and fresh. I even scrub my tub every week. But, perfect - no. I will let some of my clothes pile up on my chair in the bedroom throughout the week. My make up sometimes ends up spread out across the desk I sit at... you know.. just normal stuff.

The funniest part of all of this is. When he is not here - it stays clean. Lord have mercy the irony in that one.

I have to quickly give a shout out to my amazing friend, Kathy, from Connecticut. She and I met back during our TV days - she was a reporter, and I was a producer. She met her yankee husband (hee hee.. I love saying that) at the station (he was also a reporter.) Eventually they fell in love and he whisked her away to NYC. See, he used to work down on Wall Street. Did QUITE well and then decided for a career change in tv. Now he works for FOX News Network in NYC, and they have an amazing house in CT. Yep, she is living the dream.

This doll of a friend has extended an invitation (unsolicited, might I add) to allow me to stay with them when I visit the egyptian in NYC. I am thrilled to have them open their home to me, and forever grateful. I just had to publicly thank her, b/c it is rare to find someone so generous. So much so - she is like "Don't worry about transportation, food, flight.. etc." Of course, I cannot accept THAT, but I do appreciate her opening her home up to me. She cracked me up - she was like, stay a week, a month, a year.. don't care. LOL Oh Kathy - three days with me, and you will be like - GO BACK TO ALABAMA. LOL

Anyway, that whole thing just lifted a HUGE weight off my chest. I could not figure out how we were going to be able to afford me staying in a hotel, etc while visiting. See, the egyptian will be living with a family in Brooklyn, and it is sofa city for him.

Also - I discovered an amazing Red Velvet Ice cream flavor at Publix. It is sooo wrong, but oh so right. ;-)

That's all my dears.. just dropping in and saying Hello! Now - back to work!

Have you seen Helen lately?

The theme of this blog post is definitely the GOOD stuff coming up! Sorry for the rant this morning. After a tearful plea to an unsuspecting husband and a prayer or two sent upward, I have regained my composure and I am trying to concentrate on the GOOD things that are coming up.


I told you I am resilient.


But bare with me...


Okay. I mentioned I have a vacation coming up. It's not exactly resort style fun, but it is a get away with relaxation, friendship, family and fun all rolled into one. It will all start Friday the 10th and last through the 19th. I will be MIA on the blog scene, but I have requested a few people fill in for me. Still not finished making my asks.. but I did tackle a few people that for one - do not have a blog, but have a LOT to say and then a few of YOU will be asked soon.


I think you will be surprised and I hope you will enjoy what they all have to say... which is - I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT. I picked a wide variety of people from totally random backgrounds. I am sure it will be good stuff! Luckily, I will be able to check things from my phone, so I should be able to read your comments!!


Moving on.. my little vacation (as I mentioned before) will be Friday. The egyptian and I are heading to my parents home (they live in the Oconee National Forest) also known as - Haddock, Georgia. (I grew up in Macon - but they have since moved to the country.) That night we plan to just relax with my family... which means PLAY with that devil, Autumn.


Saturday morning, I plan to continue relaxing while my mom (who is an artist) plans to take the egyptian to the gallery (where she is the president of) and use him as a model for her portrait class. They are using oil paints and he is getting paid to model! Seriously. A quick $100 for sitting there. Turns out, he has an excellent profile (the nose is perfectly straight.) Very excited for him. Also -  I promise to get one of the paintings and take a picture of it. LOL


That night we are heading to a party with some dear old friends I have known for 25 years. Sunday, we are heading to another friend's home in Warner Robins, Georgia. The egyptian will be speaking at her school on Monday morning.


Tuesday I leave middle Georgia and head up to Atlanta for a work conference. That's only one night - but hey, it will be good to see my "team". There is usually only one Communications Director per major metro. In my state - that leaves me. My boss works in Tampa, and her boss is in Atlanta. So - all of the team will get together! (Atl, Bham, Nashville, Jackson, New Orleans, Jaxville, West Palm, Miami, Tampa, & Orlando.)


Wednesday I will head back to my parents home. I have left Thursday and Friday open - but Saturday - I AM TAKING THE EGYPTIAN TO HELEN, GEORGIA. I am sure, if you are not from Georgia you have no idea where Helen is. It is a little jewel in the foothills of the Blue ridge and the beginning of the Appalachian mountains.  My mother and father will be joining the egyptian and I on a day road trip. We were trying to figure out if we wanted to rent a cabin, then we opted out. It is only 2 1/2 hours from my parents home. We will leave early Saturday morning, and return late Saturday night.

This is how the Visitor's Center describes Helen:


Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, this Northeast Georgia village has a rich history linked to the Cherokee Indians and Indian burial mounds as well as early settlers who arrived to mine for gold and cut virgin timber for a thriving lumber industry in the early 1900s. Helen is a re-creation of an alpine village complete with cobblestone alleys and old-world towers. We've got shopping, camping, both rustic and luxury mountain cabins, restaurants, bed and breakfast inns, mountains, theater, recreation, romantic getaways, beautiful scenery, family activities, waterfalls, museums, history, art, fishing, tubing, golf, and more. Something for every member of the family.

Sounds cute, doesn't it? My family has been vacationing up there for years. When I was little, we spent a little time up there.. and as an adult, I have taken many an exchange student up for a day of rest and relaxation! One of my favorite activities in the summer is tubing the Hooch. Which means - we take inner tubes to the top of the mountain and tube down the river to another spot. Usually takes about 2 hours to do that stretch of river! What else is cool about it - it's cheap. Only $10 bucks and you can do this all day! $6 for one trip!
 

Our plan is a little more relaxed. We will arrive in the morning (10ish) and my hope is to go directly to Higher Ground Coffee and More Shop.  The little mountain coffee shop claims to have a smorgasbord of coffees available. Sounds like the perfect way to warm up and kick start our day of activities!!! I checked out there menu, and lo and behold - there was a Pumpkin Spice Latte. *insert hallelujah chorus here!!* They also have Apple Cider and something called White Lightening - coffee with a double shot of espresso... sweet Jesus, bring it on!
 
I did check, and yes - the egyptian will be able to have some hot tea. :-)
 
After our coffee morning, we hope to walk through the shops. Shops there are a plenty! Sooo many cool ones to pick from! (Oh.. side note, and NO I am not going there.. but the original Cabbage Patch kids were "born" in Helen. Seriously - click on this link for the Babyland General Hospital. Apparently, people dressed as nurses will bring your new baby to your little one.. as if they are in an actual hospital. I just can't make this type of stuff up - I swear!!)
 
As far as the shopping goes, lots of German themed shops. The whole town is VERY German (Bavarian Architecture everywhere.) There are also tons of folk arts and clearly, I will be inspired to learn quilting soon! (That sounds sooo lame.. but I really want to try it out.)
 

After wondering and lots of picture taking, our plan is to go to Hofer's of Helen Bakery & Cafe for lunch.  I figured this might be the best option for a wide variety of food - and still that "German" feel. The problem with German food is that the menus are covered in pork! (Remember, I have an egyptian - muslim - no pork! Heck, and no beer for him.. booo.) But this menu seems to be a good pick. Since he LOVES bread, this is a bread heaven!
 
Apparently the little shop has quite a history! The original bakery was thought to be one of the best bakeries in the US!
 
The menu carries everything from Ofenfrischer Leberkäse mit Kartoffelsalat und Spiegelei (Grilled Bavarian luncheon loaf with homemade potato salad, topped with fried egg.) to Spätzle “Schwarzwald” (German noodles tossed with ham, green peppers, onion, tomato and Parmesan cheese) to Jägerschnitzel (Sauteed medallions of pork loin topped with a creamy burgundy mushroom sauce, served with homemade spätzle and red cabbage) to something like a  Bratwurst on a Bun to something the egyptian could have like - Home-baked Roast beef on Rye or a Reuben.
 

After lunch, the plan is to go play a little miniature golf! (This will be a first for the egyptian.) He has nooooo idea how GOOD I am and how COMPETITIVE I am. Not to mention how much fun it will be to play with the family. We will go where we always go - Alpine Golf!  $7 a person and we have about an hour or so of good, clean fun!

Following the Alpine Golf, we can either go to Unicoi State Park and Anna Ruby Falls or head to BrassTown Bald and see amazing sites on top of the mountain.


Either choice will be excellent and a great opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and excellent hiking.


Following the good times wondering it will be about time to grab a bite to eat for dinner. Some choices I am looking at are Cafe International (where we ALWAYS eat) which has a fairly wide range of options for dinner and it includes a patio dining overlooking the Chattahoochee River.


Another option is the Troll Tavern (below the bridge!) It is a hole in the wall - but we might want a quick bite before we hit the road!


One last stop - before we leave - has got to be to the Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen!


A few other shops I love are:
Christmas & More shop -  Old World Charm, with a hint of Holiday Tradition - from tapestries to hand-painted ornaments, nativity's, heritage lace, German ornaments, Pyramids, Steinbach, Ulbricht, Nutcracker, Advent Calendars, Music ... a unique shopping experience for sure!


Classics - Entering Classics is like stepping into a true Old World atmosphere with Alpine Yodeling and Folkmusic playing in the background. I bought the coolest Claddagh necklace from there a few years back!


Elfmade Wooden Toys - Just reminds me of Santa's workshop!!The shop is the work of one man who has been making toys for 40 years. He is an artist with the bandsaw, and has been green during his toymaking career.


Goats on the Roof - They are a family-fun unique gift store offering fun gifts, t-shirts, specialty items, Amish jams and jellies, gourmet foods, Amish cheese, and wine.
You can even try gem mining, fudge, ice cream & you feed the goats with "bicycle feeders", etc. (Seriously click on the link for the full effect!)


Gourd Place - we will have to go to b/c my father grows gourds in his garden.


Habersham Winery - For mom! 


Lindenhaus Imports - Has the coolest Bavarian Walk clocks!


Mark of the Potter - Did I mention how much I "dig" pottery?!


Old Clarksville Mill - Over 18,000 Square Feet of Old Clarkesville Mill has been brought back to life as an Art and Antique Mall with over 100 vendors.


The Music Box - Amazing!!


Then of course, we will return home that night. Then back to Alabama in Sunday!


(I am quite the little planner, aren't I?) ;-)

Inspiration for Vacation

I just began my mini-break vacay about 4 1/2 hours ago. THRILLED beyond belief!!

BUT - the inspiration.. to do WHAT? Can't go far - I still have to drive the egyptian to work. But I want to relax, and enjoy life - all the same.

Tonight I kicked off my vacation-a-rama with my soft, pink pjs, a little queso dip, and the American Idol finale. I was not sure if I wanted to watch it - but when I saw one of my teen heart throbs perform his signature hit just days after suffering a T.I.A. (stroke) - I had to stop and take note. Ahh.. Brett Michaels.. you will always have a place in my heart.

Of course the rest of the days are up in the air. I have Thur, Fr, Sat, Sun, Mon and Tuesday off.

Tomorrow- it would be nice to sleep in. The egyptian does not need to be at work until 3pm, so perhaps we can snooze till noon. I seriously doubt that will happen, but it would be oh soo nice.

I need to get to the library. Perhaps the afternoon will be spent quietly at the library, doing my thing. Nope, I don't have a purpose at the library - I just like to get lost in the stacks.

Friday is pay day - and rent is due - sooo.. I am sure the end of the month bills will be there for the paying. Yeah... yeah.. yeah...

Saturday I am super PUMPED - my dear friend, and old room mate - Keli is coming for a visit. Keli is the one in the middle - and I am the odd ball on the right. (the other two are Telisa and Rob!)

We have a fun Saturday planned out - I actually have to get up very early (6am) to take the egyptian to work. I thought I could head down to Pepper Place (a factory district in Bham) and do a little veggie and fruit shopping. Kells is supposed to arrive around 10 - so that gives me plenty of time to get some healthy snacks for us! We hope to head to the pool - YAY - it opens this weekend, and spend an hour or so.. chillin, catching up, swimming and reading crappy mags.

I promised to take her to YOGURT MOUNTAIN. I don't know if you town has one - search for one. It's AWESOME. We also hope to pop by a "Charming Charlie" - a little girly shopping. We have to pick up the egyptian at 3pm.. perhaps we can relax over dinner.

What I am really excited about is dancing the night away and singing until I lose my voice! We are heading to the Rare Martini to see Erica and the Soulshine Band.


How could we NOT have fun with that??? Plus, for those not in the Birmingham "Know" - The Rare Martini is downtown in the Lake view District and there are strings of bars for fun fun fun. Now.. you guys know.. I have not been able to drink since October. I still can't.. BUT - that does NOT mean I cannot have a good time, right???

Back to the rest of the vacay - I scheduled an appointment I have avoided for a while. A trip to the GYN.

....

Okay.. if you know my history, the ob/gyn always brings bad news. But I finally scheduled - and yes, as of Tuesday morning, I will step back in the saddle - or straps.. or.. yuck.

What are YOU doing this Memorial day weekend???