A friend sent this to me and it brightened my day, so I think it is worthy of a post....

"For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit... start whenever you want... you can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that stop you. I hope you feel things that you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."
-Benjamin Button

If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it.

~Toni Morrison

One Year Ago

Some times it is healthy to look back, to reflect on what's past, to analyze your growth, to know you are moving ahead.

One year ago, I was working in a job I hated, for a boss I despised. I wasn't sleeping because this job, this boss, was causing such anxiety. I knew I had to make a change. I wasn't happy. It felt almost like I was drowning in an unhappy life that I had no clue how to fix. I knew I needed to make small steps to change this, but I was exhausted, I was confused, I felt like a failure. And then became a quest on how to change, how to navigate back from this dead end. All I knew is that was the direction I needed to be heading, away from this job, this boss.

When I look back, I realize that you never really know how strong you are until you take stock of where you have been, what you have been through, and how in the end you are ultimately responsible for where you want to be. As I do this, I realize I don't feel is if I am drowning any more.

One Year Ahead

One year from today I will be finishing my degree. Where is time going? It is flying by and I am actually enjoying it. It is a little scary to think that I will be faced with that question that epitomizes adulthood, what's next? Where do I go from here? I feel better equipped even one year out then I ever have. I am excited for that next chapter for whatever path I choose to take, but in the meantime, I will enjoy this journey I am on right now.

Jamestown

This just doesn't look or feel like it should Rhode Island. I think that's what I love about RI.

And this is what he does when I leave for work....

Off to a Bad Start

You know when things just start going wrong as soon as you step one foot out of bed?

Today is one of those days. I wanted to post pictures that I found last night of Jamestown, but I forgot my jump drive at home after being a half hour late to work because of 2 traffic jams caused by 2 different multi-car pile-ups, then almost running out of gas and getting lost after taking an exit I have never been off of. What's next?

Guilt

This morning while I was getting ready for work, Lou got in my bed under the covers and sulked the entire time. Now I just feel guilty. He knows how to get his way and prove a point. I wish I had a picture to show you what I mean.

The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had.

~Author Unknown

Happy Birthday Miss Amanda!!

Can't wait to celebrate!

Rhode Tripp'n

My little website...Rhode Tripp'n RI

And Today it's Fall

It is chilly, the grass is dewy, and the air smells crisp. Time to pack up the sundresses and bring out the boots and sweaters.

It's fall.

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must sit still and watch the leaves turn."

~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Sir Lou Dog

The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.

~ Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

Daydreaming

Today I wish I wandering the streets of some strange European town, getting lost, stopping at cafes, with no particular plans for the day. Maybe because Tuesdays are such a long day and I ready for a break.

Let'er Buck

The gates...
The boot flask...

The bathroom studs...

The bar...

The Queen...

In honor of my favorite Oregon family...Hope you all have the best time this week at Round-Up. Wish I could be there to take a sip of whiskey from the boot flask, watch the Court enter, and catch the wildness in the Let'er Buck Room, but mostly I wish I be there with great friends.

Remember

If you are looking for a good book to read, pick up Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Its about September 11th and it has an amazing message. This post was is my favorite quote from the book. It is one of those events that seem to effect everyone, but must not be forgotten that it should change us all.

A Cup of Obsession

So I have been reading the blog A Cup of Joe obsessively this past week. Guest bloggers are writing in with their secrets to a happy marriage. It is very interesting reading what people have to share in regards to a happy marriage and much like making a happy list, which I did a while ago, I think it helps to focus on the positive aspects of a relationship. When things get bumpy, that positivity can make all the difference.

It has also got me thinking about what a happy relationship means to me and the secrets that I have to share. I must also add that I still have soooo much to learn, so this is my secret list in progress.

Do it with your best friend

That way you can be confident in sharing all the details with them. From a bad day to a great achievement to a monstrous trip and fall in front of a restaurant full of strangers. If you can share it with a best friend, it is that much better.

Listen, Learn, and Laugh

Be willing to listen and learn from each other. While learning from each other, you need to be able to laugh with each other. For example, when I am golfing and miss the ball 5 times in a row, laugh with me and at me, don't get annoyed.

Explore

Go on as many adventures as you can, both planned and unplanned, as often as possible. I love seeing the world through someone else's eyes. You see twice as much.

Do something nice

Once a day, so something nice for each other. Make dinner, send a text message unexpected, offer to give them a massage...

This is also in honor of my parent's upcoming 39th wedding anniversary. One major thing about their relationship that always comes to mind is their nightly talks in bed. They always would talk about the day and what lie ahead, so communication would the most important secret I learned from them. Happy Anniversary M & D!

I must note that I am forever learning what I value and appreciate in relationships, but the more confident I have become in myself the easier it seems to be.

image via

Fall To-Do List

So it is the beginning of a new season, which means a new list of things to do.

1. Scenic road trip through Vermont

2. Apple picking, then apple pie baking

3. Carve a pumpkin

4. Hike at least 2 new trails with Lou Dog

5. Check out a museum or Freedom Trail in Boston

6. Make homemade soup

7. Go to a farmer's market

8. Go horseback riding

9. Teach Lou Dog a trick

10. Spend some time with my family

It's weird looking at the difference between the summer and fall lists. Summer seems to be so active and you can feel yourself slowing down for the fall. What are your plans?

image via drurydrama (Len Radin's) flickr

Meet Luther

Meet Luther (I know the name is iffy),

or "Lou Dog" as I am trying to get him to answer to.

He's my new roommate.

Sometimes you just need to spoil yourself

When you just want to feel special...go on a helicopter ride with a friend!

the BIGGEST lession I have learned

The biggest lesson I have learned this year is that it does not pay to take a job just to get out of another one. I should have followed my gut when interviewing for my last company that the job would seriously not be something that would make me happy. Trust is the ultimate foundation for any relationship, especially one that you spend 40 hours a week at. I try not to regret things. Instead, I think it is important to learn from experiences. I can say that although I wish I didn't work for that company and that even after ten months of not working for them; I am still dealing with the crap, I have learned the most about what I don't want in terms of employment EVER again. I can only hope that one day when I am successful, the owner will either see work of mine, read an article about me, or run into me and see what a schmuck he is and how AMAZING I am. It would be the ultimate revenge. That is now #278 on my bucket list (kidding).

Uncle Jim

James Taylor Concert is already added to next years summer "to-do list."