Our 50 states (& some territories)

My cousin Angelene posted a list of all of the states she's visited/lived in on her blog and I thought it was fun. Here's my list. I've also lived in Germany and visited many other countries but I'll save that for another blog entry! :)

Alabama - visited with my friend Teresa in the early 90's
Alaska -
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas - lived here in the early 70's. My sister Jennifer was born here.
California - been there a couple of times. Not impressed with LAX.
Colorado - went there on official military business.
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida - been many times. My Grandparents lived there when I was a child.
Georgia - been lots to visit relatives and watch the Braves play.
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois - lived there as a child and attended kindergarten - second grade.
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana - been to visit a couple of times. Ate at Emeril's in New Orleans.
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi - drove there for a baby shower once.
Missouri - my Dad is from here and my Grandparents lived there so I've been many times. I also went to basic training here in 1993.
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada - been to Vegas a few times
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York - lived in upstate NY at Fort Drum when I was in the military.
North Carolina - born here (Greensboro)
North Dakota
Northern Marianas Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico - lived here as a child & my youngest sister (Mary) was born here.
Rhode Island
South Carolina - home!
South Dakota
Tennessee - where many members of my family live so I visit here often
Texas - LOVE Texas! I lived in Lubbock & San Antonio.
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Virgin Islands -visited on various cruises
Washington
West Virginia - visited relatives
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Valentine's weekend in Southport, NC

I was talking to one of my patients that loves to travel and he told me that Lee and I should try out a bed & breakfast in Southport, NC called Lois Janes. So that day I looked it up online and decided to surprise Lee and book it for Valentine's weekend. I took that Friday off and we drove to NC. After having lunch in Wilmington with my cousin Johnny, we drove to Southport and checked in. We actually stayed in the cottage behind the B&B, so we had our own private "apartment", with a kitchen, private bath & balcony. It was a quaint little port town (think Charleston on a much smaller scale) and we enjoyed walking around in all of the little shops and ate at a fantastic restaurant called Mr. P's for Valentines Day. We took a ferry over to Carolina Beach and Lee was just too excited that he got to actually drive on the beach. Pretty cool! Funny thing about the breakfast part of the B&B is that when we went to breakfast at the main house the very patient that told me about the place was there with his wife and another couple. So most of us there that weekend were from Florence! It's a small world! If you're ever in Southport it's a fantastic place to stay, and the host Jeremy makes the best breakfast in the world!

We stayed in the middle house (upstairs with the balcony). Below is the main house.

Here's JOHNNY!

Lee and I were able to meet up with my cousin Johnny in downtown Wilmington for lunch on Friday (Johnny's 34th birthday). I told him the last time I saw him, he was shorter than me. It's been over 20 years since I last saw him and it was so much fun catching up. Can't wait to hang out with him again.

Table scraps

Tonight Lee grilled steaks and Zach & Jake were about to go crazy. After we ate Lee gave them the scraps and they were so excited!

Look at how big Jake is getting! He's such a people person and whines anytime he's left alone. I don't think I've ever met a more vocal dog!

New rugs

I was so excited to get our portraits but I was dreading the cost of getting them framed. Fortunately I watched for a sale at Hobby Lobby and I was able to get the frames for 50% off. Then Lee framed them and hung them for me and this was the result. I hung them in the foyer and I'm so thrilled to have them. :)

I have been begging for rugs for the dining room and living room for almost 3 years now. This weekend Lee surprised me and took me to Lowes and told me to pick out whatever I wanted. These are the ones I picked out and I LOVE them! Next project will be putting wood floors in the den which Lee and his Dad will do in a few weeks. I can't wait!

38

Well, it happened! I got another year older. I keep waiting to be upset that I'm getting closer to 40. Instead, what I feel is happier and more blessed than I could ever imagine. I have seen so many ups and downs in my life. I think getting older makes you realize what's important and what isn't. I'm at peace for the first time in my life. I have blessings beyond measure. I have a wonderful family and great friends and I love all of you! :)

Every year Lauren bakes me my favorite cake. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. YUM!!

I was banished upstairs in my bedroom until Lauren finished making my cake so I was sitting in bed watching TV until I was allowed to come downstairs. Then my sweet family brought my presents up to me to open. I got a brand new digital camera from Lauren. I've been talking about how I wanted a little camera that would fit in my purse and now I have one! I opened it right away and took this picture. :)

Inspiration

Wow! I am such a slacker when it comes to blogging! Here's a quote that was in my inbox this morning. So true...

February 06, 2009 Quote of the Day

"Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you."– Nathaniel Hawthorne