I had some last minute thoughts on my upcoming family road trip.  I'm going to be completely optimistic about it and try to avoid the simple problems like the frequent pit stops.   I'm the kind of person that could ride for hours and not have any problems with it. I could just strap on one of those Camelbak hydration systems and cruise down the road.  I wouldn't stop until I arrived at my destination.

The only damper on the trip will be the weather.  The weather has been pretty nice as of late, so I think it should be an enjoyable trip.  I think that most of the days will be filled with gigantic breakfasts and nice dinners.  My parents are big fans of starting the day off with a large breakfast and fine dining. 

I'm driving my parents brand new BMW X5, so space will be plentiful and the ride will be smooth. With the built-in navigation we shouldn't have any trouble finding our way.  Basically, the trip should be problem free and smooth sailing. Now I just need to hope I'm allowed to put the windows down and doing a little singing along with the radio.

I'm taking a road trip with my parents to visit a few family members.  We're planning to leave on Sunday morning and take a week to drive around various parts of the east coast to visit family.  My parents are getting older and they want to make a few stops to see my aunts and uncles. I haven't seen a few of my aunts and uncles in awhile, so it should be a nice trip. 

My parents aren't the most travel friendly people, because of their various ailments.  My father really doesn't have any problems that adult brief s can't fix. From what my mother has told me, my father has a little bit of a "going problem", but he is on medication so hopefully the diapers won't be necessary. My mother does really have any ailments, but she has a bad back.  Her back prevents her from enduring long car rides, so stops will be frequent. 

I'm looking on the upside of everything and have been hoping for a good trip.  I will be sure to take a good amount of pictures to share with everyone in the future.  This is my first time touring the east coast.  It should be a great time. 

I decided to take a day off of from the gym today, since I have so many other things to do today.  Yesterday was a great workout, so I don't feel completely awful about not going today. I'm planning on taking sometime this after noon to put on the roca wear shorts and do some running.  I'll probably do a few miles on the treadmill and then do some quick ab workouts.

It's nice to take a day off every now and then. I really feel like it helps my body recover from all of the vigurous exercises.  I don't want to become sick because my immune system is run down. I've found that I've become ill a few times when I haven't given my body adequate time to rest. It's more likely to do with all of the other things going on in my life and probably less to do with the workout.  It's nice to have some downtime to catch my breathe.

Everyone needs a day off to relax and take it easy.  Today is my day and hopefully you have one soon. 

I had a busy morning today, because my husband and I both woke up late.  We slept in an extra 30 minutes after the alarm, so we had to hurry around this morning. I feel the need to point out that I'm not a morning person to begin with, which led to me burning my forehead with my curling iron.

I always try to multi-task in the morning and it completely backfires.  Today, I really had no choice, but to curl my hair and put my makeup on at the same time. It was going well, until I dropped my mascara in the sink and bent down to pick it up.  At that exact moment I was curling my bangs and I managed to burn a straight line across my forehaed.  

It was a pretty bad burn, but with a little first aid burn care and some well-placed bangs it was hardly noticeable.  This is just another example why my morning multi-tasking skills are horrendous and should be immediately stopped. 

My neighborhood committee decided to have a second community garage sale this weekend, so I'm spending my week sorting through my home for items to sell.  There is plenty of stuff left over from the last sale, but I would like to get some more house cleaning done.  The more items that I can sell here, then the less I have to throw away. I really dislike throwing things away, because it is completely wasteful.

I'm looking forward to getting rid of more clutter in my home.  My attic and a section of my basement are completely packed with old antiques and other decorations.  I think that there should be plenty of space cleared up from this second garage sale.  The space will be used for our new pool table.  My husband found a great deal on a gorgeous new pool table, so the space will be utilized immediately.

Half of all the revenue generated from the community garage sale is being donated towards the new community playground. The community playground is a project that has been ongoing for the last few years. Cash flows have prohibited the completion, so hopefully the garage sale money will help finish it.

My husband and I were out shopping today and we were talking about shoes and boots.  There are a few basic styles every man needs. 

1. Any stylish man should have a nice pair of loafers.  One pair of loafers should be black and one should be brown.  

2. A man should own a comfortable pair of stylish shoes.  These shoes can be worn around in different public functions a good example of these shoes would a pair of roca wear or puma type shoes.  

3. Another type of shoes that every man should own is a pair of winter boots.  These boots will come in handy for snow type weather, if your area experiences in-climate weather.  It is not  the most needed pair of footwear, if you region doesn't experience in-climate weather, but they can come in handy for traveling.

4. Sneakers are an essential pair of footwear for any type of collection.  They're quite helpful for going to the gym or just playing a neighborhood pickup game.

5. Sandals are the last element of an adequate shoe collection.  They are perfect for summertime and really help a guy cool off in the midst of the summer heat.  

After having made the tough to decision to hire a maid, I must say that I couldn't imagine life without her.  She takes care of all my house cleaning worries.  She makes sure that everything is in its proper place and never really has any difficulties or issues.  She hasn't caused one single problem, since she started with us.  The children's rooms are spotless and the kitchen is always clean. 

Today, I thought I would have an issue with packing up my belongings for my vacation this weekend, but she offered to  organize the snacks and goodies I bought for the trip. It saved me a large amount of time and kept me from obsessing over less important details.

She is always quick to clean up an immediate mess, but she seems to be on top of all the other work.  She always has my home spotless.  If you have thought about getting a maid service , then I recommend trying one out.  It has been a huge burden off of my back.  

I was at the gym last night and I was working out pretty seriously, when I started the last leg of my workout.  I was starting my 10 minute ab workout that usually goes fairly smoothly.  I ran into a wall about minute 5 and I couldn't seem to get through it.  I started shaking and sweat started pouring from underneath my under armour shirt  I couldn't seem to pick my body up.  It felt as if my abs had just completely stopped working, which is odd.  I've been doing this workout for nearly 2 months. 

I decided to take a minute break and took a sip of water.  After a minute, I started with the ab workout again and finished my final 5 minutes.  It was the first time, since I started working out that I had run into a mental and physical block.  Generally, my body can take these little set backs and fight through them, but this one got the best of me.  

I decided today that I'm going to go full intensity and see if it happens again.  If it happens again, then I will consider making my first 5 minutes more difficult and then make the 2nd 5 minutes more difficult as well.  This should help me get through the block eventually.  

My husband came up with this brilliant idea to take my children night fishing tonight.  If you couldn't sense my overly sarcastic tone, then let me let everyone know that there is nothing appealing about this trip at all.  I guess I shouldn't complain too much, because there is a lot of good quality family time ahead.  We don't have much time together during the week throughout most of the year, so it is refreshing to get together.

The various gear is all packed.  My husband and children spend most of last night packing up all of our Surefire Flashlights and the two lanterns we have.  I stopped by the store today and picked up some bug repellent, because I'm sure the mosquitoes will be out more than ever tonight. 

I will be sure to let everyone know how our night goes.  I'm hoping for a successful night with a lot of bites.  The fish biting that is not bug bites.   

I had some time off today so I decided to do a little shopping. I didn't really need much, but I found some great bargains on summer wear and shoes. It's always nice to find some good deals on clothing and other accessories.

I spent most of my day cruising around various little shops and corner stores. I try to avoid most of the big retail stores, because they are crowded and everything looks the same. I like do support local business owners and vendors. One lady sells handwoven socks that are extremely comfortable. I bought two pairs of these socks to go along with my shoes, because what good are new shoes without new socks?

I went to a local bootery and bought a new pair shoes. I like to get my season fashion ahead of time, so I bought some fall shoes now. It makes me feel better to know that I'm prepared for the colder weather.

My house is filthy!

With all of the traveling and vacationing of late, I haven't had any time to dust or do laundry.  The laundry room is completely overflowing with laundry and my house is covered in dust and dirt.  My sons have all of their camp clothes lying in their rooms as well.  This looks like too much fun for one person. I told the maid service to take the week off, because we were on vacation, but that seems to be a huge mistake now. I'm going to call them today and see if I can have a maid come over later today.

I don't know how I'm going to deal with this huge mess, but I'm sure I'll find a way to get all of my cleaning done in a decent amount of time. The maid is always good about making time for me, which is completely appreciated, so hopefully she will be able to stop in today to give me a hand.  

Well I guess it's time to get some cleaning done. I hope everyone has a great day! 

As I mentioned in a earlier post, my husband and I were headed to Smith Mountain Lake to spend some time together.  We had a great time, but it went by way too fast.  We had a few great days alone together, while the boys were away at camp.  We spent most of our time on the lake just floating around on our pontoon boat.  Friday was the only day that we left the lake. Shopping and dining out took up most of the day.  Since it was our last day before the boys joined up with us, we decided to do a little shopping for them and ourselves.  We bought them a few little games for the lake and some new fishing gear. 

When my sons joined us, we spent the last few days boating and fishing on the lake.  It was nice to spend the last few days of the vacation with them.  My eldest son, who is 8 years old, caught a 22 inch lake trout.  It was a gorgeous fish and it was quite tasty too.  My husband is an avid fan of eating freshly caught fish and prepares them quite well.  

The drive home seemed like forever with all of us wanting to go back for just a few more days.   We actually contemplated going back, but our sons had to be back for camp on Tuesday morning.  All in all, it was an excellent vacation.  

I've decided to do some light workouts at home this week, because I too much work to make it to the gym.  It has been quite busy for me lately, but I don't want that to interfere with my progress.  I'm starting a new workout regiment this week that features a large amount of cardio with a little abdominal strengthening.  This is generally what my normal workout consists of, but it will be with no weights and high repetitions.

I'm actually fairly motivated with my past two workouts this week.  I usually workout between 3 or 4 in the afternoon.  It actually feels great to put on my favorite baby phat shorts and turn on my iPhone.  I like the quiet and peacefulness of my own home.  It gives me a better opportunity to focus on my workout without having to worry about waiting for my machines.  

I'm considering making this my lasting workout regiment, especially with the rise in fuel prices.  It should be a great way to get my workout in and it will help me avoid wasting time.  

I just bought a new Blackberry Curve from Verizon and I love it.  It's probably going to be my best friend for the next few years. I haven't figured out how to sync my email to my phone, but I have found that text messaging is much easier with the QWERTY keyboard.  The functionality of the trackball is excellent.  The Brick Breaker game on it is also a fun time.  

I've heard that they last for quite a long time and with my track record I'm definitely going to protect it.  I spent quite a lot of money on some cell phone accessories , so I wasn't able to buy a protective case. I'm leaning towards a silicone case that has plenty of durability.  I will also be getting a screen protector, so I don't have to worry about my screen getting scratched or chipped.

I will be purchasing a Bluetooth headset for my Blackberry Curve as well.  I like the idea of having a hands-free driving experience and also making people think I'm talking to myself. Gotta love technology.  

In the spirit of gloating I decided to list the top 3 reasons why I'm a great wife.  All of you wives out there I recommend that you do the same. It's good to reflect on the great jobs you all have done.  I know it makes me feel much better.

1. I organize my household.  I make sure that the children are ready for school and my husband has what he needs for work.  I also make sure the animals are fed and the plants are watered.  If I wasn't around, then I don't know how my home would function properly.

2.  I ensure that the adequate amount of family time is spent.  I make sure that my husband and I spend plenty of time with our children. I plan family game nights, organize weekly activities, and ensure that we have a happy family.  I plan get togethers with our my parents, and my in-laws, so we don't seem disconnected from the rest of our extended family.

3.  I keep a neat and comfortable home.  I make sure the home is inviting to all that enter it and continue to make it better everyday.  I do a lot of house cleaning and reorganizing, when the home needs a face lift. I like to maintain a cozy home, so people feel welcomed from the moment they enter.

 There are plenty of other reasons why I am a great wife and mother, but these are just the main reasons.

It seems like a redundant post, but it truly is exciting.  We are heading to the lake this weekend to spend some time with my in-laws. We are meeting them at the lake for some fun and relaxation.  We will probably dine out both nights, because my in-laws love eating at high class restaurants, which is always a nice break from the oridinary chain restaurants. 

We always enjoy our Smith Mountain lake vacations , but this weekend will be a bit different, because there will be a lot of entertainment and catching up with family that we don't see everyday.  My husband rarely gets to see his parents anymore, so it should be a nice change of pace for him.  I believe my husband is taking his dad for a round of golf on Saturday morning.  It is a late Father's Day present, since they were unable to meet up last weekend.  My mother in-law and I will be taking my kids shopping and out for lunch on Saturday. 

It should be a great weekend... hope everyone enjoys it.  

My husband went for the idea of hiring a maid!

We will be interviewing applicants in the next few weeks.  I'm looking forward to having extra free time and a break from the monotonous jobs that I had to do. I'll be able to focus on myself and my family a lot more.  It will give me plenty of time to plan fun trips and daily excursions with my family. 

I'm not sure how the whole interviewing process works, but we will be finding out real soon. We're hoping to have our new maid in and working by the middle of July.  I've spent my morning calling various maid services to set up appointments with maids.  I have 5 appointments scheduled next week and I really hope we get some good candidates. I could really use a great helpful maid that knows the ropes, but is also personable and good with children.

I think my main focus for the interviews will the be experience with children and the attitude of the maid.  I want a fun and hardworking maid for my home.  

I've been having trouble using my new cellphone and my new Bluetooth headset.  It's taking awhile to get used to the new functionality between the two devices.  I don't feel that it is a really big issue, but it is a bit inconvenient when I'm driving and I'm not quite sure how to use it smoothly.  This almost makes it a hazard, because it doesn't always properly work with my phone. It can be choppy and difficult to hear sometimes.  I guess I'll have to take another look at the manual when I have a moment. 

I always seem to have trouble with new cell phone accessories and I'm not quite sure.  I would like to think that I'm somewhat technologically inclined, but then again there are problems like this that make me feel like I am not. Regardless, I always try to keep up with the newest and latest gadgets that can make life easier. I think I'm going to call my wireless provider and see if they can provide me a little assistance with the matter.   

I'm starting to realize that I'm slowing migrating towards a daily routine.  I'm a person that thrives on spontaneity, so this is starting to scare me.  I feel like I need to creep out of this mold or I will no longer be able to do things on a whim. 

My daily routine starts with the gym.  This is one part of my day that is completely fine the way it is.  I don't mind having the daily routine of waking up and heading to the gym.  Actually, it's much better if I make it a trend.  

After the gym, I head home to do some housework.  I don't mind doing the house work, but I would love it if I could talk my husband into hiring a maid service .  I think that this would free up a lot of time and allow me to make some not so routine decisions about my day.  

I usually meet my friends, parents, or husband for lunch.  This is another part of my day that is completely fine the way it is.  It gives me time to catch up with everyone in my life.

I come home from lunch and make dinner.  The maid would also come in handy for this portion of the day. I wouldn't have to spend my time in the kitchen, so I could be shopping or planting a garden.  I've always wanted to start a garden.  

I don't mind the daily routine that much, but it would be nice to add some different options.  You know they say variety is the spice of life.  

In my many years of traveling I have come to realize that there are three main reasons for my travels.  These three reasons are usually at the core of any trips that I take in a given time.  I'm not necessarily saying there is any reason to my travels, but there are reasons for the destinations. 

My first reason is to experience a new culture. I like to experience different ways of living.  I find that the more cultures I encounter, then the more I can grasp my own sense of being.  I enjoy trying different food and drink, because there is always something out there that I haven't tried.

My second reason is the need to get away from it all.  Sometimes everyone just needs some time way from the stressors in life.  A little time away to enjoy a few of your favorite things.  Magazine subscriptions happen to be my favorite thing about vacations.  I love reading my favorite magazines in a remote place.  It is my way of recharging after a stressful time period.

Lastly, my most important reason is to spend time with my family.  Nothing brings my family together better than a trip away from the ordinary.  It helps us refocus our attention on one another and to avoid the trivial things that can cause arguments and fights.  

Everyone should try to find there own reasons to travel, because these core reasons have made me realize what type of destination I should choose.  

I plan on going hiking somewhere tomorrow with my kids.  My husband and I have been avid hikers for sometime now and naturally our children just started coming with us. It's become our family's favorite past time for years.  This weekend we'll be strapping our Camelbak water packs and doing some hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I'm not sure what our destination is, but it should be a good time. We always manage to find the most scenic places, when we're just meander around in the wilderness.  Not knowing where we are going is half the fun and it really adds to the adventure of the trip.  We usually hike around 5 to 6 miles and then hike back 5 or 6 miles. It's a great way to get some exercise and spend sometime with the family in the wilderness.

So I decided after a month it was time to shave my legs.  Summer is here and I decided that I won't be wearing pants on hot days, even though I work and live in an air conditioned home.  I think I forgot to shave my legs correctly.

I started by shaving my legs with an electric razor.  This went off without a problem, because the razor was brand new and the hair was fairly long.  I didn't really require any extra effort and didn't cause any irritated to my skin, so I moved to the next step.

I doused my legs with water and applied some shaving gel.  I worked up a nice lather on my legs and started shaving.  The problem occurred when I realized that I didn't have a new razor.  I used my 3 month old razor on my legs.  I didn't run into any problems until half way through my second leg.  The razor began to pull my hair and not cut smoothly.

My legs bled more blood than I thought I had in my body, but after a few hours of adding wound care products to my legs the bleed did subside.  I learned my lesson and will never use an old razor to shave my legs. 

My family and I decided to head to the lake again this weekend.  We plan on leaving about the same time as last week and heading home early Monday morning.  My husband doesn't have to be back until around 12:30 pm on Monday, because there are morning meetings that he doesn't need to partake in.  We we will be venturing to Smith Mountain Lake to do some boating and fishing.

This was somewhat of a last minute decision, but there really isn't much trouble in packing up some things to take with us.  There are a few local supermarket's in the area, so there is no need to take much food with us.  I will probably just spend the rest of my day packing up a few things and planning out some fun things to do this weekend. We like doing fun things with our children on our weekend trips. 

I know I mentioned the amazing fishing tale of the weekend, but I failed to mention all of the other things that happened this weekend.  We went to Smith Mountain Lake and did a lot of boating.  We took our pontoon boat around the lake and spent time enjoy the beautiful weather along some delicious food.  We packed some specialty sandwiches and some freshly cooked kettle chips.  It was quite enjoyable to spend some time eating finger foods and not having to prepare a meal or two. We basically ate light the entire weekend, because I made a large bowl of fresh fruit salad and pasta salad.  The kids pretty much just ate that all weekend long.  The heat made my husband and I less hungry for a large meal, so I kind of followed the same path. 

We had campfires and made s'mores both nights.  The kids ran around and caught fireflies, while my husband and I talked around the campfire.  The weather was excellent both day and night, so a good time was had by all.  It was great to see other families out on the lake enjoying themselves as well. 

I'm really enjoying the warmer weather the East coast has been experiencing lately.  I've been spending large amounts of time outside with my children, especially in the pool.  The children haven't left the pool in the last week, which is great for me.  I can just sit up on the deck and read a book, while they swim. I thoroughly enjoy sitting outside on a sunny day and reading a good book. 

My son plays in a summer baseball league and I can say that I enjoy the summer nights much more.  I no longer have to wear my under armor underneath my t shirt.  I like the lazy summer ball games at night and then heading for ice cream right after.  Win or lose my son always gets his ice cream.

Nothing beats a nice juicy watermelon during the warm summer months.  Fresh fruit seems to be the status quo around this time of the year, which is completely fine by me.  Surprisingly, my children love to dig into some freshly made fruit salad when exiting the pool for a few minutes. 

Enjoy the nice weather.