Randomness

Disclaimer: No rhyme or reason to this post. Just thought I would post a couple recent pics I took that I especially liked. One I took at a recent PowWow. (Yes, I finally had some of that oh-so delicious Indian Fry Bread. Yummo!!! I think I had been craving that since Christmas.) The other is of D at Thanksgiving. Isn't he just so handsome?!

ACRA Conference

The Arizona Court Reporters Association held their annual conference in Tucson, AZ over the weekend and so I decided to drive to Tucson and participate. After all, what better way to spend my Saturday than with a room full of perfectionistic, Type A personalities. It was fantastic! I woke up bright and early and hit the road around 6 am. I totally forgot how much I loved the drive between Phoenix and Tucson. (Okay, to be honest, I never remember finding it that exciting. However, for some reason, this time I totally enjoyed it.) I am certain it is due to my long, 7 year absence from my beloved desert.


A picture of Picacho Peak which is about half way between Phoenix and Tucson.

I arrived right on time at the Hilton El Conquistador which was where the conference was being held.
It was nice...your typical desert-oasis type resort surrounded by mountains. (Sorry no pics.) The conference was fantastic and I learned some helpful things, made some excellent contacts, and was able to check out some of the latest writers. I was hoping that by checking out the machines in person, I would be able to narrow down my search, and finally be able to make a decision on which one I want to purchase. Some things never change though....I still can't decide. I think I have narrowed it a bit, so I'm making progress. All-in-all, it was a great way to spend my weekend. I've just been completely exhausted ever since. And now to start another week....

Road Trip: Day 7: Home Sweet Home

Alas, 2,000 miles later I finally made it to Arizona! The desert welcomed me with 113 degree weather and it was roasty toasty indeed. Not exactly ideal moving in weather. It does feel good to be home though, and it especially feels good to be done with all that driving. Now I am just busy getting settled in and attempting to adjust to the summer heat. (Note to self: NEVER moving in July again! Thought I was going to die of heat stroke on my first day back.)

Road Trip: Day 6

We hit the road again this morning for another long day of driving.

Driving through Denver.

More Colorado scenery.

I FINALLY got another state sign. I was only able to get one other state sign. I always seemed to miss the signs for some reason.

We passed through Santa Fe. I had to stop and take a pic for my pal, Greg. He is always joking he is going to retire in Santa Fe, so I couldn't resist sending him a pic.

D rode in the truck for the first time today, and loved it. He enjoyed seeing all the sights along the way.

Another New Mexico pic.

I am happy to say, tomorrow we cross the border into Arizona! I can't wait to be home and done with all this driving. I am not sure I am prepared for the heat though. We shall see.

Road Trip: Day 5 Colorado

We drove up to the Rocky Mountain State Park for the day.

The drive was gorgeous. We did a little hiking as well, but it started to rain and we got soaking wet.

The views were so beautiful, even with all the gloomy weather.

Aww...sibling love.



On our way back from the mountains we stopped along the road at the Colorado Cherry Company. Road trips are great because you always stumble upon the most random and unlikely things to do.

We sampled all things cherry and purchased a jug of cherry cider.

Sitting outside the shop with our jug of cider. I felt like a regular mountain person. lol.


Later in the evening we went to the sculpture park with the dogs.

A sculpture entitled "Fiesta."

Me and the pups in front of the William Shakespeare sculpture.

See, I'm still a kid at heart.

The weekend was busy but fun, and it is hard to believe that tomorrow we have to hit the road again. I am not looking forward to more driving. I think I may be getting too old for this cross country stuff, but either way I have 1232 miles down, 910 miles to go.

Road Trip: Day 4 Colorado

Candy had to make a mid-trip service visit because my engine light came on just before arriving in Colorado. Nothing serious though.


After Candy's service visit, we went to Celestial Seasonings for a tea tour and tastings. We had to take a cheesy family shot since a friendly bystander offered. Cheesy is probably and understatement, but oh well.


Trying to decide from the over 100 flavors of tea, which ones I wanted to taste.


Mom and I tasting away. She especially loved the Moroccan Pomegranate, an African Rooibos tea.

I couldn't resist a photo with the Sleepy Time Bear. Sleepy Time is their oldest, and most popular tea flavor still.

Of course, it is probably no surprise that I loved this dress created with tea bags.

Me and the bro outside the tea shop.

Road Trip: Day 1-2

We left Cincinnati and drove through Indiana, Illinois and made it to Iowa City, Iowa before we stopped for the night. It was Darcy's first ever Hotel visit.


He was such a gentlemen.


Welcome to Nebraska! Day 2 we spent a large chunk of in Nebraska. We drove from Iowa, through Nebraska, Wyoming and into Colorado.


Not a whole lot to see in Nebraska.


I randomly ran into a friend from AZ at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, NE. It was too funny. She and her family were on their way back to AZ from MI. (and yes, I do realize now that I looked like a complete disaster, but how often does something that crazy happen. I had to have photographic proof.)


I somehow missed pictures of Wyoming. James and I didn't realize we were even in Wyoming til we were about to leave. This one is as we were entering Colorado. The sun was setting and it was so pretty.


We made it to my brother Paul and sis-n-law Ali's house finally! Darcy met his cousin, Wally.


They were instant buddies and love playing together!

I am happy to finally be in Colorado for a long weekend, and get a much needed break from all that driving.

Moving Day

My empty apartment....so sad.


James wore his Clemson Moving team shirt. So appropriate.


Me and my junk.


D and I get ready to road trip cross country.
It was only fitting that on my last day in Cincy, it was gray and rainy.

It is hard to believe that my last day in Cincinnati has finally arrived. Of course, my day will be spent packing, cleaning, and running errands as I prepare to leave town tomorrow. Although goodbyes are sad, all my tearful farewells have already been made, and now I am ready to get this show on the road. So, I bid my home for the past seven years a fond farewell and I am finally ready to embark on my new adventures. Sayonara Cincy!

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

Fountain Square - Downtown Cincinnati


It is hard to believe that my move is only a week away. I have spent so much time preparing for it mentally, making arrangements, anticipating it, questioning it, and dare I say even stressing about it. Yet, it still seems as if I suddenly woke up one day, and it is virtually upon me. It would be an understatement to say it is not the least bit emotional, as I truly feel it is bitter-sweet as I close the door on this chapter of my life. I would have never guessed I would live here in Cincinnati for seven years, let alone how things would so drastically change during this time in my life. Yet I feel like a fresh start is just what I need, and there is no place like the comfort of home and family. I will desperately miss some of the close amazing friendships I have developed, yet I know that no distance can take away the friendships we share. They have not only been my friends, but my family. I am also truly thankful for the amazing people I have worked with the last couple of years. I don't think they can ever even begin to know or realize just how good for my soul they were, and what an impact they have played on my life. I feel truly blessed to have been a part of such a positive and helping community, and will always have fond memories of my time with them. Although it feels like I am at a point in my life where things are ending, it really is just a start of a new beginning.

A taste of home

My week at home has come and gone all to quickly, and I find myself packing for my return home to the Midwest. So in honor of my time in the desert, it only seems fitting that the picture of the week is nothing else, but a little taste of home. Tomorrow I say au revoir to the desert, the cactus, the mountains, and all things hot, hot, hot. At least this time, as I leave my beloved desert that I have long called home, I know my return back here will only be a few short months away.