Feels Like Home aka Texas

This past weekend we went to one of our friend's cabin (Thanks Charlie) in upstate New York. It reminded me of my grandparents weekend place outside Austin, Texas.  We couldnt have asked for more perfect spring-like weather.  There is just something about being in nature: the peacefulness, tranquility, lack of TV and cellphone reception, clean air, birds chirping and the gentle sound of the nearby streams.  Needless to say, this is just what we needed to escape and enjoy a weekend away....

This is what we woke up to each morning...

The dogs (Hunter, Gia and Troy) did alot of this...

(Lexi stayed home and was spoiled by the grandparents)

while we did alot of this...

and got abit muddy from the recent snowstorm (yes, you read that correctly) that had melted...

and had a huge bonfire (which I slept through).

We even had to go into town to the nearest grocery store (a mere 45 minute drive) in which they had the largest selection of ales and microbrewed beers that I have ever seen--especially in a grocery store. 

We can't wait until the next time Alex can pretend to be a...

Last of the 20's...

We celebrated my 29th birthday on October 1st (am I really that old?) at one of my favorite places: Cuban Pete's  in Montclair....which is known for their wide array of sangrias!!! We took full advantage of this and the pitchers were flowing until the time we went home.  (Thanks babe for being the DD).  ***Most of the restaurants, etc are BYOB so we were able to make the sangria as strong or weak as we wanted.  Best of all, we got to take it home as well...

I would like to thank our wonderful friends who have always been there for us and made my transition from being a Texan to a "Jersey Girl!"  (in your dreams--no matter how hard y'all try I will always be a Texan). 

I can't wait to see what the last year of my 20's will have in store...

45 Lessons

This is from an email my mother sent me last week and I thought I would share these words/lessons learned from a very wise 90 year old woman, Regina Brett.

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me...

 

~ Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

~ When in doubt, just take the next small step.

~ Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

~ Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will.

 ~ Pay off your credit cards every month.

~ You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

~ Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

~ It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

~ Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

~ When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

~ Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

~ It's OK to let your children see you cry.

~ Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

~ If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

~ Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

~ Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

~ Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

~ Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

~ It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

~ When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

~ Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

~ Over prepare, then go with the flow.

~ Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

~ The most important sex organ is the brain.

~ No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

~ Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

~ Always choose life.

~ Forgive everyone everything.

~ What other people think of you is none of your business.

~ Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

~ However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

~ Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

~ Believe in miracles.

~God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

~ Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

~ Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

~ Your children get only one childhood.

~ All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

~ Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

~ If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

~ Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

 ~ The best is yet to come….

 ~ No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

~ Yield

~ Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

From this point on, I am going to try to take Mrs. Regina's lessons and apply it my life and ways of thinking.  I believe if each one of us applied these to their lives as well the world would be a better place!!!

 

Sidenote: I have been a horrible blogger for the past month 2 months but will hopefully fill you in on the happenings at Casa de Crespo shortly...