GIFT

This gorgeous flower kept me company while I was on the terrace in Montreal. The owner of the B&B grew them in various places on property and then placed them at the breakfast table for his guests to enjoy.

p.s. I was testing the photo option import program. I love the size and clarity of this photo!

MONTREAL

NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL in Old Montreal. Horse drawn carriages are available at the plaza for tourist to enjoy.

CALIFORNIA AGAIN...

It has been a whirlwind month. I've been stressing because my blog hasn't had much attention this month--even though I'm always thinking, "oh, I need to blog about that..." Just didn't happen.

We spent the last week in San Jose and the Trampoline and Tumbling Junior Olympic Nationals Competition. This is also the only time this summer the 4 of us will be all together. Camps and what not will fill the rest of our summer. (School starts early August here in Texas.)

So how did my gymnast do you ask? Well, he came home with 2 Gold medals and 1 Silver medal (by 3 tenths). But I can't tell anyone because he doesn't want me to brag. Here's the champion:

The other big news is that a day after we got home, Kooza celebrated his 13th birthday (photo above). Yep! All this good stuff happening in one week. Bliss.

CALIFORNIA

I’m back from my trip to California. L*O*V*E that state! The weather actually felt cold to a Texan like me. I know. You can giggle. I packed shorts and short sleeved shirts, but only wore my blue jeans, long sleeves and kept my jacket close by. By week’s end I was adjusting to the 70 degrees, but then it was time to leave. Luckily, we have another trip to California planned this month. I can’t wait to get back!

Here’s a picture of my new friends, D&M and Jake the Wonder Dog, strolling along Seal Beach after a great breakfast at The Rivers End café.

CALIFORNIA BOUND

I’ll be traveling to the Long Beach, CA area this summer. I’m going with a friend (or should I say invited myself/tagging along) to celebrate her sister’s birthday. I love California any time of year because the weather is typically awesome, especially in comparison to the 90 degrees we’re getting here in Texas this week---and it’s not even summer! Ughhh.

Anyway, I would love to hear any ideas you might have of things to do and places to see while we’re out there. I’m particularly interested in farmers markets, one of a kind events (I heard about the balloon and wine festival in Temecula), flea markets, great beach shops….you know, ‘local flavor’ type shops and ideas. Any junk gypsies out there?

I’ll be without hubby and boys, so anything is possible. I won’t have to listen to the ‘this is boring’ comments from the teenagers….you know what I mean?!

Last time I went away with a friend I lost my passport and was stranded in Mexico. Pray for me that doesn’t happen this time!!

*duchess*

A FABULOUS BREAK

Kooza is headed to Circus camp again this summer. Have I mentioned that already? I’ve been making a few arrangements to stay in Montreal this July. All the planning has brought back memories of last year when I spent a week there just relaxing and enjoying a great, low-key vacation destination. (That's Kooza hanging in the photo.)

One afternoon as I was eating pizza at a local outdoor café, I couldn’t help but notice the ‘cigarette break’ a young girl was taking across the street through a second story window. As I saw her and peeked a little further into the room she was coming from, I couldn’t help thinking there was something artsy and wonderful that she was a part of. I couldn’t quite figure out what they were doing. I saw a photographer and lots of photo lights flashing but I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

A Mom doesn’t get too many breaks you know. So….with summer fast approaching, I’m dreaming of Montreal and enjoying the great cool summer weather there.

*duchess*

REGIONAL COMPETITION

This past weekend Kooza and I traveled to the ‘big city’ of Lubbock for his regional competition. Kooza is a gymnast. His specialty is Trampoline and Tumbling.

I’m happy to report he came home with one GOLD medal and two SILVER medals after competing in his three events. Coming home with 3 medals for his first regional competition is outstanding. Texas was competing against 8 other states. I can’t name them all. (Sometimes ignorance is bliss you know.) We just wanted to go and ‘do our best.’ I think he did just that. He missed one gold medal finish by one-tenth of a point! That’s the crazy sport of gymnastics.

Overall, our ‘Team Air Force’ did really well. It was a very successful weekend for us. We still have more work before the season is over. The next 6 weeks will be spent preparing for Nationals for Kooza and a few other team members.

The weekend was full of mishaps and craziness in Lubbock---including watching the guy behind me try to pass a bottle of whiskey and a liter of coke through airport security! WHAT?! The same guy stole a wheelchair and fell back while 'popping a wheelie.' Believe me, lots of stories to tell. Luckily the craziness didn’t seem to phase Kooza. When it came time to compete, he was ‘in the zone.’

I’ve never considered myself a big city snob, but after this past weekend, I’m thinking maybe I am…. :)

LOVE DAY!

Happy Valentine's Day.

This is a photo I took in front of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts last summer while I was visiting the unique city. I saw the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit while I was there. Great fashion!

There's something I love about the shape of hearts. It makes me smile.

Celebrate love today!

*duchess*

DREAMING OF SPAIN

I’ve committed to volunteering at the boys school today. We sell Otis Spunkmeyer cookies at lunch time for the Athletic Association. I’ll be at the school, smelling chocolate, and *DREAMING* of Spain….

These are photos of Antoni Gaudi's fabulous architecture in Barcelona. Truly amazing!

Have an awesome day!

*Duchess*

DISNEY IN JANUARY

Our Disney trip was great fun!

I’ve planned DisneyWorld trips many times thinking, “Okay, I’ve got it down now. I know the best way to do this.” Well…I’m not even close. No trip is ever the same. The good news is each trip is more relaxing than the last because we’ve experienced most everything. We don’t over schedule during the short time we’re there. We pick our favorites and add a few we’ve never done (usually the ‘slow’ rides/shows). Here are the highlights:

1. We rode the newest Disney Pixar 3-D ride--once. The ‘fast passes’ were gone by 12 noon. The sign said there was a 60 minute wait, so we jumped in (typically my boys won’t wait for anything over 40 minutes). Not surprising, Disney developed a great ride! The new Pixar area at Disney Hollywood is small but wonderful. The boys thought it was great, but Expedition Everest is still their overall favorite ride.

Entrance at newest Pixar ride:

The absolute favorite ride for the boys:

2. We stayed on the “Concierge” level at the Wilderness Lodge. It was fantastic! The staff was friendly and helpful. Definitely worth the extra money especially if you’re not spending all day at the parks. This is something new I learned this trip. You might even want to pay the extra money to be on the ‘lake’ side of the Lodge to catch the Magic Kingdom fireworks show from your balcony. Bonus: We got in early one night and borrowed “Finding Neverland” (one of my all time favorites) from the desk—complimentary for concierge guests.

Pool view from the Concierge level: 3. If you’re staying at the Lodge, be sure to take a taxi to the Character Breakfasts at the Monorail resorts. $5 will get you to the front door in 5 minutes. Another something new I learned this trip. Yes, my big guys visit Character breakfasts with me. At their age, they think it's a bit silly, but they know I love it.

4. The new Kim Possible adventure at Epcot was great entertainment for my 12 year old. Apparently, this is part of the Verizon partnership with Disney. There’s no doubt creative minds think of this stuff! Epcot still needs work, but this shows Disney is at least trying to upgrade the entertainment there for the little ones. Now if they could just replace some of those old, totally dated ‘in the round’ films.

How do I apply to be on a Disney focus group??

SHOP NAKED

“Shop NAKED & Save” Hmmm. This shop sign definitely caught my eye! I was in small town Texas with Kooza for his Tumbling and Trampoline competition and this shop was next door to the gym…. I have to say—it brought a smile to my face. Won't people do anything to save a little money these days?!? Don’t worry--The shop was actually an unfinished pine furniture store. They also had great waxed and painted pine furniture plus some great Texan art and accessories. You never know what you'll see in small town Texas. Hee.