This is actually my second week back at work now but I was away from work for so long it still feels like a novelty. I was out two weeks in July (one when my mother passed away and a second for a training) and then away the first two weeks of August for vacation. It's good to be back and back to some sort of normal schedule- though I could probably get used to being on perpetual vacation too.
Vacation was fantastic. I definitely had a lot of moments where I really missed my mom because I always called her a lot during previous road trips, checking in from all of our various locations. Traveling was also a good distraction for me though and I got to spend some actual quality time with the hubby which hadn't happened for quite a while. It was good to have the first week just the two of us exploring the country together. The second week was a ton of fun in a different way when some good friends met us for a week in Vegas. I didn't win big but I also didn't come home broke so I will call it a success!
So now the whole point of this blog: What did I accomplish from my list in the last few weeks/ while I was away... quite a few things actually!
Items completed:
69. Make a photo album/book for Hawaii trip
70. Make a photo album/book for Keys trip
*shutterfly - the service I usually use to print photos was having a 20% off sale on photobooks which is how I ordered the first one and then I got an email for a free photobook which I earned with my first order (I also ordered a few other prints) so I was able to get the second one taken care of as well. YAY! I actually really like the photo books instead of albums (I'm a librarian - I like books - what can I say?) because I can easily add captions etc and they look so nice on the bookshelf.
79. Spend the night in a National Park
80. See the Grand Canyon
*Seems I had some luck because the items on my list are getting checked off in pairs! I have always wanted to stay in one of the large national parks over night to really see and experience the park without having to rush. We were able to stay at a lodge in the Grand Canyon National Park which was fantastic because it let us see the sunset and sunrise over the canyon. It was a beautiful park... though VERY crowded in the summer which for me unfortunately took away from the experience a little bit. Hopefully next time we are there we will have the time and be prepared to hike (or take a mule) to the bottom and back up. We did hike a short distance down into the canyon but they really recommend that it takes two complete days to go all the way down (camp overnight) and then back up. They take their warning signs seriously!
83. Visit Bill and Beth (and new babies Violet and Henry!) -- we had a great time stopping to see old friends in Colorado. Henry and Violet are adorable and Bill and Beth were fun to watch as new parents. I am excited to say that the four of us took the wee ones on their first restaurant outing (which was delicious - I highly recommend Coopersmith's in Ft. Collins http://www.coopersmithspub.com/
95. Play a table game at a casino - It would have just been wrong if I hadn't been able to check this off my list while in Vegas. I played $1 blackjack at the Sahara. I lost about 10 bucks. The novelty of it was fun but I don't feel the need to do anymore table gambling ... I enjoyed the Deal or No Deal and Sex and the City slots just as much (maybe more) and I could play those a penny at a time.
This week I hope to:
a. get back to the gym at least twice
b. get back on the treadmill at least three times
c. read a biography
d. maybe make another attempt at a peaches and cream pie - I made one over the weekend but messed it up so I'm not gonna cross it off my list til I get it right :-)
