Carpe Diem Contest

I know I am way behind on posts. I owe an answer to my Earth Day experiment in how you can save money and the earth on your daily drink purchases. I have space saved to write about my long weekend trek to Boone/Blowing Rock, NC. I have TONS of great stories and photos from my trip back to my home state of Vermont last week (which for the first time ever I oddly enough found myself scratching my head saying to myself; Why don't I live here?

The above stories will come at some point.

For this morning though, no stories, just me sitting happily sipping my coffee, in the sunshine, looking at the ocean with a perfect view from the gorgeous beach house I am staying in. Just thinking about where I want to take this after coming up on 2 years and 600 posts. I would like to devote time, energy, and more into making this into about 5 different projects. This blog has allowed me to find my voice, myself, and what directions I want my life to move in. That has been completely unexpected, totally awesome, and perhaps that in itself means that's all this was ever meant to be. I joke regularly with people, that if everyone had a blog and ranted/shared in the most honest ways they could- all or a lot of what was on their minds; therapists would be out of business and we'd all understand ourselves better. 

I can look back and see my writing patterns, what people I know and perfect strangers relate to, what I love, what's interesting and important to me and what pisses me off, who I love and why I love them, my habits good and bad, and the "constants" that through moves, break-ups, new jobs, new friends, new discoveries and huge changes- are always there and never seem to fade. These are great things to be able to see and realize.

I am so thankful for you for reading, amazing friends and family, good times and ones that put me through the ringer, and all the lessons I have learned from writing here. I am beyond grateful for this thing called a blog on this thing called the world wide web, which has allowed me- through typing keys on a laptop, to find out what I'm great at, what I suck at, and those "constants" in my life. I realize today, so much more of who and what I want to be than I ever dreamed of a couple years ago. 

I have never been happier in my life. How cool is that?

So I am not catching up on the stories I have promised or the many things I'd like to share from my notes and photos quite yet. Today, just a note of thanks and I hope to share much more soon and continue for a long time with you all. If I disappear from time to time, it's only because I am out and about having a carpe diem contest with myself appreciating every ounce of today more than I did yesterday. I used to not know how to do that fully, so I'm making up for lost time.

I hope you all are seizing the day too. If you are I will see you there.

Get Crankin'

I just saw an ad with Yvon Chouinard (owner and founder of Patagonia) in it. One of the things he said that I thought was terrific:

"To do good, you actually have to do something."

Amen sir!

Capital Veggies

I love when I get links, letters, texts or any form of communication from friends with a "Hey! I thought you'd like/love/get a kick out of this!"

Here's one I got from a friend last night. He never forgets me even though he now lives far away in Wisconsin.

Another story that goes to prove you don't need much space to grow healthy goodies. Even smack dab in the middle of a city- we can all be farmers if we want to!

Thanks BW!

It's V-day

That's right. The day we eat the Vermonster. 

Check back for pix and stories- it's going to be OHHHHH so good.

Responsible Rest Stops

I love pleasant surprises. 

This sign and this recycling bin were at a NC rest stop I was at a few days ago. I see things like these popping up more and more and it makes me so happy. Perfect encouragement for us all to be more mindful of our waste and conserving resources, especially while traveling. 

Good job NC! 

Integrity

Just read a quote that I had to share immediately. Probably because I totally agree.

No matter how hard I try personally, I can't seem to shut that truth up inside me, so I continually try to figure it out. It gets me in trouble a whole heck of a lot, but I'd rather be in trouble a bunch than wake up in the mornings and walk through my days pretending I'm something I'm not. Doing that has totally kicked my a** before. Simply doesn't work.

"Integrity is having the courage and self-discipline to live by your inner truth."

~Jack Hawley

Here's to listening to your instinct and gut and blocking out any noise that comes from elsewhere. 

Just Stating The Obvious

Ran by this one yesterday. 

Phew! It's a good thing they put this sign up to warn people so they'd know.

Friday Night Lights

The view as I sit in a rocking chair on the patio at the lodge I'm shackin' up at tonight.

Ahhh.

Yeah- my Friday night sure doesn't suck. And it's just the beginning of the weekend...

And So It Begins

ROAD TRIP SEASON!!!

Yippee! 

I practically jump out of my pants when spring and summer arrive; Tis the season of getting in my car with paper maps and trekking about every second I possibly can and to every place I possibly can- often with no specific plan. Now that's the way I like it. Spring and summers fly by with long weekends and week-long peace-outs. I'm hittin the road. No GPS needed or wanted.

My "season" starts today and I am adventuring to a weekend event in the mountains in another state. I don't even know where I am staying yet and I don't care, all I need to know is that I'll figure it out when I need to, I get to see friends, celebrate and have a blast. 

It's on! From here there are regular summer spots, graduations, weddings, someone who knows someone who rented a beach house that we can crash, parents who live on lakes to visit, cities to roam, rivers to boat in, friends who have free hotel rooms through work that invite you, ahhhhh....who needs anything else but a car, some $ for gas, a bottle of water, some snacks a camera, and a paper map.

Stay tuned; Fun photos and stories from this weekend are coming and all the good times after this one too.

I'm not on vacation. I live here.

Favorite Author Of The Moment

Tim Sanders. 

Totally.

Someone recently gifted me a signed copy of this book of his. (Perfect that the caption inside reads: "To Diane, Let love RULE!")

I gobbled these pages up. I'm one of those people who underlines and marks up books making so many notes the book end up looking like a 4 yr. old grabbed it and went nuts with moms pen. Yep- I pretty much underlined this entire book. I was thrilled to see he has a new book out and a great blog I can follow too. Based on my first experience reading his work, plus the title of the new book- I've already gathered my box of pens and highlighters and can't wait to hit up Amazon.com when I have a few extra bucks to buy this next one.

Dear Tim~

Thanks for signing my gifted copy. I'm so happy to know you are an ali in preaching the likeability factor and how being nice, helpful and wide open with your knowledge can make you friends and money. Who says nice guys finish last? Pshaw!

Let Me Check My Beeper

Yep, that says Wade's wash & whack. Nice. Not only that but there's a beeper # you can use too. 

I love I spy random photos and the invention of cell phone cameras so I can document the funny stuff.

For All You BBQ Lovers

Just heard about the Big Apple Barbeque Block Party. Can you say finger-lickin' good? 

I figured this was a good post to follow up me giving up my vegetarianism last week. For all of you out there who's bodies crave a carnivorous day- grab a bib and some wet wipes and head out to Madison Square Park in a few weeks. Good times and face stuffing for thousands. I'm thinking this would be a good event to meet new friends and potential dates too. Seems like a good conversation starter/ice breaker. Spot someone who looks interesting and Drop a; "Hey- you have bbq sauce up the side of your face and on your forehead. Wanna hang out some time?" 

After that entry line, who could say no?

I Gave Up My Vegetarianism...

...for a day so I could eat amazing sandwich

Ugh- so, so good. I had to.

My friend Tim (who is super awesome and fun) 

treated me out to lunch yesterday at Black Sheep. Love this place. It had been a while since I's been there. I sure won't let that happen again.

Tim and I shared one of their 

enormous battleship "sandwiches." This thing could literally feed 4 

people. We chose the USS Brooklyn; Jerk bbq chicken, with shredded cabbage, roasted banana ketchup and peach chutney on fresh french baguette. Their menu is ridiculous. By that I mean ridiculously yummy options and funky twist on the norm. Fits perfectly with glass bottled old-fashioned sodas, the kitschy decor and overall unique style of the space and staff. Service was excellent. Bonus to their awesomeness because they wrapped our leftovers in deli paper and a small paper bag- not a big gross styrofoam container.

I love you Black Sheep. I am still stuffed and it's now 24 hours later.

I shall visit soon again for your deliciousness! 

Green Coffee

Yippee! 

I get to have coffee with Jocelyn- the owner of Green Duck in the morning. Very excited about a potential collaboration on a project I have been brewing (no pun intended.)

Stay tuned!

It's Cinco de Mayo!

I don't know what it's like where you are but it's 85 and sunny where I am so nothing says Cinco de Mayo celebration like a Corona on a patio with a book as I cut out of work early this afternoon and wait for friends to arrive after their 5pm quittin' time.

Victoria y alegrias!

Earth 911

A friend sent me this site recently. I am loving that this stuff is out there to be utilized!

Plenty of ways to contribute to the love of our planet.

Sunday Funday =

*Beers at the river and lounging on the rocks

*Trails runs with friends and dogs

*Boating

*BBQ's on the patio and feasting with neighbors

*Girly cocktails and appetizers galore on someone's lawn/balcony/porch

*Camping out at the park to read books and fashion magazines

*Driving to the beach for the day

*Movie marathons 

*Brunch with pitchers of mimosas

*Wandering into boutiques, window shopping and stopping in somewhere for lunch

*Ice cream and dollar movies

(Just to name a few.)

Ahhh...oh the options. Today I/we have chosen the beers and sun tanning/lounging at the river option.

I love Sunday Funday!