Day 129 – Buddha Belly

For my intention today Elijah and I went over to eat from the Buddha Belly Food Truck. I heard about it recently and it’s been online and in local advertisements. Apparently it travels all over Rhode Island and is a pretty big deal. The menu was short and simple so we went with the crepes, wings and soup. It was actually really, really good. I have eaten from food trucks before but not in a long time. But I have never, ever sought one out!

As we pulled up, I noticed it was pretty packed and they actually had two lines formed. The setting was beautiful – it was in front of a local hotel only a few miles away from my house. The trees were in full bloom and there were an abundance of beautiful tulips standing long and proud. I am so happy we did this for my intention today.

I embraced the opportunity to experience something different just because I can and once again it was a fabulous outing! The food was delish and unique and Elijah and I had fun enjoying this silly experience. #allbecauseofyouHGAL #whynottrysomethingnew #justbecauseIcan

 

 

Day 128 – Sunshine Smoothies

For my intention today I decided to begin making smoothies for breakfast. I purchased my vanilla whey protein and various berries and fruits. I already had the almond milk and some green veggies. I researched smoothie recipes on Pinterest and printed a handful to try.

I have never been into making smoothies at home so this will be new territory for me. But I’ve decided for myself and my family to begin our days healthier. Personally, I recognize the fact that I cannot keep eating like I’m 18. My body may not show it yet but I do not want to wait until it does either.

I snack when I want and eat pretty much what I want but I need to begin incorporating intentional healthy eating into my life to honor my health, my age and my future. I look forward to trying new recipes and getting really good at throwing together smoothies every morning for myself and my family. Cheers to healthy and yummy AM smoothies!! #thinksmarteatsmart #blenditup #HGAL

 

Day 127 – Reconnection

Sometimes as life gets busy, it’s so easy to lose days or even weeks and on occasion months with friends. I have learned my life lesson with letting too much time go by without reconnecting with friends. So when my friend Jen asked me to get together today, I carved out the time in my schedule early this evening to meet up. We filled each other in on the activity of our lives in the last couple of weeks. We sat together in a beautiful café/coffee house, sipping our tea and chatting away.

I love this particular spot. It must have been a bank in prior years because it has an authentic humongous vault with the old style safe front. Then in such vast contrast, everywhere you look there are enormous chandeliers hanging- illuminating the entire area. There is a chess board in one nook and bistro style wooden chairs/table sets everywhere. It has true charm and the wall to wall large windows add the ability to view the heart of Newport while you relax.

Anyhow, as we walked back to my house afterwards I found myself thinking how blessed I am to have an awesome local friend. I appreciate having someone that I have known so many years from Arizona living so close to me and offering the familiarity and friendship that every girl needs. I found myself thinking of how lucky I am to have realized that making time for friends even when life is busy is so very, very important. And then I ultimately thought of the fact that once again I have this blog to thank for making me intentionally slowing it down for some much appreciated girl time and reconnection. #HGAL

 

Day 126 – Closing Festivities

The International Volvo Race is now complete. All contestants have made their way here to the island and it has been an event packed 12 days. We have watched from across the bay all of the activity with the entire thing. When I am on my deck I have been able to hear in the distance the concert music and see all of the lights and activity. Well, this morning I declared to Vinny “It’s the last day and all of the closing festivities are happening just down the road and I want to go for my intention for the blog.”

An hour later….we were there. It was a perfectly glorious day- high 70’s, bright and sunny, the Seagulls blaring as they flew by and the harbor was absolutely jam packed with boats. We got there and watched the parade go by (you know, I LOVE parades!!). We watched demo’s of driverless cars, an Asian synchronized fighting/dance display, we walked around and took in so many festivities everywhere the eye could see.  After we left we went out for a nice meal together to a restaurant we have never been too. Then Vin had to run to work for just a bit and I went to manage my booth for the week.

I came back and picked up Elijah and he and I went to the beach. There were people everywhere and I just love a packed beach! It’s fun to sunbathe and frolic in the water but it’s just as fun to just relax in my beach chair soaking in the sun- taking in all the happy vibes that come from a packed beach. The bright sun, ocean air, multitudes talking and laughing and happy commotion just makes me smile.

Afterwards, we came back and I cooked an amazing meal for an early dinner. And now Vinny and I are sitting on the deck, watching the sun set (Margarita in hand) and taking in the air as it cools and comforts. The sky is a brilliant pink and there are bluish/purple clouds billowing about. Today was a good day. #HGAL

 

Day 125 – Curtain Time!

Today was another prep day intention for me. It was all about my youngest son Elijah today. He was cast as the lead in the high school play. They have been practicing relentlessly for 5 months. He has never done anything like this and to be lead is so amazing. The pride of a parent is an indescribable feeling. As I watched him in all the scenes perfectly executing his lines my smile was ear to ear and heart was full.

Elijah reserved seats in the first row for us which was a great little surprise, too. Vinny’s daughter and the kids came out to see the play which absolutely amazing. We all came back to the house for food and to hang out afterwards. Today was a great day and tonight was perfect! Happy Saturday #HGAL

Day 124 – Dance While You Can

Today as I was tidying up around the house I was listening to music, as I usually do while I’m cleaning. I was kinda bobbin my head and singing quietly. I was thinking about how much I love, love, love to sing. I just don’t feel like my blessing was the pipes- that went to my sister. Vinny and the kids always tell me I sing amazing but I think they may be biased. Anyways, I was thinking of the blog and how it’s getting me to do things intentionally each day that I normally wouldn’t and I said to myself “Go ahead, why not? No one’s here…belt it out!” And that is exactly what I did.

I sang out loud - as loud as I could, I danced around…cleaning up and standing by my deck slider looking around at all the people outside walking by, the boats, the water, the action! Have I mentioned how much the frigid winter makes you embrace and fall in love with the nice weather and beauty of the spring/summer???  From an Arizona girl, that’s an appreciation you don’t understand until you experience it.

So anyhow, at my house I have a book called “Dance while you can.” I initially bought it as a cute decoration for a stack of books with flowers on it. But it has some of the neatest sayings inside and one of my favorites is:

“I will not stand to the side

And allow the music in my heart
To fade away and die
I will dance to my own life song. “

That’s it! That’s me! I have always lived my life with courage, strength, love and adventure- truly dancing to the beat of my own heart…and with that I allowed myself to dance around and sing out loud and embrace the life I’ve been blessed with today. #HGAL #HappyFriday #dancewhileyoucan

The book cover and page inside... LOVE IT!!

Day 123 – Boats

After a very productive and full day, I stopped at the beach to enjoy the weather for a while. I listened to the sounds of the ocean, let the sun shine down on me and walked along the sandy beach. Afterwards, I was actually headed home for the rest of the day. As I came down the road, I noticed all the boats in the harbor. They were all gone for the winter and it seems like suddenly there are so many now.

So after I got home, I dropped off my items, put on a jacket and went right back out to go enjoy the scene of all the boats. I walked around embracing the cool breeze and beginning of the sunset. I took some pics and thought back on all the times I’ve been boating. I even called my sister and we chatted about when we went years ago with the family.

When we lived in NC, we lived right on the lake- the Marina was next to us so I’m used to seeing boats but there is a distinct difference between lake boats and ocean boats. From my house I see yachts, sail boats, tall boats, fishing boats, speed boats, water taxi’s, cruise ships and even at times oil liners. I just love the variety and love the character it brings to my view.

Thinking about it though, other than the cruises Vinny and I have taken or the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and Catalina Island in Cali, I have never been boating on an ocean (like a day of boating). Any day boating I’ve done have been in lakes. So, I have added that to my list of things to look into to do this summer- ocean boating!

This was a great intention for my day and once again I am grateful for this blog for making me stop to embrace a part of my day I may not have otherwise. #HGAL

Day 122 – Hello Beautiful

After a bizarre and fairly tense morning followed by a busy and hectic afternoon – I was in desperate need of a little “retail therapy” later in my day. Other than the mall...I just love stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Homegoods and sometimes Ross. They offer such a wide variety of items and it’s nice to just kind of meander through looking at a little of this and a little of that- clothes, jewelry, shoes, perfume, purses and a multitude of household items, etc.

So, I found myself wandering around just enjoying my time. I stumbled on a shirt that got me thinking so I just had to get it for my intention today. I got a few other items but this was the buy of the day for sure. It is the cutest little tank top that simply states “Hello Beautiful”. Although it may be intended to be directed at the person wearing it, or people walking past the person wearing it- I looked at it from a different angle. I see it as an exclamation and declaration to this beautiful world. Hello beautiful!  Beautiful ocean, beautiful flowers, beautiful mountains, beautiful trees, beautiful clouds, beautiful sunrise and sunset. No matter where you live, there is something beautiful this world offers. My hope is that anyone reading this stops for a moment and thinks of the beauty that surrounds them and simply smiles in appreciation.

I see each and every day as valuable and precious. When I wear this shirt, this will be what I am representing. I see it as a nod to the beauty surrounding me and my true appreciation of my blessed life! #missingHGAL

Day 121 – Eating Out

I love eating out- it’s true. Although there is nothing better than a home cooked meal, I love the vibe and atmosphere of the busy bustling restaurant, the buzz of conversation and laughter in the air, the drinks, appetizers, food and dessert. Have I mentioned before that Heathers favorite restaurant was the Olive Garden? I want to go there for an intention one day but there isn’t one for many miles around me so I will have to do that in a future intention.

So tonight, we went to our favorite summer hang out here- The Red Parrot. It’s 3 levels of simply lovely. We take friends, family and ourselves there quite often in the summer months so clearly we haven’t been there in quite a while and it’s a great way to embrace the good weather and impending summer. As we sat there tonight I talked about my blog for a bit and discussed some ideas for future blog posts. I am trying to keep this as spontaneous as possible but it doesn’t hurt to have some “go to” ideas of things to do.

Although this is obviously in memory of my dear cousin Heather, this is a personal challenge to find a new thing every single day to do with intention, which sometimes isn’t as easy as it may seem. It is a challenge I am happy to embrace and look forward to the many days ahead this summer and beyond. #HGAL

Day 120 – Country Roll

The other night at Micah’s fight, at one point a quick but pretty severe storm moved in. We were away from our VIP seat so we all got pretty wet. I quick grabbed Micah’s best friend’s hat (totally like my extended son) and said I had to use it to protect my hair and makeup which of course he didn’t mind at all. Well, I ended up leaving with it still on my head.

I was looking at that hat today trying to remind myself to make sure I give it back to him before my trip is over. I smiled at the country swag of the hat with its orange and camo colors and wording that boasts:  “Shootin Deer & Drinking Beer- That’s How I Roll”. It’s so opposite of me and my ultra girly-girly ways it made me just chuckle.

So I thought that it would make a great intention for my day to wear this hat and get my “country roll” on. Lol. Actually after my makeup was done and I was all dressed, I put it on and totally loved it. I am happy to get my country girl on for the day. #ILOVENC #HGAL