Day 174 – 4th of July!

4^th of July party success. Family, friends, music, good food, fireworks and more. Today was a good day.

Wishing my readers a safe and Happy 4^th of July!!

Cheers!! #shortestblogever #HGAL

 

Day 173 – Side Deck

Since Vinny had today off and this weekend we are gonna be so busy, I thought it was a great idea for my intention today to get our side deck redone. There was a couple of beach chairs and a bistro table out there before. Since we really don’t spend much time on that deck we never did too much with it. But as anyone who knows me understands, I don’t like to leave things undone and tend to be quite the perfectionist.

I figured, if we gave it a different purpose than our main deck, then maybe we would use that one as well. So we decided that we would make that one an outdoor dining area. So… we went and found an outdoor set. I recently received as a gift an outdoor umbrella with Bluetooth so it actually plays music from speakers underneath the umbrella. We got a plant for the side as well that should flourish with all of that direct sunlight. So, it’s fairly simple but I do love how it turned out.

This was such a fun day- I just love home projects. Vinny and I have always had so much fun with things like that! We also had a chance to get some decorations and supplies for tomorrow’s party while we were out. #FunFriday #HGAL

Day 172 – Ben & Jerry's To The Rescue

Although today was a pretty good day, I had to take Elijah to the airport. He is off to AZ for the summer to stay with his dad and visit family as he does every summer. So, once again I find myself with an empty nest. At the airport I got choked up (as I always do) but as I was out and about staying busy preparing for our 4^th of July party and taking care of other things – everything seemed fine.

It’s when I got home (a super quiet home) that I started feeling sad. The first day is always the hardest but just like last summer it is especially tough cause I am finding myself with a completely empty nest. All my boys are doing so well that I can’t be too sad but I miss them and it does get to me.

So, when Vinny was home and after we both ate- we decided for my intention to get on out of the house and go for a late night ice cream. Ben & Jerry’s is just a short walk away and it is a beautiful night so off we went. Outside there were so many people standing around talking and laughing and eating their ice cream. After we got ours- we wandered out onto the pier at the small beach area across from our home and just enjoyed our ice cream and the gorgeous night air. One of the open bars beside the pier had live music going on and it just set the best background ambiance.

I understand and accept that it’s normal and quite ok to miss my boys but tonight it was lovely to let Ben & Jerry (and Vinny lol) rescue me from my sadness on the day my youngest left for the summer. #icecreamhelpseverything #missingmybabies #grownupchildrenissues #HGALnowandalways

Day 171 – Newport Gulls Game

Tonight's intention was actually Elijah’s idea. He has been wanting to go to the local semi-pro baseball game that is only a few blocks away from our house. It is packed a couple of nights a week and looks like so much fun. It’s local, so it’s pretty small but we’ve heard it’s a great time - and sure enough…it was!

Elijah, my mom and I walked there earlier this evening for a 6:30 game. We got amazing seats three rows up from behind home plate. We cheered on the local team as they proceeded to win the game. Between every inning there was an activity for the kids. The music was going, the crowd was roaring, the hot dogs and burgers were cooking and the weather was cooperating perfectly. We left just shortly before it was over.

I had a great time with my family at the game tonight. Cheers to another glorious summer night and blog intention! #HGAL #letthesummerrollon

 

Day 170 – Beach Yoga

Today for my intention, I chose to participate in a class at my local beach…a “Beach Yoga” class. Again, I find myself truly grateful for my blog and embracing the lifestyle of intentional living. This was a fabulous class. The sun on one side and simultaneously the moon on the other, the sights and sound of the waves, the sand, the eventual sunset, the breeze and ocean air, the 16 other friendly ladies participating – I have never been more happy to have shown up for something new.

So, first I went to my gym for a spin class. I worked up a nice cardio sweat, changed clothes, picked up my mom (my camera woman lol) and headed back to the beach. The instructor greeted me immediately and was so inviting and friendly. I knew instantly that this was going to be an amazing experience. She did not disappoint. The moves were easy- fluid and controlled. Her instruction of breathing and importance of keeping your mind clear of static chatter and just relaxing into our current status was perfect. The group seemed to be at many different experience levels but everyone seemed to truly enjoy their time – but how couldn’t they? It’s Beach Yoga!

Afterwards, my mom and I randomly got into a conversation with another mother and daughter. They were absolutely sweet as could be and mentioned that they too would surely be back and thoroughly enjoyed the class as well. As we were talking about the pictures my mom was taking, I explained to them the premise of this blog and shared with them the blog address. Again I find myself blessed to be able to share the memory of my cousin Heather, one of the best people I have ever known. #HGAL  #namaste #anythingonthebeachisamazingbutthiswasbestofall

 

 

 

 

Day 169 – Beach Volleyball

Today as I was driving home from the market, windows down- breeze blowing- sun shining- perfect temperature, as I was passing the beach I realized there were a ton of people there, more so than usual for a Monday. I pulled into the parking lot and realized there was an event going on. There were about 15 or more volleyball nets set up and what appeared to be a tournament or game of some sort going on.

After parking, I walked the beach for a bit. I just love the sights, smells and feel of the ocean air- I simply cannot get used to it. There were so many waves crashing all around and the tide was just starting to come in. With sand on my feet, hair blowing in the wind and smile planted on my face- I had the opportunity to enjoy a short conversation with a random couple passing by. I headed down to the volleyball area. I watched for a bit and reminisced on how much I used to love playing volleyball when I was on the team in school. Maybe this is something I can look into one day soon- a local adult league or team. But for now…. I just allowed myself to enjoy the day, the game, the ocean and my intention. #HGAL

Day 168 – The Docks

We got home from the Cape mid-afternoon today. The weather didn’t cooperate for the beach yesterday but our time ended up even better. It was 4 couples, we ended up staying in, playing an awesome game called Cards Against Humanity (what a BLAST!!!). Anyhow, we ate loads of Chinese takeout, drank, ate cupcakes and just had a great evening.

So, for today’s intention….once we got in today, Vinny wanted to rest up for a busy upcoming week. It’s a bit gray and overcast but not cold at all, just about mid 60’s which is great to me. So I asked my mom if she wanted to go for a walk and see what we could find for an intention. As we walked I asked her if she wanted to go check out the local docks. I have never been over there, but always hear the seagulls screaming and going nuts in the morning when the boats come in with their fresh catch.

As we walked over I saw the sign that said that they sell lobster, crab and more at boat prices. Also, there were picnic tables to one side with a food truck that offered lobster rolls and a ton of other assorted sea food. We passed the “Sara Star” charter boat which obviously we just had to stop and take a picture of. As we walked all the way in the dock area, we saw some really cool things including large anchors, humongous bobbers, large nets, stacks and stacks of lobster and crab traps, barrels and boats and so much more. As we walked away, we came across a small pub that had the neatest artwork along the outside of the building. It was so rustic and completely raw and like a scene from a movie.

I just enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells of the dock. It’s so opposite of everything I grew up around- I am so fond of this New England lifestyle. We had a great walk and a great intention exploring the docks. #HappySundayFunDay #HGAL #yourgonnaneedabiggerboat   

Day 167 - Heading to the Cape

For today’s intention Vinny and I are heading to Cape Cod. Our friends have a beach house down there and invited us to stay the night with them and some other friends.  We intend to lay on the beach all day, enjoy laughs and conversation with a bunch of good people. I am sure we will go out to a nice dinner and simply enjoy the Cape as it should be. I wanted to get my blog entry written before my day began.  #enjoyyourweekend #HGAL  

Day 166 – The Towers

So my intention today was actually to go see live music at the beach with my mom at a beach about 20 minutes away from us in the town of Narragansett. Well, unfortunately we got there just as they were finished (I really thought it was longer). But that’s ok we can go another Friday. So we just walked around the beach area, chatted with a few people and enjoyed the early evening. As we walked around, I mentioned to her that the couple of times Vinny and I have come to this beach, we have never gone to the castle looking building down on the other side of the beach. So, I said “Hey, for my intention – let’s go see what that building is all about.”

As we approached, I saw a sign that said it was called “The Towers”. Unfortunately, it was closed for a private event. But wow was it ever pretty! We walked all around it and noticed that there are also restaurants all in the vicinity. So, we continued to walk the path around the beach- even seeing a guy with a trained cat sitting on the ocean wall. It was such a sight I just had to snap a picture. Lol. Anyhow, the people were super nice and the beach area was pretty busy but definitely not too much.

So, even though I missed out on my initial intention idea, it still was a great evening. We came back and met up with Vinny and have been enjoying this beautiful evening. Narragansett was gorgeous, the towers were cool and it was nice to have some mom and me time. #cherisheverymoment #missingHGALalways

 

Day 165 – Keepsakes

So, I am not the kind of person that saves a whole lot of items for “memory’s sake”- only a select, very special few. However, when it comes to events and outings- I do have a select few stubs and tickets I have kept over all the years. I was looking at some of the ticket stubs I have saved and got such a kick out of some of the places I have been over the years. I thought to myself how awesome it would have been if I had kept all the concert stubs, all the event tickets, plays, shows, etc., even plane ticket stubs to some of my favorite places I’ve traveled to.

Anyhow, when I was looking through these items I noticed that I still had my ticket to New Years Eve 1993 in Tempe, Arizona that I was with Heather and some friends at. I still have the Janet Jackson concert ticket that I was with Heather at as well. I found a picture of us at a Destiny’s Child (and multiple other performers) concert. Heather and I did so much together and had so much fun.

For my intention tonight, I decided to go to a local store and find a really cool way to store, display and continue to collect my favorite event tickets. I got a beautiful glass and blue ombre colored nautical type vase. It can sit independent or hang. I put my tickets inside and it ended up looking super cute. This is such a neat way to remember to keep all the tickets and stubs from now on and add to the collection. Maybe in 10 more years or so I will pull them all out and get a real kick out of the many more places I will have gone by then and think back to this blog day intention. #Cheers #savethememories #HGAL

Heather, me and my niece at Destiny's Child