Day 232 – Vintage Theatre

Today started a bit rough with missing car keys and an emergency visit to the eye doctor but everything is ok (just an allergic reaction). I needed to relax a bit this afternoon so after I got my eyes flushed from the doctor, I welcomed my intention with open arms. Since we moved here I kept meaning to make it over to the Jane Pickens Movie Theatre. It is just a walk away from my house and in a historic part of downtown Newport. I figured the dark would do my eyes well and boy was I right. I am so glad I went.

The theatre was built in 1834 and from the moment you buy your ticket from the old fashioned ticket booth (more like a cubby) and enter the building, you feel transformed to another time. The concession stand is truly remarkable as well. With popcorn that uses REAL butter (yea I got some), an assortment of new and old fashioned candies as well as tons of local snacks, the varied wine selection (I opted for a Kendall Jackson Chardonnay) and a variety of specialty cocktail drinks- it somehow just makes you feel so comfortable.

Then when you walk into the show (this is a ONE screen theatre), your mouth just drops. With the old school double decker balcony seating, comfortable and spacious seats, ornate decorative ceiling and wall pieces to the large curtained screen and pillared and decorative sides- this theatre is simply a marvel. Instead of previews, they have a short clip on the local “goings on” and a slideshow of the specialty drinks offered as well as some of the local items offered for sale.

I watched a movie called Phoenix and it was really good. I will be keeping an eye out now for upcoming events and hope I can catch an old black and white when they show them. Cheers to a great intention and what turned out to be a pretty good day. #HGAL

Day 231 – Splish Splash

Today was a busy kind of Sunday- getting things done that needed to be which did not leave much leisure time. I had mentioned earlier in the day what an amazing beach day this would have been but it’s ok – I was happy and felt so accomplished and knew this was a day well spent.

In the early evening I was taking Elijah’s friend home and my mom joined me so we could run to her place and a quick errand. As we were driving I said that it was really getting kind of late and I’d better figure out what I was going to do for my intention. I wondered if there was any sort of activity going on at the beach so we stopped over. Nothing was going on but the air was so perfect I said to her that I just wanted to put my feet in the water and splish splash around for my intention. I wanted to take this perfect beach day and make it a perfect beach evening.

Well, the timing could not have been one bit better. Within moments after me getting my feet in the water and splashing around for a few, a little kid ran up to me. He had been walking with his mom and dad but when he saw me splashing he broke free and ran to me. He started jumping around and splashing his feet. Neither one of us was obviously prepared for this impromptu splash session because he was not dressed for the beach either. His parents were smiling and snapping pictures as the toddler grasped my hand and pulled me just a bit further into the water. Needless to say, after only moments we were both pretty soaked.

I walked him back to his parents and within minutes he broke free again and ran back to me grasping my hands again and kicking and splashing and laughing so hard. It was such a precious, unscripted life moment and it just melted my heart. Afterwards his parents got their feet in the water and so did my mom and it really was a “splish splash” kind of evening. #onceagainallcauseoftheblog #embracelifemoments #oceanliving #HGAL

 

Day 230 – Stamp Act Protest

Happy Saturday! The day started nice and early as Vinny and I were up and on our deck watching the sun rise, coffee in hand. Later in the morning, I was able to go for a nice long walk with Jen (she’s back from AZ- yay!!) and we stopped for coffee/juice and also walked the ocean cliff walk. The sun was out and bright, the air was warm but breezy and amazing.

Afterwards, Elijah was off with all his friends and we went out to go see the 250^th Anniversary Stamp Act Reenactment in a nearby park. I have never been to anything like this before. When we lived in NC they used to have Civil War reenactments but we never went, so I wanted to stop by and see what this was all about for my intention. Newport is actually steeped in colonial history. There are hundreds of 18^th century buildings that make this city a unique tourist spot.

Anyhow, we went to the park nestled right in the center of this busy, bustling town. There was plenty of tree shade and the ocean breeze felt perfect. They had 6 living history stations to demonstrate activities that would have been common in the 18^th century Newport. They had modern hors d’oeuvres and tea available as well. There was a reenactment of the protest and the party was to start after (we didn’t stay through the entire thing- it spanned over 4 hours). Either way, it was a unique intention and I was glad to go.

We wandered around town afterwards and even enjoyed a live outdoor concert at Long Wharf and did a little shopping while we were out and about. Today was a good day (and it’s only half over). Cheers to the weekend!! #HGAL

 

Day 229 – Oceanside Dinner Picnic

For my intention today, I gathered the family and we went to the Brenton State Park on the Ocean Point Drive here in Newport. We had dinner, drinks and dessert just steps from the water. The sun was making its decent just a bit after we arrived – it was really perfect timing.

The weather was breezy and cool and we snapped some fun pics before and after dinner. There were quite a few people along the roadside, sitting on benches, in chairs, in their cars and on blankets for quite a few miles along the way. It might be one of the prettiest places to catch a sunset- I don’t think I have ever purposely sought out sunsets the way I do here. Anyhow, in the ocean there were large ships passing by, seagulls setting the tone with their presence, the moon on one side and the sun setting on the other. Elijah even took a walk out on the jetty as we were cleaning and packing up.

While we were sitting there having our dinner, Vinny mentioned how beautiful it really was and how much he enjoyed this tonight. He said he thought this was a great intention and you know what….I totally agree. #Cheers #HGAL

Day 228 – Mini Me

I am just thrilled to pieces to have my youngest son back from his summer in Arizona. In the spirit of that and to welcome home my “mini me”, I let him choose my intention today. There was an art fair nearby and a couple of other things going on but he choose for us to play Scrabble together. He was out and about with his friends today for quite a while. I went to the beach and soaked in the beauty and serenity- went on a nice long walk, than went to the store to gather supplies to make one of Elijah’s favorite dinners.

Vinny was at work so it was just Elijah and I. We ate, we talked, we played Scrabble and had The Big Bang Theory reruns playing in the background. It was awesome! Then I surprised him with “welcome home” cupcakes. They were so cute – they were mini hamburgers and hot dog cupcakes (deco only- they tasted like cupcakes- lol).

Just spending time with him was so perfect. I am glad he chose this as my intention because just enjoying each others company and hanging out was exactly what I wanted. #happymomma #HGAL

Day 227 – Vanderbilt Grace Rooftop Deck

For today’s intention I took my mom over to the Vanderbilt Grace Hotel (very posh). It’s only a few blocks away so we walked on over. They have a rooftop deck that is truly perfection. I have seen pictures and have heard many things about it but have never actually been myself. We headed over just in time to see the sunset in the most remarkable fashion. The weather was slightly breezy and in the high 70’s. There were boats everywhere, the sky was full of miraculous colors, there were birds flying and calling about, trees blooming nearby and in the distance and the entire scene was just fantastic. There was a full service bar on the rooftop and the staff was friendly and accommodating.

There were quite a few people there and they were extremely nice. We sat next to the nicest lady who is also a local and we were able to exchange information about some of the things going on in Newport for the end of summer, fall and winter. This was a great sunset location and I am so glad to have gone and look forward to going back very soon.

After Vinny got home we were able to go out for a nice dinner and then we went to pick up Elijah from the airport which needless to say makes me one happy momma!!!  Cheers to another awesome summer night. #sunsetsummernight #HGAL

 

Day 226 – Prep & Plan

For today’s intention, it was all about the prep and plan. There are so many things going on in and around my area as well as a couple of trips I have planned coming up- I really needed to stop, organize and get things written out and situated. Although it seems like having 139 days left to this blog is a lot, I know for a fact it is not. This past 226 days has gone by so fast it’s almost scary. (seems like the older I get, the faster time goes by)

Anyhow, I want to be able to do so many of the events, festivals and activities offered in and around my area but if I’m not careful – time will pass me by and I may miss out on some. Therefore, I felt the need to take a day to plan some things out a bit. I know that I wanted to be spontaneous – and I will be on some days – but I want to be sure to get to do some of the bigger activities that I have in mind and that require a certain amount of planning. So, although I was going to go to an event tonight, I changed my mind and took a breather, had some quiet time and got myself together. Ahhhh honestly….I needed that.

Today was a great day actually. I am excited for the upcoming events in the remaining days of this blog.  #takeabreather #keepcalmandplanon #HGAL

Day 225 - Drink and Dabble

For today's intention my mom and I went to an event at the Newport Grand called Drink and Dabble. It's an event where you can go and paint with a group of people as an instructor walks you through it step-by-step as snacks and drinks are offered. I've never done that before and neither has my mom but I have always wanted to but seem to always hear about them after the fact- so I thought it would make a great intention.

Today's theme was an ocean theme with a lighthouse and beautiful sky. I was a bit skeptical to say the least when I saw the painting when we arrived. I didn't think mine would come out as good as the instructors but I figured I was there to have fun so I'd just relax, enjoy myself and try something new.

Not only did we have a ton of fun but the paintings came out wonderful! We had a couple of drinks, had a bunch of laughs got to meet people around us and I truly enjoyed the night. If you ever have the chance to take one of these classes I highly recommend it!! It went pretty late into the evening (just got home in fact) but it was so worth it on this lovely Monday night. #HGAL

Day 224 – Paying Respects

For today’s intention, we decided to head to see Vinny’s parents and grandparents at the cemetery about an hour and a half away. Now the reason I am saying this was my intention is because Vinny had changed his mind and was going to postpone the visit. I looked at him and said “I don’t think we should wait to go- we should go see your family and make sure everything is good at the sight. Let’s do this for my intention and for the blog.” With that - he was in.

The last time we visited – we planted flowers and did some lawn work on and around the stone and brought a new candle. Both Vinny and I are total perfectionist so even though they do a great job at the cemetery – we want it just right. In fact, today when we pulled up we noticed that the plants were gone and we had more work that needed to be done. After we left in fact, we bought two new plants and he will be taking them back tomorrow.

I had the opportunity to meet and come to love and admire Vinny’s mom – she was a lovely woman. We got along so well and I am happy to have had her in my life even for a brief period of time. His father I did not get to meet but from what the family says we would have just loved each other to pieces and I do not doubt that one bit.

Thinking about today’s intention and paying my respects to those lost – I obviously thought about Heather. I miss her so much. Today I choose to think about and celebrate her laugh. I find that when I think about something specific like this – her memory is so vivid. I’m thinking about how she used to pretend she was tripping and falling and would literally fall all the way to the ground (sound effects and all) lol. From the time we were kids she used to do that and startle her mother and we just thought that was such a riot!

Then her mom would mutter “Oh Heather”, shake her head and walk away – and we’d be left there crackin up! But she even did this as an adult. Now the best part about it is that she didn’t do it often at all so when she chose to – it would catch you so off guard every time and you’d be left laughing hysterically at not only her “production” but your own reaction too!!!

She was so funny with so many things – but this is my memory of her for today. And with that I simply smile….#missmygirl #HGAL #HappySunday #payingrespects

Day 223 - Stage Coaching

For today's intention we headed over to an event that only happens once every 3 years in Newport RI. It a weekend of stage coaching. I have never done anything like that and it was really something to see! So many stage coaches from so many different places around the country. Vinny, my mom and I walked only a handful of blocks away to The Elms mansion for an exhibition of horse trotting, stage coaching and horn blowing.

It was hot, bright and sunny and such an awesome day for this type of event. On the walk home we talked about the other things we had planned for today and how if it wasn't for the blog we probably wouldn't have opted to go see this today and would have missed out on an awesome event. I hope from these past 222 days of intentional living posts- someone out there has found themselves inspired to try new things and branch out to embrace life and is finding themselves blessed enough to feel the way I do! Cheers to this beautiful Saturday and the memory of my beautiful cousin Heather!! #HGAL #happysaturday