Pack This, Not That

Due to a recent experience with a well-known airline carrier (yeah, I'm looking at you Southwest) and an unfortunate experience the first time we went to Cabo (yeah, my luggage was lost on that flight, too), I am bound and determined to use only carry-on for our upcoming trip.  

The struggle is real.  I have a tendency to over-pack and I have a tendency to bring lots of shoes.  Lots of shoes.  And I like to be prepared . . . for anything.  Horseback riding on the beach, swimming with dolphins, tequila shots at the infinity pool.  You know.  Whatever comes our way.  

Weekly Recap

Not much going on this past week. It was busy but nothing out of the ordinary. KJ had her usual vball practice and has a tournament in Northern Virginia tomorrow. I like the one-day tournaments; two-days are rough and that one we did at the Convention Center in DC over President's Weekend was mind-numbing.

Champ got to see one of his former BamaLax players this week at Georgetown. Justin plays at Furman for Coach Meade (Coach Meade was the coach from Navy who recruited Brye and is starting up the new Furman team).  Coincidentally, one of the boys from Damascus is playing with Justin on the Furman team and Champ said he was incredible.  Justin played well, just not enough (according to Champ).  In any event, I love the fact that even though we've moved on, these boys will always be a big part of Champ's life.  He will do anything for his boys and will always stay in touch with them.  And if one of them is playing within driving distance of wherever we are, Champ will be there to cheer them on.  I love when the boys text him to check-in, ask for advice, etc.  Once a Coach, always a Coach.  I know he misses the game and the kids but I always tell him he's definitely made an impact on these kid's lives (he does not miss the parent drama or the other crap that came with coaching, just the game.    He misses being on the field).  KJ is toying with the idea of picking up her stick again.  But she wants her daddy to coach.  Hmmmmmm......not sure how I feel about that.

Found out this week that Champ is flying T-bone home for an Easter surprise.  I was so happy to hear that!   I thought she would stay in MS or go to dinner with friend's but she's definitely coming to DC and I think she's bring a friend with her.  She's had a wonderful Spring Break and is heading back to Oxford today. She went with a really nice group of girls and there was zero to no drama.  She got to see some Hoover friends on the beach / Whale's Tail so she was happy.

Cosmo and KJ haven't seen T since Christmas.  If she doesn't come home for Easter, they won't see her again until May or July (she's got several commitments from now until the Miss Miss pageant and only has a week in May to possibly come home.  So as to maximize our time with her, we're in the beginning stages of planning a family vacay.  Just not sure where we want to go or what we want to do.  I think we may be taking a cruise out of Baltimore.  The only airfare we'd have would be getting T from MS to MD and we all just want to relax and spend time together.  KJ, of course, wants to go to Disney but I think we've talked her into the cruise.  We're probably going to go to the Bahamas and she's looking forward to being at Atlantis and doing the aquatics there -- big water slide, swim with the dolphins, etc.

Bucket List Update

I think it's important to take stock of where you are at certain times in your life...the good, the bad, the medicore.  Instead of worrying about all the things you don't have or didn't do or didn't get to see, I thought today I would reflect on all the great stuff that I've been blessed with.

Yup. Got a brand spanking new camera for Christmas. 

Hubby and I cruised to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Martin.

I am and always will be a daddy's girl. No question.

I love Central Park any time of the year but it is definately magical in the snow!

Pulled an all-nighter at the Senor Frogs in Cancun!

Swam with the dolphins in Cabo. Cosmo wouldn't have anything to do with 'em.

I was blessed with not just one, but TWO beautiful daughters!

Stood atop the Eiffel Tower with Daughter #1; quite an accomplishment since I'm not a big fan of heights!

Loved going to the drive-in when I was little! Always went in my pajamas in case I fell asleep during the ride home.

Sweetest place on Earth and home to some of my favorite rollercoasters.

I've been fortunate to have a dad and assorted uncles who have taught me to how to shoot, how to throw and catch a baseball and basically hold my own and still be feminine. 

One of my favorite all-time cities.  I would LOVE to go back to London!!!

Check (and I'd do it again!). 

There is nothing like Christmas in NY! The hustle, the bustle, the tree, the skaters, the store displays on 5th avenue, The Rockettes!

Cosmo & I took the girls for a carriage ride in Atlanta and had so much fun!

Yeah. I smoked a cigar. I was at a bar with a bunch of co-workers before a Cincinnati Reds game. It was disgusting and I'll never do it again.

Love London. I could live there.

Threw a coin in the fountain; so beautiful!

From what I've been told, my 40th b-day in Vegas was GREAT!!!