Author:bluelollipoproad

the learning tree

I’d like to think that I’m the last person who needs anymore you just never know lessons. Most waking hours, my mind races; “Today the day! Don’t wait! Life is short! Do it now! Carpe diem!” (Insert whatever other go get ’em saying, here.) Then again, a healthy dose of holy sh*t did that just happen?! How am I still alive?!- is good for me. (For all of us, really.)

I’ve been working & staying deep in the country of VA for 2 weeks. I’ve driven/moved my car just twice during this time. Two times only in two weeks. During my regular routine, I’m moving, shaking, driving, and grooving 100 times a week. Thankfully during my current much lower-key than usual routine, I decided to venture off retreat mountain, to meet an old friend for lunch on Tuesday. If I hadn’t, me and my precious Honda partner in crime could’ve very well been crushed.

Yikes.

This is where the BLR-Mobile had been parked for days- minus the branches of course:

Big oak tree broken branch

Big oak tree broken branch

Big oak tree broken branch

Big oak tree broken branch

And this happened:

Big oak tree broken branch

Big oak tree broken branch

Big oak tree broken branch

Big oak tree broken branch

Tree guys came to the call of duty:

Big oak tree broken branch

While It’s fun that my fantasy of having a big, strong, scruffy, strapping, lumberjack-type man coming to “rescue” me has finally happened, really I’m just happy that no one was home when this branch decided it was too tired to stand up any longer.

Dear lucky stars, timing, whoever/whatever out/up/around “there” is looking after me,

Thank you.

I’m really not sure what else to say.

~Diane

What’s keeping you in check this week?

#AdventuresInTheCountry #LumberjackRescue #MotherNature

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sunrise clouds

I left for a day trip out of Charlotte on a warm weekend morning a couple weeks ago, when I walked out of my apartment, I looked up and saw this beautiful sunrise sky:

Sunrise clouds in Charlotte

And this is what I saw as I drove out of the city:

Sunrise clouds in Charlotte

Ahhh…

As I woke up today feeling the first real fall chill with my windows open, I couldn’t help but think how I am not ready for cold weather! Good thing I have this French Press Coffee I’m sipping and images like these to keep me warm and cozy.

#What makes you feel warm and cozy?

#Sunrise #MorningSky #OperationCharlotte

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sunday new york times

A sunny morning with coffee and the New York Times travel page definitely makes up one of my favorite ways to start a Sunday. In today’s Frugal Traveler article, one line in particular by Writer Seth Kugel caught my eye:

I’ve almost always found that a dose of personal discomfort is often a sacrifice worth making in the search for good travel experiences.

I couldn’t agree more! Finding the best people, places, food, or adventure often requires stretching yourself out of your cozy comfort zone. Think about it; How is an experience going to knock your socks off, if you already know what’s coming?

Here’s to jumping uncomfortably into the unknown and coming out at the other end with a far richer experience than you ever imagined.

When is the last time you jumped?

#NYTimes #FrugalTraveler #ThinkAboutIt

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in honor of national taco day…

…I thought I’d share a few photos from one of my favorite noshing spots in Chicago: Big Star.

Big Star Chicago

Even though I pretend to be vegetarian, I am all about Big Star’s Tacos al Pastor. In fact, I’ve always eaten that one so fast when I’m there- I don’t even have a photo.

Dear Cilantro & Pineapple

I love you.

~Diane

My veggie tostada shot will have to do:

Big Star Chicago

(To all of you carnivores out there…you win on this one. The marinated pork of a Taco al Pastor pretty leaves anything veggie in the dust.)

Besides great tacos, there are lots of good drinks and colorful, sassy employees at Big Star too:

Big Star Chicago

The bathroom is even fun:

Big Star Chicago

(I’m realizing I take a lot of photos in bathrooms. Funny considering I’m a germaphobe.)

Oh how I love and miss you and your food Chicago!

Where’s your favorite taco joint??

#NationalTacoDay #BigStar #ChicagoEats #FoodPorn

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places

So many places, so little time.

I was asked last night about my most fun trip ever. (Hello hard question!) It made me think about one the most different and magical places I have ever stayed; The Neemrana Fort Palace in India:

Neemrana Fort Palace: India

Neemrana Fort Palace: India

Neemrana Fort Palace: India

If only my photos could do this gorgeous spot the proper justice! Oh how I’d love to go back.

What place takes your breath away?

#India #Travel #NeemranaFortPalace #TripsOfALifetime

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wonder what you should do?

“Follow the pull of your heart, and listen to your intuition. Neither of those will steer you in the wrong direction. Don’t worry about logic or practicality for just a little while; simply allow yourself to move toward those things that fulfill you and give you the sense of being in the flow.”

~ MindBodyGreen

Thanks RGini!

What lights you up?

#TrustYourself #FollowYourHeart #DoIt

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ttaa

Today’s Things That Are Awesome?

This video! What a trip:

Oh if we could all could be so articulate, hilarious, and creative calling out ignorance with such a positive spin like this chick. Amen sister!

How do you stand up for the truth?

#MissAmerica #GetAMapPeople #Ignorance

PS~ If you’ve never visited the website Upworthy…do yourself a favor and put it in your bookmarks.

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i watched this funky little flick…

…and while it had some very slow moments, I really liked it, and thought it told a story that so many of us can identify with:

I rarely press pause during movie time, but I did twice during this one to note a couple of lines that intrigued me:

“I always thought that…I’d end up with somebody who’d make the world feel bigger.”

“Oh, you know, taking a lifetime to become an overnight success.”

I’m putting See Girl Run in the BLR recommended movie pile for sure. Check it out if you want to take 1.5 hours of chill/think time this weekend.

Who makes the world feel bigger to you?

#WhatIf #NevertForgetWhereYouCameFrom #ComplicatedLove #Maine

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