Author:bluelollipoproad

August 18, 2011 In Alaska, Live the life you want to live, New York, People, Videos

8/18

(I’ve been sitting here sipping my coffee for 30 minutes now, letting my thoughts wander- trying to figure out how I want to start this post. Guess it’s time to just start typing…)

Each year this day is an odd one for me with thoughts off loss, and celebration, sadness and elation. So very bittersweet. I think about where I was last year honoring my lost friends and reaching a lifelong goal and it almost doesn’t seem possible yet another year has come and gone. I am so thankful to be here, still typing away on this Blue Lollipop Road. I think about all the people I’ve met on my journey, all the incredible moments I’ve had along with the tough ones, and I feel proud that I still make the choice to focus on the good and possibility rather than the opposite. I was fortunate enough to learn that art of appreciation and joy for the little things from my friends who aren’t here anymore. I never want to lose that. Especially on days like today, I’ll always be in awe of these two girls who lived their short lives so fearlessly, authentically, and completely wide open.

Here’s to never taking days for granted, loving hard, laughing way too loud, and living fearlessly.

I’m off to eat a blue lollipop…

 

 

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August 17, 2011 In New York, People, Videos

warm summer nights on a rooftop

Warm weather, good company, cheese, wine, and laughter. A good way to arrive in the big city and spend a night:

Tomorrow is the one day a year we truly celebrate life, blue lollipops and Strong Mojo. It is a somewhat sad, but special day every year. I’m looking forward to spending it with Coach Traci here in NYC. This will be the unofficial kick-off to the Fall Honda Blue Lollipop Road Adventure.

Here’s to living the life you want to live and cherishing the time you have with people you think are special.

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August 16, 2011 In TTAA

ttaa

An overflow of the Daily Awesome:

17 year old t-shirts. Big brothers that make you laugh. Nephews that call you Poppy. Actual phone calls on your birthday. Upstate, NY. Dinners with incredibly interesting, loving and generous people. Surprise birthday packages that come in the mail from friends that have things inside that make you cry. Ice cream cake. “Large” pancakes. Movie marathons that include Along Came Polly and Bed of Roses with lots of laughs and eye rolls. Windows open on summer nights. Falling asleep listening to rain. Independence. Prosecco. Taking things for face value. Reiki sessions. Boat rides. People who are always smiling. Letting yourself dream. Turning 33. Annual voicemails with people singing an screaming in the background. Homemade veggie pizza. Waking up on a lake.

 

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August 15, 2011 In De-lish, Food, Funny signs, Honda, New York, Photos

33

Today is my birthday and the beginning of 5 weeks of mega-adventure. You could say that I am feeling like a million bucks. YIPPEE!!!

I woke up from the best sleep I have had in weeks and in a most special spot after 12 hours on the road yesterday. In birthday tradition when I am here, we love finding the local diner breakfast spots, which we did this morning:

Harvest Cafe' Montour Falls, NY

Harvest Cafe' Montour Falls, NY

We had stuffed ourselves silly, but couldn’t resist an offered on the house birthday treat hot out of the oven from the super sweet staff:

Harvest Cafe' Montour Falls, NY

I was so full they packed this to go for me, but the test bite I took was so good, and the staff was so nice, I had to stay for a 3rd cup of coffee and to finish off this red raspberry crumb cake deliciousness. How could I not after the owner came out to sing to me with the manager? (Thanks for everything Matt!)

We stopped at Finger Lakes Distilling on the way home:

Finger Lakes Distillery

A little tasting of Vintner’s Wild Berry Vodka:

Finger Lakes Distillery

…and some Blackcurrant/Cassis:

Finger Lakes Distillery

…was fun just because you can do that at 1pm on a Monday when it’s your birthday and not feel guilty about it.

They even had a Canine Tasting Bar- how funny!

Canine tasting bar at Finger Lakes Distilling

Off for a run and patio dinner and wine with good friends. Thank you everyone for all the Birthday messages, calls, cards, packages, wishes and love. I am one lucky woman!

Coming up this week:
*The Big Apple. (Rooftop decks, exploring, old friend reunions, celebrations of life, chocolate restaurant revisit, and more.)
*Catching up here on the BLR, as I sit on the dock. (What a great office!)
*Honda trip mania. (Voting tally, a few announcements, and some surprises.)

Year 33- here I come!

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August 12, 2011 In News & Updates

did you know?

…that if you click on the “i” in the rolling header above with the photos you can read information on where and when I took each photo?

After I posted about Garrett’s Popcorn a couple days ago, someone from the company posted a comment complimenting that feature (Thanks Tammy!) I wanted to make sure you all knew to click there. It was all the idea and fabulous work of my good design friend Bobby. (His last name is Holiday, how great is that? No wonder why he is so cool and creative!)

Look for some changing/added photos soon along with lots of video. The pre-road trip, road trip starts this weekend when I head east. I can’t lie, I have been a bit stressed, stretched and busy, lately- but now that today is my last day of work in Chicago for a while and I am about to pack it up and hit the open road, those uber-energizing, overly-excited, free-spirited butterflies in my stomach are starting to flutter and that can mean only one thing:

I’ll make you check back to see what 🙂

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