Blue Lollipop Road

September 21, 2010 In Donations and Sponsorships

viel dank

(Translation; Many thanks in German.)

I’m running out of languages to say thank you in that use letters. (There are obviously plenty that use symbols but those are hard to make on my laptop alphabet keys.) In an effort to not be a repeat offender, I will be revisiting the languages I have already used and adding to the regular thank you translations to come up with some different options.

*Terrie~ Your donation was a lovely surprise and has been used to pay for some grocery store trips. Since staying with the lovely ladies I have been, we’ve cooked up some incredible feasts to enjoy time together and the amazing view from the house. Your generosity is much appreciated.

*Erin and Diane~ What a fabulous 11 days it has been and I so appreciate your hospitality and welcoming me. A comfortable place, DE-LISH food, great views and hilarious company? I’m in. You are never getting rid of me!

*Abby~ I cannot tell you how wonderful your message made me feel yesterday. It really made my day. If I ever question why I keep writing here, investing so much of my time, heart and soul and catch myself ever doubting my path, those thoughts quickly fade thinking of people like you out there that appreciate reading my random babble. Your words support what I know in my heart; This is exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

*Mom~ Thank you for being in my eyes, the definition of what a mother should be; The one human on the planet that no matter what, will love, support, encourage, protect and stand by anything and everything you ever want to be with a smile and a hug. That’s what you have always been and I love you forever. I can’t wait to see the day you start gifting yourself all the goodness you deserve and demand the respect you’ve taught us all to.

Time and time again I am shown that when you do what you love/what makes you happy, people and the universe always show up to support you. I believe that now more than ever and don’t take it for granted for a second. Cheers to steppin’ to it!

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September 20, 2010 In California, De-lish, Photos

wine country sunday #2

Once again an unexpected but welcomed invite to a strangers house for a Sunday meal and some fun yesterday. This time it was a birthday. I was happy to see a homemade (or should I say Mom-made) desert roll out. It was made up of a brownie bottom with chocolate and toffee chips inside, middle layer of dulce de leche ice cream and topped with a layer of pure chocolate. There was tiramisu too. Oh delightful.

DSCN6137

Of course there was good vino. In fact, the gent that was having the birthday is a Winemaker and popped open some of his craft deliciousness.

Blake b-day party in Napa

I’m loving these constant, effortless looking but perfectly executed get togethers. It feels like I’m living a daily Thanksgiving feast, meets European lifestyle, meets “Howdy neighbor! Come on over!” with sunshine mixed in. A little slice of heaven.

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September 18, 2010 In California, Photos

congratulations dave and laura!

Because I have decided to stay in California at the end of my travels this summer instead of heading back east, today I will miss the wedding of two great friends. I am sad to miss their special day. This is no doubt that wedding that when the “You may now kiss the bride” part came, I’d be shrieking and jumping up and down. It is such a treat to be at a wedding you believe in so much. Coincidentally I am in Napa, overlooking the valley and this is where they got engaged.

Here is a cheers to you DP and LP! I am truly bummed I am not there at this very moment to enjoy the time with you. I know you understand my absence and we will find time to spend together soon. In honor of you both and to represent an official toast, I just poured this glass of wine and snapped this photo from where I’m sitting:

Cheers to Dave and Laura on their wedding day!

Here’s to a life of the laughs I know you will have and all the love you deserve. You two are the most adorable of couples and a perfect match. I am ecstatic for you!!! I can’t wait to see you soon to celebrate with you in person.

I’ll bring the wine of course.

CONGRATULATIONS AND SMOOCHES ALL AROUND!!! 🙂

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September 17, 2010 In Donations and Sponsorships

look! it’s the first pay it forward recipient!

This makes me so happy. I sent a check to Erin in honor of my friends, and as promised, the pay it forward from my Alaska or Bust adventure. Erin is still waiting on final word from the Peace Corps to see if she will be given an assignment in February or not. Lets all cross our fingers for her! Here’s her smiling face:

First BLR pay it forward recipient Erin P!

I cannot say thank you enough for the donations, love and support for Blue Lollipop Road. It all helps me to continue to live the life I believe in and hopefully inspire others to do the same. I am truly happier than I have ever been. I’m doing work that I’ve always wanted to, spending time that makes me feel healthy, and I finally feel like me.

As for pay it forward from here; 10% of donations are continually saved in a BLR account. January 1, 2010 will be when I pick the next recipient. Please stay in touch, keep reading and sending me your stories! Here’s to living on your own meaningful and fun road, whatever that may look like.

Love ya Kid~ and totally proud of you.

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September 16, 2010 In California

it’s like a party

Resumes, refinancing car loans, moving credit lines for better rates and all that fun stuff the past couple days. It’s a regular fiesta!

Ok, not really a party, but when a appetizer/wine dinner, relaxing with new friends outside by a fire at an amazing restaurant pops up randomly that you’re invited to out of nowhere that rules. Having a productive day of crossing a bunch of big important things off a to do list then going to relax because you’ve earned it feels great.

Farmstead; Yum.

People; Interesting, well traveled, generous and fun.

Weather; Perfect

Best of all mixed in there; Landing some work that will be totally interesting and a great learning experience. Also, being able to move some (blech!) debts and monies owed around so they can be paid off quicker, easier and at much less of an interest rate.

Scores left and right!

You know what they say (yes, those phantom “they” people); Do what you love and the money will follow? Yeah, what they really meant to say was do what you love and the…

Money
Right people
Opportunity
Good food
Laughs
Fun stuff
Happy days
Healthy lifestyle
Less worry and stress
Feeling like you are “home”
Aha moments
Contentment
Going to bed feeling accomplished
Waking up feeling excited
(Do I need to go on?)

…will follow.

The phantoms don’t lie. We just don’t listen to them for some reason.

If you’re not doing what you love- you should at least give it a school kid try. I’ve decided to listen to the phantoms and have been no less than pleasantly surprised at the outcome so far.

Enough said.

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September 15, 2010 In Uncategorized

updating resumes is so fun

Can you sense my sarcasm?

After pining for hours on the 96 different ways to convey that for years you “facilitated, coordinated, created, managed and maintained” a billion projects, events, people and companies, you get one piece of paper to show for it.

Huh? This is all I get?- you think.

Things like root canals, thesis writing, or explaining to your parents why at 14 years old you grabbed booze from their cabinet, drank it, then stole the car and totaled it are more fun than writing resumes. Something happens though, when this measly little piece of paper makes you smile from ear to ear after it’s all done and printed out. It’s as if bullet points on a page for just one moment somehow convey the blood, sweat, and tears you’ve shed, and all the ass kicking you’ve done. Your page screams; “YEAH, THAT’S RIGHT! MY NAME IS SO AND SO AND I FRIGGIN’ RULE!!!”

Out the door I go to print my scream of I friggin’ rule. I think I’ll pick blue or something else fun. Eggshell or off-white are so last season in my world.

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September 14, 2010 In California, Donations and Sponsorships, Photos

i drove through a tree

Pretty cool and fun to do. The guy at the booth was supposed to charge me $6 to pass through and he let me go for free! I said to him when I rolled up; Really? 6 bucks? I am a broke traveler and just want to pass through so I can get some photos to post on my travel blog. (That’s the truth!) Maybe so many people will want to drive through trees after reading my post they will come in droves and you will become a millionaire!

He grumbled juuust a teeny bit, but then laughed and waved me through at no charge. Thanks Mr. Tree!

Honda Civic through a tree

The little Honda Civic that could, loves the Giant Redwoods and gorgeousness of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Road in Redwoods

I really like photos of roads. Hmmm, that gives me an idea…

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