Almost Gypsy Soul

I've wanted to get back to blogging, but every time I open it up, all I see is a giant list of posts that I haven't completed or published. So in effort to get back to writing without overwhelming myself, you're getting the closet clean-out of 2018. All the awesome things that I was able to do, but never got around to writing about, but are still awesome and deserve a shout out on Almost Gypsy Soul. Costa Rica - Pura Vida I was invited to a friends wedding in Costa Rica, they are great friends and I'd never been to Costa Rica so I jumped at the chance. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and my only regret is that I didn't spend more time there. We spent our time in the Guancaste region, louging by the pool, drinking beers, jet skis, deep sea fishing, oh and a wedding too! It was beautiful and I'm so happy for my friends, the Cowboy and the Indian. New Orleans - The Big Easy We went with the Cowboy and the Indian to New Orleans that fall to celebrate...

Its been a long time coming, but I can finally call Franklin complete (as if these types of projects every really end?) Its been hours of work, lots of money (I still haven't added it up, I just don't want to know) and there is no way in hell that I'd ever completed this project without the help of The Retired Guy! He's the best general contractor ever!!!! Meet Franklin! Click here for a video tour!

As its the week of the new year, I'm getting the new year, new you itch. I sat down to think about things that I want to accomplish this year, I was hit with thoughts of the same old boring crap. lose weight. save money. Same goals I have every year and that I usually fail at. Maybe its time for a better plan to help me achieve instead of fail, I mean its not just a new year, its a new decade. Lose 33 lbs I was doing good, I wasn't where I should have been, but I hadn't gained any more weight through Thanksgiving and then December happened and I gained the American holiday 8 lbs. I'm starting out at my second highest weight ever. I'm sad, I'm angry, I'm disappointed with myself, but here we go again. And I'll be using this cute little chart to track my progress that I borrowed from the Nerd Bucket . Maintain a consistent workout schedule that includes a minimum of 5 active days per week. More specifically, I'm aiming for a minimum of 3 days...

....with Old Glory. I am absolutely in love with this photo of Franklin that Nick Duncombe captured on our Memorial Day camping trip last year. I even got a copy of it for the wall for Christmas last year.

You know I'm headed south on this one. Even though this has been over a year ago, I enjoyed this trip so much that I'd be ashamed if I didn't share this destination with you. Sister Sara earner her ARA accreditation for her general appraiser license, which is a really big deal! I mean she got to go all the way to Savannah, Georgia to accept her award! Congratulations Sister Sara! Our hotel was on the east side of the Savannah River, just across from historic River Street. We would take the ferry across the river each day to see and learn about Savannah. Savannah River Ferry Dinner with General Oglethorpe, founder of Savannah I was able to attend some of the meeting activities with Sara, but I also spent some time on my own while she went to continuing education sessions. I always scoped out the best things and then planned them with her. Hands down our favorite thing was the food, some of the best food that I've ever had. I loved going to breakfast...

Well its hard to believe its been nearly a year since I packed my bags and headed to Florida for my best friend's wedding! I tacked on a few extra days to catch some sunshine and sights...I mean who would I be if I didn't do a little sightseeing??? Florida was beautiful and meeting up with old friends was great, and made some new friends along the way. Its always interesting to me, how we can have one thing common, ie. a mutual friend, and then we proceed to get along like long lost friends. I flew into Orlando and got a rental car. I knew I didn't have time for everything, as usual, but I'm happy with my choices of entertainment. I spent an entire day at Kennedy Space Center. I was there when it opened and I really didn't have enough time to take it all in. And I just did the things that were included with admission! My favorite attractions was the Atlantis museum, the bus tour to the launch pads and the Shuttle Experience. The shuttle experience is like a th...