Showing posts with label park. Show all posts

Sand, Sun and Shade

This week started off with the hubby getting some minor outpatient surgery and after five days of being couped up in the house, it was time to get out and enjoy the lovely weather.  Not to mention Moo was driving me nuts with all of her energy.  The outdoors is certainly her element.  

Anyways, what better place to take a super charged two year old than the park.  And thankfully we have a variety of different parks to choose from here in the Queen City.  I have to admit that by far my favorite park to go to is Mint Hill Park on Fairview aka Fairview Park.  

For starters, it's not that far of a commute to get there because traffic here can be a beast sometimes.  Second, it's hardly ever crowded like some of the other parks we've been too.  So, I can let Moo run around aimlessly and enjoy a seat on the bench without her getting lost in a sea of toddlers.  Last but not least it's clean.  I can't stand going to parks or public places with dirty restrooms, lots of trash on the ground, etc.

Anyways, our initial goal was just go and maybe stay for about 30 minutes because it was a little hot outside.  I don't know if you watch the news but more and more kids are falling out and even dying from heat exhaustion.  However, I was surprised when we pulled up to see this



Yes, somebody finally realized that all that sun and running kids don't make for a healthy mix.  They had installed a giant tent to cover the little kids jungle gym!!  And there was even a little bench over there that was underneath as well.

The newly covered jungle gym was certainly good news for Moo because that meant we could stay longer and she could get her energy out completely.  And boy did she have a blast running around with the other kids.  That's another thing that makes Fairview Park a treasure.  Most of the kids who come there are really nice and respectfully of the other kids that are there playing as well.

We had a blast!  And hopefully, our nice weather holds up and we'll be able to visit a few days during the week so that she doesn't get so charged up.  And if you're ever in the Queen City area and need a place to let the kids run free be sure to check out Fairview Park and enjoy the loveliness of it all.

What is your favorite park or play area to go to with your kids?




My Weekend WrapUp

It's official, I'm getting married!!!!  Jay and I finally set a date (and a backup date) and have started wedding planning.  This year has been one of many changes for sure.  I've been a single mom, lost several loved ones, made new friends and more.  Life for me and Moo has been anything but dull.  And I'm looking forward to my happy ending.

So, the top picture looks better than the picture my phone would take but I absolutely love my ring.  It's by Helzberg Diamonds.  14k white gold with 2.50 carats of diamonds.  The center diamond is a princess cut surrounded by tampered baguettes and then there are two rows of round diamonds running along each side.  Doesn't it look like a present with a bow on top?

Anyways, Saturday we decided to jump start the wedding plans by heading out to look at bridesmaids dresses, tuxes and even a dress for me to wear at the reception.  Jay was a little sad that I wouldn't let him pick out my wedding dress. While I'm not all about tradition when it comes to weddings him not knowing exactly what my dress looks like is one of the traditions that I am going to keep.  Besides I've asked for his feedback as far what he likes and doesn't like and have sketched out my dream dress.  Now the hunt begins for a dress maker who can bring this vision to life.

I'm kind of worried about my sketch to too many people because I don't want anyone stealing my one of a kind idea.  I really want this design to just be worn by me.  However, as a fashion merchandising student I've learned that there really isn't any such thing as one of a kind anymore when it comes to fashion.  Designers recycle and try to put new spins on old ideas all the time.  So, I'm going to do my research and enlist the help of my fashion contacts to find a dress maker who won't duplicate my dress for another bride in the future.

Another concern that I had about my dresss was cost, but since Jay has agreed to foot the cost for the ceremony, reception and my dress I can relax a little bit.  I'll be in charge of decor, catering and entertainment.  And since I design stationary, I've already created our Save the Dates and wedding program.  Still waiting on some inspiration for the invitations.   The invitations have to be absolutely fab.  I want ribbon, bling, glitz and glamour.

Starting to sound like an episode of Platinum Weddings. I am just bursting with excitement that the big day is finally coming.  I've been waiting years for this and it's finally happening.  I've even gone ahead and started registering all the different stores.  But enough about the wedding.  There will be more details to come as the Big Day draws near.

Sunday was just a really relaxing day of sleeping in, watching a little Joel Olsteem and a taking a drive to Larinburg.  It felt good to have a lazy Sunday with my little family.  And Jay even cooked. My week has gotten off to a great start and I hope that you all as great of a weekend as I did.  Be blessed this week!

My Weekend WrapUp

Well, the weekend is officially coming to close. I hope that everyone had an enjoyable weekend like I did. Saturday, I finally went to the eye doctor and got my eyes checked for some new glasses. And I must say that I am still blind as a bat almost. My eyesight is 20/70.

That's almost bad enough to qualify for bifocals!!! I have certainly learned that I need to keep my prescription up to date. Anybody who knows me personally will tell you that I believe in wearing and using my stuff until it falls apart.  You can call it cheap but I call it my way of being green and getting my money's worth.  However, somethings like eyeglasses and shoes and cars shouldn't be placed into that category.  So, I will be scheduled for yearly eye exams in May for the next couple of years at least.

On a good note, I did get these totally amazing pair of CoverGirl specs.  Can't wait for them to come in this upcoming week.  I am going to look so chic and fashionable in my new glasses. Not to mention, I'll be able to see. I've been kind of sticking to only going places I know really well because I don't have to strain to read street signs or anything.  And I haven't been driving at night. My night vision is awful without my glasses.

So, I'm glad that I will be driving legally again since it states on my license that I shouldn't operate a vehicle without my glasses.  Shhh....that will be our little secret.  After my visit with the eye doctor, me, Moo and her father journeyed to my local park.  He commutes every other weekend to spend time with her.  And this just happened to be one of his weekends.

Now, Jay (as I will call him) and I have quite the relationship history.  We were together four years before I finally got preggers with our first child together (he has one daughter from a previous relationship) and had been engaged for 3.  Yes, long engagement I know.  Then at the beginning our our fifth year everything just seemed to fall apart. I'm not exactly sure why.

I think it was the stress of being a new parent all over again, trying to put together the perfect wedding still and change in careers that did us in.  Plus, while it might not seem like it, I'm not exactly an open book when it comes to talking with him. I tend to get defensive or shut down completely.  What can I say, I learned it from my father.  And I'm not a fan of confrontation within my immediate circle.

I have yet to master the art of expressing my feelings and emotions without starting a shouting match in which I end up the only one shouting. Then I fall into a heap of tears on the floor, couch or bed.  It's horrible really.  However, I'm trying to work on my communication skills with Jay. It's been a year since we split and our relationship has been wonderful except for those few bumps in the road last October.

But now that we have ironed those out, it's been smooth sailing. I love him still dearly and honestly can't see myself being with anybody else. I've tried and failed miserably at it.  So, Saturday we talked about how much we still loved each other and how we both let outside things and people and our stubbornness break up our family. We would love to try to work things out again and I honestly I hope that we can.

Jay and I both know what it feels like to grow up without our father being in our lives on a daily basis.  And I don't want that for Moo. If the problem with our relationship is fixable then why shouldn't we fix it? Now the hard part is breaking the news to my family.  They're not exactly a fan of his anymore. However, I hope they will respect my decision and support me on it.

Today was just as great because I was still on my love high from yesterday with Jay. I had a great time at the House of the Lord aka church.  Our pastor is retiring and we're in the transition of getting a new one. Not sure how we are going to like him, but I'll give him a chance.  It's always hard being in the United Methodist Church because you have to switch pastors every so often. By the time, you get used to one they're charge is up and they're office to a different parish.

I have to say though that we have been blessed to have had some awesome leaders.  They have all come in and loved us like family and kept it real. Our church is in a much better position than I ever remember us being.  So, in a way I'm looking forward to meeting the pastor and his family.  I hear he's on the younger side, quite tall and has kids.

I take my religion and faith very seriously. So, if this pastor does not come correct, trust I will have no problem going elsewhere. I can't have my daughter raised up in a dead church. Her spiritual growth is very important. These are the crucial years for her and I am responsible for shaping her.

Well, it's off to bed. Tomorrow is another day and I have to get busy job hunting as I will no longer be manning my current post at my current job after the 31st of this month.  It's proving to be a tough process, but God will make a way and open up the right doors.