Big, big news!

Hi!

I had every intention of blogging about my adventures this year, going back to March when my wonderful best friend Barb came out to visit me, and April when my dearest friend Jessica and I went to Hawaii, and even post Boston (when after just one day home) I went with my co-worker Alicia on a wonderful trip to Miami... but all of those posts will have to wait. You see, tomorrow is my last day at NCJFCJ because I'm moving to Boulder, Colorado!

I wish I could have told each and every one of you in person (instead of so impersonally on this blog) but it's all happened so fast and I feel like I want to let you all know! I'll be in Reno for a few more days before starting the trek eastward- I'm so excited! I won't be blogging for awhile (wow- I'm actually being honest with myself about my blogging for a change!) but I am on twitter now at Honeybee22274. You can guarantee I'll share some tweets along the way! I will have some more fun news for you soon, but I think that's about enough for tonight.

Let the adventure begin!

It's Official...I'm in Love!!!

With...Boston!!! What an incredible city! Sorry I've been blog-absent of late, the cabin fever is over and I've been traveling like a crazy woman again (yay!) I will post more about my other trips soon, but I could not go a minute longer without telling the world that I LOVE Boston! I could seriously live here. I'll post a few pics here from my fabulous day of walking all over the city and the famous Duck Boat tour, and I promise, more updates soon!

The beautiful Back Bay from the top floor of the Westin Copley Place- highly recommended!

Beautiful tulips at the Boston Public Garden, the whole garden is in full bloom- an amazing contrast to Reno!

Red door on a fabulous Beacon Hill Brownstone...I would love to live in this neighborhood!

The Duck Boat tour- an amphibious vehicle from World War II that both drives and floats- an incredible way to see the city.

Cabin Fever

Soooooo. There is not much going on. At all. I've been on one trip so far this year. One. And it's killing me! I am spending my days writing reports and preparing for the trips that are upcoming, for which I am excited and thankful (Georgia, Hawaii, Boston) but in the meantime...yawn.

In fact, the sum total of my excitement this week is that today two Canada Geese (huge flocks of them hang out in the field next to my house) crashed into my roof and rolled down the side. Aflac commercial anyone? Hilarious.

Here is one that made it! Please excuse the bistro set in the window- the deck was being repainted.

Happy Birthday to the February Babies!

If February is your month- Happy Birthday! It's hard to believe that one year ago today I was in Hawaii celebrating my birthday. Since I'm such a slacker, you can look back just a few short posts for those pictures! Today brings a gray but good day in Reno. I started the day with fellowship at church, then went to see Coraline with a friend, her husband and their kids (good movie, but a bit intense for little ones) and now I'm sitting down with a fabulous New York strip hot off the grill and some heavenly scalloped potatoes! I had a beautiful and fun luncheon with my closest Reno girls yesterday, and the cake picture is from that. It was, as Katy called it- a Cake Fail. The thing just wouldn't stay together! So- we had cupcakes instead, but she did send me the picture- it is the thought that counts! Alright-that's enough, here go the February shout-outs... Barb, Lyndsey Filer Hall, Eric, Justin (48 hours technically makes me your elder but I would watch it with the smart remarks!) those fabulous "Ritter" girls, and your brother Mike, and to anyone I forgot- so sorry, but please know I wish you every happiness for a fantastic year. Thanks so much to those of you who sent well-wishes my way, back at ya!

First post(s) of 2009!

It's been forever and a day since I blogged- so sorry! I am going to do a couple of posts at once here to catch you up on all that's been going on in the past few months, so look below for a whirlwind tour of the past.

I want to say a BIG thank you to those of you who have commented recently and sent me e-mail, and to those who have linked my blog to yours (Chris, Katie)- I love you all! And Mark- thanks for calling. I am over the moon about your news. The pictures of Virginia City are for you!

Just for fun- here is a random picture of a gorgeous Reno sunset (this pic does not even come close to doing it justice), something we are not short on here!

Merry Christmas!

My parents and I spent Christmas at their home in New Mexico this year, and we had a really nice time. I don't have a lot of pictures, as we mostly ran around to get ready for hosting company on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but don't worry- I got plenty of shots of Bailey, the cutest, best dog ever. Hard to believe she'll be 14 in April! Highlights of the trip were going to the Botanical Park to see the Christmas light displays and the luminarias that one of my parents' neighbors put in front of all of the homes on their street- a generous gesture almost as beautiful as Christmas itself!

Here is dad putting something together...

The River of Lights at the Botanical Garden

Luminarias in front of homes

more luminarias...

Bailey the wonder dog =-)

A cuter dog does not exist!

Tallahassee

Thankfully there was no flooding or drowning when I went to Tallahassee in December, just a sweet city with gorgeous flowers and amazing oak trees dripping with moss. Can I just say that I love the south? Who knew?! This was a great trip on which to end my year of crazy work travel. The weather was sunny and warm and the people could not have been nicer. Here are just a couple of pictures of downtown from my hotel.

same view by day and by night =-)