welcome to the good life.

Ok. So this weekend was crazy!!!
First off it started we didnt know what to do.
I was going to go up to NY with Nate, but we decided not to. And then I was still going to go up, but then we are like why would we do that! So how about we travel somewhere else? TN or anywhere..nah I just wanted to stay in the VA. The weather was going to be nice here and yeah, there is always things going on.
Saturday Morning we went to the Pungo Strawberry Festival. Saw some pig racing and yeah.

Got home from that, and now what?
All the hotels we looked at in Virginia Beach where booked solid! Even the camping centers, everything.. we even extended our search to NC! everything was booked.
So we took the puppies for a walk here, and then when we came back, I thought about the Hilton!
We have stayed there before, and its really nice. And with the Patriotic Festival going on, and the stage right next store. I was sure it was booked up or insane in price!! I mean its the nicest hotel on the strip! If your from here, you know that.
I had it set in my head, I would not spend more than 300 a night for a room, I know that may see like alot, but its not. Not for the hilton. So the room is 300 bucks..and I booked it. We loaded up and were there in 3 mintues! (we live right up the road from the hotel). Walk in, and the manager is like "u guys just booked this and you are here" YUP! There were only three rooms left!! So without thinking, we take our room keys and head up to the room, unpack and then realize that, this isnt the room we booked..?
Head down to the front desk, and express our concerns in a NICE WAY. and thats when the VIP started to rolll.......
Not only did they cut the price of our stay in HALF!!! but they gave us free meals at Catch 31!! (a 30 bucks plus per person resturant)

NOTE: I have ALWAYS said that the only way I would eat at this place, if for somehow it was for free! And, when Bryn was here..we also ate here for free!!(again, a VIP perk, due to the fact that our server thought he gave us bad service?-he didnt at all!, but who agrues when the opportunity is given, he got a big tip for sure..cause all that food for free, u must pay something!)

This was my FIRST learning lesson about customer serivce. If you are nice and your concerns are real, you will be treated well. If you are a crazy drunk who is unhappy, you will not be treated as such. The rich crowd that the Hilton brings in.. I was shocked at how great they treated us. We are locals and not at all the cellphone constantly attached to the ear, and rocking the bing bing and all that rich stuff. We just wanted to let them know, we have stayed here before and we loved it and hope to stay here again.. and BOOM! good stuff.

Other VIP things.. I was able to catch "SISTER HAZEL" sound check..and here are some pictures.. I have some video that I need to upload..

If you dont know who Sister Hazel is.. TRUST ME I THOUGHT I DIDNT KNOW.. Here is the song that I was like..OOO I KNOW THEM!!





*Here are some more pictures of the weekend:
ABBA Gold from Canada also preformed.

First night..not so red//tan..second night... yeah.. SUN KISSED!

I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE BEACH SO BUSY IN MY LIFE!!

INFINITY POOL UP AT THE HILTON SKY BAR!
The pool serious, looks over the ocean... only hotel in the VA with such!
rocking in the rocking chairs..

ahh my golden healthy skin tone is back!!!!

There is just some of what went on this weekend!

Another example of "the good life of VA"

Most of all, The whole reason for this weekend.

Memorial Day.

Thanks so much all the troops now and in the past, who have make America what it is today.

The Boardwalk had signs of each war and other things the TROOPS do for us everyday, things I didnt even think of, and are forever greatful.

I love the Jet Noice and it all.

Its a AMERICAN THING!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY.

it must be.

i am crushing.
its in his funny smile.
his odd words.
his testimony.
his courage.
his nobleness.
he faith.
his love.
his trust.

his honesty.

his lack of singing, yet love for music.

the way he tries to act cool.

the way my heart feels when I hold his hand, nervous yet safe.

wow.

what has gotten over me.

it must be the meds.

the cold meds.

those crazy teens.

sometimes you just feel everything and nothing at once.sometimes you'll find yourself smiling while missing something at the same time.at times you can absolutely love a person, all the while wanting to hate them.life comes without guarantees.except that smiling will brighten your face, laughing will enhance your eyes and falling in love will change your life.

its all how you look at it.

So I am nearly certain I have mono. Been down for the count all day today. Slept from 7:3opm last night til around 3pm today; waking only to call my nanny family and say I feel like death and if it be ok I stay home. They were awesome, like they always are.

Being sick, also means being extremely grumpy for me.

So I am trying really to not take it out on my mom or the dogs, or anyone else in my life.
Good luck world.
I feel horrible.

This weekend is Memorial Day.
Nate wants to venture up to NY to do some site seeing and such;
little to my amusement because I am sick!
I dont know if those plans will plan out, nothing usually falls into place anyways.
But if we do, we would leave here around noonish Saturday and have to venture back to VA that Monday. Cause work calls for both of us on Tuesday early. I dont know if I am ready enough in our "friendship" for such a adventure.
Plus the cost of gas, EH.

So I dont know how that will pan out.

My mom is malling over the idea of camping around the state of VA. Looking at different locations. But we know little to nothing about where to do such, here in the VA. Back in the NY, we would just head up to ADK and chill out.
I could use a little campfire.
I am freezing and its a hot 75 degrees here.

So yeah.

I could do alot in this 3 day weekend, but I would rather just sleep.

Struggling now to even keep awake,
but the Grey's finalie is on tonight, two whole hours!
I will probally crash, and just end up watching it on line with "limited commerical intruptions" powered by sprint haha.

eh ok.
So does anyone know where to camp in the VA?
or
Whats happening in NY? - how are the gas prices there..the weather? ect.

hit or miss.

This is a clip from a guy in suffolk, va. back when the tornado hit in April 28th.

I am not sure why it makes me laugh now, but at the time of this happening. It was anything but funny. Its one of those moments that you manage to call everyone and say thanks for being a friend and say I love you's. it was my first tornado adventure. I guess it was just the start of whats to come..and I guess hurricane season, is soon. But if "global warming" continues, we should have a mellow season.

The weather has been horribly hot here lately. Ek. Sticky hot! This Memorial Weekend looks amazing weather wise.

Its crazy how quick the weather can change. I know that they say that all the time in Rochester, NY. But that is baby weather there. I survived the ice storm, and this VA weather is crazy compared to that stuff! Today we got a storm, and it passed in like 5 minutes. I drove home and managed to miss it all. There were trees down, lights out and yet people drive like there is nothing going on. Again, another rich bozo on a cellphone in a Bentley near the court houses, "neglated" to pull over for a amblance. and again, it makes me upset! Get over yourself and pull over.

ah I was going to write a meaningful post, but I can tell that I still dont feel good, and will probally just rant and rave. So its 7:30pm and I am heading to bed.

nothing goes as planned.

so this weekend has not turned out as I had planned.

no concerts, no washington redskin beach blitz, no fireworks, no yeah whatever else I had planned.

One Republic cancelled their gig, well they postponed it. Due to injuries.

Chesapeake Jubillie is a busy place, and not a place to be when you feel sick.

Washington Redskin Beach Blitz, the cards just didn't fall in place, even thought its right downt he street.

So what did we do instead?

Friday- went to the carnival for a little bit, I really wanted to stay for the four tops concert, but I was feeling really sick. So we went home, and I went to bed.

Saturday- was going to go back to the carnival, but after seeing that thing on the today show, where the carnival rides broke in CA, ehh not happening. So maybe Busch Gardens with the kids? eh nah that fell through as well. So we treked to NC. not really a long drive, its about half hour away from where we are in Virgnia Beach.

We went to "Dennis Anderson Muddy Motorsports Park". So who is Dennis Anderson? He is the driver of "Gravedigger". Yeah the VIP treatment we got at the Monsters on the Beach, led us to his grandopening of this mud park.

Here are some of the pics:

He didnt make it threw, he flipped his truck on the last little hill thing.

Yeah, he needed to be pulled out, and needs a major car washing!

Little Jeep that no one thought would make it out of the first dip, and he came shooting off that second mound.

Dennis Anderson Son's Truck..haha you could of figured that out in the title of the truck!

Overall it was a fun effect. Need to keep reminding myself, that things are different in the South. That whole "redneck" "get r done" thing. I guess that is what makes any body wreck their truck in a huge mud hole. Makes for good entertainment tho.

There was some sweet, pure modifications "trucks":

We ended up leaving early, cause of the way to much sun feeling. WAY to much.

I love to tan, but being burned...is never fun.

Came back to the VA, shopped and then just hung out. Bed early again around 11pm.

Woke up today around 3:30pm. Classic.

I miss Nate. He is a good boy, who went up to the D.C temple for the weekend. Such a good mormon boy.

And thats, that..

in the past 24 hours.

It has been a really bad bad day..and I was so looking forward to "The Four Tops"..but didnt happen...

My Defibulator has fired.

I was involved in a small fender bender with the nanny car, the baby and I are perfect fine. No damage to the Jeep, no info was exchanged, cause there really was no damage to either car. Wet roads are to blame. All is well, but the stress of such a event, sent me over the edge. Slighty terrified for such event to occur again, even though its completely out of my control.

I am coming down with a wicked flu bug. Which is putting a huge damper on my weekend plans, and future plans..when I get sick...I get really really hospitalization sick.hopefully this one will pass over in a couple days if I take it easy.

Random Picture, but gosh it bad me laugh for a good ten minutes. Maybe i just need to go to bed.

I NEED TO FEEL BETTER, THIS IS A SUPER BUSY WEEKEND, AND NEXT WEEKEND IS EVEN BETTER.

ehhhhhhhhhh. and thats just how bad its been in the past 24 hours.. not including it all.

Tag, you it!

Four Movies I could Watch over and over:
1. Juno
2. Life as a House
3. Monster INC
4. Toy Story

Four Jobs I've Had:
1. Cashier at family store
2. Target team memeber
3. Teacher at a daycare
4. Record Company Promo

Four Places I've Lived:
1. Brockport, NY
2. Penfield, NY
3. Mendon, NY
4. Virginia Beach, VA

Four of My Favorite dishes/foods:
1. Strawberries
2. Watermelon
3. Cheese
4. Ice cold milk

Four T.V. Shows I Love:
1. Greys
2. Survivor
3. One Tree Hill
4. Kate and Jon, Plus 8

Four sites I visit daily:
1. email
2. facebook
3. local news
4. weather

Four Places I have Vacationed:
1. Orlando, FL
2. Cedar Point, Ohio
3. Virginia Beach, Va (later moved there)
4. Daytona Beach, FL

Four Places I'd rather be right now:
1. in bed asleep.
2. at the ocean
3. with friends from NY, but not IN ny.
4. at a concert, listening to someone pour their soul out in the guitar

Four Friends I'm Tagging:
1. Aunt Heather
2. Teresa
3. Mike
4. Deborah

** so if you are "tagged" that means you have to answer the following questions..and then tag for more people.. odd I know.. but it passes the time, cause now I have nothing to watch until Grey's starts. Survivor is over, and boo.

There is a recent picture. This week has been long and rough. This weekend is going to be crazy. Chesapeake Jubiliee, One Republic is here, Off Road racing, Washington Redskin Beach Blitz (where the players mingle on the beach), and maybe even more house looking. I will need to windle down what I actually do, cause all this events like happen at the same time.

Looking forward to next weekend.

PUNGO STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL! and tons of other crazy stuff.

tornado season..

It was only a couple of weeks ago that Suffolk, VA was hit with a tornado.

eh.

It is very creppy weather right now at the oceanfront. Dark DARK skies and very very windy.

hopefully it will pass.

tornado warnings up. and funnel clouds have been seen.

not good.

o my.

So today is Mothers Day.
I took my mom out yesterday to celebrate.
She got some new scrubs and uniforms for work and then we went to Red Lobster and such.
I see life as everyday is Mothers Day.
She knows how much she means to me, and so on.
This morning I was up early, so I tried to make breakfast. keyword- TRIED.

She was a good sport and ate it, the dogs love the leftovers.

Happy Mothers Day.

this day has been odd for me,
since last year and all the drama that took place while I was in NY.
anyway whatever.

Today it was the start of something new.
A new relationship of sorts.
Time to move on threw the past,
The time is now and its mine.

Nate picked me up and we headed to church.
I know the blog world is saying "what!?!"

Yeah we headed straight to the chaple.
:-)
just kidding.
we went to the singles ward.
I had never been and it was very very different.
nothing like the movie, haha.

first thing I noticed was the fact that where only 11 girls total! and over 60 boys.
I got tired of counting in my head. But yeah.. haha.
Poor Nate did not know how to introduced me, so I would just jump in and say we are friends.
At the end of sacrament, the bishop does "introductions", kindly Nate did not stand up and make me do so. I bishop saw me, and I just gracefuly shook my head no. And I was saved the embarrassment of trying to explain who I was and why I was there. Alot of the boys are here for temp summer jobs from Utah for termite and lawncare..haha classic.

Wow, survived that. Sunday school was fun and reminded me of seminary days. Ha. And yeah, I cant say to much about it. It was fun.

I didnt want to stay for RS, and Nate was kind enough to let me sneak out, and he drove me home.

We will see how work goes tommorow for me, and maybe we will hit up Family Home Evening together. He puts the pressure on me, "its up to you". Thanks Nate!

Nate is a nice boy. Odd for me to be hanging out with a mormon boy. Not that they are any different. I guess I am not used to the simpleness of it all. Its fun and I am just going with it. Its all so new and he is very cool. Easy to talk to you. He is a return missionary. Served his mission in Venutra, CA or something like that. Good kid and such.

So I am enjoying all that goes with that.
Its good to have a good friend with no stress.


...just living life...and taking it easy

monsters on the beach

So the show was sold out..

and we managed to work our charm..and get very good seats in the pits..

ahh hahaha!

they had tickets to the later show, but Mom is on call, so it wasnt worth it..and we could see fine and got to talk to the drivers and such.

here are some pics:

That would be Avenger and Backdraft in the background.

Avenger's driver// Jim Koehler

(totally chill dude, we where chit chatting for a bit)

My favorite truck of the day!

Gravedigger's driver and Brutus's driver..hanging out.

The Monster truck we rode on..way crazy!

During the ride!

Overall a fun afternoon at the Oceanfront.

** I only had a few sips of Full Throttle, I know its bad for my heart. But they were handing it out like crazy for free...so we stocked up, just in case..wonder if it would work in the gas tank? HAHA only Avenger would get that joke.

Just another day in Paradise

I love music.
Everyone knows that.

Next weekend: Chesapeake Jubilee: May 15-18th





THE FOUR TOPS!!!

yes even at my age, I know who they are. Back in the day Motown!
Classics like "I can't help myself" (The Temptations), "Reach out and I'll be there" and "The Same Old Song". Many others of course. I am rather excited!!
They are preforming at 9:30pm that Friday Night.

next on the events of must see:

Gin Blossoms!




ok, so I know them because I have sang..or sung? this song on numerous karaoke. now if I posted that video..haha.
and they have a couple of others are well. So maybe I'll record at the gig, with me singing my heart out in the back ground haha.
They are on Saturday Night following the fireworks(at 9) and they hit the stage at 930!

And lastly but not leastly...

Phil Vassar




this is a knock of video, but the song still the same. his music video is not able to be emblemed.

I first heard this song with The Clarks back in NY. Mimi swears its her life, makes me laugh. Ha
and then when we moved here to the VA. My mom and I would always say "just another day in Paradise"..

I need to remember that all the time. when life is hard, remember its just another day in paradise! Cause you are alive and breathing, and have a roof over your head, it may leak. But you still have a place to call home. Cold hands, but warm hearts. That classic saying. Be greatful and thankful. Realize. Its a good life, its worth living. People come and go, but only you can leave your mark. People may effect you, but YOU leave the mark for yourself. I remind myself that constantly. Things happen, but you shape how you respond to it.

This weekend plans:

MONSTER ON THE BEACH!

I did not take these pictures, they are from last year. I will hopefully be able to take a few good ones today. Crazy!

life is happening here in Paradise.

tornadoes cant bring us down!

Red Light//Memory

"red light"-Jonny Lang

This song is what has saved me time and time again.

Its a much older song.

Makes me miss a certain.

He and I have been through so much,

and through it all.

We are even better for it.

I used to sit in the back of his huge brick red ford expedition and he would be in the front driving. asking me to sit up front cause he was not a chofer. and of course in my teenage years, I usually was mad at him. It would result in many heavy sighs from him and just sitting in the driveway with no words mentioned, listening to this song. Driving to semintary, listening to this song.

This song and memorys are flooding my head lately.

I have been holding on and doing amazing all things considered.

And its hard, I can't deny it.

Life is hard right now, I am not sure what to do at this point in my life.

I will be turning 21 next month,

Most people are either married, or havent grown-up yet and are still into the booze/party hardy lifestyle. I will be neither of those.

Eh.

I wish there was still a old ford truck, music and good company.

I wish I would of allowed myself to enjoy it more.

Remember. "red light"

learning

"Deep down, everyone wants to believe they can be hardcore. But being hardcore isn’t just about being tough. It’s about acceptance. Sometimes you have to give yourself permission to not be hardcore for once. You don’t have to be tough every minute of every day. It’s okay to let down your guard. In fact there are moments when it’s the best thing you can possibly do… as long as you choose your moments wisely."

Lately things have been hard. And its hard to carry that hardcore I can do this all by myself sense of purpose attitude. It seems that anything I thought I had going for me, seems to not be. Simple things and even the life changing things. I thought he would be in my life for the lifetime threw and threw. And with the actions following the letter, it seems to not be so. We were working on fixing the past 20 years, and now I cant bare another year with him my life. You will never be a father to me, you ruined it all. I have other men that I can turn to, and have always turned to, and I thought I could learn to do that with you. And your true colors are shinning through. I wanted to give you a second chance, and let you prove mom wrong. Yet again, mom was right. I hope everytime you look at the pictures I framed for you, that if pains you. It will never come close to the pain I feel. You choose that over me. Goodbye dad.

That will continue to effect me for the rest of my life, but luckly I can take it stride and move on. Slowly and surely I will be better for it. It always seems to turn out in such. Once you are knocked down to nothing, you can always pick up the pieces and build something new and beauitful. Something you never dreamed possible. I never look to be knocked down, but in this. I can't wait to see what I turn into after such pain and more heartache.

I am forever greatful for the "extra family" members I have had in my life;

And it times like these.

I can always turn to.

ehh yeah.

i cant type anymore.

dont feel and tired.

and I am going to call a old friend.

hopefully this adventure will be worth while.