Saturday, May 09, 2009

WHAT DAY IS IT?

Is it May 9, 2009? Yes, it is.

Is it Saturday? Yes, it is.

Is it the day before Mother's Day? Yes, it is.

Is this a day that the Lord has made? Yes, it is. Rejoice and be glad in it!

Is it the day of my 646th post on this blog? Yes, it is........and you're getting close.....

Is this the three year anniversary of my blog? Yes, it is!

Three years ago today I was sitting in Dunn Bros Coffee Shop with my daughter, Kari, trying to wrap my feeble mind around this new thing I was going to try, blogging. I was still three weeks away from retirement, three weeks away from finalizing the sale on our home, three weeks away from moving into our new fifth wheel trailer, and three weeks away from taking off on the huge adventure called full time RVing. And three years ago I still had my mom.

Wow, has my life changed in the last three years! We retired, as planned. We sold the house and moved into the trailer, as planned. We traveled, as planned. And we lost my mom, totally unplanned.

In the last three years we have gone to all four corners of our great land. We've visited Alaska, Florida, New Foundland and Nova Scotia, California, and every state and province in between those places. We have loved every single mile of our travels, I've shared it all with you through pictures and words. I hope you've enjoyed my travels a little with me.

And I would give it all up to be able to hug my mom tomorrow on Mother's Day. I miss her terribly.

Now to celebrate the past three years I decided I must have a giveaway! So, leave me a comment in the next 48 hours.......well, make it by midnight Monday.........and tell me what state or area of our great land you would like to visit. And, no, the prize isn't a trip to that place as much as I would like to give that to you! But, the winner, chosen by a retired Air Force guy, will get their choice of a purse or tote bag, lovingly crafted by me, in the colors (well somewhat close anyhow) of their choice. Okay?

Are you ready? Okay. Get set. GO! Comment!

15 comments:

Kari said...

I didn't see anything about relatives being disqualified from this contest so I'm commenting.

Today my wish is to go any place other than my house...as long as I am all by myself and the place is warm and sunny and there is a coffee shop with iced breves and internet access. Just for one day.

Robbin said...

I have always wanted to go to Kentucky during the Derby. I want to wear a big hat and sip Mint Juleps and carry one of Marge's bags!
Hope you have a wonderful Mother's day dear friend and I know your mother is looking down on you with love.

Joyce B. said...

I love your bags. I printed one out to take to our fabric store to see if they had a pattern. All of yours are gorgeous !!! I would like to visit South Carolina - a state that I haven't been to yet.

jen said...

Hmm...a chance at a bag hand crafted by you, I can't turn it down! I would love to travel to Boston, I have always had that as a dream and someday will make that venture.

amy said...

New York City! I have visited and explored the surrounding beauty in the Pacific NW for the past six years, after spending my first 22 years in the south (mostly GA). There I experienced all the magic and charm of rich history, plantations, spanish moss, sweet tea, antiques, and small town hospitality. I have seen large parts of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, including Yellowstone. I still dream of seeing the Grand Canyon and California wine country. Right now, though, I would choose a big city with bright lights . . . and Broadway! In honor of taking hold of my dreams and trying to make a life on stage, I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps. The Big Apple!

Congrats on 3 years!!!!

Linda B said...

Yesterday I would have chosen Georgia to see my sister. But today I would like to go to Mankato. I would like to visit my dad who is in surgery right now, but I can't travel. To me it doesn't matter where you go, as long as you have family near. Congratulations on your 3rd anniversary. Your mom will be smiling down on you Sunday. Guarenteed.

GreenishLady said...

We had Mothers' Day in March, and I know the feeling of longing... I experienced it then, and yesterday was my late mother's birthday. Thanks to a couple of wonderful friends, there was a celebration and a remembrance, which was so sweet. I hope your Mothers' Day will be good.

As my first visit to the US became a love-affair with California, and I had a flying visit to New York at the start of the year, I think I'd opt to go to (this is hard, choosing just one place...) New Mexico... no, North Carolina... no, Chicago... um, Alaska... Please don't make me choose! You were so lucky to be able to do the travelling you've done!

Anonymous said...

I don't envy the retired fellow who's going to be responsible for disappointing so many ladies. I'm sure he disappointed many, when he married the girl of his dreams a few years back!

Your bags are beautiful, and I'm amazed at how quickly you whip them up. Your bags, your amazing photos, and your blog evidence what a creative gal you are.

I've always wanted to visit Vermont and Maine and also Washington State on the other side of the country. But I would choose Ohio, because our third daughter is going to school at Kent State, in Kent, near Akron. The Cuyahoga Valley holds much beauty and history. When we visited in Februaray (odd time for a vacation, but it was during her basketball season), we took a drive along parts of the Earie Canal Tow Path. We discovered Hale Farm and Village by a mistake in navigation, and I had a wondeful time snapping old buildings and a couple of deer in the Ohio snow.

Maybe it was the company, or her eagerness to share some of her favorite "haunts" with us, or the crisp winter air, or the fact that I had my camera along, but it was a wonderful day, spent with a daughter whom we don't get to see often. I'd love to go back in the spring or fall and hike along the Tow Path, visit Amish country nearby, or visit the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, a beautiful, expansive home, built by the founder of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. We toured the home on our first trip, when we drove the 13 1/2 hours to take her to school. I would enjoy seeing it again, and sharing it with more of our children, as the next trip we'd like to take our younger kids. If our daughter wasn't in OH, I'd choose one of the other two destinations, but time with our daughter would be the best trip we could make. We plan to make the drive next year to celebrate her graduation from Kent, so this wonderful dream vacation might just come true.

Nancy in Iowa

IzzyBeth said...

Happy Mother's Day!

Joni said...

Happy Mother's Day dear friend and let me tell you what a joy it has been to travel along with you on your trips. This past year or so has given me a touch of cabin fever, but just looking at your pictures and reading about your fun has provided me with a little respite from being desk-bound. The state I would like to travel to as soon as I am work free is New York! I want to see what all the fuss is about and go to a Broadway show and do all those touristy things...*sigh, hopefully someday soon! Maybe you should come along and we'll be like Lucy and Ethel...lol.

May today be full of blessings ~

Lisa said...

Oh my goodness...I can't name just one place I would love to go. I love to travel, to see new things, to meet new people. I love Alaska, I would love to go to New York, I would love to see the Grand Canyon, I want to see Mt. Rushmore, there is so much to see right here in our great lands. And I am so jealous that you have been to so many places. But I am NOT jealous that you have a hole in your heart. I so wish your momma was still here with you, and I am so thankful mine is. You have taught me to honor her, and to cherrish her and to be glad in all that we do. I thank you for being such a good friend. Gift or not, congratulations on three years of blogging.

Claudia said...

I think I would let you choose your favorite from the 15 or 16 I have not yet visited and go there. I would like to someday say I've been to at least the 48.....

LindaJean said...

Oh my... I have been so totally busy with my son in the hospital and another being confirmed and overwhelmed by all that is NOT getting done, I MISSED YOUR CONTEST :(
sigh...
I did want to send you a cyber hug and tell you I am so sorry you are missing your mom on Mother's Day.

Anonymous said...

Well, I am sorry I missed the give-away... but happy blogiversary anyway!

Anonymous said...

Well, I am sorry I missed the give-away... but happy blogiversary anyway!