It's so hard NOT to look back!

Muir Woods, CA

Happy Valentine's Day

(Napa Valley, CA)

Flowers and wine, what more could someone ask for on Valentine's Day?

Remote Control

Ever had one of those moments where everything happened so quickly it's almost too hard to believe? Almost as if your mind has created a coping mechanism that when certain types of events occur it hits the fast forward button. The consequence of this action is that later the event will be replayed over and over in your mind.

My Heart

Cocoa Lynn 1995-2007

Words never seem good enough to explain how important someone is to you or the impact they have had on your life. I have sat here since Cocoa's death (1/20/07) trying to figure out just the right things to say to capture her spirit, the bond we shared and what she meant to me. Finally, I came to this conclusion: the words that I have been desperately searching for do not exist. It's not something that can be explained or communicated it can only be felt.
I believe God sent Cocoa to me for a purpose. She came into my life when I needed someone the most, sharing all my fears and dreams. Her talent to be able to read my feelings was better than any person's ability in my life. She seemed to know when I needed her just to cuddle or when I wanted to play. Her unconditional love and devotion will be missed terribly! She was never just my dog... she was apart of me, my family, my friend and above all MY BABY!

Final words:
Taylor: "Cocoa will never be further away than our heart's Aunt Stacey."
Stephaney: "She had a good life, a great home and all the love anyone could ever ask for."
Rodney: "She had a great last day. She got to play all day with all her friends, and lied down at sunset to go home."

Our lives will never be the same!
With all the love in our hearts may God keep you safe in his arms until the day we meet again,
Stacey - Mommy
Ranger - Your little man
Sterling - The sister you loved to hate
Tucker - The mini stud
Malaki - The spunky baby brother who just wished the entire world could play fetch all day.

England Pictures - 2

Pictures of Avebury countryside.

Ireland Pictures - 2

Dowth is one of three great passage tombs of Bru na Boinne.

Stone wall - Bective Abbey in background


Bective Abbey

Celtic crosses - Monasterboice

Ireland Pictures - 1

Sunset flying to Ireland

Newgrange


Hill of Slane - Slane Abbey




For those of you who keep up with my blog you know, it wouldn't be a proper trip if I didn't take a picture from the plane. Ireland's pictures came out so crisp and clean I can't wait to go back one day!

England Pictures - 1

London Eye

Pathway to Avebury




Cottage in Avebury


Victoria Station


Sorry, I had back to back trips. When I got home from England I had to quickly catch up on work and then fly to Chicago. Now I'm back so I need to catch up on my blog ... bare with me this may take awhile. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A VERY SPECIAL LIL' GIRL!

Happy Birthday Taylor! I miss you very much! I hope you have a great day and know your Aunt Stacey loves you BUNCHES! I wish I could be there with you, but I will be home very soon with lots of goodies for my best cartoon watching friend!
WITH ALL MY LOVE
~ Aunt Stacey

I'm Alive

Needless to say I have been very busy. Currently, I'm in Ireland. I will give you a VERY short teaser story and go into more detail when I'm at a computer that is not charging me $5.00 for 2 mins. (People that know me know I am spending a fortune just typing a few lines with my hunting and pecking skills.)

So I'm in Ireland.... we rent a car. Joy is driving for maybe 1 hour and then it happens.... WE THANKED GOD that we payed extra for car insurance. It seems in Ireland bushes in HUGE pots tend to jump out at rental cars terribly scraping the bumpers. (YES the bumper is totally popped out of place. I took over the driving from that point on. LOL

Many more stories to come with beautiful pictures. For now I'm off on another journey so I can have PLENTY of stories to tell you later.

~Stace

LONDON BABY!!!!!

I'm off to London for a week and Ireland for a week! I am so excited. Ireland should be a great challenge, so far I have no where to stay all that is planned is wandering the country to see everything they have to offer. This should be my biggest adventure yet! I am going to try to find some internet cafes to put some updates out here. If I don't then when I get back (Nov. 15th) I will have a ton of stuff to write about and hopefully some AWESOME photos to post.

To those that I didn't get to say goodbye too... I'll miss ya!
Amy take care of yourself and Kale, don't let him start walking before I come back. :)
Taylor & Nick you guys are my sunshine! I love ya can't wait to get back and watch cartoons with yal! hugs and kisses
And to Mr.Polly.... my messenger is not working and your blog won't let me put comments out there. Please look into fixing your blog and I'll try to check my email until I can get my messenger working.

Well I'm off next time I write I'll be in another country...or just returning.

In the words of my favorite writer "Not all who wander are lost!"-J.R.Tolkien

Passionate and Brilliantly Complex

At first glace one may describe the outward appearance as calm, gentle maybe even confident on the surface. Just enough of the average ingredients so not to draw attention and stand out.

The wind carries through the trees a soft tender voice.
"Look further…"

You move closer to get a better view. Instantly, you get pushed back by an unseen force. Defenses have been raised to keep you away from intruding. Dark and insecure feelings of emotions surround you as you fight to pull back the layers. What is it that is being so closely guarded? Ahead an intense light pierces through the darkness. You work your way toward the light against the invisible force that now seems to be pushing you back. The ground turns to thick murky waters making it almost impossible to move forward. With every new step you manage to take you get ever so much closer. You fight to keep the darkness from engulfing you by willing yourself to only focus on the light. Struggling in this battle with an invisible enemy, you begin to wonder if the message was meant for you to hear. Your initial thought is to turn back.

The wind picks up returning the tender voice.
"Look further…"

The little things

Isn’t it strange how some of the best feelings in life come from the littlest things people do for you. With time actions can either break down barriers or reinforce them with stone supports. It’s the little things that are often over overlooked, but easily accomplished that act as the demolition crew. If at anytime you allow pride and stubbornness to paralyze you from doing those little things for someone else you are creating new walls to tear down. Life is too short to take the people you care about for granted. Remember each day what they have done for you and the impacts they have had on your life. Regrets are what everyone tries to avoid, do not let the day come that you did not see the little things that were brought into your existence.

Here I go again...

I'm off on another business trip in Chicago. It's nice to see good friends and I look forward to seeing the ones I have yet had a chance to meet up with. The fall colors are so beautiful and something that you miss out on living in Florida. Today I'm off to conquer the city and take a dinner cruise later tonight. No worries the camera will be close so hopefully I will get plenty of great pictures.

Making Strides

I am participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer again this year in memory of my grandma Mary! Getting people involved and educating them on this deadly disease is critical in helping to find the cure for cancer. We have lost enough loved ones to this enemy! I humbly ask, if you like reading my blog and would wish to sponsor me please go to the below link. All donations will go towards cancer research and any amount you can donate will be appreciated!

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=2183&px=1353342

Take me away....

Off to the land where happy endings are abundant.

Never Fails

Doesn't it always seem the moment you let your guard down is when you get blind sided?

Happy Birthday

It's not supposed to be proper to tell a ladies age, but then again when has anyone ever thought of me as proper? To a very special person in my life, Mom happy 52nd birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day!

TRUST

Hard to earn, easily lost.