Simplicity

I ran across this quote this morning; "We rush through the present toward some future that is supposed to be better, but generally turns out only to be busier".  So true.  After a week in Montana where I feel totally relaxed, I return to the lists, appointments, and responsibilities of real life, and while that is all well and good,  it sure fills up my days with busyness. 

I think I am at that place in my life where "less is more" applies.  All the "stuff"  doesn't make us truly happy and content, rather it's our relationships and our life experiences that really matter.  So I am taking a few deep breaths and mentally going back to Montana for a few minutes... and then I am going to clean my house!  I will be looking for more things to donate to Goodwill in the process.  "Less is More"!  And while I am cleaning, I will remember what I am really thankful for; my wonderful family, my fun hubby, my morning coffee, 2 crazy little dogs, and Jillian Michaels and the 30 Day Shred! Have a great weekend!

And, by the way, I won't be worrying about why my font shrunk in the middle of my blog post because that wouldn't fit it with my focus on simple living today.

Never mind that last comment, when I went to preview the blog, it all looked fine.  I will never figure out this technology "stuff".

Just plain, old, FUN!

I will do a longer blog post about our week in Montana, but just wanted to get these out right away.  We had such a fun time Zip-lining in Whitefish.  Can't wait to do this again!

Cooler temperatures in my future.

Oh my word! After a week of riding our bikes in 100 plus temperatures,we are off to MT where it will be in the 40's at night. Praise the Lord! I can 't wait to put on a pair of jeans and a fleece. We hope to do some fly fishing, some 4 wheeling, perhaps some zip lining at Glacier,some hiking, maybe a bit of rafting, and who knows what else? Let me just say that as much as I love Texas, I am more than ready for a break from this heat. And we will be joined by Z and Z, so we know there will be humor involved in this adventure.

Pictures will follow. Packing the the BIG camera.

Working on some blog changes

I have lots of technology challenges, just ask my kids. One of the worst was when I tried to use my stylus from my IPad to do something on my laptop. Not just once but twice. So, as I attempt to make some subtle changes to my blog, I suspect I will be asking them for some help. I hope this doesn't take too long.

Norway

The trip to Norway was certainly an enjoyable one.  I have never traveled on a "tour" before and not sure if I will going forward, but this one included distant relatives and it proved to be an easy way to see a country FAST.
I thought I was going to be the youngest person on the trip, but thankfully that proved to be wrong.  A brave 20 year old came along with her mom and grandmom. 
We moved around mostly on a tour bus, but also took ferries through the fjords and a couple of trains as well.  I have never seen so many waterfalls in all my life.  We even saw a glacier.  Thankfully, everyone was awake for that.  ( At one point in time, I looked around the bus and 4 out of 39 of us were awake.) 
Here are a few pictures.  The last one is of my roomie and I at the Ice Bar.  

It rained almost every day we were there and never got above 60 degrees, so I am having a bit of an adjustment to these 100 degree days here in Dallas.  I sort of wish I could have brought the Ice Bar back to my house.

Tine's B Day!

So, I was looking through some old pictures and came upon these.  Where has the time gone?

 Not so long ago after all.

Bergen

One thing I will remember about this trip to Norway , is the rain. We are having a lot of fun and seeing some interesting and beautiful places, but we are getting soaked in the process. I remind myself how hot and dry it must be in Dallas and that is enough to keep me from being distracted by the cool and rainy weather here.
I will post pictures next week of a few highlights of the trip. I am sure there are more to come. Yesterday afternoon we had a bit of sunshine so seized the opportunity to ride the funicular to the outlook over Bergen. Beautiful.
Today we have had a "free day" and have walked all around the wharf area. One more night here and we continue on to Geilo and then on to Oslo for 2 days and then on a plane back to the states.