Daily Lesson:

When you want your hand to be held, reach for it. Don’t wait for your loved one to know what you are thinking.

Charleston, is the #2 most sought after wedding destination only second to Vegas in the US. It is obvious why brides across the nation want their nuptials to take place here. This place oozes love and romance. For us, with a 2 year old, that is not the first thing on the agenda but, tonight we were able to sit back and reconnect. As much as this was a family vacation I desperately wanted this road trip to be a journey to revamp my 14 year old courtship with my husband. Earlier today, I was feeling maybe romance is now defined as the act of loving our child and being fulfilled with the immense gratification you receive as a parent.  I wanted so desperately for my husband to reach across the stroller and hold my hand in between the hand off of sippy cups and diaper changes. I kept wishing and wishing he would just hold my hand. I grew increasingly agitated as no attempt was made.



Our "horsey" Jim- a retired Belgium horse
from the Amish Country in Ohio-
Go Buckeyes!



We sat down for a beautiful dinner after a carriage ride around the city of love. The tour took us down the infamous

Rainbow Road

, the stretch of colorful water front homes with significant Civil War meaning, all perfectly placed and painted with a fresh coat of pinks and blues. The tour also graced us with the knowledge of one Fathers generosity of a stone gazebo that is now the place that brides from far and near yearn to say their I do’s, on to the many of treasures this city has to offer. If you have not yet traveled to Charleston, I make this my battle cry to you, to save a little to spend a little on this investment of history and pleasure.

After dinner, we strolled silently to the fountain where we once took family pictures, a pineapple shaped fountain waterfront in Historical Charleston. We spoke briefly but with little effort on either of our parts. I silently thought, “we are just co-existing.”

Before I left for this trip, I told myself I will fight like all hell for this love I have been so committed to for so long. At the pier tonight, I reached for his hand and told my husband how much I loved him and how I wanted this love we have to be stronger than ever. It was as my best friend Lee Anna that so beautifully wrote, this is my Battle Crawl. Fitting for a city built around battles, I asked my husband to forgive me for my wrongs and he apologized for his, we agreed to move forward into love. He grabbed my hand and leaned in for a kiss. You see, all I had to do was ask.

Instead of the waiting and broken expectations fueling my responses, I asked for what I needed only to receive the gift I had been waiting for all along. By the time the brief but powerful talk was finished, I leaned down only to see a sleeping baby. It was perfect timing, we were a couple with no pending diaper changes, just the two of us on a stroll in the city of love. We took the rare opportunity to track back to the Cigar Bar where we spent precious time years ago with his Father and sat outside and drank Cashmere, a wine brewed by a man for his wife – named from his wife’s first words after her first sip, “It is so smooth, it taste like Cashmere.” The man told us the story while pouring it; it was a moment of reflection. Sure, my husband had not brewed it, but we were sipping it together after a smooth resolution of the minds & hearts.

We drank 3 or 4 before Shiloh started to toss and turn; we paid up and headed on back to the hotel. It was my best night on this road trip for many reasons but mainly because I asked and I received. I love my Husband more than words could ever explain. I have hope that this road trip was what I prayed for all along, a journey to revamp my love & marriage with a side note of sightseeing.

Mission Accomplished,

♥Tasha

My future Nest



No, my photography is not off. This church is leaning from
a earthquake in the 1800's that made the church sink 8 inches.



This home was built my an English man. He wanted it to be stone exterior. Back in the 1800's in Charleston, stone was for the poor. The built it with brick and covered with with stone facade so the English man would be happy.
Just shows, not everything is what it appears.



The Calhoun mansion - let's
just say I would marry his daughter
This picture does not due it justice.

Look closely, this house is divided right down the middle. The husband wanted one style of architecture and the wife wanted another. The builder got fed up and split right down the middle. Love it. Compromise has no era.

A walk down Memory Lane ♥

Daily Lesson:

Keep on moving. Let the scenery inspire you and remind you of loved ones. Smile and know Heaven is Real.

This road trip has been nothing less than a party for my eyesight. We arrived in Charleston around 3pm today, after a short trip to Tybee Island.  Another of Georgia's Barrier Islands, with a small southern beach town feel, a few shops and some chilly ocean air to greet us; we stopped at one artsy junkyard, literally looked like an outside art gallery made from recycled goods. Just my style, after a peruse around the outside uncovered shelves o' many - I went to open the front door to find a  note "We are not in today, whatever you want to buy add 7% sales tax to it - take it and slip the money through this hole." (I should of taken a picture) I sat there for a moment and thought surely this isn't so? I looked around and thought - where is the camera? I showed Jared and we both just laughed. Only in Tybee could this be acceptable.

We headed out to Charleston, 118 miles North. We were both tired when we arrived, but we loaded up baby Shiloh and we were out to explore this colorful historical town. It is much warmer than Savannah which is lucky for me because I have worn my warm clothes down to the threads. This Florida girl brought flip flops and Capri's.  We are staying a rocks throw away from Market Street
- an open aired market filled with homemade sweet grass baskets and thing ma-bobs.

Shiloh took a nap so we took the chance to sit down at the Noisy Oyster and sling em’ back (both oysters and Palmettos - my new fave brews) For starters, we had a stack of green fried tomatoes stuffed with lump crab meat. Oh yea! That sure did put a spin on ole Grandma's recipe. Delish!
Shoulda' took a photo of that too but, it was gone before I had a chance. After an after dinner stroll we headed back. We've been hitting the hay early these days. It’s a welcome change from our 11:30ish bedtime at the home front.

This place has real sentimental value to us, Charleston that is. Back in 2005, we took our last vacation with Jared's Dad outside of Ohio and Orlando hometown visits. That vacation was a great one spent with Kam (Jared's sister), Aunt Teri and the Boys along with Dad & Linda. We visited Charleston and Folly Beach on that trip with a stop in Columbia to visit Aunt Cheri , Josh & Amanda.

We walked these same streets so many years ago, yet it looks the same exact way. Within a block of walking it was clear we were on memory lane. Aw Shucks, The Cigar Shop where the boys picked a freshly rolled cigar and the brewery were just a few of the spots we walked by today that reminded us so vividly of our wonderful times spent with Jared's Dad, Jeff and the family.  A light would sparkle in Jared's eye as the places sparked his memory of his beloved late Father and then a moment of silence as we both kept walking trying not to cry. Family vacations and or day visits with our loved ones are so special. It is all we hold on to after the Lord has taken them home. I urge you this week to call your Grandma, Aunt or a Parent and make plans with them. No matter the time spent, it is the time spent that makes the time special. You will thank yourself later, guaranteed!

Tomorrow our plans are as follows: Horse Carriage ride down Rainbow Row, Visit the house where a portion of the movie Notebook was filmed (while watching that movie, Jared told me he knew he would marry me. I wonder if he second guesses that choice sometimes lol) and being memorized by the Angel Oak - the oldest Oak tree East of the Mississippi spanning 17,000 ish square foot and dining at an unknown location all while the weight of the world is carried. By that I mean, we will just BE.  I will deal with all things responsible not a day earlier than Thursday so, leave a message at the beep.

Shiloh keeps calling each new hotel "Home" - I often wonder if she thinks we have moved. I know she loves spending undivided attention with us just romping from place to place. She is my muse.
There is something really fun about living city to city with the 27 bags in tow with only one real mission: to observe and enjoy the time spent together as a family. I am thankful for this trip and for the 2 people I call my family to spend it with me. Home is where the heart is. Tonight mine is room 368.

Ready for Shiloh to go on a "horsey ride,"
Tasha

Pirates, Memorials & Relaxation

Daily Lesson:

Don't let yourself become complaisant. We are here because of the bloodshed from our founding Father's.

Remind yourself we are nothing less than lucky to live this charmed life. Our problems are a drop in the bucket for the men & women of the 1700's

Click on photos to enlarge

For me, today was a day of reflection. I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of quilt and sadness for the ones that lived and died in this beautiful city. The city is still intact and now all that is left of that time is memorials, haunted houses & cobblestone streets lined with modern day shopping. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to trade in my charmed little life for those times, but I just can't help but to wonder what it was like to be them. We think we have it hard and at times speculate the world is coming to an end. I bet these folks were hoping it would, and often they were right.

Today Jared, Shiloh and I ate lunch at the famous Pirate House situated in the Trustee Garden.  The Herb House (a separate house) was built first in 1734 is and still stands today. It is the most historic spot in Georgia. In 1753 the Pirate House (now restaurant) was opened as an Inn for seafarer's and became a meeting point for pirates and sailors. The Herb House was structurally attached to the Pirate House. This was the site of bloody fights & kidnapping. They would get the sailors drunk and the pirates would kidnap them through an underground tunnel that led about a block to the Savannah River. By the time the sailors woke up, they were out to sea and kept as slaves never to return. That would stink, head to a bar to have a tall boy and end up a slave.
I couldn't help but feel like someone was watching me eat my savory chicken caesar salad. I hope the spirits didn't think Shiloh was mocking them. She sure did pull the look off.  I prayed before and as we left that spooky place, begging those spirits to say right where they are and not attach themselves to my shaw. 

Click to enlarge.
River Street by Tasha

 Afterwards, we shopped River Street for the 3rd day just in case we missed a shop or most importantly a Gelato hot spot (doubtful!) Picked up a few Christmas gifts and dog sitting gifts (shout out to my Mom!) sprinkled with the moments of silence for the lives lost in battle. Savannah has one thing down packed...memorializing people, mostly men for their war-time efforts but we can't forget ole Florence - the waving girl.  Regardless, this City has a whole lot of charm and charisma. We are planning on visiting Tybee Island tomorrow for a day trip since we have man handled Savannah. We are just relaxing now while Shiloh gets a nap in and then we are off again for some delish dinner in City Market. It is a chilly one tonight so, I think we are going to drive. Our car has not left the spot since we got here. All of our travels have been by foot. Feels great! Looking forward to dinner, coffee and sunggles...in that order!

Till tomorrow,
Tasha♥

Our table was directly next to the roped off underground tunnel where
the kidnappings took place. Eekk!
Click on photos to enlarge for a closer look :)



Gunna need a new pair of shoes after all this walkin'

Daily Lesson:   

The black out curtains in hotel rooms guarantee your toddler sleeps till 10am

First thing when we return, I am swapping Shiloh's Bahama shutters for 8 ft. black out curtains - just like the Marriott has so graciously blessed us with on this vacation. Shiloh has slept like a log since we've been here.

Why they are they not in every color and pattern at Babies R' Us by now is a mystery to me. Pass on the bottle warmer people, and register for black out curtains!

We have walked and walked and walked...if I do not shed some lbs then this Momma is gonna be mad.

We probably walk 6-8 miles a day, which feels great since the weather is crisp and clean breathing.  We shopped and shopped and shopped yesterday, but nothing really stuck out to me. I hate it when town shops have all that cheesy souvenir crap - coaster with Savannah written on it..come on people, I want some cool stuff. There are boutiques o' plenty but the stuff is overly priced and I could scoop it up at 21 forever for $12.99 so, I'll pass.

We started yesterday off with the Trolley Tour all over Savannah. It was super informative and nice to sit and sight see after all this walking. Shiloh was a gem the whole time and let everyone know when a horsey was in the vicinity. The homes here are architecturally insane and some are so close their roof lines are overlapping. The Historical District is so desired that a 500 square ft home (a little bigger than Shiloh's playhouse) runs for $289,000k - This is where Realtors still like their job.

Haunted Home

There are certain homes that stay on the market, because the former house guests never leave. The tour explained that this one particular home, can only keep a new homeowner for a year or so before the sign goes back up. This home has had exorcisms performed on it to no prevail. They keep lights on 24/7 even though it is vacant to keep the ghost at bay.

After the tour, we went on our own exploration to check out some of the trolley spots up close & personal. One of Savannah's favorite stories involves the life of Florence Martus (1868 - 1943), who was known well by Savannahians and sailors of the sea as the Waving Girl. The story goes, she would wave at every passing ship with her Collie by her side. One sailor thought she was waving just to him and when he got to port, he found her and they later fell in love. When he had to be deployed, he promised to return for her. Florence waved at every ship day and night for 44 years of her life, never to remarry. Her dog would wake her up at night if a ship was coming, where Florence would wave by lantern. Poor girl in love, but at least she has a statue for her commitment. Some of us, don't even get that!  lol

       This is a Photographers mecca! One beautiful shot after another.

There is so much history here both glorious and tragedy. It is hard to imagine some of the tales of what life was like here in the late 1800's.
From Pirates, Slavery and some of the bloodiest battles in the US, Savannah still stands strong filled with beauty and hope.
To think the First African American Baptist Church - one of the hidden underground railroad hiding places now sits catty corner to Paula Deens restaurant seems funny to me. Time changes so much, for the city of Savannah - its been for the better.

My Mothers family
name. Maybe we're
related!

Forsyth Park Fountain (fountain purchased from a catalog for $300 in that early 1900's)

I think I have seen most of this vacation through a lens but, it is hard to walk past with out attempting to capture the beauty of it all.  I am hoping to see a ghost in a window or the backdrop of one of my snapshots. I highly recommend this place for vacationing with young tots. The cobblestone streets at River Street is really the only challenge but, worth it.  Enjoy our freedoms we have been given that stem from so much bloodshed. I still have a really hard time feeling deserving of such a beautiful gift - as freedom so effortlessly.

Believed to protect the city
of Savannah from evil.



My cell phone is still not in working order. I have been device free for 3 days now.
It has been bliss! Take the cell phone challenge.

♥Tasha

Oh, Sweet Savannah

Daily Lesson:

There is never a "perfect" time to vacation. There will always be too much work to do or never enough money. I say, make time and save money but, don't miss out on quality time with loved ones.

Another great day on day two of our Prince family road trip. We woke up to perfect weather and sights on Jekyll Island. We slept in until 9am and loaded up. We drove to the other side of the massive Driftwood Beach to explore some more. 

         

It was even more breathtaking. We found some driftwood to take home, I was super excited. We got in the car and I went to call my folks when I realized my phone wasn't working. I took the back off to see what the problem was and my battery was gone! Then it came to me, little Miss. Shiloh was taking it apart and playing with it. I know that little booger took it out and hide it some where.

We went back to the hotel and right where she had been playing was a locked storage door with a nice size space where my guess is LBS slide it under the door. So, I have a phone with no battery now. Maybe its God's way of saying no phones on vacation - any hoo we are in search of a T-mobile to get my communication up and running again.



Rah Bar - Jekyll Island



After eating the best seasoned oysters and peel and eat shrimp on the Wharf, we headed towards Savannah.

About 80 miles and a few Outlet malls later, we reached beautiful Savannah. This is the first time either of us have been here and it is much more than we expected. We got settled in to our hotel right on the edge of the Historic District and headed for River Street. So much history and shopping, OH MY!

We stopped in to Paula Deens and picked up a few souvenirs, and continued on a 3-4 mile walk up river side. We were huffing and puffing when we got back to the hotel. The cobblestone did a number on us or maybe it was the Bahama Mama slushies.

We have a trolley pass tomorrow and Sunday to check out the city. Here are a few stops on our list:

1. City Market
2. The Gingerbread House
3. Savannah History Museum
4. Telfair Museum of Art
5. Andrew Low House
6. Forsyth Park
7. Meinhardt Vineyard & Winery (so I wont be so jealous of Buffy being in Nappa)
8. Boutiques & Antique Shops galore!

Because of the Holiday many shops are still closed so, we are really looking forward to our 3 night stay here to explore every nook & cranny of this place.

Tomorrow is the lighting of the Christmas tree in the town square and The River Boat light parade. All the boats are decorated with Christmas lights on display. Should be a good time.

Here are some pictures from today. Many more to come. Going to curl up and watch a movie with the family. Excited for tomorrow.

♥ Tasha

This picture is so sweet.



Jared hoping for a tan!



Nothing a little Georgia air & drift wood can't fix



Daily Lesson:

Happy Thanksgiving and Thank the Lord for this day!

 

Thankful is an understatement. Life is getting sweeter. One of the many things I am thankful for today is that we made it to our first destination, Jekyll Island, Georgia.

We are safe and sound not to mention in great spirits! The trip was a smooth one - jamming out to LeeAnna's newest songs - with the faint sound of Little Mermaid playing on the DVD player in the background. What a relief it was to be on vacation and get out on the open road.

Then all of a sudden, bless that babies heart -  Shiloh got car sick all over the place. It was a doozy. A change of clothes, shoes and 360 baby wipes later the smell is the only evidence left of Shi's interstate sickness.

That "new car" smell that you just can't duplicate - is gone, never to return. (insert nose plug here.) Even Shiloh couldn't handle the smell.

1st Destination - Jekyll Island, Georgia

We are staying 1 step OK maybe 3 away from the #5 Most Romantic Beach in the World! I agree with the stats 100%, it is breathtaking and absolutely romantic. This remote semi-ristricted beach is located on the farthest Northern tip of the smallest of Georgia's Barrier Islands. We step right outside our door and there is this desolate driftwood sanctuary just begging me to capture it. Oh, I captured it - and plan on hitting the beach bright and early to recapture it and savor our time here until we set sail to Savannah. Here are a few precious moments from our early evening stroll.  

We left our mark



The Prince girls



Jared resting and taking the view in



Every shape and size littered this desolate beach.



   

 Those are just a snap shot of the 270 photos I took in the few hours we were poking around this sweet spot. More to come....

Around 3pm we headed to our room to check in and freshen up before we decided whether or not to stick with our fancy smancy 6pm Jekyll Island Turkey Dinner reservations or if we wanted to eat oysters on the half shell instead. After a busy day, we decided to go with some fresh seafood. After making our ways to the Rah Bar overlooking the most beautiful sunset, we read the sign in dismay "Closed."

By now, we were Starvin Marvin's and we were under dressed for our pending country club reservation. After circling the island we ended up at a ocean front Bar & Grille. To our surprise, they had a full Thanksgiving dinner buffet with all the fixing's. We went, We ate and We conquered. Shiloh slept in her stroller through the whole meal but, we snuck a take home box filled to the rim for her. So much for the "less is more" vacation anthem. We are full as a bull and will be well into tomorrow evening along with the rest of America.

6:45pm:

A trip 10 miles off the island to the closest store/gas station (there is no gas on the island which can damper aimless island exploration) to pick up some beer and snacks (yes snacks) and fill up the old Flex with gasoline ready for tomorrows mid afternoon departure. We are back and settled in to our cute little loft style beach bungalow resting and making impromptu home videos of Shiloh singing baby bumblebee mixed with the ending of twinkle twinkle little star.

What a great start to our vacation. I will be dreaming of Driftwood Beach and scheming how to get the driftwood home with me. The last photo of the night should give everyone a sweet dream, it is of LBS (little baby Shiloh) basking in the honey colored sunlight this afternoon. This picture melts my heart. This is the one thing I am THANKFUL the most for! Thank you Lord for this day, and every day since my baby was born.

One blessed Mother,

Tasha Prince ♥

Are we there YET?

Daily Lesson:

Vacation is a chance to recharge your heart & soul 

before the next round of "life" happens

As I sit in my gray cubical, I look around and the only excitement I feel is for that fabulous homemade cupcake I just devoured and the 8x10 picture framed next to my monitor of Shiloh, Jared and I.  

I am itching to blow this chicken coop and get this party started already!

Our 10 day vacation is arms length away and I can smell the relaxation from here. The beach air, wrapped up in a blanket with my family on Driftwood Beach in Jekyll Island - my camera and no cleaning up on Thanksgiving Day or over eating for me this year. Back to the Basics.

This trip is more than a road trip and sightseeing for me. This is both a physical journey from point A to B but most importantly an emotional journey to take my marriage to the next level of happiness. 

It happens to the best of us, after nearly 13 years of dating, courting, marriage and children - a couple enters a rut in the relationship where nothing is easy and the love is some what lost. It has been at times heart breaking and moments of a sense of failure to acknowledge where our marriage has gone momentarily. This is where you either get off the highway or rebuild the road.

I am fighting for a renewal of both mind and heart for myself and for my marriage. I have every ounce of faith in the world, that all we need is a little R&R and a reminder of what has kept us together almost 13 years in the first place. After all 13 years is long time - not to mention we have made it through tougher times than this.

After many nights praying, crying and asking God for direction. I knew without a doubt it was time for a ROAD TRIP!                                         (apply the brakes here) 

If you know me at all, you know I am more of a tropical gal -easy breezy - effortless travel - someone else gets me to paradise with a package of peanuts and a spritzer in hand, kind of vacation is usually on the itinerary.

Why a road trip on the busiest holiday to travel, away from all Black Friday shopping festivities, to the beach where it is cold and no chance of a much needed tan, you ask?

Because I want to snuggle and be alone with my family this Thanksgiving to fall back in LOVE ♥

There is something widely romantic about tossing tradition aside to be alone some where new with my husband and beautiful daughter, Shiloh. The next thought in my head is "don't forget the DVD player for the car ride...or else!" 

We will pack tonight and cram it all into my cute little Ford Flex tomorrow and wake up bright and early on Thursday and set sail up the Eastern Sea Board making stops at all the beautiful places inbetween and on the way to Breathtaking Jekyll Island - Drift wood Beach, Historical Savannah, Angel Oak, Magnolia Plantation & Beloved Charleston, South Carolina and back. Follow me as I blog & post pictures of our journey in revamping our love on our first road trip.

 ♥Tasha

Vaccines and Vodka don't go Together!

Daily Lesson:

The Daily Lesson is more of a Warning Label:

Don't drink Vodka the day after you get the Chicken Pox vaccine!

You heard right people, I drank Vodka, and NO I have never had the Chicken Pox's.  My Dad nor I, ever had the Chicken Pox's. My brother had them while we were on a family vacation as a child and still no pox's for me.  At the age of 30 someone finally decided to give me a shot to protect me from a potential deadly onset of Adult Chicken Pox's.

That little shot hurt like hell, but the Tetanus booster I got in the other arm took the prize! This little day trip of pain took place on Friday. Went to work then home and to the back porch naturally to drink wine. Fine as can be. Saturday's sequence of events went a little different. 

After a normal day or cleaning & family bonding, we ventured to a friends house to let the kids romp around and eat some homemade pizza. My arm now has two raised bumps, one at each injection site (this is normal) and my entire body was sensitive to touch. I ran into the bed post and almost convulsed it hurt so bad.

My arms felt like I had just worked out for hours in the gym ( Lord knows that isn't the reason ) and after a few whip cream vodka and orange soda cocktails, I started the fast decent into the downward spiral of sickness. You know your sick when someone's voice feels like little needles stabbing you one by one in your ear drum. Yes people, it was brutal. Next time I get immunized, I'm stickin' to beer.

Needless to say, we had a great time being with our friends and went I got home - I slept like a baby. The lesson is when your children do get the booster make sure they stay clear from the Vodka.

Let the 2 day Count down to the Road Trip Begin!

Vodka Straight Up ...Thank You!

       Daily Lesson:

FACT: Girlish Banter & a Tall Vodka and Tonic can Warm the Soul and Save the Day!

No matter how busy, hectic or downright stressful a week, month or year is, a Girl's Night can warm the soul. There is nothing more inviting than a bunch of ole' friends circled around patio furniture spilling the beans on everything from sinful moments to future plans of Botax injections. The sound of a bunch of girls interrupting each other with heart filled advice and reassurance of "it will all be alright" fill the chilly air.
At the end of the day, your girlfriends are where it's at. Whether you are blessed to see them on a weekly basis or only get to catch up here and again, its all about quality not quantity. The true measure of a friend is – when you do see them, it only takes a millisecond to catch each other up and it’s like they were never away. 
They sure save me a pretty penny in free counseling not to mention they seem to think I have a future in comedy. I think it’s the vodka that keeps them laughing. Regardless, my circles of friends are defined more than ever.
It’s nice when you get to a place in life when your friendships are no longer in the grey zone. By that I mean, you’ve given up on the ones that time and time again fail you miserably. You have accepted the imperfections in your beloved gal pals, and know without a doubt which ones will stand in the rain with you and weather the storm.
The beautiful thing about a circle friends is that each one has a role that they play. Some are there to make you laugh and some are better at soothing with silence.
Thanks to all my beautiful girls that take their roles so serious and do such a wonderful job at them. You’re all promoted! Thank you in advance for the many venting sessions to come and the constant reminder that we will all be alright.

Still Hung Over,

Tasha ♥

Twist it & Serve it Up

Daily Lesson

You don't have to create it from scratch - just put a twist on it and serve it up.

Have you ever seen Sara Lee Semi-Homemade cooking show? Well its self explanatory, all things semi-homemade. Cutting corners yielding the same finished product. This thought ties into working smarter not harder for what you are aiming for. Time is money people. 

Don't get me wrong - in no way is this suggesting you should claim others work for your own or recreating someones exact idea but, it is saying - no idea is a complete original one and if it inspires you -- serve it up!

We are all copy catters in some fashion. If you are planning or wanting to do something different or new - study the ones before you and learn from their mistakes before trying to pave the road. 

You don't have to be the first one to do it, just the one who does it better!

♥ Tasha

I rather Soul Search and buy on Clearance than be Unhappy and have the most Expensive Gadget.

Daily Lesson 

Some times you just need a little shove to re-create your stars.
Change is what moves you closer to your calling

After a 6 month contract working for Ritz Carlton, my contract is up an not being renewed. Some may panic and throw themselves into full blown job search mode. I did, oh for 1 split second!

I on the over hand, am praying for clarity and a shove in the right direction, the direction my "life purpose" falls in, that is. There is something great out there for me, I just know it. Something that not only rewards you spiritually but mentally and of coarse financially too.

I am thinking about the stages of re-invention. It is never too late, my Mom taught me that, to just change your professional identity as a whole. From sales to nursing or maybe horticultural to dive instructor, I think it is time to go from Marketing to Teaching or maybe full time Photographer. 

Not putting any expectations or limitations on myself (because I learned from the first daily lesson posted)

because that only stifles creativity and limits my openness to receive suggestions.

As I wait patiently and silently (maybe not silently) waiting for my new path to reveal itself, I am over joyed with the extra time I will be able to spend with Shiloh during the day. This time of year is the perfect time of year to be open to spending more time with loved ones. Sure it is also the Holiday Season where we robotically over spend and indulge in everything with a sparkly Santa on it but, I rather soul search and buy on clearance than be unhappy and have the most expensive gadget.

Too often we are rushed into job after job our whole lives and given no real time to reflect on what we want for ourselves. I clearly understand that bills do not wait for our "new paths" to fall in our laps or for the time it takes to land a new job title or change fields. But, I also know that life isn't asking me for permission to happen. We have a short time to make a big difference and I am going to make a difference dammit. Now how?

I am going to take this transition and cross off a few off my Bucket List as well. As you see below, I have plans in place for the time I will have to recreate my professional path. This list may not pay me in cash but it will in other ways. Call it cliche - I don't give a dang!

Bucket List Bound,
Tasha ♥

         Bucket List while Soul Searching

1. Jump start Grandma McElroy's Memoir
2. Re-Start our (Grandma & Me) monthly southern cooking lessons
3. Ride a bike in the crisp cool Fall air more than once
4. Clean my 8 junk drawers
5. Volunteer at Christmas with Project Good Tidings 2010
6. Finish my Children's book & actually publish it! Whether I publish 1 or 1,000 - I will be an author.
7. Learn how to make a sweater
8. Donate Shiloh's unused toys to Ronald McDonald House
9. Have a garage sale
10. Clean out the cottage and turn it into a place to create for the whole family
11. Buy Less - Reuse More
12.  Get Mills Market to initiate a recycling program                                                                      

Girly Banter is Joyous Fun!

       Daily Lesson:

FACT: Girlish Banter & a Tall Vodka and Tonic can Warm the Soul and Save the Day!

No matter how busy, hectic or downright stressful a week, month or year is - a Girl's Night can warm the soul. There is nothing more inviting than a bunch of ole' friends circled around patio furniture spilling the beans on everything from sinful moments to future plans of Botax injections. The sound of a bunch of girls interrupting each other with heart filled advice and reassurance of "it will all be alright" fill the chilly air.
At the end of the day, your girlfriends are where it's at. Whether you are blessed to see them on a weekly basis or only get to catch up here and again – its all about quality not quantity. The true measure of a friend is – when you do see them, it only takes a millisecond to catch each other up and it’s like they were never away. 
They sure save me a pretty penny in free counseling not to mention they seem to think I have a future in comedy. I think it’s the vodka that keeps them laughing. Regardless, my circles of friends are defined more than ever.
It’s nice when you get to a place in life when your friendships are no longer in the “grey zone.” By that I mean – you’ve given up on the ones that time and time again fail you miserably. You have accepted the imperfections in your beloved gal pals, and know without a doubt which ones will stand in the rain with you and weather the storm.
The beautiful thing about a circle friends is that each one has a “role” that they play. Some are there to make you laugh and some are better at soothing with silence.
Thanks to all my beautiful girls that take their “roles” so serious and do such a wonderful job at them. You’re all promoted! Thank you in advance for the many venting sessions to come and the constant reminder that we will all be alright.

Still Hung Over,

Tasha ♥

Heart is on the Mend

Daily Lesson

 

Sometimes you have to remind yourself.. life may not always be what it seems!

After a doozy of a weekend and a 'not as planned' kind of week - I see the light.  I have been reacting to the chain of events in my life over the last week. A real sock ya in the stomach kind of feeling had come over me and I was feeling really unsettled, scared and darn right confused as what I should do.
I thought for sure, everything that was happening was a one sided - clear as day - result.

Wrong, just like life to throw a monkey wrench in and give it a whirl. In this case, for the better. Things are starting to make sense and relief is setting in.
The lesson for myself today is don't throw the towel in too soon on anything in life because right as you do,  truth will give you just enough insight to know things will be ok.

Lastly, I must put my trials and tribulations into perspective. My troubles could not equate to
what our Soldiers & Veterans have experienced as a result of real life warfare. My daily struggles are not even comparable. God Bless the Soldiers and Veterans that serve both past and future that allow me to live this life I so deeply treasure. 

For now the mud is off the boots and I am hopeful they will stay clean.

A lighter & hopeful,
Tasha

Trials & Tribulations all apart of the journey, I hope.

Whew..thank goodness this weekend is over (insert deep breath here)

About 2 months ago, I started a self proclaimed spiritual journey. 
A voyage into finding what it is that makes me happy and an attempt to nail down what my "calling" is. What it is I am suppose to contribute to this beautiful world.
Who I want to be when I grow up type of question directed at all areas of my life: love, career, relationships, and as a parent.
So I have been seeking out counseling from my spiritual adviser to learn how to pray for clarity and for direction into understanding the prayers when they are answered. As well as reading "Getting the Love you Want" by By Harville Hendrix, Helen Hunt, daily meditations, yoga, did I mention prayer and a good ole fashion trip to the hypnosist - 
The hypnosis was a desperate attempt to speed up the process of discovering "it" and delivering quick results but, $125 bucks later and a scratch off the ole Bucket List I am back to my knees in deep prayer in search of true love for myself and all things around me.
Warnings should be placed on spiritual journeys. "You will kick up all the dirt before it will settle." Lets just say I am in the dirt kicking stage of the process.
Apparently, when you seek something you can open up the possibility of all things different.  You essentially are asking the universe for clarity in which will directly expose you to things both good and bad.
I am reminding myself - I asked for this and questioning if I should be rootin' around or just let it be and wait and see?  I am letting the mud settle for now. Then I will shine up my boots and keep truckin'

Feel free to leave me comments and/or suggestions on how to keep the mud off my boots. ♥

To post or Not to post?

Now that I am an "official" blogger with one "official" post under my proverbial belt - I must keep the ball rolling.  At what point in the day does an occurrence happen that I should say to myself, "Aha, I should post this or leave this be?" The second questions is, "do any of my friends, family or the apparent "lost" blog browser care that much as to what I post. I am not offering product reviews, crafts for sale or free coupons - just a little place to come and read what I have to say for the tiny moment in my day where there is nothing to do but blog.
Well I hope to find the answer to the question but, since I have no followers yet on my infant blog - I may have to be patient. Whether I tell anyone this blog exists or not, remains unseen.

My lesson yesterday, yes I give myself a spiritual lesson or direction for each day I am alive. I reason with myself and try to correct the embedded thought process' that I seemed to have trained myself over the last 30 years of my life. Back to the lesson -- I released every person in or around my life a "hall pass" (it expired today! lol) that allowed me to release them from any expectations that we so easily place on others.
I did not expect nor hope for others to respond, act or feel anything all day. What a blessing it is to allow yourself to let go and let others live expectation free!

For example, my dogs leave a small mountain of white dog hair on my beautiful wood floors every day (they do not even take one day off from their shedding madness). Upon my arrival home from my corporate job with baby Shiloh in tow, the door flings open to find my husband unwinding on the couch deservingly after his busy work day. Normal right, not a big deal? Before I can even put my purse down, there is apart of me that hones in with tunnel vision to the glossy floors covered in dog dander and my skin crawls and leaps out of my skin with disgust. There is nothing that I can do to alleviate this anxiety of  "you must clean this immediately before anything else" mentality. With a iota of resentment, I get to the daunting yet daily task of sweeping and mopping the floors. One might say, I am OCD - I say, Maybe or just not a fan of allergy causing dander. Regardless, many thoughts cross my mind as I clean..Why does this not bother my cool as a cuke husband? Does he not see it or does he just choose to ignore it?
Hmm...I think it is a combination - but that is not the point here - the point is I need to redirect my thoughts.

Yesterday, I taught myself a valuable lesson - its dirt not disease!
Let the dog hair go and the expectation of wanting my husband to read my mind and sweep it up before I walk in the door. Accept he is not a mind reader but a man who doesn't care if his wood floors shine in the sunlight. I accept that there will be dog hair waiting on me everyday and every morning as long as I am a pet owner. More importantly, I love the dogs that shed and the ting of resentment I feel for my hubby everytime he doesn't help out around the house will eventually add up to a larger mountain than the dog hair will ever grow to be. So, no mop or dog hair will put a wedge in my daily communication with my husband again! I release the trained thoughts out into the universe - they no longer live here!

Today's lesson was a piggy back lesson of yesterday's - tomorrow brings a whole new hurdle to cross.

Expectation Free,
Me

My first official Blog Post....Here I go.

This is like sitting in front of a blank canvas with all the paintbrushes and paints you could wish for and not knowing what to paint. Now that I have a blog, what do I blog about? I have read hundreds of blogs, some of which I can't start my day without - others I just follow to get ideas for crafting and dinner recipes on the fly. No matter the use of a blog, these things are cool and I am just glad to have one!

What's next for the Prince Family you ask? 

A seven day road trip in our new Ford Flex up the Eastern Seaboard of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina for some R&R and good ole' family bonding time!

We are leaving the night before Turkey Day and hitting I-95 Savannah bound. We will be eating our feast on I-95 somewhere with a smile and no clean up. This will be the first time we will not be with our families slopping down 2 different Thanksgiving dinners to enormous proportions and I am really excited about being out on the open road Savannah bound with no eggs to boil and no pies to bake (love my family but sometimes you gotta throw a wrench in the tradition and fly by the seat of your pants).

We have our sights set on Savannah for three nights staying at the Mansion on Forsyth, nestled right in the heart of the Historical District - making day trips to Tybee Island and Hilton Head for some fresh seafood and then packing up and flexin' out to Charleston South Carolina for two nights to stroll down memory lane back to our last vacation with Jared's late father, Jeff. We had a blast there and we have our heart set on visiting the same restaurant (hope to find it by memory) where we shared green fried tomatoes and sat back in awe of the city with some much southern charm.

As we wind and weeve back down towards home we have many day trips planned - a list of "must see" places such as, The Angel Tree (go ahead google and weep), The Magnolia Plantation and every antique shop, boutique, garage sale and farmers market we pass!

I will chronicle our journey through daily posts and through my love of photography capture - what we experience, wish we had skipped and what we ate along the way.Until our departure date of 11/23/2010 - I will just blog along and try to figure out what I have to say and just how to say it. Until next time.

♥

Tasha