Category: vacations

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This is 28 Years

My current view

This year for our 28th Wedding Anniversary, we did something different. We went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and stayed at the Westgate Smokey Mountain Resort.

And while the views are beautiful, we both learned that we prefer the roar of ocean waters instead of navigating mountain roads.

Here are eight things I learned after being married for twenty-eight years (cause no one has time for a list of twenty-eight things):

  1. It’s possible to love someone in several ways
  2. You will discover new things you didn’t know about your spouse
  3. Laughing with your spouse is the best medicine
  4. Be willing to compromise
  5. It’s okay to go to bed angry. Sometimes you need a moment to cool off
  6. Your spouse should be your biggest cheerleader, but they don’t have to cheer for everything you do
  7. Working toward a common goal makes the journey easier
  8. Falling in love may happen by chance, but staying in love is a choice

Let’s hear from you. What are some things you’ve learned about marriage?

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The Louvre – Rayford Style

See Apeshit – The Carters

I have a new appreciation for this video.

Of course, we didn’t rent out the place but we were there.

Not so original idea, but they should offer the Beyonce/Jay-Z tour. Let you recreate the dance moves on the stairs and stuff. 😉

#25thAnniversary #AmericansinParis #mdrayfordwrites

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A Mountain Getaway

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The Hubby continues to amaze me with his love for new adventures. This past weekend we went on a mountain getaway.  We stayed at the Andon-Reid Bed & Breakfast Inn in Waynesville, NC.  This place is a little piece of heaven.  Check out the mountain view below:

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Simply beautiful!

The innkeeper, Mark and Kari, are gracious hosts.  We were greeted like family home for a weekend visit.  We were given a tour of the renovated home, which mixes  modern conveniences like walk in showers with various antiques.  Kari made sure we knew about local restaurants for dinner and made a reservation for us.  We told them that we planned to ride the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad the next morning and Kari provided the best directions to get there (about 20-30 minutes away) and gave  us an interesting history lesson as well.  Breakfast was delicious and everything was made from scratch.

We had a wonderful weekend.  The town of Waynesville is a quaint little country town and everyone we interacted with was friendly.  The mountain air made for some relaxing sleep and Mark and Kari helped make the weekend memorable.  We met some interesting couples at the inn.  We even got an astrology lesson from one of the other guest as we sat around the fire pit one evening.

Hubby really outdid himself this time.  I loved our weekend in the mountains.  I hope to go back again.

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If you are planning a trip to the mountains, take my advice and stay at the Andon-Reid Bed and Breakfast.  You will be glad you did.

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Vacations are Fun……The Week After Vacation is Brutal

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Hubby and I spent the Fourth of July week in Vegas.  We walked up and down the Strip in 120 degree weather.  We took a chance in various casinos.  We went shopping at the outlet.  We took in the Michael Jackson One Cirque Du Soleil show (Seriously, go see this show.  It is so good!).  We watched the Hitsville show at Planet Hollywood.  We even got drunk one night in the Paris hotel.  We enjoyed several excellent meals.  In short, we had fun.

The next week I returned to the real world.  And I was miserable.  Work was piled up on my desk.  I actually had to get up before noon.  The daily routine was back in effect.  It was a struggle but somehow I made it through the week after vacation.

I hope this week is better.

What are your vacation plans this year?  Have you gone somewhere only to return to the “real” world of work?

Answers to the “Where Am I?” posts:

1. The Las Vegas strip

2.  Inside the Michael Jackson One Theatre at Mandalay Bay.

3.  Aria Hotel and Casino

 

 

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