USCA

i just returned from spending 4 nights in orlando, fl attending the united states conference on aids.... despite having worked in the field of hiv/aids for the past 6 years, this was my first time attending this particular conference.  it was refreshing to be around people who share similar views and feel that renewed fire to continue the fight for my clients and friends living with the reality of hiv.  was it the greatest conference or training i've every been to? no. certainly not. did i learn anything new? of course.  would i go again? no doubt about it.  best part? by the time my supervisor found the funds to send me, the more affordable of the 2 hotel options was sold out.  that means i ended up at the waldorf astoria. seriously... check those photos. it was the nicest hotel i've ever been to in my life.  they turned down my bed at night and left me chocolates, a robe and fuzzy slippers. it was a really good mini-vacation. now i'm home for few weeks before heading to st.louis for my cousin amy's wedding!

sister trip.

kel and i spent 5 nights with liss in venice beach, ca earlier this month.  it was a great get away.  it had been 4 years since we last did that.  it was good to be together, just us girls. i have a fun story from the trip and a few more pictures to share a later post but for now, here are just a few photos. 

lake vacation number 2

last month steve and i took the doggies and headed to the lake of the ozarks for 4 nights. it was a perfect vacation full of great conversations and planning and relaxing and swimming and a little fishing, though it wasn't that great.  here are a few pics from the trip. ps, if you're looking for a good get away house this one was reasonable... pet friendly (for $10 per pet per night)... super clean and super cute.

traveling fool

in the past few weeks i've been all over the place. to the ozarks for vacation with steve.... to st. louis for my cousin amy's bridal shower.... to venice beach, ca with kel to visit liss... and i'm heading to orlando, fl on saturday for a work conference.  i'm exhausted but having fun. and its especially nice to be away from the office so much! i really needed the break from there... but soon i'll need a vacation from all the traveling!

reminiscing.

tommy emmanuel is on pbs and now i am lost in memories of the walnut valley festival in winfield, ks... camping with friends... hearing new music... rediscovering old music... meeting great people... sunshine... rain... people watching...experiences i'll never forget. for anyone who might read this post who shared these memories with me... just know i'm thinking about you tonight.

happy birthday, monkey face!

my baby dog is officially an old woman. she turns 10 today... or 70 in dog years. i cannot imagine the last decade without her by my side. she has been a constant companion and i am grateful. happy birthday, rhodie!

blue bungalow in manhattan, ks 

2000 

belated vacation pictures

we just planned a last minute vacation to celebrate steve's graduation. i found a nice little house on the lake of the ozarks and we are heading there in a couple of weeks.

our vacation in may to lake hamilton was really nice too and i realized i never posted any pictures so i thought i'd get them up while i had "lake" on my mind.