60/366

Happy Leap Day!
There are suitcases packed
which stresses this pretty girl out

I'm off to Florida for 9 days
to experience the most magical place on earth
soak up some sun
and make some memories.


This gal may not be ready for me to go

{i think her falling asleep on my purse is all a ploy to keep me here}
but we are going to have a lot of quality time when I return

just me, bella, and her left hind leg...

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quality time spent packing...

58/366

two weeks until surgery :(

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56/366 & other random happenings

This morning I awoke at 6 am.
Bella and I crawled into bed with my mom and listened to a radio interview with my father regarding pet containment and Invisible Fence.

This week I started a new workout at Barre3. It's ballet, yoga, and pilates all fused together. It's the fastest hour I've ever experienced, mostly because you work your tail off the entire time. I've done pilates since I moved to Cartagena, my yoga experience is extremely limited (but now I am familiar with the 'happy baby' pose), and I took my one and only ballet class in college.
How's that for entertaining?

I think it's safe to say Matt is feeling the effects of his crazy work schedule. On Monday night, he woke up at 10:15pm under the impression it was 4:00 am and time to get ready for work. He proceeded to make coffee, shower, get dressed, and sit down to check email and drink his coffee before he realized he had nearly 6 hours left of rest.

On Wednesday night I head south to Florida for a magical week. It's pretty exciting to think that in one week I will transform into a 6 year old running around Magic Kingdom with my bestie at my side.

I'm a pretty lucky girl.

55/366

Tonight I had a Skype date with my esposo.
I sipped wine,
grazed on cheese,
and some olives

{which we decided to stuff with feta cheese. i. die.}

Matt had some lasagna prepared by his maid, Doris.
different Americas.
different experiences.
same matt & sarah.

54/366

Today's temperature was in the 70's.
Gorgeous.
The perfect weather for another afternoon at the Pour House.

A bit different from the rain we experienced yesterday

which lead to this girl wearing layers
including sweatpants a sweatshirt & a fleece
Go on, say it. 
I can handle it.
Wimp.


While we were out this afternoon we worked on a little project.
Some new tables are debuting out at the Pour House...
round table tops on a whiskey barrel
{pretty fitting right}

While coats of black outdoor paint were applied there was talk of some chalkboard paint to top it off
F-U-N

Feeling the sun on my face and listening to the perfect playlist emit from the speakers
lead to some feelings of excitement...
about the upcoming weekends spent at the Pour House
about the gorgeous weather here
about the opportunity for so many special memories

But with a view like that...
how could you not be excited?

53/366

{an afternoon at the pour house}

52/366

honestly.
this one picture a day for a year business is hard...
when you have a life
yes, sarah america is a bit busier than colombian sada
so my pictures and blog posts may reflect that
but isn't that the point

this was a christmas present that didn't get shipped to Cartagena
{thank goodness, because he probably wouldn't have made it in one piece}

isn't he adorable?
notice anything else?
i found a copy of the eloise book last week
which was a necessity for my library

and she looks awfully cute squished in-between the pup

51/366

Reason 51 I enjoy being in America...

... the shoe shopping

50/366

Today was a cold & lazy day in East Tennessee.
Flurries were in the air
(and the locals were freaking out)
so I took advantage and spent my day in sweatpants
parked in front of a fire
with a DVR full of Modern Family & Glee.

PS: Todays high is 52 degrees.

49/366

She was one tired girl after a long days work.

It's hard to say who enjoyed the attention more... all the petting and compliments about what a great looking and well behaved dog she is.
(i think with out a doubt it was me)

48/366

Hey-oh.
This little lady is joining me at work tomorrow.

47/366

Hi-Ho.
Hi-Ho.
It's off to work I go.
That's right.
This ama de casa has a different set of responsibilities this weekend,
including helping out at the home show this weekend.
I'm looking forward to lots of random interactions,
people watching,
and learning a bit more about the canine business.
Of course.

46/366

Yes, I'm back.

And you're right...

I would make a horrendous road trip blogger.

But between the miles covered,

the mini reunions,

and lack of sleep,

it just wasn't happening.

But to catch you back up,

here's some highlights of 

Road Trip 2012: Winter Edition*

• babies. lots & lots of babies. ate me up a lot of babies.

• reunions. Matt's wonderful family, grandparents, cousins, and friends. I loved each and every moment spent with those that I never see often enough.

• food. it was a road trip. enough said.

• shopping. J. Crew & a consignment shop in DSM where I scored some boots. It was the kind of deal that happens very few times in your life. 

• snow. freezing cold temps. this wasn't as much a highlight as it was a reminder. and an intervention of sorts to help me appreciate those Caribbean temps

• Valentines Dinner with my mom. At Chili's. At 9:30 at night. It was lovely. Simple & Lovely.

• and this. A gift from my grandmother. It makes me smile. When the time comes time to leave, it should help with my severe separation anxiety. 

*Disclaimer: the highlights are brief. they don't even begin to encompass the scope of love & fun shared on road trip 2012: Winter Edition

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{valentine craft & culinary work}

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Tennessee

Kentucky

Indiana

Illinois

Iowa

Last stop:

Minnesota

42/366

Baby Q and the girls*.

*some of them... 

Q has a lot of women in his life.

Lucky boy.

41/366

I tried my first cake ball. 

Hooked.

40/366

{road trip: Iowa}

39/366

I've been an Americana for a week now.
I'm still basking in the familiarity of all that surrounds me
{and the glorious sound of English}
I've also enjoyed
* lots of Bella time
* 2 Target trips
* Ahi tuna, key lime pie, & creme brulée
* brushing up on my driving skills
* television 
* enormous grocery stores
* cheese & wine
* quality time spent with the family
and much more.
Now I'm preparing for a momentary change of scenery.
My mother and I are setting out on a road trip.
Destination:
Iowa
followed by Minnesota
then back to Tennessee.
The last time I was on a road trip was Tour de Love.
{nearly one year ago}
I am excited about the music, snacks, and conversation
and then reaching our final destination{s} and spending time with so many special people.
But of course I'll miss my Sleeping Beauty...

38/366

37/366

36/366

Super Bowl Sunday

35/366

The rain provided a perfect opportunity for a movie.

Yep.
Beauty and the Beast.
My favorite Disney movie.
In 3D.
I sang each song in my head.
Loudly.
Just like Belle.
I also thought about the trio I was part of in third grade that performed 'Be Our Guest' at the elementary school music concert.
Complete with our own choreography and Royal Fork aprons.
memories...

34/366

33/366

My luggage arrived this evening.
But this morning while I unpacked one bag, 
this is what I looked at.
And loved it.

32/366

5 Random Facts About My Day of Travel


1) When I approached the ticket counter in Cartagena they looked at my passport and told me I had to go into another line for international taxes. In my previous trips out of Cartagena, this step has never occurred. This proves once again nothing in Cartagena is consistent.
{I didn't have to pay any taxes, after my passport was viewed I was sent right back to the Copa line}


2) While in Panama, I met two ISU graduates who were on a South American graduation trip. Small world. I also felt pretty old when they asked me what year I graduated. 


3) Both of my pieces of luggage were in customs in Houston, which is where my drama began last time. I was quite relieved.


4) 7 hours is a long time for a layover. But I did eavesdrop on one very interesting conversation involving a father who was not happy about his 18 year old daughters recent engagement.  Not necessarily an appropriate airport conversation in my book, but I was totally okay with it.


5) Only one piece of my luggage arrived in Tennessee. No. I am not kidding. I'm completely serious. There was a weight issue and I'm waiting on my luggage to be delivered sometime around 5:30 Thursday evening.