Forgive me, WordPress Friends, but it has been 5 Weeks since my last confession … er, I mean, post!
In the almost 6 years that I have been blogging, that may just be a record. So! Where have I been?
Inauguration
In early January, we traveled to Richmond, Virginia’s Capital City, to see the Inauguration of our new Governor.
It was a cold, but beautiful winter day and we were all so excited to be there!
As you might guess, I took a ton of photos. Sadly, I just haven’t had time to work through them yet. This image, though, shows the impressive sight of all 1600 Virginia Military Institute Cadets march by in the Inaugural Parade. Our new Govenor, Ralph Northam, is a VMI Grad.
The Women’s March in Roanoke
One week later, I hit the streets of Roanoke for the Women’s March.
From the Women’s March to the Swearing-in of Delegate Hurst
We left the Women’s March a bit early and drove straight to the swearing-in of our new Delegate, Chris Hurst.
I loved catching this image of the Delegate in concentration,
and of course, enjoyed a quick visit in his office.
It was a long, exciting day and I’m so glad to have had this man to share it with.
Puzzle Time with Family
I enjoyed a quick run to Williamsburg to spend time with some of my family,
followed by a brief stop in Richmond on the way back home.
8 weekends in a row of travel, with work in between, and suddenly blog posts take a back seat. As much as I have loved all the road trips, some of which I didn’t include here, I was grateful to be home this past weekend. Why? So I might be able to plan the BIG TRIP:
New Zealand and Australia!!
I am the luckiest gal to be leaving in just 12 days for the Southern Hemisphere! Even better, I’ll be spending time with dear blogging friends: Pauline from The Contented Crafter, (and her awesome daughters), Alys from Gardening Nirvana, and Boomdee from Boodeeadda.
I anticipate lots of laughter and love, good food and drink, gorgeous scenery and many, many photo ops. I’ll be traveling on foot, and by car, plane, train and hopefully motorcycle, and I simply cannot wait to share it with all of you!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
These are all great images Laurie and we all forgive you for not posting in weeks. Now say three our fathers and have a great trip. Give Alys, Kelly and Pauline a big hug for me 😀
I will definitely give them hugs for you and I’m saying the Our Fathers right now LOL
Glad to be able to see into your incredible past month. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
It’s going to be such a fun weekend, Janet. See you soon!
Busy, exciting times, Laurie! I hope you and the other blog pals have a fab time together–I’ll live vicariously through all your posts!
I cannot believe I get to have such an amazing vacation, and I look forward to sharing photos. And someday, I will get back to visiting blogs. I miss yours!
How exciting Laurie! Hope you have an amazing time in the land down under😘
I simply cannot wait! Hope you are well, Lynn.
I know you’ve been so busy!!! These pictures documenting some of it are great!
Have a FANTASTIC time!!!!
It’s going to be amazing, but before that, we get to hang out with the BGs at the lake!
Wow! You have been busy. I’ve enjoyed your photos here and look forward to more when you make your BIG TRIP.. That’s what’s so much fun about your blog, that we get to travel along with you on your bike and on the road, and soon across the sea. Enjoy, enjoy!!!
Thanks so much for that fun comment, Deborah. It truly is a trip-of-a-lifetime, and I cannot wait!
Love reading about your travels / seeing your pics, Laurie… and oh so looking forward to reading / seeing pics from your par excellent adventure ahead! Yippie Yi Yo Kah Yay… You!
Super busy – as ever! I love how your posts are moving from ‘I’ to ‘we’ and how this handsome man is slowly being outed to your community 🙂 (At heart I am a terrible romantic!!) It’s a pity he isn’t coming with you….. even for part of the trip like Mike is ……. just a thought 😀
Pauline, the fun part of this story is that he would have come with me but he’s expecting his first grandchild. We jokingly call Max, which is the child’s name, the “damn baby”for getting in the way of our fun😍 I can’t believe I get to see and hug you in just 10 days!
Damn! A grand-baby!! 😀
Wahoooo! I’m running out the door once again, although I don’t think I’m half as busy as you my dear friend! I loved at all your clever and fab marching signs! You girls are AWESOME SAUCE. Can’t wait to give you that big hug! Safe travels LB, see ya in Kiwi land xoxox
It’s so amazing that will be together in New Zealand soon! Just incredible! And loving your post from Australia, although I’m sure I’m missing some
Can’t wait to hear all about it when I see you in less than 10 days
Talking to text, please forgive the typos
!! now less than 7 days since I’m erratically popping in and out of here!! So excited LB and can’t wait to see you xoxoxo
Some fine photos there Laurie.
I’m sure there will be many more from the land of the long white cloud and the land down under.
I’m looking forward to seeing them. Have a safe and fun trip
I’m just back from reading your latest post which was full of all kinds of news. So glad to hear from you!
I loved all the signs the women were carrying and I loved that you have someone to share all the good that is happening with. It’s what we all hope for in our lives. Some very happy times here and more to come. I wish I could join you in NZ to visit will all those that are dear to my heart but am wishing you all the very happiest of times. Take lots of photos for us. You seem to capture the good times and special shots so well. I notice your other best friend in the photo on the other side of you from the handsome young man. 🙂 Giant hugs to you and good journeys.
Marlene, I will take photos for sure, as I am the documentarian! We will also take a photo just for you! Wish you could be with us. And in terms of the March signage, weren’t those great? People are so clever! XOXO
Provided you have a firm purpose of amendment, I’ll let you off with two Our Fathers and three Hail Marys. I’m so pleased you are meeting at Pauline’s.
Our Fathers and Hail Marys have been said 😉 we will be sharing lots of photos from Pauline’s! Simply cannot wait
🙂
Wow – you are busy, and active, and blogging can wait! It was so nice to hear from you again and get a quick peek at what you’ve been doing – all of it exciting.
Best wishes for a great trip ‘Down Under’! You have so many great photo ops ahead of you! 🙂