Reasons Why I Love My Mother – Happy Birthday Mom!

Posted on December 29, 2011 by lesleycarter

306

My mother has been such an influence on my life that I dedicate today’s post to her. It may not fit under one of my usual categories, but all that I am and all that I desire in my life comes from the passion, love, humor, and dedication that I experienced from her. She taught me how to laugh, have fun, enjoy life, dream big, and show compassion for everyone that I love.

I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine – she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights. ~Terri Guillemets

These are a few of the reasons why I love my mother… Continue reading →

While the Rest of the World Moves at a Frantic Pace, Sunset Cove Villas Cultivates an Air of Unhurried Leisure and Tranquility

Posted on December 25, 2011 by lesleycarter

129

Laguna Beach, and the surrounding Orange County areas, is the reason my husband and I moved across the continent. There are quaint shops, delicious restaurants, art galleries, beachfront beauty, year-round sunshine, and friendly people that remind me of eastern Canada. Sunset Cove Villas, located directly on the beach and minutes from the heart of downtown, are ideally situated to take full advantage of these benefits. Rising directly above Laguna Beach’s dramatic coastline, one of the most desirable beaches on the California coast, Sunset Cove Villas face the majestic beauty of the Pacific Ocean, creating a picturesque setting and romantic atmosphere. The crashing waves, white sand, spectacular sunsets, and gentle breezes make a stay at Sunset Cove Villas priceless. What nature has not graciously provided, the owners of Sunset Cove Villas have; luxury, ample amenities, and attention to every detail are all part of the Villa experience at Sunset Cove. I’ve stayed in hotels in 33 countries and countless cities, but none have compared to the 180 degree view of the ocean I experienced while waking up at Sunset Cove Villas. With a balcony on the water and access to the ocean just footsteps away, our Seychelles Villa was the kind of oceanside experience I’d associated with Southern California living, but had yet to attain. I finally soaked up the chance to spend some time living my California dream. Continue reading →

2012 Bucket List – Adventure Awaits!

Posted on November 30, 2011 by lesleycarter

915

In 2011, I went to 7 countries, got married, went sky-diving, bungee jumping, paragliding, base jumping, rock climbing, sailing, whitewater rafting, cruising, canoeing, canopy touring (zip-lining), jet skiing, windsurfing, dog sledding, helicopter touring, rappelling, trapeze swinging, caving, kayaking, and swimming with beluga whales and dolphins all with a bucket list in mind and an open heart. Continue reading →

Blogging Gives You So Much More!

Posted on November 24, 2011 by lesleycarter

While searching the travel tags this evening, this is what a noticed:

Lesley Carter — Thank You

Yesterday’s post, Thanksgiving Rant, was my first post ever to get a “like” from another blogger. First thing I have done on any of my WordPressblogs since 2009 that got that small show of love.

So while it was a slow day at work today, like it has been the last week or so allowing me to start this unguided project, I logged in to see who the nice blogger was & what they had going on. That is where I found Lesley Carter. Continue reading →

Advantages of the Boba Wrap for Newborns

Posted on November 21, 2011 by lesleycarter

Choosing the best baby carrier has been extremely confusing and I may not know what works best until my precious baby girl arrives. After substantial research and consideration, I’ve chosen the Boba Wrap for when my little bundle of joy arrives because of its high quality, comfort, durability, and ergonomic design. The Boba Wrap is perfect for my active lifestyle and gives me the time and freedom to create a real and caring bond with my child, while living life to the fullest.

Continue reading →

Splashing Around in the Ocean, Jumping off of Cliffs, Boogie Boarding, and Water Chicken Fights…the Memories of My Childhood

Posted on November 17, 2011 by lesleycarter

Splashing around in the ocean, jumping off of cliffs, learning how to roll in a wave, boogie boarding, and water chicken fights were all part of our daily beach adventures when I was a child. Singing, dancing, playing horse shoes or cards, and drinking until the wee hours of the morning filled my early adult life and shaped the bond between my family members. All of my fondest family memories took place in one location. When I think about being “home” or reflect on my greatest form of happiness it is Ingonish, Nova Scotia that holds my heart and it was with great anticipation that I introduced Darren, my husband, to my happy place and a large piece of my past. On our first vacation to Ingonish together, I knew that Darren needed to experience Smokey Mountain, Black Brook Beach, Black Brook Falls, and Ingonish Beach to have a glimpse of my life and become part of it. Continue reading →

Strange Animal Encounters in the Florida Keys

Posted on November 14, 2011 by lesleycarter

145

Some people are just in the right place, at the right time, with the right attitude toward something new. I am one of those people. By chance, I met Adam Sandler and Tom Waits in Ireland, Jason Bay in Boston, Flogging Molly in New Brunswick, the Pope in Italy, and the Queen in England. Just last week, I was scheduled for a tour over LA by helicopter. When we arrived, we were escorted to an airplane, which seemed equally as adventurous so we never complained and stepped on board. After our flight, we learned that the company had made a simple mistake and they offered our original helicopter tour at no extra charge. We were able to fly over the beach cities by plane and downtown LA by helicopter all in the same day. Because I travel so freely and rarely have set plans, it leaves a window of opportunity. It was this free-spirited, open-ended travel that led me to a strange animal encounter in the Florida Keys. Continue reading →

The Kindness of Others

Posted on November 10, 2011 by lesleycarter

158

Blogging has made such as impact on my life and I’ve only been doing it for three months.

I’ve been introduced to the world through reading other blogs, adventures, and views. I’ve become acquaintances with mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, teachers, elderly, and children who have touched my heart and warmed my soul. Today, I received a message that has made such an impact on me that I though I would re-post it along with my response:

“Miss Lesley~

You’re my hero! Noticed you gave me a thumbs up on my blog…which led me to you! Whatta treat to read about your amazing adventures…you rock! I plan on being you in my next lifetime. Figure a gal who can eat a entire mega burger has gotta be a pretty cool chick!

Congrats on the baby, that will be your greatest adventure ever! I would love to gift you a print for the nursery (I’m an artist who adores whimsical positive images). Just click to my site http://www.cindydeluz.com and pick out whatever calls to you and the babe. It will arrive will a loving prayer attached…..consider it “angel mail”.

Keep living life to the fullest and making us smile out here!

Hugs~

Cindy

P.S. I subscribed to your blog…I’m sure you’ll hit 5,000 peeps before you know it. Woo Who!!” Continue reading →

Across the Continent Move Made Easy – New Brunswick to California

Posted on November 6, 2011 by lesleycarter

Life in eastern Canada was simple and connected. Teaching high school English in Moncton, New Brunswick was a challenging yet rewarding experience. I loved my students and my co-workers, some more than others of course, and the benefits of being a full-time, pension-receiving teacher who enjoys stress free summers and all of the holidays are ample to say the least. The short, two hour drive to see my family was a breeze and made “family time” a regular event. My boyfriend, now husband, Darren, was more than I ever thought possible in a man other than my grandfather and he made me see how beautiful life can be. His IT position allowed him to work from home and give us the quality time that I always desired. We’d traveled to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Florida, and the Bahamas during my summer vacation and he worked during the day from the hotel rooms. We owned a house, we finally paid off our cars, and we spent our evenings walking in the park where we first met.; but there was one thing missing – the sunshine! New Brunswick is not a frozen tundra with 24 hours of darkness, snow, ice, and cold. It has gorgeous summers with light winds that make for a spectacular day sailing or boogie boarding in the Atlantic Ocean, but was that enough? Two months of sunshine followed by a cold, dreary season of extended winter was not my idea of a dream location. I was living a beautiful life and I wasn’t willing to settle for anything else, including my environment.

Continue reading →

Yearly Bucket List; I Need Your Ideas!

Posted on November 6, 2011 by lesleycarter

291

I’ve had a Bucket List for years, but I’ve never created something with definite times. In the last year, I’ve been to 7 countries, got married, got pregnant, went sky-diving, bungee jumping, paragliding, base jumping, rock climbing, sailing, cruising, canoeing, canopy touring (zipping), jet skiing, windsurfing, dog sledding, helicopter touring, rappelling, trapeze swinging, caving, kayaking, and swimming with beluga whales and dolphins all with a bucket list in mind and an open heart.

My husband and I consciously thought about where we’d like to live in the world, chose southern California, quit our permanent positions, sold everything we owned, packed the car with what was left, and moved across the continent to our dream location. We want to live a life of fairy-tales with attention to every spectacular moment along the way.