Guest Writer: Darren (aka, the husband)
Today Lesley and Athena are enjoying the awesomeness that is the Celtic Colours in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Today is also Thanksgiving in Canada. Seeing as how Lesley is fast asleep, this is the perfect opportunity to hijack her blog for a very good cause: To celebrate her.
Disclaimer: People, I am by no stretch of the imagination a writer so please bear with me and accept my most sincere apologies!
My beautiful wife
Sometimes men want to be more romantic; they want to show just how much they really 
care, how much passion they really feel, how much their partner means to them, but it just doesn’t come naturally. Sure, they could buy some roses and yes they could bring home chocolates or a bottle of wine but what about women, like me, who see flowers as a waste of money because they quickly wither and die, who don’t drink wine because it doesn’t satisfy their taste buds (or because they are pregnant), and who see chocolates as less-than-worthy notches in their belts? I have more love in my relationship than I ever thought possible and I need it like I need food and water, but romance is like Rice Krispies; I crave them; I long for them; I want them to be part of my major food groups. Continue reading
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
An authentic gondola ride from a Sicilian at The Venetian, Las Vegas is a truly romantic experience. I only wish I had of recorded his Italian serenade to us. From the soothing sound of water lapping the sides of the gondola to the eloquent singing of the gondolier, we felt as if we had been transported to Italy.
The Venetian and The Palazzo, the world’s largest Five Diamond resorts, magically 
transformed into the most majestic winter surroundings Las Vegas has ever seen, creating Winter in Venice. An outdoor wonderland complete with a skating rink, charming string lights, brilliantly lit trees, holiday music, holiday treats, and displays set the scene. We were greeted by colorful characters wandering the property, spreading good cheer; we were dazzled by a spectacular light show performance; we were blessed with Santa’s presence during the Santa Story Readings; we indulged in chocolate chips cookies and milk; we relaxed at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub; and we gazed into our future together while being serenaded by a gondolier. Winter in Venice made romance and our wildest imagination collide during our four night stay at the Palazzo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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.
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
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
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.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
– Mark Twain
Bucket List Publications 