Category Archives: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Smarter Choices For Our Planet

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Let’s talk about the planet for a minute. We all live here and we all want to keep living here. We want a bright future for our children and our children’s children. We need to think smarter about the things we use daily. Earth Day is this coming Saturday, April 22nd. What will you do to change your impact on the planet? Let me give you a few ideas.

First: stop using disposable plastics. They are BAD for the environment. According to the Habits of Waste site, they aren’t recyclable and kill hundreds of thousands of marine animals and over a million seabirds every year. Here’s one simple fix. Turn down straws when they are offered to you at restaurants. Invest in a set of reusable straws. They come with their own cases and cleaning brushes. Buy yourself a set of traveling cutlery and traveling mugs. If it’s not recyclable, you shouldn’t be using it. We end up polluting our water and putting animals and our planet in danger.

Second: stop buying those massive jugs of detergent. They are NOT recyclable either. Check out Amazon for detergent alternatives. You can get these dissolving sheets, which take up much less room and create zero waste. A couple of brands are Mrs. Green and Lazy Coconuts. I plan to try out Mrs. Green. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Third: Donate clothing to Goodwill. If the clothing is damaged, mark it for recycling. Goodwill knows how to properly dispose of clothing that is not sellable. For more information on this, please see the website listed below. We need to repurpose things and not just toss them in the garbage. You can also look into buying brands that are eco-conscious. These companies have worked hard to minimize their impact on our planet. While they may cost a little more, the money is well spent knowing you are protecting the environment.

This Saturday, go out and do some good. Think about how you can help. If we all do our part, the world will change for the better. Let’s protect our planet and the people, animals, and plants that live on it by making better choices.

Check out the below links for more information, as well as some of my favorite eco brands.

Plastic Straws & Cutlery | Habits of Waste

How to Recycle Clothes That Can’t Be Repaired, Donated or Resold (closettcandyy.ca)

https://www.happyearthapparel.com/

35 Sustainable Clothing Brands Betting Against Fast Fashion – The Good Trade

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Life, Uncategorized

A Letter on racism

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Dear America:

We have a problem. Well, in actuality, a set of problems. Most of us do not even realize our own country is burning. Our feelings, the catalyst to the fire-fight that rages on. To put it bluntly, we are at war with one another.

We fight about politics, sex, freedom of speech, illegal immigrants, how to take care of the planet, and worst of all, we fight and divide ourselves by skin color.

Racism is a nuclear button, of which we continue to press. We are in a place where everyone is hurt and scared and calling for the executioner, but not actively fixing the problems at hand. I am going to be upfront with you; I am a white female. Now, if you are thinking, she has no right to speak about race and injustice because she’s white; you are part of the problem. When you see a white woman, a black man, or any other skin color, you fail to see that we have the blood of other races running through our veins.

The problem isn’t our skin color, but the feelings we associate with skin color and how we choose to act upon those feelings. You would be naïve to say your race holds no prejudices within. We all know that different countries hold prejudices against each other because we all believe our countries are great.

Within our skin color issues, lie several racial stereotypes. Some common examples might be the foods we eat, or the way we dress, or our body type. A stereotype is a generalization, and sometimes we match them, but it is naïve to believe everyone in a group is the same. Also, understand that every single race has their group of people who make poor decisions that hurt the rest of us and feed stereotypes. This too, is something we cannot change, unless human beings suddenly overcome the pull to commit crimes or hurt others. The human condition and racism must be separated out with the understanding that there is a difference. We have all been raised differently. Get to know each other, don’t judge one another by outward appearance.

We cannot control what others think or remove the past crimes committed against other races. We will never reach a point where prejudice does not exist. It’s too big and too hard to remove this elephant from the room, but we can choose to control ourselves. How can we expect to grow or change, if all we do is scream, yell, and curse at one another about how bad things are? I challenge the American people to stop feeding the fire with accusations, anger, and hurt. We can choose a path of healing, patience, kindness, and love for our fellow Americans. We can choose to teach and learn from one another. Choosing not to move forward in this manner will allow history to destroy us. We are a powerful people. We deserve better. There is no reason we cannot come together and live within the same country with justice and equality for all.

Hold yourself accountable. Choose love and kindness over hate, and if you do not understand what people of color are going through, talk to them. Learn from them. Only with kindness and love for each other, can we begin to heal the pain and hurt of our past. I want to see the American people succeed. I am ready and willing, America. Are you?

With love for all,
T.K.

Life, Outdoor Activities, Uncategorized, Wisconsin

Winter Fun for adults

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It’s winter in Wisconsin, which means no one wants to go outside because of the cold. This year, however, has been quite unusual with it’s daytime highs in the balmy thirties. Possibly, winter just showed up this week with the more usual single to below zero digits, but that does not appear to be lasting for long. With the warmer winter temps, it should be easier for everyone to get outside.

My Dr. wants me to go outside and walk. Walking in the cold is highly unappealing to me. What I might do, however, is drag my wonderful husband outside to build a snowman. You heard me right. There are tons of benefits to this particular activity.

First, it allows you to do something playful and fun with your significant other. What better way to get in touch with one another than to play in the snow? Snowball fights will most likely happen, but that is completely okay as long as you do not pepper each other in the face with ice. The rolling of snowballs for your snowman will force you to use your muscles to push and lift. You will be laughing at how much strength you no longer realized it took to lift a giant snowball, which in turn will release endorphins. To top of the benefits, you will also be soaking in some much needed vitamin D, which will lift your spirits further. The whole process is a win.

If snowman building isn’t your thing, then maybe you want to try something more creative such as building a snow castle? This activity can provide several days of work and exercise and is best done with a partner. The benefits listed above apply to this situation as well, but I would recommend researching how to build a proper ice castle, prior to beginning. Ice castles can be dangerous if they are not stabilized properly.

For more information on the benefits of winter, as well as going outside to play in the snow, please see the below links:

5 Benefits to Building a Snowman – Dickinson & Branon Dental Care (dbdentalcarevt.com)

How to Build a Snow Castle with Your Kids (yahoo.com)

10 Surprising Health Benefits Of Snow Very Few People Know About – Women.com

5 Incredible Benefits of Playing Outside in the Snow (creativehealthyfamily.com)

8 Ways Snow Makes You A Happier Person | HuffPost Life

Uncategorized

Disrespecting the virus

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It’s Thursday morning and here I am on my third quarantine due to exposure to the Coronavirus. I am taking it for what it is. We are all a part of a worldwide pandemic. I do wear a mask regularly, except when around my family, or if I am outside. It was the outside part that came back to bite me in the butt this time (the other times I had a mask on but was still quarantined).

When you have been around someone who tests positive, you must be quarantined for 14 days to see if symptoms present. The Wisconsin Health Department is simply doing their job to try and contain things. While in quarantine, you must report to the Health Department twice each day with your temperature, as well as answer a list of questions regarding your current state of health. Also, keep in mind, if you do test positive, you are only considered safe from the virus for an estimated 90 days. All bets are off if the virus has mutated.

My frustrations with this particular situation have more to do with other people who think this is some sort of political scheme that will simply vanish after the elections. If this were a political scheme, then why is it everywhere? Even President Trump has admitted that he downplayed the severity of this situation because he did not want the public to panic (see link at bottom of page for further information).

Whether or not the numbers are legit in the United States or exaggerated does not change the fact that we are still dealing with a virus that has killed many people. The wearing of a face mask is a simple gesture of kindness to others when you go out, because this virus spreads via breathing in airborne particles. Many people say it is their right to not wear one, but the point of a mask is not to protect yourself from germs, but to protect others. The mask, providing it is a proper cloth mask, stops your airborne particles from spraying out when you breathe, sneeze, or speak to people. If you are a person who does not show symptoms and you are still out not wearing a mask, you are likely spreading the virus and possibly killing people. If we were all to wear masks, this could potentially harness the virus and allow it to die off, thus removing us from being in a state of pandemic.

I know a lot of people who have been infected and who have become very ill. Some of them were in an outdoor setting without masks. Several of them have been considered healthy adults in their prime. Some of them appeared to be out of the woods and then suddenly died. This is not a joke. It is not a game. This is what your modern-day plague looks like. It was only a matter of time until we were in such a state again. This is the ebb and flow of nature.

Wear your mask and go outside. See your family and friends, but take precautions. It’s not as if the CDC is asking you to give up living, but if you do get sick, you may very well give up living. Think about the people you love. Think about how they will miss you if you become a victim. Also, take your vitamin D (providing your Dr. approves). Many articles say Vitamin D helps ward off the Coronavirus.

Other countries have done much better at containing the virus than the US because they have followed orders to help contain the situation. Sometimes the rules we make have good purpose. Do not touch the stove when it is on. Do not smoke when you are fueling your car. Stop at red lights. Why is this situation any different?

For more information on the above, please refer to the following sites and articles:

CDC on Coronavirus facts: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

CDC on cloth face coverings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html

WebMD on Coronavirus: https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus

Vitamin D and the Coronavirus: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/vitamin-d-can-help-reduce-covid19-risks

This is an article with graphs showing how the US compares to all of Europe in new cases: https://www.newsweek.com/graphs-show-how-coronavirus-cases-us-compare-other-countries-1513490

NBC News article on why other similar countries are experiencing the pandemic differently than the US: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/why-are-similar-countries-experiencing-covid-19-so-differently-n1232358

All-Inclusive, Bars, Hotels, Lodging, Mexico, RCI, Uncategorized

A Trip To Melia Golf Resort In Cozumel

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A few weeks ago, my family weighed the pros and cons of leaving for vacation in Mexico. There were no travel bans and we had no idea where this virus was going. The vacation was paid for and it was something we had been looking forward to for many months. We decided to go forward with the trip.

The destination was Cozumel, Mexico. The resort, Melia Golf. This particular article is going to go in a slightly different direction than my usual entries. I want to give my readers a review, but also explain what the week was like.

When we got on the plane, it was nearly empty. Maybe a quarter full. I was slightly nervous, but we were heading to a place where the heat and sunshine would hopefully be to our advantage. Our arrival went smoothly. The taxi cost five dollars per person and our hotel was only a short distance from the airport.

Upon arriving at the resort, we were quickly checked in and shown to our suite. We chose to stay through RCI and would be located in the tower. Our room had a king-size bed, mini kitchen with a glass-top table for four, a bathroom with a shower, couch, television, and a balcony overlooking the ocean. We were on the twelfth floor and also had two chairs with a small table and a whirlpool located on our balcony. The room was clean and comfortable.

There were two places to eat during regular day-time hours. The buffet, or the grill. At night you could go to the buffet, or one of three restaurants which required a reservation and served Italian, Mexican, or International cuisine. My favorite of the three was the Mexican restaurant. I am gluten-free and it had the safest options and was also delectably satisfying.

The hotel offered two pools. One for adults only and one for families with children. Melia is home to a golf course as well as several other activities such as croquet, mini-golf, shuffleboard, and tennis. There is an arcade, wellness center with spa, and activity center for kids. You have three bars to choose from which include, the lobby bar, the beach bar, or the pool bar. There are quite a few chairs around the pool as well as located on the beach with umbrellas. At night there are plenty of activities to entertain your whole family.

This resort is maintained and clean. I never once felt as if anything was not clean. The food at the buffet is a limited variety, but quite satisfying. You can get ice cream if you know to ask for it. Their coconut ice cream is to die for. The staff is friendly and accommodating.

Now, on the flip-side of things. After we arrived Covid-19 changed rapidly. I barely slept for a few days before the trip and several days into it. We had family and friends messaging us and telling us that there was talk of closing the borders, which quickly became a reality. We needed to leave or risk being trapped in Mexico. The resort became more and more empty each day. We arrived on a Monday and by Thursday people were filing out. On Saturday morning we decided we needed to leave. We booked a flight home for Monday; we couldn’t get out any sooner. I finally slept that night.

The day before we left, the place was desolate. The only dining option was in the buffet, which became a cook to order situation where you were given a menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The grill was still running, but that was it. We heard that the resort would be closing down on Tuesday. My heart goes out to all the workers who were told they would be going on vacation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Being on an island during such a crazy time was interesting. We had the place nearly to ourselves. I have never seen so many empty beach chairs in my life. We made some new friends and I know I will never forget this trip. I cannot tell my readers how packed this place is during normal circumstances. It is a small resort with limited seating, but it’s beautiful and clean. I hope to return in the future during normal circumstances.

For more information on the Melia Cozumel Golf Resort, please visit: https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/mexico/cozumel/melia-cozumel/index.htm

Art, Music, Restaurants, shopping, Uncategorized, Wine, Winery, Wisconsin

Out Of The Woods & Into Your Heart

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So, I will be the first to admit, I love wine. This past November we visited Cable, Wisconsin for a mini getaway for our five-year-anniversary. We researched the area to find some fun places to visit and I was quite pleased to find Out of the Woods Winery, which is located thirty minutes away in Hayward, Wisconsin. As a side note, I would like to apologize for how long it has taken me to write this post. I had surgery right after our visit and life has been a bit crazy.

Neal and I walked into this establishment looking for some good wine and we got so much more. We were first greeted by Dan, who is one of the owners, along with his father and brother. He took his place behind the bar and poured us our tastings. Not only does he have wine, but also cider. We chose to taste a mixture of 7 wines and ciders.

We tasted:

  • L1: Spring Lake Sauvignon – quite dry and not my favorite, but if you love dry white wine, this might be for you.
  • L2: Tiger Cat Riesling – Great flavor. The perfect combo of sweet and slightly dry. We decided to take this bottle home and put it aside for our anniversary next year.
  • D2: Noval Black Port – I loved this wine! It has a taste of dark chocolate covered cherries. It’s sweet but not too sweet. My husband wasn’t as into it as I was, so I didn’t buy a bottle, but will definitely go back for a glass next time we are in town.
  • C2: Nektar Zombie Killer – This cider has a prominent honey flavor and is the perfect mix of sweet and tart. It was my favorite cider.
  • C3: Rekorderling Strawberry Lime – This is their most popular cider. You can taste both strawberry and lime. It’s sweet but not in an overpowering way.
  • C5: Wyders Dry Pear – This cider has a very light flavor and is too light for me. Dan tells us that it’s great mixed with the Belgian Saison.
  • C6: The Cider Farm Belgian Saison – Tastes like black licorice. The flavor is soft, but on the metallic floral end. I am not a fan of floral flavors, so this doesn’t cut it for me.
  • C5 & C6: Wyders Dry Pear & The Cider Farm Belgian Saison – Definitely cut the wild flavor of the Saison, but isn’t something I would go out of my way for. Simply not my thing.

After we completed our tasting, Dan offered to let us try some items he was debating on carrying. We were delighted to give our thoughts.

Bonus Tasting:

  • Omme Gang Brewery: Rose Cider – Definitely dry and a little bitter, but it would make a nice refreshing gluten-free choice. I would drink it on a hot summer day. I say it’s a keeper.
  • Wild Tonic Hard Jun Kombucha – Nice flavor. It’s sweet and unlike what I expected from a Kombucha. It would compete well with the ciders and it’s a healthy alternative.
  • SKOL Red (from Chateau St. Croix Winery) – This is a decent table wine, very flavorful. It smells like strawberries and has a tartness to it. I would definitely drink it if it was in stock.

Dan is charismatic, to say the least. He was able to explain each wine and cider. He told us the history of the winery. He explained how he keeps art displayed regularly throughout the winery because his late mother was an artist and a local farmer recommended hanging art. He told us, “If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.”

As we tasted our way through the list of wines and ciders, we were able to listen to live music provided by John. He sings and plays acoustic as well as harmonica, each Saturday. He stayed longer than normal, simply because he felt like it. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed. You can’t help but feel as if you have become part of the family. As I look out the window, I see Dan’s father and his brother Jess, stringing Christmas lights. We couldn’t have asked for a more memorable experience. Out of the Woods Winery has truly captured our hearts.

For more information on Out of the Woods Winery, please visit: https://www.outofthewoodswinery.com/

Fashion, shopping, Uncategorized

October Luxury Divas Box – Yes!

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It’s month number two and I have received my Luxury Divas Box.  I am excited to say that I loved everything in this box and I am stoked that I decided to do a three month membership. The three month membership saves you five dollars per box, which brings the total down to thirty dollars per month.

This box came with the following: Red Luxury Divas slouchy hat, white fuzzy boot socks, a beautiful silver mesh bracelet, a pair of dangly caged crystal earrings, a black and purple crossbody bag, and a burgundy choker style top which fits great. I have no complaints. They also sent me a ten dollar gift certificate for the Luxury Divas site, because October is my birth month. I immediately went online and bought a beautiful ankle bracelet. I cannot wait until it comes. I plan to wear it in Las Vegas around the pool.

Here are the things I love about this company. They ship promptly. They take into consideration the colors you like and the type of style you wear. They give you a little something extra for your birthday. They write you a personalized note each month and they give you a sheet that tells you about each product and its value. I promptly emailed Marina, my curator, and told her how well she did. They also send you a little treat in each box, which was candy corn this month.

If you like accessories and you don’t want to break the bank on a monthly box subscription, I highly recommend Luxury Divas. The items fit well and I feel they are practical. I think you will find the experience refreshing. This is a company I feel good about. If you would like to see more images of the items from the October box, please visit my Facebook page. I will be posting images as soon as possible. https://www.facebook.com/starspiritadventures/

For more information, please visit: https://www.luxurydivas.com/

Colorado, Outdoor Activities, Uncategorized

Extreme Zip Lining

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This past June, while planning a visit to Colorado, my husband and I found ourselves perusing the internet looking for fun activities. He happened to find a Groupon for Royal Gorge Zip Line. Since I had never seen Royal Gorge previously, I thought it might be a fun day trip from Vale. He asked me if I would like to take part in the ‘Extreme Zip Line Tour,’ and I said yes. Basically these zip lines are faster and longer than most others. What he failed to tell me was that there would be a seventy foot tower at the very end, and only two ways down.

This definitely is not a mild course. As I said, it is extreme. There is some hiking involved, so if you use an inhaler I would recommend you bring it along. The hiking goes pretty fast, though the climbs are intense at times. The crew provides plenty of water along the way and a small snack after the largest jaunt. The fastest line can reach up to sixty miles per hour, and the longest line is over a third of a mile long. This course does have weight stipulations. You must be between seventy-five and two-hundred-and-fifty pounds.

The lines are an absolute blast and our guides, Michaela and Sami, were hilarious. They were knowledgeable and they kept us laughing all while maintaining our safety. Sami will cheer you on the whole way and Michaela will make jokes to lighten your hike. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind experience.

As I said earlier, the tower at the end of the course is seventy feet tall. Upon arriving at the tower I had no idea that there were only two ways down. None of which is a ladder. You have to jump. There is no way around it. The only question is whether or not it’s a slow belay down or a free-fall and then belaying the rest of the way. I chose to jump. They told me that going backwards sometimes is easier if you are afraid of heights, which I am. I decided that backwards was my best option. I made a mistake. Instead of hopping back off the tower I let myself fall backwards. My feet did not leave the tower as I was falling, and very quickly I was upside down thinking, “Oh, F—! I don’t think I’m supposed to be upside down.” Pardon my internal monologue. I was a little panicked as my brain quickly whipped through what I knew was coming next. The strap tightened and my body was instantaneously jerked back around to an upright position. I had a nice burn on the back of my shoulder, but I didn’t break or dislocate anything, so I’ll call it a success.

After I was safely on the ground I looked up to see my husband standing on the edge of the tower. This man is a dare-devil and he stands atop mountain peaks on a regular basis. I saw him pause briefly as he took in the distance to the ground. It is definitely an adrenaline rush. No one wanted to jump off the tower immediately, but I will tell you one thing, it goes so fast you barely realize what happened. His jump was more graceful than mine. Everyone’s jump was more graceful than mine, but at least I can say I did it. I had fun and made some great memories. If you want to face your fear of heights, check out this course. You won’t be sorry… or maybe you will. Either way, you’ll be jumping off a 70 foot tower before the adventure’s end.

For more information on Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours, visit: https://royalgorgeziplinetours.com/

 

Fashion, Subscription Boxes, Uncategorized

LD – Box One – Loving It!

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Hey friends! Today I’m doing something new. Those of you who follow my blog know that I like to post articles about places I have visited. Beyond travel, I also have a strong love for fine food, art, wine, and don’t get me started on my love for hats, lingerie, shoes, jewelry, and purses. Honestly, my accessory love has grown immensely, which is why I am here today to review the Luxury Divas Box.

My first box arrived this afternoon, and boy was I stoked! This box is $34.99/month, or slightly less if you subscribe for three months at a time. I like this subscription, because unlike other fashion boxes, you get to keep everything they send you. It’s a whole lot more than accessories.

My box contained seven items, literature that explained each item’s value, and a description of why they chose the items they did for the current month. This is what I received: Long grey knit cardigan with pockets, a gold leaf necklace, a black, white, and rose gold watch with silicone band, a black and white Luxury Divas canvas tote, an Italia Deluxe Lashes For Daze waterproof mascara, and a blue multicolor art deco scarf. There was also a wonderful personalized note from the curator and some gummy bears to go with it.

Now, of all the items I like the tote, mascara, and necklace the most because they fit me well. The tote is black and white and simple. It’s made from recycled canvas, which is a huge bonus in my world, and hopefully yours. The leaf necklace is an item I would have bought myself, and I did. I own a smaller version in copper. I love it because, as most people know, I’m a hiker and I love me some Colorado nature. My third favorite is the mascara. It does exactly as it says. End of story.

Moving on to the items I haven’t expressed my undying love for. The cardigan is cute, but it’s also long and I am 5’3” so that means I need to wear heels when I wear it. I love that it has pockets and that it would dress up a cute t-shirt. It’s definitely versatile. No real complaints though, I am definitely still excited to try it out. The watch is a love hate situation for me. I love the colors and the look. I hate that I don’t wear watches and that the band is silicone. Everything sticks to silicone. My cat might be wearing it right now. One thing is for sure; he will look fashionable. In all seriousness, I promise to wear the watch sometime because it is cute. The last item is my least favorite. I am not fond of the scarf because it feels like a summer item and despite my somewhat wild personality, I don’t care for the wild colors for regular wear. Being that it’s Fall, I would have appreciated something fuzzy over sheer. I think I may wear the scarf as a swim wrap when I go to Mexico in March, or use it as a decorative table covering. I will play with it and see what I come up with.

Overall, I liked the box and I plan to become a subscriber. It feels personalized with the inclusion of the note and friendly gesture of sending gummy bears. This is a company that feels warm and fuzzy. I want to see what else they have up their sleeves.

Within the next week I will get some photos of the above items being used. Once posted, you can view them here: https://www.facebook.com/starspiritadventures/

For more information on Luxury Divas, please visit: https://www.luxurydivas.com/