Part 2: My Trip to Nebraska

Right across the street from the beautiful Sunken Gardens was the Folsom Children's Zoo & Botanical Garden. There they had a stunning rose garden.

Here are photos of my time there.

Movie #14: Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

I have been a fan of the Fast & Furious series from the start. That series was always all about fast cars, the closeness of family, and friends who become family. Probably like most fans, I had a crush on Paul Walker. His death hit the series and fans hard. Still the series maintained their focus on family and fast cars. I was saddened to see the series come to an end.

I did feel some excitement with the spin-off of Hobbs & Shaw. I had fairly high hopes for this new partnerships being carried on by the Rock, Dewayne Johnson and Jason Statham. I just got done watching it, today.

It did have so much action, mainly physical fighting and explosions, as well as beautiful locations.

For me, it was missing the kind of bond of family that you were left feeling when watching the Fast & Furious movies. There was family in this one, but it wasn't the same kind of feel of closeness and warmth one was left feeling. Also, this one didn't feature the epic car/race scenes one had some to expect with the series.

So, I did leave the theater feeling a little let down. I don't expect this series to be as strong and long-lasting as the series it spun from. Although it was a decent start to Hobbs & Shaw.

Love it or hate it?

Part 1: My Trip to Nebraska: Sunken Gardens

I happened to be in Lincoln, Nebraska for an event with friends. During our downtime, I talked everyone into exploring Lincoln. I looked up things to do and up popped the Sunken Gardens. I'm so glad it did, experiencing the Sunken Gardens in Lincoln was like encountering a literal secret garden. I was awe-struck! It was breath-taking! The colors, the tiers, the types of flowers and bushes made rounding every bend an adventure. A must-see for sure! They sure did use a lot of red in honor of Nebraska University.

Here are my photos from that day:

Music: The Git Up: Blanco Brown + Lainey Wilson

I love catchy, fun, dance songs. I feel that this song by Blanco Brown and Lainey Wilson is definitely a fun, summer anthem. I need to learn the dance!

The Git Up

Music: Tauren Wells: God's Not Done with You

I have really enjoyed learning of the music of Christian music newcomer, Tauren Wells. I especially, I love his new song, "God's Not Done with You." It speaks to the hope we have in God and the plans that God has for us. It really uplifts my heart, that despite all the challenges and all my inadequacies God still wants to use my life. His grace is good.

Such powerful lyrics!

God's Not Done with You
Tauren Wells

Standing in your ruins, feels a lot like the end
So used to losing, you're afraid to try again
Right now all you see are ashes
Where there was a flame
The truth is that you're not forgotten

'Cause Grace knows your name
God's not done with you
Even with your broken heart and your wounds and your scars
God's not done with you
Even when you're lost and it's hard and you're falling apart
God's not done with you
It's not over, it's only begun
So don't hide, don't run
'Cause God's not done with
You-ou-ou-ou-ou
You-ou-ou-ou-ou

There's a light you don't notice
Until you're standing in the dark
And there's a strength that's growing
Inside your shattered heart
Woah-o-o-o-o-oah

God's not done with you
Even with your broken heart and your wounds and your scars
God's not…
He's got a plan, this is part of it
He's gonna finish what He started
He's got a plan, this is part of it
He's gonna finish what He started
He's not done
God's not done writing your story
No, He's not done
God's not done with you!
God's not done with you
God's not done with you
Even when you're lost and it's hard and you're falling apart
God's not done with you
It's not over, it's only begun
So don't hide, don't run
'Cause God's not done with
You, You (You-ou-ou-ou-ou)
You, You (You-ou-ou-ou-ou)
You, You
No, He's not done
God's not done with you

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Bernie Herms / Tauren Wells / Emily Weisband

Part 8: My Trip to Virginia

On our own, my friend and I tried out her favorite winery, Prince Michel Winery in Leon, Virginia. We got there a bit late, so we couldn't do a wine tasting. We did get to try their wine slushies and it was the best beverage at any winery form the whole week. I could go for a wine slushie now and on a hot day, it'd be so refreshing.

I was really impressed with their gift shop. They had so many great items and a vast selection of things; literally something for everyone. I narrowed it down to a pair of stemless silver wine glasses.

If ever in this part of Virginia again, I'll be sure to stop by this great spot!

A beautiful rainbow

Goodbye to My Riley Hanover Kimble

This has been an extremely hard week and not like worked sucked or I didn't get enough sleep; my family's last golden retriever, Riley passed away.

At the end, you think of the beginning; my first memories of my sweet boy were of Riley walking out from under a porch with his siblings in the summer of 2004. We were on a farm in the middle of nowhere looking at puppies for the first time after our first, beloved golden, Franky passed away suddenly and took with him our hearts. I picked up Riley and he cuddled into my arms, melting my heart instantly. He had such soulful eyes. His little tail just drooped downwards, so sadly. Meanwhile, my parents had met Max and were won over with his sweetness. I told them to hold Riley and tell me we weren't bringing him home and that's how we ended up with two puppies.

Once the puppies were old enough, we brought them home. Potty training those two took forever. I thought Riley would never be house-trained. He was so stubborn. He'd hide under my parent's bed, then growl and nip if you tried to bring him out.

Our Riley was a giant from the start. He had the biggest paws that he did eventually grow into. He was a giant of a dog and had the heart to match.He did have so many health issues in recent years; an enlarged heart, many food allergies, cancer, paralysis, a tie-back issue, etc. In the end, he wasn't getting enough oxygen and we couldn't let me struggle for breathe.

Here's what I shared on Facebook about my baby:
Our sweet Riley Hanover Kimble passed away about 1:07pm at home, Monday. He was so gentle, sweet, had the most beautiful eyes, had the biggest bark, and had the biggest paws ever. Our hearts ache, but we know you’re running with Max. We send all our love to heaven with you.

Here are some of our beautiful boy's photos:

Max & Riley together

Riley the Christmas after Max passed

Christmas break after Max passed

Christmas time; missing Max

After Max passed, Riley got to go on errands with mom. Ran into them one day.

2016-Riley's vet visit where we learned of his enlarged heart

Family outing

Riley always loved a good nap

Riley visiting Grandma

Riley at the tree lighting. Everyone wanted to pet him.

Riley Hanover Kimble
May 28, 2004-June 17, 2019
Forever in our hearts

Shoes: Sofft Mirabelle

I decided that I needed a new pair of sandals as I'd had all of mine for 3+ years. I wanted something comfy and versatile.

I recently discovered Shoes.com and have already gotten a few pairs of shoes from it.

So, first I ordered a pair of Dr Scholl's Sheena strappy sandals. I loved the perforated look. They look fabulous on, but unfortunately they were too narrow for my flat feet. Broke my heart!

I decided to try out Sofft's Mirabelle sandal. The next challenge was picking a color. Now, I normally go towards silver, but I read a review which said that it looked weird. From there I was deciding between cork and the medium brown. My mom said she heard that lighter colors help to elongate the leg, so I went with it. It has some gold in it which is really cool. The bottom of the sole is really cool too with roses on it. I'm obsessed with cork now. I've received several compliments on them and they're definitely my go-to sandals this summer! They go with everything!

Part 7: My Trip to Virginia

The last winery from our tour was King Family Vineyards. The King Family brought polo to Virginia. We were hoping to see their scheduled polo match while there, but due to the rain, it was cancelled. We still walked around the grounds and to the stables to try to see some of the horses.

They also had a restaurant, but we'd already eaten. They had cute items in their little gift shop area. I didn't try their wine, since they didn't have any sweet wines. :(

Overall, a beautiful place, though I wish we could've seen a polo match there.

Here are some snapshots from my time there:

Love this unique chandelier!

Part 6: My Trip to Virginia

Our next stop was the very scenic Pollak Vineyards. I'm not a big wine drinker, so since they didn't have any sweet wines, I didn't try theirs. They did have a nice, large wrap-around porch and large outside seating area.It was on the side of a hill/mountain.

A big storm was coming in.