My Life Today

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Moving On

Well, I can't believe how long it's been since I wrote on this blog. Five years of owning and operating The Purple Poppy left me very little time to do anything personal. It is now, with a heavy heart, that I am moving on to new adventures. Dick and I have moved to Simpsonville, South Carolina. Although I am beyond thrilled to be nearer my East Coast buds, it is so sad to leave my Colorado ones behind.

10 years...that's how long we've been here and it's been a decade filled with both good and bad times...but through it all, it has definitely been an adventure.

This was our ribbon cutting for The Purple Poppy. This was a great day, and I remember feeling full hope and excitement.

Donna actually came out and walked a few Bolder Boulders with me. I love that she and I have shared so many incredible moments!!!

Maureen has been a great neighbor and friend...I will miss her smiling face so much, but am feeling confident that I will see her in South Carolina soon.

Yikes...turning 50 was a milestone and love that I was able to share that celebration with such awesome friends. I have known Tina for 23 years and she is such a loyal, steadfast friend who always makes me laugh. I have known Rachel for less than 10 years, but she has made a huge impact on me...she is a bright, talented woman filled with sunshine and light!!!

I can't say enough about this smiling face...my biggest cheerleader when I decided to open my store, a shoulder to cry on (alot), a home that is always open and welcoming...and my very best friend who provided the crown so I could be queen for a week!!!

Sharing a glass of champagne to celebrate the opening of The Purple Poppy. I couldn't have done it without her.

A generous heart...sharing her good friends with me as well. Thank you Sally Simerson for all the joy you bring to my life.

Bolder Boulders, opening stores, traveling around the world, providing a safe place for me to cry, scream, laugh...this sister makes me proud every day. I love her so much, and can't imagine a day without talking to her!!!

I have spent the last few weeks reminiscing about our life here, but I am ready to join Dick and Kimi in South Carolina and start our new life there.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Fall at The Purple Poppy

Fall at The Purple Poppy by thepurplepoppy featuring waxing poetic jewelry

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

2010!!!

Wow...can you believe it's a brand new year? So much has happened since my last post...was it really in July??? I am so sorry for the long delay...

The dogs are still growing like crazy! Kimi gets more spoiled every day and the boy just grows and grows and grows!!!

Big news for us is that I'm opening up a retail store. Yep...The Purple Poppy: Home Decor and Chick Stuff Galore. Which means...that with the opening of the store, I won't have any time to blog and I definitely won't be travelling any. So...you can now follow me (and the store) at www.thepurplepoppy.blogspot.com. I will start posting there soon.

I am leaving for Dallas market on January 13, will be there for 5 days then I'll be in Las Vegas for 7 beginning January 30. My landlord is in the process of pulling permits to start the construction on our space so by the time I return from Vegas, construction should have started and I should have something to blog about.

See you there! You can also find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lafayette-CO/The-Purple-Poppy-Home-Decor-Accessories/202291304235.

Best wishes and a very Happy New Year to all my friends and family who have been following me here!!!

Angie

Monday, July 13, 2009

The Dog Days of Summer

Cody looking so innocent....who knows what terror he's dreaming up in his head to inflict on us!!!

Kimi is just over a year and a half years old. She's a real sweety and brings so much joy to our life.

The boy again...more plotting, I'm sure!!!

Hmmm...now the two of them may be in cahoots ;)

Don't let the innocent look deceive you...they are definitely cooking up something!!!!

Who...us?????

Roma In Less than 48 Hours

Two days is not near long enough to spend in Rome, but unfortunately, that's the only time that Donna, Jason & Regina had since they were all flying out on Monday morning. We tried to pack in as much stuff as possible in the less than 48 hours that we had. We arrived right after noon on Saturday so that only gave Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday. We were lucky to have found a B&B in Rome, within a 20 minute walk from the Piazza del Popolo. It was very reasonably priced and beautiful. If you're travelling to Rome anytime soon, definitely give Marco a call and check them out. His wife is a local artist and is quite famous for restoration work on frescoes around Italy. She has done all of the painting in their hotel (Suites Piazza del Popolo).

Here's Marco showing off his breakfast spread. Nothing fancy but plenty of strong espresso, cereal, orange juice, croissants, etc.

The Goldoni room...this is a huge room with a balcony. This is the room Jason & Regina stayed in.

This is the street view from our room. It's a very quiet street so there was no noise at all in our room (on the 3rd floor)...that's the shuttle tracks in the picture. Not only is it a short walk, but there is a shuttle that goes all the way to the Piazza del Popolo....very convenient if the weather is bad.

One of our very first views of St. Peter's. Donna had tickets to mass on Pentecost Sunday (with the Pope). I don't have her pictures yet but I promise to post them when I get them from her. The four of us did not go....we just went with her to pick up the tickets and walk around St. Peter's.

Sunday morning, the four of us walked to the Vatican to meet Donna after mass. Here's Jason & Regina taking a break across the river from the Castel St. Angelo.

This is one of the 10 angel statues along the Ponte Sant'Angelo. All of the angels hold instruments of the passion. This one is titled "Angel with the Garment and Dice."

The inscription reads: "Super vestimentum meum miserunt sortem" which translates to: For my clothing they cast lots (Psalm 22:18) The significance is found in Mark 15:24, Roman soldiers took Jesus' well-made garments and played dice for them.

Everywhere you go in Rome you will run into priests....

Saturday night near the Spanish Steps. My friend Robin over at My Melange is not a huge fan of Rome but I personally love it. I especially love Saturday nights around the Spanish Steps. There is so much energy and everyone is relaxed, having a good time.

Sisters in Rome at the Spanish Steps.

Artists in the Piazza Navona.

Sisters in Rome again....now we're heading to the Pantheon.

I love this guy on the fountain at the Piazza della Rotonda.

A great view of the Pantheon's oculus....it's only source of light and it's open to the weather allowing rain to enter and fall to the floor, where it is carried away through drains.

One of the fun things about being in Rome on this particular Sunday was the Giro d'Italia was finishing up. We did not spend much time watching the race but it was fun to be there amongst the crowds. This is along the Via del Corso...for my cycling friends...two names you might recognize:

Allesandro Petacchi who won several stages in the Giro and

Michael Barry of Team Columbia.

My peeps cheering the cyclists along the Via del Corso!

Donna, Jason & Regina having fun with the local Arma dei Carabinieri...the Italian National Polizia! Those Italians definitely have a sense of humor!!!

Fans at the Giro finish line.

A giro car at the Victor Emmanuel Memorial. This was the 100th anniversary of the Giro.

Approaching the colloseum...all of those people are there for the Giro...not the colloseum.

Monday morning....Donna, Jason & Regina are all off to the airport and Dick and I are heading north. Arrivederci Italy!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Venice - The City on Water

Paris continues to be my all time favorite city but when I go to Italy I get conflicted. I love Rome for it's ancient ruins and the energy of the city. I love Florence for the art and the beautiful Tuscan countryside. But when it comes right down to it, I think my favorite Italian city is Venice. I love everything about it...the water, the colors, the fact that it's so original....so I won't bore you today with much commentary...just photos.

My peeps waiting for our water taxi. We had just driven 3 1/2 hours from our villa to arrive here...