The Ohio Wineries

This past Sunday was my big day out after my eye surgery. I was actually a little nervous (I don't know why- maybe because of the sun??) but it was awesome. I could SEE!


It was my second summer going on the "Annual Girls Winery Trip". It started as a group of teachers a few years ago and has turned into a large group from all over. Friends of friends, cousins and sisters, etc. Someone asked why it was on a Sunday rather than a Saturday, and as it turns out the party bus is half the price. Makes sense. My cousin Kelly helps organize it, and it's a blast! A few of us set up a taxi to and from the party bus this year so we had nothing to think about but having a good time.

I'm not posting any pictures from inside the bus after the third winery. For a reason! As the day goes on, everyone gets a little louder, a little crazier, and a little drunker! All in all, it was a really fun day with good friends, and new friends.

Heather and I outside of South River Vineyard. We asked the guy taking the picture to get the vineyards in the back. Good job.

My favorite spot along the way, at South River

Lasik Vision

After years of thinking about it and being FREAKED out at the idea of it, I sucked it up and had lasik eye surgery yesterday.

Apparently, I was a little more nervous than your average patient. I think because I know how difficult it was for my grandfather to carry on with life with limited vision.... I was just totally freaked. I knew that everything would be fine and that you can't go blind from the procedure, but my brain just could not process it.

I took two of Bethanne's french chill pills before I went plus a Valium when I got there. The doctor heard that I was nervous so he came to talk to me before I went in. I started crying to the point where I couldn't even talk, I was so scared. I calmed down, they took me in, and my whole body was shaking during the entire procedure, plus I had tears rolling down my cheeks. I was such a wuss!!!

Everything went totally fine, as expected on their end. I'm not going to lie- I hated every second of the 15 minutes it took. I could not open my eyes for about six hours (my body just wouldn't let me), I slept on and off ten hours last night, and I have been great all day today. I can see everything! I am wearing super cool sunglasses during the day, and to bed (to make sure I do not rub my eyes).

I think this was a very good decision, even though it was one of the worst/only anxiety experiences I have ever gone through.

I tossed all of my contact solutions, cases, and actual contacts. I need to figure out the best place to donate the three pairs of glasses I have. I never have to wear them again!

** I am editing this post on 7/24. I can see things that I have never, ever seen before. I think that contacts and glasses are given to you to be the best they can do. I think when you have lasik, your eyeballs are shaped to perfection. I thought I could see perfect with my contacts, but I saw green trees and vineyards today that were so clear.... I didn't know it could be like what I saw!

Up To Bat

Through work, I have recently become involved with the Achievement Centers for Children. It is a wonderful non-profit organization that helps children (and young adults) with disabilities. Whether it's autism, OCD, down syndrome, or something that isn't even diagnosed- their doors are open for everyone. Children can visit the center with their families for activities, school, therapy, etc. Not only does it help the children, but it helps the families as well. The Center gives parents a place to go where there are other parents like them, going through similar situations. It's really an amazing place.


The Achievement Center has a camp that they offer their kids during the summer, called Camp Cheerful. Kids can go at no cost, and try things like fishing, swimming, and even zip lining! A few weeks ago, my family and I did a 5K to help raise money for the camp. This week, I joined a group of volunteers and Camp Cheerful kids for a fun "field trip" event to Progressive Field, where the Indians play. It was SO HOT!! Oh my god.


We played with the kids doing things like catching, hitting, running bases- they loved it. I wound up working with the youngest group at the camp that day. We had six adults for nine kids, and I swear, it wasn't enough. They were cracking me up! My favorite little boy was Jude (not pictured). He told me that "Judes don't survive in heat like this, and he needed to go home". But they stuck it out. The batting cages were our best stop- it was like a giant sandbox for the kids.


Next week, we are taking all of these kids to an actual game to see the Indians play. I can't wait to see all of my little new friends again!

Sarah and I with some of our group in the dugout

A view of Progressive Field. It was strange to be the only ones there!
The Jumbo Tron welcoming The Achievement Centers and Majestic Steel

Yes, that's me. Hitting a real baseball with a real bat, on the field. My coworkers got a little baseball happy after the kids left.

The Majestic Steel Group

The Other Side

Lucky for me, I have been invited to go to some really, really fun concerts this summer. My friend Jessica invited me to go to Katy Perry with her in a suite at Gund Arena, and my step-sister Alisa invited me to go to Kenny Chesney with her, VIP style, eighth row at Blossom. They were both SO MUCH FUN! Katy Perry was like a mix between being in the game of Candyland and in the Johnny Depp version of Willy Wonka, and I was shocked at how entertaining and charismatic Kenny Chesney was.

I am really not trying to sound bratty, but I am so happy that the two shows I have gone to so far since living in my "new world" were VIP. I better not get used to it! But being that close for Kenny Chesney gave me the opportunity to still see what was going on backstage, and see how things worked. We stuck around after Katy Perry to finish up some drinks, and I watched some of the load out for her show. I was fascinated at how organized it was- the crew was T-shirt color coded based on what they were doing. What a smart idea. I'm still not totally used to the idea that I am most likely never going to work in the entertainment industry again and that I work for a steel company. My heart breaks a little when I think about it. Especially when I saw all of the tour buses lined up at Kenny Chesney behind the VIP tent. Which served sushi, by the way.

One day I will be sitting in the lawn at a show, and I won't wonder about what is going on backstage, but for now, I still think about how much it grossed, who is dealing with catering, who is moving the lights, etc. It doesn't make me enjoy the show any less, but I do get distracted.

Both shows were amazing, and I am so happy I was able to go!