B.O.B.’s contribution to literacy

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Kristen

It probably comes as no surprise to learn that the Rietkerks love to read. Soon after we started dating, Tim and I were talking about the books we loved. Top of my list was Gone with the Wind and for … Continue reading →

TEDx UNC Chapel Hill

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Kristen

What do space, acro-yoga, GSD and the African word “sankofa” have in common? Absolutely nothing unless you’re sitting at the most recent TEDx event at UNC Chapel Hill. One of the things that brings me great delight is a lecture. … Continue reading →

Little Girl…Big Place (Lilly’s retelling of her visit to Carolina)

Posted on January 19, 2014 by Kristen

Almost from the very first day we set up house in the cottage, Lilly wanted to know when she could spend the night at Lindsey’s apartment. Just 90 minutes up the highway from Pinehurst is UNC-Chapel Hill, home of the … Continue reading →

Over the fence and through the woods to Homewood Suites we go…

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Kristen

Our cottage is cute but clearly presents tight quarters when the family comes for the holidays. Over Christmas break we were happy to have the two college girls as well as my parents come to North Carolina for a visit. … Continue reading →

The leprechaun starts college

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Kristen

Every year in late summer, while the beaches are still chock full of vacationers, parents across the country take time to pack up and send off their precious babies for college. This past August, Tim and I did it times … Continue reading →

Born to run

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Kristen

It wasn’t long before Lilly discovered that after-school clubs were a great way to continue having fun during the day. On her first day at Pinehurst Elementary she met the PE coach, Ms. Harms, who asked her if she liked … Continue reading →

Greece Trip Itinerary

Tim’s completion of a year-long chaplaincy residency is the perfect time to celebrate. While Ireland still makes the top of our “Must Visit List”, the draw of sunshine, water and an oracle or two made Greece our destination for 2018. After a visit to the library to check out every Greece and Turkey travel book in San Diego County, we settled on this 2 week itinerary:

Depart LAX for Mykonos (via Athens) ………stay Mykonos for 2 days with an excursion to the island of Delos….

Next stop is Santorini, the island famous for it’s blue-domed houses and deep blue waters. We’ll stay here for 3 days

Then, on to Rhodes, which once boasted the historical Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. The monument may no longer be standing but the island is chock full cobblestone streets and fortified old towns.

From Rhodes, we’ll head over to Marmaris, Turkey. The primary draw for visiting Turkey is to get up to Ephesus but we found that taking a ferry to the southern end of the country offers a great deal on seaside resorts with rock bottom prices–so we’ll indulge in the island life for a bit. We plan to hire a private guide to tour Ephesus on one of our days in Turkey.

Finally, we’ll fly north to Athens and spend 3 days touring the crumbling landmarks of that ancient city. The Acropolis, Agora and lots of temple ruins should satisfy the inner goddess in me.