Flashbacks

Last year I decided to be festive and dress-up for Halloween at work. This is what I looked like. I had a vicious cold (and showed up for work anyways, probably getting everyone else sick at the same time. Oops?), a red nose to cover my red nose, an oversized clown tie filled with explosions of color, and a bad attitude. This year I decided to save my co-workers from this painful spectacle. However, tonight my church is hookin’ up the neighborhood kiddies with candy and games via trunk-or-treat. Do you want to come? Details are here.

Hiking for fun?

What does your family do on vacation? Do you go fishing, take cruises, travel to other countries, or just relax at home? Husbands family is very adventurous and loves to hike and explore different areas. We hiked the Grand Canyon (30 miles in 2.5 days….so hardcore and painful at the same time!) and hiked Bryce Canyon and Zion Nation Park this year. To say the least, they keep me in shape! This weekend we all went hiking in Orange County and it was a beautiful hike. Besides me sweating like a beast, it was a good-looking hike. How do you like to spend your vacations?

By the way, how sweet does Phil look with our nephew? Oh my goodness, melt my heart why don’t cha’!

Windex cures all

Lately I’ve noticed that I’m like the father on the movie My Big Fat Greek wedding. I’m not saying I’m feeling like a middle aged, hairy, Greek man, because that would just be uncomfortable. I’m saying that I think the cure for many, many things is Windex! Phil asked me the other day what he should use to clean a few things and every time my answer was Windex! It was at that moment I realized Gus Portokalos from the movie is undeniably right, any ailment from psoriasis to poison ivy could be cured with Windex.

Oh yea, and it’s Friday! Who else has been looking forward to this day all week?! Weewww hewww!! Anyone have plans for the weekend? I'd love to hear what you have on the agenda!

Busy, busy, busy

Yesterday was one of those days where from start to finish I didn’t have 2 minutes to just sit and relax. Drove to work, worked 9 hours, drove home, packed some of my etsy sales, dropped them off at UPS, drove home, cooked dinner, prepared my song for bible study (I play the guitar there, and lead the worship song, eek!), went to bible study, mingled afterwards for a little (okay so this was definitely a highlight of the day!), drove home, paid some bills, did the dishes then climbed into bed. As I was finishing the dishes Phil (who had just finished our laundry) hugged me and just said, “I love you babe, I’m so thankful for who you are, and all that you do for us.” My eyes welled up with tears because husband always knows what to say, even when I don’t know I need to hear it. Moments like that make this busy, sometimes hectic, life I lead simply blissful.

Couple of our Engagement photos taken by the lovely Abi Q (http://abiqblog.com/) 

Fall Back yet?

My house is decorated for fall. I’m burning my holiday candle 24 hours a day. Seriously this holiday candle smells so good I want to take a bite out of it all the time. And I’m starting to listen to Christmas music already. Is it time for us to fall back yet?? I desperately need an extra hour of sleep right now. People think I’m dressing up as a zombie for Halloween early. Nope sorry stranger, that’s just my face.

Overachievers

I have to wake up before the sun does right now to be at work by 7am. Also, I’m an overachiever so I like to be at work 10 mins early everyday. Waking up when it’s pitch black is no bueno (no good, for all my non-Spanish-speaking-people. You’re welcome.). Another thing that’s no bueno is the people that still have the effort to go for a run before work in the morning! As I sluggishly walk to my car everyday at 6:30AM I see at least 10 people running. I might be jealous that they have the discipline to get up that early and run. However, I also feel like tripping them as the run by. Is that not okay? Well this morning one of those cheery, self-disciplined runners was jogging behind me, and since it was early I didn’t notice him until he was right next to me. I jumped, almost dropped my coffee and said (mind you, as he was still running past me), “Ahhh you totally scared me!” The guy gave me a weird, and annoyed glace as he kept on running. At that point I almost threw my coffee in his direction. I refrained because I didn’t want to drink my coffee off the pavement today.



Picture credit fit-toned4summer.tumblr.com



Ladies Night In

Do you have a friend that no matter how long it’s been since you’ve seen them last, you just pick up from where you left off? Well I have a group of them, and my life is all the more blessed because of them. Am I bragging about how utterly amazing my friends are? Yes!! And they are pretty too. Since husband was gone until Sunday night, I went and spent the weekend with some of my best friends. We laughed, ate the most delicious home make tortilla soup, drank hot chocolate (yes, hot chocolate, we are party animals!), and went in the Jacuzzi. Oh yea, and watched Aimee coach her 3-4 year old soccer team. Those little boys had very little idea what was going on but were having a blast running around. Completely entertaining. I think if I ever play soccer again I'll play like they do. Kicking the soccer ball in whatever goal is closest, running any direction they want, and getting distracted by their friends so they stop and have a conversation in the middle of the game. I think they are onto something. Put me in coach, I'm ready!

 

Husbands finally home!!! Yippee!!! I was planning on showing off my new harmonica playing skills for him at baggage claim, but Phil’s flight got in early so I just picked him up at the arrival drive-up area. Instead of him being greeted with harmonica tunes probably being played incorrectly, he was greeted with kisses. I think he was happier with the kisses.

Friday, Friday, Friday

Finally it’s FRIDAY!!! I’ve been looking forward to this day since Monday. Not that Monday was a particularly horrible day but Monday I made plans with my besties to hangout tonight. Not just one of my favorite friends but THREE!!! Oh yes, tonight should be full of laughs, delicious food, and lots, Lots, LOTS of talking. When we are all together we all talk at the same time. It appears to others that we aren’t listening to each other but shockingly we are! We might sound like seagulls squawking. Let the squawking begin!



I found this on Pinterest but don't know who it belongs to. If you do, send it my way for the photo credit.



New challenge

After work I have to amuse myself because husband is still in New Orleans. To accomplish the goal of keeping myself entertained I’ve decided to teach myself to play the harmonica. It’s definitely a slow process filled with being light headed, a little drooling, and cheering for myself. I wonder if Phil will get embarrassed when I serenade him at baggage claim when he lands.  

Coffee date

Every week my sister, niece and sometimes Mom meet me for coffee on my lunch break. These are some of my favorite moments of the week. It takes me away from my usually crazy work day, and I truly get to relax. Since I know everyone that works at my Starbucks (you think I’m kidding? A few of the baristas even came to my wedding. I might have gone to Starbucks at least once a day for the past 3 years.) they usually come over and say hi to Miss Chloe. Chloe loves everyone besides one barista. She will be as happy as a clam, and as soon as that barista walks over she immediately starts crying! Then barista feels bad and steps back…. Chloe is fine. The barista comes back….. Chloe screams. Barista walks away…. Chloe is fine. I guess this little girl has her favorites, which I’m sure I’m #1 on that list. At least that’s what I tell her, “You love Auntie Laura the best!”

N’awlins

Holy moley this trip was a blast! Phil and I did so many things and I’m about to overload you with pics, so beware. By the way, the locals pronounce New Orleans as N’awlins, and I like to fit in so I quickly changed my pronunciation. N’awlins it is!

Friday was our touring day which included a swamp tour with alligators, Bourbon Street, a jazz festival and a lot (A LOT) of walking and sightseeing. The swamp tour guide thought he was funny (which of course he was) and decided to drop a fake spider, the size of a softball, on my head in the middle of the tour! I convulsed andjumped so high that I practically fell into the swamp with all the alligators! Okay that’s a lie. I did jump really high and freaked out though. Husband thought it was the funniest thing he ever saw. Oh yea and that alligator I'm holding in the above pic. It's real. A real baby alligator. I held a REAL baby alligator!!









When you step onto Bourbon Street you are greeted by some phenomenal street musicians, and some ladies that could really shake their stuff. Parts of that street I was definitely not a fan of though. Like the naked ladies part. Oh no you didn’t just flaunt half naked ladies in front of my husband!! We walked Bourbon St. for a little while then crossed over to Royal St. which was much more our taste. No nakedness over there.

The jazz music festival was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trip. Music, street vendors, and hundreds of people enjoying the evening together, it was good stuff. Plus those musicians make it look like playing their instruments is the easiest thing in the world! Jealous, party of one!

Saturday we walked about 3 miles to a restaurant we heard was to die for. When we got there all sweaty and gross we were told there was a dress code. Fail. Apparently shorts, sandals, heavy breathing, and sweaty faces are not allowed in that joint. After that we rode the trolly (MUCH better!), saw a cemetery, walked though an antique store, did some shopping, and ate at the famous Café Du Monde.

 

Sunday was definitely a more relaxed day. We woke up late, ate at a delicious restaurant (that I can’t remember the name of! Shame on me, I know.), and walked the Riverwalk. Phil is staying in N'awlins for another week because of work, so he got me a taxi and sent me on home. You know how in movies when they say goodbye and get into a taxi it seems all romantic and moving? Surprisingly, that’s not at all how it is! Saying goodbye to Phil is just no fun at all. Traveling with husband is waaaay more fun than traveling alone. However, I’m more than thankful for my hardworking hubs and his incredible job, because of him working so hard we were able to take this vacation!

Oh yea and this was out gorgeous hotel room view!

Thank you to everyone that sent me suggestions and tips about New Orleans!