Surprise Weekend

I’ve been avoiding writing this whole post because it means my girls trip is over and I’ve been too tired to do anything else other than eat and sleep.  So I’ve been a sad pup for a few days not to mention the bf has been gone on a business trip since last Tuesday and won’t be back till Saturday.  Insert cry face here.

Erin and I have been scheming for the past two weeks to surprise our best friend in DC. The three of us have been friends for a very long time. For obvious reasons I couldn’t tell anyone because who knows if she reads this space of mine or not and I was not taking the chance in having this surprise be ruined.  I’m not going to lie it was so hard not to say anything and I was just straight up cheesin for the past two weeks in excitement.  I have not seen my friend in a year and half.  Not okay, but that stuff happens when you grow up and all live in different places.  Not to mention I haven’t had a legit girls weekend in forever.  My friends, it was time!

Last Thursday I left the office at noon and drove for 9.5 hours to Washington DC.  The drive wasn’t bad, actually it was a really pretty drive once I got out of the dreadful state of Ohio (no offense to my friends that live here but when you’re on a road trip and it’s just straight/flat highway with nothing to look at, you want to stab your eyeballs).  I did hit an accident, which put me back a half hour.  I mean we were at a standstill for 20 minutes and people were out of their cars walking around.  I felt like I was in some TV show and zombies were going to start walking around.  And the drive was 100 percent better thanks to Amanda introducing the blog world to The Bachelorette Party Pandora Station!  Erin’s bus was late so I decided to head into Union Station and have myself a blue moon.  Duhhh.

We were scheming with our friend’s fiancé for days about how we were going to surprise her and because well nothing is bound to go right, our plan didn’t work anyways.  She ended meeting up with friends for margaritas after work and passed out.  So we just hopped into her bed.  And I might have been petting her head like a dog.  She thought she was dreaming and then realized that it was real life.  It was awesome.  And the best part was she literally had no idea that we were coming. Surprise was a success. #winning

While our friend Kristen was at work on Friday, the sister and I spent the day exploring around the apartment.  We found this cute little area kind of hidden on the backside of the mall and had lunch on the patio at a Lebanese Restaurant.  Lunch can’t be complete without sangria and hummus.  Our next stop on the agenda was finding somewhere cheaper than 12 dollars for a class of sangria.  Holy cow, I’m not used to these city prices.  A happy hour margarita or two just hit the spot.

We got all dressed up, which rarely happens these days.  Some idiot named Meghan decided it would be a good idea to wear her white dress and put make-up on.  What was that girl thinking?  Yea thankfully, Erin had another dress for me to wear so all was good in the world again.  We headed out on U street for Thai food and to hit up a few bars.  We even did some dancing like we were back in college.  We were ready to call it a night especially after two guys were creeping on us.  Is it so hard to have a girls night and not be bothered by guys who want to pick you up?  I guess it is. 

Anyways, moving along.  The next morning we all headed to Zengo’s for bottomless mimosas/cocktails and small plates.  By all, I mean the three of us, Kristen’s fiancé and the bf and his friend.  Yes, the bf was in DC for the weekend for business so I was a happy lobster to see him.  The drinks were flowin and the food kept coming.  I highly recommended this place.  We laughed a lot, shared some new things with one another, played “Never Have I Ever”, and laughed some more.  It felt like we hadn’t been apart for forever.

We continued the whole day drinking thing, headed out on H Street, saw a baby at a bar and immediately fell in love.  I think I might have even asked to be this kids nanny.  Just ran into the whole dilemma that I don’t live in DC.  Went to a house party that had a guac off, yummy in my tummy, headed to some roof top party for beer back and ate with the bf. 

Sunday I woke up all sad, as did all of us.  Saying goodbye was the worst, especially since we don’t know when we will all be together again.   Insert another sad face here.  On a good note though my oldest brother Marty and his fiancé live in West Virginia so I drove out to see them and to have lunch.  It was so good to see their new house and to spend time with them even though it wasn’t nearly long enough.  It took me way longer to get home then on the way there.  I hit a detour, which mad me get home 50 minutes later.  I swear this type of stuff always happens to me.  I had a minor melt down because it was really late and I was in the middle of nowhere Indiana.  Thanks to the bf for talking me through it and getting me safely home even a bunch a miles away. 

The whole unknown thing about not knowing when I am going to see them next makes it even worse but I cherish the time that we all get to spend together.  I love that we can pick up right where we left off.  I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend with great friends.  

AND I got to check off several items on my 101 List in a 1001 Days List!

Numbers 3 Have a girls weekend, 11 Visit Kristen in Washington DC and 12 Visit my brother in West Virginia.

So I leave with you happy thoughts, aka pictures of my friends dog Leela who is absolutely OBSESSED with playing fetch. I kid you not this dog would/does play 24 hours a day! Oh and she winks ; ) 

From Baby to Adult

I always get so damn sentimental on birthdays.  Who am I kidding, I get sentimental a lot of the time.  Here I am 25 and I have been freaking out about the fact that I have been on this earth a quarter of a century.  But then I got to thinking of all the things in my life that I have accomplished, learned , loved, experienced, laughed & cried over in the past 25 years and I have to say I’m pretty blessed. 

I have a loving, supportive and dysfunctional (who’s isn’t?) family that I love to a million pieces that I would walk over burning coals for.  My family taught me to be kind, respectful, caring, strong, to be myself and to have values. My family took me on vacations and camping trips including Disney World, Universal Studios, North Carolina, Cape Cod, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Texas, Montauk, The Grand Canyon, Maryland, Delaware and shoot I’m sure there are more.  I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.  Shout out to Mom, Dad, Marty, Sean, Liam, and Martha.

I have danced, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and now it’s just a mixture of my own thing.  I have been part of a few sports teams that I actually think are one of the greatest experiences to have that teach you a lot about working with others and what it means to be a team.  No I was not the best at sports but I will never forget the memories in track, cross country, basketball and cheerleading. I had Barbies, American Girl Dolls and a bunch of beanie babies that kept me very busy as a child! 

I was always/am surrounded by pets ranging from cats to dogs to iguanas.  Okay so the iguana’s weren’t mine but my brother had them in the house.  I remember coming home one night and the iguana got out of the cage and I would not sleep unless it was found.  I was not trying to wake up with an iguana looking back at me.  No thanks.  Pets have become an important part of my life.  I almost like them better than people some time. 

I grew up in a small town and had dreams of getting out, which I did but now realize how much I love that place, not to mention it’s gorgeous.  I had the experience of going away for college.  Oh hey, JWU! I joined a sorority and met my other half, I’m not talking about a guy here but a best friend.  I had some of the best and worst times here.  I made some stupid decisions and learned a lot of things the hard way.  I had my first apartment with friends.  I partied and danced many nights away.  I even pulled a few all nighters to do school work.  I’ve had some good and some pretty bad boyfriends.  I learned that one the hard way too.  Do not date assholes that repeatedly apologize for their behavior because they will never change. I had my share of tears over guys but I have finally found my prince that I love spending every moment with.  Love you Philip!

I transferred schools and had to meet new friends all while missing my old ones. I’ve had tough times from feeling lost to losing friends to not having any money. 

I’ve traveled to some pretty great places including Spain, Mississippi, New Orleans and many islands in the Caribbean.  I’ve discovered that traveling does something to me that makes my heart smile.  There are so many places on my list to travel to, Ireland, Nashville, Napa Valley, Thailand, and Africa to name a few. 

I’ve been to sporting events (Pacers & Colts), Amusement and Water parks, Museums and Fun Centers, Zoos, proms, formals, wine tours and weddings.  I have hiked mountains, canoed for 6 days, been winter backpacking and have truly grown to love nature and the outdoors.  I graduated and packed up my things and moved to the Midwest all on my own. 

I have two tattoos, have dyed my hair many times, had my belly pierced and I have scars.  I’ve learned that “without struggle there is no progress.”

I became an Aunt to the sweetest nephew and niece.  It seriously is one of the greatest joys in my life.

I love putting a smile on people’s faces and I have from the moment I was born.  So let me sing you a song and embarrass the crap out of myself and you because life is way too short.  If there is anything that I can preach it’s to beat to your own drum and don't worry so much about what others think.  It's good to be different.

I started a blog, which has been one of the greatest things for me because it has truly helped me to get out of my comfort zone and share my life with people from all over.  I have already "met" some of the greatest people and hope to actually go on some blates this year.  I already can't get through my day without snap chats from my favs!

 

What I have learned the most is that without having good people to surround yourself with life is absolutely awful.   I have some of the greatest friends, both old and new.  My childhood friends are still my friends, okay not all of them but the important ones!  They have gotten me through some of the toughest times and have been there to share some of the greatest and laughable moments. 

Thank you to all my friends and family that have made my life worthwhile because it wouldn’t be the same or as enjoyable without you all being a part of it.  Cheers to many more laughs, tears and memories to share with all the people I love.  Oh and I guess here's to lots more growing up to do and as my friend Abby would say at the end of any cheers "Here's to the guys that love us, the losers that lost us and the lucky bastards that get to meet us."

PS. Go hug a puppy today! :)

Little Bit Of Everything

This weekend was pretty random much like myself.  Since we celebrated my birthday last weekend in Chicago we didn't do a whole lot this weekend "birthday" worthy.  I knew I would have a busy weekend following and with the bf going out of town for a week and a half we both didn't feel like doing a whole lot.  Because I am a "lister" this post wouldn't be complete without being in list form.  

1.  Treat yo self:  This is the one thing that I did this weekend that was actually birthday worthy.  I had stopped to see Phil's half sister Whitney and she invited me for lunch and pedicures with her daughter and lil baby Ryan.  I don't typically do the whole manicure and pedicure thing often because I can't justify spending my money on that regularly.  But it is nice and so relaxing once in a while. And heck I'm going to spoil myself and why not? I mean I am almost a quarter of a century.  Of course I snap chatted with my girls Rachel & Brooke, because my day is just not complete without them.  

2.  Last week I came home to this awesome little package and I knew it was for my birthday but I couldn't wait.  Mary, the bf's sister had sent me THE BEST T-SHIRT ever.  I mean seriously I would/might wear this everyday.  She knows me all too well, thanks Mary!

3.  ^ This is also when I learned I am and will never be a fashion blogger.  Haha.  I would much rather be behind the lens then in front of it.  I not only feel awkward but I straight up look awkward.  Seriously, this is why I never got senior pictures done.  I don't know what I am going to do when it comes to getting engagement and wedding pictures.  I just can't act all naturaaal when there is a camera in my face.  What's up #selfies?!

4.  The bf and I got all green this weekend.  We did yard work and planted a tree!  It all happened so fast.  We made a trip to Lowes to get a watering can and the next thing you know we have a tree sticking out of our sunroof.  I can't wait for it to bloom because it's a Flowering Red Dogwood! :)  This makes me even more excited because I got to cross this off my 101 Things in 1001 Days List.  

Our Burning Bush is sprouting!  We planted this over the fall and our happy to see we didn't kill it!

5.  I finally got around to finishing those DIY projects that I had started a month ago, err maybe longer! I had 3 pallets that I got from Philly's work.  I turned one that actually required two into a platform for Dragons Kennel and the other one into a Shoe Rack for Phil.  There was a lot of sanding and hammering involved.  I kid you not I was sore from all the squatting, hammering and panting. Dragon has ruined our kitchen floor. She has destroyed 2 plastic trays that sit in the bottom of kennels and now has completely ruined the floor.  We need to replace the flooring, which I hope we get around to it this summer because it just looks awful. The platform will hopefully keep her from anymore future flooring destruction and I would rather her destroy this practically free DIY pallet project.  The only thing I paid for was the letters and the gray spray paint for them.  My next project is to sew my own dog bed so she has something comfy to lay on!

6. Ever since the bf got me my camera for my birthday I CANNOT put it down! I discovered this weekend that Dragon might just be the coolest dog ever because she can fly!

7.  A lot of this weekend looked like this and I did not hate it.... I mean there really isn't a lot better than snuggles with your bf and pup! 

The fact that I posted a Weekend Recap on a Monday is a miracle, seriously this stuff just doesn't happen often! :)

Easter Sunday + Pup Pictures

Can I go back to Chicago?  But seriously.  I know I kind of went picture crazy on my last post but when I say I had 600 pictures I really did.  I'm actually pretty proud of the fact that I narrowed it down as much as I did!  

On Easter Sunday when we got back from Chicago we went over to Phil's parents house for dinner.  His dad grilled ribs and his mom made potato salad and corn.  To top it off it was 75 degrees and flipping amazing out.  His dad makes da best ribs, I couldn't stop eating them. 

I brought over my camera and since the dogs had stayed at their grandparents house, I thought they would be the perfect models to try to get a hang of this camera.  Mouse ended up not being so great because she runs too flippin fast. Dragon was actually exhausted from playing outside all day and cooperated more than she usually does.  Winning!

^This face kills me!

Parker, Phils Parent's dog. 

And I think I just might want to be a Pet Photographer...Yup, I think I just found my new hobby.  Taking pictures and getting to play with puppies, I mean holy fire balls those are two of my favorite things!  I think I should probably start by learning how the heck to use my camera and how to properly take pictures.  I know these photos aren't that great and photography worthy but shoot it's my first weekend with this thing so of course I have no clue. If you know any great sites and tutorials let me know.  I've been pinning like it's my second job.  I hope to take a class one of these days but that probably wont happen right away.  Also for all you camera experts, what a solid lens you would recommend?  I've got an 18-55 mm 1:3.5-5.6G lens and am looking at getting a second one. 

Happy Wednesday & Happy Puppy Cuteness Overload!