Plenty of Time for a Melt Down

My fourth of July came a little early.  At least that's what it felt like.  As the weekend approached I was wondering if I'd bitten off a little more than I could chew.  For a normal person, no big deal, but I'm not a normal person.  I'm a highly anxious traveler so having people over, then hopping on plan for a weekend trip, then coming home to get ready for another trip is kind of a lot for me to take in.  My parents arrived on Saturday.  My older sister and nephew arrived on Tuesday night.  They all drove back to Vegas on Thursday morning.  My little sister along with her husband and my niece arrived in Vegas on Thursday night, and I followed them all to Vegas on Friday evening.

The thing is.  I couldn't miss it.  I was really disappointed thinking that they might be coming out while I was gone and was thrilled to find out I'd still be here, so I didn't hesitate to get my tickets booked.  I couldn't miss out on seeing my little sis and I couldn't miss out on a family gathering.  They are just too few and far between.  I did see all the adults in April, but again.  It's rare.

I made a detailed packing list in Word a month in advance and carried it around with me so I could revise as needed.  I packed for Vegas the weekend before, but started packing for Germany three weeks in advance because when you work full time you don't really have three weeks.  You have three weekends.  I made multiple lists and checked them a million times twice. I ran around buying things I needed.  I started taking my trash to work.  I know.  Weird right?  I don't have neighbors to bring the trash bins in and it's never a good idea to piss off the HOA.  I got some cleaning done the day everyone left, and when Friday evening rolled around I was ready.  To bad my plane wasn't.  One hour delay.  Super annoying, because this is the 3rd time out of the last three times I've flown to Vegas, but one hour is a heck of a lot better than four.  C'mon Southwest I really like you, but you are testing my patience.

I went shopping with my mom.  She worked out with me.  We all went to the fair.  By the time I made it to Vegas on Friday night everyone was pretty close to winding down for bed, but by Saturday night we were dancing in the streets.  Literally.  My parents have great neighbors.  They borrow each other's hoses and pull trash bins in for each other.  They also do block parties.  I haven't been to a block party since like the 1980's.  It was fantastic.  Everyone set up their little tables with food.  Someone was on the grill doing burgers and hotdogs.  There was music.  Someone set off fireworks.  The drinks were flowing.  People were mingling.  I danced with my parents in the cul de sac and we were having such a great time it was hard to break away, but I had to hit the strip.  It's a must do on every visit.

It was hot.  Like 90 degrees at night and 103 degrees during the day hot, but I tell you what, I love those warm nights.  We grabbed an uber with one goal in mind.  Have one drink on the strip at Fat Bar.  That's it.  And the thing about the strip is that it's so massive it could take you a few hours to accomplish.  We got dropped off near the Bellagio.  The fountain show wasn't happening yet and it was late, so we headed straight to Fat Bar. I don't know why everyone followed me (of all people) off the strip, but I guess I was the ring leader so follow me they did.  Someone (not me) realized that we weren't on the strip.  We rerouted, had our drink, and ubered home.  I think we made it back around 1:00am.  I could be wrong on the time, because I had a little too much sangria at the block party, but it was pretty late.

My sister and I got our nails did.  I haven't had a manicure in like three years.  This is a big deal.  We grabbed lunch at the Habit.  We ate yogurt at Golden Spoon.  We hung out.  I booked by flight for as late as possible Sunday night, but before we knew it my parents were driving me to the airport.  It was a quick trip and I didn't pull into my driveway until about 1:00am.  Work the next day was pretty much hell on earth, but it was worth it.

The 4th of July was my recovery day.  Tuesday.  I regrouped.  Slept.  Did laundry.  There were more last minute things this week.  I'm getting ready to leave the country and I can't find my wallet.  Still calm. The good people at Madewell were kind enough to email me, but I realized my mistake when I went back to work and couldn't find it.  Get the key to the house sitter.  Mail that box to the husband.  Make sure the fence gate is locked.  One last trip to Target.   Is four pairs of jeans too much?  How about 15 tank tops? But I'm calm.  The suitcases are all but sealed shut.  I trust the process.  I trust my list.  The anxious traveler in me seems to have left the building.  There is still plenty of time for a melt down, but I'm hoping it won't come to that.  I'm ready for my next adventure.

 
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The 4th, Etc

Sister's

The Fourth was great. My little sister was in town from San Francisco so our whole family was together hanging out at the rent's house.  We relaxed and ate some good old fashioned diet busting holiday food.  You know, the usual hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans and a whole bunch of other stuff even though my mom claimed she wasn't making that much food.  My dad disappeared for a minute and somehow Mj ended up on grill duty.  It was a lovely day.  Then I went to work the next day and it totally sucked.  We didn't leave until about 9:30pm which means I didn't get home until around 10:15pm which means I didn't get to bed until about 11pm.  Which means that I was not a happy camper on Friday. 

Mj workin' it on the grill

Dad and Big Sis

Little Sis and Mom

My nephew was obsessed with the new train track and the bubbles around his neck

My little sis made the delicious Bruschetta // I can never get enough cheese!

I was so jealous that Mj was sound asleep while  I was trudging off to work.  My body was there but my mind was having an out of body experience. And how did so many bloggers already have their what I did for the 4th of July posts up that morning? How? When? Work was deserted so at least hardly anybody saw me looking like road kill. I did not want to be there and it was awful.  That's what I get for hoarding my vacation days and insisting on coming in until 2pm instead of just taking the whole day off.

Me and my beautiful sisters

Thank goodness I left early to meet up with my sisters.  I had to try really, really hard to pep myself up.  Once we made it to our happy hour spot and I was half way through a glass of wine I was good.  We had a really fun time.  It makes me sad that this will be the last time that the three of us are in the same city for a long time.

Chillin' at the winery

Saturday morning I did my work out. 30 Day Shred. Ugh! I cleaned house. Ugh! Then we went to breakfast and wine tasting. Yeah! Another Groupon date. It was our first time at Bernardo Winery but I'm already planning on going back.  Wineries are so amazingly relaxing and calming.  There is all this beautiful greenery and everyone is walking around with a glass of wine eating cheese, bread and chocolate.  It's the best.  I wish the winery was our backyard and I really want to do a Napa wine tasting vacation so I can be at a winery every single day. We did our tastings then spent a few hours on the blanket enjoying the perfect weather.   I closed my eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze on my face and the sounds of birds and trees blowing in the wind.   Heavenly! I did not want to leave. 

My little sister ended up staying one more night. Her flight got delayed because of the SFO plane crash. I still can't believe that happened. They say the odds of it ever happening to you are slim to none, and yet. It happens. I'm still booking my airfare for Maui but when I hear about things like this I can't help but wonder. 

Can I just live at the Winery?

Going to work on Friday was the death of my 4 day weekend, but I still got my fun in.  Next year it falls on a Friday so we won't have to worry about getting gypped.

4th of July (sort of) Weekend

The 4th of July being on Wednesday was pretty screwy this year so I took Thursday off.  It's not like we were even planning to do much of anything for the 4th but having to go to work the day after the holiday just didn't seem right.  So basically, I had two Friday's this week and getting through the 2nd one wasn't that bad.  We went to a BBQ on the 4th and enjoyed ourselves there.  We didn't feel like going anywhere else or dealing with any crowds that night so we skipped the fireworks.  We like them but can take it or leave it.

I probably need to work on my form!!

Thursday afternoon we went bowling downtown at East Village Tavern and Bowl.   I had a Groupon for $40 credit to use towards bowling and food.  Mj beat me of course.  The only thing I've ever managed to really "beat" him at is ice skating.  I pretty much suck at bowling.  My high score was 134 but I did manage a strike or two.  It was fun, but two games was plenty because by the 2nd one my wrist and hands were already feeling a bit sore.  I quit while I was ahead and my nails remained intact.  We use the rest of our credit on lunch and beer at the bar.

Poor kid!  He was so afraid of the sand at first

My nephew and my sister

Me and my sister

Saturday Mj organized a day at the beach at Breakers Beach on Coronado Island.  He posted it on facebook and about 27 people came out including my sister and her family.  The weather was a perfect 76 degrees.  It's on base so there are no crowds and plenty of close parking.  The last time I went to the beach was 2 years ago on our honeymoon in Hawaii and I can't even remember the last time we went to the beach locally.  Our beaches are beautiful and I've lived less then 30 minutes away from the coast my whole life but I've just never been into it.  I don't need a tan and the beach is just so messy and sandy.  The water is usually way too cold and I get a little nervous about what might be floating around in there so I'd rather go to a park with nice neat grass.  Or better yet a beach or a bay with grass.

I dug my toes into the sand and just went with it and it was actually kind of freeing to just be sitting in the sand and just letting the dirt happen.   It was a nice break from my usual clean freak mode.  Black folks CAN get sunburned.  Mj and I both got a little bit burnt.  We bought umbrellas but apparently they were real cheap and didn't stand up to the wind.  They were both broken within an hour of us being there!  Dj was really afraid of the sand and wouldn't sit in it and didn't even want to walk in it.  Poor kid.  He finally got over it when his dad sat him in it and just left him there crying.  After that he had a lot more fun.  The ocean is so pretty to look at but only my feet went in.  Mj went body boarding, the guys were throwing balls around and we had a giant party sub from Subway.  There were so many people and so much going on I barely sat down the whole day.  We all had a really fun time.  

I embraced the dirt but when I got home I made a beeline for the shower.  It was a fun day at the beach but it felt so good to be clean again.

Fun Fourth

The fair is a big deal for me.  It's a tradition in our family.  One I really enjoyed sharing with Mj when we went together for the first time 3 years ago.  I've been going every year for as long as I can remember and don't ever miss it.  Ever.  We were going to go on Sunday but due to budget cuts I decided that we should skip the fair this year.  He insisted we could still go (at least one of us isn't in the poor house) but I'm stubborn and broke so I said no.  Having a rental property is ruining my life! 

By the time Mj got back from biking that morning I was laying in bed feeling sorry for myself.  If I couldn't go to the fair then all I wanted to do is lay in bed all day.  And that's that.  Mj had to work a little bit harder then usual to pep me up but he got the job done.  No one can cheer me up like he can.  He's only home for a week before he jets off to Brisbane, Australia.  Yes, I'm very jealous.  There is no point in wasting our precious time together being a Debbie Downer when we could be having fun instead so I got up and got it together and we went to see Transformers, Dark of the Moon in 3D and IMAX.  We bought our snacks at the gas station, used our free popcorn coupon once we got there and settled down in a very crowded theater to enjoy the movie.  The story line was confusing at times but really good...and long.  The glasses are totally unflattering and felt funny sitting on my nose but 3D is super cool.  The images are so clear and really in your face.  It makes movie going a whole new experience seeing  everything come to life life so realistically.  I could definitely get used to that.

My sexy grill master doing his thing

Our spread

Me & my mini burger.
Minutes after this was taken it actually started sprinkling a little

For the 4th we did our own little BBQ at home.  Just the two of us.   I don't think we've ever done that before.  After watching a movie we Mj made sliders, roasted potatoes, and baked beans.  We ate it outside along with some wine.  Then we lounged around some more before going over to his co workers house for dessert, drinks and fireworks.  About 10 seconds after I shut my door we realized that Mj had dropped his keys...inside the car.  After the tow truck came to get them out, I continued chugging the best Moscato I've ever had in my life, ate a bunch of brownies and enjoyed a pretty good view of the fireworks from their house.  We didn't leave until about 10:15pm and that probably explains why I'm sitting here at work barely able to keep my eyes open.  Ugg...how will I ever make it to the gym?  I had a great long weekend but it was way too short as always.  It's so wonderful to have Mj home again.  My problems just don't feel as big when he's around and that's just ONE of the many reasons I love him so much. 

In case anybody is wondering, that bug I trapped under a cup because I was too chicken to kill it while Mj was gone was still alive and well a week later.  Mj lifted the cup and scooped the bug up with a tissue while I ran for the closet because I already knew he was going go try to freak me out by coming after me with it.  The icky bug is gone!  Mj really is my hero in more ways then one.

The Fair & The Fourth

Do we really NEED Chocolate Covered Bacon? UGGh!!

I love the fair and I think I've gone just about every year since I can remember.  We used to go as a family and now that I am older it's a tradition I've happily held onto and Mj seems content to go along with the program too.  I used to go for the rides but now I go for the food.  I have a wedding on Saturday so I did not get the chocolate covered bacon.  Yes, that's right.  Chocolate Covered Bacon!!!!!  You can even get deep fried butter and deep fried Klondike bars now if you so desire.  They have gone way too far if you asked me.  I got the delicious french bread pizza that I get every single year.  I pretended not to notice that the pizza place may actually have a store that's probably not too far from where we live.  It's easier to believe that I can only get this once a year.  It cost $8.16 at the fair and is probably a heck of a lot cheaper at their store but I simply don't need the temptation.  We headed over to the beer garden after that where we paid about $14 bucks for two beers and sat in the grass outside watching MMA cage fighting while we ate.  Random, I know.  You never know what kinds of things you will see at the fair which is one of the reasons I love it so much.

This year was a little different because we wanted to see a show at 7:30 pm instead of just doing the all day thing like I usually do.  We planned to get there late afternoon but got off to an even later start then anticipated and didn't have time to do a single ride or walk around as much as I would've liked but we still had fun.  At least Mj was here this year unlike last year when he was out of the country.  The Jeff Dunham show was pretty funny and entertaining.  We saw him 4 of his 6 hilarious characters.  I laughed through most of it.

Jeff Dunham with Crochety old "Walter" one of my fav characters of his

Saturday night after the fair we picked up my mother in law from the airport and then Sunday I picked up my big sis!  It was so good to see her.  She is growing another human being inside her body, her feet are swollen, and she has to take insulin shots now that she has gestational diabetes but she's still my big sis and it's nice to have her home.  All of us went up to my parents house for the 4th and spent a nice relaxing day there.

Me and my preggo sis

Monday my mother in law and I went shopping.  We got her completely outfitted for the wedding from head to toe.  I also found my shoes at Macy's.  They are exactly what I was looking for, they were on sale and I had a $10.00 off coupon so I only spent $32.00 with tax.  They are cute and comfy gladiator type Alfani sandals with a tiny 1/2 inch wedge.  I will be comfortable all during the wedding AND have a great pair of sandals to wear afterwards.  I also discovered this great store called Cotton On.  They are based out of Australia.  I am all about comfort and love this store because they have stylish clothing all in cotton and some great prices.  It was not planned but I was able to get my little shopping fix and spend only $23.00 because I found a navy and off white stripped cotton dress for $9.00, a black and white skirt for $5 and a great black shirt for $5.  The dress is cotton, casual and will be perfect to bring with me on our honeymoon.  SCORE!  It's the first shopping I have done that wasn't for the house in a long time.  I'd almost forgotten that stores had other sections besides housewares.

I had a great weekend.  The bad news is that I'm back at work right now and tired but the good news is that It's a two day work week.  I'm taking Thursday, Friday, and Monday off to prepare for and recover from the wedding.  Can't wait.